Charlie Daniels praised Watford’s players for the way they secured a point and pushed for more in the goalless draw at the promotion-chasing Hull just days after Javi Gracia’s abrupt exit.

The Spaniard ended his second spell at Vicarage Road on Sunday, having called for talks with the owner, Gino Pozzo, the previous day after overseeing a 2-0 home defeat against Swansea.

Daniels, the under-21s lead coach, was made caretaker after Gracia’s exit, joined by Adrian Mariappa and Dan Gosling, and two days later oversaw an impressive performance at the MKM Stadium. “It was a really good performance,” the interim manager said. “I thought the lads understood what we asked of them tactically.

“The energy they played with and the quality they showed and they possess, I thought it came through tonight. For me, the only thing missing from that performance was a goal.

Watford’s interim manager, Charlie Daniels, took over from Javi Gracia after the latter’s resignation on Sunday. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

“From one training session, the response has been really pleasing. They’ve taken on board what we’ve said and what we’ve asked of them and they’ve implemented it. It showed in our performance.”

Daniels...