West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been manager for 12 months and his long term aim is for the Hammers to challenge the established teams at the top of the Premier League. "I believe in this project just as much as then (12 months ago)," Zola told the London Evening Standard. "We have confidence in what we're doing and we believe we will succeed.

"I know there have been many problems over the last year and probably that has slowed down the process but I am patient. I am not in a hurry and I know we are going to get there.

"It is a medium or long-term project and it involves working with the young players and one day, hopefully, challenging the big teams.

"It is very difficult and very ambitious and I don't hide this fact but I believe that, in life, you have to be ambitious and if you try your best, work hard enough and you're lucky, maybe you can achieve your goals."