Interim Watford manager Tom Cleverley expressed his pleasure after the Hornets became only the second team this season to stop Ipswich Town from scoring at Portman Road.
The Hornets extended their unbeaten streak to five games under Cleverley, joining QPR as the only other team to hold the Blues scoreless in Suffolk.
“To a man, we were very, very good tonight,” he exclaimed. “I believe we lost our way for approximately 25 minutes before halftime. When momentum hits this ground, it’s difficult to change.
“We corrected it at halftime, demanding greater energy in the challenges and second balls, and then demonstrated genuine courage by dominating the ball for big portions of the second half.
“And we showed we’re more than capable of competing at this level.”
It could have been much better for Watford, with Edo Kayembe’s speculative attempt from within his own half on its way to scoring and bringing a frantic finish to a tense game.
But Town custodian Vaclav Hladky rushed back into his area and leapt into the air to paw the ball away, preserving his clean sheet and a point for the Blues, who wasted the opportunity to go top of the Championship table.
“That would have been the best goal, it was wind against as well – so if it was wind for, I think it had every chance!” he added of Kayembe’s late long-range bomb.
Cleverley has really strengthened the Hornets since taking over, with a win and four draws to his name as he makes a good case for the full-time position.
He stated, “I am quite pleased of the squad. Coming into the job when the season appeared to be over, staring down the barrel of a really challenging run of matches, and responding to that challenge in the way that we have.
“We’ve made high demands on the players in training, and they’ve met them. We then asked them to give everything for the football club, as well as for themselves and their teammates, and they’ve done it again.
“We’re putting down modest markers with the draw against Leeds, the draw away at West Brom, and now the draw away at Ipswich.
The main thing I’m most pleased with is the fight and spirit, which is the absolute bare minimum and has occasionally been questioned of us, even when I was a player.
“What is unquestionable is the talent and competence we possess. If we can mix the two, I believe we will have an exciting period ahead.
