Tom Cleverley believes Watford "deserted" their attacking responsibilities as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

The midfielder said that the defeat was fully deserved because of the performance and added that in all of the last three games, the team has lacked quality up front.

Cleverley included himself in that accusation and said that the team needs to work out a way to play with greater balance, after improved defensive displays against Burnley and West Ham.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, but today is a massive disappointment for us,” he told the club website. “We wanted better, coming back home after two decent performances away, but unfortunately I think the better team won.

“We’ve deserted the other side of our game a little bit – we’ve had the platforms to attack from but the quality’s just not been there in the last three games, and we haven’t managed to score in any of them.

“I’ve been guilty myself of moments of poor quality, and we need to work out a way of putting together a complete performance, both at the back and up front.”

Cleverley admitted the 12-game winless run is taking its toll on the team's confidence, but knows with 15 games to go, there is still a chance for the side to claw their way out of the relegation zone.

“I’d be lying if I said we’re a squad high in confidence at the moment, and I think that shows, especially on the ball," he continued. "But there’s only one way to get that back, and that’s hard work. Wins breed confidence, and that’s what we’re crying out for.

“We’re by no means down and out, and that’s the message that the senior lads and the manager are trying to get across.”