Zola: 'I was surprised Millwall dominated the midfield' (From Watford Observer)
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Watford boss Gianfranco Zola says he was 'surprised Millwall dominated the midfield'
10:31am Wednesday 7th November 2012 in Watford FC News
Gianfranco Zola was full of praise for Millwall and Liam Trotter in particular. Picture: Action Images
Gianfranco Zola admitted Watford paid the price for not being able to control the midfield during last night's 0-0 draw with Millwall but paid credit to the solidity of Kenny Jackett's Millwall.
The first half was largely uneventful until the final five minutes when the Hornets enjoyed a good spell, which included Fernando Forestieri having an effort cleared off the line.
Forestieri, Troy Deeney, Jonathan Hogg, Almen Abdi and Daniel Pudil all went close for Watford in the second period but they were unable to find a winner.
Zola said: "It certainly wasn't our best game in terms of quality, especially in the first half. In the second half we tried to increase the tempo but it is fair to say Millwall played a good game, defended well and made it difficult for us.
"Sometimes you have to accept that. They haven't lost in their last eight games, which tells you a lot about their solidity and the good moment this team are in."
On Watford's opportunities during the second half, Zola said: "The day Fernando learns to be cooler in front of the goalkeeper, he could be as good as anyone.
"We had some chances and we could have won but maybe the draw is a fair result because they defended very well."
"In the second half we had two or three very good chances," he continued. "Obviously we know we can do better than that but we don't have to forget the opposition can make it hard for you and today that was the case.
"They defended well and I thought especially in the first half, that they were in control of the midfield. That is something that we don't normally allow the opposition to do but Liam Trotter, especially, was excellent. And the fact Millwall dominated the midfield was a surprise because we couldn't play the football we wanted to play. Simple as that."
Comments(15)
Bringe
says...
12:13pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jalvin
says...
12:32pm Wed 7 Nov 12
I can not believe people started booing last night, there we're people moaning at our players and shouting abuse (now i know that's nothing new) and god forbid if you tried to get a song going, people would look at you as if you were insane.
Sometimes the team needs a lift from the fans, and if all they hear is a synchronized "tut" coming from the stands followed by silence then why would they bother, it must be very depressing at times, no wonder we perform better away from the vic.
holtonian
says...
12:46pm Wed 7 Nov 12
holtonian
says...
12:51pm Wed 7 Nov 12
jalvin wrote:Fans that boo are not supporters i do not want to post my feelings on that type of stupidity.Nice post.Our side is by far the best for many a year.
I think last night shows how far we've come as a team already, there was a genuine expectation to beat the divisions in form side, yeah I'll agree it was a tad frustrating at times when we stopped going forward and passed sideways or backwards, but what frustrated me the most were our poxy fans...
I can not believe people started booing last night, there we're people moaning at our players and shouting abuse (now i know that's nothing new) and god forbid if you tried to get a song going, people would look at you as if you were insane.
Sometimes the team needs a lift from the fans, and if all they hear is a synchronized "tut" coming from the stands followed by silence then why would they bother, it must be very depressing at times, no wonder we perform better away from the vic.
1982WFC
says...
1:55pm Wed 7 Nov 12
holtonian wrote:I honestly do not know what some fans expect. The booing is outragous & some of the comments I hear during a game are laughable.
jalvin wrote: I think last night shows how far we've come as a team already, there was a genuine expectation to beat the divisions in form side, yeah I'll agree it was a tad frustrating at times when we stopped going forward and passed sideways or backwards, but what frustrated me the most were our poxy fans... I can not believe people started booing last night, there we're people moaning at our players and shouting abuse (now i know that's nothing new) and god forbid if you tried to get a song going, people would look at you as if you were insane. Sometimes the team needs a lift from the fans, and if all they hear is a synchronized "tut" coming from the stands followed by silence then why would they bother, it must be very depressing at times, no wonder we perform better away from the vic.Fans that boo are not supporters i do not want to post my feelings on that type of stupidity.Nice post.Our side is by far the best for many a year.
