As the dust settles on West Ham United’s gutting 3-3 draw with Arsenal, Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard are trying to stay positive.
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West Ham threw away a 3-0 lead to draw against the Gunners.
And they also threw away the chance to go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea in the process.
Rice and Lingard are refusing to give up on West Ham’s Champions League dream, though.
Rice and Lingard staying positive after three-goal slip
Speaking after the game Rice called for everyone to stay positive.
“A disappointing end to such a bright performance!” Rice said on Twitter.
“A lot to still play for this season, stay positive, we will keep giving our all for the end goal. COYI.”
Lingard offered a similarly considered outlook.
“Disappointed not to take the three points, a lot to take away from the game,” Lingard said on Twitter.
“This team have come along way and I’m proud to be a part of it. Onwards and upwards. COYI.”
Hammers can still dream but it’s advantage Chelsea
Both players are right. If West Ham can keep their standards high for the last nine games, one slip from Chelsea could see David Moyes’s side reclaim fourth place.
But the reality, looking at the fixture list, is that it’s advantage Chelsea.
The Blues have quite literally been unbeatable under Tomas Tuchel.
And they face West Brom, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Fulham in four of their next five Premier League games.
West Ham are also in that group of five games in what looks a huge six-pointer in the race for Europe.
Before then West Ham must try and get back to winning ways with games against Wolves, Leicester and Newcastle.
Six wins should secure Champions League football
The Hammers are likely to need six wins from the final nine games to make the Champions League.
It’s a tough ask.
Four wins will see Moyes match Slaven Bilic’s record Premier League points total of 62 back in 2015/16.
Do that and it should be enough to seal a top six finish and likely Europa League football next season.
That would still be a fine achievement. And with the Europa League being revamped to match the Champions League’s 32-team format, it is likely to be a much improved competition in terms of the quality of sides involved.
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