West Ham defender Jose Fonte believes the Hammers must focus on racking up the points to ensure they are safely clear of the relegation fight this season.
It wasn’t long ago that West Ham were flirting with the drop zone before an up turn guided them up towards mid table. Another loss in form in recent matches prompted a reporter to ask Fonte whether the Hammers players have switched off and become complacent in recent games that they are safe. The Portuguese defender replied (quotes from WHUFC.com):
“Not at all! Listen, there are a lot of points at stake and nobody is safe yet. We’ve got to get some results soon and we’re going to work really hard for that because we are better than where we are at the moment.”
Fonte has struggled since arriving from Southampton for £8m in the January transfer window. In the seven matches the 33 year old has started, West Ham have conceded 17 goals, and the centre back acknowledged that it “hasn’t been easy” for him.
West Ham’s defensive troubles took another hit when Winston Reid had to be taken off with an adductor injury after 18 minutes in the 3-2 defeat to Leicester City on Saturday. With Angelo Ogbonna out for the season, and Reece Oxford out on loan, Cheikhou Kouyate may have to fill in at the back in upcoming matches once again.
