Manuel Pellegrini insists West Ham travel to Tottenham this weekend with ‘one mentality – to try and win.’
Spurs host Pellegrini’s side in the fiercest London derby to date at their new stadium, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side having won four home games from four since the opening of the ground.
Tottenham are currently third in the Premier League following another strong season, whilst the North London club have also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Pellegrini is expecting a difficult game at the home of their rivals, but insists West Ham will not adopt a defensive approach and will be looking to come away with a victory.
“I think you can beat them,” Pellegrini told his pre-match press conference.
“They are having a brilliant season – doing well in the Premier League and in the Champions League semi-final. If we want to beat them, we need to play a very good game.”
“It’s a derby, of course, which gives us motivation.
“We must try to play well, like a big team. We are not going to their stadium just to try to draw, or not to concede.
“If you go into these games with the defending mentality, and maybe not trying to win, we might draw some more. But we’ve go one mentality – to try and win.”