WHUFC.com
The return of several first team players has given Gianfranco Zola a welcome
boost
14.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola has received a lift ahead of the Saturday's visit of
Portsmouth by the return of several key players.
Carlton Cole returns from his three-match suspension while Valon Behrami and
James Tomkins have returned from calf and knee injuries respectively.
Matthew Upson is also fit after recovering from the dead leg he suffered
last weekend against Everton. The positive news was continued as Zola
revealed that Kieron Dyer returned to full training this week after
recovering from the double leg break he suffered in August 2007.
He said: "The only new injury this week is Diego Tristan who is still out
after getting a kick in the reserve team. Nobody else is injured apart from
the long-term players. We are going to have a few of the players back.
Behrami is back, Tomkins is back and it looks good."
Jonathan Spector is also doing well as he closes on a return from his hip
injury and, with Mark Noble only a few weeks away from full training, it
means just Danny Gabbidon and Dean Ashton remain the club's long-term
absentees.
With nearly a full squad to pick from the manager has been working hard with
the squad at Chadwell Heath. "We spoke about the [Everton] game and we saw
the goals. We know exactly what things are working well and we also know
what is not working very well. I know that when you are trying to change
something and establish a new mentality and system - a new way to see
football - things do not click immediately."
The performances of the side have been encouraging of late and Zola is
confident his side's efforts will be rewarded soon. "You have to believe in
what you are doing and I do believe in what I am trying to create here," he
said. "I know what the teams in this and other countries do in training and
I know what we are doing in training is good as them - in many cases better.
We just need to be patient and wait for the result. I am sure that they will
come."
In Tony Adams, Zola will come up against a man he knew well from his playing
days in the Premier League at the weekend and expects the game to be as hard
as the many battles the pair enjoyed on the pitch. "It will be a tough
match. They won the last match and they are certainly confident so it is
going to be a difficult match. I expect it to be a physical game but I think
we are ready to cope with that. We are prepared."
The Premier League table is extremely tight and a win could see West Ham
United move up to tenth. "If you win two games you might find yourself in
the top ten positions. It's very tight around the middle and bottom zones
and it'll be close so we have to make sure we don't get too carried away by
emotions and focus on our game and the table will improve."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Concentration key for Ilunga
WHUFC.com
Having made a real impact for West Ham United, Herita Ilunga is determined
to help the team to an upturn
14.11.2008
Herita Ilunga will come up against some familiar foes this Saturday but will
not let anything affect his focus for the visit of Portsmouth.
The popular DR Congo left-back has been a revelation since his deadline-day
move from Toulouse, where he had been a virtual ever-present the previous
season. Prior to that, he had spent four seasons with St Etienne, where he
established himself as a Ligue 1 performer and was voted player of the year.
This weekend's opposition boast plenty of French connections, with the likes
of Nadir Belhadj, Lassana Diarra, Sylvain Distin, Younes Kaboul, Arnold
Mveumba, Noe Pamarot and Armand Traore within Tony Adams' ranks. "It is
going to be good to see people that I know from before," said Ilunga,
although he will keep any pleasantries until after the final whistle.
"It is such an important game that I have to focus only on that. We can meet
afterwards but the only that matters is to do well. It is very important for
us to get the victory." Ilunga was voted player of the month by whufc.com
users for October. "I am very happy with the way the fans have been towards
me. I have felt an instant connection with them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola lends his support
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola took a trip to Beckton to visit a West Ham United community
event
14.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola took some time out from his busy schedule at Chadwell Heath
to lend his support to a community project run by West Ham United.
The scheme, supported by the Barclays Premier League and the Professional
Footballers' Association, will see 12 youngsters from Tower Hamlets and
Newham trained to be professional coaches.
After briefing the trainees, Zola spent time with the children, who were all
from local schools. Afterwards the West Ham United manager said: "I've had
so much from this game, when you do things like this you feel you are giving
something back," he said. "It is something I encourage everyone to do, my
players but also managers. Right now, as you can imagine, it's quite busy my
time, but when I have the opportunity, it's a good feeling."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Player returns please Zola
WHUFC.com
The return of several first team players has given Gianfranco Zola a welcome
boost
14.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola has received a lift ahead of the Saturday's visit of
Portsmouth by the return of several key players.
