WHUFC.com
The Hammers have Middlesbrough standing between them and another step on on
the road to Wembley
25.01.2009
West Ham United have been drawn at home against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup
fifth round with the tie to take place on the weekend of 14/15 February.
The Hammers memorably met Middlesbrough in the 2005/06 semi-final at Villa
Park when Marlon Harewood's solitary 78th-minute strike separated the teams.
That took the three-time winners - in 1964, 1975 and 1980 - through to the
showpiece in Cardiff, where they lost out to Liverpool on penalties after a
3-3 draw.
Gareth Southgate's men will prove a difficult prospect when they arrive in
east London next month - with the two teams drawing 1-1 when they last met
at the Riverside back on 1 November. Boro are also due at the Boleyn Ground
on 24 May for the last Barclays Premier League meeting of the season.
The draw - conducted by Gary Mabbutt and Gary Pallister - was conducted at
FA headquarters at Soho Square, London. The Hammers had earned their place
after a professional 2-0 win at League One side Hartlepool United on
Saturday lunchtime.
The winners of the tie will enter the sixth round on 7/8 March. The
semi-finals are due to take place at Wembley on Saturday 18 April. The final
will take place at the famous old stadium on Saturday 30 May.
Fifth-round draw
Sheffield United v Hull City
Watford v Chelsea
West Ham United v Middlesbrough
Sunderland or Blackburn v Coventry
Derby County or Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
Swansea City v Fulham
Liverpool or Everton v Doncaster Rovers or Aston Villa
Cardiff or Arsenal v West Brom or Burnley
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FA Cup: Hammers to face 'Boro
WHUFC.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will play Middlesbrough at the Boleyn Ground in the fifth
round of the FA Cup.
West Ham, number five in the pot were the fifth team drawn out of the hat by
former 'Boro defender Gary Pallister; ex-Spurs hero Gary Mabbutt picking the
away teams.
The Hammers, unbeaten in their last four meetings with Middlesbrough last
lost at home to the Teesiders back in 1999 when a second half Brian Deane
strike was enough to seperate the sides.
But somewhat more memorably, the last meeting between the two sides in this
competition came just two years ago when Marlon Harewood's volley was enough
to win an action-packed semi-final 1-0 at Villa Park.
The teams have only met on three other occasions in the FA Cup - firstly in
February 1912 when the Hammers saw 'Boro off after a replay at the Boleyn
Ground and then in 1969 when 'Boro scored their only competition win against
United thanks to a 2-1 win at Ayresome Park - a game most notable for Bobby
Moore and Billy Bonds sarcastically clapping the officials off the pitch
after three key decisions went against Ron Greenwood's side.
All ties will be played on the weekend of 14th February.
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Hammers confirm Savio talks
Nani close to Brescia deal, but no Balotelli
Last updated: 26th January 2009
SSN
West Ham United director of football Gianluca Nani has confirmed that the
club are set to sign Savio Nsereko, but not Mario Balotelli. The Hammers
have been tracking youngster Nsereko for a number weeks and now look ready
to pounce ahead of the likes of Napoli and Roma.
It is widely reported that West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola will pay around
£9million for Ugandan-born Nsereko - who is a German youth international. He
began his career with 1860 Munich, before he was snapped up by Brescia as a
16-year-old, and Nani played a major role in landing him as he was working
for the Italian club at the time. Nani has now returned to his former club
to broker the move for the 19-year-old forward, although he was quick to
again dismiss links with a loan move for Inter Milan starlet Mario
Balotelli. "We are working on Savio of Brescia, and we are well advanced,"
confirmed Nani to Mediaset. "We have never talked to anyone about Balotelli,
if we have Savio in place then that could be us done in January."
Savio's agent Patrick Bastianelli expects the deal to West Ham to go through
soon. "The player is very close to West Ham," he admitted to the Italian
press over the weekend. "Savio will go away soon, and the boy is happy to
find Zola, a great coach and with him he will only embrace an important
technical programme from which he will only grow and improve. "West Ham have
accelerated the negotiations."
It has been suggested that West Ham would need to sell before buying during
the window, but it now appears Zola has been given full backing by the
club's hierarchy. Reports also suggest that Zola's wish to keep the likes of
Robert Green, Scott Parker and Matthew Upson will come true, with new deals
set to be offered to the trio.
