Under-fire manager Gianfranco Zola has been given the vote of confidence by the West Ham board, despite the dismal run of results in recent weeks. The Hammers are only one point off the danger zone, following five straight defeats; their worst run this season. "We're 100% behind the manager. There will be no changes," West Ham co-owner David Sullivan said. Appalling Sullivan conceded that Zola's team cannot afford to repeat the performance of the most recent defeat to relegation rivals Wolves, who won 3-1 at Boleyn Ground. West Ham, where plays Egyptian Mido, will host Stoke City at the weekend in another crucial game for Zola. However, Sullivan doesn't believe that changing the manager in resemblance to Amr Zaki's Hull City will do the team any benefit. "We all had a chat with him [Zola] after the game to see how he felt about things," said the former Birmingham City owner. "We realize the performance was absolutely appalling. We can't play like that again, and I'm sure the manager will be making changes for Saturday. I'm sure it will be a much better performance. "That game is significant but it's one game out of seven. But, at the same time, I don't think bringing in an Iain Dowie mark II will make us a better team." Earlier this month, Hull sacked Phil Brown and appointed Dowie in an attempt to save the team from relegation.
