Udinese loanee Joel Ekstrand's full debut for Watford was a bonus for Gianfranco Zola due to Fitz Hall's absence through injury

12:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in Watford FC News

After a slow start, Joel Ekstrand performed well last night. Picture: Action Images After a slow start, Joel Ekstrand performed well last night. Picture: Action Images

The severity of Watford defender Fitz Hall's hamstring injury will be assessed today.

Hall missed last night's 0-0 draw with Millwall due the problem and speaking after the game, head coach Gianfranco Zola said: "The injury shouldn't be too bad but we are not too sure whether he will be out for one week or two weeks. We will have a proper assessment tomorrow."

Hall's injury meant a full debut for Swedish defender Joel Ekstrand, who had previously only made two substitute appearances for the Hornets since his arrival on loan from Udinese.

Zola said: "Ekstrand debut pleased me a lot because whilst Joel started slow, he got better and better. It is good because we do not know how long Fitz will be out for so it is good to have players like Joel come in and do well."

Comments(45)

AngelHornet says...
12:27pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Great news for Ekstrand, and with Hall hopefully only 2 weeks maximum from returning, gives us plenty of options. Can't see Neuton getting back in now!

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Hampshire hornet says...
12:34pm Wed 7 Nov 12

AngelHornet wrote:
Great news for Ekstrand, and with Hall hopefully only 2 weeks maximum from returning, gives us plenty of options. Can't see Neuton getting back in now!
Agree.... Thought Anya did well when he came on... When was the last time we had so much quality on the bench?

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Hampshire hornet says...
12:34pm Wed 7 Nov 12

AngelHornet wrote:
Great news for Ekstrand, and with Hall hopefully only 2 weeks maximum from returning, gives us plenty of options. Can't see Neuton getting back in now!
Agree.... Thought Anya did well when he came on... When was the last time we had so much quality on the bench?

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Hampshire hornet says...
12:34pm Wed 7 Nov 12

AngelHornet wrote:
Great news for Ekstrand, and with Hall hopefully only 2 weeks maximum from returning, gives us plenty of options. Can't see Neuton getting back in now!
Agree.... Thought Anya did well when he came on... When was the last time we had so much quality on the bench?

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MattB14 says...
12:59pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Anya needs to learnt to move his arms when he runs. I am sure he would be electric if he did.....

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
1:23pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Don't really get this Anya love in, yeah he's quick and actually did quite well defending but going forward I didnt think he gave us that much. Just can't seem to beat his man. Always looking for a short ball inside when we had a good chance of breaking at pace. He may prove me wrong and I know he hasnt had alot of game time but jurys out for me.

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Chris the Vic says...
1:39pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Don't disagree Smiling, Anya did the hard work when he first came on, drew a yellow card and then when their defence was more vulnerable due to the threat of a red he kept looking inside.

But there again why should he be penetrative when despite the pretty football, which is enjoyable, we barely mounted a goal threat.

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
1:51pm Wed 7 Nov 12

The thing is, if he had been more penetrative we may have mounted more of a goal threat! I can't even comment on his final ball (which I thought was poor from everyone last night, espicially Pudill) because he never got down the line and whipped one in!!

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endean2 says...
2:59pm Wed 7 Nov 12

will he be back for Easter games?
seriously we do miss him.

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Alexander Hilcroft says...
3:40pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Think Anya should stay as a sub - his mental running style during his warm up makes my kids laugh

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Rookery Veteren says...
3:50pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Agree with the later Anya comments.Got himself into promising positions and looks to have pace to burn but then hesitated and cut inside when the fullback was vulnerable.
I thought the flanks were our weakpoint last night. Pudil and Cassetti saw a lot of the ball but both had a bad night with their crossing. From 20 mins in I was hoping GFZ would bring Vydra on wide and take ineffective Casseti off.
He really does seem to have a mental block when it comes to having Vydra and Forestieri on the pitch at the same time. Its a shame as they are two of the brightest talents we have had at the Vic in years. It is surely worth a try,especialy at home.
Personally I would like to see MV and FF lined up with Geijo with Deeney on the bench as an impact sub. On the bright side isn't it great being in a position when we argue over which of our stars get to start. These are great days to be a Hornet and I'm convinced the best is yet to come.

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WatfordTalk says...
4:02pm Wed 7 Nov 12

I was impressed by Ekstrand as the game went on and when Fitz gets back i'd like to see a back 3 of Ekstrand-Hall-Hoban.


I like Neuton but going off what I've seen of Ekstrand, he's just a more defensively sound version of Neuton. Looked very comfortable in possesion (I especially liked his little flick past the Millwall player on the halfway line).

This would leave us with Nos, Doyley and Neuton as all very capable replacements.