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Vinny's Hartlepool Report
Vinny - Sun Jan 25 2009
West Ham Online
FA Cup 4th Round
Hartlepool United 0 West Ham United 2
A professional and efficient performance saw West Ham cruise into the next
round of the FA Cup as any talk of an 'upset' found itself diminished by
half time. Goals from Valon Behrami and Mark Noble were enough to secure the
victory as West Ham recorded their fifth win in the last six games.
There was never a time during the game where I thought we would concede and
we looked very comfortable throughout. I don't know if I am the only one but
I thought it was a lot easier than had been initially thought with
Hartlepool really hyping the game up.
It was a flat performance from our opponents who tried to play football on
the floor when in a cup tie like this a more direct approach would have had
a little more success. We bossed the majority of the game and although we
sat back in the second half Hartlepool only managed one attempt on goal and
that was saved well by Robert Green.
Gianfranco Zola had said before the game that he intended to play a strong
team and he kept to his word with only a few changes to personnel made.
In defence Matthew Upson was rested and replaced by James Tomkins. At right
back Julien Faubert came in for Lucas Neill who was on the bench.
The midfield and attack were unchanged from the side which beat Fulham last
weekend. This saw David Di Michele keep his place in the side.
We started in confident fashion with the possession of the ball being mainly
ours. The first ten minutes we controlled the game without having any
meaningful shots on goal. A good attempt from Mark Noble from just outside
the area was decent but it went wide.
With no early goal, the hosts began to settle and started to compete. They
were hardworking and lively which is to be expected of every lower league
club. We were finding it difficult to keep the ball in attacking areas and
our final ball was often the wrong one.
Hartlepool came close to taking the lead when a corner was swung in for
Michael Mackay to rise and head towards goal only for Scott Parker to clear
off the line.
A few moments later a half chance presented its was for the 'Monkey Hangers'
as Andy Monkhouse got into the area and past Parker only for his left foot
shot to go well wide when he should have at least got it on target.
This gave the home side something to get excited about and the atmosphere
became a little more lively. Our problem at this junction of the game is
that we were looking to play the long ball to Cole who was penalised every
time he went up for the ball which led to a stern telling off from the
referee.
It was a little frustrating to see us deploy this tactic when if we kept the
ball on the ground (which is what we are good at) we would have had much
more success as Hartlepool did not like the quick attacking football
especially down the flanks which seemed unoccupied.
The game found its bite on the pitch after a goal mouth incident which
sparked a brawl. The ball was rolling towards the Hartlepool keeper
Lee-Barrett with other defenders around and Carlton Cole went in hard on the
keeper which sparked fury with the Hartlepool defenders.
They all surrounded Cole who was on the ground as the keeper screamed at him
as if he had killed his child. Ilunga came racing over and got involved
although this was only to protect his team mate. I found it funny that they
were all having a pop at Cole who was grounded. I would have loved to see
them do it if he was actually standing up. I would think they would have
been a lot more muted if they were standing toe to toe with him.
Somehow Ilunga and Cole were the only ones to receive yellow cards. Cole I
could understand for the initial incident but Ilunga's reaction was no worse
than any of the Hartlepool's players.
With half time fast approaching it seemed as though we were going to be held
at 0-0 which would have only given Hartlepool confidence. That confidence
was to be ripped out of the home side as over two minutes we crushed
Hartlepool's cup dream.
Di Michele had drifted out to the left to find some space and the ball was
given to him. The Italian moved towards the area and rolled the ball square
for Jack Collison. The young Welsh international tried to trick his way past
multiple defenders and the ball broke for Valon Behrami who scored with a
very neat finish.
Although it was a fortunate break of the ball the finish was still sublime
as the Swiss international scored his second goal of the season.
To have stole a goal so late in the half would only go to hurt their
confidence but to score another one before that half time whistle
effectively ended the game as a contest.
The second goal came from a penalty which was fortunate of course as the
offence too place outside the area. When I saw it for the first time I was
screaming penalty, and the ref also had that split second to make the call.
Although it was the wrong one, no one has commented on the offence which was
a deliberate handball to stop a goal scoring opportunity which should have
been a red card in my opinion.
