ASK any of the players who is the most lively character in the
dressing room and fingers immediately point to Bobby Zamora.
The 24-year-old striker is usually one of the first to be heard
around the Chadwell Heath training ground, and is the natural
person to sum up the mood of the squad going into Sunday's
crucial clash with Watford.
"It's really buzzing," he replies. "Everyone is
looking forward to the game. We knew even after the Sunderland game
that it wasn't over for us, especially with the way results
have been going in the Championship this season.
"Wolves did us a favour by beating Reading, but they could
still get something at Wigan, which is why we've got to focus
on taking three points.
"We're approaching it with the attitude that nothing less
than a win will do, and all the lads are feeling confident at the
moment.
"We had a tough night against Sunderland. The atmosphere was
terrific and the lads were gutted that we couldn't take
something from the game, because it would have given us a big
advantage going to Watford.
"That's over now, though. When we all saw the results
coming in on Saturday the Sunderland game was forgotten and the
belief was definitely on the up from the moment we came back to
training this week.
"Everyone's attitude has been spot on this week and I
think we're going into the game well-prepared and ready to give
the performance we need."
Bobby will play a key role again on Sunday, with Teddy Sheringham
still absent after a hamstring injury. But far from being daunted
by the prospect of filling the former England star's boots,
Zamora is hoping to grab the opportunity.
"I feel like I've been playing well recently," he
said, "coming off the bench and having an impact on games.
"It's been difficult this season, because I've been in
and out of the side and coming on as a sub takes some getting used
to, adjusting to the pace of the game and getting stuck in quickly.
"It felt like I was getting adjusted to it though, and I'd
like to think that showed in some of my performances.
"Obviously with Teddy out I hope to get my chance from the
start against Watford, because ultimately that's what every
player wants. But the main thing is getting those three points and
making sure we get into the Play-offs."
Bobby also has nothing but praise for the man he is replacing, and
is looking forward to some words of wisdom from the Hammer of the
Year in the dressing room at Vicarage Road.
"Teddy's an unbelievable player," he exclaimed.
"Just playing and training alongside him every day, I've
learned so much from him this season and he's proved that
he's still a top class player.
"He's had a great year. His influence on the team is
massive and I'm sure he'll be there with us in the dressing
room at Watford.
"Teddy is great to have around and hopefully we can get
through the Play-offs and give him another chance to play before
the season is over."
Bobby is also looking forward to a bumper atmosphere at Vicarage
Road, with the Hammers faithful out in force cheering their team
into the Play-offs.
"The fans have been terrific," he added, "especially
over these final ten games when we really needed them to be.
"Unfortunately we couldn't get the result they all wanted
against Sunderland, but hopefully we can make up for it at
Watford."
Bobby's In Character
6th May 2005