Gianfranco Zola praises impact of Fernando Forestieri and Nathaniel Chalobah after Sheffield Wednesday win

11:05pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola has hailed the impact of Watford’s half-time substitutes after his side came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 tonight.

The Hornets were 1-0 down at the break and could have been further behind had it not been for several saves by the outstanding Jonathan Bond and header which seemed to cross the line but was not given.

Zola switched to a 4-3-3 formation at the break and introduced Nathaniel Chalobah and Fernando Forestieri from the bench – with the Argentine scoring Watford’s two goals.

Zola said: “It was easy to point out the problems. In the first half we were losing too many confrontations at the back and they were picking up all the second balls, something which in this league you can’t afford to do. Especially against good teams like we played today.

“Also we needed to have a bit of extra quality going forward. In the first half, our passing was really bad on a few occasions. It was not good enough and not as good as normal. As soon as we improved that, things got better.”

Zola continued: “We know it is getting tight for everyone and all the games will be really difficult so you need to win games in difficulties and we did that.

“The quality we put on in the second half made the difference and covered some of the difficulties we had during the game, especially in the first half.

“I thought they created a lot of problems and fortunately the two players who came on in the second half gave use the extra quality we needed to win.”

He added: “They really made a big difference and that is what you need sometimes. When things don’t work well, you need to be able to change things and Fernando and Nathaniel did exactly that today. I am very pleased with that [the substitutions].”

Click here to read tonight’s match report. Further reaction will be uploaded tomorrow.

Comments(23)

watford1881 says...
11:07pm Tue 5 Mar 13

Too right....

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eltonsjohn says...
11:30pm Tue 5 Mar 13

Ok let's be honest-
A great end result against a big, typical championship team. They reminded me of us over last couple of seasons- save for the ridiculous time wasting tactics.....
I have always said, win home/ draw away & will stick with that. Great awareness of the game by Zola - Hogg was trying his heart out to be a one touch player but made a few mistakes but I think he will do a great job for us.
Abdi & vydra although not on scoresheet - make the opposition worried.
It's looking good.......

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Guy Bov says...
11:35pm Tue 5 Mar 13

Well done Fernando for such a wonderful performance, full of skill and passion.... makes the mongs who gave awful abuse on twitter after the wolves game rather stupid

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KeithMercer says...
11:46pm Tue 5 Mar 13

Well done Fessi my son ! Massive result for us in a game I was having bad vibes about all weekend and after that howler of a goal my concerns looked likely to be confirmed . Thought Anya played well tonight and showed some great technique and determination. We need to be getting more out of Matej ! maybe the early miss jolted his confidence it shouldnt though he is better than that. He and Troy are due goals now , hopefully a brace each on saturday. Dave Jones shut up you mug ! clutching at straws springs to mind , how he can say that was a hand ball and a sending off hes having a Giraffe , and if he can see that was over the line from where he is then he is the Special one ! NOT.

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muzzy999 says...
12:00am Wed 6 Mar 13

I genuinely cannot express how great my love for Watford Football Club is right now.

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Robhornet says...
12:16am Wed 6 Mar 13

Vital win after a first half when we could easily have lost the game.

Results like tonight can turn good seasons into special ones

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peter10531089 says...
6:36am Wed 6 Mar 13

Fair play to Zola for changing the game with tactical switch as well as the substitutions. I don't think Zola's in game management has been his strong point this season but here he got it absolutely spot on.

Matej is being surrounded every time at the moment but that will cause space for others and so glad that Fessi took advantage of that tonight - good on him and the 4-3-3 works better for him.

What a keeper Bond could be/is already, I fancy the powers that be will be handing him a long term contract!

Wonder what formation we will start with on Saturday!?!

Excited

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Mohandas says...
6:58am Wed 6 Mar 13

GFZ is staying calm and is well aware of how other teams playing us and his subs created openings. Well done Fernando and the rest of the team for pushing on and doing your best. It's getting harder with Palace on our tails. Maybe Cardiff are the first to blink as they see the finishing line.

