In form centre-back James Collins is hoping his beloved West Ham United can emulate his native Wales when they travel to play Leicester City on Saturday 4 April.
Collins has been a regular for both club and country this season, totalling 23 appearances. During the international break, Wales recorded an emphatic 3-0 away win away against Israel thanks to an Aaron Ramsey opener before Gareth Bale netted a brace.
Speaking about the win, which takes Wales level on points with table-topping Belgium, the experienced defender said: “The win over Israel was a massive game, the way we did it, winning 3-0 and playing very well was pleasing.
“They came on to us a lot, which we expected, playing away from home. I thought we dealt with that well, I was playing on the right of a back three. I am delighted to get three points and I’m buzzing for Wales.”
After the win, which puts Wales in a great position to qualify for next summer’s European Championship finals in France, Collins heralded the performance of compatriot, teammate and friend Bale.
“During the second half it was pretty quiet defensively because they were struggling to deal with him. I was talking to Ashley Williams and we were saying how we wouldn’t know how to stop him. They tried to bring him down to stop him and one of them got sent-off.
“It’s great to be on his team, he’s one of the best players in the world and he showed that on Saturday. He’s bringing Welsh football forward and it’s great to be a part of it. I’m pretty close with him, I speak to him regularly, and it’s great to see him doing well for Wales.”
Having returned from international duty, Collins is now fully focused on a tough trip to relegation-threatened Leicester.
While many fans and pundits may be expecting the Hammers to record a convincing victory, the 31-year-old is anticipating a hard challenge.
“I’ve watched Leicester play a few times and they’ve played well, I remember them scoring five against Manchester United earlier in the season and they’re capable of scoring goals.
“We beat them 2-0 earlier in the season, it wasn’t the prettiest games we’ve had, but it was a very important victory.”
A further boost for Collins and fans alike is the prospect of having central-defensive partner Winston Reid back fit after a month out with a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea.
While Cheikhou Kouyate proved himself to be a more than capable stand-in, Collins welcomed the probable return of the New Zealand international.
“Having Winston back fit is obviously a big boost, he’s been in training for while so hopefully he’ll be fit for Saturday and help us try and get another clean sheet.”
With eight games left of the season, Collins insisted that the Hammers have plenty left to play for, most notably a highest points total since getting promoted back to the Premier League back in 2012.
“You can’t take your foot off the pedal, we want to win every game left, that’s enough of an incentive.
“Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table and that would be a fantastic achievement. We’ve got three home games left and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we’ve been promoted, tenth is the best we’ve done so to better that would be great.”
Looking further ahead to West Ham’s last season at the Boleyn Ground and the move to the new Stadium in time for the 2016/17 season, the defender stressed his commitment to the Club.
“We want to finish strong because next season is a huge year. I’ve been here a long time, I love it here, I always have done. I didn’t really want to leave, it was put upon me and I left with a heavy heart [when I joined Aston Villa in 2009]. When I had the opportunity to come back, I was delighted.
“I like to think I get on with the fans here, they’ve been great with me. I’ve got next year left on my contract, I feel fit as ever. I’m playing a fair amount of games and my family are happy here.
“If I was offered a longer contract I’d jump at it, I know I need my football to do the talking, hopefully we can get something sorted.”
Collins has been a regular for both club and country this season, totalling 23 appearances. During the international break, Wales recorded an emphatic 3-0 away win away against Israel thanks to an Aaron Ramsey opener before Gareth Bale netted a brace.
Speaking about the win, which takes Wales level on points with table-topping Belgium, the experienced defender said: “The win over Israel was a massive game, the way we did it, winning 3-0 and playing very well was pleasing.
“They came on to us a lot, which we expected, playing away from home. I thought we dealt with that well, I was playing on the right of a back three. I am delighted to get three points and I’m buzzing for Wales.”
After the win, which puts Wales in a great position to qualify for next summer’s European Championship finals in France, Collins heralded the performance of compatriot, teammate and friend Bale.
“During the second half it was pretty quiet defensively because they were struggling to deal with him. I was talking to Ashley Williams and we were saying how we wouldn’t know how to stop him. They tried to bring him down to stop him and one of them got sent-off.
“It’s great to be on his team, he’s one of the best players in the world and he showed that on Saturday. He’s bringing Welsh football forward and it’s great to be a part of it. I’m pretty close with him, I speak to him regularly, and it’s great to see him doing well for Wales.”
Having returned from international duty, Collins is now fully focused on a tough trip to relegation-threatened Leicester.
While many fans and pundits may be expecting the Hammers to record a convincing victory, the 31-year-old is anticipating a hard challenge.
“I’ve watched Leicester play a few times and they’ve played well, I remember them scoring five against Manchester United earlier in the season and they’re capable of scoring goals.
“We beat them 2-0 earlier in the season, it wasn’t the prettiest games we’ve had, but it was a very important victory.”
A further boost for Collins and fans alike is the prospect of having central-defensive partner Winston Reid back fit after a month out with a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea.
While Cheikhou Kouyate proved himself to be a more than capable stand-in, Collins welcomed the probable return of the New Zealand international.
“Having Winston back fit is obviously a big boost, he’s been in training for while so hopefully he’ll be fit for Saturday and help us try and get another clean sheet.”
With eight games left of the season, Collins insisted that the Hammers have plenty left to play for, most notably a highest points total since getting promoted back to the Premier League back in 2012.
“You can’t take your foot off the pedal, we want to win every game left, that’s enough of an incentive.
“Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table and that would be a fantastic achievement. We’ve got three home games left and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we’ve been promoted, tenth is the best we’ve done so to better that would be great.”
Looking further ahead to West Ham’s last season at the Boleyn Ground and the move to the new Stadium in time for the 2016/17 season, the defender stressed his commitment to the Club.
“We want to finish strong because next season is a huge year. I’ve been here a long time, I love it here, I always have done. I didn’t really want to leave, it was put upon me and I left with a heavy heart [when I joined Aston Villa in 2009]. When I had the opportunity to come back, I was delighted.
“I like to think I get on with the fans here, they’ve been great with me. I’ve got next year left on my contract, I feel fit as ever. I’m playing a fair amount of games and my family are happy here.
“If I was offered a longer contract I’d jump at it, I know I need my football to do the talking, hopefully we can get something sorted.”