Friday, September 19

Daily WHUFC News - II 19th September 2008

Zola happy with start - WHUFC
The manager has been speaking about his productive first week with the squad
at Chadwell Heath
19.09.2008

Gianfranco Zola has reflected on his first five days as West Ham United
manager as the squad prepare for the visit of Newcastle United on Saturday

This week has seen some intensive training sessions as Zola looks to get his
new ideas instilled in the players as quickly as possible. He said: "I have
got my system. I like to train a lot with the ball, with a lot of intensity
in the sessions and they are very demanding. They are always with the ball,
they are always with a lot of enjoyment. It seems to me that the players
like it very much."

Having watched last weekend's narrow defeat by West Bromwich Albion from the
stands, Zola felt that the players tired in the latter stages. He said: "I
explained to the players not to be too hard on themselves. Up to 70 minutes
they were very good and looked the better team on the pitch. Over the last
20 minutes they went down physically, you lose attention and that's why we
conceded the third goal."

Despite the taxing schedule, Zola has been delighted with the squad's
response. "It's been a very good week and I've enjoyed it. The training
sessions have been spot on and the players have been very committed. [On
Thursday], for example, it should have been an easy session to recover, but
the players want to push it all of the time and that is the kind of attitude
that every manager hopes for."

Zola has been aided this week by the new-look management team comprising of
his No2 Steve Clarke, Kevin Keen and Antonio Pintus. Clarke has only been
working with the players since Tuesday but the manager is delighted to have
him on board. "Steve is a great man. His impact with the team has been
absolutely positive."

After seeing his new team close-up, Zola, who confirmed that Lucas Neill
will remain as captain, believes the potential is there for his vision.
"Attacking football? Yes, why not? We're working on that. Obviously we need
to improve and get some important players back - Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy
and Kieron Dyer, who are all attacking players. The idea is to get to the
point where we are playing offensive football as much as possible but also
we have to work on the defence."

Newcastle visit on Saturday and Zola hinted that there may be some changes
to the way the team is set up - although he was keen to point out he had no
'magic stick' to change things quickly. "There will be a few changes but I
won't tell you now otherwise Newcastle will see! I just like working on the
pitch every week so I've been with these players for five days and I'm not
presumptuous enough to say everything will be all right," he said.

Ashton will miss the match after picking up an ankle injury while it is not
clear if Craig Bellamy will figure as he continues his comeback from a
hamstring problem. "Deano will have one week where he will have to rest.
Next week we will see his condition but at the moment he needs one week to
recover," Zola said. "Bellamy has had a problem, an old problem that is
still recovering - hopefully [he will play] - we'll see."

Zola has experienced first-hand how powerful the Boleyn Ground crowd can be
and wants to count on their backing. "They need to be patient with us and to
back us and support us all the time. We are working on that relationship, we
are not there yet. We going to try that, but we need that support," he said.

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Galey hails 'great mix' - WHUFC
Speaking to WHUTV, Tony Gale thinks the new management set-up has the
perfect combination
19.09.2008

Tony Gale is excited about the new management team at the Boleyn Ground and
is optimistic for a home win in the match against Newcastle United on
Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to WHUTV, the former West Ham United centre-half says
that Steve Clarke's tactical know-how and defensive expertise will be the
perfect foil to manager Gianfranco Zola's vision of attacking football. Gale
said: "It will be a great mix. Gianfranco, with his fair play and the way he
can encourage our strikers and midfield players, and Clarkey with his
discipline and organisation, who can sort things out around the team, the
team pattern and how we play defensively as well. With Kevin Keen alongside
the two of them."

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West Ham v Newcastle - BBC
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 20 September Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live, Final Score & highlights
on Match of the Day

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West Ham will be without Dean Ashton after the striker suffered an ankle
injury in training earlier in the week. And forward Craig Bellamy (hamstring
and groin) is a doubt for Gianfranco Zola's debut in English management.
Newcastle will be without midfielder Alan Smith who is likely to miss the
rest of the year with a stress fracture of his foot. Winger Damien Duff
(knee) and striker Obafemi Martins (groin) could both return but Danny
Guthrie is suspended.

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West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Faubert,
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Etherington, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Mullins,
Tomkins, Reid, Sears, Bellamy.

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Edgar, N'Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa,
Bassong, Tozer, Butt, Geremi, Duff, Gonzalez, Donninger, Owen, Xisco,
Ameobi, Donaldson, Ranger, Danquah.

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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola ahead of his first game in charge: "We need to
improve on last season. That is our main target although I have just stepped
into the job and I have to work on the team, so I can't say what the
possibilities are. "But I am sure that if the players carry on working as
they have been, with spirit and attitude, then we can do a good job."

Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton: "All I can do is do the job I am
doing at the moment to the best of my abilities and prepare the team for a
tough game.
The mood has been good. One thing the players realise is these are difficult
times, and what they realise also is they can't affect anything that's gone
on or will go on outside of the training ground. "That makes them all the
more conscious that they need to keep together as a group."

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Gianfranco Zola takes charge of West Ham for the first time against
managerless Newcastle.

The Hammers defend the strongest home record in the Premier League against a
troubled Tyneside club, in danger of a third successive league loss.

Newcastle have not lost in nine Premier League meetings with West Ham.

The Hammers have drawn four and lost five top-flight clashes with the
Magpies since prevailing 3-0 at home on 23 September 2001, when Don
Hutchison, Paulo Di Canio and Freddie Kanoute got on the score-sheet.

Distance between the clubs: 280 miles (451 kilometres)
Newcastle make the longest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.


CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED

Club stats
8th 6 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest could fall: 13th

2008-09 Premier League performance

1. Top the Premier League "home" table with a 100% return of two wins out of
two.

2. One goal short of totalling 600 in Premier League history.

3. Won three and drawn two of the last five league matches at Upton Park,
since losing 0-1 to Portsmouth on 8 April.

4. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 16 matches since
keeping a clean sheet; the 0-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on 23
February being the most recent.

5. The 1-0 home win over Liverpool on 30 January is their only clean sheet
in 18 home league outings.

6. Picked up 10 points from a last 12 available against North-East clubs at
Upton Park.

7. The 0-2 loss to Newcastle on 17 September 2006 is their only defeat in
six home Premier League matches against clubs from the North-east region.

Fixtures


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NEWCASTLE UNITED

Club stats
16th 4 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th
Lowest could fall: 19th

2008-09 Premier League performance

1. This is Chris Hughton's second Premier League game in caretaker charge
since Kevin Keegan's resignation.

2. Won one of the last seven Premier League matches; 1-0, home to Bolton on
23 August.

3. Still to add to their 1,000 post war league wins.

4. Not lost three Premier League games in a row, since tumbling to four
successive losses between 9 February and 8 March 2008.

5. Scored one goal in two hours of Premier League played this season.

6. Won one of the last six away in all competitions; 2-3 after extra time
against Coventry in the second round of the Carling Cup on 26 August.

7. Lost the last two league matches against London clubs without scoring;
conceding a total of five goals in the progress.

Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED

Squad profiles

Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds,
Newcastle and West Ham).

Dean ASHTON scored in both league fixtures against Newcastle last season.

If selected:-

ASHTON will be making his 250th career league appearance (Crewe, Norwich and
West Ham).

Luis BOA MORTE will be making his 250th Premier League appearance (Arsenal,
Southampton, Fulham and West Ham).

James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).

Lucas NEILL will be making his 50th Premier League appearance in a West Ham
shirt.

Craig BELLAMY will be facing a former club. The 29 year old Wales
international made 128 appearances (93 in the league) and scored 42 goals
(27 league) for Newcastle between June 2001 and July 2005.

BOWYER would also be facing his former club. In the three seasons from July
2003, the England International midfielder made 98 appearances and scored 11
goals for Newcastle. Of those, 79 appearances and six goals were in the
Premier League.

Scott PARKER will also be coming up against former team mates. The 27 year
old midfielder made 73 appearances (55 in the league) and scored six goals
(four league) between June 2005 and his £7m 2007 close season move to Upton
Park.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED

Squad profiles

Michael OWEN has scored 10 goals in 12 Premier League appearances (for
Liverpool and Newcastle) against West Ham, including a hat-trick in his
visit to Upton Park on 17 December 2005.

Suspended:-

Danny GUTHRIE (three matches)


HEAD TO HEAD
The 2-2 draw with Newcastle in this corresponding fixture last April was
West Ham's 500th Premier League fixture and was played on Alan Curbishley's
500th day in charge.

Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 36 wins, Newcastle 44, Draws 32
Prem: West Ham 7 wins, Newcastle 12, Draws 7

at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 28 wins, Newcastle 14, Draws 14
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Newcastle 5, Draws 3


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
26 April 2008 - Ref: Uriah Rennie
West Ham scorers: Noble 10, Ashton 23
Newcastle scorers: Martins 42, Geremi 45


REFEREE
Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)

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Aussie starlet set for trials - SSN
Lucas Neill Scholarship winner heads for England
Last updated: 19th September 2008

Australian starlet Joey Gibbs has been offered trials by both West Ham and
Blackburn. The 16-year-old plays for Manly United in his homeland, but he
has just won the Lucas Neil Scholarship - which has opened for door for him
to travel to England. As part of the scholarship he will now travel to
England for trials with Neill's current club West Ham and his former club
Blackburn. He will also spend time with Ipswich. Manly coach Phil Moss has
backed Gibbs to be a big success after winning the coveted Neil Scholarship.
"He's got superior technical ability which allowed him to stand out, but off
the field you can see how players flock to him, he's a real leader," Moss
said. "I've sat down and said to Joey that he's not going over there to win
a contract, he's going over there for the experience. If he wins a contract
that's a bonus, but if he doesn't, he comes back wiser and more
experienced."

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Blues weigh up Appiah move - SSN
Free agent in-demand
Last updated: 19th September 2008

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Stephen Appiah's situation as they consider
bringing in a new midfielder. Appiah's future has been the subject of
intense speculation, with the Ghana international available on a free
transfer after leaving Fenerbahce. The 27-year-old is able to join any club
outside the transfer window due to his free agent status and that makes him
an attractive proposition for a host of clubs. Arsenal, West Ham,
Portsmouth, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Schalke are all thought to be
weighing up moves for the midfield dynamo. Chelsea chief Luiz Felipe Scolari
has admitted he is in the market for a new midfielder following the serious
injury sustained to Michael Essien. Essien's international team-mate Appiah
could be an option for Scolari as he looks to bring in a ready-made
replacement for the Ghanaian before the transfer window reopens in January.

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A case for the defence - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 19th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Gianfranco Zola has urged his team to better last season's 10th place
finish, on the eve of his first game in charge. Zola's Hammers take on
Newcastle United at the Boleyn tomorrow afternoon in what will be the
Italian's first game in charge following his appointment last week. And
despite having promised to bring fluid, passing football back to the Boleyn,
he stressed the importance of the defensive unit - something which Zola's
right-hand man, Steve Clarke, has been drafted in to sort out.
"Obviously you have to keep a balance," said Zola. "The idea is to get to
the point where we play offensive football as much as possible. "But we also
have to work on the defence. We are trying to look at things defensively but
also passing the ball. "We need to improve on last season. That is our main
target although I have just stepped into the job and I have to work on the
team, so I can't say what the possibilities are. "But I am sure that if the
players carry on working as they have been, with spirit and attitude, then
we can do a good job."
Zola also stressed that high on the list of priorities would be the squad's
general level of fitness, something that was a major factor in Alan
Curbishley's demise. "I know that at this club there have been a lot of
injuries and we have been very unlucky," he added. "We have been working
hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it will. "I don't know
the training system they had before and I don't want to say we had loads of
injuries because of that. But when Alan was here he did a great job and I
hope I can carry on from that."

The match kicks off at 3pm tomorrow;

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Zola: Beautiful football is coming back to West Ham - sport.co.uk
Author: Deniz Vehbi
Posted on: 19 September 2008 - 3:00 PM

Gianfranco Zola is ready to bring the beautiful game back to Upton Park and
has set his sights on winning over the West Ham faithful with a debut
victory against Newcastle. The little Italian will take charge of his team
for the first time on Saturday and has already pledged to play an inventive
and attacking brand of football.And despite the absence of both Dean Ashton
and Craig Bellamy through injury, Zola is desperate to give Hammers fans
something to smile about after a difficult few weeks in east London. "We are
working on playing attacking football," he said. "We need to improve and get
important attacking players back like Ashton, Bellamy and Kieron Dyer but we
are looking forward to doing something like that. "You have to keep a
balance. The idea is to get to the point where we play offensive football as
much as possible. But we also have to work on the defence."
The former Chelsea legend has already been out on practice pitches, trying
to inspire his players by sharing tales of his time playing alongside Diego
Maradona at Napoli. "Diego has been a great influence on me," said Zola.
"When I first met him I was only 23 and just a young player trying to get
better and I had in front of me the best player in the world so I felt
lucky. "He spoke to me a lot. Anybody who has played with Maradona can tell
you he is a lovely, simple guy. "Then he was the best player in the world by
far and probably the best player of all time, but it was easy to talk to
him. He was humble and genuine."

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Clarke could prove to be the top man at West Ham - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man
Last updated at 2:11 PM on 19th September 2008

Gianfranco Zola has warmly welcomed Steve Clarke to his management team at
West Ham, but seems to be a little confused about their roles. The Italian,
veteran of two years as joint coach of Italy's under-21s and without his
Uefa pro-licence, is officially the manager. Clarke, who has only coached
and assisted managers for 10 years and held his pro-licence for two, is
officially first-team coach. The Scotsman is known to have designs on being
given the top job at a club - and maybe he already has effectively. Zola
said: 'Steve is a great manager and a great man. He is very in touch with
the team and is very positive.'

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West Ham v Newcastle preview - Setanata
by Jo Carter, 19 September 2008

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola welcomes a struggling Newcastle side to
Upton Park for his first match in charge. The Hammers are unbeaten at home
and will look to continue their impressive start to the season with a win
against Newcastle. West Ham have not kept a clean sheet since February,
however, and so this clash could be a high-scoring game. Newcastle caretaker
manager Chris Hughton returns to his former club, while new Hammers coach
Steve Clarke welcomes the club where he was assistant manager under Ruud
Gullit. Striker Dean Ashton will be unavailable for Zola, and Herita Ilunga,
David Di Michele and Walter Lopez could all make their home debuts. Former
Magpies Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Lee Bowyer may all face their former
club, but Kieron Dyer is still out. Newcastle are boosted by the return of
Damien Duff, but striker Obafemi Martins is unlikely to return from his
groin injury. Alan Smith is out for four months after suffering a stress
fracture on his foot, and Newcastle are also without Jonas Guttierez
(shoulder) and Jose Enrique (hamstring). Joey Barton and Danny Guthrie are
both suspended, the latter after seeing red for a crunching tackle on Hull's
Craig Fagan last weekend. Spanish ace Xisco impressed with a goal on in his
debut last weekend and is likely to start alongside Michael Owen. PIVOTAL
PLAYER: Scott Parker. Likely to be calling the shots in midfield. With
Ashton out, goals from midfield are a distinct possibility.

PREDICTION: 3-2

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Carr's boys keen to extend unbeaten run - Guardian Series
12:24pm Friday 19th September 2008
By Rob Pritchard »

WEST Ham United's Under-18s will look to maintain their unbeaten start to
the FA Premier Academy League when they travel to Birmingham City tomorrow.
The Irons' youth team have drawn three and won the other of their four
matches so far, and coach Tony Carr will be hopeful of more of the same at
the Blues' Wast Hills training ground (11am kick-off). But Birmingham's
youngsters will be no pushover, having won each of their opening two matches
themselves this season. Saturday's fixture is West Ham's third "inter-group"
game of the season, following a home game with Manchester United (Group C)
and a trip to Leeds United (Group D), both of which ended in draws.
Birmingham play in Group B, while West Ham themselves are in Group A. Carr
will have a strong squad to call upon as he attempts to inflict the hosts'
first league defeat of the season, with Hungarian Under-17 international
Balint Bajner among the players available to him. The 17-year-old scored on
his Academy League debut against Reading earlier this month, and he could be
partnered by Freddie Sears. The England Under-19 star, who played for the
reserves at Chelsea on Monday, scored twice in last weekend's 3-0 win over
Aston Villa, and could be available to Carr again if he is deemed surplus to
requirements by new first-team manager Gianfranco Zola. A third striker,
Ahmed Abdulla, also scored against Villa and will be pushing for another
start against their Midlands neighbours. Another player hoping to start
against Birmingham will be Benfleet-based defender Jordan Brown. The stylish
left-back has started two Academy League matches already this season,
despite being just 16.
Carr's side will be captained by midfielder Josh Payne, who has caught the
eye of Hammers' technical director Gianluca Nani and has been earmarked for
great things at Upton Park. Folllowing Saturday's trip to Birmingham, West
Ham's youngsters return home to face Arsenal on September 27.

West Ham United Under-18: (from) Street, Loveday, Barrett, Harvey, Brown,
O'Neill, McNaughton, Eyjolfsson, Montano, Fry, Lee, Kearns, Grasser, Miller,
Edgar, Payne, Ashman, Mehmet, Driver, Stanislas, Abdulla, Bajner, Sears.

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Toon odds-on to taste defeat at West Ham - shieldsgazette.com
Published Date: 19 September 2008
By Chrus Hutcheon

NEWCASTLE United's troubles off the field were reflected on it last weekend
when beaten at home by Hull City. And bookies are tipping things to go from
bad to worse for the Magpies, who are 23/20 with Jaxx.com to taste defeat at
West Ham. A morale-boosting victory for United is considered relatively
unlikely by VCBet, who quote Newcastle at 11/4. Even the acquisition of a
point for Chris Hughton's side commands a high price with Coral, who rate it
at 12/5. Given the Hammers' record of two wins from two at home, the latter
would be a more than satisfactory result. Those fancying the Magpies to
manage it can tackle Canbet's 4/1 for both halves to finish all square and
also back a 1-1 scoreline at 11/2 (Partybets). Bet365's 12/1 for United to
shade it 2-1 won't be short of takers among the Toon Army.
Michael Owen will naturally be the most popular Magpies player in the first
scorer betting, at 13/2 (Betfred).

