Source: Team_Talk
Hammers squad is united - Upson
Matthew Upson claims the West Ham squad are united behind manager Gianfranco Zola and determined to beat relegation.[LNB] The Hammers ended a week of turmoil by producing a battling display to claim a valuable point with a creditable 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday.[LNB]The result left them still just one point above the Premier League bottom three, but the manner of performance and spirit shown in adversity suggested it could prove a turning point.[LNB]The days prior to the Goodison Park trip had been dominated by speculation over Zola's future and his apparently uneasy relationship with club owners David Gold and David Sullivan.[LNB]It seemed unlikely the struggling Hammers could claim a result against the European-chasing Merseysiders but Upson insists off-field problems have not affected the players.[LNB]The 30-year-old defender said: "We are aware of the situation and the manager's feelings and commitment. The manager deals with it with the players to their faces.[LNB]"Whatever else is said and done, we know the truth and we are together as a group.[LNB]"We are totally understanding and clear of the picture of what is going on. We are putting everything we can together.[LNB]"I think we can stay up, I think we are good enough."[LNB]West Ham have five games remaining to save their top-flight status, starting with next weekend's home clash against Sunderland.[LNB]After finally breaking a run of six successive defeats, Upson feels they can now generate some momentum.[LNB]The former Birmingham and Arsenal player said: "It is nice to break that cycle because it is a poor cycle and not nice to go through. It was nice to stop the rot.[LNB]"It is something to build on but there is plenty of work left to do.[LNB]"There are not a lot of hours of football but we are in the mix and it is up to us to drag ourselves out of it.[LNB]"We need to get together again this week, have a good strategy for the weekend and commit to it.[LNB]"If we deliver a performance I am sure we can win the game."[LNB]West Ham showed plenty of determination as they twice came from behind to hold Everton up in their late charge for a European place.[LNB]Manuel da Costa cancelled out Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's opener and Brazilian striker Ilan produced a superb and immediate reply to what had looked like an 85th-minute winner from Ayegbeni Yakubu.[LNB]"It has become a difficult place for teams to come and take something away from," said Upson.[LNB]"On that front we have to be pleased and it is something we have to take into the next game.[LNB]"If anything we really showed a desire to go on and win it, which is really important to us.[LNB]"We had a really good week, we got together as a group and worked hard on the training pitch on things we had been doing poorly over the last few games.[LNB]"I thought we were better. Tactically, I thought our shape was a lot better and even though we didn't have a lot of possession first half we were very difficult to break down.[LNB]"You have to be that in the Premier League, especially in the position we are.[LNB]"I thought the result was a good reflection of the game, both sides had opportunities, but we are delighted with that."
