Exclusive: David James reveals insider verdict on Tom Cleverley amid positive Watford FC prediction | OneFootball

David James believes Watford and Tom Cleverley can be a strong side next season despite losses of key players.

Watford will be hoping to make a fresh start under Tom Cleverley, the club's newest permanent boss, and, speaking exclusively to Football League World, David James has revealed he is optimistic about his chances after speaking to people behind the scenes regarding his management style.

The past couple of seasons have seen the progress of Watford stagnate and a team that was once flying high in the Premier League are now languishing in the middle region of the Championship. Cleverley took interim charge of the Hornets during the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign but now he has been appointed permanently, he may have more power to make key decisions.

Having been at the club for several years now, the former midfielder may know exactly what's needed for the Championship to be promotion competitors again, even though he's an inexperienced manager and one of the youngest in the division.

He's already had to navigate plenty of changes, with Ashley Fletcher, Ben Hamer, and Jake Livermore all departing following the expiration of their deals, and Ismael Kone has sealed a lucrative move to French giants Marseille.

Kone's departure should have helped the Hornets to raise a considerable amount of money, which is a positive for a side that may be keen to make a number of additions between now and the end of the summer transfer window. However, there remains uncertainty surrounding other key players in the squad.

It has been reported that Trabzonspor are pushing to sign Wesley Hoedt, having entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Hornets. The Championship side know they may have to cash in, or they risk losing him on a free transfer.

Not only that, but The Mirror's print edition (07/07) states that the Hornets have placed a £15 million asking price on Yaser Asprilla's head. Manchester United and Brighton are the two English clubs leading the list, but there are a host of other interested parties, including AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

David James' encouraging view on Watford's 2024/25 prospects

Cleverley's coaching career is very much in its infancy, as this is his first job in senior management and it will be interesting to see how much cash he's trusted with during the summer transfer window. It will also be intriguing to see how he coaches a squad without some of its best players from 2023/24 as well.

James started his career with the Hornets back in 1990, playing two seasons and amassing 98 appearances in that time before moving to English footballing giants Liverpool. We asked the former England goalkeeper his thoughts on the side heading into next season, and how Cleverley might cope without some of those players.

FLW spoke exclusively to James, via Fair Betting Sites, who said: "I spoke to some people during the summer, some football people who knew what they were talking about, and they were talking about what a decent bloke he was.

"That doesn't always ring true with being a decent manager, but he demonstrated towards the end of last season that he can get the team to play. I'm not going to tell him how to manage, of course, but I think there is a part of it where if you have a decent personality and can keep the team onside, then you're going to get that bit extra out of them.

"I think when you look at Watford's record, which was a couple of losses, a couple of wins, and a lot of draws - he has always been in every game. "That means that there is just a little tweak that's needed. I think, forget the outside noise about who's leaving. That's part of management, having been there myself where you lose players you want to keep or staff you want to keep. "As long as the plan is right, and as long as the people that want to implement that plan are with you, then he's got a good chance. "He's at a fantastic club. He's got a lot of experience with regard to Premier League football [as a player], which is obviously the desire for Watford. The fanbase is also loyal. "Everything that you need and all the ingredients to give yourself the best chance, Tom's got it.

"And if his management style and his character is allowed to come out and enhance that side, then Watford could be up there challenging, for sure."

What every fan wants is for their club to show some ambition in the market, which Watford have done little of so far in the transfer window.

There is plenty of time left, and perhaps another sale could unlock the right doors for them to be aggressive in the market, but the current signs are of a team that may be looking to consolidate again, rather than kick on after some big sales in recent years.

Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro, and Kone are the types of sales where the money could be put to use in improving multiple areas of the squad, but that is yet to materialise.

Cleverley has a lot to do next season, but James is correct to point out the positive signs regarding his character and what the club did at the back-end of last season as well.