2023-24_Watford_F.C._season

2023–24 Watford F.C. season

2023–24 Watford F.C. season

125th season in existence of Watford FC


The 2023–24 season was the 125th season in the history of Watford and their second consecutive season in the Championship. The club are participating in the Championship, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Quick Facts season, Owner ...

Current squad

As of 4 May 2024[2]
More information No., Name ...

Transfers

In

More information Date, Position ...

† Signed initially for the Under-21s

Out

More information Date, Position ...

Loaned in

More information Date, Position ...
  1. On 1 February, Chakbetadze joined the club on a permanent basis.

Loaned out

More information Date, Position ...
  1. On 1 September, Abbott was recalled from his loan at Chippenham Town, which has been set to run until 5 November.
  2. On 11 January, Baah was recalled from his season-long loan at Burton.
  3. On 24 November, Balogun's loan at Bedford Town, initially set to run until 30 November, was extended until 2 January.
  4. Browne's initial month-long loan at Northwood, beginning in late October, was twice extended for a further month, on 23 November and 12 January.
  5. On 12 January, Holding's loan at Dover, initially set to run until 9 January, was extended until the end of the season.
  6. On 18 March, Browne's loan at Walthamstow, initially set to run until 15 March, was extended until the end of April.
  7. On 22 March, Oretlli's loan at Kings Langley, initially set to run until 17 March, was extended until the end of the season.

Pre-season and friendlies

On 30 May, Watford announced their first two pre-season friendlies, against Boreham Wood and Stevenage.[73] However, the friendly against Stevenage was later cancelled as they were drawn against each other in the 1st round of EFL Cup. [74]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 July 2023 Friendly Boreham Wood 0–0 Watford Borehamwood
19:30 BST Report Stadium: Meadow Park
Attendance: 1,703
8 July 2023 Friendly Arsenal 1–1 Watford London Colney
14:00 BST Marquinhos 54' Report Koné 42' Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
18 July 2023 Friendly Stevenage Cancelled Watford Stevenage
19:45 BST Stadium: The Lamex Stadium
Note: Due to the two sides being drawn against each other in the 2023–24 EFL Cup the friendly was cancelled.[75]
22 July 2023 Friendly Crystal Palace 2–1 Watford Beckenham
13:00 BST Édouard 54' 75' Report Kayembe 68' Stadium: Crystal Palace FC Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)
29 July 2023 Friendly Watford 3–0 Peterborough United Watford
15:00 BST Bayo 14', 67'
Martins 19'
Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed doors)


Competitions

Overall record

More information Competition, First match ...

Last updated: 4 May 2024
Source: Soccerway

Championship

League table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: EFL official website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[76]

Results summary

More information Overall, Home ...

