Tom Cleverley gave a succinct and straightforward response when questioned earlier this afternoon about whether the Watford players fully appreciated the significance of a derby game against Luton.
“The players know. They know,” he nodded, before adding: “After my team meeting this morning, they definitely know.”
The last two visits to Kenilworth Road have resulted in a 2-0 and 1-0 defeat, on both occasions the Hornets massively underperforming and ending well beaten by the Hatters.
With the two sides spending many seasons a few divisions part, it means you have to go back more than 18 years to find the last time Watford beat Luton on their own patch.
And, with the Hatters having won the last game and had a season in the Premier League since, they may well feel they can look down on their old rivals – even though the current league table suggests differently.
It’s a fixture that has been highly anticipated since Luton were relegated last season, and now it is firmly in sight with less than two days to go.
“I fully understand this one means more,” stressed Cleverley.
“It means more to us, it means more to them and it means more to the supporters.
“But for me, I want us to take that step where we believe we’re a big player in this division.
“We keep taking those steps and then follow it with an inconsistent performance.
“The time is now to take another step forward and with it being in the derby then that makes it even more important.”
The Hornets boss will have to make late decisions on a couple of players before settling upon his starting XI.
“Edo Kayembe has come back from international duty a little bit sore, so we’ll have to assess him and see where we go,” he said.
“Giorgi Chakvetadze played two games and has come back sore as well, but we expect him to be fit for the game.
“We’re expecting Dan Bachmann to play, and Francisco Sierralta is touch and go, he’s 50/50.
“Angelo Ogbonna has responded well to treatment after having a small tweak following the Middlesbrough game.
“It’s the case most weeks that we’ll have a couple of players who are 50/50 and we’ll give them right up to the game to see how they are.
“When your players play two 90-minute games for their countries you’re always wincing a bit.”
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