27/09/2007 14:09
Scott Parker enjoyed his first appearance for the Hammers at Upton Park on
Wednesday night as the team progressed through to the fourth round of the
Carling Cup with a 1-0 win over Plymouth. "I'm pleased to be back after
being out a long time with my knee," he said. "It was nice to be involved
and get a win; that was the most crucial thing. "It was always going to be a
tough, competitive match, playing against lower league opposition. You've
got nothing to gain, as such. You're expected to win and they come and give
everything they've got. It turned out that way and a late strike from Deano
put us through, which was pleasing."
Speaking about his own progress since recovering from the knee injury he
suffered during the Hammers' pre-season friendly against Lazio in Austria,
Scott said: "I'm feeling alright. I'm probably still a little bit away from
where I want to be but you only get that from playing games. "Yu can train
as much as you can but I think the main thing coming out of last night was
coming through the game without any reaction to my knee. That was the most
pleasing thing. Hopefully now I can push on a bit, gain a bit more
confidence in my knee and the way I play and we'll go from there."
Scott is hoping to be involved later on this week as West Ham play host to
league leaders, Arsenal. "I haven't spoken to the manager yet," he admitted.
"I think I'll probably be involved in one way or another, but I don't know
whether I'll play or whether I'll be on the bench. I'll leave that decision
to the manager. Obviously, Saturday's game comes quite quickly but it's down
to the manager. "Whenever you play Arsenal it's always a tough game and
Saturday certainly won't be any different. They're on fire and it's going to
be a tough but we're in good form ourselves and we'd like to put up a good
show. Hopefully we'll get a result."
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Curbs gearing up for Arsenal clash - WHUFC
28/09/2007 11:55
Alan Curbishley is gearing up for the Hammers' home clash against Arsenal
tomorrow. The Irons did the double over the Gunners last season, but Curbs
believes Arsene Wenger's side are a different prospect this campaign. "There
were so many games where they did great but missed chances," said Curbs.
"This year they look a lot more direct. They have changed things around, not
so much in the way they attack getting into the box, but they have been more
forceful in front of goal. Perhaps they have looked at some criticisms of
them and done more about it. "They've got a different make up to their team.
The average age of the Arsenal side that played against Newcastle in the
Carling Cup was about 20 or 21. They're a young team and they're growing
together. We've not seen enough of them yet this season to see what their
weaknesses are. We'll have to see as the season progresses because it's a
long old season.
"No one here is going into the game thinking (Arsenal) are invincible. What
sums up football is what Plymouth did to us on Wednesday. They came and gave
us a really good game."
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has started the season in blistering form
but Curbs is well aware of the threat he will pose. "Over the last year he's
come to the fore for Arsenal and he has become a major force," said the
Hammers boss. "For someone so young he shows maturity beyond his years.
We're aware of the things he can do."
With many members of the West Ham United squad returning to full fitness,
Curbs has a few selection issues to ponder. "Freddie is fit, Scott Parker
too and Craig Bellamy is back in full training so I've got a bit of thinking
to do," he admitted. "Apart from that, Bobby Zamora is out as he has just
had a knee injury and we are still without Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer,
who are long terms injuries. Calum Davenport is recovering from his calf
injury and Nigel Quashie has been out since the Spurs game with a injured
foot but both are back in training."
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Hammers v Arsenal: Big Match Preview - WHUFC
28/09/2007 13:04
West Ham United v Arsenal
Upton Park
Saturday, September 29
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
Team news:
Scott Parker has recovered from his knee injury and is in contention for a
place in the squad after playing in the Hammers' Carling Cup win over
Plymouth in midweek. Craig Bellamy is back in training after his groin
injury and Freddie Ljungberg could be up against up against his former club.
Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb faces a late fitness test, while Tomas
Rosicky (hamstring), William Gallas (groin), Jens Lehmann (elbow) and Alex
Song (calf) are all ruled out.
