Cleverley loves the support but would welcome a different song
The songs from the stands have included one name, loud and clear, for the last couple of games.
It’s a name that has attracted national attention since yesterday’s rumours surfaced.
Tom Cleverley is visibly touched when mention of the support he has received from Watford fans is raised, and is the type of person who quickly passes the positivity onto his players.
Now, though, he hopes the songs can be less about him and more about the team and the club as a whole.
“I can’t put words into people’s mouths or control what they sing, and what I would say is just how much me and the team are inspired by how our fans have supported us this season,” he said.
“If I could ask for more of a unified support or choice of song, I think that would be fair for me to say.”
He has also heard parts of songs that, while supporting him, are less favourable about the club owner.
“Other songs would make us look a little bit more behind the team than directing frustrations somewhere,” he said.
“I’m not beating around the bush, we know where that is.
“All I would say is I played for this club before the current owner and since he became owner.
“Before we had one training pitch, we had three sides to our stand, we had a very average, treading-water-in-the Championship squad – I don’t need to say any more.
“We appreciate, and are inspired by, the support we have had through tough times this season.
“Can we do it in a bit more of a unified way?”
Watford will need all the support they can get heading into February, when they face the teams currently fourth, fifth and top of the table, and then their arch rivals Luton.
“It’s all about us now, it really is,” said Cleverley.
“People talk about the February fixtures we have, but it really doesn’t matter to me who we play.
“It is all about us being the best version of us, because I feel if we see that then we can beat anyone.
“Fixture lists absolutely mean nothing to me now, I just want us to look at ourselves and put the best version of ourselves out there.”
Tuesday night’s defeat inevitably brought calls for Cleverley to change his team and select other players.
“It’s always easy to say change it up when results and performances aren’t as good as you want,” he reflected.
“I think people aimed comments at Valerien that we were too predictable, and they wanted him to change it up.
“Now we’re probably too unpredictable because we’ve not found consistency in a three or a four.
“We have a thin squad at the minute but I’ve not had to say that once this season because our availability record has been very good.”
