WHUFC.com
Radoslav Kovac may be still finding his feet but he is already making an impact at West Ham United
04.03.2009
Radoslav Kovac is settling into life at West Ham United and aiming to help his new team-mates to victory over Wigan Athetic on Wednesday evening.
After his debut in last week's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Middlesbrough, the Czech Republic international midfielder produced a powerful performance in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground.
Having trained with the club for more than a month the 29-year-old, who is on loan from Russian giants Spartak Moscow until the end of the season, feels he is approaching full match-fitness. Kovac is eager to taste victory for a second time when the Hammers take on the Latics at the JJB Stadium.
"I joined West Ham because I have seen them play a few matches recently and they have been playing good football. They try to play football the right way and I like that. I was also keen to join the other Czech boys at the club. The club is on the up and I'm happy to have joined them.
"I don't really want to talk about my strengths and weaknesses, but hopefully the supporters will be able to make their own minds up about me soon. It's not been easy because I had only done one week of pre-season training with Spartak before I joined West Ham. I still need to do a little bit more work before I'm fully match-fit but I feel better every single day."
Kovac's strong display against Mark Hughes' side drew praise from manager Gianfranco Zola, who was impressed with the player's willingness to work hard for the team against a strong City midfield containing the in-form Stephen Ireland and January transfer window signings Nigel De Jong and Vincent Kompany.
The manager said: "He did very well. He came on in a team that was playing very well and their [Manchester City's] midfield is probably the strongest part of their team. At Middlesbrough he didn't play so well, but he played a very good match against City.
"He had a slight problem with his leg but he stayed on the pitch and worked very hard and is a good asset for us. He had only done one week of pre-season training at Spartak before he joined us, but now he is finding his fitness and we are starting to see just what a good player he is."
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Parker proving pivotal
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has spoken of Scott Parker's credentials after his consistent form for West Ham United
04.03.2009
The in-form Scott Parker has earned high praise from Gianfranco Zola ahead of this evening's trip to Wigan Athletic.
The midfielder, who has just signed a new contract to 2013, is set to be pivotal again when West Ham United go to the JJB Stadium looking to consolidate their hold on seventh spot in the standings. With one man of the match display after another, Parker has been a driving force of late and Zola thinks it will not be too long before he gets more international recognition.
"I'm not surprised he is playing well," said Zola. "He has played well for so long now. In his position internationally there are so many good players which is probably why he has been out so far. 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."
The 28-year-old Parker was called up for last November's friendly against Germany in Berlin but missed out on a place in last month's game in Spain - when club-mates Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all figured. Zola thinks Parker can take heart from their call-up. "It is like Robert Green. He kept performing well until he got back in. I'm sure the same thing can happen with Scott Parker."
England are next in action with two internationals at the turn of the month - with Slovakia due at Wembley for a friendly on Saturday 28 March before the vital World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at the stadium on Wednesday 1 April. Parker has played three times for his country and his bidding to become the first player to get his first four caps while representing four different teams.
With eleven league games to go, the manager said international ambitions can help drive the club on - especially with the 2010 World Cup finals looming on the horizon as well. "If you want to be involved you need to be really, really good. Especially in this country where you have such a high level. I'm sure my players know this and we will try to help them get to the next level internationally.
"Fabio Capello picked three West Ham players [last time] 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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On This Day: 4 March
WHUFC.com
A Derek Parker goal saw West Ham United beat Bradford Park Avenue on this date in 1950
04.03.2009
Classic Match
West Ham United 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
Second Division
4 March 1950
West Ham United had Derek Parker to thank for securing a 1-0 Second Division victory over Bradford Park Avenue on this date in 1950.
Born in the north Essex town of Wivenhoe in June 1926, inside-forward Parker was signed by Ted Fenton from Grays Athletic as a teenager in 1944. It would be two more years before Parker would make his first-team debut in a 3-1 Second Division win over Millwall at the Boleyn Ground in September 1946.
Three-and-a-half years later and Parker, who made 209 first-team and more than 200 Football Combination appearances in claret and blue, had switched positions to half-back when he scored the only goal of the game in front of around 17,000 fans at the Boleyn Ground.
After climbing to tenth with this victory, Fenton's side would win just one of their remaining eleven Second Division matches to slump to a disappointing 19th-place finish. Parker would move to hometown club Colchester United - managed by Ted's brother Benny Fenton - in March 1957, making a further 130 league appearances for the U's.
