GIANLUCA VIALLI will not be going back to the drawing board after Saturday's (August 11) consummate and all-but-humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester City before ITV's live and digital cameras.

While the new Watford boss was embarrassed by his side's display, it only confirmed what he already knew, and had intimated before an aggressive ball was kicked: the Hornets are not ready.

They are relatively fit, but the sharpness is lacking along with the understanding and development of the new playing philosophy. Vialli, together with coach Ray Wilkins, is introducing the passing game. Now Wilkins has been criticised in the past, notably as a player, for being a man more disposed towards sideways movement than penetration.

The new Watford duo refute such concepts, but on Saturday at Maine Road, their side gave a display that lacked perception and a cutting edge. In the end, the Hornets were beaten comprehensively.

For the management it was confirmation they cannot change the culture and hone it to perfection in five pre-season weeks, no matter how many new men they bring in who are familiar with such styles.

Watford fielded six new signings on Saturday, one of whom only joined them on the Tuesday. So, in a football sense, the Hornets have not got too far past the introductory stage.

Both newcomer Marcus Gayle, who has not played too much passing football, given his Wimbledon background, and established young striker Tommy Smith, are sadly lacking in match practice.

So, on the face of it, Watford were always fighting an uphill battle, despite the fact they opened quite well playing possession football, with neat triangles, which ultimately lacked the final pass of perception.

"We still have plenty of work to do at and the best is still to come. We are not not our best yet, but we have to make an improvement, sooner rather than later," said the new manager.

Vialli understandably came under fire from critics for the failure to put a man on City's Eyal Berkovic, who ran the game without anyone attempting to do anything about it, or so it seemed.

August 16, 2001 12:55

By Oliver Phillips