Friday, April 24

Daily WHUFC News - 24th II April 2009

Green grateful for defence
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has hailed the solid protection he has received from his
defenders of late
24.04.2009

They say nobody appreciates the art of defending as much as a goalkeeper and
that certainly seems to be the case with West Ham United's No1 Robert Green.

England international Green has been beaten just three times in the last
seven games and he puts the success firmly on the shoulders of those playing
directly in front of him.

"It speaks volumes for the lads that there have not been too many games
where I have been overly stretched," Green said. "Out of those seven, it's
been a fairly quiet ride for me. It's been a tremendous effort by the guys
and everyone involved.

"Organisation is the key and that comes down from the manager all the way
down to the players, with concentration and things like that along with hard
work and being tough to beat, which when we've got so many attack-minded
players out through injury or suspension it's paramount that we do something
at the back."

The strong rearguard showing is all the more impressive considering the
changes enforced on manager Gianfranco Zola through injuries and suspension.
Green explains that having such tight-knit group with good understanding has
been the key to not letting the difference in personnel affect performances.

"We've now got five or six players in the back four that can slip in and
we've been playing together for a quite a while now. Herita [Ilunga] has
come in and this season and has played virtually every game since he arrived
and has been tremendous.

"Everyone knows each others games and everyone is going into the games
fairly sure of their roles."

Two of those players who have put the team's cause before their own in
recent weeks have been James Tomkins and Lucas Neill. Tomkins has filled in
at right-back to cover for captain Neill's switch into a central midfield.
Their professionalism and enthusiasm to help the team out have impressed
Green.

"Tomka has been fantastic since coming back from being on loan. He is
learning all the time the difficulties and demands of the Premier League and
he is equipping himself tremendously well and it is credit to him that he is
part of such a solid defence.

"Lucas is playing every position under the sun and he is doing a tremendous
job and doing it for the team and underlines his importance to this club and
the team as well."

The Hammers' defence will no doubt face another stern examination on
Saturday when the multi-million pound attack of Chelsea visits the Boleyn
Ground. Green is hoping for better fortune than in previous years, spurred
on by the resilient showing in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this
season. He said: "It will be a tough game. They'll be buoyant after their
result last weekend and they'll fancy their chances of going on to win the
FA Cup.

"It will be interesting to see the importance of where they see themselves
in the race for the title and whether they figure themselves in the race for
that and whether they see it as a priority for their top side. But they've
always got a nucleus of 18 top players and it's always so tough.

"I've been here a few years now and this is my third time playing against
Chelsea and we've not done ourselves justice against them at home. We did
get a good result against them at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and
we'll be looking for another performance of similar solidity at the back and
hopefully take a couple of chances at the other end."

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Richard House
WHUFC.com
Saturday's Premier League match against Chelsea has been dedicated to
Richard House children's hospice
24.04.2009

West Ham United have dedicated Saturday's Premier League fixture against
Chelsea to raising awareness and funds for Richard House children's hospice.

Richard House, situated in Beckton, is one of West Ham's two designated
charities. London's first children's hospice, Richard House has been
providing free care and treatment for youngsters with life-limiting and
life-threatening conditions and assistance to their families since it was
opened in 2000.

Hammers players Mark Noble and Junior Stanislas recently visited Richard
House, where they spent an afternoon meeting children and their parents,
playing football, planting pots in a greenhouse and helped the youngsters
make some models.

"It's nice for us to come here and see the kids and see how they're getting
on," said Stanislas. "I hope it was nice for them too. Obviously they have
problems of their own but hopefully us coming and mixing with them
brightened their afternoon."

A special feature on the pair's visit to Richard House is available in
Saturday's official matchday programme.

A number of initiatives will take place on Saturday to help to promote
Richard House and its invaluable work in supporting youngsters and their
families. Collections will take place around the Boleyn Ground, while West
Ham's players will warm-up in Richard House t-shirts before the game.

Around £1.8m in voluntary donations is needed every year to keep Richard
House running.

Richard House will host a number of fundraising events later in 2009,
including a London to Paris cycle ride and the Three Peaks Challenge. For
more information about these and other events, visit
richardhouse.org.uk/supportus/events/

Anyone interested in volunteering to collect funds for Richard House should
contact the community fundraising team on 020 7540 0213.

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West Ham v Chelsea
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 25 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London 94.9, DAB & online; Score updates on
Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary on
BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the Day
BBC.co.uk

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

West Ham hope to have the fit-again Radoslav Kovac back for the game at
Upton Park. Teenage striker Freddie Sears will again be included in boss
Gianfranco Zola's squad.

Chelsea team news to follow later.

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

West Ham (from): Green, Tomkins, Upson, Collins, Dyer, Ilunga, Neill, Boa
Morte, Stanislas, Nsereko, Noble, Di Michele, Sears, Tristan, Lastuvka,
Lopez, Payne, Hines, Kovac.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

West Ham assistant coach Steve Clarke: "We have been playing well recently
and but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to
start at the weekend. "It is just another game for me. It is three more
points in the chase for a place in Europe. "I had great times at Chelsea but
it has gone, it is in the past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham
now."

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West Ham v Chelsea preview
Kovac in line for return; Chelsea face defensive problems
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 24th April 2009
SSN

Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Chelsea 2
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 4/1, Draw 11/5, Chelsea 5/6
One to Watch: Frank Lampard

West Ham will be chasing their first win over London rivals Chelsea since a
Paulo Di Canio strike separated the two sides back in 2003. Chelsea had been
on a run of six straight victories over the Hammers since then, but ex-Blue
Gianfranco Zola halted that run earlier in the season when his side earned a
1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
In the lead up to that clash in December, West Ham were languishing in 16th
place. But after enjoying a significant reversal of fortune, the Hammers are
now up to 7th and pushing for a Europa League spot. Chelsea on the other
hand saw their league ambitions dashed in midweek when they failed to
overcome Everton at home, leaving Guus Hiddink's men six points behind
Manchester United and having played a game more.
The Dutchman may now opt to turn to his squad players in order to keep his
side fresh for the crunch UEFA Champions League semi-final tie with
Barcelona on Tuesday.
John Obi Mikel and Franco di Santo could both be in line to start, while
Salomon Kalou should be recalled from his substitute role in the previous
two games. Michael Essien is likely to be given a break after enduring a
demanding return from the six-month lay-off that he suffered earlier in the
season. Chelsea's biggest problems lie at the back though, with Ricardo
Carvalho struggling from a hamstring strain, Jose Bosingwa still missing and
Ashley Cole unlikely to be risked for the game with a minor injury.
With Cole also suspended for the first-leg tie with Barcelona, Juliano
Belletti or Michael Mancienne may be given the chance to state their case at
left-back, in the likelihood that Alex is preferred in the centre.
West Ham will have to do without former Blue Scott Parker who remains
sidelined with a groin injury, but Radoslav Kovac could return from a thigh
strain to feature.
Jonathan Spector is also on his way back after suffering concussion earlier
in the month, while James Collins is a doubt with a calf injury that could
rule him out. Up front the partnership of David Di Michele and Diego Tristan
may well be retained after an impressive showing against Aston Villa, and
the midfield is likely to remain unchanged with no new injury worries to
contend with. Otherwise, long-term absentees Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami and
Jack Collison remain unavailable.

