DESPITE dropping out of the Play-off places after the defeat at
Wolves, striker Marlon Harewood is adamant the Hammers can still
claim one of the automatic promotion spots.
"We've left ourselves a lot of work to do," admitted
the 25-year-old forward, "but we're still aiming for a top
two finish and everybody in the squad still believes that we can do
it.
"It's going to be difficult, but we just need to keep
focused, keep working hard and believe in our ability. There is
tremendous talent in the squad, more than enough to carry us all
the way to the Premiership.
"Unfortunately we've suffered a bit with injuries and
struggled to put down a consistent run of form.
"We need to get a few of our senior players back, that's
for sure. No disrespect to some of the younger lads, who have come
in and done terrifically well, but for the run-in it will help to
have our experienced players available.
"Everyone is still working hard to make things happen. It
didn't go our way against Wolves, but we've shown the
ability to bounce back already this season, and we'll need to
do it again on Sunday against Derby."
The need for a good display in front of the Sky TV cameras on
Sunday is not lost on the former Nottingham Forest striker, who
appreciates that the Hammers need to start collecting points
quickly if they are to catch the Championship leaders.
"The teams at the top are in good form at the moment," he
confessed. "But we've beaten the likes of Ipswich and
Sunderland away this season, proving that we've got the quality
to beat the best teams in the division.
"We just need to show that quality more consistently and it
will be a big game for us against Derby.
"They're a side in form at the moment and they'll come
to Upton Park looking to make it difficult for us. But if we play
like we did in our last home game against Norwich then we should
have enough to beat them and hopefully kick start a good run for
us."
Last time out at Upton Park, the Hammers certainly proved they have
what it takes to exit the Championship via the front door -
disposing of Premiership Norwich City 1-0 in the FA Cup. Marlon
bagged West Ham's winner that day, and hopes the team will draw
on the positives of that performance when they take on Derby.
"The win over Norwich was a massive boost for the lads,"
he confessed. "We needed to give a good showing against
Norwich, because it laid to rest memories of our defeat to
Sheffield United.
"But the Sheffield United match was our last home League game,
so there will still be plenty to prove on Sunday.
"The Wolves result was very disappointing, but I didn't
think we deserved to lose 4-2. We dominated for long periods of the
game, but came unstuck because we gave away sloppy goals.
"That's something we need to put right. As professional
footballers we are expected to perform each and every time we go
out on the pitch, not just in certain matches.
"Now we need to show everyone that we have what it takes to
win games week in, week out. There's a lot of ground to make up
if we want to get close to the automatic promotion places, but
it's still possible and as long as it stays that way then
that's what we'll be aiming for."
Hammers Have What It Takes
20th January 2005