Watford manager Alessio Dionisi has demanded more courage from his players as they aim to bounce back from their first Championship defeat of the season. The Hornets travel to face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday, September 5, with kick-off at 3:00pm. Dionisi's side currently sit 14th in the Championship table with five points from four games, having scored four goals and conceded five. They are five points behind early leaders Swansea City, the team that beat them 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Alessio Dionisi was clear in his analysis of the midweek loss in Wales. He identified a lack of bravery as the primary issue, stating that the first mistake his team made was losing courage. The manager stressed that the immediate focus must now shift entirely to the weekend's fixture against a strong West Brom side. He thanked the 538 Watford supporters who made the long trip to Swansea, acknowledging the effort involved for fans. "I spoke with the squad in the last match about our supporters because there were 538 at Swansea," Dionisi said. "It is very good for us, but it isn’t easy for our supporters. I want to thank them for this."
The task at The Hawthorns presents a significant test for Watford. West Bromwich Albion, known as the Baggies, have started the season solidly, winning two, drawing one, and losing one of their opening four matches. That form has them positioned 7th in the Championship table ahead of this weekend's clash. Dionisi warned that it will not be an easy game, as they will face a team that is proficient both in and out of possession. He emphasized the need for his squad to stay compact on the pitch and to work together to create more scoring opportunities. Losing their collective mentality, he warned, would make it difficult to compete against any opponent in the division.
Fan support will be key for Watford as they look to respond on the road. While the distance to Swansea was considerable, a much larger contingent of around 2,000 Hornets fans is expected to fill the away end at The Hawthorns. This backing could provide a vital lift for the players as they seek to correct the errors from Tuesday. The team's current form reads LDDW, and securing a positive result against a direct rival would provide a timely boost.
The central improvement required, according to the manager, is a more assertive approach in the final third. Dionisi wants his team to show more courage specifically in front of goal, converting possession and pressure into clear chances and finishes. Maintaining defensive solidity while being more adventurous will be the balance to strike against a capable West Brom outfit. With a negative goal difference of -1 so far this season, shoring up at the back while adding to their tally of four goals is the clear objective.
Watford's next fixture is away to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
