Source: Team_Talk
Zola warns Cats to expect a scrap
Gianfranco Zola has warned Sunderland to be prepared for a scrap on Saturday as West Ham continue their fight for Premier League survival.[LNB] West Ham proved they are still willing to fight for their lives last weekend as they ended a run of six straight defeats with a spirited draw at Everton.[LNB]West Ham's previous two performances, the home defeats to Stoke and Wolves, were so poor that chairman David Sullivan branded the first "pathetic" and the second had prompted Zola to consider resigning.[LNB]But at Goodison Park, West Ham finally showed the character Zola demanded of his men as they twice hit back from a goal down to earn a confidence-boosting draw.[LNB]Zola believes West Ham may have finally lifted themselves off the canvas - but he demanded his men show the same hunger for the fight against Sunderland.[LNB]"What we saw the other day against Everton was a different spirit and I am looking forward to seeing that tomorrow," said Zola.[LNB]"We are going to fight for every single ball on the pitch, at every single opportunity we will have to be on top of them and that will make a big difference.[LNB]"Against Everton we were more aggressive, more organised and that was a big difference. It was effective.[LNB]"The team found themselves behind twice and came back both time, which shows that nobody wanted to give in to the difficulties.[LNB]"What was missing against Stoke and Wolves doesn't matter any more for me. It is past, it his history. What is important is what we can give tomorrow.[LNB]"If we can play with a fighting spirit and the passion we did against Everton then things will go well for us. Tomorrow we go on the pitch with a new life.[LNB]"Before the game we will make sure they are fired up."[LNB]West Ham are one point above the relegation zone but could benefit from the fact that nearest rivals Hull and Burnley play each other tomorrow.[LNB]"First of all it is important we win our game and then we will look at the other results - a draw would be a good result over there but most importantly we need to win our points," said Zola.[LNB]"It will be tougher without Scott Parker, who is suspended, but the players know the importance of the game tomorrow and everybody will give more. "[LNB]When Zola decided against resigning after the Wolves defeat, he kept to his plan of giving the players three days off.[LNB]He was criticised for it at the time but Zola was confident that a short time away from the pressures of a relegation battle would help everyone concerned.[LNB]"Considering the result we got against Everton, it worked. I am looking forward to seeing if it works even tomorrow. If so then maybe we will do it again," he laughed.[LNB]Valon Behrami is set to replace Parker in the West Ham midfield while Guillermo Franco is available to partner Carlton Cole up front while Alessandro Diamanti will come into the selection equation after shaking a groin injury.
