WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola's side have been drawn at home against Barnsley in the FA
Cup third round
30.11.2008
West Ham United will take on Barnsley at home in the FA Cup third round
after the teams were paired together in Sunday afternoon's draw.
The tie will be played on the weekend of 3-4 January and Gianfranco Zola is
already relishing the prospect of taking on the Championship side. "It is
good to start the FA Cup playing at home. It was very important to play at
home but we know with Barnsley that it will not be an easy game. They got to
the semi-finals last year so we know it will be tough."
Zola won the FA Cup twice as a player and would love to match those heights
as a manager. "The FA Cup is a fabulous competition," he said. "Winning my
first FA Cup as a player was one of the best moments of my career. The FA
Cup third round is a special occasion for everyone and we are going to be up
for it."
The teams last met in the Premier League on 10 January 1998 when the Hammers
were 6-0 winners at the Boleyn Ground. The only previous meeting in the FA
Cup was a fourth-round date on 24 January 1993 with Barnsley running out 4-1
winners. The Tykes, who reached last year's semi-finals, are 17th in the
Championship.
Three-time winners in 1964, 1975 and 1980, West Ham United did not enjoy the
best of fortunes in the 2007/08 edition. The club were eliminated at this
stage with a 1-0 replay defeat at Manchester City after a goalless draw at
the Boleyn Ground. The 2008/09 FA Cup final will take place on Saturday 30
May at Wembley.
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Carragher key to Anfield hopes
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager knows that getting past Jamie Carragher will be
a major test for his team
30.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola has identified Jamie Carragher as just as important to the
Liverpool cause as Steven Gerrard on Monday night.
The West Ham United manager spoke from experience when he said the
long-serving defender would be a tough challenge for the likes of Carlton
Cole and Craig Bellamy at Anfield. "When I played against him he was very
young but you could tell he was a very good player … as a defender, he is
always there and he does his job. He is clever and has saved results for
them.
"But I have to say, he has worked very hard and you can see he has improved
a lot. I saw him play the other night against Marseille and I was very
impressed with him. [Steven] Gerrard is a key player for them because he
scores so many important goals but Carragher is just as important."
By the same token, Zola knows his own rearguard will be vital if the team
are going to keep a third straight clean sheet. "The defence is important
because Liverpool want to win. They are going to come against us very hard
and so first of all we need to keep our composure, defend well … we are very
much focused on our defensive strategy. That doesn't mean we are going to be
passive.
"We are going to play our match the way we normally play. We are not a team
that can go there and sit back and wait. We have different qualities. But
obviously the defensive side is going to be vital. We are not going to be
sitting there waiting for something to happen. We are going to try and make
the story of the game and are going to be trying hard."
Cole will be pushing Carragher hard on Monday night and, after signing a new
five-year contract last week, is up for the challenge.
The striker is on a high after helping the team to a 1-0 win at Sunderland
last Sunday and then pledging his long-term future to the club and is hoping
to build on that at Anfield. "Liverpool is going to be a massive game after
Sunderland," he said. "We needed to win last Sunday and it was another clean
sheet so that was really positive. We have got to try and get another good
result away from home as it is such a tight league now. We need to do well."
Cole has been working hard at Chadwell Heath under the close guidance of
Zola and, with his future secure, is hoping all of his efforts will pay off
in the Premier League. "He has got a lot of faith in me," Cole added. "We
always talk and try to find solutions to upgrade my game. It is good that I
am here for a long time and hopefully he will be here for a long time as
well."
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Manager 'pleased and proud'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has spoken about his happiness at being in charge of West
Ham United
29.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola has reiterated his pride at being appointed manager of West
Ham United as he prepares his team for the televised trip to Liverpool on
Monday night.
Heading into the final month of the year and a run of games which will see
his team take on three of the nation's current top four as well as old
rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Zola spoke of his honour at being able to lead
West Ham United. "It's a great club which has a lot of tradition. There is a
very good atmosphere and I like it. I like the challenge.
