Captain's Blog - Still high hopes

We are going into what is the penultimate game of the season, not only in great spirit but also in a determined mood to get a result.

We are still in a position where we have everything to play for and the target of getting into Europe is still within our grasp and we are going to do everything in our capabilities to get there.

We want to play in Europe and in these two games we have left, it is up to us to go out there and give everything to achieve that goal. Last weekend's game against Liverpool was something that went away from us early on, our game plan was upset from the start. Going behind so early made it difficult to get the rhythm we wanted and execute the game we wanted to play.

But that has gone now and we go to play Everton in confident mood. Our away form has been good and we want to make sure that continues in what is our last away fixture of the season.

We meet an Everton side who may have an eye on the FA Cup final, but will at the same time want to finish with a flourish. They are a strong side and we need to be again on top of our game. They have a lot of players who are tricky to play, and like us, have a great spirit about them.

The aim for us is to try and make sure we put away the chances we have perhaps not taken and defend as strongly as we have been doing.

It was good to see the likes of Jack back in the team and hopefully we may even have Coley back for the last two games which would be another huge boost. I don't often single anyone out, as it is a team effort, but I thought young Tomka had another great game last week. That is something which may have gone unnoticed, because we lost, but he is playing well beyond his years and long may that continue.

There are still other teams in the mix for that coveted Europa spot, we all know who each other is playing and everyone is looking for everyone else to slip up. But we know we have to do our own job and get the results we need in our matches.

Off the pitch this week saw us all attend the club's End of Season Gala Dinner. It was a well-thought out event to be at. Many of the people there were the hardcore of West Ham and it was nice for them to be able to have such a function that marks what the club are trying to achieve.

Also this week, four of the boys - Kieron Dyer, Freddie Sears, Jonathan Spector and Walter Lopez - took part in an event for our club's community department - the launch of the Multi-sports Access and Retention Scheme. It saw schoolchildren enjoying a range of different sports at Upton Park with the club's young coaches.

I am told that Kieron, Freddie, Specs and Walter all excelled themselves in their efforts and also enjoyed getting a taste of something different by trying tennis, basketball and athletics with the youngsters who attended.

As a team, we know how important it is to support these initiatives and it is a great way of us being able to give something back to the community and support other areas of the club in their bid to do so.

Thank you in advance to all our supporters making the long journey to see us at Everton. There is always a good atmosphere at Goodison Park and I am sure all of our fans will be in good voice. As ever we need you behind us as we go in search of our European goal.

Lucas Neill signature

Lucas Neill