Watford boss Gianfranco Zola will consider squad rotation at Ipswich Town despite previous defeats

5:09pm Monday 18th February 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Fitz Hall will again miss the game due to injury. Picture: Holly Cant. Fitz Hall will again miss the game due to injury. Picture: Holly Cant.

Gianfranco Zola says he will consider making wholesale changes for tomorrow night's game with Ipswich Town despite defeats in the last two games where he significantly rotated his Watford squad.

The Hornets have a large squad and have several players who, although currently out of the team, were first team regulars earlier this season.

Zola decided to rotate his starting line-up against Charlton Athletic on New Year's Day and at Bristol City on January 29 and, on both occasions, Watford suffered defeat when they were expected to win.

When asked whether he is considering making wholesale changes once more, Zola replied: "Yes because it’s very difficult to handle three games in a row so therefore I have to consider it.

"I don’t want to lose players to injuries for a long time and if you play three high intensity games in a week there’s more likelihood that you risk injuries, so I will consider it.

"I’m not sure that I’ll definitely do that but I’ll consider it."

On the difficulties of keeping the large squad happy, Zola added: "It’s not only about that; it’s because when they [the squad members] play they have played well for the team. Alex Geijo has played well for the team, Fernando Forestieri has played well, Jonathan Hogg has played well and Mark Yeates also - to name a few.

"Ok, in the last two games when we have made a lot of changes we have lost but before we’ve made the changes and won the game.

"It is something I’ll consider and as always; I will do the best for the team, that’s for sure. And whether players pick up long-term injuries is one of the factors I have to consider.

"I’ll make my considerations and I will do my best for the team to try to win the game tomorrow."

Two players who certainly won't feature at Portman Road are defenders Fitz Hall and Tommie Hoban. Hoban suffered a recurrence of his Achilles injury and Hall has pulled his hamstring.

Zola said: "Fitz is not ready yet. He’s getting better but he’s not ready.

"It’s a muscle problem; he pulled his hamstring. He shouldn’t be long. It would be reasonable to say he’s not going to be available for this game and the next one."

Joel Ekstrand is available for selection according to Zola and Ikechi Anya's substitution at the weekend was due to cramp and he should be fit enough to play.

Zola said: "Ikechi had cramp. He hadn't played for a long time and he was cramping so we took him off because we didn’t want to risk him. He is available for tomorrow."

"There are no fresh injuries," Zola continued. "We have a few knocks but the players that played in the last game are all available."

Ipswich will be without new signing Anthony Wordsworth, who fractured three vertebrae in his back during his Ipswich debut at the weekend.

Lee Martin has been suffering with a calf problem but he could come back into contention and ex-Watford loanee Michael Chopra will be hoping to start after coming off the bench to score the winner against Blackpool.

Former Hornet Scott Loach had recently regained his place in goal for the Tractor Boys but sprained his thumb and has missed the last two matches.

Loach could be fit enough to return tomorrow night but is unlikely to start with Stephen Henderson conceding one goal in the last two games.

Comments(89)

mk6 hornet says...
5:14pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!

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goldenboy1993 says...
5:14pm Mon 18 Feb 13

nooooooooo

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jimbowfc says...
5:18pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Noooooooooooooo, don't do it again GF!!!

If you feel you have to do this, at least start with our strongest team and rest the players you want in the 2nd half, by when hopefully we will have built a decent lead!!!

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lutondown says...
5:19pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I think he might just be saying, I pick the team? If so that's his job. Like the rest not six though, that can't be out right if it goes titties up

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lutondown says...
5:19pm Mon 18 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
I think he might just be saying, I pick the team? If so that's his job. Like the rest not six though, that can't be out right if it goes titties up
Put right not out right..need slimmer fingers

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Holly68 says...
5:24pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Ronaldo and Messi play every game weekends and mid week .....

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mk6 hornet says...
5:24pm Mon 18 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
I think he might just be saying, I pick the team? If so that's his job. Like the rest not six though, that can't be out right if it goes titties up
The thing is you cannot corners in this league it is the probably the toughest league in europe.

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mk6 hornet says...
5:25pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Supposed to say you cannot cut corners in this league

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tiger bay says...
5:28pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Squad rotation to protect players from injury?? Mr Zola!! One day you might well walk on water but until then you must pick your best eleven for EVERY game!! Since when did rotation save injuries?? Tell that to Hoban, Hall, Neuton, Nosworthy, Ekstrand and all the others that have been injured during this season..Injuries are part and parcel and bring about a natural squad rotation. Time to stop being Mr Nice Guy now Franco and get us into the Prem..

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cannons tours says...
5:28pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Please Gianfranco do not make wholesale changes I am not having a go at you because this season has been so exciting and you are doing a great job but I still think we could be second in the table if you had limited changes against Charlton and Bristol City especially after that great performance at Birmingham I did'nt want the game to end.

