ZABA: IRON OUT ERRORS

PABLO ZABALETA has told West Ham to forget about finishing the best of the rest – until they can find consistency for the club.

The Argentine revealed that qualifying for European football next season was the original aim at the start of the campaign.

But he says every player has to be “on it” if they are to win regularly in the Premier League.

Four wins in December have been followed by two victories in eight.

And Zabaleta (below) who hopes his side can turn things around tomorrow night, said: “Playing Liverpool at home is the perfect opportunity for us to put it all right.

“We show against the top teams – we have got, I think, seven points from four games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United – but we have failed three or four times to get that seventh position.

“We’ve all been talking about it, about how good would it be to finish there, to play in the

Europa League.

“But Watford at home was a big chance – we lost. We had a big chance against

Bournemouth – another good chance – we lost. Against Wolves another good chance – we lost.

“Sometimes, at this level, we have played really well. We win games, put in a really good performance and then, five days later, we produce a really, really poor performance. Ask me to explain it – I can’t.”

In the immediate aftermath of the defeat by Wolves, Zabaleta did point to issues with striker Marko Arnautovic as being a distraction.

The Austrian international was, he said, “one of the best players” and the rumours of his possible transfer to China only added to the air of uncertainty.

Zabaleta insisted: “West Ham United need to be on it. Everyone has to be at it and every player needs to feel proud to play for the club.

“This is the strongest league it the world. You have to respect other teams, they are really good. Just because Liverpool are top, it isn’t any more difficult. We need to find consistency if we want to become a better team.”