Daily WHUFC News: 03/25/09

Wednesday, March 25

Daily WHUFC News - 25th March 2009

Green fit for England
WHUFC.com
Robert Green will meet up with the England squad today on a high after
another assured display at Blackburn
24.03.2009

Robert Green's chances of adding to his two England caps were certainly not
harmed after an assured performance in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

The West Ham United goalkeeper had a busy afternoon at Ewood Park as the
home side launched a second-half aerial bombardment on his goal. But they
found Green and his defenders in a defiant mood, as crosses, long throws and
set-pieces were all dealt with superbly in what was a resolute defensive
showing.

"It was a backs-to-the-wall job at times. They are difficult to play against
as they play to their strengths," Green said. "We played to our strengths
and they are two different things. We needed every inch of player and power
we had today. The balls that came into the box, they know that some of the
loose balls will fall to them.

"I thought that we played well. We scored a wonderful goal and it was a game
where if you look at seasons gone by, five minutes into the second half and
playing with the crowd on your back, we could have crumbled. But everyone
stood up to it. It was one of them that you don't really, but you could
enjoy it in a perverse way."

Green used his full repertoire of catches and punches to deal with every
Rovers delivery that came near him, and bar Keith Andrews' goal five minutes
after the interval, rarely looked troubled. The stopper believes that
mastering that art of playing in goal is all about making the right
decisions at the right times. He said: "It is ok for someone saying "come
for everything and help everyone out" but then sometimes it is very
difficult if you are not going to catch it when you come.

"You have to be clinical about things. It is about the choices you make and
it is a different challenge and if we had kept a clean sheet it would have
been up there with the best. But that said, we did everything right and you
walk off the pitch and thought that we worked hard for the point."

Green's display will no doubt have caught the eye of the watching England
goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence. The former Norwich City stopper played the
second half of England's last match - a 2-0 defeat to Spain in Seville - and
will be hoping to cement his place in the England goalkeeping set-up with
another run out in the friendly with Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday.

"There are England scouts watching games everywhere. If they weren't you
would wonder. I have no idea whether I will get a chance this time. It was
great to get a half against Spain last time. I just need to carrying on
doing my stuff here and keep working hard and hopefully [get a chance]."

After collecting several dangerous-looking deliveries, few would have
guessed that just five days previously, parts of Green's tongue had been
flaking off after being caught by a stray elbow against West Bromwich
Albion. Green, in his typical calm manner, though, just wanted to get on
with the job in hand.

"I have had worse [knocks]. Some of my tongue was falling off but they say
that the tongue is the quickest healer and it has healed almost completely.
The difference on Monday night, when it happened, to Tuesday morning was
incredible."

The 29-year-old Green was not the only Hammers player to impress on
Saturday, as all 11 players weighed in with their defensive duties. Central
defenders Lucas Neill - returning to his old club - and 19-year-old James
Tomkins, who seems to be growing in stature and confidence with every
first-team game played, particularly caught the eye. Green was suitably
impressed.

"Tomkins is coming on leaps and bounds. He is a tall lad and he is learning
that there are guys in the Premier League that are going to be so big and
strong , like Jason Roberts was, and a player needs to know when to stand
off and when to challenge. He is picking that up now and was tremendous
again.

"Lucas orchestrated from the back as he can. He is a tremendous asset to
have and a tremendous voice during the game - particularly on Saturday when
the lads were looking to him to guide the team through. When there is so
much going on, so much frantic stuff, someone like Lucas is invaluable. I am
sure that he had some extra motivation to do well there too."

There was another positive for West Ham as Kieron Dyer made a successful
comeback from the calf injury that has kept him sidelined since his last
appearance against Fulham on 18 January. The former England midfielder
looked lively when on as a substitute and arguably could have helped win the
game for the visitors when he was bundled over in the box by Christopher
Samba, only for referee Chris Foy to rule no penalty. Green was just happy
for Dyer to be back on the pitch after such a long journey back from injury.

"He looked really sharp when he came on. If he can come back well and you
aren't going to be asking him to charge about the pitch for 90 minutes every
game, but if he does his part between now and the end of the season, it will
seem like another great acquisition.

"It must have felt that there was no light at the end of the tunnel for him
after the injury. Every player may go through it. I went trough a similar
thing as a kid and you feel that there is no light. You feel better when you
are better but when you have a serious injury, it can be pretty frustrating
for him to actually get out on the pitch must be a boost for him after what
has happened. His pace when he came on was important."

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Trio train with England
WHUFC.com
Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all took part in England's
training session on Tuesday
24.03.2009

West Ham United's Three Lions trained with Fabio Capello's England squad at
London Colney on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Robert Green, central defender Matthew Upson and striker Carlton
Cole were all fully involved in the session ahead of Saturday's friendly
international with Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.

