Hornets boss Zola insists morale in new squad is high (From Watford Observer)

So first of all he thought 2or 3 more signings with one imminent then he said we were unlikely to sign anymore now one is imminent apparently but Gianfranco will not confirm or deny.

Thanks for clarifying the situation for us!

Does anyone think Zola had a choice who he brings in?
He was most prob given a list of players from the other two clubs and said what positions, how many players, then the players are sent over and Zola has given them a chance in pre season..Thankfully they have come good or will when they are fit!!

This will be the process for the next few years, good or bad we will wait and see.

interesting tho, Udinese had 5 loan players from Granada last season.

Do we need any more players once all are fit?

im sure in that pic zola has a muscle inbalance ???

Starting Team Tomorrow ?

Almunia, Hodson, Nosworthy, Taylor, Prudil, Hogg, Eustace, Abdi, Anya, Murray, Vydra

Bench : Bond, Doyley, Yeates, Garner, Iwelumo, Thompson, Dickinson

Best Guess BTW

Pudil is still in the cramp clamp camp I hear, Murray 'doubtful' although I'm not sure what of ... victory perhaps?

It is the deadwod that concerns me, as evident from the game against Wycombe. I find it difficult to understand that the team just needs time to gel and then everyting will be hunkydorry. Under-performers from Dyche's time are still there. Just hoping that Zola and the squad can remember that goals win matches not just saying the team spirit is great.. Who ever thought that we would miss Denney!!! given what we have left. Let's hope the new guys can do something such as - oh there are 2 white post there. Good luck at Palace anyay. I hate that place.

Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

andyhooked wrote:
It is the deadwod that concerns me, as evident from the game against Wycombe. I find it difficult to understand that the team just needs time to gel and then everyting will be hunkydorry. Under-performers from Dyche's time are still there. Just hoping that Zola and the squad can remember that goals win matches not just saying the team spirit is great.. Who ever thought that we would miss Denney!!! given what we have left. Let's hope the new guys can do something such as - oh there are 2 white post there. Good luck at Palace anyay. I hate that place.

Typical, glass half empty comment.

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Zola doesnt have any input into who he gets, he's called a Head Coach on the WFC site, in that set up its the GM's that do the signing.

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Zola doesnt have any input into who he gets, he's called a Head Coach on the WFC site, in that set up its the GM's that do the signing.

It is always good to hear about "the passing style". I live overseas so get to the Vic rarely. Last time, the tactic appeared to be Loach kicking the ball as far down the field as possible, usually into touch.

Bringe wrote:
Pudil is still in the cramp clamp camp I hear, Murray 'doubtful' although I'm not sure what of ... victory perhaps?

1 mystery solved .... it looks like someone's been quoting a two week old tweet.
Not sure about Murray though, a death in the family meant he missed the Wycombe game but has he been injured in training since?

Murray said he had a burst blood vessel ?? and came out of the ground on Saturday in a surgical stocking...saying he would be doubtful this week. He was at the Open Day on Sunday , but without the stocking and proceeded to walk down the cat-walk .

The new physios seem to be extra cautious , or more thorough , as in McGinns case he was declared fit last season , but the new regime has stopped him playing due to a muscle imbalance ....ie from one leg compared with the other . So it may be that they want players absolutely 100% at this stage of the season before allowing them to lay.Hence why so many newbies are still "unfit".

that should read "play" :)

ElGingerino wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Zola doesnt have any input into who he gets, he's called a Head Coach on the WFC site, in that set up its the GM's that do the signing.

Zola will have plenty of input but is more likely to get the type of player he wants rather than a specific name, even then he'll have both a choice and a veto.
I lived in Germany for many years, it's a great system that means great managers on the pitch don't need to be particularly great businessmen off it.

gilesy97 wrote:
Murray said he had a burst blood vessel ?? and came out of the ground on Saturday in a surgical stocking...saying he would be doubtful this week. He was at the Open Day on Sunday , but without the stocking and proceeded to walk down the cat-walk .

Was that a 1 or 3 catwalk? :o)

Shame but even at his age a blood vessel's going to need a bit more than a week, hopefully it's just a one off.

Well SA Hornet, as far as my comment is conerned, we are all entitled to a view and your half glass seems in need of a refill as it may have a leak in the bottom of the glass

SAhornet
I agree with you that the coach should not have to announce any signings in advance.
That was why in the first contribution on this thread I suggested that it confusing when GZ offers a different comment relating to signings every few days. Much better and more professional at least in this specific respect to copy his predecessors Dyche and Malky and say nothing until a signing has been completed.

