Shared belief among Cleverley and his players has been key to success
Two-way belief has been one of the key elements behind Watford’s excellent opening four months of the season.
Back in the summer, many could not see past a relegation battle for the Hornets, and given they had finished 15th and sold some of their first-team regulars that was an easy assumption to come to.
However, Tom Cleverley said he told each of his players how much he believed in them before a ball was kicked, and they have shown faith in him and his ideas in return.
“I’ve got massive belief in every member of my squad, and I’ve said if they want to show me they want to improve I will do everything I can to help them,” he recalled.
“That is the kind of relationship we have.
“I think five of the starters last weekend were aged 22 and under, which is pleasing for me but also for the club as we’ve got a bright future.
“The first thing I do with these players is believe in them, and if they want to work on their potential with the belief that I have, then I will give to them with the work back.
“There is a lot of detail that goes into what we do, and a lot of our work is done in video meetings and analysis sessions.
“There is a hell of a lot of details that just goes into changing to a 4-3-3. It’s not just as simple as changing.
“For the guys to take that information on board so quickly and nail the details of a new system was something I was really pleased with.
“It showed they can absorb information.”
Last Sunday’s win was a perfect case in point, as Cleverley switched shape and personnel and the players responded with a real statement win over West Brom.
“I’ve watched the game back twice and it was one of those where I felt at 2-0 there was only going to be one team to score the next goal,” said the head coach.
“Then unfortunately they scored against the run of play and that meant the last 25 minutes were not as enjoyable as they could have been.
“I though the first half was a good football match and then I thought the way we started the second half was some of our best football of the season with great confidence in our attacking players and solidity at the back.
“The players needed to know in the last 10 or 15 minutes on Saturday that even without the ball you can still be in control.
“It’s not a case of we drop into a 5-4-1 and we defend our own box.
“You can still hold a positive line, give up possession of the ball but be absolutely compact and solid like we were.
“I’m really pleased at the way we’re now seeing our leads out professionally and efficiently, even if sometimes that means we don’t see much of the ball.
“I thoroughly enjoyed our performance last weekend and now we need to build on that.”
