WHEN Paul Konchesky arrived at Upton Park this summer and saw the
Hammers fixture list one game caught his eye.
A visit to Anfield to take on European Champions Liverpool is what being back in the Premiership is all about.
And, like all Hammers fans this weekend, the Barking-born
full-back is looking forward to taking on the Reds.
He said: "The Liverpool match does stand out a bit when you
read the fixture list and it's one we're really looking
forward to.
"It's a big game for all of us, the atmosphere will be
incredible and our travelling fans will be in good voice for us
I'm sure. Of course it will be tough, but we're looking to
build on the great win against Middlesbrough last weekend and
that's all we concentrating on.
"We all know about Liverpool, the players they've got but
we're confident. We have a good away record and we know that as
well as doing the best at home, if we can pick up points away from
home, it will serve us well throughout the season.
"You have to go into every game believing you can win and do
well. But at places like Anfield it's even more important that
you have confidence and faith in what you are doing."
"Our form, home and away, has been good this season, only two
losses in the league, have dented that, but we've recovered
from them each time and I believe we have got stronger and learned
from those defeats.
"There's a long way to go of course in the season, but if
we can stay as strong as we have been recently and get results at
places like Anfield then we will do well."
Following the Bolton cup game, the squad has stayed up north
together while they prepare for the Liverpool match, and Konch
believes the team will reap the benefits on Saturday.
He said: "There would have been a lot of travelling for us
this week, so staying up in the North West has allowed us to get
ready for the game in the best way. All the boys get on well, so
it's been time well spent off the pitch as well."
Alan Pardew stressed the important of Hammers going into this game
without fear of their illustrious opponets. It's a message
Konchesky has been quick to heed this week.
Konch explained: "We play without fear, we respect teams and
of course Liverpool are a team that will pose one of the most
difficult games this season.
"But we've got to go out there and play to the best of
our abilities whatever their line-up is, whoever you are up against
on the pitch.
"Our aim is to play our game, play to our own strengths and
not worry too much about the opposition. Of course, your game plan
depends a lot on the opposition, but we take the same philosophy
into every match and we'll go out there and give it a real go
at Anfield."
Since coming into the Hammers first-team this season Konch's
responsibilities in the side have been growing, and they have
recently been extended to set-pieces, particularly when Teddy
Sheringham is not on the pitch.
He said: "Yeah, I've taken a few free-kicks lately,
I'm aiming to score from one of them soon, hopefully this
weekend.
"But at the end of the day, we all share responsibilities
for different things and it changes from game to game.
"I'm just loving it here, playing every week for West Ham
United. The manager has given me the chance to play and I aim
to take that chance to the full in every match and do my best for
the team."
"The first 10 games have gone really well for us, perhaps better than some people might of have expected of us. We want to just keep getting the results and pushing our way up the League."