Chris Iwelumo rested the match, but the rest of the squad were good candidates to be the starting XI next Saturday at Burnley.
The season kicks off at 9:00 St. Louis time.
GO YOU 'ORNS!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Poor Showing at Colchester United
With the season a week away, the Hornets turned in a poor performance in a 1-0 loss to Colchester United.
Chris Iwelumo rested the match, but the rest of the squad were good candidates to be the starting XI next Saturday at Burnley.
The season kicks off at 9:00 St. Louis time.
Chris Iwelumo rested the match, but the rest of the squad were good candidates to be the starting XI next Saturday at Burnley.
The season kicks off at 9:00 St. Louis time.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Eustace Extends Contract
Captain John Eustace has signed a contract extention through the 2012-2013 season.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Massey Signed to Two Year Contract
Academy-produced forward Gavin Massey signed a two-year contract yesterday, securing his services through 2013.
Scoreless Draw v Brentford
A happy gaffer called Watford's away draw 'the best so far' of the pre-season friendlies.
One remains - this Saturday at Colchester United. Kickoff is 9:00 an St. Louis time.
One remains - this Saturday at Colchester United. Kickoff is 9:00 an St. Louis time.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hornets Suffer First Pre-Season Loss
A 2-1 loss and a minor injury to Chris Iwelumo resulted from a lack-luster Watford performance Saturday at AFC Wimbledon. The squad has two more friendlies this Tuesday & Saturday before the season opens August 6 at Burnley.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Iwelumo Signs
Watford has picked up Burnley striker Chris Iwelumo with the season just around the corner.
Fan reaction has been mixed to say the least, but I'll judge the signing based on the number of times I had to write his name down for goals or assists vs Watford last year and say we could have done worse in finding a replacement for Danny Graham.
Fan reaction has been mixed to say the least, but I'll judge the signing based on the number of times I had to write his name down for goals or assists vs Watford last year and say we could have done worse in finding a replacement for Danny Graham.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Watford Signs Prince
No, not the Purple One. And not Kevin-Price Boateng either, but rather another capped Ghanaian, midfielder Prince Buaben. Most recently with Dundee United, the 23-year old had a stint with Ajax earlier in his career, but comes to Watford free of transfer fees.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mark Yeates Joins Hornets
Mark Yeates joins the Watford squad with a transfer from Sheffield United for an undisclosed amount. The Irish winger signed a two-year contract and looks to play a starting role with the club.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Best Comeback Ever
Taking a break from our irregularly unscheduled Watford news to congratulate the USA Women's team on their quarter-final World Cup win over Brazil and the referee.
Up a goal after 2 minutes, the US squad played tough, if not particularly inspired, ball for the next hour until Marta popped the ball over Rachel Buehler's head to poke in a very likely equalizer. Buehler did what was needed and stopped Marta, allowing a penalty kick in the process.
Fair enough, but referee Jacqui Melksham went on step further, red carding Buehler and putting the US squad down a player for what turned out to be nearly an hour.
Then bad turned to bizarre.
Keeper Hope Solo stopped the penalty kick but the ref brought it back (carding solo in the process) for either encroachment or claiming Solo came off the line before the kick was taken. At any rate Marta scored the rekick and the match was tied at the end of regulation.
Poor officiating came into play again two minutes into the extra time as Marta scored on a play that was clearly offside, forcing the US to play catchup a man down. And play they did.
Having played better with ten than they had with eleven, the US squad pressured a tired and stalling Brazil side well into injury time into the final added period. At one point Erika fell to the ground with no one around her, was strechered off, then unstrapped herself, bounced back up and returned to play seconds after being taken off the field.
Antics like that and the poor officiating had brought any neutrals in Dresden firmly into the American camp and amid shouts of USA! USA!, Megan Rapinoe let fly a long Hail Mary shot that drew Andreia out of position, allowing Abby Wambach to head in the latest goal ever scored in Women's World Cup history to send the match to PKs.
To cut the drama short, the US were 5-for-5 while Solo stopped Dianae's shot to advance to the semis against France on Wednesday.
Great job.
Now back to Watford news . . .
