West Ham United-Hull City Preview

Nov 19, 2009 - 5:01 PM GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - West Ham striker Carlton Cole wants to plunge Hull manager Phil Brown a step closer to the sack on Saturday after setting himself a ten-goal pre-Christmas target.

Cole missed the Hammers' 2-1 defeat at home to Everton a fortnight ago because of a hamstring injury but will be fit for the trip to the KC Stadium.

England World Cup hopeful Cole knows he needs to add to the six goals he has scored so far to enhance his chances of earning a place in Fabio Capello's squad for South Africa next summer.

"I started running on Thursday and it has gone well," Cole said. "The Everton game was a bit too soon but now I can focus on Hull and try and get a result there. I will be back fit.

"I am trying to play well and stay up there with the top scorers in the Premier League.

"All I can do is keep tucking them away and hopefully I can progress and get to ten before Christmas, because that is my target.

"I always appreciate the fans. The fans are obviously happy and I can feel the vibes when I'm at Upton Park. I'm pleased that they appreciate what I'm doing."

Just one point and one place separates the two sides in the relegation zone and the pressure is beginning to mount on West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola.

The Italian is confident he his team have enough quality to get themselves out of trouble.

"Am I worried? No because I think we can certainly improve the situation," Zola said. "I am concerned obviously, as is everyone around West Ham, but we are going to fight until the end. We want to find the solutions and find them as quick as possible.

"I'm confident and I trust the players. I believe they are the best in the Premier League for me. We are determined to make a difference, so that is the point.

"Their attitude, which is probably the most important thing, is right and that is a guarantee.

"We can do it but we must all, including myself, look for solutions for solving our problems.

"A team that plays as well as we do has to get more points, so there are a lot of things for us to work on."

While the spotlight is beginning to turn towards Zola, Hull boss Brown claims the pressure on him has eased after a job-saving 2-1 win at home to Stoke last time around.

There was widespread speculation Brown would have become the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season had the Tigers not won.

While he knows the threat of the axe remains, Brown says Hull's confidence has soared as a result of that victory.

"I think since beating Stoke we're seeing less pressure, but more confidence where the players are concerned," he said. "When you ask the players to play football, you have to play with confidence and we are seeing a little more confidence. Hopefully we can carry that into the West Ham game and get another good result."