WHUFC.com
Mark Noble and James Tomkins have both agreed new deals with West Ham United
until 2013
07.04.2009
West Ham United are delighted to confirm that Mark Noble and James Tomkins
have both pledged their future to the club.
The homegrown Hammers have signed deals that take them up to summer 2013,
joining the likes of Scott Parker, Jack Collison, Freddie Sears, Carlton
Cole and Dean Ashton on long-term contracts at the Boleyn Ground. Noble and
Tomkins have emerged through the club's highly-regarded Academy and have
established themselves as key men in Gianfranco Zola's first-team plans.
Ahead of a major weekend meeting with Tottenham Hotspur that could
consolidate the club's hold on seventh place, Noble said: "It's fantastic
that the club have shown their belief in me. We're trying to go forward and
push on and we're in a great position at the minute. We've got an important
game on Saturday against Spurs and we've got to keep the run going. It's
been a great season and we've been doing well.
"The new manager has come in and some of the football at times has been
unbelievable and I think people have noticed that. I'm just delighted to
have signed and hopefully we can push on and try to get that European
place."
Tomkins said: "It's really great to have signed for this great club so I'm
just delighted to get it all sorted. I've come in at a time when we're
pushing for a European place and I'm really enjoying my football. I feel I'm
getting better with each game, I have become more mature and going on loan
did me a lot of good."
Noble, 21, is the longest-serving player at the club - having made his debut
back in August 2004 and has just passed 100 appearances. After loan spells
at Hull City and Ipswich Town, he established himself in the second half of
the 2006/07 season - playing a vital part in keeping the club in the top
flight.
With five goals from 27 appearances in all competitions this campaign, Noble
is on track for his best season yet and has the UEFA European Under-21
Championship in Sweden to look forward to this summer. He has been capped 15
times at that level and is a mainstay of Stuart Pearce's squad, having
already represented England at the 2007 finals.
Tomkins turned 20 on 29 March and has grown in stature in recent weeks,
being a major part of the team's run of four clean sheets in five matches.
He made his debut just over a year ago and then had a productive loan spell
at Derby County earlier this season. Having represented England Under-20s
earlier this month, he then scored his first senior goal for the club in
last Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Sunderland.
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "I am obviously very pleased we have
been able to agree long-term contracts with two important members of
Gianfranco Zola's squad.
"We have a clear strategy in place to continue the development of the club
in the years to come and integral to this is securing the future of our
young players. It is good to see that Mark and James believe in what we are
trying to achieve at West Ham United and are excited about the direction in
which we are heading."
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Kearns settles tight contest
WHUFC.com
A solitary goal from Daniel Kearns proved the difference in a tight
reserve-team encounter on Tuesday night
07.04.2009
West Ham United reserves 1-0 Stoke City reserves
Daniel Kearns scored the only goal as West Ham United moved up to third in
the Barclays Premier Reserve League South in the final home match of the
season.
The Northern Irish youth international struck with just two minutes on the
clock at the Woodside Park home of Bishop's Stortford. After being found
eight yards from goal by the unselfish Balint Bajner, Kearns, 17, took a
touch before a neat finish with the outside of his right foot. Kearns
remained a danger all night - particularly from set-pieces but clear-cut
chances were hard to come by.
In truth, West Ham could have added to their goal difference as they
dominated from start to finish against an equally inexperienced Stoke side
on Tuesday night - with Zavon Hines unlucky not to register from a lively
run-out. These two sides had met at Nantwich Town FC just over a week ago,
when the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
Peter Kurucz did not have a save to make all night while the back four stood
firm, marshalled as ever by captain Bondz N'Gala and Matthew Fry, who had
moved back inside after a recent run at left-back. Oliver Lee and Georg
Grasser had full-back duties with both underlining their versatility while
Conor Okus in the holding role offered plenty of protection. Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson and Ryan O'Neill both missed out through injury.
That solid base allowed Alex Dyer's attack-minded side to push on, with
Hines and Kearns swapping flanks at will while Anthony Edgar and Cristian
Montano also got forward. Academy director Tony Carr was among the crowd
along with midfielder Josh Payne, and the latter would have served as an
incentive to all those on view about the potential route through from the
reserves to the first team.
