WHUFC.com
All of the team news ahead of Wednesday night's Barclays Premier League match in east London
27.01.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Hull City
Boleyn Ground
Wednesday 28 January
8pm
Referee: Howard Webb
• West Ham United welcome Phil Brown's Hull City for the club's 12th home match of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season.
• United have won five home league matches (Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Stoke City and Fulham), drawn one (Portsmouth) and lost five (Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa).
• The Hammers go into the match on an unbeaten run of six matches in all competitions. It is now well over a month since they last lost, unluckily going down 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League on 20 December. Since then, Gianfranco Zola's team have beaten Portsmouth (4-1), Stoke City (2-1) and Fulham (3-1), drawn with Newcastle United (2-2) and knocked Barnsley (3-0) and Hartlepool United (2-0) out of the FA Cup.
• Zola said: "It's going to be a tough game because Hull City, especially when they are away from home, are well-organised and tough to beat so it will require a special performance from us. The squad is confident. The team is playing well. They now know their qualities and their capacities and I'm sure they will play a good game."
• Hull City manager Phil Brown is considering handing starts to Jimmy Bullard - a new £5m signing from Fulham - and Andy Dawson, who impressed in the FA Cup win over Millwall on Saturday. Brown said: "The selection problems I've got are a headache for every manager in the Premier League and I'm looking forward to the challenge. We've got 16 or 17 cup finals and if I get the team right for half-a-dozen of those, we will come away with the spoils and we'll be a Premier League team next season."
• Zola's side go into the contest match in eighth place in the Premier League table. A win could lift the Hammers above Wigan Athletic into seventh position should the Latics lose at home to Liverpool.
• The game is Hull City's first visit to the Boleyn Ground since 6 October 1990, when West Ham United ran out 7-1 winners. That match is famous for featuring the only goal scored by Steve Potts in 505 league and cup matches for the club.
• The Tigers' visit is the tenth of West Ham United's 23 Premier League matches to be screened live on television. Tonight's fixture will be shown live by Sky Sports.
• This is the 34th league meeting between the two sides. Hull City have won 13, West Ham United have won nine and there have been eleven draws.
• West Ham United will next be in action when they head to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal Saturday 31 January. Hull City will host West Bromwich Albion at the KC Stadium the same day.
Referee
• Tonight's referee is Howard Webb. The 37-year-old is among the most highly-rated officials in the Premier League, having been appointed to take control of a series of high-profile matches already this season.
• Webb, a police sergeant, took up refereeing in the Rotherham Leagues in 1989 before moving up to the Northern Counties East League (1993), Football League (1996) and Premier League (1998), originally as an assistant referee. He was appointed to the Select List of Premier League referees in 2003 and as a FIFA official in 2005.
• Webb has taken control of a host of important fixtures including the 2005 Community Shield, the 2006 FA Trophy final (held at the Boleyn Ground), the 2007 Carling Cup final and the Euro 2008 matches between Austria and Poland and Greece and Spain.
• So far this season, Webb has also been appointed to take control of a host of important Premier League matches, including: Liverpool v Manchester United; Chelsea v Liverpool; Arsenal v Manchester United; Manchester City v Manchester United; Arsenal v Liverpool; Manchester United v Chelsea and Liverpool v Everton.
• Webb dismissed Mark Noble in the only other West Ham United match he has refereed this season, a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last August.
• Webb was the referee who sent-off West Ham United's Hayden Mullins and Liverpool's Luis Garcia in a Premier League match at the Boleyn Ground in April 2006, causing both to miss the subsequent FA Cup final between the two sides.
Last time out
Saturday 24 January 2009
FA Cup fourth round
Hartlepool United 0-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Collins, Tomkins, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison (Boa Morte 64), Cole (Sears 78), Di Michele (Mullins 75)
Subs not used: Stech, Neill, Spector, Tristan
Booked: Cole, Ilunga, Collins
Goals: Behrami 44, Noble 45 (pen)
Saturday 24 January 2009
FA Cup fourth round
Hull City 2-0 Millwall
Hull City: Warner, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Garcia, Ashbee, Marney, Halmosi (Featherstone 66), Cousin, Manucho (Folan 75)
Subs not used: Duke, Doyle, Geovanni, France, Mendy
Booked: Folan
Goals: Turner 15, Ashbee 84
West Ham United
• In-form striker Carlton Cole has scored five goals in his last six matches in all competitions. He is West Ham United's leading scorer this season with nine goals.
• West Ham United's biggest ever home win over Hull City came in the shape of a 7-1 success on the Tigers last visit to the Boleyn Ground on 6 October 1990. That day, Julian Dicks and Jimmy Quinn scored twice while Steve Potts, George Parris and Trevor Morley were also on target. Ian Hockaday scored Hull's only goal.
• Valon Behrami had won more free-kicks, with 57, than any other player in the Premier League this season before the current midweek round of matches. A caution for Behrami on Wednesday would mean an automatic one-match ban that would rule him out of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday week.
Hull City
• Hull City have lost their last five Premier League matches, going down to Arsenal, Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Sunderland. In all, Hull have won just one of their last 13 league matches - a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough on 6 December.
• However, Phil Brown's side are still in the FA Cup and face a fifth-round tie at home to Sheffield United after beating Millwall 2-0 at the KC Stadium on Saturday. They had previously knocked out Newcastle United in the third round. It is the first time Hull have reached the last-16 since 1989.
• Hull City defender Michael Turner, who scored the Tigers' winner in their 1-0 win over West Ham United at the KC Stadium earlier this season, has made more defensive clearances (71) and blocks (24) than any other Premier League player this season
• Hull City have committed more fouls, 305, than any other Premier League team.
• Hull City's players have been caught offside more times, 94, than any other Premier League team.
• Manager Brown has been active in the January transfer window, bringing in Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard for £5m, Wigan Athletic winger Kevin Kilbane for an undisclosed fee and Manchester United's Angolan forward Manucho on loan. Hull have also secured the services of Guinea international defender Kamil Zayatte, who was formerly at the club on a season-long loan, on a permanent contract for a £2.5m fee.
• Hull City's have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground. Their last victory came in the shape of a 2-1 Second Division victory on 20 January 1990. Neil Buckley and Andy Payton were on target for the Tigers, while Trevor Morley scored West Ham United's consolation goal. Hull's only other success in east London came with a 2-1 Second Division win on 29 December 1934.
Team News
• Gianfranco Zola could recall captain Lucas Neill and England defender Matthew Upson, who were rested for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round trip to Hartlepool United, to his starting lineup tonight.
• Savio Nsereko, West Ham United's new signing from Italian side Brescia Calcio, could make his debut for the club tonight. The Germany Under-20 forward has signed a four-and-a-half year contract after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. Savio is 19 and was born in Uganda before his family moved to the German city of Munich when he was two years old. Savio joined Brescia in 2005 after being spotted by Hammers technical director Gianluca Nani, who then held the same role with the Italian club. Savio was awaiting international clearance from the Italian FA at the time of writing.
• Czech goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka is back in full training this week after recovering from a slight knee injury.
• Only Dean Ashton (ankle), Danny Gabbidon (stomach) and Kieron Dyer (calf) are not in full training. Dyer is still recovering from a calf injury.
• Hull City have a number of injury absentees. Midfielder George Boateng will be out until April with a knee ligament injury, while former England forward Nicky Barmby (calf) and defender Anthony Gardner (thigh) are both out.
• The Tigers could see former West Ham United trainee Jimmy Bullard make his debut for the club after joining from Fulham. Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane could make his second appearance for Hull after his recent switch from Wigan Athletic. Forward Craig Fagan returns from a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards and could feature tonight.
• West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble played five matches on loan at Hull City at the end of the 2005/06 season.
• Hull City forward Richard Garcia was part of the West Ham United side that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 1999. The 27-year-old Australian played 22 times for the Hammers before joining Colchester United for a nominal fee in September 2004. Garcia moved on to Hull City in July 2007, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the KC Stadium.