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andyhooked says...
7:13am Wed 6 Mar 13

Looked grim by half time and Bond's heroics and fast refelexes kept us in the game. Hogg is not for me. Can't shoot or pass and is not creative enough for our style of football. There may be times when it is good to have someone on the bench like him to lock down opposition when we are holding out for a win at the end of a game. Not my choice for the starting XI. The changes at half time worked before too much damage was done and we can thank Bond for that. LD was needed to tighten things up at the back. Just shows what an asset he remains.

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The BestTrip2011 says...
7:18am Wed 6 Mar 13

Chalobah is so influential isn't he? It's easy to forget that this lad is only 18. Excellent tactical change by GFZ and a real determination to come out fighting to win the game.
Whilst SWFC played their part I'm fed up with hearing rants and moans from Dave Jones. I used to respect him as a manager but now he just irritates as he delves into the blame pot so often.
Anyway Chalobah player of the season for me by a country mile. What chance extending him for another year?

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corbindallas says...
7:44am Wed 6 Mar 13

I think our 3 4 3 or 3 5 2 is a good formation and has clearly paid dividends in us being a attacking/counter attacking team but let's be honest when we are in the Prem we will not be playing 3 at the back often so it is good to see us change to a 4 at the back, we should mix it more as teams are now gearing up with our formations so changing last night won the match for us, think Zola should also play a straight forward starting line up of 442 sometimes just to throw other teams off also allows our defenders to get used to the formation that will be more realistic in the Prem, no harm in prepping now. As for Chalobah still hold out for an actual bid for him, Arsenal may be sniffing but really can't see Wenger there next season so would like to see us taking such bold steps forward after all he is still an investment the Pozzos can make off!

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
8:30am Wed 6 Mar 13

I've gone on record here as questioning what FF brings to the team. So much skill but "doesn't score, doesn't create". Well tonight he won us this match pretty much single-handedly and full credit to the guy. You could see the confidence surging though his veins after the first. More of the same please, maybe a start on saturday?

To those who abused him on twitter - I hope you're ashamed. Not because players are beyond criticism, but to go on twitter to share thoughts and info with fans, and then be abused for missing a few chances is not right. I'm new to twitter but assume he can "unfollow" them or something so they can't send any further messages to him ??

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
8:38am Wed 6 Mar 13

corbindallas wrote:
I think our 3 4 3 or 3 5 2 is a good formation and has clearly paid dividends in us being a attacking/counter attacking team but let's be honest when we are in the Prem we will not be playing 3 at the back often so it is good to see us change to a 4 at the back, we should mix it more as teams are now gearing up with our formations so changing last night won the match for us, think Zola should also play a straight forward starting line up of 442 sometimes just to throw other teams off also allows our defenders to get used to the formation that will be more realistic in the Prem, no harm in prepping now. As for Chalobah still hold out for an actual bid for him, Arsenal may be sniffing but really can't see Wenger there next season so would like to see us taking such bold steps forward after all he is still an investment the Pozzos can make off!
You're right about needing to switch formation during a game if plan A isn't working, but no point in taking any risks in prepping for the prem yet. Lets worry about that if/when it happens as we may have fifferent players then anyway.
Lets just play to plan A but have a plan B and plan C ready on a game by game basis to mix things up if its not working.

Think it will be us or CP for that 2nd spot. A 0-0 draw between them and H would have been the best result last night. A few red cards and season ending injuries too.

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bigthunder says...
8:46am Wed 6 Mar 13

Negatives out of way first ;
Hogg in for Chalobah , sorry fail to understand that !
Then went to pieces for 15 mins or so when Weds scored , missed Doyley best defender we have during that spell , lucky to be only one down at HT

Positives , credit to Zola for putting right the mistake of not playing Chalobah , also giving FF another chance which he took , still gives me heart palpatations though with his head down all the time , credit also to Zola for a sign of a Plan B at last , i have been critical of this so credit where credit due

much better 2nd half and we are so much better when tempo higher and we are going forward , we have had some awful 2nd half's recently good that our dodgy half was the first one this time and we had a good 2nd one
now for a full 90 mins or am i being to harsh ?

well done Bond again doing well and one for the future without a doubt

keep going guys Cardiff wobble has started going to be tough but others do not seem to want to take an automatic slot so we might as well have it then , who knows why not champions !

