WHUFC.com
Diego Tristan scored twice as the reserves won a competitive London derby on
Tuesday night
16.12.2008
West Ham United reserves 4-3 Chelsea reserves
Diego Tristan's first goals for West Ham United ensured the Hammers will end
2008 second in Barclays Premier Reserve League South.
The Spaniard netted twice as Alex Dyer's side clinched a thrilling 4-3 win
over Chelsea on a freezing night at Bishops Stortford's Woodside Park.
Tristan's 30th-minute opener was followed just four minutes later by a
typically clinical effort from Freddie Sears. Former England Under-16
international Tom Harvey added a third with the best goal of the night,
smashing in a fine first-time shot from 20 yards. An unlucky Jonathan
Spector own goal, substitute Frank Nouble and Scott Sinclair's late penalty
threatened to steal a dramatic point for the visitors, but the home side
hung on.
Three of United's goals were created by Uruguay international Walter Lopez,
who enjoyed a fine outing on the left wing. At the other end of the pitch,
young Czech goalkeeper Marek Stech produced two superb saves to deny Morten
Nielsen and Miroslav Stoch before the break.
The 459 hardy supporters who braved sub-zero temperatures on the
Essex-Hertfordshire border were rewarded with an entertaining encounter
between two sides who were both eager to play neat, passing football.
However, it was an error from Blues goalkeeper Rhys Taylor that would lead
to the hosts' opener.
The stopper's hurried, mis-hit clearance fell to Lopez 40 yards from goal.
The South American dodged a challenge before finding Tristan, who showcased
his undoubted talent by taking a touch and unleashing an unstoppable low
drive past Taylor to register his first goal in a claret and blue shirt.
Just four minutes later, the Hammers doubled their advantage with a truly
beautiful goal. Academy graduates Jack Widdowson and Harvey combined to
release Lopez down the left flank. Again, the 23-year-old showed fine vision
to locate the unmarked Sears inside the Chelsea penalty area and the young
striker made no mistake, taking a touch before calmly rolling the ball past
Taylor.
While West Ham were taking their chances, Stech was ensuring the visitors
did not take theirs, blocking Nielsen's left-foot volley on 19 minutes and
Stoch's low drive six minutes before the interval. The teenager was called
into action again on the hour-mark, racing from his goal to deny Sinclair.
In front of Stech, Spector - playing his first competitive match since April
- and Bondz N'Gala - back from a loan spell with League One MK Dons - were
solid, while the lively Daniel Kearns was also heavily involved, firing one
first half effort narrowly off-target.
After the break, Chelsea pressed hard, but Dyer's men refused to relinquish
their 100 per cent home record. The Hammers looked to have made sure of a
fourth win in four attempts with a sublime goal 18 minutes from time. Lopez
and Sears combined to find Tristan on the edge of the penalty area. His neat
flick fell to Harvey, who arrowed his shot into the top right-hand corner.
Chelsea would not give up, however, and hit back twice in quick succession
through Spector's unfortunate flick and substitute Nouble. First, Spector
inadvertantly diverted Jeffrey Bruma's cross past Stech on 76 minutes. Then,
with five minutes remaining, Nouble took advantage of Stech's heavy touch to
roll into the unguarded net. However, the goalkeeper regained his composure
just 60 seconds later to repel Stoch's fierce effort as the visitors pressed
for a late equaliser.
As Chelsea threw men forward, Harvey won a fine tackle on the right
touchline before crossing for Tristan to head in his second from eight yards
on 87 minutes. There was still time for Sinclair to fire home an added-time
penalty after Spector had brought down Nouble, but the Hammers had done
enough to climb four places in the standings.
West Ham United: Stech, Miller, Widdowson, Spector, N'Gala, Stokes, Harvey,
Lopez, Kearns (Lee 74), Tristan, Sears. Subs not used: Loveday, O'Neill,
Eyjolfsson, Jeffery.
Chelsea: Taylor, Ofori-Twumasi, Bruna, Magnay, van Aanholt, Woods, Stoch,
Mellis, Kakuta (Nouble 76), Nielsen (Rodriguez 46), Sinclair. Subs not used:
Sebek, Taiwo, Ferreira.
