Category Archives: September

27th September 2025- Championship, Watford 2 Hull City 1

Watford Observer: Hull City reporter previews the Tigers’ trip to Watford on Saturday

Hull City preview: Paulo Pezzolano’s Watford must put smiles on faces – and fast

Team news: Jeremy Ngakia and Jeremy Petris return but Egil Selvik out for Hull

Pezzolano: ‘Watford’s track record with head coaches doesn’t preoccupy me’

Kwadwo Baah ‘working well every day’ and could start with Nestory Irankunda

Paulo Pezzolano on why Watford haven’t found consistency yet

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

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

Watford Observer: LIVE: Watford 2-1 Hull City

Match Report: Watford come from behind to beat Hull City 2-1

Paulo Pezzolano pleased with Watford’s character in comeback Hull win

‘It is deeply-rooted in the club’: Pezzolano reacts to ‘sacked in the morning’ chant

No left-footed defender and Kyprianou benched: Pezzolano explains selection for Hull

Opinion: Where does Pezzolano stand after ‘sacked in the morning’ chants?

Kwadwo Baah leaves Vicarage Road in a sling and being assessed

BBC: Vivaldo Semedo scored his first Watford goal as they came from behind to beat Hull City 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Sky: In a changeable atmosphere, with home fans at first turning on their own manager before the Hornets’ second-half fightback, 20-year-old Portuguese striker Semedo’s unmarked header from skipper Imran Louza’s corner 12 minutes from time completed an unlikely turnaround.

BHappy: The crowd turns instantly, and a lot of heads visibly drop on the field as “sacked in the morning” gets a rather unfortunate if brief airing from the Rookery. We’re lucky to get to the break only a goal down… Alleyne will allow McBurnie a shooting window which he uses to smack a fierce drive against the post, another chance is denied by a combination of flung bodies and a fortunate bounce. We look forlorn, and leave to a chorus of boos at the whistle, much of which you imagine directed at the manager rather than the selection of players that he has juggled onto the field. We are facing a third consecutive 1-0 defeat against weak opposition.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The post-match celebrations were joyous. Captain Louza looked so happy that I couldn’t help but smile. He had been man of the match, but Semedo was a close second. After failing to impress in previous games, he had finally shown us what Pezzolano sees in him. He had struggled in the first half (as had everyone else) but had shown some really good things in the second half. Constantly getting into good positions, he contributed a goal and an assist. The assist was impressive as he had shown strength and intelligence in holding the ball up until Louza was available to receive the pass. Good stuff. I also enjoyed the contributions of Petris who repeatedly bombed down the wing and put in some decent crosses. Hopefully this is the start of some more positive, effective football from the Hornets.

From the Rookery End: Another game, another shake-up — but how many changes is too many? Jon, Mike and Adam Drury, from the Watford Observer discuss how Watford looked lost in a dreadful first half where Hull should’ve been out of sight, only for Paulo Pezzolano’s faith in his team to finally pay off after the break.

22nd September 2025- Championship, Millwall 1 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Millwall reporter previews Monday’s clash with Watford at The Den

“We have to be prepared to play differently” – Paulo Pezzolano on Millwall test

Millwall preview: How returning Imran Louza can inspire Watford improvement

Paulo Pezzolano confident of Watford’s promotion credentials

Match Wrap: Millwall 1-0 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: LIVE: Millwall 1-0 Watford

Match Report: Blunt Watford beaten 1-0 at Millwall

Pezzolano on lack of goals, Mendy selection and use of subs after Millwall defeat

Millwall analysis: The numbers behind Watford’s attacking struggles

Pezzolano: ‘Watford need to become a serious club – we are laying the foundation’

Returning Caleb Wiley and debutant Nathan Baxter react to Millwall defeat

Hector Kyprianou: ‘If we stick together, things will change’

BBC: Camiel Neghli’s deft free-kick saw off Watford to secure Millwall’s first home Championship win of the season at The Den.