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holtonian says...
4:56pm Wed 7 Nov 12

WatfordTalk wrote:
I was impressed by Ekstrand as the game went on and when Fitz gets back i'd like to see a back 3 of Ekstrand-Hall-Hoban.



I like Neuton but going off what I've seen of Ekstrand, he's just a more defensively sound version of Neuton. Looked very comfortable in possesion (I especially liked his little flick past the Millwall player on the halfway line).

This would leave us with Nos, Doyley and Neuton as all very capable replacements.
Good selection. Be hard on Doyley but what good cover we are getting for most positions now.

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buckler says...
5:11pm Wed 7 Nov 12

I want Anya's Hair!

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Loyal Supporter says...
5:20pm Wed 7 Nov 12

buckler wrote:
I want Anya's Hair!
I just want some hair :) Thought Ekstrand was excellent last night, as was Tommie Hoban who is really shining at the moment. Defensively we look much more solid and Lloyd and the midfield are playing their part too. I love watching Nando (seriously it is a pleasure) but we do seem to lack that cutting edge up front...Vydra needs to play somehow. However, overall, as a team in progress, I think we're coming on nicely.

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garston 'orn says...
9:24pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Is it only me who wonders how Deeney is still getting in this team, since he's been back from prison he look top heavy (probably becuase he was down the jim for 3 months) but i think hes put too muh weight. He cant seem to do all of the closing down which was his saving grace

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Travelling Hornet says...
9:48pm Wed 7 Nov 12

We just need to fine tune the team to help us retain the ball in the final 1/3.

I'd make two changes, Geijo for Deeney and Battocchio for Hogg.

We need more guile up front , we ll get that from Geijo, Deeney is all huff and puff but little end product.

Battocchio is a continunity player who is very mobile and would link play up with the midfield and front two.

I'd give them three games at least to settle in.

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
7:34am Thu 8 Nov 12

Travelling Hornet wrote:
We just need to fine tune the team to help us retain the ball in the final 1/3.

I'd make two changes, Geijo for Deeney and Battocchio for Hogg.

We need more guile up front , we ll get that from Geijo, Deeney is all huff and puff but little end product.

Battocchio is a continunity player who is very mobile and would link play up with the midfield and front two.

I'd give them three games at least to settle in.
Sounds good. Would that make Doyley the sole surivor from last year's 11 ? Deserved, but who'd have thought ?!

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Travelling Hornet says...
8:26am Thu 8 Nov 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Travelling Hornet wrote:
We just need to fine tune the team to help us retain the ball in the final 1/3.

I'd make two changes, Geijo for Deeney and Battocchio for Hogg.

We need more guile up front , we ll get that from Geijo, Deeney is all huff and puff but little end product.

Battocchio is a continunity player who is very mobile and would link play up with the midfield and front two.

I'd give them three games at least to settle in.
Sounds good. Would that make Doyley the sole surivor from last year's 11 ? Deserved, but who'd have thought ?!
Yeah , crazy but Doyley is a great defender, don't know if he will play if Hall & Ekstrand are fit and at the moment Hoban must be first on the team sheet.
But it's a nice position to be in when you can bring Lloyd on to do a job on someone if needs be.

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
8:33am Thu 8 Nov 12

I really think we'd miss Deeney, he might not be bagging loads of goals at the minute but he holds the ball up very well IMO, it's not till he's dropped that you'll notice just how well. If he's not playing I can see the ball coming back at us alot quicker. He holds it up and brings others into play, he also unsetlles defenders not giving them time to play. Just dont think Geijo would do all this as well as Deeney.

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Travelling Hornet says...
8:59am Thu 8 Nov 12

To my mind Deeney lacks quality , he may to some extent unsettle opposition and close down, but we are not scoring enough goals!

We need more finesse in and around the box to make chances.

It's the only area that we are lacking.

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
9:09am Thu 8 Nov 12

Dont totally disagree, I'd play Deeney and Vydra as the front two with FF in the hole, Deeney to do, as he's said, 'the ugly stuff' and then Vydra and FF to be the 'finese' players! My only worry with that is it might leave us a bit light in the middle. It's an interesting one. What it does show is that we have a good squad!!!

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a1derek says...
10:18am Thu 8 Nov 12

Some good discussion here! Thought Ekstrand had a very good debut indeed. I think a back three of Hall (when/if fit), Ekstrand and Neuton/Hoban would be very good indeed. Harsh on Lloyd, and he has been defensively sound, but I think the former would just give us that extra dimension when playing out from the back.

And...somehow GFZ HAS to get Vydra on the pitch more often. He's looked the most likely against both Posh and Millwall and only played a total of 17 minutes!