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Reserves 4-3 Chelsea
WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened from tonight's final reserve-team fixture of
2008 for West Ham United
16.12.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Tuesday 16 December
Woodside Park
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: S P Beck
Final score - 4-3
Diego Tristan scored twice on his first 90 minutes for West Ham United in a
keenly-fought London derby at the home of Bishop's Stortford. The match was
also noticeable for the return of Jonathan Spector, while Freddie Sears and
Tom Harvey were also on target. whufc.com will have full action and reaction
to come.
90min - GOAL! - Sinclair gives Stech no chance with a well-taken spot-kick.
90min - Spector concedes a penalty but it looked like he won the ball.
Nouble went down under the challenge and the referee pointed straight to the
spot.
90min - Spector does well to see the ball out as Chelsea press again. It has
been a hugely competitive contest and both teams can take plenty of credit.
Tristan will take the headlines with his two goals but Harvey, Stokes and
Lopez have more than played their part. We are playing three minutes of
added time.
87min - GOAL! - Tristan scores his second with a diving header. The No9 had
shown great energy to get into the box as Chelsea tried to regroup and was
on hand when Harvey produced a solid challenge to win the ball before
whipping in a terrific cross.
86min - Stech produces a magnificent save to deny Stoch from levelling
matters.
85min - GOAL! - Nouble capitalises on a mix-up involving Stech. A lofted
back pass to the goalkeeper meant Stech had to try and control on his chest.
When the ball dropped to the floor, the substitute nipped in and smashed the
ball into the net despite the best efforts of Spector.
83min - Spector does well to deny Stoch with a headed clearance before a
well-timed tackle stopped Nouble in his tracks.
82min - Tristan showeds his stamina by getting back to help out the defence.
Chelsea are still in this and know a goal will make the last few minutes
very interesting.
79min - Lopez has a chance to fire in a free-kick but fails to beat the
first man. It was his first mis-step on what has been a superb display by
the young South American.
76min - GOAL! - Jonathan Spector is unfortunate to flick the ball in under
pressure from Nouble just in front of Stech who could do little about it.
74min - Kakuta is off for Frank Nouble , while Oliver Lee is on for Kearns.
72min - GOAL! - Harvey scores with a fierce effort against the run of play
but it was a terrific move. Sears and Lopez combined before Tristan's
delightful flick into the path of the onrushing Harvey. The England youth
international made no mistake.
69min - Stoch does well again on the left before crossing in but again there
is no one there to meet it.
68min - Stoch is having a good game. He flights a superb ball over the
defence into Sinclair's path but Spector is quick to react and see away the
danger.
65min - Miller brings down Stoch just outside the box to the left of goal.
From the free-kick, Carl Magnay meets a knock-down with a spectacular
overhead kick but he cannot direct it on target.
64min - Spector wins another header at the back. He has been solid on his
first competitive game since April.
62min - Harvey has done a good job protecting the back four tonight. Another
piece of bright play snuffs out a visiting attack. Within seconds he is up
front trying his luck with an effort after being set up by Tristan.
61min - N'Gala shepherds the ball away from Kakuta just as he threatened to
burst through on goal.
60min - There are 459 fans here this evening. A creditable showing given the
temperature.
58min - Spector and then N'Gala have to be alert after two good crosses in
quick succession from the visitors. Chelsea are looking the more likely at
the moment.
56min - It is all Chelsea right now. Incisive play by Stoch on the left wing
finishes with him chipping to the back post beyond Stech. The ball just
sails wide with no Chelsea attacker close enough to capitalise.
55min - Sinclair shows good footwork to work an opening but his shot at the
end is wide.
53min - Sinclair's cross is cut out by Kearns and goes straight to Stech.
Rodriguez had played his team-mate in with a slide-rule pass behind the home
defence.
51min - Alex Dyer has not made any changes yet but has Icelandic Under-21
international defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson among his replacements. So far
Spector and N'Gala have done well at the back though.
48min - The temperature has dropped by a few more degrees but the few
hundred at Woodside Park have had an enjoyable contest so far. Can the home
side give them more to cheer?
46min - Chelsea have made one change. With Sergio Tejera Rodriguez replacing
Nielsen.
Half-time 2-0
45min - Harvey becomea the third Hammer booked in four minutes. The
midfielder pulled Sinclair's shirt.
