Aidy on Withdean win

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd praised his players after the hard-fought victory over Brighton at the Withdean Stadium.

The gaffer acknowledged the importance of the win especially after the draining nine-man defeat at Elland Road on Tuesday.

“I knew it would be hard here, especially after Tuesday,' Boothroyd told the official site. “Today was a big, big win for us against a side who work for everything they can get. Fair play to them for that; I think they'll stay up because they've got a great team spirit like we have.”

Reflecteing on Watford's lacklustre first half performance Aidy said: “We looked tired at the start and we weren't at the races. “But it's how you react to that and how you deal with it. “We got in ahead at half-time and then took the second half by the scruff of the neck,” said Boothroyd. “The game was too open before the break but we sorted that out and closed it out well. “That's credit to the players after a tough week,' added Aidy.

Chris Eagles strike was reminiscent of David Beckham's goal against Wimbledon in 1996 and Boothroyd said: “That's one of the best goals I've ever seen live.' He certainly didn't have far to run back for the kick-off, he was that near to the half-way line. “It was a superb piece of skill from a player with an enormous amount of talent.”
Moreover, speaking of Eagles and his loan-deal at Watford Boothroyd said:'He's here to get things wrong and learn from them but we can all enjoy today when something like that comes off for him. “It was a brilliant finish.'

Veteran ‘keeper Alec Chamberlain also got a mention from the gaffer. 'Alec did very well but we've come to expect that of him,' said Aidy. 'But I'd rather point to the three one-on-ones their keeper has saved because, at the end, we could have had more goals.”
Boothroyd also said that the most pleasing aspect of the victory was keeping that all-important clean sheet. 'We didn't take our chances today but we got the three points and another clean sheet - that's what's pleased me most about today.'

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