Arsenal on Saturday…. Manchester United on Wednesday and Leicester next weekend but you know what? James Tomkins fears none of them as the new West Ham march on!
In the second part of a major interview with the Mirror’s Matty Lawless the big central defender made it crystal that the team go into games believing they they can turn over anyone.
And a certain Dimtri Payet helps rather a lot with Tonks declaring: “Of all the players I’ve played with at West Ham, Payet ranks right up there with the best of them.
“I’ve played with some good players in my time here. But when it comes to people at the top of their game, Dimi has to be up there with the best of them. He’s such a great player.”
In fact Tomkins places Payet him above such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best free-kick taker on the planet.
He said: “It’s frightening really. Free-kicks are like penalties to him! He’s just unbelievable.
“I think he’s got to be the best free-kick taker in the world. I mean, I’m just trying to think who is actually better. Ronaldo? Messi? He’s up there in that world class category.
Without a shadow of a doubt, France should take him to Euro 2016. Even if they just bring him on for the free-kicks!”
Tomkins is pushing for a recall to West Ham’s defence after his return from a calf injury and believes Arsenal have blown their chances suggesting a lack of leadership could be to blame.
“Arsenal go and do really well at the start of the year and think they will go and win the title,” said the 27-year-old.
“Then suddenly they have a little slip up and other teams have pounced. Look at Leicester. They are flying. Even Spurs have pounced on them this year.
“Apart from Jack Wilshere being out, this has probably been the longest time where they haven’t had a lot of injuries.
“You need someone like a John Terry character to get people together. You need your leaders about the place.”
If the Hammers pounce on them too with a lunchtime win they will be our points behind their London rivals with six games left to play.
And it was against Arsenal when their incredible season started, with a 2-0 opening day win at the Emirates last August.
“It seems like a long time ago now,” said Tomkins.
“But that win against Arsenal completely changed everything.
“Now, I wouldn’t say we fear anyone. Especially with the way we have been playing or can play, we have turned over loads of the best teams in the league this year.
That has been what’s been refreshing about this season. We don’t go into any games fearing the worst. The whole attitude has changed. We go into games believing we can turn teams over.
“But we know Arsenal are unpredictable. They are going to be tough to beat. They are still fighting for a high finish and there’s still even the possibility of them winning the league.
“That looks quite unlikely but still, you never know what you’re going to get with them because they do have great players.
“Mesut Ozil is on fire at the moment. You’ve got Alexis Sanchez who is always a danger when he’s at the top of his game. And the young lad Alex Iwobi is looking very good too.
“We know we need to be ready for them all.”
James Tomkins was speaking on behalf of West Ham’s principle sponsor Betway’s Academy of Football project. Follow the series at blog.betway.com
It’s not just the players,we fans believe they can turn anyone over as well,
We need to get back on track today and sink the Gooners,
COYI
Today’s your chance to reinforce that belief and take that smirk off Wenger’s dial.Vive le Payet! Now that is something the head gooner will understand.