WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson is going away on his summer break content after a great season
for club and country
11.06.2009
Matthew Upson may have had a watching brief at Wembley on Wednesday but told
WHUTV he still feels he ended the season in a positive manner.
Upson, along with fellow West Ham United players Robert Green and Carlton
Cole, joined up with the rest of Fabio Capello's squad after the final game
of the domestic season to prepare for two FIFA World Cup qualifiers with
Kazakhstan and Andorra.
After a composed performance during England's 4-0 win in Almaty on Saturday,
Upson made way for Joleon Lescott as Capello chose to shuffle his pack for
the midweek visit of Andorra. The 6-0 success leaves England just needing
another victory from their last three games to book their place at the World
Cup in South Africa next summer.
"The Kazakhstan game was difficult so it was a good game to play in," he
told WHUTV. "I thought we played vey well in the end and got a good result.
"[Against Andorra] the manager wanted to mix it up and change the team so he
did that and it is something you have to accept. Obviously I wanted to play
but he decided to change it."
Upson's impressive performances for the Hammers this season appear to have
cemented his position in the England manager's plans and despite featuring
in all but one of West Ham's Premier League games, the 30-year-old was still
excited about joining up with his national team-mates.
"I really enjoyed it. It's always difficult being away at the end of the
season. You finish the Premier League and you mentally want to switch off,
but the training and the work here has been excellent and that has been
reflected in the results," he said.
Upson can now go away on a well deserved break to rest his weary body,
before his mind will once again start to shift towards thinking about
getting himself in shape for pre-season. "I'll have at least two weeks doing
nothing, where I'll go on holiday and have a nice time and then start to get
back into it. We've got a fitness programme to start probably two weeks
before I go back to gently tick over and make sure I go back in good enough
shape to start training."
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Cole tackles cancer
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 11th June 2009
By: Staff Writer
Hammers striker Carlton Cole has posed nude for Cosmopolitan magazine to
raise awareness of male cancer for the Everyman campaign. Cole features in
Cosmopolitan's annual Naked Centrefold special, on sale from today, to raise
awareness for the campaign which advises men how to check for tell-tale
signs and how to treat them in a bid to reduce the UK's rising cancer rates
amongst males. Bobby Moore famously received treatment for testicular cancer
back in the 1960s, whilst the disease effects up to around 2,000 men in the
UK each year. Men aged between 25 and 44 make up the greater number of those
incidences, with most being treated successfully where the disease is caught
early. Cole is just one of a number of celebrities posing nude to raise
awareness for the campaign and June's Male Cancer Awareness month. Others
include England rugby star Will Skinner, actor Jamie Bamber and TV presenter
Tony Craig. The Everyman Campaign's website can be found here. Details on
how to check for testicular cancer can be found here.
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Pearce applauds Tomkins debut
Under 21 coach hails next generation of players
By Carla Hilton Last updated: 11th June 2009
SSN
Stuart Pearce has heaped praise on youngster James Tomkins following his
debut performance against Azerbaijan. The West Ham defender played his part
at both ends of the pitch in the friendly tie at stadium:mk - solid in
defence after rattling the woodwork just 45 seconds into the match. Pearce
says he would have no hesitation in throwing the 20-year-old into his
starting eleven at this summer's European Under 21 Championship after such a
solid performance on debut. Admitting to being thoroughly impressed by his
approach to the game, Pearce has since visited West Ham's training ground to
check on the talented youngster. The Hammers boast a string of players in
Pearce' gifted squad, with Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears and
Jordan Spence all signed to the London club. Tomkins, for his first cap, was
outstanding I thought," Pearce told West Ham's official website."Right
across the group, not just the West Ham players, there were players without
a great deal of experience - the likes of Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and
Everton's Jack Rodwell, the next generation if you like - who did very well
for us." He added: "The one thing I must say is that they're all outstanding
kids who have been brought up in the right manner, enjoy their football and
are dedicated to their profession. "The likes of Theo Walcott and James
Milner, they are desperate to play, wherever you put them."
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West Ham Defender Matthew Upson Pleased With England Performance
Although only watching from the stands at Wembley last night after starting
in Almaty, the Hammers star was still pleased to have been part of a
satisfying end to the international season...