Heard GT interviewed on TalkSport this morning and when asked about the new regime, he was unsure what the future will bring, but stated unequivocally that WFC are better off with the Pozzo's than with the previous owners.

So, I think the glass is most definitely half full as we enter the new season...

Come On let's give them our full support!

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Absolutely correct on all points
I would prefer any negative comments
From our fellow supporters to be expressed here than at Vicarage road.I believe everyone should be able express their views however Gianfranco and the team need our wholehearted support on match days.

Holly68 wrote:
Starting Team Tomorrow ?

Almunia, Hodson, Nosworthy, Taylor, Prudil, Hogg, Eustace, Abdi, Anya, Murray, Vydra

Bench : Bond, Doyley, Yeates, Garner, Iwelumo, Thompson, Dickinson

Best Guess BTW

Looks like it'll be close to your prediction however Gianfranco may view that Yeates, Doyley and Iwelumo should start with the new signings replacing them

Holly68 wrote:
Starting Team Tomorrow ?

Almunia, Hodson, Nosworthy, Taylor, Prudil, Hogg, Eustace, Abdi, Anya, Murray, Vydra

Bench : Bond, Doyley, Yeates, Garner, Iwelumo, Thompson, Dickinson

Best Guess BTW

methinks dat Doyley will be playin and dat Bennet will be on the bench instead of Thompson, and either i=Iwelumo, Garnr or Yeates will replace Anya, maybe

Richard - Come On You Golden Boys! wrote:
Heard GT interviewed on TalkSport this morning and when asked about the new regime, he was unsure what the future will bring, but stated unequivocally that WFC are better off with the Pozzo's than with the previous owners.

So, I think the glass is most definitely half full as we enter the new season...

Come On let's give them our full support!

GT always the diplomat
Our glass is always half full
C.O.Y.H. Onward and ever upward to the Palace and 3 points

Pudil has tweeted he is not fit to play So i guess dickenson will not the nod.
Murray will play i think and hopfully Anya will get the nod too

cliff46 wrote:
SAhornet
I agree with you that the coach should not have to announce any signings in advance.
That was why in the first contribution on this thread I suggested that it confusing when GZ offers a different comment relating to signings every few days. Much better and more professional at least in this specific respect to copy his predecessors Dyche and Malky and say nothing until a signing has been completed.

Agreed Cliff but whenever I hear GZ being asked about new signings, he almost always says that he prefers not to talk about new signings as he thinks it's disrespectful to the players already at the club which I think is a pretty good response and quite diplomatic.

I love you Zola. Yea I'm slightly drunken but it won't change the way I feel in the morning. Or even in the evening when I get the result. Wish I weren't stuck in Edinburgh

jasonwatford wrote:
Pudil has tweeted he is not fit to play So i guess dickenson will not the nod.
Murray will play i think and hopfully Anya will get the nod too

Wrong, wrong and a slight maybe .... Amazing!

I would like to know why there is so much confusion. One day we have a few more signings to come, then no more signings and now another imminent signing!

Also, why is Zola insisting morale is high? Usually that means the opposite. Remember there was talk of a player revolt when sd was sacked? Any left overs do you reckon??

I am do excited about the new season. We have football owners instead if a sky little boy, improved squad (albeit unfit) and a big name manager!!

3 points tomorrow at palarse!!

Bringe wrote:

ElGingerino wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Zola doesnt have any input into who he gets, he's called a Head Coach on the WFC site, in that set up its the GM's that do the signing.

Zola will have plenty of input but is more likely to get the type of player he wants rather than a specific name, even then he'll have both a choice and a veto.
I lived in Germany for many years, it's a great system that means great managers on the pitch don't need to be particularly great businessmen off it.

You don't half talk twaddle all the time, how would you know what's going on in the club, least what Zola's input is to players! So far it's all talk from the club in statements which they then disregard with thier actions, Zola was given a load of loanees from Udinese and Granada and guess what he rejected none including the not so great playing records, unfit and injured. Great system my arse, managers should manage and that includes choosing their players not being told who they have by upstairs, that's why Zola states one minute he is adding to the quad the next he's not and then again he is, he does not know what is going on in player recruitment side, it appears communication is not dire just to he fans but within the club as well! Oh dear is that a negative post about our beloved Pozzo's.

jasonwatford wrote:
im sure in that pic zola has a muscle inbalance ???

You could be right - or perhaps a touch of cramp brought on by too much morale

This say's it all re statements and facts. http://www.englandfo
otballblog.com/2012/
08/14/watfords-acade
my-destroyed-by-fore
ign-ownership/

Hiho

Greetings one and all to the new season at watford cathedral. Firstly I
Would like to welcome the two new squires of to the manor.... They are not exactly two gentlemen from verona
But certainly from that neck of the woods.

