Zamora's Starting Goal

BOBBY Zamora got his first taste of Premiership action as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United after being named on the bench for the opening two games.

After his goalscoring heroics in last season's Play-offs it is perhaps not the start to the campaign the 24-year-old striker was looking for.

Nevertheless, he is determined to force his way into Alan Pardew's first-team and is just pleased to be part of the Hammers squad that has made a strong start to the Premier League season.

"I'm like anyone," he said, "I want to play and do well in everg game.

"But Marlon and Teddy have been doing the business at the moment and I have to just keep plugging away and when I get my chance the boss and everyone knows what I can do.

"We're all in this together, it's a big squad and we will all be needed because the season's only just started and I'm determined to play my part.

"I'm always in the manager's ear about playing. He knows what I can do and I want to just go out there and play my best for West Ham United.

"I'm confident in what I can do and that when I get my chance, I 'll grab it with both hands."

A Hammers fans since childhood, Bobby knows perhaps more than most the special atmosphere Upton Park can create on matchdays. And the former Brighton and Spurs striker believes home form is going to be crucial this season.

He said: "We need to get the winning results at home for sure. That is a big key for us this season.

"It will give us a great base to build from and it means anything we pick up on the road is a bonus.

"What we've got to be concentrating on in our next two games against Bolton and then Aston Villa is keeping everything tight as possible and make it difficult for teams to get anything at our place.

"It's been a really strong start for us and that's given the team confidence. There was the first game against Blackburn with all the atmosphere, but I was just chuffed to bits to get on and play for the team against Newcastle.

"It's a massive stadium, it was a strong display from us, a good performance all round. We had to dig in after Paul Konchesky went off and more than derserved our point.

"Hopefully we can keep the good run going against Bolton. Every team is tough in the Premiership, but we're prepared for them and we have a lot of self-belief."

A lively character off the field as well as on it, Bobby revealed that the dressing room banter has been bubbling since Hammers won promotion.

He said: "The lads have been giving some light-hearted stick to Nigel over the song the fans sing to him. The "Doo, Doo, Doo, Nigel Reo-Coker", in fact, he's been getting stick off us all for ages about that! He's proud the fans are singing for him but to that tune?, it's so funny!

And Zamora who had the Dean Martin classic That's Amore specially re-written for the Play-off Final by singer Mark Adams and released as a CD, gave his verdict on whether Nigel's song could also make its way into the charts.

"I don't know about that," he laughed. "It's not as classic as mine!"