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Travelling Hornet says...
10:22am Thu 8 Nov 12

Trouble with that line up is it will mean changing formation which is something I think GZ won't do at the moment.

Playing 3 5 2 we've got some stability and shape that the players are getting used to and familiar with.

With all the turmoil of the new players settling in we need some stability .

Who knows when we will go to 4 3 3 or something else but it won't be just yet.

So for the time being its perm any 2 from 4 .

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GloryHornetBoy says...
10:47am Thu 8 Nov 12

I think that the two full backs are the most important positions on the pitch when playing a 3-5-2 but I dont think our two who play there get forward enough.
This is why we dont create enough out wide. These two should be going past the other midfielders and the two strikers and delivering quality into the box. For me these 2 should be quick athletic types like Anya, Bia when fit that can track up and down but can also turn defenders round.
Surely Zola can see this as its so obvious. When I watched them at the Vic v Peterborough these two Pudil and Cassetti hardly moved from the advanced full back area and at most delivered no more than 2 crosses all game. They have to trust the 3 at the back to defend and pick their times to attack and for me they dont do this.
Come on Zola sort this and we'll create many more chances.

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The Not-so-enlightened one says...
11:36am Thu 8 Nov 12

I think part of the problem Deeney faces is the service he's getting (particularly on Tuesday). There appears on occasions to be a reluctance to put the ball in the box - not route one, but from good wide positions - to target TD and get FF and others onto the knock downs, whether from TD or defenders.
I'm still to be convinced by Hey Ho, it's difficult to judge him on the limited time he's had, but he does look a bit too laid back! I know he's never going to be an old-fashioned barrelling English style No.9, but he needs a bit more about him. His record says he's got goals in him so we'll have to wait and see. The defence is looking very sound now, even with one size missing, Tuesday's line up looked good. The improvement we are seeing week on week is great and I'm really looking forward to the second half of the season - COYH

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AngelHornet says...
11:47am Thu 8 Nov 12

Maybe an opportunity to put Vydra in place of Pudil when the latter serves his one match ban?

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Harrydownunder says...
12:00pm Thu 8 Nov 12

So good to read positive constructive comments without any of the negativity we used to get on here.

A sure sign things are heading in the right direction.

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
12:21pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Agree 'not so', Geijo may be fantastic in the future and it's difficult to judge him but from what i've seen he just isnt there yet. I know some will argue you have to play him to get match fit etc etc but at the minute think that would be unfair on Deeney. It may go unnoticed but Deeney helps the ball stick up top, and if anyones who 's played football before knows, that means its not coming striaght back!

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Travelling Hornet says...
12:43pm Thu 8 Nov 12

I agree the wing backs are an important component in the 3 5 2 formation .

Pudil and Cassetti have played in mainly withdrawn positions,but that is obviously on orders, to make us hard to beat and compact defensively , I think it is down to a bit of Italian Conservatism on Zolas part.I reckon there is goals in both Cassetti and Pudil . Cassetti whips in some lovely crosses.

But they need to start scoring ( Pudil came close in the last two games) sooner rather than later.

Not only them but Hogg & Chalobah too are overdue to get a few between them, which would take the pressure of the strikers.

It's all about balance , GZ won't upset what we've built up so far by making wholesale changes.

I

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Travelling Hornet says...
12:49pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Agree 'not so', Geijo may be fantastic in the future and it's difficult to judge him but from what i've seen he just isnt there yet. I know some will argue you have to play him to get match fit etc etc but at the minute think that would be unfair on Deeney. It may go unnoticed but Deeney helps the ball stick up top, and if anyones who 's played football before knows, that means its not coming striaght back!
Where you at Cardiff?

I was and a fit and strong Geijo is the answer.

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The Not-so-enlightened one says...
1:04pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Travelling Hornet wrote:
Smilingburkinshaw wrote: Agree 'not so', Geijo may be fantastic in the future and it's difficult to judge him but from what i've seen he just isnt there yet. I know some will argue you have to play him to get match fit etc etc but at the minute think that would be unfair on Deeney. It may go unnoticed but Deeney helps the ball stick up top, and if anyones who 's played football before knows, that means its not coming striaght back!
Where you at Cardiff? I was and a fit and strong Geijo is the answer.
I don't think you'll find us arguing with you too much TH, good to hear people have seen the real thing in him - I look forward to seeing it with my own eyes. In the meantime, as Smiling points out, Deeney does a good job and deserves more credit for the hold up play and hassling etc.

