Man of the Moment 11: Bobby Zamora

Bobby Zamora hit the Century mark when he netted his 100th league goal against Fulham at Upton Park recently. Not only was it a vital strike that helped West Ham grab a point against their London neighbours, it was also a welcome return to the goalscoring stakes for the 26-year-old forward. After starting the season on fire with five goals in four games, Bobby, like all strikers, went through a lean spell but his determination to get back on the goalscoring trail is his priority and he was delighted to get his 100th goal in West Ham colours…

The goal you scored against Fulham was your 100th league goal, a great milestone to reach in your career?
"I just love scoring goals and for me that goal against Fulham being my 100th league goal was special. I had hit the ground running at the start of the season, scoring the five goals and then I hadn't scored for a long time, so it was great for me.
"But also, it was a goal that saw us get back level in the game and while were very disappointed not to have won that day, it was still a point gained.
"In fact as well as scoring my 100th league goal against Fulham, I must claim a couple of assists for Yossi's two goals! Well, at least one of them, I chested the ball down and while the defender kind of gave the ball to Yossi, I did help in some way, yeah, I must claim that one!
"To get 100 goals is a milestone no one can take away from you and that fact it was at Upton Park and for West Ham was just lovely!

Do you remember your first ever league goal?
It was when I was on loan at Brighton, it was my first game for them and it was against Plymouth Argyle, the score was 1-1.
"It was special because it was my debut and I went out there desperate to score. It got the team a point and as it was my first match, it was a very special day for me and my family."
"It was a header I think. Yes it was, so a bit rare for me that!" but it's a good goal to look back and say that's where it all started."

What other goals stand out for you early on in your career?
"I struck a good volley in for Brighton against Halifax, at home, enjoyed that one. And I remember scoring against Bury away, it was a chip and that was most enjoyable too! Both nice goals to score and I was pleased with them."

What about your first goal for West Ham?
"I remember very well my first West Ham goal, it was my debut and we were away at Bradford.
"We were 1-0 down but we went on to win 2-1. The fact that this was my very first West Ham goal is very special to me indeed.
"I also scored in my home debut at Upton Park, that was against Cardiff and the goal won us the game 1-0.
"If I remember rightly, Gabbs (Danny Gabbidon) was in the Cardiff defence that day and I got in behind him to score. Well, I think what I really did was leave him behind somewhere on the pitch and scored!
"It was another proud moment and in front of the West Ham fans, where I stood as a youngster, was another special time in my career."

Over the past few seasons, what goals have been your best for West Ham?
"One of my best goals came in the second leg of the Play-Off Finals, at Ipswich. It was a volley, really good to score one like that. Marlon could rightly claim to have the assists that night, as he did set up both goals for me. But a fantastic night and it meant we were in the play-off final. I was able to volley it straight in to the corner of the net. Perfect!
"We were perhaps written off in the first leg, when Ipswich came from behind at Upton Park. They were also a good side at the time, especially on their own ground. But we were up for it and wanted to win and deserved it. It was a magical night and that second goal I scored is one of my all-time favourites.
"One of my best moments for sure was scoring against Arsenal last season. It was the last time we would play them at Highbury. To score and win there made it one of the best nights in football for me. I was pleased with the goal, I was determined to score when I got the chance and it all happened. It was very special, the way the team worked hard and played in that game, another magical West Ham night."

All strikers go through lean times in front of goal, what keeps you going during the tough times?
"You do get tough times, I mean, going back to the start of this season again, I scored five times and then didn't score again until the Fulham game.
"Do you feel the pressure? It's a case of just getting on with it, keep believing in yourself and your team-mates.
"Another thing that keeps you going, is that all the best strikers in the world go through the same thing. Alan Shearer would go 10 or 15 games without scoring, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, it has all happened to them. It's just that a lot of times, it's not mentioned as much. You often get oh, he can't hack it at this level if you aren't scoring, it's often a case of they build you up and then shoot you down. But at the end of the day, you have to let it roll off you and it makes you more determined than ever. It's all about keeping belief in yourself and your team-mates.
"The great thing is I can look back and say I scored at every level of the game, in every division and it is nice to have that."

So, Bobby, what is your all-time favourite goal you have scored?
"It is most definitely the goal I scored in the Play-Off Final in Cardiff that saw us win 1-0 and get promotion back to the Premiership.
"I remember, Matty went down the wing as he does, jinking past some Preston players and he managed to pull the ball back. I remember just thinking I must get contact with the ball and stick it towards the goal.
"I did and thankfully it went in the back of the net, it won the game and the rest they say is history, West Ham were back in the Premiership.
I remember having a little jump and it looked like it had gone in. But the realisation it definitely had gone in, came minutes late.
"I ran off and got mobbed by Nobes (Mark Noble) and Teddy who were on the touch-line and with the roar of the crowd, I thought, yeah, it's definitely gone in!
"To sum it up, it's the best goal of the 100 I have scored so far and it was one of the most amazing days of my life. Unforgettable."