Zola: 'We will challenge for the title next season' (From Watford Observer)

Hmmmm good luck GZ. Time will tell my little latin footy god.

So get promoted through the play-offs this year and challenging for the Premiership title next year sweet!

Did not say which league!!!!! how we have no proven CF in this "project"/side is behond words. how can so many players not be match fit??? and as for the last two games by Newton then any half decent manager will see that all they have to do is put the ball in the box, can play with the ball at his feet no doubt but cant defend cant head a ball and surly that is the main point of a center half in any league.

positives are the GK and little "messi" was outstanding tuesday, sitting close to the pitch as i do the boys feet are so quick, get him fit he will be lethal. crying out for a no 9 and a no 10 although im hoping it was just an off night for vydra as for bighris love his passion and can see why he got the arm band as he is the only leader at the club but will never be the answer. just my thoughts but im sure it will come good and thank the Pozo for saving my club for now at least...

correction... it does say championship... good luck Franco no pressure on you now!

Champions League here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we were to go up as champs into the top flight next season it would be an historic achievement that not even "God" Taylor managed

It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

Good post Jason lad

We could still go up as chumps this season, it's not impossible. Other teams in the past have shot up the league and been promoted.

so you went to bolton and saw the two goals he was at fault for and the crazy challenge he made tuesday... fair enough.

watch him closely at corners free kicks and tell me if you think the same after that. going forward with a ball at his feet clearly talented but will never be a CH in this league, kevin davies murdered him like all big CF will in this league

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

Jasonwatford you are my new hero.

Neuton is going to be fantastic for us. All teams that play the type of football we want to play need a ball-playing centre half - if you look right at the top then barcelona have Pique. Look at how many times attacks start through him. Yes he has to get used to what the Championship is all about in terms of the physical side but I didn't think he looked out of place on Tuesday at all. He was challenging for headers, didn't duck any physical confrontations. Having someone who can pass, look forward, have his head up etc then he looks superb. He will only get better once it all settles down.

I, personally, am already totally in love with him.

I don't mind going up as chumps, or chimps, but it'd be great to be champs one day

A little down beat isnt this? Recent results havent been great but we're only 5 points off the play offs, 7 points off 2nd place and 8 points off 1st with most of the season still to play.

I think the team will turn things around and they'll become a force in the league, whats worrying is that this early in the season our manager is seemingly saying even a play off place is too far off. Whats also worrying is that indications are that GZ didn’t necessarily ask for all of these 16 players the club has taken on and why exactly some of them havent featured hasn’t been explained.

I believe the team is suffering from too much change too quickly but will get it together, maybe not automatic position but play off's surely if these players are as good as they are meant to be?

I just hope that in trying to replicate what they did at Granada the Pozzo's havent thrown out the baby with the bath water at Watford in the sense that the team did put on a good run second half of last season and probably needed just a little tweeking here and there rather than the wholesale changes that have happened. For instance great, the club have an experienced former Italy international defender now, but we've lost Taylor who was consistently one of the better defenders in the league and seemed a motivational figure at the club.

But if it doesn’t happen this season and if the loan players stay the next then surely there is no excuse for not being favourites next season?

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

in other words he'll be great as great as long as he doesn't have to defend ?!!

To be fair he did look great on the ball but i'll reserve judgement until i see a consistent run of games where he 1/doesn't make a mistake, 2/ is dominant in the air and 3/ forms an understanding with the rest at the back !

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

And didn't Kusazck make a bit of a boo-boo on his debut for us?

In my humble opinion ALL of the incoming players I have seen so far look to be very good players. Having said that the Championship will no doubt be a "culture shock" to most of these Guys. I believe once they have settled in and fully understood the demands of the Championship, their natural ability will come to the fore and we will start to see a huge improvement in results. I believe we will be "there or there abouts" come April.

Can't wait that long thanks, gambled loads on this year at good odds! Get your act together Frankie !

So many dreamers, what our likely targets will be are:

1 To become financially sound
2. To stay up
3 To build a squad that we control and keep
4 To equal or better last years position

We have to bear in mind that we are up against many teams who are more advanced in their team development and have better players in terms of experience, talent and in team work and team spirit.

Next year under Zola we may well be right up there with experienced players who are both young and talented, play for each other and comfortable with our new style.

