Zola confident Bond will sign new deal (From Watford Observer)
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Watford boss Gianfranco Zola confident Jonathan Bond will sign new contract despite reported Premier League interest
2:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Jonathan Bond has made a big impression in the last couple of games for Watford: Action Images
Gianfranco Zola is confident highly-rated goalkeeper Jonathan Bond will sign a new contract with Watford.
A number of the youngster’s fellow Academy graduates have already signed long-term contracts, such as Sean Murray, Connor Smith and Tommie Hoban, but Bond’s current deal is due to expire in the summer.
Tabloid rumours this week suggest Newcastle United and Reading are interested in the 19-year-old but Zola told the Watford Observer: “The club is dealing with it and I am confident it will be dealt with.”
On the speculation, he added: “Speculation is part of football and I can’t spend too much time thinking about that, especially when I have a game coming up.
“There are people at the club who look after those kind of things well.”
Bond, who was born in Hemel Hempstead and went to school in Berkhamsted, joined the Hornets as a ten-year-old and has been around the first-team squad for some time, earning his first professional contract in July 2010, shortly after his 17th birthday.
The goalkeeper, who was called up to the full Wales squad in October 2010 whilst still technically a second-year scholar, said he had no reason to “look elsewhere” when asked about his contract negotiations back in November.
Bond explained: “The problem with contracts is they can drag on for ages as they are difficult to sort out but – and I know it is a cliché – I am more worried about preparing for Saturdays and the games are just going by.
“I am not worried about it because I am learning every day and I am more involved with the first team this season. At the age of 19, that is very unusual in the Championship so I cannot complain and it is a great opportunity. I am privileged.
“I am still very young in terms of goalkeeping so I am not thinking about leaving,” he continued.
“The new regime excites me and I can see us pushing for the play-offs or challenging for the title, maybe not this season, but next season so there is no reason I’d be looking elsewhere.”
Bond has started Watford’s last two matches due to Manuel Almunia’s hamstring injury and Zola has confirmed the Spaniard will again be out against Blackpool tomorrow (Saturday).
He said: “Manuel is not going to be available on Saturday because he has unfortunately had a setback. It’s not too bad but he’s not going to be part of the team on Saturday. We don’t have a time frame yet.”
Bond was at fault for Sheffield Wednesday’s goal on Tuesday but it was a solitary error during a week which has seen the youngster excel in the absence of Almunia.
The Academy graduate made a host of superb saves against the Owls and during Friday’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers to ensure the Hornets took four points from a possible six in his first two Championship starts.
“Our keeper was great again,” Zola said. “He is showing everyone the quality that he has. But I knew he would do well for us."
He continued: “To be honest I saw it [Bond’s excellent character] when I saw him play in the friendlies; he was always calm and in control. It is very unusual for someone who is just 19 year old.
“Now he is being rewarded for his patience and the work he has always done. I am happy and it is a nice story.
“Hopefully he can continue because until we have Manuel back, he will have to keep doing a good job for us.”
Comments(29)
Eastsussexhornet
says...
2:40pm Fri 8 Mar 13
AMP4WFC wrote:Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat.
Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......
He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
inayellowshirt
says...
2:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
2:46pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Great saves, he did win us the match, but it was a poor mistake for the goal which he'll learn from. Marco shouldn't have passed but, given he did, he just needed to put his foot through it !
AMP4WFC wrote:Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat.
Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......
He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
Sign up JB, it'll take a weight off your mind (and ours!).
Harry's Bar
says...
2:55pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I agree, Almunia makes me feel nervous. Then again, Doyley makes me feel nervous although he rarely makes a mistake, he just looks up tight.
AMP4WFC wrote: Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat. He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
mellow yellow
says...
2:57pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bush Hornet
says...
3:00pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I think you'll find the team won the points, and Bond would happily credit Fernando for his masterful contribution
AMP4WFC wrote:Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat.
Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......
He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
Eastsussexhornet
says...
