WHUFC.com
Having had a taste with England, Carlton Cole wants another chance to prove
himself on the biggest stage
13.02.2009
Carlton Cole is hanging to the No21 shirt he wore in making his England
debut on Wednesday night away to European champions Spain. The in-form West
Ham United striker - back at rainy Chadwell Heath after his sojourn in
Seville - explained how he resisted overtures from some of the continent's
best players for the shirt off his back come the final whistle. The polite
requests followed a "15-minute cameo" that included a late chance from a
killer David Beckham pass that was only just cleared off the line. "A few of
the Spanish boys wanted to swap shirts but I had to keep it," Cole said. "I
don't care who it was who asked me for it. It was one of those things that
you never know if the chance will come again. I took it home with me. I was
so excited and happy to be on the field."
Although he could hardly hide his pride at being the latest man to be capped
by England, Cole admitted disappointment at the 2-0 defeat. "I had hoped it
would be a win but when you are playing the European champions it is tough.
I knew we had a great team but they had a better team on the night. "They
deserved their victory. I was disappointed not to score right at the end but
I got my 15-minute cameo and it was really good for me to be involved in the
England set-up."
The 25-year-old also relished the opportunity for some one-on-one coaching
with Fabio Capello. "He is a quality manager. He tells you what he wants and
what he expects and you have got to deliver. The boys were a bit unlucky. We
got outshone by a good side but we have our foundation and England are
working towards getting better and better as each game comes."
The same can be said of Cole. He explained he was looking to do his very
best for West Ham in the hope of earning another chance - starting with the
FA Cup visit of Middlesbrough on Saturday. "This has given me a massive
confidence boost now. I know I can get chances in big games with my play and
that is what I am going to be working on now at club level. I am going to
work so hard for West Ham. Hopefully my scoring record will continue and I
am just going to get better and better for the club. Now I have had a little
taste, I am more hungry now. I want success and I want to get chosen again.
I want to stay in the England squad.
"I want much more of this. David Beckham signified how great it is to play
for your country with his 108th cap and I was just glad to be on the pitch
for my first when he was equalling the record. I was overwhelmed with
excitement to be coming on in a game like that, especially as at one point I
thought I might miss out."
Cole acknowledged that club-mates Robert Green and Matthew Upson were a huge
help as he adapted to the regimented world of international football.
"Greeny and Matty were so helpful to me. Although I knew most of the lads
already, they made me feel at home with all the rules and the meetings. I am
known for being late and they helped me get out of bed in the morning! It
was great for the three of us to be involved."
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Back to business for Boro
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola and his players were back in training ahead of Saturday's FA
Cup fifth-round tie
12.02.2009
West Ham United's players were back on the training pitch on Thursday
afternoon ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round visit of Middlesbrough. The
Hammers' trio of England players - debutant Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson and
Robert Green - joined manager Gianfranco Zola and their team-mates at
Chadwell Heath as preparations to face Gareth Southgate's side were stepped
up. Cole was all smiles after pulling on the Three Lions for the first time
in Wednesday evening's 2-0 friendly defeat in Spain, a sight that left Zola
feeling a sense of pride and achievement. "It was great to see Robert,
Matthew and Carlton playing for England. I am so happy for them and the
club. It reflects very well on everyone and it is a very good reward for how
they have been playing. All three of them did very well in a big game
against good opponents. We are looking forward to giving the England squad
more players in the future."
With Lucas Neill, Jack Collison, Radoslav Kovac and Zavon Hines also on
international duty for Australia, Wales, Czech Republic and Jamaica
respectively, the training ground was slightly less crowded than usual in
midweek. By Thursday afternoon, however, all attentions had been switched
back to Saturday's tie.
Despite Boro's recent struggles in the Premier League, where they have gone
13 matches without a victory, the manager knows his team need to be on their
guard. However, Zola is fully confident that his players will produce the
goods at the Boleyn Ground.
