Gianfranco Zola believes Watford have to take their game to a 'higher level' when the Championship begins on Saturday

Picture: Holly Cant Picture: Holly Cant

Gianfranco Zola has stated that he believes Watford’s hard fought victory against Wycombe Wanderers will help them learn for the season ahead.

The Hornets needed an extra-time goal from Chris Iwelumo to overcome League Two outfit Wycombe in the Capital One Cup.

The new-look Watford side rarely got moving, and were limited to only a handful of chances throughout the first 90 before Iwelumo struck.

Wycombe put lots of pressure on the Hornets, who looked shaky in the early encounters, and nearly took the lead through Richard Logan, but Watford held out and secured victory in the second half of extra-time. 

Zola has said that he feels the Hornets needed a test like this to be ready for the forthcoming season, and especially their opening fixture against Crystal Palace.

He said: “It's good, actually I was expecting and looking for a game like this.

“So far our friendly fixtures have been very good but sometimes you need something like this to improve.

“We need to take our game to a higher level because Saturday is going to be tough.”

Zola went on to state that the lessons learnt in this fixture will only help the Golden Boys throughout the season, but improvement is needed.

“We need to improve obviously, we know, the players know, and we will take something out of this game, it was very important,” he said.

In normal time, there were very few chances for either side in a tentative affair, with Joe Garner going closest for Watford.

He was later substituted for target man Iwelumo, who finally broke the deadlock in the 109th minute to secure victory in Zola’s first competitive game. Despite making hard work of the win, the manager was left pleased.

He said: “It took a long while, but it came, that’s the most important thing”

However, the Italian has attributed the hard work of the opponents, coupled with individual mistakes as the main reason why the Hornets stuttered to victory.

“To be honest they made it difficult for us, they didn’t concede us a lot of space, especially upfront,” said Zola.

“In the first half particularly, we were too slow moving the ball. Also, there were a lot of mistakes individually, so therefore we didn’t get the rhythm that we wanted to and that was the main reason why we found it difficult.”

One player that missed out in this fixture was influential young midfielder Sean Murray, but Zola has stated that it was nothing serious.

“He picked up an injury yesterday, just a knock, nothing serious.

“There was swelling in his calf, so as a precautionary measure he didn’t play.”

Murray may well be back in contention next week, when the Hornets start their league campaign with a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, before playing host to Ipswich Town in Zola’s first league game at Vicarage Road .

Comments(27)

jasonwatford says...
4:22pm Mon 13 Aug 12

The man is a football god !!

AngelHornet says...
4:40pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Hope Murray is back. He missed Palace away last season and look what happened

endean2 says...
4:46pm Mon 13 Aug 12

having read all the negative comments
and moans regardsthe Wycombe game
it would not have suprised me if Zola ad a dig at those supposed fans.

I am heartily sick to death with the attitude of some of the posters on this site, sure its a free world and were all
enitled to an opinion, but guys give it a break and allow some time for this team to gel, and believe me they will.

We should be eternally gratefull that
this takeover has taken place, the
alternative was probally similar to
Pompey or worse.

As other posters hav
e suggested,"Go
and support another team" if you dont like whats on offer, were totally fed up with your moaning and pathetic

attempts at so called humour.
ps. the new away kit looks great

worthing_hornet says...
4:55pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.

The Rover says...
4:55pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Even Premier League teams like Chelsea, Man Utd. etc. lose to lower tier opposition occasionally.

Al least things can only get better. It takes time.

Hampshire hornet says...
5:08pm Mon 13 Aug 12

I can say that I was there at Zola's first competitive game in charge... it wasnt good in fact it was cringeworthy at times.. i stayed to the end and am glad I did -- It is going to be a roller coaster ride for the first half of the Season, the new guys looked good (very good) --go to Sky sports.com for the "highlights" -- it is clear that a number of players need to improve and fast otherwise they will no longer have a future at the club, I think if you read between the lines - GZ knows this and he states that there were individual errors throughout the match.. Have we ever had a good first competitve match in a Season? this was a great test and if anything, will improve the fitness levels of the core of the - Thank YOU Wycombe for this - (your supporters were excellent -- shame we cannot match the noise..).

buckler says...
5:44pm Mon 13 Aug 12

worthing_hornet wrote:
Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.
Make Him uncomfortable and hopefully make even more school boy errors! Look at his twitter he ain't no big Watford fan!

holtonian says...
6:00pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Why not concentrate on supporting our players rather than waste your time on ex players..Start jeering and booing will bring out the best in Scott.