• Bullard began his career with West Ham United but failed to make a first-team appearance for the club before leaving for Peterborough United in May 2001.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Tommy Brandon, Roy Carroll, Alf Fenwick, Cliff Hubbard, Stuart Pearson and Tony Weldon.
Last Meeting
• The teams met at the KC Stadium on Sunday 19 October 2008, with Michael Turner's 51st-minute header proving to the only difference between the two sides.
• The lineups were:
Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Boateng (Hughes 72), Geovanni (Halmosi 73), Cousin (Garcia 82), King.
Subs not used: Duke, Mendy, Folan, Ricketts
Goal: Turner 51
West Ham United: Green, Faubert (Di Michele 73), Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Etherington (Sears 83), Bellamy, Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Mullins, Davenport
Attendance: 24,896
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
10 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
6 October 1990 West Ham United 7-1 Hull City (Division Two)
20 January 1990 West Ham United 1-2 Hull City (Division Two)
2 September 1989 Hull City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
3 February 1973 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (FA Cup fourth round)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 13 D 13 L 10
General Information
• Tickets are now on general sale. Click here for more information.
The weather is expected to be cloudy and quite cold, with temperatures as low as four degrees.
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Zola sure about Savio
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's manager is looking forward to working with Germany U20 forward Savio Nsereko
28.01.2009
Gianfranco Zola sees many of the qualities he possessed himself as a young player in new signing Savio Nsereko.
The West Ham United manager learned his trade at Napoli - where he worked alongside Diego Maradona - and Parma before arriving in English football at the age of 26. While Savio is younger at 19, Zola believes he shares many similarities with the Germany Under-20 forward, who has already trained with his new team-mates.
Zola revealed he and technical director Gianluca Nani have long admired the Uganda-born player, who was brought up in the German city of Munich before moving to Italian side Brescia Calcio at the age of 16. The manager now plans to work closely with Savio, who has arrived on a four-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee, to ensure he makes the most of his undoubted talents.
"Savio is very similar to what I was when I was 19. I wasn't the player I am now but I was very good at taking players on. That is one of the main qualities between a normal player and a special player. Especially in modern football, you don't find many players with this kind of ability.
"Savio is already a top player but one top of that he has to put other qualities. That's why I'm here. I'm going to try and give him the other bits missing from his game that will allow him to go a step higher. He certainly has qualities which are quite a rarity in modern football. Taking players on is very important.
"He will excite West Ham United fans. He is certainly one of those players who catches your eye and we are confident he is going to do it over here. But please don't forget he is 19 and he has to learn a lot. He will certainly become a very important player. But we have to allow him time to settle into the rhythms of the Premier League. I'm sure he will be a success."
The manager suggested that the forward would put fans on the edge of their seats with his ability and pace. A skilful winger or forward, Savio is a player Zola believes will have no hesitation in taking on defenders.
"We have been following Savio for a long time. I saw him on tapes a long time ago and then I saw him on television. He is one of those players, who in a one-versus-one situation, is deadly. He is very good at taking players on and in transition - on the counterattack. He is quick. He is that type of player that I like. He is the type of player I like and it is important to have in the team. When you have someone who is good at taking players on, he creates always something for you and that is why he is here."
Zola was also excited about Savio's ability to perform in a number of positions. The youngster is capable of playing on either flank and also down the middle. The manager also believes he can work well with in-form striker Carlton Cole, who has scored five goals in his last six matches.
"I think he can play very well with Carlton but because he is a dynamic player, he can play in different positions. Recently with Brescia he was playing on the left side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. He is very adaptable. As far as I understand, he is very much willing to learn and improve his qualities. We will see where he can fit best on the pitch and then decide where to play him."
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Zola eager to tame Tigers
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is confident his team can extend their unbeaten run
27.01.2009
Gianfranco Zola is confident his West Ham United side can extend their unbeaten run to seven matches on Wednesday evening.
