Watford boss Gianfranco Zola says Jonathan Bond's calmness is 'unusual' for his age

1:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Latest Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Jonathan Bond’s calmness is “very unusual” for a 19 year old, according to Gianfranco Zola, and the Hornets’ head coach believes the youngster is now reaping the benefits of his patience.

Bond was at fault for Sheffield Wednesday’s goal last night but it was a solitary error during a week which has seen the youngster excel in the absence of Manuel Almunia, who has a hamstring injury.

The Academy graduate made a host of superb saves last night and during Friday’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers to ensure the Hornets took four points from a possible six in his first two Championship starts.

“Our keeper was great again today,” Zola said. “He is showing everyone the quality that he has. But I knew he would do well for us.

“Ok he still has a long way to go, but he has proved he can do a good job for us.

“Marco Cassetti didn’t give him a good ball for the back-pass to be honest but he got back everything later; he made three or four saves that were top class.”

Many young players would struggle to recover for the remainder of the match following such a huge set-back, especially in just their second league start.

But Bond is a very confident young player and it was only a matter of minutes before he was forced into superb saves, which helped Watford stay in the contest at half-time.

Zola said: “To be honest I saw it [Bond’s excellent character] when I saw him play in the friendlies; he was always calm and in control. It is very unusual for someone who is just 19 year olds.

“Now he is being rewarded for his patience and the work he has always done. I am happy and it is a nice story.

“Hopefully he can continue because until we have Manuel back, he will have to keep doing a good job for us.”

Comments(24)

HemelWFC says...
1:12pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Sign him up, Sign him up, Sign him up!

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JohnnyHornet says...
1:47pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Is this Bond Chappy another Udinese loanee ? Think we should get him permanently.

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londomollari says...
2:10pm Wed 6 Mar 13

During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.

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MJ1 says...
2:19pm Wed 6 Mar 13

londomollari wrote:
During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.
I agree. He's another in a long line of talented Watford home grown goalies.
He made a mistake for the owls goal but his saves were the reason we got a point at Wolves and 3 points last night.

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Stoney77 says...
2:29pm Wed 6 Mar 13

MJ1 wrote:
londomollari wrote:
During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.
I agree. He's another in a long line of talented Watford home grown goalies.
He made a mistake for the owls goal but his saves were the reason we got a point at Wolves and 3 points last night.
No goalkeeper in the world would have wanted / should have received that back pass. Particularly one making his first league start. Just glad we won so that he can put it behind him easier. Great performance from the lad

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Frelons says...
2:40pm Wed 6 Mar 13

I was a little concerned after the error that his confidence would be affected but it certainly wasn't which is testament to his confidence in his ability and his excellent mindset.

From the time he came on to replace Almunia he has looked the part and I think that the absence of anxiety from the crowd also says a great deal. Let's hope he continues to improve and develop into a great keeper rather than go backwards like a certain ex-Watford keeper that I could mention.

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Banjo says...
2:41pm Wed 6 Mar 13

to me Bond looked like a young lad who has a very bright future.
He's 19 but already looks more capable than Richard Lee or Scott Loach ever did.
I always like to hear our goalies yelling at the team, Bond does this and not just his defence but the whole team.
He looked to be directing the play quite well from set pieces and when clearing the ball from our defensive third of the pitch once we had won possession back.
Sure he made a mistake for their goal but he recovered quickly.
Not long after the goal he pulled off a series of very decent saves.
I like him and I think that is shown by the fact that I felt no anxiety when it became apparent that Almunia wasn't coming out for the warm-up.

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CARDIFFHORN says...
2:59pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Stoney77 wrote:
MJ1 wrote:
londomollari wrote:
During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.
I agree. He's another in a long line of talented Watford home grown goalies.
He made a mistake for the owls goal but his saves were the reason we got a point at Wolves and 3 points last night.
No goalkeeper in the world would have wanted / should have received that back pass. Particularly one making his first league start. Just glad we won so that he can put it behind him easier. Great performance from the lad
Not quite his first league start!!

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a1derek says...
3:02pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Thought the save from Lita late on was exceptional and won us the points just as much as FF's two great goals. Definitely - sign him up!!!

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hornet88 says...
3:19pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Made some fantastic saves last night and Friday night, finding it hard to fault his performances and I feel comfortable with him between the sticks, however I'm not sure we should rush him into the starting 11 every week when almunia is back....purely because he is young, he will make some mistakes like every other but we don't want to knock his confidence. Look at what has happened in the past to Richard Lee, Scott loach and Sean Murray.... Hero to zero. We should continue to get behind him of course and I will always cheer for him when he plays, just think we can't really expect him to be carrying the number 1 jersey next season.

