Defender El Hadji Malick Diouf is confident that West Ham United will turn around our fortunes because of the quality we possess in the squad.
The Hammers endured a frustrating afternoon at London Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, and after a busy week preparing at Rush Green, are now almost ready to face FA Cup and FA Community Shield holders Crystal Palace on Saturday in our third London derby from our opening three home Premier League fixtures.
Diouf understands results haven’t been good enough, but says the mood remains positive, as he emphasised that the team are doing everything they can as we bid to turn a tricky start to the campaign around, saying that London Stadium can become a fortress for the side with the continued support of our outstanding fans.
“I think it will be an exciting game for us and for the fans also because we know they are not happy,” said Diouf.
“We have to try to win this game. I think it's difficult, but it won’t continue like this, and of course it will change one day, so we hope this week can change everything.
"It's a big game, and Crystal Palace are also good. We saw that at the end of last season. I watched them, and they have many good players.
“But it's about us, how we take this game, and how confident we are, and we're just looking forward to hopefully winning this game.
“We accept that [results haven’t been good enough], but in this game we need everyone and the fans also. Every player needs the fans because they give them the power to go and fight.
“We need them in this kind of moment because I think they can help and push us, and with their support, I think it will be easier for us to get a good result.
“I think if we are together, it will be really easier to push up the table.”
Crystal Palace, who are on an unbeaten run of 16 games in all competitions, a streak going back to mid-April, will be a tough test, having shown their quality so far this season and qualified for a major European tournament for the first time in August.
But the Senegalese left-sided full-back or wing-back, who has enjoyed an impressive start to his maiden Premier League campaign, having registered two assists in his opening four top-flight games, says Graham Potter’s squad is one of the best he has ever worked within, so he has no doubt that things will turn around.
He added: “I think it's not been a bad start for me personally, but you are not focusing on yourself because you want the group to start winning.
“I think I have made a good start, but it's not enough. I think the team is the most important, and we have to feel confident and continue to [try to] win every game.
“I am not joking when I say we have a really, really good team, and we have something special here at West Ham.
“It's not going to be like this until the end of the season, and I can assure you it won’t stay like this, and we know we need to focus for 90 minutes because when you make mistakes in the Premier League, you will get punished.
“I think we can change our fortunes this week. We are looking forward to it. This Saturday will be a really, really important game for us, and it’s one we are ready for.”
Elsewhere, there will be plenty of chatter between friends Diouf and Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr ahead of the meeting this weekend in east London, and our No12 is relishing the opportunity to defend against his international teammate.
“I'm excited to play this game against him,” added Diouf.
"He (Sarr) is a really good player, and I know him well, and he's in really, really good form just now.
“It will be an exciting battle, and I hope I will meet with him after the game and we have won three points!”
