Roy's Rising Star

ROY Carroll produced a man-of-the match display to help Hammers to a 2-1 win over Fulham.

The Northern Ireland international pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the home side at bay, setting up West Ham United for their first away win of the season.

Roy said: "It was a good day for us again, we had two good wins in the space of a week and that will be incredible for the team's confidence.

"We kept ourselves strong and when we had to deal with Fulham on the attack, which overall I think we did well.

"There's the cup game on Tuesday, which we want to win and then next up is Arsenal, but that's what we're here for, winning and playing the big games.

"And if we can put in another big performance like we did against Fulham and keep working as hard as we can, then we can continue to get the results, because whoever we play, they're all games, big games and we want to win them."

Roy of course has been involved in several major games for Manchester United before arriving at the Hammers in the summer. And there's no doubt that his experience can help his team-mates this season.

He added: "My main job of course is to play in goal and make the saves, which thankfully I was able to do at Fulham.

"A clean sheet would obviously have been nice, but the three points is really all that matters.

"I'd also like to think that my experience can make a difference to the team, certainly when it comes to the really big games.

"But we have a side here made up of lads who want to go out there every time and do well. It's 90 minutes or so out there, so I say to them, we have to make sure we keep going for that amount of time.

"Fulham are a decent side and we know what we face against the likes of Arsenal, but there's confidence in the side and all the boys are on a high, so hopefully we can carry that on."

West Ham's fine start to the season has seen Pards' team take 10 points from five games. But although many pundits and fans have been surprised at Hammers form, Roy insists that he was always confident the team would start well.

He said: "Maybe we have surprised a few people, a few television pundits and all that, but our supporters know what we are about and of course, everyone here in the squad has belief in one another and knows what we can achieve.

"We have a good side that has young players and experienced pros who possibly have a point to prove, but all in all, just want to go out on the pitch, do their best and win the games."

Alan Pardew once again praised Roy's performance against Fulham and said he has more than proved why he made sure he went out to Spain to secure Roy's signing in the summer.

And the fact that Roy has had to overcome slight knocks to his back in recent games has made his performances all the more impressive.

But the modest Irishman is simply focussing on playing his game and trying to do his best for West Ham United.

He said: "With my back, I've just kept working hard to keep it and the rest of myself strong.

"I'm feeling fine and looking forward to doing my bit and achieving my aim of keeping clean sheets in the games to come."