Pablo Zabeleta says West Ham’s home form this season is pivotal to the club having a successful season.
The Argentine international who left Manchester City for the Hammers this summer knows just what it takes to win the Premier League after lifting the trophy in 2012 and 2014.
Emulating the Citizens is unlikely, but Zabeleta’s experience will be invaluable to West Ham who are keen to push back up the league following a disappointing start.
The Hammers have lost their opening three league games, conceding 10 goals, but have an opportunity to get back in Monday night’s home tie with Huddersfield.
Speaking to whufc.com, Zabeleta says the club’s form at the London Stadium will be key to pushing them back up the league.
“Winning your home matches is always very important,” said the No5, who was not on the pitch for a single home defeat all last season. “The points you collect at your own stadium will go a long way to showing how well you do in a season.
“When we won the title twice with Manchester City, both times our home form was the reason we won the Premier League. We won 18 out of 19 home games in 2012, and lost just once in 2014.
“Obviously, we are not going to match those records, but we do need to win more home games than we did last season if we are to achieve our targets this year.”
The Argentinian, who will be making his first appearance for the Hammers at the London Stadium, has called for the fans to get behind the team.
“We are all looking forward to playing in front of our supporters for the first time at home, of course,” said the 32 year-old. “We will have more than 50,000 fans cheering us on and they will give us a massive boost when we walk on to the pitch before kick-off.
“We have had great support at our away matches, but on Monday we will be at London Stadium, on our turf, and we need to use our home advantage to get the victory we need”.
