When asked about Watford, the main points were: - He left because things weren't clicking the way he had hoped. He had promised much better to the fans and felt that he could do no more to turn it around - He made mistakes such as the decision to release John Eustace, who was massive in the dressing room last season - However the main problem this season was the inability to replace important players from last season who aren't here now, he appeared to mainly blame others at the club for this - Felt that the advantage of being able to get the loans in from Udinese was negated by the need to gel a team together so quickly / the slow start that we had which may have cost us - That when it came down to it, the fact that we had this link didn't really come into the equation; it's about how they are on the pitch. Points to this season as proof that just because we have this link it doesn't mean we automatically have great players - That in hindsight he "doesn't know" whether it was the right decision to resign but at that moment he felt he could do no more - When shown "that goal" from last season he was keen to point that he was delighted for Nigel Pearson at how they have bounced back, saying that he and his staff were "gentlemen" and never moaned once throughout our four games with them last season. Perhaps dropping a hint that plenty of others did!
Thanks for this mate. Some really interesting points here. I'm not surprised he's said this, I hope Nani & co learn lessons from this and we don't make the same mistake again this summer.
Still got a feeling of disappointment that he left but who knows whether the downward spiral would have continued. A wonderful figurehead to have at a club and some great memories from last season, still got a feeling of disappointment that he left but who knows whether the downward spiral would have continued..
I think we will have to get used to having a fairly high turnover of players. My hope is that we can keep the really good ones and build on that. If we don't achieve promotion this year and we can keep all of our permanent signings, adding Tozer and possibly Merkel and a pacy striker (Vydra anyone?) and having a fit Abdi we will be very well set for a crack at the top two.
So in summary he is blaming the club for not replacing Vydra adequately. Shame he didn't comment on his tactical, organisational and fitness failings.
He admitted to making plenty of mistakes himself and "things he could have done differently". I'd imagine that by this he meant training methods. However the one mistake he specified was letting Eustace go
Here's the interview, for those who did not see it. http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/tv-shows/goals-on-sunday/9217040/zola-
Success for your club is always great, but success under Zola would have felt just that bit more special, because he's such a little darling.
Would be a ridiculous decision and would make me question the Pozzos for the first time since they took over.
Zola was great in every way. He was a gentleman, as you say, a leader and a man who came to us with a wealth of experience. People say he lost the dressing room, or he had no control. Well, his reaction to Deeney as he got sent off vs. Leeds last season didn't seem to be a manager who isn't in control. He gave us probably the best season and the most exciting, stylish and sexy football under Watford, at least of this generation anyway. He made a few mistakes, but in the main, he got it just about right - and let's not forget, he's still a relatively rookie manager. However, his last defeat presented a man who looked dejected. He had clearly ran out of ideas. That's fine, to some extent, because he could have done what so many would have done and continued managing the side, knowing he doesn't have the ability to change it, wait until he gets sacked then have his contract paid up. Zola didn't - he resigned, he was honest about it, he didn't take an extra penny from us once he had terminated his employment. I think he made the right decision - this season has been a failing and he and his staff must take responsibility for that. But I'll always be grateful for last season. It was truly immense. And it never gets old when I sit in a random pub, in rural Buckinghamshire as I did last night, being told by a group of young ladies that they all saw Zola fall over after 'that' goal. The world, whether they like football or not, saw little old Watford score one of the greatest and most exciting goals you'll ever see. I can't imagine a scenario that would better it.
That goal will be remembered by those who saw it for years if not decades, even for non-Watford fans.
I'd be interested to know what TVOR thinks of Zola back as manager and Beppe as his defensive coach dream team.
