With the Hammers hoping to ensure Premiership survival
at Old Trafford on Sunday, assistant manager Keith Peacock reveals
that the team spirit is strong after three consecutive
wins.
"The mood's good, we're playing with confidence,"
he says. "But it's not just the results we've got
lately; it's the way we've played. We've played some
very good football, got the ball down and the way the goals are
conceived and finished has been superb.
"I'm sure that'll give us an extra bit of confidence
going to Manchester United, where we'll have to pass the ball
around in order to win.
"There is that belief that things are going for us and
there's nothing quite like confidence and putting a run of good
results together. Everyone has that little bit more bounce in their
step, that little bit more energy in their play and we need to get
off to a good start up at Old Trafford.
"That will be very important, that we don't concede an
early goal. The concentration will have to be total. I think there
will be a reasonable atmosphere there as well, to say the
least!"
Manchester United may have already been crowned Premiership
Champions but Keith is keen for the Hammers to keep focused in what
is sure to be a tough test.
"If they do rest one or two players then Saha will come in or
Solskjaer or whoever it might be. They got so many good players
that I don't know that it would make too much difference.
Having said that, if they want to rest Ronaldo I wouldn't be
too displeased!
"We have to be very careful here in terms of what's being
written in the press about what Wigan are going to do or what
Sheffield United are going to do.
"We've got to go to Man United and get at least a
point. If we do that, no matter what happens anywhere else, we are
in the Premiership for next year. That's what we've got to
concentrate on."