Reviewing 2025/26

After an indifferent start to the season, form picked up towards the end of 2025 and the Hornets started the New Year in 4th place after an unbeaten run of seven games. They couldn't sustain it though and managed just three more victories from the final twenty-one matches eventually finishing 16th. A disappointing run which cost Javi Gracia his job. Edward Still took over in February and became the clubs twenty-third manager in 14 seasons, which is a simply bonkers stat.

A positive to take away from 25/26 was the performances of Imran Louza, who pitched in with 16 goal contributions over the course of the season. He himself will have been disappointed to miss out on Morocco's 26-man World Cup Squad.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

Alessio Dionisi becomes the 6,897th new manager at Vicarage Road after his appointment over the summer and he has work to do. The club are gradually moving in the wrong direction and I can foresee a long hard season for the Hornets.

The only notabkle arrival is Omar Traore, a right back from Udinese. Whilst many players have left the club. It's imperitif that Dionisi brings in a minimum of 5 or 6 players before the transfer window slams shut, because if he doesn't, they could be scrapping with the relagtion places by Christmas and given the Watford boards history, he'll be kicked off down the road.

Court Offside Tip

The regular up-down, yo-yo'ing between the Championship and the Premier League feels a long time ago now, as the mangerial merry go round finally takes a toll on the club. At some stage they need to realise they need some stability. If anything, they could end up being dragged into the mix at the wrong end of the table, but I think they'll have enough talent to avoid the drop. A club to keep an eye on though, a poor start and I'll be checking their relegation odds.