It is not often you come away from a 3-1 loss against an undefeated side and feel like you deserved all three points.

But that was the main takeaway for most Watford supporters following our defeat by Coventry City – a sense of a missed opportunity to kick-start a season that could be quietly brewing.

Despite the inclusion of the seemingly ever-present old guard of Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe, a starting line-up that included Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and Rocco Vata gave hope we might be able to take the game to Frank Lampard's high-flying side.

And this theory was almost instantly proved right as Vata failed to convert a huge chance in the opening minutes – a tale that would repeat itself a little too often.

In truth, Vata could have won the match single-handedly. And while no Watford fan would hold it against the young forward following his game-winner in midweek, it feels like finishing practice for all will be on the cards in training.

I am not usually one for xG (Expected Goals), but the statistic sums up the performance perfectly – Coventry City 1.31 xG...