Possible starting XI's:

West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Collins, Ilunga, Neill, Boa Morte,
Stanislas, Noble, Di Michele, Tristan.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Belletti, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, di
Santo, Kalou, Malouda.

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Zola, Clarke to ink long-term West Ham deals today
24.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will sign their new contracts with West Ham
United today. The Telegraph says Zola and Clarke will sign new four-year
contracts at West Ham, ending speculation over their future. West Ham were
keen to reward Zola and Clarke after the promising start they have made at
the club, who are seventh in the Premier League table and vying to qualify
for next season's Europa League. Talks were opened last week with chief
executive Scott Duxbury and were concluded on Thursday with West Ham due to
make an announcement later today ahead of tomorrow's League match against
Chelsea.

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West Ham serious about winning Europa League - Clarke
24.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United are serious about qualifying for the Europa League - and
winning it - says assistant manager Steve Clarke. "I want to be involved in
European football every year," said Clarke, "and so do the club. You have to
push yourself and challenge yourself. Maybe next season we'll get to the
stage where we think, 'I wish we hadn't qualified', but we'll deal with that
when we come to it. "The only tangible thing we can take from this season is
to qualify for Europe. So if you're ambitious, you have to chase the highest
that you can get. "Only time will tell about the strain it would place on
our squad, but our injured players will be back in pre-season so we'll be
stronger and then it's another test of management, of coaching, to utilise
your players as best as you can to challenge for every competition."

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West Ham's Tomkins keen to meet Chelsea captain Terry
24.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United defender James Tomkins hopes to catch up with John Terry
after their clash with Chelsea. Tomkins, 20, said: "This is the first time
I've faced Chelsea and it would be great to get the chance to talk to John
Terry. "He's the perfect captain for his club and country and if he's not
playing then Chelsea struggle. "He's a vocal lad with real presence, command
and leadership. "I'd love to be able to bring some of his passion into my
game."

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Hammers coach: 'Chelsea is a big chance for us'
2:20pm Friday 24th April 2009
Guardian Series

WEST HAM number two Steve Clarke insists Saturday's game with Chelsea will
be an ideal opportunity for the team to claim their first big scalp of the
season. The Hammers have claimed impressive draws at Stamford Bridge and
the Emirates this year, but they have yet to topple one of the league's Big
Four. And there would be no better time to buck that trend, as the Irons
seek to cement seventh place, and a Europa League spot, with Tottenham
breathing heavily down their necks. Clarke insists the team will go into
the game looking for a victory, inkeeping with the attacking mentality he
and Gianfranco Zola have brought to the side since their arrival last year.
"We have to be organised and respect their strengths, and be prepared to
play against them," he said. "If you're just going to sit there and defend
it's going to be a long 90 minutes. We've been playing well recently, we've
not beaten one of the top teams yet and Saturday would be a good time to
start. "I'm sure they'll think about resting a few players for the match.
Hopefully it will be a very attractive and open game of football that
everyone can enjoy and we get the right result."
While some English clubs have viewed European competition as a necessary
evil, and a distraction from the league, Clarke insists it is a benchmark
they must aspire to.
"I want to be involved in European football every year. If it's one thing I
miss with Chelsea it's involvement with the Champions League. Why should the
club not want to be involved. You have to push yourself and challenge
yourself. Maybe next season we'll get to a stage where we wish we hadn't
qualified. But we'll deal with that when we come to it. If there's one
tangible thing we can take from this season is qualification for Europe. If
you have ambition then you have to chase the highest that you can get.
"If the season stopped today we could look back with satisfaction but the
season's not finished yet. We want to see the job out and get seventh."
Clarke was reluctant to take the credit for the team's notable ascent this
season, and insisted it was the players who should take the plaudits for
putting the coaches' ideas into practice. "The club wanted us to be together
as a team and work on a long term project, not a quick fix," added Clarke.
"The club have backed us 100 per cent and we'd like to repay that faith and
get as high up the league as we can. Anyone can walk in with ideas, but the
players have to take the credit for making those idea work and embracing
them. "We came in with a philosophy of how we wanted them to play and it
wasn't easy for them at the start. Went on a terrible run but they kept
believing and we kept telling them that this was the right way and
eventually this season, we've had our rewards."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
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Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Daily WHUFC News - 24th April 2009

Chelsea match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's London derby at the
Boleyn Ground
23.04.2009

West Ham United v Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 25 April
3pm
Referee: Mike Dean

• West Ham United welcome Guus Hiddink's Chelsea for the club's 17th home
fixture of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season.

• Gianfranco Zola's side go into the match in seventh place in the Premier
League table. West Ham have 45 points from their 33 matches and sit a point
clear of local rivals Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur with five games
remaining. A seventh-place finish will be good enough to qualify for next
season's UEFA Europa League.

• Chelsea go into Saturday's fixture third in the Premier League table with
68 points from 33 matches, three points behind second-placed Liverpool and
six behind leaders Manchester United.

• West Ham have won eight home league matches (Wigan Athletic, Blackburn
Rovers, Newcastle United, Stoke City, Fulham, Hull City, Manchester City and
Sunderland), drawn two (Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion) and lost six
(Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and
Manchester United).

• The Hammers go into the match unbeaten in their last four home matches in
all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their last three home
Premier League fixtures. Since losing 1-0 to Manchester United on 8
February, West Ham have drawn 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth
round and beaten Manchester City 1-0, drawn 0-0 with West Bromwich Albion
and overcome Sunderland 2-0.

• West Ham are looking to complete the season unbeaten against Chelsea for
the first time since 2002/03, when the Hammers won 3-2 at Stamford Bridge
and 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground.

• This is the 82nd league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
34, Chelsea have won 31 and there have been 16 draws.

Referee

• The referee is Mike Dean.

• Dean, 40, began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior
football in the Northern Premier League.

• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.

• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. Last year, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.

Last time out

Saturday 18 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Collins (Dyer 33), Ilunga, Neill,
Boa Morte, Stanislas (Savio 74), Noble, Di Michele (Sears 81), Tristan
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Payne, Hines
Booked: Noble, Boa Morte, Upson
Goal: Tristan 85

Wednesday 22 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Essien (Mikel
60), Lampard, Drogba, Anelka (Kalou 60), Malouda (Di Santo 77)
Subs not used: Hilario, Belletti, Mancienne, Mellis

West Ham United

• West Ham go into the match seeking to extend their unbeaten home run in
all competitions to five matches. Since losing 1-0 to Manchester United on 8
February, the Hammers have drawn 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth
round and beaten Manchester City 1-0, drawn 0-0 with West Brom and overcome
Sunderland 2-0 in the Premier League.

