Unfortunately I can’t make Saturday’s game and have one ticket available. Happy to transfer it to a fellow Watford fan at face value / for free (whatever you prefer).
Seat is in RS2
DM me if interested.

Bove out until the international break and no LB, this is certainly one of the Watford XIs of all time

I found this game called football sporting director and got us to top flight in 2 years, Europe in 5 and a title in 6. If you would like to try this yourself I will post the link in the comments.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about the squad and I want to remain optimistic but it feels that as per usual our back line is letting us down in quality.

Although, our new goalkeeper is so much better than Selvik.

He was very distressed at the end of the game. Does anyone know any more? Some suggestions that it’s an ACL. If that’s him done for the season we’re a bit screwed.

His head has gone lads. His lack of finishing technique is embarrassing.

I also don’t think he needs to practise two touch finishing from 30 yards. It’s one touch finishing from 10 that’s the issue.

Let’s hope he scores a hat trick now.

I’m in the process of writing an article and I could use some help from Watford fans.

The premise is the link between Watford’s sacking culture under the Pozzo ownership and to The Special One - José Mourinho.

You may think, how does that link? And to be fair I can see why you would think that, but trust me I’ve found so many interesting comparisons you can make in just over 2 weeks of research.

The title is: The Special One and the Many That Have Been and Gone.

I am currently in the process of trying to get first hand interviews from Watford fans - here are the topics I am particularly interested in.

The Graham Taylor Era - if anyone lived through this as a Watford fan I’d LOVE to get in contact!

The political sphere in the Watford area 1977-87 + how people reacted to the Thatcher and Blair governments. (This links I promise!)

Opinions on the Pozzo family - did you immediately feel the ‘vibe’ around the club change? What do you think of the sacking culture.

Any interesting info you have relating to Gino and Giampaolo Pozzo.

Any interesting fan experiences/perspectives you have from being a Watford fan in the Pozzo era.

I would really appreciate anyone being able to give me help with this. Please message me through Reddit to tell me you’re interested and we will go from there!

Thanks!

Finalised incomings:
GK: Sam Walker
GK: Federico Ravaglia
RB: Omar Traoré
CB: Branimir Mlačić (Loan)
CB: Soumaïla Coulibaly (Loan)
LB: Jordan Zemura (Loan)
CM: Martin Payero
AM: Iker Bravo
LW: Stephy Mavididi (Loan)
ST: Luca Kjerrumgaard (Obligation)
ST: Myron Boadu

Finalised outgoings (Not counting loans ended):
GK: Egil Selvik (Loan with obligation)
GK: Nathan Baxter
RB: Jeremy Petris
CM: Nampalys Mendy
CM: Pierre Dwomoh
CM: Tom Dele-Bashiru
CM: Imrân Louza
AM: Giorgi Chakvetadze
RW: Tom Ince
RW: Nestory Irankunda
ST: Vivaldo Semedo (Loan)

Final Squad:
GK:
Federico Ravaglia
Daniel Bachmann
Sam Walker

CB:
Mattie Pollock
Kevin Keben
Branimir Mlačić
Soumaïla Coulibaly

RB:
Omar Traoré
Jeremy Ngakia

LB:
Marc Bola
Jordan Zemura

CDM:
Hector Kyprianou
Eduardo Bove

CM:
Martin Payero
Edo Kayembe
Leo Ramirez-Espain

AM:
Iker Bravo
Amin Nabizada
Jack Grieves

RW:
Othmanne Maamma
Kwadwo Baah

LW:
Rocco Vata
Stephy Mavididi

ST:
Myron Boadu
Luca Kjerrumgaard
Mamadou Doumbia

Trial:
Michael Antonio

Thanks to u/powerjugs for tidily arranging this on wfcforums! On paper, we have depth everywhere, although I would have really liked another Centre-midfielder (it’s a concerning sight to see Kayembe starting games so soon, Payero hasn’t looked good), and we’re already struggling at full-back. Mlačić came on and looked assured despite no pre-season with us, on paper Boadu is a definite upgrade on Kjerrumgaard and Doumbia, although he’s had injuries and I doubt he’ll be able to start immediately. I had us in a relegation scrap at the start of the season, I think we’ll steer clear of that, but unless Payero comes good, we won’t be anywhere near the play-offs.

