The arrival in January of Egil Selvik and James Abankwah has played a significant part in Watford developing into a far more solid unit at the back.
Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Stoke saw a third consecutive clean sheet, the first time that has happened in the same season since December 2022.
Selvik made one very good save near the end to protect the point, while Abankwah was the stand-out performer and continues to go from strength to strength.
“I don’t like highlighting individuals but the additions of James and Egil have been a significant part of that upturn in clean sheets,” said Tom Cleverley.
“Mattie has been consistent all season, and now Egil and James have come in and been outstanding.
“I’m really pleased with those two additions and I can’t speak highly enough of the pair of them.”
Watford ran the show at the Bet365 Stadium, but at times were seemingly too keen to keep possession than find a way through the home side’s defence.
“First half you could accuse of that I’d say,” Cleverley admitted.
“It’s how I want my teams to be, in control of the ball, but I never want my team to be in control of the ball but toothless.
“I felt we were that a little bit in the first half, but in the second half there was a lot more end product and a lot more bite with our bark.
“On another day we open the defence up. Today we just didn’t give ourselves enough time with enough intent.
“In the first half we were in control but with not enough end product.”
Does that mean the Watford players could have taken more risks?
“I think we were a tiny bit safe at times, yes,” Cleverley replied.
“I don’t think they were scared to take a risk, but probably in their decision making they felt like they’d rather keep the ball and get real control of the game.
“I’ve got some quality players with big characters who will try things on the pitch, and I wouldn’t say they were scared to take a risk but we needed to tip the scales to risk more.
“We did that in the second half but just couldn’t break the deadlock.”
