WATFORD striker Darius Henderson offered Blues fans a crumb of comfort by insisting Ipswich could still win the championship title.Although the 2-1 defeat ended Town's proud home record and moved Watford to top of the table and 10 points ahead of Ipswich, Henderson warned the title race was still wide open.

Derek Davis

WATFORD striker Darius Henderson offered Blues fans a crumb of comfort by insisting Ipswich could still win the championship title.

Although the 2-1 defeat ended Town's proud home record and moved Watford to top of the table and 10 points ahead of Ipswich, Henderson warned the title race was still wide open.

He said: “Ipswich are one of half-a-dozen sides who could still win the league.

“It makes it all the more exciting. In previous years, two teams have tended to run away with it but it seems more open this time and it's down to who can achieve the consistency. Nobody, including us, has been able to do it so far.

“We only have ourselves to blame, however. We have started games poorly and struggled to get back but hopefully we have now turned the corner and we can make the late surge that could take us all the way.

“Nobody will ever be able to question our work rate and, if you look back over the years, I think you will find that the promoted teams are usually the hardest-working in the league.”

Henderson made no apologies for the style of football that so infuriated Ipswich fans and said: “Our work-rate has got to be right up there or the gaffer will bring us off.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose, and we can take the stick from opposing fans as long as we take the three points. In fact, it makes it a lot more enjoyable when that happens.

“We knew all about Ipswich and their effective passing game but it's about striking the right balance.”

Henderson accepted the gamje was tight and Ipswich might even have sneaked a draw. He said: “Alan Lee was very unlucky when he hit the bar. It was a great effort and he was unlucky. The same thing has happened to us at times this season, when you go close and then the other team scores.

“It is a hostile environment here. We expected a tough game and knew it would take a massive performance to win all three points.”