WHUFC.com
The manager said his team just need to find the finishing touches to turn
performances into points
20.10.2008
Gianfranco Zola was left to reflect on what might have been after his West
Ham United side were unlucky to lose at Hull City on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Turner's second-half header was all that separated the sides with
the visitors going close on several occasions. "I feel like we could have
got more than one [point] looking at the game that we played and the way we
played," said Zola. "I didn't think we were going to come away with nothing.
I am convinced that we could have won this game but this is football.
Sometimes it's not very logical."
The manager was refusing to get too downhearted, having been impressed with
the effort and endeavour of his side. "You just accept the way it is.
Sometimes it is very hard and very disappointing but you cannot do anything
about it. We played the game the way it should be played.
"Obviously the finishing part is the most difficult thing. Managers can
improve a lot of things, but it is down to the players. I totally trust the
ability of my players and I am sure we're going to get it right soon ... I
don't think we deserved to come away without any points."
One definite positive was the form of Craig Bellamy on his first start in
claret and blue for more than a year. "I was pleased. Especially in the
first half he played very well. He's been out for a long time so I didn't
expect him to be at his best but I'm confident he will be back soon at his
full level."
While Bellamy's strike partner Carlton Cole was particularly unlucky to see
an effort crash against the bar just after Hull had taken the lead, West Ham
United did have the ball in the net when Herita Ilunga kicked the ball up
and then hooked it in as Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill tried to clear his
lines.
"I spoke to referee and he said it was 'dangerous play' but I need to have a
look," said Zola. "The referee has booked him and said it is dangerous play
because he has interrupted the goalkeeper from kicking the ball - but it
didn't look like that from the bench."
The record books will show though that Hull City were the only scorers. "We
knew they were dangerous from set-pieces and tried to handle it but
sometimes it's very difficult to do that. It's very disappointing. "I'm not
disappointed with the goal on its own. I'm just disappointed that we didn't
finalise the chances that we created.
"It can happen like this that you can concede goals from free-kicks and
corner kicks but when we create chances, we have to score. We need to
improve on that. Probably right now, that is the missing part with this
team. We need to improve on the finishing because we are creating a lot but
we are not finishing."
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Is Bellamy the man to help West Ham get back to winning ways?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2008
By: Thomas Rooney
After the defeat to Hull City yesterday, there is no need to panic. The
words 'keep the faith' are extremely relevant because the Gianfranco Zola
era is only just getting started. Yes, things are about to get even tougher
in the coming weeks, but by Christmas time – West Ham will be comfortably in
the top ten and that's very respectable.
Despite the fact that I believe things will improve greatly under Zola, the
one concern from the Hull game was the amount of chances West Ham created
without converting them. Zola's men dominated the first half at the KC
Stadium and arguably should have been at least 2-0 up. Carlton Cole and
Herita Ilunga both missing excellent chances.
Of course, West Ham went on to pay for these missed opportunities. Hull
grabbed the winner in the second half through Michael Turner and things got
even more frustrating when Cole watched on as his effort to equalise came
off the underside of the bar. It wasn't to be West Ham's day – that's for
sure. These things happen in football. It also has to be considered that
Hull are upsetting all football odds at the moment – they sit third in the
Premier League after promotion last season.
Something that has been noted after this game though is that it is now only
three goals in the last four games for the Hammers. This isn't something
that we expected to be a problem under Zola. Especially after his first game
against Newcastle where some excellent attacking football was played. So, is
it a problem that will be addressed in the coming weeks?
Zola, the man that counts, certainly thinks so. He says that the lack of
goals is the aspect 'missing from the team' right now and that his players
need to 'improve on their finishing'. Someone he believes will help the team
improve their recent record in front of goal though is Craig Bellamy. The
Welshman made his first start of the season against Hull yesterday and Zola
admitted that he was delighted to have him back in the fold.
The Hammers boss said that he expects Bellamy to be 'back to his best soon'.
Should the former Liverpool man do just that, it will mean he will be
scoring and creating goals – something that would go a long way to helping
ensure that the recent goal scoring drought isn't something that plagues
West Ham for too long.
Zola's sentiments about being pleased to see Bellamy back have to be echoed.