But a penalty was good enough and Mark Noble stepped up for the third time
this season and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way.
The second half was a different game as we basically said to Hartlepool "do
your worst". Depsite us controlling the possession the first ten minutes of
the half it was the home side who had a lot of the ball and tried to get
forward and find a way back into the game.
Try as they might it was a struggle for them to get anything goal with the
center halves Collins and Tomkins playing really well. What helped them was
the immense Scott Parker who seemed to always be there to get in a tackle.
Just after the hour mark that big chance for the league one side came when a
cross into the area from the left found Gary Liddle who head powerfully at
goal only for Green to tip the ball over the bar. It was a great chance but
the header needed to be anywhere but straight at Green.
A half chance fell to Ritchie Jones who saw his shot go over the bar after
he was gifted possession from a poor header from Scott Parker.
As an attacking force we didn't threat often but we did have a great chance
to seal the victory. A superb first time pass from Di Michele saw Cole break
the offside trap and advance on the goal. The striker shaped himself and
took his shot which seemed to bounce off the keeper then the defender and
onto the post.
This was to be Cole's last chance to score a goal as he came off to be
replaced by Freddie Sears. I think he needed to come off as just moments
before he did he was involved again in an incident with the keeper and he
clattered into him again.
Cole received many boo's from the Hartlepool fans as he trudged off slowly
clapping everyone for their hospitality.
The last ten minutes saw Sears have a half chance which he fired over the
bar and there were a number of moments for Boa Morte to pick out a pass in
the area but the lack of runners and poor decision making made this
impossible.
Through to the next round of the FA Cup was our only goal and this was
achieved.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
His kicking was pretty poor and I felt their was no need for this because
the pitch looked quite good. In terms of saves he did have to make one smart
stop in the second half but it was a easy day at the office.
Julian Faubert
Even in a game where we were playing lower league opposition and were
comfortable he still looked the weak link. He kept trying to cross the ball
with power which always led to the opposition receiving the ball. He looked
like a player who just doesn't want to be here.
James Tomkins
When playing a side like Hartlepool the physical battle is always going to
be one which needs to be won. This is a part of the game I was eager to see
Tomkins display and I thought he acquitted himself well. He looked shaky in
the early stages but got better and better as the game when on.
James Collins
Excellent display from Collins who was one of our best players out there.
The only blemish on his performance was a booking in the second half which
was one of the worst decisions I have seen by a ref in a while. I didn't
understand the card then and I still don't.
Herita Ilunga
Another all round performance from Ilunga. He can attack, he can defend. He
does them both well and is a player we must sign up soon.
Valon Behrami
Never did I think when he signed that his work rate would be a major part of
his game but this was another display of how much work this man puts in. He
saved Faubert a number of times with his tracking back and also managed to
score a good goal.
Mark Noble
This midfield system is bringing out the best in Noble who is given the
freedom to move forward and try and make things happen. A decent effort on
goal in the first half was something I want to see more of from Noble when
getting forward. Scored another penalty and it was again struck with
confidence.
Scott Parker
Man of the match for most people, and he did play very well. Always gives
100% and went in for every challenge he could. Controlled the midfield and
although Hartlepool had identified him as a threat they were unable to do
anything about him.
Jack Collison
Of all the midfielders he was the most subdued. Again playing on the left
saw him have to take extra touches on the ball and when he drifted inside he
was often crowded out.
Carlton Cole
No goals for Cole despite coming close on a couple of occasions. This was a
pleasing performance though as he got involved and put himself about. It was
good to see him use his size and physical presence to rough the opposition
up a little.
David Di Michele
In and out of the game but when he did get the ball he did make some very
handy passes. Had a big part to play in the first goal and his pass for
Cole's chance in the second half was sublime.
Subs Used
Luis Boa Morte (on for Collison 65 mins)
Played with his usual intensity when he came on but he was poor when in
possession. His decision making when picking out a pass as it has always
been at West Ham was not good.
Hayden Mullins (on for Di Michele 75 mins)
On to give us another body in midfield. Gave his all.
Freddie Sears (on for Cole 78 mins)
Had one chance shortly after coming on but the shot went well over the bar.
Muscled out of the remainder of the game.
