WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill, Carlton Cole and the rest of the squad took time out to show
their support for Kick It Out
24.10.2008
West Ham United players led by captain Lucas Neill showed their support on
Friday for the Kick It Out initiative One Game, One Community at Chadwell
Heath.
The first-team squad gathered for a special shot ahead of preparing for
Sunday's derby match with Arsenal, which has been chosen as the club's day
of action, and also wore special promotional T-shirts during training
itself. Among those taking part with the skipper was the club's Kick It Out
ambassador Carlton Cole, who is an active supporter of the cause.
"Players who have really high profiles who all have team-mates of mixed
races and origin can really make a stand," Cole said. "Our own captain,
Lucas Neill has no place for it, he is against it and as captain he inspires
me to want to put the message across as an ambassador.
"Supporters coming to watch our game against Arsenal will see the T-shirt I
am wearing on the front of our matchday programme and will see the rest of
the boys wear them in our warm-up ... hopefully it will send out a real
message. If you can get these words and messages out to people on a regular
basis, then it may go a long way to making racial abuse of any kind a thing
of the past."
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West Ham v Arsenal
BBC.co.uk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 26 October Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sport website with
highlights on Match of the Day 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Team news to follow later.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Arsenal, 2-5 winners over Fenerbahce in Turkey midweek, look to follow up
last Saturday's 3-1 home win over Everton with another three points over
West Ham to stay in touch with the Premier League pacesetters.
A win for West Ham would take them to within a point of the Gunners, but
they are in danger of tumbling to three successive league losses for the
first time under Gianfranco Zola.
This is the fourth of 20 top-flight local derbies in the capital this
season, and the Hammers go into the match top of the table for London
Premier League derbies, courtesy of their 1-2 away win over Fulham. Needless
to say, Chelsea are London's top team in the table that counts, Arsenal the
second best and West Ham third.
Arsenal did the double over West Ham last season, having suffered a trio of
defeats to them in the three previous Premier League clashes.
The Hammers have dropped more home Premier League points to the Gunners than
to any other club (28), yet Arsenal have not recorded successive league wins
at Upton Park for 11 years.
Distance between the clubs: 10 miles (16 kilometres)
Arsenal are West Ham's nearest neighbours as far as the Premier League is
concerned. The Gunners are making the shortest journey of any Premier League
club this weekend.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 8th 12 points
2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Lost 50% of their league matches under Zola (two of four).
2. Lost the last two against Bolton (h) and Hull (a).
3. Not lost three consecutive Premier League matches since 12 April.
4. Won all four top-flight matches this season in which they have opened the
scoring.
5. Yet to draw in any competition this season, and completed 36 Premier
League matches since a goalless draw; the most recent being away to
Portsmouth on 27 October.
6. The defeat to Bolton was the first time home points were dropped this
season.
7. Arsenal were one of five clubs to leave Upton Park with maximum points
last season.
8. The Premier League's most dangerous club in the first 15 minutes, when
four of their 14 goals have been scored.
9. Lost six of the last season's eight Premier League games against the 'Big
Four' clubs, including the last three. An away trip to Manchester United
follows this game.
Fixtures
ARSENAL
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 4th 16 points
2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Averaging two points a game.
2. Avoided defeat in 10 of the last 11 in all competitions, and in five of
the last six Premier League matches.
3. Failed to score in just two of their 38 league games last term; already
registered one blank in this campaign (away to Fulham).
4. Completed 54 Premier League matches since a loss by more than a single
goal; 4-1, away to Liverpool on 31 March 2007 being the most recent.
5. One defeat away from matching their total of Premier League losses for
the whole of last season.
6. Upton Park was one of 10 grounds on which maximum points were gained from
their travels last season.
7. Five of their 16 league goals have been netted in the last five minutes.
8. Lost the last two Premier League games against London clubs after seven
straight wins in such matches.
9. This fixture precedes Wednesday's North London derby, home to Tottenham.
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).
If selected:-
Dean ASHTON will be making his 250th career league appearance (Crewe,
Norwich and West Ham).
Hayden MULLINS will be making his 200th appearance in a West Ham shirt.
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).
Luis BOA MORTE will be facing a former club. The 31 year old Portugal
international made 39 appearances (25 in the league) and scored four goals
for Arsenal between June 1997 and August 1999.
Matthew UPSON will also be facing former colleagues. The 29 year old
defender made 56 appearances (34 in the league) for the North Londoners
between May 1997 and January 2003.
