West Ham United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Zola ignores off-field woes

24 Sep 2008 - 09:03:32

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West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola refused to blame off-field problems for his side's 1-0 Carling Cup third round defeat at Championship Watford.

A Hayden Mullins own goal 20 minutes from time settled the issue at Vicarage Road, with the day having already seen the Hammers learn that an FA tribunal ruling could see them forced to pay massive compensation to Sheffield United.

The Blades are seeking a £30million payout over the Carlos Tevez affair, which dates back to the 2006-07 season.

However, Zola said that such concerns were not part of the reason for his side's loss to the Hornets.

He stated: "Let me have these concerns if that happens. It's something the club is handling right now, when the decision is made then we'll make some considerations.

"We have to keep working like this until January anyway and I'm happy to do that.

"I said to the players that it doesn't have to change our positive attitude to the work we're doing. It would be too easy to think everything would be bright.

"I didn't even know about this (the tribunal ruling). I don't want to have any excuses like that."

The Hammers had released a statement on Tuesday evening which confirmed that they were still considering the decision of the FA tribunal.

It read: "The club need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult lawyers before considering the next steps that we might take on this matter.

"With regard to the club's transfer activity this summer, we made no assumptions in terms of the arbitration panel and were only informed of the ruling on Friday.

"Our transfer policy continues to be based on sound football and business principles with the aim of taking West Ham United forward under new manager Gianfranco Zola."