Returning to this unlovely corner of Hertfordshire for the second time in a fortnight, penning any fresh words of wisdom about today was an unenviable task. Thankfully though, Steve McClaren stepped in to provide an accurate appraisal of the state we're in:

"It’s going to go all the way to the wire, you’re never going to be out of the mire. Each game racks up more and more pressure. If you don’t start winning and collecting points you’re not going to get out of it."

Sadly though, those downbeat comments came before his charges lost to a workmanlike Watford side for the third time this season. as any momentum gained from their last two home games vanished amid questionable team selections, baffling tactics and simply woeful finishing.

And although the Head Coach may moan about an offside opener straight after the interval, United got what they deserved from Vicarage Road as the Hornets stung the Magpies yet again and only the shortcomings of other struggling sides minimised the damage done - although Swansea's win at Everton on Sunday under their new manager was massively demoralising. 

A late header from Jamaal Lascelles gave some hope of a revival but good heading opportunities were embarrassingly fluffed as yet more points were tossed away against medicore opposition.

Injury to Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Kevin Mbabu and Jamie Sterry forced United into a three man back line: Fabricio Coloccini, Chancel Mbemba and Lascelles - making his full Premier League debut. 

Daryl Janmaat and fit-again Rolando Aarons occupied the flanks, while the continued absence of Vurnon Anita and Cheick Tiote saw a first start for Henri Saivet alongside Jonjo Shelvey and Moussa Sissoko. Incredibly though, Ayoze Perez was relegated to the bench as the mis-firing Aleksandar Mitrovic was favoured as a lone striker, supposedly supported by Gini Wijnaldum. 

Able to scamper past opponents at St.James', the Dutchman suffered from travel sickness again and went AWOL for the most part on a bumpy pitch apparently assembled from carpet remnants, inferior to the surface torn up after our FA Cup visit two weeks earlier.  

Playing his first game since September, Aarons could have given United the perfect start but lashed the ball wide after Wijnaldum had prodded at Sissoko's centre. Sissoko then played in Wijnaldum on the quarter hour, but he tried to pass it back across the box rather than shoot.

Rob Elliot made an excellent double save two minutes later to keep it goalless, denying Troy Deeney and then getting up to block Etienne Capoue who had looked a certain scorer.

United's best chance of the first period fell to Mitrovic in the 24th minute after Sissoko had passed the ball to Gini and his layoff fell invitingly for the Serbian who gave Heurelho Gomes the chance to block with his foot and divert the ball over the bar.

Making it to half time without conceding in the farcical manner that cost us the cup tie here two weeks back, McClaren hadn't even taken his seat for the start of the second half before the Hornets went ahead -  Odion Ighalo this time allowed to waltz into the box unchecked and poke the ball in.

A quick free-kick gave Mitrovic the chance to get an immediate leveller but his shot went wide and then Deeney prodded the ball off target before Craig Cathcart - who turned down a move to SJP in 2009 to join Watford on loan - netted his first club goal of the season.

Yoan Gouffran and Perez came on for Aarons and Saivet - who both looked out of their depth - and Gouffran could have made an immediate impact but made a hash of a decent headed opportunity.

Perez livened up our attack but he also skewed a header well off target when Sissoko crossed from the right. Lascelles at least was able to head goalwards to half the deficit, but further missed opportunities from Perez and Mitrovic and late substitute Emmanuel Riviere sealed our fate.

While our efforts went astray, former transfer targets Charlie Austin and Benik Afobe had no such issues - netting for Southampton and Bournemouth respectively - both inevitably with headers. 

Saido Berahino meanwhile was introduced as a 64th minute replacement for West Bromwich Albion in a 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa. Andros Townsend meanwhile played no part in a 3-1 Spurs win at Crystal Palace, but by Tuesday was close to becoming our third transfer window arrival.

That's heartening, but as was proved again today our problem isn't getting crosses over - putting  someone with a modicum of talent and directional sense on the end of them is beyond urgent.

15 games to go, 45 points to play for, 21 already secured. No Premier League team with more than 42 points has ever been relegated. Reaching 33 points or less is usually fatal (34 did us in 2009), 37 points or more vastly increases the chances of beating the drop (39 kept us afloat in 2015).

If it goes to the last day, teams playing at home improve their survival chances. We are at home along with Watford, Swansea & West Brom. Villa, Norwich, Bournemouth & the mackems are away.