SHAUN Newton arrives at Upton Park with an impressive promotion
record to his name.
The 29-year-old has been promoted to the Premiership no less than
three times during his career, twice with Charlton and more
recently with Wolves in 2003.
Now the London-born player, who has signed a deal until the end of
the season at Upton Park, is aiming to add another promotion to his
already impressive list, this time with West Ham United.
"West Ham United is a Club with big ambitions," he said,
"and hopefully I can do well and be a part of that.
"I've had three promotions from this League, twice with
Charlton and once with Wolves, so I know what it takes to get out
of the division and hopefully I can pass on that experience to some
of the younger players.
"It takes lots of hard work and graft to win promotion and
once you do that then the other things fall into place.
"We can't just roll up at games and expect to take three
points. You have to earn promotion and it's going to take a lot
of hard work between now and the end of the season.
"But West Ham are still in a very good position in the League
and we need to consolidate that position between now and the end of
the season."
Shaun arrives at Upton Park from Wolves, where he made 150
appearances in three and a half seasons. After joining the Molineux
club in 2001, Shaun learned all about the expectation often
attached to big clubs trying to regain their Premiership status.
And he believes that experience will stand him in good stead with
the Upton Park faithful.
"I've come from a Club where the level of expectation is
huge," he admitted. "Wolves hadn't had top-flight
football for 19 years and the expectation of the fans was massive.
"From what I've been told I know the situation is similar
here, but I feel for the fans. They want to be in the Premiership,
and that's where I want to be as well.
"The fans want their team to win three or four nil every week,
but it doesn't always happen that way and it naturally creates
anxiety out on the pitch.
"That kind of situation calls for cool heads. But I've got
broad shoulders and hopefully my experience will mean that I can
help the team handle the pressure of a promotion battle.
"This move came as a bit of a surprise. I was sitting around
not playing much at Wolves and I'm used to achieving things and
progressing, so when a club like West Ham come calling and said
that they want you to be a part of what they are trying to achieve,
it's a chance you have to take.
"This is definitely a great opportunity for me and one I want
to grab, and hopefully get back to the Premiership."
London born-and-bred, Shaun is pleased to be back in the capital
after almost four years away in the Black Country. But judging by
the amount of friendly faces around Upton Park, Shaun should settle
in quickly.
"Obviously Chris Powell is an old friend from my time at
Charlton and I still speak to him a lot," he revealed.
"Before I joined I phoned Chris to ask him about the Club. He
told me all about the ambitions and expectations at West Ham and
about the set-up and the good bunch of lads they have here.
"I also know Bobby Zamora, who's pretty lively, Nigel
Reo-Coker, Anton Ferdinand and I've played against Marlon
Harewood a few times. So, although it's a new club there are a
few recognisable faces about."
Shaun goes straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to
Reading, and could start at right-back in place of the suspended
Tomas Repka, a position he feels he can make his own for the
Hammers.
"I've played on the right-side the whole of my
career," he explained. "More often than not it's been
in midfield, but anywhere down the right is no problem for me and
it will just be good to get back playing again.
"It's about adapting to situations and I'm sure I can
adapt my game to fit the job Alan Pardew wants me to do.
"I trained for the first time with the lads today (Friday). It
was nice to get my first session out the way and I think it went
pretty well.
"Right now, I'm just really looking forward to the game
against Reading and hopefully I can prove a point and show the West
Ham fans what I can do."