"For me it is a big challenge but I know what is important for the club and
to please them is a great feeling for me. I am very, very pleased and proud
to be here," Zola added. The manager said morale had been boosted for the
Anfield date after the all-round team performance 1-0 win at Sunderland last
weekend.
"It was a great result. It certainly helped the players to feel a little bit
more comfortable. It is important that you get wins. No matter if you play
or train well, if you don't get points the confidence goes down. I am very
pleased because that victory is going to give them an extra boost in
confidence which is important."
Zola is also unfazed by the prospect of taking on the joint-leaders who have
yet to lose at home this season. "I don't feel daunted," he said. "I feel
very much charged by it. It is one of those games where if you get something
positive out of it, it is very important for your team and when I play games
like this I like to face this kind of challenge. I know it can be hard but
the reward that you can get from games like this is huge."
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Stanislas and Spence shine
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas and Jordan Spence had debut days to remember while Jimmy
Walker is also on a high
29.11.2008
West Ham United may not be playing until Monday with the small matter of
Liverpool away, but six of the eight players out on loan provided plenty of
Saturday interest.
Three of them were on Championship duty, while another trio were involved in
League One or FA Cup encounters. whufc.com rounds up how they fared with
Junior Stanislas and Jordan Spence particularly doing well on their first
taste of senior football.
Junior Stanislas (Southend United)
The last of Thursday's loans to be confirmed, the attacking midfielder, who
turned 19 this week, had a fantastic senior debut. He scored the first two
goals to set the League One club on the way to a 3-1 defeat of Luton Town in
the FA Cup second round. The first was a trademark free-kick from the
dead-ball specialist before a second-half header.
Jordan Spence (Leyton Orient)
The England Under-19 defender, still only 18, made his senior debut with a
full 90 minutes in the FA Cup for Leyton Orient. It was a memorable
afternoon with a 2-1 second-round victory at Bradford City. Spence had
sealed his month-long loan with the League One outfit at the start of the
week and was a polished performer in the heart of the Orient defence.
Kyel Reid (Blackpool)
The pacy left winger celebrated his 21st birthday with an assist and a goal
for the reserves and then helped Blackpool to a 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle
on his debut. Reid played the whole match and set up the winning goal for
Liam Dickinson. It lifted the north-west club seven points clear of the
Championship relegation zone. Reid has had two previous loans at Barnsley
and Crystal Palace.
James Tomkins (Derby County)
The England Under-19 international played the full 90 minutes but was unable
to help Derby County avoid a 3-0 defeat away to Burnley on Saturday. It was
Tomkins first senior run-out since the end of last season, having made his
first reserve-team appearance of the campaign on Tuesday before heading up
to the Championship club's Pride Park home on Thursday.
Nigel Quashie (Birmingham City)
The midfielder played his part in a 1-1 draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers
that will have left visitors Birmingham the happier of the two Midlands
clubs. It means they remain six points ahead of their rivals at the top of
the Championship. The 30-year-old, who is in the second month of his loan,
was cautioned in the first half.
Jimmy Walker (Colchester United)
After his move to the Essex club early on Thursday, the popular 35-year-old
goalkeeper made a winning start with a 2-1 win away to Northampton Town in
one of only two League One encounters taking place on Saturday. The win
moved Colchester three points clear of the relegation zone and was also
notable for ensuring the first back to back victories this season.
Josh Payne (Cheltenham Town)
Having just turned 18, midfielder Payne has been out on loan at League One
strugglers Cheltenham since September. He began his stay with a goalscoring
debut and has already made nine appearances. Payne came on in the 53rd
minute on Saturday before the FA Cup second-round trip to Morecambe Town was
abandoned ten minutes later with the score at 1-1 because of thick fog. It
will be replayed on 2 December.
Bondz N'Gala (MK Dons)
After two impressive appearances off the bench in consecutive 3-0 victories
for the League One high-fliers, managed by Roberto Di Matteo, the imposing
19-year-old defender had the weekend off. MK Dons may be going well in the
league but they were eliminated in the FA Cup first round and did not have a
league encounter.
