Teddy Sheringham returns to one of his former clubs on
Saturday afternoon hoping to provide the spark that will help West
Ham United get back to winning ways in the Premiership.
And the Hammers striker believes that a tough battle against
Portsmouth - one of the in-form sides in the league - might just be
what is needed to spur Alan Pardew's men into recapturing the
focus and confidence that served them so well last season.
Teddy says: "Last year, after getting promoted, we went into
every game with a no-fear attitude and of course that helped us get
results.
"But I think you also have to go out there with a certain
element of fear. A fear of not wanting to be embarrassed or made to
look silly by another team.
"That was something we had in our play when we came up as
well, the determination to be on par or better than your opponent.
We haven't lost that determination, but perhaps need to find
the momentum that brought it to the fore for us."
Teddy spent just over a year at Fratton Park with Harry Redknapp
after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2003, and says he
enjoyed every minute on the south coast.
"It was good," he says. "There was a similar
scenario to the one we faced last year at West Ham, in that we were
never expected to survive in the league but managed to have a good
season and finish well.
"They have been going well this season and Fratton Park is
never an easy place to go for any team. I experienced the crowd
there as a player when they would be with you, but also when they
got on our backs.
"They had a tough year last season, but Harry has been able to
bring in some quality to their side with the money he has been
given. He's got some good experienced pros there like David
James and Sol Campbell, who are not at the end of their careers yet
and have a lot of offer the team. There are also younger players,
such as Glen Johnson, who seems to be relishing regular football.
"There are tough games every week in the Premiership, but we
are looking for a win to get us back on track and you would say
that going to Portsmouth is difficult, it will be tough, but we
will go there looking to get three points."
And Teddy, who made an impressive substitute appearance against
Reading two weeks ago, says he is fit and ready to play a part in
helping the Hammers triumph today and go on to have another
successful season in the Premiership.
He says: "I want to play, but I know the competition that is
here - five other strikers who are all thinking the same as me. But
I am here to play and will continue to work hard like everyone else
to claim my place."
The 40-year-old also insists that, despite recent results, the
dressing room spirit is as strong as ever, something the players
thrive on.
"Everyone's together, there's a good set of lads here
who all want to work hard and get on well," says Teddy.
"There's been a lot of stuff written about the two
Argentinean boys, but they are settling in and are part of the
team, there's no problem there.
"There has also been a lot written about the club lately and
of course the players read about it and to a degree it can take an
effect.
"But as players, we can only worry about what is happening on
the pitch, because that is something we can do something about and
that's what we are concentrating on."
by Laura Burkin