Green will hope to earn his third cap after appearing in the 2-0 friendly
defeat to Spain in Seville last month, a game in which Cole made his full
debut for Capello's side. Upson, who was won his 13th cap as a substitute in
Spain, will battle Chelsea's John Terry, Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand
and Everton pair Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott for a place at the heart
of the England back-four.

England will use Saturday's fixture as preparation for next Wednesday's
visit of Ukraine to Wembley for a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier. They have
faced Slovakia twice before in qualification for the 2004 European
Championshipn finals. England won both matches 2-1, with Upson completing
the full 90 minutes in a home victory at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium
in June 2003.

The Three Lions have met Ukraine in two friendly matches since the former
Soviet state declared independence in August 1991. Kieron Dyer appeared as a
late substitute in the 2-0 win at Wembley in May 2000 and as a half-time
replacement during the 3-0 victory at Newcastle United's St James' Park in
August 2004.

Large crowds are expected at Wembley but for those supporters who cannot
make it to either fixture, Saturday's friendly will be screened live on
Setanta Sports, with kick-off at 5.15pm. Next Wednesday's qualifier will be
shown live on ITV1, with an 8pm kick-off.

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Cole on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole spoke to WHUTV about his intention to become an England regular
under Fabio Capello
24.03.2009

After being named in the senior England squad for the second time on Sunday,
Carlton Cole is determined to make another impact after his successful debut
against Spain last month. "I learnt a lot," Cole said of his first
appearance for the Three Lions. "There's a few things that I need to work on
and hopefully I'll be a more complete player when I next get the chance."
Cole, West Ham United's top scorer this season with eleven goals, trained
with Fabio Capello's squad on Monday as they began preparation for
Saturday's friendly with Slovakia at Wembley. The 25-year-old is hoping to
be involved once more and is determined to seize the opportunity, should it
arise. "I've got high ambitions and new levels of expectation around me now.
I just want to fulfil my potential and get to the highest my game [can
get]."

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Ladies beat Pompey
WHUFC.com
A brace from Sam Pittuck helped West Ham United to 'massive' win against
Portsmouth
2.03.2009

West Ham United Ladies secured a first-ever win over Portsmouth to climb to
third in the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Southern Division table.

The Hammers, who recently lifted the Essex County Cup, were in fine form
again at Fareham Town FC, where a brace from the division's top scorer Sam
Pittuck saw Tony Marshall's side secure a 2-1 win over Pompey.

Naming an unchanged side from the 5-0 league victory at Ipswich Town a
fortnight previously, West Ham knew they would be thoroughly tested by a
Portsmouth team they had never beaten.

That test became even more severe when defender Rosy Sullivan deflected a
hopeful cross past Paris Smith to give the hosts the lead after just five
minutes. But, showing the tenacity that has served them so well this season,
West Ham stormed back and dominated proceedings for almost the entire
remainder of the first half.

It was complete one-way traffic as Ruby Southgate, Holly Griffin and Gemma
Shepherd painted pretty pictures with their passing down the right wing. In
the centre of midfield, Katie Holmes and Pittuck began to take control of
the game, supported by the hard-working Lindsey Morgan.

As such, it was no surprise when West Ham drew level on 25 minutes when
Pittuck ran on to Shepherd's flick-on from Jess Barling's free-kick before
lobbing the Portsmouth goalkeeper.

Having equalised, the Hammers continued to press and played some of their
best football of the season. Griffin continued to cause Pompey untold
problems with her power and pace down the right flank.

Morgan hit a post from Shepherd's clever reverse pass before Pittuck was
denied by the home goalkeeper, but the winning goal was not far away. A
slick passing move ended with Pittuck collecting the ball outside the
penalty area, bursting between two centre-backs and planting it into the
bottom right-hand corner.

Marshall rang the changes in the second half, replacing Griffin with Sophie
Walker and Nat Grafton coming on for Tracey Duxbury. Grafton shot wide
before Pittuck headed a Barling corner narrowly over the crossbar.

At the other end, Smith recovered from her early shock to produce one of her
finest performances of the current campaign. Her handling in grabbing a
succession of high crosses out of the sky was exemplary, while in front of
her Carly Roache and Barling put in a superb shift. Pompey did come close
when a header landed on the crossbar, but Roache was in the right place to
clear the rebound to safety.

Afterwards, Marshall was pleased with his team's collective performance,
saying: "After a bad first 15 minutes during which we just didn't get going,
we played some of our best football of the season against one of the
strongest sides in the league. It was a real team effort. Some people
sacrificed parts of their natural game in the second half to defend and we
would have definitely conceded last season.

