Monday, February 16

Daily WHUFC News - II 16th February 2009

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
The manager and his coaching staff know there is another big week ahead at
Chadwell Heath
16.02.2009

Gianfranco Zola may still have an FA Cup fifth-round tie to contend with but
he will switch attention back to the Barclays Premier League this week and
the trip to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon. With Manchester City
losing at Portsmouth in the one league fixture played at the weekend, West
Ham United preserved their hold on eighth place. A victory at the Reebok
Stadium would give Zola's men every chance of moving up to seventh and
possibly closing the gap on sixth-placed Everton - the team who will block
the way to the FA Cup semi-finals should Middlesbrough be overcome in
Tuesday week's cup replay. The manager has been boosted by some positive
injury news around Carlton Cole, with initial fears over his ankle injury
suffered early in Saturday's 1-1 draw in the first meeting with Boro proving
unfounded. A positive X-ray on Sunday showed no fracture and, ahead of an
MRI scan to come, it is hoped the sprain could lead to only a two-week
absence at worst.

The news is not so good for Luis Boa Morte, who may be missing for up to a
month with a groin strain that caused him to be substituted soon after the
interval on Saturday. However, Valon Behrami is expected to be back for the
trip to Bolton while Radoslav Kovac is also pushing for his first appearance
in claret and blue and will benefit from another week's training after his
midweek international exertions. Also high in the manager's thoughts is
Savio, with the 19-year-old proving more than lively after his appearance
off the bench - especially in providing the free-kick for Herita Ilunga to
head the equalising goal. Zola said the new recruit is "learning quickly and
ahead of schedule" although reiterated the claim on the first made on the
exciting forward's unveiling last month that "he needs time". "He has been
playing in a second division team in Italy," Zola added. "I see he has good
qualities but he needs time to settle. The game here is such you can't even
imagine the difference in speed to Serie B in Italy. The best is to come
from him. When he came on, he made a difference so I am sure that is going
to be a big boost for him."

Ilunga also received special praise. "He is a very good player. His
character is unbelievable. He has played all the games and he is always
manages to get something out of them. I am very pleased with him. He is a
very good signing for us. He doesn't speak much English but it is not down
to the language. It is just the way he is. He doesn't speak very much but he
is one of those people that acts more than he talks."

The left-back has committed his long-term future to the club and the manager
stressed how significant a lift it has been to see the commitment shown by
senior players such as Scott Parker, who agreed a new contract until 2013
last week, in line with his own faith in the future direction at the Boleyn
Ground. "There are players that have been very important this season on and
off the pitch. "They are the core of this team and I believe they can be the
core of this team for a long time. The club knows this and they are offering
them contracts and they deserve that. It is good for stability. They are
positive players and they will help us to build something important.
Hopefully soon Lucas Neill will be signing a contract. "Things are going
well here we just need to understand that we want this to be for a long
time. The idea is to make a blend of experienced players and young talented
players to mix together and perform. The club has been fantastic this year.
In difficult times, in difficult moments - such as when the team wasn't
doing well and people kept talking badly about the club - the club kept
their composure. They backed the team and support them all the time and now
they are getting the reward for all the patience they had in those moments."

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Collins speaks on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
James Collins is certain that West Ham United will finish the job when they
head to Middlesbrough next week
16.02.2009

Another big week awaits on WHUTV with all the behind the scenes news and
views from Chadwell Heath - starting with James Collins' post-weekend
reflections.
Playing now during the free trial for fans, the West Ham United defender
looks back on the FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough and sums up the
determination in the Hammers camp to get it right in Tuesday week's
fifth-round replay after Saturday's 1-1 home draw. "We are not to happy with
the performance," he said. "We have got things to work on before we go up
there next week but we are still in the competition and we are looking
forward to it.

"For the way we have been playing we should have gone out there with a lot
of confidence but for some reason we didn't look confident as a team. We
will go there and put it right. We have got Bolton in between but we know
that if we raise our game to anything higher than it was we know we will go
up there and get the right result."

Collins also shares his thoughts on Valon Behrami, his own scoring chances
and the belief in the camp ahead of the weekend trip to Bolton Wanderers.
Log on to whufc.com now to see all this and much more, including match
highlights, the post-match thoughts of Gianfranco Zola and Tony Gale's own
expert summary of the weekend encounter.

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Free travel for Middlesbrough
WHUFC.com
Supporters making the long trip to Middlesbrough for the FA Cup replay are
being offered free coach travel
16.02.2009

West Ham United are delighted to confirm free coach travel for all
supporters who buy a ticket for the FA Cup fifth-round replay at
Middlesbrough. The match will be played at 8pm on Tuesday 24 February with
the winners at the Riverside earning a quarter-final tie away to Everton
early next month. The club has been given an allocation of 4,700 tickets.
Replay tickets go on sale to season ticket holders on Wednesday, with
Academy members able to purchase from Thursday and the general sale starting
on Friday. Priority post and bondholder applications should be sent in today
for processing on Tuesday.

