Man Utd youngster signs as does former Hornet Helguson
It may be tough for Watford at present with key players departing, but the future is looking bright.
Mackay has added to his crop of talented youngsters with the loan signing of Manchester United defender Craig Cathcart.
The 20-year-old centre back joins Tom Cleverley in making the trip down fron Old Trafford, and will be with the club until at least January 2010.
He has also moved to bring in former Hornet Heidar Helguson on loan.
The 32-year-old Iceland international, who scored 64 goals in 148 start for the club, has signed until December.
The Hornets' young boys shone in the sun as a team with an average age of 21 kept a confidence-boosting clean sheet against Championship-strugglers Barnsley.
Danny Graham's fourth goal of the season and second in two games secured the points for the Vicarage Road side, taking them up to 10th in the league table and maintaining the side's unbeaten home start.
For winless Barnsley, the result left them rock bottom of the table and the only side on one point.
Watford started the match with two changes from the side which drew at Swansea last Saturday as captain Jay DeMerit, who incurred a groin injury on international duty with the USA, was replaced by 19-year-old Dale Bennett.
John Eustace came into the team to add some much-needed experience in place of striker Marvin Sordell.
The home side started brightly and had the opening chances of the match as Graham kept visiting debutant goalkeeper David Preece on his toes with two efforts and Tom Cleverley's long-range effort flew off-target.
It was clear that Watford were keen to thwart former journeyman striker Mark Robins in his first match in charge of the Yorkshire side.
After a shot was blazed over the bar by Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury and Watford had a corner cleared, Barnsley's defence was given a brief respite as they earned a corner on 15 minutes.
The pressure was soon back on the away side though, as a series of corners for the Hornets followed, but they were not having the desired sting in front of goal.
It was turning into a match of set-pieces as Anderson De Silva hit a free-kick against the Watford wall.
Only a brave clearance from the visiting Tykes' defence denied Graham on 32 minutes, before Lansbury's quick free-kick to Eustace was fired wide, leaving the match still goalless at half-time.
Barnsley started the second half on top as target-man Kayode Odejayi went close with a header before winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce saw his shot blocked by Lloyd Doyley.
During this spell, Barnsley fans may feel aggrieved not to see their side awarded a penalty when defender Adrian Mariappa tangled with Odejayi for Martin Devaney's crossed ball.
But it was a decisive free-kick for the home side which turned the game and finally separated the sides.
On 53 minutes, another free-kick was given by referee David Phillips after Lansbury was fouled by former West Bromwich Albion defender Darren Moore.
Midfielder Don Cowie's resulting delivery from the left was nodded down by Eustace and found Graham, who buried the ball into the net to the delight of the 12,000 home supporters.
Cleverley, on loan from Manchester United, and 18-year-old Ross Jenkins could not capitalise on chances to give Watford room to breathe.
Instead, the youngsters were left to cling to all three points as Barnsley lay siege to the home goal late on.
Manager Malky Makay understandably had a lot of praise for the performance of his inexperienced team.
He said: "You look at the back four and they've all come through the ranks and the academy here. That's a real testament to the club and the people that have worked here in the last year or two.
"I think none of them looked out of place in this league.
"It's a tough league to play in and Barnsley have experienced, big, physical players that they threw at us, but we stood up to that."
He went on to praise 22-year-old Marriappa, who captained the side in DeMerit's absence.
"He's been a real consistant leader of the team since pre-season and his attitude and his professionalism are great.
"We are seeing that he is clearly a leader in the team and that was shown to everyone here today."
There was also praise for scorer Graham, whose goals have been vital to Watford so far this season.
"I've said it before about players stepping up from other divisions to deliver in this league and I think this season Danny Graham has shown that he's a real acquisition at this level and he's beginning to look very dangerous.
"The effort he goes to every game is incredible."
There was also a mention for the performance of John Eustace - at 29, the most-senior member of the team on Saturday.
He said: "He was excellent. He helped the youngsters out and his effort and his energy are not in question."
Watford's take on Plymouth away from home on Tuesday in a Championship game.
Their next match at Vicarage Road is against high-flying Leicester City on Saturday.
The Foxes have had a strong start to the season and occupy a play-off place in the early running order. They beat Blackpool at the weekend, but Watford will be spurred on by their opponents' failure to win an away match so far.
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Weather for Tring
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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