Tony Gale has high praise for the captain ahead of Sunday's encounter
06.12.2007
Lucas Neill's return to Blackburn Rovers this weekend will again put the
West Ham United captain in the spotlight - and Tony Gale has no doubts he
will rise to the challenge.
Having moved to east London in January, the defender went back to Ewood Park
last March with his new side desperate for a win. In an intense atmosphere,
Neill more than played his part in a 2-1 victory - the first of seven wins
in the final nine games as survival was secured. Speaking to WHUTV, Gale
paid tribute to the determined No2 who was "a sad loss for Blackburn but a
big gain for West Ham United".
The former centre-back, who also played for both clubs, added: "We got
ourselves a good right-back and a good captain. He played up there last
season and got a little bit of a tough time from the Blackburn supporters
but when you have a look at his time in the Blackburn colours he was a good
player. Mark Hughes was really sad when he left. He was one of the players
he based his side around."
Neill made eleven appearances for Alan Curbishley last season and, having
returned to full fitness, has established himself in a strong back five this
campaign - his commitment underlined by the bloody nose he got in last
week's spirited display at Chelsea.
Gale said: "Since he has had a few games under his belt, I think he has got
better and better. He again was one of the main reasons why I thought we
stayed up last season. We didn't have many men in the side and I thought he
was instrumental."
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England urged to go Green - WHUFC
Mervyn Day has backed Robert Green's international claims
06.12.2007
The confirmation of England's first friendlies after the failure to qualify
for EURO 2008 has again raised speculation about the new manager and which
players might earn the chance to shine.
The national team will take on Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February and will
then travel to meet France at the Stade de France on 26 March. Hoping to be
in the frame for both fixtures will be Robert Green. The West Ham United No1
has won many admirers this season for his outstanding form but has been
denied the chance to add to his one England cap.
Chief among his fans is Mervyn Day, the club's assistant manager. As a
former goalkeeper at the Boleyn Ground between 1973 and 1979, Day is well
placed to judge the chances of the club's No1. "If you are looking for
someone who is consistently playing at the top of his game in the Premier
League, you'd have to go somewhere different to find a good goalkeeper.
Robert has been arguably the most consistent.
"I can't believe Robert hasn't got in the England squad," he added. "He has
been consistently excellent for the last nine or ten months. In the run-in
to last season he won us two or three games on his own. You only have to
look back to the Arsenal away game where we scored a very good goal but he
got 25 out of 10 for his performance. He has been excellent again for us
this year."
Day admitted there was strong competition from Paul Robinson and Scott
Carson, who replaced the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper for the decisive 3-2
defeat by Croatia last month that cost England a place at next summer's EURO
finals. However, he just cannot look further than Green. "I don't think
there is necessarily a goalkeeping crisis, you should just pick the ones
that are in form."
He hoped that Green might benefit from the change in managerial position,
citing the example of Sven-Goran Eriksson taking over the England job back
in 2001 and then giving the previously unheralded Chris Powell a run of
games at left-back. "Sven looked about and thought 'I have got no
pre-conceived ideas, let's see who is in form'.
"Why not for Robert? Everybody who comes in should start with a fresh slate.
Have a look at who's playing well - what they are doing for their club sides
and if they do it honestly then Robert must have a fabulous chance." Such an
approach would also raise the hopes of outfield players like Matthew Upson
and Scott Parker, both capped by England in the past and with aspirations of
still representing their country.
For Day, Green's claim is undeniable and he has been more than impressed by
what he has seen in the past year and has particular praise for the work put
in by goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko. "Robert is very calm and
unflappable. He is confident in his own ability. He works his socks off, he
is always in the gym doing his weights but he has got that ability to shut
things out. If things go wrong for him, he doesn't dwell on it. He gets on
with what he has got to do next.
"He has got a very balanced view of life. He is not obsessed with watching
football outside of West Ham. He comes in and does his job but has got the
ability to relax. You can get too wrapped up in things but he handles it
very well."
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Gale: Neill will overcome Rovers boo-boys - BlackburnCitizen.co.uk
By Telegraph Sports Reporter
TONY Gale has backed former Rovers defender Lucas Neill to overcome the
boo-boys and rise to the challenge on Sunday. Neill was roundly jeered by
Rovers supporters on his first visit back to Ewood Park after completing his
move to West Ham in January this year. Back in March, the full-back's every
touch was roundly booed, although he ended up on the winning side as Rovers
slumped to a surprising 2-1 defeat. The Australian defender is expected to
receive another hot welcome on Sunday, but centre-back Gale, who played for
both sides, paid tribute to Neill who was "a sad loss for Blackburn but a
big gain for West Ham".
