Zola praise for 'excellent performance' (From Watford Observer)
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Watford boss labels Brighton & Hove Albion win one of best on road this season
9:20pm Saturday 29th December 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor
The Watford boss believes the 3-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion is “one of the best” away victories of the season.
The Hornets strengthened their grip on sixth place with their sixth win on the road thanks to two quick-fire Matej Vydra goals to take his tally for the season to 12 after a David Lopez penalty had cancelled out Troy Deeney’s second-half opener.
Gianfranco Zola said: “I think this is certainly one of the best ones [away wins], not only for the result but the way we played. Considering also the value of the opposition, I think it was an excellent performance.”
Looking back on the game, the Hornets’ head coach rermarked: “I thought in the first 15 minutes they created a lot of problems for us because obviously they are a quality team, the move the ball quite well on the pitch but they just didn’t manage to get the goal they needed.
“After that, we found better measures on the pitch. We managed to get on top of them with a little bit more speed and balance because in the beginning, with the switch of play, we couldn’t shuffle over quick enough to the other side and stop them. Once we dealt with that our quality, the passing came through and came out and that was the turning point. As soon as we got our midfielders on to the ball, passing the ball with more consistency the game completely changed and I think that’s what made the difference.”
Comments(51)
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
says...
10:13pm Sat 29 Dec 12
For all of those on here saying we can only have 6 of our 'loan' players in the team at any time you have it wrong, season long loans count as signings therefore we don't have a problem. Only chalobah was a shorter term loan, hopefully we can keep him for the season and beyond!
Also sick of all the pundits banging on about all of our 'loan' players!! The pozzos want us to go up, the best will be signing!
COYHs!!
apatters
says...
10:45pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Was at the game today, really enjoyed the support from a full away end. Nice to see GfZ applauding the fans too.
Looking forward to 2013, play offs beckon or even better.
D.unstable
says...
11:28pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Think we might give my favourite player Fessi a little run out again Charlton, just to blow the cob webs off before we show Man City how to play a 3-5-2
Mohandas
says...
11:42pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Poppet Bear
says...
11:58pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Goyellows
says...
12:55am Sun 30 Dec 12
.believe me, WE ARE GOING UP!!!!!
Bush Hornet
says...
1:11am Sun 30 Dec 12
Goyellows wrote:Taylor's army was awesome but this is a quality team that will suit the Premiership today - a very different top flight from the 80s. At last we can get back there AND STAY THERE in style.
Its true, its quite amazing the football we are playing, how long has anyone who has supported Watford seen anything like this??? I have watched Watford when Taylor took us on the journey, but this team, or squad of players under Zola, are so much better..............
.believe me, WE ARE GOING UP!!!!!
downunderorn
says...
4:33am Sun 30 Dec 12
Well worth the early mark of 3.20 am to watch live in Oz.
Will be over in April for the celebrations at the Vic.
The colour is YELLOWWWWWWWWWWW
mattymashup
says...
6:42am Sun 30 Dec 12
We need to keep our focus and win next week to keep this charge of ours going.
Good performance last night, defensively a little bit suspect but credit to Brighton who are a good team.
We did however play much better than in September when we lost to them so the signs are good.
If the loanees sign permanently in January can we then play more loanees from udine?!
Last point I'm still disappointed with the football league show. Extended highlights and they stilll didn't show pudils early headed chance when through on goal or deeneys header at the end of the half, made the game look more equal than it was!
mellow yellow
says...
7:18am Sun 30 Dec 12
Keep it up lads. This is something special.
DuffmanWFC
says...
8:29am Sun 30 Dec 12
Mind you Taylor's awesome side in the 80s that won promotion to the top flight and then finished 2nd to Liverpool - who went on to be Euro champs eventually was just as distructive!
Any side that had Blissett and Barnes in there team back then would be the equivalent of Shearer/Zola or Henry/Overmars of the late 90s or even Bale/Van Persie of today's era! And don't forget we had Young/King in 2006 who were awesome too!
I just hope we do get to sign the likes of Vydra, Abdi, Pudil, Ekstrand and Forestieri as these guys could well be our next superstars!
