From the stands, there has been an obvious difference in performances, attitude and style since Tom Cleverley took over.

More on the front foot, two forwards, less tiki-taka in defence and players looking comfortable in the positions they are asked to play.

But what about on the pitch – what do the players think?

Are they enjoying what Cleverley is trying to implement? Has there been in a change in atmosphere and mood? Is the training ground a positive place again?

When Cleverley retired, goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann became the club’s longest-serving player and was a teammate of the former England midfielder for six seasons.

“There's been a difference since Tom took over,” said Bachmann.

“In that short time, he's instilled a great mentality. He knows a lot of the lads because he's played alongside them.

“He's only recently retired so he knows what it takes on the pitch and he gets the message across really well. 

“He sets us up really well and we look solid as well as playing good football.

"It's been very positive and you can see that a lot of the lads are playing with a lot more freedom. They look a lot happier on the pitch.”

Cleverley first played for Watford on loan from Manchester United in 2009, when Bachmann was still only 15.

“Tom's been at the club a long time. His first spell here was 15 years ago - that was before I was a professional footballer,” he said.

“He knows the club very well as a player and also from the coaching side - he's been in charge of the Under-18s for the past few months.

“There was never any doubt, knowing Tom and the football brain he has, that he would go on and do well in coaching because he understands the game so well.

“He's a top, top person and a very good coach. I always thought he'd make a coach.

“Over the past few years while I've been playing alongside him, if anyone asked the team who would go on and be a coach, 90% of them would have said Clevs, just because of the way he looks at the game.

“He also learned about the game towards the end of his playing career when he got involved with coaching while he was still playing.

“You just see the way he sees the game and the way he understands the game even though he's just started.

“The lads really respect him - it's been really positive over the past few weeks.”

Watford are unbeaten in the four games since Cleverley took charge and, although they should have undoubtedly collected more than the six points they have, the direction of travel seems promising.

“We came into the dressing room after the Leeds game really disappointed, which is a good sign,” said Bachmann.

“We'd just got a point against the team who are in my opinion by far the best in the league.

“It was the same at West Brom, that was another good performance.

“Against Preston, we almost felt we had to win because we're back on track and where we're supposed to be.

“Preston are playing for promotion and trying for the play-offs but we felt we were favourites, which is a good sign because we have that belief back, that enjoyment of playing and knowing we can beat anyone in the division.

“Over the Easter weekend we played the best team in the league at home and then a team who are set for the play-offs away from home.

“We could have won both games but we came out unbeaten and we were the better team each time, like we were against Preston.”

As it turned out, Preston paid Watford the compliment of setting up to make sure they got a point.

“It was a bit sloppy all the way through from both sides,” Bachmann reflected, having kept Watford's first clean sheet at Vicarage Road since November 11.

“It felt like Preston came to get a point. There was no real threat from them and we certainly had it under control.

“We weren't clinical enough and didn't pass the ball fast enough. Nevertheless we looked solid at the back, and we have for the last four games.

“It's disappointing not to win but it's a point and a clean sheet and that's a positive.”