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Mateus Fernandes Discusses West Ham’s Pros and Cons

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Thu, 26/02/2026 - 10:40

Despite the majority of the squad being relatively quiet when it comes to giving interviews outside of mandatory ones, little to no West Ham players have spoken out, but after Bournemouth and heading into Liverpool, Fernandes has said his piece.

Mateus Fernandes, also known as Duracell Bunny, has been a crucial part of West Ham’s fight to stay up but after Bournemouth, he felt frustrated in the team’s effort, vocalising “We're very good defensively. Another clean sheet, but we need to score. If we score, we are comfortable defending. We are defending much better. We are doing well, but we need to score our chances. It’s good we’re creating, but we need to work on this part."

Can fans suggest he’s wrong? Certainly not. To Hammers’ delight, dare it be said that the mighty Irons have remembered how to defend and after a few tweaks here and there, as well as the removal of a certain individual entirely, the squad seem to be in a good position in that regard.

After a cooler head from the Portuguese international, he spoke about Liverpool and how the team felt about the upcoming game.

“We will play for the win. I think against these big teams, in my opinion, we play better because we have a very strong counter-attack.” - Admiration cannot be faulted, if we’re forced to go to Anfield, which notoriously has ended up badly, then Nuno’s side are at least better off going with a fighting spirit.

For countless weeks on end, pundits have claimed that Liverpool have been poor and they personally need to do better if they want to fight for the Top 4. Their hopes were boosted after their last-gasp winner against Nottingham Forest, which conveniently also helped the Hammers.

The last few times West Ham have gone to Anfield, it has consisted of timid, nervous Football that often results in a battering. Nuno’s side wants to make it a “nightmare” for the opposition so fans will have to wait and see who’s in for a shock come the end of Saturday. - LN

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Deluded Hammer's picture

has the right to the honourable title of Duracell Bunny in my opinion, and that is Pablo Fornals who should never have been let go and Fernandes, much as I like him, has some way to go to reach that status,
My long term gripe with Anfield visits ( and other top team away games) have been how we have approached those games. We're beaten before we've even got on the coach. That's fine, but I'd rather we lose and make a fist of it than go there waving white flags and hoping to keep the score down.
PS: Clever marketing by Duracell because their batteries ain't that great.

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Dartford Bhoy's picture

Let Pablo go far too early!

He got "The West ham way", still a supporter, love the guy!

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10 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

Yes Fornals held in very high esteem in the Boogers Fraternity. Deluded is right usually we are beaten before we get of the coach. I hope Nuno doesn't start shitting his pants midway through the game or we will be sitting ducks..

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Ten me couldn't carry, couldn't carry Lampard.. Klint!!!

the worst thing would be to score early and try to defend ha ha also I've used the word score what at anfield !!!!!

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