44min - Kakuta meets a Ofori-Twumasi cross with his head but it runs through
to Stech.
43min - Kearns also goes into the book for a foul on Patrick van Aanholt.
The home side are clearly committed this evening.
41min - Lopez is booked for tugging back Kakuta. The referee was right on
the spot.
39min - Stoch finds Stech in great form again after a surging run and
one-two with a team-mate. Stech has been equal to everything tonight.
38min - Miroslav Stoch as a long-range effort but it clears the bar again.
37min - More good work by Tristan and Lopez but this time it comes to
nothing.
34min - GOAL! - Sears makes no mistake from close range. Widdowson fed
Harvey in the midfield, before he in turn slid Lopez in behind down the left
flank. The Uruguayan played a lovely pass into the box where Sears took a
touch before slotting under Taylor. There was never any doubt that he would
score.
32min - Corner to Chelsea after more strong play down their left. Stokes
gets it away at the near post.
30min - GOAL! - Fantastic finish by Tristan, who was teed up by the
quick-thinking Lopez. It came about after a poor clearance by Taylor went
straight to the Uruguayan, who evaded a challenge before making the assist.
It was an unstoppable drive from 20 yards.
28min - Daniel Kearns flashes in a lovely curling effort that is only just
clawed away by Taylor.
28min - Ashley Miller's long cross only just eludes the head of Lopez coming
in at the other side. The resulting corner is punched clear by Taylor.
27min - After a scrappy period, Tristan plays in Sears through the middle
and the youngster is just inches away from connecting before Rhys Taylor
comes out to claim.
23min - Tom Harvey and Lopez are showing plenty of effort in midfield. All
that is perhaps lacking at the moment from the home side is the final pass.
21min - Kakuta has a low shot after being put through the middle by Michael
Woods. Stech produces a comfortable save.
19min - Chelsea are in the ascendancy at the moment. Sinclair does well in
off the left flank before pulling back for Morten Nielsen to shoot
first-time with his left foot. Stech got down well though to save before the
ball is cleared.
17min - Jacob Mellis has a go from distance - Stech watches it soar over the
bar.
13min - Sublime skill by Lopez out on the left wing sees him drag the ball
back and then knock it through the legs of Seth Ofori-Twumasi. The ball
eventually finds its way to Sears but his shot is blocked.
12min - Good link-up play between Tristan and Sears ends with the latter
being brought to the ground after a tackle. The referee waves play on.
11min - Gael Kakuta picks out Sinclair out to the left and the England
Under-19 international has a go from distance. However, he was unable to get
a clean connection and Marek Stech is untroubled.
9min - Scott Sinclair has looked lively so far for the visitors but in truth
neither side have really got going yet. It is a freezing night so perhaps
the conditions are playing a part.
6min - Strong play from left-back by Joe Widdowson threatens to get
somethihg going down then flank but he just cannot keep the ball in. Walter
Lopez is playing just in front of the homegrown Hammer.
5min - A quick break allows Freddie Sears to run at the Chelsea defence. He
makes good ground before laying the ball off but the move soon breaks down
as Chelsea regroup.
3min - Now it is Bondz N'Gala - back from a month with MK Dons - making the
clearance. The 19-year-old gained some valuable experience.
2min - An early touch for Jonathan Spector with a defensive clearance. The
offside flag is up to halt the Chelsea attack anyway.
1min - Chelsea get us under way.
West Ham United: Stech, Miller, N'Gala, Spector, Widdowson, Kearns, Stokes,
Harvey, Lopez, Tristan, Sears
Subs: Loveday, O'Neill, Eyjolfsson, Lee, Jeffery
Chelsea: Taylor, Ofori-Twumasi, Bruma, Magnay, Van Aanholt, Woods, Stoch,
Mellis, Nielsen, Kakuta, Sinclair
Subs: Sebek, Taiwo, Nouble, Tejera Rodriguez, Fabio Ferreira
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Collison hoping for Villa thriller
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison believes the draw at Chelsea can 'kick-start' West Ham
United's season
16.12.2008
Jack Collison is already looking ahead to Saturday's game with Aston Villa
and beyond, boosted by the performance and result at Chelsea.
The compact nature of the Christmas fixture list means West Ham United
entertain Villa on Saturday, then travel to Portsmouth on Boxing Day before
playing host to Stoke City two days later. The central midfielder believes
Sunday's draw at Stamford Bridge will have given the whole squad renewed
belief going into the busy schedule.
"We came away with a good point on Sunday and we can take a lot of positives
from that into our next game at home to Aston Villa," Collison said. "We
wanted to pick ourselves up after the Tottenham game, when we were very
disappointed with the result.
"I think the performance we put in against Chelsea can help us kick-start,
turn things around and we can look to get back to positive ways at home
again. When you come to a place like Stamford Bridge, there is pressure to
soak up, but you will always get a chance, so maybe at times you ride your
luck, but I thought the boys stood solid and we dug in and produced a real
good team display."
At Stamford Bridge, United were just that. The back four threw themselves in
the way of everything the hosts tried, while Collison and his fellow
midfielders constantly hounded and harried their opposite numbers at every
opportunity. "I thought all the lads were outstanding, no one player stood
out and it was a real team effort. Everyone dug in and we so very nearly
nicked it a the end, with Carlton Cole going close. When they got a goal
back, we weren't disheartened as there was still a lot of time left. I was
cramping up a little bit at the end but wanted, like everyone else, to keep
going, because we knew we could see it out if we did."
The Wales international seemed completely undaunted by the occasion, which
was even more impressive considering Chelsea's midfield featured
international stars Michael Ballack, Deco and Frank Lampard. Collison,
making his fifth appearance of the season, simply rolled up his sleeves and
got on with his job.
"Every opportunity I am given out there on the pitch, I try and take it and
show the manager what I am about. He has shown confidence in me already, I
haven't had that many chances of late but now it is up to me to show what I
can do, work hard and keep on impressing him."
The 20-year-old started in a slightly wider role than usual, filling in on
the right-hand side of midfield and grew in stature as the match went on,
putting in a host of customary robust challenges while showing a real
calmness when in possession of the ball.
"It is part of my game, I like to cover as much ground as possible and I
really enjoy playing like that - it was great out there, Valon was the same,
you could see from his performance, he was another of the boys who ran
literally miles, so everyone was doing as much as they could."
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Nani focused on the big picture
WHUFC.com
Gianluca Nani is delighted with the progress made during his first six
months at West Ham United.
16.12.2008
While millions of viewers around the country are tuned into the latest
search for a pop superstar, Gianluca Nani is involved in his own hunt for
the 'X factor'.
If not at a game, the technical director is invariably to be found at home
in front of his widescreen TV - wading his way through a mountain of DVDs of
the best young talent from this country and around the world.
Nani is approaching six months at the club and is devoting every spare
minute to hunting out the best prospects in the global game. In the past at
Brescia, he found that special something in the likes of Luca Toni and
Andrea Pirlo and his eye for a top-class player shows no sign of abating.
It is an all-consuming task that may perhaps explain why this genial Italian
has not yet figured out how his coffee machine works but has managed to
bring bargain signings such as Herita Ilunga and Valon Behrami to the club's
attention. It is not just about internationals that can go straight into the
first team. He has found a prospect like Hungarian Under-19 striker Balint
Bajner, who at just 17 is already prospering under Tony Carr's expert
guidance within the academy.
As he sits back in his spacious but sparse home in the Essex countryside,
Nani comes alive when talking about his task in hand. He is working day in,
day out with CEO Scott Duxbury and manager Gianfranco Zola on the
infrastructure at West Ham United. The CEO has charged him with establishing
a medical centre that specialises in injury prevention, improving the
training set-up and setting up an elaborate scouting network. This is no
short-term plan.
"I was so pleased to join the club but after six months I am really happy. I
know that West Ham is really the perfect club to try and build something
fantastic. I have found a really good staff here, a really good team.
"I don't just mean the players but in Scott, Gianfranco and everyone around
Chadwell Heath and the Boleyn Ground, I have found something really good. We
are really happy to work together and all of us is thinking the same way. We
have a football project and we all talk every day to make it happen.
"The idea is that a club like West Ham has to have its own structure, able
to sustain a system that allows it to find in advance the best players all
over the world. We want to try to build something that could be important to
the history of West Ham. I have read a lot of the history of the club, the
way that the club has always tried to play, and all the great players that
have played here. Now we have to try to build a system to discover in
advance the best players, wherever they are in the world."