The Hammers host Hull City aiming to complete a fourth consecutive home win in all competitions, having overcome Stoke City, Barnsley and Fulham in recent weeks, but Zola knows his players will have to work hard to beat the Tigers. With his team in such fine form in both the Premier League and FA Cup, the manager is optimistic that United will have enough to overcome Phil Brown's men at the Boleyn Ground.
"It's going to be a tough game because Hull City, especially when they are away from home, are well-organised and tough to beat so it will require a special performance from us. The squad is confident. The team is playing well. They now know their qualities and their capacities and I'm sure they will play a good game.
"Hull are a tough team. Especially when they play away from home, they all defend. It is a team who try to put many players behind the ball and make it hard for the opposition, plus they are very dangerous on set pieces. It's not going to be a comfortable game for us but we like what we're doing and want to extend it for as long as possible."
Zola has been delighted but not surprised by West Ham United's recent results. The Hammers went seven matches without a victory in October and November, when the team was often not rewarded with the points their performances warranted. Now, with positive results being regularly achieved, the manager said the entire playing and coaching staff were full of confidence heading into Wednesday's match.
"I'm pleased that all I said about this team previously when we were losing games has been confirmed. I always said this was a good team and playing well and there would be a time that we would be getting points instead of defeats and so it has been.
"The best thing of all is that every single point we have won so far has been deserved. We are playing well and getting the results - that is the best feeling you can have. The players know it and their confidence is going up so much that it's looking very good for us."
Zola has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Hull, with only long-term absentees Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon, along with Kieron Dyer, who is receiving treatment for a calf injury, unavailable.
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Programme offer tonight
WHUFC.com
Grab this evening's official matchday programme to take advantage of four special money-saving offers
28.01.2009
West Ham United are delighted to be offering four special vouchers to fans with this tonight's matchday programme for the Barclays Premier League visit of Hull City.
There is something for everyone so don't forget to pick up the top-quality matchday magazine for the Barclays Premier League encounter and, as well as a great read, get your hands on a bargain. Not only are there two great replica shirt offers to be used in the Stadium or Lakeside stores, a promotion on club membership and a money-saving deal involving the Bodyworlds show at the O2. Make sure you get the latest issue or you will miss out.
As well as picking up your copy of the programme in and around the stadium, you can also order online. Individual issues or subscriptions are available so you can keep in touch with your team wherever you are in the world. Featuring big player interviews with David Di Michele, Valon Behrami and Junior Stanislas, special features on Clyde Best and Stuart Pearce, the popular 20 Questions, the thoughts of Tony Gale and Ken Dyer, plus of course, Gianfranco Zola's pre-game perspective. The programme is packed full of the very best and latest coverage of your club.
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West Ham v Hull City
Venue: Upton Park Date: Wednesday, 28 January Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Humberside 95.9, text commentary on BBC Sport website & highlights on Match of the Day (on Wednesday)
BBC.co.uk
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Striker Savio Nsereko could make his debut for West Ham if international clearance arrives in time. Kieron Dyer is doubtful with a muscle injury while Matthew Upson should return to the defence.
New signing Jimmy Bullard will make his Hull debut on Wednesday while Craig Fagan returns from suspension and Kevin Kilbane is also available.
Nicky Barmby (calf), Anthony Gardner (thigh), and George Boeteng (knee) are all absent though.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "It is a crucial game and gives us the opportunity to put some more space between us and the clubs behind. It is going to be tough because Hull are very well organised. "But the team are confident and playing well. "I always said this was a good team even when we were losing games. The best thing of all is that every point we have got so far has been deserved. "It is the best feeling you can have."
Hull manager Phil Brown: "Today he (Jimmy Bullard) was on the training ground for the first time and he was outstanding, a different class, a breath of fresh air to everybody. "He plays football the right way, even with the circumstances we have got to suffer at the moment with the training ground knee-deep in mud. "Hopefully that will be infectious on the squad in these pressure moments." "There are a number of massive games between now and the end of the season, there are games you earmark as potential ones you can get something from. I would put this in that category"
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West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Stech, Boa Morte, Tristan, Sears, Faubert, Dyer, Nsereko, Spector, Tomkins.
