Teddy Sheringham insists that our previous encounters
against Bolton Wanderers this season will count for nothing when
the two teams do battle again at Upton Park tonight.
As one of only three Hammers - along with Paul Konchesky and Hayden Mullins - to have been involved in all four of our clashes against Sam Allardyce's men in the present campaign, the 39-year-old striker knows just how dangerous an opponent they can be, but says that confidence is still high among the squad as we bid to secure an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City.
"Bolton are a big, strong, well-organised team, who also have a bit of flair in attack, and that combination that has served them well," says Teddy. Their main asset is organisation, though. Every player knows his job, and that is something all successful teams have.
"They've also made the Reebok Stadium a bit of a fortress, as we found out on Saturday. There have been no excuses made by us - they were the better side at the weekend and deserved to win - but tonight is going to be a completely different game.
"It's the FA Cup, at Upton Park, under the floodlights, and there will be a tremendous atmosphere inside the stadium.
"People sometimes don't realise how much of a difference there really is between playing away and at home, and we will be hoping to make the most of our home advantage tonight. Our results against them so far will count for nothing now, and we can go into the game with confidence.
"Bolton will feel that they have the upper hand, but sometimes that can be a good thing - it generates an excitement and anticipation that perhaps wouldn't be there if we were playing a team who we'd beaten three times already this season."
As one of only three Hammers - along with Paul Konchesky and Hayden Mullins - to have been involved in all four of our clashes against Sam Allardyce's men in the present campaign, the 39-year-old striker knows just how dangerous an opponent they can be, but says that confidence is still high among the squad as we bid to secure an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City.
"Bolton are a big, strong, well-organised team, who also have a bit of flair in attack, and that combination that has served them well," says Teddy. Their main asset is organisation, though. Every player knows his job, and that is something all successful teams have.
"They've also made the Reebok Stadium a bit of a fortress, as we found out on Saturday. There have been no excuses made by us - they were the better side at the weekend and deserved to win - but tonight is going to be a completely different game.
"It's the FA Cup, at Upton Park, under the floodlights, and there will be a tremendous atmosphere inside the stadium.
"People sometimes don't realise how much of a difference there really is between playing away and at home, and we will be hoping to make the most of our home advantage tonight. Our results against them so far will count for nothing now, and we can go into the game with confidence.
"Bolton will feel that they have the upper hand, but sometimes that can be a good thing - it generates an excitement and anticipation that perhaps wouldn't be there if we were playing a team who we'd beaten three times already this season."