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22nd September 2018- Premier League, Fulham 1 Watford 1

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Screen Shot 2018-09-24 at 21.20.57Referee:Martin Atkinson   Attendance:23,418

screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary   Goals:  1

Watford FC Official Site

Match Report: Fulham 1-1 Watford

Gray: “We Came Out Flying”

Gracia: “I Am Proud Of The Work We Have Done”

Highlights: Fulham 1-1 Watford

Deeney: “We Needed To Kill The Game”

Foster: “Both Of Them Work So Hard”

Gallery: Fulham v Watford

Watford Observer

RELIVE – Fulham vs Watford: Andre Gray and Aleksandar Mitrovic on target in Premier League draw

Watford unable to build on Andre Gray’s goal in Fulham draw

Slavisa Jokanovic praises Fulham’s attitude and character after Watford draw

Fulham vs Watford: Javi Gracia admits Watford could have killed the game in the first half

Fulham vs Watford ratings: Andre Gray and Ben Foster on song in Premier League draw

PICTURES: Watford forced to settle for point at Fulham

Ben Foster: Watford made to pay for poor finishing in Fulham draw

Watford’s Troy Deeney critical of failure to make dominance pay against Fulham

BBC SportWatford had to settle for a draw at Fulham after Aleksandar Mitrovic struck late on to earn the hosts a point.  The Hornets punished a poor start by Fulham as Andre Gray sidefooted home inside 90 seconds and the visitors, who won their first four Premier League games of the season, dominated the first half.

skyThe home side were lucky to go in at the break only one goal down after Christian Kabasele and Gray spurned presentable openings, while it could have been even worse had referee Martin Atkinson sent off Timothy Fosu-Mensah for a studs-up tackle on Troy Deeney just past the half-hour mark.

guardianWatford’s captain now appears likely to be Gracia’s first enforced change of the season, having left Craven Cottage with his right leg in a protective boot and revealed he will require an X-ray after Fosu-Mensah’s 32nd-minute tackle.  “I may have a broken bone or two but we crack on,” Deeney said. He had still completed the 90 minutes. “I am a tough, ugly boy so it will be all right.”

TelegraphIsaac Success replaced Gray for the final 10 minutes and the Nigerian’s impact was impressive. He almost scored after cutting in from the left but was foiled by a low save from Marcus Bettinelli. Fulham also sensed more points might be on offer and Mitrovic twice went close to winning the game.

FranSo, for the second week running, we came away disappointed at the result.  I think we would all have taken a point before the game, but our first half performance was such that we should have been further ahead at half-time and, had that happened, it seemed unlikely that the home side would have been able to recover.  Instead, Fulham were still in the game at the break and Jokanović made changes that strengthened his team, who pressed harder against the Hornets who then misplaced more passes and allowed the home side to threaten more.

The Hornets NestI like Fulham. As I only live a short distance away I was able to go to several of their games last season. I find Craven Cottage a ‘proper’ football ground and have always felt like it’s a welcoming stadium to visit.  The significance of our trip this time round was of course that it was the first time former Watford Head Coach, Slavisa Jokanovic had come up against us, since he got us promoted back in 2015.  Of course, he received a warm reception from the travelling Hornets and was full of praise for the supporters in his pre-match press conference.

Screen Shot 2018-09-24 at 21.55.18Screen Shot 2018-09-24 at 21.56.20

15th September 2019- Premier League, Watford 2 Arsenal 2

Quique Sanchez Flores first programme notes from his second spell as Manager.

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 21,360
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Match Report: Watford 2-2 Arsenal

Sánchez Flores: “They Showed Me They Are Strong”

Foster: “The Win’s Going To Come Soon”

Highlights: Hornets Clinch Arsenal Draw

Cleverley: “I’m Getting In Good Positions”

Dawson: “It Was Great To See The Confidence Back”

Affleck’s Angle: It’s Funny How Things Pan Out

Watford draw against Arsenal in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first game back

Watford came from two goals down to snatch a point against Arsenal

Quique Sanchez Flores delighted with Watford reaction against Arsenal

Watford players show grit in comeback against Arsenal

Christian Kabasele thinks Watford’s draw with Arsenal felt like a win

Quique Sanchez Flores is making a plan for Watford striker Danny Welbeck

A selection of images as Watford draw with Arsenal in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first match since returning to Vicarage Road

Tom Cleverley was surprised by Arsenal’s dangerous tactics against Watford

Craig Dawson thinks Watford have more confidence under Quique Sanchez Flores

Bernd Leno claims Arsenal were fortunate not to lose against Watford

Ben Foster thinks Watford will find their first win soon after Arsenal display

Quique Sanchez Flores impressed by ‘mature’ Watford captain Etienne Capoue

Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead at Watford through defensive errors as Quique Sanchez Flores’ side earned a 2-2 draw in the first game of his second spell.

