Friday, October 30

Daily WHUFC News - 30th October 2009

Mehmet progresses
WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet's Turkey are through to the FIFA U17 World Cup second round
with a game to spare
29.10.2009

Deniz Mehmet and his Turkey team-mates are through to the FIFA Under-17
World Cup second round after thrashing Costa Rica 4-1 in the pair's
re-arranged Group D clash in Enugu, Nigeria. The original fixture was
goalless when it was abandoned after 21 minutes on Wednesday after the
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch was rendered unplayable by continuous
torrential rain. The match was replayed in drier conditions on Thursday
afternoon, with Mehmet producing an assured display as the Turks followed up
their opening 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso with a comprehensive success.
Abdullah Ercan's side are now unassailable at the top of their group with
six points from two matches. New Zealand, who Turkey face in Calabar on
Saturday, are second with two points, while Costa Rica and Burkina Faso have
one point each. Omer Ali Sahiner fired Turkey into a third-minute lead
before Muhammet Demir scored for the second straight match half an hour
later. Engin Bekdemir added a third three minutes before half-time before
Costa Rica pulled a goal back through Jonathan Moya, the first Mehmet had
conceded in the tournament. Turkey scored their fourth goal through Gokay
Iravul with 20 minutes remaining, securing their progress to the last 16.
Ercan's youngsters will now face a second-round clash in Enugu with one of
the best third-placed nations from Groups B, E or F on Wednesday 4 November.

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Polish lessons please Bondz
WHUFC.com
Bondz N'Gala says there were many plus points from the reserves' creditable
2-2 draw in Poland
29.10.2009

West Ham United reserve-team captain Bondz N'Gala and the rest of the squad
returned home on Wednesday afternoon buoyed by an impressive 2-2 draw with
Polish top-flight side Arka Gdynia. Tuesday's game was watched by a large
home crowd inside the stadium, while the match was relayed live on
television across the country. N'Gala believes that kind of experience,
which was so different to reserve games, can only help the development of
the young team, which included no fewer than nine teenagers in its starting
XI. "It was a great experience playing in front of a very lively crowd of
about 4,000," N'Gala said. "It was some of the lads' first trip away and I
think we gelled quite well. It always helps to go away together as it brings
the team that much closer. "It was different as away games aren't normally
proper away games in the reserves. So playing this game gave everyone a feel
for what it is like to play away from home with other supporters cheering
for them and not for you."
The reserves have not hit the back of the net as much as they would have
liked in recent weeks, so they will no doubt have been boosted by Terry
Dixon and Fabio Daprela's first goals for the club as they begin to prepare
for next Tuesday's return to league action away at Fulham. N'Gala was
particularly pleased to see Dixon take another big step forward on his road
to back to full fitness. "I'm happy for Terry to get his first goal. It was
good to get him off the mark and hopefully he can push on from there. It
will give us some confidence. We scored, which we haven't done enough of
this season."
Central midfielder Nigel Quashie, who along with N'Gala was just one of two
players with first-team experience on show for the Hammers, was an assured
presence throughout and his captain was grateful to have an older head
around. "I thought Nigel Quashie was really good. He is mature and helps us
a lot and he always calms us down. I am young and I am still learning so
it's good to have an experienced player calming us down and getting us
playing again."

*Forward Anthony Edgar has returned to the club after his one-month loan
deal with Bournemouth finished. Edgar has been training with the first-team
squad this week.

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Mensah set for Hammers trial
African goalkeeper bids to win permanent deal
Last updated: 29th October 2009
SSN

Togo international Cedric Mensah has confirmed to skysports.com he is in
talks to go on trial at West Ham United. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has
impressed on the international arena since breaking into the full Togo
national side. Mensah has been playing for French side Paris FC but is now
set to try his luck in England. Portsmouth have also been mooted as possible
suitors, with Mensah keen to one day ply his trade in the Premier League. "I
have contacts, I am a full international for Togo," he told skysports.com.
"There are other clubs interested and German clubs are after me. "But I
would love one day to play in the Premier League."

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Tabanou aware of interest
French starlet could move on in the summer
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 29th October 2009
SSN

Reported West Ham transfer target Franck Tabanou admits he could be tempted
to leave Toulouse in the summer. The 20-year-old midfielder has caught the
eye with a series of mature displays since breaking into Toulouse's first
team this season. It is thought a number of clubs across Europe are keeping
an eye on his progress, with West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola rumoured to be
one of the strongest suitors. Tabanou is keen to complete the current
campaign with Toulouse but is open to the possibility of leaving France at
the end of the season. Acknowledging reported interest from England, Tabanou
has left the door open for an approach from Upton Park. "I know of interest
from several clubs, I know West Ham have an eye on me," he told Le Quotidien
du Foot. "Next summer will be the right time to watch out where I could go.
"But I will only make a choice after considering the sporting project. It
won't come down to money."

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Sunderland v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Sunderland v
West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday Oct 31 2009, kick-off
15.00 GMT.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 30 Oct 2009

Saturday, Oct 31
Sunderland v West Ham United
Stadium of Light
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 MotD.

Sunderland, who are bidding to win successive games for the first time in 31
outings, have won two and drawn one of their last four in the Premier
League, but went out of the Carling Cup on penalties to Villa on Tuesday.
The visitors have not won since the opening day of the season, at Wolves,
when they won 2-0 at Molineux. West Ham did the double over Sunderland last
season, including the 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light with an early goal
from Valon Behrami.

Sunderland are still without Lee Cattermole while West Ham miss Scott Parker
through suspension, while Dean Ashton and Luis Boa Morte are long-term
absentees. Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer undergo tests.

Sunderland (Probable, 4-4-2): Gordon; Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand,
McCartney; Malbranque, Zenden, Cana, Reid; Jones, Bent.
West Ham United (Probable, 4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga;
Noble, Behrami, Parker, Jimenez; Diamanti, Cole.
Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 7. R3 Y23.

Last season: Sunderland 0, West Ham 1; West Ham 2, Sunderland 0.

Stat of the game: West Ham have gone eight games without a win, their worst
run in the Premier League since March 2007 when they failed to win in 11.

Betting tip: A draw is 11-4.

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Ferdinand relishing Hammers battle
Safc.com

Anton Ferdinand says West Ham are like 'family' - but he'd like nothing more
than to get one over on them this Saturday. West Ham United are still "like
family" to Anton Ferdinand - but the Sunderland defender has his sights
firmly set on three more points this weekend. It's just over a year since
the 24-year-old left his native London bound for the north east after being
purchased by former Sunderland chief Roy Keane. He'll face his former
employers once more tomorrow with both sides desperate for points for very
different reasons. Gianfranco Zola's Hammers are looking to climb out of the
bottom three, while Sunderland are hoping to avenge last week's Barclays
Premier League defeat at Birmingham. Speaking exclusively to SAFC TV,
Ferdinand said: "I'll get to see a lot of people who watched me grow up
there - a second family, you could say. "I'd been [at West Ham] since the
age of 9, so it will be nice to play against them, but there's been massive
changes since I left. "I was sad to leave but you move on. I hope they stay
in the Premier League because that club deserves nothing more than being in
the best league in the world." He continued: "I've not beaten West Ham since
I left, so it would be nice to do it this time at home. The fans are always
behind us and they are like the 12th man. "Hopefully we can come away with a
good result. When West Ham are playing any other team I want them to win,
but obviously not this time." Twelve months on from his move for a reported
£8m, Ferdinand admits he's loving life in the north east. He explained:
"It's gone very quickly - it seems like yesterday I was leaving my family to
come up here. It's been enjoyable, a good year on and off the pitch."

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Bruce's respect for Hammers boss
Safc.com

As Sunderland prepare to face West Ham, Steve Bruce has spoken of his
respect for Hammers chief Gianfranco Zola. Steve Bruce has spoken of his
respect for West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola as the pair prepare to face each
other at the Stadium of Light this weekend. Widely regarded as one of the
finest foreign players ever to play in England, Zola joined West Ham as boss
just over a year ago following a distinguished playing career. The former
Napoli and Parma man became a legend for Chelsea before moving across London
following a spell as a player at Cagliari and as the manager of the Italian
under-21 side. "Gianfranco is a man I have huge respect for," Bruce said.
"We talk about great players too much but he was one of the greatest foreign
players ever to play in England. "I have the utmost respect for what he's
done as a manager as well because it can't be easy for him at West Ham at
the moment with all the talk of takeovers and what not. "It's unsettling and
difficult for a manager, especially one in his first job, but Gianfranco did
that last year. I can't see West Ham being at the bottom when the medals
are handed out at the end of this season; they have too many good players.
"He is also a genuinely nice man and a role model for footballers in the way
he played his football, looked after himself and lives his life. "He had
unbelievable enthusiasm; top, top ability and was one of the best players I
ever played against. Everyone wants him involved in the Premier League. "If
he does half as well as a manager as he did a player he'll be fine."
The Hammers go into the game sitting second-bottom of the Barclays Premier
League following a tough start to the season. They have six points from
their first nine games.
But Bruce is expecting a tough encounter and the Hammers served notice of
their intentions by coming back from two goals down to claim a draw against
Arsenal last week.
"They gave a great response against Arsenal last week, which shows good
spirit. It will certainly not be easy for us. "We've only lost once at home
this season, against Chelsea - I count Villa as a goalless draw - and we
need to keep that winning run going. Our downfall last year was that we
didn't win enough games at home. "West Ham's tradition and history dictates
they play the game in the right way. They will come here looking to win,
that's for sure. I think it will be a good game."

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Bent is winning race for fitness
Oct 29 2009 By James Hunter, Evening Chronicle

GOAL king Darren Bent is expected to be fit to face West Ham this weekend.
Sunderland's eight- goal top-scorer missed the midweek Carling Cup penalty
shoot-out defeat against Aston Villa after picking up a knee injury in last
Saturday's league reverse at Birmingham. But Black Cats boss Steve Bruce
said today he hopes his £12m record buy will be fit when the Hammers come to
the Stadium of Light on Saturday – although he still has a huge injury
headache with Lee Cattermole (knee), Bolo Zenden (hamstring) and John Mensah
(calf) ruled out. And George McCartney (hip), Phil Bardsley (shoulder) and
Fraizer Campbell (hip) are all major doubts. Bruce said: "Darren is a doubt
but I expect him to make it this weekend – and if he does, it will be a huge
boost for us. "He took a horrible whack on his knee at Birmingham in the
early part of the game and you could see that he was worried about it and it
affected his performance for the rest of the game. "He was still walking a
bit gingerly on it on Monday morning, which is why he didn't play against
Villa, and I pulled him out of training for a couple of days. "But he
trained today and hopefully he will have no reaction to it. "As for the
other lads, we know Catts is out long- term, I can't see Bolo making it and
John Mensah is still struggling with his calf strain. "George, Phil and
Fraizer are all very doubtful and, to be honest, I don't expect them to be
fit. "When you play two or three games a week, the downside is that you
inevitably pick up a few knocks."
Cattermole is ruled out until the New Year with medial ligament damage
suffered in Sunderland's win against Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Mensah
is likely to be sidelined for another two to three weeks. But Bruce is
hoping that the rest of his injury problems will clear up in time for the
Black Cats' game at Spurs in nine days' time.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 29

Daily WHUFC News - 29th October 2009

Hines shines on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Zavon Hines has told WHUTV that confidence will be high going into the game
with Sunderland
28.10.2009

Zavon Hines is tipping his West Ham United team-mates to build on last
weekend's display when they travel to Sunderland this Saturday. The
homegrown Hammer was delighted to make a big impact off the bench against
Arsenal last time out, helping inspire the team to come from two-nil down
with some bright attacking play alongside Alessandro Diamanti. His pace and
energy gave the Gunners back-line plenty to think about and he won the
free-kick that paved the way for Carlton Cole's equaliser before Diamanti
made it 2-2 from the penalty spot. "The manager just said go on and keep
running, do your best for the team," Hines said about his contribution as a
replacement for Guillermo Franco in the 64th minute of a pulsating
encounter. "That is what I tried to do. It was just exciting to play against
Arsenal. "It could do a lot for us looking to Sunderland. For us to come
back in that way against a team like Arsenal is great. We have been
confident but the results have not gone our way. We will be confident now
trust me, especially from coming back against Arsenal. Everyone is on a
high. "It was kind of like a win for us and everyone was excited in the
dressing room. People thought we might have lost but we kept going." The
England Under-21 striker also had extra reason to be happy at the Arsenal
match as he was presented with his SBOBET player of the month award for last
month after a poll of fans on whufc.com. "I am very pleased to receive this.
It is good to know that fans think I have been the best player in September
but it is about the team to be honest, not the individual."

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Carr confirms testimonial
WHUFC.com
Great names from past and present are set to figure when Tony Carr's
testimonial is held next year
28.10.2009

Tony Carr has revealed that his testimonial match will be staged at the
Boleyn Ground on Wednesday 5 May 2010. The Academy Director's celebration is
set to feature a West Ham United side against an Academy All-Star XI,
featuring players that have emerged through the ranks during more than three
decades of long and outstanding service at the club. The testimonial year
was announced back in March and already a successful golf day has been
staged.

The club believed the time was right to recognise and pay tribute to the
achievements of a man who began as an apprentice at the club in the 1960s.
From Ron Greenwood to Gianfranco Zola, manager after manager at the Boleyn
Ground has felt the benefit of Carr's unstinting commitment to excellence
and developing the stars of tomorrow. Carr said: "I am pleased we have been
able to name a date. I am really looking forward to it and hopefully we will
have a big turnout on the night. It should be a great occasion."

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Spence up for cup
WHUFC.com
Jordan Spence is looking forward to Scunthorpe United's Carling Cup tie with
Manchester City
28.10.2009

Jordan Spence is hoping he will be involved when Scunthorpe United travel to
Manchester City in the Carling Cup last 16 on Wednesday evening. The Academy
ace is in the middle of a successful loan at the Championship club, which
has seen them more than hold their own in the second tier of English
football. In this competition, Scunthorpe have beaten Chesterfield, Swansea
City and Port Vale to reach this stage - but needed extra time in the last
two rounds to progress.

Spence, who has played ten times for the Iron in a loan due to end in
January, said: "To get a cup run at any level is a big positive as the
confidence can rub off on the league. The win at Swansea helped us with our
league form as before our form hadn't been very good. We've know Man City is
going to be tough but it is great news for the club. It's fantastic for the
club as it's the first time it has ever got to this stage and it's great to
be part of that history."

Having seen the difficulty West Ham United had at Eastlands last month, the
19-year-old knows his team face a sizeable challenge. "It doesn't take a
rocket scientist to work out what they've got. But for me personally it's a
chance for me to put myself up against some of the best players in the world
against Premier League opposition. "I'm always looking to test myself and to
see where I can improve as obviously my ultimate goal is to be playing in
the Premier League. It is something you are going to look forward to and we
will relish the experience. Any team can beat any other team on any other
day."

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Player on sister assault charge
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United footballer Calum Davenport has been charged with assaulting
his sister in an incident in which he was stabbed in both legs. Mr Davenport
was stabbed in the legs in the driveway of his mother's home in Kempston in
August this year. The 26-year-old, who denies any wrong doing, spent six
days in intensive care in Bedford Hospital after the incident. He has been
charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on 28-year-old Cara
Davenport. Mr Davenport, of Greenfield, Flitton, Bedfordshire, is currently
on bail to appear at Bedford Magistrates' Court on 10 November. In a
statement issued by his PR company, Mr Davenport said: "I am deeply shocked
and disappointed at the decision that has been made to charge me with
assault. "I deny any wrong doing and will plead not guilty. For legal
reasons I am unable to discuss the matter further at this time."
Ms Davenport's boyfriend Worrell Whitehurst, 25, of Finsley Walk, Derby, has
appeared in court charged with attacking the central defender as well as his
mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple, in the driveway of her home in Springfield
Avenue, in August. Mr Davenport, a former England under-21 international,
underwent emergency surgery at Bedford Hospital for stab wounds to both
legs. Doctors had to cut through muscle to repair the damage to his artery.
The defender has been able to return to light training and swimming after
surgery which left him with a 15-inch scar on his leg. Writing on the club
website recently, the player said he was feeling positive. "At the moment I
am still in hospital and have quite a long way to go on the road to recovery
but I am feeling positive," he said. "Thanks to the club, my team-mates and
fans, to the club doctors and the amazing staff at Bedford Hospital who have
looked after me so well."
Bedford-born Mr Davenport cost West Ham £3m when he joined from Tottenham
during the summer of 2007. He spent a spell on loan at Premier League rivals
Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to Watford. He started
his career at Coventry and has also played on loan at Southampton and
Norwich.

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Davenport Charged
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th October 2009
By: Yet Another Staff Writer

CALUM DAVENPORT has been charged with assault in relation to the incident
that saw the 26-year-old stabbed in the legs at the end of August.
Bizarrely, the charges appear to have been pressed by the West Ham
defender's sister, Cara, 28, the girlfriend of the alleged knife-attacker,
Worrell Whitehurst. Davenport, who was left with a 15-inch scar as a result
of the attack and has recently returned to light training, released a
statement to say: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision
that has been made to charge me with assault. "I deny any wrong doing and
will plead not guilty. For legal reasons I am unable to discuss the matter
further at this time." Davenport, who still has no fixed date to return to
first-team action, has been bailed to appear before Bedford Magistrates in
early November.

