Former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe has said that the Hammers will go in confident to the game against Spurs on Saturday.

Julen Lopetegui’s side head to north London to take on our bitter rivals in the early kick-off this weekend, in a game that Defoe feels is setting up to be a big one for both sides.

“It’s a big game for both teams really,” Defoe told Gambling.com. “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.

“The manager (Ange Postecoglou) will be looking for a reaction from his players, and I think the players will be looking to put things right. 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.

“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.

“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.”

Defoe, who appears to refer to himself as a West Ham fan – feels that Lopetegui needs time to settle in, but admits it was the right time for all that the club opted to bring him in to replace David Moyes in the summer.

“As a West Ham fan, if you would have said that we’ll have David Moyes in for four years, he’ll win a European trophy, compete in Europe and be around the Top 6 – I think they would have taken that,” added Defoe.

“But the fans weren’t happy with the playing style, because the game has moved on so much now, even throughout all the English leagues really. All teams are playing the same way, all the coaches want to play good, attractive football. That’s what the fans demand.

“So that went against David Moyes a little bit. I wouldn’t say that they were playing long-ball, but at the same time the fans weren’t happy with the playing style. They decided to get rid of Moyes, and now Lopetegui has gone in there and it’s been a stop-start season for him. But it’s the early stages and we have to see what happens.”