Cleverley admitted his relief after this scrappy 1-0 win over Sunderland meant they could now focus on the summer work ahead.
A Ryan Andrews goal gave Watford a first home win since November 28 to mark Cleverley’s first game since being named permanent manager.
The new boss feared taking such a winless run into next season would have weighed heavily on him and his team had they not managed to end it.
He said: “It’s massive to get the home win out of the way before the summer. If we went an off-season and a pre-season and then to the first game in August, you’re looking at nine months since the last win at home. That doesn’t sound great for a club of our size in this league.
Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSY CURTIS GETS HIS REWARD
DERBY County have tied influential centre-back Curtis Nelson down to a new contract that will keep him at Pride Park until 2026.
STATS ALL RIGHT FOR STUDIOUS MK BOSS SCOTT
MK Dons boss Scott Lindsey has highlighted the importance of statistics following his side's recent good form.
SMITH'S FRATTON STUNNER IS TOPS!
MICHAEL Smith's stunning strike for Sheffield Wednesday against Portsmouth has won him the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for October - but he admitted it could have gone 'over the stand'!
RED DRAGONS SUFER TRIPLE INJURY SETBACK
WREXHAM'S pursuit of a historic promotion from League One has been hit by a triple injury blow.
SMART GUY LAUNCHES AI PLAN TO AID CLUBS
FORMER Rotherham, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday defender Guy Branston has launched a new AI venture that he says will revolutionise the way clubs engage with their fans.
STRIKER BISHOP JUST SO GLAD TO BE BACK
COLBY Bishop has expressed his delight at making an emotional goalscoring return for Portsmouth following open heart surgery this summer.
HUNGRY JAMIE'S IN GOAL GROOVE
Prize winner is followed by Cup heroics
TASTY TERRIERS TAKE A BITE OUT OF UNITED'S YOUNG GUNS
HUDDERSFIELD Town booked their place in the last 32 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in style with a thumping 4-1 home win against Manchester United U21s.
KENNY RECEIVES PRAISE OF BOSS BONNER
GILLINGHAM manager Mark Bonner says he will miss leaning on the experience of \"brilliant\" mentor Kenny Jackett.
WEAVER HAPPY TO GIVE ACE ENO HIS SHOT
HARROGATE Town boss Simon Weaver is hoping new striker Eno Nto can solve the Sulphurites' woes in front of goal.
