Inclusion of Hall and formation change paid off for Zola (From Watford Observer)
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Gianfranco Zola believe inclusion of Fitz Hall and formation change paid off for Watford
6:23pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in Sport
Picture: Action Images
Gianfranco Zola believes his decision to play three at the back and also the return of Fitz Hall made a big difference to Watford's defensive performance after their winless run ended today.
The Hornets head coach started with Hall, Neuton and Tommie Hoban in a back three during this afternoon's 3-2 victory away to Huddersfield Town - with Nyron Nosworthy out injured.
After an extremely shaky start from the Watford defenders, they improved and a frantic final ten minutes ended with victory - their first in six matches.
Zola said: "I don't think it was our best performance but I will take it. On other occasions we have played better and not taken the points.
"There were moments where we played well but not as much as other times.
"We were playing a tough opposition but created better opportunities in the first half.
"Despite going 1-0 down, we didn't give up and won the game. I don't think anyone can have any complaints that we won the game."
On the change of formation, Zola said: "I was pleased. We need to get used to it and play in the formation more but I felt the formation change was necessary because this formation gave me a better balance between attacking and defending.
"We have been attacking well but we have been conceding too many goals and I felt this formation could guarantee both parts of the game."
He continued: "At times we were good defensively and Fitz Hall coming back was massive for us and he gave us more stability.
"Also Tommie Hoban was good considering it was his first start. Also Neuton was better. The defence was good."
Click here to read the report from today's game.
Comments(44)
stewbyhorn
says...
6:50pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
6:52pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Bond
Ekstrand
Nosworthy
Facchone
Mbia
Anya
Eustace
Battochio
Vydra
Geijo
Beleck
Subs : Bonhom, Dickinson, Hodson, Buaben, Mcginn, Tumwa, Forbes-Hamilton
TWO SQUADS, WE'VE ONLY GOT TWO SQUADS !
Plus loans :
Britt - give him a 5 year deal. (scored again today)
Garner, Bennett, Wichelow, Mingoia, Thompson (not even on bench today and can't get in Wycombe side)
The most strength in depth we've ever had
I think todays squad should play 2nd squad in a friendly, at the Vic one midweek, then we get to see em all :-)
vladamir
says...
7:12pm Sat 29 Sep 12
tommy gunn
says...
7:24pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
7:35pm Sat 29 Sep 12
vladamir wrote:Sky and BBC videprinters and tables been having technical difficulties all day, or muscle imbalances for the purists :-)
Does anyone know where we got the extra 3 point from? According to wfc,bbc & sky we have 13. I make it 10????
Bush Hornet
says...
9:18pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Dr,Oftaw
says...
9:53pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Bush Hornet wrote:garstonmoany must be gutted, DEEEEEENEY.
Well done Zola. Where are the doubters tonight?
jasonwatford
says...
10:17pm Sat 29 Sep 12
smarkymark
says...
11:44pm Sat 29 Sep 12
davbat
says...
1:07am Sun 30 Sep 12
lutondown
says...
6:29am Sun 30 Sep 12
smarkymark wrote:Hopeless? You obviously were not there. We were excellent second half, as good as we've been for many a year, and the extremely modest GFZ is playing down a great performance.
What's he on about,we still conceded 2 goals and only nicked it with a last gasp penalty.15 conceded = hopeless.Still not convinced but will start to be if we can win on Tuesday.
All those who said they wouldn't cheer Troy obviously weren't there as the fans went mad when he scored. Probably at home arguing with their Budgies.
By the way, Troy was excellent and Forestteri unplayable
The making of a very good team.
lutondown
says...
6:33am Sun 30 Sep 12
All against a team on a roll, at home and with their tails up. A good win
JohnnyHornet
says...
8:16am Sun 30 Sep 12
LesCSP
says...
8:18am Sun 30 Sep 12
No of course you weren't.
DuffmanWFC
says...
9:00am Sun 30 Sep 12
He believes us to be little old friendly Watford, once a good side but never again!
He jumps up and down with joy when Chelsea, Man City, Spurs, Man UTD and Liverpool splash the cash like confetti at a wedding! But to have a club like ours get a rich owner and not have to spend millions to attract good quality loans.... He hates it!
Well this is a message to you Mr Samuel; WE ARE WATFORD, WE HAVE THE POZZOS AND WE WILL BE BACK!
We haven't broke any rules, we are trying to play good football, we will have a very strong first team squad when everyone is fit and bonded, and we will win a shed more games and climb the league - we are only 6 points of top and there is a long way to go!
This will be the tightest championship ever so come on you horns!
kingofpop
says...
9:37am Sun 30 Sep 12
d.j.smith
says...
12:04pm Sun 30 Sep 12
SAHornet
says...
1:18pm Sun 30 Sep 12
d.j.smith wrote:DJsmith, if you read the comments fully, you will notice that our contributors from Huddersfield started it all by using the expression, "shandy sipping southern softies" or words to that effect.
