WHUFC.com
A big game at home against Manchester City this weekend could mean an
instant upturn in fortunes
26.02.2009
Gianfranco Zola has emphasised the determination within the West Ham United
camp to focus fully on a strong Premier League finish.
With 12 games to play, the club are well-placed to make a challenge on the
teams just above in the standings - namely seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and
eighth-ranked Fulham, who have trips to Chelsea and Arsenal respectively on
Saturday. The Hammers are then in action on Sunday lunchtime when a
Manchester City side looking to make their own assault on the top half of
the table arrive at the Boleyn Ground.
Although the disappointment of Wednesday night's FA Cup exit at
Middlesbrough after a 2-0 fifth-round replay defeat still lingers, Zola is
expecting a reaction from his team who until last weekend had not lost away
since 29 October and have shown good form of late at home. "The guys are not
willing to sit on this too long and we are determined to put another run of
good results together," he said. "We know what we are capable of achieving
and will work very hard to make this happen."
The manager acknowledged though that his team's display at the Riverside,
that featured a Stewart Downing set-piece and opportunist Tuncay strike,
"certainly hasn't been our best performance". With reference to the previous
defeat at Bolton Wanderers that began with a Matt Taylor free-kick, he
added: "It is not easy to start for the second time in a few days with an
opposition player putting the ball in the top corner and then after that
straight away to concede another goal. That made it difficult for everybody
- especially confidence wise.
"It hasn't been a great performance but I believe the players gave
everything as well. That is encouraging. We had to try and score before
half-time. We didn't manage to do that and in situations like this the
confidence of the other team increases where ours goes down. We prepared
properly and then you have a player that puts the ball in the top corner
[like Downing did]. Maybe the second goal I might have something to talk
about - we will look at that during the week."
Zola had Radoslav Kovac making his debut and his extended run-out will have
been invaluable as the Czech international midfielder builds up his match
sharpness while the contest offered more invaluable top-level experience for
youngsters like James Tomkins and Freddie Sears. Above all, the manager was
keen to emphasise the postives seen and heard from the huge travelling band
of fans.
"I am very disappointed for our supporters. Once again they were fantastic.
They came here with a big crowd and we wanted to give them something more,"
he said before stressing that his players would do all they could to repay
that backing at the earliest opportunity.
"It is not a very good moment but it will not last long - that is for sure.
We are determined to stop this run straight away. Sunday is a very important
match and the players know it. We will see what we can do. It is a tough
match but we know how important it is for us and we are not willing to lose
it. I don't think we are far away from a win. The players know what they
have to do and I am sure they will get back to the winning habit."
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Thanks from Richard House
WHUFC.com
The Wear Red campaign went down well but it is not too late to show your
support for the worthy cause
26.02.2009
Club charity Richard House Children's Hospice has thanked all West Ham
United fans who backed their Wear Red for Richard House campaign.
On Friday 13 February, the Beckton-based hospice that offers support to
life-limited children and their families staged the event to raise
much-needed funs. The charity has said that anyone who has not yet paid up
their donations or sponsorship, can do so at their Just Giving site. For
more information, click here.
The West Ham United squad led the way by donning special red Richard House
T-shirts on the day. If you want to help make next year's event even bigger
and better, then you can fill in a quick online survey. Click here to find
out more while you can read much more about the excellent work done by
Richard House by going to their website.
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Stanislas sets his sights
WHUFC.com
Young winger Junior Stanislas is determined to make his first-team
breakthrough sooner rather than later
27.02.2009
Junior Stanislas is aiming to make his mark on the first team before the end
of the season having had a taste of the senior set-up in recent weeks.
The England Under-19 international has become a regular part of Gianfranco
Zola's training sessions and travelled for the Barclays Premier League
fixture at Bolton Wanderers last weekend. He was cup-tied in midweek but
that meant he could get another good run-out with the reserves as they went
down 3-1 to a more experienced Tottenham Hotspur side.
Stanislas, 19, has a dozen games left this season to force his way into
Zola's top-flight thinking, and the winger certainly did his cause no harm
with three goals in nine games during a recent loan spell at Southend
United. "I want to push on in the first team and start being on the bench,"
he admitted when asked to explain his immediate goals.
"I travelled with the first team the other day. I want to be on the bench,
get some game time and come on and get five minutes here and there and get
myself in the picture. I am training with the first team. It is good. I was
a bit slow to start with but obviously training with those players can only
make you better."
