15th April 2023- Championship, Watford 2 Bristol City 0

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1  2

Attendance: 19,148

BBC Sport: The Hornets got off to a great start when Harry Cornick’s own goal gave them a sixth-minute lead, but were grateful to goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann who made a number of first-half saves. City should have levelled early in the second half when Nahki Wells saw an effort saved, but soon after they were 2-0 down thanks Joao Pedro’s powerful effort.

Sky Sports: While the home side rarely looked convincing and saw their woodwork struck twice in the second half, Watford nevertheless still retain a chance of making the play-offs.

BHappy: Earlier in the half, a “Pozzo Out!” banner made its way solemnly along the foot of the Lower GT.  Those responsible, whilst surely not hoping for yet another defeat, might have had mixed emotions at the state of the game and would surely have enjoyed noisier support had the scoreline been reversed.  As it was there was a rumble of appreciation from the Rookery which had died away by the time the banner reached the halfway line.  Indeed, a slightly surreal accompaniment was provided by a youngster behind us who gleefully rolled through the João Pedro “always believe in your soul” song in utter indifference to the dwindling protest to his left as it made a rather painful journey down the north end of the pitch.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Once the teams had been announced, Richard Walker said, “Please put your hands together for former Watford manager and current Bristol City manager, Nigel Pearson.”  The applause for Nigel was very appreciative and it was good to see him wave to the home crowd to acknowledge it.

10th April 2023- Championship, Coventry City 2 Watford 2

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2

Attendance: 21,112

BBC Sport: Watford’s failure to leave Coventry with maximum points after looking comfortable at 2-0 up will hurt their chances of reaching the play-offs, as a run of just two wins from 14 games now leaves them six points adrift of the top six with five games to play.

Sky Sports: the home side were frustrated in their attempts to find a winner and felt they should have had a penalty when Brooke Norton-Cuffy appeared to be tripped in the penalty area with nine minutes left.

Fran’s Watford Blog: At the final whistle there was a smattering of half-hearted boos from the away end.  The mood then deteriorated as some very angry people started telling the players what they thought of them.  One of the most irate was someone that I have met on trains to games many times over the years who has always struck me as very mild-mannered.  I have to say that I was really surprised and rather saddened at that level of anger after what had been a much more encouraging performance.  Despite that, the players came over to applaud the travelling fans and most of the fans applauded back.  I couldn’t help thinking that if the halves of the game had been reversed, we would have all been going home rather pleased with the performance.  The first half had been the best that I have seen in some weeks.  There was so much more coherence in the play and evidence of a team playing together.  Sadly, as soon as Coventry scored, the confidence disappeared, and I feared that we would end up badly beaten.  In the end, it was a decent game for neutrals and a well won point on the road.  I was very impressed with Andrews.  Let’s hope that we now see more of the youngsters given a run out and a positive end to the season.

7th April 2023- Championship, Watford 2 Huddersfield Town 3

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2

Attendance: 19,511

BBC Sport: Huddersfield Town beat a faltering Watford to make it three wins on the bounce and haul themselves out of the Championship relegation zone.

Sky Sports: Watford made two changes to the side that lost at local rivals Luton, with Joao Ferreira and Yaser Asprilla coming into the starting line-up.

Frans Watford Blog: Many of those that remained were chanting “We want Pozzo out.”  There was five minutes of added time and something to cheer about as Sarr found Assombalonga on the right, he broke into the box and shot past Vaclík.  There was no celebration of the goal by the players, João Pedro picked the ball out of the net and ran back to the centre circle to expedite the restart.  It then got really nasty.  First Sarr was impeded in the box and went down.  It wasn’t a penalty and Helik showed his displeasure with some cross words.  Then Hogg fouled João Pedro and there was a lot of pushing and shoving, but only Choudhury was booked.  There was another niggly foul, this time on Assombalonga and Bachmann, who was up for the free kick was complaining vociferously so was booked.  What followed was ridiculous.  The free kick dropped, and Bachmann went in for the ball with a flying kick that Hong Kong Phooey would have been proud of.  He almost took Pearson’s head off.  There was no surprise when the referee showed a second yellow.  Dan continued to argue as he walked off the pitch and had to be pushed off by his teammates, although he threw his gloves back on.  He gave his shirt to Choudhury who looked completely baffled but, after consultation with Chris Wilder, Hamza put it on and went to stand in the vicinity of the goal, although he had not retrieved the gloves.  The final whistle went straight after the restart, so his barehanded keeping skills were not tested.

Anger and acrimony as dreadful Watford crash to Terriers defeat

Recap: Watford 2 Huddersfield Town 3

He was nowhere near as scatching or angry as he was after last week’s defeat at Luton, but Chris Wilder was still clearly hurting when he spoke to the media after yesterday’s defeat against Huddersfield.

We’ve seen Watford lose a few times this season but today was different. There was a shift in emotions and patience.

1st April 2023- Championship, Luton Town 2 Watford 0

Attendance: 10,046

BBC Sport: Luton Town boss Rob Edwards masterminded victory over his former side Watford as the promotion-chasing Hatters kept the pressure on the Championship’s top two in a high-octane derby at a packed Kenilworth Road.

Sky Sports: Gabe Osho and Allan Campbell were on target for the home side, who sit fourth in the table.

Official site: Wilder: “It’s Incredibly Disappointing”

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was awful.  Disjointed and shambolic.  As we have been saying all season, these are players that just cannot cope with the way sides in the Championship play.  The home side was a complete contrast, playing some decent football but mostly just playing as a team and working for each other.  That is why they are in the play-off places and we are in mid-table.

18th March 2023- Championship, Watford 1 Wigan Athletic 1

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1

Attendance: 18,523

BBC Sport: Wigan battled to a point with a rearguard display against Watford but remain six points from safety at the bottom of the Championship as their dismal run extended to just one win in 17 games.

Sky Sports: James McClean’s 51st minute goal earned the visitors a point, after Keinan Davis had given the hosts the lead just before half-time.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a very dispirited group that convened back at the West Herts.  Yet again, we had failed to win a game that was there for the taking.  The lively first half had given way to a more nervous second period in which the Hornets played far too many passes around the box and made far too few incursions in.  The game wasn’t helped by an opposition that were time wasting from early in the first half.  But we have played many such teams this season and really have to learn how to deal with these tactics.

14th March 2023- Championship, Watford 3 Birmingham City 0

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1  2  3

Attendance: 18,403

BBC Sport: Watford gave new manager Chris Wilder a perfect first night at Vicarage Road with a comfortable win over Birmingham City.

Sky Sports: Imran Louza and Keinan Davis scored within the first 16 minutes of a painful evening for Blues manager John Eustace – a former Hornets captain as a player. Birmingham improved in the second half but could not prevent substitute Britt Assombalonga from adding a third.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Birmingham gaffer (and former Watford captain) John Eustace was welcomed back.  Troy Deeney was out injured but my sister told me that he had taken an age to get from the SEJ to the GT stand as he was stopped by every other person.  Tim then introduced Chris Wilder to the (very sparse) crowd, and he was given a warm welcome.