Jenko - We're playing with freedom

Prolific right-back Carl Jenkinson says West Ham United's players are thoroughly enjoying their football at present
Before this month, Carl Jenkinson had scored just one senior league goal in his entire career!

A fortnight on, Jenko has become one of West Ham United’s go-to men in front of goal, having netted the Hammers’ opening goal at both Sunderland and now Crystal Palace.

On Saturday, the right-back made a superb run in behind the Eagles defence before planting a confident finish past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey midway through the first half.

Moments later, Jenkinson conceded a penalty, which Yohan Cabaye converted, but late goals from Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet made it four away wins out of five for Slaven Bilic’s impressive side.

“I don’t know what the secret to our away form is but we’re just playing with freedom and we’re playing good football at the moment,” said the right-back. “We’re playing with confidence and we’ve got players like Dimitri who are producing the goods week-in week-out. We’re playing really well at the minute and we’re all really enjoying it.”

“Obviously it was fantastic getting on the scoresheet but then they went down the other end and personally I think it was a harsh penalty because he put his leg across me and we collided and he’s given a pen.

“We got two goals in the second half so we turned it around and that’s fantastic.”

Payet, Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, Victor Moses and substitutes Andy Carroll, Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic all contributed to Saturday’s success, as they have done throughout the Hammers’ fine start to the Barclays Premier League campaign.

Jenkinson has been especially impressed with Payet, who now has five goals and three assists in his opening nine league appearances.

“The way we’re playing at the monent, with Dimi creating a lot himself and getting on the scoresheet, he’s doing fantastically well.

“Attacking-wise we have got so many options and have got such pace and a big threat going forward, so we’re causing teams problems at the minute.”

Having won five of their opening nine matches, West Ham are now fourth ahead of the visit of champions Chelsea next weekend. So, Jenkinson was asked, how far can the Hammers go this term?

“It’s about maintaining what we’ve created so far this season. We’re in fantastic form and everyone can see that and we’re playing with an immense amount of confidence.;

“We’re not talking about setting targets of where we want to finish because it’s very early on, but if we can continue playing the way we are, then we’re going to have a very strong season.”