Chicharito says West Ham United need to find a greater level of consistency in their play if they are to secure Premier League safety as soon as possible.
The Hammers beat champions Chelsea and held Arsenal in December and also scored impressive away victories at Stoke City and Huddersfield Town either side of Christmas, but have also allowed newly-promoted Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion to complete ‘doubles’ over them in recent weeks.
On Saturday, despite a fantastic strike from the Mexico international, the Hammers went down to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Brighton, and Chicharito says he and his teammates need to find a steadier level of form if they are to beat the drop.
We obviously want to be more consistent, which is obviously the key to saving us as soon as possible
Chicharito
“We got to be at our best to stave off relegation,” said the No17. “Two weeks ago we were in tenth place, in the middle of the table practically.
“Then, you can have two bad results and you are down, or you can have two very good results and you are up. This is how it will be. We obviously want to be more consistent, which is obviously the key to saving us as soon as possible and not suffering going into the last days [of the season].”
Results elsewhere meant the Hammers remained in 12th place, despite the defeat at the Amex, and David Moyes’ side could even rise to eleventh if Watford are beaten heavily by Chelsea on Monday evening.
But, while he was happy to score his sixth goal of the season, Chicharito does not want West Ham to have to depend on others to secure their Premier League status.
“[Saturday was] a bittersweet feeling. We can talk about the goal, that it was very nice, that it is a big confidence boost to a striker and at the time it was very important because we were down on the scoreboard very early and [the goal meant] we equalised.
“However, in the second half they scored their second [through Jose Izquierdo’s 25-yard shot], one of the best goals of the season, and it all changed.
“You saw with how they celebrated the goal, how important it was, and they knew that it was a goal that is not scored every weekend. We then tried to fight until the end, but unfortunately we couldn't get the result.”
West Ham will aim to bounce back when they host Watford at London Stadium next Saturday afternoon, when victory could see them rise above the Hornets and into the top half of the table.
If selected, Chicharito has vowed to give his all for the Claret and Blue cause, with the ultimate aim of securing Premier League safety well in advance of the final game of the season at home to Everton on 13 May.
“I always try to be a professional and now my head is here 100%. I will dedicate myself 100% to this team as I had done in all the clubs I have been in, to save us from relegation, which is the goal that we all have, from the coach, the players, all the staff who work at the club, and then also the fans – we will do everything possible to do it.
“Now we have to prepare this week for our next match is against Watford, a very complicated opponent, who changed their coach and will be hard to beat.”