Watford's transfer targets 'not my concern' says Gianfranco Zola

11:14am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Watford FC News Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Holly Cant Picture: Holly Cant

Gianfranco Zola says it important Watford reduce the size of their squad before making new signings and added it is "not my concern" which players the club are targeting.

Since the Pozzos' takeover in the summer, the Hornets have adopted a more continental style of player recruitment; with the technical director Gian Luca Nani and the scouting department deciding which players to sign rather than using a manager-led system, which is more common in the United Kingdom.

Watford have missed out on the signings of Hull City's Robbie Brady and Manchester City midfielder Jeremy Helan during this transfer window, with Birmingham City's Nathan Redmond reportedly the latest target for the club.

When Zola was asked about the club's interest in Helan earlier this week, Zola replied: "My job is on the pitch with the players I have, then if the club sees an opportunity to improve the team then they may do it.

"It is not my concern. My concern is that I have a lot of players here and I want to try to make them play well together."

Watford have terminated the contracts of several players this month, both permanent and loan deals.

A number of Hornets' players are also currently out on loan and Zola stressed it is important to find the right balance between new arrivals and outgoings.

He said: "I think before we have any new arrivals, I have always said, we need to make sure we trim the squad a bit. The players who are not playing need to find somewhere to play because it is good for them.

"Then we will see if there is the possibility to improve in certain positions but the main thing is trimming the squad here."

Comments(33)

Colin West's mullet says...
11:33am Wed 30 Jan 13

erm, is anyone else slightly uncomfortable with this statement?

I accept we have Nani in this role but I'd like to think the manager offered SOME input.

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PhilippineOrn says...
11:38am Wed 30 Jan 13

Not really - he seems to be doing pretty darn well with the players he has already...none of which he had any input.

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buckler says...
11:41am Wed 30 Jan 13

At least Iwelumo has gone, bet were still paying most of his ridiculously high wages!

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HornetJJ says...
11:44am Wed 30 Jan 13

Like it says this is quite common on the continent so it's not too much of a concern. Zola didn't choose to have Vydra, Abdi, Pudil, Casetti etc.. but look what he's managed to do with them!

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Colin West's mullet says...
11:48am Wed 30 Jan 13

hmm, maybe I'm just too old-school.

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Guy Bov says...
11:57am Wed 30 Jan 13

buckler wrote:
At least Iwelumo has gone, bet were still paying most of his ridiculously high wages!
Rumoured Chris to be off to Oldham but not seen anything official to back this up.
Dicko needs to be shipped out too but seemingly no takers and Murray out on loan to get some match fitness
Think we have a more than decent squad although would like Liam Trotter

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laddie hornets says...
12:01pm Wed 30 Jan 13

I think a 'manger-led system' is one which relies on Wise Men who know where they're trying to get to.

We've certainly seen a few Stars this season.

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AngelHornet says...
12:10pm Wed 30 Jan 13

I think he just tells Nani the type of player he wants, and Nani gives him options.

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WessexLad says...
12:21pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Guy Bov: "Rumoured Chris to be off to Oldham but not seen anything official to back this up."

There is now: on loan until the end of the season. (If you count Wobbie as official!)

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watford1881 says...
1:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13

So Zola has no transfer input.. Sounds like players can be sold under his nose.. ie Matt Taylor.. If Zola doesn't fancy a player will he be compelled to play him?? I don't think two managers is a good thing.. Just coz other country's use this system doesn't mean it's right.. This concerns me quite a bit..

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cliff46 says...
1:30pm Wed 30 Jan 13

The article states that Watford have terminated the contract of several players this month.
I know Bennett,Garner have gone permanently plus Beleck and the french lad. Have I missed anyone else leaving?

Are Whichelow and Mingoia back with us following their loan spell at Accrington?

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JohnnyHornet says...
1:42pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Ah well, anything to stop unnecessary squad rotation.

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lutondown says...
1:58pm Wed 30 Jan 13

cliff46 wrote:
The article states that Watford have terminated the contract of several players this month.
I know Bennett,Garner have gone permanently plus Beleck and the french lad. Have I missed anyone else leaving?

Are Whichelow and Mingoia back with us following their loan spell at Accrington?
Yeah I left for a while, but GFZ pleaded I return. Said I'm the best poster here and he was sad to see me in prison.
Thanks Zola man, I have even come to realise we lost last night on purpose, so interest in Vydra cooled!

