One To Watch

No doubt disappointed about playing a role in Wednesday's second Wigan goal, it seems that Jonathan Spector is going in the right direction right now. Only 20, he's moved on from his reserve role at Manchester United to a first-team place at Alan Pardew's West Ham.

Spector realized that the only way he'd get better was to play in an EPL starting XI. He said as much in an interview he gave to Jack Bell of The New York Times a couple of days ago. The moneyquote:

"After the loan to Charlton ended, [Alex Ferguson] he offered me a new contract and wanted me to stay. But after having played in something like 25 games in the E.P.L. and other competitions for Charlton, I couldn't go back to sitting on the bench. It wasn't right for my development. It was never that I felt unwanted by ManU. He understood I wanted to play...I always viewed it as a steppingstone for me to improve, and the only way to get better was for me to play in the Prem. I needed more games...At Manchester, I was in the reserve team and training with the first team, but that wasn't enough. I didn't feel I was improving enough. Sir Alex understood where I was coming from, he recommended Charlton. He liked the way (Alan) Curbishly ran the club. It's a great club. I've been lucky to play for the two longest-serving managers in the E.P.L. I can't complain."

Though mired in a relegation battle at the moment, Spector can only gain valuable experience from what the Hammers are going through. Expect to see him become a big part of the U.S. squad that qualifies for South Africa 2010.

An American Defender at West Ham Sees It All, and Then Some [The New York Times]

-ac