Cleverley says club is unified and urges fans to show the same tomorrow
While a week ago there was much consternation and concern - the club had issued one statement and another followed on Saturday – bringing a few issues to the surface has helped.
Tom Cleverley has had reassurances of backing from the club, the funnel that brings players in during the transfer window appears to be unblocked and now he hopes the supporters at Vicarage Road tomorrow can continue to generate great noise as they have done both at home and away recently.
It was a difficult end to last week, but a situation that the head coach feels has ended up with positives.
“In a way I do, yeah,” he said.
“I think you can sort of relate it to families a little bit – families argue and fight, and I’m not talking about me and the board!
“Sometimes it can be me and the players, sometimes me and the staff.
“But families have fights and in a small proportion afterwards it gets worse. Most of the time, though, you become stronger for it, and I feel real strength and unity in the training ground this week.
“We hope that we can be the catalysts to create that unity in the stadium tomorrow.”
With only one win in eight games and no home success since Boxing Day, the Hornets need a result.
“I don’t want to beat around the bush: there has been a lot of noise but I take responsibility for results,” said Cleverley.
“They’re on my shoulders and I enjoy that responsibility, and I will take that responsibility.
“It’s really important we all unify tomorrow.
“Since the club came out and backed me last week I feel there has been a really good atmosphere around the training ground, with the players, the staff and the board.
“Let’s replicate that within our stadium tomorrow, and show a real sense of unity, because I have certainly felt the backing.”
So he’s looking for big noise from Vicarage Road?
“Yeah let’s hope so, because it’s a big game for us,” said the head coach.
“In Norwich I see a club on a similar level challenging for the same things, and I said that before we played West Brom at home as well.
“They are a club on the same level competing with us and others for what I see as two play-off spots.
“They are a live contender so it’s a big game in big circumstances, and we’re hoping for a big atmosphere.”
The game at Carrow Road ended with a resounding win for the Canaries in a game that was extremely open.
“I’m hoping tomorrow won’t be as open because I want to be more controlled,” said the Watford boss.
“In control with the ball, keeping them at arm’s length without the ball.
“They are a team that does score a lot of goals – they scored five last weekend – but I’m not hoping for an open game of basketball.
“I’m hoping for a controlled strategic performance and something a bit similar to the West Brom game.”