I wonder what is the point of submitting comments for screening before they are put up on this site if contributions like those above can get past examination? Some of these comments are offensive to put it mildly and suggest we have some very troubled people passing themselves off as 'fans'. If these comments were used about black people they would be branded racist, so why should it be acceptable to use such abusive language about other people simply because they happen to live in the north of England (they can only be grateful that they don't happen to be Scots - God knows what they might be called then)?
DuffmanWFC
says...
1:30pm Sun 30 Sep 12
lutondown
says...
2:32pm Sun 30 Sep 12
jasonwatford wrote:No mate, they were too busy cheering our win! Mmmmm double standards
Just think of all those so called watford fans that said they wouldnt cheer Deeney ever again......how the club are a disgrace........Well i bet ur all gutted tonight boys????
AngelHornet
says...
3:47pm Sun 30 Sep 12
gilesy97
says...
4:41pm Sun 30 Sep 12
mickallen57
says...
4:52pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Having been a supporter since the Furphy days 69-70 season I am hard pressed to remember the horns playing as good passing football as they are now.Even under G T all though it was exciting to watch we relied on the long ball too much.What GZ is trying to do here is at times (hopefully more so as the team gel) a joy to watch with the passing game.COYH
lutondown
says...
4:59pm Sun 30 Sep 12
gilesy97 wrote:Why should he hang his head in shame? Yes he should of got it but it wasn't a free kick in the first place.
Good performance first half....( Almunia should hold his head in shame with the goal though)..second half ..more positive and Foresteri was superb ..along with many other good performances. One cautionary note....Cassetti getting booked for diving ....Foresteri diving for most of the first half .....didn't second half as he was told to keep to his feet. The lead up to our second goal he dived , thats why he got a kick-in afterwards by the Town player. The penalty was minimal contact and he dived..note the ref ddn't give it ..it was the linesman. My point is this lad ( and the club) will get a reputation for being divers , and as Liverpool are now bemoaning Suarez not getting a decision we will suffer . Just to add a few of our players said he was "diving" afterwards. Having said all that most thought it was a penalty incl Simon Grayson. Good performance ..hopefully a turning point.
As for The so called dive, it wasn't, he was taken out, though he did ensure the decision that the blinkered one sided referee would not have given.
In regards to Cassetti, he didn't dive it was a collision that both players went down.
But Gilesy I think you would rather see the negatives rather than the many many positives, and as Mick Allen says we've never seen this type of football before.
3-2 to the football team... I've never chanted tht before as a WFC fan, and I started same time as Mick!
gilesy97
says...
5:18pm Sun 30 Sep 12
lutondown
says...
5:25pm Sun 30 Sep 12
gilesy97 wrote:And along with superb there was what was it? Oh yes hanging his head in shame! In what was an otherwise good performance. But OTT and childish if you ask me.
How is what I said a negative. "Good performance " , "turning point" , "positive " and "superb" are words I've used . Almunia should have saved the free kick..every one can see that ..fact. If you read the managers report he admits Foresteri "hits the floor , with a bit of exta style". As I said , the referees will start too ignore him even if he IS fouled( like Suarez)..especially as in the Championship the players are "more honest" than in the Premiership...thats what makes the division more competitive. Its not a negative its constructive critisism ,he's a young lad and will learn, and whilst talking to OUR players and staff after the game , something they said they'd have to address with him .Cassetti dived ..hence why he got booked for diving..ask the ref !!!! like I did. "Blinkered one sided ref" is just an immature comment. I will repeat , good performance , much better second half when we pressed more ...hopefully a turning point with the confidence they will gain from victory. :-)
And to suggest refs are not always fair is not childish it's a fact.
But any way don't want to sour what I and 600 odd others thought was a great win, and a compelling game to watch.
gilesy97
says...
5:32pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
5:52pm Sun 30 Sep 12
lutondown
says...
5:57pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Holly68 wrote:Is Charlton pay on the door or do we need tickets?
Need to get at least 1500 to Charlton. Will be there early (about 5ish)
YELLOW ARMY
Holly68
says...
6:35pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Geijo to be on bench !
Hope Ekstrand or Nosworthy come in for Tommie
Holly68
says...
6:54pm Sun 30 Sep 12
AngelHornet
says...
8:00pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
8:27pm Sun 30 Sep 12
AngelHornet wrote:It's not too bad
Bit of a nightmare on the way back at the train station though.
Hampshire hornet
says...
9:00pm Sun 30 Sep 12
gilesy97
says...
10:34pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
10:43pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Hampshire hornet wrote:Charlton Station
Bringing my 10 yr old boy... Is it best to go to Charlton station or go to north Greenwich underground then bus it?
KeithMercer
says...
