Lucas Neill says that West Ham United can still avoid the dreaded drop.
The Australian full-back was part of the side that lost 3-0 to fellow strugglers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, a defeat that leaves United FIVE points from safety with as many games to play.Yet despite the precarious situation, recent signing Neill believes the Hammers can still avoid releagtion.
Talking to whufc.com following Saturday's defeat, he said:
"We have three home matches - all of which are winnable in my opinion - to play and a very important away match at Wigan. There is still so much to play for, and it is important that we don't lose heart.
"We have to bounce back immediately and it's great to have a home game on Wednesday against Chelsea because it is a chance to lift ourselves again.
"We have to realise that there are still 15 points to play for, and we have to fight for every single one of them. We can still end up smiling at the end of the season."
A month ago most Hammers would have accepted three wins out of the next four games - and almost certainly three points from two away games against Arsenal and Sheffield United.
But survival - following Saturday's crushing defeat to relegation rivals - may now prove to be a bridge too far as United prepare to face the current league Champions at the Boleyn this Wednesday night.
West Ham's cause was helped somewhat by the failure of fellow strugglers Charlton and Wigan to win their games in hand yesterday; the Latics led three times against Tottenham but still had to settle for a 3-3 draw, whilst Charlton conceded a 93rd minute goal at Everton to send them home empty-handed - after they had equalised in the final minute of normal time.
Current table: 20 Watford, 23pts; 19 WEST HAM UTD 29pts; 18 Charlton 32pts; 17 Sheff Utd 34pts; 16 Fulham 35pts; 15 Wigan 35pts.
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