WHUFC.com
All of the early team news ahead of Monday's visit of West Bromwich Albion
to the Boleyn Ground
14.03.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Boleyn Ground
Monday 16 March
8pm
Referee: Mark Halsey
• West Ham United welcome Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion for the club's
15th home match of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season.
• West Ham have won seven home league matches (Wigan Athletic, Blackburn
Rovers, Newcastle United, Stoke City, Fulham, Hull City and Manchester
City), drawn one (Portsmouth) and lost six (Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal,
Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester United).
• The Hammers go into Monday's match having won each of their last two
Premier League matches. A Jack Collison volley saw Manchester City beaten
1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on 1 March before Carlton Cole's fine finish earned
victory by the same scoreline at Wigan Athletic on 4 March.
• West Ham will hope to avenge the 3-2 defeat they suffered by West Brom at
the Hawthorns on Saturday 13 September last year. That match represented
Gianfranco Zola's first since being unveiled as West Ham's new manager,
although first-team coach Kevin Keen took control of the squad that day
before Zola took charge officially on the Monday.
• Zola's side go into the match in seventh place in the Premier League
table. A win could lift the Hammers within three points of sixth-placed
Everton should the Toffeemen lose at home to Stoke City on Saturday. Should
Hull City fail to win the FA Cup and the top six remain the same, a
seventh-place finish will be good enough to qualify for next season's UEFA
Europa League.
• West Brom go into the match bottom of the table, four points behind
second-bottom Middlesbrough and six points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle
United.
• Sunday's match is the 12th of West Ham's 29 Premier League matches to be
screened live on television. The fixture will be shown live by Setanta
Sports.
• This is the 74th league meeting between the two sides. West Brom have won
33, West Ham have won 30 and there have been ten draws.
• Gianfranco Zola said: "It is not a gimme that is for sure. First of all
they are bottom of the league but they are playing well. I have seen them
play a few times and they play quite good football, they have been very
unlucky on a few occasions and maybe conceded some goals they could have
avoided. They are a team that is alive and we need to respect that ... There
is still a chance although it is becoming very difficult for them although I
believe that Tony Mowbray is doing a good job."
Referee
• Monday's referee is Mark Halsey.
• Aged 47, Mark Halsey played semi-professional football for Barnet and St
Albans City in the 1980s before becoming a referee in the early 1990s. At
the time, he would continue to train with Barnet and later Potters Bar in
order to maintain his fitness.
• Halsey joined the Football League list of referees in the mid-1990s,
taking charge of the memorable Division Two play-off final between
Manchester City and Gillingham in 1999. That same year, Halsey was added to
the Premier League list, with Wimbledon's 1-1 draw with Coventry City on 14
August 1999 representing his first top-flight fixture.
• In 2000, he was added to the FIFA list, officiating matches at the Toulon
Under-21 tournament in France and the World Student Games. After acting as
the fourth official at the 2002 FA Cup final, Halsey took charge of his
first senior international match - a friendly between Belgium and France in
2004.
• Halsey was the referee for the 2007 Community Shield between Chelsea and
Manchester United and the 2008 Carling Cup final contested by Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur.
• In the 32 matches he has officiated this season, Halsey has issued 49
yellow cards and two red cards - an average of 1.59 cards per game.
Last time out
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
Wigan Athletic 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison (Spector
78), Parker (Lopez 88), Kovac, Noble, Di Michele (Savio 75), Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Payne, Stanislas, Tristan
Booked: Noble, Cole, Parker, Neill, Savio
Sent-off: Cole
Goal: Cole 34
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Arsenal
West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Donk, Robinson, Morrison
(Menseguez 72), Greening, Koren, Brunt (Teixeira 72), Moore, Fortune
Subs not used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Kim, Valero
Booked: Koren, Brunt, Meite, Donk
Goal: Brunt 7
West Ham United
• West Ham go into Monday's match seeking a third straight Premier League
victory, having overcome Manchester City and Wigan Athletic 1-0 in each of
their last two league matches.
• West Ham's biggest home win over West Brom came in the shape of a 6-1
success at the Boleyn Ground on 16 April 1965. Hammers striker Brian Dear
scored five times in the space of 20 minutes either side of half-time after
Martin Peters' opening goal. West Bromwich Albion's consolation was scored
by Jeff Astle on the stroke of half-time.
• West Ham's most recent home win over West Brom came with a 1-0 Premier
League win on 5 November 2005. The Hammers' goal was scored by Teddy
Sheringham.
• Carlton Cole is West Ham's top scorer in the Premier League this season
with nine goals. He has eleven in all competitions.
• Goalkeeper Robert Green is the only West Ham player to have played every
minute of the club's 28 Premier League matches so far this season. Matthew
Upson has started all 28 games, but was substituted late in the 3-1 home
defeat by Everton on 8 November.
• Cole is West Ham's statistics leader in a number of categories. The
striker has had more shots in total (74), on target (45) and off target
(29), more assists (five), been caught offside more times (28) and committed
more fouls (62) than any other Hammers player.
• Matthew Upson has made more defensive blocks (25) and clearances (45) than
any other West Ham player.
• Midfielder Mark Noble has unleashed more crosses (23) than any other West
Ham player.
• Cole has been sent-off twice, more than any other West Ham player, while
Noble and Scott Parker have each been shown the yellow card on seven
occasions.
West Bromwich Albion
• West Brom go into Monday's match on a run of eight matches without a
victory in all competitions. Tony Mowbray's side have not won since
overcoming Middlesbrough 3-0 in the Premier League at the Hawthorns on 17
January. West Brom have also lost each of their last five matches in all
competitions and are bottom of the Premier League form table with just one
point from their last six fixtures.
• West Brom have gone 25 games without a goalless draw in the Premier
League, the second longest such streak in the division behind Manchester
City (35). West Brom's last 0-0 draw came at Bolton Wanderers on 30 August
2008.
• The Baggies have also gone six matches without keeping a clean sheet,
longer than any other club the top flight.
• West Brom's biggest ever away win at the Boleyn Ground came in the shape
of a 5-1 win on 7 November 1931. West Ham's goal that day was scored by
Jimmy Ruffell.
• West Brom's last win at the Boleyn Ground came with a 4-3 victory in the
Championship on 8 November 2003. Brian Deane scored a hat-trick for the
Hammers, but also put through his own net. The Baggies' other goals were
scored by Rob Hulse (two) and Lee Hughes.
• Roman Bednar is West Bromwich Albion's top scorer in the Premier League
this season with six goals. Bednar has also been caught offside more times
(19) than any of his team-mates.
• Goalkeeper Scott Carson is the only West Brom player to have played every
minute of the club's 28 Premier League matches so far this season. Defender
Paul Robinson has started 27 and midfielder Robert Koren 26.
• Scotland midfielder James Morrison has unleashed more shots (41) and has
more assists (three) than any other West Brom player this season.
• Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt has put in more crosses (53)
than any other West Brom player this term.
• Jonas Olsson has made more defensive blocks (20) than any other West Brom,
while Robinson has made the most defensive clearances (31).
• Robinson has received more red cards (one) and yellow cards (seven) than
any other West Brom player.
Team news
• West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will be without the suspended Carlton
Cole, who received two yellow cards and was sent-off at Wigan Athletic on 4
March. Cole will also miss Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers.
• Zola will also be without midfielders Valon Behrami and Jack Collison.
Switzerland international Behrami will be out of action for around six
months after suffering a anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee,
while Collison is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a
dislocated kneecap. Zola is hoping Collison will yet have an impact again
before the end of the season.
• Savio, an impressive substitute in the last two wins, and Freddie Sears
are both pushing hard for starting berths in the absence of Cole and
Collison from the team that began at Wigan.
• Portugal forward Luis Boa Morte, Wales defender James Collins and England
midfielder Kieron Dyer all stepped up their training during the club's
recent warm-weather training camp in Spain. Boa Morte could be in contention
for selection on Monday night.
• Spanish striker Diego Tristan is progressing well following a minor groin
injury.
• Young Academy graduates Junior Stanislas and Josh Payne, who have been
unused substitutes in the Hammers' recent Premier League victories over
Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, joined the first-team squad in Spain and
impressed manager Zola. Both will be hoping to earn their first taste of
competitive first-team action soon.
• Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is continuing his recovery from back and
stomach injuries by working with the club's medical staff at Chadwell Heath.
• West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray has welcomed Swedish defender
Jonas Olsson back into his squad after six weeks out with tendonitis in his
knee. Olsson came through 45 minutes of a Barclays Premier Reserve League
South match against Stoke City on Monday 9 March.
• Czech Republic international striker Roman Bednar is also hoping to
feature on Monday after recovering from a back injury, while on-loan Paris
St Germain midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is hoping to shake off a thigh strain
in time to make his West Brom debut.
• Mowbray will definitely be without forward Ishmael Miller, who has been
ruled out for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury in
his knee. Defender Neil Clement (knee) is also on the sidelines.
Last meeting
• The teams met at the Hawthorns on Saturday 13 September 2008. James
Morrison fired West Brom into a third-minute lead, only for Mark Noble and
Lucas Neill to put West Ham ahead with two goals in the space of six
minutes. A Roman Bednar penalty levelled matters on 37 minutes before Chris
Brunt won the game for the Baggies seven minutes from time.
• The match saw both Herita Ilunga and David Di Michele make their West Ham
debuts.
• The lineups were:
West Bromwich Albion: Carson, Hoefkens, Barnett, Olsson, Robinson, Morrison
(Kim 64), Koren, Greening, Brunt, Valero (Moore 64), Bednar (Cech 86)
Subs not used: Kiely, Beattie, MacDonald, Donk
Goals: Morrison 3, Bednar 37(pen), Brunt 83
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Faubert
65), Parker, Noble, Boa Morte (Etherington 79) Ashton (Di Michele 19), Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Bellamy, Mullins, Tomkins
Goals: Noble 29, Neill 35
Attendance: 26,213
Old boys
• West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon started his career with West Brom, making
27 league and cup appearances between August 1998 and September 2000.
