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Gianfranco Zola
Time for a change: Gianfranco Zola has had to get tough with his players

Gianfranco Zola gets tough with West Ham players

Ken Dyer
2 Oct 2009


Gianfranco Zola has revealed how he has been forced to add a harder edge to his management style this week as West Ham prepare for Sunday's massive match with London rivals Fulham.

Zola, who has seen his team claim just one victory in the League so far this term, described the performance in the first half of Monday night's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City as "the worst we have played so far this season".

As a consequence, the Hammers squad have seen a "different side" to the Italian this week.

He explained: "I like to adapt and I am willing to change if necessary. I want this team to be successful and I am ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

"What I meant after Monday's match was that we are not doing enough. We have to pull something out which is better than what we are doing. That includes everyone, the players, me.

"Every night before I go to sleep I always think 'What can I do better?' Just by thinking that I have started the process of improvement.”

The Italian promises that there will now be no let up in his approach until results start to turn around on the pitch.

“I am going to be more focused and more demanding of the players. I am going to be on top of them until they get it right,” he added.

The good news for Zola is that Matthew Upson, who has missed the last two matches with a calf problem, should return.

The Hammers boss said: “This is a testing period for us and from the results so far, we obviously don't like easy starts.

“We are pushing hard though. We just need a couple of results and things can change, starting on Sunday.

“I have told the team what I thought and I am expecting a very good reaction against Fulham.”

Welsh international Jack Collison is still missing with a knee problem while Mexican international striker Guillermo Franco, signed on a one-year deal, is still not fit enough to be included.

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