Hammers midfielder looking forward to Hartlepool tie
Last updated: 21st January 2009
SSN
Mark Noble feels it is important for West Ham United's players and fans to
go on an FA Cup run this season. The Hammers overcame Barnsley in the third
round earlier this month and travel to Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Hartlepool have already knocked out Stoke City and Noble is expecting a
stiff test in the fourth round against the League One side. However, the
Hammers midfielder is hoping the club can make progress in the FA Cup after
losing in the final to Liverpool three years ago. "It is going to be a bit
different for us," Noble told the club's official website. "It should be a
great cup tie and they are going to be up for it with a Premier League team
going there in the cup. "It is important for the club and the players to
get that incentive to go on and get that run. It's good for the fans as well
as they love the cup. "We've just got to keep cracking on and playing well
and I think we can just crack on now this year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moon claims Hammers interest
Defender waits on possible Upton Park switch
By Fotis Voinikas Last updated: 21st January 2009
SSN
Panathinaikos defender Bryce Moon claims West Ham are interested in
acquiring his services. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this month,
West Ham are planning a move for the South Africa international to bolster
their squad. The 22-year-old has caught the eye of West Ham's scouting staff
and they are thought to be weighing up a bid for the full-back before the
close of the transfer window. Moon is now waiting to see if West Ham follow
up their interest by making a firm move for his signature. "I know about the
interest of West Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands," Moon told
the Greek media. "My agent Mike Makaab is working on it and I will hear from
him soon. "I am a Panthinaikos player now. I don't know what is going to
happen in the near future, but now I am focused on Panthinaikos."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London calling: West Ham and Fulham match Boro bid for Palace midfielder
Watson
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:20 AM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail
Fulham and West Ham want to hijack a move by Middlesbrough for Ben Watson.
The Crystal Palace midfielder had been due to seal a switch to Teesside on
Thursday after Boro's £2million offer was accepted by the Championship club,
but both London sides have now matched that bid.
Watson, 23, had gone to the north-east for a medical and talks over personal
terms last night, but is believed to have a preference for staying in the
capital. Palace hope to use any transfer fee to fund a bid for Cardiff
defender Darren Purse. Meanwhile, West Ham have asked about Panathinaikos
right back Bryce Moon and Bochum's centre half Antar Yahia as manager
Gianfranco Zola looks to strengthen his resources in defence. Brescia winger
Savio Nsereko's agent also claims the Hammers are interested in clinching a
deal for the 19-year-old. Midfielder Julien Faubert has confirmed he wants
to leave Upton Park and return to France with Lyon.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham & Portsmouth To Revive Appiah Interest
Ghana Web
Tottenham Hotspur seem to have backed away from trying to sign free agent
Stephen Appiah, after completing the signing of Honduran International
Wilson Palacios from Wigan Athletic, subject to the midfielder being granted
a work permit. The £14million arrival at White Hart Lane of Palacios is
understood to have led Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to reconsider taking a
gamble on Ghanaian International Appiah, with doubts still remaining about
the former Juventus players fitness, despite Appiah reportedly passing a
fitness test at the Premier League club.
28-year-old Appiah was released by Turkish club, Fenerbahce last summer
after a dispute over the treatment he received for his long-term knee
injury. Appiah played for Tottenham in an arranged match against Grays
Athletic last week, but did not quite last the full 9o minutes due to cramp.
Appiah is understood to be unhappy that a contract offer has not been
forthcoming from Spurs and is said to be looking at other options, despite
still training at the Premiership club, with Redknapp's former clubs
Portsmouth and West Ham United both linked with the midfielder last summer.
Now with Palacios at Tottenham, the chances of Appiah being offered a deal
look slimmer, with Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric and Tom
Huddlestone already vying for central midfield slots at Spurs. Of the clubs
previously linked with Appiah, Pompey could reignite their interest in the
Ghanaian after their attempt to bring in Patrick Vieira on loan from Inter
Milan was unsuccessful. While, the free agent status of Appiah could appeal
to the Hammers, with it well documented that finances are tight at Upton
Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ledley sets sights on Arsenal despite West Ham interest
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 21 January 2009 - 20:34
Cardiff City's Joe Ledley has reacted with pride at speculation linking him
with West Ham but claimed that for the moment his focus is on helping the
Welsh side to victory over Arsenal in Sunday's FA Cup fixture. Speaking to
the BBC, the 22-year-old Wales international made clear that he was pleased
that his progress was being monitored but pledged to improve further. "It is
great to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing well,
then who knows what might happen? "Nothing has happened," he said. "I must
continue to do what I've been doing on the pitch. I've got to put all of
the speculation to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof that I
must be doing something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's down to
the club so I will just concentrate on playing well and helping the boys
against Arsenal."
