A solid showing on his return to action has left Hayden Mullins upbeat for
Chelsea
29.11.2007
Hayden Mullins is relishing the prospect of taking on the likes of Frank
Lampard and Joe Cole when West Ham United go to Chelsea on Saturday.
The midfielder returned from a foot injury to play an important role
alongside Mark Noble last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur and
will not be overawed by the next capital challenge for all the strength of
the opposition. "We won't go there and fear them at all," he said. "We know
they are a great side and we know they are a hard team."
Mullins pointed to successes on the road this season with the club coming
away with points from difficult places to play like Reading and Portsmouth.
"It is a good game for us to go there and hit them on the break. We have
done that to a lot of teams away from home. We look quite good doing it and
we know what we can do."
The 28-year-old believed the return of players like Scott Parker and Dean
Ashton and the sustained good form of the back four and the likes of Carlton
Cole ensured there was every chance of upsetting the odds at Stamford
Bridge. "Who knows? A couple of chances and a bit of luck on the day and
hopefully we can nick something," he added.
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Curbs ready for busy month - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley has hailed his squad's attitude as they enter the last month
of the year
29.11.2007
Alan Curbishley is looking for "a decent December" so that his West Ham
United continue to look upwards come the new year.
The month starts with a tricky trip to Chelsea on Saturday although
Curbishley, who was talking exclusively to WHUTV, has positive memories of
his last two trips to Stamford Bridge. In his final season at Charlton
Athletic in the 2005/06 campaign, his former club drew 1-1 in the league
having already earned the same result in the League Cup third round before
knocking out the then champions 5-4 on penalties.
"In some respect you go into the game with not a lot to lose," said
Curbishley, who will have taken a close interest in the west London club's
4-0 win at Rosenborg in the Champions League on Wednesday night. "It is a
local derby and you know the top four are always tough games. I am looking
forward to it.
"When you play the top four teams, there are things that you have got to
deal with and certain players that can win games. For me you have to do a
job on Frank Lampard. He is a player that scores a lot of match-winning
goals from midfield. That is something that I have got to be thinking
about."
Between the 1 December and 1 January trips to Chelsea and Arsenal
respectively, the club have got eight first-team games lined up - including
a cup quarter-final against Everton and the visit of Manchester United. Much
has been made of Curbishley's strength in depth that has led to a six-match
unbeaten run despite injuries, and Curbishley is expecting to make the most
of his squad again.
"Certainly there will be some rotation in this month," he said. "We have got
some big games. We have got the Carling Cup game as well, which is a massive
game for everybody." Hoping to figure this weekend will be Lee Bowyer and
Freddie Ljungberg, adding to last Sunday's return of Hayden Mullins, Mark
Noble, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton. "I am pleased I have got players coming
back. It may give me one or two problems as I know, but they have just to
get on with it."
Regardless of who is selected, Curbishley has no qualms about what he will
see as he looks to move up from tenth position. "Whatever eleven goes out I
expect a result and a performance," he said. "I have nearly been here a year
now and the attitude has turned round - which is general when a new man goes
in. The atmosphere, the feeling and the spirit within the camp is perhaps a
lot better than when I arrived
"I am hoping that we have a decent December and we push on in the new year.
I just get the feeling that with all the changes and people being given a
chance that there is a bit of attitude about the place. We are committed as
a team - the eleven players and the subs. You can see that before the games.
They are wishing each other the best and saying 'let's get out there and get
a result'. That is something I wanted to generate here and let's hope that
continues."
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Arsenal beamback on 1 January - WHUFC
See in the New Year in style with West Ham United and watch the team away
21.11.2007
If you cannot make it to the Emirates Stadium to watch West Ham United take
on Arsenal on Tuesday 1 January - come along to the Beamback.
See the Premier League encounter in warmth and style with a choice of two
mouth-watering packages running from 12pm to 5pm at the Boleyn Ground.
# A three course-carvery meal and matchday programme in the Castle Suite
(pay-bar available). Prices are £35 for adults, £22.50 for senior
citizens/disabled and £17.50 for children under 16. For more information,
call 020 8548 2777.
# Pie and mash, and a matchday programme in the Premier Suite (pay-bar
available). Prices are £20 for adults, £18 for senior citizens/disabled and
£15 for children under 16. For more information call 0870 112 2700 (Option
3)
West Ham are bidding for a third straight away win at Arsenal. Make sure you
are at the Boleyn Ground to soak up the atmosphere on Tuesday 1 January. The
kick-off is 3pm.
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Ladies up for the cup - WHUFC
West Ham United Ladies will take on Queen's Park Rangers this Sunday
29.11.2007
West Ham United Ladies take a break from league action this Sunday when they
play host to Queen's Park Rangers in the Women's FA Cup third round.