Sky: A chilly night in the capital was lit up 10 minutes in. Nampalys Mendy fouled Derek Mazou-Sacko just outside the area and Neghli nonchalantly looped the resulting free-kick over the wall, with the dip and curl he put on the ball ensuring it evaded the grasp of Egil Selvik. The Watford goalkeeper appeared to hit his head on the framework of the goal after the ball hit the net. He was deemed fit to continue, but replaced by Nathan Baxter at the break, in line with the EFL’s concussion protocol.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The defeat left us just above the relegation zone. Last week, there was some speculation that Pezzolano may not last long. This performance just added more fuel to that. He certainly isn’t doing himself any favours making wholesale changes and playing players out of position. Unless the performances over the next week are a considerable improvement, I expect us to have a new manager after the next international break.

From the Rookery End: Mike, Colin and Olly gather the day after Watford’s 1-0 defeat to Millwall at the Den on Monday night and attempt to make sense of another confusing team selection and disappointing performance

13th September 2025- Championship, Watford 0 Blackburn Rovers 1

Watford Observer Pre-Match articles: Blackburn preview: How Watford can find the balance between attack and defence

Sir Elton John will be present as Watford wear kit in his honour on Saturday

Pezzolano on ‘honour’ of meeting Sir Elton John and his favourite song

Team news: Mendy and Petris ready for Watford debuts but Chakvetadze return delayed

Paulo Pezzolano on squad depth: ‘The team will not be fixed, it will be evolving’

Valon Behrami discusses Tom Dele-Bashiru loan and why Pierre Dwomoh stayed

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

Match Wrap: Watford 0-1 Blackburn Rovers – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Match Report: Watford fall well short in 1-0 defeat to Blackburn

Five talking points as Watford fall to Rovers defeat

Paulo Pezzolano on Blackburn loss: ‘We lacked ideas – I take 100% responsibility’

Paulo Pezzolano on Watford’s midfield and why he made just two subs in Blackburn loss

Paulo Pezzolano praises ‘very brave’ Max Alleyne after starting him at left-back

BBC:Ryoya Morishita scored his first Blackburn goal on his full Championship debut to give Valerien Ismael’s side a valuable and deserved win at Watford.

Sky: Watford hustled but came up empty-handed on home turf. A sixth straight game without a clean sheet under new boss Paulo Pezzolano leaves them 17th in the Championship, two places behind the visitors, who needed a result after losing four of their first five matches across all competitions this season.

BHappy: The interval should have been a time to reset, but instead Rovers went ahead after a sharp move that caught Keben flat-footed leaving Morishita one-on-one to finish confidently. The visitors never looked in trouble thereafter; whilst we defended competently enough – Cantwell’s acrobatic attempt that skied another far-post cross the closest they came – we only managed a single shot on target ourselves, that a scuffed shot from Baah that Tóth fielded comfortably. Otherwise, with Kjerrumgaard scrapping but peripheral and nothing happening in the centre, our attacks too frequently consisted of Alleyne trying to find Baah with an overambitious pass in windy conditions.

Fran’s Watford Blog:  It had been the worst performance so far this season, particularly as there was so little in the way of attacking threat. The brightest spark was Kyprianou who had yet another excellent game. Petris put in a decent showing on his debut. Vata was the best of the attacking players in the first half as Baah couldn‘t get into the game. Irankunda livened things up when he came on, despite having flown half-way around the world after his appearance for Australia during the week.

From the Rookery End: Watford fell 1-0 at home to Blackburn on a day that was about much more than football. As the club looks ahead to celebrating Elton John’s 50th anniversary of becoming Owner and Chairman of the Hornets, the team took to the pitch in a striking Elton-inspired special blue kit. The game began brightly, but the spark never quite caught fire.

28th September 2024- Championship, Watford 2 Sunderland 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cg56qnyd3qrt#Line-ups

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2

Report: Watford 2-1 Sunderland – Watford FCDownload

BBC: Sunderland missed the chance to go top of the Championship when they were beaten by Watford at Vicarage Road. The visitors were looking to take advantage of West Brom’s defeat at Sheffield Wednesday earlier on Saturday, but fell behind to Festy Ebosele’s opening goal.

