Dean Ashton sees no reason why he cannot not only get his England debut but
then stay in the team
31.05.2008
Dean Ashton has been speaking to the media as he prepares for the prospect
of his first England cap in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday night.
The West Ham United striker is in the frame for his senior bow in the Port
of Spain game, which kicks off at 10.30pm UK time, after having to sit out
on Wednesday when Fabio Capello's men were 2-0 winners against the United
States. With Michael Owen absent with a virus and Wayne Rooney rested, there
is every prospect of Ashton being capped nearly two years after an ankle
injury ended his original England dreams. Prior to that August 2006 setback
which cost him a whole season, Ashton was flying for West Ham United - not
least in the memorable run to the previous May's FA Cup final.
"It has been two difficult years," he said. " There were a few doubters who
didn't think I would get back to where I was - so I'm pleased to be here. No
one thought I would be able to return to the level of performance - yet I
always knew I had the ability. I missed out on a whole season and I have a
point to prove. I will be working as hard as anyone to get in. That FA Cup
final against Liverpool seems a long time ago now."
West Ham United have reaped the benefits of Ashton's return to form, with
the striker scoring five goals in his last eight matches at the end of the
2007/08 campaign to repay those supporters who continued to chant his name
throughout the campaign. "I have shown with my goals in a limited season
that I am back to the player I was, perhaps even better, and I certainly
feel stronger mentally. Nothing will stop me searching for my goal - that is
to get in this England team and take the chance when it comes."
While competition for places is fierce - he is battling with Peter Crouch,
Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and midweek starter Jermain Defoe - Ashton
knows he has every chance of being a regular for the 2010 World Cup
qualifying campaign. "If I play well for my club, I know I can show I am
good enough. The squad has been broadened out and it gives me great heart.
Just to be here means [Capello] thinks highly of us all. He must see I am
doing well. Wayne Rooney is an unbelievable player and I know I can get in
the team as well. I have belief and was pleased with my ten Premier League
goals when I got my form back during the season. I will always score goals."
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Final step for Tomka and Sears - WHUFC
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears are 90 minutes away from securing a place at
July's U19 Euro
30.05.2008
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears will be in action again for England on
Saturday afternoon with the small matter of a place at July's European
Under-19 Championship up for grabs.
The West Ham United duo have helped England to two wins from two matches in
a four-nation mini-tournament in Belarus, meaning a point from their final
game against the host nation in Minsk will be enough to book their place in
the Czech Republic. The final round will be played between 14 and 26 July,
with the Czechs already sure to be joined by Spain, Bulgaria, Greece,
Hungary, Germany and either Italy or France.
The Young Lions' decisive match will take place from 2pm UK time, with group
rivals Serbia and Poland meeting simultaneously in Borisov. Both Serbia and
Belarus can still overhaul England if Brian Eastick's men are defeated.
England's first match was a 2-0 defeat of Poland last Monday, thanks to
Freddie Sears' double, before a James Henry goal saw off Serbia by a 1-0
margin on Wednesday. The 19-year-old defender Tomkins has played the full
game in both matches while striker Sears, 18, was substituted late on in the
second fixture.
Speaking to theFA.com, Tomkins said: "Its great having Freddie over here
with me. We all know that he's a quality player and he's shown it for the
West Ham first team this year. "Both of us get on really well with the other
lads in the squad." Although on international duty, he is already thinking
about next season back at the Boleyn. "It's going to be tough as players
like [Danny] Gabbidon and [James] Collins will be back from injury and in
contention but I'll knuckle down in pre-season and hopefully I can make an
impact."
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Ashton looks ahead - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 31st May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton has been speaking about his future international hopes on the
eve of England's friendly clash with Trinidad & Tobago. United striker
Ashton is in the Caribbean with Fabio Capello's squad and has been widely
tipped to make his England debut in what promises to be a much changed side
from that which beat the USA 2-0 at Wembley on Wednesday. Ashton was just a
spectator on that occasion but hopes to win his first cap this weekend - and
says that if given the chance, he intends to prove that he can challenge for
a regular spot. Talking to The Guardian, he said: "It's been two very, very
difficult years. I've had a few doubters so I'm really pleased to have got
back to this stage. When a new manager comes in you hope you can impress and
that he's going to look at new players. "I find it hard when people say
there's not much talent behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen because I think
there is. I'm part of that group that's more than capable of performing at
that level. "Players are picked who've played well for their clubs, no
matter what," he added. "That's why I think the players who haven't been in
think we've got the chance to take those places. I'm not saying Wayne Rooney
isn't an unbelievable player but I feel I can get in the team as well. "We
are constantly hearing there's no good English players about but I'd beg to
differ. Sometimes it takes just being given a chance to impress."
