MIDFIELDER Thomas Hitzlsperger knows West Ham will have to play better
against his former club this weekend.
The Hammers welcome Aston Villa, where the German enjoyed a successful
spell, to Upton Park.
Hitzlsperger has been in fine form for West Ham since returning after
his long-term injury. At the Reebok Stadium on Saturday, his two shots
from distance were about all the Hammers could throw at the Bolton
defence in a dire first-half performance.
Hitzlsperger said: "We've got six really big games coming up and I'm
sure we won't play like that (against Bolton) again. It's in our own
hands (survival) but we have got to improve massively on Saturday's
performance."
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ASTON VILLA'S JAMES COLLINS WILL LET HIS HEAD RULE HIS HEART
JAMES COLLINS' next mission is to bury his former club West Ham and save
Aston Villa from relegation.
Collins' winning header against Newcastle settled the nerves at Villa
Park and leaves them another victory away from the safety target of 40
points.
But for Aston Villa to be secure, they must beat West Ham on Saturday
and push their hosts closer to the drop.
While Villa have been clawing their way out of danger with a draw at
Everton followed by Sunday's win, their first in the league since
February, West Ham are back in the bottom three after losing two
successive games.
"West Ham are in a tricky spot," said Collins, who had five seasons with
the Hammers after a £3.5 million move from Cardiff in a double deal with
Danny Gabbidon. "But we are not comfortable in the position we are in
either.
We've got to go to West Ham looking for three points. Anything less will
not be good enough
"We've got to go to West Ham looking for three points. Anything less
will not be good enough.
"I am sad to see West Ham where they are, the club are a big part of my
life. I went there as a young man and I met my wife in London. The
Hammers are always going to be close to my heart.
"This will be the second time I've gone back there in tricky
circumstances where both clubs are fighting for points."
The target in that previous game in November 2009 was hugely different
because Villa were aiming at Champions League football and a minimum
fourth-place Premier League finish – but West Ham came out 2-1 winners.
Villa can see light at their relegation tunnel now and Collins said:
"I've scored five goals in my Aston Villa career and that one against
Newcastle was the most vital. I scored a late one at Blackpool a couple
of months back that was big [in a 1-1 draw] but to get the winner in
such an important game was good.
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Cole urges Hammers to tail Tiger's Masters comeback
Carlton Cole is urging his West Ham team to stage a Tiger Woods-style
rally to escape relegation.
Defeat at Bolton on Saturday left Avram Grant's men back in the bottom
three with just six games to go.
Woods came back from seven shots behind on the final day of the Masters
to share the lead. But while Woods ultimately failed, Cole believes the
Hammers can beat the drop.
West Ham need to beat Aston Villa at home on Saturday to put their
survival bid back on track.
Cole, who watched Woods' revival, said: "Watching the golf reminded me
of us.
"Tiger fought right until the end, even when the chips were down, we
have to do the same as a team."
Following Saturday's Villa game the Hammers go to Chelsea and Manchester
City, before hosting Blackburn.
Their campaign ends with a trip to crucial trip to Wigan and a home game
against fellow strugglers Sunderland.
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Hammers offer Spence new deal
Spence in talks with Hammers
Skysports.com understands West Ham have offered highly-rated defender
Jordan Spence a new deal.
The full-back, who is currently on loan at Bristol City, is out of
contract at the end of the season and could leave Upton Park on a free
transfer.
A number of Premier League clubs are thought to be monitoring Spence's
situation with the defender impressing during his spell on loan in the
Championship.
The 20-year-old has made only one substitute appearance in the West Ham
side, but he is highly-regarded by the club's coaching team and he has
recently broken into the England Under 21 set-up
West Ham are hopeful of agreeing a new deal with Spence as they see him
as a key part of their future.
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