Hull (from): Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Mendy, Ashbee, Geovanni, Bullard, Kilbane, Cousin, Manucho, Garcia, Fagan, Halmosi, Folan, Marney, Featherstone, Doyle, Hughes, Duke, Warner.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two clubs safely through to the last 16 of the FA Cup, return to Premier League business at Upton Park.
West Ham are hoping to wrap up three home league wins in a row for the first time since the opening matches of the season at the Boleyn Ground; Hull are desperate to arrest the slide of five straight top-flight losses, and maintain their 100% Premier League record in London.
These clubs have managed just three clean sheets each in their league matches so far this season.
Hull are looking for their first ever double in top-flight football. They claimed their first win in eight games and maintained a blistering start to life in the Premier League when winning the reverse fixture in October. The three points took them up to third in the table.
Distance between the clubs: 188 miles (302 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into this midweek round of matches: 8th 29 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this midweek round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Undefeated in six in all competitions; five wins, one draw.
2. Claimed 10 points out of 12, since suffering a 0-1 home loss to Aston Villa on 20 December.
3. Won a third of their league games under Gianfranco Zola; six of 18.
4. Beaten Stoke and Fulham in the last two Premier League games at Upton Park. Last registered three home wins on the trot on 20 September, when victory over Newcastle was added to those against Wigan and Blackburn.
5. Kept just one clean sheet on home turf this term; the goalless draw with Portsmouth on 15 November.
6. Four points down on this same stage last season, when 10th in the table, where they remained static until the end of the campaign.
7. Won one and lost two of their three matches against the promoted clubs.
8. Away to Arsenal on Saturday.
Fixtures
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HULL CITY
Club stats
Going into this midweek round of matches: 9th 27 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this midweek round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Pressing for a first victory in seven Premier League matches.
2. Lost the last five against Sunderland (h), Manchester City (a), Aston Villa (h), Everton (a) and Arsenal (h).
3. Their only wins in nine in all competitions came in two of the last three outings, and were both in the FA Cup; away to Newcastle and home to Millwall.
4. The 2-1 home eclipse of Middlesbrough on 6 December was their only victory in 13 Premier League matches since accruing four wins on the bounce - their best run of top-flight form in the clubs 105-year history.
5. Picked up four points out of 18 in a winless last six league games on the road since defeating West Brom 0-3 at the Hawthorns on 25 October.
6. Lost their last two league games against London clubs, but won both top-flight trips to the capital to date; against Arsenal and Tottenham.
7. Failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 Premier League fixtures; the longest such sequence in the highest league.
8. Home to West Brom on Sunday.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
Kieron DYER, who is yet to score for West Ham, is two goals shy of 50 in his club career (Ipswich and Newcastle).
If selected:-
Deputy keeper Marek STECH will be playing on his 19th birthday.
Mark NOBLE spent three months on loan to Hull in 2006.
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HULL CITY
Squad profiles
Boaz MYHILL and Michael TURNER are the only remaining players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Hull's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Richard GARCIA will be playing against a former club. The 27 year old Australian forward made 22 appearances (16 in the league) for West Ham from the outset of his professional career to his move to Colchester in September 2004.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time Hull visited Upton Park on 6 October 1990, they were trounced 7-1 in the old Second Division.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 11 wins, Hull 9, Draws 13
Prem: West Ham 0 wins, Hull 1, Draws 0
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 8 wins, Hull 2, Draws 6
Prem: West Ham 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Hull City 1-0 West Ham United 19 October 2008 - Ref: Chris Foy
Hull scorer: Turner 51
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Premier League referees' table
Howard Webb's 2008-09 Premier League card count
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West Ham v Hull preview
Watch all the action on Skysports 2 and HD 2 live from 7pm
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 28th January 2009
SSN
Hull City travel to Upton Park to face West Ham with the Hammers just two points above them in the Premier League table. The Tigers will be looking to halt an alarming run of form which has seen them lose their last five league games. The drastic sequence of results will have Phil Brown's men cautiously looking over their shoulders, with the club just six points off the drop zone despite occupying ninth place. Meanwhile the Hammers are flying under manager Gianfranco Zola at present, with his side unbeaten in four league games winning three.
New record £9million signing Savio could make his debut if he is granted international clearance in time. The 19-year-old may have to make do with a place on the bench with in-form duo Carlton Cole and David Di Michele, who both scored in the 3-1 win over Fulham last week, preferred in attack. The Italian boss has no new injury concerns, although midfielder Kieron Dyer is set to have a scan on a muscle injury. Defender Matthew Upson could return after he missed the weekend's FA Cup win over Hartlepool.
Jimmy Bullard is set to make his debut against his former club after completing a club record £5million transfer from Fulham last week. The midfielder is likely to feature off the bench after only just recovering from a virus which has blighted him since his arrival. Craig Fagan returns from suspension while fellow midfielder Kevin Kilbane is available after being cup tied for the FA Cup win over Millwall. Veteran Nick Barmby (calf) and defender Anthony Gardner (thigh) are still a week away from full fitness. Meanwhile midfielder George Boateng (knee) is a long term casualty.
Possible Starting XI's
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Upson, Collins, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison, Di Michele, Cole.
Hull: Myhill, Mendy, Dawson, Turner, Zayette, Ashbee, Halmosi, Marney, Geovanni, Cousin, Manucho.
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Duxbury - Trio staying
Chief executive says Parker, Upson and Green are going nowhere
By Steve Pass Last updated: 27th January 2009
SSN
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has reiterated that Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Robert Green will stay at the club. The trio have been linked with a move away from the Hammers this transfer window, given West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has been hit by the credit crunch. But Duxbury - while admitting there has been 'a lot of interest' in the players - says the club are determined to keep hold of all three. Asked what was the latest on the contractual situation with the trio, Duxbury told Sky Sports News: "Throughout this window there was a lot of interest in all of those players, some of it real and some of it through the media. "I contacted every single player, reassured them that we didn't want to sell them and got the commitment back from them that they didn't want to go. "I have spoken to their agents, when the window shuts we will be sitting down and we will be talking about extending their contracts - and all of them are happy to stay."
The club have reinvested some of the £14million they recently received for Craig Bellamy on record signing Savio. And Duxbury has reiterated his pledge to fans that the club will keep their best players as well as look to strengthen Gianfranco Zola's squad. He said: "I tried to reassure everybody at the start of the window that we would be keeping our best players and where possible, we would try and strengthen. "I think today is a vindication of our activity during this window."
He also stressed to fans that the club's finances are fine, adding: "It's robust, it's absolutely robust - it's the nature of the football project. "We have a manager that doesn't require external investment. He knows that what he sells, he can keep, so he can constantly evolve this football club. "He's very, very happy with the squad."
Duxbury also again said the club had done nothing wrong over the Carlos Tevez affair. "It's an affair that seems to have gone on for far too long now, and this is an opportunity for us once and for all to show that we did absolutely nothing wrong. "We didn't break any undertakings to the Premier League - we absolutely adhered to them. "Myself and (former executive chairman) Eggert (Magnusson) of course met with Tevez's representatives, that's what you would do as a competent official of a football club."
Asked if he would ever consider resigning over the affair, he said: "No, absolutely not. As I have said, I have got the complete support of my board and my chairman and I've done absolutely nothing wrong."
Duxbury also called for trust from the fans. "We have got to get trust back with our fans and this is why I took the unprecedented step at the start of the window to try and reassure the fans what the club is about, what we are trying to achieve and I think that it's so far so good and I can talk all I want and reassure the fans the top players aren't going to leave but I think the fans will wait till the 1st of February. "What I can say is that they won't be disappointed, the top players are not leaving and we are trying to reinforce."
