Watford and Luton chase consistency ahead of derby

Tom Cleverley is in his first full season as Watford's permanent head coach

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley says Sunday's Championship derby against bottom-of-the-table Luton Town at Vicarage Road is a chance for his side to prove they can be consistent, even in a game that he says is not a "run-of-the-mill" fixture.

The Hornets got their play-off push back on track with last Saturday's win at Middlesbrough - their first in six games - that moved them to within three points of the top six.

"I'm expecting something a bit different from a run-of-the-mill league game," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"But, for us, it's three points and a chance to perform consistently again, which I feel like we have done for our last four games."

Those four matches saw Watford lose narrowly to Norwich, draw at Sunderland, suffer a heavy home defeat by leaders Leeds before an excellent victory at the Riverside Stadium.

Cleverley is looking beyond mere results, though, and feels his team is heading in the right direction.

"I've said to the players, 'If you perform with that level of quality and application, then, long term, it'll bring a lot more positives than negatives'," he said.

"The win over Middlesbrough was important for the players to believe in that sort of consistency, and Sunday's another chance for us to show that."

League table has 'no relevance' for Cleverley

Cleverley watched his side beaten 3-0 the last time they met the Hatters in October at Kenilworth Road, a result that continued the trend of the home side coming out on top.

The last away team to win were Watford in January 2006, seven meetings ago.

"It's a fixture that's proved successful for the home team since I've been back at the club," Cleverley said.

"Whenever I've faced Luton, it's been a very 'home-sided' fixture, and we're hoping to continue that.

"I learnt how to approach the derby, especially next time we go there, and the things I've taken away from that have gone into this preparation."

Despite Luton's struggles, Cleverley said it "couldn't be more true" that recent form will not be a factor on Sunday.

"The league table has no relevance for me; neither does form," he said.

"There's more than one way to win; we have a different style to them."

Luton will 'cherish' derby occasion

Matt Bloomfield says striker Carlton Morris will be fit to return against Watford

Luton goes into the game trying to give new boss Matt Bloomfield his first win since replacing the sacked Rob Edwards in mid-January.

The former Wycombe head coach has three draws and four defeats from his seven games in charge but knows victory could take them out of the relegation zone if other results over the weekend go their way.

"We need to approach it like a balanced game, and we need to perform - we can't be too emotional," Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We need to be calm and perform to the levels we have done in the last couple of games [a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United and a 1-1 draw with Plymouth]."

Bloomfield said he "understands" what playing Watford means to the Hatters' fans and wants to "give them the bragging rights" that would come with a win.

"I knew about it [the rivalry], but I don't think you really understand how fierce a derby is until you're actually involved in it," he said.

"You feel it a lot more when you're at a club, and I've felt it this week.

"I'm really looking forward to the game and being involved in the occasion. We want to go there and continue the two performances we've had so far."

Luton have not won at Vicarage Road since September 2002, when they edged a League Cup tie, and have not had a league victory since the same month in 1994, when former Chelsea striker Kerry Dixon was among the scorers in a 4-2 win.

"I know it's been a long time since we've won there and even longer in the league," Bloomfield said.

"We'll be giving everything we can to give our supporters something to cheer. This is something for us to cherish.

"I'm sure it'll be an intense atmosphere; we want to win on the road, we want to score goals, play on the front foot, and impose ourselves on the game."