West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits they must improve their home form ahead of their match against Middlesbrough.
"Our first home win is imperative," he said. "We fell flat on our face against City and against Wigan had to claw our way back, while away from home it's been different. We need to win our first home game and that's what we'll be stressing.
"Perhaps the opposition approach is different. We had a great run last year and maybe one or two are now coming safety first, and it's up to us to break that down.
"Near the end of last season we had teams on the back foot from the first minute, and we haven't had that oomph yet. We're not lacking anything, but it was just a bit flat.
"When you're at home it's down to you to make the away team know you're at home, and we haven't done that yet. Early on at Birmingham and Reading we knew we were away from home, but I don't think Manchester City and Wigan did."