WHUFC.com
A battling performance despite the strength of the opposition gave Alex Dyer
plenty of encouragement
04.11.2008
Alex Dyer has paid tribute to the way his side battled in a difficult
reserve outing against Tottenham Hotspur especially given the superior
experience of the opposition.
A strong West Ham United side had won 1-0 against Arsenal in their previous
Barclays Premier Reserve League South outing but were shorn of several of
the first-teamers from that game in their latest derby duel. As a result, it
was always going to be a tough ask to come away with another victory but it
was not for the want of trying on a miserable and wet night in east London.
Although Walter Lopez and Diego Tristan started, only Kyel Reid had Premier
League experience while Tottenham had the likes of Champions League winner
Cesar Sanchez in goal protected by Brazilian, Portuguese and Canadian
internationals in Gilberto, Ricardo Rocha and Paul Stalteri. Further forward
there was a strong midfield trio of Adel Taarabt, Hossam Ghaly and
Kevin-Prince Boateng.
"The lads did very well, considering they were giving away a lot in terms of
experience," Dyer said. "They worked hard, especially in the first half and
gave all they had. In the second half, they came out and started a little
bit sloppily. Tottenham got on top, kept on playing and were passing the
ball well."
Both goals came in the first 15 minutes of the second half via former Leyton
Orient loanee Charlie Daniels on his return to the Matchroom Stadium pitch
where he spent last season. "We were chasing it a bit and I think it was
only a matter of time before they scored. When we did get on the ball, we
gave it away too easily and they kept us chasing the ball again. But overall
the boys did well ... it was a good test for them."
Diego Tristan was substituted at half-time after he took a kick to his foot
but Dyer was impressed with what he saw in a competitive first 45 minutes,
where the former Spain striker battled gamely with the 30-year-old Ricardo
Rocha. "It was his first 45 minutes and he worked hard. He got a kick so we
brought him off as a precaution but he has a good touch and is a good
player. He brings people into the game well."
Tristan's replacement Balint Bajner, like Daniel Kearns, looked lively and
went close with a header before himself feeling the force of a strong
challenge. He was carried off but was back on his feet after the game.
Lopez, who performed well in a new central role, finished strongly and very
nearly got a consolation with three late headers. West Ham United reserves
are next in action at home to Portsmouth on 25 November.
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Irons lack of experience the key in Spurs victory
8:31am Tuesday 4th November 2008
Guardian Series
WEST Ham United youngsters Tony Stokes and Jordan Spence believe their
opponents' greater experience was the key to Tottenham Hotspur's Barclays
Premier Reserve South victory on Monday evening. While the Irons fielded
just three players with competitive first-team experience in Stokes, Walter
Lopez and Spanish debutant Diego Tristan, Spurs had seven recognised
first-team players in their starting eleven. And both Stokes, 21, and
Spence, 18, believe the North Londoners' 2-0 triumph was based on that fact.
"Spurs has a very strong and experienced team out and I think it showed on
us in the end," admitted Canvey-born Stokes, who captained the Hammers from
his new position as a defensive midfielder. "I thought I had a good game,
but I just think their experience told. "We defended well but when they got
one goal, our heads went down a little bit, then they got the second and
although we battled back we didn't really look like scoring."
Spence, who has been called into the England Under-19 squad for the upcoming
friendly against Germany at Colchester, agreed with his skipper's
assessment.
"They had an experienced side with some top-class players," the centre-back
said. "It was a good test for the boys. "Obviously we were younger than them
but it was a good game and we were disappointed to come away with a 2-0
defeat. "There was still a lot we could take out of it."
Charlie Daniels scored twice in six second half minutes for Tottenham, while
West Ham lost Tristan (foot) and teenager Balint Bajner (Achilles) to injury
on a night to forget at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground.
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Hammers defender knows the importance of an Everton win
5:30pm Tuesday 4th November 2008
Guardian Series
HERITA Ilunga believes West Ham United have "no choice" but to beat Everton
on Saturday. The Democratic Republic of Congo full-back has become a cult
hero at the Boleyn Ground following a series of eye-catching displays. Such
is the African's popularity that one Hammers' fan unfurled the national flag
of DR Congo during Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Middlesbrough - a
gesture greatly appreciated by the 26-year-old. And Ilunga, who arrived on a
season-long loan from French side Toulouse in September, wants to repay that
support by helping the Irons to overcome the Toffees at Upton Park. "We came
back from Middlesbrough with one point on Saturday. It was a great thing
after the bad series of matches in the past weeks," Ilunga wrote on his
official blog website. "But there is only one regreat - that we did not
maintain our lead and score a (winning) goal at the end. "There is no
choice. The Hammers have to win against Everton next week."
While Ilunga was left disappointed by the result on Teesside, he admitted to
being moved by the sight of his home nation's flag among the travelling
fans. With DR Congo in the midst of large-scale civil unrest between
government and rebel forces that has left at least 250,000 people homeless,
the defender said he appreciated the fact that the club's supporters were
thinking of him and his country. "I want to thank the person who came (on
Saturday) to watch the match with the Congo's flag," he wrote. "I was very
touched by this attention because I am very sad with all the problems that
happened in his country my birth."
Born in Kinshasa, Ilunga moved to Paris at the age of 12, where he began his
career with local club Sarcelles. Since then, he has represented Amiens,
Rennes, Espanyol, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse before linking up with the
Irons on September 1 this year after being spotted by technical director
Gianluca Nani.
*HAMMERS striker Diego Tristan could be fit for Saturday's match, despite
suffering a bruised foot in Monday's 2-0 reserve team defeat to Tottenham
Hotspur. The Spaniard, 32, was hurt in a first half challenge with Jacques
Maghoma and, although he continued without receiving treatment, he was
withdrawn at half-time. It is also believed that Balint Bajner's Achilles
injury, suffered in the closing stages of the same match, is not as serious
as originally feared.
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Mullins: Hammers keen to repay Zola - TeamTalk
West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins admits the players are desperate to repay
manager Gianfranco Zola by returning to winning ways. The 29-year-old's
first goal in two years helped the Hammers earn a 1-1 draw with
Middlesbrough on Saturday and end a run of four consecutive defeats. "I was
very happy to get off the mark. It's been a long time since I scored a goal
so I was very happy but the three points would have been more important,"
Mullins told the club's official website. "Knowing that the manager is doing
his best, all the players are working so hard for him. "He's a brilliant
manager and brings a lot to the side. He is still smiling and brings a lot
of experience. That's brilliant for all the boys and we just want to repay
him."
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