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Guy Bov says...
5:31pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Lampard played in last 10 games for Chelsea.... hasnt done him any harm and Suarez played almost every game for Liverpool. Vydra must start.

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Only 2 Ross Jenkins says...
5:33pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I do hope certain players stay in, for eg Deeney, Abdi and Chalobah must all start IMO. I can understand 2 or 3 changes but not 6. I think the Ipswich game will be a little more difficult than Derby and as such would not rotate too much. Think we are gonna need grit and determination tomorrow eve...

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lutondown says...
5:34pm Mon 18 Feb 13

mk6 hornet wrote:
lutondown wrote:
I think he might just be saying, I pick the team? If so that's his job. Like the rest not six though, that can't be out right if it goes titties up
The thing is you cannot corners in this league it is the probably the toughest league in europe.
I totally agree, but what in wondering is he saying I won't be told what to do? And tbh Vydra looked off the boil Saturday, but no I'd play him every time.

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The BestTrip2011 says...
5:37pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Having paid £31 for an Ipswich ticket I will be as disappointed as I was at Bristol City if the team is changed so significantly it is weakened in terms of our performance.

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mk6 hornet says...
5:40pm Mon 18 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote:
lutondown wrote:
I think he might just be saying, I pick the team? If so that's his job. Like the rest not six though, that can't be out right if it goes titties up
The thing is you cannot corners in this league it is the probably the toughest league in europe.
I totally agree, but what in wondering is he saying I won't be told what to do? And tbh Vydra looked off the boil Saturday, but no I'd play him every time.
Yea i noticed he looked of the boil but also think he is becoming a marked man.Which is ok because deeney can will start banging them in instead.

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Holly68 says...
5:41pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I hope he doesn't rotate, but will be there to support the team100% whoever pulls on yellow shirt

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miked2006 says...
5:42pm Mon 18 Feb 13

We really need some more U21 games to get our subs and reserves some match practise. I would feel more confident about squad rotation if I saw Geijo and FF play together and score a couple of goals. I'm sure he will play Hogg but not really sure what else he is going to do... (maybe that's the point!)

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lutondown says...
5:42pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Holly68 wrote:
I hope he doesn't rotate, but will be there to support the team100% whoever pulls on yellow shirt
Agreed too!

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Mohandas says...
5:48pm Mon 18 Feb 13

jimbowfc wrote:
Noooooooooooooo, don't do it again GF!!!

If you feel you have to do this, at least start with our strongest team and rest the players you want in the 2nd half, by when hopefully we will have built a decent lead!!!
4 Yesses from me. Consolidate first in the game and then consider your options as regards subs.

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Ronny oh Ronny Ronny says...
5:58pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I agree with Zola, he sees the players everyday in training, he knows what they can and can't do, he will have had Ipswich scouted.

If he wants to make 11 changes I wouldn't mind and trust his judgement. People will talk about Charlton and Bristol City but who is to say we wouldn't have lost them anyway.

Lets just all get behind the team he picks and cheer the boys to the promised land!

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hogweed says...
5:59pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Thats another defeat then.

Hog out

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
6:07pm Mon 18 Feb 13

no no no no..you don't rotate players to keep your squad happy, you only rotate if you think it makes the team stronger. We have 14 games left to outsprint Hull, Leicester & Palace for one place. We cannot afford to play anything other than our best 11. If needbe, plan with2 eg Vydra & Battochio that they will be subbed after 60 mins and then sub someone else after 75 but PLEASE do not start with Eustace, Hogg, Geigo, Forestieri, Yeates as you will lose all credibility if you don't achieve 3 points.

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:08pm Mon 18 Feb 13

tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?

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lutondown says...
6:10pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:
I agree with Zola, he sees the players everyday in training, he knows what they can and can't do, he will have had Ipswich scouted.

If he wants to make 11 changes I wouldn't mind and trust his judgement. People will talk about Charlton and Bristol City but who is to say we wouldn't have lost them anyway.

Lets just all get behind the team he picks and cheer the boys to the promised land!
No but they don't talk about ..Leeds Huddersfield and Charlton away...all good wins all rotated squads.

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:11pm Mon 18 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:
I agree with Zola, he sees the players everyday in training, he knows what they can and can't do, he will have had Ipswich scouted.

If he wants to make 11 changes I wouldn't mind and trust his judgement. People will talk about Charlton and Bristol City but who is to say we wouldn't have lost them anyway.

Lets just all get behind the team he picks and cheer the boys to the promised land!
No but they don't talk about ..Leeds Huddersfield and Charlton away...all good wins all rotated squads.
1 BILLION % AGREEEEEEEEEEEEE

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endean2 says...
6:13pm Mon 18 Feb 13

HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!

for the life of me I cannot understand Zolas views on this subject, as has been stated above. 2or 3 changes ,start with the best we have and then , when hopefully we are a couple of goals to the good bring on the changes.

after viewing the Ipswich fans sites their collective opinion is that they will try to kick us of the park, thats their only option. At least pick a team accordingly then that CAN combat that.

I am concerned that Z seems to have this stubborn streak and will persist with these "left field" selections come what may.

as an aside; that chant at the end of the brum game-- we are the right side and we the left etc.

very effective and great way of getting the fans up.

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Guy Bov says...
6:16pm Mon 18 Feb 13

If Zola does rotate would like to see Vydra/Geijo or Deeney/Forestieri

What's wrong with a bit of tinkering rather than wholesale changes

Ipswich tough place to get a result changes or not

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mellow yellow says...
6:17pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Agree totally, Chris. Without being involved in day to day training, how can anyone on here know who is fit and who isn't?! We have won several games this season when the line up has been radically shifted. Let him manage. Reality check for some people...

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:18pm Mon 18 Feb 13

endean2 wrote:
HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

for the life of me I cannot understand Zolas views on this subject, as has been stated above. 2or 3 changes ,start with the best we have and then , when hopefully we are a couple of goals to the good bring on the changes.

after viewing the Ipswich fans sites their collective opinion is that they will try to kick us of the park, thats their only option. At least pick a team accordingly then that CAN combat that.

I am concerned that Z seems to have this stubborn streak and will persist with these "left field" selections come what may.

as an aside; that chant at the end of the brum game-- we are the right side and we the left etc.

very effective and great way of getting the fans up.
CONTRADICTION ALERT!!!

Bristol City fan's said the same thing. Kick Watford off the park and we win.

So the Watford fan's say to Zola put in Hogg and Eustace to combat it.

We lost and he is the one who get's it in the neck after everything he has achieved.

THE MAN CANNOT WIN!

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:20pm Mon 18 Feb 13

mellow yellow wrote:
Agree totally, Chris. Without being involved in day to day training, how can anyone on here know who is fit and who isn't?! We have won several games this season when the line up has been radically shifted. Let him manage. Reality check for some people...
Agree. Sitting 3rd in the league in the 1st season suggest's Zola actually know's what he is doing!

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tiger bay says...
6:21pm Mon 18 Feb 13

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?
Not bad mate but you've just broke your own rules by having an opinion. No-ones been abusing, just merely saying that many of us believe now is not the time for squad rotation....We all agree that the football is great at the moment but a bit of constructive criticism go's with the territory..or we could just call each other pr**ks??

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Ronny oh Ronny Ronny says...
6:25pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Let other teams try and kick us off the pitch, let them try and match our formation - all tried and failed.

The only method that has seemed to work is when they have actually been good enough to retain possession and come at us with a purpose, however not many teams in this division are good enough to do so.

As Chris said we have the best squad in the league, the best squad we have ever had. All of the 18 plus other are more than good enough, lets let the little man do his thing.

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mellow yellow says...
6:27pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Makes me wonder what would have been said about GT if we'd had this interweb thingy back in the 70s and 80s.... There was enough of a fuss about Cally, let alone the subs...

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Bringe says...
6:27pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I am firmly in Zola's camp here, we play high intensity football in a 50 game a season league. What GFZ is after is basically a mix and match squad, however there will be hiccups.
The players are all up to the standard and those two defeats simply down to a couple of teething problems which can only really be dealt with after the event, then I'm sure the coaches are right on them so that the next time we will be better.

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Poppet Bear says...
6:29pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Rotate a maximum of two plus three subs at half time. That's enough, I hope and it keeps everybody fresh.

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Skully84 says...
6:31pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Ipswich beat Blackpool 1-0 on Saturday. We beat Birmingham on the same day. The Punch will probs field the same starting XI, why can't we do it?

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
6:39pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Poppet Bear wrote:
Rotate a maximum of two plus three subs at half time. That's enough, I hope and it keeps everybody fresh.
Agree but I'd make the subs later in case of injury, or hold one back to 80 mins.

Chris B - no-one is saying keep the same 11, what most are saying is don't make 5 changes a la Bristol which completely disrupts the team flow/understanding.

I'd also say if they plan to kick us off the park - bring it on - we will just pass it round them. Do not play Hogg and Eustace to match up, as this plays to their strengths not ours.

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buckler says...
6:48pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I would change the entire team and say **** I'm the Gaffer!

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djdooza says...
6:54pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Chalobah is 18. End of. He needs a rest to be that good.

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Eastsussexhornet says...
6:55pm Mon 18 Feb 13

mk6 hornet wrote:
Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.

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lutondown says...
7:11pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote:
Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.
Hold your horses, he has not done anything wrong, hold your fire for when it does at the least.
Tomorrow I will be there supporting anyone in that jersey, I being the expert will probably not see my fav 11 which is bound to be different to yours, but I will bow to the inferior knowledge of GFZ whose squad rotation on the road has won 3-2 so far.
LOOK AT OUR STARS..AND HOW THEY SHINE FOR YOU.....!
Friends ESH, that'd be stretching it! Lol

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AngelHornet says...
7:14pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Zola should know by now that too many changes upsets the team.
One or two maybe.

