Teddy Sheringham admitted that missed opportunities in
front of goal cost Hammers dearly against Middlesbrough yesterday
but is hoping it will be a different story when the two sides meet
again in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.
The veteran striker was hoping to become the first player over the age of 40 to score in the Premiership after being handed his 13th league start of the season for the clash at the Riverside Stadium, but the day turned out to be unlucky for Alan Pardew's men, who slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
"It was a disappointing afternoon," says Teddy. "Away from home, you need to get off to a good start and hopefully get the opposition chasing the game, but it turned out that we had to chase it today.
"Their keeper made an excellent save from Marlon in the first five minutes and if that had gone in, I think it would have been a different story. We then had some good chances to get back in it - I missed a header and Deano had one right at the end - and I suppose the finishing made the difference today.
"It hasn't been going great for the strikers lately but it's just one of those spells that pops up every now and then - hopefully it will go for us on Sunday."
"We've also got other players to come back for the semi-final - Matty, Yossi and hopefully Anton, so everyone is still optimistic and looking forward to the game.
"Middlesbrough have probably got a slight psychological advantage after this result, but I'm sure it will be a very different game at Villa Park."
The veteran striker was hoping to become the first player over the age of 40 to score in the Premiership after being handed his 13th league start of the season for the clash at the Riverside Stadium, but the day turned out to be unlucky for Alan Pardew's men, who slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
"It was a disappointing afternoon," says Teddy. "Away from home, you need to get off to a good start and hopefully get the opposition chasing the game, but it turned out that we had to chase it today.
"Their keeper made an excellent save from Marlon in the first five minutes and if that had gone in, I think it would have been a different story. We then had some good chances to get back in it - I missed a header and Deano had one right at the end - and I suppose the finishing made the difference today.
"It hasn't been going great for the strikers lately but it's just one of those spells that pops up every now and then - hopefully it will go for us on Sunday."
"We've also got other players to come back for the semi-final - Matty, Yossi and hopefully Anton, so everyone is still optimistic and looking forward to the game.
"Middlesbrough have probably got a slight psychological advantage after this result, but I'm sure it will be a very different game at Villa Park."