James Tomkins has said all at West Ham United will need to show their strength for Saturday lunchtime's trip to Tottenham Hotspur after the undoubted disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup.
The 21-year-old was solid again at right-back for the second straight week against Stoke City but was powerless to stop the Potters scoring from a throw-in and free-kick that earned a 2-1 victory. Frederic Piquionne had levelled the tie in the first half but the home side were able to nick a second-half winner.
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves," said Tomkins. "The FA Cup would have been a bonus but the league is massively important, we have to bounce back. There is a big game coming up next weekend. We have to put Stoke behind us and remember we were on a good run."
Tomkins, who has been called up by England U21s for the two internationals coming up next week away to Denmark and at home to Iceland, said travelling support would be a factor for the rest of the season. He paid tribute to those who have sold out the allocation for Spurs, albeit with a much shorter distance to travel.
"The fans went up in their thousands to Stoke and it was great support. We need them behind us and they were brilliant. We are disappointed we couldn't give them the victory they wanted. We showed good heart and spirit but it wasn't to be. We'll be giving it everything at Tottenham."
It remains to be seen whether Tomkins will revert to centre-back against Tottenham, with the manager aware that Lars Jacobsen is eager to get back in the starting eleven. Where ever Tomkins is asked to play, he just wants to play his part in keeping the team in the division.
"I played right-back again on Sunday and I just try and do a job wherever I am asked to play. We've all got to do our best for the team and put that first. Another day, things could have gone our way but it wasn't to be. We will all go again on Saturday."