WEST Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is determined to halt Birmingham City’s good run of form when the sides lock horns at Upton Park tonight.

The Hammers desperately need a win after slipping back into the Premier League relegation zone at the weekend following their 2-1 defeat at Burnley.

But Birmingham go into the clash on a run that has seen them only beaten once in 18 games.

And apart from the desperate need for three points, extra spice is added by the fact it is the first time new Irons owners David Gold and David Sullivan have faced their former club.

Zola, however, is fully focused on the on-pitch action and has done his homework ahead of City’s visit.

“Birmingham are developing a reputation as a tough team to beat,” he said. “We have watched them carefully.

“They are a very strong side. It is not going to be easy. We are determined, we are passionate about it.

“We are going to give it a very good go. We will see what comes out. The team is ready.”

Zola could hand home debuts to transfer window signings Mido and Ilan, who netted Hammers' consolation goal at Turf Moor on Saturday.

And Alessandro Diamanti is fit again, although January’s other signing, Benni McCarthy, is likely to miss the game with knee problem.

The match comes after David Sullivan predicted “Armageddon” if West Ham are relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers were bought by former Sullivan and Gold last month with reported debts of around £100million.

As the new regime discover the full scale of the Hammers’ financial position, Sullivan is concerned for the club’s future if Zola’s side fail to beat the drop.

“It’ll be Armageddon if we go down,” said Sullivan, who ran Birmingham with Gold for 17 years.

“I can’t believe the contracts I’ve inherited. Every position is overpaid, whether in administration or on the playing side.

“Everyone at the club will be asked to take a salary cut in the summer.

“The club is in a mess and we all have to pull together. If we go down I can’t even consider the situation.”

But Sullivan added: “I was at Birmingham City for years but I really want to give them a good whacking.”

Birmingham owner Carson Yeung's right-hand man, Peter Pannu, has insisted there will be no bad blood when they meet previous owners Sullivan and Gold tonight.

And City manager Alex McLeish insists his Birmingham players will not be distracted by the “sideshow” surrounding the club’s owners past and present.

McLeish also thinks West Ham have enough quality in the squad to avoid relegation.