Zola eager to tame Tigers

Gianfranco Zola is confident his West Ham United side can extend their unbeaten run to seven matches on Wednesday evening.

The Hammers host Hull City aiming to complete a fourth consecutive home win in all competitions, having overcome Stoke City, Barnsley and Fulham in recent weeks, but Zola knows his players will have to work hard to beat the Tigers. With his team in such fine form in both the Premier League and FA Cup, the manager is optimistic that United will have enough to overcome Phil Brown's men at the Boleyn Ground.

"It's going to be a tough game because Hull City, especially when they are away from home, are well-organised and tough to beat so it will require a special performance from us. The squad is confident. The team is playing well. They now know their qualities and their capacities and I'm sure they will play a good game.

"Hull are a tough team. Especially when they play away from home, they all defend. It is a team who try to put many players behind the ball and make it hard for the opposition, plus they are very dangerous on set pieces. It's not going to be a comfortable game for us but we like what we're doing and want to extend it for as long as possible."

Zola has been delighted but not surprised by West Ham United's recent results. The Hammers went seven matches without a victory in October and November, when the team was often not rewarded with the points their performances warranted. Now, with positive results being regularly achieved, the manager said the entire playing and coaching staff were full of confidence heading into Wednesday's match.

"I'm pleased that all I said about this team previously when we were losing games has been confirmed. I always said this was a good team and playing well and there would be a time that we would be getting points instead of defeats and so it has been.

"The best thing of all is that every single point we have won so far has been deserved. We are playing well and getting the results - that is the best feeling you can have. The players know it and their confidence is going up so much that it's looking very good for us."

Zola has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Hull, with only long-term absentees Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon, along with Kieron Dyer, who is receiving treatment for a calf injury, unavailable.