A goal on his first extended run-out since injury has left Dean Ashton
upbeat
11.12.2007
Dean Ashton is feeling good and is ready to fire West Ham United into the
Carling Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Having come on as a half-time substitute to score the only goal in Sunday's
1-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers, Ashton is looking to do the same again
against Everton and add to his four goals this season. "It's great to get 45
minutes and I feel like I'm back to what I was before so it's really nice."
Although eager to start matches and "repay the fans" for their support,
Ashton admitted it benefited him at the weekend to enter the fray later in
the game. "The first half was very tight - two evenly matched teams but the
second halves do tend to open up and that was good for me. I managed to get
some good touches and it was a good 45 minutes for me."
Ashton has previously spoken of his hunger to get to another major showpiece
with West Ham United after his FA Cup memories from 2006 but he knows the
club is in the middle of a busy and tricky run. "The Christmas period is
very tough for all of us and to get a win this weekend will put everybody in
a good frame of mind for Wednesday because we want to get to a final.
"It will be a tough time, perhaps we'll pick up a few injuries and players
will have to play out of position but we've shown we're capable of coping
with that."
Alan Curbishley is spoilt for choice in forward positions with Luis Boa
Morte and Carlton Cole impressing in the forward positions of late - while
Henri Camara, cup-tied in midweek, is waiting patiently. Cole, however, will
have to sit out the 22 December trip to Middlesbrough because of suspension,
something Ashton described as a "big blow".
"He's been playing really well for us," he added. "It's a shame for him
because he has hit a good bit of form but I'm sure he'll come back raring to
go the next game after that because there are a lot of games."
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Reserves settle for Chelsea draw - WHUFC
A strong defensive display helped nullify a lively Chelsea attack
10.12.2007
West Ham United reserves 0-0 Chelsea reserves
West Ham United made it five games unbeaten with a hard-fought goalless draw
at home against Chelsea on Monday.
On a freezing evening at Bishop's Stortford, there was little to separate
the two teams with the visitors perhaps having the best of the chances while
the hosts showed defensive resilience - encapsulated by a man of the match
display from Bondz N'Gala. The towering centre-back was the star performer
against a Chelsea side full of attacking talent.
Having not lost since a 1-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur on 9 October, much
was expected of Kevin Keen's side. But, in a cagey opening, chances were at
a premium - a pattern that would persist throughout the contest. Junior
Stanislas, who has made rapid progress this season, had the first real
opportunity, firing in a low shot that tested Stuart Searle in the Chelsea
goal on nine minutes.
Within five minutes, the visitors had found their rhythm. First Miroslav
Stoch - who was to pull the strings all night for Chelsea - found space to
deliver in a testing cross before Jimmy Walker in goal raced off his line to
smother a through-ball destined for striker Morten Nielsen. Then, Sergio
Tejera Rodriguez found room to shoot on goal - but Walker was again equal to
the challenge.
West Ham United did not manage to make many in-roads themselves until the
half-hour mark came and went - with Stanislas always looking the most
likely. It was not for the want of effort though with Christian Dailly as
committed as ever in a defensive midfield role. On 34 minutes, captain
Collison was able to shoot at goal after a rare opening but in truth it
never troubled Searle.
Chelsea could have taken the lead just before half-time when Michael Woods
leapt well to head for goal but, once more, Walker was able to save. It was
a similar story early in the second half as Woods again seemed destined to
score before N'Gala's exquisite challenge saved the day. The West Ham United
No4 repeated the trick to deny Nielsen soon afterwards.
It was still a stop-start affair and Collison was cautioned on 50 minutes
for a foul. His commitment was unquestioned and he was taking his cue from
Dailly, who did not shirk a challenge all evening. The veteran showed his
willingness for the cause soon after when hit by a fierce free-kick. The
force would have downed most players but Dailly quickly composed himself,
shook his head once and carried on the fight.
Barely two minutes later he had produced a stunning tackle to disposses the
lively Chelsea captain Liam Bridcutt and West Ham United were on the up
again. Just before the hour, the best move of the match for the hosts
finished with Ashley Miller finding room to the right of goal and his
stinging drive was well saved by Searle.
