Below-par Blues frustrate Clark

Birmingham boss Lee Clark was disappointed with his side's performance in the 2-0 defeat at Watford but was quick to praise the Hornets.

Gianfranco Zola's side raced into the lead through Almen Abdi's third-minute penalty and then fellow Udinese loanee Matej Vydra's second goal of the season after 17 minutes put the hosts firmly in control. "If you go 2-0 down then it is very tough to come back and we found that on Tuesday night when we were in the same position," said Clark. "Watford were excellent and I wouldn't take anything away from their performance, but we have given them two very poor goals. "In general, it was a very poor performance in the first half. We were not good enough in the first half but it is a tough one because I know there is so much more in that dressing room. We all have to respond and bounce back and start working out a way to win football matches." However, whilst Birmingham have yet to win a league game under Clark, the Blues boss stressed he did not lose his temper with the players after the match. "I told them at half-time and after the game that I have the utmost respect for them and they are great lads and great players but they are not performing for some reason," said Clark. "Sometimes you can get your point across to the players without shouting at them and I have not ranted at them, that's for sure."