Watford

Image source, Rex Features

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley feels it was two points lost after coming so close to what would have been an excellent win at Sunderland.

A Tom Dele-Bashiru penalty and a wonder strike from Imran Louza had seen them come from behind to lead.

But just when it looked like they would claim a first win in four games, Dennis Cirkin claimed an 89th minute equaliser.

And it left Cleverley frustrated after so much good work during the match at the Stadium of Light.

"For 80 minutes, we were absolutely outstanding,2 Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We showed character, we wanted to get on the ball. We suffered a setback, but we responded brilliantly.

"I thought the game-plan was executed perfectly for 80 minutes but then we had a really poor last 10 minutes.

"It was schoolboy stuff and we're much better than that. We've managed to see games out much more efficiently than that.

"It's disappointing as it feels like we've lost two points as the performance was so strong up to then."

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Watford supporters should not judge the transfer window as a failure because they did not sign a forward, according to boss Tom Cleverley.

The Hornets missed out on the deadline day signing of Fulham winger Martial Godo but strengthened their defensive set-up.

"I think the one that tipped the balance into what other people thought was the Godo deal not materialising and it was a bit disappointing on the final day not being able to get that one over the line," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We're a team that's scored in 80 or 90 per cent of the games we've played this season but not kept enough clean sheets, so we brought in [defender] Caleb Wiley, and James Abankwah looks a very capable centre-half, and the goalkeeper [Egil] Selvik will also stengthen us."

Forward Kwadwo Baah is out for a number of weeks with a thigh injury, leaving Cleverley short of options up front with Vakoun Bayo suspended for three games after being sent-off against Norwich.

"We have back-up targets, but are they going to strengthen us and I thought no, I have a lot of trust and faith in the players we have. You can say numbers are thin at the minute but it's fairly unprecedented.

"I will never judge a window in numbers and I think that's a mistake everyone can make, but when you're strengthening the less sexy part of the pitch it doesn't get supporters [excited] - but I'm probably more happy than you think with the window."

Watford visit Sunderland in the Championship on Saturday looking to avoid a fourth successive league defeat.

Image source, Getty Images

On Wednesday we asked what you made of Watford's business in the transfer window.

The injury-plagued Hornets signed 28-year-old Norway international goalkeeper Egil Selvik from Italian 'sister club' Udinese, brought in 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan from Chelsea and defender James Abankwah on loan, also from Udinese.

However, they lost midfielder Festy Ebosele after he was recalled from loan by Udinese, while Ryan Porteous has joined Preston on loan and Ken Sema has been released.

Here are some of your responses:

Roger: Diabolical. Disgraceful. Shameful. I believe we are the only club in the Championship not to have spent any money this season yet our best three players last season left during the summer for substantial profit and other players have departed not to be replaced. As Elton John would no doubt sing "it's a sad sad situation and it's getting more and more absurd". For the sake of the fans, Gino, please sell the club as soon as possible so we can all move on.

Aaron: I feel Tom Cleverley massively over-achieved with the squad we had during the first part of the season and is now on a hiding to nothing, as we are likely to face a tough few months. Our squad is lower mid-table at best and is now weaker than before the window. I believe most fans want to see Tom continue because he has brought back a true connection with the team. But I fear what Gino Pozzo will do when it is clear that we will have no chance of reaching the play-offs. Our club desperately needs a re-set and I would love to see Tom leading that.

Stephen A: Pozzo deprives Cleverley of the players the squad badly needs, in the hope that in a few matches' time, the run of defeats will be so bad there will be no opposition when Cleverley is sacked. Sorry Gino, we're not falling for it.

Simon: Clearly the owners don't have the money to progress this club, so we should enjoy what we have (things could be a whole lot worse).

Geoff: Here we go with that sinking ship feeling again and the only one who is going to get the blame is Tom Cleverley. You can only work with tools you have. Why do we as Watford fans have to put up with this time and time again?

Patrick: It seems as if the Pozzos are deliberately staging a managed decline. If they honestly believe this group of players can get into the play-offs they are deluded. Crying out for a forward with Bayo suspended. The next few games will show how much they have weakened a poor squad.

Matilda: Desperately short on numbers. We already had a very thin squad and it's now worse. We have no strikers for the next three games and after that we have a striker who has scored in seven games out of 30. We were looking at the play-offs a month ago. Now I'm certain we'll finish nearer the bottom than the top.

Stephen T: Absolutely appalling, we've been crying out for a striker for three or four seasons and have done absolutely nothing - no passion, no desire, no strategy!

Stuart: Disastrous! The world and his dog knew we needed a right winger and a centre forward. What did we get? Two full-backs (one of whom may as well have arrived in an ambulance) and a goalkeeper. It was shambolic.

Maurice: Pozzo has no ambition for Watford. Should never have bought Watford in the first place. Stick to Udinese. Sell Watford to someone who can take us where we should be - Premier League. Stop wasting Cleverley's talent.

