The Next Five Matches Will Decide West Ham's Premiership Future

Getting knocked out of the FA Cup early allowed West Ham to rest up and recuperate from the injury problems which have plagued the club this season. This turned out to be a good thing, seeing that the next five matches will definitely decide if West Ham stay up or will line up alongside the likes of Queens Park Rangers next season.

First up is Portsmouth who are playing well but just not getting the breaks needed. West Ham beat them at home courtesy of Diamanti and Kovac and a similar result will fill the Hammers with great confidence. Much have been made of Portsmouth's absent African players and it would be great if West Ham can exploit this. Carlton Cole may feature at some point in this match which would give the players a massive boost.

A win at Fratton Park will be a great way to kickstart a crucial five match stretch against opposition that the Hammers must surely fancy to gain valuable points from. There will not be a better time for the West Ham players to raise their game and put some daylight between ourselves and the relegation strugglers.

The West Ham defence have been playing well of late, James Tomkins and Matty Upson finally complementing each other's talents to maximum effect. The exemplary industry and hard running of Scott Parker, back from injury, provide the inspiration for the lads to perform with passion and heart. Cole coming back fit, will definitely bring much needed potency in attack. Finally, West Ham looked to be over their injury crisis and hence it is time to move forward. Jack Collison has looked a pale shadow of himself in recent weeks and he must step up to the task. His ability to get into the opposition penalty area has not been exploited as much by West Ham.

It has been a case of "one step forward, two steps back" for West Ham this season. Surely we are due a five match unbeaten run and put our relegation worries a distant nightmare behind us? Eleven points out of a possible 15 will be massive!

Next five matches: Portsmouth (a), Blackburn (h), Burnley (a), Birmingham (h) and Hull (h)

Come On You Irons!