• West Ham's biggest ever home win over Chelsea came on Valentine's Day
1981, when a goal apiece from Alan Devonshire and David Cross and a brace
from Trevor Brooking secured a 4-0 victory at the Boleyn Ground. Chelsea
were managed by Geoff Hurst.

However, the Hammers did beat the Blues 5-0 in the London League during the
Second World War, with future manager Ted Fenton, Archie Macauley, Alec
George Foreman, Len Goulden and Joseph Stanley Foxall netting a goal apiece
on 20 December 1941.

• West Ham's most recent home win over Chelsea came on 3 May 2003, when
Brooking's Hammers won 1-0 through a goal from substitute Paolo Di Canio.

• West Ham have not conceded more than one goal in any of their last seven
Premier League matches, the longest run in the top division.

• Carlton Cole is West Ham's top scorer in the Premier League this season
with nine goals. He has eleven in all competitions.

• Goalkeeper Robert Green is the only West Ham player to have played every
minute of the club's 33 Premier League matches so far this season. Matthew
Upson has started 32 games, Herita Ilunga 30 and Lucas Neill 29.

• Carlton Cole has unleashed more shots on target (45), off target (29) and
in total (74) and made more assists (5) than any other West Ham player. Cole
has also been caught offside (28) and committed more fouls (62) than any of
his team-mates.

• Defender Matthew Upson has made more defensive clearances (52) and blocks
(28) than any other West Ham player.

• Mark Noble has delivered more crosses (30) than any other Hammers player.

Chelsea

• Chelsea have lost just one of the 15 matches they have played in all
competitions since Guus Hiddink took temporary charge at Stamford Bridge on
11 February, a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham on 21 March. Aside from reaching the
FA Cup final by beating Watford, Coventry City and Everton and UEFA
Champions League semi-finals with victories over Juventus and Liverpool,
Hiddink has also led the Blues on a run of just one defeat in their last
eight Premier League matches.

• Hiddink, 62, has brought a team to the Boleyn Ground once before during
his management career. On August 2003, the Dutchman's PSV Eindhoven beat
newly-relegated West Ham 2-1. Richard Garcia gave the Hammers a 35th minute
lead before second half goals from future Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman and
Danish winger Dennis Rommedahl secured victory for the visitors. The game
marked Joe Cole's final game for West Ham before his £6.6m move to Stamford
Bridge.

• Hiddink managed Lucas Neill during his spell in charge of Australia
between July 2005 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

• The Blues have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having
conceded just 20 goals in 33 matches.

• Chelsea's biggest ever win at the Boleyn Ground came last season, when
goals from Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole secured
a 4-0 success for the Blues. Former Hammer Lampard was also sent-off nine
minutes before half-time with Chelsea already 3-0 up.

• Chelsea have gone a record 109 Premier League matches without losing
consecutive games. That run will stretch to 110 at the Boleyn Ground.

• France striker Nicolas Anelka is the Premier League's joint top scorer
with 15 goals - matching the tally of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Anelka has 21 in all competitions. Lampard has netted 12 league goals and 19
in all competitions.

• Lampard has started all 33 of Chelsea's Premier League matches this
season. Anelka has started 28 and made four substitute appearances, while
John Terry and Petr Cech have made 30 starts each.

• Chelsea have had more shots off target (256) than any other Premier League
club this season.

• Lampard has unleashed more shots in total (131), on target (88) and off
target (43) than any other Chelsea player. Lampard also has more assists
(nine) than any of his team-mates this term, the joint-highest number in the
Premier League.

• Bosingwa has delivered more crosses (63) this season than any of his
colleagues.

• Michael Ballack has committed more fouls (34) than any other Chelsea
player, while Ashley Cole has won the most free-kicks (45) for his side.

• John Terry has made more defensive blocks (23) and clearances (26) than
any other Chelsea player.

• Goalkeeper Petr Cech has kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League this
season, second only to Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar, who has shut
out his opponents on 19 occasions.

Team news

• West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could welcome back Radoslav Kovac from
the thigh injury he suffered while on international duty with the Czech
Republic on 1 April. Kovac made the last of his five West Ham appearances in
the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on 21 March.

• Scott Parker is sidelined with the groin injury that has ruled him out of
West Ham's last three matches.

• Zola could also welcome back Jonathan Spector, who has trained this week
after missing the away matches at Tottenham and Aston Villa. Spector
suffered concussion in an accidental aerial challenge with Sunderland's Tal
Ben Haim on 4 April. James Collins is a doubt with a calf injury suffered
during the Villa game but it is not thought to be a long-term problem.

• Zola will be without midfielders Valon Behrami and Jack Collison. Both are
making good progress after suffering knee injuries. Switzerland
international Behrami is undergoing rehabilitation work at Chadwell Heath as
he begins the road back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

• Wales international Collison is now running fully after suffering a
dislocated kneecap in the 1-0 victory at Wigan and should step up his
training with the rest of the squad next week.

• Carlton Cole is making good progress in his recovery from the groin injury
he suffered in England's 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia at Wembley on 28
March. He has been running as part of his personal fitness programme.

• Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is continuing his recovery from back and
stomach injuries by working with the club's medical staff at Chadwell Heath.
Strikers Terry Dixon and Dean Ashton are also working hard on their
respective rehabilitations after ankle and knee injuries respectively.

• Chelsea will be without Portugal full-back Jose Bosingwa, who has returned
to training following a hamstring strain but is being rested ahead of
Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Barcelona .

• Portugal playmaker Deco is also a major doubt with a hamstring problem.

• England midfielder Joe Cole is sidelined for the remainder of the season
with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in the FA Cup
third-round replay victory over Southend United, a game which also featured
on-loan West Ham winger Junior Stanislas.

• Portugal defender Paulo Ferreira is sidelined for the remainder of the
season with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in training
in early March.

Last meeting

• The teams met at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 14 December 2008. West Ham
left west London with a 1-1 draw. Craig Bellamy put the Hammers ahead on 33
minutes before Nicola Anelka equalised for the home side six minutes after
half-time

• The lineups were:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel (Belletti 80),
Deco, Ballack (Drogba 46), Lampard, Joe Cole (Kalou 74), Anelka
Subs not used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Bridge, Ferreira

West Ham United: Green, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Ilunga, Collison (Boa Morte
87), Parker, Noble (Mullins 72) Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 89), Cole
Subs not used Lastuvka, Faubert, Tristan, Sears

Attendance: 41,675

Old boys

• West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola made 312 appearances for Chelsea in all
competitions, scoring 80 goals. Zola joined the Blues from Parma for £4.5m
in November 1996 and remained at Stamford Bridge before joining Cagliari on
a free transfer in June 2003. During his time at Chelsea, Zola won the FA
Cup twice, in 1997 and 2000, the League Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup
and the UEFA Super Cup, all in 1998.

• West Ham first team coach Steve Clarke joined Chelsea from Scottish club
St Mirren for a fee of £422,000 in January 1987, going on to make 421 league
and cup appearances for the Blues. Clarke was the club's player of the year
in 1994 and won the FA Cup, in 1997, and both the League Cup and European
Cup Winners' Cups in 1998. He was also voted as the right-back in Chelsea's
centenary side. Clarke left Stamford Bridge in September 1998 to join former
Blues team-mate and manager Ruud Gullit as his assistant manager at
Newcastle.