West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "This will be the club's fifth trip
to the north-east since the start of November and we recognise the burden
that places on our supporters. The fans are central to what we are trying to
achieve and we need them with us in everything we do - and that certainly
includes backing the team at the Riverside."

Ticket prices
Adults - £15
Adult season ticket holders - £10
Seniors - £7
Young Adult members - £7
Under-16s - £5

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West Ham lose Cole for two weeks
BBC.co.uk

West Ham's Carlton Cole will be out of action for the next two weeks after
picking up an ankle sprain in the FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough. The
25-year-old England striker limped off after 33 minutes of Saturday's 1-1
draw at Upton Park. But concerns that he may have a fracture have been
allayed. "A positive X-ray on Sunday showed no fracture and, ahead of an MRI
scan, it is hoped the sprain could lead to only a two-week absence," the
club said. West Ham are due to play Bolton and Manchester City in the
Premier League over the next fortnight, with Cole also sitting out the
fifth-round replay against Middlesbrough on 24 February.
Cole, who earned his first England cap as a substitute in the 2-0 friendly
defeat by Spain last week, is the Hammers' top scorer this season having
scored eight times in the league. He registered just four league goals in
the whole of last term and was a target for fan's frustrations as the team's
struggled to break the opposition down. His recent flurry of goals coincides
with a new five-year contract and the arrival of Gianfranco Zola as manager
after Alan Curbishley's resignation. He initially gained a regular place in
the starting line-up thanks to the latest in a series of ankle injuries to
Dean Ashton. On Sunday, Ashton was ruled out for the rest of the season as
he takes a cautious approach to his rehabilitation following two bouts of
ankle surgery.

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Hammers offer new deals
Zola wants Neill, Upson and Green tied down
SSN
Last updated: 16th February 2009

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is hoping to tie down a number of his squad in
the coming weeks. Scott Parker has just penned a new long-term deal - but
Zola is now looking for Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Robert Green to
follow suit. The Hammers have shrugged off talk of financial problems
off-the-field and they are showing this by offering fresh terms across their
squad. Zola is hoping captain Neill will soon extend his contract as his
current deal expires in the summer. "There are players that have been very
important this season on and off the pitch," he said. "They are the core of
this team and I believe they can be the core of this team for a long time.
"The club knows this and they are offering them contracts and they deserve
that. It is good for stability. They are positive players and they will help
us to build something important. Hopefully soon Lucas Neill will be signing
a contract. "Things are going well here we just need to understand that we
want this to be for a long time. "The idea is to make a blend of experienced
players and young talented players to mix together and perform. The club has
been fantastic this year. "In difficult times, in difficult moments - such
as when the team wasn't doing well and people kept talking badly about the
club - the club kept their composure. "They backed the team and support them
all the time and now they are getting the reward for all the patience they
had in those moments."

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No break for Cole
Hammers boost over striker
SSN
Last updated: 16th February 2009

West Ham have been boosted by the news that Carlton Cole has not broken his
ankle. The England international was forced off during their FA Cup fifth
round draw with Middlesbrough at the weekend, amid fears he had seriously
damaged his ankle. However, an X-ray has shown there are no broken bones and
now, subject to a scan, the club hope he could be sidelined for just two
weeks. The news is not so good for their Portuguese forward Luis Boa Morte.
The club have confirmed that the former Fulham star will be out for a month
with a groin injury he suffered against Boro.

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Green and Upson set to follow Parker in agreeing new long-term deals at West
Ham
By KEN DYER
Last updated at 11:57 AM on 16th February 2009
Daily Mail

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola today hinted that England pair Robert Green
and Matthew Upson could soon be offered new, long-term contracts. Green and
Upson were two players who attracted interest during the January transfer
window. A third, Scott Parker, has just signed an improved deal and captain
Lucas Neill could soon follow. 'There are players here who are the core of
this team now and for a long time to come,' said boss Zola, whose team,
provided they beat Middlesbrough in next week's FA Cup replay having drawn
1-1 on Saturday, have been drawn away to Everton in the quarter-finals.
'These are people like Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Scott Parker and Lucas
Neill. Things are going well here but we just need to understand that we
want this for a long time.'

Meanwhile, Carlton Cole is expected to be out for a fortnight with the ankle
sprain he suffered at the weekend. The 25-year-old, who made his England
debut last week against Spain, limped out of the clash against MIddlesbrough
on Saturday after just 33 minutes. There were fears the striker had suffered
a serious injury but a statement from the club read: 'A positive X-ray on
Sunday showed no fracture and, ahead of an MRI scan to come, it is hoped the
sprain could lead to only a two-week absence at worst.'
However, main striker Dean Ashton is out for the rest of the season after
having a third ankle operation.

