WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer was in positive mood after playing a big part in West Ham
United's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa
20.04.2009
It would be fair to say that West Ham United's 1-1 Barclays Premier League
draw at Aston Villa on Saturday meant more to Kieron Dyer than his Hammers
team-mates.
Not only did Dyer provide an assist for Diego Tristan's dramatic 85th minute
equaliser, but the England international also came through a full hour of
frenetic top-flight football, producing an energetic performance in a
central midfield role.
Appearing as a 33rd minute substitute for defender James Collins, Dyer
completed his longest run out in a claret and blue shirt since the Premier
League fixture against Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground on 25 August
2007.
Three days later, Dyer's West Ham career was halted almost before it started
when he suffered double leg break in a Carling Cup second round tie at
Bristol Rovers. The 30-year-old attempted a comeback in January, only for a
shin injury to send him back to the treatment room.
After working closely with the club's medical department, Dyer is now back
to 100 per cent and slowly working his way back to full match-fitness. While
he freely admits he is not there yet, the speedy Hammer is happy to be
playing his part in the club's push for a place in next season's UEFA Europa
League.
"I wasn't expecting an hour. The plan was to just give me half-an-hour or 40
minutes here and there but obviously when the manager called me to go on
with 15 minutes of the first half still to go I was quite surprised!"
Having been sent on for Collins, who suffered a minor calf injury, Dyer
joined Mark Noble in the centre of the West Ham midfield, producing an
all-action display for Gianfranco Zola's side.
"People don't realise but I've played most of my career in there. I'm used
to playing with two lungs in there but today I only played with one! I did
okay and the lads did well as a team and we thoroughly deserved a point. It
could even have been three in the end because I thought we had a lot more
chances than them. Even though we got the late equaliser, there was a bit of
disappointment that we didn't take more point."
West Ham played their full part in a pulsating game at Villa Park, with only
the heroics of home goalkeeper Brad Friedel denying Junior Stanislas, David
Di Michele and Luis Boa Morte. Had it not been for the big American, Dyer
felt the Hammers could easily have taken three points instead being forced
to settle for just one.
"We started the game extremely well. Junior had a great chance and David had
a chance. They got up a head of steam for ten or 15 minutes and got their
goal but, after that, it was an open game but we had the better chances.
Friedel has pulled off a brilliant save to deny Luis and then Nobes at the
end. They might say they deserved a point but I thought we deserved all
three.
"I'm happy to be playing in any kind of game after being out for two years,
but it was an exciting game to play in. It could have been a cagey game
where both teams put men behind the ball but it wasn't. Both teams went for
it and it was an enjoyable game to be part of."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Experience proved key in helping West Ham United to take a share of the
weekend spoils
20.04.2009
Gianfranco Zola has hailed the experienced campaigners in his squad for
providing the perfect platform for his enthusiastic youngsters to shine.
In recent weeks, the homegrown Hammers have caught the eye but the manager
was quick to recognise this week how his older heads had laid the
foundations. Nowhere was that more in evidence than last Saturday at Aston
Villa and Zola is mindful that it will be players such as Luis Boa Morte,
with all his know-how and endeavour, that could prove key for belief and
morale against treble-chasing Chelsea this weekend.
"Confidence helps," Zola said. "The youngsters help but it is all down to
experienced players. The likes of Lucas Neil, Matthew Upson and Robert Green
have been massive in establishing a kind of security for everybody. Whoever
comes in now is doing OK. It is fantastic to have a team like that."
The oldest Hammer on view - by a day from David Di Michele - in the 1-1 draw
at Villa Park was 33-year-old Diego Tristan, who earned the precious point
with his instinctive late header. Zola admitted it was a tough afternoon for
the Spanish striker against the fifth-best team in the country but that he
had the last laugh when he reacted to divert Kieron Dyer's shot beyond the
superb Brad Friedel.
"What can I say? It was one of those days for Diego. He has played the last
four games but when you don't play for a long time like him it is normal
that after the third game you have a physical problem.
"He is the only one that can play up there and he has got physical presence
who can really catch attention for the defenders. That is what I was hoping
for. It was good. I was very delighted for him because we need him and also
for the team. He gave a point to the team which is very well deserved."
With five games to go, Zola is still targeting Europe via seventh place and
looking to blood even more youngsters if the chance arises. The club are a
point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham and the manager was once again
thrilled to see the likes of Stanislas, Sears and the outstanding James
Tomkins come to the fore. With Bondz N'Gala, Josh Payne and Zavon Hines
waiting in the wings, more is to come.