He is a very dangerous player and one who gives a whole new dimension to the
team. During his career he has never been a prolific goal scorer, but he
will always cause problems to opposition defences. Once he does find the net
though, he has a tendency to go on a decent run in front of goal, so
hopefully that will be the case for him soon.
My overwhelming concern about Bellamy though is – just how long is he going
to be fit? Realistically, can we pin our hopes on someone who has only
played 13 times since arriving at Upton Park in July 2007? It is a rather
dangerous game to play. Yes, Bellamy is fit right now and will hopefully
have a long run in the side, but the overwhelming view is that it just won't
last long enough to have a significant impact.
This may come across as a pessimistic view, but I just feel that this is
realistic. Bellamy has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and as
much as we hope this won't be the case from now on – it really could be.
Zola has faith in him though and I suppose all West Ham fans should do to. I
personally have every faith in him to perform and score goals when on the
pitch, it's just a concern that he might not get the chance to do so as
often as he might like. Then, the West Ham strike force that has fallen
short in recent weeks could continue to struggle.
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Zola on ... Hull
KIMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola shares his thoughts after yesterday's disappointing defeat
at Hull. On the game ...
On the game ...
It's very hard to swallow - especially when you lose games like today's. I
didn't think that if a team was going to lose that one it would be West Ham
United. But sometimes football is like this; you have to carry on and
believe that what you're doing is the right thing to do.
We paid the price, and it was very costly. That is what I was saying to the
players. Sometimes a small detail in the game can make such a difference.
Today we had two very good chances we missed - they had maybe one and they
scored. So it's very, very difficult to accept that because I felt the way
they played, the players deserved more. But we can't change it; we have to
think to the next game and do better.
On the goal ...
I was disappointed because we didn't deserve to concede a goal. I have to
say that Turner was very good. Matthew played a fantastic game and only on
that occasion has been unlucky because Turner has scored a great goal with a
great jump.
On Henrita Ilunga's ruled-out effort ...
I was telling the referee before that it didn't look like a foul. he said
that although Ilunga didn't touch the keeper it was dangerous play, and that
was why he booked him. I don't know; I'll have to have a look on the video
and maybe I can be more precise. It didn't look like a foul. He's been very
clever, Ilunga. But as I said, I'll have to see it first on the TV before I
can judge it.
On Craig Bellamy ...
He's done well. I know he can do much better but I can't ask too much of him
after such a long time out. He's going to get better and we are going to
reply on him as he's a player who can make a difference for us.
* Gianfranco Zola was talking to the BBC.
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Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola backing fit-again Craig Bellamy to bang them in
Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 2:45 PM on 20th October 2008
Gianfranco Zola is pinning his faith on Craig Bellamy to end West Ham's goal
drought. Zola watched his side squander a host of opportunities during a
dominant first-half display at the KC Stadium before falling to a
sucker-punch from Hull City defender Michael Turner. Carlton Cole and Herita
Ilunga were the worst culprits as the Hammers' blank meant they have managed
just three goals in their last four games. Zola said: 'I'm disappointed we
didn't get the goals we should have got from the chances we created. That's
the missing part of the team right now. We need to improve our finishing,
but we will get it right soon.' Bellamy, in his first start for West Ham for
a year after abdominal, knee and groin injuries, also wasted chances. But
Zola doesn't think it will be long before the Wales striker is firing on all
cylinders.
The West Ham boss said: 'It was good to have Craig back. He's been out for a
long time but I am confident he will be back to his best soon.' Cole twice
missed golden opportunities before striking the underside of the crossbar
when it seemed easier to score. West Ham were made to pay when Turner rose
above Matthew Upson to meet Andy Dawson's corner and power a header past
Robert Green in the 50th minute to secure Hull's fourth win over a London
side this term.
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West Ham's Upson too rich for Tottenham
20.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United defender Matthew Upson may price himself out of a move to
Tottenham. The People says Upson is on Spurs' shopping list - although his
high wages could prove a stumbling block.
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Zola dismayed by disallowed 'goal' but Phil Brown full of praise for referee
Foy
YorkshirePost.co.uk
Five wins from eight for Tigers
Published Date: 20 October 2008
By Richard Sutcliffe
GIANFRANCO ZOLA believes West Ham had a legitimate goal chalked off by
referee Chris Foy in the defeat to Hull City. The Hammers thought they had
taken the lead during the first half when Herita Ilunga hooked the ball into
the net after initially flicking it away from Boaz Myhill as the Hull
goalkeeper attempted a punt upfield.
Referee Chris Foy, however, ruled the left-back had been guilty of dangerous
play in taking the ball off Myhill's toe a split second after he had
released the ball from his hands and booked the Congo-born defender. It
proved to be a key moment with Hull going on to claim all three points
through Michael Turner's second goal of the season. West Ham manager Zola
said: "The referee thought it was dangerous play, but it did not look like
that from the bench and I am totally convinced he did not touch the
goalkeeper. "It was something we did not understand and I will have to look
at the video as then I will be able to be more precise." In contrast, Hull
manager Phil Brown felt the official had got the decision spot on and added:
"It was dangerous play, simple as that. "I must also say I thought the
referee had a fantastic game." The win took Hull's haul of points to an
impressive 17 from eight games and continued the club's amazing start to
life in the Premier League.
It means Hull are almost halfway to the 36-point tally that kept Fulham in
the top flight last season when Reading, Birmingham and Derby County were
relegated.
Turner's display was enough to win the sponsors' man-of-the-match award and
underline why Hull fans have been calling for the defender to be selected by
England manager Fabio Capello in recent weeks. The manner in which he
towered above Matthew Upson, the Hammers defender who started the 3-1 win in
Belarus last week, for the winning goal only increaded the volume of those
calls. However, Hull manager Brown has urged caution and told the player to
remain focused on cementing his place as a top-flight footballer. Brown
said: "I think it is very unrealistic. He is only eight games into his
career in the Premier League. That means he is not even a Premier League
player yet. "He has a long way to go. He is attracting a lot of attention
because of his performances. "He got man of the match (against West Ham),
but I could have picked five or six man of the matches."
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Frustrated Zola banks on Bellamy
Eveningstandard.co.uk
Hull 1 West ham 0
Gianfranco Zola is pinning his faith in Craig Bellamy to end West Ham's goal
drought. Zola watched his side squander a host of opportunities during a
dominant first-half display at the KC Stadium before falling to a
sucker-punch from Hull City defender Michael Turner. Carlton Cole and Herita
Ilunga were the worst culprits as the Hammers' blank meant they have managed
just three goals in their last four games. Zola said: "I'm disappointed we
didn't get the goals we should have got from the chances we created. "That's
the missing part of the team right now. We need to improve on our finishing,
but I'm sure we will get it right soon." Bellamy, in his first start for
West Ham for a year after abdominal, knee and groin injuries, also wasted
chances. But Zola doesn't think it will be long before the Wales striker is
firing on all cylinders. The West Ham boss said: "It was good to have Craig
back. He's been out for a long time but I am confident he will be back to
his best soon." Cole twice missed golden opportunities before striking the
underside of the crossbar when it seemed easier to score. West Ham were made
to pay when Turner rose above Matthew Upson to meet Andy Dawson's corner and
power a header past Robert Green in the 50th minute to secure Hull's fourth
win over a London side this term.
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Collins Set For Cardiff Return?
Goal.com
According to a report in the English press, Welsh club Cardiff City could be
ready to make a move for former defender James Collins, currently of Premier
League side West Ham...
A report in the English newspaper the People claims that Championship club
Cardiff City are interested in bringing former centre back James Collins
back to the club from Premier League team West Ham United. Collins, a Welsh
international with 26 caps, moved to West Ham in 2005 as part of a £3.5
million deal which also saw fellow Welsh centre back Danny Gabbidon make the
move to the Capital. Collins has made only a limited number of appearances
for the Hammers as his time there has been plagued by injuries. Indeed, In
January earlier this year it was reported that the Welshman was set to miss
the next year of action after suffering severe ligament damage.
Subsequently, Collins may be deemed surplus to requirements at Upton Park,
paving the way for Bluebirds manager Dave Jones to bring him back to Ninian
Park. It is thought that any potential deal could go through either as a
loan or free transfer, leaving the Welsh club with somthing of a coup.
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