Source: Daily_Mail
Zola insists he didn't go at it Hammers and tongs with furious Franco
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has denied having a bust-up with Mexico forward Guillermo Franco. [LNB]Zola substituted Franco during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Sunderland - after the player had scored - leading to an angry reaction from the former Villarreal man.[LNB]It was Franco's third appearance of the season and he scored in the 30th minute but Zola decided to replace him with Zavon Hines with 18 minutes to play. [LNB] Centre of attention: West Ham striker Guillermo Franco leaps to meet a cross against Sunderland[LNB]Regarding Franco's reaction to the decision, Zola argued: 'I don't think he was angry because I took him off. I think he was angry because he miscontrolled the ball a couple of times.' [LNB]Zola has warned his team that they cannot waste a decent first-half performance again in the future, in the manner that they did at Sunderland. [LNB]They allowed 10-man Sunderland to snatch a point. And the former Italy striker indicated that his players may have been overawed by the vociferous crowd - leading them to freeze under pressure. [LNB]Gian the man: Hammers boss Zola[LNB]Sunderland, who were 2-1 down and a man down after 45 minutes, levelled in the 76th minute through Kieran Richardson.[LNB]'It's not possible for the team to play like we did in the first half and then let them in as we did,' said Chelsea legend Zola.[LNB]'That's something we have to correct because it's keeping us in a position that we don't deserve to be in. It's all down to these problems. We have to sort it out.[LNB]'When you are in a position where you are in control against a team that is a man down, we have to keep it that way, no matter what. [LNB]'I believe that in the second half the atmosphere and their willingness and desire to come back impressed us and we didn't play.' [LNB]Zola praised another West Ham forward Carlton Cole, who scored the team's other goal at the Stadium of Light. [LNB]'Carlton Cole is very difficult to handle when he is playing as he is now and he was impressive. I was pleased for him that he scored a goal and he should have got another one but that's OK.'[LNB] LEO'S LONDON: West Ham beware, the money men are out to take advantageTo Hull and back: Curbs emerges as front runner to replace BrownBruce is wrong to comment on our players - fumes West Ham No 2 ClarkeCharles Sale: Poppies growing on Premier League clubsWEST HAM UNITED FC