Hines has already had a brief taste and began the contest with a surging run
down the flank before firing in a menacing cross that was only just cleared.
As the ball came back in, it was Bajner who found himself in a position to
square from a tight angle into the path of the on-rushing Kearns who made no
mistake to score. Hines then twice crossed for Bajner but the Hungarian
youngster was just unable to connect.
On 21 minutes, Bajner capitalised on a defensive mistake before striding
through on goal. Just as a shot seemed imminent, he squared for Cristian
Montano to fire in an effort only for Stoke to regroup and get the ball
away. Anthony Edgar, who hit a stunner against the same opponents eight days
before in the reverse fixture, tried his luck on the half-hour but his
effort fizzed just wide.
The second half was again a story of home possession with the neat interplay
continuing between Kearns, Hines and Bajner but chances remained at a
premium. Kearns could have had a second seven minutes after the interval but
could not keep his shot down before seeing a curling free-kick just miss the
frame of the goal as the hour approached. At the back, Fry and N'Gala
continued to keep Stoke's forwards in check with relative ease.
Montano had a spectacular effort on 67 minutes but it was straight at Tom
Harrison, while Hines continued to probe as both sides tired in the closing
stages. Dyer introduced Ahmed Abdulla for Montano in the final quarter of an
hour but the 17-year-old striker also found it difficult to find space
against some dogged defending.
Although the second goal was not to come, the final whistle ensured another
win to sign off an impressive home campaign with two away fixtures left
before the season end. Dyer's team travel to West Bromwich Albion next
Tuesday before a trip to Portsmouth in a fortnight. Level on points with
Fulham, who also have two fixtures remaining, there is every chance of a
second-placed finish behind likely champions Aston Villa.
West Ham United: Peter Kurucz, Oliver Lee, Bondz N'Gala, Matthew Fry, Georg
Grasser, Anthony Edgar, Conor Okus, Cristian Montano (Ahmed Abdulla 75),
Daniel Kearns, Zavon Hines, Balint Bajner
Subs not used: Peter Loveday, Callum McNaughton, Sergio Sanchez, NIck
Barrett
Stoke City: Tom Harrison, Alex Hedley (Salif Diao 69), Richard Vauls, Andy
Nicholls, Nathaniel Wedderburn, Ryan Connor, Tom Urwin, Danny Stockhall,
Darren Brunt, Louis Moult, Adam Vickers (Warwick Alexander 75)
Subs not used: Dave Parton, Cameron Mitchell
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Reserves 1-0 Stoke City
WHUFC.com
07.04.2009
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
West Ham United reserves v Stoke City reserves
Woodside Park - Bishop's Stortford FC
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Referee: I Cooper
Full time - The referee blows the final whistle to bring matters to a close.
It was a solid performance from West Ham United and the win was no more than
they deserved. Daniel Kearns' early strike was all that separated the sides
but the hosts dominated from start to finish. With Tottenham Hotspur not in
action, the Hammers jump from fourth to third.
90min - We are playing three minutes of added time.
88min - Time is ticking away here and it seems one goal will be enough. When
Kearns scored after two minutes it seemed certain that more would follow but
both sides have found efforts on goal hard to come by. The home team have
definitely had the better with Kurucz hardly troubled.
87min - So nearly a wonder goal for Hines. Okus stepped out from defence
superbly before finding Abdulla. He then released Hines to surge on goal off
the right flank but his shot was blocked by two defenders. Stoke tried to
counter through Urwin but his shot was well wide.
85min - Danger for West Ham after Abdulla fouls Urwin. Moult takes the
free-kick but Bajner is back in defence to head away the danger.
84min - Urwin sends a pass goalwards but Kurucz steps out to collect and get
the home side going again. A quick counterattack finishes with Bajner firing
in on goal but Harrison gets in the way to block it for a corner.
80min - Grasser is feeling his ankle after a collision with a Stoke player.