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Cole blow for Hammers
Monday, February 16, 2009
Metro.co.uk

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is expected to be out for a fortnight with the
ankle sprain he suffered at the weekend. The 25-year-old, who made his
England debut last week against Spain, limped out of the FA Cup fifth-round
draw against Middlesbrough at Upton Park. There were fears the striker had
suffered a serious injury but a statement from the club read: 'A positive
X-ray on Sunday showed no fracture and, ahead of an MRI scan to come, it is
hoped the sprain could lead to only a two-week absence at worst.'

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Zola enters race for Italian bad boy
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 16 February 2009 - 12:07
Sport.co.uk

Gianfranco Zola is monitoring the situation of Sampdoria playmaker Antonio
Cassano, with reports suggesting that the West Ham boss will make "Il
Talentino" his number one target in the summer. Zola has managed to steady
the Hammers ship and hold on to star players Scott Parker, Mathew Upson and
Carlton Cole.
The Italian international turned down a move to Manchester City on deadline
day last Summer, turning down a reported £3 million a year salary.
According to reports in Italy Zola is keen to bring Cassano to Upton Park,
and may even use former Irons legend Paulo Di Canio to help him. Cassano has
been labelled hot tempered and a trouble maker by team mates, however after
returning to Italy with Sampdoria following a tough time at Real Madrid,
Cassano has revitalised his career and been linked with a move to Juventus.
Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli admitted this week that Juventus
are keen on the Italian bad boy. He said: "Cassano is a youngster who is
becoming a man. He is a nice person and an excellent player. Our sporting
director [Alessio Secco] has spoken about our potential buys for next
season." "Cassano is certainly one of the players that we are talking about.
I think Inter have made a big step forward, but nothing is closed just yet."
"There are still many games to play and we have to begin winning them if we
are to stay on course [for the title]."

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West Ham boosted by Cole all-clear
9:57am Monday 16th February 2009
Guardian Series

WEST Ham were given a major boost when it was revealed that Carlton Cole has
not suffered a fracture to his ankle. The Hammers striker limped off during
the team's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday and after leaving the
ground in an Aircast boot. But an X-ray has shown that there has been no
break, and with a further MRI scan planned, it is hoped that the England
international may only be out of action for two weeks. The news was not so
good for Hammers winger Luis Boa Morte, who will be sidelined for a month
after picking up a groin injury against Boro.

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All Zola's Saying, is Give Boa a Chance
West Ham Till I Die

I have made no secret that I am not exactly a fan of Luis Boa Morte. For an
attacking player to have scored a single goal in 58 appearances is a record
which I suspect even he realises is not one to be proud of. But can he ever
be expected to improve when he constantly has the crowd on his back? Some
time ago I found myself booing him. I instantly felt ashamed of myself and
vowed never to do it again. He is the only player at West Ham I have ever
booed. It was because I thought he just wasn't trying. I would not accuse
him of that now. On Saturday, he really did try. He was all over the pitch,
and put in some good tackles. But from an attacking viewpoint, nothing came
off for him. Again. When he was subbed there were a few boos, although
nothing compared to what he has heard before. This is what Zola said at his
after match press conference…

Luis Boa Morte has been a fantastic professional and every time he has
played he has done his job. He is incredible in the changing room and he is
one of the players that every manager would want to have. I don't think he
deserves the supporters picking on him, it also makes it more difficult for
him. [That he did not leave] is more proof that he cares about what he is
doing here. He wanted to stay and prove to be useful for the cause. He's got
all my respect.

So Zola's message is: give the lad a chance. He's right. We should.

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Collins dreaming of Wembley
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 16 February 2009 - 8:57 AM
Sport.co.uk

West Ham defender James Collins believes a repeat of the club's run to the
2006 FA Cup final could be on the cards. Herita Ilunga rescued Gianfranco
Zola's side with a late goal in their 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough in
Saturday's fifth round clash and Collins is dreaming of Wembley. The
Hammers' progress to the last 16 is already their best FA Cup performance
since the run of three years ago, when they lost to Liverpool on penalties
after a 3-3 draw at the Millennium Stadium.

But the enormous turnover of players at Upton Park means just Collins, Danny
Gabbidon and Dean Ashton remain in the squad from that day. And the
centre-back feels his new team-mates need to experience the final of the
world's oldest cup competition.

"That cup run was a fantastic time in my career, it will stay with me for a
long time, especially the celebrations after the semi-final," said Collins,
who played in the semi-final win over Middlesbrough, but not the final.

