There was no getting away from it as the team sheets were handed out at Vicarage Road. Abdoulaye Doucoure's name was nowhere to be seen.
The official line was that he hadn't recovered in time from a knee injury that he suffered against Crystal Palace last week. Talk in France suggests that Doucoure is the subject of a £50million bid from Paris Saint-Germain.
Watford say the 26-year-old is not for sale and are hopeful of keeping him at least until the end of the season. Manager Javi Gracia is confident Doucoure will stay but knows money talks.
Burnley continued their strong start to 2019 and made it four games unbeaten thanks to a well deserved draw at Watford
Burnley's Dwight McNeil squandered a good chance in the second half but the young winger fired over the crossbar
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton and Ben Mee watch with concern as a shot from Watford's Gerard Deulofeu flies off target
The Spaniard cut a frustrated figure all afternoon after missing good chances on a tough day in front of goal for the hosts
Chris Wood had the ball in the back of the net for Burnley but the linesman flagged him for offside
Watford (4-4-2): Foster 7; Femenia 6 (Britos 77), Kabasele 6.5, Mariappa 6.5, Holebas 6.5; Sema 5 (Success 56, 6), Cleverley 6, Capoue 6, Pereyra 6; Deulofeu 6.5, Deeney 6.5
Subs not used: Gomes, Masina, Gray, Quina, Wilmot
Booked: Deulofeu
Manager: Javi Gracia 6
Burnley (4-4-2): Heaton 7; Bardsley 6, Tarkowski 7, Mee 7, Taylor 6; Hendrick 6, Cork 6, Westwood 6, McNeil 6; Barnes 6, Wood 6
Subs not used: Lowton, Vokes, Gibson, Defour, Hart, Vydra, Long
Booked: Mee, Bardsley
Manager: Sean Dyche 6
Referee: Michael Oliver 6
Attendance: 19,510
Gerard Deulofeu was a constant threat down the right for Watford. Click HERE for more from our MATCH ZONE.
'I try to answer every day [about Doucoure] and I don't have any news about that,' Gracia said. 'He's my player and I think he will be my players until the end of the season but I don't have the control. But at the moment he is my player and I don't see a change in the situation.'
It is in these types of games that Doucoure can flourish. It is his creative ability that has helped Watford to seventh in the league. It is his flair with the ball at his feet that can excite supporters. Without him, Watford don't appear as coherent going forward. The attacks break down sooner and a quality final ball is more difficult to come by.
Take Gerard Deulofeu, for example. He worked hard to find space but was rarely backed up. Deulofeu was set free by Troy Deeney after he has muscled Ben Mee out of the way, but goalkeeper Tom Heaton was out quick to make a save. Burnley were still trying to regroup when James Tarkowski had to clear off the line.
Despite that 10-minute spell, Watford ceased to have any joy for quite some time and Burnley sensed a frustration among the home supporters.
An image of Graham Taylor on the big screen, on the two-year anniversary of his passing, was shown before kick-off
Both sets of players took part in a minute's applause for former Watford manager Taylor before the match at Vicarage Road
Gerard Deulofeu squandered an early chance for the hosts when he was played through on goal but denied by Tom Heaton
Watford's Tom Cleverley beats midfield opponent Jeff Hendrick to the ball to launch an attack for the Hornets
