Watford left The Hive with a 3-1 pre-season friendly win over Barnet on Tuesday night, easing some pressure on Alessio Dionisi after their opening loss to Boreham Wood.
What happened in the friendly?
The Hornets controlled the game despite a sluggish start, with goals from Zavier Massiah-Edwards, Oli Kjerrumgaard and a late strike from substitute Kwadwo Baah sealing the win. Barnet pulled one back through substitute Samir Maskell, but Watford’s squad depth told in the final 20 minutes.
Watford sit 16th in the Championship with 57 points from 46 games, six points clear of the relegation zone but 38 behind league leaders Coventry. Their recent form reads LLLLL after the Boreham Wood setback, though Tuesday’s performance offered signs of recovery.
Why it matters for Watford
Dionisi’s side had already lost 2-1 to National League Boreham Wood last weekend, a result that left fans questioning the Italian’s early progress. With just four pre-season friendlies before their EFL Cup opener on August 2, every minute counts. Tuesday’s display showed squad rotation can grind out results against lower-league opponents, but the real test comes against Championship sides.
The Hornets have been quiet in the transfer market so far. Omar Toure’s move from Udinese is expected to be finalised in the coming days, while Giorgi Chakvetadze’s exit to the same Pozzo-owned club leaves a creative void. Dionisi will need to address that before the league curtain rises.
Team news and lineup changes
Mattie Pollock and Mamadou Doumbia played the full 90 against Boreham Wood, so both could drop out against Barnet. Travis Akomeah and Zavier Massiah-Edwards started up front, with Kwadwo Baah returning after precautionary treatment. Imran Louza, late to pre-season, may feature from the bench.
Barnet, eighth in League Two last season, named four trialists in their starting XI. Goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, Charlie Lakin and Kabongo Tshimanga all featured, reflecting Dean Brennan’s squad-building push. Nine new faces have already linked up this summer as the Bees eye a playoff push.
What comes next?
Watford’s next fixture is at home to Bristol City on February 20, 2027. Before then, they face three more friendlies, including a likely stronger test than Barnet. Dionisi must use these games to steady his squad and stamp his identity-fans are running out of patience after another managerial switch.
The Hornets have scored 53 goals but conceded 65, leaving them with a -12 goal difference. Fixing that will define their Championship survival push this season.
