06/05/2007 10:54
Hammers left-back George McCartney was pleased to look back over an
excellent performance against Bolton Wanderers yesterday - and reflect on a
fantastic turnaround for the Club. "We needed the three points and we played
really well first half," said the 26-year-old. "To go in 3-0 up at half-time
was a great feeling. But we always knew the game wasn't over. "Bolton came
out strongly second half but we coped well with it. We've given ourselves
every chance to be in the Premiership next year. "You look back eight or
nine games and I think we were about 12 points adrift. Everyone was saying
we were certain for relegation. But it's amazing what a bit of luck against
Blackburn can do. "We've kicked on from that and put in some good
performances. We've got the 38 points. Hopefully Spurs can do us a favour
against Charlton tomorrow and it will look that little bit better. "We could
be going to Manchester United next week knowing we still maybe need a point
to guarantee survival. But all the lads are buzzing and it's in our own
hands now."
Looking ahead to that final match of the season at Old Trafford, George
said: "Fingers crossed Man United will have won the league by then. We all
know how good a team they can be at Old Trafford. If they're playing to win
the League it's going to be a very tough game. "But we've put in some great
performances in the last few weeks and got some great wins. Bolton was no
different and hopefully we can go to Old Trafford next week and put another
one in. "Since the Blackburn game all the lads have had belief. If we keep
believing and have confidence in ourselves, we could get out of this
situation. "It's in our own hands now and all credit to the coaching staff,
the manager and all the players. We've all pulled together and given
ourselves a good chance."
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Green delighted after Bolton win - WHUFC
06/05/2007 15:00
Following their excellent performance against Bolton Wanderers, the team
enjoyed their lap of honour in front of the Hammers fans. But Rob Green
insisted the day belonged to kit-man Eddie Gillam, who led the lads out
after enjoying his final home game after 27 years at Upton Park. "Eddie's
been a fantastic servant for the Club," Rob said. "He's one of the unsung
heroes. He works tirelessly and does it for the love of the Club and for the
love of football. "For him to have his moment is really nice for him but
it's all too brief for such a long stint."
Rob's frustration was evident when the Hammers conceded a second-half goal
in yesterday's 3-1 win, but it was the only blot on an otherwise outstanding
afternoon for Alan Curbishley's side. "You like to keep clean sheets,
especially when goal difference is a major factor," said the Hammers keeper.
"If we'd kept a clean sheet we would have been just one goal behind Wigan
and what a difference that makes. It's a major disappointment, but we won
and that's the main thing. "We got off to a flying start. The boys came out
of the traps quickly and I don't think Bolton could handle us. "We exposed
their weaknesses at the back, took our chances when they came and the second
half was about consolidating that. We gave away a stupid goal, which was
disappointing, but if you'd said at the start of the day that we'd win 3-1,
we'd have definitely taken it."
With Premiership survival in reach for the Hammers, Rob revealed that the
team will take on Manchester United full of confidence after claiming a
third consecutive win. "It could be set up for a great performance from us
if we go up to Old Trafford and play the way we played in the first half
against Bolton, iron out the mistakes and keep it solid," he said. "There's
no reason why we can't go there and get a result."
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Chairman: Curbs one of the best in England - WHUFC
06/05/2007 17:03
Chairman Eggert Magnusson has praised Alan Curbishley for taking West Ham
United to the brink of Premiership safety after a roller-coaster five months
in charge at Upton Park. After climbing out of the bottom three thanks to
yesterday's impressive 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers, Hammers are now
just one win away from guaranteed survival, and the Chairman insists that
the Manager and his backroom staff deserve to achieve their target. "Alan,
Mervyn Day and the rest of the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for
the hard work they have put in," says Mr Magnusson. "The players have
rightly received praise for their performances recently, but I feel it is
only correct that the manager is applauded for the job he has done. "Alan
came in at a time when a lot of changes were happening at the Club. He had
just two weeks with the squad before the January transfer window opened and
had to get to grips with some problems that he inherited. "I have been so
impressed with the way he has handled himself. He faced a lot of criticism
in the press a couple of months ago but throughout it all he remained calm
and focused on the job, and now we are seeing the benefits of that. "I have
always had complete faith in him and knew that he was the right man for this
job. For me, he is one of the finest managers in England and, from working
with him every day, I can see that he shares my ambition and desire to bring
success to West Ham United in the future."
With Hammers now out of the relegation zone and three points clear of
18th-placed Wigan Athletic, it could be that Curbs and his players need not
even a point from next week's final match of the season at Manchester
United. However, the Chairman only has only one result on his mind. "We are
going to Old Trafford to win," says Mr Magnusson. "The team produced another
fantastic performance yesterday - spurred on once again by our magnificent
supporters - and we must be confident. "I have said it many times, but our
fans really are the best. The atmosphere in the stadium yesterday was quite
amazing, and I know we will have tremendous following again next week
against Manchester United. "Our destiny is now in our own hands. The belief
among everyone at the Club is so strong and we will all take that up to
Manchester next week. We know that, if we win, we will be safe, and that is
a wonderful incentive."
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Put your money where your mouth is - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 7th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Eggert Magnusson has challenged the four clubs looking to take legal action
against the Premier League to put up or shut up. The United Chairman,
talking to 5Live last night, criticised the four club pact - led by Wigan's
Dave Whelan - for using the media to highlight their campaign. A statement
released on behalf of the four clubs on Friday night confirmed that they
would reveal whether or not they would be taking the matter further on
Tuesday. But that has angered Magnusson who insists that they should keep
schtum until they have something worthwhile to say. "I can understand in a
way how they feel - but I cannot understand them going to the press every
day saying this and that," said Magnusson. "If they are going to make a
legal challenge they should come out when they have decided to do so. That's
my opinion. "Dave Whelan is a nice man and we got on well together [when we
met recently]. This is nothing personal.
