Mazzarri blames Taylor emotion for Watford result

Daniel Storey

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri believes the emotion felt at the club following Graham Taylor’s death affected his players in their goalless draw against Middlesbrough.

Taylor, viewed by Watford as the greatest manager in the club’s history, died suddenly on Thursday following a suspected heart attack at the age of 72.

The club paid a glowing tribute to Taylor ahead of Saturday’s fixture which culminated in a rousing one-minute applause prior to kick-off.

A number of home supporters – many of whom had laid flowers, shirts and scarves at Vicarage Road – and Taylor’s widow Rita, were reduced to tears as the former England manager’s name echoed around the stadium.

“It was very emotional for all of us,” said Mazzarri. “This was due to the passing away of this great person that made the history of Watford Football Club.

“The first half we were less brilliant and it could have been due to this emotion. In the second half we played much better and we deserved the win.”

The build-up to Watford’s clash against Middlesbrough was dominated by Taylor, who enjoyed two hugely successful periods at the club.

In his first tenure he guided the Hornets from the Fourth Division to the top flight and their first, and what remains, their only FA Cup final. Following stints at Aston Villa and latterly England, Taylor returned to take Watford from the Championship back to the Premier League.