Pollock: “We Were Second Best” on loosing to MK Dons 0-2

Mattie Pollock, who was proud to make his Watford debut despite the unfortunate outcome, believed the Hornets were rightly beaten by MK Dons in the Carabao Cup second round and urged the club to move on from the game and focus on the Sky Bet Championship season.

With strikes from Matthew Dennis and Darragh Burns sentencing Rob Edwards’ side to elimination in a 2-0 setback, Pollock emphasised that the club must improve on its performance in midweek.

“It’s a disappointing game,” Pollock began. “We wanted to win and they outdid us in most aspects of the game, which isn’t good enough from ourselves. We’ve got to be better. From a personal point of view, it’s taken a long time to finally wear the Watford kit and step out on the pitch, so for me and my family it’s a proud moment, but it wasn’t good enough.”

Pollock, who was signed from Grimsby Town last summer, spent last year on loan at League One club Cheltenham Town and has yet to appear in front of the Vicarage Road crowd.

Despite this, the defender sensed the supporters’ love throughout his time with the Robins and hopes his debut is the start of many in a Watford shirt.

“Since joining Watford the fans have been excellent, even when I was out on loan people were still watching me, and I’ve never been a part of something so special,” the 20-year-old added.

“For me, it’s a proud moment, probably the proudest I’ve had for Watford. Tonight wasn’t a great night, but from a personal point of view I’m buzzing and I want to kick on and play as many games as I can. It’s a big task but I’m ready to give everything I can and step on the pitch and make things right,” Pollock remarked.

With Queens Park Rangers’ return to the league on the horizon (Saturday August 27, 3pm KO), Pollock stressed that preparing for that Vicarage Road clash is now the focus.

“It’s an eye-opener,” Pollock admitted. “We’ve got to play every game as it is – just because it’s the cup we can’t change anything. We were second best to most things and the tempo wasn’t really there.

“But there’s no point dwelling on it, we’ve got to shake ourselves down and be ready for the next game.”