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Goldenboy1960 says...
7:17pm Mon 18 Feb 13

No players wants or needs to be rested. Vydra will be an unhappy bunny if he is left out. But it's not who you bring in or out it's the number of changes which disrupt the teams rythymn, energy and belief. Anya came in because of injury and did brilliant so leave him in. There is rotation for you.

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Watforddogs says...
7:17pm Mon 18 Feb 13

He just needs to work out who needs a rest - Vydras knee is an issue when he plays too often - so forest for him. Deeney had a nice long holiday this year - so should be fine. Ekstrand for Cassetti is possibly sensible as maybe he does not have 3 games in 8 days in his legs. In Midfield - Battochio did not play much before December - so he is fine. Might need to think about Hogg for Chalobah and on Saturday - just don't need to put out a B team in a single game - 2 or 3 on Tuesday and 2 or 3 others on Saturday gives half the A team a rest. Just don't want to see the name Yeates in the Team - maybe bench. Just don't go mad GZ - gently does it when the thing ain't broke - don't fix it!

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willia6692 says...
7:20pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Personally I think we have 14 games left of which we can gain second place. A team winning 4-0 is full of confidence so let them carry on, v Cardiff he dropped Abdi for him to then get injured in training and miss Blackburn. The changes made v Charkton and Bristol were too much in important positions. However there have been games where changes were made and we still tonked the opposition. But that's my opinion and why I'm not a football manager. I just hope whatever team is put out performs and we come home with 3 pts, 1-0 away win would be good.

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Boosey says...
7:26pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Spoilt! That's how it is at the moment, we are being spoilt. GZ may make some changes, may being the operative word and everyone is jumping out of the pram.
As Chris B has stated; let him pick the side and sit back ( sit back? sorry LD) and enjoy the ride.
It's been such a great season so far and even if we finished mid table, I would still be happy. At the beginning of the season we would all have been happy with that!

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mattymashup says...
7:29pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Everyone was salting anya at the start of the brum game, yet he got man of the match! We don't need too many changes, but changes will have to be made as it is a hard task to ask the boys to play three in a week!

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Boosey says...
7:30pm Mon 18 Feb 13

To all the supporters who read these comments and don't post, don't worry about the gramma police, don't worry about any spelling mistakes, let us read what you think. You know you want to!

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wheelsonfire says...
7:35pm Mon 18 Feb 13

For goodness sake let him get on with it!!!
Everyone on here has different opinions as to the best 11. I think GFZ knows better than most.
However I would like to see Geijo on for Deeney and alongside Vydra althought he has looked tired in the last two games.
Didn't get to Bristol but people keep slagging of the Charlton display when the attack produced some of the best football I've seen for years, and we scored 3 goals.

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jasonwatford says...
7:39pm Mon 18 Feb 13

i think vydra needs to be rested....geijo and deeney up front......

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tiger bay says...
7:41pm Mon 18 Feb 13

djdooza wrote:
Chalobah is 18. End of. He needs a rest to be that good.
Its because he's 18 that he can run all day/week....He's a highly toned/fit athlete and to suggest he cant play Saturday/Tuesday/Sat
urday is an insult to his professionalism...

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lutondown says...
8:23pm Mon 18 Feb 13

jasonwatford wrote:
i think vydra needs to be rested....geijo and deeney up front......
I think you need to be rested, them bottomless pockets are weighing you down!

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Skully84 says...
8:23pm Mon 18 Feb 13

We are getting spoilt!
@jasonwatford Geijo and Deeney combo would prob work when teams are defending very deep against us. Ipswich are very much like Bristol City and are steadily improving and becoming more organised. They will be putting a lot of pressure on our defence, I see Thompson coming in for Cassetti, Eustace for Battocchio, Anya continuing on the right, as well as Pudil on the left. Others unchanged please!

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lutondown says...
8:24pm Mon 18 Feb 13

mattymashup wrote:
Everyone was salting anya at the start of the brum game, yet he got man of the match! We don't need too many changes, but changes will have to be made as it is a hard task to ask the boys to play three in a week!
I hope when they were salting him, they sprinkled some pepper on to make him more flavoursome!

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Boosey says...
8:36pm Mon 18 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
mattymashup wrote:
Everyone was salting anya at the start of the brum game, yet he got man of the match! We don't need too many changes, but changes will have to be made as it is a hard task to ask the boys to play three in a week!
I hope when they were salting him, they sprinkled some pepper on to make him more flavoursome!
GZ doesn't know his best team yet and we have all these so called experts on here coming up with the best team.
No one even knows who the best defence is, never mind the whole team!
I must admit to being angry at past wholesale changes.

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DuffmanWFC says...
8:41pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I'm 100% behind Zola but I hope he doesn't needlessly change things just to give 6/7 squad players a game!
For me Abdi, Deeney, Chalobah, Nosworthy, Doyley, Bottacchino, Hogg and Cassetti have to start!
Maybe Geijo in for Vydra as he's looked a little jaded recently and give Murray a start!

