WHUFC.com
West Ham United's England international defender is delighted with the club's current form
29.01.2009
Matthew Upson is playing football with a big smile on his face at the moment.
The West Ham United and England defender has started every one of the club's 23 Premier League matches this season, playing an influential role in the Hammers' superb recent form. Wednesday evening's 2-0 win over Hull City at the Boleyn Ground saw Gianfranco Zola's side extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions, lifting United to within five points of the sixth-placed Everton.
On Saturday, Upson returns to Arsenal, the club he joined as an 18-year-old before spending five-and-a-half seasons with the Gunners. With the Hammers unbeaten away from home since 29 October - more than three months ago - the 29-year-old central defender is confident of getting one over his old side at the Emirates Stadium.
"Our performance against Hull was a very impressive. I thought we dominated right from the start. We had a good tempo about our play. Our level of workrate was good and we were aggressive. I was really pleased. We thoroughly deserved the win.
"We're working hard in training and the manager has got us believing in the type of football we want to play and the players have been applying that in the right way. Our mental approach is good so we believe we can go and win any game.
"Our away performances at the top clubs this season have been very good. We're more than capable of going there [to Arsenal] and taking something from the game. I'm sure we'll regroup, we'll have a gameplan and go and adopt a strategy and hopefully go and get something on Saturday."
Upson's impressive form and consistency this season have seen him cement his place in Fabio Capello's England squad. The Suffolk-born player's hard work and commitment were rewarded with his first international goal in the 2-1 win over Germany in Berlin in November. The centre-back believes it will not be long before his West Ham United team-mates - including striker Carlton Cole, goalkeeper Robert Green and midfielder Scott Parker - are joining him regularly with the Three Lions.
"The manager has brought a lot of belief into the players here now and they are playing some of the best football, consistently, of their careers. It's a big bonus to the club and to them individually so it's good times."
Back at the Boleyn Ground, Upson has been delighted with West Ham United's recent home form. After struggling for consistency on their own patch earlier in the season, the Hammers have won their last four home matches in league and cup.
"We're pleased that the fans are enjoying it. Our home form is important. It's important that we can dominate teams and really pass it with belief and confidence. It's good to see that and hopefully we can produce a few more home performances."
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Dyer pleased with youngsters
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer watched a youthful West Ham United reserve side lose narrowly at Ipswich Town
29.01.2009
West Ham United reserve team manager Alex Dyer was pleased with the performance of five second-year professionals in a specially-arranged friendly at Ipswich Town.
The youngsters - including Anthony Edgar, Daniel Kearns, George Grasser and Matt Fry - were all given a 45-minute run-out during the Hammers narrow 1-0 defeat at the Tractor Boys' training ground on Wednesday.
Dyer named a youthful but strong side, with Ryan O'Neill, Ashley Miller, Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Eyjolfsson lining up in front of goalkeeper Peter Loveday. A midfield quartet of Tony Stokes, Tom Harvey, Oliver Lee and Junior Stanislas supported strikers Jack Jeffery and Zavon Hines.
It was Jeffery and Stanislas who came closest to finding the net for the Hammers, with the former twice working the Town goalkeeper, while the England Under-19 winger Stanislas was denied by the Ipswich crossbar. However, the game was settled by a 70th-minute free-kick by Dan Harding - who, like Stanislas, has spent time on loan at League One side Southend United this season.
Afterwards, Dyer was pleased with the commitment shown by his players, saying: "I was very pleased with the younger players. I gave five of the second-year boys a game and they did well. It was important for all the lads to get another game under their belts, though. We've got a big Barclays Premier Reserve League South game coming up next week at Stoke City so this was all good preparation for us."
West Ham United reserves are third in the table going into next Tuesday's match at the Britannia Stadium against fourth-placed Stoke, who currently sit a point behind the Hammers.
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Kovac confirms Hammers move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac has been talking about his impending move to West Ham United. The 29-year-old Czech international is joining the Hammers on loan for the rest of the season with view to making the deal permanent in the summer, as revealed on KUMB.com yesterday.