Carlton Cole returns from his three-match suspension while Valon Behrami and
James Tomkins have returned from calf and knee injuries respectively.
Matthew Upson is also fit after recovering from the dead leg he suffered
last weekend against Everton. The positive news was continued as Zola
revealed that Kieron Dyer returned to full training this week after
recovering from the double leg break he suffered in August 2007.
He said: "The only new injury this week is Diego Tristan who is still out
after getting a kick in the reserve team. Nobody else is injured apart from
the long-term players. We are going to have a few of the players back.
Behrami is back, Tomkins is back and it looks good."
Jonathan Spector is also doing well as he closes on a return from his hip
injury and, with Mark Noble only a few weeks away from full training, it
means just Danny Gabbidon and Dean Ashton remain the club's long-term
absentees.
With nearly a full squad to pick from the manager has been working hard with
the squad at Chadwell Heath. "We spoke about the [Everton] game and we saw
the goals. We know exactly what things are working well and we also know
what is not working very well. I know that when you are trying to change
something and establish a new mentality and system - a new way to see
football - things do not click immediately."
The performances of the side have been encouraging of late and Zola is
confident his side's efforts will be rewarded soon. "You have to believe in
what you are doing and I do believe in what I am trying to create here," he
said. "I know what the teams in this and other countries do in training and
I know what we are doing in training is good as them - in many cases better.
We just need to be patient and wait for the result. I am sure that they will
come."
In Tony Adams, Zola will come up against a man he knew well from his playing
days in the Premier League at the weekend and expects the game to be as hard
as the many battles the pair enjoyed on the pitch. "It will be a tough
match. They won the last match and they are certainly confident so it is
going to be a difficult match. I expect it to be a physical game but I think
we are ready to cope with that. We are prepared."
The Premier League table is extremely tight and a win could see West Ham
United move up to tenth. "If you win two games you might find yourself in
the top ten positions. It's very tight around the middle and bottom zones
and it'll be close so we have to make sure we don't get too carried away by
emotions and focus on our game and the table will improve."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Portsmouth
BBC.co.uk
Venue: Upton Park
Date: Saturday, 15 November
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport website
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami is back from a calf problem and James
Tomkins is fit again, while striker Carlton Cole returns from suspension.
But Diego Tristan is still out after suffering a knock in the reserves.
Portsmouth could be without captain Sol Captain after he suffered a toe
injury and Younes Kaboul is on standby to replace him at centre back. Glen
Little is back in contention after a hamstring tear, while John Utaka
(virus) is a doubt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Collison, Mullins, Boa Morte, Bowyer, Bellamy, Sears, Etherington, Walker,
Lastuvka, Lopez, Tomkins, Di Michele, Davenport, Behrami, Cole, Noble,
Tomkins, Reid.
Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Kranjcar, Davis,
Diarra, Belhadj, A Traore, Defoe, Crouch, Campbell, Diop, Hughes, Little,
Kanu, Utaka, Nugent, Hreidarsson, Ashdown.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola: "We spoke about the Everton game and we saw
the goals. "We know exactly what things are working well and we also know
what is not working very well. "I know that when you are trying to change
something and establish a new mentality and system - a new way to see
football - things do not click immediately."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Believe
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 14th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has asked supporters to back his vision of a bright future
for West Ham United. The Italian - who hasn't exactly enjoyed a flying start
to his managerial career, having lost six of the nine games overseen so far
- was talking ahead of the weekend visit of Portsmouth - a team who, like
West Ham, have had to deal with a managerial chance in recent weeks after
Harry Redknapp walked out on the club. Zola was quoted in the papers this
week as one of the favourites to receive the chop whilst the Hammers have
been cited as relegation favourites - not a good backdrop in which to ask
supporters for time and patience. But the 42-year-old former international
urged supporters - most of whom have been pleased with recent performances,
if not the results - to give him time as he seeks to exact a complete change
to the footballing philosophy present at the club. "You have to believe in
what you are doing - and I do believe in what I am trying to create here,"
he said, speaking ahead of tomorrow's clash. "I know what the teams in this
and other countries do in training and I know what we are doing in training
is good as them - in many cases better. We just need to be patient and wait
for the result. I am sure that they will come. "If you win two games you
might find yourself in the top ten positions. It's very tight around the
middle and bottom zones and it'll be close so we have to make sure we don't
get too carried away by emotions and focus on our game, and the table will
improve."
