Alou Diarra is determined to fight for West Ham United

Alou Diarra is determined to fight for West Ham United in the new Barclays Premier League season.
The France international wants to make use of a strong summer by grasping an opportunity to shine following a spell on loan at Rennes last term.
Having returned to the Boleyn Ground for pre-season, Diarra has expressed his desire to make an impact in a claret and blue shirt.
He believes a full preparatory programme, which was not possible for him last year, will prove to be a huge help and he cannot wait for the next friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig.
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"I want to fight this season with West Ham," he exclusively told West Ham TV. "I'll give 100 per cent in training and I'll wait for my chance.
"I want to give my best for West Ham and we'll see. I'm ready to play in the Premier League now.
"Pre-season has gone well. We work hard every day, and we've only lost one game so it has been a good start for us."
Having joined the Hammers only just before the start of last season, Diarra did not feel the benefits of pre-season training and he believes that had an impact on his play.
So, having played a full part this term, he is sure he will return as a stronger player.
"It is a very different pre-season for me," he explained. "It's a big chance for a player to be fit and for me it is much better being involved from the start this year. I missed it last season, so it was hard to come back.
"That was difficult, but now I have this chance to start with the squad, so that is good for me.
"I feel good at the moment. I can run, and move, but it's not 100 per cent yet. There are three weeks left to get ready for the Premier League and I want to fight this season with West Ham."
Diarra has already scored two summer goals, against Cork City and Hamburger SV, and he would love to add to that tally in competitive football.
He added: "I've scored two goals in the pre-season, and it has been nice to attack the ball and score. It's good for me and good for the team, but I'd prefer to score in the Premier League.
"Hamburger is a good team from the Bundesliga. We did very well in the last game against them, we looked strong and scored twice from set plays. It was a good game and it showed we can do well against strong teams.
"Last season we came tenth and we think we can do better. That's the next step and I think we can aim to improve our position."

I consider this good news indeed. Diarra is exactly the type of holding midfield player that we need to screen our back line. Without this type of player our central midfield is too weak and - as we witnessed last season at times - teams with creativity and pace centrally cut through it like a knife through butter. Neither Noble, Nolan or Diame have the will or discipline to "hold" and all want to burst forward. The quandary then is who does Diarra play instead of? For me it is a straight choice between him and Noble. Therefore Noble has to learn to play the "Makelele" role or risk losing his place to Diarra

Nice to have a choice though eh?!

Have to agree Tony, Noble's place is under threat i think. that can only be a good thing having more competition , makes those not in the first 11 push harder

Interesting isn't Guys, As good a loyal servant as Noble has been over the last several years, it seems that maybe for us to get to the next level, we may need that bit more in midfield that other players can provide. Diarra has certainly put his hand up in pre season. Morrison is also an interesting prospect as well. If we sign Kalou (likely?), then i thing we have the makings of a really good team. I'm looking forward to the season with relish!

I'm delighted that it looks as though Diarra is staying - he is exactly the type of player we need in the squad and he was sorely missed in games such as Arsenal away last season, when we were turned over 5-1 by intricate interplay around our penalty area.

However, at the risk of being controversial, it's Diame for me who would need replacing in games where Diarra is required. We cannot give up Nolan's penchant for nicking a goal in tight games - Diarra is likely to play against the bigger sides when a true holding midfield player is required and, consequently against that sort of side, chances will be at a premium for us. Nolan is more likely to take a chance than the others, although Collison should be building up for this role in the coming seasons.

While Diarra will win the ball back for us, we cannot afford to then cheaply give it away. Noble is our best passer and this is why I believe he should not be sacrificed. Diame, for all his many virtues, gives the ball away far too easily, either through running into opposition players or poor simple passing. I would look to bring Diame on later, fresh and ready to run at tiring bodies, which worked so well against Chelsea at home last season, for example.

With all that lot on WHUTV, we can bank on having the bloke onboard for next season, thank fupp. I thought he was off.

Noble shouldn't be discarded so quickly .... The team looked more than a little disjointed at times in the two months he was injured.

Mark Noble has proved himself, especially in latter seasons. Diarra is making all the right noises, but needs to prove himself when he gets his chance. Oh, and is he any good at taking penalties?

This is great news for West Ham ... When he is up for it he can be a good player on his day ! Cant remember us ever having a midfield as strong and good as it is now for years ...

Joe Cole , Matt Jarvis , Matt Taylor , Ricardo Vaz Te , Jack Collison , Mark Noble , Kevin Nolan , Mohamed Diame , Alou Diarra , Ravel Morrison Plus youngster's such as George Moncur , Sebastian Lletget , Pelly Ruddock etc

Jiggs wrote:Noble shouldn't be discarded so quickly .... The team looked more than a little disjointed at times in the two months he was injured.

Mark Noble has proved himself, especially in latter seasons.  Diarra is making all the right noises, but needs to prove himself when he gets his chance.  Oh, and is he any good at taking penalties?

Dunno - but Morrison is

They should all fight for West Ham , thats what they are payed silly money for