Dean Ashton has spoken of his satisfaction at being voted player of the month for March in a poll of whufc.com readers.
The West Ham United No9 just edged out Freddie Sears to take the plaudits in what proved a difficult month for the team but saw him make good personal progress. Since the turn of the year, Mark Noble was singled out for his displays in January before Freddie Ljungberg took the honour in February. Ashton was an obvious choice for many this time around as he has made the most of a regular run and also added a couple of crucial goals.
He returned to the starting lineup at Tottenham Hotspur and turned in a hard-working display that saw him spend the second half as a lone striker with the side down to ten men. He followed that up with a sublime opening goal in the 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers before a bullet header earned a 1-1 draw away to Everton. He also nearly produced a fantastic third in a row in the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland only to hit the post when the game was goalless.
Thanking supporters for recognising his efforts, Ashton said: "It is great that they think I am doing well again because I know I haven't perhaps played up to the standards I set myself before my injury - so it is nice to hear they feel I am getting back to my best. It coincides with me playing regularly. Being on the bench is hard because it is a bit stop-start but the fact I have started the last few games has really helped my football to flow."
Along with his team-mates, Ashton has particularly enjoyed the extra enthusiasm provided by Academy graduates like 18-year-old fellow forward Freddie Sears. "It is enjoyable to play with him. He is a breath of fresh air which is what this team needs at the moment," Ashton added. "The likes of him and James Tomkins just want to go out there and play and show what they can do with no fear or pressure. It shows with how well they are taking to it all."