Galey's View

On recent form
It is going to be very close this season at both ends of the table. A couple of wins and you are lifted right up the league. Beating the teams immediately around you is the key, I think to staying in a good position. We're capable of this, I am sure, especially with the teams we are playing in the next few weeks.

On Dean Ashton
I couldn't believe what happened to Deano. He gets called up for England and fully deserving it as well but sadly gets injured again. I do hope it's not an England curse. Hopefully it won't be for too long as he was looking very sharp and, as the games were going on, getting back to the top of his fitness. I hope to see him back soon as with all our other injured players. Our luck has got to change on that front soon surely.

Back in action
I pulled on the boots once again - with great difficulty I may add - to take part in a Boys of 86 game for charity on 14 October . We faced a Brentwood XI in aid of the Helen Rollason Heal Cancer Charity and we won 6-2. It was in front of about 1,500 West Ham fans who were most impressed by the golden oldies they had playing in front of them, I'm sure!

The game was superbly hosted by Brentwood FC and it was all for a good cause. I have started to realise that the older you get, the more difficult it becomes to put on the kit and the boots. A week later, the legs are still stiff and I am still recovering.