Luis Boa Morte is looking to start 2009 in the way he ended 2008 - by playing his part in more West Ham United victories.
Part of the Arsenal squad that won the FA Cup in 1998, Boa Morte's experience of the famous competition could be invaluable on Saturday as Barnsley arrive at the Boleyn Ground eyeing a third-round upset. Rather than dwell too much this week on his form in the wins against Portsmouth and Stoke City, Boa Morte was thinking only of another strong showing this weekend.
"It is heads down now for Barnsley," the Portuguese attacker said. "The FA Cup is important to us. Again it will be a tough game but we will go into it with added confidence from the last two matches. At the same time, we know we have to put the same hard work in again if we are to be successful. There is no doubt that we will be doing this on Saturday."
He knows just what the FA Cup means to the fans and is eager to repay them for the support he has had - not least when they were singing his name during the Stoke success. When asked his message for the home faithful, he said: "I just want them to know I am playing for the club and giving my full commitment every time I play. I am a West Ham player and try to make sure what I do helps the club."
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