"I am expecting for them [Boro] it's going to be a very important match
because they're obviously having a bad run in the league so for them this is
a great opportunity to turn their season around. I'm expecting them to be
very concentrated and prepared to go for the win. "I saw their last game
against Manchester City and they were unlucky. They played a good match but
are not having a very good run and in my opinion that makes them more
dangerous. It's a big match not only because it will allow us to go to the
next round of an important competition but also because we lost the last
game and we want to get back on track.
"I think the way the team is playing we don't fear anything and can do a
good job in the FA Cup. That's the kind of attitude we'll have for the game
we play on Saturday."
Should his team prevail, West Ham will be just three victories from FA Cup
glory, a feeling Zola himself experienced twice during his playing career.
The first occasion came in May 1997, when Chelsea beat Boro 2-0 at Wembley
to leave the manager with cherished memories he will never forget. "I
remember everything about the day. I will always say that winning the FA Cup
was one of the best achievements in my career and it would be fantastic to
repeat it as a manager. I am very much looking forward to it."
Zola added that he and first-team coach Steve Clarke were delighted with the
positive atmosphere around the club - an atmosphere that led the Hammers on
a unbeaten run of eight matches before last Sunday's narrow 1-0 Premier
League defeat to Manchester United. "Steve and myself have been footballers
so we know exactly what the players like and don't like. We want to set up
facilities that allow them to enjoy themselves and get better. Once the
players get this feeling then it's easy and it is down to them. It's nothing
special. It's just we like working with them and we want to give them
something to improve them and it's working really well. Hopefully we're
looking forward to improving even more."
Zola also restated his ambition to lead West Ham up the Premier League table
and - he hopes - into the sixth round of the FA Cup. "I am very happy with
what I am doing here. We have a project and we're still just starting what
we're doing. I still have a lot to learn from the job and there's still a
long way to go."
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Middlesbrough match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at the
Boleyn Ground
12.02.2009
FA Cup fifth round
West Ham United v Middlesbrough
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 14 February
3pm
Referee: Peter Walton
Big match preview
• West Ham United welcome Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough for today's FA
Cup fifth-round tie.
• The FA Cup sixth round will be played on the weekend of 7/8 March with the
draw taking place at FA headquarters on Sunday evening after the fixture
between Derby County and Manchester United. It will be broadcast live on
ITV.
• The club have won through to the last-16 for the first time since the
2005/06 season, when they went all the way to the final before losing to
Liverpool on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• The Hammers knocked out Barnsley 3-0 at home in the third round with goals
from Herita Ilunga - his first for the club - a Mark Noble penalty and
Carlton Cole. West Ham then won 2-0 at Hartlepool United in the fourth
round, with the goals coming courtesy of Valon Behrami and another Noble
penalty.
• Saturday's fixture is a rematch of the 2005/06 FA Cup semi-final between
the two sides at Villa Park. That day, 23 April 2006, Marlon Harewood's
78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win for Alan Pardew's West Ham United.
• West Ham's only survivor from that game to feature today is James Collins.
Dean Ashton and Daniel Gabbidon, who both started the semi-final, are both
working their way back to fitness. For Middlesbrough, former England
defender Southgate is now the man in charge at the Riverside Stadium.
• Goalkeeper Brad Jones - who replaced the injured Mark Schwarzer midway
through the semi-final - defenders Andrew Taylor and Chris Riggott and
midfielder Stewart Downing all started at Villa Park and are still with the
club, although Riggott is sidelined by injury. Midfielder Matthew Bates, an
unused substitute in April 2006, is also still a member of the Boro squad.
• Saturday's match is the fourth time West Ham United have been drawn to
face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Aside from the 2006 semi-final, West Ham
overcame Boro 2-1 in a second round replay in February 1912 with goals from
Herbert Ashton and Fred Harrison.
• Middlesbrough gained their revenge by securing a 2-1 third round victory
at Ayresome Park on 3 January 1970. West Ham's goal that day was scored by
Alan Stephenson.
• Gianfranco Zola and Middlesbrough boss Southgate faced one another as
players in the 2000 FA Cup final. Zola's Chelsea beat Southgate's Aston
Villa 2-0 in the last final to be contested at the old Wembley Stadium.