Kovac, who is set to fly to England in order to rubber-stamp his move within the next 24 hours could be involved in the squad that faces Arsenal at the Emirates last week alongside United's other new boy Savio Nsereko, who made his debut in last night's 2-0 win against Hull City. Talking to Sovietsky Sport, Kovac confirmed that he rejected a number of other offers in order to play in the Premier League. "The last decision was for me to choose West Ham over Celtic, but my decision was because of the Premier League. "West Ham's manager and executives want me. West Ham love Czechs, they already have Jan Lastuvka and Marek Stech in their squad. "This year I will be 30 and I only have a few years left before I become known as a veteran, so I want to realise my dream of playing in one of the main championships. "Everyone whom I have asked for advice have told me to go, and the examples of Vidic and Pavlyuchenko gives me the motivation - they have both moved to England and succeeded there."
Kovac - who has been on Gianfranco Zola's hit-list for some time - confirmed that the deal had been completed in little more than a day - less than 72 hours after the Hammers sold Hayden Mullins, whom Kovac will effectively replace, to Portsmouth. "Everything happened on Wednesday," he added. "My agents recently started to actively work and they found a few options, but I never really thought my pre-season with Spartak now would be my last one. "I haven't even had chance to say goodbye to my team-mates, but I have had a call to say everything is ready and my ticket to London is booked."
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Cole's goal
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
In-form Carlton Cole believes that he should be scoring more goals - despite equalling a 23-year-old club record last night. Cole, who scored United's second goal in the 2-0 win over Hull City last night, thereby equalling Tony Cottee's record has now scored in each of his last five Premier League outings -but still feels that he has more to offer. Speaking after the game, he said: "I notched in the end but I need to get more goals. I just need to keep on going, I need more goals to my game. "Franco, Steve [Clarke] and Kev Keen are doing brilliantly for me so I just need to keep it going really."
Cole has now scored 10 goals this season - seven at home and three away - with six of those strikes coming from his last seven matches.
Cole's goals 2008/09
27 August v Macclesfield (h) - 1
30 August v Blackburn (h) - 1
27th September v Fulham (a) - 1
5th October v Bolton (h) - 1
26th December v Portsmouth (a) - 1
28th December v Stoke (h) - 1
3rd January v Barnsley (h) - 1
10th January v Newcastle (a) - 1
18th January v Fulham (h) - 1
28th January v Hull (h) - 1
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Czech confirms Hammers switch
Kovac reveals Celtic snub
By Slava Zaitsev Last updated: 29th January 2009
SSN
Czech international Radoslav Kovac has confirmed he is heading to West Ham after snubbing Celtic. The 29-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, is set to join the Hammers on loan from Spartak Moscow with a view to a permanent £3million move in the summer. He admitted the lure of the Premier League was the deciding factor for him, as he shunned the possibility of moving to Glasgow with Celtic. "The last decision was for me to choose West Ham over Celtic, but my decision was because of the Premier League," he told Sovietsky Sport. "West Ham's manager and executives want me. "West Ham love Czechs, they already have Jan Lastuvka and Marek Stech in their squad. "This year I will be 30 and I only have a few years left before I become known as a veteran, so I want to realise my dream of playing in one of the main championships."
Kovac revealed the success of Premier League duo Nemanja Vidic and Roman Pavlyuchenko - who have both moved to England from Russian clubs - has spurred him on. "Everyone whom I have asked for advice have told me to go, and the examples of Vidic and Pavlyuchenko gives me the motivation - they have both moved to England and succeeded there," he said. Kovac says the whole move had come about very quickly. "Everything happened on Wednesday," he added. "My agents recently started to actively work and they found a few options, but I never really thought my pre-season with Spartak now would be my last one. "I haven't even had chance to say goodbye to my team-mates, but I have had a call to say everything is ready and my ticket to London is booked."
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Spartak Moscow's Radoslav Kovac claims he is close to West Ham United move
Times Online
Radoslav Kovac, the Spartak Moscow midfielder, believes he is close to securing a move to West Ham United. The Czech Republic international was left out of Spartak's pre-season training camp in Turkey to "resolve a question about his future career", according to the Russian club's website.
Kovac claims he is on his way to London to sign a loan deal with West Ham which may become permanent at the end of the season. "Everything was sorted out on Wednesday afternoon," he told Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport. "Recently my agent has been working actively and a few firm options immediately presented themselves.
