Gianfranco Zola focused on Watford's next two games ahead of transfer window opening

The January transfer window may open on Tuesday but Watford boss Gianfranco Zola has stated he will not think about improving his squad until after the next two matches.

The Hornets travel to Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow before returning to Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day for a clash against Charlton Athletic.

Many sides will look to strengthen their squads throughout January and while Zola hasn’t ruled out that possibility, he insists the match against the Seagulls is currently the focus of his attention.

He said: “I am not even thinking about the transfer window. The priority is to get the two games out of the way then we can maybe start thinking about the possible things we could do to improve the team.

“But first of all, Saturday is a massive game for us so we have to concentrate on that.”

The Hornets travel to Brighton looking to build on their 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.

Neither side were in action on Boxing Day and Gus Poyet’s men haven’t played since their 2-2 draw with Millwall on December 18.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Watford but Marco Cassetti is suspended. Zola is expecting Fernando Forestieri to be available for selection after he trained yesterday.

The Hornets manager is anticipating an entertaining contest and a different test than what his players are used to.

The Italian explained: “It has all the ingredients to be a very good game. We will certainly want to do well and they will obviously do the same.

“I have been told it will nearly be a full house as well which means the supporters will be there and will make the game even better.”

He continued: “We are playing a side that is close to us [in the table] and it is going to be tough. They play in a way, especially at home, that sees them keep a lot of possession – as we like to do.

“So it is going to be a tough game for my team. We normally play sides who play differently to how we do but Brighton play in a similar way to how we do, so that will be a good test for us.

“I’m looking forward to it and it will be a pleasure to see Gus again and compete against him.”

Zola and Poyet are good friends after the duo spent four years playing together at Chelsea and the Brighton boss believes his former team-mate is doing a good job at Watford.

He said: “If I can’t win the league, if you ask me who I want to win the league it is Gianfranco Zola.

“As a player (at Chelsea) he was not even thinking about being a manager. I would imagine he was thinking more about being a professional golfer than a manager.

“But sometimes with football, like life, you don’t know where it takes you. Slowly he started watching football, then he got with the right people and they convinced him. He knows what he wants.

“He understands football in an unbelievable way. People were trying to find out if he could transmit that to the players and I think so far so good.”

Comments(34)

WessexLad says...
4:33pm Fri 28 Dec 12

You don't wait until the window opens to start thinking about who you might buy, so I'm sure that certain players will have been identified as potential targets.

That said, though, there is nothing that can be done immediately, so GZ is quite right to be focusing his efforts on the upcoming games.

Bush Hornet says...
4:47pm Fri 28 Dec 12

I really don't think we need anyone...do we?

WFC4ever says...
5:20pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
Depends who goes but anyone coming in would have to accept they won't be a starter.

WessexLad says...
5:46pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
If Chalobar returns to Chelsea, that would leave a hole, even if Eustace returns. Then, I'd be more comfortable with more experienced cover for Almunia. But of course, it also depends on whether anyone we could afford, and who is better than what we have, becomes available.

Watfordpete says...
6:23pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Guess GZ doesn't need to worry about the window - Nani does that job!

buckler says...
6:33pm Fri 28 Dec 12

WessexLad wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
If Chalobar returns to Chelsea, that would leave a hole, even if Eustace returns. Then, I'd be more comfortable with more experienced cover for Almunia. But of course, it also depends on whether anyone we could afford, and who is better than what we have, becomes available.
Trade secret , sshh Chalobar here for the year. Fact..

PeteBogHorrorHornet says...
6:35pm Fri 28 Dec 12

WFC4ever wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
Depends who goes but anyone coming in would have to accept they won't be a starter.
And what if the Pozzo's get tempted by some big money bids coming in for the likes of Vydra, Abdi, Forestieri etc...?

