If anything can act as a metaphorical kick up the backside, then being soundly beaten 3-0 at Preston is well up there.

Watford had beaten league leaders Sunderland just a few days before, but they were sent packing from Deepdale with their tails between their legs.

It was a performance that was painful to endure, as much for Tom Cleverley and his staff as for the fans.

“I think the Preston game was a massive wake-up call for us all,” he admitted.

“I understand this game with Luton is a little bit different – it’s going to be hostile and aggressive, and I feel we have the players to thrive in that environment, especially with the wake-up call from Deepdale.

“You have to battle in this division, and more than ever on a derby day.

“You’ve got to earn the right to show your quality, and sometimes that moment might not even come but doing the basics well and consistently will bring you success in this division.

“When we’ve not been right in terms of the basics is when we’ve been hurt.”

Divisional difference and lockdown meant Cleverley only played at Kenilworth Road when fans were not permitted inside grounds.

“I never played in the stadium with the environment of fans inside, but I was there as part of Chris Wilder’s staff when we lost two years ago,” he recalled.

“It’s a fixture that hasn’t been played so much over the last couple of decades and it’s a long time since a Watford team have won there.

“What bigger motivation for me and my players than to go and create a little bit of history, and win at Kenilworth Road.”

Indeed, Watford have only won their twice in the last 27 years: the famous 4-0 win under Graham Taylor in 1997 and a 2-1 success in 2006 when Aidy Boothroyd was manager.

“Two men who had excellent times at Watford managers,” Cleverley pointed out.

“It’s the game that you looked for when the fixtures were released in the summer.

“There is a little bit extra on this for all of us: me, my players, and the supporters.

“But my biggest motivation is this has to be the game where we back up a good result with another good result.

“We have to announce ourselves as being here to compete in the top six.”