14th September 2024- Championship, Watford 1 Coventry City 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clywd1zqzllt#Line-ups

WFC.net goal commentary: 1

BBC: Tom Dele-Bashiru’s simple close-range finish earned Watford a point and denied wasteful Coventry City a second Championship victory of the season.

Sky: It was an awful start for the home side, who for the third game in a row fell behind after less than four minutes of the contest. On this occasion, Ellis Simms was allowed free space from a Jack Rudoni corner, to direct his header off a post and into the net.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 1 Coventry 1

Watford 1-1 Coventry: Five talking points from Hornets draw

BHappy: Silence is weird.  Not… “peace and quiet”, everybody needs a bit of that from time to time to various degrees.  But the absence of noise where you’re used to having noise, is weird.  Disconcerting.  Wrong.

Frans Watford Blog: When we arrived at the Vic, there was no music being played on the PA due to a technical issue. My neighbour in the Rookery very kindly played Z-cars on his phone so that we got the full experience.

From the Rookery End: Colin, Jason and DCW gather outside Mad Squrrel to breakdown Watford performance – what and who caused a Watford turn around, which only fell a little short.

1st September 2024- Championship, Sheffield United 1 Watford 0

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c5y5d4zm044t#Line-ups

BBC: Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann scored an own goal inside two minutes as the Blades kept up their own unbeaten streak in the league.

Sky: It could have been a more comfortable win for Chris Wilder’s men, who saw Kieffer Moore miss a first-half penalty.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Sheff Utd 1 Watford 0

Sheffield Utd 1 Watford 0 – as the action happened

No complaints from Clevs as Watford’s 100% start ends

Cleverley will address another slow start from Watford

Run ends but Watford’s start has still been so positive

Fran’s Watford Blog: After the great start to the season, it was a disappointing defeat. A lot of fans afterwards were bemoaning the fact that we lost the game to that terrible goal, but we didn’t do enough up front to make up for it and, while Bachmann was at fault for the goal, he made a number of excellent stops (including the penalty save) that kept us in the game. United were a strong side, who dealt well with what little threat we posed.

From the Rookery End: You might have had problem getting Oasis tickets this weekend, but during August Watford didn’t have any problems getting a win or two. However, that run of wins came to an end with a defeat at Bramell Lane against the Blades of Sheffield.

27th August 2024- League Cup Second Round, Watford 2 Plymouth Argyle 0

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c8dp7v56909t#Line-ups

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1  2

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 2 Plymouth 0

Five talking points

Watford 2 Plymouth 0 – how the Carabao Cup tie unfolded

Cleverley praises Watford players for working puzzle out

Positive vibes at the Vicarage mean so much to Watford boss

BBC Sport: Two goals from Mileta Rajovic ensured Watford reached the third round of the Carabao Cup for the first time in three years as they beat Plymouth Argyle 2-0 at Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: So, the Hornets find themselves in the third round of the League Cup after two decent wins. The second half was more entertaining than the first and the Hornets ended up comfortable winners. It was pleasing to see Cleverley bring on some of the more fringe players, especially as they brought pace and ability to the game as the opposition tired. Of the starters, Morris had an excellent game. He is starting in a central defensive role, but is still managing to make forward runs and assist the attack. His performance earned him the man of the match award despite Rajović scoring two goals showing his poacher’s instincts. Of the substitutes, the pick for me was Vata, who has a great touch and an eye for goal. I think we will see a lot more from him as the season goes on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_EFL_Cup

24th August 2024- Championship, Watford 2 Derby County 1

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1  2

Sky: Moussa Sissoko scored for the first time on his return to Watford as Derby were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

BBC: The Hornets trailed inside two minutes to a fine low Ebou Adams strike. But Vakoun Bayo’s outrageous scissor kick drew the hosts level, before a fiery end to the first half saw Rams assistant boss Richie Barker sent off. And captain Sissoko’s close-range effort ensured a fourth win in all competitions for Tom Cleverley’s free-scoring side.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 2 Derby 1

Watford 2 Derby County 1: Five talking points as Hornets win

Watford 2 Derby 1 – how the action happened at Vicarage Road

Watford fans given credit for win by head coach Cleverley

BHappy: There was a reason that every post-match review on Vicarage Road, in the car home, in the pub, would have featured the phrase “we wouldn’t have won that last season”.  That reason for this, of course, that we wouldn’t have won that last season.  We wouldn’t have looked as composed, as firmly insistent against that packed backline at 1-0… it took a special goal but didn’t demand one, we would have kept knocking anyway.  At 1-1, maybe we’d have  let Derby back into the game.  We’ll take routine-looking wins on this basis all season long.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another pleasing win, although one that the Hornets had to work hard for as Derby were solid in defence. At times Watford looked brilliant, the passing was accurate and there was always an eye for goal. Pollock won man of the match at the stadium for another solid outing. But Sissoko won the fan vote for a performance that included the winning goal and some brilliant defensive play. A special mention must go to Vakoun Bayo, who has never hidden while he struggled to score. His strike on Saturday was a thing of beauty and he could have had a couple more. I was just hoping that the ball would bounce off him to break his duck this season, so to score that gorgeous goal was a dream come true. He thoroughly deserved the ovation when he was substituted. The atmosphere at Vicarage Road is bouncing again. The fans are positive, and the football is fun. It has been a while since we have been able to say that, so long may it continue.