ARSENAL
Squad profiles
If he scores:-
Robin VAN PERSIE will reach the milestone of 50 goals for Arsenal.
If selected:-
Theo WALCOTT will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for the
Gunners.
If on the field from the outset:-
Bacary SAGNA will be making his 50th start in an Arsenal shirt.
HEAD TO HEAD
West Ham were one of nine clubs Arsenal did the double over last season; the
Gunners were one of two clubs to do the double over the Hammers. The other
was Chelsea.
Marlon Harewood came off the bench to score a late winner in this
corresponding fixture on Guy Fawkes Day 2006. The celebration of then
manager Alan Pardew so angered his opposite number, that Arsene Wenger
famously refused to shake hands afterwards, which cost him a £10,000 fine.
Five months later the Hammers brought an end to Arsenal's unbeaten league
record at the Emirates Stadium and wrapped up a first ever Premier League
'double' over them, and first against their London rivals since 1964-65.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 27 wins, Arsenal 45, Draws 30
Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Arsenal 15, Draws 5
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 14 wins, Arsenal 19, Draws 18
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Arsenal 6, Draws 5
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 0-1 Arsenal
29 September 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley
Arsenal scorer: Van Persie 13
REFEREE
Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)
Premier League referees' table
Phil Dowd's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Upson unconcerned
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson has said that talk of financial worries at West Ham is not
something that unduly concerns him. West Ham United and England defender
Upson, talking to SkySports during a break in a club initiative this morning
admitted that he was happy to hear manager Gianfranco Zola confirm that he
was under no pressure to sell any players during the next transfer window.
"For the manager to come out with that comment is very reassuring," he said.
"We don't know the full ins and outs of the financial situation at the club
with people presuming it is in trouble due to the current crisis. "It is an
interesting one - but as a player, it is not something I would focus on."
Upson, who is set to feature against Arsenal at the Boleyn on Sunday
afternoon echoed Mark Noble's sentiments earlier in the week with regards to
what many have considered a so-so start to the season. However he added that
under Zola the team were moving in the right direction. "Perhaps we have
lacked the cutting edge we want, but I think on the whole the way we have
played under the new manager is in a good style," he said. "I think if you
stick to what believe in eventually the results will come your way."
* West Ham vs Arsenal kicks-off at 4pm this Sunday.
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Reid seeking first team football
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kyel Reid has said that he is willing to drop to a lower division on a
temporary basis - if it enhances his chances of making the grade at West Ham
United. The 20-year-old winger has endured a frustrating time at West Ham in
the last two years, with just a handful of first team appearances to his
name. His only appearance under Gianfranco Zola so far was as a late
substitute in the disappointing 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at Watford. As a
result, Reid - like Hayden Mullins earlier this week - admitted that he may
have to seek a move elsewhere should he continue to remain on the fringes of
the first team squad.
Talking to the Waltham Forest Gurdian, he said: He (Zola) said that I will
get my chance but that I've just got to be patient. I've been on the bench a
few times but I've been out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.
I'm back now so hopefully I can get back in the squad regularly. "I just
want to get out there and show the gaffer what I can do," he added. "I can
get a chance to do that in his team, or hopefully go out on loan and get a
few games under my belt for a month or so.
"I went on loan before, so hopefully I can do something similar again at
another Championship club."
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West Ham Utd v Arsenal: match preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd October 2008
By: Preview Percy
Next up is Arsenal. Let's face it - there's not much to like about this
club.
The bribery and corruption that got them promoted, the manager whose
eyesight problem is suspiciously selective, the authorities' lenient
approach to consistent breaches of regulations and a fan base that contains
more than its fair share of the ignorant all contribute to a club that only
its supporters could love.
They have been trophy-free for a few seasons now and this has led to a
mini-exodus of more experienced players over the past few seasons. In this
season's window they were unable to persuade the likes of Flamini and Hleb
to stay. The frankly bonkers Lehmann was probably past his sell-by date
anyway – not that he'd admit it – and departed for Stuttgart having lost his
place to Almunia last season. Others, such as Senderos, departed on loan,
presumably never to return. On the incoming front Wenger found himself
unable to compete financially with Liverpool over Gareth Barry and,
presumably upset that he hadn't thought of illegally approaching the Villa
midfielder first, Wenger found himself pulling out of the bidding well
before the point at which the scousers themselves withdrew.
