26/09/2007 12:53
After a frustrating start to the season being sat on the sidelines, Scott
Parker is finally set to make his debut for the Hammers tonight in the third
round Carling Cup match at home to Plymouth. It's been a tough period for
the former Newcastle player but he is now looking forward to getting his
West Ham career underway "It's been really disappointing to miss the start
of the season, I felt really sharp in pre-season and it was probably the
best I had felt in a long while. It was a bad time to pick up the injury as
it meant I missed out on the pre-season friendlies and the first few games
of the season but there is still a long way to go and hopefully now I can
stay fit, get in the team and play well. "I am really excited about
hopefully getting my debut tonight, especially in front of the home crowd, I
have been out for a little while now and just want to get out there and get
ninety minutes under my belt."
After coming through two reserve games unscathed this Cup match is the
perfect way for Scotty to test himself in a competitive match. "It's a good
game for me as I have had a couple of reserve matches to work on my fitness
but it's never the same as first team football really. Plymouth will be
coming with a strong side and these games always turn out to be a lot harder
than you are expecting them to be so it's important we win and on a personal
level for me to get through the game."
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Tickets available for tonight - WHUFC
26/09/2007 13:50
With over 22,000 tickets already sold a good crowd is guaranteed for
tonight's Carling Cup 3rd Round fixture Vs Plymouth Argyle. The visitors
will be well supported with close to 2,000 travelling on the night ensuring
a good atmosphere under the lights. Tickets will be available on the evening
and start from just £15 Adults & £7.50 Under 16's. These can be obtained
from the ticket office before 6.30pm and from then on from cash turnstiles,
these will be available in the following area's. Centenary Lower - Dr
Martens Upper - Bobby Moore Upper - East Upper. To avoid queues and
congestion on the evening we would advise all supporters that have not pre
purchased to arrive at the stadium in plenty of time
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Brand new kiosks at Upton Park - WHUFC
26/09/2007 15:36
West Ham United have now opened a kiosk on the first floor of the stadium at
Upton Park for corporate guests and another in the parking area at the front
of the stadium. These two kiosks are open for the sale of official
merchandise on match days only.
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Zamora's injury concern - SSN
West Ham have a lack of fit strikers
Last updated: 26th September 2007
Bobby Zamora is still not training after sustaining a knee injury last
month, leading to a selection headache for West Ham boss Alan Curbishley.
Zamora would surely have played in Wednesday's Carling Cup third round game
against Plymouth at Upton Park, given that Craig Bellamy has still not fully
recovered from a hamstring injury and Dean Ashton has only just made his
comeback. But it remains unclear when Zamora can resume a season put on hold
following the 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers in the second round at the end
of August. This means a selection headache for Curbishley, who 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."
In more positive news, hard-working midfielder Scott Parker could finally
make his long-awaited debut in Wednesday's game. He has been out with a knee
injury which he suffered soon after his £7million switch from Newcastle in
June.
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West Ham v Plymouth preview - SSN
Holloway optimistic ahead of trip to Upton Park
By James Dall Last updated: 26th September 2007
West Ham United could be without £27million worth of talent as they host Ian
Holloway's Plymouth in the third round of the Carling Cup. Despite Alan
Curbishley having a staggering array of quality to replace his absentees,
Holloway is optimistic of his side's chances. Hammers midfielder Scott
Parker could be set to make his long-awaited debut, which has been put on
hold by a knee injury sustained not long after his £7million switch from
Newcastle in June. West Ham are without summer signings Nolberto Solano and
Henri Camara, who are cup-tied, while striker Bobby Zamora (knee) is
definitely out. Welsh international Craig Bellamy (hamstring) is close to a
comeback but is unlikely to be risked. Richard Wright is likely to replace
Robert Green in goal, while Danny Gabbidon is expected to feature in the
centre of defence.
Plymouth have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the encounter, but are still
without on-loan Paris Saint-Germain defender Larrys Mabiala (knee). Holloway
has hinted that Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Barry Hayles could replace Rory
Fallon and Nick Chadwick up front, as the manager looks for pace rather than
height.
