I'll be captain grumpy if I have to, says Hammers' defender Neill

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Australia skipper Neill, fresh from Asian Cup duty, was the surprise choice of West Ham manager Alan Curbishley ahead of midfielder Scott Parker.

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Neill promised a rowdy dressing room with plenty of heated discussion if things go wrong.

The former Millwall and Blackburn full back said: "I got a lot of stick for agreeing to join West Ham but I think my decision has been vindicated. The captaincy wasn't ever promised but I was told I would be important.

"If I'd only joined for the money, I'd have sat on the sidelines last season, let the others get on with it and picked up my wages.

"I didn't do that. I was in the trenches and helped get us out. Now I'm hoping the gamble comes good because the chairman is ambitious and the manager is hungry. We want to achieve much bigger and better things.

"I only got back on Thursday night from Asia and in the morning the manager called to ask if I was ready to train. He said he was going to announce me as captain. I didn't take much in for the next minute because it was so overwhelming."

Then, emphasising that he will not back down from a row if he thinks it is necessary, he added: "I prefer a noisy dressing room, as long as it's constructive and positive.

"I'll lead on the training ground and not take second best. I have to keep everyone believing. I'll just be an Aussie!"

Curbishley said: "He has all the qualities needed to captain a club of this stature."