Lucas Neill looks ahead to Sunday and recalls a special hospital visit
07.12.2007
Lucas Neill begins his weekly blog with praise for Scott Parker and Carlton
Cole after a fine display at Chelsea last week before turning his attentions
to his return to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. There is also a look ahead to
the Everton cup game while the captain also makes special mention of two
special squad events.
I thought we put in a fantastic display against Chelsea last Saturday and we
were unlucky not to come away with a point. To keep a top-four side to one
shot on target, which was the goal, on their home soil as well was
fantastic. We can take a lot of heart from the performance and we go into
this weekend's game in a positive frame of mind.
Special mentions must go to Scotty Parker who unfortunately did run out of
gas but showed the kind of form to justify why we brought him here. Also
Coley, who did extremely well against his old club to make two world-class
centre-halves look average, and to my two centre-halves who kept a vibrant
Didier Drogba very quiet.
Last year saw us start our fantastic run at my former club and nothing but a
win will also do this weekend. They are a very organised and fit outfit and
I have great respect for Mark Hughes and his team but there will be no
greater pleasure than matching them for their work rate and taking the
spoils. This is another crucial week in our fixture list where we play the
teams in and around us and have a semi-final place at stake. We want to
start the week as we mean to go on at Ewood Park with a convincing
performance and three points in the bag.
Christmas is a busy period for games but also sees us fulfilling commitments
off the field. This week half the squad was invited to the Junior Hammers
Christmas party on Sunday. We got a great reception from the kids and
hopefully helped make their party a success. It is always great to be able
to spend time meeting our younger fans and bring a smile to their faces by
posing for photos and signing autographs, it is a small way of saying thanks
for their support.
Also this week, the whole first-team squad took a truck load of toys and
West Ham goody bags to the Queens Hospital in Romford. The boys played Santa
for the day handing out presents to kids who unfortunately find themselves
injured or ill at a time when they should be at home enjoying the
festivities so the aim really was to bring a smile to their faces and do
what we could to cheer them up. I don't know who had more fun, the kids or
the nurses! But all the staff do deserve a lot of credit for doing a job
that is very unselfish. It takes a very special person to do it so it was
nice to know we had brightened their day as well.
Looking forward to the Everton cup game on Wednesday, I am hoping for an
intimidating atmosphere and a genuine opportunity to win a game that will
get us into a cup semi-final. Both teams will fancy their chances but at
home I am hoping that with your help we will have the edge.
So thank you to all those that make the trip to Ewood Park on Sunday
afternoon. Let's hope we make it a happy trip home and thank you in advance
for the proverbial 12th-man support we are going to need against Everton on
Wednesday.
Lucas Neill
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Blackburn Rovers match preview - WHUFC
All the team news and background for Sunday's away trip
07.12.2007
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United
Sunday 9 December
Kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
WHUTV - Full live match commentary. Also, later on Friday, see Alan
Curbishley and Lucas Neill speaking at the pre-match press conference, while
there is also the chance to hear from Tony Gale about the meeting of his two
former clubs. Click here to login or register.
Team news
Lee Bowyer and Mark Noble are bidding for a place in the 16 after missing
out on the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea. Both have had hernia operations recently
with Curbishley admitting Bowyer was "touch and go" while the return of
Scott Parker and the form of Hayden Mullins has left Noble facing stiff
competition. The manager will also have to decide whether to hand Freddie
Ljungberg and Dean Ashton starting roles after coming off the bench last
weekend. James Collins is also waiting in the wings behind Matthew Upson and
Danny Gabbidon.
With the treatment room clearing, the squad has been further boosted by the
arrival of France winger Julien Faubert to Chadwell Heath to continue his
rehabilitation from an achilles injury while Anton Ferdinand is closing on a
training return after hamstring trouble. Bobby Zamora has made progress with
his knee problems and there are hopes he could be back in training before
the end of the year while Craig Bellamy's abdominal injury continues to keep
him out.