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West Ham v Plymouth: Preview - Soccernet
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, know there will be little respite before Barclays 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. 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. Plymouth
manager Ian Holloway has no new injuries ahead of the trip. The Argyle chief
has been rotating his squad for the past three Championship matches - a 2-2
draw with Cardiff, a 2-0 win at QPR and Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Stoke.
Argyle will be without on-loan Paris St Germain defender Larrys Mabiala, who
is still recovering from a knee injury and has yet to feature for the
Pilgrims.
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Hammers can win it! - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
SCOTT PARKER is set to make his long-awaited debut, while Richard Wright and
Danny Gabbidon are both likely to start, but manager Alan Curbishley is
reluctant to make sweeping changes for tonight's (Wednesday's) Carling Cup
second round clash with Plymouth Argyle. The West Ham boss will resist the
temptation to field a fringe side against the Pilgrims, despite Arsenal
coming to Upton Park for a Premier League match on Saturday. The manager
said: "Just as we did at Bristol Rovers, we are going to attack the game. I
feel this is a competition that we have to go for because a Premier League
side is going to win it and that gives us a chance, so we have to go for
it." Curbishley will make one or two changes from Sunday's defeat at
Newcastle, but with new man Henri Camara cup-tied and Bobby Zamora injured,
he must decide whether to gamble on Craig Bellamy, who missed the defeat at
St James' Park with a groin strain.
"Scott Parker will play, Richard Wright will have a game and it also gives
one or two players who haven't had much game time to get out on the field,
but I won't be changing things dramatically," he insisted. "We will have to
see with Bellamy. He wants to give it a go, but we just have to decide
whether we risk him against Plymouth or give him a week's training, so that
is a decision we will have to make."
That is likely to mean a place for Bellamy on the bench at best as
Curbishley prepares for the Arsenal game, a match he naturally considers to
be a vital one.
"I think you have to say that Saturday's game is more important," he
conceded. "I don't want to devalue the Carling Cup but the Arsenal game is a
big one and if we had done the business at Newcastle, it would have set it
up perfectly."
Curbishley may make three or four changes tonight, but he is certainly not
taking victory for granted. "Plymouth are a steady side," he said. "Wherever
Ian Holloway goes, he produces a competitive team, he is the sort of man who
lifts a club when he goes in there. "They will bring lots of fans and so,
hopefully, it will be a big crowd and the atmosphere should be excellent."
West Ham should win tonight, but just as importantly it will give them a
chance to bounce back from the defeat in the north east on Sunday. "I think
we need to get going again after Sunday's defeat," he admitted. "We are
fortunate in that it is a home tie and we can move it to a Wednesday, and
now we have to be positive and go out and win it.
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No sign of Zamora - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
WEST HAM face Premier League leaders Arsenal in a London derby showdown on
Saturday, but they will do so without the man who scored the goal that sunk
the Gunners the last time the teams met, writes DAVE EVANS. Bobby Zamora has
been missing from the Hammers squad for a month after injuring his knee
during the Bristol Rovers Carling Cup tie, and manager Alan Curbishley
revealed this week that he has not been responding to treatment. "Since that
Bristol match, Bobby has been struggling and it is not the same knee that
was affecting him during the run-in last season, when he couldn't train,"
revealed the boss this week. "His knee keeps swelling up and we have tried
one or two things and it hasn't really worked, so we have got to reassess
things." Zamora played the first four games of the new season, failing to
hit the target, but he was top scorer for the Hammers last term and is an
important member of a West Ham strikeforce that has also been hit by an
injury to Craig Bellamy in the last couple of weeks. Curbishley could give
no definite time for his Zamora's return either: "He has been out for four
weeks and he is not training at the moment, so it is difficult to say when
he will be back," confirmed the boss.
West Ham will look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat when they play
Arsenal, but it will not be easy against players who were rested for the
Gunners Carling Cup win over Sam Allardyce's Newcastle on Tuesday. The
Hammers will have played twice since Arsenal's last game, but he does not
believe it will affect them. "I think you can talk too much about
tiredness," he said. "Last week Arsenal played three games in a week and
still played well in all of them. "I don't really subscribe to the players
being physically tired, maybe mentally, but we have three games in a week
and we just have to get on with it." Scott Parker will look for a Premier
League debut if he came through last night's Carling Cup tie with Plymouth
unscathed, while James Collins could return in place of Anton Ferdinand.