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Big Cliff was King says...
8:41pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I have said this before. We do not have 2 teams that can get promotion from this division. It is difficult enough to find one.

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Boosey says...
8:50pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Big Cliff was King wrote:
I have said this before. We do not have 2 teams that can get promotion from this division. It is difficult enough to find one.
Take away injuries and suspensions we wouldn't be far off and neither team would get relegated!

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SAHornet says...
9:04pm Mon 18 Feb 13

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I'm 100% behind Zola but I hope he doesn't needlessly change things just to give 6/7 squad players a game!
For me Abdi, Deeney, Chalobah, Nosworthy, Doyley, Bottacchino, Hogg and Cassetti have to start!
Maybe Geijo in for Vydra as he's looked a little jaded recently and give Murray a start!
Why Murray, he's showed nothing this year?

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Boosey says...
9:08pm Mon 18 Feb 13

SAHornet wrote:
DuffmanWFC wrote:
I'm 100% behind Zola but I hope he doesn't needlessly change things just to give 6/7 squad players a game!
For me Abdi, Deeney, Chalobah, Nosworthy, Doyley, Bottacchino, Hogg and Cassetti have to start!
Maybe Geijo in for Vydra as he's looked a little jaded recently and give Murray a start!
Why Murray, he's showed nothing this year?
He can get the beers in at half time!

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tiger bay says...
9:50pm Mon 18 Feb 13

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I'm 100% behind Zola but I hope he doesn't needlessly change things just to give 6/7 squad players a game!
For me Abdi, Deeney, Chalobah, Nosworthy, Doyley, Bottacchino, Hogg and Cassetti have to start!
Maybe Geijo in for Vydra as he's looked a little jaded recently and give Murray a start!
haha!! Doyley!!

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Harrydownunder says...
10:14pm Mon 18 Feb 13

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?
The most sensible post I have read! Couldn't agree more.

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Travelling Hornet says...
10:33pm Mon 18 Feb 13

Have a feeling that FF & AG will start up top, with Ekstrand in for Doyley at the back.
Hope the midfield is not tampered with.

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MUSTOITALIA says...
10:50pm Mon 18 Feb 13

I have not commented for a while as I find some people on here are highly hormonal one minute zola is the best next he makes stupid decisions. The fact I would like to add is our b team now the likes of Anya,Forestieri,Geij
o,Nueton,Bia, even Beleck and Fanchone "if we had them still" we would have loved them in our side last season and they would have been good enough to play these games the fact we have even more talented players than these guys is a blessing. If there are changes needed to be made then I would leave anya in bring in Bia and play either Forestieri or Geijo up front with Troy that is plenty of changes without unpesting the core of the team. We should not complain we have the luxury to rotate Sir alex does it all the time .

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miked2006 says...
11:12pm Mon 18 Feb 13

tiger bay wrote:
djdooza wrote:
Chalobah is 18. End of. He needs a rest to be that good.
Its because he's 18 that he can run all day/week....He's a highly toned/fit athlete and to suggest he cant play Saturday/Tuesday/Sat

urday is an insult to his professionalism...
He did start losing form earlier in the season, had a break, and then raised his game again. Players who do not have experiences of full seasons should be protected in my opinion.

HOWEVER

A lot of people on here are ridiculous. Why do we think we know better than Zola? He will know how tired they are, whether they are carrying niggles (which often we will not find out about), whether they are training well ect ect. If Zola makes 11 changes tomorrow (which he obviously won't) then maybe the replacing eleven have been incredible in training. We all (including myself) do not know 95% of what goes on when the players are not on the pitch, so lets stop acting like it. Zola has a newly formed team up to 3rd in the Championship, I think he has earned the right for us to trust him.

And this is coming from a guy who won the Championship by 20points on Football Manager 2013...

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matey_from_brighton says...
12:06am Tue 19 Feb 13

I distinctly remember the consensus in the pub being that we would get spanked at Huddersfield when the team was announced pre-match. Shows perhaps who should be making the footballing decisions and who should be making the ale drinking choices.

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Bush Hornet says...
12:31am Tue 19 Feb 13

Miked2006, I'm in full agreement. And matey boy too. People love to spout it loud but even with 6 changes we were never bad. Fine margins. We could've beaten Charlton and Bristol with those changes but we didn't. it happens.

What a fine squad. I have confidence in Zola and love the players...so glad they are all still itching to play for Watford. What a privilege.

