Ginge ready for Toffees test

Clean sheet No14 is the aim for James Collins on Saturday as the Hammers travel to Merseyside to play Everton in the Barclays Premier League.

West Ham United's defensive solidity has seen Sam Allardyce's side top the clean sheet league with 13, including four in the last five games, coinciding with an upturn in the Club's fortunes.

Collins has partnered Winston Reid, James Tomkins, George McCartney, Joey O'Brien and Roger Johnson at the back this season, and the big centre back believes the team can be proud of their record.

"We've defended reasonably well all season. We've got 13 clean sheets although there has been the odd game where we conceded three or four.

"That is going to happen in the Premier League. Every team you play against has one great centre forward so we are happy with our great defensive record."

All but one of the aforementioned defenders has spent time on the sidelines either injured or suspended at some stage this season, and Collins feels getting a full squad of players fit and a great result at Stamford Bridge, have helped turn things around.

"The fans were feeling the same way as we were, it was a hard time and I know the amount of injuries isn't an excuse but it did have a big impact on us.

"When we got everyone back and there was a competition for places and that's what made us pick up.

"Chelsea away, getting that draw was a massive result. We got a little bit of stick from Jose Mourinho about how we played but we went there with a plan and we got the draw and we haven't really looked back since. I think that was the turning point."

While the No19 and his teammates have been doing all they can to stop the shots raining down on their goal, they know that they can also rely on the man between the sticks, whoever it is.

Jussi Jaaskelainen started the season in possession of the starting berth, but has since lost his place to Adrian who has continued the Hammers' fine clean sheet record with four shutouts in his last five appearances.

The Spaniard arrived at the Club from Real Betis in the summer on the recommendation of Collins' countryman Martyn Margetson, and the defender feels he has been a great acquisition.

"He's been magnificent since he's come in. My Welsh mate has gone up in the summer to see him and we got him in on a free transfer. He did have to wait for his time to come.

"Jussi obviously started the season and did well but when Adrian came in he has been unbelievable. He's only a young kid, but he plays with an old head on his shoulders so he's a great person to have behind us.

"How I look at him is that he's a great shot stopper. He comes for crosses, which is good for us and stops us heading them out. He's great, he's an all-round goalkeeper. He's only going to get better as he's only very young."

At the age of 27, Adrian is at a good age for a goalkeeper and according to Collins he will only get better as he becomes more experienced in the Premier League.

"He's come in and he's done unbelievably. He's got time on his side and the more games he plays the better he's going to get.

"He works hard and Jussi pushes him in training as obviously Jussi want to get his spot back as well. If he carries on like this he can be one of the greats."