"But I think Paul Jewell said it well on Match of the Day when he said it
was not down to Carlos Tevez or West Ham not being deducted points that they
are in the relegation zone, it was just because they were not playing well
enough."
And with regard to a possible appeal against the record £5.5m fine imposed
by the hearing - a decision that must be made by this Friday - Magnusson
added:
"We have done nothing at this stage but will probably look into these things
this week. I have said the whole time that I was not expecting a points
deduction. But the fine was very high. "The judgments came out Friday last
week and I think all of us involved were a little bit surprised [by the size
of the fine] in some ways - although relieved in other ways."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez: wait and see - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 7th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Eggert Magnusson has revealed that he will make a decision about Carlos
Tevez's future once the current season has ended. The 23-year-old Argentine
scored twice against Bolton on Saturday to take his tally for the season to
five, whilst playing a major role in United's other goal scored by Mark
Noble. Of course, should the Hammers fall at the final hurdle next week and
suffer what would now amount to a heartbreaking relegation Tevez will
definitely be off. But should the Hammers do enough at Old Trafford stay up,
Magnusson isn't ruling out the possibility of a bid for his services come
summer. "From my point of view I would still like to see him at West Ham for
the next few seasons," Magnusson told 5Live, "but there are a lot of things
that need to be resolved before that happens. I don't know where we stand -
this is something we need to discuss once the season ends. But I wouldn't be
surprised if there's interest from other clubs. We'll have to see how things
develop. "He's a great lad, a great footballer and really loves his
football. I think he like playing for West Ham - and you all know how the
fans adore him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"It helps that he doesn't speak the language"! - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 6th May 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
Alan Curbishley reveals how Hammer of The Year Carlos Tevez has been coping
with being the subject of all the recent controversy, together with his
views on the weekend's events at the post-match press conference....
I said after the Chelsea match we'd need at least 38 points. Is it enough?
Well we've been saying for a number of weeks that we'd need to win the
majority of our games. We go to Old Trafford next week and it's in our hands
for the first time in some time. You couldn't wish for a tougher game but at
least we go there with a lot of confidence. When you look at the fixture
list and you see you have Man Utd last game of the season you hope there's
not going to be too much on the game. I think it's about the 3rd time in
five years I'll have been there on the last day. My record? Drawn one, lost
one like most people! We go there and we've given ourselves a chance. The
first half-hour was fantastic so we've built up a lot of confidence. Chelsea
play tomorrow then they play each other Wednesday so it could all still be
on.
I was involved in a last day thing with Charlton a few years ago and there
were all sorts of twists and turns – with six minutes left Palace were safe
and West Brom were down and it all changed round. No-one can work out quite
how it's going to fall so you've just got to go out and do your bit. If we
go to Old Trafford and get something we'll have done our bit.
How have the events of the past couple of weeks affected Tevez? Well it
helps that he doesn't speak the language! He understands what's going on
obviously. He feels quite clearly that it's all got nothing to do with him –
he just plays football. I had a quite word with him last week but I didn't
bother this week. He was very, very doubtful for this game. He hurt his
ankle on Tuesday. No doubt the conspiracy theorists will get involved!
I'm pleased we got our result. The other games going our way? Well one has,
one hasn't and one's playing at the moment. We've just got to get on with
our side.
Playing the way we are I suppose you look and wonder about earlier in the
season. I said when I first joined the club do you get confidence from
results or results from confidence? Since the Tottenham game the results
have come and the confidence is back. You have players doing things
naturally that maybe they weren't doing five or six weeks ago. We've kept a
settled side that hasn't been ravaged as much as it was when I first came to
the club so we haven't had too many changes week in week out so that does
help. That's no disrespect to the players not playing at the moment but
we've never been in that position since we've been at the club.
Tevez and the fans? Well when I first came we played Man Utd and I hadn't
seen West Ham play too often. We came out to kick-off and the crowd were
singing his name. I hadn't really seen him. They were chanting again at the
next game, and the next one. He's obviously built up a rapport with the
crowd and he wasn't even playing! All we've asked him to do is play higher
up the pitch than maybe he was doing when he first came to the club and to
be in that final third a little bit more. Heputs people under pressure and
he relieves pressure as well by holding on to the ball. With that the goals
have come. He's been important to us but it's not just Carlos – a lot of
other players have started performing well for us.
Liverpool's nine changes? Well I'm not happy with it I must admit. Rafa was
on the box explaining his priorities but I don't expect he'll ever be in the
bottom three. I don't know how their game went other than they've been
beaten. I'm disappointed with the changes but don't make a mountain out of a
molehill about it – we've all got to get on with it. We got our result and
that's all that matters to me today. Sheffield Utd v Wigan? Well let's see
how tonight's match goes. All we can hope is that there is still something
on that game.
Yes I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson before I took over here for advice but
I've barely spoken with him since. Will I be ringing him this week? Perhaps
I should call him to see how many changes he'll make for next week's match!
We're out of the bottom three for the first time in ages and if we get
something at Old Trafford we'll be safe.
Have the recent events inspired us? I don't really know. What has inspired
us is the desire to stay in the premiership. We did the walk aroud today and
it awas a bit subdued because we still haven't done the job. If we can do
the job West Ham should be looking for better things. Let's hope we can do
the job.