"I'd like to go there and get as far as possible. A lot of the boys who are
here now haven't been to the final, it's an amazing occasion and hopefully
we can do it this year."

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Zola hoping to Hammer out deals
TeamTalk

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is hoping to tie down a number of his
"important" first-team players to new contracts in the coming weeks. Scott
Parker has just penned a new long-term deal - but Zola is now looking for
Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Robert Green to follow suit. The Hammers have
shrugged off talk of financial problems off-the-field and they are showing
this by offering fresh terms across their squad. Zola is hoping captain
Neill will soon extend his contract as his current deal expires in the
summer. "There are players that have been very important this season on and
off the pitch," he said. "They are the core of this team and I believe they
can be the core of this team for a long time. "The club knows this and they
are offering them contracts and they deserve that. It is good for stability.
"They are positive players and will help us to build something important.
Hopefully soon Lucas Neill will be signing a contract. "Things are going
well here we just need to understand that we want this to be for a long
time. "The idea is to make a blend of experienced players and young talented
players to mix together and perform. The club has been fantastic this year.
"In difficult times, in difficult moments - such as when the team wasn't
doing well and people kept talking badly about the club - the club kept
their composure. "They backed the team and support them all the time and now
they are getting the reward for all the patience they had in those moments."

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Zola tells Hammers fans to lay off of Boa Morte
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sport.co.uk

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has pleaded with fans not to turn on Boa Morte
after jeering him off against Middlesbrough at the weekend. The Italian
said: 'I don't understand this, Luis Boa Morte has been a fantastic
professional. Every time he plays he has done his job and he is incredible
in the dressing room. 'He is one of the players every manager would like to
have. I don't think he deserves the supporters picking on him. 'It makes it
more difficult for him to perform. As soon as he makes a mistake they pick
on him but he doesn't deserve that. He's been fantastic for me.' Boa Morte
almost left for Hull in January, and Zola added: 'That is more proof that he
cares about what he is doing over here, he wanted to stay and prove he is
useful. He has all my respect.'

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West Ham must cough up for Torino striker Di Michele
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United will have to cough up to sign on-loan Torino striker Davide
Di Michele permanently. The News of the World says Di Michele wants to make
his loan move from Torino a permanent deal - he would cost the Hammers about
£750,000.

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Zola lifts pressure off West Ham owner Gudmundsson
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

Gianfranco Zola has lifted the pressure off West Ham United owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson. The People says Gudmundsson, believed to have a 95 per cent
stake in the club that was bought for £85m, is considering selling after the
economic meltdown in Iceland wiped an estimated £230million off his personal
fortune.
Gudmundsson appears before Icelandic courts next month following his axing
as chairman of Landsbanki when it was nationalised. West Ham's value has
increased as a result of manager Zola turning around its fortunes, with a
run of eight matches unbeaten before last week's defeat by Manchester
United.

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Noble delighted West Ham kept management team from Chelsea
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble has congratulated the board for
keeping Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke away from Chelsea. "The manager and
Steve Clarke have been a great asset to the club," said Noble. "I think we
look so much more solid now and it's about time that we were able to
compete. "I'm only 21 and I've already seen a lot of managers come and go
but the way the boss and Steve bounce off each other really works. Steve has
been in the game for so long and you respect the manager for who he is and
what he has done." He added: "They complete each other and they really get
their point across and know exactly how they want to play. "The manager came
in and put so much belief in everyone that they go out and play freely."

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Ashton happy for West Ham pal Cole
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

Crocked West Ham striker Dean Ashton is pleased for Carlton Cole after his
England breakthrough last week. Ashton said: "Carlton has done very well in
the last eight or nine games and deserved his call up. But I never think it
should be me instead of him. I am injured so I can't be selected. "When I'm
back fit then I'll try to get back both in the England and West Ham teams."

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At what point do West Ham say enough is enough and cash in?
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER, on Mon 16 Feb 2009
Footballfancast.com

Football FanCast guest columnist Johnny Rowe wonders if West Ham should
count their losses with Dean Ashton. There comes a time in life when you
have to say enough is enough, draw a line through it and move on and while
it may not be in the best interest of the player, it seems the only solution
for the football club.

Of course I'm talking about Dean Ashton here; a player of fantastic ability
and arguably (when fit) our biggest asset at Upton Park. The problem however
is the aforementioned 'when fit' and while it would be nice to think that in
the summer all these injury nightmares will have been resolved, I ask the
question as to what are the chances. We have a genuine sick note on our
hands here and I really feel the club should stop clambering onto any hope
that he will get over this and make a full recovery. There have just been
too many operations and injuries for more liking and once again a season has
passed with only a handful of appearances.

