West Ham's Matthew Upson claims everyone at Upton Park maintains full faith in Gianfranco Zola.
Hammers centre-back sounds support for boss and Green
West Ham defender Matthew Upson claims everyone at Upton Park maintains full faith in manager Gianfranco Zola.
The Hammers boss has come in for criticism following a disappointing start to the season where his side have failed to win since the opening day at Wolves.
West Ham battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with high-flying Arsenal on Sunday to raise morale, but they remain in the Premier League relegation zone.
Zola, who took over last season, has therefore been heavily scrutinised, but Upson insists that the Hammers squad are backing their chief.
"Everyone is behind the manager," said Upson. "We have been penalised for every mistake we have made this season, and it has cost us.
He added: "Criticism is going to come your way, especially as a manager, and I am sure he is used to dealing with it.
Display of spirit
"We will take the criticism on the chin, do something about it and come back in a positive way for him.
"I think we can take a lot of positive belief out of this. It was a display of spirit in the team, because we were down and out of it at half-time.
"No-one expected us to get back in the game, but we hung in there and ground it out."
England international Upson has also praised the way his fellow World Cup hopeful and club team-mate Robert Green has come through a testing period, which saw him sent off in Ukraine.
"It was really tough for him because he has waited a long time to get the England jersey. Then he came in and had a disappointment," said Upson.
"That is what tests you and asks questions about your character, but I think he has been answering them."