"Gemma was outstanding. Her work-rate and first touch were a real lesson for
the younger players, and Sam's finishing was different class. Gemma and Sam
really have developed a great relationship. Katie tackled all game and I
must also give a special mention to Paris and Carly who really kept their
cool. This is a massive win and puts us three points behind leaders Charlton
with six games left."

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Blackburn Rovers 1 West Ham United 1
KUMB.com
Full Match Report
by Gordon Thrower

Always an eventful one this, and this season was no exception.
It was an early departure up some suspiciously clear motorways during which
the main topic of conversation was our lack of depth, in particular in the
striking positions where the absence of Cole, thanks to official
incompetence, was being felt. We were also debating what the front pairing
might be in the event that everyone were fit at the same time.

On the occasions where Ashton and Cole have played together in the past it
hasn't worked and the "partnership" was described as a comedy double act
with two straight men. This put us in mind of 60's comedy pair Mike & Bernie
Winters. For the younger readers these were a kind of "Happy Shopper"
version of Morecambe and Wise – a double act without one millionth of the
talent, charm or humour of Eric & Ernie. In later years the brothers had a
bit of a falling out and Bernie ended up appearing on stage being out-acted
by a St Bernard dog called Schnorbitz. Thus it was, by a process of lateral
thinking and strange insane musings, that Diego Tristan obtained the
nickname Schnorbitz.

On arrival at the cluster of terrace houses clinging to a slope that calls
itself Blackburn we followed the satnav towards the location of Sam's
Watersedge bar, which Romford had appointed as the meeting spot. On arrival
at the canal-side location something appeared to be wrong. There seemed to
be no pub. Undaunted, I accosted a passing couple out for a constitutional
and asked for the location of said hostelry. "You see that pile of bricks
down there?….." came the response.

Sam's Watersedge Bar – I think we missed last orders

A quick call to Romford ascertained that he had been unaware that the chosen
hostelry was now rubble and we found another canalside location that was
quiet, had a decent ale (Thwaites Original) and a juke box that had a decent
selection of stuff from all eras (and "Build Me Up B*ttercup – but you can't
have everything I suppose).

A pleasant few hours later we adjourned to the ground. Team news was that
Upson's calf and Cole's suspension kept them away. Schnorbitz had recovered
from a groin strain and was to start and Dyer had recovered from whatever
his latest setback had been (I lose track) and had made it as far as the
bench to give us a starting XI of: Green, Spector, Ilunga, Neill, Tomkins,
Kovac, Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Di Michele, Tristan.

Well the die was cast fairly early on in this one. Allardyce has a
reputation for a dislike of his players playing anything remotely resembling
football and since taking over at Rovers stiff necks have been the order of
the day. Like Stoke, Rovers possess a long throw specialist and, like Stoke,
Rovers seem to rely on that tactic a hell of a lot. With that sort of tactic
it's all about who can cope best with the second ball. With about 7 gone on
the clock McCarthy found himself in space at the back post, Spector having
popped out to the shops for a minute or something. However the South African
striker's effort was woeful and ballooned into the crowd.

We then had an old fashioned scramble. Ref Foy bafflingly told Samba off for
pushing and shoving while the ball was dead then allowed the donkey to carry
on as a corner from their right ended up outside the far post. Nelsen's
cross cum shot was punched out by Green, falling to Pedersen. Green came
rushing out to block but I believe the low shot may have been blocked by
Tomkins in front of Green. Lucas Neill then got the better of Jason Roberts
who slung an elbow towards the skipper's face which, strangely, though
deemed worthy of a free-kick, saw no further sanction from the ref.

Neill was the subject of a number of "greedy b*stard" taunts from the home
support who were clearly under the impression that the likes of Shearer came
to Blackburn for the quality of the slick passing football they've been
renowned for, rather than for the large amounts of wodge sent their way by
the late Jack Walker. Either that or the home support has a better-developed
sense of irony than I thought. If that's the case they keep it well hidden,
as evidenced by the constant Pavlovian screams of "handball" that appear
every time the ball struck a player above ankle height.

The pattern continued. Keeper of defender would hoof the ball long. Tomkins
and Neill would get a block in, the midfield would help it clear towards
DiMichele or Schnorbitz who would promptly lose out to a defender or the
keeper who would launch it into the stratosphere once more.

For all the aerial onslaught there were a few occasions when we looked like
breaking free and we ought to have taken the lead on 25 minutes. LBM took a
quick throw in on the right to Noble who was in space. Noble's cross was in
the general direction of Schnorbitz but seemed to have no chance of reaching
him until former England keeper (and how glad are we of the word "former" in
that description?) Robinson got in a right mess with a defender.
Unfortunately Shnorbitz seemed to be in a world of his own and reacted with
all the speed of a Prime Minister looking to find the word "sorry" in a
dictionary. The ball bounced weakly off him and was smuggled to safety.

