From The Rookery End - A show about Watford FC

It’s an unsurprisingly upbeat Mike, Jon and Adam that gathered to talk about another professional performance from the Hornets, with a deserved win against Nottingham Forest earning Watford a spot in the Top 2; for now at least. The boys are full of praise for Head Coach Xisco Muñoz who pulled something of a surprise by playing Pedro in an unfamiliar midfield role, a brave decision that, as you’ll...

Watford got back to winning ways against Wycombe, so to celebrate, here’s a brand new From the Rookery End podcast. Mike and Jon spoke directly after the final whistle to discuss a professional display from the Hornets, discussing who took their opportunity in a team that featured a couple of enforced changes. The Athletic’s Watford correspondent Adam Leventhal is also on board, joining the boys t...

There’s never a dull moment following Watford and that’s never truer than when the Hornets meet the Cherries.  Saturday was no exception, and it’s an animated Jon, Jason, Mike and Colin that convene to talk about the latest contraversial clash. Emotions were running high at the end of a game that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, but on this, the latest From the Rookery End podcast, th...

It’s four wins on the bounce for a resurgent Watford, so it’s an understandably upbeat Mike and Jon that are joined by Adam Leventhal on the brand new From the Rookery End. There’s praise for Watford’s firing front three, appreciation for the hardworking midfield, but perhaps a few questions over the centre back pairing for the first time in a while, with Blackburn making like more difficult than...

3 wins and 9 points in a week - the feelings and fortunes at Vicarage Road are on the up. However, Derby County gave us a little bit of scare but a confident and consistent Watford side saw the game out with a 2-1 win. In this episode, Jon, Mike and Jason breakdown the team to see who made it as a Friday night light, who was Friday night alright and, hopefully not, a Friday night cripes! Plus Jon...

For the first time since 1979, Watford have won at Preston North End, and for the first time since Saturday, we’ve recorded a brand new From the Rookery End podcast! Jon, Mike, Jason and Adam Leventhal (live from Preston train station!) gather to discuss a stirring Watford victory, with audio from Xisco Muñoz’ post match press conference alongside a thorough breakdown of what Watford had to do to...

Mike is one of the lucky few whose work takes him to Vicarage Road on a matchday, so this week’s pod is a slightly different one. Join Mike on his journey to and from the Stadium as he shares his day - and what a memorable one it turned out to be! He catches up with broadcaster and friend of the show Kelly Somers to get her take on a stunning Watford performance, with the post match wrap up taking...

As Technical Director at Watford FC, Fillipo Giraldi was often the name on plenty of fans lips. As the Hornets struggles intensified, the scrutiny on the former Head Scout intensified, before he finally left his role in November 2020. A few months later, Adam Leventhal caught up with Fillipo to learn more about the man and the realities of his role and time at Gino Pozzo’s Watford. In this special...

After a tough week for Watford, Jon, Mike, Jas and Adam gather to talk through the turmoil on this, the brand new From the Rookery End. While Watford remain in touch at the top of the table, a worrying trend of poor performances continues to be the hot topic, with the boys trying to make some sort of sense of what is going wrong and how, or if, it can be fixed. The absence of Will Hughes, the cont...

It was a disappointing end to the game at the end of what many felt was a disappointing transfer window, with Watford slumping to a late defeat against QPR. Jon, Mike and Adam got together the morning after the night before, to discuss the lacklustre showing against the R’s while also trying to work out what needs to happen if this Watford side is to click. The boys also assess the January transfe...

No goals at the New Den, but a (yes, probably short-lived) place in the top 2, another clean sheet, another point and another From the Rookery End podcast! Mike and Jon are joined on the final whistle by Kelly Somers to talk through the stalemate, discussing promising partnerships, confusing formations and struggling strikers. Adam Leventhal provides us with his first hand take on what unfolded in...

From the Rookery End does Friday night football!  Jon, Jas, Mike and Colin gathered remotely to watch Watford take on Stoke, and we’re more able to enjoy a Friday night takeaway consisting of three valuable points! Confusion at another lacklustre first half away display quickly gave way to delight with Troy Deeney orchestrating a second half rally, that despite a nervous final few moments, saw Wat...

After another home win for the Hornets, in less than a week, Jon, Jason and Colin gathered to talk through the stand out performers, where Watford won this game of football and how the squad has come on since losing to Barnsley back on halloween. Plus Mike and Adam were at the game and discussed how active the transfer window is looking as we head into the last 10 days and Adam has caught up with...

