Rai: Rio's Logical Step

Raimond van der Gouw says that Rio Ferdinand's move to his former colleagues at Manchester United was simply the "logical" next step in his career.

" Rio wants to play with the best players to win trophies, and the best place to do that is with United so I think it is a logical move," he says.

"They can always win the title, but with Rio, he will be a very important player for the team with his pace and power.

"He showed it in the World Cup, and I think he will do very well there."

Raimond kept goal for the entire 90 minutes at Roots Hall in a 3-1 win, but David James will be returning to action soon.

Says Rai:

"It was the second game for us and we got the win, which is the most important thing - but I would have preferred the clean sheet.

"It is coming slowly, I am getting to know the lads, and enjoying life here."

Rai, for whom 'we' is now West Ham, and 'they' the club he left after six seasons, there is every reason for optimism, even if there is not the expectancy of winning the title - a feeling he has been used to for every one of those half a dozen years.

"I think the team spirit is very good and we have to work very hard," he says.

"Last season we were seventh and I would like to see us ending up a little bit higher with the good squad we have."