Although the current Hornets manager never actually played a game for Chris Wilder, the former Watford head coach, Tom Cleverley, will face him in today’s match.
An ankle injury was bringing an end to Cleverley’s playing career and he wasn’t available for any of the 11 games Wilder had in charge.
“I have massive respect for Chris,” said the Watford head coach.
“He invited me to attend all of his game plan and preparation meetings when I was recovering from a serious injury, and that was my first real exposure to first-team coaching.”
“Having that experience and seeing how much work goes into a game was fantastic for me.
“Seeing the man-management side of things as well was fantastic for me.”
“For that, I will always be grateful to him.
“They have a very strong squad, and he has success experience having previously been promoted from this division.”
The fact that Wilder will be playing against a former team adds even more drama to a match that appeared difficult when the fixtures were revealed.
After finishing last in the Premier League, the Blades added ten new players, three of whom cost £1 million or more, to bolster their roster.
Cleverley acknowledged, “This is the biggest test of our season so far for me.”
It’s a difficult place to go after a run of four home games, which is rather uncommon. I don’t wish to offend anyone we have played thus far.
“I anticipate that this transfer window will be our biggest challenge because of the talent they’ve added.
“I know the players are capable of putting on the best performance of the season thus far, and I have challenged them to do so.”
When Watford last traveled to Millwall for a league game a few weeks prior, they were considered a team that was finished for the current season after a dismal 23/24 season.
With five victories and nine league points, their perception both internally and internationally has significantly improved.
“I hope it alters the players’ perspective on things,” stated Cleverley.
“I want them to start feeling like they’re a top team, and no sort of inferiority complex when we get out there on the pitch.
“I feel like the last two games I’ve been really pleased with the mindset: against Derby we showed patience and calmness to break them down, and then on Tuesday against Plymouth I thought the win was very routine and efficient, a top-team mindset.
“We need to continue to grow that and this will be a big marker.
“I am happy with where we are from a quality point of view, but this will be a marker of where we’re at from a mindset point of view.”
Could Watford’s largely unexpected lofty position in the early league table mean the Blades look at them differently?
“Possibly, and I’m sure they’ll respect us. They don’t take liberties with other teams.
“I think back to the season when we got promoted and I think Reading were top of the league for five or six games and everyone started viewing Reading in a different way.
“At the end of the season, Reading didn’t even finish in the play-offs.
“It’s very much a game-by-game process, and we’ll use the international break to reflect and look at where we can be better.”
