Hammers hope for happy ending to chaotic campaign

West Ham can take a significant step towards avoiding relegation from the Premier League if they beat Wigan at Upton Park on Saturday.

Gianfranco Zola’s team received a major boost in midweek as Hull, who sit third bottom of the table, lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.

That result left West Ham three points clear of Hull and in control of their destiny as the battle to stay in the English top-flight heads into a tense final three matches.

Potentially the Hammers could move six points clear of the relegation zone and all but seal survival with a win over fellow strugglers Wigan and a defeat for Hull at home to Sunderland.

However, Zola and company also know a defeat this weekend, coupled with a Hull victory, would cast even more gloom over an already-unhappy club.

For the second time in four seasons, West Ham’s top-flight status could be in danger on the final day.

Whatever the result of West Ham’s dogfight, Zola is well aware survival is no real achievement for a club that harbours European ambitions and it is likely he will be leaving Upton Park at the end of the season come what may.

West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Monday did not help Zola’s cause as his players failed to show any fight and the Italian admits a repeat against Wigan could be disastrous.

“I have told the players we cannot afford to do that again,” Zola said after the Liverpool reverse.

“We made costly mistakes and didn’t play very well. Now we need to react straight away because Saturday is very, very important for us. In the changing room after the match I didn’t even need to say anything because they said ‘We are sorry we made mistakes.’

“We didn’t play the way I know we can play and that is frustrating. Now I am looking for a reaction. We all know how important the Wigan game is. We will be ready.”

Midfielder Scott Parker will return following suspension and top scorer Carlton Cole should also be available, despite being substituted in the closing stages at Liverpool as a precaution.

Wigan owner David Whelan won’t be shedding any tears if West Ham do go down as he was annoyed the London club had been punished with only a fine, and not a points deduction, in 2007 when they had been found guilty of breaching Premier League rules by registering Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano when they were still part-owned by a third party.

Yet Roberto Martinez’s Latics could also help West Ham as they also have to play Hull, at home on May 3.

“We can pick up another four points, if not six, especially if we play like we did against Arsenal,” he said.