There has been a good buzz around the place this week as we go into our home match with Sunderland.
It was a great point for us away at Norwich last weekend. I felt we dominated a lot of the game and were disappointed with only coming away with a draw. But it was a clean sheet, Norwich had some chances and hats off to Jussi [Jaaskelainen] for making some great saves.
We take confidence from that away point, a clean sheet and two home league wins into the clash with Sunderland. It won't be an easy game, they are well organised under Martin O'Neill, but I am hoping that some of the good fortune I have had against them in the past will rub off for us.
As a Newcastle player, I scored against them on my debut, it was a 1-1 draw that day and then the next time I faced them with the Magpies, I scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win. My other goal against them came in another 1-1 draw after that.
So I would love to have more of the same now I am a Hammer! As I said, it will be a tough game, we know that. But if we can keep getting in the right positions to create chances, we know we can score and we just have to keep our strong play at the back and then hopefully we can get something and do the business.
It is a busy week coming up, we have Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and it will be good to make it a week of victories if we can. The Gaffer has a few selection choices now we have all our squad together and that is great, as all the lads will get playing time and the competition for places is there for every match.
Speaking about the squad, we had our team photo taken this week at the Boleyn Ground - there was the usual banter flying about as is usual, but in all seriousness, it was great to see our squad all together. We are looking forward to getting on with building on what we have started already this season.
The last week has seen the sad passing of two former players of our club, Jimmy Andrews and Ron Tindall. There were also the findings of what happened to the 96 Liverpool fans that died at Hillsborough. Obviously our thoughts are with the families and friends of all of the above.
I want to finish off this week by mentioning that the Richard House Children's Hospice, one of our club charities will be collecting around the stadium at the match.
It is a great cause, a lot of the lads have visited the hospice and we have close links with them. It Is just down the road to us in Beckton. They don't have official funding and so rely on what we and others can do to help them.
They will have collection buckets or you can also donate £5 by texting to RHCH02 TO 70070.
I want to thank you all in advance for all the support you'll show them in whatever way you can and I'm sure you will get behind the hospice as much as you get behind us every week.
Come on you Irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain