Tuesday, August 25

Daily WHUFC News - II 25th August 009

David Gold preparing bid for West Ham once Birmingham sale is complete
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:13 PM on 25th August 2009
Daily Mail

David Gold is waiting to discover if there will be any role for him at Birmingham City once Carson Yeung's takeover of the club is completed before deciding whether to move to buy West Ham, which could cost him up to £150 million. Gold, who is a fan of the Hammers and was even a part of their youth setup, is believed to be willing to assist Yeung once the takeover is complete as he adjusts to life at the helm of a Premier League football club. However, if Yeung does not require Gold's services, both he and David Sullivan will find their long involvement with the club at an end.

If this is the case, then the 72-year-old will ponder an official approach to West Ham - perhaps once again with the involvement of Sullivan - to see if a deal can be reached.
A potential stumbling block seems to be Gold's valuation of the East London club. The official valuation is believed to be around £150 million - £100 million to buy the club and £50 million to take on the club's working debts - but Gold is not prepared to pay that much.

West Ham are currently owned by their creditors including Straumur, the collapsed Icelandic bank, via the asset management company CB Holdings. Straumur are keen to sell as they need to service their own creditors, and would be prepared to listen to any serious offers. Gold, along with his brother Ralph, is reported to be worth around £300 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He is believed to be very keen to stay in football, and has told friends that the opportunity to buy West Ham and take the club forward is one that intrigues him.

Before Gold can make any advances, however, the sale of Birmingham City must be finalised. The Premier League has received the required paperwork from Yeung regarding his buy-out, and the transaction could be completed as soon as this week. The businessman is offering around £80 million for the club, and has said once he is in charge he will give manager Alex McLeish around £5 million of his own money to fund the signing of new players.

'I have already contacted some players ... We have bought the club with company money but I personally will invest £4-5 million if we get along with the players,' he said. 'Before the 1 September transfer deadline, I hope I can buy some useful players.' McLeish had earlier complained about not being provided the finances required to preserve the club's top-flight status.

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Hammers to land Diamanti
Livorno striker set to make Upton Park move
By Chris Burton Last updated: 25th August 2009
SSN

West Ham are on the verge of completing the signing of Alessandro Diamanti, according to Livorno's president. The Hammers moved for the 26-year-old frontman last week, keen to fend off interest from a number of other sides. Serie A new boys Livorno claimed on Monday that they were yet to receive an acceptable approach from any of those sides chasing Diamanti, but have now altered their stance. Club supremo Aldo Spinelli claims an agreement has been reached with West Ham and he expects a deal to be completed imminently. "It's practically a done deal," he said. "It was right to give the player the possibility to test himself in a different environment. "After several years at Livorno, he deserves the chance to take a step forward in his career."
Diamanti joined Livorno in 2007 and is under contract with the Tuscan outfit for a further four years. However, having expressed a desire to try his luck in England, he will be allowed to move on.

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Cole and Defoe give Capello food for thought
Carlton Cole and Jermain Defoe could be a perfect England combo
By Dave Smith August 25, 2009
GiveMeFootball.com

Carlton Cole is now fulfilling his potential, to the extent that he can claim a regular place in the England side, claims West Ham teammate Scott Parker. And, with Jermain Defoe currently on fire at Spurs, Cole himself feels they can form a telling partnership on the international stage. Parker says: "Carlton has got all the attributes to be a big player for us and at international level. Everyone could see against Spurs he's got massive strength. "He can bring people into the game as well and he's got a massive season ahead of him. If he does well this season I think he'll definitely be pushing to get into the England side. "He scored a great goal and he's made a mistake, but that could have happened to any of us out there, it's part and parcel of football. You put yourself on offer like Coley does and you are going to make mistakes."
Meanwhile, Cole says of his international credentials: "I've been in the last four squads and I'm grateful that Mr Capello sees so much potential in me to be in the England team.
"West Ham strikers have a good history in World Cup Finals and that would be nice but I'm staying realistic. I need to do the business for West Ham and then hopefully I'll be in South Africa. "Jermain and I work really well together because I'm the big man and he's the small striker. He wants to get in the box while I like to get stuck in so we do complement each other really well. "He's got a bright future with the England team and I hope I can follow in his footsteps."

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Diamanti 'on verge' of West Ham move
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Livorno president Aldo Spinelli claims striker Alessandro Diamanti is on the verge of a move to West Ham. The 26-year-old scored 16 goals last season in Serie B, including a vital three strikes in the promotion play-offs. "It was right to give the player the possibility to test himself in a different environment. "After several years at Livorno, he deserves the chance to take a step forward in his career."
Diamanti joined Livorno in the summer of 2007 and is under contract with the Tuscan outfit for a further four years. The player said yesterday that a transfer to Upton Park would "change my life and make me take a leap in quality".

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West Ham set to seal £5.7 million deal for Alessandro Diamanti
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:34 AM on 25th August 2009
Daily Mail

West Ham United appear to be close to agreeing a deal to sign highly-rated Italian striker Alessandro Diamanti from Livorno, according to the Italian club's president Aldo Spinelli. With a potentially career-threatening injury to Dean Ashton forcing Gianfranco Zola to find other attacking players to support the squad's sole striker Carlton Cole, the Hammers boss looks to have finally found his man. 'It's practically done for Diamanti to West Ham,' Spinelli told the press this morning. The player deserves to make the step-up after his stint at Livorno. Just a few details need to be finalised before the move becomes official.' According to the club's sporting director, Nelso Ricci, the east London club will pay around £5.7 million in instalments for the 26-year-old. 'West Ham will pay €6.5 million over three years. We couldn't have kept a player who wanted to leave for another club. 'Diamanti told us he wanted to go to England as it was a chance of a lifetime for him,' added Ricci. On Monday, Diamanti said joining West Ham would be a 'dream move'.
The deep-lying forward, who scored 15 goals in Serie B last season, had attracted the attention of Inter Milan earlier in the summer.

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Diamanti gets West Ham wish Tuesday 25 August, 2009
Football-Italia.net
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Alessandro Diamanti "begged us in tears to let him join West Ham," so Livorno announced they'll accept a £5.5m offer. The club had previously turned down the bid, considering it unsatisfactory, but the turning point came in a meeting with the player last night. "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham," director of sport Nelso Ricci told the Corriere dello Sport. He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the President for having signed him from Prato in Serie C2, but now he wants to leave. "West Ham will pay £5.5m in three years. What could [President Aldo] Spinelli do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. Spinelli had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners, like [Cristiano] Lucarelli."
Diamanti was one of the stars of Livorno's promotion, scoring 16 goals in Serie B last season and providing countless assists. A free kick specialist and capable of shooting accurately from long range, the 26-year-old tends to play behind the strikers or as part of a trident. He was talent scouted by Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, who has also been making bids for Mario Balotelli, Goran Pandev and Massimo Oddo. "After Diamanti's departure, the President is prepared to reimburse season ticket holders who are against this move," added Ricci.

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Father of West Ham star dies on his way to Spurs match
Terry Kirby
25.08.09
Evening Standard

A second West Ham football star has been hit by tragedy, it was disclosed today. The father of midfielder Jack Collison, 20, died in a motorcycle accident while riding to see his son play against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, defender Calum Davenport is recovering from a second emergency operation yesterday after being stabbed at his home. Ian Collison, 46, a roofer, died after crashing on the M25 near Epping just before noon on Sunday. His son played 89 minutes of the match, which kicked off at 1.30pm, unaware of his father's death. West Ham lost 1-2. The player was told later in the evening. A West Ham spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Jack and his family and we ask people to respect his privacy at a very difficult time for them.''
Davenport, 26, was said to be stable after the second operation, aimed at repairing an artery in his leg. It is not known whether he will play again. His mother, Kim, 49, who was also injured in the attack, was also said to be stable. Worrell Whitehurst, 25, from Derby, the boyfriend of Davenport's sister, Cara, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent

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Zola lands Diamanti after tears and begging episode
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:25 August 2009 - 10:15

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has reportedly signed Livorno forward Alessandro Diamanti for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.5 million. According to Director of Sport Nelso Ricci, Diamanto was in tears begging the club to let him join the Hammers. Ricci told Corriere dello Sport: "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham.
"He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the President for having signed him from Prato in Serie C2, but now he wants to leave. "West Ham will pay £5.5m in three years. What could [President Aldo] Spinelli do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. Spinelli had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners, like [Cristiano] Lucarelli."

Diamanti scored 16 goals in Serie B last term.

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Oddo in West Ham transfer claim
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009

AC Milan right-back Massimo Oddo claims West Ham have expressed an interest in taking him to Upton Park. Oddo spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling to hold down a regular place under former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The inquiry from West Ham, and their Italian manager Gianfranco Zola, has come from a third party rather than the club itself but Oddo is willing to consider any permanent move. The 33-year-old said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
Reports in Italy have linked Oddo with a move to the Hammers in a swap deal which would see French midfielder Julien Faubert switch to the San Siro. Former Italy international Oddo is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011.

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We're Thinking (And Praying) For You, Jack
West Ham Till I Die

There's nothing that any of us can say on this site to lessen the pain must be feeling today after the dreadful loss of his father, Ian, in a motorbike accident on the M25 on Saturday. Mr Collison was on his way to see his son play against Spurs. Jack can at least rest in the knowledge that his father was incredibly son of his son's achievements in the game, but for a life to be cut short at the age of 46 is cruel indeed.

Those of us who think there is a greater being guiding our lives will be offering a prayer for the Collison family this morning. The rest of us will hold them in our thoughts.

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Diamanti pleads for switch
The Sun
Published: Today

ALESSANDRO DIAMANTI is on his way to West Ham after BEGGING Livorno to sell him. The striker, 26, will join the Upton Park club for £5.5million, which the Hammers will pay over three years. Diamanti was playing in Italy's third tier just two years ago before Livorno gave him his big move. The Italian club's director of sport Nelso Ricci revealed Diamanti was desperate to make the switch to England. Ricci said: "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham. "He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the president for having signed him but now he wants to leave. "What could the president do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. We had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners."
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli added: "It's practically done for Diamanti to West Ham. "The player deserves to make the step-up after his stint at Livorno. "Just a few details need to be finalised before the move becomes official."

