West Ham defender James Collins is hopeful that ending this campaign on a positive note can provide a springboard for next season.
The Hammers have taken five points from their last three games after five straight defeats, and the centre back told the club’s official website that he would like to end the season on a high:
“We want to finish as strong as possible. I’ve been in the game a long time now and I know if you finish the season well, you can move onto the next season and look to continue that form, so that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Collins has returned to the starting lineup in the last four games, and although they did concede three in the defeat to Arsenal, and two in the away draw versus Sunderland, he has helped the team keep two clean sheets against Swansea City and Everton.
The shut outs are the only ones the club have had since January, and the 33 year old’s experience in the backline has no doubt contributed to improved defensive displays in recent weeks.
The three man defence worked well against Premier League top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku last weekend and Hammers fans will be hoping for another clean sheet when they face Stoke City on Saturday.
