WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole insists there would be no better way to prepare for the new season than to get one over on fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the first game of the Barclays Asia Cup.
The Hammers, along with Spurs and Hull City, have flown out to Beijing to compete in the pre-season tournament, and the two London sides will lock horns this evening in the first match of the competition.
Cole, who rose to prominence during an impressive year for the Irons last season, is determined to avenge the two defeats Harry Redknapp's team inflicted on them during the 2008/09 campaign.
“It is strange to have come all the way out to China to play them, but we are really looking forward to it and we really want to win,” he said.
“There is always a lot of passion and emotions in these games for us and for our fans. Wednesday will be no different.
“Last season they beat us twice and I can tell you we were not happy about that. So the aim is to get off to a good start here in this pre-season and then look to continue this with a good start in the new season.”
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