I AM writing in response to several letters, in particular, J Harbour, Laurence Goodman and Richard Glenister (Letters, October 5 and12.).

If you feel so inclined to barrack the current management team, then please do me, and all true Watford supporters, a favour stop coming to the games.

The problem with Watford is we are too quick to want to revert to days gone by and live on past glories.

Sir Graham Taylor has retired, and left us with a legacy of wonderful memories that I will cherish for the rest of my days.

Apart from his honorary position on the board, he has all but severed his ties with Watford. He has more involvement with Aston Villa than he does with us.

It's now time to move on and stop looking back.

As for Luther Blissett and Kenny Jackett, both are beloved heroes of mine and I have had the pleasure of meeting them, but they would not be successful now.

We only have to look back at the season prior to our Second Division championship, when Mr Jackett was team manager, to see how dire the team was.

Also during that season, Mrs Harbour, I recall a home game against Chesterfield where the play was dreadful and we lost 2-0. Certain sections of the home crowd almost came to blows (strange how those days are not mentioned in our glory days).

The situation was so bad it forced GT back into team management.

A wonderful example of how fickle and pathetic we Watford fans are is how Neil Cox was barracked by sections of the crowd last season. This season, he was transfer listed and is now a darling of the fans.

Whereas last season Gifton Noel-Williams was hailed as a returning saviour, this season the fans dread his name on the teamsheet.

With this in mind, why should the board, and all true Watford supporters, take you three seriously?

I understand the game of football, I have an awareness of tactics, systems, and formations, and what Mr Vialli is trying to do is absolutely spot on.

Thankfully, gone are the days of 'lumping' a 60-yard ball in the general direction of our forwards and hope our centre forward flicks it on for the speedy strike partner.

It is tired and predictable (as Sunderland are finding out).

Mr Vialli is trying to play football, keeping hold of possession, staying patient, probing the opposition defence and waiting for the right opportunity. It is the simple premise that if you have the ball then the opposition cannot score.

Granted there have been some 'teething' problems, but we will turn the corner, I have no doubts (and many true supporters agree).

When that day comes (and it will) the three people named above should not be welcome at Vicarage Road.

I, for one, will support the team through thick and thin and have absolute faith in Mr Vialli.

Tony Gagliardi, Croxley View, Watford

October 26, 2001 15:51