Zola: 'One bad result isn’t going to kill my enthusiasm' (From Watford Observer)

I think he probably said "principles"

As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

The other problem with Vialli was that he signed a load of freeloaders who plainly weren't bothered. The current crop of imports don't seem to be like that.

"Principles" obviously go out the window after an hour then , when things aren't working. Three times he's brought on Iwellumo to save the day ( twice it's worked) ...and dumped the passing game for a more long ball approach. The sooner Zola realises you can't play pretty football in this division the better.

You can play pretty football as Swansea and Southampton have shown but you need the players to do it. Last night Taylor and Nosworthy split to left and right back to receive the ball...hogg comes deep from midfield however both ipswich wingers press taylor and Nos their midfirld tracks hogg..keeper has no choice to then play it long to Garner who wouldnt win a raffle if he had the only ticket.....when did play it out to defenders ipswich closed down so quick you end up losing the ball 10 yards outside your own box. We need to see more of these new players before we can decide but we all know now that certain players are not good enough so lets get rid and move on.

Garner was poor, Pudil sketchy, Murray surprisingly poor, Yeates fairly ineffective (though better than usual!) and Iwelumo should not be near the pitch (although we were so poor he didn't look a lot worse than those around him). Until these new strikers are fit we have major problems.

pete50 wrote:
Garner was poor, Pudil sketchy, Murray surprisingly poor, Yeates fairly ineffective (though better than usual!) and Iwelumo should not be near the pitch (although we were so poor he didn't look a lot worse than those around him). Until these new strikers are fit we have major problems.

Whatever you may think about Iwelumo, things happen when he is on the pitch. We started winning balls and creating chances.

Have read countless views on this site re Yeats and Garner being useless.Why does Zola persist with these players?Hope he does not make the same mistakes as he made when at West Ham,he made plenty there.

Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

jasonwatford wrote:
You can play pretty football as Swansea and Southampton have shown but you need the players to do it. Last night Taylor and Nosworthy split to left and right back to receive the ball...hogg comes deep from midfield however both ipswich wingers press taylor and Nos their midfirld tracks hogg..keeper has no choice to then play it long to Garner who wouldnt win a raffle if he had the only ticket.....when did play it out to defenders ipswich closed down so quick you end up losing the ball 10 yards outside your own box. We need to see more of these new players before we can decide but we all know now that certain players are not good enough so lets get rid and move on.

Good post jasonwatford.
We seemed to be more worried about playing a new system and being where we were told to be, rather than getting closer to the man on the ball.
First half was very poor but we did get much better in the second half. Had we taken either chance from Taylor or Nosworthy our run against the Tractor boys would have continued.
Absolutely agree with your comments about Garner, and Murray looks to me to be lacking match fitness (or being over weight, maybe he wore the wrong shorts?)
Very much work in progress with a long way to go, but it will get better. Have faith.

Did anyone notice yesterday how Loach's kicking was almost perfect on a perfect pitch ( he kicked it out to touch once) whereas our new keeper buried into the stands about 7 times.

Also that Almunia wanted to go up for the stoppage time corner , but Zola told him to go back.

"Absolutely agree with your comments about Garner, and Murray looks to me to be lacking match fitness (or being over weight, maybe he wore the wrong shorts?)"

the new kit is not very good , and the shirts a lot smaler than the Burrda's. I struggle to get into the XL size whereas last yers shirt is a good fit. .

gilesy97 wrote:
"Absolutely agree with your comments about Garner, and Murray looks to me to be lacking match fitness (or being over weight, maybe he wore the wrong shorts?)"

the new kit is not very good , and the shirts a lot smaler than the Burrda's. I struggle to get into the XL size whereas last yers shirt is a good fit. .

Too many pies during half time perhaps?

I dont agree with people who say you cant play football in this division. Many teams have and have done well. The key, like some have already pointed out is having the players. I think that playing out from the back is better than the ball being punted down the pitch because you stand a greater chance of losing possession that way. The problem is that you need good ball players in defence and all respect to Nosworthy and Taylor, they are not those type of players. Another thing I noticed was that when our players were under pressure they went for the punt down the line. It was a bit of good pressure from Ipswich and bad movement from us. I saw that whenever one of our boys had the ball they moved away rather than go towards the player for a pass. It was like they were all scared of the thing with the odd exception. I didnt think that the heavy shower helped our passing game in any way, especially as we are still learning.
Seriously though Garner needs to be dropped. He hasnt the skill to play as a lone striker.

I do understand what Zola is trying to do, but we ain't got the players... Nosworthy & Taylor where moving out wide for goal kicks, a la Barcelona style, BUT they have Puyol & Pique - You need to have bloody good to players to play the Barca style.

He must realise that square pegs don't go into round holes and we are not playing in Italy or Spain.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Like Arsenal in their season they didn't lose, free flowing football, yet if you chucked in players like Big Chris, Yaetes & Garner into that team, theyd have won **** all!

Players like that will never make you play that type of football, so get a couple of flair players in, & get rid of them (division 2 standard!)

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

Remember the early weeks of last season?

We were worrying about Dyche and probable relegation, and worrying about what that muppet of an owner would do next. Doom and gloom all around!

So what if Garner is out of his depth and half the squad can't pass - I don't care - it's only a temporary. Zola will gradually weed out all the donkeys.

We won't be relegated - probably won't be promoted - but we have sound ownership for the first time in years and some talented players to watch.

Let's just sit back and relax - we've never had it so good!.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

Totally agree

jasonwatford wrote:
You can play pretty football as Swansea and Southampton have shown but you need the players to do it. Last night Taylor and Nosworthy split to left and right back to receive the ball...hogg comes deep from midfield however both ipswich wingers press taylor and Nos their midfirld tracks hogg..keeper has no choice to then play it long to Garner who wouldnt win a raffle if he had the only ticket.....when did play it out to defenders ipswich closed down so quick you end up losing the ball 10 yards outside your own box. We need to see more of these new players before we can decide but we all know now that certain players are not good enough so lets get rid and move on.

Good post. Well read. As I've said elsewhere, we looked like a team trying to do what the manager says rather than naturally passing and moving. In the second half there were numerous occasions when Hodson was in acres of space but was missed out for a channel ball. just seemed a bit confusing to me. We tried hard to put the philosophy into action but there are obvious flaws. What I dont agree with thoguh is that the players can't do it. A five yard pass is a five yard pass - we can all do that. The issue is having someone to pass to - that's where we need to see an improvement.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

of course we're not Spain but the principles remain the same. Our opposition are not France or even Denmark. But if our team learn how to hold on to the ball and outpass the others then we will be very difficult to beat.

I imagine Zola will agree that the opposition should be pressurised. Enjoy the ride Micky and give him time. And just remember how dire the hoofball was under previous regimes.

I admire the way Zola is trying to play but you need the right type of player & you need to move a lot quicker than we did last night. We only looked like scoring when Big Chris came on that for me says it all at present. Palace are not a good side (lost again 4-1) last night so we need to be realistic.

Some of the comments on here are so ridiculous!

Do people not realise how long it takes to build a team, find the right players and teach a different style of play?? We cannot and should not expect overnight success. I would be happy with a mid table finish, while showing promising signs. Next season should be our push for promotion.

There are too many fickle, clueless fans, who expect miracles. Show a little bit of sense.

Honestly, i cannot believe what some if you are saying! Half the clubs in this league would give anything to be in our position.

Mickey Quinn, you havnt got a clue!

PurpleRalph wrote:
Remember the early weeks of last season?

We were worrying about Dyche and probable relegation, and worrying about what that muppet of an owner would do next. Doom and gloom all around!

So what if Garner is out of his depth and half the squad can't pass - I don't care - it's only a temporary. Zola will gradually weed out all the donkeys.

We won't be relegated - probably won't be promoted - but we have sound ownership for the first time in years and some talented players to watch.

Let's just sit back and relax - we've never had it so good!.

good post purple one

stuegs wrote:
Some of the comments on here are so ridiculous!

Do people not realise how long it takes to build a team, find the right players and teach a different style of play?? We cannot and should not expect overnight success. I would be happy with a mid table finish, while showing promising signs. Next season should be our push for promotion.