"I think realistically pre-season is my target," said Ashton "I've just had
an operation and the surgeons are pleased but obviously it's a set back I
didn't really want. I need to get over this operation, get myself properly
fit and I don't want to rush back before I'm ready." (Guardian)

It is a grave shame I am certainly not going to deny that as Ashton is one
of the top strikers in this country. If he was fit, Deano would be leading
the England attack and be the target man that Capello so requires. It is
tragic that we as a club and a nation in general have been deprived of his
services so long, but we can't dwell on that and have to move on. We need
players at West Ham who are capable of playing 30+ games a season, not 5 or
6, and those who are going to justify and earn their extortionate wages at
Upton Park.

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Daily WHUFC News - 16th February 2009

Everton the Riverside prize
WHUFC.com
The Middlesbrough-West Ham United fifth-round replay winners will travel to
Everton in early March
15.02.2009

West Ham United will take on Everton away should they get beyond
Middlesbrough in Tuesday week's FA Cup fifth-round replay.

The potential tie would be the first FA Cup meeting between the clubs since
the memorable 11 March 1991 sixth-round tie at the Boleyn Ground when goals
from Stuart Slater and Colin Foster ensured a 2-1 win and took the Hammers
through to the semi-finals. Once there, John Lyall's ten men - after the
harsh dismissal of Tony Gale - lost out 4-0 to Nottingham Forest.

In more recent action, Everton won 3-1 in east London back on 8 November
with the return Barclays Premier League encounter still to come at Goodison
Park on 16 May. Last season, the Toffees also travelled to east London for a
League Cup quarter-final, winning 2-1 before coming unstuck in the last
four.

The FA Cup sixth-round draw took place on Sunday evening with Frank
McLintock and Graeme Souness conducting proceedings from FA headquarters in
Soho Square, London. The ties will be staged on the weekend of 7/8 March.

West Ham United made sure of a place in the draw after Saturday's 1-1 home
draw with Middlesbrough, having beaten Barnsley and Hartlepool United in the
previous two rounds. Everton won through with a 3-1 home defeat of Aston
Villa on Sunday afternoon, having previously disposed of Macclesfield Town
and Liverpool. They have not been in the quarter-finals since the 2001/02
season.

Fifth-round draw

Blackburn Rovers or Coventry City v Chelsea
Swansea City or Fulham v Manchester United
Cardiff City or Arsenal or Burnley v Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v Middlesbrough or West Ham United

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Ashton will miss rest of season
Bbc.CO.UK

West Ham striker Dean Ashton will not play again this season as he takes a
cautious approach to his rehabilitation following two bouts of ankle
surgery. Ashton, 25, injured his left ankle in training in September 2008
and had the first operation soon after. He has just had a second operation
after specialist Niek van Dijk flew to London to help with the surgery.
Ashton said: "I'm looking to get myself back for pre-season now. I don't
want to come back unless I'm right." Ashton is due to be reassessed later in
February before flying to Amsterdam to meet Professor Van Dijk four weeks
later. James Calder, who also worked on the operation, is confident Ashton
will make a full recovery. "This type of procedure has been performed on a
lot of top European sports professionals and it has proven very successful,"
he said. "It was a complicated injury but we are confident that Dean will
recover well."
Since breaking the same ankle in August 2006, Ashton, who began his career
with Crewe, has been plagued by injuries. He signed a new five-year deal
with West Ham in June 2008 shortly after winning his first England cap in
the friendly against Trinidad & Tobago. Ashton, who scored 11 goals last
season, joined West Ham from Norwich for £7.25m in January 2006 and helped
the club to the FA Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Liverpool. His
performances that season earned him an England call-up for the friendly with
Greece in August 2006. But he broke his ankle in training for that game and
missed the entire 2006-07 season. He also suffered injuries during the
2007-08 campaign.

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FA Cup quarter final draw: it's Everton
Kumb.COM
Filed: Sunday, 15th February 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Ham will face Everton in the quarter finals of the FA Cup should they
overcome Middlesbrough in a fifth round replay. The Hammers - who face a
visit to Teeside for the replay nine days from now - face a tricky trip to
Goodison Park should they overcome Middlesbrough. The two sides last met in
the competition back in 1990 when the Hammers triumped 2-1 in a Boleyn
quarter final before going on to lose to Nottingham Forest in the semi
final, a game marred by the unfair dismissal early on of Tony Gale by Keith
Hackett. But the most memorable meeting between the sides (for Hammers
fans, at least) came in the 1980 semi final which was settled after a replay
by Frank Lampard's famous late winner; the Hammers going on to become the
last team outside of the top flight to win the trophy by beating Arsenal 1-0
in the final. Everton made the quarter finals courtesy of victories over
Macclesfield (1-0), Liverpool (1-0) and Aston Villa (3-1). This afternoon's
draw was conducted by Frank McLintock (home teams) and Graeme Souness
(away).

