Established in 2010, From The Rookery End is the original Watford FC supporters podcast.
Join lifelong supporters Mike, Jon and Jason, as they share their thoughts on anything and everything involving Watford FC. They'll be with you through the heartbreak and hope, the triumph and the trauma.
This is life as a Watford fan. This is From The Rookery End.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Established in 2010, From The Rookery End is the original Watford FC supporters podcast.
Join lifelong supporters Mike, Jon and Jason, as they share their thoughts on anything and everything involving Watford FC. They'll be with you through the heartbreak and hope, the triumph and the trauma.
This is life as a Watford fan. This is From The Rookery End.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Jon, Jason, DCW and the Brigadier as they walk down Occupation Road and towards the Railway Arms. They pick apart a match that started in style but fizzled into frustration.
The lads break down Watford’s bright opening spell, Bola’s superbly taken goal, and the tactical twist of Javi’s surprise 3-4-3 formation. They debate Shelvik’s role in conceding the free kick, the manager’s reluctance to make early changes, and why young stars like Erin Kunda and Max Alain are dividing opinion.
There’s also praise for the energy off the bench from Baah and a glimpse of something special from U20 World Cup star Othmane Maamma.
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All that — plus some proper pub analysis, tactical talk, and a dose of Hornets humour — in this week’s From The Rookery End.
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On this weekend's FTRE, Jon, Jason, Kieran and Jordi shelter from the rain as they stand outside Vicarage Road to celebrate a dominant 3–0 win over Middlesbrough — and Rob Edwards’ return. The team unpack a near-perfect display under Javi, from Selvik’s superb save to Bola’s standout performance against his old club, Louza’s growing influence, and a front line that finally clicked.
With Ipswich away and Bristol City at home up next, the lads debate rotation, rising stars, and what’s starting to look like a proper Javi side.
A clean sheet, three goals, and plenty to smile about — it’s been a while!
COME ON YOU ORNS
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Watford’s midday clash with Coventry had it all — flashes of brilliance that frustratingly led to missed chances, diabolical defensive lapses, and big tactical questions for Javi Gracia. In this week’s From the Rookery End, Jon, Jordi, and Mike break down the highs and lows, from Doumbia and Vata’s attacking promise to the influence of Louza in midfield and the players chosen to support him. Can the Hornets find consistency and turn potential into performance? Tune in for honest analysis, fan insight, and cautious optimism about what’s next for Watford.
00:00 Introduction to Watford's Season and Podcast
03:10 Match Analysis: Watford vs Coventry
05:40 Defensive Struggles and Team Selection
09:02 Midfield Dynamics and Player Contributions
11:40 The Role of Key Players: Louza and Others
14:44 Tactical Adjustments and Future Prospects
25:14 Analysing Watford's Performance Against Coventry
29:40 Striker Dynamics and Team Potential
34:45 Tactical Adjustments and Player Combinations
39:40 Looking Ahead: Middlesbrough Match Preview
44:33 Building Cohesion and Consistency in the Squad
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Three points, a proper performance, and a sense that something’s finally clicking. In a extra midweek podcast, Jon, The Brigadier and Adam Drury, from the Watford Observer, relive Watford’s home win over West Brom — from Imran Louza running the show to Rocco Vata’s fearless flair. There’s talk of tactical tweaks, defensive grit, and the all-important question: is this the start of a real Watford revival? Coventry awaits, and optimism’s creeping back into the stands.
This is From The Rookery End
COME ON YOU ORNS
00:00 Introduction and Game Overview
01:05 First Half Analysis
04:22 Tactical Adjustments and Player Performances
09:58 Imran Louza's Impact
15:00 Substitutions and Game Changes
20:26 Young Players and Team Identity
25:46 Defensive Performance and Player Selection
31:34 Looking Ahead to Coventry Match
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Watford’s coaching carousel spins once more — Paulo Pezzolano is out, and Javi García is back in. In this episode, we dive into the emotions, the logic, and the chaos behind another managerial reset. Was Pezzolano’s dismissal inevitable? Does Gino deserve credit for acting quickly? And what does Javi’s return really mean for a club still searching for stability?
We talk about the surprise warmth of seeing Javi back, the questions over whether old wounds can truly heal, and the intrigue around how he’ll approach a very different Watford side this time around. With the noise dying down and the team still well-placed, could this finally be the start of something fun and functional?
This is From The Rookery End
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In this week’s episode, Jon, Mike and Jordi break down Watford’s hard-fought 2–1 home win over Oxford United, with Jeremy Ngakia grabbing both goals and continuing to impress with his calm, professional displays. We dive into all the big moments and standout performances from Vicarage Road — who shone, who struggled, and how the Hornets finally got the job done.
But it wouldn’t be Watford without a bit of off-pitch drama, would it? We tackle the latest rumours of another Head Coach change, asking whether Paulo’s constant tinkering is holding the team back… or the early signs of a master plan in motion. And we take a closer look at Kwadwo Baah’s late cameos — is there more to come from the youngster this season or is he being held back?
All that and more, right here on this week’s pod.
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After being a Fratton Park on Wednesday night, Colin Mace (the Brigadier to you and I) sent in a message with his thoughts on the game and the Watford fans.