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Bush Hornet says...
12:32am Tue 19 Feb 13

MUSTOITALIA wrote:
I have not commented for a while as I find some people on here are highly hormonal one minute zola is the best next he makes stupid decisions. The fact I would like to add is our b team now the likes of Anya,Forestieri,Geij

o,Nueton,Bia, even Beleck and Fanchone "if we had them still" we would have loved them in our side last season and they would have been good enough to play these games the fact we have even more talented players than these guys is a blessing. If there are changes needed to be made then I would leave anya in bring in Bia and play either Forestieri or Geijo up front with Troy that is plenty of changes without unpesting the core of the team. We should not complain we have the luxury to rotate Sir alex does it all the time .
Good post Musto

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holtonian says...
1:22am Tue 19 Feb 13

Fed up with constant doubters, rotation in moderation does work.Only those around the squad know who is jaded and Gianfranco knows what is best for us long term.Why people expect drubbings in every game heaven knows. Every game in championship is so differant, one thing for certain is each game is a real battle... Happy days.

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garston 'orn says...
2:52am Tue 19 Feb 13

Still waiting to see Bia... looked quality against bradford, then got injured and hasn't featured for more than 10 minutes

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PhilippineOrn says...
3:09am Tue 19 Feb 13

tiger bay wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?
Not bad mate but you've just broke your own rules by having an opinion. No-ones been abusing, just merely saying that many of us believe now is not the time for squad rotation....We all agree that the football is great at the moment but a bit of constructive criticism go's with the territory..or we could just call each other pr**ks??
Not quite true. Your use of "many of us believe" puts a spin that yours is the majority (therefore the correct view). At least as many feel Zola is the boss and are happy to leave him be to do his job as he sees fit. Whatever he does someone will criticise him regardless.

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Hornet Cornet says...
6:18am Tue 19 Feb 13

COSTCO like making wholesale changes

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corbindallas says...
6:24am Tue 19 Feb 13

Zola is on a hiding to nothing, if he makes wholesale changes and we lose then he will be slammed, if he doesn't and we still lose then some will moan about a lackluster performance from our star players etc. All in I do not get this resting theory especially with the 18-25 year old players, they have bags of energy and could quite easily play every game, a lot of clubs don't have the choice to rotate and maybe just maybe that is why they fall down, but looking at Cardiff and Palace team this season apart from cup games they have not changed their teams by more than 3 or 4 players so raise the question about making more changes than neseccary thus changing the formula of the team completely, maybe if changes are made it should be max 4, I am sure all the other teams have done their homework on us and if we do make wholseale changes it will lift their spirits up and give them a edge on us especially playing away from home when they have the home comfort. I was one of the unhappy after the charlton game and obviously bearing in mind how precious points are with our position these decision have a much more important impact on us, if we were mid table we would not care as much but we are not so Mr Zola good luck with your choices tonight!

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dorothyparker12 says...
7:50am Tue 19 Feb 13

Tough decision, surely Vydra looks a bit tired since the international game.

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Eastsussexhornet says...
8:31am Tue 19 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
Eastsussexhornet wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote:
Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



!!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.
Hold your horses, he has not done anything wrong, hold your fire for when it does at the least.
Tomorrow I will be there supporting anyone in that jersey, I being the expert will probably not see my fav 11 which is bound to be different to yours, but I will bow to the inferior knowledge of GFZ whose squad rotation on the road has won 3-2 so far.
LOOK AT OUR STARS..AND HOW THEY SHINE FOR YOU.....!
Friends ESH, that'd be stretching it! Lol
Yes may be - something for the future. I think he has to assert his position as you say and at the end of the day, he picks the team, not us. I am loathed to call the team that played at Bristol the "second string" because individually they are probably the best players in the league. But the only reason those same players were floundering early in the season was that the team hadn't yet become a unit. Now they are a unit so if changes have to be made (which they have to from time to time) they shouldn't be wholesale, otherwise the equilibrium is upset and we're back to October. I like you will support whatever team comes out (although I am not going to that one).

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
10:09am Tue 19 Feb 13

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Eastsussexhornet wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote:
Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




!!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.
Hold your horses, he has not done anything wrong, hold your fire for when it does at the least.
Tomorrow I will be there supporting anyone in that jersey, I being the expert will probably not see my fav 11 which is bound to be different to yours, but I will bow to the inferior knowledge of GFZ whose squad rotation on the road has won 3-2 so far.
LOOK AT OUR STARS..AND HOW THEY SHINE FOR YOU.....!
Friends ESH, that'd be stretching it! Lol
Yes may be - something for the future. I think he has to assert his position as you say and at the end of the day, he picks the team, not us. I am loathed to call the team that played at Bristol the "second string" because individually they are probably the best players in the league. But the only reason those same players were floundering early in the season was that the team hadn't yet become a unit. Now they are a unit so if changes have to be made (which they have to from time to time) they shouldn't be wholesale, otherwise the equilibrium is upset and we're back to October. I like you will support whatever team comes out (although I am not going to that one).
yes agree. Against BC we played like a different team because we WERE a different team (only 5 shots against strugglers, only 1 or 2 on target). Lets keep the same "team" and just change one or two personnel.

Had a good feeling about the brum game - have a bad feeling about this one.