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Hammers Make Odd Move
The Sun
Published: Today

MASSIMO ODDO claims West Ham have expressed an interest in taking him to Upton Park. The AC Milan right-back spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling to hold down a regular place under former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The 33-year-old said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
Reports in Italy have linked Oddo with a swap deal which would see French midfielder Julien Faubert switch to the San Siro. Ex-Italy international Oddo is under contract at the San Siro until June 2011.

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Milan star prefers Italy stay to Hammers move
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:25 August 2009 - 11:06

AC Milan star Massimo Oddo has sensationally ruled out a move to England, or any form of temporary switch abroad. Talking to Italian newstation Sky Sport, Oddo revealed that he wanted to do what was best for his family in the final week of the transfer window. West Ham and Everton have been linked with a move for Oddo, however the 33 year-old defender is eager to stay in Italy. Oddo said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."

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West Ham boss Zola in Italy for Diamanti talks
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola hopes to close a deal for Livorno attacking midfielder Alessandro Diamanti. The Mirror says Zola has flown out to Italy to complete a deal for Diamanti. Diamanti is so highly thought of at Upton Park that he is seen as a 'cross between Paolo Di Canio and Zola himself'. They believe Upton Park fans will take to the eccentric 26-year-old just as they took Di Canio to his hearts because of his skill and outlandish behaviour in equal measure. Diamanti's 17 goals helped Livorno return to the top division of Italian football last season. The player's performances even drew interest from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

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West Ham convinced Chamakh still wants move
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United refuse to give up on Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. The Mirror says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is confident that Chamakh is moving to Upton Park.
It was believed yesterday that, following an interview given by Chamakh over the weekend, there was no chance whatsoever of the marksman joining West Ham. But last night Hammers chiefs remained adamant that not only was a deal in place - they have agreed a £7million fee with Bordeaux - but also that Chamakh is still very keen to join them.

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West Ham ready to sell Savio
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United are willing to listen to offers for Ugandan forward Savio. The Mirror says Hammers chiefs have doubts about his ability to cope with the physical nature of Premier League football. Savio only moved to West Ham in January.

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Oddo welcomes Hammers link
Tuesday 25 Aug 2009

AC Milan veteran Massimo Oddo has revealed that he could be moving to West Ham United before the transfer window closes in a week's time. The 33-year-old ex-Italy international, who has slipped out of the first-team picture at the San Siro and spent last season on loan with Bayern Munich, would welcome the chance to show off his talents in the Premier League.
MASSIMO ODDO Oddo said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I do not want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year.
"I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."

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Fry denies Posh were on the verge of signing Davenport
PeterboroToday.co.uk
Published Date: 25 August 2009

BREAKING NEWS: Director of Football Barry Fry has denied suggestions in today's Daily Mail that Peterborough United had been on the verge of signing Calum Davenport from Premier League side West Ham. Davenport suffered stab wounds to his legs during an alleged assault at a Bedford address over the weekend. His career could now be in jeopardy. Fry, who conducts transfer negotiations at London Road, said: "I have no knowledge of any interest in Calum. He's a top player, but West Ham paid £3 million for him and his wages would be out of our range."
Former Posh Academy player Jack Collison played for West Ham against Spurs on Sunday without knowing that his father Ian, from Stevenage, had died in a motorcycle accident on his way to the game. Collison was at Posh as an 11 year-old before moving to Cambridge United and then to West Ham. He recently admitted that former Posh Academy Director Kit Carson was the biggest influence on his career.

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West Ham double tragedy shows some things really are more important than football
By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Last modified 12:29 25/08/09

Suddenly the Carling Cup tie tonight against Millwall has been put firmly into perspective. Suddenly the West Ham family have been forced to close ranks and focus on doing what they do best - looking after their own. Twice in the last five days shock has struck at the very heart of Upton Park, first with the stabbing of defender Calum Davenport and on Sunday with the death of midfielder Jack Collison's father Ian. To compound the blow for Collison, he could not be told his dad's death until after he had played in the 2-1 defeat to Spurs because of the problems Essex police had in establishing his next of kin. Clearly, from the information seeping out from the Davenport family problems, the personal circumstances of both players are complicated - as complicated in fact as all of ours are behind the scenes. What is clear, however, is that one player may never play again (there are still concerns he may even lose a leg such is the severity of the artery damage). And the other? Well, he could be forgiven for struggling to find the mental strength to pull on a pair of boots again for some time. If there is a single crumb of comfort for both Davenport and Collison it is that they part of a strong, solid group at a club that will bend over backwards to give them the support they need to get through this. Before the tragedy had hit Collison he was among the West Ham players preparing to visit Davenport in hospital this week in a bid to lift the defender's spirits. The attack on Davenport had come just 24 hours after verbal agreements were put in place for a move to Peterborough where he was hoping to kick-start his career. Now both players are in a very different place. And no football fan anywhere in the country would wish them anything but the best at this most difficult of times. As for boss Gianfranco Zola? Well the fact that Collison has so far been one of several outstanding young prospects at Upton Park is down to the encouragement from Zola to realise his potential and the Italian's steadfast faith in him. The former Chelsea striker is seen very much as a father figure in a West Ham dressing room which included six academy players in total. But there is still a game to be won tonight. Indeed, the rivalry and emnity between the Irons and the Lions burns more deeply than between West Ham and any other club. And for many Claret and Blue fans the Carling Cup represents their best chance of silverware with the big boys' main interests elsewhere. And yet. Zola has still to comfort a defender whose livelihood looks to have been so brutally taken from him. And a midfielder, a young boy, shattered by the loss of his father. Some things really are more important than football.

