Watford

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Middlesbrough will seek to get back to winning ways and stay top of the Championship as they visit Watford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Hornets made it back-to-back home wins as they picked up a much-needed 1-0 win over Lincoln on Tuesday, their fourth victory in seven games at Vicarage Road, where 13 of their 14 points this season have come.

Middlesbrough went down 2-0 at Wrexham on Wednesday to see their lead at the summit cut to a point and end their 11-game unbeaten run, however they had picked up 11 points from their previous five away games, though Watford has not been a happy hunting ground for Boro of late.

• Watford have won three of their past four league games against Middlesbrough, though did lose the most recent meeting 5-1 in April.

• Middlesbrough have lost eight of their past 11 away league games against Watford (W2 D1). These has included four runs of two consecutive defeats (including a current run), but they've never lost three straight visits to the Hornets before.

• Since the start of September, no side has lost more Championship games than Watford (8). However, all three wins in this run have been at home, winning their past two at Vicarage Road.

• Riley McGree scored his first ever Football League brace at Vicarage Road against Watford, putting Middlesbrough 2-0 up after 12 minutes in September 2023.

• Amin Nabizada is Watford's top scorer in the Championship this season with three goals – no side's top-scorer in the competition this term has fewer.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi spoke to BBC Three Counties Radio after his side's 1-0 win over Lincoln City. For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Watford and Lincoln City meet in the league for the first time in 47 years on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Both sides have won just one of their past six games in the Championship.

• This is the first meeting between Watford and Lincoln City since November 1981, with the Hornets winning a League Cup third round replay 3-2 at Sincil Bank.

• This is the fourth league campaign in which Watford and Lincoln City have met. They drew both games in 1961-62 (third tier), Lincoln won both in 1975-76 (fourth tier) and Watford won both in 1978-79 (third tier).

• Watford have lost five of their past nine league games against promoted sides (W2 D2), going down 5-1 at Cardiff City already this season.

• Watford beat Charlton 2-0 in their last home league game, last winning consecutively at Vicarage Road in December/January last season.

• Lincoln have kept more away league clean sheets than any other side in England's top four tiers in 2026 (9).

Watford probably need to win their next two Championship matches for boss Alessio Dionisi to keep his job, according to BBC Three Counties radio commentator Geoff Doyle.

The Hornets surrendered a 2-0 lead at Norwich on Saturday to lose 3-2 and are only two points clear of the relegation zone going into Tuesday night's match at home to Lincoln City (19:45 GMT).

"The form is significant. They've lost six of their past seven games and taken three points from a possible 21 which normally puts you in massive trouble if you're a Watford head coach," said Doyle.

"I wondered if he'd keep his job but the fact they play on Tuesday probably means there was no real time to get it done if they were thinking of making a change."

Dionisi was appointed in June on a two-year contract with the Italian becoming Watford's 12th permanent head coach since the end of the 2020-21 season.

"After Lincoln they play Middlesbrough at home, then it's the international break and if you're a Watford head coach who is struggling, as soon as an international break comes around the corner that is a time to be very fearful," added Doyle.

"Unless he wins the next two games I'm not sure he survives this as it's relegation form.

"He didn't help himself on Saturday but he was let down by his players big time, and probably by his recruitment team as well - everyone has to take accountability for this."

Listen to more Watford interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

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Norwich City ended a three-match losing streak at Carrow Road with a 3-2 win over Watford in the Championship on Saturday.

The Canaries came from 2-0 down to leave the Hornets just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Here is what some of the supporters of the teams made of the game.

NORWICH FANS

Stephen - This squad plays on confidence. They struggle to be brilliant when it goes against them, so this is a watershed. To come back as they did, for the first time in ages, to win a game from two down could be the catalyst.

Andrew - Let's not kid ourselves - very, very poor first half, slightly better in the second. Why certain players get in the team - Andre Brookes for example - is beyond me. Well done for the comeback though, probably saved Clement's job.

Mickey - Mathias Kvistgaarden is coming into his own, his hold-up play, beating defenders in the air more often than he doesn't and his finishing and assisting. Quality display. Time for that same display for majority of the 90 at Derby.

Grey - Norwich cannot continue to defend like school children. Better sides than Watford will tear them apart. Great result and confidence building to get a second win, but there is work to do.

Richard - Yes they won, but it was against Watford and, let's face it Norwich were utterly inept in the first half. There is no leader on the pitch and you can't keep waiting for the coach at half time.

WATFORD FANS

Kevin - Absolute disgrace in the second half. One shot on target, passing was abysmal and defence was a joke. Most of the players in the second half are not fit to wear the shirt.

Marion - Watford will really need to learn how to close out games if they have any chance of avoiding relegation this season. This is really not good enough.

PMJ - Two goals in this game flattered us, don't be fooled by the half-time score. This was Norwich not playing very well and getting a good half-time talk and then showing Watford just how poor they are. I'm sorry to say Watford are in decline, poor recruitment, poor management, poor choices from those who are supposed to run the club.