It's just so great being a fan of Watford at the moment... I haven't felt like this for a long time... Thank you WFC
SAHornet
says...
8:38am Sun 30 Dec 12
Is there a chance that the Pozzo's might say, "we've had offers of X for Vydra, X for Foresteiri, X for Abdi, X for Pudil etc etc so we'll sell them, cash-in and start afresh at Watford with a new group of "loanees" from Udine? "
Or are they more likely to say, "no, we're a roll towards the Prem, either this season or next and the rewards from that far outweigh the short-term rewards of selling key players now" ?
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny
says...
8:57am Sun 30 Dec 12
SAHornet wrote:If the offer was big enough for any of them I believe they would be sold, but that's just football and its their way of business, there is always another star to be found cheaper. The chances of teams making offers enough to temp them all away I would say are so slim it's not worth worrying about! Plus big offers wouldn't come in on half a decent season!
I have a question:
Is there a chance that the Pozzo's might say, "we've had offers of X for Vydra, X for Foresteiri, X for Abdi, X for Pudil etc etc so we'll sell them, cash-in and start afresh at Watford with a new group of "loanees" from Udine? "
Or are they more likely to say, "no, we're a roll towards the Prem, either this season or next and the rewards from that far outweigh the short-term rewards of selling key players now" ?
Agree with the above, most exiting Watford team ever! Things are amazing
DuffmanWFC
says...
9:10am Sun 30 Dec 12
Also if we do get promoted and they perform well then there values will quadruple!
Say our best players are Abdi and Vydra.... Today they may be worth £5M each max to another club.. We won't pay that but I suppose there will be a sell on fee to Udinese if they were sold on for xyz in the future!
Promotion to Prem is worth £60M and the balloon repayments are massive even if you go down!
The Pozzos know this and don't forget they never give there best players away cheaply.... Sanchez to Barca proves this!
Also the players have a say and at the moment they are all happy and enjoying there footy! So come Jan they will be signed!
One exiting swipe for Martin Samuel... You are clueless and know nothing, you assume a £30M transfer means a player is class and a loan is not!
You've been proved wrong Mr Samuel and your lack of research and understanding of a football club and its playing staff is an embarisment to your news paper! Next time get your facts right!
Anyway enough of that you Knob Jockey!
Duffman out.... You Orns!
GrahamTaylor
says...
9:32am Sun 30 Dec 12
Somebody on another post (and this) incorrectly only have six loans in the playing eleven, well we finished with more last night. It is a loop hole in the rule and now it has been exploited I am sure FIFA / FA will look at ways to stop it. If the Watford model proves successful mid to long term then other club may well exploit it too.
As with any loop hole it is only highlighted when somebody benefits and the Premiership boys won’t like this one at all. If this is what little Udinese can do with their resources imagine what some of Europe’s big guns could achieve with a bigger club than Watford. How about a Barcelona owning a Sheffield Wednesday team with their fan base?
GrahamTaylor
says...
9:33am Sun 30 Dec 12
JohnnyHornet
says...
9:39am Sun 30 Dec 12
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:Still at least 6 of the best regulars will sign permanently in January with a few going back I suspect.
Brilliant, all the signs of us getting better too!
For all of those on here saying we can only have 6 of our 'loan' players in the team at any time you have it wrong, season long loans count as signings therefore we don't have a problem. Only chalobah was a shorter term loan, hopefully we can keep him for the season and beyond!
Also sick of all the pundits banging on about all of our 'loan' players!! The pozzos want us to go up, the best will be signing!
COYHs!!
JohnnyHornet
says...
9:43am Sun 30 Dec 12
mattymashup wrote:What we need is a stonkingly good crowd at the Vic NYD, getting behind the team and a good convincing win..in all reality stuff the cup as it will probably be a one game wonder..
The only thing I worry about at the moment is next weekend's game. I'm hoping we don't go into it looking forward to the city game and take our eye off the ball as it were.
We need to keep our focus and win next week to keep this charge of ours going.
Good performance last night, defensively a little bit suspect but credit to Brighton who are a good team.
