Saturday, February 21

Daily WHUFC News - 21st February 2009

Squad strong at Bolton
WHUFC.com
There are plenty of options for Gianfranco Zola to consider when the team
turn up at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday
20.02.2009

Gianfranco Zola and his team travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday
afternoon aiming to avenge memories of his first league loss as West Ham
United manager.

After a bright start to life in east London with two wins from two back in
September, Zola saw his side give up their 100 per cent league record under
him with a 3-1 defeat at home by Bolton in miserable conditions. Fast
forward six months and West Ham may be riding high and unbeaten on the road
since 29 October, but memories linger of that defeat.

"To be honest we were very unlucky in that game and we didn't deserve the
defeat," Zola recalled. "I think the guys remember it and I'm sure they will
try to get back what we didn't get in that game."

The recent run and a strong travelling party, missing only the suspended
Lucas Neill and injured Luis Boa Morte from those who have propelled the
club up to eighth in the league, has raised hopes for a first-ever success
at the Reebok Stadium. Zola is warding against complacency though. "We know
what kind of team they are," he said.

"We know they are very physical and we need to find other solutions to get
round their physical aspects. We've been working and we will try and
surprise them if we can." Zola has James Tomkins and Valon Behrami fit
again, while Radoslav Kovac and Savio are looking for first starts and
Carlton Cole has worked tirelessly with the club's rehabilitation staff this
week after taking a knock to his ankle last time out.

The manager also has Wednesday's trip to Middlesbrough for the FA Cup
fifth-round replay to contemplate and is keeping a close eye on his squad.
The youthful exuberance of goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, 20, and winger Junior
Stanislas, 19, have added to his options after a positive reserve showing
for both in midweek. "The players are working very hard and it is a tiring
month," he said. "Physically we are OK. I am watching the statistics.

"I am sure we will cope and also if somebody is tired we will have a
replacement. Kovac has been training for two weeks and has come on very
well. I am sure he will get a chance in the next two games. At Bolton, we
are going to try to play our own game. We know their strengths and we know
some weaknesses and we want to exploit them. In these next two games, I will
try to use as many players as possible."

The cup may be looming but Zola will not think about the Riverside date
until the final whistle on Saturday. "For me, the next game is always the
most important one. The way we play against Bolton will dictate a lot how we
play against Middlesbrough so I want to play at 100 per cent and get the
points. I tell you, it's going to be vital for the Middlesbrough game also."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain's Blog - Big week ahead
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill will have to be content with a watching brief this weekend but
he is confident of success
20.02.2009

Last week was a disruptive week with players away on international duty
including myself. As a result, I think it was evident against Middlesbrough
that we looked like a team that had not trained together all week. The
performance was very disappointing as we never got going in the first half
and in the ten minutes that we did, we didn't punish them. We then ended up
getting done with the sucker punch.

We had every right to get a rollocking at half-time and although we improved
in the second half it was probably below the high standard we have set for
ourselves in recent weeks. The only good thing we can take out of it is we
managed to show enough character to get a result and we are still alive in
the cup. Our reward is a potential tie away to Everton which is one we would
very much be looking forward to if we can get past Middlesbrough away next
week.

Now we have had a full week's training together and we have all had a little
reality check from last weekend that everything was going too well. It is
just a reminder that we can never take our foot off the pedal.

Unfortunately I will be on the sidelines this week as the boys go to the
Reebok Stadium. It is a very hard place to get a result but we are looking
to get revenge for a defeat at home that stopped a run we had just started
early in the season. Everyone knows how tough it is to play away at Bolton
but it is important for us to match them and stand up strong when our goal
and our 18-yard box is being bombarded. We need to learn from last week to
take our chances when they come.

Bolton are not on a great run of form so it will be important to get off to
a very good start and stifle any momentum they try and build. We need to
keep the great run we have had away from home going and come away with the
points.

