Tuesday, September 30

Daily WHUFC News - II 30th September 2008

Reserves face West Brom tonight - WHUFC
James Collins is in contention for his first competitive game since a knee
injury in January
30.09.2008

West Ham United play their first home reserve match of the season at home to
West Bromwich Albion this evening.

After a youthful second string went down 2-0 away to Chelsea a fortnight ago
in the opening match of the Barclays Premier Reserve League, a stronger
selection is set to be in action at the Woodside Park home of Bishop's
Stortford. Among those possibly in contention are James Collins, who has not
played a competitive game since his knee injury in January, and Lee Bowyer,
who last figured in the Carling Cup tie with Macclesfield Town last month.

West Bromwich Albion have had two games so far this season - losing 3-2 away
to Tottenham Hotspur and then winning 3-0 at home to Fulham. whufc.com will
have full text coverage of the game along with all the action and reaction
after the final whistle. Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions,
with West Ham United season ticket holders getting in free. Kick-off is at
7pm.

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Etherington pushing forward - WHUFC
The longest-serving player at the Boleyn Ground is loving his new role for
the West Ham United side
30.09.2008

Matthew Etherington is relishing being given the freedom to express himself
in West Ham United's attack under Gianfranco Zola.

The last two back to back league wins have seen Etherington pushed forward
from left wing to an advanced role alongside in-form duo David Di Michele
and Carlton Cole. "It is really suiting me," said the 27-year-old after his
assist and goal in the deserved 2-1 defeat of Fulham. "I am getting more
involved in the game, I am not stuck out on the wing relying on the others
in getting me the ball, and it is giving me a bit of freedom. Everyone is
enjoying it."

Etherington is the club's longest serving player and has experienced plenty
of highs - not least being named Hammer of the Year for 2003/04. This season
is showing early signs of matching those heights and he is thriving in his
new role and the new regime. "It has made me feel good. There's a few things
in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good. It makes
you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."

He already has two goals from six league games, just one fewer than he
managed in the whole of last season. The feelgood factor is high and but
there is more to come as the team look to hold on to their lofty fifth
position. "It's a great start, very good. We got a great result against
Newcastle last week and now have followed on with this result. We are up
there now and have got to make sure we stay up there now.

"We now look to next week's game and aim to get three points out of that as
well," Etherington added, with an eye on the televised Sunday visit of
Bolton Wanderers to the Boleyn Ground. "We were worthy of the three points
[against Fulham] and were the better side."

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Ticket update for Bolton - WHUFC
There are still some tickets, including kids for a quid, available for the
visit of Bolton Wanderers on Sunday
29.09.2008

Fans will have to move fast if they want to see West Ham United look to
build on their fine start to the new Barclays Premier League season this
Sunday.

With four wins from four games in all competitions at the Boleyn Ground,
Gianfranco Zola's freescoring team will look to move up from fifth place in
the top flight when they welcome Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers side. If you
would like to like to be a part of it, tickets are on general sale now.

The club are offering the 'kids for a quid' scheme for the fixture, where
any child's ticket is just £1 when purchased with an adult ticket. As such,
demand is expected to be high over the next few days and the match is likely
to sell out

Please call the ticket office on 0871 222 2700 or click here for further
information and bookings.

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On a wing and a prayer - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 30th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Matthew Etherington has revealed that he is enjoying working under United's
new management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. 27-year-old
Etherington scored one and created another in Saturday's 2-1 win over Fulham
- his second strong performance in under a week following on from his
impressive run-out against Newcastle last weekend whioch he also capped with
a goal. "It is really suiting me," he told whufc.com. "I am getting more
involved in the game, I am not stuck out on the wing relying on the others
in getting me the ball, and it is giving me a bit of freedom. Everyone is
enjoying it. "It has made me feel good. There's a few things in training,
coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good. It makes you feel
wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."
Eherington was facing the chop not so long ago after it was revealed that he
had once again lost vast fortunes through gambling. However the appointment
of Zola and Clarke appears to have rejuvenated the winger, who, despite his
recent good form, is surely drinking at the last chance saloon. But for now
he can look forward to helping the Hammers maintain their steady start -
with lowly Bolton the visitors to the Boleyn this weekend. "We are up there
now and have got to make sure we stay there," he added. "It's a great
start."

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Pictures: Sheffield United fans release £30m West Ham banknote - The Mirror
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 30/09/2008

Sheffield United fans have marked their side's recent 'victory' over West
Ham in the Carlos Tevez row by producing a run of mock bank notes bearing
his likeness.
The £30m notes are a reference to the compensation figure that the Blades
are demanding following their relegation from the Premier League in 2007 at
the London side's expense. The reverse of the note features the likesness of
'Cheif Cashier' Trevor Brooking, the ex-West Ham legend who some Sheffield
United fans suspect had a hand in the Premier League's initial decision not
to dock West Ham points when problems with Carlos Tevez registration first
came to light. Sheffield United aren't the first fans to make their own bank
notes, of course Two years ago Arsenal fans made a batch bearing the
likeness of former player Ashley Cole.

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Quashie to leave Hammers - teletext

Hammers midfielder Nigel Quashie is set to become the first player to leave
Upton Park under Gianfranco Zola. The Scotland international has been at
Championship outfit Birmingham for the last two weeks, and may be offered a
loan deal until the end of the season. City boss Alex McLeish told the
club's website: "It's an ongoing process. We quite like what we see and
we'll maybe make a decision in a week or two."

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Hammers set to field strong second string - Echo
8:35am Tuesday 30th September 2008

A HOST of players with first-team experience are set to take to the field
for West Ham United's reserves on Tuesday evening. Kevin Keen's side take on
West Bromwich Albion at Bishop's Stortford's Woodside Park (7pm kick-off),
with James Collins, Calum Davenport, Walter Lopez, Kyel Reid and Freddie
Sears all set to feature. Collins' inclusion will be a massive boost to
first-team boss Gianfranco Zola, who has been forced to field Lucas Neill at
centre-back in his first three matches in charge. The sale of Anton
Ferdinand and injuries to Danny Gabbidon and James Tomkins have left the
Italian with only Matthew Upson and Davenport available as recognised
centre-halves. And with Davenport having played very little football over
the past nine months after breaking his neck during a loan spell at Watford,
the Wales international's return will be welcomed by Zola. Uruguay
international left-back Lopez, who made his first-team debut in last week's
Carling Cup third round defeat at Watford, is also set to start, as are
winger Reid and striker Sears. The remaining places in Keen's side will be
filled by youngsters, including promising Czech goalkeeper Marek Stech and
England Under-19 winger Junior Stanislas. However, the match will come too
soon for former Spain international striker Diego Tristan, who is set to
join the Hammers on trial on Tuesday. Keen's side lost their opening
Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture 2-0 at Chelsea a fortnight ago.
Admission to Tuesday's game is free for season ticket holders.

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Hammered again! Now West Ham face £1m legal action from Fulham and Wigan
over Tevez affair - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:43 AM on 30th September 2008

West Ham, already fighting a multi-million pound damages claim from
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, could now face a £1m legal
action from Fulham and Wigan. After an FA independent tribunal ruled that
Tevez was worth at least three points to West Ham during the 2006-07 season,
both clubs may argue that their league position was one lower than it should
have been — a difference of about £500,000 each. 'The ruling opens the way
to claims from clubs who finished within three points of West Ham,' said
Andrew Quirk, from lawyers Stevens and Bolton llP.

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Zola Power has lit up Hammers - the Sun

THE Gianfranco Zola magic is starting to rub off at West Ham. The Italian
has won both league games since taking charge of the Hammers earlier this
month. And winger Matthew Etherington has hailed the impact of the former
Chelsea star with the club sitting fifth in the table. He said:"It's a great
start, very good. "We got a great result against Newcastle last week and now
have followed on with the result at Fulham. "We are up there now and have
got to make sure we stay up there. "It has made me feel good. There's a few
things in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good.
"It makes you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."
Etherington has also praised Zola for handing him a roaming role with the
Hammers. He added: "I am getting more involved in the game. "I am not stuck
out on the wing relying on the others in getting me the ball and it is
giving me a bit of freedom. "Everyone is enjoying it."

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Fulham and Wigan may claim £1m from Carlos Tevez affair
Ken Dyer, Evening Standard
30.09.08

West Ham step up their fight in Tevez saga after winning tense derby battle.
West Ham, already contesting a multi-million pound damages claim from
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, could now face a £1m legal
action from Fulham and Wigan. After an FA independent tribunal ruled that
Tevez was worth at least three points to West Ham in their successful fight
to avoid relegation in the 2006-07 season, both clubs may argue that their
final position in the Premier League was one lower than it should have been
— a difference of about £500,000 each. West Ham will appeal to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport over the ruling. Chief executive Scott Duxbury also
denies he told Tevez's 'co-owner' Kia Joorabchian and his lawyer that the
club would publicly tear up the third party agreement but privately honour
the arrangement.

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Hammers midfielder relishes new role - Echo
11:19am Tuesday 30th September 2008

HAMMERS midfielder Matthew Etherington admits he is loving his new role
under boss Gianfranco Zola. The Italian has pushed the left-winger forward
from his conventional role and Etherington now finds himself supporting
forwards David Di Michele and Carlton Cole in attack. Indeed, the switch has
proved to be a masterstroke by Zola, as Etherington first laid on Cole for
the Irons' opener against Fulham on Saturday before scoring the decisive
second himself. The 27-year-old is enjoying the license to roam and believes
the new position is bringing the best out of him. "It's really suiting me,"
said Etherington. "I'm getting more involved in the game and I'm not getting
stuck out on the wing, relying on the others to get me the ball. It's giving
me a bit of freedom. Everyone is enjoying it." The midfielder, who is
currently the longest-serving member of the Hammers squad, admits the new
coaching partnership of Zola and former Chelsea assistant manager Steve
Clarke has been a breath of fresh air. "It has made me feel good. There's a
few things in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's
good. It makes you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer
wants." Etherington has been an influential figure in West Ham's encouraging
start, which sees them lie fifth in the Premier League table, with 12 points
from six games. It is a run that has fans believing that UEFA Cup football
is within their grasp and Etherington is keen to deliver that goal. "It's a
great start," he continued. "We got a great result against Newcastle last
week and now we have followed on with this result (against Fulham). "We are
up there now and have to make sure we stay there. "We now look to next
week's game and aim to get three points out of that as well," he said,
looking ahead to the team's home game with Bolton.

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West Ham give trial to Diego Tristan - Telegraph
Former Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan has been handed a trial by
Premier League side West Ham United.
By Charlie Caroe
Last Updated: 12:06PM BST 30 Sep 2008

Tristan, 32, is currently without a club after leaving Serie A club Livorno,
where he scored just one goal in 20 appearances, after just one season in
Italy. The striker, who won 15 caps for Spain in the three years after his
debut against Bosnia in June 2001, is being tested out as new manager
Gianfranco Zola seeks a possible short-term replacement for Dean Ashton who
has recently suffered another injury. If the trial proves to be a success
then Zola, who has other options in his attack including Carlton Cole and
Craig Bellamy, could be signing a striker of real pedigree. Tristan was top
scorer in La Liga in 2001-02 with 21 goals as Deportivo finished second in
the league, and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the
second season in a row. The Seville-born striker left Deportivo after four
seasons (and 87 goals) in 2006, and - despite being linked with a possible
move to the Premier League with Bolton - returned to Real Mallorca where he
started his senior career for a season before moving to Livorno.

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Hammers priced out of move to Olympic Stadium - Echo
12:58pm Tuesday 30th September 2008

WEST Ham have been priced out of a move to London's 2012 Olympic Stadium
after it was revealed the plan could cost as much as £400million. The club
had hoped that they could move to the Stratford-based stadium after the
Games but they have been told that it would cost far too much for that to
become reality. The initial idea was brought to the fore by former chairman
Eggert Magnusson two years ago, but the financial complications have not
been disclosed until now. The difficulties arise because part of the deal of
taking the Games to London was that any Olympic stadium must retain the
running track, so as to host athletics events. It was proposed that the
Hammers could install retractable seats, enabling the structure to double up
as an athletics and football venue. But after being told by the London
Development Agency that this would set them back a mouth-watering
£400million, such a deal seems unlikely to go ahead. "It will be far too an
expensive option to be realistic and this has been discussed with them," an
LDA source told our sister paper the Basildon Echo. "On that basis we are
really looking at athletics as the core use for the stadium."
A more realistic alternative for the club could be to re-locate to a site
next door to West Ham tube station, which used to be a Parcelforce depot. It
is thought that West Ham could buy the site for £15million, with a 50,000
capacity stadium costing a further £200million. However, that route may yet
be blocked by the LDA, as the agency have plans in the pipeline to erect a
regional bus station there instead. Another spanner was thrown into the
works when club chief executive Scott Duxbury revealed that a number of gas
holders situated on the site could force the Irons to abandon building plans
there altogether.
The one remaining option – and possibly the most feasible – is to expand the
Boleyn Ground from its current 35,000 capacity to a 50,000 seat stadium.
Although problems seem to greet the club at every turn, West Ham still
maintained that all three options are being considered. A club spokesman
said: "We are continuing discussions with the LDA over all available
options."

