James Collins was disappointed that his first start of the season ended in defeat at Leicester City on Tuesday.
The centre back was happy to have his chance in the starting XI, but was frustrated that the Hammers could not go on to make progress after cancelling out Joe Dodoo’s opener.
As it was, Andy King scored in extra time to seal it for Leicester, leaving Collins to look forward to his next opportunity.
James, back in the starting line-up on Tuesday but a defeat in the end. What was your view of the game?
JC: “We’re disappointed to lose. I thought we played alright in patches. We’re disappointed with the goals obviously and it was one of those games that could have gone either way. Unfortunately it’s gone for them.”
You’ve had to wait for your chance to start and it must be difficult because the people who have been in have done well…
JC: “It’s the same as any club, if you get in the team and you play well you’re going to keep the shirt. I’m experienced enough to know that I’m going to have to wait for my chance. I got one on Tuesday, but clearly we’re disappointed with the result.
“I’m fit as a fiddle, and I knew I was going to have to keep myself in shape to be ready when the Gaffer calls upon me. I feel ready and I’ve got a couple of games coming up for Wales as well so I’m looking forward to those.”
It’s a big season for Wales, isn’t it?
JC: “I’ve got to think about France at the end of the season as I’d be bitterly disappointed if I missed out on that. It’s a long time away yet and there’s a lot of football to be played, so I’ll recover from the Leicester game and go again in training.
“We’ve got Bosnia away and Andorra at home, so if we don’t qualify it will be our own doing. It’s an exciting time, the Welsh team are flying and it’s great to be part of it.
Leicester was a set-back, but is it important we don’t dwell on it given how well we’ve started the season?
JC: “It’s a setback, but as the Gaffer said in there we’ve done tremendously well in the league. We performed well in patches on Tuesday, kept the ball nicely but probably didn’t create too many clear cut chances to win it. It could have gone either way, but they scored a quality goal to win it.
“The goalkeeper was great for us. He was there when he was called upon, he’s paid to make saves and that’s what he did on Tuesday.”