Matthew: Alan's The Man

Matthew Etherington says that Alan Pardew is extremely thorough in his approach to management - and has already shown that.

One of his first steps was to give the players heart monitors and Matthew says:

"It is all new things that are happening now in modern day football which he is keeping us updated on, and we know we have got to do it."

But he insists that Alan will not take the entertainment factor out of West Ham's play, and he adds:

"I still think he wants us to pass the ball and that is one of the things that West Ham have always traditionally done; Alan is very thorough, does everything in detail, and the lads have been impressed.

"He has come in, given us ideas, and told us what he wants to do so everyone is looking forward to the first game now.

"It is something different, everyone is on trial and has got to impress, so that is what everyone is trying to do."

But Matthew enjoyed working with Trevor Brooking as well, and says:

"Trevor has done brilliantly, and all the lads really respected him; he got a lot out of them and the results were fairly good.

"We have probably drawn a couple of games at home that we should have won but the new manager has his ideas and is trying to address that, so hopefully we can step up now.

"A win is important but we know Forest is a very good side with some good players, and this is going to be a tough game, probably one of the toughest we have got at home this year."