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Captain's Blog - Proof in the points
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill has hailed his team-mates for their efforts of late and also has
a word for those heading to Anfield
29.11.2008
It was a fantastic relief to get that winning feeling back in our victory up
at Sunderland. It is never easy when you are in a run of form like we were
in. We were playing well but just not picking up points. While it is OK to
keep saying the right things, eventually the proof is in the points.
Not only did we deserve to win the game, but the way we defended was
excellent - another clean sheet - two in a week which is great and a good
habit to have. Just before half-time, we could have made the scoreline look
a lot more comfortable, but it was great that we built on the draw at
Portsmouth the week before.
As a team, I thought there wasn't anyone that didn't perform. But I thought
Matty Upson and Ginge [James Collins] were outstanding on the day, Valon
[Behrami], as always, was full of energy, running and enthusiasm and it was
fantastic for him to score his first goal for West Ham.
We now take this winning feeling into a very tough game. This is a strange
three games coming up for us, if you remember last year, we had these
fixtures together like this and it was 0-4, 0-4, 0-4.
The matches are in a slightly different order this season and I am, as we
all are, very confident that the scorelines will be a lot different then
they were in that crazy week last year.
Anfield is always a tough place to go and we will be coming up against a
team full of fantastic players, so it is going to be interesting. We will
know where we sit in the league table at the end of the weekend, with
everyone else having played before us.
We will be going there knowing we have to work hard. But we will give
ourselves a chance if we can keep a clean sheet for a long period of the
game, because you will always get one or two chances at Anfield and it will
be up to us to be ruthless enough to take them.
Obviously, the likes of Craig Bellamy, coming back to play at one of his old
clubs, will be determined to have a really good game and hopefully he will
get on the scoresheet.
It is our second away match in a week, so thanks to all the fans that took
the very long journey to Sunderland last Sunday afternoon to support us. You
were all in good voice, well heard by all the boys on the pitch.
Also, in advance, thank you to all those who will sacrifice their Monday to
travel up the M6 to see us play at Liverpool. It is a great ground to play
at and to visit. Obviously it will only be a great ground if we can come
away with something. So let's hope we can give you a reward for your loyal
support.
Off the pitch this week saw the club supporting the Bobby Moore Fund. Hayden
[Mullins] was our representative when he attended a special sports quiz. The
fund as you all know, is one of the club's partners and does a lot of work
in Bobby Moore's name to raise money and awareness to fund research into
bowel cancer.
Hayden, by all accounts, represented us very well and we were delighted to
once again be supporting such a fantastic cause.
Back to the pitch, it is exciting period of games coming up, starting with
this one up at Liverpool. Let's hope we can get a bit of revenge for last
year and return home with a great result.
Lucas Neill
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Liverpool v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Monday, 1 December Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM and BBC Radio 5
Live; Updates on BBC Sport website
BBC.co.uk
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Robbie Keane will get an extended chance to impress up front for Liverpool
because Fernando Torres is out with a hamstring injury. Full-back Andrea
Dossena is likely to replace Fabio Aurelio, who is out for two weeks with a
calf problem.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has a full squad at his disposal.
Midfielder Scott Parker should start despite missing training because of
illness, while Craig Bellamy will lead the attack against his former club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena,
Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Riera,
Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, El Zhar.
West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Neill, Ilunga, Gabbidon, Lopez, Dyer, Parker,
Ashton, Bellamy, Etherington, Cole, Boa Morte, Upson, Noble, Mullins,
Spector, Collins, Faubert, Stokes, Walker, Lastuvka, Diego Tristan,
Davenport, Reid, Bowyer, Sears, Di Michele, Collison, Tomkins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard: "I am desperate for the league title and
obviously we have managed to get ourselves into a good position this season.