"That was our target at the beginning of the season. We are just keeping on
that line. Things are working very hard and we are very pleased. We have
worked very hard to achieve what we have right now and we are determined to
improve it. We are just delighted. When you see a project coming together so
well, you just feel so good.
"[To be so high in the table] is a dream for me although obviously that was
my expectation, I was hoping. When you start something new you always have
ambitions, you want to achieve something important but you never know what
you are going to get. Some of the players have come out of the blue. It is
just good because it means the methodology we are using is working. It gives
us a good base for the future."
Also giving that long-term security is Zola's willingness to extend his
stay, with talks about his future going well. "A new contract is personally
rewarding for me. Not just financially but it is good to see the club
appreciates what you are doing and they are trying to look after us. It is
such a good thing and it gives me a boost for the future."
The main immediate concern though is the visit of Chelsea and Zola is
focused fully on taking three points. "I am looking forward. It is a great
game and very important for us. It is going to be special and hopefully we
will perform as well as we can and get points that we need right now."
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Upson urges club to tie down Zola
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th April 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
West Ham's future success could hinge on a number of things. The amount of
money available for transfers, the ability to hold onto the club's top
players and how well the youngsters develop will all be crucial to the
Hammers' cause. However none of these are as important as making sure that
the manager signs a long-term contract at the club though, according to
Matthew Upson. The England defender believes that Gianfranco Zola has been a
major success during his time at the club so far and that he needs to stay
exactly where he is for the next few years. Zola has guided the club to 7th
in the Premier League, meaning that there is a very realistic chance of
qualifying for the UEFA Cup. This alone should be enough to convince West
Ham to offer Zola a new deal according to Upson who says that 'the longer he
stays at the club, the better' because he has done 'brilliantly since he
came in'. The Italian is clearly a very popular figure with the players, as
he is with the fans, so you would have thought that it is in everyone's best
interests for the former Chelsea man to sign a new deal.
As for what Zola's best qualities are, Upson says that he has 'great
tactical awareness', 'excellent man management skills' and a huge amount of
'respect' from the entire squad, partly due to the type of player he was. He
is now gaining this respect for his ability as a manager though and Upson
isn't afraid to shout it from the rooftops.
In terms of what West Ham can achieve this season, Upson is still very
confident that a European place could be achieved as long as 'one or two
players' get back fit before the end of the campaign. West Ham still have to
play Chelsea and Liverpool in the next few weeks, but Upson still thinks
that Europe is a 'big goal for the club'. The most exciting thing about the
current set-up at Upton Park though is what the team can achieve in the
future. This is what Upson was hinting at when he talked about Zola signing
a new deal. In fact, he said that 'next season could be very interesting' if
the management regime remains the same and the squad is kept together. The
focus needs to be on the remaining 5 games for now though. A good finish to
the season will stand the team in good stead for next year because European
football will help keep the best players at the club and attract some new
ones as well. Things are looking good, but the next two or three weeks are
absolutely crucial. With regards to football betting, don't go against Zola
leading the club to great success in the future.
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West Ham bank deal 'not certain'
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
BBC.co.uk
A takeover of football club West Ham United by Icelandic bank Straumur looks
unlikely at present, the BBC has learned from industry insiders. Reports
have indicated that Straumur is poised to assume ownership of the club from
its owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. But Straumur is restructuring and at an
effective business standstill. The BBC also understands that any potential
takeover by the bank in the future is only one of a number of options that
West Ham is considering. One football industry expert with knowledge of the
situation said a Straumur takeover was by no means certain to happen, adding
that: "It is only one of the options potentially on [the club's]agenda."
It was reported at the weekend that two potential bidders, from the Middle
East and Far East, had expressed an interest in buying the club. Icelandic
bank Straumur provided much of the money in loans for Mr Gudmundsson's £85m
purchase of the club in November 2006. Since then Mr Gudmundsson's holding
company Hansa - in effect West Ham's United's holding company - has hit
financial difficulties and gone into administration. It means Straumur
remains a major creditor of Hansa, whose biggest asset is West Ham.
'Client confidentiality'
However, Straumur itself has run into the difficulties experienced by a
number of Icelandic banks this year. Unlike many of its peers it has not
been nationalised, but is now undergoing an operational restructuring. It is
possible that Straumur will be taken over by an asset management firm, which
will then decide what decision to take towards Hansa and West Ham. Straumur
bank spokesman Georg Andersen said the bank could not comment on West Ham as
it did not have a business relationship with the club.
