Carl Can't Wait

Carl Fletcher is sacrificing home comforts for his new West Ham career - and can't wait to get playing in claret and blue as soon as possible.

Carl, who had his first training session with his new team mates after returning from Wales duty, is abandoning house hunting for the time being to make sure is mind is fully focused on the football.

He has even hired his own driver to take him in to training...

"Teddy Sheringham brought me in today which was nice - but his driving is very average!" he smiles.

On a serious note, Carl was anxious to get onto Chadwell Heath's immaculate lawns on Thursday, with thoughts of domestic bliss furthermost from his mind.

"There are a lot of games coming up so I would rather concentrate on that than getting a house - that will come in time," he says.

"Hotels are nice and all that but they do get a bit boring after a while; I have just been in one for 10 days and now I am moving to another one, but you just have to get on with it.

"Every player tries to go and make an impression whether they are playing or training - it makes no difference.

"I am very impressed with the indoor facilities and the changing rooms and stuff and I just want to get out there and play."

Carl is confident he can make the step up to the Championship and adds:

"Every player wants to play at the highest level possible; I am no different and whether that came with getting promotion with Bournemouth or getting a move that is what pushes you on.

"I am happy to make the step up and hopefully go out there and prove myself; I have to work hard, concentrate on the football, not take anything for granted, and let everything take care of itself.

"When I came down to see the club I could see that is definitely a Premiership set-up and that is where we are looking to go - with the players we have got I don't see why that won't be possible."

As to whether he is best suites as a centre half or a midfielder, he says:

"I think midfield is my better position; this season I have played there mostly and I enjoy it a little bit more.

"But the manager at Bournemouth has needed me to play defence a couple of times and that is fine; I just want to play and I am not really fussed where the manager puts me."

He says, however, that he is not a replacement for Michael Carrick, and explains:

"He was a quality player and he obviously wanted to play in the Premiership but there is still a lot of quality in this squad and it is going to be tough to break into this team, work as hard as I can, and do my best.

"There is a good young squad here full of talent and there is real potential.

"Everyone can beat everyone and it is tough to get out of but once you do you learn a lot, and I am sure the players learned a lot last season from getting to the playoffs."

With much talk at the moment being about Jermain Defoe, Carl recalls his loan spell at Dean Court when he scored goals for fun.

"I have played with Jermain and you could see what a great talent he was then, which he is showing everyone else now.

"He really helped us a lot down there because we were struggling a bit and he scored a lot of vital goals - it helped us and it helped him further his career."

Carl was not involved in Wales' dramatic 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland - "it was a bit hectic" he admits - in which Robbie Savage was red carded with former Hammer Michael Hughes, but he says:

"I spoke to Robbie after the game and he said he didn't really do anything to warrant getting sent off.

"He is banned now and obviously his place will be up for grabs but I am sure everyone will be thinking the same thing so I have just got to put all the hard work in and go from there.

"Everyone was a little bit disappointed and you want to get three points against Northern Ireland at home.

"I think the first two games haven't demonstrated the quality we have got in the squad and the draw has made it a little bit tougher now."

So, as he awaits his West Ham debut, is he feeling anxious or excited?

"It is a bit of everything; I just want to get on with it because as a footballer you want the games to come in thick and fast and that is what we are paid to do."

And then, perhaps, he can make that trip to the estate agents...