The 29-year-old left Blackburn for West Ham during the January transfer window and expects another hot reception from the Ewood Park supporters.

The Hammers kick-started their survival campaign with an away win at Blackburn last season and Neill has demanded a repeat performance.

West Ham face a big week, with tomorrow's clash followed on Wednesday by a Carling Cup quarter-final against Everton.

And Neill said: "We want to start the week as we mean to go on, with a convincing performance and three points in the bag.

"This is another crucial week in our fixture list where we play teams in and around us and have a semi-final place at stake.

"Last year saw us start our fantastic run at my former club and nothing but a win will do.

"They are a very organised and fit outfit and I have great respect for Mark Hughes and his team but there will be no greater pleasure than matching them for their work rate and taking the spoils."

West Ham's six-match unbeaten streak was ended by Chelsea last weekend, but there was much to admire about the Hammers' Stamford Bridge performance.

Scott Parker started only his second game after an injury-plagued start to the season while Carlton Cole impressed Neill.

"Scott showed the kind of form to justify why we brought him here and Coley did extremely well against his old club to make two world class centre-halves look average," Neill told www.whufc.com.

"And to keep a top-four side to one shot on target on their home soil was fantastic.

"We can take a lot of heart from the performance and we go into this weekend in a positive frame of mind."

Mark Noble is pushing for a place in the matchday squad after being rested for the Chelsea game but competition in the centre of midfield is strong with Hayden Mullins in good form and Parker back in the fold.