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Hammers chief unsure over Tevez - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 6 May 2007
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has admitted he is unsure over Carlos
Tevez's future at the club. Tevez has been in sparkling form of late for
West Ham with his two goals against Bolton on Saturday helping them climb
out of the bottom three. The Argentine's future remains up in the air as
Media Sports Investment own the economic rights to him. Reports on Sunday
also suggested Liverpool were keeping tabs on the diminutive forward and
Magnusson admits although he would like to keep Tevez his future remains
unresolved. "I would like to see him at West Ham for the next few seasons
but there are a lot of things that have to be resolved before that happens,"
Magnusson told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek. "I wouldn't be surprised if
there is interest from other clubs, so will have to see. "I don't know at
this point in time, we'll see when the season ends. He's a great lad, a
great footballer who loves his football and likes playing for West Ham."
Whatever Tevez's future Magnusson insists there will be personnel changes at
Upton Park next season with some players moving on. "We have too many
players and there has to be some changes," added Magnusson. "But I see the
unity in the team and if we stay in the Premiership they could blossom next
season. "We have won six out of eight and if you keep that up you would be
challenging for Europe."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eggert unfazed by legal row - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 6 May 2007
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson says he is not overly worried about the
threat of their relegation rivals planning legal action against The Hammers'
failure to be docked points. Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan
have all confirmed they are taking legal advice following the Premier
League's decision not to deduct West Ham points over the transfers of Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano. West Ham escaped a points deduction last week
despite breaking transfer regulations regarding the signings of Tevez and
Mascherano. Magnusson is leaving the matter in the hands of the Premier
League and has challenged their rivals to make a decision one way or the
other on what they plan to do. "I believe that that is up to the Premier
League," Magnusson told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek. "I can understand in a
way but I cannot understand going everyday to the press and saying this and
that. "If they are going to make a legal challenge they should come out when
they decide to do so. That's my opinion. "Paul Jewell (the Wigan boss) said
it well - he said it was not down to Carlos Tevez or West Ham being deducted
points that they were in the relegation zone. "It was because they (Wigan)
were not playing well enough. These matters should be decided on the field
of play."
West Ham were fined a record £5.5million after being found guilty of
breaching Premier League regulations regarding the transfers and Magnusson
is to decide next week if the club will appeal against the fine. "All of us
involved were a little bit surprised in some ways, relieved in other ways,"
added Magnusson. "We have done nothing at this stage but will probably look
into these things this week. "I've said the whole time I was not expecting a
points deduction but the fine, of course, was very high."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blanco claims Prem offers - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 6 May 2007
West Ham United's on-loan striker Kepa Blanco claims four other Premiership
clubs want to sign him in the summer. Blanco linked up with The Hammers in
January from Sevilla and marked his debut by scoring as a substitute against
Liverpool. But he has started just once since and appears unlikely to be
handed a permanent deal at Upton Park by Alan Curbishley. Sevilla have
accepted an offer from Primera Liga rivals Getafe, but Blanco appears keen
to stay in England. He claims Aston Villa, Manchester City, Newcastle United
and Portsmouth have all expressed an interest in arranging a deal at the end
of the season.
Blanco is quoted in the Daily Star Sunday: "Portsmouth, Aston Villa,
Manchester City and Newcastle have all offered me the chance to play for
them next season. "Even though I have not played much for West Ham I am
happy in England. "The style of play suits me well. It is more physical than
in Spain and the stadiums are always full."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Magnusson responds to threat - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 2:20am BST 07/05/2007
The West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has told the 'gang of four' clubs
threatening to sue the Premier League over their handling of the Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano controversy to put up or shut up. Charlton,
Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan are taking legal advice over the Premier
League's decision not to deduct points from West Ham even though they
admitted breaking their rules on player ownership. Yesterday Magnusson
responded to the pressure by calling on the clubs to keep quiet until they
have decided whether to begin legal proceedings. "I can understand in a way,
but I cannot understand going everyday to the press and saying this and
that," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme. "If they are going
to make a legal challenge they should come out when they decide to do so.
"Paul Jewell [the Wigan manager] said it well - he said it was not down to
Carlos Tevez or West Ham [not] being deducted points that they were in the
relegation zone."It was because they [Wigan] were not playing well enough.
These matters should be decided on the field of play."
Magnusson added that he wanted to keep Tevez at West Ham but admitted he was
likely to attract interest from other clubs in the summer."I wouldn't be
surprised if there is interest from other clubs, so we will have to see," he
said. "He's a great lad, a great footballer who likes playing for West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Terrific Tevez hots up moral debate - Telegraph
By David Miller
Last Updated: 3:06am BST 07/05/2007
West Ham United (3) 3 Bolton Wanderers (0) 1
Had West Ham performed for rather more of the season the way they did for
the first half-hour on Saturday, they would not now be fearful about legal
action by their rivals in an attempt to convert the Premier League's £5.5
million fine into points deducted and thereby relegation.
On the other hand, if they were to play in their final fixture away to
Manchester United as they did for much of the second half, anything that
legal eagles might argue would become irrelevant with self-inflicted
relegation. Bolton had belatedly woken up, in vain, to exploit West Ham's
prolonged relegation form prior to six victories in eight matches.
It may be that the Premier League's disciplinary committee, when considering
impropriety in the registration of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, acted
within discretionary League guidelines. Morally, there is a nasty smell and
Wigan, Sheffield United and the rest are justifiably incensed, never mind
that the Upton Park deed was done by a previous administration.
The debate was temporarily suspended for a couple of hours on Saturday as
West Ham made a spectacular sprint start against opposition suddenly obliged
to come to terms with a new manager, at the same time as Wigan were losing
to Middlesbrough. Yet the respective results merely served to intensify the
moral debate, the more so because Tevez was the overwhelming instrument of
Bolton's early destruction, being involved in all three goals.
