Cole confidence in Hammers
22 Apr 2008 - 10:13:11
Striker Carlton Cole has backed West Ham United to answer their critics and improve next season when several key players return from injury.
The Hammers have come under fire from disgruntled fans in recent weeks after failing to improve on their current tenth place in the Premier League table.
Manager Alan Curbishley has blamed a lengthy injury list and the absence of main summer signings Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Julien Faubert for much of the season for their troubles.
And Cole, who scored the winner in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Derby County, agrees with his manager that a fully-fit squad will answer their critics next year.
"We have had a lot of injuries this season and a few players that have not really played a big part in the season," he told the club's official website.
"They are going to want to get in the team next season and try and push for places. There is going to be lots of competition.
"We are disappointed we didn't push up higher in the table when we had to after the Christmas period.
"We had it really hard with injuries and people playing out of position so the manager used his resources well.
"It was just frustrating that we couldn't get the few results that we should have had at home and a few away results as well that went against us. They could have pushed us higher up the league."