Head coach Tom Cleverley feels that three games into pre-season the indications are that his group of players have a full understanding of how he wants them to play.

Anyone who saw the games against Boreham Wood and Stevenage would have been able to see the 3-4-2-1 formation and how players operate within that, and Cleverley said that was the main plus point of the early summer run-outs.

“I think we are getting a real understanding of our game plan,” he said.

“The structure looked fairly solid, even though conceding from two second-phase set pieces is disappointing.

“In open play though, I think the structure looked solid and now it’s just the final pieces.

“I thought we got into a rhythm and, while I don’t want to make excuses, a bad bobble or a mistake just when we were on the verge of really dominating the game knocked us back.

“That is what happens in pre-season though, and it’s why we need to keep working.

“All in all though we’ve had two really good work-outs in a week, and seen 22 players over the two games which is a big plus.

“Within that we’ve been able to see some young Academy products in a first-team environment as well.”

With the shape already taking effect on the pitch with a clear understanding of it from the players, Cleverley said it means he and his staff can begin to fine tune and tweak.

“Yes you can see the shape we’re playing, and then for us as coaches it’s a question of making us efficient within that,” the Watford boss reflected.

“We’re looking for those small details of how we can improve and how we can hurt teams more.

“I’m really happy with our defensive shape, and a lot of our work will be on the attacking side of things.”

Three games and only a few weeks into his first summer of preparation as a head coach, Cleverley said he was pleased with where things are.

“At this point in pre-season I am really happy with the players.

“We are really growing physically, and developing a mindset and an environment that is all about winning.

“It can take a lot of time to cut out bad habits.

“The understanding of the system for the players is there, and we’re working on becoming more efficient and effective in that.”

It has been daily double sessions at London Colney as Cleverley wants the squad to hit the ground running on August 10, and he felt the game at Stevenage was a good taster for what to expect that day.

“I cannot question the heart and desire of these lads, and I think you saw that for the last nine games of last season.

“They really are working for us, and the way we showed against Stevenage is a fair reflection of what we hope to build on for Millwall.

“Stevenage are a team that really likes to stick it on you, and I don’t think we were physically bullied. We won our fair share of first and second contacts.

“Every challenge we are giving the players each day is being met with a positive reaction.”