Mohammed Kudus insists West Ham United are determined not to let their recent difficult spell derail their domestic and European ambitions as they look to get back to winning ways at home to Brentford in the Premier League.
The Irons head into the derby against the Bees on the back of three consecutive league defeats, searching for a first victory in seven games and a first ever top-flight success over the west London side.
David Moyes’ charges did edge the teams’ FA Cup meeting in January last year, but Brentford added to their tally of Premier League victories over the Hammers by triumphing 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium earlier this season.
Ghanaian international Kudus, who has started a run of four consecutive games since his return from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, hopes to help inspire the Irons to a victory that could lift them up to seventh in the table.
“You’ll see [how we plan to turn it around] on Monday,” said a confident Kudus. “The ultimate goal is to find a way to win the game, especially in front of our own fans. The boys will be ready for it and we will push everyone to make sure we get the three points.
“Football is a game of ups and downs, but that’s the nature of the game and you can’t always have it all your own way. The most important thing is to keep your head down and keep doing what you’ve been working on in training.
“We’re going through a difficult spell but everyone is trying. We are not giving up - we are still trying to make it happen, taking players on and creating chances. That’s the most important thing for me - as long as you’re trying to change the situation then it will improve.
“My goals are to help the team as much as I can and win games and get points. We are in Europe now and want to make an impact as we won it last year, while we also want to challenge the top six teams in the league.
“Yes, 100% [we can win the UEFA Europa League]. We won the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, so we have the same mentality and approach every single game the same. It's very possible.”
Kudus, 23, has become an integral part of the Hammers set-up since his summer move from Ajax, scoring six goals in 20 league appearances so far this term.
And he credited David Moyes, the coaching staff and his West Ham teammates for helping him make the seamless transition to life at London Stadium.
He added: “It’s good [his relationship with Moyes]. I’m still trying to learn every day as a team and as an individual to be the player I see myself being. I have learned a lot from the coaching staff and the players as well.
“Credit to the team and the coaches here for the fast start I made, as they helped me settle very well and improve every day. We are still learning and there’s still a long way to go.
“Everyone in general was helpful but Joseph [Anang] is from Ghana, so naturally we had so many similarities and got on very well. I’ve settled in quite well, which is important.
“It was a bigger step from Amsterdam [to the Premier League], but I know what it takes to play at this level and before I made the decision to come here I knew my capabilities and what I can do.
“It was a challenge I wanted to take on. Hopefully now I can help the team start winning again, and we can push on into the last bit of the season.”
