SCOTT PARKER has issued a rally cry to his West Ham team-mates with the side sitting bottom of the Premier League.

The Hammers are at the foot of the table, after picking up just one point from their first five games this season.

The financially stricken club have made a slow start to the campaign as new boss Avram Grant tries to build a new team.

On Saturday they secured their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at the Britannia against Stoke.

Parker gave West Ham the lead with his third goal of the season, and put in another inspirational shift from his central midfield berth.

The former Chelsea player has urged his comrades to grit their teeth, roll up their sleeves and prepare for a dog fight.

“If we show the commitment and desire we showed (at Stoke) we will certainly pick up results more than we won’t,” he said.

“We all know that in the Premier League, you can have as much quality as you want, but what you need is commitment and you need a real desire to win and go and beat teams and I think we showed that.

“It’s going to be a tough season for us. There’s no hiding the fact it’s going to be difficult. The one thing we have got to do is stick together, no matter what goes on, what’s written, who says what, because we’ve all seen in the last few months a lot has been said about the club, whether it’s come from inside the club or outside the club.”

Encouraged by the performance against the Potters, Parker wants his team-mates to step up and deliver on their potential as they march onto the Premier League killing fields.

“When you play in the Premier League there is no hiding place. We are a big club and you have to face the music if you’re not doing it.

“Us as a team we need to stick together and we need to pick up results as quick as we can. Certainly from this game we can take great hope from the result and really try and kick-on.

“When you’re West Ham and in the Premier League, every game is tough.”

There’s no questioning his devotion in the claret and blue. Resisting the overtures of Tottenham during the summer, the former Newcastle United player committed his long term future to club by signing a new contract.

His energy, tough tackling and astute use of the ball have been one of the few positives to take from the season so far.

Parker says he hopes his displays help to inspire his team-mates and wants to draw on their motivation when he’s having a poor game.

“I try and play my game and inspire others to follow. That’s the way I play and there are a few others out there who do that too,” he said.

“If I can keep trying to play my hardest and bring people along, and everyone else follows, that’s great – and vice-versa when I’m having a bad game I want to follow someone else’s example.”