Source: Daily_Mail
Carlton Cole: Thomas Hitzlsperger can keep West Ham up
Carlton Cole believes that Thomas Hitzlsperger will be a vital asset in West Ham's bid for survival.[LNB]After six months out through injury, Hitzlsperger finally made his Hammers debut on Monday night at Upton Park where he smashed home a 25-yard thunderbolt to set the club on their way to a 5-1 win over Burnley.[LNB]Hitzlsperger was quick to play down his big impact, declaring that he should not be viewed as West Ham's 'saviour'.[LNB] Smash Hitz: Carlton Cole says Thomas Hitzlsperger can help West Ham stay in the Premier League this season[LNB]But Cole, who knows Hitzlsperger well after spending a season with him at Aston Villa, thinks the German's introduction will help add an extra dimension to the Hammers' midfield that will prove vital in the crucial last quarter.[LNB]'It's fantastic that he's back. He's a great player,' Cole told West Ham TV Online.[LNB]'He shows what he can do in training and he's going to be a massive asset for us.[LNB]'We've missed that. We always rely on Mark Noble, (Radoslav) Kovac and obviously Scotty Parker, but now they've got a bit of support as well from a talented football player and hopefully he can continue his form.[LNB]'He scored a cracking goal to set us off and that's what we all needed.'[LNB] Hammer time: Hitzlsperger celebrated a sensational strike on his West Ham debut after six months out on the sidelines[LNB]Cole thinks last week's team-bonding session, which saw the squad take part in clay-pigeon shooting and go-karting in Newmarket, has worked wonders.[LNB]'It was well publicised that the boys went out last week to get a bit of team spirit and I think Burnley showed what we are really about,' the striker said.[LNB]Cole was on target twice against the Clarets. His first came when he swung a leg out whilst laying on the floor, the ball somehow finding the net despite the efforts of two covering Burnley defenders.[LNB]His second strike - a beautifully curled half-volley - owed nothing to fortune though.[LNB]The brace brought his tally to 10 this season, but six of those strikes have come in cup competitions.[LNB] Cole fire: The England striker is determined to score more goals in the league for West Ham[LNB]Cole concedes that he must start finding the net to help the club move up from their current position of 19th.[LNB]'I'm on 10 goals this season but I really want to convert that into the league," the 27-year-old added.[LNB]'That's where it counts at the moment. We really want to be a Premier League outfit next season. Everyone really dug in and that's what we need, we need everyone pulling in the same direction.[LNB]'Everyone has to play their part this season because this is going to be a massive team effort.'[LNB] Klinsmann, Hamann and Lehmann - England's finest German acesWest Ham could sign Obinna on a free after Inter fail to extend his contractMegson offers McCarthy and Ilunga loan moves to Sheffield WednesdayAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion [LNB]
