WATFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Tom Cleverley newly appointed interim head coach at Watford FC gives his first press conference at the clubs training ground in London Colney on March 14, 2024 in Watford, England. (Photo by Alan Cozzi/Watford FC/Getty Images)
Watford have only seen Shaqai Forde make one first-team appearance for the club, but his latest loan success could line him up for senior role.
Watford saw Forde make his lone first-team appearance for the club back in January 2022. He came off the bench in an FA Cup loss to Leicester City, and the youngster has kicked on brilliantly since then.
Now 19, Forde spent the second half of last season on loan at York City in the National League. He managed nine goals in 20 league outings and stepped all the way up to League One for the current campaign, and he’s taken that in his stride too.
Hornets loanee Forde has managed nine goals and two assists in 37 games for Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient overall. His talents have been displayed at both right-wing and striker, and those back at Vicarage Road should be excited about what the future holds.
Ready for a first-team role?
There’s no hiding that the step up to the Championship is a big one. Few players can go from sixth-tier football to the second-tier in the space of less than two seasons too.
However, Forde has done all he can to try and warrant a place in the first-team plans at Watford. You can only perform at the level you’re put up against, and Forde has now been able to showcase his talents in League One, so a rise to the Championship could be the logical next step for the youngster
