Dailly Looks Forward

CHRISTIAN Dailly insists Hammers are not setting any targets for the coming season, despite an impressive start to the campaign that has seen Alan Pardew's men take four points from a possible six.

The Scottish international is simply delighted to be back in the playing squad for the start of the season after an injury hit 2004/05 season and believes Hammers confidence is high going into this weekend's clash with Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park.

"I don't like setting targets," explained the 31-year-old. "We've made an encouraging start with four points from our first two games and it's certainly given us a good platform to build on.

"We're just concentrating on one game at a time and making sure we're totally prepared for that match. Then it's just a case of the players going out and producing on the pitch.

"We are certainly not in fear of the teams at this level and I think we've shown that in the two games so far. Blackburn was a really strong second-half performance when we showed a lot of character to come from a goal down and we showed similar determination at Newcastle after going down to 10 men.

"A point at St James' Park was a positive result, but from my point of view there are no targets. The aim for the Club is to survive in the Premier League and achieve the best position possible."



































Christian is now recognised as a midfielder within Alan Pardew's squad, but displayed some admirable talents at right-back in the opening game against Blackburn after Tomas Repka was taken ill on the morning of the game.

Tomas returned to the team at St James' Park, which meant Christian dropped to the bench, but the Dundee born player is enjoying his new role in midfield.

"It's a position I've always enjoyed and I've played in before during my career," he said. "Obviously filling in at right-back was a late call and I was just pleased that we came away with a good result.

"Midfield puts different demands on you as a player, but I've been asked to do a job there and I'm happy to do it.

"It's an area of the pitch that I think has worked very well for us in the opening two games. Nigel Reo-Coker and Hayden Mullins have both done well, but my aim at the moment is just to push them all the way and hopefully I can force my way into the starting line-up."

However, Christian's influence on Alan Pardew's squad transcends events on the pitch and stretches into the dressing room and training ground, where his experience is invaluable.

"We've got a young squad here, so the role of the senior players is definitely important," he said. "I hope that I can use some of my experience at this level to help the younger players. You need experience in the team, but we do have that with the likes of Teddy Sheringham, myself and Shaka Hislop.

"Our team is young, fresh and enthusiastic, which is great for the Club, but you also need that bit of experience.

"We've got a good blend of players and personalities in the squad and most importantly the atmosphere has been great during pre-season. That's continued into the start of the season and hopefully we can keep that good feeling around the Club."