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Harry's Bar says...
10:25am Tue 19 Feb 13

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Eastsussexhornet wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote: Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.
Hold your horses, he has not done anything wrong, hold your fire for when it does at the least. Tomorrow I will be there supporting anyone in that jersey, I being the expert will probably not see my fav 11 which is bound to be different to yours, but I will bow to the inferior knowledge of GFZ whose squad rotation on the road has won 3-2 so far. LOOK AT OUR STARS..AND HOW THEY SHINE FOR YOU.....! Friends ESH, that'd be stretching it! Lol
Yes may be - something for the future. I think he has to assert his position as you say and at the end of the day, he picks the team, not us. I am loathed to call the team that played at Bristol the "second string" because individually they are probably the best players in the league. But the only reason those same players were floundering early in the season was that the team hadn't yet become a unit. Now they are a unit so if changes have to be made (which they have to from time to time) they shouldn't be wholesale, otherwise the equilibrium is upset and we're back to October. I like you will support whatever team comes out (although I am not going to that one).
So there won't be any seething rants tomorrow morning after Zola makes changes and we don't win?

Glad that you two have patched things up, It was getting a bit unpleasant.

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Big Cliff was King says...
10:34am Tue 19 Feb 13

Perhaps Mr Zola is contracturally obliged to play the on loan stiffs.

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Eastsussexhornet says...
10:36am Tue 19 Feb 13

Harry's Bar wrote:
Eastsussexhornet wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Eastsussexhornet wrote:
mk6 hornet wrote: Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
Here we go again. Just when me and Lutondown are friends again (well almost), GFZ has to start this nonsense again. And I thought he'd learnt his lesson. It's happened twice now for god's sake.
Hold your horses, he has not done anything wrong, hold your fire for when it does at the least. Tomorrow I will be there supporting anyone in that jersey, I being the expert will probably not see my fav 11 which is bound to be different to yours, but I will bow to the inferior knowledge of GFZ whose squad rotation on the road has won 3-2 so far. LOOK AT OUR STARS..AND HOW THEY SHINE FOR YOU.....! Friends ESH, that'd be stretching it! Lol
Yes may be - something for the future. I think he has to assert his position as you say and at the end of the day, he picks the team, not us. I am loathed to call the team that played at Bristol the "second string" because individually they are probably the best players in the league. But the only reason those same players were floundering early in the season was that the team hadn't yet become a unit. Now they are a unit so if changes have to be made (which they have to from time to time) they shouldn't be wholesale, otherwise the equilibrium is upset and we're back to October. I like you will support whatever team comes out (although I am not going to that one).
So there won't be any seething rants tomorrow morning after Zola makes changes and we don't win?

Glad that you two have patched things up, It was getting a bit unpleasant.
Well if GFZ makes 7 changes and we lose 5-0 I might be tempted! Again, there are so many things that can adversely affect a team's performance on the day, most of which are difficult to control. Let's at least not cause the problems ourselves.

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Sydneyhornet says...
10:53am Tue 19 Feb 13

Lets just hope who ever gets selected, they play with passion and deliver us three points!

Coyh.

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northofwatfordpete says...
11:52am Tue 19 Feb 13

He gets it right most of the time - have trust in the maestro.

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Hopemole says...
1:22pm Tue 19 Feb 13

mk6 hornet wrote:
Do not want to start slating Zola but remember what happened last time against bristol city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!
Don't then. Top class managers think strategically.Fans and some owners always want to win every game and .think short term-hence all the sac kings. Thank goodness the Pozzo's and this Watford management have wise brains and use them

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Chris the Vic says...
1:40pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Hopemole...I love your attitude but I am afraid with only 48 games to play this season we do not need a lot of squad rotation and we need points. If GFZ gives away another three points and does not learn from previous mistakes he will risk the wrath of fans and the Pozzos.

When he says he has respect it generally means he doesn't and we come away empty handed. But promotion will be only worth £90m to this club.

He has done a great job but he risks throwing it all away if he puts the £90m in jeopardy.

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Hopemole says...
1:46pm Tue 19 Feb 13

The key with a good squad is that your training methodology enables you to make changes without upsetting the rhythm of the team too much. From what we have seen this season Zola is clearly developing a pattern of play and our players have been adapting surprisingly quickly. In him do I trust and not all the self appointed experts who clearly think they know better

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Mr.Miggins says...
2:00pm Tue 19 Feb 13

It annoys me when people put the Charlton game in this rotation bracket; we didn't lose the game because of rotation, we lost it because we defended appallingly. Hall, Nos and Lloyd were injured and without them there was no leadership. We had no alternative but played the 3 defenders that we did. We scored 3 goals, all 3 of which were either created or scored by Geijo/Forestieiri. However the wholesale changes made at B.C. were at least partly to blame for our defeat.

I think Geijo can considered himself unfortunate to have not had a prolonged run, as he was great against Charlton and Leeds away, but his time will come. Forestieiri I also think has a point to prove and will be gunning for some game time.

