Former Tottenham and West Ham striker Jermain Defoe thinks his two former clubs have had similar starts to the Premier League season, but Spurs ‘really need’ to come out on top on Saturday.
Two sides searching for consistency
Tottenham host West Ham in the early kick-off on Saturday with a much-needed return to Premier League fixtures after two long weeks of international break.
It has been far from the ideal start to the 2024/25 season for both London sides, in truth. Spurs have just 10 points from their opening seven games, while West Ham are lingering even further below on eight.
While Ange Postecoglou will be desperate for his side to propel themselves back into the hunt for Champions League football, the Hammers will simply want to steady the ship after what seemed like a positive summer transfer window.
In need of a response
Speaking to Gambling.com, Defoe has highlighted the importance of this match and what each team will be looking for after their last run of fixtures. In fact, heading into the London derby, he feels the two rivals have had comparable starts to their Premier League campaigns.
He said: “It’s a big game for both teams really. West Ham and Tottenham are similar; they’ve had a stop-start season. West Ham’s performance against Chelsea was disappointing, but then they got a good win at home (against Ipswich).
“Tottenham really need a win to be honest. The Brighton game was really disappointing. When you’re winning the game 2-0 at half-time, you have to manage the game in the right way. If you can’t win – don’t lose.”
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Postecoglou described the loss at the Amex as the ‘worst defeat’ of his tenure as Spurs manager. In addition to a result, Defoe believes Postecoglou will be looking for a performance which corrects the wrongs of their last match.
“The manager will be looking for a reaction from his players, and I think the players will be looking to put things right.”
When asked about how the game may play out, Defoe said: “It’s a big game for both teams, a London derby, so I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be a good game.
“Tottenham are at home but I think West Ham will go there confident. I always feel like you get the best version of every player in a derby. As a player you find a little extra because you know how much it means to the fans, and it’s a special game.”
A player familiar with the stakes
Arguably, no player from the Premier League era is more familiar with the rivalry between Tottenham and West Ham than Jermain Defoe. He made close to one hundred appearances for the Hammers before moving to Tottenham and becoming one of their all-time greatest goalscorers.
Speaking about the intensity of the fixture, Defoe said: “When I left West Ham and signed for Tottenham, I remember all the stick I would get from the West Ham fans every time we played them. So I know how big the game is, and it’s going to be a tough one for both teams.”