There are too many fickle, clueless fans, who expect miracles. Show a little bit of sense.

Honestly, i cannot believe what some if you are saying! Half the clubs in this league would give anything to be in our position.

Mickey Quinn, you havnt got a clue!

agree with you stuegs

PurpleRalph wrote:
Remember the early weeks of last season? We were worrying about Dyche and probable relegation, and worrying about what that muppet of an owner would do next. Doom and gloom all around! So what if Garner is out of his depth and half the squad can't pass - I don't care - it's only a temporary. Zola will gradually weed out all the donkeys. We won't be relegated - probably won't be promoted - but we have sound ownership for the first time in years and some talented players to watch. Let's just sit back and relax - we've never had it so good!.

Well said Purple Buddy, I wasn't thinking along those lines leaving the Vic last night, but I'll have some of what you are smoking!!!

Jimbuctu - Do you wanna pay up now on the Garner bet now ?

stuegs wrote:
Some of the comments on here are so ridiculous!

Do people not realise how long it takes to build a team, find the right players and teach a different style of play?? We cannot and should not expect overnight success. I would be happy with a mid table finish, while showing promising signs. Next season should be our push for promotion.

There are too many fickle, clueless fans, who expect miracles. Show a little bit of sense.

Honestly, i cannot believe what some if you are saying! Half the clubs in this league would give anything to be in our position.

Mickey Quinn, you havnt got a clue!

You're right I haven't got a clue, not a clue what point you are trying to make !

Yes it takes a long time, yes I'd be happy with mid table, yes a promotion push next year would be great, yes we shouldn't expect miraces, yes we are in a much better place than many in this league.

Now, read my posts again Stuegs and tell me which bit you disagree with that leads you to conclude I havent got a clue !!

Rome wasn't built in a day! Though I have misgivings and concerns about a lot of things at the moment, most things with the club are wait and see. Everyone is allowed their own opinion, but if you are completely changing a club top to bottom as seems to be happening, the whole season I would say is going to be up and down and we all need to be patient as things evolve. I am also waiting on getting indications on a 5 or 10 year plan, are we a feeder club etc because none us really know what the Pozzo's plans are yet. It's all wait and see.

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

of course we're not Spain but the principles remain the same. Our opposition are not France or even Denmark. But if our team learn how to hold on to the ball and outpass the others then we will be very difficult to beat.

I imagine Zola will agree that the opposition should be pressurised. Enjoy the ride Micky and give him time. And just remember how dire the hoofball was under previous regimes.

Yep I'm going to enjoy and I don't want a return to hoofball. Just want the passing to have an end product.

Spain pressurize opponents in the middle of the park, attack at speed and then hold the ball if needed 30 yds from the opponents goal while evaluating the options. We are holding the ball 40 yds from our goal at present !

jasonwatford wrote:
Jimbuctu - Do you wanna pay up now on the Garner bet now ?

it's not looking good is it?!

I'll need three injuries and a change in formation to have a hope on last nights showing and to be honest I'd pay £100 to avoid three injuries.

Zola MUST see something in him though. Just can't quite fathom what in that role.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

Thats right we are NOT Spain....but we are also not playing Italy / Germany etc. Its like for like. At the end of the day lets just get behind the team and the manager and then at the end of the season we can all say what we would have done different.

dal8oy wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

Thats right we are NOT Spain....but we are also not playing Italy / Germany etc. Its like for like. At the end of the day lets just get behind the team and the manager and then at the end of the season we can all say what we would have done different.

I'd be very happy if we played the same style as Spain, if that helps ? Sadly at the moment we are not.

If GZ wants to play a swift passing, attacking style where we also close down the opposition I'm completely behind him. Even if it takes months to get there.

If he wants to play a slow sideways game where we give the opposition as much space as they'd like and end up with few shots and little pressure on the opposition keeper, I'm not. To suggest we all wait til the end of the season before raising such comment/criticism is a little daft.

PurpleRalph wrote:
Remember the early weeks of last season?

We were worrying about Dyche and probable relegation, and worrying about what that muppet of an owner would do next. Doom and gloom all around!

