Monthly Archives: August 2017

26th August 2017- Premier League, Watford 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 0

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Watford Observer

WATFORD v BRIGHTON LIVE BLOG: Miguel Britos sent off for Watford as Hornets hang on to goalless draw at Vicarage Road

Marco Silva laments Miguel Britos’ game-changing red card during Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion

Watford: Anthony Knockaert fortunate to avoid injury after Miguel Britos foul, says Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton

Watford earn draw against Brighton & Hove Albion after Miguel Britos sees red for shocking challenge on Anthony Knockaert

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RATINGS: How did Watford’s players get on in their goalless Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion?

BBC SportBrighton claimed their first ever Premier League point despite failing to break down 10-man Watford at Vicarage Road.

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skyBrighton picked up their first Premier League point with a 0-0 draw at Watford on Saturday – but will feel they should have taken all three against their 10-man hosts.

guardianWhile a first ever Premier League point is not to be sniffed at Brighton will wonder how they did not tick off all the mini missions they need to convince themselves they mean business at the highest echelon of the English game. Three matches in and a goal still eludes them. A confidence-boosting win is still needed as soon as possible. It was not for want of trying, here, particularly when Watford’s numbers were depleted in the 24th minute after Miguel Britos was sent off when his dangerous, hotheaded challenge left Anthony Knockaert floored.

IndependentMiguel Britos was shown an early red card after his dangerous tackle on Anthony Knockaert but the visitors were unable to capitalise on their advantage

TelegraphIt was supposed to be Brighton’s day. Their opponents played with ten men for more than an hour and Chris Hughton’s men twice struck the post but still the Seagulls failed to soar.

BHappy imageSo.  August Bank Holiday, then.  End of the first bit of the season prior to the first international break, first chance to take stock.  End of the transfer window approaches too, a transfer window during which we’ve been linked to well over 100 players and have revised the squad significantly.

The Hornets NestThe game was flipped on its head on 24 minutes however. As Knockaert and Britos were involved in a foot-race on the right-hand-side, the Watford defender put on his best Jackie Chan impression and lept through the air, studs showing and clattered into the Frenchman.  It was, without doubt, one of the worst tackles I can remember at Vicarage Road, rivaled only by Heidar Helguson on Blackburn’s John Curtis in 2001. 

Hornet effect Watford claimed a well deserved point against Brighton after Miguel Britos’ horror challenge had reduced them to 10-men at Vicarage Road.

FTRE imageWATFORD 0-0 BRIGHTON Jon is joined by Jordi and Olly to run through the valiant draw against Brighton. Then Mike and Jon discuss the £4.3 million fine the club received this week, say goodbye to Valon Bahrami and answer some of your questions.

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22nd August 2017- League Cup Second Round, Watford 2 Bristol City 3

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screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary  Goals:  1 2

Watford Observer

Relive the match as Niclas Eliasson gives Robins unassailable advantage after Watford reduced to 10 men

Bristol City come from behind to knock Watford out of Carabao Cup

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GALLERY: A selection of images from Watford’s Carabao Cup defeat to Bristol City

Watford boss Marco Silva annoyed with players’ ‘mentality’ in Carabao Cup defeat to Bristol City

Watford v Bristol City player ratings: Isaac Success’ second-half introduction not enough to liven up poor Hornets defeat

BBC SportChampionship side Bristol City came from behind to beat Premier League Watford in the EFL Cup second round.

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skyBristol City secured a memorable 3-2 victory as Marco Silva’s promising start to life at Watford came to a shuddering halt in the Carabao Cup.

BHappy imageYou have to ask yourself, at what point does an odd pattern stop being an odd pattern and start becoming accepted as “the new normal”, to adopt a horrible phrase.  When does it stop being surprising?  I suppose it depends on the circumstances…  Britain’s naval supremacy was unchallenged until the advent of the submarine, which changed the game entirely but at least there was an event.  Something to point at and say “this has changed because of that”.  Difficult to accept, difficult to reconcile to, but nonetheless cause and effect.  Easy to understand.

FranAfter the cracking performances in the first two games of the season, it was a happy band who met at the West Herts prior to this match.  Those who had been at Bournemouth were assuring those who hadn’t that the game had been as much fun as it sounded on the radio and in reports.  We also took time to teach them the new chant for Doucouré.

The Hornets NestWe’re all disappointed, frustrated, maybe a little pissed off, but deep (deep) down, are you really surprised?  I could literally go back to my report on the Gillingham game last season, copy and paste it in here, alter the score and the team and you would be none the wiser.  Or maybe go back to Preston from two seasons ago? Even better because we had a man sent off. Perhaps I could combine the two?