Background:
The Hammers have won the last two matches at Upton Park, against
Middlesbrough in the Premier League and Plymouth in the Carling Cup, while
Arsenal are looking for their fifth straight win to keep their two point
lead at the top of the table.
The Gunners are unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions, since they lost
to West Ham at the Emirates in April. Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy are both
competing for to be the Hammers' leading scorer so far this season and are
level on three goals each.
Last five meetings in the Premier League:
07/04/2007 Arsenal 0 West Ham United 1 (Zamora, 45)
05/11/2007 West Ham United 1 (Harewood, 89) Arsenal 0
01/02/2006 Arsenal 2 (Henry, 45, Pires, 89) West Ham United 3 (Reo-Coker,
25, Zamora, 32, Etherington, 80)
24/09/2005 West Ham United 0 Arsenal 0
21/09/2003 Arsenal 3 (Henry, 14pen, 71, 86) West Ham United 1 (Defoe, 40)
Ticket news:
Tickets for this fixture are SOLD OUT.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Keen to play for Hammers All-Stars - WHUFC
28/09/2007 14:39
Premier League All Stars, the charity football element of the Premier
League's Creating Chances community initiative, saw an action-packed second
night on Tuesday with four more teams battling it out at the All Stars
Arena.
Legends, celebrities and fans of each team committed to the cause in an
incident filled night in this knock-out competition that will see the
ultimate champions winning £100,000 for their Club's nominated charity. The
other Clubs charities will all benefit from the remaining pot of £200,000.
All of the action is live on Sky One every night from 8pm.
First to take to the pitch were West Ham and Reading. The Hammers fielded a
team that included Allen McKnight, John Moncur and legendary striking duo
Frank McAvennie and Tony Cottee. Celebrity fans and acting trio Danny Dyer,
Geoff Bell and Tamer Hasan pulled on the claret and blue. Getting fired up
in the dressing room, Dyer was thrilled to be there, playing alongside his
heroes, he said "ultimate job is a footballer, then rock star, then actor.
Cottee and McAvennie - sweet as, get up there!". Later he added "I just want
to get on there, and have a touch for all the support here." Pre-match
banter wasn't always so clean and the West Ham boys had already raised £110
in their charity swear box before kick-off! With three excited fans making
up the team, West Ham were raring to go.
After a tense stand-off with the score at nil all well into the first half,
Dyer showed his frustration with a crunching tackle on Reading fan Darren
Webb. Dyer came off the worst and was banished to The Cooler for two
minutes, battered and bruised, and regretting his lack of shin-pads, with
only ten seconds to play at the end of the first half. The teams took to the
field for the second half with West Ham under pressure, down to six men,
until Dyer was released from The Cooler. Fans had to hang on till the final
minute of the game and Power Play, where every goal counts for two, before
Tamer Hassan hit the back of the net putting the Hammers 2-0 up. It was ten
seconds later when Cottee scored again to finish Reading off, with a final
score of 4-0. When asked how Premier League victory tasted for an ordinary
fan, a thrilled Matthew Crook said "I'm not ordinary anymore."
West Ham are set to face Wigan in the quarter-finals this evening and with
Frank Macavnnie unavailable, West Ham's very own reserve team manager Kevin
Keen is stepping up to the plate to join other Hammers legends Tony Cottee,
John Moncur and Allen McKnight to battle it out for a place in the
semi-finals on Sunday.
All West Ham's proceeds from the tournament are being split between the
Clubs two official charities, the Richard House Hospice and the Bobby Moore
Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Free tickets are available from www.skyone.co.uk/allstars or by calling
08700 60 33 88.
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Players take their chances - WHUFC
28/09/2007 14:59
Mark Noble baking cakes, Anton Ferdinand playing a xylophone, Lucas Neill on
a bouncy castle and James Collins having his waist measured… just some of
the crazy things the West Ham players have been getting up to as part of the
Premier League's flagship community initiative this season, Creating
Chances!
