Andy Gray - Sky Sports Expert

Big job for little Zola

Hammers won't go down, so let Zola learn his trade

Posted: 21st November 2008 13:34

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Gianfranco Zola

Zola: smiling less

It was interesting when he came in that he said he wanted his players to always have smiles on their faces. Well, results dictate whether you're smiling or not in this game and it has been noticeable in the last few weeks that there's been a lot more seriousness about Gianfranco Zola.

Andy Gray
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West Ham may not have won any of their last seven league games, but I don't think the supporters should be too concerned about the start that Gianfranco Zola has made to life at Upton Park.

He is one of those young guys determined to make his way in the coaching game; he was looking for somebody to give him a chance and West Ham did that. He knows it's a big job and he knows there isn't a lot of money available to him - but what he does have is an awful lot of players to choose from. He now has to find out what his best team is, what his best system is and go from there.

That is not something you can do overnight. This is not like Harry Redknapp walking into Spurs; Harry's been in this league for a long time and will have known Tottenham's players and formed an opinion on them before he got there.

For Gianfranco things are a little different. He's been out of the English game for a little while now and I'm sure his knowledge of West Ham will have been limited in that respect. Therefore it's going to take him a little longer.

He's learning as he goes along and I don't think he'd have a problem with me saying that. Obviously he has the experience of being a top-level footballer and he will have learned a lot coaching the Italian Under-21s, but he will also know that this is a totally different ball game. I still believe the Premier League is the toughest both to play in and to manage in and he is finding that out the hard way.

He still needs to figure out which players he wants to keep and which he wants to dispose of. We might see some movement in and out of West Ham during the transfer window and that will be testimony to what Gianfranco has learned in the period he has been in the job.

Deserves

I think Gianfranco deserves time to go through that process. People might say his appointment was a risk, but there are 10 teams who could potentially be involved in a relegation battle this season and you could argue that keeping any of those managers is risky.

I just believe that if they were confident in him when they gave him the job then they should leave the job with him, even if he has to spend a year learning the ropes. That is part and parcel of giving a young manager the job and if they give him time to mature he will be much stronger in the second season.

Would I be panicking if I was a West Ham fan after their poor run of form? Absolutely not. The one thing Gianfranco Zola knows is that he has quality players in his squad.

Perhaps they're not always fit - as is the case with the likes of Dean Ashton and Kieron Dyer - and that doesn't help, but I still think there's enough good players there for them not to worry too much about relegation.

Of course, he needs to get his tactics right and we'll see him experimenting with the players he has over the next few months. He played a 4-3-3 against Portsmouth last week, but I'm sure we'd see him adopting a different system if he had the likes of Dyer and Ashton available.

I guess there will always be pressure on him to play attacking football because West Ham was built on the tradition of giving their fans entertainment. The fans want to see their team playing in a certain way and if that's the case then they've got the right man to do that.

He was a complete footballer in his playing days and if he coaches the game in the same way as he played it, then West Ham fans can have no worries about their team not playing wonderful, attractive football.

Concede

One area that needs to be addressed is the defence. To be leading 1-0 against Everton with eight minutes left and to concede three goals is simply not good enough.

They've had to chop and change due to injuries and I don't think he's had his first-choice back four playing together very often. It is very important for any team to have stability in that area and the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have built their success around that.

Gianfranco hasn't had that yet and that will limit his progress. I would like to think that will come with time because he'll know how important it is not to concede cheap and easy goals in the Premier League.

It was interesting when he came in that he said he wanted his players to always have smiles on their faces. Well, results dictate whether you're smiling or not in this game and it has been noticeable in the last few weeks that there's been a lot more seriousness about Gianfranco Zola.

That's because he has already felt the huge pressures of managing a Premier League club. Every team has an expectation of being the best and West Ham are no different. In fact, the pressure is perhaps even greater at Upton Park because so many people in the written press support the club and keep the team in the spotlight.

But what I would say to those West Ham fans who are getting a little bit twitchy is this - let little Zola get on with things. Let him learn more about the job, let him learn more about West Ham and let the players learn what he wants from them.

Give him a January transfer window and a close season to shape the squad in the way he wants it - and then start to judge the man next year.

Comments

Colin Hunt (West Ham United fan) says...

Yeah I do agree with all the comments, and I think if Clark can stay along side him for that all important bit of expiriance that obviously Zola lacks at this stage, after a time it could be a good combination.

Posted 18:50 23rd November 2008

Mike Tricker (West Ham United fan) says...