"I didn't imagine that the training session ahead of the training camp in Turkey would be my last for Spartak. I've not even had chance to say goodbye to the lads.
"The call came in and I was told that everything was decided. Spartak are preparing the documents. A flight to London is booked and I'm flying there on Thursday."
Kovac claims Celtic were also keen on him but the lure of the English Premier League proved decisive. "The final decision was to choose West Ham over Celtic," he said. "The prestige of the Premier League tipped the balance. This year I will be 30. In a few years' time I will be classed as a veteran. I want to fulfil my ability in one of the leading championships.
"Everyone I asked for advice said that it was the right time. The examples of [Nemanja] Vidic and [Roman] Pavlyuchenko are an inspiration. They both left Spartak for England and it's working out well for them."
The new Russian Premier Liga season has not yet started and Kovac admits it will take him a while to get his match fitness up to speed. "For the next seven to ten days I will concentrate on my running," he said. "After the holidays I have not regained my full fitness. And I'll get on with learning English."
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Kovac: I'm signing for West Ham
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 29 January 2009 - 10:57
Croatian international Robert Kovac, who can play in central midfield or defence has confirmed he has rejected an offer from Celtic to sign for West Ham. It is thought the player will initially move on a loan deal unitl the end of the season, with a view to a £3 million deal in the summer.
Kovac admitted the final two clubs on his list were Celtic and West Ham: "The last decision was for me to choose West Ham over Celtic, but my decision was because of the Premier League," he told Sovietsky Sport. "West Ham's manager and executives want me."
West Ham love Czechs, they already have Jan Lastuvka and Marek Stech in their squad. This year I will be 30 and I only have a few years left before I become known as a veteran, so I want to realise my dream of playing in one of the main championships." Kovac revealed the success of Premier League stars Nemanja Vidic and Roman Pavlyuchenko - who have both moved to England from Russia were a big factor in his decision to choose the Hammers over the hoops. "Everyone whom I have asked for advice have told me to go, and the examples of Vidic and Pavlyuchenko gives me the motivation - they have both moved to England and succeeded there," he said. "Everything happened on Wednesday. My agents recently started to actively work and they found a few options, but I never really thought my pre-season with Spartak now would be my last one."
"I haven't even had chance to say goodbye to my team-mates, but I have had a call to say everything is ready and my ticket to London is booked."
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West Ham and Newcastle close in on Tottenham target Fred
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 29 January 2009 - 10:31
Sport.co.uk
Tottenham Hotspur target Fred will not be moving to White Hart Lane according to his brother and agent Rodrigo, however Sport.co.uk understand Newcastle United and West Ham have entered the race for the player. Rodrigo labelled Harry Redknapp a liar following the accusations that Fred did not turn up for a meeting with the Spurs boss. He said in the Daily Mirror: "What Redknapp said is a lie, Fred never said he would come to a meeting. "Redknapp said he would come to see us in France on Sunday but he did not come." "Then everything changed, they suddenly wanted us to come to Tottenham but they let us down so he will not be joining them. It's as simple as that."
However, Sport.co.uk can confirm that Fred could still move to England during the transfer window as Newcastle United and West Ham have officially registered their interest for the Brazilian. The Lyon striker is out of contract in the Summer, and the international is one of the bargains of the transfer window as Lyon only want a small fee for the player. Both Joe Kinnear and Gianfranco Zola are working with tight budgets during January with strict orders both will have to sell before buying during the window.
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West Ham News: Zola confident Hammers are building something special
Thursday, 29 January 2009
TheLondonPaper.com
Gianfranco Zola feels West Ham are slowly building something special at Upton Park after watching his side extend their unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over fast-fading Hull. In-form striker Carlton Cole struck again to take his tally to six in seven games as the Irons consolidated their position in eighth place with the hard work put in by Zola and his team now paying off. Italian David Di Michele had put the home side ahead in the first half, after Mark Noble's penalty was earlier saved by inspired Hull keeper Matt Duke.
New signing Savio Nsereko came off the bench for the final few minutes - and Zola feels such healthy competition for places can only be good for the future of the team showing few signs of missing striker Craig Bellamy, who joined Manchester City last week and scored the winner for the Eastlands side against Newcastle last night. "The team is strong mentally, technically and physically and it is good as we are building something important here and you can smell the atmosphere here," said the Hammers manager. "I am very pleased to be involved in this. "We want to build an atmosphere with fair competition between each other with everybody looking forward to getting into this team. "They are enjoying themselves, and that is what we want here. Every time they play, it is always the best game, which is the biggest complement you can give to a team."
