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Fab reckons we can beat anybody – even City

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If you hear the words “don’t get carried away ” and “we are keeping our feet on the ground” once from players and managers you hear them a thousand times.

But when Lukasz Fabianski  – at 35 – gives an explanation of where and why he believes the Irons are at the point in their development which passes all imagination it’s worth listening.

Fab has again been at his best this season and was as responsible for the three points against Spurs as any outfield player with two or three brilliant stops,

And commenting at www.whufc.com he said: “At the moment I think we are very efficient in the way we play out football.

“We understand our strengths and weaknesses and we try to be very quick in our transitions, for example, and effective in the way we attack the opponents’ box.

“What has been good this season has been that we’ve been able to mix up our styles and we’ve sometimes been more direct and sometimes kept possession of the ball a lot more and tried to penetrate teams with some nice passing and find solutions in that way.

“What you get from us so far this season is that we’ve been kind of able to adapt to each game and that’s been very helpful for us.”

Alongside that efficiency and adaptability, which have helped the Hammers win seven of their last nine Premier League matches ahead of Saturday’s trip to leaders Manchester City, Fabiański believes the squad has the mental and physical characteristics to trouble any opponent – even the runaway leaders.

“What you are always going to get from us is that we’re going to perform and give the opponents a very difficult time,” he confirmed.

“Physically, we’ve been able to compete against anyone, despite playing every three days, and push our opponents.

“With us, you know we’re going to be tough and hard to beat and we’re very consistent when it comes to that.”

While pundits and supporters may be starting to think about European qualification, with West Ham sitting fourth in the table with 13 games to play, the 35-year-old goalkeeper has more than enough experience to know there is no benefit to getting carried away.

Instead, with the level of competition in the Premier League, he says the Hammers must continue taking their 2020/21 season one game at a time.

“I don’t think we are thinking about the possibility of European football at the moment, if I’m being honest, at least me personally,” he explained.

“I think our approach so far this season has been just to prepare well for each game and do our best in each game.

“What has been clear to see as the season has gone on is that we feel more confident in ourselves when we play each game, so we feel we can compete against anyone.

“I think that helps us a lot in the way we start and the way we perform in each game. It doesn’t matter if we play away or at home, I believe in almost every single game we’ve been able to compete, so that’s a really positive sign.

“Something like this gives us confidence for the remainder of the season and hopefully we will keep that on a really good level.”

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

2 comments

  • Taffyhammer says:

    So much so right about these comments you have made Fab. We seem to ball watch less. We seem to have everyone trying to make the most of positive, instinctive play. Ask any West Ham player at any moment during a game – why are you where you are? what are you doing right now? The answers would be that they are trying to make the best of their time and contribution on the pitch. This attitude is no doubt encouraged and supported by the coaching boys. David, Alan, Paul, Kevin and Stuart will tell them all that the game is not played according to practice and blackboard tactics looking for repeat perfection. It’s about application, staying alert and making the best of each situation.
    As for Europe. Fab is right again. It is not a concern right now. See where we are at the end of the season and then begin to plan for the next games. Start dreaming too much and it will show on the pitch. Stay awake, concentrate on the here and now. Ask ‘How am I helping?’
    Fabianski is a brilliant keeper. We are a better team having him in our goals. Deserves our appreciation and support. Well done Fab.
    COYI

  • GaryD says:

    ManC will attack, we will defend. And counterattack. The EPL has been a defensive disaster this year, except for us.
    Stones is playing well and Antonio will have to be at his best to make their CBs miserable. 3-4-3 and winning is a real possibility.

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