This is a very crucial part of our season. If we can win this one and on
Wednesday night it will set us up next Sunday to beat a Manchester City side
who haven't been going very well away from home in the league. If that
happens, we will definitely be chasing those above and leave a fairly decent
gap on those behind us. It is a huge weekend and a positive result, no
matter how we perform, is vital. I will then look forward to joining back up
with the squad and hopefully getting us into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Lucas Neill

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Reebok Stadium Date: Saturday, 21 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC London 94.9FM and BBC London DAB; BBC Sport
website, BBC Radio 5 Live & highlights on Match of the Day
BBC.co.uk

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Striker Johan Elmander (hamstring) and midfielder Gavin McCann (broken toe)
both return to the Bolton squad. Tamir Cohen and Nicky Hunt are also in the
squad having played for the reserves this week.
West Ham are without Luis Boa Morte (groin) and the suspended Lucas Neill,
while Carlton Cole is likely to miss out with an ankle problem. That means
record buy Savio Nsereko could start, with Freddie Sears and Diego Tristan
also under consideration.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O'Brien, Samuel, K Davies,
McCann, Basham, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Cohen, Makukula, Puygrenier,
Obadeyi, Al Habsi, M Davies, Smolarek, Riga, Hunt, Elmander.

West Ham (from): Green, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Kovac, Spector, Sears, Nsereko,
Tristan, Tomkins, Dyer, Dixon.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Bolton manager Gary Megson: "We have a fantastic opportunity with the games
we have left to have a good finish to the season. "We need to make the
Reebok Stadium a difficult place to come for away teams. "And we've got a
chance to do the double over West Ham and that is what we are intending to
do."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: It's going to be a tough match but we are
going there to get the three points. "At the beginning of the season we were
looking to improve on last season and so far we are right there. "As soon as
we get the first target out of the way, it is important, if we have games
left, to achieve something more."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bolton v West Ham preview
Hammers target first-ever Reebok success
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 20th February 2009
SSN

West Ham travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday targeting their first-ever
victory at the Reebok Stadium. The Hammers have not enjoyed their trips to
the North West in recent years, suffering six defeats and drawing twice in
their eight visits in all competitions. Gary Megson's men have lost four of
their last six on home turf, although three of those defeats were against
heavyweights Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Bolton are four
points above the relegation places, but given how tightly-packed the Premier
League table is this term, they are just four behind Manchester City in
ninth. Gianfranco Zola's troops have been in impressive form in recent
weeks, with the 1-0 defeat by league leaders United their only reverse in
their last 10 outings in all competitions. The Hammers have also not lost on
their travels since a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United back on 29th October,
a run of eight matches.
Megson welcomes record signing Johan Elmander and midfielder Gavin McCann
back into his plans this weekend. Elmander is back in contention after being
sidelined by a hamstring injury in recent weeks, while McCann has recovered
from a broken toe. Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) is fit to feature and January
signing Mark Davies has recovered from the knee problem he sustained against
Everton last time out. Defender Nicky Hunt and midfielder Tamir Cohen are in
the squad after reserve outings this week but Joey O'Brien remains on the
sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.
Zola is missing in-form striker Carlton Cole, midfielder Luis Boa Morte and
defender Lucas Neill from his plans. Cole is facing at least a week on the
sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup draw against
Middlesbrough, Boa Morte is out for a month after tearing his groin muscle
and Neill is suspended. Czech international Radoslav Kovac could make his
debut after signing on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season,
while either Jonathan Spector or James Tomkins are in line to deputise for
Neill. Danny Gabbidon (stomach), Kieron Dyer (calf) and Dean Ashton (ankle)
remain longer-term absentees.

Possible starting XIs
Bolton: Jaaskelainen; A O'Brien, Samuel, Cahill, Puygrenier, Steinsson,
Taylor, Muamba, M Davies, K Davies, A Makukula.