In last Tuesday's reserve contest, Stanislas was arguably the most effective
of the homegrown Hammers on the pitch and he paid tribute to the young squad
that coach Alex Dyer had at his disposal. "The 3-1 doesn't sound so good but
we had a young team and they had a few experienced players.
"We played well up to the 80th minute and could have got something from the
game," he added before acknowledging the part that Spurs' No10 Adel Taarabt
played with his hat-trick. "When you have got a player like that it makes a
difference," Stanislas said. "He scored three good goals had good ability
and helped them a lot."
Stanislas, who has been at the club for eight years, recognises he has a
role to play in helping those following behind. "I just do the best I can
and try and help the boys get a good result. All the rest of the boys were
youth players and did well. They didn't look nervous, passed the ball well
and played the game. They did well."
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Faubert hoping for chance
On loan Real winger growing frustrated at the Bernabeu
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 26th February 2009
SSN
Real Madrid winger Julien Faubert has admitted that despite enduring a
frustrating start to his Bernabeu career he is determined to prove his
worth. The 25-year-old has made just one substitute appearance since his
surprising loan move from West Ham on the last day of the January transfer
window. Despite his lack of football the former Bordeaux ace is confident he
can make an impact at the club if he is given a chance. Faubert's loan
expires on May 31st and the French international knows that he does not have
long if he is to make the most of the opportunity he has been given. "It is
difficult. I don't know why, I have been told nothing. However it goes off
better and better during training sessions," he explained. "The other
players start to know the way I am playing, preferring the gaps. I believe I
have already improved on technical and physical levels. I have lost two
kilograms. "Anyway I won't give up, even if I don't know what I have to
change. I never experienced such a moment in my career. "I don't have a lot
of time, my loan will be over on May 31st. I have to play and prove my
value."
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Sheffield United Demand £45m From West Ham Over Tevez Saga
Who'd have thought Carlitos' goal at Old Trafford in 2007 would prove so
expensive for the Hammers?
27 Feb 2009 06:29:02
Goal.com
The Sun reports that Sheffield United are now demanding more than £45
million in damages from West Ham United over the illegal transfer of Carlos
Tevez. Tevez arrived at Upton Park at the start of the 2006-07 season, and
it was his barnstorming performances during the back half of that campaign
that rescued the Hammers from relegation. Indeed, the Argentine forward
netted against Manchester United - for whom he now plays - on the last day
of the season to keep the Irons in the Premier League. That, combined with
Sheffield's failure to claim a result against Wigan Athletic the same
afternoon, saw the Yorkshire club go down - and they hold West Ham and their
illegal recruit personally responsible. The Londoners have already been
fined a record £5.5m for failing to disclose Tevez's third-party status, and
now they face financial meltdown if the Blades win their case. West Ham have
unsuccessfully referred the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and
the High Court, and so their fate rests with a tribunal hearing set to start
on March 16.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
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Pogatetz admits players concerned with Middlesbrough's 'sit down, keep
quiet' letter
27.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Middlesbrough skipper Emanuel Pogatetz admits the club's letter to fans for
them to 'sit down, keep quiet' had the players worried ahead of their FA Cup
victory over West Ham. "We were a bit unsure of what it would be like
because of what had happened," he told the Evening Gazette. "When I turned
up at the stadium I wondered how fans would react after the letter. "But
they were brilliant and they stood right behind us. "It has been a bad spell
these last few months and but it gives the players a great lift that they
are right behind us even at times like this. "I think the fans wanted to
prove a point. They made a great atmosphere and it is important for us that
they stick with us. That kind of atmosphere can give us a big push in the
relegation battle."
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Blackburn, West Ham target Foley focused on Wolves
27.02.09 | tribalfootball.com
Wolves fullback Kevin Foley is staying calm over increased transfer talk.
Blackburn, West Ham and Wigan have all been linked with Foley, who told
skysports.com: "I'm just trying to concentrate on my career with Wolves and
I try not to take much notice of stories linking me elsewhere. "There is
such a big job on our hands here and no player wants to get sidetracked by
talks like that, so yes it is nice to receive such attention, but it means
nothing to me as I am focused on the job here."
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Zola unfazed by Bellamy return
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 26 February 2009 - 8:47 PM
Gianfranco Zola insists he will not allow the return of West Ham hate figure
Craig Bellamy to distract him from ending his side's run of five matches
without a win. Bellamy recently made a £14million move to Manchester City
and can expect a red-hot reception when he returns to Upton Park with Mark
Hughes' men this Sunday. West Ham have hit the buffers in recent weeks and
were dumped out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough on Wednesday, while Bellamy
has found his shooting boots since signing for City. The fiery Wales forward
will be the number one target for the East End masses on Sunday and Zola
admits he has no idea what awaits his former player. "I don't know to be
honest - it's not my concern," said Zola. "It is important that we focus and
I focus on winning the game. I hope he has a good reception, but that's not
down to me really. "Yes, I was sad to see him go but I've already spoken so
much about it. Now, he doesn't play for us and that's it."
