Watford News

Contrary to a few years back when footballers were camera-shy, footballers today relish being in front of cameras. In fact, today’s footballers have the confidence to stand in front of cameras and have candid interviews with reporters. One such incident is the honest interview our esteemed captain, Troy Deeney recently had with Gabby Logan who spoke to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.

The interviewer, like most of us Hornets fans, has heard awesome stories about how our captain was camera friendly. Other than the Watford player being candid in the interview, his gracious character surprised Gabby Logan.

Our captain wasted no time in showcasing his media-friendly personality when he was on The Premier League Show hosted by Gabby. His witty and interactive personality would have surely been noticed by possible suitors as it is no secret that the Watford player hopes to get into broadcasting once he hangs up his boots.

In the interview, Deeney was very inquisitive and his responses were truthful whenever he was asked questions which ranged from his health to his diet to his ambitions and roles in his career both at international and club levels.

In his answers, some things stood out than most. He spoke of how constantly improving is an integral part of his character. As most of us Hornets fans know, Deeney’s attitude and character are precisely the attributes that make him a great captain for our beloved club. The fact that he has his sights on improving only makes me wonder what could be in store for us as time goes by.

Deeney does not let negativity get to him which is a great mentality given he is our captain. This can be seen by him taking gracefully being left out of England’s squad by Gareth Southgate. We Hornets fans know of his incredible mentality as he was instrumental when we won at Spurs to maintain our winning start to the season a few weeks ago despite going one-nil down.

Part of what Deeney has focused on when he talks of improving himself is his dieting and his mental health. Deeney spoke of how he was working with a psychologist to overcome some mental issues he has had. This acknowledgment from a sports great sets the standards to be emulated by other people with similar issues. This coupled with his experience with age has transformed him into the calm and passionate figure he cuts today.

We Watford fans often look up to Deeney to make the difference for us and he admits he relishes the chance to be the game changer for us. He likes our connection with him and he knows we admire his passion and efforts for the club.

The difficult path to being good Deeney has faced has probably been key in nurturing him to the important asset for Watford he is today. In his early playing days, Deeney received a lot of backlashes but those did not put him down. He continued to work hard and improve until he got to where he is today. The leadership of our club could not be in better hands.

Watford travelled away to Fulham seeking to get back to winning ways. Despite the loss to Manchester United, the Hornets had started the season strongly having won 4 of their opening four games. Fulham was not going to be an easy game but the strong start we had suggested we could win this game if we played to our potential.

The line up was pretty much unchanged from our opening fixtures lineups with Gracia opting for a 4-4-2 formation with Deeney and Gray leading the line.
We needed a strong start and the team delivered. In the opening 90 seconds, Andre Gray scored courtesy of lovely ball from Will Hughes. Andre Gray saw his impressive form from against Manchester United continue as he scored for the second game in a row. He continued to dazzle with his impressive performance throughout the match.

The first half was pretty much ours as we dominated it right from the opening minutes when we opened the scoring. However, we were not as clinical as we hoped as we got ourselves into excellent situations but we could not convert our chances. Marcus Bettinelli also deserves credit as he pulled some good saves against us in the Fulham goal.

The teams went into the break with us leading thanks to the early goal. However, if we were to get a win we had to come back for the next half a bit more clinical. A solitary goal lead was not enough given the competitive nature of the premier league.
The second half started but the team that came back much improved was our opponents. Despite being ahead and the half being fairly even, we allowed them to get into dangerous positions and their striker Aleksander Mitrovic had room to pull level or even snatch a victory for the home team. His physicality and work rate proved difficult for us to handle.

We were punished in the 78th minute as Mitrovic pulled level for Fulham. We chased a winner but it was not meant to be for us as we dropped points only for the second time this season as the match ended level with a one all score.

As the gaffer stated in his post-match press conference, the early goal must have gotten into our heads as we got a bit complacent and comfortable with the lead. However, in all fairness to our good players, we tried getting a second but we were a bit unlucky. Our good first half and an unlucky second half allowed Fulham to get back into the game. We can take consolation in that we showed the desire to play a good game as the players had the intensity and ambition to win.

Next up for us is a trip to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup before playing Arsenal in the league this weekend. The result sees us sit 4th in the table which is good and if we can replicate our incredible start to the season with our remaining games, certainly European football will be played at Vicarage Road next season.