Sunderland welcome Watford on Saturday (12:30 GMT) looking to keep their automatic promotion bid alive.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in six matches (W4 D2) following a dramatic 3-2 win at local rivals Middlesbrough on Monday night and are three points behind both Burnley in second and Sheffield United in third.

A run of just one win in eight (D1 L6) has seen the Hornets slip to 12th but they are still only three points off the play-off spots.

• Sunderland have won six of their past eight home league games against Watford (D1 L1), including victory in this exact fixture last season via a 2-0 scoreline.

• Watford have won each of their past two league games against Sunderland and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since January 1993.

• Sunderland are unbeaten in all 14 of their Championship home games this season (W9 D5) – they last had a longer unbeaten home run from the start of a second tier (or higher) campaign in 1979-80, when they were unbeaten in all 21 at Roker Park.

• Watford have lost six of their past eight league games (W1 D1), including each of the past three in a row. They've not lost four consecutively in the second tier since November 2014.

• Wilson Isidor has scored in four of his past six league games for Sunderland, including the past two in a row. He last scored in three consecutive league games in July 2023, in the Russian Premier League with Lokomotiv Moscow.

Image source, Rex Features

It's time to talk about Watford's transfer business...

Watford signed 28-year-old Norway international goalkeeper Egil Selvik from Italian 'sister club' Udinese for an undisclosed fee, brought in 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan from Chelsea and defender James Abankwah on loan from Udinese.

However, they lost midfielder Festy Ebosele after he was recalled from loan by the same Italian club, Ryan Porteous has joined Preston on loan and Ken Sema has been released.

With Tom Cleverley seemingly under pressure and a host of injuries to deal with, particularly in attack, will Watford keep pace in the race for the play-off places?

We want you to tell us what you think about the Hornets' transfer dealings...

Let us know your thoughts here.

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

In the end, it was a disappointing January transfer window for Watford.

It started slowly with one or two comings and goings but head coach Tom Cleverley assured us that was the norm and last week promised two new signings - one of them a "ready-made" Championship player.

What Watford fans got was a young Chelsea left-back with undoubted potential but unlikely to be fit for a while due to a shoulder injury. And that was it. The experienced signing didn't materialise, leaving Hornets supporters deeply frustrated.

In all, across the month, the outgoings outweighed the incomings. Centre-back James Abankwah looks a good signing but the business, or lack of it, leaves Watford painfully light and lacking in real depth.

The striker situation is deeply concerning, particularly with Vakoun Bayo suspended for the next three games. Teenager Mamadou Doumbia is the only other recognised striker and, despite showing promising signs of potential, he's 18.

With Kwadwo Baah out injured for another couple of months, Watford are also lacking creativity and pace. Any injuries down the spine of the team would really hurt the Hornets too.

Player trading has been limited and it's been an underwhelming transfer window. Supporters have expressed their concern and Cleverley hasn't got what he thought he was getting.

It's going to take some effort to get Watford back involved in the play-off race and one does wonder why there appears to be a lack of ambition from the club's board and owner.

There have been stories Gino Pozzo is open to selling the club and this window does nothing to dampen those rumours.

Commentary on Sunderland v Watford on 103.8FM Saturday 12.30pm

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Watford boss Tom Cleverley said referee Lewis Smith was taken in by Norwich City's "dark arts" in the home defeat against Norwich City.

Cleverley said: "Unfortunately the referee has been played. I thought Norwich were good at the dark arts. Every time someone made contact with their players they fell to the ground.

"I can't justify Vakoun Bayo's reaction [which got him sent off]. He knows he's let his team-mates down. He's pushed Marcondes in his chest - and it's a disappointing reaction from him.

"If you counted the amount of times Marcondes fell to the floor you'd have a decent tally.

"I'm proud of my players. We've reduced them to very little. The work-rate and togetherness and spirit was excellent."

Image source, PA Media

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley says he prefers the weeks without midweek games so he can spend more time working with the squad on the training ground.

The Hornets have played a midweek game followed by another at the weekend for the past two weeks.

Saturday's home fixture against Norwich is the first time since the 2-1 loss at Burnley on 21 December that Cleverley has had the luxury of more than five days between matches to prepare his players.

"I really do enjoy these Saturday to Saturday weeks where you can get some good, quality time on the training pitch with the players," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio in his pre-match press conference.

"Selfishly, it's what I enjoy about the job. Obviously everyone loves matchday but actually being able to work on things you're trying to get out in the games is nice.

"Through the period we've had, you're sort of rest, recovery, picking the team, dealing with other stuff and then it's all about matchday. But I do enjoy these weeks where you can really focus on your job and what you love.

"It's a big incentive to get to the promised land because there, it's even more of that where there are eight games less, but there's a lot to be said about the league that we're in, the chaotic nature of it and how enjoyable that can be.

