Watford welcomed supporters back to Vicarage Road last weekend with a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion. 

It was one of four pre-season matches played in the last week, with behind-closed-doors defeats to Brentford and Arsenal giving the players chance to get more match fitness, as well as a trip to Steveange that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The West Brom game was head coach Xisco Munoz's first chance to meet the Hornets' fans after covid-19 restrictions were lifted.

Supporters also got to see Cucho Hernandez for the first time, who impressed teammate Dan Gosling.

Defender William Troost-Ekong was disappointed not to have rewarded the returning fans with a goal, but Ken Sema was pleased to give the travelling supporters something to cheer about on Tuesday night at Stevenage.

That match at the Lamex was ended early due to an injury to new signing Dapo Mebude, who had to be taken to hospital afterwards.

However, he was subsequently released and is now being assessed by the club.

There was due to be another practice game at the Vic this weekend, but scheduled opponents Barnsley pulled out and will play Manchester City instead, leaving the Hornets without an opponent.

It means youth players like Sonny Blu Lo-Everton will have to wait to get more first team chances.

The Hornets' chances of staying up have been assessed by bookies, who have installed them as favourites to go back down, meaning they'll have a point to prove in the upcoming season.

The new away kit was also revealed on Thursday.

Transfers

Transfer speculation continued this week, with reports of a bid for Blackburn's Adam Armstrong, which have since been quashed.

As part of that offer, Andre Gray would reportedly have gone the other way, although the striker insists he's good enough to play in the Premier League again.

Will Hughes took a step closer to the exit door by rejecting a five-year contract offer and playing for the under 23s, while missing Tuesday's first-team game.

One player who could fill his boots next season is Okay Yokuslu, whose agent met Hornets sporting director Cristiano Giaretta on Wednesday.

One player who could join either Watford or Udinese is defender Brandon Soppy of Rennes, who is a target for the Pozzo family scouting network, as reported on episode seven of the Wobcast by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.