'I believe we can stay up' - Traore takes positives from FA Cup exit
[Getty Images] West Ham winger Adama Traore believes the "fighting spirit" the team showed in their dramatic FA Cup defeat by Leeds is what can keep them up in the Premier League this season. The Hammers, who are one point off safety, trailed Leeds 2-0 going into stoppage time after goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, late goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi forced a 2-2 draw and extra time - in which the side had two goals ruled out for offside - only to ultimately bow out on penalties.
"I'm sad because of how we lost but we have to take the positives from the game," Traore said. "We showed great fighting spirit and fought until the end. It's unfortunate that we lost on penalties but we'll try to improve and be better in our next game.
"We need to move on because this game is now already in the past. I believe we can stay up and the feeling would have been better if it was a win, but there were positives. " West Ham can take themselves out of the relegation zone before their rivals play if they beat bottom side Wolves at home on Friday.
Traore, signed in January by Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who also managed him at Wolves, added: "I love the identity of the club and the fans who are passionate like myself. "I want to play and do well under a manager I know. "