Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United left the Hammers one point and one place above the drop zone.

The east London club have won only three matches all season and have conceded 10 goals in their last three outings to increase the pressure on Zola.

The Italian knows they need to bounce back at Birmingham City this weekend and he has called on his players to accept they are in a dogfight to avoid the drop.

"The next two games can really make a difference for us, starting on Saturday," Zola said

"We have to forget quickly about Manchester United because they are on a different level and right now we can't compete with them. Saturday is a big match and we need a very big performance.

"We are in a relegation fight. We have to accept that. We need to make a real effort to get out of this position straight away.

"There are teams with 17 points in the middle of the table, so if you get a couple of wins you can move up quickly. And it is not only difficult for us to get points - it is hard for the other teams around us too.

"We need to find a bit more consistency and it would help to have fewer injuries. We have so many players out."

The Hammers are 12th in the current form table, having won two and drawn two of their last six. But they are perilously close to the trapdoor and Zola is anxious to ease the pressure ahead of the busy festive programme.

He hopes though to be able to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.