Zola: 'We played a lot of good football' (From Watford Observer)

If the first half is a glimps of what is to come the I for one can't wait.COYH

I feel so sorry for Jason

He had to stomach a 1-0 home defeat to Telford for his glorious hatters and then watch Barcelona in yellow

Sorry mate!

wow...a million times better than tuesday...the passing was better, the midfield worked hard and plenty of movement off the ball. lets hope this carries on!!

Fantastic, in front of the sky cameras too. Can only be good for more televised games. My none supporting Watford mates were very impressed!
Just wait until all our other signings blend in too.

WATFOLONA OR WHAT!
Best first half display for a long time.
Sky still tried to put it down to what Brum didn't do, but let's not be fooled by idiot pundits, we were excellent. Brilliant first half, professional second. Got to say the old squad playing today, did themselves proud. The new guys? A different level.
Thank you GFZ thank you Pozzos

Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Really enjoyed the game today, and to think we will get even better, can't wait for Tuesday.

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Yeah classy act is Queen, good at bashing women, didn't want to go there with Tiny or Nosy eh?
He was wiped out today. Good, coward.

Thats what i'm talking about !!!

I mean't the performance on the pitch, not the "big boy" antics of that King tozzer....

Sammy Chung wrote:
I mean't the performance on the pitch, not the "big boy" antics of that King tozzer....

Gathered that Sam! Big boy my rear door, looked very little against Tiny

A great performance tonight we never gave what is a very good Birmingham side (on paper) a look in.

As a few others have already said 11k attendance is very disappointing. I know it's August so that will account for a number on holiday, but if we are to have the future we all want we have to get our home support up to 15k + quickly or how will the finance support us in the championship or convince anyone to invest in the GT new stand. So come on 'Orns if u want it to happen you need to be part of it!!

Nice. This is how it should be played. The revolution has been televised

11,022 was given as attendance BUT all season ticket holders NOT PRESENT we're counted in that figure. There were only 8,500 in the ground, so minus the Brum fans only 7,700 Watford fans physically present which is disappointing !! Hopefully more will cOme Back !! Don't want Pozzo's to think we don't care

Holly68 wrote:
11,022 was given as attendance BUT all season ticket holders NOT PRESENT we're counted in that figure. There were only 8,500 in the ground, so minus the Brum fans only 7,700 Watford fans physically present which is disappointing !! Hopefully more will cOme Back !! Don't want Pozzo's to think we don't care

that's so sad, we don't deserve this really do we?

Yes, attendance was appalling.
I went on Tuesday and reckon 12400 was about right (two thirds full) but this evenings attendance seemed a lot , lot less. I was staggered it was over 10000 a it looked empty on the telly.
I think you hornetswho live locally must make the effort to drag a mate or mates along, like I did when I lived in Potters Bar. I know the population of Watford itself is only about 86000 but our gates are brcoming embarrassing and the lack of atmosphere is dreadful.


Oh for the Rookery atmosphere of the Rookeryin the 70s

1.Its August and many people are still on holiday.
2.It was LIVE ON SKY so if you have Sky why pay £26+ all the extras if you can watch it free.

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Perfect summary Holly, first time ever I felt the need to give Big Chis a standing ovation when he left the pitch. If he carrys on like that he can stay.

Now if stay away fans who watched from the armchair don't want to be a part of this then nothing will bring them back.

This is just a glimpse of what is to come, 10 games in we will be the new Swansea of the Championship, minus the sheep.

And some crave Bassini and Hoofball style.....unbelievab
le.

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Good first para, Holly and LMFAO at the second. Would have loved to have been there. If radlettman had been there he would have congratulated King on his bravery.

Holly68 wrote:
11,022 was given as attendance BUT all season ticket holders NOT PRESENT we're counted in that figure. There were only 8,500 in the ground, so minus the Brum fans only 7,700 Watford fans physically present which is disappointing !! Hopefully more will cOme Back !! Don't want Pozzo's to think we don't care

That's shocking...so sad.

D.unstable wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Perfect summary Holly, first time ever I felt the need to give Big Chis a standing ovation when he left the pitch. If he carrys on like that he can stay.

Now if stay away fans who watched from the armchair don't want to be a part of this then nothing will bring them back.

This is just a glimpse of what is to come, 10 games in we will be the new Swansea of the Championship, minus the sheep.

And some crave Bassini and Hoofball style.....unbelievab

le.

I thought Big Chris was excellent, he come off shattered, his feet were very good and it took me back to how Ross Jenkins improved under GT.
It don't seem to be working on Dicko though.
It is very apparent that Zolas doubters do not want to recant their pessimism, sad, I thought cap was ok with some pepper!
Proud to be a hornet yesterday, hope this fever carrys on Mr Downs and we as fans start showing our appreciation

lutondown wrote:

D.unstable wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Perfect summary Holly, first time ever I felt the need to give Big Chis a standing ovation when he left the pitch. If he carrys on like that he can stay.

