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West Ham's Stewart Downing believes draw at Southampton was 'massive point'

Image: Stewart Downing: Thinks West Ham did well to draw at Southampton

West Ham United forward Stewart Downing believes their 0-0 draw at Southampton on Wednesday will prove to be a ‘massive point’.

The Londoners currently sit eighth in the Premier League and Downing believes his side have the quality to break into the European places at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool winger, who has excelled this season in his new role behind the strikers, said: “I think it will come back at the end of the season as being a massive point.

Obviously we've been praised for our attacking displays this season, but at times we had to defend and make it difficult for Southampton.
Stewart Downing

“I mean, they’ll be disappointed not to be getting three given their home form, that’s where they get their points.

“For the league games, we just need to keep chipping away, picking up points away from home and carry on our home form. We’ve got a really good chance of Europe.”

Sam Allardyce’s side have lost just once in their last six outings, a run of results which included a deserved point at home to Manchester United last weekend.

'Attacking displays'

However, West Ham were forced to defend deep towards the end of the match after goalkeeper Adrian was dismissed midway through the second half after handling the ball outisde his area.

Downing, who has scored five goals in the Premier League this season, said: "I think we showed another side to us.

"Obviously we've been praised for our attacking displays this season, but at times we had to defend and make it difficult for Southampton.

"They had a couple of chances towards the end but I think Jussi Jaaskelainen made some good saves and there were some good blocks.

"I think overall with the circumstances during the last half an hour, we'd take a point all day long."

Kevin Nolan (bruised foot) and Mark Noble (virus) missed the trip to the south coast, while Andy Carroll left the ground on crutches.

However, ahead of their FA Cup fifth round clash at West Brom this weekend, Downing believes the squad now has enough quality to cope with injuries.

"We're struggling a bit and obviously it was the last minute as well so we had to change late on," he said, referring to Nolan and Noble.

"But it just shows the squad depth and we didn't have that last season. We'd probably have struggled to get a team out.”

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