Glenn: Right The Wrongs

Glenn Roeder says his players are on "a recovery mission" following the disappointment of Old Trafford - and says the players have to appreciate the privileged position they are in.

"There are no punches to be pulled about Sunday; it was hugely embarrassing and very angry words were exchanged after the match - which was to be expected," he admits.

"Feelings were running high, things were said that needed to be said, and that was not just from me but from the players to each other.

"Everyone let themselves down, they let the club down and equally they let 9,000 travelling fans down.

"We have all got an extremely good living being professional footballers, and for the fans it was a long drive up after an early start, an even longer drive back - and we gave the absolutely nothing to cheer about.

"We are on a recovery mission, a retrieving operation, and we need to show our supporters what it means to stay in the Premiership.

"If blood has to be spilt it has to be spilt."

He admits he is keeping half an eye on how the teams around West Ham are doing - with Sunderland and Bolton both losing at home on Tuesday and West Brom playing Charlton at the same time as the Hammers entertain Blackburn.

"It is about us and the results we have to achieve but with 14 games to go you can't help but have an eye on what goes on around you," he says.

"Sam Allardyce, Gary Megson, and Howard Wilkinson will be saying exactly the same thing as I am, that we have to get our own results but we have to have an eye on the other three teams.

"We have seen the results on Tuesday and now it is up to us to grab the nettle, if you want, and make things happen for us.

"While you have got to have one eye on what is happening elsewhere you have to remain focused on your own job - and we know what we have to do."

Glenn wants the players to show they are 'up for it' against Blackburn, and, agreeing with Eduoard Cisse, he says:

"Talk is cheap - it is time for action. "It is an opportunity against a very good footballing team, with the very technically gifted players that Graeme Souness always fills his teams with.

"The aftermath of Sunday was very quiet; people were reflecting on the huge disappointment of what had gone on before.

"It was a pretty sombre place on Monday, but there was a team meeting on Tuesday which was very positive.

"We have to stand up, be counted, and now take forward steps.

"They trained in a way that made it a good session and we worked on our game plan and finished with a 15 minute small sided game at high tempo with a lot of quality - and that is what we need against Blackburn.