Boss Cleverley questions Norwich tacticspublished at 18:45 1 February
18:45 1 February
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Tom Cleverley's side have now lost four home league games in a row
Watford boss Tom Cleverley said referee Lewis Smith was taken in by Norwich City's "dark arts" in the home defeat against Norwich City.
Cleverley said: "Unfortunately the referee has been played. I thought Norwich were good at the dark arts. Every time someone made contact with their players they fell to the ground.
"I can't justify Vakoun Bayo's reaction [which got him sent off]. He knows he's let his team-mates down. He's pushed Marcondes in his chest - and it's a disappointing reaction from him.
"If you counted the amount of times Marcondes fell to the floor you'd have a decent tally.
"I'm proud of my players. We've reduced them to very little. The work-rate and togetherness and spirit was excellent."
I've enjoyed the calmer week - Cleverleypublished at 15:47 31 January
15:47 31 January
Image source, PA Media
Watford head coach Tom Cleverley says he prefers the weeks without midweek games so he can spend more time working with the squad on the training ground.
The Hornets have played a midweek game followed by another at the weekend for the past two weeks.
Saturday's home fixture against Norwich is the first time since the 2-1 loss at Burnley on 21 December that Cleverley has had the luxury of more than five days between matches to prepare his players.
"I really do enjoy these Saturday to Saturday weeks where you can get some good, quality time on the training pitch with the players," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio in his pre-match press conference.
"Selfishly, it's what I enjoy about the job. Obviously everyone loves matchday but actually being able to work on things you're trying to get out in the games is nice.
"Through the period we've had, you're sort of rest, recovery, picking the team, dealing with other stuff and then it's all about matchday. But I do enjoy these weeks where you can really focus on your job and what you love.
"It's a big incentive to get to the promised land because there, it's even more of that where there are eight games less, but there's a lot to be said about the league that we're in, the chaotic nature of it and how enjoyable that can be.
"But I've enjoyed the calmer week with some real quality time with the players."
Watford make Wiley loan offerpublished at 19:40 30 January
19:40 30 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Watford are in talks to sign Chelsea defender Caleb Wiley on loan.
The 20-year-old has been playing at Strasbourg, a club that like Chelsea is owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, but could see his loan cut short to move to the Championship.
Wiley has been suffering from a shoulder injury but is expected to be close to a return.
The move of Wiley to English football would give Chelsea some space to move their unwanted players around.
It would free up an international loan spot and they would be able to move a player again to Strasbourg - as they would have just two players left there on loan in Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic.
Fifa only allow a maximum of three loans between clubs.
Pick of the stats: Watford v Norwich Citypublished at 16:14 30 January
16:14 30 January
Watford welcome Norwich City to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon in a clash between two sides hoping to keep their play-off hopes alive.
The Hornets are ninth and have picked up just one win in their previous seven games (D1 L5), while the 11th-placed Canaries have won four of their past seven (D1 L2).
Watford have won five of their past six home league games against Norwich City (L1), scoring 2+ goals in four of those victories.
Norwich City have won each of their past two league games against Watford and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since September 1984.
Watford have lost each of their past three home league games, a run which directly followed an unbeaten streak of 15 outings for the Hornets at Vicarage Road beforehand (W10 D5).
Norwich have won just one of their past 11 away league games (D4 L6), failing to score in four of their last six outings on the road in the Championship.
Norwich's Josh Sargent has netted four league goals against Watford, his most against any side during his club career.
🎧 Watford fans rally around boss Cleverleypublished at 12:09 30 January
12:09 30 January
Media caption,
Will Watford stick with Tom Cleverley?
'Tom Cleverley gets what it means to be a Watford guy and a Watford manager.'
Aaron Paul and ex-Watford winger Jobi McAnuff are joined by Hornets fan Jacob Culshaw to discuss boss Tom Cleverley's future at a club that has had 20 different permanent head coaches since owner Gino Pozzo acquired the Vicarage Road team in 2012.
Festy scored one goal in his 18 Championship appearances for Watford this season, but only played a full 90 minutes on two occasions.
I lived my dream with Watford - Semapublished at 10:21 30 January
10:21 30 January
Image source, Getty Images
Ken Sema has issued a heartfelt goodbye after his contract with Watford was cancelled by mutual consent, bringing to an end a six-and-a-half-year spell at the club.
