DESPITE hitting his 20th goal of the season in the 1-0 win over
Burnley, Teddy Sheringham insists he has not set a goals target for
this season, preferring instead to concentrate on West Ham
United's late promotion charge.
"There are no targets," countered the former England
striker. "I've never set any goal targets during my
career. My only aim is to score in the next game and take three
points - that's all I think about.
"It's been the same since I was a young trainee and
certainly won't be changing this season. In our current
situation every player's first thought should be for
the team winning. Personal targets always come second to the
result, and right now we need as many as results as we can
string together."
Reflecting on his match-winning goal that secured Hammers second
win in the space of three days, Teddy admitted the 1-0 victory
at Turf Moor could turn out to be a crucial win for West Ham's
season.
"We need a big run," he insisted, "where we can pick
up some points and really put ourselves into a strong position
going into the final few games of the season.
"Burnley is a difficult place to come to and get a result.
They defend really well and don't give much away. We had to
wait for our chance and battle hard, but once we had gone ahead we
looked solid for the three points.
"That's two really important wins for us in the space of a
few days and the lads are in good spirits going into the Coventry
game.
"But we can't let anything slip. It's so competitive
in and around those Play-off places you have to keep winning
to give yourslef a chance of making it.
"The important thing is we're still pushing and still in
with a great chance."
Teddy believes back-to-back wins will have boosted Hammers
confidence going into a final six games where each match could be
the defining moment of West Ham's season.
"Every game is an important one now," he confessed.
"We just have to make sure we go out and win as many as we
can.
"We've done well so far this week and there's a good
feeling around the team that comes with winning.
"Now we've got to make it count on Saturday in another
tough game against Coventry."
Teddy On Target
6th April 2005