Peter Grant is confident that Hammers can avoid an FA Cup
hangover by returning to winning ways in the Premiership against
Liverpool this evening.
Following Sunday's memorable semi-final victory over Middlesbrough at Villa Park, Alan Pardew's men take on the current European champions - who enjoyed their own glory in the last four of the FA Cup at the weekend - and our Assistant Manager is hoping that the feel-good factor continues on the pitch tonight.
"We're all looking forward to a game between two teams who both enjoyed a fantastic weekend," says Peter. "We know there will be a great atmosphere among the supporters and confidence will be high.
"The only downside from that is the fact that we haven't had much time to recover. We picked up a few injuries late in the game on Sunday and some other lads are feeling the affects of a tough 90 minutes, so it may be that we have to make some enforced changes to the team.
"That shouldn't be a problem, though, because it will give some other lads a chance to stake their claim. We all know that there is a big prize at the end of the campaign - an FA Cup final that they will all be desperate to play in.
"Tonight is an interesting game for both sides, there will probably be a bit of shadow boxing going on, and we have to accept that there will be one eye on our more prestigious encounter in a couple of weeks time.
"However, that doesn't mean we won't be focused on this one. We'll be approaching the game in the same way we have since the start of the season - to win. If we can win our last three Premiership games of the season going into the cup final, it will keep the momentum going and ensure that we keep our league placing high.
"Any player worth his salt wants to win every game, and that is what we will be expecting from our lads tonight. Liverpool will be the same, their supporters will expect a winning performance, and I'm sure there will be plenty of determination and quality on show tonight."
Following Sunday's memorable semi-final victory over Middlesbrough at Villa Park, Alan Pardew's men take on the current European champions - who enjoyed their own glory in the last four of the FA Cup at the weekend - and our Assistant Manager is hoping that the feel-good factor continues on the pitch tonight.
"We're all looking forward to a game between two teams who both enjoyed a fantastic weekend," says Peter. "We know there will be a great atmosphere among the supporters and confidence will be high.
"The only downside from that is the fact that we haven't had much time to recover. We picked up a few injuries late in the game on Sunday and some other lads are feeling the affects of a tough 90 minutes, so it may be that we have to make some enforced changes to the team.
"That shouldn't be a problem, though, because it will give some other lads a chance to stake their claim. We all know that there is a big prize at the end of the campaign - an FA Cup final that they will all be desperate to play in.
"Tonight is an interesting game for both sides, there will probably be a bit of shadow boxing going on, and we have to accept that there will be one eye on our more prestigious encounter in a couple of weeks time.
"However, that doesn't mean we won't be focused on this one. We'll be approaching the game in the same way we have since the start of the season - to win. If we can win our last three Premiership games of the season going into the cup final, it will keep the momentum going and ensure that we keep our league placing high.
"Any player worth his salt wants to win every game, and that is what we will be expecting from our lads tonight. Liverpool will be the same, their supporters will expect a winning performance, and I'm sure there will be plenty of determination and quality on show tonight."