• West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie, who is currently on loan at
Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, joined the Hammers from West Brom
in a £1.5m deal in January 2007. The Scotland international made 30
appearances during 12 months at the Hawthorns, scoring one goal.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Roger Cross,
Gary Strodder, Tommy Green, Vincent Hayes, Geoff Hurst, Thomas Kinsell,
Tudor Martin, Chippy Simmons,
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
13 September 2008 West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United
1 May 2006 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United
5 November 2005 West Ham United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
6 December 2003 (Championship) West Bromwich Albion 1-1 West Ham United
8 November 2003 (Championship) West Ham United 3-4 West Bromwich Albion
23 February 2003 West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
Overall record v West Ham United (all competitions) W 35 D 16 L 37
Next up
• West Ham will travel to Blackburn Rovers for a Barclays Premier League
fixture on Saturday 21 March, with kick-off at 3pm
• West Brom will play host Bolton Wanderers in the Barclays Premier League
next Saturday 21 March, kick-off 3pm
General information
• For ticket information, click here
• Monday's weather forecast is for sunny intervals, with a maximum daytime
temperature of 12C.
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Zola on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has been giving his pre-match thoughts and you can watch the
manager now on WHUTV
15.03.2009
Gianfranco Zola has been talking about his determination to secure as high
as finish as possible in the Barclays Premier League.
As well as the obvious feelgood factor generated by winning games, the West
Ham United manager knows a seventh-placed finish could propel his team into
the UEFA Europa League next season. He said: "We have a very good
opportunity because it is looking like seventh spot is going to be the one
for Europe. It would be great for our team to be playing in Europe. For the
players to play international games makes them better."
Zola also paid tribute to the resilience at the club to push on and keep on
improving. "There was one day [this season] when we played at Sunderland and
we were two points off the bottom but we went there and won. But even at the
most difficult moments, the team kept going and believing. They played
football the right way. Things are going very well due to that mental
strength."
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Parker pride at fan backing
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker is delighted with the support he has had from the West Ham
United faithful
15.03.2009
Scott Parker is ready to help West Ham United make it three league wins in a
row with the visit of West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.
The midfielder has been inspirational in recent weeks to help the team up to
seventh place - with whufc.com users voting him the player of the month for
January and February. Parker was delighted to learn of this latest
recognition but emphasised the importance of the team over individual.
He said: "Personal accolades are very good, it's nice to get them. It is
very pleasing to get them from your own fans and obviously for me
personally, it has been going very well.
"But the ultimate reward is success for the team. As a team, there is
nothing more satisfying then winning games and that's the one that keeps the
pressure off. You can play as well as you like, but if you are not winning,
the pressure mounts. When you are winning, the pressure is off a bit, you
are enjoying things. I know I am certainly doing that."
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Zola ready for action
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has urged his West Ham United side to keep the momentum
going against West Bromwich Albion
14.03.2009
Gianfranco Zola was in buoyant mood ahead of Monday's visit of West Bromwich
Albion with his West Ham United side going for their third straight Barclays
Premier League win.
After a successful week away at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, the
West Ham United manager is looking forward to getting back to business under
the Boleyn Ground floodlights - assured by his confidence in the club's
direction and the opportunity to start planning for the long-term future
after what has proved a promising first campaign in east London.
He said: "Certainly we are in a good moment but we need to make sure that we
keep the momentum. We have a good position in the league but we need to make
sure that we keep the position. It's going to be more difficult from now on
as we have a few injuries that will give us a few problems, but that doesn't
matter as we will be stronger than this.
"This team is making my life very enjoyable. They are playing well and
winning and for a manager that is fantastic. We are working hard every day
to make it better and better. In football you need momentum to keep it
going."
After a period of not getting the rub of the green in fixtures earlier in
the season, Zola is delighted to have seen his side evolve into one of the
form teams in the Premier League. In fact, if the league had begun on Boxing
Day the Hammers would be sitting second. Zola explained that the
transformation was not down to fortune but the hard work from everyone
involved.
"Our worst period was in October when we lost five or six games. But if you
analyse the games we lost in that period, until 75 minutes we were still
either leading the game or drawing the game. After 75 minutes we were
conceding and dropping points because our physical condition was going down.
"Since we improved the physical conditions things are going very well. We
have improved physically as a team and now things are going very well and
the team is getting what it deserves. We have tried to impose our regime and
we are working a lot with the ball and that improves your physical
conditions as well. So far things have been working very well."
West Ham will still be in seventh position come kick-off on Monday
regardless of the results from games played earlier in the weekend. Despite
having the advantage of knowing the outcomes of the other fixtures, Zola is
thinking only about his own side's performance.
"It can be a good advantage for us [playing on a Monday]. We still need to
play the game and play well if we want to win. In my opinion to win a game
you need to look at yourself and give the best of yourself and not look at
the others. For me the most important thing is we face the game and prepare
properly and give the best we can. Then what the other teams did is not that
important."
Monday night's opponents prop up the Premier League table and are without a
win in eight games, but Zola has warned his side against complacency. He is
also mindful that he is without the suspended Carlton Cole, who starts a two
game ban, and knee injury victims Valon Behrami and Jack Collison. Zola,
however, is looking forward to the opportunity to give other squad players
the opportunity to impress.
"Behrami is out for a few months and Jack Collison has a knee problem and is
going to be out for a few weeks. We have James Collins still out and Carlton
Cole is suspended so we have a few problems but I'm confident as this team
is a team and I'm pretty sure that this team is a team and I'm sure that the
players will respond well to this moment."
"[The game] is not a gimme that is for sure. First of all they are bottom of
the league but they are playing well. I have seen them play a few times and
they play quite good football, they have been very unlucky on a few
occasions and maybe conceded some goals they could have avoided.
"The big danger for us is we are playing very well and when you play the
team that is last in the table that might give the players too much
confidence and that is something we need to avoid at all costs."
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Bajner at the double
WHUFC.com
Two goals from Balint Bajner helped Tony Carr's youngsters to record a fine
away win on Saturday
14.03.2009
Crystal Palace Under-18s 1-4 West Ham United Under-18s
Balint Bajner scored twice as West Ham United eased to an impressive derby
victory away to Crystal Palace in Group A of the Premier Academy League on
Saturday.
The Hungary Under-19 striker struck in between goals from Daniel Kearns and
Oliver Lee to seal an impressive all-round team display that delighted Tony
Carr. "It was a good performance and we played very well," he said. "We had
a young team out again but fully deserved to win. I thought we were in
charge for most of the game."
The young Hammers took the lead on five minutes when the impressive Daniel
Kearns cut inside off the right wing and ended up chipping the Palace
goalkeeper with a delightful lobbed effort. The home side equalised on the
half-hour although Carr felt his team were hard done-by on a foul that was
not given in the build-up to the goal.
The 18-year-old Bajner restored the away side's advantage though ten minutes
before the interval with a header at the back post after good work by
left-back Matthew Fry. Carr's team then took the game out of the Eagles'
reach when Bajner pounced on a ball in from the left and shot low into the
net. Lee wrapped things up late on after surging from midfield and striking
the ball into the corner.
Carr was also pleased to see the Under-16s in his squad get more U18
experience, such as 16-year-old centre-back Sergio Sanchez, who has joined
the club from Barcelona, full-back Callum Driver and midfielder George
Moncur. "It is pleasing to get the schoolboys on the pitch, they are getting
great experience. I was also pleased for Balint to get the two goals, he had
a good game and was a threat."
West Ham United: Loveday, Driver, Fry (Smith 55), McNaughton, Sanchez,
Grasser, Kearns, Lee (Edgar 80), Bajner (Moncur 70), Montano, Okus
Subs not used: Cowler, Abdulla
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Payne thrilled to be involved
WHUFC.com
Having had a taste of a first-team training camp abroad, Josh Payne has
extra motivation to stake a claim
13.03.2009
Josh Payne is looking to continue his hard work on the training pitch in a
bid to catch the manager's eye for first-team selection.
The 18-year-old who can play at centre-back or midfield was part of the
senior squad that spent part of this week at a warm-weather training camp in
Spain. He said the time spent out there was beneficial both on and off the
pitch ahead of Monday's game with West Bromwich Albion and that it was great
to be involved.
"We had a good few days, it was something different but at the same time we
worked as hard as ever on the training pitch. It was good to be with all the
boys on and off the pitch in a different environment.
"The quality of training was great and very enjoyable. Each day you knew
going down to the training ground that you were going to be working towards
very high standards - but it was also nice to have some warmer weather to go
with it."
Payne said everyone was already in high spirits following the two wins over
Manchester City and Wigan ahead of the trip and that the mood was even
better thanks to a few days spent together away from home.
"We worked hard but also had a little bit of time to relax and that some of
that time was playing a little golf. I was up against the likes of Nobes and
our physio George Cooper. There was no cheating going on, but I think I
would have to admit I have some way to go before I beat them on the green! I
tried to hit one straight and it ended up over the other side of the course,
so I got some stick about that.
"The time spent off the pitch was good as well because it does help to bond
the team closer and it was worthwhile as everyone gets ready for another
important match this week."
For Payne himself, the rest of the season will see him keep his head down on
the training pitch under the watchful eye of Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke
and Kevin Keen. "It's been a busy season in terms of me going on loan [to
Cheltenham] and then being in and around the first team recently. I want
more of that and so I am going to be making sure I do all the right things,
keep working hard so I can show the manager what I can do."
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Lee looking for more
WHUFC.com
Oliver Lee is hoping for further reserve-team action after an encouraging
display against Arsenal
13.03.2009
Young midfielder Oliver Lee is hoping for another taste of reserve-team
football after an assured showing in the 1-0 win against Arsenal.
The 17-year-old midfielder was making his fourth appearance at reserve-team
level after being a near ever-present at Under-18 level this season. His
composed performance belied his tender years and now Lee - son of former
West Ham United and England midfielder Rob - is hoping for more match-time
in Alex Dyer's side, starting with Tuesday's home match with Aston Villa.
"I think I did alright against Arsenal so hopefully I can get a few more
games under my belt and push on," Lee said. "I've learned that you've got to
be a lot sharper and it's a lot different to the youth team. You've got to
be more on your game than usual."
Lee started in a central midfield role alongside fellow youth-team player
Georg Grasser and helped the Hammers overcome an Arsenal side containing a
string of highly-regarded youngsters.