Carlton Cole is one caution away from a one-game ban, meaning a yellow card
on Sunday would rule him out of Wednesday's visit of Everton in the Carling
Cup quarter-finals. Club captain Lucas Neill will return to the club where
he made 227 appearances between September 2001 and January 2007.
Blackburn will be without in-form midfielder David Bentley after he picked
up his fifth caution of the campaign in scoring two goals in last Saturday's
3-1 home win against Newcastle United - while defender Ryan Nelsen also
completes his three-match suspension. Blackburn have no injury problems
though with Steven Reid and Robbie Savage both coming back from long-term
absences.
Just 19 players have been used by the club in the Barclays Premier League
this season, the fewest total of any of the 20 participating teams. That
settled squad has led to plenty of competition for places. Not least in
attack with Matt Derbyshire and Jason Roberts itching to get in ahead of
established duo Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz.
Background
This fixture last season was crucial to West Ham United's survival fight. On
17 March, Rovers took the lead through Christopher Samba's 47th-minute
strike. However, Carlos Tevez drew the visitors level with a 71st-minute
penalty before a Bobby Zamora shot struck Tevez on the line four minute
later and was adjudged by the referee to have crossed the line. That win was
the first of seven in the last nine games of the season for Curbishley's
side as they secured survival on the final day of the campaign.
West Ham United go into the game with just one defeat in their last seven
games, that reverse at Chelsea that most neutrals felt was harsh on the
visitors. The club have not conceded more than two goals in a game since the
3-1 defeat at Newcastle United on 23 September - the longest run of any team
in the Barclays Premier League. Curbishley's men go into the game knowing
that victory would see them take on Everton in the cup in tenth position in
the table and they have still not lost this season in any match where they
have taken the lead
A win would also take the club within four points of Blackburn, who
themselves are looking to challenge for a place in the top six. Rovers' win
last weekend was their first in five Premier League outings but they have a
good record against London teams - having not lost to a capital club in
eight contests since the home defeat by West Ham United last season. The
club go to Wigan Athletic next weekend before their own last-eight date in
the Carling Cup against Arsenal on Tuesday 18 December.
George McCartney is bidding to make his 18th appearance this season in all
competitions - and is the only West Ham United player who has featured in
every game to date, starting in each one. In terms of the Barclays Premier
League, only Robert Green and Matthew Upson have played every minute of the
14 matches. Bowyer is the club's top league scorer with four goals, while
Matthew Etherington has three in the top-flight this campaign. Cole has six
assists to his name.
McCarthy is Blackburn's leading scorer this season with eight goals, five in
the top flight. Only Brad Friedel has featured in every minute of the club's
league and cup games this season.
Head to head (Last six Premier League meetings)
17 March 2007 - Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Ham United
29 October 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
10 December 2005 - Blackburn Rovers 3-2 West Ham United
13 August 2005 - West Ham United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
29 January 2003 - West Ham United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
28 December 2002 - Blackburn Rovers 2-2 West Ham United
General information
For the latest ticket news, click here. For more information on getting to
Ewood Park, click here
Weather: The forecast for Sunday is for a cold and wet day. The temperature
is expected to be around 6C.
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Hunt leaves it late for youths - WHUFC
A Ben Hunt goal and the return of Freddie Sears were positives for the U18s
07.12.2007
Fulham Under-18s 1-1 West Ham United Under-18s
Ben Hunt's 89th-minute goal earned West Ham United a draw at Fulham on
Friday afternoon although academy director Tony Carr felt a point was the
least his side deserved.
The visitors had gone behind in the 20th minute to a deflected shot that
gave Marek Stech no chance before Fulham "defended for their lives" in a bid
to protect their lead. However, Carr's side refused to give in and got the
goal their efforts deserved. Hunt was the hero, with the young striker
pouncing on a ball into the box to fire in from 12 yards.
Another positive for the young Hammers was that Freddie Sears returned after
his lay-off with an ankle injury and played the entire fixture. The England
youth international striker had a shot cleared off the line while Josh Payne
twice saw headers saved, one in each half. It was an encouraging display
against opponents who had managed to secure a 1-0 win at Little Heath on the
first day of this season.
