2:10pm Friday 12th March 2010
By Frank Smith
Tom Cleverley believes missing Watford's last three matches through suspension could prove to be a blessing in disguise as he attempts to guide the club away from the relegation zone tomorrow.
Cleverley's red card against Scunthorpe United resulted in him missing the Hornets' last three defeats and injury ruled him out of the two games previous to the 2-2 draw at Glanford Park.
It was the on loan Manchester United midfielder's first red card but he insists he has learned from it and believes the sending off could actually benefit the Hornets during their tense run-in.
"Being fully fit and not playing is so frustrating," Cleverley said. "I had the Under-21 game last week which helped keep my fitness up but I am raring to go for the Peterborough match and everyone around the club knows it is a massive game and we will be trying to get the three points there.
"After a season where I have already played about 35 games, a couple of days off doesn't go a miss so I have had a few days off, got rested, got rid of all those little niggles, got back to 100 per cent and it should do me good for the run in."
Watford have no injury concerns going into the game with bottom-of-the-league Peterborough United and Will Buckley is in "serious contention" to finally make his debut, following his January move from Rochdale.
The forward has not played a competitive game since late November due to ankle injury but is in the reckoning after being handed 45 minutes and 71 minutes in the Reserves' last two matches.
Watford manager Malky Mackay said: "Will took a slight thigh strain after coming in and has needed time to recover from that and regain match sharpness.
"Will will be in the reckoning come Saturday in terms of being a serious contender for the squad rather than just coming along for experience."
New Peterborough United boss Jim Gannon stated his side were relegated after last Saturday's defeat to Coventry City, which left them 13 points adrift of safety.
United followed the loss with a 1-0 win over play-off hopefuls Sheffield United on Tuesday and Mackay dismissed Gannon's remarks regarding their relegation.
He said: "I think it is clever psychology. I think he has taken a leaf out of the books of the top four in terms of what they say and what they mean. I take that with a pinch of salt.
"We absolutely have to take this game as seriously as any other game."
Watford's 1-0 defeat to Swansea City on Tuesday ended with sections of the Vicarage Road crowd booing the players.
Hornets legend and interim chairman Graham Taylor has this week pleaded to the fans to "remember we are all in it together".
Taylor said: "Footballers are part of the human race and respond the same as we all do to criticism and encouragement. In life people usually react to encouragement better than criticism and footballers are no different."
He continued: "I have been in football all of my life and I know that when things go wrong you have to react positively. It is so important that players feel appreciated and valued."
This Saturday's game is Watford's designated 'Football for Heroes' match.
All 72 Football League clubs are dedicating a home game to raising money for charity Help for Heroes, which helps injured military personnel.
The Watford and South Oxhey ACF detachments will be taking part in a traditional rifle drill at half time, welcoming both teams on to the pitch and collecting money for the charity before the game.
There will also be a minute's silence prior to kick off and Hertfordshire banker Richard Kell will be concluding his 24-hour run from Peterborough to Watford by completing a lap of honour around the Vicarage Road pitch prior to kick off to raise money for the charity.
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