Reflecting on the weekend win, Alan Curbishley had plenty of praise for Lee
Bowyer
12.11.2007
Alan Curbishley has claimed Lee Bowyer's goals this season were a deserved
reward for the midfielder's efforts at West Ham United. Bowyer scored twice
and made another for Matthew Etherington in the 5-0 win at Derby County on
Saturday, which also included strikes from Jonathan Spector and Nolberto
Solano. The 30-year-old has four goals from ten Premier League outings this
season and, despite needing an operation on Tuesday to correct a hernia
problem, has been showing the qualities that Curbishley first spotted when
he came through at Charlton Athletic.
"I remember when I had him as young player at Charlton, when he broke into
the first team," said the West Ham United manager. "It was what he was
about, good in the box and a strong finisher, being able to run into good
positions and having a crack at goal, most times with the ball ending in the
back of the net.
"He of course went on to Leeds and Newcastle United and got better and
better, but since he has been at West Ham, it has perhaps not quite clicked
for him in that way he wanted - until now that is. Injuries have made a
mark, but he was still getting into decent positions but not getting the
goals.
"For me, it was a case of him probably trying too hard. It wasn't happening
for him last season. I remember us playing up at Liverpool, Lee hitting the
post and having some good chances, and thinking he just needs a bit of a
lift-off.
"In pre-season this year, we had a match at Norwich when Lee got in three or
four times, but just couldn't get the goal. I sat down with him during the
summer and said 'just settle down, get in there like you know you can and
when you get an opportunity try and grab it if you can'. That's what he has
done.
"He has worked hard, dug in and now it's paying for off him and for us. The
goals have come and he has scored a few vital ones for us this season. He
got two good goals against Derby, the second was super, and I can't wait to
see that again."
Curbishley expects Bowyer to be back in action within three weeks. "We have
been waiting for the international break to come along so he can have this
done," he said. "He had a hernia about seven years ago and that's the
lifespan of something like that, it has slowly come back. Lee is suspended
for the Tottenham game, so he has three weeks to recover and we expect him
to be fit after that."
Looking to the Spurs visit on 25 November, Curbishley is hoping for a few
more bodies back to help strengthen the squad. That said, he stressed
nothing should be taken away from players who have been going out there and
getting the results - not least makeshift midfielder Spector, the
experienced Solano who has "helped steady the ship" and lone striker Carlton
Cole who "has got a chance and taken it".
"Hopefully, we will get Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins back in that time,
because we have players in there at the moment who are not midfielders but,
that is what we have had to do, just get on with it. I thought Jon Spector
could do a job there, he was with me for a year at Charlton, so I knew he
would have a go, and as I have said I think it's disrespectful to the
players who are out there, to keep talking about the injuries, because they
are going out there and picking up the results.
Curbishley said he and his staff were doing everything they could to protect
the players and ease the situation. He said: "We trained on Friday, but I
just couldn't afford a collision or anything, so we cut short the
five-a-side we were having before we got on the bus to come to Derby. It is
normally ten minutes each way, but when it got to seven and a half, myself
and Snods [first-team coach Glyn Snodin] who was the referee, finished it.
One team was getting a right tonking anyway so perhaps it was just as well!"
There was also a bit of drama ahead of the Derby match, as Curbishley
explained. "Matty Etherington tweaked his knee in the warm-up so we had Kyel
Reid, who was in the stands, ready to get kitted up and we were on the verge
of deciding to change the team sheet. But Matty went back out there with
strapping on his knee and said it felt better, so it was all OK and of
course, as you know, he scored a good goal.
"When everyone is fit, I can't play them all, let's stress that and I just
think it is showing that we have a really good squad. When the players are
all available, I will have some selection problems, that's for sure. It was
a great result for us at Derby and a good way to go into the two-week
international break. I think we have been threatening this scoreline for a
while. We got a 3-0 up at Reading and could have had a lot more.
"For us to be in the top half of the table, in the quarter-finals of the
Carling Cup, is for me, terrific and a great credit should be given to all
the players. I have a squad that can compete on all levels. The aim is to
have a good solid season and see where that takes us."
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Gabbidon hails travelling fans - WHUFC
Danny Gabbidon said the supporters played a big role in the victory at Derby
County
12.11.2007
Danny Gabbidon paid tribute to the travelling support after West Ham United
turned on the style away to Derby County on Saturday.
The 5-0 victory at Pride Park was the club's best away day since the
inception of the Premier League in the 1992/93 and Gabbidon said the strong
backing from supporters more than played a part. "They are always in good
voice," he said. "Even if we are losing or winning - we always fill the away
end out for every game. They were great and it was nice to put on a show. We
scored a few goals and I am sure they enjoyed their trip home."
The players certainly enjoyed the experience, with Gabbidon summing up the
satisfaction within the camp. "The last couple of games we have gone in
front and haven't killed the game off so it was nice to get a few goals."
Lee Bowyer broke the deadlock at Pride Park but it was not until the second
half that the floodgates opened. "We were a lot more clinical," he added.
"We always looked good on the break and kept it tight at the back. If we do
that we have always got a chance."
