Ed Battered

Edouard Cisse admits the team "collapsed" after conceding the first goal at St. James' Park on Monday night.

Edouard made his debut at the heart of West Ham's midfield in the 4-0 defeat, and received a harsh introduction to English football.

"When you lose 4-0 away it is not a good start to the season," he admits. "We started okay in the first half, but we conceded a goal 15 minutes into the second half and we then made three other mistakes about which we are really disappointed.

"We had defended really well and felt that Newcastle didn't threaten before the break, that we were really strong.

"It was a good first half but after that there were lots of mistakes and it became really difficult. Glenn was as disappointed as all the players.

"After the first goal the team collapsed, and we conceded three goals in about 10 minutes - it is really bad, really hard for us."

Nonetheless, Edouard says he enjoyed his first taste of the game here and adds: "I know it is exciting football and even if we had won I would still be thinking about winning on Saturday against Arsenal.

"I don't regret coming here and I hope we are going to be better at the weekend.

"I was really pleased to be picked and I am fully fit now, I got an hour or so in and felt really good. I hope I will play all the games this season.

"I think the game was really quick and strong, and different from French football - but I love it.

"I have to adapt and want to help West Ham win lots of games away as well as at home - it is really important to the team to win away."

Next up he is setting his sights on another team, like West Ham and Newcastle, with a large French contingent, and says: "It will be a hard game but I hope we play a good, serious game at Upton Park."

If he plays he will no doubt face a tough tussle with Patrick Vieira, and he says: "I love him. He is a great player, but there are lots of great players at Arsenal, like Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord."

But, despite his own robust style, he does not invite comparisons with his weekend adversary and insists: "Patrick is strong, a great player, and I am not him - he is much better."