How Watford might look under Paulo Pezzolano

BBC News

15 hours ago

I was at the Watford training ground last week and was fortunate to get some time with one of the coaching staff, Camilo Speranza. Head coach Paulo Pezzolano is still learning English so to get a flavour of what Hornets fans can expect from him this season I spoke to Speranza about philosophy, tactics, shape and structure.Speranza worked with Pezzolano at his previous club Real Valladolid in Spain and is now one of the key analysis coaches at Watford. Before Valladolid, Speranza was at Barcelona. He knows his stuff.I admit to being a coaching/tactics geek so was absolutely fascinated by this insight.He spoke of wanting to dominate the ball, play aggressively, at speed, but keeping things simple.Pezzolano favours a 4-3-3 system but Speranza says that can change game to game and in-game.He spoke about breaking the enigma code - unlocking the tactical gameplan of the opposition. Most Championship teams play a high press and then fall into a low double block.Watford will try to counter that and work out a way to find space for their three attackers. That might be playing out from the back or playing longer. There is no set way. Finding space in this area then being dynamic. Quick pace, aggressive, vertical. He also spoke about improving individual players technically. Finessing minute details. Body shape, receiving in possession, weight of pass - things that you would expect Championship professionals to know but which can still be refined. Despite having a whole pre-season, there is never enough time - it is still difficult to get all their coaching points across. Training is about making shape, combination play and moves understandable so the players know why they are doing things. On the training ground the mantra is play simple, don't complicate.Pezzolano is big on culture and mindset. He will work closely with the academy and knows it isn't just about the starting 11 or the squad of 20.As always it comes down to winning football matches, and Watford head coaches know that better than most.