WHUFC.com
All the team news and background for Saturday lunchtime's trip to face
Hartlepool United
23.01.2009
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON fourth round
Hartlepool United v West Ham United
Victoria Park
Saturday 24 January
12.40pm
Referee: Lee Mason
WHUTV - Full audio commentary
Introduction
* West Ham United travel to the Victoria Park home of League One side
Hartlepool United for what promises to be an intriguing FA Cup fourth round
encounter. The draw for the fifth round will take place from 6.15pm on
Sunday by Gary Mabbutt and Gary Pallister.
* Should the tie be drawn, the teams will replay at the Boleyn Ground on
Wednesday 4 February at 7.45pm.
* West Ham United have won the FA Cup on three previous occasions, namely in
1964, 1975 and 1980. The club lost the final in 1923 and 2006. Hartlepool
have never gone beyond the fourth round, meaning they would be making
history with a victory.
* Manager Gianfranco Zola, who has stated his desire to take the FA Cup
seriously, is expected to name a strong squad for the first meeting between
the two clubs.
* The Barclays Premier League team go into the contest in a rich vein of
form that has seen them win four of their last five matches in all
competitions and an unbeaten away run that stretches back to 29 October.
* Hartlepool will go into the tie in buoyant mood themselves, having already
knocked out top-flight side Stoke City in the third round. The Hammers made
it to the fourth round by knocking out Championship side Barnsley at the
previous stage.
* West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola said: "They are a good team and
try to play football. They have some very interesting players, some quick
players and play quite differently from being a League One side. They try to
play football and are a good team. We respect them. It will be a hard game
but for us the cup is an important achievement so we want to get through
this round."
* Hartlepool United defender Ben Clark said: "It'll be fantastic and it
should be a good day, it's on television and hopefully the money that we can
get will be spent on some players. At the Stoke game there was a really good
atmosphere and hopefully we'll get the crowd behind us."
* West Ham United are next in action on Wednesday 28 January, when Hull City
visit the Boleyn Ground in the Premier League. Hartlepool face Carlisle
United at Victoria Park the previous day.
Last time out
Sunday 18 January 2009 West Ham United 3-1 Fulham
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Faubert 81), Collison (Mullins 83), Cole, Di Michele (Dyer 87)
Subs not used: Stech, Boa Morte, Tristan, Sears
Goals: Di Michele 7, Noble (pen) 60, Cole 76
Friday 16 January Hartlepool United 2-0 Northampton Town
Hartlepool United: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys,
Monkhouse, Jones (Rowell 90), Liddle, Robson (Power 78), Mackay, Porter
(Henderson 81)
Subs not used: Budtz, Foley
Goals: Porter 5, 56
Team news
* A strong squad has travelled to the north-east with only Danny Gabbidon
and Dean Ashton on the long-term injury list.
* Kieron Dyer may miss out after a slight muscle problem in Tuesday's
reserve match against Fulham.
* Carlton Cole is bidding to score for the sixth successive match.
* Junior Stanislas, back from his loan spell at Southend United, has been
training with the first team since his return but is cup-tied this weekend.
Fellow homegrown Hammer Zavon Hines is fully fit again after four months out
with a knee injury.
* Marek Stech will celebrate his 19th birthday on Wednesday. He could again
deputise for Jan Lastuvka on the bench, although he is back on training
after a minor knee injury.
* Jimmy Walker (Colchester United), Jordan Spence (Leyton Orient), Joe
Widdowson (Grimsby Town), Nigel Quashie and Kyel Reid (both Wolverhampton
Wanderers) are all out on loan
* Hartlepool United striker Joel Porter is hopeful of playing in Saturday's
tie despite his ongoing achilles problem.
Background
* Even though Hartlepool date back to 1908, the teams have never met in a
competitive encounter.
General information
* All tickets for this match are now sold out. For details on getting to
Victoria Park, click here
* Weather: The forecast is for a cold but bright day. The temperature is not
expected to get above 6C.
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Hartlepool v West Ham
FA Cup fourth round
Venue: Victoria Park Date: Saturday, 24 January Kick-off: 1240 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio London 94.9, BBC
Tees 95FM & DAB Digital Radio, score updates and text commentary on BBC
Sport website; featured game on Final Score
BBC.co.uk
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Hartlepool are hoping to have trio Matt Robson (calf), Sam Collins (hip) and
Antony Sweeney (ankle) back from injury in time to face West Ham.
Third round hero David Foley and Liam Henderson are both pushing for a
place.
