Gianfranco Zola was full of praise for West Ham United after Saturday's 2-1 win at Fulham made it two wins from two Premier League outings but he is expecting even more in the weeks ahead.
The manager was delighted to see the side record their first back to back league wins since September last year and it was no more than they deserved. Goals from Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington just before half-time meant a second-half Danny Murphy penalty proved academic. "We deserved the victory today," Zola said.
"Considering that we had a few players that weren't in perfect condition. We played a good match and we had a few occasions in the second half to get more goals. We gave away the penalty but I couldn't ask for any more." Zola admitted his side had benefited from Fulham's profligacy in the opening stages but refuted the suggestion that any luck was involved.
He added: "We took our chances. They had some very good chances in the first ten minutes but you have to give some credit to a team like Fulham. They are a good team. They were very prepared. We didn't make any mistakes, especially in the first half. Maybe there was some in the second half with the finishing but I can't say anything to my players."
West Ham United could have made the game safe in the closing stages with substitute Craig Bellamy, Valon Behrami and Cole all going close while the defence held firm at the other end. A smiling Zola did admit though that the lack of clean sheets was "a concern" but he was not too worried. "I can accept [conceding] as long as we score one more than the opposition. I am pleased with the way the defence is playing and the way also they are supporting our attacking side. I can't be too demanding of them."
The three-man midfield of Mark Noble, Scott Parker and the tireless Valon Behrami also got a special mention for their part in helping the team rise up to fifth in the fledgling league table, with the first two surely impressing the watching Fabio Capello. "It is very good for Mark. He is playing very well and I tell you he is still not at his best. Mark Noble is one of the players that physically wise is struggling a bit more than the others. He will get much better in the next few games.
"Parker is playing fantastic, Behrami. Everybody is giving a lot to the team. Etherington as well. I am very pleased the way they are playing. I am sure they are going to get better, you can trust me. I have been working with this team for two weeks. Obviously they know what kind of football I want to play and they are responding very well to my demands.
"As we go on together for longer they will be much better. Consider also that winning away games like this gives them a lot of confidence in what we are doing," he added. Zola has given the players a couple of days off for the first time since his arrival and may also get a deserved breather himself before building up to Bolton Wanderers' arrival to the Boleyn Ground next Sunday.
"I am finding it very tiring," he said, with the smile showing no sign of abating. "I have to calm down a little bit, I realise that." Having seen Cole come through the full 90 minutes unscathed and Bellamy getting a useful 15 minutes, there is plenty of reasons to remain cheerful. "It is a hard job but I am enjoying it very much. I am very lucky. I have got fantastic staff to work with and they are helping me a lot."