Collison hoping for repeat performance

West Ham youngster Jack Collison is hoping his goal-scoring substitute appearance in the defeat to Everton combined with his good showing away at Middlesbrough will encourage Gianfranco Zola to give him a start in Saturday's crucial match with Portsmouth.

Tony Adams' side come to Upton Park on Saturday and Collison - who scored his first goal for the club against Everton - is hoping to play a big part.

He said: "Obviously (I was) a little bit disappointed not to start (against Everton), but I think if you look at who he brought in - Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer – they are both very experienced players and I think that is what you need at times like this."

WHEN YOU CAME ON YOU IMPRESSED AGAIN

"That’s what I’m trying to do. Any minutes on the pitch is a bonus, and anytime I get on there I’m going to try and do my best for the team, and try and cement a place."

DIFFICULT RUN AT THE MOMENT

"We are going through a sticky patch, but the boys have faith in what the manager is trying to do.

"He is trying to get us playing nice football and I think if we can perform in the way we are the results are eventually going to come and we can get ourselves out of the position we are in."