So what if Garner is out of his depth and half the squad can't pass - I don't care - it's only a temporary. Zola will gradually weed out all the donkeys.

We won't be relegated - probably won't be promoted - but we have sound ownership for the first time in years and some talented players to watch.

Let's just sit back and relax - we've never had it so good!.

Like

Give Zola time.

It's not going to be easy, especially for players whose natural instinct is to hoof , run the channels and then get drunk on 500 pints.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

dal8oy wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

Thats right we are NOT Spain....but we are also not playing Italy / Germany etc. Its like for like. At the end of the day lets just get behind the team and the manager and then at the end of the season we can all say what we would have done different.

I'd be very happy if we played the same style as Spain, if that helps ? Sadly at the moment we are not.

If GZ wants to play a swift passing, attacking style where we also close down the opposition I'm completely behind him. Even if it takes months to get there.

If he wants to play a slow sideways game where we give the opposition as much space as they'd like and end up with few shots and little pressure on the opposition keeper, I'm not. To suggest we all wait til the end of the season before raising such comment/criticism is a little daft.

Mickey, your suggestion that waiting until the end of the season to criticise is 'daft' is correct. But it would surely be equally as daft to come to definite conclusions now.

Last season when the doom merchants were screaming for SD's head after 3 games I suggested that maybe a quarterly review was more likely to provide a balanced critique. I make that same request now. So, lets re-consider after the Cardiff game.

D.unstable wrote:

PurpleRalph wrote:
Remember the early weeks of last season? We were worrying about Dyche and probable relegation, and worrying about what that muppet of an owner would do next. Doom and gloom all around! So what if Garner is out of his depth and half the squad can't pass - I don't care - it's only a temporary. Zola will gradually weed out all the donkeys. We won't be relegated - probably won't be promoted - but we have sound ownership for the first time in years and some talented players to watch. Let's just sit back and relax - we've never had it so good!.

Well said Purple Buddy, I wasn't thinking along those lines leaving the Vic last night, but I'll have some of what you are smoking!!!

Totally agree too. I really am looking at Watfords fan base and realised how much it's changed from my early days as a supporter.
Fair weather and fickle comes to mind, little passion, lots of moaning and a total lack of understanding of the modern game.
This obviously does not include our brilliant away fans, who I wish could be put into one end for the home games. That would have the prawn sarnie brigade going else where for there fortnightly saturday snooze.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

Oh Mick you couldn't wait could you bud! Just waiting for Corby to post, once he's stopped cheering of course

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Good post Bush
I feel ashamed to be a Watford fan right now. I think we've got so use to poor football we think it's how the game should be played.
Spain / Barcelona boring? Yer right. I look forward to being bored senseless when we get it right

Jimbuctu - I was and am only making the point that in my opinion from what i have seen in Garner that he will never be a striker that will score goals to take us to the top..Of course we can be wrong about players but ive been around and seen so many over the years that were good at junior level then fade away at 1st team level.

Terry Dactile wrote:
Rome wasn't built in a day! Though I have misgivings and concerns about a lot of things at the moment, most things with the club are wait and see. Everyone is allowed their own opinion, but if you are completely changing a club top to bottom as seems to be happening, the whole season I would say is going to be up and down and we all need to be patient as things evolve. I am also waiting on getting indications on a 5 or 10 year plan, are we a feeder club etc because none us really know what the Pozzo's plans are yet. It's all wait and see.

Although it was terrible last night and I posted a very negative comment on here earlier, I, through gritted teeth, tend to agree with you, but I am worried we may go down playing that sort of game.

Lets have some balance people ..... We have a very humble and honest manager who is trying to play a style of football alien to most and it will take time to adjust. His approach it seems to stick to that principle, rather than play to the oppositions weaknesses at the moment. That might sound strange but he is building a style for the medium/long term and not just seeking a quick fix. I would suggest if Dyche had still been manager we would of lost at Palace, but probably bombarded Loach and won last night, so 3 points either way, but if you listen and read GFZ comments, he keeps mentioning No Compromise. It will take minimum 10 games to get style and personnel right, in 10 games out line up "could be" Almunia, Cassatti, Angello, Taylor, Pudil, Eustace, Hogg, Abdi, Vydra, Geijo, Murray with Bond, Anya, Hall, Belleck, Thompson, Buaben, Nosworthy on bench

(Doyley, Dickinson, Yeates, Garner, Iwelumo, Hodson, Jenkins, Smith, Mingoia, Bonhom, Bennett, Forsyth, Forbes-Hamilton, Hoban, Tumwa, Deeney all back up players)

The Pozzo's want the riches of the Premier League, BUT need to settle what was a financial sinking ship FIRST. 10 new players, no fee involved, no one a financial risk wages wise for more than 12 months.