Now we just need to keep on plugging away. "We have got another important
game coming up against West Ham and that is what I'm focusing on now. "It's
also important that we try to improve on our performance against Fulham and
try to take all three points. Every game is crucial."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola: I think my team is coming into this match at
the best time because we're going into it off two good results. "I feel very
charged. It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of
it it's very important for your team. "I like to face these kind of
challenges. It can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this
can be huge."
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Home draw for Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 30th November 2008
By: A Different Staff Writer
United have been drawn at home to Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Yorkshiremen currently lie in 17th place in the Championship on 17
points but are better remembered in recent Cup history for the run in last
season's competition that saw them beat both Chelsea and Liverpool on their
way to the semi-final, where they went out to the eventual runners-up
Cardiff City.
The full draw (matches to be played on the weekend of 3 January):
Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheffield Wed v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolves
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull City v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylesden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Southampton v Manchester United
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green Rovers v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster
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Zola - Hammers will survive
Upton Park boss focusing on football
Last updated: 1st December 2008
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is confident his club are tough enough to
survive the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga. An arbitration panel ruled that
Argentina striker Tevez, now at Manchester United, should not have been
allowed to play for West Ham in the final matches of the 2006/07 season.
Tevez helped the Hammers avoid relegation during those games at the expense
of Sheffield United and the Blades are now seeking a compensation fee,
believed to be in the region of £50million, which could seriously damage
already shaky Upton Park finances. The two clubs are set to return to the
High Court in March to decide upon a compensation figure, but Zola, who
takes his side to Liverpool on Monday night, is confident the off-field
controversies are not having an impact on the West Ham squad. "As far as
I'm concerned I know the club is strong enough to deal with it and the
players and manager are not concerned about it," he said. "For now, it's
nothing. I've been assured the club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm
focusing on what is important for us, which is getting points for the club.
"Of course I read about it but I very much trust the club. They tell me we
are fine, we are going to get through this so I trust them. "It's my duty to
make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this is the best thing
I can do and I'm focused on that."
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Zola hopes to upset Reds
Hammers ready for Anfield test
By Chris Burton Last updated: 30th November 2008
SSN
Gianfranco Zola is hoping West Ham can upset Liverpool's title challenge at
Anfield on Monday. The Reds remain well placed to mount a charge for Premier
League glory, but were held to a goalless draw by Fulham last weekend and
only sneaked past Marseille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Rafa
Benitez will also be without star striker Fernando Torres for the visit of
the Hammers, further hindering his pursuit of three valuable points. With
all those factors in mind, Zola believes his side are heading to Merseyside
with an ideal opportunity to claim a famous scalp. "I don't think Liverpool
are having their best moment," said the Italian coach.
"But we are focused and we know we cannot afford any mistakes. We know a lot
about them, we've seen them a lot. And I think we have prepared as well as
we can so we'll see what happens. "It could be a good year for them. They've
already won two big games (against Chelsea and Manchester United) and that
is important.
"It makes a big, big difference in your confidence. This year I've noticed
they're playing better football so they're a team to watch."
West Ham have not tasted success at Anfield since September 1963 but Zola
sees no reason why that unenviable run cannot come to an end on Monday
night. "I think my team is coming into this match at the best time because
we're going into it off two good results," said Zola. "I feel very charged.
It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of it it's
very important for your team. "I like to face these kind of challenges. It
can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this can be huge."
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Zola - I admire Giovinco
Hammers boss doubts he can sign Italian midfielder
Last updated: 29th November 2008
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted his admiration of Italian
midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, but doubts he will be able to sign him.
Speculation has raged this week that Zola may try to sign the 21-year-old on
loan from Juventus. Giovinco's agent confirmed the Hammers' interest but
insisted the player is not looking to move.