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Chris the Vic says...
9:02am Wed 6 Mar 13

The 'orns are going up!! was the chant from the rookery at the end. On that performance I wonder, but play below par and still get 3 points cannot be bad.

First Jones rant about the ref. Amazing..in the first half I thought the ref had a blue and white stripe shirt on. Second half not a lot better.

Secondly what wonderful support Wednesday brought with them on a Tuesday night. Shame our support was like the proverbial library and numbers were not great for a team in a tussle at the top of the division.

Third a lot of our players are suffering a dip in form but they do keep trying. As for FF he is not a world beater, nor a brilliant goal machine, but he does make me smile with his endeavour and enthusiasm and I am so glad we signed him at Watford. A good player to watch.

Fourth, GFZ changing the back and losing Cassetti from the wingback position made us look very frail and overall was a poor decision. However, his changes at half time made a massive difference and got us the 3 points ...well done GFZ.

Finally against Blackpool leave Vydra on the bench until the last 20 mins. I think the little man CB has not been at his best since coming back in so maybe start with LD and FF.

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Poppet Bear says...
10:48am Wed 6 Mar 13

Into the last ten games and we're in 2nd position. It's time for cool heads and consistency. GFZ must drag them across the line. COYH

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JohnnyHornet says...
11:31am Wed 6 Mar 13

Now is the time to play the settled side, no more unnecessary changes, onwards and upwards.

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PlymouthHornet says...
12:58pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
I've gone on record here as questioning what FF brings to the team. So much skill but "doesn't score, doesn't create". Well tonight he won us this match pretty much single-handedly and full credit to the guy. You could see the confidence surging though his veins after the first. More of the same please, maybe a start on saturday? To those who abused him on twitter - I hope you're ashamed. Not because players are beyond criticism, but to go on twitter to share thoughts and info with fans, and then be abused for missing a few chances is not right. I'm new to twitter but assume he can "unfollow" them or something so they can't send any further messages to him ??
As soon as I heard this i felt angry and sick at the same time.

I immediately sent FF a tweet voicing my disgust and also offering my support. I urge all that can to do the same.

Get behind the guy and see what happens. Dont knock our team get behind them.

COYH !

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Rookery Veteren says...
2:33pm Wed 6 Mar 13

I have moaned on for years about Watford managers being too slow to change things when it isn't going well.
What a joy to see the right substitutions made early enough to turn a game around.
Delighted for FF...must do wonders for his confidence. Right Matej you've had your little barren run,time to press on to 30 son.
This is so much more than I was expecting from this season . Bit worried about Hogg and Nos though,both had stinkers and Nos in particular wasn't doing young Bondy any favours last night. Any update on Fitz ?
10 games to go...no time for wobbles please.

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SAHornet says...
3:36pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Any idea how long Fitz Hall's contract is for? However good he is when he makes a start (and he is), his fragility and attendance record is no where near good enough for the championship and especially not the prem. Need a replacement for next season, especially if Nos's performances are waning.

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Travelling Hornet says...
3:57pm Wed 6 Mar 13

andyhooked wrote:
Looked grim by half time and Bond's heroics and fast refelexes kept us in the game. Hogg is not for me. Can't shoot or pass and is not creative enough for our style of football. There may be times when it is good to have someone on the bench like him to lock down opposition when we are holding out for a win at the end of a game. Not my choice for the starting XI. The changes at half time worked before too much damage was done and we can thank Bond for that. LD was needed to tighten things up at the back. Just shows what an asset he remains.
Can't see how you can 'lock down' opposition if you keep giving the ball to them !

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straightnochaser says...
10:07pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Fitz, like Almunia, has a 1 year contract.

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corbindallas says...
6:47am Fri 8 Mar 13

Fitz will be released end of contract, his injuries are a repeat of his previous contracts long and drawn out, we have options now and was surprised at his intial signing but guess as he was available free and experienced it was a ok signing, but not for the future outlook, how refreshing is it we can look at our situation and not have to put up with it because there is no other option.I think we should also look at the goalkeeping situation I reckon if we are promoted we need someone else between the post and there are a few 2nd choices in Prem teams that I think will be a better option, although Bond is definatley the future he reminds me of Joe Hart with his coolness, how about making a bid for Blackpools keeper?

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