Football
9y

Winston Reid excited about his future with West Ham

Defender Winston Reid would not have signed another long-term contract with West Ham if he did not think the east London club was going places.

New Zealand international Reid ended speculation about his future when he penned a six-and-a-half year deal with the Irons last month.

The 26-year-old, signed from Danish side Midtjylland in August 2010, had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

However, Reid believes he can fulfil all of his ambitions at West Ham, who are set to move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016-17.

"I think this club will eventually be a very big one, but it's going to take time and probably not over the next couple of years," he said. "It is going to take a lot of hard work by everybody, but I wouldn't have signed a new contract if I didn't think we could achieve something to get into the top tier of English football.

"We just have to work hard at it and make sure the results get better."

Reid added: "One of the reasons [I signed] was that I could see myself as an important part of the squad for the next six years of my career.

"My family are happy here; I have a good relationship with the people at the club and most importantly I wanted to give something back to a club that took a chance on me.

"I took all those factors into consideration and footballing-wise I really do believe we can achieve something.

"I am not saying we are going to win the league, that's probably not realistic, but to win something and get into that upper tier would be an achievement."

While Reid may be staying at Upton Park next season, it remains to be seen whether manager Sam Allardyce will be, his contract not yet renewed past the summer. Reid, though, insists any uncertainty has not filtered through to the pitch.

"No, not really. We always give 100 per cent for the manager. We have a good bunch here who always work hard for the manager. A lot of them have been here a long time," he said.

West Ham go to Manchester City on Sunday looking to produce a response following the disappointment of another late goal conceded against Stoke last weekend, which denied them a much-needed victory.

"We could easily have had a lot more points if we hadn't been conceding late goals," said Reid. "This has been disappointing for us and it is something we have to change.

"Our start to the season was very good, but after January our standard just hasn't been as good."

Reid added: "I don't think it is down to fitness or mentality, we have boys who work their socks off. It's just the way it's been lately. It hasn't been happening throughout the season and hopefully we will turn it around."

West Ham beat Manchester City earlier in the season, but lost 6-0 away in last season's Capital One Cup semifinals.

Reid said: "After they tore us apart last season the boys said to themselves we have got to do more and we were all right after that.

"They have a first-class squad -- world-class players in every department so we have to be at the top of our game. It will be difficult, but we have to go here and do a job."

Reid added: "We have beaten them and had a good period ourselves [earlier in the season].

"We need to get back to that. The last few games haven't been the best, but we have belief in ourselves. We're ready for the challenge."

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