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Man Utd loot, West Ham Utd on Crimewatch
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United will feature on the BBC's Crimewatch programme tonight as
the Metropolitan Police continue their search for scapegoats in the wake of
crowd disturbances at the recent Carling Cup tie with Millwall. Further
pictures of faces sought by the Met have once again been printed in a number
of national newspapers this morning with requests for the public to inform
on the highlighted West Ham supporters present at the game. The Police - who
were largely responsible for the problems witnessed outside the Boleyn
Ground, having insisted on halving Millwall's allocation for the game and
then duly ignoring numerous pleas to review their decision - lost control of
the situation on the ground during the game and eventually allowed around
500 ticketless Lions fans to enter the Boleyn Ground free of charge - a a
decision that is thought to have led to pockets of home fans invading the
pitch to celebrate goals later in the evening. Meanwhile, crowd disturbances
at last night's Barnsley v Manchester United Carling Cup tie have been
brushed under the carpet today with barely a mention in any of the papers -
unlike the widespread media coverage given to the West Ham v Millwall tie.
Manchester United supporters are reported to have looted one of the Barnsley
food kiosks, stealing the contents and emptying the tills of cash whilst
staff were said to have hidden in a storeroom. There were also reports of
local South Yorkshire Police being bottled by Reds fans. The game was also
halted temporarily by a brief pitch invasion; three individuals, thought to
be Barnsley supporters ran on to the pitch as the game reached it's
conclusion.

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Testimonial date set
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

Tony Carr's long-awaited testimonial match will finally take place next May.
The game - the last event to commemorate Carr's 37 years of service to West
Ham United - will feature a team from the current West Ham United squad
versus a side comprised of players who have come through the club's Academy,
which Carr has been working with since the early 1970s. Already pencilled in
to appear for the Academy team are the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and
Michael Carrick "We've set the day now for May 5th," Carr told TalkSport.
"We're going to play a West Ham XI versus an ex-Academy XI, like an Academy
all-stars team. "I've spoken to most of the boys, including Rio, and they're
all willing to play - hopefully the manager's will give them that permission
but we'll work on that in the next four or five months. "I talked to Frank
[Lampard Jnr] last week and he's happy to play. I've also spoken to John
Terry and Rio recently and they're all willing to play assuming that club
commitments allows them. "But we're hoping the date we've set will allow
that."

The Chadwell Heath production line: internationals tutored by Carr

England: Alvin Martin; Frank Lampard; Glen Johnson; Jermain Defoe; Joe Cole;
John Terry; Kieran Richardson; Paul Ince; Rio Ferdinand; Tony Cottee; Paul
Konchesky; Michael Carrick; Alan Curbishley; Alan Dickens; Anton Ferdinand;
Bobby Barnes; Bobby Zamora; James Tomkins; Junior Stanislas; Freddie Sears;
Mark Noble; Mervyn Day; Stuart Slater; Jlloyd Samuel; Liam Ridgewell; Zavon
Hines.

Wales: Jack Collison; Freddy Eastwood.

Ireland (all): Ray Houghton; Grant McCann; Shaun Byrne; Eamonn Dolan.

Others: Richard Garcia, Chris Coyne (Australis); Adam Newton (St Kitts and
Nevis).

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Davenport denies assault charge
Hammers defender charged after being stabbed
Last updated: 28th October 2009
SSN

West Ham defender Calum Davenport has denied that he assaulted a woman
during an incident in which he was stabbed in both legs. The Hammers
defender, 26, was charged by Bedfordshire Police on Wednesday afternoon with
assault causing actual bodily harm on a woman. But Davenport, who spent
several days in intensive care as a result of his injuries, said in a
statement: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision that has
been made to charge me with assault. "I deny any wrongdoing and will plead
not guilty. For legal reasons, I am unable to discuss the matter further at
this time." Worrell Whitehurst, 25, appeared in court charged with attacking
the centre-back as well as his mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple, in the
driveway of her home in Springfield Avenue, Bedford, in August.

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Toulouse starlet wants stay
Tabanou eyes new deal
By Patrick Haond Last updated: 28th October 2009
SSN

Toulouse starlet Franck Tabanou has insisted he wants to stay put. The
20-year-old has broken into Toulouse's first-team this season and has earned
rave reviews. Tabanou's current deal expires next summer and the Pink City
outfit are desperate to keep him. A host of clubs, including West Ham, are
understood to be lining up a January bid. But the midfielder insists he is
looking to remain in the South of France. "My first objective is to prolong
my stay with TFC," he told L'Equipe.

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Why West Ham's draw with Arsenal showed Carlton Cole has grown from a cub
into a lion
By Arsenal Fans Blog
The Mirror
Published 14:24 28/10/09

Carlton Cole's first touch as a West Ham player was a goal, the decisive
strike in a 3-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in August 2006. From then on,
his first touch was usually followed by an opponent's tackle, leading to the
unfortunate nickname of 'Can't Control', and it appeared a player who had
looked so promising when he burst on to the scene at Chelsea looked set for
a career of unfulfilled potential.

If Cole was the reluctant poster boy for all those footballers whose lack of
application has led to them becoming forgotten men, he now provides a lesson
that it is never too late to change people's perceptions. Few could have
predicted the transformation in the striker's game in the past year, his
progress so rapid that he has become indispensable to West Ham. Cole used to
be a standing joke, but no one's laughing now.

Least of all Arsenal, who found out just how far Cole has come in Sunday's
pulsating 2-2 draw at Upton Park. In a West Ham team lacking belief after a
confidence-sapping run which has brought no wins since the opening day of
the season, Cole's strength, allied with some nifty footwork and a viable
goal threat, stood out, even when West Ham trailed 2-0 to Arsenal.

Until Cole's intervention the game had been drifting to its seemingly
inevitable conclusion, three points for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's side had
taken the lead after 14 minutes through Robin van Persie, who scored after
Robert Green flapped at Sagna's cross. It is not the first time that has
happened this season, and Green is currently making a firm case for David
James regaining the England goalkeeper's jersey. Shortly before half-time
Gallas headed in a second.

It was Cole who dragged West Ham back into the contest after 74 minutes,
heading in from close range after Vito Mannone could only direct Alessandro
Diamanti's wicked free-kick back into the danger area. That was Cole's fifth
in nine games so far this season, and three others have come against
Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham. The watching England manager,
Fabio Capello, was surely impressed, and will duly note the aptitude with
which Cole performed the Emile Heskey role, but with added goals too.


Yet just six minutes after West Ham's first, Cole again caused panic in the
Arsenal area, his presence enough to induce Alexandre Song's ill-conceived
challenge. Chris Foy pointed to the spot, and this time there was no
question of Mannone getting a hand to Diamanti's effort.

Time and again, Cole held off William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen to win
headers or take the ball down on his chest to provide the springboard for
West Ham attacks. He was no mere battering ram however, and was equally
adept on the ground, a facet of his game which has not always caught the
eye. The Arsenal defence, boasting the likes of Gael Clichy and Backary
Sagna, are no slouches, but even they struggled to keep up wuth Cole's
deceptive pace. There were flickers of an understanding with the Mexican
debutant, Guilermo Franco, too.

Cole has not always been on the end of such praise. The boy who scored 39
goals in a season for Chelsea's reserves never became a man at Stamford
Bridge. His manager, Claudio Ranieri, called him his lion, yet he remained
wet behind the ears.

There were moments of promise: a goal on his debut against Middlesbrough; an
accomplished shot into the top corner against Sunderland in April 2003; a
rambunctious display against Bolton a week later. However when Roman
Abramovich arrived, Cole moved down the pecking order. Disappointing loan
spells at Charlton and Aston Villa followed, and Cole gained a reputation
for scoring of a somewhat different nature.

Alan Pardew saw potential in him when he signed him for £2m West Ham in
2006, but it wasn't until Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke arrived last year
that he started to realise it. Zola played with Cole at Chelsea and perhaps
this helped. He kept faith in the striker during a spell of eight goalless
games, despite the crowd increasingly turning on him. The nadir arrived in
December after dreadful misses by Cole in consecutive games against Chelsea
and Aston Vila.

Zola kept the faith. He vowed to work with Cole on the training ground to
help him improve his finishing. The patience paid off and Cole promptly
scored six goals in seven games to help West Ham climb up the league. He
made his debut for England in a friendly against Spain in February. In March
he won the Goal of the Month competition after he finished off a brilliant
passing move with a composed curler against Wigan. He won it again in August
thanks to a stunning volley from 25 yards against Tottenham.

Cole is often compared to Heskey, but that particular effort was more
reminiscent of a Didier Drogba goal for Chelsea against Liverpool in
September 2006. Then Cole was just a bit-part player in a struggling West
Ham side, lower in the pecking order than Bobby Zamora, Marlon Harewood and
even Teddy Sheringham. A mere after-thought. Ranieri's lion was still a cub,
but not any more. Just ask Arsenal.

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Stabbed West Ham football star charged with assault
Ross Lydall
29.10.09
Evening Standard

West Ham defender Calum Davenport was today charged with assaulting a woman
in connection with an incident that almost ended his playing career. The
former England Under-21 star suffered knife wounds to both legs, including
one 15-inch scar, at his mother's house in August. Today it emerged that
Davenport, who joined West Ham from Spurs, had been charged despite the
belief that he was the victim of the attack. In a statement, Davenport, 26,
said: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision that has been
made to charge me with assault. I deny any wrongdoing and will plead not
guilty." Davenport underwent emergency surgery on both legs following the
attack at their home in Kempston, near Bedford. He and his 49-year-old
mother were attacked in the early hours. The boyfriend of Davenport's sister
has been charged over the stabbing.

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Calum Davenport, West Ham footballer, charged with assault on woman
West Ham United footballer Calum Davenport has denied that he assaulted a
woman during an incident in which he was stabbed in both legs.
Telegraph.co.uk
Published: 3:29PM GMT 28 Oct 2009

The defender, 26, was charged by Bedfordshire Police with assault causing
actual bodily harm on a woman. But Davenport said in a statement: ''I am
deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision that has been made to charge
me with assault. I deny any wrongdoing and will plead not guilty. For legal
reasons, I am unable to discuss the matter further at this time.''
Davenport's 'positive progress' Worrell Whitehurst, 25, appeared in court
charged with attacking the centre-back as well as his mother, 49-year-old
Kim Stupple, in the driveway of her home in Springfield Avenue, Bedford, in
August. A statement from Bedfordshire Police said: "Professional footballer
Calum Davenport has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on
a woman following an incident in Bedford on August 22. "Mr Davenport is
currently on bail to appear at Bedford Magistrates' Court on November 10."
Davenport suffered heavy bleeding and was admitted to hospital for emergency
surgery following the incident. A former England Under-21 international, he
underwent emergency surgery at Bedford Hospital for stab wounds to both legs
after an incident at his mother's home in Springfield Avenue, Bedford, at
5am. Davenport cost West Ham £3 million when he joined them from Tottenham
during the summer of 2007. Bedford-born Davenport spent a spell on loan at
Premier League rivals Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to
Watford. The centre-back started his career at Coventry and has also played
on loan at Southampton and Norwich. Whitehurst, Cara Davenport's boyfriend,
is due to appear at Luton Crown Court on Nov 16.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham footballer Calum Davenport charged with assaulting his sister
Premier League defender was stabbed in both legs in incident
Former England Under-21 international denies attack
Jonathan Haynes and agencies guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 28 October 2009 22.49
GMT

Calum Davenport's injuries, sustained in the incident, were initially
thought to be career-threatening. Premier League footballer Calum Davenport
has been charged with assaulting his sister during an incident in which he
was stabbed in both legs. The West Ham United defender, 26, who denies any
wrongdoing, was charged this afternoon with causing actual bodily harm on
Cara Davenport, 28. Her boyfriend, Worrell Whitehurst, 25, has appeared in
court charged with attacking the centre-back as well as his mother,
49-year-old Kim Stupple, in the driveway of her home in Bedford, in August.
Davenport said in a statement: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the
decision that has been made to charge me with assault. I deny any wrongdoing
and will plead not guilty. For legal reasons, I am unable to discuss the
matter further at this time."
Davenport, of Greenfield, Bedford, will appear before Bedford magistrates on
10 November. A statement from Bedfordshire police said: "Professional
footballer Calum Davenport has been charged with assault causing actual
bodily harm on a woman following an incident in Bedford on 22 August."
Davenport, a former England Under-21 international, underwent emergency
surgery at Bedford Hospital for stab wounds to both legs after an incident
at his mother's home at 5am.
Davenport cost West Ham £3m when he joined them from Tottenham during the
summer of 2007. He spent a spell on loan at Premier League rivals Sunderland
last season and has also been loaned out to Watford. The centre-back started
his career at Coventry and has also played on loan at Southampton and
Norwich. Davenport's career was hanging in the balance after the incident
but he has been able to return to light training and swimming after surgery,
which left him with a 15-inch scar on his leg. Doctors had to cut through
muscle to repair the damage to Davenport's artery. Writing on the club
website recently, the player said he was feeling positive. "At the moment I
am still in hospital and have quite a long way to go on the road to recovery
but I am feeling positive," he said. "Thanks to the club, my team-mates and
fans, to the club doctors and the amazing staff at Bedford Hospital who have
looked after me so well."

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GET REAL
The Star

MEGA-RICH David Gold will step up his dream takeover of West Ham next week
but warned: I won't be held to ransom. Former Birmingham chief Gold wants a
route back into football after Carson Yeung's Blues takeover sparked his
departure from the Midlands club. And Gold, together with fellow ex-St
Andrew's co-owner David Sullivan, have identified Upton Park as their
favoured destination. But the club's reported £100m debt is threatening to
scupper Gold's hopes to take control of the club he played for as a kid.
Multi-millionaire Gold wants a cut-price deal for the Hammers that takes
into account the club's massive debts – and is understood to be prepared to
part with only £40m. But CB Holdings, the Icelandic asset management firm
that owns West Ham, want in the region of £120m. And if they play hard ball
on the price, Gold could drop his interest and focus instead on either
Crystal Palace or Charlton. Palace chairman Simon Jordan is ready to bury
the hatchet with Gold over a deal, after the pair had a spiky relationship
since City persuaded manager Steve Bruce to quit Selhurst Park for St
Andrew's in 2001. Bur Jordan said: "All that is in the past now. "The fact
is that David Gold is a very successful businessman, he has done very well
at Birmingham and made a lot of money, so fair play to him.''

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 28

Daily WHUFC News - 28th October 2009

Pride in Poland
WHUFc.com
Alex Dyer was delighted with the attitude shown by his young squad at Arka
Gdynia
27.10.2009

Alex Dyer has declared West Ham United reserves trip to Poland an
unqualified success on and off the pitch. The Hammers, who fielded a
starting XI containing no fewer than nine teenagers, stormed into a 2-0 lead
against hosts Arka Gdynia through goals from Terry Dixon and Switzerland
Under-19 defender Fabio Daprela. Arka, who sit eleventh in Poland's
top-flight, named a strong team for the specially-arranged friendly fixture,
which was held to mark the club's 80th birthday and the 30th anniversary of
their one and only Polish Cup win in 1979. However, it was only when both
managers made a series of substitutions in the closing stages that the home
side's greater experience enabled them to fight back and level the score at
2-2 late on. Dyer said he, his staff and his players had thoroughly enjoyed
their three-day stay in Eastern Pomerania. "We came away on Monday and
everything we have experienced has been good," said the reserve-team
manager. "The people out here have looked after us and the game itself was
good. "We made a few changes by the end of the game but, before that, the
young boys did very well. They have come over and done West Ham United
proud. "It was a hard game but they did well. There was a good crowd of
around 5,000 in the ground and the atmosphere was different from anything
many of them have experienced before."
Dyer was pleased with his whole squad, with Dixon catching the eye with a
neatly taken goal on what was his longest run-out for West Ham since his
recovery from a long-term knee injury. "Terry did well. He played for an
hour or so and he took his goal very well, so I was pleased. His football
was very controlled and it was nice to see him play for so long. "As a
group, the lads came out here with the right approach and they wanted to do
well, which they did."
Dyer concluded by suggesting that the trip to Gdynia could become a regular
fixture for his reserve squad. "I said in the press conference after the
game that we had thoroughly enjoyed every minute we had spent in Poland.
Maybe we can come out here regularly. It was a nice. We needed some
confidence and a lot of the lads will have taken that from this trip. We'd
love to come back if we get the chance."

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Dixon scores in draw
WHUFc.com
Terry Dixon and Fabio Daprela scored their first goals for the club in a
friendly in Poland
27.10.2009

Arka Gdynia 2-2 West Ham United XI

Terry Dixon scored his first goal for West Ham United as Alex Dyer's
reserves drew 2-2 in a specially arranged friendly in Poland with top-flight
side Arka Gdynia. The match was held to mark the 80th anniversary of Arka,
who also lifted the Polish Cup for the only time in their history 30 years
ago and is the club which provided the Hammers with Academy right-back Filip
Modelski. Dyer's men took the lead on nine minutes when Nigel Quashie's
free-kick was not properly cleared by the hosts and, after Georg Grasser's
header, Dixon pounced to score with a neat low left-foot finish into the
corner from eight yards out. Fabio Daprela then pounced from close range to
make it 2-0 just after the hour, with Quashie again involved, before the
home side, who are eleventh in the 16-team Ekstraklasa, battled back in a
last 20 minutes dominated by a host of substitutions by both teams. Dixon
had partnered Frank Nouble up front for the first hour, while Bondz N'Gala
had the honour of captaining the side. It was the second match against
continental opposition for the club in recent weeks after a home friendly
against French top-flight side Valenciennes. The young Hammers will return
home on Wednesday with the Under-18s set to play Arsenal in the FA Premier
Academy League this coming weekend.

West Ham United: Stech, Brookes, Brown, N'Gala, Daprela, Quashie, Grasser,
Wearen, Kearns, Nouble, Dixon

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Modelski in Poland picture
WHUFC.com
The 17-year-old Polish right-back Filip Modelski had good reason for missing
a friendly against his old club
27.10.2009

Filip Modelski had good reason for missing out on a trip to face his old
club Arka Gdynia this week because of a return to international duty. The
17-year-old Hammers right-back left Arka for east London two years ago, but
was sadly absent in the 2-2 draw between the clubs on Tuesday night because
of his country's call. Modelski was instead with the Poland Under-18s,
preparing for a Wednesday friendly in Bulgaria. Nevertheless, he was eager
to tell all his club-mates all about his old club and the warm reception
they and Alex Dyer's coaching staff would receive. "It will be really good
for us to have a different experience," he said. "A lot of people are
excited about this match in Poland and there should be a good crowd. "It is
a shame that I don't get to play against my local team. It would have been
nice to play against my old mates and in front of my friends and family.
Quite a few people will come to watch the game. They are really excited to
have West Ham coming over. "There are a lot of West Ham supporters. They
love the club and follow how we do every week on TV. A lot of them come over
as well to watch West Ham games. They are very interested to see us live in
Poland."
While Arka's 12,000-capacity stadium provided a different experience from
playing at the Boleyn Ground, Modelski explained his club-mates will have
other Polish customs to get used to, such as the cuisine. "Our players will
be surprised by the food. It is quite different to English food, I can't
even describe what it will be like for them. I am sure they will like it if
they try it, Polish cooking is nice."
Modelski said there is an increasing buzz back home because of the 2012 UEFA
European Championship, to be jointly hosted with Ukraine. Although he has
missed out on this chance to play in his homeland this time, he does harbour
ambitions of returning for the finals as a West Ham first-team player. "That
would be a dream. I will only be 20 but who knows in three years I could be
playing. I have a lot of hard work to do though. The excitement is growing
for 2012. The fans in Poland like international football and it is going to
get bigger."
First for Modelski though is proving himself in the Academy under Tony Carr,
and he continues to improve after overcoming a serious knee injury suffered
at the turn of the year. The Under-18s have a "massive game" away to Arsenal
on Saturday morning and the defender is just delighted to be involved. "I am
really happy with how things have gone. I am really pleased for the people
who have worked with me and they have helped me so much. I am playing full
games, I feel fit, stronger than I was. "I feel so strong mentally after
injury. I was coming in every day at 8am to do the best I could with my
rehab and I think it is paying off."
Modelski's international ambitions have been on hold while he was out
injured but he was delighted to be called up again at the first opportunity.
He said his team-mates were all curious about his West Ham experience. "It
is quite nice to be back. I can't wait for it. Most of my team-mates are
playing in Poland, a few are in Germany and one is Holland but most are back
home. "They ask me about West Ham all the time. They ask what it is like in
England and how I am doing. I tell them about the training we do and what
the matches are like. It is a great club and I tell everyone that."

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'We're all together'
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson believes there is a strong unity in the squad as thoughts turn
to Sunderland
27.10.2009

Matthew Upson has spoken of the togetherness in the camp as the squad look
to Saturday's trip to Sunderland with renewed confidence. The West Ham
United captain said the second-half display last weekend against Arsenal
summed up the belief behind the manager. "We were determined to go out there
and get back into the game. We did that, we ground it out and got back in.
"The team has fighting spirit. We spoke about that at half-time and went
back out there to give it a go, we had nothing to lose at that point. It
shows we're all together, a second-half comeback like that shows we're all
together and behind the manager. "We have been getting penalised for every
mistake, every half mistake of late we have been making. They have cost us
but it was good to get back in there and maybe we could have even won it."
The England international said the squad and in particular the manager
Gianfranco Zola were only concerned about what they did on the pitch, and
not those writing the club off already. "Criticism comes your way in this
job, especially for managers. But I am sure he can deal with it all. "We
will all take the criticism on the chin together, do something about it and
continue to come back from any of it in a positive manner."
Summing up that response was his England team-mate Robert Green who produced
a stunning match-winning save at the death to save a point - and underline
his international credentials when the goalkeeping position is under close
scrutiny. "He's a strong lad, he's been brilliant and anything like that can
only make him stronger."

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Dixon in pole position as Hammers earn draw
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

Alex Dyer's reserves earned a creditable draw in their mid-season friendly
against Arka Gdynia in Poland tonight. A young Hammers XI - plus Nigel
Quashie - surged into a 2-0 lead before the Ekstraklasa outfit scored twice
late on to ensure a share of the spoils. Terry Dixon continued his
rehabilitation with a goal inside the opening ten minutes (which you can see
below). The Irish striker pounced inside the six yard box to convert Georg
Grasser's centre. West Ham - who were well-represented on the terraces by a
healthy group of Polish-based Hammers fans - went two ahead on 62 minutes
when Swiss full-back Fabio Daprela scored from close range. But Arka - whose
ground is the northern-most venue of the Polish first division's 16 clubs -
almost immediately reduced the deficit to one again through midfielder Filip
Burkhardt. With just four minutes remaining, and with the Hammers looking as
if they would hold on for a well-deserved win, Arka snatched a dramatic
equaliser through Bartosz Lawa - ensuring the game, arranged as a condition
of the recent transfer of youngster Filip Modelski from Arka to West Ham
ended 2-2. Dixon, who harbours hopes of breaking into Gianfranco Zola's
first team squad this season played 57 minutes before being replaced by
Oliver Lee. Captain for the day was centre half Bondz N'Gala, who made his
first team debut in the 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at Bolton last month.

Arka Gdynia 2 West Ham United 2: match facts

West Ham United XI: Stech (Loveday 77), Brookes, Brown (Barrett 61),
Quashie, N'Gala, Daprela, Kearns (Okus 73), Wearen (Ferrari 73), Nouble
(Adbulla 56), Dixon (Lee 57), Grasser (Zola 64).
Goals: Dixon (9), Daprela (62).

Arka Gdynia: Witkowski, Kowalski (Brodzinski 46), Szmatiuk (Plotka 46),
Siebert (Bialas 46), Wilczynski (Robakowski 46), Karwan (Burkhardt 46),
Mrowiec (Lawa 46), Sulima (Ulanowski 46), Lubenov (Sokolowski 46), Trytko
(Labukas 46), Czoska (Bulka 46).
Goals: Burkhardt (68), Lawa (86).

Referee: Dawid Piasecki.
Attendance: 8,942.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bournemouth plead to keep West Ham star
Published 23:00 27/10/09 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Bournemouth have asked the Football League to lift their transfer embargo
and enable them to extend West Ham midfielder Anthony Edgar's loan into a
second month.

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Zola willing to pay price for Italian Cassano
28.10.09 | Ian Ferris

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Italy Antonio Cassano as the man to
drag the Hammers out of trouble, reports the Daily Mail. The Hammers have
been told that the Sampdoria striker is out of their price range, but Zola
will not give up after seeing his side score just 11 goals in nine games.
Cassano has a buyout clause of £14.5million and West Ham would need to
secure new investment to launch a concrete bid for the 27-year-old. Zola
hoped the fighting spirit showed by his team's comeback to get a 2-2 draw
with Arsenal on Sunday will attract new money into Upton Park.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Tuesday, October 27

Daily WHUFC News - 27th October 2009

Hammers head to Poland
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer has taken a reserve squad to Poland for a special friendly on Tuesday
26.10.2009

West Ham United's reserve team have arrived in Poland for a specially-arranged friendly with Polish side Arka Gdynia on Tuesday. The high-profile game, which will be screened live on Polish TV, will mark a double anniversary for Arka this year. It is 80 years since the club were formed, while it also 30 years since they lifted the Polish Cup for the one and only time.
West Ham United agreed to play in the match having forged a relationship with the club after youth-team player Filip Modelski left Arka to join West Ham United. Reserve-team manager Alex Dyer said: "It will be a good crowd and it will be live on Polish TV. I've stressed to the boys that we are going out there and we are representing West Ham United and we need to put on a good show."
Dyer is set to call on his reserve-team regulars, so captain Bondz N'Gala, Fabio Daprela, Nigel Quashie, Olly Lee and Frank Nouble, fresh from his stunning strike at Chelsea last week, could all figure. They will also be joined by youth-team prospects Jordan Brown, Conor Okus and Ahmed Abdulla. "It's a young squad and we will have a couple of young lads who have been around the first-team squad like Bondz N'Gala, Fabio Daprela and Frank Nouble. We are going to play their first team so it will be good experience for the boys and me as well. "I hope they will learn how they conduct themselves in a different environment and also how different teams play. They will learn and I will learn how other teams conduct themselves and it will be a beneficial trip for us."
West Ham United could have some good support at the Stadion GOSiR with some fans already having made the trip over from England. They will be added to by the West Ham United Supporters Club Poland, who plan to have more than 20 fans travelling to the game from across the country.

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Duo set for Lakeside
WHUFC.com
Fans have the chance to meet two of the first team at a Lakeside signing session on Tuesday
26.10.2009

Alessandro Diamanti and Luis Jimenez are set to appear at a special signing session at the Lakeside Shopping Centre store on Tuesday afternoon. The first-team pair are due to be at the club shop for an hour on 27 October from around 2.45pm and will be signing a maximum of two items for each supporter to allow as many fans to see them as possible. Anyone going along is advised to get there early to avoid missing out. Please note that all player appearances are subject to change and any updates will be provided as soon as possible via whufc.com. Carlton Cole and James Tomkins are due to be at the Stadium store this coming Thursday afternoon.

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Hall on England high
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were well represented by Robert Hall on Young Lions duty on Monday
26.10.2009

Robert Hall came off the bench to score twice in eleven minutes of coming on as England Under-17s cruised to victory on Monday morning. The Young Lions were 6-2 winners against Kazakhstan in the opening Group 1 match of a four-team qualifying mini-tournament being played in Azerbaijan for the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Hall came on in the 62nd minute, scored his first four minutes later and then added a second soon afterwards.

The young forward will hope to have done enough to start when England take on the Azeri hosts on Wednesday before rounding out the group against Serbia on Saturday. The top two nations in the round-robin group will progress to the Elite round to be played next spring before the eight-nation finals in Liechtenstein in May.

Hall, still only 16, is the fifth West Ham striker to impress for England this month after his Academy club-mate Matthias Fanimo shone for the U16s in a 1-0 win against Wales in their opening match of the Victory Shield last week. Fanimo and Blair Turgott have both been called up for Thursday week's match against Northern Ireland.

Frank Nouble played three times in a week in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers, Zavon Hines lit up the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign with two goals on his debut and Carlton Cole played twice for the seniors as they put the seal on 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification with wins.

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Team effort cheers Cole
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was a happy man after playing his part in the superb comeback against Arsenal
26.10.2009

At well after 8pm on Sunday, Carlton Cole cut a lone figure in the West Ham United players' car park signing autograph after autograph for a group of delighted fans. His team-mates and manager had all departed but Cole was unconcerned about being the last one left. Two hours before he had played a major role in a thrilling fightback as the Hammers came from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal. As he signed pictures and programmes, T-shirts and tops, Cole more than deserved the plaudits that came his way.

Before he had walked out into the night to receive the praise from fans, Cole spoke about his man of the match contribution and his determination to see the team start picking up even more points. "It was a really turbulent match," he said. "We had gone 2-0 down and our backs were against the wall. When we came in at half-time and we were 2-0 down, I don't think we deserved it. The players just dug in and in the second half we got the results that we wanted. The second half we won 2-0.

"As professional footballers we can't have that attitude that 'if we're 2-0 down we can't come back into the game' - you've got to keep plugging away. I wasn't happy at half-time. I want to put in a performance where I can say I at least tried my best and it actually turned into our favour and we could have gone on to win the game even with ten men. "It's not just the starting XI that has got the influence in the game. It is the substitutes, the staff in and around the game. Everyone has got a part to play. The subs that came on did brilliantly. Alessandro [Diamanti] got his goal and Zavon [Hines] was a nuisance and that's all you can ask for from your substitutes. They were brilliant."

Also deserving of praise were the fans, like those who had braved the cold for a chance to get his signature. Cole was pleased to be able to repay them on the pitch for singing his name throughout and urging him on. "The fans want to see entertainment and they got their fair share of it today with four goals. We could have played better but I think we deserved a 2-2 draw and we got the result."

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Upson backing for Zola
Hammers centre-back sounds support for boss and Green
Last updated: 26th October 2009
SSN

West Ham defender Matthew Upson claims everyone at Upton Park maintains full faith in manager Gianfranco Zola. The Hammers boss has come in for criticism following a disappointing start to the season where his side have failed to win since the opening day at Wolves. West Ham battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with high-flying Arsenal on Sunday to raise morale, but they remain in the Premier League relegation zone. Zola, who took over last season, has therefore been heavily scrutinised, but Upson insists that the Hammers squad are backing their chief. "Everyone is behind the manager," said Upson. "We have been penalised for every mistake we have made this season, and it has cost us. He added: "Criticism is going to come your way, especially as a manager, and I am sure he is used to dealing with it. "We will take the criticism on the chin, do something about it and come back in a positive way for him. "I think we can take a lot of positive belief out of this. It was a display of spirit in the team, because we were down and out of it at half-time. "No-one expected us to get back in the game, but we hung in there and ground it out."
England international Upson has also praised the way his fellow World Cup hopeful and club team-mate Robert Green has come through a testing period, which saw him sent off in Ukraine. "It was really tough for him because he has waited a long time to get the England jersey. Then he came in and had a disappointment," said Upson. "That is what tests you and asks questions about your character, but I think he has been answering them."

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Zola will get it right at West Ham, says Matthew Upson
Published 23:00 26/10/09 By John Cross
The Mirror

West Ham captain Matt Upson last night promised Gianfranco Zola will come through the ultimate test of his managerial career. Under-pressure Zola is stuck second from bottom in the Premier League after a nightmare start to the campaign. But England defender Upson says West Ham's battling draw against Arsenal on Sunday shows that all of his team-mates are determined to turn things around for their manager. Upson said: "Everyone is behind the manager. We have been penalised for every half mistake we have made this season and it has cost us. "It was nice to get back in there against a class team like Arsenal and possibly go on to look like we could have won it. "Criticism is going to come your way, especially as a manager, and I am sure he is used to dealing with it. "We'll take the criticism on the chin, do something about it and come back in a positive way for him. We'll have to use it like that."
It has also been a difficult time for West Ham keeper Robert Green after a nightmare two weeks for club and country. Green was sent off in Ukraine in England's World Cup qualifier, is in danger of losing his place under Fabio Capello and made a howler of a mistake to gift Arsenal their opening goal on Sunday. But Green battled back and made a stunning injury time save to earn West Ham a point and Upson paid tribute to his England team-mate's mental strength and says he can still be number one at the World Cup.
Upson added: "It was really tough for him because he has waited a long time to get the jersey, come in and had a disappointment. "That's what tests you and asks questions about your character, but I think he has been answering them. "His head hasn't gone down, he is going to stick to what he has been doing and still has that goal of going to the World Cup and playing for England. "I can see no reason why it is going to affect him - he needs to stay mentally strong and keep his form."

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West Ham 2-2 Arsenal
ViewLondon.co.uk

West Ham came back from two goals behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Upton Park. Goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas had given Arsenal a two-goal half-time lead, but Alessandra Diamanti and Carlton struck in the final 18 minutes to give the Hammers a deserved point. Arsenal looked the stronger of the two sides from the start and created their first opportunity in the first minute when Alex Song lofted a ball through to Van Persie, but he failed to connect properly with his header. Van Persie was in the action again two minutes later when he surged down the left wing, and tested West Ham keeper Robert Green with a fierce drive at the near post. Arsenal took the lead just after the quarter hour mark, and it was indeed Van Persie who got the goal at the third time of asking. Sagna's right-wing cross looked to be heading straight to Green, but he collided with James Tomkins and the Ditch international finished into an empty net. West Ham were attempting to get back into the match, but for all their approach play, they lacked a final killer ball, with only a deflected cross from Mark Noble troubling the Arsenal goal. Van Persie came close to adding a second on 26 minutes, but his glancing header from Andrei Arshavin's cross just evaded the far post. Arsenal did make it two ten minutes later, with Van Persie turning the provider. He delivered a corner from the right-hand side, and William Gallas towered above the West Ham defence to head in, despite the effort of Scott Parker on the goal line. Emmanuel Eboue came close to sealing the points for Arsenal in first-half injury time, but his low shot from just outside the penalty area was kept out by Green. Gianfranco Zola introduced Diamanti just before the hour mark and he gave his side more urgency, with two long range efforts in quick succession. On 62 minutes, Cesc Fabregas tried his luck form 30 yards but his shot went agonisingly wide.
The visitors came close again ten minutes later when Fabregas teed up Arshavin, but his 20-yard curling effort was parried away by Green. A minute later, the Hammers pulled a goal back. Diamanti's free kick was well kept out by Vito Mannone but Cole responded quickest to head in the rebound. The goal galvanised West Ham and they equalised six minutes later from the penalty spot. Song was adjudged to have clipped Cole's heels and Diamanti converted the kick leaving Mannone with no chance. West Ham's Scott Parker was harshly sent off with six minutes to go for two yellow cards; with the second caution coming after he appeared to have won the ball. That gave Arsenal the momentum and they very nearly won it in injury time when Sagna crossed for Van Persie, but his header was somehow kept out by Green from point blank range.

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Gianfranco Zola draws more pleasure from a share of the spoils
Matthew Norman
26.10.09
Evening Standard

Two gigantic questions hung over Upton Park when this fixture began, and despite much of the journey being aimless, circuitous and mind-numbingly dreary we arrived at both answers in the end.

Are Arsenal good enough to win the Premier League? No, they are not. Not without adding some reinforced steel to this squad, anyway. And are Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United bad enough to be relegated? By no means. Not, at least, while Carlton Cole maintains such imperious form.

For 75 minutes, until a third hideous goalkeeping error acted as the defibrillator paddles to get the pulse of this flatlining affair beating again, you weren't sure on either front. West Ham worked hard but without any confidence, while sluggish Arsenal were content to coast to the win seemingly guaranteed by the first-half goals gifted, to Robin van Persie and William Gallas, by Robert Green.

The goalkeeper's pitiful judgment on crosses should have him barred, by Act of Parliament, from the English net next summer. I know the alternatives, David James and Ben Foster, inspire the sort of confidence a geriatric would feel if a mischievous relative turned up for Halloween in a Harold Shipman mask, but Green was so poor that Fabio Capello is advised to give the third keeper's spot to Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence or any other once-reliable Englishman - no, Seaman, not you - the right side of 60.

Arsene Wenger hit that milestone last week, of course, and many belated happy returns for that. In all this goodwill, he'll forgive me observing that all yesterday confirmed is that there's no fool like an old fool. How often must he watch Arsenal throw away leads through headless chicken defending before he buys a defender or defensive midfielder, or both, capable of killing off games like this? Yet again, as in the Champions League on Tuesday, the lack of a couple of battle-hardened old salts cost him dear.

For Zola, the cuddliest of Premier League gaffers, justice was ultimately done, because from the start there had been very little between these teams other than Green's howlers - the first on rushing out when he should have stayed on his line, the second when he repeated that trick in reverse.

The opening half was the most lacklustre I've seen all season, largely perhaps because the usually voluble Upton Park crowd never found its voice. Small wonder the atmosphere was sepulchral though, with West Ham marooned in both the bottom three and an unending financial crisis.

For much of the second half, the quietude and passionless play continued to hint at a training session. Arsenal, lacking their usual crispness, relied on Andrey Arshavin for what sporadic creativity there was. West Ham created little, meanwhile, despite the spry efforts of Scott Parker in midfield and the controlled aggression of Carlton Cole.

No more lavish compliment can I pay the latter than that he reminded me strongly of Didier Drogba at his best, and without the nonsense. On this form Cole should be a live contender for Don Fabio's World Cup squad, and it was scant reward for a mighty performance when Vito Mannone's girly flap diverted a harmless free kick on to his head for the goal that turned the game.

Moments later, with Arsenal panicking as they always do when a lead is halved, Parker was tripped after a storming run into the Arsenal box. However, referee Chris Foy preferred to wait and reward a much weaker penalty claim, for Alex Song's innocuous challenge on the rampant Cole, by pointing spotward.

Alessandro Diamanti, a canny substitution by Zola although less so than his introduction of the highly impressive Zavon Hines, converted it adroitly. Natural justice screamed for the West Ham winner that might have come had Parker not been unluckily dismissed, to repay West Ham for doughtily battling on when all seemed lost at 0-2.

Cesc Fabregas, not at his best here, may make a better captain than the dotty Gallas, but Bligh, Birdseye, Pugwash and Sensible would all comfortably vault that hurdle too.

With Manchester United and Liverpool so much weaker than last season, Manchester City not yet the finished article, and Chelsea currently so vulnerable on their travels, this is hardly a strong Premier League. Arsenal are no more than an elder statesman or two away from being deadly serious rivals to Chelsea.

As for West Ham, they have far too much spirit and quality, and far too many weaker sides within reach at the bottom, to fret unduly about demotion. A frantic finale could not disguise that this was a leaden game of football, but if it transfuses the Hammers with the lifeblood of self-belief, as it certainly should, it will be worth more to the lovable Zola than its weight in gold.

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Players dedicate hard-fought draw with Arsenal to Gianfranco Zola
James Olley
26.10.09
Evening Standard

Matthew Upson today claimed West Ham's battling display against Arsenal proves the team are united firmly behind manager Gianfranco Zola. The Hammers came back from 2-0 down at half time to earn a draw through Carlton Cole's header and a penalty from substitute Alessandro Diamanti. Zola has been under fire owing to West Ham's failure to win a League match since the opening day of the season but Upson believes the Italian will survive his most testing period in charge. "Everyone is behind the manager," said the 30-year-old. "We have been penalised for every mistake we have made this season and it has cost us. "It was nice to get back in there against a class team like Arsenal — and we possibly could have won it. "Criticism is going to come your way, especially as a manager, and I am sure he is used to dealing with it. We'll take the criticism on the chin, do something about it and come back in a positive way for him."
Robin van Persie and William Gallas had given the Gunners a comfortable lead before the home side rallied but the Hammers needed a stunning late save from goalkeeper Robert Green to keep Arsenal at bay. Upson hailed Green's resilience after his red card for England in Ukraine. He said: "It was really tough for him because he has waited a long time to get the England jersey, come in and had a disappointment. "That's what tests you and asks questions about your character but he answered them."

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy criticised referee Chris Foy for awarding a penalty when Alex Song felled Cole, saying: "On the penalty, I am really sure it is not a foul. The referee is just in front of it and sometimes the decision goes against you. For me it wasn't a foul."

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Arsenal 2-2 West Ham: Referee more to blame than a lack of killer instinct
By Andy @ Arsenal FC Blog ⋅ October 26, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
http://arsenalfcblog.com/arsenal-2-2-west-ham-referee-more-to-blame-than-a-lack-of-killer-instinct/

Arsenal 2 (van Persie 16, Gallas 37)
West Ham 2 (Cole 74, Diamanti pen 80)

For the second time in a week Arsenal had two points nicked away from them late on by an opponent that they should have beaten. But those of you expecting me to criticise our team for throwing the game away via complacency and an inability to put West Ham away have come to the wrong place.

The truth is that until Abou Diaby was ridiculously penalised for being bear-hugged by Zavon Hines and Carlton Cole punished Vito Mannone's poor effort, Arsenal were in complete control and playing well at Upton Park. Even then it took another appalling referring decision to see the Hammers pull level, Alex Song being harshly adjudged of bringing down Cole in the penalty area and Alessandro Diamanti scoring from the spot.

From 2-0 up and coasting it was 2-2 and in my opinion any fingers being pointed at the team for failing to kill off West Ham are extremely harsh. Until the home team's first goal we performed extremely well and good chances created by van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas accompanied the two first-half goals. Even after being pegged back to 2-2 we should have won the game, van Persie heading straight at Robert Green with the goal gaping.

The team that started against West Ham was the same as the one that drew against Alkmaar midweek with Mannone keeping his spot in the team ahead of Manuel Almunia. I made clear my view that I felt the Spaniard should have been brought back in for the Italian at Upton Park and while it's impossible to predict whether that change would have altered the result, it's undeniable that Mannone was at fault for the opener.

I don't want to criticise the young goalkeeper too much because I feel he's done quite well overall since being brought in, but yesterday was the third blemish on his record after spilling the ball against Birmingham and allowing a header to float over him against Blackburn. With the North London derby coming up next weekend I'll say again that it's time for Almunia, our best and most experienced goalkeeper, to return.

Aside from the goalkeeper I can really only think of one person who drastically underperformed last night and that was Arsene Wenger. I felt the manager missed an opportunity to make a substitution or two to give the team a little bit more spark to the team when they were coasting around the hour mark. I thought bringing on Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo or even Samir Nasri earlier would have helped maintain our tempo. Once West Ham got their goal though, we struggled to regain control of the match and by the time the substitutes did arrive we were very much playing a different game.

Yesterday's result was perhaps made worse by the fact that Manchester United lost to Liverpool and a win would have given us the opportunity to use our game in hand to move to the top of the table. As it was, after being 2-0 up this was a hard result to take and the sort of which desperately needs to be avoided as the season progresses. Conceding late to Alkmaar is unlikely to stop us from winning the Champions League but dropping more points in the manner that we did against West Ham will almost certainly prevent us from winning the Premiership.

As much as I am frustrated about last night's game – and believe me, I am – I still don't think the team should be overly criticised for their efforts. As painful as it was to see the points snatched away from us, it was much more the referee's poor performance that contributed to the result than any complacency or lack of a killer instinct by our own players.

A big week awaits with Liverpool in the Carling Cup and Tottenham in the league. Just how will our boys respond?

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Monday, October 26

Daily WHUFC News - 26th October 2009

West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
WHUFC.com
25.10.2009

Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Arsenal
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 25 October
4.15pm
Referee: Chris Foy

FT - West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal

94 mins - We've got about a minute to go. Will we see any late drama? Hines
does well, winning the ball in midfield before belting it deep into the
Arsenal half. Seconds later, Hines battles hard again before Tomkins
completes the clearance. Referee Foy brings proceedings to a close and his
final whistle is met with a loud cheer from all corners of the Boleyn
Ground, followed by a rousing chorus of 'Bubbles'. That point could really
be a turning point for West Ham's season. Confidence will be much higher now
ahead of next week's trip to the Stadium of Light to face a Sunderland side
beaten by Birmingham City on Saturday.

93 mins - West Ham are still pressing hard for a winner of their own. Cole
wins the ball on the left wing and finds Collison. The midfielder passes to
Diamanti, whose first touch is superb, but his second sends the ball flying
high into the Bobby Moore Stand.

92 mins - Kovac replaces Behrami for the last couple of minutes.

91 mins - We're going to have four added minutes at least. They start with a
bang as Green makes a brilliant save with his legs from van Persie. That was
so, so close! Green was right on his goal-line when he blocked the effort.

90 mins - Superb play from Diamanti, who sends Cole clear down the left with
a magnificent pass. The striker cuts inside Vermaelen, but loses his footing
at the vital moment.

89 mins - Mystery still surrounds the reason for Parker's second yellow
card, but there is speculation that it may have been for handball.

88 mins - Diamanti does superbly to maintain possession in midfield before
finding Spector. The Arsenal defence momentarily parts in front of the
American, but Vermaelen closes him down and blocks his shot. Wenger replaces
Diaby with Eduardo.

86 mins - Ilunga sets off down the left and does well to win a free-kick on
the touchline. West Ham send forward all the big guns as Diamanti curls the
ball over. The ball drops to Collison, but he volleys well wide.

85 mins - Parker is sent-off for a second bookable offence. I'm not entirely
sure what for. He made a challenge on Fabregas but appeared to get the ball.

84 mins - West Ham are pushing on for a winner here. They need to get the
balance right between attack and defence. A point from 2-0 down against
Arsenal is a good result in anyone's book.

82 mins - Arsene Wenger makes his first change, replacing Eboue with Nicklas
Bendtner.

81 mins - There is a real cauldron-like atmosphere here now. Can West Ham go
on and win it?

80 mins - GOAL! Diamanti doesn't succumb to the gamesmanship, burying his
spot-kick low to Mannone's left. The keeper dived the right way, but he got
nowhere near it.

80 mins - Mannone attempts to slow things down by walking up to Diamanti. He
is booked by referee Foy.

79 mins - Penalty! Cole receives Spector's throw and attempts to turn before
going down under Song's challenge. Diamanti immediately grabs the ball.

77 mins - Diamanti has made a difference here. There is no doubt about that.
He whips another ball into the area from wide on the right. Parker brings
down Eboue as he races clear and follows Collison into the book.

76 mins - Big shouts for a penalty as Parker drove into the area and went
down as he rounded Gallas. Referee Foy gives nothing. Replays are
inconclusive.

75 mins - The home crowd are in full voice now. Arsenal kick-off and win a
free-kick down the left which also leads to a booking for Collison.

74 mins - GOAL! Not quite, but who cares are Cole stabs in from close-range
to put the Hammers right back in it. Diamanti's free-kick curled over the
wall, fellow countryman Mannone was only able to parry the ball into the
six-yard box, and Cole was in the right place to slot home.

73 mins - Determined play from Hines wins a free-kick just outside the
Arsenal penalty area. Diamanti scored from almost exactly this position on
his debut for the reserves. Can he repeat the trick?

72 mins - Good save by Green. Fabregas dropped his shoulder and scooted past
Ilunga before feeding Arshavin. The Russian took a touch before hammering in
a shot that Green did well to claw behind for a corner. Van Persie crosses
and Tomkins heads powerfully clear.

71 mins - Hines is booked for sliding in late on Clichy as the Frenchman
cleared the ball. Seconds earlier, the striker had seen his shot blocked
after being sent in by a neat scooped pass from fellow substitute Diamanti.

69 mins - Interesting play from Eboue, who skips past Ilunga before smashing
the ball miles wide of the near post.

67 mins - Better from West Ham. Behrami finds Collison inside the centre
circle. The Welshman breaks forward before clipping the ball into Hines, who
controls on his chest. Cole picks up possession, but can only lash wide on
the half-turn.

64 mins - Arsenal's movement and passing are very impressive at times. Zola
makes his second change, sending on the newly-capped England Under-21
striker Zavon Hines for Franco. Hines netted twice on his U21 bow. If he can
do so again this afternoon, he'll be an absolute hero.

62 mins - A loose defensive header from Gallas falls to Cole. He appears to
mis-control, but the ball drops into the path of Diamanti. Again the Italian
lets fly, but again the ball bounces wide of the post. Fabregas responds
with a rasping effort of his own from long-range which flashes inches wide
of Green's top corner.

60 mins - Diamanti fires in a shot from about 35 yards that bounces wide of
Mannone's goal. His effort is met with a cheer. West Ham haven't given up,
clearly.

59 mins - A long spell of Arsenal possession is ended when Collison fouls
Sagna. The home fans break out into song with a verse of 'Come on you
Irons'. Fine sentiments.

57 mins - The Italian is immediately into the action, sending Ilunga off
down the left flank with a clever reverse pass, only for the DR Congo
defender to overhit his centre.

56 mins - Noble is the man to go off. Diamanti, sporting a new crewcut hair
style, is on.

54 mins - Arshavin teases Spector before rifling the ball across the
six-yard box, but there are no Gunners around to apply the finishing touch.
Diamanti is stripped and ready to enter the fray. Who will be the man
replaced?

53 mins - Stanislas, Hines and Diamanti are all warming up on the touchline.
Will manager Zola go for broke and throw on a third or even fourth forward
to support Franco and Cole?

51 mins - West Ham are definitely in the ascendancy at the moment and there
is a loud cheer when Song brings down Cole 35 yards out and Foy gives a
free-kick. Noble clips the ball in, but Vermaelen heads clear. Behrami's
follow-up shot is blocked too and Arsenal eventually clear.

49 mins - Behrami is penalised for a foul on Fabregas, He is not too
impressed with the decision, nor is he seconds later when he is blocked off
by Clichy and the referee gives nothing.

47 mins - Noble's corner is too short and headed clear. The ball comes back
to him, but again he fails to beat the first defender. Today's attendance is
announced as 34,442.

46 mins - Cole gets the second half off and running and appears to be fouled
a short time later. Foy gives nothing and Arsenal break through Eboue, who
wins a corner off Ilunga. West Ham clear and the balls is fed to Franco, who
beats one challenge before winning a corner himself off Clichy.

West Ham are the first of the two teams to re-take to the pitch here at the
Boleyn Ground. They are welcomed by a rendition of 'Bubbles' from the home
faithful. The home side are going to need some support if they are to get
back into things after the break.

HT - West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal

48 mins - West Ham are handed a late chance when Cole is fouled wide on the
left, but Noble's free-kick is too short and is easily headed clear. The
Hammers are going to have it all to do after the break.

47 mins - Green is forced into a smart save by Eboue. The Ivory Coast man
showed some neat feet after being set up by Clichy.

46 mins - We're going to have at least three minutes of added time. Can West
Ham find a morale-boosting goal before the break?

45 mins - Cole controls well and finds Franco, who slips the ball to
Behrami. The Switzerland midfielder shoots from the corner of the penalty
area, but his effort is blocked.

44 mins - The visitors are ending the first half on the offensive. Spector
heads behind for another Arsenal corner. Van Persie delivers to the near
post and Green claims.

42 mins - Superb play from Vermaelen, who embarks on a buccaneering run down
the left flank. He gets into a decent crossing position, but the ball flies
long and high and Ilunga is able to clear.

40 mins - West Ham win another corner, but Mannone is alert and claims the
ball when Noble crosses into the penalty area.

37 mins - GOAL! Arsenal double their lead through a William Gallas header.
Fabregas had won a corner when his shot was deflected wide by Noble. Van
Persie whipped over the set piece and Gallas rose highest to power his
effort into the roof of the net via Scott Parker.

35 mins - Cole received a bit of treatment after hurting his knee
challenging for that header, but he's back on the pitch now as Green claims
another high ball into his penalty area.

33 mins - Not yet. Noble's free-kick hits the wall and flies out to the
right wing. Spector curls over a good cross, but Cole can only head wide of
the far post. Replays show he was offside when the American delivered the
ball.

32 mins - Franco is a proper handful. The Mexican is giving Vermaelen some
real problems, and is winning more than his fair share of headers. Another
strong piece of play from the 32-year-old ends with Noble being fouled by
Diaby 30 yards from goal. This is a shooting chance for the former England
Under-21 captain. Can he find an equaliser?

29 mins - Arsenal win a corner as Clichy's cross is deflected behind by
Spector. Arshavin curls the ball over and Green punches before Noble
completes the clearance.

27 mins - Nice football from Arsenal. Clichy gallops down the left and swaps
passes with Arshavin. The Russian curls in a cross, but van Persie can only
glance his header wide under pressure from Upson.

24 mins - Mark Noble gifts Arsenal possession midway inside the West Ham
half. Van Persie looks for a second as if he is in on goal, only for Upson
to make a superb sliding challenge and divert the ball out for a corner,
which Cole then hacks clear.

22 mins - Noble's corner is cleared to Parker 30 yards out, but his shot is
deflected behind for another flag-kick. Noble crosses again from the left,
but the ball in is too high for Upson and Tomkins and the Gunners clear.

21 mins - Good work from Cole, who spins away from his marker and runs a
throw-in deep inside Arsenal territory. The striker works hard to keep
possession on the edge of the penalty area before the ball squirts wide to
Noble, whose low shot is scrambled behind by Mannone.

19 mins - This will be a real test of character, now. West Ham win a
free-kick down the right when Behrami is fouled, but Arsenal are able to
clear through Diaby.

16 mins - GOAL! Arsenal take the lead out of nothing. Sagna gets to the
by-line and curls in a cross that is just out of Green's reach, and the
unmarked van Persie side-foots home at the far post.

15 mins - Tomkins rises highest from Noble's corner, but cannot direct his
header goalwards. Collison wins a throw-in wide on the left and plays a
one-two with Franco before shooting into the net at the second attempt.
Unfortunately, the Mexico striker was flagged offside and the goal is ruled
out. Replays suggest Franco was not offside.

14 mins - Tomkins gets close to van Persie and forces the forward to concede
a throw-in. It is important that West Ham don't give Arsenal any space this
afternoon. The Hammers break down the right and Cole wins a second corner of
the game.

12 mins - West Ham are certainly not going to lose this game through lack of
effort. The players in claret and blue are throwing themselves into every
challenge with real gusto. Arsenal claim a penalty for handball when van
Persie shoots straight at Upson, but Foy ignores the protests.

9 mins - Ooooh! Mannone nearly makes a right hash of Vermaelen's back-pass.
Carlton Cole got a foot to the ball as the goalkeeper tried to clear, but it
flew safely out to Clichy, rather than to a West Ham player. The chance was
created when Franco cleverly flicked on a firm pass from Ilunga. Signs that
West Ham are really up for this.

8 mins - After nearly two minutes of running repairs, Mannone is ready to
continue and boots the free-kick up the field. Van Persie is felled by
Behrami, Fabregas lifts the ball into the penalty area and the assistant
referee raises his flag for offside.

6 mins - The Hammers keep up the pressure, with Ilunga winning a corner off
Sagna. Noble launches the ball into the danger zone, Mannone comes and
collides with Cole. Referee Foy blows for a foul by the big forward, and the
Italian receives some treatment.

5 mins - Good hold-up play from Franco before Collison slips Noble in behind
Gallas. The midfielder stabs the ball towards Cole in the centre, but
Vermaelen is in the right place to clear.

4 mins - Fabregas curls in the corner, but Green is out smartly to punch the
ball out for a throw-in. It is important West Ham hold firm in the early
stages.

3 mins - West Ham respond strongly, with Cole holding off two challenges
before sending the Hammers forward. Collison eventually works an opening for
the England striker, but his shot is blocked and goes out of play. Within a
minute, van Persie gets in behind Spector down the Arsenal left, and Robert
Green has to be alert to palm his rising shot over the crossbar.

1 min - Arsenal come forward early on and could easily take the lead. Alex
Song clips the ball into the area and West Ham try to scramble the ball
clear. Van Persie backheels goalwards, but the ball bounces off James
Tomkins before going out for a goal kick off the Dutchman.

4.18pm - After receiving the go ahead from his fourth official on the
touchline, referee Chris Foy gets us underway. Fabregas and van Persie
kick-off, with Arsenal attacking the Bobby Moore Stand end of the stadium.

4.16pm - Franco receives a rousing round of applause on his home debut. The
mascots join Herbie the Hammer in the centre circle for their pre-match
photographs, and we're nearly ready for kick-off.

4.10pm - The players have left the field now and have gone back to the
dressing rooms for their final briefings.before the game gets underway.

4pm - Well we are just 15 minutes from kick-off here at the Boleyn Ground
and the tension is building. Both sets of players are out wearing the Kick
It Out (racism) message during the warm up. Alessandro Diamanti is looking
sharp with his new shaven head but the real talking point is the first
apperance of Franco in a West Ham United shirt.

Gianfranco Zola made three changes to the West Ham United beaten 2-1 at
Stoke City eight days ago for the Barclays Premier League visit of Arsenal.
Mexico striker Guille Franco was handed his full debut, replacing Alessandro
Diamanti in attack. Jonathan Spector replaced Julien Faubert at right-back,
while Scott Parker returned from a one-match ban to take Radoslav Kovac's
place in defensive midfield.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named the same XI that started Tuesday's 1-1
UEFA Champions League Group H draw with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

In a change to the official matchday programme, Chris Foy has replaced Steve
Bennett as referee for this afternoon's fixture. It is the third time Foy
has officiated a West Ham match this season, having previously been the man
in charge in the opening-day win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as the
3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

The Hammers are searching for their first victory over the Gunners in five
matches, during which time today's hosts have failed to score a single goal.
West Ham's last victory over Arsenal came on 7 April 2007, when a Bobby
Zamora goal saw them win 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

West Ham United: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Diamanti 56), Collison, Franco (Hines 64), Cole
Subs: Kurucz, Faubert, Da Costa, Kovac, Stanislas

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Eboue (Bendtner 82),
Song, Diaby (Eduardo 88), Fabregas, Arshavin, van Persie
Subs: Almunia, Silvestre, Nasri, Gibbs, Ramsey

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Comeback stuns Gunners
WHUFC.com
West Ham United sealed a valuable point after fighting back from two goals
down against Arsenal
25.10.2009

West Ham United staged a hugely impressive comeback from two goals down to
earn a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday. Robin van
Persie opened the scoring in the 16th minute when he slotted home from eight
yards. The hosts then had what appeared to be a legitimate Jack Collison
goal ruled out before William Gallas added a second for the Gunners with a
header just before the break. After a worrying start ,the Hammers could have
crumbled, but a stirring second-half display saw them earn the point through
a Carlton Cole header and an Alessandro Diamanti penalty. And just to add to
the drama, Scott Parker was sent-off late on for two bookable offences. West
Ham United's starting XI saw three changes from the side that faced Stoke
City. Mexico striker Guille Franco was handed his full debut in attack,
while Jonathan Spector was preferred to Julien Fabuert at right-back. Parker
was back from suspension to take his place in midfield with Radoslav Kovac
dropping to the bench. After a flurry of early goalmouth activity, which saw
Cole's shot deflected wide at one end and Robert Green tip over a van Persie
effort at the other, the game settled. That was until it burst back into
life in the 16th minute when West Ham thought they had taken the lead.
Collison exchanged passes with Franco on the left and after his low shot had
been parried by Vito Mannone, he reacted quickest to fire home. The
referee's assistant, though, was to halt the celebrations prematurely by
flagging for an apparent offside, although replays suggested the decision
may have been wrong. To rub salt into the wounds, Arsenal took the lead less
than a minute later when Bacary Sagna crossed from the right and van Persie
gleefully prodded the ball into the net from eight yards. After the early
setback, and knowing they had not beaten Arsenal in any of the last five
attempts, the West Ham players could have let their heads drop but this was
far from the case. They nearly got level in the 22nd minute when Noble's
shot at the near post was turned around by Mannone. Noble was involved again
eleven minutes later when he was tripped 30 yards from goal. He took the
free-kick himself and, after it was cleared as far as Spector on the right,
the United States international's' inch-perfect cross was headed just wide
by Cole. Eight minutes before the break Gallas doubled the lead for the
visitors when he smashed a header in from a van Persie corner to round off
an impressive first half for the north Londoners. It could have been worse
for the home side shortly after the break when Green was called into action
by Andrey Arshavin, but the England No1 was able to parry the Russian's shot
out for a corner. The home side gave themselves a lifeline with 16 minutes
to go when Cole bagged his fifth league goal of the season. Zavon Hines, who
had impressed since arriving as 64th minute substitute for Franco, won a
free-kick 25 yards out. Diamanti, who himself had come for Noble eight
minutes before Hines' introduction, forced Mannone into a diving save. The
ball only came back out as far as Cole, who headed into the net from
close-range. Collison and Parker were both booked as the tempo on the pitch
increased and then, just moments after a big penalty shout for a trip on
Parker by Gallas in the area was ignored by referee Chris Foy, the official
awarded West Ham a spot-kick for Alex Song's foul on Cole. After a melee in
the area which saw Mannone booked for trying to delay the penalty, Diamanti
stepped up and comfortably beat his fellow Italian from 12 yards to send the
home support among the 34,442 fans inside the stadium into a state of
ecstasy.
The drama was far from over, though, as Parker saw red for his second
booking after Foy had seen him handle the ball on the floor. Parker's exit
prompted Zola to bring on Kovac for the tireless Behrami. Green denied
Arsenal and, in particular, van Persie, an added-time winner when he somehow
blocked the Dutchman's header right on his own goal line, and West Ham
survived to pick up a valuable and emotional point. The huge cheers that
greeted Foy's whistle at the end signified just how much the home players
had impressed in the second half. Now, they must try to take that form with
them when they travel to Sunderland next Saturday.

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Zola hails 'fighting spirit'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has praised his West Ham United team after Sunday's
thrilling comeback against Arsenal
25.10.2009

Gianfranco Zola lauded the never-say-die spirit of his West Ham United
players after they stormed back to secure a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw
with Arsenal. The Hammers looked outsiders to avoid anything other than a
defeat as they trudged back to the Boleyn Ground home dressing room two
goals down at half-time. A little over an hour later, the frowns had turned
to smiles after goals from the superb Carlton Cole and substitute Alessandro
Diamanti saw the hosts battle back from the dead against Arsene Wenger's
high-flying Gunners. Zola, who had likened himself to a 'warrior' rather
than a worrier in the run-up to Sunday's game, hailed the fighting attitude
displayed by his players. "The spirit shown by the team was the best thing
about today's game, along with the participation and the support the crowd
gave us. They were the best things that I have seen today. It's not a
victory, but it sounds like it. "That's what I was looking for because, no
matter what, the fighting spirit has to all the time be there. It is
something that we can't really do without, so I was pleased with that. "I
repeat that last week I saw something changing and that is very important.
Today, I have seen something more and it's very encouraging for me, to be
honest. "Trust me, it was very difficult in that situation. They did it
really until the end and I am very pleased and proud of them. "It was
difficult and we did it, so that means we can do it all the time. With that
spirit and with the qualities we have got in the team, I think we can do
important things, starting today, and I hope we can continue like that."
Having shown such tenacity against one of the Barlcays Premier League's 'big
four', West Ham will go to Sunderland next Saturday hoping to secure the
victory that could carry them out of the bottom-three. "I don't want to take
any credit for the comeback. It's just the players wanted to react. We said
to each other that no matter what, we fight until the end. No matter what,
we fight until the end, we give everything and, at the end of the day, we
see what happens. "That was the difference. We went there, we never gave up,
the crowd gave us something extra and we made it happen. "That's the story
of life. No matter the difficulty you through, you fight until the end. "We
have the quality. I am sure that this team has got quality. It just needs a
little bit more confidence because in this moment it's not great. At the
moment, every time we have a mistake, they score. It doesn't help. We need
to fight, fight, fight and then we'll see in the end."
Two players who could start at the Stadium of Light are Diamanti and England
Under-21 striker Zavon Hines, who both made a hugely positive impact after
appearing as second-half substitutes. "Diamanti made a big difference, and
Zavon as well was very positive when he came on. They did very well for us
and I'm pleased because Alessandro is a player who can give us something
extra. "Don't forget him and also [Luis] Jimenez are important players. They
are coming from a championship [Serie A] that is different and is easier
than this, so they need some time to adapt. They have got qualities and
those qualities will be important for West Ham."
Another player who showed his qualities was England goalkeeper Robert Green,
who displayed his international class by keeping out seemingly goalbound
Robin van Persie's 91st-minute header. "It was an unbelievable save. That
was the goalkeeper of the national team. It was a like a goal scored for us.
He's made a great save." The only negative moment in what was an otherwise
hugely positive second half was the 85th-minute sending-off of Scott Parker.
The midfielder, who had been booked eight minutes earlier for a foul on
Emmanuel Eboue, was shown a second yellow card for handball. However,
manager Zola believes the England man was hard-done-by, having initially won
the ball cleanly from Cesc Fabregas before accidentally touching the ball
with his arm. "I might have something to say about that, because Scotty went
for the ball with his head and he's been pushed and then tapped the ball
with his hand. He didn't mean to touch the ball with his hand. "It's a pity
because Scott was playing well and he's an important player for us. I think
he got the ball with his head and then he was pushed and touched it with his
hand. He didn't mean that. He was just rolling around. He said he really
didn't mean to touch it and I trust him."

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Winning start for Mehmet
WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet kept a clean sheet as Turkey began their FIFA U17 World Cup
challenge with a win
25.10.2009

Deniz Mehmet got off to a winning start at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in
Nigeria on Sunday. The Academy goalkeeper, who turned 17 in September, kept
a clean sheet as Turkey beat Burkina Faso 1-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
in Enugu. Highly-rated Muhammet Demir, who plays for Bursaspor in his
homeland, ghosted in at the far post to nod in the only goal of the game
after just three minutes. Mehmet was forced into action regularly by the
Africans, making a good diving save from Abdoulaye Ibrango before half-time.
Turkey contest their second Group D fixture on Wednesday, when they take on
Costa Rica in Enugu. The Central Americans got their campaign up-and-running
with a 1-1 draw with New Zealand at the same venue on Sunday. Their final
group stage fixture will see them face New Zealand in Calabar on Saturday.

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West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal
BBC.co.uk
By David Ornstein

Late goals from Carlton Cole and substitute Alessandro Diamanti saw West Ham
come from 2-0 down to claim a deserved draw with Arsenal. Robin Van Persie
tapped Arsenal ahead after an error by Rob Green and William Gallas headed
in Van Persie's corner. But West Ham rallied in the second half and Cole
nodded in after Vito Mannone could only parry Diamanti's free-kick. Alex
Song then felled Cole and Diamanti scored from the spot but Scott Parker was
sent off late on for two bookings. The result sees Arsenal move above
Tottenham into third on goal difference but manager Arsene Wenger will rue
his side's failure to see out the match and move to within three points of
leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. West Ham remain second from bottom and
are still yet to win since the season's opening day, but should take
confidence from an outstanding fightback. Boss Gianfranco Zola introduced
Diamanti and Zavon Hines in the second half and those decisions turned the
game on its head. But the euphoria surrounding the Hammers comeback should
not disguise their defensive frailties. There were early signs that all was
not well in the hosts' back four when, inside a minute, Van Persie raced on
to Alex Song's chip and mistimed a header from a completely unmarked
position eight yards out.
Moments later, the Dutchman ran unchallenged on the left before seeing a
rasping drive from an acute angle tipped over the bar by Green. West Ham
were an altogether different proposition going forward, the quality of their
passing and movement making it difficult to believe they had previously
collected just one point at home all season. With Parker driving them
forward from the base of a midfield four, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
Valon Behrami were able to push forward and support strikers Guillermo
Franco and Carlton Cole, who failed to seize on an early sight of goal.
Collison then drew a fine save from Mannone and his rebound looked set to
squirm over the line - only for referee Chris Foy to halt play for an
offside flag against debutant Franco. West Ham looked comfortable and were
enjoying plenty of possession but their good work was undermined by a woeful
piece of defending which enabled Arsenal to open the scoring.
Green came for a Bacary Sagna cross but ended up colliding with team-mate
James Tomkins, allowing Van Persie an easy finish for his fourth goal in as
many league games.
West Ham, who were without a goal in their last four meetings with Arsenal,
responded positively and worked hard to restore parity. Noble's
cross-come-shot was deflected narrowly wide and Cole should have scored from
Jonathan Spector's right-wing cross but glanced his close-range header off
target. For the second time, however, the hosts' defensive frailties were
exposed all too easily as Gallas outjumped both Tomkins and Herita Ilunga to
head home Van Persie's corner via a despairing Parker on the line. West Ham
looked to be hurtling towards defeat but with Diamanti replacing Noble on 55
minutes, Zola replaced a midfielder with a striker and indicated his
intention to go for the jugular. Hines soon came on for the ineffective
Franco and West Ham looked a team reborn. The 20-year-old striker was sent
through on goal by Diamanti's scoop over the top but was foiled by Gael
Clichy and, after Andrey Arshavin had a drive well saved by Green, the hosts
struck. Hines was felled by Clichy and Mannone palmed Diamanti's superb
curling set-piece straight onto the forehead of Cole. Arsenal were on the
ropes and, with West Ham swarming forward, an equaliser seemed inevitable.
Parker had a strong penalty appeal rejected when he appeared to be tripped
by Gallas but Foy had no hesitation as Song needlessly bundled Cole down
from behind. Diamanti sent Mannone the wrong way with an assured spot-kick
and West Ham went in search of a winner. The only blemish for Zola was the
dismissal of Parker, for fouls on Eboue and a handball, but West Ham's
evening ended on a high when Green saved brilliantly with his feet deny Van
Persie's goalbound header from six yards out.

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Wenger laments 'sickening' draw
BBC.co.uk

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left bitterly frustrated after his side
let a lead slip for the second time in six days as they were held 2-2 by
West Ham. The Gunners, who saw AZ Alkmaar come back from a goal down to draw
1-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, were 2-0 up against West Ham at
Upton Park. "It's very sickening because it doesn't reflect the quality of
our game," Wenger told BBC Sport. "We need to learn from our mistakes and
the quicker the better."
The draw sees Arsenal leapfrog Tottenham into third on goal difference but a
win would have seen them move three points behind leaders Chelsea with a
game in hand. Wenger's side took the lead through Robin van Persie and the
Dutchman then turned provider as his corner was headed in by William Gallas
to make it 2-0. "We played very well in the first half and we have to keep
the positives of our game," said Wenger. The Gunners appeared to be cruising
towards victory but West Ham rallied in the second half and appeared to grow
in confidence as the visitors squandered a number of chances to finish them
off. After Abou Diaby fouled Zavon Hines, Vito Mannone could only parry
Alessandro Diamanti's fierce free-kick and Carlton Cole headed home. West
Ham then equalised as Alex Song felled Cole in the penalty area and Diamanti
lashed home the resultant spot-kick. "It (the free-kick on Hines) was a
very generous decision," Wenger argues. "The penalty was super generous.
"It was a very physical game with a lot of fouls made on us. But we had
plenty of opportunities to score a second goal but we didn't and we have to
learn. "We shouldn't have even have been tempted to give away a free-kick
for their first goal."
West Ham's comeback follows Alkmaar's in midweek, when David Mendes Da Silva
struck late on to cancel out Cesc Fabregas's opener and earn his side a
point. But Wenger rejected suggestions that Arsenal's recent failure to hold
a lead was down to any deep-rooted problem. "There is no lethargy, the team
wants to win and it focused," the Frenchman insisted. "There's no lack of
concentration. "When you lead 2-0 away the game is never one. West Ham
fought for their life, they never gave up. When a team never give up you
know they can come back. "We had it in the Champions League but this is more
sickening."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola admitted to doubting whether his side could
get back into the match at 2-0 down but was full of praise for the way they
responded. The Italian introduced Hines and Diamanti in the second half and
both players played a large part in turning the match on its head, while
Cole was superb throughout. "Never say never," Zola commented. "The reaction
surprised me because it was looking pretty bad for us. "But at half-time we
had a chat and and said the only way to react is to fight to the end. They
did and it turned out to be a great point for us - it feels like a victory.
"The substitutes were great and the crowd were like a 12th man on the pitch.
"That is Diamanti - we know he is capable of those things - but also Zavon
was alive and made a great contribution. We need everyone's best performance
now and to come off the bench and do that makes a big difference. "Today we
got a point that I value at three points. No one will give you anything in
this championship - you need to perform at your best."

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Zola praises fighting spirit
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

Gianfranco Zola has hailed his 'fighters' after West Ham came back from the
dead to snatch a point against Arsenal. Zola's side went into the half time
break in today's London derby two goals adrift after defensive lapses
allowed the visitors to rack up what seemd to be an unassailable lead.
However a late comeback - inspired by England striker Carlton Cole - saw
Zola's side take a deserved point. "The reaction we had suprised me,"
admitted Zola. "It was looking pretty bad for us but we had a chat in the
changing room [at half time] and said 'the only way to react to this
situation is to fight until the end.' So we did, and it turned out to be a
great point for us which sounds like a victory. "The players that came on
made a difference - and the crowd were fantastic, they were our twelth man
on the pitch. My appreciation and thanks go to them. It was good because we
need everyone's best performance right now."
One player who, despite the poor results, has performed consistently well
this season is Cole, who scored the first goal and won the penalty which led
to Diamanti's 80th minute equaliser. "The biggest compliment I can pay to
him is not for the goal, not for winning the penalty but for the way he
conducted himself," said Zola. "He led by example and can achieve whatever
he wants if he keeps that attitude. I really have no words to express how
pleased I am with him today."
Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - whe celebrated his 60th birthday
last week - was understandably less than impressed at seeing his side throw
two points away.
"It was a very physical game where a lot of fouls were made against us," he
said. "But we had plenty of opportunities to score a third goal - which we
didn't do. "When you lead 2-0 away from home the game is never won. The team
we played today were fighting for their lives and they never gave up. When a
team never gives up there is always the opportunity to come back."
We'll have more from Gianfranco Zola on today's game soon.

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CBH to seek fresh investment
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

CB Holdings have revealed plans to seek further investment in West Ham
United. The club's owners have confirmed that they are to seek new revenue
streams as the battle to take control of the club hots up. Despite the
interest of parties such as David Sullivan and the Intermarket Group-fronted
consortium CB have revealed that they are seeking fresh investment whilst
suggesting that they may be in a position to finally invest in the club
themselves.
In a story that has appeared in a number of the Sunday papers today, West
Ham's non-executive Chairman Andrew Berndhart confirmed that he is set to
appoint investment bank Rothschild and the South African-based Standard Bank
to seek parties willing to either invest in or purchase the club. "This is
part of a process consistent with what we announced in the summer," he told
the Times. "Appointing professional advisers was always part of that
process." An unnamed source, quoted in the same article added: "They are
looking to bring in a strategic partner to take the club forward, though if
a serious offer is made for the whole club, it will be considered."
Despite claims last week by the Jim Bowe-led consortium, Berndhart has
denied reports of meetings between the two parties. However today's News of
the World claim today that a third party - a 'potential Arab investor' - has
also contacted CBH with regards to a possible purchase within the last week.
In another article, the Times also claim that Straumur have 'been sitting on
a take-over offer valued at about £100m from an American investor'; whether
or not that relates to the Bowe news of last weekend is unknwown.
Gianfranco Zola, whilst preparing his team for this afternoon's visit of
Arsenal admitted that the off-field circus was affecting his players.
"Obviously I would love to see a little bit more tranquillity around this
club," he said. "We dealt very well last season with the problems and the
reason was because we focused on the pitch, worked on the pitch and made
things easier for everybody. That's what I believe in. "If you play
football on the pitch, if you make things happen there, everything comes
easier. If we play like that, who knows what can happen? Maybe a billionaire
can buy us. Everything can happen but it goes through the process of playing
football."

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West Ham Utd 2 Arsenal 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th October 2009
By: Staff Writer

Seven years ago a missed Freddie Kanoute penalty against Arsenal at the
Boleyn was the catalyst for relegation. Had Alessandro Diamante suffered a
similar fate today West Ham fans would perhaps be forgiven for fearing a
similar predicament - but instead the Italian's converted spot kick was
enough to earn United an impressive point, having come from two goals
behind.

This current season has mirrored 2002/03 in many ways already. In Zola, West
Ham have a young, inexperienced manager coming off the back of a good first
season having seen his squad stripped to the bare minimum - much as Glenn
Roeder did in the summer of 2002.

Kanoute's missed penalty that day - which would have put West Ham 3-1 up and
in a virtually unassailable position (the game was eventually drawn 2-2 with
Thierry Henry snatching a late equaliser) - led to West Ham going until the
end of the following January without a home win, a situation that virtually
condemned Roeder's team to relegation.

Whilst Diamanti's 80th minute spot kick failed to provide that vital first
home league win - and with Christmas being just eight weeks away - the
Hammers aren't exactly out of the woods yet. But United will no doubt draw
plenty of encouragement - and dare say it, renewed confidence - having come
from two goals behind to take what was in the end a well-deserved point.

For long periods of the game that outcome had seemed most unlikely; Arsenal,
comfortable having opened the second half with a two goal advantage rarely
needed to leave second gear and were dealing with everything West Ham threw
at them with comparative ease.

But Carlton Cole's fifth goal of the season 16 minutes from time sparked a
revival - a revival that was completed just six minutes later when
substitute Diamanti's spot kick levelled the scores.

Arsenal started the game with the same team that played in Russia on
Tuesday, whilst West Ham reverted to a 442 formation with Guillermo Franco
and Jonathan Spector brought in for their first league starts of the season.

The change in philosophy appeared to pay dividends as the Hammers more than
matched Arsenal during the opening exchanges, but once again it was a
defensive error that led to the visitors taking the lead 16 minutes into the
game.

Full-back Bacary Sagna left Herita Ilunga for dead with a clever one-two on
the right byeline before centreing for Robin Van Persie to nod Arsenal
ahead. Not for the first time this season Robert Green was left with egg on
his face having come for the cross and missed it, leaving Van Persie an
empty net in which to score.

The visitors' lead was doubled on 37 minutes when William Gallas converted a
Van Persie corner from close range. Once again there were question marks
over Green who this time failed to come for the ball - despite it being
pitched inside his six yard box.

The second half was to follow a similar pattern to the first, with West Ham
huffing and puffing but, as has been the case for much of 2009, failing to
hit the opposition where it hurts. That was until Cole stabbed home a
mistimed punch by Vito Mannone (diverting a Dimanti free kick) from close
range on 74 minutes to reduce the deficit to one.

Clearly bouyed by the goal, West Ham pushed forward in search of an unlikely
equaliser and it arrived just six minutes later to the delight of the home
crowd, some of whom had booed United off at half time.

The busy Cole, who was excellent once again went down under a challenge from
Alex Song and referee Chris Foy, in as a late replacement for Steve Bennett
pointed to the spot. No doubt the fact that Foy had dismissed a similarly
strong penalty appeal just four minutes earlier when Parker appeared to be
felled by goalscorer Gallas was weighing heavy on his mind.

As in the aforementioned 2002 fixture, Arsenal resorted to their usual
delaying tactics in an attempt to put off the spot kick taker. But the
freshly shaven Diamanti - on as a 56th minute replacement for the
ineffectual Mark Noble - was having none of it, and a full two minutes after
the penalty had been awarded drove his effort into the right-hand corner of
Mannone's post, sending the Boleyn into raptures.

The away fans - who numbered around 3,000 and had made more noise than a
crowd 20 times their number ever make at the Emirates - were silenced for
the first time in the afternoon and duly taunted with chants of "2-0 and you
f***ed it up" which no doubt came across loud and clear on TV with the game
being broadcast by SkySports.

The final few minutes saw the game reach a frenetic pace as both sides burst
forwards whenever possible in search of a winner. West Ham had Rob Green to
thank for making a stunning point-blank range save from Van Persie to keep
the scores level, whilst Cole had a great chance during injury time which he
squandered by delaying a possible shot.

During all of that there was a red card for Scott Parker; quite why was a
mystery as his challenge on Cesc Fabregas has appeared to be a perfectly
legal one, although speculation suggested that his second yellow card of the
afternoon (his first being given for a foul on Eboue) may have been awarded
for deliberate hand ball.

Despite the setback, ten-men West Ham managed to hold on for the point - and
then some, for it was they, backed by a rejuvenated home crowd, who appeared
the more likely to score a winning goal in the closing stages despite having
the man disadvantage (not withstanding Van Persie's aforementioned chance).

Although credit will naturally go to the players, full marks should also be
given to Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke for their part in the turnaround.
Zola has been oft-critcised for his propensity to delay making
substitutions, but today both goalscorer Diamanti and youngster Zavon Hines
were introduced well before the hour mark in an attempt to spark life back
into the team - which they duly did.

Although the point leaves the Hammers in the bottom three of the Premier
League and without a home win in the league, the team's morale will receive
a welcome boost from the result which although being worth just one point,
felt a little like three - unlike in 2002 when Kanoute's missed penalty,
combined with Henry's late leveller was a massive setback.

Although Scott Parker's dismissal will result in his temporary absence, Zola
also has the benefit of a virtually full-strength squad from which to
choose. Battle recommences at the Stadium of Light next Saturday afternoon
where the Hammers will be looking to continue their revival.

West Ham Utd 2 Arsenal 2: match facts

West Ham United: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Kovac 90),
Parker, Noble (Diamanti 56), Collison, Franco (Hines 64), Cole.

Subs not used: Kurucz, Faubert, Da Costa, Stanislas.

Goals: Cole (74), Diamanti (pen 80).

Booked: Hines (71), Collison (75), Parker (78).

Sent off: Parker (85).

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Eboue (Bendtner 82),
Song, Diaby (Eduardo 88), Fabregas, Arshavin, van Persie.

Subs not used: Almunia, Silvestre, Nasri, Gibbs, Ramsey.

Goals: Van Persie (16), Gallas (37).

Booked: Eboue (77), Mannone (80).

Referee: Chris Foy (3/10).

Attendance: 34,442.

Next three fixtures

Sunderland: Stadium of Light, Saturday 31st October

Aston Villa: Boleyn Ground, Wednesday 4th November

Everton: Boleyn Ground, Sunday 8th November

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Hammers earn unlikely draw
West Ham come from two-goals down to draw with Arsenal
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 25th October 2009
SSN

Man of the match: Carlton Cole continues to prove that he is West Ham's key
player.
Goal of the match: William Gallas showed good strength to head home Robin
van Persie's corner.
Save of the match: Robert Green slightly redeemed himself as he used his
legs to stop Robin van Persie's close-range header.
Moment of the match: Alessandro Diamanti's introduction changed the flow of
this match in West Ham's favour.
Talking point: Can this point kick-start West Ham's season?

Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday
in a game they looked certain to win. Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green gifted
Robin van Persie the opener on 16 minutes when he palmed a cross into the
path of the Dutchman leaving the striker the simplest of tasks of tapping
home into an empty net. The visitors doubled their lead eight minutes before
the break when William Gallas rose highest to head in from a corner. Arsenal
looked the likeliest to extend their advantage after the break but it was
the introduction of Alessandro Diamanti, now minus the dreadlocks, and Zavon
Hines that turned the game on its head. It was Diamanti that swung in a
vicious free-kick from the left that Vito Mannone could only parry back into
the six-yard box and Carlton Cole was on hand to head in on 74 minutes. Cole
was involved in the second when Arsenal's Alex Song was, harshly, adjudged
to have bundled over the striker in the area to give Diamanti the chance to
smash home from the spot six minutes later. The Hammers held onto their
precious point despite captain Scott Parker being dismissed for two bookable
offences with five minutes remaining. Gianfranco Zola's men had shown
plenty of early promise, when Cole's drive was charged down before again
being undone by some poor defending. Arsenal slowly started to get
themselves on top, with Green standing up well at the near post to palm Van
Persie's angled drive behind for a corner. At the other end, Mannone - again
preferred in goal to Manuel Almunia - needed treatment after being clattered
by James Tomkins when coming to collect a corner. Arsenal felt they had a
strong shout for a penalty when, on 11 minutes, Van Persie's strike appeared
to hit Matthew Upson, the former Gunners defender, on the arm, but referee
Chris Foy thought otherwise. Eventually, though, the visitors took the lead
on 16 minutes.
Abou Diaby fed full-back Bacary Sagna on the overlap down the right. The
French defender whipped the ball across the six-yard box, where Green came
to palm it away, only to collide with James Tomkins, leaving Van Persie free
to slot into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season. Despite the
setback, West Ham remained positive. Cole continued to ask questions of the
Arsenal defence, with Gallas getting across to clear after another powerful
run down the right. Arsenal, though, weathered the period of West Ham
pressure, and slowly took charge of midfield again. Upton Park was subdued,
with the home fans starting to get restless before Arsenal doubled their
lead on 37 minutes. A 25-yard shot from Cesc Fabregas was deflected behind
for a corner. Van Persie whipped the ball across towards the far post, where
Gallas got up to thump a header past Parker on the line.
Italian Diamanti, sent on just before the hour mark, at least injected some
life into the West Ham attack, as he fired a 35-yard effort wide. Cesc
Fabregas then almost drilled in a third from distance, but the ball flew
just wide of the top right corner.
This was a good spell for the Hammers, as Clichy made an important block
when Hinds looked to get away his shot from eight yards. Fabregas broke
quickly, before feeding Arshavin and Green was at full stretch to beat away
the Russian's 20-yard effort. Diaby then wrestled Hinds to the ground,
giving away a needless free-kick in a dangerous position, five yards outside
the area on the left. Diamanti smashed the ball goalwards, which Mannone did
well to keep out, but pushed it back to the six-yard box where Cole headed
in to give West Ham a life-line on 74 minutes. The home fans were screaming
for a penalty when Parker went down after running into Gallas, but the
referee waved play on. However, a spot-kick was given with 10 minutes left
when Song tripped Cole. After Mannone had been booked for not going back on
his line, Diamanti levelled to send Upton Park into delirium. West Ham were
reduced to 10 men when Parker, already booked, was shown a second yellow
card for deliberately falling on the ball as Fabregas charged clear. Diaby
was substituted for Eduardo as Wenger went for the win. However, the Hammers
were not to be denied during four minutes of stoppage time, when Green
somehow kept out van Persie's header.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola proud of players
Hammers manager pleased with side after two-goal comeback
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 25th October 2009
SSN

Gianfranco Zola admitted he was pleased and proud of his West Ham players as
they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Arsenal. The Hammers looked
dead and buried after Robin van Persie and William Gallas had given the
Gunners, what seemed at the time, an unassailable lead. However an inspired
half-time team-talk from Zola seemed to do the trick and goals from Carlton
Cole and Alessandro Diamanti earned the hosts an unlikely point. The Italian
highlighted that he needed to lift his players at the interval as they
appeared to be heading to their eighth Premier League game without a win.
"We were well in the game then we made a mistake that was very costly and
then after that perhaps the confidence went down," he said. "But I said in
the changing room at half-time I saw they were willing to react and that
made the difference really. "No it wasn't an angry changing room, it was at
the beginning a little bit low but we had a chat and I think everybody
realised that the only way to get out of the situation was to react, so they
did and I'm pleased and proud for them."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Agent - Behrami going nowhere
Behrami staying at Upton Park until next summer at least
Last updated: 24th October 2009
SSN

Valon Behrami's agent says the coveted West Ham star is staying put at Upton
Park until next summer at least. The Swiss international's performances for
the Hammers since his £5million move from Lazio last year have alerted
several clubs, with Arsenal, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma thought to among
the sides keeping tabs on him. But the 24-year-old's agent, Alessandro
Beltrami, insists the versatile player wants to stay at Upton Park until
next summer at least so as not to jeopardise his place in the Swiss squad
for next summer's World Cup finals. Beltrami said in the Daily Star: "It is
possible for him to move after the World Cup next year but not before then.
"He doesn't want anything to affect his place in the Switzerland squad."
Meanwhile, Gianfranco Zola insists he is a warrior who can lift the Hammers
out of their current predicament. The Hammers currently sit second from
bottom of the Premier League after only taking five points from their
opening eight games. But Zola believes he can turn it around, saying: "It's
very difficult because I care about the players and the club. It hurts me.
"But I am a warrior - I don't look like it but I am one. "I am someone who
never gives up and my determination to succeed is stronger than anything.
"The job keeps me awake at night. You are always trying to find answers. But
I want the players to look for solutions, rather than worry."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Arsenal Report
Vinny - Sun Oct 25 2009
West Ham Online
West Ham United 2 Arsenal 2

West Ham mounted a superb second half comeback against Arsenal at Upton Park
with goals from Carlton Cole and a penalty from Alessandro Diamanti giving
the home side a deserved share of the spoils.