Zola also stressed that the squad had been working hard to eradicate the
kind of errors that led his team to capitulate in the space of five crazy
second-half minutes against Everton last weekend. "We spoke about the game
and we saw the goals," he added. "We know exactly what things are working
well and we also know what is not working very well. I know that when you
are trying to change something and establish a new mentality and system - a
new way to see football - things do not click immediately."
And on the game, which sees Tony Adams return to the Boleyn Ground for the
first time as a manager, he added: "It will be a tough match. They won the
last match and they are certainly confident so it is going to be a difficult
match. I expect it to be a physical game but I think we are ready to cope
with that. "We are prepared."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Portsmouth preview
Campbell major doubt for Pompey, Cole back for Hammers
By Claire Hughes Last updated: 14th November 2008
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 0 Portsmouth 1
SkyBet odds: West Ham 6/4 Draw 12/5 Portsmouth 7/4
One to watch: Carlton Cole
West Ham United will have to make a piece of history if they are to halt
their slide down the Premier League table at home to Portsmouth. Pompey have
yet to lose a Premier League match at Upton Park - a record that Gianfranco
Zola's Hammers will be gagging to rewrite. They have lost five of the last
six games and sit in 14th place - just one point above the crowded
relegation zone. The good news for them is that they have Valon Behrami
back in the midfield after recovering from a calf injury. James Tomkins is
also fit again, and front man Carlton Cole returns from suspension. But
Kieron Dyer is still sidelined despite returning to first-team training this
week, and Diego Tristan is out of contention thanks to a knock picked up in
the reserves.
Tony Adams is off the mark as manager of Portsmouth but may have to go for
back-to-back wins without the aid of central defender Sol Campbell. Campbell
had been back in the side after a hamstring problem but now has a toe
injury, meaning that Younes Kaboul is waiting on standby. John Utaka has a
stomach bug, which could mean a second successive start for Niko Kranjcar,
and Glen Little could also start after recovering from a torn hamstring
Adams will be hoping his side can start to show a glimpse of the total
football brand promised by the arrival of Johnny Metgod as first-team coach
- and if they can, they could push into the top six if other results go
their way.
The incentive for West Ham is just as potent though - a win would put them
ahead of Pompey, which makes them at least one team further away from the
drop zone, whatever happens elsewhere.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Behrami, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Mullins,
Bowyer, Bellamy, Cole.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Kranjcar, Davis,
Diarra, Belhadj, Defoe, Crouch.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola holds West Ham crisis talks
Gianfranco Zola has confronted his West Ham players as he seeks to halt a
desperate run of form which has left the club just one point above the
relegations places.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 9:51AM GMT 14 Nov 2008
West Ham have now taken just one point from a possible 18, and suffered a
morale-sapping 3-1 defeat against Everton last weekend despite leading with
10 minutes remaining. "We had a chat and confrontation. That was a positive
thing," said Zola ahead of the visit of Portsmouth this weekend. "Now we
will see whether it gives us positive results. "We are aware of the
situation. We know what we need to improve if we want to end matches on the
winning side. "The players believe in that and they want to react and sort
out the situation. That is encouraging."
Zola, the former Chelsea striker, admits the situation at West Ham is among
the toughest he has faced in his career. "It is a test. It is not an easy
one but I like it," he said. "I have had low moments in my career, bad
moments. But I have always reacted very well. And I am doing the same here.
So I won't let myself down and I won't allow anybody to do that. "A couple
of wins and you can be in seventh place. Once I got the team playing good
football, I did not expect to get bad results. It is a strange situation.
