‘We’re going there to win’ – Ben Johnson delivers rallying cry ahead of City clash
West Ham defender Ben Johnson says his side are going to the Etihad to win ahead of the clash with Manchester City today.
The Hammers are fourth in the Premier League table, and travel to the runaway leaders in the early kickoff today.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams, Johnson claims his teammates are feeling confident and want to give City a game today. He said: “We’re going there to win, there’s not much more I can say.
“We’re looking forward to the game, we’re really up for the game. That’s how we’ve been all season no matter the opposition, we’re going to win.
“We’re not going to any place to grind out a draw. We’re confident in our ability, in the players we have from goalkeeper to centre forward, and we’re going to go toe-to-toe with them.
“I know we’ll give them a really good game and we’re going to test them. I think we’re confident to get a result there.”
A big ask
There are no doubts about it, today is going to be the biggest test of the season. In many ways, it’s a free hit for Moyes and his squad.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have been on another level this season. Without their talisman Sergio Aguero, they’ve switched to an attacking frontline with a false nine.
Foden, Silva, Mahrez, Gundogan and Sterling all interchange throughout the 90, making them impossible to mark.
In all honesty, despite our excellent run of form, nothing is really expected from the game today. Aside from City, we’re the in-form team since the turn of the year. Only today’s hosts have amassed more points than us in 2021, we’ve taken 22 from a possible 27.
That said, it sounds as though the squad are confident. It’s refreshing to hear that we’re going up to Manchester with the aim of getting a result. We currently have a nine-point gap over Spurs, five ahead of Everton and Liverpool and two ahead of Chelsea.
Any points we can pick up today will be a huge bonus in our push for Europe. There’s every chance we will slip out of the top four this weekend, but we remain positive in what’s been an extraordinary season so far.
In other West Ham news, Cresswell v Mahrez will be a key clash in todays match with City.