"It was great playing against players like [Mark] Randall and [Jack]
Wilshere out there. You need to put yourself against the best and we've
shown that we're good enough to be against them.
"We played really well. Obviously they've got a lot of talented players but
we worked hard as a team, came through and won 1-0. Everyone was buzzing and
dancing around and it was a great atmosphere."
Lee explained that reserve-team manager Dyer had encouraged his young side
to play without any constraints. "Alex Dyer just said to go out there and
play. All the pressure was on them and not on us so we just went out there
and did our thing."
It was a telling fact that the most experienced players in the United
starting XI were central defenders Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Eyjolfsson, who
are both still in their teens. But Lee was pleased to have the more
experienced heads playing behind him to help talk him through the match..
"Bondz was great. He's experienced at this level and he helps you out a lot.
Holmar, Bondz and Ashley [Miller] give you a lot of confidence so it's good
to play with players like that."
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West Ham v West Brom
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Monday, 16 March Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London 94.9 & BBC London DAB, and BBC WM
95.6FM and DAB. Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live with live text
commentary on BBC Sport website.
BBC.co.uk
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West Ham must make two enforced changes after midfielder Jack Collison
damaged his right knee, while striker Carlton Cole is suspended. Luis Boa
Morte has recovered from a groin injury, while Kieron Dyer (calf) and Diego
Tristan (groin) have returned to training and could play some part.
Defender Jonas Olsson is fit to return to the West Brom squad after being
out since January with a knee injury. Forwards Jay Simpson and Roman Bednar
are also back in contention.
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West Ham provisional squad: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Noble,
Parker, Boa Morte, Kovac, Di Michele, Nsereko, Lopez, Spector, Sears, Payne,
Stanislas, Lastuvka, Tristan.
West Brom squad: Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoeskens, Meite, Donk, Barnett,
Olsson, Robinson, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Koren, Brunt, de-Heon, Teixeira,
Menseguez, Moore, Bednar, Simpson, Fortune.
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BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Bromwich Albion go into the weekend six points from safety, with 10 to
play.
The Baggies are the most out-of-form side in the highest league with four
straight defeats and no win in six.
West Ham are vying for their third win on the bounce, and longest winning
sequence in the Premier League since ending the 2006-07 season with four
straight victories.
West Brom beat West Ham at home for the first time in 23 years, when Chris
Brunt scored the decisive goal of five, seven minutes from time in the
reverse fixture in September. Now the Baggies are hoping to complete the
double over the Hammers for the first time in the Premier League.
Distance between the clubs: 140 miles (226 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 7th 39 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Won the last two Premier League games against Manchester City (h) and
Wigan (a); both 1-0.
2. This is Gianfranco Zola's 25th Premier League match in charge.
3. Won 11 and lost 11 in the top-flight this season, scoring 34 goals and
conceding 34.
4. Lost one of the 12 top-flight matches in which they've opened the
scoring; home to Everton.
5. Won four of the last five home league games, failing to score one of the
five; the 0-1 loss to Manchester United on 8 February.
6. Lost the first two and won the last two of their four Premier League
games against promoted clubs this season.
7. Been doubled by Manchester United and Bolton. West Brom could become the
third of six teams to beat them home and away this season.
Fixtures
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WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 20th 22 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Lost the last four Premier League matches, against Newcastle (h), Fulham
(a), Everton (a) and Arsenal (h).
2. Not won in six league games; drawn one and lost five since beating
Middlesbrough 3-0 at home on 17 January - their only victory in eight.
3. Their only point out of the last available 18 came from a 2-2 draw with
Hull at the KC Stadium on 31 January.
4. Lost three times as many as won in this Premier League campaign; won six,
lost 18.
5. Lost their last six Premier League matches in London and not won in 10,
picking up two points out of 30 in the capital.
6. One point up on the identical stage of their first Premier League season,
which ended in relegation in 2002-03, but four points down on the last time
they were playing at this level in 2005-06.
7. Lost one of the eight Premier League matches this season in which they
opened the scoring; not won any of the 19 in which the first goal was
conceded.
8. Already beaten Middlesbrough home and away. West Ham could be the second
of four clubs they double this term.
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 nine goals.
Suspended:-
Carlton COLE (one match)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Squad profiles
Scott CARSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Brom's Premier League matches this season.
Roman BEDNAR is the Baggies leading Premier League scorer, with six goals.
If on the field from the outset:-
James MORRISON will be making his 50th league start in a West Brom shirt.
HEAD TO HEAD
These clubs have been competing in the league since 1924. In that time, West
Ham have scored 75 home goals against West Brom; Albion have netted 50 on
Hammers' turf.
All five of the previous Premier League matches between these clubs have
been decided by a single goal.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 30 wins, WBA 33, Draws 10
Prem: West Ham 3 wins, WBA 2, Draws 0
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 20 wins, WBA 12, Draws 4
Prem: West Ham 1 wins, WBA 1, Draws 0
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United
13 September 2008 - Ref: Lee Probert
WBA scorers: Morrison 3, Bednar 37 pen, Brunt 83
West Ham scorers: Noble 29, Neill 35
REFEREE
Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hansa moratorium extended
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Icelandic courts have granted an extended moratorium over the winding up of
West Ham's parent company Hansa, as expected. The court announced their
decision this lunchtime granting West Ham's owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
until June 8th to demonstrate an ability to repay creditors in order to
avoid insolvency - and to find a buyer for the club. Finding a potential
buyer has proved problematic due to the looming Sheffield United/Carlos
Tevez case, although that issue appears to have been settled by a reported
£10m+ out of court settlement which is expected to be announced shortly.
Gudmundsson, whose business empire collapsed earlier this year as a result
of the worldwide banking problems had been looking for up to £200million for
West Ham, although it is thought unlikely that he will receive much more
than the £85million he paid for the club in December 2006.
Hammers vice chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson, responding to the decision said:
"We just continue the process we've been working on the last four months.
We're engaged in conversation with 5 and 10 parties. "We still don't have
any binding offers but there is a growing interest." A number of parties
have been linked with West Ham United although rumours of interest from the
Middle East persist.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 15th March 2009
By: Preview Percy
We next entertain West Bromwich Albion in a 8pm Monday kick-off. The two
teams last met in September when Kevin Keen was in charge for his one game
as caretaker manager immediately prior to the arrival of Gianfranco Zola to
the hot seat.
That particular match saw us go down 3-2 in a match that would have given
defensive coaches nightmares, though the final result owed much to a
diabolical refereeing decision that awarded the home side a penalty to bring
them back into the match at a time when we were looking to consolidate the
lead. The match was notable for neither side having a shirt sponsor – the
Baggies doing without for the season whilst our own shirts bore some hastily
sewn on patches in a shade of claret not quite completely different from the
rest of the shirt. This followed the collapse of the XL holiday group and
your correspondent would be grateful if the CAA could pull their fingers out
and pay back the £500 that he has been owed for the last 6 months, should
anyone involved in ATOL refunds be reading this.
After that match in September we were in 7th place, which, following a
thankfully brief flirtation with the drop zone, is where we find ourselves
now. Whilst we were concerned by a rotten October, the Baggies went one
worse by gaining only a single point in November. The compressed state of
the table at that time meant that they went from 8th place at the start of
October to bottom by the end of November. Apart from the odd occasional
interlude when Tottenham took over at the bottom for a day or two, West Brom
have been propping up the table ever since and they currently have 22 points
– five adrift of second-bottom 'Boro and seven clear of the safety spot
currently occupied by Pompey, whose goal difference is also superior by 14.
Current form does not make pleasant reading for the Hawthorns faithful
either, a single point from a 2-2 draw at Hull being the only non-defeat in
their last six games, which has included home defeats to Man Utd, Newcastle
and Arsenal and away losses at Fulham and Everton. They have lost their last
four and looking purely at their away form doesn't improve the picture much
either, a 1-0 win at 'Boro and points at Bolton and Hull being their only
return on the road this season.
So it doesn't bode well for the visitors and even their most die-hard of
supporters will be looking at a return to the second-tier next season unless
there is a miracle of biblical proportions. All of which would be a bit of a
shame in some ways because, by all accounts, they do at least try and play
football, unlike, say, Stoke or Bolton – and I know who I'd rather have in
the Premiership.
Their last run-out was a 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal. They lined-up as usual
that day with Scott Carson in goal. It is sobering to think that people
actually paid to pick the England team have considered him a better bet than
Robert Green for the no.1 spot but there you go. The back four in front of
him consisted of Zuiverloon, Donk, Meite and Robinson, though Baggies' boss
Tony Mowbray might be tempted to recall Jonas Olsson who may be available
for selection following a calf injury sustained back in January.
The midfield against Arsenal saw a return to the starting line-up for
Jonathan Greening, who had missed much of the previous five weeks absent
with a knee injury. He was accompanied by Morrison, Koren and Chris Brunt,
who fired home a free-kick to level the scores against Arsenal. Also in
contention will be Portuguese midfielder Teixeira and the on-loan Argentine
Menseguez, though French youngster Mulumbu, who signed on loan from PSG
during the window with a view to a permanent deal, has yet to feature since
his arrival and is being regarded more as one for the future. He's also been
injured of late and is unlikely to feature as a result.
The forward starting line-up against Arsenal had one enforced change from
that which had faced Everton in the previous match. Jay Simpson is on loan
from the Library and was therefore ineligible for selection against his
actual employers, but he may return to start alongside Marc-Antoine Fortune,
the on loan striker who I sincerely hope has a bad match if only to give us
the opportunity to make a smart-alec remark along the lines of "Fortune's
always hiding". (Yes I know the "e" has an acute accent on it so you don't
pronounce it like that – so sue me!). Roman Bednar may also be available
after a back injury.
After a spell in mid-table we are now back on top of the Physio Room injury
league table. Collison will be out for another six weeks or so and we won't
see Behrami until next season. Collins' calf muscle problem will probably
need another week or so as will Diego Tristan's groin strain, the latest in
the injury list. Some sources suggest that Kieron Dyer might be close to a
run out, though I suspect that he too would welcome another week. The back
four picks itself and Collison's absence is likely to see Kovac, Noble and
Parker start alongside a returning Luis Boa-Morte, who is fit again
following his recent spell in the treatment room.