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Valon: it's over
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Valon Behrami has told the Swiss media that he will not play again this season. The United midfielder was stretchered off during last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester City having twisted his knee whilst attempting to tackle City's Wayne Bridge as the first half drew to a close. Behrami underwent an MRI scan earlier this week in order to determine the extent of the injury. Whilst the results of that scan have not yet been revealed - extensive swelling around the knee preventing a full diagnosis - the 23-year-old has confirmed that he will not play again this season. "The season has gone for me," he told Swiss newspaper Blick. "I must now wait 48 hours until I know whether or not cruciate ligament surgery is required. It is very bad."
Should Behrami require surgery on his knee it is unlikely that he will play again before the start of next season - a double whammy as he will miss an entire pre-season's training as well as the remainder of this term.
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West Ham confident of keeping Zola and Clarke as court hearing approaches
Owner Gudmundsson facing pressure from creditors in Iceland
Club believe management duo will stay despite uncertainty
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 4 March 2009 11.46 GMT
West Ham are confident that their management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are at ease with the uncertainty over the club's long-term future as it seeks a buyer of which there are said to be five or more interested parties, though none is at any advanced stage. On Friday Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, West Ham's Icelandic owner, hopes a Reykjavik court will grant a further three-month extension to the moratorium on his holding company, Hansa, which will prevent creditors – in the form of banks in his homeland – from seizing its assets and forcing the club's sale.
Since replacing Alan Curbishley as manager in September Zola has gradually impressed with his ability to produce results – West Ham are now seventh in the Premier League – and his on-field vision for the club. While Clarke's responsibilities centre on the team's defence and overall strategy, Zola has made an impact with his leadership and his keenness to develop the younger players, with the 20-year-old midfielder Jack Collison, the defender James Tomkins and striker Freddie Sears, both 19, tasting regular first-team action.
"We are confident that the extension will be given," an executive at Upton Park told the Guardian of the Reykjavik hearing, which could last up to seven days."The club has stability of results, Zola and Clarke leading it, and has shown that the investment in players often results in a profit when they leave." Craig Bellamy, George McCartney and John Pantsil are among those all moved on for a greater price. "The court, hopefully, will recognise all this. Also, the best chance of realising the maximum return on any sale of West Ham is to grant a further moratorium."
If a three-month extension is granted, it is understood that this will be the final one, which suggests Gudmundsson will hope to sell the club by the first week of June. Zola and Clarke have also attracted speculation that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich might ask them to rejoin the club where they were firm favourites as players in the summer, if Guus Hiddink does not become the permanent head coach. But West Ham are convinced the pair are content in east London. "They understand that structures are in place, and that best interests of the club are being taken care of," the executive added.
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View from the Opposition - Wigan Athletic
One McAvennieeeeee - Wed Mar 4 2009
West Ham Online
Since Euro 96 and the introduction of David Beckham to the professional game, you can't have failed to notice the influx of Women to football. Luckily for us, one of them bizarrely decided to support Wigan Athletic. Lisa Willmott (27) a season ticket holder at the JJB has kindly agreed to answer our questions with some help from her Old man who wishes to be named as Mr Willmott. For that reason, I shall name him Garry:
Q. Are you embarrassed to support Wigan Athletic?
A. What's to be embarrassed about? We sit safely in the top half of the table, and could still finish above you guys. Its a losing battle against League rugby though, I think crowds will always be small
Q. What are your thoughts on the season so far?
A. Better than I could of imagined it last August, it would be nice to tie some of our high profile players down to long term contracts. You know what its like being a selling club, so I'll say no more.
Q. Expectations for the rest of the season?
A. Realistically, I don't think Europe is reachable, Everton are too many points clear already, but just to keep picking up points and finish above Bolton and get our best ever finish in the league will make me very happy. And a few more away matches on Sky would be nice.
Q. What player doesn't deserve his place in your starting line-up?
A. Do you want me to say Titus Bramble? You can tell who doesn't go to see us play because they always say Bramble, but he has been outstanding for much of the season, people can sometimes jump on the bandwagon. Scharner hasn't been as effective as previous seasons, he's just going through the motions.
Q. What player should we look out for?
A. 2 months ago I would of said Zaki, but his fitness is poor and he fades very early in games now. Figueroa is fast becoming a fans favourite.
