25/09/2007 12:30
Alan Curbishley is looking ahead to tomorrow's Carling Cup tie against
Plymouth and assessing his options for team selection. "Our new signings
Nobby Solano and Henri Camara are cup-tied but we're hoping Scott Parker
will be back. With Craig Bellamy, we have to see. He wants to give it a go
but we'll have to see if we decide to risk it tomorrow or wait for Arsenal."
Curbs is very eager for the Hammers to continue to progress in the Carling
Cup, but is anticipating a tricky tie against the Pilgrims at Upton Park.
"We are keen to attack this competition and go for it," he said. "I feel
that a Premier League side are going to win it. After Bristol Rovers my main
concern was Kieron but now we are fully focused on getting through another
tricky tie and progressing in this competition. "Plymouth are a steady side
and they have the opportunity to be a big club. They have a substantial fan
base and will be bringing lots of fans tomorrow night. Ian Holloway has put
together a competitive side and the atmosphere will be really good."
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McCartney: Hammers looking to bounce back - WHUFC
25/09/2007 18:19
Hammers defender George McCartney admitted the players found last weekend's
defeat at Newcastle difficult to fathom. "All the lads were sitting in the
changing room not really knowing what's gone on," he said. "We've played
pretty well the whole match, but mistakes cost you. We've not defended well
enough today and I think once they got the early goal it helped them to kick
on for the rest of the match."
The Hammers kept their discipline, despite conceding an early goal to Mark
Viduka. "We lost the goal after two minutes and the lads kept their heads
up," George said. "We worked hard, created chances, passed it well and got
back in the match. But then we conceded another stupid goal and you can't do
that at this level. You have to defend well as a team and we didn't do that.
It cost us in the end."
The result spelt the end of the Hammers' excellent away run, but George
insisted the players are ready to bounce back. "The away form's been great -
even towards the end of last season it was really good," he said. "If
anything, the away form has been better than the home form. "After winning
3-0 last week everyone was coming here expecting good things and, at the
very least, a draw but you can't win all your matches. We just had an off
day and Newcastle punished us for that. We'll pick ourselves up and move
onto Plymouth on Wednesday and Arsenal on Saturday."
"They're not looking too bad are they?" George joked about the in-form
Gunners. "They're the form team of all the top four."They're looking the
best and rightfully so, they're top of the league. If we can correct the
silly mistakes, pass it the way we know we can and perform to the best of
our ability. I'm sure we'll give them a tough game."
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West Ham v Plymouth - BBC
West Ham are without recent signings Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara, who
are cup-tied, while striker Bobby Zamora (knee) is ruled out. Craig Bellamy
(hamstring) is close to a comeback but unlikely to be risked, but Scott
Parker (knee) is available.
Plymouth manager Ian Holloway has no fresh injury concerns. However, on-loan
Paris St Germain defender Larrys Mabiala, who has yet to feature for the
Pilgrims, is still recovering from a knee injury.
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Hammers missing stars for CC clash - TeamTalk
West Ham will be without a number of experienced players for Wednesday
night's Carling Cup clash with Plymouth Argyle at Upton Park. New signings
Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara are both cup-tied and striker Bobby Zamora
is out with a knee injury. Fellow forward Craig Bellamy is close to a
comeback following a hamstring problem but is unlikely to be risked.
Midfielder Scott Parker (knee) is available however.
West Ham (from): Wright, Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon,
McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Pantsil,
Collins, Spector, Ljungberg, Parker, Boa Morte, Davenport, Reid, Bellamy.
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Curbishley commited to Carling Cup challenge - Daily Mail
Last updated at 17:49pm on 25th September 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is sticking by his early season pledge to
take the Carling Cup as seriously as possible. The Hammers, who are at home
to Plymouth tomorrow, know there will be little respite before Premier
League leaders Arsenal arrive at Upton Park on Saturday. Curbishley sent out
an experienced side in the previous round, which saw Bristol Rovers beaten
2-1 thanks to two Craig Bellamy strikes. But although the loss of Kieron
Dyer to a broken leg that night meant victory came at a high cost,
Curbishley made it clear he would continue to use a majority of first-choice
players in a competition he believes his side can win. He said: "I did say
after the Bristol Rovers game how disappointed I was after what happened to
Kieron but we are in these competitions and we have got to attack them.
"Every now and then a team from outside the top four gets to the final so if
you are a team like that then that is what you should be looking to do. "We
have injuries here but we have got enough to attack it."
