Shaun's Aiming For A Boost At The Valley

SHAUN Newton said the Hammers will be looking to end the year on a high note by grabbing the three points at Charlton before facing their second London derby against Chelsea as 2006 starts. Shaun, who played for the South London team under the current manager Alan Curbishley as did Alan Pardew, said any ties will go out of the window as the two teams clash.  

He said: "They've not had a good run of late. We can take advantage of that because we're good enough, but also knowing Alan Curbishley from my time there, he'll desperately want to try and win this one.

"But we will be up for it, not only coming off the back of a defeat against Wigan, but because we want to keep adding to the points we have already won this season to secure our place in the Premiership.  

"It's as simple as that. We want to win games, that's what we put a West Ham shirt on for and if we can end this year, which has been great for us so far after winning promotion, on a high note, then that will be another boost.  

"We're near the 30 points mark and that's a great tally for this stage of the season for us. Things could be worse, we could be down near the bottom instead of in the top 10 as most critics forecast for us, so we just have to keep building on what what is a healthy tally. 

"We've had a few injuries and there's players still missing for us, but the thing here is that whoever plays wants to give 100 per cent for West Ham. There's perhaps been a few below-par performances from some over the last couple of games and you can't afford to do that playing in perhaps the toughest, most competitive league in the world."

Shaun is also determined to make the most of his chances back in the side.

"I'm a professional footballer and I want to play every game. I've been delighted to see the boys do well and the frustration at not playing regularly gives you that extra incentive to keep going. It's a case of making sure when the gaffer gives me my opportunity I take it."