MATTY Upson believes West Ham have the "steel" to avoid another embarrassing defeat at Reading tomorrow.

The England defender is one of 12 new faces to have arrived at the club since their 6-0 thumping at the Madejski Stadium in January.

And the 28-year-old believes those reinforcements, combined with a new-found organisation away from home, will stand Alan Curbishley's team in good stead tomorrow.

"It was a bit of a shock result," said Upson, who watched highlights of the drubbing on Match of the Day.

"Reading were flying at home at the time and I know it put a lot of pressure on the manager and the team, so everyone will be looking to get a positive result this time around.

"I think there is more steel about the team nowadays. I can't see that result happening again."

The ex Arsenal and Birmingham City star also believes the New Year's Day massacre will have no bearing on tomorrow's match against Steve Coppell's side.

"Just because you beat or lost to a team last season doesn't mean it's going to happen again," he added.

"We're in a different position and we've got some different faces in the team. How it works out will come down to how we apply ourselves on the day."