Cole looks for change in fortune

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is hoping for better luck after his team's disappointing UEFA Cup exit to Italian side Palermo.

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, the Hammers lost 3-0 in Sicily to continue their painful start to the season. Alan Pardew's side have only won once this campaign and have struggled to get into their stride.

"We are not getting the lucks from the gods at the moment," Cole said. We've created a lot of chances against Palermo and in every other game we've played this season. But sometimes it's not down to luck alone but to individual performances."

Cole, who was surprisingly included in the starting XI against the Italians in place of Bobby Zamora, had plenty of chances to score but they were all denied by Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana.

Had Fontana not made such heroics on the night, Cole believes West Ham could have continued their European dream.

"I put my hands up to him," said Cole. "I have to praise Fontana, he was simply outstanding. He made brilliant saves that helped his team go on to win the game."

West Ham dominated the opening half and had clear-cut chances but it was Palermo who took the lead in the 35th minute and it proved a bitter blow for the Londoners.

"It was a sucker punch," admitted Cole. "To be fair Palermo, they tried to keep us away from the goal but we were still dominant.

"If we had got a goal early on the end result would have been a different one, but that was the turning point of the game."