And Zola himself - who knows Giovinco from his time working with the Italy
Under 21s - believes Juve would be reluctant to let such a talent go. The
Hammers boss said: "He's a player I know very well. He's played for me for
the Under 21s and he's a player I admire. He's one of those players who can
change a game. "I don't think Juventus would be willing to give him up
because they need him." The Hammers halted a run of seven league games
without a win with a crucial 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of
Light last weekend. Zola believes the result has given his players a
much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for a tough tie at Liverpool on
Monday. He said: "It was a great result and certainly helped the players to
feel a little bit more comfortable. "It's important you get wins. It doesn't
matter if you play well, if you don't pick up victories and points your
confidence goes down. "So I'm very pleased and it seems to have given them
an extra boost in confidence which is important." While he is busy preparing
for the Liverpool game, Zola will still find time to watch his old side
Chelsea take on Arsenal on Sunday in a crucial clash being shown live on Sky
Sports 1 at 4pm. "Of course I'll be watching," Zola added. "It's a very
important game for them because you have two teams that cannot afford to
lose points. "Arsenal are in a crucial moment of the season and they don't
want to lose so it's a tough match. "I don't know who's going to win but I
know it'll be a tough match. Chelsea are a club I care about a lot. Arsenal
are not going to be an easy team to play against, especially at the moment."
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West Ham exclusive: Owner turns down three bids as he holds out for
£120million
By Darren Lewis 1/12/2008
The Mirror
West Ham's beleaguered Icelandic owners have already had THREE offers to buy
them out. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and his associates have dismissed the
bids out of hand as they are way short of their £120million valuation. Any
prospective buyers would also have to take on the club's debt, believed to
be in the region of around £50million. But the combined total of £170million
for West Ham still falls way short of the £400million Newcastle owner Mike
Ashley wants to sell up.
Gudmundsson is trying to sell before he is bankrupted by a £30m claim for
damages from Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. The financier
bought the club for £85m two years ago, invested another £30m, and lost
£230m in the banking crisis when Icelandic bank Landbankski - in which he
has a 45percent controlling share - recently closed. On the pitch Zola has
shrugged off West Ham's awful record of not having won at Anfield since
September 1963.
The Italian believes Liverpool are below par at present - following their
1-0 Champions League win over Marseille last week - and the Hammers are
boosted by Fernando Torres's absence through injury. Zola said: "I don't
think Liverpool are at their best moment, but we are focused, we know we
cannot make any mistakes because they will be there for the taking. "We have
seen them a lot and we want to play the match as good as we can, so we'll
see what is going to happen. I think my team is going to play this match at
the best moment because they are coming from two results and the team is
confident."
Indeed, after a run of 24 games without a clean sheet, West Ham held Bolton
to a goalless draw then saw off Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light last
week. Zola added: "We are going to play our own match, the way we normally
play. We're not a team who can got there and sit back and wait and wait, we
have different qualities. "The defensive side is going to be vital because
when you play a team who are better than you. You have to look after more
the defensive aspect of the game, which is what we have been focusing on
this week. "But we're not going to sit back and wait for something to
happen, we try to make the story of the game for us."
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Zola doesn't blame Tevez for West Ham troubles
Blackpool Gazette
Published Date: 01 December 2008
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing saga with
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is not having a detrimental effect on
him or his players. The Hammers could be forced to pay compensation to
Sheffield United after an arbitration panel ruled that Tevez should not have
been permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, when he
helped his side avoid relegation at the Blades' expense. The east London
club argue they have already been punished by the Premier League - they were
fined £5.5million - but the matter will return to the High Court next year.
In March the two parties will meet the arbitration panel to agree a
compensation figure, but in the meantime the matter could be settled out of
court. Sheffield United are said to want £50million, but even a fraction of
this sum would impact on West Ham's already shaky finances; their owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge losses following the collapse of
several of his companies in his native Iceland. Zola's ability to sign
players in the January transfer window would doubtless be hampered, but for
now the Italian is focusing on on-field activities only as they prepare to
face Liverpool at Anfield tonight. "As far as I'm concerned I know the club
is strong enough to deal with it and the players and manager are not
concerned about it," he said. "For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the
club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm focusing on what is important
for us which is getting points for the club. "Of course I read about it but
I very much trust the club. They tell me we are fine, we are going to get
through this so I trust them.
It's my duty to make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this
is the best thing I can do and I'm focused on that."
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Dicks urges West Ham to buy midfield enforcer
01.12.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is being urged to sign a midfield enforcer in
January. Hammers legend Julian Dicks told The Sun: "West Ham really need to
put a couple of wins together, otherwise they will be stuck in that group at
the bottom. Anyone could go down still this season, barely any side is safe.
"They need an aggressive midfielder — someone in there who can win the
tackles and then pass the ball. "Roy Keane was fantastic at that, a real
aggressive tackler. Graeme Souness was in the same mould. "Every team needs
someone who can mix it and West Ham need to find someone like that. "Scott
Parker is a great player but he needs someone tough alongside him."
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Zola trying to keep squad focused
TeamTalk
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga is
not having a detrimental effect on him or his players. The Hammers could be
forced to pay compensation to Sheffield United after an arbitration panel
ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches
of the 2006-07 season, when he helped his side avoid relegation at the
Blades' expense. The east London club argue they have already been punished
by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - but the matter will
return to the High Court next year. In March the two parties will meet the
arbitration panel to agree a compensation figure, but in the meantime the
matter could be settled out of court. Sheffield United are said to want
£50million, but even a fraction of this sum would impact on West Ham's
already shaky finances; their owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge
losses following the collapse of several of his companies in his native
Iceland. Zola's ability to sign players in the January transfer window would
doubtless be hampered, but for now the Italian is focusing on on-field
activities only as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield. "As far as I'm
concerned I know the club is strong enough to deal with it and the players
and manager are not concerned about it," he said.
"For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the club is all right, the club is
fine, so I'm focusing on what is important for us which is getting points
for the club. "Of course I read about it but I very much trust the club.
They tell me we are fine, we are going to get through this so I trust them.
"It's my duty to make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this
is the best thing I can do and I'm focused on that."
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Tristan hoping Zola will give him nod against Liverpool
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 01 December 2008 - 9:04 AM
Diego Tristan has urged West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola to give him the chance
to fire the Hammers to a famous victory at Anfield on Monday night. The
Spanish striker, who has yet to make a single appearance since arriving at
Upton Park in October, is approaching full fitness after suffering a foot
injury during a reserve game last month.And the 32-year-old says he would
love nothing more than to make his Premier League bow against Rafa Benitez's
men. "I would love to play in the game at Anfield," said Tristan. "To play
against Liverpool and against so many fellow Spaniards would be special to
me. "But the final decision is up to the coach and I'll just have to keep
working hard to prove my fitness. "To play in a game like this would be a
dream and that's why I have come to West Ham to take up challenges like
this. "I'm working very hard every single day and I'm in much better
condition than when I arrived."
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The opposition camp: Gordon Thrower of West Ham fan website Knees up Mother
Brown
Dec 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Are you a happy Hammer at the moment?
Sort of. We've played some decent football at times and got no reward so it
cheered me up a bit to see us grind out a 1-0 over at Sunderland. I'd be
slightly happier if there were more than a couple of points between Europe
and the drop zone though.
Gianfranco Zola. Not quite the genius he was as a player?
Early days yet. He's obviously learning on the job but is at least trying to
see the game played in the right manner. He's not afraid to include the
youngsters if he thinks they're ready which is something we always like to
see at our place.
Is Craig Bellamy looking ripe for a revenge mission?
Well he's probably overdue a goal. He ought to have scored up at Sunderland
but seemed to lack a bit of confidence but I'm sure he'll be up for this
one. It doesn't take much to get him going as I'm sure you know!
Who is West Ham's danger man at the moment?
We've been a bit short on danger men in recent weeks but Bellamy will be the
closest we've got.
Anfield on a Monday night. Are you bothering?
The move to Monday (partly thanks to Liverpool's disgraceful failure to beat
Spurs in the League Cup) means it will be impossible for me to go due to
work commitments. My ticket has gone to a Welshman. Called Taff. Honest!