Zola could further strengthen his squad with Spartak Moscow defender Radoslav Kovac. He said: "We missed a player like [Hayden] Mullins, who was an important player for us. We will try to replace him, but we will see. It might happen or it might not happen. "I am very happy about the team that I have got and I am sure we are going to do well anyway."
The Hammers were good value for their victory last night, which could have been by a greater margin but for the efforts of Duke - playing his first Premier League game of the campaign. Zola said: "In the first half, we could have had three or four goals, and it was important we finished them off. "They were focused and determined to be winners, which made the difference."
While West Ham look to build on their momentum, for Tigers boss Phil Brown - who gave new £5million midfielder Jimmy Bullard, signied from Fulham, a debut in the second half - his hard work goes on to ensure the efforts of a fine opening to the campaign do not end in disaster. Hull have now lost six straight Premier League matches, and are in danger of being sucked down the table. Brown said: "West Ham were playing with a lot of confidence and their two strikers played a massive part in the downfall of our side. "But Matt Duke stepped up to the plate and put in a fantastic performance, and we also played some good football when Jimmy Bullard came on. "The belief and trust which is required was there when he came on, but unfortunately then we were chasing a 2-0 deficit."
Hull host bottom club West Brom on Saturday, and Brown remains confident he can turn things around. "We are still in the top half of the table, although we are in relegation form and we need to address that as soon as possible," he said, "but I have seen sufficient, when Jimmy came on, to suggest we can get out of this."
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Spurs gloat over their Upton Park raids as West Ham to stop future sales
By Raoul Simons
Last updated at 10:06 AM on 29th January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham's ban on selling players to Tottenham coincides with an outbreak of transfer gloating emanating from White Hart Lane. The January issue of Spurs' official magazine recalls the biggest deal between the two clubs — Jermain Defoe's £7million switch five years ago — and its triumphalist tone won't have made for pleasant reading in east London. Labelling the striker 'one of our best mid-term captures', the magazine wrote: 'It's 30 January 2004, and Hammers boss Alan Pardew is confident Defoe is staying at Upton Park: I think a move on the scale of Jermain cannot be done within two days,' he said. I am pretty optimistic he will remain a West Ham player. Two days later, we had our man.'
Spurs also snapped up Michael Carrick for a bargain £2.75m that year and went on to sell him to Manchester United for £18.6m. But now chief executive Scott Duxbury has cried enough, claiming London rivalry and fans' feelings must be taken into account. Sources suggest the move may also win him fans' support ahead of renewed scrutiny of his position in the latest Carlos Tevez inquiry.
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Zola Delighted with Di Michele
Setanta.co.uk
Alex Livie , 29 January 2009
David Di Michele produced a dazzling display in West Ham's win over Hull on Wednesday and Gianfranco Zola has suggested a string of similar efforts will see him earn a permanent deal at Upton Park. The Italian is in the middle of a loan spell at West Ham from Torino, but the capture of record signing Savio cast doubt over his long-term future at the club. Zola kept faith with Di Michele for the meeting with Hull and was rewarded as the forward produced a stunning display. The Hammers chief claims Di Michele is a vital cog in the Upton Park wheel and wants him to earn a permanent deal. "Di Michele was fantastic," said Zola. "He is such an important player for the team. We also want to build up competition. "If Di Michele keeps playing the way he is then there's a good chance he will stay here."
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West Ham reap rich rewards after defeat of Hull
West Ham United (1) 2 Hull City (0) 0
Telegraph
By Nick Hoult at Upton Park
Last Updated: 8:17AM GMT 29 Jan 2009
January was supposed to be a month of asset-stripping at Upton Park. Instead it has been a time of bounty and reward as West Ham continue to prosper under Gianfranco Zola's management. Craig Bellamy has been shipped out and the wealthy constantly circle over a club in supposed financial freefall. But Zola's young team continue to thrive and reap crucial League points thanks to a six-game unbeaten run. Goals from Carlton Cole and Daniel Di Michele were the gloss on a fluid performance of classy passing play and attacking creativity. Zola has already said he sees a little of himself in new signing Savio Nasreko. On this evidence the same can easily be said for many of his other players. "Life has started again for us," said Zola. "It has been a great month and I believe that is because of all the things we went through in October. Because of that we are now strong mentally, physically and technically. It is good because we are building something important. You can sense that and smell the atmosphere around the club."
