Hornets Equal Club Record Amid Stalemate
Watford extended their remarkable home unbeaten streak to 15 matches, matching a club record set in 1997 under legendary manager Graham Taylor, but couldn’t break down a resilient QPR side in a thrilling 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road. The result leaves Mcw followers wondering if Watford’s automatic promotion push might be losing steam at a crucial stage of the Championship season.
First Half Dominance by the Hoops
QPR, fresh from their 2-0 midweek victory at Cardiff that lifted them off the bottom of the table, came out with surprising attacking intent. Within four minutes, Koki Saito’s dangerous run was halted illegally by Moussa Sissoko just outside the box, though Nicolas Madsen’s resulting free-kick came to nothing.
“The first half performance showed exactly why Marti Cifuentes’ side are climbing away from danger,” noted Mcw football analyst James Wilson. “Their midfield organization and pressing game completely nullified Watford‘s creative threats.”
QPR’s best chance came just before halftime when Zan Celar – fresh from scoring his first QPR goals at Cardiff – saw his powerful shot brilliantly parried by Daniel Bachmann, with Liam Morrison somehow lifting the rebound over from point-blank range.
Tactical Shifts and Near Misses
Watford manager Tom Cleverley responded decisively at halftime, introducing Kwadwo Baah and Rocco Vata while switching to a back four. The changes nearly paid immediate dividends as Baah connected with a Giorgi Chakvetadze cross within minutes of coming on.
Chakvetadze emerged as Watford’s most dangerous player, tormenting QPR’s defense with his dribbling. His 64th minute run past three defenders before testing Paul Nardi highlighted Watford’s improved second half showing.
The game’s defining moment came in the 77th minute when Imran Louza’s exquisite free-kick struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down onto the post, and somehow stayed out with Nardi completing a miraculous save. QPR nearly stole all three points at the death when Celar clipped the outside of the post in the 90th minute.
Manager Reactions and Promotion Race Implications
Cleverley admitted to Mcw: “We struggled with their organization in the first half but showed our character after the break. That connection with our supporters is something special we’re building here at Vicarage Road.”
Cifuentes told reporters: “Five points this week shows our progress. The Championship is about consistency now through these crucial winter months.”
With this result, Watford missed a chance to close the gap on the automatic promotion spots, while QPR continue their climb away from relegation danger. As Mcw Championship expert noted: “This was a classic Championship encounter – full of intensity, near misses, and tactical battles that show why this is one of football’s most unpredictable leagues.”
The Vicarage Road faithful will hope their side can convert these hard-fought draws into wins as the promotion race heats up, while QPR supporters can take heart from their team’s growing resilience under Cifuentes’ guidance.