Subs Not Used:Stech, Neill, Spector, Tristan.
Att: 6,849
Overall
The FA Cup is something that Gianfranco Zola has said that he is taking very
seriously and this what we should all be thinking. It is simply our only
remaining chance at winning a trophy and although it would be very tough to
do so it is not impossible.
Next up is Hull City on Wednesday night at Upton Park. We were poor against
Hull earlier in the season as we lost 1-0. That day we looked poor all over
the pitch with little creativity or skill. Since then we have improved all
over the pitch and look a different team.
Things have come together and we are heading the right direction. We must
keep this up on Wednesday night in a very winnable game. Another win would
really see us looking above us instead of down and take us into the Arsenal
and Manchester United games with some real confidence.
Franco's Feelings
"It was the result we were looking for and we are pleased. "It wasn't,
especially in the second half, a brilliant performance, but maybe we thought
we wanted to keep it that way and not risk too much. "But it was a great
result. That's what we wanted and it was very professional."
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Mullins Is Main Man for Adams
The Sun
By VIC HOLLY
Published: Today
HAYDEN MULLINS will become the latest player to quit West Ham by joining
Portsmouth in a cut-price £1million deal. Pompey have agreed a fee with the
cash-strapped Hammers to bring Mullins to Fratton Park as boss Tony Adams'
third signing of the transfer window. The ex-England Under-21 midfielder
travelled down to the south coast to tie up a three-year deal. Mullins, 29,
has hit four goals in 178 games since moving to Upton Park from Crystal
Palace for £800,000 in 2003. But he has grown frustrated after being
restricted to only five Premier League starts this season. Adams has moved
quickly to strengthen his squad after Saturday's humiliating 2-0 FA Cup
fourth-round defeat at home to Championship outfit Swansea. The Pompey boss
sees Mullins as an ideal replacement for Lassana Diarra following the
Frenchman's move to Real Madrid.
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West Ham ease past Hartlepool to side-step potential banana skin
Hartlepool 0 West Ham 2
The Times
Graham Chase at Victoria Park
West Ham United are used to living with a sense that crisis could strike at
any time, yet Gianfranco Zola, the manager, continues to rise above the
uncertainties and has steered his team to a six-match unbeaten run. The
present worry is that, like Craig Bellamy, the insistence that Scott Parker
will not be sold to Manchester City will be followed quickly by him posing
in a sky blue shirt. Having had four clubs in five years, the midfield
player is in familiar territory, but said: "If someone rings me and says,
'We're selling you', then I can't do anything about that. But I'm enjoying
myself and feel I'm playing some good stuff."
The match was settled in a two-minute period just before half-time when
Valon Behrami struck through a crowd of bodies and, in added time, a
penalty, converted by Mark Noble, was awarded for Michael Nelson's handball,
even though the Hartlepool United captain was outside the area. Ben Clark,
the Hartlepool defender, said: "Although the referee got that wrong, West
Ham deserved to win."
Hartlepool United (4-4-2): A Lee-Barrett 6 — A Sweeney 7, M Nelson 6, B
Clark 6, R Humphreys 6 — A Monkhouse 7, R Jones 7 (sub: D Foley, 85min), G
Liddle 6, B Robson 6 — M Mackay 6 (sub: L Henderson, 56 6), J Porter 7.
Substitutes not used: J Budtz, J McCunnie, S Collins, A Power, J Rowell.
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 6 — J Faubert 5, J Collins 5, J Tomkins 6,
H Ilunga 6 — V Behrami 7, S Parker 7, M Noble 8, J Collison 6 (sub: L Boa
Morte, 64 5) — C Cole 6 (sub: F Sears, 78), D Di Michele 7 (sub: H Mullins,
75). Substitutes not used: M Stech, L Neill, J Spector, D Tristán. Booked:
Cole, Ilunga, Collins.
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West Ham midfielder Mullins set for £2m Pompey switch
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:56 PM on 25th January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins is set for a move to Portsmouth. The
club's have agreed a £2million fee for the former Crystal Palace man, who
will have a Fratton Park medical upon agreeing personal terms. The former
Crystal Palace midfielder has been told he can leave Upton Park as part of
the cost-cutting measures forced on Gianfranco Zola. Portsmouth are likely
to complete a deal on Monday, as manager Tony Adams sees Mullins as a
replacement for Lassana Diarra.