Hornet effectThe Hornets’ poor league cup record continued after Bristol City came from behind to book their place in the third round with a 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road. The big question going into the tie was how strong a starting eleven Silva would field and the answer was comprehensive, he would be taking the competition seriously.

FTRE-WFC-PodcastWatford 2-3 Bristol City Mike is back… and Watford lost! The point of FTRE is to tell our story of life as a Watford fan. And we hope this is the lowest point of the season. Jon, Mike and Jason are joined by Olly and DCW to talk about the players who were given a chance to shine and if we are just taking this whole competition too seriously.

22 Aug 2017Accrington Stanley1:3West Bromwich Albion 
22 Aug 2017Aston Villa4:1Wigan Athletic 
22 Aug 2017Birmingham City1:2AFC Bournemouth 
22 Aug 2017Bolton Wanderers3:2Sheffield Wednesday 
22 Aug 2017Brighton and Hove Albion1:0Barnet 
22 Aug 2017Cardiff City1:2Burton Albion 
22 Aug 2017Carlisle United1:2Sunderland 
22 Aug 2017Crystal Palace2:1Ipswich Town 
22 Aug 2017Doncaster Rovers2:0Hull City 
22 Aug 2017Fulham0:1Bristol Rovers 
22 Aug 2017Leeds United5:1Newport County 
22 Aug 2017Middlesbrough3:0Scunthorpe United 
22 Aug 2017Milton Keynes Dons1:4Swansea City 
22 Aug 2017Norwich City4:1Charlton Athletic 
22 Aug 2017Queens Park Rangers1:4Brentford 
22 Aug 2017Reading3:1Millwall 
22 Aug 2017Sheffield United1:4Leicester City 
22 Aug 2017Watford2:3Bristol City 
23 Aug 2017Blackburn Rovers0:2Burnley 
23 Aug 2017Cheltenham Town0:2West Ham United 
23 Aug 2017Huddersfield Town2:1Rotherham United 
23 Aug 2017Newcastle United2:3Nottingham Forest 
23 Aug 2017Southampton0:2Wolverhampton Wanderers 
23 Aug 2017Stoke City4:0Rochdale

19th August 2017- Premier League, AFC Bournemouth 0 Watford 2

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screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22 clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary  Goals:  1  2

Watford Observer

RELIVE: Richarlison and Capoue strike as Watford beat Bournemouth 2-0 at Vitality Stadium

GALLERY: Enjoy these images from Watford’s opening win of the season at Bournemouth

Watford head coach Marco Silva particularly pleased with second-half display in 2-0 win at Bournemouth

Eddie Howe critical of Bournemouth following home loss to Watford

‘We have to be calm with Richarlison’ says Watford head coach Marco Silva after young Brazilian lights up win over Bournemouth

WATFORD V BOURNEMOUTH RATINGS: Magician Richarlison the pick of the bunch in fine Watford performance on the south coast

Nathaniel Chalobah reveals Harry Arter pretending to be a Watford player led to him missing chance in Bournemouth win

BBC SportBrazilian winger Richarlison was described as “a great talent” by manager Marco Silva after his first Premier League goal helped Watford to victory over Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.

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Hornets showed character & confidence – Silva

skySecond-half goals from Richarlison and Etienne Capoue handed Watford a deserved 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

guardianThe miracle Eddie Howe has managed to pull off at Bournemouth was brought into stark relief once again with an early home defeat at the hands of a Watford side who look ready to kick on from a disappointing end to last season.

IndependentRicharlison nets first Watford goal as Hornets keep Bournemouth winless

TelegraphWatford followed up their impressive opening-day display against Liverpool with a deserved win at Bournemouth after late goals from Richarlison and Etienne Capoue gave Marco Silva three points that he declared were “really deserved”.

FranFor a few seasons now, the travelling fans at Bournemouth have been uncharacteristically unpleasant and there was an early attempt to enforce that reputation as a bloke along the row from me started screaming at the female lino to get back in the kitchen.  She was the other end of the pitch from us so wouldn’t have heard anyway, but it wound me up.  I’m afraid that my response to this abuse was neither reasoned nor nuanced, but it was to the point

The Hornets Nest Football, there’s nothing quite like it really is there?  My weeks are always spent waiting and counting down until the next game. When someone asks me for the date of important events or vice versa, I only know when that is in relation to the football fixtures.  “When do you go on holiday, mum?”  “16th December, Andrew”
“…Ah, Huddersfield at home, gotcha”

FTRE imageJon is joined by Kelly Somers, Kieran Thievam and Colin Mace as they talk through the away win at the Cherries.  How have the Hornets moved on from the home draw to Liverpool and have the new boys started to make an impact on the squad?  Oh and yes, you can hear that chant and keep it stuck in your head until Bristol City at home.

