Peter: Keep Cool

Peter Grant says derby games are all about "having a cool head in a hot atmosphere."

Peter should know; he has played more Old Firm derbies than anyone else and his experience has been invaluable in the build-up to the game.

"I played in East Anglian derbies, I have played against Wycombe for Reading, and I have played in the Celtic v Rangers games on many occasions, and the supporters want you to win the games - that never changes.

"It is the same passion there whether it is 2,000 there or 100,000 as there has been on some occasions when we have played.

"So they are no different and the most important thing is we want three points from the game.

"Millwall have done fantastically well and they are on a run of games that is second to none; they have got some terrific players so we know it is going to be a very difficult game.

"At the end of the day it is a game of football; it is a game of passion and you don't want to lose that.

"But you have got to make sure you have got quality-controlled aggression, which means when you are on the ball being positive.

"That for me is aggressive and you want to keep all your players on the pitch - the best players in the big games always play well and don't get caught up in the hullabaloo.

"The fans will take care of that, but once you are on that pitch you have to have a cool head in a hot atmosphere.

"The ones that do that are the best players and we will be reiterating that to them; you have to be thinking clearly so you make the right choices when you are in possession of the ball.

"You don't want to lose that passion inside the stadium and you don't want a carry-on outside it.

"We want everyone to enjoy a good game with two fantastic sides playing each other.

"Let battle commence on the field in the right way and after that let's make sure everyone gets home safe and well so there are no incidents that take the gloss of what we hope will be an excellent West Ham performance and three points.

"It will be a fantastic game, a London derby and all that goes with it, and that takes care of itself.

"But we know we will have to play better than we did against Sunderland when were very disappointing against a Sunderland team who were disappointing on the day as well.

"Apart from the result we were very disappointed with the performance, but the Crewe result was fantastic - though we let ourselves down with sloppy goals.

"It was, though, a good way to respond after the disappointment of the previous Saturday and we want more of the same."

Although West Ham didn't add to their half time tally against Crewe, Peter explains:

"I have been in these situations before and no matter what you say to the players you know you are 4-0 up and it is difficult to keep that momentum going.

"But we have reiterated to the players we are only at our best when we keep the momentum high; that is when we see the best of West Ham.

"The more often we do that the more we will look like a team that is capable of getting promotion.

"If we do that, with the players we have, we stand a chance against anyone.

"The quicker we learn that the better, and we were the complete opposite against Sunderland when there was no performance from anyone, with the standards they have set themselves.

"The best players and the best teams do it consistently and that is what we have to get into our make-up, that's for sure."