West Ham team had face-to-face discussions without the boss

Valon Behrami has revealed that a mid-week team meeting without boss Avram Grant was a factor in their victory over Wigan on Saturday.

Bottom of the table Hammers picked up only their second league victory of the season and the midfielder admitted the players had a heart to heart in a bid to arrest their slump in results.

“We talked as a team, because the manager did a lot of things for us. It was the moment to talk to each other face to face without the manager, because it’s something that comes from us,” he said.

“The manager can give support, but there was a moment when we had to give something more, like we did today. This is how important the team spirit is.

“We needed this win today. It was very important for the table and the spirit of the team.

“There has been a long time where we didn’t win and it was massively important to win this game.

“But we know it has to only be the beginning, because now we need to come back for a lot of points still. We need to have the same mentality of this week.”

With Christmas and a host of fixtures fast approaching, Behrami knows momentum will be key for West Ham if they are to escape the bottom three.

“Every game is important, but Sunderland is one of the key matches, where we can turn our season, or come back,” he said.

“We are ready. If we keep this attitude and everybody works like today, I’m positive.”

It has been a bleak few months for Behrami, who has suffered injury after injury, leaving him unable to be fully fit and play to his potential.

After missing the last three games after suffering a hip injury during training, it seemed the midfielder was set to face another setback after hurting his groin towards the end of Saturday’s game.

Behrami however insists he has recovered.

“I’m okay. I just slipped on the pitch. It was a little bit strange, I felt something strange.

“But everything’s okay. Nothing is bad. For me it was very difficult the last month to be in and out,” he added.

“I hope I don’t have injuries in the future, because it’s something that kills my head every time.”