11 Jun 2009 16:44:06
Goal.com
West Ham United centre-back Matthew Upson enjoyed a steady game as part of
the England team that won 4-0 in Kazakhstan at the weekend, and then watched
from the sidelines as his Three Lions colleagues destroyed the part-timers
of Andorra 6-0 at Wembley on Wednesday night. Fabio Capello's men have
maintained their 100 per cent record in qualifying, and now look certain to
be competing in next year's World Cup in South Africa. Upson, despite his
Wednesday night watching brief, was also delighted to have been part of an
outfit that is beginning to display a steely professionalism that had been
sadly lacking in recent years. "The Kazakhstan game was difficult so it was
a good game to play in," he told the Hammers' official website. "I thought
we played very well in the end and got a good result. "[Against Andorra]
the manager wanted to mix it up and change the team so he did that and it is
something you have to accept. Obviously I wanted to play but he decided to
change it. "I really enjoyed it. It's always difficult being away at the end
of the season. You finish the Premier League and you mentally want to switch
off, but the training and the work here has been excellent and that has been
reflected in the results."
And Upson concluded by affirming that he would be going away for a holiday,
before returning refreshed for the serious business of pre-season. "I'll
have at least two weeks doing nothing, where I'll go on holiday and have a
nice time and then start to get back into it," he said. "We've got a fitness
programme to start probably two weeks before I go back to gently tick over
and make sure I go back in good enough shape to start training."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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Sir Trevor gives new owners some sound investment advice...
By Ho Lee Smoke Thursday 11 Jun 2009 18:01:00
Fansonline.net
Sir Trevor Brooking, Hammers Legend no less, has told new owners CB Holdings
it is vital the club stay in the Premier League if they hope to get their
money back.
Consequently they need to ensure they invest in the team being built by
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke, starting with a proven striker. "Obviously
there's a bit of concern with the takeover by the new banking group but I
think they have to understand, yes, they have liabilities but the side also
needs to stay in the Premier League for the next few years. That's how they
will get their return back,' he told wharf.co.uk. "Hopefully Gianfranco and
Steve Clarke can get on and strengthen the job that they have started very
well for nine months this season. "It's frustrating big clubs like Newcastle
going down. We've all been there and done it. In December we slipped into
the bottom three and everyone was worried. "But then we had a really good
run either side of Christmas, winning at Portsmouth seemed to kick-start it
all, and we suddenly found ourselves in the top half, so credit to
Gianfranco. "But we probably need, even if Dean Ashton's fit, a couple of
attackers, and certainly a good attacking wide player. Considering the
injuries to people like Dean and then having to sell Craig Bellamy, we are a
little bit lightweight from an attacking point of view. "We struggled a
little bit scoring goals late on. Everyone can see what's needed and we've
just got to try and make sure the people we do bring in are the right ones.
But it's easier said than done."
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Interview: West Ham legend Trevor Brooking
Wharf.co.uk
By Simon Hayes on June 11, 2009 11:05 AM
West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking is urging the club's new owners to build
for the future following this week's takeover.
The club changed hands on Monday when chairman Bjorgolfor Gudmundsson
relinquished control to CB Holdings, in a deal believed to be worth around
£100million.
CB Holdings, a company owned by Icelandic bank Straumur-Burdaras, one of
Gudmundsson's major creditors, have pledged to make funds available to
manager Gianfranco Zola and Sir Trevor thinks it is essential to build on
last season's promising start under the Italian.
He said: "Obviously there's a bit of concern with the takeover by the new
banking group but I think they have to understand, yes, they have
liabilities but the side also needs to stay in the Premier League for the
next few years. That's how they will get their return back.
"Hopefully Gianfranco and Steve Clarke can get on and strengthen the job
that they have started very well for nine months this season."
Investment is key, according to Sir Trevor, if the Irons are to kick on and
avoid the fate that befell Newcastle, who were relegated after off-the-field
turmoil and on-pitch frailty. The Hammers' forward line, in particular,
needs bolstering.
He said: "It's frustrating big clubs like Newcastle going down. We've all
been there and done it. In December we slipped into the bottom three and
everyone was worried.
"But then we had a really good run either side of Christmas, winning at
Portsmouth seemed to kick-start it all, and we suddenly found ourselves in
the top half, so credit to Gianfranco.
"But we probably need, even if Dean Ashton's fit, a couple of attackers, and
certainly a good attacking wide player. Considering the injuries to people
like Dean and then having to sell Craig Bellamy, we are a little bit
lightweight from an attacking point of view.
"We struggled a little bit scoring goals late on. Everyone can see what's
needed and we've just got to try and make sure the people we do bring in are
the right ones. But it's easier said than done."
