Having struck three times already this season has left Matthew Etherington
upbeat
14.11.2007
Matthew Etherington is relishing being back in the scoring groove and
playing his part in the "good atmosphere" at West Ham United.
The 26-year-old left winger has particularly enjoyed his away days this
season, with a double strike against Reading in a 3-0 victory on 1 September
and then adding to his tally with the second in the 5-0 defeat of Derby
County last Saturday. His three goals from just eleven league appearances
this campaign is a significant improvement on the previous campaign, when he
failed to net in 27 matches.
"It was nice to get another goal," Etherington told WHUTV. "We are getting
good results away from home and hopefully I will get more goals." That
impressive travelling form, with a 1-0 victory at Birmingham City back in
August the other success on the road, has left West Ham United with a plus
six goal difference away from east London - the best record of all 20
Premier League clubs.
Etherington, who is heading back to the form that saw him win the 2003/04
Hammer of the Year in his first season at the Boleyn Ground, added: "We
didn't go to Derby expecting to win 5-0 but I thought we played very well
and thoroughly deserved it. We played some great stuff and hit the bar a
couple of times - and it probably could have been more in the end.
"We have got top players out at the moment and for the players that have
come in to put in a performance like that shows what a squad we have got
here and what sort of character the lads have. It was never going to be an
easy game and the lads who have played have dug in. Some of them have not
played all season but they have come in and showed the right attitude. They
have done really well. It just goes to show what a good atmosphere we have
got at the club now."
With tough trips to Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers to come next month after
the small matter of a home fixture against Etherington's former employers
Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week, Etherington knows the club's passionate
travelling support will have to play their part again. "The fans were
unbelievable [against Derby]. We took so many it was frightening."
As well as recognising the contribution of the famed 'twelfth man',
Etherington found time to praise midfield team-mate Lee Bowyer, who set up
his goal on Saturday as well as scoring two himself. "Bow has done
brilliant," he said. "He is back to his best form and has done really well.
He is popping up in the box and scoring goals regularly like he used to at
Leeds. If you are getting goals from midfield it helps the team." No one
knows that better than Etherington himself.
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Spence makes another stride - WHUFC
Jordan Spence has earned yet another England call, much to Tony Carr's
delight
14.11.2007
Jordan Spence's year to remember will continue when he figures for England
Under-18s next Tuesday in a home friendly against Ghana.
The 17-year-old centre-back has already represented England U19s, helping
them last month to qualify for next year's elite qualifying round for the
2008 European Championship but has reverted to the younger age group for the
20 November fixture.
Spence, who captained his country to the U17 World Cup quarter-finals in
late summer, will follow defensive partner James Tomkins and midfielder
Junior Stanislas on Young Lions duty this month, with his team-mates in U19
friendly action away to Germany tonight. After his satisfaction over
Stanislas and Tomkins, West Ham United academy director Tony Carr was
delighted Spence had also been called.
"Jordan also deserves his call-up," Carr said. "He's been in excellent form,
he was terrific alongside James in the reserve match [against Arsenal last
week] and has already got some good international experience under his belt.
This is another step in the right direction for him."
The Ghana game promises to be a tough test, with the African nation
including 14 of the players that got to the semi-finals of the U17 World
Cup, one step further than Spence's England. The match, to be played at
Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium, kicks off at 7pm.
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Fans asked to back 'Save a Life' - WHUFC
The NHS Organ Donor Register is looking for support from supporters
05.11.2007
The NHS Organ Donor Register is asking fans to sign up for the Save a Life
initiative.
Right now more than 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that
could save or dramatically improve their lives. Each year, around 400 people
die while waiting on the list. As a result, the NHS Organ Donor Register is
urging people to help give others the chance for a new life.
West Ham United and England midfielder Kieron Dyer is among those backing
the cause. "I fully believe in organ donation and support the NHS campaign
to get more people to sign the register," he said. "When you hear how many
people's lives could have been saved if there were more people signed up it
is quite shocking. It only takes a couple of minutes to fill in the form and
you could be making the world of difference."
Since last month, all 3.1m households in London's 33 boroughs have been
receiving a leaflet containing facts about organ donation and
transplantation as well as a simple freepost form to join the Organ Donor
Register. To date, more than 14.6m people have joined the register,
representing 24 per cent of the UK population. Research has shown that up to
90 per cent of people support organ donation in principle
To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, or for more information about how you
can help give the gift of life, click here or call 0845 6060400.
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Reid rewarded with new contract - WHUFC
Young winger Kyel Reid has earned a new deal at West Ham United
13.11.2007
Kyel Reid has been rewarded for his progress this season at West Ham United
by signing a contract extension until 2009.
The left winger, who turns 20 on 26 November, is the latest Academy product
to come through the ranks and has more than held his own when given
opportunities to shine. Most notable was September's Carling Cup third-round
tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Boleyn Ground. With the contest goalless
and heading for extra time, substitute Reid found space, looked up and sent
a perfect cross for Dean Ashton to score the winner.
Capped at England Under-17, U18 and U19 level, Reid gained valuable
experience last season on loan at Barnsley, playing 26 times for the
Championship club and scoring two goals. He returned to West Ham United in
the summer and found himself in direct competition with Matthew Etherington
and Luis Boa Morte. Rather than shy away, the challenge has spurred Reid on.
"I am really happy to commit to the club," he said. "I am determined to do
my best and fight for a first-team place. I am learning a lot from the
senior players, especially Matty Etherington and Luis Boa Morte in my
position, and want to keep on making good progress." Reid made his full
debut for West Ham United in the penultimate game of the 2005/06 league
season, with a star turn in the 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion FC.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Football star 'punched clubber' - BBC
A man has told a court Premiership footballer Anton Ferdinand punched him
outside a nightclub. Emile Walker claimed he was hit once by the West Ham
player before being kicked and punched by up to 10 people outside Faces in
Ilford, east London, in 2006. Mr Ferdinand, 22, denies charges of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and affray, at Snaresbrook Crown Court. His
co-accused Edward Dawkins, 28, of Beckton, east London, also denies similar
charges.
Mr Ferdinand says he acted in self-defence, fearing he would be robbed of a
£64,000 watch. Mr Walker said he managed to escape the group and out-run
some of those who gave chase. Shortly afterwards a friend picked him up in
his car and took him to hospital where a forehead wound was stitched. The
trial continues.
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Rushden sign West Ham youngster - BBC
West Ham teenager Lee Hales has joined Rushden and Diamonds in a loan deal
running until January. The 18-year old midfielder has come through the youth
set up at Upton Park and has played for the Hammers reserves this season.
Hales is set to make his debut for the Blue Square Premier side in their
County Cup game on Tuesday night. Lee is an England Under-17 international
and is the son of Rushden assistant manager Kevin Hales.
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heard it on the grapevine - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 13th November 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United are rumoured to be interested in former Liverpool striker
Djibril Cisse. A report in one of this morning's tabloids claims that the
Hammers are looking at the possibility of bringing the French striker back
to England in the forthcoming January transfer window. Cisse left Liverpool
last year after failing to hold down a first team place at Anfield. He has
scored just two goals in twelve appareances thus far this term. The
international forward was one of Europe's hottest properties when Liverpool
paid Marseille £14m for his services three years ago. However two
career-threatening injuries plus a highly-publicised domestic incident led
to him being sent packing by the Merseysiders.
Cisse is now back in France playing for former club Marseille. Manchester
City are also said to be interested in bringing the player back to England.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bos slams Mac - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 13th November 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Former Man Utd and Aston Villa keeper Mark Bosnich has slammed Steve
McClaren for once again overlooking Rob Green. Green - whose earned his only
international cap two years ago during Sven Goran Eriksson's tenure - was
once again omitted from the forthcoming international squad to face Austria
and Croatia. But Bosnich has hit out at the under-pressure McClaren, stating
that Green 'deserves to be in the squad'. "They are three very good
goalkeepers but the one exceptional goalkeeper I've seen this season is
Robert Green," said the Aussie. "His form leading up to this game means he
should have been picked for the game against Croatia. "Paul Robinson has had
a tough time, he doesn't need to be told that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Day two for Anton - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 13th November 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Anton Ferdinand is back in court today as he continues to fight against a
charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Ferdinand - who
was flanked by brother Rio yesterday - was in court to hear the charges read
out.
And the court also heard from Mr Emile Walker, who claims to have been
assaulted by the United defender and a number of associates outside Faces in
Ilford last year. Ferdinand's defence is that he acted in self-defence after
it was feared that his £60,000 watch would be stolen. Mr Walker claims to
have been beaten by a large group of men outside the club before escaping.
He was later treated in hospital for a head wound. In the dock alongside
Ferdinand is Edward Dawkins, 28, of Beckton, who also denies the charges.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers duo to face German test - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 13th November 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
United youngsters Junior Stanislas and James Tomkins have been called up to
the England under-19 squad. The United duo have been drafted into the squad
to face Germany's under-19s in Elversburg tomorrow night. It is the first
time Stanislav has been selected for the England under-19's, whereas Tomkins
has only just returned from injury.
