AS WATFORD enter a crucial phase which could determine the direction of their season, Vialli asks for maximum vocal support on Saturday, December 15,

against Crystal Palace and then on Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Looking first to Saturday's game, Vialli said: "I look forward to the challenge because I know Palace will bring a lot of supporters who will be very noisy. We need to win the battle in the stands with our supporters getting behind us.

"Crystal Palace started off the season very brightly and played the best football in the division. It was effective but it was also exciting and very good to watch. It was also played with amazing intensity but with their problems they lost their way.

"Now they have a new manager appointed, have beaten Manchester City and were unfortunate to be beaten by Birmingham on a penalty the other night.

"I think they have enough to sustain them to be one of the contenders."

The manager looks to see how his side will fare, having regained much confidence of late.

"Now we have the confidence more than we have ever had at any time this season. We have shown this with good results and conceding fewer goals. That is a great difference to how we were but, just as it is a matter of reacting when things don't go so well, it is important not to get carried away when things go well," he said.

"We are improving and we are on our way but we are still only 12th. One has to be extremely careful because we are not where we want to be yet. I was optimistic even when the results were not going well and I am optimistic now but I am looking forward to see what this team can do now that confidence is back.

"We are playing each game as it comes but we are also playing to improve our position. I have told the players I will not tolerate any loss of spirit. We have set our own standards against Coventry, Nottingham Forest and against Portsmouth and Charlton. We have been committed and working hard for one another."

December 14, 2001 10:30