91Èȱ¬

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley wants his side to inflict "more pain" on struggling Luton on Saturday as the Hornets try to iron out their own inconsistent form.

Cleverley's Watford go into the derby at Kenilworth Road sitting sixth in the Championship, having won two of their past three games.

By contrast, the Hatters are 21st and have only two wins from nine matches so far as they adapt slowly to life back in the second tier following last season's relegation from the Premier League.

"You have to battle... on a derby day more than ever," Cleverley told 91Èȱ¬ Three Counties Radio.

"Doing the basics will bring you consistency in this division and we've been hurt when we've not done that."

After winning their first five games of the season, including three in the Championship, Watford's results took a dip.

Just two wins - against Sunderland and Middlesbrough - have come from the last six in the league, albeit both came shortly before the international break.

"We keeps talking two steps forward and one back," Cleverley said.

"Forward against Sunderland, one big one back against Preston [a 3-0 defeat], two forward against Middlesbrough.

"Now it's time to take two more forward. I want my team to take that step - to believe we're a big player in this division.

"We keep taking those steps but follow it with an inconsistent performance."

Saturday's Bedfordshire-Hertfordshire derby will be only the fifth in 19 seasons, with Watford and Luton twice winning at home in the meetings since the end of the 2005-06 campaign.

That season was the last time Watford won at Kenilworth Road, beating the Hatters 2-1 in January 2006.

Cleverley says he knows the game "means more, to us, to them and our supporters" compared to others, adding that "we all know what's coming".

"It's a fixture that's not been played a lot over the last few decades and it's a long time since a Watford team has won there," he said.

"So what bigger motivation is there for me and the players than creating a bit of recent history and winning there."

Luton's stuttering start has increased the early season pressure on boss Rob Edwards.

The former Hornets manager was sacked by Watford after just 11 games, having been appointed at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Luton's poor form and the scrutiny on 41-year-old Edwards is not something that Cleverley has dwelt on in the build-up.

"Form goes out of the window in derby games," Cleverley said.

"It'll be a unique game; we won't focus on anyone's recent form.

"It's not been part of the preparation to focus on that. Rob's someone who I have a lot of respect for - yes, I want to inflict more pain on them on Saturday - but he's someone I really respect.

"The Preston game was a massive wake-up call for us and understand this one is a little different.

"It's going to be hostile, aggressive and I feel we have the players to thrive in that environment."