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Trinidad and Tobago national goalkeeper Shaka Hislop stressed the importance of team spirit and self belief to West Ham's bid for survival after the "Hammers" lost their first game of the 2005/06 English Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.


West Ham lost 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers at their Upton Park home on the weekend after a win against Sunderland and a draw away to Newcastle in their earlier fixtures.

Hislop, who staved off relegation with newly promoted Portsmouth two years ago, said that worse weekends will follow and explained the importance of West Ham's stakeholders remaining united to avoid an immediate return to the Championship Division.

"We need a strong sense of belief to take us through," said the veteran goalkeeper, who was an unused substitute on Saturday. "I am not just talking about the staff and the players either but the fans too. There will be lean times ahead and lots of weekends that we will come out with nothing to show for it. It is very important that we don't get despondent and remain positive."

A late penalty from ex-English international Teddy Sheringham gave Hammers a glimmer of hope against the visiting Bolton outfit but the hosts lacked the extra punch to finish their efficient opponents.

West Ham's Yossi Benayoun, Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker failed to take opportunities to open the scoring before Bolton, as expected, capitalised on a set piece.

The Hammers, like most teams in the Premiership, struggled to cope with the battering of Bolton's imposing players from dead ball situations and Kevin Nolan put the guests ahead in the 59th minute after West Ham goalie Roy Carroll parried a stinging volley from opposing captain, Jay Jay Okocha.

Bolton substitute Ivan Campo and Hammers' Sheringham traded shots against the bar before Campo scored on a counter-attack in the 84th minute following a clever Okocha pass.

Campo's strike sparked a mini-exodus among the 31,000 home supporters but the fans that remained saw Sheringham halve the deficit from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Hayden Mullin was tripped in the Bolton penalty area.

Athletic striker Bobby Zamora, who declined an invitation to represent Trinidad and Tobago in this weekend's crucial World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, was introduced to loud cheers in the 66th minute by West Ham although he could not conjure up a goal.

Hislop, 36, urged the West Ham faithful to continue their support for the club in what he expects to be a trying season.

"We cannot get carried away by a good start," he said. "At Portsmouth, we were top of the table after four games, which included a draw at Highbury (against Arsenal). But then we struggled through Christmas and needed a good late run to see us through and avoid the drop.

"A good start gives you something to build on but you can't afford to get carried away."

Portsmouth have since established themselves in the Premier League and are in their third successive season.

West Ham might emulate them although, Hislop explained, manager Alan Pardew's approach is very different from that of ex-Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.

"The Portsmouth team relied on a lot of experienced campaigners while the emphasis in this (West Ham) team is youth, speed and strength," said Hislop. "There is definitely a youthful naivety about West Ham but I think there is a positive element to it because these players don't fear anybody.

"The younger players bring a lot of freshness to the table that is very refreshing because you remember when everything new and exciting yourself."

If their young heads do not drop, Hislop expects West Ham, who have four points from their first three fixtures, to be still competing at the top level next season.