West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Noble,
Kovac, Di Michele, Tristan.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Roger And The Pole Dance
Just Like My Dreams

Gianfranco Zola admits he cannot understand those who see the UEFA Cup as a
nuisance and is desperate to take his West Ham United side into Europe as
soon as possible. Victory at Bolton could lift the Hammers into seventh
place in the Barclays Premier League - firmly in contention for next
season's rebranded Europa League. For Zola, that would represent a
significant triumph. While the Champions League remains a coveted prize,
Europe's second competition has suffered from a downgraded status in recent
seasons, with Wanderers boss Gary Megson placing it firmly below last
season's relegation scrap and Harry Redknapp selecting a shadow Tottenham
side against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Zola, who won the UEFA Cup during his time with Parma, insists any
continental cup deserves the utmost respect - even if the standard is not
quite the same as when he lifted the trophy in 1995. "For me the UEFA Cup is
not the same as the one I won with Parma because it is a different story,"
said Zola. "Only the teams which finished first in their leagues were in the
Champions League and those who finished second and third were in the UEFA
Cup, so it was a strong competition. Now it is different but it is still a
European competition and I would love to be involved in a competition like
that. I don't understand why people don't like it but I am sure there are
still plenty of teams who want to be in it. Being in the UEFA Cup would be a
nice problem to have. If teams don't like the competition, then maybe we
should change the format, but for me it a good tournament to be involved in
because it can make your team better."

Zola also finished as a UEFA Cup runner-up in 1994 before enjoying success
in the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Chelsea. He believes the experience
of playing overseas can only be good for players. "It's not just the
silverware you can get but the chance to give you players some European
experience," he said. "I'm not the kind of manager to stop the players from
thinking about it. It's good to have ambitious targets and work hard to
achieve them. If they want to be ambitious then I am very happy if they work
hard to make their ambitions happy."

Meanwhile, things have gone from bad to worse for Julian Faubert. The United
loanee has contrived to ease himself out of Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos'
plans after just three weeks and about 30 minutes of first-team football.
The French midfielder was a substitute in his first week at the club and was
then an unused substitute last week. Now Faubert has not been named in
Ramos' 19 man squad to play Real Betis tonight despite the fact that the
Spanish coach admits he is considering rotating players with one eye on
Wednesday's Champions League tie with Liverpool. Ramos said: "Possibly
playing one big game and then inside a week being properly recuperated to
play another one is too much so there could be rotations."

Elsewhere Pawel Brozek has shamelessly reciprocated the come hither glances
of Roger Cross with the player's agent indicating his client would be well
up for a move to Upton Park. The Polish striker's goalscoring exploits for
Wisla Krakow has brought him to the attention of a plethora of European
clubs. He was also the star turn in Poland's recent international game
against Wales, earning rave reviews after yet another powerful display. West
Ham's chief scout was one of those watching and he has spoken favourably of
the players abilities. "I have heard the rumours about interest from West
Ham and I believe they watched him playing for Poland," Agent Osuch the
Panda told Sky Sports. "Of course Pawel would be interested in a move to
West Ham. They are a nice club, they are in London and they are playing good
football under Zola. Pawel is the most talked about player in Poland and
there are a lot of clubs interested in him from Russia, Germany, France and
England. He will stay at Wisla until the summer and then we will see what
happens."

Brozek is a combative centre forward who shares some similarities to Dean
Ashton (though hopefully not in the ankle or groin department). He has been
something of a well kept secret back in his homeland, and only really come
into prominence in the last couple of seasons. Now he has seemingly decided
it could be time to leave his beloved Krakow and seek a new challenge
elsewhere. That's not to say that Ashton no longer figures in Gianfranco
Zola's future plans. "For me it is unfortunate because I have not had Ashton
in my side before," the Italian said yesterday. "It's a big blow because I
know how important he can be for us. I'm sorry especially for him though,
being out so long is not an easy thing. He is one of those player whose
qualities would be perfect for this team. I'm sure he would like to be
involved but when he comes back he will make up for it I'm sure."

The comparatively chaste Ivory Coast international Gervinho has demurred at
the possibility of moving to the Premier League after a month of speculation
linking him with West Ham United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hostpur, Manchester
City and Newcastle United. The 21-year-old striker, who turned in several
eye-catching performances for his homeland at the Beijing Olympics, looks
set to leave French side Le Mans in the near future as he looks to take his
career to the next level. Speaking to Sky Sports, Gervinho revealed: "My
future is at Le Mans at the moment. It is here that I belong. Anything else
is just a dream at the moment. The Premier League? That is just a dream. One
day, maybe next year, maybe in two years, I will go."

