By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Lagos
In a bizarre move, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has called up an
ineligible player for their forthcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers. West Ham
United striker Carlton Cole is in the squad for the games against South
Africa in September and Sierra Leone in October. Cole, who has a Nigerian
father and Sierra Leonean mother, has played for England at under-21 level.
But he cannot switch allegiance to Nigeria as he is now 24 years old. Fifa
allows players who have represented one country at junior level to switch to
another country. But the statutes of world football's governing body state
that this can only happen if they are still under the age of 21. Cole, whose
full name is Carlton Cole Okirie, was born in England. In the past, he had
apparently been keen on playing for Nigeria, but he accepted an England
under-21 call-up when he felt he had been overlooked by the Super Eagles.
Another surprise name included in the 20-man squad released by the NFF is
defender Daniel Ola, who holds a Ghanaian passport. The former Lazio and
Chievo player, is now with Italian Serie B club AC Cesena. Newcastle United
striker Obafemi Martins, who missed all four first round qualifiers in June
due to injury, has been recalled. After winning all four of their matches so
far in their group, Nigeria are have already ensured their place in the
second phase of the combined 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations
qualifiers.
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Bellamy cleared after fan 'row' - BBC
West Ham have cleared Craig Bellamy over an alleged row with an Ipswich fan
during a friendly on Monday night. The striker was accused of verbally
abusing a fan as he walked along the touchline after being substituted. But
a West Ham spokesman confirmed to BBC Sport on Tuesday that Bellamy has no
case to answer. The Wales captain, 29, will have a scan on Tuesday to assess
the hamstring injury that saw him limp off after just 24 minutes of the game
at Portman Road. He may now miss the start of the season as well as Wales'
friendly clash with Georgia. Bellamy had put the Hammers 2-1 up in the 5-3
win over Ipswich, chipping Richard Wright from 20 yards after just 10
minutes. But after being forced off injured, Bellamy was seen to kick an
advertising board and then appeared to be involved in a verbal exchange as
he left the field. And of immediate concern to Bellamy's club and country
will be how serious his injury is.
Bellamy played just nine games for the Hammers last term in an
injury-ravaged first season at Upton Park which was blighted by abdominal
and groin problems. Only last week, manager Alan Curbishley praised the
51-times capped Welshman after scoring a brace in a 2-0 win over
Peterborough. "He has worked extremely hard to return to full fitness and is
a great asset," said Curbishley. Wales manager John Toshack names his squad
on Friday for the friendly with Georgia at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on
20 August. Toshack will not want to be without his inspirational captain as
Wales prepare for the start of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign
against Azerbaijan on 6 September in Cardiff.
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International call-up for Cole - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has been called up to the full Nigerian squad for the first
time. The United striker - who scored six goals in 19 appearances for the
England under-21s - had previously rejected the opportunity to play for
Nigeria and Sierra Leone in order to keep his options with England open. But
having never looked close to appearing for the country of his birth, Cole is
set to grab the chance to feature for Nigeria - for whom he is eligible
through his father. Cole is one of four English-based strikers named in the
latest squad by coach Shaibu Amodu, alongside Obafemi Martins (Newcastle),
Yakubu (Everton) and Kanu (Portsmouth). Amodu, talking about his new squad
earlier in the week said: "By and large the list underscores Nigeria's
desire to try new options against the backdrop of the Super Eagles having
already picked a ticket for the third and final phase of qualifying, which
begins in March 2009."
The Super Eagles are set to face South Africa this September in a World Cup
qualifier.
Full Nigerian squad: Ayenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Etafia (Moroka Swallows), Yobo
(Everton), Shittu (Watford), Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Mohammed (Al Hilal), Ola
(Cesena), Nwaneri (FC Sion), Taiwo (Marseille), Olofinjana (Stoke City),
Uche (Almeria), Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Haruna (Monaco), Ayila (Dynamo Kiev);
Okoduwa (Dynamo Kiev), Utaka (Portsmouth), Cole (West Ham), Martins
(Newcastle), Aiyegbeni (Everton), Kanu (Portsmouth).
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Bellamy in hot water - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Craig Bellamy could have his knuckles rapped later today after becoming
involved in a touchline spat at Ipswich last night. The Welsh striker
exchanged unpleasantries with an Ipswich fan as he left the field after
pulling up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain just 24 minutes into
last night's 5-3 win.
