Zola hits back at Harry snub

Gianfranco Zola has told his West Ham youngsters they can reach the same heights as Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, contrary to Harry Redknapp's recent comments. Redknapp was at the Upton Park helm when the likes of Ferdinand, Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick came through the ranks. The current Tottenham boss claimed last week that the current crop of Hammers talent is nowhere near the same calibre as the former stars. But Zola has hit back at Redknapp's snub and has told the likes of Mark Noble, Freddie Sears and James Tomkins they can emulate the exploits of their predecessors if they combine hard work with their footballing ability. "I believe when Rio or Lamps or Joe Cole were coming through they were just promising. Then they improved," the Italian said. "What I said about my players is that it is just down to them. If they work hard every day and keep the right attitude they can do that. "Maybe Harry has more experience than me and can see forward more than me. But I believe everyone owns their own destiny. "When I started playing football there were a few that said I wouldn't become the player I was but they didn't know what my attitude and mentality was. "I believe that if my players have the attitude they can become important players. "If they push themselves hard and believe in what they do they will go beyond the limits that people are putting on them now." Zola, however, has played down his impact on the young trio this season and feels managers cannot take all the credit for youngsters coming through. "I would like to say that if they achieve something it is down to me but it is not like that," he said. "I can only show them, then they have to move on and it is totally down to them. "I don't know what Harry meant when he said that. As far as I'm concerned I will always be there showing them the line but the work is down to them."

Source: SKY_Sports