Another unsubstantiated report has West Ham United joining Everton in the
race for Roma forward Stefano Okaka Chuka according to reports in Italy. The
Italian press reported Everton's interest in January and now claim
Gianfranco Zola is supposedly ready to join the battle for the Nigerian born
striker. Okaka Chuka is an Italian citizen which would allow the striker to
move without a work permit. Zola has reportedly been aware of the player's
talent since he was the Under-21's boss for Italy and sources on the
continent suggest he is now among the front-runners to sign the starlet.
Other reports continue to credit the Hammers manager with an interest in
Sampdoria's Italian international Antonio Cassano.

Finally, is it possible that someone has miraculously discovered the secret
of Danny Gabbidon's mysterious 14 month absence? Speculation is rife across
several West Ham forums, sparked by a source claiming to have close
connections to the player, that Gabbidon has been suffering from a painful
spine alignment problem that was finally identified by the Italian medical
staff when carefully analysing his gait. This, according to the physios, was
the main cause of his hernias. The source was then isolated to his neck bone
alignment, and ultimately, to his jaw. The end result of all that is he had
six, or possibly seven, molars removed to realign his jaw, which in turn has
got his neck back in kilter. He is now reportedly back in training and has
been trying to adjust to a new running style by pounding the roads around
Cardiff. Gabbidon apparently has no other issues but is obviously nowhere
near match fit yet. I have no idea as to the voracity of this story but it
seems genuine and it is nice to have some news of the player (rather than
spurious claims of terminal illness, drug abuse, marital problems and
debilitating bouts of depression) following such a prolonged silence.
Posted by Trilby at 00:21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CARLOS TEVEZ TALKS TO MATT LAWTON: On his United future, the West Ham
affair, Maradona, and the scars he will bear for life
EXCLUSIVE By Matt Lawton, Chief Football Correspondent
Last updated at 10:07 PM on 20th February 2009
Daily Mail

For an hour he speaks Spanish and for an hour the questions are directed not
to him but to his interpreter. How does Carlos feel about this? What does
Carlos think about that? And then, after an hour, Carlos smiles and says:
'Carlos Tevez does speak English you know.'
He does, however, prefer to conduct such interviews in his native tongue
and it is easy to understand why. The issues Tevez wants to address are
sensitive and he wants to express himself as clearly and as candidly as he
can. He wants to speak his mind but he does not want to talk himself into
trouble. Not when Sir Alex Ferguson is his manager.
He wants to express his views on 'The Carlos Tevez Affair'; he wants to try
to clarify his feelings about Manchester United and the decision he will
soon have to make when it comes to his future. Will he remain at Old
Trafford beyond the end of this season or will he be playing elsewhere? He
certainly struggles with the fact that, in his mind, he sits on the United
bench too often.
He wants to explain why the appointment of Diego Maradona as the manager of
Argentina is nothing like as insane as it seems. He even wants to explain
why he once declined the offer of cosmetic surgery.
When Tevez was a child, he spent two months in intensive care after an
accident involving boiling water left him first with third-degree burns and
then scars that run from his right ear, down his neck and across his chest.
Boca Juniors, the club he joined at 17, offered to pay for surgery to have
the scars cosmetically improved. But Tevez said no. 'These scars are part of
who I am,' he says. 'They are part of my story and I am comfortable with
myself and how I look. That is more important than anything and I told them
that. It was a generous offer but I was not interested.' 'I don't ever
want to sit on the bench. I want to play, always. I have not been dropped
because I have done anything wrong and that is what is difficult'
More generous offers are sure to soon follow. From Real Madrid, perhaps from
Inter Milan. Offers that might yet lure him away from Old Trafford when
first team football is no longer guaranteed. The arrival of Dimitar Berbatov
has had a significant impact on Tevez, leaving him among the substitutes for
three of the four Barclays Premier League encounters that United have so far
contested against their main rivals this season. He started against
Liverpool back in September but has been omitted by Ferguson for the trips
to Chelsea and Arsenal and missed out again last month when Chelsea
travelled to the north-west. His greatest admirer thinks it ridiculous.
'Carlos Tevez should sit on the bench for no one,' says Maradona. But
Ferguson would appear to disagree, opting for a forward line of Wayne
Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Berbatov when all four are available.

