Teddy On Target

DESPITE hitting his 20th goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Burnley, Teddy Sheringham insists he has not set a goals target for this season, preferring instead to concentrate on West Ham United's late promotion charge.

"There are no targets," countered the former England striker. "I've never set any goal targets during my career. My only aim is to score in the next game and take three points - that's all I think about.

"It's been the same since I was a young trainee and certainly won't be changing this season. In our current situation every player's first thought should be for the team winning. Personal targets always come second to the result, and right now we need as many as results as we can string together."

Reflecting on his match-winning goal that secured Hammers second win in the space of three days, Teddy admitted the 1-0 victory at Turf Moor could turn out to be a crucial win for West Ham's season.

"We need a big run," he insisted, "where we can pick up some points and really put ourselves into a strong position going into the final few games of the season.

"Burnley is a difficult place to come to and get a result. They defend really well and don't give much away. We had to wait for our chance and battle hard, but once we had gone ahead we looked solid for the three points.

"That's two really important wins for us in the space of a few days and the lads are in good spirits going into the Coventry game.

"But we can't let anything slip. It's so competitive in and around those Play-off places you have to keep winning to give yourslef a chance of making it.

"The important thing is we're still pushing and still in with a great chance."

Teddy believes back-to-back wins will have boosted Hammers confidence going into a final six games where each match could be the defining moment of West Ham's season.

"Every game is an important one now," he confessed. "We just have to make sure we go out and win as many as we can.

"We've done well so far this week and there's a good feeling around the team that comes with winning.

"Now we've got to make it count on Saturday in another tough game against Coventry."