Pundit hopeful West Ham United can kickstart season against Tottenham Hotspur
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie says he is “really hopeful” that West Ham can kickstart their season when they face Tottenham at the London Stadium on Wednesday.
The Hammers claimed their first win of the season against Aston Villa at the weekend to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table, but now take on undefeated Tottenham in another tough game.
And the former West Ham striker says this is great chance to silence pundits who have this game down as a “certainty” for Tottenham to win, in a clash he says falls just under the Old Firm derby in terms of intensity from the fans.
“I think it’s a game where everyone will think Tottenham is a certainty [to win],” he told West Ham Zone.
“It’s the kind of game that it might kickstart West Ham’s season, because they’ve got the players. They can do it. They’ve not been doing it. This is the kind of game where Declan Rice would stand up and show everybody how good a player he is. And that would be what I’m looking for.
“You love playing these games. West Ham playing against Tottenham, you know it’s a wee bit off playing Celtic against Rangers. It’s a big, big game. And the fans, it’s the one game where the fans demand everything off the players and if they see you giving 100% then they’ll get behind you.
“I think this may be a turning point. We got a result at the weekend and they can play better than that, so maybe this is the game where they’ll do that. I’m hopeful. I’m really hopeful.
“You know what Conte is like. He’s going to have them strong and determined, and they won again at the weekend and are playing in the Champions League now. We’re only four games in but all of a sudden, Tottenham and Arsenal are going to win everything.
“I’m hoping this is a game that turns the fortunes around.”
New club record signing Lucas Paqueta is unlikely to make his debut in the game, where Moyes has a decision to make on his starting lineup.