Ferdinand focused on football

Ferdinand: Pushing for England recognition

Anton Ferdinand admits that he is enjoying life at West Ham and feels that he is playing better than ever.

The defender struggled to hold down a first-team place at the start of the season, but having made a goal scoring return during the 2-1 victory over Manchester United in December he has since formed an impressive partnership with Matthew Upson.

Currently the longest serving player at the club having progressed from the academy ranks, Ferdinand is now hoping that his recent fine form will allow him to push into Fabio Capello's England reckoning after the disappointment of missing out on the Italian's first squad.

Feel free

"I am enjoying myself," he told West Ham's official website.

"This is the first time in a long while where I am playing with nothing over my head and I feel free.

"I am concentrating on nothing but football and I think that is showing in my play."

He added: "I was disappointed (to miss out on England) but all I can do is play well for West Ham United. That is what I am going to try and maintain."

No excuses

Ferdinand has been a key factor behind the Hammers having the best defensive record outside of the 'big four' and admits that the 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday came as a huge disappointment to everyone at the club.

"It is disappointing not to take something from Wigan. I thought we deserved something," he said.

"They didn't have many chances, we didn't have many chances. It was more like a game that should have been a bore draw.

"The pitch didn't help us. We like to pass the ball, it didn't help but we can't use the pitch as an excuse. We have to play on what is given to us. We were unlucky and should have come away with something.

"We go out on the pitch to keep clean sheets. We have been doing well in recent times but it wasn't meant to be."