What do you make of Liverpool this season?
From what I've seen it's been a bit like us in reverse at times – got some
good results early on without really impressing. Gerrard's balance problem
hasn't improved, has it?!
Which Liverpool player would you have in your side?
Torres – I'm sure jellied eels are a delicacy in Spain so he'd feel well at
home!
And finally – a prediction for Monday?
I've been predicting a 2-1 win to us up there every year for the last 45
years without success. I can't actually see it happening but why break with
tradition!
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How Have We Progressed Since Pardew? West Ham Till I Die
There's a fascinating article in the Independent today contrasting the side
which lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup final to today's West Ham side. It
looks at Alan Pardew's signings and compares them with signings made
subsequent to his departure. The conclusion of the piece is that too many of
the signings have been expensive failures and West Ham have not progressed
as a club since the Cup final. Tell us something we didn't know!
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Sam Wallace: Pardew succeeds in parallel universe but reality suggests
downward spiral
Talking Football: Since Pardew left, far too many of West Ham's signings
have been hopeless
Monday, 1 December 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Steven Gerrard's equaliser in the 91st minute of the 2006 FA Cup final
against West Ham is remembered as one of those points in history that fans
of dull British films would to refer to as a "Sliding Doors" moment. The
point at which a life diverges from one path and finds another route on the
basis of one tiny detail or, in this particular case, a goal from one of the
best footballers in the world.
Somewhere in a parallel universe, Alan Pardew has an FA Cup-winners' medal.
Somewhere he is still in charge of West Ham and a potential candidate to be
England manager. Unfortunately for Pardew, in the reality with which we
deal, he is just another unemployed football man with enough time on his
hands to watch Liverpool against West Ham tonight, two and a half years on
from the day when he was less than four minutes from winning the FA Cup
final against Liverpool with a West Ham team who had been promoted to the
Premier League only one year earlier.
After that FA Cup final, Pardew won only four more games as West Ham
manager. He bought himself a Ferrari and, by general consensus, momentarily
lost the plot. His image as a promising young English manager has been
hastily revised, especially by those Charlton Athletic fans who finally got
their wish when he was sacked last Saturday. Now it looks like he is
embarking on a journey back down the leagues whence he came. He should be
given another chance because no career is perfect, but don't count on it
happening.
Sir Alex Ferguson was sacked by St Mirren. Arsène Wenger got the shove at
Nancy after relegation (although they like to dress that one up as a mutual
decision). Juande Ramos had more clubs than most people have had hot tapas,
11 since 1993 and no one in Spain believes he is finished because of what
happened at Tottenham. Pardew probably believes he is a better manager than
he was two years ago, and almost certainly would not make the same mistakes
again. But will he get the chance? If you want to understand Pardew's legacy
at West Ham, then a comparison of the team that lost to Liverpool in the
2006 FA Cup final to the XI most likely to play against Liverpool at Anfield
tonight tells you all you need to know. Given the money that West Ham have
spent since then, and more recently had to recoup, it is hard to make a case
that, in terms of players, they are any better off than they were on that
day at Wembley in 2006.
This is West Ham's side from the 2006 FA Cup final: Hislop; Scaloni,
Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky; Benayoun, Fletcher, Reo-Coker, Etherington;
Ashton, Harewood.
And the West Ham side most likely to play against Liverpool tonight: Green;
Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga; Behrami, Parker, Bowyer; Bellamy,
Etherington; Cole.
This is an estimation of the best combination from those two sides: Green;
Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Konchesky; Benayoun, Parker, Reo-Coker,
Etherington; Bellamy, Ashton.
Matthew Etherington predates even the Pardew regime, so he does not count.
Dean Ashton would still be available tonight but for injury and he counts as
Pardew's player because Pardew signed him. On that basis the score is 5-5
between Pardew's players and the players signed post-May 2006. However, in
the summer before his final season, Pardew bought Robert Green, so the score
should really be 6-4 in his favour. On this calculation, only Matthew Upson,
Craig Bellamy, Lucas Neill and Scott Parker from those have been signed
post-Pardew can claim to have improved the side.