He should be OK to continue though.
78min - Okus is fouled by Alexander.
77min - Stoke briefly threaten but Bajner clears from a free-kick. While
there is only one goal in it, the visitors will feel they still have a
chance.
75min - Warwick Alexander is on for Adam Vickers while Abdulla arrives in
place of Montano.
73min - Ahmed Abdulla is preparing to come on in Dyer's first change.
72min - Okus sends in a free-kick into the penalty area but Harrison comes
out to collect.
69min - Salif Diao, the experienced Senegalese international who is just
back from a serious knee injury, is on for Hedley in the visitors' first
change.
67min - Grasser's trickery sees him beat the full-back before crossing for
Bajner. The ball falls though to Montano and he tries his luck with a
scissor-kick that is straight at Harrison.
66min - Okus feeds Bajner in the box. The striker turns on the ball but
cannot direct his header on target.
65min - Edgar bursts forward and lets fly from 25 yards. The shot only just
misses the goal.
64min - Hines wins the ball off Alex Hedley and is fouled for his troubles.
63min - Fry wins another defensive header to find Kearns who releases Edgar.
The home defence have been on top all game and have scarcely put a foot
wrong.
61min - Tom Urwin is down for the visitors. Hines comes across to talk to
Dyer and get a deserved drink. The striker is the only home player on view
with first-team experience and it surely won't be long before he gets
another chance. He has performed very well this evening.
58min - Edgar fires tamely on goal after superb build-up play involving
Bajner. The striker is proving more effective this half and you sense he
just needs a chance on goal.
57min - Hines again fires in low across the box, this time after being
picked out by N'Gala's searching crossfield pass. Lee also had a go from the
other side but Harrison was able to claim.
56min - Kearns takes the free-kick from a wide left position and only just
misses the top corner. There are shouts for a foul in the box but the
referee waves away the appeals.
56min - Hines runs fully 50 yards up the left wing before being taken out by
Adam Vickers, who receives a caution. The West Ham No10 has been the
outstanding player on view and deserved the chance to get a shot away with
that burst forward.
54min - Grasser nearly plays in Montano but Stoke clear. It all began with a
quick Kurucz throw to Grasser and involved Edgar before the left-back
finished off the move bursting through the middle. Good play.
52min - Kearns fires over after a neat one-two with Bajner. Lee had also
played his part in the build-up and gets a word of approval from manager
Alex Dyer.
51min - Brunt has a go from distance but the shot is weak and it trickles
wide to Kurucz's right.
50min - Outstanding work by Hines on the left before a dangerous cross into
the box that bounces just in front of Harrison. Bajner was just unable to
get to it in time.
49min - Stoke's Andy Nicholls has been down for treatment. He goes off but
is soon back in the action.
47min - Kearns lofts one in for Bajner but Ryan Connor just beats him to it.
46min - Hines races down the left and into the penalty area. He is just
denied a shot on goal by Harrison.
46min - Stoke get us under way in the second half.
Half-time - West Ham United reserves 1-0 Stoke City reserves
45min - Montano and Kearns combine well but Stoke do enough to stop the
attack. We are playing one minute of added time.
43min - Stoke are finishing more strongly although in truth the hosts are
still well on top. Vauls is getting frustrated by Hines' ability to shield
the ball and draw the foul whenever the two come together.
41min - Bajner goes into the book for a foul.
38min - Perhaps Stoke's best move of the game finishes with Lee heading
behind for a corner. From it Kurucz claims easily from Moult's inswinger.
37min - Edgar wins a corner. Kearns takes it and Bajner rises just in front
of the goalkeeper but the referee spots an apparent infringement.
36min - Edgar goes down after a one-two with Hines. Wedderburn is being
spoken to by the referee and it is a free-kick 20 yards out to the right of
goal.
34min - Lovely build-up play by West Ham United sees the ball moved from
left to right and then back again. There is plenty of neat passing on view.
32min - Another excellent Kearns corner picks out Montano but his header is
down into the turf and then claimed by Harrison.
31min - Hines is only just thwarted by a Vauls tackle. From the resulting
Kearns corner, Harrison just punches away ahead of Bajner. More sustained
pressure wins another corner.
30min - Edgar has a go from distance but Harrison saves the low shot with
ease. Kurucz has yet to be tested at the other end.
29min - Hines shows great skill to control a 50 yard pass from Matthew Fry,
the centre-back who has reverted to his more familiar position tonight in
the absence of Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson. The Icelandic Under-21 international
has a knock, as does young right-back Ryan O'Neill, and was not risked. Fry
has performed well in recent weeks at left-back.
27min - Some crunching tackles are going in. It is a committed performance
from both sides, who may be short on experience but are showing plenty of
enthusiasm.
24min - Georg Grasser has done well at left-back so far. He has not had to
deal with too much but the Austrian youth international has been tidy and
composed.
23min - More good play by Montano out on the left wing finishes in an
offside flag just denying Hines the chance to shoot for goal.
21min - Brilliant play by Bajner sees him win the ball off Nathaniel
Wedderburn and then move through on goal. Just as Harrison closes him down,
the Hungary Under-19 striker squares for Montano to shoot. However, Harrison
recovers and is able to save.
18min - Alex Dyer's side are playing a a very fluid formation that sees
Bajner at the point of the attack with Edgar and Kearns joining him whenever
the home side have the ball. Hines seems to have a free role that is proving
very effective.
16min - Hines again tidies up at the back before reverting to his attacking
duties. He is getting a lot of joy whenever he pulls out to the right flank
as shown by another good cross that Bajner rises to meet before Harrison
just about punches clear.
15min - Bright play by Moult sees him evade the attentions of Lee and Kearns
before Bondz N'Gala comes across and clears the danger.
13min - Richard Vauls fouls Hines. Stoke City are struggling to cope with
their hosts. Next Louis Moult is penalised for an infringement, this time on
Anthony Edgar. Okus curls one in but Harrison claims it under his crossbar
with relative ease.
11min - Hines is proving lively and again nearly picks out a team-mate
inside the box, this time it is Bajner who goes close to it before a Stoke
defender clears.
10min - West Ham United were 2-0 winners in the previous meeting between
these two sides eight days ago and look good for the victory again. Hines
tricks his way along the right before sending in a cross that only just
eludes Montano, the Colombian-born mdifielder.
7min - Hines curls in the set-piece but it just flashes past Harrison's
right-hand post and behind to safety
6min - Cristian Montano wins a free-kick 20 yards from goal after being
fouled. He had controlled the ball well from a neat headed pass by Bajner.
4min - The sun is just dropping behind the Stoke City goal which is giving
Peter Kurucz a few problems at the other end. It is a lovely evening here in
the Essex countryside and the early goal was equally well received by the
few hundred gathered at Woodside Park.
3min - Great play by Zavon Hines. He dropped back to help out his defence
after Stoke's first attack and won a free-kick after dispossessing Darren
Brunt.
2min - GOAL! - Daniel Kearns scores from close range after more good work on
the right wing. The Northern Irish youth international gave Tom Harrison no
chance in the Stoke goal.
2min - So nearly an early goal for Bajner. He just fails to get on the end
of a low cross by Oliver Lee, who has dropped back from midfield into a
right-back role.
1min - Balint Bajner and Danny Kearns get us under way.
KICK-OFF
West Ham United: Peter Kurucz, Oliver Lee, Bondz N'Gala, Matthew Fry, Georg
Grasser, Anthony Edgar, Conor Okus, Cristian Montano (Ahmed Abdulla 75),
Daniel Kearns, Zavon Hines, Balint Bajner
Subs not used: Peter Loveday, Callum McNaughton, Sergio Sanchez, NIck
Barrett
Stoke City: Tom Harrison, Alex Hedley (Salif Diao 69), Richard Vauls, Andy
Nicholls, Nathaniel Wedderburn, Ryan Connor, Tom Urwin, Danny Stockhall,
Darren Brunt, Louis Moult, Adam Vickers (Warwick Alexander 75)
Subs not used: Dave Parton, Cameron Mitchell
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Jeffery on target again
WHUFC.com
On-loan striker Jack Jeffery scored his third goal in two matches to lead
West Ham United's loan stars
07.04.2009
On-loan striker Jack Jeffery scored his third goal in two matches for Blue
Square Premier side Eastbourne Borough in the Sports' 2-2 draw at Altrincham
on Tuesday.
