Zavon Hines is the latest young Hammer to be featured in the FourFourTwo segment: 'The Boy's A Bit Special'. He follows in the footsteps of James Tomkins and Freddie Sears...
The Boy's A Bit Special... Zavon Hines
Born: Jamaica, 27/12/1988
Position: Striker
Nickname: Zav. It's been the same since I was at school.
Team supported: I grew up in South London but I come from a family of Arsenal fans, so they were my team. The players from the 'Invincibles' era like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were fantastic to watch.
Strengths: My work ethic. I've got pace, but I never give defenders a moment's rest. I'm always at them. Hopefully people have seen that in my performances this season, particularly against Liverpool. Pace is the number one weapon for a striker- it helps put defenders on the back foot.
Weaknesses: My heading isn't the best to be honest. I'm trying to work on it at the moment, but it's taking some time.
Heroes: It would have to be Thierry Henry, particularly when he was at Arsenal- he was one of the best, if not the best, striker in the world. As a forward he has everything: pace, skill and he's a great finisher, too. Not a bad role-model.
Highlights: Scoring my first league goal for West Ham was special. It happened quickly; the ball came across the box and I had about three players around me. I shot and it flew in. Scoring two goals on my England U21 debut was a great feeling, too.
Lowlights: I missed a whole season when I was a youth team player. I had a dead bone in my knee that took a long time to heal. I had an op and then had to spend a couple of hours a day in an oxygen chamber as part of my recovery. I couldn't kick a ball for eight months.
Toughest opponent: Thomas Vermaelen was different class when we played Arsenal at Upton Park. He was a bit of an unknown when Arsene Wenger signed him but he was quality- good on the ball and pretty quick, too.
Biggest influence: My family have always been great, ferrying me around to matches. At West Ham, Kevin Keen has been great. He was my coach with West Ham U16s, then the reserve team, and now he's working with the first team- his career has mirrored mine! Anton Ferdinand was a big influence when he was here, and Carlton Cole is helping me all the time.
Best player played with: Scott Parker. There aren't a lot people who can do the job he does for a team; he never stops working. He seems to get better with age, too.
Tunes: I've got funky house, R&B and gospel on the ipod at the moment.
Wheels: BMW 3 Series coupe.
Chicks: Meagan Good.
Flicks: My all-time favourite is Remember the Titans, a great film.
TV programmes: I'm massive on My Wife and Kids and All of Us.
Describe yourself in five words: Honest, caring, hardworking, grateful and determined.
If you hadn't been a footballer: I don't know really. The construction industry, possibly. Hopefully it's not something I'm going to have to worry about.
Best advice given: Everything happens for a reason. I've been told that constantly throughout my career- and so far, at least, it's been true.
Most embarrassing moment: When I first went away with the first team I had to sing in front of everybody. I chose I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly. It was really embarrassing with everyone staring at me.
What did you buy with your first wage packet: I can't remember, it was too long ago. It was only about £100, so I couldn't have gone mad- it had to last me the week!
If I could play alongside any player: Lionel Messi. He's awesome. He would love playing up front with me- I'd end up doing most of the work for him, he could just put the chances away!
In five years time... You never know what the future holds. I want to be playing at the highest level possible.
The Boy's A Bit Special... Zavon Hines
Born: Jamaica, 27/12/1988
Position: Striker
Nickname: Zav. It's been the same since I was at school.
Team supported: I grew up in South London but I come from a family of Arsenal fans, so they were my team. The players from the 'Invincibles' era like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were fantastic to watch.
Strengths: My work ethic. I've got pace, but I never give defenders a moment's rest. I'm always at them. Hopefully people have seen that in my performances this season, particularly against Liverpool. Pace is the number one weapon for a striker- it helps put defenders on the back foot.
Weaknesses: My heading isn't the best to be honest. I'm trying to work on it at the moment, but it's taking some time.
Heroes: It would have to be Thierry Henry, particularly when he was at Arsenal- he was one of the best, if not the best, striker in the world. As a forward he has everything: pace, skill and he's a great finisher, too. Not a bad role-model.
Highlights: Scoring my first league goal for West Ham was special. It happened quickly; the ball came across the box and I had about three players around me. I shot and it flew in. Scoring two goals on my England U21 debut was a great feeling, too.
Lowlights: I missed a whole season when I was a youth team player. I had a dead bone in my knee that took a long time to heal. I had an op and then had to spend a couple of hours a day in an oxygen chamber as part of my recovery. I couldn't kick a ball for eight months.
Toughest opponent: Thomas Vermaelen was different class when we played Arsenal at Upton Park. He was a bit of an unknown when Arsene Wenger signed him but he was quality- good on the ball and pretty quick, too.
Biggest influence: My family have always been great, ferrying me around to matches. At West Ham, Kevin Keen has been great. He was my coach with West Ham U16s, then the reserve team, and now he's working with the first team- his career has mirrored mine! Anton Ferdinand was a big influence when he was here, and Carlton Cole is helping me all the time.
Best player played with: Scott Parker. There aren't a lot people who can do the job he does for a team; he never stops working. He seems to get better with age, too.
Tunes: I've got funky house, R&B and gospel on the ipod at the moment.
Wheels: BMW 3 Series coupe.
Chicks: Meagan Good.
Flicks: My all-time favourite is Remember the Titans, a great film.
TV programmes: I'm massive on My Wife and Kids and All of Us.
Describe yourself in five words: Honest, caring, hardworking, grateful and determined.
If you hadn't been a footballer: I don't know really. The construction industry, possibly. Hopefully it's not something I'm going to have to worry about.
Best advice given: Everything happens for a reason. I've been told that constantly throughout my career- and so far, at least, it's been true.
Most embarrassing moment: When I first went away with the first team I had to sing in front of everybody. I chose I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly. It was really embarrassing with everyone staring at me.
What did you buy with your first wage packet: I can't remember, it was too long ago. It was only about £100, so I couldn't have gone mad- it had to last me the week!
If I could play alongside any player: Lionel Messi. He's awesome. He would love playing up front with me- I'd end up doing most of the work for him, he could just put the chances away!
In five years time... You never know what the future holds. I want to be playing at the highest level possible.
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3 comments:
Won't be playing for West Ham in 5 years with those ambitions lol. Hope he can continue where he left off when he returns (which I have no idea of).
So why leave a comment you cock jockey, he will be playing for a champions league side. West ham utd... coyi
Nice, good to see we have ambitious fans, if not slightly foul-mouthed.
p.s By then it will be West Ham Olympic
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