Watford boss Gianfranco Zola says his players will need to keep their heads in crucial Crystal Palace clash

11:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in Latest Sport By Frank Smith and Tom Allnutt

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola believes his Watford players will take added motivation from tonight's game being televised but stressed it is vital they keep their heads too.

Not only will the match with Crystal Palace be broadcasted live on Sky Sports and against a team just one place below them in the Championship, but the Hornets also know a win will lift them into the two automatic promotion spots, for a few hours at least.

Zola believes that means the players will certainly be fired up for the clash but insists it will be important the team stay focused on the task in hand.

"I think there are many reasons to be motivated tomorrow," the Watford head coach said. "I don’t think they will need much pushing from me.

"More than anything, the key tomorrow will be to focus on the things we need to do in order for us to play in games like tomorrow (televised games against promotion rivals).

"The rest is extra. The vital thing is that each player remembers what he has to do in order to make sure we compete and that we win the game."

In December, Watford's match against promotion-rivals Brighton & Hove Albion was televised and the Hornets produced one of their best displays of the campaign, winning 3-1 away from home.

Zola hopes the players will respond to the limelight in a similarly positive fashion this evening.

He said: "The players have ambitions, the fact that tomorrow they will be on television will boost them even more – that’s what happened against Brighton when we played such a good game. So yes I’m hoping it will be the same tomorrow and we will see what happens.

"It’s a great opportunity; as I said, there are many players who want to show how good they are and how much they have improved and I’m sure they will try very hard to impress."

The Hornets have been in fine form of late as four wins from five have seen Zola's men close the gap on second-placed Leicester City to just one point - albeit having play one game more.

And the Italian believes the match against Crystal Palace - currently fifth in the Championship - will be another chance for Watford to show their promotion credentials.

"It’s another opportunity," he said.

"We have done it already before when we played a vital game against Brighton and we did very well on television and we’re looking forward to doing exactly the same.

"I know it’s not going to be easy because we are playing a team who, like us, have ambitions to go up so it’s a tough game but we think we are prepared for that."

On Palace boss Ian Holloway, Zola added: "He’s a character but he’s a good manager above all.

"He certainly prepares for the game well so we will be required to play a good game to win."

 

Comments(27)

corbindallas says...
11:11am Fri 8 Feb 13

I hope you also keep your head Zola and put out the best team tonight and not make wholesale changes!

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BigRussMalta says...
11:12am Fri 8 Feb 13

Now lets hope GFZ keeps his head and plays his BEST 11!!! Watford 4-0,u orns.

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Reginald Dwight says...
11:13am Fri 8 Feb 13

A big focus on being on TV. Not sure how much difference that really makes but for us, the fans, it is an opportunity to demonstrate just how happy we are at proceedings this year. For any of those thinking about keeping warm and watching on TV tonight get yourselves down to VR.
Surely its about time there was some pro-Pozzo chanting alongside the recent increase in appreciation to GFZ. Both are richly deserved for a) giving us a club with ambition b) giving us a team that excites each week.
Cast your minds back just a few months to the often turgid football and the crooks running the club and we surely have to pinch ourselves to realise how good this adventure is.
"Pozzo's Zola Powered Army" anyone? Anyone?! Ok - maybe not. But lets be loud and proud tonight

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Boosey says...
11:51am Fri 8 Feb 13

If the players have ambition then they show it all the time, not only when the cameras are there.
Although this is one of the best, if not, the best team we have ever had, is it being said they need a kick up the backside at other times, if so please kick them hard, we want to celebrate!

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Travelling Hornet says...
12:41pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army

Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army

Altogevver na.....

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Hornet Cornet says...
12:47pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Travelling Hornet wrote:
Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army

Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army

Altogevver na.....
it's snappy. i like it

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Boosey says...
12:50pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Hornet Cornet wrote:
Travelling Hornet wrote: Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Altogevver na.....
it's snappy. i like it
I like it as well, also very witty.

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A Capello says...
1:44pm Fri 8 Feb 13

I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?

