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Iwelumo staying put (From Watford Observer)
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Gianfranco Zola insists Chris Iwelumo not on his way out of Vicarage Road
1:30pm Tuesday 14th August 2012 in Sport By Lewis Wood-Thompson
Picture: Action Images
Watford manager Gianfranco Zola denies Chris Iwelumo is set to leave the club after the striker’s match-winning strike against Wycombe Wanderers in the Capital One Cup last Saturday.
Iwelumo came off the bench in injury-time to spare the Hornets' blushes as he notched the only goal in their 1-0 victory.
The target-man hasn’t featured regularly during pre-season though, making most of his appearances from the bench.
But Zola insists reports the striker is nearing the exit door are wide of the mark.
He said: “I am totally unaware of that. Upfront, when everybody is fit, there will be a lot of competition but in this team only the ones that deserve to play will play.”
Iwelumo, who signed for Watford in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee, failed to hit form in his first season and was limited to just four goals in his first 38 appearances.
Zola expressed his delight that the striker has opened his account for this season and praised his efforts in training.
He said: “I am very pleased for him because obviously he hasn’t played very much so I can understand what it means to him.
“The best thing is to do what he has done - work hard, and make an impression when he comes on."
Watford have made eight signings so far this summer, including three new strikers - Matej Vydra, Alex Geijo and Steve Leo Beleck.
The Hornets boss suspects though that the club’s transfer activity is now over.
He said: “I think we are nearly there, I am not sure there will be any more signings.”
Despite bringing in eight new faces the Hornets are yet to spend a penny with Manuel Almunia and Fitz Hall arriving on a free, whilst Ikechi Anya, Almen Abdi, Daniel Pudil, Vydra, Geijo and Leo Beleck have all joined on loan .
Comments(25)
Forest Hornets
says...
1:35pm Tue 14 Aug 12
jasonwatford
says...
1:44pm Tue 14 Aug 12
aefevans
says...
1:46pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
1:56pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Harrydownunder wrote:I suppose he was either hedging his bets as he really doesn't know who is about to join (until they tweet they are coming)....or they have failed to reach agreement with a couple of targets who will now go elsewhere. He had mentioned Tommy Smith before so I assume that didn't work out.
What was that free transfer stuff about then! Also wasn't there an article recently saying Zola was expecting a couple more signings?
Anyone else confused?
PurpleRalph
says...
1:56pm Tue 14 Aug 12
SAHornet
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2:04pm Tue 14 Aug 12
PurpleRalph wrote:Hahaha, I like it !
No need to show us Chris - we already know you're Bo11o cks.
pete50
says...
2:08pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Bringe
says...
2:10pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Also Garner has shown enough in pre-season to keep a squad place though I doubt he'll be first choice, ditto for Yeates and Forsyth.
AngelHornet
says...
2:38pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Andrew1963
says...
2:51pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Eastsussexhornet
says...
3:01pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Forest Hornets wrote:I think he's juggling his options.
What on earth is he doing in that picture! Think he is a gonna along with a few others once they are match fit.
Holly68
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3:09pm Tue 14 Aug 12
rousman 2
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3:31pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Bringe wrote:Sensible post but I think you will find Zola likes Yeates.
Sensible ... when fit Big Chris is a handful and no doubt there will be times when a big target man is required. After injury he started last season way behind the others in fitness and naturally struggled but when on form he's a good player and every bit a Championship striker. Let's just see before we write him off. Also Garner has shown enough in pre-season to keep a squad place though I doubt he'll be first choice, ditto for Yeates and Forsyth.
jimbuctu
says...
3:39pm Tue 14 Aug 12
rousman 2 wrote:I think we are looking at a few games before making any more signings.
Bringe wrote:Sensible post but I think you will find Zola likes Yeates.
Sensible ... when fit Big Chris is a handful and no doubt there will be times when a big target man is required. After injury he started last season way behind the others in fitness and naturally struggled but when on form he's a good player and every bit a Championship striker. Let's just see before we write him off. Also Garner has shown enough in pre-season to keep a squad place though I doubt he'll be first choice, ditto for Yeates and Forsyth.
