Di Canio Hits Out

Last updated : 04 April 2002 By Mike Reich
di Canio: He's pissed off
Never one to keep quiet when he has a complaint, Paolo di Canio has fired a bitter attack on the Hammers boss, and said that it was Freddie Kanoute who should have been subbed instead at Craven Cottage. He then goes on to say that he should be given a free transfer at the end of the season, if West Ham don't want him.

Now these 'quotes' should be taken with a pinch of salt, as should many Paolo 'quotes'. Half of them he later denies saying, and that may be the case some of the time. Either way, I expect Glenn to ignore them, and get on with training for the end of the season. I'd be surprised if Paolo isn't playing on Saturday against Charlton.

"Nobody has yet understood why I was substituted at Fulham. The decision to substitute me in the second half left everybody amazed. First of all, because I wasn't at all tired and because the Fulham fans applauded me and the West Ham fans started to sing my name.

"At the start, the manager had asked me and Kanoute to double up on the wings every time West Ham lost the ball so we could work as second full-backs. I did it from the first minute, giving my all to the team. My colleague scored a goal but, apart from that, his contribution defensively wasn't as intense.

"In the interval, everybody was thanking me, including Paul Goddard the assistant manager, for the work I was doing. Glenn should appreciate he will not go far if he cannot find the courage to substitute the players who need to be substituted."

He went on to say that people at the club are trying to get rid of him, and that is why he is being treated 'like a kid'. He also says that Glenn still needs to learn a lot, in a similar way to young players.

"If West Ham do not want me around in the future, then they have only got one thing to do - give me a free transfer at the end of the season. I never let myself be taken for a ride, even by such respected managers as Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello.

"I am not prepared to be treated like a kid who has just started his career. Glenn Roeder is still at the beginning of his managerial career and young managers have to learn in the same way young players have to learn.

"I have a funny feeling that maybe people at the club are trying to imply I am getting tired easily. That I am not up to it. That is not true. It just seems that to sacrifice yourself and your technical skills for the team doesn't pay off.

"If this is the case, I would rather play the way I prefer, than the way I am asked."

One thing is for sure: no other player would ever have these quotes attributed to him: the fact is though, that they are semi-believable because they are supposedly from Paolo's mouth.

Fact or fiction, the team selection at Upton Park in two days time will tell all folks.