GIANFRANCO Zola refused to blame Robert Green as the Italian tasted his first league defeat as West Ham boss against Bolton.

Keeper Green dropped two clangers as the Hammers went down 3-1 at Upton Park.

First he dropped a routine catch on th ehalf hour to allow Kevin Davies to hook into the empty net, and then, just moments later, failed to cling onto a low shot which allowed Gary Cahill to bundle in from close range.

Carlton Cole briefly gave the Hammers a lifeline with a headed effort on the hour mark.

But Trotters substitute Matt Taylor wrapped up the points moments from the end with a swerving 30-yard free kick that deceived Green on its way into the bottom corner.

But Zola insisted: "I do not have to say anything to Robert Green. He is a great goalkeeper.

"He has all my trust, all of the team’s trust. Everyone believes in him.

"It has been a bad day, but I am sure next game he is going to save two penalties – football is like that.

"The important thing is that you are always confident in what we are doing, because they are the right things to do for us."

Yet the defeat must come as a reality check for Zola and his team.

The team has been riding the crest of a wave since the Sardinian joined Upton Park in the wake of Alan Curbishley's exit.

And for the opening half hour they looked fully in control against Bolton.

However, they simply lacked the right qualities to break down Gary Megson's well-drilled troops.

"When you find your team playing well, as we were before the goal, you expect your team to score at any moment and instead when it comes from the opposition, that is quite a surprise," said Zola.

The 42-year-old has called on his players need to draw the positives out of the defeat and learn from the experience.

"What this team has to do is improve mentally and learn not to accept it when you go one or two goals down," he added.

"Sometimes, results like this help you improve - it’s one step back and two steps forward."