Last updated: 4 May 2024.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

More information Round, Ground ...
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL Championship fixtures were released.[77]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 1 Watford 4–0 Queens Park Rangers Watford
15:00 BST Dele-Bashiru 1'
Louza 20'
Martins 38'
Morris Yellow card 45+1'
Bayo 43'
Report Dykes Yellow card 67'
Armstrong Yellow card 76'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,087
Referee: Thomas Bramall
12 August 2023 2 Watford 0–0 Plymouth Argyle Watford
15:00 BST Report Scarr Yellow card 71'
Mumba Yellow card 78'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,446
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
19 August 2023 3 Stoke City 1–0 Watford Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 21,193
Referee: James Bell
27 August 2023 4 Watford 0–1 Blackburn Rovers Watford
12:00 BST Hoedt Yellow card 24'
Louza Yellow card 69'
Andrews Yellow card 69'
Report Hyam Yellow card 63'
Hedges 72'
Rankin-Costello Yellow card 77'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 17,810
Referee: Gavin Ward
2 September 2023 5 Coventry City 3–3 Watford Coventry
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Coventry Building Society Stadium
Attendance: 24,539
Referee: David Webb
16 September 2023 6 Watford 2–0 Birmingham City Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,932
Referee: Keith Stroud
20 September 2023 7 Watford 2–2 West Bromwich Albion Watford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 16,742
Referee: Leigh Doughty
23 September 2023 8 Leeds United 3–0 Watford Leeds
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,236
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
30 September 2023 9 Watford 2–3 Middlesbrough Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,446
Referee: Oliver Langford
4 October 2023 10 Sunderland 2–0 Watford Sunderland
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 38,120
Referee: Andy Davies
7 October 2023 11 Cardiff City 1–1 Watford Leckwith
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 19,804
Referee: Gavin Ward
21 October 2023 12 Watford 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,102
Referee: Dean Whitestone
24 October 2023 13 Swansea City 0–1 Watford Landore
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 14,698
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
28 October 2023 14 Watford 2–2 Millwall Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,620
Referee: Keith Stroud
4 November 2023 15 Huddersfield Town 0–0 Watford Huddersfield
15:00 GMT Report
Stadium: The John Smith's Stadium
Attendance: 18,225
Referee: Sunny Gill
11 November 2023 16 Watford 5–0 Rotherham United Watford
15:00 GMT
Report Cafú Yellow card 45' Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 17,349
Referee: Stephen Martin
25 November 2023 17 Leicester City 2–0 Watford Leicester
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 31,577
Referee: Sam Allison
28 November 2023 18 Watford 3–2 Norwich City Watford
20:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 16,714
Referee: Simon Hooper
2 December 2023 19 Hull City 1–2 Watford Kingston upon Hull
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: MKM Stadium
Attendance: 20,057
Referee: John Busby
9 December 2023 20 Watford 1–1 Southampton Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,797
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
12 December 2023 21 Watford 1–2 Ipswich Town Watford
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,109
Referee: David Coote
16 December 2023 22 Preston North End 1–5 Watford Preston
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 14,389
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
23 December 2023 23 Blackburn Rovers 1–2 Watford Blackburn
15:00 GMT
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 17,803
Referee: Dean Whitestone
26 December 2023 24 Watford 1–4 Bristol City Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,626
Referee: John Busby
29 December 2023 25 Watford 1–1 Stoke City Watford
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,643
Referee: Scott Oldham
1 January 2024 26 Plymouth Argyle 3–3 Watford Plymouth
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 16,355
Referee: Robert Madley
14 January 2024 27 Queens Park Rangers 1–2 Watford Shepherd's Bush
12:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: MATRADE Loftus Stadium
Attendance: 17,409
Referee: Simon Hooper
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 13 January, but was moved back for TV selection.[78]
20 January 2024 28 Bristol City 1–1 Watford Bristol
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Ashton Gate Stadium
Attendance: 23,611
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
31 January 2024 29 Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 Watford Owlerton
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 22,303
Referee: Rebecca Welch
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for 27 January, but was postponed due to both sides advancing in the FA Cup.[79]
3 February 2024 30 Watford 0–1 Cardiff City Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,739
Referee: John Busby
10 February 2024 31 Watford 1–2 Leicester City Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,597
Referee: Oliver Langford
13 February 2024 32 Norwich City 4–2 Watford Norwich
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,325
Referee: Stuart Attwell
17 February 2024 33 Rotherham United 0–1 Watford Rotherham
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: AESSEAL New York Stadium
Attendance: 10,143
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
24 February 2024 34 Watford 1–2 Huddersfield Town Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,970
Referee: Ben Toner
2 March 2024 35 Millwall 1–0 Watford Bermondsey
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 17,847
Referee: Gavin Ward
6 March 2024 36 Watford 1–1 Swansea City Watford
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 16,440
Referee: Tom Nield
9 March 2024 37 Watford 1–2 Coventry City Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,907
Referee: Robert Madley
16 March 2024 38 Birmingham City 0–1 Watford Bordesley
15:00 GMT Report
Stadium: St Andrew's Stadium
Attendance: 21,266
Referee: Matt Donohue
29 March 2024 39 Watford 2–2 Leeds United Watford
20:00 GMT
Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,236
Referee: David Webb
Note: Fixture was initially scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[80]
1 April 2024 40 West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Watford West Bromwich
15:00 GMT Report
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 24,173
Referee: Gavin Ward
6 April 2024 41 Watford 0–0 Preston North End Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,374
Referee: James Bell
10 April 2024 42 Ipswich Town 0–0 Watford Ipswich
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 28,589
Referee: Samuel Barrott
13 April 2024 43 Southampton 3–2 Watford Southampton
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 30,347
Referee: Josh Smith
20 April 2024 44 Watford 0–0 Hull City Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 18,753
Referee: Ben Toner
27 April 2024 45 Watford 1-0 Sunderland Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,712
Referee: Oliver Langford
4 May 2024 46 Middlesbrough 3-1 Watford Middlesbrough
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 28,289
Referee: Keith Stroud

FA Cup

As a Championship club, Watford joined the FA Cup at the third round stage, and were drawn at home against Chesterfield[81][82] and then to Southampton in the fourth round.[83][84]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

6 January 2024 Third round Watford 2–1 Chesterfield Watford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 15,932
Referee: Gavin Ward
28 January 2024 Fourth round Watford 1–1 Southampton Watford
14:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 16,688
Referee: Michael Salisbury
6 February 2024 Fourth round replay Southampton 3–0 Watford Southampton
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Referee: Darren Bond

EFL Cup

Watford were drawn away to Stevenage in the first round.[85]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 August 2023 First round Stevenage 1–1
(4–3 p)
Watford Stevenage
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Lamex Stadium
Attendance: 4,495
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Penalties

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of 4 May 2024
More information No., Pos. ...

Goalscorers

As of 4 May 2024

More information Rank, Pos. ...

Assists

As of 4 May 2024

More information Rank, Pos. ...

Clean sheets

As of 27 April 2024

More information No., Player ...

References

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  2. "First-team squad". Watford F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
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  4. "Hornets Complete Hurtado Signing". Watford FC. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  5. "Healey's A Hornet!". Watford FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
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  7. "Livermore Signs On". Watford FC. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
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  74. "QPR Trip Selected For TV". Watford FC. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  75. "New Date For Sheffield Wednesday Trip". Watford FC. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  76. "Leeds Clash Selected For Sky Broadcast". Watford FC. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  77. "Hornets To Host Chesterfield In The Third Round". Watford FC. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
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  79. "Hornets To Host Southampton In Fourth Round". Watford FC. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  80. "Southampton Date Confirmed". Watford FC. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  81. "Watford Draw Stevenage In Carabao Cup First Round". Watford FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.

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