This was a feeble display from a Watford side who continue to show a lack of fight, imagination, cohesion, tenacity or flair. Millwall deserved their win, but only had to stay vaguely organised to secure what was ultimately a straightforward victory. The Hornets mustered just one shot on target against opposition two divisions below them; a telling statistic on a deeply disappointing day.
Positives
The only positive is that Millwall's late winner removed the looming threat of a replay. Another fixture was the last thing this Watford side or their suffering supporters would have wanted. Youngster Brandon Mason continued to show signs of being a decent player, but there were very few redeeming features in a game all connected with the Vicarage Road club will want to forget.
Negatives
The Hornets continue to look shaky at the back, ponderous in midfield and impotent in the final third. An admittedly much changed side was unable to put Millwall under any serious pressure and the players look continually unsure of their role. Another concerning display. Not the confidence boost Walter Mazzarri's men will have been hoping for ahead of a trip to face Arsenal in midweek.
Manager rating out of 10
3 -- Watford continue to look listless and lacking in purpose. This has to be a concern for Mazzarri who is either unable to get his tactical message across, or is failing to set up his team in a way that will test opponents. This was the latest in a long run of dire showings under the Italian, who made seven changes for the tie.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Costel Pantilimon, 5 -- Injured and replaced by Heurelho Gomes after challenging for a woefully under-hit back pass. Was left helpless as Millwall hit the crossbar in the first minute.
DF Younes Kaboul, 5 -- In the context of his team's performance this was a relatively solid showing from Kaboul, but Millwall created too many chances for this to be a satisfactory defensive afternoon.
DF Adrian Mariappa, 5 -- Managed to snuff out the danger after a defensive mix up between Miguel Britos and Pantilimon, but was undone on a number of occasions with a simple ball over the top.
DF Miguel Britos, 4 -- Almost gifted Millwall an early opener after a dreadful back pass and never really recovered. Poor distribution plagued his afternoon.
MF Brandon Mason, 6 -- One of the few Watford players who tried to inject some forward momentum into the proceedings, the Academy graduate is starting to look like one of the bright spots of the season.
MF Brice Dja Djedje, 4 -- Unable to make any progress into Millwall territory which was a major reason for Watford's lack of attacking threat. As a wing-back, the lack of forward momentum was of huge concern.
MF Ben Watson, 5 -- The stand in skipper was unable to stamp his authority onto the game and will view this as a missed opportunity to stake a claim for a more regular first team place.
MF Abdoulaye Doucoure, 5 -- Despite recent good form, Doucoure was surprisingly anonymous in a game that was crying out for some poise and composure.
MF Adlene Guedioura, 4 -- A criminally wasted free kick summed up the Algerian international's afternoon and he must surely be worried about being left out of Watford's Premier League squad list for the second half of the season. Did well to head away a goal-bound effort at the end of the first half.
FW Stefano Okaka 5 -- An ineffective showing from the Italian striker who felt he should have had a second-half penalty. Struggled to use his enormous frame to much effect, failing to hold the ball up for his strike partner Jerome Sinclair.
FW Jerome Sinclair, 5 -- Wasted Watford's best opportunity, kicking the turf and fluffing his shot when presented with a clear sight of goal. Was starved of any meaningful service but failed to carve out any notable chances of his own.
Substitutes
GK Heurelho Gomes, 7 -- Replaced the injured Costel Pantilimon on 42 minutes and was immediately called into action with a smart save. Kept the Hornets in the game with a number of decent stops and could do nothing to stop Steve Morison's late winner.
MF Daryl Janmaat, 6 -- Showed a desire to get forward after coming on for the ineffective Dja Djedje and almost forged himself a rare decent shooting opportunity. His presence from the start could have made the difference.
FW Troy Deeney, NR -- Rested ahead of two big Premier League games in a week, Deeney's introduction as a 77th minute replacement for Sinclair did little to spark Watford into life.