TOM’S CLEVER ENOUGH FOR HORNETS JOB

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DANIEL BACHMANN reckons Tom Cleverley’s impressive managerial audition will continue to threaten the league’s promotion hopefuls.

The former Manchester United midfielder and interim Watford boss has seen his side take points off Leeds, West Brom and now Preston in four unbeaten games.

And even if 34-year-old Cleverley (above) fails to land the Vicarage Road job full-time, improved results are making a strong case for a job elsewhere.

Ipswich are next up for the Hornets on Wednesday, with Southampton and Middlesbrough still to play this season.

And keeper Bachmann said: “We could have won against

Leeds and West Brom, but came out unbeaten and were also the better team against Preston.

“There’s been a difference since Tom took over. 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 gets the message across really well.

“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.

“Preston are trying for the playoffs but we felt we were favourites. All that has set us up well for Ipswich – we’re going there to win.”

Cleverley said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed going up against the best teams in the league. I see them as exciting fixtures, not something to be feared.”

Andrew Hughes had the best chance of this stalemate to win the match for Preston but dragged his shot wide.

Will Keane insists that despite losing ground on sixth-placed Norwich the season is still very much alive for North End.

He said: “100 percent we have things to play for. That’s the belief and focus, that we are still in the mix. If we can win the next two games (against Huddersfield and Norwich) things could look different in a week’s time.”