Hammers now have stability, says Zola
The pair took control of the club last week in a deal which valued the club at around £105 million (€120.5m).
The former Birmingham supremos have already pledged to give Zola cash for new players, particularly a striker, before the end of the January transfer window.
“I think it’s positive for the club,” declared Zola. “We are going to have the stability we’ve been talking about for such a long time. I think it’s a positive thing for everybody. We’ll see what happens, but it’s looking good.
“The main thing they’ve already done is to bring stability and keep all the players we have in the team. We are not selling anybody.”
Zola was also boosted by the return to fitness of striker Carlton Cole ahead of tonight’s clash with struggling Pompey after the England forward recovered from his knee injury.
“Tomorrow he might be on the bench,” said Zola. “He’s been training with me today and he looks okay.
“That’s very positive news. It’s a big lift for everybody having him back. It’s like a new signing, a massive thing for us. He’s an important player. But the whole team look very good for me at the moment.’’
West Ham travel to Fratton Park to face the league’s bottom club in a must-win game with the Hammers just four places and five points ahead of Avram Grant’s side.
They despatched Portsmouth 2-0 at Upton Park on St Stephen’s Day but Zola knows he is in for a real battle on the south coast.
“We played them some time ago and it was a tough game,” he added. “I’m expecting it to be even tougher tomorrow. But my team is prepared.”
Portsmouth first-team coach Paul Groves, meanwhile, is looking for his side to continue their weekend momentum tonight.
Pompey claimed a 2-1 win over Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round at the weekend to set up a meeting with south coast rivals Southampton.
While the victory over the Black Cats did not garner three much-needed points, Groves hopes his team will pick up their fifth league win of the season tomorrow night.
He said: “Wins breed confidence and any win in any cup can give us a springboard and something we can build on.
“They’re all big games – especially the home games and especially the ones against the teams in and around us. But this is one we can look forward to on the back of a result and performance like the one we had on Saturday.”
Groves has called on FA Cup hero John Utaka to make the most of an extended run in the team after the midfielder netted a goal in each half.
The Nigerian has made just six starts for Pompey this term but he is set to become a key player in the closing months of the season as the cash-strapped club remains unable to bolster its squad.
Injured players Papa Bouba Diop, Michael Brown, Steve Finnan and Tommy Smith are doubtful for the clash while
Aruna Dindane, Kanu, Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda remain on African Nations Cup duty, so Groves is hopeful Utaka will make the most of his chance to shine.
Groves added: “Other people have been in the team and done well and when John has come in, he has found it difficult or had one or two injuries along the way. But hopefully, John gets a run in the team and shows people what he is capable of doing.
“John has a lot of attributes. He’s quick, strong, he can take the ball on and he can hold people off.
“He can run at people in one-versus-one situations against goalkeepers. He has done very well and there is a lot of ability there.
“John showed what he was capable of doing on Saturday.
“There have been a lot of players who have produced good performances, so it has been difficult for him to get into the team.
“But the situation may change and he may get a run – hopefully John takes that opportunity.”
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