Instead we saw a strange transfer with the arrival of Silvestre who was
deemed to be surplus to requirements up at Salford. This was apparently the
first transfer between the two clubs since Chalks last bought a round. The
most notable arrival was probably that of French midfielder Nasri from
Marseilles for a reported fee of about £12.5m. All of which means that the
current Arsenal squad is more dependent than it used to be on a youth policy
that relies heavily on snapping up players produced by other clubs across
Europe.
Almunia will start in goal on Sunday. In the absence of Gallas and Toure he
has been skippering the side and has amusingly suggested that he would like
to play for England when he qualifies next year for a UK passport. It's a
shame really because had he signed for Arsenal a few years previously he
might have got into the England side on a passport made out of a John Bull
printing set, such documents being par for the course at Highbury in those
days.
The starting line-up the other night against Fenerbahce contained an
unfamiliar back four in front of Almunia. Injuries to the likes of Gallas,
Sagna and Toure saw Song partner Silvestre in the middle with Eboue at right
back and Clichy on the left. Eboue arrived a few years back from the Ivory
Coast by way of Belgium where Arsenal had a much-criticised "arrangement"
with Beveren that exploited the less stringent immigration and football
registration laws applicable in Belgium, where African footballers have been
mercilessly exploited by clubs, management and agents. Elsewhere across the
back, Gallas' hamstring and Sagna's ankle are both expected to have
recovered in time for Sunday, though Toure's shoulder is still likely to
rule him out.
In midfield, another medium-term absentee is Rosicky who has one of those
hamstring chappies. A return by those missing from the defence in midweek
may see Eboue move into midfield. Flavour of the month Theo Walcott has been
playing on the wing though he does have an eye for goal, though those raving
about his hat-trick against Croatia have a habit of going a bit quiet when
his performances in the subsequent internationals are raised. Wenger started
the kid poached from a cash-strapped Southampton on the bench against
Everton, where Fabregas, Denilson, Fabregas and Nasri played across the
middle. Walcott had returned for the Fenerbahce match alongside Diaby in a
five-man midfield that saw Adebayor up front on his own – though Walcott's
role was more advanced.
Adebayor is a player who ticks at least two of the boxes applicable to the
traditional Arsenal striker. Firstly there is the dodgy transfer dealing
that saw his club Monaco withdraw from a deal that would have taken him to
the Boleyn a few years back despite having agreed a fee and despite the
player having agreed personal terms. Any contact between Wenger and his old
club at that time was, of course, purely coincidental as was the fact that a
few months later Adebayor signed for Arsenal. Adebayor, like his fellow
striker Van Persie also enjoys a bit of what the authorities refer to as
"simulation" – a tradition that goes back a long way with Arsenal.
Interestingly, Adebayor picked up a yellow card for a dive last week against
Everton so maybe referees are starting to do their jobs at last.
Van Persie is likely to partner Adebayor up front, with Croatian-Brazilian
Eduardo still a month or two away from a return following the horrific
broken leg sustained up at Birmingham last season – one incident that was
seen in perfect 20-20 vision and Hi-Definition by Arsene Wenger. Also in
contention will be Nicklas Bendtner with whom Adebayor had a hilarious row
during the 5-1 Carling Cup defeat to Spurs a while back after which they
went through a spell where it appeared that they wouldn't pass to each
other.
And what of ourselves? Well personnel-wise I expect us to remain unchanged
from the eleven that started up at Hull though there must be a temptation to
add James Collins into the squad at least. I would have expected there to
have been an emphasis on finishing practice in training this week given the
chances that were spurned up on Humberside. The big question is whether Zola
is likely to change the formation that he has employed since his arrival
that has seen Etherington, Di Michele and latterly Bellamy playing as
auxiliary strikers behind Cole, as opposed to a more orthodox 4-4-2 that
would see Etherington drop back into the left of midfield. If I had to make
a guess I'd expect us to start with the 4-3-2-1 but wouldn't be at all
surprised if we switched at some time during the match if numbers were
required in midfield.
This fixture has, of course seen some fun in the past, Viera's spitting at
Neil Ruddock, Bergkamp's penchant for throwing the elbow about, and of
course the stand-up argument between Wenger and Alan Pardew that cost the
Frenchman a £10,000 fine for improper conduct. There had been bad blood
between the two managers for a few months following comments from Pardew
that suggested that Arsenal's habit of selecting UK player-free teams might
not be a particularly good thing for British football. Wenger disgracefully
played the "racism" card in response to Pardew's comments – something that
was a bit rich given his club's aforementioned Belgian connections.
