Cleverley: "I Don't Think We Are Overachieving"

Tom Cleverley hinted that there is more to come from his Watford side after their positive start to the campaign.

The Hornets are back in league action after the third international break of 2024/25, making the trip down to Devon to face Plymouth Argyle on Friday (November 22, 8pm KO).

Watford currently occupy the final play-off place having picked up 25 points from 15 matches, a stark contrast to how some in the media predicted Cleverley’s side to fare.

“I know that the media predictions for Watford were a lot different to top six,” the Head Coach admitted.

“But I think we've proved to ourselves more than anyone that this is where we belong to be and this is what we're working towards.

“I understand where those predictions came from, but no, I don't think we're overachieving right now.

“I think that, if anything, there's more in us.

“I don't think we've defended our box well enough this year and we've not quite got to the bottom of how we're going to press teams.

“When we do those things, and that is when - we're working very hard to do that - I think we go to the next level.”

The international break just gone, which was the third in three months, was the last one until the end of March 2025, with Cleverley therefore earmarking this four-month period as an opportunity to really get into a rhythm. 

“I can fully understand the supporters' frustrations [about disjointed start to season],” the Head Coach said.

“We played four games, then five games, then six games, but now the fun starts for the supporters, it really does.

“It's one of those periods where you can move places very quickly in a week, and the season really gathers momentum from now until March.

“I don't want to look too far ahead, always just to the next game - I think in March you'll certainly know where your season lies.

“I’ve consistently said we do it in blocks of international periods, and now it really does go game to game.

“We've sussed out where our ambitions lie.”