Gianfranco Zola feels his Watford players are ahead of schedule in some aspects of their pre-season campaign and believes performances will get better once their fitness improves.

The Hornets boss declared himself “satisfied” with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wealdstone but admitted their performance lacked sharpness.

Speaking after the game which saw Mark Yeates’ first-half goal cancelled out by Stones skipper Wes Parker after the break, Zola said: “As I said before the game, what I’m looking for in games like this is that they try to do what we try to do in training sessions and also add some more miles to the legs.

“They’ve been working quite hard in the last few days so it’s understandable their fitness is not very good, we are not sharp and that reflects on the performances. But I see some good things coming and we just need to keep improving.

“There’s been some good things. The tendency is to look at the result when you see these games but as a manager I see other things and I’m pleased, I’m really pleased. As soon as their fitness condition is better, we’re going to be sharper and all things will change.”

Watford’s best spells came in the first half when they kept possession well, looked to vary the angle of attack and got men forward to support what was effectively a lone striker but the Hornets head coach said: “I’m pleased but you have to keep in mind one thing. When you are short on condition, you’re not sharp. In the last 20 metres you need to be sharp, you need to be quick and it’s something that we haven’t done so far. As soon as we can build up that little bridge, everything will be better.”

Asked what stage he felt preparations were at in terms of pre-season as a whole, Zola replied: “In a certain way I’m ahead. In terms of the way we are moving the ball across the pitch, I’m delighted, and I’m looking forward to improve their condition physically and then we’re going to be better.”