Watford

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Since his return, Javi Gracia has led Watford to two wins, two draws and two losses.

And while that may seem indicative of another mid-table finish, the performances have been just good enough to create hope in the minds of supporters that we could push for the play-offs.

Five points from three matches across the last seven days may not seem like much, but it is just enough to make us dream.

While a fifth consecutive home victory felt achievable against Bristol City, our form since Gracia's return is not to be sniffed at.

A 3-0 victory and two 1-1 draws against sides above us in the league table should provide a foundation to build on. But whether we capitalise on that is another question.

With six changes ahead of the draw against Bristol City, in addition to the chopping and changing of the starting 11 in recent weeks, it appears that the manager is yet to decide on his strongest line-up.

But by giving him time and backing him in the January transfer window – two things the club is never particularly keen to do – it does feel like he could build a squad good enough to compete at the upper end of the table.

A plethora of players failed to convert chances against the Robins – a familiar tale in recent weeks – but yet again, the one player that proves to be a class above the rest is Imran Louza.

Every week, or in this case every few days, the Moroccan produces a moment of magic to help us pick up points.

And while we begin to look ahead to potential new arrivals, keeping hold of our star man may be the best bit of business we could do this January.

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Watford boss Javi Gracia is willing to give the young players in his squad licence to make mistakes as they look to push up the Championship table.

Othmane Maamma, a recent Under-20 World Cup winner with Morocco, became the latest to make his Hornets debut when he was sent on as a substitute in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.

"He needs to play more like all the players, all of them need minutes to show what they are able to do," Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I don't like to speak about individuals, I recognise all of them deserve to play, all of them need time to show what they can do.

"Some of them are very young and they need time (on the pitch), they need to play and to make mistakes is the only way to learn."

Watford are 12th in the table, but only four points away from the top six, going into Friday's home match against Bristol City.

Gracia said he was unconcerned at having to play again just three days after the Ipswich game.

"I don't know if I play at night, in the middle or in the morning. I don't mind, I only focus on the game and try to do a good job," he joked.

Image source, Opta

The Championship weekend begins in style on Friday night as Watford welcome Bristol City to Vicarage Road (20:00 GMT).

Only leaders Coventry have more points per game at home than Javi Gracia's Hornets, who have taken 16 points from their opening seven matches at the Vic, losing only once.

They have won the past four, culminating in a 3-0 drubbing of high-flying Middlesbrough last Saturday, while Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich took them into the top-half.

The Robins are in the midst of an injury crisis but have one of the division's best away records, taking 11 points from their opening five games on the road before the shock 5-1 thrashing at Stoke last Saturday.

Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at Ashton Gate left Gerhard Struber's side in seventh, three points and five places above Watford.

• Watford have won three of their past four home league meetings with Bristol City without conceding (L1), and have lost just once in the Robins' last six (W3 D2).

• Bristol City won their most recent game against Watford in April, and could win back-to-back league matches against them for the first time since a run of three between 1990 and 1991.

• Watford have won each of their past four home league games, their longest run since a five-game spell ending in November 2024 – the Hornets haven't won five in a row while also scoring more than once in each victory on home turf since 1985 in the top-flight (7).

• Bristol City have lost back-to-back league games for the first time under Gerhard Struber, last losing more in a row in February/March 2024, a four-game streak under Liam Manning.

• Watford's Imran Louza has scored in each of his past four Championship appearances, with Troy Deeney in 2015 the last Hornet to go on a longer scoring streak in the league (6 in a row).

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Watford head coach Javi Gracia has said forward Rocco Vata will be out of action for "a long time" with a serious hamstring injury.

The 20-year-old suffered the injury in the second half of the Hornets' 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday and Gracia gave an update on the Italian's condition after Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich.

"I don't know [exactly how long] but it seems like a long time," Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio.

When asked whether that meant Vata could be sidelined for months, Gracia said "Yes".

Vata has scored two goals in 10 Championship appearances this season.

Here's what Watford boss Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio following their 1-1 draw at Ipswich on Tuesday.

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Javi Gracia praised his players for their battling efforts after they held on to share the points against Ipswich at Portman Road.

"We knew Ipswich were very strong," the Watford boss told BBC Three Counties Radio. "Like us, they're one of the teams with more points playing at home and away from home we've had difficulties this season.

"I'm happy with the attitude of my players and the spirit they showed, I think it's good for us to get this reward. I'm happy with job my defenders and the keeper did.

"We've competed, the other team was really tough and it was a demanding game. We had to defend well and be more compact at the end of the game, when they had more clear chances."

Hornets skipper Imran Louza was on target for the fourth consecutive game, turning in Marc Bola's cross before Jaden Philogene levelled for the home side.

Gracia added: "It was similar to the goal he scored in the last game, from the other side – another good cross and Imran arriving from the second line."

Ipswich will be looking to continue their winning ways after back-to-back victories for the first time since September, when they welcome Watford to Portman Road on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Both Ipswich and Watford won last time out, and each sit just inside the top 10 in the Championship.

Watford beat Middlesbrough in a 3-0 thumping at the weekend, handing Boro just their second defeat of the campaign.

A win for Ipswich would be enough to launch them into the top six.

• Ipswich are unbeaten in each of their past four league games against Watford (W3 D1), with the most recent ending 0-0 at Portman Road in April 2024.

• Watford have lost on just one of their past 11 league visits to Ipswich, a run that stretches back to 2005 (W6 D4) – that sole defeat came in November 2014 under Slavisa Jokanovic.

• Ipswich have lost only two of their past 46 home league games outside of the top-flight (W32 D12), though one of those was in their most recent midweek game, losing 3-0 to Charlton Athletic last month.

• Watford remain winless in each of their past 12 away league games (D3 L9), the longest such ongoing run of any side in the top four tiers of English football.

• Watford's Tom Ince has only scored more goals in the Football League against Rotherham United (9) and Bristol City (8) than against Ipswich Town (5).

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, PA Media

It turns out that being clinical in front of goal wins matches. Who would have thought?

There should never be many things to be negative about after picking up three points and a clean sheet against a side managed by a familiar face which had only previously been beaten once this season.

And Watford's 3-0 win against Middlesborough felt like the full package – a reminder of how we seemed to have got it wrong for so long.

Playing with two out-and-out wingers is something supporters have been calling for. So, to see that deployed in a 4-4-2 formation was a joy and appeared to unlock a new lease of life in the squad.

Watford had remained the only Championship side without a clean sheet this season after 12 matches, so to get rid of that looming statistic also feels wonderful and something to build on.

But the statistic that sums this team up the best is that while we are sitting pretty at the top of the home form table, we find ourselves rock bottom of the away form table.

Now, let's talk about Imran Louza.

It feels as though the Moroccan has single-handedly dragged this team through games this season.

And while Saturday's display was a well-rounded team performance, Louza, who is leading the club's goal scoring charts from midfield with five, is making a claim to be the best in his position in the league.

The only negative to take away from the match was an injury to Rocco Vata.

While Javi Gracia has chopped and changed his starting line-up since his return, Vata had clearly impressed as he had featured in all four fixtures.

But his potential absence may lead the manager to deploy a different attacking option – perhaps all-out attack with Nestory Irankunda from the start? The dreaded sight of Moussa Sissoko out wide? Or even a surprise viewing of Othmane Maamma?

Watford boss Javier Gracia felt his side delivered the right response to their defeat at Coventry as they downed high-flying Middlesbrough 3-0 at Vicarage Road.

Gracia was delighted with the attitude of his players in his fourth game back as manager, and the Hornets recorded their first clean sheet in their 13th Championship match of the season.

Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I'm happy because it was the result we were looking for after our last defeat in Coventry.

"We have to recognise in the beginning of the game, the opponent had more control of the game, they dominated some minutes without clear chances.

"But later after some minutes, we were able to take control and create some chances and we scored some fantastic goals.

"In the end, we were better and we got a clean sheet. That's really important for us and it's our first of the season.

"Today you could see the quality of all our players, they were hungry and they showed the right mentality."

Middlesbrough will seek to get back to winning ways as they head to Watford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Boro made hard work of a 1-1 draw against Wrexham at the Riverside last time out to fall three points behind Coventry, who overcame the 10-man Hornets 3-1 on the same afternoon.

Rob Edwards' side have claimed 11 points from their six away games this season, though their only defeat in their opening 12 games came on the road at Portsmouth.

Javi Gracia's men sit in 14th but have taken 13 points from their six home games and have won the past three at Vicarage Road, all by a 2-1 scoreline.

• Watford have won each of their past two league games against Middlesbrough and will be looking to win three in succession versus Boro for the first time in their EFL history.

• This century, Middlesbrough have won just two of their 12 away league games against Watford (D2 L8), losing on three of their past four visits to Vicarage Road.

• Watford have won 11 points from losing positions in the Championship so far this season, the most of any side in the competition.

• Excluding own goals, Middlesbrough have had the most different goalscorers so far in the 2025-26 Championship campaign (11).

• Watford remain the only Championship side without a clean sheet this season after 12 matches – it is the furthest the Hornets have ever gone into a second-tier campaign without keeping one.

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It is not often you come away from a 3-1 loss against an undefeated side and feel like you deserved all three points.

But that was the main takeaway for most Watford supporters following our defeat by Coventry City – a sense of a missed opportunity to kick-start a season that could be quietly brewing.

Despite the inclusion of the seemingly ever-present old guard of Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe, a starting line-up that included Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and Rocco Vata gave hope we might be able to take the game to Frank Lampard's high-flying side.

And this theory was almost instantly proved right as Vata failed to convert a huge chance in the opening minutes – a tale that would repeat itself a little too often.

In truth, Vata could have won the match single-handedly. And while no Watford fan would hold it against the young forward following his game-winner in midweek, it feels like finishing practice for all will be on the cards in training.

I am not usually one for xG (Expected Goals), but the statistic sums up the performance perfectly – Coventry City 1.31 xG and Watford 2.76 xG.

And that is not to mention more shots, more shots on target, more touches in the opposition box – and the fact Egil Selvik did not make a single save.

