Jackett unconcerned by West Ham's spending power (From News Shopper)

Jackett unconcerned by West Ham's spending power

12:13pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Millwall By Paul Green

KENNY Jackett says he isn’t jealous of West Ham’s spending power ahead of this weekend’s derby at Upton Park.

His opposite number Sam Allardyce spent heavily before the transfer window closed by bringing in Ravel Morrison, Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te to boost the Irons’ chances of making an instant return to the Premiership.

All three could potentially make their debuts against the Lions on Saturday but Jackett laughed off the idea he might be a bit envious of Allardyce’s ability to splash the cash.

“Not necessarily, I don’t worry to be honest with you,” the Den chief said.

“We have to sort ourselves out and keep trying to improve Millwall as a club, which is a big thing and I don’t look much further away than that.

“West Ham are a big club and their aspirations to get automatic promotion this year have been well documented by everybody there.

“They’ve taken a few players in and are already a strong squad, but that’s OK, that’s why we want to be in the Championship competing with clubs like this.”

Jackett was able to finally end his striker search on deadline day by snapping up Andy Keogh from Wolves.

“Andy Keogh has Championship experience and will be a good partner for Darius Henderson,” the manager explained.

“I think that is a good partnership and at 25 Andy has got his best years ahead of him.

“He is a Millwall type of player who puts a lot of effort into his game and I think our crowd will appreciate what he does and take to him.

“We will see how the squad shapes over the next couple of days (before deciding if Keogh will be involved on Saturday) and whether we can get outside at any time because obviously the ground is frozen at the moment.”

Keogh has made no secret of his desire to seal a place in Ireland’s squad for this summer’s Euro 2012 finals and Jackett believes the striker’s international aspirations will suit all parties.

“I’m certain it will be a benefit to Millwall,” he said.

“He has had a frustrating time going out on loan, he wanted to go somewhere permanent with the objective of trying to get into a big tournament at the end of the season.”

Millwall’s last visit to Upton Park was overshadowed by problems outside the ground and several pitch invasions inside from home supporters.

Both clubs were initially hit with fines by the FA for the disorder, although Millwall were later cleared on appeal and Jackett is backing Lions followers to behave themselves again.

He said: “In my time at the club Millwall fans have behaved themselves very well and in the last game at Upton Park there were no problems from our end.

“The Millwall fans will be going there to watch the football and I’m sure to enjoy the occasion as well.”

Jackett rates skipper Paul Robinson as 50-50 to return from injury on Saturday.

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