With the Championship season at the halfway point, it’s time for a look at how the Watford class of 2023/24 are performing!

In this, the latest FTRE (and the first of 2024 - Happy New Year everyone) Mike, Jon and Jas assess the performances of the Watford first team squad, giving each regular a grade from A-D.

Colin also provides his first hand account of a wet and wild trip to Plymouth, where Watford withstood the weather and a Pilgrims onslaught to escape Devon with a point.

This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an away win at Blackburn, a horrendoous home loss to Bristol City, Watford stood firm against Stoke to get a 1-1 home draw.

Jon, Jason and Mike met after the game to discuss how the last few games fit together, quickly agree the ref was poor but the Hornets showed something new, even with the obvious frailaties were clear to see.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At this special time of year, we’ve put together a very special podcast. Few players can have become so popular so quickly as the magnificent Heidar Helguson, who cemented himself as a genuine Watford legend over two spells at Vicarage Road.

In this pod, we pay tribute to Heidar, talking about our memories of his time in a yelllw shirt, hearing about what he was like to be around in a chat with another legend - Nigel Gibbs, we even got to speak to the man himself.

This is From the Rookery End. This is our homage to Heidar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5-1 away wins don't come around that often but Watford got another one away at Deepdale against Preston North End. Jon and the Brigadier, Colin Mace, discuss the match, the players that took the opportunity given to them and which was the best of the 5 goals.

And in part 2, Jon, Jason and Mike look ahead to the transfer window to consdier what should be our realistic expectations for January.

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A speculative shot and awesome throw in saw Rhys Healey score his first goal for the Hornets and grab a last minute draw against Southampton. Jon, DCW, Mike and Jason look back at the game plus our Jon talked to John Preston, author of the new Watford book "Watford Forever" written in collaboration with Sir Elton John.

And, with the sad passing of Martin Patching this week, we share an article he wrote for Watofrd fanzine, 'Look to the Stars' about his final game at Watford, whrere he scored a goal and we beat Liverpool to finish second in the top division.

A slightly earlier FTRE this week but we roll on to 'high flying' Ipswich on Tuesday

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a comeback home won against Norwich, in the week, and an away win at Hull that was topped off with a wonder goal from Wesley Hoedt, Jon and Colin Mace gathered to discuss which Watford player had the best week? Or was it Valerian who had the best week?

Plus Jon catches up with Colin Payne and Geoff Wicken from The Watford Treasury to discuss their new book, Golden Shots and Visions of Blue.

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WIth Watford coming back from being two goals down to win 3-2 at home to Norwich, the boys felt a little podcast was needed after a wonderful night under the lights, at Vicarage Road.

Jon, Jason and DCW had a quick chat to disucss how Watford were able to turn the fixture around and who were the staring players.

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A little earlier than mornal, Jon and Colin talked on Sunday about the 2-0 away defeat at table topping Leicester City. They ponder, were Watford set up conservatively, which of the Watford squad was bounding out of bed, on Sunday, to watch the hightlights, who had a sleepless night as they fear the consequences of their performance and who, ahead of Tuesday nights home match against Norwich, is knocking on Valerian's door asking for more game time?

Plus we talk to Sir Nigel Gibbs about his thoughts on the continued rise of Ryan Andrews and his new contract.

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WD18 is a happier place going into the International break, with Watford extending their unbeaten streak to six, courtesy of a 5-0 win over Rotherham.

Mike, Jon and Jas got together to talk through the mauling of the Millers, identifying the key players in this triumph and the longer term reversal of Watford’s recent fortunes. 

This is the brand new From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've taken the decision to not pick apart Watford games every week. Don't worry, that doesn't mean we won't be here every week but on away games we will do something a little different. We will get a views of another fan to discuss the game with them but we'll also expand on life as a Watford fan. This week we have a quiz and in the future we plan to do deep dives into every aspect of Watford FC. So Home games, expect us analysing a game and on away games to be a bit different.

This week we get the views of Fran Lynn, long time Watford fan and member of the Women of Watford, who made the trip to Yorkshire. Then Jordi and Mike take on Jon's quiz. Get a pen an paper ready, you can play along and see if you can beat the boys. See how you do and send us your score - @watfordpodcast or [email protected].

COME ON YOU ORNS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.