Watford manager Tom Cleverley was left blown away by Scott Twine’s “incredible strike” in Bristol City’s defeat at Vicarage Road on Tuesday, admitting the attacking midfielder had a technique that he had never seen before.
The Robins were unable to get back to winning ways in Hertfordshire on Tuesday evening, with Ryan Andrews’ powerful second-half effort proving to be enough to secure a 1-0 win for the home side.
Liam Manning’s side had several opportunities to get back level, with the likes of Nahki Wells, Luke McNally and Jason Knight all spurning decent scoring chances in what has become an all-to-common theme so far this season.
However, the closest City came to drawing level came in the final knockings of the game when Twine cannoned a dipping long-range effort off of the crossbar which left Daniel Bachmann rooted to the spot and Cleverley stunned.
“He’s got technique like no one I’ve ever seen,” the Watford boss admitted in his post-match press conference. “When he hits a ball, the way he makes it dip, it’s an incredible strike but unfortunately for them, it didn’t go in.”
The Hornets haven’t lost at home so far this season, but for much of the first half in particular it seemed as though that record would be coming to an end as Bristol City dominated possession and forced Bachmann into a couple of important saves.
Although Manning’s side weren’t quite able to find that all-important goal, Cleverley was quick to praise the Robins’ display and admitted the away side’s performance forced his team to win “the dirty way” at Vicarage Road.
“I like the fact that our expectations are rising and everyone is thinking why are Bristol City coming here and dominating the first half,” explained the Watford boss. “But we have to give them respect, they’re a good team.
“Before the start of this week they were 10th in the league and you’ll probably tell me but I don’t think they’ve lost away from home since September so we’re playing against a very, very strong away side here today who showed their quality. I thought they were very efficient in their rotations, very well coached and we’ve had to win the dirty way today.”
Although it was City’s poor finishing that ultimately cost them a draw on Tuesday evening, the supporters and Manning felt the home side were fortunate to avoid being reduced to 10 men in the second half.
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Having already been booked Francisco Sierralta avoided a second yellow card for what appeared to be a clear handball in front of the watching linesman followed by a heavy challenge on Wells that similarly went unpunished.
While Manning was insistent that the officials had got the huge second-half call wrong, former Manchester United player Cleverley was less committal in his assessment of the situation.
“I’d have to watch it back but it felt like one of those where Sierralta only had one more foul left in him,” Cleverley admitted. “I thought James Morris came on and did his job excellently.”
City have a chance to put things right in just a few days’ time when they welcome Plymouth Argyle and Wayne Rooney to Ashton Gate on Saturday. The Pilgrims are yet to win away from Home Park so far this season but will be keen to get back to winning ways having been beaten 6-1 by Norwich City on Tuesday evening.
A win against Rooney’s side would move the Robins closer to the play-off positions and ease the frustration of the supporters who have been left irritated by the Robins’ blunt attack in recent weeks.