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
1:23pm Thu 8 Nov 12

It's just a question but why do you think Zola would leave him out if he was that good up at Cardiff? If Geijo was 'glaringly' the answer why wouldn't Zola stick with him? I saw Deeney Tuesday night (quite late on) run full pelt to block a clearance from their left back. He did it a few times, dont see that in Geijo. I admit I wasnt at Cardiff. However Ive seen him a few times and he just doesnt look this kind of player, which i think we need!

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CARDIFFHORN says...
2:52pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Travelling Hornet wrote:
Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Agree 'not so', Geijo may be fantastic in the future and it's difficult to judge him but from what i've seen he just isnt there yet. I know some will argue you have to play him to get match fit etc etc but at the minute think that would be unfair on Deeney. It may go unnoticed but Deeney helps the ball stick up top, and if anyones who 's played football before knows, that means its not coming striaght back!
Where you at Cardiff?

I was and a fit and strong Geijo is the answer.
Totally agree his display at Cardiff deserved a longer run to get fitter.

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Travelling Hornet says...
2:53pm Thu 8 Nov 12

The key thing is Geijo need to be match fit, obviously GZ knows best but at Cardiff he looked sharp and was playing Vydra in numous times plus he stuck his head in where it hurts to get the touch for our goal after Cassetti met the corner.

It depends on what GZ wants from his strikers.
I see Geijo as a bit like Poskett and Deeney like Mercer.

I see Watford as an emerging Barcelona of the championship.

Would Barca play with a Deeney type of striker?

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
3:24pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Ok, well look at Swansea - They were nicknamed Swancerlona. I'd see Danny Graham as their Deeney type work horse and Mitchu as their quality goalscorer. Dont forget Deeney was top scorer last year as well, he has got goals in him! Anyway I hope your right, i hope geijo is the man, I really do! Just havent seen it yet!

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KeithMercer says...
3:32pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Did I hear my name mentioned ?
Sorry Smilingburkinshaw but if the one abiding memory you have of Deeneys performance on Tuesday night is a block on a left back ! that says it all !. We need goals and attempts on goal at least. I know you defend from the front but I would rather my front men were keeping the oppositions keeper busy. For me Geijo is the one ! just needs a run and get some confidence, then when we all get behind him he will thrive and our league position will begin to match our performances .
onwards and upwards !!

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
3:39pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Its not the one abiding memory, it was an example of what i think we still need up front at Watford. If Geijo can prove to me he can hold the ball up , pressure them, hassle them and bang the goals in,I'd be 100% in agreement that he's the man. I just havent seen that yet!

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Bush Hornet says...
4:25pm Thu 8 Nov 12

KeithMercer wrote:
Did I hear my name mentioned ?
Sorry Smilingburkinshaw but if the one abiding memory you have of Deeneys performance on Tuesday night is a block on a left back ! that says it all !. We need goals and attempts on goal at least. I know you defend from the front but I would rather my front men were keeping the oppositions keeper busy. For me Geijo is the one ! just needs a run and get some confidence, then when we all get behind him he will thrive and our league position will begin to match our performances .
onwards and upwards !!
I agree.

Hey ho hey ho, It's off to work he goes (can't remember the rest)

or isn't there a song
Hey ho silver lining...

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
4:27pm Thu 8 Nov 12

You cant say Geijo came on and peppered the goal with shots can you? If he had done we wouldn't be having this conversation. Before you say he needs more game time, when you are sub you come on and prove you're worth a start next week!

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Travelling Hornet says...
7:43pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Ok, well look at Swansea - They were nicknamed Swancerlona. I'd see Danny Graham as their Deeney type work horse and Mitchu as their quality goalscorer. Dont forget Deeney was top scorer last year as well, he has got goals in him! Anyway I hope your right, i hope geijo is the man, I really do! Just havent seen it yet!
I dont think you can compare Deeney like for like with Danny Graham, the later is a clinical finisher, I'd say Deeney is more an Andy Carroll type, and we all know what happend to him when Rodgers took over at Liverpool, shipped him straight out to Uncle Sam at West Hoof United!

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Smilingburkinshaw says...
8:11am Fri 9 Nov 12

Yeah true and look where the poisoned dwarf sits now! 3 places behind West Ham and with a striker shortage!

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Travelling Hornet says...
8:40am Fri 9 Nov 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Yeah true and look where the poisoned dwarf sits now! 3 places behind West Ham and with a striker shortage!
Lol :-)

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Travelling Hornet says...
8:40am Fri 9 Nov 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Yeah true and look where the poisoned dwarf sits now! 3 places behind West Ham and with a striker shortage!
Lol :-)

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Travelling Hornet says...
8:40am Fri 9 Nov 12

Smilingburkinshaw wrote:
Yeah true and look where the poisoned dwarf sits now! 3 places behind West Ham and with a striker shortage!
Lol :-)

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