Given their form against the top eight Championship sides this season it came as little surprise when one journalist described Watford as flat-track bullies after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town.

A quick glance at the Hornets’ results this season would back up his comment. They have failed to beat Ipswich Town, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City over two matches. Watford have also lost at home to Derby County and drew at Middlesbrough.

The only top-eight team the Golden Boys have recorded victory against this season was Brentford, a feat they managed home and away.

So it is little surprise Watford have the 17th worst record in the division against the top-eight sides.

They have taken just nine points from a possible 36. Wigan Athletic, who are battling relegation, have managed a point more.

In contrast, Watford have won 17 of their 21 matches when taking on teams in the bottom half and have collected 52 of their 72 points from those matches.

Slavisa Jokanovic played down Watford’s struggles against the promotion chasing sides on Saturday.

“I am not thinking about this,” the Hornets head coach said. “All the games are new history and three points are three points [no matter who you play].”

And earlier in the campaign Hornets captain Troy Deeney rejected the notion the Golden Boys have struggled against the top sides.

He said results haven’t always matched performances and added: “At home to Bournemouth we drew and then away there was the decision that has been spoken about (Gabriele Angella’s incorrect red card after 25 seconds).

“Away at Ipswich they scored a scrappy goal and other than that there was nothing in it. The same at home to Norwich before their penalty and at their place at the start of the season we also had a man sent off early.

“We have beaten Brentford twice and drew at Middlesbrough. Derby are the only side who beat us and you say fair play, you were better than us.

“So we haven’t picked up points but the performances haven’t been bad.”

With seven games remaining Watford have a realistic chance of securing automatic promotion and they could win the Championship even if they don’t beat Derby or Middlesbrough.

But if the Golden Boys want to shake off that flat-track bullies tag they can’t afford to be beaten over the Easter weekend.