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Agent backs West Ham's Faubert to make it at AC Milan
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

French agent Oscar Damiani says West Ham United wing-back Julien Faubert would be a great signing for AC Milan. Asked about Milan's interest, Damiani told TMW: "He's a very good player, physically strong, fast, but at Milan they know what to do and do not need my advice. "He could be a major player for any team."

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Barcelona willing to send Gudjohnsen on-loan to West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Barcelona are willing to send Eidur Gudjohnsen on-loan to West Ham United. The Hammers do not have the funds available to meet Barca's £6 million asking price for the Iceland international and instead are seeking a loan agreement. Sport says Barca are willing to do business, so long as West Ham agree to cover the majority of Gudjohnsen's wages for the coming season.

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Birmingham chairman Gold considers £150M bid for West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Birmingham City chairman David Gold is considering a bid for West Ham United. The Guardian says Gold is waiting to discover if there will be any role for him once Carson Yeung's takeover of Birmingham City is completed before deciding whether to move to buy West Ham, which could cost up to £150m in total. Gold, who is a fan of West Ham and played for their youth team, is thought to be open to helping Yeung make the transition from shareholder to sole owner – he has offered to buy every Birmingham share – which would lead to Gold and David Sullivan departing St Andrew's. If and when Gold leaves he will consider making an official approach to Upton Park – potentially assisted by Sullivan – though it is understood the 72-year-old businessman currently values West Ham below £150m. That valuation is made up of £100m required by Straumur and £50m to take on the club's working debt.

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Agent expects Fiorentina target Spector to stay with West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

The agent of Jonathan Spector has played down talk of a move to Fiorentina for the West Ham United fullback. Steve Kelly told TMW: "I read about this in the papers, however, at least personally, I have never been contacted by Fiorentina. "Are West Ham still counting on him or planning to sell him? Last year he played only nine games simply because he experienced a severe injury. But then he took part in the Confederations Cup. "Should he get an offer from Fiorentina or another club, it could be taken into consideration, but honestly I think it's a non-starter, taking into consideration the fact that the season has begun."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - West Ham v Millwall

Millwall preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Tuesday night's Carling Cup
second-round tie
25.08.2009

West Ham United v Millwall
Carling Cup
Boleyn Ground
Tuesday 25 August 2009
7.45pm
Referee: Paul Taylor

whufc.com - Live text updates I WHUTV - Live audio commentary

Introduction

• West Ham United will play their second consecutive London derby when
League One outfit Millwall make the short trip north for Tuesday's Carling
Cup second round tie. On Sunday, the Hammers lost out 2-1 at home to
Tottenham Hotspur.

• It will be the two sides' first meeting in the competition and only their
second in a major cup competition ever. West Ham hold the bragging rights
after winning an FA Cup fifth-round tie 4-1 on February 1930. For more on
that match, see the Millwall matchday programme - along with exclusives with
Junior Stanislas, Mauricio Taricco, Julien Faubert and much, much more.

• Both sides have struggled in the League Cup in recent years. Indeed the
furthest either side have gone in the last seven years is the
quarter-finals, when the Hammers were knocked out by Everton in 2007/08.
Millwall will be hoping to reach the third round for the first time in four
years.

• The winners of the tie will be entered into Saturday lunchtime's
third-round draw, which will be televised on Sky Sports. The next round is
due to be played in the week commencing Monday 21 September.

• The teams last met in the Championship on 16 April 2005.

The lineups were:

West Ham United: Walker, Repka, Ferdinand, Ward, Powell, Newton (Zamora 80),
Reo-Coker, Noble, Etherington, Sheringham, Harewood Subs not used: Bywater,
Fletcher, Mullins, Chadwick

Millwall: Marshall, Muscat, Phillips, Lawrence, Darren Ward, Livermore,
Sweeney, Morris (Simpson 78), Elliott, Dichio, Hayles (Ifill 63)
Subs not used: Wise, May, Craig

• This is the 23rd meeting between the sides in all competitions. West Ham
have won eight and drawn ten of the fixtures.

West Ham United

• West Ham United have started their Barclays Premier League season with a
win and a draw. An impressive 2-0 win on the opening day of the campaign was
followed by a narrow 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

• West Ham started their League Cup campaign strongly last season, with a
4-1 win over Macclesfield Town on 27 August. Carlton Cole and Zavon Hines,
on his debut, were among the scorers.

• The Hammers were then knocked out in the next round when they lost 1-0 at
Watford on 23 September in what was Gianfranco Zola's second game in charge.
A Hayden Mullins own goal won the game for the hosts that night.

• Three players, Mark Noble, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole have got on the
scoresheet for the Hammers so far this season. Cole was last season's top
scorer with 12 goals in all competitions.

• West Ham United - in 1966 and 1981 to West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool
respectively - have twice reached the League Cup final but have never
triumphed.

• Gianfranco Zola said: "This is a competition that gives teams the chance
to play a final at Wembley and also provides an opportunity to qualify for
European football. We are going to be up for it and also because it is a
special fixture for both clubs. Hopefully above everything else it will be a
good game of football that finishes in our favour."

