Watford have 'blinkers on' in play-offs race - Cleverley

Tom Cleverley's Watford have won 14 of their 35 Championship games so far this season and lost the same number

Tom Cleverley says taking the opposite approach to his 'obsession' as a player with where his teams were in the table is paying off this season for Watford.

The Hornets are 10th in the Championship, just three points away from the play-off places ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Millwall at Vicarage Road.

There are just 11 games left in the season but, even at this stage, Cleverley insists his squad are not worrying about league positions.

"We've been really good at it. I never was as a player, whenever I'd be in a title race or a relegation battle, I'd be obsessed with everything that was going on around that I couldn't affect," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We've got the blinkers on and are just focused on our own performances."

He continued: "I was one for setting short-term goals and having one eye on the play-offs but we're all in a much healthier environment, taking each game as it comes, not getting carried away with what other teams are doing, how far we are off the play-offs, how far we are in the play-offs.

"Well just play the best we can against Millwall and see where that gets us."

Watford suffered a downturn immediately before and after the turn of the year, winning only once in 10 games and losing seven.

Since then, however, they have taken seven points from the last three games, including a 2-0 home win the M1 derby against Luton Town.

"You want to be as consistent as you possibly can as a coach," said Cleverley.

"We went through a period of doing what we thought was best for short-term results but now we are starting to see a consistent shape, a consistent way of playing and some additions in January have helped us get to this place.

"I feel the players are in a good place and are ready to build on this recent run of form."

Cleverley said his squad understood that they would not win every league game, but were competing at a "high technical level" and giving themselves the best chance possible, whether or not they are able to dominate possession.

He added: "It's not the reason why you win games, by dominating the ball, but it's certainly how I see my teams playing.

"We are controlling the ball well but it has to turn into chances and final-third entries and ultimately goals. I don't want a team that dominated the ball but looks a bit toothless, it's all got to have a purpose to it."