Category Archives: October

13th October 2026- Championship, Cardiff City 5 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi calls for hard work to improve Watford’s form

Watford Observer: Matchday LIVE: Cardiff City 5-1 Watford: Kyprianou pulls one back

Match report: Cardiff City 5-1 Watford: No change, no response

Alessio Dionisi insists questions over Watford future are not for him

Alessio Dionisi set to stay as Watford head coach

BBC: Cardiff City thrashed Watford 5-1 as the Hornets’ worrying slump continued and prompted fans voicing their anger at the club’s ownership.

Sky: This was a fourth defeat in a row and the sixth in the last seven games. With Burnley continuing their revival with a draw at home against Charlton it meant Dionisi’s side slipped to 22nd in the table while the Bluebirds flew up to 18th.

Fran’s Watford Blog: A Cardiff fan before the game had said that both teams would probably lose, but it would be a goal fest as both defences were woeful. He was right on one point. It was another poor performance by the Hornets. I can accept being beaten by a team that is clearly much better than us, but that has not been the case in recent games. Moylan was clinical in front of goal, but the goals were all the result of lapses in concentration giving the ball away, or the failure of the defence to deal with balls into the box.

From the Rookery End: After two humiliating defeats, nine goals conceded and a remarkable few days that have seen Sir Elton John and former players speak out, Jon, Jason, David and Mike come together for a very different kind of Debrief. There’s anger and frustration, but also a deep sadness about what supporting Watford has become. Has the club reached a tipping point? Can the growing unrest among supporters bring about meaningful change? And what, if anything, can Gino Pozzo say to restore the trust that appears to have been lost?

10th October 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Burnley 4

Watford Observer: Alessio Dionisi confirms major Watford fitness boost ahead of Burnley clash

Alessio Dionisi excited for Watford’s Vicarage Road return against Burnley

Watford to pay tribute to Kevin Miller ahead of Burnley clash

Watford Observer: Matchday as it happened: Watford 0-4 Burnley

Match report: Watford suffer heavy home defeat against Burnley

“I’m sorry” – Alessio Dionisi issues apology after Burnley thrashing

Sir Elton John says he is “very upset” about recent Watford decline

BBC: Burnley thrashed Watford at Vicarage Road to secure a first league victory of the season and climb off the foot of the Championship.

Sky: When Stoke won 2-1 at Vicarage Road last month, it ended 251 days without a win on the road for the Potters. Here, Watford extended more charity to the Clarets, who ended 241 days without an away win comfortably.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Kevin Miller who recently passed away at a tragically young age. It was impeccably observed.

From the Rookery End: A disastrous afternoon at Vicarage Road saw Watford fall to a 4–0 defeat against Burnley, leaving supporters with plenty of questions about where the Hornets go from here.

Following the game Troy Deeney made this comment on Instagram about the club’s current direction.

Watford Observer: Troy Deeney says ‘the writing is on the wall’ for Watford after Burnley thrashing

Troy Deeney issues Watford captaincy advice after Burnley loss

Sir Elton John then made a comment on Instagram that was widely reported.

BBC: Elton John ‘upset and disappointed’ with Watford form

Watford Observer: Sir Elton John says he is ‘very upset’ about recent Watford decline

The 1881 and Proud Hornets supporters group as well as the Watford Supporters Board released statements exprssing concern about the current direction of the club.

25th October 2025- Championship, Coventry City 3 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Coventry preview: Watford need a Gracia special to beat table-toppers

Gracia out to end wait of over eight months for Watford away win

Match Wrap: Coventry City 3-1 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Coventry City 3-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford beaten 3-1 in crazy Coventry clash

Gracia proud of Watford display at Coventry but rues ‘soft mistakes’

Gracia on lapses of concentration and squad rotation in Coventry defeat

Lampard: ‘Watford are a strong team, I expect them to climb the table’

Quality and calamity: How should we feel about Watford’s defeat at Coventry?

Gracia explains tweaks that kept Watford competitive in second half at Coventry

Vata: ‘It was a case of having too much time to think – I’ll learn from it’

BBC: Coventry City cemented top spot in the Championship and further enhanced their status as English football’s most potent attacking force with a 3-1 home victory over Watford.

Sky: It could have been a very different start to the afternoon but for Sky Blues stopper Carl Rushworth, who stood tall to deny Rocco Vata as the Watford winger was put through one-on-one a minute before Thomas-Asante’s opener.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Also, despite the score, we had seen a decent performance. The Hornets had been attacking with energy and had created enough chances to win the game, if it wasn’t for wasteful finishing and a good performance from Rushworth in the Coventry goal. Coventry may have stepped off the gas in the second half, they didn’t have a shot on target after the break, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that the Hornets never stopped attacking. Sadly, we were let down by some poor defending. But the difference between the teams was that Coventry were clinical in their finishing and we were not.