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Hammers make bid for Hoops target Kovac
Eveningtimes.co.uk
by Ronnie Cully
SPARTAK MOSCOW today confirmed they had received a bid - believed to be £4million - from West Ham for defender Radoslav Kovac. The Czech international is reported to be a target for Celtic. But the queue of clubs chasing the 29-year-old is growing. Spartak general director Valery Karpin said: "We've received a formal proposal for Kovac from West Ham, as well as from another one in England and Spanish clubs. "All of them will be considered, taking into account the views of the player. The final decision may be taken as early as today." Meanwhile, Celtic are expected to complete the signing of Willo Flood after Dundee United play Rangers on Saturday.
Publication date 28/01/09
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The lowdown on West Ham target Radoslav Kovac
IMScouting.com
28/01/2009
According to a report in The Independent today, West Ham have made a bid for Spartak Moscow central defender Radoslav Kovac.
The 29-year-old Czech international is believed to be worth around seven million euros although he could come a little cheaper as coach Michael Laudrup is thought to be willing to let him leave in the January transfer window. Reports suggest he would cost around four million euros.
Kovac can play all across the defence as well as in a defensive midfield position. The 6.2ft defender has been a regular first team player at Spartak Moscow since he arrived from Sparta Prague in 2005.
According to IMScouting, Kovac "has fantastic aerial ability, well built physically, strong and also a player with good pace, Lacks technique a little but in general he is a fine player."
The network of IMScouting scouts in Russia add that he is "reliable in defence and aggressive in attack. Scores quite a lot due to his superb heading ability."
With Hayden Mullins having joined Portsmouth and Callum Davenport seemingly on his way out of Upton Park, Kovac could cover both players and with his impressive heading ability could make a real impact in the Premier League.
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Inter Snub Hammers Bid
The Sun
INTER MILAN have snubbed West Ham's attempts to lure Italian wonderkid Mario Balotelli to Upton Park. The 18-year-old Italy Under-21 international has shot to prominence with three goals in four appearances for his country. And his form has caught the eye of Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who is thought to be keen on bringing the youngster to London. But Inter assistant coach Giuseppe Baresi cool talk Balotelli could be heading out of the San Siro exit door. He said: "Mario is an Inter player and will remain so." Balotelli has made 14 appearances for Jose Mourinho's Serie A league leaders this season, but has been linked with a loan move away from the club to gain first-team experience.
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NSEREKO'S HAMMERS MASTER CLASS
The Daily Star
28th January 2009
By Scott Coleman
WEST HAM'S record signing Savio Nsereko says he wants to follow in the footsteps of Gianfranco Zola – and has moved to England to learn from the master. The Hammers smashed their transfer record by splashing an estimated £9m on the German Under-20 international from Italian Serie B side Brescia but Zola insists it is not a gamble. The striker, 19, moved from Uganda to Germany when he was two years old and was at 1860 Munich before Gianluca Nani – now with the Hammers – took him to Brescia in 2005. Savio, who could face Hull at Upton Park tonight, will be handed the famous No.10 shirt. He said: "I spoke to the coach and I know Gianluca Nani very well and it is important to have someone I know at the club and who believes in me. I have heard a lot about Zola as a player because he was a big player. "I don't want to say I am like him but he had very good characteristics and good technique and I can learn from him."
Meanwhile, Ian Ashbee admits the pressure is now on Hull. Five consecutive league defeats have turned the screw on Phil Brown's men. And Tigers skipper Ashbee said: "We need to get back to basics, winning games and picking up points. "It's not a case of the effort or commitment not being there. We knew how difficult it was going to be."
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Kovac: An Unlikely Tale?
West Ham Till I Die
The story in some of the papers about us buying Czech international defender Radoslav Kovac just doesn't ring true to me. He's nearly thirty. And do we really need another defender who can also play in midfield? Isn't that exactly what we've got in Jonathan Spector, who, we shouldn't forget is still only 22? Even in Davenport goes, we're well covered in central defence , or at least we will be when Danny Gabbidon returns.
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West Ham won't sell players to Tottenham insists Scott Duxbury
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury insists his club would never sell players to Tottenham after rebuffing moves by Harry Redknapp for former striker Craig Bellamy during the January transfer window and instead electing to sell the Welshman to Manchester City.
