Reaction: Cleverley On Hull Draw & Vata Goal

Tom Cleverley was delighted to see the character he feels has been lacking at times on the road this season, as the Hornets fought back to take a point from Hull City.

Rocco Vata’s late equaliser provided a swift response to the opening goal from Chris Bedia on an evening when Hull City were performing for the first time under new Head Coach Ruben Sellés.

“It was a little bit siege mentality,” said Cleverley. “They have a new manager and we gave them a couple of carrots in the second half to really get on the front foot.

“We showed good personality in the first half to play through the lines and hurt their pressure but we didn’t quite get the end product we wanted.

“In the second half that pressure kept coming and we made too many negative passes to give them momentum.

“I’m really pleased we've managed to turn it around and get that equaliser because that’s character we’ve maybe not shown at times away from home this season.

“We’re five unbeaten in the league now and we need to maintain that form at home to West Brom on Sunday and keep pushing. I’m really happy with the character of the boys.”

There was more than a slice of fortune in the Tigers’ goal, with a couple of deflections and a hint of handball from substitute Bedia. However, Cleverley is only reflecting on what his players could have done to prevent the opportunity.

“I’ve not seen it back, to be honest,” he said.

“I’m more concerned about how we defended the action. We weren’t decisive enough in clearing the ball but I’ve not seen the goal back to comment on whether it came off his hand or not.”

At the other end of the pitch, the Hornets yet again had their substitutes to thank for both making and converting the equalising goal.

On Kwadwo Baah and Vata’s contribution, Cleverley said: “I’m really pleased; they’re two guys who can always have an impact, especially when you need a goal.

“They’ve got fantastic ability, they’re exciting players with a lot of potential and now it’s their challenge to do the not-so-nice part of the job to get on the starting teamsheet.

“Rocco’s a great finisher – probably the best finisher we’ve got – and he always arrives in the box hungry to score. It’s a good mixture to have so he’ll score plenty of goals for this football club and I’m really pleased that he scored tonight.”