Lucas Paqueta says West Ham haven’t worked hard enough and admits anxiety but insists things are on the up.
West Ham went to Newcastle United on Saturday night under intense pressure after shock wins for Everton against league leaders Arsenal and Wolves’ thumping of Liverpool.
And the Hammers could not have made a worse start if they tried.
Joe Wilock saw a goal after just 42 seconds ruled out by VAR when replays showed the ball had gone out of play.
But from the resulting goal kick West Ham bogeyman Callum Wilson was played through to make it 1-0 with less than three minutes on the clock.
Given West Ham’s precarious position in the table and Newcastle’s form this season, supporters were fearing the worst.
They rallied, though, and fought back to 1-1 when record signing Paqueta slotted home a cool finish at the back post from a corner.
The result, following wins over Everton in the league and Derby in the FA Cup, is another positive step in the right direction for West Ham.
The team showed both sides of their game, looking a threat in the first half and defensively resilient in the second.
Paqueta’s goal was another big positive for West Ham.
Before the game Hammers boss David Moyes called Paqueta out on his lack of goals and assists since joining West Ham.
What the midfielder made of that is anyone’s guess. But he certainly responded at St James’ Park.
Speaking in a rare interview with the club’s site, the Brazilian opened up on his and the team’s struggles.
Paqueta says West Ham haven’t worked hard enough and admits anxiety but insists things are on the up.
The Hammers star says the team has finally started truly grafting to get results and feels it is paying off. And he conceded that his lack of goals has made him anxious.
“I’m very happy with the goal,” Paqueta told West Ham’s official website.
“It’s something I’ve been striving for and you feel a bit anxious to get that goal. I’m happy to have scored and to help the team get an important point.
“I’m feeling more and more at ease in the team, connecting with my teammates and I hope that from here on out I can do my best, I can help the team and we can get positive results.
“I think we’ve started to play a little better, we’ve started to understand each other more on the pitch and we’re working harder. And I think we reaped the fruits of that with the result we got, which was an important point, and the other victories we have had in recent weeks.”
Let’s hopes it is onwards and upwards for the player and West Ham now.
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