WHUFC.com
All the team news and background for Wednesday's trip to the north-west to
take on Wigan Athletic
03.03.2009
Barclays Premier League
Wigan Athletic v West Ham United
JJB Stadium
Wednesday 4 March
7.45pm
Referee: Stuart Attwell
• West Ham United travel to meet Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic for their 14th
away match of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season.
• Of their previous 13 league matches on their travels, United have won
three (Fulham, Sunderland and Portsmouth), drawn five (Middlesbrough,
Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal) and lost five (Manchester
City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Manchester United and Bolton
Wanderers).
• The Hammers go into Wednesday's match seeking to end a run of two away
defeats, having gone down 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on
21 February and 2-0 in an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Middlesbrough four
days later.
• Gianfranco Zola's side go into the match in seventh place in the Premier
League table, one point and one place ahead of their opponents. Victory for
the Hammers could lift them to within five points of sixth-placed Everton,
who travel to Blackburn Rovers.
• West Ham United will be aiming to complete their second Premier League
'double' of the season, having beaten Wigan 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on the
opening day of the season. The Hammers have already beaten Fulham home and
away this season.
• This is the 12th league meeting between the two sides. West Ham United
have won five, Wigan Athletic have won four and there have been two draws.
• The club has eleven games remaining this season - five at home and six
away. The teams still to visit the Boleyn Ground are West Bromwich Albion,
Sunderland, Chelsea, Liverpool and Middlesbrough. Other than Wigan, the six
away games are Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Stoke City
and Everton.
• West Ham have only lost once in the eleven league games this season where
the they have scored first - at home to Everton on 8 November.
Referee
• Wednesday's referee is Stuart Attwell.
• At the age of 25, Attwell became the youngest official to ever take charge
of a Premier League fixture when he was the man in the middle for Blackburn
Rovers match against Hull City on 23 August 2008.
• Now 26, Attwell was promoted to the Football League list at the start of
the 2007/08 season, refereeing the League Two play-off final at Wembley
Stadium between Rochdale and Stockport County at the end of the campaign.
• Attwell was added to the Premier League's Select List at the start of the
2008/09 season and has gone on to referee four top-flight matches. In those
matches, he has issued nine yellow cards but has yet to send off a player.
• Attwell has never taken control of a competitive match involving either
West Ham United or Wigan Athletic.
• FIFA have confirmed that Attwell will be asked to join the international
list of referees later this year.
Last time out
Sunday 1 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Savio 43),
Parker, Kovac (Spector 83), Collison, Cole, Di Michele (Lopez 87)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Payne, Stanislas, Sears
Booked: Kovac, Parker
Goal: Collison 71
Saturday 28 February 2009
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Cattermole
(Rodallega 69), Brown, Scharner, Kapo, Zaki (Sibierski 89), N'Zogbia
Subs not used: Kingson, Edman, Kupisz, Routledge, Holt
Booked: Cattermole, N'Zogbia
Goal: Kapo 82
West Ham United
• West Ham United go into Wednesday's match hoping to build on Sunday's 1-0
home Premier League win over Manchester City. Jack Collison's 71st-minute
goal ended a run of five matches without a victory in all competitions for
Gianfranco Zola's side.
• West Ham United's biggest away win at Wigan came in the shape of a 3-0
Premier League success at the JJB Stadium on 28 April 2007. The Hammers'
goals that day came courtesy of Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun and Marlon
Harewood.
• The Hammers have lost on only one of their six visits to the JJB Stadium.
West Ham have won four and drawn one of the five other trips they have made
to Wigan.
• West Ham's top scorer is Carlton Cole. The 25-year-old England striker has
eight goals in 24 Premier League appearances this season. Cole has also
scored twice in five cup matches
• Green is the only West Ham United player to have played every minute of
the club's 27 Premier League matches so far this season. Matthew Upson has
started all 27 games, but was substituted late in the 3-1 home defeat by
Everton on 8 November.
Wigan Athletic
• Wigan Athletic have not won in the Premier League since beating Tottenham
Hotspur 1-0 at the JJB Stadium on 11 January. Since then, Steve Bruce's side
have drawn four and lost three of the seven top-flight fixtures they have
contested, scoring just two goals.
• Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea ended a run of three straight goalless
Premier League draws for Wigan. The Latics were held to a stalemate at Aston
Villa and Middlesbrough, as well as drawing 0-0 at home with Fulham.
• Wigan's top scorer is Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, who has netted ten times
in 23 Premier League appearances. However, the 25-year-old, who is on a
season-long loan from Zamalek in his homeland, has failed to score in any of
his last seven top-flight matches. Zaki has also scored once in three
Carling Cup appearances.
• Wigan's largest-ever home win over West Ham was also the Latics' only
victory over the Hammers on home turf. Kevin Kilbane netted the only goal of
the game in a 1-0 success, heading past Robert Green in added-time at the
end of the first half.
• Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa is the only Wigan player to have started
all 27 of the club's Premier League matches this season. The 25-year-old
scored his only goal of the season in the 1-0 Premier League win over
Tottenham on 11 January - the last time the Latics tasted victory.
• Wigan were among the Premier League's most active clubs during the January
transfer window, breaking their transfer record by signing Charles N'Zogbia
from Newcastle United for a fee of around £6m. The Latics also brought in
Egyptian striker Mido on loan from Middlesbrough and signed midfielder Ben
Watson from Crystal Palace and Colombian forward Hugo Rodallega from Mexican
side Necaxa.
• Wigan also allowed a number of players to leave the JJB Stadium.
Right-sided midfielder Ryan Taylor joined Newcastle United, veteran Ireland
international Kevin Kilbane left for Hull City, while the club banked around
£14m for midfielder Wilson Palacios, who has linked up with Tottenham
Hotspur. Senegal striker Henri Camara, who spent last season on loan at West
Ham, has joined Stoke City until the end of the season, while England
forward Emile Heskey moved to Aston Villa.
• Manager Steve Bruce has allowed young midfielder Lewis Montrose, 20, to
join League One side Chesterfield on loan until the end of the season.
• Striker Zaki has unleashed more shots (71) than any other Wigan player
this season.
• Midfielder Lee Cattermole has committed more fouls (52) and received more
yellow (ten) and red cards (one) than any other Wigan player this season.
Team news
• Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami suffered a knee injury during
Sunday's 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City. The club are
waiting to learn the full extent of the problem with the 23-year-old
travelling to Italy for assessment. Behrami was suspended for the Wigan game
anyway after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against
Middlesbrough.
• Diego Tristan will be missing for at least two weeks with a groin injury.
• Germany Under-20 international Savio is pushing for first start for West
Ham United following a superb performance as a substitute in Sunday's 1-0
Premier League win over Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground. The
19-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Italian side Brescia Calcio in
January, forced Shay Given into the save that led to Jack Collison's winner
to cap an exciting display on the left wing.
• England Under-21 midfielder Mark Noble is available again after missing
Sunday's victory through suspension.
• Uruguayan international Walter Lopez made his first Premier League
appearance as a late replacement for David Di Michele on Sunday and will
hope to be involved again at some stage.
• The 18-year-old midfielder Josh Payne and 19-year-old winger Junior
Stanislas will both hope to be involved again after being named among the
substitutes on Sunday. The 19-year-old centre-back Bondz N'Gala and the
20-year-old striker Zavon Hines have also been part of the first-team
picture of late.
• West Ham will definitely be without Dean Ashton (ankle), Danny Gabbidon
(stomach), Kieron Dyer (calf), Luis Boa Morte (groin) and James Collins
(hamstring). Ashton and Gabbidon may not return this season. Dyer and Boa
Morte are both running and could be back in training next week while Collins
is targeting a possible return at the end of the month.
• Wigan Athletic have injury concerns over Antonio Valencia (hamstring) and
Dutchman Daniel De Ridder (thigh), although the former could be fit for
Wednesday's match.
• Midfielder Ben Watson, a £2m January signing from Championship side
Crystal Palace, will be available for selection again after missing
Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea through suspension.
Last meeting
• The teams met at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 16 August 2008, with West
Ham United coming out 2-1 winners. Dean Ashton scored twice in the opening
ten minutes before Egyptian Amr Zaki set up a tense finish by scoring
Wigan's consolation on 47 minutes. Valon Behrami made his West Ham debut in
the fixture.