Elsewhere, highly-rated Hammers youngster Jordan Spence has been called up
to the under-18s squad.
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West Ham youths get the England Call - West Ham Online
Match Reporter - Tue Nov 13 2007
West Ham defender James Tomkins and midfielder Junior Stanislas have been
called into the England U19 squad to face Germany in a friendly Wednesday
evening in Elversberg. Stanislas who was on stand by comes into the squad to
replace injured Reading player Joe Henry. Tomkins who missed the end of
last season with a shoulder injury is fit again and turned in an excellent
performance for the reserves last week against a strong Arsenal side and
have been in the first team squad in recent weeks. Fellow central defender
Jorden Spence who captained England to the quarter-finals of the U17 World
Cup in the summer and who recently made is debut for the U19 side in a mini
tournement has been called into the U18 squad for a friendly against Ghana
at Gillinghams Priestfield Stadium on November 20.
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Senegal recall Camara for friendlies' squad - Soccernet
DAKAR, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Senegal have recalled West Ham United striker
Henri Camara to their squad for two friendly matches in France this weekend.
Camara is one of seven changes named by coach Henryk Kasperczak. Also
returning are defenders Ferdinand Coly, Pape Malickou Diakhate and Boukary
Drame, midfielder Frederic Mendy and German-based striker Demba Ba. There
are first call-ups for goalkeepers Bouna Coundoul and Issa Ndoye. Coundoul
plays for Colorado Rapids in the United States while Ndoye is on the books
of Iranian club Zobahan. Senegal play Mali in Colombes on Saturday and
Morocco at Creteil on Nov. 21. Both games serve as warm-ups for their
participation in next January's African Nations Cup finals in France.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bouna Coundoul (Colorado Rapids, USA), Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye
(Creteil, France), Issa Ndoye (Zobahan, Iran), Tony Sylva (Lille, France)
Defenders: Habib Beye (Newcastle United, England), Ferdinand Coly (Parma,
Italy), Abdoulaye Diagne Faye (Newcastle), Pape Malickou Diakhate (Dynamo
Kiev, Ukraine), Souleymane Diawara (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Lamine
Diatta (Besiktas, Turkey), Boukary Drame (Sochaux, France), Ibrahima Faye
(Troyes, France), Pascal Mendy (FC Kaunas, Lithuania), Guirane Ndaw
(Sochaux, France), Mohamed Adama Sarr (Standard Liege, Belgium)
Midfielders: Pape Bouba Diop (Portsmouth, England), Ousmane Ndoye (Academica
Coimbra, Portugal), Moustapha Bayal Sall (St Etienne, France), Diomansy
Kamara (Fulham, England), Frederic Mendy (Bastia, France), Pape Waigo Ndiaye
(Genoa, Italy)
Strikers: Demba Ba (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Henri Camara (West Ham United,
England), El Hadj Diouf (Bolton Wanderers, England), Mamadou Niang
(Olympique Marseille, France), Modou Sogou (Uniao Leiria, Portugal).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill wants to sign for life - Guardian Series
By Daniel Barden
IT'S been a busy week for Lucas Neill.
The 29-year-old West Ham skipper (pictured) has denied reports he is locked
in a pay row with the club, revealed he would love to see out his career at
Upton Park, and insisted the Hammers should be pushing for more than just a
top ten finish this season. According to media sources, Neill is demanding
pay parity with the club's top earners Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg -
who are believed to be earning £75,000-a-week - after only signing on a
two-and-a-half year deal from Blackburn in January. But he shrugged off the
press speculation and insisted that it has come "competely out of the blue".
He said: "I expressed an interest, as did the club, in finishing my career
here because I was on a two-year deal in the summer but there has been so
much going on that that was the last said about it.
"I'm the captain of West Ham United and I would love to finish my career
here but we've been through a sticky patch and the last thing I'm thinking
about is myself."
Neill was heavily criticised when he turned down the chance of Champions
League football with Liverpool in favour of signing a £60,000-a-week deal at
Upton Park. But the Australian international is adamant that the Hammers are
pushing in the right direction and can make a decent fist of it in the
league, as well as challenge in the cups. "We're in the Carling Cup
quarter-finals and in the top half of the league and if we're in that
position come Christmas we'll have a lot to build on," he said. "I came here
to win things and I'm two wins from a cup final. "People are talking about
us having a good, solid season but I actually want a little bit more out of
it. Hopefully eighth place is the minimum we'll get."
