HAVING lost his place in the Hammers first-team at the start of
2005, Nigel Reo-Coker's return to form could hardly be more
timely.
The 20-year-old former Wimbledon trainee has forced his way back
into Alan Pardew's line-up and helped the Hammers stretch their
unbeaten run to five games, which has included three straight
victories against Wigan, Burnley and Coventry.
Looking back to his incisive best, Nigel is delighted to be back in
the fold, and insists wins are what it's all about in West Ham
United's final five games of the season.
"I've been through a difficult period recently," he
confessed. "Coming in and out of the side was tough. But it
was important for me to keep my character and professionalism
through all that, and now I'm starting to bounce back.
"It was always going to be important for the team to finish on
a high, and hopefully I can do the same on a personal level as
well.
"Right now it's all about winning games and making sure
that we are in those Play-off places come the end of the season.
"We really needed a good run and this bit of form has come at
a good time. To start the run-in so well after the Easter break has
given us the upper hand and now we need to make sure that we keep
this run going."
As a former Wimbledon captain, Nigel knows the value of London
derbies. But few are more competitive than the rivalry between West
Ham and Millwall, and with so much to play for the players can
expect a crackling atmosphere inside Upton Park on Saturday.
But far from feeling daunted by the task, Nigel insists that the
players are relishing the challenge of such an intense fixture at
this stage of the season.
"When you are playing with confidence I think you look forward
to any game," insisted Nigel. "The Millwall game is going
to be a massive match for the players and fans of both clubs.
"It's a big game that has come at a vital time of the
season for us. But we'll just go out and concentrate on getting
the three points. Winning games is what it's all about right
now and we're just focusing on the next game and hopefully
securing the next win."
Alan Pardew looks to have established an effective mix of youth and
experience in the Hammers side of late, with the likes of Teddy
Sheringham and Chris Powell playing alongside the youthful Mark
Noble, Elliott Ward and Anton Ferdinand. As one of those young
guns, Nigel insists that West Ham's policy to put ability ahead
of age has paid off.
"I'm a great believer that age shouldn't be a factor
in football," explained Nigel, who is the youngest player to
ever captain West Ham United. "If you are good enough then it
doesn't matter how old you are.
"Confidence is high at the moment after three straight wins.
The squad is really together, there's a good bond amongst the
lads at the moment and it couldn't have come at a more
important time.
"We've got some very promising young players in the side,
alongside some very experienced players who are great to have
around.
"The young players, like Mark, Elliott and Anton, have come in
and done very well. They're hungry, they want to prove
themselves and I'm sure they'll continue to develop and
improve in the first-team.
"Now we've got to keep this spirit together until the end
of the season and concentrate on winning each game as it comes,
starting with Millwall on Saturday."
Nigel's Winning Form
13th April 2005