Managing To Cope

Paul Goddard confesses that he is still coming to terms with the departure of Glenn Roeder, the man who brought him back to the club two years ago.

"It was a disappointing few days for the club because everyone appreciated how hard Glenn worked to try and get things right, and everyone was very sad for him," he says.

"But football has to go on, despite what you think, and a game has to be played. We got a result on Tuesday and I am sure Glenn is over the moon that we did."

Glenn made a phone call to Trevor Brooking on the day of the game to wish the players good luck and Paul adds: "It typifies Glenn that he was big enough in that situation to send a 'good luck' message to all the players.

"I have been in football many years, I'm not sure how many now but it is rolling on, and I have seen a lot of things happen.

"Unfortunately what has happened in the last six months at our club has really broken all new grounds.

"That is from Christmas last year and everything that happened with results turning and Glenn falling ill, then obviously the club's position during the summer, then Glenn getting dismissed after four games.

"They say 'never be surprised in football', but it has surprised me and you just have to get on with things.

"When you first hear you are shocked and you talk to try and reason it out, but it is done and there is nothing more to be said about it now anyway."

As for whether he will apply for the now vacant job, Paul adds: "I am not going to make any comment on questions like that. It is ongoing and as soon as something is resolved for everyone, the players, the club, and the staff, the better.

"It is very, very important that the right person gets put in place to carry the club forward at a very difficult time."

As for the playing side, Paul says that bringing in a left back to replace the injured Rufus Brevett is vital, and adds: "It is a priority. Myself, Trevor, and Roger Cross had a long talk after the game on Tuesday and prioritised what we think we can try and get.

"It goes on from Glenn as well because he spent the last month constantly speaking to different managers about players that we might possibly have, but it is not as easy as people might make out."

Meanwhile, Trevor Brooking admits there is no "magic wand" regarding the appointment of the next manager of West Ham - and also says he will be calling on Glenn very soon.

"You get a whole range of opinions, and even now about who the club should be appointing, there is a diverse range," he says.

"You need the experienced man, you need the young hungry person, you need a first division manager who knows this division, you need the difference of the overseas person.

"In the end there is no magic wand to get the person who fits all your criteria that a whole range of people want, so whoever you end up giving the role to you will have people saying 'why did you do that?'.

"But you have to give that person as much support as you can and there is no wonderful formula for selecting one.

"We are in the first division, we have certain financial restrictions, and we have to get the person that we think will give us a promotion push, and that is the priority."

And, revealing the continued relationship Trevor will have with Glenn, he adds: "Glenn lives nearby to me so when we get the game against Ipswich out of the way I am sure before the end of next week when I go to Macedonia I will have the chance to pop round and have a chat with him.

"I shall look forward to that; we will stay in contact and catch up with where we think we all are.

"We wish him and his family well and if we can help in any way I am sure we will.

"We will see each other next week some time and I think it is important for him, having worked so hard to get fit again, to take stock and decide what is going to best for him in the future.

"I think he will want to get back into football because he is very enthusiastic about it."