• Scott Parker joined Chelsea from Charlton Athletic for £10m in January
2004. The England midfielder made 28 league and cup appearances, scoring one
goal for the Blues before joining Newcastle for £6.5m in June 2005.

• Carlton Cole began his career at Chelsea in August 2001, making 31
appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions before moving to
West Ham in July 2006.

• Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard began his career at West Ham, joining the
club as a full-time trainee in 1994. Lampard went on to make 187 appearances
in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 39 goals. The England
midfielder joined Chelsea for £11m in June 2001.

• West Ham Academy graduate Joe Cole made 150 appearances in all
competitions for the Hammers between August 1998 and May 2003, scoring 13
goals. Cole, an England midfielder, joined Chelsea for a £6.6m fee in August
2003.

• England captain John Terry spent five years at the West Ham Academy before
joining Chelsea at the age of 14.

• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Clive Allen,
Syd Bishop, Peter Brabrook, Billy Bridgeman, Billy Brown, Robert Bush,
Dickie Deacon, Alan Dickens, Len Goulden, Jimmy Greaves, Ron Greenwood CBE,
George Hilsdon, George Horn, Joseph Hughes, Sir Geoff Hurst, William
Jackson, Glen Johnson, Joe Kirkup, Andy Malcolm, Harry Medhurst, Scott
Minto, Eric Parsons, Joe Payne, Dave Sexton, John Sissons, Ron Tindall and
Billy Williams.

Head to head

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)

14 December 2008 - Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United
1 March 2008 - West Ham United 0-4 Chelsea
1 December 2007 - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
18 April 2007 - West Ham United 1-4 Chelsea
18 November 2006 - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
9 April 2006 - Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United 09-04-2006

Overall record v Chelsea (all competitions) W 36 D 17 L 37

Next up

• West Ham will travel to Stoke City for a Barclays Premier League fixture
on Saturday 2 May, with kick-off at 3pm

• Chelsea head to Barcelona for a UEFA Champions League semi-final,
first-leg tie on Tuesday 28 April, with kick-off at 7.45pm

Travel information

• The London Underground District line will be suspended between Barking and
Upminster. Two rail replacement bus services will operate. Service A will
run between Barking and Dagenham East, calling at Upney, Becontree and
Dagenham Heathway. Service B will run between Barking and Upminster, calling
at Dagenham East, Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge.

• The Hammersmith and City line will be suspended between Plaistow and
Barking.

• The Jubilee line will be suspended between Stratford and Green Park. Two
rail replacement bus services will operate. Service A will run between
Canada Water and Bank, calling at Monument, London Bridge and Bermondsey.
Service B will run between North Greenwich and Stratford, calling at Canning
Town and West Ham.

• The Waterloo and City line will also be suspended.

• c2c services will be suspended between Fenchurch Street and Barking, with
services being diverted to Liverpool Street. This means services will not
call at West Ham or Limehouse, but will additionally call at Stratford. An
amended timetable will be in operation all day. For full details visit
c2c-online.co.uk

• On National Express East Anglia services, no trains will run between
Romford and Upminster. Buses will also replace trains between Shenfield and
Colchester.

General information

• Saturday's match is completely SOLD OUT

• Saturday's weather forecast is for heavy rain showers with a maximum
daytime temperature of 17C.

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Ludo keen on Green
WHUFC.com
Ludek Miklosko has spoken to WHUTV about his admiration for goalkeeper
Robert Green
23.04.2009

West Ham United great Ludek Miklosko has heaped praise on goalkeeper Robert
Green ahead of Saturday's big game with Chelsea. The former Czech
international, who made 365 appearances for the Hammers in an eight year
playing career, is now the club's goalkeeping coach and as a result works
with Green on a daily basis. Miklosko has been impressed by what he has seen
in the two and a half years since Green joined the club, and is backing his
claim for a more regular involvement at international level. "He is
fantastic," Miklosko said. "He is one of our best players over the past two
seasons and he is doing very well. "His consistency is very good and for me
he is the best English goalkeeper in that way. I still can't see why he
doesn't get a run in the England team."
Green was voted Hammer of the Year last season and Miklosko, a former winner
himself, believes that 29-year-old Green's fine form is just reward for his
hard graft in training. "I think he is improving and wants to get better and
better and really working very hard. He is not just doing the football
training, he is doing the pilates and is working at least two sessions every
single day," Miklosko said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spirits high at Chadwell Heath
WHUFC.com
This weekend may be too soon for Jack Collison and Carlton Cole but they are
doing well at Chadwell Heath
22.04.2009

Gianfranco Zola and his staff have been hard at work this week ahead of a
major meeting with Chelsea this weekend.

While the manager and some players took part in the club's charity golf day
in glorious sunshine on Wednesday, the focus has still been very much on the
footballing matters at hand. Jack Collison and Carlton Cole were among those
working hard out on the training pitch and in the gym with the aim still for
both to make an impact before the end of the season.

Jonathan Spector is in contention to face the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists on Saturday after sitting out the last two games because of
concussion but it remains to be seen whether James Collins will be available
after his calf problem against Aston Villa last weekend. There is also hope
that Radoslav Kovac (thigh) will figure against the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists but Scott Parker (groin) could miss out again.

Also present at Chadwell Heath on Wednesday were Danny Gabbidon, Valon
Behrami, Terry Dixon and Dean Ashton who are all working on their intensive
rehabilitation programmes with next season the most likely aim for all four.
One player who is out of the treatment room, though, is Kieron Dyer and the
manager has been delighted with how he has performed in the last few games.

"Kieron has been absolutely excellent," Zola said looking back to his hour
off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Villa. "It took him ten minutes to get
into the game and after that he was brilliant. I am pleased for him as it
has been a long time. He has worked very hard. Seeing him fit now is good
for him and us."

With five games to go, the manager said everyone is "up for it" when it
comes to pushing for as many points as possible in a bid to secure seventh
spot and UEFA Europa League qualification. "We are going to be trying very
hard and we know we have a great chance."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kieron set for Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Premier League
title-chasers Chelsea
23.04.2009

Kieron Dyer believes West Ham United will have to be at their best to upset
Chelsea's Premier League title ambitions.

The England midfielder, who enjoyed a successful run out in last Saturday's
1-1 draw at Aston Villa, has identified Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba
and international team-mate Frank Lampard as the men to stop if the Hammers
are to beat Guus Hiddink's side.

Dyer, who produced an encouraging display after appearing as a first-half
substitute at Villa Park, is also eager to gave revenge for the 4-0 drubbing
Chelsea dished out at the Boleyn Ground on 1 March last year.

With Liverpool also due to visit east London on 9 May, Dyer said the Hammers
can have their say in the Premier League title race.