• West Ham United striker Carlton Cole made his full England debut on
Wednesday evening, appearing as a 75th-minute substitute for Fabio Capello's
side in the 2-0 friendly defeat by Spain in Seville. Fellow Hammers Robert
Green and Matthew Upson earned their second and 13th caps respectively as
half-time substitutes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
• A host of other West Ham players were in international action in midweek.
Australia captain Lucas Neill led the Socceroos to a hard-fought 2010 FIFA
World Cup Asia qualifying Round 4 group 0-0 draw with Japan in Yokohama. The
draw kept Pim Verbeek's side three points clear of the Japanese at the top
of their group midway through their eight-match campaign.
• Jack Collison played the first half of Wales' 1-0 friendly defeat by
Poland in Vila Real, Portugal, earning his fourth cap for John Toshack's
side.
• Midfielder Radoslav Kovac - on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of
the season - earned his 29th cap for Czech Republic in their goalless
friendly draw with Morocco in Casablanca.
• Striker Zavon Hines, 20, was called into the Jamaica squad for Wednesday
evening's goalless friendly draw with Nigeria at Millwall's New Den on
Wednesday, but did not make it into John Barnes' matchday 18 on the night.
• Teenager Jordan Spence, who is on loan at Leyton Orient, completed a full
90 minutes for England's Under-19 side in their 3-0 friendly defeat by Spain
at AFC Bournemouth's Dean Court on Tuesday evening.
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Peter Walton.
• Walton, 49, has been refereeing since 1986. He was appointed to the
Football League list as an assistant referee in 1993 before progressing to
the Premier League a year later and the FIFA list in 1996.
• Walton became a Football League referee in 1998 before joining the Select
List in 2003.
• Walton was an assistant referee at the 1996 FA Cup final between
Manchester United and Liverpool and for the Euro 96 fixture between Czech
Republic and Germany at Old Trafford.
• Walton has taken control of 25 matches in all competitions this season,
including the FA Community Shield between Manchester United and Portsmouth,
West Ham's 1-0 Carling Cup third-round defeat at Watford and their Premier
League fixtures at Manchester United and Liverpool.
• In those 25 matches, Walton has issued 60 yellow cards and sent-off three
players at an average of 2.52 cards per game.
Last time out
Sunday 8 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-1 Manchester United
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Tristan 87),
Parker, Noble (Savio 77), Collison, Cole, Di Michele
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Kovac, Spector, Sears
Booked: Neill
Goals: None
Saturday 8 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
Manchester City 1-0 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough: Jones, Wheater, Riggott (Hoyte 68), Huth, Pogatetz, Adam
Johnson (Tuncay 74), Bates, Digard (O'Neil 60), Downing, Alves, King
Subs not used Turnbull, Emnes, Shawky, Arca
Booked: O'Neil
Goals: None
West Ham United
• West Ham United go into Saturday's match having lost just one of their
last nine matches in all competitions. Last Sunday's defeat by Manchester
United ended a run of six wins and two draws in the Premier League and FA
Cup.
• West Ham United's biggest home win over Middlesbrough came in the shape of
a 4-0 success at the Boleyn Ground on 16 May 1999. Trevor Sinclair scored
twice, while Marc Keller and Frank Lampard added a goal apiece.
• West Ham have won the FA Cup three times - in 1964, 1975 and 1980 - and
been runners-up on two occasions - in 1923 and 2006.
• Midfielder Scott Parker was named E.ON Player of the Round following his
man-of-the-match performance in West Ham United's FA Cup fourth round win at
Hartlepool United.
• Lucas Neill is available to face Boro but will miss the trip to Bolton
Wanderers on Saturday week after picking up his fifth caution of the season
against Manchester United.
• Valon Behrami is one yellow card away from a one-match suspension,
although that threat will be lifted after the Bolton fixture.
Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough go into Saturday's game on a run of 13 games without a
victory in the Premier League. However, Boro have beaten non-league Barrow
(2-1 with both goals from Afonso Alves) and Championship leaders
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-1 with goals from Alves and Marvin Emnes) to
reach the FA Cup fifth round.
