Town manager Joe Royle said that his side has performed better and lost recent games after the Blues beat Watford 4-2 at Portman Road.

Royle's side completed their first double of the season, but the manager felt they weren't at their best: "We have played a lot better and lost. It was too open for a manager but great for the crowd."

"We looked like scoring when going forward but must defend far better. We had three central defenders [McGreal, Venus and Makin] injured and could do with at least one of them getting fit in time for the Christmas matches."

Skipper Matt Holland was again in the back three and was praised by his manager: "He was our best player. He was magnificent throughout."

Marcus Bent scored the final Town goal but admitted that he was at fault on Watford's second when Neil Cox was allowed a free header from a Neil Ardley corner.

Royle says the £3 million striker is a long way from full fitness at the moment: "I am pleased with Marcus but he is nowhere near match fit and I cannot see him starting for at least another three weeks. He is not ready for 90 minutes."

The second Watford goal made the score 3-2 and Royle says he was concerned at that point in the game: "Watford were getting directly onto our back three and giving up problems."

The Town manager also revealed that Alun Amrmstrong was left out of the squad as he has been put on a crash fitness course. Armstrong has been in and out of the Town side ever since he joined the Blues in December 2000 mainly due to back problems.

Watford manager Ray Lewington was disappointed with his side's defending: "We defended so badly in the first half that we were always chasing the game and had to take gambles. We had them on the rack and if we had a bit more quality we'd have got something out of the game.

"On one occasion we had three against one in their half and didn't get a shot on goal. It was just bizarre."

It appears that the Hornets' attempt to sign Wayne Brown is over with money the sticking point: "We just cannot afford his wages. I have an honest bunch in terms of endeavour and I am not going to criticise them.

"Some technical things are going wrong but I have no money to spend so I must get on with what I have got and I am happy to do that."

TWTD understands that Brown has also turned down the chance to join Gillingham.

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