Watford boss’ verdict on ex-team-mate and Blackburn Rovers
Tom Cleverley is hoping to make Blackburn Rovers’ trip to Watford uncomfortable for his former team-mate John Eustace.
The former Manchester United midfielder played with Eustace at Watford whilst he was captain of the club. Cleverley has nothing but praise for the Rovers boss, who he says was an exceptional leader.
But niceties will go out of the window on Saturday and he hopes to make Vicarage Road a difficult place for Rovers to play.
“He’s one of the best guys in football,” Cleverly said.
“I haven’t spoken to him for 15 years or so until the summer and we spoke about a few players. He’s a great guy, he was a great leader for what was a young dressing room at that time.
“Someone I’m very, very fond of. As a midfielder, he’s someone I learned a few dark arts from. He’s a very level head, he uses common sense to lead and is an organiser. Those types of characters, it’s never a surprise when they go into coaching or management.
“Defensively, they’re in a great moment. They have kept a lot of clean sheets recently. They’re a bit like us, a home team at the moment.
“We hope to make them feel uncomfortable with their away form this season.”
Watford will be without Angelo Ogbonna, who is now out for eight weeks, and Tom Dele-Bashiru after he picked up a knee issue
“Festy Ebosele came off at Leeds with muscle cramps at the end but he’s fine and fit for selection,” Cleverley added on the rest of his squad.
“Edo Kayembe got one of those that we’ve all suffered as a footballer where he got a knock on the ankle nerve and the whole foot goes numb. It was a little bit more worrying at the time but he’s fine as well.
“He (Kevin Keben) is progressing really well and I’m liking what I see. He’s the type of player that is going to bring us speed in the back line, and he’s physically dominant. I see a good foundation of technical ability for us to work with and it looks like we’ve got a good prospect on our hands.
“I’m looking for him to be ready for Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea.”
