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Zola tells Sullivan he is damaging West Ham's cause

Gianfranco Zola will not quit Upton Park © Getty Images

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Gianfranco Zola has warned West Ham co-owner David Sullivan his criticism of the team could have caused "damage" to the struggling side and that the time for talking is now over as the Hammers seek to preserve their top-flight status.

Sullivan decided to write an open letter to supporters on Thursday in which he described a defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers as "shambolic" and "pathetic", and warned that "nobody at the club should delude themselves that we are a good team".

Later in the day, Zola instructed assistant Steve Clarke to tell Sullivan he was barred from attending a team meeting at the training ground, causing further tension in what has been a difficult relationship. In February, Zola was also forced to respond from comments from Sullivan in which he suggested that the playing staff should prepare for a 25% pay cut.

On that occasion, the team responded by beating Birmingham but ahead of a game that could decide his future on Saturday, Zola is concerned that Sullivan's latest comments could have done more harm than good.

"The owner is entitled to have his opinion and express it, because he is the owner," Zola said. "However, when you use those words, you have to be very careful how you use them because sometimes they can be painful and cause more damage than you can imagine, and that could be the case.

"How will the players be feeling? I was very disappointed and he will know that, although I have not spoken to him directly. It is not pleasant. But I am not going to retaliate or answer back.

"I will keep my focus on my job, I have a responsibility and will turn it into positive thing for me and players. I will keep my head down and focus on the job. Now we just have to focus on playing, and stop talking."

Zola and his team also felt the force of supporter antagonism during the Wolves defeat and striker Carlton Cole had to be pulled away from a fan following the final whistle. Zola has appealed to the club's fanbase to be supportive of the team on Saturday though as West Ham seek a vital win.

"I can understand the frustration of the fans, because the team is not doing what people expected," Zola said. "It is just about faith. When things are not going well, but West Ham is our team and we have to be supportive for 90 minutes.

"After that, we can express an opinion if we have not done a good job. But when the players are on the pitch, we all have to be supportive and the players need to feel we are behind them. We know that we have to produce a fantastic performance against Stoke.

"The good thing is that I do not need to motivate the players with a team talk tomorrow, because they have already had one."

Despite suggestions that a defeat to Stoke could spell the end of his time at Upton Park, Zola is adamant he will not quit West Ham. The club are currently three points clear of relegation after a run of five successive defeats.

"While I can see that I can so something good for this club, I am not going to walk away," Zola said. "A lot has been happening, but if I can be helpful, then why shouldn't I be here?"

Co-owner David Gold has dismissed suggestions that he and Sullivan are looking to push Zola out of the club, as well underlining that his partner was within his rights to criticise the team.

Regarding claims that the owners do not see Zola as a long-term option, Gold told Sky Sports News: "That's outrageous. I've just spent an hour with Franco and Steve Clarke. They're absolutely determined to do their very best, and you can feel the passion that they display about the football club. I'm very content with the way things are being prepared for this big game against Stoke."

Gold added: "I haven't spoken to him (Sullivan) but he's entitled to them (his comments), he's an owner. Whether it's right, whether it's wrong, each of us must make a judgment. We're all different, we approach these issues differently. We are our own people. We do what we believe is in the best interest of the football club.

"Some like the way I do it, some like the way David Sullivan does it. That's the way it's been. It worked in 17 years at Birmingham and I'm sure it will work here. I don't think it's my place to ask David Sullivan to behave any other way than he feels fit.''

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