David Moyes says his West Ham United side have an opportunity to take a step back in the right direction when Brentford visit London Stadium on Monday night.
The Irons have tasted defeat on their last three Premier League outings, but return home under the lights hungry to get back to winning ways.
Should they do so, the east Londoners could move back towards the top seven of the Premier League table and give their hopes of securing a fourth straight season of European football a boost.
With Friday also serving up the UEFA Europa League round of 16 draw – a two-legged tie against SC Freiburg of Germany, who they twice defeated in the group stage – there was plenty for the boss to discuss when he held his pre-match press conference.
A tough opponent in Brentford
Brentford have always been a really tough opponent. Thomas Frank has done a really good job but you have to think that we’re quite a few points above them, so we must be doing something right.
We were leading 2-1 at half-time when we played them away, but we lost it in the second half. We’ll need to play well to get a result.
I don’t know any group of players at any club who don’t go through periods when they don’t quite hit their top form, so we have to find ours quickly.
Ivan Toney's threat
The games I’ve seen Ivan Toney play, he’s played really well.
He’s been a big, big player for Brentford – I’ve been really impressed by his performances, I’ve been impressed by his football intellect. The way he goes about his performanes has been very good.
He’s missed a lot of football, but he’s come back in very good condition.
Using a clear week in a busy period
I hope it keeps busy near the end of the season, because that’ll mean we’ve got more European football. So that’s what we’re hoping for.
Look, we all enjoy the chance to have a little break [between fixtures]. We can train well and prepare for the games, so hopefully the players are ready and fresh to go for the next game.
Facing Freiburg again
The manager [Christian Streich] has done a great job at Freiburg. He’s had a great length of time at the one club. We’re looking forward to getting back and playing them again.
I thought they were the toughest team in the group – we did have a tough group with Olympiacos and Freiburg in the group – so we have to go back there and see if we can win for a second time.
I don't think [beating them twice already this season] makes it any easier. I actually think that the group was very tight and the games were close. I don’t see any real big difference, obviously there are some huge teams in the competition – top of the English league and top of the German league – so you’re trying to avoid those teams as much as you can, but it’s a tough game whoever it is.
It’s the knockout stages now, two legs, they’ve just beaten Lens who were in Arsenal’s group in the Champions League, so it gives you an idea that Freiburg are a good team.
Aiming for more European success
The good thing about it is that we’ve always known that we’ve got European football after Christmas. It’s the third year in a row that we’ve done it and we’re really pleased to have it.
Once you get this far, you’re just hoping you can try to get through the next round and see what that brings up. We’ve had a brilliant few years in Europe, so we’ll enjoy this one as well.
I hope it keeps busy near the end of the season, because that’ll mean we’ve got more European football. So that’s what we’re hoping for.
No rush on a new contract
I’ve had really good conversations with the owners and with Karren Brady and there is a contract there for me.
I’m the one who at the moment is deciding that I want to wait. I want to wait until the end of the season.
I want to make sure everything is correct and first and foremost that we concentrate on this season and do the job.
I’ve got to make sure it’s the right thing for the Club. I’ve got to make sure it’s the right thing for me and my family. At the moment I’ve spoken to the board and I get on really well with them.
I’ve really enjoyed my four years here and one way or another I’ll make sure I see my contract out.
We’ll sort it out, but I’m happy for it to wait.
