Alex Dyer has called on his West Ham United reserve team to complete a hat-trick of victories for the club in tonight's Barclays Premier Reserve League South fixture against Fulham at the Boleyn Ground tonight.
The Hammers first team recorded a 3-1 success against the Cottagers on Saturday, while Tony Carr's Under-18s beat Southampton 4-1, and Dyer wants a strong-looking reserve side to complete a win-treble this evening. With full internationals Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector, Luis Boa Morte and Walter Lopez, as well as Hayden Mullins, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears all at his disposal, the coach is in positive mood.
"The lads played well last week [drawing 0-0 at leaders Aston Villa] and tonight I've got quite a strong side out and am hoping to carry on the good work. With the first team and youth team both winning at the weekend it would be nice to carry on that sequence."
Dyer also believes his players will be keen to catch manager Gianfranco Zola's eye ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie at League One Hartlepool United.
"I'm hoping the senior lads will come out and put a good performance in and give the gaffer a problem."
Above all, however, the coach is keen to see the winning mentality that is so clearly evident in the first team replicated in his reserve side. The Hammers second-string have won all four of their home league matches so far this season, and Dyer is understandably keen to see that perfect run extended to five this evening.
"It would be nice to win again. Reserve team football is one of those things that, sometimes in the past, the lads would come out and go through the motions. Now, we're trying to get that winning mentality right through the club. It's the same with the reserve team.
"Even though I want them to get what they can out of the game - meaning people like Kieron Dyer getting their fitness levels up - at the same time I want us to win. For the younger lads, especially, it's good for them to go home happy having won the game. It shows they have all had the right attitude towards it."
Kick-off at the Boleyn Ground this evening is at 7pm. Admission is free for season ticket holders, £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs.