James Tomkins has spoken of the importance of fan power to the Hammers chances of overcoming Stoke City this Saturday.
The central defender has been a real success story this season and returned to the starting lineup last week to imperious impact alongside Matthew Upson. Tomkins edged a competitive battle with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez and said the strong backing from the supporters more than helped him in his Boleyn battle.
"Hopefully our fans - who have been great, will back us again and get behind us like they did last Sunday and we can get another important win towards staying up. The Liverpool win has definitely kept momentum up. If we can now back this result up with another one again Stoke, then we can keep that run going.
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"The Liverpool win gave the team a huge boost. The way we have been playing especially in the last few games - the second half at West Brom, the cup game against Burnley and now against Liverpool, the way we can perform, on our day we know that we can beat most teams playing like that. It was a good performance and obviously an important win."Tomkins has relished his partnership with Upson this season, and both men rightly received rave reviews for their rearguard action against the Reds. "It was good, you know we have had many games together this season and I always enjoy playing alongside him.
"He is a good, experienced player and we play together well. It was not just a good game for us, but for all the back four, the whole team. We have got a great team spirit."
The defence will need to be at their best against the Potters this weekend, with the likes of John Carew and Kenwyne Jones set to match up directly against Tomkins and Upson from the kick-off. Every single set-piece and ball pumped into the Hammers penalty area will require the utmost concentration.
"It will be a much more physical game, physical battle but the most important thing is we back up these last three results with another win. Another three points is all that matters and it can take us up the league table even more.
"I feel I am becoming more experienced and learning more in the game all the time, learning how to deal with more physical players and other types of players more and more. So that is all part of it and you have to deal with all kinds and I am just enjoying my football doing that."