Adrian: Clean sheets give Hammers confidence

West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian is targeting more clean sheets before the season is out, saying it will give his side a real boost in confidence heading into the summer break.

The Hammers drew 0-0 with Stoke City in a lifeless game between two underachievers on Saturday, but both will have been relieved to leave without conceding.

Adrian had lost his spot as West Ham’s starting keeper to Darren Randolph, but he has regained the number one jersey – and back-to-back clean sheets has helped the Hammers moved further away from the relegation zone.

Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Their status as a Premier League club is almost assured and Adrian is now chasing a final flourish to a difficult campaign, in West Ham’s final three games with Tottenham, Liverpool and Burnley.

“The Premier League is never easy, and it’s always difficult, but we showed that we are a solid team and we defended very well,” the keeper said.

“It’s not just about the defenders; it started at the strikers. [On Saturday], we were a little bit unlucky that we couldn’t score that one goal and get the three points.

“It’s also very difficult to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League, and we have now two in two games. We want to win as many games as possible now.”