Zola: ‘I couldn’t ask for more as manager’

Gianfranco Zola was a happy man last night as his side secured their second win in just four days – the first time he’s secured back-to-back wins this season.

Watford displayed many of the virtues associated with Sean Dyche’s side last season, including no little grit, determination, passion and bottle as they overcame their man disadvantage to win 2-1.

Young centre-back Tommie Hoban marked just his second appearance with his first professional goal before Ricardo Fuller equalized for the Addicks.

Forward Fernando Forestieri was sent-off shortly before half-time having collected two yellow cards – one for encroachment and one for diving.

A spirited second-half showing saw the Golden Boys rewarded with all three points when Almen Abdi curled home a superb free-kick to settle the game.

Speaking afterwards to watfordfc.com, Zola praised his troops:

‘I couldn’t ask for more as a manager. We had spirit, we stuck together, we defended our 1-1 score, then our 2-1 score with everything we had,’ confirmed the Italian.

‘It’s not just about flair in this league – and I knew that. This is not new to me. It is about working hard when the time is right to do that and that’s what my team has done for each other.’

Inevitably Zola had to field questions about the conduct of Forestieri, but insists that the Argentine slipped in the penalty area:

‘The boy has told me he slipped and I believe him – because I’ve seen the boots he’s wearing and he was slipping at Huddersfield too.

‘I don’t want him labelled a diver and I don’t like diving. If I think it’s heading that way I will deal with it, but he has my 100 per cent support at all times in the Watford shirt.’

Watford return to the Vic’ this weekend looking for their first home win since the defeat of Birmingham back in August, they play host to Middlesbrough.