Having won 2-0 at Ipswich Town last weekend, West Ham United threatened
throughout the contest against hosts who began the day ranked third in the
table, two places and four points above them. Carr said it was an impressive
display of attacking football. "We had balls flashing across the box and
there were two or three occasions where their goalkeeper has pulled off
saves or defenders have put themselves on the line to block.
Carr, who said the corner count was 20 to 2 in the visitors' favour, added:
"It was a good game and we played very well. We dominated from start to
finish but just couldn't score. We should have won arguably on the chances
we had. They are a good side but we played them off the park at times. I am
really pleased. The performance is everything at our level and we looked
very good."
On Sears, who had begun the season in good form with several goals, Carr
said: "It was his first game back after two and a half months. He came close
to scoring and is definitely on his way back. He played the whole 90
minutes. We were keeping an eye on him but he wanted to stay on and he did
well for his first game. He is going to be a key player for us this year."
Meanwhile, the draw has been made for the FA Youth Cup fourth round. The
Academy side will play Bolton Wanderers in the third round at the Boleyn
Ground on Wednesday 19 December, kick-off at 7pm, and will have another home
tie should they progress after being paired with either Port Vale or Swansea
City.
West Ham United: Stech, Brookes, Miller, Payne, Spence (Blackwell 85),
Harvey (O'Neill 75), Edgar (N'Gala 86), Lee, Hunt, Sears, Stanislas
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Blackburn v West Ham - BBC
Ewood Park
Sunday, 9 December
Kick-off: 1600 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day.
Blackburn midfielder David Bentley serves a one game suspension after
collecting five bookings this season.
Defender Ryan Nelsen is also absent as he completes his ban for his red card
against Aston Villa on 28 November.
West Ham's Mark Noble is pushing for a return to the squad after undergoing
a hernia operation. Lee Bowyer is rated "touch and go" after the same
surgery.
Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg could start after their appearances off
the bench against Chelsea last weekend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Blackburn (from): Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Tugay, Mokoena,
Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Roberts, Brown, Savage, Berner,
Derbyshire, Khizanishvili, Treacy.
West Ham (from): Green, McCarthy, Gabiddon, Upson, Neill, Etherington, Boa
Morte, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Solano, Ljungberg, Cole, Ashton, Wright,
Spector, Collins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes on Rovers squad:
"I have said we have a great squad this year, great quality.
"When players go out of the team it is sometimes difficult to get back in.
They have wait for their opportunity.
"In some games I may change personnel irrespective of whether they have done
great the week before."
West Ham assistant manager Mervyn Day on goalkeeper Robert Green:
"I cannot believe Robert hasn't got into the England squad.
"He's been consistently excellent for the last nine or 10 months. In the
run-in last season he won two or three games on his own.
"Everybody who comes in should start with a clean slate. If they do that
then Robert must have a great chance."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Blackburn are looking for back-to-back victories in Mark Hughes' 125th
Premier League match in charge.
The 100th competitive meeting with Rovers, completes a first year in charge
of West Ham for Alan Curbishley.
Blackburn have not lost to a London club in eight Premier League matches,
since the 1-2 defeat, home to West Ham, on 17 March.
That victory lifted the Hammers off the foot of the table. But it was not
without controversy. The sides were standing at one-all with 15 minutes to
go, when a Bobby Zamora shot in a goalmouth melee struck Carlos Tevez on the
line and a goal was awarded by referee Howard Webb.
CLUB FORM
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Won one of five Premier League matches; failed to score in three of the
five.
2. Kept one clean sheet in 10 league outings; 0-0, home to Liverpool on 3
November.
3. Gained 50 Premier League victories under Hughes.
4. Been shown four red cards in Premier League competition so far this
season; that's more than any other club.
5. Used fewer players in Premier League matches this season than any other
club; 19.