"We got ourselves a good right-back and a good captain," said Gale, who
spent a decade with the Hammers before moving to Rovers, where he landed a
Premier League winners medal in 1995. "He played up there last season and
got a little bit of a tough time from the Blackburn supporters, but when you
have a look at his time in Blackburn colours he was a good player. "Mark
Hughes was really sad when he left. He was one of the players he based his
side around."
Neill made 11 appearances for Alan Curbishley last season and, having
returned to full fitness, has established himself in a strong back five this
campaign.
Gale added: "Since he has had a few games under his belt, I think he has got
better and better. "He again was one of the main reasons why I thought we
stayed up last season. We didn't have many men in the side and I thought he
was instrumental."
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West Ham hero Gale impressed by Neill impact
tribalfootball.com - December 06, 2007
Former West Ham United captain Tony Gale admits he's been won over by
current skipper Lucas Neil. Gale told WHUTV of the Australian: "We got
ourselves a good right-back and a good captain. He played up there last
season and got a little bit of a tough time from the Blackburn supporters
but when you have a look at his time in the Blackburn colours he was a good
player. Mark Hughes was really sad when he left. He was one of the players
he based his side around.
"Since he has had a few games under his belt, I think he has got better and
better. He again was one of the main reasons why I thought we stayed up last
season. We didn't have many men in the side and I thought he was
instrumental."
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West Ham No2 Day backs Green for England
tribalfootball.com - December 06, 2007
West Ham United assistant boss Mervyn Day says goalkeeper Robert Green
deserves an England call-up. He told whufc.com: "If you are looking for
someone who is consistently playing at the top of his game in the Premier
League, you'd have to go somewhere different to find a good goalkeeper.
Robert has been arguably the most consistent. "I can't believe Robert hasn't
got in the England squad," he added. "He has been consistently excellent for
the last nine or ten months. In the run-in to last season he won us two or
three games on his own. You only have to look back to the Arsenal away game
where we scored a very good goal but he got 25 out of 10 for his
performance. He has been excellent again for us this year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA split on West Ham boss Curbishley for England job
tribalfootball.com - December 06, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is in the frame for the England job.
The Daily Mail says Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, has said that
nationality is not an issue and appears to be favouring a 'world class
manager'. But Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football
development, not only wants an Englishman but strongly favours West Ham
manager Alan Curbishley. That was denied by FA officials last night, but
Soho Square insiders see the situation as a real problem when the two are
supposed to be working in tandem in the search for Steve McClaren's
successor. Rumours were rife last night that Jose Mourinho would fly to
London in the next 48 hours, but the FA denied any knowledge of that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Socceroos captain has to google Verbeek - smh.com.au
December 7, 2007 - 6:24PM
Don't know much about Pim Verbeek, don't worry, neither does Lucas Neill.
The Socceroos skipper had to google the new national coach to have a look at
his credentials after hearing he had landed the gig to guide Australia
through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. "I only know him from googling,"
Neill told Sydney radio station 2KY. "I know stories from the time we were
together during the World Cup when (coach) Guus (Hiddink) spoke of him and
he spoke highly of him.
"He is experienced in Asia and he got South Korea third in the Asia Cup and
let's face it we failed (at the Asia Cup). "What he is going to bring is an
experience in Asia and how to win games in Asia. "When we get to the World
Cup it is a world thing but at the moment we just have to focus on getting
through Asia and maybe he is the best man for the job in Asia."
Neill said he was surprised by the appointment which has come just weeks
after Dick Advocaat reneged on a deal with the Football Federation Australia
to lead the Socceroos. "Truthfully it surprised me, it surprised me the fact
that we were bandying about Jurgen Klinsmann, Gerard Houllier and Pim
Verbeek never came into the equation," said Neill. "Obviously Philippe
Troussier is a lot higher profile I suppose a better resume and came in (as)
one of the strong guys in the running. "When it was announced last night and
I got the message it was like not a bad surprise, oh we have got him."
Verbeek was Guus Hiddink's assistant for South Korea at the 2002 World Cup
when the Asian team made a surprise semi-final appearance. The 51-year-old
held the reins as South Korea made the semi-finals of this year's Asian Cup
as Australia crashed out to Japan at the quarter-final stage. FFA chairman
Frank Lowy felt taking on another Dutch coach was the way to go following
the success of Hiddink at the 2006 World Cup. "I am told this is the right
way for us - we have a lot in common with the Dutch psyche, the physique -
the Dutch system suits us well," said Lowy. "Once we adopt that system, we
are better off to continue. This is somehow fate to deliver us on this road,
and maybe it will be very good for us." Australia have been handed a tough
qualifying group for the World Cup that includes Iraq, China and Qatar.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BROOKING WANTS CURBS AS NEXT ENGLAND BOSS - REPORTS - Football 365
Posted 07/12/07 08:35EmailPrintSave
The judgement of Trevor Brooking has been called into question following
reports that he is being blocked by Brian Barwick from appointing Alan
Curbishley as the next England manager.
In arguably the most worrying report to be published in this country this
millennium, The Daily Mail claims that, contradicting Barwick's wish to
recruit a 'world-class manager', 'Brooking not only wants an Englishman but
strongly favours West Ham manager Alan Curbishley.'
Brooking, the FA's director of football development, and Barwick, the
governing body's chief executive, have been authorised to carry out the
search for Steve McClaren's successor. But according to The Mail, the pair's
relationship is 'terrible' and they 'cannot even agree on whether or not
they should appoint another foreigner'.
The newspaper says that 'Barwick has endeavoured to put such issues aside
and tap into Brooking's obvious expertise' but that 'expertise' is certainly
not obvious in his reputed endorsement of Curbishley.
The Englishman is generously described as being 'highly regarded for what he
has achieved at West Ham as well as Charlton', yet it is difficult to see
how years of scrapping against relegation can be considered as relevant to
his candidature for the England job. In any case, as F365 has repeatedly
pointed out, West Ham's escape last season was due mainly to the players
Curbishley inherited rather than those he bought last January.
The then Charlton manager was interviewed by the FA two years ago before
Sven-Goran Eriksson's departure, but his hysterical reaction to photographs
of him in talks with the FA was interpreted as many as clear proof that he
was unsuited to the intense demands of international management.
If Curbishley is appointed national boss then we're leaving the country.
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Fulham eye Zamora moveDec 6 2007 - icessex
By Greg Fidgeon
STRIKER Bobby Zamora looks once again to be on his way out of Upton Park.
Fulham are hopeful of landing the former Spurs and Brighton man in the
January transfer window as they look to bolster their frontline. West Ham
are thought to be happy to sell, as long as they get offers in the region of
£5million for Zamora, who joined the Irons in 2004. Fulham, however, are
thought to rate the former England under 21 international around the £3m
mark. Zamora was West Ham's top scorer last season, but has struggled to
make an impact this term - mainly due to injury. However, he seems to have
plenty of admirers elsewhere with West Brom, Reading, Derby and Sunderland
also said to be keeping an eye on the 26-year-old
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Would England Be In Euro 2008 If West Ham Keeper Was #1? - caughtoffside.com
December 6, 2007
West Ham reckon that the madness has to stop and that Robert Green should be
promoted to the lofty heights of England number 1, whilst gaffe triumvirate
James, Robinson, and Carson should be booted to touch.
West Ham assistant coach Mervyn Day griped: "I can't believe Robert hasn't
got in the England squad.He has been consistently excellent for the last
nine or ten months.In the run-in to last season he won us two or three games
on his own.You only have to look back to the Arsenal away game where we
scored a very good goal but he got 25 out of 10 for his performance.He has
been excellent again for us this year."Why not for Robert? Everybody who
comes in should start with a fresh slate."
Day then went on to describe his strengths, which coincidentally are all the
things that were missing in McClaren's choices for keeper. Day said: "Have a
look at who's playing well - what they are doing for their clubs and if they
do it honestly then Robert must have a fabulous chance. Robert is very calm
and unflappable. He is confident in his own ability. He works his socks off,
he is always in the gym doing his weights but he has got that ability to
shut things out. If things go wrong for him, he doesn't dwell on it. He gets
on with what he has got to do next. He has got a very balanced view of life.
He is not obsessed with watching football outside of West Ham. He comes in
and does his job but has got the ability to relax. You can get too wrapped
up in things but he handles it very well."
So it looks like Mervyn Day has got his bid in early for Robert Green to be
England's new number 1, and it is hard to argue with him.
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West Ham, Blackburn keen on Crewe keeper Fon Williams
tribalfooball.com - December 06, 2007
Crewe Alexandra and Wales Under-21 goalkeeper Owen Fon Williams is
attracting Premiership interest. The Times says Fon Williams, who has yet to
play for Crewe, is out of contract at Gresty Road in the summer and is
attracting the attention of Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham
United and Sunderland, all of whom could move for him in the transfer window
next month.
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