Head coach Tom Cleverley will be forced to watch the game with Plymouth from the stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban.

The Watford boss picked up a booking during the win against Oxford United which took him over the threshold for a suspension – though those who saw the game and the standard of officiating will likely have some sympathy.

Cleverley said he will attempt to take positives from viewing the 90 minutes in his unfamiliar vantage point.

“There are some benefits from it as you see the game from a better angle,” he said.

“You see it from a little less of an emotional side as well, and you can be a bit more strategic.”

In a noisy stadium, even standing at the side of the pitch means there’s no guarantee of being able to make yourself heard.

“It’s difficult to get messages to the players at the best of times so I don’t feel I’ll be missing out too much,” Cleverley pointed out.

“Your work as a coach is done very much during the week, and then you have substitutions and the timing of those, which I will still be able to have an impact on.

“Damon will take charge, and will be assisted by Paul. So Damon will be the point of contact for me and the players.

“Basically I can do all my normal duties and be in the dressing room, I just can’t be in the dug-out or have communication with the referee afterwards.”

While speaking to players during the game might be trickier this week, Cleverley has stayed in contact with those who have been away on international duty.

“I’ve been in contact with a couple of them, especially if I see they’ve come off a bit early, but our team secretary does a fantastic job in making contact after every player’s performance and getting the minutes they’ve played and their physical data from the game,” he said.

“We are in constant contact with the national teams and the players, and I celebrate how well represented we are on an international level.

“We’ve had 10 players away this week, and hopefully it’ll be more next time.

“I’m really happy for Bayo and Doumbia scoring for their countries.

“These things should be celebrated and not seen as a problem that we’re missing out on time to work with the players.

“We’ve eight had senior internationals and two youth internationals this week. That should be celebrated.”