Tom Cleverley feels Watford owe their supporters a good season after a dismal Premier League campaign that ended in relegation.

The Hornets lost more games than any other team during the 2021/22 season and won just six times, only two of which came at home.

Speaking after a final day loss at Chelsea, the midfielder told the club website that the performance at Stamford Bridge showed a glimmer of positivity, but that the fans deserved much more from their team.

“We tried as hard as we possibly could. Obviously, we are disappointed not to come away with a result, but I think we showed our fans a team today which has not always been the case," said Cleverley.

“We all fought for one another, and we kept going to the death. Hopefully, we gave them something to shout about, and we actually looked like a team fighting for each other.

“It’s great when you come here and have spells in the game for as long as we did where you control possession, create a couple of chances before the break and then the one after half-time. To get back into the game so late and still lose is massively disappointing.

“We have experienced the highs and lows of football over the past 12 months and unfortunately, our fans couldn’t experience the highs. They have experienced more of the lows this year and we feel like we owe them one next year.”

Cleverley was impressed by the fans' efforts at Chelsea, particularly after such an awful season.

He said he would have understood if the supporters had turned on their team after some of the more difficult matches.

“It was really impressive today,” he continued. “Every single one of them were there at the end clapping the lads – it’s one of those goosebump moments.

“You feel like the club has held itself together when no-one could have any complaints if they turned against us. They have stuck with us, and we will repay them with our hard work next year, don’t worry about that.”