Thilo Kehrer and his West Ham United teammates are determined to ensure their European campaign continues its fast start when they take on Danish side Silkeborg IF on Thursday.
The Hammers began their UEFA Europa Conference League Group B campaign with a 3-1 victory over FCSB at London Stadium a week ago and now have the chance to make it a perfect six points from six.
West Ham managed that feat in their successful Europa League campaign last year, and Kehrer is well aware how much a strong beginning would help the team down the line.
The Germany defender was involved in the play-off round victory over Silkeborg’s Danish Superliga counterparts Viborg and says the team will be ready for Thursday night’s challenge too.
“To win the first game was important to us,” Kehrer confirmed. “We know that a good result in the group leads also to getting to the next round and taking the good feeling into the next game.
“For us it is important and we want to continue with that on Thursday with a good result and then hopefully get out of the group.
“Many teams would be happy to play in Europe. It is just a privilege to teams and we see it as that too. For us it’s very important and we want to go as far as possible.
“I think West Ham’s name is one that gets bigger and bigger. You see the signings that came in the summer, you saw the season the Club had, and the development in general over the past few years, it’s all very positive.
“It’s getting more known around Europe and in people’s eyes. Everything is on a very good way and we want to keep on getting up and up.”
Kehrer’s start to life in east London has been a whirlwind. He debuted against Viborg, a mere 24 hours after signing, and has already made seven appearances for his new Club.
He feels being thrown in at the deep end has helped his settling in period, and says there is plenty more to come over the season ahead.
“I feel like I’ve had a kick-start to my West Ham career, directly into it by playing the games straight away,” he continued. “In my opinion it’s also the best way to get to know the team, to integrate inside the club and get to know each other.
“I didn’t have so many games in pre-season so I didn’t have a rhythm, so having my debut and playing right away felt really good for me.
“I also needed a little bit of time for my body to adapt and get really fit. I feel like I’m getting there.”
That adaptation period applies to the team as a whole, with eight new additions making their way to London Stadium this summer.
Kehrer has added further depth to a defensive group which includes the likes of Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and – when he returns from injury – Nayef Aguerd.
He feels that level of competition will only benefit the players in his position and the team as a whole.
“The new additions are exciting and interesting for everybody and for us to play our best game, it needs some time for us to find each other and know each other in the best way,” he added. “We’re doing it in the best way possible and are working on it together with the coaching staff. I think we’re on a good way.
“I enjoy the competition. I never knew anything different – in all the teams I have ever played that has been big competition. It’s something very positive for me. The manager has to take the decisions and for us as players we have to give everything to make the decision as hard as possible for the first eleven.
“At the end this will only be positive for the team.”
Focusing on Thursday’s match itself, Kehrer is expecting a similar challenge to that posed by Viborg and knows the Hammers will need to be on their game.
“I expect a team that tries to play, like Viborg also did,” he said. “Trying to play technical football, being brave, taking risks. We are expecting them, also because they are at home, to try to do that, and we will go against it with our qualities.”
