Watford

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

They say to never fall in love with a loan signing, but for Watford fans this is proving to be difficult in the case of Stephen Mfuni.

The defender from Manchester City has just turned 18 years old, he's got a big, beaming smile and he's brilliant at football.

He came to Vicarage Road at the end of January when the then head coach Javi Gracia was hoping for an experienced centre-back. He got a teenager instead, and it left us wondering what a kid with no Championship experience could do to improve the team.

Mfuni's impact was instant. In his first game he oozed class, and it wasn't just his technical ability, which we kind of expected due to his City background, that impressed.

It was his drive, his determination and his willingness to defend like an experienced EFL player.

We then wondered whether there would be a dip in form... there hasn't been. He's hardly put a foot wrong.

He's a centre-back and left-footed, which makes him an even bigger asset.

Mfuni is 6ft 2in, elegant and silky, excellent with the ball at his feet, and is a natural when bringing the ball out from defence. He's slotted in at left-back seamlessly when required, and he's come close to scoring from set-pieces.

He has timing, balance and reads the game well, but he's tough too. He wins duels and battles.

Watching him make it look so easy against seasoned Championship campaigners leaves you feeling like a proud parent. I spoke to him recently, and what's also satisfying is that he's humble too.

Head coach Ed Still says he has no ceiling, he's that talented. Some Hornets fans believe he's the best loan signing they've ever had.

For someone so young to make such an impression means his potential is enormous.

If he continues on this trajectory, Manchester City have a diamond of a young player who could have a top future with them for years. Watford are enjoying watching him sparkle.

He surely won't be at Vicarage Road next season as he's already proved he's more than capable at Championship level. The Premier League will enjoy him instead, with either City or another Premier League team, who should be jumping at the chance to take him on loan.

Christian Fuller
Watford fan writer

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Every time Watford appear to blow their chances of a spot in the play-offs, they somehow reel themselves - and the hope of us supporters - back in.

Following a dismal performance in the 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town, it felt like season over.

As the final whistle went, the all-but-empty Vicarage Road summed up the truly underwhelming, energy-zapping and frustrating match.

The dream of sneaking into sixth place in the Championship table seemed to be firmly gone and any glimmer of hope of pulling off an unlikely late surge up the table felt a distant memory.

The saddest thing of all was that it was boring. A truly boring football match with next to zero positives to take, with all sense of discipline having left the building.

It felt like finally we could stop pretending that the play-offs were ever an achievable feat this season.

And then came Bristol City.

While it may not have been a match for the ages, the 2-1 away victory has yet again reignited the spark among supporters that the play-offs could still be possible.

It is mathematically still on? Yes. Is it a realistic possibility? Probably not.

But all we can ask for is Watford are still in with a shout of a play-off spot come the final few matches.

With a favourable midweek fixture against Sheffield Wednesday next up, and still to face fellow play-off hopefuls Wrexham, it is not out the realms of possibility.

Our final two fixtures of the season - against Middlesbrough and Coventry City - may not only decide who is crowned champions but will act as tests to see if our youthful squad are ready for the Premier League.

Watford head coach Ed Still said his team are starting to believe in each other after the win at Bristol City.

Still told BBC Three Counties Radio: "The most important beyond anything else this evening was the energy the players could find and the heart they could put into it. Everybody saw the commitment that has gone into that performance.

"We forced a little bit of luck - when you create a wonder goal like that it doesn't just fall from the sky and we've got a bit lucky at the end as well, they've had a couple of chances where on another day that could be a draw.

"We're not getting ahead of ourselves but it does feel special.

"I'm so pleased and proud of the dressing room and for the team because they're coming together and they are starting to believe in each other and hopefully the fans can feel that and feed off that."

Image source, Coventry City FC

You might not hear the old terrace refrain of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' as often as you used to, but it still has a better ring than 'the shirt's not fit for you to wear'.

Championship leaders Coventry City launched a new collection on Friday, proudly taking inspiration from a kit widely dubbed the 'Worst of All Time'.

A take on the club's infamous brown change strip worn away from Highfield Road from 1978 to 1981, the modern reinvention features what the club calls "a deeper chocolate plum colour with sky blue elements".

