John Motson
Match of the Day commentator at Vicarage Road

This is not what Graham Taylor would have wanted in the first half - the ball has not been in the penalty area enough. As he used to say to me, "the crowd want the oohs and the aahs".

The play reflects the anxiety from both teams because of their league positions.

Image source, Getty Images

A chance for Cristhian Stuani, who looks offside as he collects an Alvaro Negredo header forward, but he tries a lofted shot, gets too much on to it and the ball ends up on the top of the net.

Excellent defending from Middlesbrough's Calum Chambers who is well positioned inside his own penalty area to clear a low cross, with Troy Deeney waiting to pounce.

The Watford chance had been created by Stefano Okaka, who had muscled his way past three away players into the 18-yard box before sending in a low cross towards Deeney.

Watford fans call for a penalty after Christian Kabasele goes down, but referee Jonathan Moss is not interested. 

Moments later Stefano Okaka gets into the box but is crowded out by sheer numbers of Middlesbrough defenders, before the ball is hoofed to safety.

And that's the best moment of the match so far.

Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure hits a low, powerful first-time shot at goal from 22 yards out after Stefano Okaka's knockdown and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Victor Valdes does well to get down and dive to his left and block the ball.

Postpublished at 25 mins

25 mins

Watford 0-0 Middlesbrough

Two Watford players clash for the same ball, and it is a painful one for Etienne Capoue who is headbutted, accidentally I should add, by team-mate Miguel Britos. But Capoue is able to carry on.

Fair to say it's not been a classic so far. Watford's stats are on the left, Middlesbrough's on the right.

Not much on the pitch to excite the supporters so far. That Capoue chance, when he was clean through but wasted the opportunity with a heavy touch, is the closest either side has come so far.

Here are some pictures of the mosaic formed by Watford fans before the game and the banner held aloft.

Cristhian Stuani has the ball in the back of the Watford net, he starts to celebrate, but his joy is shortlived as the assistant's flag is up and Stuani is offside.

Looking at the decision again, the assistant is spot on as Stuani prodded the ball into the net from close range. Middlesbrough denied and we remain goalless.

A glorious chance for Watford's Etienne Capoue as he is through on goal with only goalkeeper Victor Valdes to beat.

However, the ball is bouncing after a fortunate ricochet and Capoue's heavy second touch enables Valdes to sprint off his line and block the shot.

Image source, Reuters

Both sides are playing with a 3-4-3 formation, which seems to be the latest craze in the Premier League.

John Motson
Match of the Day commentator at Vicarage Road

There has been so much emotion around Watford today, not just in the stadium but in the town centre as well.

Image source, Reuters

An early run down the left wing from Watford's Etienne Capoue, but he does not make the most of it by then giving the ball away with a square pass 20 yards from Middlesbrough's goal.

However, Watford quickly get a free-kick 30 yards from goal, but the assistant's flag is up and the chance is wasted.

And we are under way.

A minute's applause for Graham Taylor is now being staged at Vicarage Road, before chants of 'One Graham Taylor'.

The players are out on to the pitch and fans behind the goal hold up pieces of yellow, black and red material to make a spectacular collage.

There is also a huge flag unhurled by the home fans of Watford featuring an image of Graham Taylor and some of the players from the 1984 side that reached the FA Cup final. A message of 'There's only one Graham Taylor' is also displayed on advertising hoardings around the ground.

Graham Taylor's wife Rita, as well as daughters Joanne and Karen are at Vicarage Road.

So what about Middlesbrough? Head coach Aitor Karanka has been quite open about his plans in the January transfer window - without naming specific targets. Of course.

The Spaniard has been linked with moves for compatriots Bojan, Jese and Gerard Deulofeu.

"The position we need to strengthen is the wings. I think we need more pace, especially when we have the ball," he says.

"The aim, once again, is to finish the transfer window with a better squad."

This is how they stand in the Premier League at the moment with both sides in the bottom half, but out of the relegation zone.

Image source, .

John Motson
Match of the Day commentator

I am privileged to be going to Watford this weekend. There's going to be an enormous outpouring of emotion, both at Vicarage Road and in the town, for Graham Taylor.

He single-handedly put Watford on the football map, taking them from the Fourth Division to runners-up in the old First Division.

This is a contest between two teams who at first sight don't appear too deeply involved in the relegation struggle, but both have just one league win in the last six. Defeat would leave either side uncomfortably close to the bottom three.

Watford look low on confidence, although Walter Mazzarri has been beset by injuries.

Middlesbrough have been accused of being too negative. It will be interesting to see if the signing of Rudy Gestede will encourage Aitor Karanka to be bolder.