It was incongruous to see little Sammy Lee - successor to Sam Allardyce -
bestriding the touchline in a dark suit. He looked more an accountant who
had come to scrutinise West Ham's books than a coach devising the tactics to
overthrow them.
Stepping into the shoes of Big Sam's domineering personality is not going to
be easy for Lee, an industrious coach who may find the transition from No 2
to No 1 as rocky as did, say, Brian Kidd when moving from Old Trafford to
Blackburn.
The amiable Lee looked slightly shell-shocked and prematurely aged by this
inaugural defeat, pleading that he was "pleased with the way they applied
themselves in the second half". History is littered with No 2s who did not
comfortably adjust to the promotional jump - Wilf McGuinness, also at Old
Trafford, Roy Evans at Anfield Don Howe at Highbury - and Lee's baptism will
have been a sober warning.
All is not necessarily lost for Bolton, however, on the Uefa Cup front. As
Lee observed, it is partially in their own grasp, qualification depending on
their result at home to Aston Villa and Everton's away to Chelsea.
Whether all is not lost for West Ham depends on several factors, lawyers
apart: whether new champions Manchester United still have the appetite next
Sunday, more crucially whether Sheffield United and Wigan, legal
co-conspirators and each with fractionally superior goal difference to West
Ham, draw at Bramall Lane.
With a West Ham defeat at Old Trafford, both northern clubs would escape,
though with simultaneous kick-off times there could be no friendly
collusion: West Ham might at least draw.
Alan Curbishley, who has worked a legitimate near-miracle in conjunction
with the juggling Tevez, reflected that linguistic ignorance had shielded
Tevez from the acidity of the controversy, leaving him free to indulge his
technical instincts.
His triple bull's-eye will long be remembered, whatever West Ham's fate: a
stunning 10th-minute free-kick from the edge of the 'D'; a sleek close-range
dagger when set up by Luis Boa Morte; and a floated cross to the unmarked
Mark Noble for a volley that must have echoed as far as Barking.
Gary Speed's second-half reply prompted a Bolton revival that had West Ham's
notably vulnerable defence continuously bleeding errors for the remaining 25
minutes.
• Man of the match: Carlos Tevez (West Ham).
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Egg eyes Tevez talks after finale
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson will discuss Argentina forward Carlos
Tevez's future at Upton Park at the end of the season. The Premier League,
who fined West Ham £5.5million for breaking rules when signing Tevez and
Javier Mascherano, are satisfied with Tevez's registration but four clubs
threatened by relegation have raised concerns the Hammers remain subject to
third-party influence. Tevez was cleared to play in the last two games
following an agreement with Media Sports Investment (MSI), who own the
economic rights to him, and Magnusson admits he is unsure where the player
will be over the summer. "I would like to see him at West Ham for the next
few seasons but there are a lot of things that have to be resolved before
that happens," he said on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek. "I wouldn't be
surprised if there is interest from other clubs, so we will have to see. "I
don't know at this point in time, we'll see when the season ends. He's a
great lad, a great footballer who loves his football and likes playing for
West Ham."
Tevez has galvanised West Ham and given them a chance of survival, angering
their relegation rivals who thought they should have been docked points for
breaking Premier League rules. Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan
have confirmed they are taking legal advice following the Premier League's
fine.
"I leave that that is up to the Premier League," said Magnusson. "I can
understand in a way but I cannot understand going everyday to the press and
saying this and that. "If they are gong to make a legal challenge they
should come out when they decide to do so. That's my opinion."
He added: "Paul Jewell (the Wigan boss) said it well - he said it was not
down to Carlos Tevez or West Ham being deducted points that they were in the
relegation zone. "It was because they (Wigan) were not playing well enough.
These matters should be decided on the field of play." Magnusson will decide
this week whether to appeal the record fine imposed by the Premier League.
"All of us involved were a little bit surprised in some ways, relieved in
other ways," admitted the Icelandic biscuit tycoon. "We have done nothing at
this stage but will probably look into these things this week. "I've said
the whole time I was not expecting a points deduction but the fine, of
course, was very high."
Tevez's efforts - he scored twice in the victory over Bolton on Saturday,
West Ham's sixth win in eight matches - has given Alan Curbishley's men a
real chance of survival with one match to go. "It's been quite a
rollercoaster," said Magnusson. "It's in our hands for the first time in
five or six months and that's important." While Tevez's future at Upton Park
is uncertain, Magnusson is confident of building on West Ham's end-of-season
form. He added: "We have too many players and there has to be some changes.
But I see the unity in the team and if we stay in the Premiership they could
blossom next season. "We have won six out of eight and if you keep that up
you would be challenging for Europe."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Al can't Curb his Tevez enthusiasm - TeamTalk
Alan Curbishley is ready for a breathtaking finish to the season after West
Ham climbed out of the bottom three with a 3-1 win over Bolton. And he is
banking on Argentinian Carlos Tevez inspiring the Hammers to an epic win at
Manchester United next Sunday to save their Premiership skins - if it is
needed. Tevez scored twice and made the other for Mark Noble as West Ham
secured their sixth win in eight games and a delighted Curbishley said: "It
is in our hands for the first time. "I was just happy we got the result but
anything can still happen. Tevez was doubtful to play, he had an ankle
problem. "But he was great, so was the football in the first half and so
were the goals. "I'm not into the ifs and buts at the moment but let's hope
there is nothing too much on it next Sunday at Old Trafford. My record there
is as bad as anyone's. "But Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment. And
I'm sure he's not bothered too much by all the off-the-field stuff. "It
helps when he can't speak the language and can't read the newspapers. He
says he is just a footballer and wants to get on with that. And that suits
us."
