Just like any supporter looking back at the highlights of the last couple of games, Tom Cleverley would have winced as he saw his team fall into the classic footballing trap of ball-watching.
The three goals conceded in the last two games against Norwich and Sunderland have seen those in yellow absorbed by where the ball was, rather than where they ought to be or – more importantly – where the player they should be marking has gone to.
The Watford head coach recalled something said to him by a former Manchester United and England teammate when describing a characteristic his team lack.
“We are missing one or two who have real defending instincts,” he said.
“I remember Rio Ferdinand saying that it’s human instinct to get out of the way of something that’s coming at you.
“If the ball is coming at your face it’s human instinct to move out of the way.
“Defenders train their brains to get in the way, and that is what we need to start doing.
“I don’t want to start picking out individuals, but we weren’t alert enough to Sargent’s rebound against Norwich.
“On Saturday when the ball goes over us, Ryan Andrews misses the header but we shouldn’t have people ball-watching, they should be protecting the line when the ball has gone over our head.
“These are the defensive instincts I’m talking about.
“James Abankwah is a good example. He’s someone who has come in and I can see after two or three days he values the art of defending.
“We just need to get in that mindset, especially at set-pieces.”
On Sunday, Plymouth upset the odds to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup and their defenders were openly celebrating after each time they had thrown their body in the way of the ball or won a challenge.
“I didn’t watch the game, and I wouldn’t particularly want to use Plymouth defenders as examples because we have had some really strong and consistent performances,” said Cleverley.
“But I do think celebrating last-ditch tackles and clearances does create a sense of unity.
“We’ll work harder than ever to try and create that defensive line unity, but really develop the defensive instincts at the same time.
“As a defender and a goalkeeper, that is how you’re judged. It’s about how many goals you concede.
“We have to be better in that area.”
And of course, the more things you do well more often, the more likely you are to be successful.
“Consistency wins you championships and I’ve said that many times,” the head coach pointed out.
“Seasoned teams with really good leaders, lots of quality and Premier League experience – and with that comes consistency.
“It is what we want to strive to be. We do have a good, young talented group and it’s about doing the details on a consistent basis which will bring you long-term success.”