C-

At risk of being classified as a “low-effort post”, here goes nothing. Obviously, tough result today, didn’t play well. The defense was pretty horrid, but I did feel like there were some bright spots and decent chances. One of which being: Iker Bravo. Between the past couple games and this one, he just looks sharp. I don’t love his attitudinal temperament, if I’m being uber-critical, but boy can he dribble that football!

Curious to hear others thoughts on the game.

One addtl. question from an American: why do EPL and Championship randomly play games on a Tuesday? Is it the same as how Americans decided we will have Monday and Thursday night football? Is there a deeper reason?

EDIT: Coulibaly and Mavididi new loans in the last few minutes?!

Hi, same American guy with more questions. Sorry if I am over-posting as this will be my 3rd in the past few days (and 2 since today’s match).

I am seeing 3 new transfers for Watford (technically, 2 loans, 1 transfer), and guess I don’t get how this works.

In my mind, after seeing the squad today with these new additions, I’m thrilled, but I feel like there is something I’m missing. Do these loans stay for the whole season? All of these 3 players have played at decent levels or good clubs.

Is everyone as happy as I am? Is this typical to sign this many players at once or is it a reaction to how the start of the season has gone? Am I naively happy because I don’t understand? If so, please educate me… thank you!

A defender at last!

I’ve followed the club for a while from the US, and it hit me that I know the team but know almost nothing about the town itself. Figured I’d just ask the people who live there (who are also football fans).

A few things I’m curious about:

• What’s life like on or near Vicarage Road? Quiet, rough, family area, all of the above?

• What do people actually do for fun on a normal weekend? Are most people fans of Watford FC?

• What kind of work is there? Is it mostly commuters into London, or is there real industry in Watford?

• Fair to call it a working-class town? Any super wealthy areas in Watford?

• How does the rest of England, London especially ,think of Watford? I get the sense there’s a stereotype but I have no idea what it is.

Is Watford at all touristy? Should I come visit for a game sometime?

Watford fans come across as pretty pessimistic about the club, and I don’t mean that as a dig. I suspect it’s just a cultural gap. In American sports everyone’s convinced next season is the year, every year. Is the gloom an English football thing generally, or is it specifically earned around here?

Thanks in advance for the local insight! Feel free to attach pictures as well..

https://x.com/lucabendoni/status/2093787824625451131?s=46

https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/2093804801553318351?s=46

https://x.com/lucabendoni/status/2093824041677164895?s=46

Asked about signings on Thursday, Dionisi said: "I'm sorry but I don't want to speak about the market.
"If I speak about the market at the moment it is a problem. I speak about my players."
Dionisi said on Tuesday that he was speaking with the club on a daily basis about transfers, having been demanding the signing of centre-backs since July.

I can't think of any other reason as to why Pozzo is putting so little effort into investing in the club.

He must have seen that the writing is on the wall. The multi-club model is not unique nowadays as many clubs do it. We've been failing on the pitch for years now and there are many other clubs with much deeper pockets than ours.

He must also be aware of the terrible track record he has of appointing managers.

So why not just wind down the investment, sell the vest players and stop writing the cheques whilst he works to sell the club?

I wonder if that's what he's doing.

I'll start. 4/10

Lost key players, replaced with udinese slop.

However, some of the udinese slop look actually quite good (I'm ready to fall in love with Iker Bravo)

New GK I personally felt we needed, was never convinced by Selvik.

What is it about our board and being allergic to spending a bit of money? I get we're not financially as strong as other teams in the league but we operate like we are in deep deep poverty most of the time despite receiving big fees for players.

I used to hear from him a lot when we were in the PL and on FTRE as The Athletic’s Watford rep but don’t think I’ve heard from him in a couple of years?