James Collins admits he was delighted to answer the call of
action in our FA Cup quarter-final triumph against Manchester
City.
The Welsh defender stepped in for the injured Anton Ferdinand ahead of our 2-1 win on Monday night and, alongside his Welsh international colleague Danny Gabbidon, produced an impressive display that played a key role in the victory.
"It was a great night and a fantastic result for the boys," says James. "I really enjoyed myself and it was nice to be involved in such a big game.
"I thought it was my kind of game, especially when they pushed the two big lads up front towards the end, and I'm just glad that we got the win in such a massive game.
"It was nice to come in alongside Danny Gabbidon, who I've played with so many times before, but to be fair the whole team made me feel comfortable and it was just great to be out there."
For James, the clash at the City of Manchester stadium was his first appearance in a Hammers shirt for more than two months. The stunning form of Gabbidon and Ferdinand has reduced his opportunities to a minimum and, although he enjoyed a run of games at the turn of the year following injury to his former Cardiff City team-mate, the 22-year-old is candid about his contribution.
"Being honest, I don't think I did myself justice when I got in the team over Christmas," he says.
"I personally feel that I could have played a lot better and it was disappointing that I didn't really take my chance when it came.
"I was determined to show the fans, the manager and all the boys that I was a better player than that, and hopefully my performance against Manchester City will go some way to showing why West Ham bought me.
"If I can get a run of games under my belt and start to produce that level on a regular basis, then I'm sure I can prove to be a valuable player for this Club."
The Welsh defender stepped in for the injured Anton Ferdinand ahead of our 2-1 win on Monday night and, alongside his Welsh international colleague Danny Gabbidon, produced an impressive display that played a key role in the victory.
"It was a great night and a fantastic result for the boys," says James. "I really enjoyed myself and it was nice to be involved in such a big game.
"I thought it was my kind of game, especially when they pushed the two big lads up front towards the end, and I'm just glad that we got the win in such a massive game.
"It was nice to come in alongside Danny Gabbidon, who I've played with so many times before, but to be fair the whole team made me feel comfortable and it was just great to be out there."
For James, the clash at the City of Manchester stadium was his first appearance in a Hammers shirt for more than two months. The stunning form of Gabbidon and Ferdinand has reduced his opportunities to a minimum and, although he enjoyed a run of games at the turn of the year following injury to his former Cardiff City team-mate, the 22-year-old is candid about his contribution.
"Being honest, I don't think I did myself justice when I got in the team over Christmas," he says.
"I personally feel that I could have played a lot better and it was disappointing that I didn't really take my chance when it came.
"I was determined to show the fans, the manager and all the boys that I was a better player than that, and hopefully my performance against Manchester City will go some way to showing why West Ham bought me.
"If I can get a run of games under my belt and start to produce that level on a regular basis, then I'm sure I can prove to be a valuable player for this Club."