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mellow yellow says...
3:21pm Wed 6 Mar 13

At no point did he turn in on himself. At no point did the crowd turn on him. A credit to all. He has a very, very bright future. Keep him in the team, and keep the captain as an outfield player!

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The BestTrip2011 says...
4:15pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Will Almunia get back in the side ahead of him if he keeps playing with such confidence?

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Stoney77 says...
4:31pm Wed 6 Mar 13

CARDIFFHORN wrote:
Stoney77 wrote:
MJ1 wrote:
londomollari wrote:
During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.
I agree. He's another in a long line of talented Watford home grown goalies.
He made a mistake for the owls goal but his saves were the reason we got a point at Wolves and 3 points last night.
No goalkeeper in the world would have wanted / should have received that back pass. Particularly one making his first league start. Just glad we won so that he can put it behind him easier. Great performance from the lad
Not quite his first league start!!
Yes sorry, meant to say first HOME league start? is that right? or am I having a moment?!

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Only 2 Ross Jenkins says...
4:48pm Wed 6 Mar 13

The BestTrip2011 wrote:
Will Almunia get back in the side ahead of him if he keeps playing with such confidence?
Yes

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Larrythe Loafer 'Orn says...
4:48pm Wed 6 Mar 13

He is a star of the future especially with a proven coach such as Alex Chamberlain. Shame is why I cannot find him on the players roster on the WFC website? What does that do for his confidence and sense of belonging?

Amazing - we have 25 players out on loan. I cannot remember ever having that many players available!

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tonyevans22 says...
5:13pm Wed 6 Mar 13

londomollari wrote:
During my long years watching Watford, I have been priveliged to see some wonderful keepers play for the Hornets. Bond will be there with them, given time. Sign him on a five year. Now.
Until the boo boys make there mark as they did with Loach and other various players.Lets hope spurs don't make a bid eh.

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DuffmanWFC says...
7:48pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Bond is a very good goalie and one that will become great if he gets the game time!
He is athletic, sharp, brave, a good shot stopper and comfortable when coming for the ball!
He deserves to keep his place on recent form even if Almunia is fit for the next game!
This is the critical part of the season and 8 wins from the remaining games could see us finish top if in that 8 we beat Hull, Leicester and Cardiff?
We've achieved so much this season as a club and I hope we can pull it off and secure the likes of Vydra, Abdi, Pudil, Ekstrand and Cassetti on permenant deals!

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Up the Watford says...
8:34pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Does any1 know how fitz hall is getting on and when his due back? We r missing him at the back

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matey_from_brighton says...
10:28pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Agree up the - we could do with Hall's enormousness at times, especially with teams like SW last night, who threatened on every set piece. If he had been on the bench he would definitely have ended up on the pitch. Almunia should start when fit as he has been there and done it all, would be a big ask of a 19 yr old to start his career in this run up, but if it does go that way he certainly looks the part so far.

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lutondown says...
6:44am Thu 7 Mar 13

Up the Watford wrote:
Does any1 know how fitz hall is getting on and when his due back? We r missing him at the back
I agree Nosy looking less than composed of late. As for Bond, showed excellent maturity in not letting that goal freak him. I do think we should put Alumnia back in when ready, don't want to over burden the lad at a crucial time of his development.
What a replacement he has been.

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northofwatfordpete says...
7:19am Thu 7 Mar 13

So far he has done very well and he looks the part - having two better than decent keepers in the squad is no bad thing.

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Sydneyhornet says...
8:49am Thu 7 Mar 13

Only saw the game against wolves, he was very solid.

Lets hope he keeps developing and progresses.

Al will be back for the remainder of the season, to state the obvious. But that should not detract from bonds performances.

Well done fella, top marks!

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Sydneyhornet says...
8:49am Thu 7 Mar 13

Only saw the game against wolves, he was very solid.

Lets hope he keeps developing and progresses.

Al will be back for the remainder of the season, to state the obvious. But that should not detract from bonds performances.

Well done fella, top marks!

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a1derek says...
9:40am Thu 7 Mar 13

Bond's performances also give us the luxury of not having to rush Almunia back. A run of 4 or 5 games would probably be just about right for his development and then Manuel back in for the run-in.

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