But I don't give up. Despite the disappointing results, Zola says he will
never abandon his football principles. "You have to believe in what you are
doing and I do believe in what I am trying to create here," he said. "I know
what the teams in this and other countries do in training and I know what we
are doing is as good as them. In many cases, better. We just need to be
patient and wait for the result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole issues Pompey warning
by Toby Davis, 14 November 2008
Setanta
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has warned Saturday's opponents Portsmouth
they could be on the wrong side of a battering. The Hammers are in the
middle of an early-season slump and without a win in six games under new
boss Gianfranco Zola. But the striker is adamant they have been unlucky and
sooner or later they are going to turn on the style and dish out a hiding.
Cole told Setanta Sports News: "We have been playing brilliant football. If
anyone comes down to Upton Park or sees us playing away, they'll see we are
playing very attractive football. "I know the manager's happy and
(first-team coach) Steve Clarke's happy, so all the players are happy as
well. That's the most important thing. So as long as we keep demanding high
expectations of ourselves we are going to do well, and it is just about
getting results at the end of the day. "You can see that we are playing good
football and we are just waiting for things to click, but we are going to
batter someone someday."
But Cole knows Portsmouth will provide a tough challenge under their new
manager Tony Adams. Pompey lost their first two Premier League games after
Harry Redknapp quit the club for Tottenham, but got back to winning ways
last weekend at Sunderland. "It is going to be very difficult," added Cole.
"Portsmouth have a very strong side. I know Tony Adams has probably
installed the same attitude he had as a player and we are going to have to
try and lift ourselves and do the same thing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Team news: Sol Campbell doubtful for Hammers clash
Northampton Chronicle
West Ham v Portsmouth
Published Date: 14 November 2008
Captain Sol Campbell could again be missing from Portsmouth's defence for
their Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park after suffering a toe
injury.
Campbell returned for Pompey's last two matches after missing the previous
two with a hamstring problem and Younes Kaboul is on standby to replace him
at centre back.
John Utaka's likely absence with a stomach virus should mean another start
for Niko Kranjcar, who was back in the starting line-up last week for the
first time since an ankle operation in August, while another wide man, Glen
Little is also back in contention after a hamstring tear.
Fellow winger Jerome Thomas will resume full training on Monday following a
back problem.
Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Kaboul, Distin, Pamarot, Kranjcar, Davis,
Diarra, Belhadj, A Traore, Defoe, Crouch, Campbell, Diop, Hughes, Little,
Kanu, Utaka, Nugent, Hreidarsson, Ashdown.
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami is back from a calf problem.
James Tomkins is fit again, while striker Carlton Cole returns from
suspension.
Kieron Dyer has been training with the first team again but it not ready for
a return, and Diego Tristan is still out after taking a knock in the
reserves.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Collison, Mullins, Boa Morte, Bowyer, Bellamy, Sears, Etherington, Walker,
Lastuvka, Lopez, Tomkins, Di Michele, Davenport, Behrami, Cole, Noble,
Tomkins, Reid.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Zola says he's ready to win ugly to stop Hammers slide
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:57 AM on 14th November 2008
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola admits he may have to compromise his football principles to
stop West Ham plummeting down the Premier League table. The Hammers, who are
at home to Portsmouth on Saturday, have earned just one point from a
possible 18 and haven't managed to keep a clean sheet since last February.
Zola still wants his ailing team to try and play the beautiful game but says
he has learned lessons from last weekend's 3-1 home defeat by Everton, when
his team led 1-0 with just eight minutes to go. He said today: 'We had a
meeting this week and spoke about what happened and where we went wrong.