Now if stay away fans who watched from the armchair don't want to be a part of this then nothing will bring them back.

This is just a glimpse of what is to come, 10 games in we will be the new Swansea of the Championship, minus the sheep.

And some crave Bassini and Hoofball style.....unbelievab


le.

I thought Big Chris was excellent, he come off shattered, his feet were very good and it took me back to how Ross Jenkins improved under GT.
It don't seem to be working on Dicko though.
It is very apparent that Zolas doubters do not want to recant their pessimism, sad, I thought cap was ok with some pepper!
Proud to be a hornet yesterday, hope this fever carrys on Mr Downs and we as fans start showing our appreciation

Who would have thought that I need to eat some humble pie so early, Big Chris was awesome in his role, thought he would need help coming off he was so shattered he played the target man well and his lay offs were great and certainly won the majority of the balls to give their defence a torrid time, Yeates put in a good shift although I wish he would adopt the pass game more instead of the wild shots on goal, worst player on the pitch without a doubt was Dickinson, also early day's but thought Steve Beleck didn't appear to do much when he came on. As for the attendance I understand now from what Holly68 said as I never understood why over 11,000 was announced when clearly it was a lot lower than that, not even sure there was a 1,500 away attendance in truth. Final thought is for Ipswich fans who welcomed Loach into their fold with wide open arms hahahahahahaha.

My team for Tuesday :

Bond, Hodson, Cassetti, Bennett, Thompson, Eustace, Forsyth, Mujanga Bia, Anya, Belleck, Mingoia,

Bench : Almunia, Smith, Garner, Jenkins, Hoban, Dickinson, Forbes-Hamilton

Grow up watforddogs or is your name kerry or toni or some other girls name. Played well today and yes i was there before the rain storm...next time you mention me in same paragraph as our friends from the north i will report your post or please come and see me in vicarage road end for a little chat. I hear John Eustace is not injured and talking to Leeds about a move and carl dickinson also talking to another club about a move away from the vic.

Superb performance, I stayed awake throughout and couldn't believe how well Yeates played ( apart from his dreadful shooting).
Looking forward to watching the TV recording today.
All three imports were excellent and GZ is going to have difficulty bringing in some of the others because everyone played so well.
Can't really see how John Eustace can get back in because Hogg is so
much more mobile in that position.
I do so hope the attendances pick up quickly because that really was first class entertainment. If that performance doesn't bring them them in then nothing will and the Pozzo's will end up wishing they had bought Portsmouth and not Watford.

jasonwatford wrote:
Grow up watforddogs or is your name kerry or toni or some other girls name. Played well today and yes i was there before the rain storm...next time you mention me in same paragraph as our friends from the north i will report your post or please come and see me in vicarage road end for a little chat. I hear John Eustace is not injured and talking to Leeds about a move and carl dickinson also talking to another club about a move away from the vic.

Attendances are always poor in August whilst the school holidays are on, add to that a bank holiday weekend AND the game being shown on sky and it's no surprise it's a poor attendance. But I personally wouldn't go so far as to call it disgraceful as some others have said, just bad timing. The attendances will pick up come mid September and particularly if we carry on playing like that! COYH

Who wants to see the jumping men more this season, brought back many a fond memory, nice touch Watford

Best first half for a for a long while, our left side was superp with some great interpassing. Was great to see our central defenders split for options but after half time Birmingham pressed much higher up the park. I for one have always had doubts on Loyd Doyley's skill levels, but he was superp yesterday, his energy levels overcome what he lacks in skill.
Make no bones over it this was a giveme for Birmingham, they where overwhelmed at our work rate.We have some tough away games coming up so let us be patient as we are not the finished item just yet.
The only problem i can forsee is only being able to field 5 on loan players at one time. With Bia and Cassetti waiting in the wings things look good.Bia is an outstanding player and will cause havoc to defences with his pace,plus he has two good feet.
Yet again i stress that time will be needed for Gianfranco to wave his magic on our side.

lutondown wrote:

D.unstable wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Brilliant first half, the four new players were excellent, best game for Watford for Big Chris and Yeates, Defence excellent, in fact all very very good. I came away feeling very satisfied, like having a good meal, not too bloated and nicely full. Well done ALL

I hear that it kicked off between Marlon King and a Fan (Watford) when he was about to board the team coach, I wasn't there but several people got involved, more news to follow no doubt. Alledgedly the fan swore at him about his past and it kicked off !

Perfect summary Holly, first time ever I felt the need to give Big Chis a standing ovation when he left the pitch. If he carrys on like that he can stay.

