Alan Curbishley insists the Hammers can bounce back from Saturday's defeat at Aston Villa and climb out of the relegation zone.
"The next two games are defining," Curbs admits. "We need to win some three pointers. We've got to beat Watford and we've got to beat Charlton in our next two games.
"If we get a result against Watford and it doesn't go well for the teams just above us, the gap could be shortened again. But we've got to win.
"We haven't put enough three pointers on the board. The opportunities were there against Fulham and against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, but we haven't got the points. And we need them. We have to start on Saturday."
Curbs has been reluctant to blame a growing list of injuries, but admits it has hampered Hammers' form.
"I don't want to go on about injuries again but while Matty Upson was on the pitch at Villa Park I thought we looked quite strong at the back.
"Then, as he cleared the ball he got nudged and as he landed on the touchline he did his calf. The last two signings we've made have gone off injured. But it's becoming par for the course, with Gabbidon, Collins and Ferdinand out as well, plus Lucas, it's practically a back four."
But Curbs insists there are many other factors to consider.
"When you're down the bottom it's not just one thing, it's a culmination of things. The bottom line is we let too many goals in and we haven't scored enough.
"We need to keep a couple of clean sheets, that'll give us a chance. If we can do that, you don't have to score a lot of goals. But what's happening to us is that most weeks that we have to score a couple to get something out of the game and that's very difficult."
"I think you make your own luck and throughout the season,
if you've been in the bottom three for a lot of it, it can be
very difficult. Things go against you but I think that we've
got enough games left to win some points and I'm sure if we can
get a three pointer on the board it'll give everybody a
lift."