'It is down to us'

Victory at Hull City would provide everyone at West Ham United with a "big boost", according to manager Gianfranco Zola.

The Hammers travel to the KC Stadium eager to record the win that would take them out of the Barclays Premier League's bottom-three. While Zola's players have been performing well in recent weeks, the manager said a three-point haul would fill his team with confidence.

"It would be massive because a win like that would give everybody a big boost. It's as simple as that. In this game, the confidence and psychological side is so important. It makes things completely different. A win would be great for us."

The manager also pointed out that, while he is aware of a need to climb the league table, he, his coaching staff and his players are fully capable of stringing a series of victories together.

A year ago this weekend, the Hammers ended a run of seven winless matches by scoring a 2-1 success at Sunderland, and Zola is eager for history to repeat itself.

"I feel that probably we should have had more points, but I also feel that if we are there it is down to us. Certainly, on some occasions we could have had some more points, but we are doing some mistakes and we need to correct them.

"The players know that and it is down to us to make up for it on the pitch. We cannot keep saying we have been this and been that.

"The good thing is that we're doing exactly the same as we were last year. We were on more or less the same points and last year, as soon as we turned it around, we did very well. The situation is the same, but we need to turn it around quickly, otherwise it becomes more and more difficult.

"The players have the ability to do that, but we just need to convert it on the pitch."

Zola welcomes Carlton Cole back into his squad after the in-form England striker missed the home defeat by Everton with a minor hamstring problem, and the boss believes his presence could make the difference against the Tigers.

"Carlton Cole is massive for this team. He is an important player. When he's in the team, everyone feels better. He'll be vital for us."