Muntari Uncompromising Over Style

Sulley Ali Muntari has promised West Ham a drop more of the hard stuff when they come to Portsmouth today.

The Ghanaian is ready to mix it again even though another booking will bring him his second suspension of this term.

But Muntari refuses to change his fiercely combative style even though he was off against Manchester United in only the second game of the season.

He admitted: "Sure, I like the physical side of the game here. I really love it.

"I loved it in Italy, too, and it is a beautiful country where I played, but here it is totally different. For me, English football is great.

"In Italy the game may be more technical but here everyone is fast, everyone is strong, every game is hard. That's how it is and that's how I must be.

"I know I need to cut down the cards. I've been working hard in training on my timing because I agree with the coach it is better to play the matches than watch them from the stands, but the game is hard here and that's how I love it."

Muntari was sent off three times for Udinese last season and booked eight times.

Now he is on four yellow cards in the Premier League after serving a one-match suspension for two rash tackles against United. One more caution will activate a new ban.

Muntari admits: "When I was sent off against United, the coach asked me if I touched the guy (Michael Carrick).

"I told him I didn't but that was a lie because I could see in his eyes how angry he was.

"I looked in his face and I understood everything he was saying about focusing on doing it for the team. I'm trying and, hopefully, the number of cards will reduce.

"I see myself as both an attacking and defending player even though in Italy I was mostly a defensive midfielder.

"Here I want to do both - and score some goals, too. I've only got one and that was a penalty in a game we won 7-4.

"Now I'm going to take the ball quickly if we get another penalty.
"Since I came here I've learned a lot, not only on the pitch but off it, too. A lot of that is to do with the coach.

"He's a great man, he treats us well as players. He's cool. I just like the way he goes about things." BBC