James Collins is in contention for his first competitive game since a knee
injury in January
30.09.2008
West Ham United play their first home reserve match of the season at home to
West Bromwich Albion this evening.
After a youthful second string went down 2-0 away to Chelsea a fortnight ago
in the opening match of the Barclays Premier Reserve League, a stronger
selection is set to be in action at the Woodside Park home of Bishop's
Stortford. Among those possibly in contention are James Collins, who has not
played a competitive game since his knee injury in January, and Lee Bowyer,
who last figured in the Carling Cup tie with Macclesfield Town last month.
West Bromwich Albion have had two games so far this season - losing 3-2 away
to Tottenham Hotspur and then winning 3-0 at home to Fulham. whufc.com will
have full text coverage of the game along with all the action and reaction
after the final whistle. Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions,
with West Ham United season ticket holders getting in free. Kick-off is at
7pm.
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Etherington pushing forward - WHUFC
The longest-serving player at the Boleyn Ground is loving his new role for
the West Ham United side
30.09.2008
Matthew Etherington is relishing being given the freedom to express himself
in West Ham United's attack under Gianfranco Zola.
The last two back to back league wins have seen Etherington pushed forward
from left wing to an advanced role alongside in-form duo David Di Michele
and Carlton Cole. "It is really suiting me," said the 27-year-old after his
assist and goal in the deserved 2-1 defeat of Fulham. "I am getting more
involved in the game, I am not stuck out on the wing relying on the others
in getting me the ball, and it is giving me a bit of freedom. Everyone is
enjoying it."
Etherington is the club's longest serving player and has experienced plenty
of highs - not least being named Hammer of the Year for 2003/04. This season
is showing early signs of matching those heights and he is thriving in his
new role and the new regime. "It has made me feel good. There's a few things
in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good. It makes
you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."
He already has two goals from six league games, just one fewer than he
managed in the whole of last season. The feelgood factor is high and but
there is more to come as the team look to hold on to their lofty fifth
position. "It's a great start, very good. We got a great result against
Newcastle last week and now have followed on with this result. We are up
there now and have got to make sure we stay up there now.
"We now look to next week's game and aim to get three points out of that as
well," Etherington added, with an eye on the televised Sunday visit of
Bolton Wanderers to the Boleyn Ground. "We were worthy of the three points
[against Fulham] and were the better side."
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Ticket update for Bolton - WHUFC
There are still some tickets, including kids for a quid, available for the
visit of Bolton Wanderers on Sunday
29.09.2008
Fans will have to move fast if they want to see West Ham United look to
build on their fine start to the new Barclays Premier League season this
Sunday.
With four wins from four games in all competitions at the Boleyn Ground,
Gianfranco Zola's freescoring team will look to move up from fifth place in
the top flight when they welcome Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers side. If you
would like to like to be a part of it, tickets are on general sale now.
The club are offering the 'kids for a quid' scheme for the fixture, where
any child's ticket is just £1 when purchased with an adult ticket. As such,
demand is expected to be high over the next few days and the match is likely
to sell out
Please call the ticket office on 0871 222 2700 or click here for further
information and bookings.
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On a wing and a prayer - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 30th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Etherington has revealed that he is enjoying working under United's
new management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. 27-year-old
Etherington scored one and created another in Saturday's 2-1 win over Fulham
- his second strong performance in under a week following on from his
impressive run-out against Newcastle last weekend whioch he also capped with
a goal. "It is really suiting me," he told whufc.com. "I am getting more
involved in the game, I am not stuck out on the wing relying on the others
in getting me the ball, and it is giving me a bit of freedom. Everyone is
enjoying it. "It has made me feel good. There's a few things in training,
coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good. It makes you feel
wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."
Eherington was facing the chop not so long ago after it was revealed that he
had once again lost vast fortunes through gambling. However the appointment
of Zola and Clarke appears to have rejuvenated the winger, who, despite his
recent good form, is surely drinking at the last chance saloon. But for now
he can look forward to helping the Hammers maintain their steady start -
with lowly Bolton the visitors to the Boleyn this weekend. "We are up there
now and have got to make sure we stay there," he added. "It's a great
start."
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Pictures: Sheffield United fans release £30m West Ham banknote - The Mirror
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 30/09/2008
Sheffield United fans have marked their side's recent 'victory' over West
Ham in the Carlos Tevez row by producing a run of mock bank notes bearing
his likeness.
The £30m notes are a reference to the compensation figure that the Blades
are demanding following their relegation from the Premier League in 2007 at
the London side's expense. The reverse of the note features the likesness of
'Cheif Cashier' Trevor Brooking, the ex-West Ham legend who some Sheffield
United fans suspect had a hand in the Premier League's initial decision not
to dock West Ham points when problems with Carlos Tevez registration first
came to light. Sheffield United aren't the first fans to make their own bank
notes, of course Two years ago Arsenal fans made a batch bearing the
likeness of former player Ashley Cole.