"We could have a great part to play in where the title goes this season.
We've got Chelsea next and then Liverpool at home as well. Last season,
Chelsea came to our place and gave us the run-around and beat us 4-0 so we
have to redeem ourselves. With our injury situation it always seems to be
backs against the wall, but we seem to be thriving on that."

Drogba has been in fine form in recent weeks, netting five goals in his last
five matches including the winner in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win
over Arsenal at Wembley. Former Hammer Lampard, who was sent-off in last
season's respective fixture, has plundered 20 goals for club and country
this season.

"They have got match-winners all over the park but obviously Frank Lampard
and Didier Drogba are the main two. Drogba has been like a new player and
Frank is a 25-goal-a-season man, but they're not the only two we've got to
worry about!

"We have to worry about their whole team and if we're going to get a result,
we're going to have to have our eleven players on the pitch digging in. We
can't carry anyone and can't have any passengers. Hopefully that will be
enough because if their players all produce it's going to be an extremely
hard game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Drogba in Tomkins' sights
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is prepared for a physical battle with Chelsea's Ivory Coast
striker Didier Drogba on Saturday
24.04.2009

James Tomkins is relishing the prospect of facing Chelsea stiker Didier
Drogba on Saturday.

The England Under-20 defender has been in superb form since bring drafted
into the West Ham United side in mid-February. Since then, Tomkins has
started seven matches, during which time the Hammers have conceded just
three goals.

On Saturday, however, the 20-year-old is expected to come up against Ivory
Coast international Drogba, who has put together his own impressive run of
performances since Dutchman Guus Hiddink took charge at Stamford Bridge in
February.

Despite Drogba's physical approach and fearsome reputation, which have
brought him 36 goals in 55 games for his country and two Premier League
winner's medals, Tomkins insists he will not be fazed by the challenge of
shackling the 2007 African footballer of the year.

"I'll approach facing Drogba like I approach every game. I've played against
a lot of good players in the Premier League and I've coped with them OK so
if I'll keep learning and using those experiences. The experience of the
staff here has helped me through. I'm looking forward to the challenge and I
like a challenge.

"Obviously he's a great player and has done it at all levels. I will talk to
a lot of people before the match about what to do and what not to do and
when it comes to it, I'll do what I feel is best. I know he'll be a physical
lad and is very strong but I'll do my best. It's going to be a good test,
like all strikers are."

For Chelsea, Saturday's game is the seventh fixture they have contested
during a packed April, a month that will end with Tuesday's UEFA Champions
League semi-final first-leg against FC Barcelona. With a trip to the Camp
Nou just days away, Tomkins believes the Hammers can take advantage by
beating the Blues, strengthening the club's challenge for their own European
adventure into the bargain.

"We're fighting for seventh place so that's the target we're really trying
to head towards. No matter what side they put out, they're going to be
strong. They played on Wednesday and have another game on Tuesday in the
Champions League so if any time is a good time to play them, I suppose this
is, but it's still going to be a tough game. Whatever team they play they
are going to be strong. They've got good players there."

One of those players is England captain and Tomkins' fellow central defender
John Terry. Like the West Ham youngster, the 28-year-old spent five years
working under Tony Carr at the club's famous Academy before joining Chelsea
in 1995 at the age of 14.

While he will be fully focused on his own game beforehand, Tomkins has vowed
to seek out the Blues captain after the final whistle to discuss the art of
defending.

"When he's not playing Chelsea seem to struggle. He's quite a vocal lad and
very much a leader and I want to bring that into my game if I can. The way
he's passionate is brilliant. That comes from within, I suppose, but you
can't really learn that. The way he is so commanding and has improved at lot
on the ball as well is something I'll look at. If I play, this will be first
time I've played against Chelsea, so it will be good to talk to him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke up for Saturday
WHUFC.com
Steve Clarke is looking forward to the challenge of facing Chelsea at the
Boleyn Ground this weekend
23.04.2009

Steve Clarke was in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's big Barclays Premier
League game with Chelsea.

West Ham United could be boosted by the return of two players from the
treatment table. Radoslav Kovac is hoping to have recovered from a thigh
strain to challenge for a place in midfield, while Jonathan Spector is in
contention after recovering from concussion.

Clarke said: "We should have Kovac back. It's been a strange week, we've
been training with nine, ten or eleven players. We actually had 13 players
training this morning so we should be OK for a team!"

West Ham secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Blues at Stamford Bridge
when the two sides met in the reverse fixture in December. Clarke, however,
is adamant that the team should not approach the game looking for a similar
result.

"To win you need to put in hard work and effort. You have to be organised,
you have to respect their strengths and you have to be prepared to play
against them.

"If you sit and try to defend against them for 90 minutes it will be a long
90 minutes. We look forward to the game. We've been playing well recently,
but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to start
at the weekend."

The Hammers play host to Chelsea just three days before they face a tricky
trip to the Camp Nou to play Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. But
Clarke is certain that Guus Hiddink and his players will be focused on
coming out on top in the London derby.

"They're in the middle of a difficult run of matches with a lot of big games
and I'm sure they'll think about resting one or two players against us.

"But it's only a great time to play them if you beat them after a match.
Before the game, I'm sure they'll approach it as it's an east and west
London derby and they won't want to lose it so it will be a difficult game."

Chelsea's attack could be led by Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, a player
Clarke knows well from his time at Stamford Bridge. The West Ham United
first-team coach believes that his in-form defence, who have conceded just
three goals in their last seven matches, can rise to the physical challenge
he will pose.

"I think Didier has been in tremendous form for Chelsea, scored a few goals,
but our defenders are playing well. They've defended very well in recent
matches, in fact for a long period of time they've defended well. If we can
defend as we have been we'll be OK."

Clarke spent a total of 15 years as both a player and assistant manager at
Stamford Bridge, but is fully converted to his new side's cause.

"For me it's just another game. It might sound strange but I work for West
Ham United now and I'm enjoying my time here. I had great times at Chelsea,
it's gone, it's in the past and I have to look forward."

Clarke joined former team-mate Gianfranco Zola in September and, after a
seeing their side steadily climb the league table, the pair have never
looked back.

"It's been very good. We've put on good training sessions and the players
have applied themselves well and worked very hard in training and you see
the rewards on the pitch.

"It's worked out well for us, up until now it has been a good season. There
are have been a lot of problems and a lot of things to deal with and I think
both of us improved, Gianfranco as a manager and I have certainly improved
as a coach."

In the race for the seventh place, West Ham United hold pole position, but
Clarke is determined the squad will not rest on their laurels and see the
task through to completion.

"If the season stopped today we could look back with satisfaction but the
season doesn't stop today as we've got another five matches. We're pleased
until now but we'd like to see the job out and finish the job and finish
seventh.

"[We want to] win as many as we can and get as high up that league as
possible. That's my only target in football - finish as high as you can."

After such a successful start to their time with West Ham United, Clarke
also revealed he, like Gianfranco Zola, is close to finalising a new deal
that will see him commit his long-term future to the club.

"I think Gianfranco is in discussions with the club about extending his
contract. The club have approached me about the same and we've had good
discussions. But I've only just arrived and they are already talking about
extended it which means we've done something right.