The relationship with Duxbury and Zola is key and Nani comes to life when
quizzed about the way the trio work within the CEO's football project. "It
was Scott's vision for the club that impressed me," he said. "He wants to
have the best technical and medical department in Europe and we are heading
in the right direction. I speak regularly with Gianfranco. He is so clever.
He has always been the best at everything he does and he is a pleasure to
spend time with.
"We have a close working relationship and we always talk about football. It
is our job. It is a good relationship and it is a part of the job, it is
professional but it is also pleasure. The CEO, technical director and the
manager have to be close.
"Always we see things the same way. If we have £40m for one player, we would
prefer to find four or five important players than just one, and have some
money for the training ground. I feel so much responsibility for West Ham
and not for Gianluca Nani. The club has to be happy with what we have done
after ten years.
"We are looking for players that will come in and understand the West Ham
direction. We are doing longer contracts for our younger players and we are
trying to work with a long-term view. We are happy with the players we have
and it is not surprising that other teams want our players when they are
doing so well.
"Already, maybe [John] Pantsil has gone but in came Behrami. [George]
McCartney left but Ilunga arrived. [Anton] Ferdinand was sold but we had
James Collins, James Tomkins and still Danny Gabbidon to come back."
The supporters have really caught his imagination and he has been heartened
by the devotion shown. "The fans are really passionate. I like that. When we
play away we are never alone - I feel the fans with us and it makes me
positive. It is inspiring for the future of West Ham as they are the most
important part of the club.
"I want us to be better for them always. They deserve success. It is where
we are going at the end of the season that counts most. When some bad news
or result comes and you don't die, you become stronger.
"We are really focused and we have to consider every problem as simply an
obstacle that we have to overcome to get to our objective. We know we are on
the right path for the club on and off the pitch."
With that Nani, whose phone has been flashing and beeping constantly with
messages from agents and scouts, draws the interview to a close. "I don't
like to talk too much," he said. Although he had barely drawn breath in the
previous 30 minutes and can hold court in four languages, it is clear he is
someone for whom the phrase 'actions speak louder than words' applies.
"I like to work. Discovering players, seeing how we can cope with problems,
helping to organise the club in a better way. Everyone is talking about the
Sheffield [United] affair, the sponsor, the banks but people should see how
things have improved with the medical department, with the scouting system,
the academy, the way that Zola has the respect of the players. There are so
many positives." He would never say it, but maybe the name Nani should be
added to that list.
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Specs close to comeback
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector may figure in a reserve match against Chelsea on Tuesday
evening
16.12.2008
Jonathan Spector is hoping to take another step forward on Tuesday night as
he looks to return to the West Ham United first-team picture before the end
of the year.
The 22-year-old international defender was one of a crop of youngsters who
burst through last season to show their first-team worth before being
stopped in his tracks by a hip injury in the final month of the campaign.
After a summer of hard work back home in the United States, followed by an
intensive rehabilitation period at Chadwell Heath, Spector made his
long-awaited playing return last Thursday.
Although just a behind-closed-doors friendly at a freezing Hornchurch FC,
the match was a special one for Spector, who headed his side on their way to
a 3-2 victory against a Major League Soccer select side. Spector had been
given the skipper's armband for the meeting with his compatriots - made up
of some of the US's top young players - by reserve-team coach Alex Dyer.
"It was my first time captaining a West Ham side so it was a nice honour,
especially against an American side," said Spector, before adding with a
smile: "I think Alex Dyer just needed a translator actually so that's why he
chose me … but it was definitely nice to have that vote of confidence and I
was just excited about playing more than anything else."
Spector played in central defence and looked physically ready for the
rigours of the Premier League, although admitted he still needed to be a bit
sharper. "I need at least one more reserve game before I feel fit enough to
be in with the first team but I will certainly be pushing myself to be back
as soon as possible," he explained. That game could come on Tuesday when the
reserves welcome Chelsea to Bishop's Stortford.
As was the case last week, Gianfranco Zola could well be watching on and
Spector has relished the chance of late to show his manager the potential
and promise first identified by Sir Alex Ferguson when he was a 17-year-old
at Manchester United. "I think the manager has only seen me in training up
to now so it was nice to do that and show him a little of what I can do.
