Football: CONNOLLY FURY

WEST Ham striker David Connolly launched a furious atttack on manager Glenn Roeder after getting the Hammers' season off to a winning start.

Connolly, who joined West Ham in a pounds 285,000 deal from Wimbledon only last week, ripped into Roeder after he was left on the bench for yesterday's 2-1 win over Preston following the arrival of Neil Mellor on loan from Liverpool yesterday.

The Republic of Ireland international raged: "I'm in total disbelief how you can play someone just like that. I have played 40 games for my country, I think I deserved to be picked. I will speak to Glenn further this week but I might have to look for a new club."

"I had been part of the starting line-up in training all week - then we picked Neil up at a service station yesterday, and I was told he would be playing instead of me," added Connolly.

"It was a mind-boggling, terrible decision, a real kick in the teeth. I was very disappointed with the manager and I told him so."

Roeder played down the rift. He said: "I gave him his debut when he was 16 at Watford, so I know what he's like. He's an angry ant. It doesn't surprise me, it's the way of the world."

Former England striker Paul Merson sparked a stunning start to Walsall's season, scoring twice as the Saddlers beat relegated West Brom 4-1 while Dougie Freedman hit a hat-trick in Crystal Palace's 3- 2 win at Burnley. Palace finished with nine men after having Wayne Routledge and Shaun Derry sent off.

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