Bellamy missed Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle because of a hamstring
problem and Curbishley admitted he was likely to leave him out again
tomorrow.
But with Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara both cup-tied and Bobby Zamora out
with a knee injury there are few other attacking options remaining for the
Hammers, who paired Dean Ashton with Carlton Cole at St James's Park. On
Bellamy Curbishley said: "He wants to give it a go but we will have to
decide whether we risk it or give him a week's training ahead of the Arsenal
game. "If Craig doesn't make it we have only two recognised senior strikers.
We could bring in youngsters if we wanted to but I can also play Freddie
Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up there. We can cope."
Richard Wright will take over from Robert Green in goal with the former
Everton and Arsenal man having made his debut at Bristol Rovers but then
being dropped back to the bench. Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is likely to
make only his second start of the season, having been used for just four
minutes of Premier League action so far this term. Scott Parker's recovery
from a knee injury means the former Newcastle man, who moved to Upton Park
in the summer for a £7million fee is at last in line for a debut.
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Curbishley vows to field strong side despite Dyer injury - Scotsman
COLIN STEWART
WEST Ham manager Alan Curbishley is sticking by his pledge to take the
Carling Cup as seriously as possible. The Hammers, who are at home to
Plymouth tonight, know there will be little respite before Premier League
leaders Arsenal arrive at Upton Park on Saturday. Curbishley sent out an
experienced side in the last round for the 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers. But,
although the loss of Kieron Dyer to a broken leg that night meant victory
came at a high cost, Curbishley will continue to use a majority of
first-choice players in a competition he believes his side can win. He said:
"I did say after the Bristol Rovers game how disappointed I was after what
happened to Kieron but we are in these competitions and we have got to
attack them. Every now and then, a team from outside the top four gets to
the final, so, if you are a team like that, then that is what you should be
looking to do. We have injuries here but we have got enough to attack it."
Craig Bellamy missed Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle with a hamstring
problem and Curbishley is likely to leave him out again tonight. He said:
"He wants to give it a go, but we will have to decide whether we risk it or
give him a week's training ahead of the Arsenal game. If Craig doesn't make
it we have only two recognised senior strikers. We could bring in youngsters
if we wanted to, but I can also play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up
there. We can cope."
Richard Wright will take over from Robert Green in goal after the former
Everton man made his debut at Bristol Rovers before returning to the bench.
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Stoke move for West Ham defender Davenport
tribalfooball.com - September 25, 2007
Stoke City are moving for West Ham defender Calum Davenport. The Mirror says
Stoke hope to take the former Tottenham defender on-loan.
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Parker set for West Ham debut
tribalfooball.com - September 25, 2007
Scott Parker makes his West Ham debut tonight against Carling Cup opponents
Plymouth following his £7million switch from Newcastle. The midfielder
damaged his knee in pre-season. Boss Alan Curbishley said: "He's not the
kind of player you can tell to ease himself in. "He will give it the full
gun for as long as he is on the pitch."
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Curbishley fears for Zamora - Hammers striker showing no signs of getting
fit - Daily Mail
Last updated at 07:58am on 26th September 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admits Bobby Zamora's knee injury has
become a concern. As Craig Bellamy has still not fully recovered from a
hamstring injury and Dean Ashton has only just made his comeback from a year
out rebuilding a broken ankle, Curbishley would have been sure to give
Zamora a run-out in the Carling Cup at home to Plymouth tonight. Instead it
remains unclear when the former Spurs front-man will be able to resume a
season that was put on hold following the 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers in
the previous round at the end of August. Curbishley said: "We started the
season with Zamora and Bellamy and on Sunday it was Ashton and Carlton Cole.
It's just the way things go. Since the Bristol Rovers game Bobby's knee
keeps swelling up. It's not the same problem he was struggling with last
season but we have tried one or two things and it hasn't quite happened so
we will have to re-assess that now.
"He has been out for three weeks and he is still not training. If Craig
doesn't make it we have only two recognised senior strikers. We could bring
in youngsters if we wanted but I can also play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa
Morte up there. We can cope."