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Bowyer included in Hammers' reserve squad - Echo
2:19pm Tuesday 30th September 2008
By Rob Pritchard »

WEST Ham United's Lee Bowyer will make a return in tonight's Barclays
Premier Reserve League clash with West Bromwich Albion at Bishop's Stortford
(7pm kick-off). The former England international midfielder has made just
one first-team appearance this season, scoring a vital equaliser in the
Irons' 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield Town. However, the
31-year-old has failed to feature in any of new manager Gianfranco Zola's
three matchday squads since the Italian replaced Alan Curbishley earlier
this month. Bowyer is set to be joined in Kevin Keen's line-up by
centre-back James Collins, who is continuing his recovery from a serious
knee ligament injury suffered on reserve team duty at Portsmouth in January.
Uruguay international left-back Walter Lopez, who made his first-team debut
at Watford last week, centre-back Calum Davenport, Kyel Reid, Junior
Stanislas and Freddie Sears are all expected to feature in a strong Hammers'
team at Woodside Park. The hosts began their season with a 2-0 defeat at
Chelsea a fortnight ago. West Brom, meanwhile, have won one and lost the
other of their two matches so far under coach Michael Appleton. The Baggies
have named an inexperienced squad for their trip south, with Filipe
Teixeira, Pele, Shelton Martis and Bartosz Slusarski the only senior players
involved Admission is free to season ticket holders. For other supporters,
the cost is £5 adults and £2 concessions.

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West Ham keen on Juventus pair De Ceglie, Marchisio
30.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Juventus pair Paolo de Ceglie
and Claudio Marchisio. Zola worked with the midfield duo in his job as Italy
U21 assistant boss and has both players under consideration for the January
market.

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West Ham move for Genoa defender Criscito
30.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Genoa defender Domenico Criscito is a target for West Ham United boss
Gianfranco Zola. Zola worked with Criscito, who is on-loan at Genoa from
Juventus, with the Italy U21s and wants to bring the youngster to London in
January.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 30th September 2008

Carr upbeat despite derby defeat - WHUFC
Tony Carr was delighted with his U18 side's first-half display in the 2-1
defeat to Arsenal
29.09.2008

Tony Carr was pleased with the performance of his Under-18s side despite
their 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at the weekend.

The Academy director said his side more than matched a strong Arsenal team
in the first half, with Anthony Edgar converting a penalty just before the
interval, but then could not find a way back after conceding two quick-fire
goals midway through the second half. Carr said: "We played very well first
half and came in 1-0 up at half-time and on another day we might have had
another couple.

"Although we dominated the first half, it's fair to say they passed it a bit
better in the second half. Just before half-time, we had a couple of good
chances. Conor [Okus] and Balint [Bajner] both had good chances that might
have put us two-up but it wasn't to be."

The missed chances came back to haunt the youngsters from east London as two
goals in ten minutes were enough to give the reigning FA Premier Academy
League Group A champions victory. "They got their equaliser on about 60
minutes. It was from a corner which is disappointing," Carr said.

"For the second we were hit on the counterattack in the 70th minute. Tony
Brookes got injured and he was down on the floor in pain they broke down
that side, crossed it and scored. Between 60 and 70 minutes they took
control of the game and then saw it out," Carr said.

The manager saw his youngsters battle hard to get back into the game, but
after missing a few half-chances knew it was not going to be their day. He
said: "In the second half we had a couple of little chances, Balint had a
couple of half chances but we couldn't hit the heights we did in the first
half so it was a bit disappointing. However, we can take a lot of comfort
from the way we played in the first half."

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Hammers trial Tristan - SSN
Hammers look at Spanish star
Last updated: 29th September 2008

West Ham have handed a trial to Spanish striker Diego Tristan, skysports.com
understands. Tristan is looking for a new club after leaving Livorno at the
end of last season. The 32 year-old has been linked with a move to England
in the past and he is now hoping to impress new West Ham boss Gianfranco
Zola. Zola is believed to be keen to bolster his attacking options after
losing star striker Dean Ashton until the New Year through injury. Tristan
has a wealth of experience having won 15 caps for Spain and played in the
UEFA Champions League with Deportivo La Coruna. The skilful forward is keen
to get his career back on track and is determined to try his luck in
England. Zola will cast an eye over Tristan in training before deciding
whether or not to pursue his interest in the player.

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Sears abandoning Hammers for Arsenal? By Wes Evans - fansoline.net/westham
Posted on Monday 29 Sep 2008 16:55:00

The Guardian is reporting in its daily email round up that Sears is looking
to abandon West Ham for Arsenal in order to join the Wenger brigade of young
'uns. OK, look, we'll lay our cards on the table with this one before it's
even started. This is just rumour we've picked up on the grapevine, but one
that makes more than a teeny bit of sense.
If you're thinking 'hey, but he's barely broken into the first team at Upton
Park, how can Arsenal want him?' then look no further than Aaron Ramsey,
formerly of Cardiff. He was still barely used by the Welsh outfit, but now
he's getting game time at a top Premier League side. Rumour is Sears would
be moving in the January transfer window, so Zola better start playing him
to either prove he wants him at Upton Park, or at least to raise his price
somewhat.

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Appiah fears end of interest - SSN
Out-of-contract midfielder confirms German approach
By Giscard Gourizro Last updated: 29th September 2008

Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah fears his dream move to the Premier League
may not materialise. Appiah is a free agent and has been linked with Arsenal
and West Ham, while Blackburn recently became the latest English team to be
connected with the former Fenerbahce star. However, the 27-year-old is
understood to be requesting a salary in the region of £60,000-a-week and
that is thought to have put a number of clubs off an approach. And Appiah,
who has revealed he has also received interest from Germany, is becoming
frustrated that he is unable to secure a new club. "I would like to play in
the Premier League, but I don't know," Appiah told skysports.com. "I also
have German clubs interested in me, but we are far apart in financial
terms." But Appiah, who spent two years with Juventus before joining
Fenerbahce, remains confident he will soon find a new employer. "I am still
training," he added. "I am keeping my body in shape and I am ready for
action. "I will find a new club very soon."

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Wigan and Fulham have claims in Carlos Tevez affair - Telegraph
The possibility of relegated Sheffield United players taking legal action
against West Ham appeared to be receding, with captain Chris Morgan stating
that no one had even discussed individual compensation claims.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 10:43PM BST 29 Sep 2008

Wigan and Fulham, however, have been told that they could make good cases
for a combined claim of almost £1 million. With West Ham poised to lodge a
statement of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the potential
legal ramifications from the independent tribunal's ruling have continued to
emerge. The tribunal decided that Carlos Tevez had been worth at least three
points to West Ham over the season, meaning Wigan and Fulham could also say
that their final position in the table was one place lower than otherwise
would have been the case – a difference of just under £500,000 in prize
money. "I do think this ruling opens the way to good claims by Wigan and
Fulham if they finished within three points of West Ham," said Andrew Quick,
an expert in dispute resolution and a partner at Stevens and Bolton LLP.
"Under the Premier League rules, all clubs agree with each other to comply
with those rules. There is no such agreement between a club and a player of
another club. "
As well as the appeal to the CAS, West Ham are to demand a forensic
examination of Sheffield's accounts and will want to ensure that the
calculation for damages takes into account the substantially reduced costs
that are associated with relegation. West Ham also believe that Sheffield
have a moral obligation to participate in an appeal to the CAS. As yet,
there has been no communication between the clubs about having the case
heard at the CAS or the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

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After Eduardo and Fagan, who will be the next victim of a dangerous
workplace? - The Times
Martin Samuel

Respect is a simple, catchy slogan. Trips off the tongue, stays in the
memory. It is a worthy ideal, too, with one small problem. It is not, nor
will it ever be, the most important item on the agenda. What football needs
now is an alternate, less populist campaign. "Stop trying to break people's
legs, you freaking morons."

How about that?

The seasons change but football's reality does not. It is barely seven
months since Eduardo da Silva's career was threatened by a tackle from
Martin Taylor, of Birmingham City, yet already we have a broken leg for
Craig Fagan in the Barclays Premier League and heaven knows how many
near-misses. Rodrigo Possebon, of Manchester United, was lucky to escape
last week, the next victim may not be so fortunate.

Yet each season, the authorities announce another clampdown to solve a
diversionary problem that could be addressed in one weekend, with a minor
tweak in the rules or the issue of statutory cards. Last year we were
obsessed with diving; now we get the vapours about rude words to referees.

Related Links
Eduardo may return by end of the year
West Ham legal issue sets perilous precedent
Hard to feel charitable towards Newcastle
Treating officials with respect is important. Retrospective action for those
who endanger the career of another professional is vital. Who would have
imagined that Eduardo's injury would not have advanced the game in this
country by one yard? Live and don't learn; that is the English way.

And another thing...

Can I get a witness?

The FA tribunal heard from many expert witnesses before concluding, without
doubt, that West Ham United remained in the Barclays Premier League courtesy
of Carlos Tévez. Such august appraisals as Gary Lineker's comments on Match
of the Day and a match report in The Daily Telegraph were taken into account
by Lord Griffiths and his panel. Most compelling, it appears, was the
evidence given on behalf of Sheffield United by Graham Taylor and Frank
Clark.

A pity those gentlemen did not share this uncanny knowledge of what precise
factors would definitely win football matches with their players when they
were managers. Nottingham Forest and Manchester City might not have been
steered to the brink of relegation by Clark and England would have qualified
for the 1994 World Cup finals under Taylor.

United pressure tactics

Friday lunchtime: Sir Alex Ferguson applies pressure to Rob Styles, the
referee of the match between Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers, by
drawing attention to the physical approach of Kevin Davies, the opposition
striker. Saturday afternoon: Styles gives a penalty against Jlloyd Samuel,
the Bolton defender, for the best tackle of the match, on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saturday teatime: Ferguson sympathises with Gary Megson, the opposition
manager, for the grave injustice, which helped to change the game. Turned
out nice again, though, didn't it?

Paying for failure

Of the 16 players involved for Sheffield United in the final match of the
2006-07 season, ten are still with the club, now mid-table in the Coca-Cola
Championship. Phil Jagielka subsequently made a career with Everton and
Michael Tonge moved to Stoke City, but no others are present in the Premier
League.

One might conclude from this, and because leading clubs have hardly been
beating down their doors, that they were not good enough for that division.
However, in light of the Lord Griffiths ruling, IPS Law is now advising
Sheffield United players on compensation claims against West Ham United.
Commentators take a dim view, but of course the players have a case. And for
those who unthinkingly welcomed the Lord Griffiths decision, it is just
another delightful offshoot of a legal gift that will keep on giving through
future generations.

Relegationlawyers4U are here, as predicted by this columnist last Wednesday.
Happy now?

Beckham still fits the bill

With the emergence of Theo Walcott, there is speculation that David Beckham
is no longer worth his place in the England squad. Why? An experienced
substitute who keeps the ball under pressure is exactly what England need;
requiring more of Beckham was the problem.

If it pleases you, Lord

Cowell, Fuller, Le Bon: one might argue that modern music would be greatly
improved if people called Simon were barred from contribution. Much the same
could be said of football and those with the title of Lord. The psychic
powers of one Lord are known to us, but what of Lord Triesman, the chairman
of the FA (or Lord PleasedMan, as he should be known, because nobody seems
quite as high on newfound importance).

The FA having indulged in a pathetic bout of point-scoring with the Premier
League by denying it prior access to the Griffiths report, Lord PleasedMan
then pronounced on West Ham United's intention to appeal. He was not happy.
"If it goes through the courts, it is going to drag on and on," he said.

Yes, much as it has done already despite a verdict from a Premier League
commission, after a process that all Premier League clubs had signed up for,
a High Court hearing and arbitration tribunal. The FA could have said the
matter had already been dealt with. It did not. It sought its moment of
power and can now expect a succession of legal hospital passes once the full
ramifications of the judgment unfold, a situation that even in infancy
appears to cause Lord PleasedMan some discomfort. Oh dear.

In search of net balance

In hindsight, Reading should have let Watford equalise the "ghost goal"
erroneously awarded at Vicarage Road nine days ago. In reality, such
decisions require speed of thought not always present in the heat of a
match. And if it is down to the players to correct refereeing mistakes,
where is the line to be drawn? Does a goalscorer who knows that he was
offside put one through his own net to compensate? This is as fraught with
potential confrontation as the practice of giving back the ball after an
injured player is treated. There are too many grey areas.

Unfinished business

Responding to the Tévez tribunal verdict, Neil Warnock, the former Sheffield
United manager, said that he had a relegation season on his CV that was not
down to him. Warnock is in 22nd place in the Coca-Cola Championship with
Crystal Palace, so it might have had more to do with him than he is letting
on, but either way, there is still one matter outstanding.

On April 26, 2007, two days before Sheffield United collected three points
against Watford in the Barclays Premier League, the local newspaper, the
Sheffield Star, quoted Warnock on the availability of Steve Kabba, a striker
he had sold to the opposition for £500,000 in January. "Steven can't play,"
Warnock said. "I actually checked myself yesterday to make sure - you can't
afford to take any chances."

As he is such an advocate of transparency in transfer matters, Warnock
should enlighten us on who told him Kabba could not play, a fact that was
also reported on the official media outlets of both clubs, and would have
been illegal. Warnock could use his newspaper column to provide this
information. After all, to do otherwise would suggest some form of cover-up
and I am sure such a high-minded campaigner for justice would never be party
to that.

Gone for a burton

The National Football Centre in Burton upon Trent has again become low
priority at the FA. Deep down, everyone at Soho Square knows that it is in
the wrong place. The national team cannot have a home at Wembley and a base
in Staffordshire; it makes no sense.

Contract killing

This is the science bit, as folk say on skin cream advertisements, so bear
with me. Below is a verbatim excerpt from Lord Griffiths's summing up of the
Tévez tribunal verdict.

"Ultimately, however, we have not found it necessary to come to a conclusion
whether the cause of Sheffield United's relegation was (a) the number of
points achieved by West Ham with Mr Tévez's assistance or (b) Sheffield
United's poor performance. At most, Sheffield United's poor performance was
an equally effective cause. This is insufficient to displace the causation
of another effective cause. The law is summarised in Chitty on Contracts
(29th ed), Vol 1, paragraph 26-038 under the heading 'Two Causes': If a
breach of contract is one of two causes, both cooperating and both of equal
efficacy in causing loss to the claimant, the party responsible for the
breach is liable to the claimant for the loss. The contract-breaker is
liable so long as his breach was 'an' effective cause of his loss; the court
need not choose which cause was more effective."

Still with it? Now pay attention, because this is important stuff, for Lord
Griffiths has brilliantly established, using inapposite contractual law,
that your league position is nothing to do with you and can be argued to be
solely the work of those around you; as if in a league table, a club have no
governance over their status in that table. Now isn't that a healthy
precedent? Welcome to football's brave new world, everybody. Page 46 of 47,
if you are interested.

New name, old problems

The Uefa Cup will be renamed the Europa League and revamped from next
season. While it still has the lousy third-placed teams from the Champions
League parachuted in midway, however, it will remain about as well respected
in sporting circles as dominoes night at the Royal British Legion.

Tévez affair: the final word

And I know that at the bottom of this column online there will be the
inevitable posts that attribute my stance on the Tévez tribunal verdict to
an allegiance to West Ham, but they miss the point. Your club scarf is
handed in at the door in exchange for a press pass on your first day in this
job. My view, published immediately after the Premier League commission
reported, was that West Ham should not have been deducted points, but should
have been relegated, if justice were to be done. I still believe that is
what should have happened at the time. Scott Duxbury should no longer be an
executive of the club, either.

Any change in attitude came from the drip, drip discovery of other abuses of
the rules governing third-party arrangements, most particularly the hideous
gentlemen's agreements surrounding loan deals made permanent, such as Tim
Howard's move from Manchester United to Everton.

This culminated in finding out that Sheffield United in all likelihood had
such a deal in place regarding Steve Kabba, a player who had been sold to
Watford, and that Fulham had demanded that LuÍs Boa Morte should not play
against them that season, despite selling him to West Ham for £5 million. My
belief that West Ham did wrong has never altered; my presumption that
Sheffield United, and their allies, had moral certitude on their side did.

The majority of football clubs are investment or advertising opportunities
for very rich men these days: West Ham and Sheffield United are no
exception. So I am unconcerned about whether West Ham are £30 million up or
down. In business, these are the breaks. I do like football, though. And
this is why it does not matter whether Lord Griffiths and his band of fools
award Sheffield United £30 million or 30 quid. They have established the
principle that a tribunal can arbitrate the outcome of football matches
based, not on facts, but on projections, supposition and hearsay, and this
will return to haunt the sport. It is a pyrrhic victory and, over time, the
cost will not be borne at Upton Park, but by every league and club in the
land.

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West Ham hand a trial to former European Golden Boot winner Diego Tristan -
Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:10 AM on 30th September 2008

West Ham have handed a trial to Spanish striker Diego Tristan. Tristan, 32,
is looking for a new club after leaving Livorno at the end of last season.
West Ham, meanwhile, are calling for Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe
to prove that he does indeed stand for justice by agreeing to a hearing at
the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. West Ham will make their
submission to CAS on Wednesday and a spokesman told Sportsmail: 'This case
has created the potential for legal chaos in English football.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Monday, September 29

Daily WHUFC News - II 29th September 2008

Manager on Monday - WHUFC
After a welcome rest, Gianfranco Zola is getting ready to put his players through their paces once more
29.09.2008

Gianfranco Zola may have a 100 per cent record from his first two league games but he sees plenty more work to be done at Chadwell Heath before the squad are fully playing his way.

His status as one of the greatest imports the English game has ever seen naturally commands respect and he wants his professionalism as a player to be matched by his squad on and off the pitch. Zola said: "Everybody knows that looking after yourself, their body, their quality of life is vital to a good footballer. I am going to be strict on that. I can't afford to have talented players spoiling themselves because of this. I won't allow it. Not at all, I will be very hard on that."

Along with his coaching team, the manager has worked the players hard in the past two weeks. "I have tried to work my way and I know it is very demanding physically," he said before acknowledging the squad "haven't had the full benefit of that yet". He has been delighted with the efforts he has got back so far though and after the Fulham victory gave them a deserved couple of days off, adding "They will be working very hard next week so they need it."

One individual who has been particularly working hard is Carlton Cole and the manager singled him out for special praise. "He has been fantastic. He scored a goal, he helped the team so much," he said before stating he had no intention of leaving him out after his disciplinary problem last week. "He has to make up. The only way is to pay a fine as he did and help the team on the pitch."

When asked how much his striker could achieve, Zola added: "I believe that if he turns in performances like this all the time, he can have a marvellous opportunity. Try to understand that Carlton Cole is playing not his best. If he improves his finishing the way he works, he could be an unbelievable player."

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Cole knows the goal - WHUFC
Carlton Cole is well aware he just has to focus on his game in order to do the best he can for West Ham United
29.09.2008

Carlton Cole has spoken of his determination to keep on helping the team after more than playing his part in the weekend win at Fulham.

The 24-year-old striker was the centre of attention last week for the wrong reasons and was fined by manager Gianfranco Zola but returned on Saturday afternoon to show his commitment to the cause. He said: "All I could do was go and respond in a good way to help the team on the pitch to get a result. For me personally, I was glad to get a goal as I have had some bad press last week.

"I made a mistake, I am only human," he added after scoring his third goal of the season in seven games - already half the total he secured in 37 appearances in 2007/08. "But I won't be making those kind of mistakes again, I have grown as a person now and want to capitalise on that on that by scoring more goals and just look to get better with each game of the season."

Zola is well aware of Cole's considerable promise, having been a key mentor as the young forward first made his name at Chelsea. Following the Fulham victory, Zola stated again that there is no limit to what his young charge can achieve and Cole is well aware of the backing. "He has been very supportive and was very happy for me that I got my goal. That's all he asks for me, just to keep my nose clean and be a proper model pro.

"He wants us to be intelligent on the ball, create things and enjoy our game, that is the main thing. That's how he used to play, so he is trying to instill that in us. The boys are loving it, training has been top notch, Steve Clarke has come in as well, Kev Keen has done a really good job and they are all supportive of the lads, and we are getting the results on the pitch now, which is the really important thing."

Former Under-21 international Cole is being talked about in terms of England, but he is just focused on making sure that his club keep up the fine form that has seen them rise to fifth place in the early Premier League standings. "We can't ask for much more, we are doing really well and all the boys deserve a big pat on the back for pulling in the same direction and getting the results we need."

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Wales call up for duo - WHUFC
Craig Bellamy and James Collins are named in the Wales squad for the matches against Liechtenstein and Germany
29.09.2008

Craig Bellamy and James Collins have both been included in manager John Toshack's Wales squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Germany. Bellamy made his comeback off the bench in West Ham United's 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday, getting a valuable 15 minutes. Collins meanwhile is yet to feature for the first-team this season as he recovers from a knee injury, but has taken part in full training and practice matches with the first-team squad. Wales captain Bellamy last played for his country nearly a year ago in a 2-1 win over San Marino while Collins last featured in a 0-0 draw with Germany in November 2007. Both players were initially named in Toshack's squad for last month's qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Russia before having to withdraw. Liechtenstein visit the Millennium Stadium on 11 October and then the squad travel to Monchengladbach for the Germany match on 15 October with Wales lying third in Group 5 following the 1-0 win against Azerbaijan and the 2-1 defeat by Russia.

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Zola to shore up forward line? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 29th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Gianfranco Zola could be set to sign former Spanish international Diego Tristan as cover for the injured Dean Ashton. It was revealed last weekend that the injury-prone Ashton would be out of action until the new year at the earliest, leaving the Hammers - who also sold Bobby Zamora in the summer without signing a replacement - short of attacking options. Now Zola is believed to have turned his attention to the out-of-contract Diego Tristan, who is a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Livorno. Now 32, Tristan has 15 international caps and comes with plenty of Champions League experience. He is set to spend this week training with the Hammers as Zola decides whether or not to offer him a temporary contract.

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Quashie deal close? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 29th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Nigel Quashie is close to nailing a season-long loan deal at Birmingham City. Quashie, who has been training with the Midlands outfit in recent weeks came through a behind-closed-doors friendly between City and local rivals Aston Villa with no adverse effects. And it is thought that the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder could confirm a move to ther City Ground later this week. Taking at the weekend, City boss Alex McLeish said: "It's an on-going process. He played in the behind closed doors game and acquitted himself well. "We quite like what we see ans we're maybe going to make a decision in a week or two. It's just determining whether he can get through games week in, week out without picking up little niggly injuries. "It's not easy to establish that before you sign somebody, until you actually do it. But I would think his fitness side of things has improved over the last couple of weeks, to a level where he's pretty close. "If he progresses the way he already has, then there's a very good chance we will sign him

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Compensation rumours dismissed - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 29th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan has refuted claims that a group of current and former players met last week in order to discuss the possibility of launching compensation cliams against West Ham United. Following last week's crazy arbitration ruling it was claimed that the group of players had met to discuss launching posibble legal action again the Hammers. However that was denied by current Blades skipper Chris Morgan, who said: "Where it's come from I've no idea. There's been no meeting that I'm aware of that's taken place with any players this week. "We've always said as players we can't get involved in what goes on at that side, that's down to the chairman and chief executive and people like that. "That's their job. We're employed by this football club to play football, not to set meetings up talkng about money and things like that. "I think if there is anything there the chairman will pull the players and say, 'Listen, this is what's happening', but no, as far as I'm aware there's been nothing. "On Tuesday morning when we got up for the Arsenal game it was on the breaking news that the club had won the arbitration. But we have nothing to do with that. We've never got involved in it. Obviously people ask us questions about it and we've got to try to answer as openly as we can. But we don't get involved in that."
Of the Sheffield United squad that was relegated in the 2006/07 season, only two players remain in the Premier League - Phil Jagielka (Everton) and Michael Tonge (Hull City). 10 of the relegated squad still ply their trade at Bramall Lane. * Crystal Palace - managed by former Blades boss Neil Warnock, who bleated last week that Sheffield United's 06/07 relegation was unfair and shouldn't be on his CV - fell into the bottom three of the Championship at the weekend following their 1-1 draw at Ipswich.

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I'm sorry - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 29th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole has apologised to the club's supporters after he was arrested last Tuesday morning on a drink/drive charge. The United striker, talking after Saturday's 2-1 win at Fulham was fined around £40,000 by new boss Gianfranco Zola after he was arrested at 4:30am in central London. "I let the club down and am sorry to the fans," he said. "I let my family down and so many friends and family have been worried. "It hasn't been the best week for me but I will take my punishment. You can't do things like this. You can't do it and be a top player. These are all learning curves for me and I've learned my lesson. I won't make a mistake like this again. "I hadn't been out for so long. The one time I go out I get caught for it so the past has come back to bite me on the a*se. It's life, what goes around comes around.
"The club have been very supportive. Hopefully, I can play like I did against Fulham and try to get results for the club. The manager knows what I can do. He knows I have changed as a man and a player. "I have had a discussion with him and the board. I've apologised for being stupid. I am not an alcoholic. Everyone will agree that usually I am the first one in and last one out at training."
Gianfranco Zola was happy to accept Cole's apology, stating: "There wasn't a better way to answer back to me and also to the other players. He realised that he's made a mistake and he's made it up in the perfect way."

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Cole vows to make amends - SSN
Striker sorry for his arrest
Last updated: 29th September 2008

West Ham striker Carlton Cole insists he will learn from his arrest on suspicion of drink driving. Cole put a difficult week behind him to score in Saturday's 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The former Chelsea man admits he let the club down after being arrested last week and he has thanked Gianfranco Zola for giving him the chance against Fulham to make amends for his misdemeanours. "It hasn't been the best week for me but I will take my punishment," said Cole. "You can't do things like this. You can't do it and be a top player. "These are all learning curves for me and I've learned my lesson. I won't make a mistake like this again. "I let the club down and am sorry to the fans. I let my family down and so many friends and family have been worried. "The club have been very supportive. Hopefully, I can play like I did against Fulham and try to get results for the club. The manager knows what I can do. He knows I have changed as a man and a player. "I have had a discussion with him and the board. I've apologised for being stupid. I am not an alcoholic. Everyone will agree that usually I am the first one in and last one out at training."
Meanwhile, former West Ham defender John Pantsil as apologised to Hammers fans after he became involved in an exchange with Lucas Neill. The Ghana international trod on Robert Green's hand to provoke an angry reaction from Hammers skipper Neill. "We want to learn from our mistakes. Everyone is very down about the defeat. Playing 10 against 11 with them leading 2-0 was not easy," noted Pantsil. "I accidentally trod on Robert's hand. I was trying to explain but Lucas Neill would not let me. I went for the ball and was late getting there. I slipped on the wet grass. "I am very sorry I did not mean to do that. The West Ham fans were very good to me last season. I welcomed them to Fulham and I hope they can forget this. I still love them."

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Onwards and upwards with Gianfranco - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 29th September 2008
By: Thomas Rooney

I have been extremely encouraged by West Ham's start to the season. I have also been encouraged by the way the team is playing under new manager Gianfranco Zola. It's two wins out of two in the Premier League for the Italian and putting the Carling Cup defeat to Watford aside – it's been the best possible start.

By saying this, I am not undermining the Carling Cup. It is a competition that clubs like West Ham would love to win. However, the bread and butter is the league and its six points from two games for Zola. I think most Hammers fans would have taken Saturday's win against Fulham over a victory at Vicarage Road in midweek. That's the reality. There is certainly something very pleasing about seeing West Ham sitting in 5th position. Even at this stage of the season, it has led to the 'hold' button on teletext being used quite a few times since Saturday. Yes, I'm aware that's rather old fashioned – but there we go. Old habits die hard.

Anyway, onto my views of the game on Saturday. There have been many reports suggesting that Zola's men didn't deserve the victory and that Fulham were hard done by to come away with nothing. This might not be too far from the truth, but I have to say I am encouraged by such a performance. A 'lucky', hard-working away win is absolutely priceless.

With three wins out of three at Upton Park, the home form is looking solid. Therefore any points away from home are a bonus and even though Fulham created more chances, the way in which West Ham played with an attacking mentality was excellent. It's the most obvious change since Zola has taken over – positive, aggressive and attacking attitudes from the players. They walked out on the pitch at Craven Cottage genuinely believing they could get the three points. I'm not sure how many times that would have been the case under Curbishley.

Fulham only had themselves to blame anyway. Yes, they had the majority of the chances, but how many times did they really test Robert Green? Bobby Zamora in particular was guilty of heading wide from close range. West Ham on the other hand had fewer chances, but capitalised in a five minute spell just before half time. Goals from Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington – who I thought was excellent – turned the game massively in West Ham's favour.

Then, the Andrew Johnson sending off seemed to seal the points. Roy Hodgson is apparently unhappy with the dismissal, but in all fairness, the former Everton man should have seen red for the first challenge. It was ugly.

Of course though, with West Ham being West Ham – the points weren't secured the easy way. Fulham pulled one back through a Danny Murphy penalty and suddenly the football odds were favouring a comeback. All credit to the Hammers though who manage to hold onto the points. It proved that the defence can stand firm when under pressure and that, combined with the attacking ability the team currently possesses, bodes very well for the future.

There will be tougher tests to come though – we all know that. After games against Bolton and Hull, Zola's men face Arsenal and Manchester United in quick succession. In terms of football betting, West Ham will be considered underdogs against these two, but I wouldn't rule them out. Arsenal at Upton Park is a game that the players should revel in. Presuming a victory over Bolton is achieved on Saturday, the feel good factor around Upton Park should continue to help the players against Arsene Wenger's men.

So, despite all the speculation surrounding the 'Carlos Tevez affair', everything on the pitch is rosy right now and I for one am loving every second of it. Long may it continue.

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Key duo back for Wales - SSN
Toshack boosted by returning stars
Last updated: 29th September 2008

John Toshack has recalled West Ham duo Craig Bellamy and James Collins for next month's two World Cup qualifiers. Captain Bellamy and Collins missed the recent qualifiers with Azerbaijan and Russia through injury, but are available for the games with Liechtenstein on 11th October and Germany on 15th October. Bellamy has managed just two short substitute appearances for West Ham after groin surgery, while club-mate Collins has yet to figure for the first team this season after a knee operation. Derby defender Lewin Nyatanga is back in the squad, despite being an unused substitute in Derby's last three matches against QPR, Cardiff and Sheffield United after an ankle problem. Midfielder David Vaughan is also recalled, having ended his unhappy spell with Real Sociedad with a move to Blackpool. Nottingham Forest's Arron Davies and Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams are both out through injury, while Wrexham defender Steve Evans has been omitted now Collins and Nyatanga are available. Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who was in the last full squad, is now involved in Wales Under 21s' Uefa Championship play-off with England. Paul Parry, who retired from international football midway through the last international week, but then claimed it was only because he did not want to play for Toshack is also left out.

Wales squad
Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (Hull), Price (Derby), Bale (Spurs), Collins (West Ham), Gunter (Spurs), Nyatanga (Derby), Morgan (Peterborough), Ricketts (Hull), A Williams (Swansea), Crofts (Gillingham), S Davies (Fulham), D Edwards (Wolves), Fletcher (C.Palace), Tudur Jones (Swansea), Koumas (Wigan), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Stock (Doncaster), Bellamy (West Ham), Cotterill (Sheff Utd), Earnshaw (N.Forest), Eastwood (Coventry), C Evans (Man City), Vokes (Wolves), Vaughan (Blackpool).

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West Ham, Blackburn join interest for Fulham's Bullard
29.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Premiership clubs are circling Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The People says ahead of the January market, West Ham and Blackburn Rovers are moving for the 29 year-old, who is also a target for Everton boss Dave Moyes.

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West Ham boss Zola seeks Gudjohnsen reunion
29.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola hopes to convince Eidur Gudjohnsen to return to London in January. Gudjohnsen only today declared he wanted to stay with Barcelona, but the People says Zola wants to bring his former Chelsea teammate back to London.

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Kia on £2M consultancy at West Ham
29.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Kia Joorabchian is on huge money at West Ham as a consultant, it has been revealed. The Sunday Mirror says West Ham have a consultancy agreement with Joorabchian that will see the controversial Iranian businessman paid more than £2million. West Ham's desperation to avoid being sued by Joorabchian over the Carlos Tevez fiasco saw them draw up a contract that enables him to cash in every time he is involved in a transfer. Joorabchian's duties include advising the Hammers on players, scouting and arranging friendly matches.

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HAMMERS TALK: Zola in hunt for former team-mate - Echo
2:48pm Monday 29th September 2008

GIANFRANCO Zola wants to link up with former Chelsea team-mate Eidur Gudjohnsen by bringing the forward to Upton Park from Barcelona, according to reports.
The People claims the Italian manager will make a move for Gudjohnsen in the January transfer window, despite the Icelandic international committing his future to the Nou Camp as recently as today. But, if reports are to be believed, Zola will try and convince the versatile 30-year-old to return to the Premier League to aid the Hammers quest for a UEFA Cup place. Gudjohnsen scored 54 goals in 184 games for Chelsea and struck up a fruitful partnership with Zola during his time at Stamford Bridge before heading to Catalonia two years ago.

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HAMMERS TALK: Irons boss lines up bid for Georgian defender - Echo
2:38pm Monday 29th September 2008

GIANFRANCO ZOLA is keen to sign out-of-favour Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili in January, according to reports. The Hammers boss wants to strengthen his defence following the departures of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney prior to his arrival at Upton Park. And speculation is mounting that the Italian could launch a £750,000 offer for Khizanishvili when the transfer window opens. The Georgian international has played just twice - both in the Carling Cup - under Rovers boss Paul Ince this season.

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REPORT: HAMMERS TRIAL FOR TRISTAN - Football365
Posted 29/09/08 13:55EmailPrintSave

West Ham have reportedly handed a trial to former Spain striker Diego Tristan, who is a free agent after leaving Livorno last season. The 32 year-old has been linked with a move to England in the past and he is now hoping to impress new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. Zola is believed to be keen to bolster his attacking options after losing star striker Dean Ashton until the New Year through injury. Tristan has a wealth of experience having won 15 caps for Spain and played in the Champions League with Deportivo La Coruna, where he spent six years. The forward, who has also had two spells with Real Mallorca, is keen to get his career back on track and is determined to try his luck in the Premier League. Zola will cast an eye over Tristan in training before deciding whether or not to pursue his interest in the player.

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HATCHET MAN: Zola shows his stupid streak - not for failing to Hammer Cole, but for giving him green light to party - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:22 PM on 29th September 2008

West Ham's players must be loving life under new manager Gianfranco Zola after he indicated that anything goes at Upton Park. But if the manager is going to let his squad off the leash every time they get a lucky win then it will end in tears. Zola may have fined Carlton Cole after his 4am arrest on suspicion of drink-driving last week but he told the striker it was okay if he went out on the town again after scoring at Fulham. Cole once interrupted a Jose Mourinho training ground rant to ask when he would get a chance in the Chelsea team.
Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer, Kieron Dyer, Lucas Neill, Matthew Etherington are others in Zola's squad not exactly known for their sensible off-field activities either.
It is one thing to reward his players for success (don't fat bonuses do that anyway?), and another altogether to invite them to misbehave.

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Hammers midfielder close to Birmingham move - Echo
12:21pm Monday 29th September 2008

BIRMINGHAM City boss Alex McLeish has admitted he is likely to sign West Ham's Nigel Quashie on loan after the midfielder impressed during a trial. The Scottish international has made only eight appearances for the Hammers and did not feature at all last season after a persistent foot injury kept him out of action. The 30-year-old has been training at St Andrews to improve his match fitness and it now looks likely that McLeish will choose to hold on to the player on a three-month loan deal.
"I think if he progresses the way he already has then there is a very good chance we will sign him," said Brum boss Alex McLeish of Quashie.

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West Ham step up their fight in Tevez saga after winning tense derby battle
Ken Dyer, Evening Standard
29.09.08

West Ham face two important dates this week as they intensify their campaign against the controversial judgement of the Football Association's independent tribunal in the Carlos Tevez affair. Tomorrow they go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne with an outline appeal against the judgement while, two days later, the tribunal reconvenes in a Direction Meeting, to consider the damages claim of Sheffield United and a timetable of the process. CAS have already told Standard Sport last week they are unable to hear any appeal unless both parties agree. But West Ham — under the legal direction of Maurice Watkins — are still hopeful that Sheffield United, who have gone through an exhaustive arbitration and appeals procedure before receiving a favourable judgement, will endorse this final step to find a solution.
That would seem to be unlikely yet West Ham have received representations from other clubs urging them to go all the way to find a solution which would avoid the chaos of future mass litigation following what many see as a dangerous precedent.
West Ham also intend to instigate an exhaustive examination of United's books following the Championship club's bid to claim more than £30million in damages following their relegation. On the pitch, at least, the Hammers appear to be unaffected by the dramas and beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is considering an appeal against the dismissal of striker Andy Johnson for two yellow cards but, in truth, it did not affect the final result.
Fulham's demise came in three minutes just before the end of the first half when Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington scored West Ham's goals and Johnson was sent off. Cole, who had been arrested in London on suspicion of drink driving earlier in the week, said: "I've learned my lesson and I won't make that mistake again.
"I hadn't been on a night out for so long and the first time I went out I got caught. That's what happens in life I suppose, what goes around, comes around."
Cole can expect an extended run in the team as Dean Ashton undergoes an ankle operation later this week which will keep him out of action until the New Year.
Ashton, who badly broke the ankle training with England more than two years ago, had been increasingly bothered by soreness around the site of the original injury.
But West Ham are close to agreeing a new main sponsorship deal following the collapse of travel operator XL.

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PAYBACK TIME FOR CONTRITE CARLTON COLE - Daily Express
Monday September 29,2008
By Gideon Brooks

GIANFRANCO Zola said he had been so impressed with Carlton Cole's work-rate and performance he had given his striker permission to enjoy a celebratory night out after West Ham's victory at Craven Cottage. After the week Cole has had, though, there was probably every chance he opted instead for Match of the Day and a quiet night in. His opening goal and powerful performance in front of the ­watching Fabio Capello may have provided both the platform for West Ham's second league win under Zola's leadership and the undoubted highlight of his week. But it was a peak that only served to accentuate the troughs, most notably his arrest in central London at 4.25am last Tuesday morning on suspicion of drink-driving. Cole, 24, finished the week ­considerably lighter in the pocket having been fined two weeks' wages by an angry Zola ­(however hard that is to imagine). But he also knows his indiscretion has probably used up his available ­credit with his manager. "I let the club down, I let my ­family down and the fans," said Cole. "I know you can't do it and be a top player. I have had a ­discussion with him [Zola] and the board and apologised for being so stupid." Cole insisted that he was by no means a party animal. "I hadn't been out for so long and the one time I do I get caught and it comes back to bite me," he said. "But I am not an alcoholic or anything and everyone will tell you I am the first one in and the last one out at training."
Cole repaid the first instalment on West Ham's loyalty with the opening goal on Saturday. Matthew Etherington added another in the shadow of half-time that left Fulham on the ropes and Andy Johnson's second yellow card a minute later knocked them clean through. There was some justification in Roy Hodgson's claim that Fulham's efforts deserved some reward after their 10 men halved the deficit in the second half – Danny Murphy scoring from the spot after Lucas Neill handled. But there are no points for hard work, aside from those of the Brownie variety. Cole would be well-advised to put in a succession of good shifts this week on account of his indiscretion and also the fact that Dean Ashton's ankle operation will rule him out for a month. But Zola, who knew Cole as a young player at Chelsea when in the twilight of his own career, seemed confident that Cole will see the right response. "Everybody makes mistakes and as long as he takes it in the right way, accepts his responsibilities and realises he has made a mistake, this is the best way to react," Zola said. "Carlton is a player who wants to improve and wants to be more important. He is doing great and if he carries on like this he's going to be important – not only for us. "He is not yet playing at his best but if he improves his finishing, the way he works, he will be an ­unbelievable player."
Zola hinted that the squad he inherited from Alan Curbishley were not quite the honed athletes he expected or indeed expects. But he is working them hard in training and believes he will see results. "I know it is very demanding physically for them and I'm sure they haven't got all the benefit yet," he said. "I'm concerned not to overcharge them, but in a few weeks time it is going to be much better."
The only evident high in Fulham's week was that Saturday brought its end. Beaten by Blackburn, Burnley in the Carling Cup and now West Ham, the heady optimism after wins over Arsenal and Bolton has ­dissipated. Hodgson felt hard done by over the Johnson red card and was in a dark mood. "We all know that if you win two games you are world-beaters and you're going to finish in the top four, but if you lose two you are useless and are going to get relegated," he said. "But we have to stop giving the opposition that sort of advantage, keep working on what we are doing and, most of all, try to keep some clean sheets."

FULHAM 1
WEST HAM 2

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer 5; Pantsil 7, Hangeland 7, Hughes 6, Konchesky 6; Davies 7, Bullard 6, Murphy 6, Gera 6; Johnson 4, Zamora 4. Sent off: Johnson 45. Booked: Konchesky, Hangeland, Murphy. Goal: Murphy pen 58.

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 5; Faubert 4, Upson 6, Neill 6, Ilunga 7; Behrami 5, Noble 6, Parker 7 (Boa Morte 90), Etherington 7 (Mullins 80); Di Michele 4 (Bellamy 74), Cole 6. Booked: Neill, Parker. Goals: Cole 44, Etherington 45
Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).

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John Pantsil wants West Ham fans' forgiveness for Robert Green clash - The Mirror
By John Cross 29/09/2008

John Pantsil insists he still loves the West Ham fans - even after becoming public enemy No.1. Fulham full-back Pantsil became a cult hero at Upton Park but upset the West Ham fans after a first-half clash with their keeper Robert Green when he appeared to tread on his head. Pantsil, who accused referee Andre Marriner of lacking "respect" for sending off Fulham striker Andy Johnson, is hoping the West Ham fans will forgive him. Pantsil said: "I am very sorry for what happened because I did not mean to do it. The West Ham fans were very good to me last season. I welcomed them to Fulham and I hope they can forget this. I still love them." And about Johnson's red card, he added: "It was not the right decision to send him off. "It was a big blow. We were at home and the referee should respect that. He didn't. I think the ref did well over all. It was a derby. But the red card to Andy Johnson I was very disappointed with."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 29th September 2008

Hodgson: Johnson was hard done by - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 28th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Roy Hodgson has claimed that striker Andy Johnson was unlucky to be sent off
during yesterday 2-1 win for West Ham. Johnson received his marching orders
in first half injury time for going through Lucas Neill as the United
captain attempted to clear the ball on the edge of West Ham's area. Hodgson
claimed that match official Andre Marriner's decision was 'unfortunate',
whilst pleading with the referee to overturn the decision. "I've looked at
it again on the video after the game," said Hodgson. "I see it as Andy
trying to block the ball and Lucas Neill actually catching him on his follow
through as he cleared the ball. "He's caught Andy Johnson rather than Andy
Johnson hitting Lucas Neill. So it's an unfortunate sending off, that one.
"I can understand from the referee's positioning it's not easy to see those
things clearly but I hope he'll look at the video evidence and see that in
actual fact, it was the other way round - not Andy kicking Lucas Neill."
Hodgson failed to comment on Johnson's horrific 'studs up' tackle on Herita
Ilunga for which the former Everton forward received his first yellow card
after 20 minutes - a tackle which many observers felt was deserving of a
straight red card. However he admitted that he felt his side were unlucky to
lose the game. "We did so well over the 90 minutes in terms of our attacking
play, dominating possession and creating chances," he added. "But in three
minutes the game was turned on its head by conceding two goals which we
shouldn't and having a player sent off. If I was to dismiss those three
minutes of the game I would have been quite happy with the other 87 minutes.
"The shot and possession statistics will have been very, very good for us -
even when we were playing with ten men. But it's the result that counts and
West Ham have got that, we haven't. "We did exceptionally well; the work
rate in the second half was fantastic. We created chances even with ten men.
Of course in the last five or six minutes there's always going to be the odd
counter-attack chance - especially when you throw yet another man up front.
"Over the course of the 90 minutes I don't have any reason to be
particularly angry or disappointed by the way the team played. But of
course, I'm very saddened by the result."

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Zola on ... Fulham - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 28th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Gianfranco Zola shares his thoughts on yesterday's 2-1 win at Craven Cottage
...

On the game ...

"I think we played a good match and came out with a victory that was
probably deserved. The players that played were fantastic and I'm very
pleased with them.
"To be fair to them they are a good side. Usually you can concede something
to them. But we tried to play football; apart from maybe the first ten
minutes when we were having a few problems. But then we started playing our
game and we played a great game. We didn't steal anything today."

On Matthew Etherington ...

"So far he's been a key player. He's worked very, very hard and he gives the
team quality and balance. I'm very pleased with him and I'm sure he's going
to get better. I appreciate what he's doing; he's very willing to work, like
everybody else in the team.

On Carlton Cole ...

"There wasn't a better way to answer back to me and also to the other
players. He realised that he's made a mistake and he's made it up in the
perfect way."

On last week's arbitration ruling ...

"We are working on the pitch and we know we have to work. I'm very confident
that the club will sort it out. I'm assured the situation won't influence
the team. I'm happy with that as I trust the club. "The players don't have
to be consulted about that. They know the situation will be sorted and we
just have to make sure that we do our job on the pitch; that will also help
the club a lot."

On the future ...

"I'd like them to play well and win as many games as possible! "My
philosophy, as I told them is that they have to enjoy what they're doing;
they have to enjoy playing football. They don't have to be worried about
trying to play and maybe losing the ball. They will never get told off by me
if they lose the ball trying to play football. That's what I want. "If we go
with this kind of mentality then I'm sure the results will come. So far it's
been good; we have to carry on doing this as long as possible."

* Gianfranco Zola was talking to the BBC.

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Fulham 1 - KUMB
West Ham United 2
by Gordon Thrower

It's nice to get back to writing about football rather than hypocrisy. A
glorious day started early on the good ship Suerita where a boatload of
Hammers set sail for Putney. Not directly of course. A trip downstream from
Tower Bridge saw us heading in the general direction of the North Sea.
Thankfully our vessel turned around at Greenwich before this turned into a
report on Southend v the O's following a tub of eels on the Golden Mile.
Mention of the film The Poseidon Adventure saw Romford in particularly top
form: "was that the one with that tower that turned into an inferno? No?
What was that one called then?"
A leisurely trip upstream – we were overtaken by rowers at one point – saw
us make several passes by Craven Cottage to sing "Bubbles" at the early
arrivals before finally coming ashore at Putney. A nice walk through the
park in the company of two young ladies from Norway ("we couldn't get in at
Arsenal") saw us arrive in perfect time to see the nauseating Fayed paraded
in front of the home crowd – who, incredibly, applauded him.

Team news was that we were unchanged from the eleven that had started
against Newcastle, with Ashton's ankle keeping him away for another few
weeks and Zola electing to keep faith with the 4-3-2-1 formation used in his
first match giving us a line-up of Green, Faubert, Ilunga, Upson, Neill,
Parker, Behrami, Noble, DiMichele, Etherington, Cole.

It was an eventful first 45. Fulham had started well at home and, whilst
they weren't nearly as dominant as some subsequent reports have suggested
they did have a lot of possession and the better of the half chances. On 4
minutes DiMichele embarked on a promising run, finding Cole with a pass at
the end of it. Cole, who may soon be looking for lifts to training from
teammates, launched his shot high into the crowd. Fulham then went on the
attack and some loose control by Etherington saw Davies volley not too wide.
We hadn't quite settled at the back and on 8 minutes another edgy clearance
from Etherington made it only as far as Murphy whose long diagonal ball into
the box saw Zamora put an almost free header wide from 12 yards out.

Parker then saw an effort from distance go over before the game's first
yellow card on 20 minutes. Parker sold Ilunga a little short but the
challenge by Johnson was disgraceful, the former Everton player stamping on
Cheri's standing ankle in a manner that could easily have caused serious
injury. The yellow card was the very least he deserved and a straight red
could have met with few complaints. Thankfully, Cheri's injury was not
serious – no thanks to Johnson – and the left-back was able to continue
after some treatment.

On 23 minutes Zamora latched on to a through ball and made room for a shot
that, thankfully, went just wide. Ref Marriner then started a one man
campaign to give Jimmy Bullard as many free-kicks as possible, usually
without waiting for the usual nicety of actually seeing a foul committed.
Firstly Davies tried to run through Neill which was, apparently Neill's
fault. Bullard's free-kick thankfully went over. This wasn't good enough for
the ref who then penalised Behrami for handball when he couldn't possibly
have known anything about it from that distance. Bullard's free-kick brought
out what turned out to be Green's only real save of the match, the 'keeper
turning the ball wide. Paintsil slid in late catching the 'keeper a painful
one as he did so, though there was an element of slipping as the full-back
came in. The challenge provided the statutory bout of "handbags" that is
demanded whenever a 'keeper is fouled these days but no disciplinary
sanctions were required.

Konchesky was next into the book, deservedly so for another horrible
challenge on Etherington, which, like Johnson's earlier effort could easily
have been a red. The ignorant amongst the home support – clearly not in a
minority – proceeded to boo Etherington for, er, being chopped in half and
requiring treatment. Matty, though, was to have the last laugh.

A couple of minutes after Konchesky's assault, Cole headed a Green clearance
into Etherington's path. With the whole of the right hand side to run into,
Etherington stormed down the right and moved into the box. It wasn't the
greatest cross in the world but Schwarzer only managed to palm it out into
the path of Cole who finished off the move that he'd started by putting the
ball away from six yards.

It got even better a couple of minutes later. Just as 4 minutes of stoppage
were announced, Parker fed Cole who laid the ball off to Noble. Noble's
first time ball over the top saw Matty run into space, easily winning the
race to the ball with Schwarzer and lifting the ball over the hapless
'keeper for our second of the game and his own second of the season, his
cupped-ear salute rubbing it just a little more for the home support.

The home side appeared to have lost it and the fingers were hovering over
that button that appears in every crap sci-fi movie that sets off a
strangely comforting female voice who tells you that she is "initiating
auto-destruct sequence". Firstly Murphy went straight through the back of
Noble for another deserved yellow. Then Johnson left a foot in on Neill that
produced a second yellow and, in consequence, the red that his earlier – and
only other – contribution to the match had deserved. It was the last piece
of meaningful action of the first half.

We started the second period the brighter of the two sides. Noble took
advantage of some backing off in the home defence to let fly from about 25
yards, Schwarzer saving a little unconvincingly low to his left. The corner
was only half cleared to Faubert who hit a powerful curving effort that
possibly shaved a micron of white paint from the top of the crossbar on its
way over.

Faubert then moved down the right and played a ball from deep into the box.
It appeared over-hit but Etherington kept the ball live and pulled it back
to Noble who fed Ilunga whose low hard shot saw another save by Schwarzer to
the 'keeper's left.

Clean sheets are not a speciality and this match was no exception. A Fulham
corner from our left came back off the turf from a header and up onto
Neill's arm. You see them given and not given. Marriner gave it and Murphy
sent Green the wrong way to reduce the arrears.

The goal seemed to galvanise the home side. Parker picked up a yellow for a
late challenge and Bullard's free-kick in eluded everyone – including Zamora
who had escaped his marker.

The first substitution came on 73 minutes. DiMichele had influenced matters
little and a fluffed shot was one too many for Zola who replaced the Italian
with Bellamy on 73 minutes. Shortly after Mullins came on for Etherington.
Within a few minutes of his arrival Bellamy should have put the game beyond
doubt. Mullins fed Noble who played the ball inside the full-back to the
overlapping Ilunga. Ilunga cleverly pulled the ball back to Bellamy whose
first shot was blocked by Hangeland and whose second effort went way over.
It was a bad miss – Bellamy probably had time to control the ball for the
second shot.

Although Fulham had a fair bit of possession it was telling that Green was
largely unemployed and there were spells when we were able to string
together passes well into double figures. We also looked the more likely to
score. Ilunga's clearance found Noble in space and his pull-back deserved
better from Cole than the weak shot against the defender it actually
received.

Although Fulham created little themselves they could easily have profited
from Mr Marriner's "Bullard-Aid" campaign. Parker won the cleanest of
challenges against Davies. Incredibly Marriner saw the clean winning of a
ball as a foul – Rob Styles would probably have been the only person on the
planet to agree with the ref and we've all seen how bad he is. Bullard
didn't beat the wall however.

Bellamy briefly interrupted the Marriner show to run at the defence and set
up Behrami who brought a save out of Schwarzer. . Fulham's cause was not
helped by the 'keeper throwing the ball straight at a defender which kept
the ball down at their end. Boa-Morte replaced Parker as Bellamy and Noble
kept the ball in the corner – Noble was hauled down but for some bizarre
reason the free-kick went Fulham's way. Hangeland spotted this trend and
flattened Neill, gaining the free-kick as he did so. Bullard again found the
wall – Cole's clean header bringing ridiculous claims for handball – and
that was about it.

It wasn't a perfect performance – we rode our luck early on when Fulham
created their chances - but the goals worked marvels. Certain players are
enjoying the new system and it is refreshing to see us trying to play
football from the back. It is notable that Green only seems to kick long
these days when he has to. The longer we continue to play a passing game the
better the players will get at it and the signs are that the change of
personnel has done wonders for confidence in some quarters. Keep it up guys!

Player Ratings

Robert Green (7)
Only one real save to make – turned a shot round the post under pressure
from Paintsil. Otherwise came and dealt with a few crosses and I suppose we
now have to slag him off when he doesn't save a spot kick!

Julien Faubert (7)
One of those for whom the change in management has worked wonders. The move
back into defence looks to have been a shrewd one, especially as he can also
get forward when required.

Herita Ilunga (7)
Has had an impressive start to his career. Stronger tests than Newcastle and
Fulham are to come but early signs are that we have a useful player here.

Lucas Neill (6)
Early on needed a bit of sorting out but improved as the game went on. The
penalty was instinctive rather than deliberate.

Matthew Upson (7)
Again recovered from early confusion to put in a useful shift.

Scott Parker (7)
A lot of hard work and decent tackles and clearly enjoys the increased
responsibility the new system gives him.

Mark Noble (8)
Reduced Bullard to having to seek assists from the ref. Played some superb
passes, not least for Etherington's goal.

Valon Behrami (7)
With both he and Faubert now seemingly in the right positions he is now
beginning to show more influence.

Matthew Etherington (7)
A couple of loose touches early on apart he had a fine game. In the past
when he's been kicked by the opposition he has disappeared – something of
which Konchesky seemed well aware judging by his assault. However,
Etherington seemed spurred on by the treatment he received in this match and
the freedom to roam the new system clearly suits him.

David Di Michele (5)
The one big disappointment of the day, he failed to make much impression
before his eventual replacement by Bellamy.

Carlton Cole (7)
Held the ball up well and gave the home defence a hard time.


Substitutes

Craig Bellamy (6)
(replaced Di Michele, 74) Looked a lot livelier than Di Michele had done but
his finishing let him down. I look forward to seeing him play 90 minutes in
this system.

Hayden Mullins (6)
(replaced Etherington, 80) Came in for the last few minutes to bolster
things up in the middle. Did so.

Luis Boa Morte (6)
(replaced Parker, 90) Came on in the dying minutes as an aid to running the
clock down. Did so.


Jan Lastuvka (0)
Did not play.

Walter Lopez (0)
Did not play.

Calum Davenport (0)
Did not play.

Freddie Sears (0)
Did not play.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Match Facts
West Ham United: Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Lucas Neill,
Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Valon Behrami, Matthew Etherington,
David Di Michele, Carlton Cole.

Substitutes: Craig Bellamy, Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte, Jan Lastuvka,
Walter Lopez.

Goals: Carlton Cole 43 Matthew Etherington 45

Booked: Scott Parker 68

Sent Off:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Murphy,
Bullard, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.

Substitutes: None.

Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Ki-Hyeon, Nevland, Dempsey, Andreasen, Kallio,
Baird.

Goals: Murphy (pen 59)

Booked: Johnson (20), Konchesky (39), Murphy (45+2), Hangeland (88)

Sent Off: Johnson (45+4)

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 23946

Man of the Match: Mark Noble

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The blame game - SSN
Justice should have been delivered more quickly
Last updated: 28th September 2008

The trouble with taking £30million from West Ham and giving it to Sheffield
United is that you then give Sheffield United an advantage in the transfer
window over promotion rivals such as Reading and so on, which is deeply
unfair. Patrick Barclay says the finger must be pointed at the Premier
League and the FA over the Carlos Tevez saga. On Tuesday, it was announced
that an FA arbitration had ruled in favour of the Blades against West Ham
United in their compensation claim over the situation involving Argentina
international Tevez. The Premier League previously found West Ham guilty of
failing to declare that Tevez's move to Upton Park had been engineered by
Kia Joorabchian and that he was part-owned by the businessman's company. The
Hammers were handed a £5.5million fine by the Premier League but there was
no points deduction, despite Tevez playing a crucial role in ensuring West
Ham remained in England's top flight, condemning Sheffield United to
relegation.
Sunday Telegraph writer Barclay feels the Premier League were too slow in
dealing with the matter and the FA should have asked questions earlier. And
he now feels there is no fair solution or punishment and it provides another
example of the problems facing our national game. "A dreadful, dreadful
error was made at the time of the transfer," Barclay told the Sunday
Supplement. "It was obvious and was documented by several newspapers and the
media as a whole that something was fishy from the West Ham point of view
about the signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in terms of the third-party
ownership. "The Premier League were blatantly hoodwinked over this. It was a
dreadful, dreadful piece of administration and we are now unable to solve
this one. "You can solve it in the sense that you can in effect fine West
Ham a further £30million on top of the £5.5million they were fined initially
- but you can't now relegate them which is what should have happened. "I
don't agree that points-docking would solve anything. You need to relegate
someone and you can't do that now. "The trouble with taking £30million from
West Ham and giving it to Sheffield United is that you then give Sheffield
United an advantage in the transfer window over promotion rivals such as
Reading and so on, which is deeply unfair. "It may not come in time for this
transfer window but it should in time for the summer window. It might be
that £30million is light for what actually happened. "I think that the FA
are to blame. They should have come in and made sure that the Premier League
acted at the right time. "As Arsene Wenger said on Saturday when he was
talking about video replays, justice must be swift. The game moves on. "We
have now got ourselves in a mess and as I've said before the government has
to inquire into football. This is yet another reason. "This game is in one
hell of a mess and it's only going to get worse administratively."
However, John Richardson feels there is a simple solution to the affair -
relegate the Hammers. "In a court of law, if further evidence comes to light
eight years down the line you can still come to trial," he said. "Further
evidence has been found here. West Ham, in my opinion, should still be
relegated. "Why run away from that?"

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Paintsil blasts referee over Johnson dismissal - sport.co.uk
Author: Zehaad Hassan
Posted on: 28 September 2008 - 8:18 PM
Category: Football

John Paintsil blasted referee Andre Marriner after Fulham were forced to
play the entire second-half of Saturday's 2-1 defeat by West Ham with ten
men.Andy Johnson was cautioned twice in the opening 45 minutes with his late
challenge on Lucas Neill earning him a red card - a decision which Paintsil
says Marriner got rong.Johnson was already walking a tightrope after a
shocking early tackle on Hammers defender Herita Ilunga saw Marriner
brandish a yellow card. But Paintsil, whose team conceded twice in the final
three minutes of the first-half with Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington
both scoring, believes Marriner made the wrong call to send Johnson from the
field of play. "I thought it was not the right decision at all," said the
former West Ham defender. "I'm not happy with the decision which the referee
made but we have to take it and there's nothing we can do. "It was a big
blow, we were playing at home and he should have respected that. I don't
think he did and it wasn't good enough."
Despite being reduced to ten men, Fulham still created enough chances to
snatch a draw following Danny Murphy's successful second-half spot kick. But
Paintsil says the dismissal of Johnson killed off any chances Fulham had of
taking a point from a fiery contest at Craven Cottage. "It was a big blow to
the team," he added.
"Playing 10 against 11 when you're two goals down is never easy. When we
went in at half-time the manager changed it around and maybe we should have
got an equaliser but we didn't take our chances. "We must learn from our
mistakes and get better."

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Calculations of Carlos Tévez effect misses points - The Times
Carlos Tevez had very little to do with Sheffield United being relegated,
according to Fink Tank research
Daniel Finkelstein

No doubt. Those are the words I believe that they used. No doubt. I honestly
can't believe it.

Lord Griffiths and his panel have been looking into the Carlos Tévez affair.
And, apparently with the assistance of a video of Match of the Day and a
yellowing copy of The Daily Telegraph, they have "no doubt" that West Ham
United would have secured "at least three fewer points" without Tévez
playing for them in 2006-07.

And they go farther. They think that even in the last two games of that
season Tévez "more likely than not" helped West Ham to achieve the extra
three points that ensured they avoided relegation at Sheffield United's
expense.

No doubt, eh? Well, let the Fink Tank introduce some doubt. Dr Ian Graham
and Dr Henry Stott have gone back to our figures from the 2006-07 season to
see what we can find.

First, let's make a general observation about Sheffield United's relegation.
It was their fault. Take a look at the graphic and it shows the position
clearly. In February, West Ham had a 98 per cent chance of going down and
Sheffield United had a 3 per cent chance. By April, West Ham's chance of
going down had plunged to, er, 97 per cent and Sheffield United's chance was
still only 11 per cent. That they threw it away towards the end had very
little to do with Tévez.

Here's a further point. If all of the shots that crashed against the
woodwork had counted as goals, Fulham would have been relegated and
Sheffield United would have stayed up. To try to isolate one player — Tévez
— is absurd.

Now on to the contribution made by that player. You must, surely, in a
multimillion-pound legal proceeding, use figures rather than old match
reports.

The Fink Tank model of the sport measures each touch of the ball and
simulates the season over and over again. Each player is looked at and
compared with an average player in the same position. So Tévez's
contribution can be established. Even then, I wouldn't begin to claim that
such a figure is beyond argument. But it is, at least, a reasonable stab.

On average over the season, Tévez added 0.15 of a point for every 90 minutes
compared with the average player in the Premier League. The suggestion that
he could have added three points, a suggestion the panel regarded as "more
likely then not", is ridiculous.

What about over the season? Here the panel nearly gets lucky. Tévez added
2.8 points. So it wasn't right because this is not "at least three points",
of which it was in "no doubt". And it wouldn't have been enough to have
saved Sheffield United. But the panel will be feeling pleased that they came
close.

Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as that. The figure compares Tévez with
the average player. If West Ham had been able to play Teddy Sheringham
instead of Tévez in all of those games, the 2.8 points figure would have
held. Sheringham was almost bang on the average. Carlton Cole might have
been far worse. But if Tévez had not arrived at West Ham, perhaps someone
else would have. Would the club really have left the ageing Sheringham with
hardly any cover?

Without that crucial piece of information, a judgment about the number of
points that Tévez added is a ludicrous, indeed impossible exercise.

As for the compensation figure, the Fink Tank's works suggest that if West
Ham's Tévez deal did help to relegate Sheffield United, £30 million is
almost bang on.

But as for "no doubt" — purlease.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole back on track to please Zola - The Times
Fulham 1 West Ham 2
Kaveh Solhekol at Craven Cottage

A bad week for Carlton Cole ended on a high note after the West Ham United
forward scored a crucial goal to help his team to win in front of Fabio
Capello, the England manager. Cole was arrested on suspicion of
drink-driving last week, but he reminded Capello at Craven Cottage that he
can become an understudy to Emile Heskey at international level.

"It hasn't been the best of weeks but I will take my punishment," Cole, who
has been fined for breaking club rules, said. "I've learnt my lesson. I have
apologised for being stupid. I am normal. I am not an alcoholic."

Cole gave his team the lead against the run of play during a mad three
minutes near the stroke of half-time. Fulham had been running the show, but
Cole's goal — a close-range strike after Mark Schwarzer had failed to deal
with a low cross — changed the game. West Ham's lead was increased two
minutes later when Matthew Etherington beat Schwarzer with a cool chip after
the Fulham goalkeeper had rushed off his line to intercept a through-ball.
Fulham's problems were compounded when Andrew Johnson was shown a second
yellow, for fouling Lucas Neill, and sent off.

"Cole was fantastic," Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said. "It was
the perfect way to respond. Everybody knows that looking after themselves is
vital to being a good footballer. I am going to be strict."

Fulham tried to play their way out of trouble after the interval, but a
penalty by Danny Murphy was all that they had to show for their efforts.

"The performance has given me a lot of heart, but it's hard to be positive
when you have lost," Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, said. "It would be
wrong of me to say I was upset or unhappy with the football we played. I am
unhappy about the two goals we conceded. We have to accept that fate was
unkind to us in this game. West Ham will not be saying this was a game they
fully deserved to win."

Fulham (4-4-2): M Schwarzer 5 — J Paintsil 6, A Hughes 6, B Hangeland 6, P
Konchesky 6 — Z Gera 6, D Murphy 7, J Bullard 6, S Davies 6 — A Johnson 4, R
Zamora 6. Substitutes not used: P Zuberbühler, Seol Ki Hyeon, E Nevland, C
Dempsey, L Andreasen, T Kallio, C Baird. Booked: Johnson, Konchesky, Murphy,
Hangeland. Sent off: Johnson. Next: West Bromwich Albion (a).

West Ham United (4-3-3): R Green 7 — J Faubert 6, L Neill 6, M Upson 6, H
Ilunga 7 — V Behrami 6, S Parker 7 (sub: L Boa Morte, 90min), M Noble 7 — M
Etherington 7 (sub: H Mullins, 80), C Cole 7, D Di Michele (sub: C Bellamy,
74). Substitutes not used: J Lastuvka, W López, C Davenport, F Sears.
Booked: Parker. Next: Bolton Wanderers (h).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Zola reaps the rewards for his Cole therapy - Daily
Mail
By Steve Curry Last updated at 12:13 AM on 29th September 2008

Gianfranco Zola, the man who single-handedly turned John Terry from a lout
into a leader, has started counselling Carlton Cole about straying off the
straight and narrow. The West Ham striker was stopped on suspicion of drink
driving in the middle of the night last Tuesday, and Zola started the
therapy by giving him the chance to help his side defeat Fulham. Zola's
philosophy on errant players is that sometimes the reasoned approach
produces a better outcome than applying the heavy hand, so the 24-year-old
striker has been given similar advice to that handed to Terry by Zola while
they golfed together at Wisley in the Italian's playing days at Chelsea.
After Cole had scored West Ham's opening goal and generally created unease
in the Fulham ranks with his physical presence, Zola said: 'It was the
perfect way for him to respond. 'He scored a goal and helped the team so
much. Everybody makes mistakes and I have told him that. As long as he now
accepts his responsibilities and realises his mistakes, it will help him.
'There was no point in leaving him out. He has to make it up by helping the
team. I know he is a player who wants to improve. If he listens, he is going
to be an important player and not just for us.' Cole has got the message. He
said: 'I realise you can't behave like I did and be a top player. I have
learned a lesson and I won't make the mistake again.'
West Ham's first away win, however, came courtesy of Fulham's failure to
take their chances and the fact that Andy Johnson was redcarded in
first-half injury time for a second yellow. It capped a dismal few minutes
for Fulham who had dominated the opening exchanges but fell behind on 43
minutes when Mark Schwarzer could only palm Matthew Etherington's cross into
the path of Cole, who could hardly miss. Two minutes later, Schwarzer came
rushing out to meet Mark Noble's lofted pass, but Etherington got there
first to poke the ball into an empty net. Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said: 'The
team's performance has given me a lot of heart, but it's hard to stand here
and be positive about that when you have lost the game. 'I was not unhappy
with the football we played, though I was unhappy with the two goals we
conceded. We have to stop giving the opposition that sort of advantage and
try to keep a few clean sheets.'
Fulham replied through a Danny Murphy penalty on 57 minutes, but the 10 men
could not exert enough pressure to trouble West Ham who have now reached the
giddy heights of fifth place.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gudjohsen unmoved by transfer talk - Setanta
by Chris Stanton, 28 September 2008

Eidur Gudjohnsen has played down speculation that he could be a target for
new West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. The Iceland international has had to
make do with a bit-part role at Camp Nou but the 32-year-old insists he has
faith in his ability. Gudjohnsen's former Chelsea team-mate Zola does too if
reports are to be believed, but the player is determined to ignore talk of a
transfer. "I am used to the rumours linking me with a move away from
Barcelona but I never lose faith in my ability," said Gudjohnsen. "It has
been very difficult for me since I came from Chelsea, but all I can do is
work hard and hope the manager picks me. "I have been hurt by people who
discussed my quality. At such team as Barca when things are not going well
they look for the guilty one and we have all been pointed out in the last
few seasons."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola gives Carlton Cole all-clear to stay in party mood as West
Ham beat Fulham - Telegraph
Fulham (1) 1 West Ham United (2) 2
By John Ley
Last Updated: 9:47PM BST 28 Sep 2008

Given the current mood, Fulham's players, their fans and even club mascot
Billy the Badger may be considering suing West Ham – for feeling aggrieved
at losing a player and three points. West Ham could face countless claims
from players for loss of earnings following the Carlos Tevez affair and the
feeling against them on a sunny day by the Thames was similarly hostile.
However, at least one man began to repay West Ham after adding to his club's
woes last week. Carlton Cole embarrassed new manager Gianfranco Zola when he
was arrested in the early hours of last Tuesday morning on suspicion of
drink-driving. Zola fined Cole two weeks' wages but rather than dropping the
striker, he fielded him at Fulham and he responded so well that his manager
gave him permission to celebrate on Saturday night.
Other managers may not have been so understanding but Zola, in the infancy
of his management career, has already learnt that enticement rather than
punishment can be the key. Cole responded with the opening goal. "It was
fantastic," beamed Zola. "It was the perfect way to respond. He scored a
goal and helped the team. Because of that I allowed him to go out on
Saturday night. He can go out if he plays like that. "Everybody makes
mistakes and that's what I told him. As long as you accept your
responsibilities and you realise you may have made a mistake. Everybody
knows that looking after themselves, looking after their body, their quality
of life is vital to be a good footballer. "I am going to be very strict. I
can't afford to have talented players spoiling themselves with things like
that. I won't allow it. I will be very hard with them."
Some will recall a similar situation in the early days of Rio Ferdinand's
Upton Park career. He was found guilty of drink-driving when he was 20, but
bounced back to represent his country and Cole will be hoping to have
impressed the watching Fabio Capello. Cole is certainly repentant. "I have
had a discussion with the manager and the board," he admitted. "I have
apologised for being stupid. I let the club down and am sorry to the fans."
Cole began to repay his club when Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer parried
Matthew Etherington's cross and he gave West Ham the lead, minutes before
the winger added the second. Fulham's fans were incensed, having seen
Etherington, four minutes before the first goal, writhing in agony from a
Paul Konchesky challenge and they were further infuriated when Andy Johnson
was sent off after tackling Lucas Neill so robustly that the defender's boot
flew off. Overall, referee Andre Marriner got the big decisions right,
including a handball by Neill that allowed Danny Murphy to pull one back for
Fulham.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chris Morgan refuses to enter row over Carlos Tévez - The Times
Scott Rutherford

Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United captain, has denied that the club's
players have met to discuss the possibility of launching individual claims
against West Ham United. An independent arbitration panel ruled in favour of
Sheffield United last week in their claim for compensation from West Ham
over the Carlos Tévez affair.

The panel has yet to determine the size of the payout, but Sheffield United
are claiming in excess of £30 million from the London club for being
relegated from the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the 2006-07
season.

After Sheffield United's 2-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Watford on
Saturday, Morgan said: "There's been no meeting that I'm aware of that's
taken place with any players this week. We've always said as players we
can't get involved in what goes on at that side, that's down to the chairman
and chief executive and people like that.

"That's their job. We're employed by this football club to play football,
not to set meetings up talking about money. We've not even thought about
it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy and Collins look set for return - thisissouthwales.co.uk
Sunday, September 28, 2008, 09:00

WALES boss John Toshack will name West Ham's Craig Bellamy and James Collins
in his squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers — and this time does not
expect any problems over their release. Toshack is due to name a squad for
the Group Four qualifying matches against Liechtenstein in Cardiff on
October 11 and the trip to face Germany in Monchengladbach on October 15.
Three key figures will be included in the squad. Bellamy has recently
struggled with groin and hamstring problems, while Collins has recovered
from knee surgery but has not played a first-team game yet new season.
Derby's Lewin Nyatanga will also return. He has recovered from a knee
problem and was on the bench for the win at QPR on Saturday.
Bellamy and Collins have only just returned to action at West Ham, and when
they were selected for the previous two qualifiers against Azerbaijan and
Russia earlier this month, they were quickly ruled out. Toshack had lengthy
discussions with then West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, as well as Bellamy and
Collins, and it was reluctantly agreed that Wales would leave them out of
those two matches. But Bellamy, who came on for 16 minutes of West Ham's win
at Fulham, and Collins — who has been playing reserve football recently —
will this time be expected to report for duty. An FA of Wales spokesman
said: "We have spoken to both Craig and James in recent days, and both say
they are ready for action this time."
The return of Collins and Nyatanga will ease Toshack's injury crisis in
central defence, having had to use rookies Craig Morgan and Swansea City's
Ashley Williams for the previous two group matches. Both performed well, but
the experience of Collins and Nyatanga will be welcome. Bellamy has managed
just two short substitute appearances for West Ham this term and may not be
used in both Wales qualifiers, but his return will take the pressure off
teenage strikers Sam Vokes and Ched Evans. Wales will be without 20-year-old
Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams, who is out with a leg injury. Toshack
may leave out Wrexham defender Steve Evans.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham 1 West Ham United 2: Zola lets Cole play out after 'perfect response'
By James Wrigley
Monday, 29 September 2008
Independent.co.uk Web

They love their strikers at West Ham but attackers past and present have
caused nothing but trouble recently. Carlos Tevez, long gone to Manchester
United, could yet cost the club a fortune in compensation; Carlton Cole was
stopped by police in the early hours on Wednesday and arrested on suspicion
of drink-driving; Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy spend most of the time in
the treatment room.

There was even the danger at Craven Cottage on Saturday that another former
frontman, Bobby Zamora, would be out to remind his old team of his prowess
following a stunning goal against Bolton in their previous home match.

Well, if West Ham deserved a break they got it as Zamora reverted to type,
missing a hat-trick of chances while young Cole put his alleged midweek
misdemeanours behind him to score the first goal and give a decent all-round
display. There was even a late cameo, albeit with two missed chances, from
Bellamy as he came off the bench late in the game.

Cole tapped home the opening goal after 43 minutes following excellent work
down the right by Matthew Etherington, with the winger adding a second in
first-half stoppage time when he beat the advancing goalkeeper Mark
Schwarzer to steer in Mark Noble's through ball. Suddenly West Ham, like
their hosts beaten in the Carling Cup by a Championship side earlier in the
week, were two goals to the good after Fulham had dominated the play.

It got better as another striker aided their cause, Andrew Johnson getting
himself sent off for a second bookable offence just before the referee Andre
Marriner blew for the interval. To their great credit, Fulham responded well
in the second half and pulled a goal back when Lucas Neill handled a Zoltan
Gera header inside the area and Danny Murphy scored from the spot. But West
Ham hung on to make it two wins from two in the competition that matters the
most for their new manager Gianfranco Zola.

The Italian, who helped a young John Terry clean up his act during his days
at Chelsea, was keen to hail Cole's reaction. "It was fantastic. It was the
perfect way to respond," Zola said. "He scored a goal, he helped the team so
much. Because of that I've allowed him to go out tonight. Tonight he can go
out if he plays like that. Everybody makes mistakes and that's what I told
him."

Cole was contrite to a fault, saying: "It hasn't been the best of weeks but
I will take my punishment. You can't do things like this and be a top
player. I've learnt my lesson – I won't make a mistake like this again. I
hadn't been out for so long and the one time I do go out I get caught for
it, so the past has come back to bite me on the arse."

The Fulham manager, Roy Hodgson, doubtless felt some pain in a similar area,
for his players deserved a point after being the better side for much of the
game. He was philosophical as ever, though. "We have all been in the game a
long time and we know that if you win two games you are world-beaters and
you're going to finish in the top four, you lose two and you are useless and
you are going to get relegated."

The truth, as always, is probably somewhere in between.

Goals: Cole (43) 0-1; Etherington (45) 0-2; Murphy pen (59) 1-2.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies,
Bullard, Murphy, Gera; Zamora, Johnson. Substitutes not used: Zuberbühler
(gk), Seol, Nevland, Dempsey, Andreasen, Kallio, Baird.

West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga; Behrami,
Parker (Boa Morte 90), Noble, Etherington (Mullins, 80); Cole, Di Michele
(Bellamy 74). Substitutes not used: Lastuvka (gk) Lopez, Davenport, Sears.

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).

Booked: Fulham Johnson, Konchesky, Murphy, Hangeland; West Ham United
Parker.

Sent off: Johnson (45).

Man of the match: Etherington.

Attendance: 23,946.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MORGAN DISMISSES COMPENSATION CLAIMS - Football365
Posted 29/09/08 00:06EmailPrintSave

Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan has denied the club's players have met
to discuss the possibility of launching individual claims against West Ham.
An independent arbitration panel earlier this week ruled in favour of
Sheffield United in their claim for compensation from West Ham over the
Carlos Tevez affair. The panel have yet to determine the size of the payout,
but the Blades are claiming in excess of £30million from the London club for
being relegated from the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the
2006-7 season, when a Tevez-inspired Hammers side beat Manchester United to
clinch top-flight safety. The Premier League fined West Ham a record
£5.5million for fielding Tevez and Javier Mascherano when they were
ineligible to play under league rules regarding third-party ownership. And
it has since been reported that the Blades' players are considering their
own additional legal action against the Londoners, which could amount to
further millions of pounds, for lost bonuses and reduced wages. But after
Sheffield United's 2-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Watford on Saturday,
Morgan said: "Where it's come from I've no idea. "There's been no meeting
that I'm aware of that's taken place with any players this week. "We've been
thinking about the Watford game, not what's going on.
"We've always said as players we can't get involved in what goes on at that
side, that's down to the chairman and chief executive and people like that.
"That's their job. We're employed by this football club to play football,
not to set meetings up talkng about money and things like that. "I think if
there is anything there the chairman will pull the players and say, 'Listen,
this is what's happening', but no, as far as I'm aware there's been nothing.
"We've not even thought about it. It's something that has never cropped up.
It's never been thrown about. "On Tuesday morning when we got up for the
Arsenal game it was on the breaking news that the club had won the
arbitration and things like that. "But we have nothing to do with that.
We've never got involved in it. Obviously people ask us questions about it
and we've got to try to answer as openly as we can. But we don't get
involved in that."
West Ham have confirmed they will appeal against the tribunal's ruling to
the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Hammers argue they have already been
punished for breaching Premier League rules, but their hopes of avoiding a
huge payout were dealt a blow when CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb
admitted their appeal may not even be heard. Reeb said: "As things stand,
CAS would not be able to hear this case. "We would need agreement from
Sheffield United and for Football Association rules to allow an appeal to
CAS."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
PANTS WANTS ANOTHER CHANCE - The Mirror
By John Cross 29/09/2008

John Pantsil insists he still loves the West Ham fans - even after becoming
public enemy No.1. Fulham full-back Pantsil became a cult hero at Upton Park
but upset the West Ham fans after a first-half clash with their keeper
Robert Green when he appeared to tread on his head. Pantsil, who accused
referee Andre Marriner of lacking "respect" for sending off Fulham striker
Andy Johnson, is hoping the West Ham fans will forgive him. Pantsil said: "I
am very sorry for what happened because I did not mean to do it. The West
Ham fans were very good to me last season. I welcomed them to Fulham and I
hope they can forget this. I still love them." And about Johnson's red card,
he added: "It was not the right decision to send him off. "It was a big
blow. We were at home and the referee should respect that. He didn't. I
think the ref did well over all. It was a derby. But the red card to Andy
Johnson I was very disappointed with."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola hails Cole response after tough week
29.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola was delighted with Carlton Cole's performance
in their victory over Fulham on Saturday. Zola lost no time in fining his
former Chelsea colleague after he was arrested this week on suspicion of
drink-driving. But with Dean Ashton out injured and Craig Bellamy not match
fit the Hammers manager could not punish Cole further by leaving him out at
Craven Cottage. And the 24-year-old responded with a 43rd-minute opener as
the Hammers bounced back from their midweek Carling Cup exit at Watford to
move up to fifth in the Barclays Premier League. Cole had helped set up the
move that led to his goal, although goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer's failure to
hold on to Matthew Etherington's cross was also crucial, and Zola was
delighted. He said: "It was the perfect way to respond. He scored a goal and
helped the team so much. And because of this I have allowed him to go out
tonight. "Everybody makes mistakes and that is what I told him. As long as
you take it in the right way and realise your responsibilities then you
realise your mistake. I am pleased with him. "He had to make up for it. He
paid a fine and also had to help the team on the pitch. He is a player that
wants to improve and become more important. He is doing great and if he
carries on like this he won't only be important for us."
England manager Fabio Capello was in the stands but Zola was not expecting
his fellow countryman to add a third Cole to his squad along with Ashley and
Joe just yet.
He said: "Carlton Cole is not playing at his best because he needs to
improve his finishing. But if he gets that as good as the way he works he
could be an unbelievable player."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham boss Hodgson won't hear of Bullard criticism
29.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson won't blame Jimmy Bullard for his wayward finishing
after their defeat to West Ham. He said: "We can't blame him for that. He
has scored goals and produced wonderful crosses that maybe kept us in this
league so I will be the last one to criticise him for it. "He's disappointed
because he sees every one of those situations as a great goal-scoring
opportunity and I do as well. "It just goes to show how well we did in the
second half to get so many opportunities despite the fact we were playing
with 10 men. "He is good at those and it is a high skill to be able to lift
balls over the high walls of today and the quality of goalkeepers and put it
in the net. He is the best man we have for that job."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley convinced West Ham won't sell Zola's players
28.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Alan Curbishley is confident Gianfranco Zola won't have to sell any more
West Ham players. The former Hammers boss told Setanta Sports: "I understand
some of the West Ham fans talking about perhaps the transfer activity, but
I'm under the impression now that no one else has got to be sold. I'm not
too sure about people being allowed to come in during the transfer window in
January, but I was under the understanding that that was it in terms of
selling."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham rejected mega Tottenham offer for Ashton
28.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Tottenham made a mega bucks offer for West Ham United striker Dean Ashton in
the summer, it has been revealed. The News of the World says Spurs had a £18
million bid rejected by the Hammers for the England international.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toshack to call on Hammers pair - TeamTalk

John Toshack has admitted he plans to name West Ham's Craig Bellamy and
James Collins in his Wales squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.
Toshack names a squad on Monday for the Group Four qualifying matches
against Liechtenstein in Cardiff on October 11 and the trip to face Germany
in Monchengladbach on October 15. Three key figures will be included in the
squad. Bellamy has recently struggled with groin and hamstring problems,
while Collins has recovered from knee surgery but has not played a
first-team game yet new season. Derby's Lewin Nyatanga will also return. He
has recovered from a knee problem and was on the bench for the win at QPR
yesterday. Bellamy and Collins have only just returned to action at West
Ham, and when they were selected for the previous two qualifiers against
Azerbaijan and Russia earlier this month, they were quickly ruled out.
Toshack had lengthy discussions with then West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, as
well as Bellamy and Collins, and it was reluctantly agreed that Wales would
leave them out of those two matches. But Bellamy, who came on for 16 minutes
of West Ham's win at Fulham, and Collins - who has been playing reserve
football recently - will this time be expected to report for duty next week.
An FA of Wales spokesman said: "We have spoken to both Craig and James in
recent days, and both say they are ready for action this time."
The return of Collins and Nyatanga will ease Toshack's injury crisis in
central defence, having had to use rookies Craig Morgan and Ashley Williams
for the previous two group matches. Both performed well, but the experience
of Collins and Nyatanga will be welcome. Bellamy has managed just two short
substitute appearances for West Ham this term and may not be used in both
Wales qualifiers, but his return will take the pressure off teenager
strikers Sam Vokes and Ched Evans. Wales will be without 20-year-old
Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams, who is out with a leg injury. But with
the return of Collins and Nyatanga, Toshack may well leave out Wrexham
defender Steve Evans on this occasion.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive: West Ham paying controversial agent Kia Joorabchian £2million a
year to act as transfer consultant - The Mirror
By Simon Mullock, sundaymirror.co.uk 28/09/2008

West Ham have a consultancy agreement with Kia Joorabchian that will see the
controversial Iranian businessman paid more than £2million. West Ham's
desperation to avoid being sued by Joorabchian over the Carlos Tevez fiasco
saw them draw up a contract that enables him to cash in every time he is
involved in a transfer.
Joorabchian's duties include advising the Hammers on players, scouting and
arranging friendly matches. It's an agreement that will infuriate West Ham
fans still coming to terms with the news that they could be faced with a
£30m bill after a tribunal ruled that Sheffield United should be compensated
for their relegation from the Premier League in 2007 in the aftermath of the
Tevez scandal. Joorabchian arranged for Tevez and Javier Mascherano to join
West Ham in August 2006. West Ham broke Premier League registration rules on
third-party interference because Joorabchian retained the power to transfer
either player at any time during their long-term contracts. However, when
Joorabchian signed the players it was not contrary to regulations. It was
West Ham's error in failing to make the contracts known that provoked the
long-running legal issue. The discrepancy came to light when Mascherano left
West Ham for Liverpool in January 2007. But West Ham failed to alter Tevez's
contract until ordered to do so by the Premier League. By then the East
London outfit were embroiled in a relegation fight. With just three games of
the 2006-07 season remaining, Joorabchian threatened to take out an
injunction to prevent Tevez playing against Wigan, Bolton and Manchester
United. He eventually decided against this course of action after meetings
with West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury and chairman Eggert Magnusson
left him confident that he would be compensated by the club. Joorabchian
initially believed he would receive a multimillion-pound pay-off for the
unilateral breaking of Tevez's contract by the Hammers.
When no money was forthcoming he instigated legal proceedings that were
eventually settled out of court when Joorabchian was handed a consultancy
package that will be worth more than £2m to him. Tevez scored goals against
both Wigan and United to save the Hammers and relegate Sheffield United. The
Argentine moved to Old Trafford that summer on a loan deal - and will become
a permanent signing if Manchester United pay £32m. Yet Tevez and Mascherano
were offered to United, Chelsea and Liverpool at a fraction of their current
values before Joorabchian placed them at Upton Park. All three clubs felt
that neither player had the quality to excel in England - even though Jose
Mourinho used Roman Abramovich's private jet to run a personal check on
Tevez when he played for Brazilian club Corinthians.

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SHEFFIELD UNITED: Finally justice is done, says Warnock -
YorkshireEveningPost
Published Date: 27 September 2008
By Lee Sobot

FORMER Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has welcomed an independent
arbitration panel's verdict in finding against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez
affair as "a matter for justice". But Crystal Palace boss Warnock, who later
left Bramall Lane after the club were relegated as the Argentina striker
fired the Hammers to safety, believes the money is a poor substitute for the
future the Blades could have enjoyed in the Premier League
Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe claimed victory after a 16-month
battle to right the perceived injustice of going down in place of a side who
were fined a record £5.5m, but not deducted any points, for playing Tevez
and Javier Mascherano in breach of league rules on third-party ownership.
The panel are yet to determine the size of the payout but although a figure
of up to £30m has been suggested, Warnock believes something even more
valuable was lost at the end of the 2006-07 season. It's a matter for
justice and I think everyone in the country knows this is the right
verdict," he said. "They (Sheffield United) have only claimed for one season
(in lost revenues) and what they would have missed out on on the field and
off the field. "That's what it comes to in today's game. It's not an awful
lot at the top level...it's one good player. "This justifies what Kevin
McCabe has said all along: that we were hard done by, that it wasn't done
legally and we were fighting for our rights. "It's the principle of the
whole thing. We were appalled by the original verdict."
Reflecting on the effect relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship had on the
Blades, he added: "It was scandalous. It changed one or two lives and it
shouldn't have happened. This verdict puts your faith back into the justice
system. "The club itself is geared up for the top level and it knocked us
back no end. "I think we would be doing very well (in the Premier League).
It (relegation) is on my CV, which it shouldn't be."
Announcing the arbitration panel's findings, McCabe said: "The matter is
still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further until we
have completed that process."
Tevez and Mascherano are both long gone from Upton Park, earning lucrative
moves to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, while Kia
Joorabchian, whose MSI company were judged to have partially-owned the
Argentinian pair, is now a transfer consultant with the Hammers. He had
originally taken legal action against the east London club, claiming he was
owed £7.1m, but the parties agreed an out-of-court settlement earlier this
year. For their part, West Ham are now considering whether or not to appeal
against this latest ruling through the Court of Arbitration for Sport,
although that decision may hinge on the level of compensation that is fixed
when the arbitration panel meets again to determine a figure. Like Sheffield
United, West Ham signalled their intent to withdraw from the debate while
they consult legal representatives. A club statement said: "The club will
need to fully digest the findings of the arbitration panel and consult our
lawyers on possible next steps. It would not be appropriate to comment
further at this stage."
Following the news, the Blades could still be backed at a best price of 6/1
with bet365 to win promotion from the Championship this season. A potential
cash windfall could dramatically affect their capabilities in January's
transfer window if, by that time, they know how much they're likely to
receive and when they'll get it. The Blades were mourning the death of club
president Bernard Procter this week. He died suddenly last Sunday, aged 70.
Procter became Blades chairman in 1999, taking over from Mike McDonald
amidst huge fan unrest after the sale of several key players and the
departure of Adrian Heath, who was the club's fifth manager in four years.
Procter brought much-needed stability to his beloved United and was
responsible for appointing Warnock as boss. He lasted eight years as Blades
manager and took them back to the Premiership after a 12-year absence. After
announcing his retirement in 2002, Proctor became the club's president, a
position that he held until he passed away. Meanwhile, it was also revealed
this week that striker Jon Stead had penned a three-year contract at Portman
Road for an undisclosed fee after initially joining Ipswich Town on loan.
Stead has had a great start to life in Suffolk and scored on his debut in
the Tractor Boys' 2-0 win against Reading last weekend. The former Blackburn
and Huddersfield frontman will link-up with another ex-Blade, Alan Quinn,
who signed for Town in January. The 25-year-old, 6ft 3in marksman, scored 11
goals in 32 appearances, 15 as a substitute, for the Blades after joining
for £750,000 from Sunderland in January 2007.

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Hammers boss tips midfielder for the top - Echo
5:10pm Sunday 28th September 2008

HAMMERS boss Gianfranco Zola has tipped Mark Noble to be a big hit at Upton
Park after the midfielder's impressive performance in the team's 2-1 win
over Fulham on Saturday. Noble pulled the strings at the heart of the Irons'
midfield and it was his delictable chipped pass that set up Matthew
Etherington for the decisive second goal at the end of the first half. With
England boss Fabio Capello watching in the stands Noble timed his excellent
display to perfection and Zola insisted the 21-year-old will only get
better. "Noble played very well today," noted the Italian. "But he's not at
his best yet. "He still struggles a bit physically and he will improve even
more."
Noble established himself as a key player under the management of Alan
Curbishley and he has not failed to impress the new boss either, although it
remains to be seen whether his consistent performances will be recognised by
Capello.

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HAMMERS TALK: Barca ace plays down Premier League return - Echo
7:08pm Sunday 28th September 2008

BARCELONA star Eidur Gudjohnsen has played down reports linking him with a
move back to the Premier League. The 30-year-old has struggled to make an
impact at the Nou Camp following his £8million move from Chelsea in 2006.
That has seen him heavily linked with moves to Manchester City and West Ham.
A move to Upton Park may still be in the pipeline, with new Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola keen on his former Stamford Bridge team mate. However, the
Icelandic striker - who has defended himself in the wake of some unwanted
criticism over his talents - insists he is good enough to fight for his
place in the Barca team. "I am used to the rumours linking me with a move
away from Barcelona but I never lose faith in my ability," Gudjohnsen told
Sky Sports. "It has been very difficult for me since I came from Chelsea,
but all I can do is work hard and hope the manager picks me." He added: "I
have been hurt by people who discussed my quality. At such a team as Barca
when things are not going well they look for the guilty one - we have all
been pointed out in the last few seasons."

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