As for the atmosphere, apart from a few pockets in the rookery you cannot get anything going at all, personally I love both Home & away (no neighbours jokes ok) fans creating an atmosphere, it makes for a better game. Not having a pop at anyone in particular but I wish we could make more noise
The Rover
says...
2:00pm Wed 7 Nov 12
1982WFC wrote:I was in the Vic end and did not hear any booing, just lots of positive comments, although the minutes silence before the game seemed to continue for another 90 minutes with the odd exception.
holtonian wrote:I honestly do not know what some fans expect. The booing is outragous & some of the comments I hear during a game are laughable.
jalvin wrote: I think last night shows how far we've come as a team already, there was a genuine expectation to beat the divisions in form side, yeah I'll agree it was a tad frustrating at times when we stopped going forward and passed sideways or backwards, but what frustrated me the most were our poxy fans... I can not believe people started booing last night, there we're people moaning at our players and shouting abuse (now i know that's nothing new) and god forbid if you tried to get a song going, people would look at you as if you were insane. Sometimes the team needs a lift from the fans, and if all they hear is a synchronized "tut" coming from the stands followed by silence then why would they bother, it must be very depressing at times, no wonder we perform better away from the vic.Fans that boo are not supporters i do not want to post my feelings on that type of stupidity.Nice post.Our side is by far the best for many a year.
As for the atmosphere, apart from a few pockets in the rookery you cannot get anything going at all, personally I love both Home & away (no neighbours jokes ok) fans creating an atmosphere, it makes for a better game. Not having a pop at anyone in particular but I wish we could make more noise
On a positive note, the Coffee and Hotdogs have improved since last season!
abbotshornet
says...
3:33pm Wed 7 Nov 12
I think good sides score goals, and good sides don't let in loads of goals either.
As a Hornet fan for many years I still think the best football I have seen us play was during GT's first spell, the current Watford team is still work in progress, we have some good players (mainly on loan) and have played some good football, this is very early doors, I would rather we had the ball than the other side have it, but it is nice to see that possession leading to something, preferably a shot on target! Patience is needed by everyone, come and support and cheer on the team and who knows where we might end up.
COYH
WatfordTalk
says...
3:55pm Wed 7 Nov 12
I agree we could do with a bit more cutting edge in the final 3rd but if we have as much possession as we did last night and defend like we did, then results will come thick and fast. We're only going to improve from now so I don't see why we can't make it into the top six by the end of the season. And then who knows!
Boosey
says...
6:20pm Wed 7 Nov 12
And a message for the boo boys, get a life!
Gloryhornets57
says...
7:29pm Wed 7 Nov 12
I think we need to speed up some of the play through midfield and we'll be flying.
Paul Gadd
says...
8:17pm Wed 7 Nov 12
If we can put a run together- who knows?
Remember the Aidy rocket ride to the Prem 05/06?
D.unstable
says...
10:19pm Wed 7 Nov 12
That's it I'm deleting Sky Sports Website from my favourites.....ar5eh
oles.
Why is it that certain journalists want to portray us in this light?
Travelling Hornet
says...
8:42am Thu 8 Nov 12
D.unstable wrote:I agree pal , we all like to read complimentary stuff about our side.
Watford's unimpressive Championship campaign continued with a drab 0-0 draw against Millwall at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.
That's it I'm deleting Sky Sports Website from my favourites.....ar5eh
oles.
Why is it that certain journalists want to portray us in this light?
I suppose when you just look at the results it's understandable but they don't (as we well know) tell the whole story .
I say let people underestimate us.
1TrueHornet
says...
1:27pm Thu 8 Nov 12
Also agree with some on here though, think we look like a good team, play good football, the cutting edge will come with time as well! Was very impressed with Ekstrand at CB too, and Hoban showed again why he's being raved about.
Lets hope for 3 points at Leeds and get behind the boys!!!
davbat says...
11:15am Wed 7 Nov 12