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The Golden Clasp
Just Like My Dreams
Ah, financial collapse, spirally debt, conspicuous greed, scorned lovers and
sordid exhibitionism; spiritual and literal human frailty laid bare on a
licentious platter of poorly researched, badly written tabloid journalism.
Sunday, truly is, the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the
week...
West Ham will offer new deals to Scott Parker, Robert Green and Matthew
Upson to secure their long-term futures at Upton Park. The News of the World
claims the contracts for Parker and Green will come into immediate effect
while negotiations with Upson will take place at the end of the season.
Displaying an alarming amount of inside knowledge, the article insists
keeper Green, 29, will sign a three-year extension of his current deal and
slightly improve his basic £25,000-a-week salary. While Parker, 28, gets a
two-year extension on his current £50,000 deal, struck in the heady days
when former chairman Eggert Magnusson was controlling the purse strings.
That will take the England midfielder through to 32 but with the terms
remaining the same. The club will wait until the end of the season until
they sit down and discuss a potential new deal with Upson.
Rob Shepherd believes Green and Parker will have success-related bonuses
inserted as part of the club's new strategic policy of streamlining their
excessive wage bill. It will allow Gianfranco Zola to plan for the future
without the fear of seeing his leading players sold off. The ability of the
Hammers to secure the services of Green and Parker will enhance the club's
insistence they can withstand the consequences of the collapse of owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's business empire.
While the Hammers have sold Matthew Etherington, loaned Lee Bowyer to
Birmingham and expect both Calum Davenport and Julian Faubert to leave, they
have also handed long-term deals to Carlton Cole and midfielder Jack
Collison. Shepherd states it is all part of the club's new planning, aimed
at reducing the core playing squad to 20, bringing down the wage bill and
nurturing new, young talent. The policy will help reduce debts which now
stand at around £42million having risen to nearly £50million before
Christmas, while also making the club more attractive to a potential new
buyer.
West Ham is still up for sale but Gudmundsson is holding out for at least
£150million. His business liabilities will be reviewed by a court in Iceland
in March but West Ham remain adamant that, such is the structure of the
club, it can't be forced into administration. An insider is quoted as
saying: "Gudmundsson has told the board to carry on running the club. They
can't go to him for any more money but the income stream is strong enough to
keep the club running smoothly."
That belief, claims the paper, has been enhanced by re-investing most of the
£14million received from Manchester City for Craig Bellamy in 19-year-old
German wonderkid 'Savio Nserkeko' from Italian club Brescia. Of course, that
is Savio Nsereko to you and me, but who am I to quibble with such a fine
journal. Nserkeko (just go with it) will be formally unveiled by the club
tomorrow. His fee is eventually expected rise to £10million, blusters the
article, which would make him the club's record signing, eclipsing the
£7million spent on Dean Ashton three years ago (not to mention the
£7.5million we subsequently spent on Craig Bellamy!). The paper also
believes the club is weighing up a move for Fiorintina's Italian under-21
forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. If that name sounds familiar, by the way, then
it might be because it is the same Pablo Daniel Osvaldo who only last week
publicly snubbed the Hammers when he signed for Bologna. It was obviously a
rough night for somebody over at the News of the World offices.
The same paper reveals Portsmouth hope to tie up a deal for Real Madrid's
Javier Saviola when the Argentina star's agent arrives in England tomorrow.
The striker has been given the all-clear to leave the Spanish giants.
Saviola, 24, is furious he has only started just once for Real this season
and says the situation is "intolerable". He said: "I expressed to our coach
Juande Ramos that I needed to play. I even said that if I wasn't part of his
plans, that he should tell the management to let me leave in the January
transfer window because this situation is intolerable. I'm going through a
very tough time." The article then credits West Ham United, Everton and
Newcastle United as other interested parties. Speaking of the Geordies,
another snippet contained elsewhere states Joe Kinnear is thinking about
renewing his interest in Lucas Neill, while Sunderland are said to be
weighing up a move for Calum Davenport.