Jeffery, who netted twice in Borough's 3-0 victory over Weymouth on
Saturday, was one of two West Ham United players in action for their loan
clubs, with England Under-19 defender Jordan Spence taking the field for
Leyton Orient.
The 19-year-old Jeffery climbed off the bench to score twice in the final
eight minutes at the weekend and did so again after just eight minutes at
Altrincham. The forward has struck four goals in six matches since joining
Eastbourne five weeks ago. Tuesday's victory lifted Borough to eleventh in
the table with four matches remaining.
Spence, 19, was part of the ten-man O's team that battled back to salvage a
2-2 League One draw with Leeds United at a sold-out Matchroom Stadium. A
crowd of more than 9,000 packed into the east London venue to watch Robert
Snodgrass score twice for the Yorkshiremen before Sean Thornton and Simon
Church brought the hosts level. Orient midfielder Jason Demetriou was
dismissed with Leeds winning 1-0.
The central defender has impressed in the 16 league and FA Cup matches he
has played for Geraint Williams' side this season. Spence is in his second
loan spell with the Hammers' near-neighbours this term, helping Orient climb
seven points clear of the relegation zone.
A third loanee, Lee Bowyer, completed a full 90 minutes as ten-man
Birmingham City beat Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at St
Andrews on Monday evening. Neither Kyel Reid nor Nigel Quashie featured for
Wolves, who saw their lead at the top reduced to two points by Bowyer's
Blues.
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Green still No1
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola believes goalkeeper Robert Green can shine for England at
next summer's World Cup
07.04.2009
Gianfranco Zola believes goalkeeper Robert Green can become England's No1 at
next summer's FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
The West Ham United stopper has been in consistent form this season,
underlined by a fourth clean sheet in five games last Saturday by keeping
Sunderland at bay for 90 minutes. Green is certainly in Fabio Capello's
thoughts, having won his second full England cap in the 2-0 friendly defeat
by Spain in Seville in February.
The 29-year-old was in Capello's squad for last week's 4-0 friendly win over
Slovakia and 2-1 Group 6 qualifying triumph over Ukraine at Wembley, but was
left out of the matchday selection in favour of Portsmouth's David James and
Manchester United's Ben Foster for both fixtures.
However, with England on course for the finals in South Africa after winning
all five of their qualifying matches so far, Zola believes the Hammers
goalkeeper can overtake both James and Foster and earn a starting place at
next year's tournament. Rather than have his confidence knocked by his
recent omission, the manager said Green has the attitude and ability to
force his way into Capello's first eleven.
"For me, he has to continue doing what he has been doing for West Ham. He
has to carry on performing the way he has been performing and I'm sure he
will find a way to be No1 for England as well. That's the only way he can do
that. His consideration in the national team has grown very much since the
beginning of the season. He just needs to persist.
"I don't think he's worried. I know Robert very well and I'm sure this will
be a reason to push himself even harder. I've learned a lot about Robert and
I'm sure he will be even stronger after this and for me he will achieve that
and has a very good chance to be No1 at the World Cup."
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West Ham tie down Noble & Tomkins
BBC.co.uk
West Ham youngsters Mark Noble and James Tomkins have signed new deals to
keep them at Upton Park until 2013. Midfielder Noble, 21, is West Ham's
longest-serving player, while defender Tomkins turned 20 only last month.
"I'm just delighted to have signed and hope we can push on and try to get
that European place," said Noble. Tomkins said: "I feel I'm getting better
with each game; I've become more mature, and going on loan (to Derby) did me
a lot of good." West Ham have risen to seventh in the Premier League under
the guidance of Gianfranco Zola, who has rewarded a number of the club's
home-grown players. Tomkins scored his first senior goal in last Saturday's
2-0 victory over Sunderland, along with fellow youth team product Junior
Stanislas. "I've come in at a time when we're pushing for a European place
and I'm really enjoying my football," Tomkins told West Ham's official
website.