Are Manchester United mad to delay on signing Carlos Tevez? The champions
are yet to agree a deal and the striker's future is in doubt as his loan
deal runs down. Should your club jump the queue to swoop for the Argentina
star? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK 'I am not going to comment on Maradona,' says
Tevez. 'If that is his opinion, then fair enough. I can only comment on my
feelings and, like any player, I don't ever want to sit on the bench. I want
to play, always. 'Last season I played. Last season I was the second top
scorer at the club and last season we won the Champions League and the
Premier League. And everyone said I was playing well. 'But this season I
have been benched and I find that hard to understand when I am not playing
badly. I realise another player has arrived and I realise that this is why I
am sometimes not in the team. But I have not been dropped because I have
done anything wrong and that is what is difficult. 'I will continue to
fight. It is in my nature to fight and I will continue to try and make the
best of every opportunity I do get in the hope that I will not be benched
again.' When it comes to his future, the situation is a complicated one.
What amounted to a two-year loan period at United will end in May and it is
then up to United to decide if they want to buy him from his owners. A fee
in excess of £20million has been mentioned, with a bidding war likely to
take the figures even higher. 'For the fans of Manchester I will always
give 100 per cent. But at this point I am not sure
if I will stay, not least because it is not just my decision' 'From my
point of view, you don't make a decision just because you are sitting on the
bench,' says Tevez, 'even if I would like to think I am good enough to play
for any team in the world.'You have to analyse the whole situation, the
whole experience of being at a football club, of living in a city. I have to
reflect on how I feel about living in Manchester. I have to ask if my family
are happy here.'Obviously, I want first-team football. But I have to
consider all the issues. I have to consider the whole experience of being at
the club before I even begin to make a decision.
'Right now, it is only my intention to give everything, in every game. For
the shirt of Manchester I will always give 100 per cent and for the fans of
Manchester I will always give 100 per cent. They have been very good to me.
They have taken me into their hearts. They even sing "Argentina" to me. 'He
knows the significance of this, given the history of the countries. Asked
about this, he says only: 'I am just a footballer. But I appreciate the
support I receive and I would never want to let down the supporters.
'I do have a great feeling about Manchester United and, in particular, the
fans. I have a great affection for them and they have made the feeling
phenomenal.

