02/10/2007 09:27
West Ham Physiotherapist Tom Smith is running the Cancer Research UK 10k on
Sunday 14th October, in the grounds of Leeds Castle. Cancer Research Uk is
the same charity that is supported by the Bobby Moore Fund. While the Bobby
Moore fund for CRUK raises money specifically for research into bowel
cancer, Tom's run will raise money for research into other forms of cancer.
Please follow the link: http://www.10ksponsorme.org/tsmith to support this
worthy cause by sponsoring Tom online, in a simple, fast and totally secure
way.
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Freddie reflects on Arsenal clash - WHUFC
02/10/2007 11:57
Freddie Ljungberg spoke exclusively to WHUTV at Chadwell Heath following the
Hammers 1-0 defeat to his former club, Arsenal. "I was disappointed," said
the Sweden midfielder. "It was an emotional game for me personally. First
half we didn't play particularly well. We gave them too much respect and let
them take the initiative in the game. "Second half we came out more
positively, we showed some confidence and I think we were the better side.
If we can play like we did in the second half throughout our games we'll
come out as winners."
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Noble gearing up for Villa test - WHUFC
02/10/2007 14:34
Mark Noble will be pitted against former West Ham United and England
Under-21 team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker on Saturday when the Hammers take on
Aston Villa at Villa Park. "It's going to be a tough test," said Mark. "I've
played so much with him so it's going to be a strange one. Obviously I've
played with him, Marlon Harewood, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Luke
Moore. "It'll be a good game and there'll be lot of banter before and after
hopefully but once you cross the white line friendships go out the window
and it gets serious on the pitch. "I'm sure they'll be geared up after
letting a 4-1 lead slip against Spurs last night. They'll be upset and
they'll want to put things right but they'll also be looking to win all
their home games so it's not going to be easy."
Mark insists the Hammers are gearing up for a return to winning ways against
Villa. "We had Newcastle away followed by Arsenal at home," he said.
"They're both tough games, and we should've taken something from both from
our performances. "This is a great opportunity to get back on a winning run
and get back up to the top of the table. We were there earlier in the
season. I think we were fourth at one point and I think we need to push on
and get back up there."
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Ashton in line for England call - BBC
Dean Ashton looks set to be called up to the England squad following an
impressive return to form after missing last season with an ankle injury.
Steve McClaren will name his squad to face Estonia and Russia on Friday and
there are doubts over the fitness and form of many of his leading strikers.
Ashton, 23, has scored three goals in his last four games for West Ham. "He
has forced his way in," said McClaren. "He certainly comes into
consideration." England play Estonia at Wembley on 13 October and travel to
Russia for a potentially decisive Group E Euro 2008 qualifier four days
later. With doubts surrounding the fitness of Michael Owen after surgery
over the weekend and Emile Heskey sidelined with a broken metatarsal,
in-form Ashton could have a role to play.
"I have been watching Ashton from pre-season onwards," said McClaren. "It
was very disappointing about the injury at the start of last season with
England."
However, Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch are available again after injury and
suspension respectively - and McClaren has not given up on the possibility
of Owen playing. "At the present moment Michael is not out," he told BBC
5live. "We'll liaise with Newcastle to make sure that he is OK and hopefully
he can join up with us and we'll take it from there." Newcastle striker
Owen, 27, underwent stomach surgery in Germany and is recovering from a torn
abductor muscle in his groin. McClaren added that he would contact skipper
John Terry to check his progress after he fractured his cheekbone.
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Ashton set for England nod - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
England manager Steve McClaren has hinted that he is set to name Dean Ashton
in his next England squad. England face both Estonia and Russia in
forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers and are already without the likes of
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey. And McClaren gave strong indication last
night that Ashton, as expected, will lead the line for his country in the
two fixtures. "He has forced his way in," said McClaren. "It was very
disappointing about the injury at the start of last season with England. "I
have been watching him from pre-season onwards and he certainly comes into
consideration." Ashton has scored three goals thus far for the Hammers this
season.
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Ashton set to be called upon by McClaren - Soccernet
Dean Ashton can expect a good news telephone call from England coach Steve
McClaren later this week. McClaren called Ashton into his very first squad,
prior to the friendly win over Greece in August last year. But the
23-year-old's dreams of an international breakthrough were shattered when he
broke his ankle in training. Fourteen months and two operations later, and
with three goals in his last four games making him the most prolific
England-qualified striker available to McClaren just now, the former Crewe
man is about to be brought back into the fold. He has forced his way in,'
said McClaren. 'It was very disappointing about the injury at the start of
last season with England. 'I have been watching him from pre-season onwards
and he certainly comes into consideration.' Ashton's return to form and
fitness is particularly timely given the doubts surrounding Michael Owen.
Although there have been positive noises about Owen's likely availability,
notably from the 27-year-old's surgeon, Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has
hinted he would prefer his star striker to play for the Magpies before
exposing himself to international combat. The same is presumably true of
John Terry, although given the Chelsea skipper will fly to Valencia for his
side's Champions League clash, prepared to wear a mask to protect his
fractured cheekbone, it appears any fears over his health are about to be
allayed. Still, just as the build-up to last month's key victories over
Israel and Russia at Wembley was overshadowed by daily bulletins on the
fitness of Steven Gerrard, so McClaren is now being pestered for information
on Owen and Terry. And, having remained resolute in his determination to get
Gerrard onto the field last month, McClaren, speaking at the launch of the
FA-backed Tesco Skills Roadshow in West Brom, appears equally keen to
utilise Terry and Owen next week. However, just as with Gerrard, he is
willing to offer both Avram Grant and Sam Allardyce assurances no undue risk
will be taken. 'Sometimes you do have to be ruthless,' he said. 'There are
one or two players who played against Russia who had little knocks and
injuries that maybe we wouldn't have risked normally. 'But because it was
such a big game they risked it and we risked it. 'There are two weeks to the
next game and there is still a lot of time.
'Nothing will be done without they say-so of the clubs or without liaison
with their medical teams but I name my squad on Friday and I would like
those two players in it.'
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Fast Freddie's denied by the linesman's flag - newham Recorder
02 October 2007
West Ham United 0 Arsenal 1
WHEN you are top of the league and one of the big four, then those 50/50
decisions always seem to go your way, and so it was on Saturday at Upton
Park as West Ham were denied the chance of an equaliser against the Gunners
because of a linesman's flag.
It was close, you have to say that, and it was entirely forgiveable that the
linesman didn't spot that Freddie Ljungberg was onside on the hour when
Henri Camara's clever little jink forward put the Swede through for him to
score.
But somehow you can't help but think that if it had been at the Emirates
with Robin Van Persie going through, then it would have been a goal.
"They're telling me that Freddie Ljungberg perhaps wasn't offside, but what
can you do?" asked a philosophical manager Alan Curbishley after the game.
"We're disappointed that we didn't get back into the game, because we know
that Freddie's goal wasn't offside and if we'd got back into the match then
it could've been anybody's game."
It could, and it was all credit to West Ham that they were still in the game
as the match entered the final third after conceding a goal so early in the
match.
Normally when the Gunners take an early lead they can control the game and
go on to win handsomely, but the Hammers never gave them any breathing space
and were in the match right up to the end.
West Ham came out fighting in this game and after Emmanuel Adebayor had shot
wide after just two minutes for Arsenal, it was the Hammers who looked more
dangerous as first Dean Ashton's superb flick put in Ljungberg only for the
offside flag to raise its ugly head, and then Ashton controlled a ball
superbly before turning and firing inches over the top with a real screamer.
But on 13 minutes came Arsenal's vital goal and considering some of the
intricate play they are famous for, it arrived in the simplest of ways.
Aleksandr Hleb got the ball on the right from Adebayor and his deep cross
picked out Van Persie, who headed home despite pressure from Lucas Neill.
It was another disappointment for the West Ham captain who continues to show
little of the form that made him so popular last season, and it was a goal
that left the Hammers chasing the game for the second week running.
"If Arsenal get that kind of start away from home and go into a one-goal
lead then they're all set up to be a very difficult side to play against,"
explained Curbishley.
"It was obvious that they'd then use their pace to try and hit us on the
break. It was a case of seeing if we could stay in the game."
He was right on both counts. Arsenal certainly hit the Hammers on the break
and created plenty of chances - though if you watched Match of the Day on
Saturday night, you would think the game consisted of nothing but Arsenal
chances.
Mathieu Flamini and Van Persie both forced saves from Rob Green in the first
half, but Neill, Camara and Lee Bowyer all had chances as well as West Ham
looked to get back into it.
"At half time, I told them that we were giving them too much respect because
they've got some good players and if you give them yards on the ball to take
quick throw-ins, quick free-kicks and allow them to lift their heads,
they'll pass and move and leave you chasing," said the manager, who also had
to substitute Scott Parker at half time after he tweaked his knee following
a tough tackle from Flamini.
Hayden Mullins' introduction in the second half seemed to give West Ham more
stability in midfield and though Arsenal still had their chances, so did the
Hammers.
The superb Green brilliantly tipped Van Persie's shot on to the post on 54
minutes, but just three minutes later came West Ham's best chance of the
match.
Mark Noble skilfully played the ball out to Bowyer and his cross was perfect
for the head of Ashton. The man of the moment met the ball with a fierce
header but as the crowd readied themselves for a celebration, they could
only watch in horror as it flew straight at Manuel Almunia.
The game continued at an alarming pace. Ljungberg's disallowed goal was
rapidly followed by a good penalty shout, as Bowyer seemed to be pushed over
in the box. Then Adebayor saw another effort saved by Green, before at the
other end Ashton thumped inches wide,
Vassiriki Diaby sent a screamer just over and Gael Clichy had a shot well
saved by Green after Adebayor seemed to have taken the ball into touch.
Still the chances came. Ashton headed Lju-ngberg's corner over and the same
pair combined for the striker's tame effort to fall comfortably for the
keeper, while Flamini's thump finished with another excellent save for
Green, who must love playing against the Gunners.
Ashton had the last chance with seven minutes to go, when he met another
Ljungberg corner. This time it looked goalward only for Van Persie to hack
clear.
It was indicative of the day. The battle of the strikers ended with Van
Persie winning the scoring race, though Ashton certainly impressed hugely
again and almost guaranteed himself a place in that England squad.
Curbishley was reflective afterwards: "They worked as hard as they could and
they tried to get us back into the game but you need to take your chances,"
he said.
"We took one through Freddie, but it was snatched away from us and then
we're disappointed that Ashton's header didn't go in, but Arsenal were the
better side and if they score first away from home it's certainly going to
make it very difficult for anyone."
It did, but West Ham will come out of this game with a lot of credit. Losing
Craig Bellamy and Matty Etherington the day before the game was a huge loss,
while Parker looked a little off the pace, but there were some superb
performances from Green, full back George McCartney and striker Ashton.
Ljungberg had his best game in a West Ham shirt and with another couple of
matches he will be even sharper, but as the manager said, you cannot afford
to give Arsenal a goal start and expect to get a result.
Two defeats on the trot in the Premier League and an away game to come. No
need to panic just yet, but Curbishley will look to redress that decline
quickly or the Hammers will find themselves in the lower reaches, and that
is something that this team certainly does not deserve.
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 47), Bowyer
(Boa Morte 84), Noble, Parker (Mullins h/t), Ljungberg, Ashton, Camara.
Unused subs: Wright, Cole.
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Bellamy to seek second opinion - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:01pm on 2nd October 2007
West Ham United striker Craig Bellamy will seek a second medical opinion on
the groin injury which has kept him out of his club's last three matches.
Boss Alan Curbishley said: "We don't think it's serious but we have to get
to the bottom of it." NEXT FIVE GAMES: Saturday: Aston Villa (a); 21 Oct:
Sunderland (h); 27 Oct: Portsmouth (a); 30 Oct: Coventry (a) (Carling Cup
4th rnd); 4 Nov: Bolton (h).
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Arsenal Boss Not Pleased With West Ham Or Romanian Clubs - caughtoffside.com
Posted on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007
Arsene Wenger is today launching what the Daily Mail calls a "crusade to
purify football" and the Frenchman is calling for "zero tolerance" in
reckless tackles. Wenger, who clearly thinks his team consists of players
who are a combination of Mahatma Gandhi and St Francis of Assisi, arrived in
Romania yesterday for a potentially tough tie against Steaua Bucharest.
Reading Arsene's description of Steaua Bucharest you would think that
Arsenal are traveling to Transylvania - we hope Arsene's little kiddies
don't get nightmares. Arsene said:
"It's always a strange atmosphere there. It is darker and less glamorous,
and you don't feel on a high. They are always good teams who are up for it
against Arsenal. It is a different kind of test. Can you raise your level in
a less exciting environment?"
Arsene then turned his attention to the West Ham - Arsenal game. After
pointing out his exhibit A - Alexander Hleb's badly bruised leg, Wenger went
on to claim that West Ham's Mark Noble should have been sent off. The
Arsenal Manager thinks that referees should be able to 'upgrade' yellow
cards to red ones after analyzing post match evidence. Wenger said:
"I have seen it again and it was a straight red for Noble, without a doubt.
I can understand the referee could not see it, because you could only see it
well from one angle on television. But that angle is really bad for
Noble.There is no excuse. I expect physical games but there's a difference
between physicality and bad challenges. That was more intimidation than
physical."
Wenger stopped short of saying that Alan Curbishley ordered Mark Noble's
horror tackle, and then gave an assessment of their playing style (which
would surely be much more harsh if he was talking about Blackburn Rovers).
Wenger said:
"I'm sure Alan Curbishley as West Ham manager has not demanded a bad tackle
on anybody. Overall West Ham play football. But Noble is a young player who
wants to gain his place. Sometimes the young can be confused between
committed and overboard.'I don't mind physical games. I understand there are
teams a little less technically gifted than Arsenal and more physical and
direct. That is normal; we have to face that. But you have to keep that
under control and make sure it does not harm the career of the player. The
only good thing to come out of it is that Hleb has a solid knee."
Only last week, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez lashed out at the violent
fouls apparently targeted at his boy, Fernando Torres. Now Wenger, perhaps
forgetting the red cards his teams used to rack up, is asking for more
protection. When asked about this violent past, like an ex-con in denial
Arsene said:
"Sometimes I was embarrassed when we did not behave well.But I was not
embarrassed when I felt the player, after much provocation, responded
overboard. There was Patrick Vieira, when he was really a young lion, being
intimidated and he was annoyed because he got tackled five times from
behind. I can understand this. But when we didn't behave well it was
disappointing."
Ahh the old Vieira was provoked defence, we've missed that one!
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Arsenal awesome; Liverpool average; West Ham Euro-bound and Spurs going down
- Sportigo
Tue, Oct 2, 07 12:27
Joe Baker
An admittedly-biased Gunners fan predicts the sky's the limit for Arsene
Wenger's superkids, a return to form for Manchester United, Chelsea's demise
- and the unthinkable for Tottenham's sinking ship. 'It seems age is no
barrier to the ability of Wenger's kids to swarm over and dismantle the
opposition with apparent ease' We are now almost two months into the new
season and things are beginning to take shape in the fight for the title. I
may be a tad biased as an Arsenal fan but I think even the most ardent enemy
of the Gunners would be hard-pressed to disagree with my early-season
findings.
The Gunners have come out of the blocks at a speed that has not relented.
After a disappointing showing against a resilient Fulham side, Arsene Wenger
has got the side moving ever forwards. Ten wins and a draw from 11 matches
is not to be sniffed at; I guess back-to-back games against Liverpool and
Manchester United will go some way to deciding whether the young crop at
the Emirates will continue to put all before them to the sword.
The continued improvement of the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and the
now-injured Alexander Hleb (let's hope he is back tonight) has been
pleasing. Many thought that 07/08 may be too early to see just what Wenger's
kids can do but it seems age is no barrier to their ability to swarm over
and dismantle the opposition with apparent ease.
Rafa Benitez's pricey signing of Fernando Torres seems to be doing the trick
for Liverpool, but a few decidedly average performances, most notably
against Portsmouth and Birmingham, have slowed them down somewhat. However,
let's not get too carried away with citing the Merseyside club's problems.
They are also pretty unstoppable with seven wins and four draws from their
11 games across three competitions.
However, I still feel the Anfield side are a little threadbare at the back
and I am sure come January they will fork out some more of the Yanks' cash
on some gems. Going forward, they are as fluid and smooth as Arsenal on
their day; the way they ripped Derby apart was a joy to watch, but given the
form of Billy Davies's side I guess that isn't saying too much.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both stuttered, the difference between
the two sides being the fact that Sir Alex has regrouped his troops. They
now look mean in defence and once injuries and form have improved, they will
start to bag a few goals again. Avram Grant is in a hole and Chelsea, under
his guidance, will simply move backwards, I honestly feel that with that man
in charge, there is every chance that Stamford Bridge will not host
Champions League games next season.
West Ham have impressed me. After a rocky start, Alan Curbishley has
corrected the ship and with the talent on board and sound solid investment
in their team, I do not think a European place is a bridge too far. I think
they are one or two players away from making the step up to the top six but
that is more due to the rise of sides such as Aston Villa, Newcastle and
even Portsmouth rather than anything lacking at Upton Park.
Spurs, well where do I begin? Last night's last-minute heroics will do
nothing to paper over the cracks evident to all and sundry. Injuries have
scuppered Martin Jol's top-four dream and right now relegation is a more
realistic prospect than a European place.
I don't take a huge amount of pleasure in seeing my rivals struggle; to be
honest I think a lot of their problems are of their own making. Their
chairman has undermined their manager to such an extent that it has affected
everyone in the squad - and right now it seems like White Hart Lane is a
ticking time bomb. Change for change's sake is not always a good thing. Just
ask Blues fans in west London!
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West Ham and Arsenal chase centre-back - Sportigo
Tue, Oct 2, 07 13:14
Mark Apostolou
According to numerous sources a host of Premier League clubs are tracking FC
Metz's Senegalese defender Cheikh Gueye (various). Gueye has recently
extended his contract at the French club until 2012, but it is being
reported that the Ligue 1 side are prepared to sell him at the right price.
Top of the list to clinch the young talent's services are Arsenal and West
Ham, although Everton are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Since when has Arsene ever taken on a Frenchman? But seriously, according to
those in the know, (i.e. not me), Cheikh's performances helped secure
promotion to the top-tier for Metz last term. However, they now find
themselves at the bottom of the pile and maybe the lure of Premier League
football will be too good an opportunity to pass up.
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Ashton's call-up hinges on Owen - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:15pm on 2nd October 2007
Michael Owen's rate of recovery over the next few days, following his double
hernia operation, holds the key to Dean Ashton's immediate international
recall.
England coach Steve McClaren confirmed that the West Ham striker was under
consideration for a place in his squad for the vital Euro qualifying ties
against Estonia and Russia, which is named on Friday. It is understood,
though, that the England camp are still concerned that Ashton may still be
short of full match fitness having broken his ankle in August 2006. The
striker, who recently returned to the West Ham team, said yesterday that he
now feels ready to win his first senior cap but, if Owen recovers in time,
he may have to wait a little longer. McClaren's other striking options are
Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Andy Johnson - none of whom
have been playing regularly for their club McClaren is also considering
recalling Spurs' Aaron Lennon, who has just returned from a knee injury, and
will be liaising with Chelsea's medical team over the fitness of John Terry
and Frank Lampard.
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Blues Res 3-1 West Ham Res
By Alan Watton for PlanetBlues.co.uk
A night of drama and excitement at St Andrews as Blues reserves and the
second string Hammers served up a football treat. Add to this some oddball
officiating and the 150 or so fans that bothered to show up were well
entertained. Steve Bruce had tonight's Reserve fixture moved to HQ to help
some of Blues new Boys familiarise themselves with the surroundings. Blues
had most of the game and opened the scoring when Danns turned in a cross
from Milojevic on 21 minutes. West Ham looked well out of things but on 30
minutes they broke after a Blues corner and Hines fed Jack Jeffrey and from
the edge of the box the young striker chipped Doyle to equalise. Blues lost
skipper Johnson with a recurrence of his hamstring injury and was replaced
by Asa Hall.
Just after half time Vine was replaced by Mcpike. Blues continued to
dominate and on 51minutes Blues were awarded a harsh penalty when De
Ridder's cross struck Widdowson. Danns stepped forward and gave Blues the
lead. Referee Mr Barratt from Worcester quickly made up for his harsh
decision by giving the visitors similar generous consideration. De Ridder
and Hines tangled on the edge of the box and the ref pointed to the spot.
Hines took the kick himself and Doyle guessed correctly saving low to his
right. For some reason know only to himself, the ref ordered the kick to be
re-taken. This time Hines aimed to Doyle's left and the big Irishmen guess
well again and kept the ball out a second time. With 15 minutes left Wilson
Palacios set on a mazy dribble which took him past 4 West ham defenders
before dummying the keeper and slotting home. A truly stunning effort.
Blues: Doyle Parnaby Sadler Taylor Jaidi Milojevic Johnson Palacios De
Ridder Danns Vine
Subs Mcpike Hall Howland Green Pearce
Hammers: Walker Miller Widdowson Ngala Davenport Stokes Hales Colinson
Jeffrey Hines Reid
Subs Fitzgerald Street Stanislas Fears Spence
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