Hammers legend Alvin Martin believes the time has come for Matthew Upson to
get an England recall
09.01.2008
When it comes to considering the merits of West Ham United's defence this
season, there are few better placed to judge than Alvin Martin.
The club legend and former captain has been more than impressed by the
Hammers rearguard this season and is tipping Matthew Upson for an
international recall later this month. The 28-year-old was imperious again
last weekend against Manchester City, helping the club to a 0-0 draw in the
FA Cup third round - and has yet to miss a minute of Premier League action
as well.
With nearly 600 appearances behind him in the claret and blue, Martin was
also an England international who played at the 1986 World Cup finals in
Mexico. As new England boss Fabio Capello starts his reign in charge of the
national team, Martin is convinced Upson has what it takes to catch the
Italian coach's eye.
"I think Matt has showed already this season his ability to carry out the
basic duties of a defender - that is to head the ball to safety and make
sure you clear well," he said of the former Birmingham City centre-back, who
had the captain's armband for the second half of Saturday's game following
Lucas Neill's injury. "He's really been on form.
"Now what he has to do is push on further and show what else he has in his
game. The way he can be part of the attack - in getting the ball out from
the back to the midfielders and play his part in helping goal chances come
about."
The 17-times capped Martin said the competition at the back for England was
fierce, but said that should only act as a challenge for the likes of Upson
and even young partner Anton Ferdinand - who is himself looking to push on
from the England Under-21s - to meet.
"We have Rio Ferdinand and John Terry in there at the back, two formidable
players, so it won't be easy. But Jamie Carragher has sort of hung up his
boots internationally for now, so perhaps that is another space to fill.
"Hopefully the new manager is going to give everyone a chance and if there
is a match where one of these aren't playing, then that is the opportunity
for someone else to shine and give Capello a selection problem for the next
game. That is where Matty can look to stake his claim and I am sure he is
capable of doing that."
Martin said the other important factor for success at the back is
establishing a good partnership in the centre of the defence - as was shown
by his own formidable pairing with Tony Gale during the 80s. "Matt and Anton
have struck up a good partnership this season, which has been interrupted
when Anton was out injured but there is something there that can be good for
us this year.
"But we also have Danny Gabbidon and James Collins who have also shown
either together or with Anton and Matt, that they too can strike up a good
partnership as well, so that is a really good thing for West Ham that we
have this and have the players to do it."
Upson of course scored his first goal for the club against Manchester United
last month, while Ferdinand had laid the groundwork for the winning header
with the equaliser after coming off the bench. "That is another part in
which defenders can prove their worth, said Martin.
"I used to like getting forward for the set-plays and corners. Anton is one
for doing that and Matt is also a strong lad who can help out in that
situation too. I think there is a time for one of the lads to stay back but
if they can get their head on a corner kick and make that leap, then it
means the opposition have someone else to worry about other than the
strikers.
"The other thing is leadership, Lucas is the captain but players such as
Matt can help lead the way as well, especially with the younger players. I
was taught well by the likes of Billy Bonds and even before I was made
captain, I was always a talker and one that tried to help the others. While
still at a young age himself, Matt can use his experience that he has got in
this way as well."
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Camara confirmed by Senegal - WHUFC
Henri Camara is to make it a hat-trick of finals appearances at the African
Cup of Nations in Ghana
09.01.2008
Henri Camara has been confirmed in Senegal's final 23-man squad for this
month's African Cup of Nations.
The Dakar-born striker had originally been named in the 40-man provisional
selection by coach Henri Kasperczak last month and was always likely to make
the final cut. He appeared in the previous two editions as well as scoring
two goals at the 2002 World Cup. He is one of seven English-based players
who will hope to figure when Senegal open their Group D campaign against
Tunisia on Wednesday 23 January.
The country will then face Angola four days later before finishing their
group campaign against South Africa on 31 January. All three matches will be
televised live on BBC Interactive. John Pantsil, West Ham United's other
representative at the finals, is almost certain to figure in Ghana's squad,
which has yet to be cut from 26 players to 23. Ghana are the host nation for
this year's finals.
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Faubert makes West Ham comeback - BBC
West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has returned to action as he continues to
recover from a serious Achilles injury. Faubert took just 39 seconds to open
the scoring during West Ham's reserves 2-1 away defeat by Aston Villa before
he was withdrawn at the interval. Faubert was injured during West Ham's 1-0
friendly defeat against Czech side Sigma Olomouc in Austria on 17 July. The
24-year-old Frenchman joined West Ham from Bordeaux for £6.1m during the
summer transfer window. Faubert, who scored on his only international
appearance for France in 2006, signed a five-year contract with the Upton
Park side. Faubert had been with Bordeaux since 2004 but after the French
club rejected a reported £4m offer from Rangers he refused to train with his
team-mates.
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Here we go again ... - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 9th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham's injury jinx has struck again after Scott Parker was ruled out for
at least six weeks. The Hammers midfielder was substituted during West Ham's
2-1 win over Manchester United on December 29th with a recurrence of the
knee injury that has plagued his first season at the club. And according to
reports, the former Charlton man could now be out of action until the
beginning of March. Parker suffered his first injury during a pre-season
friendly against Sigma on the pre-season summer tour. After making his club
debut in the 1-0 win over Plymouth in the Carling Cup at the end of
September he sustained ligament damage following a bad challenge by
Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini in the next game. After spending the next two
months on the treatment table he returned for the 1-1 draw with Tottenham at
The Boleyn Ground on November 25th. But after a run of just eight games he
injured the same knee yet again in the win over the reigning league
champions. Mark Noble - who was outstanding against Manchester City at the
weekend - is expected to continue to deputise for Parker whose season is now
practically over, having made just 10 first team appearances following his
£7m move from Newcastle.
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Faubert delight at return - SSN
Frenchman to take his time
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 8th January 2008
Julien Faubert has spoken about his return to action, but insists he does
not want to rush things. The French international winger joined West Ham in
the summer from Bordeaux but he ruptured his Achilles tendon in pre-season
before he could play a competitive match. He is now back in full training
and enjoyed a successful return to action for the reserves earlier this
week. "I don't want to rush now. I waited for five months, I can wait a few
more weeks," he told L'Equipe. Faubert went on to explain how he felt when
he suffered the blow so early on in his West Ham career: "Above all I felt
embarrassed for the club.
"They had invested a lot of money in me and I got injured. Fortunately it is
a family club, where a lot of people rallied around me. "When they removed
my plaster, seeing my 'chicken' calf, I asked myself if I could find again
my best level. During those moments you discover your real friends."
Domenech moan
French coach Raymond Domenech slammed Faubert's decision to sign for West
Ham in the summer, rejecting a switch to Roma. "I am neither surprised nor
disappointed," he continued. "He never called me back since my last call for
the French team. I will reply on the pitch. England matches have much more
of my qualities than Italy. It is speed and physical involvement. "My dream
was to play in England. West Ham is a historical club. Some people said I
left for money, but at Roma I would earn the same wages."
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Curbishley sets transfer targets - The Mirror
By John Cross 09/01/2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has lined up a January swoop for Nicky Shorey,
El Hadji Diouf and David Nugent - but has priced Bobby Zamora out of a move
to Reading. Curbs wants Royals' England left-back Shorey and is trying to
tempt Steve Coppell to sell with a player-plus-cash deal involving Upton
Park out-of-favour striker Zamora. But West Ham are demanding £5million for
Zamora with a £1m cash adjustment for Shorey. Reading boss Coppell likes
Zamora but is not interested at that price and has no intention of selling
Shorey. The Hammers are also keen to get another striker in. They are
looking at Bolton's Diouf and have had an enquiry for Marseille's Djibril
Cisse knocked back. AdvertisementThey are also interested in Portsmouth
misfit Nugent, who has started just two Premier League games for Pompey
since joining for £6m last summer.
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Faubert's injury woe - The Mirror
09/01/2008
Julien Faubert admits he felt horribly guilty when he was injured just a
fortnight after his £6million move to West Ham. The striker, who scored
after 39 seconds for the reserves on Monday almost six months since
rupturing his Achilles heel, said: "I felt bad for the club - they invested
a lot of money in me and then I got injured. Fortunately it is a family club
and I was really well supported." Faubert joined from Bordeaux in July.
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West Ham United fancy £10million Fred - FansFC
07:11 January, 9, 2008
West Ham United Football Club are believed to be keen on Fred. The Brazilian
striker is currently at loggerheads with French champions Lyon who are
willing to let him leave this month, although they are believed to be
willing to listen only to offers starting at £10million. "Fred wants to go
on in Europe," agent and brother Rodrigo told France Football. "Two English
sides have the means to pay the transfer fee asked by Lyon, which is
important as l'OL doesn't want a loan yet." The Hammers are said to be one
of the Premier League sides interested in Fred, and although they would
prefer a loan move, Alan Curbishley has been told he has the funds if he is
desperate to land the player.
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West Ham won't bury hatchet with Sheffield Utd
tribalfooball.com - January 09, 2008
West Ham United aren't interested in ending their feud with West Ham over
the Carlos Tevez affair. Bramall Lane plc chairman Kevin McCabe revealed
last night he offered an olive branch to the Hammers by writing to their
former chief Eggert Magnusson. But THREE MONTHS later, McCabe has still not
received a reply from anyone at Upton Park. McCabe said: "I wrote a letter
to Mr Magnusson in October but have not heard anything."
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West Ham's Parker suffers fresh knee setback
tribalfootball.com - January 09, 2008
West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker has been ruled out for two months
with a new knee injury. Parker was substituted in the second half of the
Premier League match at home to Manchester United ten days ago after
suffering a knock in a challenge from Cristiano Ronaldo early in the game.
His absence is a blow to Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, who is
missing eight players. Parker joined the club for £7 million from Newcastle
United last summer, but he suffered a knee injury during the tour to Austria
in preseason. On his second match after his return, he limped off with the
same knee injury at half-time during the 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in
September. He was out for two months, even though a scan revealed that
medial ligament damage was not serious. He has played eight matches since
returning in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in November and had
hoped to be in contention for the first England squad to be named by Fabio
Capello, the new manager, this month.
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Watford bid for West Ham's Davenport
tribalfooball.com - January 08, 2008
Watford are making an offer for West Ham defender Calum Davenport. The
former Spurs player is out of favour at Upton Park but Watford manager Aidy
Boothroyd remains a fervent admirer.
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Newcastle tracking West Ham striker Ashton
tribalfootball.com - January 08, 2008
Newcastle United are eyeing West Ham striker Dean Ashton. Ashton is a big
pal of Steven Taylor from their days together in the England Under-21 set-up
and the burly striker has made no secret of how much he loves the passion
United fans have for their club.
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Fulham bid for West Ham striker Zamora
tribalfooball.com - January 08, 2008
Fulham are chasing West Ham striker Bobby Zamora. The Daily Mail says
Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson is moving for Zamora to boost his attack this
month.
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Scott Parker injury becomes recurring theme - The Times
Gary Jacob
West Ham United's injury woes worsened yesterday when Scott Parker was ruled
out for two months. It is the third time this season that the midfield
player has been sidelined for an extended period with a knee injury. Parker
was substituted in the second half of the Premier League match at home to
Manchester United ten days ago after suffering a knock in a challenge from
Cristiano Ronaldo early in the game. His absence is a blow to Alan
Curbishley, the West Ham manager, who is missing eight players.
Parker joined the club for £7 million from Newcastle United last summer, but
he suffered a knee injury during the tour to Austria in preseason. On his
second match after his return, he limped off with the same knee injury at
half-time during the 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in September. He was out
for two months, even though a scan revealed that medial ligament damage was
not serious. He has played eight matches since returning in the 1-1 draw
against Tottenham Hotspur in November and had hoped to be in contention for
the first England squad to be named by Fabio Capello, the new manager, this
month. Hayden Mullins will continue to deputise in midfield alongside Mark
Noble.
Curbishley is still without Kieron Dyer, who will miss most of the season
with a broken leg, but there is better news elsewhere, with Craig Bellamy
and Bobby Zamora, who has been out since August with a knee injury, expected
to start training soon. Bellamy, the forward, has not played since the end
of October, shortly after he returned from a groin operation.
"I thought I would be back playing by now and I have already missed half a
season so I am just desperate to get back," Zamora said. "If getting in
early and doing a bit extra means that, then I am happy to do it. It is has
been frustrating but it is part and parcel of football, so you take it on
the chin, work hard and get back as soon as you can."
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