Midfielder Scott Parker could be granted his long-awaited debut, which was
put on hold by a knee injury sustained not long after his £7million switch
from Newcastle in June. But fellow ex-St James' Park favourite Nolberto
Solano and on-loan striker Henri Camara, who arrived on transfer deadline
day last month, will play no part as they are both cup-tied. Summer signing
Richard Wright will replace Robert Green in goal and Danny Gabbidon is
expected to reclaim one of the central defensive berths for the visit of Ian
Holloway's side. Curbishley praised Holloway for his work at QPR and
Plymouth. He said: "I know Ian quite well. He is someone who can lift a club
when he goes in there. He did a terrific job at QPR and Plymouth have the
opportunity to be a big club with their fan base. They always threaten to
get in and around those play-off places and I'm sure that will be their aim
this season. "Plymouth are a steady side and they will bring a lot of fans
so the atmosphere should be good. "It's game on for us. Plymouth can come
and enjoy it somewhat but we have had them watched and we know we will have
a game on our hands."
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STRIKE DUO SET FOR CUP RETURN - This Is Plymouth
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07:30 - 26 September 2007
Top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Barry Hayles are set to return as
Plymouth Argyle's strike force for the Carling Cup third round tie against
West Ham United at Upton Park tonight (7.45pm).Manager Ian Holloway picked
Nick Chadwick and Rory Fallon to lead the attack for the Pilgrims' 3-2
defeat away to Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday. He chose his two
tallest strikers for the trip to Britannia Stadium because Stoke have got so
many 6ft-plus players. Ebanks-Blake and Hayles came on as second half
substitutes for Chadwick and Fallon, and are expected to play from the start
against West Ham - who are currently in seventh position in the Premier
League. Holloway said: "I have looked at what I think are any weaknesses
West Ham have got, and we are going to need some pace and power to try to
exploit that. "On Saturday, I felt we needed height and strength until the
game opened up, which explains why I picked the team I did. "Barry has had a
bit of a rest, because he is 35, but he came into the game late so I see him
going on until he is 37 or 38. "Look at Teddy Sheringham. If you are good
enough and you want to do it enough, then who knows? "And he (Sheringham)
isn't the only one. There's Paul Furlong and Dean Windass. "All these
strikers seem to be going on and on and on because all the young fellas are
being stacked and racked in the academy set-ups. "They aren't really getting
their chances early enough I would suggest, but that's another story."
Ebanks-Blake has netted five goals this season, with four of them coming in
the Championship and one in the Carling Cup. The latter was in the 2-0 home
defeat of Doncaster Rovers in the second round on August 28. Ebanks-Blake,
21, has made excellent progress over recent months, and that will be put to
the test against West Ham.
Hammers' boss Alan Curbishley can choose any two from four top-class
centre-backs in Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, James Collins and Danny
Gabbidon. Holloway is excited about the prospect of playing against West
Ham, who beat his former club Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the Carling Cup second
round at the Memorial Stadium. He said: "I know what my team is going to be,
and I have planned it for the last couple of weeks, which is unlike me. "I
have had to stay ahead of the game, and I still believe I have got it right.
Unfortunately, we have had some tough games and we haven't got the points we
deserved from the performances."
Holloway continued: "It's going to be a huge test for us tonight. "I think
at this level (the Championship) we are proving we can compete and we can
score goals, although we are a little bit leaky at times. "Maybe that's
because we are a tad too attack-minded. "When I pick Akos (Buzsaky), Peter
(Halmosi) and Chuck (David Norris) in the midfield, sometimes it can be too
cavalier. "But I would still rather do that because I quite enjoy watching
us play. "I don't enjoy watching us lose, but I still quite enjoy watching
us attack."
Holloway added: "You attack as a team and you defend as a team. So when I
say 'We should defend better' I mean every single one of them. "I don't mean
my back four because I'm very protective over them. I can see them getting
better and better, whoever I pick in there." The Argyle squad flew to London
from Newquay last night, and will return to Plymouth by coach immediately
after the cup tie. They can then start preparing for the Championship clash
against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Home Park on Saturday (3pm).
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Ashton ready for England - SSN
Hammers ace available for McClaren
By James Pearson Last updated: 25th September 2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton says he is ready to solve England's striking
crisis for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. Steve McClaren has a major
selection headache for the upcoming games with Estonia and Russia with Emile
Heskey set to miss out and Michael Owen doubtful. The pair combined well
recently to help England to home wins over Israel and Russia, although they
are likely to be absent for the next two qualifiers next month. Aston,
however, who missed the whole of last season after picking up an injury
while training with England, is nearing his best for The Hammers. "I would
not be playing if I was not ready for England," said the uncapped striker.