For Hull the story is very different. A sixth successive League defeat has caused a niggling pain in the neck as they look down anxiously on the teams below them. "Ten or 12 teams are in the same position," said manager Phil Brown. "We are in relegation form and we have to address that but I saw enough from Jimmy Bullard to suggest we can get out of this form."
Bullard made his Hull debut and instantly settled into the side. A player with a habit of dominating small clubs, Bullard has found another cause to rescue. Last year he leapt off the treatment table to save Fulham from relegation. Now Hull need the belief a player such as Bullard can inject, starting at home against bottom club West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. "Big game for both sides," was Brown's verdict.
West Ham move across London to the Emirates at the weekend and Zola has a poser to solve. How does he fit his £9 million investment, Nsereko, in the team? Cole and Di Michele were excellent and fully deserved their goals and a run in the team together. West Ham should have scored more, missing a penalty and twice hitting a post. They were also denied a walkover by the excellence of a goalkeeper making his Premier League debut. Matt Duke's nerves showed early on when he dropped a corner but he grew in stature when Sam Ricketts clumsily wrestled down Cole and he came to his side's rescue. Howard Webb pointed to the spot but Mark Noble chose to shoot to his right where Duke palmed the ball away and Hull were somehow still on level terms. Not for long.
A curler from Cole was saved by Duke but Di Michele could not miss the tap-in. James Collinson then struck a post but moments after the break it was 2-0 and a reverse of the first goal. Di Michele's snapshot struck a post but was turned in by Cole for his sixth goal in seven games.
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Heaven for Zola as Hull are no match for his happy Hammers
Ken Dyer
29.01.09
This Is London
Things are starting to look a lot brighter for West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. His team took their unbeaten run to seven games with a vibrant win last night and new signing Savio made his debut as a late substitute. The Italian should also tie up a six-month loan deal to take Spartak Moscow's Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac before the weekend. Zola could even sign off a highly successful January by further strengthening his squad with another striker before the window closes on Monday. The Sardinian admitted he had dreaded this month, with clubs expected to circle his big-name players. He maintained that, in spite of the club's financial uncertainty, there would be no fire sale. Not many believed him then but, with just Craig Bellamy departing, January hasn't turned out too badly for Zola and West Ham. "It's been such a good month for us that I would like to start it again, apart from the transfer window," said Zola. "Losing those games back in October was an important part of this good run because the team are strong physically and mentally. "We are building something important here, you can smell the atmosphere, and I am very pleased to be involved in this."
Last time West Ham met Hull at Upton Park they won 7-1. Last night's scoreline could have been similar. In the end, though, West Ham won comfortably with first-half goals from David Di Michele and Carlton Cole, the striker's fifth in six games. These are exciting times for Zola and his squad, who now go into the next two matches, against Arsenal, on Saturday, and Manchester United, eight days later, full of confidence. "I said to the players at half time it would be a real pity if they didn't finish the game on top as we could have had three or four goals in the first half," said Zola. "If you give Hull a bit of confidence they can cause real problems but it wasn't the case because the players were determined to be winners."
Di Michele, signed on a season-long loan deal from Palermo, is keen to earn a permanent contract and Zola said: "He has been great in the last couple of games. He's such an important player for the team. If he keeps playing the way he is, he has a good chance to stay over here. He and Carlton Cole are building up a great partnership. They are two good strikers. "Everyone knew that Carlton was good at keeping the ball and playing for the team but now he has focused on scoring goals, which is the thing that has been missing from his game."
Zola would not be drawn on the probability of landing Kovac from Spartak Moscow but did say: "We miss a player like Hayden Mullins and we will maybe try to replace him. It might or might not happen."
