After Wednesday’s draw at Ipswich, Tom Cleverley said he wanted to put down a big marker by winning at Southampton tomorrow.

Whether that was a statement fuelled by the adrenaline of the night or not, having said it the interim head coach now has to back it up by trying to topple another team in the top six after coming so close against Ipswich, West Brom and Leeds.

The big question is, how do Watford do it?

“We’ll have to be very good out of possession and very disciplined,” said Cleverley.

“Southampton are the best possession team in the league and also they are very good at pressing.

“You have to be efficient in everything you do against them with concentration levels at the absolute maximum.

“But they do give you a chance and we go there with a clear game plan to win.

“We’re not heading off with a view of not losing, we’re going there to win the game and we have real belief.”

With the Saints having played on Tuesday night, Watford have had a day less to prepare for tomorrow’s game.

“The quick turnaround is difficult, but as I’ve said before we find solutions rather than excuses,” said Cleverley.

“We’ve had a day less rest than Southampton but we have depth in our squad that might have to be utilised tomorrow.”

It will be the fourth meeting of the teams this season, and Watford haven’t won any of the previous three.

“I’ve not thought about it that way to be honest, I’m just focussed on winning the next game,” Cleverley admitted.

“We’ve watched footage from those previous games but I’ve not focussed on the results.

“We don’t go into tomorrow’s game with any more or less motivation from the previous games this season.”

In terms of team news it’s the same squad as travelled to Suffolk, with Cleverley admitting it will be his hardest team selection since he stepped into the job.

“Ken Sema and Jeremy Ngakia are getting closer and closer, which is good news for everyone, and the plan is to have them in contention for next week,” he said.

“Other than that, there’s no new problems within the squad.

“I think tomorrow will be the most difficult team selection I’ve had to make so far because of the competition for places, but that is a good problem to have.

“We’ve got one more training session today to finalise our plan and then I’ve got to settle on a first XI for tomorrow.”

With a thin squad and three games in a week, plus his knowledge of many of the club’s younger players, is Cleverley tempted to give youth a chance?

“I won’t be giving any charity debuts out or picking players for the sake of it,” he said.

“I feel like if someone plays in my team then they’re in because they deserve it.

“We’ve had people close. The way Jack Grieves has been training he probably deserves more minutes than he’s getting because he’s been fantastic in the training sessions.

“I had Zavier Massiah-Edwards on the bench too, but like I say I won’t be giving out game time for charity.

“First-team places have to be earned and deserved, but if the lads are good enough then they’re old enough.”