"I have been ready for a long time. "I am 100 per cent fit and feel strong
and quick so I do not think there is much more to do now. "As for sharpness,
I am improving day by day. It was a long, long time to be out and I really
believe I am getting very close."
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Dyer looks to positives - SSN
Hammers midfielder wants to be back 'sooner rather than later'
Last updated: 25th September 2007
Kieron Dyer is focused on making a full recovery from a double fracture to
his leg. The midfielder suffered the injury against Bristol Rovers in the
Carling Cup last month on just his third appearance for West Ham United. He
is expected to be out for six months and Dyer is aiming to be back in the
West Ham team 'sooner rather than later'. The England international also
revealed that he has been given a lift by the support he has received from
his team-mates and the Hammers faithful. "I have been passed so many
messages that the fans have been sending in," Dyer told the Daily Mirror.
"Nearly every member of the squad came to see me and a lot of the staff as
well. "That was brilliant and really gave me a lift, considering I have only
been at Upton Park a short space of time.
"I have been trying to stay as positive as I can. The physios and my
specialist were really pleased with how the operation went and said there is
no reason why I shouldn't make a full recovery. "I'm focusing on that for
now and getting some rest before I begin my rehab shortly. "They don't give
exact timescales with this type of injury because some people heal a lot
quicker than others. Also, there can be complications when you have screws
put in, so you have to play it by ear really. "But I am just staying
positive and focusing on being back and playing for West Ham sooner rather
than later."
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BREACKER ALL SET FOR UPTON PARK RETURN - this is plymouth
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07:30 - 26 September 2007
Argyle assistant boss Tim Breacker will make a nostalgic return to Upton
Park for the Carling Cup third round tie at West Ham United tonight.Breacker
made a total of 296 appearances for the east London club as an extremely
dependable right-back. He was also part of two promotion-winning squads in
1991 and 1993, when the Hammers were promoted to the top flight of English
football on both occasions. Breacker has only been back to Upton Park for
one competitive match since moving from West Ham to Queens Park Rangers in
February 1999. That was in November 2004, when he was a coach at QPR and
they lost 2-1 to West Ham in the Championship. Breacker told Herald Sport:
"I'm looking forward to going back there, but it has changed quite a lot
since I was a player there. "I still know a few of the backroom boys,
including Ludo Miklosko, their goalkeeping coach. "We were team-mates at
West Ham and I got on really well with him. We both went to QPR at roughly
the same time and used to travel over there together. "I keep in touch with
him and he's a great guy, so I will be looking forward to seeing him."
Breacker was signed for West Ham by then manager Billy Bonds from Luton Town
for £600,000 in October 1990. Two seasons earlier, Breacker had been part of
the Luton team which beat the Hammers 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of
the League Cup. He said: "I had a brilliant time at West Ham. The first
season I was there we got promoted. "We got relegated straight away, but we
were promoted the following year and then stayed up there. "I really enjoyed
my time there, especially the way they like to play football and the way
they encourage you to do that. "But I do remember talking to Frank McAvennie
one time. He was still there when I first signed and he was a bit of a God
to the fans. "He told me 'All you have got to do is if you get a chance put
somebody in the stand and they (the supporters) will love that. "I thought I
would try that and he was right. They were the sort of fans who as long as
you gave 100 per cent then they would be with you, which was good. "I was
quite lucky to play there, really."
West Ham spent vast sums of money on strengthening their squad this summer
after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last term. They
are currently in seventh spot in the table, and Breacker is impressed with
the talent available to manager Alan Curbishley. He said: "They have got a
massive squad with a lot of quality, but you need that in the Premier
League. They will be expecting to be in the top half of the table, rather
than the bottom half this season. "For example, (Danny) Gabbidon and (James)
Collins aren't really their first choice centre-backs at the moment, so that
says everything. "They have four top Premier League centre-backs because
they have also got (Anton) Ferdinand and (Matthew) Upson. "They need that,
though, because if somebody gets injured between the transfer windows, they
can't buy anybody else or get a loan player in."
Breacker admitted Argyle faced a very difficult task against the Hammers. He
said: "We have got to enjoy it, and not be frightened to do what we do well.
"When you look at their team, they didn't all start in the Premier League.
Look at Dean Ashton, Matthew Etherington, Hayden Mullins and people like
that.
