West Ham co-owner David Gold insists Gianfranco Zola will remain as manager even if the Hammers lose to Stoke at Upton Park on Saturday.

The Londoners have lost their last five Premier League games, including a 3-1 home defeat by Wolves on Wednesday, and sit one place above the drop zone.

Asked if Zola would stay regardless of Saturday's result, Gold told BBC Sport: "Absolutely, no question about that.

"Franco's our man. We've got confidence he will get us out of trouble."

Gold also stated: "I'd rather be us than Portsmouth, Burnley or Hull.

"We are in trouble, there is no denying that we're on the brink and the next seven games are cup finals. But all is not lost.

"Franco's determined to do his best and I'm content with the way things are."

Gold's co-owner David Sullivan publicly criticised the team's performance after the midweek defeat in an open letter letter to fans, posted on the club's website, calling it "shambolic" and "pathetic".

However, Zola responded by saying he thought it may do more damage than good in the long term.

"The owner is entitled to his opinion because he is the owner," said the Italian.

"I was very disappointed and he [Sullivan] will know that although I have not spoken to him directly.

"You have to be careful how you use those words because sometimes they can be painful and cause more damage than you can imagine."

However, he insists he has put the outburst from Sullivan and the mounting speculation surrounding his future as manager to one side to focus on Saturday's visit of Stoke.

Zola, who succeeded Alan Curbishley in September 2008, said: "It is not pleasant. But I am not going to retaliate or answer back.

606: DEBATE I just want to plead with everyone who goes to the game to be as one in getting behind the team throughout the whole of the game BoleynBernie

"I will keep my focus on my job, I have a responsibility and will turn it into a positive thing for me and players."

Sullivan and Gold, who took over the Hammers in January after leaving Birmingham, have called for the fans to get behind the team, which has slipped to 17th in the Premier League table.

And that sentiment was echoed by Zola ahead of the visit of a Stoke side that has won only two games away from the Britannia Stadium this season, although they have also secured draws on seven of their 14 trips so far.

"I can understand the frustration of the fans, because the team is not doing what people expected," he said.

"It is just about faith. West Ham is our team and we have to be supportive for 90 minutes.

"After that, we can express an opinion if we have not done a good job.

"But when the players are on the pitch, we all have to be supportive and the players need to feel we are behind them."

Zola feels the players will not need much encouragement to banish the demons of the midweek mauling by Wolves.

"The good thing is that I do not need to motivate the players with a team talk, because they have already had one," he said.

"We know that we have to produce a fantastic performance against Stoke.

"We need to make sure we show everyone we are a good team.

"I am not happy with the situation, the position we are in, but everybody is trying very hard.

"We care and are trying to find focus in a difficult position to do a good job for the club.

"While I can see that I can so something good for this club, I am not going to walk away."

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