WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's side face their longest trip of the season on Monday night when
they travel to take on Stoke City
30.03.2009
Alex Dyer is in upbeat mood as his reserve team go to Stoke City tonight
looking to build on an excellent behind closed doors friendly last Friday.
The second string were 4-2 winners at Chelsea before the weekend, with
Junior Stanislas hitting a hat-trick against a side featuring the likes of
internationals Alex, Florent Malouda and Ricardo Quaresma. Stanislas will
not feature at Nantwich this evening - where Stoke play their reserve games
- because of an England Under-20 call.
Also, set to play is the promising defensive partnership of Holmar
Eyjolfsson and Bondz N'Gala, while the likes of Oliver Lee and Zavon Hines
will also get another chance to show their potential. It is not thought that
any established first-teamers will figure with midfielders Kieron Dyer, who
played just behind the front two, and Luis Boa Morte among a number who had
extended run-outs against Chelsea.
"Everyone is up for the Stoke match. We had a good training session on
Sunday and they are all in good spirits," said Dyer about the Barclays
Premier Reserve League encounter. "Friday's game was excellent from start to
finish and the senior boys all worked their hearts out. The youngsters did
really well especially as Chelsea had a good side out." The reserves have
not lost on their last two away games - a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa followed
by a 1-0 success away to Arsenal.
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A trio of Young Lions
WHUFC.com
West Ham United could have three players involved for England Under-20s in a
major friendly on Tuesday
30.03.2009
James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears have all been preparing
hard with England for Tuesday night's mouthwatering Under-20 friendly
against Italy.
The Azzurrini will take on the Young Lions at the Loftus Road home of
Queen's Park Rangers with both sides taking the first steps ahead of the
FIFA U-20 World Cup later this summer. The West Ham United trio are all
hoping to impress in a squad that also boasts the likes of Manchester City's
Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs were put through their paces by
coach Noel Blake over the weekend and on Monday.
Tomkins, who turned 20 on Sunday, and 19-year-old Sears were both part of
the England team that reached last summer's UEFA European U19 Championship
while Stanislas, 19, has also been capped at that level. This will be their
first taste of U20 action, with the 18-year-old Jordan Spence, capped at
every level up to U19, also in with a shout of making it to the finals in
Egypt.
Speaking to theFA.com, Blake said: "The Italians have proved to be very
strong opposition at all levels of the game and we will learn a great deal
from the players involved, as they will be facing very formidable opponents.
"It is an important game in terms of us looking at the options we will have
available to us when the finals comes around in September. Having secured
qualification, our next aim is to prepare the players and look at the
various options that may or may not be available to us."
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Reserves see off Stoke
WHUFC.com
A youthful reserve side ensured another Barclays Premier Reserve League
success on Monday night
30.03.2009
Stoke City reserves 0-2 West Ham United reserves
Goals from Anthony Edgar and Zavon Hines on Monday night sealed another
polished performance on the road for Alex Dyer's youthful second string.
The homegrown Hammers struck in the second half to make it three games
unbeaten on the road after a goalless draw at Aston Villa and a 1-0 success
away to Arsenal. With goalkeeper Peter Kurucz well protected by a back four
marshalled by Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Edgar strode forward
just before the hour to score with a tremendous strike before Hines
converted a late penalty he had earned.
Dyer was particularly delighted with his team after several had also
featured in a behind closed doors friendly against Chelsea on Friday. Edgar
had scored with a delightful effort in that 4-2 triumph after coming on for
Kieron Dyer to play at the attacking point of a midfield diamond. He played
the whole 90 minutes in the same position against Stoke and linked up well
with the tireless Balint Bajner and Hines.
More to follow
West Ham United: Kurucz, O'Neill, Eyjolfsson, N'Gala, Fry, Okus, Lee, Edgar,
Kearns, Bajner, Hines
Subs not used: Loveday, McNaughton, Sanchez, Barrett, Montano
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Big night for Mehmet
WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet is looking to help Turkey qualify for the European Under-17
finals on Tuesday night
30.03.2009
West Ham United goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet goes into Tuesday's UEFA European
Under-17 Championship Elite Round qualifying match against Finland knowing
only victory will be enough to keep his native Turkey in with a chance of
reaching this summer's finals in Germany.
The Turks have drawn their opening two matches, battling back twice from a
goal down to draw 2-2 with Wales last Thursday before playing out a goalless
stalemate with Romania on Saturday. Mehmet, 16, played the full 80 minutes
in both matches.
Romania, who beat Finland 2-1 in their own opening fixture, are top of the
four-team group going into their final fixture against Wales on Tuesday
afternoon at the Burhanettin Kocamaz stadium in Tarsus-Mersin. Finland lie
second after beating Wales 3-0 in their second group game on Saturday.
Turkey and Finland kick-off at the same time in nearby Adana, with both
teams knowing they need to win and hope that Romania fail to beat the Welsh
to top the group and qualify for the finals. Should Romania prevail, they
will go forward at the expense of both the Turks and the Finns. Both matches
kick-off at 1pm local time.