LBM then wasted good position on the right by failing to get a first time
cross in when played into space by Kovac's clever first time ball. Blackburn
then had the ball in the net. A Perdersen long throw – yes another one – was
slung into the box. Samba's nod on found Diouf, who turned and rifled the
ball home from close range, only to find that a linesman had spotted the two
yards that he'd been offside at the time of Samba's header. He also appeared
to have fouled Green, so quite from where the poor misunderstood
woman-beating, drink driving spitter found that look of innocence will
continue to be a mystery to all but the lecturers at whatever drama college
he attends these days.

We then wasted another good position when a decent counter-attacking break
from DiMichele found LBM in good position centrally. LBM's pass to the
overlapping Tristan was too wide, though the erroneous offside flag that was
raised meant that Shnorbitz's weak shot wouldn't have counted anyway.

Then we took the lead. A misplaced pass from Roberts – it was on the floor –
was picked up by Noble who brought the ball out of defence. Noble's pass
inside the full back found LBM who pulled the ball back for Schnorbitz, who
eventually controlled the ball and fed it back to Noble who placed the ball
with the outside of his foot into the far corner. It was a fine finish,
though the replays showed that LBM had been an inch or two offside during
the build-up. Presumably the lino's neck muscles had frozen in an upward
direction and the move had been too quick for him to track. Still it gave
Allardyce something to whinge about post-match (like he needs an excuse).

We had to cope with late attacks when Tomkins got another block in on a
Pedersen shot – Spector still being delayed at the Kwik Save deli counter or
something. Tomkins blocked another effort from Roberts. The minute of
stoppage came and went and the ref blew the whistle for half time with the
ball 100 ft above the halfway line, where it had been most of the game.

Allardyce made a change at half time and it was to be a telling one. Oojer
had presumably not been getting enough height on his passes – one of which
had committed the cardinal sin in Blackburn of actually being on the ground.
On came Andrews to replace him and it was to make all the difference for the
home side.

The pattern of the match continued. Long high crosses into the box, Tomkins
or Neill getting the first ball then desperately defending the inevitable
attempt by McCarthy or Roberts to put the second ball away. One Neill block
came after a two handed-shove on Spector (just back from the shops) by
Roberts went unpunished. The respite was temporary. A long throw from
Pedersen (yeah, I know) was only partly cleared as Samba continued to wreak
his illegal havoc in the box. The ball fell to Andrews who buried the loose
ball into the corner of the net through a crowd of players.

It was the same for the rest of the game really. Long throw-ins from
Pedersen. Long balls into the box. Blocks from Neill and Tomkins. Cries of
handball from the crowd whenever the ball hit something that wasn't a foot.
Ball played up from the back to LBM, DDM & Schnorbitz only to come straight
back without so much of a challenge from them.

The crowd got a bit excited when El Hadj Diouf got the ball in the net again
but since he had at no stage in the proceedings actually ever been in an
onside position the goal was correctly disallowed. The innocent look was
there again though – his drama teacher must be very proud.

Nelsen then picked up the first yellow of the game for going through the
back of LBM. The next claim of handball came as Kovac headed a cross clear
for a corner. You'd think with all the aerial stuff they play that the home
support might know the difference between head and hand wouldn't you.
Perhaps they're working up to that one once they've mastered backside and
elbow first. Andrews then might have had a free header on goal from the
resulting corner but forgot to actually head the ball and it went out for a
throw-in.

Roberts then got on the end of a Pedersen long throw (I'd lost count by this
time). Any chance of a challenge from Kovac as the ball came over was ruled
out by Samba who had the midfielder in what I can only describe as a
wrestling hold. Tomkins and then, crucially, Parker got timely blocks in and
the ball was eventually cleared – for another Pedersen long throw.

Boa Morte then left to be replaced by Lopez and DiMichele went off to be
replaced by the welcome sight of Kieron Dyer for an 8 minute run-out – and
his introduction might have been a telling one. Samba made a mess of a
clearance and Dyer got the wrong side. Samba took two tugs at Dyer's shirt
before hauling him down. No penalty was awarded despite the blatant nature
of the offence and one would love to hear referees have to explain bizarre
decisions like that in public – it would be educational to know exactly why
they arbitrarily decide to suspend the laws of the game on a whim like that.

We then won a free-kick in front of goal – Mokuena picking up a yellow for a
challenge on Tristan. Schnorbitz himself elected to take the free-kick and
it was horrible. High, wide and bloody awful to be honest. Payne replaced
Schnorbitz to run down the clock and the game ended with a point hard
earned.

