Cleverley felt Watford needed to go into break on a high
International breaks give coaches and players time to rest and regroup – but it also means there is a two-week window for pondering.
The game before the first international break was the 1-0 loss at Sheffield United, their first defeat of the season.
This time around, the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough means they head off with a positive experience.
“Yes, that was hugely important,” said Tom Cleverley.
“I’ve said the environment in successful teams is everything, and if we had gone into the next two weeks on the back of two defeats it would have sort of tainted the start we’d made.
“It would have been a flat place to be for the next two weeks, but now it’ll be buzzing.
“Everyone will be hard at work, and everyone has the motivation of staying in the top six.
“This result today has really been key in maintaining that environment.
“The defeat at Sheffield United before the last break hurt because we’d made three wins in three, but it was the loss that you dwell on.
“I’m super pleased to be able to dwell on this game today for the next two weeks.”
So does that mean this break comes at a good or bad time for the Hornets?
“I’m neutral on that really,” the Watford boss admitted.
“The last international break came at the right time because it felt like after a seven-week pre-season and a really intense start that the players were getting tired.
