Matty Aims High

Matthew Etherington hopes to have another good campaign for West Ham - and score more.

Last season's player of the year says:

"I want another good season to try and build on what I did last year and if I do that I will be happy. The best is definitely yet to come from me and hopefully I will get a few more goals than last season when I scored six.

"Hopefully I can reach double figures this time."

Matthew played most of Saturday's friendly against Peterborough, whose boss insists he should play for England, and he adds:

"It was good to go back where I started my career. My mum and sister work at the club - my sister joined recently and my mum is  Club Secretary.

"I didn't ask them who they were supporting, to be honest - it is up to them; I imagine it was West Ham with a bit of Peterborough!"

Matthew says he is refreshed and ready to get back into action after the break - and insists he is looking to the future.

"The break was okay but obviously it was hard after the playoff defeat in Cardiff," he admits.

"But I am back refreshed, and I don't dwell on it - you have to move on and we have to make sure we don't do it the hard way this year by the playoffs.

"We need to get an automatic spot if we can and that is what we are all striving for - we are all determined, and I am sure the gaffer will bring in a couple more players."

Matthew is pleased that Teddy Sheringham is signed up and he concludes:

"It is good to have Teddy at the club; I had a good partnership with him at Tottenham and he is a class act. He has done the lot; he has been at Manchester United, and his experience will be vital to us this year."