Nobby ready for 'big week'

Captain Kevin Nolan says West Ham United cannot dwell on defeat at Stoke City.

The skipper was left hugely frustrated as the Hammers relinquished an early lead to go down 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium. Nolan saw a goal disallowed for offside, headed narrowly wide and a strong penalty appeal for handball turned down by referee Craig Pawson.

While the temptation may be to feel sorry for himself, the No4 says West Ham need to prepare for Saturday's visit of Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground.

"It was very disappointing, because I felt we deserved something at Stoke," said Nolan. "If we got the penalty, it goes to 2-2 and your back up and then who knows?

"If we had come off the pitch with a 2-2, then I think people would have probably said 'That's a fair enough result' and think the 3-1 flattered them a bit. I am very disappointed to be going back home with nothing.

"Two late sucker punches in the last two games have done us, but we have a big week leading up to what should be a fantastic game against Manchester United at home.

"We did quite well against them at our place last year [to lead twice and draw 2-2] and I'm hoping we can capitalise on that, start another run going again. That is the aim and there is no reason why we can't do that."

At Stoke, Nolan felt West Ham missed an opportunity to collect another point or more in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival.

Andy Carroll's early goal was cancelled out by Peter Odemwingie before two second half strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie put the game beyond the Hammers.

"To be honest, even when they went 2-1 up I thought we were still in control and that we were going to score again - you have that feeling and that was certainly still the case at that time.

"I had a header at the back post that was a bit too high and the one that was off-side. I didn't think I was at the time, but having seen it again, it was a bit offside.

"They hit us with a bit of a sucker punch, which was a great finish from Arnautovic, to be fair, and you are going to get that in the Premier League sometimes. Against the run of play, they got a goal.

"Then there was the incident where their left-back [Marc Muniesa] blatantly handled. It was blatant handball and you just expected the decision to follow and it hasn't, so we are very disappointed.

"They got a third and it put us to bed then, so overall, we were very disappointed."