He's got a big squad which means we have room for manouvre when we feel the need - i.e we let three fringe players go and sign one good one with their wage money.
Too many signings at once has never worked for anyone so easing in and having a look at the first few games, then maybe making a marquee signing towards the end of the transfer window seems sensible to me.
It'll become far clearer where we are short by the end of August. We'll have settled into a formation that suits us as well and its easy to make signings that eventually don't fit with the way we play.
Regarding Iwelumo, I'd rather we had a better option too but with seven subs allowed again (thankfully) he isn't a bad option for the last five minutes to hoof it up to and try and find a flick on for an equaliser.
I wonder as well whether from a PR point of view the owners would like to 'announce' themselves with a £3million+ deadline day capture a la Man City (albeit not on that scale!) ...that'd be nice!
lutondown
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3:39pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Holly68 wrote:Eh? Do you not think the Pozzos knew that we owed a few bob? Of course they did, what you are witnessing is how they build teams and clubs.
I won't be surprised given alot of games Saturday then Tuesday in the championship that Zola philosophy will be Squad rotation to keep everyOne fresh (except for keeper maybe) ..... Plus with the coffers left very very bare it's no surprise we haven't splashed the cash. I bet the money the Pozzo's expected to invest inc transfers has all gone on debt clearence. My guy says it will be rocking for first 10-15 games, but will come good by November time, keep the faith
Bush Hornet
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4:53pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
5:08pm Tue 14 Aug 12
WFC4ever
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6:18pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Lets see what happens in the next few games but Saturday suggested there is a lot of work do to with players who simply aren't able to pass the ball as Zola wishes.
wrecker
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6:28pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Kingswoodhornet
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8:23pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Andrew1963 wrote:Yep. As far as I'm concerned the slate is wiped clean for all the players whether they were good poor or worse last season. We'll soon know if they're going to flourish or flounder under Zola's football approach. CI, like a lot of the players was poor at times last season and we were told that he was injured. But he improved towards the end of last season and as previous posters have said things seem to happen when he comes on.
What a turnaround from last summer. Then we were wailing if there would be anyone left, as the forward line and attacking midfield was the subject of bids and rumours taking them away from the Vic. A proper owner in and we now want to know why players are not being shipped out! Carthouse he maybe, but he is still our carthouse so good luck big Chris, if you, can play a cameo part coming on for 20 minutes to tie up the opposition just when they want to break out to secure a draw after our breath taking 70 minutes of play - that will be fine by me.
cliff46
says...
8:49pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Does it have anything to do with his comment at the end of last week that 2 or three more signings were expected but now apparently they are not.
Presumably he was only passing on what he had been told by Nani.
Not a big deal but it does perhaps indicate that there is a little more work to do
the communications front
@ChrisBottom16
says...
9:29pm Tue 14 Aug 12
wrecker wrote:The players that have signed have had hardly any pre season and i for one would rather wait 3 or 4 games to ease someone in than rush them, especially if giving them the chance to start slowly means we have the fit for the bulk of the season. iv been to 3 matches so far and iv seen Almunia, Abdi, Pudil and Vydra. The are all well above the standard we have bar a few. If the rest are as good we have some very exciting times ahead.
It seem to me that we sell fit players,but can only attract crocked and unfit ones,looking forward to the excuses from Zola.
D.unstable
says...
11:58pm Tue 14 Aug 12
On another note good to see that McPie will not be taking a Watford B team to the Capital One Cup Final this year!!!
JohnnyHornet
says...
7:31pm Fri 17 Aug 12
rousman 2 wrote:He only likes Yeates because he hasn't learned the language yet.
Bringe wrote:Sensible post but I think you will find Zola likes Yeates.
Sensible ... when fit Big Chris is a handful and no doubt there will be times when a big target man is required. After injury he started last season way behind the others in fitness and naturally struggled but when on form he's a good player and every bit a Championship striker. Let's just see before we write him off. Also Garner has shown enough in pre-season to keep a squad place though I doubt he'll be first choice, ditto for Yeates and Forsyth.
Harrydownunder says...
1:30pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Anyone else confused?