ZOLA: THERE'S.

Byline: By LEE REYNOLDS

WEST HAM manager Gianfranco Zola has vowed to keep on smiling, but admits a four-game losing streak needs to be ended soon.

The Hammers travel to Middlesbrough today badly in need of a victory to get their Premier League campaign up and running.

But Zola (left) said: "I keep smiling because the situation doesn't worry me.

"I know how the team has been playing and that gives me the confidence to keep on smiling, "I keep telling the players, we need to keep doing the same things as I'm sure a big result will come.

"Maybe it will be today, maybe next week, but I'm sure it will come. My faith comes from the work we are doing, which I know has been very good."

Gareth Southgate's Boro have been lifted by their midweek win over Manchester City, but Zola remains upbeat. He added: "I have been a footballer for such a long time and I know how to value work in training sessions.

"The attitude of the players has been great. They have been very unlucky not to get results in the last few games. I have seen results like this many times before.

"This team is not playing like a team that is going to have relegation problems. They are playing well and just need a bit of confidence. This will come through games and results."

CAPTION(S):

IN THE WAY Gareth Southgate