Home Sweet Home

Peter Grant says he is looking forward immensely to getting back to home territory at the weekend for the first - and last - of the preseason games to be played in east London.

"I can't wait to be back at Upton Park; you don't get many stadia that hold 35,000 people and hopefully it will be a fortress for us," he says.

"We have a big game against Anderlecht and hopefully we will be ready for August 7th.

"Anderlecht are a wonderful side reputation-wise and will always have a big name in European football.

"They have a few top class players that the big clubs want.

"It is going to be a good standard of game and it will be nice to see Serge and Teddy play at Upton Park.

"Hopefully we will have a big crowd and set the standard for the rest of the season.

"Serge is an exciting player and West Ham have always had that type of player - you can't get enough of them.

"We want those players to play within the team framework and win us games of football because that is the bottom line.

"You are trying to get people challenging for positions and that brings out the best in everybody; it means players can't rest on their laurels and they need to be at their optimum to stay in the side."

As for the win over Colchester on Wednesday, Peter adds:

"I thought we played well and there was a lot of good stuff, especially in the first half with decent movement and passing.

"We cut them open a few times and had a few good chances before we tried to be a bit too clever, but I think that we are getting nearer that fitness level."