ALAN Curbishley insists his West Ham players are still motivated, despite their recent run of poor results and indifferent performances.

The Irons have collected just four points from their last seven matches, but still sit comfortably in the middle of the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to relegation-threatened Bolton Wanderers.

However, despite having been marooned in 10th since mid-November, Curbishley claimed his squad was keen to push on in their final five fixtures by catching ninth-placed Manchester City.

"It's wrong to say to say the players aren't motivated," said the manager, who has seen his side lose to Sunderland and Portsmouth - at Upton Park on Tuesday evening - in their last two fixtures.

"We've had the opportunity all season to jump into that top seven, but we haven't taken it.

"Whenever the chance has come along, we haven't taken it.

"Tuesday was a bonus ball, and we didn't grab it. A win would've put us two points behind Man City.

"We've had our worst run at a time where we could've pushed in there, because other clubs are having similar runs."

Curbishley also dismissed suggestions that the Hammers' players - some of whom are earning in excess of £70,000-a-week - had decided to put their feet up early ahead of their summer holidays.

"Motivation and wanting to do well aren't a problem - we just haven't performed," added the manager, who revealed that his players and staff will only receive end-of-season bonuses if the Irons finish in the top 10.

"I don't think it's to do with motivation or the fact we are in mid-table. It's nonsense to suggest that. We just haven't done enough.

"I mentioned the bonuses as people say we switched off and I keep saying that 'No, there is lots to play for'. That is one of the things to play for. Not the main reason, but one."

Curbishley also suggested that his English-qualified players - including Dean Ashton, Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Robert Green - would want to impress ahead of the national side's end-of-season friendlies against the USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

"Everybody has something to play for. We have got a big English contingent in the side and a lot of them would like us to be doing a bit better because it enhances their situation but I am sure everybody in the national side is aware what we have at our club. Every game is looked at," he added.