Mistakes have been made, and they were always likely to happen but give the manager support, time and less pressure and he may deliver but do not expect him to outperform GT he was at club level exceptional and if GFZ gets close to his performance we will more than just alright, but this year try and be realistic.

eltonsarmy wrote:
so you went to bolton and saw the two goals he was at fault for and the crazy challenge he made tuesday... fair enough. watch him closely at corners free kicks and tell me if you think the same after that. going forward with a ball at his feet clearly talented but will never be a CH in this league, kevin davies murdered him like all big CF will in this league

100% agree

100% wrong both of you

jasonwatford wrote:
100% wrong both of you

or are we both 100% correct and you 100% incorrect...

Anyway -- I hope he improves (as he did as the game went on) he could have cost us a couple of goals on Tuesday though..

Neuton's gonna be great, his heading was pretty **** good on Tuesday I thought.

As for the final league position. Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves, Wednesday, Charlton and Huddersfield are *so* much better than Southampton, West Ham, Reading, Pompey, Coventry and Doncaster. I know it's said every year but this time the league is genuinely harder than most other years.

Chris the Vic wrote:
So many dreamers, what our likely targets will be are:

1 To become financially sound
2. To stay up
3 To build a squad that we control and keep
4 To equal or better last years position

We have to bear in mind that we are up against many teams who are more advanced in their team development and have better players in terms of experience, talent and in team work and team spirit.

Next year under Zola we may well be right up there with experienced players who are both young and talented, play for each other and comfortable with our new style.

Mistakes have been made, and they were always likely to happen but give the manager support, time and less pressure and he may deliver but do not expect him to outperform GT he was at club level exceptional and if GFZ gets close to his performance we will more than just alright, but this year try and be realistic.

Ah criticising other posters eh? Well thank you hypocritical Chris!
Mistakes have been made? You make that call after what, seven games? This for Christs sake is a team coming together, when it does click, we will be great. Now I'm off to wake myself up after reading your usual offering of nonsensical rubbish.

garston tony: "A little down beat isnt this? Recent results havent been great but we're only 5 points off the play offs, 7 points off 2nd place and 8 points off 1st with most of the season still to play".

You may well be right, but so is GZ in managing expectation. Once the sides starts to gel, and that's the problem at the moment, we may well start to climb the table.

The play-offs or better are still well within reach.

Neuton will be quality along with the majority of the other loan players. All of them have played at a higher standard of football!
They just have to get used to the championship - its like cup footy - anyone can beat anyone on any given day and that there is going to be times where we come under the cosh and it's cold and wet and there's a few poor tackles! But cream always rises to the top and when this side gets settled it will be great to watch! It wasn't long ago when we couldn't buy a win at home so trust in Zola and the group we have! Come on u golden boys!

Most of the new Players i have seen play all look good to me but they need to adapt to the championship which will take time ! I thought Neuton looked good with the ball at his feet but made a few mistakes! However I have a feeling he could be excellent in the future .. I think the quality of player has improved and am not concerned about results yet! This is a Transition season for me and just hope the players settle quick enough so we dont get involved in a relegation scrap! Champions next season will do nicely tho ....

not a regular wrote:
Neuton's gonna be great, his heading was pretty **** good on Tuesday I thought.

As for the final league position. Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves, Wednesday, Charlton and Huddersfield are *so* much better than Southampton, West Ham, Reading, Pompey, Coventry and Doncaster. I know it's said every year but this time the league is genuinely harder than most other years.

Agreed the new teams are good. And other teams like C*rd*ff, Blackpool, Brighton, Derby and Forest are much improved. Tough league for sure

Chris the Vic wrote:
So many dreamers, what our likely targets will be are:

1 To become financially sound
2. To stay up
3 To build a squad that we control and keep
4 To equal or better last years position

We have to bear in mind that we are up against many teams who are more advanced in their team development and have better players in terms of experience, talent and in team work and team spirit.

Next year under Zola we may well be right up there with experienced players who are both young and talented, play for each other and comfortable with our new style.

Mistakes have been made, and they were always likely to happen but give the manager support, time and less pressure and he may deliver but do not expect him to outperform GT he was at club level exceptional and if GFZ gets close to his performance we will more than just alright, but this year try and be realistic.

Not too sure how you can target staying up and equal or betterlast seasons position. Surely its one or the other,preferably the latter.

