Source: London_Paper
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola targets Europa League spot
GIANFRANCO ZOLA always seems to be smiling, so it?s never easy to gauge exactly how happy he is.
It?s fair to assume, however, that the West Ham boss has mixed feelings as the new season approaches. He wants more goals from his side but key targets Eidur Gudjohnsen and Luca Toni have yet to sign, while Dean Ashton remains on the treatment table.
Luis Jimenez has bolstered the midfield with Radoslav Kovac on his way but, at the back, skipper Lucas Neill has quit and Matthew Upson has been heavily linked with Manchester City, although Danny Gabbidon is back following injury.
But despite certain doubts about personnel, the Hammers are hoping to better last season?s ninth-place finish.
Zola said: "We want to improve on what we did last season. We came close to qualifying for Europe but lost important players to injury at the crucial moments.
"So Europe will be our target, although we know it won?t be easy."
Ashton had been expected to return after missing most of last term with an ankle problem.
But he remains unavailable and his manager admits he feels great sympathy for the England international.
Zola said: "I?m also thinking about Dean Ashton as a person. He is feeling down but we have a very good spirit here and everybody has been trying hard to cheer him up."
Carlton Cole accepted extra responsibility last term and scored 12 goals to win an England place. And Zola insists there is more to come.
He said: "Carlton can get much better this season. He has realised a lot of things about his game and is feeling more secure in himself.
"He is a big asset for us but we can?t only rely on Carlton, we need to have more players scoring goals and we?re working on that."
Zola has great belief that youngsters such as James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Junior Stanislas will continue to make great progress.
"They are mature players," he said. "They know I won?t be screaming at them if they make a mistake. I believe in them and value them."
But the Italian admits that fans will have to be patient with Savio, who was signed for an initial £5m following the sale of Craig Bellamy in January.
Zola said: "He has quality but is really struggling with the heavy expectation on him. We?re still working on the boy but won?t be putting any pressure on him."
Where do you think West Ham will finish this season? Let us know your opinion?
