Ashton delighted to be amongst the goals for the Hammers

8:49am Tuesday 29th April 2008

DEAN Ashton has sent a "play me and I'll score" message out to boss Alan Curbishley.

The 24-year-old notched his ninth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle - a fair return for a striker who has started just 18 Premier League games and has been dogged by question marks over his fitness.

But his return to the goals - this was his third in the last six games he has featured in - is the sort of form that the hit man knows he is capable of.

And he believes that a with consistent run of starts in the team he will reap further benefits for all concerned.

"I feel like if I can have a run of games I am going to score goals," Ashton told the club's official website.

"I believe in myself like that and it has shown.

"I have played five or six of the last seven and got myself a few goals so I am pleased with that."

Ashton's goal against Newcastle was an example of what the talented front man can offer the Irons when he is on his game.

The former Crewe and Norwich star collected Bobby Zamora's flick-on with his back to goal, held off his marker and turned before finding the far bottom corner with a neat finish.

It was one of several decent chances that he had throughout the match which he feels is a credit to the markedly improved attacking performance from team as a whole.

"That's more like what we are about with lots of chances and I had lots of shots myself," said Ashton.

"Really I felt I should have got a lot more goals and it should have been more comfortable."

Although Newcastle grabbed two goals in three minutes just before the interval to draw the game, the Hammers will be delighted to have finally turned on the style at Upton Park this season.

Ashton though, said that the players were frustrated to only take a point out of the game.

"Coming in at half time, we were pretty disappointed to have conceded the two goals when we have dominated the game and probably played the best football we have played all season," he said.

"For the first 40 minutes, I though we were excellent and deserved our 2-0 lead.

"But at this level if you just sit off for a minute you can get punished."

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