3:10pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bush Hornet wrote:Yes of course, taking it literally no one player wins the game, but to say that the whole team did is wrong in my opinion. The defence was in melt down on Tuesday and Vydra was certainly off the boil. Sometimes, it needs the efforts of a few to counter the shortfalls of the others. But getting back to the subject, I feel very much at ease at the prospect of JB being between the sticks on Sat.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I think you'll find the team won the points, and Bond would happily credit Fernando for his masterful contribution
AMP4WFC wrote:Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat.
Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......
He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
Harry's Bar
says...
3:11pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bush Hornet wrote:This is where having Man of the Match starts becoming counter productive. It's about the team, not who played better than who.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I think you'll find the team won the points, and Bond would happily credit Fernando for his masterful contributionAMP4WFC wrote: Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat. He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
DuffmanWFC
says...
3:26pm Fri 8 Mar 13
I expect this to be sorted very soon as the club and the player are a perfect fit in what we want to achieve!
I can see Bond keeping his place if he plays well over the next few games!
Bond can be the next long term Wales goalie if he performs the way he has been, the lad can achieve everything he has ever wanted by staying at Watford! We are going places!
Bush Hornet
says...
3:28pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I agree he does have an assurance about him. But I feel equally confident with Manuel. It's good to have at least 2 great keepers at the club.
Bush Hornet wrote:Yes of course, taking it literally no one player wins the game, but to say that the whole team did is wrong in my opinion. The defence was in melt down on Tuesday and Vydra was certainly off the boil. Sometimes, it needs the efforts of a few to counter the shortfalls of the others. But getting back to the subject, I feel very much at ease at the prospect of JB being between the sticks on Sat.
Eastsussexhornet wrote:I think you'll find the team won the points, and Bond would happily credit Fernando for his masterful contribution
AMP4WFC wrote:Well, he may be one for now actually. I judge goalies by how near to the edge of my seat I sit. While he's in goal, I am using the whole seat.
Give him a raise and SIGN HIM......He´s one for the future.......
He won us the 3 points on Tues, not FF, and I do not blame him for the goal we conceded either, especially after seeing the highlights.
smalon
says...
3:33pm Fri 8 Mar 13
There is no point in him moving to a Premier club and being third or fourth choice, getting loaned out to multiple lower league clubs before disappearing off the radar.
yellowblood
says...
3:44pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Sign Mr Bond up and Miss Moneypenny to..................
...........coyh
Mr.Miggins
says...
4:01pm Fri 8 Mar 13
The experience Bond is getting playing for us at the business end of the season with so much stake is brilliant for him - and credit to himself and the coaching staff for the fact that he looks so comfortable doing so.
Bush Hornet
says...
4:06pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Mr.Miggins wrote:Almunia is far better than the average champ goalie and we're lucky to have him. Bond is excellent so far though.
I will get shot down here but I am not a huge fan of Almunia, I think he's ok but nothing more. What he does bring is bags of experience - hopefully Bond can learn his good traits but become an even better GK in the long term.
The experience Bond is getting playing for us at the business end of the season with so much stake is brilliant for him - and credit to himself and the coaching staff for the fact that he looks so comfortable doing so.
micksolly
says...
4:13pm Fri 8 Mar 13
holtonian
says...
4:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bush Hornet wrote:Think it would be wise for Bond to have extension on contract. But believe that Almunia has done excellently along with our constantly changing back 3 or 5 including wingbacks.For me we have 2 good keepers now and that can only improve the youngster. Early days to make full judgement on our up and coming keeper. But its looking really good.Time will tell....Happy days.
Mr.Miggins wrote:Almunia is far better than the average champ goalie and we're lucky to have him. Bond is excellent so far though.
I will get shot down here but I am not a huge fan of Almunia, I think he's ok but nothing more. What he does bring is bags of experience - hopefully Bond can learn his good traits but become an even better GK in the long term.
