Monday, December 1

Daily WHUFC News - II 1st December 2008

Sears up for Liverpool
WHUFC.com
Rather than be daunted by the prospect, Freddie Sears is eager to take on
Liverpool
01.12.2008

Freddie Sears is excited about the prospect of running out at Anfield this
evening after the personal thrill of signing a new five-year contract.

The 19-year-old striker played at the famous old stadium as a youngster and
would love to repeat the experience. "To play at Anfield is great, the
atmosphere alone is unbelievable," he said. "I played there for my school,
at under-14 level, so it will be great to go back there now with West Ham
and as part of the first team. I am looking forward to it."

Confidence is high in the camp after the win at Sunderland and Sears sees no
reason why the team cannot get a positive result. "It was not the greatest
of games at Sunderland, but it was a good win. All the team have stuck
together. Lately, we have been playing good football but not got the
results. Hopefully we can push on now and take this into the Liverpool
game."

While there is the desire for the team to collectively rise to the
challenge, Sears is also hoping he will be able to maintain the progress
made this campaign. "The aim is to try and be in the team week in week out,
I am getting more chances and showing people what I can do. I am still
learning though and trying to get better all the time."

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Squad strength a real plus
WHUFC.com
The manager has been speaking positively about the form of some of his
players ahead of the Anfield date
01.12.2008

Gianfranco Zola has offered plenty of praise for his players before the
high-profile trip to Liverpool on Monday night.

While the Barclays Premier League focus this past weekend has been on major
derby meetings and some of English football's leading lights, Zola has been
quick to emphasise the credentials of his own squad. Among them will be
Craig Bellamy, with the striker sure to be keen to turn in a strong
performance against the club he left to join West Ham United back in summer
2007.

"Craig is getting there," the manager said. "He has got enthusiasm and he
wants to improve. I don't think he is very far [from his best]. Against
Sunderland, he helped the team and the players a lot with his attitude. He
was a little bit tired because he had played with the national team ... This
week he has been brilliant in training and I am sure on Monday he can be one
of the players that can change the game."

One of those who has publicly spoken about the impact of Bellamy on his own
game is Freddie Sears and Zola is delighted with his progress. "He is still
in the process of learning and he is getting better and better," he said.
"The moment will come for him again. Even if he is not playing right now, he
will have another chance I am sure and I believe that he is going to be
better. We gave him a five-year contract because we believe he can be the
future of the club and we trust in him."

The manager has had plenty of encouragement for his defence as a unit,
describing them as "outstanding" while there is positive news on Kieron Dyer
who is close to a playing return having been out since August 2007. "He is
progressing very, very well," said Zola. "He is training the best he has
this week and he is doing really well. It's been a very long time."

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Liverpool match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the team news and background ahead of Monday's Barclays Premier
League match at Anfield
01.12.2008

Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v West Ham United
Anfield
Monday 1 December
8pm
Referee: Peter Walton
WHUTV - Full audio commentary

Introduction

* West Ham United travel to Liverpool for their second consecutive away game
in the Barclays Premier League. The team will be on a high following the 1-0
win at Sunderland last time out.

* Manager Gianfranco Zola has another strong squad to choose from after more
senior players returned to training as he pits his wits against Rafael
Benitez.

* Zola's side sit 15th in the table after Saturday's fixtures, with five
wins and two draws and a goal difference of minus five from their opening 14
fixtures. The home side are joint top, but sit below Chelsea on goal
difference having won ten and drawn three of their opening 14 games.

* Last weekend's win pushed West Ham United four places up the table and
victory at Anfield could see them climb to seventh, depending on results
from games played earlier in the weekend. Liverpool could move three points
clear of Chelsea, who play Arsenal on Sunday.

* The visitors will be looking to record their first win on Merseyside since
14 September 1963. The London side have lost on their last seven visits
there since goals from Frank Lampard and Marc Keller helped secure a 2-2
draw in February 1999.

* Home form is a different story, though. Last season Mark Noble scored a
last-gasp penalty to give West Ham United a memorable 1-0 win at the Boleyn
Ground on 30 January.

* After ending a run of 25 games without a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with
Portsmouth, Robert Green and the West Ham United defence have earned two in
a row, following the shut-out against Sunderland.

* West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker said: "We can go there and try to
take the game to them, which I'm sure we're going to, play some nice stuff
and you never know. Fulham went there last Saturday and got a result and we
go there full of confidence with two clean sheets. We'll see if we can keep
the run going."

* Speaking to the club's official website about the injury to Fernando
Torres, Liverpool manager Benitez said: "We have [Robbie] Keane and when we
bought him it was with the idea that he can score goals. We also have Dirk
Kuyt, David Ngog and Ryan Babel. Hopefully they can score enough goals and
we can talk about Fernando in three weeks' time. We have shown enough
quality and character without him and hopefully we can do it again."

* West Ham United are next in top flight action in another Monday fixture,
at home to Tottenham Hotspur on 8 December. Liverpool have a Saturday game
away at Blackburn Rovers on 5 December.

Last time out

Sunday 23 November 2008 - Sunderland 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert (Boa Morte
76), Parker, Bowyer (Mullins 61), Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 87), Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Davenport, Collison, Sears
Goal: Behrami 20

Wednesday 26 November - Liverpool 1-0 Marseille
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Dossena 46),
Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 85), Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 63),
Torres
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Keane, Babel, Kelly
Goal: Gerrard 23

Team news

* Parker sat out training on Thursday and Friday with a virus, but trained
over the weekend and has travelled to the north-west along with fit-again
Mark Noble.

* Kieron Dyer continues to impress his manager in training and is edging
ever closer to a return, possibly in a specially arranged game this coming
week. Jonathan Spector is also in training following a hip injury
respectively.

* The return of those players mean Danny Gabbidon and Dean Ashton are the
only long-term absentees.

* It has been a busy week as five more West Ham United players went out on
loan, bringing the total number to eight. James Tomkins went to Derby
County, Kyel Reid was loaned to Blackpool, Southend United borrowed Junior
Stanislas, Jordan Spence moved to Leyton Orient and Jimmy Walker will spend
five weeks at Colchester United. The quintet joined Bondz N'Gala, Josh Payne
and Nigel Quashie, who are already gaining experience away from the Boleyn
Ground.

* Tomkins and Reid had performed particularly well for the reserves in the
2-0 win over Portsmouth on Tuesday. David Di Michele, Freddie Sears, Luis
Boa Morte, Walter Lopez and Calum Davenport all played a key role in the
game as well to further demonstrate the options available to Zola

* Liverpool will be without Torres, who suffered a hamstring injury after
their win over Marseille. Full-back Andrea Dossena is the favourite to
replace Fabio Aurelio, who is out for a few weeks with a calf problem.

Background

* The teams last met on 5 March 2008 at Anfield, when a Fernando Torres
hat-trick helped Liverpool to a 4-0 win.

* The lineups were:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Mascherano,
Alonso, Babel (Pennant 76), Kuyt (Benayoun 63), Torres (Crouch 82)
Subs not used: Itandje, Hyypia
Goals: Torres 8, 61, 81, Gerrard 83

West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson (Spector 63), McCartney,
Solano (Ashton 69), Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Cole (Zamora 69)
Subs not used: Wright, Pantsil

* West Ham United's last win at Anfield, on 14 September 1963, came courtesy
of goals from Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst. Jim Standen also saved a
penalty from Ronnie Moran in the match.

* If selected, Craig Bellamy will be making his 200th career Premier League
appearance against one of his former clubs. The Welshman made 42 appearances
for the Reds, scoring nine goals.

* Liverpool, meanwhile, could boast two former West Ham United players.
Yossi Benayoun made 72 appearances for the club, while Javier Mascherano
played seven times in a loan spell in east London.

