Danny's Big Day Dreams

DANNY Gabbidon has his fingers crossed for a Hammers debut for the Premier League kick-off against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

On what promises to be a memorable afternoon for all concerned at a sold-out Upton Park, the 26-year-old defender is hoping to make some landmarks of his own after moving from Cardiff City this summer.

"I've always wanted to play in the Premiership," confessed Danny, "and I'm hoping that it might come true for me on Saturday against Blackburn. Every players wants to be challenged at the highest level and I'm no different.

"Since I arrived the aim for me was to try and force my way into the side for the first game of the season. On Saturday we'll see if I've achieved that. When I came here I knew it would be a lot of hard work to make it into the first-team, but if I do get in for Saturday, I'll be making sure that I give it my best and hopefully have a successful debut.

"Playing for West Ham United in the Premier League will be a big step up for me. Since I arrived it's taken some time to adjust to the different surroundings.

"Things are done differently here, for instance having your towel and kit laid out for you before every training session and match. It's those small things that make a difference day-to-day and when I first arrived I was a bit overawed. But I'm settled at the Club and looking forward to playing for West Ham United.

"I've played at Upton Park for Cardiff before and I remember how incredible the atmosphere was, so playing for West Ham now is going to be a great feeling."

After four years with Cardiff, Danny will have to bridge the class divide as he makes the step up to the Premier League. But 17 international caps for Wales will certainly help in that department.

"Definitely my international experience will help when it comes to making that step up," he confessed. "I think I'd be a bit nervous if I hadn't had the opportunity to play with and against some fantastic players at international level.

"It's helped my confidence to be involved with the international team and I feel that I'm ready to make the step into the Premier League now.

"I just turned 26 and spent a long time at Cardiff. I really enjoyed my time there, but I've been looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League for some time now and over the summer I felt it was the right time to move on.

"My aim is to play at the highest level and become the best player that I can, both at club and international level. I feel that I'll be able to do that at West Ham United and I can only thank Alan Pardew and the Club for giving me that chance in the Premier League.

"Hopefully I can take it this season and repay their faith with some good performances. I'm really happy with the move, everything has gone well and now I'm just looking forward to playing for the Club."

Although Danny admits that, for any promoted team, survival is an achievement not to be dismissed, the Welsh international feels Alan Pardew's squad contains enough quality for Hammers to be aiming higher this season.

"There's no reason why we can't finish in or close to the top half," he insisted. "Obviously staying in the Premier League is the important thing and we're not going to be unhappy if we do that.

"But I think you have to set your targets high and then see how far you can go. Staying up would be a great achievement, but we'd like to know whether we can do better than that, and the squad believe that we can."