Loan Watch: Forde Wins Award

As the 2023/24 season draws to a close, we've taken a look at how the Hornets who are out on loan have been getting on.

Shaq Forde rounded out an impressive season on loan with Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient by winning the club's Young Player of the Season award.

The striker made 43 appearances in all competitions for the O's during his stint in east London, scoring nine goals.

This included an inspired performance away at Cheltenham Town, coming off the bench with the side 1-0 down. Forde grabbed an 89th-minute equaliser, before his team scored a winner in stoppage time.

He also netted a vital brace in the 3-2 home win over Carlisle United in early February, as well as the first in a shock 3-0 victory away at eventual champions Portsmouth.

Our congratulations go out to Shaq.

Over in Italy, full-back João Ferreira has earned his place back in the starting line-up after a period on the bench, playing the full 90 minutes in Udinese's draw at home to Napoli.

After four consecutive substitute appearances, the Portuguese defender was back in the 11 under new manager, and World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro on the right-hand side of a three-man defence for his 32nd league appearance of the season.

Battling in the Serie A relegation zone, Udinese earned a valuable point thanks to former Hornet Isaac Success' stoppage-time strike to close the gap to safety to just two points.

Another player wrapped in a relegation battle is midfielder Imrân Louza, whose Lorient side currently sit second-bottom in Ligue 1.

One win and eight defeats in their last 10 matches mean Les Merlus look set for relegation to the second-tier with only two games remaining.

Louza has started the last five games, supplying an assist in a 2-2 draw with Monaco in mid-March.

Across the border in Switzerland, forward Samuel Kalu made his comeback from injury to play a full match for the first time in over three months.

The Nigerian started at left-wing for FC Lausanne-Sport in their fixture against Yverdon Sport, but a 3-1 defeat meant the side fell to fourth in the mini-league of six that determines relegation following the league split.

Meanwhile, Ashley Fletcher spent the season with fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, where he featured 28 times.

The final months of the campaign also saw eight Academy players picking up valuable experience out on loan in the lower leagues of English football.

Tobi Adeyemo continued his recovery from long-term injury with a move to National League side Wealdstone. The striker made four appearances as the team survived relegation on the final day.

Scott Holding started all 25 games whilst with National League South side Dover Athletic, scoring twice. However, he was unable to prevent the team's relegation to the Isthmian Premier.

Also in the National League South was Michael Adu-Poku, with the forward spending time with Maidstone United. He made six league appearances as the side lost in the play-off semi-final, but scored 57 seconds into the Kent Senior Cup final as the Stones went on to lift the trophy.

Goalkeeper Roraigh Browne made 13 appearances for Isthmian League North Division club Walthamstow FC, keeping five clean sheets during his stint as the team finished in sixth, just outside the play-offs.

Two more Hornets enjoyed a period in the sixth tier, with Junior Gyamfi and Jonathan Macaulay both loaned out to National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.

Gyamfi made seven appearances, including five starts, whilst goalkeeper Macaulay featured four times as the Tudors finished the campaign in 20th, four points clear of the drop zone.

Finally, two Watford loanees played their part in a play-off success at Bedford Town. Charlie Stallard and Josh Mullins both started as the Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Waltham Abbey in the Southern League Division One Central play-off final.

Mullins was on hand to provide the assist for the second-half winner, crossing a recycled corner for Carl Mensah to head home, earning the side a return to step three of the football pyramid.

Stallard made eight appearances during his time with the club, providing two assists, whilst Mullins featured seven times, with his play-off final delivery marking his only assist.

He also holds the impressive record of Bedford winning each of the seven games he played in.