It was widely reported that Stoke City lodged a £6m bid for the versatile
Ledley during the summer, but the move was turned down by Cardiff.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moon wants to be star in the East End
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 21 January 2009 - 20:02
Panathinaikos full-back Bryce Moon has claimed that West Ham are interested
in acquiring his services although he stresses he is still focused on
fulfilling his defensive duties for the Greek giants. The 22-year-old South
African international told local media: "I know about the interest of West
Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands. "My agent Mike Makaab is
working on it and I will hear from him soon. I am a Panthinaikos player now.
I don't know what is going to happen in the near future, but now I am
focused on Panthinaikos."
Gianfranco Zola is thought to be on the look out for new squad members at
Upton Park after being given the green light by club directors to make use
of the £14m received from the sale of Craig Bellamy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff City's Joe Ledley 'Flattered' By West Ham Link
Goal.com
The highly-rated Welshman is obviously pleased to be linked with a Premier
League outfit, but is concentrating on facing Arsenal in the FA Cup this
weekend before getting carried away. West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola
is readying himself to make a £5 million bid for Cardiff City's highly-rated
Welsh international Joe Ledley. The midfielder, an established Welsh
international with 24 caps to his name who can operate in central midfield
or wide on the left, was the subject of reported £6 million bid from Premier
League new boys Stoke City in the summer. The Bluebirds rejected that bid
and have also apparently turned down approaches from Everton and
Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers for the player's services. The
player has 18 months left to run on his current Cardiff contract, and is
regarded as one of the country's most promising players outside the Premier
League. Ledley himself, though, claims that nothing is happening at the
moment, though, obviously, the link with a club like West Ham excites him.
"It is great to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing
well, then who knows what might happen?" he told BBC Sport earlier, instead
insisting that the weekend's cup tie with Arsenal was the centre of his
focus currently. "Nothing has happened," he said. "I must continue to do
what I've been doing on the pitch. "I've got to put all of the speculation
to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof that I must be doing
something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's down to the club so I
will just concentrate on playing well and helping the boys against Arsenal."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA Cup: Hartlepool aim to hang the Hammers
SquareFootball.net
Hartlepool United produced one of the shocks of the third round when they
put out Premiership strugglers Stoke City at Victoria Park. On Saturday they
aim to go one better by claiming the scalp of in-form West Ham United and
booking their place in the fifth round of the competition for the first time
in their history.
Chris Turner's men have only won twice in League One since the start of
November, but the FA Cup has brought out the best in them. Brighton,
Fleetwood Town and Stoke City have all suffered at the hands of the Monkey
Hangers and Neil Appleyard, chairman of the Hartlepool United Disabled
Supporters Association, believes that West Ham could be their next victims.
"If Hartlepool play as well as they did against Stoke we shall give West Ham
something to think about. With playing at home I think we shall certainly be
ready for the game and with a very noisy crowd we should do very well. Our
home record is very good so we certainly have a chance against anyone."
Saturday will be a historic day for Hartlepool and West Ham United as it
marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides and the game has
attracted a lot of interest. Victoria Park is a complete sell-out and the
game will be shown live to the nation on terrestrial television. Most of the
neutrals watching will be cheering on the underdog, as is the British way,
but Hartlepool go into the game with absolutely nothing to lose. They have
already proved what they are capable of in these one-off games and it will
be a huge test of character for Gianfranco Zola's Hammers.
Stoke City have given some of the Premiership's best sides problems this
season, but Hartlepool brushed them aside thanks to goals from defender
Mickey Nelson and striker David Foley and it was Foley's rasping 30-yard
rasping strike which stole the headlines. Neil, 50, whose favourite
Hartlepool player of all time is Billy Ayre, insists that the 21-year-old
has plenty more efforts like that in his locker.
"David tends to score spectacular goals in cup competitions and his one
against Stoke was one of his best. He is certainly much better when he is
played in his natural position of centre forward, but due to our injury
problems he has played more on the wing. The fans are certainly warming to
him when he produces strikes like that."
However, Foley isn't the only player to watch for. Antony Sweeney is a
creative midfielder with seven assists and two goals to his name and Ritchie
Humphreys is an experienced pro. But Neil believes the man who may shine
against the Hammers will be their man from down under.
"The person who could do very well against West Ham would be Joel Porter,
our Australian forward. He is very quick and is able to bring others into
the game with his intelligent link up play."
West Ham United are 47 league places ahead of their opponents and despite
all the off-the-field wrangling and transfer rumours surrounding the club,
under Zola, the Hammers have been playing entertaining football. They have
lost just one of their last six league and cup fixtures, scoring 14 times in
the process, and Neil is looking forward to an entertaining, attacking game
of football.
