FORMER Brighton striker Bobby Zamora takes on his old club for the first time this weekend, and is hoping to help the Hammers take all three points off the Seagulls at Upton Park.
"It will be great to play against Brighton," suggests Bobby, "and it would be even better to score. I had some great times there, and I still speak to a lot of the lads.
"The club has a massive fan base, but without a stadium they can call their own, it has become very difficult for them to move forward.
"Still, they've been grinding out a few results
recently and I'm sure they'll make it very tough for us at
Upton Park on Saturday.
"But we're going into the game with a lot of confidence
after a good performance against QPR, and will be determined to get
another three points to push us up the table."
Zamora, who scored 77 goals in three years at Brighton, will not be looking to celebrate as passionately as usual, though, if he does bag a goal, or two, against Mark McGhee's team.
"If I play I'll obviously be going all out to score," said the 23-year-old striker, "but I'll definitely tone down my celebrations. Brighton were very good to me and I wouldn't want to upset anyone there."
After dropping to the bench for last Saturday's 2-1 win over QPR, and then coming on as a late substitute to have a hand in Marlon Harewood's spectacular winner, Bobby is fighting for a starting place in the team. And although he is disappointed whenever his name is not among the starting X1, the striker insists the competition for places can only benefit the Club.
"There are good players fighting for a place in the team," he explained, "and that is very positive for the Hammers. I'll just keep working hard at scoring goals and hopefully I'll be able to cement a regular place in the side."
A good performance, and hopefully a goal, against the club where he made his name, would do Bobby's first-team chances no harm at all.