Ferdinand and Noble visited the Richard House Hospice, Collins and Carlton
Cole went along to a Diabetes UK Roadshow and skipper Lucas went to visit
the Decoda charity to take part in activities that would help raise
awareness for each of these fantastic causes.
As you can see, the players were not afraid to get involved and do whatever
was asked for them to help increase the profile of the various charities and
appeal for much needed funding.
See this weekend's matchday programme for an in-depth feature on all three
of the visits and more great pictures.
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West Ham v Arsenal - BBC
Upton Park
Saturday, 29 September
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day
West Ham's Craig Bellamy could return as could Scott Parker and Freddie
Ljungberg, who came through the Carling Cup win over Plymouth unscathed.
Bobby Zamora (knee), Calum Davenport (calf), Nigel Quashie (foot) are out.
Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer are long-term absentees.
Arsenal team news to follow later.
West Ham (from): Wright, Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon,
McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Pantsil,
Collins, Spector, Ljungberg, Parker, Boa Morte, Davenport, Reid, Bellamy.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The 101st London league local derby between West Ham and Arsenal is staged
on the eve of Arsene Wenger's 11th anniversary as manager of the
table-topping Gunners.
Arsenal are bidding for a fifth successive Premier League victory to
maintain their two point lead at the summit; West Ham are seeking the win
that could see them leapfrog Chelsea and become London's second highest
placed club.
The Hammers have won only one of their last eight London Premier League
derbies; that victory being 0-1 over Arsenal at the Emirates on 7 April.
Arsenal are undefeated in 17 in all competitions; won 12 and drawn five
since losing to West Ham on 7 April.
West Ham are chasing a fourth successive Premier League victory over
Arsenal.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
1. The 3-1 defeat, away to Newcastle on Sunday, ended a four-match unbeaten
sequence in the Premier League (three wins, one draw).
2. Won 50% of their Premier League games this season (three of six).
3. Gone 10 league games since suffering back-to-back defeats; away to
Sheffield United and home to Chelsea on 14 and 18 April respectively.
4. One of six clubs with a 100% record when scoring first in a Premier
League match this season (won three of three).
5. Completed 25 Premier League fixtures since recording a goalless draw;
away to Fulham on 23 December 2006.
6. Hoping to add to their one home league victory this season; 3-0 against
Middlesbrough in the most recent league fixture at Upton Park on 15
September.
7. Failed to score in one of the last eight home Premier League matches; the
0-2 opening day defeat to Manchester City on 11 August.
ARSENAL
Club stats
Fixtures
1. Unbeaten this season (nine wins, one draw) in 10 league and cup games;
won the last seven.
2. Won more Premier League games than any other club (five).
3. One of two clubs still holding an unbeaten Premier League record. The
other is Liverpool.
4. Most prolific scorers in the Premier League; 15 from six, at one every 36
minutes on average. Also they are one of just two clubs to have scored in
every Premier League game this season. The other is Fulham.
5. One of four clubs who've got double figures in the "Goals For" column in
the Premier League table. The others are Fulham, Liverpool and Tottenham.
6. On the longest unbeaten sequence in the Premier League of 13 matches; won
eight and drawn five since losing to West Ham on 7 April.
7. Only banked 16 points after the first six games of a Premier League
season once before; in 2004-05 when they ended as runners-up.
8. Not beaten in five away league games; won one and drawn four since losing
4-1 against Liverpool at Anfield on 31 March.
9. Been awarded more penalties in Premier League competition this season
than any other club (four), but only converted three of them.
10. This match precedes Tuesday's Champions League Group H fixture in
Romania, against Steaua Bucharest.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Dean ASHTON and Craig BELLAMY are West Ham's joint top scorers with three
goals each; ASHTON has scored in each of West Ham's last three games.
The Hammers' joint top Premier League marksmen are ASHTON, Lee BOWYER and
Matthew ETHERINGTON, with two each.
If he plays:-
ETHERINGTON will be making his 250th career league appearance (Peterborough,
Tottenham, Bradford City and West Ham).
Danny GABBIDON will be making his 50th league start for the Hammers.
Luis BOA MORTE will be facing a former club. The 30 year old Portugal
international made 39 appearances (25 in the league) and scored four goals
for Arsenal between June 1997 and August 1999.
Fredrik LJUNGBERG will also be facing a former club. The 30 year old Sweden
international made 328 appearances (216 in the league) and scored 72 goals
(46 league) for the Gunners between September 1998 and July 2007.
Matthew UPSON will also be facing former colleagues. The 28 year old
defender made 56 appearances (34 in the league) for the north Londoners
between May 1997 and January 2003.
Richard WRIGHT will also be coming up against former team mates. The 29 year
old keeper made 22 appearances in a year with Arsene Wenger's side from July
2001.
ARSENAL
Cesc FABREGAS and Emmanuel ADEBAYOR are Arsenal's joint top scorers with six
goals each.
ADEBAYOR, who scored a hat-trick against Derby last Saturday and has netted
five goals in three league appearances, is the clubs top Premier League
marksmen with six.
Arsenal have never lost when ADEBAYOR has scored; winning 16 and drawing two
of the 18 matches in which he's netted.
FABREGAS has scored in four successive Premier League matches for the
Gunners; the longest such sequence since Thierry HENRY netted in the first
four league games of 2007.
If on the field from the outset:-
ADEBAYOR will be making his 50th start in an Arsenal shirt.
Alexander HLEB will be making his 50th Premier League start in an Arsenal
shirt.
If he plays:-
Manuel ALMUNIA will be making his 50th appearance for the Gunners.
HEAD TO HEAD
Marlon Harewood came off the bench to score a late winner in this
corresponding fixture on Guy Fawkes Day last year. The celebration of then
manager Alan Pardew so angered his opposite number, that Wenger famously
refused to shake hands afterwards, which cost him a £10,000 fine.
Five months later the Hammers brought an end to Arsenal's league record at
the Emirates Stadium and wrapped up a first ever Premier League 'double'
over them, and first against their London rivals since 1964-65.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 27 wins, Arsenal 43, Draws 30
Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Arsenal 13, Draws 5
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 14 wins, Arsenal 18, Draws 18
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Arsenal 5, Draws 5
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
Premiership referees' table
Alan Wiley's 2007-08 Premier League card count
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs eyes strike pairing -SSN
Hammers boss looks to Ashton and Bellamy
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 28th September 2007
Alan Curbishley is keen to see Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy forge a
profitable strike partnership at West Ham. The duo are expected to start up
front at Upton Park when Premier League leaders Arsenal make the trip from
North London. England hopeful Ashton has scored in each of his last three
games after recovering from the ankle injury which sidelined him for all of
last season. His first goal came in the 3-0 win over Middlesbrough, where
Bellamy suffered an early hamstring injury, but the Wales international is
set to return against the Gunners. Curbishley said: "We started the season
with Bobby Zamora and Bellamy, and then at Newcastle we had Carlton Cole and
Ashton, so hopefully now we can get Bellamy and Ashton together."
The Hammers beat Arsenal home and away in league combat last season but
Curbishley knows his side will be in for a real test this weekend. "They've
made a fantastic start, and I watched them on Tuesday night (against
Newcastle in the Carling Cup) when they made nine changes so we know they've
got a fantastic squad," said Curbishley. "It's a proper game, with a great
atmosphere, and everyone is looking forward to it. "The one thing you know
about Arsenal is that they will come and play their game. It will be
difficult because they are a top side but we'll wait and see what happens.
"It's a massive game but we've just got to cope with it."
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Eduardo to miss Upton Park trip but Hleb passed fit - arsenal.com
West Ham United v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Upton Park
Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 3pm
By Richard Clarke
Alex Hleb has been passed fit for the trip to West Ham on Saturday but
Eduardo has been ruled out. The Belarus midfielder had been trying to shake
off a knee problem and was set to be assessed on Friday morning. He was
clearly successful. However Eduardo aggravated a groin problem in the 2-0
Carling Cup win over Newcastle in midweek and it has gradually got worse
since then. Otherwise the absentees were the expected ones. "Jens Lehmann
(elbow) is still out, Gallas (groin) is out," said Arsène Wenger. "Eduardo
is out and so is Song (calf) while Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) is also
missing. "Eduardo has done his groin and I had to take him off before the
end of the game. Since then it has got worse than I expected it to be. But
Alex Hleb is back in the squad."
Theo Walcott will be rested.
[ Friday, September 28, 2007]
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WEST HAM v Arsenal: Bellamy back for the Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:20pm on 28th September 2007
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy has been back in training following a
hamstring problem and could face Arsenal in the Premier League clash at
Upton Park.
Midfielders Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg came through the midweek
Carling Cup win over Plymouth unscathed and are in contention to start.
Bobby Zamora (knee), Calum Davenport (calf), Nigel Quashie (foot) are out.
Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer are long-term absentees.
Provisional squad: Wright, Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon,
McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Ashton, Cole, Pantsil,
Collins, Spector, Ljungberg, Parker, Boa Morte, Davenport, Reid, Bellamy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Arsenal: Goal-king Ashton can put Wenger's boys under the hammer
- Sportigo
Fri, Sep 28, 07 11:31
gary coulson
Alan Curbishley's Newcastle hangover could prove bad news for the Gunners,
but is their unbeaten record under serious threat? 'If West Ham can keep it
tight for 20 or 30 minutes, or even go ahead against the Arsenal, then maybe
it could be their day' With only a day to go to Arsenal's third derby match
of a season that is still only six matches old, is the fact that West Ham
were so comprehensively beaten by Newcastle a good sign?
Recently, the Hammers have a more than decent record against Arsenal,
including doing the double last year. Still the only team to win a
competitive match at the Emirates, West Ham will possibly feel they have a
bit of a hold over the Gunners.
Unfortunately for the East End team, Arsene Wenger's men (boys?) have
started the season with a bang. Some scintillating football has, rather
unusually for Arsenal, been finished off by the midfielders and strikers in
that vital currency, goals!
Ominously for Arsenal, though, West Ham have a young man in Dean Ashton who,
with injuries decimating the England front line, is running into form with
the precision timing of a master Swiss watch maker.
Three goals in three games for Deano makes him incredibly dangerous to an
Arsenal back four still getting to know each other, although if West Ham
defend as they did against Newcastle, the reds may well fancy another glut
of goals, following last week's mauling of Derby County.
At the risk of being repetitive, with Cesc Fabregas in such astonishing form
(seven goals already), Adebayor seemingly in the mood to terrorise defences
(his third against Derby had me drooling), and Robin van Persie feeling that
he will have to start firing soon or lose his place to Eduardo, I believe
that this could well be an amazing game.
If West Ham can keep it tight for 20 or 30 minutes, or even go ahead, then
maybe it could be their day. But if Arsenal score first, it may well be an
agonising day for home fans at the Boleyn. My prediction, Arsenal to win,
2-1.
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Late decision over Hleb but Song ruled out - Arsenal.com
West Ham United v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Upton Park
Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 3pm
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger is waiting on the fitness of Alex Hleb before naming his squad
for the short trip to West Ham on Saturday. The manager has already ruled
out Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), William Gallas (groin), Jens Lehmann (elbow)
and Alex Song (calf) so the only question mark surrounds the knee of the
Belarus midfielder. "We'll have to assess the situation of Alex Hleb."
Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. "We'll look at that on Friday
morning. But we lost Alex Song with a calf problem on Tuesday night."
In addition, none of the three already-injured players are likely to return
before the midweek trip to Steaua Bucharest. "William Gallas is maybe a week
or 10 days away," said Wenger. "But I would not like to set a time on it
really. As for Rosicky you can probably fix the date for Sunderland [next
Sunday]. Jens Lehmann will be another week."
Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see the full interview on
Friday morning. In it, Arsène Wenger talks about the Carling Cup victory,
late goals, the contributions of Bendtner, Song, Diarra and Fabianski, being
clear at the top of the table, the other contenders, West Ham, Freddie
Ljungberg, Dean Ashton and coping with difficult months in October/November.
[ Thursday, September 27, 2007]
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The West Ham target whose 'seal dribble' almost lost his head - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:34am on 28th September 2007
An Atletico Mineiro defender was suspended 120 days for tackling West Ham
target Kerlon as he attempted his "seal dribble," in which he heads the ball
while running past opponents. Brazil's top sports tribunal decided late
Wednesday to suspend Coelho for leveling Kerlon in a 4-3 loss to Cruzeiro in
a Brazilian league match Sept. 16. Coelho was immediately ejected by the
referee, and the play stirred a controversy in Brazil. Some players say the
move is disrespectful because it breaks soccer's unwritten code, and that
Kerlon uses the dribble to show off. But fans love it, and most soccer
analysts stood by Kerlon's move.
The 19-year-old Kerlon said he will continue using the dribble when he feels
it's necessary. Coelho could have been suspended for more than a year. "I
didn't expect a suspension this long," he told the UOL Web site. "We'll see
if we can appeal it."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_articl
e_id=484450&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow
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'They think they are a bogey side for Arsenal' -arsenal.com
West Ham United v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Upton Park
Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 3pm
By Chris Harris
Funny old team, West Ham. Last season they did the double over the
champions, Manchester United, and followed suit against Arsenal. So how on
earth did they get dragged into a relegation battle? Quite simply they
failed to maintain those high standards against sides which, on paper at
least, were inferior.
The inspirational interventions of Carlos Tevez saved the Hammers from the
drop by the skin of their teeth and, after a summer of solid purchases, it's
no surprise to see West Ham among the early-season frontrunners. In fact
they would have gone second had they not succumbed at Newcastle last Sunday.
West Ham can bounce back this weekend by reeling off their fourth successive
win against Arsène Wenger's side. Key striker Dean Ashton is back from
injury and back among the goals, while Scott Parker made his first
appearance for Curbishley's side in midweek following his summer transfer.
We spoke to Dave Evans of the Newham Recorder for a West Ham perspective
ahead of Saturday's London derby. Read on for his verdict on West Ham's
start to the season, their new signings, the importance of Ashton and the
secret to their victory in last season's corresponding game.
THE STORY SO FAR
"It certainly has been a much better start but I think the expectations
among the West Ham fans are perhaps a little higher than they should be.
They bought plenty of players but some of them are already injured and when
you look at the players who have left the club - Tevez, Benayoun - it evens
it out a little bit. They have started well, especially away, but there is a
lot of improvement which can be made and I think they proved that on
Wednesday night in the Carling Cup against Plymouth.
"I think they have a better squad on balance. They have more pace now and
Craig Bellamy makes a big difference in that, especially when they play away
from home. They played in a similar way to how Arsenal used to, very much a
counter-attacking game with real pace. Bellamy and Matty Etherington have
just ripped teams apart. They beat Reading 3-0 but it could have been six,
they beat Birmingham 1-0 but it could have been three or four. They look
pretty devastating away from home and they are just starting to pick up at
home too. They are looking quite good."
MAN OF THE MOMENT
"With hindsight Dean Ashton was a huge miss last season. He was so important
when he first arrived and that was only from January 2006. When he signed
West Ham got a kick-start especially in the FA Cup and they went all the way
to the Final. Last season there was so much chopping and changing with the
strikers. Alan Pardew, when he was in charge, seemed to change it nearly
every week. He'd try one combination and when that didn't work he'd take
them off and try two more. There was no continuity in the team but Ashton is
so reliable. No one is saying he's 100 per cent yet but he scores goals,
he'll pop up and put it in the net. He has three in three games now."
NEW FACES
"Scott Parker has only played one game and he's obviously not match fit but
he'll be an important player in the centre midfield. Bellamy gives them an
extra dimension, a bit of pace, so West Ham can play in a different way.
Kieron Dyer was another one who showed the same pace and willingness to
support the strikers and it was a real shame that he got injured so badly
against Bristol Rovers. He'll be out for another six months as will Julien
Faubert, who was like lightning on the wing. It looked like being a really
speedy West Ham team but they've lost Faubert, Dyer, Parker has only just
come in, Bellamy is injured too. Freddie Ljungberg has come in and done
alright, but he's been injured too. When they are all fit it has the makings
of a very good squad."
CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
"We asked the manager what his aim was at the start of the season and he
said he wanted a solid season after the relegation battle - and that meant
top 10. Since then the real owner of the club has taken a more hands-on role
which suggests to me that he perhaps he wants a little more than to 10 for
the outlay he's put on the squad this season. He's certainly looking for top
six and I don't think that's unreasonable but they will have to stay
injury-free for the rest of the season because they've lost players already.
There has always been talk about the left-back position. George McCartney
has been playing there and he's done fairly well, he's an experienced player
now. They tried to sign Nicky Shorey and it never materialised, I think
Reading were asking a little bit too much money. So I suspect West Ham would
like to strengthen there and also on the left side of midfield. They've got
Etherington playing as well as he's ever done for West Ham but he can be
inconsistent, as can Luis Boa Morte."
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
"There has always been talk about the left-back position. George McCartney
has been playing there and he's done fairly well, he's an experienced player
now. They tried to sign Nicky Shorey and it never materialised, I think
Reading were asking a little bit too much money. So I suspect West Ham would
like to strengthen there and also on the left side of midfield. They've got
Etherington playing as well as he's ever done for West Ham but he can be
inconsistent, as can Luis Boa Morte."
TALKING TACTICS
"There is no reason why Alan Curbishley shouldn't send out his side to
attack Arsenal. I think West Ham fans are thinking that they are perhaps a
bogey side for Arsenal, it's three wins on the trot now against them. They
played very well against the top teams last season, they beat Arsenal twice
and Manchester United twice, so I think West Ham raise their game. I think
they've got a chance, Arsenal are playing very very well, but I think the
secret to last season's result was keeping Cesc Fabregas quiet. I think
Nigel Reo-Coker marked him out of the game that day and they got a late
winner. If they can do that again to Fabregas there's no reason why they
shouldn't get the result."
[ Thursday, September 27, 2007]
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Hammers v Gooners - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 27 September, 2007 - 20:24.
There will be another old boys reunion this weekend as Hammers take on
Arsenal at the Boleyn, Freddie Ljungberg, Mathew Upson, Luis Boa-Morte and
Richard Wright will all be in Alan Curbishley's squad, all have previously
been signed by Arsene Wenger at some point in their careers.
With Bobby Zamora out for a month following the 'washing out' of his knee
(very painful) West Ham will be pleased to welcome back Wales Captain, Craig
Bellamy to the fold. Henry Camara will also be available for selection, so
with Dean Ashton having scored 3 goals in three games Curbs will be well
served in the striking department. In defence James Collins might just get
the nod ahead of Anton Ferdinand if only due to his aerial prowess, because
his distribution of the ball is poor.
Scott Parker looked a bit leggy against Plymouth, which is entirely
understandable given that he has been out injured for so long, but his lack
of match fitness could be really exploited by Les Arse. Likewise Freddie
Ljungberg will be keen to play and it is hoped that, if selected, playing
against his former club might just provide the spark and the extra yard of
pace to put one over on his old mentor Wenger.
Probable starting line up:
Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins,
Etherington, Ashton, Bellamy. Subs: Wright, Ferdinand, Boa-Morte, Spector/
Bowyer, Camara.
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