Still Standing : Watford U18s
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or encore? and Watford collecting strikers like Pokemon
Watford U18s’s journey in the FA Youth Cup leads them to face Manchester City’s U18s for a place in the final against Aston Villa on the 10th of April 2025.
Some of these success have been well built over the course of 90’, the Tottenham game scenario would have led any Football Scripter intern to be invited to work on their draft before submitting it - but oh well, it happened for real and nobody tumbles to a competition semi finals without featuring some collective energy platforming good individuals.
Notes collated on the three games I’ve attended out of the four.
Some notes (and a 2020 email from my inbox) on how Watford bottom trawl the entire ecosystem to find strikers, with scouts e v e r y w h e r e
This is the journey that got Watford U18s to that point:
Will take no graphic design feedback - designer is messing about somewhere on Le Côte d'Azur filming a video clip listening to Sir Elton
Third Round vs Oxford United U18s
December 4
Massiah-Edwards (7) as an industrious winger keen to get on the ball and make things happen. Not so much the provocative 1v1 winger, but the old school wide midfielder who gets crosses, shots and gets in the box.
Ukrainian winger in #11
Feeling old?
I liked the right back Ollie Stephenson
Difficult to miss out on Amin Nabizada, pure elegance on the ball but more importantly, quick touches when carrying that makes a real difference.
I also liked the #8 Hayden Barrett, with good separation movement to receive, some masked passes and staying involved in the game througout the 90 minutes
I thought Kash Odiase led the line well, with some well timed layoffs and scored a good 9’s goal.
The source of original insightful content.
The burgers at King’s Langley were absolutely outstanding, best meal I’ve had at the football and yes I had two.
Just steak, cheddar, cheese with onion ; one of these ingredients makes that meal outstanding.
Like Amin Nabizada I suppose
Did I knew they’d reach the FA Youth Cup semi finals?
No
Fourth Round vs Crewe Alexandra U18s
Got his own newsletter but oh well here it is:
January 16.
Second time watching Watford U18s
🐝Trying to be different when playing out with some rotations at the back.
Platforming three technical midfielders, most notably Amin Nabizada who's gliding on the pitch and got better as the game went on.
I liked the right back Ollie Stephenson, very quick, makes runs and aggressive 1v1 which is a rare combination.
I also liked the LB Raul Vancea who displayed some fine pieces of technical skill.
Few goalscoring chances for 1h, Crewe resilient. Watford could've let it slip after taking off their 9 Nickson Okosun who scored the first goal with a great run around the CBs. Only alright at making it stick but the team dropped off when he came off 🤷♂️
Conceded an equaliser then scored 3 very nice goals.
Fifth Round vs Tottenham Hotspur U18s
FAYC Disaster first half for Spurs.
Third time watching, Watford are cohesive and play straightforward football.
Wide players wide, 9 moves across and in behind. 8s stay behind the ball and Nabizada (10) brings spark. (8)
Beaten by a pass in behind with Okosun rounding the keeper
and a top corner effort by Nabizada.
2-0 inside 18'.
Following: a red card and a penalty. 3-1 at half.
Another sending off at 50'
Spurs kept a high line 9v11 which is a good decision; as they came back to 3-2 and only conceded the 4th with an own goal from a cross.
Nabizada (10) is different class.
See also here: Stephenson (2) from right back and Nikson Okosun’s movement agaonst the grain
Ramirez-Espain was class moving the ball:
Good defending / closing down by Ollie Stephenson
I liked the CB Moulton (5).
Okosun (9) is quick for a tall guy and makes good runs in behind, sorts his feet quickly when it comes to flicking or laying it off
Play where the space is
Goalkeeper Morris with some brilliant low driven long passes.
Ze istory of ze Tottenam
Worth a look at this:
For Spurs. Disappointing output, Williams-Barnett with flashes.
Tynan Thompson with lots of 1v1 but not as many combinations with the 9 off the dribble as vs Boro the previous round. Hardy struggled and got sent off.
Elliott-Parris crashed on a wall upfront, and eventually got sent off too.
Spurs kept inverting their left back whilst 9v11, so Watford kept finding their right winger in the vacated space on transition.
Byfield (4) reminds me so much of these French Academy CB who play give and go and get in the box three times per game to make stuff happen
Quarter Finals vs Southampton U18s
I couldn’t attend the semi final vs Southampton:
However, enough to know Nickson Okosun scored another goal from a long run behind the CBs
And then giving an excellent layoff in the box for Zavier Massiah-Edwards
Going places
Some players have been called up for their country.
Most notably, Amin Nabizada for England U18s
after having previously been called up for Afghanistan earlier this season
Zavier Massiah-Edwards got handed his home debut
Watford and Strikers: Can you feel the love tonight?
For people who don't know,
Watford FC are know in the industry to have a scout EVERYWHERE.
You have a 6ft2 player they can sign and flip for profit?
The scout WILL BE DERE
I had a few, we played decent football that day under the worst wind conditions.
Lots of footage, tidbits and trust the process at the end of the “Chizz and Crackers”
Point being ; Watford saw all of these players in their database of strikers.
Noa sounds so much like the kind of striker they’d sign.
So does Nickson Okosun - Irish like Adam Idah.
Decent enough back to goal, strong stance, flicks and makes excellent runs in behind with above average finishing skill
