It is easy to be negative after a defeat, but last night's Watford performance was as limp as it gets and putting a positive spin on it would be laughable.

In reality, the only positive for Walter Mazzarri and his men is that they didn't lose by more, with Burnley coming close to adding to their two goals at Turf Moor, from Jeff Hendrick and Michael Keane.

It was a game overshadowed by a mess of formations - from 3-5-2, to 4-4-2, back to 3-5-2, then to 4-3-3 - but it wasn't just the shape which caused issues.

Too many Watford players, far too many, never showed up on a cold Monday night in Lancashire, and they never wanted the win anywhere near as much as their hosts.

Here's how we rated the sorry showing:

Watford Observer:

Gomes looks on as Burnley's second goal goes in. Picture: Action Images

Heurelho Gomes - 7
Smart save from Boyd, pulled off a few more as the game went on. Perhaps could have come for the opening goal but being an outswinger made it hard for him.

Sebastian Prodl - 6
Made an important challenge on Hendrick early on and looked switched on all night. Couldn't do it alone in a woeful defensive performance but put in a number of vital blocks - including the one which unfortunately led to Michael Keane's goal.

Craig Cathcart - 5
Hooked at half-time, didn’t do a huge amount wrong defensively but passing was as poor as anyone's before the break.

Miguel Britos - 4
Put in a good tackles and blocks before the break, one of which cleared the ball for a corner and unfortunately ended up as the opening goal, but put up very little fight against Keane for the second and looked all at sea after half-time.

Watford Observer:

Amrabat regularly had the beating of Stephen Ward, but his end product was well below-par. Picture: Action Images

Nordin Amrabat - 5
Was at least busy and wanted the ball before the break, which could not be said for many of his team-mates. But from good positions, dreadful delivery destroyed any of the little attacking impetus the Hornets had. Faded after half-time and replaced.

Etienne Capoue - 4
Where was the all-action, bustling, committed Capoue who we've seen every game this season? He might not have been in a position to add to his four-goal tally, but expecting him to pass the ball isn't unreasonable. Little excuse for being stranded on the left as he managed the same role against Manchester United eight days prior.

Valon Behrami - 4
The Swiss has been a mainstay at the heart of the midfield and stopped some of the world's best players cutting through the Hornets in the middle of the park, but Jeff Hendrick, Dean Marney and Stephen Defour ran riot last night.

Watford Observer:

Perhaps cold Monday nights will take some adjustment for Pereyra. Picture: Action Images

Roberto Pereyra - 4
Perhaps lucky not to get sent off, a petulant yellow card said it all about his evening, and had he not already been booked a lazy swing of the leg at Hendrick would have seen him off. One good delivery before half-time but when the Hornets really needed him to break down a stubborn home midfield, he wilted.

Jose Holebas - 4
Sloppy in possession and struggled defensively against Johann Gudmundsson, who gave him a torrid time alongside Matt Lowton - who has himself not had a great season so far - especially before the break, and was beaten by Hendrick for the opener. Booked utterly needlessly for petulance.

Troy Deeney - 5
Tried hard but nothing seemed to come off for the skipper, who was starved of service throughout both through the middle and aerially. At least looked like he wanted to fight.

Odion Ighalo - 3
Absolutely woeful. Chalk and cheese showing from his performance at West Ham a few weeks ago, and while his Manchester United showing was a mixed back in terms of quality, he was at least always wanting the ball. Largely anonymous and offered nothing.

Substitutes

Watford Observer:

Success takes his ire out on the net after his effort trickles along the goalline. Picture: Action Images

Isaac Success (for Amrabat, 58) - 7
The one shining light in the pit of apathy from the majority of his team-mates. Always wanted the ball, found his way past defenders and was unlucky not to score. Looked genuinely frustrated when things didn't come off.

Camilo Zuniga (for Cathcart, 46) - 5
George Boyd actually seemed to get more space after he came on for the Northern Irishman. A far cry from last week's cameo.

Kenedy (for Pereyra, 76) - N/A