Now if stay away fans who watched from the armchair don't want to be a part of this then nothing will bring them back.

This is just a glimpse of what is to come, 10 games in we will be the new Swansea of the Championship, minus the sheep.

And some crave Bassini and Hoofball style.....unbelievab


le.

I thought Big Chris was excellent, he come off shattered, his feet were very good and it took me back to how Ross Jenkins improved under GT.
It don't seem to be working on Dicko though.
It is very apparent that Zolas doubters do not want to recant their pessimism, sad, I thought cap was ok with some pepper!
Proud to be a hornet yesterday, hope this fever carrys on Mr Downs and we as fans start showing our appreciation

Indeed my old scummer down, the most obvious candidate to be shown the door has got to be Garner though. Yesterday clearly showed that he is surplus along with Jenkins. Not even sure now why they gave McGinn another contract, think he will be a long way down the pecking order.

Will be interesting to see if he sticks with a strong team on Tuesday to give additional game time or if he gives a few of those on the brink a run out such as Beleck, Geijo and the new wide fella.

I'll be there regardless.

The bucketing rain put many casuals off.
Stay in warm dry pub or get soaked then pay £26?
If we can keep playing like that the crowds will improve. We do need a cash turnstyle, it was so much easier to walk up and get a ticket at Palace.

Regarding attendance: I live in Glasgow as do my sons, faithful hornets fans all! I came down for the Middlesborough game at the end of last season and was told I could not purchase a ticket on the day! My brother is a season ticket holder so he was allowed to buy my ticket, but how crazy is it that fans living at a distance cannot turn up and support their team? There must be a return to pay-on-day and even if the old turnstiles can't be resurrected, lifelong fans of WFC should be able to get into the ground to support the Horns.

Proud of that performance, and it is starting to look 'natural' already. Nice to see the team looking comfortable, and willing to run for lost balls. No negatives apart from the attendance, but that will come back if that kind of entertainment level is maintained. Let's not forget where we could have been this season, still pinching myself!

i see liaibilty loach is slagging off watford fans on twitter !! quite funny really even some ipswich fans are asking him if he really is a goalkeeper ?? lol..

Much, much better. Lots of passing but at a higher tempo, closing down the opposition and the occasional long ball.

d.j.smith wrote:
Regarding attendance: I live in Glasgow as do my sons, faithful hornets fans all! I came down for the Middlesborough game at the end of last season and was told I could not purchase a ticket on the day! My brother is a season ticket holder so he was allowed to buy my ticket, but how crazy is it that fans living at a distance cannot turn up and support their team? There must be a return to pay-on-day and even if the old turnstiles can't be resurrected, lifelong fans of WFC should be able to get into the ground to support the Horns.

Hi dj we are down in the Borders. I am temporarily unable to drive, so any chance of a lift to see what sounds like a truly exciting emerging team appreciated.

Got to say, thick as a budgie excepted, this is the most harmonious board I can remember.
Fair play Corby and Quinny and a big fair play to those fans who posted from oop North? It should be easier for fans to pay on the day, that would sort the fair weather variety as well.

Anyone know why there are no cash turnstiles on match days? Great performance by the team v. Brum, and if big Chris plays like that every game I for one will have to eat humble pie....COYH

lutondown wrote:
Got to say, thick as a budgie excepted, this is the most harmonious board I can remember.
Fair play Corby and Quinny and a big fair play to those fans who posted from oop North? It should be easier for fans to pay on the day, that would sort the fair weather variety as well.

I suppose it is the age old problem of segregation though. If we were again in the situation where say a QPR wanted a greater allocation because they are all jumping on a promotion bandwagon, they would just come through the cash turnstile.

Nowadays nobody can touch them without getting a life ban, so you end up with the club having the pi55 taken out of it.

Did Palarse have cash turnstiles for home end too?

I do think we should bring back hanging though.

d.j.smith wrote:
Regarding attendance: I live in Glasgow as do my sons, faithful hornets fans all! I came down for the Middlesborough game at the end of last season and was told I could not purchase a ticket on the day! My brother is a season ticket holder so he was allowed to buy my ticket, but how crazy is it that fans living at a distance cannot turn up and support their team? There must be a return to pay-on-day and even if the old turnstiles can't be resurrected, lifelong fans of WFC should be able to get into the ground to support the Horns.

Agreed, I'd be well p*ssed orf to return from Sarf Africa to see a few games, only to be told to fark orf.

D.unstable wrote:

lutondown wrote:
Got to say, thick as a budgie excepted, this is the most harmonious board I can remember.
Fair play Corby and Quinny and a big fair play to those fans who posted from oop North? It should be easier for fans to pay on the day, that would sort the fair weather variety as well.

