- Premier League
Zola takes blame for West Ham woe
Gianfranco Zola has insisted he alone will shoulder the blame for West Ham's current plight.
The Hammers were beaten 3-1 at home by fellow relegation rivals Wolves on Tuesday and the Upton Park faithful turned on the players after the game - chanting "you're not fit to wear the shirt".
Striker Carlton Cole was seen remonstrating with a fan at full-time as tempers flared, but West Ham boss Zola feels the fans should point the finger at him rather than his players.
"I think that chant is a little unfair because the players they tried everything," Zola said. "The players did their best but in a disjointed way and it made it very difficult for us. They played as individuals.
"That is very, very painful for me because it is my duty to correct it. The team is not playing very well and I take responsibility for that. If [the fans] want to pick up on somebody they must pick up on me because I am responsible.
"If they want to chant something they must chant about me. They have to leave the players because they belong to West Ham, they are working for West Ham and they are committed to West Ham. If they want to pick up on somebody they must pick up on me.
"Last year when we were playing well, I was getting compliments. I took the compliments, I can take the criticism as well. But they should leave the players.
"My concern is the team and I have to make sure they react in the right way. I have a long night in front of me to think about that."
The pressure is mounting on Zola, with the club just three points above the drop zone, as new owners David Gold and David Sullivan had earmarked the clash with Wolves as a "must win" contest for survival.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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Premier League 2020/21
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 38 | 27 | 5 | 6 | +51 | 86 |
| 2 | Man United | 38 | 21 | 11 | 6 | +29 | 74 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 38 | 20 | 9 | 9 | +26 | 69 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 38 | 19 | 10 | 9 | +22 | 67 |
| 5 | Leicester | 38 | 20 | 6 | 12 | +18 | 66 |
| 6 | West Ham | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | +15 | 65 |
| 7 | Tottenham | 38 | 18 | 8 | 12 | +23 | 62 |
| 8 | Arsenal | 38 | 18 | 7 | 13 | +16 | 61 |
| 9 | Leeds | 38 | 18 | 5 | 15 | +8 | 59 |
| 10 | Everton | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | -1 | 59 |
| 11 | Aston Villa | 38 | 16 | 7 | 15 | +9 | 55 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | -16 | 45 |
| 13 | Wolves | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | -16 | 45 |
| 14 | Crystal Pal | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | -25 | 44 |
| 15 | Southampton | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | -21 | 43 |
| 16 | Brighton | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -6 | 41 |
| 17 | Burnley | 38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | -22 | 39 |
| 18 | Fulham | 38 | 5 | 13 | 20 | -26 | 28 |
| 19 | West Brom | 38 | 5 | 11 | 22 | -41 | 26 |
| 20 | Sheff United | 38 | 7 | 2 | 29 | -43 | 23 |
