Diego Fabbrini was utterly useless again. I normally hate it when people aimlessly say players don't care, but he genuinely looks like he just doesn't give a ****. Falls over every time he's touched, holds the ball for too long. It's made even more frustrating by the fact he's clearly very talented.
P.s. in terms of performances, our average across the whole season, even when we were winning is probably 4.5/10 (9/20). The only exceptions are the second half at Bournemouth (who you could say gave up), second half at Reading (which we shouldn't have gotten into the situation to begin with), and the first half of Blackpool (unlucky).
I feel for Zola. On paper his starting line up was as good as it's been for weeks as was his 451 initial formation - in essence it was a team put together to stem the number of goals we've been conceding yet complemented with the break away pace of Anya, Murray and Battochio. To be fair we looked ok up until they scored. From that point on you could see the confidence slowly drain away for the rest of that half. Zola's challenge at half time was to rebuild that belief and to send the team out with the confidence to win the game. He and they failed. His rejigging to a more positive 352 failed and we became more and more desparate as the minutes ticked down. I don't know why we're not getting the results. The manager, the quality of the squad, the style of football ... on paper all the pieces are there. But from the start of the season we haven't clicked as a team. Instead we've lost confidence and on a sinking ship everyone starts to blame the captain. That captain is Zola and I just think his luck is out. More importantly I think he knows his luck is out too and we'll see him admit it sometime soon.
True, but it's so frustrating to watch. Forestieri has similar problems but endeared himself to the fans by working his ass off in games and showing some passion for the club. Fabbrinni just looks like he's here because he was forced to be.
The disallowed goal aside, our best chance came from Fabbrini - he has talent, should be given a chance upfront, not out on the wing. With Acuna vs Norwich they looked good until we changed things up
Look at the picture on the bbc website. Looks like Anya although jumping, is trying to get out of the way, and Battochio looks like he's sch1tting himself. Anyway, don't want to give up on GZ, but that was one of the most deflating aftrrnoons I've had for a few years.
Really impressed with Murray, except for the set pieces, we really need to stop putting corners so close to the goalie when we never get them. Disappointed with Casetti for shushing the crowd, and I really don't know why Casetti's playing left back when his left foot is god awful.
I came away from the game pretty angry and wanting Zola to go, but reflecting on it I think that wilst we were poor we were also unlucky. We played well in the first ten minutes but nothing is falling for us, it was a debatable foul for their goal and they went one up. Once that goal went in we were chasing the game and Wednesday could put everyone behind the ball and time waste constantly. To a certain extent the same thing happened against Yeovil. I don't think its a coincidence that we played better at Leeds after scoring first because our confidence was higher. We keep going behind and I think this is distorting how bad, aimless and clueless our performances actually are. We had our chances today too, although not many of them. Anya's disallowed goal, Forestieri's miss at the end and I'm not sure what bringing in another manager would do to solve this. So I think the route of our current problem is letting the first goal in and being the victim of a bit of bad luck. I'd stick with Zola personally because I think once we get a win everything could click back into place.
To be fair I think Fabbrini was reluctant to join us. I remember reading a few times on Udinese blog pre season he didn't feel he was suited to the English game, i think he could be right.
I have just got home I am so pleased with the effort the team put in today they all gave it 100% Lol you people need to stop complaining lol and support the team.I thought fab was motm today I was so impressed I have just gone on eBay and brought him a fairy outfit and wand for Xmas.I don't think we will be getting any Xmas presents from Zola and the team this year.That was even worse than Yeovil at home what a joke playing 1 up front at home to a team that have not won away all season.I am sure Watford are involved in the betting scams?they must be you could not play that bad naturally.
[video=youtube;GJFnOA_zfhg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJFnOA_zfhg[/video] Watch this video and it's pretty obvious what/who we are missing from last season.
I rewatched that game the other week, the whole thing, rather than just the highlights and it was obvious. Chalobah and Abdi. Even when playing poorly, those two linked play so well which helped us keep the ball and actually have end product. Not only that, but Chalobah was ALWAYS available in that game. None of our midfielders can say that about this season. Let's be honest, George Thorne is not even remotely close to Chalobah's level.
To be fair to Thorne I think he was creating passing options, he was available most of the time. It was what he did with the ball for me that was disappointing.
Yay Zola clap clap, 5 home losses in a row, no goals in 4, yay Zola clap clap. Spoilt bla bla look at where we were bla bla - http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...o-Zola-wants-to-make-Watford-a-European-force “This team can survive in the Premier League, I have no doubt.” Too many people living in fairy land focusing on small positives.
Near the end of the game when Casetti looked for the pass up the line and ended up putting it straight off the pitch, got some boos and then he was holding his finger up to his mouth clearly frustrated but his passing was absolutely ****e today.
So....Anya was actually level for the disallowed goal. How appropriate a refereeing mistake could have cost Zola his job.
What the **** was he supposed to say in the buildup to the Play Off final? "Err, if I'm honest, I no think we should go up if we win because errrrr, we **** compare to Premier League team"?
He should say, I would like to concentrate on beating Palace first and with a few additions I believe this squad can stay up.
Post match comments from Zola http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/131214-zola-sheff-wed-reaction-1236107.aspx
This I think is the crux of the matter. The worry I have is that it is not only the players who have lost their confidence but Zola himself. And if he is losing faith in his own ability to turn things around, how is he going to instill any confidence in his team?
My thoughts from today. * First twenty we were good, played some nice stuff but again, we can't force the opposition keeper into action at home. * Wednesday's goal: Well unnecessary free kick to concede and what on earth was the wall doing?! A really really soft goal * Reaction to this was ok. The move that ended with Anya's offside goal was tremendous. Shame we couldn't craft more of these. Had this stood we'd have won the game I believe. * Second half: Its almost as if we expected to be able to walk it in. Wednesday were always going to sit deep, they have big bodied players who were always liable to make it tricky for us * When the ball bobbled around the area in the second half, it cried out for Deeney to stab it home. How that didn't go in I don't know - sums us up at the moment * Forestieri's miss at the very end when he was one on one epitomised where we are as a team at the minute. A 1-1 draw would have felt like a win. A goal would have been nice too! I still think Zola should stay, as I would only advocate a change if they had a genuine replacement in the works. I don't want Watford becoming like Udinese and Granada - ie: constantly chopping and changing managers. I think Zola is 60% to blame, but the other 40% is on the players. They are not performing, it is as simple as that. I wouldn't like to speculate whether its player-power but judging by Anya's reaction on Twitter to some Watford fans, he certainly wants him to stay. Personally I think they'll give him until the New Year to start a mini-revival and stop the rot. Unless we are in a relegation dogfight (which going by our recent form we might well be soon) then I can't see them terminating his contract - they just won't renew it at the end of the season. Part of the issue is we put all our eggs in one basket with Fabbrini and Acuna as the replacements for Vydra. As we have seen they have struggled to adapt to English football, and teams have figured us out. Get a proper No 2 in and get rid of Porcu - AKA Zola's mate. Training needs to be more intensive as it simply seems like the players don't care at times. 1 win in 11, No win in 9, 5 home defeats on the spin, no goals in the last 4 homes games. It doesn't look good. But I am a believer that things will come good eventually. Be it with Zola or without. It would be a shame in my view IF Zola was sacked, because most people (like when he was at West Ham) will remember Year 2 and not the great things we achieved in Year 1. The players need to bloody well step up. Our season promotion wise is as good as gone. Our season can otherwise be salvaged. Our feeder policy was a blessing last season, and its great when things are going well. But when they aren't its certainly not and you do wish for a Eustace type player to get a grip on the lads, someone who can step up. I believe things will turn around for the better, so lets not get too down. Its dreadful, but it will feel all the sweeter when we can actually score and win at home again.