* Robert Green is the only West Ham United player to have featured in every
minute of every Premier League game this season, while Matthew Upson has
also started every league match.

Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
5 March 2008 - Liverpool 4-0 West Ham United
30 January 2008 - West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool
30 January 2007 - West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
26 August 2006 - Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United
13 May 2005 - West Ham United 3-3 Liverpool aet (FA Cup final)
26 April 2006 - West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool

Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions): W 23, D 33, L 60

General information
For ticket information, click here For details on getting to Anfield, click
here
Weather: The forecast is for a cold but bright day. The temperature is not
expected to get above 5C.

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Liverpool v West Ham preview
Reds looking to go three points clear at the top
Last updated: 1st December 2008
SSN

Liverpool will be aiming to go clear at the top of the table when they
welcome West Ham to Anfield on Monday night. The Reds can go three points
clear at the summit of the Premier League with victory over Gianfranco
Zola's side following Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. Liverpool
will have to make do without star striker Fernando Torres, who scored a
hat-trick in this fixture last season, as he is sidelined with a hamstring
problem. Robbie Keane is expected to replace the Spaniard in attack with
either Dirk Kuyt or Steven Gerrard supporting him up front. Fabio Aurelio is
missing with a calf problem meaning Italian full-back Andrea Dossena is
likely to replace him at left-back. Javier Mascherano will be hoping to
line-up against his old club, while Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel are
pushing for recalls. West Ham, who are chasing back-to-back wins, are close
to full strength for the trip to Merseyside. Scott Parker is expected to
shake off illness to start in midfield, while Craig Bellamy will lead the
attack against his former employers. Kieron Dyer remains a long-term
absentee for West Ham as the Hammers go in search of their first win at
Anfield since 1963.

Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Alonso,
Mascherano, Reira, Gerrard, Keane.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Behrami,
Bowyer, Bellamy, Cole.

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Dyer eyes up festive return
Hammers midfielder set to play in friendly this week
Last updated: 1st December 2008
SSN

Kieron Dyer is hoping to make his first-team comeback for West Ham United
over Christmas. The midfielder has been sidelined since August 2007 after
breaking his leg against Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup on just his third
appearance for the Hammers. The £6million signing from Newcastle United was
aiming to return at the start of this season, only to suffer a stress
fracture which delayed his comeback. However, Dyer is due play in a
behind-closed-doors friendly later this week and the 29-year-old is eager to
be playing again. It will be great to get that first game under my belt,"
said Dyer. "I'm not going to say I'm going to be thrown straight back into
the first team. "Ideally I will have three or four preparation games and
then be ready, perhaps for the Christmas period. "Every day I feel sharper
and I do believe now I need to make up for lost time. "My 30th birthday is
coming up later this month and some players start to look toward the end of
their careers when they reach that milestone. "With the amount of football
I've missed though, I feel I have a good five years still left in me."
Former manager Alan Curbishley brought Dyer to Upton Park, but he left a
year later and was replaced by Gianfranco Zola. Dyer, who has won 33 England
caps, added: "Gianfranco Zola has been good to me. On his first day he
called me into his office and said he remembered playing against me."

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Agent hands Zola hammer blow in January bid to lure Juventus prospect
Sebastian Giovinco
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:16 PM on 01st December 2008
Daily Mail

West Ham have suffered a setback in their efforts to lure highly rated
Italian Sebastian Giovinco after his agent announced he will not be leaving
for Upton Park in January. The Juventus attacking midfielder is a target of
the east London club, with manager Gianfranco Zola showing an interest in
taking the 21-year-old on loan until the rest of the season, having
previously worked with him at Italy Under-21 level. But Giovinco, who
returned to Juve in the summer after a successful loan spell at Empoli,
recently signed a two-year extension which will keep him in Turin until
2013. 'Seba (Giovinco) will remain in Turin,' announced Giovinco's agent,
Andrea D'Amico. 'Everyone knows that Zola has great admiration for Giovinco
and it doesn't surprise me that they would like him at West Ham. 'But the
episode of sending him somewhere else to prove his quality is a chapter of
the past. 'If Sebastian is at Juve it means that he has the quality of Juve.
He is awaiting his moment and he is patient.'

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Liverpool v West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st December 2008
By: Preview Percy

Next we have Liverpool at Anfield where we haven't won since September 1963.
Youngsters will find this hard to believe but Liverpool were the Man Utd of
the 70s. Much as they will hate to admit it, Liverpool have a lot in common
with the mob from Salford. They were – indeed still are to a certain extent
- a club "supported" by a lot of people with about as much connection with
Liverpool as I have with Papua New Guinea. Like their rivals from up the
M62, the red half of Liverpool have been no strangers to dodgy dealings
which, like the red half of Manchester seem to have some strange cloak of
invisibility when the authorities come sniffing around, and the next time
some holier than thou scally without the guts to support Everton starts
acting up over the Tevez affair, you might want to point out that their club
was once found guilty of match–fixing and it was only some exceedingly dodgy
dealing involving Arsenal and Man Utd that saved them from the expulsion
from the league their antics deserved.

Of course that was just after the First World War, all a long while ago, and
the club has of course been squeaky-clean in all its dealings ever since, if
you don't count the illegal approaches to players still under contract to
other clubs which has been going on for the past 40 years at least.
Tottenham's silence over the Robbie Keane deal was eventually bought by a
bribe, sorry, that should read "charitable donation," but Aston Villa
remained slightly more principled and Gareth Barry stayed put, much to the
delight of football fans everywhere. Still, in case anyone was in any doubt
about how classy an act this club is, the fact that an official LFC
publication felt the need to suggest that the forthcoming match might be
Gianfranco Zola's last in charge of our club will give you an insight into
how things work up in the (no, don't laugh) "City of Culture" – you can only
imagine the uproar that would have hit Merseyside had the positions been
reversed.

It's been a long while since Liverpool won the top prize in English football
– 18 years in fact. Every year since then it's been of case of "maybe this
year" whilst the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea have shared the
trophy between them. They've started better than in recent years this season
and lie in second place on goal difference behind Chelsea. They've ground
out results more than usual this season – though their league and cup
matches against Spurs were an exception, suggesting as they did that the
"charitable donations" didn't just end with the cheque they sent to White
Hart Lane.

Their latest match was a 1-0 home victory over Olympique Marseille in the
Champions League, a result that flattered them somewhat, or as boss Benitez
put it "it was a scary win." There will be some enforced changes from the
starting line-up of the other night. In goal will be our old friend Pepe
Reina, a keeper who has gifted us a goal or two in the past. In the
right-back berth one would expect to see Arbeola but at left-back the
Italian Dossena is likely to deputise for the injured Aurelio, whose calf is
likely to see him sidelined for a couple of weeks. In the middle is Jamie
Carragher, whose retirement from international football took place at about
the same time as my own – and had about as much effect. He will line up
alongside Daniel Agger, who travelling supporters may remember hitting a
thunderbolt against us in our first match up there after promotion.

In midfield we will meet the familiar face of Steven Gerrard, a player whose
underworld connections mean that I will refrain from pointing out that the
Percy household was telling the world what a diver he was well before
everyone else picked up on the fact. Alongside him may be Javier Mascherano,
a player given sanction to play for the club a couple of seasons ago in
contravention of the generally accepted principle that no player can play
for more than two clubs in a year. FIFA's logical gymnastics on the case
revolved around the fact that the seasons in South America and Europe don't
coincide. Strangely, a number of other European clubs have tried that
argument before and since without success. Perhaps if they'd changed their
names to "Real Madrid" they'd have had more luck.

