Jonathan Spector has happy memories of the last meeting with Derby County as West Ham United welcome this Saturday's visitors looking to finish the season on a high.
The US international defender played as a central midfielder in a 5-0 win at Pride Park on 10 November. He also 'scored' his side's third although it was later credited as an Eddie Lewis own goal, after hitting the Derby player on the line. This time around, Spector will not be worried one bit who gets the goals, as long as they come. "I am just hoping that anyone gets on the scoresheet, to be perfectly honest. It is a team we should beat and it doesn't matter who gets the goals, as long as we get a win."
With Derby, Newcastle United and Aston Villa all to arrive at the Boleyn Ground before the end of the campaign, Spector said there was the chance to put the disappointment of recent weeks behind the club. "We all want to show the fans that we haven't given up this season," he said. "We have been tenth for so many months now and trying to push on to a UEFA Cup spot but that hasn't happened. We owe it to ourselves and the fans to hold on to that tenth-place spot and win the rest of our games."
The versatile 22-year-old started last Saturday's game at Bolton as a replacement right-back for Lucas Neill before being switched inside to cover for Anton Ferdinand. Seconds after changing position, he was on hand to clear off the line from Kevin Davies and overall he turned in a positive display alongside Matthew Upson. Both men were involved in Davies' winner though which came after a scramble in the penalty area that ultimately left Robert Green with no chance to save.
"It was just disappointing really, not to get a result. The last few games have been frustrating and disappointing for us. It was not until they scored that we really started to get going, passing the ball around, moving about and creating some opportunities … These games are difficult against teams who need to win to stay up. We were in that position last season and that is what we were able to accomplish but we don't want to let the season slip away, we want the season to finish on a high like it did last year."