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Vicar*o*rage says...
1:49pm Fri 8 Feb 13

And remember POZZO is pronounced POTZO

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Vicar*o*rage says...
1:51pm Fri 8 Feb 13

A Capello wrote:
I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?
Don't know if Zola ever drunk Cherry Cola

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Travelling Hornet says...
2:07pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Boosey wrote:
Hornet Cornet wrote:
Travelling Hornet wrote: Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Altogevver na.....
it's snappy. i like it
I like it as well, also very witty.
I'm here all week

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Travelling Hornet says...
2:07pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Boosey wrote:
Hornet Cornet wrote:
Travelling Hornet wrote: Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Pozzo family 's Zola powered Army Altogevver na.....
it's snappy. i like it
I like it as well, also very witty.
I'm here all week

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67horn says...
2:18pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Not for me thanks - but if you're saying something better than the current one please - I'd agree. The bloke's a genius and deserves better than the 5'3 drivel put-down. Maybe when we go up we'll get some grown up songs in the library.
Reg your first option a) should just read -giving us a club

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mellow yellow says...
2:28pm Fri 8 Feb 13

67horn wrote:
Not for me thanks - but if you're saying something better than the current one please - I'd agree. The bloke's a genius and deserves better than the 5'3 drivel put-down. Maybe when we go up we'll get some grown up songs in the library.
Reg your first option a) should just read -giving us a club
Especially when he's actually 5ft 6. Tonight should be a cracker, with some of the best players in the second tier on display... On both sides. Would not be surprised if it ends 4-3.

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KeithMercer says...
3:11pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Have to watch out for the Palarse diving academy ! hope the ref will be aware of this as they have been awarded more penalties than anyone else. Zaha and Bolasie being the biggest culprits, both good players but just because they are quick they think can go down at the slightest touch.
Ultimately I am expecting one of our best performances tonight and a surprisingly comfortable win . COYHs

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Boosey says...
3:11pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Zola says players must keep their heads.
4-1 to Watford with Hall to be sent off.
Don't bother asking why!

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Bush Hornet says...
4:11pm Fri 8 Feb 13

A Capello wrote:
I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?
Nice, simple idea. Get it going someone

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mk6 hornet says...
4:35pm Fri 8 Feb 13

i like the zola 5ft 3 song

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lockerbiehornet says...
4:58pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Bush Hornet wrote:
A Capello wrote:
I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?
Nice, simple idea. Get it going someone
To The Kinks Lola................
. When the boys come out and the Z-cars plays and we all fall under that yellow haze it's a ZOLAAAAAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAAA

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north carolina horn says...
5:02pm Fri 8 Feb 13

How's about La La la la Zola, la la la Zolaaaaaaaaaa ( in the style of the old Kinks Hit) Lola,la la la Lola lol

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north carolina horn says...
5:03pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Snap Lockerbie you beat me to it by 4 minutes mate

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ChunkeyMonkey says...
5:06pm Fri 8 Feb 13

How about for Almen Abdi - to the tune by the Proclaimers - "Almen Abdi" (echo) "Almen Abdi" "Almen Abdi (echo) "Almen Abdi" do do do do do do do do do do (repeat).
Hmmmm loses a bit when you try to write it down (particularly when you can't remember the title of the Proclaimers song) - I'll get my coat....

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BigRussMalta says...
5:33pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
uuuuuuuuuu

Oooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooorrr
rrrrrrnnnnnnnnssssss
!!!!!

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Bush Hornet says...
6:01pm Fri 8 Feb 13

lockerbiehornet wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
A Capello wrote:
I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?
Nice, simple idea. Get it going someone
To The Kinks Lola................

. When the boys come out and the Z-cars plays and we all fall under that yellow haze it's a ZOLAAAAAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAAA
love it

Report this post »

Bush Hornet says...
6:02pm Fri 8 Feb 13

ChunkeyMonkey wrote:
How about for Almen Abdi - to the tune by the Proclaimers - "Almen Abdi" (echo) "Almen Abdi" "Almen Abdi (echo) "Almen Abdi" do do do do do do do do do do (repeat).
Hmmmm loses a bit when you try to write it down (particularly when you can't remember the title of the Proclaimers song) - I'll get my coat....
that is good, chunkey one. Very easy

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lockerbiehornet says...
6:11pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Bush Hornet wrote:
lockerbiehornet wrote:
Bush Hornet wrote:
A Capello wrote:
I'm surprised that people haven't come up with something around the Kinks Lola;

Z - O - L - A Zola ..... Maybe it's my age?
Nice, simple idea. Get it going someone
To The Kinks Lola................


. When the boys come out and the Z-cars plays and we all fall under that yellow haze it's a ZOLAAAAAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAA LA LA LA LA ZOLAAAAAAAA
love it
Will work on verse 2 over the weekend when I know the real lyrics of the song Lola, give it a go tonight guys, wish i could be there but I'll be bouncing off the walls tonight in snowy Scotland glued to Sky Sports, COYGB's

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Hampshire hornet says...
12:51am Sat 9 Feb 13

Erm poor support ... We need to do something about this!

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