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lutondown says...
2:00pm Wed 30 Jan 13

watford1881 wrote:
So Zola has no transfer input.. Sounds like players can be sold under his nose.. ie Matt Taylor.. If Zola doesn't fancy a player will he be compelled to play him?? I don't think two managers is a good thing.. Just coz other country's use this system doesn't mean it's right.. This concerns me quite a bit..
That's daft, Taylor left because he had a clause that let him ( Martin not Matt)
I think you need to realise Keith Eddy and co finished playing years ago.
And what would the difference be anyway
. Chairmen have always sold our players, the last one to buy cars, women and wine

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Harry's Bar says...
2:04pm Wed 30 Jan 13

cliff46 wrote:
The article states that Watford have terminated the contract of several players this month. I know Bennett,Garner have gone permanently plus Beleck and the french lad. Have I missed anyone else leaving? Are Whichelow and Mingoia back with us following their loan spell at Accrington?
"Carl Dickinson, Chris Iwelumo, Prince Buaben, Matty Whichelow, Piero Mingoia and Ross Jenkins were among those who remained at London Colney".

From WO last week in reference to La Manga trip.

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jasonwatford says...
2:23pm Wed 30 Jan 13

I guess all above will be terminated should no one come in for them. Just waiting to see if we buy anyone really. I know the pozzo have changed their idea's on transfer dealings too so expect more uk based players to come in.

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stevyweavy says...
2:58pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Harry's Bar wrote:
cliff46 wrote:
The article states that Watford have terminated the contract of several players this month. I know Bennett,Garner have gone permanently plus Beleck and the french lad. Have I missed anyone else leaving? Are Whichelow and Mingoia back with us following their loan spell at Accrington?
"Carl Dickinson, Chris Iwelumo, Prince Buaben, Matty Whichelow, Piero Mingoia and Ross Jenkins were among those who remained at London Colney".

From WO last week in reference to La Manga trip.
Beleck only loaned out not gone.

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andyhooked says...
3:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13

If we bring in quality, which we have, then need to ship some out and hope that they find a job elsewhere. At least GZ can pick his own team even though he has sacrificed 6 points just to keep some happy. AHHHH1

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Boosey says...
3:26pm Wed 30 Jan 13

lutondown wrote:
watford1881 wrote: So Zola has no transfer input.. Sounds like players can be sold under his nose.. ie Matt Taylor.. If Zola doesn't fancy a player will he be compelled to play him?? I don't think two managers is a good thing.. Just coz other country's use this system doesn't mean it's right.. This concerns me quite a bit..
That's daft, Taylor left because he had a clause that let him ( Martin not Matt) I think you need to realise Keith Eddy and co finished playing years ago. And what would the difference be anyway . Chairmen have always sold our players, the last one to buy cars, women and wine
He would have to buy the women with a mug like that!

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Bringe says...
3:32pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Having lived on the continent for years I am familiar with the system ... Zola does have input but it will be 'I need this and I need that' but not for a specific player.
It's certainly not radical at Watford, we've used a similar though not Identical system at WD18 since Aidy nearly broke the bank with Ellington.

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The Not-so-enlightened one says...
3:33pm Wed 30 Jan 13

laddie hornets wrote:
I think a 'manger-led system' is one which relies on Wise Men who know where they're trying to get to. We've certainly seen a few Stars this season.
We have managed to discover some true gold so far this season. I am, to be frank, incensed by the lack of myrrh-th shown by some of the people who post here.

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Skully84 says...
3:41pm Wed 30 Jan 13

if anything we can recall Hodson or play Bia as cover for Cassetti. Murray needs to cover for Forestieri. Sean is not a wing back Gianfranco. He needs to go out on loan to a team like Brentford and we need Hodson back. Murray doesn't thrive playing more defensively at wing back or midfield, as for Nathan Redmond..a decent player but will he fit in?

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holtonian says...
4:02pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Matej Vydra had the potential way back but it was Gianfranco and his coaching team that brought out his talent as a player. He can see the potential as we all can of Fernando, hence 5 year contract. At long last we are in excellent hands. Happy days ahead along with a few setbacks.

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Lloydinio says...
4:33pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Colin West's mullet wrote:
erm, is anyone else slightly uncomfortable with this statement?

