Jermain Defoe: Spurs Really Need To Secure Victory Against West Ham

Former Tottenham and West Ham striker Jermain Defoe believes that Spurs "really need" to secure a victory in their clash with West Ham on Saturday.

Tottenham will host West Ham in the early kick-off this Saturday as the Premier League action returns after a two-week international break.

Neither side has enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2024/25 season with Spurs registering just 10 points from their first seven matches, while West Ham find themselves further down the table with eight points.

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While Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will be eager for his team to reignite their push for a Champions League spot, West Ham will be looking to stabilise after what initially appeared to be a promising summer transfer window.

In an exclusive interview with Gambling.com, Defoe spoke about the significance of this match, as well as highlighting what both teams will be aiming for after their recent performances. 

Heading into the London derby, he feels the two sides have had comparable starts to the season with Tottenham the 1/2 favourites with football betting sites while West Ham are 19/4.

"It’s a big game for both teams really,” he said. "West Ham and Tottenham are similar; they’ve had a stop-start season. West Ham’s performance against Chelsea was disappointing, but then they got a good win at home (against Ipswich)."

"Tottenham really need a win to be honest. The Brighton game was really disappointing. When you’re winning the game 2-0 at half-time, you have to manage the game in the right way. If you can’t win – don’t lose."

Ange Postecoglou had described his side's 3-2 loss to Brighton as the "worst defeat" of his time in charge at Spurs, but Defoe believes that beyond just a result, the manager will be seeking a much-improved performance from his players.

“The manager will be looking for a reaction from his players, and I think the players will be looking to put things right," he said.

When discussing how the match might unfold, Defoe explained: “It’s a big game for both teams, a London derby, so I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be a good game.

“Tottenham are at home but I think West Ham will go there confident. I always feel like you get the best version of every player in a derby. As a player you find a little extra because you know how much it means to the fans, and it’s a special game.”

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Few players from the Premier League era are as familiar with the Tottenham-West Ham rivalry as Defoe. 

He made nearly 100 appearances for the Hammers before joining Tottenham and becoming one of their top all-time scorers.

Reflecting on the rivalry's intensity, Defoe revealed: “When I left West Ham and signed for Tottenham, I remember all the stick I would get from the West Ham fans every time we played them. 

“So I know how big the game is and it’s going to be a tough one for both teams.”

Defoe is just one of the big names appearing at the Scottish Masters, taking place at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on November 14 and tickets are available here. 

One player that he believes could be key to Tottenham’s fortunes is Dominic Solanke, who joined the North London club in the summer from Bournemouth for £65m.

Solanke certainly earned his move to Tottenham. Scoring 19 Premier League goals in 38 appearances, he helped AFC Bournemouth to a 12th-place finish last season.

The 27-year-old faces greater pressure at Tottenham than at Bournemouth, however, but is adjusting well, recently returning to England duty after nearly seven years, providing an assist against Greece in just 20 minutes on the field.

And the former Spurs hitman believes the club’s newest striker will only get better given time following his big money move.

“I like Dominic Solanke. He’s nicked a couple of goals now, which is good. He got off to a slow start and after three games, people were sort of questioning the signing. But I think that’s just part and parcel of football really, every player’s had it.

“If you’re not playing well, then people are going to come for you. If you’re playing well then everyone loves you.

“I did say that he’ll come good. He’ll score goals because of the way Tottenham play, they create a lot of chances. So it’s just up to him to take them.”