"I am certainly happy to be back after being out for such an extended period
of time and we got the result as well with a 3-2 victory. It was nice to
score. That doesn't happen too often either. It was great to get a goal but
more importantly I am just happy to be back playing. I really enjoyed it."
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Zola hails fans (at last)
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 16th December 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has finally paid tribute to the travelling fans who saw
United draw 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Zola had been accused by some
Hammers fans of showing too much respect to his former club after he refused
to celebrate Craig Bellamy's 33rd minute opening goal before praising
Chelsea's supporters in his post-match interview - and ignoring the efforts
of the travelling contingent. However Zola (no doubt prompted by one of the
club's PR people) has finally paid tribute to the Hammers fans who gave such
brilliant backing to the players during the game. Tacked on at the end of a
piece on the club website, Zola is quoted as saying:
"The fans have been fantastic for us. Part of the reason we are working so
hard is to make the fans pleased and we want every single game to be
enjoyable. "Right now there is a very good atmosphere in the team and with
the supporters."
Zola's refusal to celebrate Bellamy's goal has also been touched upon in an
article in this morning's Times.
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Spector eyes first-team return
Fit-again Hammers stopper looking to impress Zola
Last updated: 16th December 2008
SSN
Jonathan Spector is targeting a return to West Ham's first-team after
successfully coming through a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this
week. The former Manchester United defender has not had a chance to impress
manager Gianfranco Zola this season after spending all of the campaign on
the sidelines with a hip problem. However, the 22-year-old USA international
has fully recovered from the knock and is now hoping to play in West Ham's
first-team before the turn of the New Year. Spector accepts he will need a
reserve team game before being considered for first-team duty, although that
is not stopping him from being available for Zola as soon as possible. "I am
certainly happy to be back after being out for such an extended period of
time," he told the club's official website. "It was definitely nice to have
that vote of confidence and I was just excited about playing more than
anything else. "I need at least one more reserve game before I feel fit
enough to be in with the first team - but I will certainly be pushing myself
to be back as soon as possible. "I think the manager has only seen me in
training up to now so it was nice to do that and show him a little of what I
can do."
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Now Gianfranco Zola has sorted out West Ham's defence, he needs to start
work on their fanbase
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 16/12/2008
How should a manager or player who has crossed the divide between hated
rivals respond when he returns to his first club?
It's certainly a question that's been exercising the minds of West Ham fans
this week. Last Monday Harry Redknapp returned to his old East End manor,
only this time wearing the lily-white livery of his new club Tottenham
Hotspur. As seems to have been his wont since leaving the home dug-out at
the start of the millennium, Harry inflicted yet more misery on his former
fans. The real bone of contention, though, was the way in which Redknapp
celebrated Ledley King's opening goal. On balance, the involuntarily
clenched fist and open-mouthed exhalation of ecstasy, followed by the
briefest of sojourns from his seat seemed remarkably restrained given the
relevance of the result to Tottenham's league position. But balance is an
all too rare commodity among football fans, and some sections of the Hammers
support later reacted as though Harry had celebrated by sprinting naked down
Green Street save for an inflatable cockerel covering his, er, Hotspurs.
Where was the respect for us fans, they wailed?
Fast forward to Sunday and the football boot was very much on the other foot
as Gianfranco Zola pitched up at his old West End manor, only this time
wearing the claret and blue of new club West Ham. And when, 36 minutes in,
Craig Bellamy scored to put the Hammers in front, Zola barely even
registered the event. It could have been because he was lauded like a
homecoming hero by the home fans rather than lambasted like a war criminal.
Or perhaps he'd spent the week reading West Ham message boards.
Either way, and with the TV cameras capturing his every facial tic, there
wasn't even the hint of a beginning of a smile to be found on the Italian's
face for what was possibly the first time since Zola took over at West Ham.
You won't need to have WestHamOnline bookmarked in your favourites to hazard
a guess at how this played to the Hammers faithful. Where was the respect
for us, they wailed (again)? And, this time they may actually have a point.
