Nathan Holland wants to show his former Everton teammates what they are missing when West Ham United’s Premier League 2 side travel to the Toffees’ Southport FC home on Monday night.
The Hammers youngsters head into the rearranged clash four days after clinching three points elsewhere in the north west – against Manchester City in a 1-0 victory on Thursday.
And Holland – who traded Merseyside for east London in January 2017 – is hoping Terry Westley’s Academy side can build some momentum for their final two games with a second successive victory.
He said: “The team are feeling very confident after the win at Man City. it’s always nice to get a win, especially with a clean sheet against a team like City.
“We played really well in that game and I think everyone left the match thinking we can be a match for any team. Now we have to kick on and do the same at Everton.
“City play a different style to many of the teams we face, but I think the squad can adapt well to different situations, and we did that on Thursday.
It’ll be strange to head back to the team where I spent so many years of my football career, but at the end of the day it is a game that we want to winp>
Nathan Holland
“We know every team plays differently and so we have to treat each game like a new one.”
Everton were crowned Premier League 2 champions last season as they clinched the league title but have found things more difficult this campaign with neighbours Liverpool surpassing their record for the majority of the season.
The Reds have now slipped off the top spot in the division though, with Arsenal and Leicester City gunning for the title.
A win for West Ham on Monday would see the Irons leapfrog Everton – and Chelsea – into fifth and Holland is keen to return to his former club and do exactly that.
“It’ll be strange to head back to the team where I spent so many years of my football career,” the winger continued. “But at the end of the day it is a game that we want to win and I will give 100 per cent to try and get the three points.
“I still remain friends with many of them, however now that I live in London I don’t get a chance to see them very often, so it will be nice to see my old teammates.”