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Faubert on the mend in France - bishopstortfordguardian.
By Tess McDermott
THE first time physio George Cooper ran on to the pitch for West Ham, was
the day Julien Faubert ruptured his achilles."It was a big blow," said
Cooper.
"He played about 18 minutes for West Ham in a friendly and that was it. But
he looked fantastic in that 18 minutes." Faubert, who pulled up in a summer
friendly against Czech side Sigma Olomouc, is currently completing the first
stage of his rehabilitation at a centre in the south of France. "He'd just
moved to the club so he didn't speak a great deal of English. "He had a
surgeon in France that had worked on his thigh before and he'd done rehab
there before, so we sent him back," explained Cooper. "We've kept in
constant contact and he's flown back two or three times to watch games. When
he's ready he'll come back here. We'll assess him every morning and see what
level of function he has and he'll go out with the sports scientists. "Then
we'll assess him again, and again the next morning until he's fully fit."
Cooper added: "It was only the third time I'd seen a ruptured achilles. I
heard it snap and he was sitting there without any distress and I thought,
don't be so melodramatic, it can't be a rupture, but it was."
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Hot-shot Adebayor is looking for revenge
26 September 2007
WHEN West Ham came away from the Emirates Stadium last season with a
magnficent 1-0 win, perhaps the player with most regret from the game was
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international missed a hatful of
chances that day, as well as being denied numerous times by the imperious
Rob Green. But Adebayor has started the new season in tremendous form and
after six games, he has six goals to his name to lead the Premier League
scoring charts. And the striker is now looking for revenge on Saturday. "We
have to battle for it on Saturday," said Adebayor after Saturday's crushing
5-0 win over Derby County. "I don't know if we can get our revenge for
losing twice to them last season, but we are going there to win the game.
"We are going to fight for it, to play with our hearts and fight for every
ball and hopefully we can win it."
Arsenal have been in superb form so far this term, storming to the top of
the table, and Adebayor is determined that their good run will continue.
"Every game people say this will be a test. They said it when we went to
Spurs and when we played Sevilla last week," said the 23-year-old. "We are
preparing hard to win the match, and we do that for every single game," he
said. "To win the first few games was really good for our confidence and now
we are feeling confident going into every game." It seems that Arsenal owe
West Ham something of a hiding having gone two seasons without beating the
Hammers, but Adebayor will need to keep his shooting boots on if the Gunners
are to come away with the points at Upton Park.
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You couldn't have made it up if you tried - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
IF you are hunting for this book in the sports section of Waterstone's
without any luck, it might be worth a little wander over to the fantasy
section to see if it has been filed there, writes DAVE EVANS. For Kirk
Blows' latest book - 'Hammers - Heaven and Hell' - tells a story so
fantastic and unlikely that if it they had turned it into a film, it would
be dismissed for being too far-fetched. Blows' book tells the story of the
Hammers from the moment that they triumphed over Preston in the play-off
final of 2005, right up to the day West Ham completed their great escape
from relegation at Old Trafford last season and beyond.
It makes for a riveting read too. For most of us it is fresh in our minds,
but Blows goes deeper, brings together the thoughts of those both inside
West Ham as well as those castigating the club from outside. It is a
blow-by-blow account of an incredible two seasons, but with interviews with
the likes of Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day and Eggert Magnusson, it also gives
you a feel of what was going on behind the scenes. The book is a personal
view of course. You may not agree with the writer's assessment of Nigel
Reo-Coker, of Alan Pardew, Terry Brown and of Curbishley too, but Blows
certainly never sits on the fence and the book is better for it. The book is
slightly lacking in pictures to illustrate an incredible period in Hammers'
history, but that is a minor point, because this is an essential read for
any West Ham fan, especially those who still can't believe what has happened
to their club over the last couple of seasons.
'Hammers - Heaven and Hell' by Kirk Blows 'Mainstream Publishing' £9.99 is
released Sept 27.
