Gianfranco Zola, West Ham United’s mild-mannered manager, came close to losing his patience yesterday when asked repeatedly about the Carlos Tévez affair, before setting his team a target of 52 points in the Barclays Premier League and a likely European spot.

On paper, the target of 12 more points would seem a realistic proposition for West Ham, who are seventh in the table, but the goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion on Monday exposed inadequacies.

Wigan Athletic and Fulham are in strong contention, in eighth and ninth respectively, and very soon, they may all be looking over their shoulders at Tottenham Hotspur, who are just five points behind West Ham and scheduled to meet them next month at White Hart Lane. West Ham also have home games against Liverpool and Chelsea in the run-in.

“Getting 12 more points is achievable,” Zola said. “You have to have a target and you have to give everything to achieve that.”

A year ago, West Ham fans would have groaned at Carlton Cole’s name on the team-sheet, but not now. The forward’s two-match suspension will end after the away game against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Zola expressed the hope that the dispute with Sheffield United about the eligibility of Tévez is over after the clubs agreed a compensation deal. “I hope from now on, we can be left in peace and plan our future,” Zola said. “I just don’t want to hear about it any more, really, I have had enough. It is becoming just a little bit annoying.”