Source: SKY_Sports
Zola out to wreck Reds hopes
Gianfranco Zola has challenged his West Ham players to stay on course for European qualification by claiming victory over Liverpool.
The Hammers currently lead the chase for seventh place and Zola believes a win and a draw from the final three games of the season should be enough.
The Italian tactician hopes his side can do better than that and has set his sights on a win over title-chasing Liverpool on Saturday.
"It's looking more than likely that four points is going to be enough," said Zola.
"We are going to try to make sure we do more than that but four points should be enough.
"We are just saying we need four but we are going to try to get nine - that is the approach we have."
West Ham have not beaten any of the top four sides since Zola took charge but he is confident that can change at Upton Park this weekend.
Zola does accept, however, that Liverpool are extremely dangerous opponents on their travels and will be difficult to stop.
Determined"In my opinion they are a team you'd rather play at their home as if you look at their record away it must be one of the best in the Premier League," he comented.
"So it is a really tough match for us but my players are determined to beat one of the really top sides.
"We played Manchester United at home and Chelsea at home and we went very close and were unlucky. We keep trying as we lost against those teams but we learnt a lot from them and we are confident that Saturday is going to be a different game."
The Hammers battled to a 1-0 victory at Stoke last weekend, with Diego Tristan curling home an excellent free-kick to clinch all three points.
Zola added: "It's going to be another tough match and a completely different game and that is what the Premier League is all about.
"You play a game against Stoke City, which is a very difficult game, and then you have another one which is a completely different kind of game and you have to change your mental approach and your tactics.
"But I like it, it is another opportunity for us to beat a top team and also it has got double the value that if we win this game we have a great chance to get into Europe."