Defender Mattie Pollock’s style of play makes him prone to injury, and he picked up another one on Saturday, albeit that wasn’t the reason he was replaced.
After falling awkwardly in the first half, Pollock, who had previously worn a head bandage and plaster, applied a heavy elbow strapping.
He remained on the pitch, but was substituted later in the game.
“It wasn’t a forced substitution, but he was really struggling,” said Tom Cleverley.
“He felt a crack in his elbow in the first half, but he’s a warrior and persevered.
“But it wasn’t a forced substitute; it was simply something I’ve always told the players: if we’re tied with 20/25 minutes to go, we’ll go for it at home.
“We did it, and it paid off.
“It’s now a 16-man game, and you can utilize five substitutes to re-energize the team. With our squad’s strength, you can even push it to the next level.
“We are not going to have a roster of 15 or 16 first-team players and then fill in the gaps with Under-21 players.
“We have 20 guys in each squad who can make a significant impact on the game.
“It felt like one of those matches at half-time that was going to be impacted and won or lost by the substitutes and today’s ours had a stronger impact, like they have for most of the season.”
Vakoun Bayo was one of the players who came on in the second half, and he led the line as Kwadwo Baah moved wide.
“I couldn’t have asked Bayo to play the role any better,” Cleverley added.
“We needed someone who could make the ball stick, manage the game, and win fouls, and he did an outstanding job.
“He’s one of those players who, from the outside looking in, is vastly undervalued.
“As his coach, I appreciate what he does for the team.”
Cleverley also admired the massive Rookery End banner, which was raised prior to the game.
“I’m immensely proud,” he remarked.
“For a lad who was bred up north to then come and be adopted as one of Watford’s own to the point where there is a banner in the Rookery for me – I was proud and emotional, and I’m glad we could repay them with a win.”
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