Angelo Ogbonna says West Ham United need to ‘face the reality’ of their current situation if they are to turn their fortunes around.
The Hammers travel to Southampton on Saturday seeking to improve a run of one win in ten Premier League matches that has seen them drop from the European places into the bottom five.
The Irons’ downturn in form has been marked by the concession of far too many goals, with three flying into West Ham’s net in each of their last three home matches – defeats by Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and, on Monday night, Arsenal.
For Ogbonna, who scored the Hammers’ first-half opener against the Gunners before the home side relinquished their lead after the break, he and his teammates need to be honest with themselves and put all their efforts into defeating the Saints at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday evening.
Southampton is a big game for us, but every game is a big game for us at this moment. We have to face the reality
Angelo Ogbonna
“For us it is very disappointing because we’ve lost two derbies at home,” the Italian said. “We need to step up as that’s the only way to get away from this situation.
“It’s a difficult season because the Premier League this year is very balanced. It’s hard for us, as it is for all of them. We need to think about the next game [at Southampton]. We have conceded three goals in three home games in a row and I am worried about that, but all we can do is train and come back and do better in the next game.
“We need to focus game-by-game and put what has happened behind us. Southampton is a big game for us, but every game is a big game for us at this moment. We have to face the reality. We are looking forward to the next game and we are focused on that.”