Q. What do you make of WHU this year?
A. Pretty boy football, plenty of lucky results. Carlton Cole for England, oh dear. (Garry answered that one)
Q. Your View of West Ham Fans?
A. Always very good support for away matches considering the distance you travel, which you have to respect you guys for. But you guys shouldn't drink away from Upton Park.
Q. If you could choose one player from our squad who would it be?
A. We would take Carlton Cole, just to replace Heskey. We set up for a target man and Mido is shocking, his weight fluctuates more than Oprahs.
Q. Wigan Athletic was the fifth attempt to establish a football club in the town. Wigan County, Wigan United, Wigan Town and Wigan Borough have all tried and failed – Do you think you'll ever get the message?
A. I just asked my Dad (Garry) that question and he says he'll come down there and ram it down your throat.
Q. The JJB has a capacity of just over 25,000 - seeing as you can't play a football match and a Rugby match at the same time and with global warming a growing concern -do you not think this is a massive waste of plastic?
A. So really, we're helping to conserve the earth by having one stadium for 2 sports, who thinks up these questions? Does it make you happy being so mean?
Q. Dave Whelans complaining of rule breaking with his history of shattering rules/shady dealings in both the business and sporting arenas is similar to Michael Jackson complaining about the state of child care – do you not get embarrassed with the fat moron?
A. He's the god father of football in Wigan. He brought us to the Premier league, the man can do no wrong. You are the ones who cheated.
Q. Some say that women at football is like a Frenchman at a war heroes parade – stupid and wrong. What are your thoughts? (I won't give my opinion until I've seen your photo)
A. Ok, so you don't get the same noise from woman, but I've been following Wigan my whole life and have been to more small grounds than any of you would have, my boyfriend says he's a football widow. Don't you like woman down there?
Q. Imagine the situation, you are with the man of your dreams on a romantic weekend in Paris, he has treated you to first class ticket on the Eurostar, you've cruised down the Seine in the moonlight, seen the wonderful works of art at The Musee Du Louvre and shared a kiss atop of the Eiffel Tower. The most romantic weekend of your life is coming to an end when he drops to one knee and pulls a small box out of his pocket – what flavour crisp are you hoping will be in the box?
A. That's a long sentence just to ask me my favourite crisps! Sour Cream and Onion Pringles.
Q. Your favourite rude word/Animal combination?
A. I don't swear. And that's a rubbish question, I'm embarrassed for you.
Q. Match Prediction
A. Scrappy 1-0 for us, and a long journey home for you.
Finally a couple of Questions from 2 WHOers:
Q. On the basis you manager looks like a giant woman, who would you like to see running
team affairs when Steve Bruce gets binned. Dawn French, Lisa Riley or Beth Ditto? - (DOUBLE COBBS BOB)
A. Is that a serious question you southern softy - Imagining men dressed as woman?
Q. Who would you consider your biggest rivals............. St Helens aside? (Joey Woodwork)
A. Bolton, and they play such boring football, finishing above them will be the highlight of my year.
Many thanks to Lisa for taking the time to answer our questions. She declined our Invitation for a picture.
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West Ham's Valon Behrami Rules Himself Out For Rest Of Season
The Switzerland international midfielder has been sidelined after picking up a knee injury against Manchester City on Sunday...
4 Mar 2009 13:02:53
Goal.com
West Ham United's quest for UEFA Cup qualification has taken a blow after they learned that midfielder Valon Behrami will not play again this season. The Switzerland international, who has won 21 caps to date, injured his knee during the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Sunday. While it was initially thought that the 23-year-old would return to action rather soon, a scan has since revealed that the damage is much more serious and he may even need surgery to correct the problem.
"The season has gone down the drain for me," Behrami is quoted as saying in the British tabloid The Sun. "I now have to wait a day or two before I know whether I need surgery."
The former Lazio star, who has been impressive since his €5.6 million switch to Upton Park (£5m) scoring twice in 27 appearances, may even miss the start of next season if he has to go under the knife.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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Prem trio keen on Pranjic
by Laurent Picard , 04 March 2009
setanta.co.uk
Moving to The Premier League is an option for Croatia international Danijel Pranjic, according to his agent. The 27-year-old has been in a tremendous form this season with the Eredivisie's fourth-placed team Heerenveen. Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle are rumoured to be monitoring the midfielder's situation, and his agent has confirmed that a Premier League move could be on the cards. Pranjic's representative has also stated that both Seville clubs are keen on luring the Croatian star out of Holland. Soren Lerby told Foot Mercato: "I can confirm to you that a host of clubs are following him, mainly English and Spanish teams such as Real Betis and Sevilla."
