Gianfranco Zola was full of praise for Jack Collison after his first goal for the club nearly won the home game against Everton on Saturday.
West Ham United were leading until the 83rd minute, when the visitors shocked the home fans by scoring three goals in four minutes to snatch victory in a game West Ham United largely controlled. Collison, who appeared as a first-half substitute for the injured Matthew Upson, caught the eye of his manager in his first senior appearance at the Boleyn Ground after four away run-outs in the past year.
"Jack Collison was very impressive today," Zola said. "He came on in the first half and has done a great job and on top of that he scored a fantastic goal. I think Freddie Sears has played very well in the opening 45 minutes as well. That is very good for me and for the morale of the players, so it's a positive thing to look at."
It was the second week in row that a goal in the last ten minutes has cost the side a win and a clean sheet - after Mido's late leveller at the Riverside Stadium on the previous Saturday. Zola said the determination was there to get the results that the promising play deserves. "We have to look at the good things we are doing and make sure we do them for 90 minutes.
"We have to improve on what we are doing well and extend it until the end and that's what I'm going to be focusing on during the week. It's something concerns me very much right now ...we need to find a solution because it is really a pity that in the last ten minutes we spoil 80 minutes of a good job."
Zola revealed that Matthew Upson "isn't too bad" as the early indicators are that he has only suffered a dead-leg and should be in contention for the visit of Portsmouth next weekend. He also has the positives of Carlton Cole's return after a three-match suspension, while Valon Behrami should also be in contention after recovering from his calf strain.