West Ham United head to Fulham for a midweek London Derby. The Hammers are coming off a 5-2 loss to Liverpool, in a game that ended the team’s strong defensive run.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team need to bounce back but worries were eased when this week’s Premier League results went their way, keeping them just two points behind Nottingham Forest, and safety.
Fulham helped West Ham out in their last fixture, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to keep them in the relegation fight. Marco Silva’s side present a new test for Nuno’s men as the Cottager’s have won their last two league games, and are aiming for Europe this season.
Nuno’s thoughts
On winning games in the Premier League: “I watch all the games in the Premier League!
“We focus on ourselves. We didn’t achieve a result in our game [at Liverpool] and this is what we have to focus on as it’s really important for us. It shows how competitive and difficult it is for all the teams, the Premier League [that Forest and Spurs are in the bottom six]. It is the best league in the world where the best players are, so everything is possible in the Premier League.
“Every season has surprises in the Premier League. All the teams have to be able to deal with these situations.”
On international football and the upcoming World Cup motivating his players: “Many of our players are involved in these individual goals and ambitions to join their national teams in the World Cup. It only motivates them and makes them stronger.
“I think Jarrod is a talented player who always gives us amazing things. He’s been huge for us. He’s the captain and every day he gives his best. I think we addressed this last week. I am not really aware of the options for the England squad, but I am really focused on our squad and the players that we have and how they work daily.
“I’m sure everybody is aware that achieving something to go to the World Cup is really important for a football player. It’s a dream that all of us in the game have.”
On Wednesday’s opponents, Fulham: “It’s part of our job to see all the games and I thought Fulham were very good [on Sunday].
“They are a very good team. They’ve been showing year after year. Marco Silva is doing an amazing job. He’s been there a while and you can see the routines and the complicity and see that they’re a tough team.
“Alex Iwobi, the goal that he scored [against Tottenham]… they have so many talented players. I’m really pleased to see [my former Wolverhampton Wanderers player] Raúl Jiménez doing so well. Me and Raúl worked together and it was a pleasure and he’s a player I have big admiration for.
“I’m delighted to see him playing well and enjoying himself, especially after this traumatic episode he had [with his head injury]. The threat and character he’s showing every day, I say ‘Well done’.”
On the survival task at hand: “Us, the players, we have a big task on our hands.
“With the fight we are involved in and the things we have to address and solve and improve and make it happen, every day is about the games and how we prepare ourselves for the matches.”