@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:42pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Wojciech Pawłowski is all im saying.

goldenboy1993 says...
6:46pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Gone of the days of all the big names leaving in jan, only replacement needed is leaving chalobah

Baz loves porridge says...
6:47pm Fri 28 Dec 12

It's ovbious that our target is promotion, and if we get into the PL, some of our players won't cut it.. So I won't be a surprise if we don't get some good players come along

Travelling Hornet says...
6:52pm Fri 28 Dec 12

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Wojciech Pawłowski is all im saying.
Udineses young goalkeeper?
What do you know Chris?

dmuz says...
7:00pm Fri 28 Dec 12

PeteBogHorrorHornet wrote:
WFC4ever wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
Depends who goes but anyone coming in would have to accept they won't be a starter.
And what if the Pozzo's get tempted by some big money bids coming in for the likes of Vydra, Abdi, Forestieri etc...?
No point in selling our best if there is £60m for potential promotion. Doesnt make business sense.

I imagine most transfer business has already been discussed internally about prior to now, so just wait and see if/who comes in.

lutondown says...
7:20pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Bush Hornet wrote:
I really don't think we need anyone...do we?
Leave it aloan!

lutondown says...
7:21pm Fri 28 Dec 12

goldenboy1993 wrote:
Gone of the days of all the big names leaving in jan, only replacement needed is leaving chalobah
Your misinformed. He's staying for season.

jasonwatford says...
7:27pm Fri 28 Dec 12

goldenboy is watfordogs old lady so he must know...pmsl...anyone who has knowledge knows he is staying because he wants too and chrisbottom has given you a name of someone coming in what more do you want !!!

holtonian says...
7:32pm Fri 28 Dec 12

I do not believe Matej,Almen,Ikechi or Fernando have reached there full potential, so hardly see big enough offers being made just yet, Plus as correctly mentioned there is the huge promotion bonus to be taken if doing so.But the inevitable could occur if a club bid enough.And surely our owners would be entitled to re-coup then replenish.

jasonwatford says...
7:41pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Piotr Zieliński..........
another gem to shoot us into prem league....whoops..di
d i say something ?

@ChrisBottom16 says...
7:41pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Wojciech Palowowski:
- Polish
- Goalkeeper
- 19 Years Old
- 6 Foot 3 Inches
- 13 Stone ish.
- Signed For Udinese In January 2012
- Very Much In The Peter Scmeichel Role
- Played At Top Level In Poland
Highly Rated But At least 3rd Choice At Udinese
- The GK position is the one we need to strengthen... Bond and Bonham on the bench andalthough very promising, not enough if Almunia is injured.
- Nothin Concrete But Polish Mates Have Heard Rumours Back In Poland.
- Poss Coming On 6 Month Loan With A View To Staying On As No 1 Next Year.
- He Is Very Good, I'd Rate Him Better Than Ben Foster.
- Here Are Some Clips Of Him
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=xUoSiN2tG
Kk
- Really Hope He Joins

@ChrisBottom16 says...
7:46pm Fri 28 Dec 12

If that link dont work, type his name into YouTube and watch the 9:12 clip

@ChrisBottom16 says...
8:03pm Fri 28 Dec 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Piotr Zieliński..........

another gem to shoot us into prem league....whoops..di

d i say something ?
Another very good creative player who would stand out in this league!! My dream job is to go out to eatern europe and scout out there!

jasonwatford says...
8:21pm Fri 28 Dec 12

pack ur bags chris.........lets go scouting

@ChrisBottom16 says...
8:32pm Fri 28 Dec 12

jasonwatford wrote:
pack ur bags chris.........lets go scouting
sounds good to me bud! a lot of talent out in poland, slovinia, slovakia, serbia, armenia, albania, montenegro!

KeithMercer says...
8:50pm Fri 28 Dec 12

Is It ok if I come as well guys I can scout some women for the Watford ladies team .
I have it on good authority there is some serious talent out there !!

@ChrisBottom16 says...
10:37pm Fri 28 Dec 12

KeithMercer wrote:
Is It ok if I come as well guys I can scout some women for the Watford ladies team .
I have it on good authority there is some serious talent out there !!
i promise you on my lifehaving spent the last 8 years working with Polish car valeters, your information is bang. on. models each and everyone of them, and the most lovliest people you could meet!

lutondown says...
10:44pm Fri 28 Dec 12

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
KeithMercer wrote:
Is It ok if I come as well guys I can scout some women for the Watford ladies team .
I have it on good authority there is some serious talent out there !!
i promise you on my lifehaving spent the last 8 years working with Polish car valeters, your information is bang. on. models each and everyone of them, and the most lovliest people you could meet!
Dog!

