Calum: Go, Teddy

Calum Davenport believes that Teddy Sheringham could go on for at least another two years after this one - hopefully at Upton Park.

Calum has seen at first hand - both playing with and against Teddy - what an inspiration the man who grabbed West Ham's winner on Saturday can be and he says:

"You see the enthusiasm he shows in training and the way he looks after himself; he is switched on 'upstairs', a top pro.

"I think he could go on and play a couple more seasons.

"With him on the park with his experience and knowledge it is important and the likes of Bobby and Marlon can learn from him.

"I played against him in my last game for Coventry and I think I got the better of him that day - even though he scored - but he is obviously a great player.

"It worked out well on Saturday with him bringing in that experience and quality into the game.

"On paper it might have looked like we nicked a 1-0 but I thought we created a few chances and Teddy has come on and got the winner - and we will take that."

Calum also reserves praise for Nigel Reo-Coker, who was made captain on Saturday in Teddy's initial absence, and says:

"For such a young lad he is a big influence in the dressing room and he was quality on Saturday.

"He is a big voice for a youngster - a massive inspiration in the dressing room.

"No matter how old you are, if you have those leadership qualities, all the better, and the gaffer showed that by giving him the arm band on Saturday."

Calum is on England U21 duty with Nigel, but sadly not Anton Ferdinand, who is injured.

"It is a 10 day trip with the U21s and then hopefully we will get going again at QPR," he says.

"Anton got a slight kick and I hadn't originally realised he had to pull out - it is a shame for him."

Calum is relieved about going into the domestic break with a win under his belt and he explains:

"We should have won at Forest and maybe should have won at Derby; against Wolves we came out on top against what is a very good side."

Was Calum surprised by the reception Paul Ince got?

"It didn't really affect me; it is something for the fans rather than the players," he smiles.

"It gets the crowd going which is nice, the tackles fly in, and they have a jeer - but it is part and parcel of football and the main thing is that we won."

And his overall assessment of where West Ham currently lie in the table?

"Someone told me Norwich were about three points off the top at Christmas so as long as you are in touch and around there it will be okay," he says.

"We have got a big squad and hopefully other sides will drop points to allow us to push up the table when injuries kick in for them."