Watford came close to rescuing a point against Manchester United as an unbelievable save by David de Gea denied us a point in front of our home supporters at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets came into this game in fantastic form having had a 100% winning record in all our opening four games. Despite the international break spoiling the momentum for us, the fatigue could not be seen as we took the game to the 20 times premier league champions.

We started the game with a 4-4-2 formation with Javi Gracia opting to play two physical strikers, Deeney and Gray, in an effort to impose against the Manchester United defence. The game started slowly but we had the first sight on goal in the 3rd minute with Abdoulaye Doucure seeing his effort saved by de Gea.We also had a shot by our captain saved by de Gea whose efforts at goal for United would later come to haunt us.

Despite a rather good opening half hour, we lost concentration as United scored two goals in quick succession. The first goal we conceded came in the 35th minute as Romelu Lukaku turned in the ball in a controversial manner. Our goalkeeper, Forster, who had a good game appealed as he thought Lukaku had turned in the ball with his hand. However, replays show he scored fairly.

Things got worse as we fell to a two-nil disadvantage three minutes later. This time the scorer was Chris Smalling for United after a set play.
We went to the break trailing by two goals and we had to produce a comeback as we did against Spurs in that magnificent second half to at least stand a chance of rescuing a point. The game needed a response from us and we did respond with a great second half against a team of United’s caliber.

Our relentless efforts were rewarded as we pulled one back in the 65th minute. Gray calmly turned in Doucoure’s pass as we halved United’s lead.
With us needing just a goal to at least rescue a point, we put in a spirited performance with it culminating with up pulling one back.

We constantly pressed higher of the pitch and had several half chances to rescue a point. However, our high press could have sealed the game in United’s favor as we could have fallen one or two more goals behind save from the incredible work of our defenders, Kabasele and Cathcart. The latter produced a last-minute tackle to deny Alexis Sanchez as he almost got a dangerous shot away.

We continuously pushed for an equaliser but it was not meant to be for us as de Gea stood firm in United’s goal denying us severally.
In the 93rd minute, Nemanja Matic got his marching orders thanks to a second booking after a cynical foul against Will Hughes who had been good particularly in the second half as we played higher of the pitch.

Kabasele met the delivery from the foul magnificently as he headed towards goal but he was denied with a fantastic save by David de Gea. David tipped wide the header and we could not score from the resulting corner as we succumbed to our first defeat of the season.

Despite us dropping points for the first time this season, we can definitely look forward having put in a worthy display particularly in the second half. We were outdone by de Gea in United’s goal and three dreadful first-half minutes.

However, we played well generally and as the gaffer said in his post-match press conference, losing after a spirited performance like we put in today is something we can be proud of even despite the result.

Our next game is a trip away to Fulham on Saturday as we look to bounce back.

Peter Taylor, the Mayor of Watford, is expected to join several business leaders for a CEO Sleepout to put up funds for the homeless in the streets.

Though for one night, the CEOs will challenge themselves by swapping their beds for the street. The Big sleepout event will be held in Watford Rugby Club on the 26th of November.

The Charity’s Sleepout began 4 years back by Andy Preston, the chairman and has been held in multiple venues in the UK. Among the major venues are stadiums like Old Trafford, Lane stadium, St, James Park Newcastle, Meadow lane stadium, Wembley Stadium, and Lord’s cricket stadium.

The main personal pledge for each CEO is to raise at least £1500 with the overall amount raised from the initiative in the past reaching £1.9 million pounds. This has been a significant boost in an attempt to fight poverty in Watford.

“I am very happy to be involved in the CEOSleepout ” Mr. Taylor said. “ and would encourage other people to get involved ” he added.

Mr.Taylor urges and pleads the local’s participation since it is beneficial. “We all want to live in a town where nobody sleeps rough. Local homeless charities do fantastic work, helping people to get the support they need, find work and permanent homes.”

Present in the charity will be Watford Homeless Warriors. The Warriors director, Stephen Russell, insisted on their effort to make the event a national movement and said; “We have worked hard to bring this national movement to the town and make the first CEO Sleepout Watford happen.

