Sinclair wants to show his respect

13 April 2012

West Ham's England midfield star Trevor Sinclair today admitted that he would have been in favour of all tonight's scheduled Premiership matches being postponed.

There will be a minute's silence at Upton Park tonight and all other match venues to recognise the anniversary of last year's tragedy in New York. "We have to do something to show our respect," said Sinclair. "A period of silence is the next best thing to postponing the games. I certainly wouldn't have argued had they left tonight free of all sporting fixtures."

The England star was a member of the West Ham team who were in action on the night of 11 September last year and he said: "I just wish I hadn't played. We were at Reading for a Worthington Cup tie and I had been made team captain for that match.

"I just remember sitting in the hotel watching the TV pictures until we had to leave for the match. I was proud to have been given the armband, but it wasn't the right time. Like everyone else I was very low. I phoned my wife and we talked. We were worried about what the future held for all of us.

"It was a chilling time and I will never forget it."

Sinclair's manager Glenn Roeder also admitted today that he wouldn't have been surprised if tonight's Premiership fixtures had been called off.

"I could have understood it," he said. "I would have agreed with whatever decision the authorities made.

"I remember that day well. I couldn't absorb the magnitude of the disaster at the time.

"Some players managed to put it out of their mind during the match, but others couldn't. When there was a break in the play, the mind tended to go back to what you had just seen."

Roeder will not mention the subject to his players before tonight's match against West Brom.

"It would be inappropriate," he said. "I am one hundred per cent certain that everyone in that squad will recognise the significance of the day without being told by me or anyone else."

Roeder looks certain, meanwhile, to recall fit-again Paolo Di Canio for tonight's clash. Jermain Defoe is most likely to make way for the Italian striker while the West Ham manager, unhappy at the way his defence played in the 0-2 defeat by Charlton, could also give Republic of Ireland international Gary Breen his first start.

"The Charlton result means we haven't got away to a good start," said Roeder. "That 90 minutes changed the views of a lot of people.

"We would have liked to have bounced back quickly but unfortunately we have had to stew for the next 10 days.

"Because our players don't know the opposition that well, we have videos of their last three matches and have put together a 15-minute compilation. The players are under no illusions about the importance of tonight's match."

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Sinclair wants to show his respect

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