The plan to switch to a flat back four against West Brom was initially drawn up on Thursday morning.
Having travelled back from Hull the night before, Tom Cleverley and his coaching staff gathered at London Colney to discuss the upcoming home game.
There was no training as the players had the day off, and so the head coach and his staff had time and space to consider the best way to beat an Albion side that hadn’t lost for 12 games.
“The players had a day off on Thursday, but the staff were in and we did a lot of work towards making that decision,” Cleverley explained.
“I never want my teams to be boring. I didn’t think we were boring on Wednesday because I thought we had control of large parts of the game, but we didn’t have a spark or that cutting edge.
“I always want my team to get people on the edge of their seats and to entertain, and ultimately win. That’s the most important thing.
“So the decision was made on Thursday and then we had two days to work on it, and I thought it was executed brilliantly today by the players.”
Was the change in shape driven by a desire to surprise Albion, or because it was felt it represented the best way to beat them?
“Mainly the latter, I thought it was the best way for us to beat West Brom,” said Cleverley.
“We’re in a really good position with our group of players understanding two different shapes very well, and particularly the details – that’s the bit which wins you games.
“Some games it’ll suit us to play four at the back, and some games it’ll suit us to play three.
“Today those players who the system does benefit played it so well that it staked a claim that playing this way has got legs.
“I’m really happy we have two options moving forward, and both options bring out qualities in different players.”
Cleverley said he felt the display against West Brom was the most complete from the Hornets this season
“I’d have to mention a couple of performances like Sheffield Wednesday away and Stoke at home, but against a really strong outfit with a top coach and in a game with a lot of pressure on it, today is the performance that has pleased me the most,” he smiled.
“We highlighted the importance of this game in a team meeting on Friday morning, which was the first time we’d addressed the players since Hull.
“We highlighted the significance of the game and the amount they would need to focus over the next two days in order to take on board the information about switching system.
“A lot of credit needs to go to the players today for the way they have focussed and delivered it today.”
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