The Big Interview - Carl Jenkinson

West Ham United's Carl Jenkinson is looking forward to facing Tottenham this Sunday

On loan right-back Carl Jenkinson has been in fine form for West Ham United this season having joined from his boyhood club Arsenal in the summer.

The talented 23-year-old has been a regular member of Sam Allardyce's starting XI this term, making 24 appearances in total.

Ahead of the Hammers trip to White Hart Lane this Sunday, whufc.com caught up with the in form defender as he prepares for his first game against rivals Spurs in a Claret and Blue shirt...

Carl, a disappointing result last weekend, but a great opportunity to bounce back against Tottenham this Sunday?

CJ: "Tottenham is a huge game, it always is anyway but particularly after a heavy defeat. There's a lot of disappointment around the club at the moment and we need to turn it around and get back o
n track."

After a defeat do you prefer to play straight away or have time to reflect and reorganise?

CJ: "I prefer playing straight away whenever you lose, it helps to get it out of the system and put things right. Saturday was a disappointment and we all just want to put it behind us and get back to winning ways."

Three games last week but now we have eight days between games to prepare, whereas Tottenham play in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Does that help slightly?

CJ: "They usually change their squad a bit for the Europa League, they have a big enough squad to cope with it. It's good for us because we have time to get a few injured players back to fitness as well as giving us a bit of a break.

"We've had a lot of games recently so it's good to be able to recover. The last few games have been tough physically. Playing Manchester United is always going to be tough and then playing with ten men away at Southampton and then again at West Brom, has taken it out of us a bit."

We've tended to do well in the big games and put in some good performances. What do you put that down to?

CJ: "I think the main thing is that we have the players to play in the big games. We've got a good squad and good players here. Everyone seems to lift themselves for the bigger games that bit more. We have done very well in the big games and it's important that we keep on doing that. It's also important we focus on every game and win the other games too."

As an Arsenal man, are games against Tottenham a bit more special for you?

CJ: "Yeah of course. This is the first time I've played against Tottenham for a different club other than Arsenal, it's always a game you never want to lose."

The atmosphere in these games are usually really good. Do you have to block it out or do you use it to your advantage?

CJ: "A bit of both really. Of course you have to focus on your game and what's going on around you. But the atmosphere is what makes the game so special and it shows how much the game means to everyone. As they beat us earlier in the season we're desperate to go there, play well and get a result."

Harry Kane has been in excellent form this season, how good do you think he is?

CJ: "He's been excellent this season. I know him quite well from playing together in the England U21s. He's a nice lad and good footballer, he works hard and he's reaping the rewards of that. He deserves all the praise he's getting at the moment. I think he's going to be a big player for England in the future, I hope we keep him quiet this weekend."

What have you made of Tottenham more generally this season, they seem to be coming into a bit of form at the moment?

CJ: "Yeah, they're doing alright aren't they? They've always had some good players and they've been doing well lately. It's important we knock them off their perch a little bit and that's the mentality we need to bring into the game. We're a great side as well and play to our strengths. If we do that, we have a great chance of getting a good result."