The Academy
One area where the Hammers are more than holding their own is producing good
young players. Sir Trevor, 60, is not only pleased as a West Ham fan but
also in his role as director of youth development at the FA. He singled out
a couple of players who have caught his eye this season.
He said: "James Tomkins, who is away with the under-21s in the European
championships in Sweden, has done really well in central defence.
"Junior Stanislas did well late in the season. We've got an eye on him for
the under-20s, although we probably won't get him released early next
season. He gave the side a bit of width and scored a couple of goals.
"Freddie Sears has obviously been around as a striker for a year or two,
while Jordan Spence is another one. He's been with our under-19s this week
and will go out to Ukraine next month for the European Championships.
"It's all a testament to the work being done by Tony Carr and his staff at
the Academy and it can only be good for the club and for England."
And with three current Hammers, Rob Green, Matty Upson and Carlton Cole, in
Fabio Capello's full squad the east London influence is very strong at
national level.
"West Ham are obviously important for England," said Sir Trevor. "If you
look throughout the team you have Rob Green, Glenn Johnson, Rio Ferdinand.
John Terry was at West Ham as a youngster before he went to Chelsea. There's
Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, while Frank Lampard is another
one.
"Wherever you look they have sampled the West Ham experience so it's great
credit to everyone here over the last 20 or 30 years."
The captaincy
Sir Trevor is backing Matthew Upson to be West Ham's new captain if Lucas
Neill leaves Upton Park this summer.
The Irons' legend believes Upson, who was on England duty this week, has all
the right leadership qualities to take over should current skipper Neill,
who last week rejected a new one year deal, quit the club.
He said: "Matty Upson is a great lad. He's got a good attitude, is a
reliable defender and more than anything his character is fantastic. You can
see his good attitude in the England set up where he trains well and is a
really committed lad. He's the sort of lad you want to do well."
And Sir Trevor also thinks Scott Parker, who wore the armband for the
Hammers' FA Cup trip to Hartlepool in January, should be in the frame to be
skipper.
He said: "Scott Parker has had a good season and has been captain before, so
him and Matty Upson are probably the two initial ones who spring to mind."
Memories
Zola has brought the style back to West Ham's football and Sir Trevor
believes the Italian is a worthy successor to legendary Irons' managers Ron
Greenwood and John Lyall.
Sir Trevor, who played under both Greenwood and Lyall, thinks the football
played under Zola is exactly what supporters want to see.
He said: "Gianfranco Zola has got the side passing quite well this year,
which is good. We've always had that style of football and you've got to
give a lot of credit for that to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.
"For the last 40 years West Ham have been known as a good footballing team
and Gianfranco has kept that philosophy.
"They can beat anyone on their day but they can lose to anyone as well,
which makes the experience of being a West Ham fan a little bit harder."
Sir Trevor was full of praise for those fans.
"They are demanding at times but they are also very protective if anyone
criticises their team," he said. "They've had a pretty traumatic time with
all the Tevez and the Icelandic bank stuff, so the support this year, 34,000
turning up for home games, has been great.
"It is unique but you mustn't take it for granted. You've got to give them
the football they deserve, but it's a very strong, loyal, passionate
support."
Sir Trevor played over 600 games for the Irons and has plenty of fond
memories of the Boleyn.
He said: "We had some great occasions. We beat Man United 4-2 in the last
game of the season in 1977 to keep us up. That was a fantastic game.
"We played a European semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, which we won
3-1, which got us to the final in 1976. I scored and that was one of the
most memorable games because it was so dramatic. Tommy Taylor kicked the
ball off the line in the last minute when 3-2 would have put us out on away
goals.
"Then playing with Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, then people like
Bonzo and Pop Robson and Alan Devonshire.
"Over 19 years you got some really fantastic memories and I'm very lucky."
Community club
Sir Trevor spoke to The Wharf at the One Ball, One Game, One Community event
at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, which brought children from all ethnic
backgrounds and faiths together to enhance community cohesion. It was
co-organised by Canary Wharf Group.
As someone born and brought up in the East End Sir Trevor is a strong
supporter of using football as a way of bringing together the different
social and ethnic groups in the area.
He said: "It's been a really great day for the kids. They've all learned a
lot and I think they've also had a really fun time."
"I think the main thing is seeing all the girls playing because girls
football now is escalating massively.
