Lanzini ready to improve great derby goals record

Manuel Lanzini and London derbies get on very well together.

There was of course his unforgettable equaliser against Spurs earlier in the season and tonight he is hoping to play a part against Palace after scoring ten times in local derbies since his arrival at the club.

We still wait to see the very best of Manu but there have been signs over recent weeks that he may be returning the form we associated with him before that terrible injury.

He  has had to be patient for game time this season, but has contributed strongly to the team’s rise up the Premier League table and progress in the FA Cup.

With West Ham arriving at Selhurst Park in seventh position, the No10 says much of that success is down to the team’s attitude.

It’s a big game for all the right reasons with the Hammers looking to hit the top four and Manu wants to be part of it.

Commenting on www.whufc.com he said: “It’s a great game, it’s a derby and derbies always give you a boost,” he said. “We need to be focused and remember what we’ve been doing to this point of the season.

“They’re a strong team and have great players so it’ll be a tough game but we need to be focused on what we need to do.

“It’s always great to score full stop. It makes you believe, makes you feel good and even more so when it’s a London derby.

“I’ve enjoyed scoring in London derbies and I hope to carry on that record for myself.”

“I think it comes down to having passion for what we’re doing and how we’re playing. That’s fundamental,” he explained.

“We’re playing a lot of games, that’s the same for everybody, and that does put an extra toll on your bodies.

“But we’re going into these games and getting results, we’re playing well and that passion is a secret behind our success.

“The new players have adapted well, too. When things are going well, it naturally fits into place – the new players have brought a lot to the team and I’m really grateful for how this has gone. We’ve got a strong team and we’re showing it.”