The game then reverted to type with chances at a premium. The next moment to
rouse the crowd came in the 72nd minute when Stoch sent in a dipping,
swerving shot that deceived Walker and rattled against the crossbar. It was
the closest either side had come to a goal. N'Gala then came to the rescue
twice to deny Stoch and Rodriguez as the match entered the final ten minutes
with Miller also cautioned for a late challenge.
For all Chelsea's superior attacking potential, they were unable to win the
midfield battle with Dailly and Collison working overtime. The latter nearly
snatched victory for the hosts in the 86th minute when the former flicked
on. The Wales Under-21 international met the ball well but could not direct
his effort on target. There was still time for N'Gala to make another timely
interception or two but both sides ultimately had to settle for a point.
West Ham United: Walker, Miller, Tomkins, N'Gala, Widdowson, Dailly,
Collison (c), Stanislas, Hunt (Harvey 73), Hines, Fitzgerald (Edgar 75)
Subs not used: Stech, Spence
Chelsea: Searle, Cummings, Pettigrew, Magnay, Van Aanholt (Gordon 46),
Bridcutt (c), Stoch, Woods (Melis 60), Nielsen (Phillip 70), Rodriguez,
Simmonds
Sub not used: Taylor
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Keen hails young defenders - WHUFC
A 'tremendous' back four helped keep the unbeaten run going against Chelsea
10.12.2007
Kevin Keen paid tribute to his side's defensive display after an
inexperienced back four stood firm against a tough Chelsea side on Monday
night.
"It was quite a young team and they had a right go for me," Keen told WHUTV
after the goalless draw. "Even though it was a tough evening, the effort and
the application was certainly there." That said, the manager believed his
side could have showed more in the attacking third and, despite making it
five games unbeaten, he added "we can do better".
At the back, two Under-18 players Bondz N'Gala and Ashley Miller shone
alongside the more experienced James Tomkins and Joe Widdowson, themselves
still only at Under-19 level. It was N'Gala that particularly caught the
eye. "I thought Bondz was probably our man of the match," Keen said. "I
don't very often single out players. My whole back four were tremendous."
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Neill smiling after Rovers return - WHUFC
Lucas Neill has told WHUTV of his delight at answering his critics with a
win
10.12.2007
Lucas Neill has told WHUTV how the "stick" he took from some Blackburn
Rovers supporters spurred him and the team on to victory.
The West Ham United captain was again singled out by sections of the home
support on Sunday, despite pleas by Mark Hughes for fans to go easy on a
defender who served the club for six years. Neill won 2-1 at Ewood Park in
last season's run-in and followed that up with a superb display in Sunday's
1-0 success.
Speaking to WHUTV, he said: "You always want to win at your old club. When
are the fans going to learn that if you boo players of the past, they are
going to come back to haunt you? This is two from two now.
"When you start getting stick it just makes you want to do better than you
think you can already anyway. For me it just makes my smile much bigger."
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Curbishley stops clowning around - SSN
West Ham boss not interested in England job
By Chris Burton Last updated: 10th December 2007
Alan Curbishley celebrates a year in charge and his transformation in the
eyes of the supporters. The West Ham boss took charge at Upton Park in
December 2006 with the club seemingly doomed to relegation to the
Championship. After beating Manchester United in his first game in charge,
things went downhill for Curbishley as he saw his side go 12 games without a
win, including a run of six defeats in a row. Possibly the lowest point of
his first few weeks at the club was the 6-0 drubbing they experienced away
at Reading on New Year's Day. Dubbed a 'clown' and a 'donkey' by the club's
own fans, Curbishley managed to achieve the seemingly impossible when he
guided the club to seven wins in their last nine games to retain their
Premier League status. Now 12 months on, he is able to look back on his
achievements with pride.
Interesting
"It's been an interesting year to say the least," Curbishley said. "After my
first five games with West Ham, I was a donkey and a clown, but I took it
with a pinch of salt because the experience I had of 15 years at Charlton
held me in good stead. "I'd never want to go through what we did again, and
the way we did it, but the experience got me through it. "I don't know if
I've aged well because of it, that's for sure. "But coming into West Ham, I
did say a year ago there was a short-term brief to try and stay up, and a
long-term brief to build the club, and that's what I'm trying to do.
Satisfied
"So I have to say I'm satisfied with my first year because going into a club
with 14 points from 17 games, you are in a relegation battle. "Whoever has
14 points from 17 games is in trouble, and you have to get out of it. We did
get out of it. "I was then hoping to build in the summer and make the club a
lot stronger and that's what I'm still trying to do."