I heard some hilarious stuff after the match on radio and TV. On the way
home Stan Collymore was gloating at Man Utd's loss pointing out that when he
played for Liverpool he and his club were respected which was why no
scousers were ringing up to gloat. Meanwhile on another channel it was full
of scousers ringing up to gloat suggesting that the woman-beating halfwit
may have not been entirely honest with us as to the numbers of scousers
making calls to his station.

Then when I got home I heard Allardyce boasting of how his side had played
in a mixture of styles in an attempt to win the game. I thought long and
hard about this statement and, having slept on it for a bit, I've finally
worked out what the idiot was on about. He's right you see. Pedersen's long
throw ins came in from both the left AND right hand sides of the pitch. What
a tactical genius that bloke is. The rest of Allardyce's rant was all about
how the lino had missed LBM straying six inches offside – though strangely
the fat one was silent on the foul on Dyer. Funny that.

This was a tough one for the side which really is down to the bare bones.
Neill and Tomkins battled extremely well and they deserved the point on
their own. We currently stand in 8th despite the injury list and we do have
another week off to get some of the walking wounded back in action.
Hopefully we can keep Dyer fit and push on to regain that 7th place. As for
Blackburn, well they have to play Stoke in a few weeks time. Just pray that
Sky haven't decided that one is one they want to cover – I'm not sure I
could endure watching such a "mixture of styles" from both teams in a match.

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Another one owns up
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Geoff Horsfield has admitted that he is one of the 20 former and current
Sheffield United players seeking to sue West Ham United for compensation.
Horsfield - who failed to play a single game for the Blades during their
relegation season as he spent the year on loan at Leeds and Leicester
playing in the Championship - made just one league start at Bramall Lane
during his 32 months at the club. Yet despite having not made a top flight
start since featuring for West Brom in their 6-1 defeat at Fulham back in
February 2006, the 35-year-old veteran - currently featuring for Lincoln in
League Two, for whom he has scored just one goal all season - feels he has a
valid claim for earnings lost as a Premier League player. "There are no
personal grudges against West Ham from any of the Sheffield United players
involved, myself included," he whined. "But the fact is we lost considerable
sums of money as a result of being relegated to the Championship because our
wages dropped as a consequence. "It is money we feel has been taken away
from us and, more importantly, our families. It is nothing personal or about
being bitter, but about justice."

Didn't know Horsfield played for Sheffield United? You could be forgiven -
here's how he spent his two-and-a-half years contract with the Yorkshire
club:

May 2006: Joined Sheffield United from (relegated) West Brom for
£1.2million.
August 2006: Joined Leeds on a five-month loan deal. Scored twice in 15
games. Returned to Yorkshire for three weeks (no games).
January 2007: Joined Leicester on loan for the rest of the 06/07 campaign.
Scored twice in 13 games whilst the Blades were being relegated from the
Premier League.
May 2007: Returned to Bramall Lane after an unsuccessful spell with the
Foxes. Made two League Cup appearances for the Blades (scoring once) in
August - his last for the club.
January 2008: Joined Scunthorpe on a three-month loan deal. Failed to score
in 12 appearances.
April 2008: Returned to Sheffield United but never played for the Blades
again.
January 2009: Joined Lincoln on a free transfer.

Ponce watch - who's on board the Sheffield United gravy train

Fulham: Premier League ponces who are claiming £700,000 in lost league
placings prize money despite it being worth just £450,000 in the season in
question (£700k is the equivalent for 2008/09).

Neil Warnock: Crystal Palace manager and fantasist whose current side have
little chance of being promoted to the Premier League after an indifferent
season.

Phil Jagielka: Everton defender who has coined it in since leaving Bramall
Lane.

Michael Tonge: Stoke City reserve player.

Geoff Horsfield: second-rate striker who never featured for Sheffield United
in the Premier League.

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Green hopes for third cap
Keeper eager to feature against Slovakia
Last updated: 24th March 2009
SSN

Robert Green is keen for England coach Fabio Capello to give him another
chance in goal against Slovakia on Saturday. The West Ham United keeper
replaced David James at half-time in last month's friendly defeat by Spain
to win only his second cap. His outing in Seville came almost four years
after his debut against Colombia and Green is hoping to avoid a similarly
long wait for his next appearance. James is expected to start the weekend
friendly with Slovakia, and next week's 2010 World Cup qualifier at home to
Ukraine, while Ben Foster is also in the squad to provide cover. Green is
unsure if he will feature against Slovakia, but is determined to make the
most of any opportunity to impress Capello. "I have no idea whether I will
get a chance this time," said Green. "It was great to get a half against
Spain. It was wonderful. "I just need to carry on doing my stuff, keep
working hard and hope."