The west London outfit are one division below the Hammers in the South West
Combination but captain Julia Setford is not taking the 1pm fixture at
Harlow Town for granted. "We are no strangers to QPR, and over the years we
have had many a match with them," she said. "We know a lot about each other.
"We could probably call this one of our 'bogey' teams. We've always found it
tough against QPR and over the past five years honours have been fairly
close. Before we were promoted to the FA Premier Women's League, I was quite
glad when the league decided to move them to the South West Combination! We
drew them in the cup last year, again, a very tough game which we came out
narrow 1-0 winners. So this will be a very hard game.
The Hammers are fresh after their league trip to Newquay was postponed last
week. Setford added: "After all the planning and preparation, the game was
called off on Friday afternoon. I must admit, I was a bit deflated. I was
looking forward to the trip, spending the weekend with the team and planning
lots of embarrassing stunts for Grace Coombs, as it was her 17th birthday
that Sunday. The rest would have done the team good though and hopefully
we'll look sharp."
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Southampton keen to bag Dailly - BBC
Southampton boss George Burley has hinted that he wants to bring Christian
Dailly back to the club in January. Dailly, 34, returned to West Ham this
week after spending two months on loan with the Championship club. Saints
have been beset by defensive injuries this season with Claus Lundekvam and
Darren Powell still out. "I've had a good chat with him. He knows that I
think a lot of him, and we'll take it from there in January," Burley told
BBC Radio Solent. "It was a big disappointment when Christian left."
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Curbs hits out at sackings - SSN
Hammers boss critical of short-term thinking towards managers
By James Pearson Last updated: 29th November 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley thinks Premier League chairman are often
too quick to react when their respective teams are struggling. Although
England's top-flight is not even at the half-way mark this term Wigan,
Birmingham, Derby, Chelsea, Bolton and Tottenham have all changed managers.
Curbishley, who spent 15 years in charge of Charlton, believes clubs must
adopt a long-term strategy with managers if they are to succeed. "I think
every manager knows what the situation is, the expectation level," he told
Sky Sports News.
Pressure
"I said earlier in the season that whoever finds themselves in the bottom
six is going to come under pressure, whoever they are. Even if they're
expected to come in the bottom six they are going to come under pressure.
That's a fact of life at the moment. "We've had more managers go already
this season. It's a tough situation for us. It doesn't breed that longevity
that you need. It's perhaps becoming short-term thinking."
Progress
Meanwhile, Curbishley has been pleased with West Ham's progress this term
after turning back page headlines into wins on the pitch. "Perhaps we this
season we needed a solid season and be on the back pages for the right
reasons," he continued. "We had lots of things going on last year. Every day
seemed to have us in the headlines. We had more column inches last year than
any other year. "We need a solid season and perhaps start to build
something. You can only do that slowly. You can't do that any other way.
"That's what I said when I came to the club. That's what we're attempting to
do."
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Player Of The Month - November - West Ham Online
Vinny - Thu Nov 29 2007
CARLTON COLE
Games in November
Bolton (h)
Derby (a)
Tottenham (h)
Carlton Cole is the player of the month for November after putting in a
number of good performances, scoring once and making two of the seven goals
scored during the month. It is quite amazing that we are even talking about
Carlton Cole at all, with his West Ham future looking in serious doubt
during the summer.
But with injuries to Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora, Cole has
seized his chance despite being abused by many West Ham supporters. He has
answered his critics by playing well and making an impact on our season, and
the month of November confirmed that he is an asset to this club.
Premiership clubs need a range of options in the striking positions, and
Carlton Cole staked his claim for a regular place in the starting line up,
and if he can continue to score a few and set others up, he will be
difficult to displace..
In Second place was last months winner, Robert Green who has continued his
great form, and his penalty save against Tottenham was just another
highlight to a fantastic season he is having.
Previous Winners
August - Mark Noble
September - Dean Ashton
October - Robert Green
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Curbishley plays down Grant's impact at Chelsea
'They're talking it up but if you care to look at it, there's not much
difference'
Sachin Nakrani
Thursday November 29, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
The West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has ignited a potential war of words
with his Chelsea counterpart Avram Grant by insisting the Israeli has done
nothing to evolve Chelsea since becoming the manager there and is "picking
up" wins because of the foundations left by his predecessor, Jose Mourinho.
Curbishley expects the side he encounters at Stamford Bridge in Saturday
lunchtime's Premier League fixture to mirror the one West Ham played last
season in both style and line-up. Such comments are sure to anger Grant, who
has put great emphasis on the improving quality of Chelsea's football since
he became manager in late September in an attempt to step out of Mourinho's
shadow and establish his worth at the club.
"They're talking it up but if you care to look at it, there's not much
difference," Curbishley said. "Drogba is a handful, the midfield three are
as strong as you get, John Terry plays when he's fit and the other players
are put around them. The side is well established and they play a certain
way, it's just carried on.
