Watford must still have Rob Edwards thought as manager struggles continue: View | OneFootball

Increasing pressure is mounting on Watford boss Valérien Ismaël after six defeats in their last seven matches in all competitions.

The Hornets reached the FA Cup final in 2019 under Javi Gracia, where they were beaten 6-0 by domestic treble winners of that season, Manchester City, in the final.

Since Gracia was sacked in September 2019, the club have had 11 different managers since the Spaniard left.

The revolving door has been non-stop, and instability no doubt led to them being relegated from the Premier League twice in three seasons between 2019/20 and 2021/22.

Watford employed Rob Edwards to get them back up, but fired him after just 11 games in charge – a decision the must regret, especially after seeing his success at Luton Town.

Shortly after Edwards was sacked, Watford smashed Luton 4-0 at Vicarage Road in October 2022 to move within two points of their arch-rivals.

Less than a month later, Edwards took the reins at Kenilworth Road and got the Hatters promoted to the Premier League in May 2023.

Since Edwards' sacking, Watford have sacked Slaven Bilić and Chris Wilder before appointing Ismaël and giving him a three-year contract extension in October.

In a strange turn of events since, the club have experienced an initial surge before going into free fall mode.

A 2-1 win at Ewood Park against Blackburn just before Christmas left Watford just two points behind Hull, who occupied the last play-off spot at the time.

But just two wins in 11 league games since have followed. The Hornets have been lacking sting, which has left them 12 points off the top six.

Watford have a bizarre way of working. Just months after handing Ismaël a new contract, the Frenchman is now under huge pressure and could face the sack soon.

Carlton Palmer's view on Ismaël's Watford

Former England international Carlton Palmer recently spoke to Football League World, and gave his thoughts on Ismaël's current situation.

He told FLW: “Ismael was given a new contract with a positive start to the season, but with Watford in mid-table and given Watford’s recent situation with managers, they are not given time, and this will be classed as a disappointing season.

“But Valérien has earned some credit with the fans, he is well liked behind the scenes. Apparently they like the way he works, they like the way he operates – that is why they gave him a new and improved contract.

“But the results speak for themselves, they are mid-table and with only a few games left of the season, it is highly unlikely that Watford could make the play-offs given the teams in and around them and the form that they’re in.

“We all know the way Watford work, so it would be no surprise if Ismael’s job was gone sooner rather than later.”

Palmer summarised the current situation perfectly, and we all know the way Watford work as proven by their constant managerial revolving door over the last few years.

Watford must learn from the Edwards sacking

The fact that Ismaël took Barnsley to the Championship play-off semi-finals in 2020/21 speaks volumes for his managerial credentials.

Watford's Italian owner Gino Pozzo backed the Frenchman by handing him a contract extension in October, so it would be foolish to sack him now.

The club won't go down, so he should go through with his initial decision and back the current manager.

He failed to do this with Edwards, and paid the price.

Patience is a virtue in all walks of life, and it's no different in football.