The Watford Word · https://thewatfordword.news/writers/mike-walters
The 2-1 win against Preston was the 14th time in Watford's history, all of them since 2015, that the Hornets have fielded a starting XI featuring 11 different nationalities
11.09.26Matchday
Nine goals in 34 starts does not scream a prolific record, but Watford's Mali international striker is aiming much higher capping a fine personal display with the winner against Preston
10.09.26News
In front of the lowest League crowd at Vicarage Road for 11 years, the Hornets scrambled into the upper half of the table using 15 different nationalities
09.09.26News
While the statistics paint a bleak picture, they do not fully reflect Watford's season to date - but the Hornets know they must take points from back-to-back home games with Preston and Stoke to keep the dotted line at bay
06.09.26News
Four beat-the-deadline signings have finally given head coach Alessio Dionisi more or less a full deck of cards, and the summer transfer balance sheet is comfortably in profit. Watford should be competitive on the pitch while the lights stay on
02.09.26News
By common consent, Kevin Keben's howler in the 1-1 draw with West Ham was in a class of its own - but he showed immense discipline and heart to help preserve Watford's unbeaten start
30.08.26News
For a player of such enviable gifts, it is surprising that the Moroccan playmaker finished on the winning side in only 41 of his 141 appearances for the Hornets
29.08.26Matchday
On a poignant afternoon when the team rose to the occasion, the 'One Club Kenny' banner unfurled in the Rookery was a triumph for 1881 stalwarts Roy Moore and Phil Williams after a 19-hour drive to POLAND to collect it
19.08.26News
Watford clung on to open their League campaign with a thrilling win against 'Spygate' bad guys Southampton, but new head coach Alessio Dionisi faces a familiar predicament: Will he be given the tools to take us on a memorable funfair ride?
16.08.26News
In golfing terms, Watford's new head coach isn't starting the season with a full set of clubs and the first four games could be like trying to dig his way out of a bunker without a sand wedge - but Alessio Dionisi is ready to give it a full swing off the tee
15.08.26Matchday
Watford's new head coach is determined to hurdle the language barrier - and he's been studying Hugh Grant's elocution in a famous romcom to inspire his crash course in fluent posh
14.08.26News
From 1969 to the present day, The Watford Word has compiled a list of the Hornets' best goals. Many of the names will be familiar, some you may have forgotten - but all of these made your heart soar. Any glaring omissions?
12.08.26News
Watford's 1-0 win against Crawley Town, a rare success in the EFL Cup, gave head coach Alessio Dionisi a winning start, but there are problems to solve at both ends of the pitch with a thankless start in the Championship around the corner
09.08.26News
The numbers don't lie - Watford has become the spiritual home of short-termism when it comes to hiring and discarding head coaches, but four seasons in mid-table (11th, 15th, 14th and 16th) tell the story. It's time for the churn to slow down.
05.08.26Opinion
Almost 6,000 miles of travel await diehard Hornets fans who go to every away game this season. Many of the venues are familiar, but Watford will be making their first trip to Lincoln for 45 years.
04.08.26Matchday
As a player, Ian Bolton was one of four Watford marvels who featured in all four divisions on the Hornets' climb through the leagues under Graham Taylor. He believes the values which sustained that golden era, and made Watford the original family club, are still applicable today.
04.08.26News
All the talk, when Edoardo Bove rebooted his career at Watford, was of the convalescing heart patient who suffered a cardiac arrest. Now it's time to focus on what he can deliver on the pitch under new head coach Alessio Dionisi - and his pre-season was promising.
Mattie Pollock's ascension to take over as Watford captain for the 2026-27 season is no surprise, but the Hornets' new sergeant-major on the pitch has wasted no time in laying down the law
02.08.26News
Reporting for their excursion to the Welsh hinterlands, Watford’s youth team squad assembled by the minibus and speculated what lay in store for them. They thought coach Kenny Jackett was taking them on a bonding trip. It turned out to be a boot camp that would have made Bear Grylls’ eyes water...
30.07.26History
Almost half a century after their dabble as freelance choristers for Sir Elton John, Watford players still marvel at their day in the recording studio which took them to No.8 in the album charts.
29.07.26History
Upright, unflustered and quick, former England youth international Travis Akomeah has an air of Rio Ferdinand about the way he plays.
29.07.26Opinion
The clackety-clack of the turnstile, the first sighting of the green savannah, celebrating your first goal and jumping so high out of your seat that you land in another postcode. You never forget your first game as a football fan.
To invite Hansa Rostock as visitors for a pre-season friendly at Vicarage Road, said the doom-mongers, was an invitation for panic on the streets of Watford. But sometimes in football, on and off the pitch, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
The Watford Word speaks to new Hornets boss Alessio Dionisi, the 23rd different permanent head coach of the Pozzo era at Vicarage Road.
29.07.26News
Sign up to receive your free newsletter with articles and analysis from our team
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from The Watford Word.
