Olatunbosun ready for Newham derby date

Tower Hamlets manager Ajibola Olatunbosun has challenged his team to make Mile End Stadium a fortress again and wants them to start by beating local rivals Newham in the Essex Senior League tonight.

Newham, formerly named London APSA, and Tower Hamlets are very familiar with each other and share a mutual respect having contested various derbies in the past few campaigns.

Olatunbosun is sure Zakir Hussain’s team will be fired up to beat his side, but is hoping tonight is the night Tower Hamlets achieve their first league win of the new season as they look to recreate the form they enjoyed at Mile End last year, where they only lost twice in the league and picked up 12 victories.

“Since I have been part of the team, our form at home has been really good,” said Olatunbosun.

“And that is what I want to build on this season. We want to be getting the wins at home and then picking up points away.

“Last season I think we only lost two games at the Mile End Stadium ,so if we can get our first win tonight, we can use it as a platform.”

Tower Hamlets have had a 10-day break since they last played a competitive match, but Olatunbosun believes they will still have the momentum from their last game, a win against Southend Manor on August 30.

Now he hopes they can claim the local bragging rights over Newham, adding: “Newham, a local derby and they will be fired up to beat us.

“Yes we have a lot of respect for them. Last season they were called London APSA, but it is still the same guys from last year so we know them and it will be a really good match.

“I am sure our momentum (from Southend Manor) is not lost. At the weekend we had a lot of boys come back, it was kind of like pre-season again and they were all buzzing. I hope to see the same tonight. Hopefully we can get that first league win of the season.”