• After tonight's cup tie, two away trips in the league follow with
Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 29 August and Wigan Athletic on 12 September.

• The Hammers finished last season in ninth in the Barclays Premier League
with 51 points, a place and two points higher than they managed in the
previous season. They were level on points with eight-placed Tottenham.

• Carlton Cole was West Ham's leading scorer last season with ten Premier
League goals, one in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup.

• Robert Green topped the appearance charts for the last campaign, playing
every minute of every Premier League game. He has played 90 consecutive
top-flight matches and last missed a first-team fixture at this stage of the
League Cup last season.

• James Collins celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday.

Last time out

West Ham United

Barclays Premier League, Sunday 23 August
West Ham United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins,
Spector, Parker (Hines 85), Noble, Collison (Nouble 89, Stanislas, Jimenez
(Kovac 78), Cole
Subs unused: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Payne
Goal: Cole 49

Millwall

• Millwall were comprehensive winners in the first round of this year's
competition. The Lions defeated Bournemouth 4-0 at the New Den on the 11
August. Striker Neil Harris had a particularly fruitful night, getting three
of the goals.

• Millwall have started their League One season with three draws and a win.
After drawing with Southampton and Carlisle United, the Lions beat Oldham
Athletic 2-0 before a goalless draw with Southend United on Friday night. In
the four games, they have conceded just one goal. They are eighth in the
table.

• Millwall's dreams of Wembley will be fuelled by last season's League One
play-off final when they lost 3-2 to Scunthorpe United at the famous
stadium.

• Kenny Jackett said: "It's a massive game and one we are looking forward
to. We've earned it, it's fantastic to go and play a Premier League team and
if we get things right and play above our level then you never know."

• Millwall's best League Cup performance is reaching the last eight, which
they have done on three previous occasions. The first two quarter-final
dates came in the 1970s - namely 1973/74 and 1976/77 - before they got to
the same stage in 1994/95.

• Millwall's last victory against a Premier League club came when they beat
Everton on 4 October 1995 - also in the League Cup second round.

Last time out

Coca-Cola Championship, 21 August 2009
Southend 0-0 Millwall
Millwall: Forde, Smith, Frampton, Craig, Friend, Bolder, Fuseini, Laird
(Hackett 58), Price (Harris 46), Alexander, Martin
Subs not used: Grimes, Barron, Sullivan, Dunne

Referee

• Tuesday's referee will be Paul Taylor. The 50-year-old took charge of the
Ipswich-Preston match on the opening day of the new Championship season,
having previously officiated in UEFA Champions League qualifying and FIFA
international fixtures.

Head to head

• West Ham United have not won in the last six competitive meetings between
the clubs, all of which have come in the Championship.

• The Hammers' last victory came on 24 February 1991 with a 3-1 win at home
in the old Second Division. Frank McAvennie scored twice.

• Millwall forward Gary Alexander came through the Hammers Academy under the
guidance of Tony Carr. He left in 2000 having not played a first team game
and joined Millwall in 2007.

• Irish goalkeeper David Forde spent two years at West Ham between 2002 and
2004 but never featured in the first team. He moved to Millwall a year ago
and became an automatic first choice.

• Among the players who have represented both clubs are: Harry Cripps,
Lawrie Leslie, Jim Standen, Brian Dear, Paul Allen, Paul Goddard, Tony
Cottee, Teddy Sheringham, Neil Ruddock and Lucas Neill, while Billy Bonds
and Pat Holland have both formed part of the Lions' management in recent
years.

Last six meetings

16 April 2005 - West Ham United 1-1 Millwall
21 November 2004 - Millwall 1-0 West Ham United
21 March 2004 - Millwall 4-1 West Ham United
28 September 2003 - West Ham United 1-1 Millwall
28 March 1993 - West Ham United 2-2 Millwall
15 November 1992 - Millwall 2-1 West Ham United

Overall record v Millwall (all competitions) W 8 D 10 L 5

Team news

• Gianfranco Zola will be without Herita Ilunga because of a fractured jaw.
The left-back was initially thought to have escaped relatively unhurt from a
clash of heads at Wolves but subsequent examination by club doctors and
further tests revealed the extent of his problem. He is doubtful for
Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers.

• Zola has several choices to replace him including Jonathan Spector who
filled in against Tottenham. The 18-year-old Fabio Daprela, a Swiss Under-19
international, is also standing by while Danny Gabbidon could also get his
first competitive club appearance for 18 months by moving over from his
usual centre-back berth.

• Frank Nouble made his home debut on Sunday and is pushing for a start in
attack alongside Zavon Hines, who scored at this stage of the competition
last season.

• James Tomkins, like Gabbidon, is also eager to dislodge either Matthew
Upson or James Collins in the centre of defence.

• A trio of other Academy products who have performed well in pre-season
could be in the frame led by Josh Payne who made two appearances in 2008/09
as well as Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar who both joined the first-team
training camp in Austria.

• Long-term absentees Luis Boa Morte (knee) and Dean Ashton (ankle) will
miss out.

• Switzerland midfielder Behrami is back in training at Chadwell Heath after
the cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered against Manchester City on 1
March. It is hoped he will join in fully with the first team later this
week.

• Dixon is also progressing well and has started full training with the
reserves.