• Middlesbrough have never won the FA Cup. However, they were runners-up in
1997, when Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke were part of the Chelsea side
that beat them 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Team news
• January transfer window signing Savio is pushing for his first start in a
West Ham United shirt.
• Czech Republic international Radoslav Kovac, 29, who has arrived at the
Boleyn Ground from Russian side Spartak Moscow on loan until the end of the
season with a view to a permanent move, could make his West Ham debut.
• Dean Ashton (ankle), Danny Gabbidon (stomach) and Kieron Dyer (calf) are
not under consideration. Ashton underwent successful ankle surgery on his
left ankle this week to aid his rehab while Dyer is thought to be three or
four weeks away from a return. Gabbidon continues to make progress on his
long-term problem.
• England Under-19 James Tomkins is continuing his recovery from a minor
hamstring injury and could be available for selection.
• Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami and Wales defender James Collins
should be fit after missing their respective midweek international matches.
• Gareth Southgate has lost central defender Chris Riggott to a knee
ligament injury suffered in last weekend's 1-0 Premier League defeat at
Manchester City. Former West Ham forward Jeremie Aliadiere and defender
Andrew Taylor are both sidelined with ankle problems.
• Youngster Seb Hines has joined League One side Oldham Athletic on loan
this week.
Last meeting
• The teams met at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday 29 October 2008, when
the two sides drew 1-1. Hayden Mullins gave West Ham United a first half
lead before Mido's late free-kick earned Middlesbrough a point
• The lineups were:
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater (Hoyte 46), Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor,
Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca 56), Downing, Sanli, Alves (Mido 67)
Subs not used: Jones, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Grounds
Goal: Mido 83
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Collison,
Mullins, Boa Morte (Bowyer 84), Bellamy, Sears (Etherington 73)
Subs not used: Walker, Lopez, Tomkins, Di Michele, Tristan
Goal: Mullins 21
Attendance: 25,164
Old boys
• Middlesbrough's French striker Jeremie Aliadiere made eight league and cup
appearances on loan for West Ham United from Arsenal between August 2005 and
January 2006. The Rambouillet-born player has scored eight goals in 51 games
since joining Boro from the Gunners for £2m in June 2007.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Brian Deane,
James Dow, Paul Ince, Frank Piercy, Luke 'Lou' Raisbeck, George 'Geordie'
Reid, Robbie Stockdale and Robert Young.
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
Premier League, 1 November 2008 - Middlesbrough 1-1 West Ham United, Premier
League, 22 December 2007 - Middlesbrough 1-2 West Ham United
Premier League, 15 September 2007 - West Ham United 3-0 Middlesbrough
Premier League, 31 March 2007 - West Ham United 2-0 Middlesbrough Premier
League, 11 November 2006 - Middlesbrough 1-0 West Ham United FA Cup
semi-final, 23 April 2006 - Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham United
Overall record v Middlesbrough (all competitions) W 24 D 23 L 12
Next up
• West Ham United will travel to Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on
Saturday 21 February, kick-off 3pm
• Middlesbrough will host Wigan Athletic in the Premier League next
Saturday, 21 February, kick-off 3pm
General information
• For ticket information, click here
• The London Underground Hammersmith and City line is suspended between
Edgware Road and Barking. The Metropolitan line is suspended between Baker
Street and Aldgate. Supporters should use the Circle and District lines as
an alternative route to the Boleyn Ground. The District line is suspended
between Upminster and Dagenham East. A rail replacement service will
operate. For more details, visit www.thetube.com
• Minor timetable changes will affect the c2c services leaving Fenchurch
Street, with trains leaving London two minutes later than advertised.
• Sunday's weather forecast is for a sunny day with a maximum daytime
temperature of 5C.
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Parker pride on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker spoke to WHUTV after picking up two fans' awards in quick
succession
13.02.2009
Scott Parker had a month to remember in January after picking up two awards
in the space of a week. Parker was named the whufc.com player of the month
for January after gaining 33 per cent of the vote in an online poll. The
West Ham United midfielder was integral to the team's superb form, playing a
full 90 minutes in five of the Hammers' six unbeaten games in the month.
