West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian San-Miguel is determined to seize his opening in the first-team for Sunday’s visit of Manchester City to the London Stadium in the Premier League with both hands.
His teammate Joe Hart is ineligible to feature in the match against his parent club as he is on loan to the Hammers from them, meaning that Adrian will get the opportunity to start the game under David Moyes.
The Spaniard hasn’t played in the Top-Flight since the March away loss to Swansea City with Hart preferred in the next match, a home defeat to Burnley, and is looking forward to figuring between the sticks, having the following to say in an exclusive Interview with the club’s Official Website WHUFC.com.
“Obviously I am ready to help the team and to help us get some good points and to be safe as soon as possible,” stated the former Real Betis star and Spain International.
“I want to be in the team until the end of the season and to show everyone that I am still here and performing at a good level. I will always do my best on the pitch.
“I feel I am more than ready to play. I was waiting for the opportunity to play after my last game, so I have been working with intensity and so hard over the last few weeks and now my moment has arrived.
“This is a different situation because Joe can’t play, but nevertheless it is an opportunity for me to play and I have to show how I am now.”
The shot-stopper is clearly eager to cement his position in the team ahead of his compatriot with his performance in goal, something he was able to do the last time the Hammers played City back in December 2017, producing an outstanding display despite a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Then, Adrian was able to capitalise on Hart’s poor form fresh from a 4-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, the Irons also lost 4-1 ahead of this match with the England International in goal away at Arsenal in the league at the Emirates Stadium.
Since Hart came back into the starting Xl, the Three Lions man has made two errors leading directly to goals. one of them being the third in the emphatic defeat by the Clarets and the other costing a point in last Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City.
But, Adrian knows how hard it will be to impress against Pep Guardiola’s champions of England two weeks after they secured the Premier League title, and celebrated in style last Sunday afternoon by thrashing Swansea 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium, speaking in the same Interview.
“The truth in football is that Manchester City are the champions and they will come to try to win the game and score goals because they want to break the records for the most points and most goals in the history of the Premier League.
“It’s my job to prepare and try to stop them. I know I will be very busy but I want to show that, when I play, I am ready, so I’ll do my best. I know I will be in action many times.”
The Sky Blues are aiming to break Chelsea’s record for the most points in a PL season and record the most points ever scored in a single season at this level in this era, as well as many other accolades being chased.
Three points for City in East London would go a long way to securing some of these records with only three matches of the campaign remaining after that, meaning that they are not expected to take their foot off the gas just yet.
While this season has been the stuff of dreams for the team from Manchester, it has been anything but for the East Londoners and more specifically, Adrian, who has had to play second fiddle to Hart for much of it.
The keeper has only made 18 appearances in all competitions this season with three of those coming in the Carabao Cup as he and Hart have tussled for the jersey, much like he was forced to do with Darren Randolph last season.
As a result, Adrian has been linked with a move away from East London to numerous other clubs, including those in his homeland of Spain and is currently only contracted at the London Stadium until 2019.
Closing the Interview, the shot-stopper, who first arrived in East London in the summer of 2013, reflected on a frustrating term and looked ahead to what the future might hold for him.
“I like to play, I like to enjoy playing and I want to be the No1, but I have to deserve it as well. If the team can help you with their defending as well, that’s much better.
“This season for me has been a bit disappointing and frustrating at times, but I have one more year on my contract and we will see more when the season has finished.”
The 2014/2015 Hammer of the Year runner-up continued “I hope I have the chance to play until the end of the season and that I can show I am here to help West Ham, as I enjoy it here at London Stadium.”
The game is also hugely important for David Moyes’ Hammers in the wake of a first defeat in three against the Gunners last weekend as they aim to beat the champions on home soil.
West Ham have fallen to 15th, now just three places and a mere six points ahead of the bottom three and without a win in three matches and four matches of the season remaining, two of those being against teams from the top-six of the table.
But, will a third change of goalkeeper for a league match of the 2017/2018 Premier League season prove a winning formula for Moyes against a team that has only been beaten twice in the league this campaign?
You can find out with us right here on West Ham Matters as we bring you a Live Blog of the crucial matchup, featuring live and exclusive build-up, text commentary and reaction from the game from 12:15 PM BST on Sunday afternoon, live from the London Stadium Press Box.