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Horsfield considers action
Former Blades front-man set to claim damages over Tevez saga
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 30th March 2009
SSN
Former Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield has revealed that he will
seek personal compensation from West Ham over the Carlos Tevez saga. The
Blades settled out of court with the Hammers a number of weeks ago but it is
thought that up to 18 current and ex-United players, along with former boss
Neil Warnock, are considering taking action against the Upton Park club. The
35-year-old's comments may come as a surprise to some after the veteran
spent the majority of the season out on loan, first at Leeds and then at
Leicester. Despite this the former Birmingham man, now with Lincoln,
believes he has a right to seek damages after he, like the rest of the
Blades squad at the time, took a pay cut when the side were relegated on the
final day of the 2006/07 season. "There are no personal grudges against West
Ham from any of the Sheffield United players involved, myself included," he
told the Sheffield Star. "But the fact is we lost considerable sums of money
as a result of being relegated to the Championship because our wages dropped
as a consequence. "It's nothing personal or about being bitter, but about
justice."
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Upson wants to be first choice
Hammers stopper backing himself to retain jersey
Last updated: 30th March 2009
SSN
West Ham defender Matthew Upson believes he can become an England regular
under Fabio Capello. The 29-year-old started Saturday's 4-0 friendly win
over Slovakia alongside John Terry, with Rio Ferdinand struggling with a
back injury. Upson helped keep Slovakia off the scoreboard at Wembley and
believes he is good enough to retain his place in Capello's starting XI. But
Capello remains confident Ferdinand will be fit enough to face Ukraine in a
World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, meaning 13-cap Upson may have to settle
for a place on the bench. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe I could
become first choice," said Upson. "There would be no point. It is something
I want to do and I am trying my best to do it. "I am in a position where
every time I get an opportunity I have got to go out there and perform to
the highest level I can. "I understand that the competition for those two
spots at centre-half is very fierce. "You can only take those opportunities
when they are given to you. I went out against Slovakia and tried to do it."
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Collins questions tactics
Wales defender believes side should have been more attacking
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 30th March 2009
SSN
Wales defender James Collins has questioned manager John Toshack's tactics
in the 2-0 defeat to Finland at the Millennium Stadium. The Welsh went into
the must-win clash with six points from four games and knew that they would
have to make the most of their home fixtures if they were to claim second
spot behind runaway leaders Germany. With this in mind Toshack decided to
play Craig Bellamy up front on his own, a decision which came back to haunt
the former Real Madrid boss. Wales mustered just two shots on target all
game as Bellamy found himself starved of support and service as striker Ched
Evans kicked his heels on the bench. The manager's tactics have reportedly
not gone down too well with the squad's senior players as the West Ham
centre-back highlights. "It's the manager's preference," he told Western
Mail. "If he wants to play one up front, he'll play one up front and the
boys will do their best to do it. "But in a game we had to win we needed to
create and personally I think two up front maybe would have been better.
"Bellers (Bellamy) has worked his socks off. I played with him for a year at
West Ham and I don't think I've met a striker who works as hard. "We did our
best to knock it around. But you can have all the possession in the world,
football's about scoring goals. "It comes to a point where you've got to
play those high balls in there sometimes. "You've got to have an end
product and we didn't have it. It was a game we had to win but we had one
shot on goal. "It was tough for Craig. He was making fantastic runs, but he
didn't have a chance against their two at the back. "I think I was the only
one who had a header and that's disappointing in a game we needed to win.
"If it's going to take a change of approach I think we've got to look at
it."
Meanwhile Toshack was quick to defend his tactics for the clash after he
declared that they were not the reason they lost the game. "They (Finland)
only played with one striker so it doesn't make a difference," he pointed
out. "It's difficult with this side because we have to strike a balance. We
have midfield players capable of scoring goals and full-backs who can push
on. "We do what we think is in the best interests of everybody."
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Upson makes a case for the defence
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 30 March 2009 - 10:42 PM
Matthew Upson says he can force his way into the England first team. The
West Ham defender impressed in the 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia on
Saturday in the absence of Rio Ferdinand and says he wouldn't turn up if he
didn't believe he had a chance of becoming a regular under Fabio Capello.
Manchester United defender Ferdinand has recovered from a back injury and is
likely to partner John Terry at the heart of the England defence in their
World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Wednesday. But Upson, 29, insists he
has the ability to make the centre-back berth his own. He said: "I wouldn't
be here if I didn't believe I could become first choice. "There would be no
point. It is something I want to do and I am trying my best to do it. I am
in a position where every time I get an opportunity I have got to go out
there and perform to the highest level I can. "I understand the competition
for those two spots at centre-half is very fierce. "You can only take those
opportunities when they are given to you. I went out against Slovakia and
tried to do it."
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Collison set for April return
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 30 March 2009 - 6:42 PM
West Ham star Jack Collison could return to action by the end of April -
just weeks after suffering a dislocated knee cap. The 20-year-old was
carried off in agony during the 1-0 win at Wigan just over three weeks ago,
adding to West Ham's injury woes.But the Wales international, who has
established himself as a first-team regular under Hammers boss Gianfranco
Zola, has made rapid progress while working with the club's medical staff.