'But at this point I am not sure if I will stay, not least because it is not
just my decision. It is up to Manchester to decide if they want to keep me —
and I have to decide what is right for my career, for my future.' The
future, he nevertheless insists, can wait. 'Right now I am only really
focused on the four trophies we are trying to win,' he says. 'At United we
are all part of an amazing team.
'We are fighting for every win, home and away, just as we were last season
when we won the trophies. 'It's very difficult to compare Manchester United
in the Premier League to any teams from South America — even to teams like
Brazil and Argentina.'Physically and technically, they are very different.
In South America, particularly with kids, they focus so much on technique.
But, right now, Manchester United are probably the best team in the world,
tactically and technically, and that is very exciting.'
Ferguson once declared 'you can never have too many strikers' and his desire
to keep Tevez must be strong. It is not just the considerable talent of the
South American that will impress United's manager but his remarkable
tenacity. Not just his ability to score goals but his ability to acquire
trophies. At 25, Tevez has won just about everything: a Copa Libertadores;
an Olympic gold medal; the English, European and world crowns with United;
not to mention a host of other titles, first with Boca and then Corinthians
before moving to the Premier League. 'I have a siesta every afternoon, for
two or three hours, and it means I am at my best, at my strongest, for
every game' His levels of energy are extraordinary, his spirit something
that Maradona regards as an inspiration to others. When Argentina's Olympic
team returned from Athens in 2004, Maradona greeted Tevez with a kiss on the
lips. He declared Tevez an 'Argentine prophet for the 21st century', and now
uses the 'spirit' Tevez possesses to motivate his team. 'Your spirit will
win us the game,' Maradona told Tevez before last week's friendly with
France in Marseille. Argentina won 2-0. Maradona said much the same thing
before an encounter between Corinthians and River Plate. Desperate to see
Corinthians beat the arch rivals of his beloved Boca, Maradona attended a
team meeting at the Corinthians hotel and urged them to follow the example
of the young forward he so admires. 'You must win,' said Maradona. 'But to
win you must fight like Carlos Tevez.'
Tevez appreciates the support he receives from his great hero but sees
nothing particularly special in his all-action approach. 'I think I have
been blessed with some natural ability in terms of my stamina,' he says.
'But a major part of it is down to the hard work I put in and the way I look
after myself. 'For me, it is as much about diet and rest as it is about
working hard in training. It is about getting enough sleep. I have a siesta
every afternoon, for two or three hours, and it means I am at my best, at my
strongest, for every game. It is always in my mind to prepare myself so that
I can perform at my optimum. 'Why should it be the Carlos Tevez affair? It
is West Ham's affair. This is not my problem and it was not my fault'
'Football today is very different, very physical and very fast. It is all
attack, defend, attack, defend. Even as a striker, you have to defend,
otherwise you leave your team-mates exposed to danger. 'To be the best team
in the world, the strikers have to defend, they have to work. That is my
philosophy and it is the philosophy of Manchester United. We always give
everything.' It is because he gave everything that the supporters of West
Ham remain so fond of him. No matter that, because of the controversy that
has erupted over the third-party agreement that existed when he played for
the Hammers, Sheffield United are now attempting to secure more than £50m in
compensation from his former club. He is still adored at Upton Park, as he
discovered when he returned there with United earlier this month.
'As far as I am concerned, why should it be the Carlos Tevez affair? It is
West Ham's affair. This is not my problem and it was not my fault. I did
nothing wrong. I came to England to play football and for West Ham and for
Manchester United I have tried to do that to the best of my ability. 'If
West Ham have not submitted the documents correctly, that is down to them.
It was nothing I did but I have found myself caught in the middle of it. 'I
gave my all for West Ham. I scored some important goals and as I discovered
when I went back there the other week it is still appreciated by the fans.
They don't blame me for anything that has happened. If the registration was
wrong, that is down to the officials involved in doing the paperwork.'
For Tevez, it is only about the football and it is when the discussion
returns to football — and in particular to Maradona — that the eyes once
again light up. 'You can't compare Maradona to Ferguson. But they share
that great hunger to win - and they both have that aura that great men
possess' 'Maradona will be a great coach,' he says. 'He has the same
charisma now that he had as a player and the group have responded so well to
him. 'People around the world might have been amazed by the decision to
appoint him, but it was different for the people of Argentina, for the
people who love him and admire him. 'We knew we had endured his problems;
with his health, with everything. But in Argentina he is a hero to everyone
and when we knew he had recovered and when he was given the job of coaching
the national team, it was like he was back — and that meant so much to the
people. 'You can't compare him to Sir Alex Ferguson. One manager has years
and years of experience and one is just starting his career, but they share
that great hunger to win — and they both have that aura that great men
possess.'
Maradona would doubtless insist that Tevez has it, too.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola: West Ham would take UEFA Cup seriously
21.02.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola says he would take the UEFA Cup
seriously if they qualified for next season's competition.

Spurs, Aston Villa and Portsmouth have all rested key players in this
season's UEFA Cup while Bolton fielded a virtual reserve team last season.

But Zola insists: "I don't understand how Europe can be an inconvenience.

"Teams put so much effort into qualifying and then, when they get there,
they put out weakened teams. It doesn't make sense.

"The UEFA Cup doesn't have the same prestige as when I won it with Parma in
1995 but it's a European competition and I'd love to be involved with West
Ham."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson1

Thank You so much to those who have already contributed