• The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert (Boa Morte
86), Parker (Mullins 72), Noble, Etherington, Ashton (Sears 73),Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Reid, Bowyer, Spence
Goals: Ashton 3, 10
Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Melchiot (De Ridder 83), Scharner (Koumas 83),
Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole (Sibierski 85), Palacios, Kapo,
Heskey, Zaki
Subs not used: Pollitt, Kilbane, Brown, Bramble
Goal: Zaki 47
Attendance: 32,758
Old boys
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Roy Carroll, Henri
Camara and Bill Wade.
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
16 August 2008 - West Ham United 2-1 Wigan Athletic
2 February 2008 - Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Ham United
25 August 2007 - West Ham United 1-1 Wigan Athletic
28 April 2007 - Wigan Athletic 0-3 West Ham United
6 December 2006 - West Ham United 0-2 Wigan Athletic
25 March 2006 - Wigan Athletic 1-2 West Ham United
Overall record v Wigan Athletic (all competitions) W 7 D 2 L 4
Next up
• West Ham United will play host to West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn
Ground in the Premier League on Monday 16 March, kick-off 8pm
• Wigan Athletic will travel to Sunderland Premier League on Saturday 14
March, kick-off 3pm
General information
• For ticket information, click here
• Wednesday night's weather forecast is for sleet showers, with a maximum
daytime temperature of 6C
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Zola wants another run
WHUFC.com
The manager will be urging his side to get another three points when they go
to Wigan Athletic
03.03.2009
West Ham United go to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night bidding to
kick-start another unbeaten run on the road that will keep the club riding
high.
Prior to last week's two disappointments at Bolton Wanderers and
Middlesbrough, Gianfranco Zola's men had not experienced a loss on their
travels since 29 October. Having jumped just above Wigan into seventh spot
with the weekend win against Manchester City, the significance of the JJB
Stadium encounter is not lost on the manager.
"The players know what our objective is right now so everybody is going to
be pushing to achieving that," he said. "The players are focused on that. We
just have to be consistent now to get results starting on Wednesday. We will
go there and we can try to win."
As was the case with Mark Hughes on Sunday, Zola knows his opposite number
in the dug-out very well - having come up against the dogged defending of
Steve Bruce many times during his playing days. The Wigan manager was at the
Boleyn Ground on Sunday trying to get some early pointers about the Zola
system.
The West Ham United boss is full of respect for Bruce's coaching
credentials. "I rate him very much," Zola said. "His team is playing very
well and they are a team to respect. I saw them play a couple of times and I
like the way they play. They like to play football and they are a powerful
and strong team and it is going to be a hard game for us."
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Wigan v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: JJB Stadium Date: Wednesday, 4 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London 94.9 FM; Score updates on Score, BBC
Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport
website; Highlights on Match of the Day
BBC.co.uk
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Winger Antonio Valencia and striker Mido both return to Wigan's squad for
the visit of West Ham. Jason Koumas has shrugged off a thigh injury while
fellow midfielder Ben Watson is available again after a ban.
West Ham will be without midfielder Valon Behrami (knee), meaning Mark Noble
should return to the side. James Collins (hamstring), Luis Boa Morte
(groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny Gabbidon (stomach/back) and Dean Ashton
(ankle) remain sidelined.
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Wigan manager Steve Bruce: "The squad's done very well recently. The
continued loss of Antonio Valencia means we've lost a bit of our cutting
edge. "But, we'll keep plugging away and I think our defining moment is in
the next three fixtures. "We've got West Ham on Wednesday, followed by games
against Sunderland and Hull. If we can get results in those games it could
kick-start our campaign."
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison: "A win will consolidate seventh place,
which at the moment looks good enough for a Uefa Cup spot. "That is the
target the manager, Gianfranco Zola, has set us. "We have got 10 or 11 games
now until the end of the season and we are going to look to kick on now
rather than see the season out."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
This is an upper mid-table clash between two sides separated by one point.
Wigan go into the game on a seven-match winless run, culminating in
Saturday's confidence-sapping last ditch defeat to Chelsea.
West Ham travel having gained their first win in four with Sunday's home
triumph over Manchester City.
