Source: Daily_Mail
I want to emulate Gerrard: West Ham's Collison on FA Cup mission
Jack Collison dreams of emulating Steven Gerrard's FA Cup final heroics and inspiring West Ham to go one step further than the Upton Park class of 2006. [LNB]The Welsh international was an academy player when Alan Pardew's Hammers tackled Liverpool in a cup final classic at the Millennium Stadium. [LNB]Collison and James Tomkins sat together in the stands awe-struck as West Ham went 2-0 up and then reclaimed a 3-2 lead before Gerrard's wonder strike forced the game into extra-time and penalties. [LNB] Hammer time: Jack Collison in action against Tottenham[LNB]West Ham lost the shoot-out but Collison understood that day just what the FA Cup means. [LNB]And the 21-year-old will draw on those memories this Sunday whenWest Ham attempt to take their first step on the road to Wembleyagainst Arsenal. [LNB]'We were a bit young but Alan Pardew took me and James Tomkins alongto travel with the team and stay at the team hotel. We got the chanceto see what it was like,' Collison recalled. [LNB] 'It was a real good day and a great game, just unfortunate that Steven Gerrard scored that unbelievable goal. [LNB] You beauty: Gerrard's dramatic equaliser forced extra time at Cardiff[LNB][LNB]'It was an experience I will never forget and I want to do that formyself - hopefully this time I will be playing. Every young footballerdreams of winning the FA Cup.' [LNB]The tie may have historical significance, coming 30 years after WestHam beat Arsenal 1-0 in the 1980 FA Cup final, but it is not quite thesympathetic draw manager Gianfranco Zola would have liked given theinjury crisis at Upton Park. [LNB]Welsh wizard: Ramsey has scored three times in the league this season [LNB][LNB]The Hammers are hamstrung, with Danny Gabbidon, Mark Noble, ScottParker and Herita Ilunga all struggling with the same injury, whileCarlton Cole is out with knee trouble and Guillermo Franca issuspended. [LNB]West Ham go into the game on the back of only one win in six games,but Zola said: 'What is most important is we maintain the spirit wehave shown recently, that will be the key more than anything else.' [LNB]Collison is likely to come up against fellow Wales midfielder AaronRamsey, who is beginning to make waves at the Emirates Stadiumfollowing his move from Cardiff. Both players boast huge potentialand are examples to all managers with vast international scoutingnetworks just what quality lies on their doorstep. [LNB]'Aaron is a real class act. I got a chance to play with him for theWales Under-21s when we had a real good run in the EuropeanChampionship qualifiers, so I am not surprised at all how well he hasdone. He is so good on the ball and works so hard,' said Collison. [LNB]'I am sure that, at a club like Arsenal and under a manager likeArsene Wenger, he is going to really keep improving and over the nextfew years you will see great things from him. [LNB] 'It is hard to get your opportunity but you have to keep working hard and take the chance when it comes. [LNB]'I have done my best to do that and am enjoying my football, just trying to improve for West Ham as best as I can.' [LNB] WEST HAM v Arsenal: Returning Sears to fill the void in Hammers attackWest Ham beg for FA Cup fans in email pleading for '12th man' against ArsenalLuca Toni seals loan move from Bayern Munich to Roma to keep World Cup dream aliveWEST HAM UNITED FC