The big blonde Dutchman Dirk Kuyt, whose name is never pronounced twice the
same way by commentators and fans alike, is another likely starter, though
former Hammer Yossi Benayoun has spent large chunks of this season starting
on the bench. His move from the Boleyn was controversial in that he had
verbally agreed to sign a new contract but changed his mind following a few
illegally placed words in the right ear from his current employers. If only
we'd thought to ask for a "charitable donation". On the left we are likely
to see Spanish winger Riera who arrived from Espanyol on deadline day. The
26 year-old is already on his sixth professional club (if you count two
spells at Espanyol), a journey that took in an unsuccessful (and not
much-mentioned) season up the road at Man City. Also in the squad is former
Arsenal youth player Jermaine Pennant who will forever be remembered for
wrapping his Merc round an Aylesbury lamppost whilst uninsured, disqualified
and drunk. The latter point might have had something to do with his giving
name "Ashley Cole" to the attending officer once the little light had turned
red on the breathalyser. The result was a 90-day sentence, though two-thirds
of it was spent playing for Birmingham City wearing an electronic tag.
Rumours that Pennant begged to be let back into prison to complete his
sentence in nicer surroundings are of course just scurrilous.

A change will be required to the usual strike-force on Monday night.
Fernando Torres' hamstring has gone once more and he'll be out for a good
while. Keane will start and he may be accompanied by Dutchman Ryan Babel who
can operate in an advanced role if required. As cover Liverpool have added
the young Frenchman David N'Gog to the squad, though, with only one
Premiership start to his name he is probably regarded more as one for the
future.

As for our line-up, well the injuries are slowly beginning to subside – but
not quite as much as the BBC seem to think. Auntie includes the likes of
Ashton, Gabbidon, Spector and Noble in the squad. Of those only Noble has
any realistic chance of being available – and even he's rated as "doubtful".
Tristan might be available for the bench, assuming that he actually exisits
(well have YOU seen him since his signing?) but Reid, Tomkins and Walker –
all of whom are shown as available by the Beeb - will be sitting this one
out having gone out on loan to Blackpool, Derby and Colchester respectively.
I would write to ask for that particular bit of my licence fee back but I'm
still waiting for a response to my letters about Jonathan Ross and Strictly
Come Bloody Dancing so I'm not holding out much hope.

On the assumption that the players available are pretty much those who were
about last week I'd expect us to start with a 4-4-2 for this one with
Bellamy looking to put one over on his old club up front alongside Cole.
Whatever side we put out it'll be difficult to get anything out of this
match. History is against us and, like Old Trafford, there seems to be an
unwritten law of the game that prevents referees giving decisions against
the home club, and anyone who thinks dodgy penalties are something peculiar
to Man Utd clearly wasn't about in the 1970's – and that's before we
consider Gerrard's legendary unsteadiness that manifests itself anywhere
about 30 yards out. Although the distinctly average Fulham managed to get a
point up there the other week I really can't see lightning striking twice on
this one. Sunderland played to James Collins' strengths up on Wearside last
week and I just can't see the home side doing the same this week. I'll
therefore take us to lose 2-0 with Robert Green having a blinder to keep the
score down and make it 46 years without a win up there.

Enjoy the game!

Last season: lost 4-0 In the middle of the horrible "12 goal week" a
clueless second half performance and a Torres hat-trick are enough to wipe
out what had, up to that point, been a positive goal difference.

Danger Man: Gerrard – either from distance or with his free-kick winning
"abilities".

Look out for: A number of gentlemen in stripey pullovers and masks carrying
bags marked "swag" heading away from the ground towards players' houses once
the home team has been announced. Hint to Merseyside police – if you want to
catch the burglars, staking out the players' houses on match nights might be
a good idea.

Listen out for: Their match-day announcer whose depressed tones make Leonard
Cohen sound like a Butlins Redcoat.

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West Ham's Kieron Dyer set for return after 15 months out
West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is set to make his return to football after
15 months out injured, thanks to a new state-of-the-art machine known as the
Alter G-trainer.
Telegraph
By Emily Benammar
Last Updated: 1:51PM GMT 01 Dec 2008

Out of action since breaking his leg in two places last August against
Bristol Rovers, Dyer has hailed the new equipment as invaluable, and is now
fully focused on getting his career back on track. Confident he still has a
way to go in his career despite his age, Dyer said: "It's the nearest thing
to running on the moon. It's invaluable when you have suffered an injury
such as mine. When the shin has had a severe trauma, impact work can be very
uncomfortable. "With that machine, you can reduce you body weight by so
much, it means you can ease your way into things. "Every day I feel sharper
and I do believe now I need to make up for lost time.
"My 30th birthday is coming up later this month and some players start to
look toward the end of their careers when they reach that milestone. "With
the amount of football I've missed though - I have another five years left
in me. "The club are organising a game behind closed doors this week for
myself and Johnathan Spector - it will be great to get that first game under
my belt."
Realistic about what he is capable of, the England international said that
he is not looking to launch himself back into the Premier League unprepared.
"Ideally I will have three or four preparation games and then be ready -
perhaps for Christmas," he said. "I'm not going to be thrown straight back
into the first team. "I'll be wearing a heart-rate monitor and my fitness
levels will be judged."
Injuries such as Dyer's usually take six to nine months to fully repair, but
having suffered so many set backs - including three operations as opposed to
the usual one - Dyer admits he got very low at times. Having returned to
training over the summer, Dyer was just weeks away from making his return
until he turned sharply in training and felt a pain in his shin he knew was
about to cause him further setback. "That was my lowest point because I had
been so close to coming back," he told the Evening Standard. "To be told I
was going to be out for another three months was pretty heartbreaking -
there was nothing I could do."
The equipment in question - the Alter G-trainer - is a treadmill enveloped
inside a bag which, when inflated, changes the air pressure inside which
means that, with an injury such as Dyer's, you can run without feeling the
impact on your joints. Dyer will return to Upton Park under new manager
Gianfranco Zola. Though sad to have seen Alan Curbishley leave, Dyer is
looking to catching Zola's eye. "I feel sorry for Alan Curbishley because he
bought me, Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy and, while he was manager, we
probably only played twenty games between us," he said. "But Gianfranco Zola
has also been good to me. On his first day he called me into his office and
said he remembered playing against me. "He liked the way I played and it
suited the way he wants to go. Now, after all this time, I can hopefully
begin to repay peoples' faith in me."
Meanwhile, Zola has said he is extremely keen to sign Sebastian Giovinco
from Juventus. "He's a player I know very well," said Zola. "He's played for
me for the Under-21s and he's a player I admire. "He's one of those players
who can change a game. "I don't think Juventus would be willing to give him
up, though, because they need him."

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West Ham's Dyer desperate to make up for lost time after 15 months of injury
nightmare
By Ken Dyer
Last updated at 2:28 PM on 01st December 2008
Daily Mail

