Gianfranco Zola refused to blame keeper Jan Lastuvka after West Ham lost to Watford.
Mullins own goal condemns Italian to first defeat as Hammers boss
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola refused to blame keeper Jan Lastuvka after a Hayden Mullins own goal condemned the Italian to his first defeat in charge.
Watford progressed into the fourth round of the Carling Cup thanks to the winner 20 minutes from time from a Lee Williamson free-kick.
Lastuvka, making his first appearance for the Hammers, dived over the dipping cross, with the ball hitting Mullins and trickling over the line.
But the keeper had previously kept his side level with saves to deny Tommy Smith and Jordan Parkes.
"I can't tell him (Lastuvka) anything because he made a fantastic save before he was very unlucky," said Zola.
"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."
Zola refused to blame the defeat on the tribunal ruling earlier in the day which could cost the club £30million.
There are concerns a hefty fine could eat into funds for players, but Zola added: "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 (with this squad) until January anyway and I'm happy to do that."
Boothroyd reaction
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd did not feel the stroke of luck for the winner made up for the phantom goal his side conceded against Reading at the weekend.
He thought there may have been a conspiracy when Peter Walton - who gave a penalty against Watford two years ago when the ball struck Chris Powell's head - was named as a late replacement for Kevin Stroud as referee.
"I did smile when I saw it was him. I thought we'd get Peter or Kevin Friend, who didn't give the goal in the play-offs," Boothroyd said.
"There are no hard feelings and you hope at some point in your life you get the rub of the green. But it doesn't make up for Saturday. Not after that. We're due a bit more luck.
"Keith Stroud was ill so we had Peter, who I know because he gave a handball for a 'faceball'. I saw him at a service station after the game in a toilet and told him he made a howler - but he is a very good referee and he did well again."
