Brooking will have players' respect - Motson

Trevor Brooking’s BBC TV colleague John Motson believes he can make a big impact in West Ham’s final three matches.

Brooking, a member of the West Ham board, has been appointed as caretaker manager for the rest of the season after boss Glenn Roeder was taken ill following Monday’s 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough.

Roeder was diagnosed with a blockage of a blood vessel in his brain and is still in hospital receiving treatment.

Dismissing Brooking’s bland reputation, commentator Motson told the Evening Standard: “Trevor is well respected in the dressing room because he has been there and done it.

“I know that he went into the dressing room not long after they had lost 7-1 to Blackburn early last season and gave the players a real pep talk which was greatly appreciated.

“While Trevor’s intervention wasn’t the only reason, West Ham’s season showed huge improvement. They had been struggling until that point but ended up seventh.”