Watford boss Gianfranco Zola speaks of his admiration for Lloyd Doyley ahead of likely landmark day for defender

Lloyd Doyley is set to start his 350th game for Watford tomorrow. Picture: Action Images Lloyd Doyley is set to start his 350th game for Watford tomorrow. Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola says he has “total respect” for Lloyd Doyley, who is set to join a select Watford group tomorrow.

The popular defender will become just the 12th player in Hornets history to make 350 first-team starts for the club if he is named in the starting XI to face Wolves at Vicarage Road.

The 29-year-old has so far made a total of 384 appearances, which places him 11th on the club’s all-time list, and Zola said: “Seeing the way he’s performed recently, I can understand why he’s played so many games and why he’s always among the players who play. I’ve total respect for him.

“Sometimes during the season he plays, plays well, sometimes he scored and found himself on the bench but he never complained and worked hard. Since he’s been in the team his performances have been excellent so I’ve only admiration for him and a lot of respect.”

When it was pointed out that, in the context of modern football, it was unusual for all those appearances to be made at one club, the Hornets head coach responded: “That’s something good about it, it’s one of those good stories and we would like to see more of them nowadays.”

Although Luther Blissett is Watford’s all-time leading appearance maker with 503, the record for first-team starts is held by another defender who spent his whole career at Vicarage Road, Nigel Gibbs. He started 466 games.

Comments(18)

londomollari says...
11:15am Fri 16 Nov 12

Congratulations to Lloyd. Once again written off, once again proving them wrong. I being among the writers-off. Despite the influx of new players, he has become,in the last few matches, a fixture in a now solid looking defence.

Bringe says...
12:00pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Never have and never will write off our Lloyd, his pockets are full of other clubs players.

Only 2 Ross Jenkins says...
12:25pm Fri 16 Nov 12

LD has made the very best of his cabilities -a true lesson to all of us of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. Well done Lloyd

stevyweavy says...
12:27pm Fri 16 Nov 12

No matter what the negative comments are he always seems to come through stronger. Always does what is asked of him to the best of his ability and a credit to the club.

Letsalldothecongaforbrittassombalonga says...
12:40pm Fri 16 Nov 12

IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.

buckler says...
12:44pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
Heidar really stood out when he celebrated in front of us when scoring for Fulham , he would do the same if it happens with cardiff! Lloyd is a proper Wfc man..

DuffmanWFC says...
1:16pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Credit to Lloyd Doyley he has over the years had his critics but he has risen to the occasion!
I too thought that with all the players coming in this season he would struggle to get a game and may even be sold but Lloyd your a credit to our club as your shear resilience and undoubted passion to play for Watford has seen you through!
He's improved a lot this season with his distribution and I hope he continues to prove his doubters wrong!

endean2 says...
1:45pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
so well put, you obviously received a very expensive sducation,unlike me that cannot spel

CARDIFFHORN says...
2:49pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
Appreciate that's its only your opinion but although Tommy was great when he returned to us, his attitude in the semi final against the Saints always sticks with me!!!

Loyal Supporter says...
4:07pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Tommy...Mooney or Smith? Both legends for me.

andyhooked says...
4:36pm Fri 16 Nov 12

What a load old tosh! LD has yet to score a hatrick in the same seaon let alone in his whole career!!!
Well done Lloyd, you have shown what great character you have when others would have run away you are on the way to becoming an even greater all time favourite. The mascots want their photo taken with you. ROCK ON LLOYD

andyhooked says...
4:44pm Fri 16 Nov 12

What a load old tosh! LD has yet to score a hatrick in the same seaon let alone in his whole career!!!
Well done Lloyd, you have shown what great character you have when others would have run away you are on the way to becoming an even greater all time favourite. The mascots want their photo taken with you. ROCK ON LLOYD

Alexander Hilcroft says...
5:05pm Fri 16 Nov 12

"Although Luther Blissett is Watford’s all-time leading appearance maker with 503, the record for first-team starts is held by another defender who spent his whole career at Vicarage Road, Nigel
Gibbs. He started 466 games."

Wot? Is the Wobby confusing 'first team starts' with League appearances?

tonyevans22 says...
5:23pm Fri 16 Nov 12

CARDIFFHORN wrote:
Letsalldothecongafor

brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
Appreciate that's its only your opinion but although Tommy was great when he returned to us, his attitude in the semi final against the Saints always sticks with me!!!
He didn't have an attitude but was very upset about being left on the bench for a loan player,it was a terrible decision on the day.

Congrats to LD deserves much praise for being a 1 club team player.and his dedication to prove himself to every manager that has come here shows his commitment to our club.I think he should be allowed to take penalties for us.

CARDIFFHORN says...
5:35pm Fri 16 Nov 12

tonyevans22 wrote:
CARDIFFHORN wrote:
Letsalldothecongafor


brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
Appreciate that's its only your opinion but although Tommy was great when he returned to us, his attitude in the semi final against the Saints always sticks with me!!!
He didn't have an attitude but was very upset about being left on the bench for a loan player,it was a terrible decision on the day.

Congrats to LD deserves much praise for being a 1 club team player.and his dedication to prove himself to every manager that has come here shows his commitment to our club.I think he should be allowed to take penalties for us.
Agree with that.

J.A.A. says...
6:04pm Fri 16 Nov 12

What more can be said, truly a Watford legend. You can keep your so called superstars like your Balottelis its players like Lloyd that make heroes.

gloryhornet4 says...
6:54pm Fri 16 Nov 12

CARDIFFHORN wrote:
Letsalldothecongafor

brittassombalonga
wrote:
IMO (along with Heidar and Tommy) one of the stand-out players at the club since the turn of the century, never ceases to amaze.
My favourite footballer bar none and the fact that he plays for my club is just a bonus.
With all the negative press footballers recieve we are truly lucky to have one of the 'good guys' at WFC. Hard-work, passion, graft and commitment typified by a level of integrity and spirtit that is rare these days.
When it is finally time for Lloyd to play his last game for the Hornets I, along with many others, will be there to thank him. Our club will be all the poorer for for his loss.
Appreciate that's its only your opinion but although Tommy was great when he returned to us, his attitude in the semi final against the Saints always sticks with me!!!
Yes I agree Cardiffhorn,

"Michael (Chopra) - good game at Turf Moor last week, but your 4 goals don't do it for me, so you can warm the bench and if Smithy does not cut it, I will maybe give you a 20 minute trot if we need to save the game."

Hornet Cornet says...
6:18am Sat 17 Nov 12

doyley has nothing but admiration from the cornet. his attitude and behaviour on and off the field is inspirational.

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