FA Cup quarter final draw

Blackburn Rovers or Coventry City v Chelsea
Swansea City or Fulham v Manchester United
Cardiff City or Arsenal or Burnley v Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v Middlesbrough or West Ham United

West Ham Utd v Everton: FA Cup history

March 1991: West Ham Utd 2 Everton 1 (quarter final)
January 1982: West Ham Utd 2 Everton 1 (3rd round)
April 1980: West Ham Utd 2 Everton 1 (Elland Road, semi final replay)
April 1980: West Ham Utd 1 Everton 1 (Villa Park, semi final)
March 1963: West Ham Utd 1 Everton 0 (5th round)
January 1957: Everton 2 West Ham Utd 1 (4th round)
January 1950: West Ham Utd 1 Everton 2 (4th round)
March 1933: Everton 2 West Ham Utd 1 (semi final)
February 1907: West Ham Utd 1 Everton 2 (2nd round)

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Neill plans Hammers stay
Captain never thought of leaving
SSN
Last updated: 15th February 2009

West Ham skipper Lucas Neill is hoping to agree a new deal to extend his
stay at the club. Neill's future at Upton Park has been the subject of
constant speculation with reports suggesting Newcastle enquired about
signing him in the January transfer window. The Australian's current
contract expires in the summer and it was feared he would leave at the end
of the season. However, the former Blackburn man insists he is happy with
life in East London and has never thought of moving. "I've never had any
intention of leaving," Neill told the News of the World. "I love everything
about the club. I love life in London and being settled, playing good
football, feeling fit and excited about the future of the club. "I have a
great relationship with the manager. Why would I want to leave after the run
we've been on?"

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Ashton admits season is over
West Ham forward will not rush return
SSN
Last updated: 15th February 2009

Dean Ashton has set his sights on a return to action in pre-season following
his latest ankle operation. The West Ham forward has suffered a number of
setbacks since picking up an injury in September and he was forced to go
under the knife again earlier this week. The club have not put a timescale
on his recovery but Ashton accepts that he is unlikely to be back before the
end of the current campaign. He insists the surgery was a success but does
not want to take any risks and is looking ahead to next term. "I think
realistically pre-season is my target," Ashton told the Sunday Mirror. "The
surgeons are pleased but obviously it's a setback I didn't really want. "I
need to get over this operation, get myself properly fit and I don't want to
rush back before I'm ready. "It happened when I just thought I was back,
especially after scoring twice in the first game - but then I came down with
another complaint with my ankle."
Ashton has been plagued by ankle problems throughout his career and he
admits it is difficult to be sidelined for long periods. He said: "Mentally
I'm strong enough to get through it but I'm like anybody else when I'm
missing football. "It's the worst feeling not being able to play."

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West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 1: Zola's core values give Hammers reason to be
hopeful
By SIMON CASS Last updated at 3:52 AM on 16th February 2009
Daily Mail

The last time these sides met in the FA Cup, West Ham progressed to the
Millennium Stadium and a heartbreaking shoot-out defeat by Liverpool, while
Middlesbrough rounded off their season with a UEFA Cup final thrashing at
the hands of Sevilla. A measure of just how much West Ham and Middlesbrough
have struggled for stability in the three years since is that they each
started with just one player - James Collins and Stewart Downing
respectively - from the teams who met in that semi-final at Villa Park. But
the signs are there for West Ham that under Gianfranco Zola they are finally
getting back on an even keel. The predicted January fire sale - owing to the
financial problems of owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson - never came to pass,
with only striker Craig Bellamy sold for a tidy sum to Manchester City. And
Zola has since been quietly allowed to get on with the business of securing
the futures of the players he believes will be the cornerstones of West
Ham's resurgence. 'Robert Green, Matthew Upson and also Scott Parker have
signed deals,' Zola was happy to point out to those who had said such vital
players would quit Upton Park. 'They are the core of this team and I believe
they can be the core of this team for a long time. The club know this, too.
'Hopefully, soon Lucas Neill will sign a contract as well. Things are going
well, we just need to understand that we want this to carry on for a long
time.'
The need for such experienced campaigners was laid bare against
Middlesbrough as West Ham failed to show the form which has carried them to
eighth in the table. Playing their part in making sure Boro's lead was not
extended beyond Downing's 22nd-minute opener, they ensured a bad day at the
office ended up with a replay-earning equaliser from Herita Ilunga seven
minutes from time. James Collins, who along with defensive partner Upson was
at fault for Downing's goal, was left struggling to explain his side's poor
display. 'We were shocking in the first half, terrible, the worst we've been
for a long time,' admitted Collins. 'Luckily we came up with a goal late on
and we are still in the Cup.'
Boro's failure to convert a host of chances highlighted the root cause of
their failure to win a Barclays Premier League match in 13 attempts - that
and their propensity to blow it when in a winning position. But the manner
in which Gareth Southgate's side went about their business bodes well for
the run-in while the chance to finish the job in the FA Cup on home turf
could prove beneficial to Boro's chances of turning around their league
form. 'People ask if the Cup is an unwelcome distraction,' said Southgate.
'Not at all. It gives us a tough week with three home matches and the
groundsman won't be pleased, but the rest of the club will be because it is
important revenue for us and keeps us in the competition. That gives
everyone optimism. 'The confidence has been coming back in the last few
weeks. The players believe in what we are doing. It will be easier to lift
them this week after a performance like that and get them ready for next
Saturday.'
Southgate's decision to fight off a renewed approach from Tottenham for
Downing, rather than cash in to fund moves for battled-hardened campaigners
to supplement his talented but inexperienced squad, has been questioned in
some quarters. But the England midfielder's display in a free role, behind
the alarmingly inaccurate Afonso Alves, will give cause for optimism that
the local hero can lead Boro to safety and will no doubt have pleased Fabio
Capello into the bargain.

