Hammers boss is going to be an axe man

1:42pm Friday 10th October 2008

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IF Gianfranco Zola is concerned about West Ham United's uncertain financial situation, he is not letting on.

Rumours continue to circulate surrounding the Hammers' chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who has reportedly lost in excess of £300million following the nationalisation of Icelandic bank Landsbanki and the collapse of tour operators XL.

And with Sheffield United's £30million compensation claim over the Tevez affair also hanging over the club and rumours of a takeover, there are happier places to be in the world than Upton Park.

Irons' chief executive Scott Duxbury has told Zola that the worldwide financial crisis means he will have to sell players before he can buy replacements in January.

But, despite the plethora of problems, the every-smiling manager himself has insisted he is content to work with what he has got.

"I am more than happy with the squad I have got and when I have got all the injured players back it will be too big for what we need," said the 42-year-old, whose predecessor Alan Curbishley left the club last month after claiming players had been sold without his consent.

"Right now, we don't need any more as we have lots of top players already and my task is to get the best out of them.

"I am happy with what I have got here and I want to get results with this squad.

"I am very pleased with my players and what they are giving me."

West Ham sold more than £20million worth of talent in the summer, with Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil, Anton Ferdinand, George McCartney and Nobby Solano all leaving the Boleyn Ground.

Meanwhile, Freddie Ljungberg's contract was paid-up.

Into their places stepped Valon Behrami - the club's only major cash signing at £5million - loanees Herita Ilunga, David Di Michele and Walter Lopez and Icelandic teenager Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson.

And short-term, low-budget deals could be the order of the day again when the transfer window re-opens in a little under three months time unless Zola is able to off-load a host of unwanted players.

Nigel Quashie is on the verge of joining Birmingham City on loan, while the Sardinian will also listen to offers for Jonathan Spector, Lee Bowyer, Luis Boa Morte, Danny Gabbidon and Hayden Mullins.

However, should the financial crisis worsen, some of the clubs big-name stars could also be put up for sale.