Mateus Fernandes knows how it feels to suffer relegation from the Premier League, and West Ham United’s former Southampton midfielder has no desire to go through it again.
Earlier in the campaign, after a 2-1 defeat by Leeds ensured that West Ham United had made their worst start to a season in 52 years, summer signing Fernandes could not escape the ‘deja vu’.
The Portugal Under-21 captain was one of the few bright spots in a Southampton side who finished 2024/25 rock-bottom. Only one point better off than the Derby County side of ’08 who broke records for all the wrong reasons.
Things are about to get VERY tough! 😟
How many points can you see us picking up here?
Four months later, Mateus Fernandes has gone from fearing a repeat of his St Mary’s sinking to talking up the prospect of another ‘Great Escape’ in East London.
While Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser ruined Nuno’s mood on Tuesday night, the Hammers are currently four points better off than they were after 26 games in that iconic, Carlos Tevez-inspired, Alan Curbishley-coached Houdini act of 19 years ago.
Mateus Fernandes confident about West Ham United’s Premier League survival prospects
Fernandes credits Nuno with giving him the ‘clarity’ and the ‘freedom’ he needs to strut his stuff. His explosion into one of the division’s most complete midfielders has coincided with a sudden upturn in form from his employers.
And speaking to DAZN on a night when midfield partner Tomas Soucek broke a Premier League record, Fernandes was more bullish than ever about West Ham’s hopes of remaining a top-flight team beyond May.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
“We try to focus on what we control. We are aware that we are still in the relegation zone but, if we continue like this, we will stay in the Premier League,” said a supremely confident Fernandes.
“Step by step. Football changes very quickly. One week you win and you’re the best in the world, the next you lose and you’re not so good anymore.
“We are aware of what we have been doing, of the work we have been doing. We ended up stabilising and, if we continue like this, we gain confidence and things will happen naturally and we will start winning points.
“It’s not easy to play in the Premier League and we know that. Every game and every point matters.”
How does Mateus Fernandes compare to a young Declan Rice? 🇵🇹
What can he still IMPROVE upon?
Michael Carrick hopes the Hammers survive
Only Bournemouth, Chelsea and last night’s opponents Manchester United have picked up more points than West Ham’s 10 in the last five matches. That is double the amount of 17th place Nottingham Forest, although Sean Dyche’s team are heavy favourites to beat a doomed Wolves outfit at the City Ground in a few hours’ time.
Nuno has frequently implored his West Ham squad to focus only on themselves. Win as many games as possible over the next 12 matchdays, and survival will surely be the prize.
On the back of his East London homecoming, Upton Park graduate and interim Manchester United boss Michael Carrick expressed a desire to see his old club remain a Premier League side.
“I would love them to stay up,” said Carrick, who played over 150 games for the Hammers before going on to win the Premier League and Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It was a big part of my life and I have great memories here, so hopefully they stay up.”
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