England
Curbishley also told how he is now considered a hero at Upton Park, and that
he has no intention of putting himself forward for the England post. "When I
joined West Ham I never sought any clauses," he explained. "I had them in my
contract at Charlton, but I've none here at West Ham. "It's the only club I
want to be at, it's the first year and I'm hoping to push on. "That's why I
said a couple of months ago that this is my club and I want to do well here.
I've no thoughts of anything else."
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Korean claims Premier talks - SSN
Cho could be bound for England
By Edwin Chong Last updated: 10th December 2007
South Korean hot-shot Cho Jae-jin has revealed he is in talks with a Premier
League club about a possible move in January. The Shimizu S-Pulse star would
not name the potential suitor but admitted discussions are heading in the
right direction. "Negotiations are ongoing," Cho told Sports Khan. "I am not
able to reveal the name of the club but we are meeting with a Premier League
club. "If things happen quickly then it will be concluded within two weeks."
Fulham and West Ham are reportedly favourites for his signature, although
Championship side Charlton are believed to have an outside chance. If the 26
year-old fails to secure a move to England, he is likely to spend the start
of the new year in the Eredivisie, where several clubs including FC Utrecht
are reportedly interested in his services. "The Premier League is my No.1
target," he added. "If I fail then there is a good chance that I will go the
Netherlands."
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Paolo Di Canio in GQ - West Ham Till I Die
December 10, 2007
Flicking through December's issue of GQ (as you do) what do I find but a
seven page feature interview with my all time West Ham favourite Paolo Di
Canio! It's a pity it isn't online anywhere, as it's a fantastic read.
Anyway, here are three choice quotes for your delight and delectation.
On the aftermath of the Paul Alcock incident
One second, Winterburn is barking at me like a dog. The next he is wetting
his pants. All I did was look at him.
To A C Milan Manager, Fabio Capello
F*** yourself. Who are you to talk to me like this. He took a step back and
fell over a kit bag.
On English football
England is the perfect place to play for a footballer. There is education
and there is passion. I love English supporters and I love English people.
What I love about England is that it is 90 minutes of battle.run, fight.
English football is my favourite football.
On doping
Doping in English football is restricted to lager and baked beans with
sausages. After which the players take to the field belching and farting.
On Francesco Totti
Totti had said that he wouldn;t sit at the same table and have dinner with
me. I said that was no great loss, because if you tell Totti that there are
tensions in the Middle East, he'll think that a fight has broken our on the
right side of midfield.
I was particularly stuck by his answer to a question of whether he would
like to manage Lazio. Immediately he replied.
Or West Ham United.
Now that would be a roller coaster!
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Curbs content with progress - Setanta
by Alex Livie, 11 December 2007
Alan Curbishley feels he has finally won over the West Ham United faithful.
A 6-0 drubbing by Reading a year ago had many Hammers fans questioning
whether Curbishley was up to the task of leading the club. The former
Charlton chief refused to wilt and after masterminding a great escape in The
Premier League last term, he has since guided The Hammers into the top ten.
Curbishley claims he is in for the long haul at Upton Park and feels he has
now got the backing of the supporters. "It's been an interesting year to say
the least," said Curbishley. "After my first five games with West Ham, I was
a donkey and a clown, but I took it with a pinch of salt because the
experience I had of 15 years with Charlton got me through it. "I'd never
want to go through what we did again, and the way we did it, but the
experience got me through it. "I don't know if I've aged well because of it,
that's for sure. "But coming into West Ham, I did say a year ago there was a
short-term brief to try and stay up, and a long-term brief to build the
club, and that's what I'm trying to do. "So I have to say I'm satisfied with
my first year because going into a club with 14 points from 17 games, you
are in a relegation battle. "Whoever has 14 points from 17 games is in
trouble, and you have to get out of it. We did get out of it. "I was then
hoping to build in the summer and make the club a lot stronger and that's
what I'm still trying to do."
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Neill: West Ham fans key to Cup success
tribalfooball.com - December 10, 2007
West Ham captain Lucas Neill believes that the home fans can play a key role
in the Carling Cup quarter-final against Everton at Upton Park tomorrow.
"I'm hoping for an intimidating atmosphere to help get us into the
semi-finals," the captain said.
