Thursday, December 19, 2024

‘100% focused on the next challenge’

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Julen Lopetegui has already put West Ham’s win over Ipswich Town in the “past” as his side prepare to face Tottenham on Saturday.

The Hammers secured their second win of the season by beating the Tractor Boys 4-1 at London Stadium before the international break.

The three points took them up to 12th in the table, easing the pressure on Lopetegui, who has struggled for results in the early days of his West Ham tenure.

“These matches are the past for us,” the Hammers boss said in his pre-match news conference. “Now the present is the more important thing and to be ready for the next challenge.

“We were happy to have the victory, but now we are focused 100% on the next challenge, which will be a very hard challenge against, in my opinion, one of the best teams in the Premier League.”

A heavy defeat by London rivals Chelsea followed by a 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup had led to unrest among some supporters.

Lopetegui acknowledged the expectations of the fans and accepted his team must show togetherness to beat Spurs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“Our fans will always demand the best from us and this is a good thing for us,” he added.

“In the same way they support us always, and we have to be ready to play football, to defend and attack well, to be a strong and solid team. To be able to beat them there is not going to be easy, but this is our aim – always.”

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