"When he [Grant] took the job on he must have thought, 'I'm gonna win more
than I lose with the squad I've got.' The foundations Mourinho left were
there for everyone to see and he's taken over nice and quietly and picked up
the results."
A comparison between Grant's 14 matches in charge of Chelsea and Mourinho's
last 14 indicate the club is not only winning more regularly but doing so in
more flamboyant style. Chelsea have won 10 times since the 2-0 defeat to
Manchester United on September 23, Grant's first as manager, scoring 30
goals in the process. Running from the end of last season and until the 1-1
draw at home to Rosenborg on September 18, Mourinho's last match in charge,
Chelsea won only four out of 14, scoring 14 times.
But as far as Curbishley is concerned, the only difference at the club is
the persona of the man in the hot seat. "He [Grant] was the perfect solution
for the change Chelsea wanted. He's quite reserved, different to what they
had."
Curbishley also criticised the so-called big four's attempts to influence
referees, days after Chelsea were charged with failing to control their
players during the 2-0 victory away to Derby. The club has also only just
paid a £30,000 fine for threatening behaviour towards the referee Mike Dean
during the defeat at Old Trafford. "The big four teams definitely get after
the ref a bit more than other teams," Curbishley said. "All the top teams
are that way inclined - decisions are disputed, especially when they're at
home."
Curbishley is hoping Freddie Ljungberg will be in contention for the weekend
fixture after missing Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham with a migraine. Dean
Ashton, a long-term injury concern, could also start.
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Alan Curbishley questions Avram Grant's 'new' style - The Times
Gary Jacob
Alan Curbishley has challenged the perception that Avram Grant has added
style to the regimented structure that Chelsea adopted under José Mourinho.
The West Ham United manager has also claimed that Grant inherited a
relatively straightforward task at Stamford Bridge and that Chelsea, his
side's opponents tomorrow, put excessive pressure on referees.
Roman Abramovich, the owner, dismissed Mourinho in September, reportedly for
failing to provide thrilling football. Grant has since won ten of his 14
matches in charge, maintaining the system of his predecessor but allowing
the players more freedom.
"I don't think the style has changed," Curbishley said. "They play a certain
way. It suits them. They are talking about it as if it's a different game.
The side was established before and there has been no change to personnel.
All that has happened over the past couple of months is that they have got
their players back."
Chelsea were hindered earlier in the season by the absence of Didier Drogba
and John Terry, who had knee injuries, and Frank Lampard with a thigh
problem. They have returned. "When Grant took the job on, he must have
thought: 'I would win more than I will lose with this squad,' " Curbishley
said. "He has gone about his job quietly and let the team flourish.
"But the foundations and squad are what Mourinho left. Grant has picked up
the results, which helps. They are looking confident. If you wanted to have
a change [from Mourinho], he was the perfect solution. He is reserved,
someone a little bit different to what they had."
Curbishley said that he did not have a problem with Grant not having the
required coaching qualifications at present. Grant has an A-licence but must
attain his Uefa Pro Licence to remain as first-team coach in the long term.
Curbishley sits on the League Managers Association executive committee, the
organisation that has maintained that managers must have the necessary
badges to work at the highest level. "He is vastly experienced," Curbishley
said.
The West Ham manager has warned Howard Webb, the referee, who will officiate
at the Barclays Premier League match tomorrow, that he will come under
pressure from the home team. Chelsea were charged with failing to control
their players after they confronted Andre Marriner, the referee, over
Michael Essien's sending-off in the 2-0 victory away to Derby County last
Saturday. "The top four teams get after the referees more than the other
teams," he said.
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Curbishley blasts big four - The Mirror
Ann Gripper 30/11/2007
Chelsea are bully boys when it comes to the referee - but the other Big Four
sides are just as bad, reckons Alan Curbishley. The Blues are in hot water
again after their players surrounded ref Andre Marriner when he sent off
Michael Essien against Derby last Saturday for an elbow on Kenny Miller.
Manager Avram Grant, who has failed to stamp out the culture of berating the
officials which took root under previous boss Jose Mourinho, defended his
players' right to protest against decisions. The weekend scenes at Pride
Park saw Chelsea charged with failing to control their players for the
second time since Grant took over, the first coming in his debut defeat at
Old Trafford which brought a £30,000 fine. But Curbishley, who takes his
West Ham side to Stamford Bridge tomorrow, believes Chelsea are not alone in
their bad behaviour.
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NO PASSENGERS FOR HAMMERS - CURBS - Football365
Posted 30/11/07 05:56EmailPrintSave
Chelsea 1/4, Draw 4/1, West Ham 8/1
Alan Curbishley knows each and every one of his West Ham players must be on
top form if they are to get anything out of Saturday's trip to Chelsea. The
Hammers are unbeaten in six matches, thanks in no small part to a dramatic
penalty save from goalkeeper Robert Green deep into stoppage time against
Tottenham last weekend. Curbishley, though, knows his men will face an
uphill battle to get another positive result from their journey across the
capital.
Despite a troubled start to the campaign which saw Chelsea controversially
part company with manager Jose Mourinho, the Blues - now under the guidance
of Israeli Avram Grant - have slowly moved through the gears and found some
consistency. The 4-0 away demolition of Rosenborg in the Champions League on
Wednesday night secured a place in the last 16 of Europe's elite club
competition and made it a run of 13 matches unbeaten. Curbishley is in no
doubt of the task facing the Hammers tomorrow. "When you play a top-four
team you need a few things going for you," he said. "You also need your
players to all be on form - you can not carry anyone."
Striker Dean Ashton is in contention for a place in the starting XI, having
sharpened his match fitness with a brace for the reserves in midweek, and
Curbishley could elect to play the England hopeful in a two-man attack
alongside Carlton Cole. Midfielder Scott Parker also featured for the second
string against Derby, and is expected to feature on Saturday, while Freddie
Ljungberg will be back in the squad after showing no ill effects from the
migraine which ruled him out against Spurs. However, the fitness of Lee
Bowyer (hernia) will be assessed ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge and
striker Craig Bellamy (groin) is still out.
Midfielder Hayden Mullins has returned from his recent injury lay-off, and
is relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with the likes of former Hammer
Frank Lampard tomorrow. "We won't go there and fear them at all," Mullins
said. "We know they are a great side and we know they are a hard team."
Mullins told the club's website: "It is a good game for us to go there and
hit them on the break. "We have done that to a lot of teams away from home.
We look quite good doing it and we know what we can do. "Who knows? A couple
of chances and a bit of luck on the day and hopefully we can nick
something."
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Cech, Carvalho back to boost Chelsea
tribalfootball.com - November 29, 2007
Petr Cech will be back in goal for Chelsea for tomorrow's clash with West
Ham
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West Ham can shock Chelsea - Mullins
tribalfootball.com - November 29, 2007
West Ham United midfielder Hayden Mullins insists they can shock Chelsea
this weekend. "We won't go there and fear them at all," he told whufc.com.
"We know they are a great side and we know they are a hard team. Who knows?
A couple of chances and a bit of luck on the day and hopefully we can nick
something."
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YOU AV IT SO EASY – CURBS - The Star
30th November 2007 By Paul Brown Your Shout
Alan Curbishley last night poured scorn over Avram Grant's Chelsea
revolution, sneering: "You have the easiest job in football!" West Ham hope
the goals dry up for their bitter rivals in tomorrow's lunchtime derby at
Stamford Bridge after a recent return to form. But Curbishley reckons the
Israeli can't claim the credit for turning Chelsea around – because he
hasn't changed a thing since Jose Mourinho left. The Hammers boss said: "If
you care to look at them, Didier Drogba is a handful, the midfield three are
as strong as it gets and, when you add John Terry coming back, there's not a
lot of change! "The side was established – there has been no change in
personnel. It's just carried on. I don't think the style has changed. "All
that's happened is they've got their big players back. "In the main you
could safely pick Chelsea's starting side. Avram's just let the thing
flourish. "The foundations Mourinho left for him are there for all to see."
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Southampton boss wants West Ham's Dailly
tribalfooball.com - November 29, 2007
Southampton boss George Burley hopes to bring West Ham United defender
Christian Dailly back to St Mary's. Dailly, 34, returned to West Ham this
week after spending two months on loan with the Championship club. Saints
have been beset by defensive injuries this season with Claus Lundekvam and
Darren Powell still out. "I've had a good chat with him. He knows that I
think a lot of him, and we'll take it from there in January," Burley told
BBC Radio Solent. "It was a big disappointment when Christian left."
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Palace keen on West Ham's Ephraim - Clubcall
tribalfooball.com - November 29, 2007
Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock will try again to sign Hogan Ephraim from
West Ham when the transfer window re-opens in January. The Palace boss
failed in a bid to sign the pacy midfielder on the last day of the emergency
loan window last week but is still keen on him. Ephraim recently returned to
Upton Park after a loan spell at QPR where he played 13 games, starting
eight, and scored twice including notching on his last match for the Loftus
Road club against Hull.
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Hammers wide boy on Warnock's list - Clubcall
2007-11-29 17:56:00.0
Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock is planning a January raid for West Ham
winger Hogan Ephraim - according to reports. The Selhurst Park boss is keen
to add width to his misfiring Eagles side and recently sent Portsmouth loan
man Franck Songo'o back to Fratton Park to persue other avenues. Ephraim is
now thought to be a target for a transfer window swoop after he caught the
eye of Palace scouts during a loan stint at QPR earlier this season.
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