Tom Cleverley spoke to watfordfc.com after the Interim Head Coach extended his unbeaten start in the role to four games with a goalless draw at home to Preston North End.
Read what he had to say below...
On the performance:
I thought it was flat first half, I asked the lads for a little bit more tempo at half-time. Preston came here to frustrate, break the game up, and slow the game down. We let them do that first half.
In the second half we took the game by the scruff of the neck a little bit more, but we lacked that killer instinct. I’m a little bit disappointed that we weren’t able to get our first home win of the year.
On the changes after the break:
There was a little bit more tempo in our play. We made a few tweaks when Giorgi [Chakvetadze] came on. I thought we managed to work the ball up the pitch better than we did in the first half. Then when we got there, we didn’t have that killer instinct, that edge in front of goal or in and around the box to win the game today.
On keeping a clean sheet:
We have to find a balance. We don’t want too many clean sheets where we are not winning games. I thought we were rock solid today. The back-three controlled possession, controlled in and out of it, they dealt with their aerial threat really well.
Every long throw-in that comes in your box against Preston is a danger and I thought we handled that challenge well today.
On Preston’s playing style:
I think that is their style, to be direct and to contain. With the Norwich result at lunchtime, I thought they would come with a bit more intent to win the game, but it seemed at the end that they were happier with the draw.
On the substitutes:
[Mileta] Rajović is a focal point for us. He’s been training well. I’ve been really pleased with what I’ve seen in training and I’m hoping he can transfer it onto the pitch like he did at West Brom.
Giorgi [Chakvetadze] was really bright. He gave us a little kick in terms of tempo and quality. [Ismaël] Koné was the same towards the end. But I don’t think we did enough to win the game.
On settling for a point:
I think there was one team trying to win it, but we lacked the edge to do so. I don’t think you can ever talk about us potentially losing that game. But I’m disappointed we couldn’t turn it into a win.
On upcoming matches against Ipswich and Southampton:
I’m coming up against two great young managers but it’s not about me, it’s about picking up the three points, sticking to the gameplan and delivering it on Wednesday night.