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New Hammers boss knows all about West Ham's traditions - Guardian Series
11:41am Friday 19th September 2008

UNDER first Malcolm Allison and then Ron Greenwood, West Ham United became
known throughout the world as the torch-bearer for inventive, innovative
training methods. Decades on and new Irons' manager Gianfranco Zola is
continuing that mantra, ditching the by-gone mantra of cross-country runs
and shattering sprints to concentrate on working with the ball. The Italian,
widely-regarded as one of the finest forwards of his generation, has
introduced a series of new drills that both Allison and Greenwood would have
no doubt approved of. Zola himself believes the systems, honed during two
years coaching the Italy Under-21 side, will not only increase his players'
fitness levels, but do so in a way that leaves them with smiles on their
faces. "I have my system. I like to train a lot with the ball with a lot of
intensity in the sessions. I know my training sessions are very demnding but
they are always with the ball and always with a lot of enjoyment," the
former Chelsea star explained.
"The players have already said to me they like it very much. "They are not
longer than an hour and a half but they are very sharp. Maybe this week has
been a little longer because I had to explain certain things but they were
not too long." "I like to work without a ball as little as possible. Every
training session has a physical part as well as technical and tactical part.
"We try to do the physical part with a ball so the players work hard but
don't think they are working hard. I'm trying to get around it."
Zola, a creative forward who caught the eye during a glittering career with
Napoli, Parma, Chelsea, Cagliari and Italy, has also immersed himself in
extra work with the club's strikers, no doubt hoping a little of his
Sardinian magic will rub off on them. "Yes I have tried to do a little bit
this week but not as much as I would have wanted because right now we have
other priorities but, yes, I will be working more with them in the next
week," he confirmed.

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Gianfranco Zola plans West Ham his way with fitness key to attacking change
- Telegraph
As West Ham prepare to herald an exciting attacking era under new manager
Gianfranco Zola, the Italian has marked an improvement in the squad's
fitness just as imperative.
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 12:32PM BST 19 Sep 2008

It has been said that along with Alan Curbishley's departure, so long are
the days of bland, uninspiring long-ball football at Upton Park with many
anticipating a reestablished attacking verve to the east London side's play
following the appointment of Zola.

Regarded as one of the Premier League's finest ever imports, largely because
of his attacking finesse, the former Chelsea legend admits he is keen to
reinstate the feel-good factor at West Ham in time for tomorrow's visit of a
vulnerable Newcastle.

But first Zola and his recently-appointed first-team coach Steve Clarke
intend to buck the worrying trend of injuries that have blighted the club
over the past 18 months, prioritising a swift improvement in fitness.

"I know that at this club there have been a lot of injuries and we have been
very unlucky," he said, having previously admitted his concern at the manner
in which West Ham physically capitulated in the final 20 minutes in the 3-2
defeat to West Brom last weekend.

"We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it
will."

Even before Curbishley tendered his resignation, there were notable changes
to the medical staff at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training complex.

Giorgio Gasparini was recruited in pre-season from Serie A as rehabilitation
physiotherapist while Nikos Tzouroudis arrived as chief medical officer.

Zola then bolstered the department further by bringing in his trusted ally
Antonio Pintus as fitness coach, but he refused to blame the former regime
over the persistent problems.

He said: "I don't know the training system they had before and I don't want
to say we had loads of injuries because of that.

"But I have different ideas and I will try to work on them."

Indeed injuries again proved disruptive to West Ham's selection options
after striker Dean Ashton was ruled out for a month after sustaining a
sprained ankle on Monday.

Craig Bellamy continues to battle a troublesome hamstring but is in
contention to start alongside Carlton Cole against his former employer's.

Callum Davenport could make way for Julien Faubert with Zola said to
reshuffle his defence by putting the versatile Frenchman at fullback to pair
Captain Lucas Neill in central defence with Matthew Upson.

Zola said: "We are trying to look at things defensively but also passing the
ball.

"Obviously you have to keep a balance. But the idea is to get to the point
where we play offensive football as much as possible."

Meanwhile, first team coaches Mervyn Day and Glynn Snodin, who assisted
Curbishley during his 18-month tenure, have reportedly been placed on
gardening leave by the club with the duo not included in the new-look
backroom set-up.

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Here We Go Again - West Ham Till I Dies

So Dean Ashton is out for a month and Craig Bellamy has a groin and a
hamstring injury. Unbelievable. So we now only have two fit strikers in
Carlton Cole and Freddie Sears. Not exactly a strike force to frighten most
Premiership defences, is it? It wouldn't surprise me if Zola started with
Boa Morte up front tomorrow, alongside Cole. Indeed, it may not be such a
bad idea. Boa Morte may have a point to prove. No, let's reword that. He
DOES have a point to prove.

I've also read that Zola intends to play Lucas Neill alongside Upson in
central defence. I think that is a good move. He wants Faubert at right back
with Behrami on the wing. Again, I think that's worth a try.

Can't wait for 3pm tomorrow!

UPDATE: I have egg dripping from my face, having forgotten that we have a
certain David di Michele to choose from too. I'll just get my coat.

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New manager Zola finds nothing changes at West Ham - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:34 AM on 19th September 2008

Gianfranco Zola may have ushered in a new management style at West Ham - but
he has the same old problems. Zola, in charge of West Ham for the first time
tomorrow, against crisis club Newcastle, could be without both frontline
strikers, Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy. Ashton is out for at least two
weeks after suffering ankle problems in training while Bellamy faces a late
test on his hamstring. 'We will change a few things tomorrow but not too
many because we are still waiting for some important players to come back,'
Zola (right) said. The Italian is hoping the Upton Park crowd get behind his
team tomorrow. 'I can still remember the passion of this crowd when I played
here at West Ham," he said. "They gave me some terrible stick and now I hope
they show that same passion for us.'
Zola says his ambition is to guide West Ham to a higher finish than their
10th place in the Premier League last season. 'I am sure it can be done," he
added. "My first week has been tiring but very enjoyable. 'I have been
impressed by the players and the way they have responded. They've trained
with a lot of intensity.'

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Preview: Hammers v Toon - BubblesInTheAir
Friday 19 Sep 2008 10:09:59 by admin

The written match preview is below, however, to view the video preview of
our match against Newcastle use the media player on the side.

The Hammers entertain a struggling and manager-less Newcastle side this
weekend for what will be Gianfranco Zola's first official game in charge as
West Ham look to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 defeat last week at
the Hawthorns to West Brom.

A home debut for Di Michele looks likely after the bitter blow of Dean
Ashton's ankle injury which will see him out for up to a month. Di Michele
replaced the striker last week at West Brom and impressed enough in his
first premier league appearance to win a place in the starting line up.

This could mean Craig Bellamy will be on the bench again, the Welshman is
easing himself back into action and despite being sub last week he felt it
was best he didn't come on as he felt his hamstring tighten in the warm up -
the hammers fans though appear to be running out of patience.

Still very little news on the Kieron Dyer situation, one thing is for sure
though, he wont be facing his former club this weekend.

Newcastle will be looking to turn their fortunes around when the two sides
meet. The Toon fans have suffered every negative emotion in the last
fortnight you could possibly imagine (largely thanks to their owner) loss,
desperation and anger all spring to mind. However, they have not got a bad
record at Upton Park and since the Hammers have been back in the premiership
they have failed to beat the Toon.

The key man is Michael Owen who just loves playing West Ham as he has
managed to bag himself 10 goals in 12 appearance against them - it'll make
an interesting encounter, in a weekend we hope to see la la la la Zola get
off to a flying start in claret and blue.

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WEST HAM v Newcastle: Ashton out, Bellamy's a big doubt - Daily Mail
Last updated at 8:57 AM on 19th September 2008

West Ham will be without Dean Ashton for tomorrow's visit of Newcastle in
the Barclays Premier League after the striker suffered an ankle injury in
training earlier in the week. Fellow forward Craig Bellamy is a doubt ahead
of Gianfranco Zola's debut in English management because of a hamstring and
groin problem. Midfielder Kieron Dyer remains on the comeback trail
following the broken leg he suffered last season.

Provisional squad: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Faubert,
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Etherington, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Mullins,
Tomkins, Reid, Sears, Bellamy.

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West Ham v NEWCASTLE: Surgery will keep Magpie Smith out until next year -
Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:50 AM on 19th September 2008

Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith could be out of action for three months as
he prepares to undergo surgery. The 27-year-old has been diagnosed with a
stress fracture of his foot and is unlikely to play again this year.
Caretaker boss Chris Hughton hopes to be able to welcome back Damien Duff
(knee) and Obafemi Martins (groin) for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League
trip to West Ham, but will otherwise have a depleted squad at his disposal.
Danny Guthrie joins the suspended Joey Barton on the sidelines after being
sent off during last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Hull, while Mark Viduka
and Habib Beye (both Achilles), Jonas Gutierrez (shoulder) and Jose Enrique
are still missing.

Provisional squad: Given, Harper, Edgar, N'Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini,
Cacapa, Bassong, Tozer, Butt, Geremi, Duff, Gonzalez, Donninger, Owen,
Xisco, Ameobi,
Donaldson, Ranger, Danquah.

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Star strike pair to miss Magpies clash - Echo
8:00am Friday 19th September 2008
By Rob Pritchard »

DEAN Ashton's ankle injury may not be as serious as originally feared, but
Craig Bellamy is almost certain to miss Saturday's Premier League clash with
Newcastle United. The West Ham United striker was initially expected to be
sidelined for between three and four weeks after spraining his ankle in
training on Monday. New Irons' manager Gianfranco Zola admitted Ashton had
been carrying an injury before he arrived at the club on Monday. However,
the Italian has revealed that he hopes the England forward, 24, to be back
in training as early as next week. "Deano unfortunately won't be available
this week. He will have to rest but I think he will be ready to start again
next week," said the former Chelsea forward, who takes charge of the Hammers
for the first time when the manager-less Magpies visit Upton Park on
Saturday. "We will monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week
to recover. "He already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were
training so we had to stop him. "Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his
old one (an abdominal injury). We don't know yet whether he is going to be
available for Saturday."
Bellamy has made just one first-team appearance this season, scoring as a
late substitute in the 4-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers on August 30. But
despite inheriting two crocked forwards Zola refused to blame predecessor
Alan Curbishley, who resigned a fortnight ago following a 20-month reign
blighted by injuries, for the pair's absences. "I don't know the training
system they had before and I don't want to say we had loads of injuries
because of that," the new boss said democratically. "When Alan was here he
did a great job and I hope I can carry on from that job."
And the Sardinian, who has brought in fitness coach Antonio Pintas to
improve his players' conditioning, instead vowed to end the injury crisis
himself. "We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of
luck it will," he added optimistically. With Ashton and Bellamy out, Zola is
expected to name former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole and Italian loanee
David Di Michele in his team to face Newcastle.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 19th September 2008

Newcastle United preview - WHUFC
All the early team news and background for Saturday's Barclays Premier
League encounter
18.09.2008

Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Newcastle United
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 20 September
3pm
Referee: Phil Dowd

WHUTV - Full audio commentary

Introduction

* West Ham United will look to make it four wins in four home games in all
competitions when they welcome Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

* It will be the first match in charge for Gianfranco Zola since taking
charge of West Ham United officially last Monday. He has been joined at the
club by Steve Clarke.

* West Ham United with two wins, six goals for and a plus four goal
difference have the best home record of any club to date in this season's
top flight.

* The club are eighth in the Barclays Premier League, with six points, but
could potentially move fourth with a victory. Newcastle United are 16th with
four points to their name.

* Zola said: "It's been a very good week and I've enjoyed it. The training
sessions have been spot on and the players have been very committed. [On
Thursday] for example it should have been an easy session but the players
want to push it all of the time and that is the kind of attitude that every
manager hopes for. So let's just hope for a good result on Saturday."

* Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton, who made 40 appearances for
West Ham United between 1990 and 1992, said: "The only aim for me is to put
points on the board and make it a better situation for whatever manager
comes in ... the spirit has been good, the players enjoy coming to the
training ground and the banter in the changing rooms too."

* Newcastle are unbeaten in their last nine matches against West Ham United
and will know their hosts have not kept a clean sheet in their last 16
matches dating back to 23 February.

* West Ham United have three players who could make their home debuts in
Herita Ilunga, David Di Michele and Walter Lopez. Ilunga started in the 3-2
defeat at West Bromwich Albion last week while Di Michele played 70 minutes
as a substitute.

* Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer could all potentially face
their former club while Kieron Dyer is still out. Zola has said the latter
is doing well though and is close to a return to training.

* West Ham United are next in action Saturday 27 September away to Fulham
when Newcastle United are at home to Blackburn Rovers.

* Robert Green has faced four fellow England goalkeepers in the first four
league games of the season. Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Joe Hart
(Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers) and Scott Carson (West
Bromwich Albion).

Last time out

Saturday 13 September - West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United West Ham
United: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Faubert 65),
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte (Etherington 79), Ashton (Di Michele 19), Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Bellamy, Mullins, Tomkins
Goals: Noble 29, Neill 35

Saturday 13 September - Newcastle United 1-2 Hull City Newcastle United:
Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt,
Guthrie, Xisco, Owen, Ameobi (Gonzalez 61)
Subs not used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson
Goal: Xisco 82

Team news

* Zola has been denied the services of Dean Ashton who sprained his ankle on
Monday and will sit out training for at least the next week.

* A late decision will be made on the fitness of Craig Bellamy as he
continues to receive treatment for his troublesome hamstring.

* Hayden Mullins is also a doubt after a knock but Jack Collison is back in
contention.

* Fit-again James Tomkins is pushing for a starting berth as Zola considers
his defensive options with Lopez also challenging fellow new recruit Ilunga
at left-back.

* Newcastle look set to have the services of Damien Duff again after his
recovery from a groin problem but Obafemi Martins has only just returned to
training from a similar problem and the match is thought to be too soon.

* Jonas Gutierrez (shoulder), Jose Enrique (hamstring) and Alan Smith (leg)
are all unlikely to figure while Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton are both
suspended.

Background

* The last meeting of the clubs came at the Boleyn Ground on 26 April 2008,
when Mark Noble and Dean Ashton put the home side two-nil up inside 23
minutes. Obafemi Martins and Geremi then struck to ensure a 2-2 draw.

* The lineups were:

West Ham United: Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Faubert (Solano
89), Parker, Noble, Ljungberg (Boa Morte 21), Zamora (Cole 68), Ashton
Subs not used: Walker, Mullins

Newcastle United: Harper, Beye, Edgar (Diatta 89), Taylor, Jose Enrique,
Geremi, Butt, Barton, Owen, Viduka (Smith 82), Martins
Subs not used: Forster, Duff, Carroll

Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)

26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
20 January 2007 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
17 September 2006 - West Ham United 0-2 Newcastle United
17 December 2005 - West Ham United 2-4 Newcastle United
20 August 2005 - Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United

Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 36, D 34, L 47

Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 3pm unless stated)

Saturday 20 September
Blackburn Rovers v Fulham
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal (5.30pm)
Liverpool v Stoke City
Sunderland v Middlesbrough (12:45pm)

Sunday 21 September 2008
Chelsea v Manchester United (2pm)
Hull City v Everton
Manchester City v Portsmouth
Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa (12pm)

General information

For ticket information, click here. For details of getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here. Please note important travel information regarding tubes
and trains. Click here for more information.

Weather: The forecast is for a generally cloudy day with some sunny spells.
The temperature is set to peak at around 19C.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke delighted at new role - WHUFC
Speaking to the matchday programme, Steve Clarke is looking forward to his
new footballing challenge
18.09.2008

Steve Clarke is excited to be at West Ham United and cannot wait to get
started with the visit of Newcastle United this Saturday. Speaking in an
exclusive interview for this weekend's official matchday programme, the new
first team coach reveals the chance to join the club "was the right
opportunity at the right time for me" adding: "I have always had respect for
West Ham United and the supporters and I am very happy to be here."

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ll the odds for Newcastle - WHUFC
Ahead of Saturday's duel, here's what on offer with JAXX, the club's
official online sports betting partner
18.09.2008

Gianfranco Zola's reign as the 12th manager in West Ham United's history
starts with a tricky test against managerless Newcastle United.

The Hammers have won both their Barclays Premier League games at the Boleyn
Ground this season, rewarding punters who backed them at 7/5 (to beat
Blackburn Rovers) and 9/10 (to beat Wigan Athletic) with JAXX.

Zola's side are 20/23 to beat Newcastle for the first time in ten meetings.
The Magpies, who lost 2-1 at home to Hull City last weekend, are 12/5 to
earn their third victory in four meetings at the Boleyn Ground. The draw,
which has occurred in this corresponding fixture on two of the last four
occasions, is available at 23/10.

There are invariably goals in games between the two sides. No less than nine
of the last eleven meetings have produced more than two goals, so that might
be worth thinking about since JAXX offer 17/20 that there will be more than
2.5 goals in the game in total. Put simply, if you have a successful £20 bet
on that result, your return would be £37. It is 3/4 that there will be two
goals or fewer scored.

West Ham United have been in front at the break in both Premier League
victories this season and JAXX offer 9/5 for them to be leading the Magpies
at the interval again. The Hammers have been in front in four of the last
eight meetings with Newcastle at the Boleyn Ground.

Backing Newcastle to score the first goal or the last goal in this
corresponding fixture would have proved very profitable in the last four
seasons. The Hammers have scored the first goal just once, while Newcastle
have scored the last goal of the game on the last four visits. The odds for
the Hammers to score first are 17/20 and to score last are 7/10.

If you fancy West Ham United to score at any time, JAXX offer 3/10. If you
think that Newcastle will keep a clean sheet, back them at 19/10.

