Cleverley and Watford head to Preston full of confidence.
Tonight’s trip to Preston is the first time this season Watford will have faced one of the teams currently in the three relegation places.Last season the Hornets went a goal down at Preston but then roared back to romp to a 5-1 victory.
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North End are without a win in five league and cup games, and have managed only four goals in seven Championship fixtures so far.
Ryan Lowe was sacked after the opening-day defeat to Sheffield United, Mike Marsh stepped in for the next two games before Paul Heckingbottom was appointed.
He guided them to their only league win of the season, a 1-0 success against Luton on August 24, but that is the only goal they have scored at home in the league this term.
“Every game in this league is a different challenge, and all 23 teams have weapons in their arsenal to hurt you and you have to respect that,” Tom Cleverley pointed out.
“League position and bookmakers’ odds might say that we travel to Preston with a real good chance to win the game.
“We have a game plan in place that we believe will win us the game.
“But favourites or not, I believe if we implement and execute our game plan in the way I know we can, then I think we’ll win.
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“I’m confident in our game plan, and I am 100% confident in what my players can do.
“With Preston, you’re talking about a team that finished above us in the league last season.
“So we respect them in the way we prepare but we go there with confidence.”
It’s a quick turnaround again for a midweek game, especially as the Hornets will lose half a day in travel time.
“The challenge this week, if I’m being honest, will be the turnaround from Wednesday to Saturday especially as Middlesbrough will have an extra day to prepare,” said Cleverley.
“We’ve absolutely had enough preparation for the trip to Preston, and that is the most important game right now.
“The problems and the rotation, and the lack of time we have to prepare for Middlesbrough, that’ll be more problematic this week.
“But Preston is the only thing in our minds for now.”
It’s also another week where many hundreds of Watford fans will make the long trip up the M1 and M6, getting home in the very early hours of Thursday morning.
“It’s an unbelievable effort,” Cleverley declared.
“We’re a fantastically well supported team away from home, and while the home form is something everybody can be proud of, let’s improve our away form.
“I like to think we gave a really good account of ourselves at Manchester City, and I’m sure there are some fans who will be doing both trips.
“I hope that those two long trips north can be rewarded with a good performance and on Wednesday, three points.”