TheSun newspaper claimed this morning that Bellamy, who began his career
with Ipswich's local rivals Norwich called a female Town fan a 'f***ing
Ipswich prostitute' as he left the field of play having been heckled by the
home fans. An unnamed spokesman from West Ham said: "We will look into the
facts of what happened. I haven't had a chance to speak to Craig myself. I
was made aware of it after the game, as I was in the players' tunnel. "An
official from Ipswich made me aware something had happened. We take such
allegations seriously. I haven't spoken to anyone to find out what was
allegedly said." Both clubs are said to be investigating the incident whilst
the Police have also been informed.
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Curbs excited by strike duo - SSN
Hammers boss tipping duo to shine
Last updated: 5th August 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley says he is looking forward to the strike
partnership of Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy this season. The Hammers were
unable to call upon the duo last season because of injuries, with both
players starting together only twice. Ashton and Bellamy have impressed in
pre-season together and Curbishley believes it will be an exciting
partnership this term. "I think we didn't have them at all last year, I
think they played together once or twice," Curbishley told Sky Sports News.
"Obviously we are looking forward to that and we hope it brings us quite a
few goals." Curbishley also backed Ashton to become a regular in Fabio
Capello's England side after making his debut in the summer friendly against
Trinidad & Tobago. "He [Ashton] was in the last squad, Capello knows all
about Dean and he has come to Upton Park on quite a few occasions last year.
"So all I think all Dean can do, and some of my other young English players,
is go out there and perform week in, week out and make sure they are
noticed."
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Cole gets Nigeria call-up - SSN
Hammers striker among nine English-based players in squad
Last updated: 5th August 2008
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has been included in Nigeria's squad
for a World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Cole, who won 19 caps for
England's Under 21 side, is part of a 20-man squad for the away tie with the
2010 hosts next month. The former Chelsea youngster's father is Nigerian and
he is one of nine English-based players in the party for the game. Watford's
Danny Shittu is involved for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations
at the start of the year and Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins is
also back in the squad. Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni,
Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka, Stoke City's new signing Seyi
Olofinjana and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel have also been picked.
Nigeria are currently top of Group Four, which also includes Sierra Leone
and Equatorial Guinea, and have already qualified for the next phase.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Ike Uche have been left out, with
coach Shaibu Amodu keen to look at different options.
Squad: Dele Ayenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Greg Etafia (Moroka Swallows); Joseph
Yobo (Everton), Danny Shittu (Watford), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Yusuf
Mohammed (Al Hilal), Daniel Ola (Cesena), Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion), Taye
Taiwo (Marseille); Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City), Kalu Uche (Almeria), John
Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev);
Emmanuel Okoduwa (Dynamo Kiev), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Carlton Cole (West
Ham), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton), Nwankwo Kanu
(Portsmouth)
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Opinion: Football fans are hypocrites when it comes to player abuse - The
Mirror
By Dan Silver 5/08/2008
Reports that police are investigating West Ham striker Craig Bellamy for
allegedly verbally abusing Ipswich games during the clubs' pre-season
friendly last night highlights one of the biggest examples of hypocrisy to
be found in football. Namely that fans are great at dishing out abuse, but
can't take it. Not that I'm condoning players retaliating, of course: the
game's current emphasis on respect has to apply off the pitch as well as on
it. But that said, respect is a two-way street, and football fans that spend
90 minutes giving opposition players dogs' abuse from the stands shouldn't
play the innocent ingénues and go running to the authorities the minute one
of their targets shows a moment of human weakness and answers back.
One of the most shameful exhibitions of this double standard I've personally
witnessed occurred at a QPR vs Barnsley FA Cup tie back in 1997. For reasons
too convoluted to go into here, I was sat just behind the goal in the midst
of the travelling Tyke army, a couple of thousand hardy northern souls, most
of whom spent the entire first half subjecting QPR keeper Tony Roberts to a
pretty much non-stop torrent of abuse. It was all reasonably good natured
until QPR scored, at which point Roberts momentarily forgot himself, turned
to the massed ranks of the away fans and let them know exactly what he
thought of his team taking the lead.
As impressive and impassioned a display of fist pumping and incoherent
shouting as Roberts put on, it still didn't warrant the reaction of those
sat around me. In an instant the brave and bullish Barnsley fans were
transformed, their faces switching from twisted masks of hate to something
resembling a small child who just heard his first swear word. A significant
number of them even tried – unsuccessfully – to report Roberts to the
stewards for incitement.
Now, I wasn't at Portman Road last night, so can't comment on what provoked
Craig Bellamy's alleged reaction, but I'm willing to bet that the fans in
question weren't complementing him on his former exploits for hated local
rivals Norwich City. The witty banter between crowd and players has always
been one of the most enjoyable aspects of watching football, and long may it
continue. But some football supporters need to have a long, hard look at
themselves. If you spend the best part of 90 minutes giving a footballer the
kind of abuse that would likely lead to a full scale barfight if directed at
someone you didn't know in a pub, then you shouldn't go running to the
authorities if they occasionally give something back.
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Irons could move for Manchester United striker - Guardian Series
4:47pm Tuesday 5th August 2008
ACCORDING to sources in France, West Ham are preparing a bid for Manchester
United striker Louis Saha. Sunderland have reportedly made an offer for the
Frenchman and it is being suggested that the Hammers may not have the funds
to compete with the Black Cats. However, Alan Curbishley is looking to
bolster his attacking options after letting Bobby Zamora join Fulham this
summer, while the injury-prone Craig Bellamy limped out of the friendly with
Ipswich last night and he may try and swoop for the forward, who turns 30 on
Friday.
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MOORE'S NO 6 IS RETIRED - Daily Express
Tuesday August 5,2008
By Nigel Clarke
West Ham will retire the No6 shirt worn by former Upton Park and England
captain Bobby Moore, the Premier League club announced yesterday. Moore, who
died in 1993, is one of the most celebrated names in English football,
having lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 as captain of England's World
Cup-winning team. He was one of three West Ham players in Alf Ramsey's
victorious England team, alongside striker Geoff Hurst and midfielder Martin
Peters.
A statue of the three stands outside the club's stadium. Moore, who was at
West Ham from 1958-74, was the club's most successful captain, lifting the
FA Cup in 1964 and European Cup Winners' Cup the following year. He died
from bowel cancer at the age of 51. West Ham chief executive officer Scott
Duxbury said: "When we were talking about ways to mark 50 years since Bobby
Moore's debut, there was only one true gesture that would do him justice,
retiring the number six shirt he made his own."
Moore made his first appearance for the club aged 17 against Manchester
United in September 1958, and to mark the anniversary West Ham will play
Spanish club Villarreal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday for the
inaugural Bobby Moore Cup. After leaving West Ham, Moore – who won 108
England caps – played for Fulham and American clubs San Antonio Thunder and
Seattle Sounders. Matthew Upson, the England defender who has been wearing
the No6 for West Ham, will take the No15 shirt. Meanwhile, West Ham will
step up their search for another front man after Kieron Dyer suffered a
hairline fracture of the leg he broke last season during training last week.
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Craig Bellamy facing inquiry into 'prostitute' slur at Ipswich fans
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 10:45AM BST 05 Aug 2008
Craig Bellamy has been accused of verbally abusing an opposition supporter
during West Ham's friendly against Ipswich Town The Wales international was
accused of getting involved in a row with an Ipswich fan as he walked along
the touchline after being substituted. The striker was seen to kick an
advertising board, after picking up an injury, and then appeared to be
involved in a verbal exchange with supporters near the stadium's family
enclosure.
A West Ham United spokesman said: "We will look into the facts of what
happened. I haven't had a chance to speak to Craig myself. I was made aware
of it after the game, as I was in the players' tunnel. "An official from
Ipswich made me aware something had happened. We take such allegations
seriously. I haven't spoken to anyone to find out what was allegedly said."
According to local reports, Bellamy was said to have sworn at supporters and
made reference to Ipswich prostitutes. In 2006, five prostitutes were the
victims of a serial killer who stalked the area's red light district in
November and December of that year. Deryck Ayers, who was at the game with
his 6-year-old daughter, claimed he was sworn at by Bellamy. The Lowestoft,
Suffolk, resident said: "With him being an ex-Norwich player I shouted 'see
you later Bellamy' and he just turned around and swore at me and he said
something about prostitutes in Ipswich." The lifelong Ipswich fan added: "He
(Bellamy) was not very nice. I was shocked because I had my daughter there
and there were other kids around in the same area."
Michelle Relf-Stables, who was with her 10- and 14-year-old sons at the
game, added: "I was just absolutely gobsmacked - there is just no need to
behave like that. We pay lots of money to come to these games and I do not
expect my sons to hear words like that. "I will take it up with the
football club." West Ham beat the Championship promotion hopefuls 5-3,
thanks largely to a hat-trick from England forward Dean Ashton.
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Craig Bellamy investigated for 'fan abuse'
Times Online and agencies
West Ham United are investigating claims that Craig Bellamy verbally abused
an Ipswich Town fan during their pre-season friendly last night. The Welsh
international was said to have been involved in a row with the fan at
Portman Road as he walked along the touchline after being substituted. The
striker was seen to kick an advertising board, after picking up an injury,
and then appeared to be involved in a verbal exchange with supporters near
the stadium's family enclosure. "We will look into the facts of what
happened," a West Ham United spokesman said: "I haven't had a chance to
speak to Craig myself. I was made aware of it after the game, as I was in
the players' tunnel. An official from Ipswich made me aware something had
happened. "We take such allegations seriously. I haven't spoken to anyone to
find out what was allegedly said."
West Ham beat the Coca-Cola Championship side 5-3, with a hat-trick from
Dean Ashton.
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No complaint received by police over Bellamy incident - Echo News
12:49pm Tuesday 5th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
POLICE have not received a formal complaint over an alleged altercation
between West Ham United striker Craig Bellamy and an Ipswich Town fan on
Monday evening. Bellamy was widely reported to have verbally abused a
female supporter as he walked along the touchline after being injured during
the first half of West Ham's 5-3 friendly win. However, a Hammers spokesman
and Suffolk police have both said that no complaint has been received. "I
have spoken to the police and they have told me that no complaint has been
received," the club spokesman said. A Suffolk Constabulary spokeswoman
added: "No formal complaints have been received by either Suffolk Police or
Ipswich Town. "However, if any member of the public witnessed an incident at
the Ipswich Town versus West Ham match at Portman Road on Monday, they
should contact PC Marc Norman, football intelligence officer, on 01473
613500."
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Hammers striker gets international call-up - Guardian Series
12:19pm Tuesday 5th August 2008
WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole has been called up to the Nigeria squad for
the upcoming World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Cole is eligible to
represent Nigeria despite having played for England at under 21 level, as
his father is Nigerian. The 24-year-old, who began his career with Chelsea,
joins a host of other Premier League stars in the Nigeria squad, including
Newcastle's Obafemi Martins, Everton's Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni,
Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Portsmouth forward Nwnkwo Kanu.
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A forward importance - Cmon Yu Irons
If ever there was any more proof of the need of another high profile
forward, then it's now. During last nights friendly against Ipswich Craig
Bellamy was taken off limping in the first half, leaving Hines to replace
him, and no doubt making many fans wonder if Curbishley is just going to
stick with what he has up front.
At this level this may seem ok for Hines to come on to replace Bellamy, but
he, as with Sears are still learning their trade in the premiership, and
Cole for all his efforts is not a goal merchant. Which leaves us with a
problem, and it's one that Curbs has to address before the season kicks
off…We need another proven forward, not just for starting, but for cover
aswell.
This post was submitted by Dave Hall.
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HAMMERS TALK: Toon step up interest in Ferdinand - Guardian Series
8:53am Tuesday 5th August 2008
RUMOURS linking Anton Ferdinand with a move away from West Ham this summer
continue to surface. Aston Villa, Spurs and Newcastle have all been credited
with showing an interest in the 23-year-old. Now recent reports suggest that
Newcastle are stepping up their interest in the defender, who limped out of
the Irons 5-3 friendly win over Ipswich last night. Ferdinand is thought to
have rejected a move to St James's Park last month after the Hammers
accepted a £6million bid. But, although the player has reiterated his desire
to remain at Upton Park, Toon boss Kevin Keegan is eager to snap up the
former England U21 man in a bid to bolster his leaky backline.
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Royals knock back Shorey offer - Setanta
by Alex Livie, 05 August 2008
Reading have rejected a bid for England left back Nicky Shorey. Shorey is
keen to move on from Reading following their relegation to The Championship
and Portsmouth are confirmed admirers of his services. Reports suggest
Sunderland are monitoring the left back's situation, while Aston Villa and
West Ham are said to be admirers of the defender. Royals chief Steve Coppell
has not divulged the name of the side who tabled the bid, but stressed it
does not match their valuation. "We do not need to sell anyone so I am not
going to give anyone away," said Coppell. "The offer we have had is not one
that we find acceptable. I have spoken to Nicky and he accepts the
situation."
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Hammers taught us a lesson, says Magilton as Ashton puts Blues to the sword
- MyFootballWriter.com
Tues 5 Aug 08
Jim Magilton admitted last night's 5-3 defeat to West Ham was a "steep
learning curve" for a few of his players. While the Blues were able to live
with the Hammers in the first half, Premiership class told in the second as
Dean Ashton completed a hat-trick in what was a fine display of clinical
finishing. It will certainly be a match that 18-year-old defender Tommy
Smith will remember for a long time after the likes of Craig Bellamy, Kyel
Reid and Ashton gave the Ipswich back four the run around all evening. While
Smith undoubtedly has the potential to become a mainstay of the Blues
defence, he showed that he isn't ready to be thrown in against Preston on
Saturday and why Magilton is desperate to land someone of Ivan Campo's
experience. "It was a fantastic lesson for Tommy Smith," said Magilton.
"Bellamy and Ashton's movement was fantastic and they took their chances
really well. "You can't give players of that ability that amount of room in
the box. A Premier League club came here and they did a job on us in the
second half. It's a great learning curve for us all – for the players and
me. "We take it all on board and look forward to Saturday. It was a great
workout for us and we managed to get a lot of players game time again."
In the pre-match build-up Magilton called for his side to adopt a more
cautious approach but this clearly fell on deaf ears with the first period
played like a five-a-side game. It was end to end stuff and, while the
standard of defending wasn't up to much, the attacking flair on view from
both sides made it a pulsating 45 minutes of football. Town should have
actually been ahead at the break after Veliche Shumulikoksi and Owen Garvan
equalised goals from Ashton and Bellamy. The Blues were causing a lot of
problems from set-pieces with Gareth McAuley hitting the woodwork and Kevin
Lisbie heading over from close range. But the second half was a completely
different story as West Ham exerted their superiority and the 5-3 scoreline
flattered the Blues at the final whistle. "It was a bit Jekyll and Hyde – a
bit like us," said Magilton. "In the first half I thought we were excellent
after the first 10 minutes when we looked like a rabbit caught in the
headlights "We were in awe of West Ham coming here and we looked nervy at
the back but once we settled into the game I thought we played some
fantastic stuff. We created a lot of good openings and it was end to end
stuff. "There wasn't much defending going on which is a characteristic of
ours. But in the second half they changed their shape and we didn't really
have the know-how to compete with that. We became a little bit disjointed
and got picked off accordingly."
Magilton knows his side must learn to defend better as a team in the season
ahead. Town might be able to get away with a gung-ho style at Portman Road
but on the road most Championship sides have enough ability to pick them off
and the Blues boss will not want a repeat of last season when he had to wait
until February before registering an away win. Shumulikoski was the Blues
star man last night but showed that he does not consider himself a defensive
central midfielder. Too often both Garvan and the Macedonian vacated the
central area which allowed West Ham so much space to play and they took full
advantage. Campo could be the answer with the Spanish veteran a mainstay of
the Bolton midfield during Sam Allardyce's tenure at the Reebok Stadium and
possessing the tactical discipline that is lacking within the Town ranks at
the moment. "Collectively we've got to defend better but it's about getting
ready for Saturday and there's no better lesson than actually playing the
game," added Magilton. "I'm sure a few of our players will go home tonight
and use that. That's the standard they have to try and attain if they want
to play in the Premier League."
Before last night's contest, Magilton said he knew what his starting XI was
going to be against Preston on Saturday but he admitted there are now a
couple of places up for grabs. Whether Pim Balkestein is quite ready to make
the transition to left back on a full time basis is open to question with
the Dutchman still caught on occasion thinking like a centre half. Alex
Bruce is likely to come in for Smith while Magilton must also decide whether
Tommy Miller or Shumulikoski partners Garvan in central midfield. Kevin
Lisbie and Pablo Counago will start against the Lilywhites as questions
continue to be raised over Alan Lee's long term future at Portman Road.
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HAMMERS TALK: Toffees join the chase for Irons striker - Guardian Series
9:22am Tuesday 5th August 2008
EVERTON have reportedly joined the chase for West Ham striker Dean Ashton.
The 24-year-old forward - who bagged a hat-trick in the Irons' 5-3 friendly
win over Ipswich last night - has been linked with a move away from Upton
Park all summer. Manchester United, Spurs, Newcastle and Sunderland have all
been credited with showing an interest in the England man. Now David Moyes -
who is hoping to raise £13million from the sale of Andy Johnson - is
believed to be keen. The Toffees boss sees Ashton as an ideal partner for
Yakubu Aiyegbeni and is ready to splash out as much as £20million to land
his man. However, he will have a fight o his hands to prise the forward away
from east London, after chief executive Scott Duxbury this week insisted the
player is going nowhere.
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Hammers join Saha chase - Setanta
by Adam Marshall, 05 August 2008
West Ham have joined the race to sign Manchester United striker Louis Saha,
according to sources in France. Saha has been strongly tipped to link up
with former Red Devils team-mate Roy Keane at Sunderland in the English
press on Tuesday but is thought to be interested in returning to London. The
former Fulham forward has frustrated Sir Alex Ferguson with his injury
battles over the past couple of seasons but remains a top-class centre
forward when fit.
Keane has money to spend and is desperate to buy a new striker with last
season's Kenwyne Jones undergoing surgery on his knee injury. However, West
Ham have injury concerns of their own with Craig Bellamy limping out of the
friendly with Ipswich Town. Alan Curbishley has offloaded Bobby Zamora to
Fulham and would like a new partner for in-form Dean Ashton. Whether The
Hammers can match Sunderland's bid is another matter but if Saha would
rather move to Upton Park a deal could be done, providing it is a permanent
transfer rather than a loan switch, which does not suit United.The Hammers
have added to their ranks with the capture of 17-year-old midfielder Georg
Grasser from Austrian side Grazer AK.
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Bellamy's injury is not just 'bad luck' - BubblesInTheAir.com
Tuesday 05 Aug 2008 09:41:44 by Tony Watson
Is it me or does our persistent injury problems go way beyond unlucky?
With the disappointing news that Kieron Dyer is now out injured until
October still fresh in the mind we have had to endure even worse news in my
opinion - now Bellamy looks set to miss the start of the season with a
hamstring injury, £1.5 million in the sun dream team and he seemed a bargain
- well not anymore.
The main reason for optimism towards the new campaign on my part was the
fact I was about to see us at full strength. A fully fit Dean Ashton, Scott
Parker and Craig Bellamy. Three key players in our quest for European
football and they have barely played together as of yet. However, the
optimism was shattered yesterday evening upon hearing the startling news
from Portman Road - Craig Bellamy had to be taken off with a suspected
hamstring injury - just then it sank in - this is not 'bad luck', it is not
some torrid curse - it is the West Ham coaching and medical staff.
Well, it has to be. How else can you account for these unbelievable injury
problems. Sure, last year some of them were impact injuries but there were a
lot of strains and pulled muscles too. This suggest to me the players are
not being prepared properly, that something over Chadwell Heath needs some
serious assessment.
This week we have had 3 new injury worries - Kieron Dyer with a Stress
fracture - this is said to be due to the hard ground - well if that is true
- how ridiculous is that? We have a player who at the moment has cost 31k
per minute he has been on the pitch and the designed rehabilitation
programme for him never took into account that this could happen - this is
rubbish and there is no excuse for it, every eventuality should have been
taken into account - we are aiming to be one of the top clubs in Europe but
this incompetence is just another example of how far behind we are.
Now Craig Bellamy (who has been looking sharp in pre-season) has injured his
hamstring, whether it is a pull, I'm not sure as it has yet to be confirmed.
Now it is so easy to say 'these things happen in football' - yeah they do
but why are they happening so often to us??? It has happened far too often
to just say that and now something needs to be done. Never fear though
people because we have Carlton Cole ready to fill his boots - I feel
deflated. All that coupled with Anton being taken off injured too.
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What did YOU witness between the Ipswich fans and West Ham's Craig Bellamy
last night? - sitdownshutup.tv
Being a former Naaaaaaaaawich player, and generally unlikeable guy, Craig
Bellamy was never going to get a standing ovation at Portman Road. Yet
today's papers are full of stories of a "battle" between Craig and the Town
fans. I'm sure this is being hyped up beyond what actually happened.
According to the BBC, "West Ham have launched an investigation after Craig
Bellamy was alleged to have been involved in a row with an Ipswich fan
during a friendly on Monday night. The alleged incident happened as the
29-year-old striker walked along the touchline after being substituted.
Bellamy was seen to kick an advertising board and then appeared to be
involved in a verbal exchange as he left the field with an injury on 24
minutes."
Injured again? Who'd have believed it. A West Ham spokesman said: "We will
look into the facts of what happened. An official from Ipswich made me aware
something had happened. We take such allegations seriously."
It's a shame this petty little tantrum is eclipsing the whole host of highs
and lows that should be being debated after a 5-3 defeat.
Gary Shuler
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