Season Ticket holder in the west stand. What I can honestly say is that I'd rather see us lose in the zola style than watch Curbishleys teams. It was a tough choice backthen watch west ham or watch paint dry... Sometimes the matt emulsion was more exciting.

Posted 10:47 23rd November 2008

Tony Sheldrake (West Ham United fan) says...

I totally agree with Andy's comments and would also like to thank him for finally having something positive to say about the Hammers. We could never be described as one of his favorites.

Posted 06:11 23rd November 2008

Ian Wooldridge (West Ham United fan) says...

Andy is right (for a change) give Zola a chance and the good times will come. We need to tighten up at the back for sure, it comes to something as a supporter when your happy with a clean sheet. Also goals win games and they a few and far between. We can't keep on waiting on the likes of Ashton, Dyer etc. The one's who are playing need to start scoring. A good clear out is required for sure, Bowyer, Davenport and Boa Morte to go is a good start, as the youth coming through is far better and play with more spirit and passion. Its OK spending millions to stay safe, but a couple of results can make our season start to look more rosey. Give the italian master a chance and with Clarke as No2 we'll be pushing for europe next year, or maybe this one. Come on you IRONS

Posted 02:31 23rd November 2008

Garry Osullivan (West Ham United fan) says...

im not so sure about the current direction we are heading in , you only have to look to 2 seasons ago , and look how tough it is to get out of trouble . If the current bad run was to continue then , especially looking at the upcoming difficult fixtures then we could be in the bottom 3 around xmas time . Then you are really looking at what happens next , and im sure you will hear the call to get rid of Zola which would push the current boardroom into making a decision on this . Who knows what then ? Bilic or Pardew again!! Mark my words whatever happens the West Ham fans will probably suffer a lot yet before the season ends , so whats new!! what the outcome will be this time is anyones guess , maybe Tevez on loan from January to end of season would do nicely!! PS.. Pardew was a legend for what he achieved with us , and Bilic coming in on January would probably have been the boards first choice!!

Posted 21:53 22nd November 2008

Bluey Folwell (West Ham United fan) says...

once again your spot on!! however i also think that there are a few players that need to have a long hard look at themselves,with recent performances it is a shame zola can't dust his boots off,i am sure even now he could show a few players a thing or two!! there are worse teams than us but we cannot rely on ego's.the players dont look fit ,the defence..what defence.all said and done "come on you 'ammer's!!!

Posted 21:35 22nd November 2008

Michael Marshall (West Ham United fan) says...

Andy, I agree with you comments. What I think most people have forgotten is that the bad results have come against teams teams that are much stronger than ourselves such as Arsenal, Man Utd and dare I say it Everton. Our result against Bolton was somewhat of a freak one as Rob Green gifted them 2 goals (better luck next time Rob). Looking at the other ones in the prem we did ok against Middlesborough who have been in fairly decent form up until today and did ok against Portsmouth (again Portsmouth have some decent players in their line up). I would however slightly disagree on what you said about the defence. You are right that the defence does need to improve and tighten up - however the strikers need to start hitting the back of net. I don't care what team you are, if you're strikers are not taking their chances then the team are always liable to concede at least one or two chances to the opposition and if they take their one then game over! I don't get to as many games know days as I like so tend to listen to lots of them. One of the games I listened to was the West Ham V Everton game .We were bossing this game for 80 mins and we should have scored more goals - I think if we had scored 2 it would have been game over for Everton. However as we don't score enough it puts added pressure on the defence - remember the defence did their job against Portsmouth - but what about the strikers!!!! Come on lets have some goals! Mike

Posted 21:00 22nd November 2008

Terry Barrow (West Ham United fan) says...

Totally agree. I would like to know what Nani is doing though, with no money to spend what do we need a director of football for. I assumed we would be linked to a few young Italian players but haven't heard a name. He brought in Di Michele but he's hardly Di Canio.

Posted 19:45 22nd November 2008

David Eaton (West Ham United fan) says...

Im afraid i really fear for us at the moment. Im a season ticket and have been for many years. We look dodgy at theback specially at set pieces and going forward every time the last ball in the final third is the problem, if we cant score goals we won win matches. We do miss deano, cole doesnt score enough, Bellamy has worked out yet, Tristan is always injured and our owners are bust. So yes im very worried

Posted 08:03 22nd November 2008

Jack Clayton (West Ham United fan) says...