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Zola hails star striker Di Michele
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 29 January 2009 - 8:41 AM
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to on-loan striker David Di Michele after the Italian produced a breathtaking performance in his side's victory over Hull. Di Michele opened the scoring in the first-half and created a number of opportunities as the Hammers cruised past Phil Brown's side.The 33-year-old might have had another had his stunning curling effort from 20-yards not smashed against the post and bounced away to safety with game still goalless. But after watching Di Michele grab his fourth goal of the season, Zola was left delighted with his compatriot's contribution. Zola said: "Di Michele was fantastic, but he has been like that in the last couple of games. "He is such an important player for the team, and that is the type of atmosphere we want to build up here - with fair competition between each other with everybody looking forward to getting into this team. "If he keeps playing the way he is, he has a very good chance to stay here.He is improving - like everybody."
Carlton Cole's second-half strike sealed the points for the Hammers and Zola reckons his side could have boosted their goal-difference with a bit more composure in front of goal. He added: "In the first half, we could have had three or four goals, and it was important we finished them off.
"They were focused and determined to be winners tonight, which made the difference."
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Zola enjoying Hammers' run
Jan 29 2009
Birminghammail.net
Gianfranco Zola feels West Ham are slowly building something special at Upton Park after watching his side extend their unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over fast-fading Hull. In-form striker Carlton Cole struck again to take his tally to six in seven games after Italian David Di Michele had put the home side ahead as the Irons consolidated their position in eighth place with the hard work put in by Zola and his team now paying off. Zola said: "The team is strong mentally, technically and physically and it is good as we are building something important here and you can smell the atmosphere here, I am very pleased to be involved in this." He added: "We want to build an atmosphere with fair competition between each other with everybody looking forward to getting into this team. "They are enjoying themselves, and that is what we want here. "Every time they play, it is always the best game, which is the biggest complement you can give to a team."
While West Ham look to build on their momentum, for Tigers boss Phil Brown - who gave new £5million midfielder Jimmy Bullard a debut in the second half - his hard work goes on to ensure the efforts of a fine opening to the campaign do not end in disaster. Hull have now lost six straight Premier League matches, and are in danger of being sucked down the table. Brown said: "West Ham were playing with a lot of confidence and their two strikers played a massive part in the downfall of our side. "We are still in the top half of the table, although we are in relegation form and we need to address that as soon as possible," he said, "but I have seen sufficient, when Jimmy came on, to suggest we can get out of this."
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Stylish Hammers have Hull of a night
West Ham 2-0 Hull
by SIMON KAY - Thursday, January 29, 2009
metro.co.uk
David di Michele and Carlton Cole claimed a goal each as West Ham turned on the style at Upton Park last night. Di Michele fired the Hammers in front on 33 minutes before Cole, who had seen a first-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Matt Duke, added a second six minutes after the break.
Only a string of fine saves from Duke kept the score respectable as the Hammers dominated. Di Michele fired the hosts in front from the near post after the Hull keeper parried Cole's strike into his path. Cole then made it two on 51 minutes firing home after Di Michele's shot came back off the upright. Hull boss Phil Brown replied by bringing on debutant Jimmy Bullard but it was too little to late to deny West Ham a well deserved win. 'Di Michele was fantastic, but he has been like that in the last couple of games,' said Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. 'He is such an important player for the team, and that is the type of atmosphere we want to build up here - with fair competition between each other with everybody looking forward to getting into this team. 'They are enjoying themselves, and that is what we want here. 'Every time they play, it is always the best game, which is the biggest complement you can give to a team.'
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Brown has no answer to Hammers class
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 29 January 2009 - 8:31 AM
Phil Brown reckons his Hull side felt the full force of Gianfranco Zola's West Ham revolution as the Tigers tumbled to yet another Premier League defeat.Hull, who have now won just once in 14 league games, were undone by David di Michele's first-half strike before Carlton Cole grabbed his fifth goal in five league games to seal the win.The margin of victory could have been greater with the home side hitting the woodwork on three separate occasions, while Matt Duke marked his Premier League debut by producing a wonder save to deny Mark Noble from the penalty spot.
But despite Duke's heroics, West Ham extended their unbeaten run to seven games and Brown admits Zola's men were just too good on the day.
