George McCartney urges West Ham fans to back "shattered" players

George McCartney has urged whingeing West Ham fans to get off the backs of the "shattered" players and be happy they are not in relegation trouble.

Alan Curbishley's injury ravaged side were booed off Upton Park at the end of last Saturday's 2-1 win over Derby.

But the Northern Ireland full-back, who has played 50 consecutive matches for the Hammers stretching back to last March, claimed he and his team-mates had given everything to achieve mid-table security.

"It has been a long season and a major improvement on what was achieved last year," said McCartney, 26.

"You give fans that improvement and people always seem to want more.

"Some of us have played 40 games this season and now it starts to catch up on the whole squad.

"I think you have seen in that in the last few weeks.

"All the hard work we put in at the start of the season is maybe beginning to tail off. The players are trying their hardest to get the results and put on performances.

"To be honest, I am starting to feel shattered now. I will be happy when the season is over. It has been tough, but pleasing to play so many games. I haven't had any rest but that's because I've wanted to be out training every day and playing so often."

Despite complaints from fans over the entertainment on offer, McCartney insisted finishing in the top half of the table would be a big success a year after avoiding the drop on the last day of the season.

"Overall I'm happy with how things have gone," he said. "Recent results have been disappointing, but we just need the supporters to get behind us for the last three games and hopefully we can stay in 10th place."

Robert Green admitted he was also disappointed with the reaction from some sections of Upton Park after the narrow win over Derby.

And the goalkeeper warned the players were lacking in confidence before a Newcastle side on a six-match unbeaten run arrives this Saturday.

"The Derby performance wasn't great - don't get me wrong - but you'd appreciate some understanding that we're not playing the best we can," Green stated. "We've got a lot of guys who have been out of the side and come back in again.

"Obviously the confidence isn't going to be sky high."

Curbishley, who has 14 men on the injured list, has been told he must cut six players from his first-team squad this summer as the Hammers' hard-nosed Icelandic owners look to reduce the wage bill.

Carlton Cole admits there are "a few worried people" in the dressing room, and that they are all playing for their futures.

And that could mean more chances for youngsters James Tomkins and Freddie Sears, who both started their first home Premier League games against Derby.

Tomkins, the 19-year-old England youth defender, said: "There might be a few changes but I will have to wait and see what happens.

"If there's no room for me, then I may go on loan."