Fredi Fired Up

Although Glenn Roeder has called for Fredi Kanoute to play his way into the France side in the coming months, the man himself says: "I'm only thinking of West Ham."

Fredi insists: "If I achieve things here it will happen, but at the moment I just want to get the job done for West Ham."

"I don't really care about that at the moment because I want to concentrate on my game at West Ham."

Fredi was certainly on fire in his first pre-season game of the campaign at Bishop's Stortford on Friday, grabbing a hat trick in a fearsome 45 minutes in which he could have scored six.

"I'm happy with that first game, and we have worked very well in this pre-season - which is why I feel fit," he enthuses.

Fans worried that he would entertain a move to Fulham after his response to their summer interest was a very positive, and public, one, can rest assured, however.

He reveals that, just as with strike partner Paolo Di Canio, a meeting with Glenn satisfied him that Upton Park was the place to be next season.

"It was a serious thought at the time and I have to be honest - I did want to go,"he reveals.

"At the time I did want to leave but after I spoke to Glenn I wanted to stay.

"I thought about it a lot and now I am happy.

"It was a spur of the moment comment but it didn't happen and I am happy.

"I know Glenn, he is a good trainer, he is very serious, and he can do good things this season.

"I am pleased he is the boss next year because I have a good feeling from him."

Like Paolo, it was the feeling of being wanted that really made the difference, as he received assurances that, even though the Hammers could have moved him on at an enormous profit, they had no intention of doing so.

"I knew the club didn't want me to go, I had a discussion, and I agreed with them," he adds.

"It is not a big deal for me, because I like this club and they have been very good for me.

"That is why I want to give them a good season."

Fredi hopes answer Glenn's call to form a closer working relationship with Paolo this season, and concludes: "I think it is possible - we have no choice but to forge a good partnership."