West Ham now look favourites to survive despite winning only one game in the
first 11 - ironically against United - when Curbishley took over from Alan
Pardew in December. Pardew's Charlton face Spurs on Monday and finish at
Liverpool, whose weakened team's defeat at Craven Cottage left Fulham
practically safe on 39 points. West Ham's biggest worry is a pending
possible legal threat by four clubs - Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and
Wigan - against the Premier League for not docking the East London club
points for illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano last August. But
Tevez, who opened the scoring against Bolton with a superb 11th-minute
free-kick before adding his sixth goal of the season 11 minutes later, said
he would consider staying at West Ham next season. He told Sky TV through an
interpreter: "I will be happy to have negotiations with the club but right
now my focus is on doing well against Manchester United next week. "They
could be champions by then and are a strong team at home especially."
Curbishley added: "The crowd have been shouting for Tevez ever since I came
here. I didn't pick him in the first few games but he's got into the team
and shown his real quality. "In recent weeks we've asked him to play further
forward in the last third of the field and put pressure on people. It has
made all the difference. "We've also been able to field a settled side in
the last few weeks and that has helped a lot as well."
New Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his UEFA Cup hopes dented despite a
second-half reply by Gary Speed and defeats for rivals Portsmouth and
Reading, but praised his players. "It was very disappointing we didn't stick
to our game plan in the first half but the boys deserved credit for the way
they applied themselves afterwards," Lee said after his first game since
succeeding Sam Allardyce. "We had to push four men up and take some chances
at the back but we finally looked more like the old Bolton. "The big plus to
come out for us is that other sides around us in the table lost. The UEFA
Cup means a great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and want to be
back in it. "This certainly wasn't the start I was looking for. We lacked
the basics but once we got them right and threw a bit of caution to the wind
we looked a different side. The events of the last week have been difficult
for the lads but they applied themselves much better in the second half.
"There is no doubt about this being a big change for me. I've learned a lot
about myself in the last week, especially in the first half, but I enjoyed
even that challenge of trying to get it right. "And I'm thrilled to have
this position and I'm going to do the best job I can."
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Jewell: Poor form down to us - TeamTalk
Paul Jewell refused to direct more anger at Carlos Tevez after results
conspired to leave Wigan clinging on to their Premiership status. Jewell's
men slid into the drop zone for the first time this season with a 1-0 home
defeat by Middlesbrough, while Argentina star Tevez struck a double for
resurgent West Ham.
But Jewell, who reacted angrily to the Premier League's failure to deduct
points from the Hammers last week, said: "We haven't got 35 points because
of Carlos Tevez - it is down to us. "If rules have been broken they (the
Premier League) have dealt with it and whether I agree with it or not is
irrelevant really. We can't blame Carlos Tevez or West Ham for being in this
predicament."
Jewell insisted he had not given up hope of fashioning a great escape with
his side having to win at Sheffield United next week. Jewell added: "We are
battered and bruised but we are still breathing so maybe we can get up and
fight back. The players showed tremendous effort but we didn't have the
quality.
"We haven't had the rub of the green with referees' decisions but also we
haven't been good enough. Now if we win next week it could feel like winning
the League and Champions League rolled into one."
Boro boss Gareth Southgate expressed sympathy for Wigan's position and said
his own club's experience in the past ought to have set a precedent for the
Premier League's judgement this season. Southgate said: "I don't think it
can be right given what happened in the past when we were relegated with a
points deduction. "It is for people above managerial level to decide and to
appeal, but it doesn't seem to be a just decision in my opinion."
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West Ham 3 Bolton 1 - the Sun
PAT SHEEHAN at Upton Park
May 07, 2007
ALAN CURBISHLEY insists he is still wearing L-plates as far as Carlos Tevez
is concerned. The West Ham manager saw the brilliant Argentine score twice
and set up the third as his Hammers destroyed Bolton and moved out of the
bottom three for the first time since he took charge in December. Curbs
condemned Tevez to the bench when he took over and it was a month before he
gave the striker, who won the South American Player of the Year award three
years running, his first start. Tevez also earned rave reviews during the
World Cup, scoring as the Argies reached the quarter-finals. But it was not
good enough to persuade Curbishley he was worthy of an immediate starting
place. In fact, Curbs started to wonder what the Hammers fans were on about
when they voiced their frustration by singing, 'There's only one Carlos
Tevez' match after match until he finally gave in. Curbishley admitted:
"I'm still learning about Carlos because when I first arrived I hadn't seen
West Ham play live. "I'd seen them a couple of times on TV but had no
agendas about anyone and just wanted to see everyone for myself. "He was on
the bench for the first game and the fans were singing for him . . . and
they were singing for him again at Fulham. Obviously, he has a great rapport
with them. "He has galvanised the crowd for us and the Tottenham game was a
turning point. "Who knows what would have happened if we'd kept the lead. In
fact, leading up to the Spurs game, I asked him — or rather got the
interpreter to ask him — to be more positive and more direct. "I wanted him
dangerous in the final third whereas before he'd been dropping off, trying
to bring people into the game. He's responded well."
Tevez responded so well he has been the catalyst as West Ham have taken 18
points out of 24 — four points more than there were on the board when Curbs
replaced Alan Pardew after 16 matches. For the first time since Curbishley
was installed, West Ham's fate is in their own hands and a win at Manchester
United next Sunday will confirm their Premiership status. Chairman Eggert
Magnusson is already talking about signing Tevez permanently no matter what
the outcome of the Gang of Four attempting to get West Ham docked points for
playing him when he was ineligible. Eggy revealed: "I would like to see him
at West Ham for the next few seasons but there are a lot of things that have
to be resolved. "I wouldn't be surprised if there is interest from other
clubs. "He's a great lad, a great footballer who loves his football and
likes playing for West Ham."
Tevez said: "All these things about my transfer never enter my head. It is
for the West Ham lawyers. "In terms of my contract, if the new owner would
like to meet me then there are a whole range of things that we can talk
about. "It's a massive game at Old Trafford. It will be difficult but we are
looking forward to it."
Bolton face their own massive game next Sunday as three points against Aston
Villa at the Reebok will book a UEFA Cup place. Skipper Kevin Nolan said:
"We let ourselves down. Sammy Lee will take it all on himself but we knew
West Ham were going to come at us and we couldn't handle it. "The main thing
is it is still in our own hands — we win next week and we are in Europe.
"I'm sure our old boss Sam Allardyce was keeping an eye on the telly hoping
we did well but it is not about him now — it is about us as a club. "Sammy
is the figurehead now and we have to forget Big Sam. "Big Sam has done all
the work to put us in this position but it is all about us now and we've got
to make sure Sammy gets us there."
The Hammers' impressive young star Mark Noble, edged out by Tevez for the
man of the match, cannot wait to get back to Old Trafford for the
make-or-break crunch. Noble volleyed a sensational third goal from a pass by
Tevez, whose double had put his side in control. Speed made it 3-1 in the
second half. He explained: "Carlos has set up all my three goals this
season. He headed it down for me against Brighton, chested it down against
Tottenham and he has played a wonderful ball to me against Bolton. "As for
United next week, I played there for my district team Newham when I was a
schoolboy. It was unbelievable then and they've made it even bigger now. "I
must have been 13 or 14 and it was a great occasion as we finished joint
winners of the tournament. "We enjoyed our day at the Theatre of Dreams and
hopefully we can enjoy the game on Sunday as much. "In fact, the last time I
went to Old Trafford, afterwards I went to the theme park with my mum and
dad. If we get a result this time, I might even go back there."
Tevez will probably be there with him as West Ham's roller-coaster season
finally comes to a stop.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - CARLOS TEVEZ (West Ham)
West Ham: Green 7, Neill 7, Collins 7, Ferdinand 7, McCartney 7, Benayoun 7,
Reo-Coker 7, Noble 7, Boa Morte 7, Zamora 7, Tevez 8. SUBS: Harewood (for
Zamora, 64) 5, Spector (for Boa Morte, 80) 5, Mullins (for Reo-Coker, 86) 5.
Not used: Cole, Davenport. Booked: Zamora, Noble. Goals: Tevez 10, 21, Noble
29.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Campo 6, Meite 6, Michalik 6, Gardner 5, Thompson 5,
Speed 7, Teymourian 5, Nolan 6, Anelka 6, Davies 5. SUBS: Sinclair (for
Thompson, 58) 5, Vaz Te (for Teimourian, 65) 5, Stelios (for Gardner, 76) 5.
Not used: Walker, Tal. Booked: Thompson, Gardner, Nolan, Davies, Speed.
Goals: Speed 67.
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We'll try to keep Tev for years - The Sun
May 07, 2007
CHAIRMAN Eggert Magnusson will discuss Carlos Tevez's future at the end of
the season. The Hammers owner said: "I would like to see him at West Ham for
the next few seasons but there are a lot of things that have to be resolved
before that happens. "I wouldn't be surprised if there is interest from
other clubs, so we will have to see. "I don't know at this point in time,
we'll see when the season ends. He's a great lad, a great footballer who
loves his football and likes playing for West Ham." The Premier League, who
fined West Ham £5.5million for breaking rules when signing Tevez and Javier
Mascherano, are satisfied with Tevez's registration. But relegation rivals
Wigan, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton have raised concerns that the
Argentine star is still owned by a third-party — MSI.
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West Ham United 3 Bolton Wanderers 1: Tevez still in spotlight as West Ham
start to sparkle - The Independent
By Mike Rowbottom
Published: 07 May 2007
West Ham United's chairman, Eggert Magnusson, insisted yesterday that he
would like Carlos Tevez to stay at the club for the next few seasons, but
added: "There are a lot of things that need to be resolved before that
happens." Something of an understatement in the circumstances.
The Argentine striker, who was at the heart of an exhilarating display on
Saturday that lifted the club out of the relegation zone for the first time
since 6 December, is also at the centre of the legal row which threatens to
undermine their inspired late charge to retain Premiership status.
In the aftermath of West Ham's sixth win in eight games, the continuing
presence of Tevez in the team is serving only to stoke the anger of the
so-called "Gang of Four" - Wigan, Charlton, Fulham and Sheffield United -
who are insisting that the east Londoners should have been docked points
rather than fined £5.5m for entering into illegal contracts with Tevez and
his fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano, now at Liverpool.
Wigan's chairman, Dave Whelan, still maintains that Tevez is being employed
under the original terms of his agreement involving a third-party influence
through the company that still owns the player's economic rights, Media
Sports Investment.
The four clubs compounded their threat this weekend by hinting that, if West
Ham avoid relegation, they would back compensation claims against the
Premier League by any club that does go down, an action that could prove
costly given that Premiership status next season is estimated to be worth
£60m.
Meanwhile, sources at West Ham are suggesting that the Premier League's own
rules say that clubs are not allowed to sue one another, a point that was
highlighted during the dispute between Chelsea and Arsenal over the transfer
of Ashley Cole.
Magnusson said West Ham were still considering an appeal against their fine.
"All of us involved were a little bit surprised in some ways, relieved in
other ways," he said. ''I've said the whole time I was not expecting a
points deduction but the fine was very high."
He said that the proposed legal challenge from the Gang of Four was for the
Premier League to deal with, adding: "I can understand in a way but I cannot
understand going every day to the press. If they are going to make a legal
challenge they should come out when they decide to do so. Paul Jewell [the
Wigan manager] said it well - he said it was not down to Carlos Tevez or
West Ham being deducted points that they were in the relegation zone. It was
because they were not playing well enough. These matters should be decided
on the field of play."
While Tevez's future at Upton Park is uncertain, Magnusson is confident of
building on West Ham's end-of-season form. He added: "We have too many
players and there has to be some changes. But I see the unity in the team
and if we stay in the Premiership they could blossom next season."
After half an hour on Saturday, Upton Park reverberated with a curious noise
- not of dissent or support, but a kind of murmuring wonderment at the way
the home team had established a 3-0 lead over a disorientated Bolton side
playing their first match under the man who has taken over from Sam
Allardyce, Sammy Lee.
Tevez set the sequence in motion in the 10th minute, bending a free-kick he
had earned himself into the top corner of the net. After 21 minutes, the
promising local teenager Mark Noble picked his way past two challenges
before threading a ball between Campo and Abdoulaye Meité to Luis Boa Morte.
He then played an intelligent ball inside that invited Tevez to dispatch it
at the near post.
For the third goal, Bobby Zamorafed Tevez on the left. The Argentine
measured his pass to the far post, where Noble met the ball on the volley to
dispatch it into the net faster than the eye could follow.
Bolton were better after half-time, and West Ham were flat. A goal after 67
minutes from the admirable Gary Speed engendered a nervy finish, but the
home side held on for a victory that may turn out to be crucial. Or may not.
Goals: Tevez (10) 1-0; Tevez (21) 2-0; Noble (29) 3-0; Speed (67) 3-1.
West Ham United (4-2-2): Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney;
Benayoun, Noble, Reo-Coker (Mullins, 86min), Boa Morte (Spector, 79); Tevez,
Zamora (Harewood, 64). Substitutes not used: Cole, Davenport.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen; Campo, Meite, Michalik, Gardner
(Giannakopoulos, 76); Thompson (Sinclair, 58), Speed, Teymourian (Vaz Te,
65), Nolan, Davies; Anelka. Substitutes not used: Walker, Tal.
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
Booked: Bolton Davies, Gardner, Nolan, Speed, Thompson; West Ham Zamora.
Man of the match: Tevez.
Attendance: 34,404.
The drop zone: What can happen in the final week
Failure to win either of their last two games would see Charlton Athletic
relegated. But a win tonight could put them in reach ofFulham, Sheffield
United, West Ham United and Wigan, who would all need to win next Sunday to
be sure of avoiding the drop. A draw or a Spurs win tonight would leave only
Wigan vulnerable to relegation on the final day of the season.
* REMAINING FIXTURES Tonight: Charlton Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur.
Sunday: Liverpool v Charlton; Man Utd v West Ham; Middlesbrough v Fulham;
Sheffield Utd v Wigan.
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Magnusson tells rivals to zip it after Tevez rubs in ruling
Jeremy Wilson at Upton Park
Monday May 7, 2007
The Guardian
Eggert Magnusson yesterday risked further deterioration in his relationship
with West Ham's relegation rivals by delivering a "put up or shut up"
message to those planning to challenge the decision not to dock points over
the Tevez-Mascherano affair.
Charlton, Wigan, Fulham and Sheffield United are expected to receive advice
from their lawyers within the next 48 hours before finalising how they will
react to the Premier League commission's controversial ruling that West Ham
should receive only a fine for their breach of league rules.
"I can understand in a way [how Wigan feel] but I cannot understand going
every day to the press and saying this and that," said the West Ham
chairman. "If they are going to make a legal challenge they should come out
when they decided to do so. I think Paul Jewell said it well on Match of the
Day. He said it was not Carlos Tevez or West Ham not being deducted points
that they [Wigan] were now in the relegation zone; it was just because they
were not playing well enough. These matters should be decided on the field
of play."
If West Ham's rivals are advised that there is no basis for an appeal to the
Premier League, it has emerged that one possible course of action could be
direct action against the club. West Ham, though, are confident enough of
their position to continue playing Tevez while Magnusson, who was speaking
yesterday on BBC Radio Five Live, revealed the club had not ruled out
appealing the £5.5m fine.
"The judgment came out Friday last week, all of us involved were a little
bit surprised in some ways, relieved in other ways," said Magnusson. "I
asked for my people to take a long, deep breath, read the judgment. We have
done nothing at this stage but we will probably look into these things this
week. I was not expecting a point deduction but the fine was of course very
high.'
Any guilt over the signing of Tevez was certainly well concealed at West Ham
on Saturday in what could be his last appearance in front of an adoring
Upton Park. The Argentinian's face was plastered all over the front of the
programme under the headline "Hammer of the Year" while his barnstorming
performance was the dominant factor in West Ham's sixth win in eight games.
It was a display to rub sandpaper across the wounds of those contesting his
arrival in English football and one which lifted West Ham out of the bottom
three for the first time since December.
Tevez was non-committal about his future plans. "There's a whole range of
things we would have to sit down and talk about," he said. The manager, Alan
Curbishley, was equally vague. "There are loads of things that go into that
[Tevez staying], firstly the boy as well," he said. "I think he enjoys where
we are, he enjoys the fans, but I've not spoke to him too much about his own
life."
