Moyes hoping for Hammers Euro success

DAVID Moyes hopes West Ham have rediscovered their form in time to embark on another European run.

The Hammers ended an eightmatch winless run when they beat Brentford 4-2 at the end of last month and followed that up with a 3-1 win at Everton on Saturday.

Attention now returns to the continent, where West Ham face Freiburg in the last 16 of the Europa League.

They reached the semi-finals of the same competition two years ago and then enjoyed a memorable run to Europa Conference League glory last season.

“I want us to have another great run in Europe. I’d also like us to qualify for Europe again in the league,” said Hammers boss Moyes at his pre-match press conference ahead of the first leg in Germany.

“We had a period where we weren’t so good but we’re back on form at the moment and I sense we’re getting back to where we should be. Hopefully that continues tomorrow night.

“I think for West Ham to be a European club is incredible. We’ve now been on that run for three years and we’ve played over 30 games in those three years.

“We want to keep it going and build on it.”

Midfielder James Ward-Prowse is looking forward to his first taste of knockout football in Europe.

“As a player you want to play in the best competitions,” said the summer signing from Southampton.

“For me, it’s good to get to this stage but as a club we’re aiming higher and hopefully we can keep going on this run.

“I’ve really enjoyed the start of my career at West Ham. I think it helped joining with the momentum of the Europa Conference League win and it’s been an honour so far.”

The 29-year-old hopes his form for West Ham can earn him an England recall with Euro 2024 on the horizon.

“England is always in the back of my mind,” he added. “I’ve been in and out over the last few years but the only thing that’s going to get me in there is playing regularly and to a very high level.

“I’ll keep working hard and hopefully that call will come.”

Freiburg were twice beaten by West Ham in the group stage but held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Boss Christian Streich said: “West Ham are an exceptionally good team, one of the six best in the Premier League and that says it all.

“It’s important that we don’t allow ourselves to be intimidated.

“We also have experience and quality.”