Either way, we can just be pleased to have such a talented squad at our disposal (compared to previous years) and accept that any tweaks to the XI will not weaken us in the slightest. I'm interested to see the line up...the one I wouldn't drop is Battocchio who I think has got better and better and looks a class act. For someone of his size, he doesn't half get stuck in either!

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lutondown says...
2:09pm Tue 19 Feb 13

PhilippineOrn wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?
Not bad mate but you've just broke your own rules by having an opinion. No-ones been abusing, just merely saying that many of us believe now is not the time for squad rotation....We all agree that the football is great at the moment but a bit of constructive criticism go's with the territory..or we could just call each other pr**ks??
Not quite true. Your use of "many of us believe" puts a spin that yours is the majority (therefore the correct view). At least as many feel Zola is the boss and are happy to leave him be to do his job as he sees fit. Whatever he does someone will criticise him regardless.
I agree with you 100% as the people who doubt Zola despite our fantastic season and tomeframes he had to make this gel, are the ones who still drool over Dyche, and people like Chris de make me sick who point to negatives rather than positives.
Squad rotation results 3-2 to the good. I hope he oes not over tinker, but if there 11 changes I will support my team, and GFZ in the morning.

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lutondown says...
2:10pm Tue 19 Feb 13

lutondown wrote:
PhilippineOrn wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
tiger bay wrote:
lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
Let The Man Do His F*c*in Job. To Many Know It All Pr*c*'s On Here At The Minute.
Agreed
This is a forum for opinions and debate...so Mr Bottom...just who is it that think they know it all?? LD..you should no better...you are always expressing opinions on here (most of which i agree with) so why you agreeing with this pathetic little jibe??
Because there is opinion and there is stupidity. The man can't win. He make's change's we lose he become's an idiot who is abused. He make's change's and we win and he is a genius. To many fickle people.

He has said he is 'CONSIDERING' rotating HIS team and all of a sudden there is 20/30 'opinion's' telling him he don't know what he is doin...

If he keep's the same team tomorrow and we lose Saturday, the same idiot's that say don't make change's Tuesday will be the first on here Saturday night, saying he should of made change's on Tuesday.

He cannot win.

The man has us playing the best football we have EVER seen, with the best SQUAD we have ever had and he is in his SECOND season of management.

Let him do it his way, after all he has got us to THIRD in the most competative league in the world, and all EIGHT MONTH'S after the club was completly was re-shaped from top to bottom.

How's that for an opinion?
Not bad mate but you've just broke your own rules by having an opinion. No-ones been abusing, just merely saying that many of us believe now is not the time for squad rotation....We all agree that the football is great at the moment but a bit of constructive criticism go's with the territory..or we could just call each other pr**ks??
Not quite true. Your use of "many of us believe" puts a spin that yours is the majority (therefore the correct view). At least as many feel Zola is the boss and are happy to leave him be to do his job as he sees fit. Whatever he does someone will criticise him regardless.
I agree with you 100% as the people who doubt Zola despite our fantastic season and tomeframes he had to make this gel, are the ones who still drool over Dyche, and people like Chris de make me sick who point to negatives rather than positives.
Squad rotation results 3-2 to the good. I hope he oes not over tinker, but if there 11 changes I will support my team, and GFZ in the morning.
Sorry for typing errors, finger to tiny keyboard ratio not good

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Dr,Oftaw says...
2:40pm Tue 19 Feb 13

lutondown says...
11:53pm Tue 29 Jan 13

I'm very happy when it goes right so don't want to be fickle when we have a set back, but tonight on hearing the selection, my self and all around predicted another Charlton. Sadly we were right.
Over the previous three games we conceded one goal scoring 9, why change the defence? Hogg and Eustace in together? No way. Murray, get him out somewhere to kick start his career, as I feel his five year contract has blunted his desire.
GFZ, I love your footballing philosophy, but I also agree that you play your best 11, tonight you did not, please see the error here.
Back to being a supporter, because that's what we do”
tiger bay said pick the best 11 and got shot down in flames?changed your tune a bit mr down?

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lutondown says...
6:39pm Tue 19 Feb 13

Dr,Oftaw wrote:
lutondown says...
11:53pm Tue 29 Jan 13

I'm very happy when it goes right so don't want to be fickle when we have a set back, but tonight on hearing the selection, my self and all around predicted another Charlton. Sadly we were right.
Over the previous three games we conceded one goal scoring 9, why change the defence? Hogg and Eustace in together? No way. Murray, get him out somewhere to kick start his career, as I feel his five year contract has blunted his desire.
GFZ, I love your footballing philosophy, but I also agree that you play your best 11, tonight you did not, please see the error here.
Back to being a supporter, because that's what we do”
tiger bay said pick the best 11 and got shot down in flames?changed your tune a bit mr down?
I was emotional!
Glad to see u have a scrapbook of my posts
Stalker!

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