Behrami - It's in our minds

Hammers star demanding mental toughness

Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Behrami - It's in our minds

Behrami: Mentality is key

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West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami has called for his team-mates to improve their mentality as they fight for Premier League survival.

The Hammers slipped closer to the drop zone after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Bolton, a game which Behrami described as one of their worst under manager Gianfranco Zola.

Back-to-back away games against Chelsea and Arsenal now await Zola's side and Behrami knows that mental toughness is the key to their safety.

"It was deeply disappointing for us (against Bolton). It was one of our worst games with Mr Zola in the last two years. We lost a big chance," said Behrami.

Attitude

"If you look at the statistics, we run more than other teams - but the big thing is our mentality. So it is on our mind and our attitude.

"When you make technical mistakes you can work on them. Easy. You just keep working hard.

"But the problem is bigger when it is mental. It is very difficult to work on that. Time is running short. We have to change something as the situation now is not good for us.

"We can do something special but we have to all play 100 per cent. Every player needs to give 100 per cent mentally and physically. That is not so easy. If only one player gives 80 per cent we can't win the game."

"It was already hard and now it will be harder still."

Big lesson

Conceding the first goal has been bane of West Ham's season in the top flight, with the London side failing to go on and win in any of those games.

Within 16 minutes of their game against Bolton on Saturday the Hammers were trailing 2-0, and Zola knows they can't afford teams that luxury.

"It's been a season when we haven't got going as well as we would have wanted. That is the thing that frustrates me most," said Zola.

"The Bolton game is going to be a big lesson for everybody in that respect.

"We need to get some points away from home."