The hosts fired in 31 shots – a club-record for a Premier League game – as Arsenal’s shaky defence finally cracked after the break.

Watford had the chances during a breathless finale when the outstanding Gerard Deulofeu fired inches off target and Tom Cleverley saw a shot deflect wide off David Luiz before, at the very last, Abdoulaye Doucouré blew a gilt-edged opportunity, shooting too close to Bernd Leno.

And so Quique’s back, and inevitably he’s given a warm welcome because such is the way of things in such situations even if the man in question isn’t a good bloke from recent memory.  His first team selection is encouraging in its shape…  a return to the 4-2-3-1 of Marco Silva’s brief successful period with Tom restored to the buzzing around role in front of two sitting midfielders, Étienne Capoue stepping into the role vacated by Nathaniel Chalobah after his knee injury.  More odd was an extremely conservative bench, no out-and-out striker with Welbeck (reportedly injured in training on Friday) and Success omitted from the squad.

The final whistle went to rapturous cheers.  As the players applauded the crowd, Quique’s name was being sung and he responded with a broad smile and an enthusiastic wave.

7th September 2019- Javi departs and Quique Sanchez Flores returns

https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/first-team/club-statement-javi-gracia
https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/first-team/new-head-coach-sanchez-flores-appointed

Watford appoint Quique Sanchez Flores as head coach following Javi Gracia’s departure

Where did it go wrong for Javi Gracia at Watford?

Gerard Deulofeu and Kiko Femenia thank former Watford boss Javi Gracia

Javi Gracia claims Watford sacking was unexpected

Watford: Quique Sanchez Flores reappointed after Javi Gracia exit

Watford sack Javi Gracia, Quique Sanchez Flores returns

Watford sack Javi Gracia and reappoint Quique Sánchez Flores

Watford reappoint Quique Sanchez Flores to replace sacked Javi Gracia

Whatever your reaction, to Javi’s departure, it’s surely not surprise.  As countless pub-bore pundits have no doubt already reminded you, this is What Watford Do.  (One might be forgiven for thinking that this is ALL Watford have done, since getting promoted, such is the limited range of opinion of such pundits.  Chelsea, Huddersfield, Fulham, Southampton and West Brom have all had three managers during Javi’s Watford reign, incidentally).

31st August 2019- Premier League, Newcastle United 1 Watford 1

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Report: Newcastle United 1-1 Watford

Hughes: “We Came Here To Get A Win”

Gracia: “It’s An Important Point For Us”

Highlights: Newcastle United 1-1 Watford

Watford get first league point away at Newcastle United

Watford earn their first points of the new season with a draw at Newcastle United

Javi Gracia wants to build on Watford draw against Newcastle United

Javi Gracia thinks all of Watford’s players deserve to play more

A selection of images from Watford’s draw at Newcastle United

Will Hughes thinks Watford could have got more from draw at Newcastle United

Watford earned their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle after an end-to-end contest at St James’ Park.

After a barren start to the season in which his side had conceded seven times, Watford manager Javi Gracia adjusted both the shape and personnel of the team for their trip to the north east.

Despite Newcastle’s encouraging, if unexpected, win at Tottenham last Sunday, the crowd of 44,157 was the lowest for a Premier League fixture at St James’ Park in seven years. Those that turned up saw Gracia enjoy the sort of morale-boosting start his side so desperately needed in the wake of three straight defeats. After two minutes Tom Cleverley’s 20-yard shot was deflected into the path of Will Hughes, who delighted in beating Martin Dubravka from close range.

It felt like hard work for all concerned. Two functional teams struggling to find their rhythm, delivering a contest so littered with mistakes you had to remind yourself it was a Premier League match.