Up front, ridiculous sending off of Carlton Cole by the appalling Stuart
Atwell will leave us short on numbers and Tristan's injury is likely to mean
a start for Freddie Sears alongside DiMichele. However, Zola may prefer the
option of pushing Boa-Morte up front to partner DiMichele leaving Sears on
the bench. This would probably see Savio given a start following some recent
promising displays off the bench.
The performance against Wigan was impressive in the manner that the team
responded to Atwell's latest brainstorm and, even though the numbers evened
up in the second half following Clattermole's assault on Parker, we never
really looked like conceding the equaliser. The goal was an absolute gem
though it's unlikely to receive the credit it deserves from the tv pundits
for whom anything that doesn't involve a 30 yard thump isn't worth
repeating. Dumbing-down I believe it's called.
Although the injuries and suspensions will test the depth of the squad, it
is perhaps a stroke of luck that this particular week we are facing a side
low on confidence and form. I reckon that the available squad should be
strong enough to take three points from this one, though it may be a bit
tighter than we might otherwise have anticipated had a fuller squad been
available for selection. I'll therefore go for a 2-0 win on this occasion
and another week guaranteed in 7th place.
Enjoy the game!
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Zola lauds Prem standard
Hammers boss full of praise for European heroes
Last updated: 15th March 2009
SSN
The domination of English sides in Europe this season has come as no
surprise to Gianfranco Zola. The West Ham boss believes the quality within
the Premier League has been on the rise for some time, with it becoming
inevitable that the division would eventually rule supreme in continental
competition. Now, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea,
all chasing UEFA Champions League glory and Manchester City in the hunt for
the Uefa Cup crown, it appears that time has arrived. Zola certainly thinks
so and admits he is delighted to be plying his trade in world football's
strongest league. "It is a great moment for English football right now,"
said the Italian coach. "In this country you can see that the top teams are
producing results, quality football and big performances - not only at home
but abroad and internationally. "The football played in this country is the
most competitive in Europe so it's not a surprise to me that the English
sides went through against the Italians. "They prepare the teams and the
player to a higher level and that is why they are cruising in Europe, not
just against the Italian teams but the Spanish also."
While being full of admiration for the achievements of Liverpool and co this
season, Zola is hoping to one day be competing alongside them in European
football's premier club competition. "Of course I hope one day to be there,
competing with them in the Champions League," he added. "We will see though,
it depends how well I work, how well I do my job and how well the team does
their job but that is one of the targets we have. "It might be possible that
seventh spot is enough for Europe this season and that would be a great
thing for this club. Not just for the club to be in Europe, but for the
players to play games internationally makes them better. "I played many
times as a player in European competition and I know how it can make a
player better to play those kind of games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola - Tevez saga almost over
West Ham boss expects settlement to be reached
Last updated: 14th March 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola expects West Ham and Sheffield United to reach a final
settlement over the Carlos Tevez affair in the near future. Tevez was in
inspirational form for the Hammers in 2007 as they avoided relegation from
the Premier League and Sheffield United went down after a dramatic last day.
The Blades were furious with the outcome, claiming the Argentine should have
been ineligible to play because of a third-party ownership row. The saga has
been rumbling on for almost two years, with Sheffield United initially
lodging a claim for as much as £45million - the figure they estimated as the
true cost of relegation. West Ham rated the loss at no more than £5million
but an independent Football Association tribunal last year agreed with the
South Yorkshire club's claims. It appears a settlement of around £10million
- spread over a period of five years - has now been struck and Hammers
manager Zola is pleased that the end is in sight. The Italian said: "I hope
it will be resolved soon and I am confident it will be.
"It's looking good at the moment and it would be a good thing for the club -
because then we can sit down and plan for the future, knowing exactly where
we are and what we are dealing with. "I believe they are trying to find an
agreement, and I hope they do that as soon as possible. That would give us a
clear picture for the future, and we can sit down and plan."
Zola insists that he has no problems getting on with his job despite
constant speculation about the Tevez issue and the financial state of the
club. He explained: "I personally have to focus on the work on the pitch.
That is why the club employed me. "I'm 100 per cent focused on my job. It is
my responsibility to make sure things on the pitch work well. If I can do
that I can be helpful to the club. "This is the world of football. I know it
is not just about kicking the ball for us right now; it is dealing with
other things. But whatever the worry, I know I can switch on to the football
and not let other things get in the way."
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View From the Opposition - West Bromwich Albion
One McAvennieeeeee - Thu Mar 12 2009
West Ham Online
After the World Wide free advertising I got for this site, me and my
researchers have decided to take this weeks Q&A to the celebrity world. The
Black Country's favourite son and Presenter of BBC's Match of the Day 2 and
The One Show Adrian Chiles has kindly agreed to answer our questions this
week.
Q. My first question is usually how do you feel the season is going so far –
but I'll ask, do you think WBA will stay up?
A. If we beat you it's possible. If we don't, it's not.
Q. When newly promoted teams come up they usually go from winning most
matches in the Championship to losing most – Can you still say you've
enjoyed this season?
A. Sorry, really can't say I have.
Q. Tony Mowbray admirably refuses to sacrifice West Broms playing style in
an attempt to grind out results – how is that viewed amongst the Baggies
faithful?
A. Yes, I think so. He's liked and respected. I've not heard him getting
much stick.
Q. Last month he slated Alan Hanson and Mark Lawrenson calling them 'sofa
critics' not good enough for management – do you stand by your manager on
that one or do you back the two sofa critics not good enough for management?
A. Sorry to be boring but I don't think he actually slated Alan and Mark,
and I don't really think either of them had a pop at him. That said, I'll
back Tony every time because blood's thick than water.
Q. What is your view of West Ham this season?
A. Improving all the time. Nice guy in charge. Fans, for once, not moaning
much.
Q. And our fans.... be honest?
A. see above
Q. What player doesn't deserve his place in your starting line-up?
A. I have a few thoughts on that but can't bring myself to share them with
you. It'd be like publicly criticising my children.
Q. Who should we look out for?
A. Fortune has shown signs of being a good finisher - which is not something
his historical strike rate suggested..
Q. If you could choose one player from WHU to play for you, who would it be?
A. Any warrior type figure you have in your midfield would be a great help.
Q. Mark Lawrenson or GTHC as he is known to members of our site does a
weekly score prediction in the premiership. If his predictions were correct
we'd be 5th from bottom on 21 points (18 points out) Do you think you'd get
more sense if you asked Stephen Hawkin to be a pundit on MoTD?
A. You won't get me saying a bad word about Mark. He's one of the nicest
people I work with.
Q. Being a WBA I'm sure there can't be many but what is your favourite
football related memory?
A. Igor Balis scoring a penalty at Bradford in the dying moments of the
penultimate match of our first promotion season. I get gooseflesh just
thinking about it.
Q. What is the best/funniest football chant you can remember?
A. At our recent home drubbing by ManU the entire ground, their fans, our
fans, young and old, were singing about Super Robbie Styles. Irony is king.
Q. If you could instigate one rule change what would it be?
A. Have another crack at the rugby-style rule of conceding 10 yards for
dissent. That was a missed opportunity. Also really clamping down on
timewasting by the side in front.
Q. Our fans forum is full of jokers and as such it is unlikely that many
will believe that it is actually you answering the questions – What will you
do/say on MoTD2 the Sunday before our game to prove it? (I assume giving
Lawro a kick-in is out of the question).
A. I will say "West Brom's hopes of survival go well and truly west if they
don't beat West Ham tomorrow night. Or something like that.
Q. If Gary Lineker was to get a (non walkers) crisp lodged in his throat
thus paving the way for you to take the top MoTD job – what flavour crisp
would you like it to be?
A. Roast Chicken
Q. Do you have a fantasy football team – if so who is in it?
A. No I don't. But if I did I'd be sure not to sacrifice my footballing
principles.
Thanks very much for answering Adrian – it really is greatly appreciated.
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West Ham have made me fall in love with football again, says Diego Tristan
The Mirror
By Neil Mcleman 16/03/2009
Barclays Premier League: West Ham v West Brom, 8pm
Diego Tristan has rediscovered his love of football under Gianfranco Zola at
West Ham. And with Carlton Cole suspended for tonight's game against West
Brom, the Spain international striker is in line for his first start since
joining the club on loan in October. The former Deportivo La Coruna star
arrived in London after scoring only once in two injury-hit seasons at Real
Mallorca and Livorno. But thanks to his Italian boss, Tristan is keen to
stay at Upton Park for another season. "I have recovered my desire to play
and I look forward to training every day," said Tristan. "It was not so much
I had lost the desire, but my last few months with Deportivo were not good,
nor my time with Mallorca either. "People in Spain thought I was finished at
the top level but I knew it wasn't true. The change of air has done me good
and it is like starting my career again. "Now I am enjoying a new
experience. My coach here, Gianfranco Zola, keeps saying I have plenty more
goals in me. "I have to work hard because Carlton Cole is doing well and has
even been called up by England. So I have to take my chances when I get
them. But despite picking up a knock, I have scored my first league goal
and, at 33, there is a lot of football left in me."
Probable line-ups:
West Ham: Green: Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Savio, Parker, Kovac, Boa
Morte, Di Michele, Sears.
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Donk, Robinson, Morrison, Greening,
Koren, Brunt, Simpson, Fortune
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Gianfranco Zola Advises Freddie Sears To Grab West Ham United Opportunity
The Italian boss is backing his young striker to help the Hammers on their
way to European qualification...
16 Mar 2009 08:41:10
Goal.com
Freddie Sears looks set to replace the suspended Carlton Cole for West Ham
United in their home fixture against West Bromwich Albion on Monday evening.
The 19-year-old has started just six times for the Hammers so far this
season and, although he is yet to find the back of the net in his 16
appearances in total this campaign, manager Gianfranco Zola is convinced the
England Under-19 striker will be a handful for the Baggies. "Carlton is an
important player for us and I don't think that he deserved to get sent off
last week," Zola is quoted as saying in The Sun. "It's a big miss for us as
he is a reference for everybody. But Freddie Sears has worked very hard in
the last few weeks. "He knows this is a big opportunity for him and I am
very confident he will take it." The Irons currently occupy seventh place in
the Premier League table, a position that would guarantee European
qualification if one of the top-four sides wins the FA Cup. The east
London-based outfit can go four points clear of Wigan Athletic with victory
over the Baggies and Zola admits that must be their target. "The aim was to
finish ninth as last year they came tenth," the Italian explained. "Now we
have the possibility to be seventh and be in Europe - we will try to do
that. "If we do make it into Europe we will need to strengthen the squad a
little bit."