• Nadjim Abdou and Steve Morison are both sidelined for the Lions. Abdou has
missed the last three matches with a hip problem while forward Morison, the
Lions' £130,000 summer recruit from Stevenage, has a hamstring strain.

• Also missing are Zak Whitbread (hip), Paul Robinson (metatarsal), Pat
O'Connor (cruciate) and Danny Senda (achilles).

• Chris Hackett is a doubt because of a recent groin injury although he did
make an appearance as a substitute in the draw at Southend last Friday.

Travel information

• For directions for the Boleyn Ground, click here

General information

• For ticket news, click here.

• Tuesday night's weather forecast is for a mild night with temperatures
reaching 17C.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola ready for 'special' night
WHUFC.com
The cup meeting with Millwall is the first step on an important road ,
according to Gianfranco Zola
25.08.2009

Gianfranco Zola will send his side out to take on Millwall at the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday night mindful of the many incentives on offer for Carling
Cup success.

As well as the chance for the eventual winners to write their name into the
history books by lifting the famous trophy, there is the chance to play a
major showpiece final and the opportunity to enter the UEFA Europa League.
That said, Zola is well aware of the considerable threat Millwall pose to
the Hammers' dreams of glory come the season end.

"I won this competition as a player and it was a big moment in my career.
Cup matches are fantastic and have a special atmosphere. We are ready, we
are professional and we care about the competition. We'll try to do our best
as the Carling Cup is very important. We will play and honour the tradition
of the competition properly

"This is a competition that gives teams the chance to play a final at
Wembley and also provides an opportunity to qualify for European football.
We are going to be up for it and also because it is a special fixture for
both clubs. Hopefully above everything else it will be a good game of
football that finishes in our favour."

It remains to be seen whether Zola will make many changes from the Sunday's
team with some talented youngsters pushing hard for inclusion, including
weekend substitutes Zavon Hines and Frank Nouble along with left-back Fabio
Daprela, who has yet to make his debut. Generally, an experienced lineup is
expected, although Kieron Dyer will not figure until Blackburn Rovers at the
weekend at the earliest.

"Obviously this game comes very soon after the Tottenham match so I will
have to assess the condition of the squad but it will be a strong team as we
want only to reach the third round."

The magnitude of the match with supporters is not lost on Zola who is
expecting "a heated game" on the pitch but is also aware that the fans "will
expect nothing less than our best". He added: "We are ready, we are
professional, we care about the competition and we'll try to do our best."

* West Ham United can confirm that midfielder Jack Collison has suffered a
family bereavement. The club's thoughts are with Jack and his family and we
are sure all fans share those sentiments.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke keyed up for derby
WHUFC.com
The first-team coach said the significance of this evening's Carling Cup
date is not lost on the squad
25.08.2009

Steve Clarke said all at West Ham United are aware of the expectation from
fans ahead of the Carling Cup second-round tie with Millwall on Tuesday
night.

The first-team coach said there was a determination to put on a good
performance and book a place in the draw for the next stage, and not just to
make up for Sunday's disappointment against Tottenham Hotspur. In that
contest, the Hammers took a deserved lead only for defensive lapses to allow
Spurs to battle back for a 2-1 win.

"It is good in a way that the game has come so quickly because we can get
the disappointment of Sunday out of our system. It is another game but it is
another game where we and the players realise how important it is to our
supporters," Clarke said.

"You have to take away the disappointment [of Sunday]. It is a game we
didn't deserve to lose. We played very well so we look at all the positives
and try to take that into the next game and we are looking for the right
result. The main thing is that we make sure that we are in the draw for the
next round.

There will be no chance of West Ham taking their visitors lightly, despite
their League One status. "Millwall are a good team," Clarke said. "They
reached the play-offs last season and only lost in the final to Scunthorpe,
having had a great result in the semi-finals.

"They are used to success and winning matches but we are prepared. Kevin
Keen has been to watch them and I have been to watch them so we don't take
them lightly. We understand the threat they can cause us so we look forward
to the game. It is another local derby and it should be a good atmosphere."

Also in the visitors' favour is the fact they have had an extra two days to
prepare for the match but Clarke knows the favourites' tag rests very much
on the home side who will field "a strong squad". He added: "It is a short
recovery time. Millwall have had since Friday night to recover so I am sure
they will be fresh and up for the game.

"West Ham United have to take every game seriously. We are a big club and we
must always look to do well in the cup competitions. We have the squad that
we have, I don't think we have any fresh injuries. Everybody is fit and
available with the probable exception of Kieron Dyer who was out at the
weekend."

Gianfranco Zola may well decide to rest a couple of players to aid their
fitness and also provide a chance for a couple of those who have been in and
around it since the season began. "We have a young bench anyway because we
don't carry a big squad," Clarke added. "We don't have an overload of senior
players.

"The young boys will get their chance whether it is in the Carling Cup or
over the course of the season. They know that if they keep working hard and
keep working well, they will get an opportunity."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Millwall
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Carling Cup
19:45
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights
on The League Cup Show

TEAM NEWS
West Ham's injury problems mean that Carlton Cole is their only recognised
striker available for this game. Kieron Dyer is carrying a knock and is
doubtful, while Herita Ilunga is out with an injured jaw.
Millwall midfielder Nadjim Abdou has a hip injury and will miss out along
with striker Steve Morison, who has been sidelined by a hamstring problem.
Winger Chris Hackett has been carrying a groin strain but should be passed
fit to play at Upton Park.


MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham against Millwall is a derby to match the intensity of any of the
fierce rivalries in football that seem to be better documented than this
one.

There is no love lost between these clubs. And whatever division they have
found themselves in over the years, matches between the sides are eagerly
anticipated by both sets of supporters.

That means not taking the Carling Cup seriously is now definitely not an
option for West Ham.

Millwall, meanwhile, will relish the short trip to Upton Park and the chance
to upset their old foes on their own patch.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• This is the 25th time these two great rivals have played against each
other. The Hammers have won eight of the previous 24 games, the Lions six
and 10 have been drawn.

• They have never met in the League Cup.

West Ham

• West Ham have reached the third round in each of the last seven years but
have only progressed beyond it once, when they reached the quarter-finals in
2007/08.

• Manager Gianfranco Zola won the League Cup as a player with Chelsea in
1998.

Millwall

• A win for Millwall would put them into the third round of the League Cup
for the first time in four years.

• Lions forward Neil Harris was one of three players to bag a hat-trick in
the first round. The others were QPR's Wayne Routledge and Grant Holt of
Norwich.

• Millwall's first-round win against Bournemouth was Kenny Jackett's first
League Cup win as a manager in 13 years.

• The club has not had a League Cup victory over a Premier league club since
beating Everton in 1995/96.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Millwall: Preview
ESPN
Updated: August 24, 2009, 4:28 PM UK

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is set to miss the Carling Cup clash against
Millwall with tightness to a leg muscle. Herita Ilunga is a doubt with a jaw
injury and Jonathan Spector could deputise, while James Tomkins is ready to
return from a foot problem. Dean Ashton (ankle), Luis Boa Morte (knee) and
Valon Behrami (ankle) are out, while Calum Davenport is in intensive care
after being stabbed in both legs. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola insists he
cannot afford to rest players for the clash while the club works on
targeting signings. Zola's only senior frontline striker is Carlton Cole,
with technical director Gianluca Nani and chief executive Scott Duxbury
looking to add at least one more forward before the transfer window closes.
Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh has "rejected'' a move to Upton Park but the
Hammers are understood to still be working on the deal, while Lazio's Goran
Pandev and Livorno's Alessandro Diamanti have been linked in Italy with
playing for Zola. For now, Zola is short on numbers ahead of what he expects
to be hostile atmosphere when they face Millwall. "If I rest players, I've
got nobody to play with,'' he said. "I don't think we're in a position where
we can rest many players. We will try to present a team that can do the
job.''
A heavy police presence is anticipated for the second-round clash between
the bitter rivals. "I don't have a background in the match, but they tell me
it's a game that they have suggested I don't come to by walking to the
stadium,'' Zola joked. "It's going to be, obviously, a very heated game. We
are ready, we are professional, we care about the competition and we'll try
to do our best.''
Millwall head to their rivals without injured duo Nadjim Abdou and Steve
Morison. Midfielder Abdou has yet to recover from the hip injury which has
kept him out of the last three games and striker Morison, the Lions'
£130,000 summer signing from Stevenage, is out with a hamstring strain. They
join long-term absentees Zak Whitbread (hip), Paul Robinson (metatarsal),
Pat O'Connor (cruciate) and Danny Senda (Achilles) on the sidelines for the
eagerly-anticipated clash. Winger Chris Hackett has been struggling with
groin trouble but came off the bench during Friday night's goalless draw at
Southend and should be available again. "It's a massive game and one we are
looking forward to,'' said Millwall manager Kenny Jackett. "We've earned it,
it's fantastic to go and play a Premier League team and if we get things
right and play above our level then you never know.''

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Millwall Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th August 2009
By: Preview Percy

And so to a second London derby in three days. This one is of course in the
Carling Cup and the draw must have had the Met simultaneously jumping for
joy (at the thought of all that overtime) and groaning in disbelief (at the
thought that they would, for once, actually have to do some work for once to
earn it).

Of course since the draw was announced every teenage keyboard warrior on
both sides of the divide has been chipping in about "standing your ground"
and "making sure that they don't take liberties" seemingly oblivious to the
fact that "Green Street" was fiction rather than a documentary. It was a
bloody awful film as well for what it's worth.

Of course it's fair to say that they have more than their fair share of
unpleasant characters amongst their numbers. Years ago your correspondent
lived not a million miles away from their ground. Unsurprisingly, most of my
then local pub was actually Chelsea. One of the funniest things I've ever
heard a Chelsea supporter say came up in a debate he was having with a
Millwall fan who was spouting forth very loudly that only Millwall fans had
any true passion for their team. The Chelsea fan calmly pointed out that: a)
the side for whom the fans showed "so much passion" were playing at home in
a vital promotion match as they spoke; b) the ground was literally half
empty; c) the ground was only 2 miles away from the pub; and d) neither the
Millwall supporter nor any of his replica kit-wearing mates had managed to
muster up enough "passion" to either make the two mile trip to the ground or
to bother to watch the match on any of the 5 big screens that the pub
possessed.

