Gav's Premier League Leap

FROM League Two to the Premiership in less than a year is a big leap by anyone's standards.

But that's exactly the path midfielder Gavin Williams has walked. After arriving at Upton Park from Yeovil Town for £250,000 in November 2004, the Welsh winger has now completed a meteoric rise as part of Alan Pardew's Premiership squad.

But the 24-year-old is not daunted by the challenge of taking on English football's elite.

"These are really exciting times," admitted Gav. "It's unbelievable to think that in less than two weeks time we'll be playing in the Premier League. I have to stop and make sure it's real sometimes.

"But when you get into training and feel the buzz around Chadwell Heath you know that its happening. The atmosphere is incredible at the moment and I'm just looking forward to working hard for West Ham United, earning my place in the team and doing my best for the Club.

"Competition for places is tough, but this is a Premiership club and that's how it should be. We've got a strong squad and everyone is pushing for a place in the starting line-up, which can only be good for the Club.

"Everyone wants to be there for that first game against Blackburn and I'm no different. But it's going to be a long season and the strength in depth of the squad is going to be important."

Having missed out on the run towards promotion after picking up niggling injuries to his calf and ankle, Gavin has been pleased to get some games under his belt during the pre-season campign. Indeed, the Welsh international has been one of Alan Pardew's most used players during the build up, not that he has is complaining.

"I picked up a few injuries towards the end of last season and missed out on quite a few games," he explained. "That's why it's been so good to get a few games during pre-season and hopefully I can get a couple more this week to show what I can do before the first game.

"I'm glad to say that, touch wood, everything is okay fitness wise now and I'm feeling really good for the start of the season.

"The preparation has gone well so far. We've all got that bit fitter and sharper with each game that we've played and there's been some good, competitive games.
"But it's nothing compared to what we're going to face when the Premiership kicks-off and that's why we've been working so hard on our fitness over these past few weeks.

"The gaffer has added some good players to the squad, including a couple more Welsh lads, and I think we've got the ability and strength to survive in the Premier League this season."

Gav admits that the spirit in the squad has been fantastic ever since the Hammers came home from Cardiff with the Play-off Final trophy and he believes that will be a big factor going into the first few weeks of the season.

"There's a lot of confidence around the squad at the moment and we need to keep that going," he said. "We know that we've got a huge challenge in front of us and the first five or six games are going to be really important.

"We need to get a couple of wins on the board during those games, because that will give everyone around the Club a lift and give us a good platform to build on.

"Making a solid start is going to be vital and we're all looking forward to a fantastic atmosphere at Upton Park for the Blackburn game."