Hoddle stands by his tip
Glenn Hoddle believes West Ham will escape relegation – even though he aims to pile more misery on the Hammers when his Tottenham team visit Upton Park tomorrow.
West Ham currently occupy the third relegation place in the Barclaycard Premiership, but have enough games remaining in which to climb to safety – and Hoddle thinks they will.
“I said three months ago that I felt West Ham would get out of trouble, and I still believe that is the case,” said Hoddle.
“I just feel that offensively they have enough players who can turn a game, and that puts them ahead of some of the other teams who are near the bottom.
“Their form this season has been surprising because they have got a lot of talented players. On their day they can beat anyone in this league and that is what we have got to be aware of.”
Hoddle employed West Ham manager Glenn Roeder as part of his backroom staff when he was in charge of England, and rates him highly as a coach.
He said: “Glenn was in my England staff going to the 1998 World Cup and did a very good job. I liked his philosophies on the game and he wasn’t scared to have some input.
“It stood him in good stead before he got his coaching job and then became manager at West Ham, and I think he did a fantastic job last year when they had a poor start but he turned them around and they finished up having a tremendous season.”
While West Ham concentrate on survival, Hoddle is focused on Spurs claiming a place in the UEFA Cup next season by finishing high enough in the league, and that means three points tomorrow are very important.
“Our aim is to get into Europe and I believe we have the squad to still achieve that,” said Hoddle.
“We are one place off sixth position and there are a lot of points to be won. Looking at the fixtures there are a lot of games we can win and we have to start that at Upton Park.
“London derbies are always tough games and I am sure this will be no different, but we are focused for the game.
“I feel there is a real focus going over to Upton Park. West Ham are under pressure, they need to get results and they need to get them soon.”
Hoddle is still faced with a striker shortage as Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane is out with a knee injury and Steffen Iversen is missing with a back problem.
On a brighter note, midfielder Gus Poyet came through training today and looks set to shake off an ankle injury in time to play.