"What was interesting to see was the different community groups,
particularly religious-wise. Moslem girls are starting to play and three or
four years ago their families, even if the girls had wanted to play, would
not have allowed them to play.
"The important thing now is that the mums and dads understand the youngsters
can make a lot of friends and break down a lot of the barriers that were
there before.
"And also physical activity is a big agenda with the health problems with
obesity and the lack of activity. If football, the national sport, can play
its part in that it would be great."
Grassroots football
With huge riches on offer for any player who makes it in the Premier League
the pressure is often on players from a very young age. Sir Trevor feels it
means the fun factor often disappears in youth football.
He said: "There are a lot of aspirations and dreams for youngsters to get
spotted by a Premier League club or even play for the national team.
"But if you want to get to that level the bar is going up all the time. Lots
of teams are bringing in lots of youngsters from overseas now because they
want that technical quality and we've just got to make sure youngsters
understand why just playing a couple of games a week is not going to be
enough.
"You've got to really practice, try to work on your skills, you've got to
come out of the tv channels, and dvds and gameboy - whatever's keeping them
sitting around too much - because the skill factor is something that does
need hours and hours of practice.
"If you are going to get a youngster to give that sort of commitment you've
got to make it fun and enjoyable. We've tried to make some of that early
experience of football a different one now.
"It used to happen in my generation you'd come home from school, go round
the corner for two or three hours and then wander home. That was what we
would term informal play.
"But mums and dads want to know where the youngsters are these days so most
of it's becoming what we term structured, so there's an adult or coach or
teacher there.
"What we've got to do is make sure that person understands it mustn't become
too intense. It's not about winning too early, you've got to develop the
youngsters. They are going to make mistakes, they've got to try things.
"When it was informal nobody was shouting and hollering and putting them
under pressure. So the fun factor sometimes comes out of it too early and
we've got to try and put that back in so the youngsters want to go out and
practice.
"They get a lot of praise for getting a little bit better and suddenly they
are turning or twisting, passing with their bad foot. Little things, which
to the youngster if they get a bit of praise and a 'well done' means a lot,
and that encourages them to go out and practice even more.
"If they get shouted at and criticised for doing something or trying
something different then they are reluctant to do it and they start to kick
the ball aimlessly up the field, get a 'well done' for that because the
parent on the sideline wants them to win something.
"But early on you want them to really try to pass the ball. They will make
mistakes but it's putting little seeds of understanding there for the
youngster and also the coach or adult who's running the team, who might be
trying to get them to do things too early and make sure they retain that fun
factor."
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Hammers want Green to sign
The Sun
GIANFRANCO ZOLA wants Robert Green to add to the three years left on his
West Ham deal. Negotiations over a pay rise for the England keeper stalled
in January - but managing director Scott Duxbury said: "I anticipate new
contract talks will start again."
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Rob happy to wait for England chance
TeamTalk
West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green is content to play a patient waiting game
as he bids to become England regular number one. The 29-year-old was handed
his first competitive caps in the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan
and Andorra after first-choice David James needed surgery on a shoulder
problem. Former Norwich trainee Green missed out on the 2006 World Cup after
he suffered a freak groin injury when taking a goalkick in a warm-up game
for the 'B' side against Belarus, before then falling down the pecking order
behind the likes of Paul Robinson, Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland and Joe
Hart. Green, though, saw the funny side when he once sported a pair of
gloves with "England's No.6" stitched into the lining. While Green did not
get much of a work-out in the 6-0 thrashing of Andorra at Wembley on
Wednesday night, and was indeed cheered after finally touching the ball
almost 25 minutes into the game, the Hammers stopper will continue to work
hard in the hope he features again in the next England squad for the
friendly in Holland on August 12. "'Jamo' has done fantastically well, and
you have just got to keep plugging away for your club, waiting for chances
and being ready. That is the virtue of being a goalkeeper," said Green, who
has three more years of his West Ham contract to run, with the club keen to
retain his services in the long-term. "You do your utmost while someone else
is playing and you just have to be ready to take that chance. "I played in
the two games with two clean sheets, so I can't ask for more than that. "It
is now just a case of being ready for whenever the next chance comes along."
Green continued: "It is your job - you just get on and work, doing the best
you can. "If it does not happen, then it is not for the want of trying. "It
is no good spending your life not doing everything you can, then walking
away saying 'well, yeah I probably could have done more'. "If I do
everything I can and then do not make it, then do be it.
"But I have played the last two games and it has been fantastic."
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