Gianfranco Zola praised West Ham fans for their support
for him following his first game in charge of the club, in which he
led The Hammers to a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
The Italian took the reins at Upton Park earlier in September
and has had just over a week to prepare his side for their first
game under his guidance.
Things could not have gone any better for Zola, with David Di
Michele bagging a brace in his first start and Matthew Etherington
adding the third.
"The reception was fantastic. The fans were shouting my name but
I couldn't hear a thing - my mind was completely crossed!” Zola
said.
"The fans were very supportive and they have made me feel very
welcome here since I arrived. Hopefully we will get better and
better for them.
"I have been nervous - every single moment of the week, to be
honest, but that is normal because this is the beginning of a new
adventure for me.
"In the beginning you don't know how the players will react to
what you are telling them, But to be honest, they made me feel very
comfortable since I arrived here.”
Commenting on the display of his side, Zola said he was pleased
with the result first and foremost, but that he still had plenty of
work to do with his squad.
"It was okay, as a performance,” he said. “I have to say that
for 70 minutes we were very good, but then we had to concede
something because we were playing a very offensive game, we had run
a lot.
"But I am very pleased with the victory and some good football
as well. We are on the way and I am very proud of the players -
they have been fantastic."
Zola continued: "David could have had a hat-trick and he played
very well. He should share the credit with the other strikers,
though.
"(Carlton) Cole was occasionally up against two defenders today
and he was unbelievable.
"He started playing with me when I was at Chelsea and I feel he
can become much better.
"There are things he can improve on, but he has all the
qualities to play for the national team."
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, the diminutive Italian
said: "We know that it will be a very tough season.
"The top four are really top teams, but it's important that we
improve on what we achieved last season.
"If the players continue working as they have been, they can
achieve that."