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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West Ham's Valon Behrami: I Miss Italy, But…
The Swiss international has promised he will cheer on Lazio in the
forthcoming Rome Derby, but reiterated that his future lies in England...
15 Mar 2009 10:09:47
Goal.com
Midfielder Valon Behrami left Lazio for Premier League club West Ham last
July, only to discover that Roma were allegedly attempting to bring him back
to the peninsula during the 2009 January transfer window. "After leaving
Lazio, it would have been difficult for me to move back to Italy, and to
Roma in particular," Behrami told Sky Sport 24. "I am in London now, I love
it there and I have no intention of departing England. Do I miss Italy? Of
course, it's a fantastic country, but it was time for a change. England is
my present and my future." Behrami damaged knee ligaments on March 1 and has
been ruled out for the remainder of the season, so he will definitely have
time to watch the Derby della Capitale next month. "I will watch it, since I
have several friends at Lazio," he explained. "I will cheer them on, because
a win would be crucial for Champions League qualification. I am sure that my
former team-mates can make it, as Lazio have a great squad." Lazio play Roma
in the derby on April 11.
Vince Masiello, Goal.com
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Behrami a happy Hammer
by Chris Stanton , 15 March 2009
setanta.co.uk
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami has no intention of leaving England to
return to Italy. The former Lazio star was linked with a return to the
Italian capital during the January transfer window when Roma were mooted to
be interested. With his connections to the Biancocelesti, a switch to the
Giallorossi was always unlikely. In any case, Behrami, who is currently
recuperating from the cruciate ligament injury that has prematurely ended
his first season in English football, is happy in London's East End.
"After leaving Lazio, it would have been difficult for me to move back to
Italy, and to Roma in particular," Behrami told Sky Sport 24. "I am in
London now, I love it there and I have no intention of departing England. Do
I miss Italy? Of course, it's a fantastic country, but it was time for a
change. England is my present and my future."
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West Ham's £21m fine won't stop us, says Gianfranco Zola
By Mirror Sport, sundaymirror.co.uk 15/03/2009
Premier League: West Ham v West Brom, tomorrow, 8pm
Gianfranco Zola insists his West Ham masterplan will not be scuppered by the
club's £21million peace offering to settle the infamous Carlos Tevez affair.
The Hammers have agreed to pay Sheffield United £10m compensation, with a
further £11m in the form of a bond over the next five years. But West Ham
boss Zola, whose side go into tomorrow's game with West Brom dreaming of a
place in Europe, said "Once the matter is settled and we know what exactly
is going to happen, then we can look at the possibilities of what we can do
in the future. It shouldn't affect our spending, so if we want to strengthen
then we'll be able to do that."
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Portsmouth and West Ham on the brink of financial collapse
Life could be turned upside down for the Premier League clubs
SOCCERVOICE.COM, 15.03.2009
The People reports today that Portsmouth owner Sacha Gaydamak has been given
a three month execution over a £25 million loan. West Ham chief executive
Scott Duxbury is reported to have flied out to Iceland to find out what will
happen financially with the East Londoners. The Tevez affair, reported to
cost £25 million, will not be helping with all the other problems the club
are in at the moment. West Ham and Portsmouth could both be on the brink of
a financial collapse. Rumours about massive sales at both clubs during the
summer is not new to fans and they know that their clubs are in trouble.
West Ham have always managed to get out of problems because of their
fantastic work in the youth department, and they will always manage to
bounch back. Portsmouth have in their Premier League years been depended on
a cunning and smart manager, doing fantastic signings in the European
transfer market. Gaydamak and his board room staff, underestimated this fact
when they appointed Tony Adams, who are more of a coach than a manager, and
they have now turned to Paul Hart, also a man known more for his coaching
skills than his abillity to find talent in the transfer market. West Ham
under Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have established themselves in a
secure position and hopefully it's enough substance in the squad even if
they have to sell key players such as Parker, Upson, Green, Cole and Ashton
just to balance the books.
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West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola eyes European football for club
Gianfranco Zola has spoken of his ambitions to take West Ham into Europe
ahead of Monday night's visit of West Bromwich Albion.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 8:17PM GMT 15 Mar 2009
"Of course I hope one day to be there, competing in the Champions League,"
Zola said. "We will see though, it depends how well I do my job and how well
the team does their job but that is one of the targets. "It might be
possible that seventh is enough for Europe this season and that would be
great for this club. Not just for the club to be in Europe, but for the
players to play internationally makes them better. Round-up: Arsenal
shocked by late Aston Villa comeback"I played many times as a player in
European competition and I know how it can make a player better to play
those kind of games." West Ham must make two enforced changes after
midfielder Jack Collison damaged his right knee, while striker Carlton Cole
is suspended. West Bromwich manager Tony Mowbray insists his club are "only
a couple of players away" from being a top-10 Premier League side despite
their current precarious position. Albion are bottom of the table, seven
points from the safety zone after a run of six games without a win. But
Mowbray said: "We need some experienced men in our team who know the Premier
League, who have been there, seen it, felt it, worn the shirt and know what
it takes. "We're a couple of players away from being a decent team. We are
'so near' and I like the team. But we are judged on results. "I believe we
are close to being a team that could be in the top 10 but we have flaws that
continue to let the team down."
He added: "We have to win some games quickly. We know that. If we win our
next two or three games, things can still spin on their head. "We've two
games at home which I would hope to win. Let's be positive. We'll have to
win two games to jump a couple of places but it can be done. "Fulham and
Portsmouth have survived in previous seasons after being in a bad-looking
position because they suddenly won football matches. "We've got the likes of
Stoke and Bolton at home back to back and, with total respect to them, if we
lose them, then I will deal with the questions of how tough it's going to
be."
On loan Arsenal striker Jay Simpson will be available after not being
eligible to face his parent club in Albion's 3-1 reversal at the Hawthorns.
Fellow forward Roman Bednar is also hoping to be fit after missing the last
two games with a back problem.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola warns prospective new owners that he will want cash for
players By Simon Cass
Last updated at 1:52 AM on 16th March 2009
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola has warned potential bidders for West Ham that they will
need to dig even deeper into their pockets should his side be faced with the
extra demands of European football next season. West Ham can enhance their
prospects of a place in the Europa League with a victory against bottom side
West Bromwich Albion on Monday night. But Zola's small squad has been hit by
knee injuries to Valon Behrami and Jack Collison. Looking ahead to the
prospect of European qualification, Zola said: 'If we do achieve that then
we will need to strengthen the team because there will be very competitive
teams in Europe but also there will be more games to play so we will need a
strong team. The squad has to be strengthened.'
Given that any potential new owners at Upton Park already face £47million of
debt and a payment of £25m to Sheffield United to contend with, Zola will no
doubt be crossing his fingers that a wealthy Russian or Arab is taking an
interest as well as the English consortium reportedly readying a £100m bid
for the club. With seventh place looking increasingly likely to be enough to
qualify for the revamped UEFA competition, Zola is hopeful his current crop
will maintain their challenge despite his injury list. Freddie Sears is set
to start in attack tonight in place of the suspended Carlton Cole.
West Bromwich manager Tony Mowbray, whose side have not won in six games and
have conceded 17 goals in those matches, admitted: 'We need some experienced
men in our team who know the Barclays Premier League, who have been there,
seen it, felt it, worn the shirt and know what it takes. 'We're a couple of
players away from being a decent team. We are so near and I like the team
but we are judged on results.'
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Hammers close to Tevez deal with Blades
9:05pm Sunday 15th March 2009
Echo
WEST Ham are understood to be close to agreeing a deal with Sheffield United
over the Carlos Tevez affair, according to BBC Sport. It was ruled that the
Blades were entitled to compensation after the Argentinian forward helped
keep the Hammers in the Premier League in 2007. A hearing was scheduled for
next week, but it is believed that an agreement has been reached for a total
of around £10-15million after a series of payments.
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So why don't West Ham cover proper news stories?
Phill Jupitus
The Times
We've had an up and down season at The Boleyn Ground. It's been like going
out with a randy schizophrenic.
They sack a manager, then sign a manager. They have a patch playing dazzling
football but still lose games. Carlton Cole is in the mood and scores
belters, then he isn't and every ten minutes he's in the box with his back
to goal, smothered in defenders. We get to seventh in the Premier League
while our commercial affairs have the haphazard look of those managed by
Bernie Madoff.
So imagine the collective sigh of relief when it was announced that the
dispute with Sheffield United over Carlos Tévez had been resolved. But hold
hard . . . Depending on which paper you read, we are paying either £25
million or £15 million to the Blades. So I paid a visit to the official
website for clarification.
The conclusion of a controversial issue that has been hanging over the club
for a year, is to say the least, a significant story. A few clicks later I
was on the official website and scrolled down to read the headlines.
Gianfranco Zola is hoping to keep the momentum up against West Brom, Tony
Carr's youth team had a win, Cottee and McAvennie are hosting an evening in
the function suite and West Ham Ladies are looking forward to the Essex
County Cup final.
Was I reading an enthusiastic Romford 9-year-old's scrapbook? I decided to
take a more direct approach by typing the two words that we have all been
reading in sports columns for a year "Tévez affair" in the box marked
"Search whufc.com". The little hourglass icon rotated once then I read "No
results found".
Excuse me? Why would you steer clear of an actual news story when you have
the ideal platform to get an official version of events into the public
domain? I only ask because in my experience, official baseball websites
respond to all news stories, good or bad.
Whether it's steroid abuse, contractual negotiations, even criminal cases
involving players, the club make some kind of online comment. In a changing
media landscape, Premier League clubs should start treating fans like
adults. Instead they would apparently prefer it if we just spent our money,
swallowed their lame non-news stories and shut up. Not good enough. . .
