ALEX McCarthy believes big Chris Iwelumo was the difference as Watford came back from a half-time deficit to take all three points at Vicarage Road.

The former Colchester United striker was introduced in the 53rd minute and Town had no answer to the physical presence of Iwelumo and matchwinner Troy Deeney in the second half.

McCarthy twice came under fire from the muscular hitmen but fortunately bared no physical scars from the bruising encounter.

But he knows where the game changed – something Blues boss Paul Jewell warned about at the interval.

The Reading loanee keeper explained: “He (Jewell) said Iwelumo might come on at halftime and be a big threat as a target man and we didn’t pick him up as well as we should have done.

“The first half we kept our shape well and we should have scored more than once. But in the second half, we didn’t keep our shape and Iwelumo changed the game.

“They started striking a few passes and getting in behind us and it gave the crowd a lift, especially when they had a few chances.

“Every one of us know we should have done better in the second half, but there are positives we can take out of that game and hopefully we can get three points against Middlesbrough (tomorrow night).”