We did however play much better than in September when we lost to them so the signs are good.
If the loanees sign permanently in January can we then play more loanees from udine?!
Last point I'm still disappointed with the football league show. Extended highlights and they stilll didn't show pudils early headed chance when through on goal or deeneys header at the end of the half, made the game look more equal than it was!
jasonwatford
says...
10:13am Sun 30 Dec 12
Eastsussexhornet
says...
10:51am Sun 30 Dec 12
apatters wrote:No one should book a holiday on or around the 27th may 2013.
According to mgmt team at Fans Forum all the loan players who are staying will convert to Watford players in the window, except Chalobah who is the only real loanee. That will stop the annoying distraction from our great football.
Was at the game today, really enjoyed the support from a full away end. Nice to see GfZ applauding the fans too.
Looking forward to 2013, play offs beckon or even better.
YoKsHiRe.....HoRn!!!!!!!
says...
11:29am Sun 30 Dec 12
DuffmanWFC
says...
11:30am Sun 30 Dec 12
FACT is that it doesn't brake any rules and its not as if its only Watford who are allowed to use it! FACT is its only Watford who have been CLEVER enough to use it!
How unfair is it that a multi billionaire is allowed to run a club at MASSIVE LOSSES whilst spending Multi Millions on transfers and wages that a club CAN'T SUSTAIN!
Clubs like Man UTD, Man City and Chelsea flaunt any financial fair play and get away with it! Clubs like Leicester, Forest, Leeds, Pompey, Birmingham, Wolves, Blackburn, Cardiff, Middlesborough etc etc have splashed cash which we could never afford for it to only go wrong!
Now this is our chance to use a system.. And that's what it is .... A SYSTEM to enhance our squad without any financial detrement to the club and all these other clubs and some stupid fat plank called Martin Samuel moan!
Well haters we are here and we've thrown our hat in the ring and we are ready for this fight!
Bring on the test of the season and bring on these haters and we will show you a thing or two!
Goyellows
says...
12:44pm Sun 30 Dec 12
8:11pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I thought we were given a master-class tonight. Their movement off the ball was staggering, as was their quick passing, not to mention their finishing...only good thing is that we wont have to play them again this season ...and maybe not next either ..eb site.......
Goyellows
says...
12:44pm Sun 30 Dec 12
8:11pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I thought we were given a master-class tonight. Their movement off the ball was staggering, as was their quick passing, not to mention their finishing...only good thing is that we wont have to play them again this season ...and maybe not next either ..eb site.......
SAHornet
says...
1:16pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Goyellows wrote:Thanks for finding this.....loved it
Just had to post this from a Brighton fan on there wOGGDAVE1 says...
8:11pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I thought we were given a master-class tonight. Their movement off the ball was staggering, as was their quick passing, not to mention their finishing...only good thing is that we wont have to play them again this season ...and maybe not next either ..eb site.......
KeithMercer
says...
1:17pm Sun 30 Dec 12
DuffmanWFC wrote:Good Stuff Duffers !!
It makes me laugh at the people moaning about our loan players!
FACT is that it doesn't brake any rules and its not as if its only Watford who are allowed to use it! FACT is its only Watford who have been CLEVER enough to use it!
How unfair is it that a multi billionaire is allowed to run a club at MASSIVE LOSSES whilst spending Multi Millions on transfers and wages that a club CAN'T SUSTAIN!
Clubs like Man UTD, Man City and Chelsea flaunt any financial fair play and get away with it! Clubs like Leicester, Forest, Leeds, Pompey, Birmingham, Wolves, Blackburn, Cardiff, Middlesborough etc etc have splashed cash which we could never afford for it to only go wrong!
Now this is our chance to use a system.. And that's what it is .... A SYSTEM to enhance our squad without any financial detrement to the club and all these other clubs and some stupid fat plank called Martin Samuel moan!
Well haters we are here and we've thrown our hat in the ring and we are ready for this fight!
Bring on the test of the season and bring on these haters and we will show you a thing or two!
we are very fortunate to have the Pozzos, and must never get ahead of ourselves and take things for granted !
