Carrick Confident

Michael Carrick says the defeat at Anfield on the opening day of the season was "devastating" but he insists the signs were there, despite the loss, to make him believe West Ham will prove the bookies wrong this season.

Brushing aside the fact that the Hammers are among the top five favourites for the drop, he says: "That game will have gone some way towards rekindling the respect of the critics, if you like.

"We frustrated Liverpool for nearly 80 minutes and were just ten away from getting a draw, which would have been a great result.

"We were all disappointed because, although they had a lot of possession, they didn't have many chances.

"But you have to give Michael Owen credit for his finishes - that's what he's good at.

"We have to build on that performance this weekend, and I think you could see that all the lads were sticking together and determined to make things happen.

"The fans were starting to turn on them, and I could tell they were getting apprehensive.

"We were frustrating them basically, because they couldn't break us down.

"No, we didn't create much ourselves - but neither did they, and it was devastating not to come away with something.

"We were closing them down and working hard - they just didn't look like scoring."

Although he avoided a yellow card, five of his team mates were booked, and he adds: "That's what happens when you are putting the tackles in; you have got to really work, especially when you have star players like Fredi missing who can change the game."

Michael knows it will take more performances like that - with the results to match - if West Ham are to have a good season, and he adds: "All the country, it seems, had expected us to lose by four or five but we showed we were no pushovers.

"Whatever has been said about us, we are in it together - and will have quite a bit to say in what happens in the Premiership."

Michael modestly brushes aside the plaudits about his own game and adds: "I was a bit tired towards the end but the fitness will come the more games we play."

Next up it is Leeds of course, and Michael says the preparation going into the game should ensure a good performance.

"We will need to work hard as a team again," he insists, "and we will, because the spirit is good.

"The gaffer made it quite simple last week and everyone knew what job they were doing.

"Hopefully we can improve in the coming weeks."

Just eight days ago, Michael was, of course, on the field when David James sustained his injury playing for England.

He admits he did not appreciate the seriousness of the situation as it happened, adding: "I did not realise how bad it was at the time; I thought he was just being taken off as a precaution."

Now with two England caps, he says he is putting thoughts of the upcoming Germany game to the back of his mind.

"Hopefully I can total up the games one by one, but Leeds comes first and foremost and my objective is to beat them."