The pair took control of the club last week in a deal which valued the club at around £105million. The former Birmingham supremos have already pledged to give Zola cash for new players, particularly a striker, before the end of the January transfer window. The takeover was music to Zola's ears after the Italian had struggled to keep the side out of the Premier League relegation zone under CB Holdings - their previous cash-strapped Icelandic owners. "I think it's positive for the club," declared Zola. "We are going to have the stability we've been talking about for such a long time. I think it's a positive thing for everybody. We'll see what happens, but it's looking good. "The main thing they've already done is to bring stability and keep all the players we have in the team. We are not selling anybody. "That's a big thing for everybody. Now they're trying to strengthen the team and they're working very hard on that. They want to bring someone in and they're working hard on that." West Ham have been linked with numerous strikers since Gold and Sullivan took charge including Ruud van Nistelrooy although the Dutchman eventually chose to join Hamburg from Real Madrid. The West ham boss refused to elaborate on any of their alleged targets. "I won't talk very much on that because it's work in progress," added Zola. "The club is dealing with that. We had a chat and we think everything is clear. "Now we need to keep working on that. I really can't say too much because we're straight into the middle of a battle. "We've been linked with too many strikers. There are so many. It's pointless for me talking about it. We're talking about good players, certainly. "For me, though, it's only talk. I don't want to get too involved in that. My focus has to be on tomorrow's game against Portsmouth. Many, many, many names. But I rely on the club. They're working to make this team stronger. "I don't know where Ruud van Nistelrooy came from really. We knew we were looking for strikers and I knew it would be difficult. I didn't put too much faith in that move. That's it, really." Zola was also boosted by the return to fitness of striker Carlton Cole ahead of Tuesday's clash with struggling Pompey after the England forward recovered from his knee injury. "Tomorrow he might be on the bench," said Zola. "He's been training with me today and he looks okay. "That's very positive news. It's a big lift for everybody having him back. It's like a new signing, a massive thing for us. He's an important player. But the whole team look very good for me at the moment. "All the players in this club are very much committed to what we're doing. "They were feeling the uncertainty with the speculation around the club. But we're now owned by people who want to keep everybody at the club and are trying to strengthen it. "It is very good for the morale of everybody. I knew there were some problems but I was confident that everything was going to be all right. I'm a positive man." West Ham travel to Fratton Park to face the league's bottom club in a must-win game with the Hammers just four places and five points ahead of Avram Grant's side. They despatched Portsmouth 2-0 at Upton Park on Boxing Day but Zola knows he is in for a real battle on the south coast. "We played them some time ago and it was a tough game," he added. "I'm expecting it to be even tougher tomorrow. But my team is prepared. "Everybody knows this is a big chance for us tomorrow, and they have to show me also that they can perform. I'm looking forward to this game. "Yeah, for them it's certainly a very important match. They'll be fighting hard. They know they're struggling and, for them, the game is vital. We have to match them because we're fighting for our lives as well. It is massive game."
