Cleverley Admits Watford’s Start to the Season “Wasn’t the Stuff of Dreams”
Former Watford captain Tom Cleverley has shared his candid views on the club’s early season form, stating that their start to the campaign has been far from ideal. Despite a mixture of promising performances and frustrating results, Cleverley believes that Watford still have the potential to improve and push for promotion, but admitted that the journey so far has been challenging.
Speaking after a string of inconsistent performances, Cleverley did not sugarcoat his assessment of the team’s start to the season. Watford, who are aiming to bounce back to the Premier League, have struggled to find consistency, leaving fans and players alike questioning whether the squad can maintain a serious promotion challenge.
“Let’s be honest, the start we’ve had hasn’t been the stuff of dreams,” Cleverley said. “We’ve had moments where we’ve shown what we’re capable of, but we’ve also dropped points in games where we should’ve done better. It’s a tough league, and we’re still trying to find our rhythm.”
Cleverley highlighted that while individual performances have been promising at times, the team’s inability to string together a series of wins has been the main stumbling block. Watford’s campaign has seen them alternate between victories, draws, and losses, with defensive lapses and missed opportunities costing them crucial points.
“There’s no doubt we have quality in this team,” he continued. “But we haven’t been able to maintain that level consistently over 90 minutes or across multiple games. That’s something we need to fix if we want to be in the mix for promotion come the end of the season.”
As one of Watford’s most experienced players, Cleverley knows better than most the demands of the Championship. Having captained the team during his time at Vicarage Road and experienced both promotion and relegation, he understands that getting out of the division requires more than just talent—it demands grit and perseverance.
“The Championship is relentless. You can’t afford to switch off or take any game lightly. Every team is fighting for something, whether it’s promotion or survival, and you need to be ready for a battle every week. We’ve got to dig deeper as a group and make sure we’re delivering on the pitch,” Cleverley explained.
Despite the underwhelming start, Cleverley remains optimistic that Watford can turn things around. The squad, which features a blend of experienced players and young talent, has shown glimpses of its potential. The key, Cleverley says, is for the team to build momentum and regain confidence as they move deeper into the season.
“We’re still early in the season, and there’s time to fix things. The important thing is that we learn from the mistakes we’ve made and improve going forward. If we can find some consistency and start putting together a good run of results, I’m confident we’ll be right back in the mix,” Cleverley said.
Ultimately, the goal remains the same for Watford—to secure promotion back to the Premier League. Cleverley is well aware of the high expectations surrounding the club and believes the squad has the talent and determination to achieve that goal. However, he knows that it will require hard work and focus in the weeks and months ahead.
“This club belongs in the Premier League, and we all know what’s at stake. The fans deserve a team that fights for every point, and that’s what we’re aiming to do. It hasn’t been the start we wanted, but there’s a long way to go, and we’re determined to get this club back where it belongs,” Cleverley concluded.
While Watford’s start to the season may not have been the “stuff of dreams,” Tom Cleverley’s candid reflection offers hope for improvement. With the Championship being as unpredictable as ever, there’s still time for Watford to find their form and launch a serious push for promotion. However, as Cleverley points out, consistency and hard work will be key if they are to achieve their ambitions.
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