Wigan are looking for back-to-back home wins over West Ham, having gained
Premier League points against them for the first time in three attempts at
the JJB Stadium in February last year, courtesy of Kevin Kilbane's winner.
West Ham are vying to do the double over Wigan for the first time.
Distance between the clubs: 215 miles (347 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 8th 35 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this midweek set of Premier League fixtures)
1. Pressing for a first win in eight league games; drawn four and lost three
since beating Tottenham 1-0 at the JJB on 11 January.
2. Picked up four points out of 21 since completed four wins on the bounce,
which culminated in a 1-0 triumph over Spurs on 11 January.
3. Averaging a goal a game; 27 in 27.
4. Failed to score in five of seven Premier League outings.
5. Nine points up on this same stage last season, when 14th.
6. Lost one of 10 top-flight matches in which they have opened the scoring,
and won one of 12 when the opening goal has been scored by their opponents.
7. Not scored a first-half league goal from open play since Ryan Taylor's
29th minute opener in the 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Newcastle at the JJB.
8. Unbeaten in eight home league games, in which five clean sheets have been
kept; won five and drawn three since losing 0-4 to Aston Villa on 26
October.
9. Failed to score in five of the last seven Premier League games against
London clubs, and won one of 11; 1-0 over Tottenham on 11 January.
10. Arsenal and Manchester United are still to visit the JJB among their 10
remaining fixtures after this.
Fixtures
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WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into this round of matches: 7th 36 points
Club stats
(all statistics are ahead of this midweek set of Premier League fixtures)
1. Lost two of nine Premier League games since Christmas, winning five.
2. Four points down on this same stage last season, when 10th where they
remained until the end of the season.
3. Lost just one of the 11 games in which they have opening the scoring;
home to Everton on 8 November.
4. Won one of six away league games; 1-4 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park
on Boxing Day.
5. Not won in 10 top-flight trips to the North-West, since beating Blackburn
0-1 at Ewood Park on 9 December 2007.
6. This match is followed by back-to-back fixtures with relegation-haunted
sides; home to West Brom and away to Blackburn.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Squad profiles
Maynor FIGUEROA is the only remaining player to have started every one of
Wigan's Premier League matches this season.
Amr ZAKI is the club's top Premier League scorer with 10 goals, but he has
not hit the back of the net from open play since his brace against Liverpool
on 18 October.
If selected:-
Titus BRAMBLE will be making his 200th career Premier League appearance
(Ipswich, Newcastle and Wigan).
Daniel DE RIDDER will be playing two days before his 25th birthday.
If on the field from the outset:-
Paul SCHARNER will be making his 100th start in a Wigan shirt.
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WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
Carlton COLE is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
Two goals in the first 10 minutes from Dean Ashton against Wigan in the
reverse fixture, set West Ham on the road to a winning start to the current
Premier League season.
There has never been a goalless draw between these clubs.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Wigan 4 wins, West Ham 5, Draws 2
Prem: Wigan 3 wins, West Ham 3, Draws 1
at Wigan only
League (inc PL): Wigan 1 win, West Ham 3, Draws 1
Prem: Wigan 1 win, West Ham 2, Draws 0
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Ham United
2 February 2008 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
Wigan scorer: Kilbane 45
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 2-1 Wigan Athletic
16 August 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett
West Ham scorers: Ashton 3, 10
Wigan scorer: Zaki 47
REFEREE
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Premier League referees' table
Stuart Attwell 2008-09 Premier League card count
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Wigan Athletic v West Ham Utd
KUMB,com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
By: Preview Percy
And so to Wigan for a 7.45pm kick off against one of the least likeable
Chairman/Manager combinations in the Premier League.
The club owned by price fixing child slave-labourer and arch-hypocrite Dave
"rules are for other people" Whelan, currently lie in 8th position, one
point and one place behind our good selves. Their current form over the last
six games isn't that spectacular, having drawn four and lost two of their
last six outings. Their latest defeat came at Chelsea where most observers
thought them to be slightly unfortunate to go down 2-1 to a late Fat Boy
header.