We have been pretty awful this season and although this result does little
to move us away from the relegation zone (and we still haven't won since the
first game of the season) we can be proud of the way the team came back
against one of the best sides in the country.

I didn't think the players had it in them to come back from two goals down
with confidence hitting rock bottom but they kept going and got exactly what
I felt we deserved. The turnaround was all very dramatic and had me leaving
Upton Park as if we had got a victory such was euphoria of those six second
half minutes.

I am not that naïve to think that are problems will now disappear because we
fought back against Arsenal and I fully expect us to lose against Sunderland
next weekend but I can't say I wasn't delighted with the reaction of the
team and a draw against Arsenal is never a poor result.

Gianfranco Zola made three changes to the side which were beaten by Stoke
City last weekend. At right back Julien Faubert was (rightly) replaced by
Jonathan Spector with the French winger/full back/waste of space dropping to
the bench.

In midfield Scott Parker returned from suspension to replace Radoslav Kovac
and up front Alessandro Diamanti the £5million signing was dropped to the
bench in favour of Guillermo Franco who was making his full West Ham debut.

This saw us go to 4-4-2 which many have been crying out for and it seems as
though Zola has woken up to the fact that his silly attempts to play 4-3-3
diamond things do not work and have not worked since he has been at the
club. This formation is the way to go.

The player we were 'basing our team around', Luis Jimenez was not even on
the bench (injured presumably). Fit again Kieron Dyer was also not even on
the bench (injured presumably) and Danny Gabbidon was also missing yet again
(injured presumably).

It was quite a even first fifteen minutes with both sides looking dangerous
going forward without really threatening on goal. Cole saw a shot get
deflected wide for a corner and Van Persie saw a shot tipped over the bar by
Robert Green.

I thought we were looking quite comfortable and just as likely as Arsenal to
draw first blood but as we have found in recent weeks mistakes will cost you
and any mistake that we make seems to be instantly punished.

It was a mistake from Robert Green yet again which cost us and saw the
visitors take a lead with their first meaningful chance. It was typical to
conceded at this point as we had looked as though we were about to get in
front ourselves when a shot from Collison was parried and he then reacted
quickest to bundle the ball home but the flag for offside had gone up long
before.

Arsenal went straight up the other end and took the lead with a cross from
Sagna finding Robert Green doing his flapping routine and Robin Van Persie
has the easy task of smashing the ball into the goal.

Heads dropped after this and Arsenal looked strong in possession as many
would have expected them to be. We tried our best to move forward in numbers
but never seemed to have a player in space to pass to.

Mark Noble found a bit of room on the right hand side and his low cross was
deflected towards goal but hit the side netting when the deflection nearly
caught the keeper out.

Noble would be involved a few minutes later when his free kick was head
clear only as far as Spector who put in an inviting cross for Carlton Cole
to head wide. Even if Cole had have scored it would have been ruled out for
another offside.

Our defensive frailties were exposed once again moments later as a corner
swung in by Van Persie was met by William Gallas who powerfully head home
from a few yards out with our defenders looking on in bewilderment. It was a
really poor goal to concede which I accept most goal seem to be but really
from a corner to be able to get to that point was not good enough.

Going in at half time I did not feel angry, surprised or even disappointed.
I felt as though the game had gone exactly as I had thought it would with us
showing lots of effort but being exposed at the back as we just are not good
enough.

Ilunga was playing like a man who has got the contract he wanted as is happy
to go through the motions on his big wage that he can now boast. The centre
halves looked shaky and Spector although playing as well as he can looked
out of his depth.

I don't know about anyone else but I hate Sunday games. It doesn't really
matter what time they kick off they always seem to be lacklustre in
atmosphere and interest. Half the crowd in the West Stand seemed to be
downstairs as the second half kicked off and no one (including myself)
seemed to have any confidence in us getting anything out of the game.

Arsenal had taken their foot of the gas a little and although were again in
possession of the ball we had nothing to offer when going forward. Carlton
Cole was working hard and some of his hold up play was wonderful but even
with Franco alongside him nothing really came about.

On 55 minutes Mark Noble was replaced with Diamanti as Zola looked to give
us more of an attacking edge. Noble had once again laboured and struggled to
make any impact on the game. Diamanti who I was surprised to not see start
(given the money we had spent on him).

Andrei Arshavin who had up to that point been pretty quiet for the visitors
forced Robert Green into a smart stop with a powerful instinctive shot as
Arsenal looked to further their lead.

It looked very unlikely that we would get anything from the game and anyone
who says they thought we would come back at this point is lying.

Zavon Hines came on from the ineffective Franco and it would not take Hines
long to make an impact as he was awarded a free kick on the left hand side
after a foul by Clichy.

The free kick was taken by Diamanti who whipped in an excellent shot which
was parried by the keeper Mannone and Carlton Cole was on hand to head into
the goal for his fifth goal of the season.

The atmosphere turned up a notch as the home crowd sensed that maybe all
hope was not lost and with that push from the supporters the players seemed
to believe themselves that an impossible comeback was not so impossible.

With Arsenal on the ropes it seemed that something would go for us soon and
that is exactly what happened when the quite brilliant Cole was bundled over
in the area by Song with the ref pointing to the spot to the sheer delight
of the fans.

We had been denied a very strong penalty appeal a few minutes earlier when
Parker seemed to be tripped in the area but this time the ref Chris Foy had
no hesitation and Diamanti stepped up to take the penalty.

The Italian forward whose only other goal for the club had also come from
the penalty spot made no mistake with a powerful left foot shot into the
goal. It took the roof off Upton Park as the ground erupted in euphoria with
the chant of "Two Nil and you fucked it up" being hurled toward the Arsenal
fans.

I thought we were going to go on to win the game after that as everything
seemed to be going for us and confidence was at a high but that hope was put
pay to when Scott Parker tracked back and seemed to go for a challenge and
handle the ball. This saw him receive a second yellow and of course the red
card.

Arsenal should have won the game near the end when a cross found Van Persie
but from just a few yards out saw his header somehow saved by Green in what
was really a truly wonderful save to ensure we came out of the game with
something.

It seemed unlikely at times but that final twenty minutes saw a real
fighting spirit which I feel we will need to see more of to stop us from
getting relegated this season.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
For the third game running he made a mistake which cost us a goal. This is
not good enough and he will not be playing for England on this form. Saying
that his save at the end was fantastic and without it we would have lost but
the mistakes have got to stop.

Jonathan Spector
This was better than I had expected from Spector who is usually found
wanting every time he starts a game. With the dismal form of Faubert
recently it came as no shock to see him play and he got stuck in and made
some decent tackles throughout. His distribution of the ball was not great
but he was solid enough.

Matthew Upson
No disastrous mistake which had seemed to be creeping into his game more and
more in recent weeks so that was a plus. The way the game went meant that
Arsenal did not have wave of attacks which put him under pressure and with
their passing game there was little for Upson to do in the air.

James Tomkins
A battling performance from Tomkins who has had a hard time of it so far
this campaign. This was a solid showing although he like all the other
defenders will be concerned that for the fifth game running we have conceded
two or more goals.

Herita Ilunga
A big concern. His form has deteriorated and he is looking a shadow of the
player who won the WHO Hammer of the Year last season. Is it because he not
has a contract and does not have to play for his career? Has he become
lethargic and so laid back he feels he doesn't need to try to play to his
best? Whatever has happened Ilunga is not playing well and we have no other
option.

Valon Behrami
Starting to get back to his full fitness and completed the full ninety
minutes. Hard work is the name of his game and he will run and run all day
long. Did not really do much when in possession which was a little
disappointing but this was still a decent display from Behrami.

Mark Noble
Not in the game and correctly taken off on the 55th minute. Although I do
think Noble does have a bit of quality about him I do not think it will be
too long before we see him starting from the bench at some point.

Scott Parker
Very unlucky to have been sent off and I still can't quite believe he was
shown that second yellow card. I also don't get why you can't appeal yellow
card decisions. It makes little sense to me and we will now be without
Parker for yet another game. His overall performance though was excellent
and we are a worse team without him.

Jack Collison
Never really had the impact you would have hoped. Disappeared for large
chunks of the game and even in the second half when we pressed forward I
cannot recall seeing much of Collison who still is yet to really get hold of
a game this season.

Guillermo Franco
I was happy to see us start with two up front but Franco did very little to
prove he is anything by a Kepa Blanco or a Diego Tristan. Good to have as
cover but Hines is the one who should be playing and it seems more and more
obvious every week.

Carlton Cole
Outstanding once again and he continues to excel. Scored his fifth goal of
the season and has scored in every home game this season in the league. His
hold up play was brilliant and he was a constant danger to Arsenal and our
only real threat.

Subs Used

Alessandro Diamanti (on for Noble 55 mins)
It was obvious that his introduction changed the game. He looked good and
found space to play some nice passes. His free kick made the first goal and
he scored the penalty. Certainly he is an impact player and it would be nice
to see him make an impact over the 90 mintues because he changed the game in
our favour.

Zavon Hines (on for Franco 64 mins)
Like Diamanti he made a real difference and his introduction turned us into
a threatening attacking force. Hines is very unlucky not be starting as we
need to play 4-4-2 and he is the best option to play with Carlton Cole.

Radoslav Kovac (on for Behrami 92 mins)
On to waste some times.

Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Da Costa, Faubert, Stanislas

Bookings: Parker (6th), Hines (3rd), Collison (2nd)

Red Cards: Scott Parker

Man Of The Match: Carlton Cole

Attendance: 34,442

Overall

Being two goals down against anyone is bad enough but when it is against one
of the top four teams then you know it is going to be an uphill struggle, so
to come back and get a draw is a good result whichever way you look at it.

We are still in big trouble and if we pick up three points from the next
three games then I would consider that to be decent.

My confidence level is still at a real low and I have next to no expectation
of us picking up a win any time soon but I came away from Upton Park today
in a buoyant mood.

Next Game - Sunderland (a)

We picked up all three points here last season after we had gone on a
terrible run of results. We need things to go the same way this time around
too but I just don't see it happening. Sunderland are the type of side who I
feel we will roll over against and we would need to give a real top
performance to get anything out of the game.

Zola still doesn't know what type of formation he wants to play. It was
positive to see him start with two up front but I think we can all see that
Hines simply has to start as he seems to cause the opposition no end of
problems when he plays.

The hope of course is that this result will gavalnize the team giving them
the confidence that they have been lacking over the last few weeks and you
never know it may well do just that.

But despite the good fight back I'll wait and see how we fare against
Sunderland before I begin to think that our season has taken a turn for the
better.

Zola's Comments

"The spirit shown by the team was the best thing about today's game, along
with the participation and the support the crowd gave us. They were the best
things that I have seen today. It's not a victory, but it sounds like it.

"That's what I was looking for because, no matter what, the fighting spirit
has to all the time be there. It is something that we can't really do
without, so I was pleased with that.

"I repeat that last week I saw something changing and that is very
important. Today, I have seen something more and it's very encouraging for
me, to be honest.
"Trust me, it was very difficult in that situation. They did it really until
the end and I am very pleased and proud of them.

"It was difficult and we did it, so that means we can do it all the time.
With that spirit and with the qualities we have got in the team, I think we
can do important things, starting today, and I hope we can continue like
that."


"I don't want to take any credit for the comeback. It's just the players
wanted to react. We said to each other that no matter what, we fight until
the end. No matter what, we fight until the end, we give everything and, at
the end of the day, we see what happens.

"That was the difference. We went there, we never gave up, the crowd gave us
something extra and we made it happen.

"That's the story of life. No matter the difficulty you through, you fight
until the end.

"We have the quality. I am sure that this team has got quality. It just
needs a little bit more confidence because in this moment it's not great. At
the moment, every time we have a mistake, they score. It doesn't help. We
need to fight, fight, fight and then we'll see in the end."

"Diamanti made a big difference, and Zavon as well was very positive when he
came on. They did very well for us and I'm pleased because Alessandro is a
player who can give us something extra.

"Don't forget him and also [Luis] Jimenez are important players. They are
coming from a championship [Serie A] that is different and is easier than
this, so they need some time to adapt. They have got qualities and those
qualities will be important for West Ham."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 2 Arsenal 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United
and Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday Oct 25 2009.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson at Upton Park
Published: 6:30PM GMT 25 Oct 2009

Redemption Sunday for Rafael Benítez but, come May, an equally important
narrative from the weekend's football could be Arsenal's sloppiness in
failing to punish slips from so many rivals in the Premier League title
race.

Since back-to-back away defeats in Manchester, Arsenal had quietly and
efficiently put together a run of four consecutive league victories to
support Arsène Wenger's rather bullish claim that he is "convinced" his team
will win a trophy. The reward for such consistency had been a golden
opportunity to move within three points of Chelsea, with a game in hand. Yet
familiar weaknesses were again evident as they allowed West Ham United to
scramble to a 2-2 draw despite trailing by two goals with just 16 minutes
remaining.

West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2: match reportAfter gifting AZ Alkmaar
a late equaliser in the Champions League last Tuesday, the frustration was
written all over Wenger's face and he reacted with criticism of the referee
and, much more unusually, even his own players. "It is a major missed
opportunity," said Wenger. "In our job, you don't have the luxury to miss
opportunities. You need to get points when you deserve to get points and
sometimes when you don't deserve to get the points.'

"The title race is open and that is why I am convinced that it will be tight
until the end. We have a great chance this year but you cannot repeat this
kind of performance we had and not come out with three points. We are an
intelligent team and an intelligent team makes the maximum result with the
game they produce. That is what we did not do. We missed the final ball as
we wanted to be a bit too complicated and that is what we have to learn."

Both West Ham goals arrived following set-pieces, but Wenger also accused
referee Chris Foy of mistakes in awarding what he called "extremely
generous" fouls for a challenge by Abou Diaby and then a penalty when Alex
Song had clearly connected with Carlton Cole's ankle.

The frustration was compounded by the way Arsenal were initially so incisive
in front of goal. Having had one shot controversially blocked by the arm of
Matthew Upson, Robin van Persie scored in his fourth consecutive league game
with a simple finish following an error from Robert Green.

Bacary Sagna had exchanged passes with Abou Diaby and crossed into the West
Ham penalty area but, with James Tomkins ready to head the ball clear, Green
succeeding only in impeding his defender to leave Van Persie with an open
goal.

Poor defending again contributed when Arsenal doubled their lead as Herita
Ilunga was easily out-jumped by William Gallas. Wenger had admitted on
Friday that he would have to be unfair on someone with his selection as
goalkeeper and, once again, it was Manuel Almunia who missed out, leading to
the assumption that Vito Mannone is genuinely now his first choice.

Mannone's shot-stopping ability is clear but, at just 21, erratic moments
are also always likely and it was his mistake that handed West Ham their
lifeline when he parried Alessandro Diamanti's free-kick into the path of
Cole. "You might have expected him to parry it away, not in the middle of
the goal, but you must see the flight to see whether it moved inside," said
Wenger.

West Ham were then denied a penalty when Gallas tripped Scott Parker as he
surged into the penalty area. Moments later, Song made his clumsy and
unnecessary challenge on Cole and, this time, Foy was satisfied there had
been contact. "If you count how many times he [Cole] goes down in a game,
you expect him to go down," said Wenger. It took an age for the kick to be
taken but, even after Mannone had been booked, Diamanti smashed the ball
into the right-hand corner. There was further drama as Parker was rather
harshly sent off for a second bookable challenge and was guilty of an
involuntary handball.

Arsenal had one final chance to clinch victory, but Green made up for his
earlier slip by blocking Van Persie's goal-bound header with an outstretched
leg. "It was an unbelievable save at the end," said Gianfranco Zola, "it was
like a goal scored for us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alessandro Diamanti makes Arsenal pay penalty
West Ham 2 Arsenal 2 Russell Kempson
The Times

Would anyone like to win the Barclays Premier League? If so, please stand
up. Arsenal became the latest of the title contenders to squander an
opportunity to pile on the pressure at the top when they conceded two late
goals against West Ham United at Upton Park yesterday.