UNSUNG HERO
ROBERT HUTH (Middlesbrough)

Dogged by criticism that he has not done enough to justify the £6million fee
Boro paid Chelsea for him in August 2006, he gave a rocksolid display
alongside David Wheater in only his 11th game of the season. If he maintains
this form, perhaps the German will bring an end to Boro's costly defensive
fragility. Echoing his manager's words, Downing said: 'The confidence is
creeping back in and one day we're going to turn someone over because you
cannot create that many chances every game and not put them away.' Outlining
just how vital it had been to hang on to Downing, Southgate added: 'He did
ask to leave but I'm not certain he really, really wanted to leave. 'His
ideal is that this club do well and he is a huge part of the club doing
well. Keeping your best players and bringing talent through the academy is
the route forward for us.' If Boro can produce a few more players of the
calibre of Downing, Southgate will soon have cornerstones of his own in
place.

MATCH FACTS

WEST HAM UNITED (4-4-2): Green 7; Neill 6, Collins 6, Upson 6, Ilunga 7;
Collison 6, Parker 6, Noble 6 (Nsereko 74min, 7), Boa Morte 6 (Sears 49, 6);
Di Michele 6, Cole 6 (Tristan 33, 5). Booked: Noble, Di Michele.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1) Jones 7; Hoyte 6, Huth 7, Wheater 7, Pogatetz 7;
Johnson 6, O'Neil 7, Digard 7, Arca 6 (Walker 77), Downing 7; Alves 5 (Sanli
74, 5). Booked: O'Neil.

Man of the match: Stewart Downing. Referee: Peter Walton.

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Calum Davenport Out To Prove Zola Wrong With Sunderland Form
The Black Cats defender wants to show his old boss that he made a mistake in
letting him leave the Boleyn Ground.
Goal.com

Calum Davenport left West Ham United for Sunderland last month, joining the
Wearsiders on loan for the rest of the season with a view to making the move
permanent in the summer. The centre-back had struggled to make an impression
at Upton Park, with his positive beginning to this campaign disrupted when
Gianfranco Zola succeeded Alan Curbishley as manager at West Ham, and
brought his own views on which personnel should be occupying the first-team
starting slots. Davenport has struggled to fulfill his obvious potential
during a career that began at Coventry City and meandered along with
Tottenham Hotpsur, before flickering then spluttering at West Ham. Now he is
hoping that his performance in the North East will show his former manager
that he made an error in allowing him to leave east London for Sunderland.
"I started this season in the side and people seemed happy with my
performances, but the same thing happened again," Davenport told The
Sunderland Echo today. "The new manager came in with new ideas, which you
accept and go with, and it all changed for me. There comes a time when you
feel it is right to move on and I'm here to do as well as I can for
Sunderland. "I've had a few injuries in the last two or three years, a
couple quite serious, and I just want to get down to playing as much
football as I can."

The defender had intimated to reporters last week that he was relishing the
prospect of some stability at last, and, perhaps surprisingly, stated that
the training facilities he found on Wearside were much better than those
down south, because they were drier. "I want a bit of stability in my
career, I'm 26 and I've got a young family as well, so I want to settle,"
Davenport told The Daily Telegraph. "I haven't just come up here for six
months away from West Ham with a view to going back - I'm hopefully coming
here to get in the team, perform well and convince the manager and fans that
I can add something to the squad. "Then, hopefully, something might happen
in the summer. The foundations are here at Sunderland. They stayed up last
year, so it's a case of kicking on, which is something that West Ham have
done since getting back into the Premier League. "They're sitting in eighth
now. I don't think that happens overnight: it's a progression. "One of the
things with West Ham is you couldn't train properly because the pitches were
always waterlogged. The facilities here are brilliant, it's nice to be able
to train whatever the weather."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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West Ham boss Zola urges fans to back Boa Morte
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is full of praise for winger Luis Boa
Morte. "Luis Boa Morte has been a fantastic professional and every time he
has played he has done his job," he told whufc.com. "He is incredible in the
changing room and he is one of the players that every manager would want to
have. I don't think he deserves the supporters picking on him, it also makes
it more difficult for him. [That he did not leave] is more proof that he
cares about what he is doing here. He wanted to stay and prove to be useful
for the cause. He's got all my respect."

