Zola: We lost our confidence some time ago

Gianfranco Zola admitted Watford were in crisis and that the Hornets had lost their confidence ‘some time ago’, following Saturday’s comprehensive defeat by Yeovil Town.

In the first ever meeting of the two sides, Gary Johnson’s Glovers recorded a memorable 3-0 victory at the Vic’, with goals coming from Byron Webster, Ishmael Miller and Joe Edwards.

Webster headed the Glovers into the lead in first-half injury time and midway through the second half, Miller nodded home on his Glovers debut. Edwards compounded Watford’s woes with a 93rd minute strike on the counter.

Speaking afterwards to The Watford Observer, a beleaguered Zola was brutally honest in his assessment of the current state of affairs.

‘We lost our confidence some time ago and today that has been very costly,’ admitted the Italian.

“It is certainly a difficult moment and today was a game we couldn`t lose so yes it is certainly a tough moment but I believe in this group and these players and I know we can get out of it. We will have to work harder now because of course in this particular moment the results will be harder to achieve.’

Zola continued: “I can`t blame anyone on the pitch [for not trying] because they are trying and we had a lot of possession and players in good positions but we didn`t manage to score because the confidence of the players` right now is not at the top. ‘

Glovers’ boss Johnson was rightfully proud of his players, telling The Western Gazette that his side had shown the commitment needed to avoid the drop.

‘There have been proud days – a lot of proud days – but an away result at Watford when they needed the win to get into the play-offs was excellent.

‘We had to be right on song and it was that commitment to the game that did it. The lads and the whole club had that never-say-die attitude you need to survive in the Championship,’ said Johnson.

‘I thought the lads were magnificent both in and out of possession. You have got to be bold, strong and committed at Watford and you have got to be assured in possession.

Johnson continued: ‘If ever there was 100 per cent effort that was it. They gave me everything. We have got to be proud of them. We have worked very hard on Watford’s game and the lads played to the plan perfectly.’