Zola admits to doubts over relegation scrap

Posted Saturday, January 16, 2010 by PA

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola admitted he has had doubts over his ability to save the club from relegation.

The rookie manager has found the job at Upton Park much tougher than he expected when he arrived to replace Alan Curbishley last season. West Ham head to Aston Villa on Sunday just one place outside the relegation zone and with uncertainty hanging in the air as the debt-ridden club attempt to find a new owner. Zola's own future remains unclear following reports in Italy that he will be sacked if one of the interested parties, the Cagliari president Massimo Cellini, succeeds with his £100million bid.

"I am going to fight. It is normal that when things are not going in the right direction you doubt what you are doing." the Italian vowed.

"But then I go back in my history and I say: 'Franco, you have been in so many difficult situations' and I have always come through and I rely on that.

"No matter what comes against me, I am going to come through and bounce back. I have no doubt.

"In this job, there are so many things that you need to look after and be good at. Sometimes I have doubted the tactical side, sometimes the psychology.

"I keep adjusting and getting better and better. I want to be top in this job that is for sure. I work on every aspect of the game and one day I will be like that.

"This job has proved to be much more than I expected. I have to push myself and the players to do the best we can in the situation.

"If we get through we will better players and managers. What can I do? I'm not going to bang my head against the wall because of that. I am going to fight."