West Ham captain Matthew Upson is desperate that his side build on Sunday s 2-2 draw at Everton with a victory against Sunderland this weekend

West Ham captain Matthew Upson is desperate that his side build on Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton with a victory against Sunderland this weekend.

The east Londoners put up a spirited display to twice come from behind to snatch a point at Goodison Park and the England international does not want that showing to go to waste this Saturday, with a win at Upton Park vital if the club are to stay in the Premier League.

"It (the Everton result) is something to build on but there is plenty of work left to do," he said.

"We had a really good week, we got together as a group and worked hard on the training pitch on things we had been doing poorly over the last few games," Upson added.

"We need to get together again this week, have a good strategy for the weekend and commit to it."

And Upson believes there is enough talent and determination in the squad to do just that.

"I think we can stay up, I think we are good enough," he said.

"There are not a lot of hours of football left but we are in the mix and it is up to us to drag ourselves out of it."

Upson was also keen to praise the spirit within the squad and the way manager Gianfranco Zola has handled himself, after weeks of turmoil which could have ended in the Italian leaving the club.

"We are aware of the situation and the manager's feelings and commitment," he said.

"The manager deals with it with the players to their faces.

"Whatever else is said and done, we know the truth and we are together as a group.

"We are totally understanding and clear of the picture of what is going on. We are putting everything we can together.