West Ham have no new injury problems and striker David di Michele is set to
start again after scoring last week. Kieron Dyer could feature among the
substitutes as he continues to recover from a broken leg, but Dean Ashton
and Danny Gabbidon remain sidelined.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "Hartlepool are a good team and try to
play football. "They have some very interesting players, some quick players
and play quite differently from being a League One side. They try to play
football and are a good team. We respect them. "It will be a hard game but
for us the Cup is an important achievement so we want to get through this
round."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Hartlepool against West Ham is one of two League One against Premier League
ties in the fourth round; the other is Hull against Millwall.
The Pool are looking to claim back-to-back Premier League scalps, after
ousting Stoke in the third round. Victory will make club history, as they've
never appeared in the fifth round previously.
West Ham have not been dismissed by lower division opposition when a Premier
League club themselves, since Tranmere enjoyed a 1-0 third round victory
over them at Prenton Park on 11 December 1999.
The League ladder
Hartlepool are 48 places lower than West Ham in the pecking order.
Referee
Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Replay date
Wednesday, 4 February 2009 - Kick Off: 1945
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Hartlepool v West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Preview Percy
Cup time again and we visit the North East for the second time in three
weeks for the fourth round tie against Hartlepool United.
Since election to what used to be the old Third Division (North) in the
1920s, the Monkey Hangers have never been out of the third and fourth levels
of professional football. We've never played at those levels and, since
we've managed to avoid one another in the cups over the years, Saturday's
match marks the first meeting of the two clubs.
Over the years, even the most die-hard Hartlepool supporter would struggle
to describe the club's history as "distinguished". Back in the old days when
the bottom four clubs in the bottom tier sought re-election to the league
(as opposed to facing automatic relegation), the first few weeks of the
close-season were often a nervous time for supporters of Hartlepools (as
they were then known). However, though it appeared that the club were always
up for re-election, there were usually worse clubs in the mix each year,
even before the League chairmen's legendary closed-shop mentality was taken
into consideration (between 1960 and 1987 when automatic
promotion/relegation was introduced only two clubs failed to be re-elected).
Since those days the club has flittered between the bottom two tiers and
came within 8 minutes of gaining promotion to the Championship for the first
time in Cardiff when, the day before our own promotion on the same ground,
they were 2-1 up against Sheffield Wednesday, only for a controversial
penalty and red card to save the Owls, who went on to score twice more
against the 10-men in extra time.
Perhaps the club's biggest claim to fame over the years (other than the
support of Sky's Jeff Stelling – whom God preserve) is that it was the first
managerial home of Brian Clough who got a couple of respectable seasons out
of the team before going onto greater fame at Derby and, later, Nottingham
Forest.
The advent of a brand new name on the fixture list has seen the welcome
arrival of a few new North Eastern names on the KUMB.com forums to whom I am
much indebted for information regarding the current Hartlepool squad – hats
off in particular to Mr Creosote for much of what follows:
At the time of writing Hartlepool lie in 12th place in what us old'uns call
Division 3. They are safe enough – 9 points clear of the O's who currently
occupy the uppermost relegation spot but are well off the play-off pace,
lying some 14 points behind Scunthorpe who are in 6th. Recent form has been
mixed with their last six matches providing three wins and three defeats.
The wins have come at home to Southend, in the cup against Stoke and, most
recently, last Friday where they overcame Northampton. The defeats came
against play off contenders Oldham and Scunthorpe and, perhaps more
surprisingly, at home to Bottom of the table Crewe to whom they suffered a
4-1 defeat. Of course, from the list of standard things that it is illegal
not to mention in a cup match preview, I am obliged to point out that, this
being the cup, the form book goes out of the window (though my neighbours
are still not talking to me after being hit by so many Percy-launched form
books in 2006).
The home side will be under the stewardship of Chris Turner who appears to
be there on a sort of interim/caretaker/temporary basis until someone can be
persuaded to take over properly. First choice 'keeper is Adam Lee-Barratt
who older readers may remember having a hit in the 70's with "In A Broken
Dream". The home support aren't over-enamoured of their custodians – Mr
Creosote refers to Lee-Barratt and his Danish rival for the jersey Jan Budtz
(stop sniggering at the back there) as a "choice between Krusty The Clown
and Coco The Clown"- though he doesn't actually specify which is which. This
worries me slightly - I still shudder at the thought of the aforementioned
Mr Clough's description of Polish no.1 Jan Tomaszewski in similar terms
shortly before the shot stopper had the night of his life in the Polish side
that drew 1-1 with England in 1973 to stop us qualifying for the following
year's World Cup.
In front of whichever member of Chipperfields Circus (their description not
mine!) is between the sticks, the back four lines up with Sweeney on the
right, long-serving Humphreys on the left with Collins and Nelson in the
middle. Mr C describes the middle pairing as good in the air, not very quick
and possessing an inability to "pass wind" which must be a bit uncomfortable
for them. McCunnie has been known to fill in on the right apparently and he
made an appearance from the bench against Northampton last week.
