When he arrived in the summer, Pierre Dwomoh was described by head coach Tom Cleverley as a player that would be developed over time.

Since then the midfielder has impressed in training and for the Under-21s, earning a place in the first-team squad and making his debut as a late substitute in the cup tie at Manchester City.

“Pierre came in with 60 games in the Belgian first division in the bank,” said Cleverley.

“I definitely view Pierre as a bit more than a young development player, and I think I said in an interview that players like Tikvic, Almeida, Doumbia and Dwomoh were development players.

“Pierre has more substance to him than that. He plays in a mature way, he’s combative and you can tell he’s played senior football.

“I really like the way he trains. He has brought a good energy to us, and he’s constantly challenging the players in the team and making them kick on.

“He is a live candidate for selection, and he’s shown me he’ll be ready when I do call upon him.”

One area where the Hornets have possibly lacked is an old-fashioned ball-winning midfielder who is more defensively-minded.

The Watford head coach, though, is comfortable with his options in that area.

“It’s all about styles,” he said.

“At this level, you don’t get many players who are class on the ball and also have that side to their game.

“You’re talking Declan Rice, Rodri, that sort of player.

“I value ball players. The previous manager played Sierralta in there and had Jake Livermore, who with all due respect are more destroyers.

“But for me I’d take a Dele-Bashiru or a Louza.

“If we needed that option then I believe you have the best of both worlds with Moussa, who is good on the ball but is physical and can dominate duels.

“For me, it’s not a case of getting to January and saying ‘we need this player’.

“It’s not at the top of my list of priorities and that’s just the way I am as a coach, and how I want the team to play.”

Talking of January and the next opportunity to bring in players, does the Watford boss have anything in mind?

“To be honest, I’m still happy to see the back of the last transfer window!” he laughed.

“Probably when we sit down as a group in the next international break in November is when I’ll be starting to think about my injury list and where we’re lacking, or where we can improve,

“I’m very content with the squad, the energy around the place and we also know we can improve.

“I’ve spoken to you about two big areas we have to work on – away games and clean sheets – and if we can do that then we will be in a really good place.”

If the head coach had a young and fit Tom Cleverley in his squad, where would he put him?!

“Sometimes I say to Damon Lathrope that I don’t know how I played at this level for so many years.

“The speed, the strength, the technique you need – we have some real talent in this building but I’ve also said before, without being disrespectful, that things some of our players are missing are game understanding, game management, on-pitch intelligence.

“That’s why I value Incey so much and I think that’s what I would have brought to this squad.”

So the head coach is benching himself?!

“Yeah I probably am,” he said with a smile.

“I didn’t have Tom Dele’s receiving and dribbling skills, I didn’t have Moussa’s power, but I think I could have been the brains of things when needed.”