Watford manager Tom Cleverley has strongly suggested that teenage forward Mamadou Doumbia will retain his place in the starting XI for the Hornets’ Championship clash against Stoke City on Saturday.
Doumbia Set for Fifth Consecutive Start
The 19-year-old Mali international was initially drafted into the team when Vakoun Bayo received a red card against Norwich City at the start of February. Since then, Doumbia has started the last four matches, despite having played less than an hour of Championship football before this run.
Even with Bayo available again last weekend, Cleverley opted to keep faith in Doumbia for the derby against Luton Town. Speaking ahead of the trip to Stoke, the Watford boss hinted that the young striker is likely to lead the line once more.
“He has done a lot of things right and not many things wrong,” Cleverley said. “He hasn’t managed to get a goal yet, but he’s won two penalties that I don’t think many strikers would win, just through sheer attitude and endeavour. He’s had a part to play in two other goals, so that’s four goal involvements in four games. For me, he doesn’t deserve to come out of the team.”
Bayo Still Building Up Fitness
With Bayo getting some minutes under his belt in the Luton fixture after a 28-day absence from starting, Cleverley indicated that he will gradually reintegrate the striker back into the team. However, for now, the focus appears to remain on Doumbia.
“Bayo will be better for getting some minutes against Luton,” Cleverley added. “Now I’ve got depth in attacking options.”
Louza’s Leadership Earning Praise
One of Watford’s standout performers in recent months has been midfielder Imran Louza, who captained the team against Luton. Cleverley, who played alongside Louza in the Premier League, praised the Moroccan international’s growing influence.
“He has been magnificent and for me is one of the best midfielders in the league,” said the Watford boss. “We’ve created a game plan to get him starting a lot of our attacks and controlling our builds. But what has really impressed me about Imran has been his leadership qualities. He’s stuck his neck out as a leader and a vocal one at that.”
Cleverley also defended Louza against critics who may question his physicality, insisting that his understanding of positioning and game awareness makes him a valuable asset out of possession.
Writer’s View
Doumbia’s emergence has been a real positive for Watford in recent weeks, and it’s clear Cleverley values his contributions beyond just goals. With Bayo still regaining match sharpness, the young forward may well get another opportunity to impress at Stoke. Meanwhile, Louza’s increasing leadership role is a crucial factor in Watford’s recent resurgence, adding control and composure to the midfield as they push towards the play-off spots.