"It will be a good chance for our boys to test themselves against that sort
of quality and see where they are at. I'm sure some of our players could
definitely play at the highest level," added Breacker.
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Curbishley concern over Zamora - Evening Echo
26/09/2007 - 8:01:21 AM
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley admits Bobby Zamora's knee injury has
become a concern. As Craig Bellamy has still not fully recovered from a
hamstring injury and Dean Ashton has only just made his comeback from a year
out rebuilding a broken ankle, Curbishley would have been sure to give
Zamora a run-out in the Carling Cup at home to Plymouth tonight. Instead it
remains unclear when the former Spurs front-man will be able to resume a
season that was put on hold following the 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers in
the previous round at the end of August. Curbishley said: "We started the
season with Zamora and Bellamy and on Sunday it was Ashton and Carlton Cole.
It's just the way things go. Since the Bristol Rovers game Bobby's knee
keeps swelling up. It's not the same problem he was struggling with last
season but we have tried one or two things and it hasn't quite happened so
we will have to re-assess that now. "He has been out for three weeks and he
is still not training. If Craig doesn't make it we have only two recognised
senior strikers. We could bring in youngsters if we wanted but I can also
play Freddie Ljungberg or Luis Boa Morte up there. We can cope." Midfielder
Scott Parker could be granted his long-awaited debut, which was put on hold
by a knee injury sustained not long after his £7million switch from
Newcastle in June. But fellow ex-St James' Park favourite Nolberto Solano
and on-loan striker Henri Camara, who arrived on transfer deadline day last
month, will play no part as they are both cup-tied. Summer signing Richard
Wright will replace Robert Green in goal and Danny Gabbidon is expected to
reclaim one of the central defensive berths for the visit of Ian Holloway's
side. Curbishley praised Holloway for his work at QPR and Plymouth. He said:
"I know Ian quite well. He is someone who can lift a club when he goes in
there. He did a terrific job at QPR and Plymouth have the opportunity to be
a big club with their fan base. They always threaten to get in and around
those play-off places and I'm sure that will be their aim this season.
"Plymouth are a steady side and they will bring a lot of fans so the
atmosphere should be good. "It's game on for us. Plymouth can come and enjoy
it somewhat but we have had them watched and we know we will have a game on
our hands."
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Stoke lead chase for Davenport - The Mirror
25/09/2007
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is set to take West Ham centre half Calum
Davenport on loan for the rest of the season. Davenport cannot break into
the side and has been told he can go once he is 100 per cent fit. Stoke also
hope Manchester United will let them have a couple of squad players as Pulis
has around £4m to invest in wages for loan deals.
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WEST HAM v Plymouth: Stars missing from Hammers line-up - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:38pm on 25th September 2007
West Ham will be without a number of experienced players for tomorrow's
Carling Cup clash with Plymouth at Upton Park. New signings Nolberto Solano
and Henri Camara are both cup-tied and striker Bobby Zamora is out with a
knee injury. Fellow forward Craig Bellamy is close to a comeback following a
hamstring problem but is unlikely to be risked. Midfielder Scott Parker
(knee) is available however.
Provisional squad: Wright, Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon,
McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Pantsil,
Collins, Spector, Ljungberg, Parker, Boa Morte, Davenport, Reid, Bellamy.
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Dyer aiming to repay West Ham fans with quick recovery - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:35am on 25th September 2007
Kieron Dyer revealed that he has been given a huge lift by the support he
has received from his team-mates and the Hammers faithful as he recovers
from a double fracture to his leg. The midfielder suffered the injury
against Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup last month on just his third
appearance for West Ham United. The England international is expected to be
out for six months and Dyer is aiming to be back in the West Ham team
'sooner rather than later'. "I have been passed so many messages that the
fans have been sending in," Dyer told the Daily Mirror. "Nearly every member
of the squad came to see me and a lot of the staff as well. "That was
brilliant and really gave me a lift, considering I have only been at Upton
Park a short space of time. "I have been trying to stay as positive as I
can. The physios and my specialist were really pleased with how the
operation went and said there is no reason why I shouldn't make a full
recovery. "I'm focusing on that for now and getting some rest before I begin
my rehab shortly. "They don't give exact timescales with this type of injury
because some people heal a lot quicker than others. Also, there can be
complications when you have screws put in, so you have to play it by ear
really.
"But I am just staying positive and focusing on being back and playing for
West Ham sooner rather than later."
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