"I'm enjoying my time here, I think it was a strange move for a lot of
people when I came here but I feel justified in the move."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Chelsea
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 25 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5
Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the
Day
BBC.co.uk

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

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is setting his sights on a Champions League/FA
Cup double, having effectively conceded the Premier League title to
Manchester United after Wednesday's goalless home draw with Everton. It was
only the second time in eight top-flight games the West Londoners had failed
to win under the interim manager.

West Ham against Chelsea is the 18th of 20 Premier League London derbies
this season. Chelsea will be playing in each of the last three, but have not
beaten a fellow club from the capital so far (three draws, two defeats);
West Ham have won two, drawn two and lost three of their seven to date.

Chelsea are still pursuing their third runners-up spot in as many seasons,
and at the same time will not want to fall out of the top three and miss out
on automatic qualification to the group stages of next season's Champions
League.

West Ham go into the game in seventh spot, which, if maintained, will
probably be good enough to earn a place in the third qualifying round for
next season's Europa League.

West Ham have not beaten any of the six clubs currently above them in the
table; Aston Villa (home and away) is the only one on the top nine that
Chelsea have defeated.

This match is being staged on Gianfranco Zola's 222nd day in charge of the
Hammers . The 42 year old Italian and former Stamford Bridge favourite made
312 appearances and scored 80 goals in his playing days for Chelsea.

Chelsea are undefeated in seven Premier League matches against West Ham;
they have won six and drawn one since the Hammers' 1-0 home win on 3 May
2003, when Paulo Di Canio scored the winner.

Distance between the clubs: 13 miles (21 kilometres)
Chelsea make the shortest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.


CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED

Club stats

7th 45 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 9th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Lost one of the last seven Premier League matches; 1-0, away to Tottenham
on 11 April.

2. This is Gianfranco Zola's 30th Premier League game in charge; they have
won 10 under him.

3. Completed 17 top-flight matches since a loss by more than a single goal;
the most recent being 0-2, home to Tottenham on 8 December.

4. The current total of 45 points after 33 games is a point up on last
season, when positioned 10th, where they ended the campaign.

5. Lost one of the 14 top-flight matches in which they've opened the
scoring; home to Everton.

6. The highest they have finished since their return to the Premier League
was ninth in 2005-06. The best placed finish in 13 Premier League seasons
was fifth in 1998-99, and the lowest 18th and relegation in 2002-03. Their
average is 11th.

7. Won 50% of their home league games; eight of 16.

8. Not conceded in three at Upton Park, or in 298 minutes (four hours 58
minutes) of Premier League football on home turf since Ryan Gigs scored the
winner for Manchester United in a 0-1 triumph on 8 February.

9. Not beaten a member of the 'Big Four' (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and
Manchester United this season (lost three, drawn three), nor in nine matches
against them since a 1-0 home victory over Liverpool on 30 January last
year.

10. Still to play another of the 'Big Four', in Liverpool, on 9 May. The
full list is:- Stoke (a), Liverpool (h), Everton (a) and Middlesbrough (h).

Fixtures

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

CHELSEA

Club stats

3rd 68 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd
Lowest could fall: 3rd

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ever-presents in the Premier League, with an average finishing position
of fifth; won the title in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

2. Undefeated in six in all competitions; four wins, two draws.

3. Claimed seven points out of nine, and lost one of nine Premier League
matches; 1-0, away to Tottenham on 21 March.

4. The current tally of 68 points after 33 games is their lowest for six
years, and six points down on last season.

5. Won 18 and lost just one of the 20 league games this season in which they
have opened the scoring. The defeat was home to Arsenal.

6. Own the tightest defence in the highest league. More details

7. Boasting the strongest away form in the highest league, and need a win to
pass the 500 away points mark all-time in the Premier League; on 498 at
present.

8. The league run-in after this is:- Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Blackburn (h)
and Sunderland (a).

Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED

Squad profiles

Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.

Carlton COLE, currently injured, is the club's top Premier League scorer
with nine goals.

Kieron DYER needs a double to register 50 career club goals.

If selected:-

Scott PARKER, who's almost ready to return from injury, will be playing
against a former club. The 28 year old England international made 28
appearances (15 in the league) and scored one league goal for Chelsea
between January 2004 and June 2005.

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

CHELSEA

Squad profiles

Nicolas ANELKA is one of three Premier League players with as many as 21
club goals this season; the others are Steve GERRARD of Liverpool and
Manchester United's RONALDO.

ANELKA and RONALDO jointly lead the race for the Barclays Golden Boot, with
15 Premier League goals each.

Frank LAMPARD is the only remaining player to have started all of Chelsea's
Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

ASHLEY COLE will be making his 250th career league appearance (Arsenal,
Crystal Palace and Chelsea).

ALEX will be making his 50th Premier League appearance - all in Chelsea
colours.

LAMPARD will be facing a former club. The 30 year old England international
was a West Ham trainee, making 187 appearances (148 in the league) and
scoring 38 goals (24 league) for them before his £11m move to Stamford
Bridge in June 2001.


HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea won last season's corresponding fixture 0-4, despite having Frank
Lampard sent off. The points were secured midway through the first-half when
the Blues scored three times in five minutes.

The Blues are pursuing a fourth successive top-flight victory at Upton Park
to complete the double over West Ham for the fifth time in the Premier
League, and fourth season in a row.

West Ham need to score four goals to total 150 against Chelsea in all
competitions; Chelsea need three more to total 150 against West Ham.

Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 34 wins, Chelsea 31, Draws 16
Prem: West Ham 9 wins, Chelsea 14, Draws 4

at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 22 wins, Chelsea 11, Draws 7
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Chelsea 6, Draws 2


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 0-4 Chelsea
1 March 2008 - Ref: Peter Walton
Chelsea scorers: Lampard 17 pen, Joe Cole 20, Ballack 22, Ashley Cole 64
Sent Off: Lampard (Sent Off) 36

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United
14 December 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley
Chelsea scorer: Anelka 51
West Ham scorer: Bellamy 33


REFEREE
Mike Dean (Wirral)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke in talks over Hammers deal
BBC.co.uk

West Ham coach Steve Clarke says he is in no hurry to extend his contract,
despite the board's enthusiasm. Since Clarke and manager Gianfranco Zola
joined the club last September, they have kept the team in the race for a
place in Europe next season. "Already they're talking about extending so we
are doing something right," Clarke said.
"Discussions are on-going but it will be sorted when it's sorted. There's no
rush on my side or that of the club." Zola has already spoken of his desire
to sign a longer-term deal and build a long-term project at Upton Park, on
the proviso that Clarke and his backroom team stay at the club. The pair
enjoy legendary status at former club Chelsea, who are West Ham's next
opponents, and when manager Luis Felipe Scolari was sacked by the Blues they
were widely tipped to make a return. But Clarke said although he has happy
memories of his Chelsea days, that chapter of his life was over. "I am
enjoying my time here. I think it was a strange move for a lot of people
when I came but I feel justified in making it," he said. "I had great times
at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the past and I have to look forward. I
am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Davenport eyes Black Cats leap
Defender eager to stay on Wearside
Last updated: 23rd April 2009
SSN