Telegraph
By Steve Wilson
Last Updated: 10:41AM GMT 28 Jan 2009
Bellamy eventually joined his former national team and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes for a fee in the region of £14 million after reports emerged that the player had demanded West Ham accept Tottenham's offer, a claim strenuously denied by Bellamy. "I made it quite clear to Craig there wasn't any possibility of him joining Tottenham," said Duxbury. "There is a change of philosophy at this club. I keep referring to the football project and it's a business plan we stick to. "Part of that is we need to be aware of our fans' expectations, we need to be aware of who our local rivals are and there is massive rivalry between ourselves and Tottenham. "It's nothing about Tottenham but why on earth should we sell any player that would strengthen their team? It just makes no sense to me. "I won't sell any of our players to our local rivals."
West Ham moved swiftly to replace Bellamy with £9 million record signing Savio Nsereko, with manager Gianfranco Zola insisting that deal put the lie to notions of the Upton Park club being in financial turmoil with further departures from the club imminent. Nsereko, a German Under-21 international who was born in Uganda, joined from Italian Serie B club Brescia and should feature in tonight's Premier League match against Hull City provided international clearance is received in time. "There were a lot of worries about the club, about us selling players, but as you've seen, we sold the players who were not playing regularly here and some of them left because they wanted to go," said Zola. "There were a lot of rumours that we were not going to be able to buy anybody but that we had to sell. "I am pleased because this is a good club, run by good people who were keen to reinvest some of the money we had received in the transfer window and take this club forward. "We don't want to sell anybody unless someone comes to us and tells us they want to leave."
Scott Parker, Robert Green and Matthew Upson, players who have featured heavily in transfer speculation over the last month, will all be offered new contracts at Upton Park. "There was a lot of interest in our players but I contacted every single player and told them we didn't want to sell them and got the commitment back they didn't want to go," said Zola. "When the transfer window shuts I will be sitting down and talking to them about extending their contracts."
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West Ham bid £4m for Czech Republic defensive midfielder
The Mirror
By Football Spy 28/01/2009
Gianfranco Zola has made a £4million bid for Spartak Moscow for defensive midfielder Radoslav Kovac. The West Ham boss has moved for the highly-rated Czech Republic international, 29, after hearing Scottish champions Celtic have expressed an interest. Kovac, who can also play at centre-back, is also interesting Bundesliga side Hannover and Italian outfit Udinese.
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West Ham boss Zola sees Nsereko partnering Cole
28.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola believes new signing Savio Nsereko can partner Carlton Cole in attack. "I think he can play very well with Carlton but because he is a dynamic player, he can play in different positions. Recently with Brescia he was playing on the left side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation," Zola told whufc.com. "He is very adaptable. As far as I understand, he is very much willing to learn and improve his qualities. We will see where he can fit best on the pitch and then decide where to play him."
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West Ham boss Zola: Nsereko just like me
28.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola says Savio Nsereko reminds him a lot of himself. Zola told whufc.com: "Savio is very similar to what I was when I was 19. I wasn't the player I am now but I was very good at taking players on. That is one of the main qualities between a normal player and a special player. Especially in modern football, you don't find many players with this kind of ability. "Savio is already a top player but one top of that he has to put other qualities. That's why I'm here. I'm going to try and give him the other bits missing from his game that will allow him to go a step higher. He certainly has qualities which are quite a rarity in modern football. Taking players on is very important. "He will excite West Ham United fans. He is certainly one of those players who catches your eye and we are confident he is going to do it over here. But please don't forget he is 19 and he has to learn a lot. He will certainly become a very important player. But we have to allow him time to settle into the rhythms of the Premier League. I'm sure he will be a success."
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Spartak Moscow reveal West Ham offer for Kovac
28.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham have made an offer for Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac. "We have received a formal proposal for Kovac from West Ham in London, as well as another one in England and Spanish clubs," Spartak chief Valery Karpin informed Sport Express. "I cannot disclose the last ones' names. "All of them will be considered, taking into account the views of the player, but the final decision may be taken as early as Wednesday."
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