He also adds “We will be seeking support from community businesses to get behind this event. We are a kindhearted and caring town, so let’s make CEO Sleepout Watford count for our homeless friends.”

New Hope director, Sam Weightman could not hide his excitement and said We are excited to be on the receiving end of that generosity once again. With the demand on our services rapidly increasing, this event doesn’t just provide our supporters with a challenge, but will give them an opportunity to help New

Hope continue to provide professional support and accommodation for those most vulnerable in our town.”

Weighton expresses gratitude in taking part in the first Sleepout in Watford and adds that “Over the last 28 years we have received incredibly generous support from local businesses and the community.”

The chairman and also founder of the CEO Sleepout, Andy Preston said “: “I am very humbled to see so many leaders involved in our CEO Sleepouts across the UK and I am completely confident that Watford will demonstrate what a compassionate town it is.”

Will you be joining them?

Bedding down with you will be business leaders, owners, CEOs, managers,senior-level executives, and teams all in effort to raise awareness and raise funds for the homeless in Watford.CEOs already taking part are Kara Smalley(Administrator, Morgan Charles), Mike Segall Founder, Property Radio, Razi Hassan( Mr. Mustr, Mustr.co.uk), Ruth Lee (Director of Fundraising , Watford Homeless Warriors), Ryan Dalton (Director, WRFC Bar and Coffee House). Stephen Russel (Homeless Warrior, Watford Homeless Project), Tim lark (Managing Director, Service Innovations Group), Amanda Wells (Therapeutic Counsellor & Wellbeing Teacher), Andy Preston (Chairman, CEO Sleepout UK ) Bianca Robinson( National coordinator, CEO Sleepout UK )and the mayor of Watford Peter Taylor.

Vicarage Road played host as Tottenham visited Watford with both teams seeking to keep their 100 per cent winning start to the 2018 – 19 season of the premier league.

Spurs 12 games against us without tasting defeat was definitely something they could build on in this match given they had comfortably beaten Manchester United earlier in the week. However, it was not meant to be for Mauricio Pochettino and his side as they were stunned by our on form team.

Similarly, we were trying to maintain our 100 per cent start after 3 wins in 3 and a win would see us go level on points with league leaders Liverpool and Chelsea who both maintained their winning start the previous day.

Prior to the kick off, the team news offered a bit of a reprieve to us. We had all our players available while Spurs had absentees in Hugo Lloris and Son as both were out of the Spurs team sheet. Michael Vorm would deputise for the Spurs captain at goal.

Andre Mariner took charge of an uneventful first half with the best chance of the game falling for Dele Alli who headed wide.

Both teams went for the break at halftime even with both neither able to claim that they were unlucky not to be ahead. Spurs could not make their better possession and a couple of half chances count for anything before the break.

It was a second half of drama as we battled from an unlucky own goal to find the Spurs’ net twice inside 8 minutes.

Eight minutes after the restart, Abdoulaye Doucouré deflected a Lucas Moura cut back into his own net to give Tottenham Hotspurs the advantage.

The lead did not last long as Troy Deeney, the Watford captain, scored an equaliser in the 69th minute. Moments before equalising, Deeney had seen his effort diverted against the crossbar by Spurs centre back Toby Alderweireld. However, Deeney’s second goal of the season was not that further as he headed the resulting corner to put the Hornets level.

The Hornet’s second goal, the winning goal, came 7 minutes later as Craig Cathcart headed an Holebas delivery into Vorm’s net. Holebas played a key role in the comeback victory as he assisted both Deeney’s and Cathcart’s goals with his pinpoint deliveries in set pieces. Throughout the game, he linked up well down the left side of the pitch with Roberto Pereyra who has been on fire for us.

What does this result mean for Watford.

Watford continues to enjoy their best ever start to a premier league campaign. Our only other ever 4 wins from 4 games at the beginning of the season came at the beginning of the 1988/1989 season. Our home record is also astonishing as we boast of 7 home wins since January when Javi Gracia took the helm. This record is as good as that held by Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United. No side has a better home record than ours.

The result sees the Hornets go level on points with league leaders Liverpool and Chelsea. It also marks an end to the 31 years we have had to wait to get a win over Spurs in the first division.

Given our perfect start, European football could definitely not be beyond us provided we continue with our momentum after the international break.