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Hammers look to upset the big four - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
WHEN Alan Pardew was manager of West Ham, he was forever harping on about
games against the 'Blue Riband' clubs, writes DAVE EVANS. By that he meant
the matches against the big four teams of the Premier League, and when he
finally won one with the Hammers - a magnificent 3-2 win against Arsenal at
Highbury - he described it at the time as his "greatest moment as a football
manager". The trouble with playing the 'big four' is that more often than
not, they are going to give you a hiding, but last season without West Ham's
results against two of the top four, they would have been relegated for
sure.
While the Hammers struggled against the teams around them at the bottom of
the table last term, it was their displays against Arsenal and Manchester
United that had their fans jumping for joy and at the same time scratching
their heads - if that feat is possible. A quick glance at the results will
illustrate the fact admirably. Against Watford, West Ham managed just a 1-1
draw at Vicarage Road, and lost at home; at Charlton it was 0-0 at home and
that embarrassing 4-0 drubbing at the Valley; against Sheffield United they
sneaked three points at home but were thrashed 3-0 at Bramall Lane. They won
handsomely at Wigan but had already lost at home, while the other team that
finished below them last season - Fulham - contrived two draws against West
Ham. That is 11 points out of a possible 30 and when that is against the
teams you are battling with to stay up, it almost certainly means
relegation. However, West Ham had a couple of things in their favour and
that was their performances against Manchester United and Saturday's
opponents Arsenal. The Gunners could easily claim the Hammers as their bogey
team over the last couple of seasons. They were the last team to win at
Highbury - with that 3-2 victory - and backed that up with a 0-0 draw at
Upton Park in the 2005-06 campaign. Then last season, a late, late strike
from Marlon Harewood gave them a 1-0 home win, but that was nothing compared
to them becoming the first team to grab all three Premiership points at the
Emirates Stadium. Bobby Zamora struck just before half time, while if Rob
Green made one world class save, he made 20 as the Hammers survived the
Battle of the Alamo in the second half to grab a vital three points. Six
points against Arsenal then, who many will say under-performed last season,
but what about the six they gleaned against champions Manchester United?
Nigel Reo-Coker struck his only goal of the season as Alan Curbishley began
his West Ham managerial career by beating Alex Ferguson's team 1-0, while
what happened on that final day of the season when United were already
champions and the Hammers needed a result to preserve their Premier League
status is the stuff of legends. Since the 1999-2000 season, it is Arsenal
who suffered most against the Hammers. West Ham have gleaned 15 out of a
possible 36 points from the Gunners and that is as good as anyone outside
the top four in the top flight. The Hammers have also managed 11 against
United and Chelsea, though their performances against Liverpool are frankly
appalling, with just a home win and two draws to their name, earning five
points out of 36.
So what does all this mean?
Last season it meant that West Ham rose to the occasion against the big
teams in the league, but flopped in the more important games against the
teams around them. It means if they do that again, the chances are they
cannot trust their chances against the 'big four' and rely on those results
to survive again.
West Ham are endeavouring to join the elite teams in this league, but before
they can do that, they have to find a way to beat the lesser teams in the
division on a more regular basis. Consistency is what these top teams have.
As with both Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool at Anfield, they both
found a way to beat the Hammers on the day, even though they were way short
of their best. That is what West Ham need to address, and then, and only
then, can they think about matching those 'Blue Riband' teams that Alan
Pardew talked about in so much wonder . Even if West Ham beat Arsenal on
Saturday, it doesn't mean they have got there.
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Is Ashton ready for England call? - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
THINGS certainly change fast in the world of football, writes DAVE EVANS.
Just a few short weeks ago, West Ham striker Dean Ashton was returning from
a whole season out through injury and being handled as tentatively as the
Hammers' coaching staff could. Now, after two goals in two games, including
a masterful strike at Newcastle United on Sunday, the whisper is that Ashton
is being lined-up for a return to the England squad for their two vital
European Championship qualifying games next month. The possibility was given
more credence at St James' Park at the weekend, because not only did Ashton
finish his goal with aplomb, at the other end Michael Owen, one of the
heroes of the victories over Israel and Russia, limped off, clearly in pain.
