Watford's new era under head coach Alessio Dionisi has begun with a mixed bag of results in the early Championship season. The Hornets currently sit 14th in the table with five points from their first four matches, a record of one win, two draws, and one loss.
Dionisi was appointed in June 2026, succeeding Edward Still who managed just 12 games. The Italian coach brings extensive experience from his native football scene. His tenure opened with a promising 2-1 victory over Southampton, but subsequent draws against Wrexham and West Ham United, plus a recent loss, have left the team five points behind early leaders Swansea. The club also exited the Carabao Cup at the second-round stage.
Club captain Mattie Pollock remains a defensive mainstay. The centre-back joined Watford in 2021 from Grimsby Town. He featured 47 times in the 2024/25 campaign and 36 times last season, providing consistent leadership at the back. In attack, Danish forward Luca Kjerrumgaard has started to deliver. He signed in July 2025 after a prolific spell with Odense BK, where he scored 22 goals in 29 games during the 2024/25 season. He netted nine times in his first year at Vicarage Road.
Another exciting talent is Moroccan winger Othmane Maamma, who also arrived in July 2025. Before his move, Maamma made 14 Ligue 1 appearances for Montpellier and was the star of Morocco's 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup triumph, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
The team's recent form reads LDDW, having scored four goals and conceded five for a minus-one goal difference. This early-season period is being managed amid some injury concerns. Defender Jeremy Ngakia, winger Kwadwo Baah, and full-back Marc Bola are all currently sidelined, which impacts Dionisi's selection options.
Founded in 1881 and renamed in 1898, Watford has a long history. The club gained Football League status in 1920. Its modern peaks include promotion to the top flight in 1982, where they finished as runners-up to Liverpool, and an FA Cup final appearance in 1984. More recently, Watford has competed in the Premier League in six of the last nine seasons, a benchmark the current squad aims to reach again.
The immediate focus is a tough away fixture against West Bromwich Albion on September 5th. West Brom are currently 7th in the table, presenting a significant challenge for Watford. A positive result at The Hawthorns would provide a timely boost for Dionisi's project. The manager will be hoping his key signings from last summer can continue to adapt and influence matches in the weeks ahead.
