Scott: Bow's Brilliant

Scott Minto says Lee Bowyer's arrival at West Ham is a major boost to the Hammers' prospects of getting up the table.

Scott is a firm admirer of Lee's qualities, and says:

"Everyone respects Bow and thinks he is a very good player - and he can only be a great addition to the side."

Asked about why he has attracted some bad press - notwithstanding the fact that his last two bosses, David O' Leary and Terry Venables, as well as Arsene Wenger, have expressed huge admiration for him in the wake of his signing for West Ham, Scott says:

"I don't know, to be honest; it is easier to make bad press than good press.

"He has been through troubled times but that is in the past now and if anyone wants to relate to the court case, he was not guilty, so I don't understand.

"Basically it is because of the way he plays; he is a very committed player and I think players like that can pick up some bookings and sendings off and that creates controversy.

"He plays in an aggressive way and we need players like him."

Their paths first crossed at Charlton, and Scott says:

"He is a really nice guy; I didn't know him too well at Charlton as he was an apprentice when I was in my last year but whenever I have spoken to him he he seemed nice.

"He got bought for £2.5m as a teenager and he is a quality addition and he is probably one of the fittest players in the league."

Scott would welcome his signing being followed up by that of Les Ferdinand, and adds:

"He is strong, very good in the air, and can score goals - so let's hope we get him."

As for the position at the wrong end of the table, he acknowledges that other teams down there didn't do too well last week but adds:

"That helps but we have to concentrate on ourselves and hope the luck changes.

"There has been optimism all along but disappointment - but certainly no pessimism.

"Obviously the lads were disappointed after the Newcastle game, though; we worked really hard and showed good character to come back from 1-0 down."

As for the home hoodoo, Scott, who came on for Nigel Winterburn after he suffered a thigh injury that he couldn't shrug off, says:

"It wasn't in my mind; when I got on the pitch my only thought was not to concede a goal and I didn't think once about not having won at home.

"It was a great finish for the equaliser, though the lads are disappointed he had time to get a touch and score - but no keeper was going to stop that shot.

"We felt we were going to win but the goal put Newcastle on a high and it was going to be difficult after that." If Nigel is declared fit for his Highbury swansong, Scott will probably have to content himself with a place on the bench, and he adds:

"Knowing Nigel I am sure he will declare himself fit.

"The competition between us is very friendly; we both get along with, and support, each other, and for me it is not about rivalry but about impressing the manager the most, and I just want to train as hard as I can to that end."