Of the leading six teams on Saturday morning, only Chelsea raised their
hands and bellowed: "Yes, we would like to win the championship. Very much,
actually." They cruised to a 5-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham
Hotspur and Manchester United lost, while Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston
Villa drew.

With Liverpool, the supposedly dead-and-buried Liverpool, beating United at
Anfield, small wonder that Arsène Wenger reflected ruefully on what might
have been. At 2-0 ahead and, apparently, in complete control, the sloppy
manner in which his team conceded possession, lost their composure and threw
away two points does not bode well.

"It is tight and it is open [the title chase]," the Arsenal manager said.
"That is why I am convinced that it will be tight right until the end. We
have a great chance this season, but you cannot repeat the kind of
performance we had today and not come out with three points.

"You need to get points when you deserve to and sometimes when you don't
deserve to. "Today, we never got them when we deserved them, and that means
we have not made the maximum of what we should have done."

An extra hour in bed must have delighted both camps. Footballers like
nothing better than a nice kip. Yet there was no slumber, no sluggishness
about the opening stages, with the passing crisp and the instincts
razor-sharp. West Ham did not look like a team who had not won in the league
since the opening day of the season; Arsenal did look like a team who had
suffered only two defeats in 14 matches in all competitions.

It made for bright, inventive fare. Hardly as incident packed or emotionally
charged as the viewing from Anfield, on the television screens in the Upton
Park concourses, but it was largely enjoyable.

Gianfranco Zola had vowed not to sacrifice style for solidity, despite a
plight that appears to worsen by the week, and the West Ham manager was true
to his word.

All had seemed well for Zola. Carlton Cole was roughing up William Gallas
and Thomas Vermaelen in turn and Arsenal had threatened only briefly, mainly
through Robin van Persie, their lone striker. Robert Green had coped
comfortably with one effort from the Holland forward, a Matthew Upson arm
unintentionally blocked another. The home fans even felt moved to indulge in
the occasional chanting; it could be their day.

Maybe not, to judge by two split-seconds of defensive mediocrity, both in
the first half. Stand up Green and Hérita Ilunga, the culprits. Green clawed
at a cross from Bacary Sagna and could only touch it on to Van Persie, who
guided in his sixth goal of the season.

Although Green's list of errors are growing by the week, he still has plenty
of time to shape up before Fabio Capello announces his England World Cup
squad. And he did partially atone when, in stoppage time, he blocked a
close-range header from Van Persie with his left leg. "It was an
unbelievable save," Zola said. "It was like a goal scored for us."

If Green's mistake was blatant, Ilunga's was less obvious. Yet the way in
which he allowed Gallas to jump alone, to nod in Van Persie's corner, was
bordering on the criminal.

Scott Parker, standing on the goalline, was unable to keep it out.

Yet, from cantering into third place above Tottenham by two points, Arsenal
had to rely on goal difference to rise beyond their North London rivals.

Zola had described himself as a "warrior" in the pre-match skirmishes and,
from nowhere, his fellow tribesmen suddenly found the same battling spirit.
The home fans found their voices, too.

Vito Mannone, the Arsenal goalkeeper, could only weakly parry Alessandro
Diamanti's fierce free kick and Cole stooped to head in his fifth goal of
the season. Parker, behaving more like a madman than a warrior, collected
his sixth booking of the campaign for a foul on Emmanuel Eboué and then
screamed blue murder when not awarded a penalty after he had fallen under a
challenge from Gallas.

Chris Foy, the referee, did oblige soon after — perhaps the result of a
guilty conscience — when Alexandre Song merely ankle-tapped Cole. Diamanti
thundered in the penalty, Parker harshly received his seventh yellow card of
the season — and a red to go with it — for handling the ball as he fell when
tussling with Cesc Fàbregas.

West Ham remain second from bottom. "It was not a victory but it felt like
it," Zola said. "The players gave me everything." Arsenal, like most of the
other title pretenders, must stand up and be counted.

West Ham (4-1-3-2): R Green 5 - J Spector 4, M Upson 4, J Tomkins 4, H
Ilunga 4 - S Parker 4 - V Behrami 5 (sub: R Kovac 90min), M Noble 4 (sub: A
Diamanti 7, 56), J Collison 5 - C Cole 6, G Franco 4 (sub: Z Hines 5, 65).
Substitutes not used: P Kurucz, J Faubert, M Da Costa, J Stanislas. Booked:
Parker, Collison, Hines. Sent off: Parker.

Arsenal (4-5-1): V Mannone 4 - B Sagna 7, W Gallas 6, T Vermaelen 6, G
Clichy 5 - E Eboué 5 (sub: N Bendtner, 82), F Fàbregas 6, A Song 6, A Diaby
6 (sub: Eduardo da Silva, 88), A Arshavin 5 - R van Persie 7. Substitutes
not used: M Almunia, S Nasri, A Ramsey, M Silvestre, K Gibbs. Booked:
Mannone, Eboué.

Referee C Foy Attendance 34,442

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Arsene Wenger: Referee's Decisions Cost Us Against West Ham United
Gunners boss disappointed as Arsenal undone by set pieces...
Oct 25, 2009 6:40:18 PM
Goal.com
By Edward Pearce

Arsene Wenger was unhappy with the refereeing decisions that allowed a
resurgent West Ham United to claw back a two-goal lead to draw with visitors
Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday. After seeing his side concede twice in the
closing 20 minutes, the Arsenal manager questioned both the free kick that
led to the Hammers' first goal and the penalty referee Chris Foy awarded
against Alexandre Song after he brought down Carlton Cole. The Gunners had
been 2-0 up before half-time, as van Persie tucked home after Robert Green's
error and William Gallas headed a second from the Dutchman's corner. West
Ham attacked well and had chances of their own in an entertaining contest,
but looked to have missed their chance once Arsenal doubled their lead. The
Arsenal manager told Sky Sports: "It is disappointing because we had a good
game and get away with the minimum. "I believe we were a bit unlucky today
with decisions and in their kind of circumstances West Ham did fight for
their life and made it very difficult. "I believe we had many disadvantages
in the game but overall we played a good game and unfortunately we couldn't
finish the third goal off. "We had plenty of opportunities in the second
half and in the end when the other team comes back to 2-1 and any little
decision goes against you, you can pay for it," he added. The result leaves
Arsenal in third place in the Premier League, five points behind leaders
Chelsea with a game in hand.

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Arsène Wenger left fuming over referee's 'generous' decisions
Arsenal concede two goals from set-pieces
Criticism of free-kick and penalty awarded to West Ham
David Hytner at Upton Park guardian.co.uk, Sunday 25 October 2009 20.46 GMT
Article history

Arsène Wenger lamented a "major missed opportunity" as Arsenal lost a 2-0
lead to draw 2-2 at West Ham United today but the manager reserved most of
his ire for the referee Chris Foy, whom he accused of making "extremely
generous" decisions for the home team.

The Frenchman could not understand how Foy could have penalised Abou Diaby
for a challenge on the West Ham substitute Zavon Hines, which produced the
free-kick that led to West Ham's first goal. And, after Foy had waved away
strong penalty appeals for a tackle by the Arsenal defender William Gallas
on Scott Parker, Wenger complained at the penalty that Foy did award.

Alex Song nibbled at Carlton Cole's heels and saw the West Ham striker go to
ground to win the kick. Alessandro Diamanti, another substitute, beat Vito
Mannone to the bottom corner to send Upton Park into a frenzy.

"Frankly, look at how many times he [Cole] went down in the game," said
Wenger. "I think Cole played very well but do you expect him to go down
then? No. We were in control but as long as we didn't score the third goal,
the game was not over.

"West Ham continued to fight and we conceded two goals on two set pieces,
two generous set pieces. West Ham is happy tonight and I can understand
that. The free-kick and the penalty were extremely generous. I don't think
either should have been given. West Ham fought until the very last and the
crowd got behind the referee's decisions.

''It's a major missed opportunity and, in our job, you don't have the luxury
to miss opportunities. You need to get points when you deserve to get them
and, sometimes, when you don't deserve them. We didn't get them here when we
deserved them."

Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, felt that Foy ought to have pointed
to the penalty spot earlier than he did. "It looked, from my position, that
the first one [Gallas on Parker] was more of a penalty but I haven't seen
the replays yet so I can't be precise."

Zola could also take issue with Foy for his controversial decision to
dismiss Parker for a second bookable offence in the 85th minute. Parker was
penalised for a deliberate handball, after sliding in to tackle Cesc
Fábregas. "I have something to say about that," said Zola, "because Scottie
got the ball with his head. He was pushed as well."

Zola felt that, having entered the game with only one point from the
previously available 15, this draw "felt like a victory". "Last week [at
Stoke City] I saw something had changed and today, I have seen something
more and that is very encouraging," he added.

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Lack of finishing touch leaves Arsene Wenger to rue missed opportunity
Gary Jacob
The Times

Arsène Wenger voiced his anger at Chris Foy, the referee, but saved his
strongest criticism for his Arsenal side after they failed to kill off a
spirited West Ham United yesterday.

Arsenal were coasting at 2-0 but conceded late goals from set-pieces that
Wenger felt should not have been awarded. Nonetheless, Arsenal leapfrogged
Tottenham Hotspur, whom they meet on Saturday, into third but wasted an
opportunity to move closer to Manchester United. West Ham remain second from
bottom and without a league victory since the opening day of the season.

"It is a major missed opportunity," Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said. "You
don't have the luxury to miss opportunities in our job."

With Arsenal two goals to the good, Foy adjudged that Abou Diaby had fouled
Zavon Hines, despite the fact that the West Ham forward had appeared to run
into his opponent. No matter, Carlton Cole headed in after Vito Mannone had
parried Alessandro Diamanti's subsequent free kick. Within two minutes,
Scott Parker reacted angrily after William Gallas appeared to have clipped
the midfield player as he surged into the area. But, moments later, Foy
awarded a spot kick when Cole went down after Alexandre Song kicked the
heels of the forward. Wenger, however, felt that Cole's tumble typified his
performance.

"The free kick and penalty were extremely generous and West Ham [are] very
happy," Wenger said. "I don't think that either should have been given but
we cannot influence the decision of the referee. Cole played well but if you
count how many times he goes down in a game, so you expect him to go down.
The crowd got behind the referee's decision and then it is always difficult
away from home."

However, Wenger was also critical of his players for failing to extend their
lead for the second time this week. They conceded a goal in stoppage time to
draw 1-1 away to AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League on Tuesday. "We are an
intelligent team that should make the maximum result with the game they
produce," he said. "That is what we did not do. We missed the final ball and
were too complicated.

"We need to learn to finish these games off, [that is] the most important
lesson today. We were in control but, as long as you don't score the third
goal, the game is not won. It is very frustrating."

Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, believed the draw could be a turning
point despite more sloppy mistakes. "It's not a victory but it sounds like
it and that's what I was looking for," he said. "Every time we make a
mistake they score. That doesn't help. But we need to fight, fight, fight.
We just need a bit more confidence. Last week I saw something, a change.
This gives a signal we are there and we are fighting. We can do better
things starting today."

Parker will miss the match against Sunderland on Saturday after he was
dismissed for a second yellow card, his seventh of the season. Zola argued
that Foy had failed to see that Parker had used his head, not his hand, to
clear the ball on the floor as Cesc Fàbregas raced clear. He added that
Green's save from Robin van Persie, the Arsenal forward, in stoppage time
will boost his confidence. "It was an unbelievable save," Zola said. "That
was the 'keeper of the national team."

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Arsene Wenger accuses his players of blowing great title race chance
Published 23:00 25/10/09 By John Cross
The Mirror

Arsene Wenger last night accused his players of blowing a glorious chance in
the title race. Frustrated Wenger saw Arsenal throw away a two-goal half
time lead as ten-man West Ham staged a brave fight back to snatch a point at
Upton Park. Gunners boss Wenger said: "It is a major missed opportunity of
course. In our job you don't have the luxury to miss opportunities. "You
need to get points when you deserve to get points and sometimes when you
don't deserve to get the points. "Today we didn't get the points when we
deserved them, and that means we have not made the maximum of what we should
have done. "It is tight and open and that is why I am convinced that it will
be tight until the end. We have a great chance this year but you cannot
repeat this kind of performance we had today and not come out with three
points. "We have to keep the positives as we played well and are a strong
team. We want to learn to finish these games off which is basically the most
important lesson of the day."
Wenger admitted he was frustrated with rookie keeper Vito Mannone after his
mistake gifted West Ham a way back into the game but also claimed referee
Chris Foy got decisions wrong on both the home team's goals. Wenger added:
"You might have expected him (Mannone) to parry it away, and not in the
middle of the goal but you must see the flight of the ball to see whether it
moved in the last second. "West Ham is very happy tonight and I understand
that. The free-kick and penalty were extremely generous. I don't think that
either should have been given."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola praised his players' spirit as he also
insisted midfielder Scott Parker should not have been sent off. Zola said:
"It was very difficult to come back from that but we did it and I'm very
pleased and proud of them. It give a signal we are there and we are
fighting. "With that spirit and with the qualities we have in the team I
think we can do better things starting today. "I might have something to say
about the sending off. Scotty went for a header with the boy (Fabregas) but
he was pushed and then he touched it with his hands. It's a pity because he
was playing well and is an important player for us."

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Hammers in need of a saviour
By Harry Harris
ESPN
October 25, 2009

The credit crunch is biting deep at Upton Park. All credit to Franco Zola's
team for fighting back to earn a valiant point against Arsenal, but
speculation is mounting that the club's value is rapidly declining. Still
without a win at home this season in the Premier League, the fightback from
two down might have felt like a victory, but the reality is that the one
point leaves the unhappy Hammers second from bottom of the table. And while
their Premier League status remains in doubt, the value of the club might be
plummeting to a new low, at least that's how those stalking the club view
it.

ESPN Soccernet has been informed that West Ham will need to drop their
asking price to as low as £15m to find a buyer for the stricken east London
club, because the new owner would need to take on debts of £85m.

That shock figure is revealed by an intermediary seeking a buyer to rescue
the club. The insider told ESPN Soccernet: "The clubs debts are £85 million
and a realistic price would be £100 million including that debt. The price
for West Ham started at £150 million but they are going to have to
drastically re-adjust their thinking. They could come down to £100 million,
but no one is going to pay even that price unless it includes their £85
million worth of debt."

There is once again speculation of a fire sale of talent in January, and
Carlton Cole, who would have impressed the on-looking Fabio Capello with his
man of the match display, is one of the few players who might raise a
reasonable transfer sum.

But my insider is sceptical that even that would resolve the problem. He
tells me: "They have a few good players left, like Carlton Cole, Matthew
Upson, but while Cole is young Upson is not. You will not get crazy money
for these players.

"Worse still is the football side. They are in danger of going down unless
someone steps in, so the they need to bring down their final figure. I would
say £100 million all in, including the debt, is rapidly becoming more of a
realistic price, but as yet the banks who effectively own the club are
trying to get a much as they can, understandably. They are going to have to
compromise."

West Ham's tradition deserves the right kind of investor to come to the
club's aid, and Zola has the makings of a promising management team
alongside Steve Clarke.

When the Gunners cruised into a two-goal lead with little effort and even
less resistance from the Hammers, co-commentator and ex-Gunner Alan Smith
ventured that the home team "look like a beaten team already".

It felt as if Arsenal would roll out a bag full of goals, but in yet another
unexpected turn around West Ham fought back and ended up deserving a point,
while Arsene Wenger will be furious that the Gunners' title chances took
such a knock in a game that should have waltzed through.

The Hammers are fighting a relegation battle, much as I predicted two months
ago, and while they fight for survival they are vulnerable to a cheap
takeover bid.

Early indications are that West Ham are attracting potential investors,
seeking a bargain. David Sullivan says West Ham's "huge debts" have deterred
him from mounting a takeover bid following his preliminary discussions with
the club.

Sullivan and former Birmingham co-owner David Gold are seeking another club
after selling their stake in City to the Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.
West Ham are the club Sullivan supported as a boy, but he was put off by a
possible £100 million asking price.

Sullivan said: "The debts that appear to be at West Ham seem huge. I'm not
sure I could face what is going on there, but West Ham do need help and
quickly. I hope someone gets involved in the next week or next month or two;
otherwise they could be in the Championship or bust, or both."

West Ham are currently controlled by CB Holdings who, in turn, are owned
largely by the Icelandic investment bank Straumur-Burdaras.

Initial talks revolved around a cash injection, but a complete takeover is
still a possibility. "As one door shuts another one opens," said Sullivan.
"West Ham is a club close to my heart, and I would love to be involved with
them."

Jim Bowe claims that the Intermarket Group is going to rescue West Ham was
greeted with derision within City circles. Worse, it was being described as
a blatant publicity stunt. A City expert on Premier League club takeover
deals told ESPN Soccernet: "As far as I can make it this is a company with a
£1,000 share capital started only recently. I suppose its better than
internet advertising to say your going to mount a £100 million takeover of a
club like West Ham!"

Bowe was once a Wall Street financier, now turned chief executive of
Intermarket of a mere one month standing.

Intermarket is actually a Canary Wharf-based financial analysis company.
Their link with the Hammers gained them a sack full of free publicity and
they were quite content to talk openly about their plans for the unhappy
Hammers.

A spokesman for West Ham's owner, Straumur, hinted that there was nothing in
Bowe's claims. But it won't do Intermarket's two director-shareholders,
David Byrne and Iain Mortley, any harm to be talked about as £100 million
bidders. Little to nothing has been heard of them since they enjoyed the
limelight, their 15 minutes of fame.

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