Manuel Lanzini was happy to help his team win again after making a big impact in Sunday’s 4-1 Premier League success at Aston Villa.
West Ham United were leading but showing signs of vulnerability before the Argentinian was introduced as a second half substitute by manager David Moyes.
And Lanzini responded with a cameo performance full of class, experience and poise, providing an assist for Jarrod Bowen to complete the scoring on what was ultimately a memorable afternoon.
The No10 has played just 47 minutes of Premier League football this season, spread across five substitute appearances, but he has featured in all three UEFA Europa League Group H victories and started the wins over Manchester United and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Like any player, Lanzini would love to play as many minutes as possible in all competitions, but he also knows that collective results are more important than individual achievements.
This team has everything and we are looking very well
Manuel Lanzini
“I need to be ready to play, to help the team but it’s not important, because what is important is to help the team and the team did very well,” he told West Ham TV. “It was a hard game against a hard team, so we need to keep going like this, to be strong and we were fantastic.
“The final pass is the quality we need to score our goals. It’s important that we create chances for that and we need to work hard to make this final pass. If we can do this, we will do very well.
“Of course, I want to play all the games because I am training for this, to play, to be ready and stay 100 per cent, but I also know the team is playing very well and I need to help the team when I’m coming. It’s important to be 100 per cent for the team.”
Whether he is starting or not, Lanzini is enjoying being part of the best West Ham squad he has been a part of since joining the Club in the summer of 2015.
He observed: “We have a very good team, we have a very good personality, and it’s good to be part of this team because we have young players, old players, experience – this team has everything and we are looking very well.”
West Ham have won five in a row in all competitions and three out of three in the Europa League, and will seek to extend both runs when they travel to Belgium to tackle KRC Genk on Thursday evening.
Then Premier League leaders Liverpool visit London Stadium next Sunday, and Lanzini cannot wait for both matches to come around.
“They are two big games, but I think we are very well,” he concluded. “We need to focus on our strengths and we need to keep going like this. Happy Halloween!"