You have “every chance” of getting promoted to the Premier League if you finish this season higher than Middlesbrough.
Despite their inconsistent start to the season, Boro “absolutely” expects to be right there in the mix to advance, according to Watford manager Tom Cleverley.
In the lead-up to this Saturday’s match at Vicarage Road, Cleverley studied Boro very carefully last week. He then clearly watched them in person and called Michael Carrick’s team a “top team”.
Even though Cleverley is hesitant to put further pressure on his “old mate” from Manchester United, he thinks Boro have a good chance of winning promotion.
Boro were fancied before a ball was kicked this season and showed their promotion credentials with last week’s impressive win at West Brom. They are currently in ninth place despite having lost three of their first nine games, including the defeat at Watford on Saturday. It’s not as though Carrick is keeping an eye on the standings this early in the season.
And even though Edo Kayembe and Kwadwo Baah, two late goals from substitutes, helped Watford defeat Boro on Saturday, Cleverley has seen enough to believe that Carrick’s team is among the favourites this season.
Cleverley declared, “They are one of, if not the best team in the league in possession.”
They are extremely talented and have excellent coaching. You could see their quality throughout the game.
“Middlesbrough are a top team. Without intending to cause my former friend undue stress, I can say that after preparing for them, seeing them live on Tuesday night, and then seeing them again today, they are unquestionably a top-tier football team, particularly when it comes to possession.
“I think you have a good chance of moving up if you finish higher than Middlesbrough this season, and I fully expect them to be up there.”
After the international break, Boro will have two weeks to process their disappointment at Watford before hosting Bristol City at the Riverside to make up for their Vicarage Road loss.
“It is what it is,” stated Carrick. We’ve grown accustomed to it. Win, lose, draw, it’s just what we’ve got to move on with. Of course, it’s not the result we want to go into the break with by any stretch, but by the time the next one comes along, we’ll be ready.”
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