Gianfranco Zola says three points at Barnsley would be 'massive' due to Watford's run-in

12:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in Latest Sport

Zola: 'Three points would be massive due to run-in' Zola: 'Three points would be massive due to run-in'

Gianfranco Zola believes tomorrow's match against Barnsley will be "massive" considering his side's run in as they chase automatic promotion.

Watford face promotion or play-off rivals in five of their last eight games following the match with Barnsley.

Zola said: "A win is a win and they are all as important as each other. But certainly at this stage of the season, considering the games we have to come, it would be massive if we can get the three points on Saturday. We really want to win this one."

Watford were leading 1-0 with 15 minutes remaining at the weekend but Blackpool scored twice to secure a dramatic 2-1 win.

The defeat, combined with Hull City's victory on Monday night, meant the Tigers replaced the Hornets in the automatic places.

"I am expecting a good reaction," Zola said. "I am not expecting a reaction in terms of the way we played because I believe we played well against Blackpool and we certainly didn’t deserve to lose. But in terms of the result, then yes I am expecting a reaction."

He continued: "If the players were not strong mentally then they would not have got to the position that they are in now. But what I am expecting from the players is that they focused; that is what I want.

"I want them focused on the good things and not on anything else. It is key that we keep the attention on what they have done well and that is playing good football and scoring goals.

"So that is what I will be telling the players. The rest doesn't exist."

There are currently 18 places between the two teams, with Barnsley climbing out of the bottom three on Saturday, but coincidentally both sides have exactly the same record over the past ten games; having won six, drawn two and lost two.

History suggests the Hornets could have a tough job on their hands as they haven’t won at Oakwell in more than 12 years.

The contest will also see two of the nominees for Championship Manager of the Month award for February go head-to-head.

Flitcroft enjoyed three wins out of four but Zola was the only unbeaten candidate, as the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace prevented the Italian from winning all five of his matches in the month. Bolton's Dougie Freedman was the other nominee.

Comments(21)

Harry's Bar says...
12:38pm Fri 15 Mar 13

It won't be easy to play "good football" at Barnsley. They set out to stop Brighton playing, can't see that changing too much on Saturday.We will get chances, can we take them, that's what it'll come down to.

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AngelHornet says...
12:40pm Fri 15 Mar 13

They will also rely on Rory Delaps long throws

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Sahorn says...
12:51pm Fri 15 Mar 13

High tempo quick one touch game played in their third needed here.
Dominate from the off and mustn't let them settle.
We create the chances and quality too good for Barnsley.
All out for the 3 points. Draw not good enough for auto promotion.
COYH

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Harry's Bar says...
1:05pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Sahorn wrote:
High tempo quick one touch game played in their third needed here. Dominate from the off and mustn't let them settle. We create the chances and quality too good for Barnsley. All out for the 3 points. Draw not good enough for auto promotion. COYH
Agreed, easier said than done of course. If you start faffing about or strolling you'll get clattered, which should be an incentive to move the ball on quickly.

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londomollari says...
1:19pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Make no mistake, Barnsley have been playing far better than their league position suggests. It's going to be a very tough game to win. Horns will have to be at their best. However, I have been told that Brighton played well in defeat there, and Barnsley had the run of luck that evening. Well, we'll see---.

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Harry's Bar says...
1:41pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Shame about Abdi missing the game. I'd give Buaben a chance, otherwise it's Yeates or Hogg.

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Mr.Miggins says...
1:56pm Fri 15 Mar 13

You'd put Buaben in for his first start of the seaosn for a game of this importance?!

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JohnnyHornet says...
2:56pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Harry's Bar wrote:
Shame about Abdi missing the game. I'd give Buaben a chance, otherwise it's Yeates or Hogg.
Personally, based on his performances this year I would go with Yeates, he's up to speed, not a time to mess around anymore.