The new stand will be funded based on us achieving minimum play off status. (don't have enough fans to fill it at present)

This is NOT BOOM OR BUST

My gut is by Christmas we will all be worried cos GFZ will be interesting Premier League Clubs, Vydra will be on 14 goals and subject to Premier Interest .....

Glass half empty (we lost 3 points)

Glass half full (we gained 3 points)

Glass half empty (wrong selection, wrong tactics, rubbish)

Glass half full (evolution rather than revolution)

So to Birmingham, who themselves will be moaning only on 1 point, Lee Clark don't know what he's doing etc etc blah blah, however wins will be glass half full, whoever losses will be half empty. Gut says a draw, that'll confuse the hell out of how much in the glass

One thing for sure, let's make some noise, especially on TV, as I hear GFZ walked into his home Tuesday night complaining that his glass (atmosphere) was only half full, but didn't have the time to post on here !!!!

YOU HORNS !

Oracledave wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

dal8oy wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Good honest manager who is gracious enough to credit the opposition with some applause because they so desperately wanted to beat Watford and break the long run. They just about got their game plan right.

Long term plan is to play attractive, winning football. Nothing's changed. Don't panic. Don't compromise. Don't moan.

"attractive winning football" - great but more detail required !!

Too much sideways football and not enough closing down the opponents at present. Is that how he wants us to play ....but just do it better ? That won't work in this league unless we sign Xavi, Iniesta etc.

I had to suffer an ignorant idiot in a pub saying how rubbish Spain as we watched an early Euro match this summer. He was going on about how no-one wins with "sideways, tippy tappy football." The match we were watching was a group game before Spain had hit their stride. Spain, as we know, got better and better, with their apparantly ineffective possession football.

Too many Watford fans would've agreed with the jerk in the pub on my holidays.

Don't be that guy Quinny

Spain are a great side - WE ARE NOT SPAIN !!

Nothing wrong with holding onto the ball, but always getting the ball forward too slowly and not pressurising the opposition as we are doing at the mo will not get us near the top of this league.

Thats right we are NOT Spain....but we are also not playing Italy / Germany etc. Its like for like. At the end of the day lets just get behind the team and the manager and then at the end of the season we can all say what we would have done different.

I'd be very happy if we played the same style as Spain, if that helps ? Sadly at the moment we are not.

If GZ wants to play a swift passing, attacking style where we also close down the opposition I'm completely behind him. Even if it takes months to get there.

If he wants to play a slow sideways game where we give the opposition as much space as they'd like and end up with few shots and little pressure on the opposition keeper, I'm not. To suggest we all wait til the end of the season before raising such comment/criticism is a little daft.

Mickey, your suggestion that waiting until the end of the season to criticise is 'daft' is correct. But it would surely be equally as daft to come to definite conclusions now.

Last season when the doom merchants were screaming for SD's head after 3 games I suggested that maybe a quarterly review was more likely to provide a balanced critique. I make that same request now. So, lets re-consider after the Cardiff game.

Competely agree, I'm not coming to definite conclusions now ! Just stating that I hope where GZ is trying to take us is "swift passing, attacking style where we also close down the opposition " rather than "a slow sideways game where we give the opposition as much space as they'd like and end up with few shots and little pressure on the opposition keeper". Wouldn't you agree ? By the time of your quarterly review we should know.

lutondown wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

Oh Mick you couldn't wait could you bud! Just waiting for Corby to post, once he's stopped cheering of course

Couldn't wait for what me old mucker ? Just saying I hope his footballing eldorado that we are trying to reach includes "quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents " rather than the opposite. Wouldn't you agree ? I'll give him bags of time if that's what he's trying to achieve.

