Watford midfielder Tom Cleverly has admitted that he is optimistic of Premier League restart as test news fuels hope of the return of the tournament soon.
Cleverly has cleared the air of negativity around his club by admitting that he would love to get back on the pitch.
The Premier League confirmed yesterday that two more cases have been found, each from different teams, from 996 players & staff tested so far. These two will now have to self-isolate themselves for a week and follow the government’s guidelines.
A Premier League statement read: “The Premier League can today confirm that on Tuesday 19 May, Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May, 996 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, two have tested positive from two clubs. Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.”
The midfielder said that he would like to decide the fate of his club by fighting on the pitch and hopes to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. He said before the announcement of the second round of tests: “The odds are that the season is going to go ahead. We are going to prepare for that and we have to back ourselves. We need to adopt a no-excuses mentality and show we have no problems about continuing and proving that we do deserve to be in this league.”
Hornets sit 17th in the Premier League table and are on level with 18th placed Bournemouth but ahead due to a better goal difference. Watford have 27 points from 29 games so far. There has been a fear among some clubs for playing at neutral venues and clubs like Watford don’t want to surrender their home advantage at a crucial stage. Hornets’ captain has decided to not return to training over coronavirus fears.
“I was one of the players more comfortable with returning and now I have seen how phase one is working I feel even more comfortable. It’s well organised and it’s safe,” Cleverly said.
“There have been a couple of players who have had doubts, and that’s fine, but I can only be positive about it. If we are going to save ourselves on the pitch we are going to need a no-excuses mentality.
“What would I tell Troy? I would say that so far in training I have come into contact with as many people as I would visiting the supermarket or going for a morning jog around my estate. I would talk him through the details, that’s all, though I appreciate we have not started contact training yet. That looks like it might be a pivotal moment. Any increase in positive tests during phase two would probably put the whole thing in jeopardy.”
