'We can win together'

Papa Bouba Diop has praised the fantastic support that has helped propel West Ham United up the npower Championship standings.

The Senegalese international has become a midfield mainstay under Sam Allardyce, combining well with Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan last time out in the 1-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion. He is set to reprise his role for Saturday's showdown with Leicester City when top spot is potentially up for grabs.

Diop is delighted with how things are going since his arrival from Greek giants AEK Athens, having headed back to these shores precisely because of the passionate way the English game is followed.

"I was told there were nearly 3, 000 of our fans at Brighton and once again they were fantastic," he said. "It was like playing at home with the noise and the singing of our fans.

"It really helped us you know, because it was a good win for us, but we had to see the game out, which we did well and the fan support really helped us do that."

Diop, speaking while attending a club community event this week with Freddie Sears, is expecting more of the same from a bumper Boleyn crowd against Leicester City on Saturday. It is then kids for a fiver for the visit of Bristol City on Tuesday night.

"The season is long but we have a chance of hopefully getting more points in the next two games and we know we have the fantastic support. If everyone gets behind us again, I know it will help us get the results we need. We can win together, us and the fans."