Mathew Upson reckons confidence is still high throughout the West Ham camp and I am sure Hull’s loss in midweek helped boost that a little bit more.

According to the England defender, the Hammers’ loss at Liverpool earlier this week does not mean self-belief around the camp took a battering and they will need to show their battling qualities this weekend against Wigan Athletic.

Hull City’s defeat by Aston Villa on Wednesday night was certainly a boost to West Ham, as it means the Tigers are three points behind them with three games to play.

If Gianfranco Zola’s side can raise their game and beat the Latics and Sunderland do them a favour and win at the KC Stadium, then that would open a crucial six-point gap and almost certainly guarantee their Premier League safety. The Premier League odds suggest they should stay up.

Upson said: “We know what’s at stake on Saturday and I think it’s going to be a survival match. We’ll have to be fully committed and do our jobs properly to get the points.”

It is encouraging to hear the defender make such statements but now this dedication and battling quality needs to be shown on the pitch if the club is to win some vital points to ensure they stay out of the Premier League bottom three.

At least one boost to Zola could be the fact he can call upon the services of winger Luis Boa Morte, who has been out injured for almost 11 months.

He has come through 90 minutes for the reserves and could offer some vital attacking flair to the side if he is able to return to the field in West Ham’s remaining three games.

Meanwhile, England are many people’s Football World Cup tips ahead of this year’s tournament in South Africa.