Gabbidon is particularly enjoying playing alongside Matthew Upson, with the
pair offering Derby very few opportunities to get a sight on goal. However,
the Wales defender was keen to emphasise the defensive responsibilities
shown throughout the rearguard. "We haven't done too bad as a back four," he
said. "We kept if fairly tight and we are not conceding too many. If you do
that then the forwards are always going to score goals with the players we
have got. We are just trying to play well."
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Support role keeps Cole content - WHUFC
Carlton Cole told WHUTV he is enjoying a run of making goals for others
12.11.2007
Carlton Cole has revealed he is just as happy setting goals up for others as
he is at scoring them.
The 24-year-old striker may not have found the target in the 5-0 victory at
Derby County but more than played his part in attack on Saturday, not least
in assisting on both Lee Bowyer's goals. "I am working for my team-mates and
manager and sometimes you don't get the goals you want," Cole told WHUTV.
"As long as I am there to set them up and involved as much as possible I
don't mind. It is as satisfying as scoring a goal when you set one up."
Despite an extended run of games, Cole knows only too well that the "top
quality" likes of Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy are close to a return. That
said all the strikers are pushing each other on to success whether involved
or not. "There is a good spirit," he explained. "All the forwards know that
you have got to put in a shift when you are playing for West Ham or else you
get found out and that is the bottom line."
The spirit of the team over the individual has been characterised throughout
the squad with a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Cole added:
"We have got a lot of injuries and we just went to Derby to fight and to all
give our best - and it paid off in the end. It was different class by all
the boys, a great effort and I am so happy that we can go into the next game
with loads of confidence.
"We have got all aspects of talent in our squad and people that can play out
of position to get the result we need. The boys have worked hard." Among
those giving their all is Lee Bowyer, and the experienced midfielder is well
placed to have the final word on his young team-mate's contribution. "Coley
has set up three of my four goals this season," Bowyer said. "I am really
pleased for him. He is a confidence man and his confidence is up."
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England call Stanislas and Tomkins - WHUFC
Tricky midfielder Junior Stanislas has joined James Tomkins in the U19 squad
13.11.2007
Junior Stanislas has been rewarded for his form with a first England call
for the Under-19 friendly against Germany on Wednesday.
The young midfielder has made outstanding progress this season and has been
included with club-mate James Tomkins for the away international in
Elversberg. The match will be used by coach Brian Eastick as preparation for
the Elite qualifying round next Spring to decide the competing nations at
the 2008 U19 European Championship.
West Ham United youth academy director Tony Carr said he was delighted both
Stanislas and Tomkins had been chosen. Speaking about Stanislas, Carr said:
"He was put on standby last week and I remember thinking I really hope he
gets a chance.
"Now he has been named in the actual squad and I think it will be great for
him. It will be a big stage for him to experience, training in a different
environment and seeing what it is like on the international front. He will
take it all in his stride but will also see it as a great honour and I am
sure he will do well."
Carr also said it was good to see the 19-year-old defender Tomkins called up
after the work he has put in returning to fitness following a long spell out
with a shoulder injury. "For me, James is back to his best," he said. "It's
been a frustrating time as he picked up the shoulder injury at the end of
last season and wasn't able to push on as he would have liked.
"But now he has played a few games this season and I thought he was
outstanding against Arsenal in the recent reserve match and back to the
James we all know about, so that is great for him, West Ham and England."
Eastick's side ran out comfortable qualifiers from the preliminary
qualifying round in October, beating Iceland, Romania and Belgium to top the
group with nine points, scoring 14 goals in the process.
Jordan Spence, who played his part in that U19 mini-tournament success after
captaining England to the U17 World Cup quarter-finals this summer, has
reverted to the U18 set-up and whufc.com will have more on the centre-back's
latest call-up later this week. To keep track on the West Ham United youth
and reserve sides, log on to the WHUTV Bubbling Under channel for exclusive
highlights and interviews.
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Ephraim ready and willing - WHUFC
After a successful loan spell at Queen's Park Rangers, Hogan Ephraim has
high hopes
13.11.2007
Hogan Ephraim is back in the swing of things at West Ham United and hoping
to get the chance to shine in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old Academy graduate has returned to the club after three months
on loan at Queen's Park Rangers, where he made 13 appearances and scored two
goals for the Championship outfit. Eight of those were starts as Ephraim
slowly established himself from bit-part player to regular at Loftus Road,
providing key contributions as the club turned around a poor start to the
season.
Back at the Boleyn Ground and training hard, Ephraim has designs on showing
manager Alan Curbishley what he can do - having already caught the eye with
a goal in a pre-season friendly at MK Dons last July. "The manager has not
really seen a lot of me because when he came last year I was [on loan] at
Colchester," he said. "I am not sure if he has seen much of me at QPR but I
will just do my best in training and whatever will happen, will happen."
An England youth international, Ephraim settled in quickly to life in west
London and also discovered he had made a lasting impression on Colchester
United, the club he served on a similar temporary basis last season. "I
scored on my return to Colchester which was nice. I got a good reception
from their fans when I scored. That was a bit surprising but I was glad with
how it went. I was feeling good in front of goal and in general."
At Colchester and QPR, Ephraim was mainly used in a wide left position
although he did get some opportunities of late in a more familiar forward
role. "I was just happy to play wherever really," he said. "The boys made me
feel very welcome which made it very easy. The main thing about it was to
get first-team opportunities - to go there and get some games and enjoy it.
I certainly did that."
Despite being focused on the task at hand, Ephraim admitted his thoughts had
turned back to West Ham United and the way the squad had come through a
difficult patch with flying colours. "No one would have guessed how many
people would have got injured but the boys have coped well with it and got
some good results," he said. "They are doing decently in the league. I am
sure the manager would like to push on now over the next few weeks."
Naturally, Ephraim, who travelled with the squad for Saturday's 5-0 win at
Derby County, will hope to have a part to play, although he knows there is
plenty of competition with the likes of Matthew Etherington, Luis Boa Morte
and Kyel Reid all showing up well in that wide left role this campaign. "I
am at the age now where I am desperate to play first-team football," he
said.
"With playing regularly last season and at the start of this season that is
all I want now and hopefully that will happen at West Ham. I feel I am ready
for it and hopefully the manager will give me a chance. I just want to get
my head down. I will do my best and hopefully that will be enough."
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Internationals next on the agenda - WHUFC
Freddie Ljungberg is out to book Sweden's place at EURO 2008
12.11.2007
The international break is upon us and several West Ham United players will
be leaving the Chadwell Heath training ground to represent their countries.
Chief among them will be fit-again Freddie Ljungberg who travelled with the
first-team to Derby County for Saturday's 5-0 Premier League victory before
linking up with Sweden for their EURO 2008 qualifiers. Ljungberg will hope
to lead out the Scandinavian nation in Madrid next Saturday against Spain.
Sweden conclude their campaign at home to Latvia the following Wednesday and
need just a point from either game to make certain of one of their group's
two qualifying places for next summer's finals.
Also hoping to make it to Austria and Switzerland is Christian Dailly, with
the defender named in the Scotland squad for Saturday's decider against
Italy at Hampden Park. Victory in their final qualifying fixture would take
them through to the finals but a defeat would hand the initiative to
Azzurri, who would then have a game to play against the Faroe Islands.
Dailly is due to return from a loan spell at Southampton on 24 November.
While Robert Green and Dean Ashton are both not involved for England in
their crunch EURO 2008 qualifier against Croatia on 21 November, they will
be hoping Steve McClaren's men are able to qualify in the hope of ultimately
claiming a squad place at the finals. Meanwhile, Mark Noble's hernia
operation has ruled him out of the Under-21 side's two qualifying fixtures
for the 2009 European Championship.
The EURO 2008 dream is probably beyond George McCartney's Northern Ireland
as they lie five and six points adrift of Spain and Sweden respectively
before facing Denmark and the Spanish on 17 and 21 November. Wales, who
definitely cannot qualify, are without Craig Bellamy for their home match
against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and the trip to Germany four
days later. However, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins are involved while
young midfielder Jack Collison was selected for the Under-21 side in their
two matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and France.
Lucas Neill will not have too far to travel for Australia when he lines up
against Nigeria in a friendly staged by Fulham on Saturday. The fixture is
being seen by the Socceroos as a warm-up for their 2010 World Cup qualifying
campaign, which gets under way in February. Nolberto Solano has already
started on the road to the finals in South Africa, playing twice last month
for his country. He now has the small matter of Brazil's visit to Lima on
Saturday before the trip to Ecuador three days later.
John Pantsil has been called up by Ghana, the hosts of next January and
February's African Cup of Nations, for a four-team friendly tournament
involving Togo, Benin and the United Arab Emirates while Henri Camara's
Senegal will take on Mali and Morocco in France on 17 and 21 November
respectively.
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CCTV 'shows Ferdinand fighting' - BBC
A jury has seen film of Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand allegedly
hitting a man outside a nightclub. The prosecution claims CCTV footage shows
the West Ham defender in a brawl outside Faces in Ilford, east London, in
October 2006. Mr Ferdinand, 22, denies charges of assault occasioning actual
bodily harm and affray, at Snaresbrook Crown Court. His co-accused Edward
Dawkins, 28, of Beckton, east London, also denies similar charges.
Self-defence
Mr Ferdinand says he acted in self-defence, fearing he would be robbed of a
£64,000 watch. Prosecutor Alex Agbamu said alleged victim Emile Walker was
assaulted by a group of men including the co-defendants. He told the jury
they had to decide whether the pair had acted in self-defence using
reasonable force during the fight. He alleged the fight broke out after Mr
Ferdinand's cousin, who has not been charged, struck Mr Walker. However, Mr
Ferdinand claimed he was himself attacked outside the club and feared his
watch would be stolen. He alleged one of a group of men began kicking him
and he was punched with enough force to loosen one of his teeth. Mr
Ferdinand's brother, Rio, the England and Manchester United footballer, was
among those in the courtroom. The trial continues.
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Pulis coy on Quashie link - SSN
West Ham midfielder a possibility for Stoke
Last updated: 12th November 2007
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is remaining coy with regards a possible loan swoop
for Nigel Quashie. The West Ham midfielder has recently come back from a
long-term injury and is keen for regular playing time as he steps up his
rehabilitation.
Pulis knows all about Quashie's capabilities having signed the 29-year-old
when manager of Portsmouth back in 2000.
Speculation has suggested Pulis is keen to be reunited with the
well-travelled Scotland international but the Potteries boss refuses to be
drawn on the matter. "Quashie is with West Ham and we will be discussing
things with West Ham first. If people want to speculate, they can
speculate," he told the Sentinel.
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NICHOLSON: CURBISHLEY'S SYMPATHY NOT QUITE ON MARK - This Is Derbyshire
Be the first reader to comment on this story
09:30 - 13 November 2007
Alan Curbishley was genuine in his sympathy for Derby County's plight. After
watching his West Ham side thrash the Rams 5-0 at the weekend, the Hammers
boss said: "Newly-promoted teams get days like this."I understand the point
he was making, life is extremely tough for promoted clubs, but the facts
don't back up his statement. Derby have suffered far more "days like this"
than the two sides who came up with them, Sunderland and Bimringham City.
Liverpool put six past the Rams, Arsenal and West Ham five, and Tottenham
four. Birmingham's biggest defeat so far is 3-1 at Everton who scored in the
90th minute and stoppage time. Sunderland's heaviest setback is 3-0 at
Wigan.
Watford finished bottom last season and were relegated after one year in the
top flight. They were considered to be out of their depth and yet their
biggest defeat was 4-0 at Chelsea and Manchester United - results you would
expect.
Reading and Sheffield United went up from the Championship with Watford.
Reading's worst defeat last season was 4-0 at home to Arsenal and Sheffield
United's was 4-0 at Liverpool. Derby are ahead of schedule and have not
spent as much on new faces as Sunderland but how well you compete is not
always equal to the amount of cash splashed on the squad. Desire to compete
comes from within, as Watford proved last season. The Hornets finished
bottom and went down but very few opponents enjoyed an easy afternoon
against Adie Boothroyd's team.
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Man City, West Ham in for Marseille's Cisse
tribalfooball.com - November 13, 2007
Manchester City and West Ham are chasing Olympique Marseille striker Djibril
Cisse. The Mirror says City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is eager for
reinforcements up front with Rolando Bianchi proving a disappointment after
a bright start.
Rising Italian star Valeri Bojinov is still sidelined, while Emile Mpenza
has not proved as prolific as Eriksson had hoped he would be. The Hammers,
Cisse's other suitors, want to improve their strike force in a push for
Europe. Cisse hit 26 goals in 38 games for Auxerre before Liverpool bought
him for £14million in 2004. He never quite lived up to that price tag in a
career at Anfield which was badly hampered by a twice-broken leg, but is
believed to be keen to return to English football and show his full
potential.
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Curbishley and Sven join race for Cisse - The Mirror
By DARREN LEWIS 13/11/2007
DJIBRIL CISSE will be a £5million target for Manchester City in January,
with West Ham also interested in the Marseille striker. Cisse scored eight
goals in 21 league games last season, has two in 12 so far this term and is
set to lead the line for the French team against his old club, Liverpool,
who are battling to stay in the Champions League. City boss Sven Goran
Eriksson is eager for reinforcements up front with Rolando Bianchi proving a
disappointment after a bright start. Rising Italian star Valeri Bojinov is
still sidelined, while Emile Mpenza has not proved as prolific as Eriksson
had hoped he would be. The Hammers, Cisse's other suitors, want to improve
their strike force in a push for Europe. Cisse hit 26 goals in 38 games for
Auxerre before Liverpool bought him for £14million in 2004. He never quite
lived up to that price tag in a career at Anfield which was badly hampered
by a twice-broken leg, but is believed to be keen to return to English
football and show his full potential.
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Cole happy to be goal provider - TeamTalk
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has revealed he is just as happy creating as
he is scoring when he leads the line for the Hammers. The 24-year old was
not on the scoresheet in the 5-0 demolition of Derby on Saturday but played
a pivotal role, assisting Lee Bowyer for both of his two goals at Pride
Park. And with the likes of Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy closing in on a
return from injury Cole know he has to be at his best. He told the club's
official website: "As long as I am there to set them up and be involved as
much as possible I don't mind. I am working for my team-mates and manager
and sometimes you don't get the goals that you want. "All the forwards know
that you have to put a shift when you are playing for West Ham or you get
found out and that is the bottom line. "We have got all aspects of talent in
our squad and people that can play out of position to get the result that we
need. The boys have worked hard."
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City and West Ham chase £5m striker - lep.co.uk
Djibril Cisse is set to spark a bidding war amongst Premier League clubs
when the transfer window opens to January, according to reports. The Daily
Mirror believes that the former Liverpool striker will be a £5m target of
Manchester City and West Ham United. Sven Goran Eriksson is believed to be
keen on strengthening his forward line after striker Ronaldo Bianchi has
failed to impress. Cisse hit the headlines in 2004 when he joined Liverpool
for £14m. Although he recently moved back to French club Marseille and has
scored two goals in twelve appearances so far this term.
Last Updated: 13 November 2007 7:38 AM
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Curbishley hails Irons character - TeamTalk
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley insists he is proud of the way his players
have dealt with the injury crisis at Upton Park. The Hammers recorded a 5-0
win at Derby on Saturday but paid a price with Lee Bowyer and George
McCartney the latest to join a long list of casualties. And Curbishley
believes the way they have coped is a testament to their character. He said:
"The big thing for me is that we've managed to pick points up. "Perhaps the
performances haven't been as we like but we've not been cohesive in team
selection for so long now, it's been very, very difficult. It just seems
that as someone comes back, another one goes out. But they get on with it,
which was great. "If they were all fit now, I couldn't play them all, but
obviously it would give us that competition." Curbishley hopes to have Dean
Ashton and Scott Parker back soon, while Freddie Ljungberg and James Collins
were both on the bench on Saturday. "We're getting one or two back," he
added.
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Alan Curbs Bowyer fears - sport.setanta.com
by Tom Adams, 12 November 2007
West Ham have confirmed that Lee Bowyer will only be out of action for three
weeks as a result of impending hernia surgery, meaning the impact on his
season may be negligible. Bowyer – who scored twice in The Hammers' 5-0 win
at Derby County at the weekend – has been booked in for the procedure after
playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks for the London club. It had
been unclear as to how long Bowyer would spend recuperating from the
surgery, but Hammers boss Alan Curbishley believes the impact on the
midfielder's contribution to the team will not be sorely felt.
The international break is now upon The Premier League and Bowyer is
suspended in any case for the home game with Tottenham on November 25,
meaning he could be fit for the next game in which he would be available –
the trip to Chelsea on December 1. "We have been waiting for the
international break to come along so he can have this done," Curbishley told
the club's official website. "He had a hernia about seven years ago and
that's the lifespan of something like that, it has slowly come back. "Lee is
suspended for the Tottenham game so he has three weeks to recover and we
expect him to be fit after that."
West Ham's efforts have been blighted by a string of injuries this season
with new signings such as Julien Faubert, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker all
affected. When his fitness problems finally subside, Curbishley expects West
Ham to enjoy an even more productive spell on the pitch having started the
season in solid fashion. "When everyone is fit, I can't play them all, lets
stress that and I just think it is showing that we have a really good
squad," Curbishley continued. "When all the players are available, I will
have some selection problems, that is for sure. "For us to be in the top
half of the table, in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup, is for me,
terrific and a great credit should be given to all the players. "I have a
squad that can compete on all levels. The aim is to have a good solid season
and see where that takes us."
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Boss waiting on Hammers - Clubcall
20071112 13:49
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to hold talks with West Ham in a bid to try and
land midfielder Nigel Quashie on loan.
The Scotland international is wanted by the Potters chief to add some bite
to his midfield after a run of one win in the last four Championship games.
However, Pulis will go through the right channels as he tries to persuade
Alan Curbishley to allow him to move to the Britannia Stadium on a temporary
basis. "Quashie is with West Ham and we will be discussing things with West
Ham first," he said. "If people want to speculate, they can speculate."
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Henri Camara recalled to Senegal squad - African.reuters.com
Mon 12 Nov 2007, 13:45 GMT
DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal have recalled West Ham United striker Henri Camara
to their squad for two friendly matches in France this weekend. Camara is
one of seven changes named by coach Henryk Kasperczak. Also returning are
defenders Ferdinand Coly, Pape Malickou Diakhate and Boukary Drame,
midfielder Frederic Mendy and German-based striker Demba Ba. There are first
call-ups for goalkeepers Bouna Coundoul and Issa Ndoye. Coundoul plays for
Colorado Rapids in the United States while Ndoye is on the books of Iranian
club Zobahan. Senegal play Mali in Colombes on Saturday and Morocco at
Creteil on November 21. Both games serve as warm-ups for their participation
in next January's African Nations Cup finals in France.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bouna Coundoul (Colorado Rapids, USA), Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye
(Creteil, France), Issa Ndoye (Zobahan, Iran), Tony Sylva (Lille, France)
Defenders: Habib Beye (Newcastle United, England), Ferdinand Coly (Parma,
Italy), Abdoulaye Diagne Faye (Newcastle), Pape Malickou Diakhate (Dynamo
Kiev, Ukraine), Souleymane Diawara (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Lamine
Diatta (Besiktas, Turkey), Boukary Drame (Sochaux, France), Ibrahima Faye
(Troyes, France), Pascal Mendy (FC Kaunas, Lithuania), Guirane Ndaw
(Sochaux, France), Mohamed Adama Sarr (Standard Liege, Belgium)
Midfielders: Pape Bouba Diop (Portsmouth, England), Ousmane Ndoye (Academica
Coimbra, Portugal), Moustapha Bayal Sall (St Etienne, France), Diomansy
Kamara (Fulham, England), Frederic Mendy (Bastia, France), Pape Waigo Ndiaye
(Genoa, Italy)
Strikers: Demba Ba (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Henri Camara (West Ham United,
England), El Hadj Diouf (Bolton Wanderers, England), Mamadou Niang
(Olympique Marseille, France), Modou Sogou (Uniao Leiria, Portugal).
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West Ham's Carlton Cole - From Clown To Class - caughtoffside.com
Posted on Monday, November 12th, 2007
After his performances in the last few games, and his topping the Premier
League assist table, I owe Carlton Cole a serious apology given my
bad-mouthing him after the Sunderland game. A run in the side and a few
goals has transformed his confidence and with it his ability, just what I
was hastily proclaiming was never going to happen. Gone is the clumsy,
loping striker with a lousy touch, and in his place we have a powerful,
hard-working centre-forward making life extremely difficult for defenders.
Sure, nice as 5-0 wins away from home are, and they come along about once
every couple of decades for West Ham fans, no-one should get too carried
away when a centre-forward performance as good as Cole's on Saturday comes
against a team as miserable as Derby. Yet two months ago Cole wouldn't have
been holding the ball up, knocking headers down, passing balls in like that
if the opposition had been sub-Championship standard. Just sometimes perhaps
we should take players at their word. Some of them are willing to put the
effort in to get better and they do deserve more than a couple of chances to
prove their worth before we all convince ourselves that they are not fit to
wear the shirts of our beloved clubs.
When Ashton pronounces himself fit again for the Tottenham game, Cole is
probably going to keep him out of the side. Now if someone had said that to
me, at any point during last season or the beginning of this, I would
probably have thought that they were well on the way to being sectioned.
Carlton, I'm sorry.
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Dean Ashton predicts a swift return to action - Telegraph
By Steve Wilson
Last Updated: 12:03pm GMT 12/11/2007
Dean Ashton is confident he can help ease West Ham's injury problems by
returning to first team action in time for the club's next Premier League
fixture. The luckless striker suffered damage to his medial knee ligament
at the start of October, just weeks after returning from a season-long
lay-off with a broken ankle. Ashton was close to recapturing the form that
had earned him a call up to Steve McClaren's England squad with goals in
consecutive league games before he picked up his latest injury. The return
of arguably the club's most prolific marksman so soon after he was ruled out
would be a major fillip for manager Alan Curbishley as he looks to build on
the weekend's mauling of Derby County and a creditable position of 10th in
the league achieved against the backdrop of a depleted squad. "It's all
going well, I've started training," Ashton said. "I can't deny it's been
very frustrating but I haven't taken it too badly. I'm not a bad spectator
so have been getting to the games to watch the lads. "I try to take the
positives, last time I had an awful lot of time on my hands to think about
my overall game. This time it's only been five weeks, so it's just a case of
topping up my fitness from the strength I built up in coming back from the
ankle injury. "I was feeling really fresh then so it's just a case of
sharpening up. I'll be able to use the international break to get in a
couple of reserve team games and hopefully that will stand me in good stead.
"I'm looking at the Tottenham game (on Nov 25) for my return and I'm
confident I'll be ready for then."
West Ham have seen a raft of players confined to the treatment room this
season along with Ashton in a stuttering start to a campaign that had begun
with optimism due to heavy summer spending in the transfer market. "I think
we've done quite well overall. It's not easy with so much change – we've
obviously brought in a lot of new players and personnel. "It takes time for
everything to gel and I think that's the case here but given that and the
injuries we've had, I think we've done well."
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Curbishley offers words of encouragement -rams.co.uk
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has joined the dwindling band of
optimists who believe Derby County can avoid relegation from the Barclays
Premier League. Derby were thrashed 5-0 at Pride Park by Curbishley's
depleted Hammers, their heaviest home defeat for eight years. The Rams have
only scored five goals all season while conceding a mammoth 31 but if anyone
is qualified to comment on a club's prospects of pulling off a great escape
it is Curbishley, who rescued West Ham from relegation against all the odds
last season. And the former Charlton Athletic boss had words of comfort for
beleaguered opposite number Billy Davies. "I know what he's going through,"
Curbishley said. "I had a couple of results like that last year. These
results come along but, if you care to look down there near the bottom,
no-one's stranded. "It's still all to play for. He's got to take some
positives out of it."
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Derby 0-5 West Ham - The Mirror
By James Nursey 12/11/2007
Lee Bowyer's career has been so controversial that people will probably
never change their opinion of him, but the midfielder reckons he is finally
endearing himself to West Ham fans. Bowyer, 30, grew up in East London
supporting the Hammers and is still haunted by his previous six-month spell
at the club in 2003 when he was unable to prevent their relegation from the
Premier League. The midfielder, who notched a double at Derby, made just 10
league starts and failed to score as West Ham dropped out of the top flight
and Bowyer joined Newcastle on a free. It is a sorry episode Bowyer is
anxious to forget along with failing a cannabis test at Charlton, going to
court for an alleged racial attack he was subsequently cleared of and
fighting with team-mate Kieron Dyer during a game at Newcastle. Such
problems have undoubtedly cost Bowyer a chance to add to his solitary
England cap gained in September 2002 when he was in his pomp at Leeds. But
while the ace is resigned to never playing for his country again, he aims to
at least salvage his reputation at Upton Park after being reunited with his
old Addicks boss Alan Curbishley in June last year.
After a poor campaign last term, Bowyer said: "I just want to play for West
Ham as it is the club I love and hopefully I can carry on my form."
Bowyer insists a hernia operation tomorrow and missing the Hammers' next
game through suspension will not hamper his progress. He added: "I don't
think I will ever get called up again by England, so the most important
thing is I just want to do well for West Ham. "That's why I came back, to
prove I'm better than what they saw the first time around."
The Hammers' rout of the Rams was their biggest league victory since Boxing
Day 2000 when they won 5-0 against a Charlton team managed by Curbishley.
They might have won by more as Nolberto Solano and Matthew Upson hit the
woodwork. Bowyer fired in the opener from Carlton Cole's header in the 42nd
minute and the visitors took control after the break.
Matthew Etherington drove in the second before Jonathan Spector's shot
squirmed through Andy Griffin on the line. Bowyer shot in from Cole's pass
and Solano wrapped it up with a fine free-kick. Derby boss Billy Davies, set
to make wholesale changes, said: "The players deserved an opportunity, but
they now understand the situation with the next window."
ATTENDANCE: 32,440
Man Of The Match: Bowyer
TEAMS AND RATINGS
Derby: Bywater 5, Mears 6, Moore 4, Edworthy 4, Griffin 4, Barnes 6, Oakley
6, Pearson 5, Teale 6 (Howard 52, 5), Miller 5 (Fagan 75, 5), Lewis 4
(Earnshaw 58, 4).
West Ham: Green 6, Neill 6, Gabbidon 6, Upson 7, McCartney 6 (Pantsil 14,
5), Solano 7, Spector 6, Bowyer 8 (Collins 72, 6), Etherington 7, Cole 7,
Boa Morte 6.
Ref: MARK CLATTENBURG
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Goal-hero Bowyer on Hammers injury list - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:08am on 12th November 2007
Lee Bowyer, West Ham's two-goal hero against Derby, will be out of action
for three weeks following a hernia operation. West Ham have taken advantage
of this week's international break plus a one-match suspension for Bowyer
following five bookings, to book the midfield star in for an operation
tomorrow. Bowyer, who hit a brace in the 5-0 win over Derby, will miss the
London derby against Tottenham on Sunday 25 November but manager Alan
Curbishley is hoping that Mark Noble, who underwent a similar operation last
week, will be fit to return by then. Curbishley, whose severely patched-up
West Ham team have worked wonders to be in mid-table considering the extent
of their injury problems, could also have Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and
Dean Ashton back in contention for the Spurs game. The West Ham manager
wants to arrange a practice match behind closed doors during the break for
Parker and Ashton, while Bellamy will have completed a period of rest
following a troublesome abdominal injury.
Less good news though is that Northern Ireland international full-back
George McCartney could be doubtful for the clash with Spurs after damaging
an ankle early in the match against Derby. Meanwhile, Curbishley revealed
today how a summer heart-to-heart with Bowyer may have made all the
difference to the Canning Town-born midfield star. "I sat down with Lee in
the summer and I told him I thought he was trying too hard," he said. "I
know that sounds crazy but this is his football club, the one he supported
as a boy and he was desperate to do well. I told him to perhaps settle down
a little bit. "He's done that and his performance against Derby was similar
to when I had him as a young player at Charlton when he broke into the
scene. "Lee's been playing with the hernia for some time and he's been
booked in for the last month to have the operation tomorrow. "For us to be
mid-table and in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with all the problems
we have had is terrific and is great credit to the players."
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TYRONE IS SO EMBARRASSED BY HAMMER HORROR SHOW - This Is Derbyshire
BY RICHARD GADSBY
RGADSBY@DERBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK
09:30 - 12 November 2007
Derby County have to improve on their "embarrassing" performance against
West Ham United or prepare for relegation, according to Tyrone Mears. The
Hammers handed Derby a 5-0 thrashing at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, the
club's biggest home defeat in over eight years. It was Derby's
third-straight defeat and leaves the club rooted to the foot of the Premier
League ahead of a two-week break for international matches. "It's
embarrassing to get beat away from home five or six nil against the big
teams but to get beat 5-0 against West Ham at home - I don't know what to
say," said full-back Mears. "The manager told us to take a look at ourselves
after the game. I don't think he needs to say anything more. "I'm
devastated. It's my old club, it's 5-0, we're at home and we're bottom of
the league.
"We're fighting to stay in this league and it's not going to happen if we
carry on playing like that."
The 24 year-old defender moved to Upton Park in July 2006 in a £1m deal from
Preston North End. He made just six appearances for the London club before a
loan move to Derby in January. The move was made permanent in the summer. "I
was looking forward to the game for quite a while, probably even more when
we go to Upton Park," said Mears. I wanted to put in a good performance and
for us to win but where do you start? Everything went wrong.
"When you see it's 5-0, you look at the back four, back five and the keeper
for starters. "But you can't really do that because West Ham passed us off
the park. "The amount of time they got on the ball, their back four,
midfielders, strikers - it was all over the pitch. He added: "It just felt
like we were defending the whole game and no team can do that. "You've got
to have a bit of possession and keep the ball - but it's not happening at
the minute. "When you're under the cosh the whole game, it's putting so much
pressure on you defensively, it becomes tiring. "You should be able to
defend the full 90 but when you're giving away possession so easily, you're
always on the back foot."
With a two-week break to follow, Derby's next game is against Chelsea at
Pride Park on November 24. Derby lost 6-0 to Liverpool before the first
international break this season back in September but came back to beat
Newcastle Untied 1-0 - their only win of the season so far. "When we were
beaten by Liverpool, we needed another game to get it out of our system but
it's going to be another two weeks before we get a chance," said Mears.
"We've got a tough game against Chelsea at home but there's no point letting
our heads go down. If we can pick up some points before Christmas it will
put us back in a good position."
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HEAD TO HEAD: MEARS V ETHERINGTON - This Is Derbyshire
09:30 - 12 November 2007
Richard Gadsby analyses the battle between Derby County's Tyrone Mears and
West Ham's Matthew Etherington.
Like so many of the contests around the pitch, it became null and void after
70 minutes with West Ham out of sight at 5-0. In truth, Matthew Etherington
had been edging the battle before that stage, constantly looking to break
into space while covering his defensive duties well, as Mears moved forward.
Mears looked more skilful throughout the game but, in terms of experience,
it was no contest. Etherington is only two years older than the Rams
full-back but has been plying his Premier League trade for nearly eight
seasons with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. Mears shepherded him well and
whenever the two came face to face it was generally Derby who came out with
the ball.
But Etherington's experience at the highest level meant he was able to
exploit his opposite number's positional play several times, breaking
forward when Mears had moved up for a set-piece or a run of his own. The
Rams defender was not entirely at fault for this. His attacking qualities
are hardly unknown but he was given little support by his midfield as he
looked to push on. In the first half, though, he often looked in two minds
and usually opted for safety first by staying deep and opting to pass. For
his part, Etherington did not shirk his defensive duties and foiled Mears
from breaking a couple of times in the first half. He was clattered into by
Matt Oakley for his troubles midway through the first half and needed two
minutes treatment as the Rams skipper earned a yellow card. Neither player
was involved for the first Hammers goal before half-time but it was
Etherington who sparked the blitz. A neat one-two with Lee Bowyer led to the
winger firing a low shot past Stephen Bywater after 51 minutes when Mears
should have been tighter. Mears was no more at fault for the other goals
than the rest of his team-mates as the Hammers smashed home another four.
Strangely, it led to Mears' best spell of the game and he ended the match as
one of Derby's most dangerous players.
With only pride to play for, the frustrated full-back made three superb runs
from his own half in the last 20 minutes, making 50 yards at a time as he
waltzed past the West Ham midfielders.
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STOKE CITY: PULIS PLAYS DOWN BID FOR QUASHIE - This is Staffordshire
STOKE CITY
09:40 - 12 November 2007
Tony Pulis is remaining guarded about the prospect of signing West Ham
midfielder Nigel Quashie on loan before the end of the year. The 29-year-old
Scottish international is one of a clutch of players being tracked by the
Stoke boss as he strives to strengthen a side now beaten in four of its last
six outings. The pair enjoy a long-standing mutual respect after Pulis
revived Quashie's career by signing him for Portsmouth from Nottingham
Forest in August 2000. Quashie, right, has recently returned from long-term
injury problems and is keen for regular action, but any hope of being
re-united with Pulis appears to have been scuppered in the short term
because of injuries at West Ham. But responding to weekend press reports
that City were about to move for the midfielder, Pulis would only say:
"Quashie is with West Ham and we will be discussing things with West Ham
first. If people want to speculate, they can speculate."
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Bowyer Gives Up On England Hopes - goal.com
West Ham United's Lee Bowyer has told the media that he's all but given up
on his dream of once again playing for England, but he insists that he's
quite happy to prove himself at the Boleyn Ground instead...
Lee Bowyer has told the media of his delight at being back at West Ham
United, even if it's tempered by frustration at his waning chances of an
England recall. Despite an improvement in form in recent seasons, the 30
year old seems unlikely to gain a call-up from Steve McClaren anytime soon.
"I don't think I will ever get called up for England again," he told Setanta
Sports. "I scored 17 goals one season and I still didn't get picked. "I've
just accepted it now and the most important thing for me is doing well for
West Ham. "I came back to prove to everyone that I am a better player than
they saw the last time I was here. "That's why I came back for a second time
and hopefully I am starting to do that and I can carry on doing it. "I just
want to play for this club. It's the club I love and hopefully this can
carry on.
Bowyer arrived back at Upton Park at the start of last season after a
controversial but relatively successful spell with Newcastle United.
However, despite his form in the 2006-07 campaign, he's yet to add to his
single England cap, won against Portugal back in 2002 when with Leeds
United.
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
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