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Sear we go, roars Zola
The Sun
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA is backing Freddie Sears to fire West Ham a step closer to
Europe. The in-form Hammers host rock-bottom West Brom tonight aiming to
cement seventh place in the Premier League. If they finish seventh, that
could yield a place in next season's Europa League, which is replacing the
UEFA Cup. Boss Zola must do without leading scorer Carlton Cole, who is
banned after his controversial red card at Wigan last week. So local lad
Sears, 19, will get his fourth start of the season.
Zola said: "Carlton is an important player for us and I don't think that he
deserved to get sent off last week. It's a big miss for us as he is a
reference for everybody.
"But Freddie Sears has worked very hard in the last few weeks. "He knows
this is a big opportunity for him and I am very confident he will take it."
Zola's men have lost just twice in 10 top- flight matches since Boxing Day.
The Italian admits his team are surpassing his expectations. He said: "The
aim was to finish ninth as last year they came 10th. "Now we have the
possibility to be seventh and be in Europe — we will try to do that. "If we
do make it into Europe we will need to strengthen the squad a little bit."
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Depleted West Ham must turn to Diego Tristán
The Times
Gary Jacob
The next few weeks will go a long way towards determining West Ham United's
future and victory over West Bromwich Albion this evening would only add to
the positive vibes coming from Upton Park. The prospective sale of the club
is gathering pace as fast as their ascent in the table and bid for a
European place next season.
Although one serious bidder has hit a stumbling block in his attempt to buy
the club, a second takeover in less than three years is expected before the
end of the season. The dominance of the domestic trophies by the "big four"
is likely to ensure that seventh place will earn a spot in the Uefa Cup, to
be rebranded as the Europa League next season.
New owners should bring fresh transfer funds for Gianfranco Zola, the
manager, but for now he must make do with a patched-up and depleted squad.
Valon Behrami and Jack Collison, two key midfield players, will miss the
rest of the season because of injury and Carlton Cole, the forward, is
suspended for the first of two matches tonight. It could give Diego Tristán,
signed in October until the end of the season, an opportunity to start for
the first time. The former Spain forward, 33, has scored once in eight
appearances this season, far removed from the potent player he was at
Deportivo de La Coruña, although his fading fortunes are perhaps reflected
by spells at Mallorca and Livorno.
"Zola keeps encouraging me and saying that I have plenty more goals left in
me," Tristán said. "I may be 33, but there is a lot of football left in me.
My head tells me to do everything I used to and, while the legs do not
always follow, I feel strong and still have my speed.
"Cole has been doing very well, but this is a chance to show what I can do.
I have recovered my desire to play. It was not so much that I had lost the
desire, but my last few months with Deportivo were not good, nor my time
with Real Mallorca, either."
West Ham United (possible; 4-4-2): R Green – L Neill, J Tomkins, M Upson, H
Ilunga – M Noble, S Parker, R Kovac, Savio – D Di Michele, D Tristán.
West Bromwich Albion (possible; 4-4-2): S Carson – G Zuiverloon, R Donk, A
Méïté, P Robinson – J Morrison, J Greening, R Koren, C Brunt – J Simpson,
M-A Fortuné.
Referee: M Halsey. Television: Live on Setanta Sports 1, 8pm.
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Big Tony's a Franco Fan
The Sun
By JANINE SELF
Published: Today
TONY MOWBRAY says the West Ham board deserve a medal for giving Gianfranco
Zola the Upton Park job. West Brom boss Mowbray is a big fan of the way that
counterpart Zola plays the game. And he thinks the decision to appoint an
untried manager with a Chelsea background was an inspired one. The Hammers
have been transformed since and Mowbray said: "I don't know Zola but my
perception is he is a humble man. "Looking at West Ham's players they have
got some very good ones. They should never have been struggling at the wrong
end of the table. "Zola's removed the uncertainty which I felt when we
played them first time. "He's embraced the tradition. He knows West Ham are
used to playing a certain type of football and they are enjoying it. "It was
a big decision to appoint him, a brave decision. The fans seem to be
enjoying the football and he deserves huge credit." Albion are in danger of
being cast adrift at the foot of the table. But Mowbray said: "I have
confidence in my own ability to do what is required here. "Everybody is
giving everything they have and if we fall short, we fall short and we go
again in the Championship next season."
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The most important £10m that West Ham will spend in years
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER , on Sat 14 Mar 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast guest columnist Dave Edwards is delighted that the Tevez
deal is drawing to an end and feels that it's the best £10m the club will
spend in years as it enables the whole club to move on.
I'm sure I wasn't the only West Ham fan who breathed a huge sigh of relief
when news broke yesterday that the Carlos Tevez saga is drawing to a close.
It has been hanging around us like the proverbial flies and hopefully this
will now be the moment we put a line through this sorry episode once and for
all and finally see us move forward as a football club.
Let's make no mistake about it the only reason we have yet to be taken over
has been due to this impending ruling. You can hardly blame investors from
wanting to take over the football club with the possibility of a £45m pay
out looming it hardly seemed the most attractive of propositions. The very
fact that a reported £10m compromise is all but agreed will enable them to
come forward forthwith and look to put the Icelanders out of their financial
misery. We now won't be short of offers and we can only hope that a rich
Arab or American can come in and take the football club to the level that we
all desire to be. Zola is certainly delighted that it is reaching a
conclusion as he looks to lay down the plans to take us forward.
Zola said: "I hope it will be resolved soon and I am confident it will be.
"It's looking good at the moment and it would be a good thing for the club -
because then we can sit down and plan for the future, knowing exactly where
we are and what we are dealing with.
"I believe they are trying to find an agreement, and I hope they do that as
soon as possible. That would give us a clear picture for the future, and we
can sit down and plan." (SkySports)
They say life is never easy being a West Ham fan and we have been put
through the mill on more than one occasion in the past few months. It seems
that the dark clouds are lifting and with Zola finding his feet, the
emergence of young talent and the expectancy of a new owner with large
pockets the future certainly looks bright. I know we have had many a false
dawn before, but I really have a hunch that everything is in place for it to
prove different.
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WEST HAM FUTURE ON ICE
Hammers chief Scott Duxbury in talks to find buyer
News Of The Word
By ROB SHEPHERD, 14/03/2009
WEST HAM'S chief executive Scott Duxbury is in Iceland this weekend to
hammer out the club's future. He will hold a series of meetings with owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in order to move the club forward. Having
successfully negotiated an out-of-court deal with Sheffield United to settle
the Carlos Tevez affair, Duxbury knows the way is now clear to find a buyer.
The settlement on Tevez will give Duxbury stronger bargaining power. As
revealed in Sport of the World two weeks ago, he nailed a compromise deal to
prevent the matter going to a tribunal which was due to begin tomorrow. The
Blades had tabled an optimistic bill of £43.5million but on Friday Sheffield
United chief executive Kevin McCabe agreed a payment of up to £15m including
legal costs. FIRST AGAIN - how we reported the proposed Tevez deal back on
March 1The pay-out is spread over the next three years in £5m instalments,
which eases the financial pressure on the Hammers. A bond has also been
lodged, which means West Ham will pay out a sum on a sliding scale between
£5 and £10m when the club is sold. I understand that McCabe has been in
contact with third parties representing one of the serious potential new
owners who know they will have to pay out on the bond as part of their
purchase price. Three months ago Gudmundsson claimed West Ham was worth
£250m even though he only forked out £104m when he bought it two years ago.
Given debts in excess of £40m, City analysts put the real price at around
£100m.
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English consortium eyes £100 million Hammers take-over bid
Duncan Castles The Observer, Sunday 15 March 2009
West Ham hope that settling their long running legal dispute with Sheffield
United will facilitate the sale of the club to new investors. The
cash-strapped outfit are understood to have agreed compensation of more than
£25m to the Yorkshire club, who were relegated at the end of the 2006-07
Premier League season in which West Ham illegally registered Carlos Tevez.
Whether potential bidders will be impressed with a proposed out-of-court
settlement that involves a cash consideration of £10m followed by staged
payments on a five-year bond remains questionable.
The Observer has learnt of definite interest from an English-led group
planning to spend £100m on the club. The group intends to provide manager
Gianfranco Zola with a "serious" transfer fund of £30m, while rolling over
club debts now approaching £50m. However, with the cost of paying off
Sheffield United set to take up a quarter of the total investment, sources
close to the potential buyers are not confident they will complete the deal.
For their part West Ham officials recognise that the club's future will not
be determined by its titular owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. Instead, the five
banks holding West Ham's debt will decide who to sell to, with Standard Bank
of South Africa principal among them. Proceeds from the sale will be put
towards settling Gudmundsson's financial liabilities.
West Ham say they do not expect the club to change hands until the summer
and that the Sheffield United settlement is for £15m over five years, with
an additional bond of £5m to be met by any new owner.
On the field the Hammers are in good shape. Sitting seventh in Premier
League table, they host bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich tomorrow. Zola
will be forced to make two changes as midfielder Jack Collison is out with
a damaged right knee and striker Carlton Cole is suspended.
Luís Boa Morte has recovered from a groin injury, while Kieron Dyer and
Diego Tristán have returned from injury to training and could play some
part. Defender Jonas Olsson is fit to return to the West Brom squad after
being out since January with a knee injury, while strikers Jay Simpson and
Roman Bednar are also back in contention.
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Tevez saga 'resolved soon' - Zola
Mar 14 2009
Sunday Sun
Gianfranco Zola is confident the long-running Carlos Tevez saga will soon be
over as a final settlement between West Ham and Sheffield United is
imminent. The drama has been going on behind the scenes ever since the
Blades were relegated in 2007, with Tevez - who should have been ineligible
to play because of a third-party ownership row - scoring the goals that kept
the Hammers up in their place. "I hope it will be resolved soon and I am
confident it will be," said the Italian. "It's looking good at the moment
and it would be a good thing for the club -because then we can sit down and
plan for the future, knowing exactly where we are and what we are dealing
with.
"I believe they are trying to find an agreement, and I hope they do that as
soon as possible. That would give us a clear picture for the future, and we
can sit down and plan."
Asked if he is troubled by the Tevez saga, and the constant speculation over
the financial viability of the club's Icelandic owners, Zola remained
pragmatic. "I personally have to focus on the work on the pitch. That is why
the club employed me," he reasons. "I'm 100% focused on my job. It is my
responsibility to make sure things on the pitch work well. If I can do that
I can be helpful to the club. "This is the world of football. I know it is
not just about kicking the ball for us right now; it is dealing with other
things. But whatever the worry, I know I can switch on to the football and
not let other things get in the way."
