Welcome to Nigel Reo-Coker's latest entry on whufc.com, as the Hammers skipper presents his exclusive online diary...
Sunday, February 26
After Anton and I had returned from our little break, we both met
up with the England under-21 squad for the friendly against Norway
on Tuesday. The meet was at a nice hotel near Reading at 9.00pm and
we then had an evening meal with the rest of the squad half an hour
later. The coach Peter Taylor greeted everyone, before we headed
off to our rooms - you get your own room on England duty - for a
good night's sleep ahead of training tomorrow.
Monday, February 27
When you go away with England, the schedule is pinned up on a board
and it runs like clockwork. This morning, we got a wake-up call
from the doctor at 8.45am, had breakfast at nine and then left for
training at 10. We started training at 10.15am, and that was just a
fairly light session - a bit of finishing, some team-play and a
practice match. After lunch back at the hotel, we had time of our
own in the afternoon, which was just spent relaxing and watching
some TV, before meeting up for the evening meal and then heading
off to bed. It doesn't sound too exciting but, with just a
couple of days together before the game, it's just a case of
spending time together and focusing completely on the match. There
are never any distractions for us, and it's just a fantastic
honour to be asked to represent your country.
Tuesday, February 28
The morning schedule followed much the same schedule as the
previous day - a wake-up call at 8.45am, breakfast at nine and then
a very light training session. With the game to be played in the
evening, it was literally a case of walking through some
set-pieces, finalising the team-plays and finding out the team.
Having captained the team recently I was obviously hoping to be
named, but you never take anything for granted when playing for
England, and it's still a big buzz to hear your name read out
when the starting line-up is announced. Anton and I were both
included in the side and, after pre-match at 4.30pm, the team bus
left at 5.40pm for the Madejski stadium.
The game itself was a success, we played really well and won 3-1 in
what was our last friendly before the qualifiers for the European
Championships begin. I only played the first half, as Peter Taylor
wanted to give everyone a chance and we there were two or three
other central midfielders in the squad.
After half-time, it was nice to see Anton take over from me as
captain, he's always wanted to be the skipper! Seriously, he
deserved it, because he has matured so much on the pitch this
season and has become a real leader at the back for club and
country. He should also have scored his first goal for the
under-21s against Norway, when he hit the post with a volley from
just a few yards out. Afterwards, the only thing I heard him say
was: 'How did I miss that?' We were all asking the same
thing!
After the game, I went meet my family and friends who were at the
game, and the FA then provided a car to take me back home.
Wednesday, March 1
After getting home late last night from the game last night, I
spent the whole day relaxing at home. I was pretty tired and, with
only a couple of days before our next Premiership match, I needed
to get plenty of rest before returning to training tomorrow. In the
evening, I watched the senior England game on TV. It was good to
see the team come from behind again and win late on but, from a
West Ham point of view, I was a bit sad for Paul Konchesky that he
wasn't involved. He has been playing at such a high level for
us all season and, in my opinion, has been the most consistent
English left-back in the Premiership recently. Obviously it
wasn't nice to see Wayne Bridge suffer an injury, but that
could turn out to be a bit of divine intervention for Konch, and I
really hope that Sven-Goran Eriksson gives him another chance,
because he deserves to go to the World Cup this summer on the back
of his performances for us this year.
Thursday, March 2
Back to Chadwell Heath after a week away from the Club and, with
several of the other lads away on international duty, too, it was
nice to get back together and catch up on what we'd all been up
to. Training consisted of a light session and I then did some power
work on my own. After lunch I enjoyed my regular weekly visit to my
aunt's at Elephant and Castle, before heading home for more
rest and relaxation ahead of what will be a very tough game against
Everton.
I'd like to finish this week's diary by urging all our
female supporters to go out an buy a copy of Reveal magazine -
apparently it contains a competition to win a date with none other
than Anton Ferdinand! Honestly, one lucky lady is going to be in
for the time of her life!
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