Gracia finally made a double substitution with 20 minutes to go, and it was not the change that the crowd had been calling for as Doucouré made way for Chalobah and Success replaced Hughes.  I have to admit that even I booed the removal of Hughes who had been the best player on the pitch.  Will left the field on the side opposite the dugout, so walked in front of the away fans and his name was sung with some gusto.  Success showed his worth to us naysayers as he received a ball over the top and put in a low cross for Gray, but it was intercepted.  Not satisfied with the changes so far, the away fans were chanting for Deulofeu to make an appearance.

27th August 2019- League Cup Second Round, Watford 3 Coventry City 0

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2-0
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Match Report: Watford 3-0 Coventry City

Gracia: “You Need Something That Helps Confidence”

Watch: Mariappa and Sordell On Sarr’s Electric Pace

Welbeck: “It Was Great To Be Back Out There”

Gracia: “All My Players Are Ready To Compete”

Peñaranda: “This Goal Gives Me Confidence”

Sarr: “I Must Prove Myself”

Dele-Bashiru: “Watford Feels Like A Family”

Carabao Cup: Peñaranda Shortlisted For Goal Of The Round

Watford beat Coventry City in the second round of the Carabao Cup

Ismaila Sarr helps Watford beat Coventry City in Carabao Cup

Javi Gracia was not surprised by the quality of Watford’s goals against Coventry City

Watford players rated after their Carabao Cup win over Coventry City

Tom Dele-Bashiru insists the Watford players are firmly behind head coach Javi Gracia

Club record signing Ismaila Sarr marked his first Watford start with a goal to help the Premier League’s bottom club overcome League One Coventry in the Carabao Cup second round.

 If there’s something fundamentally wrong at the club then it clearly hasn’t extended to this lot, who made up for a little rawness and rustiness with a performance of refreshing positivity.

Coventry had been given the whole end and their fans had come in droves, which was great to see.

24th August 2019- Premier League, Watford 1 West Ham United 3

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Match Report: Watford 1-3 West Ham United

Gray: “We Can’t Sit Down & Sulk”

Gracia: “We Need To Find Our Balance”

Cleverley: “We Weren’t Clinical Enough”

Highlights: Watford 1-3 West Ham United

Winless Watford face West Ham United in the Premier League

West Ham United send Watford to third straight defeat at start of season

Watford vs West Ham United: Javi Gracia left to rue shortcomings at both ends

Watford players rated after home defeat to West Ham United

A selection of images from Watford’s defeat to West Ham United

Tom Cleverley wants Watford players to hold themselves accountable after West Ham United defeat

Andre Gray wants Watford to forget last season and move on

The Hornets shot themselves in the foot inside two minutes when Abdoulaye Doucoure caught Manuel Lanzini in the box, and Mark Noble stepped up to slot home from the spot on his 350th Premier League appearance.

But Watford responded to level with a well-worked Andre Gray goal, with the forward drilling home a right-foot shot from Will Hughes’ pass. However, the Hornets were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal with just three of their 23 shots finding the target.

Only Hughes will know how he did not improve that ratio when, in the 55th minute, he met Gray’s fizzed centre at the far post after the striker had skipped around Lukasz Fabianski. It was a sitter but, perhaps seeing the ball late, Hughes turned it wide from a matter of inches.

Reprieved, West Ham recovered some of the momentum they had at the start of the game and quickly punished the hosts for their failures in front of goal when Haller restored the Hammers’ lead in the 64th minute, turning home Felipe Anderson’s low cross. Haller’s second then came eight minutes later after Michail Antonio met Lanzini’s corner with a header that Ben Foster tipped onto the bar with the French striker reacting well to head home the rebound from close range.

We’ve played indisputably the best football we’ve played this season, and we’ve lost by two clear goals.  For the first time since promotion, we’re in trouble.

The post-match mood was sombre.  As last week against Everton, we faced a team that we could and should have beaten, but we were undone by our lack of clinical finishing and the generosity of our defence.  Dawson is getting a lot of criticism, but he was left exposed by Femenía who certainly adds to our attacking options but is so often missing in defence.  I was encouraged by a lot of the forward play but, too often, the players wait for the perfect sight of goal and end up losing out to a defender.