Many would suggest it sounds tastier than it looks.

But it's got us thinking... what are actually the worst EFL kits of all time? Let us know which of your club's shirts is hiding in the back of the wardrobe, or even if they were too ugly for you to even part money for them.

We'll collate a list of the biggest eyesores and will give you the chance to vote on the ghastliest of all next week.

Click here to let us know your suggestion, and you can even attach a picture if you really want to convey the horror.

Both these sides still have realistic hopes of gatecrashing the Championship's play-offs with Bristol City in eighth place and four points behind the top six but a win for 12th-placed Watford at Ashton Gate on Friday would take them above their opponents.

The Hornets will be without wingers Othmane Maamma and Kwadwo Baah while the Robins have been dealt a blow with the loss of forward Yu Hirakawa.

• Bristol City are unbeaten in their past five home league games against Watford (W2 D3) since a 2-0 loss in March 2012.

• In their league history, Watford have only drawn more games against Bournemouth (36) and Brighton (33) than they have against Bristol City (32), with this season's reverse fixture finishing 1-1.

• Bristol City have lost 5-0 against Derby and drawn 2-2 with Wrexham in their past two home league games, conceding as many goals in these two games as in their previous 10 at Ashton Gate (7).

• Watford have lost just one of their past seven away league games (W2 D4), going down 1-0 at Southampton earlier this month.

• This will be Bristol City's fifth Friday game in the Championship this season (W1 D2 L1), with only West Bromwich Albion playing more on a Friday this term (6).

Image source, Getty Images

Watford wingers Othmane Maamma and Kwadwo Baah will not be available until after next month's international break.

The duo were both forced off in last weekend's Championship win over Derby and missed Tuesday night's home defeat by Ipswich.

Watford have four Championship fixtures before the March break, with games then resuming from 3 April.

"They will be out for a good number of weeks," head coach Ed Still told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"They will probably not be involved before the international break."

The Hornets visit Bristol City on Friday night (20:00 GMT) having dropped six points off the play-off pace but Still is hopeful defender Saba Goglichidze will be fit for the trip to Ashton Gate after also being sidelined for the Ipswich loss.

"We hope to recover Saba," added Still. "He wasn't fit enough to play a part on Tuesday."

Watford have failed to win away from home since a 1-0 victory at Norwich on 29 December.

Watford midfielder Edoardo Bove said making his home debut for the club was an "unbelievable" feeling despite Tuesday's defeat by Ipswich Town.

The Italian - who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game for Fiorentina in 2024 - was sent on for the second half at Vicarage Road.

Although the game ended 2-0 to the visitors, Bove was only inches away from a goal with a 20-yard shot which flew just wide of the post.

"I was waiting for this moment. Unfortunately we lost but at least we tried our best," Bove told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We were more aggressive [in the second half] and trying to fight in every zone of the pitch, we were trying to push and bring the fans back to our side.

"We took [conceded] the second goal but we had a good reaction and had 15-20 minutes in which I had the feeling we could score and come back.

"It didn't happen but we have to work on this and find a way to play again in Bristol [on Friday].

Bove has made two appearances for Watford since signing from Roma in January having previously not played for 13 months.

"For me, it's important to get minutes," the 23-year-old added. "The more I play, I start to feel better so let's see what I can do to help the team."

The Hornets are now 12th in the Championship, six points outside the play-off places, with 12 games remaining.

Head coach Ed Still blamed a "passive' first-half display for Watford's home defeat by Ipswich Town, his first since arriving at the club three games ago.

"I was very disappointed with how we weren't aggressive in the first half, we didn't execute the pressing triggers that we wanted and were much more passive than we wanted to be," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Despite that, we haven't conceded any big chances in the first half apart from the free-kick (leading to the first goal) - and I don't know in what world that is a foul against Mattie Pollock and it was disappointing to conceded off a rebound.

"The second half, we came out much better, we put them under pressure and made it difficult for them and had a really good spell for 20-25 minutes.