I disagree to be honest. I think we're in big trouble. Ashton's out for most of the season and I think the lack of a decent target man is gonna cost us, I don't really see where the goals are gonna come from. And why did we sell Ferdinand and McCartney? Thats half our defence, it won't seem like such a good deal to the board if we end up going down! I like Zola but he is inexperienced and we can't really afford to have a novice at the helm with the league so tight. We have no money to spend and although the board have said we don't need to sell, if someone comes in with a big bid for someone like Rob Green or Bellamy I can't see the owners turning it down. I hope I'm wrong, I feel we may survive but we're gonna be in the scrap no question. Brace yourselves my fellow Hammers!

Posted 23:54 21st November 2008

Rob Cooper (West Ham United fan) says...

I agree with what Andy has said. West Ham are becoming a better team and are playing well together, and although it might not be time to worry yet, I think its the frustration that gets to us WH fans because we know we're better than this. Yes, the defeat to Everton was right to cast doubt over the defense, but I feel that it seems to be the case of not having the right finishing. We can play good football and move the ball about in midfield, but we lack a power striker. With Deano, more often than not, injured and Bellamy seeming to prefer to play and score for Wales, we are lacking that special something upfront. Note to Zola, please find us one or two good, consistent strikers.

Posted 20:37 21st November 2008

Courteney Peter (West Ham United fan) says...

I agree with andy's and everyones comments, Zola does need time, to question a managers position 10 games into his reign is absurd. However I can see that if a few more bad results come our way (especially another Everton) we will all be chanting CHELSEA OUT! at the boleyn ground. What I'm worried about mainly is our finance, I don't like the manager and board coming out and saying we don't need to sell our top players because we all know what happens after a public announcemount or 'vote of confidence' is stated, usually the opposite. If any of Ashton, Green, Bellers and Parker leave we're in toruble, especially with having the worst injusry record. Am not worried yet as early in the season and only 4 points separate the bottom half of table so agree 10 teams are battling, but I think the month January will determine which way we're heading.

Posted 18:00 21st November 2008

Mark Atkinson (West Ham United fan) says...

I was not aware that our fans were twitchy with relation to the manager. I would heartely agree with Andy G. I also agree that overall WHU seem to be playing better more entertaining football. The confidence in a new style takes time to build, and when it does all click, I am sure the team will drive on to a mid to top half finish. I really do not understand where the likes of ML on the BBC gets his opinions from. I do not think the team are in trouble. I also accept the fact that this is a poor run, but half of the last 8 games we have played really well only to be undone by some schoolboy errors. Iron those out and Bobs your uncle. Come on Mr Zola, you have our support.

Posted 17:55 21st November 2008

David Askew (West Ham United fan) says...

Much depends on the January transfer window. If we can somehow avoid selling our better players, move on the fringe and reinforce in key areas, then we should survive for another year. What worries me most is that we seem to be playing well, yet losing. Or at least not winning. With 3 points for a win, we must win at least 10 more games to be within a safe distance, having already drawn a few. C'mon Zola let's get 10 wins and it doesn't matter if you lose the rest, so experiment, risk the younger lads and have some fun.

Posted 17:01 21st November 2008

Jake Rose (West Ham United fan) says...

I firmly agree with your comments and honestly believe West Ham have become a better overall team! Zola needed a chance and he we gave him it! Trust me he will pay the fans back! We are missing Ashton alot and Zola needs to bring in his own players! We just need to wait and see because at the end of the day we cant just keep changing are manager every other year!

Posted 15:32 21st November 2008

Michael Perkins (West Ham United fan) says...

As a West Ham fan i am not worried yet and agree with Andy. A couple of wins can drastically move you up the table and i feel there are worse teams than us in the league. Don"t Panic!

Posted 15:14 21st November 2008

Chris Millward (Liverpool fan) says...

Andy,i firmly agree with your coments.I would hate to think a great club likr west ham would be in trouble,however what does scare most hammers fans they do not have the capital to buy them selves out of trouble .My message is simple come on you irons stop dreaming of the passed glory days wake up and start fighting for your super manager Zola

Posted 14:55 21st November 2008

Dominic Reafer (Hull City fan) says...

Hear Hear

Posted 14:42 21st November 2008

Rehaan Rajasab (Manchester United fan) says...

I think, given time, zola can turn west ham around.after all he is mainly using Alan Curbishleys squad. in january he will slowly bring in players he likes and also next summer he will bring in players that suit his philosophy of playing football such as flair players.... maybe not this season but definitely next season they will be challenging for a place in the UEFA cup. In the january market zola will look to bring in more defensive players to help shore up the defence and make a strong finish towards second half of the season... then next summer he should have the funds available to buy the kind of players he wants and this can help him steer the club to the next level.

Posted 14:33 21st November 2008

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