From The Rookery End: Post-Match – Watford 2-1 Derby – The beautiful Hornets make it 4 wins out of 4 after a 2-1 home win against Derby County.
DCW, Jason and Jordi gather outside the Hornet Shop to discuss the teams first comeback win, how the players and Head Coach Tom Cleverly reacted to conceding early.
We are living in strange times as Watford just keep on winning.

17th August 2024- Championship, Watford 3 Stoke City 0

https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-stoke-city/teams/509365

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2  3

Sky: Watford continued their winning start to the season with a convincing 3-0 victory at home to Stoke.

BBC: Victory put Watford behind only pacesetters Burnley in the Championship table, yet it will have been the cutting edge in front of goal – they have now scored six in two league outings – that will please Cleverley most.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 3 Stoke City 0

A blistering and brilliant second-half performance saw Watford sweep aside Stoke and make it three wins from three with a 3-0 success at sun-drenched Vicarage Road.

Watford 3 Stoke City: five talking points from Hornets’ win

Cleverley delighted with Watford’s second-half intensity

BHappy: What is utterly stunning about Watford’s second half performance is the business-as-usualness of it.  “Nothing to see here, this is just what we do…”   …when anyone who’s seen us play in the last few years knows that this isvery f***ing far from what we do!  But it keeps coming, relentlessly and without the excitability of an unforeseen or unexpected circumstance – not that it’s not joyful but it’s… expected.  By those on the pitch, at any rate.  Larouci cuts between his now terrified markers, his deflected effort finds its way to Edo whose shot comes back off the crossbar, this perhaps adding to the sense of carnage more than another goal at this stage would have done.  Another Larouci run and a cross is met by Bayo whose flicked near post header beats the keeper but lacks the power to cross the line before it is swiped clear.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a tremendous half of football with accurate passing and incisive moves that made me wonder if I had imagined the pre-season. I had been concerned that we wouldn’t score many and have now been treated to eleven goals in three games. There were no weak links, with everyone doing their jobs and playing as a team. While I had no complaints about Ngakia’s contribution, the introduction of Larouci completely changed the game. He had the freedom of the left wing and just made things happen. He was a joy to watch. Kayembe scored two and could have had more. His first was a real poacher’s goal. Andrews was lively with a goal and an assist (sort of). Pollock is looking strong in defence and the headband is just so reminiscent of Steve Terry. Chakvetadze is a joy to watch, but I almost wish he would reign it in a bit until the transfer window shuts.

From the Rookery End: Mike, Jon and Jas convened after the Stoke game to discuss Watford’s third win from three, as Tom Cleverley and his Hornets continue their perfect start to the season.
The lads talk through the win, which seemed to be inspired by the half time introduction of Yaser Larouci, building on a hard fought but largely even first half showing.
You can also hear from new Watford Women Head Coach Renee Hector and captain Meg Chandler as the Golden Girls look to bouce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

https://www.skysports.com/championship-table

13th August 2024- League Cup First Round, Watford 5 Milton Keynes Dons 0

https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-milton-keynes-dons/teams/510666

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1  2  3  4  5

BBC: Tom Ince scored a hat-trick as Watford breezed past MK Dons 5-0 in the Carabao Cup to go into the hat for the second-round draw.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 5 MK Dons 0

Early round League Cup ties against lower-division opposition have been something of a major problem for Watford in recent years – but not tonight.

Tom Cleverley admitted he needs to allow himself to enjoy wins more, but also said he didn’t want his players to take the feeling of the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over MK Dons for granted.

If ever a player sounded like he had a point to prove, it was Tom Ince after last night’s 5-0 Carabao Cup romp against MK Dons.

From bit-part player to hat-trick hero, Tom Ince kick-started his Watford career against MK Dons after it seemed to have stalled last season.

Watford’s five-goal cup romp was pretty much Ince perfect

BHappy: Our visitors, that most charmless and spiritless of clubs, have adopted the siege mentality of “No-one likes us…”, their desperate search for an identity of their own leading them to attempt to claim Millwall’s.  This bravado is about as threatening as a tepid Latté of course…  I tried to be mature and sympathetic on the walk past MK shirts en route, mindful of the fact that many of their following wouldn’t even have been born when their franchise’s crime was perpetrated.  This generosity of spirit would have been easier to maintain had so many of the following not resembled grotesque output of a forced inbreeding experiment.  This week’s Qatari takeover provoked another chant, “We’re f***ing rich…” meanders across the half empty stands. “Franchise b***ards, you know what you are”, rumbles back from the direction of the 1881, too quietly.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Man of the match was Tom Ince. He was a nemesis when he played elsewhere and I was one of many Watford fans that were not enamoured with his signing. He has often looked sulky and uninterested, but the first game of pre-season he made a great impression, fighting for every ball and he could have had four goals but for inaccuracy of shooting and the Boreham Wood keeper playing a blinder. In this game, he worked his socks off, scored three goals and could have had more. He now has a song, and he smiles. Who’d have thought it?