Ps do you think Angella is still coming... or was that just the Wobbly mixing up Italians, and they meant Cassetti all along ??

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Ps do you think Angella is still coming... or was that just the Wobbly mixing up Italians, and they meant Cassetti all along ??

I think the WO are not in the loop!

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Ps do you think Angella is still coming... or was that just the Wobbly mixing up Italians, and they meant Cassetti all along ??

I think the WO are not in the loop!

We missed eustace massively last night. We didn't boss that midfield at all. Yeates isn't a centre mid. And garner isn't good enough to be a footballer. But still very optimistic. Murray needs to get back into shape and we need to hope geijo is a good lone front man and we may be onto something. Pudil looked sluggish last night but he should be good when he's back in the swing. Same goes for ahmen. On form he would have grabbed 2 goals last night. The future is bright- let's get behind them and hope we never see yeates and garner playing together again....

Oh dear me, woe, woe and thrice woe.

Two games gone and we're do
oomed!!

Get a life you lot!

Our biggest problem currently isn't that it will take a while for the new style to bed in, it's actually the dreadfully disappointing attendance and our apparent inability to drown out a few hundred visiting supporters!
The Pozzo's are playing their part by supporting the manager's need for suitable footballers.
We surely cannot expect them to pour in resources indefinitely if the supporters can't be bothered to turn up and provide a respectable level of support.
If we want to have a three sided ground forever we are currently going the right way to achieve it.

cliff46 wrote:
Our biggest problem currently isn't that it will take a while for the new style to bed in, it's actually the dreadfully disappointing attendance and our apparent inability to drown out a few hundred visiting supporters!
The Pozzo's are playing their part by supporting the manager's need for suitable footballers.
We surely cannot expect them to pour in resources indefinitely if the supporters can't be bothered to turn up and provide a respectable level of support.
If we want to have a three sided ground forever we are currently going the right way to achieve it.

You're so right Cliff, the people all around where I was sitting didnt stop moaning!
Perhaps Bas and nowhereville is what this clubs fans deserve?

Lutondown
Two men sitting behind my son and I gave a high volume running commentary most of which was absolute nonsense. The only thing likely to stop them moaning is if Zola selects players with the more unpronounceable names.

cliff46 wrote:
Our biggest problem currently isn't that it will take a while for the new style to bed in, it's actually the dreadfully disappointing attendance and our apparent inability to drown out a few hundred visiting supporters!
The Pozzo's are playing their part by supporting the manager's need for suitable footballers.
We surely cannot expect them to pour in resources indefinitely if the supporters can't be bothered to turn up and provide a respectable level of support.
If we want to have a three sided ground forever we are currently going the right way to achieve it.

Good post, Cliff. Hope people will turn up for B'ham.

As sick as a parrot wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Lets have some balance people ..... We have a very humble and honest manager who is trying to play a style of football alien to most and it will take time to adjust. His approach it seems to stick to that principle, rather than play to the oppositions weaknesses at the moment. That might sound strange but he is building a style for the medium/long term and not just seeking a quick fix. I would suggest if Dyche had still been manager we would of lost at Palace, but probably bombarded Loach and won last night, so 3 points either way, but if you listen and read GFZ comments, he keeps mentioning No Compromise. It will take minimum 10 games to get style and personnel right, in 10 games out line up "could be" Almunia, Cassatti, Angello, Taylor, Pudil, Eustace, Hogg, Abdi, Vydra, Geijo, Murray with Bond, Anya, Hall, Belleck, Thompson, Buaben, Nosworthy on bench

(Doyley, Dickinson, Yeates, Garner, Iwelumo, Hodson, Jenkins, Smith, Mingoia, Bonhom, Bennett, Forsyth, Forbes-Hamilton, Hoban, Tumwa, Deeney all back up players)

The Pozzo's want the riches of the Premier League, BUT need to settle what was a financial sinking ship FIRST. 10 new players, no fee involved, no one a financial risk wages wise for more than 12 months.

