FREDDIE LJUNGBERG is convinced West Ham can still join
the mad scramble for fourth place in the Premier
League.
The Swedish midfielder says the 10th-placed Hammers must target the
final Champions League spot, even though their 1-1 draw with
Manchester City left them nine points off the pace.
Ljungberg reckons closing that gap is not impossible, especially
with players of the calibre of Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Scott
Parker set to return from long-term injuries.
The former Arsenal ace said: I looked at the Premier League table
before the weekend and we were only seven points off fourth place
with a game in hand over every club above us apart from
Liverpool, and we play them in our next home game.
We have to target
Europe
I felt we were capable of closing the gap and getting into the
fight for fourth place and I still think that is possible even
though the gap has opened up a bit more now.
A couple of wins can really get you moving in the right direction
and it is very tight behind the top three.
With so many injured players preparing to come back in the second
half of the season, we have to target a place in Europe.
"To do that well have to catch at least one of the clubs who were
in joint fourth before the weekend.
So if you close the gap on one of them, why not all of them?
"My time in football has taught me that you have to set your sights
high if you are going to achieve anything worthwhile.
Were out of the cup so we have a week off we must make the most
of it by preparing well for Liverpool.
