Continuous hard work and self-belief are the components for a successful push to escape the Premier League relegation zone, based on Robert Snodgrass.
West Ham United is preparing for a house test against Southampton on Saturday, on the back of a very positive performance in defeat away to league leaders Liverpool at the beginning of the week.
Despite failing to leave Anfield with any issues, Snodgrass could point to important pluses in the game and has called on the side to keep showing those characteristics.
“Performances like this are what we will need to escape trouble,” the Scotsman said. “We will need to stop conceding goals. It is not rocket science, it is the fundamentals of football. If you do not make errors, you give yourself a better opportunity to win the match.
“We know ourselves, as footballers, that if we keep playing this way, we’ll get points on the board.
“We have run the European champions very near, and fortune at particular times goes . It’s tough to play against them when the game is flowing normally, let alone when deflections fall in their course or an error occurs. It is difficult but it’s soccer, and at times it’s going against you.
“There is definitely a belief there. You saw it in 2-1, there was only 1 team in it. We had some excellent opportunities and we should have put the game out of sight. But this is the reason why they’re a top side. You know if you do not take those opportunities, they will come at you.”
From the visit of the Saints this weekend, the Hammers will have a massive chance to get three points on the board, and Snodgrass understands that each and every game is important in the quest to pull away in the bottom three.
So as to do that, the Irons have to get some consistency and station a similar level of functionality that has been seen on Monday.
“Every game is big,” Snodgrass added. “Nobody probably would have given us a chance at Liverpool. I get that because they are flying high, but anyone that came to that match would think West Ham was a distinct course.
“The manager is trying to find that consistency in our operation to give ourselves a better chance. Every game goes by and, even if you do not take something from it then you are kicking yourselves.
“Every match in the Premier League brings pressure. We put pressure on ourselves also. We simply have to keep working hard for each other, keep thinking.”