Carlton Cole has been unstinting in his commitment this season but believes
he has more to offer
14.03.2008
Carlton Cole has won plenty of praise this season for his endeavours in the
West Ham United attack but is determined to add goals to his good all-round
team play.
Cole is facing extra competition for a starting berth against Blackburn
Rovers with Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton and even 18-year-old youth-team
sensation Freddie Sears in the mix. If selected from the off or entering the
fray from the bench, Cole is hoping it is a case of practice makes perfect.
"I am doing extra shooting practice in training. I am trying to get used to
hitting the back of the net regularly and getting into good habits. Every
player is working hard on their game."
Even though he was not in the starting eleven at Tottenham Hotspur, the
towering 24-year-old striker has proved a useful option for Alan Curbishley
on numerous occasions. As the regular figurehead of a 4-5-1 formation
popular throughout the Premier League this season, he has proved the first
line of defence with his tireless running and hold-up play. A change of
tactics at White Hart Lane saw him on the substitutes' bench, but Cole
recognises what is most important.
"I can complain to a degree but first and foremost it is about the team and
getting the results," he said, before acknowledging what is required from
all. "All we have to do is work on our game, get the ball up the field and
try and retain it and be more clinical. I am very critical of myself for not
putting some of the chances away against a few sides this season. I could be
in double figures by now if I did put them away but I didn't and this is
what I need to learn. But I am improving every game I play."
There is no questioning Cole's raw talent and hunger to do well for West Ham
United and he said there is no sign of anyone at the club giving up on a
strong finish to the campaign. "We are looking forward to the Blackburn game
and the chance to try and put things right. Hopefully we can get a solid
base now and crack on from there. The team spirit is still good. Obviously
we are disappointed about results but the atmosphere is always going to be
good here because we have got strong characters."
The one thing Cole wants to stress is the players were hurt by the events of
the past three games where, particularly against Chelsea and Liverpool,
"attacking was non-existent" and he "had to try and work hard, shut down and
hold the ball up as much as possible". His efforts proved in vain but he
underlined how United were still united. "All of us do care about the
situation we have found ourselves in this last week," he said. "We are going
to do our best to put in a better performance against Blackburn."
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Upson may make Rovers return - WHUFC
Having missed his first match of the season last weekend, Matthew Upson
could return at centre-back
14.03.2008
Matthew Upson could be back in contention to face Blackburn Rovers on
Saturday afternoon while midfielders Lee Bowyer and Julien Faubert are also
working back to fitness.
Upson had played every minute of every Barclays Premier League fixture this
season until he had to come off in the match at Liverpool on 5 March with a
calf problem. He then sat out the weekend trip to Tottenham Hotspur but
Curbishley was upbeat when asked about his England defender's chances of a
comeback in a settled squad at the Boleyn Ground. "Matty Upson may be back,"
he said. "We'll find that out over the next couple of days but apart from
that there's not much change.
"Bowyer's training - but he's been out since the Birmingham game [on 9
February]. He's trained for the last week. Faubert could be starting
training today but it's a bit too early." The French international was hurt
in a challenge by Claude Makelele in the last home fixture against Chelsea a
fortnight ago, with Curbishley claiming he had "felt his calf again".
Faubert's return to contention at the turn of the year after a summer
achilles injury has been complicated by slight muscle problems.
The manager added: "He's come back from six or seven months out ... it's one
of these things that happens to long term injuries. We just have to make
sure that we get him fit now and that we've got him available for the
run-in." Curbishley has already seen Scott Parker and Bobby Zamora add to
his options in recent weeks, with both men making welcome returns to the
starting lineup at Tottenham.
He is also still looking to blood youngsters like fit-again James Tomkins
and Freddie Sears this season, having already given opportunities to Kyel
Reid and Jack Collison. "I've been saying for the last couple of weeks that
I won't be fazed about putting some of the young boys in and the timing's
got to be right for that. They've been with us for the last five or six
weeks being slowly introduced. I've not got a problem putting them in, we've
to wait and see when the timing is right.
"I think after three 4-0 defeats it might not be the right time - but it's
down to me as manager to do the best for the club as well and see if I've
got anything there. We've got nine games left and we'll see what happens.
They've impressed me a lot and they've been with us, slowly integrating."
Talking about his squad as a whole, the manager said there have been plenty
of positives to take from the campaign. "At the start of the season a few of
the players thought they wouldn't get too much football when the new
signings came in and they've ended up getting a lot of football. For me
that's made the squad stronger."
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AllStars date announced - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 13th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are being lined up to face the MLS AllStars team in Toronto
this summer. The Hammers are set to face the AllStars - a team comprised of
the best players from USA's Major League Soccer - on Thursday, July 24th in
Toronto, Canada. The AllStars - who feature players such as former Aston
Villa Star Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls), Dwayne De Rosario (aka
D-Ro, Houston Dynamo) and Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) - play one
prestige fixture per season which, in the last three seasons, has been
against a team from the UK. Teams to have faced the best of the MLS in
previous seasons are Celtic - who were defeated 1-0 in Denver last summer -
Chelsea, who lost by the same scoreline in 2006 and Fulham, the first
English side to play in the fixture who were defeated 4-1 in 2005. Toronto's
stadium holds a capacity of 20,000, and is considered one of the best
footballing venues in North America.
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Curbishley needs experience - SSn
Hammers boss welcomes returning stars
By Chris Burton Last updated: 13th March 2008
Alan Curbishley believes that the return of some of his more experienced
players will help to stabilise the club. The Hammers have suffered three
straight 4-0 defeats in the Premier League and cannot afford any more slip
ups as their slim European hopes continue to fade. As a result of their
recent slump, Curbishley is relishing the opportunity to reinstate the likes
of England international Matthew Upson back into his side as the club's
injury nightmare begins to show signs of easing. The defender could be fit
in time to face Blackburn at Upton Park on Saturday, while the likes of
Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy could all feature
before the end of the season. "Matty might be back. He has trained over the
last week," said the Hammers boss. "You do need experience, that is why I
have been saying to the younger lads that the time may not be quite right
for them to play when you have had a set of results that we have had. "In
all fairness, we have been criticised for being defensive minded - but
recently that went out of the window. So we have a few things to get right."
Curbishley though has refused to completely rule out the possibility of
promising youngsters such as James Tomkins, Fredddie Sears and Jack Collison
featuring for the first-team as the current campaign draws to a close, as
long as they continue to progress at their current rate. "I will not be
fazed about putting some of the young boys in but the time must be right,"
the West Ham boss maintained. "Sears and Tomkins have been training with us
for the past six weeks. They are slowly being introduced to it all. "I have
not got a problem putting them in. They have impressed me a lot. "We know
that young players get stifled quite a bit trying to break into the first
team in the Premier League, so we will see what happens over the next nine
games."
While lauding the impact he expects his senior men to have on his side over
the coming weeks, Curbishley did reveal that he will be expecting much
better from Anton Ferdinand after the defender's inept display in the
weekend defeat at Tottenham. "He lost (Dimitar) Berbatov twice," Curbishley
said. "Losing him once in the six-yard box was enough, but twice? "It is
something that we have worked on this week and will work on ahead of
Saturday because we cannot afford to lose (Roque) Santa Cruz or (Benni)
McCarthy."
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Curbishley tired of paper talk
'They don't make the headlines up, but certainly there are one or two
agendas out there'
Staff and agencies
Thursday March 13, 2008
guardian.co.uk
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has insisted the pressure heaped on his
shoulders in recent days is a result of "agendas" held against him in the
media. Three successive 4-0 thrashings - at the hands of Chelsea, Liverpool
and Tottenham - put the former Charlton manager's position under the
microscope. Such was the scrutiny under which Curbishley was placed that the
Upton Park board felt compelled to go public in their backing for him on
Monday.
A statement issued by the board insisted there was "no question" of the
50-year-old's job being in jeopardy, and Curbishley is adamant any pressure
which has been forthcoming did not originate from inside the club. "It was a
reaction to the personal stuff which has been written about me," the Hammers
manager said of the board's public backing.
When I talk to TV and radio, I know exactly what is being said and what is
going out there. No disrespect to them, but sometimes the written stuff gets
turned around, with a source here, or a source there. It becomes a bit
tiresome really. But I cannot do anything about it. They don't make the
headlines up, but certainly there are one or two agendas out there."
Despite their recent slump, West Ham remain 10th in the Barclays Premier
League, arguably a minor triumph given their desperate battle against
relegation last season and Curbishley called for some realism, adding: "I
have to pinch myself sometimes to see where we are in the league. But I have
just got to get on with it."
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Curbs hacked off by 'hidden agenda' of his critics in the media - Daily Mail
Last updated at 16:28pm on 13th March 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has insisted the pressure heaped on his
shoulders in recent days is a result of "agendas" held against him in the
media. A trio of successive 4-0 thrashings - at the hands of Chelsea,
Liverpool and Tottenham - put the former Charlton boss's position under the
microscope. Such was the scrutiny under which Curbishley was placed that the
Upton Park board felt compelled to go public in their backing for him on
Monday. A statement issued by the board insisted their was "no question" of
the 50-year-old's job being in jeopardy, and Curbishley is adamant any
pressure which has been forthcoming did not originate from inside the club.
"It was a reaction to the personal stuff which has been written about me,"
the Hammers boss said of the board's public backing." Curbishley added on
Sky Sports News: "When I talk to TV and radio, I know exactly what is being
said and what is going out there. "No disrespect to them, but sometimes the
written stuff gets turned around, with a source here, or a source there. It
becomes a bit tiresome really. But I cannot do anything about it. "They
don't make the headlines up, but certainly there are one or two agendas out
there."
Despite their recent slump, West Ham remain 10th in the Barclays Premier
League, arguably a minor triumph given their desperate battle against
relegation last season. Curbishley called for some realism, adding: "I have
to pinch myself sometimes to see where we are in the league. But I have just
got to get on with it."
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What do old Hammers do when they hang up their boots? They drive taxis... -
Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:15pm on 13th March 2008
In the week that some West Ham fans were demanding a taxi for Alan
Curbishley, it emerged that two Upton Park stars of the 1980s are now London
cab drivers. Former midfielder Alan Dickens decided to do the Knowledge on
retiring from the game and then persuaded popular defender Steve Potts to
follow suit. Potts, 40, will be putting his navigational skills of the
capital's streets to good use on 13 April when he runs in the London
Marathon to raise money for leukaemia research. Meanwhile, West Ham fans
were far from impressed with the official steward at White Hart Lane on
Sunday who gave them a 2-0 salute as Spurs gained the upper hand.
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West Ham boss Curbishley: I can live with job pressure
tribalfootball.com - March 13, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has shrugged off the latest reports
about his job future. "I think that any manager and any club, apart from
perhaps Alex (Ferguson) and Arsene Wenger, really will get that speculation
if they're not winning game," he said. "We've had Rafa Benitez up at
Liverpool come under pressure recently, apparently, and I think the
Liverpool people issued statements to the contrary and it's the life we're
in. We cant' complain. "When I was out of the game for six months I took a
step back from it and saw one or two managers who I know well come under
pressure and it's part of the game now."
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Curbishley ready to throw in West Ham kids
tribalfootball.com - March 13, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley intends to give his top kids a chance
in the remainder of this season. Curbishley maintains the likes of England
Under-19 striker Freddie Sears and defender James Tomkins, 18, can expect to
soon get a taste of first-team action, like fellow youth product Jack
Collison who came off the bench against Arsenal on New Year's Day."I will
not be fazed about putting some of the young boys in but the time must be
right," the West Ham boss maintained. "Sears and Tomkins have been training
with us for the past six weeks. They are slowly being introduced to it all.
"I have not got a problem putting them in. They have impressed me a lot. "We
know that young players get stifled quite a bit trying to break into the
first team in the Premier League, so we will see what happens over the next
nine games."
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West Ham boss Curbishley hits out at media agenda
tribalfooball.com - March 13, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is upset with sections of the media.
"It was a reaction to the personal stuff which has been written about me,"
said Curbishley, appointed in December 2006. "When I talk to TV and radio, I
know exactly what is being said and what is going out there. "No disrespect
to them, but sometimes the written stuff gets turned around, with a source
here, or a source there. It becomes a bit tiresome really. But I cannot do
anything about it. "They don't make the headlines up, but certainly there
are one or two agendas out there. "I have to pinch myself sometimes to see
where we are in the league - but I have just got to get on with it. "They
were disastrous results and it's been a disastrous week - but in the context
of things, the hysteria surrounding it has been over the top. It is, though,
something I have to live with."
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Parker happy with West Ham comeback
tribalfootball.com - March 13, 2008
Scott Parker was happy to come through unscathed in his West Ham comeback
against Tottenham last weekend. He told whufc.com: "Personally I was pleased
I came through the game without any scares and I look forward to the next
one. It's going to be a tough game, there's no doubting that. We've come out
of a tough run and confidence may be a little bit low on our side, Blackburn
have been doing really well, but we're at home and I fully expect us to go
and win the game." The midfielder has been plagued from knee injuries this
season and added: "When you come to a new club you want to come in and do
well and I've not been able to do that. "My main aim's just been to get
into the team and try and get a steady run of games."
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Manchester United linked with Johnson - FansFC
06:59 March, 14, 2008
Manchester United Football Club are believed to be interested in Glen
Johnson. The former West Ham United and Chelsea defender has been in superb
form for Portsmouth this season, leading Harry Redknapp to label him as the
best right-back in the Premier League. "He is the best right-back in the
country," said the Pompey boss. "He is an outstanding player. He is quick,
powerful, has great ability for a right-back to run and dribble with the
ball, he can cross it and is good in the air." Sir Alex Ferguson is on the
lookout for a long-term replacement for Gary Neville, and it is believed he
is willing to pay as much as £8million to sign 23-year-old Johnson at the
end of the season.
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Alan Curbishley turns to experience to halt West Ham's losing streak - The
Mirror
By John Cross 14/03/2008
Alan Curbishley last night admitted he will have to rely on experience
because he is afraid to turn to his youngsters to halt West Ham's losing
streak.
The Hammers boss is desperate to rush back England defender Matt Upson from
injury for tomorrow's visit of Blackburn after three heavy losses in a row.
Curbishley wants to give 18-year-olds Freddie Sears and James Tomkins their
chance, but said: "I've been saying to the younger lads that the time may
not be right for them to play after three 4-0 defeats."
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Former Hammers star Bilic plays it cool over return to England - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:53am on 13th March 2008
Slaven Bilic is flattered to have been linked with a move to England after
this summer's European Championships. The Croatia boss has been tipped for a
return to West Ham, where he spent just over a year as a player. The Hammers
board reiterated their support for current manager Alan Curbishley following
a poor recent run, which has included three successive 4-0 defeats. But on
the prospect of returning to the Barclays Premier League, Bilic said in the
Daily Telegraph: "Of course I am flattered - I read it in the papers about
some clubs. "On the other hand, it is getting on my nerves because I have my
job to do, my job is with Croatia. "I think it would be stupid to look
beyond the Euros. In football, you have to enjoy it, be ready for any
situation, but you can't plan it. He added: "Money is important for
everyone. But the first thing will be sixth sense, what I really feel and
the ambition of the potential clubs or the national team. "I am not saying
that I'm going to leave, I'm really enjoying it big time. I have never
enjoyed my job like I am enjoying my job with Croatia. I don't really look
to move."
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Arsenal boss Wenger turning to West Ham's Noble
tribalfootball.com - March 13, 2008
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning a bid for West Ham United midfielder
Mark Noble. The Daily Express says should Arsenal reluctantly lose French
midfield enforcer Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer this summer, manager
Arsene Wenger will make an £8m offer for West Ham's rising Englishman Noble.
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