Adrian says he and his teammates must show that the ‘new’ West Ham United is here to stay when they take on Stoke City this weekend.
The Irons will move above Stoke and potentially out of the relegation zone if David Moyes’s side can collect the win on their trip to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, and head into the match in good form having picked up four points from the matches with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Adrian has been a huge aspect of West Ham’s recent improvements, keeping clean-sheets in the last two matches, and the Spaniard wants to see that run continue against the Potters.
The 30-year-old believes the team have shown themselves to be a ‘new’ West Ham and is eager for a positive result versus Stoke.
[Stoke] will be a totally different game and we have to show we are a new West Ham against them. Stoke are always hard to play
Adrian
“The last three games were really important and we did well, but now we have to be really focused against Stoke,” Adrian said: “It will be a totally different game and we have to show we are a new West Ham against them. Stoke are always hard to play but we have to show we’re in a positive way. In the last few games we’ve proven a lot.
“Everything is very tight in the Premier League. We have to take it game by game but we have confidence in our squad to get good results and a good run over the Christmas period.”
Adrian has taken delight in his efforts for the Hammers so far but insists the turnaround in form is not down to him alone, highlighting the effort of the entire team.
He continued: “For me, as a goalkeeper, it’s really important to keep clean-sheets, especially against the big teams. It’s massive. Obviously, we have defended with 11 players and we showed on the pitch we can keep a good, solid shape. We have to keep fighting now.
“We have to show every weekend that West Ham is a different team now. We are defending like a team. Attacking as a team. At the end of the day we can do nothing individually.
“I could make one save but the other team could still score four goals. The defenders could head away one ball but then make two mistakes. We have to work as a team.”
“At the moment, I feel really happy. I’m back in the team and I’m helping the side by making saves,” Adrian explained. “I knew from the of the season it would be hard work for me but I knew as well that I would have an opportunity to play. I showed in the Cup I could play well and then at Man City.
“The goalkeeping position is like this – only one can play. West Ham have two great and professional goalkeepers who are competitive and want to fight for the spot.
“I have a great relationship with Joe. We train everyday together and we are competitive in training. a good goalkeeper and I like the competition. No competition is no good for anyone. From the beginning of the season we’ve pushed each other.”