6:04pm Friday 5th March 2010
WEST HAM’S match against Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park on Saturday is worth ‘double’ points, according to manager Gianfranco Zola.
Three points against another of the Hammers’ relegation rivals would allow the club to breathe easy for the first time in months.
The game also gives the team the chance to right a ‘bad tradition’, that has seen West Ham lose on each of their previous five outings against the Trotters. The last two encounters ended in 3-1 defeats in both the Premier League fixture at the Reebok and in the Carling Cup.
“These points are very important because not only are you getting all three points, but you are denying your opposition that is in a similar position to us three vital points,” said Zola. “They count for double for me.
“I think it’s a massive, massive game. You play the game both on and off the pitch because you have to be fully prepared and 100 per cent sure that you have mentally prepared for the game.
“On paper, Bolton is not an easy game for me because they’ve always done well against us, but it’s another story on Saturday. They are trying to play differently and we shall see what happens. We are determined to break that bad tradition.”
Zola also recognised the importance of making the team’s home games count, with two tricky away days at high-flying Chelsea and Arsenal to come in the next two weeks.
“Because we have tough games away from home, obviously our home games are vital and more important, but we have to be too careful not to give them too much importance, because I don’t want the players to put themselves under too much pressure.
“We need to play the game with a lot of focus and attention, but not be nervous. Then we go and play teams like Chelsea and Arsenal and who says we’re going to lose to them? Last year we got draws in both games and we could have won at Chelsea. In football you never know – you don’t start games knowing you have already lost.
“They will be tough matches, but I tell you, this is a year when there have been so many surprises.”
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is trying to instil an attacking philosophy in his new charges, but Zola remains entirely focused on what his players will do on the day.
“For me, the way they play is not important. It is not down to me to decide how they play and, to be honest, I’m not bothered too much. As long as we play the way we should play and win the game, that is the most important thing.
“It’s never nice to watch other teams. It’s very important that we focus on ourselves and make sure we collect the points that we need. I always like to think this way.
“I prefer to do what needs to be done and what the others do is another thing. I can only worry about what I can determine, not what others do. For me, I always like to think that I can handle my own destiny, rather than the others.”
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