On-loan Sunderland defender Calum Davenport has reiterated his desire to
make his switch from West Ham permanent. The 26-year-old moved north in
January but had to wait until the home defeat to Manchester United earlier
in April to make his first start for the Wearsiders. He has since started
against Hull City and wants to extend his stay with the Black Cats as he
feels settled and happy. Davenport has not settled at a club since his
transfer from Coventry to Tottenham in 2004, being loaned out on three
occasions during his time at White Hart Lane. He then signed for the Hammers
in January of 2007 but has since been sent on loan on two further occasions.
Davenport told the Sunderland Echo: "Since I've been up here I've loved
every minute of it.
"Everybody from the manager to the tea ladies have been unbelievable. So if
I can stay I'll be delighted. But the main thing is getting results first
and foremost and seeing what happens in the summer. "I've had a lot of
injury problems and being at Tottenham, it was a massive club. It forced me
to go out on loan to play week in, week out.
"If I can find somewhere where I'm settled and happy, as I feel I am here,
I'll be happy. Who knows? "I've settled in well. I've got a young family and
my daughter's at school down south so they're up at the weekends. We're in
Durham and the family really like it. Credit to the club, everything has
been fantastic."
Sunderland take on West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday and victory will
go a long way to securing their survival, although Davenport is taking
nothing for granted.
He said: "I was saying to the lads, they're a team who trust each other with
the ball, pass and move, pull you into areas and pop it around you. "We're
going to have to be nice and compact down there. Whereas the game at the
weekend was played at a high tempo, we'll have to give them a bit of respect
in terms of their quality on the ball, even though they're bottom of the
league. "We might have to nick it off them and hit them quick. With Djibril
Cisse and Kenwyne Jones' pace maybe we can hit them that way. "There's
absolutely no pressure on them and it comes from the manager. If you listen
to him he wants them to go out, express themselves and play a certain way.
"It's quite easy to fall back on the fact it's a results business, but he's
got a belief in the way they play and they stick to it. "It's up to us to
make sure we prepare right and get the result we want."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers offer Clarke extension
Hammers offer contract extension to assistant Clarke
Last updated: 23rd April 2009
SSN

West Ham have approached assistant boss Steve Clarke about extending his
contract - but he is in no rush to sign. The former Chelsea number two
signed a three-year deal earlier in the season when he switched to Upton
Park as assistant to boss Gianfranco Zola. The pair have been linked with a
move back to Chelsea at the end of the season and the Hammers' decision to
offer the pair contract extensions is a clear indication of their desire to
head off any potential summer move. But Clarke, while flattered by the
extension offer, is in no hurry to sign. "I think Gianfranco is in
discussions with the club about extending his contract, the club have
approached me about the same," he said. "We have had good discussions but I
have only just arrived and already they are talking about extending so it
means we have done something right. "Discussions are ongoing but it will be
sorted when it is sorted. There is no great rush to do anything. I signed
here for almost three years and I will have two years left come the summer,
so there is no rush. There is no rush on my side or the side of the club."
He added he is enjoying his time at Upton Park. "I think it was a strange
move for a lot of people when I came here but I feel justified in making the
move," he said, adding he is pleased with how the Hammers have done until
now. "We would like to see the job out and finish in seventh."
The Hammers entertain Chelsea on Saturday and asked if it was a good time to
be playing the Blues, he said: "They are in the middle of a difficult run of
matches, a lot of big games. I'm sure maybe they'll think about resting one
or two players against us at the weekend. "But it is only a great time to
play them if you beat them after the match. Before the game, I'm sure
they'll approach it, they won't want to lose, it's a big London derby. "It
will be a difficult, difficult game."
But he is hopeful of a result, saying: "We have been playing well recently
but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to start
at the weekend.
"It is just another game for me. It is three more points in the chase for a
place in Europe."I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the
past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Eager To Extend Terms With Assistant Manager Steve Clarke
The Hammers would love to lock down their assistant who, at least for the
moment, is playing it cool...
24 Apr 2009 07:07:04
Goal.com

Steve Clarke has revealed that he has an offer on the table to extend his
terms as assistant manager of West Ham United, but has also indicated that
he will take his time before deciding whether to put pen to paper on an
improved deal. The Ayrshire-born Scot, for so many years the
second-in-command at Chelsea, has struck what looks to be an excellent
rapport with Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, and the club are obviously keen
on continuing the promising pairing. "I think Gianfranco is in discussions
with the club about extending his contract, the club have approached me
about the same," Clarke was quoted as saying by the BBC. "We have had good
discussions but I have only just arrived and already they are talking about
extending so it means we have done something right. "Discussions are ongoing
but it will be sorted when it is sorted. There is no great rush to do
anything. I signed here for almost three years and I will have two years
left come the summer, so there is no rush. There is no rush on my side or
the side of the club."
The 45-year-old was keen to stress that he is very happy with his decision
to join the Hammers' cause, despite the perceived drop down from the same
position at Stamford Bridge. "I think it was a strange move for a lot of
people when I came here," he acknowledged, "but I feel justified in making
the move. "We would like to see the job out and finish in seventh."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke pen new West Ham contracts
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will on Friday sign new four-year contracts
at West Ham, ending speculation over their future.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Last Updated: 7:30AM BST 24 Apr 2009

The lengthy deals will replace the 12-month rolling contracts they agreed
when they were appointed at Upton Park in September following Alan
Curbishley's exit. West Ham were keen to reward Zola and Clarke after the
promising start they have made at the club, who are seventh in the Premier
League table and vying to qualify for next season's Europa League. Alan
Pardew favourite to replace sacked Jim Magilton at Ipswich TownTalks were
opened last week with chief executive Scott Duxbury and were concluded on
Thursday with West Ham due to make an announcement later today ahead of
tomorrow's League match against Chelsea. Zola is, of course, a Chelsea
favourite, and was voted the club's best player of all-time, while Clarke, a
former team-mate of the Italian, was lured from Stamford Bridge as part of
the deal to sign up a new management team.
West Ham paid Chelsea £1 million in compensation to secure Clarke, which
appeared an extraordinary sum to sign up an assistant manager, but he has
worked in tandem with Zola who, in an exclusive interview to be published in
The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, hails the Scot as "vital" to the success he
has so far enjoyed. Zola told Telegraph Sport he was delighted to be
discussing a new deal, adding: "The club is looking after me and my staff. I
don't think they were worried that I might leave. They know that I like what
I am doing here. I am just starting a project and it would be a pity to
leave something that is not done yet. "
Eyebrows were raised when the 42-year-old was appointed, given he had not
managed before and was plucked from his role as assistant coach to the
Italian under-21s. That criticism grew after a series of disappointing
results, but Zola and Clarke have turned things round dramatically. The new
deals, it will be argued, also confirm that despite the financial
difficulties being endured by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and with
ownership of West Ham expected to be transferred from the Icelandic
businessman in the coming months, the club are continue to function
successfully as a self-financing business under Duxbury. As well as Zola and
Clarke, West Ham have signed up a number of key players on new long-term
deals including Carlton Cole, Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Jack Collison.

