Seb: No France Thoughts

Sebastien Schemmel says he harbours no ambitions to play for France.

Despite a run of consistent performances in an ever present season for the Hammers this season, and the fact that he held his own against French internationals on Saturday, he laughs when asked if he would like to play for his country.

"I prefer to keep my feet on the ground because when you see Vieira, Pires, and Henry you know it is a high level that it is not possible to touch," he says modestly.

"My ambition is to get West Ham in the top ten."

Against the Gunners, Seb created a goal for a man with definite international ambitions, Fredi Kanoute, with the low cross from the byline when many other players would have settled for a corner, and he says: "I am very happy for him because after a month injured it was important for him - and the team - that he scored on Saturday.

"I am very pleased because that is my first assist, but the most important thing is that we lost two points at home again.

"I speak every time with Fredi, I work in training to provide the assists and I said to him before the game that I will never shoot, I will give the ball to him behind the defence every time.

"It was unbelievable because it was the most important game of the season, and for Fredi it was important as well."

Speaking about the match in more detail, he says: "In the first half we could have scored another goal and if it had been 2-0 at half-time the game would have been finished.

"But one mistake in the defence and they get one goal. I'm disappointed, but not too much, because it was Arsenal, maybe the best team in Europe at this moment.

"The players were very disappointed at half-time but everyone said that with the same mentality it was possible to win the game, but we knew that Arsenal have a lot of internationals.

"After the Manchester United game we wanted to win for the home fans, but I think it is possible to take six points from the next two games; it is the first objective at this moment.

"If we play with that strong mentality I think we can finish in the top ten.

"The next two weeks are important and I am very happy at this club - we can win everywhere."

Seb shares Glenn's view that Lauren only deserved a yellow card following his foul on Trevor Sinclair, and he says: "I don't think it should have been a red because he wasn't the last defender - Ashley Cole was also chasing back, but we should have had the handball late on."

He is thoroughly enjoying his time in England - he has been here almost a year now - and he adds: "The English players have proved they are the strongest - and it is easy to play with them."