Cleverley: 'Trust me, I will develop Rocco to fulfil his potential'
He’s had to wait for his chance, but Rocco Vata is grabbing the opportunity to impress Watford with both hands.
The Irish Under-21 international had been restricted to largely brief outings and cup ties until he was thrust into the starting line-up against West Brom having scored his first goal to earn a draw in the previous match at Hull.
The young forward looks more of a snip for the £230,000 price paid for his services to Celtic in the summer with every appearance he makes.
“He’s been making an impact as a sub and now when he starts as well, his two assists against West Brom give him two assists and two goals in his last four games,” smiled Tom Cleverley.
“I said it about Baah earlier in the season: let’s not expect too much too soon from one of our really highly-talented youngsters.
“Trust me, I will develop Rocco to fulfil his potential but a bit of patience is needed.
“We have an exciting prospect on our hands and he is improving, and becoming a real live option for me.”
It was an innate predatory instinct that enabled Vata to be exactly where was required to score the winner against Portsmouth.
“That is one of his huge strengths. He is desperate to score goals,” said Cleverley.
“Giorgi is an established player but he could learn that from Rocco.
“There are a lot of things Rocco could learn from Giorgi, but that’s one thing I would challenge Giorgi to have and Rocco has certainly got it.
“Rocco is an animal when the ball comes in and around the box.
“It’s no fluke that he’s got two big goals for us in his last four games.”
There was a first start since October for Daniel Jebbison, and he gave his best performance since joining on loan from Bournemouth in the summer.
“He does need a goal,” admitted Cleverely, “and the one where the ball has run through his legs, he was in the right position.
“He had no time to react when the keeper diverted the ball but I was really pleased he was in the right place at the right time.
“On another day the ball hits his foot and goes in the back of the net.
“He just needs one to fall in for him, but I hope he’s not too conscious of it and takes confidence from his all-round performance which I thought was really positive.
“He is someone who becomes a really good option for us.”