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola confident conclusion to protracted Carlos
Tevez saga is 'imminent'
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 3:07 PM on 14th March 2009
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola is confident the long-running Carlos Tevez saga will soon be
over and a final settlement between West Ham and Sheffield United is
imminent.
The drama has been going on behind the scenes ever since the Blades were
relegated in 2007, with Tevez - controversially embroiled in a third party
ownership row- scoring the all-important goals that sensationally kept the
Hammers up. The Championship side had initially lodged a claim for as much
as £45million - the figure they estimated as the actual cost of relegation.
West Ham rated the loss at no more than £5million but suffered a blow last
year when an independent Football Association tribunal chaired by Lord
Griffiths supported the South Yorkshire side's claims. It appears a
settlement of around £25million - spread over a period over five years - has
been struck. Hammers manager Zola therefore hopes he can soon get back to
the business of planning for next season and beyond. 'I hope it will be
resolved soon and I am confident it will be,' said Zola. It's looking good
at the moment and it would be a good thing for the club - because then we
can sit down and plan for the future, knowing exactly where we are and what
we are dealing with. I believe they are trying to find an agreement, and I
hope they do that as soon as possible. That would give us a clear picture
for the future, and we can sit down and plan.'
Asked if he is troubled by the Tevez saga, and the constant speculation over
the financial viability of the club's Icelandic owners, Zola remained
pragmatic. 'I personally have to focus on the work on the pitch. That is why
the club employed me,' he said. 'I'm 100% focused on my job. It is my
responsibility to make sure things on the pitch work well. If I can do that
I can be helpful to the club. 'This is the world of football. I know it is
not just about kicking the ball for us right now; it is dealing with other
things.
'But whatever the worry, I know I can switch on to the football and not let
other things get in the way.' Zola's immediate concern is Monday's match
against the Premier League's bottom side, West Bromwich. Although Tony
Mowbray's men occupy such a precarious position in the table, Zola is urging
caution from his players. 'This is not going to be a 'gimme', that's for
sure,' he added. 'They are playing well and have been unlucky in some
situations. We need to respect them, and it is a big danger for us.
'But when you play against last in the table it can give the players too
much confidence, and that is something we must avoid at all costs. So we are
in a state of alert.'
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West Ham agree to pay Sheffield United £25m to settle the Carlos Tevez
affair By Matt Lawton
Last updated at 11:41 PM on 13th March 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have agreed to pay Sheffield United more than £25million in
compensation to bring an end to the Carlos Tevez affair, the real figures
only emerging yesterday after initial reports had suggested a considerably
smaller sum. Sportsmail now understands that the troubled east London side
will pay the Championship club in the form of a bond over the next four
years. The news will come as a shock to West Ham supporters who no doubt
thought their club had escaped potential disaster, given Sheffield United's
original claim of £45m for their relegation from the Barclays Premier League
in May 2007. But West Ham were in no real position to negotiate a far less
expensive deal when an independent FA arbitration panel, chaired by Lord
Griffiths, were so supportive of Sheffield United in their claim. Not only
did the panel find that West Ham were guilty of a serious breach of Premier
League regulations, but they also concluded that, in scoring vital goals
towards the end of the season for the Hammers, Tevez had indeed had a
decisive effect on Sheffield United's fate. While the settlement figure has
not yet been signed off by West Ham's five controlling banks, the agreement
comes a few days before Lord Griffiths and the panel were due to meet to
discuss the compensation. West Ham see this as concluding the saga even
though the joint FA and Premier League inquiry into the comments of Lord
Griffiths has not yet finished. West Ham's debt already stood somewhere
between £45m and £50m, and the £25m bond will now have to be taken into
consideration by any buyer. There is believed to be one serious potential
purchaser,but yesterday the price for buying the club was thought to be in
the region of £100m, almost half what owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson would
want.
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How peace began to break out over Tevez
Sheffield Star
By James Shield
IT was just before midnight on Thursday that the Cold War between Sheffield
United and West Ham first started to thaw. As Kevin Blackwell drafted plans
for his side's final training session before this afternoon's visit of Derby
County, lawyers representing the two clubs made their first significant
breakthrough in their bid to prevent the Carlos Tevez Affair
reachinADVERTISEMENTg court.
Well, an independent tribunal chaired by Lord Griffiths to be precise,.
But after securing a landmark legal victory in September, when the former
MCC president and two eminent QCs ruled the Argentine marksman should have
been declared ineligible for selection during the closing stages of the
2006/07 Premier League season, United are now on the verge of settling their
claim just 48 hours before Griffiths and his colleagues are scheduled to
reconvene.
At the time of writing a binding contract had yet to be signed, but there
appeared a distinct possibility that an announcement could be made before
today's 3pm kick-off.
If not, then the next time West Ham and United meet will almost certainly be
across a table, somewhere in the capital, when what has been described as a
"forensic examination" of the latter's request for around £45 million worth
of compensation begins.
As The Star reported last week, officials from Bramall Lane and Upton Park
have been upholding discreet talks ever since the autumn.
Indeed, even as West Ham were attempting to launch an appeal against the
Griffiths judgment at the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, there
were suggestions they were trying to strike a deal.
With owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson badly affected by the Icelandic banking
collapse and, according to reports, prepared to offload his shareholding,
West Ham were understandably keen not to find themselves saddled with a
potentially ruinous debt.
Although it has been reported United provisionally indicated yesterday
morning that £10m payable in instalments would be an acceptable figure,
sources within the game believe the settlement will be worth substantially
more should it be ratified.
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TEVEZ PEACE DEAL
Sheffield Star
Published Date: 14 March 2009
By Staff Copy
SHEFFIELD United and West Ham will call a public truce when the Carlos Tevez
Affair, one of the most acrimonious episodes in English football's history,
finally draws to a close.
The Star understands the move, which could involve a gesture of friendship
between well-known dignitaries, is designed to ensure their are no
recriminations among supporters of the respective clubs should they meet in
the near future.
Officials at Bramall Lane are on the verge of agreeing a deal with their
counterparts from Upton Park which would see the latter pay United
compensation in exchange for them withdrawing all outstanding complaints.
The exact amount United will receive, should the peace treaty be ratified,
remains undisclosed but despite the fact both parties have entered into a
confidentiality agreement, sources within the game indicate it is higher
than the £15m reported in some quarters.
Talks aimed at thrashing-out a compromise following the two-year-long row,
which exploded when the Argentine striker helped West Ham avoid relegation
during the closing stages of the 2006/07 Premier League season despite being
illegally registered, continued yesterday ahead of United's Championship
fixture with Derby County this afternoon.
But facts, figures and legalese were not the only items on the agenda as
ways of diluting the hostility which has simmered between rivals fans were
also being discussed.
Last year Kevin McCabe, United's chairman, revealed he had written to Eggert
Magnusson, his opposite number in east London, to insist the row should not
be allowed to colour future relations between their teams and while
Icelandic businessman did not immediately reply, discreet negotiations
continued after his departure.
The source of the dispute traces back two years when United, who slipped
into the second tier when they were beaten by Wigan on the final day of the
controversial campaign, reacted angrily to the FAPL's decision not to dock
West Ham points when it emerged that Tevez's presence breached rules
governing third party ownership of players.
However, United scored a landmark legal victory in the Autumn when an
independent arbitration tribunal, headed by former MCC president Lord
Griffiths, declared Tevez, now of Manchester United, had influenced the
battle to avoid the drop.
United subsequently lodged claim for damages totalling around £45m - a
figure West Ham vehemently contested - but with Griffiths and his colleagues
set to reconvene on Monday, news that some witnesses summoned to appear at
the hearing were last night being informed not to attend was telling.
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HAMMERS PAY £20M 14/03/2009
The Mirror
The Carlos Tevez Affair has cost West Ham over £25million after they agreed
an out-of court settlement of more than £20m with Sheffield United. An FA
arbitration panel had been due to meet on Monday to decide the compensation
payment due to the Blades after their relegation in 2007. But the Hammers
have settled and been allowed to pay the figure over five years with the
first payment this summer. Sheffield United had demanded up to £45m in
compensation for their relegation after the Argentine had played for West
Ham while owned by a third party. The Hammers were fined £5.5m by the
Premier League for this offence in April 2007.
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Blades accept £15m to settle Tevez claim
Sheffield Star
Published Date:
14 March 2009
By Rob Wauigh
SHEFFIELD United's long battle for compensation over the Carlos Tevez saga
appears to have finally ended after West Ham agreed a compromise deal to pay
close to £15m to the Blades.
The money will be paid in instalments over five years and will help secure
United's financial future if the Blades do not win promotion back to the
Premier League this season.
The settlement is for a set figure and there are no clauses reducing the
amount should United return to the riches on offer in the Premier League in
the meantime.
The deal also suits the financially-stricken Hammers who are now in a better
position to try to find new owners without a £45m claim from United hanging
over the club.
West Ham had already offered around £9m earlier this year but talks between
the two clubs intensified in recent weeks in an attempt to avoid going
through another FA arbitration hearing to settle compensation which was due
to begin on Monday.
Although no formal agreement was announced last night, both sides have
agreed in principle and are thought to be working on a 'politically
acceptable' joint statement suitable to both clubs. It is not known if
United's legal fees are factored into the deal but they amount to around
£1.5m.
Neither United nor West Ham would comment on the latest developments last
night. Although accepting substantially less than formally claimed, the
Blades will see the final outcome as a clear vindication of a long and
determined campaign to fight a perceived injustice over how the whole Tevez
affair was handled by the footballing authorities.
It is understood that relationships between the two clubs, which had
deteriorated badly during the prolonged legal fight, have been restored with
the personal involvement of United chairman Kevin McCabe and West Ham chief
executive Scott Duxbury helping to bring negotiations to a successful
conclusion.
The Blades had lodged a claim for £45m in compensation after winning a
landmark legal victory last September when an FA arbitration panel, chaired
by Lord Griffiths, ruled that Tevez had unfairly been able to play a
decisive role in keeping West Ham in the Premier League at United's expense.