John - This team is getting worse by the match. Given a lucky 2-0 lead they showed no guts, tactical awareness, ability to tackle or pass. I've been following them since 1959 and this is the most characterless team I have seen.

Nigel - First half good but second showed up our weaknesses in midfield. We were simply chasing shadows.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi spoke to BBC Three Counties Radio after the loss against Norwich City, For a written selection of his quotes, click here

Image source, Opta

Norwich and Watford will seek to pull away from the Championship drop-zone when they meet at Carrow Road on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Canaries ended a six-game losing streak in all competitions with a 3-1 win at Charlton last time out but have lost their past three at home to sit 20th, one place and one point ahead of the Hornets.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wolves meant Watford have taken one point from their six away league games, losing the past five in a row and scoring only once in that run, however they do have a fine recent record against Norwich.

• Norwich City have won just four of their past 14 league games against Watford (L10), losing both meetings with the Hornets in the Championship last season.

• Watford have won five of their past seven away league games against Norwich City (L2), keeping four clean sheets across that time.

• Norwich have failed to score in each of their past two home league games, after failing to score in just one of their prior 14 at Carrow Road.

• Watford have been in winning positions for just 13.8% of their Championship matches so far this season – the lowest total of any side in the division.

• Norwich have conceded 19 goals from open play in the Championship so far this season – the most of any side in the competition.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Jon: We really seem to struggle to put games to bed when we score. We are lacking a bit of quality in wide and attacking positions and we allowed Watford back into the game and were clinging on towards the end against a poor side. There is a bit of a flat and frustrated mood amongst the fans and we need a bit of sparkle to lift the clouds. We are close the top of the table but not playing like it. A win is a win but the second half was a struggle. Can we do better against Cardiff?

Mike: The first half was more positive than in any game since the international break, but this has to be measured against the fact that Watford looked a very poor team. The second half was dire, we contrived to give opportunities to Watford but they still didn't manage a shot on target. Wolves look well below the level that is required for promotion.

Rob: The Albion game all over again. Poor opposition with a great stopper in goal. But Wolves should have been out of sight by half-time. James was impressive, not sure why he was subbed and the manager needs to find a way of starting James and Lopez. At last we saw Mane running again and again at defenders rather than holding back. But we must stop messing about with the ball in defence. Krejci was nearly caught several times just after half-time, just clear the danger! A long way to go if we are to threaten for promotion.

Image source, Shutterstock

Watford fans

Howard: Absolutely terrible. Far too negative.

Chris: In the first half Wolves had almost 70% possession, 17 shots to none from us and scored. We failed to be competitive and, regretfully, the second half we only slightly improved. For the last 70 years even our worst years we were generally always competitive, we even created chances at Wembley against Man City. Our club is totally mismanaged from top to bottom and our players are the pits, surely we have to change everything.

Mark: Another change of formation, more players out of position. There is no structure and the only consistency is losing. I have never seen such a poor side in over 45 years of watching Watford. Please invest in some quality players.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi spoke to BBC Three Counties Radio after his side's 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford will have different aims when they meet at Molineux on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Wolves have only won one of their past four games after returning from international break and are now four points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Watford, however, picked up a win against Charlton Athletic last time out to end a four match losing streak and are hoping to at least retain their three point gap from the bottom three.

• Wolverhampton Wanderers have won four of their last five league games against Watford (L1) and could win three in a row against the Hornets in the league for the first time.

• Watford have won just two of their last 20 away league games against Wolves (D11 L7), a 2-1 win in August 2007 and a 2-0 win in October 2018.

• Wolves are without a win in their last two home league games (D1 L1); not since April 2017 have they failed to win three successive league games on home soil in the Championship (D1 L2).

• Watford have lost nine of their last 10 away league games (D1), scoring just five goals and conceding 25 goals in that run.

• Only three players have been involved in more Championship goals this season than Wolves' Fer López (8 – 5 goals, 3 assists).

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi spoke to BBC Radio 3CR after the win against Charlton Athletic. For a written selection of his quotes, click here

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Watford will seek to stop the rot as Charlton head to Vicarage Road on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Hornets have lost six of their past seven matches, shipping nine goals in the past two, a 4-0 home loss to Burnley last Saturday and a 5-1 humbling at Cardiff on Tuesday night. They have however earned seven of their eight points at home this season.

The Addicks snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw at Burnley on Tuesday but are now seven games without a win, drawing five of those, and have picked up just two points from their past four away games.

• Watford have only lost two of their past 17 home league games against Charlton (W8 D7), going down 2-1 in February 1996 and 4-3 in January 2013.

• Charlton have only lost one of their past seven league games against Watford (W4 D2), a 5-0 away defeat in January 2025.

• Amassing just eight points through their opening 10 Championship matches this season (W2 D2 L6), Watford have made their worst start to a campaign outside of the top-flight since 2003-04, though they did eventually finish 16th that season and avoided relegation.