Predictions? Well few outside E13 will be going for a home win for this one
– especially given the form shown by the visitors in Europe in midweek.
However, there is always an extra unquantifiable edge to a derby match and,
against an ordinary Fulham side and a spirited Hull, Arsenal have proved
that they are far from invincible. Sunderland too were unlucky to come away
with only a point so this is not the mission impossible that many are
saying. Of course there have been a few defensive hitches of late in our own
defence and the prospect of us winning may depend on our being able to keep
an all-too-rare clean sheet. I'll therefore plump for a 1-1 draw on this
occasion in the hope that the officials will keep an eye on the diving!
Enjoy the game!
Last season: Lost 0-1. Robert Green kept Arsenal at bay as yet another
terrible decision by the officials against this opponent denied us a share
of the points as Ljungberg's valid equaliser was wrongly chalked off for
offside.
Danger men: Fabregas, Walcott.
Look out for: Dives, punch-ups in the technical area and just about anything
else that their manager might have difficulty in making out.
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Upson ignores cash crisis
SSN
Catch West Ham v Arsenal, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Last updated: 24th October 2008
West Ham defender Matt Upson has dismissed concerns that the club's
financial problems are affecting the players. The future of the club has
been the subject of speculation after Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's
assets suffered when Iceland's Landsbanki bank was hit by the current
worldwide financial turmoil. Reports have suggested Hammers boss Gianfranco
Zola may be forced to sell star names to help ease the club's financial
problems. However, Zola has insisted he is under no pressure to part company
with any players and Upson admits that is good news for all the squad at
Upton Park. "For the manager to come out with that comment is very
reassuring," Upson told Sky Sports News. "We don't know the full ins and
outs of the financial situation at the club with people presuming it is in
trouble due to the current crisis. "It is an interesting one, but as a
player it is not something I would focus on."
West Ham have won only one of their last four games after making a bright
start to life under Zola and face Arsenal this weekend. Upson has been
impressed by Zola so far and is confident results will soon improve.
"Perhaps we have lacked the cutting edge we want, but I think on the whole
the way we have played under the new manager is in a good style and I think
if you stick to what believe in eventually the results will come your way,"
concluded Upson.
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Sometimes you've got to go down to go Upson - Hammers defender so glad he
left Arsenal
By KEN DYER
Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:35 AM on 24th October 2008
Not many players would consider leaving Arsenal as a good career move but it
has worked for Matthew Upson. The 29-year-old defender's failure to make a
real impact after five seasons and 34 senior appearances at the Gunners must
have been difficult to accept but it says much for Upson's character that he
has learned much from those early disappointments. On Sunday Upson, who was
England's central defender alongside Rio Ferdinand for the World Qup
qualifying victories against Kazakhstan and Belarus, lines up against his
former club, now confident in his own ability to cope with whatever comes
his way. After leaving Highbury, Upson initially dropped a level when he
signed for Birmingham and after five seasons at St Andrews, he joined West
Ham last January. He said: 'It was the right thing to do when I left
Arsenal. I don't look back on it and think that it was a mistake. My view
now is that I didn't make the most of the situation I was in. 'I was a lot
younger, not so confident and mentally aware of how to approach things, how
to train, all the things that, in the six years since I left the club, I've
learned to do better. 'Whenever you leave Arsenal it's normally to go down a
step and that was true for me. It was a bit of a slap around the face for
me, a message to change something about
myself. 'Maybe I needed to fail at Arsenal to see what I had to do. There's
no dressing it up, I failed there and I had to look hard at myself. 'I had
to acknowledge that I needed to change the way I was living, the way I
trained, my mental approach to games.'
Upson's progress has been recognised by Fabio Capello, who picked the West
Ham defender to replace the injured John Terry in England's recent World Cup
qualifiers.
On Sunday Upson faces another big match against Arsenal, whose side include
in-form England teammate Theo Walcott. Upson said: 'Theo has a very solid
head on his shoulders and he will need that because of the attention which
will be focused on him. I've spent time with him though and he's a very
down-to-earth guy. I am sure he will be guided very well.'
West Ham team may have lost successive matches against Bolton and Hull but
Upson has been impressed by the impact of new manager Gianfranco Zola. 'The
last couple of results have been disappointing,' he said. 'They were two
matches which we perhaps should have won but didn't so now we need to win a
couple that
we're not expected to do well in. 'It's a fine line and the results haven't
happened recently but we should remember we're still trying to adapt to the
manager's way of doing things so the results are not going to be instant.
