Author Archives: rajo1974

13th December 2025- Championship, Wrexham 2 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Wrexham preview: The oldest team in the Championship takes on the youngest

Gracia: ‘I like that we are disappointed with results – it shows we want more’

Match Wrap: Wrexham 2-2 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Wrexham 2-2 Watford

Match Report: Injury-time equaliser denies Watford in 2-2 draw at Wrexham

Watford assistant Aranalde claims ‘shocking’ decision cost Hornets at Wrexham

Aranalde: ‘We had the game under control until the last five minutes’

Gracia’s tactical tweaks improve Watford – but prospects remain unclear

Wrexham boss Parkinson thought Gracia’s red card was harsh

BBC: Ollie Rathbone struck in the second minute of added time as Wrexham salvaged a point against Watford. Josh Windass notched his sixth goal of the season to give the hosts an early lead at the Stok Cae Ras.

Sky: Watford brushed aside Josh Windass’ opener as first-half goals from Mamadou Doumbia and Othmane Maamma put the visitors on course for all three points.

Fran’s Watford Blog: As disappointing as it was only to get a point from this game, it was probably the right result. It had been a game lacking in quality from both sides, but a decent battle. All of the goals had a bit of luck to them. After the last-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, it would be churlish to complain about the same happening to us on Saturday

From the Rookery End: Two games, two injury-time goals, and absolutely no shortage of talking points. The lads relive the frustration and fightback of the draw with Sheffield Wednesday before heading to North Wales for an afternoon that felt very different since the Hornets last visit to STōK Cae Ras (The Racecoure Ground), almost 30 years ago. Of course, this time the spotlight burned brighter than ever, with Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching on from the stands.

9th December 2025- Championship, Watford 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Watford Observer: Watford aiming to end poor record after referee named for Wednesday clash

Chakvetadze and Irankunda in training as Watford aim for first back-to-back wins

Former Watford favourite resumes training in time for Vicarage Road return

https://www.watfordfc.com/supporters/digital-digests

Match Wrap: Watford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Five talking points after Watford draw with Wednesday

Match Report: Last-gasp Semedo equaliser sees Watford draw to Sheffield Wednesday

‘We have to fix it’ – Gracia laments ‘soft goals’ holding Watford back

Javi Gracia on fielding midfield two of Edo Kayembe and Imran Louza

Sheffield Wednesday verdict: Sloppy opener tells the story of Watford’s season

‘I don’t feel it’ – Gracia wants Watford to show more pride to ‘defend the shirt’

BBC: Vivaldo Semedo’s stoppage time equaliser denied Sheffield Wednesday their second league win of the season as Watford left it late to snatch a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Charlie McNeill’s third goal in two games appeared to have handed rock-bottom Wednesday a rare bit of cheer in a difficult campaign. But just when wasteful Watford, who missed a penalty through skipper Imran Louza, seemed to have run out of ideas, Semedo squeezed a volley from Mamadou Doumbia’s cross under goalkeeper Pierce Charles to salvage a point.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been a very frustrating evening of football. The Hornets had created a hatful of chances and should have won at a canter, but a mixture of wasteful finishing and some terrific saves from the Wednesday keeper meant that we needed a late equaliser to salvage a point. The failures in front of goal meant that other deficiencies were more noticeable. The players seemed not to be quick enough to the ball and too often saw passes intercepted as they waited for them to arrive. But there were some excellent moves, especially in the first half. Maamma was a constant menace and should have found the net on more than one occasion. It was unfortunate that he was withdrawn at the break as he was on a yellow card. Louza also had some excellent chances, but his penalty was poor and Kayembe’s disallowed goal seemed to be a bit of a harsh decision. There were a lot of people angry at the referee, who did have some interesting moments during the game, particularly when he tackled Bola, but he was not responsible for the result. We have played a lot worse than that and won this season. It was just one of those nights.

