'We need people who know the league inside out'
It appears the priorities for the January transfer window – in Tom Cleverley’s mind at least – are players who have experience, who know the league, the dark arts and can bring that to a team that seems to lose its way all too easily.
He pointed to none of his players making sure the team stayed tight and in the game when they got it back to 2-1.
However, he stopped short at pointing any fingers at the experienced players he had on the pitch at Loftus Road when it was suggested they didn’t do what was required of them.
“No, I wouldn’t aim that at them because I couldn’t accuse anyone of not trying today,” he said.
“What I do think is sometimes we need a bit of nous.
“You look at Jimmy Dunne: he’s getting into people, he’s talking to people, he’s managing the referee, he’s play-acting.
“We’re probably missing a couple of people with a bit of nous and that’s potentially an area we could improve upon in the window.
“We need people who know the league inside out.”
Although the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Angelo Ogbonna were recruited during the summer, Watford spent most of the money they did on the likes of Keiky Almeida and Pierre Dwomoh, while loaning in Antonio Tikvic – that trio between them have made four Championship appearances.
“The players who perform the ‘dark arts’ are not generally the type of players we recruit here, we tend to go for a lot of young potential and people who are learning all these traits,” Cleverley pointed out.
“I thought QPR played the conditions and the dark arts much better than us.
“They managed the ref, the ball boys disappeared – these are things we need to look at, and be as nasty as the opposition.
“We want to win, and there is more than one way to win. We have to be ready for all challenges that come our way.”
It’s only the second time this season the Hornets have lost back-to-back league games. After the Cardiff defeat, there was no immediate response.
“These are challenges I’m ready to face head on, and I’m really looking forward to us rolling our sleeves up and tackling Sheffield United on Saturday,” said Cleverley.
“Yes, we’ve managed to deal with a setback or two – but have we managed to deal with what is now a dip in form?
“It’s now important the group really sticks together, and that includes the guys who didn’t play today because they’re the first ones who like to start fraying.
“We need everyone to stick together and respond on Saturday.”
