- 18/1 on Defoe netting first in a 1-0 win over Sunderland on
Saturday -
Click for full odds with Surrey Sports.
Sebastien Schemmel says he is sure that West Ham can finish the season with a flourish - and remain above London rivals Spurs in the table.
"It wasn't the best result for West Ham last weekend," he says, "because we were much better than Tottenham; but we stayed seventh and I have to be happy about that.
"West Ham played much better than Tottenham and if Fredi had scored after 20 minutes the game would have been finished, but after recent away games taking a point wasn't too bad.
"We proved we can work very hard - and I was very pleased for Ian Pearce to score because after such a bad injury no one thought he could come back to the Premiership.
"He saved the team on Saturday with an unbelievable, beautiful goal. It is the first time in my short career I have seen that from him, a left foot shot, and him scoring was a big surprise for me because he shoots so badly on the training ground!
"He is a nice man, everybody likes him, and I have never seen anyone have a problem with him - that would be impossible."
Seb is effusive in his praise for Ian, even though he provides competition for him at right back.
"He is an important player for the club because he can play on the right or as a central defender," he says.
Now he is calling on the players to overcome the recent loss of Don Hutchison long term, and Paolo Di Canio for the time being, to keep the momentum going.
"Everybody says it is a bad thing for the team because Don and Paolo are fantastic players, but this season everyone has played so well.
"Jermain Defoe and Steve Lomas are normally on the bench when Don and Paolo are fit but although the squad is not very big, it is strong.
"And with the mentality we have I am very happy to play for West Ham - it is the best team I have ever played for."