Freddie eyes win double

Frederic Piquionne wants history to repeat itself when West Ham United travel to Sunderland on Sunday.

The Hammers scored their first away win in 13 months when Piquionne's goal helped his side secure a 2-1 Carling Cup third-round success at the Stadium of Light on 21 September.

Two-and-a-half months later and West Ham return to Wearside eager to end a run of 25 Barclays Premier League matches without a victory.

With the Hammers heading north on the back of wins over Wigan Athletic in the league and Manchester United in the Carling Cup, Piquionne believes the time is ripe for another joyous awayday.

"The atmosphere is better because we have won these games. I think it's a great achievement for the team and it is good for the future."

Piquionne worked under West Ham manager Avram Grant at Portsmouth last season and the Frenchman believes he is the right man to lead the club to a successful future.

At the same time, the 31-year-old insisted that it was up to the players to give their all for the cause, too.

"It's not the manager [who wins matches] on the pitch. We have to keep our responsibilities and we've worked hard to do that. For the future, we need to keep this attitude to win games.

"I think we will win more and more games. We need to stay in the Premier League and we need to work hard."

The Carling Cup win at Sunderland was also marked by Victor Obinna's first goal in a West Ham shirt.

The Nigerian followed up his maiden Premier League strike in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Wigan by chalking up four assists in the 4-0 demolition of Manchester United.

Piquionne, for one, believes there is plenty more to come from the on-loan Internazionale man.

"He's a very good finisher. He came from Inter and he is a good, good, good player. It was his first goal in the league last Satuday and he can score more goals.

"I like playing with him. We have an affinity and we fit the way the team plays."