HISLOP: "HAMMERS MUST IMPROVE DEFENCE"

WITH West Ham slipping into the lower reaches of The Premiership in recent weeks, goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has identified his relationship with his own defenders as a principal factor in The Hammers fight against the drop.

The amicable shot-stopper, who has conceded 13 goals in his last six games and kept only one clean sheet this year, is looking to improve the communication that exists between himself and his back-line.

Hislop said: "I have to work out how I can help my defenders more.  But while The Hammers' last line of defence may be concerned at the club's precarious position, Opta's exclusive statistics suggest that things may not be all that bad in West Ham's rearguard.

For example, out of all the teams in the bottom eight of the table, only Middlesbrough have conceded fewer goals on average than Harry Redknapp's side, the Teessiders letting in an average of 1.19 goals per game compared to The Hammers' mean of 1.41 this term.

As Hislop rightly stated, the Hammers' defence has been in relatively good form this term. He said of them: "They have been superb for me all season", a statement supported in part by the stats that indicate that Nigel Winterburn has won the highest number of tackles by an Englishman this season.

The ex-Arsenal defender has made 85 successful challenges with just Leeds' Olivier Dacourt winning more challenges than Winterburn this season.

Hislop's hard-working defensive unit has made 511 tackles and has contributed to The Hammers' being the only side with the most challenges attempted in the Premiership this season - 918 - as they display a willingness to regain possession.

It is these kind of battling qualities that The Hammers will need to display in the coming weeks when they face fellow relegation candidates such as Derby, Manchester City and Boro in the run-in to the end of the season.

And while Hislop has cited his own performances as a likely factor in The Hammers' poor run of results that has seen them win only one match since Boxing Day, he should not be too hard on himself.

For his 82 saves this campaign is the 10th highest tally by a Premiership keeper - a credible figure when you consider that he has missed a number of games through injury.

But with Stuart Pearce - the man who has made 309 clearances, which is the most by an Englishman this season - about to serve a three-match suspension, Hislop will need to be on top of his game to avoid any nail-biting moments down at the Boleyn Ground.