12:52am Mon 1 Oct 12
gilesy97 wrote:You really need to shut up Gilo ! if any players and staff honestly spoke to you about misgivings they had with one of their own team mates then how mis judged are they ? as at the first opportunity you go on a fans forum and start spouting your mouth off.
How is what I said a negative. "Good performance " , "turning point" , "positive " and "superb" are words I've used . Almunia should have saved the free kick..every one can see that ..fact. If you read the managers report he admits Foresteri "hits the floor , with a bit of exta style". As I said , the referees will start too ignore him even if he IS fouled( like Suarez)..especially as in the Championship the players are "more honest" than in the Premiership...thats what makes the division more competitive. Its not a negative its constructive critisism ,he's a young lad and will learn, and whilst talking to OUR players and staff after the game , something they said they'd have to address with him .Cassetti dived ..hence why he got booked for diving..ask the ref !!!! like I did. "Blinkered one sided ref" is just an immature comment. I will repeat , good performance , much better second half when we pressed more ...hopefully a turning point with the confidence they will gain from victory. :-)
Is there anyone else you spoke to apart from the players, the staff and the referee ? did you have lunch with Platini last week and a game of Golf with the Pozzos ?
Please do not preach to us and highlight a negative for others to grasp on to.
Well done Hornets ! lets follow it up at Charlton now .
SAHornet
says...
8:50am Mon 1 Oct 12
holtonian
says...
11:00am Mon 1 Oct 12
Hampshire hornet
says...
11:53am Mon 1 Oct 12
SAHornet wrote:To be fair , he goes down very easily .. what is great is that it really riles the opposition and they tend to lose composure when he is around them..and tend to lash out -- free kicks -- thank YOU .. please dont let Yeates take them....
Would hate to think that someone wearing the yellow would be a serial diver. If there's one thing I can't stand in football it's a cheating diver. So far, I've only heard a couple of HTFC numpties and old gilesy talking about it. Someone proper tell me it's not true please.
He is very quick footed and will only get better and better .. I for one am glad that we have him and not another Championship side.. He is going to be hated by the end of the Season!! - -expect more penalties coming our way
lutondown
says...
3:46pm Mon 1 Oct 12
SAHornet wrote:SAH as one who attended the game, my take is, Foresterri is slight, he's tricky, and HTFC defenders could not play him Saturday. To say he is a diver is not fair. I say this as a rugby player who hates the way the games gone, but as we've all agreed this is not 1969 and the game has changed, all clubs have players that go down easily, Ashley young for one honed his penchant for going down in a heap at the Vic.
Would hate to think that someone wearing the yellow would be a serial diver. If there's one thing I can't stand in football it's a cheating diver. So far, I've only heard a couple of HTFC numpties and old gilesy talking about it. Someone proper tell me it's not true please.
I think the question should be was it a penalty? I was right behind the goal and thought it to be a stone Waller, and so did 700 Hornet fans.
Gilesy seems to be speaking to all and sundry, and he's obviously a VIP, to be confided in as he is, but mate take it from me he's talking tosh.
One thing we've all got to get used to is that with a high influx of Latino players, we can't extrapolate the best bits from the and say we don't want the other bits. They come as they are and the flair they bring out weighs the fact they are light in the tackle!
SAHornet
says...
9:53pm Mon 1 Oct 12
D.unstable
says...
12:26am Tue 2 Oct 12
KeithMercer wrote:Probably had a sign from the good lord too!!!! Spoke to the ref...my ar5e.
gilesy97 wrote:You really need to shut up Gilo ! if any players and staff honestly spoke to you about misgivings they had with one of their own team mates then how mis judged are they ? as at the first opportunity you go on a fans forum and start spouting your mouth off.
How is what I said a negative. "Good performance " , "turning point" , "positive " and "superb" are words I've used . Almunia should have saved the free kick..every one can see that ..fact. If you read the managers report he admits Foresteri "hits the floor , with a bit of exta style". As I said , the referees will start too ignore him even if he IS fouled( like Suarez)..especially as in the Championship the players are "more honest" than in the Premiership...thats what makes the division more competitive. Its not a negative its constructive critisism ,he's a young lad and will learn, and whilst talking to OUR players and staff after the game , something they said they'd have to address with him .Cassetti dived ..hence why he got booked for diving..ask the ref !!!! like I did. "Blinkered one sided ref" is just an immature comment. I will repeat , good performance , much better second half when we pressed more ...hopefully a turning point with the confidence they will gain from victory. :-)
Is there anyone else you spoke to apart from the players, the staff and the referee ? did you have lunch with Platini last week and a game of Golf with the Pozzos ?
Please do not preach to us and highlight a negative for others to grasp on to.
Well done Hornets ! lets follow it up at Charlton now .
Holly68 says...
6:36pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Just think we could of played an equally good 2nd 11 (if all fit)
The futures bright, follow the yellow brik road