6th December 2025- Championship, Watford 3 Norwich City 2

Watford Observer: Team news: Irankunda ruled out but Chakvetadze ready for bigger role

Gracia: ‘I would rather hear compliments after winning games’

Gracia hopes recent home frustration fuels big week for Watford

https://www.watfordfc.com/supporters/digital-digests

Match Wrap: Watford 3-2 Norwich City – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford 3-2 Norwich City

Five talking points from Watford’s victory over Norwich

Match Report: Ince bags the winner as Watford beat Norwich 3-2

‘Not the way we want to play’ – Gracia not happy despite Watford win over Norwich

‘Not just about one mistake’ – Gracia on Keben sub and Alleyne impact

BBC: Tom Ince delivered another comeback victory for Watford with a late winner against Championship strugglers Norwich City.

Sky: Norwich twice went ahead and often played with enterprise which belied their lowly position, but they were undone by two-goal Luca Kjerrumgaard’s twin headers and 33-year-old Ince’s enduring poacher’s instincts.

BHappy: If we didn’t deserve the win we definitely earned it. Nonetheless, near universal relief at the final whistle as the impressive away following trooped dejectedly out. I say near universal, since Vivaldo Semedo was left beating the turf in prolonged and theatrical frustration having believed he’d fooled the keeper (who may have simply heard a whistle that he had not) as the game concluded with him tapping into an empty net. His dramatic histrionics were interrupted by his being mobbed by an exuberant mob from the bench, fronted by Nestory Irankunda. Further evidence, alongside Othmane Maamma watching the game’s concluding moments fixatedly from the bench unable to sit down or to get as far as putting a tracksuit top on, of a spirit that seems transformed since the early days of the season.

Fran’s Watford Blog: A friend described this game as entertainingly terrible, which was a bit harsh, but it was certainly entertaining. It was the classic game of two halves. In the first half, there was no cohesion at all, Norwich were running the show and the defence was a shambles. The change at the break really made a difference and suddenly, we had a team who were playing together, creating some really good chances and defending with a lot more conviction. The man of the match was Ngakia, who was superb, making a couple of key tackles in the box on Sargent and providing the assist for Kjerrumgaard’s second. It was great to see Luca score, and he took both goals well with the second being particularly impressive.  Come from behind wins always have you leaving the ground with a smile on your face. The only negative was the injury to Chakvetadze. I hope he is back in the team very soon.

1st December 2025- Championship, Birmingham City 2 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Birmingham preview: Troy Deeney on fixture closest to his heart

The key stat that should give Watford encouragement heading to Birmingham

‘We are motivated to do it again’ – Gracia wants more success on the road

Match Wrap: Birmingham City 2-1 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Birmingham City 2-1 Watford

Match Report: Defensive errors cost Watford in 2-1 defeat at Birmingham

Gracia on Birmingham defeat: ‘We are paying for our mistakes’

Compliments but not points: Watford sum up their season so far at Birmingham

Chakvetadze approaching full fitness after impressive cameo at Birmingham

Birmingham boss Davies praises Watford but says Kyprianou should have seen red

BBC: Demarai Gray’s wonderful individual effort helped Birmingham City climb to within a point of the Championship play-offs with victory over Watford. Paik Seung-ho opened the scoring from outside the box before Gray’s classy effort found the top corner to put Birmingham fully in control at the break. Othmane Maamma pulled one back for Watford but the home side, seeking successive promotions after last season’s League One title triumph, held on.

Sky: The Blues earned a fourth straight win at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park while Watford’s miserable run on the road continued despite a valiant effort in the second half.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another decent but ultimately disappointing performance against a tough opponent. Both goals were the result of mistakes by the Hornets and, as so often this season, we were not clinical enough in front of goal. Kyprianou had his worst game in a Watford shirt, looking very nervous on the ball and making some terrible loose passes. He wasn’t the only one guilty of that and the mistakes decided the outcome. Louza had a quiet first half but was back storming in the second period. Maamma was excellent throughout. A constant menace to the Birmingham defence, creating several good chances and his goal was very well taken. Chakvetadze also had a good evening and was involved in the creation of the goal. Bola also had a good night, he continues to excite going forward and really should have been on the scoresheet.

