James Collins believes three away matches can’t be an excuse for West Ham United’s disappointing start to the season but insists those wrongs can be put right against Huddersfield Town.
The Hammers will return to the London Stadium for their first home contest of the campaign on Monday evening against the Terriers.
David Wagner’s recently promoted team will provide a stern test in Stratford for West Ham, having impressed so far on their return to the top flight of English football.
A first home game is a good opportunity to put things right in front of our own fans, on the tele and under the lights.
James Collins
But Collins feels he and his teammates have a brilliant chance in front of the loyal home support and the Sky Sports cameras to show just what they’re capable of in this fixture.
When asked about the three away games Collins said: “It’s a bit of an excuse really. It just so happens that they were three games, away from home, that we’ve lost. But if you look at those games we haven’t performed.
“A first home game is a good opportunity to put things right in front of our own fans, on the tele and under the lights. Hopefully we can do that. Training has been very good this week so hopefully we can make this first game at home a special night.”
The No19 reckons a short break has helped the Hammers’ players as it has given them the chance to compose their own thoughts and come up with new ideas for winning a first three points on Monday.
And Collins has also revealed that training has been stepped up with the West Ham team pulling out all the stops to achieve a win over Huddersfield.
“I think a break helps,” Collins admitted. “Getting away and having your own thoughts helps, especially given it hasn’t gone as well as we would want in the first three games.
“I’ve come back from Wales duty and the lads have said training has been bang on during the international break. They have mentioned how good training has been in the last couple of weeks. We’ve got back together and everyone is ready to go.”
Slaven Bilic will celebrate his 49th birthday on Monday and Collins says there would be no better present for the manager than to earn three points for him against the Terriers.
He added: “Birthday or not everyone at the club would like to get the boss three points. It’s crazy in football that the managers get put under so much pressure when sometimes really the players need to look at themselves. The manager has done the best he can.
“I feel like we owe the gaffer a performance and hopefully we can do that on Monday.”