I suppose it is the age old problem of segregation though. If we were again in the situation where say a QPR wanted a greater allocation because they are all jumping on a promotion bandwagon, they would just come through the cash turnstile.

Nowadays nobody can touch them without getting a life ban, so you end up with the club having the pi55 taken out of it.

Did Palarse have cash turnstiles for home end too?

I do think we should bring back hanging though.

In cases like that though, couldn't the club just declare that it's an all ticket game and close the cash turnstiles ? Simples, no?

SAHornet wrote:

D.unstable wrote:

lutondown wrote:
Got to say, thick as a budgie excepted, this is the most harmonious board I can remember.
Fair play Corby and Quinny and a big fair play to those fans who posted from oop North? It should be easier for fans to pay on the day, that would sort the fair weather variety as well.

I suppose it is the age old problem of segregation though. If we were again in the situation where say a QPR wanted a greater allocation because they are all jumping on a promotion bandwagon, they would just come through the cash turnstile.

Nowadays nobody can touch them without getting a life ban, so you end up with the club having the pi55 taken out of it.

Did Palarse have cash turnstiles for home end too?

I do think we should bring back hanging though.

In cases like that though, couldn't the club just declare that it's an all ticket game and close the cash turnstiles ? Simples, no?

SA not saying they should not do whatever they can to get home supporters back, just needs to be thought out. Maybe you could pay for a photo I D card that is shown on a pay on the day basis.

Zola and what is looking like a very good squad deserves the support that I know we are capable of. I think the Vic lost a lot of atmosphere the year they bought in allocated seating.

D.unstable wrote:

SAHornet wrote:

D.unstable wrote:

lutondown wrote:
Got to say, thick as a budgie excepted, this is the most harmonious board I can remember.
Fair play Corby and Quinny and a big fair play to those fans who posted from oop North? It should be easier for fans to pay on the day, that would sort the fair weather variety as well.

I suppose it is the age old problem of segregation though. If we were again in the situation where say a QPR wanted a greater allocation because they are all jumping on a promotion bandwagon, they would just come through the cash turnstile.

Nowadays nobody can touch them without getting a life ban, so you end up with the club having the pi55 taken out of it.

Did Palarse have cash turnstiles for home end too?

I do think we should bring back hanging though.

In cases like that though, couldn't the club just declare that it's an all ticket game and close the cash turnstiles ? Simples, no?

SA not saying they should not do whatever they can to get home supporters back, just needs to be thought out. Maybe you could pay for a photo I D card that is shown on a pay on the day basis.

Zola and what is looking like a very good squad deserves the support that I know we are capable of. I think the Vic lost a lot of atmosphere the year they bought in allocated seating.

But yes agree that what is the problem whilst we have a half empty stadium. The should alo let kids in free if accompanied

Really please with this performance the best of the Zola era so far with Yeates, Vydra and Iwelumo excellent.

Agree with those saying disappointing crowd especially when of look at the home crowds of the newly promoted clubs in comparison, whilst in league one Swindon had 7000 more than us!

Sick as a parrot has fallen of his perch

southernhornet wrote:
Really please with this performance the best of the Zola era so far with Yeates, Vydra and Iwelumo excellent.

Agree with those saying disappointing crowd especially when of look at the home crowds of the newly promoted clubs in comparison, whilst in league one Swindon had 7000 more than us!

Yes, I really hope that this public malaise will go away quickly once we string another few good results together and show the world that good entertainment is here to stay at The Vic.

southernhornet wrote:
Really please with this performance the best of the Zola era so far with Yeates, Vydra and Iwelumo excellent.

Agree with those saying disappointing crowd especially when of look at the home crowds of the newly promoted clubs in comparison, whilst in league one Swindon had 7000 more than us!

Agreed

Dr,Oftaw wrote:
Sick as a parrot has fallen of his perch

Avion flu or locked up in his padded aviary
A real cockatoo!

Dyche to Coventry !

Holly68 wrote:
Dyche to Coventry !

Fair play if so

Just watched game again as recorded on sky. We were brilliant first half,

Then on research is it any wonder :

Sunderland bid €6M for Abdi last year to Udinese and he was expected to be Martin Oneils first Sunderland signing but Udinese declined

Prudil is worth am estimated €3M and only missed Euro 2012 through injury

Vydra was signed for €4M at just 17 by Udinese

And when you consider the rest of the new signings all have Top Level experience in one form or another, for example Geoffrey "M" Bia was forecast to be one of Belguims wonder kids ....

We "could end up with a side worth circa €30M+ if they all play well and we stay in Top 6

lutondown wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Dyche to Coventry !

