--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-08-24T02:45:48.195Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/watford/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2F0Zm9yZG9ic2VydmVyLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2NDQ1NDcyLndhdGZvcmQtZGVmeS1lZmwtY3VwLXJlY29yZC1kaW9uaXNpcy1ib3cvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Watford out to defy poor EFL Cup record in Dionisi - **Source:** - **Club:** Watford - **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26445472.watford-defy-efl-cup-record-dionisis-bow/?ref=rss The Hornets have been eliminated by Newport County, Stoke City, MK Dons and Stevenage since 2020, while last season's 2-1 defeat to Norwich City was hardly more enjoyable. Their hospitable attitude towards giant-killers dates back further, too, with Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, Gillingham and Bristol City all having beaten the Hornets since 2012. More: Team news: Ngakia close to return but Akomeah suffers injury In total, that's nine losses to teams playing at least one level down across the last 14 seasons. On that basis, Crawley – who escaped relegation out of the EFL by one point last term – will fancy the job on Saturday. They head to Vicarage Road full of confidence and with nothing to lose, having impressed in a 2-0 preliminary round victory at York City on Monday, and manager Colin Kazim-Richards is not prepared to accept an inferiority complex. "We're not going there to make up the numbers," he said. " I'm going there to set up to win." Crawley Town boss Colin Kazim-Richards (Image: PA) The timing of this tie, the season curtain-raiser rather than snuck into the first midweek after the fanfare of the opening league weekend, could help Dionisi. It ensures that the Italian will field his best XI, motivated to impress, and should be played in front of a busier Vicarage Road than a Tuesday night tie might have been. This feels like the beginning of the season and the atmosphere in WD18 will hopefully match, with Luke Dowling telling reporters yesterday that filling the seats left empty during the lousy finish to 2025/26 was a priority. Dionisi said: "Vicarage Road is fantastic and I am very happy because it will be my first official match there. "Every match is important and we can't wait to play in our stadium with our supporters and win together. "We have been working very well ahead of the start of the season." More: Udinese chief plays down interest in Watford keeper Selvik Many home fans will have already seen the class of 2026/27 in action against Hansa Rostock or Fiorentina, but a few new faces have been confirmed since then and could feature. Federico Ravaglia is surely number-one goalkeeper, even though no move is imminent for Egil Selvik, while Martin Payero also played in last week's win at Brentford. Jordan Zemura (Image: Watford FC) Jordan Zemura, meanwhile, has impressed those at the club with his energy and is available to play off the bench here. Dionisi said: "Zemura is a good player and it is important for us that he arrived. "He has only been training with the team for a few days but we hope he will be ready to play for around 20 minutes against Crawley. "The new signings have all been important for the mentality of the team because they will help us grow." Selection in other departments will be informative, too, particularly midfield balance. Imran Louza is said to have trained well, impressed at Brentford, and is presumably in contention. Martin Payero, too, has signed to play – but then so has Iker Bravo, Player of the Tournament at the Under-19 Euros two years ago. You couldn't bet on any individual being named in the XI, but Edoardo Bove, Hector Kyprianou and Amin Nabizada have been first choice throughout the summer and the former two are members of the new-look attempt at instilling some serious leadership in the dressing room. Nabizada is just fun and should enjoy himself against lower-league opposition, so also deserves to start – though leaving out Louza and two new signings for a youngster would be a big call, it would be a popular one for Dionisi to make. Mamadou Doumbia in action (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) At the back, those of a Hornets persuasion will take a deep breath either time Mattie Pollock or Kevin Keben stretch their legs, with Travis Akomeah's injury making the thinnest area of the squad even thinner. Upfront, meanwhile, all eyes will be on the straight shoot-out between Luca Kjerrumgaard and Mamadou Doumbia, as we look for signs that at least one of them is ready to spearhead the Hornets in the Championship. So far, Dowling's assertion that another option is needed is the most positive development of the summer in that department, but both current options do have potential and need an arm around the shoulder rather than moans and groans. Despite last season's collapse, the core of players back since 21 June – also featuring Pollock, Keben, Marc Bola and Othmane Maamma – seem to have gelled, creating a decent culture and willingness to work. As ever, though, results will dictate – and failure to win here, while a familiar story, would be a horrible setback to the optimism those at the club insist has developed throughout pre-season.