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Woe for Blank-burn
Missed chances may yet cost Rovers, warns Merson
Blackburn 1-1 West Ham
Soccer Saturday analysis
Last updated: 22nd March 2009
SSN

Paul Merson believes Blackburn might end up paying the ultimate price for
not taking their chances against West Ham. Sam Allardyce's men dominated a
lively encounter at Ewood Park but were forced to settle for a point thanks
to Keith Andrews' second-half strike. It was, couple with Newcastle's home
defeat by Arsenal, enough to keep Rovers out of the relegation places, but
Merson was left worried this game might come back to haunt them. "They had
so many chances I don't think they will get that many chances until the end
of the season, so it was two points dropped. Definitely," he told Soccer
Saturday. "Sam Allardyce will be gutted. Jason Roberts had a couple of
chances, Benni McCarthy did, but they weren't missed, it was just
unbelievable blocking. "You never thought they should've scored, there was
just some outstanding blocking going on. The defending was just phenomenal
and it was as good as I've seen this season. "They've got some hard games
coming up and I worry for them. They've got Liverpool, Stoke, Man City and
Chelsea away. "But along the way to the end of the season there are going
to be two absolutely shocking results somewhere along the line so they have
just got to hope they get one of those shock results. "But I'd be surprised
if they get as many chances as that in another game."

Merson though, did have some praise for West Ham. Ravaged by injuries and
absentees but with nothing really to play for, Gianfranco Zola's patched-up
side were under pressure for large periods once Mark Noble had fired them in
front 10 minutes before the break. But with former Rover Lucas Neill at the
fore, they held firm and claimed an unlikely away point to further underline
their growing durability. "They had Lucas Neill at centre-half, so it was a
strong, hard defence today," said Merson. "He was outstanding, diving in
front of balls and West Ham are a dangerous team to play at the moment
because they can't go down, they can't really go anywhere so they just left
three players up the field. "The two wingers stayed up and both the
full-backs were bombing on and overlapping and Blackburn were just letting
them do it."

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Collins hoping to start for Wales
TeamTalk

Wales remain hopeful West Ham defender James Collins will be fit for their
forthcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers. John Toshack's side face Finland at
the Millennium Stadium on Saturday before taking on Germany in Cardiff four
days later. They are hoping Collins will be fit enough for both games even
though the defender has not played for more than a month. His last
appearance for the Hammers came against Bolton on February 21, but a
hamstring injury has kept him out of action since then.
He was not included in Gianfranco Zola's squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw at
Blackburn. "It is not ideal that James will not have played any football
ahead of the internationals, but he seems confident he will be okay," said a
spokesman for the Football Association of Wales.

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McCartney has red card rescinded
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 24 March 2009 - 4:02 PM

Sunderland have been successful in their appeal against defender George
McCartney's red card at Manchester City on Sunday. The 27-year-old was shown
a straight red card by referee Steve Tanner for the "denial of an obvious
goalscoring opportunity" in the 1-0 defeat at Eastlands.The Northern Ireland
international would have faced a ban from Sunderland's next game, against
his former club West Ham on April 4. But the Football Association has
overturned the decision after Sunderland filed a claim for wrongful
dismissal, allowing the left-back to play at Upton Park.

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United tipped to pip Everton for £8million midfielder
07:00 PM 24 March, 2009
Fansfc.com

West Ham United Football Club could win the race for Joao Moutinho. The
Sporting Lisbon midfielder is rated as one of the hottest prospects in
European football, and has been linked with a host of top clubs over the
past couple of seasons. David Moyes has made the 21-year-old a top target
for his Everton squad in the summer, but reports suggest Gianfranco Zola
will enter the race. It is believed the Hammers manager is desperate to add
Moutinho to his Upton Park ranks in time for next season, and will offer
£8million for his signature.

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West Ham Striker Carlton Cole Wants To Shine For England
Given the chance, the Hammers hitman wishes to prove himself at
international level.
25 Mar 2009 00:13:22
Goal.com

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has been recalled by Fabio Capello to
build upon his single cap for his country. The targetman was named in
Capello's squad for England's matches against Slovakia and Ukraine in the
coming week. Despite being a regular member of the England Under-21 squad,
it took until this year for Cole to be called up for his country's first
team. Cole replaced Gabriel Agbonlahor after 75 minutes in the 2-0 defeat
against Spain in February. Cole is having a decent season thus far as the
25-year-old leads West Ham in scoring with 11 goals. He now believes the
expectations of him have risen since his first international appearance and
wished to establish himself as a permanent fixture amongst England's elite.
"I learned a lot," Cole told West Ham's official club website. "There's a
few things I need to work on and hopefully I'll be a more complete player
when I next get the chance. "I have got high ambitions and new levels of
expectation around me now. I just want to fulfil my potential and get to the
highest my game can get."

