Watford went on the road twice this week — and came back with one point, no goals, and a growing sense of not being able to make the play offs..

Mike, Jordi and Jon look back at the drab but disciplined 0-0 draw away at Hull, before turning attention to the 1-0 defeat at Southampton — a game where Watford showed moments of structure, but once again lacked any real cutting edge.

With the Hornets now three games without scoring, the lads ask the big question: where are the goals coming from? The strikers come under scrutiny, the wide play and crossing is questioned, and set pieces are once again highlighted as a massive missed opportunity.

There’s also discussion around the positives — defensive stability, the emergence of exciting young talent like Maamma and Irankunda, and whether the squad is ready to make steps forward under Charlie, Dan and Adrian.

As the season starts to reach it's end game, FTRE explores the balance between realism and optimism… and why Watford fans might need to cling to hope, rather than expectation, as the playoff picture becomes clearer.

This is From The Rookery End

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Well… it’s happened again. Another Watford head coach gone, and this time it’s Javi Gracia walking before he’s pushed.

Jon, Jason, Mike, DCW and The Brigadier sit down to unpack what Gracia’s resignation really says about Watford right now — a club packed with individual talent but still searching for a team.

You’ll also hear from Watford Observer’s Adam Drury, who gives insight into what Javi Gracia has been like behind the scenes in the last few weeks and how things have been unraveling.

The lads talk tactics, discipline, substitutions, and whether modern football is quietly leaving Watford behind, before zooming out to the bigger questions around ownership, culture, and why this job remains one of the hardest in the Championship. As ever, the conversation turns to what comes next: what kind of coach could actually survive here, whether the playoffs are still a realistic aim, and if Watford can finally break the cycle — or if we’re just spinning it again.

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Mike, Jon and Watford Observer reporter Adam Drury sit down after a frustrating week that saw Watford held to two 1–1 draws – first at home to Portsmouth, then away at Blackburn. The lads look at what these games say about the Hornets right now, with inconsistency once again the big theme. Are slow, controlled starts becoming a recurring problem? And while Javi Gracia’s approach is built on stability, is there a growing need for tactical tweaks to get more out of this squad?

There’s also discussion on defensive concerns, the impact of injuries, and whether the January transfer window offers a genuine chance to strengthen. Fans may be exasperated, but there’s still belief that this team has potential – if they can start executing it. With key fixtures ahead, the playoff picture is coming into sharp focus.

This is From The Rookery End

Come on You Orns

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Mike, Jas and DCW headed to the Mad Squirrel to have a beer and look back at Watford’s 2–0 home defeat to Millwall, another miserable afternoon against the Lions and yet more frustration for the Hornets. They discuss how the momentum built over Christmas appears to have vanished, whether any players came out of the performance with credit, and what it all means as the January transfer window continues to tick on.

From The Rookery End - trying to make sense of another sobering afternoon at Vicarage Road.

COME ON YOU ORNS

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In the first – and last – FA Cup podcast of the season, Mike is joined by the Watford Observer’s Adam Drury to reflect on Watford’s 5–1 defeat away at Bristol City.

The pair discuss the impact of fringe players who were handed an opportunity, what Saturday’s performance might mean for the January transfer window, and whether the result could influence the club’s thinking in the market. As ever in January, transfers dominate the conversation – from the need for improvement, to the potential for new signings, and whether any changes can help inject confidence into the squad moving forward.

As always, thank you for listening and get in touch on socials - @watfordpodcast - or email podcast@fromtherookeryend.com

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Watford’s away trip to Hull City was dramatically called off just 18 minutes before kick-off, leaving hundreds of travelling Hornets fans frustrated after making a 400-mile round trip. Among them was our own Mike, who left home at 7am and didn’t make it back until his 7pm train that evening.

With no full From The Rookery End podcast this week, we’re sharing Mike’s appearance on BBC Radio Humberside, where he joined host James Hoggarth on Monday night to give the Watford fans’ perspective. Mike talks through the disappointment, the logistics, and the emotions felt by supporters left stranded after a long day of travel — and asks what more could (and should) have been done.

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On this week’s episode, Jon, Mike and DCW revel in Watford FC’s red-hot start to the year as the Hornets make it four consecutive victories and confidence begins to surge. There’s plenty of love for Tom Ince after a stunning hat-trick, with the lads discussing what his form means for the balance and belief within the side.

Attention also turns to the hugely important return of Georgi Chakvetadze, whose influence has brought control, cohesion and calm back into midfield, helping to ignite an electric atmosphere at Vicarage Road.

With momentum building, the conversation looks ahead to defining fixtures against Hull City and Bristol City, while the January transfer window sparks debate around squad depth, experience, and whether a central midfielder could be the final piece of the promotion puzzle.

Optimism is growing. Confidence is back. And suddenly, this season feels full of possibility.

COME ON YOU ORNS 🐝

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Watford have finally packed their bags and remembered how to win on the road — and Jon, Jordi and The Brigadier Colin are here to enjoy every minute of it.

Back-to-back away victories at Leicester (2-1) and Norwich (1-0) give the Hornets something they’ve been missing for a while: momentum. The lads dig into a mature, disciplined performance at the King Power, ask whether this side is starting to look like a team rather than a collection of individuals, and assess the calm, gritty win at Carrow Road that showed real backbone.

There’s plenty of discussion around standout contributions, growing confidence, and the balancing act between managing injuries and keeping consistency. With the transfer window in view and tougher tests ahead, the big question is simple — are Watford finally building something we can believe in away from Vicarage Road?

Two wins. Six points. A rare feeling of optimism. Come and enjoy it while it lasts.

COME ON YOU ORNS

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