Secondly ,of we must say a few hail Mary's in also wevcoming our new priest father Gorgon. Together with his entourage ,choir master ,organist.
And general handymen/odd job personnel.

I am afraid superior powers than mine
Led to the previous squire's hasty retreat.......thankf
ully the offertory,and keys to the prayer box and cathedral silverware ( chalice and communion nick nacks) was successfully hidden by our every reliable mr dithers. Thereby thwarting the old squires
Magpie like tendencies.

Enough of this let us look forward to a brand new dawn and all team talks together with stadia announcement to be delivered in Latin

Hail gorgon

COYH

IWe are now part of a 3 club consortium with a larger pool of players to draw upon. There is bound to be plenty of coming and going within the current squad until Zola finds the blend he wants and he can get.
Be interesting to see if any last season Hornets are loaned out to Spain or Italy - I suppose the one we would least like to see go would be Murray.

A few weeks back we were v close to administration, not only not a pot to p1ss in, but lots of debtors. We now have 8/9 new players, none of which would of been able to here a few weeks ago. We lost Loach and Mirfin (not many wanted them here), only Marriappa (good sale as he wanted Prem football) and Deeney (Prison) are a loss. So we have 90% of the team that got us to 11th, with 8/9 new additions who when fully fit and up to speed with Championship, if half of them are better than what we lost and make a difference, the law of averages suggests we will finish higher. The ones that don't make a difference will be sent back, they are not a financial risk. The new foreign players realise the Championship is faster and more physical than Italy and Spain, so need more time to get "English Championship" FIT, the philosophy is not to risk someone when others are available, especially with 46 games and a long hard 9 months ahead. Of the new players, they all appear to be in the "Big Potential" bracket, even after injury Vydra would command a large fee, Geijo would be circa €1M, Pudil only missed Euros due to injury etc etc. I spoke to Vydra and he was amazed at how fast and physical game is here, I said wait till you've played 10 games, you've seen nothing yet. At the press conference it was made very clear, Zola tells Nani the position and type of player he wants, and Nani looks first at the Pozzo "talent pool", then outside only if nothing in the pool that fits the bill. It's totally Zola decision who takes to the field. So rather than say I want Fletcher at Wolves £13M - joke right), he says I want someone with these attributes. It will take many weeks for it all to gel, so if we win today, let's not get too excited, if we lose not too depressed. Six months ago we got hammered 0-4, Dyche didn't speak to Loach again for weeks. So let's get behind the Whole Club, Come on You Horns !

Ps. I'd be v happy with a draw

Holly68 wrote:
A few weeks back we were v close to administration, not only not a pot to p1ss in, but lots of debtors. We now have 8/9 new players, none of which would of been able to here a few weeks ago. We lost Loach and Mirfin (not many wanted them here), only Marriappa (good sale as he wanted Prem football) and Deeney (Prison) are a loss. So we have 90% of the team that got us to 11th, with 8/9 new additions who when fully fit and up to speed with Championship, if half of them are better than what we lost and make a difference, the law of averages suggests we will finish higher. The ones that don't make a difference will be sent back, they are not a financial risk. The new foreign players realise the Championship is faster and more physical than Italy and Spain, so need more time to get "English Championship" FIT, the philosophy is not to risk someone when others are available, especially with 46 games and a long hard 9 months ahead. Of the new players, they all appear to be in the "Big Potential" bracket, even after injury Vydra would command a large fee, Geijo would be circa €1M, Pudil only missed Euros due to injury etc etc. I spoke to Vydra and he was amazed at how fast and physical game is here, I said wait till you've played 10 games, you've seen nothing yet. At the press conference it was made very clear, Zola tells Nani the position and type of player he wants, and Nani looks first at the Pozzo "talent pool", then outside only if nothing in the pool that fits the bill. It's totally Zola decision who takes to the field. So rather than say I want Fletcher at Wolves £13M - joke right), he says I want someone with these attributes. It will take many weeks for it all to gel, so if we win today, let's not get too excited, if we lose not too depressed. Six months ago we got hammered 0-4, Dyche didn't speak to Loach again for weeks. So let's get behind the Whole Club, Come on You Horns !

