At Vicarage Road, Hornets manager Tom Cleverley watched his Watford team lose to Leeds United 4-0.
Leeds United crushed his Watford team 4-0, bringing them very close to “midtable Premier League level,” according to Tom Cleverley.
Leeds launched a devastating counterattack in the first half, completely dismantling the Hornets.
Manor Solomon added the third with a heavy deflection, then Dan James scored twice after running straight through. Watford had periods of possession and controlled the game until Joel Piroe completed a stunning team move halfway through the second half.
Cleverley declined to pass judgment on his players or offer criticism during a match against a team that he believes should motivate Watford to do more.
“We were in the presence of a very strong Championship side, one of the best I’ve seen at this level,” he stated.
“As players and staff, it should inspire us to reach the levels we desire. Although it doesn’t happen by accident, I believe all of my athletes have the capacity to get to that point.
“You can always do more,” I say, challenging them to be more professional and intense throughout the week. As a player, that level would motivate me to strive for it in both my life and my game. Our season won’t be judged by those games.
“Middlesbrough and Luton will be more the level of game our season will be judged. It really motivates me to want to reach those kinds of heights with my team. Some of our guys are treated unfairly because we’re now so thin. They didn’t play when we did on Saturday.
They have an extremely costly squad. Comparing my players to them and evaluating us against them is unjust of me. In several areas of tonight’s performance, we can perform better.”
Evaluating the objectives Cleverley criticized the defense for Solomon’s goal and the fourth goal, although he cleared Edo Kayembe of responsibility despite his ball directly to James.
“Kayembe is showing for the ball, I’ll never criticise that,” he stated.
“He constantly shown his desire for the ball. I will always be accountable for that. You have to commit tactical fouls if you turn it over.
“We must commit a tactical foul for the second goal. Third, we must never give up a shot, much less a goal from a throw. The fourth back was not visible, but it was somewhat squishy. Things that we can improve upon from a defensive perspective.
Cleverley likened Leeds’ level of play to that of Watford’s FA Cup match against Fulham, which they lost in January.
“Defensively I feel like we could have done better but I’m not saying it to protect myself, there’s no agendas here,” stated the player.
“When we play Fulham in the cup, you can see what a midtable Premier League team looks like, and tonight’s game seems to be about that level. With speed, quality, and a very high caliber of player, they severely punished us.