JAXX offer half-time/full-time betting. The one result that has not occurred
in the last eight meetings in east London is for Newcastle to be leading at
half-time and drawing at the final whistle. It is 12/1 against it happening
this weekend.

JAXX offer other markets which include First and Last Goal Time, Correct
Score, Handicap and Double Chance. And that's not all - register with JAXX,
place your first bet and you will be given a FREE matching bet to the value
of your own stake, up to £25.

For example, if your first bet is £25, it will be doubled and you will get
another £25 to bet absolutely free! Your free bet will be credited to your
account within 48 hours of placing your first bet with JAXX.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola happy with Hammers structure - BBC

New West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says he is happy with the club's
management structure in which he works under technical director Gianluca
Nani. The Hammers' previous manager Alan Curbishley resigned earlier this
month because a lack of control over the club's transfer policy. But Zola
told BBC Sport: "I came to this club to work as a team - I want to work with
the board and Gianluca Nani. "If we need to improve certain things I'm sure
they will back me," he added. "As far as I'm concerned I've got so much to
do on the pitch I wouldn't be able to look after the other things. "That is
the way I have been brought up. I like working on the pitch and trying to
improve what I've got and then telling the club that if we want to improve a
little bit more then we need to change these things and then it's down to
them."
The 42-year-old Zola officially took charge of the team on Monday, having
watched West Ham slip to a 3-2 away defeat by West Brom at the Hawthorns
last Saturday. And Zola has already pinpointed his squad's fitness as an
area he wants to improve. "I was surprised how the players tired towards the
end of that game. Probably if they had not we wouldn't have lost," said
Zola, ahead of Saturday's game with Newcastle. "But I told the players not
to be too hard on themselves. Up to 70 minutes they were very good and
looked the better team on the pitch. "The last 20 minutes they went down
physically and when you go down physically you also lose attention and
that's why we conceded a third goal. "We have already started working on
that."

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More on Moore campaign - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 18th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

The campaign to have the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK logo placed
on West Ham United's shirts for the remainder of this season received
further strong backing today. The online petition created to campaign for
the addition of the Moore logo in the space vacated by the demise of XL has
now received more than 7,000 signatures since going online on Tuesday, with
thousands more Hammers fans adding their support today. West Ham United are
currently considering several options to replace XL and have already spoken
with a number of interested parties. KUMB.com have contacted the club's
marketing department asking for their thoughts on the campaign; we are
hoping to have some news for you tomorrow.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Surprise, surprise - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 18th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

Dean Ashton could be out for as long as a month after breaking down in
training. The United striker, whose career in East London has been blighted
by injury injured an ankle at Chadwell Heath during new manager Gianfranco
Zola's first session with his squad. "Unfortunately I've picked up another
injury and I'm looking at spending the next three to four weeks on the
sidelines," Ashton told The Sun. "I just went over on it. It happens to a
lot of players. It's not too serious but it will take a few weeks to heal
properly. "I'm looking at about three weeks and then it's the international
break. Hopefully I'll be back after that." Ashton's injury could mean a rush
return for Criag Bellamy, who, despite trianing last week, wasn't considered
fit enough to play against West Bromwich Albion last weekend. With Bobby
Zamora having been sold by the club to Fulham, Zola's other option is
32-year-old loan striker David Di Michele, who enjoyed an interesting debut
at the Hawthorns after replacing Ashton early in the game.

Dean Ashton - West Ham stats

2005/06: P16 Gls 5
2006/07: P0 Gls 0
2007/08: P35 Gls 11
2008/09: P5 Gls 2

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Thousands call for Moore logo - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 17th September 2008
By: Staff Writer

A petition to replace the space formerly filled by the XL logo on West Ham
United's shirts with an advertisement for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK has attracted almost 3,000 signatures.

XL went bust last week leading to the club removing the logo from the shirts
ahead of the weekend visit to West Bromwich Albion. Instead of a logo the
space was filled by a crudely sewn claret patch.

The club are understood to have been looking at potential replacements for
XL this week. However a number of supporters are now imploring West Ham to
fill the void with the logo of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

The club recently retired the number six shirt in honour of Moore, who began
his career at the Boleyn fifty years ago this year. Supporters believe that
installing his charity's logo on the shirts would be a fitting tribute to
the greatest Hammer of all time.

One KUMB member, aaronhammer has been busy mocking up potential designs on
Photoshop ... see what you think for yourself below.
http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=123604

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Zola impressed by Hammers - SSN
New Hammers boss hails players' attitude
Last updated: 18th September 2008

Gianfranco Zola has been delighted by the commitment of his West Ham players
in training since taking charge at Upton Park. The Italian watched from the
stands as the Hammers lost 3-2 to West Brom at the weekend before he
officially became manager on Monday. Zola has been focusing on the fitness
of his players after coming to the conclusion that they began to tire
against the Baggies. He has been impressed by their work ethic but has
refused to set any targets for the rest of the season at this stage. "The
training sessions have been spot on and all the players have been very
committed," Zola explained. "They have been very keen and full of
enthusiasm, which is a very good indication for a manager. "It is too early
for me to tell you where we are going to get because I need to see them for
a couple more weeks, but as long as they can keep this attitude they can go
far."
Zola will be without Dean Ashton for the clash with Newcastle on Saturday
after the striker picked up an ankle problem. Reports suggested that Ashton
could be sidelined for a month but Zola expects him to be back much sooner.
He explained: "Deano unfortunately won't be available this week. He will
have to rest but he will be ready to start again next week. "We will
monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week to recover. "He
already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were training so we had
to stop him. "Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his old one. We don't
know yet whether he is going to be available for Saturday."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke ready for Hammers job - SSN
Zola backs Wilkins appointment
By Pete Oliver Last updated: 18th September 2008

New West Ham first-team coach Steve Clarke insists his move to Upton Park
was the "right opportunity" for him. Clarke quit Chelsea to join the Hammers
and will be in the dug-out for the first time at Upton Park against
Newcastle United on Saturday. "This was the right opportunity at the right
time for me," Clarke told West Ham's matchday programme. "I have always had
respect for West Ham and the supporters and I'm very happy to be here."
Meanwhile, new Hammers boss and former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola believes
Chelsea have made the right choice by appointing Ray Wilkins as Clarke's
replacement at Stamford Bridge. "I am sure he will do well. He has the
knowledge to do the job and knows the Premier League very well," said Zola.
"And he is a very humble man so I am sure he will be very helpful for
Scolari. "He knows the club and the supporters. He can do a great job and he
is a very good man. I worked with him for a few years and it was always a
pleasure."
Former England international Wilkins, 52, spent a six-year spell as a player
at Chelsea in the 1970s, captaining the club when he was just 18, and also
held a coaching role at the club under Gianluca Vialli between 1998 and
2000.

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Curbs - No Magpies contact - SSN
Former Hammers boss plays down link to St James' Park role
Last updated: 18th September 2008

Alan Curbishley insists there has been no contact with Newcastle United
regarding the St James' Park managerial vacancy. A string of names have been
linked with the post since Kevin Keegan quit as Magpies boss earlier this
month. Keegan stepped down due to his dissatisfaction with the management
structure, while Curbishley recently left West Ham due to the club's
transfer dealings. Reports have suggested that Newcastle could turn to
Curbishley to steady the ship following a turbulent start to the season.
But, when asked if there had been any contact with the Magpies, Curbishley
told Sky Sports News: "No, there's been none whatsoever."
Curbishley would not be drawn on whether he held an interest in the role on
Tyneside and feels the manner of his departure from West Ham was different
to Keegan's exit from Newcastle. He added: "Kevin's situation has been
linked with mine, but I think it's a little bit different to what went on.
"I think Newcastle is something that they've got to sort out. "I don't know
if I'm in their plans or not. At the moment I'm just sorting myself out, as
you can imagine."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd v Newcastle Utd: preview - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 19th September 2008
By: Preview Percy

And on we move to a new era against a club whose recent history makes ours
look almost dull. Whilst we moved with, what was, for us, almost impressive
speed to bring in a new manager, Newcastle's managerial saga seems to have
been going on for ever.

First there was the "has he gone or not" mystery, with rumour and counter
rumour ruling the roost. Then, once it had been established that Keegan had
actually left the club, this was followed by the "did he resign or was he
sacked" conundrum. Most clubs would leave it there but the soap opera had
another twist or two to turn. Amazingly, we are told reconciliation talks
were held. The fact that the matter is now in the hands of lawyers will tell
you exactly how successful they were. Amazingly out of all this the one
person still in a job is convicted thug Dennis Wise.

The managerial departure led to mass protests from the Geordies that led to
club owner and outfitter to the chav nation Mike Ashley to put the club up
for sale for anything between £300-500m depending on newspaper and time of
day. Clearly the words credit-crunch have not hit Ashley Towers. As ever
there was something faintly daft about the Geordie protests, many of them
blaming some "Cockney Mafia" for their ills in the somewhat strange
geographical misapprehension that everyone south of Birmingham is either a
cockney or Welsh.

Since Ashley is clearly not Welsh, he must be a cockney goes the logic so
the good people of Buckinghamshire's Burnham and High Wycombe, both of which
might lay claim to the title of Ashley's "home town," will be pleased to
know that the sound of Bow Bells extends so far West. Ashley is unlikely to
make an appearance this weekend, citing fears for his safety as the reason
for his absence. I suppose it would be too much to hope that he might have
been banned from football grounds like the rest of us would have been for
knocking back a pint in the stands. Still if you get caught, the defence
that you thought it was Kaliber is apparently now valid.

At the time of writing the managerial reins are being handled by former
Hammer Chris Hughton and it's unlikely that that will change any time soon-
the potential sale of the club will not help that one little bit. Hughton
presided over a depressing 2-1 home defeat to Hull City at the weekend, a
match that culminated in Danny Guthrie's shocking assault on Carl Fagan.
After that match Newcastle sit in 16th position in the fledgling table,
above ever-so-slightly disliked rivals Sunderland only by virtue of
alphabetical order.

They are likely to start with Ireland no.1 Shay Given twixt the sticks. The
back four on Saturday consisted of Canadian U20 cap Edgar, Taylor, Argentine
international Colocini and N'Zogbia. Beye remains a doubt but his
availability would lead to something of a defensive reshuffle. Last weekend
the Magpies lined up with a three man midfield of Butt, Geremi and Guthrie,
though Guthrie's antics will ensure his absence against us and a couple more
games only, the FA disciplinary bods having predictably bottled the prospect
of further action. Argentinian midfielder Jonas "Spiderman" Gutierrez has a
broken shoulder bone and has stayed in Buenos Aires for treatment so we
won't be seeing him without a miracle cure and the reintroduction of
Concorde.

Indeed the Geordies' injury list is nearly as long as ours was last season
with the likes of Fat Aussie Viduka, Damien Duff and Oba Martins all having
suffered of late. Duff and Martins are close to a return. Current mutterings
are that this may be a game too soon for them but given the player shortage
it wouldn't surprise me if one or both played some part in the weekend's
proceedings.

Michael Owen is likely to start up front, possibly alongside Shola Ameobi.
Legend has it that, whilst on England U21 duty, Howard Wilkinson once asked
Ameobi what his nickname was. On hearing that he didn't have one, Wilkinson
enquired what the notoriously forgetful Bobby Robson called him. "Carl Cort"
came the reply. If they stay with three-up, a formation that will be
dictated by player availability, there may be also a start for Xisco who
marked his debut with the consolation goal against Hull.

It was Xisco's transfer, along with the arrival of Uruguayan midfielder
"Nacho" Gonzales on loan from Valencia that brought the differences between
Keegan and Ashley to a head, Keegan making the rash assumption that, as team
manager, he might have some sort of say in the players coming into and
leaving the club. Imagine a club so badly run that the Chairman and manager
disagree over something as basic as that. Oh, hang on a moment….

Still at least at the Boleyn we've gone for the better end of those who
spent part of their careers slumming it at Stamford Bridge. Instead of
Dennis Wise, we have gone for Zola and, just as significantly, Steve Clarke.
Zola has said all the right things about playing decent football and,
seemingly in anticipation of the new boss's arrival, there was an element of
"going for it" about our play up at West Brom, particularly in the first
half.

Unfortunately this also coincided with some criminal defending, not to
mention some equally dire refereeing which ultimately saw us come home
pointless. The appointment of Clarke is a clever move in that he will bring
both experience and a certain focus to defensive issues within the squad,
thus addressing the two main concerns that fans have had over the Zola
appointment to date.

Of the new boys last weekend, Ilunga had the more impressive debut at left
back and seems likely to keep his place. Di Michele showed some promising
touches early on but some of the flicks and overhead kick attempts he
attempted later on left the travelling support puzzled as to whether they
should applaud the effort or hold their heads in despair at the execution.
Zola may be left with little option but to select him though since Dean
Ashton will be missing for a few weeks having gone over on his ankle and
Bellamy's hamstring is still apparently suspect. Ashton's absence may mean a
return to the first team squad for Freddy Sears who spent last week in the
U18s where he picked up a brace in the 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa.

As for the rest of the side much will depend on how well the players have
impressed the new managerial team during training. There are a number of
places in the team where choices will have to be made. Boa-Morte and
Etherington will compete for one spot on the left with Behrami and Faubert
being the options on the right so predicting a starting line-up will be
difficult.

With a new boss on board I expect there will be something of a lively
atmosphere at the Boleyn, especially if the travelling Geordies continue to
vent their collective spleen on their chairman. If Zola is true to his word
we can hope for some attacking football – hopefully without the defensive
errors we saw last week - so I'll take us to win an entertaining 90 minutes
2-1 to continue the 100% home record and to add the name Zola to those of Di
Canio and lasagne that currently make up the Hammers list of favourite
things from Italy.

Enjoy the game!

Last season: 2-2

Danger Man: Michael Owen – always seems to score against us

Look out for: Their chairman – he'll be the one wearing a wig, glasses with
false nose and moustache. The visiting support might buy you a pint if you
spot him and point him out, just don't drink it in sight of the pitch…

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Jeffrey hoping to impress Hammers boss Zola - Guardian Series
7:47am Friday 19th September 2008

WEST Ham youngster Jack Jeffrey is hoping a string of impressive displays
during his loan spell at neighbours Orient can help him force his way in to
Gianfranco Zola's plans. Just as the Italian was taking over from Alan
Curbishley at Upton Park, the 19-year-old striker was heading out of the
door to take up a one-month loan spell at Brisbane Road last Friday. The
former Cambridge United loanee didn't have long to wait to make his O's
debut after being thrown on after just 24 minutes of the match with
Stockport on Saturday, following an injury to JJ Melligan. And Jeffrey now
hopes to make the most of the opportunities that come his way at Brisbane
Road as he is targeting following in the footsteps of other youngsters like
Freddie Sears into the first team at West Ham. He said: "This is a good
opportunity for me to hopefully play some first team football and get some
valuable experience as well. "I have been in and around the reserves at West
Ham for the last three seasons so hopefully this can help me push my career
on. "There is a lot of competition for places at West Ham, but other young
players like Freddie have been given a chance, and to be fair to him he has
taken it. "But if I can do well at Orient in the first team and get a few
goals then I might have more of an opportunity of getting into the first
team there myself. "Of course Gianfranco Zola has just taken over at West
Ham as well and everyone starts off in the same boat, because all the
players need to impress the new manger even those that play in the first
team all the time. "He will no doubt have different ideas on people than
Alan Curbishley, and hopefully if he gets some good reports back on me from
Orient he might have a look at me when I go back to West Ham."

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ZOLA HOPES TO AVOID INJURIES - Football365
Posted 19/09/08 08:06

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is hoping he will be luckier than his
predecessor when it comes to injuries. The Italian takes charge of a team
for the first time on Saturday when the Hammers play host to Newcastle. Alan
Curbishley, who walked out on the club earlier in the month after the sale
of players without his full backing, often had to make do without
experienced players through lack of fitness Striker Dean Ashton has already
been ruled out of tomorrow's clash and fellow forward Craig Bellamy is
unlikely to feature either but Zola, who has brought in a new fitness coach,
was confident he would fare better. He said: "I know that at this club there
have been a lot of injuries and we have been very unlucky. We have been
working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it will. "I don't
know the training system they had before and I don't want to say we had
loads of injuries because of that. When Alan was here he did a great job and
I hope I can carry on from that job."
Zola watched last week's 3-2 defeat at West Brom from the stands before
taking charge on Monday and revealed he intended to sharpen up the Hammers
in all areas.
He said: "Obviously you also have to keep a balance. The idea is to get to
the point where we play offensive football as much as possible. But we also
have to work on the defence. "We are trying to look at things defensively
but also passing the ball."
The Hammers finished 10th under Curbishley last term and Zola made it clear
he expected better come May. He said: "We need to improve on last season.
That is our main target although I have just stepped into the job and I have
to work on the team, so I can't say what the possibilities are. "But I am
sure that if the players carry on working as they have been, with spirit and
attitude, then we can do a good job."
One area Zola has no plans to revamp concerns the players' diets. He said:
"I went to the canteen and I enjoyed the food very much so I don't want to
change that part. "I haven't had pie and mash yet but I hope I can have a
big dish of it after Newcastle. They are very professional here in that way.
The food is okay."

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Hammers set to be without star strikers - Guardian Series
8:23am Friday 19th September 2008

DEAN Ashton's ankle injury may not be as serious as originally feared, but
Craig Bellamy is almost certain to miss Saturday's Premier League clash with
Newcastle United. The West Ham United striker was initially expected to be
sidelined for between three and four weeks after spraining his ankle in
training on Monday. New Irons' manager Gianfranco Zola admitted Ashton had
been carrying an injury before he arrived at the club on Monday. However,
the Italian has revealed that he hopes the England forward, 24, to be back
in training as early as next week. "Deano unfortunately won't be available
this week. He will have to rest but I think he will be ready to start again
next week," said the former Chelsea forward, who takes charge of the Hammers
for the first time when the manager-less Magpies visit Upton Park on
Saturday. "We will monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week
to recover. "He already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were
training so we had to stop him. "Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his
old one (an abdominal injury). We don't know yet whether he is going to be
available for Saturday."
Bellamy has made just one first-team appearance this season, scoring as a
late substitute in the 4-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers on August 30. But
despite inheriting two crocked forwards Zola refused to blame predecessor
Alan Curbishley, who resigned a fortnight ago following a 20-month reign
blighted by injuries, for the pair's absences. "I don't know the training
system they had before and I don't want to say we had loads of injuries
because of that," the new boss said democratically. "When Alan was here he
did a great job and I hope I can carry on from that job."
And the Sardinian, who has brought in fitness coach Antonio Pintas to
improve his players' conditioning, instead vowed to end the injury crisis
himself. "We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of
luck it will," he added optimistically. With Ashton and Bellamy out, Zola is
expected to name former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole and Italian loanee
David Di Michele in his team to face Newcastle.

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Birmingham boss McLeish confirms he wants West Ham's Quashie
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish hopes to sign West Ham midfielder Nigel
Quashie on-loan. "I would like something to happen with this but we'll have
to see if there's been any reaction to the tough training he's been doing,"
said McLeish. "He's been out for a long time and has picked up a few
niggles. Nigel's still training with us and we can see he's got a lot of
quality, but he's still got a little more fitness to find."

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Curbishley chasing compo from West Ham
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

Alan Curbishley is seeking compensation from West Ham United. The Daily Mail
says the 50-year-old believes he has a case for constructive dismissal even
though he resigned a fortnight ago. Curbishley's solicitor has sent a letter
to West Ham and the claim appears to centre on whether the club broke the
terms of his contract by selling George McCartney to Sunderland without his
permission. He insists he was supposed to have the final say on transfers
and was incensed because he had reassured the squad there would be no more
summer departures. Curbishley wants a pay-off reflecting the £2.5million of
salary remaining on his contract, but the club are on strong ground because
he chose to quit and was aware of overall transfer policy.

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West Ham coaching pair sent on gardening leave
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham have sent two of former manager Alan Curbishley's assistants away
from the club. Former assistants Mervyn Day and Glynn Snodin have been
placed on gardening leave.

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Ashton Out, Says This Hammers Fan - goal.com
James Dyer, a West Ham United supporter, sharesh is views on the gifted but
injury-prone Dean Ashton. To James, the England international's presence at
the Bolyen Ground causes more harm than good...

West Ham fans will not be surprised to discover that Dean Ashton has picked
up yet another injury. Talking to English newspaper The Sun, Ashton
confessed to having sustained a twisted ankle in training which he believes
will keep him out of action for around three to four weeks.

This is not the first injury to hit the Hammers; star player - having
already been substituted in three of West Ham's four Premier League games so
far this season; each time he has cited injury as the reason for his
withdrawal. He only lasted 19 minutes in the Hammers' defeat to newly
promoted West Brom before being replaced by new arrival David Di Michelle.
Even more embarrassingly, it was in taking a free-kick in the very first
game of the season, after scoring twice in the first 10 minutes against
Wigan, that Ashton first injured himself in an attempt to score a hat trick.

Hammers fans will remember that it was in training for his first England cap
in August 2006 that Ashton broke his ankle, ruling him out for the entire
Premier League season. That was a campaign in which West Ham struggled
against relegation right up until the last game. In the following season
Ashton netted 11 times in 35 league and cup appearances, but was the subject
of some criticism from pundits and much ridicule from opposition fans for
his weight, which he vowed to work on before the start of the next Premier
League year.

The first 10 minutes of the opening game of the season against Wigan looked
like the Ashton of old - not least because of the two clinical finishes by
the England international - but after hobbling off following his attempt at
taking a free-kick he has lasted 90 minutes only once since. That was,
sadly, during West Ham's 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City.
This latest injury has now ruled him out for four weeks and will only go to
further exasperate Hammer's fans who must surely be losing patience with
Ashton.

In his interview with The Sun, Ashton stated, "I just went over on it. It
happens to a lot of players" unfortunately it seems to happen to West Ham
players more than any other club. The Hammers' have become renowned for
their ever extending injury list to the extent that outgoing manager Alan
Curbishley was never really able to field his first eleven last season.
However there seems to be a growing frustration with particularly
injury-prone players such as Ashton, Dyer and Bellamy, who seem to play one
game before aggravating an injury, or picking up an entirely new one, and
spending the next month recovering whilst still being paid some of the
highest wages at the club.

I know many will argue that Aston is a quality player when fit, and the
goals that he has scored make it impossible to deny his talent. However when
a 24-year-old suffers as many injuries as Ashton has, what will his
condition be like in three years' time, one must wonder? I personally
believe that new boss Gianfranco Zola should cash in on Aston, if he ever
passes a medical, and buy a more reliable performer. The Hammers would get
more out of a slightly less explosive player who plays all 38 games of a
season than a sporadically brilliant player like Ashton who scores when he
plays, but plays very little.

James Dyer

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Duff Back For West Ham Whilst Oba's A Possibility - tynetalk.co.uk
By Tyne-Talk September 18 2008

Damian Duff and Obafemi Martins could make their return to the side this
weekend after recovering from injury and returning to training. Chris
Hughton will take his Newcastle side to West Ham on Saturday for the 5th
Premier League game of the season. Newcastle will travel on the back of a
dismal result against Hull last weekend, their second defeat of the season,
yet Hughton insists that morale is high, whilst West Ham will also be
looking to impress after losing to West Brom.
Hughton said of Duff and Oba's return to training: "We have got the bonus of
Damien Duff having trained this week and he will come into contention so
that is a big plus for us. Martins trained today but of course he has been
out for a while and we will assess that one tomorrow. But certainly with
Damien coming back it is a big plus for us."
Regarding the instability of the club and a potential sale he added: "Any
thought or question of anything that could happen is something completely
out of my control.
All I can do is do the job I am doing at the moment to the best of my
abilities and prepare the team for a tough game."
The mood has been good. One thing the players realise is these are difficult
times, and what they realise also is they can't affect anything that's gone
on or will go on outside of the training ground. That makes them all the
more conscious that they need to keep together as a group. They need to make
sure the spirits on the training pitch as a group of lads are as good as
they can be."

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Zola reign excites Neill - eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk
18 September 2008

Lucas Neill believes Gianfranco Zola will bring an exciting new era to West
Ham as he prepares for his first game in charge of the club against
Newcastle. Former Chelsea forward Zola watched from the stands at the
Hawthorns as the Hammers slumped to a 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion
last Saturday. The Italian will take his place in the dugout for this
weekend's match at Upton Park and officially took charge of training for the
first time at Chadwell Heath on Monday. Hammers skipper Neill admits that
the squad "can't wait to get started" under the new manager, who enjoyed an
illustrious career as a player. "He is someone we have all looked up to as a
player and admired his ability on the pitch," said Neill. "He's come in and
said he would like to teach us a few things that have stood him in good
stead in his career and he can't wait to work with us because he likes the
squad that he's inherited. "He can't wait to get started - as can't we to
learn the gameplans and other things he wants to teach us."
Zola has promised to bring stylish football to Upton Park and Neill has
revealed that the Hammers boss has already begun work on installing his
attacking philosophy in the team. He said: "[The manager] has already
expressed his desire to play out from the back and play a more creative
brand of football, a bit more patience and passing, which we all want to
play anyway. "It's just a case of getting us confident enough to do it. So
it's going to be interesting - there's a lot of work to be done on the
training ground. "But I want to assure the fans that everybody on the
training ground is extremely focused on doing a good job, working hard and
not letting all the hype and speculation affect them. "The changing room is
still very tight, very happy and confident and bubbly - even more so now.
"We're lucky to have a great bunch of lads who want to be successful at this
club, so let's hope we can come up with the winning formula under our new
manager."

Matthew Upson has also backed Zola to be a success - and says he can have
the same impact that fellow Italian Fabio Capello has achieved with England.
"I think he will bring a really good culture to the club," Upson said. "He
wants people to enjoy playing in a good atmosphere and it will be
interesting to see how he develops that. I think it is a very positive move.
"I think the Italians, having just spent 10 days with England and Fabio
Capello, have very sure and very sound thoughts on football. They spend a
lot of time on technical and tactical play. "I know the Premier League is a
lot about the physical challenges but I think Italians are very organised
and will bring a different type of culture to West Ham that it hasn't had
before.

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XL collapse will not restrict Zola's spending - eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk
18 September 2008

West Ham could take a £4m hit following the collapse of their sponsor XL -
but the club have promised that Gianfranco Zola will still be given the
funds to excel as manager at Upton Park. The Hammers are currently searching
for a new partner after XL Airways went into administration last week,
terminating a three-year £7.5m sponsorship deal with the club that was
signed only last year. West Ham owner Bjorgulfur Gudmundsson has also been
personally hit by the Crawley-based company's collapse. Gudmundsson is the
major shareholder of the Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which financed a
management buyout of XL in 2006. The Hammers will now be forced to search
for a major new sponsor amid tougher worldwide economic conditions. But club
officials are adamant that this development will not affect the club's
transfer spending under Zola, who has been promised the funds to "build a
team" at Upton Park. The Italian has pledged to assemble a squad capable of
playing the free-flowing football traditionally associated with West Ham,
announcing at his opening press conference last week that he wants to
recruit "as many quality players as possible".
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury has revealed that the club will back
his vision in the transfer market. "Gianfranco has made it quite clear that
it's not just him - it's about building a team around him and that's what
we'll do," said Duxbury. "It won't be a cheap option because we will be
building a team around him that can move the club forward." Former manager
Alan Curbishley was given significant sums to reshape the team when he was
appointed in 2006, but the club spent little in the summer transfer window
and sold nearly £20m worth of talent. The collapse of XL has raised fears
that the club will be forced to embark on a new wave of cost cutting, but
financial director Nick Igoe has insisted that last week's developments will
not affect Zola's transfer budget. The club will continue to trim the
first-team squad of fringe players in January but the club's ability to
finance quality signings remains unaffected. "We are in an excellent
financial state," said Igoe. "This is unfortunate timing - we did our
dealings in the summer as it is prudent to do. But we had some wind of this
and we have been talking to people about the possibility of replacing XL. We
will now begin to accelerate that. "There has been a £30m investment from
the owner to fund the playing squad. That is a big, big commitment.

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Keen praises new signings - e24
18 September 2008

Kevin Keen has backed new signings Herita Ilunga and David Di Michele to
make a big impact after the duo made their debuts for West Ham last weekend.
Defender Ilunga made his first start for the Hammers in the 3-2 defeat by
West Bromwich while Di Michele replaced Dean Ashton inside the opening 20
minutes at the Hawthorns. Italy striker Di Michele made an instant
impression, setting up Mark Noble's equaliser and almost getting his own
name on the scoresheet when his low shot was pushed behind by Scott Carson.
Making his first appearance of the season, Di Michele faded in the second
half but Keen believes that the forward will become an influential figure as
his fitness improves. "That was his first game of the season and to be
thrown in like that, especially in the first half, I thought he did really
well," Keen said. "He got into a few pockets and made things happen and
hopefully as he gets a little bit fitter and gets a bit more used to the
Premier League, I think he can go on and be very creative for us."

Ilunga, the Congo international, played the full 90 minutes and proved a
steady presence at left-back. Keen is confident that the muscular defender
will prove a big hit at Upton Park. He said: "I thought Herita Ilunga was
super. I think he'll be great for us and I think the supporters will like
him. "He's got an aggressive side to him but at the same time he can get
forward and make things happen.

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Woes of sponsors spill on to the pitch - ft.com
By Roger Blitz, Leisure Industries Correspondent
Published: September 17 2008 03:00 | Last updated: September 17 2008 03:00

United they stand, even if their shirt sponsors may fall. Manchester United
may soon be seeking a new sponsor as AIG's troubles deepen. Last weekend
West Ham United's players hastily covered up the XL emblem that had adorned
their jerseys after the tour company's collapse. Somehow, Newcastle United –
managerless and up-for-sale – soldiers on with Northern Rock plastered
across its black-and-white kit. Are Premier League football clubs facing a
shirt-sponsor credit crunch? Manchester United will lose little sleep even
if its £56.5m four-year deal with the troubled insurance giant does unwind.
As a brand, the Reds are a cut above the rest of the Premier League, says
Drew Barrand of the Sport Industry Group, as Manchester United builds
support in lucrative markets such as Asia and the Middle East. "If AIG goes
under, it allows the club to negotiate a new sponsorship contract in excess
of what it is earning," Mr Barrand says. Football shirt sponsorship has
enjoyed steady growth in recent years. According to sports marketing
consultants Sport Markt, total revenues last year were £287.8m in the six
large European leagues, up 10.6 per cent on the previous year and doubling
their value in eight years. Manchester United's AIG deal puts them top of
the shirt sponsor league, comfortably above Chelsea, the next highest
Premier League club, whose deal with Samsung is worth £10.3m a year. But as
with most aspects of life in the Premier League, there is a gulf between the
top clubs and everyone else, and the economic downturn is leaving other
clubs struggling to find a sponsor. Newly promoted West Bromwich Albion have
no shirt sponsor, while Aston Villa is following Barcelona, which carries
Unicef on its shirts, by donating its shirt rights to Acorns, a children's
hospice. "Clearly, with three teams without jersey sponsorship income, the
overall revenue from jersey sponsorship of all Premier League teams will
certainly drop this year in comparison to previous seasons," says Andrew
Walsh of Sport Markt. "In relation to other European top leagues, the actual
figure appears even lower, due to the strong currency abroad." Shirt
sponsorship represents about 20-25 per cent of a club's commercial revenue,
but clubs are finding it harder to nail down sponsors for periods of two to
three years. "A lot of sponsors are using it as a dip-in," Mr Barrand says.
"Once they get brand exposure, they come out."
Online gambling companies, a lucrative partner for several clubs, are
questioning the wisdom of tie-ups after the government banned their names
from appearing on children's replica kits. "The ones lower down the league
are finding it more and more difficult to find someone," says Nigel Currie
of BrandRapport. "There is a falling away of interest." AIG and Manchester
United are holding back from commenting on their relationship until the
future of the insurer becomes clear. One thing is beyond doubt, however: as
the economic climate worsens, so, too, does the outlook for football clubs'
shirt sponsorship.

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West Ham United's Dean Ashton out for a month with ankle injury - The Mirror
18/09/2008

Gianfranco Zola has suffered an early blow at West Ham with Dean Ashton out
for a month. The striker is also out of England's World Cup qualifiers next
month.
Ashton said: "I sprained my ankle in training. I just went over on it. It
happens to a lot of players. I'm looking at three to four weeks on the
sidelines."

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Birmingham ready to make loan move for West Ham's Quashie - Daily Mail
By Graham Hill Last updated at 1:13 PM on 18th September 2008

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has confirmed he is ready to take West
Ham's Nigel Quashie on loan - if the player can prove his fitness levels.
Quashie has been out injured for almost 18 months but McLeish is hopeful
that the 30-year-old can do a job for him after training at St Andrew's. 'I
would like something to happen with this but we'll have to see if there's
been any reaction to the tough training he's been doing,' said McLeish.
'He's been out for a long time and has picked up a few niggles. Nigel's
still training with us and we can see he's got a lot of quality, but he's
still got a little more fitness to find.'

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HAMMERS TALK: Curbishley could still be looking for a pay-off from West Ham
- Echo
12:17pm Thursday 18th September 2008

WEST Ham may have to brace themselves for another hefty compensation claim,
with former manager Alan Curbishley apparently looking to receive a pay-out
from the club. The Hammers, who have just reached a financial agreement
with Chelsea over the appointment of new assistant manager Steve Clarke,
could according to the Mail still be forced to hand Curbishley a settlement
package. The report claims that while the 50-year-old former Charlton boss
resigned a fortnight ago, he feels that he could have a case for
constructive dismissal after players were sold behind his back. It is also
highlighted in the article that Curbishley wants a pay-off reflecting the
£2.5million of salary remaining on his contract, but the club are on strong
ground because he chose to quit and was aware of overall transfer policy.
The Mail's story meanwhile states that former assistants Mervyn Day and
Glynn Snodin have been placed on gardening leave.

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Bilic could still take over at Hammers By Wes Evans - WestHamFansOnline.net
Posted on Thursday 18 Sep 2008 11:30:00

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic is almost certain to leave his post after the 2010
World Cup (assuming they qualify) and could be tempted by the West Ham post.
He spoke once again about his desire to manage at club level after his time
with his national side, and as we all know, his love for the Hammers has
never been in doubt.
"I will stay in office for the next two years but I'll be ready to change my
position if an attractive offer reaches me," said Bilic to Croation daily
Sportsle Novosti.
If Zola is doing the same thing that most managers do in their first
position - i.e. holding onto mid-table security if they're doing a good job
- then the board could be easily tempted to switch to the man that
masterminded a great campaign to Euro 2008 and led Croatia to 5th place in
the FIFA rankings. Of course, he could end up being rubbish for the next
World Cup campaign, then nobody would care about him being the Hammers'
manager. He could also open a farm. Who knows.

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If Zola can get injured-again Ashton back fit not fat, West Ham be feasting
on success at last - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 18th September 2008

Dean Ashton is out injured - again. The West Ham striker welcomed Gianfranco
Zola to the manager's job at Upton Park by telling him he will be out for
about a month with an ankle problem. Hatchet Man hasn't swallowed any
positive thinking manuals, but wonders if the Italian should see the setback
as an opportunity. Ashton was in the treatment room for a lot of last season
with half the rest of the squad and has been known to put on weight when he
is not playing regularly. But if Zola and his new fitness coach can get the
striker back fit - and trim - when the problem has cleared up, then West Ham
fans will really start to believe in him.

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