- Goalkeeper Adrian is hoping to add more clean sheets to his tally before the season’s climax
- The Spaniard kept his second shut-out in as many games as the Hammers drew 0-0 with Stoke City on Saturday
- The keeper is yet to concede since his return to the starting XI
Having kept his second clean sheet in as many games since returning to the West Ham United starting XI, goalkeeper Adrian is hoping to continue his good form for the remainder of the season.
One of the standout performers in the Hammers’ goalless draw with Stoke City on Saturday at the bet365 Stadium, the Spaniard kept the hosts at bay with a number of smart stops.
Preferred in goal to Darren Randolph in recent weeks, Adrian has performed well having bided his time and superbly denied the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Saido Berahino and Marko Arnautovic on Saturday.
And with three games of the campaign left to play, the stopper is keen to add more clean sheets to his tally before the league’s climax.
He said: “The Premier League is never easy, and it’s always difficult, but we showed today that we are a solid team and we defended very well.
“It’s not just about the defenders; it started at the strikers. Today we were a little bit unlucky that we couldn’t score that one goal and get the three points.
“It’s also very difficult to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League, and we have now two in two games. We want to win as many games as possible now.
It was difficult waiting to play obviously. I am a professional so it’s been hard the last few months.
Adrian
“We have two big games left at home now – Tottenham and Liverpool – very hard, but two good games and we need to keep showing this solid defending as well so we can keep getting points.”
Adrian’s last appearance before losing his No1 spot to Randolph earlier in the season was in the reverse fixture against the Potters earlier this season, and since, he has been forced to watch from the substitutes’ bench.
But, reinstated for last weekend’s London Stadium fixture against Everton, the goalkeeper is delighted that his patience is now beginning to pay off.
“It was difficult waiting to play obviously,” he continued. “I am a professional so it’s been hard the last few months, but at the end of the day, we are a team.
“Darren and me work hard every day together, and yes, we are good friends. It’s not just us – there is Rapha [Spiegel] and the young goalkeepers too.
“It was really open at Stoke and we had some chances, in the second half too. Both teams had good chances to score but it was a Premier League game. It’s finished 0-0 and one more point.
“It was a reaction save from Arnautovic [that I made]. I tried to touch it with my hand to get it away from his head, which I managed to do.”