Neill was in bouyant mood after Saturday's 5-0 thumping of Derby and said
that the team have been threatening to provide the fans with that kind of
performance. "After the disappointment of dropping two points in the last
minute against Bolton we wanted to give a good response. The game was a
banana skin because if we didn't apply ourselves mentally and match them it
could've been a long day at the office. "But we knew that if we scored first
and defended well then we would get more chances and if we took them it
would open up - and that's exactly how the game went so we're absolutely
delighted."
He was also quick to dismiss suggestions that he had a spate during the game
with the management, who asked him to fill in at left back after George
McCartney limped off injured. "We were arguing about something else," he
said. "I have already played there for half a season at Blackburn so I'm
very comfortable there and I enjoy it. To have Matty Etherington playing
alongside me I knew I would have an easier day because he works very hard."
8:42am today
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Reid wins new West Ham contract
tribalfootball.com - November 13, 2007
Kyel Reid has won a new contract at West Ham United. Winger Reid has been
rewarded for his progress this season at West Ham by signing a contract
extension until 2009. "I am really happy to commit to the club," he told
whufc.com. "I am determined to do my best and fight for a first-team place.
I am learning a lot from the senior players, especially Matty Etherington
and Luis Boa Morte in my position, and want to keep on making good
progress."
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Ephraim hopes to attract West Ham boss Curbishley attention
tribalfootball.com - November 13, 2007
Back at West Ham after a loan stint with QPR, Hogan Ephraim is hoping to
introduce himself to manager Alan Curbishley. The young midfielder admitted
to whufc.com: "The manager has not really seen a lot of me because when he
came last year I was [on loan] at Colchester. "I am not sure if he has seen
much of me at QPR but I will just do my best in training and whatever will
happen, will happen." "I am at the age now where I am desperate to play
first-team football," he said. "With playing regularly last season and at
the start of this season that is all I want now and hopefully that will
happen at West Ham. I feel I am ready for it and hopefully the manager will
give me a chance. I just want to get my head down. I will do my best and
hopefully that will be enough."
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Bellamy wins Welsh gong - Setanta.com
by Ciaran Baynes, 13 November 2007
Wales captain Craig Bellamy has won his country's Player of the Year award,
succeeding former Welsh skipper Ryan Giggs. Bellamy won the gong despite
spending chunks of last season on the bench at Anfield and suffering an
injury-blighted start to his career at West Ham. Gareth Bale won the Young
Player of the Year award, following his fine form for Wales and new club
Tottenham before he was also sidelined with injury, and Joe Ledley of
Cardiff was honoured with the clubman of the year for his performances for
The Bluebirds. Neither Bellamy nor Bale were present to accept the awards, a
point lamented by national coach John Toshack. "It is a shame Craig and
Gareth could not receive their awards; they have both been excellent for me
and Wales over the last 12 months," Toshack said.
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Five candles on the cake for birthday boy Curbs! - Newham Recorder
13 November 2007
WHAT do you give a football manager for his 50th birthday? Well, if you are
Alan Curbishley then there are few things better than going into a Premier
League game with a whole team out injured, yet coming away with a simply
incredible 5-0 away win, writes DAVE EVANS.
Don't worry that it was against one of the worst teams ever to compete in
the Premier League, this was a magnificent performance from a makeshift
Hammers team and in the end, the score could have been 8-0 and still it
wouldn't have flattered West Ham.
"The result was fantastic for us," said the manager, who reached his half
century on Thursday. "If I wanted the perfect scenario, then I would have
held on for 90 seconds last week and got three points there as well, but it
was a great result and a great way to go into the two week break."
It was better than that. There were a few heads shaking with worry when the
West Ham team was announced with Jonathan Spector in central midfield and
Carlton Cole as the only out and out striker.
And when George McCartney limped off with an ankle injury after just 15
minutes forcing Lucas Neill reluctantly to left back and John Pantsil on to
the field, a lot of West Ham fans would have settled for a draw there and
then.
Curbishley insisted he had few worries at the time: "Once George had come
off, I had no problems putting Lucas Neill to left back, he's played there a
lot, John Pantsil comes on, he's not played a lot but he's been around it."
He has, and proved that he may have strengths going forward, but he is
certainly no full back, and if he had been sent off on 24 minutes after a
tackle so late it might have been designed for a match last season, it may
have been a very different story.
He escaped with a booking and the Hammers began to cut through the shaky
Derby defence as they looked for an opening goal.
Cole and Luis Boa Morte seemed to have built an understanding and on 20
minutes it nearly worked a treat as the former nodded on for the latter to
burst into the box, only for Boa Morte's shot to be blocked and Cole's
follow-up to be saved by Stephen Bywater's legs.
The former West Ham goalkeeper must have felt he had a point to prove, but
from the moment that the Hammers grabbed the lead on 42 minutes, it was to
rapidly turn into a nightmare.
Nolberto Solano had already rattled the crossbar from a free kick when he
chipped the ball into the box for Cole to nod down. There waiting for it was
Lee Bowyer, who controlled with his arm before thumping the ball into the
net.
It should have been disallowed, but the goal was given and against a team
who had not scored in their previous four games, it was all but a fatal
blow.
"I think today the first goal was always going to be the vital one and we
managed to get it. That really settled us down and put Derby on the back
foot," confirmed the manager.
"We had three opportunities in the first half to get a second goal, and it
didn't happen, but we sat down in the dressing room at half time and said if
we go out and set about this right and get another one, then we can enjoy it
and that is what happened."
It is, but not before Kenny Miller missed a glorious chance to level when
Eddie Lewis picked him out on the six yard box, only for his header to slip
wide with the goal at his mercy.
At the other end, Derby looked like they would be overrun at any moment.
Cole won a race for the ball and crossed for Boa Morte to see his shot
saved, while from the resulting corner Matty Upson smashed the ball against
the crossbar on the half volley.
A minute after Miller's miss the game was all over bar the shouting.
Pantsil's ball inside allowed Bowyer to combine with Matty Etherington who
thumped in his third goal of the season.
Three minutes later it was three and from an unlikely source. Solano swung
in the corner, Neill's header was blocked and Spector was there to fire
home, although Lewis' botched attempted clearance may mean that it goes down
as an own goal, which would be a pity.
The agony for Derby continued. On the hour a superb move saw Solano slip the
ball into the path of Cole and when he crossed low, Bowyer was on the end of
it to thrash in number four and his fourth of the season.
Solano completed the rout on 69 minutes when his stunning free kick found
the top corner and but for West Ham relaxing, who knows what the final score
might have been.
'We've only got our reserves!' sung the jubilant Hammers fans, but
Curbishley himself was quick to play down that fact, and he was right, this
was a day when the players on the park deserved all the plaudits.
"It is the way it has been for the last month or two. Johnny Spector played
in midfield where he hasn't played before, but you've just got to get on
with it," he stated.
"I have been saying for the last couple of weeks when everyone has been
going on about injuries, that is a little bit disrespectful to the players
that are playing, and it is they who have been picking up the points."
They have, and for the likes of Cole, Boa Morte and Solano it was hats off.
Cole and Boa Morte in particular have been castigated by fans and the press
alike since the start of the season, but it just shows what a run in the
team can do.
It took West Ham until mid-January to earn 18 points in the Premier League
last season, but having managed that in early November, West Ham must surely
be looking upwards rather than over their shoulders.
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney (Pantsil 15), Upson, Gabbidon, Solano,
Spector, Bowyer (Collins 72), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole. Unused subs:
Wright, Ljungberg, Camara.
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Djibril Cisse interests Man City and West Ham - Telegraph
By Vicki Hodges
Last Updated: 10:13am GMT 13/11/2007
Sven-Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley are considering mounting a £5
million bid for Cisse in the January transfer window. Cisse is thought to be
keen to make a return to the Premier League having failed to make an impact
during his two-and-a-half-year stint at Liverpool. The French international
joined Anfield in 2004 for £14m, but his time on Merseyside was hampered by
a twice-broken leg which limited him to 79 appearances in three years,
during which he scored 26 goals. The 26-year-old is set to face his former
club when they go head-to-head in what could be Liverpool's crucial final
Champions League Group A fixture next month. Manchester City could look to
sign Cisse when the transfer window reopens to keep up their charge for a
European place. While City's defensive displays have ensured them of a
top-three placing heading into the international break, Eriksson has said he
wishes to strengthen their front line.
Bulgarian international Valeri Bojinov is currently sidelined with a knee
ligament injury suffered in August shortly after completing his £5.75m
switch. Emile Mpenza is still adjusting to life in English football and
Rolando Bianchi has already signalled his intent to move on having grown
frustrated at his limited openings at Eastlands. West Ham, meanwhile, are
thought to be interested in Cisse as their injury-ravaged season shows no
sign of abating. Carlton Cole and Luis Boa Morte remain the only fit
strikers at the club with Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora and Henri
Camara all sidelined.
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DIAMONDS SIGN YOUNG HAMMER - Nonleaguedaily.com
13/11/2007
Lee Hales has signed for Blue Square Premier club Rushden & Diamonds on loan
for two months from Barclays Premier League outfit West Ham United. Hales
(pictured) has featured in both West Ham's youth and reserve squad this
season and is tipped to be a hot prospect for the future at Upton Park. The
18-year-old midfielder is the son of Diamonds assistant-manager Kevin Hales
and has played for England at both under-16 and under-17 level. Hales joins
a strong side for Tuesday night`s Northants FA Hillier Senior Cup quarter
final against an Eagle Bitter United Counties League Premier Division
Cogenhoe United side managed by former Diamonds` favourite Darren Collins.
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Stanislas and Tomkins called up to U19s
By Guardian-series
JUNIOR Stanislas and James Tomkins have been called up to England U19 squad
for tomorrow's friendly against Germany. It is the first call up for
midfielder Stanislas, while it comes as a timely boost for 19-year-old
defender Tomkins on his return from a long-term shoulder injury. The match,
which is being held away in Elversburg, is being used as preparation for the
Elite qualifying round which will decide the competing nations at the 2008
U19 European Championships. Centre back Jordan Spence has been called up to
the England U18 set up.
1:29pm today
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Is Solano The Missing Link For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 13 November, 2007 - 13:16.
Now the dust has settled on the 'Demolition Derby', it is perhaps worthwhile
reviewing Noberto Solano's performance during the match. Having sold Yossi
Benayoun to Liverpool and lost the services of Carlos Tevez to Manchester
United, Hammers have been bereft of a 'clever' player, but although it was
against lowly Derby, Nobby's guile and intelligence shone like a beacon in a
dark land. His touches and pure cerebral use of the ball were there for all
to see, he has the ability to unlock defences with a clever ball and of
course the ability to take a fine free kick, cometh the hour cometh the man!
Whether by luck or judgement Alan Curbishley has acquired a gem, admittedly
he will be away on International duty for long periods but he is the ace
that has been missing from his managers pack. With a bit of luck Curbs will
have a few reinforcements back for 'the big one' against Tottenham, unless
you see everything through claret and blue glasses a mid table finish and a
good cup run or two is all that fans can realistically expect from this
season, so a match against loathed rivals provides bragging rights and a
chance to feel that the club is moving in the right direction. The Spuds
victory at the Boleyn last season ironically provided the catalyst for the
Great Escape to begin, perhaps a similarly hard fought but undeserved defeat
might inspire Tottenham to go on a run and avoid relegation! - Ed
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Bosnich: Green should be England No.1 - Setanta.com
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 13 November 2007
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich says West Ham's Robert
Green should have been made England's number one for the final Euro 2008
qualifier against Croatia. The 27-year-old former Norwich stopper has been
in formidable form for The Hammers this season, and Bosnich feels that Steve
McClaren was wrong to overlook him completely for the Croatia game. Bosnich
also believes that current first choice, Tottenham's Paul Robinson, should
have been dropped by McClaren or former club boss Martin Jol to allow him
time out of the spotlight to recover his confidence. "There are three very
good goalkeepers (in the squad), but the exceptional goalkeeper I've seen
this season is Robert Green," said Bosnich, who is attempting to make a
comeback to football after four years out of the game. "He's the best I've
seen and he deserves to be in the squad at least. "I'm a firm believer that
with the national team you pick the best 11 players, no matter who they may
be, and Robert Green's form leading up to this game means he should have
been picked for the game against Croatia. "Paul Robinson has had a tough
time, he doesn't need to be told that. "Maybe it was up to Martin Jol or
Steve McClaren to take him out of the firing line, like Arsene Wenger has
done with Jens Lehmann. "It's hypothetical but that could have worked,
especially with the big games coming up." Green has just one cap to his name
to date, having made a substitute appearance against Colombia in May 2005.
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McCartney facing race to be fit for Spurs - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:59am on 13th November 2007
West Ham defender George McCartney has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland
squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Denmark and Spain. The full back
is battling to be fit for West Ham's derby against Tottenham after suffering
ankle ligament damage against Derby on Saturday. Meanwhile Senegal have
recalled West Ham striker Henri Camara to their squad for two friendly
matches in France this weekend.
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