DEAN Ashton has insisted that the West Ham players are determined to turn around their recent poor form and deliver better performances between now and the end of the season.

The Irons miserable run has seen them ship 12 goals in three games without a scoring reply - and has essentially ended their season.

But the 24-year-old (pictured) is eager for the team to bounce back to positive ways, starting against Blackburn on Saturday.

He said: "It is three bad results and if we carry on like that we are going to have a poor end to the season. We don't want that.

"We want to make sure we are at least in the top half of the table and really push on to the end of the season.

"Hopefully it's just a bad week against some good teams and we can get back to what we do best on Saturday.

"We have got to get back on track against Blackburn."

Ashton admits that he had mixed emotions about the 4-0 drubbing at bitter rivals Spurs on Sunday.

The game saw the former Crewe and Norwich striker back in the starting line up for the first time in four matches and for 44 minutes - until Luis Boa Morte's sending off - formed a decent partnership with Bobby Zamora.

He for one, is hoping that he did enough to keep his place when Hammers next run out at Upton Park at the weekend.

He said: "I am pleased to have started but obviously disappointed not to have got a good result.

"It is always going to help to start so you can get yourself into the game.

"It is very difficult coming on as a sub because the game is already into a flow and things may have happened before that.

"I wanted to make an impression but sadly I couldn't."

Ashton also had a note of praise for the Hammers fans, and believes that they are "more than entitled" to voice their dissatisfaction with the team's recent performances.

"They are always brilliant - especially away from home," he said.

"They always get behind us - but they are right to vent their frustrations because that's three 4-0s in a row.

"We know it is not good enough and they are more than entitled to have their say.

"I am just disappointed we couldn't give them something to shout about."

Have your say below: Should Dean Ashton keep his place when West Ham run out against Blackburn on Saturday?