Magnusson was more positive: "He is a great lad, great footballer, he loves
his football, he likes playing for West Ham. From my point of view I would
like to see him still at West Ham for the next few seasons but there are a
lot of things that have to be resolved before that happens."
Amid all the complications Tevez's ability to ignore the controversy and
adapt his game to English football is now beyond doubt. In the opening
half-hour he destroyed Bolton with a mixture of guile, touch, work-rate and
clinical finishing.
His first goal - which involved scrapping to win the ball back, gaining a
free-kick and then curling a shot into the top corner - summed up his
qualities. Tevez's second was more straightforward but again well finished
after he was set up by Luis Boa Morte, while West Ham's third was the best
of the lot.
Again Tevez was instrumental by showing wonderful vision to lift the ball
into the path of Mark Noble, who emphatically volleyed past Jussi
Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal. "Carlos has set up every one of my goals
I've scored," said Noble. "Even if you play just little passes into him he
makes angles for you. He's his own person. He does what he thinks is right
and it's a credit to him the way he's conducted himself with all the grief."
For Bolton, Gary Speed's second-half goal was nothing more than a
consolation. It was a bad start for the new manager, Sammy Lee, although
victory at home to Aston Villa next weekend will guarantee European
football.
Man of the match Carlos Tevez (West Ham United)
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Liverpool Tevez talks: Man Utd, Chelsea keen too
tribalfooball.com - May 06, 2007
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is planning a sensational £12 million bid for
West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez. The People says Argentine striker
Tevez is going to move on, with his agents and 'owners' fuming about the way
they have been carved out of the controversial deal that has put Hammers in
the dock.
Wannabe Hammers owner Kia Joorabchian - the man who brought Tevez and Javier
Mascherano in on a double deal - met Kop chief Rafa Benitez in a London
hotel before yesterday's game at Fulham. Benitez already has taken
Mascherano on loan with a view to a full-time buy and now his pal Tevez is
being lined up to join him for next season too. Tevez's advisors already
have been in Brazil to thrash out their slice of the transfer with
Corinthians, the club he was signed from last August. The plan is for
Tevez's next club - with possibly Manchester United and Chelsea also keen -
to pay £12 million to Corinthians, who will then pay back the money owed to
Joorabchian and his sidekicks. West Ham may end up with nothing from the
deal.
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Tevez happy to discuss West Ham stay
tribalfooball.com - May 06, 2007
Carlos Tevez says he's ready to sit down with West Ham and discuss a
long-term deal. He told Sky TV through an interpreter: "I will be happy to
have negotiations with the club but right now my focus is on doing well
against Manchester United next week. "They could be champions by then and
are a strong team at home especially."
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Premiership Investigate Liverpool And Man Utd As Well As West Ham - West Ham
Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 7 May, 2007 - 08:02.
Fears that West Ham would face further enquiries or even a points deduction
following pressure from the 'gang of four' have diminished slightly as it
has become apparent that Premier League investigators had more 'pressing'
engagements, at the top of the pile was Tim Howard's transfer from
Manchester Utd to Everton, followed closely by Liverpool for fielding an
under strength 'B' team against Fulham in a game that was crucial for the
west Londoners survival. Although the investigations were yet more headaches
for the already under pressure Premier League administrators, there is a
silver lining both for the PL and ironically for West Ham United. Liverpool
chief executive Rick Parry was the person who lead the chase to dig the dirt
on West Ham 'after' his club had managed to secure the services of Javier
Mascherano, indeed Parry furnished the PL with as much information that he
could that would put Hammers in a bad light, some sceptics say that this was
because he wanted to get Carlitos 'the Apache' Tevez on the cheap! The other
prat named Parry, from Talksport, also jumped on the waggon big time. If
these two scousers were really concerned about the state of the game and the
letter of the law, then they might want to read the regulations about
fielding under strength teams, a rule where there IS a precedent for
deducting points, especially where there is the possibility of collusion.
This brings us neatly to the Fulham situation, noises about appeals and
points deductions coming out of Craven Cottage have become strangely muted
since the 'Pool rolled over for Fulham, and we can confirm that Hammers have
already put in place papers that could see the club suing the League for NOT
nullifying the Fulham result IF, and only IF, the vindictive campaign
against West Ham continues. As we reported previously, trying to make a
'gentleman's agreement' work is hard at the best of times when there is a
fortune at stake, so just watch how quickly the rats that have secured
survival jump ship, probably leaving Dave Wheelan to bang on about prejudice
and corruption, subjects that he is an expert on, along with opening his big
mouth, What say you ' Mo ?.... The Tim Howard situation is at least fairly
free from the taint of hypocrisy that is connected with Liverpool's motives,
but none the less still represents a potentially serious breach of
Premiership rules. Look at the facts, Howard joined Everton on a season-long
loan deal from United last summer, which became permanent in February.
Premier League rules on loan deals prevent players from playing against
their host club but, once the Howard deal became permanent, he was eligible
to play against United on 28 April. The Premier League would not have
sanctioned the permanent transfer if United had requested a clause
preventing Howard from playing against them. But before the match Everton
boss David Moyes appeared to suggest there had been a verbal agreement
between the clubs over Howard's omission. The Premier League's statement
added: "Everton were free to play Tim Howard in their fixture against
Manchester United had they so wished and this has been confirmed by both
clubs.".... Well, that's nice and clear isn't it, what was it Dave Wheelan
said? "one rule for the big clubs and another for the rest!" Couldn't have
put it better myself, I rest my case. - Ed
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