International breaks give coaches and players time to rest and regroup – but it also means there is a two-week window for pondering.

The game before the first international break was the 1-0 loss at Sheffield United, their first defeat of the season.

This time around, the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough means they head off with a positive experience.

“Yes, that was hugely important,” said Tom Cleverley.

“I’ve said the environment in successful teams is everything, and if we had gone into the next two weeks on the back of two defeats it would have sort of tainted the start we’d made.

“It would have been a flat place to be for the next two weeks, but now it’ll be buzzing.

“Everyone will be hard at work, and everyone has the motivation of staying in the top six.

“This result today has really been key in maintaining that environment.

“The defeat at Sheffield United before the last break hurt because we’d made three wins in three, but it was the loss that you dwell on.

“I’m super pleased to be able to dwell on this game today for the next two weeks.”

So does that mean this break comes at a good or bad time for the Hornets?

“I’m neutral on that really,” the Watford boss admitted.

“The last international break came at the right time because it felt like after a seven-week pre-season and a really intense start that the players were getting tired.

“Today that’s not so.

“We looked like a team with energy and a team that finished the game off strongly.

“So I’m neutral on the timing of this break: it’s always good to get a bit of rest into the players after three games in a week but we could also have carried momentum after this result.”

Saturday’s game ended a seven-day period where Cleverley had to dig deep into his squad for the three fixtures.

“At the start of these weeks where you have three games you know you’re going to have to utilise your whole squad,” he said.

“Kayembe has been a starter all season, but today he didn’t have 90 minutes in his legs but he’s come on and changed the game.

“Baah will continue to get minutes and he’s on the right path to starting games for us, but he’s made a positive impact today and is doing that every single game.

“I’m proud of the mentality the players showed today, and that includes those who made an impact from the bench.”