Oh dear. Yes the first goal was farcical, and no manager can be blamed for keeper stupidity - except Zola signed Almunia of course - but conceding three goals in two home games on the trot must invite questions about a manager's tactics.
Gianfredo will, of course, keep bemoaning his bad luck - deprived of three points at Brighton because of the absence of goal line technology, and falling behind today to a freak goal - but the truth of the matter is that the automatic promotion places are already a distant dream, and Watford now find themselves as the bridge between mid table and the play off places, with Leeds, Wigan, Blackburn et all closing up on their shoulder.
Until now, Watford fans have retained patience with the diminutive Italian, refusing to accept what is obvious to everybody else - that the Hornets are flying in reverse, based on last season's third place finish. The trouble is, Zola started well at West Ham, but then ran in to problems in his second season and it is increasingly looking as if we are in for a repeat at Vicarage Road.
The squad is more than good enough to challenge for automatic promotion, so the buck has to stop somewhere, and nice guy though he is, it may be that Zola lacks what it takes when the going gets tough. Yes he managed well the cards dealt unfairly to him by Pozzo last season, but this season his players know that their futures are in the Championship cul de sac and so, perhaps, are not so hungry to prove themselves worthy of a place in the Udinese first team instead of the Watford Calcio shadow squad.
Duxbury, Nani and Zola are best mates, of course, and he seems to have his sponsors in the Pozzo Family, but sooner or later, patience will be exhausted unless results turn around. I had Watford down as a banker for the top six a few weeks back, but now I'm not so sure.
You had Watford down as a "banker" a few weeks ago, I've had you down as a similar sounding word for a lot longer than that.
ReplyDeleteAs a total neutral, I watched the Watford-Leicester match this lunchtime, and I must say Leicester totally outplayed Watford. (Even Leeds managed a draw against Leicester!). The play-off's are now looking doubtful for Watford if they keep exhibiting this kind of performance.
ReplyDeleteAs a long time supporter of Watford (55 Years) I now live in Australia and have only seen the televised matches. It seems to me that the other teams now know the way Watford play and how to stifle them plus take advantage of the shortcomings of the system. I would humbly suggest that 3 5 2 needs an alternative to shore up the defence as goals are being leaked regularly.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a West Ham fan, and from experience, Zola will refuse to adjust tactics and when he is found out can be easy(ish) to play against. Now is the time the players have to play out of there skin just to get half decent results. It may also require a ruthless streak to drop out of form players. something Zola didnt do at Upton Park, has he learned his lesson?
Deletecouldn't agree more, and what miffs me is that Vydra is warming the bench at West Brom regularly, players that should be given a go are warming the bench at Watford,then people wonder why they leave and do well at other clubs! Sean Dyche should of been retained as he has a better understanding of how championship football is played,,just look where Burnley are!
DeleteWhat a response by anonymous above. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic response by anonymous above. I couldnt have put it any better.
ReplyDeleteAlways maintained Giafredo not one of the best his tatic of playing 3.5.2 was exposed yesterday when somebody changed it to 3 up front we seem to play across and back and a midfielder aka Chaloba would be an asset certainly not his replacement from Chelsea what is wrong with Battochio atl least he can score a goal or two plus has better vision Aitch
ReplyDeleteour defence needs to stop over passing along the back line,forest,derby,leicester all mistakes have led to goals. sometimes just play the ball forward.the midfield needs to push up a bit and josh m needs to knock to his right sometimes all left
ReplyDeleteYou spend so much criticising Watford yet your own team are not exactly setting the world in fire! Shame really, as I was looking forward to a trip to the Boleyn ground next season in the prem!
ReplyDeleteHere we go again, first there was all the fanfare on Watford snaring a "star" in Ikpeazu, yet the poor bugger hasn't been given a start! Now the talk is about loaning him out! I say give him game time in our first team to mature, he can obviously score goals. So if I was Zola I would repay the young lads faith in joining Watford by repaying that faith in playing him, his confidence will soar. Otherwise we lose him and like a lot of the other youngsters of the past who have gone on to bigger things in the football world,,,Cheers,,,,Watford tragic from oz
ReplyDeletebloody oath ,Zola should make every effort to bring Fitz Hall back in the squad,our defence is just terrible!!!!
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