THE times are changing in the east end with the arrival of Gianfranco Zola as the new West Ham United manager.

The Italian took charge after the defeat to Premiership newcomers West Bromwich Albion and he won his first match in charge at the weekend as the Hammers overcame Newcastle at the Boleyn.

So far this campaign, West Ham have won all of their home league games but have come unstuck on the road, losing twice so far.

One of Zola's first moves was to appoint his old coach at Chelsea, Steve Clarke, the well-respected Scotsman and ex-Blue, was a popular figure in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge.

His experience will be vital to Zola, the Italian also has two ex-players amongst his ranks with terrace favourites Kevin Keen and Ludek Miklosko as first team coach and goalkeeper coach respectively.

This is Zola's first managerial job in England

Italian striker David Di Michele made his full debut against the Toon Army and bagged two goals - his presence up front will boost an area which has been struck by injuries to Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy.

Zola has a large squad on his hands, which includes plenty of promising young talent, some of which we may see tonight.

Alan Curbishley left the hot seat at the Boleyn after disagreeing with the board over the sale of players. Defenders Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney left before the transfer window slammed shut in deals worth over £12m.

Despite the loss of those two players, new manager Zola still has a strong squad at his disposal.

The Hammers have suffered somewhat of an injury crisis over the last year, leaving the likes of Kieron Dyer, Bellamy and Ashton on the treatment table. But the new manager will hope to see players recovering as he assesses the quality of his squad.

TEAM NEWS
Striker Carlton Cole will miss out due to a minor foot problem - he will join Ashton (ankle) and Bellamy (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Dean Ashton's injury problems continue

Freddie Sears may well be involved tonight and there is a strong possibly that Zola will include a couple of the new generation. Marek Stech, Bondz N'Gala, Jack Collison, Kyel Reid and Junior Stanislas are all names in the frame.

LAST TIME THE TEAMS MET
It was back in February 2007 in the Premiership at the Boleyn Ground. Darius Henderson kept his cool to slot home a spot kick to notch his first league goal during a long, hard season for the ex-Gillingham striker.

The Hornets fielded ex-Hammers Malky Mackay and sub Moses Ashikodi, while the home side featured Calum Davenport, who later had a short spell on loan at Vicarage Road before a horrific injury cut his time short.

The Golden Boys completed a successful double over the Hammers in 2006/07, Anthony McNamee's acrobatic effort sealed a victory just a matter of weeks earlier in the in FA Cup, again at Upton Park.

HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have met a total of 35 occasions, with the east Londoners having the superior record.

We have to go back to 1984/85 for the last time the 'Orns beat the Hammers at Vicarage Road.

It was an emphatic 5-0 win, with John Barnes hitting a double, Luther Blissett, Les Taylor and Colin West finding the back of the net. 

HORNETSBET
Home win - 11/4
Draw - 23/10
Away win - 10/11

Will Hoskins to score first and Watford to win 2-1 - 90/1.

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