Twelve months ago, West Ham gave Pompey a 4-1 Boxing Day hiding at Fratton Park.

The result proved to be the turning point in a troubled season and the Hammers went on to finish ninth in the Barclays Premier League.

Zola is desperate for a repeat performance tomorrow when Portsmouth, the only team below West Ham in the table, arrive at Upton Park.

"I remember last year, that game was fantastic. It was amazing," said Zola.

"We knew we were playing very well even before but we just couldn't get it going. We used to get one good result and then a defeat.

"It was that game against Portsmouth and then the other one against Stoke City. Two games in a row, they were massive wins.

"After that we were comfortable, we looked confident and I'm looking for the same thing.

"We had so many problems last year, but we never stopped trying.

"So far this year we haven't clicked but we have just one point less than at this stage last season, so we're not far away."

Portsmouth, now under the guidance of Avram Grant, head into the game buoyed by their 2-0 victory over Liverpool while West Ham were frustrated not to earn more than a point from a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

"Portsmouth have been playing well recently, they look compact and seem to have found their way - but we have found our way as well," said Zola.

"It's a game that we need to get a result and it has to be three points. There's a very, very good atmosphere right now and I think the Chelsea game has lifted everybody up."

Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke made an immediate impact at West Ham last season - but that now seems a long time ago as the club reach the halfway point embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

The uncertainty over the club's financial situation could force West Ham to sell their best players - the likes of Matthew Upson or Scott Parker - in the January transfer window.

Zola does not relish the situation but he knows it will make him a better manager.

"I enjoyed it when they said I was doing a good job last year and I really enjoyed that time and I have to take the other side. I know the rules," said Zola.

"We have problems but we don't give up. We just want to find solutions and that's what we're doing here. My mind is always on things that will help me to do the job better."

Zola plans to meet with the other more experienced Italian managers in the league - Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti and the new Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini - to pick their brains.

Zola is at the start of his managerial career whereas Mancini won three Serie A league titles at Inter Milan and Ancelotti twice guided AC Milan to Champions League triumph.

"Carlo and I have a plan to go and have dinner soon," said Zola, who played under Ancelotti at Parma.

"Roberto is a little bit more distant but we will try to meet and discuss about our experiences. I think it will be good.

"I want to be very, very good. It's as simple as that. I want to give to this club everything I have got inside and make sure it's valuable for the players and the supporters - that's my responsibility.

"Mancini has a tough job. He has a good team but he has a lot of pressure and it is a job that will test him very much. He has the experience to manage a top team so I am very curious to see how he is going to handle it.

"My job is hard in a different way. We have a different objective.

"I am sure this job will make me better. It has been tasty and it seems that it doesn't stop being tasty but I've got patience and I've got enthusiasm to get to the end of it."