Matthew's Responsibility

Matthew Etherington knows he bears a weight of responsibility to provide width for the side now he is fit again.

His return along with that of Jermain Defoe helped the Hammers to a 3-2 win over Sunderland at the weekend and Alan Pardew has been keen to point out his contribution to the win.

"I have got to put crosses in; I have been doing it before and I think I was doing it on Saturday - if that is my job I have to make sure I will do it," he says.

But Matthew is keen to share the praise and adds:

"Jermain's goals were good ones and that is what he is paid to do - and I don't think Pearcey could miss the winner."

He hopes to be stronger this weekend after going off 10 minutes from the end against Sunderland and he explains:

"I am trying to look after my thigh because I was still feeling it a little bit, but I am feeling okay after another few days' work.

He admits the performance was not without its flaws and adds:

"The fans were on our backs at half time and rightly so; it was up to us to change things round and we did that.

"They were poor goals but we haven't been getting the breaks - we are putting pressure on teams and they are going down the other end, having one shot, and scoring.

"Okay maybe the defending wasn't the best, but you need a bit of luck and in the second half we got that - everyone was really delighted."

And Alan Pardew admits:

"We gifted a bad goal away with their very first attack, we looked edgy and horrible and it was hard to watch the first half."

But that was all forgotten with the second half comeback and Matthew continues:

"We all got round each other at half time and a few players were saying things to each other - maybe those heated words got us going and made us tighter and a bit more united.

"In the second half maybe a few things went for us which they haven't been doing because they had only had two shots on goals to score two."

Matthew hopes that the win will provide a springboard and that the team can put back to back victories together for the first time under Alan Pardew.

"We are sixth now and hopefully we can push on now after a great result that was much needed," he enthuses.

"Everyone has been really happy and upbeat and Walsall away is another big game for us."