The defeat gave the perennially miserable Bruce something to moan about,
though his rant that Chelsea's first should have been disallowed for a foul
that had occurred nearly two whole minutes before the goal was scored was
laughable in the extreme. He may have had a point for the second – Fat Boy's
shove in the back of Melchiot was as blatant a foul as you could ever want
to see.
However, his whining comment that "big clubs get all the decisions" was
rather pathetic. There again he ought to know I suppose – most of the
trophies and medals that came his way during his playing career owed a fair
bit to dodgy refereeing and I don't recall him complaining back then.
They were fairly active in the January window, being the fulcrum of the
striker merry-go-round that saw Marlon King move from Hull to Boro' via the
JJB. King stayed only long enough on his return to find out where he was
being sent next, that destination being the Riverside where he crossed Mido
coming on loan in the other direction.
Wigan beat Boro' to the signature of Ben Watson who seems to be on a tour of
thick managers as does Charles N'Zogbia. N'Zogbia famously took umbrage
after being called "insomnia" by Joe Kinnear, then (with no sense of irony)
joined a club that has drawn three of its last four games (away at Villa and
Boro' and home to Fulham) 0-0. Ryan Taylor went the other way whilst Emile
Heskey disappeared down the M6 to Villa.
Their last victory, like many, this season was against Spurs on 11 January
when an injury time winner from Figueroa gave them a home win. However they
have seemed short of goals. Zaki – who couldn't stop scoring at the start of
the season – has only stuck away penalties since the turn of the year and
you have to go back to Boxing Day for a match in which they scored twice
when they beat Newcastle 2-1 – though they did stick three past Blackburn
just before Christmas
At Chelsea Valencia, Mido and Koumas were all missing through injury whilst
the aforementioned Watson was suspended. All four should be available for
selection on Wednesday night so there are likely to be a number of changes
from the side that started at Stamford Bridge.
We will also not be unchanged, Sunday's decent victory against Man City was
of course marred by the injury to Valon Behrami. The Swiss midfielder has
had a fine season and Lucas Neill for one will probably attest to the hard
work he has put in all season – many is the time that Behrami has come to
Neill's rescue. This will give Zola an interesting selection issue.
Noble's return from suspension will see him available for selection to
replace Behrami. However, Savio's decent second half against City makes him
an outside bet for a starting berth, especially as we have few other players
capable of running at defenders in quite the same way. Zola will probably
resist the temptation though and start with Noble and I expect that both
Kovac and Di Michele will retain their places in a line up that might have
been unchanged but for Behrami's injury.
There were some good signs against City – there was some excellent football
and, for once, the ball was played wide on occasion. We still tried to sit
back having taken the league – something that I never feel comfortable
watching us do. Wigan is also somewhere where we have had mixed fortunes in
the past.
Two years ago a fine 3-0 win was gained as part of the Great Escape whilst
last season we were "treated" to a dull as ditchwater 1-0 defeat. All my
instincts tell me that this one ought to be a draw this time round – their
lack of goals against our attempts to walk the ball in should cancel each
other out.
Despite the mouth-watering prospect of seeing the look on Bruce's face if we
were to win I'll stick with my initial instincts and predict a 1-1 draw
which will see us stay in 7th and leave us three points away from the 40
point spot.
Enjoy the game!
Last Season: Lost 1-0 - a freak header from Kevin Kilbane was enough to give
the home side the spoils on a pitch that appeared to have been deliberately
prepared with a view to stopping football being played.
Danger man: Zaki – hasn't scored for weeks and we all know what happens to
us when we come up against players on runs like that. Mido always seems to
score against us too.
Look out for: Home supporters – Wigan are not the best supported of teams
and for this one the JJB could make the Riverside seem overcrowded if their
past attendances are anything to go by.
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Behrami confirms injury blow
Hammers midfielder confirms he will miss rest of season
By James Dall Last updated: 4th March 2009
SSN
West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami has confirmed he will miss the
remainder of the season through injury. Switzerland international Behrami
was stretchered off in last Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City after
twisting his ankle and knee. The full extent of the injury is still not
known, although tests have revealed the 23-year-old did not suffer a break
or fracture. Behrami, though, expects to miss the rest of the term, as he
awaits the results of a further scan that will determine whether he needs
surgery. He told Blick: "The season has gone for me. I must now wait 48
hours until I know whether or not cruciate ligament surgery is required.