One of Parker's most notable performances came at Hartlepool's Victoria Park
stadium on 24 January, when he was given the man of the match award after
the 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round win. As well as being singled out on the day,
the 28-year-old's performance led fans from all over the country to vote him
'Player of the Round', although Parker was keen to share the accolade with
his team-mates. "As a player you have personal things for you it helps and
I'm delighted to have won a couple of awards," Parker told WHUTV. "I know it
is clichéd but it is a team effort and I think everyone at the club is doing
well. We just need to keep going in our next game against Middlesbrough and
after that we go to Bolton, where we will need to start another run."
Parker knows an FA Cup fifth-round win this weekend would leave them just 90
minutes away from a Wembley semi-final, and the West Ham No8 is excited by
the prospect of a long cup run. "I don't there is a better cup competition
around than the FA Cup. You can go and play at Wembley at the end of it.
We're on good form at the moment and playing really well. Even at the
weekend [the narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester United] we were unlucky and when
you say that after playing one of the best teams in the world you have to
think that is a good thing. "That mood at the club is really bubbly and
there's an infectious atmosphere at the moment which is good thing.
Everything is running smoothly and that seems to be the way things should be
going."
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Dixon talks to WHUTV
WHUFC.com
New signing Terry Dixon has spoken to WHUTV about his ambitions with West
Ham United
12.02.2009
Terry Dixon has given his first interview to WHUTV since signing for West
Ham United on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Ireland youth international spoke
of his determination to get some game time under his belt before this
season. "There isn't really a rush but I would like to try and get involved
in the first team towards the end of the season as long as everything is ok
with the club as they may be kicking on for Europe," Dixon said. "We'll see
what happens as I'd like to get a few games under my belt for the reserves
and then show the manager what I can do. I just want to pay the club back"
The striker also talks about the dedicated work West Ham's medical team have
done with him at Chadwell Heath to help him return to fitness and his
ambitions to return to the international set-up with Ireland after being
called up to the full squad at just 16.
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West Ham v Middlesbrough
BBC.co.uk
FA Cup fifth round
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 14 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full-match commentary on BBC Tees 95FM, score updates and text
commentary on BBC Sport website
Team news to follow later.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Ham against Middlesbrough is one of two all-Premier League ties in the
fifth round, and the first time in this season's competition that either
side are facing a fellow top-flight club.
These clubs are meeting for the first time in the FA Cup, since the Hammers'
1-0 win in the 2006 semi-final at Villa Park. Marlon Harewood's goal landed
Alan Pardew's side a ticket for the Millennium Stadium final against
Liverpool, which they drew 3-3 after extra time and the Merseysiders won on
penalties.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate captained Aston Villa in the 2000 FA
Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea. The Blues side that day included
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola.
The League ladder
Middlesbrough are 11 places and 11 points inferior to West Ham in the
Premier League table.
Referee
Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Replay date
Tuesday, 24 February - Kick Off: 2000 hours
FA CUP RECORDS AND BEST PERFORMANCES
WEST HAM UNITED
Current form
Ended an eight-game unbeaten sequence of six wins and two draws with last
Sunday's 0-1 home defeat to top-of-the-table Manchester United.
Recent FA Cup performance
On their best run since finishing runners-up in 2005-06.
The Manager
Gianfranco Zola won two FA Cup winners' medals with Chelsea in 1997 (v
Middlesbrough) and 2000 (v Aston Villa).
FA Cup fact
The second of West Ham's three cup final winning line-ups in 1975 was the
last to be comprised entirely of English born players.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Current form
Their only victories in 15 league and cup outings have been in the FA Cup;
2-1, home to Barrow in the third round, and 1-2 away to Wolves in round
four.
Not scored in their last three matches - all Premier League fixtures.
Recent FA Cup performance
Aiming to make the last eight for the fourth season running.
The Manager
Gareth Southgate picked up just one FA Cup runners-up medal in his playing
career, nine years ago.