We'll be bak with a podcast after the home game against Oxford United.
Come on you Orns
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Another game, another shake-up — but how many changes is too many? Jon, Mike and Adam Drury, from the Watford Observer discuss how Watford looked lost in a dreadful first half where Hull should’ve been out of sight, only for Paulo Pezzolano’s faith in his team to finally pay off after the break.
We break down the transformation: Semedo’s starring role, Baah’s worrying treatment (and injury), and what Pezzolano’s choices are telling us about where this team is headed.
Welcome to From The Rookery End
COME ON YOU ORNS
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Watford fell 1-0 at home to Blackburn on a day that was about much more than football. As the club looks ahead to celebrating Elton John’s 50th anniversary of becoming Owner and Chairman of the Hornets, the team took to the pitch in a striking Elton-inspired special blue kit. The game began brightly, but the spark never quite caught fire.
Outside the Hornet Shop, Jordi, Mike, Jason and Colin gathered to break down the performance, Paulo Pezzolano's team selection and substitute choice, spotlight the players who impressed, and reflect on the occasion.
And for the story behind that special edition kit, Jon caught up with Kevin Newman, Watford’s Head of Retail, to hear how the design came to life.
COME ON YOU ORNS!
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For the second weekend running, Nestory Irankunda delivered another sensational free kick — and somehow, this one was even better than last week’s strike. Despite his brilliance, Watford were held to a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road against Southampton.
Post-match at the Mad Squirrel, Jon, Mike, DCW, and the Brigadier broke down the game. They discussed:
After an emotional farewell to Ryan Andrews, the team was joined by Adam Drury from the Watford Observer to chat about the transfer window — including what business Watford still hope to do and how the final few days might unfold.
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As the Hornets made their second away trip of the season, this time down to south Wales to face Swansea City, the team behind the microphones was split in two. Mike, Kieran, and Ryan braved the long journey down the M4, while Jon, Jordi, Olly, and DCW opted for the considerably shorter — and far more sociable — trip to the Railway Arms opposite Bushey station.
The big question heading into the game was whether Watford would miss Imran Louza’s creativity. At least from set pieces, they certainly didn’t. Nestory Irankunda’s stunning first-half strike was a moment of real quality, lighting up an otherwise cagey affair.
In the latest episode, the team break down the match from both the stands and the bar. They discuss who stepped up when it mattered, which players continue to grow into their roles, and who perhaps fell short of expectations on the day.
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Dave, Mike and Jason gathered at the Mad Squirrel after Watford's 2-1 win over QPR to discuss the Hornets' first win of the season thanks to a first half brace from big Luca Kjerrumgaard. There was a surprising change of system from Paulo Pezzolano and plenty of encouraging individual performances for us to purr over, with the mood only slightly sullied by Imran Louza's late and straight red card.
Watford are off to winning ways in the 2025/26 season! Come on you 'Orns!
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As the 2025–26 season got underway for Watford, Jon, Mike, and Kieran headed down to The Valley to watch the Hornets take on Charlton Athletic — only to see them suffer a gut-wrenching defeat to an injury-time goal. With the season’s business now underway, we took the chance to share our first impressions of the new players, the returning faces, and the fresh style of play under Paulo Pezzolano’s guidance.
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Pre-season is nearly done and we are days away from the season kicking off at the Valley on Saturday, when Paulo Pezzolano and the 2025-2026 Watford team take on Charlton.
After being in position for a few months, we wanted to get to know a bit more about the current Watford Head Coach.
However, we decided to take a different route.
To find out more about Paulo, we spoke to a couple of familiar faces: current player Moussa Sissoko and former player, now assistant sporting director, Valon Behrami. Plus we speak to three men who have known him for a long time: his assistant coach Camilo Speranza, Gonzalo Alvarezz his fitness coach and his personal assistant Matias Filippini.
You will hear about first impressions of him, his footballing philosophy, the type of man and coach he is, how he gets on with fans and is he ready for Gino and the inevitable pressure that comes with being a Watford manager in the Championship.
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The new season is creeping ever closer, and Watford’s 2025–2026 squad is beginning to take shape. But is it a squad capable of making a serious push for the play-offs – or even a return to the Premier League?
In this episode of From the Rookery End, DCW, Jon, and Matt Furniss break down the squad as it stands. They assess how the new signings might improve on last season’s performance, debate whether each area of the team is strong enough, and consider where further reinforcements might still be needed. Plus, they discuss which players could still be on their way out of Vicarage Road.
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It was a short trip to Grosvenor Vale to see Watford’s 2nd preseason game against AFC Wimbledon in the Football Manager Cup. The sweltering heat gave a few problems for both players and fans in the stands, but it was another run out for the squad, still very much in its infancy, and Paulo to learn a little more about the players he has at his disposal.
Jon, Jordi and Kieran didn’t read too much into the action but got to see a few of the new boys take to the field but evaluate a few of the returning players and the type of season they are going to need to have – both the older experienced players and the younger players who showed an exciting burst last season.
Plus, Jon catches up with Adam Drury, the all-new Watford FC reporter for the Watford Observer. He’s been on the podcast many times, but we got to hear about his support of Watford, his career so far and how he is looking ahead to the season to come.
COME ON YOU ORNS
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