Speaking of Davenport, the Sunday Mirror decided to dredge up the story of
how the defender had a monumental bust-up with Gianfranco Zola when he was
omitted from the side to play Stoke after the 4-1 Boxing Day win at
Portsmouth. Zola explained that it was purely down to tactical reasons that
he changed personnel for the visit by Stoke. Davenport was livid and made
his protests clear. The article states Zola informed him that he would never
play for the Hammers again and the humiliation didn't end there for
Davenport. He was axed from the first-team squad and forced to train with
the kids. All of which is to say, the paper agrees that Davenport is now
poised to join Sunderland in a £3million deal.
Further raking through the more salacious aspects of the club's business,
the Mirror also claims Craig Bellamy had a massive fall-out with West Ham
after they refused to pay for his chauffeur. Bellamy, who was earning
£65,000 a week at Upton Park demanded that the club should pay £35,000 a
year to his driver. West Ham steadfastly refused to give in to his demands
prior to his exit to Manchester City last week. The Wales star did a
dramatic U- turn after demanding to go to Tottenham. When the Hammers
refused even to entertain a bid from their London rivals it took Bellamy
less than five minutes to tell City boss Mark Hughes he was on his way to
Eastlands instead. Bellamy hit the jackpot by landing an £85,000-a-week
contract and getting City to pay for his driver.
Over at the People, Gianfranco Zola is linked with making a move for
Middlesbrough right back Matthew Bates to replace Captain Neill. The article
states Zola's spies have singled out the Boro defender, who is a free agent
at the end of the season. They suggest Bates could join the club in the
summer, if Aussie star Neill leaves, but the deal could yet happen in this
window. It is believed Neill can leave Upton Park for around £2million and
if a buyer comes in Boro have enough cover in his position to let the
22-year-old Bates go. If you are anything like me then the one thing you
will know about young Master Bates (snigger) is that the poor lad hit the
tabloid headlines in 2006 when private photographs of him were posted on the
internet. Worryingly, one of which showed him wearing a pair of skimpy
briefs and another squatting in front of a mirror with an erect penis. It is
understood that he had taken the pictures himself over a period of months
for the benefit of his then girlfriend. For those curious male readers who
are particularly comfortable with their sexuality, you can view the
offending photos here. For those female readers... oh, you've already made
the jump haven't you?
Another random nugget comes courtesy of Sky Sports News, where an interview
with Mick McCarthy revealed United, Leicester City and Bolton are in a
tug-o-war over unsettled Wolves winger Mark Davies, 20. The exciting
prospect, currently out on loan at League One table-toppers Leicester, was
left out of the Foxes' squad for Saturday's home game with Huddersfield.
"We've had bids for Mark," said McCarthy. "We actually want to keep him and
have offered him a new deal but he doesn't want to stay and has put in a
transfer request." Telford-born Davies was considered a superb prospect when
he first broke through from the Wolves Academy four years ago. He was rated
as the club's best home-grown product since Robbie Keane by then Wolves
Academy director Chris Evans, who is now on the coaching staff at Bolton
with Gary Megson. Davies did well when handed his first-team chance under
Glenn Hoddle, becoming almost a regular over the latter half of the 2005/06
season. "It's kind of sad that he sees his future elsewhere but, if the deal
is correct, then we'll do it," admitted McCarthy.
Elsewhere, various media reports have Kieron Dyer's latest comeback stalling
again. The West Ham midfield man hoped to be on the bench for the 2-0 FA Cup
win over Hartlepool but is back on the treatment table with a calf problem
after lasting only 38 minutes of a reserve match against Fulham last
Tuesday. Dyer, 30, has made two fleeting substitute appearances this month
after 17 months out, having broken his leg just weeks after his £6million
move from Newcastle. Now, nearly every credible source is saying the player
needs an operation and is expected to be out for a further 2 months. The
News of the World, on the other hand, think the setback will be far less
painful. They quote a club insider as saying: "It's not an uncommon reaction
after a long time out. He'll need 10 days' rest." Despite the deep
misgivings already expressed in this post about the standards of reporting
in that particular publication, I reserve the right to believe them when it
suits me. Besides, until it is confirmed one way or the other in the Mail,
nothing is gospel.
