Watford manager Gianfranco Zola says the team's new foreign players will enjoy "challenging" Christmas period

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola says his new foreign players may find the Christmas period "challenging" but believes they will "enjoy it".

The Hornets play five games in 15 days including three away matches at Bristol City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City.

The packed calendar, including matches on Boxing Day, will be a new experience for several of Watford's new signings who will be used to being given a Christmas break at this time of year.

Zola said: "The players know they are going to play many games in a short period of time and therefore they will need to be fit - they are intelligent players though so I don't think it will be a problem.

"They are happy to be playing on Boxing Day. Playing over the Christmas period for the first time is a different experience and I'm sure many of them will find it challenging and interesting but they will enjoy it."

The Italian is familiar with the Christmas congestion and said he looks forward to the sense of excitement among the fans.

He said: "I have a cold but I am okay, I always enjoy this period.

"There is always a really good atmosphere around the stadiums at this time of year and we will try to make the most of that."

Comments(14)

jasonwatford says...
1:07pm Fri 21 Dec 12

God bless you Gianfranco Zola...Merry xmas from all of us in the vicarage road end !!

Watford Man says...
1:57pm Fri 21 Dec 12

We love you Franco!

Poppet Bear says...
2:49pm Fri 21 Dec 12

Let's all wish for lots of points this Xmas & New Year. Good Luck you Golden Boys.

francowatford says...
3:17pm Fri 21 Dec 12

15 points in 15 days, tall order to take all 15! I'll be happywith 10 points

D.unstable says...
3:29pm Fri 21 Dec 12

You need Lemsip Cold and Flu GFZ....Meanwhile I had a dream that the end of the world was cancelled and then Watford became the best team to ever grace the planet, this is what the Mayan's meant, it was all about a new beginning, a shift of forces, get on board and enjoy the ride, the wicked witch is dead (or soon will be once the salad Boyz hire a hit man).....merry Christmas to one and all ;0)

abbotshornet says...
4:03pm Fri 21 Dec 12

15 points in 5 games? Not sure how many we get for beating Man City, maybe that total includes brownie points.
Firstly let's get 3 against Forest to get the Christmas of to a great start, our large squad of good players may stand us in good stead during this busy spell, and we have a few good-uns coming back from injury too. COYH

CARDIFFHORN says...
5:46pm Fri 21 Dec 12

abbotshornet wrote:
15 points in 5 games? Not sure how many we get for beating Man City, maybe that total includes brownie points.
Firstly let's get 3 against Forest to get the Christmas of to a great start, our large squad of good players may stand us in good stead during this busy spell, and we have a few good-uns coming back from injury too. COYH
Totally agree, take one game at a time, will be happy with a win tomorrow - not an easy game.

Hampshire hornet says...
10:44pm Fri 21 Dec 12

jasonwatford wrote:
God bless you Gianfranco Zola...Merry xmas from all of us in the vicarage road end !!
Apparantly you never go .. and support Luton... Despite seeing you in the Pub and sitting a few rows behind me..

Holly68 says...
10:48pm Fri 21 Dec 12

Team I would like to see tomorrow :

Alumina
Hoban
Hall
Ekstrand
Pudil
Abdi
Battochio
Mbia
Cassetti
Vydra
Deeney

Bench :
Bonhom
Neuton
Geijo
Beleck
Anya
Murray
Chalobah

Hampshire hornet says...
11:07pm Fri 21 Dec 12

Looks a good team.. Is Cassetti back to fitness?

True watford fan says...
11:36pm Fri 21 Dec 12

that team has no balance in midfield and mbia is a winger....it would be like playing lennon through the middle....agree battochio should be given a game as without FF we lack a creative spark so maybe a bloke with nimble feet would be good. I would go with:

Manuel
hoban hall joel
marco abdi chalobah battochio pudil
majej troy

the sooner FF gets back the better in my opinion.

jasonwatford says...
11:36am Sat 22 Dec 12

Hey hampshire you must be seeing things my friend ???? watfordogs is such a real man making all these comments...see you in red lion maybe ? merry xmas all

Hampshire hornet says...
12:17pm Sat 22 Dec 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Hey hampshire you must be seeing things my friend ???? watfordogs is such a real man making all these comments...see you in red lion maybe ? merry xmas all
No I won't because you will be a lot further up the M1 (apparantly) .. I will say hello to your twin in the pub though

lockerbiehornet says...
2:09pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Anyone seen this article about Fitz Halls contract situation?

http://www1.skysport
s.com/football/news/
11686/8351427/?utm_m
edium=facebook&utm_s
ource=twitterfeed_Wa
tford

click2find

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