MATTHEW Etherington today gave his backing to West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola . . . even though he aims to pile more pressure on him when he returns to Upton Park.

The former Hammers winger believes that Zola is the right man for the job, despite a run of five successive defeats have left the London club dangerously close to the relegation zone ahead of their meeting with Stoke City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Etherington says that he will have mixed emotions going back to Upton Park as he looks to help the Potters guarantee their own future in the Premier League with a win.

Although it was Zola who agreed to sell the 28-year-old to City back in January 2009, he said: "I think he is the right man for the job and I hope that he stays in charge.

"I only played under him for three months last season, but it was clear that he and Steve Clarke were a good combination and they brought some good ideas into the team."

He added: "The proof was in the fact that they finished in ninth position last season which was a great achievement, whereas this season there has been a lot of upheaval behind the scenes and they have lost key players who have either left or they have been injured.

"Managers need to be given time, but all too often they don't get it these days. I am sure West Ham will survive and I hope that they give the manager more time."

While Etherington has enormous affection for the Club where he appeared in the 2006 FA Cup Final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium, he will nevertheless be aiming to secure a win at Upton Park that will virtually secure City's own safety.

"I will be doing everything I can to get three points tomorrow, but I also have a lot of respect for West Ham and their fans, so I will certainly bear that in mind if we do come out on top, especially if I was to get on the scoresheet as well," he explained.