Article by Alberto Trovamala
Always looking for an excuse to start controversy. Despite the fact that the results are speaking for themselves. This isn't the first time that this happens in England: this time Walter Mazzarri is the victim. All because his English isn't considered to be good enough by the English critics. The truth is the Tuscan manager has improved a lot in this regard compared to when he arrived in the Premier: now he understands perfectly every question that he's asked and he has started to have real conversations. Certainly he needs to and will improve, but there's no rush: he just needs some time.
Especially because the results on the pitch have arrived. 40 forty points with 6 matches to go: enough to avoid relegation. Record for the most wins (8) at Vicarage Road in the Hornets history in Premier League. As well as some unforgettable wins like the one against United which Watford hadn't achieved in thirty years. A team that was never in the lower zones of the standings during the season. Despite countless injuries, Pereyra above all: a key player that was absent almost the entire season. Without mentioning that also Pochettino in his first season in England was heavily criticized for his English, and look at him now. The same rule applies: results on the pitch are what matter.
But some of the criticism bothered Mazzarri regardless. And significantly. It felt like there was a need to find some negative aspects during a positive stretch for the club. Not just his English, the supposed disagreements with captain Deeney, a rumor that was started after he was benched against Tottenham. The player had been instead rested as a precaution because he was recovering from the flu in a week the team was playing three matches. Deeney had also been one of the players who appeared in the most matches: 31 in which he scored 10 goals. But he was the only player who would have been in the news had he not started. Excuses to start controversy like a potential coaching change. Like the Pozzo family was obligated to find a replacement because of all the previous changes on the Hornets bench since 2012. Zola, Sannino, Oscar Garcia, McKinlay, Jokanovich, Quique Sanchez Florez.
But Mazzarri has a three year plan with the goal of raising the bar every year. Both the Pozzo and CEO Scott Duxbury, have expressed their satisfaction with the manager's work on multiple occasions. They know how much and how Mazzarri works. He basically lives at Training Ground at London Conley: the first to get there and the last to leave. "I'm here at the training ground until 18 or 19, then I have dinner and I work some more. I try to watch a film to distract my mind but I'm always thinking about football". Also thanks to the arrival of Whatsapp: I maybe in the bathroom washing my teeth but if I have an idea I send a voice message to my assistant Frustalupi" he said in an interview a month ago.
Messages in which the tactical aspect has of course the priority. Which has often proven to be Watford's extra gear and making the Hornets a team in the Premier with an Italian philosphy in every aspect. Able to reach the objective of avoiding relegation with forty points well ahead of time. But especially proving that it must be the results on the pitch that speak for the coach.
