Martinez: We're ready to bounce back at Sunderland

Toni Martinez

 

Toni Martinez says his West Ham United U23 side are desperate to get back to winning ways when they travel to Sunderland in Premier League 2 on Sunday.

The Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Dagenham and Redbridge’s Chigwell Construction Stadium in their last match, while Leicester City were 3-1 winners over Terry Westley’s men the week before.

Martinez scored the visitors’ goal at the King Power Stadium almost a fortnight ago but could not get on the scoresheet when the Reds travelled down, having a penalty saved in the first half.

West Ham have a long trip to the north east ahead of them before Sunday’s clash and the Spaniard claimed everyone is ready to bounce back against the Black Cats.

“Of course we want to get a better result after two defeats,” the 20-year-old said. “We need to get back on that winning pathway again.

“I think in the game on Monday, Liverpool were better than us in several situations. They were on top of us almost the whole game and it made things difficult.

We need to get back on that winning pathway again. It’s very important for us to keep working hard and never lose the faith

Toni Martinez

Toni Martinez
“To win the game would have been difficult because of the way they played. But it’s very important for us to keep working hard and never lose the faith, and that’s what we’ll do when we play Sunderland.”

The Hammers are without a win in their last three matches, their form tailing off after a blistering start to life in Division 1 after a promotion campaign last year.

But despite the recent struggles, Martinez already has four goals in seven matches despite a penalty miss on Monday.

“I'm not frustrated about not score a goal, but I am with the fact that we couldn't show a better level on this game,” he accessed.

“To miss a penalty never is good, but we must think always collectively rather than individually.

“The good thing is that I am having chances to score, and that reflects on the work of everyone in the team.

“That means they are working hard to create chances and also that I work hard to get chances and to score.”

The Hammers travel to Eppleton Colliery Welfare on Sunday to face Sunderland, who have are also looking to get back on the winning trail after four Premier League two matches in a row without three points.