Stephen Crawford, Goal.com

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West Ham keeper Green hopeful of new England chance
25.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is unsure if he will see more action
for England in the coming days. The 29-year-old replaced David James at
half-time in last month's friendly defeat by Spain to win only his second
cap. His outing in Seville arrived almost four years after his debut against
Colombia and now the United stopper is keeping his fingers crossed that he
will not have to wait as long for another opportunity. James is expected to
start the weekend friendly with Slovakia and next week's 2010 World Cup
qualifier at home to Ukraine, while Ben Foster is also in the squad to
provide cover. "I have no idea whether I will get a chance this time," said
Green. "It was great to get a half against Spain. It was wonderful. I just
need to carry on doing my stuff, keep working hard and hope."

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West Ham striker Cole pleased with new England chance
25.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is pleased to be again involved with
the England squad. "I learnt a lot," Cole said of his first appearance for
the Three Lions. "There's a few things that I need to work on and hopefully
I'll be a more complete player when I next get the chance." Cole, West Ham
United's top scorer this season with eleven goals, trained with Fabio
Capello's squad on Monday as they began preparation for Saturday's friendly
with Slovakia at Wembley. The 25-year-old is hoping to be involved once more
and is determined to seize the opportunity, should it arise. "I've got high
ambitions and new levels of expectation around me now. I just want to fulfil
my potential and get to the highest my game [can get]."

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Green eyes Capello chance as battle for England No 1 spot hots up
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:32 PM on 24th March 2009
Daily Mail

West Ham keeper Robert Green is hoping England coach Fabio Capello will give
him another chance against Slovakia on Saturday. The 29-year-old replaced
David James at half-time in last month's friendly defeat by Spain to win
only his second cap. His outing in Seville arrived almost four years after
his debut against Colombia and now the United stopper is keeping his fingers
crossed that he will not have to wait as long for another opportunity. James
is expected to start the weekend friendly with Slovakia and next week's 2010
World Cup qualifier at home to Ukraine, while Ben Foster is also in the
squad to provide cover. 'I have no idea whether I will get a chance this
time,' said Green. 'It was great to get a half against Spain. It was
wonderful. I just need to carry on doing my stuff, keep working hard and
hope.'

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Why even more people should sue West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair
By Dan Silver, Mirror.co.uk 24/03/2009

Following the farcical, fatuous and other words beginning with 'f' ruling by
Lord Griffiths that effectively stated a football team's fate over a season
has almost nothing to do with their own actions, I predicted the legal
floodgates would open. And as soon as West Ham and their lawyers agreed an
out of court settlement with Sheffield United last week, the banks duly
burst. A move surely intended to clear the decks for the East London club's
eventual sale in the summer has been understandably taken as an admission of
guilt, which in turn has set the sharks circling. And they don't come much
more shark-like than Neil Warnock, one of the first to announce his interest
in having a day in court, on the grounds that he would still be a Premier
League manager were it nor for West Ham.
Neil, I hate to break it to you, but they reason you aren't managing in the
Premier League is almost certainly because you aren't considered good enough
to. Even Joe Kinnear managed to get a gig in the top flight since you lost
yours, for crying out loud. Close behind Warnock were 'up to 20 Sheffield
United players' who intended to pursue private claims against the Hammers
for loss of earnings, bonuses, status, prestige and whatever else they can
convince their lawyers to go to bat for. Then came this pantomime's very own
ugly sisters, Mohammed Al-Fayed and Ken Bates. The latter a man so
interested in the good of football that he once proposed electrocuting his
own fans in 1985 while Chelsea chairman, of course.
Personally, I think this has been a watershed week for British football.
Finally the last vestiges of sporting valour have been stripped from the
Premier League's bloated carcass to lay bare the kernel of grotesque greed
residing below. Now every washed-up has been or failure with a chip on his
shoulder can exonerate themselves from any blame whatsoever and instead
point their fingers – and lawyers – at the Upton Park scapegoats instead.
In fact, I think even more people should sue West Ham. Off the top of my
head, here's two more parties that should be arranging a meeting with their
briefs this afternoon:
Iain Hulme: if Carlos Tevez hadn't single-handedly relegated Sheffield
United, then the Barnsley midfielder almost certainly wouldn't have been
hospitalised with a fractured skull inflicted by a horrific challenge Blades
midfielder Chris Morgan.
Crystal Palace fans: if Neil Warnock had remained at Sheffield United then
Eagles fans wouldn't have had to put up with the misery of watching him turn
their promotion play-off contenders into inconsistent Championship
also-rans.
I urge anyone who isn't happy with the way their life has gone in the two
and a half years since Carlos Tevez single-handedly kept West Ham up to get
legal representation now. If enough people follow this through, perhaps we
can bring an end to this sorry farce called football once and for all.