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Heads up for Specs
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th April 2009
By: Staff Writer
Jonathan Spector has been given the all clear following the head injury
sustained during Saturday's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough. The American utility
man was treated for six minutes on the pitch and received oxygen before
being stretchered off following an accidental clash with Sunderland's Tal
Ben-Haim that left him concussed. However tests have revealed no lasting
ill-effects bar a sore head and Spector, who spent Saturday night in
hospital is expected to return to action in time to face Chelsea at the
Boleyn on 25th April following a short period of rest. The 23-year-old had
only just returned to action having sat out the first half of the season
with a hip injury - one that he recently revealed would never fully heal.
Due to a succession of injuries Spector had featured in West Ham's last
seven fixtures; his place in the first team is expected to be taken by one
of Scott Parker and Rodoslav Kovac, both of whom are expected to recover
from injury in time for this weekend's short trip to White Hart Lane.
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Tristan fined
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th April 2009
By: Staff Writer
Diego Tristan has been banned from driving for 32 months after being caught
drunk at the wheel. The 33-year-old United striker, who has been enjoying a
run in the first team of late was arrested after testing positive for a
breath test which followed a road accident on January 25th this year.
Yesterday Westminster magistrates court heard how Tristan was found to be
three times over the legal limit after crashing his Porsche into a taxi. He
was fined £3,500 and banned from driving again until 2012. Tristan, who has
scored just one goal since signing a one-year deal with the Hammers back in
September is the third Hammer to fall foul of the law this season. Carlton
Cole was arrested on suspicion of drink driving back in September after
failing a 4am breath test and was subsequently fined two weeks wages by the
club. Just six weeks later James Collins had his collar felt after being a
victim of mistaken identity following a 3am fracas outside the Funky Buddah
nightspot in Mayfair.
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Hammers duo sign on
Noble and Tomkins agree new deals
Last updated: 7th April 2009
SSN
West Ham United have announced that Mark Noble and James Tomkins have both
agreed new deals. The homegrown duo are the latest members of Gianfranco
Zola's first-team squad to pledge their futures to the club. Both players
have signed three-and-a-half year deals at Upton Park. "It's fantastic that
the club have shown their belief in me," said a delighted Noble. "We're
trying to go forward and push on and we're in a great position at the
minute. "The new manager has come in and some of the football at times has
been unbelievable and I think people have noticed that. I'm just delighted
to have signed and hopefully we can push on and try to get that European
place." Tomkins was equally happy to have signed, saying: "It's really great
to have signed for this great club so I'm just delighted to get it all
sorted. "I've come in at a time when we're pushing for a European place and
I'm really enjoying my football. "I feel I'm getting better with each game,
I have become more mature and going on loan did me a lot of good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble and James Tomkins sign new West Ham deals
(Toby Melville/Reuters)
Mark Noble, West Ham's longest-serving player, has signed a new deal which
will keep him at Upton Park until 2013
Times Online
West Ham United youngsters Mark Noble and James Tomkins have signed new
contacts which will keep that at Upton Park until 2013. Noble – West Ham's
longest-serving player despite being just 21 years old - and defender
Tomkins, who is a year younger, join the likes of Scott Parker, Jack
Collison, Carlton Cole and Dean Ashton in signing up for the long term at
Upton Park. "It's fantastic that the club have shown their belief in me,"
said Noble, a graduate of the club's academy and an England Under-21
international. "The new manager [Gianfranco Zola] has come in, and some of
the football at times has been unbelievable. I think people have noticed
that. "I'm just delighted to have signed and hope we can push on and try to
get that European place."
Tomkins turned 20 only last month and scored his first senior goal in last
Saturday's 2-0 victory over Sunderland. "It's really great to have signed
for this great club, so I'm just delighted to get it all sorted," he said.