Kieron Dyer is walking on air and ready for a comeback after 15 months of
misery at West Ham. The former England star broke his leg in a Carling Cup
tie against Bristol Rovers in August 2007 and has since endured three
operations that left him questioning whether he would ever play football
again. Now though, he is finally ready to return, thanks to his
determination and a £50,000 state-of-the-art machine, the 'Alter G-Trainer'.
Top physiotherapist John Green, who treats a number of top stars such as
Dyer, West Ham team-mate Dean Ashton and Newcastle's Michael Owen, bought
the revolutionary machine after a visit to US basketball team LA Lakers.
Dyer, who has won 32 England caps in a career plagued by injury, won't be
involved in tonight's match at Liverpool but will play in a
behind-closed-doors friendly this week. 'Every day I feel sharper and I do
believe I now I need make up for lost time,' he said. 'My 30th birthday is
coming up later this month and some players start to look toward the end of
their careers when they reach that milestone. 'With the amount of football
I've missed though, I feel I have a good five years still left in me.
Hopefully the club are organising a game behind closed doors this week for
myself and Jonathan Spector, who is also coming back after a long injury. It
will be great to get that first game under my belt. 'It all depends how I go
after that. I'm not going to say I'm going to be thrown straight back into
the first team. I'll be wearing a heart-rate monitor and my fitness levels
will be judged. 'Ideally I will have three or four preparation games and
then be ready, perhaps for the Christmas period.'
Dyer has always tried to remain positive but he admitted there have been
some real low points over the last 15 months. 'The lowest I got was probably
just before this season started,' said the midfielder. 'The first team squad
had gone to Toronto but I stayed behind to finish a great pre-season with
John Green. 'I went back training with the kids while the senior squad were
in Canada and I felt great - I was really flying. 'When they came back from
Canada I joined in training and felt sharp. It was great to be back amongst
the lads again. 'But then it all went wrong. We were doing a one-on-one
training session, I turned quickly and felt a shooting pain in my shin. I
went for an X-ray straight away and they told me I had a stress response to
the original fracture. That was my lowest point because I was so close to
coming back and then to be told that I was going to be out for another three
months was pretty heartbreaking. 'An injury like this usually takes six to
nine months but I had so many setbacks. One operation is usually enough but
I ended up having three on the same leg and there was nothing I could do. 'I
was probably a nightmare around the house but I've had a few setbacks in my
career so I'm accustomed to dealing with it in my own way and I tried not to
let it affect anyone else too much.'
Everything has now changed thanks to a new revolutionary piece of equipment
brought it by Green. It is a treadmill enveloped inside a huge bag which,
when inflated, changes the air pressure within. The user zips himself into
the bag and can then, by tapping in simple instructions onto a screen,
reduce his body weight by anything up to 30 per cent. This means that
recuperating players such as Dyer and Ashton, who is recovering from an
ankle operation, can run on the treadmill without the impact on their joints
which would delay their return. 'It's the nearest thing to running on the
moon,' said Dyer. 'Dean's very fortunate to have that machine at the start
of his rehabilitation. I was coming to the end of my rehab when John Green
bought it over from the United States. 'It helped me no end and I am
convinced that, if I had been using that machine from the start, I would
have been playing football by now. 'It's invaluable when you have suffered
an injury such as mine. When the shin has had a severe trauma, impact work
can be very uncomfortable. 'With that machine, you can reduce you body
weight by so much, it means you can ease your way into things.'
Dyer now believes the dark days are behind him and even though Alan
Curbishley, who brought him to Upton Park from Newcastle, has been sacked,
the winger hopes he can make a difference for Gianfranco Zola. Dyer added:
'In a way I feel sorry for Alan Curbishley because he bought me, Scott
Parker and Craig Bellamy and, while he was manager, we probably only played
20 games between us. 'But Gianfranco Zola has also been good to me. On his
first day he called me into his office and said he remembered playing
against me. 'He liked the way I played and it suited the way he wants to go.
Now, after all this time, I can hopefully begin to repay peoples' faith in
me.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I'm A Happy Hammer Again
The Sun
Published: Today

KIERON DYER is eyeing a first-team return with West Ham before Christmas.
The 29-year-old has been out of action for 15 months after breaking his leg
in a Carling Cup tie against Bristol City. He had three operations and was
close to a comeback at the start of the season before suffering a stress
fracture in training. But with his fitness gradually returning, the Hammers
have lined up a behind-closed-doors friendly for him later this week. Dyer
said: "It will be great to get that first game under my belt. "I'm not going
to say I'm going to be thrown straight back into the first team. "Ideally I
will have three or four preparation games and then be ready, perhaps for the
Christmas period. "Every day I feel sharper and I do believe now I need to
make up for lost time. "My 30th birthday is coming up later this month and
some players start to look toward the end of their careers when they reach
that milestone. "With the amount of football I've missed though, I feel I
have a good five years still left in me."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kieron Dyer targets Christmas return
Times Online

Kieron Dyer, the West Ham United midfielder, is targeting a Christmas return
to competitive football after 15 months out with a career-threatening
injury. The 29-year-old broke his leg against Bristol Rovers in a Carling
Cup tie in August 2007, less than a fortnight after joining the London club
from Newcastle United, but is set to feature in a friendly this week. He has
had three operations on the injury and was close to returning at the start
of this season until he suffered a stress fracture in training and was ruled
out for another three months. Dyer will not feature in the Premier League
match at Liverpool tonight, but West Ham have organised a
behind-closed-doors friendly this week especially for him and Jonathan
Spector, who is also returning from a long-term injury. "It will be great to
get that first game under my belt," Dyer said. "I'm not going to say I'm
going to be thrown straight back into the first team. Ideally I will have
three or four preparation games and then be ready, perhaps for the Christmas
period. "Every day I feel sharper and I do believe now I need to make up for
lost time. My 30th birthday is coming up later this month and some players
start to look toward the end of their careers when they reach that
milestone. With the amount of football I've missed though, I feel I have a
good five years still left in me."
Dyer, who has won 33 England caps, added: "Gianfranco Zola has been good to
me. On his first day he called me into his office and said he remembered
playing against me."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is this reluctance, having a detrimental effect on West Ham United?
Posted by: Rob Facey, today
Football Fancast

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders whether the reluctance to sell
West Ham for anything less than the asking price is having a detrimental
effect on the side's fortunes on the pitch? West Ham face Liverpool tonight
desperate for a win to help lift the doom and gloom that currently surrounds
Upton Park. The Hammers are just two points off the relegation zone after
struggling to find their form under Gianfranco Zola. A positive result at
Anfield would be the perfect tonic to a season that has seen the club lurch
from one crisis to another, both on and off the pitch. Injuries to key
players and a change of manager was compounded by their dire financial
situation, although reports are today claiming that the owners have already
turned down three bids to buy out the club.
The Mirror states that owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and his associates have
dismissed the bids out of hand as they are way short of their £120million
valuation.
The club are roughly £50m in debt which takes up the valuation up to around
£170m and Gudmundsson is keen to make sure that he does not make a loss on
the club. The club's sponsors, XL, folded earlier in the season and the
potential £30m pay out as a result of the Tevez saga on the horizon, the
Icelandic businessman, who was already bankrupt following the collapse of
the banks in his native country, will be fearing the worst. But, in troubled
times, can beggars be choosers?
The club are slowly tumbling down the league and have already resigned
themselves to not being able to sign any new players in January. If the
situation does not change at West Ham chances are they will even be forced
into selling a player or two which, bearing in mind their current lack of
quality and depth, will only send them tumbling further. While it is
understandable that Gudmundsson doesn't want to see his £135m investment
dwindle away, is his reluctance to sell up for anything less harming the
club's long term stability?
Or, are they being sensible and making sure that the prospective owners are
right for the club? Either way, a resolution is needed sooner rather than
later, as their delay is only having a detrimental effect on the side's
fortunes, on and off the pitch.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 1st December 2008

Home draw satisfies Zola
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola's side have been drawn at home against Barnsley in the FA
Cup third round
30.11.2008

West Ham United will take on Barnsley at home in the FA Cup third round
after the teams were paired together in Sunday afternoon's draw.

The tie will be played on the weekend of 3-4 January and Gianfranco Zola is
already relishing the prospect of taking on the Championship side. "It is
good to start the FA Cup playing at home. It was very important to play at
home but we know with Barnsley that it will not be an easy game. They got to
the semi-finals last year so we know it will be tough."

Zola won the FA Cup twice as a player and would love to match those heights
as a manager. "The FA Cup is a fabulous competition," he said. "Winning my
first FA Cup as a player was one of the best moments of my career. The FA
Cup third round is a special occasion for everyone and we are going to be up
for it."