Bad, very bad."
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Zola tips Parker for England
Hammers boss backs midfielder to gain England recognition
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 3rd March 2009
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is confident that in-form midfielder Scott
Parker can break into England boss Fabio Capello's plans. The Hammers had
three players in Capello's squad for the friendly defeat against Spain last
month in goalkeeper Robert Green, defender Matthew Upson and striker Carlton
Cole. All three came on in Seville with Cole even having an effort cleared
off the line in the dying moments of the 2-0 loss. Zola is confident the
trio can cement their places in upcoming squads and insists they could be
joined by team-mate Scott Parker in the not too distant future. The
midfielder has gone about his business with the minimum of fuss in the
Hammers engine room but his recent performances have warranted praise from
his manager. "I'm not surprised he played well," the Italian said. "In his
position internationally there are so many good players which is probably
why he has been out so far. "But if he performs the way he has been
performing week in week out with the same intelligence and determination
then he can get a more regular place in the international side as well.
"It's like Robert Green, who kept performing well until he got back in. I'm
sure the same thing can happen with Scott Parker. "Of course, if you want to
be involved you need to be really, really good. Especially in this country
where you have such a high level of championship. "I'm sure my players know
this and we will try to help them get to the next level internationally."
The former Chelsea forward also insists that under Capello playing for a
club outside the so-called 'big four' does not hinder your chances of a
call-up as has been the case under previous England managers. "If you are
playing for a bigger team you have more opportunities to be spotted," he
added. "But Capello picked three West Ham players (against Spain) so it
means he is keeping an eye on West Ham and is trying to cover every team in
the league."
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Kovac desires Hammers stay
On-loan midfielder determined to earn permanent Upton Park move
By James Appell Last updated: 3rd March 2009
SSN
Radoslav Kovac has no desire to return to Russia as he eyes a permanent
switch to West Ham United. The experienced Czech midfielder signed for the
Hammers in January from Spartak Moscow on a deal until the end of the
season, and he impressed on his debut last weekend. Speaking of the move to
Upton Park, Kovac admitted that the time had come for a change in his
career. "The English Premier League is a step forward," he told Sovetsky
Sport. "I had thought a few times about continuing my career in Europe, but
the first step towards this change was made not by me, but by Spartak. "The
management made it known that they did not have any particular faith in me,
and suggested that I find a new team. I did not want to leave Spartak." And,
having triumphed over Manchester City on his Hammers bow, Kovac is looking
forward to moving on. "I don't want to go back," he stated. "I hope that
West Ham will take up their right to my transfer. "My feelings towards
Spartak are divided. On the one hand I am a Spartak supporter. "On the
other, the four years I spent with the club contained such unhappiness."
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Potential investors queue up as West Ham fight to stave off insolvency
West Ham have held talks with more than five potential new owners ahead of a
court date in Iceland on Friday when Hansa, the club's holding company, will
argue that it should not be put into insolvency.
Telegraph
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 10:44PM GMT 03 Mar 2009
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham owner, will ask for an extension from
the court of three months and has prepared a series of reports detailing
plans to restructure the companies. It will be argued that the value of
Hansa's assets, of which West Ham is a key component, is above the claims of
the creditors. The court is not expected to make any decision over Hansa
until next week, though club sources maintain that the outcome of the
hearing will not force any immediate sale of the club. West Ham's ownership
is complicated but, though Hansa is the holding company, West Ham United
Holdings Ltd and West Ham United plc are also within the structure. West
Ham United plc is regarded as the member organisation by the Premier League,
meaning that the possibility of a sporting sanction against the team could
not be considered in respect of any financial issues relating to the holding
company. Negotiations over prospective takeovers have stepped up in recent
weeks and it is understood that the interested parties include an Asian
consortium. However, West Ham have not yet received an acceptable offer,
while no group has reached the stage of due diligence.
Gudmundsson was significantly affected by the economic crisis in Iceland,
but the club are financially "firewalled" and were true to their pledge
during the January transfer window of not selling players in order to
finance any Hansa debts.
