Category Archives: Javi Gracia

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.

21st January 2026- Championship, Watford 1 Portsmouth 1

Watford Observer: Gracia pleased to have another home game so quickly after Millwall loss

Watford aiming to ‘take each game by the scruff of the neck’

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

Match Wrap: Watford 1-1 Portsmouth – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-1 Portsmouth

Five talking points after Watford held by Pompey

Match Report: Doumbia equalises but Watford held to Pompey point

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 1-1 Portsmouth

Gracia ‘very upset and disappointed’ with Portsmouth performance

Gracia confirms Chakvetadze sub was tactical but Pollock had muscle issue

BBC: Portsmouth climbed out of the Championship relegation zone, despite being denied a rare Vicarage Road victory by Watford substitute Mamadou Doumbia.

Sky: Adrian Segecic put Portsmouth ahead in the 73rd minute but Watford levelled through substitute Mamadou Doumbia six minutes later.

17th January 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Millwall 2

This game was designated as the annual Graham Taylor Matchday.

Watford Observer: ‘Expect them to press high’: Millwall reporter previews game at Watford

Millwall preview: Watford must prove they are here to stay on big afternoon

Team news: Gracia on Chakvetadze’s fitness and Formose Mendy’s playing prospects

Gracia on Graham Taylor: ‘Not just what he did, but the way he did it’

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

Match Wrap: Watford 0-2 Millwall – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-2 Millwall

Five talking points as Hornets beaten by Lions

Match Report: Watford’s unbeaten home run ended by 2-0 Millwall defeat

Watford ‘have to learn’ about physical side of the game

Gracia on Millwall defeat: ‘We couldn’t find a way to play our football’

BBC: Millwall striker Josh Coburn came off the bench to score his second Championship goal of the season as the Lions beat promotion rivals Watford at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Femi Azeez returned to the club which once released him to inspire Millwall to a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Watford at Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Then there was a bizarre incident after a defensive header dropped for De Norre whose shot was flying well wide of the target when the ball boy decided to run on to the pitch to retrieve the ball right in front of the Millwall fans. The visitors were awarded a drop ball allowing Ivanovich a shot that flew wide of the target. The home fans started chanting “one of our own” at the ball boy, which I found a bit strange as his actions had ensured that the visitors regained possession. Meanwhile, the travelling Millwall support were giving him grief, so he was eventually moved to a safer space in front of the SEJ stand. This move was greeted with a chant of “We want our ball boy back” from the Millwall fans.

From the Rookery End: Mike, Jas and DCW headed to the Mad Squirrel to have a beer and look back at Watford’s 2–0 home defeat to Millwall, another miserable afternoon against the Lions and yet more frustration for the Hornets. They discuss how the momentum built over Christmas appears to have vanished, whether any players came out of the performance with credit, and what it all means as the January transfer window continues to tick on.

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.

7th November 2025- Championship, Watford 1 Bristol City 1

Watford Observer: Away form makes home matches even more important, says Gracia

Match Wrap: Watford 1-1 Bristol City – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford 1-1 Bristol City

Five talking points as Watford held to Bristol City draw

Match Report: Watford held to frustrating 1-1 draw with Bristol City

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 1-1 Bristol City

Gracia on Bristol City draw: ‘Not the result we wanted or expected’

Gracia reveals why he switched to a back three for Bristol City draw

GALLERY: Best images of Rookery End poppy display ahead of Bristol City game

Bristol City analysis: Watford must find a way to win when they dominate possession

BBC: Watford and Bristol City played out an entertaining Friday night draw at Vicarage Road in the Championship.

Sky: Marc Bola netted his first Hornets goal to put Watford ahead after just six minutes but Twine ensured injury-hit City avoided losing for a third time in six days.

BHappy: There’s nothing dull about a night time game at the Vic for one thing, much less one that starts with a fine tribute and display to commemorate Remembrance Day and often has a febrile air, a decent crowd for an evening game and frequent joyful, furious tributes to someone who drinks sangria as our raw, young, thrillingly promising side rattled at Bristol City.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been a thoroughly entertaining game of game of football which ended with some frustration that the Hornets were unable to take all three points. The goal had been a thing of beauty with Louza’s assist and Bola’s finish both excellent. Sadly, despite creating several the chances, we couldn’t beat Vítek for a second time and conceded a poor goal from a set piece.

From the Rookery End: Join Jon, Jason, DCW and the Brigadier as they walk down Occupation Road and towards the Railway Arms. They pick apart a match that started in style but fizzled into frustration.