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West Ham boss Zola proud of new player contracts
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is proud to have secured the core of
his team to new contract in recent weeks. "Robert Green, Matthew Upson and
also Scott Parker have signed deals," Zola was happy to point out to those
who had said such vital players would quit Upton Park. "They are the core of
this team and I believe they can be the core of this team for a long time.
The club know this, too. "Hopefully, soon Lucas Neill will sign a contract
as well. Things are going well, we just need to understand that we want this
to carry on for a long time."

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West Ham boss Zola: Ilunga among best in Premiership
16.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola rates Herita Ilunga among the best
fullbacks in the country. "He has signed a contract for four and a half
years so he will be with us for a long time," said Zola. "I don't think
there are many left-backs playing as well he is."

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West Ham ride their luck against Boro but future looks bright under
Gianfranco Zola
West Ham United (0) 1 Middlesbrough (1) 1
Telegraph
By John Ley
Last Updated: 7:48AM GMT 16 Feb 2009

The credit crunch was supposed to signal the beginning of the end for West
Ham. But, instead of selling all their prized assets, West Ham have secured
most of their leading players on new contracts and Gianfranco Zola has
revealed that Lucas Neill, the captain, is close to confirming his long-term
future at Upton Park.
West Ham were poor as they attempted to return to winning ways and owed
their place in today's quarter-final draw to a late equaliser, from Herita
Ilunga, to the frustration of a Middlesbrough side playing far better than
their League sequence of 13 games without a win suggested.

Craig Bellamy, Matthew Etherington and Hayden Mullins all left West Ham in
the transfer window but that was only a small percentage of the anticipated
clear-out, leaving the expectation levels high at West Ham and, therefore,
fuelling the irritation with an unusually inept performance. A relieved
Zola, twice an FA Cup winner with Chelsea, was grateful for a second chance
and praised the togetherness of the key figures at Upton Park. "These
players have been very important on and off the pitch," he said. "They are
the core of this team and I believe they can be the core of this team for a
long time. "The club know this too," he added. "It is very good for us,
they are good players, positive players. Robert Green, Matthew Upson and
also Scott Parker have signed new deals and hopefully soon Lucas Neill will
sign a contract as well. Things are going well, we just need to understand
that we want this to carry on for a long time."

Zola will be more concerned over the outcome of tests on two players this
week. New England cap Carlton Cole will have a scan on his ankle while Luis
Boa Morte could be out for several weeks with a damaged hamstring. But in
terms of his first six months as a manager, it has gone well. "There have
been difficult times and difficult moments," Zola said. "The team were not
doing well and a lot of things were going on but they [the board] kept their
composure and backed the team all the time and they are getting their
rewards for their patience."

Patience, though, was thin on the ground on Saturday as Middlesbrough took
the game to West Ham, carving out an early lead after capitalising on a
sequence of errors, with Stewart Downing, playing as a second striker behind
Afonso Alves, scoring the early opener. Both teams had chances, but when
Ilunga headed his second FA Cup goal with just seven minutes remaining, it
sucked the life out of Middlesbrough. The outstanding performance from
Downing also gave his manager, Gareth Southgate, pleasure, particularly as
he appeared keen to leave a month ago. But the professionalism of the
England winger is important to Southgate. "He did ask to leave but I'm not
certain he really, really wanted to leave," Southgate said. "His ideal is
that this club does well and he is a huge part of the club doing well. We've
had to cut back every year and in the world of football, fans won't want to
hear that but in business people say that is a reality of life. It is the
same at a lot of football clubs and that is why it makes a lot of the change
and turmoil a bit more ridiculous."

Fifth round replays
Hull v Sheff Utd: 26 Feb, 7.45pm
Middlesbrough v West Ham: 24 Feb, 8pm
Coventry v Blackburn: 24 Feb, 7.45pm
Fulham v Swansea: 24 Feb, 8pm

Quarter-final draw
Blackburn Rovers or Coventry City v Chelsea
Swansea City or Fulham v Manchester United
Cardiff City /Arsenal or Burnley v Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v West Ham United or Middlesbrough
Ties to be played on the weekend of March 7-8.

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