'I think he's got much more to give and much more to improve' (From Watford Observer)
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Watford boss Gianfranco Zola delighted with progress of Tommie Hoban
3:00pm Friday 19th October 2012 in Watford FC News By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor
Tommie Hoban. Picture: Holly Cant
Watford’s head coach believes there is much more to come from Tommie Hoban after the teenage defender’s impressive last few weeks continued by leading Republic of Ireland’s Under-19s into the elite qualifying phase of the European Championships.
Having made his full club debut at Huddersfield Town at the end of last month, and then scoring his first goal in the 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic, Hoban broke his international duck in his country’s 5-2 victory over Luxembourg on Thursday.
The 18-year-old also skippered the Irish to a 1-0 win over Macedonia two days later to ensure his country reached the next phase of the competition, before dropping to the bench as his team-mates came from two behind to impressively draw 2-2 with group winners Germany on Tuesday.
“Tommie is another product from our excellent Academy,” said Gianfranco Zola. “I’m very complimentary about the Academy, they’ve done a great job and I’m pleased Tommie is playing and he’s improving and now he’s scoring for his own country as well, so it’s all good.”
The Hornets boss added with a smile: “It's a pity that he didn’t score against Middlesbrough because he had a big opportunity but he’s progressing and doing very well.”
For a player to captain their country at any age group is a compliment to the individual and Zola remarked: “It is but he reflects the personality of the boy. He came in for a difficult game away at Huddersfield and he looked like he was a veteran.
“He’s a good player and in my opinion, with Tommie Hoban you can only see the top of the iceberg. I think he’s got much more to give and much more to improve.”
Comments(10)
DuffmanWFC
says...
4:17pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I personally think he is better for his age then Marriappa was?
With the way the Pozzos like to do things this lad can only improve by being around better players like Ekstrand and Hall
GrahamTaylor
says...
6:18pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Tommy however is a product of the old regime not the new. Time will tell if the new invest the same resource in the academy going forward and whether or not we produce or own products and how we use the Pozzo’s conveyor belt medium to long term.
Let’s not forget in all this that the club has to have a certain number of home grown players in its match day squad so the academy will still be important regardless of our primary source of player recruitment.
jimbowfc
says...
7:02pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I agree the jury is still out on the new, but you seem to be implying the old is better, and that is not necessarily the case!
As for the rule on home grown players having to be in the squad, we could adhere to those rules by putting them all on the bench, but that is not the case, more of the six needed have actually been in the starting eleven than on the bench in the games so far.
miked2006
says...
8:40pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I think he is being fairly impartial and waiting to see what happens before labelling it a success or failure. The academy is important, but will be used less now we have a higher quality of players available. Would a new Ross Jenkins now play in the first team like he did a few seasons back? Probably not. Would Sean Murray (on last years form)? Definitely.
We will no longer have so many products coming through, and even the better ones will have to bide their time. But I will argue that it is better this way.
Bush Hornet
says...
12:22am Sat 20 Oct 12
Yes, he is a product of the long established academy, but his recent elevation is because of the new regime, and the new environment. I think the academy sounds great and I'm thankful for the people who set it up. But in the past the quality has been lacking higher up the ladder, which has been detrimental to youngsters making the step up.
Because of the quality that he has around him, it is possible to throw a kid like that in at the deep end. A talent will get on better in the reality of a league match when surrounded by talent.
The real GT knows that so it's disrespectful to post in his name when you're spouting pony.
GrahamTaylor
says...
1:13am Sat 20 Oct 12
I am not implying anything other than the Pozzo’s will be judged medium to long term on their commitment and ability to deliver against their objectives not the progress of one player over 3 months who was already on the books.
I like the new regime and hope for the best, hope the fans give it time, doesn’t mean I can’t see the good of some of the old ways. There are a few more gems coming through that are down to the old ways not the new too. Personally I can see it taking a while (The new regime) and maybe even becoming frustrating before we fit all the pieces in place. If promoted I think you have to have a number in the squad from your own academy so it could become increasingly important in the scheme of the things and with new fair play rules can’t see us being able to buy the best kids around.
Tommy was given a chance due to injuries and the sudden departure of MT not because the manager recognised his talent, didn’t the new manager try Dickenson at centre back before switching to TH…. That could be perceived as trial and error, If he truly recognised his talent why not throw him in on day one? Oh and wasn’t it Dyche that gave him his debut? Would Dyche have involved him more? Who knows, too subjective, your post is based on opinions not facts.
NB notice I use the words old ways and not crediting the former chairman!
Bush Hornet
says...
8:12am Sat 20 Oct 12
My jury reconvened, made a judgement and went home a while ago.
lutondown
says...
10:55am Sat 20 Oct 12
No more dross, we've had our fill
JonesyTA
says...
6:20pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Bush Hornet says...
3:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12