With just a few hours to go before the Hammers' home
clash with Chelsea, Alan Curbishley admits the Premiership
Champions will undoubtedly be formidable opposition.
"They've put up a tremendous fight this season," he says. "They've been behind Man United for some months but Chelsea are reigning Champions and that's what it's all about.
"They've ground out results and picked up some last-minute wins. If they continue like that they'll go all the way to win the Premiership. They are in the same position as us; they have to win and we have to win.
"The fans are looking forward to it and so are the players. We have to get over the Sheffield United result and get on with it. I don't think tiredness comes into it.
"A draw is no good. The teams at the top know that they might as well get beat as draw. And they've got lots of players who can score goals."
After a disappointing performance on Saturday, Curbs admitted that tonight will be the perfect opportunity for the Hammers to show what they can do.
"The stage is there for some of them tonight," he said. "They have to respond to it, whatever happens we have to respond performance-wise. Sheffield United beat us and they deserved it. They've got to a certain amount of points but they've got to get more than that. It's not over.
"It will be a great atmosphere. I've been amazed by the support from our fans, even on Saturday. I just hope we give them something to cheer about tonight."
"They've put up a tremendous fight this season," he says. "They've been behind Man United for some months but Chelsea are reigning Champions and that's what it's all about.
"They've ground out results and picked up some last-minute wins. If they continue like that they'll go all the way to win the Premiership. They are in the same position as us; they have to win and we have to win.
"The fans are looking forward to it and so are the players. We have to get over the Sheffield United result and get on with it. I don't think tiredness comes into it.
"A draw is no good. The teams at the top know that they might as well get beat as draw. And they've got lots of players who can score goals."
After a disappointing performance on Saturday, Curbs admitted that tonight will be the perfect opportunity for the Hammers to show what they can do.
"The stage is there for some of them tonight," he said. "They have to respond to it, whatever happens we have to respond performance-wise. Sheffield United beat us and they deserved it. They've got to a certain amount of points but they've got to get more than that. It's not over.
"It will be a great atmosphere. I've been amazed by the support from our fans, even on Saturday. I just hope we give them something to cheer about tonight."