The experience Bond is getting playing for us at the business end of the season with so much stake is brilliant for him - and credit to himself and the coaching staff for the fact that he looks so comfortable doing so.
mk6 hornet
says...
5:04pm Fri 8 Mar 13
WFCinexile
says...
5:06pm Fri 8 Mar 13
I hope he stays, I like the idea of having a good number of home grown talents combined with the overseas players, provided they are good enough. From what I've seen, Bond is good enough.
watford1881
says...
5:13pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Stoney77
says...
5:23pm Fri 8 Mar 13
watford1881 wrote:I disagree. If Almunia doesn't stay we have to get an experienced keeper in (in the Almunia mould) and whoever that is can fight it out with Bond for the number one slot. 007 is only 19 and has up to 20 years playing time left and at least 10 years until he peaks so no need for him to be number 1 just yet, he has alot to learn but the signs are promising. Give him a 10 yr contract! ;o)
He'll be first choice next season..
watford1881
says...
7:47pm Fri 8 Mar 13
JohnnyHornet
says...
8:05pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Stoney77 wrote:I have to agree we need another quality keeper if Almunia goes, it's too much responsibility on Bonds shoulders, I still feel this is where the previous regimes went wrong with " love him " or " loathe him " Loach, in not getting in an experienced keeper.
watford1881 wrote:I disagree. If Almunia doesn't stay we have to get an experienced keeper in (in the Almunia mould) and whoever that is can fight it out with Bond for the number one slot. 007 is only 19 and has up to 20 years playing time left and at least 10 years until he peaks so no need for him to be number 1 just yet, he has alot to learn but the signs are promising. Give him a 10 yr contract! ;o)
He'll be first choice next season..
Big Cliff was King
says...
8:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13
(no pressure then)
willia6692
says...
8:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Mr.Miggins wrote:You are spot on, he is a fantastic shot stopper and the last few games will stand him in good stead. But Almunia brings a lot more assurance to the team, that doesnt mean that I dont rate Bond, just that he will grow into the position. If Almunia doesnt sign, i would expect another experienced goalie to come in the summer.
I will get shot down here but I am not a huge fan of Almunia, I think he's ok but nothing more. What he does bring is bags of experience - hopefully Bond can learn his good traits but become an even better GK in the long term.
The experience Bond is getting playing for us at the business end of the season with so much stake is brilliant for him - and credit to himself and the coaching staff for the fact that he looks so comfortable doing so.
Paul Gadd
says...
12:05am Sat 9 Mar 13
Stoney77
says...
1:52am Sat 9 Mar 13
D.unstable
says...
7:31am Sat 9 Mar 13
willia6692 wrote:Indeed, Bond is currently a great potential but lets not start talking of him as the number one and putting pressure on the lad just yet.
Mr.Miggins wrote:You are spot on, he is a fantastic shot stopper and the last few games will stand him in good stead. But Almunia brings a lot more assurance to the team, that doesnt mean that I dont rate Bond, just that he will grow into the position. If Almunia doesnt sign, i would expect another experienced goalie to come in the summer.
I will get shot down here but I am not a huge fan of Almunia, I think he's ok but nothing more. What he does bring is bags of experience - hopefully Bond can learn his good traits but become an even better GK in the long term.
The experience Bond is getting playing for us at the business end of the season with so much stake is brilliant for him - and credit to himself and the coaching staff for the fact that he looks so comfortable doing so.
He is doing a great job filling in for Almunia in our hour or two of need, but I do not see him filling the position for a couple of seasons yet, especially if we get promoted.
He will know that he needs to play a bit part role and build awareness and experience further before bing given the responsibility week in week out.
Otherwise you end up with another Loach, whose confidence was shot and totally burnt out within 2 seasons.
Watford is a different place now, these lads will be given time with the big picture clearly visible.
In Pozzo we trust.
northofwatfordpete
says...
10:02am Sat 9 Mar 13
AMP4WFC says...
2:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13