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Ashton happy to get on West Ham scoresheet
tribalfootball.com - December 10, 2007
Dean Ashton was happy to grab the winner for West Ham in their victory over
Blackburn on Sunday. "It's great to get 45 minutes and I feel like I'm back
to what I was before so it's really nice," he told whufc.com. "The first
half was very tight - two evenly matched teams but the second halves do tend
to open up and that was good for me. I managed to get some good touches and
it was a good 45 minutes for me. The Christmas period is very tough for all
of us and to get a win this weekend will put everybody in a good frame of
mind for Wednesday because we want to get to a final. "It will be a tough
time, perhaps we'll pick up a few injuries and players will have to play out
of position but we've shown we're capable of coping with that."
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West Ham boss Curbishley prepared to buy English
tribalfooball.com - December 10, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is happy to continue signing English players -
but insists it's no great show of patriotism. He said: "The players we
brought in could hit the ground running. They'd been in the Premier League
for some time, were very experienced, but still young enough to try and get
back in their national sides. "That goes from Julien Faubert, who was in
the France team before he was injured, to Scott Parker, who played against
Croatia a year ago, to Matthew Upson, Dean Ashton and Robert Green."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley happy to be accepted by West Ham fans
tribalfootball.com - December 10, 2007
Alan Curbishley celebrates a year in charge and his transformation in the
eyes of the supporters. The West Ham boss took charge at Upton Park in
December 2006 with the club seemingly doomed to relegation to the
Championship. Dubbed a 'clown' and a 'donkey' by the club's own fans,
Curbishley managed to achieve the seemingly impossible when he guided the
club to seven wins in their last nine games to retain their Premier League
status. Now 12 months on, he is able to look back on his achievements with
pride. "It's been an interesting year to say the least," Curbishley said.
"After my first five games with West Ham, I was a donkey and a clown, but I
took it with a pinch of salt because the experience I had of 15 years at
Charlton held me in good stead. "I'd never want to go through what we did
again, and the way we did it, but the experience got me through it. "I don't
know if I've aged well because of it, that's for sure. "But coming into West
Ham, I did say a year ago there was a short-term brief to try and stay up,
and a long-term brief to build the club, and that's what I'm trying to do.
"So I have to say I'm satisfied with my first year because going into a club
with 14 points from 17 games, you are in a relegation battle. "Whoever has
14 points from 17 games is in trouble, and you have to get out of it. We did
get out of it. "I was then hoping to build in the summer and make the club a
lot stronger and that's what I'm still trying to do."
Curbishley also told how he is now considered a hero at Upton Park, and that
he has no intention of putting himself forward for the England post. "When I
joined West Ham I never sought any clauses," he explained. "I had them in my
contract at Charlton, but I've none here at West Ham. "It's the only club I
want to be at, it's the first year and I'm hoping to push on. "That's why I
said a couple of months ago that this is my club and I want to do well here.
I've no thoughts of anything else."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers reserves put in another fine derby display
By Guardian-series
West Ham Reserves 0 Chelsea Reserves 0
(Barclays Premier Reserve League South)
KEVIN Keen's young West Ham reserve side extended their unbeaten run to five
games following a goalless draw with Cheslea reserves at Bishop's Stortford
FC's Woodside Park tonight. Aided by the experience of keeper Jimmy Walker
and Christian Dailly, the Hammers put in a fine display, although the
outcome was in stark contrast to the 8-0 thrashing of Derby in their last
outing. An almost eventless first half only came to light in the 44th minute
when Chelsea midfielder Michael Woods forced Walker into a brilliant save.
The second half was going the same way until the 59th minute when the move
of the match ended with Ashley Miller firing in a low shot that Chelsea
keeper Stuart Searle did well to keep out. At the other end, Mirolslav Stoch
rattled the crossbar with 20 minutes left with a dipping shot from 30 yards
that had Walker beaten. The Hammers had a number of decent performers on the
night, not least terrific centre back Bondz N'Gala who made a number of
timely interceptions.
West Ham: Walker, Miller, Tomkins, N'Gala, Widdowson, Dailly, Collison,
Stanislas, Hunt (Harvey 73), Hines, Fitzgerald (Edgar 75).
Unused subs: Stech, Spence
9:13pm Monday 10th December 2007
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