The teams last met in the Premier League on 10 January 1998 when the Hammers
were 6-0 winners at the Boleyn Ground. The only previous meeting in the FA
Cup was a fourth-round date on 24 January 1993 with Barnsley running out 4-1
winners. The Tykes, who reached last year's semi-finals, are 17th in the
Championship.

Three-time winners in 1964, 1975 and 1980, West Ham United did not enjoy the
best of fortunes in the 2007/08 edition. The club were eliminated at this
stage with a 1-0 replay defeat at Manchester City after a goalless draw at
the Boleyn Ground. The 2008/09 FA Cup final will take place on Saturday 30
May at Wembley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carragher key to Anfield hopes
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager knows that getting past Jamie Carragher will be
a major test for his team
30.11.2008

Gianfranco Zola has identified Jamie Carragher as just as important to the
Liverpool cause as Steven Gerrard on Monday night.

The West Ham United manager spoke from experience when he said the
long-serving defender would be a tough challenge for the likes of Carlton
Cole and Craig Bellamy at Anfield. "When I played against him he was very
young but you could tell he was a very good player … as a defender, he is
always there and he does his job. He is clever and has saved results for
them.

"But I have to say, he has worked very hard and you can see he has improved
a lot. I saw him play the other night against Marseille and I was very
impressed with him. [Steven] Gerrard is a key player for them because he
scores so many important goals but Carragher is just as important."

By the same token, Zola knows his own rearguard will be vital if the team
are going to keep a third straight clean sheet. "The defence is important
because Liverpool want to win. They are going to come against us very hard
and so first of all we need to keep our composure, defend well … we are very
much focused on our defensive strategy. That doesn't mean we are going to be
passive.

"We are going to play our match the way we normally play. We are not a team
that can go there and sit back and wait. We have different qualities. But
obviously the defensive side is going to be vital. We are not going to be
sitting there waiting for something to happen. We are going to try and make
the story of the game and are going to be trying hard."

Cole will be pushing Carragher hard on Monday night and, after signing a new
five-year contract last week, is up for the challenge.

The striker is on a high after helping the team to a 1-0 win at Sunderland
last Sunday and then pledging his long-term future to the club and is hoping
to build on that at Anfield. "Liverpool is going to be a massive game after
Sunderland," he said. "We needed to win last Sunday and it was another clean
sheet so that was really positive. We have got to try and get another good
result away from home as it is such a tight league now. We need to do well."

Cole has been working hard at Chadwell Heath under the close guidance of
Zola and, with his future secure, is hoping all of his efforts will pay off
in the Premier League. "He has got a lot of faith in me," Cole added. "We
always talk and try to find solutions to upgrade my game. It is good that I
am here for a long time and hopefully he will be here for a long time as
well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager 'pleased and proud'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has spoken about his happiness at being in charge of West
Ham United
29.11.2008

Gianfranco Zola has reiterated his pride at being appointed manager of West
Ham United as he prepares his team for the televised trip to Liverpool on
Monday night.

Heading into the final month of the year and a run of games which will see
his team take on three of the nation's current top four as well as old
rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Zola spoke of his honour at being able to lead
West Ham United. "It's a great club which has a lot of tradition. There is a
very good atmosphere and I like it. I like the challenge.

"For me it is a big challenge but I know what is important for the club and
to please them is a great feeling for me. I am very, very pleased and proud
to be here," Zola added. The manager said morale had been boosted for the
Anfield date after the all-round team performance 1-0 win at Sunderland last
weekend.

"It was a great result. It certainly helped the players to feel a little bit
more comfortable. It is important that you get wins. No matter if you play
or train well, if you don't get points the confidence goes down. I am very
pleased because that victory is going to give them an extra boost in
confidence which is important."

Zola is also unfazed by the prospect of taking on the joint-leaders who have
yet to lose at home this season. "I don't feel daunted," he said. "I feel
very much charged by it. It is one of those games where if you get something
positive out of it, it is very important for your team and when I play games
like this I like to face this kind of challenge. I know it can be hard but
the reward that you can get from games like this is huge."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stanislas and Spence shine
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas and Jordan Spence had debut days to remember while Jimmy
Walker is also on a high
29.11.2008

West Ham United may not be playing until Monday with the small matter of
Liverpool away, but six of the eight players out on loan provided plenty of
Saturday interest.

Three of them were on Championship duty, while another trio were involved in
League One or FA Cup encounters. whufc.com rounds up how they fared with
Junior Stanislas and Jordan Spence particularly doing well on their first
taste of senior football.

Junior Stanislas (Southend United)
The last of Thursday's loans to be confirmed, the attacking midfielder, who
turned 19 this week, had a fantastic senior debut. He scored the first two
goals to set the League One club on the way to a 3-1 defeat of Luton Town in
the FA Cup second round. The first was a trademark free-kick from the
dead-ball specialist before a second-half header.

Jordan Spence (Leyton Orient)
The England Under-19 defender, still only 18, made his senior debut with a
full 90 minutes in the FA Cup for Leyton Orient. It was a memorable
afternoon with a 2-1 second-round victory at Bradford City. Spence had
sealed his month-long loan with the League One outfit at the start of the
week and was a polished performer in the heart of the Orient defence.

Kyel Reid (Blackpool)
The pacy left winger celebrated his 21st birthday with an assist and a goal
for the reserves and then helped Blackpool to a 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle
on his debut. Reid played the whole match and set up the winning goal for
Liam Dickinson. It lifted the north-west club seven points clear of the
Championship relegation zone. Reid has had two previous loans at Barnsley
and Crystal Palace.

James Tomkins (Derby County)
The England Under-19 international played the full 90 minutes but was unable
to help Derby County avoid a 3-0 defeat away to Burnley on Saturday. It was
Tomkins first senior run-out since the end of last season, having made his
first reserve-team appearance of the campaign on Tuesday before heading up
to the Championship club's Pride Park home on Thursday.

Nigel Quashie (Birmingham City)
The midfielder played his part in a 1-1 draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers
that will have left visitors Birmingham the happier of the two Midlands
clubs. It means they remain six points ahead of their rivals at the top of
the Championship. The 30-year-old, who is in the second month of his loan,
was cautioned in the first half.

Jimmy Walker (Colchester United)
After his move to the Essex club early on Thursday, the popular 35-year-old
goalkeeper made a winning start with a 2-1 win away to Northampton Town in
one of only two League One encounters taking place on Saturday. The win
moved Colchester three points clear of the relegation zone and was also
notable for ensuring the first back to back victories this season.

Josh Payne (Cheltenham Town)
Having just turned 18, midfielder Payne has been out on loan at League One
strugglers Cheltenham since September. He began his stay with a goalscoring
debut and has already made nine appearances. Payne came on in the 53rd
minute on Saturday before the FA Cup second-round trip to Morecambe Town was
abandoned ten minutes later with the score at 1-1 because of thick fog. It
will be replayed on 2 December.

Bondz N'Gala (MK Dons)
After two impressive appearances off the bench in consecutive 3-0 victories
for the League One high-fliers, managed by Roberto Di Matteo, the imposing
19-year-old defender had the weekend off. MK Dons may be going well in the
league but they were eliminated in the FA Cup first round and did not have a
league encounter.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain's Blog - Proof in the points
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill has hailed his team-mates for their efforts of late and also has
a word for those heading to Anfield
29.11.2008

It was a fantastic relief to get that winning feeling back in our victory up
at Sunderland. It is never easy when you are in a run of form like we were
in. We were playing well but just not picking up points. While it is OK to
keep saying the right things, eventually the proof is in the points.

