Walker's Watford Wish

GOALKEEPER Jim Walker insists spirits are high within the Hammers camp as they go in to what he admits is the biggest match of their season against Watford on Sunday.

Confident took a dent after Sunderland clinched the title with a 2-1 win at Upton Park last Friday, but after Reading failed to capitalise West Ham United are back in the driving seat going into the final game of the season.

But Jim warns that it will not be easy against the Hornets.

"No game is easy when you have to win on the final day of the season," he cautioned. "It's going to be a huge game against Watford, the lads are really up for it and despite the Sunderland defeat we're still confident we can go to Vicarage Road and get the three points we need.

"Watford are under new manager and that always makes a team something of an untested quantity. You can be sure they'll be up for it, being something of a local clash and in front of their fans on the final day of the season.

"It couldn't be tighter and we're expecting the game to be just as edgy. They'll come at us and it's important from my point of view that we keep it tight at the back and don't give them any early opportunities.

"We need to keep them quiet and then look to do the damage going forward. It's going to be a big day."

Jim came into the side for the 2-1 win over Wigan and has been riding the quest of a very big wave ever since, as the Hammers swept into their best form of the season. That has been derailed somewhat with a draw at Brighton followed by the Sunderland defeat.

But the 31-year-old stopper is no doubt the Hammers have what it takes to secure a Play-off place.

"It's been a really strange season," he confessed, "not just for us but a lot of teams in the Championship. There's been a bit of inconsistency on our part and we were gutted not to have got the three points against Brighton.

"Sunderland were a top side and to be honest they did very well in the second-half. But even so, we were really disappointed to lose and now it's a case of focusing on the Watford game and making sure we hit back with a performance that the occasion requires.

"Our fans were terrific against Sunderland. I think that's what made the defeat all that more painful, because when the atmosphere on the night was just tremendous. But that's behind us now and all that's on our minds is going out and putting in a strong display on Sunday.

"I'm sure the fans will be there to back us again and we can't do it without their support. They've been fantastic to me since I arrived and it's important we give them what they deserve at Watford."