West Ham United midfielder Flynn Downes believes his side are well-placed to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The Hammers are currently drawing 1-1 with Belgian side Gent heading into their quarter-final second-leg clash at the London Stadium on Thursday night, having had a stunning record in Europe this season.
The first leg draw was the first time West Ham have not won in Europe this term, having won their previous ten matches in Europe’s third club competition, with West Ham just needing a win on Thursday night to seal a meeting with Anderlecht and AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals.
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West Ham go into the tie in good spirits, having come from behind on Sunday to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal in front of a packed-out London Stadium.
Although the second leg time is set to take place in front of a less than capacity crowd, it is still set to be higher than the crowds of just over 40,000 that have seen wins in this competition at home to Anderlecht and AEK Larnaca.
Downes hopes that the combination of the game on Sunday with the Gunners and the atmosphere created by the home fans three days ago will help get them over the line against Gent.
“We are at home so the advantage is definitely on us,” said Downes. “The game last week didn’t go too well. We didn’t play our best, we all know that. Got a chance to put it right tomorrow and that’s what we want to do.
“If we play like we did on Sunday then we should be alright. The boys were unbelievable against arguably the best team in the league all year. If we play like that, happy days.
“We need the fans. You see on Sunday how good the atmosphere was. That makes us play better so they know we need them. it will be a full house. The place will be rocking, hopefully we can put on a performance.”
While Downes has struggled for minutes this season outside of the Europa Conference League, it has still been a memorable campaign for the midfielder following his £12million move from Swansea City to his boyhood club, having grown up just miles away from the club’s Rush Green training ground in Brentwood.
Compared to spells with former clubs Ipswich Town and Swansea, for Downes, it means even more, being a lifelong fan of the Hammers and now playing out his childhood dream as part of West Ham’s first team.
He admits upon first arriving, he had felt more pressure to succeed, considering he and those close to him support the club, but added that while has not done anything specific to get over that, time has helped him feel more settled.
“To be honest, yes it was a little bit,” Downes explained. “I think I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think before, where clubs I have been at like Ipswich, Swansea, I’m sort of in it by myself.
“Here, it was kind of like everyone I know supports West Ham, you have got that added bit of pressure. At the start, it did affect me a little bit, now I’m over it.
“Not anything in particular. Just over time you get used to being in this environment. Not really anything in particular, no.”
On the flip side, it does mean that success for Downes has felt even greater, getting to celebrate both as a player and as a West Ham supporter.
Downes was quick to say that it was not like it did not feel important when achieving victories with over clubs, but it means more playing for his boyhood team and is eyeing more progression in Europe during his debut campaign.
“Oh yeah. It does mean a lot more,” added Downes. “Don’t get me wrong, every club I’ve been at and played for, but here’ it’s just that extra bit of something, extra bit special.
“It’s the best when we win games and hopefully, progress in this competition, it would be the best.”
With West Ham only three games away from a European cup final, being connected to a number of Irons fans has meant that Downes has already had ticket requests to attend the final of the Europa Conference League final in June, should West Ham get there.
Despite still having to get past Gent and either Anderlecht or AZ Alkmaar to reach the final, Downes has already had requests for tickets for the competition’s second-ever final.
“I’ve already had two people onto me, I actually have,” Downes joked.
“I had one person text me yesterday about it, funnily enough. The phone could get put on aeroplane mode for a few weeks.”
Downes has become good friends with Hammers academy graduate and West Ham defender Ben Johnson since his arrival, with the duo often pictured together and in good spirits in each other’s company.
Another English talent, who arrived three months ago from Aston Villa is striker Danny Ings, who has taken the duo under his wing since his move across the Premier League.
Downes has spoken highly of Ings’ quality and about how much he has helped the squad both on and off the pitch.
“He’s great around the place. He’s a great guy to be fair,” Downes told football.london. “He’s been a great addition, comes with a lot of experience, a lot of experience in the Premier League.
“He’s done it for many years now, scored a countless amount of goals. He’s been good to have around the place, especially for me and Jonno, young lads coming up, it’s good to learn from him, the things he does day in, day out. He’s been a great addition.”
Ings has played a big role in this tie with Gent so far, scoring his first ever European goal in the first leg draw with Gent last Thursday.
Heading into the second leg, Downes has said experienced players such as Ings and others around the dressing room will only bolster the side’s chances of reaching a European semi-final for a second straight season.
“Big time, I think you need them experienced players,” said Downes.
“Again, everyone says that but you do, even like games like tomorrow, you see the experience coming out today, giving little tips and whatnot. You do need them experienced players.”
Midfielder Downes was one of eight players bought to the club in the summer as West Ham spent around £160million on new recruits at the start of the campaign. However, Downes was the only English arrival of them.
Downes was asked if any of the foreign recruits have been taken for a traditional east London pie and mash meal, with Downes joking that while it has not been done yet, it’s on the agenda to do so.
Downes added: “We’ve talked about it the other day but no, we haven’t, none of them have been yet. I need to.”
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