At the double

11:11am Thursday 9th March 2006

A DOUBLE date with Bolton awaits West Ham over the next week as the sides, who have met three times already this season, fight it out for more league points and a place in the next round of the FA Cup, writes Laura Burkin.

For Hammers striker Bobby Zamora, who has scored ten times this season, it will be another case of digging in deep' as the Hammers look to continue an unbeaten run.

They travel to Reebok again this Saturday in the Premiership before entertaining Sam Allardyce's team at Upton Park next Wednesday in the FA Cup replay.

Zamora, who came on as a substitute in the Hammers' 2-2 draw with Everton at the weekend, said: "We will both be sick of the sight of each other for sure after next week.

"But we'll be looking to get the wins in these games because they have had two victories and drew there, so hopefully we're due to get something. But Bolton are a well-drilled team, a tough team to play and it will certainly be another case of digging in if we are to get a result "They're a team that puts up a fight, but then so do we and we'll certainly be up for the battle."

And after only one match in the last two weeks, Hammers are set for a clutch of games close together.

Zamora says that is where having a strong squad comes into its own.

He said: "Whoever is picked comes on and does his job to the best of his ability.

"All the strikers have come on and been amongst the goals lately.

"The gaffer knows that he can put any of us on and if we haven't scored, we have helped set a goal up or done something that has led to us getting the result. When I'm picked to go on and play I just get my head down and work hard.

"We had a little break recently and while we might have preferred to carry on playing, that's how it goes sometimes and now we'll just concentrate on the games that coming thick and fast again.

"The Everton game was another tough one in that they have come into form since we last played them."

And Zamora, one of the liveliest players in the West Ham team both on and off the pitch, is the first in line to make sure everyone is in high spirits.

While it is Marlon Harewood who is the dressing room DJ, playing the music to get Hammers in the mood to play, Zamora is busy making sure everyone is entertained with banter before the serious work starts on the pitch.

He said: "There's a good team spirit and we all keep each other going. There's a lot of good banter. The dressing room is a good place because we have a laugh but we also know when it's time to be serious and throughout the team, there is a good mix.

"Of course, some of the lads are a bit quieter than others and don't have as many good jokes as me. Our new boy Dean Ashton is a good lad but he's a bit quiet so at the moment I'm trying to get a good joke from him, but I think it's a case of having to give him a bit more time ."