Welcome to Nigel Reo-Coker's latest entry on whufc.com, as the Hammers skipper presents his exclusive online diary...
Wednesday, April 12
A day-off today and, with two games in the space of two days coming
up at the weekend, I stayed in and rested ahead of our return to
training on Thursday. As anyone who reads this column will have
gathered by now - I like to spend my time off doing absolutely
nothing, and today was no exception! I watched a bit of TV, had a
few games on the X-Box and made some phone-calls that I had to
catch up on, but that was about it. In the evening, I watched the
Middlesbrough v Charlton FA Cup quarter-final, to find out who we
will be playing in the semi-final. It was quite an entertaining
game and I didn't really have any preference as to who we might
be facing at Villa Park. Perhaps it would have been nice to have a
London derby with Charlton and see Chris Powell up against us, but
in the end it was Middlesbrough who won through, and now the
countdown to the semi-final is really starting.
Thursday, April 13
Back to training today but I didn't take part because of an
ankle problem that needed treating. It was only a bit of bruising
and swelling that I'd picked up against Chelsea, and isn't
likely to keep me out of the game against Manchester City on
Saturday, but as a precaution I missed training and had some
treatment. It hasn't been too painful, but ankle injuries can
take a bit of time to heal and it's easy to make them worse if
you exert too much pressure, so the afternoon was spent resting
again. Boring, I know, but with the amount of matches we've got
coming up, I need all my energy and so have to conserve as much of
it as I can!
Friday, April 14
The ankle felt a lot better this morning, so I returned to training
and we had our usual day-before-a-match preparation, a team meeting
first thing followed by team plays and set-pieces. With a game on
Saturday and Monday, it was nothing too strenuous and at this stage
of the season it is really just about keeping yourself sharp and
ticking over. Tiredness does come into play when you have been
playing week in, week out for eight months, but there is still so
much to play for at the moment and mentally the lads are all very
fresh and alert.
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Saturday, April 15
Home matchday, so followed my usual routine of getting to the
ground for around 11.30am, pre-match meal and relaxation building
up to kick-off. We were expecting a tough game against Manchester
City - especially after we knocked them out of the FA Cup a few
weeks ago - and it turned out that way. They are a physical team
who have pace and power, and made it difficult for us today.
Thankfully, we got an early goal through Shaun Newton - aka Gollum
- and managed to hold on for the victory. City were perhaps a bit
unlucky not to get back in to it, but Jimmy Walker made some
fantastic saves and the defence were solid again. It was an
important win for us after losing at Chelsea but we weren't out
celebrating afterwards - with a game at Middlesbrough in just two
days' time, it was a relaxing night at home in front of the
telly.
Sunday, April 16
In training for 12pm ahead of tomorrow's game, and just had a
light warm-down before flying up to Middlesbrough in the afternoon.
Thankfully the flight was a lot better than our experience coming
home from Manchester United a couple of weeks ago, although a few
of the lads were a little bit edgy until we had touched down safely
at the airport! After getting to our hotel, we had an evening meal
together and then did our own thing. I was rooming with Hayden and
we just relaxed watching TV, a programme called Everybody Hates
Chris, which is very funny.
Monday, April 17
Had our usual away match preparation of breakfast, team meeting and
pre-match before heading to the Riverside Stadium at about 1.00pm,
for a game against the team we will be playing in the FA Cup
semi-final in six days' time. A few of us were playing our
second match in the space of 48 hours, so we perhaps weren't as
fresh as we would have hoped to be, but looking at the chances we
had, it was a match we could have won. It was a bit of a strange
game, to be honest, and there seemed to be a weird atmosphere
around the stadium - it felt a bit like a pre-season friendly.
Obviously the fans had their minds on the semi-final and, although
our supporters were great and really tried to lift the noise, the
match didn't really get going. We were all really disappointed
to lose 2-0, but the gaffer told us not to dwell on it for too long
and the focus now is all on the semi-final.
Tuesday, April 18
A day-off, and after playing two games in two days, I was
absolutely shattered so, yes, you've guessed it, I spent the
whole day doing absolutely nothing! Just relaxed at home, watched
TV and spoke to a few friends.
Wednesday, April 19
Back to training and our first day of preparation for the
semi-final. We worked on a few different things and did mainly
team-play, and afterwards had our big press day ahead of the game.
I did a few bits and pieces with the media - I'm not sure who I
was talking to but there were a load of microphones stuffed under
my nose! I also did a photo-shoot with Carlsberg
We also heard the sad news that John Lyall had died the previous
night. I didn't know John well, but I had met him a few months
ago and he had some nice words to say to Anton and me. After Ron
Greenwood's death just a couple of months ago, it's another
sad day for the Club, and some of our back-room staff who have been
working here since John Lyall was manager were very upset by the
news. As players, we understand how much he meant to the
supporters, and it would be a fitting tribute if we could go on to
win the FA Cup this year in memory of John Lyall and Ron Greenwood.
Thursday, April 20
No training today, but the entire squad and coaching staff met up
at a private cinema in central London for a presentation on our
semi-final. It was put together by Niall Clark and Paul Smith, our
ProZone guy, and lasted for about 40 minutes - looking back at our
own season, what we can expect from Middlesbrough and how we will
be approaching the game. It was a good exercise and made sure that
we are focused on the job we need to do. Afterwards we all went for
a meal at a restaurant called Hamburger Reunion, which,
surprisingly, sells hamburgers! It was really nice, and gave the
lads a good chance to spend some time together and get away from
our usual routine. After that I came back to Upton Park to do an
interview for Sky Sports previewing the semi-final, which went on
for a while, so I got home quite late and spent the rest of the
evening watching TV. With the semi-final just a few days away, the
excitement is really starting to build now, and the lads are all
desperate to get out there and give the supporters an FA Cup final
to look forward to…
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