The new stand will be funded based on us achieving minimum play off status. (don't have enough fans to fill it at present)

This is NOT BOOM OR BUST

My gut is by Christmas we will all be worried cos GFZ will be interesting Premier League Clubs, Vydra will be on 14 goals and subject to Premier Interest .....

Glass half empty (we lost 3 points)

Glass half full (we gained 3 points)

Glass half empty (wrong selection, wrong tactics, rubbish)

Glass half full (evolution rather than revolution)

So to Birmingham, who themselves will be moaning only on 1 point, Lee Clark don't know what he's doing etc etc blah blah, however wins will be glass half full, whoever losses will be half empty. Gut says a draw, that'll confuse the hell out of how much in the glass

One thing for sure, let's make some noise, especially on TV, as I hear GFZ walked into his home Tuesday night complaining that his glass (atmosphere) was only half full, but didn't have the time to post on here !!!!

YOU HORNS !

Well im glad your not going to be manager in 10 games time.

Parrot face I think Holly speaks sense. But most of us agree with you we want Zola manager in 10 games time

lutondown wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

Oh Mick you couldn't wait could you bud! Just waiting for Corby to post, once he's stopped cheering of course

Do I not like that! Hopefully the little man can make good sooner rather than latter but you really can't polish a turd and a few players need to go now, it is getting out of had when Big Chris is used as a game changer! Still we have a bench, dressing room, stadium full of players yet to appear so time will tell the wheat from the chaff, just hope Zola has the balls to make the cuts when needed as at present we are getting mixed messages still.I hope we get a better attendance for Birmingham despite it being live on sky, bit embarassing when we can't even fill 3 sides and get outsung by a dozen away fans! Clap clap clap crap..

I will be happy with most styles of football as long as it is well executed and exciting to watch.
The team's current style is not great and what GFZ is aiming for, most probably is.
All styles rely on the team being talented and the team being fit. For any style to work you have to work hard.
Our problem and GFZ's problem is certain players are not good enough and the fitness level of some on the field and many off the field is not good enough, yet.
This is something we have not experienced for many a year at WFC and it would be interesting to hear GFZ's take on this. I suspect there is more than one factor contributing to the current state. In previous years whatever style we have played we have always been able to compensate with a high level of fitness and most of the time with excellent team spirit. These qualities are part of the ethos of the Horns and GFZ needs to sort the current shortcomings out and I am sure he will but in the meantime WO ask what his take is on the current fitness of certain players.

Given how we were playing in the last 3 months of last season under SD, just wondered who thinks we'd have beaten/drawn against Ipswich if SD was still in charge.
That's not meant negatively, just wondered?

corbindallas wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
As long as your "certain way" is to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behind into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then your way will never work.

Oh Mick you couldn't wait could you bud! Just waiting for Corby to post, once he's stopped cheering of course

Do I not like that! Hopefully the little man can make good sooner rather than latter but you really can't polish a turd and a few players need to go now, it is getting out of had when Big Chris is used as a game changer! Still we have a bench, dressing room, stadium full of players yet to appear so time will tell the wheat from the chaff, just hope Zola has the balls to make the cuts when needed as at present we are getting mixed messages still.I hope we get a better attendance for Birmingham despite it being live on sky, bit embarassing when we can't even fill 3 sides and get outsung by a dozen away fans! Clap clap clap crap..

you know Corby agree on most counts there, and I'm looking forward to the clear out, which I suspect will happen when the new guys reach fitness ( remembering they were geared up to starting a month later than their English counterparts).
Zola himself has said to execute this game well requires high tempo and fitness levels, as well as the skill factor. It's obvious to see where we are coming short currently.
Variance award? Give it to Harry for trying to revive a dead cause ( the Watford home fans )

Least Zola seems to be the honest type ready to accept defeat due to a bad performance rather than because the officials weren't perfect or the pitch wasn't right..

We need to give the new players time to settle and adapt to the Championship whilst many of the squad left over from last season are not going to be the sort of player Zola wants but we cannot just swap everyone around.

Dyche was very honest after a defeat aswell. We will see where we are in a few months regards to the new style etc...can only improve from what i have seen so far.
As for crowds that could be a difficult challange...we simply just do not have many fans and im not to sure how that can be addressed.