Indeed, on the pitch, there has been considerable progress under Gianfranco
Zola, with European qualification still possible. West Ham face Wigan on
Wednesday in the Premier League, but will be without midfielder Valon
Behrami after he was carried off the pitch with an oxygen tank after badly
twisting his knee in Sunday's win over Manchester City. His absence will
mean the probable return of Mark Noble after suspension, though James
Collins (hamstring), Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny
Gabbidon (stomach/back) and Dean Ashton (ankle) remain sidelined. With Wigan
one place and one point behind West Ham in seventh, the outcome of tonight's
match could determine a possible Uefa Cup place for either club. "A win will
consolidate seventh place, which at the moment looks good enough for a Uefa
Cup spot," said midfielder Jack Collison. "That is the target the manager,
Gianfranco Zola, has set us. We have got 10 or 11 games now until the end of
the season and we are going to look to kick on now rather than see the
season out."
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Latics v Hammers Will Savio Start?
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 3 March, 2009 - 21:06.
West Ham Fans.org
West Ham United travel to the JJB to face Wigan on Wednesday in what is
potentially a European six pointer, there can be no room for complacency if
Hammers are to continue to compound their Premiership position. Although
Fulham have a game in hand and could spoil the party, it looks likely that
either Steve Bruce or Gianfranco Zola will be leading their team into
Europe, qualification for which could it self be a poisoned chalice. The
injury to Valon Behrami has restricted GF and Steve Clarke's options, it
would have been nice for them to not be squeezed in to having to use players
out of position. Mark Noble will be available after returning from
suspension and will probably get the nod ahead of Savio Nsereko in the
starting line up although many fans would like to see the lightening fast
nineteen year old get a full game. West Ham obviously want to keep Savio
under wraps until he has fully adapted to the Premiership, but seem to have
no such reservations about selecting Radoslav Kovac despite the players lack
of match fitness. Several other players are nursing knocks including Scotty
Parker, Lucas Neill and Carlton Cole, the latter looked totally knackered
after the Man City game and his ankle must be cause for some concern. Wigan
have become very difficult to beat under the guidance of Steve Bruce and a
well earned point would do nicely and is attainable, so long as Hammers
don't switch off for the first 20 minutes! -Ed
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Tony Cascarino on the Rise of West Ham Midfielder Jack Collison
NewFootballPools.com
West Ham returned to winning ways at the weekend after beating Man City and
it was good to see young Jack Collison get back to his best. I saw the young
lad a lot before Christmas and he was playing extremely well but since
January he seemed to have gone off the boil and resembled more of a young
lad given a chance than a first team regular in the Hammers midfield.
I like the look of the lad, he is a nice footballer, gets around the park
and has shown he possesses an eye for goal too. How far he can go, I'm not
sure but he's proved he can play Premier League football this season.
Whether he can reach the heights of former West Ham youngsters Michael
Carrick and Joe Cole I'm not so sure but he is starting to make a name for
himself in his own right.
It's nice for young players to come through at their clubs as it lifts fans
expectations but unfortunately it becomes difficult for kids to sustain a
place in a Premier League first team and often leads to a lull in form at
some point.
West Ham have had a decent season but as I've said before, they miss having
a quick forward in the side. Unfortunately they had to sell Craig Bellamy so
I'd expect Gianfranco Zola to be on the lookout for a new man in the summer
who can give them something else in attack. At the present time I can't see
the Hammers finishing much higher than 8th or 9th but after a difficult time
off the field, for me, that would be a good finish.
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West Ham striker starts for Borough
7:34pm Tuesday 3rd March 2009
Argus.co.uk
By Steve Hollis »
Jack Jeffery is included in the Eastbourne Borough starting line up for
tonight's clash with Oxford United following his loan move from West Ham.
The 19-year-old, signed from the Hammers until the end of the season
yesterday, partners Andy Atkin in attack following the return of Dan Smith
to Plymouth. That is the only change to the team which lost 2-0 against ten
men at Kidderminster on Saturday. With Borough expected to switch to a 4-4-2
formation it means Paul Armstrong is likely to play on the right hand side
of midfield. Jacob Mingle is included on the bench after being left out of
the squad altogether at the weekend with reserve goalkeeper Michael Jordan
dropping out. Yemi Odubade makes his first return to Priory Lane since his
switch to Oxford United while the visitors also include Kevin Sandwith on
the bench after signing him from Weymouth.
