Tom Cleverley: Watford’s home ground is becoming a fortress

Watford manager Tom Cleverley expects his side to make it a tough night for Oxford United when they visit Vicarage Road on Friday.

The Hornets are unbeaten at home in the Championship this season with five wins and one draw.

“They’re coming to a place which is getting a bit of a reputation as our fortress so we have to make it as uncomfortable as possible,” Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.

Watford’s 1-0 defeat at Swansea on Tuesday came after two wins in a row, but victory over Oxford would move them up to fourth place ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.

“The players will have to look after themselves, especially the ones who’ve had to play all three games this week,” Cleverley added.

Watford will be without the suspended defender Francisco Sierralta but Ryan Porteous should replace him after he served a one match ban.