"Now is the time for me to leave, it feels strange to say that but it's true," Sema, who made 176 appearances for the Hornets and scored 12 goals, told the club website, external.
"It's been absolutely a pleasure to be part of this club. I made history here with promotion, I lived my dream, I played in the Premier League. I've made friends for life."
"I came here as a guy who scored against Arsenal, that was the one thing people knew about me, and I'm leaving as a king," Sema said.
"I loved my time here. This club will always be a part of my heart. It might sound like a cliche, but to be honest, it's the truth.
"Everywhere I go, I will always think of this time as a great time. I left a mark on this club and I'm so happy I left something here. I'm extremely proud of what I've done.
"The fans have always been there for me since day one. I've experienced so much joy, so much love from the fans.
"The great times, the tough times, they've always been at my side. I'm grateful for everything.
"Without them, this is not a club. So, Watford fans, this is for you - thank you. I will always remember you."
Robinson replaced as Watford assistant while Sema exitspublished at 11:27 29 January
11:27 29 January
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Zigor Aranalde, who worked under former Watford boss Javi Gracia, has rejoined the club to replace Paul Robinson (left) as assistant coach
Watford boss Tom Cleverley has made a backroom reshuffle, replacing first-team coach Paul Robinson with the Hornets' former assistant Zigor Aranalde.
Midlands-based Robinson, who joined as assistant coach in October, has taken a step back to an opposition analysis role because of "family considerations".
Aranalde, who worked under previous head coach Javi Gracia between January 2018 and September 2019, returns to Vicarage Road.
"I've got a huge amount of respect for Robbo's work and his commitment to our football club as a true Watford man," said Cleverley. "He's still very much part of our team for now - just not quite so visible to supporters on matchdays.
"Zigor's a guy I know very well – I worked with him for the best part of 18 months when he was part of Javi's staff. It was a very successful time in the club's history, something he and I touched upon when we spoke over a Zoom call. He's someone that can come in and give us further help in the areas we need."
Meanwhile, Watford have cancelled the contract of winger Ken Sema by mutual consent.
The 31-year-old Swedish winger made 176 appearances for the Hornets after signing from Ostersunds FK in July 2018 - the last of them in the 2-2 draw at Plymouth in late November.
Gossip: Watford closing in on Iheanachopublished at 11:25 29 January
11:25 29 January
Image source, Getty Images/BBC Sport
Watford are close to an agreement with La Liga club Sevilla to bring in former Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 28, on loan until the end of the season. (The 72), external
The Hornets are also trying to hijack Hull City's deal to sign 31-year-old Southampton defender Charlie Taylor, who already has an agreement in place with the Tigers. (Football League World), external
A 'bonkers' 48 hours - what happens next?published at 16:30 28 January
16:30 28 January
Geoff Doyle Sports Editor, BBC Three Counties Radio
Image source, Getty Images
Even by Watford standards, what happened last week was pretty bonkers.
Three hours after head coach Tom Cleverley was asking Hornets fans not to sing a song against owner Gino Pozzo, reports emerged in Spain that a new head coach would be replacing him. It left a sour taste in the mouth.
Watford initially denied it and said he'd be in charge for the next game but that didn't put it to bed. Fans were still livid as Cleverley is an extremely popular manager.
It forced the club to release another statement on the actual morning of the match saying he was there for the Coventry game "and well beyond".
It ends speculation temporarily but what happens next? Watford lost at Coventry and are on a run of one win in seven in the Championship - five of them defeats - and have fallen out of the play-off positions.
History tells us that Watford head coaches don't last long in this situation. The owner and board will argue they have every right to change their head coach if they feel the club isn't moving forward.
Cleverley might argue he hasn't been given much help in in the January transfer window. But he did tellingly back chief executive Scott Duxbury after the Coventry defeat.
So, if it is Pozzo calling the shots, ultimately he is now in a tricky situation and it feels like we are in limbo. If the story hadn't leaked in Spain, it feels pretty likely that they would have made the change after the Coventry loss. As it is, they now will have to wait.
And so, as well as them, it puts Cleverley in an awkward position. I suppose the big question is define what "well beyond" means to the board and particularly the owner.
You can listen to BBC Three Counties Radio's commentary of Watford v Norwich on 103.8FM on Saturday.
