The American said: “Ashley is a big loss but the team spirit we have here means we never give up. We will carry on fighting and we carry on together.
“I saw Ashley before the game and we wished him all the best.
“He’s a fantastic player and he deserves his move. He’s a lovely kid, he’s grown up here at Watford and done the whole apprentice thing.
“It is definitely not too late for us. We still have a game in hand and if we win that, the pressure will be on.”