On a day where the whole Watford family were remembering Graham Taylor, the Golden boys were back in winning ways against Huddersfield. Jon, Mike and Jason talk about the key players, the change in mentality and where the squad is at for the upcoming games and the rest of this season.  Also, after much frustration from Watford fans about the off field activities of Ben Foster and Troy Deeney, we w...

It’s back to league action this weekend , and right on cue From the Rookery End is back to look forward to a huge game against Huddersfield. Jon and Mike are joined by The Athletic’s Watford correspondent Adam Leventhal to discuss the Hornets’ likely transfer activity in January, as well as a look at a player who has already joined the ranks; Phillip Zinckernagel. We also hear from Jan Lohman, Wat...

Watford were knocked out of the FA Cup despite a spirited performance at Old Trafford, with Jason, Jon and Mike gathering the day after to discuss the defeat. There is praise for new signing Zinckernagel, deputy keeper Bachmann and the impressive Sierralta, while question marks remain over the Hornets attacking prowess. As is (sadly for Mike in particular) customary, there is also another FA Cup q...

Watford were unable to capitalise on a decent win against table topping Norwich, starting the new year with defeat at Swansea. In the first podcast of 2021, Jas, Jon and Mike are joined by The Athletic’s Watford correspondent Adam Leventhal to discuss the defeat. Adam also sheds light on what the January transfer window may look like for the Hornets, while Jon talks to Steve Wyss of the Nordic Foo...

As another year approaches its end, a new era is already underway at Vicarage Road, and in this, the 79th From the Rookery End of 2020, Jas, Mike and Jon get together to discuss the first performance under new Head Coach Xisco Muñoz. Among the discussion around the well deserved win against table-topping Norwich, there’s praise for a rejigged back line, hope for Andre Gray and joy at seeing Ismail...

A poor performance at Huddersfield proved to be the final straw for Watford, who have parted company with Head Coach Vladimir Ivić. In the new podcast, Jon, Jas and Mike get together to discuss what went wrong and what needs to happen now. As a tumultuous season continues, the boys try to work out just WHU Vladimir Ivić was unable to make a success of his tenure and ask if there are deeper areas f...

Another 2,000 fans made it into Vicarage Road, including DCW, Jason and Colin. They witnessed another home draw and another game of two halves - a poor first and a more positive second half. You can also hear from Vladimir Ivic post match and Mike caught up with Adam Leventhal, the Athletic's Watford correspondent, to discuss the recent return of Troy Deeney and the possible return of Glen Murray...

Watford scrapped their way to a valuable (if not memorable) win at Birmingham, courtesy of a late Troy Deeney penalty, leaving Jason, Jon and Mike to try and work out how they should be feeling after a game that was short of quality and goalmouth incident. As well as the review of the win, there’s also a look back at a slightly more adrenaline fuelled occasion af St Andrews; the 1999 Play Off Semi...

On a freezing cold night, Watford started on fire - ending the game as a contest after just 15 minutes with two early goals. Jon, Jas and a perhaps surprisingly downbeat Mike got together to share their thoughts at the final whistle, as the Hornets end the day in third place. Jon is pragmatic, Jas is analytical and Mike is, well, Mike is Mike. The game is all about opinions, so have a listen and l...

Watford fall to defeat as fans return. A big day but a disappointing result at Vicarage Road.  Watford were second best against a solid Cardiff, who in a game of few chances earned a well deserved win to end Watford’s undefeated home record.  Mike and Jon were lucky enough to be at the Vic for the first game with fans since February and convened after the game to try and put into words what it was...

We weren't sure how to react to The Hornet draw away at Forest but Jon, Mike and Colin discuss the match and try to find answers to the consistent away record - as in not that impressive and what effect the returning crowd will have at Vicarage Road, on Saturday. And, as we always do these midweek pods, the Athletic's Watford correspondent, Adam Leventhal talks us through his recent work including...

Ahead of supporters returning to the Vic, it was a welcome return to form for Watford, who turned on a scintillating second half display to punish Preston. Jon, Jas and Mike gathered to discuss the game, going through each player’s performance. Ranking them was tough after such a decent performance, but the boys gave it a go. Who got the coveted number one slot? You’ll find out... Ahead of the ret...