The club is in good hands and moving in the right direction and these are great and exciting times to be a Watford supporter.
Lets not take Charlton for granted as we have been guilty of these things in the past (I am talking about the supporters here) We need to get right behind the team and be voiciferous and will that ball into the net !! lets not just turn up and expect everything to go our way and that goals will come as right of our superiority . If we take each game as it comes and make each one the most important of the season so far there is no telling what we can achieve !! But we must play our part as well and fill the Vic not just with bodies ! but with noise and atmosphere and make it an intimidating place to come.
Happy new year everyone !
Yellow Armani !!
DuffmanWFC
says...
2:43pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Lets get vocal!
The Pizzos, The Board, Zola and his staff and the players have been truly amaizing this season so lets give them what they deserve and that's more of us going and making home games a great place to be!
We owe them this, then we can get a new East Stand and build our beloved club together into what it used to be in the 80's but with the tag of pure football! That's a packed ground of 23,000 plus that turned up to watch the mighty horns bag another 3 points!
It can be done, the Pozzos and co have saved this club and transformed it and now its up to us to mould it!
Come on folks lets do this!
JohnnyHornet
says...
3:03pm Sun 30 Dec 12
DuffmanWFC wrote:I agree, the very least we can do is to turn up at the Vic NYD just to say thank you to the Pozzo's for saving the club let alone the great stuff GFZ has got the team playing.
Well said Keith, lets fill the Vic, lets bring a friend or a family member that hasn't been before or for a long time!
Lets get vocal!
The Pizzos, The Board, Zola and his staff and the players have been truly amaizing this season so lets give them what they deserve and that's more of us going and making home games a great place to be!
We owe them this, then we can get a new East Stand and build our beloved club together into what it used to be in the 80's but with the tag of pure football! That's a packed ground of 23,000 plus that turned up to watch the mighty horns bag another 3 points!
It can be done, the Pozzos and co have saved this club and transformed it and now its up to us to mould it!
Come on folks lets do this!
Holly68
says...
4:25pm Sun 30 Dec 12
SAHornet wrote:I was on the park and ride bus back with all Brighton fans and all said we "Ooooozed Class" and what they'd give to have Deeney and Vydra
Goyellows wrote:Thanks for finding this.....loved it
Just had to post this from a Brighton fan on there wOGGDAVE1 says...
8:11pm Sat 29 Dec 12
I thought we were given a master-class tonight. Their movement off the ball was staggering, as was their quick passing, not to mention their finishing...only good thing is that we wont have to play them again this season ...and maybe not next either ..eb site.......
Holly68
says...
4:46pm Sun 30 Dec 12
40 points now with 22 games left to play.
48 more points from 22 games is 16 more Wins to get automatic (6 defeats)
43 more points from 22 games is 14 more wins and a draw to get 3rd or 4th place (7 defeats)
35 more points from 22 games is 11 more wins and two draws (9 defeats)
We've lost 8 games to date, so confident we can reduce that figure to 4 or 5 in second part of season, just depends on number of draws as to where we finish IMO
Holly68
says...
4:52pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Holly68 wrote:My estimate is we will finish 4th
75 points to make play offs, 83 points to make 3rd or 4th place, 88 to go up automatically.
40 points now with 22 games left to play.
48 more points from 22 games is 16 more Wins to get automatic (6 defeats)
43 more points from 22 games is 14 more wins and a draw to get 3rd or 4th place (7 defeats)
35 more points from 22 games is 11 more wins and two draws (9 defeats)
We've lost 8 games to date, so confident we can reduce that figure to 4 or 5 in second part of season, just depends on number of draws as to where we finish IMO
Final Table :
Hull
Cardiff
Middlesbrough
Watford
Leicester
Millwall
Watford play Leicester in PO Semi then Boro in Final at Wembley
@ChrisBottom16
says...
5:35pm Sun 30 Dec 12
jasonwatford wrote:that song went down well in huddersfield... well with our fans anyway haha!