AndyHandShandy wrote:

Chris the Vic wrote:
So many dreamers, what our likely targets will be are:

1 To become financially sound
2. To stay up
3 To build a squad that we control and keep
4 To equal or better last years position

We have to bear in mind that we are up against many teams who are more advanced in their team development and have better players in terms of experience, talent and in team work and team spirit.

Next year under Zola we may well be right up there with experienced players who are both young and talented, play for each other and comfortable with our new style.

Mistakes have been made, and they were always likely to happen but give the manager support, time and less pressure and he may deliver but do not expect him to outperform GT he was at club level exceptional and if GFZ gets close to his performance we will more than just alright, but this year try and be realistic.

Not too sure how you can target staying up and equal or betterlast seasons position. Surely its one or the other,preferably the latter.

Yep he's confused. Com as well as having the honour of being the most boring poster on here.
Chris De Moggadon more like

Foriestri and Neuton look like excellent players and with game time and fitness I believe they will prove more than a match for many players in this league. It will take time plus a half decent forward who can score goals on a regular basis before we really see what Zola's style of football can achieve. After suporting the Horns for 40 years I personally find the new style refreshing particularly comparing it with recent seasons. Keep the faith in time they will come good.

I think there has been some very sensible posts on here around player development and potential. BUT... it is Zola who has to learn and quickly. In this League you have to sometimes win when you play badly. You have to be able be effective at set pieces in both boxes. You have to be physically and mentally strong. You have to be organised and grind the game out in poor games. To do that you need to be settled in the way you play and not keep changing the system and play with a Back 4 not a 2 one week 3 the next and then a 4. You need to GRADUALLY build play within the team while you are gaining points, which then builds confidence and belief in the players. I worry that Zola organises his team off the cuff, and doesn't have a strategy firstly to stay in this league. His comments about Promotion next year tells me he is not thinking of the first requirement, and that is to get to 50 points as quickly as possible. During that process he can build the play within the team so that they get more consistent. If we then get 50 points with around 10 to 12 games to go you know you have a chance to get into the play offs, start to play with more freedom and be preparing for an assualt next season. There is a long way to go, but if you are in the bottom 4 going towards Xmas you are in a scrap, and then pretty football will not count.

At the moment the team is a long, long way the top half of the table off. We do not threaten the opposition goal enough and certainly don't work the opposition keeper enough.

Then of course will we have the same players next season (they are not ours), or will Nani want to be the star and bring in more, or will we keep those loanees, or will the Manager whoever he is have to start again? Will the FA plug the loophole around International loanees?

It is not cut and dried and at the moment Zola should be concentrating on picking up points not worrying about next season. How much pressure is Nani exerting? I can never understand why a Manager lets other people pick his players because it is the Manager that gets the sack if they don't win!

One last comment. Just because they are bought in from abroad doesn't mean they are better than the players we have. Of course there can be a mix, but the best teams are a mixture of artisans, soldiers, right footers, left footers, horrible, nice and most importantly hungry and team players. You cannot have all 11 playing pretty football.

Goldenboy1960 wrote:
I think there has been some very sensible posts on here around player development and potential. BUT... it is Zola who has to learn and quickly. In this League you have to sometimes win when you play badly. You have to be able be effective at set pieces in both boxes. You have to be physically and mentally strong. You have to be organised and grind the game out in poor games. To do that you need to be settled in the way you play and not keep changing the system and play with a Back 4 not a 2 one week 3 the next and then a 4. You need to GRADUALLY build play within the team while you are gaining points, which then builds confidence and belief in the players. I worry that Zola organises his team off the cuff, and doesn't have a strategy firstly to stay in this league. His comments about Promotion next year tells me he is not thinking of the first requirement, and that is to get to 50 points as quickly as possible. During that process he can build the play within the team so that they get more consistent. If we then get 50 points with around 10 to 12 games to go you know you have a chance to get into the play offs, start to play with more freedom and be preparing for an assualt next season. There is a long way to go, but if you are in the bottom 4 going towards Xmas you are in a scrap, and then pretty football will not count.

At the moment the team is a long, long way the top half of the table off. We do not threaten the opposition goal enough and certainly don't work the opposition keeper enough.