D.unstable says...
12:36am Sat 29 Dec 12

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Wojciech Palowowski:
- Polish
- Goalkeeper
- 19 Years Old
- 6 Foot 3 Inches
- 13 Stone ish.
- Signed For Udinese In January 2012
- Very Much In The Peter Scmeichel Role
- Played At Top Level In Poland
Highly Rated But At least 3rd Choice At Udinese
- The GK position is the one we need to strengthen... Bond and Bonham on the bench andalthough very promising, not enough if Almunia is injured.
- Nothin Concrete But Polish Mates Have Heard Rumours Back In Poland.
- Poss Coming On 6 Month Loan With A View To Staying On As No 1 Next Year.
- He Is Very Good, I'd Rate Him Better Than Ben Foster.
- Here Are Some Clips Of Him
http://www.youtube.c

om/watch?v=xUoSiN2tG

Kk
- Really Hope He Joins
Just watched the YouTube montage of this guy, difficult to judge without seeing him in a game. Imagine buying a Scott Loach off the back of a few decent looking saves on camera then realising you have a chump who doesn't communicate with his defenders or move off his line. So will reserve judgement.

I think Almunia still has a couple of years as No.1 even if promoted, but do need to look around for an 'experienced' back up.

wfc lad says...
7:35am Sat 29 Dec 12

anyone got a spare place in there car for man city ? need a lift :)

watford1881 says...
9:51am Sat 29 Dec 12

I think we do need cover in goal.. Only a very young keeper in reserve.. If we are pushing near the top & keeper gets injured we will need quality... Plus another good forward is never a bad thing...

jasonwatford says...
10:37am Sat 29 Dec 12

chrisbottom...i was thinking more of australia....fiji...
jamaca...miami....!!
!!

thehornet35 says...
11:31am Sat 29 Dec 12

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Wojciech Palowowski:
- Polish
- Goalkeeper
- 19 Years Old
- 6 Foot 3 Inches
- 13 Stone ish.
- Signed For Udinese In January 2012
- Very Much In The Peter Scmeichel Role
- Played At Top Level In Poland
Highly Rated But At least 3rd Choice At Udinese
- The GK position is the one we need to strengthen... Bond and Bonham on the bench andalthough very promising, not enough if Almunia is injured.
- Nothin Concrete But Polish Mates Have Heard Rumours Back In Poland.
- Poss Coming On 6 Month Loan With A View To Staying On As No 1 Next Year.
- He Is Very Good, I'd Rate Him Better Than Ben Foster.
- Here Are Some Clips Of Him
http://www.youtube.c

om/watch?v=xUoSiN2tG

Kk
- Really Hope He Joins
By "Very much in the Peter Schmeichel Role" Im guessing you mean goalkeeper..........
..

AngelHornet says...
11:54am Sat 29 Dec 12

I can only see one, maybe two in on loan and half a dozen out

bigthunder says...
1:21pm Sat 29 Dec 12

Well if we really want to get up this season i can think of one player who would so fit into this team , works his n*ts off , scores goals , leads the line and still loves watford , unsettled at his present club and better than we have got presently and now has experience

welcome back Danny Graham . loan with a view to perm when promoted ?
nice thought

bigthunder says...
1:26pm Sat 29 Dec 12

bigthunder wrote:
Well if we really want to get up this season i can think of one player who would so fit into this team , works his n*ts off , scores goals , leads the line and still loves watford , unsettled at his present club and better than we have got presently and now has experience

welcome back Danny Graham . loan with a view to perm when promoted ?
nice thought
forgot to say would also put alot more bums on seats Mr Nani/Duxbury and is english so helps with the number of players in team who have to be from here

trying to convince you anyway would be a massively popular and strong signing !!!

Harrydownunder says...
2:03pm Sat 29 Dec 12

why are we always so focused on bringing old players back?

click2find

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