In football, moreso even than politics, it's impossible to please all of the
people all of the time (or, in the case of poor Paul Ince, any of the people
any of the time). Which is why you should prioritise those you currently
serve over those you did in the past. West Ham fans are paranoid enough as
it is that Zola is actually on some sort of Stamford Bridge training scheme,
learning his trade in the East End before making his triumphant return up
West. And such suspicions won't have been assuaged any by his ill-judged end
of match walkabout, during which the West Ham boss seemed just as eager to
throw his arms around a few old friends - including pantomime villain Frank
Lampard - as to congratulate his unusually obdurate defence. Nor his
heart-felt plea ahead of the game that West Ham fans should lay off Lampard.
Doubtless Zola thought little of those comments, but he should have known –
or had it quietly pointed out to him – that the people they were aimed at
would think a great deal about them. In the cold light of day he was
probably right. But he has to learn – and learn quickly - that there is
little light of day, cold or otherwise, in football. The length of time Zola
spent at Chelsea, coupled with the success that he enjoyed there and the
esteem in which he is held, probably buys him a reprieve. But it's a game's
grace at most. If he hasn't got over his case of the Blues by the time they
visit Upton Park on April 25th, then Zola might have a lot more than
disgruntled message board posters to deal with.
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Ashton set to spark bidding war
Sport.co.uk
Author: Deniz Vehbi
Posted on: 16 December 2008 - 5:59 PM
Dean Ashton is set to spark a January bidding war by finally ending his West
Ham injury nightmare and returning to action next month. Tottenham,
Manchester City and Aston Villa have all been linked with a £10million move
for the striker - despite Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola insisting he will
not sell him.Zola is desperate to hang onto the England striker with clubs
already circling around fellow stars Craig Bellamy, Matthew Upson and Robert
Green. Ashton has been out with an ankle injury since September and is
scheduled to return in the reserves in early January. And Zola reckons the
former Norwich man has an outside chance of being fit for the Premier League
clash at Newcastle on January 10 - just in time to show potential buyers
what he's made of. "Dean is in rehabilitation and seeing his own physio,"
said the Italian. He added: "I know he is doing very well but I don't how
long he will be out for. "I think it might be New Year but I don't know if
it will be the very beginning of the New Year, hopefully.Before we can say
he's good, we have to wait a bit."
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Steve Clarke on Chelsea, A Lack of Respect?
16 December 2008
Cmon Yu Irons
The result West Ham Reserves 4 Chelsea Reserves 3, all 4 of West Ham goals
were nothing short of magnificant, but it wasnt the goals or the score that
fascinated me, it was the half time pitchside interview that Chelsea TV gave
Steve Clarke the West Ham asst manager ( well that's what i call him).
Now you have to bear in mind that Clarkey spent 20 years at Chelsea as a
fantastic player and a world class coach, and was a major contributor in
making the Blues what they are today, but did he get a heroes welcome on
Sunday? NO.
The interview was as follows: (Chelsea TV = CTV), Steve Clarke (Clarkey)
CTV: What do you miss about Chelsea?
Clarkey: Not a lot
CTV: How do you think Zola is coping as manager of West Ham?
Clarkey: He tries hard, considering the pressure managers are under to get
results, and i try to make him smile every day, but Zola knows what he wants
from his players and he will achieve it.
CTV: How do you see your future at West Ham?
Clarkey: if we make a success of West ham, then who knows. (Is Clarke hoping
1 day to be Chelsea Manager.. it was a definite hint.)
CTV: You know this is not just a reserve match to us (Chelsea), its also to
see what players we can buy in the future,
(Obviously meaning Sears after his fantastic goal, that Cole would have
fluffed)
Clarkey: show us the money and we will see what we can do. (Clarkey said
with a grin on his face)
CTV: What would you say was your best years at Chelsea?
Clarkey: The year we won the FA Cup in 97 it was a year that made me happy
and also the fans ( Chelsea beat Boro 2-0)
What i loved about Clarkey in the interview was that not once did he say
West Ham, he just said us! now that shows true loyalty, and he certainly is
a forgotten hero with the Chelsea Fans, no wonder i sensed a lack of respect
from him towards Chelsea in general.
As for the match, Tristan and Sears were fantastic, we need these 2 playing
a major role in our 1st team for us to not just start scoring, but scoring
quality goals. Hence why Steve Clarke was there.
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Nani pleased with first six months at West Ham
17.12.08 | tribalfootball.com
Gianluca Nani is delighted with his first six months at West Ham United as
technical director.
