Noble hails heartfelt team-talk by Zola to inspire West Ham's draw with Chelsea

21 December 2009 10:58
Mark Noble insists West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola answered his critics with a passionate team-talk ahead of Sunday's battling draw against Chelsea.[LNB]Italian Zola has been accused of lacking the experience and strong mentality it takes to come through a relegation dogfight in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]But midfielder Noble was impressed by the former Chelsea star's words at training on Saturday as he rallied his troops before the 1-1 draw at Upton Park. [LNB] Getting stuck in: Noble (right) gave everything for his manager[LNB]'He spoke to us and said some words that you could tell were coming from the heart,' midfielder Noble told the London Evening Standard.[LNB]'It wasn't to make us feel good or play better, it was coming from the heart. You don't normally see that. Sometimes it's a little bit fake to get you going but you could tell he was really saying what he felt. It was nice to see and I think the boys showed that for him.[LNB]Battle cry: Hammers boss Zola[LNB]'Did we give him an extra 10 per cent? Yes, because he's such a good man and you put your body on the line for him in every game. It's nice to feel that way about your manager.[LNB]'I bet if you speak to a lot of players in the Premier League it doesn't really feel like that. But we have to crack on and get some more points. It's great not to be bottom at Christmas and we've got Portsmouth next. That's massive.[LNB]'We've got some good teams at home and if we play like we did today in our away games then I'm sure we'll pick up points and gradually climb the table.'[LNB]Only Portsmouth sit below the Hammers in the table after Alessandro's Diamanti's penalty was cancelled out when Frank Lampard scored a spot-kick of his own. [LNB]Pompey arrive at Upton park on Boxing Day before Zola takes his side to London rivals Tottenham.[LNB] Hammer blow for Zola as old club Chelsea lead the chase for freebie ToniWest Ham 1 Chelsea 1: Blues get in a spot of bother as Carlo Ancelotti rues missed chanceWest Ham owners Straumur going cheap as Gold and Sullivan prepare bidGianfranco Zola insists: I must be the one to blame for West Ham's demiseCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail