Gary Rowett frustrated with Leicester’s lack of ‘killer instinct’ at Watford

Gary Rowett rued Leicester’s lack of cutting edge after Patson Daka missed a first-half penalty during a goalless draw at Watford.

Egil Selvik tipped Daka’s spot-kick onto a post during the stalemate as the Foxes remain in the relegation zone, while the point meant the home side lost ground on their play-off rivals

Rowett cut a frustrated figure after believing referee Josh Smith should have given a second yellow card to Watford defender Formose Mendy for the challenge which brought down Abdul Fatawu to concede the penalty.

He said: “You look at some of the challenges that were given a yellow card and then that one wasn’t when Abdul had a chance to shoot.

“But if you create as many clear-cut chances as we did today, the reality is that you have got to win the game.

“We’ve got to go and convert the penalty. It was a good save, but when you have a chance from the penalty spot, obviously you have to score. We couldn’t find the killer instinct.

“I’m pleased with the performance, although it’s hard at this point of the season to be pleased when you haven’t won.”

In spite of the solitary point, Rowett remains convinced Leicester will stay up, no matter what happens in their appeal concerning the six points they have had deducted for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

He added: “I’m 100 per cent confident that we have quality in the squad to stay up. It’s down to what we do in both boxes.

“It’s in our hands. If we don’t win enough games of football, then we know what happens. That’ll be down to us and no one else.”

Watford manager Ed Still insisted niggling injuries have caught up with his squad with a number of players playing through pain.

He said: “You feel a little bit powerless out there at times because you know that the players are pushing through pain and have the mental strength and commitment to do that.

“Giorgi Chakvetadze should not have played today. He was in such pain yesterday with stiffness. So for him to have got on the pitch today was brilliant.

“I’m not going to hide behind the injuries, but we are not fighting at full strength at the moment. We haven’t got the freshness in the team that Leicester had today.

“Look at the quality of the Leicester line-up and they have a really good manager. I mean, compare my CV to his, so I have massive respect for somebody who has had such longevity and been so successful in this division.

“On another day you can lose that game, so I will take the point.”