Category Archives: October

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

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Leeds United 2-1 Watford – Watford FC Download

Bachmann: “I Can Only Apologise” – Watford FC Download

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

Report: Luton Town 3-0 Watford – Watford FC Download

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

Report: Watford 2-1 Middlesbrough – Watford FC.html Download

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

Report: Preston North End 3-0 Watford – Watford FC Download

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.

28th October 2023- Championship, Watford 2 Millwall 2

https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-millwall/teams/484869

BBC: Mileta Rajovic scored a 92nd-minute equaliser for Watford as they fought back to seal a Championship draw against managerless Millwall.

Sky: The burly Danish forward nodded in an Imran Louza cross to cancel out a late Wes Harding header and keep both sides entrenched in mid-table.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 2 Millwall 2

Frustration as Hornets salvage point with late equaliser

BHappy: On the hour, the now customary triple sub (and as an aside, I still fancy that the disciplined rotating of legs in the midfield in particular has contributed to, touching wood, a very favourable injury record this season). On came Rajović, Louza and Martins… and almost immediately we lost our footing. Millwall, perhaps, contributed to this… taking advantage of a third of our outfield players having been swapped to up their own energy and force us backwards with their own best spell as our new guys got up to speed with a game that had been verging on volatile from the start.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another improved performance. The tedium of a few weeks ago has been replaced by a team with much more attacking intent, although some of the defensive frailties remain. The run of unbeaten games may only have stretched to three before Saturday, but it has brought with it an increasing confidence that manifests itself in more attacking play. The return of Sema has certainly added something as he is never afraid to try to beat a player and he makes things happen. I was also pleased that Asprilla put in a good showing after starting, proving that he isn’t just an impact sub. The triple substitution was maybe not Ismaël’s best decision as the three who were replaced had all been playing well. But it was inattentiveness at set pieces which let us down again.

24th October 2023- Championship, Swansea City 0 Watford 1

A digital only programme was produced for the fixture which can be seen here.

BBC: Ken Sema’s thumping late strike earned Watford a second successive win as they edged a drab encounter at Swansea City.

Sky: Kristian Pedersen thought he had put the Swans ahead after 72 minutes when he headed Grimes’ corner beyond Daniel Bachmann, but the effort was ruled out.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Swansea 0 Watford 1

King Ken’s screamer secures first win since before King Charles’ Coronation

Ismael delighted for the fans, and full of praise for his players

Winning goalscorer says he’s ready to go

‘This time we needed to give a kick in the backside’ – Ismael on Dele-Bashiru

Hoedt admits it’s been a tough few months

Fran’s Watford Blog: You could see how much it meant to the players. I was surprised to see Koné run over to the away fans where he celebrated like a mad man. The rest of the players took a while to complete their pleasantries with the officials and the opposition. When they finally gathered as a group in front of us, King Ken was pushed forward to ensure that he got the plaudits. There was no doubt that the crowd were sending him love and he was beaming and bowing down to us.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67130076