"I've come in at a time when we're pushing for a European place and I'm
really enjoying my football. "I feel I'm getting better with each game; I
have become more mature, and going on loan [to Derby County] did me a lot of
good."
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Green the Premier League's best 'keeper: Official
By Harry Amber-Mitchell Tuesday 07 Apr 2009 14:52:00
Robert Green has been shown to be the best goalkeeper in the Premier
League... well, for the last weekend at least. Opta' statisticians (which it
was recently revealed are mostly made up of students and other
part-timers... good or bad thing?) showed the Hammers custodian to be the
best in his position after his display cast Sunderland further into the
mire. He managed to pull off seven saves, which suddenly puts a very
different spin on a match that Sunderland were supposed to be 'woeful' in.
He made no catches, which again can be interpreted how you like... although
the fact is that no balls came to him at the perfect height and speed.
Opta has 'rated' him at 8/10, which we're not sure what that means here. We
asked our super computer again, which said 'Sorry, you are out of cards,
would you like to play again?'. Cryptic. But given that Greenmeister (as he
may or may not be called by his team mates) has won this honour twice so far
this season, it shows how the Hammers are well placed to have a decent crack
at a European place this year... switz swoo (or some other expression of
impressed joy). If you're wondering who the worst 'keeper was, it was none
other than Heruelho Gomes, whoc managed to concede two goals and only save
two of four shots against him against Blackburn. Mwa-ha-ha.
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Haggui in come and get me plea
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 07 April 2009 - 14:39
Bayer Leverkusen centre back Karim Haggui has alerted a number of Premier
League clubs including West Ham, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth and Newcastle
United after his agent Carlos Fleischmann admitted the 25 year-old Tunisian
international will be quiting Leverkusen in the Summer when his contract
runs out.
Fleischmann told Sport.co.uk: "Karim Haggui is looking at the Premier League
as he wants to move this summer because he is out of contract. I cannot
confirm who is interested at this moment in time. "He hasn't played as much
as he would have liked this season and it looks like he is definitely going
to leave Germany. We don't know where yet but there is potential interest
from a number of Premier League and top European clubs. "
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Hammers Deal Em In
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
MARK NOBLE and James Tomkins have signed new deals to keep them at West Ham
until 2013. It means skipper Lucas Neill is the only key Hammers player out
of contract in the summer although boss Gianfranco Zola wants him to stay.
Midfielder Noble, 21, and defender Tomkins, 20, are products of the Upton
Park Academy which has produced eight first- teamers this season. Boss
Gianfranco Zola said: "It's good we are securing good, young players for the
future. It is what we are all about." Tomkins said: "Going on loan to Derby
earlier this season matured me. It's great to have signed."
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West Ham hold onto youngsters Noble and Tomkins
08.04.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham have retained the services of young guns Mark Noble and James
Tomkins with both players agreeing new deals. The players have both signed
three-year deals which has pleased them greatly. "It's fantastic that the
club have shown their belief in me," said Noble. "We're trying to go forward
and push on and we're in a great position at the minute. "The new manager
has come in and some of the football at times has been unbelievable and I
think people have noticed that. I'm just delighted to have signed and
hopefully we can push on and try to get that European place."
Tomkins was also excited about his future at Upton Park. "It's really great
to have signed for this great club so I'm just delighted to get it all
sorted," he said. "I've come in at a time when we're pushing for a European
place and I'm really enjoying my football. "I feel I'm getting better with
each game, I have become more mature and going on loan did me a lot of
good."
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West Ham chief Duxbury delighted with Noble, Tomkins deals
08.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United chief Scott Duxbury says new deals for Mark Noble and James
Tomkins is proof their strategy of developing their own is on track. Duxbury
told whufc.com: "I am obviously very pleased we have been able to agree
long-term contracts with two important members of Gianfranco Zola's squad.
"We have a clear strategy in place to continue the development of the club
in the years to come and integral to this is securing the future of our
young players. It is good to see that Mark and James believe in what we are
trying to achieve at West Ham United and are excited about the direction in
which we are heading."
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