Graham Potter says the visit of Southampton presents a challenge equivalent to last weekend's trip to Anfield.
West Ham were beaten 2-1 at the home of the champions elect last weekend through a controversial late goal. And tomorrow the Hammers host the team at the opposite end of the table - and one still hoping to avoid breaking the record for fewest points won during a Premier League campaign."It's a different challenge to last weekend, but just as big," claimed Potter, addressing the media ahead of West Ham's latest outing. "We have to understand and respect that. Nothing's easy in football, and Southampton will come here looking to win.
"We have to focus on ourselves and put in a good performance. We know the role we have to play in the game, but it's football. I know their management team, and they'll be prepared. If we play like we can, we'll have a decent chance."
And Potter admitted that the team's recent disappointing home form is in need of a late season boost. "It's something we want to put right," he insisted.
"We need to play well on Saturday, and we'll be trying to do that. The supporters have been brilliant since we've been here, home and away. They've got behind the team, and been fair on us.
"This period is important for us, but we're hoping to try and finish in a good way, with as many points as we can. We're pleased with how we played at Liverpool, and now we need to turn that into points."
And despite a run of not particularly positive results, Potter suggested he is happy with the camaraderie amongst the squad. "It's really positive," he began.
"The daily work has been of a high level since we've been here and I'm frustrated for the players that we haven't converted that into consistent results. I think there's a foundation there for us to go forward. The players have been first-class, and I've been really impressed with them.
"You want a performance and a result for them, because a lot of the tools are there. We've been competitive in all the games, and it's a bit of a work in progress, but we need to take a further step. That's down to constant work."
As for availability, Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville remain on the absentee list - although he believes Niclas Fullkrug is close to being ready to play a full 90 minutes.
"He's just been out for a long time, and it's hard to replicate 90 minutes of Premier League football," admitted the Head Coach. "You have to build players up safely, but he's getting stronger and building.
"Crysencio Summerville is still with the physios and will be a few weeks yet. It's been complicated and will take some time. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has needed an injection on his toe, but should be OK. Everyone else should be OK.
"Michail is making progress step-by-step. He's away from the group but doing well and we're supporting him. Any contract discussions will remain between the club and player - when there's something to announce, we'll do that."
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