The midfield, in their preferred 4-4-2 formation, is usually comprised of
former Man Utd youngster Ritchie Jones, on the right, Ben Clark and former
Mackem Gary Liddle in the middle (ho ho) and Matty Robson out on the left.
Robson may be a particular threat according to our friend in the North –
having pace described as "unstoppable" and "a great shot". His crosses do
apparently have a habit of leaving the ground though.
Up front will be top scorer Joel Porter, an import from down-under whose
early days at Victoria Park were blighted by knee problems. He seems to be
something of a favourite up there, and his 15 goals this season in 30 league
and cup matches will have had something to do with that. First name on the
list to partner Porter (ho ho again) would have been James Brown whose goals
get Mr Stelling singing and dancing on Saturday afternoons. Unfortunately
for the home side a knee injury picked up in November has brought a
premature end to the Godfather Of Soul's season. The second striker spot is
therefore likely to be contested between Michael Mackay and David Foley who,
in the words of Mr Creosote are "not very good" and Liam Henderson, who has
recently arrived on a 3 month loan deal from Watford.
As for us, well last week's prediction that we might remain unchanged was
written before a certain ungrateful Welsh idiot threw a hissy fit and
stormed off to add us to the ever increasing number of clubs that he's
fallen out with. Still if the papers are to be believed we may have nearly
doubled our money on an admittedly talented player – dodgy groin and all and
I'd dearly lve to believe that the Fonz will be given all the cash to spend.
One thing is for sure we do need that sort of player alongside Cole (or
Ashton if he ever returns) and it is to be hoped that the names we're being
linked with have Bellamy style pace. In the last round GZ took the
opportunity to give outings to a few squad players and we may see the likes
of Tomkins, Boa-Morte and Spector at some stage, and possibly another few
minutes for Dyer if the game permits.
Predictions? Well for all Mr Creosote's self-deprecation regarding the
Hartlepool squad, this is The Cup which, as page two of the things it's
illegal not to mention list tells us, is a "great leveller". Small ground,
bumper (for them) crowd and the continued high from the dispatch of Stoke in
the last round all mean that this is a potential banana-skin (that's on page
3) of the highest order. Our traditional vulnerability against sides from
lower divisions means that there isn't a Hammer about who won't heave a sigh
of relief should we safely 'negotiate this hurdle' (page 4). We should be
too strong but it is with a nervous twitch that I'll go for a 3-1 to us.
Enjoy the match!
Danger man: Joel Porter – warmed up with a brace against Northampton last
weekend. Though the cup "always throws up unlikely heroes" (page 5).
Look out for: Mr Creosote – who deserves a beer as, without him, I've had
had to do some more research. Just don't offer him a 'waffer thin' mint!
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West Ham warn off Spurs from making new bid for Cole
By Jason Burt
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Independent.co.uk Web
West Ham United have told Tottenham Hotspur not to bother submitting a new
bid to sign the striker Carlton Cole after they immediately rejected an £8m
offer.
The bid was made earlier this month, after which Spurs concentrated their
attention on trying to sign another West Ham player, Craig Bellamy, who
subsequently joined Manchester City for £14m this week.
The West Ham chief executive, Scott Duxbury, said earlier this week that he
does not want to sell the club's best players to Spurs – and rejected four
bids for Bellamy – and has informed them that they will be wasting their
time if they make an improved offer for Cole.
One of Spurs' failed bids for Bellamy included a straight swap for Darren
Bent, but this was dismissed by West Ham. It has been mooted that the
striker may be offered again in return for Cole, who has been a long-term
target at White Hart Lane. West Ham tried to sign Bent before he joined
Spurs but they no longer have any interest in him, while the striker has
also been offered, without success, to Sunderland. Spurs also tried to sell
him to Aston Villa, who have subsequently agreed a £3.5m deal to acquire
Emile Heskey from Wigan Athletic.
West Ham rejected two bids from Sunderland for Cole last summer, including
an offer of £5m, and since then he has signed a new five-year contract,
while his form has improved dramatically under the manager Gianfranco Zola,
a former team-mate when both were players at Chelsea.
Cole has scored five goals in his last five games, and nine in all this
season, and is being monitored by the England manager Fabio Capello, who was
at Upton Park last Sunday when the 25-year-old was man-of-the-match in the
victory over Fulham. Capello is considering Cole as an understudy for Heskey
and has been impressed by recent performances.
West Ham are understandably determined to hold on to Cole, not least because
they have sold Bellamy and promised Zola that he will not lose any more key
players. The manager has also been told that the funds from the Bellamy sale
will be re-invested and West Ham have been in negotiations this week to seal
a club record £10m signing – the fee includes add-ons – of the German
Under-19 international Savio Nsereko from Brescia.
One of his agents, Patrick Bastianelli, who represents Savio in Italy, told
romanews.eu: "At the moment West Ham are in pole position. The situation
could be unlocked next week. Roma were following him, but in the January
market many teams – including Roma – are not entering into transactions."
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Confidence is key
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd January 2009
By: Ben McGowan
I was convinced throughout the 2006/07 'Great Escape' that we wouldn't go
down, that we would beat the drop. We didn't go down then and I have faith
that not all is doom and gloom at West Ham, and that we will not suffer that
fate this season either.
But the reason I write is that I have been both saddened and disgusted in
recent times with regards to the treatment of Luis Boa Morte. Apart from
that infamous Tottenham game last season and his misses in front of goal he
hasn't performed worse than many of our players. I blame Alan Curbishley for
holding him back as a player as Boa Morte likes to play a free style - but
Curbs? Well, need I say more?
I also blame the boo-boys for shattering his confidence in front of goal,
but now Zola has taken charge I am sure I am not the only supporter who has
noticed Boa Morte's play is improving - and it seems only a matter of time
before his confidence is back. He will start scoring goals and producing
more assists providing the boo-boys lay off him – not unlike Carlton Cole
has.
However my worry is this; that as he didn't take the Hull deal, his critics
will get on his back again - which will help neither Boa Morte or the team.
Personally I'm glad he's staying, and hopefully he can stick two fingers up
to all those that boo him, the fans that can't see his potential, at the end
of the season.
When I continued to believe that we would avoid relegation in 2006/07 Boa
Morte was one of the key players that helped us stay up. I think we owe him
a bit of respect – after all, how many other players would continue to give
100%, as Luis does, after being booed so much?
He deserves our patience and I think if we all give him that we will be
rewarded. He has a lot more to offer than we have seen so far, so give the
boy some support, at least until the end of the season.
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3pm Betting Boys: Coach Franco will unleash Cole the goal
The Mirror
By Kevin Price & John Curle 24/01/2009
Hartlepool v WEST HAM
We're rapidly coming under Franco Zola's spell. The West Ham manager has put
a big fat smile back on our faces. A recent run of good results has shot the
Hammers up to eighth in the Premier League while this tie against League One
Hartlepool - 48 places below them in the pecking order - offers real hope of
a fifth round place. But, to be honest, it's not just the results. It's
Zola's dignity, style and common sense that have turned us into great fans.
His han-dling of the Craig Bellamy affair was nothing short of masterful, he
has West Ham playing with pace and purpose and, even better than all that,
when he talks football, he talks sense. He dislikes the transfer window,
saying that a manager/coach should work with the players to make them
better. And boy has he done that with Carlton Cole. Even we were calling
Cole "the Iain Dowie of the 21st Century."
But Zola (above) has restored Cole's confidence, made him a better player
and turned him into a five-goals-in-five-games striker. Hartlepool knocked
out Stoke in round three and will be up for another giant-killing. Fans'
favourite Joel Porter scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Northampton last
week and West Ham will have to keep a careful eye on him. But the Premier
League side are growing in confidence with every game and a reproduction of
the sort of form that put away Fulham should see them ease through.
Our Bet: Carlton Cole to score at any time (13/8, Boylesports).
Tv: Live on ITV1 and Setanta Sports 2, today, 12.40pm.
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Hartlepool v WEST HAM: Di Michele to show Hammers won't miss Bellamy
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 5:00 PM on 23rd January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have no major fresh injury worries ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup
fourth-round match against Coca-Cola League One side Hartlepool.
Striker David Di Michele is pressing for another start after he replaced
Craig Bellamy and scored last week. Midfielder Kieron Dyer has been nursing
a slight muscle strain, but could again feature among the substitutes as his
recovery from a broken leg continues. Striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and
defender Danny Gabbidon (groin) are long-term absentees.
Team (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Stech, Boa Morte, Tristan, Sears, Faubert,
Mullins, Dyer.
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Collison happy working for West Ham boss Zola
24.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Jack Collison is enjoying working with West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola.
"He's been brilliant with me," said Collison. "He's spent a lot of time
working after training on my technique. I'm hoping he's going to teach me a
few free-kicks soon. Mostly he's given me confidence to play."
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West Ham wrapping up £9M Nsereko deal
24.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are wrapping up the £9 million signing of Brescia striker
Savio Nsereko. The Sun says West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has immediately
invested a huge chunk of the £14m received from the sale of Craig Bellamy to
Manchester City. The fee for Ugandan-born Nsereko will top the club record
of £7.5m paid to Liverpool for Bellamy. Zola ran a personal check on the
Brescia star after director of football Gianluca Nani identified the German
Under-19 star. Nani worked with Nsereko, 19, when he was in charge at
Brescia and has gone back to grab one of Europe's emerging talents.
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