Fair play if so

Rumour has it Dyche sent Loach to Coventry last season

Holly68 wrote:
Just watched game again as recorded on sky. We were brilliant first half,

Then on research is it any wonder :

Sunderland bid €6M for Abdi last year to Udinese and he was expected to be Martin Oneils first Sunderland signing but Udinese declined

Prudil is worth am estimated €3M and only missed Euro 2012 through injury

Vydra was signed for €4M at just 17 by Udinese

And when you consider the rest of the new signings all have Top Level experience in one form or another, for example Geoffrey "M" Bia was forecast to be one of Belguims wonder kids ....

We "could end up with a side worth circa €30M+ if they all play well and we stay in Top 6

If this don't bring them in nothing ever will
I really think this is going to be special

What also impressed me yesterday was hearing Almunia and Iwelumo Loud and Clear giving instructions all across the field to all our players, old and new, like having two extra captains on the pitch.

I also loved the way the new boys celebrated the goals, along with old boys, like the team spirit was good

Finally when Vydra got the Sky MoM Champagne, he was like a little boy just getting his first train set :-)

lutondown wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Holly68 wrote: Dyche to Coventry !

Fair play if so

Rumour has it Dyche sent Loach to Coventry last season

You beat me to it LOL

Holly68 wrote:
What also impressed me yesterday was hearing Almunia and Iwelumo Loud and Clear giving instructions all across the field to all our players, old and new, like having two extra captains on the pitch.

I also loved the way the new boys celebrated the goals, along with old boys, like the team spirit was good

Finally when Vydra got the Sky MoM Champagne, he was like a little boy just getting his first train set :-)

I though Big Chris played his heart out, he held the line well and was a big part of that performance. Yeates had his best game so far. Zola is really putting ten percent on our existing players and bringing in real class. This seems to be a good mix.
Almunia had little to do, but doesn't he inspire confidence? Compare that to Scotty yesterday, who though wasn't the only reason Ipswich got beat, he never helped their cause. We should have peppered his goal last Tuesday!
COYH

Holly68 wrote:

lutondown wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Holly68 wrote: Dyche to Coventry !

Fair play if so

Rumour has it Dyche sent Loach to Coventry last season

You beat me to it LOL

No, it's LD

SAHornet wrote:

Holly68 wrote:

lutondown wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Holly68 wrote: Dyche to Coventry !

Fair play if so

Rumour has it Dyche sent Loach to Coventry last season

You beat me to it LOL

No, it's LD

Thanks SAH for the infamy!

Holly68 wrote:
Dyche to Coventry !

He'd be mad. Their financial predicament is far worse than ours ever was. They haven't paid rent for their stadium for over 5 months and the landlords have been taking it out of their deposit which has now been depleted. Be surprised if the administrators didn't go in their before too long. SD can do better.

I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

Burp. Now, more than ever, the loyal season ticket holders need to stick with it and show the world that there is a hard core fanbase of Watford people.

The reality is that we need to survive and times move on. We are lucky because this is a long term solution. What's more, the football is being played as football should be.

Others may berate you for reacting like this, but clearly you feel strongly about the 'orns otherwise you wouldn't have posted this. So you deserve a sensible reply: get with it and enjoy it and maybe, just maybe, there will be a great football club to support. We can't predict the future, but I believe it's going to be good. We may be a bit foreign, but we're not the only ones. And who knows, maybe this regime will improve the academy yet.

I think I've persuaded my wife to come to Derby. Who's coming?

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

I see where your coming from burp and I find it sad that after all this time as a st holder that you've not renewed. Personally I see the influx of these loan players as an instant shot in the arm which was needed to firstly freshen up what was becoming a stale squad and more importantly to help implement the new footballing style.
I'd like to think that as the club develops then so will the academy by playing the same sort of football as the first team which will in turn bring up the standards of the academy. The academy would then start feeding the team again or the transfer market if required.
This is surely the best time to be a st holder and fans from other clubs are already moaning about the Watford/Udinese connection. To me that means they see us as a threat!
Now put your skirt back on, get on line, renew and watch it all play out....remember the bad times make the good all that more sweeter!
COYH!........& BURP.

I see where your coming from burp and I find it sad that after all this time as a st holder that you've not renewed. Personally I see the influx of these loan players as an instant shot in the arm which was needed to firstly freshen up what was becoming a stale squad and more importantly to help implement the new footballing style.
I'd like to think that as the club develops then so will the academy by playing the same sort of football as the first team which will in turn bring up the standards of the academy. The academy would then start feeding the team again or the transfer market if required.
This is surely the best time to be a st holder and fans from other clubs are already moaning about the Watford/Udinese connection. To me that means they see us as a threat!
Now put your skirt back on, get on line, renew and watch it all play out....remember the bad times make the good all that more sweeter!
COYH!........& BURP.

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

I was going to berate you burp but I see from the above 2 posts that Kingswood Hornet and Bush Hornet are being far more magnanimous that I was going to be. Others who post later might call you names for your views as I was going to do. I would urge to re-read the above 2 posts, both of which say it all really and have a re-think on your stance, which may be a bit old-fashioned given the nature of our game these days. Watford need fans like you to support them, not give up on them and certainly not at exciting times like these. Be excited, burp.

I see Britt scored vs Aidy !

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

Have to agree in part Mr Burp, Ever since the start of the premiershit English football as a national sport has and will continue to deteriorate due to the lack of opportunities for young English talent to establish themselves and play at the highest level because of the journeymen you mention.
As far as the academy is concerned I've got mixed feelings about it, makes good business sense to downgrade to enable us to be free of a very restrictive premiershit focused regime, in reality whilst it makes good sense to have a stream of talent coming through if we were to rely on this with the mixture of English journeymen we would probably be a good top 6 in Div 1, you only have to look at the regularity that we have unearthed stars to see the point, Ashley Young being the last and perhaps now Sean Murray, but the quality of players brought in exceed that of anything we have produced in the main.

Having been a horn for nearly 45 years, I too am gutted that my good little old family club Watford has changed, if we hadn't been taken over I doubt we would still be here talking about it as I reckon in June we weren't far from administration, So little old Watford has gone, now we have a chance to move on from the last 10 years of gross mismanagement, lets have and watch all the talent anyone can throw at us, lets watch Big Watford now, and as a by product who really cares about the England team been **** for years and probably will remain so for the rest of our lives.

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

An interesting viewpoint Burp and I think some people in general have fallen out of love with football (due to footballer's salaries, behaviour, prices, Olympic spirit, etc etc). If that is you, then that is fair enough I think. Regarding Watford specifically though, we may just be on the verge of something exciting. Is the new situation that much different to when Elton and GT started the revolution back in 77? Don't forget that it was Elton's money (and GT's genius) that took us on such a ride all those years ago. Without those influences, we may just have been a league one side at best over the years (Brentford strikes me as a good comparison). The main difference then was the lack of foreign players, so it could be that you would prefer an English (or British) based team. But don't forget, the new players we signed back then had no affinity with Watford just because they were English. Also foreign players have been in England for many years now, for many teams (and the fans of those clubs embrace the opportunity to watch good football). We are not the first, and won't be the last. I guess it is the way of the world we live in, and we move on. I think you are wrong to call these players mercenaries and third rate, however, based on what we have seen so far. The players on view, seem to be better than what we had before, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion. Personally I don't really mind where the players are from, as long as they try their hardest on the pitch. It didn't bother me that John Barnes and Luther were Jamaican, Jan Lohman was Dutch, Mo Johnston was Scottish, HH was Icelandic, etc etc. They were all heroes in their own way.
The debate about England - well that's another story - we have underachieved since well before the infux of foreign players, so I am not sure that we can say that is a main reason for getting no further than QF each time.
So, in summary, you do have a choice to either embrace the changes and give it a go, or to get your fix of football your preferred way, by watching a team with locals in it (and you may need to drop down a couple of leagues to do that). I hope it's the former as this could be a lot of fun, just as it was in the 70's and 80's (and indeed a couple of times since).

Hello Paultheshrink. Where are you in The Borders pal? I may be going to the Huddersfield game from Glasgow. Are you on my route more or less? And if so, how do I get in touch?
David Smith

4 of us going to derby now......it's gonna be a good day there..can feel it.

paultheshrink says...
12:52pm Sun 26 Aug 12

d.j.smith wrote:
Regarding attendance: I live in Glasgow as do my sons, faithful hornets fans all! I came down for the Middlesborough game at the end of last season and was told I could not purchase a ticket on the day! My brother is a season ticket holder so he was allowed to buy my ticket, but how crazy is it that fans living at a distance cannot turn up and support their team? There must be a return to pay-on-day and even if the old turnstiles can't be resurrected, lifelong fans of WFC should be able to get into the ground to support the Horns.
Hi dj we are down in the Borders. I am temporarily unable to drive, so any chance of a lift to see what sounds like a truly exciting emerging team appreciated.

Paul/DJ I'm based in Abington just north of Lockerbie and will be going to Bolton, Blackburn/Pool, Sheff W, Leeds, H'field, M'boro away so if you need a lift...let me know. Hopefully get Carlisle away in the FA Cup... be like a home game for me being 35 mins away!

DJ/ockerbie hornet. Look up paul Morris on facebook and send me face invite. We are near Kelso so over in the East, but buses to Carlisle are ok from here.
I too am a bit out of commission at the moment afer a hip replacement last Tuesday. Would love to make both Bolton and Huddersfield, but long car journies not good yet. Improving ast though. (Hey, this thread is turning into "friends reunited").

Jean-Alain Fanchone just signed from udinese...left back so bye bye dickinson i guess as in ealier posts of mine.....i know people wont like john eustace going but he will be out the door soon....zola likes him but he will not be 1st or even 2nd choice so he needs football as his age.

Paul, there are quite a few Paul Morris's on FB, can you go to your home page, copy and paste the address link and send me it and I'll send an invite. I can come into Langholm if this helps or across to (dirty) Gally(shiels) Let me know

Jami

jasonwatford wrote:
Jean-Alain Fanchone just signed from udinese...left back so bye bye dickinson i guess as in ealier posts of mine.....i know people wont like john eustace going but he will be out the door soon....zola likes him but he will not be 1st or even 2nd choice so he needs football as his age.

Nice one Jase

I should have guessed that Lockerbie. This should help http://www.facebook.
com/home.php?#!/paul
theshrink

5'9" - tall enough?

Jean-Alain Fanchone arrived in London at 1.30pm today, destination Watford.

I wonder if Angello, Neuton and Forestieri still coming ?

Paul FR sent

Just watched the Blackpool v Ipswich highlights to see if Loach played, thought they may have gone with 11 outfield players going by the score.

Blackpool had 7 shots on target scoring with 6 of them. Loach did his usual arm waving at his defenders whilst standing on his line. Good to be shot of him regardless of the fee as he would have cost us a **** sight more if he had stayed.

I wonder if he feels quite as smug today as he did last week.

#Numbnuts

Yes , looked at that myself. Didn't stand much chance with any of those goals. Mind you how you can say he stood on his line for the six goals......he was on the 18 yard line for the sixth......obviously you didn't watch the match !!!!
But agree , it was ime for him to leave Watford.

The DJ at the vic should be playing NESSUN DORMA every time we score for us to all sing along to. What a remarkable shot out of the blue this adventure is turning out to be and big up to all the watford fans who are getting behind the new owners, manager and the quality players and style they're bringing in.

gilesy97 wrote:
Yes , looked at that myself. Didn't stand much chance with any of those goals. Mind you how you can say he stood on his line for the six goals......he was on the 18 yard line for the sixth......obviously you didn't watch the match !!!!
But agree , it was ime for him to leave Watford.

Yes I would agree HE didn't stand a chance with any of them, although most decent keepers would have.

My apologies he was on his line for 5 and the 6th one he was making an ar5e out of himself doing a star jump.

D.unstable wrote:

gilesy97 wrote:
Yes , looked at that myself. Didn't stand much chance with any of those goals. Mind you how you can say he stood on his line for the six goals......he was on the 18 yard line for the sixth......obviously you didn't watch the match !!!!
But agree , it was ime for him to leave Watford.

Yes I would agree HE didn't stand a chance with any of them, although most decent keepers would have.

My apologies he was on his line for 5 and the 6th one he was making an ar5e out of himself doing a star jump.

He tweeted, weren't my fault, where were my defenders! Lol
During the Watford game, though he wasn't tested he kicked a ball from hand into touch and held is arms open to remonstrating Ipswich defenders, as if to say 'not my fault'. And that sirree is where the problem lies.

Just to add, Loach was tweeting Buckler ( our much loved poster) after the Ipswich game, full of 'look at me' and how he's now with a bigger and better club. Glad to say. Buck gave it back to him with intrest Saturday evening.

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

BuPR, I am a fan of same length of time and decided not to renew my season ticket at the end of last season when The Bankrupt took control. I refused to give him a penny of my £ after he siezed my shares for £1.43. (I didn't sell, never cashed the cheque and still have my worthless share certs)
Anyhow on the day he left the club I went to the Horns Shop and bought 4 season tickets (family) and after Saturdays performance, money well spent.
Whilst I get where you are coming from, just remember all the dross football served up over the years on your philosophy. I have been craving for a manager who would insist we kept the ball on the deck and passed it, rather than 'Hoofing' it. I was bitterly disappointed when Rogers left, because he wanted to use the kids and play a passing game.
Principles are all very well, but when you are missing probably the best football we've played for years, you need to reconsider. The quality being brought into the squad will rub off on the youngsters, who will get better as a result. Doyley and Yeates are looking re-born players already under FZ and his coaches.
Another point you fail to consider is the financial stability being brought to the club. Just remember that whilst the academy was set up post-Vialli and pre-Gimpson/Cashton/
& Hoofy, the club has almost permanently been under financial threat. The Academy hasn't been down graded, its not been up-graded to Prem League standard. Young players are still being given a chance but under a new regime of passing football.
Have faith and go and renew, like I did.