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Harry's Bar says...
3:44pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Mr.Miggins wrote:
You'd put Buaben in for his first start of the seaosn for a game of this importance?!
I would, mainly based on the reasoning that I don't rate Hogg or Yeates, and also I think he's a good player who can look after himself. He'd probably only last an hour which admittedly isn't ideal.

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the jesterwestport says...
4:01pm Fri 15 Mar 13

lookn at both teams last 10 games form would suggest a score draw

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kingofpop says...
4:28pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Its a shame we have thrown away winning leads of late...then this result would'nt have the same importance.

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KeithMercer says...
4:31pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Harry's Bar wrote:
Shame about Abdi missing the game. I'd give Buaben a chance, otherwise it's Yeates or Hogg.
Who said Abdi is out ? I have not heard anything about any of the injuries !

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KeithMercer says...
4:36pm Fri 15 Mar 13

KeithMercer wrote:
Harry's Bar wrote:
Shame about Abdi missing the game. I'd give Buaben a chance, otherwise it's Yeates or Hogg.
Who said Abdi is out ? I have not heard anything about any of the injuries !
Sorry take that back ! just seen it on the Watford website.
He will be missed , they all need to dig in now !! clean sheet would be nice .

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CARDIFFHORN says...
4:41pm Fri 15 Mar 13

the jesterwestport wrote:
lookn at both teams last 10 games form would suggest a score draw
Agree but we haven't had a midweek game so should be fresher!!!!

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Larrythe Loafer 'Orn says...
5:45pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Quote FZ "We didn't deserve to lost this game" is not true. Not entirely sure why - but the fact is we keep giving away a winning position at the very end of the game. Either we are not fit enough for the pace we play at, or we are playing the Italian game of score once and defend the lead. We get deeper and deeper and invite them on and then revert back knocking it upfield with no midfield presence because we are so deep that it just keeps coming back and the pressure mounts.

If we play like that we deserve to lose, but what we don't deserve is to play like that.

We need these three points and it wont be easy on their terrible surface but this one to get stuck in with and hit the fast breaks the DONT SIT ON THE LEAD

COYH lets do what we always do and sing them off tyhe park!

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BigRussMalta says...
7:40pm Fri 15 Mar 13

For anyone who cant make the game i just googled 'Barnsley watford live stream 16th march' and over half a dozen links popped up ;-)
Gonna need a massive push tomorrow,i think our biggest problem really is the fact that Bonds under alot of pressure ,i think we should of brought someone in from a premiership club with experience between the sticks til the end of the season.....

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Eastsussexhornet says...
11:36pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Harry's Bar wrote:
Mr.Miggins wrote:
You'd put Buaben in for his first start of the seaosn for a game of this importance?!
I would, mainly based on the reasoning that I don't rate Hogg or Yeates, and also I think he's a good player who can look after himself. He'd probably only last an hour which admittedly isn't ideal.
Blimey, you're living dangerously. You don't rate Hogg? I said that a few weeks ago and got abused by the Hogg Fan Club!

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
7:27am Sat 16 Mar 13

Going to be very tough considering the conditions and their desperation to avoid the drop. They will be really up for this now their cup distraction is over, and following the win in midweek . We had better be or risk being steamrollered !

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northofwatfordpete says...
8:14am Sat 16 Mar 13

I have always liked Barnsley and hope that they stay up this season. Never an easy fixture for us but if we are going to remain in the title race then this is a game that we should be looking to win. There are a few teams that have injected a bit of steal into their game notably Nottingham Forest and we will need the same qualities to see out the season. There are a couple of players in the Watford side that will need to step up a gear.

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willia6692 says...
9:20am Sat 16 Mar 13

Come on Watford please...

Take me home Gianfranco
To a place where i belong
Vicarage Road
Hertfordshire
Take me home Gianfranco

Sing it boys, sing it loud and bring home the three points

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Hornet Cornet says...
1:22pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Hate to say it folks but we're not playing well and Barnsley are. I want us to win but i fear the wordt, I truly do.

COYH

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