"We should have been a bit more clinical in the final third to be able to create a chance or two more than we did and then we were unlucky on the break for the second goal. It feels like the game has got away from us on a couple of unlucky bounces."

Still switched to a back five with wingers Othmane Maamma and Kwadwo Baah out injured but it did not pay off and Tom Ince saw a late penalty saved by Christian Walton as the Hornets looked for a reply.

The loss left them 12th in the table, six points adrift of the play-off spots, with an away game against Bristol City on Friday to come next.

Image source, Shutterstock

Watford are assessing the fitness of attacking duo Othmane Maamma and Kwadwo Baah ahead of Tuesday's Championship visit of Ipswich (19:45 GMT).

Both players limped off during Saturday's 2-0 home win over Derby and head coach Ed Still told his pre-match press conference, external he won't take any chances on their fitness.

"They are still being assessed by the medical department," he said.

"[Ipswich] will probably come a bit too early for the pair of them but there is still a chance that one or even both of them could be involved.

"What we won't do is take any risks. We know how important both players are and will be between now and the end of the season."

The Hornets sit ninth, three points outside the play-off places with a dozen games to come after Tuesday night's clash at Vicarage Road.

Vivaldo Semedo missed out on a place in the squad for the win over the Rams but Still added: "Vivaldo has been pushing and doing well in training. It is difficult to make those choices not to select a player at all.

"There might be a chance for him to take part in the next couple of games and there is always the scenario of playing two of our three strikers together at some point."

Image source, Opta

Ipswich will seek to get back to winning ways in the Championship as they head to Watford on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The Hornets ended a seven-match winless streak with a 2-0 win over Derby on Saturday and sit 9th, just three points outside the play-off places.

The fourth-placed Tractor Boys went down 5-3 at Wrexham last time out and lie eight points off the automatic promotion places, albeit with two games in hand on second-placed Middlesbrough.

Town have now lost three of their past four away games in all competitions and have won just two of their past eight on the road in the Championship.

• Watford are winless in their past five league games against Ipswich (D2 L3), having only dropped points in four of their previous 17 against them (W13 D3 L1).

• After losing six consecutive away league games against Watford between 2006 and 2012, Ipswich have now won on three of their past four visits to Vicarage Road (L1).

• The reverse fixture between Watford and Ipswich this season finished 1-1 – only three times before have both league meetings between the sides ended level (1983/84, 1985/86 and 1990/91).

• Watford are unbeaten in their past 10 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (W4 D6), though five of their past six have finished level.

• Ipswich have lost just one of their past nine midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) league games (W5 D3), going down 3-0 at home to Charlton in October.

Sam Ashoo
Final Score

Image source, Shutterstock

I was hugely impressed with Watford on Saturday.

It was a performance that had a little bit of everything.

Ed Still's side were well-drilled and robust when they needed to be, pressed high on occasion and attacked in numbers; traits that will greatly please the new manager.

There was, though, one man who stood out - Nestory Irankunda. The winger was back in the side following a suspension against Preston and more than justified his pick.

Naturally, it helps when you are absolutely rapid, but the Australia international has an end product too and was denied what would have been one of Watford's goals of the season when he sprinted 60 yards past three players only to be denied by Josh Vickers in the Derby goal.

Speaking before the game, Irankunda cited Still's desire for aggression and intensity, and it's safe to say he gave the manager what he wanted.

For all Watford's criticism regarding new managers, they may just have brought Still in at exactly the right time, and Irankunda might be one of the first names on his team sheet.

Watford head coach Ed Still spoke to BBC Three Counties Radio following their 2-0 Championship win over Derby.

Othmane Maamma's low cross was pounced on by Luca Kjerrumgaard to give the hosts the lead.

Substitute Mamadou Doumbia converted a swift counter-attack at the end to record Watford's sixth straight victory over the Rams.

"It was to be able to start the game in the way that we did, to be able to score early and not step back too much after that," replied Still when asked to summarise the victory.

"There was a phase in the first half where we were maybe a little bit too passive, but we managed to keep stepping forwards.

"Everybody had to make changes early in the game, but seeing that the subs who came on stuck to the game plan was also great to see.

