IRONS ’WELL UP FOR WIN
Aaron: One more and we’re safe
AARON CRESSWELL reckons West Ham need ONE more win to survive.
But the Hammers face a nightmare run-in at the end of a turbulent season that has seen Slaven Bilic sacked and fans’ unrest at the London Stadium.
Five games against Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester and Everton will decide their Premier League fate.
And, with Arsenal’s focus perhaps already wandering towards Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg, the West Ham defender sees no reason why it won’t come at the Emirates today.
Cresswell said: “After Arsene Wenger announced he’s leaving the Emirates, I’m not so sure whether their mind will be on the Premier League.
“And their season hinges on the Atletico Madrid game, which is four days after we play them. Hopefully, we can go there and get a result.
“We need to get that one more win that should see us over the line, but we’re not going to get that win and then say, ‘We’re safe now, that’s it’.
“We have some tough games coming up.
“But I’ve just been looking at Brighton’s fixtures and they’re even harder than ours.
“It’s the Premier League, so you never know – West Brom beating Manchester United, no one would have thought that.”
Monday’s 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Stoke wasn’t ideal, but better than it would have been had Andy Carroll n o t volleyed home Cresswell’s cross after 90 minutes.
The assist was his seventh of the season – the most from a Premier League defender – although, modestly, he reckons he has only got so many because David Moyes has put him on set-pieces and Dimitri Payet has left.
Cresswell added: “It’s not so much something I’ve concentrated more on, but the manager has me taking more free-kicks and corners.
“I’ve felt at times that some of the chances I’ve created have been good and maybe I could have had a couple more assists.
“But the main thing is getting points for West Ham and it doesn’t matter who sets them up or scores them as long as we get points on the board.”
Moyes’ arrival was significant enough for Cresswell and his teammates, but another one has had an even bigger impact on the 28-year-old.
He added: “In January, my missus, Jessica, had the baby. Everything now is focused on the baby.”
The baby and that one last win.