"I can see the game being very open. Hartlepool United are not a kick and
rush team, we try to play football in a measured passing game and of course
West Ham play in a similar way.
"I'm particularly keen to see Robert Green at Victoria Park as he is a top
class goalkeeper and Matthew Upson, who is an England player. Not forgetting
that it will be a return to the north east for Scott Parker and Kieron
Dyer."
Despite Portsmouth upsetting the applecart last year by winning the FA Cup
and the numerous giant killings, the competition has appeared to have lost
some of its magic since the creation of the Champions League. However, Neil
insists that the cup is still the world's number one competition in his
eyes.
"It means everything to be in the situation we are in having beaten one
Premiership club and to be playing another one at home is the pinnacle of
being a lower league supporter can hope for. (apart from promotion that is)"
Hartlepool's best runs recently in the FA Cup came in 1978 and 1993 when
they beat Crystal Palace on both occasions to reach the fourth round of the
competition and Neil remembers them like they were yesterday.
"The first one we were 1-0 down and then two superb strikes and we were 2-1
up. At the time Palace were certainly going places with Terry Venebles as
their manager so it was a fabulous win for us. Our next game in the cup was
Ipswich and that season they won the cup.
"Our game in 1993 was a cagey affair and it looked like it was heading for a
replay. Nicky Southall was then brought down and the penalty was put away by
Andy Saville another great cup victory."
But how do they compare with the win against Stoke City?
"I think the win against Stoke was superb simply because of the sort of
football we played. In many ways we outplayed them and our passing game was
excellent."
West Ham United will be venturing into the unknown on Saturday so what sort
of reception will the Hammers expect at Victoria Park? Neil compares it to a
mini-St James' Park.
"Our fans are extremely passionate and vibrant and have been credited to be
as passionate on such occasions as the Newcastle fans at St James' Park.
This was said to me by a friend who is a regular at the Geordie home games
and he was so impressed with the atmosphere at Victoria Park. This should be
very exciting and noisy."
So after beating Stoke City and drawing another Premiership club at home,
can Hartlepool really defeat the three-time FA Cup winners and the 2006
finalists? Neil believes if they have the rub of the green it could just be
the greatest day in Hartlepool's FA Cup history.
"I am not too good at predictions but if we play as well as we did I think
we could scrape through 1-0."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DICKS SIGNS FORMER HAMMERS` TEAM-MATE
21/01/2009
Non League Daily
Ridgeons League Premier Division strugglers Wivenhoe Town are turning to
experience in a bid to help themselves out of their current poor run of form
with the signing of former West Ham United star Stuart Slater. The
39-year-old Suffolk-born winger is linking up with ex-Hammers friend and new
Wivenhoe manager Julian Dicks and has agreed to play a couple of games each
month as the Dragons look to end their run of eleven consecutive defeats.
Slater (pictured) is no stranger to non-League football as, after finishing
his professional career with Watford in 1999 he turned out for Forest Green
Rovers, Aberystwyth Town and Weston-super-Mare. His vast professional
experience includes 140 appearances for West Hame, two seasons at Celtic
(£1.5 million), three seasons at Ipswich Town (£800,000) and spells at
Leicester City and Watford and a spell in Australia with Carlton. He has
England international caps at under-21 and 'B' level. Slater, who was forced
to quit playing due to Achilles problems, is set to make his debut for
Wivenhoe against Haverhill Rovers on Saturday at Broad Lane.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ledley flattered by Premier link
BBC.co.uk
Cardiff City captain Joe Ledley admits he is "flattered" to be linked with
Premier League side West Ham. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola is apparently
poised to make a £5m bid for the Welsh international midfielder. But
Ledley, who has also been linked to Premier League new boys Stoke City,
insists "nothing is happening." The 22-year-old told BBC Sport: "It is great
to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing well, then
who knows what might happen?" Ledley, who has 18 months remaining on his
Cardiff contract, is one of the hottest properties outside the top-flight
and has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs. FA Cup finalists
Cardiff refused a £6m bid for Ledley from Stoke in the summer while Everton
and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also had offers turned down. Ledley has
already made more than 200 appearances for the Bluebirds and is a Wales
regular with 24 caps and Upton Park boss Zola is said to be the latest
admirer. But Ledley, a Ninian Park academy graduate, insists his focus is on
Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Arsenal. "Nothing has happened," he
said. "I must continue to do what I've been doing on the pitch. "I've got to
put all of the speculation to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof
that I must be doing something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's
down to the club so I will just concentrate on playing well and helping the
boys against Arsenal."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Referee Announced For Pools/West Ham Game
Vital Football
The referee has been announced for the FA Cup tie between Hartlepool and
West Ham this weekend. The game will be officiated by Lee Mason, the man who
was in charge the last time Pools reached this stage of the cup. Back in
2005 Mason gave full back Jack Ross a red card and a penalty to opponents
Brentford as Pools crashed out at the fourth round stage . The last Pools
game he took charge of was the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Boxing Day
2007.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
View From The Opposition - Hartlepool United
Vinny - Wed Jan 21 2009
West Ham Online
Next up is Hartlepool United in the FA Cup 4th Round. This will be a
historic day for both clubs as neither have played each other in any
competition in their long histories. Hartlepool knocked out Stoke City in
the last round of the cup and beat West Brom in the League Cup earlier in
the season so beating Premiership teams is something they have become
familiar with this season.
