Fonte - We have to look up

Jose Fonte
  • Jose Fonte still has eyes on league's top ten despite conceding late leveller against Sunderland
  • Defender says team have to take positives after claiming four points from their last two matches
  • Portugal man calls for focus against Everton as team go for back-to-back home wins

Jose Fonte says the Hammers' target remains to finish in the Premier League's top ten following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

West Ham missed the opportunity to stay a point off Watford in tenth by conceding their late equaliser to the Black Cats, but defender Fonte is certain they possess the quality to still climb the table over the final five games of the season.

That includes games against top seven sides Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and the Portugal Euro 2016 winner is relishing the challenge they will provide.

He said: "Finishing in the top half of the table is obviously one of the targets we have. We can't look down, we have to look up - we have to be ambitious and we have to be strong, to fight for the best for the Club and to fight for the fans.

"We have to focus on our next game against Everton and if we win it we will be in a good position to finish the season on a high.

"I'm aware that it was a tough period at the start of the season and if we finish in the top ten it will end up being an alright season.

"We have to take the positives from Saturday. We can't be too down, we're in the Premier League and every game is tough. Sunderland are fighting for their lives, they have good players up front - Jermain Defoe is one of the best strikers in England - so it's not easy.

"We've taken four points from two games, and considering the run we were on before I think that's positive, but of course we're disappointed because we should have won on Saturday."