• Thanks to their 2-2 draw against Burnley in midweek, Charlton have now drawn five of their past seven Championship games (L2) – they last endured a longer winless run in the league via a 16-match streak between December 2023 and February 2024 in the third tier.

• Watford have been in the lead in their Championship matches this season for just 12.7% of the time – the competition's lowest percentage.

Former Watford midfielder Tom Ince says he fears for the club in the Championship this season.

The Hornets have lost their past four Championship matches to slip into the relegation zone but have backed head coach Alessio Dionisi before Saturday's game at home to Charlton Athletic (12:30 BST).

Ince left Vicarage Road at the end of last season and is now with Tranmere Rovers in League Two but watched his former side suffer a 5-1 hammering at Cardiff on Tuesday night.

"It's something I saw coming," Ince told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"When I first went there we had a lot of big experienced players who knew what it took to get results week in, week out but I looked at the squad at Cardiff and I hate to use the word, but it looks soulless.

"The performance had no heart, and I sympathise and say there's not enough experience or leadership in that dressing room to give them that guidance to tell them what's acceptable and what isn't."

Dionisi was appointed in June, becoming the club's 12th permanent boss since the end of the 2020-21 season but Ince - like many fans - believes the issues go deeper than the manager and the players.

"It's a fantastic football club - the problem they've got, especially from my time there which was three years and felt a lot longer, is there are too many cooks in the kitchen," he added.

"There are lots of different beliefs on how the club should move forward, what the team should look like and what players come in.

"Regardless of what happens upstairs, which is obviously a big issue, this is the year I look at Watford and think they could be in trouble.

"They've got to go in a different direction - I understand the model of bringing in young foreign players and trying to sell them on but in the Championship you need that core of experienced players who know what it takes to go Saturday/Tuesday and I looked at it [the performance on Tuesday] and it put a lot of fear into me."

Listen to all episodes of 72+ on BBC Sounds.

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff and Tommy Smith are joined by former Hornets midfielder Tom Ince to chat about Watford, with the club in the Championship relegation zone after 10 games.

What's it like amid the constant turnover of managers in the dugout? Will they buck the trend and stick with Alessio Dionisi?

Plus, hear from Jon Rudkin, Leicester City's chief football officer, on the situation the club currently finds itself in. Will Leicester stick with Russell Martin, or do they need to make a change to ensure success?

And Tommy gives his opinion on Spygate after Southampton boss Tonda Eckert was handed a suspended six-week ban for his part in the spying scandal.

Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Watford say head coach Alessio Dionisi will be in charge for Saturday's Championship match at home to Charlton (12:30 BST).

That is despite the Hornets suffering four successive defeats and slipping into the relegation zone.

We asked Watford fans to send us their views and here is what some of them had to say:

Stephen - Yes, we should stick with the manager but (owner) Gino Pozzo and (chairman) Scott Duxbury should step down. Start the proceedings to sell to new investors as soon as possible and we would like to see a coach given two or three years. We want more homegrown and local players and stop (68% so far in 12 years) all the loanees and purchases from Udinese.

Martin - Hopefully the manager staying is a sign the owners are going.

Steve - It's the players and the board, not the manager. Let the board have a meeting with management and players to clear the air and to stand by the manager. The fans have stood by the board long enough.

Chris - Dionisi is unproven and has nothing to work with at the club. But the problem goes way, way deeper than the manager. The owners have left the club to rot over the past five years. Sure, the Pozzos saved us in our hour of need, we're grateful for that. But they've run their course. Sell up and get out.

Adrian - The Pozzos needed to stick with a coach way before this. They have had some half decent guys in the position. The players know they can underperform and it'll be the coach that carries the can. Any decent players that do emerge are either sold on for purely financial reasons or leave when they've had enough. I'm not sure this coach is the guy with which to decide to break the cycle but we shall see.

Image source, Shutterstock

Daniel - Dionisi is a good coach when given good resources (like a fully fit squad) as we saw with the stellar performance against Southampton and relatively decent performances against Wrexham and West Ham. Ever since then, he has been handed the biggest injury card in the world, a board unwilling to offer support and this isn't the first time.

Paul - I think you have to remember the state Watford were in before the Pozzos arrived. Watford may not have even existed today. However, after 48 years as a fan, this is a tough period. If the Pozzos go, we need secure financial backing and you have to ask who would buy Watford other than Elton John? Maybe a bit of calm and some patience this time around? Let's try it a different way.

Kevin - He will be sacked anyway - this is just delaying the inevitable as it suits the owner who has a meeting on Friday with a fan representative.

Rory - It's not the manager, it's the owners. We could have Pep Guardiola and we still wouldn't do much better.

Wrighty - The 'let's blame the manager' ship sailed a long time ago. The problems at our club lie in awful recruitment, the boardroom and an owner that has well and truly lost his way.