Goal-hungry Hammond in selfish mood
ELVIS HAMMOND is prepared to be selfish this season if it means topping Cheltenham Town's goalscoring charts.
The former Fulham striker is fit and raring to go after recovering from ankle surgery in April.
He has netted twice in Cheltenham's opening three pre-season matches and was due to start this afternoon's clash with Bristol City up front alongside new signing Justin Richards.
"It is up to you to be greedy sometimes and that's the way I am going to be," Hammond said.
"If someone sets me up for a tap-in that's a bonus, but I can't rely on them and I have to try to create chances on my own.
"Some of the other players might get annoyed, but forwards are like that and the way I am feeling now, I am going to keep doing it regardless."
With Barry Hayles and Tom Denton on board and Julian Alsop set to agree non-contract terms, competition for places in attack is hotting up.
Hammond is confident he can win a starting place when the season kicks off with a home match against Grimsby Town on August 8.
"There are a few of us now, but it doesn't faze me and if you are good enough you will play, so I am looking forward to it," he said.
"I am feeling good and hungry for it more than ever after the injury problems I have had.
"I know I can rekindle some of the stuff I am capable of."
Hammond was sidelined for 16 months before joining Cheltenham from Leicester City in November and it took him a while to rediscover his sparkle after his long lay-off.
He has worked hard throughout the summer to ensure he is back to his best for his first taste of League Two football.
"I am trying to do everything possible to give me a head start," he said.
"When I came here, I hadn't played for a long time and people had a few months on top of me, but now I am on an even slate and trying to stack the odds in my favour.
"I have never played in this division, so I don't know what to expect, but I doubt it's going to be hard, is it?"
With Drissa Diallo and Kyle Haynes out, Martin Allen will play Josh Low at right-back against City, with Andy Gallinagh partnering Shane Duff in the centre of defence as Michael Townsend is rested. There is another start for triallist midfielder Michael Pook.
Allen is hoping to bring in a new loan left winger from a Championship club on Monday.
Cheltenham: S Brown; J Low, A Gallinagh, S Duff, L Ridley; D Hutton, D Bird, M Pook, M Watkins; E Hammond, J Richards. Subs to include: B Hayles, W Puddy, J Durrant, T Denton, J Alsop, J Tabor.
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by bob houghton, france
Sunday, July 19 2009, 8:10PM
“Richard - you really shouldn't post when you have had several glasses of wine ! Stsement ? Elivs ? Shelfish ? Not up to your usual standard, old chap. But I agree with you about this interview - irrelevant shallow nonsense. I really don't know why these interviews/ statements are bothered with. His pledges and promises and assurances mean nothing - he'll get chances, he'll take them or he won't like every other striker. it's almost worthy of the Martin Allen Award for Talk A Lot, Achieve Nothing”
by Julie, Tewkesbury
Sunday, July 19 2009, 11:24AM
“Oh Vincent the comedian. Excellent.”
by Vincent, Hereford
Saturday, July 18 2009, 9:25PM
“A "shelfish striker" Richard?
I presume he's been pumping iron over the summer to enhance his mussels?”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Saturday, July 18 2009, 4:03PM
“Bit of an obvious stsement from Elivs there - "I'm gonna be a shelfish striker". I'd be more worried if he started saying "No, I'm not gonna take my chances when they come along"”
by diesledog, paddock
Saturday, July 18 2009, 12:30PM
“Who else do you want there then Craig? Birdys coming into the midfield. As the season wears on, you might have to get used to changes like this.
The way that you have put it, you would have thought it was a make or break game at the end of the season, not just a friendly against Bristol City, calm down mate.”