From The Rookery End - A show about Watford FC

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 🐝

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

Watford fans were treated to an early Christmas gift as Javi and the boys delivered a hard-fought 1–0 win over Stoke City — and this week, Jon, Jordi, Kieran and the Brigadier are in festive spirits as they break it all down.The panel dive into the tactical tweaks (planned or enforced), assess encouraging signs from a new-look front four, and ask whether the back four is starting to find its rhythm. There’s plenty of praise for improved discipline, growing defensive solidity and the impact of Watford’s young players as confidence builds.With eyes already on the next run of fixtures, the lads also discuss what still needs sharpening — especially away from home — and where this performance leaves the Hornets as they continue their journey through the Championship season. Momentum, belief and plenty to be positive about — come on you ’Orns! 

On this week’s From The Rookery End, it’s late drama, long memories and a splash of Hollywood glamour as Jon, Mike and Adam Drury from the Watford Observer unpack a breathless few days in Watford’s season.Two games, two injury-time goals, and absolutely no shortage of talking points. The lads relive the frustration and fightback of the draw with Sheffield Wednesday before heading to North Wales for an afternoon that felt very different since the Hornets last visit to STōK Cae Ras (The Racecoure Ground), almost 30 years ago. Of course, this time the spotlight burned brighter than ever, with Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching on from the stands.Beyond the nonsense and noise, there’s an attempt at atleast serious football chat too , with individual performances, injuries, and tactical tweaks under the spotlightDrama, debate and a dash of stardust.COME ON YOU ORNS

In this episode, Jon, Mike, Jordi, and Colin dive into Watford’s dramatic home win over Norwich City—an afternoon that somehow managed to be both thrilling and maddening in equal measure. The guys break down a first half where Norwich ran riot, exposing every crack in Watford’s shaky back line and reminding everyone just how painful a missing defensive midfielder can be.From costly errors to moments of unexpected brilliance, they dissect it all—spotlighting standout performances (yes, Marmar gets his flowers) and questioning whether the defense can keep surviving without major tactical adjustments. With Javi Gracia’s leadership under the microscope, the crew debates what needs to change, what’s starting to click, and how Watford can turn promise into consistency.Looking ahead, Plus what simply has to improve if Watford are going to stop inviting chaos every weekend.

A raw Monday evening away at St Andrews as defeat strikes Watford again — 2–1 to Birmingham City, but this one felt more self-inflicted than stolen. Jon, Jordi, Jason and Paul from Denver watched that game in the FTRE spiritual home, at the spiritual table, in the Railway Arms. After nine games of Javi #2, the symmetry with Paulo is uncanny: 12 points each for both managers in their first nine, 24 scored, 24 conceded, 6 wins-6 draws-6 loses across the record. Competitive, relevant, but painfully stuck in the middle. Still — a first goal for Maamma and more promise from the returning Chakvetadze gives a glimpse of what could be, especially down the left with Bola and Maamma linking up nicely. The big question now? Not just one striker or two, not even “three in midfield?” — but how the Hornets turn good play into real points and real momentum before “potential” stops being enough.COME ON YOU ORNS

Watford have finally cracked the away-day curse – and they’ve done it the hard way. In this episode of From The Rookery End, Jon and Jordi relive the 3–2 comeback at Derby after 280 winless days on the road, and dig into what it tells us about this team’s growing character. They talk Luca’s predator instincts in the box, Mama’s raw talent and rising expectations, another Baah’s worrying injury, and whether a switch to two up top would help. There’s praise for unflashy hero Edo Kayembe, chat about the increasingly settled back four, and reflections from the fans’ forum and the club’s direction. Plus, a gloriously fuzzy voice note from the Brigadier after one of his favourite ever Watford days.Finally an away winCOME ON YOU ORNS!

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..All that — plus some proper pub analysis, tactical talk, and a dose of Hornets humour — in this week’s From The Rookery End.