rousman 2 says...
6:11pm Mon 13 Aug 12

holtonian wrote:
Why not concentrate on supporting our players rather than waste your time on ex players..Start jeering and booing will bring out the best in Scott.
well said mate

rousman 2 says...
6:13pm Mon 13 Aug 12

buckler wrote:
worthing_hornet wrote:
Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.
Make Him uncomfortable and hopefully make even more school boy errors! Look at his twitter he ain't no big Watford fan!
Can you blame him would you be.

jasonwatford says...
6:37pm Mon 13 Aug 12

No need to boo the lad...i find giggles and laughing will be fine as we cross the ball and shoot from 20 yards out.

lutondown says...
8:57pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Who cares about Loach?
I reckon Watford home fans need to emulate those who go away and start cheering their team rather than sit there in stupefied silence.
I bet the new guys will wonder what's going on at Palace with 2000 Horns shouting their heads off.
By the way like the away kit, we're slowly returning to our roots ....come on you Blues!

buckler says...
9:07pm Mon 13 Aug 12

holtonian wrote:
Why not concentrate on supporting our players rather than waste your time on ex players..Start jeering and booing will bring out the best in Scott.
I do plenty of Supporting my team! Maybe if half the goons did on here it wouldn't be like a morgue in the Vic! Too much **** licking of ex players and managers for my liking too!

lutondown says...
9:14pm Mon 13 Aug 12

buckler wrote:
holtonian wrote:
Why not concentrate on supporting our players rather than waste your time on ex players..Start jeering and booing will bring out the best in Scott.
I do plenty of Supporting my team! Maybe if half the goons did on here it wouldn't be like a morgue in the Vic! Too much **** licking of ex players and managers for my liking too!
Bring out the best in Loach! Lol that's a big win for us

Holly68 says...
9:15pm Mon 13 Aug 12

I wasnt a Loach fan, however I would not boo him as he never intentionally caused any offence. So think he deserves a round of applause, he has moved on and so have we.

lutondown says...
9:19pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Holly68 wrote:
I wasnt a Loach fan, however I would not boo him as he never intentionally caused any offence. So think he deserves a round of applause, he has moved on and so have we.
I'm not clapping the tool, he's an arrogant **** and never took responsibility for his actions, even Dyche snubbed him
Clown, good riddance

Harrydownunder says...
9:48pm Mon 13 Aug 12

buckler wrote:
worthing_hornet wrote:
Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.
Make Him uncomfortable and hopefully make even more school boy errors! Look at his twitter he ain't no big Watford fan!
Not surprised after the way he was treated! We ruined a good promising young keeper there, who will now go on to bigger and better things.

buckler says...
10:37pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Harrydownunder wrote:
buckler wrote:
worthing_hornet wrote:
Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.
Make Him uncomfortable and hopefully make even more school boy errors! Look at his twitter he ain't no big Watford fan!
Not surprised after the way he was treated! We ruined a good promising young keeper there, who will now go on to bigger and better things.
What like joining Tractor Trash ! Forgot just how well our other rejects are doing, Priskin and Ellington! Jewell is a clown and loves one so loach should fit in well! Oh see they've just released 30k a week Bullard! Bigger and Better things, I think not?

Keith Eddy says...
10:49pm Mon 13 Aug 12

It does make you wonder what abuse GT would have got in the 70's & 80's if this form of communication was available then!! Some of the comments after our win !!!!! on Saturday were unbelievable.

What is the matter with people we are about to start a new exciting era, who know's what will happen in the next 2/3 years, I for one can't wait for the season to start.

This passing football debate always makes me laugh. I want to see the Orn's win, if they play good football as well then great that's a bonus. The truth is there are lots of ways to play the game and if I'am honest give me Stoke everytime over the Arsenal's of this world. It would be perfect if we had the best of both styles, but bottom line for me I don't care how we win as long as we do.

Will be at Palace on Saturday hopefully with another 2K Orn's.

Bush Hornet says...
11:51pm Mon 13 Aug 12

Keith Eddy wrote:
It does make you wonder what abuse GT would have got in the 70's & 80's if this form of communication was available then!! Some of the comments after our win !!!!! on Saturday were unbelievable.

What is the matter with people we are about to start a new exciting era, who know's what will happen in the next 2/3 years, I for one can't wait for the season to start.

This passing football debate always makes me laugh. I want to see the Orn's win, if they play good football as well then great that's a bonus. The truth is there are lots of ways to play the game and if I'am honest give me Stoke everytime over the Arsenal's of this world. It would be perfect if we had the best of both styles, but bottom line for me I don't care how we win as long as we do.

Will be at Palace on Saturday hopefully with another 2K Orn's.
I'd rather lick my neighbour's dog once a week than follow an ugly team like Stoke.

D.unstable says...
11:59pm Mon 13 Aug 12

buckler wrote:
Harrydownunder wrote:
buckler wrote:
worthing_hornet wrote:
Can't believe there are plans to boo loach. Would love to read some of the justifications. Could use a good chuckle at the rubbish attempts ti justify this action.
Make Him uncomfortable and hopefully make even more school boy errors! Look at his twitter he ain't no big Watford fan!
Not surprised after the way he was treated! We ruined a good promising young keeper there, who will now go on to bigger and better things.
What like joining Tractor Trash ! Forgot just how well our other rejects are doing, Priskin and Ellington! Jewell is a clown and loves one so loach should fit in well! Oh see they've just released 30k a week Bullard! Bigger and Better things, I think not?
Loachy is a sensitive lad, I can see him going to pieces on a return so soon to The Vic.

I can hear him now organising the back four (shhhh....nothing), or thinking should I, shouldn't I come off my line.

Can see the new strike partnership of Vydra and Geijo putting a few past him.

D.unstable says...
12:08am Tue 14 Aug 12

I'm bored so in the absence of Football Manager here is my starting XI v Palarse

Almunia
Hodson, Taylor, Nosworthy, Pudil
Murray, Hogg, Eustace, Abdi
Vydra, Geijo

Iwelumo and Garner don't even make it on to the coach this time out.

D.unstable says...
12:28am Tue 14 Aug 12

endean2 wrote:
having read all the negative comments
and moans regardsthe Wycombe game
it would not have suprised me if Zola ad a dig at those supposed fans.

I am heartily sick to death with the attitude of some of the posters on this site, sure its a free world and were all
enitled to an opinion, but guys give it a break and allow some time for this team to gel, and believe me they will.

We should be eternally gratefull that
this takeover has taken place, the
alternative was probally similar to
Pompey or worse.

As other posters hav
e suggested,"Go
and support another team" if you dont like whats on offer, were totally fed up with your moaning and pathetic

attempts at so called humour.
ps. the new away kit looks great
good post, totally agree, other than I do like a bit of humour :0)

wozza68 says...
7:54am Tue 14 Aug 12

lutondown wrote:
Holly68 wrote: I wasnt a Loach fan, however I would not boo him as he never intentionally caused any offence. So think he deserves a round of applause, he has moved on and so have we.
I'm not clapping the tool, he's an arrogant **** and never took responsibility for his actions, even Dyche snubbed him Clown, good riddance
Agree totally lutondown,

Loach seemed more interested in his twitter account than keeping a clean sheet. Loach doesn't command his area, rarely comes for crosses, when he does he often F***S it up.

Loach lovers defend him all you like but you cant deny that last seasons results improved and our league position improved with the arrival of a good loan keeper.

Hornet1988 says...
10:57am Tue 14 Aug 12

wozza68 wrote:
lutondown wrote:
Holly68 wrote: I wasnt a Loach fan, however I would not boo him as he never intentionally caused any offence. So think he deserves a round of applause, he has moved on and so have we.
I'm not clapping the tool, he's an arrogant **** and never took responsibility for his actions, even Dyche snubbed him Clown, good riddance
Agree totally lutondown,

Loach seemed more interested in his twitter account than keeping a clean sheet. Loach doesn't command his area, rarely comes for crosses, when he does he often F***S it up.

Loach lovers defend him all you like but you cant deny that last seasons results improved and our league position improved with the arrival of a good loan keeper.
Loach had promise early on but failed to develop. Loach was the cause of several loses last year as he fails to:
Organize his defense/communicate with them. He never left his six yard box (except walking on and off the pitch). He never commanded his six yard box. I can't remember him claiming a cross or punching one clear. Get's beat at his near post far too often.

I don't want to dig him out too much but i guess i have. He is still a good shot stopper... however that doesn't make a good keeper.

northofwatfordpete says...
2:29pm Tue 14 Aug 12

I see big Chris Iwelumo is getting plenty of criticism again. Towards the end of last season, when he looked slimmer and fitter, I thought he played some decent football especially when it was played to feet. If Zola can get him match fit, I can see Chris being more than a useful squad player this year. I think we only paid £50k for him and I doubt his wages are that astronomical so for me he has not been a bad buy.

lutondown says...
3:34pm Tue 14 Aug 12

50k? Cocco the Clown comes cheaper and He's much more clinical in front of goal!
Cheap shot really, but I'm bored so idle hands and all that!

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