Then of course will we have the same players next season (they are not ours), or will Nani want to be the star and bring in more, or will we keep those loanees, or will the Manager whoever he is have to start again? Will the FA plug the loophole around International loanees?

It is not cut and dried and at the moment Zola should be concentrating on picking up points not worrying about next season. How much pressure is Nani exerting? I can never understand why a Manager lets other people pick his players because it is the Manager that gets the sack if they don't win!

One last comment. Just because they are bought in from abroad doesn't mean they are better than the players we have. Of course there can be a mix, but the best teams are a mixture of artisans, soldiers, right footers, left footers, horrible, nice and most importantly hungry and team players. You cannot have all 11 playing pretty football.

I enjoyed this post and thought that it was fair and well thought out with some very salient points. We really are having some useful debates on this site just recently. Let's hope we can keep it up. No room for sheer negativity tho. You know who you are !!

Bush Hornet wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

Good post Jason lad

I agree 100% . I would pay the entrance money just to watch Neuton warm up. His ball control ,balance ,movement and kicking are a joy to watch.
My advice get to the match early and watch the warm up/ kick about!

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

in other words he'll be great as great as long as he doesn't have to defend ?!!

To be fair he did look great on the ball but i'll reserve judgement until i see a consistent run of games where he 1/doesn't make a mistake, 2/ is dominant in the air and 3/ forms an understanding with the rest at the back !

Have a look at his stats on goal.com , they are some of highest on there!

I really think we can push on to grab a playoff place, there's a long way to go yet and come October the side will look so much better.

Zola won't be here next season. He will continue to prove he is out of his depth, and his infatuated sponsors will have to eventually bite the bullet and put him out of his misery.

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola won't be here next season. He will continue to prove he is out of his depth, and his infatuated sponsors will have to eventually bite the bullet and put him out of his misery.

Here? Since when has here been dog kennel lane? Get back you troll

Poetry cometh....

lutondown wrote:

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola won't be here next season. He will continue to prove he is out of his depth, and his infatuated sponsors will have to eventually bite the bullet and put him out of his misery.

Here? Since when has here been dog kennel lane? Get back you troll

Yet another profound statement from our narrow minded fan from up there in Luton drown.
I'm sorry but Its not a positive statement from a coach who should be implying for a possible play off position if nothing else and especially at this early time of the season.
I did not buy my season ticket to hear this, I just want to know if this had been said by Dyche this time last season what, would of been the reaction??
True fans want to hear more positive views, not negative, austerity reasons why we cannot progress this season especially, with so many overseas players dumped on us!

There was only one Scully wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola won't be here next season. He will continue to prove he is out of his depth, and his infatuated sponsors will have to eventually bite the bullet and put him out of his misery.

Here? Since when has here been dog kennel lane? Get back you troll

Yet another profound statement from our narrow minded fan from up there in Luton drown.
I'm sorry but Its not a positive statement from a coach who should be implying for a possible play off position if nothing else and especially at this early time of the season.
I did not buy my season ticket to hear this, I just want to know if this had been said by Dyche this time last season what, would of been the reaction??
True fans want to hear more positive views, not negative, austerity reasons why we cannot progress this season especially, with so many overseas players dumped on us!

Scully, Zola is being both positive and realistic. To say that we should be challenging for the title next season is to say that THIS season we will be witnessing the evolution of a FORMIDABLE team. It is an ambitious statement. Bring it on. Lets enjoy the ride this season with no lofty expectations. I liked Dyche and his dignity. I still do, but I'm over it. Get on board Scully wully.

By the way, Monstermunch, your posts are, I'm afraid, always wrong. Sorry

jasonwatford wrote:
It is beyond me how anyone cant see Neuton is going to be the best centreback we have ever had at this club.....for two games he has made a couple of small mistakes but he is learning championship football. He always has time on the ball...keeps the ball...goes forward with the ball....and i saw him head the ball plenty of times against brighton. If you play high up the pitch and dominant the midfield you restrict the crosses coming into your box and id ratehr have a footballer at centreback than a heading machine like shittu was.

Thank God. I was beginining to think that I was the only one who saw what a tallented player Neuton is.
Several times he just changed direction and opened up 30 yards clear space for him to move up with the ball. Martin Taylor was begining to do this before he left but this lad does it naturally.