FA Cup fact
Knocked out by the eventual losing-finalists in each of the last four
seasons.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
West Ham have won three of an unbeaten last four Premier League meetings
with Middlesbrough. This season, they've already crossed swords at the
Riverside on 1 November. The Hammers were on a four-game losing run, going
into the match. Hayden Mullins put them ahead after 21 minutes, a lead they
held until seven minutes from time when Mido rescued a point for the
Teesside club.
FA Cup
West Ham and Middlesbrough first met in the competition in 1912, when the
Hammers progressed to the third round, after a replay. Middlesbrough knocked
out the Londoners in the third round in 1970. They did not meet again in the
competition until their semi-final clash three years ago.
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Hammers striker op is 'very successful'
7:53pm Thursday 12th February 2009
Guardian Series
WEST Ham striker Dean Ashton has come through his second ankle operation
unscathed, although a date for his return has not been set. The 25-year-old
underwent a first operation soon after injuring his ankle in September last
year. But a second operation was deemed necessary, although it has been
labeled 'very successful'. Ashton said: "It was disappointing to have
another operation, but it had to be done and was only a minor thing." James
Calder, who worked on the operation, is confident Ashton will make a full
recovery, after undergoing further reassessment later this month, before
flying to Amsterdam to meet specialist Professor Niek van Dijk four weeks
later. Calder said: "This type of procedure has been performed on a lot of
top sports professionals and it has proven very successful. "It was a
complicated injury but we are confident that Dean will recover well."
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The Waking Nightmare
Just Like My Dreams
Dean Ashton's injury nightmare has been prolonged after West Ham confirmed
he has had yet another "very successful" operation on his ankle this week.
The England striker has been sidelined since September with his current
problem and the Hammers had hoped that following previous surgery he would
now be back in action. But Ashton has been forced to go under the knife
again and the club have yet to put a date on his return.
Ashton is reported to be recovering well after the surgery and remains in
good spirits. World renowned specialist Niek van Dijk flew to London to work
with the highly regarded James Calder. Van Dijk has previously operated on
Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Ballack and Robin van Persie. The England striker
was pleased to get the procedure out of the way and is already focused on
getting back on track with his rehab, which had been progressing well. "It
was disappointing to have another operation. But it had to be done and was
only a minor thing, a small problem that had to be dealt with and I am glad
it is all done now," he said. "I was also very pleased to have the two of
the best ankle specialists in the room at the same time when I had the
operation done. The feedback I have had from everyone has been great, so
that is very good for me."
The 25-year-old will be reassessed later this month before flying to
Amsterdam to meet Professor Van Dijk for further examination in around four
weeks. That could give a clearer indication of when he might be able to
return to action. James Calder said: "This type of procedure has been
performed on a lot of top European sports professionals and it has proven
very successful. It was a complicated injury but we are confident that Dean
will recover well. The mental approach is as important as the physical and
Dean is very focused in that respect. He has the right attitude to
rehabilitation and is as strong in mind as he is in body. He deserves every
success and I hope he is back playing for West Ham soon."
Ashton is yet to play for Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola; his last appearance,
in the 3-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on 13 September, was two days
before the Sardinian took charge. He is hopeful he is now on the road to
recovery. "When you are out this long they wonder what is wrong especially
as I started the season OK," he said. "But as any player will tell you, this
is what it can be like with any injury you pick up. The important thing is I
am working hard and looking to be firing on all cylinders when I come back.
Another good thing is that I have not lost any of the fitness I had gained
before the operation, so I can get back to everything again soon and
continue to work hard."
On to the international round-up where Carlton Cole made his England debut
as a late substitute while Robert Green and Matthew Upson both played the
whole of the second half for England in the 2-0 defeat by Spain. Cole came
on in the 75th minute and looked lively during his late run-out, showing
some nice early touches to bring others into play. The striker then so
nearly marked his first appearance with a goal two minutes from the end when
he picked up David Beckham's through-ball and rounded Pepe Reina, only for
Carlos Marchena to clear his goalbound effort off the line.
