West Ham will survive believes ex-Iron George Parris
West Ham legend George Parris is backing Gianfranco Zola to get the club out of the relegation dogfight but they need to start getting results now.
Parris feels Zola's men must kick-off their revival with victory over fellow strugglers Hull City this Saturday and beat Burnley the following week.
He said: "They really need six points from the games against Hull and Burnley. That's very important.
"It's turning into a difficult season but they've got to hang in there. They need to get the rub of the green and they just haven't had that recently. But there will be occasions when they don't play well and pick up three points.
"West Ham have got some good players so they will string some good performances together. There's plenty of games left so there's no need to panic. It's still early stages."
Parris, 45, (pictured above in his West Ham playing days) was a popular figure at Upton Park, making 300 appearances for the Irons in an eight year spell at the club in the 1980s and early 90s.
He has himself moved into management, taking the reins at Sussex County League outfit Whitehawk last year. He's enjoying the role and revealed he wouldn't mind a stint in the West Ham hotseat one day.
He said: "If you ask any ex-player they would always love to go back to their club. I'll never say never, but certainly not at the moment as I'm enjoying life a lot right now. But, who knows? Maybe at the right time and place and the chance to manage West Ham arose I would love to do it.
"But it's going alright at Whitehawk. We won the league cup last year and we're doing well this season. We're top of the league and hopefully we'll win promotion."
Parris still keeps in touch with events at Upton Park and acts as a matchday host when his managerial commitments allow. He also stages an annual end-of-season football tournament for children at the ground.
Before then he's heading to South Africa to coach children as part of a project organised by the Bobby Moore Fund. He will be joined by former England striker Luther Blissett and the two footballers will also be helping build a school.
He said: "My school building skills aren't quite as good as my football skills but we're going to give it a go. It's a very worthy cause and I had no hesitation in accepting the challenge."
George Parris, Luther Blissett and Stephanie Moore are among 40 participants in the Bobby Moore Fund's Project South Africa next March.
If you fancy joining the trip or would like to take part in a future project visit bobbymoorefund.org.
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