FREDDIE Sears is confident that if West Ham can replicate the level of performance achieved during Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea then they can be a match for anyone.
After a frustrating spell spent on the bench, Sears was handed a surprise starting berth at Stamford Bridge and took his chance by tormenting Ashley Cole and the rest of the Blues’ defence throughout the 90 minutes.
He was one of several players who shone against the defending Premier League champions, although lapses at the back and profligacy in front of goal cost them valuable points in their fight against the drop.
There were periods in which the Hammers troubled the likes of John Terry and David Luiz, with Petr Cech also called into action on more than one occasion.
Avram Grant elected to shuffle his pack once more, as is his wont, and Sears, along with Jonathan Spector, were two fringe selections that paid off with glittering displays in midfield.
The pair could feature more prominently in the season run-in, as Grant seeks to couple a performance full of vigour and energy with results.
“It’s definitely frustrating because we have matched Chelsea for 90 minutes,” said Sears. “If we play like that every week – against anyone – we will pick up points. We need that self belief because we know we can do it and take points from our next four games.”
Those four games will define West Ham’s season and decide whether they will face trips to Stamford Bridge and Eastlands next season, or rather less glamorous away days at Doncaster and Barnsley.
The City of Manchester Stadium is the next destination for Grant and his side, in a game many perceive to be the precursor to the Irons’ real acid test; clashes against Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland, from which at least seven points will surely be required to have a chance of survival.
Sears added: “Chelsea and Man City are games where you try to nick points and get something from them. The three big games are last three, but we go to Man City full of confidence.”
While West Ham should rightly take the positives from Saturday’s display, confidence is hardly the word that springs to mind to describe a side floundering at the foot of the table.
Sears, too, would be forgiven for being a little shy of his peak, given the way he has been yo-yo-ed between first team and reserve football of late.
Still, he made enough of an impact at Chelsea to suggest he will earn another chance to impress.
The striker-turned-winger saw a clever flick from a corner cleared off the line against the Blues, and he turned provider soon after that, clipping a ball to the back post that Spector met with a diving header, only for Cech to intervene.
Chelsea were more clinical, however, and ex-Hammer Frank Lampard rifled into the net before the break for the opener in torrential conditions; pathetic fallacy that mirrored his former side’s plight.
The floodlights temporarily failed in the aftermath of the goal, seemingly another bad omen for West Ham.
Robbie Keane spurned a glorious chance to draw the visitors level after being played in by Spector, as he fired wide.
And Chelsea wrapped up the points when Fernando Torres scored his first goal in blue, before Florent Malouda’s late thunderbolt found the top corner.
“It was a bit of a surprise not to play for eight weeks, and to be told I’m starting at Chelsea is something to get excited about,” Sears reflected.
“I’ve been in and out of the team and it’s been frustrating. I want to play for West Ham and give my all for the team, but to come in against Chelsea is obviously good because there is no pressure on me. I could go out there and express myself.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here