Category Archives: October

4th October 2025- Championship, Watford 2 Oxford United 1

Watford Observer: ‘Super important’ – Pezzolano craves a fast start against Oxford on Saturday

Oxford preview: Can Pezzolano change the mood music ahead of international break?

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/october/04/digital-digest-oxford-edition

Match Wrap: Watford 2-1 Oxford United – Watford FC Download

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Watford 2-1 Oxford United

Five talking points after Ngakia brace secures victory

Match Report: Ngakia brace sees Watford beat Oxford 2-1

Pezzolano: ‘I liked the performance – we should have wrapped the game up sooner’

‘A really good team-mate’ – Pezzolano pleased Ngakia takes acclaim for Oxford win

‘Not my concern’ – Pezzolano motivated by performance rather than lifting mood

Ngakia was not going for goal with corner – but it was a tactic

Oxford United analysis: The numbers that justify promotion ambition

BBC: Jeremy Ngakia’s quickfire double late in the first half earned Watford a comeback win over Oxford United at Vicarage Road.

Sky: A double from Ngakia – thanks to two blunders from Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming – cancelled out a Max Alleyne own goal, as they went a goal behind for the fourth time in their last six games.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The Hornets drew level on the stroke of half time as a cross from Louza towards Vata bounced off Leigh, Cumming pushed the ball onto the post and then parried the rebound which was met by Ngakia who headed home. That certainly raised the spirits. There was four minutes of added time at the end of the half during which Wiley won a corner. Ngakia’s delivery was on target and Cumming could only help it into the net to give Watford the lead. A brace for Ngakia!! Helik was booked for a foul on Irankunda. Louza took the resultant free kick, which was mishit and fell to Ngakia, who was now on a hat trick, the Rookery yelled “shooot”, but the half time whistle went.

From the Rookery End: In this week’s episode, Jon, Mike and Jordi break down Watford’s hard-fought 2–1 home win over Oxford United, with Jeremy Ngakia grabbing both goals and continuing to impress with his calm, professional displays. We dive into all the big moments and standout performances from Vicarage Road — who shone, who struggled, and how the Hornets finally got the job done.

1st October 2025- Championship, Portsmouth 2 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Portsmouth reporter reveals what Watford should expect at Fratton Park

Team news: Egil Selvik set to start at Portsmouth and Kwadwo Baah could feature

More changes? Predicting Watford’s line-up to face Portsmouth

‘We’ve not been far away’ – Pezzolano on Watford’s wait for an away win

Match Wrap: Portsmouth 2-2 Watford – Watford FC Download

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY RECAP: Portsmouth 2-2 Watford

Match Report: Watford and Portsmouth trade blows in eventful 2-2 draw

Paulo Pezzolano on Nestory Irankunda sub: ‘He didn’t look fresh’

‘We showed two faces’ – Paulo Pezzolano discusses 2-2 draw at Portsmouth

‘It turned out very well’ – Pezzolano on Vata and half-time subs

Five key observations from Portsmouth 2-2 Watford

‘We’re all behind Pezzolano’ – Pollock on ‘tight-knit’ Watford dressing room

‘Take more responsibility’ – Pollock on set-piece defending

‘Water under the bridge’ – Pezzolano holds clear-the-air talks with Irankunda

‘He’s growing a lot’ – Pezzolano ‘very pleased’ with Vata

BBC: Watford fans were left bemused after 35 minutes when Nestory Irankunda was substituted and the Australian forward vented his frustrations at the bench before storming down the tunnel.

Sky: Adrian Segecic made sure Watford’s dismal away form continued as his 79th-minute equaliser handed Portsmouth a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park.

26th October 2024- Championship, Watford 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Watford 1-0 Blackburn Rovers – Watford FC Download

BBC: Watford extended their unbeaten home league record to 10 games with a narrow 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Sky: Rovers, managed by former Watford captain John Eustace, had two great chances to take the points and cement a place in the top six but Dominic Hyam and Andreas Weimann were left cursing their luck.

Watford Observer: Watford 1 Blackburn 0 minute-by-minute match report

RECAP: Watford 1 Blackburn 0

Kayembe was Watford’s third choice penalty-taker on Saturday

Watford boss says home win doesn’t mean derby is forgotten

A victory of any kind was just what Watford needed

Watford captain Sissoko handed three-match ban by FA

BHappy: There’s even a giant floater raised over the Rookery at kick-off, a reminder of times gone by… it’s always a minorconcern as the thing is raised above our heads that we’re volunteered collaborators in delivering a message that we know nothing about, but the 1881 have long since earned our trust on that score and this one is championing Tom at a point in time when, one suspects, such will have been particularly gratefully received. Other reminders of times gone by come in the greeting of two erstwhile fearless booterers… John Eustace, a fine, fine captain for many years, now in charge of the opposition and Paul Robinson, still the only player I’ve seen score with a tackle, making a most welcome return as part of our own coaching staff.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a slightly fortunate victory for the Hornets, but a very welcome one after the defeats of the previous week. It was a competitive game with chances for both sides. Cleverley kept faith with Bachmann and, apart from the early scare, he did what was required of him although Blackburn were incredibly wasteful in their finishing. Having wondered who would take the penalty and feared the effect of the delay before it was taken, Kayembe dispatched it brilliantly. Ebosele was named man of the match after a solid performance both in attack and defence. He is certainly growing into the team, and I am enjoying watching him. Baah continues to rattle defences although he does not always make the right decision. Bayo had a decent cameo. He won the penalty and looked much more effective than of late. Vata also looked lively when he came on. He has an eye for goal and is always willing to try a shot, which is something that I wish more of our players would do. All in all, it was a pleasing performance and those who go to home games are being entertained far more than they have been in recent seasons. Those of us who travel away are not having quite so much fun. Let’s hope that changes next week.

From The Rookery End: Long term listeners will be surprised to hear no John Eustace chat from Mike but he, along with DCW, Jordi and Jon discuss the penalty decision, the decision to see who would take it, the bold substitutions from Tom Cleverly as well as how we get a centre forward and still play Baah in his strongest position.

https://oldwatford.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=102603&action=edit

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.