In defence of Alan Curbishley, but not West Ham as a club, Anton Ferdinand
(a home-grown player) was sold against Curbishley's wishes. They also sold
Nigel Reo-Coker (a Pardew signing) of their own volition and, given his
performances for Aston Villa, that now looks like another error. Pardew also
signed Carlton Cole, who is still a regular starter. Danny Gabbidon, James
Collins, Jonathan Spector and Hayden Mullins are all Pardew signings still
judged to be worth keeping around at West Ham. He also signed George
McCartney, whose controversial sale back to Sunderland this summer gave West
Ham a crucial £4m profit.
Contrast that with what has followed Pardew. In terms of investments, West
Ham's signing of Freddie Ljungberg rates up there with the American oil
tycoon who bought London Bridge when he thought he was getting Tower Bridge.
Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte are not too far behind. Nigel Quashie has
been and gone. West Ham paid well over the odds for Julien Faubert. Diego
Tristan might be OK but, after almost two months at the club, we will have
to wait until he actually plays a game.
Funnily enough, Pardew will always be remembered for how he failed to get
the best out of Carlos Tevez and, to a greater degree, Javier Mascherano –
who will be playing for Liverpool tonight. It is that criticism – that he
was too English, too blinkered – upon which Pardew's time at West Ham is so
often dismissed as a failure. Perhaps he did not realise how best to use
Mascherano. Maybe Mascherano needed that period to adapt to English
football. But West Ham can hardly say that they have cracked the code on
buying successful foreign players since Pardew has left because, on the
evidence stated, far too many of their subsequent signings have been
hopeless.
Mascherano got another chance at Liverpool. Pardew got another chance at
Charlton, a club already in free fall when he arrived and, more recently,
desperately casting around for a new owner. Yet if West Ham get any sort of
result tonight they might wish to give a modicum of thanks to their
out-of-work former manager. You wouldn't bet on it, though.
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Zola shrugs off Tevez trauma
Monday, December 1, 2008
Metro.co.uk
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga is
not having a detrimental effect on him or his players. The Hammers could be
forced to pay compensation to Sheffield United after an arbitration panel
ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches
of the 2006-07 season, when he helped his side avoid relegation at the
Blades' expense. The east London club argue they have already been punished
by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - but the matter will
return to the High Court next year.
In March the two parties will meet the arbitration panel to agree a
compensation figure, but in the meantime the matter could be settled out of
court. Sheffield United are said to want £50million, but even a fraction of
this sum would impact on West Ham's already shaky finances; their owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge losses following the collapse of
several of his companies in his native Iceland. Zola's ability to sign
players in the January transfer window would doubtless be hampered, but for
now the Italian is focusing on on-field activities only as they prepare to
face Liverpool at Anfield tonight. 'As far as I'm concerned I know the club
is strong enough to deal with it and the players and manager are not
concerned about it,' he said. 'For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the
club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm focusing on what is important
for us which is getting points for the club. 'Of course I read about it but
I very much trust the club. They tell me we are fine, we are going to get
through this so I trust them. 'It's my duty to make sure on the pitch
everything goes well so doing this is the best thing I can do and I'm
focused on that.'
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Loyal fans are taken for mugs
The Mirror
Stan Collymore 1/12/2008
Seasonticket prices have now reached ridiculous levels. It's £1,600 at
Arsenal, £810 in the chicken run at West Ham, £360 at Coventry and so on.
Prices have been obscene for way too long now. I wouldn't mind if, in the
Premier League gravy train, clubs needed the cash - but how can these prices
be justified? Football is the right of the working man, passed down the
generations, not the preserve of the few. Yet clubs across the land seem
intent on fleecing the people who prop them up, and it has to stop. I've
started a Facebook page hoping to get enough names to pressure the Premier
and Football Leagues into stoping taking fans for mugs.
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