From The Rookery End - A show about Watford FC

In our second awayday companion podcast we have a very special chat with Olly Wicken - creator of Hornet Heaven podcast - about his latest writing in The Watford Treasury. It's all about The Smiths, the family not the band. Olly sat down with Tommy, Jack and their parents to discuss their relationship with Watford and how it formed their relationships with each other.

There is also a game you can play along with. This week "Match of the Man" ... it's very easy to play but almost impossible to win.

There is no Best XI team but you can start preparing for the next awayday podcast where we will be picking a team of World Cup Hornets. There will be scoring involved but the only rule you'll get for now is that you can only have one player per nation. Here's the list:

Allan Nielson - DEN

Allan Nyom - CAM

Andre Carrillo - PERU

Ashley Young - ENG

Ben Foster - ENG

Ben Iroha - NIG

Camilo Zuniga - COL

Carlos Sanchez - COL

Danny Rose - ENG

David James - ENG

Essaïd Belkale - ALGER

Gerry Armstrong - NI

Ismaila Sarr - SEN

Jay Demerit - USA

John Barnes - ENG

John McClelland - NI

Juan Carlos Pardes - ECU

Kenny Samson - ENG

Lucas Neill - AUS

M'Baye Niang - SEN

Migel Layun - MEX

Mo Johnson - SCOT

Moussa Sissoko - FRA

Nathan Ake - NED

Nicolas Nkoulou - CAM

Nordin Amrabat - MOR

Odion Ighalo - NIG

Pat Jennings - NI

Pervis Estupiñan - ECU

Peter Etebo - NIG

Pierce Issa - SA

Richarlison - BRA

Steve Hodge - ENG

Steven Berghuis - NED

Tony Meola - USA

Valon Behrami - SWI

William Troost Ekong - NIG

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Championship football is back and so is From the Rookery End! After a break, we were raring to go as Watford lined up against Hull. And then the game kicked off…

If Hornets fans were hoping for a scintilating performance to raise the temperature on a bitterly cold afternoon, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t going to happen, as Slaven Bilic’ men recorded their second 0-0 in a row.

Jas and Mike got together at the final whistle to discuss the game, which featured a concerning injury to Hamza Choudhury, leaving Watford’s threadbare midfield even more depleted.

The boys discuss how Jeremy Ngakia, Joesph Hungbo and Tom Dele Bashiru did after being handed rare starts, while Mike also speaks to Canadian football expert about the signing of exciting midfield prospect Ismael Kone.

It was cold. It was frustrating. But it’s good to be back. This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns.

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With the break for the World Cup upon on us, Mike, Jon and Colin made the trip along the M4 to Bristol, to see how the Hornets got on against the Robins…

And the answer to that was… not great! While the day was a fun one, the game was anything but, with a team shorn of Pedro and Sarr struggling to make an impact against a side woefully out of form.

The game seemed destined for stalemate from early on, and a forgettable performance was made worse by a serious injury to Dan Gosling. Everyone at FTRE wishes Dan, a hugely important part of the Watford squad and their recent good form, all the best for a full recovery.

You can hear how the day played out, with our chats before and after the game, as we bring you this, the latest edition of From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns!

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Welcome to the first of what we hope will be a semi-regular series of awayday companion podcasts, created to accompany you as you traverse the country supporting the mighty golden boys!

The idea is that we give you something to think about and discuss as you make your way to see the ‘Orns in action and in this podcast, released in time for the trip to Ashton Gate, we’re in search of the best ever Watford XI containing players whose first or surname begin with A!

We also look back at the midweek win against Reading, while also looking ahead to the challenge that Bristol City will pose from Robins fan (and wrestling promoter!) Sean Thorne.

It’s a packed FTRE so we hope you enjoy it - wherever and whenever you listen. We look forward to hearing your A XI’s!

Come on you ‘Orns

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It was a frustrated Mike, Jas and DCW that hunkered down outside Vicarage Road to discuss a disappointing, but not too disheartening defeat to Coventry City.

The Hornets were unable to make it four wins on the bounce, with a second half strike enough to give the visitors the points, despite a positive and impressive start to the game for Watford. The lads discuss what it was that went wrong, what could have been done differently - or whether it was simply one of those days for our heroes in yellow.

There's also a look at Slaven Bilic and what his impact has been on he club since arriving, along with a look back at some of the Watford games that have been played in memorably bad weather conditions. There is all this and more in your latest episode of From the Rookery End. Come on you 'Orns!

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Watford recorded back to back league wins for the first time since April 2021 with a hard-earned three points at the DW Stadium, so it was a happy Jon, Jordi and Mike that convened to discuss a successful trip up to the North West.

The boys run the rule over the latest three points as the Hornets fortunes continue to change for the better under Slaven Bilic; there is also a chat about who are the Top 5 most important players in the current Watford squad. These lists are always thought provoking, so we're looking forward to who you think should feature and who shouldn't.

A home win against our old friends last week, a tough victory on the road this week - enjoy it with this, the latest episode of From the Rookery End. Come on you 'Orns!

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Oh we needed that. Watford's Saturday night match against the canaries of Norfolk was much needed and felt like a grand step away from the recent doldrums of life as a Watford fan.

Jon, Mike and Jordi convened out the Hornet Shop to discuss the individual performances and how Saturday night ended up being a great night out for Hornets.

Plus, after putting an XI of "player that we were excited about but they let us down" on our Taylor Trek, we considered the players you thought we missed out.

Watford started the game 17th and ended 10th... What a crazy league we play in. 

COME ON YOU ORNS!!

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After the second defeat in 4 days, Lionel Birnie joins the podcast to discuss the performance away at Blackpool, which led to a 3-1 defeat against the Tangerines.

And, without the burden of the results on their mind, Jon and Mike discuss the state of our relationship wiith club owner, Gino Pozzo. Where did it turn sour - the merry go round of the Head Cocahes, his transfers vision and execuation or his lack of communication and how little we know about him and this thinking?

It's another From The Rookery End where we try our best to keep a level head when being a Watford fan seems to be very naff.

COME ON YOU ORNS

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Watford once again struggled to live up to their billing as a heavyweight Championship contender, coming unstuck against Swansea in a game that lasted a marathon 110 minutes.

Of that 110 minutes precious few of them were memorable from a Watford perspective, so it was a tired and dispirited Jon, Colin, Jason and Mike that gathered when the final whistle finally came, running the rule over the latest Vicarage Road false start.

The boys also touch on the slightly happier goings on that took place at Stoke City last Sunday - a game that already feels an age ago - with celebrity Stoke fan Nick Hancock sharing his views on what life can be like lingering in the Championship…

It’s been naother rough one at The Vic, but we haven’t been counted out just yet, and we’re with you through it all. This is From the Rookery End. Come on you ‘Orns.

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