Yes can people get this right we can play 11 loanees if we wanted too as long as 6 on the bench are home grown players ie like yeats , doyley , murray , anya , hoban , hall , hogg , chalobah , smith , bond , bonham , deeney. Juat means as long as 6 players in 18 matchday squad we are fine. As we sang at Brighton......we sign who we want we sign who we want from udinese we sigh who we want !
mellow yellow
says...
5:37pm Sun 30 Dec 12
@ChrisBottom16
says...
5:43pm Sun 30 Dec 12
JohnnyHornet wrote:Im bringin my brother who had given up under the crap dyche served up.
DuffmanWFC wrote:I agree, the very least we can do is to turn up at the Vic NYD just to say thank you to the Pozzo's for saving the club let alone the great stuff GFZ has got the team playing.
Well said Keith, lets fill the Vic, lets bring a friend or a family member that hasn't been before or for a long time!
Lets get vocal!
The Pizzos, The Board, Zola and his staff and the players have been truly amaizing this season so lets give them what they deserve and that's more of us going and making home games a great place to be!
We owe them this, then we can get a new East Stand and build our beloved club together into what it used to be in the 80's but with the tag of pure football! That's a packed ground of 23,000 plus that turned up to watch the mighty horns bag another 3 points!
It can be done, the Pozzos and co have saved this club and transformed it and now its up to us to mould it!
Come on folks lets do this!
Boosey
says...
5:59pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Holly68 wrote:I predict we finish second but would rather win the playoff final. my only problem wil be the hangover, they get worse as I get older.
Holly68 wrote: 75 points to make play offs, 83 points to make 3rd or 4th place, 88 to go up automatically. 40 points now with 22 games left to play. 48 more points from 22 games is 16 more Wins to get automatic (6 defeats) 43 more points from 22 games is 14 more wins and a draw to get 3rd or 4th place (7 defeats) 35 more points from 22 games is 11 more wins and two draws (9 defeats) We've lost 8 games to date, so confident we can reduce that figure to 4 or 5 in second part of season, just depends on number of draws as to where we finish IMOMy estimate is we will finish 4th Final Table : Hull Cardiff Middlesbrough Watford Leicester Millwall Watford play Leicester in PO Semi then Boro in Final at Wembley
I keep asking myself, is this all real or just a dream? Brilliant to be a Horn!
JohnnyHornet
says...
6:36pm Sun 30 Dec 12
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:I just moved back to the area, not really been since 1999 after 30 years of watching, I'm champing mate, I'm a champing. can't wait...
JohnnyHornet wrote:Im bringin my brother who had given up under the crap dyche served up.
DuffmanWFC wrote:I agree, the very least we can do is to turn up at the Vic NYD just to say thank you to the Pozzo's for saving the club let alone the great stuff GFZ has got the team playing.
Well said Keith, lets fill the Vic, lets bring a friend or a family member that hasn't been before or for a long time!
Lets get vocal!
The Pizzos, The Board, Zola and his staff and the players have been truly amaizing this season so lets give them what they deserve and that's more of us going and making home games a great place to be!
We owe them this, then we can get a new East Stand and build our beloved club together into what it used to be in the 80's but with the tag of pure football! That's a packed ground of 23,000 plus that turned up to watch the mighty horns bag another 3 points!
It can be done, the Pozzos and co have saved this club and transformed it and now its up to us to mould it!
Come on folks lets do this!
MUSTOITALIA
says...
6:41pm Sun 30 Dec 12
YoKsHiRe.....HoRn!!!!!!!
says...
6:57pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Holly68 wrote:Don't ya think you're getting a little carried away with yourself?
Holly68 wrote:My estimate is we will finish 4th
75 points to make play offs, 83 points to make 3rd or 4th place, 88 to go up automatically.
40 points now with 22 games left to play.
48 more points from 22 games is 16 more Wins to get automatic (6 defeats)
43 more points from 22 games is 14 more wins and a draw to get 3rd or 4th place (7 defeats)
35 more points from 22 games is 11 more wins and two draws (9 defeats)
We've lost 8 games to date, so confident we can reduce that figure to 4 or 5 in second part of season, just depends on number of draws as to where we finish IMO
Final Table :
Hull
Cardiff
Middlesbrough
Watford
Leicester
Millwall
Watford play Leicester in PO Semi then Boro in Final at Wembley
We'll finish top!
jasonwatford
says...