Finally, as I finish writing this, the Daily Mail are claiming Hayden
Mullins is set for a move to Portsmouth. The club's have reportedly agreed a
£2million fee for the former Crystal Palace man, who will have a Fratton
Park medical upon agreeing personal terms. The article states Mullins has
been told he can leave Upton Park as part of the cost-cutting measures
forced on Gianfranco Zola (or maybe just part of Zola's stated preference
for a smaller squad), while Tony Adams sees Mullins as a replacement for
Lassana Diarra. In which case, I suggest somebody check Tony hasn't been
adding a little "extra something" to his Gatorade again.
Posted by Trilby at 11:50
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Hartlepool 0 West Ham 2: Noble insists that Parker must stay with Hammers
By Colin Young
Last updated at 9:17 PM on 25th January 2009
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola won the FA Cup in his first season as a player in England
and now his West Ham squad are starting to believe he could do the same as a
manager. But first the Italian is praying he can keep his squad together to
give him a fighting chance of more Cup glory and, more importantly, Premier
League survival. In the week of Craig Bellamy's departure, West Ham produced
a thoroughly professional performance against Hartlepool, who were able to
match the slick passing of their higher-ranked opponents but not the two
clinical goals which sealed West Ham's place in the fifth round. West Ham
killed the tie in two devastating minutes at the end of the first half.
First, Valon Behrami pounced to punish hesitancy in the Hartlepool back four
and thrash a low shot past Arran Lee-Barrett. Then Mark Noble made it 2-0
from the spot after referee Lee Mason judged Michael Nelson had handled
Julien Faubert's pass. The offence looked outside the box.
Noble, the beneficiary of Mason's mistake, is growing into an influential
midfielder under Zola's guidance but the England Under 21 is also benefiting
from the classy presence of Scott Parker, who West Ham have prevented thus
far from joining Bellamy at Manchester City.
Noble is hoping it stays that way. 'He just sits there, gets the play going,
makes tackles, takes responsibility all the time,' he said. 'We pass a lot
to each other. He is very important to us.'
Parker himself added: 'Everything is out of my hands. If someone rings me
tomorrow and says we're selling you I can't do anything about that.'
There was no second top-flight scalp for Hartlepool in their centenary year,
after the third-round win over Stoke, but they have won plenty of admirers
for their style of football. The priority is League One survival but those
hopes will be dented by the loss of first-team coach Ian Butterworth, who
has been given permission to talk to Norwich about becoming Bryan Gunn's
assistant. Defender Ben Clark conceded the home side had their eyes on a
goalless first half before the crushing double blow. 'We thought we were
comfortable and that's why those lads are playing in the Premier League,' he
said.'They punished us and we were devastated at half-time. It would have
been bad enough being one down.'
West Ham striker Carlton Cole was fortunate a second late challenge on
Lee-Barrett did not result in a second yellow card. But Clark said: 'We
played together for England youths and I know there was no malice. We'd be
disappointed if our strikers didn't go in for the ball like that.'
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25 cigs a day Julien Faubert's career's up in smoke
The Mirror
Edited By David James, sundaymirror.co.uk 25/01/2009
It must have been the fag end for Julien Faubert when he discovered his West
Ham days were almost over. The Frenchman, 25, was described as "a flying
winger" when he joined in a £7million deal from Bordeaux in July 2007. He
wasn't helped by injuries, but he never lit up the Premier League and is now
being linked with a potential escape route out by Nantes. However, Faubert
did light up 25 cigarettes a day - a habit that dismayed the Hammers'
coaching and medical staff. They did offer Faubert help in ditching his
habit. Unfortunately, he failed to respond and his Upton Park career seems
to have gone up in smoke.
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Hayden Mullins Off to Portsmouth?
West Ham Till I Die
The Daily Mail, [irony] our favourite newspaper of record [/irony], is
reporting that West Ham and Portsmouth have agreed a £2 million fee for
Hayden Mullins to move to the South Coast. I'm not sure whether to be happy
with this news or not. Mullins has always been a reliable performer and
while he's not the most skilful player, he never lets you down. However, we
do have a surfeit of central midfield players so maybe we can afford to lose
him. The fee seems about right for a player of his age who is not a first
team regular.
If he does go, I hope we're all united in wishing him well.
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West Ham set to sign Savio Nsereko
Hartlepool (0) 0 West Ham United (2) 2
Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson and Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 12:35AM GMT 26 Jan 2009
West Ham are poised to complete a club record £10 million deal for Brescia's
German striker Savio Nsereko as they move to strengthen their attacking
options after Craig Bellamy's move to Manchester City. Nsereko, born in
Uganda, is 19 and playing in Serie B, but is well regarded by West Ham
manager Gianfranco Zola and technical director Gianluca Nani.
Such a fee would beat the previous club record of £7.5m that was spent on
Bellamy, while West Ham are expected to continue off-loading some of their
squad players by finalising the sale of Hayden Mullins to Portsmouth within
the next 48 hours. Zola has also been boosted by fresh indications from
Scott Parker that he is willing to commit his future to the club.
The England midfielder spoke out as it emerged his club was set to offer him
a new two-year extension to his £50,000-per-week deal after turning down
bids from Manchester City. "Do I see my long-term future at West Ham? Yes,"
Parker said. "The team are playing well under the new management and with
the lads here, we've got something that's really good. I'm happy, I'm
enjoying myself and I feel I'm playing some good stuff."
Parker, 28, underlined his worth with an outstanding display at Victoria
Park, but admitted his destiny might not be in his own hands. "I'm owned by
West Ham and I get paid by West Ham," he said. "I want to play football and
that's it, everything else is out of my hands. If someone rings me tomorrow
and says, 'We're selling you', I can't do anything about that."
Parker said he was sad to see Bellamy leave for City. "When someone of his
ability leaves you're going to miss him," he said. "I know the way he left
was not on good terms."
West Ham moved into an unassailable position against League One Hartlepool
when Valon Behrami's opener was quickly followed by Mark Noble's spot-kick
after Michael Nelson was penalised for handball. "It was outside the box,"
said Hartlepool centre-half Ben Clark.
He also defended Carlton Cole after fans demanded his dismissal following a
lunge on goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett. "Carlton's a real handful but there
was no malice from him," he said.
Match details
Hartlepool United: Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys,
Monkhouse, Jones (Foley 85), Liddle, Robson, Mackay (Henderson 56), Porter.
Subs:Budtz, McCunnie, Collins, Power, Rowell.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Collins, Tomkins, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Collison (Boa Morte 64), Cole (Sears 78), Di Michele (Mullins 75).
Subs:Stech, Neill, Spector, Tristan.
Booked: Cole, Ilunga, Collins.
Goals: Behrami 44, Noble 45 pen.
Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker: Man City's Bellamy not welcome at West Ham
26.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker admits Craig Bellamy left the club
on bad terms. Along with the signing of Bellamy, Manchester City are also
keen on Parker, but he says: "Craig hasn't been calling me to come up and I
don't think that would be welcome to be fair. "I'd advise him not to. The
way he left wasn't on good terms but this is football and that's life. "Now
we just have to look forward and obviously try to forget about Craig and
push on. I am owned by West Ham. I want to play and that's it. Everything
else is out of my hands. "If someone rings me tomorrow and says 'we're
selling you', they are selling me so I can't do anything about it. But I'm
enjoying myself and I feel that I am playing some good stuff along with
everyone else. "If people are going to talk, people are going to talk.
That's just the way it is. "I honestly think that with the manager we've
got, given time, we can push on and do something really good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble: Parker must stay with West Ham
26.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble says it's crucial they keep Scott
Parker. "He just sits there, gets the play going, makes tackles, takes
responsibility all the time," he said. "We pass a lot to each other. He is
very important to us." Parker himself added: "Everything is out of my hands.
If someone rings me tomorrow and says we're selling you I can't do anything
about that."
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Portsmouth wrapping up deal for West Ham's Mullins
26.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Portsmouth are in talks for West Ham United midfielder Hayden Mullins. The
Daily Mail says the club's have agreed a £2million fee for the former
Crystal Palace man, who will have a Fratton Park medical upon agreeing
personal terms. The former Crystal Palace midfielder has been told he can
leave Upton Park as part of the cost-cutting measures forced on Gianfranco
Zola. Portsmouth are likely to complete a deal on Monday, as manager Tony
Adams sees Mullins as a replacement for Lassana Diarra.
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