Tom Cleverley has challenged his Watford players to maintain the high standards that have seen the Hornets emerge as early promotion contenders.
A 3-0 win at home to Stoke, courtesy of two goals from Edo Kayembe and one from Ryan Andrews, propelled the Hornets into second place in the embryonic Championship table.
That followed an opening day success at Millwall and a Carabao Cup thumping of MK Dons, and Stoke could have no complaints about the result as Watford fired off 17 shots at the Potters’ goal in the second half.
Watford have scored 11 goals in three games and Cleverley, in his first full season as manager of the club where he was a player for seven years, made it clear he wanted more of the same.
“We didn’t have the ideal pre-season results-wise but I’m glad the lads still believed in the process, in all the principles we are trying to coach,” he said.
“That belief has been rewarded in the last week or so.
“It’s three wins out of three and now it is time to rest, recuperate and really double down on the standards because that’s what separates winning teams from just good teams.
“It’s not celebration mode now but we feel a sense of reward.”
Watford scored twice in as many minutes early in the second half and Cleverley gave a flavour of his half-time team talk.
“The game was there for the taking,” he said. “It was quite cagey first half and I just said ‘if you really want to grab the game by the scruff of the neck it’s there for you’.”
Whatever Watford go on to achieve this season it is likely to be without Yaser Asprilla, however. The Colombia forward, 20, is attracting strong interest from Premier League and LaLiga clubs.
“If you stop someone going to the Premier League or a big club you could have a demotivated player and that might not be good for the environment,” Cleverley said.
“He’s a fantastic player and is going to attract attention. I expect Yaser to leave in the window.”
Stoke rued spurning a couple of early chances to take the lead, although Watford also hit the woodwork three times.
The result ended the Potters’ own unbeaten start to the season and manager Steven Schumacher admitted his players had failed to cope with falling behind.
“I’m obviously disappointed with the outcome of the game,” he said.
“We played really well in the first half, I thought we were nice and strong and solid and a threat in the counter-attack.
“I said to the lads at half-time my only concern with the performance was that we weren’t ahead.
“The two goals after half-time – from nothing really – changed the outcome. Two goals in quick succession is not easy to turn around.
“The second half got away from us and in the end no one could argue with the result.
“We know at times we are going to concede, especially away from home, and when it does happen it is time to regroup and get through a tough spell.
“We didn’t manage to do that but it is not something we are going to panic about. It is part and parcel of football. We have to make sure we do better in those situations when we can.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.On this day 2019 Hojlund level game mode Would you rather WIN the UEFA Conference League or EARN more money? Which one is the worst? “It’s da history of da Tottenham…” Kepa in Arsenal be like Wanda Nara is now dating 26-year-old Achraf Hakimi — the PSG star reportedly invited Mauro Icardi’s ex-wife to a private party after the...
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in the United States with a fresh format, gathering 32 elite clubs for the pinnacle of inter-club competition. This edition spotlights Group E, where Asian "Red Devils" Urawa Red Diamonds, Serie A giants Inter Milan, Argentine powerhouse River Plate, and Mexican "Tigers" Monterrey will clash. What unique marks will they leave on the pitch?Asian "Red Devils" Uraw...
ASTON VILLA want to hijack Bournemouth’s move for Rennes skipper Adrien Truffert.Villa look keen on the left-back and could swoop for the 23-year-old if they can quickly sell a player.Aston Villa are trying to hijack France star Adrien TruffertBournemouth are on the brink of agreeing a deal to sign a potential replacement for Milos Kerkez (above)The Cherries are close to agreeing a £20m...
Chelsea are looking to land a second transfer after Liam Delap.Chelsea are set to launch a new bid for Mike Maignan.Chelsea reportedly face crucial days ahead in their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, after already seeing one bid rejected. The France stopper is entering the last year of his contract at the San Siro and has been viewed as a market opportunity at a bargain price.The Blue...
Manchester United's chances of signing Bryan Mbeumo may have received a blow as Tottenham are reportedly readying an offer for the Brentford star.Man Utd eye Brentford's MbeumoTottenham ready their own offerTalks with manager Frank continueWHAT HAPPENED?The Sun report that Tottenham are trying to hijack United's pursuit of Mbeumo - with hopes that landing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as well could ...
Ajax have told Jordan Henderson he can leave for free this summer, with new head coach John Heitinga not counting on the experienced English international. Rumours have linked him with a sensational return to Sunderland, who will return to the Premier League in the 2025-26 season.Livramento to Man City currently on 'stand-by'Fabrizio Romano has reported that Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento's m...
Mikel Arteta is set to oversee a big summer at Arsenal (Image: Getty)Arsenal have waved goodbye to three players without making a permanent signing so far this summer, but the arrivals are not far off. Nuno Tavares has left the Emirates to join Lazio on a permanent deal, while Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have both entered free agency.Arteta picks between Sesko and GyokeresSince the start of the su...
Federico Chiesa is being tipped to leave Liverpool this summer (Image: Getty)Liverpool FC could be about to lose Federico Chiesa less than a year after the Italian joined the Anfield outfit. Chiesa was the only addition to Arne Slot’s squad during last summer’s transfer window, joining for £10million from Juventus.However, a combination of injuries and bad form meant his minutes w...
The summer transfer window is already in full flow, with Premier League clubs in a race against the clock to get deals over the line before the window is put on pause for the Club World Cup on June 10. Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are all hopeful of bringing in new signings beforehand, with early exits firmly on the cards as well.Ruben Amorim’s rebuild of United has been kickstar...
Harry Kane and England played out a drab first-half against Andorra (Image: Getty)England were booed off at half-time of their World Cup qualifier against Andorra, after a goalless opening 45 minutes against the European minnows. Thomas Tuchel's men had won their opening two matches of qualification against Albania and Latvia, but the German coach was left wanting more after his side's dismal show...
- 1 Albanian Laura Woods wows fans in Champions League final outfit
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 4 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 5 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 8 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker