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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com