Ps. I'd be v happy with a draw

Holly's speaking sense. Yes.

corbindallas wrote:
This say's it all re statements and facts. http://www.englandfo

otballblog.com/2012/

08/14/watfords-acade

my-destroyed-by-fore

ign-ownership/

Some of it is indeed true but what it fails to mention is that we could no longer afford our illustrious under-producing academy, clubs aren't buying enough of our players and every season an increasing amount have been released.
Nick Cox has explained perfectly the reasons to reject Cat1 but I shall add that it would've been redundant anyway because the Pozzo's will follow their tried and tested methods that actually work. Without the Pozzo's coming in when they did the club would be in administration now and the Watford academy would be the first victim.
The author raises valid points about the influx of foreign players however are we to be blamed for the problems the major clubs profligate? our role in this major production is tiny in comparison.
There's an age old saying "if you can't beat them, join them" but to be utterly honest we really don't have a choice, the Blue square is not a nice place.

actually i meant properate but profligate they are ... my bad

corbindallas wrote:

Bringe wrote:

ElGingerino wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Why should the coach or club announce in advance to anybody, who we are about to sign? It's his job to state who or what he wants and the club's/owner's job to get that person if possible. Why can't we just accept that this club is now being run in a different, more professional way to loud-mouth Bas, who shot his gob off to anyone he though was listening?

Zola doesnt have any input into who he gets, he's called a Head Coach on the WFC site, in that set up its the GM's that do the signing.

Zola will have plenty of input but is more likely to get the type of player he wants rather than a specific name, even then he'll have both a choice and a veto.
I lived in Germany for many years, it's a great system that means great managers on the pitch don't need to be particularly great businessmen off it.

You don't half talk twaddle all the time, how would you know what's going on in the club, least what Zola's input is to players! So far it's all talk from the club in statements which they then disregard with thier actions, Zola was given a load of loanees from Udinese and Granada and guess what he rejected none including the not so great playing records, unfit and injured. Great system my arse, managers should manage and that includes choosing their players not being told who they have by upstairs, that's why Zola states one minute he is adding to the quad the next he's not and then again he is, he does not know what is going on in player recruitment side, it appears communication is not dire just to he fans but within the club as well! Oh dear is that a negative post about our beloved Pozzo's.

Watford have worked under a Head coach/DOF system ever since Boothroyd nearly bankrupted us so don't knock it too much.
And "not so great playing records" is something we need to get used to ... the Pozzo's simply don't buy players at the top of their game but always ones they think they can improve.

Bush Hornet wrote:
I love you Zola. Yea I'm slightly drunken but it won't change the way I feel in the morning. Or even in the evening when I get the result. Wish I weren't stuck in Edinburgh

You are lucky to be STUCK in Edinburgh. A wonderful city. Make the most of your good fortune!

Bringe wrote:
actually i meant properate but profligate they are ... my bad

I think you meant to use PROPAGATE!

neil-bs wrote:

Bringe wrote:
actually i meant properate but profligate they are ... my bad

I think you meant to use PROPAGATE!

properate works ... I think I was originally looking for proffer.

School is a very long time ago :o)

I was just thinking what a lot of ill-informed, posturing nonsense was appearing on this thread.......until I came to the Holly68 posting. Far too sensible mate, you've got no place on here! By the way, if anybody's genuinely interested in learning about things from a Udinese perspective, could I recommend the September edition of When Saturday Comes? A really good, non-hysterical piece which gives the background behind the concerns felt by the main Udinese fans group which has written an open letter to Pozzo, pleading for some funding for their club, rather than directing the limited money available towards their two overseas acquisitions.

The Udinese coach, Francsco Guidolin, is quoted as saying that the club now have so many players nominally on the books that he has no idea who half of them are. I guess we've saved him from learning a few names then!

Well worth a read.

bushey tales wrote:
I was just thinking what a lot of ill-informed, posturing nonsense was appearing on this thread.......until I came to the Holly68 posting. Far too sensible mate, you've got no place on here! By the way, if anybody's genuinely interested in learning about things from a Udinese perspective, could I recommend the September edition of When Saturday Comes? A really good, non-hysterical piece which gives the background behind the concerns felt by the main Udinese fans group which has written an open letter to Pozzo, pleading for some funding for their club, rather than directing the limited money available towards their two overseas acquisitions.

The Udinese coach, Francsco Guidolin, is quoted as saying that the club now have so many players nominally on the books that he has no idea who half of them are. I guess we've saved him from learning a few names then!

Well worth a read.

You are right very interesting any one who thinks we will be signing any players for big money should think again

neil-bs wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
I love you Zola. Yea I'm slightly drunken but it won't change the way I feel in the morning. Or even in the evening when I get the result. Wish I weren't stuck in Edinburgh

You are lucky to be STUCK in Edinburgh. A wonderful city. Make the most of your good fortune!

I agree Neil. Beautiful, but not where my heart is. Miss my football club. And my cat. And my wife. (maybe not in that order). The price you pay for art.