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Matthew Upson today claimed West Ham's battling display against Arsenal proves the team are united firmly behind manager Gianfranco Zola.
The Hammers came back from 2-0 down at half time to earn a draw through Carlton Cole's header and a penalty from substitute Alessandro Diamanti.
Zola has been under fire owing to West Ham's failure to win a League match since the opening day of the season but Upson believes the Italian will survive his most testing period in charge.
“Everyone is behind the manager,” said the 30-year-old. “We have been penalised for every mistake we have made this season and it has cost us.
“It was nice to get back in there against a class team like Arsenal — and we possibly could have won it.
“Criticism is going to come your way, especially as a manager, and I am sure he is used to dealing with it. We'll take the criticism on the chin, do something about it and come back in a positive way for him.”
Robin van Persie and William Gallas had given the Gunners a comfortable lead before the home side rallied but the Hammers needed a stunning late save from goalkeeper Robert Green to keep Arsenal at bay.
Upson hailed Green's resilience after his red card for England in Ukraine.
He said: “It was really tough for him because he has waited a long time to get the England jersey, come in and had a disappointment.
“That's what tests you and asks questions about your character but he answered them.”
Arsenal defender Gael Clichy criticised referee Chris Foy for awarding a penalty when Alex Song felled Cole, saying: “On the penalty, I am really sure it is not a foul. The referee is just in front of it and sometimes the decision goes against you. For me it wasn't a foul.”
Reader views (13)
At last the penny has dropped with Zola. Faubert and Noble are not premiership quality.
- Colin, London, 27/10/2009 09:49
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well done irons you deserved at least a point, and i agree with stu both arsene wenger and alex ferguson lack dignity, as soon as their team loses the ref is to blame or too much time was added on or their player was fouled in the build up, the list goes on and on, the pair of them should turn round and admit that on the day they just was'nt good enough.
- Gez, halifax uk, 26/10/2009 13:30
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Doesn`t Dounkani remember a certain Mr Pires who used to quite frequently fall over whenever someone got near him around the box,Arsenal according to many here are the only team who get fouled and roughed up...pity on them..its a mans game so get over it you whimps...you should be more concerned at your weak defence that can Not shut games out.
- Phil, herts, 26/10/2009 13:27
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Doukani????????? pot kettle!!!!!!
- Steve, England, 26/10/2009 13:12
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Yet again we shoot ourselves in the foot - well done to West Ham for battling to the very end. Until we can either kill teams off with a 3rd goal or learn to close shop we will again have a trophyless year. A tough battling midfielder and world class goalkeeper please!!!
- Jonathan, Potters Bar, Herts, 26/10/2009 13:01
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Has anyone else noticed the delicious irony of 'Doukani, herts' complaint about a non Arsenal player falling over too easily ?
- John, Twickenham, 26/10/2009 12:19
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Typical response from you lot, Doukani.
- Stu, Beckton, 26/10/2009 12:02
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I see wenger says that he felt West Ham got some lucky decisions? Really? You mean like not being given a penalty when a player is hacked down in the box? Or when our player gets a second yellow for being fouled?
If he means the free kick for our first, then he should probably note that even if Hines had run into Diaby, he didn't then have to wrestle him to the ground. You may wish to watch that again Doukani - unless you go to the same optician as Wenger, then of course you won't have seen it. And as for the pen that was given, well, if you stick your leg out and trip a player up in the box, then taht's what you get. Again Doukani, I suggest you watch what actually happened once more. And you clearly have no concept of irony if you complain about players falling over when you support a team containing Van Persie, Eboue and Eduardo...
I think that formation we ended the game with (ok, not the actual end as we were down to 10 then, but you know what I mean) should be the one we play from now on - Diamanti behind a front two of Cole and Hines, with Behrami, Collison and Parker behind. Tough on Noble, but he's not exactly been effective of late. Hines in particular has shown no fear at all since he came into the team, and defenders just don't know what to do with him - well, other than usually to foul him...
Stu - Unfortunately, unless the ref says he made a mistake, Parker's card can't be appealed as it was for two yellows. Stupid rul
- Joe, Romford, 26/10/2009 12:02
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How does Noble get to take dead ball kicks?
- Andy, Romford, 26/10/2009 11:39
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I think they should dedicate it to referee mr Foy for two-not one-bad refereeing decitions. First goal definetly no foul. Secondly Carlton was falling like a pack of cards in and around the penalty area until he got his penalty.
- Doukani, herts, 26/10/2009 11:16
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Spot on, Paul, but then did you expect anything else from Wenger? Terrible loser, no grace at all - but it can't rile me today, we fully deserved that point. My Gooner ST holder mate was at the game and agreed with me.
Easily our best game of the season. First half they got in our half three times and two of those led to goals, we had the lions share of the play in terms of where it was on the pitch at the time, but never really once looked like scoring (apart from Cole who had his most impressive game for us so far, he was immense).
Two more mistakes and two more goals conceded. We really do have to stamp out this nervous defending. Everyone’s saying we miss Neill. I’m thinking they’re right.
Diamanti was excellent when he came on and Hines was even better, a real handful for them and never stopped running (oh, and it WAS a foul, Arsene. I saw it with my non-selective vision). Cole was brave as you like for his goal and the penalty was more than deserved. At that point we were possibly the better side, though I thought the Gooners underperformed second half. Not that that takes anything away from us. Hopefully, this will be the turning point we've been waiting for.
What's the score with contesting cards, as no way did Parker deserve that (he, too, was superb yesterday)? I was under the impression you couldn't contest two yellows but Zola seems to allude to possibly doing just that on the O/S.
Well done West Ham. Proud of you.
- Stu, Beckton, 26/10/2009 11:12
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I cannot believe Arsene Wengers comments, he and Alex Ferguson match each other in lacking any dignity when they don't get their way. I was at the match and the referee was as usual, very bias towards Arsenal. West Ham should have had an earlier penalty when Parker was brought down and he should not have been sent off at the end. William Gallas climbed all over Herita Ilunga to score Arsenal's second goal but it was still awarded.
- Paul R, London, 26/10/2009 08:42
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Sadly the team do not possess the killer instinct and that is why they will again be "also rans". Alex Song is improving but his inexperience showed when he fouled Cole when the man had his back to goal. He should have allowed him to continue moving away from the penalty area as there was little danger.
The goalkeeper was at fault with the first goal by simply palming out the ball onto Cole's head instead of pushing it away from the goal. Again inexperience showed.
Wenger needs to address these problems, especially the killer touch, if he has any hope of achieving his own goals.
- Gooner In Spain, Pego, Spain, 26/10/2009 08:29
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