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12th August 2017- Premier League, Watford 3 Liverpool 3

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screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary  Goals: 1 2 3

Watford Observer

RELIVE – Watford v Liverpool: Hornets begin life under Silva with six-goal thriller at Vicarage Road

Miguel Britos scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser as Watford claimed a 3-3 draw in a thrilling Premier League opener against Liverpool at Vicarage Road. Watford took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break after strong first half showing, which saw Stefano Okaka and Abdoulaye Doucoure score either side of Sadio Mane’s leveller. The game turned in Liverpool’s favour early in the second half as Roberto Firmino’s penalty and a debut goal for Mohamed Salah put the visitors ahead.

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp bemoans his side’s lack of luck after claiming Watford’s late equaliser was ‘clearly offside’

Stefano Okaka praised by Watford head coach Marco Silva after scoring opener against Liverpool

Watford head coach Marco Silva says Hornets reacted well to Liverpool pressure to grab last-gasp equaliser

RATINGS: How did Watford’s players get on in their Premier League draw against Liverpool?

BBC SportMiguel Britos scored a controversial 93rd-minute equaliser for Watford as Liverpool were held in a thrilling game at Vicarage Road.

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skyMiguel Britos struck deep into stoppage time as Watford secured a late point following a 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

guardianThe expression on Jürgen Klopp’s face as Watford celebrations broke out all around him said it all. A testing 24 hours for Liverpool, dominated by Philippe Coutinho’s emailed transfer request, ended with the sort of injury-time equaliser that drives managers insane. Miguel Britos, looking at least a yard offside, bundled the ball home from a corner in the 93rd minute, denying Liverpool the victory that would have brought some much-needed respite during the Coutinho saga.

IndependentNew season, same old problems for Liverpool. Against Watfordthey were made to pay the price for an all too familiar defensive horror show, as Miguel Britos headed home a 94th-minute equaliser to deny Jurgen Klopp victory in his 100th competitive game in charge of the club.

TelegraphWhatever it was the Premier League defenders were doing over the summer it was not improving their defending.  After Friday’s seven-goal opener to the season, came another six at Vicarage Road. And had Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini or Fabio Cannevaro been in  attendance as the self-proclaimed finest league in the world got under way, the great Italian defenders would have wondered what on earth had happened to the dark art of keeping a clean sheet.

BHappy imageIt’s a classic First Day of the Season.  Sunshine on your face walking down Vicarage Road.  Touts after tickets, programme vendors, charity buckets.  50/50 scarves on sale for a tenner (“who buys them?”).  Friends rock up, you’ve not seen them for three months…  “how was your summer?”.  Albert is here for the first time in even longer, it’s good to see him.  He’s stunned by how tall the girls are, they are nonplussed but grin anyway.  There are flags, and noise, a tremendous montage on the big screens.  And then, then the football.  As has been said many times if you rely solely on the sport itself for your enjoyment you’re going to be disappointed more often than not but still, football.  And it’s just brilliant…

FranThe first day of the season and, on arriving in Watford, it was grey and drizzly.  I was at the Hornet Shop before 9:30, so it was rather bizarre to see the programme sellers and burger stands already setting up.  Having bought the new home and away shirts, a woolly hat (just in case) and a Watford coffee cup, I headed to the museum to get in line for the Graham Taylor exhibition.

The Hornets NestFootball’s bloody brilliant, isn’t it?  We’ve waited the whole summer and our patience was rewarded in the most emphatic way.

Hornet effectWhatever it was the Premier League defenders were doing over the summer it certainly wasn’t improving their defence.

FTRE imageWatford are BACK, BACK, BACK! Jon and Jason are joined this week by friend of the pod Paul from Denver to go through the performance and the huge sums of money Watford have been playing this transfer window.  

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5th August 2017- The Graham Taylor Matchday, Watford 0 Real Sociedad 0

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Watford Observer

LIVE – Watford v Real Sociedad: Hughes and Capoue on the bench for Watford’s last pre-season game in memory of Graham Taylor

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Watford were held to a goalless stalemate by Real Sociedad on a day which saw Vicarage Road come together to remember the late Graham Taylor. A game of few chances played second fiddle to Taylor, and the occasion will likely be remembered for the emotional scenes before kick-off and during the half-time break rather than the match.

Player ratings: How did Watford’s players get on in their goalless draw against Real Sociedad?

First and foremost, we’re here for GT. There’s yellow everywhere, including in the Rookery where, if the donated tributes get a bit lost the sentiment is evident and a mighty GT banner dominates. And that’s the theme really… what’s important is not the substance, not the what, but the motivation behind it.  Everyone… club, supporters, guests… want to do this justice.  So there’s all sorts of entertainment going on behind the Rookery by all accounts – and whilst I grouchily resent not being allowed to sit in my seat, let alone my stand for any fixture on this occasion allowances must be made.