The ruling opened the way for United to draw up a schedule of losses.
An independent disciplinary commission, sitting in April 2007, had already
found West Ham guilty of breaching Premier League rules after signing Tevez
on a contract which allowed his 'owners', represented by Kia Joorabchian, to
potentially exercise outlawed third-party influence – including deciding
when he could be transferred.
They were fined £5.5m then but controversially escaped a points penalty
which would almost certainly have spelled relegation.
Even more contentiously, the Premier League then allowed West Ham to
continue playing Tevez in the remaining three games of the season on the
strict understanding that the Hammers had torn up the offending contract
with Tevez's owners.
West Ham agreed and Tevez duly played a key role in each of the final three
games to ensure last-day survival at United's expense.
But the FA arbitration panel, sitting last year, heard evidence that West
Ham had only paid lip service to the Premier League's stipulation and had
actually assured Joorabchian's solicitor, Graham Shear, that the third-party
agreement remained in place.
The panel said that had the Premier League known of West Ham's actions,
Tevez would have been suspended from playing the remaining games and as a
result of the new evidence the
FA and Premier League launched a fresh inquiry in January to decide whether
the Hammers should face fresh disciplinary charges.
And although the Hammers are hoping the compensation deal will bring an end
to the saga, the FA last night confirmed the inquiry will continue.
An FA spokesman said: "We see the inquiry between the Premier League and
ourselves as separate from the compensation case. We don't anticipate it
having any impact on the separate issue of the investigation."
It is not known how long that inquiry will last – it is understood to still
be gathering evidence. West Ham are co-operating with the inquiry and have
previously insisted they have nothing to hide and did conform to the Premier
League's requirements to end the contract.
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Australia captain Lucas Neill hints at early return to A-League
By Chris Wilson
Foxsports.com.au
March 15, 2009
Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill has hinted he could be playing A-League in
Sydney as early as next year. The West Ham captain has given a teaser to
A-League fans, saying he was looking to return to the domestic competition
soon after next year's World Cup in South Africa. He has been involved in
the bid for a second Sydney A-League team, to be based in the western
suburbs and aiming for inclusion in the 2010-11 season. Neill is close to
extending his contract with EPL club West Ham United. But the world-class
defender, who turned 31 last week, declared his plans to finish his playing
career in the A-League. "It'd probably be shortly after the World Cup,
whether its immediately after (in 2010-11) or one season further on
(2011-12)," he said. "I know I'm not going to be able to play forever in
England and the Premier League. But also I don't want to leave it too late.
I want to be able to come back and still be respected."
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has been critical of Jason Culina's decision to
return to Australia with Gold Coast United in the A-League next season,
claiming it could negatively affect his game. Neill wouldn't comment on
Culina's situation, but said he still hoped to represent the Socceroos when
playing in the A-League. "When I'm back in Australia, I want to be giving
back as much as I can to the game in the hope that brings other players on
to play for the Socceroos, as well as maybe keeping myself involved," he
said. But Neill's immediate task is leading Australia to the World Cup. He
is desperate to wrap up qualification as early as possible, and has urged
teammates to play with a sudden-death intensity against Uzbekistan on April
1, demanding Australia finish the job early in its quest for consecutive
World Cup berths. The Socceroos squad will be announced on Wednesday and go
into camp for a week before the Uzbekistan match. The Socceroos have four
qualifying games remaining, including three at home. But Neill said victory
in Sydney would all but seal Australia's qualification. "You don't want to
be relying on insurance, because if you start doing that and you slip up
then suddenly the last game will be sudden death and we could end up with
egg on our face," he said. "The next game is at home and it's one that not
only should we win, we should win well."
Sunday Herald Sun
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Mowbray praises West Ham for giving Zola his chance
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has praised the West Ham United board for giving
Gianfranco Zola his chance. Mowbray said: "I don't know Zola but my
perception is he is a humble man. "Looking at West Ham's players they have
got some very good ones. They should never have been struggling at the wrong
end of the table. "Zola's removed the uncertainty which I felt when we
played them first time. "He's embraced the tradition. He knows West Ham are
used to playing a certain type of football and they are enjoying it. "It was
a big decision to appoint him, a brave decision. The fans seem to be
enjoying the football and he deserves huge credit."
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Zola: Sears to start for West Ham tonight
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Freddie Sears will start for West Ham tonight against West Brom. Boss
Gianfranco Zola must do without leading scorer Carlton Cole, who is banned
after his controversial red card at Wigan last week. So local lad Sears, 19,
will get his fourth start of the season. Zola said: "Carlton is an important
player for us and I don't think that he deserved to get sent off last week.
It's a big miss for us as he is a reference for everybody. "But Freddie
Sears has worked very hard in the last few weeks. "He knows this is a big
opportunity for him and I am very confident he will take it."
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West Ham boss Zola warns next owner about transfer cash
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has warned any prospective new owner he
will expect a healthy summer transfer kitty. Zola said: "If we do achieve
that then we will need to strengthen the team because there will be very
competitive teams in Europe but also there will be more games to play so we
will need a strong team. The squad has to be strengthened." Given that any
potential new owners at Upton Park already face £47million of debt and a
payment of £25m to Sheffield United to contend with, Zola will no doubt be
crossing his fingers that a wealthy Russian or Arab is taking an interest as
well as the English consortium reportedly readying a £100m bid for the club.
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Behrami insists he's delighted with West Ham move
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Crocked midfielder Valon Behrami is delighted with his first season at West
Ham United. "After leaving Lazio, it would have been difficult for me to
move back to Italy, and to Roma in particular," Behrami told Sky Sport 24.
"I am in London now, I love it there and I have no intention of departing
England. Do I miss Italy? Of course, it's a fantastic country, but it was
time for a change. England is my present and my future."
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Blackwell desperate for Sheffield Utd to settle West Ham row
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is keen for the club to end their row
with West Ham United. The expected £15 million conclusion to the Carlos
Tevez affair seemed to lift a burden from Sheffield United's players as they
ran out 4-2 winners over Derby. Blackwell said: "It needs to be put to bed
for the sake of everybody. Then we'll sit down here and discuss the
ramifications."
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West Ham boss Zola targets Champions League breakthrough
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is eager to take the club into Europe.
"Of course I hope one day to be there, competing with them in the Champions
League," he said. "We will see though, it depends how well I work, how well
I do my job and how well the team does their job but that is one of the
targets we have. "It might be possible that seventh spot is enough for
Europe this season and that would be a great thing for this club. Not just
for the club to be in Europe, but for the players to play games
internationally makes them better. "I played many times as a player in
European competition and I know how it can make a player better to play
those kind of games." He added: "The plan is still to strengthen the team
this summer. But first of all we need to achieve our targets this year, then
we can think about going on and pushing the team on."
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West Ham boss Zola: English preparation so much better than Italian, Spanish
teams
16.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is delighted with the success of
English clubs in Europe. "It is a great moment for English football right
now," said Zola, who welcomes West Brom to Upton Park tonight. "In this
country you can see that the top teams are producing results, quality
football and big performances - not only at home but abroad and
internationally. "The football played in this country is the most
competitive in Europe so it's not a surprise to me that the English sides
went through against the Italians. "They prepare the teams and the player to
a higher level and that is why they are cruising in Europe, not just against
the Italian teams but the Spanish also."
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Tevez affair should not affect West Ham spending
16.03.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says the club will not be affected by having
to pay compensation to Sheffield United for the Carlos Tevez affair. The
Hammers are reported to have to pay United £25 million after they unfairly
claimed the Argentine midfielder in the 2006/07 season when Sheffield were
relegated. "Once the matter is settled and we know what exactly is going to
happen then we can look at the possibilities of what we can do in the
future," he said in The Daily Mirror. "It shouldn't affect our spending, so
if we want to strengthen then we'll be able to do that."
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West Ham kid Payne delighted with senior promotion
15.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United's 18 year-old defender Josh Payne is delighted with his
involvement in Gianfranco Zola's senior squad. The 18-year-old who can play
at centre-back or midfield was part of the senior squad that spent part of
this week at a warm-weather training camp in Spain. He said the time spent
out there was beneficial both on and off the pitch ahead of Monday's game
with West Bromwich Albion and that it was great to be involved. "We had a
good few days, it was something different but at the same time we worked as
hard as ever on the training pitch. It was good to be with all the boys on
and off the pitch in a different environment," Payne told whufc.com. "The
quality of training was great and very enjoyable. Each day you knew going
down to the training ground that you were going to be working towards very
high standards - but it was also nice to have some warmer weather to go with
it."
Payne added: "It's been a busy season in terms of me going on loan [to
Cheltenham] and then being in and around the first team recently. I want
more of that and so I am going to be making sure I do all the right things,
keep working hard so I can show the manager what I can do."
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Son of gun Lee impressing at West Ham
15.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham's teenager midfielder Oliver Lee was delighted to test himself
against the starlets of Arsenal's reserves in last week's 1-0 win. His
composed performance belied his tender years and Lee - son of former West
Ham United and England midfielder Rob - told his club's website: "It was
great playing against players like [Mark] Randall and [Jack] Wilshere out
there. You need to put yourself against the best and we've shown that we're
good enough to be against them. "We played really well. Obviously they've
got a lot of talented players but we worked hard as a team, came through and
won 1-0. Everyone was buzzing and dancing around and it was a great
atmosphere."
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English consortium eyeing West Ham
15.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United could fall into English hands at the end of the season. The
Observer says there is definite interest from an English-led group planning
to spend £100m on the club. The group intends to provide manager Gianfranco
Zola with a "serious" transfer fund of £30m, while rolling over club debts
now approaching £50m. However, with the cost of paying off Sheffield United
set to take up a quarter of the total investment, sources close to the
potential buyers are not confident they will complete the deal.
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West Ham chief Duxbury in Iceland for crunch ownership talks
15.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury is holding talks in Iceland
this weekend over the club's future. The News of the World says he will hold
a series of meetings with owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson in order to move the
club forward. Having successfully negotiated an out-of-court deal with
Sheffield United to settle the Carlos Tevez affair, Duxbury knows the way is
now clear to find a buyer. The settlement on Tevez will give Duxbury
stronger bargaining power.
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