I'll fight for my West Ham place (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

I'll fight for my West Ham place

11:16am Thursday 9th August 2007 in West Ham By Guardian-series

WE can't wait for Saturday and the new season to start.

There's a buzz about the dressing room. It's time to put all the hard work of the pre-season into action on the pitch.

Last year is gone. We did our job and stayed in the Premier League and it's all about this season now - getting a good start and maintaining it.

None of the boys want to be involved in another relegation fight and they don't want to put the club and the fans through that again, so I'm sure we're going to get off to a great start.

The gaffer has made some good signings and they've settled in well. Now I'm looking forward to playing with them and helping trying to bring the best out of them.

I'm not taking anything for granted. Me and G James Collins had a great run at the end of last season, but there are so many good defenders at the club. There's Calum Davenport still here as well as Gabs Danny Gabbidon and Matty Upson, Collins and myself There is a lot of competition. But that's a good thing.

You've got to show the manager that you're ready to play. You know if you're not playing well, you're not going to play and that's a good thing for West Ham United.

I've been at the club since I was nine and I've enjoyed my time here. Until they tell me that I'm not a West Ham player any more then this is where I'm going to stay, so I'm happy to fight for my place.

That's what being a footballer is about.

It's like pre-season. Ask a lot of footballers and they don't really enjoy pre-season, but they know what they've got to do. It's about working on the fitness and the football fitness, about getting to know the new boys and bonding to make the team stronger.

I played at the U21 championships this summer and I was proud to do it, although it meant I didn't get much of a break.

If you're going to play with your country then that's what happens and I'm more than happy to play for England. If it was a short break then so be it.

I went away with my girlfriend after the tournament and that was a good rest.

The boys can't wait to get back on the pitch and certainly I can't wait to be out there again and playing in front of our fans at Upton Park.