And the midfielder could return for the London derby clash with Chelsea on
April 25 with Zola's men hoping to secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup.
The Hammers are currently eighth in the Premier League, but are only behind
seventh-placed Wigan on goal difference. With seventh likely to mean a place
in next season's Europa League, Collison's news will provide Zola's team
with a timely boost as the Premier League reaches its climax.
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Cole curses injury setback
by Chris Stanton , 30 March 2009
setanta.co.uk
Carlton Cole has expressed his disappointment after missing out on the
chance to impress for England in the absence of Emile Heskey. After being
introduced as a first-half replacement for the injured Heskey against
Slovakia on Saturday, Cole himself was trudging off soon afterwards. The
West Ham striker suffered a thigh injury which will preclude his involvement
in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. "With Emile going off it
was a great opportunity to show what I can do," said Cole. "But I tried to
shoot and I felt a sharp strain in my groin. I've never had an injury like
this. "The Slovak defence just caved in at the end and there would have been
a real chance for me to get my first England goal. "I'd felt really good in
the build up to the game. So I'm really disappointed I couldn't carry on
that good work into the match."
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Giovinco determined to prove his worth
by Robin Hackett , 30 March 2009
setanta.co.uk
Juventus starlet Sebastian Giovinco admits he is eager for first-team
football – but stressed his commitment to the club. The 22-year-old second
striker is considered one of the best young talents in Italian football and
has been linked with moves to both West Ham and Arsenal. However, despite
his lack of playing time, he remains keen to prove himself at the Stadio
Olimpico di Torino. "I will not spend 15 years on the bench, but I am
stubborn and I want to stay," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It goes without
saying that I want to play because consistency is important for every
player." He added: "You have to win something to become a champion. I want
to win something big at Juventus. "Right now, I am not interested in money."
Asked if he would like to win the Ballon d'Or one day, he replied: "We'll
see. I can dream."
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Sheffield United Players To Pursue Compensation Claim Over Carlos Tevez
Affair
As many as 18 players could be set to claim from West Ham United, who are
reportedly refusing to pay out any more money in compensation...
30 Mar 2009 09:34:24
Goal.com
According to a report in the British tabloid The Sunday Mirror, 18 Sheffield
United players are preparing to claim compensation from Premier League club
West Ham United in relation to the Carlos Tevez affair. The Hammers thought
that the case had drawn to a close after they recently agreed to pay the
Blades a settlement worth around £21 million. However, it seems that has
prompted many others to make claims of their own, with lawyers apparently
asking for as much as £3.5m in damages for the 18 individuals. As the Irons
have so far refused to pay any further compensation, the case could be
referred to a tribunal. If a tribunal is called upon, the news could be
gloomy for West Ham. It is suggested that Lord Griffiths, the judge who
ruled in Sheffield United's favour originally, may chair it.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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Carlton Cole Laments International Disruption
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has reflected on the disappointing
injury that will keep him sidelined for the World Cup qualifier against
Ukraine...
30 Mar 2009 10:13:06
Goal.com
Carlton Cole's return to the England national team was blighted due to his
near instant withdrawal against a sub-standard Slovakia side. Cole replaced
Emile Heskey in the first half, but lasted just 19 minutes on the pitch as
he suffered a groin injury, and he was duly substituted by leggy targetman
Peter Crouch. The West Ham United striker, though, has today reflected on
his disappointment at not being able to train his way back into involvement
for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. "With Emile going off
it was a great opportunity to show what I can do," Cole is quoted by Setanta
as saying. "But I tried to shoot and I felt a sharp strain in my groin. I've
never had an injury like this. "The Slovak defence just caved in at the end
and there would have been a real chance for me to get my first England
goal," he said. "I'd felt really good in the build up to the game. So I'm
really disappointed I couldn't carry on that good work into the match," he
concluded. England manager Fabio Capello has had to call-up Darren Bent in
the meanwhile as an attacking trident of Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, and
Carlton Cole all hobbled off the field of play on Saturday.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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Horsfield wants Tevez 'justice'
TeamTalk
Ex-Sheffield United star Geoff Horsfield says a compensation claim against
West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair would be driven by "justice". It has
been reported 18 current and ex-Blades players - and former manager Neil
Warnock - are considering seeking damages from West Ham, who recently agreed
an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with Sheffield United. West Ham were
initially fined £5.5million by the Premier League for failing to fully
disclose the terms of the deal that brought Carlos Tevez and fellow
Argentinian Javier Mascherano to England in 2007. Tevez's goals kept the
Hammers in the Premier League at the Blades' expense. Horsfield, now at
Lincoln, told the Sheffield Star: "There are no personal grudges against
West Ham from any of the Sheffield United players involved, myself included.
"But the fact is we lost considerable sums of money as a result of being
relegated to the Championship because our wages dropped as a consequence.
"It's nothing personal or about being bitter, but about justice."
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