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West Ham v Man City
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1230 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live & highlights on MOTD2
BBC.co.uk
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Team news to follow later.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two clubs adjacent to each other at the bottom of the top half of the
Premier League table, go toe to toe at Upton Park.
Both West Ham and Manchester City have won nine games, but the Hammers are
one point better off.
Both sides were in action midweek; West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup
by Middlesbrough.
Manchester City head to East London, with an appalling away record. Only one
victory has been accrued in 13 attempts away from the City of Manchester
Stadium this term.
Manchester City will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run over West Ham
in the Premier League to six matches. The Citizens have won four and drawn
one of the last five and only conceded one goal in the process.
Distance between the clubs: 215 miles (347 kilometres)
Manchester City are making the longest journey of any club for a Premier
League match this weekend.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 9th 33 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Lost their last two Premier League matches, against Manchester United
(home) and Bolton (away).
2. Completed 16 top-flight games since losing three in a row; in fact they
tumbled to four straight losses throughout the month of October 2008.
3. Down by seven points on this same stage last season, when they crept up
to ninth for one week from their 10th placing where they returned to and
stayed for the rest of the season.
4. Lost just one of the 10 games in which they have opening the scoring;
home to Everton on 8 November.
5. Their three game winning run at home was brought to an end with a 0-1
victory by Manchester United in the most recent top-flight game at Upton
Park on 8 February.
6. In danger of a hat-trick of top-flight defeats to North-West clubs,
having lost home to Manchester United and away to Bolton in their last two
league outings. Not beaten a club from the region in six attempts, from
which only one point was garnered.
7. This game precedes another mid-table match-up, away to Wigan before
back-to-back fixtures with relegation-haunted sides; home to West Brom and
away to Blackburn.
Fixtures
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MANCHESTER CITY
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 10th 32 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Won four of eight Premier League matches.
2. 12 points down on this identical juncture last season, when in the top
seven.
3. Won all seven league games in which clean sheets have been kept, and lost
all six matches in which they've failed to score.
4. Not registered a goalless draw in 33 top-flight matches, the longest
current such sequence by any club in the Premier League. The most recent was
away to Bolton on 22 March last year.
5. Drawn five and lost six of the last 11 away league games.
7. Their only Premier League victory on the road this season came courtesy
of a 0-3 triumph over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 31 August.
8. Won one of nine top-flight trips to London; 0-2 against West Ham on 11
August 2007.
9. The next four fixtures after this will include clashes with three of the
'Big Four'; home to Aston Villa and away to Chelsea and Arsenal.
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.
Carlton COLE is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.
If selected:-
GREEN will be making his 100th appearance in a West Ham goalkeepers' jersey.
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MANCHESTER CITY
Squad profiles
ROBINHO is the club's top Premier League scorer with 11 goals.
Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS is a hat-trick shy of 50 club career goals (Nottingham
Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea). ?
If selected:-
Richard DUNNE will be making his 300th career Premier League appearance
(Everton and Manchester City)
Craig BELLAMY will be facing a former club. The 29 year old Wales
international made 26 appearances (24 in the league) and scored nine goals
(seven league) for West Ham between July 2007 and his move to Eastlands in
the January window.
Michael JOHNSON will be playing two days before turning 21.
HEAD TO HEAD
Last season's equivalent fixture was Manchester City's first match under
Sven-Goran Eriksson and new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, and resulted in a 0-2
victory for the visitors to East London. Since then of course, both have
moved on.
If City pick up a third consecutive league victory at Upton Park, they will
complete a second Premier League double over West Ham; the first came in the
season before last.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 32 wins, Man City 37, Draws 12
Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Man City 8, Draws 3
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 23 wins, Man City 10, Draws 7
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Man City 2, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City
11 August 2007 - Ref: Peter Walton
Man City scorers: Bianchi 18, Geovanni 87
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United
24 August 2008 - Ref: Howard Webb
Man City scorers: Sturridge 65, Elano 70, 76
Sent Off: Noble (West Ham) 38
REFEREE
Mike Dean (Wirral)
Premier League referees' table
Mike Dean's 2008-09 Premier League card count
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