HAMMERS skipper Matthew Upson has urged his team-mates to stay upbeat ahead of a crucial clash with Stoke City on Saturday.

The central defender was part of the back-line that shipped three goals for the fourth consecutive game this season against Chelsea at Upton Park last weekend.

West Ham sit bottom of the Premier League table with no points to their name, but Upson preferred to keep things positive ahead of the team's trip to the Britannia Stadium to take on the Potters, who are also pointless so far this campaign, albeit with a game in hand.

“I think it is important how we behave this week in training, how the training is structured and what we do, the intensity of it and the atmosphere around it,” said Upson. “I think those things have to be important this week going into a game we want to win on Saturday.

“We need to do things that are positive, do things quick and sharp and get things buzzing again. I think they are important parts of moving forward to next week.”

On Saturday, two Michael Essien goals and a fortunate Solomon Kalou effort earned Chelsea the win, although Scott Parker did pull one goal back with a delightful late lob.