Rob: Life Is Good

Rob Lee has no complaints about Nobby Solano and Shay Given equalling his record of 27 appearances in Europe for Newcastle against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday evening while he was making his home debut in the first round of the Carling Cup - and says he couldn't be happier at the club.

"Records are there to be broken; hopefully they will go through and have a good season in the Champions' League.

"I am absolutely delighted, I couldn't be happier; I am playing for the team I have always wanted to play for and my only goal this season is to get West Ham back in the Premiership.

"We are on our way but there is a long way to go and I think the important thing was to keep winning, no matter how you do it.

"In the first 25 minutes against Rushden we played extremely well and I thought it was going to be an onslaught; they were fortunate with their goal which gave them a little bit of hope, and to be fair they played quite well after that but I always felt we were in control and could score more.

"I don't think it was a poor performance, we really made it too easy for ourselves in the first 30 minutes because we played so well and created countless chances.

"We got a bit careless and thought it was going to be an easy game and to be fair to them they made it difficult for us in the second half; they had a lot of the ball but I didn't see them making too many chances - we kept solid defensively and came out worthy winners."

As for the protestations from some fans about player sales this summer, he says:

"Fans have always had their own point of view and they don't want to see good players leaving the club, which is what they have seen.

"Players don't want the good players to leave the club but unfortunately it has happened.

"But they will stay loyal because West Ham fans are very, very loyal - they will have their say but they will still support the club."

Looking at the Sheffield United game, he adds:

"I think it will be a good test for us, with only two games in a row - and that certainly doesn't help me!

"I wouldn't have minded a day off, but it is a tough game coming up and they will be there or thereabouts.

"But we are looking very good with a lively front two."

Rob was watched by family and friends onn his home debut and he jokes:

"They were up there barracking me, I know that; they were all there, but I was ignoring them!

"It was nice to make my debut, and now it will be hard against Sheffield United who I played against twice for Derby last season.

"They are very well organised with a couple of decent players who can score goals - but I think they will be more afraid of us than we are of them.

"We are at home and we can hopefully get off to another good start."

Looking at their key personnel, he says:

"I think Michael Brown is a very good player in midfield - he is extremely good and a few Premiership clubs have been after him.

"Ndlovu is erratic but you can catch him on a good day and he is outstanding - you can catch him on another day and he is not so good.

"Ashley Ward up front is a handful as their big lad on Wednesday was; we are a very small team and he will cause a few problems at six foot plus."

Meanwhile, David Connolly has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly against Australia in Dublin, while Don Hutchison and Christian Dailly have been named in the Scotland squad for their game with Norway in Oslo on Wednesday, 20th August.