Watford’s Interim head coach, Tom Cleverly, has heaped praise on Emmanuel Dennis after the Nigeria international scored the only goal against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s to seal all three points as the former Manchester United midfielder enjoyed the perfect start to life as manager, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The versatile forward pounced on a defensive error shortly before half-time to hand the Hornets their first Sky Bet Championship victory in five attempts.
Watford re-signed the 26-year-old former striker from Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the Championship season during the winter transfer window after spending the first half of the season on loan in Turkey, with Istanbul Basaksehir.
His spell in Turkey didn’t go well after playing just eight games in five months, with no goal involvement.
Since returning to Watford, the Nigerian attacker has found the back of the net three times in five starts and is enjoying his football again with the EFL Championship side.
Against the struggling Birmingham on Saturday, Dennis took full advantage dispossessing the Blues man as he dallied in the danger zone, before slamming a finish past John Ruddy marking a positive start for Interim coach Cleverley after Valerien Ismael was laid off.
Speaking to the club media team, the English Premier League winner with Manchester United was full of praises for the Nigerian striker.
“We know that Dennis has got that explosive burst. As a defender, you can think you’re comfortable on the ball, and then he appears from nowhere,” Cleverly said.
“We said to the players we thought we would create chances through high regains. We didn’t win as many as I’d like but the one that mattered went in. He’s been nursing a small groin issue, so it was always in my mind that he wouldn’t complete the game. He’s done well to get to an hour and score the winning goal.”
Up next for Dennis and his teammates is a date with Leeds United at Vicarage Road on March 29.
