Top scorer believes it is important team make most of their abilities

Frederic Piquionne believes the quality of the players around him will lift West Ham out of the drop zone.

The top scorer was in a similar position for the whole of last season at Portsmouth and while the south coast side sunk without a trace, the four-goal front man insists history will not repeat itself.

“It is not the same as at Portsmouth because we can get out of this,” he said.

“It is not the same team, we have many more players who are good here, but we need to start turning that potential into points. We need to win our home games.”

The opportunity to pick up three points at Upton Park presents itself tonight (Wednesday) and this weekend, as the Hammers take on newly promoted sides West Brom and Blackpool.

As Piquionne stated the pressure is on, but it would have eased signifcantly had West Ham not got in the habit of throwing away points when in good positions, with Saturday’s match against Birmingham a case in point.

Two goals to the good and playing well, the Hammers let the lead slip and left St Andrew’s with a point.

It extended their winless streak on the road to 24 matches and that coupled with errors is something which must be eradicated if the side are to progress.

“We need to have confidence and we are playing well,” he said.

“We need to make less mistakes and if we can do that we will win the games.

“(On Saturday) we were in control and you should be in control after you go two in front.

“I thought we pressed them well, but then a little mistake and we have conceded a goal.

“It was a shame for us because we did not deserve that.

“We should have won, but I think it was a good point away.”

It was Piquionne who gave the Hammers a lead, playing slightly out of position on the right hand side of a front three, but the striker is not concerned by the change.

“I just want to do my job for the team. I will play on the right for the team or I will play up the front for the team,” he said.

“I score on the right and up front, I am happy to do whatever the manager wants me to.”

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