Dj: We'll Turn Tables Soon

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After West Ham's disappointing start to the season, David James insists that he and his team-mates are confident of turning the corner soon - hopefully with victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Hammers are still searching for their first win of the campaign but the England goalkeeper believes it won't be long before those much-needed three points are on the board.

"The spirit is still high among the players, because we all firmly believe that we will move up the table soon," he says. "It's frustrating that we haven't been winning, but it has been by virtue of incidents rather than our overall performances.

"Of all the games, the Newcastle game was our worst overall performance and was reflected in the scoreline. But since then, it's been individual incidents - conceding poor goals and missing good chances - that have been our downfall.

"We still have a lot of confidence in our play and the fact that we kept a clean sheet against Manchester City proves that we can defend.

"We've got an opportunity now to go a step further and get that first win of the season. I'd like to think that perseverance will pay off and we will get the results if we stick to our footballing beliefs and keep working hard."

Hard work was certainly on show in the 0-0 draw with Manchester City at Upton Park last weekend and, while supporters may have been slightly disappointed at the failure to secure maximum points against Kevin Keegan's men, David says the result gives the team something to build on after three straight defeats previously.

"It would have been nicer to win 3-2, but we didn't concede and we didn't lose, so that is a step in the right direction.

"For the defence it was very important. After conceding 12 goals in five games, it was a much-needed clean sheet and it's a platform for the rest of the team.

"We now need to start converting our chances at the other end to ensure that 0-0 draws turn into victories."

Our fantastic home record last season certainly makes the results at Upton Park so far this campaign seem baffling as well as disappointing, but David doesn't believe that visiting teams are purposely changing their style to combat the Hammers.

"I think that's just football now," he shrugs. "Arsenal proved last year that defending and attacking on the break is a winning formula and I think the majority of teams will adopt those tactics anyway this season.

"The bottom line is that we've conceded goals and not scored - something that didn't happen very often at home last year. It's up to us to break down the opposition, as we were doing so well last season and as we did against Arsenal in the first home game this season."

And while Saturday's visit to Chelsea is likely to be a much more open and attacking game than we have been used to facing at Upton Park, David doesn't believe that will make it any harder or easier for the Hammers.

"We have the same expectations for every match," he concludes. "Whether it is home or away, we approach it in the same way - wanting to win.

"Every game is as valuable as the next and the beauty of the next one is that it gives us the chance to win. We will go to Chelsea believing we can win and that will be the only thing on our minds."