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West Ham United assistant manager Neil McDonald has called on his side to draw upon their experiences of defeating the Barclays Premier League’s big boys when they take on Chelsea on Wednesday.
The Hammers have already seen off Manchester City and Liverpool at home this term and have the opportunity to add Jose Mourinho’s team to the list.
McDonald is keen to see his team bounce back strongly from Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace and says they could not ask for a better occasion to show that resolve.
He explained: “I think Chelsea are the best team in the country and they’ve just won the first silverware of the season, so hopefully we can catch them when they’re still celebrating winning the Capital One Cup.
“It might be wishful thinking to think they might come here with a bit of a hangover because they are very professional – that’s why they are top of the league and have the chance to make that lead even bigger.
“In the past we have competed with them, we beat them here a couple of years ago and have drawn with them too. We’re in decent enough league form apart from Saturday and we’re looking forward to the game.
“Every team have their weaknesses and we have to try and exploit those weaknesses as much as we possibly can. We have to be on our guard because they have so many strengths and so many individuals who can turn a game in an instant.
“We have to be switched on for the full 90 minutes and give it our best shot, as we have done in the past against the top teams.”