Teddy Sheringham believes that Sunday's vital win
against Blackburn Rovers will provide the confidence that enables
Hammers to get back to playing their trademark brand of assured and
attacking football.
The Premiership's most experienced player revealed after the game that the 2-1 victory over Mark Hughes's team was one of the nerviest encounters he could remember throughout his career and, after scoring the goal that set Alan Pardew's men on their way to victory, he is now hoping to build on the success.
"It was a massive game for us," says Teddy. "If we had lost on Sunday, it could have been a real uphill task for us, but the boys dug in and now we can look forward to the Arsenal game with a bit of confidence.
"It was definitely a nervy match, you could tell that by the way we passed the ball to each other and lost possession when we shouldn't have. It was certainly a relief to get through it and take the three points.
"There wasn't much calmness about us, but we're down at the bottom of the league and so that will happen. When things are going well, you are on top of your game, full of confidence and enjoying your football, rather than worrying about any mistakes you might.
"Hopefully, with that result, we can become more confident and start to look after each other a bit more on the pitch."
Attention now turns to a mouth-watering London derby against Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday and, while the victory over Blackburn undoubtedly boosted confidence, the 40-year-old striker admits he might have got a bit carried away when looking forward to the visit of Thierry Henry and co.
He says: "I actually went on the TV after the win on Sunday and said 'Bring it on' when they asked me about the Arsenal game - and afterwards I thought 'why did I just say that?!'
"Seriously, though, it's the type of game you want to be involved in. The crowd will be up for it and we as players will be desperate to get another good result.
"We know we'll have to play better than we did against Blackburn to get anything out of it, but we're looking forward to it."
Go to WHUTV now for an exclusive video interview with Teddy, reflecting on his contribution to Sunday's victory…
The Premiership's most experienced player revealed after the game that the 2-1 victory over Mark Hughes's team was one of the nerviest encounters he could remember throughout his career and, after scoring the goal that set Alan Pardew's men on their way to victory, he is now hoping to build on the success.
"It was a massive game for us," says Teddy. "If we had lost on Sunday, it could have been a real uphill task for us, but the boys dug in and now we can look forward to the Arsenal game with a bit of confidence.
"It was definitely a nervy match, you could tell that by the way we passed the ball to each other and lost possession when we shouldn't have. It was certainly a relief to get through it and take the three points.
"There wasn't much calmness about us, but we're down at the bottom of the league and so that will happen. When things are going well, you are on top of your game, full of confidence and enjoying your football, rather than worrying about any mistakes you might.
"Hopefully, with that result, we can become more confident and start to look after each other a bit more on the pitch."
Attention now turns to a mouth-watering London derby against Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday and, while the victory over Blackburn undoubtedly boosted confidence, the 40-year-old striker admits he might have got a bit carried away when looking forward to the visit of Thierry Henry and co.
He says: "I actually went on the TV after the win on Sunday and said 'Bring it on' when they asked me about the Arsenal game - and afterwards I thought 'why did I just say that?!'
"Seriously, though, it's the type of game you want to be involved in. The crowd will be up for it and we as players will be desperate to get another good result.
"We know we'll have to play better than we did against Blackburn to get anything out of it, but we're looking forward to it."
Go to WHUTV now for an exclusive video interview with Teddy, reflecting on his contribution to Sunday's victory…