Matt's A Good Move

Tony Gale says the signing of Matt Etherington is a sound decision - and thinks he will flourish at Upton Park.

"I have seen him at Spurs and I think he will relish the opportunity of hopefully getting first team football at West Ham," he says.

"He is a naturally left-sided player who has got some pace and likes to go past people.

"As we know, left sided players are at a premium in any division, so for West Ham in the first division I think it is a very good signing.

"He came in to Tottenham when Simon Davies also arrived from Peterborough, and Simon has had more of the headlines.

"Matthew hasn't really been able to sustain a first team place at Spurs but this could be the making of him."

And he compares Matt with another former Spurs player who played alongside Tony over a decade ago.

"This might be the kind of signing like when, in my day, we signed a young lad called Mark Robson - who had a great effect on the side in the first division," he says.

"Maybe Mark, with respect, just couldn't quite cut it in the Premiership, but I am hoping Matt has the same kind of effect that Mark had, but first thing's first; let's get to the Premiership.

"I think for West Ham this is a decent signing. We are not in the market place for £5m or £6m players at the moment and I would say Matt is of proven ability, he has played in the Premiership in a decent Spurs side, and I am sure at first division level he is going to be a very good acquisition.

"We know what he and David Connolly are all about; we are not trying to sign what might be termed 'risks.'"