Declan Rice says West Ham United need to use the momentum gained from Tuesday’s last-gasp victory over West Bromwich Albion to help propel them up the Premier League table.
Three points against the Baggies moved the Hammers out of the relegation zone and within striking distance of 11th placed Huddersfield Town.
Now, with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur following on Thursday, 18-year-old Rice wants the Hammers to continue to look upwards as they head into 2018.
“Everyone was buzzing to get the 2-1 win on Tuesday,” Rice said. “The place just erupted and I’m just so happy for the fans and so happy for us. Let’s keep moving up the table now.
“At half time we knew we had to come out in the second half and give the fans something to cheer. It was a massive sigh of relief getting the second goal, but we’ve got Tottenham on Thursday now so we have to stay focused.
“Spurs are in a good bit of form as well, but when we went there last time we were 2-0 down and came back to win 3-2. We’ll look back at that game again, get all the confidence we can and go there for three points. It’s hard obviously with just one day of rest, but we’re Premier League footballers so we have to deal with that.”
The place just erupted and I’m just so happy for the fans and so happy for us. Let’s keep moving up the table now
Declan Rice
Rice again showed his versatility on Tuesday, playing a 14 minute cameo at left-back after Aaron Cresswell picked up an injury and the Academy product was thrilled to play his part.
“I’ll play wherever the manager wants me to play,” he added. “I went on a run and with the momentum of the crowd, once I nicked the ball off Robson-Kanu I thought ‘there’s no point turning back, I might as well get on my bike and show a bit of pace!’
“We nearly scored from it, but I was happy with myself when I came on and it’s nice to get another appearance – as a kid I never thought I would have made about 15 appearances for West Ham [at this age]. Right back, left back, centre back, midfield, I’m not bothered. I just want to play football.”