The match, which is being played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of
Spain, kicks off at 10:30pm GMT on Sunday evening and can be seen live in
the UK on BBC1.
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Ashton out to prove a point - SSN
Striker aims to make up for lost time
Last updated: 30th May 2008
Dean Ashton feels he has a point to prove after battling back from injury to
be on the verge of earning his first England cap. The West Ham striker is
hoping to make his debut against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday - two years
after cruelly suffering a broken ankle in training on the eve of a friendly
against Greece. That break ruled him out for a year and the target man has
since suffered an injury-hit season. But the 24-year-old finished on a
flourish, scoring three goals in his last three games to take his tally to
11 for the season and earn a place in Fabio Capello's squad. "It is gutting
to think two years have gone by since then," said Ashton, who was left on
the bench against USA on Wednesday. "You can't really sum it up. It's gone
very quickly and I missed out on a whole year when perhaps I could have
played well against Greece and been in the squad from then on. "I feel I
have a point to prove and obviously I'll be working as hard as anyone to get
my place. "In the latter part of the season with my goals and the way I
played I've shown that is all behind me and I'm back to the player I was,
maybe better with the mental side of it. "You have to be strong mentally to
get back to this position. If I get my chance I'll be strong enough to take
it."
Ashton believes his strength lies with his footballing brain, as opposed to
others who have raw pace. "I don't think Teddy Sheringham had electric pace,
I like to think my pace I have is in my brain and the way I play and
hopefully that is enough," he added. "I'm not particularly slow. I'm not as
quick as Gabriel Agbonlahor and players like that but there are quite a few
of them about."
Ashton may well get his chance on Sunday as Capello rests several players
involved in the UEFA Champions League final. The Italian has already shown
that he will select players outside of the 'big four' clubs, which gives
Ashton encouragement. "The manager has shown so far that it doesn't matter
where you've been in the past, it's what you are doing at the time," he
continued. "The players in the Champions League are obviously more likely to
play but if I can play well enough for my club and get my chance here I
believe I can show that I'm good enough. "We're constantly hearing that
there are no good English players about but I beg to differ, sometimes it
takes being given a chance to impress."
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Anton and on - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 30th May 2008
By: Staff Witer
Rumours continue to persist that Alan Curbishley is looking to offload Anton
Ferdinand as part of his summer cull. The younger brother of England and
Manchester United captain Rio had a mixed season last term which was
punctuated by injury. Now today's Daily Mirror claims that Curbishley is
looking to sell the 23-year-old in order to generate funds for a
replacement. The paper claims further that United will hold out for a fee in
the region of £5 million for the former England under 21. Meanwhile one
supposed summer transfer target, Manchester City's Richard Dunne looks set
to sign for Tottenham later this week, according to various sources. The
28-year-old centre-half has been voted City's player of the year for the
last four years running and is on his way out of the club. A number of
Premier League clubs - including Newcastle and Everton - were said to be
keen on landing the Irish international.
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West Ham set to cash in on £5m Ferdinand - soccernes.com
May 30, 2008
West Ham have a made a surprise decision to put defender Anton Ferdinand up
for sale according to the Daily Mirror. The move is believed to be part of
West Ham's aim to cut the clubs' wage bill radically, with Ferdinand
believed to be on around £1.2 million a year at Upton Park. Ferdinand, 23,
has on numerous occasions been rated as one of West Ham's top prospects, and
his powerful defensive performances attracted the attention of many top
clubs. Ferdinand is also well known due to his family links with brother Rio
and cousin Les. The decision is sure to alert a number of Premiership clubs
including Tottenham who reportedly had a bid turned down for the centre-back
over a year ago. The Daily Mirror claims that Ferdinand has struggled to win
the admiration of manager Alan Curbishley since the ex-Charlton boss took
over at Upton Park.
[Source: Daily Mirror]
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Terence Brown sues West Ham for £5m - Telegraph
By Sarah Limbrick
Last Updated: 1:40am BST 31/05/2008
Former West Ham chairman Terence Brown, who left the club last year, has
launched a legal battle for damages of more than £5 million.
Brown, who was the target of fans' protests at Upton Park, claims he was
sacked without notice and is seeking damages for the loss of his £492,000
yearly salary and chauffeur. He is also seeking recompense for loss of
pension contributions and mileage allowance, as well as the use of eight
seats in the directors' box, hospitality places, and car parking for the
rest of his life.
Brown became chairman of West Ham in 1992, and also owned 35.6 per cent of
the shares until December 2006, when he resigned as chairman. He became
honorary life vice president and kept his chauffeur, Richard Corbett, until
April 20 last year, according to a High Court writ.
Brown says he agreed that he would resign as a club director and executive
chairman in November 2006, becoming deputy vice-chairman, and a
non-executive director, and would be given the title of honorary life vice
president.He claims he was to be given eight seats in the directors' box,
eight hospitality places in the chairman's suite, two tickets in the
directors' box and boardroom at away matches, two on-site parking spaces,
and one parking space at away matches.
He accuses West Ham of breaching the agreement when, he says, they wrote on
May 1 last year sacking him without notice, and without paying him the value
of his salary and other benefits. West Ham are expected to contest the
claim.
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Cap might fit for Ashton and seven England wannabes
Kevin McCarra in Port of Spain The Guardian, Saturday May 31 2008
Inexperience insulates this England squad from the torpor associated with
friendlies so late in the season. Of the 23 men available to face Trindad &
Tobago here tomorrow evening, eight are awaiting an international debut.
Dean Ashton, in particular, has had a long, frustrating time in which to
develop his craving.
He would have got one in August 2006, against Greece, had it not been for
the broken ankle he sustained in a training session. Fitness and then form
eluded the West Ham striker after that. If he had hoped for a sentimental
gesture from Fabio Capello on Wednesday, he must have been disappointed when
he did not make an appearance against the United States.
The prospects have improved now that only Wayne Bridge and Rio Ferdinand
remain in the party from the players whose clubs contested the Champions
League final. All the same Liverpool's Peter Crouch would still outrank him
if Capello were selecting the side by prestige alone.
Ashton is no rebel but he did bridle at the hierarchical viewpoint earlier
this season. "I find it hard when people say there's not much talent behind
Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen," he admitted then, "because I think there is.
I'm part of that group that's more than capable of performing at that
level."
His attitude is unaltered. "It's been two very, very difficult years," he
said yesterday. "I've had a few doubters, so I'm really pleased to have got
back to this stage. When a new [England] manager comes in you hope you can
impress and that he's going to look at new players.
"Players are picked who've played well for their clubs, no matter what.
That's why I think the players who haven't been in think we've got the
chance to take those places. I'm not saying Wayne Rooney isn't an
unbelievable player but I feel I can get in the team as well."
Ashton's comparatively humble origins are apparent when he mentions that he
looks forward to catching up with the T&T goalkeeper Clayton Ince. Both of
them were once with Crewe. They have gone separate ways, however, and now
West Ham are in negotiations with Ashton over a new contract.
His employers will feel, as he does, that a target man with good technique
continues to be an influential figure in modern football. "I like to provide
as well as score goals for myself," Ashton said. "I don't think Teddy
Sheringham had electric pace. The pace I have is in my brain. I'm not
particularly slow; obviously I'm not as quick as Gabriel Agbonlahor and
players like that, but there are quite a few of them about."
Agbonlahor, indeed, may get his own first cap. Ashton, of course, had not
really been noticed by the general public since he was outstanding for West
Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final, which Liverpool eventually won in a shoot-out
after an extraordinary goal by Steven Gerrard had spared them defeat at the
very end on normal time.
If Ashton is particularly adamant about his merits, it must be because the
self-regard has been essential to sustain him over the past two years. At
only 24, however, he is also entitled to think that he has a stake in the
future. Although opinions will differ as to whether he is good enough to
flourish among the elite, he states the case forcefully for himself and
others of similar background. "We are constantly hearing there's no good
English players about but I'd beg to differ," he said. "Sometimes it takes
just being given a chance to impress."
The Champions League cartel has been cracked if not shattered this weekend.
Although the absent Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney, John Terry,
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole need not fear for their
international futures, it would be heartening to see others do well
tomorrow.
The element of romance is most pronounced in the case of the Peterborough
goalkeeper Joe Lewis. At the start of the season he went on loan from
Norwich, where he had known Ashton, to Morecambe. "I was struggling to get a
club," he admitted. "Nobody really wanted me." His agent even feared it
might set him back if Morecambe, freshly promoted to League Two from the
Conference, were thrashed each week.
Lewis took the more positive view that he could "be the star" if he was kept
busy. It was, in fact, a stable season for Morecambe and Peterborough bought
the 20-year-old for £400,000 in January. Lewis made his debut for England at
Under-21 level this month.
A senior cap, naturally, is much more likely to come the way of Manchester
City's Joe Hart tomorrow. Nothing, all the same, can impair Lewis's good
humour. Asked to compare the England manager with the Peterborough director
of football, Barry Fry, he replied: "Capello's English is better." We may
not see him playing for England tomorrow but there is something encouraging
about the presence of little-known, and slightly impudent, figures in the
party.
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DEAN: THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
31st May 2008 By BRIAN WOOLNOUGH in Trinidad
New faces trained in the Caribbean sun yesterday, determined to turn up the
heat on England's closed shop. Dean Ashton heads a list of players ready to
break up the tried and trusted line-up that has failed for so long. There
are places up for grabs as Fabio Capello looks for winners and Ashton knows
tomorrow night's friendly represents a golden opportunity. With so many
established names back home and resting, he and others like Theo Walcott and
Gabriel Agbonlahor can't waste this moment. The West Ham striker said: "The
new players here feel there is a chance to help create another England team.
"This is an opportunity to take the places of some of the other players.
Everyone wants a winning England. We are constantly being told there are not
enough England players around – I beg to differ.
"There are some good ones and all we are asking is the opportunity to prove
ourselves." The established players know Ashton is right – and Steven
Gerrard agreed. He said: "This manager will be ruthless if you don't meet
his standards, play how he wants and fit into the system. If you can't
produce for him then it will be goodbye."
Coach Capello is on record as saying he wants to find the perfect foil for
Wayne Rooney – and Ashton believes he can emerge as that man for next
season's World Cup campaign. He added: "There is a place going for a lead
striker and, with Michael Owen not here, there is great competition among
the new faces. "This game represents a real chance to stake a claim. We just
need the chance. I like to think I can be the partner for Wayne. "I operate
for the team and the striker who plays with me can only benefit. I provide
as well as score. If I do play I can score goals and think I have proved
that." Capello strolled around on the training pitch, watching carefully and
talking to his staff. He gives off an aura of importance and no-one knows
what is going on in his head. Ashton said with a smile: "We get as much
chance of understanding what he is thinking as you do. What the manager has
shown is that it doesn't matter where you have been or what you have done in
the past, it is where you are now. "Those players in the Champions League
are obviously going to have a better chance. But, if I play well for my
club, I know I can show I am good enough. The squad has been broadened out
and it gives me great heart.
"Just to be here means he thinks highly of us all. He must see I am doing
well. Wayne Rooney is an unbelievable player and I know I can get in the
team as well. I have belief and was pleased with my 10 Premier League goals
when I got my form back during the season. I will always score goals."
What Ashton has to do is brush Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe aside in the
race to partner Rooney. Owen has missed this trip with a virus although
there is no indication yet Capello wants England's No.1 striker in his team.
Ashton is so happy to be back involved after his injury nightmare. He added:
"It has been two difficult years. There were a few doubters who didn't
think I would get back to where I was – so I'm pleased to be here. "No-one
thought I would be able to return to the level of performance – yet I always
knew I had the ability. I missed out on a whole season and I have a point to
prove. "I will be working as hard as anyone to get in. That FA Cup final
against Liverpool seems a long time ago now. I have shown with my goals in a
limited season that I am back to the player I was, perhaps even better, and
I certainly feel stronger mentally. "Nothing will stop me searching for my
goal – that is to get in this England team and take the chance when it
comes."
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Liverpool and United to make shock move for Hammers defender? - Guardian
Series
ANTON Ferdinand is being lined up for a shock move to either Liverpool or
Manchester United, according to reports this morning. West Ham have
reportedly put the 23-year-old defender up for sale as they look to trim the
wage bill at Upton Park. And that has alerted two of the Premier League's
'big four' teams. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could make a move for
Ferdinand after recently revealing his concern at the number of goals his
team conceded from set pieces last season, while there is also the
uncertainty at Anfield over the future of veteran Sami Hyypia. Premier
League champions United need a replacement for Spanish youngster Gerard
Pique, who moved back to Barcelona earlier this week, and could be tempted
to take Ferdinand to Old Trafford to link up with big brother, Rio.
Meanwhile, Spurs are also showing an interest in the former England U21
international - they had a bid knocked back by the Hammers in the past -
although the north Londoners look more intent on snapping up Manchester
City's Richard Dunne. Ferdinand is the longest serving member of the Hammers
squad, having made 163 appearances since making his debut in 2002. But, with
six senior centre-halves on the books and the emergence of promising
youngster James Tomkins towards the end of last term, Irons boss Alan
Curbishley may just feel that Ferdinand's time in east London has run its
course. It would take in the region of about £5 million to prise him away
from Upton Park.
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Hammers told to cough up the cash to land Shorey - Guardian Series
WEST Ham have been told they will not get Reading's Nicky Shorey on the
cheap. The Irons have long been connected with a move for the Barking-born
left back and had a £4m offer for the 27-year-old turned down last summer.
But, despite Reading's releagtion to the Championship and the player making
it clear he wants to quit the club, Royals chief executive Nigel Howe
reckons it will still take a substantial offer to prise the England man away
from the Madjeski Stadium. "I like Nicky, but I am not going to give him
away," Howe told the Evening Post. "In theory he should still be a very
valuable player who is in the £4 million to £5 million bracket. "He hasn't
put in a transfer request but he has just made it clear he wants to go. "He
still has a year left on his contract and I hope for him that someone comes
in for him with a sensible offer because if not then I don't know what is
likely to happen. "But it is early days and I don't expect us to see any
action until July when everyone is back from their breaks."
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