O’Neill in supporter row as Zola eases drop fears
WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola insists he is trying to ignore the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership after clawing out of the relegation zone at Villa Park.
A battling draw against high-flying Aston Villa lifted the Hammers to 16th in the Premier League,
albeit only goal difference above 18th-placed Hull.
And Zola is hopeful the club’s future will be resolved early this week, as four suitors vie to buy out current owners CB Holdings. “I don’t know anything. To be honest I shut my door to that and focused on the game,” said the Italian. “Hopefully something will happen on Monday because I think it is important that we have that kind of stability. Everybody will benefit from that.”
Zola’s decision to drop livewire striker Alessandro Diamanti for an extra midfielder helped to stifle the home side, who lie sixth but have dipped in recent games.
Martin O’Neill’s men have taken just one point from their last three league games and the manager attempted to laugh off a verbal exchange with supporters behind his dugout.
“It was my brother,” joked O’Neill. “I told him not to say anything. I’m not so sure this is really a big issue. It does not concern me. The issue was we were unable to score a goal.”