It's not all bad.

As Blues succumbed to defeat after Troy Deeney's 11th minute strike, it would be easy to be negative. Losing on the opening day is never nice, but there is no shame in today's loss. Watford will more than likely be in the top 3 this season, after crashing out of the playoff final last year. Blues however, finished in mid table and did not strengthen during the pre-season. Starting an entirely new season with a new system, coupled with lots of new faces, an inexperienced Blues team battled to an unfortunate 0-1 loss.

Blues started off brightly, with Novak and Green pressuring high up the pitch and forcing mistakes from Watford's defence and midfield, but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. Troy Deeney played a tidy one-two with Forestieri, one of seven players signed from Udinese in the summer, before slotting the ball past Randolph. Watford dominated for a short period, but Adeyemi and Elliott battled in midfield to try and drag Blues back in the game.

It wasn't through a lack of chances that Blues didn't get something from the game. The impressive Matt Green fired a shot just wide in the first half after escaping the Watford defence, with Wade Elliott coming close with a deflected 25-yard effort, rattling the crossbar. The imposing Dan Burn was composed throughout and was unlucky not to equalise with a header that flashed inches wide. The other loanee centre-half Bartley came close with a header late on, but he too saw his header go wide.

As he did last year, Ikechi Anya gave the Blues defence a difficult game. This time he started on the left, giving Eardley a lot of responsibility. Anya's blistering pace and skill make him a handful for any full back in the division, so it would be unfair to comment on him defensively, but going forward he showed some passing ability.

Debutant Andrew Shinnie showed some flashes of real ability but struggled to really get into the game, but a promising start from the midfielder. Whilst Novak and Green showed superb tenacity and gave their all, it's potentially worrying in terms of goal return. Novak has never been prolific, whilst Green has jumped 3 divisions. With Arthur the only other striker in the matchday squad, Blues may struggle to score goals. What it does give us though is a proper Blues team - full of hard working, hungry footballers, with some skilful players mixed in there.

Defensively Blues may have struggled slightly, especially during the first half, but the initial panic of three at the back seems to have been unfounded - lest we forget Watford scored four at St. Andrews last season. Bartley struggled, but with no pre-season under his belt it is no wonder.

All in all, a decent, promising start to the season for the Boys in Blue. Whilst it's not 'Just Like Watching Brazil' quite yet, it's not all bad.