Be they in Seville or Stratford, the Claret & Blue Army have been remarkable on their returns to stadia this season, roaring on West Ham United over land and sea.
It is a supporter base Academy of Football graduate Ben Johnson has relished playing in front of, the 22-year-old admitting that the backing of the fans is lending the Irons additional momentum in their efforts across multiple competitions.
After tremendous support in our last three away games at Southampton, Liverpool and Sevilla, West Ham return to London Stadium on Sunday with an important Premier League game at home to Aston Villa.
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Anticipating another outstanding atmosphere for the fixture, Johnson has reiterated how such support goes a long way for the West Ham players on the pitch.
“This season, the whole Club is confident when we go into a game, and that helps us players,” Johnson explained.
“I think we feel like we’ve improved because of how our fans have treated us this season. It’s going to be another tough game on Sunday and the fans know we need them.
“That’s the honest truth: we need them from now until the end of the season.
“The top four is our aim. Of course, we’re realistic, and we know other teams have games in hand, so all we can do is try and win all of our games.
“Mathematically, if we win all our games, that’d give us a great chance. I don’t see why there’s a reason we couldn’t do that.
“I believe we’re good enough and no team scares us, so on Sunday we’re there to win, and I’m confident that we can.”
The Irons go up against an in-form Aston Villa outfit who have won their last three Premier League games in a row, scoring nine times without reply in the process.
Inspired by new manager Steven Gerrard and January signing Philippe Coutinho – who has been involved in seven goals in eight appearances since his temporary loan switch from Barcelona – the Villans have moved up to ninth in the table, nine points behind West Ham.
Nevertheless, Johnson – who opened the scoring with a powerful low drive in the reverse fixture at Villa Park in October – feels his team are aware of the threat the visitors will pose on Sunday.
“Of course, I scored [in that game] and we won 4-1,” Johnson said of the last Premier League meeting between the two sides.
“It was one of my first starts of the season. I’d played a few prior to that, was getting in a rhythm in the team and got picked to play at Villa.
“It surprised me and probably surprised a lot of people, the position I took up, coming inside and shooting on my left – but it’s something I want to experience and contribute more. You see a lot of full-backs have a lot of goal contributions and that’s something I want to incorporate into my game.
“We know how tough facing Villa is going to be. To go to Villa and win 4-1 was a great achievement, but of course they’ve changed manager and are playing a different way, and the players they’ve brought in, the style they’re playing in…
“It’s going to be extremely tough, but we’re looking forward to the game.”
