Things have shifted 180 degrees for Watford, who last season couldn’t win at Vicarage Road but now return from their midweek travels grateful to be at home this afternoon.

Tom Cleverley has not lost in WD18 since he took over, and with a run of poor form on the road he’s glad to back in front of his own supporters.

“It couldn’t be any better for us to be back at home after such a flat performance in the week,” he said.

“Two days later playing back at home is exactly what we need.

“I have no doubt that we’ll respond positively to the game in midweek, and we know the start of our season is in the balance.

“We beat Sunderland and, yeah, we’ve had a good start. Our points tally says we’ve had a good start.

“We lose at Preston, and our points total becomes a bit closer to par.

“Now we have a good chance to solidify a good start against Middlesbrough.

“It has been one step forward and one step back, and what we want is to go two steps forward and really solidify it as a good start.

“I’d say if we win, then we can certainly draw a line under the first two blocks of games this season and say we’d have taken that before the start.

“I said at the start of the season that the most successful teams in the Championship are the most consistent ones.

“I think I would have said Leeds, Burnley and Middlesbrough would be up there before the season started, and Sunderland have also done really well.

“The teams that I felt would be competing at the top end are up there, and for me Sheffield United have the best individual players so it’s panning out how I expected.”

Before the last international break Watford lost 1-0 away at the Blades, meaning there was time to wait before attempting to bounce back.

Does that make today's game a little more significant, being that it comes before players head off overseas and there is a pause in league matches?

“For me it does, naturally,” said Cleverley.

“The defeat at Bramall Lane really hurt because although we’d had a really good start, that is the result you dwell on and it’s the result you’re thinking about for 10 days.

“The game going into an international break does mean a little bit more and alongside that we must have a positive reaction to Wednesday night.

“It’s a big game against a tough opponent, but this is when we have to rise to the occasion.”