Andre Ayew is determined to take the positives out of West Ham United’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Sunderland.
The Hammers scored early in each half and twice led at a subdued Stadium of Light, only to concede two bizarre equalisers and end the game with ten men following Sam Byram’s red card.
West Ham have now squandered 22 Premier League points from winning positions this season – the highest in the division.
Ayew, whose fifth-minute goal was his fourth in his last eight appearances, says West Ham’s rollercoaster season has contributed to their repeated inability to kill teams off when they go in front.
“I’m confident at the moment and confident for my teammates too,” the Ghana winger told the press on the official website of the club. “It wasn’t a bad game from us collectively but we’re disappointed to have not taken the three points.
“It was a tough game and we’re disappointed to concede in the last minute. That’s happened a few times now but we’re ready to prepare for Everton and that’s going to be a tough game.
“I think this season has been difficult season in many ways. We just need to work hard to gain confidence and when we’re leading, we went back too much and don’t go forward. It happens when you haven’t got the results you have wanted know we will solve this problem before the end of the season.”
On a personal level, Ayew is now showing regular examples of why the Club spent £20.6m to bring him to east London from Swansea City last summer.
“I think I’m getting there,” he observed. “I have said it before, I’m getting there. I know my quality and I’m working hard and my teammates are giving me a lot of confidence. They have a lot of trust in me.
Next up for the Ayew and his teammates is a home fixture with an in-form Everton and their in-form centre forward Romelu Lukaku.
Ayew knows the Toffees possess quality across their team, but insists the Hammers have the quality of their own to stop Ronald Koeman’s men – especially with a vociferous London Stadium crowd behind them.
“We need to prepare and hopefully the fans will be there in their numbers for Everton at home and hopefully we give them something to cheer as well,” he said.
“Everton are a big team with big players and it’s a big game and we need to points. It’s important. We saw the atmosphere in the last game against Swansea and we need the same again. We will give it our best.”