"It was special to be able to give the fans something to cheer about. We felt the energy and the support from kick-off all the way to the end so to be able to send everyone home happy and hopeful for the coming weeks is great."

Ed Still takes charge of his first home game since being appointed Watford head coach last week.

The Hornets are three points behind their sixth-placed opponents but a win by five or more goals, however unlikely, would see them jump from 12th position and overtake Derby.

• Watford have won their past five league games against Derby – they last won as many as six in a row against an opponent in league competition in August 2008 (6 v Ipswich).

• Derby have lost their past two away league games against Watford (1-2 in February 2021 and August 2024), while they have never lost three in a row away to them.

• Watford are winless across their past seven games in the Championship (D4 L3), their worst run without a win outside the Premier League since a 10-game span between October and December 2013.

• Derby County have won each of their past three away league games, last winning more in a row in January 2024 (5 wins). Meanwhile, Derby's last away league win at Watford was back in November 2014 under Steve McClaren (2-1).

• Derby have scored 13 headed goals in the Championship this season, the joint-most in the league this season alongside Coventry City. Indeed, six of those 13 came from Patrick Agyemang – he is a league leader in that category.

Image source, EFL

Puma's Rainbow ball will return to the English Football League as part of an on-going campaign against discrimination and homophobia.

The special edition rainbow ball was introduced in 2024 to mark LGBTQ+ History Month and will be used at every EFL game from 20 February until 1 March.

Manufacturers Puma will make a donation to Football v Homophobia for every goal scored with their rainbow ball across the Championship, League One and League Two.

The donations will help support education against homophobia and promote inclusion across the season.

The EFL have released a video, external to coincide with the campaign which features a Preston North End fan who was charged with a hate crime following homophobic chanting during an FA Cup fixture against Chelsea.

The rainbow ball will also feature in EFL partner EA Sports' FC 26 video game.

"The rainbow ball is a powerful symbol of the values we uphold across the EFL all season long," EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch said.

"It not only reflects our longstanding commitment to ensuring the League is representative of all its diverse communities, but also reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating an environment in which everyone feels they truly belong."

Image source, Geoff Doyle/BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford head coach Ed Still has described Edoardo Bove's return to action after 13 months out as "classy".

He signed for the Hornets last month, and came on as an 86th minutes substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Preston North end.

"He got a massive round of applause back in the dressing-room because everyone appreciates what he's been through," Still told BBC Radio Three Counties.

"Hats off to him because of what's he's been through and what he's had to deal with away from the pitch, and away from football. To come back in the frame of mind he's come back in is classy".

Bove collapsed on the pitch two years ago during a loan spell with Italian club Fiorentina and was taken to intensive care. He was later fitted with a cardiac defibrillator, and had not played a senior game until Saturday.

The former Italy Under-21 international gives newly-arrived Still another option as he looks to keep Watford in the hunt for the play-offs.

They welcome sixth-placed Derby County in a pivotal game on Saturday, and Still is impressed with the squad he's inherited.

"I need 14 spots in the starting line-up. We'll see. Those who are picked to start next week will have deserved it throughout the week," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

New Watford head coach Ed Still hopes his players will be heartened by their 2-2 draw with Preston in his first game in charge.

Watford came back from 1-0 down and were denied what would have been their first win in eight games by Preston's equaliser.

Still felt they showed many positives and told BBC Radio Three Counties: "I'm exhausted, but it's not about me, it's about the performance the team have put in there. The first half wasn't so bad, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. It's a shame that we did have that one moment where we switched off. Apart from that, they didn't have much.

"We conceded a goal from a throw-in where we're not quite sharp enough in the box. We need to get better at that quickly and the second goal, there is a transition where we had an overload on the midline and we can manage that better as well.

"So there are things we can improve on and we need to improve on quickly to be able to capitalise on the good stuff.

"I really hope the team has felt and taken a lot of confidence from the second half, the speed and tempo that we put in the game. We put them under a lot of pressure and created enough chances to win.

"In the end, it's a good point, but I'm disappointed for the dressing room that they didn't get more."