'We're all trying to get up the table'

Sunday's goalless Barclays Premier League draw at Aston Villa clearly illustrated the unity in the West Ham United camp, according to Hammer of the Year Scott Parker.

With a trip to bottom-side Portsmouth and home games against Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers next up, the 29-year-old insisted everyone is pulling in the same direction as the season approaches its climax.

"We're all trying to push in the right direction to get up the table," said the influential midfielder. "If we keep grinding out results like we did on Sunday then hopefully we'll do that."

A point lifted Gianfranco Zola's side to 16th in the standings, but Parker said the performances put in by every single player in a dark and light blue away shirt was just as important in illustrating the Hammers' determination to improve their position.

"It is a good result for us. We take a lot of positives out of the game. We played really well and had a gameplan. We did really well at times. You go to Villa Park and obviously they're a very good side, but we did well."

Parker also downplayed fears that he had suffered a serious injury after being substituted early in the second half and caught on camera sat in the dugout with his upper leg strapped.

"I had a little bit of a recurrence of my hamstring injury and I didn't want to push it and be out for three or four weeks. I took a real precaution really and thought I better come off as I otherwise I would risk doing some really serious damage."

To hear Scott Parker's views on the performance of Frank Nouble and relishing the battle of climbing the league table, log on to WHUTV here.