And, referring to Mr Gudmundsson's holding company Hansa, he said: "For
confidentiality reasons we cannot comment on individual clients." Although
Straumur is conducting virtually no business at present, the bank is
understood to have been considering various options regarding all of its
clients, including West Ham's holding company Hansa.
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Kieron Dyer Really Starting To Feel The Part Again At West Ham
The injury-bedeviled midfielder clearly relished being back in the thick of
things...
21 Apr 2009 07:09:53
Goal.com
West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer, who just recently recovered from a double
leg break, was both surprised and grateful to have been given a full hour of
playing time during the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on the weekend. The
30-year-old recently enjoyed a brief cameo appearance against Blackburn
Rovers on March 21 after having made just six appearances since completing a
£6 million transfer to the Hammers in the summer of 2007 due to breaking his
leg in two places. Dyer told the club's official website after the match
against Villa: "I wasn't expecting an hour. The plan was to just give me
half-an-hour or 40 minutes here and there but obviously when the manager
called me to go on with 15 minutes of the first half still to go I was quite
surprised. "I'm happy to be playing in any kind of game after being out for
two years, but it was an exciting game to play in. Both teams went for it
and it was an enjoyable game to be part of."
Dyer was fielded in the heart of the Hammers' midfield, which came as a
surprise to some who had become used to seeing him used mostly as a wide-man
for Newcastle.
"People don't realise but I've played most of my career in there," he added.
"I'm used to playing with two lungs in there but today I only played with
one! "I did okay and the lads did well as a team and we thoroughly deserved
a point. It could even have been three in the end because I thought we had a
lot more chances than them. "Even though we got the late equaliser, there
was a bit of disappointment that we didn't take more points."
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
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Zola commits to West Ham future
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 07:19
Thisistotalessex.co.uk
WEST Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has reiterated his commitment to the
club ahead of an emotional reunion with former club Chelsea this weekend.
Zola is expected to commit his and Steve Clarke's future to Upton Park by
signing an improved contract in the next week or so despite the fact
Saturday's opponents are expected to be managerless when the season ends.
The Italian said this week: "The club is looking after us. We are talking
about a new contract and it is looking good so maybe in the next few weeks
it will happen."
The news will be music to the ears of Hammers fans. After a successful spell
at West Ham, Zola and assistant Clarke have been mentioned as potential
candidates for the Chelsea job. The Blues currently have a time share on
Russia coach Guus Hiddink and are flying high at the moment with an FA Cup
final and Champions League semi-final to look forward to. But Zola was full
of praise for his West Ham team, the club's board and supporters following
last weekend's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. He said: "It is good, the club has
been very good to us and we appreciate that. "I believe the club is going to
improve and there will be stability. The situation will be better, but we
have been through everything this year so we are not scared of anything."
Speaking about the depleted squad which came from behind to secure an
important point at Villa Park, Zola added: "My team dug in under pressure.
It keeps happening.
"We had to take out James Collins in the first half because of a problem
with his calf but it has been like this since the beginning (of the
season)." Despite missing midfielders Scott Parker, Radoslav Kovac, Jack
Collison, Valon Behrami as well as striker Carlton Cole, West Ham caused
Villa serious problems. Youngsters Junior Stanislas, James Tomkins and the
mercurial Mark Noble combined with senior stars Luis Boa Morte, David di
Michele and goalscorer Diego Tristan to ensure the Hammers eld on to
seventh place in the league. Zola said: "The team never lets itself down.
They always fight against everything that comes against them. I am delighted
about their attitude." The manager believes it is this attitude which gives
them a serious chance of hanging on to seventh spot and claiming a European
place. "We fight to the end," he said. "They just need to play and keep the
same attitude no matter what comes in front of us. We always have to give
100 per cent and that has been the spirit, the trademark of this team."
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Breathless display from Dyer gets his West Ham career back on track
By Arindam Rej
Last updated at 3:28 PM on 20th April 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham's Kieron Dyer has admitted how hard he found it playing for an hour
at Aston Villa on Saturday - and said he felt as though he was playing with
'one lung'.
