--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-08-24T03:31:20.759Z last_updated: 2026-08-23T11:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/watford/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2F0Zm9yZG9ic2VydmVyLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2NDg3NTMwLmRpb25pc2ktYmlnZ2VzdC13aW5uZXItd2F0Zm9yZHMtc3RhcnQvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Dionisi is the biggest winner from Watford - **Source:** - **Published:** 23 Aug - **Club:** Watford - **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26487530.dionisi-biggest-winner-watfords-start/?ref=rss 0 Comments Skip to next photo 1/1 Show caption 1/1 Share 0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. There have been a few winners from Watford's first three competitive games of the season, but Alessio Dionisi is surely the biggest of them. The appointment of the head coach, let's face it, was greeted with a combination of apathy and scorn when it was confirmed in June, considered an inevitable addition to the carousel that has defined the club's recent history. That was not so much a reflection of his own abilities, but simply a reaction to the perception that head coaches come and go so frequently that who they are or what they attempt to implement makes little difference. More: Dionisi 'very, very happy' with Watford display at Wrexham But in his first two months at Watford, Dionisi has made a difference. And while there are no guarantees that he won't eventually be remembered as just another one, he has certainly won himself many more admirers than expected in the early stages of his reign. That starts with the basics: communication. Dionisi's English has come on phenomenally quickly, from intelligible but broken when he first spoke publicly after the Hansa Rostock friendly four weeks ago, to good now. He is also likeable. Each press conference is relaxed, Dionisi capable of switching the mood from jovial to serious and back again as he pleases. Alessio Dionisi at Wrexham (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) Having struck a realistic tone from the off, he creates a sense of relatability. Dionisi is not trying to pull the wool over anybody's eyes – and is aware as much as any supporter that this squad has pushed itself to the very limit to keep up with much more expensively-assembled opposition so far. He speaks with reverence about "my boys" and cherishes the unity he seems to have created inside the Watford dressing room, which was born when a group of 10 senior first-team players reported on June 21. Mattie Pollock, Hector Kyprianou and Edoardo Bove are the new spine, while Imran Louza – last season's club captain – is out. Saturday's trip to Wrexham was always going to be tough and Dionisi did not hide his concerns about the match-up, yet his wholehearted team came away with a point from a game it is reasonable to say they would have lost last season. Not only did they do it by attempting to play the type of combative, aggressive football Dionisi craves for as long as their legs could manage it, but they also left every last ounce of energy out there as they protected the point in the final stages. The defence is stretched so thin that you were just waiting for it to snap – indeed there were fears Mattie Pollock's hamstring had done just that when he volleyed a late cross away – but for new signing Martin Payero to be making the final crucial clearance of the match reflected the renewed sense of urgency. Alessio Dionisi talks post-match (Image: Andy Fitzsimons) Pollock, of course – who is making a fine early impression as club captain – was first to congratulate the Argentine. Omar Traore, one of four fit senior defenders heading to Wrexham, going down before half-time was a cruel twist, but even the choice to replace him with Albert Eames felt significant. There are certainly coaches out there, arguably three of them in charge of Watford last season, who would have dropped Hector Kyprianou into the back four, switched Kevin Keben to right-back, and avoided using a youngster. Dionisi followed the precedent set when Michael Adu-Poku played half an hour against Southampton and was rewarded with a perfectly accomplished Eames performance, a compelling argument for trusting players rather than fearing what might go wrong. The sight of Eames and Amin Nabizada – two effervescent, youthful academy products – teaming up to pinch the ball from Kieffer Moore, the epitome of Championship experience, in the second half was enough to warm the cockles of your heart. Even the big selection of the day, recalling Luca Kjerrumgaard for Mamadou Doumbia, he got right. And the impact the head coach has had on his team as a whole is that they have produced three consecutive interesting, fun, energetic performances to start the season, a far cry from the first half of 2026. Early days, but something to hang your hat on. Alessio Dionisi (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) There is something in this Dionisi-Pollock leadership axis, so what a shame it would be if the final days of the transfer window foster the type of underlying resentment that has defined the relationship between the club and so many of its coaches. Javi Gracia resigned at the end of the January window, so Watford have recent precedent for this stuff ruining seasons. Dionisi has played his part diplomatically in public, in the nicest way possible refusing to publicise his thoughts on summer recruitment, but a furtive smile here and subtle remark there makes it clear what he thinks. He has spoken about his side suffering much more in the second half of each match so far, and ultimately they have been fortunate their fresher, superior opponents have missed big late chances; all the while, the squad seems to be getting thinner every week. Everybody understands why the financial purse strings are being pulled tight, with Gino Pozzo no longer funding the club out of his own pocket, parachute payments long wasted, and Championship finances a mess. But having sold Giorgi Chakvetadze and Nestory Irankunda, released Moussa Sissoko and Tom Ince in 2026, and with Imran Louza's future in doubt, finding a few quid down the back of the sofa to come up with some free agents and loans is only fair on the coach. After all, the urgent need for centre-backs, at least, has been acknowledged for weeks. And if, as feels inevitable, the hand is dipped back into the Udinese reserves, weren't they available weeks ago? Just like Michail Antonio, who only started training a fortnight ago when he has been a free agent for months. The early signs under Dionisi are that his appointment may have been one of the hierarchy's most prudent calls in some time – and his team has the makings of a popular one. Yet wasn’t that also the case for Valerien Ismael, Tom Cleverley and Javi Gracia during fleeting moments of success? That only heightens the feeling that, with this squad close to breaking point two weeks in, failing to provide the coach with a suitable squad would be one of Watford's more costly mistakes.