From the Rookery End: A raw Monday evening away at St Andrews as defeat strikes Watford again — 2–1 to Birmingham City, but this one felt more self-inflicted than stolen. Jon, Jordi, Jason and Paul from Denver watched that game in the FTRE spiritual home, at the spiritual table, in the Railway Arms.

25th November 2025- Championship, Watford 1 Preston North End 1

Watford Observer: Preston striker Jebbison set for Vicarage Road return against ‘frightening’ Watford

Watford injury update: Baah and Selvik face weeks on the sidelines

Match Wrap: Watford 1-1 Preston North End – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford 1-1 Preston North End

Five talking points after Watford’s draw with Preston

Match Report: Watford forced to settle for 1-1 draw with Preston

‘It is not enough’ – Gracia disappointed with Preston draw

Gracia hails ‘very good’ Maamma and will be careful with Chakvetadze

‘Hold that’ – Jebbison appears to aim dig at Watford with social media post

Preston verdict: Maamma shines on another nearly night for Watford

BBC: Watford extended their unbeaten run to five matches but could not find a way past a stubborn Preston side as the pair fought out an entertaining draw at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Daniel Jebbison scored against his former club as Preston shared a 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road. Mamadou Doumbia cancelled out his opener shortly before half-time to continue Watford’s trend of coming back from behind this season.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been an entertaining game, but it was rather frustrating not to come away with all three points. The Hornets had created a hatful of chances, but some resolute defending by the opposition and some wasteful finishing meant that we were restricted to a single goal. Maamma was absolutely superb, constantly involved, skipping past tackles and getting into the right areas. He is incredibly talented but also works very hard which is great to see. The return of Chakvetadze was a joy. He was only briefly involved but when he is match fit, it will be like having a new signing.

22nd November 2025- Championship, Derby County 2 Watford 3

Our first away win in nine months.

Watford Observer previews: Watford boss Gracia unsure if Selvik will be fit to face Derby

Gracia: ‘We have to show our best face’

Former Watford skipper Eustace looking forward to ‘a good challenge’

Gracia seeking a more consistent Watford

Match Wrap: Derby County 2-3 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford seal superb comeback to win at Derby

Match Report: Kayembe double secures great comeback win for Watford

Gracia hails Watford’s ‘great attitude’ after Derby triumph

Gracia stresses importance of having confidence ‘we are in the right way’

Kayembe credits Aranalde for part in Watford winning goal

Gracia ‘calm and full of confidence’ about Baxter taking over in Watford goal

BBC: Watford came from two goals down at Pride Park to register their first away victory of the Championship season and bring Derby’s five-match winning streak to an end.

Sky: Derby lost striker Carlton Morris to injury early in the first half but were in control through Dion Sanderson’s first goal in more than two years and Sondre Langas’ first for the club. Luca Kjerrumgaard reduced the arrears before Edo Kayembe levelled from the spot and then clinched a dramatic win by heading in a corner.

Fran’s Watford Blog: What joy there was at the final whistle as we celebrated the Hornets’ first victory away from home in 280 days. The players came over to greet us and were all beaming. Baah wasn’t going to miss out as he was carried over, although his jigging in front of the away end means either that his injury was not something to worry about or that he will be out for some time having exacerbated it. Javi was the last to reach the away end after all of the handshakes and he was greeted with a rousing chorus of his song.

From the Rookery End: Watford have finally cracked the away-day curse – and they’ve done it the hard way. In this episode of From The Rookery End, Jon and Jordi relive the 3–2 comeback at Derby after 280 winless days on the road, and dig into what it tells us about this team’s growing character. They talk Luca’s predator instincts in the box, Mama’s raw talent and rising expectations, another Baah’s worrying injury, and whether a switch to two up top would help. There’s praise for unflashy hero Edo Kayembe, chat about the increasingly settled back four, and reflections from the fans’ forum and the club’s direction. Plus, a gloriously fuzzy voice note from the Brigadier after one of his favourite ever Watford days.