Despite it being two losses in his first three games for Javi Gracia, there are signs of potential. And even Coventry City supporters have been complimentary of our performance, with many suggesting the Hornets could find themselves near the top of the table come the business end of the campaign.

While those who did not watch the full 90 minutes of action may look at the result and assume it was another high-scoring walk in the park for the home side, most fans came away with a sense of positivity – something that has been hard to come by in recent times.

So it goes to show that sometimes there is more to a match than just a scoreline.

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Watford manager Javi Gracia praised the attitude shown by his side despite going down to 10 men and a 3-1 defeat against Championship leaders Coventry City.

Speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties after the third game of his second spell in the Hornets' dugout, Gracia said: "From my point of view we played very well most of the game.

"I am happy with my team as they showed a good attitude and dominated the game. In the second half with one player less we conceded no shots on target and we were able to score a goal," he said.

"If we control a little bit better the first half we could have had a result. We had two 'one v ones' with Rocco [Vata] but their keeper made great saves. You have to finish with composure and finish well.

"If we want better results we need to be more constant. But today we could see a team. With some mistakes that penalise us, yes. But a real team."

Championship leaders Coventry head into this game as the EFL's only unbeaten side and with a one-point lead over Middlesbrough.

Watford collected their first win under returning boss Javi Gracia when beating West Brom 2-1 on Wednesday but, along with Ipswich, are the only side without an away win in the division.

• Coventry City have only lost one of their last 12 league games against Watford (W4 D7) and none of the previous seven encounters (W3 D4).

• Since a run of three successive wins between October 2007 and May 2010, Watford are winless on each of their past six league visits to Coventry (D4 L2).

• Coventry have won each of their previous five league games; only twice before (in August 1954 and September 1964) have they won six successive games in the Football League.

• Watford are without an away league win in their past 11 matches (D3 L8); they're the only ever-present Championship side without a league win on the road since March.

• Coventry's Brandon Thomas-Asante has either scored or assisted in each of his past five Championship games, registering as many goal involvements in this run as in his prior 15 matches in the competition (7 – 6 goals, 1 assist).

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

With the negativity that had been looming over the club in recent weeks, a home win under the lights is exactly what was needed to lift the mood at Vicarage Road.

Much like Saturday, there was a sense of mystery as to how Javi Gracia would set up his team.

But unlike our previous fixture, there was finally a feeling of optimism with the presence of youth in the starting line-up, namely Rocco Vata, and an impressive appearance off the bench from Mamadou Doumbia.

While we did still see substitute apperances from the likes of Edo Kayembe, Moussa Sissoko and Tom Ince, the inclusion of exciting, youthful talent in the team had been exactly what the supporters had been calling for.

And it was a decision that paid dividends, as 20-year-old Irishman Vata bagged a much-needed winner against the Baggies.

But he is not the only 20-year-old on the books at Watford to be excited about.

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While it would be a lie to suggest many Hornets supporters have seen Othmane Maamma play live, that certainly will not stop any of us thinking he could be the next big thing.

The young Moroccan captained his country to victory in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup this week – being named the best player at the tournament along the way.

And no wonder there is a buzz about Maamma's potential, after he joined a prestigious list of those who have claimed the prize in the past, including Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba and Dominic Solanke.

While he was signed from Montpellier as one for the future and is yet to make his Hornets debut, he has certainly made his case to be included in the first team set-up – hopefully adding to the list of young, talented wide players Gracia has at his disposal.

So, after a lacklustre return, perhaps the future is looking brighter than we thought for the manager.

But all this positivity could so easily come crashing down as we have the small task of facing an undefeated Coventry City side at the weekend, who have scored as many league goals this season as we have in the entire calendar year of 2025.

Watford boss Javi Gracia, speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio after Wednesday's 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion:

"I'm very pleased with the final result and with the way we did it. The team showed the real spirit that we need to play the games.

"We started losing but we were able to come back and, not only that, we continued trying to score the third one.

"Of course in the last minutes we had to defend the result, but that is the spirit I'm looking for.

"I'm really proud, not only with the players that played today, but the whole squad. All of them are working really well and we will need all of them for the rest of the season."

Image source, PA Media

Javi Gracia is expecting a "special" evening when he sits in the Watford dugout at Vicarage Road for the first time in over six years.

The Spaniard returned to the club last week as head coach following the departure of predecessor Paulo Pezzolano.

His last home game in charge during his first spell with the Hornets was in August 2019 and he said: "It will be amazing, something really special for me, to be in Vicarage Road, in that atmosphere, to feel what I felt in the past - I am looking forward to that moment and it's something I am going to enjoy."

Watford start Wednesday evening's game against West Bromwich Albion in 16th place in the table following a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United at the weekend.

"We have players with skills, players with power we need, we have experienced players, but all these things we have, we have to show on the pitch every day," Gracia said.

"There is a distance we have to cover, something we have to do. In the last game, my first game, we didn't play our best level but we could have got a better result with the chances we had.

"We have to be demanding with ourselves and then I'm sure day by day, game by game, we'll improve."