John Pantsil was a happy man today after helping West Ham United through to the Carling Cup quarter-finals on his first appearance of the season.
The Ghana right-back had not been involved in first-team action since January but entered the fray for the final 30 minutes of last night's cup tie at Coventry City. It was to be an eventful last half-hour as a lively home side took the lead before a deflected Luis Boa Morte shot and Carlton Cole's last-gasp winner sent the travelling party home in upbeat mood.
"I think it was a good start for me," Pantsil said. "It was a tough game but we were able to get through to the quarter-finals. I'm so happy for the performance the players put in at the end and I'm looking to do well for the team as well as the fans.
"We are happy that we were able to cope with a team from the Championship who were out to prove that they are better than a Premier League team," he added. "So we had to prove that we deserve to be in the league above them."
Pantsil was unfazed by playing in right midfield as a replacement for Mark Noble, saying he was just pleased to be involved and get the chance to do his best. "It was OK," he added. "I was told by the manager where to play and as a professional player I have to be ready for anything.
"If we had lost it would have been a long journey home for us on the coach. No one would be laughing. Now we are happy that we have qualified for the quarter-finals and that will give us more strength for the next game. We will do well for the fans and the club as well.
"We have to keep our heads together, keep on doing the good work and if we continue like this things will be OK. This season is going to be a great season for West Ham United." The club will learn their quarter-final opponents on Saturday lunchtime but for early ticket details click here. To view all the Coventry highlights, and action from every other game this season, go to WHUTV.