It will have a different feeling and a game that takes on added significance – but victory is still worth the same three points as always when Watford host Luton at Vicarage Road.
It’s been more than two years since the Hornets last won a derby, during which time the Hatters have firmly gained the bragging rights with two emphatic victories at Kenilworth Road.
“I expect an occasion and something that feels a little bit different to a run-of-the-mill league game,” said Tom Cleverley.
“But for us it’s three points and a chance for us to perform consistently again which I feel we have done in our last four games.
“I’ve said to the players that if you perform with that level of quality and application then long-term it will bring a lot more positive results than negative.
“That was backed up by the win at Middlesbrough which was important in getting the players to believe in this consistency.
“This is another chance for us to show that: I understand it means more to all of us, and to supporters more than anyone, but for us it is three more points to get us where we want to be.”
The last five derbies have all been won by the home team, who have kept a clean sheet in the process.
“It’s a fixture that has proved successful for the home team ever since I’ve been back at the club,” Cleverley pointed out.
“Whenever we’ve faced Luton it’s been very home-sided, and we hope to continue that.
“In October, it felt it was a very similar fixture to the one we had when Chris Wilder was head coach. I was injured for that but I went to that game and it felt very similar.
“I certainly learned about how to approach the derby, especially next time we go there.
“And things I have taken away from that day I have implemented for this preparation.”
Cleverley will be mindful to make sure his players know exactly how important this game is, without overdoing the tubthumping to a point where it doesn’t work for his group of players.
“As a coach you have to be adaptable,” he said.
“If I saw a group of players that looked like they wanted to hear War and Peace and they needed a British Lions-style speech then I can do that.
“I feel like I have a group of players where we need to keep a lid on things and let’s just go about our business, and I can do that as well.
“You have to adapt as a coach to the group you’ve got and what you feel they will respond best to.”
