Source: SKY_Sports
Zola - Pre-season is crucial
Gianfranco Zola is well aware that West Ham cannot afford to waste pre-season training if they want to improve on last season.
The Hammers narrowly missed out on a place in the maiden Europa League after finishing two spots and a couple of points behind seventh-placed Fulham in the Premier League last term.
It is expected that the Upton Park outfit will be keen to improve in 2009/10 and will aim to secure a place in Europe, and Zola is determined to make pre-season count in order to improve the probability of meeting that target.
The Italian - who took over as boss from Alan Curbishley last September, missing the vital preparation time before the campaign - is well aware of the benefits that a training camp in Austria and participation in the Asia Trophy could bring.
West Ham appeared to run out of legs in the closing stretch of 2008/09, losing two of their last three league games and conceding six goals in the defeats, and Zola believes positive pre-season training can have long-term impacts.
He told WHUTV: "I had a very, very good rest and like everybody else, I recharged my batteries to start the new season.
"This is the most crucial time of the year.
"We need to make sure we work well because it will have a lot of benefits in the future."
Zola added: "It feels very good to be back. We are here very much willing and ready to start this new season.
"We have a lot of enthusiasm and are looking forward to getting started."
West Ham begin their Premier League campaign at newly-promoted Wolves on 15th August.