"There were a couple of positives, but in the main the biggest negative was the form which we caught West Ham in," he said. "They were playing with a lot of confidence and their two strikers played a massive part in the downfall of our side. "But Matt Duke stepped up to the plate and put in a fantastic performance, and we also played some good football when Jimmy Bullard came on. "The belief and trust which is required was there when he came on, but unfortunately then we were chasing a 2-0 deficit."
Hull now face fellow strugglers West Brom on Saturday at the KC Stadium but Brown is confident his side can arrest their recent slump. "We are still in the top half of the table, although we are in relegation form and we need to address that as soon as possible," he added, "but I have seen sufficient, when Jimmy came on, to suggest we can get out of this."
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Hammers boss looking for Sav-ing grace
8:00am Thursday 29th January 2009
Echo
He's a 19-year-old Ugandan-born German, and nobody knows him from Adam. But Savio Nsereko is the man charged with filling the boots of Craig Bellamy. Gianfranco Zola has reportedly splashed the majority of the £14million recouped from the sale of Bellamy to Manchester City on the signing of Nsereko from Italian side Brescia, with the fee allegedly rising to £10million depending on appearances and achievements for the club. On the face of it, it looks like the Italian manager has hurriedly thrown all his chips into the middle of the table as the transfer window begins to close. But delve deeper into the deal and Hammers fans may soon be rubbing their hands at the prospect of this young Germany Under 19 international. Nsereko grew up in Munich after moving from his home town of Kampala, and after working his way through the youth ranks of 1860 Munich he was spotted by current West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani. He was moved on to Italian side Brescia, where he began to make his name. After some impressive performances – as well as two spectacular goals in his final game for the Italians – Nani wasted no time in securing his services, with the youngster's name beginning to do the rounds at some of Europe's biggest clubs. Now he is on board, Zola has urged patience from the Hammers faithful, although he hinted that he would be willing to throw Nsereko in at the deep end, should the opportunity present itself. "We have expectations of him but don't forget the boy is just 19 and he has come here for the future. We know he has got great potential and can become a really top player but the crowd and everybody needs to be patient with him. "The reason we signed Savio is that we see in him the potential that belongs to very good, special players. "I'm sure that when somebody has got the qualities he has got that we can find a place to fit him in the team and sooner or later we will find a space to put his qualities at our disposal."
Meanwhile, Nsereko spoke of his delight to have linked up with one of the Premier League's greatest ever players in Zola, and insisted he couldn't wait to start showing what he can do. "I am very happy to be here and proud to have the possibility of playing for a club like West Ham," said Nsereko, who can play out wide or through the middle. I know a lot about the manager. I saw him play and he was a great player. I think he's a great manager and can improve me a lot. "I know it's a big responsibility (to wear the number 10) but I know what I can do and I'm happy, that's it. I will try to get better in training every day." He may be little more than an expensive gamble now, but surely only a fool would discredit the judgement of the little Italian master.
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Hammers star sets his sights on European football
8:00am Thursday 29th January 2009
Echo
WEST Ham midfielder Scott Parker is adamant the club can continue their recent hot streak and mount a genuine bid for European football this season. The Hammers are currently eighth in the Premier League after an impressive run of six games without defeat has seen them surge away from a congested relegation dogfight and into contention for a UEFA Cup place. It looked at one stage that Parker may miss out on the team's final push for a place in the top six after being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City this month. But with both sides seemingly caught up in securing a number of other deals – not least a £14million swoop for Craig Bellamy by the Eastlands outfit - speculation soon died down and the combative midfielder was allowed to focus on what he does best. After some patchy early season form, Parker has come of age alongside Mark Noble in the Irons engine room, and he is confident the free-flowing football will continue to thrive and yield plenty of points. "For sure we are (looking for Europe). We see the league and how tight it is, and there are a couple of games coming up that are winnable, so we can really push on," said the 28-year-old after the weekend's 2-0 win over Hartlepool in the FA Cup. "We are confident, this is a very good run. I just think at the moment we have a structure about us, we look quite solid at times and we have a threat going forward as well. We are looking to push on now and this is the time of the season when we can go on and do that."
Parker was handed a further boost during Saturday's win when he was given the captain's armband by Gianfranco Zola for the first time. "I was obviously proud and honoured that the manager put me in that position, so I was really pleased," he added. Undoubtedly, things are starting to look up for West Ham and Parker.
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