'The players are capable of playing the way the manager wants but it's just
a case of getting into the habit of doing things in a different way. 'He
wants to find solutions. He's a fresh, very positive, animated kind of guy,
very approachable and a good man to work for. 'We know we have a real job on
our hands this weekend though. In terms of passing and moving, which is what
attacking play is all about, Arsenal are probably the best in the
League.'Matthew Upson was speaking on a visit to the Braintree Rethink
Carers Support Group, winners of a £4,000 grant from the Premier League's
'Creating Chances Places for Players' - an initiative which uses players to
highlight the community work carried out by the 20 Premier League clubs.
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Allen keeping West Ham whiz Payne well grounded
24.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen is determined to keep on-loan West Ham
teenager Josh Payne grounded after the youngster's impressive start. "Josh
played very well on Saturday, but he is only 17 and we can't forget that,"
Allen said. "I make him do loads of horrible jobs to keep his feet on the
ground, like serving tea to the press. "He always makes sure my stuff is in
order, sorting out my boots, kit and trainers, so he doesn't think he is 'Mr
Big-time'. "I am sure West Ham wouldn't want it any other way."
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West Ham v ARSENAL: Gallas and Toure return for Gunners
By Sportsmail Reporter
Daily Mail
Last updated at 2:04 PM on 24th October 2008
Arsenal will have both captain William Gallas (thigh) and fellow centre-half
Kolo Toure (shoulder) back in the squad for Sunday's trip to West Ham.
Full-back Bacary Sagna (knee) also missed the Champions League win over
Fenerbahce, and while he has an outside chance to return at Upton Park, the
Frenchman may need another week's recovery. Abou Diaby is hoping to keep his
place ahead of Robin van Persie after impressing in Turkey. Striker Eduardo
is closing in on a return from his broken leg, but Czech winger Tomas
Rosicky (hamstring) looks set to remain in recovery until the new year.
Team (from): Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas,
Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Adebayor, Fabianski, Van Persie, Bendtner, Gibbs,
Song, Silvestre, Djourou, Ramsey, Vela, Sagna.
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Sagna has 'small chance' of facing West Ham
Arsenal.com
Arsenal could have three defenders back for the trip to Upton Park on
Sunday. When he spoke to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday, Arsène Wenger
revealed that William Gallas (hamstring) and Kolo Toure (shoulder) were fit
to face West Ham while Bacary Sagna (knee) was on course to return for
Wednesday's local derby with Tottenham. The outlook was even brighter at
Wenger's pre-match press conference on Friday with Sagna now ahead of
schedule in his recovery. "I expect William and Kolo to be fit. Even Bacary
Sagna has a small chance to be fit," confirmed Wenger. If Sagna recovers in
time for Sunday's game, Arsenal's injury list would be down to two -
long-term absentees Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky.
[Friday, October 24, 2008]
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Reid told to wait for his Hammers chance
10:07am Friday 24th October 2008
Echo
TALENTED youngster Kyel Reid has been told to be patient and wait for his
West Ham United chance. The winger is held in high regard by the management
staff at Upton Park but injury has so far limited the 20-year-old to just
one appearance - as a late substitute in a Carling Cup defeat at Watford -
under new boss Gianfranco Zola. However, Reid revealed that the Italian has
taken the effort to give him some assurances about his Hammers future. "He
(Zola) has said that I will get my chance but that I've just got to be
patient," said Reid. "I've been on the bench a few times, but I've been out
for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury. I'm back now so hopefully I
can get back in the squad regularly."
Reid gave Zola a glimpse of his potential with an all-action display in
front of the watching boss during Tuesday night's 1-0 win over an Arsenal
second string. Now the former England under-19 international is stepping it
up a gear to force his way into the Sardinian's first team plans, although
he hasn't ruled out securing a loan move away from the Boleyn Ground to get
more experience. "I just want to get out there and show the gaffer what I
can do so I can get a chance to do that in his team, or hopefully get out on
loan and get a few games under my belt for a month or so," added Reid, who
has had loan spells at Barnsley and Crystal Palace in the last two seasons.
"I went on loan before, so hopefully I can do something similar again at
another Championship club."
The South London-born wideman also admitted that he has been keeping a close
eye on some of the senior members of the squad in a bid to pick up useful
tips. He added: "I feel that I'm improving a lot. I'm getting older and
wiser and starting to realise that I can learn a lot from guys like Luis Boa
Morte and Hayden Mullins.
