Tom Cleverley’s post-match demeanour after Watford’s dominant 2-0 derby win over Luton spoke volumes.
His smile, tone, and body language reflected both relief and satisfaction after an intense week leading up to the game.
Building Up to a Crucial Derby
Preparing for a fierce rivalry like this one comes with its challenges. Cleverley spoke before the match about ensuring his players were focused on securing a result rather than seeking revenge. Their execution on the pitch confirmed his approach had paid off.
“The week was a little more stressful than others because you don’t like to leave any stone unturned,” Cleverley admitted. “You’re trying to portray something to the players that maybe behind closed doors you’re not yourself. The players have absolutely nailed the game plan today and they deserve all the credit.”
Watford’s dominance in the first half was particularly satisfying for the head coach, who admitted that performances like these are exactly why he transitioned into coaching.
Not About Revenge
Despite a painful defeat to Luton earlier in the season, Cleverley insisted that revenge was not the driving force behind the team’s preparation.
“We weren’t obsessed with that game to be honest, even though it hurt us for a long period of time,” he explained. It was all about us being as consistent as we have been the last four games. That was executed brilliantly by the players.”
The result also ended a frustrating run of five consecutive home defeats, a fact that was not lost on Cleverley.
“I didn’t really think of that, but it is significant because we went so long unbeaten here and then so many where we were beaten. For me, I feel we are in the best and most consistent moment of our season.”
Eyes on the Future
While the victory propelled Watford to within three points of the play-off spots, Cleverley remained cautious about setting long-term goals.
“I’m going to sit on the fence a bit, because I feel in the past I was maybe too eager to answer that question and tell the players what our targets are.”
For now, his focus is on maintaining consistency and building momentum. The players were given a well-earned day off, but training resumes on Tuesday with the aim of repeating their performance against Stoke on Saturday.
Writer’s View
Watford’s derby win was a statement of intent, but Cleverley’s measured approach shows his understanding of the long road ahead. His reluctance to look too far forward is a sign of experience, as he keeps his squad grounded and focused on continual improvement. If the Hornets can maintain this level of performance, they could be serious contenders in the promotion race.