Eastbourne: Hook, Austin, Baker, Pullan, Jenkins, Armstrong, Brown, Smart, M
Crabb, Jeffery, Atkin. Subs: Harding, Lovett, Mingle, N Crabb, Wormull.
Oxford: Turley, Carruthers, Foster, Murray, Constable, Haldane, Batt,
Willmott, Clist, Chapman, Odubade. Subs: Day, Farrell, Sandwith,
Hinchcliffe, Hutchinson.
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Real Madrid boss Ramos: Faubert wasn't signed to be star
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos insists he has no problem with on-loan West
Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert. "Look, Faubert came not to be a star
to play, but if Arjen Robben was injured," said Ramos. "Though Robben has
been out, Marcelo has done very well on the left of midfield. Faubert will
help us, if needed."
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West Ham boss Zola: Capello looking beyond top four for Engand players
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola feels that being outside the
traditional big four is no longer a major problem under fellow Italian Fabio
Capello's England leadership.
"If you are playing for a bigger team you have more opportunities to be
spotted, but Capello picked three West Ham players (against Spain) so it
means he is keeping an eye on West Ham and is trying to cover every team in
the league," he said.
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West Ham boss Zola impressed by Bruce's Wigan work
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says he's a big fan of Wigan Athletic
counterpart Steve Bruce. "I rate him very much," Zola told whufc.com. "His
team is playing very well and they are a team to respect. I saw them play a
couple of times and I like the way they play. They like to play football and
they are a powerful and strong team and it is going to be a hard game for
us."
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West Ham academy chief Carr pleased with Payne progress
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United academy chief Tony Carr was delighted to see midfielder Josh
Payne make the bench for Sunday's victory over Manchester City. Carr told
whufc.com: "He has made a great stride forward. It is a great experience for
him and hopefully it will spur him on to work harder and want more of it. It
is great for all the young players to see. I said to the boys just this
morning - 'one minute you are a ball boy the next you are on the bench.
"Don't feel you are far away from it because the route through is there.
That is the way it is at West Ham.'"
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West Ham owners seek court protection from selling club
04.03.09 | Ian Ferris
The owners of West Ham will ask an Icelandic court this week to legally
postpone banks from seizing their assets and force the sale of the club.
Judges at a hearing on March 6 in Reykjavik will assess a three-month
extension to a decision made in December that blocked banks from attempting
to seize their assets. If the decision is overturned, it could force the
club's sale. Hansa, West Ham's holding company, is controlled by Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, majority shareholder of an Icelandic bank seized by government
regulators. "Hansa believes that the progress that the club has been making
shows the importance of continued stability," said West Ham vice chairman
Asgeir Fridgeirsson. "There are alternatives and options. It will in no way
effect the club." It is believed there are between five and 10 groups
looking at buying the East End outfit should they come on the market.
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West Ham management pleased new signing Dixon now training with squad
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
New West Ham signing Terry Dixon has begun working with the first team
squad. The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international signed a
three-year deal last month after an arduous six-month rehabilitation
programme with the club's medical staff. Dixon had been released by
Tottenham Hotspur back in March 2007, having suffered a knee injury, but is
raring to prove he has what it takes to make it. The striker has been
working hard at Chadwell Heath and coach Alex Dyer said it was important to
not put too much pressure on Dixon. "He has done well and it is great for
his confidence to be back out there with the boys," he said. "It is nice to
have him involved and we will see how he goes in the days to come."
Gianfranco Zola has admitted he is looking forward to seeing what the
teenager can do - both in training and then in reserve-team action.
"Everybody keeps talking about Terry Dixon but I have not seen him play
yet," Zola told whufc.com. "Hopefully soon he will be training with me so I
will try to have an idea about him as a footballer. "I'm looking forward to
seeing him. They told me he was quite a talent and I'm really curious. This
is a good opportunity for him. I think this club has been very good to him
and I want to see how he takes the opportunity. "A big satisfaction would
be to see this guy have some success because he was ruled out from the game.
They said he couldn't make it so if he does I will be very happy for him
because he has been through hell. If he manages to be a successful player it
will be good for him and for us as well."
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