N Joydegame wrote:

BuRP66 wrote:
I'm a fan whose decided for the first time in 38 years to not buy a season ticket and not to watch Watford this season. Can't believe I am saying this about my beloved team but I'm rapidly falling out of love with football and Watford too. I hate Arsenal's Wenger for trawling Europe for foreign players rather than grooming their own. Not going to go on about that but I don't want to go and watch a team that's over indulged with non-Brits. I accept you can have a few in the team and more in the squad but playing too many doesn't do it for me. I can't accept the down grading of Harefield Academy. I think that's appalling with no regard to a system that's been heralded through Europe as one of the best educational and sporting academies. Why should Italians care
about the home grown talent at Watford when they can just ship in another third rate Italian. I just can't get excited.Its not the style of football though through reading all the above comments the football quality appears improved. Please convince me that by having a dozen or more mercenaries, foreigners, call them what you will who have no identity with the club, English football and can just be loaned again providing no continuity for the club or fans is a good thing. Funny how English football fans accept that we go out on QF's at tournaments through having very average sides yet the lack of young English players in Prem teams and below is so prominent its bloody sad. So this is one fan that is voting with his feet. Don't know how many others feel like me but just my view. Cheers . BuRP

BuPR, I am a fan of same length of time and decided not to renew my season ticket at the end of last season when The Bankrupt took control. I refused to give him a penny of my £ after he siezed my shares for £1.43. (I didn't sell, never cashed the cheque and still have my worthless share certs)
Anyhow on the day he left the club I went to the Horns Shop and bought 4 season tickets (family) and after Saturdays performance, money well spent.
Whilst I get where you are coming from, just remember all the dross football served up over the years on your philosophy. I have been craving for a manager who would insist we kept the ball on the deck and passed it, rather than 'Hoofing' it. I was bitterly disappointed when Rogers left, because he wanted to use the kids and play a passing game.
Principles are all very well, but when you are missing probably the best football we've played for years, you need to reconsider. The quality being brought into the squad will rub off on the youngsters, who will get better as a result. Doyley and Yeates are looking re-born players already under FZ and his coaches.
Another point you fail to consider is the financial stability being brought to the club. Just remember that whilst the academy was set up post-Vialli and pre-Gimpson/Cashton/

& Hoofy, the club has almost permanently been under financial threat. The Academy hasn't been down graded, its not been up-graded to Prem League standard. Young players are still being given a chance but under a new regime of passing football.
Have faith and go and renew, like I did.

excellent post. This new era is not perfect,but its really not too far from perfect. Access to better players, hopefully better quality football, financal stability. Yes we lose a little of the "gallant underdog" tag and a point gained at say Millwall might seem like 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained. But the advantages massively outweight the downsides.

If we had been purchased by others we would either be owned by;
1/ someone like the Russos who would run the club well, matching costs with revenues but long term we would end up in L1 due to our smaller budgets, or
2/ rich owner who would bankroll and follow the Leicester (Vialli?) model of bringing in overpaid "stars"

At least the guys we are getting are either young players with talent, looking for a team within which they can make their mark, or an excellent experienced pro like Cassetti.

When Vialli was here he had no option but to play the prima donnas he had overspent to acquire. Here, GZ has not overspent to acquire, only pays part of their salary, and will only play them if they warrant a place in the team.

Forza watford !

Holly68 wrote:
Jean-Alain Fanchone arrived in London at 1.30pm today, destination Watford.

I wonder if Angello, Neuton and Forestieri still coming ?

Jason, Holly - where have you read this/how do you know this ??

Well said N Joydegame

I'm a fan of 45 years. Didn't renew my season ticket because the mismanage nt of previous boards, just didn't feel like you could trust them or what they said.
Well I've seen enough, I'm off to renew it today!
We've lived through some really memorable times and some awful ones too, well I believe it's the start of perhaps another of those special Watford eras, I still can't believe what is happening and thought we would have to put up with mediocrity for the rest of my days.
Well I'm going to enjoy this time watching all our new exciting players and the style of play we saw against Brum.
This new arangment will be mutually beneficial for both parties and we should get behind it 100% , we would be mad not to.

Mickey widely reported and on the player wiki page and his tweets

Vydra now called into the full Czech squad for their qualifier against Denmark next week. Well done Matty - keep up the good work!

I went through a time when bassett was manager that i gave up on going to football and that lasted a couple of years...at present im loving watford at going to derby saturday...However i cant get excited about England anymore and have not watched last couple of games and felt no excitment about the euros.....maybe its life and we all go through these periods.

jasonwatford wrote:
Mickey widely reported and on the player wiki page and his tweets

Go onto Football rumours Watford.