Source: FOOTYMAD
Zola focused ahead of pivotal game
Under-fire Gianfranco Zola has hit back at owner David Sullivan after his criticism of the team by directly refuting his suggestion that West Ham are not a good team. Speaking ahead of the Stoke City game this afternoon the manager told the official site that his players are ready for battle and that they know the importance of the occasion. “We are a good team," said Zola. "We are going through a difficult moment. Circumstances haven't helped us but we need to make sure we show everybody that we are a good team. Saturday is a good opportunity and we are going to do our best." "I am going to keep my head down and focus on the job. We are not happy with the situation and the position we occupy but I can assure everyone that we are trying hard and we care. Even in difficult conditions we are trying to find the focus and the concentration to do a good job." "It is a very important game, we have to win. Everybody at the club is focused on winning the game. We have to win the game as a team, It is the most important thing. Honestly, trust me everyone wants to give 200 per cent but it has to be in the right way." "If I do well, then a lot of things can happen in a good way for the future," "We know the difficulty of the game on Saturday. We know that we will have to produce a fantastic performance. Let's just play football and put in a good performance and make it enjoyable for everybody. "That is why I am here and that is what I am paid to do. At the end of the day we are here and trying to win for West Ham. I think that is the only thing that matters. "It doesn't work to look ahead. You have to take it step by step. Stoke is a massive game and the games we play after will be affected by what we do. Let's crack on and the rest will follow."