"It's always good to train with them because they've done quite a bit in
their careers."
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It will take two years for us to get Zola's master plan, insists West Ham
midfielder Noble
By Sportsmail Reporter
Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:34 AM on 24th October 2008
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble believes it could take two years before the
players master new manager Gianfranco Zola's formation. The Italian has got
rid of former boss Alan Curbishley's cautious approach and wants the Hammers
to a play in a 4-3-3 system. But after losing 1-0 to Hull City last weekend
- their second successive Premier League defeat of the season - Noble says
his side need more time to adjust to Zola's ideas, reports The Daily Mirror.
The England Under-21 midfielder also claims West Ham will be nowhere near
ready for Sunday's visit of Arsenal. The formation is a good one,' he said.
'Obviously it's going to be a slow process, though. 'It's not going to work
over months, it's going to be a couple of years before he finally gets it
going. 'I'm really enjoying the role I've been given, but then again it's
only enjoyable if you're winning.' The Hammers are currently eighth but
Noble says his side should be challenging for Europe. 'It's not enough,' he
said. 'We thought we should have won last week against Hull. 'But it just
hasn't happened and now we have Arsenal and Manchester United in the next
two games. We will have a big job to get some points out of them.'
Midfielder Hayden Mullins says he will consider his future in the transfer
window if he fails to win a regular first-team place. 'If I get my chance I
have to take it," he said. "And if I don't then we'll have to see where that
leaves us.'
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HAMMERS NEWS: Irons rule out Collins return to Cardiff
9:16am Friday 24th October 2008
Echo
WEST HAM have ruled out defender James Collins returning to former club
Cardiff City, according to reports. The Wales international centre back has
not featured for the Irons' first team since suffering knee ligament damage
in a reserve team game in January. He is now back in contention and The
Mirror suggest that Cardiff are keen on the 25-year-old. However, the source
adds that the Hammers are keen to keep hold of Collins as cover. Collins -
who signed from the Bluebirds in a double-deal involving Danny Gabbidon in
2005 - is a favourite at Upton Park after playing a starring role in the
Hammers' spectacular escape from relegation in the 2006-7 season.
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Blades chief hits out at 'Southern bias'
The Sheffield Star
Published Date: 24 October 2008
By James Shield
SHEFFIELD United chairman Kevin McCabe has hit-out at the 'Southern bias' he
believes the club have faced after an independent arbitration panel ordered
West Ham to pay them damages over the Carlos Tevez Affair. McCabe, the
driving force behind United's campaign for justice following their
relegation from the Premier League two seasons ago, suspects Bramall Lane
has become the victim of a smear campaign since the landmark legal ruling.
West Ham, who are attempting to appeal the verdict at the Court of
Arbitration for Sport, were found guilty of breaching transfer regulations
when they signed Tevez and his fellow Argentine Javier Masherano from Corin
thians in August 2006. Both players have since left Upton Park but United
successfully argued that Tevez, who continued to represent West Ham after
they were fined for breaking rules outlawing third party ownership, was
worth at least three points in his team's battle to avoid relegation; the
margin between the South Yorkshire outfit and their rivals from the capital.
Confirming that United are now in the process of finalising their claim
ahead of a hearing next year, McCabe, commenting on the coverage which
greeted the verdict, told The Star: "I think there might be a little bit of
southern bias. "People seem to have forgotten that we're the innocent party
in all of this. "The only thing we have been is an innocent party which
refused to roll over. "It's a pity that the whole thing wasn't sorted-out
sooner which, of course, would have been the best thing for everyone. "But
unfortunately it wasn't and we were right to fight on."
United expect to hear later this month if CAS, despite previously suggesting
they were powerless to intervene, will grant West Ham's request and McCabe
added: "We're currently putting together our claim and, when that is
considered, we fully expect it to be scruntinised before an actual amount is
decided. "West Ham are making an attempt to appeal it elsewhere but, as far
as we are concerned, the outcome of the arbitration was binding under
English law." Meanwhile, McCabe revealed that United are continuing their
search for "investment partners" despite the global credit crunch. McCabe
has previously spoken with two parties from America about the possibility of
injecting fresh capital into United. "It's about roots and wings," he said.
"Our roots are the community and we must never lose sight of that. "To get
to the highest level we can achieve though we also need wings and it's
something we've looked at. "But we've got to be patient though and that's
what anyone coming in in the future would be: partners."
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