TF90M wonders with the storm clouds starting to lift from Upton Park whether West Ham fans are looking ahead to a brighter future.
A couple of months ago we investigated the ‘curse' that continually hits West Ham United with injuries, transfer regulations and financial problems all continuously striking blows to the club. Although the Carlos Tevez saga is still raging, and probably will do so for a considerable amount of time, the appointment of Italian Gianfranco Zola as manager seems to have given the London side a much needed boost and the ‘curse' that the team were under may just have been lifted.
After the weekend's victory against Sunderland, The Hammers now have their sights set on European qualification and importantly the team is playing football reminiscent of how Zola himself used to play. With Junior Stanislas netting on his first senior start after a slick team move, the team's confidence appears to have increased, the side seems to be moving forward and the young players are proving their worth.
The goals from Stanislas and James Tomkins, who has been at the club since he was 8, sum up why West Ham fans are flocking to applaud their Italian manager. Zola said, when appointed, that he respected the club's traditions and academy successes and despite not being one to boast, after the team's most recent victory, the former Chelsea man stated "Tell me if this is something I didn't say at the beginning."
It seems if Zola can get the best out of the academy players this will not only delight the fans but also the new board who will not need to splash out as much on new acqusitions if the talent keeps coming through.
West Ham have always boasted a good academy structure, and it seems as if Zola, despite some initial scepticism, may be the right man to lead West Ham forward. A tough game at White Hart Lane follows on Saturday, although if they can beat their city rivals Tottenham, Europe will be a definite possibility and as Zola says "we are trying everything possible to achieve that."
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