Karanka getting cranky

AITOR KARANKA insisted now is not the time to panic but an increasing number of Middlesbrough fans will find it hard to agree.

The Teesside club’s encouraging reintroduction to the Premier League, taking five points from their first three games, is a fading memory.

Their only win is against Sunderland and a return of one point from the past 15 on offer leaves them looking set for a season of struggle.

They had no answer to a streetwise display from Watford, who climbed into the top half courtesy of a goal early in the second half from Jose Holebas.

It was far from pretty from Walter Mazzarri’s side, but that will matter little to the Hornets, who came under criticism from the Middlesbrough head coach

MIDDLESBROUGH WATFORD

for basically having done their job. Clutching at straws after an inept display from his side, Karanka’s accusations of time-wasting rang hollow.

“It was impossible to play them,” he said. “I don’t know how many times they went to the floor or how many minutes it took them to put the ball in.

“They have that topflight experience. I don’t want to blame anyone, I just want to say we couldn’t play the second half how we want to play.”

Referee Roger East was the subject of the home fans’ anger for waving away four lame penalty appeals as Karanka’s players seemed pre-programmed to go to ground in the area at the merest hint of physical contact.

Chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ could easily have been directed at those clad in red shirts rather than the official.

“Time-wasting? I don’t think so,” said Mazzarri, in defence of his players. The Italian, who played down a final-whistle spat between Holebas and team-mate Etienne Capoue, added: “We had players who went down injured and had to wait for the medics to come on, but I don’t know what else people are referring to.

“We have to be happy with a win like this. Boro make it very difficult to play here but we came up with a good defensive display. We’ve played better this season but in terms of the result, I have to be happy.” The decisive strike, Watford’s first on target, arrived nine minutes into the second half. Holebas brushed off a limp challenge from Cristhian Stuani to find the top corner from 20 yards past a leadenfooted Victor Valdes.

Middlesbrough had efforts on target afternoon.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

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