"But I've enjoyed the calmer week with some real quality time with the players."

Watford are close to a deal to take Chelsea's 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan. (Luca Bendoni, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Watford are in talks to sign Chelsea defender Caleb Wiley on loan.

The 20-year-old has been playing at Strasbourg, a club that like Chelsea is owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, but could see his loan cut short to move to the Championship.

Wiley has been suffering from a shoulder injury but is expected to be close to a return.

The move of Wiley to English football would give Chelsea some space to move their unwanted players around.

It would free up an international loan spot and they would be able to move a player again to Strasbourg - as they would have just two players left there on loan in Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic.

Fifa only allow a maximum of three loans between clubs.

Watford welcome Norwich City to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon in a clash between two sides hoping to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The Hornets are ninth and have picked up just one win in their previous seven games (D1 L5), while the 11th-placed Canaries have won four of their past seven (D1 L2).

• Watford have won five of their past six home league games against Norwich City (L1), scoring 2+ goals in four of those victories.

• Norwich City have won each of their past two league games against Watford and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since September 1984.

• Watford have lost each of their past three home league games, a run which directly followed an unbeaten streak of 15 outings for the Hornets at Vicarage Road beforehand (W10 D5).

• Norwich have won just one of their past 11 away league games (D4 L6), failing to score in four of their last six outings on the road in the Championship.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has netted four league goals against Watford, his most against any side during his club career.

'Tom Cleverley gets what it means to be a Watford guy and a Watford manager.'

Aaron Paul and ex-Watford winger Jobi McAnuff are joined by Hornets fan Jacob Culshaw to discuss boss Tom Cleverley's future at a club that has had 20 different permanent head coaches since owner Gino Pozzo acquired the Vicarage Road team in 2012.

You can catch the newest episode of the 72+ podcast in full on BBC Sounds.

Watford are set to sign Udinese keeper Egil Selvik, with the 27-year-old Norwegian expected in London on Thursday. (Tutto Mercato - in Italian, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column.

Image source, Getty Images

Italian side Udinese have recalled midfielder Festy Ebosele from his loan spell at Watford.

The 22-year-old has not started a game since the Hornets 1-0 win over Bristol City in November and has seen his minutes diminish in recent weeks.

Reported destinations for the Irishman include Turkish side Galatasaray.

Festy scored one goal in his 18 Championship appearances for Watford this season, but only played a full 90 minutes on two occasions.

Image source, Getty Images

Ken Sema has issued a heartfelt goodbye after his contract with Watford was cancelled by mutual consent, bringing to an end a six-and-a-half-year spell at the club.

"Now is the time for me to leave, it feels strange to say that but it's true," Sema, who made 176 appearances for the Hornets and scored 12 goals, told the club website, external.

"It's been absolutely a pleasure to be part of this club. I made history here with promotion, I lived my dream, I played in the Premier League. I've made friends for life."

Sema joined Watford in 2018 from Swedish side Ostersunds, four months after scoring against Arsenal in a 2-1 Europa League win at the Emirates Stadium.

The 31-year-old helped Watford gain promotion to the Premier League in the 2020-21 season and was nicknamed King Ken.

"I came here as a guy who scored against Arsenal, that was the one thing people knew about me, and I'm leaving as a king," Sema said.

"I loved my time here. This club will always be a part of my heart. It might sound like a cliche, but to be honest, it's the truth.

"Everywhere I go, I will always think of this time as a great time. I left a mark on this club and I'm so happy I left something here. I'm extremely proud of what I've done.

"The fans have always been there for me since day one. I've experienced so much joy, so much love from the fans.

"The great times, the tough times, they've always been at my side. I'm grateful for everything.

"Without them, this is not a club. So, Watford fans, this is for you - thank you. I will always remember you."

Image source, Rex Features

Watford boss Tom Cleverley has made a backroom reshuffle, replacing first-team coach Paul Robinson with the Hornets' former assistant Zigor Aranalde.

Midlands-based Robinson, who joined as assistant coach in October, has taken a step back to an opposition analysis role because of "family considerations".

Aranalde, who worked under previous head coach Javi Gracia between January 2018 and September 2019, returns to Vicarage Road.

"I've got a huge amount of respect for Robbo's work and his commitment to our football club as a true Watford man," said Cleverley. "He's still very much part of our team for now - just not quite so visible to supporters on matchdays.

"Zigor's a guy I know very well – I worked with him for the best part of 18 months when he was part of Javi's staff. It was a very successful time in the club's history, something he and I touched upon when we spoke over a Zoom call. He's someone that can come in and give us further help in the areas we need."

Meanwhile, Watford have cancelled the contract of winger Ken Sema by mutual consent.

The 31-year-old Swedish winger made 176 appearances for the Hornets after signing from Ostersunds FK in July 2018 - the last of them in the 2-2 draw at Plymouth in late November.