Maybe we could have changed it and it is one of the things we have to try
next time, it could be one of the solutions.' Zola admitted he has been
surprised at his team's poor run of results, especially after the positive
start they made when he took charge. 'I didn't expect them to begin so well
when I came and now I have got them playing good football,' he said. 'But we
have to be stronger than in recent matches.' Striker Carlton Cole is back
from a ban and is likely to replace Freddie Sears tomorrow. Midfielder Valon
Behrami could play after recovering from a calf injury while Matthew Upson,
who suffered a dead leg against Everton, is also back fit.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola says he's ready to win ugly
This Is London
14.11.08
Gianfranco Zola admits he may have to compromise his football principles to
stop West Ham's slide down the Premier League table. The Hammers, who are at
home to Portsmouth tomorrow, have earned just one point from a possible 18
and haven't managed to keep a clean sheet since last February. Zola still
wants his ailing team to try and play the beautiful game but says he has
learned lessons from last weekend's 3-1 home defeat by Everton, when his
team led 1-0 with just eight minutes to go. He said today: "We had a meeting
this week and spoke about what happened and where we went wrong. Maybe we
could have changed it and it is one of the things we have to try next time,
it could be one of the solutions." Zola admitted he has been surprised at
his team's poor run of results, especially after the positive start they
made when he took charge. "I didn't expect them to begin so well when I came
and now I have got them playing good football," he said. "But we have to be
stronger than in recent matches." Striker Carlton Cole is back from a ban
and is likely to replace Freddie Sears tomorrow. Midfielder Valon Behrami
could play after recovering from a calf injury while Matthew Upson, who
suffered a dead leg against Everton, is also back fit.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke is relishing Irons' challenge, claims Zola
6:00am Friday 14th November 2008
Echo
By Rob Pritchard >
WEST Ham United's assistant manager Steve Clarke may be more used to
fighting for Premier League titles than against relegation to the
Championship, but he is fully committed to the Irons' cause. That is the
opinion of his boss - former Chelsea team-mate and Hammers' manager
Gianfranco Zola. The diminutive Sardinian told the press that, far from
being put off by the East Enders' recent winless run, Scot Clarke was
relishing the challenge of helping him put things right at Upton Park.
"After the (Everton) match (which ended in a 3-1 defeat), we had a chat and
he said 'Look Franco, I am very very pleased to be working here. I am
enjoying it very much. It is a difficult moment but we are going to get
through this'. "That tells you everything about the man. "I am very
confident that this will go well as I know that have very good people on my
side."
Zola also revealed that he is not feeling under pressure, despite wild
tabloid speculation over his future at the Boleyn Ground just two months
into his reign.
"It is a test for me," he conceded. "It is not an easy one but I like it.
The good thing is that when I go back home and am feeling a little bit down
I just need ten seconds just to react. "That is the good thing I have had
throughout my career. I have had low moments, bad moments. But I have
reacted always very well.
"And I am doing the same here. So I won't let myself down and I won't allow
anybody to do that. "It is a test for me. But I like it and it will make me
better. "This is not pressure. Come on! I want more pressure! This is okay.
I can handle the pressure."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola aims to create an Italian masterpiece
7:00am Friday 14th November 2008
Echo
By Rob Pritchard >
GIANFRANCO Zola wants to re-create an Italian masterpiece in the Premier
League. The West Ham United manager is planning to draw upon the influences
of the two men who moulded his career as a player - Arrigo Sacchi and Nevio
Scala - to produce beautiful, artistic, successful football. Sacchi guided
Zola and Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, while Scala is credited with
turning Parma from a provincial club into a European force in the mid-1990s.
Both have left a mark on the Hammers' manager that he is anxious to pass on
to his players. "I have had so many managerial influences. Arrigo Sacchi was
one of the most influential as he was very good, especially tactically," he
explained. "But one of the managers I used to look up to was Nevio Scala.
"The way that his team used to play was brilliant at Parma. It was fantastic
to watch. That is what we are trying to do here."
When challenged that playing winning football that was also easy on the eye
was a difficult proposition in the Premier League, Zola responded with
typically positive thoughts. "Yes why not?" he countered. "I think that we
can do that. Why should I not believe that we can in this team an country,
to play that kind of football. "There are many examples of teams playing
good football in this country and competing at the highest level. I won't
give up on my ideas."
While Zola's passion for his footballing philosophy is admirable, it has yet
to produce the right results. But the Sardinian is single-minded and refuses
to believe that his "system" will not work in the end. "At the beginning, I
didn't expect the team to play the way I wanted them to," he explained,
harking back to the stylish Premier League wins West Ham achieved in his
opening two matches in charge. "They've played very well since the beginning
and I didn't expect that. "But once I got the team playing, I didn't expect
them not to get the results, that surprised me. "I don't give up and it's
just a moment that things aren't working well result wise."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola's plea to silence boo-boys
7:00am Friday 14th November 2008
Echo
By Rob Pritchard >
GIANFRANCO Zola has implored the Boleyn Ground crowd to get behind his West
Ham United team during tomorrow's crunch Premier League clash with
Portsmouth.
