Author Archives: rajo1974

9th February 2026- Ed Still appointed as new Watford Head Coach

Official: Hornets Appoint Still As Head Coach – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: Ed Still profile: Find out more about Watford’s new head coach

Watford announce Ed Still as their new head coach

Ed Still and Scott Duxbury’s first words on head coach appointment

Scepticism is understandable – but Pozzo’s left-field appointments often work best

National journalists and Troy Deeney react to Ed Still appointment

Still’s coaching staff takes shape as duo stay on

Still: ‘I know I’m not the biggest name – but stick with us’

BBC: Championship side Watford have appointed Edward Still as their head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Ed Still has promised Watford fans “fast, attacking football” from his team as he looks to make a winning start as head coach.

From the Rookery End: Ed Still Special: In Conversation with Watford’s new Head Coach

7th February 2026- Championship, Southampton 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Why Southampton v Watford will kick off at 12.31 on Saturday

Referee named for Watford’s trip to Southampton

Daniels demanding ‘same energy, enthusiasm and quality’ at Saints

‘We want to be effective with the ball’ – How Daniels wants Watford to play

When we next play them it would be lovely if we could come up with a similar image for that leaflet that now masquerades as a programme featuring the 7-1, the 4-1 win in 1982, the Chris Nicholl nightmare in 1983, the 3-2 in 1999, the 5-2 in 2004 and the 5 consecutive wins against them from 2005-2008.

Match Wrap: Southampton 1-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Southampton 1-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford without a goal in three as they lose 1-0 to Southampton

Daniels calls for accountability after ‘unfortunate’ timing of Goglichidze sub

Daniels rues missed chances as ‘good performance’ unrewarded at Saints

BBC: New Southampton signing Cyle Larin scored just three minutes into his Southampton debut as Saints beat Watford in the Championship.

Sky: For the Hornets, who were led by interim Charlie Daniels for the second time, they are winless since New Year’s Day and haven’t scored in their last three matches.

3rd February 2026- Championship, Hull City 0 Watford 0

Originally postponed just 23 minutes before kick off on the 4th January.

Watford Observer: What should we expect from Watford under Daniels, Mariappa and Gosling?

Match Wrap: Hull City 0-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Hull City 0-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford draw 0-0 at Hull City but impress under Daniels

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Hull City 0-0 Watford

Daniels on ‘really good performance’ at Hull after one session as Watford boss

Mendy ‘showed why he’s a top player’ at Hull, says Daniels

Daniels, Mariappa and Gosling should be very proud of Watford’s performance at Hull

Daniels ready to take charge at Southampton ‘unless I’m told otherwise’

‘Everything’s a fresh start’ – Why Jeremy Petris and Formose Mendy were recalled

BBC: Hull missed the chance to close the gap on the Championship’s top two after a dull goalless draw against managerless Watford.

Sky: Hull came into the rearranged fixture in third spot having won all four Championship matches since the postponement, but they were denied a fifth victory on the bounce by play-off hopefuls Watford.

Fran’s Watford Blog:  The post-match consensus was that we had all thoroughly enjoyed the game. It had been competitive and the Hornets were the better team, which was certainly not what we were expecting before the game. Mendy, who had very little game time under Javi, was excellent and looks likely to get more opportunities under Daniels, who clearly rates him. Abankwah, who has put in some excellent performances in defence, showed us what he could do going forward, with one particular surging run giving me great joy. Mfuni was a revelation. I was surprised to see the 17 year-old starting, but he put in a performance that belied his years. He was composed and effective in defence, while also popping up in the opposition box to get on the end of crosses. After Alleyne, it appears that City have done us another favour. I look forward to seeing more of the lad.

1st February 2026- Head Coach Javi Gracia resigns

Club Statement: Javi Gracia – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: Javi Gracia resigns as Watford head coach

The inside story of Javi Gracia’s resignation as Watford head coach

Gracia releases statement: ‘I could no longer contribute with full conviction’

BBC: Watford head coach Javi Gracia has resigned after just over three months in the job following their 2-0 defeat by Swansea City.

Sky: The Hornets are now seeking their 24th manager since the Pozzo family took the reins in 2012.

31st January 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Swansea City 2

Watford Observer: Gracia: Watford in a ‘difficult moment’ and ‘really need support’ from home fans

Watford want to be ‘aggressive’ and ‘play in the opposite half’ against Swansea

Gracia on Baah, Irankunda and how he selects his team

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2026/january/31/digital-digest-swansea-edition

Match Wrap: Watford 0-2 Swansea City – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-2 Swansea City

Match Report: Winless run extends to five as tame Watford beaten 2-0 by Swansea

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 0-2 Swansea City and Gracia’s comments

Gracia plans to talk with Pozzo after Swansea defeat

Why does Javi Gracia want talks with Gino Pozzo? And what next?

BBC: Swansea City claimed a rare away victory as second-half goals from Marko Stamenic and Josh Key saw Watford lose further ground in the Championship play-off race.

Sky: Watford, by contrast, have not won a Championship match since New Year’s Day and played the final four minutes of injury time with 10 men after Nestory Irankunda was sent off for pushing Liam Cullen to the ground.

Fran’s Watford Blog: On Sunday morning the news came that Javi had resigned. I am very sad to see him go, but it was not a great surprise as he has clearly been unhappy in recent weeks. We have to thank him for the great run that we went on towards the end of last year and some of the most enjoyable football we have seen in a while. He leaves with my good wishes and will always be given a warm welcome at the Vic.

24th January 2026- Championship, Blackburn Rovers 1 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Preview: Blackburn face injury problems and fan boycott for Watford clash

Match Wrap: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford draw 1-1 again at Blackburn

Gracia rues ‘soft’ defending after fast start and explains tactical approach

Gracia hopes for signings and injury doubts delayed Baah sub

No risk was taken with Vata and update on Louza and Pollock

It’s time for Watford to flex their muscles after sticky week

Ngakia ‘couldn’t believe’ he was handed Watford captaincy

BBC: Having dominated the opening stages, Edo Kayembe drove home to give Watford the lead, but just two minutes later Blackburn hit back courtesy of Lewis Miller.

Sky: The clash against the Hornets marked the start of a “phased strategic boycott of home fixtures” organised by the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition aimed at forcing Venky’s to sell the club.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The Rovers fans had decided to boycott this game as a protest against their owners, so the stadium was eerily empty. I had listened to their grievances and, while their owners are not particularly engaged, their actions have not been particularly egregious, so I decided not to participate in the boycott myself.

From the Rookery End: Mike, Jon and Watford Observer reporter Adam Drury sit down after a frustrating week that saw Watford held to two 1–1 draws – first at home to Portsmouth, then away at Blackburn.