From the Rookery End: Watford’s midday clash with Coventry had it all — flashes of brilliance that frustratingly led to missed chances, diabolical defensive lapses, and big tactical questions for Javi Gracia. In this week’s From the Rookery End, Jon, Jordi, and Mike break down the highs and lows, from Doumbia and Vata’s attacking promise to the influence of Louza in midfield and the players chosen to support him. Can the Hornets find consistency and turn potential into performance? Tune in for honest analysis, fan insight, and cautious optimism about what’s next for Watford.

22nd October 2025- Championship, Watford 2 West Bromwich Albion 1

Watford Observer: West Brom preview: Gracia knows sentimentality is not enough ahead of ‘homecoming’

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

Match Wrap: Watford 2-1 West Bromwich Albion – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Watford 2-1 West Brom

Five talking points as Gracia wins his first game back at Vicarage Road

Match Report: Vata winner earns Watford 2-1 win over West Brom

Gracia pleased Watford found a ‘better balance’ to beat West Brom

Vata reveals Watford players met to discuss being a ‘real team’ before West Brom win

Doumbia changes the dynamic as old-school Watford beat West Brom

Gracia on why Watford started West Brom win cautiously and playing direct football

Vata: ‘My dad told me off for missing chances so I kept it hard and low’

Gracia: ‘This is the Rocco Vata I like to see’

Pollock: ‘On our day we’re as good as anyone’

BBC: Rocco Vata scored a second-half winner to gift-wrap a victory for Javi Gracia on his return to Watford against West Bromwich Albion.

Sky: Isaac Price’s fine strike after 34 minutes put Albion ahead but Imran Louza cancelled that out – four minutes later – to set the stage for Republic of Ireland international Rocco Vata, 20, to seal victory after the break.

From the Rookery End: Three points, a proper performance, and a sense that something’s finally clicking. In a extra midweek podcast, Jon, The Brigadier and Adam Drury, from the Watford Observer, relive Watford’s home win over West Brom — from Imran Louza running the show to Rocco Vata’s fearless flair. There’s talk of tactical tweaks, defensive grit, and the all-important question: is this the start of a real Watford revival? Coventry awaits, and optimism’s creeping back into the stands.

18th October 2025- Championship, Sheffield United 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Team news: Gracia not wedded to one system and unsure when Chakvetadze will be fit

Sheffield United reporter on how Blades have gone from play-off finalists to bottom

‘Very good individuals’ – Gracia pleased with squad but wants to build a team

2,240 days later: Watford need Gracia to re-emerge as their figurehead

Gracia on training-ground atmosphere and his ‘sangria’ song

Match Wrap: Sheffield United 1-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Sheffield United 1-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United on Gracia’s return

‘It’s not about one player’ – Gracia explains Sissoko pick in Blades defeat

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Sheffield United 1-0 Watford

‘We have to take these chances’ – Gracia rues Wiley miss in Sheffield United loss

Opinion: Kwadwo Baah isn’t playing enough – he needs a proper run in the Watford team

Wilder: Louza is one of a few ‘outstanding individuals’ at Watford

BBC: Callum O’Hare was Chris Wilder’s matchwinner again as he earned Sheffield United their first home victory to mar Javi Gracia’s Watford return.

Sky: Callum O’Hare was the match-winner, poking into an empty net just before the hour-mark to secure a first home win of the campaign for the Blades.

Frans Watford Blog: It was a disappointing game. The Hornets had 60% possession, but most of it was in their own half. There was far too much playing around at the back from Pollock and Selvik who, quite frankly, look terrified when doing it, especially in the second half when, knowing the tactic, the United forwards started pressing them. Kjerrumgaard had a very disappointing day, unable to create much and the chances that he did have were poorly executed. Irankunda looked tired, which is unsurprising after his international involvement during the week. Wiley had a good game, but we are all rueing his miss. Still, it was good to see the crowd applauding the players and singing Gracia’s name after the final whistle.

From the Rookery End: Jon, Jordi, and Colin get stuck into Watford’s their first impressions of the second Javi Gracia Era. The guys chat about what his return might mean for the team’s identity and how things unraveled in that frustrating match against Sheffield United. From puzzling lineup choices to questions about tactics, they don’t hold back. With some big games coming up, the pressure’s on Gracia to find a spark — and fast.