I accept we have Nani in this role but I'd like to think the manager offered SOME input.
yeah i did, i thought the manager should be looking at transfers, not just the club

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Skully84 says...
5:07pm Wed 30 Jan 13

well GZ is the man to select and coach the squad, not interfere with who comes in or not. It seems we had a pool of players (43) and it's been very successful so far. Just think..we could have had Harry Redknapp, oh he's a triffic lad, top top player. Yet he complains about the wage bill over there...if Luther (happy 55th son) would have sign for him again, I'm sure he would of remembered how certain players love their clubs who they are playing for..

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neil-bs says...
5:32pm Wed 30 Jan 13

I don't think Zola is Watford's manager. I think he is the Trainer or as he is sometimes referred to the head/chief coach. This makes some sense as the Pozzo system is built on a flexible pool of players who may be playing for Udinese, Watford or Grenada. I imagine players are only going to be bought when the type of player required is not available from the other teams. New purchases are going to be seen as longer term investments and not just for Watford.

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Skully84 says...
7:52pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Samba to QPR for 10 million..What is wrong with English football? Samuel? Would he stay if they went down? Watford have started humbly let's be honest, they have shown an example since...it didn't surprise me that Zola and Vydra were linked to worse teams than us who are higher in the pyramid. Idle journalism gets you nowhere, son.
We are staying put!

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Monstermunch17 says...
9:48pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Zola is a joke, an embarrassment. He should temper his public pronouncements - he makes himself look foolish. He is obviously just the stooge, a smiling but ultimately clueless frontman for the people behind him. No input on transfers, no idea who's coming and going. No discernable plan. What is actually the point of him being there?

If we go up, it will be in spite of Zola, not because of him.

Great player, nice bloke, terrible manager.

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Bringe says...
11:51pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola is a joke, an embarrassment. He should temper his public pronouncements - he makes himself look foolish. He is obviously just the stooge, a smiling but ultimately clueless frontman for the people behind him. No input on transfers, no idea who's coming and going. No discernable plan. What is actually the point of him being there?

If we go up, it will be in spite of Zola, not because of him.

Great player, nice bloke, terrible manager.
How so clueless? GFZ is recognized in Italy as one of the games finest technicians, the precise reason Pozzo hired him. He's head coach of a continental styled team not some wheeler dealer ready to blow the family silver chasing names.
It was no different under Dyche so wind yer neck in or at least put a name to your moniker Mr keyboard warrior.

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KeithMercer says...
11:57pm Wed 30 Jan 13

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola is a joke, an embarrassment. He should temper his public pronouncements - he makes himself look foolish. He is obviously just the stooge, a smiling but ultimately clueless frontman for the people behind him. No input on transfers, no idea who's coming and going. No discernable plan. What is actually the point of him being there?

If we go up, it will be in spite of Zola, not because of him.

Great player, nice bloke, terrible manager.
Oh you just cleaned up at the Numpty awards !
Now Numpty off you Numpty

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southernhornet says...
1:16am Thu 31 Jan 13

Given where our players come from I'd be very surprised if Nani even has a say. I think Pozzo decides who is to come. Also our links to English players...we aren't unearthing gems we just get linked with players everyone knows, more or less, it's not something that needs much of a "Scoutibg Department"

IMO criticism of GFZ very harsh!!!

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SAHornet says...
10:44am Thu 31 Jan 13

Monstermunch17 wrote:
Zola is a joke, an embarrassment. He should temper his public pronouncements - he makes himself look foolish. He is obviously just the stooge, a smiling but ultimately clueless frontman for the people behind him. No input on transfers, no idea who's coming and going. No discernable plan. What is actually the point of him being there?

If we go up, it will be in spite of Zola, not because of him.

Great player, nice bloke, terrible manager.
Oh dear, another wind-up merchant just on here to make a stupid name for himself. Try posting summat constructive and then you might to able to join in with a grown ups debate.

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Harry's Bar says...
11:10am Thu 31 Jan 13

SAHornet wrote:
Monstermunch17 wrote: Zola is a joke, an embarrassment. He should temper his public pronouncements - he makes himself look foolish. He is obviously just the stooge, a smiling but ultimately clueless frontman for the people behind him. No input on transfers, no idea who's coming and going. No discernable plan. What is actually the point of him being there? If we go up, it will be in spite of Zola, not because of him. Great player, nice bloke, terrible manager.
Oh dear, another wind-up merchant just on here to make a stupid name for himself. Try posting summat constructive and then you might to able to join in with a grown ups debate.
If he's joking it's not very funny, if he's serious........ do one!

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