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Why only West Ham seem to care about winning a place in Europe
Revamped Uefa Cup still does not interest Spurs or Fulham
Teams will have to play 19 games to win trophy
David Hytner The Guardian, Friday 24 April 2009

The battle for the final qualifying place in the Uefa Cup, or what will be
known from the beginning of next season as the Europa League, has become a
phoney war. The prize, if that is the correct term, will be handed to the
seventh-placed team in the Premier League and recent results have seen the
contenders narrow to three London clubs.

The trouble is that while they would each enjoy the prestige of such an
encouraging finish and, no doubt, the increased share of the league's prize
money fund, only West Ham United, the current occupiers of the position,
truly want what goes with it. Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, who are
separated by goal difference and are one point below the Hammers with five
matches to play, have rather more mixed feelings.

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, might prefer eighth place, as that would
still represent the club's best finish, eclipsing the ninth place secured
under Chris Coleman in 2004. Hodgson has enjoyed some heady moments in
Europe, including reaching the 1997 Uefa Cup final with Internazionale – his
team lost over two legs to Schalke on penalties – but he is aware of the
thinness of his Fulham squad which, remarkably, has not been exposed by
injuries this season. Could his team hope to have similar good fortune next
time out?

The Premier League club that finishes seventh will enter the tweaked Europa
League at the third qualifying round. England's other two entrants, who are
expected to be Everton and Aston Villa, will start in the fourth and final
qualifying round. These two-leg ties presage the group stage, in which there
are 12 groups of four, all playing each other at home and away. The two top
teams advance into the round of 32, where the numbers are made up by eight
teams dropping down from the Champions League groups.

From there, the ties follow a straight two-leg knock-out formula. The
differences to this season's format appear minimal – certainly, there has
been no streamlining of the competition – and the bottom line for England's
final qualifier is that they will have to play 19 matches in order to win
the trophy.

That is half a Premier League season and explains why Harry Redknapp, the
Tottenham manager, having been stretched to breaking point by participation
in this season's Uefa Cup tournament, shares the pragmatic concerns of
Hodgson.

"I'd be a liar if I said that European football wasn't a bit of a
distraction," said Redknapp, who is 62 and Hodgson's senior by five months.
"It makes it hard in terms of league position and everything else. But your
pride wants you to get there."

That problem is not seen as such by West Ham's youthful management team.
Gianfranco Zola, in his first manager's role, has stated that he wants to
take the club into Europe while Steve Clarke, his assistant, has no time for
the drawbacks. Both men are keen to embellish their CVs and continental
football would do that.

"I want to be involved in European football every year," said Clarke, "and
so do the club. You have to push yourself and challenge yourself. Maybe next
season we'll get to the stage where we think, 'I wish we hadn't qualified',
but we'll deal with that when we come to it.

"The only tangible thing we can take from this season is to qualify for
Europe. So if you're ambitious, you have to chase the highest that you can
get.

"Only time will tell about the strain it would place on our squad, but our
injured players will be back in pre-season so we'll be stronger and then
it's another test of management, of coaching, to utilise your players as
best as you can to challenge for every competition."

There is no doubt that Hodgson and Redknapp remain ambitious but their years
of experience have given them perspective. Redknapp's situation is slightly
complicated by the fact that Tottenham fans expect and virtually demand
European football. Neither manager, though, has the appetite for bullish
language.

"We set one very clear, major target and that was to finish in the Premier
League at the end of the season," said Hodgson. "We've achieved our target
and we haven't sat down to set up a different target."

Given the manner in which Tottenham and Aston Villa limped out of this
season's Uefa Cup with weakened teams, the lustre of the competition for
English clubs has been questioned.

Clarke's take is provocative. "Probably the shine has gone off it in recent
years for English teams because nobody has won it," he said. "If somebody
was to win it and you got the TV profile and the build-up to the final,
people would think, 'That's a good day out, we will try and do that'."

West Ham first want to be in it.

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Dyer: Hammers can have title say
by Danny Sanderson , 23 April 2009
setanta.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer believes the Irons can have a major say in
where the Premier League trophy ends up this campaign, as they prepare to
face Chelsea at Upton Park on Saturday. The injury-prone player also claims
that, despite their treatment room continuing to be oversubscribed, they are
thriving on the situation they find themselves in under Gianfranco Zola.
Dyer told West Ham's official website: "We could have a great part to play
in where the title goes this season. We've got Chelsea next and then
Liverpool at home as well. Last season, Chelsea came to our place and gave
us the run-around and beat us 4-0 so we have to redeem ourselves. "With our
injury situation it always seems to be backs against the wall, but we seem
to be thriving on that."
Dyer feels they will have to be at their best to beat the West London outfit
and has marked the on-form Didier Drogba and former Hammer Frank Lampard as
the ones to stop if they are to claim the crucial three points in their
search for European football. "They have got match-winners all over the
park, but obviously Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are the main two. Drogba
has been like a new player and Lampard is a 25-goal-a-season man, but
they're not the only two we have got to worry about!
"We have got to worry about their whole team and if we're going to get a
result, we're going to have to have our eleven players on the pitch digging
in. We can't carry anyone and we can't have any passengers. Hopefully that
will be enough because if their players all produce it's going to be an
extremely tough game."

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Upson: Zola can lead West Ham into Champions League
24.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Matthew Upson believes Gianfranco Zola can lead West Ham United into the top
four. "I don't see any reason why not," said the 30-year-old. "You can't
tell what is going to happen in 18 months or two years' time. You have to go
with it and make the right decisions. "I think the club is going in the
right direction and I am very excited about next season. "We can make it to
the Europa League. Even though we still have Liverpool and Chelsea to play,
they are both home games. Europe is a big goal for the club and it will be
interesting next season if we achieve it to see how things go. "It would
mean exciting times at the club next season without a doubt. If we can get
some players back fit and bring a couple of new players in, then this club
and team can really go places. "The longer the boss stays the better. He has
done brilliantly since he came in and has a very good relationship with the
players. "He has great tactical awareness and gets a lot of respect because
of the quality of player he was. If you are not a good manager that soon
wears off but he has proved that he has good managerial skills."

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West Ham want Man Utd's Possebon on-loan next season
24.04.09 | Ian Ferris

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola wants Italian U20 international Rorigo
Possebon on loan from Manchester United. Zola will reportedly ask Reds boss
Sir Alex Ferguson if he can take Brazilian born Possebon to West Ham on loan
next season.

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Tottenham, West Ham target Esposito focused on Lecce
23.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Lecce defender Andrea Esposito is calm about interest from Tottenham and
West Ham United. The young centre-half said: "Playing in a great team is the
dream of everyone, but I now concentrate solely on the safety of Lecce.
"We'll take care of the rest after the end of the championship."

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