Goldenboy1960 wrote:
I think there has been some very sensible posts on here around player development and potential. BUT... it is Zola who has to learn and quickly. In this League you have to sometimes win when you play badly. You have to be able be effective at set pieces in both boxes. You have to be physically and mentally strong. You have to be organised and grind the game out in poor games. To do that you need to be settled in the way you play and not keep changing the system and play with a Back 4 not a 2 one week 3 the next and then a 4. You need to GRADUALLY build play within the team while you are gaining points, which then builds confidence and belief in the players. I worry that Zola organises his team off the cuff, and doesn't have a strategy firstly to stay in this league. His comments about Promotion next year tells me he is not thinking of the first requirement, and that is to get to 50 points as quickly as possible. During that process he can build the play within the team so that they get more consistent. If we then get 50 points with around 10 to 12 games to go you know you have a chance to get into the play offs, start to play with more freedom and be preparing for an assualt next season. There is a long way to go, but if you are in the bottom 4 going towards Xmas you are in a scrap, and then pretty football will not count.

At the moment the team is a long, long way the top half of the table off. We do not threaten the opposition goal enough and certainly don't work the opposition keeper enough.

Then of course will we have the same players next season (they are not ours), or will Nani want to be the star and bring in more, or will we keep those loanees, or will the Manager whoever he is have to start again? Will the FA plug the loophole around International loanees?

It is not cut and dried and at the moment Zola should be concentrating on picking up points not worrying about next season. How much pressure is Nani exerting? I can never understand why a Manager lets other people pick his players because it is the Manager that gets the sack if they don't win!

One last comment. Just because they are bought in from abroad doesn't mean they are better than the players we have. Of course there can be a mix, but the best teams are a mixture of artisans, soldiers, right footers, left footers, horrible, nice and most importantly hungry and team players. You cannot have all 11 playing pretty football.

I would be interested to know which of the players we have seen play more than half an hour would be considered worse than what we had on show last year.This is going to be a much stronger league this year having all three sides relegated being fairly established premiership sides. Last yeasr team would be lucky to get 40 points,

We'll have a whole new batch of players next season, unless the Pozzos, ( not Zola - why can't people see he is just the smiling stooge?) , learn from their mistake this season.

That's my point - and it's a belief a lot of less vocal supporters share. It doesn't mean they want WFC to fold, or they come from Luton. It doesn't mean they should stop coming - which seems to be another of the stock responses from the idiots on here shouting down any dissent.

Goldenboy1960 wrote:
I think there has been some very sensible posts on here around player development and potential. BUT... it is Zola who has to learn and quickly. In this League you have to sometimes win when you play badly. You have to be able be effective at set pieces in both boxes. You have to be physically and mentally strong. You have to be organised and grind the game out in poor games. To do that you need to be settled in the way you play and not keep changing the system and play with a Back 4 not a 2 one week 3 the next and then a 4. You need to GRADUALLY build play within the team while you are gaining points, which then builds confidence and belief in the players. I worry that Zola organises his team off the cuff, and doesn't have a strategy firstly to stay in this league. His comments about Promotion next year tells me he is not thinking of the first requirement, and that is to get to 50 points as quickly as possible. During that process he can build the play within the team so that they get more consistent. If we then get 50 points with around 10 to 12 games to go you know you have a chance to get into the play offs, start to play with more freedom and be preparing for an assualt next season. There is a long way to go, but if you are in the bottom 4 going towards Xmas you are in a scrap, and then pretty football will not count.

At the moment the team is a long, long way the top half of the table off. We do not threaten the opposition goal enough and certainly don't work the opposition keeper enough.

Then of course will we have the same players next season (they are not ours), or will Nani want to be the star and bring in more, or will we keep those loanees, or will the Manager whoever he is have to start again? Will the FA plug the loophole around International loanees?

It is not cut and dried and at the moment Zola should be concentrating on picking up points not worrying about next season. How much pressure is Nani exerting? I can never understand why a Manager lets other people pick his players because it is the Manager that gets the sack if they don't win!

One last comment. Just because they are bought in from abroad doesn't mean they are better than the players we have. Of course there can be a mix, but the best teams are a mixture of artisans, soldiers, right footers, left footers, horrible, nice and most importantly hungry and team players. You cannot have all 11 playing pretty football.

excellent post
well stated