Gossip: Watford loanee Ebosele wanted by Galatasaraypublished at 12:54 27 January
12:54 27 January
Watford loanee Fest Ebosele is wanted by Turkish side Galatasaray when he returns to his parent club Udinese in the summer. (The 72), external
Out-of-favour Nottingham Forest forward Emmanuel Dennis is more likely to join Watford on loan than Sheffield Wednesday amid interest from both Championship clubs. (The Star), external
That was on the back a statement from Watford on Friday night dismissing reports in Spain that he was set to be replaced as "pure speculation", while on Saturday owner Gino Pozzo delivered his public support for the head coach.
"It's been quite turbulent – I'm quite good at not taking things to heart, good or bad," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"Scott Duxbury has been a supporter of mine, we have a fantastic relationship and he's always backed me.
"My job is just to focus on the team and I know Scott will always back me."
The 35-year-old had lost just one of his first seven matches in charge as interim boss and guided the Hertfordshire club to 15th last season, safe from relegation.
But speculation surrounding Cleverley's future at Vicarage Road has ramped up the last 48 hours and his side's latest defeat, their fifth in seven games, will not have eased the pressure or the focus on his position.
"I'm in an industry where poor results will bring speculation around my job," Cleverley added.
"That doesn't scare me one bit, I'm determined, resilient and ready to work harder than ever and fight.
"I got into this because I'm passionate about developing players and that's what I want to concentrate on."
'Most popular since Taylor' - fans back Cleverley published at 15:36 24 January
15:36 24 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you what you made of the speculation surrounding the future of Watford boss Tom Cleverley and the job he is doing at Vicarage Road and supporters have been unanimous in their views.
From nearly 200 responses in barely two hours, only one person thought it was time for a change.
Here is a selection of fans' thoughts...
Patrick: We are only where we are because of him. This squad is much worse than any we have had for years with minimal investment from the owners. Cleverley is the most popular manager since Graham Taylor.
Miles: The club's official statement sums it all up - "Tom will be in charge for the match at Coventry City". What about the game after, and the game after that? For a club that once prided itself on its integrity, the treatment of one of its modern day heroes has been a disgrace.
Dylan: Genuine contender for worst decision in club history if we sack him, and with our record, that takes some doing.
Ian: Watford supporters have become totally fed up with the short-term hiring and firing of coaches. That's why the supporters are completely supportive of Tom and his often highly entertaining team. For the first time in years - probably since early Javier Gracia days - we have a coach we like and feel a connection with.
Cloud: Of course he's doing a good job. Gino Pozzo, the owner, is creating uncertainty among the players and trouble for himself. It's what he always does when things get tough - he panics. Support Cleverley by bringing in some much-needed recruits and leave him for the next season and a half to manage things his way.
David: He makes mistakes but is honest, hard working, committed and talented. One point from the play-offs - sack him and a lot of supporters will walk - 14,000 season ticket holders back him totally.
Steve: Yes we're having a rough patch as all teams do, but overall he has been better than most of the many head coaches that we have had over the last few years. We're a point off the playoffs, give the guy a chance, and a decent striker please.
Roger: I am afraid I think we need a new manager.
Colin: TC has done well, he will be a quality coach. Man City didn't get rid of Pep when they had a worse record earlier in the season. TC is learning and gutted if he goes. He lives the club, why would we want another journeyman head coach?
Kirsty: This shouldn't even be a question. Having Tom as gaffer has made my club feel like Watford again. He's still learning and doesn't get everything right, but he's way outperformed pre-season expectations - and all with with one hand tied behind his back.
Is Cleverley doing a good job at Watford?published at 10:14 24 January
10:14 24 January
Image source, Rex Features
There is uncertainty surrounding the future of Watford head coach Tom Cleverley, with reports in Spain claiming the Hornets have been in talks with former Villarreal boss Jose Rojo Martin, known as Pacheta.
The Hornets have taken just four points from their past six games but Watford released a brief statement on Thursday night confirming Cleverley's position for the weekend, and branding reports 'pure speculation'.
Cleverley was appointed on a permanent basis in April last year after a spell in interim charge with the Hornets winning only two of their final 10 games of the season but they are eighth in the Championship and just one point outside the play-off places.
Image source, Rex Features