9:44pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Harrydownunder
says...
11:24pm Sun 30 Dec 12
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I'm booking a holiday, back to England so I can be at Wembley or celebrating automatic promotion in Watford somewhere
apatters wrote:No one should book a holiday on or around the 27th may 2013.
According to mgmt team at Fans Forum all the loan players who are staying will convert to Watford players in the window, except Chalobah who is the only real loanee. That will stop the annoying distraction from our great football.
Was at the game today, really enjoyed the support from a full away end. Nice to see GfZ applauding the fans too.
Looking forward to 2013, play offs beckon or even better.
'Ong Kong 'Orn
says...
3:20am Mon 31 Dec 12
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/sport/0/football/20
871131
SAHornet
says...
8:28am Mon 31 Dec 12
Roger "Studs" Joslyn
says...
8:45am Mon 31 Dec 12
The Not-so-enlightened one
says...
12:21pm Mon 31 Dec 12
Holly68
says...
12:32pm Mon 31 Dec 12
SAHornet wrote:Extra gate receipts from the play off games of circa £1M
Can anyone please tell me what financially, is the difference to Watford between going up automatically or going up as a result of winning the play-off's ?
Holly68
says...
12:33pm Mon 31 Dec 12
'Ong Kong 'Orn wrote:Most of the BHA were waxing lyrical about our style
Brighton's Andrea Orlandi is quoted on the Beeb website as describing Watford as 'the best footballing side in the league'.
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/sport/0/football/20
871131
AndyHandShandy
says...
12:34pm Mon 31 Dec 12
Roger "Studs" Joslyn wrote:does sound simple 'studs', with those calculations. are you some kind of statto or just a bored accountant wishing away the hours in front of your work computer counting down the hours to our next 3 points!!?
If we take our last 11 games to be our current form we have won 7 drawn 3 and lost 1. That is 24 points from our last 11. We have 22 games left if we carry on with the same form ratio we will amass another 48 points. Taking us to 88 points in total - automatic promotion - simples!!! Sounds easy on paper doesn't it. Add to the mix we are getting better and better as the season unfolds we could be in for a good shout.
ChunkeyMonkey
says...
12:54pm Mon 31 Dec 12
I am no doubter - we are on the best journey we have had since the 80's and the quality of the football is even better than then. It's an old adage but take each game as it comes because from here on in the league starts to polarise with those chasing the top and those trying to get out of the bottom, and often it is the teams in the latter category that create more problems - Charlton tomorrow will be a test - I expect us to pass it, but only if we play as well as we did at Brighton.
HNY to one and all - get to the Vic and give the team the added belief - the Horns are going up!!
Harry's Bar
says...
1:54pm Mon 31 Dec 12
mellow yellow wrote:Agreed. Don't see Millwall as top six, around 10th probably. I'd predict the current top six plus Leeds and Nottm. Forest fighting it out come May.
I doubt Millwall will make it to the play-offs. Jacket has done wonders there, but they haven't got the strength in depth or overall quality to maintain a push. If Palace can keep their players, it will be them in the top six. A Watford/Palace final would be a nice one... especially for Sarf London 'orns like me!
Roger "Studs" Joslyn
says...
2:32pm Mon 31 Dec 12
AndyHandShandy wrote:Think you might just have me sussed Handy Andy. Bring on Charlton on New Years Day! COYH!!
Roger "Studs" Joslyn wrote:does sound simple 'studs', with those calculations. are you some kind of statto or just a bored accountant wishing away the hours in front of your work computer counting down the hours to our next 3 points!!?
If we take our last 11 games to be our current form we have won 7 drawn 3 and lost 1. That is 24 points from our last 11. We have 22 games left if we carry on with the same form ratio we will amass another 48 points. Taking us to 88 points in total - automatic promotion - simples!!! Sounds easy on paper doesn't it. Add to the mix we are getting better and better as the season unfolds we could be in for a good shout.
MUSTOITALIA says...
10:00pm Sat 29 Dec 12