Zola has held team meetings this week to sort out the problems that have led to six games without a win, while Adams has been picking up the pieces at Portsmouth after Harry Redknapp left for Tottenham.

The Barclays Premier League's two most inexperienced managers come face to face at Upton Park this weekend, with Zola admitting both men face a challenge to impose their own styles.

"We want to change the mentality a little bit and the way that we play," said the Italian. "And to do that we have to work on other people and make them understand that what you are doing is good.

"It is not easy sometimes. But it is something that makes you much better. Finding ways to get other people to do what you are saying is a great thing to do."

There was a sharp contrast between the pair when they were playing - Zola was the imaginative playmaker and Adams the wholehearted stopper.

They faced each other when Arsenal and Adams won the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup in Denmark, courtesy of Alan Smith's winner.

Adams got the result he wanted again against Zola when England travelled to Rome to seal the draw England needed to reach the 1998 World Cup.

"I remember the first time I played against Adams," said Zola. "I was playing for Parma. It was the Cup Winners' Cup final in 1994.

"I watched the video before and I had a feeling that he was very tall, and I am small and quick and I am going to run off them all the time: I am going to do good.

"When I played the game, it was so tough as he was not only strong but intelligent also. He could read and anticipate my run and what I was doing. I was very impressed by him then. Then I saw him for England and it was worse!

"He has always been a tough opponent, I would say one of the best defenders I played against. Tough but honest and fair."

With that in mind, Zola is expecting a physical clash against Pompey.

"It will be a tough match for sure," he said. "They won their last game (against Sunderland) and certainly are confident.

"I expect it will be a physical game but we can cope with that and are ready to face the game."

Zola may appear to have a softer style to no-nonsense Adams - but he has already dressed down his players during their recent slump.

"Of course I do and I have done already," he said. "But there is also a moment to do that.

"They are giving everything. They just need to improve certain things. Tactical mistakes. That will come slowly.

"Obviously next time, if they make the same mistakes I won't be very happy."

And despite not getting the rub of the green in the last six matches, Zola is offering no excuses.

"Certainly we haven't had much but I don't like talking about luck anymore," he said. "We have to be stronger than this and make sure luck is on our side."