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Geoff Horsfield to sue West Ham
(24/03/2009 14:03:25)
Fulhamweb.co.uk
Geoff Horsfield

Former Fulham striker Geoff "The Horse" Horsfield has broken his silence on
the Carlos Tevez affair as he appealed for justice for the Sheffield United
players who he claims have suffered losses over West Ham's "negligence". The
Lincoln striker is one of the 20 past and present United players suing the
Hammers for compensation following the Blades' relegation from the Premier
League in the 2005/06 season. It is understood the lawsuit is worth up to
£3m to the group, who are chasing wages and bonuses they would have received
had they remained in the top flight. West Ham have already paid the Bramall
Lane outfit £25m in an out-of-court settlement as way of recompense for
breaking the rules regarding Tevez - who now plays for Manchester United -
and third-party ownership. But one of the longest-running sagas in football
history shows no signs of relenting with members of the Blades squad, Fulham
and Leeds also hoping to reclaim losses. The Hammers say they will fight
such claims to prevent "legal anarchy", but Horsfield, whose group are being
represented by solicitor Chris Farnell, hopes their case is a triumph.
"There are no personal grudges against West Ham from any of the Sheffield
United players involved, myself included," said Horsfield, who played one
game for the Blades that season. "But the fact is we lost considerable sums
of money as a result of being relegated to the Championship because our
wages dropped as a consequence. "It is money we feel has been taken away
from us and, more importantly, our families. It is nothing personal or about
being bitter, but about justice."

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Stats quash "long ball" claims
Posted on: Tue 24 Mar 2009
Rovers.co.uk

Blackburn Rovers have hit back at claims that their total dominance of West
Ham United on Saturday relied on "long ball" tactics. Post-match statistics
prove beyond any doubt that Rovers out-performed the Hammers in every
aspect, especially in open play. Indeed, Sam Allardyce's side forced their
way into the opposition penalty box a staggering 79 times - compared to West
Ham's 15 - during the one-sided 1-1 encounter at Ewood Park. Rovers
officials took strong exception to suggestions that the relentless pressure
relied purely on free-kicks and long throws. Contrary to widespread
specualtion, only 36.2% of Rovers' total number of passes were played from
within their own half, compared to West Ham's 58.6%, with Rovers' average
pass length working out at just 16.4m. Rovers completed more passes than
Gianfranco Zola's side and also enjoyed a greater share of the possession.
Allardyce's men also made 82 forays into the final third, compared to West
Ham's 37, which ultimately led to eight times as many crosses (24 to 3), 10
more efforts at goal and twice as many shots on target.

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Blades: Don't let Tevez Affair hurt us again
Sheffield Star
Published Date: 24 March 2009
By James Shield

KEVIN Blackwell has warned any member of his squad investigating the
possibility of taking legal action against West Ham that doing so could have
a detrimental effect on Sheffield United's promotion campaign. Speculation
that members of the United team relegated during the Carlos Tevez Affair -
which cast a dark cloud over the 2006/07 Premier League season - could sue
the London club for loss of earnings has grown since Bramall Lane's board of
directors brokered a £25 million truce with their counterparts at Upton
Park. The identities of those seeking advice remains unknown but, after
publicly distancing himself from the dispute, Blackwell will clearly be
uncomfortable should anyone still plying their trade in South Yorkshire
decide to join a claim. Responding to questions about the matter following
Sunday's 3-0 victory over Cardiff City, the United manager said: "If
somebody wants to get embroiled in a court case then they will lose their
form. "If they lose their form then they will lose their place. It's up to
us to keep our focus. And we have been doing that."
Blackwell is expected to discover how the compensation package West Ham have
agreed to pay over entering into an illegal third-party contract when they
signed the Argentine striker will shape his plans at the end of the season.
"I can't spend any money now," he said. "The only thing I want to
concentrate on now is trying to get to where we all want to be."
United climbed to fourth in the Championship table after their triumph at
Ninian Park. Gary Naysmith, David Cotterill, Kyle Walker, Justin Haber,
Jamie Ward and John-Joe O'Toole all reported for international duty this
week, and the rest of the squads have travelled to Malta ahead of Ipswich's
visit on April 4. United will meet members of the Maltese tourism community
during their stay on the island to promote their sponsorship deal.