Owen may well need surgery, while just the week before, Emile Heskey -
another England star in their last couple of games - broke a metatarsal and
ruled himself out of the games against Estonia at Wembley on October 13 and
in Russia just four days later. The options are getting smaller for England
coach Steve McClaren, but West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was quick to play
down the prospects of Ashton being ready for a call-up to the international
scene. "England?" he said, a little startled. "He's just happy to be back
playing at the moment. "We've had to handle Ashton in a similar way to
Michael Owen - the difference is that Deano's not had a setback."
He hasn't and much of that is thanks to the methodical way that West Ham and
their former physio and now consultant John Green looked after the player
during his rehabilitation. "He's managed to come through pre-season and he's
looking stronger and stronger," confirmed the West Ham boss. "He
concentrated on the fact that he needed to get through that pre-season to
give himself a base and we're really pleased for him." Freelancer Green was
consulted by both Ashton and Owen in their recuperation, and the former
Norwich City striker has come out the other side of his nightmare, a fitter,
leaner and stronger player. "Dean needs more football," insisted Curbishley
after watching his goalscoring performance up in the north east. "Compare
him to his first game at Reading to last week against Boro and then today
and he's clearly getting stronger."
Stronger he certainly is, though there are still one or two question marks
about his speed, which could easily be found out at international level. But
with Wayne Rooney just returning from injury and the likes of Andy Johnson
and Jermain Defoe hardly firing at this level of the game, it would seem
that a fit and scoring Ashton would be a serious option for McClaren. "We've
not even discussed England," said Curbishley, who is keen to protect his
player for as long as he can. "We're not looking any further than getting
him through matches. "The game changes so quickly. We had two players in
Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy who we thought would be involved against
Newcastle and then suddenly they weren't. "Dean's been out for a year and a
bit and Steve McClaren and his people have been to our games and have seen
that he's stronger and sharper. Two weeks is a long time, we'll have to see
what happens."
It is understandable that West Ham's boss wants to keep his star asset
wrapped in cotton wool for as long as he can, only bringing him out to score
for the Hammers on a Saturday afternoon. And when you consider the disaster
that befell the striker when he last joined up with England, breaking his
ankle in training just two days before he was about to make his debut, you
can understand Curbishley's reluctance. But Ashton's country may need him,
and even if he doesn't start the two games in October, he could be a vital
man in the squad, and who knows come November 21 when England take on
Croatia at Wembley in what will be the final qualifier of the group, maybe
it will be Ashton who pops up with the winner.
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Davenport set to join Dailly on loan - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
WEST HAM central defender Calum Davenport could join Christian Dailly out on
loan this week with Norwich City and Stoke City battling for his services.
The 24-year-old has recovered from a hernia operation he had at the start of
the season, but with Matty Upson, Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon and James
Collins all ahead of him in the pecking order, it seems likely that manager
Alan Curbishley will allow him to go out on loan in order to play some
games.
Davenport was on loan at Carrow Road back in 2005 while he was a Spurs
player, playing 16 games, while former West Ham assistant boss Peter Grant
is the manager of the Canaries, to give them an advantage in the chase.
However, Stoke are currently much higher in the Championship and with a
recent injury to their centre half Jody Craddock, it may be that he would
get better experience at the Britannia Stadium. Dailly meanwhile, made his
debut for Southampton at the weekend, but it turned into a baptism of fire
as the Saints were beaten 3-2 by Barnsley at St Mary's. The West Ham
midfielder, 33, will be at Southampton for the month, after his chances of
earning a first team call-up at Upton Park remained remote. The player has
been at West Ham since 2001, but hasn't started a match since the 4-0 defeat
by Charlton at the Valley last season.
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Frank-ly speaking with Tony Cottee - Newham Recorder
26 September 2007
PROLIFIC former Hammers strike partners, Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie,
are appearing at Basildon's Towngate Theatre on Thursday, October 4 in their
entertaining two-man show, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Tickets for the evening, which starts at 8.30pm, can be obtained directly
from the theatre box office on 01268 465465 or alternatively, visit the
organisers' website www.footballforfans.co.uk for further details.
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Wright recalled by Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:10pm on 26th September 2007
Keeper Richard Wright is set to make his second West Ham start in tonight's
Carling Cup tie against Plymouth as boss Alan Curbishley gives squad players
a run-out. Freddie Ljungberg and James Collins could also start, but
Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara are cup-tied after playing for Newcastle
and Wigan respectively in the second round.
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