Up a goal after 2 minutes, the US squad played tough, if not particularly inspired, ball for the next hour until Marta popped the ball over Rachel Buehler's head to poke in a very likely equalizer. Buehler did what was needed and stopped Marta, allowing a penalty kick in the process.
Fair enough, but referee Jacqui Melksham went on step further, red carding Buehler and putting the US squad down a player for what turned out to be nearly an hour.
Then bad turned to bizarre.
Keeper Hope Solo stopped the penalty kick but the ref brought it back (carding solo in the process) for either encroachment or claiming Solo came off the line before the kick was taken. At any rate Marta scored the rekick and the match was tied at the end of regulation.
Poor officiating came into play again two minutes into the extra time as Marta scored on a play that was clearly offside, forcing the US to play catchup a man down. And play they did.
Having played better with ten than they had with eleven, the US squad pressured a tired and stalling Brazil side well into injury time into the final added period. At one point Erika fell to the ground with no one around her, was strechered off, then unstrapped herself, bounced back up and returned to play seconds after being taken off the field.
Antics like that and the poor officiating had brought any neutrals in Dresden firmly into the American camp and amid shouts of USA! USA!, Megan Rapinoe let fly a long Hail Mary shot that drew Andreia out of position, allowing Abby Wambach to head in the latest goal ever scored in Women's World Cup history to send the match to PKs.
To cut the drama short, the US were 5-for-5 while Solo stopped Dianae's shot to advance to the semis against France on Wednesday.
Great job.
Now back to Watford news . . .
First Friendly a Draw v Boreham Wood
Jonathan Bond was between the sticks (Loach with a pulled muscle) and a young Hornet squad rallied twice to land a draw against the non-league side. Click on the above for the Observer's take, I couldn't even get the result on the Watford FC mobile page Saturday.
The next friendly is the 19th at Wealdstone. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
The next friendly is the 19th at Wealdstone. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Gavin's Back?
No guarantees, but Gavin Mahon, the bald ex-Hornet that once graced my screen saver, the man who took the captain's armband from now-gaffer Sean Dyche, the Gavin Mahon that 'sez yer a . . .'. THAT Gavin Mahon has been training with the Hornets, a free agent from QPR and on-again, off-again trainee with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Dyche has said no guarantees and Gavin is 34. He'll have to earn it if he is to take a valuable spot from one of our youngsters, but it is good to see him in yellow again.
Dyche has said no guarantees and Gavin is 34. He'll have to earn it if he is to take a valuable spot from one of our youngsters, but it is good to see him in yellow again.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
A Pair of Weekend Signings
OK. Technically, July 4th does not a three-day weekend make in England (USA! USA! ...), but Watford inked one veteran and one young 'un over the weekend.
Scunthorpe United defender David Mirfin signed to a two-year contract as a free-agent after his contract expired at Scunny. Mirfin had 25 starts in Scunthorpe's relegation effort last season (OK, so that doesn't sound so encouraging).
Thwarting interest from Tottenham & Arsenal, the club has signed academy striker Bernard Mensah to a three year pro contract.
Finally, training started last Friday and the squad plays their first friendly down the road in Herts at Conference South side Boreham Wood next Saturday. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Scunthorpe United defender David Mirfin signed to a two-year contract as a free-agent after his contract expired at Scunny. Mirfin had 25 starts in Scunthorpe's relegation effort last season (OK, so that doesn't sound so encouraging).
Thwarting interest from Tottenham & Arsenal, the club has signed academy striker Bernard Mensah to a three year pro contract.
Finally, training started last Friday and the squad plays their first friendly down the road in Herts at Conference South side Boreham Wood next Saturday. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Cowie Follows Mackay to Cardiff
The thrice-capped midfielder surprised Watford by transferring to Cardiff City yesterday. The 28-year old made 37 league and 2 cup appearances for the Hornets. His departure will leave a big hole in midfield.
To add insult to injury, Cowie was out of contract so no transfer fee is due Watford.
To add insult to injury, Cowie was out of contract so no transfer fee is due Watford.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Graham Taylor in FourFourTwo
The July 2011 issue of FourFourTwo features an article on the documentary "The Impossible Job" which followed ex-Watford, then England boss Graham Taylor and the natinal squad as they failed to reach the '94 (US) World Cup. Sadly, it is unavailable on DVD at the moment.
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