Green and Upson joined the fray at half-time with the visitors already a
goal down from David Villa's superb 36th-minute opener. Green looked assured
on his second appearance for his country and could do nothing about young
substitute Fernando Llorente's header with eight minutes to go. The West Ham
No1 made several well-taken catches and kicked well throughout. Upson played
confidently alongside captain John Terry in central defence on his 13th cap
for the Three Lions. The 29-year-old did not allow the Spanish forwards any
space and zipped several smart passes forward.
The game was the first time three West Ham United players have been on the
pitch at the same time for England in seven years. The last occasion saw
David James, Trevor Sinclair and Joe Cole line up in a 1-1 draw with
Portugal at Villa Park on 7 September 2002.
Elsewhere, Radoslav Kovac took another vital step towards first team fitness
by playing an encouraging 90 minutes for the Czech Republic as they secured
a goalless draw in Casablanca on Wednesday night. New recruit Kovac played
in a holding midfield role and more than played his part in a tricky
encounter that saw the African nation dominate the play. Morocco went close
four times in the second half after a quiet first 45 minutes but the fact
the West Ham United No14 got his first full competitive run-out since 27
November will be a big boost to the club ahead of the weekend's FA Cup tie
with Middlesbrough.
Having played at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, Kovac has every chance of
playing for his country again at next summer's global finals in South
Africa. The 29-year-old, on loan from Spartak Moscow with a view to a
permanent transfer in the summer, has helped the Czechs to third place in
qualifying Group 3, two points behind leaders Slovakia ahead of the trip to
Slovenia on 28 March. He has been capped 29 times with two goals.
Jack Collison continued his excellent season with a fourth cap for Wales
last night as they went down 1-0 to Poland in a friendly played in Portugal.
The West Ham United midfielder has established himself as a first-team
regular for the club under Gianfranco Zola and looks to have done the same
for John Toshack's Welsh side. Collison played 45 minutes in Vila Real
before making way for Arsenal starlet Aaron Ramsey in a match that saw Roger
Guerreiro hit a late winner for the Poles. The 20-year-old Collison was the
only Hammer on view with James Collins remaining at Chadwell Heath for
treatment - although he should be OK for the weekend - while Danny Gabbidon
is STILL working his way back to fitness after a long-term abdominal injury.
In the same game Craig Bellamy was involved in an angry touchline
confrontation with a fan. The ex-United forward, who had passed a fitness
test on his right knee, was the subject of some abuse while doing a
television interview and reacted by gesturing at a spectator before being
led away. "These things happen, I don't want to make any fuss about it,"
Bellamy said. "Maybe it was because of a few drinks. It always seems to be
me, though. I have shown my commitment to Wales by turning up for these
sorts of games, but it is me that always seems to get picked on for stick.
I'm passionate about my country, maybe too passionate at times."
POSTED BY TRILBY AT 11:59
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I've been Zo lucky with the Hammers
The Sun
by PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA says he would have been sacked two months into his first
management job if he had been anywhere else but West Ham. The Upton Park
boss has seen FIVE Premiership changes so far this season and looked on
shaky ground when West Ham went on a disastrous run, winning just one game
in 12.
But the board gave Zola time to turn the tide of bad results and West Ham
are now mid-table. Zola said: "It took me a while to get going and maybe I
would have been sacked at a different club after two months... you
definitely need time. "West Ham have been fantastic for me and I'll give
them everything. "Managing is difficult nowadays because people want results
straight away but that doesn't happen in football. "There is no manager in
the world who can change a team in a few weeks unless you can spend millions
of pounds on top-class players. "A manager cannot do a job that easily in
football. You need to plan and work, you need to be allowed time to change
players and the shape of the team."
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West Ham legend Di Canio has coaching bug
13.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United legend Paolo di Canio says he has coaching ambitions. In a
wide-ranging interview, Di Canio said his coaching plans had been boosted by
his time with Cisco Roma. "I want to coach at the highest level," declared
Di Canio, "though theory is one thing and practice is another." He also took
a swipe at Lazio president Claudio Lotito. "Roma are fortunate," smiled Di
Canio, "because they have two presidents: one with Roma and one with Lazio."
The Italian added: "I have a lot in common with the British people, although
I love my homeland. I'm proud of being born in Italy."
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