Hopefully this should just be Part 1 of the View from Hartlepool.
These questions were answered very kindly by John Phillips of
www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk
Can you give us a recent potted history
After decades of pottering around the lower reaches of the basement
division, the last ten years have been the most eventful in the history of
the club. Since 1999 we have had a League One playoff final, four more
playoff campaigns and two automatic promotions. The one black mark was a
relegation in 2005/06, though we bounced straight back a year later breaking
many club records in the process.
How are you getting on this season
So so. We are scoring enough goals and winning enough home points to keep
ourselves midtable but our away form remains a worry, as does our defence.
As I write this we are in 12th position in League One. The cups have gone
well. Up until this season we had only ever eliminated one top flight club
in our history (Crystal Palace, FA Cup, 1993). This season we have added two
more, with Stoke's FA Cup campaign and West Brom's Carling Cup ambitions
both dying at Victoria Park.
Your hopes for the remainder of the season?
To get enough points on the board in the next two months to keep the
floating supporters interested. It's unlikely we have the strength in depth
to mount a serious playoff bid but we don't want to let sixth place
disappear over the horizon too early and we must avoid getting dragged in to
the battle at the bottom. Mediocrity is an uninspiring thing to wish for,
but it's maybe realistic.
You have recently changed manager. Is this something the supporters were
happy with?
On the whole, yes. The 2006/07 promotion season was tremendous, with a host
of club records being shattered. The 23 game unbeaten run (with 19 wins)
will live long in the memory of every Pools supporter. Danny Wilson will
always have my thanks for that, but his somewhat conservative nature has
counted against him. There has been an increasing feeling of stagnation and
apathy creeping in amongst the supporters over the last year or so. At our
level apathy is more dangerous than anger.
Best player?
Our two most gifted players are James Brown and Joel Porter. Sadly, a
cruciate rupture put an end to Brown's season last month so we're pinning a
lot of our hopes for the season on Porter's shoulders. It seems an open
secret that he is likely to return to Australia in the summer, so he's
looking to sign off in style.
Weakest player?
Try as he might, there is a feeling that David Foley simply lacks the
stature to get the best out of his ability. That said, he has already scored
against West Brom and Stoke this season so if he gets a chance on Saturday
he will be gunning for one of football's more unlikely hat tricks. Still
without a league goal, he's a killer in the cups. At the back, few
supporters have any faith in either of the goalkeepers.
What do you make of West Ham this season?
Haven't seen anything of them and, Saturday excepted, I don't intend to. The
resignation from the Football League by the 22 top flight clubs in 1992 was
a shabby betrayal of English league football. I have no time at all for the
Premier League, or for any of the short-sighted self-interested clubs that
brought it into being. They have earned their place in a footballing hell.
Sorry ;)
Any West Ham players which worry you?
Is Tony Cottee still playing? Seriously, see last question. But any player
with genuine pace will be likely to cause us problems.
Advice for travelling West Ham fans
There are a few pubs near the ground and away fans are welcome at all of
them, unless the police say otherwise. The Mill House and Corner Flag are
the closest and both can be found on the opposite side of the ground to the
away entrance - simply walk through the car park past the offices and club
shop and you're there. Alternatively there are a number of pubs and
restaurants on the marina, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the ground.
Prediction for the game?
West Brom and Stoke brought out the best in us but I've a feeling we'll fall
short of our third big cup win of the season. I'm sure the chairman would
love a replay, but I think West Ham will win on the day. 2-1
Many thanks again to John Phillips at inthemadcrowd.co.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham insist nothing serious over Dyer reserves substitution
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United reserves boss Alex Dyer has played down concerns of a new
injury scare for Kieron Dyer. During defeat to Fulham this week, England
midfielder Dyer was withdrawn after 38 minutes as a precaution with
tightness in his calves. The 30-year-old has recently returned from 17
months out injured after suffering a broken leg in a Carling Cup tie at
Bristol Rovers in August 2007.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson1
Thank You so much to those who have already contributed
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment