Paulo Pezzolano hails Watford determination in draw at Portsmouth

Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano hailed his side’s “determination and courage” to secure a 2-2 draw with Portsmouth after another slow start.

Pompey burst into a fifth-minute lead through Yang Min-Hyeok’s early strike as the Hornets went behind for the fifth match in a row.

Watford have only lost two of those fixtures and Rocco Vata scored one and assisted one within 10 minutes of the restart to turn things around.

But Adrian Segecic made sure the Hertfordshire side are winless in their last 10 away matches with a 79th-minute equaliser.

And Pezzolano said: “The game was two different parts completely. The first part we were a little bit too stretched on the pitch, but in the second part we were more compact and showed better face.

“The good news is that the team is showing good character, determination and courage to turn the games around.

“We have seen slow starts since last year but luckily in a moment in the game the team turns things around. We need to find out the root reason and fix it.”

Under-pressure Pezzolano made a pair of brave substitutions which could have sunk Watford in a poor first-half performance.

He hooked Nestory Irankunda in the 35th minute – which the Australian reacted to by punching a seat in the dugout, throwing a water bottle and storming down the tunnel.

Pezzolano explained his decision by saying: “He didn’t seem fresh and wasn’t able to recover after an effort. We didn’t want to take any chances with injury or anything like that.

“There are young players who need to learn how to react in different moments but what matters above everything is that whatever decision is made is made for the best of the club and what is best for pushing things forward.”

The Argentine also made a double change at half-time, which paid dividends within 27 seconds of the restart.

Vata – who had replaced Irankunda – scampered down the wing to set up Imran Louza, before the Irishman bundled his side ahead soon after.

“Rocco came in and did incredibly well,” admitted Pezzolano.

“It turned out very well but it is a shame we didn’t get the three points and have a happy return home.”

Portsmouth’s own super sub Segecic thrashed in a late leveller at the near post, but head coach John Mousinho saw the result as a negative.

Despite ending a two-match losing streak, he said: “It feels like two points dropped because of the positivity of the performance, particularly in the first half.

“We look at some of these games where if Watford slice us apart with good play then we think ‘that is the Championship’ but the two goals we conceded were so poor.

“They feel like the two worst ones of the season, especially 30 seconds into the second half having played so well for 45 minutes.

“I am pleased we got back into the game and kept going. There are plenty of positives but ultimately we need to be better from the kick-off.

“It is crucial that we have the firepower to come off the bench. It is encouraging to see Adrian come off the bench and get his goal.”