Dean Ashton says West Ham United's away form is real cause for optimism ahead of Saturday's trip to leaders Manchester City
Dean Ashton says West Ham United can travel to Manchester City confident of earning just their second ever victory at the Etihad Stadium.
The Hammers face the Barclays Premier League leaders on Saturday, seeking their first league victory at the Etihad and just their second success in 13 visits in all competitions.
West Ham’s sole previous win at City’s new home came back in March 2006, when Ashton made himself a Claret and Blue hero by scoring both goals in a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final tie.
“It’s amazing to think we haven’t got a result there since, but things have certainly changed in that time for Manchester City and it’s now one of the toughest places to go and it’ll be no different come the weekend,” Ashton told whufc.com.
“I had made a decent start to my West Ham career without really setting the world alight, but I think that night showed what I was all about. Especially my first goal, I was deceptively quicker than people thought, but once I got in I was great with both feet and it showed that with my left-foot strike.
“I think West Ham fans got more of an idea of what I was like as a player that night and it was great for me and great for the team. It’s great to have people still come up to me and mention that game.”
Nearly a decade on and the one-time England centre forward says Slaven Bilic’s side can repeat that result if they go to the North West full of belief and confidence.
Having already chalked up Barclays Premier League victories at Arsenal and Liverpool this season, Ashton says the counter-attacking Hammers should be targeting a memorable hat-trick.
“To go to the Emirates and win and then go to Anfield and win, they should be absolutely full of confidence and they do really set up well away from home with two holding midfielders – that looks really good,” Ashton enthused.
“You’ve then got the pace with Sakho and Payet and I think it’s exciting away from home, so I don’t think there is any harm going there full of confidence, especially after Manchester City losing in midweek as well.”
The Hammers face the Barclays Premier League leaders on Saturday, seeking their first league victory at the Etihad and just their second success in 13 visits in all competitions.
West Ham’s sole previous win at City’s new home came back in March 2006, when Ashton made himself a Claret and Blue hero by scoring both goals in a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final tie.
“It’s amazing to think we haven’t got a result there since, but things have certainly changed in that time for Manchester City and it’s now one of the toughest places to go and it’ll be no different come the weekend,” Ashton told whufc.com.
“I had made a decent start to my West Ham career without really setting the world alight, but I think that night showed what I was all about. Especially my first goal, I was deceptively quicker than people thought, but once I got in I was great with both feet and it showed that with my left-foot strike.
“I think West Ham fans got more of an idea of what I was like as a player that night and it was great for me and great for the team. It’s great to have people still come up to me and mention that game.”
Nearly a decade on and the one-time England centre forward says Slaven Bilic’s side can repeat that result if they go to the North West full of belief and confidence.
Having already chalked up Barclays Premier League victories at Arsenal and Liverpool this season, Ashton says the counter-attacking Hammers should be targeting a memorable hat-trick.
“To go to the Emirates and win and then go to Anfield and win, they should be absolutely full of confidence and they do really set up well away from home with two holding midfielders – that looks really good,” Ashton enthused.
“You’ve then got the pace with Sakho and Payet and I think it’s exciting away from home, so I don’t think there is any harm going there full of confidence, especially after Manchester City losing in midweek as well.”
I have seen quite a bit of West Ham and what I do like is that they’ve given Mark Noble a bit more freedom
Now a media pundit, Ashton has been impressed by the way West Ham have started life under Bilic – in particular the important role his former teammate Mark Noble has been given by the new manager.
“I have seen quite a bit of West Ham and what I do like is that they’ve given Mark Noble a bit more freedom. He’s been stuck in a defensive midfield role, playing out from the back which is great and he does that really well, but he’s actually a better player than that.
“He’s already shown in the few games that we’ve seen that he and Cheikhou Kouyate have been given licence, one at a time, to be able to go and join in – Kouyate with his power and strength and running and then Nobes with his creative side.
“I’m pleased he has been given the chance to get forward as much as possible and what has also been great has been Payet come in and he’s going to produce goals as well. When you’ve got one up front, you need your midfield players to produce goals and score goals and that’s really encouraging.”
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off at the Eithad Stadium. Click here to secure your seat to watch the Barclays Premier League’s two top-scoring teams in action.
“I have seen quite a bit of West Ham and what I do like is that they’ve given Mark Noble a bit more freedom. He’s been stuck in a defensive midfield role, playing out from the back which is great and he does that really well, but he’s actually a better player than that.
“He’s already shown in the few games that we’ve seen that he and Cheikhou Kouyate have been given licence, one at a time, to be able to go and join in – Kouyate with his power and strength and running and then Nobes with his creative side.
“I’m pleased he has been given the chance to get forward as much as possible and what has also been great has been Payet come in and he’s going to produce goals as well. When you’ve got one up front, you need your midfield players to produce goals and score goals and that’s really encouraging.”
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off at the Eithad Stadium. Click here to secure your seat to watch the Barclays Premier League’s two top-scoring teams in action.
