Monthly Archives: October 2024

26th October 2024- Championship, Watford 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

BBC: Watford extended their unbeaten home league record to 10 games with a narrow 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Sky: Rovers, managed by former Watford captain John Eustace, had two great chances to take the points and cement a place in the top six but Dominic Hyam and Andreas Weimann were left cursing their luck.

Watford Observer: Watford 1 Blackburn 0 minute-by-minute match report

RECAP: Watford 1 Blackburn 0

Kayembe was Watford’s third choice penalty-taker on Saturday

Watford boss says home win doesn’t mean derby is forgotten

A victory of any kind was just what Watford needed

Watford captain Sissoko handed three-match ban by FA

BHappy: There’s even a giant floater raised over the Rookery at kick-off, a reminder of times gone by…  it’s always a minorconcern as the thing is raised above our heads that we’re volunteered collaborators in delivering a message that we know nothing about, but the 1881 have long since earned our trust on that score and this one is championing Tom at a point in time when, one suspects, such will have been particularly gratefully received.  Other reminders of times gone by come in the greeting of two erstwhile fearless booterers… John Eustace, a fine, fine captain for many years, now in charge of the opposition and Paul Robinson, still the only player I’ve seen score with a tackle, making a most welcome return as part of our own coaching staff.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a slightly fortunate victory for the Hornets, but a very welcome one after the defeats of the previous week. It was a competitive game with chances for both sides. Cleverley kept faith with Bachmann and, apart from the early scare, he did what was required of him although Blackburn were incredibly wasteful in their finishing. Having wondered who would take the penalty and feared the effect of the delay before it was taken, Kayembe dispatched it brilliantly. Ebosele was named man of the match after a solid performance both in attack and defence. He is certainly growing into the team, and I am enjoying watching him. Baah continues to rattle defences although he does not always make the right decision. Bayo had a decent cameo. He won the penalty and looked much more effective than of late. Vata also looked lively when he came on. He has an eye for goal and is always willing to try a shot, which is something that I wish more of our players would do. All in all, it was a pleasing performance and those who go to home games are being entertained far more than they have been in recent seasons. Those of us who travel away are not having quite so much fun. Let’s hope that changes next week.

From The Rookery End: Long term listeners will be surprised to hear no John Eustace chat from Mike but he, along with DCW, Jordi and Jon discuss the penalty decision, the decision to see who would take it, the bold substitutions from Tom Cleverly as well as how we get a centre forward and still play Baah in his strongest position.

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22nd October 2024-Championship, Leeds United 2 Watford 1

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

BBC: Leeds United were gifted two goals in the opening seven minutes to claim a victory over Watford that sent them level on points with Championship leaders Sunderland.

Sky: The Austria ‘keeper was at fault for both Leeds’ goals as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening seven minutes through Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Leeds United 2 Watford 1

Leeds Utd 2 Watford 1 – the game as it happened

Character and personality but also two ‘freak mistakes’

Bachmann: ‘I apologised to the lads, and I apologise to the fans’

OPINIONThe bad start, the good response and the ugly abuse

Back to basics in the search for greater consistency

Fran’s Watford Blog: There was applause from the travelling fans at the final whistle. Bachmann led the players over to the away fans with his hands up taking responsibility. A number of fans also had their hands up. Their gestures were not placatory.

19th October 2024- Championship, Luton Town 3 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Cleverley wants Watford to ‘inflict more pain’ on Luton

BBC: Under–pressure Luton Town boss Rob Edwards steered his side to a spirited and fully deserved victory over fierce rivals Watford in a predictably feisty derby at Kenilworth Road.

Sky: Before kick-off, Watford mocked Luton’s Kenilworth Road by posting a video of pouring rain in the local area on X with the caption ‘Taking in the sights’. The social media post has received over three million views, but it appeared to give their rivals added motivation as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Jordan Clark, Carlton Morris and Jacob Brown.

https://x.com/WatfordFC/status/1847573854694097263

Watford Observer: RECAP: Luton Town 3 Watford 0

Luton 3 Watford 0 – how the game unfolded at Kenilworth Road

Luton dominated Watford for second successive derby

‘If you throw a performance in like that then you have to take it on the chin’

BHappy: There is really no saving grace, no positive spin on the result, the performance or the afternoon.  Even the better individual showings were merely slightly less inadequate… Chakvetadze trying to find a gap (if failing too often), Dele-Bashiru giving the ball away frequently, yes, but often through trying to do more than merely get the ball clear, to get us playing football.  Elsewhere there was less mitigation.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The players came over to applaud the travelling fans and Tom Cleverley held his hands up to the crowd as they screamed dog’s abuse at him and the players. I am not one to boo or shout abuse, and I hated seeing Tom in that position, but even I wasn’t moved to sympathetic applause after that performance. It was an absolutely dreadful showing by the Hornets. The opposition were very physical and, as has so often been the case, our players just couldn’t cope with it. There was a high press and no space to play in, which meant that most attacking moves were soon stopped. There were also a number of occasions when passes fell short due to the water that was still on the pitch, but that was apparent quite early on and the players should have adapted the game plan to deal with it. We were beaten by a team with an effective game plan and it was painful to watch.

5th October 2024- Championship, Watford 2 Middlesbrough 1

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 2 Middlesbrough 1

Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough: Five talking points from victory

Watford 2 Middlesbrough 1 – how the action unfolded

BBC: Watford substitutes Edo Kayembe and Kwadwo Baah scored late goals to complete a second-half turnaround against Middlesbrough. After a dominant first half, Boro broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second through George Edmundson’s goal.

Sky: It was the perfect reaction to Watford’s defeat by Preston in the week, as the hosts made six changes – Ryan Porteous, Tom Ince, Ken Sema, Daniel Jebbison, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Ryan Andrews all coming in.

BHappy: The winning goal is a thing of very great beauty.  Ryan Andrews is involved again, his long looping throw isn’t really anywhere near Mattie Pollock but this doesn’t matter since the most centre-back of centre-backs launches himself at it like a human missile to win the knockdown and there’s Kwadwo Baah with an acrobatic volley and yes the defender should have been closer to him maybe but yes, that’s us looking like Manchester City and taking a small error, pulling it open and pouring through it.  Utter jubilation in Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: There were smiles in the stands and on the pitch at the end of the game as I Just Can’t Get Enough rang out. At the end of the Preston game on Wednesday, Tom Cleverley was applauding the fans looking shamefaced and facing abuse. What a difference a couple of days make, I was delighted to see the beaming smile on his face and those of the players. The performance had been such a contrast to Wednesday. Middlesbrough may have dominated possession, but the defensive effort from the Hornets was solid, and the introduction of Baah and Kayembe gave the opposition something to think about. Edo could have had a hat-trick, but it was Baah who was serenaded with “Baah will tear you apart” at the end. It was great to see the team spirit and resilience back in the squad. I thought that once Middlesbrough scored, we were doomed to defeat, so the comeback was as pleasing as it was enjoyable. So, we go into the international break on a high. Let’s hope the momentum continues on our return to action.

2nd October 2024- Championship, Preston North End 3 Watford 0

Watford Observer: RECAP: Preston 3 Watford 0

Preston 3 Watford 0 – how the action unfolded at Deepdale

Watford boss shares thoughts on Baah, Bayo and Ogbonna

Cleverley blasts Watford’s ‘mid-table’ mindset at Preston

Sky: Osmajic, who last week was charged by the Football Association with allegedly biting an opponent, responded to being brought into the starting line-up by boss Paul Heckingbottom by putting the hosts ahead with a finish eight minutes after the break, before adding a second in the 65th minute. A superb Ali McCann strike subsequently extended the advantage with 15 minutes remaining as Preston registered only their second win of the campaign and moved up a place to 21st in the table. Tom Cleverley’s Watford stay eighth.

BHappy: Saturday was significant in that it stemmed a wobble, a fine performance against a strong opponent that got a monkey off our backs and set us up for another positive run of results.  But… you’ve got to follow that up, it’s not a given.  From the off this performance was less focused, less disciplined, less urgent.  As if we felt we’d done the difficult bit, and that Preston away was somehow a lighter touch.  This division above all divisions doesn’t let you get away with that.  Tom pointing out pre-match that Preston finished above that last season indicated that he was aware of the risk but slightly alarming that it even needed saying.  

Fran’s Watford Blog: I am not one to boo or yell, but it was an absolutely dreadful performance from the Hornets. I don’t know where that came from after the two excellent showings in the past week. We wasted a couple of great chances in the first half, but once Preston took the lead, we never really looked like getting back into it. Preston were playing a pressing game and the players couldn’t cope with it. But what was most disappointing was the number of poor passes and the complete inability to control a ball demonstrated by a number of players who are much better than that. Preston are not a good team and looked vulnerable until they scored. Adding insult to injury, Osmajić and McCann both scored their first goals of the season. The game is best forgotten and we have a chance to make amends on Saturday.