"Don't take it personally" - Tom Cleverley issues honest Watford FC message to four players | OneFootball

The Hornets have an abundance of wing-backs at the club currently who all need game-time.

Watford FC have made a very solid start to the new Championship campaign under Tom Cleverley, after a summer that looked to derail the club.

The Hornets managed to build up their squad before the deadline on August 30, and have been rewarded with some fantastic results. However, Cleverley has had to manage his team very carefully.

Watford brought in Festy Ebosele on loan before the window closed, and he has only added to the selection headache that his new boss has at wing-back.

The former Manchester United midfielder turned manager has rotated his starting XI on multiple occasions this season already, and his side playing with a three centre-back defensive unit, the situation on the flanks has been one that could have spiralled out of control.

However, Cleverley has eased fears over a lack of minutes for his wing-backs, explaining to the press how he intends to utilise them.

Cleverley tells his players they will get game-time

Ebosele, Ken Sema, Ryan Andrews and Yasser Larouchi are the four players that look like they will be used most out wide this season for Watford, and with such competition for places, there could be a worry for this quartet over a lack of time on the pitch.

Nevertheless, their manager told them that responsibilities will be shared throughout the campaign to help deal with any fitness issues and to keep everyone sharp.

Speaking to The Watford Observer, Cleverley said: "It’s the most demanding part of our team physically.

"I spoke with all four of them and let them know that they are three full internationals and an Under-20 international, and that is the riches I have in those positions.

"Don’t take it personally if you are getting changed at 60 minutes, it’s nothing to do with performance," he continued.

"It’s a position where we can really freshen up, and it’s a demanding role to play.

"It suits our squad to have four such strong options and I thought there was a positive impact from all the subs again."

Cleverley's comments suggests there is no room for Jeremy Ngakia

One player to have been left out of the conversation by Cleverley is Jeremy Ngakia, who started the first two games of the season on the left-hand side.

However, he was brought off at half-time against Stoke City, and has not made the bench since.

The 24-year-old was a doubt for the Hornets' next match against Derby County, and despite no further news about his potential injury, he has seemingly been left in the dark following the signing of Ebosele.

Ngakia signed a new three-year deal at Vicarage Road in the summer following the sale of Tino Livramento, but the performances of the four wing-backs that are fit means that there could be no place on the bench for the foreseeable future.

Nevertheless, in the 120 minutes that he has played this season, the former West Ham United player has shown what he is capable of, despite playing on the opposite side to his more natural right.

With competition for places high at Watford, Ngakia seems to be a current after-thought, but for the other wing-backs, fears have definitely been eased over their place in the team.