West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Zola critical of Hammers' start

29 Sep 2009 - 07:27:34

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West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola blamed a sub-standard first-half performance for Monday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The Hammers slipped into the relegation zone on the back of their fourth defeat of the season and Zola was particularly unhappy after his side conceded in the fifth minute to former striker Carlos Tevez and then trailed again 2-1 at half-time.

"It was a game, in my opinion, that we didn't play at all and yes maybe there was a couple of mistakes from the referee but that is part of the game," said Zola, referring to a disallowed goal from Scott Parker.

"But the standard I am expecting from the team is much more and in the second half we were better.

"I am talking about the first half which wasn't good enough and you can't afford to come to places like this and just give presents to the opposition. They will take advantage of the smallest opportunity.

"Unless we improve it is not good enough. No doubt we will improve our position and will ask more of ourselves."