West Ham United manager David Moyes was speaking to the press ahead of their Europa Conference League clash on Thursday.

The Hammers coach is preparing his players to take on AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their semi final.

With the game in West Ham's favor at 2-1 after their home leg, Moyes and his players hope to reach a first major European final in over 40 years.

He told reporters: “For us to reach a final would be a great achievement and it would be a step forward.

“It would be us trying to strive to move forward, because there have been a couple of steps backwards, but getting to a final would be another step forward. Every club needs a final, every club needs European football if they can get it. It's a thrill that we're in this situation.

“For me and this group of players, it's a huge game.

“We want to reach a cup final, but again we have a really difficult opponent. We have to play really well to reach the final, we're going to have to earn it and we know that. There are no gimmes in football and any team in the semi-finals at this level have to be a good side. So we have big respect for any team who has got to this stage."

“AZ is doing remarkably well in the Dutch league and have done for a few years.

“I think it will be a pretty open game. AZ have shown what they're capable of when they've been behind and we're unbeaten in Europe this year. With all those things added together, for me, it's looking like an interesting game."