Trevor: Saints Will Be Tough

Trevor Brooking insists that Southampton will present tough opposition as the Hammers go looking for the first home win of the season on Monday.

Trevor knows expectancy for a victory is high, but cautions:

"Southampton will be very buoyant after beating Arsenal; their home form has been excellent and at times they have played well away without getting results - and one thing you can be sure of is that they work very hard.

"They are a good team unit and it is something West Ham will have to match to go for that home win, but it won't be easy because Southampton will be looking to cement a place in the top half and get away from any concerns about falling into that bottom area themselves."

Highlighting the individual dangers, he adds:

"Beattie is playing very well at the moment; he has little flurries and he is going through a purple patch at the moment.

"He is doing exceptionally well, he is quite strong and good in the air, which hasn't been always our stronger point, so it is something Glenn and the boys have been working on.

"I quite like Fernandes who is a very left footed player that plays on the right - he delivers some excellent crosses and is dangerous on the edge of the box.

"It is important the team don't concede silly set pieces because he can put in a really good free kick.

"Wayne Bridge is probably the most recognised player and he gets up and down the left flank with Marsden ahead of him - they like to counter attack.

"Everyone is looking for improvement and the key factor is taking responsibility for results which that means getting the home form sorted out.

"Not having won at home is not a tag you want to have and that is important, then once you get that momentum going you start to feel that much more confident at home."

Trevor is delighted that Fredi Kanoute is back and adds:

"It is no secret we have desperately missed Fredi; if I remember rightly he broke down just before the Sunderland game in training some four weeks ago, and so for eight weeks we have been without our main target striker which has put a lot of pressure and responsibility on little Jermain.

"We need him now to try and have a run of weeks clear of injury as he is obviously a key player."

Trevor sees the key to success on Monday as solidity, and adds:

"Any manager and coach will tell you the team defends as a unit and it is not just about the goalkeeper and the back four.

"If you look at, say, Charlton on Sunday when they had a really good win against Blackburn, they worked so hard and it was a case of the front men tackling back at right back, and the midfield players snapping away on the edge of the penalty area - and it is that combined effort that you need.

"If you are conceding too many goals everyone has got to track back and make that a priority, so you don't give the opposition time and space.

"Players have said it is a collective responsibility and we are all conscious it is important to pick up the home form, particularly.

"It is a long eight or nine days from the Aston Villa game to the Southampton game and one would have liked it to have come a bit sooner.

"But when it does come they have to carry the momentum of a good display against Manchester United and the second half against Leeds from the last couple of home games."

"I think it was frustration more than anything because there were probably half a dozen very good chances on the day, and 4-1 wasn't a fair score line; their goalkeeper getting man of the match said a lot about the game.

"Chances weren't taken at the right time and we got punished for slack defending at the wrong time, and, as we all know, in the Premiership that means you are going get beaten.

"It is important to try and remember the pluses but with 28 goals conceded in 15 matches that is the area to rectify."