It was his longest appearance in a West Ham shirt - because of a nightmare
injury-hit spell - since August 2007 against Wigan. Dyer's shin and leg
problems kept him out for over a year but he hopes his career is back on
track after an impressive display and the assist for Diego Tristan's
equaliser at Villa Park. Dyer, who came on as a substitute for injured
James Collins, said: 'I wasn't expecting an hour. The plan was to give me
half an hour or 40 minutes here and there but obviously when the manager
called me to go on with 15 minutes of the first half to go, I was quite
surprised.' Speaking about the central midfield role that he was given, Dyer
added: 'People don't realise but I've played most of my career in there. I'm
used to playing with two lungs in there but (on Saturday) I only played with
one. I did okay and the lads did well as a team and we thoroughly deserved a
point. 'I'm happy to be playing in any kind of game after being out for so
long, but it was an exciting game to play in. It could have been a cagey
game where both teams put men behind the ball but it wasn't. Both teams went
for it.'
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Kids inspiring Gianfranco Zola to take a long-term view
Ian Bayley
20.04.09
Evening Standard
Gianfranco Zola says the prospect of continuing to work with West Ham's
youngsters only reinforces his desire to stay at the club, writes Ian
Bayley. The Italian, poised to agree a new four-year deal, believes youth
can take the club far. He said: "Some players have come through out of the
blue. First it was Jack Collison, then Freddy Sears and now Junior
Stanislas. "It means that the methodology that we are using is working and
it gives us a good base for the future." Zola saw Diego Tristan's late
equaliser earn another point towards Europa Cup qualification with a 1-1
draw at Aston Villa on Saturday and is happy to be staying at the club. He
added: "It's very good for me, and not just financially. It's good to see
the club appreciates what you're doing and that they're trying to look after
you. It gives me a boost."
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Dyer delight at run out
Hammers ace thrilled with spell off the bench
Last updated: 20th April 2009
SSN
West Ham's fit-again midfielder Kieron Dyer has expressed his delight at
featuring for an hour in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Dyer has slowly been
eased back into the swing of things by manager Gianfranco Zola following a
lengthy spell on the sidelines with a double leg break. The former Newcastle
United man had only been given fleeting outings of late, but mustered an
hour's action at Villa Park after being brought on to replace James Collins.
"I wasn't expecting an hour," Dyer told the club's official website. "The
plan was to just give me half-an-hour or 40 minutes here and there but
obviously when the manager called me to go on with 15 minutes of the first
half still to go I was quite surprised! "I'm happy to be playing in any
kind of game after being out for two years, but it was an exciting game to
play in. Both teams went for it and it was an enjoyable game to be part of."
Dyer played in a number of positions during his time at Newcastle from out
wide to behind a lone striker, although he feels people should not be
surprised to see him as a more orthodox midfielder. "People don't realise
but I've played most of my career in there," he continued. "I'm used to
playing with two lungs in there but today I only played with one! "I did
okay and the lads did well as a team and we thoroughly deserved a point. It
could even have been three in the end because I thought we had a lot more
chances than them. "Even though we got the late equaliser, there was a bit
of disappointment that we didn't take more points."
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Training faux-pas costly for Faubert
Reuters - Today, 13:12
FourFourTwo.com
MADRID - Real Madrid midfielder Julien Faubert missed training on Sunday
because he mistakenly thought he had the day off, coach Juande Ramos said on
Monday.
"The boy got confused, nothing more," Ramos said at a news conference when
asked about the absence of the Frenchman, who joined Real on loan from
English side West Ham United in January. "He knows there is an internal
disciplinary system and he is prepared to abide by it so there is no
problem," Ramos added.
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Is there finally some light in what has been a murky tunnel at West Ham?
Posted by: Rob Facey , on Mon 20 Apr 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders whether the light at the end of
the tunnel will mean West Ham move on to bigger and better things next year.
West Ham are hoping that the proposed £80m takeover will take place in the
summer so that Gianfranco Zola has funds to build on a solid first season in
charge. After an ominous start to the season, the club now found themselves
in a position where they can snatch a point from one of the best sides in
the league, as witnessed when they earned a 1-1 at Villa Park. Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson gave everybody a monumental scare as his £600m empire was wiped
out but it now seems that they are edging to financial safety meaning that
they can really build for the future. In the second tier of the Premier
League, West Ham are arguably the most attractive side, playing the best
football with the best players outside of the Big Four. They are currently
sniffing around for a Europa League spot, although with five games to go it
is looking less likely. Not that significant progress has not been made this
season. Mark Noble, James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas have all recently
signed new deals, Kieran Dyer is back from injury and Zola is expected to
put pen to paper any time soon, along with assistant Steve Clarke,
committing himself to the Upton Park cause for the foreseeable future. They
still owe money for the Carlos Tevez dispute but it is likely that
investment will take care of that meaning that they will be able to start
again and continue to build. The Mail on Sunday understands that two
separate companies "from the Middle East and the Far East" have been working
on the takeover for several months but have been waiting for the right
moment to make their move to pay the lowest price possible. Surely this is
good news for Hammers fans? If they are to keep up with the likes of Man
City and continue to challenge Everton and Aston Villa then financial
backing is needed. Of course, there will be lingering doubts that lightning
could strike twice. What happens if the money never comes through? What
happens if they get taken over and the new owner wants to become a dictator
of football like at Hearts or QPR?