Sky: And it was the home side who got the game’s decisive third breakthrough just six minutes of the game remaining, when Kwadwo Baah was upended in the area by O’Nien, allowing Dele-Bashiru to step up and convert from the spot.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 2 Sunderland 1

Watford boss knows fans are asking why Baah isn’t starting

Baah’s power and Ogbonna’s assuredness key to Watford win

BHappy: It’s a great win, obviously, on so many levels.  The first in five ends a winless run and the nature of it underlines that summer portents of a relegation struggle look off the mark.  More than anything, to beat a strong side like Sunderland (and, yes, second in the league but then everyone’s within a win or so of second in this division.  Almost everyone.) without playing dreadfully well (“and with Porto at right wing back” – Cathal afterwards) says an awful lot for this side.  Tom has talked of making Vicarage Road a fortress.  We’re well on the way.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Vicarage Road was bouncing at the end. The Hornets had been excellent in the first half, while Sunderland had the better of the second half. But the Watford defence was resilient and the win, if a bit fortunate, was very welcome.  Most of the players impressed. Larouci had a much better game than he has of late. Chakvetadze, Kayembe and Sissoko were their usual reliable selves. I really enjoyed Ebosele’s performance, he showed strength and pace and a willingness to run at the defence, he put in some decent crosses and his goal was excellent. Porteous suffered in comparison, having a bit of a mare at right wing back. Bayo had another frustrating afternoon, but he did get into some dangerous positions. Sadly, the same could not be said of Jebbison when he came on.

From The Rookery End: Watford are back to winning ways, and we were there to see an intriguing afternoon unfold. Mike, Jas, Jon and Kieran convened at Full Time to talk through a thrilling win for the Hornets, trying to work out what Watford’s best starting XI is along the way. You can also hear from makeshift Right Wing Back Ryan Porteous, who spoke to DCW the day before the game.

24th September 2024- League Cup Third Round, Manchester City 2 Watford 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czegp16denyt#Line-ups

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1

Report: Manchester City 2-1 Watford – Watford FC.htmlDownload

BBC: City edged into the last 16 of this season’s edition thanks to first-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes, his first for the club, in a 2-1 win against Championship side Watford.

Sky: In response, Ince curled an effort of his own past Stefan Ortega with five minutes to play but the hope given to them by the forward was short-lived as City saw out the remaining few minutes.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Man City 2 Watford 1

Manchester City 2 Watford 1 – how the game unfolded

Cleverley felt Watford had ‘perfectly good goal’ ruled out

Fran’s Watford Blog:  Having seen too many Watford teams capitulate to City, I was delighted that we gave it a go and every Watford fan left the Etihad with their heads held high. All of the players came out of the game with credit, but Chakvetadze was my man of the match, with Bond running him a very close second. Special mention also for Ogbonna who had a very solid debut.

21st September 2024- Championship, Norwich City 4 Watford 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdx9ywq65zlt#Line-ups

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Norwich City 4-1 Watford – Watford FC.htmlDownload

BBC: Norwich City impressively earned their first home league win under new boss Johannes Thorup as they thrashed Watford at Carrow Road.

Sky: The Canaries were in front inside three minutes as Callum Doyle opened his account for the club and shrugged off an equaliser from Ryan Andrews to regain their lead on the stroke of half-time through Borja Sainz.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Norwich 4 Watford 1

Norwich 4 Watford 1 – the game as it happened at Carrow Road

Frans Watford Blog: It was a very disappointing performance. The first half had been fairly even, but once Norwich scored their third, Watford never looked like getting back into the game. I was excited to see Jebbison and Vata starting. Vata was lively and almost scored the first. Jebbison made less of an impression, although if he had scored following the Chakvetadze corner, it could have been a completely different game. The man of the match for me was Chakvetadze who went from being stretchered off one week, to putting in a storming performance the next.