SEARS: I CAN SAVE WEST HAM
West Ham youngster Freddie Sears believes he can be the man to help new manager Gianfranco Zola in these uncertain times for the club.
The 18-year-old led the line against Watford in the Carling Cup Third Round on Wednesday, having learned only hours before that the club could be forced to pay Sheffield United £30m in compensation over the Carlos Tevez debacle.
And with forwards Craig Bellamy, Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole sidelined with injury, England Under-19 striker Sears thinks he has proved his worth to his Italian manager and has set his sights on a starting berth when West Ham travel to Fulham on Saturday.
He said: "Hopefully I have done enough to prove I can start for West Ham against Fulham. I played alright against Watford, I felt. But the more fit strikers we have at the club, the better.
"I'm not sure what the status of Carlton is - hopefully he will be back for the team. But if he is not, then I can fill in again for him, and help the team.
"We were disappointed to lose against Watford but we had a good result last Saturday against Newcastle and we will look to bounce back this Saturday against Fulham.
"It was good to start in the team. It was hard but I thought I did well. At half time he said: 'Keep going and try and stay as high up as you can.'"
On the compensation issue, which could mean that Zola is forced to sell his top players at a cut-price, Sears added: "We haven't really spoken as players about the compensation - there was nothing mentioned in the dressing room."
Zola said of Sears' performance at Vicarage Road: "I think Freddie did very well and he had a couple of chances.
"I can't be too demanding with him but I was pleased with the way he played against Watford. He is only going to get better and he will have a good future at this club."
West Ham youngster Freddie Sears believes he can be the man to help new manager Gianfranco Zola in these uncertain times for the club.
The 18-year-old led the line against Watford in the Carling Cup Third Round on Wednesday, having learned only hours before that the club could be forced to pay Sheffield United £30m in compensation over the Carlos Tevez debacle.
And with forwards Craig Bellamy, Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole sidelined with injury, England Under-19 striker Sears thinks he has proved his worth to his Italian manager and has set his sights on a starting berth when West Ham travel to Fulham on Saturday.
He said: "Hopefully I have done enough to prove I can start for West Ham against Fulham. I played alright against Watford, I felt. But the more fit strikers we have at the club, the better.
"I'm not sure what the status of Carlton is - hopefully he will be back for the team. But if he is not, then I can fill in again for him, and help the team.
"We were disappointed to lose against Watford but we had a good result last Saturday against Newcastle and we will look to bounce back this Saturday against Fulham.
"It was good to start in the team. It was hard but I thought I did well. At half time he said: 'Keep going and try and stay as high up as you can.'"
On the compensation issue, which could mean that Zola is forced to sell his top players at a cut-price, Sears added: "We haven't really spoken as players about the compensation - there was nothing mentioned in the dressing room."
Zola said of Sears' performance at Vicarage Road: "I think Freddie did very well and he had a couple of chances.
"I can't be too demanding with him but I was pleased with the way he played against Watford. He is only going to get better and he will have a good future at this club."
Labels: Gianfranco Zola, Premier League, Watford, West Ham United
