Kieran Richardson is happy at West Ham return
Apr 2 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
KIERAN Richardson is relieved to be going back to his first club with a clean slate. And the London-born midfielder is not expecting any aggravation from West Ham United’s fans – because he does not think many will be aware of his time at Upton Park.
Richardson’s return from suspension will be eagerly anticipated on Saturday, and the player is glad to have finally got off the disciplinary tightrope.
The 24-year-old was banned from the December trip to Manchester United after collecting five bookings this season, then for the recent games against Wigan Athletic and Manchester City after hitting double figures for yellow cards.
As a player not noted for his combativeness, Richardson admits he was surprised to pick up so many cautions, and is relieved he is now able to play without the threat of suspension.
“To pick up ten bookings was flabbergasting,” he said. “The manager (Ricky Sbragia) has spoken to me but he is not too concerned because I’m back to scratch now. Some of them were very silly bookings but they just happen in the heat of the moment. It’s all gone now.
“I have been frustrated (by the suspension) and now I can’t wait to be back. I played at West Ham when I was younger and this will be the first time I have gone back there.
“Match fitness might be lacking but we have had a few games behind closed doors so I will get through it.”
Richardson was a junior at West Ham before transferring to Manchester United’s academy. The Hammers fans have a long and undistinguished history of not taking kindly to players leaving, but Richardson does not expect it to extend to him.
“I was there about five years and
a great time,” recalled a player whose attacking impetus from midfield has been missed. “The youth set-up was great but I left for United. It will be nice to go back there and play.
“They were great times, I knew Anton (Ferdinand) back then too. But when a club like United want you, you can’t really say no.
“I used to support Arsenal as a youngster but playing for West Ham, I did love them. My dad is a West Ham fan so he might be upset if I put one past them on Saturday. I can’t wait. The (West Ham) fans won’t be bothered. I never played for the first team and I left when I was 15. I’m just looking at getting the job done for Sunderland.”
West Ham beat the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light in November and Richardson (pictured left) has been impressed by their improvement under Gianfranco Zola.
Kenwyne Jones gave Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon a torrid time in the corresponding fixture last season, a televised game instrumental in planting the Trinidad and Tobago international into the football public’s consciousness. Richardson warned they can not rely on launching the ball at their talismanic forward – if selected – but he remains confident. “They have turned things around,” he said. “But I believe we can get something from the game.”
Meanwhile, Sbragia insists Jones’ strike partner Djibril Cissé has not been affected by his problems on and off the field. The Frenchman has failed to score in five games and was arrested on suspicion of assault outside a Newcastle lap dancing bar on Tuesday.
“This week Djibril has been electric, and he’s done really well,” said he manager. “He’s done what we know he can do and he’s looking bright.”