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Premiership quartet ignite Bellion interest
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 04 March 2009 - 15:33
Everton, West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle are the front runners to sign in-form Bordeaux forward David Bellion, according to reports in the French press. The former Sunderland, Manchester United and Hammers forward has helped Bordeaux to fourth in Ligue 1, lying six points behind leaders Lyon. Bellion was linked with a move to the Toffees in the Janaury transfer window, but his agent confirmed no firm offers had been recieved by any English clubs. However, according to reports in the French press Bellion has hit heart set on a return to the Premier League where the striker feels he has unfinished business. The Premiership quartet are the top teams interested in Bellion with reports stating each club has made an enquiry about the future of the star. The Frenchman is desperate to break into the international set up, having never been considered for the national team despite representing his nation at Under-21 level. According to reports the forward would cost up to £8 million.
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Jack the lad becoming a man on Hammers learning curve
1:00pm Wednesday 4th March 2009
Guardian Series
WEST Ham midfielder Jack Collison insists he is still learning his trade as a player at Upton Park, despite establishing himself as one of the first names on Gianfranco Zola's teamsheet this season. The 20-year-old graduate from the club's youth academy struck the winning goal for the Hammers' paupers against the princes of Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday. While City's starting XI boasted more than £100million worth of talent, it was a home grown jewel that made the crucial difference with a classy finish, sending the Irons up to seventh in the table. However, Collison maintains that he is far from the finished article, and has been delighted to see the likes of Scott Parker sign new deals with the club as he continues to feed off the wealth of football knowledge that surrounds him. Speaking about the club's attempts to hang on to their star players, Collison said: "I think it shows the way the club wants to be moving. Everybody wants to be moving forward and obviously you want to keep your key players, especially for me as a young player coming through it's great to have experienced pros who have played at the top and we can just learn off them. "I think Scotty Parker has signed now, that's great news for me because I think he's a real player to learn from."
While the youngster was reluctant to sing his own praises, his manager did it for him, hailing him as an 'unbelievable' talent. "I feel very lucky, not just to have him (Collison) but all of my players," said the Italian manager. "I'm sure if I put Collison up front or right at the back I'm sure that he will give a good game for the team.
"He's unbelievable and he's getting better and better. He's only 20 and he's playing almost every week. He's got a good attitude and he's going to keep on improving."
The Wales international looks set to continue his extended run in the first team, following the serious knee injury to Valon Behrami on Sunday, which could keep the midfielder out for the rest of the season.
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Boro2upton.org - Long March to Upton Park
By Jeff Patterson Wednesday 04 Mar 2009 10:36:00
Browse all Boro News articles
Fansonline.net/middlesborough
A group of Boro fans describe why they have decided to walk from Boro to West Ham for the last match of the season and how you can help them raise money for charities.
In my many years touring to watch the Boro, there have been some memorable trips; the ecstasy of Cardiff, the heartbreak of Elland Road in 1997, the frustration of trips to Oldham & Stockport, for them both to be cancelled while stood outside the ground, but one of my most memorable trips to the Riverside was the last day of last season when Paul Brand, Rob Blanchard and myself walked from Eaglescliffe to Riverside for the 8 – 1 gubbing of Man City in fancy dress; an idea similar to the Mackams who walk from Billingham to Slumerland for their last home game of the season.
When the fixtures, came out we thought of repeating the feat, but then the fixtures threw West Ham away at us, and I am sure somebody was quoted saying "We ain't walking to bloody West Ham". However after a bit of a time, and then a few beers one Friday night, I decided that we would give it a go. Pretty quickly Paul & Rob signed up again and shortly after Paul Hudson & Darren McQuade signed up to.
We are raising money for 3 charities:-
The Finlay Cooper Fund
The Bobby Moore Fund
The NSPCC.
To raise awareness of our idea we have set up a website which is www.boro2upton.org with the help of Helen Brand. On it are details of what were doing along with our future plans and we shall shortly be uploading photos, stories etc. There are also 2 Facebook groups set up called boro2upton.org and football charity walk.
Paul Hudson is walking in support of Team Graeme and details can be found at www.teamgraeme.org.uk
We are going to leave the Riverside after the last home game against Villa and begin our walk. We are looking to do around 35 miles a day, getting us to Upton Park in time for the final game of the season on Sunday 24th May and are working on accommodation or worst case scenario a sturdy tent.
