9:40am Monday 8th March 2010
By Marc Iles
GIANFRANCO Zola reckons West Ham’s slow start cost the points on Saturday.
The Hammers boss admitted Wanderers were the better side but lamented his own team’s performance.
He was disappointed with West Ham’s defending, although he paid tribute to the physical problems posed by Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander.
West Ham’s defending was calamitous throughout, with James Tomkins and Matthew Upson unable to handle Davies and Elmander.
Zola said: “I’m disappointed. I wasn’t expecting that. Nobody was. The way we started the game determined the result.
“They were better than us and took advantage of their opportunities. That was the killer really. It’s our fault.
“It wasn’t James’ (Tomkins) best game. But when Johan and Kevin are playing like that it’s not easy. James has potential. He needs to work on his game.
“We had opportunities but by then it was too late. We lost points today and I told the players we have to go and get them back somewhere else.”
West Ham travel to Chelsea next weekend and then face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium but Zola is not overawed by the challenge.
“I don’t care if we’re playing Chelsea or Arsenal,” he said.
“Last year we got a point in both games, so you never know. I’m not going to go there already beaten, that’s for sure.”
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