It was great play by Viduka, but I’ll do better next time (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

It was great play by Viduka, but I’ll do better next time

10:40am Thursday 27th September 2007 in West Ham By Guardian-series

LOSING 3-1 at Newcastle was disappointing because we gave away some sloppy goals and, as a defender, I don't like conceding goals.

The first goal was a great bit of forward play from Mark Viduka.

I was quite close to him, maybe I could have attacked the ball more, but it was a great bit of forward play.

I'm my own worst critic. Some of the pundits have said I probably could not have been tighter to him, and that's good for confidence. But as a centre-back, if you're going to concede a goal, you'd rather do so in a manner where people say there was nothing more you could do, than where you could perhaps have done better.

But these things happen in football. I've just got to get on with and make sure it doesn't happen again.

It was disappointing. We have a good record at St James' Park and we would have liked at least a point, or even three, on the day.

But it's just one game. We were unbeaten in our previous five games this season and the spirit in the dressing room is still high. That's helped by seeing some of the injured players coming back - especially Scotty Parker.

We've all just been behind him and waiting for him to make his debut.

He's a quality player. As far as my fitness goes, I'm feeling good.

I worked hard to get my knee ready for Newcastle and the more minutes I can get under my belt in upcoming games the better.

Facing Arsenal at Upton Park on Saturday is going to be very exciting.

It's a London derby and we're two teams that both like to attack.

Cesc Fabregas who for me is the best player in the Premier League this season and Emmanuel Adebayor is on fire as well and scoring goals for fun.

I'm looking forward to coming up against them at Upton Park. It's going to be a great test and hopefully we can come out and show some of the form we've had of late.

I know the fans are going to be behind us.

We did the double over Arsenal last season and beating them at home was a high point in was a difficult time for us last Christmas.

The fans were amazing then and I know they will be this weekend. West Ham fans are quality home and way and we want to put on a show for them.