Watford vs Southampton match report: Goal-shy Watford fail to find way past rigid Saints

This monotonous match would not have been out of place in May, when players are already thinking of Las Vegas or Marbella. The early-season effort was there, but mentally both teams already look drained of inspiration. Three matches into the Premier League season and neither has won nor scored in their last three hours of football.

In these early season skirmishes, managers take comforts where they can. For both Quique Sanchez Flores and Ronald Koeman, the clean sheet was to be cherished – Flores because Watford are newly promoted, Koeman because Southampton conceded five goals in their previous two games.

“For both teams, the defensive organisation was too strong, but that is a positive,” said Koeman. “That is the starting point. Winning games is started by good defensive organisation, then you hope to make the opportunity to score the all important goals.” Southampton, he added, “had some chances”.

Indeed they did, but precious few. Heurelho Gomes made one flashy save from Graziano Pelle and several regulation ones, but faced nothing to concern a Premier League goalkeeper. At the other end, Maarten Stekelenburg did not make a save of note, though he was relieved to see both Odion Ighalo and Étienne Capoue spurn fine chances.

“To have two nil-nils is unusual in England, but it is important to have balance between defence and offence,” said Flores, whose team’s previous result was a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion. “We want to win, but if we do not win it is important we do not lose. We are just promoted and have to show we are a hard team to score against.”

As the season wears on, however, both managers will have to address the creative elements. Flores was quizzed on the absence from his squad of Matej Vydra, but creativity was the Hornets’ main problem. Koeman had responded to conceding two to Newcastle and three to Everton by switching to five at the back. “It looks a good decision after the game,” he said with a smile. “They changed the system and it was hard to play against,” admitted Flores.

The pair go way back. In 2007, Koeman replaced Flores as Valencia coach. That they now find themselves scrapping for a point at Vicarage Road underlines the globalisation of the Premier League and its riches. Neither of these clubs have won the title, nor is in immediate contention to do so, and their combined honours comprise an FA Cup, a Football League Cup (both won four decades ago by Saints), a few lower division titles and assorted minor cups. Yet both attracted overseas owners while still outside the top flight and are now managed by foreigners who could have found work on the Continent at Champions League level. Indeed, both coached Valencia in the competition.

Instead, they are here, which is one reason why only three of the 22 starters were English and the game was more a tactical contest than an exciting one. Koeman brought in Steven Caulker for Shane Long, with Oriel Romeu replacing Dusan Tadic – as he had at half-time against Everton. Romeu seems to be single-handedly trying to prove Barcelona produce cloggers as well as artists as, for the third game in three since joining Saints, he was booked for a crude tackle.

It initially looked as if Flores, fielding six of his 11 new signings, had opted for an English 4-4-2, but it quickly morphed into 4-2-3-1, especially in possession with, as Koeman had perhaps intended, Watford’s wingers being preoccupied as much by Saints’ wing-backs as vice-versa.

With both teams taking time to work out their own and each other’s formations, there was little to enthuse the crowd, which was a pity. After extensive building work, Vicarage Road now looks a top-flight ground, inside the stadium if not always from the streets outside, and with the home support clearly having taken inspiration from Crystal Palace’s flag-waving ultra culture, there was a lively atmosphere at kick-off.

The mood had quietened somewhat when the first incident of note occurred, Sadio Mané tricking and sprinting his way through the Watford defence before being brought, fairly, to a juddering halt by Gomes. It was the first time the Senegalese had given any indication of why Manchester United might be pursuing him – and the last. A few minutes later, having also come off second best against the formidable Allan Nyom, he staggered off to be substituted by Long. Koeman reiterrated that neither Mané nor “anyone else” was for sale.

With a fierce goalbound Jose Holebas volley striking Troy Deeney in the midriff, it was not until the 40th minute that Stekelenburg had cause for concern, Deeney releasing Ikechi Anya, whose cross fizzed across goal and though the legs of Ighalo four yards out.

The second period was a bit brighter. Soon after the break, Caulker, who took several opportunities to step out of defence, linked with Steven Davis to set up Pelle, whose shot was turned aside at full stretch by Gomes. Although Pelle sent the corner just over, another set-piece almost brought the breakthrough at the other end, but Capoue somehow managed to steer Deeney’s flick-on over the bar from three yards.

That chance aside, Southampton looked more likely to score, but with Gomes denying Victor Wanyama and Cedric Soares shooting over, the game meandered to its inevitable close.

Southampton’s attention now turns to Thursday’s Europa League second leg play-off against Danes Midtjylland. After a 1-1 first leg, a clean sheet will not be enough. They need to score.