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Quashie to leave Hammers - teletext
Hammers midfielder Nigel Quashie is set to become the first player to leave
Upton Park under Gianfranco Zola. The Scotland international has been at
Championship outfit Birmingham for the last two weeks, and may be offered a
loan deal until the end of the season. City boss Alex McLeish told the
club's website: "It's an ongoing process. We quite like what we see and
we'll maybe make a decision in a week or two."
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Hammers set to field strong second string - Echo
8:35am Tuesday 30th September 2008
A HOST of players with first-team experience are set to take to the field
for West Ham United's reserves on Tuesday evening. Kevin Keen's side take on
West Bromwich Albion at Bishop's Stortford's Woodside Park (7pm kick-off),
with James Collins, Calum Davenport, Walter Lopez, Kyel Reid and Freddie
Sears all set to feature. Collins' inclusion will be a massive boost to
first-team boss Gianfranco Zola, who has been forced to field Lucas Neill at
centre-back in his first three matches in charge. The sale of Anton
Ferdinand and injuries to Danny Gabbidon and James Tomkins have left the
Italian with only Matthew Upson and Davenport available as recognised
centre-halves. And with Davenport having played very little football over
the past nine months after breaking his neck during a loan spell at Watford,
the Wales international's return will be welcomed by Zola. Uruguay
international left-back Lopez, who made his first-team debut in last week's
Carling Cup third round defeat at Watford, is also set to start, as are
winger Reid and striker Sears. The remaining places in Keen's side will be
filled by youngsters, including promising Czech goalkeeper Marek Stech and
England Under-19 winger Junior Stanislas. However, the match will come too
soon for former Spain international striker Diego Tristan, who is set to
join the Hammers on trial on Tuesday. Keen's side lost their opening
Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture 2-0 at Chelsea a fortnight ago.
Admission to Tuesday's game is free for season ticket holders.
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Hammered again! Now West Ham face £1m legal action from Fulham and Wigan
over Tevez affair - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:43 AM on 30th September 2008
West Ham, already fighting a multi-million pound damages claim from
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, could now face a £1m legal
action from Fulham and Wigan. After an FA independent tribunal ruled that
Tevez was worth at least three points to West Ham during the 2006-07 season,
both clubs may argue that their league position was one lower than it should
have been — a difference of about £500,000 each. 'The ruling opens the way
to claims from clubs who finished within three points of West Ham,' said
Andrew Quirk, from lawyers Stevens and Bolton llP.
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Zola Power has lit up Hammers - the Sun
THE Gianfranco Zola magic is starting to rub off at West Ham. The Italian
has won both league games since taking charge of the Hammers earlier this
month. And winger Matthew Etherington has hailed the impact of the former
Chelsea star with the club sitting fifth in the table. He said:"It's a great
start, very good. "We got a great result against Newcastle last week and now
have followed on with the result at Fulham. "We are up there now and have
got to make sure we stay up there. "It has made me feel good. There's a few
things in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's good.
"It makes you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer wants."
Etherington has also praised Zola for handing him a roaming role with the
Hammers. He added: "I am getting more involved in the game. "I am not stuck
out on the wing relying on the others in getting me the ball and it is
giving me a bit of freedom. "Everyone is enjoying it."
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Fulham and Wigan may claim £1m from Carlos Tevez affair
Ken Dyer, Evening Standard
30.09.08
West Ham step up their fight in Tevez saga after winning tense derby battle.
West Ham, already contesting a multi-million pound damages claim from
Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, could now face a £1m legal
action from Fulham and Wigan. After an FA independent tribunal ruled that
Tevez was worth at least three points to West Ham in their successful fight
to avoid relegation in the 2006-07 season, both clubs may argue that their
final position in the Premier League was one lower than it should have been
— a difference of about £500,000 each. West Ham will appeal to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport over the ruling. Chief executive Scott Duxbury also
denies he told Tevez's 'co-owner' Kia Joorabchian and his lawyer that the
club would publicly tear up the third party agreement but privately honour
the arrangement.
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Hammers midfielder relishes new role - Echo
11:19am Tuesday 30th September 2008
HAMMERS midfielder Matthew Etherington admits he is loving his new role
under boss Gianfranco Zola. The Italian has pushed the left-winger forward
from his conventional role and Etherington now finds himself supporting
forwards David Di Michele and Carlton Cole in attack. Indeed, the switch has
proved to be a masterstroke by Zola, as Etherington first laid on Cole for
the Irons' opener against Fulham on Saturday before scoring the decisive
second himself. The 27-year-old is enjoying the license to roam and believes
the new position is bringing the best out of him. "It's really suiting me,"
said Etherington. "I'm getting more involved in the game and I'm not getting
stuck out on the wing, relying on the others to get me the ball. It's giving
me a bit of freedom. Everyone is enjoying it." The midfielder, who is
currently the longest-serving member of the Hammers squad, admits the new
coaching partnership of Zola and former Chelsea assistant manager Steve
Clarke has been a breath of fresh air. "It has made me feel good. There's a
few things in training, coaching one-to-one things we are doing and it's
good. It makes you feel wanted and that's what a professional footballer
wants." Etherington has been an influential figure in West Ham's encouraging
start, which sees them lie fifth in the Premier League table, with 12 points
from six games. It is a run that has fans believing that UEFA Cup football
is within their grasp and Etherington is keen to deliver that goal. "It's a
great start," he continued. "We got a great result against Newcastle last
week and now we have followed on with this result (against Fulham). "We are
up there now and have to make sure we stay there. "We now look to next
week's game and aim to get three points out of that as well," he said,
looking ahead to the team's home game with Bolton.
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West Ham give trial to Diego Tristan - Telegraph
Former Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan has been handed a trial by
Premier League side West Ham United.
By Charlie Caroe
Last Updated: 12:06PM BST 30 Sep 2008
Tristan, 32, is currently without a club after leaving Serie A club Livorno,
where he scored just one goal in 20 appearances, after just one season in
Italy. The striker, who won 15 caps for Spain in the three years after his
debut against Bosnia in June 2001, is being tested out as new manager
Gianfranco Zola seeks a possible short-term replacement for Dean Ashton who
has recently suffered another injury. If the trial proves to be a success
then Zola, who has other options in his attack including Carlton Cole and
Craig Bellamy, could be signing a striker of real pedigree. Tristan was top
scorer in La Liga in 2001-02 with 21 goals as Deportivo finished second in
the league, and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the
second season in a row. The Seville-born striker left Deportivo after four
seasons (and 87 goals) in 2006, and - despite being linked with a possible
move to the Premier League with Bolton - returned to Real Mallorca where he
started his senior career for a season before moving to Livorno.
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Hammers priced out of move to Olympic Stadium - Echo
12:58pm Tuesday 30th September 2008
WEST Ham have been priced out of a move to London's 2012 Olympic Stadium
after it was revealed the plan could cost as much as £400million. The club
had hoped that they could move to the Stratford-based stadium after the
Games but they have been told that it would cost far too much for that to
become reality. The initial idea was brought to the fore by former chairman
Eggert Magnusson two years ago, but the financial complications have not
been disclosed until now. The difficulties arise because part of the deal of
taking the Games to London was that any Olympic stadium must retain the
running track, so as to host athletics events. It was proposed that the
Hammers could install retractable seats, enabling the structure to double up
as an athletics and football venue. But after being told by the London
Development Agency that this would set them back a mouth-watering
£400million, such a deal seems unlikely to go ahead. "It will be far too an
expensive option to be realistic and this has been discussed with them," an
LDA source told our sister paper the Basildon Echo. "On that basis we are
really looking at athletics as the core use for the stadium."
A more realistic alternative for the club could be to re-locate to a site
next door to West Ham tube station, which used to be a Parcelforce depot. It
is thought that West Ham could buy the site for £15million, with a 50,000
capacity stadium costing a further £200million. However, that route may yet
be blocked by the LDA, as the agency have plans in the pipeline to erect a
regional bus station there instead. Another spanner was thrown into the
works when club chief executive Scott Duxbury revealed that a number of gas
holders situated on the site could force the Irons to abandon building plans
there altogether.
The one remaining option – and possibly the most feasible – is to expand the
Boleyn Ground from its current 35,000 capacity to a 50,000 seat stadium.
Although problems seem to greet the club at every turn, West Ham still
maintained that all three options are being considered. A club spokesman
said: "We are continuing discussions with the LDA over all available
options."
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Bowyer included in Hammers' reserve squad - Echo
2:19pm Tuesday 30th September 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
WEST Ham United's Lee Bowyer will make a return in tonight's Barclays
Premier Reserve League clash with West Bromwich Albion at Bishop's Stortford
(7pm kick-off). The former England international midfielder has made just
one first-team appearance this season, scoring a vital equaliser in the
Irons' 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield Town. However, the
31-year-old has failed to feature in any of new manager Gianfranco Zola's
three matchday squads since the Italian replaced Alan Curbishley earlier
this month. Bowyer is set to be joined in Kevin Keen's line-up by
centre-back James Collins, who is continuing his recovery from a serious
knee ligament injury suffered on reserve team duty at Portsmouth in January.
Uruguay international left-back Walter Lopez, who made his first-team debut
at Watford last week, centre-back Calum Davenport, Kyel Reid, Junior
Stanislas and Freddie Sears are all expected to feature in a strong Hammers'
team at Woodside Park. The hosts began their season with a 2-0 defeat at
Chelsea a fortnight ago. West Brom, meanwhile, have won one and lost the
other of their two matches so far under coach Michael Appleton. The Baggies
have named an inexperienced squad for their trip south, with Filipe
Teixeira, Pele, Shelton Martis and Bartosz Slusarski the only senior players
involved Admission is free to season ticket holders. For other supporters,
the cost is £5 adults and £2 concessions.
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West Ham keen on Juventus pair De Ceglie, Marchisio
30.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Juventus pair Paolo de Ceglie
and Claudio Marchisio. Zola worked with the midfield duo in his job as Italy
U21 assistant boss and has both players under consideration for the January
market.
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West Ham move for Genoa defender Criscito
30.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Genoa defender Domenico Criscito is a target for West Ham United boss
Gianfranco Zola. Zola worked with Criscito, who is on-loan at Genoa from
Juventus, with the Italy U21s and wants to bring the youngster to London in
January.
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