"I was so pleased to join the club but after six months I am really happy. I
know that West Ham is really the perfect club to try and build something
fantastic. I have found a really good staff here, a really good team," Nani
told whufc.com.
"I don't just mean the players but in Scott (Duxbury), Gianfranco (Zola) and
everyone around Chadwell Heath and the Boleyn Ground, I have found something
really good. We are really happy to work together and all of us is thinking
the same way. We have a football project and we all talk every day to make
it happen.
"The idea is that a club like West Ham has to have its own structure, able
to sustain a system that allows it to find in advance the best players all
over the world. We want to try to build something that could be important to
the history of West Ham. I have read a lot of the history of the club, the
way that the club has always tried to play, and all the great players that
have played here. Now we have to try to build a system to discover in
advance the best players, wherever they are in the world."
The relationship with Duxbury and Zola is key and Nani comes to life when
quizzed about the way the trio work within the CEO's football project.
"It was Scott's vision for the club that impressed me," he said. "He wants
to have the best technical and medical department in Europe and we are
heading in the right direction. I speak regularly with Gianfranco. He is so
clever. He has always been the best at everything he does and he is a
pleasure to spend time with.
"We have a close working relationship and we always talk about football. It
is our job. It is a good relationship and it is a part of the job, it is
professional but it is also pleasure. The CEO, technical director and the
manager have to be close.
"Always we see things the same way. If we have £40m for one player, we would
prefer to find four or five important players than just one, and have some
money for the training ground. I feel so much responsibility for West Ham
and not for Gianluca Nani. The club has to be happy with what we have done
after ten years.
"We are looking for players that will come in and understand the West Ham
direction. We are doing longer contracts for our younger players and we are
trying to work with a long-term view. We are happy with the players we have
and it is not surprising that other teams want our players when they are
doing so well.
"Already, maybe [John] Pantsil has gone but in came Behrami. [George]
McCartney left but Ilunga arrived. [Anton] Ferdinand was sold but we had
James Collins, James Tomkins and still Danny Gabbidon to come back."
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Ex-Hammer Dicks to give Wivenhoe boost
MIKE BACON
Greenun24.co.uk
Last updated: 17/12/2008 07:34:00
FORMER West Ham, Birmingham and Liverpool star Julian Dicks will be at
Wivenhoe Town on Saturday to give the Dragons' players and fans a massive
boost.
The troubled Essex club, who have mounting debts, have invited Dicks to
Broad Lane for their clash with Needham Market, and many fans will no doubt
be hoping there is more to this trip than just a one-off visit. Dicks lives
in Spain, but has been invited over to Saturday's game by Wivenhoe Director
of Football, Nick Murphy-Whymark. And, speaking from his home near Alicante,
Dicks admits he is fully aware of the Dragons' situation. "I've spoken to
Nick (Murphy-Whymark) over the past few months and I'm aware of what's
happened at the club," Dicks said. "From what I can gather the team has a
lot of youngsters in it and it can be very tough. "They need a bit of
encouragement and I will help them with that, coming in the changing room
beforehand, offering a bit of guidance. "When clubs are struggling the
dressing room is often a bit quiet."
Dicks' appearance at Broad Lane is due mainly to the persistence of
Murphy-Whymark. "I invited Julian down to Broad Lane to cheer the Dragons on
some weeks ago," he said. "Maybe he will bring us a little bit of luck, its
a long way to come to watch us, but Julian has kept in touch and has watched
recent developments from afar and wanted to come over one weekend to show
his support. "If he could still pull the boots on I know he would gladly do
us a job, I am sure the players and supporters will welcome him with open
arms."
Dragons boss Wayne Ward is looking forward to Dicks having a word with his
young side. "The results haven't been a true reflection of how the club is
evolving, we are finding it difficult with a small budget and recruiting
what I would call a totally new side," Ward said. "The chairman is doing all
he can to support what we are trying to achieve and he understands the
predicament the club is in. It is very hard, we haven't been able to train
as much as I would have liked as the pitch is of concern but the support of
the committee and the community has kept us focussed."
Certainly since the dark days a few months ago, when the club came close to
folding, community support for the Dragons is moving the club forward once
more.
And Julian Dicks' input at Broad Lane on Saturday, will surely only hasten
that process.
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