Pablo Zabaleta believes a one victory could be all West Ham United need to get the season ‘back on track’ and feels there’s every chance that win could come against Manchester City.
The Hammers travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon for their next match in the Premier League, with the Irons picking up one point so far under new manager David Moyes.
West Ham are now preparing to take on a City side that, under Pep Guardiola, has dropped points on just one occasion in the league this campaign.
But former City defender Zabaleta is positive that West Ham can take something from this weekend’s game, with just one positive result a potential catalyst to kick-start the season.
Winning one game, or two games, could get everything back on track again. We just have to be positive.
Pablo Zabaleta
“Even if people say we cannot beat the big teams, like Manchester City, this is football,” Zabaleta said. “Football is unpredictable and you never know. They could have a bad day and we could take something from this.
“Of course, when you look at City they’ve been performing well all season but we have to be positive and there’s still a long way to go. Winning one game, or two games, could get everything back on track again.
“We just have to be positive. Let’s try to win – why not?”
Zabaleta, who spent nine years with City, was full of praise for his former team but reckons West Ham can take heart from Southampton’s recent effort against the league leaders, in which City needed a late goal to win the game.
The right-back admits City have the attacking players that can hurt the Hammers – and indeed any team – but is positive he and his teammates can put on the ‘perfect’ performance at the Etihad.
“Manchester City have been the best team in the league,” he stated. “They’ve been playing amazing football. If you look at Southampton in the last game, they were solid and positive, but we need to do everything perfect to beat City. Do the job defensively and then take the chances.
“Against Man City, if you concede after ten minutes it will be really hard. You can be exposed at the back and against those teams with players like David Silva, De Bruyne and Aguero – it’s tough.
“Every time I prepare for a game I think we can get something, otherwise I would stay at home and not play. We have to believe we can play the perfect game and take our chances.”