6. The current total of 26 points after 15 matches is their best to this
stage of a Premier League season, since 30 points were accrued in 1997-98,
when Rovers were second in the table, but ended the season in sixth.
7. Picked up eight Premier League points from losing positions, beating
Middlesbrough (a) and Tottenham (a) and drawing with Arsenal (h) and Fulham
(a).
8. Lost one of the last seven at Ewood Park (all competitions).
9. Lost one of five home league games, winning three of them.
10. A trip to Wigan follows this, before a home Carling Cup quarter-final
against Arsenal and a pre-Christmas league clash, home to Chelsea.
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Chelsea ended a six-game undefeated sequence
(all competitions).
2. Avoided defeat in five of the last six Premier League matches.
3. Not beaten a north-west club in three attempts in the Premier League this
season, but won the last five last season.
4. Two short of conceding 5,000 goals in their league history.
5. Need to net five more times to total 3,000 goals in top-flight football.
6. On the longest current run of eight matches in the Premier League since
conceding more than a single goal in a game; the most recent being the 3-1
reverse at Newcastle on 23 September.
7. Their 14 league games have produced just 31 goals (19 for, 12 against).
At 2.21, it's the third lowest goals per game average in the division.
Chelsea's is 2.07 and Manchester United's 2.13.
8. Yet to beat a fellow top half club; drawn one and lost four of their five
matches to date against clubs currently in the top 10.
9. Kept clean sheets in four of their last seven league games on the road,
and failed to score in three of the last four; the exception being the 0-5
thrashing of Derby at Pride Park on 10 November.
10. Two home fixtures with Everton follow this, in the Carling Cup
quarter-finals and the Premier League, before a pre-Christmas visit to
Middlesbrough.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Benni McCARTHY is Blackburn's top scorer with eight goals, and the club's
leading Premier League marksman with five.
Brad FRIEDEL has made 161 successive appearances for Blackburn, 129 of them
in the Premier League; the league sequence started at the beginning of the
2004-05 season.
Only FRIEDEL has played every minute of every one of Blackburn's league and
cup matches this season.
David DUNN is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals.
If on the field from the outset:-
Morten Gamst PEDERSEN will be making his 100th Premier League start in
Blackburn colours.
Suspended:-
Sergio PETER (one match)
David BENTLEY (one match)
Ryan NELSEN (one match)
WEST HAM UNITED
Craig BELLAMY and Lee BOWYER are West Ham's joint top scorers with four
goals each.
BOWYER is the Hammers' top Premier League marksmen as all four of his goals
were in the league.
West Ham have eight players on their Premier League goalscorers list, all
but Nol SOLANO are British.
Robert GREEN has saved all three penalties awarded in Premier League matches
this season.
Matthew UPSON and GREEN are the only remaining players to have been on the
field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches
this season.
BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds, Newcastle
and West Ham).
If selected:-
George McCARTNEY will be making his 200th club career appearance (Sunderland
and West Ham).
Henri CAMARA will be making his 100th English league appearance (Wolves,
Southampton, Wigan and West Ham).
BELLAMY will be facing a former club. The 28 year old Wales international
forward made 32 appearances (27 in the league) and scored 17 goals (13
league) in one season for Blackburn from 2005.
Lucas NEILL will also be opposing former club mates. The 29 year old
Australia international midfielder made 227 appearances (188 in the league)
and scored eight goals (five league) for Rovers between September 2001 and
his move to Upton Park in January this year.
If on the field from the outset:-
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career club start (Cardiff and West
Ham).
HEAD TO HEAD
West Ham have won only two of their 10 Premier League trips to Ewood Park -
the first and the most recent. Lee Chapman and Trevor Morley scored in a 0-2
triumph on 18 September 1993.
The Hammers have won their last three against Blackburn in league and cup.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Blackburn 42 wins, West Ham 35, Draws 11
Prem: Blackburn 8 wins, West Ham 10, Draws 2
at Blackburn only
League (inc PL): Blackburn 28 wins, West Ham 11, Draws 5
Prem: Blackburn 7 wins, West Ham 2, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Ham United
17 March 2007 - Ref: Howard Webb
Blackburn scorer: Samba 47
West Ham scorers: Tevez 71 pen, Zamora 75
Sent Off: Bentley (Blackburn) 90
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
Premier League referees' table
Alan Wiley's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Rovers not so bad - SSN
Last updated: 7th December 2007
Blackburn v West Ham
3.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
I've been really impressed with the way that Mark Hughes has gone about his
job at Blackburn - he has got a solid squad together there and has taken
away that 'bad boy' tag that they had. They play some decent football and
Hughes has made some good buys - Christopher Samba and Roque Santa Cruz to
name a couple - and they're looking a very useful outfit. They got a good
win against Newcastle last week and appear to be very solid to me. My
favourite Blackburn player is someone who is probably on his last legs but
who I think passes the ball around midfield as well as anyone and comes up
with the odd spectacular goal - Tugay. I really like the way he plays the
game. Benni McCarthy has been doing the business up front and David Bentley
has made great strides. He's suspended for this one which will be a bit of a
blow for Blackburn as he is in great form, scoring a brace against Newcastle
last weekend. But they have strength in depth, so I think they'll be able to
cope with the loss of Bentley.
Coping well
It's just incredible how many injuries West Ham have had in the last 18
months. But they have coped well recently and are sitting comfortably in
mid-table.
They could be excused for being in the bottom six or seven right now after
all the injuries that they've had, so Alan Curbishley has done a decent
enough job
When those players come back he'll fancy his chances of pushing up the
table. Carlton Cole has had a good run in the team and has done very well.
It'll be good for the lad as he came onto the scene with a big reputation
and struggled to live up to it. He went off on loan to a couple of clubs and
things didn't work out. He didn't score the goals that were expected of him
but all of sudden, due to the injury crisis at West Ham, he gets a run in
the side and has done very well. I'm pleased for him. I like Scott Parker
too and it was a bad blow for West Ham when he got injured. I think he's a
good footballer, a solid midfielder who breaks things up and passes the ball
well. He's got a bit more ability than people give him credit for and it'll
be a massive plus for Curbs to have him back in the side now. I like the
look of Dean Ashton too. He's probably not got the pace of a top
international striker like Michael Owen, but he holds the ball up very well,
he has a super touch and the boy knows where the goal is.
Matt's Main Man
BENNI McCARTHY - He had a bit of a sulk on at the start of the season
because he fancied a move to one of the big boys. But he's got his head down
and Sparky has obviously given him a kick up the backside because he's
performing again.
Le Tiss predicts
HOME WIN - I think Blackburn will be a little bit too strong with their
firepower up front and home advantage. West Ham still have a lot of
injuries, so I reckon Rovers will win it 2-1.
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Blackburn v West Ham preview - SSN
Catch Blackburn v West Ham live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 7th December 2007
PREDICTIONS
Skysports.com's prediction: Blackburn 2 West Ham 1
SKY BET odds: Blackburn 4/5, Draw 9/4, West Ham 3/1
One to Watch: Benni McCarthy
Blackburn will be aiming to follow up their 3-1 victory over Newcastle with
another home win when they entertain West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
1.
Rovers had struggled prior to last week but produced an impressive
performance to see off The Magpies 3-1. They are now just four points behind
Manchester City in fifth and will be hoping to cut the gap further on their
rivals for a Uefa Cup place. However, David Bentley, who scored two stunning
goals against Newcastle, is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card
of the season. Ryan Nelsen is also absent as he completes his ban for being
sent off against Aston Villa last month. Benni McCarthy is available after
Mark Hughes rubbished claims that he had fallen out with the striker. Robbie
Savage and Jason Roberts are also pushing for starts.
West Ham could not extend their unbeaten run to six games last week as they
lost 1-0 to Chelsea, although Alan Curbishley felt Joe Cole's winning strike
should not have been allowed to stand. The Hammers are firmly embedded in
mid-table alongside Newcastle, with Everton five points above them and
Birmingham five points below. Dean Ashton returned as a substitute against
Chelsea and may get the nod to start at Ewood Park. Craig Bellamy is still
absent with a groin injury but Lee Bowyer (hernia) could come back in.
Hammers captain Lucas Neill faces his former club.
Blackburn 5/6, Draw 9/4, West Ham 7/2
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Hammers soft spot has come and gone - Lancashire Telegraph
By Simon Garner
THERE was a time when most football fans had a soft spot for West Ham
United. But not anymore. The club that produced Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Bobby
Moore and Martin Peters and was widely credited with 'winning' the World Cup
for England in 1966, is now one of the most despised in the country. Why?
Because all the shenanigans surrounding the Carlos Tevez affair has left a
bitter taste in the mouths of those who love the game. The whole Tevez thing
was a murky business that tarnished the image of the game and after a
lengthy inquiry, I'm not entirely convinced the powers-that-be ever properly
got to the bottom of it. However, what cannot be disputed is the fact the
Hammers would have been sunk without trace last season but for Tevez. His
goals and performances during the run-in gave West Ham a fighting chance of
survival after they had previously looked doomed, and it was the Argentine
who grabbed the all-important winning goal against Manchester United at Old
Trafford on the final day of the season, which condemned Sheffield United to
a place in the Championship. If you'd have presented such a story-line to
the script-writers at Roy of the Rovers, you probably would have been
laughed out of the building. But sometimes fact is stranger than fiction in
the crazy world of football. The reason I'm digging all this up again now is
because West Ham's bid for survival effectively began at Ewood Park last
season, when Rovers were robbed of a point - and possibly all three - at the
end of one of the most bizarre games I have ever seen. Referee Howard Webb
and his assistant Jim Devine achieved the seemingly impossible that fateful
afternoon; they managed to make themselves even more unpopular than Lucas
Neill, who was roundly abused on his Ewood return. And, predictably, Tevez
was the man at the centre of most of the controversy. First, the West Ham
striker appeared to take a dive following a brush with Brett Emerton in the
area, which Mr Webb interpreted as a penalty. Cue the Argentine, who
unashamedly dusted himself down and promptly scored from the spot to hand
his team a lifeline. With the game tied at 1-1, Hammers striker Bobby Zamora
then grabbed one of the most controversial winning goals' ever witnessed at
Ewood Park. His strike could have been ruled out on several counts; there
was a clear handball and an offside which neither official managed to spot.
Then after all that, Zamora's shot didn't even cross the line anyway - it
struck Tevez (who else?) and rebounded back into play again. But up went Mr
Devine's flag to signal a goal and there was no way back for Rovers from
that point onwards. Mark Hughes was livid afterwards, and understandably so.
However, for West Ham and Alan Curbishley, it proved to be a turning point
in their season following five back-to-back defeats in the league, and it
provided the catalyst for an unlikely rescue mission. Now Rovers have the
chance to settle an old score this weekend when they face West Ham for the
first time since that dark day in March and I, for one, really hope they
burst the Hammers' bubble.
4:50pm today
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Curbs cools England link - Football UK
Friday Dec 07 2007 13:58
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley insists he is happy at Upton Park
amid speculation suggesting he is in the frame to become the next England
boss.
Curbishley was rumoured to be at the centre of a rift between Football
Association heavyweights Sir Trevor Brooking and Brian Barwick. According to
reports, the FA's director of football development Brooking favoured a
homegrown coach to take the England helm, while chief executive Barwick was
eyeing a high-profile continental appointment. However, Curbishley has
distanced himself from the talk by claiming he doesn't believe he is in the
running to replace the sacked Steve McClaren. "I don't know why this has
come out. I don't know how much substance is in it, if any," he said. "But
it's the topic everyone wants to talk about at the moment. Every day there's
speculation. "I'm happy and committed to West Ham. We have a massive week
coming up and as far as I'm concerned nothing will get in the way of that."
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Noble looks for Hammers return
07/12/2007 - 3:17:20 PM
Mark Noble is pushing for a return to the West Ham squad for Sunday's
Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn after undergoing a hernia
operation. Fellow midfielder Lee Bowyer is making a slower recovery from the
same surgery and is rated as "touch and go". Bobby Zamora (knee) and Anton
Ferdinand (hamstring) are on the mend and could return to training in a
week's time but Craig Bellamy (abdominal) remains a potential long-term
concern. Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg could come back into the side
after their appearances off the bench against Chelsea last weekend.
Possible squad: Green, McCarthy, Gabiddon, Upson, Neill, Etherington, Boa
Morte, Parker, Mullins, Noble, Solano, Ljungberg, Cole, Ashton, Wright,
Spector, Collins.
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Zamora not leaving Hammers
By Guardian-series
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley has rubbished claims that Bobby Zamora will be
leaving the club in the January transfer window. The striker (pictured) has
been heavily linked with a £5 million move to London rivals Fulham, while
Sunderland and Reading have also reportedly shown an interest. But
Curbishley insists the 26-year-old is going nowhere. He said: "Bobby started
the season alongside Craig (Bellamy) and he is very much in my plans. He
just hasn't been fit." The former Spurs and Brighton forward has been out
with a knee injury and has not played since the 2-1 Carling Cup second round
win over Bristol Rovers in August. "The problem is his knee keeps swelling
up," Curbishley said. "We've had an operation and done all sorts and it's
only now that he's working and it's not swelling. "We're hopeful he gets
through the next week or so and then he could manage to be back in full
training." Meanwhile, midfielders Lee Bowyer and Mark Noble are expected to
be back in contention for next week's Carling Cup quarter final clash with
Everton following their respective hernia operations. But Craig Bellamy
could require further surgery on his persistent abdominal problem.
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Hammers' decision time over Bellamy operation - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:06am on 7th December 2007
Alan Curbishley said a decision will be taken this weekend on whether Craig
Bellamy will need another operation. The West Ham striker is suffering from
persistent abdominal pain and has been out of action for six weeks. "His
hernia op hasn't solved the problem, and now he has had one injection
followed by a second," said Curbishley. "Another operation may be the only
option." Curbishley is also waiting on the fitness of Lee Bowyer, who is
also recovering from a hernia operation, before naming his squad for
Sunday's trip to Blackburn.
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Bellamy op fears - ESS
Last Updated: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:14
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has admitted that striker Craig Bellamy may
need another operation to cure his groin problem. The Wales international
has been out of action for six weeks with abdominal pain and although his
original operation was hailed as a resounding success it could be that he
needs to go under the knife again. There is no chance of Bellamy playing
this weekend against Blackburn and it is beginning to look as though he will
miss the crucial busy Christmas period, which would be a massive blow for
the club. "His hernia op hasn't solved the problem, and now he has had one
injection followed by a second," said Curbishley. "Another operation may be
the only option." Meanwhile, Curbishley will give a late fitness test to
Lee Bowyer before deciding on whether the midfielder is fit enough to play
against Rovers.
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Crewe coach not surprised by Bolton, West Ham interest for Fon Williams
tribalfooball.com - December 07, 2007
Crewe Alexandra coach Steve Holland isn't surprised by Premiership interest
for goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams. The Anglesey-raised keeper's form with
the Wales under-21 side is reported to have alerted Bolton, Blackburn, West
Ham and Sunderland. Holland told the Sentinel: "Owain has been on the bench,
so he can't be any nearer the team than that. But we wouldn't put him in for
Ben (Williams) on current form. While Ben made a mistake on Tuesday night
(against Gillingham), his form has been excellent." And Crewe's first-team
coach added: "I'm not aware of it (Premier interest in Fon Williams), but it
is not unusual for our young players to be attracting interest from other
clubs. "Owain has had some experience with the Wales under-21 side and he is
a talented keeper, so it is not a surprise."
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