On the one hand, it has been a disappointing season at Vicarage Road, with the club finishing mid-table and a long way from the play-offs, having once again concluded the season with a different manager than when it began.
On the other hand, the club now has Tom Cleverley in charge on a permanent basis, a former captain and player who knows the club well and is beloved by fans. At the very least, there’s something to look forward to in 2024/25.
Of course, the club’s leadership and new manager will have to make some important decisions about transfers this summer, with the club and Cleverley needing to make sure they not only bring in the right players, but also let the right ones to leave.
With that in mind, here are four players who appear to have played their final game for Watford heading into the summer.
This could be an unpopular decision, given that he has been a popular figure at Vicarage Road since his arrival last summer. In truth, Jake Livermore has well exceeded Watford supporters’ expectations since his debut at Vicarage Road.
The truth is that he is out of contract this summer and has yet to sign a new one.
A one-year extension was imminent a few months ago, with indications that Livermore was in talks about a new contract, but Tom Cleverley’s arrival as head coach may have changed things.
Livermore was a frequent starter under Valerien Ismael, but under Cleverley, he has played little, often as an unused substitute.
Even if he has played simply been a handful of minutes.
It could be that at 34, Cleverley simply does not feel Livermore can play how he wants, casting serious doubt on his Watford future. This is certainly one to watch heading into the summer.
Like Livermore, Hamer also sees his contract at Watford expire this summer after an unexpectedly involved season.
Firmly second choice to begin the campaign, Hamer soon took Daniel Bachmann’s place and kept it for quite some time. In fact, when Bachmann was eventually reinstated in the latter days of Ismael, it was rather harsh on Hamer.
Reports in February also suggested that like Livermore, the possibility of a new deal was on the table, but since then, he has lost his place in the side and Cleverley has backed Bachmann as his number one so far.
Watford would certainly prefer Hamer to continue as number two, but there may be Championship clubs prepared to offer him playing time on a free move this summer.
As a result, it would not be surprising if Hamer had already played his final match for the Hornets.
Ashley Fletcher, despite the fact that his contract does not expire this summer, is very certainly another Watford player who has played their final game for the club.
Fletcher has spent this season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, having previously played for Wigan Athletic and the New York Red Bulls.
Fletcher has only made six appearances for Watford and is undoubtedly looking for a fresh start elsewhere this summer.
The 28-year-old’s future is certainly worth keeping an eye on as the summer months approach.
Finally, Tom Ince’s stint as a Hornet may have come to an end with the conclusion of the Championship season.
Ince has one year left on his contract at Vicarage Road, although he has not played nearly as much as he would want this season.
This began under Valerien Ismael and has continued under Tom Cleverley.
Ince, who is still only 32 years old, has a lot to offer a Championship team, thus it appears he will leave this summer rather than continue to sit on the bench the following season.
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