Watford manager Roy Hodgson was pleased with their performance against Burnley side after a goalless draw at Turf Moor for his first game in charge.
Despite not coming away with the full three points on offer, the new boss was satisfied that there are positives to build upon going into the next match against West Ham United on Tuesday (February 8).
“It's a really difficult place to come and I don't think many will look forward to games against Burnley," Hodgson said.
“I thought we probably did enough today to come away with a victory. I'm pleased with the way the players went about their work.
“They showed great spirit, great determination and I think they showed everybody that they still care very much and they rolled their sleeves up. If you don't work hard here at Burnley, you get nothing.
“The clean sheet is significant. We know unless we defend in the way we did today, being compact and aggressive in our pressing, then you won't get clean sheets in the Premier League.
“I thought this was a stern test after only 10 days with the players and I thought they dealt with it very well."
At the end of the first half, some of the Watford players felt they deserved a penalty after Ken Sema's pass hit Connor Roberts' arm inside the box, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Hodgson felt the decision wasn't noteworthy and that today's match was significant in giving him an overview of the players at his disposal.
“I've not seen the TV replays so I'm not going to say the referee was right or wrong," he answered.
"I know the players close to the incident felt it was but from where I was, on the other side of the field, I couldn't see. It's one of those things that happens in football.
“You have to get over those injustices. I think the players at Watford deserve an awful lot of praise in that respect today.
“The task has become no easier or harder as a result of today but what it has done is give Ray Lewington and myself a much better idea of what the players are capable of."
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