Watford suffered their third successive home defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Preston North End, with a bad night exacerbated by injuries to three players.

The Hornets had already suffered the blow of losing Kwadwo Baah early on when they fell behind to Milutin Osmajic’s 17th-minute strike.

In truth, Tom Cleverley’s men were fortunate not to be more than one goal behind at the interval, but the visitors did score a second through Osmajic on 56 minutes, moments after Baah’s replacement Festy Ebosele had also been forced off.

Imran Louza also had to be replaced before the end as a stunning strike from Rocco Vata gave the hosts late hope.

Here are five talking points we’ve selected from tonight’s game. You can tell us what you think by using the comments section on this page.

Pressing problems

This was a poor performance for the most part and much of that was due to Watford being unable – and not being good enough – to combat Preston’s pressing.

Tool often they found themselves cornered in their own half or on halfway, meaning they had to pass back or sideways among themselves as they tried to find a way through.

What would you like to have seen the Hornets do differently to combat this approach?

Another flat first half

Disappointing first-half displays have been a far too frequent characteristic of this season – and this was among the worse.

The Hornets were slow and ponderous from the outset, fell behind, were fortunate to not be more than one goal at the interval and struggled to find a way through Preston’s approach.

What did you feel was the biggest problem with Watford’s first-half display?

Back Tom

The need for new faces was already stark before the game – and the injuries the Hornets sustained tonight have only served to bring that into even sharper focus.

While Cleverley and his staff will be keeping their fingers crossed for positive news on Baah, Ebosele and Louza, the initial signs are that the January shopping list may have lengthened tonight.

What do you feel are the priority areas for Watford to strengthen before the window closes?

Vata boy

On a night of poor performances Vata was the one player who suggested he might make something happen when he got the ball at his feet.

The teenager has already shown he is capable of the spectacular with his goal at Fulham in the FA Cup – and he pulled another strike out of that top drawer tonight, although it proved to be too little, too late.

What did you make of Vata’s performance?

An unwanted treble

Watford’s home form has been their strength this season, but after going unbeaten in their first 11 league games at Vicarage Road they have now lost three on the spin.

Of greater concern perhaps, is that two of those have been as a result of poor displays against teams who had been struggling on the road – Cardiff and now Preston.

Are you worried by Watford’s downturn in results at home?