Captain's Blog - Up for the derby

I think it is safe to say it has been a disappointing and frustrating week. When you go up against the big teams you need to be playing near to your season's best to have a chance of getting good results. We were very much below that level in the two games and were given a lesson about what happens when really good players are given chances in games.

The best way we can put this week behind us is to go out and beat our rivals on their home patch. A win will ease the pain that we are all feeling at the moment and hopefully springboard a positive run in the remaining nine games of the season. It was this time last year, with ten games to go, that we came up against Tottenham and in losing that game most people had us destined for the Championship. In a similar vein this year people are already writing us off for qualification for Europe but if we show a similar spirit and a no-lose attitude in performances who knows where we could end this season?

If there is one thing that everybody associated with West Ham should take from last year it is that if we all stick together achieving the unachievable is very possible. I feel that it is the West Ham way that when things seem low and the going gets tough, everyone involved in West Ham unites to make things better.

As a war cry to you the supporters, I urge you to put the results and the performances of this week behind you and make a positive noise from the White Hart Lane terraces. In return we as players will make sure that we match you for passion and together we can feed off each other to beat the 'old enemy'. We thank you in advance for what we know is going to be a great atmosphere created by yourselves. Now it is down to myself and the players to uphold our end of the bargain.

Thank you to all those who pledged your support to our chosen charity the Richard House hospice last weekend. Your donations helped raise an amazing £8,000 which I know will go a long way to fund the great work they are doing. You can still make donations by visiting their website.

Lucas Neill signature

Lucas Neill