Meet the opposition | Watford
As Swansea City prepare to face Watford, we take a closer look at the Hornets.
What's their story?
Established in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club changed name to its current moniker in 1898.
Affectionately known as the Hornets or the Golden Boys, Watford gained Football League status in 1920 and, after spending 60 years in the lower divisions, gained promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 1982.
Under the ownership of Elton John and management of Graham Taylor the club finished as runners-up to Liverpool in that maiden First Division campaign.
In a golden era for the club, they spent six seasons in the top-flight, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984.
Recently, Watford have competed in the Premier League in six out of the last eight seasons, but it has been a period of regular managerial upheaval with the Hornets going through 20 managers in the last 11 years.
The latest change happened last year, with Tom Cleverley taking the reins after the departure of Valerien Ismael.
How's their form?
Slowly improving. The Hornets made a storming start to the season as they won their first five games in all competitions, but had understandably not been able to sustain that.
They endured a difficult run of one win in 11 games in all competitions, but now have two wins and a draw in their last four; beating local rivals Luton Town and Middlesbrough before drawing the Stoke.
Their home form had been excellent, and they did not lose at Vicarage Road until just before the turn of the calendar year, but the win over Luton is their only win on home turf since Boxing Day.
Who’s the gaffer?
Tom Cleverley. The former Manchester United and England midfielder is in his first senior head coach position after taking over the Golden Boys back in April 2024.
As a player, Cleverley had spells in the youth ranks with Bradford City and Manchester United and made his way to the senior ranks with the Red Devils.
He had loan spells with Leicester City, Watford, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa during his time at Old Trafford.
Cleverley was a Premier League winner with United, helped Leicester win League One and was an FA Cup runner-up with Villa.
A two-year spell with Everton followed and he then rounded off his playing career with Watford, before moving into coaching with the club’s academy set-up and then progressing to the first team.
Who’s the captain?
Daniel Bachmann. The experienced Austrian goalkeeper has been with Watford since 2017, and was named club captain in 2023 after Cleverley retired and joined the coaching staff.
Bachmann has spent more than 10 years in English football having joined Stoke City in 2012.
He did not make a senior appearance in his six years with the Potters, but did gain valuable experience during loan spells with Wrexham, Ross County and Bury.
A move to Watford came following his release from Stoke, and he had to bide his time for action outside of a productive loan spell with Kilmarnock.
But he has established himself at first choice between the sticks despite facing stiff competition for his place in recent seasons.
However, he is currently sidelined by injury and experienced former Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has worn the armband in his absence.
Who are the key men?
Giorgi Chekvetadze ability to drive with the ball has been a key attacking weapon for the Hornets, as highlights by his stunning run and assist for the opener against Luton.
Having come through the ranks at Dinamo Tbilisi to make the senior team, Chakvetadze joined Belgian club Gent in 2017 and would help them to the final of the Belgian Cup in 2019 and to win the competition in 2022.
He had loan spells with Hamburg in Germany and Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia, winning the league in 2023, and spent last season with Watford before the move was made permanent.
Defender Mattie Pollock has also been a stand-out figure for the Hornets.
The 23-year-old had spells in the youth ranks with Middlesbrough and Leeds United, before joining Grimsby Town.
He progressed to reach the Mariners’ senior team and his showings for the League Two club would lead Watford to move to sign him in the summer of 2021.
Pollock picked up further first-team experience with Cheltenham Town and Aberdeen before establishing himself this season at Vicarage Road.
Congolese forward Edo Kayembe is among Watford’s leading scorers so far this season, with eight goals to his name. Only Vakoun Bayo, with 10, has more.
After spending time with a handful of clubs in Congo, he made the step up to the professional ranks with Belgian club Anderlecht in 2017.
He spent three years with them before making the switch to KAS Eupen, and he joined Watford in January 2022.
Kayembe has made 108 appearances since, and the current campaign represents his best run of form in front of goal during his time in Hertfordshire.