The Irons have failed to win any of their last six league matches,
culminating in last weekend's dramatic 3-1 home defeat to Everton. As well
as the Toffees' late comeback, that match was also marked by the loud jeers
directed at winger Luis Boa Morte and Julien Faubert, who was forced to play
out-of-position at right-back following an early injury to Matthew Upson.
When Boa Morte was substituted midway through the second period with the
Hammers leading 1-0, he was greeted with boos from sections of the Upton
Park crowd. Six of the Portuguese player's team-mates rushed to give him a
supportive pat on the back, while Zola himself made a point of clapping
above his head to show solidarity with the 31-year-old. And the Italian has
pleaded with those home supporters to think twice before repeating their
jeers against Pompey. "Obviously they have to understand the players," he
told the Echo. "Boa Morte especially is a lovely lad and works very, very
hard all the time.
"Sometimes he can make mistakes but he gives everything and I think people
need to understand this. "Sometimes he doesn't produce his best because he
is under pressure but his attitude is one of the reasons I played him. "For
Faubert it is the same - it is so difficult to perform in those conditions
when you feel that you are under pressure. "My job is also to be on the
players' side when that happens. The players need confidence when they are
on the pitch and I am here to support them."
When asked if the reaction had a negative effect on his players, Zola
admitted his players would think twice about taking the risks needed to win
matches if they thought a mis-placed pass would be met with a barrage of
abuse. But the Sardinian insisted both Boa Morte and Faubert had the
strength of character to come through the difficult period they were facing.
"It depends on the soldier. If the soldier is strong enough he can react but
some people are not the same. It depends on the player," he added. "I think
Boa Morte and Julien can react in the proper way."
One player who has successfully won over the boo-boys is Carlton Cole, who
returns to Zola's squad tomorrow after a three-game suspension. Valon
Behrami (calf) and James Tomkins (knee) are also back, while Kieron Dyer has
returned to full training, but Diego Tristan (foot) is still out.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers hold dressing room inquest to put things right
6:30am Friday 14th November 2008
Echo
GIANFRANCO Zola and his West Ham United players held a dressing room inquest
following last weekend's dramatic 3-1 home defeat to Everton. The Toffees
battled back from 1-0 down with just seven minutes remaining to snatch an
amazing win at Upton Park. The reverse was the Irons' fifth in their last
six Premier League matches - a run that has seen the East Enders plunge into
the bottom half of the table. And manager Zola admitted he, his assistant
Steve Clarke and his players had held a thorough investigation of what went
wrong. "We spoke about the game and we saw the goals," the Italian revealed.
"We talked about it and hopefully we are going to fix it. We know what is
going on. We know exactly what type of things that are working well and we
also know what is not working very well. "We had a chat and confrontation
and I think that was a positive thing and now on the pitch, we will see
whether it gives us positive results or not."
When asked whether the heart-to-heart will have the desired effect against
Portsmouth on Saturday, Zola was typically honest. "I cannot tell you know
but I could tell you after the match," he added. "We are aware of the
situation. We know what we need to improve if we want to end matches on the
winning side instead of the losing side."
Following last Saturday's defeat, Zola told the press it was too early to
start dissecting exactly what had gone so wrong against David Moyes' side.
But, by Thursday, the Sardinian had had time to digest both the performance
and the result and he insisted that everyone at the club was working
together to ensure there will be no repeat of the late horror-show against
Pompey. "It was very frustrating when you come off the pitch and you have to
speak to the players after they have played a match as they had done against
Everton," he said. "Nobody thought that the game was going to be that way
until they scored. That is football sometimes, you have to accept it. "This
week we have worked on those mistakes and we are trying to fix them. The
players know what the mistakes are. The staff knows the same. We tried to
fix them. "On Saturday, we will see whether it worked or not."
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