I watched England the other night and I was as devoid of enjoyment as England were lacking in ideas.

I was surprised the next day when the national press did not seem particularly critical. Even the ITV anchorman, before soliciting the views of his panel after the match, contended it was an entertaining game.

If that’s entertainment, lead me to the next local chess contest.

My companion in front of the TV screen was Ross Jenkins, once a very effective Watford striker, who was visiting us, along with his wife Eve.

Ross was even more scathing about England’s display and the fact the full-backs and centre halves passed the ball around to each other, clearly unable to come up with a positive pass.

“They just don’t know what to do. No idea,” fumed Ross.

With Daniel Sturridge incapable of playing as a line-leader, let alone as a target man, England were woeful in attack.

It was an awful game and the entertainment as such was provided by a couple of Slovenian attacks in each half when England were fortunate not to fall behind. Then again, there seems to be a general trend towards limited entertainment in the Premier League.

The possession game, as exemplified by Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United last season is becoming as mind-numbing as the excesses of the long-ball game perpetrated by Dave Bassett and company all those years ago.

Ross likes to have a project – building or gardening – when he comes to our house, so we had plenty of time to chew over the game in general while we fitted a new liner in our pond, after digging out some energy-sapping clay in order to make it deeper.

I decided not to mention the fact a couple of ‘herberts’ on a Watford fan website had claimed last year’s Watford side was the best the club has ever fielded; or that no one from the 1980s would be able to get into the current Watford squad. One even claimed that Troy Deeney was far better than John Barnes.

Of course, looking at Ross having to limp off an aching knee after being in a cramped position in the pond, it was evident that, in his current state, he would be unable to break into the present Watford squad.

But Ross in his prime? If you could bring that group of players through a time warp and have them fit and functioning as they were in their 20s and teens, then of course there would be competition for places. Luther Blissett, Nigel Callaghan, Barnes, Kenny Jackett, Les Taylor, Steve Sims and Wilf Rostron would vie for places.

I am a great admirer of Deeney: his leadership, his skill, his captaincy etc but when comparing him to Barnes in his prime, I am afraid my vote would have to go for the most skilful player ever to don a Watford shirt.

Harrow Times:

I can understand those who did not see him play, when watching a remarkably overweight Digger pontificating on television today, they could be excused for thinking he was not a great athlete in days of yore.

As for the best season enjoyed by a Watford team, last season has to be rated down the list. They finished 13th, somewhat below the 2nd, 11th, 11th, 12th and ninth place they finished back in those five 1980s campaigns.

Throw in the progress to the third round of the UEFA Cup, the FA Cup Final, FA Cup semi-final, and a League Cup quarter-final and it is clear there were other contenders for the most enjoyable season.

I should imagine – although it stuck in my craw – Aidy Boothroyd’s team winning promotion was enjoyed by many Watford fans, as indeed the recent promotion season and the promotion back in 1982 were memorable campaigns.

As for this season, I settled down in my seat in front of the telly, hoping the real Watford would stand up at Middlesbrough last week. I had seen the West Ham game, the Burnley fiasco and a few other lengthy excerpts of their matches to date but on Sunday I was a little disappointed.

Given that the game was a poor one, I was surprised at the lack of controlled possession enjoyed by a Watford side, particularly when reminding oneself they are managed by an Italian, who normally rate possession as crucial.

For much of the time, until they scored, several Hornets spent the afternoon surprised that Middlesbrough’s players were really keen to have the ball. The number of blocked clearances, crosses etc, was remarkable.

It was, at best, a workmanlike, if disjointed display. The spirit was willing but the execution was generally slapdash.

Of course the referee did not help in that he did not send off Antonio Barragan for a second foul on Isaac Success, which was even worse than the first that had earned him a booking.

Middlesbrough’s players sought to rough up the Hornets, picked up several bookings and in general lacked quality, let alone penetration. Gaston Ramirez, appearing to avoid a face-to-face confrontation when jumping to head a ball, opted to turn his back and let the Watford player bump into him – promptly claiming unsuccessfully for a foul. Middlesbrough should worry over that level of physical commitment. In short, he did not fancy it.

The result affects judgment but in general it was not a very appetising performance from either team.

So I still do not know the identity of the real Watford but, then again, there is much I do not quite grasp about the modern game.

For instance, does Jose Mourinho really believe that a 35-year-old formerly great striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is going to really set the division alight. The signs are not good.

Then again, how much of his £93million fee is the ponderous Paul Pogba really worth? About £20m on his displays to date.

That’s enough. I’ll retire to my garden and ponder how many goals Deeney would score with Barnes and Callaghan providing the crosses.