LUCA VIALLI will not give any clues about his line-up as he prepares for a match. In fact, assistant manager Terry Byrne revealed more often than not, the team is not picked until 1pm on the Saturday.

However, there are some limitations to the degree of changes that can be permed, as he still has several players injured, and, then again, after three successive victories is it wise to change the team because of one defeat?

"We have got to pick ourselves up for the Bradford game. I am sure that Bradford will have the spirit of revenge as they approach this game as we outplayed them down here. So it will take our mental strength to go and play there," said Vialli.

"We have two very tough games, but I hope we can show how tough we can be. I thought we were getting there, but, unfortunately, we did not prove to be as mentally strong as I would have liked for the match with Forest.

"We know that if we want to survive and be the best, we have to pick ourselves up whenever we lose a game and use it to our advantage, talking about mistakes, but forgetting about the performance and moving to the next one."

Forest had obviously done their homework on the Hornets, checking Micah Hyde and taking control of for long spells.

Acknowledging this, Vialli said: "I think there are two parts to the game: when you have got the ball and when the opposition has got the ball.

"We ask the players to work particularly hard when we are in possession. When you have got the ball you have to keep on making runs and there is no chance to rest take a breather as you say.

"If you work hard when you haven't got the ball to close the opposition down then it is a bit difficult to work hard when you have got the ball because you feel a bit tired. At the moment we have to balance the two.

"I feel the way we pressed Forest, we were running a lot, but not getting any joy whatsoever because they were moving the ball around so well and we were wasting energy. Then, when we got the ball, we did not seem to have enough energy to put them under pressure, to make forward runs and to break them.

"When we made a couple of mistakes, our confidence dropped and a few players were not prepared to accept the responsibility and play the ball."

On Tuesday, October 23, at the press conference, Vialli was asked what constitutes a successful season?

He replied: "To finish the season knowing we have given our best. We know we should have done better so far and we can do better in the future, and then we will see if it is enough to get in the play-offs. As long as we don't finish with any regrets.

"It is always a learning season as a manager and as a player. You have to learn all the time."

There is an irony to Vialli's disappointment at the defeat by Forest. Watching from one of the boxes at Vicarage Road last season, he watched Watford beat Forest 3-0 and made up his mind to come to Vicarage Road.

Chelsea's Jodie Morris was spotted in the stand on Tuesday, prompting speculation that he is about to join Watford.

"Rubbish," said Byrne this week. "He is a friend of mine and because of our connections with Chelsea, we talk regularly to people on the phone and if they can get to a game, they pop down to see us.

"Dennis Wise has been down before now and Jodie came down on Tuesday, to see us and take in a game. That is all there is to it."

October 26, 2001 16:14

Oliver Phillips