During the walk we are going to have an ongoing auction and we are looking to get as many prizes as possible including football memorabilia like signed shirts, football tickets, golf days and hotel accommodation. Full details of our auction prizes will appear on our website over the forthcoming months. If anybody would like to donate something to include in the auction then it would be greatly appreciated and all money raised would be split between the 3 charities.
So we are looking for us much support as we can get from gentle encouragement to putting your hands in your pocket and supporting these very worthy causes - or at best please don't laugh in our faces would be an improvement. Please visit our website; tell your friends, families and anybody else you happen to chat to.
"Fear will keep you prisoner, hope will set you free" was the tag line from The Shawshank Redemption, and in the build up to this walk, that phrase is pretty fitting. The fear that in the remaining 12 games don't go our way, a walk to the final game without Premier League Survival assured or something worse would be a nightmare, so we are keeping the faith and hope that Boro will start picking up results quickly, so let's get behind the boys for the remaining games. It's our team and our club and don't make the Boro2upton walk the longest funeral march ever known... Up the Boro!
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Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham & Fulham All Chasing Championship Starlet?
Premiership Latest.com
Submitted by Jake Briggs on Wed, 2009-03-04 10:00.
Arsenal, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United Premiership Transfer News Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Fulham and Arsenal are all chasing the signature of Jonjo Shelvey at Championship side Charlton Athletic, according to reports. The Daily Mirror claims that Spurs along with the Hammers and the Gunners are interested in the 17-year-old midfielder, while the Daily Express reports that the Cottagers are also interested in securing the England Under-17 International.
Shelvey has only just signed his first professional contract with the Addicks after turning 17 last Friday, with the all-action midfielder putting pen to paper on a deal which runs until the summer of 2011 and has already made 7 appearances for the Charlton first team, with the highly rated midfielder making his debut towards the end of last season. The young midfielder captained the winning England Under-16's side in the Victory Shield in 2007 and also was a pivotal figure in the young England side that won the Montaigu Tournament for the first time in 7 years shortly afterwards. However, despite just signing professional terms with Charlton, Shelvey could be sold in the summer, with the Addicks 10 points from safety in the Championship and it understood that Charlton will sell Shelvey if they are relegated to League One. Should Charlton be relegated then Shelvey will be allowed to leave The Valley, with Charlton valuing the midfielder in the region of £5million, which is sure to spark a chase amongst the interested Premiership clubs.
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Real Madrid president Boluda: Mijatovic not frozen out of Faubert deal
04.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Real Madrid president Vicente Boluda has defended the loan signing of West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert. Faubert's arrival did not involved sports director Predrag Mijatovic, which sparked stories he was being marginalised. But Boluda insisted: "At that time, Mijatovic was doing other more important things. We made the decision after the price being quoted for the Ecuadorian Valencia (of Wigan) of contacting Faubert and finally, after speaking with Juande (Ramos), we stayed with him. "Mijatovic is a man who is helping the club and has clear ideas. He also has a contract until 2010, when satisfies the election cycle."
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West Ham talk to five potential buyers as Gudmundsson aims to postpone insolvency
By Ken Dyer
Last updated at 9:58 AM on 04th March 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham are believed to have held talks with more than five potential new owners ahead of a crucial court date in Iceland on Friday when the club's holding company,
Hansa, could be put into insolvency. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson will ask for a three-month extension while he prepares a series of reports about how he plans to restructure his companies. Gudmundsson will argue that the value of Hansa's assets — of which West Ham are a key component — is above the claims of the creditors.
No decision is expected from the court until next week and club sources insist any ruling will not affect the sale although negotiations with interested parties are believed to have been stepped up in recent weeks. Although Gudmundsson has been hit by the economic downturn, the Hammers' fortunes on the pitch look healthy ahead of the trip to Wigan tonight. The form of midfielder Scott Parker remains one of the key reasons for the club's success and Gianfranco Zola believes he could soon be picked for England. The Hammers boss said: 'I think he can get a place in the international team.' Mark Noble should come back tonight to replace the injured Valon Behrami.
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Wednesday's football gossip: Arsenal, Spurs and Hammers eye £5m Charlton ace
Northampton Chronicle
Charlton have slapped a £5m price tag on Jonjo Shelvey after interest from Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham;
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