Hammers fans should be left in doubt, however, that the real saviour this
season is Zola and not some wealthy prospective buyer. Sometimes
billionaire owners are not the answer but, in the Premier League in 2009,
you have to take that gamble in order to succeed. After all, West Ham more
than most, deserve it after what they have been through this season.
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West Ham United move for German international
08:45 PM 20 April, 2009
Fansfc.com
West Ham United Football Club are set to make a move for Kevin Kuranyi in
the summer. Gianfranco Zola is eager to sign a new striker in the summer,
following the £14million departure of Craig Bellamy to Manchester City
during the January transfer window. The Italian coach was delighted to land
Savio Nsereko from Brescia during the winter market, but the 19-year-old
German Under-19 international is very much considered as one for the future.
Zola is determined to add more experience to his Upton Park squad, and
reports at the weekend claim he has made Schalke's German international
hitman Kuranyi a top target.
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West Ham tracking Bristol City's Orr
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bristol City midfielder Bradley Orr is being watched by West Ham. Hammers
boss Gianfranco Zola is keeping tabs on the 26 year-old leading up to the
summer market.
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West Ham board assures Zola of summer transfer cash
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has been assured he will have cash to
spend this summer. Despite the club's recent well-documented financial
problems West Ham remain determined to punch their weight in the transfer
market this summer, especially if they secure qualification to the new
Europa League - replacing the UEFA Cup - which would leave them desperate
for squad reinforcements.
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West Ham boss Zola chasing Liverpool's Benayoun
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola wants to bring Liverpool midfielder
Yossi Benayoun back to Upton Park. The People says Liverpool winger
Benayoun, who quit Upton Park for Anfield two years ago, is high on Zola's
wish list. The Italian manager wants a rightsided player and is aware that
Benayoun is frustrated by a lack of regular first-team starts, despite
crucial recent winners against Real Madrid and Fulham.
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Swansea want top price for West Ham, Man City target Rangel
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Swansea City have slapped a £4 million asking price on Spanish fullback
Angel Rangel. Rangel is being tracked by West Ham United, Manchester City
and Newcastle among several Premiership clubs leading up to the summer
market.
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West Ham ahead of Tottenham for Dynamo Kiev star Aliyev
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Ukraine international Oleksandr Aliyev is wanted by West Ham United. The
Sunday Mirror says the 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the
season at Dynamo Kiev and a queue of Premier League clubs are watching him
closely. As well as West Ham, the likes of Everton, Portsmouth and Tottenham
are also monitoring his situation.
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Arsenal target Upson ready to stay with Zola's West Ham
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Matthew Upson has hinted he's ready to stay with West Ham United if manager
Gianfranco Zola signs his new contract. "The longer he stays at the club,
the better," said Upson, a target for his former team, Arsenal. "He has a
very good relationship with the players and next season could be very
interesting. "We speak about getting into Europe regularly this season -
it's a big target. "And though it's tough to reach the Champions League and
break into that top four, there is no reason why we can't do it at West Ham.
At the moment, the club is going in the right direction. "The manager has
great tactical awareness and great people skills. He's proved he has good
managerial skills."
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Russell Brand wants West Ham answers from US President Obama
20.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
British comedian Russell Brand has called on US President Barack Obama to
come clean over his support of West Ham United. Brand and Oasis star Noel
Gallagher are hosting a two-hour one-off special for the sport station to
discuss the latest football news and call up the American President to ask
if he really is a fan of West Ham football club. They fail to get through to
him but are asked to leave a message, says the Mirror. Russell says: "Dear
Barack Obama, we are calling you to find out if you are in fact the world's
most-famous West Ham supporter as it is claimed. "I haven't ever seen you at
Upton Park and what formation do you suggest Gianfranco Zola plays?" Oasis
guitarist Noel then says: "This answer phone message better not jeopardize
my American visa situation."
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