West Ham striker Carlton Cole believes his missed penalty against Bolton has "defined" his season so far as he struggles to find his form.
Cole has made nine appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League and Carling Cup in 2010/11, but is yet to score.
The 26-year-old had a goal ratio of one in three in the league last season but has looked wasteful in the current campaign, having squandered his best chance to open his account when missing from the spot in the 3-1 home defeat by Bolton on August 21.
As a result, Cole has been overlooked by England coach Fabio Capello and the former Chelsea and Aston Villa star admits he can have no complaints.
"Being dropped from the England squad wasn't a surprise at all," he told The People. "I haven't been playing so I didn't deserve to be called up.
"In the Bolton game, I missed a penalty and that's defined my season so far.
"If that had gone in, I think I would have gone on to score a few more goals by now.
"But there's a fine line in football sometimes and you get to learn from these things - that was a big moment to learn from.
"Right now, I'm heavily involved in the character-building process.
"You have to understand that for the last two years I've been the first-choice striker. Now Victor (Obinna) and Freddie (Piquionne) have come in and it's time for me to up my game.
"I have to admit that I haven't been the same since my knee injury last year.
"I'm happy to admit that. I'm very honest about myself and I'm by far my biggest critic. I've just not been the same.
"I've got to find my form and it's a good thing that they are performing in my place. It can only inspire me to up my game."