Not only did we deserve to win the game, but the way we defended was
excellent - another clean sheet - two in a week which is great and a good
habit to have. Just before half-time, we could have made the scoreline look
a lot more comfortable, but it was great that we built on the draw at
Portsmouth the week before.

As a team, I thought there wasn't anyone that didn't perform. But I thought
Matty Upson and Ginge [James Collins] were outstanding on the day, Valon
[Behrami], as always, was full of energy, running and enthusiasm and it was
fantastic for him to score his first goal for West Ham.

We now take this winning feeling into a very tough game. This is a strange
three games coming up for us, if you remember last year, we had these
fixtures together like this and it was 0-4, 0-4, 0-4.

The matches are in a slightly different order this season and I am, as we
all are, very confident that the scorelines will be a lot different then
they were in that crazy week last year.

Anfield is always a tough place to go and we will be coming up against a
team full of fantastic players, so it is going to be interesting. We will
know where we sit in the league table at the end of the weekend, with
everyone else having played before us.


We will be going there knowing we have to work hard. But we will give
ourselves a chance if we can keep a clean sheet for a long period of the
game, because you will always get one or two chances at Anfield and it will
be up to us to be ruthless enough to take them.

Obviously, the likes of Craig Bellamy, coming back to play at one of his old
clubs, will be determined to have a really good game and hopefully he will
get on the scoresheet.

It is our second away match in a week, so thanks to all the fans that took
the very long journey to Sunderland last Sunday afternoon to support us. You
were all in good voice, well heard by all the boys on the pitch.

Also, in advance, thank you to all those who will sacrifice their Monday to
travel up the M6 to see us play at Liverpool. It is a great ground to play
at and to visit. Obviously it will only be a great ground if we can come
away with something. So let's hope we can give you a reward for your loyal
support.

Off the pitch this week saw the club supporting the Bobby Moore Fund. Hayden
[Mullins] was our representative when he attended a special sports quiz. The
fund as you all know, is one of the club's partners and does a lot of work
in Bobby Moore's name to raise money and awareness to fund research into
bowel cancer.

Hayden, by all accounts, represented us very well and we were delighted to
once again be supporting such a fantastic cause.

Back to the pitch, it is exciting period of games coming up, starting with
this one up at Liverpool. Let's hope we can get a bit of revenge for last
year and return home with a great result.

Lucas Neill

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Monday, 1 December Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM and BBC Radio 5
Live; Updates on BBC Sport website
BBC.co.uk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Robbie Keane will get an extended chance to impress up front for Liverpool
because Fernando Torres is out with a hamstring injury. Full-back Andrea
Dossena is likely to replace Fabio Aurelio, who is out for two weeks with a
calf problem.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has a full squad at his disposal.
Midfielder Scott Parker should start despite missing training because of
illness, while Craig Bellamy will lead the attack against his former club.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena,
Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Riera,
Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, El Zhar.

West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Neill, Ilunga, Gabbidon, Lopez, Dyer, Parker,
Ashton, Bellamy, Etherington, Cole, Boa Morte, Upson, Noble, Mullins,
Spector, Collins, Faubert, Stokes, Walker, Lastuvka, Diego Tristan,
Davenport, Reid, Bowyer, Sears, Di Michele, Collison, Tomkins.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard: "I am desperate for the league title and
obviously we have managed to get ourselves into a good position this season.
Now we just need to keep on plugging away. "We have got another important
game coming up against West Ham and that is what I'm focusing on now. "It's
also important that we try to improve on our performance against Fulham and
try to take all three points. Every game is crucial."

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola: I think my team is coming into this match at
the best time because we're going into it off two good results. "I feel very
charged. It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of
it it's very important for your team. "I like to face these kind of
challenges. It can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this
can be huge."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Home draw for Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 30th November 2008
By: A Different Staff Writer

United have been drawn at home to Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Yorkshiremen currently lie in 17th place in the Championship on 17
points but are better remembered in recent Cup history for the run in last
season's competition that saw them beat both Chelsea and Liverpool on their
way to the semi-final, where they went out to the eventual runners-up
Cardiff City.

The full draw (matches to be played on the weekend of 3 January):

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheffield Wed v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolves
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull City v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylesden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Southampton v Manchester United
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green Rovers v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola - Hammers will survive
Upton Park boss focusing on football
Last updated: 1st December 2008
SSN

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is confident his club are tough enough to
survive the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga. An arbitration panel ruled that
Argentina striker Tevez, now at Manchester United, should not have been
allowed to play for West Ham in the final matches of the 2006/07 season.
Tevez helped the Hammers avoid relegation during those games at the expense
of Sheffield United and the Blades are now seeking a compensation fee,
believed to be in the region of £50million, which could seriously damage
already shaky Upton Park finances. The two clubs are set to return to the
High Court in March to decide upon a compensation figure, but Zola, who
takes his side to Liverpool on Monday night, is confident the off-field
controversies are not having an impact on the West Ham squad. "As far as
I'm concerned I know the club is strong enough to deal with it and the
players and manager are not concerned about it," he said. "For now, it's
nothing. I've been assured the club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm
focusing on what is important for us, which is getting points for the club.
"Of course I read about it but I very much trust the club. They tell me we
are fine, we are going to get through this so I trust them. "It's my duty to
make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this is the best thing
I can do and I'm focused on that."

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Zola hopes to upset Reds
Hammers ready for Anfield test
By Chris Burton Last updated: 30th November 2008
SSN

Gianfranco Zola is hoping West Ham can upset Liverpool's title challenge at
Anfield on Monday. The Reds remain well placed to mount a charge for Premier
League glory, but were held to a goalless draw by Fulham last weekend and
only sneaked past Marseille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Rafa
Benitez will also be without star striker Fernando Torres for the visit of
the Hammers, further hindering his pursuit of three valuable points. With
all those factors in mind, Zola believes his side are heading to Merseyside
with an ideal opportunity to claim a famous scalp. "I don't think Liverpool
are having their best moment," said the Italian coach.
"But we are focused and we know we cannot afford any mistakes. We know a lot
about them, we've seen them a lot. And I think we have prepared as well as
we can so we'll see what happens. "It could be a good year for them. They've
already won two big games (against Chelsea and Manchester United) and that
is important.
"It makes a big, big difference in your confidence. This year I've noticed
they're playing better football so they're a team to watch."
West Ham have not tasted success at Anfield since September 1963 but Zola
sees no reason why that unenviable run cannot come to an end on Monday
night. "I think my team is coming into this match at the best time because
we're going into it off two good results," said Zola. "I feel very charged.
It is one of those games where if you get something positive out of it it's
very important for your team. "I like to face these kind of challenges. It
can be hard but the reward you can get from games like this can be huge."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola - I admire Giovinco
Hammers boss doubts he can sign Italian midfielder
Last updated: 29th November 2008
SSN

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has admitted his admiration of Italian
midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, but doubts he will be able to sign him.
Speculation has raged this week that Zola may try to sign the 21-year-old on
loan from Juventus. Giovinco's agent confirmed the Hammers' interest but
insisted the player is not looking to move.
And Zola himself - who knows Giovinco from his time working with the Italy
Under 21s - believes Juve would be reluctant to let such a talent go. The
Hammers boss said: "He's a player I know very well. He's played for me for
the Under 21s and he's a player I admire. He's one of those players who can
change a game. "I don't think Juventus would be willing to give him up
because they need him." The Hammers halted a run of seven league games
without a win with a crucial 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of
Light last weekend. Zola believes the result has given his players a
much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for a tough tie at Liverpool on
Monday. He said: "It was a great result and certainly helped the players to
feel a little bit more comfortable. "It's important you get wins. It doesn't
matter if you play well, if you don't pick up victories and points your
confidence goes down. "So I'm very pleased and it seems to have given them
an extra boost in confidence which is important." While he is busy preparing
for the Liverpool game, Zola will still find time to watch his old side
Chelsea take on Arsenal on Sunday in a crucial clash being shown live on Sky
Sports 1 at 4pm. "Of course I'll be watching," Zola added. "It's a very
important game for them because you have two teams that cannot afford to
lose points. "Arsenal are in a crucial moment of the season and they don't
want to lose so it's a tough match. "I don't know who's going to win but I
know it'll be a tough match. Chelsea are a club I care about a lot. Arsenal
are not going to be an easy team to play against, especially at the moment."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham exclusive: Owner turns down three bids as he holds out for
£120million
By Darren Lewis 1/12/2008
The Mirror

West Ham's beleaguered Icelandic owners have already had THREE offers to buy
them out. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and his associates have dismissed the
bids out of hand as they are way short of their £120million valuation. Any
prospective buyers would also have to take on the club's debt, believed to
be in the region of around £50million. But the combined total of £170million
for West Ham still falls way short of the £400million Newcastle owner Mike
Ashley wants to sell up.
Gudmundsson is trying to sell before he is bankrupted by a £30m claim for
damages from Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair. The financier
bought the club for £85m two years ago, invested another £30m, and lost
£230m in the banking crisis when Icelandic bank Landbankski - in which he
has a 45percent controlling share - recently closed. On the pitch Zola has
shrugged off West Ham's awful record of not having won at Anfield since
September 1963.
The Italian believes Liverpool are below par at present - following their
1-0 Champions League win over Marseille last week - and the Hammers are
boosted by Fernando Torres's absence through injury. Zola said: "I don't
think Liverpool are at their best moment, but we are focused, we know we
cannot make any mistakes because they will be there for the taking. "We have
seen them a lot and we want to play the match as good as we can, so we'll
see what is going to happen. I think my team is going to play this match at
the best moment because they are coming from two results and the team is
confident."
Indeed, after a run of 24 games without a clean sheet, West Ham held Bolton
to a goalless draw then saw off Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light last
week. Zola added: "We are going to play our own match, the way we normally
play. We're not a team who can got there and sit back and wait and wait, we
have different qualities. "The defensive side is going to be vital because
when you play a team who are better than you. You have to look after more
the defensive aspect of the game, which is what we have been focusing on
this week. "But we're not going to sit back and wait for something to
happen, we try to make the story of the game for us."

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Zola doesn't blame Tevez for West Ham troubles
Blackpool Gazette
Published Date: 01 December 2008

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing saga with
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is not having a detrimental effect on
him or his players. The Hammers could be forced to pay compensation to
Sheffield United after an arbitration panel ruled that Tevez should not have
been permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, when he
helped his side avoid relegation at the Blades' expense. The east London
club argue they have already been punished by the Premier League - they were
fined £5.5million - but the matter will return to the High Court next year.
In March the two parties will meet the arbitration panel to agree a
compensation figure, but in the meantime the matter could be settled out of
court. Sheffield United are said to want £50million, but even a fraction of
this sum would impact on West Ham's already shaky finances; their owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge losses following the collapse of
several of his companies in his native Iceland. Zola's ability to sign
players in the January transfer window would doubtless be hampered, but for
now the Italian is focusing on on-field activities only as they prepare to
face Liverpool at Anfield tonight. "As far as I'm concerned I know the club
is strong enough to deal with it and the players and manager are not
concerned about it," he said. "For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the
club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm focusing on what is important
for us which is getting points for the club. "Of course I read about it but
I very much trust the club. They tell me we are fine, we are going to get
through this so I trust them.
It's my duty to make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this
is the best thing I can do and I'm focused on that."

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Dicks urges West Ham to buy midfield enforcer
01.12.08 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is being urged to sign a midfield enforcer in
January. Hammers legend Julian Dicks told The Sun: "West Ham really need to
put a couple of wins together, otherwise they will be stuck in that group at
the bottom. Anyone could go down still this season, barely any side is safe.
"They need an aggressive midfielder — someone in there who can win the
tackles and then pass the ball. "Roy Keane was fantastic at that, a real
aggressive tackler. Graeme Souness was in the same mould. "Every team needs
someone who can mix it and West Ham need to find someone like that. "Scott
Parker is a great player but he needs someone tough alongside him."

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Zola trying to keep squad focused
TeamTalk

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga is
not having a detrimental effect on him or his players. The Hammers could be
forced to pay compensation to Sheffield United after an arbitration panel
ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches
of the 2006-07 season, when he helped his side avoid relegation at the
Blades' expense. The east London club argue they have already been punished
by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - but the matter will
return to the High Court next year. In March the two parties will meet the
arbitration panel to agree a compensation figure, but in the meantime the
matter could be settled out of court. Sheffield United are said to want
£50million, but even a fraction of this sum would impact on West Ham's
already shaky finances; their owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge
losses following the collapse of several of his companies in his native
Iceland. Zola's ability to sign players in the January transfer window would
doubtless be hampered, but for now the Italian is focusing on on-field
activities only as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield. "As far as I'm
concerned I know the club is strong enough to deal with it and the players
and manager are not concerned about it," he said.
"For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the club is all right, the club is
fine, so I'm focusing on what is important for us which is getting points
for the club. "Of course I read about it but I very much trust the club.
They tell me we are fine, we are going to get through this so I trust them.
"It's my duty to make sure on the pitch everything goes well so doing this
is the best thing I can do and I'm focused on that."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tristan hoping Zola will give him nod against Liverpool
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 01 December 2008 - 9:04 AM

Diego Tristan has urged West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola to give him the chance
to fire the Hammers to a famous victory at Anfield on Monday night. The
Spanish striker, who has yet to make a single appearance since arriving at
Upton Park in October, is approaching full fitness after suffering a foot
injury during a reserve game last month.And the 32-year-old says he would
love nothing more than to make his Premier League bow against Rafa Benitez's
men. "I would love to play in the game at Anfield," said Tristan. "To play
against Liverpool and against so many fellow Spaniards would be special to
me. "But the final decision is up to the coach and I'll just have to keep
working hard to prove my fitness. "To play in a game like this would be a
dream and that's why I have come to West Ham to take up challenges like
this. "I'm working very hard every single day and I'm in much better
condition than when I arrived."

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The opposition camp: Gordon Thrower of West Ham fan website Knees up Mother
Brown
Dec 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Are you a happy Hammer at the moment?

Sort of. We've played some decent football at times and got no reward so it
cheered me up a bit to see us grind out a 1-0 over at Sunderland. I'd be
slightly happier if there were more than a couple of points between Europe
and the drop zone though.

Gianfranco Zola. Not quite the genius he was as a player?

Early days yet. He's obviously learning on the job but is at least trying to
see the game played in the right manner. He's not afraid to include the
youngsters if he thinks they're ready which is something we always like to
see at our place.

Is Craig Bellamy looking ripe for a revenge mission?

Well he's probably overdue a goal. He ought to have scored up at Sunderland
but seemed to lack a bit of confidence but I'm sure he'll be up for this
one. It doesn't take much to get him going as I'm sure you know!

Who is West Ham's danger man at the moment?

We've been a bit short on danger men in recent weeks but Bellamy will be the
closest we've got.

Anfield on a Monday night. Are you bothering?

The move to Monday (partly thanks to Liverpool's disgraceful failure to beat
Spurs in the League Cup) means it will be impossible for me to go due to
work commitments. My ticket has gone to a Welshman. Called Taff. Honest!

What do you make of Liverpool this season?

From what I've seen it's been a bit like us in reverse at times – got some
good results early on without really impressing. Gerrard's balance problem
hasn't improved, has it?!

Which Liverpool player would you have in your side?

Torres – I'm sure jellied eels are a delicacy in Spain so he'd feel well at
home!

And finally – a prediction for Monday?

I've been predicting a 2-1 win to us up there every year for the last 45
years without success. I can't actually see it happening but why break with
tradition!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
How Have We Progressed Since Pardew? West Ham Till I Die

There's a fascinating article in the Independent today contrasting the side
which lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup final to today's West Ham side. It
looks at Alan Pardew's signings and compares them with signings made
subsequent to his departure. The conclusion of the piece is that too many of
the signings have been expensive failures and West Ham have not progressed
as a club since the Cup final. Tell us something we didn't know!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Wallace: Pardew succeeds in parallel universe but reality suggests
downward spiral
Talking Football: Since Pardew left, far too many of West Ham's signings
have been hopeless
Monday, 1 December 2008
Independent.co.uk Web

Steven Gerrard's equaliser in the 91st minute of the 2006 FA Cup final
against West Ham is remembered as one of those points in history that fans
of dull British films would to refer to as a "Sliding Doors" moment. The
point at which a life diverges from one path and finds another route on the
basis of one tiny detail or, in this particular case, a goal from one of the
best footballers in the world.


Somewhere in a parallel universe, Alan Pardew has an FA Cup-winners' medal.
Somewhere he is still in charge of West Ham and a potential candidate to be
England manager. Unfortunately for Pardew, in the reality with which we
deal, he is just another unemployed football man with enough time on his
hands to watch Liverpool against West Ham tonight, two and a half years on
from the day when he was less than four minutes from winning the FA Cup
final against Liverpool with a West Ham team who had been promoted to the
Premier League only one year earlier.

After that FA Cup final, Pardew won only four more games as West Ham
manager. He bought himself a Ferrari and, by general consensus, momentarily
lost the plot. His image as a promising young English manager has been
hastily revised, especially by those Charlton Athletic fans who finally got
their wish when he was sacked last Saturday. Now it looks like he is
embarking on a journey back down the leagues whence he came. He should be
given another chance because no career is perfect, but don't count on it
happening.

Sir Alex Ferguson was sacked by St Mirren. Arsène Wenger got the shove at
Nancy after relegation (although they like to dress that one up as a mutual
decision). Juande Ramos had more clubs than most people have had hot tapas,
11 since 1993 and no one in Spain believes he is finished because of what
happened at Tottenham. Pardew probably believes he is a better manager than
he was two years ago, and almost certainly would not make the same mistakes
again. But will he get the chance? If you want to understand Pardew's legacy
at West Ham, then a comparison of the team that lost to Liverpool in the
2006 FA Cup final to the XI most likely to play against Liverpool at Anfield
tonight tells you all you need to know. Given the money that West Ham have
spent since then, and more recently had to recoup, it is hard to make a case
that, in terms of players, they are any better off than they were on that
day at Wembley in 2006.

This is West Ham's side from the 2006 FA Cup final: Hislop; Scaloni,
Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky; Benayoun, Fletcher, Reo-Coker, Etherington;
Ashton, Harewood.

And the West Ham side most likely to play against Liverpool tonight: Green;
Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga; Behrami, Parker, Bowyer; Bellamy,
Etherington; Cole.

This is an estimation of the best combination from those two sides: Green;
Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, Konchesky; Benayoun, Parker, Reo-Coker,
Etherington; Bellamy, Ashton.

Matthew Etherington predates even the Pardew regime, so he does not count.
Dean Ashton would still be available tonight but for injury and he counts as
Pardew's player because Pardew signed him. On that basis the score is 5-5
between Pardew's players and the players signed post-May 2006. However, in
the summer before his final season, Pardew bought Robert Green, so the score
should really be 6-4 in his favour. On this calculation, only Matthew Upson,
Craig Bellamy, Lucas Neill and Scott Parker from those have been signed
post-Pardew can claim to have improved the side.

In defence of Alan Curbishley, but not West Ham as a club, Anton Ferdinand
(a home-grown player) was sold against Curbishley's wishes. They also sold
Nigel Reo-Coker (a Pardew signing) of their own volition and, given his
performances for Aston Villa, that now looks like another error. Pardew also
signed Carlton Cole, who is still a regular starter. Danny Gabbidon, James
Collins, Jonathan Spector and Hayden Mullins are all Pardew signings still
judged to be worth keeping around at West Ham. He also signed George
McCartney, whose controversial sale back to Sunderland this summer gave West
Ham a crucial £4m profit.

Contrast that with what has followed Pardew. In terms of investments, West
Ham's signing of Freddie Ljungberg rates up there with the American oil
tycoon who bought London Bridge when he thought he was getting Tower Bridge.
Kieron Dyer and Luis Boa Morte are not too far behind. Nigel Quashie has
been and gone. West Ham paid well over the odds for Julien Faubert. Diego
Tristan might be OK but, after almost two months at the club, we will have
to wait until he actually plays a game.

Funnily enough, Pardew will always be remembered for how he failed to get
the best out of Carlos Tevez and, to a greater degree, Javier Mascherano –
who will be playing for Liverpool tonight. It is that criticism – that he
was too English, too blinkered – upon which Pardew's time at West Ham is so
often dismissed as a failure. Perhaps he did not realise how best to use
Mascherano. Maybe Mascherano needed that period to adapt to English
football. But West Ham can hardly say that they have cracked the code on
buying successful foreign players since Pardew has left because, on the
evidence stated, far too many of their subsequent signings have been
hopeless.

Mascherano got another chance at Liverpool. Pardew got another chance at
Charlton, a club already in free fall when he arrived and, more recently,
desperately casting around for a new owner. Yet if West Ham get any sort of
result tonight they might wish to give a modicum of thanks to their
out-of-work former manager. You wouldn't bet on it, though.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola shrugs off Tevez trauma
Monday, December 1, 2008
Metro.co.uk

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists the ongoing Carlos Tevez saga is
not having a detrimental effect on him or his players. The Hammers could be
forced to pay compensation to Sheffield United after an arbitration panel
ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches
of the 2006-07 season, when he helped his side avoid relegation at the
Blades' expense. The east London club argue they have already been punished
by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - but the matter will
return to the High Court next year.
In March the two parties will meet the arbitration panel to agree a
compensation figure, but in the meantime the matter could be settled out of
court. Sheffield United are said to want £50million, but even a fraction of
this sum would impact on West Ham's already shaky finances; their owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has suffered huge losses following the collapse of
several of his companies in his native Iceland. Zola's ability to sign
players in the January transfer window would doubtless be hampered, but for
now the Italian is focusing on on-field activities only as they prepare to
face Liverpool at Anfield tonight. 'As far as I'm concerned I know the club
is strong enough to deal with it and the players and manager are not
concerned about it,' he said. 'For now, it's nothing. I've been assured the
club is all right, the club is fine, so I'm focusing on what is important
for us which is getting points for the club. 'Of course I read about it but
I very much trust the club. They tell me we are fine, we are going to get
through this so I trust them. 'It's my duty to make sure on the pitch
everything goes well so doing this is the best thing I can do and I'm
focused on that.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loyal fans are taken for mugs
The Mirror
Stan Collymore 1/12/2008

Seasonticket prices have now reached ridiculous levels. It's £1,600 at
Arsenal, £810 in the chicken run at West Ham, £360 at Coventry and so on.
Prices have been obscene for way too long now. I wouldn't mind if, in the
Premier League gravy train, clubs needed the cash - but how can these prices
be justified? Football is the right of the working man, passed down the
generations, not the preserve of the few. Yet clubs across the land seem
intent on fleecing the people who prop them up, and it has to stop. I've
started a Facebook page hoping to get enough names to pressure the Premier
and Football Leagues into stoping taking fans for mugs.

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