Of course whenever Millwall are mentioned there is usually someone on hand
to point out the strides the club have made in recent times to disassociate
themselves from the more Neanderthal elements of society, though employing
Dennis Wise as manager a while back was probably a bit of a publicity own
goal in that respect. In researching this piece I did happen across one
unofficial attempt to give the club a slightly different image in the form
of a website aimed at gay supporters called The Pink Lions. The home page
calls upon the London gay community to adopt the club in order to "reclaim
the club from the thuggish element" and asks us to imagine a "sell-out at
the New Den every week with a carnival atmosphere". Sadly for those of us
who love cheap jokes, since the site was set up three years ago that appears
to have been it, with little activity taking place since. You have to give
them ten out of ten for trying mind, though I'd say that the home page
slogan "You ain't a real man 'til you've had a 'Wall fan" is probably a few
years ahead of its time in New Cross.

On the pitch it's been an unbeaten start thus far. They've drawn 1-1 away at
Southampton and 0-0 at home to Carlisle and away at Southend. Their only
league win to date came in the 2-0 dispatch of Oldham which currently leaves
them in 8th place in the emerging table with six points from their four
matches so far. Goals were a little easier to come by in the previous round
of the League Cup as they sent Bournemouth packing with an easy 4-0 victory.

Their first-choice 'keeper is David Forde who some may remember started his
professional career proper at the Boleyn. Forde signed for us from Barry
Town in 2002 following a recommendation from the Welsh side's then manager
Kenny Brown. However, in his two years at the club he failed to dislodge
David James from the no.1 spot and his days were numbered following the
arrival of Raimond Van Der Gow. Loan spells at Derry City and Barnet
followed before a permanent move to his home town club Galway United took
place. Another couple of years back at Derry ensued before he returned to
the Football League with Cardiff. A proposed move to Dundee United fell
through because FIFA decided to enforce the rule about three clubs in a
season, though if Dundee United had filled out the form with a sticker
bearing the word "Liverpool" over where their own name should have been it
would have been ok obviously. Forde finally ended up at the New Den at the
start of last term. He was on the end of a shocking assault by Leeds'
Jermaine Beckford last season whose elbow to the face would have got him
arrested had it taken place in the pub. Forde had the last laugh, saving a
Beckford penalty in the play-off semi final.

This being the League Cup there is always the chance that we might see the
no.2 'keeper start, though given the nature of the match and the fact that
Forde started in the previous round this is probably unlikely. However, if
Jackett does elect to give his second-choice a run-out, we will see summer
signing John Sullivan between the sticks. Sullivan, who arrived from
Brighton at the expiry of his contract, is unique amongst professional
footballers in that he is the only one to have written "Only Fools & Horses"
(note to researcher – you're sacked.)

Famously, Millwall missed out on promotion last time out after a hilarious
play-off final that saw them go down 3-2 to Scunthorpe, a team in claret &
blue known as "The Iron". Which made a few of us smile at the time.
Goalscorer for Millwall that day was Gary Alexander, another player who
started life out at the Boleyn, eventually ending up the wrong side of the
river via spells at Exeter, Swindon, Hull and the O's. Alexander missed an
absolute sitter at Wembley and, if one were in mischievous mood, one might
almost think that he was simply doing his job as a former Hammer. An amusing
thought but for the fact that he was reputedly a Millwall supporter as a
boy.

Also up front has been the prolific Neil Harris who has been at Millwall for
what seems like donkey's years. Harris, who successfully beat testicular
cancer in 2001, actually spent three years away from the club, a spell
prompted by Dennis Wise's decision that Harris wasn't up to a regular first
team place. A loan spell at Cardiff was followed by a permanent move to
Forest. A loan spell with Gillingham apart, he stayed with Forest until 2007
when he then moved back to the New Den. It looked like the 07/08 season
might be his last with the club as, like his predecessor, boss Kenny Jackett
decided that Harris was surplus to requirements. However, an improvement in
form earned him a new deal and he subsequently went on to break Edward
Sheringham's club record of 111 goals and he scored a hat-trick in the
previous round against Bournemouth.

Against Southend last week Harris was used as a half-time sub for Welsh
striker Jason Price, who was apparently sacrificed in a tactical change from
4-3-3 to 4-4-2. It wasn't the first time that that particular substitution
had been made this season, though what with this being the League Cup it
wouldn't be a major surprise to see Harris start.

Another familiar name in the squad is that of Zak Whitbread. However, I'm
damned if I can work out why his name should ring a bell. Though he was on
Liverpool's books for 3 years, his first team opportunities were so limited
that the scouse burglars rarely targeted his house on the grounds that he
was more likely to be in on matchdays than not. A US cap at age level, he
signed from the scousers permanently in 2006 having earlier completed a loan
spell. I guess that his is just one of those names you hear on Soccer
Saturday from time to time that stick in the head for no apparent reason.

"What about us?" I hear you ask. Well the temptation must be for Zola to
ring the changes and give a few fringe-players a start. There is also the
question of James Collins who is the current favourite to be transferred out
in an attempt to raise funds for the striker that we so desperately require.
Villa are the side being closely linked with a deal and it might affect the
price were he to be cup-tied in this one so we may see a return for Tomkins
who missed the Wolves match with a knock and was on the bench for the
unlucky defeat against Spurs. However comments attributed to the manager
suggests that few changes are likely. We shall see.

The match of course has not been without controversy already with the Met
insisting on a reduced allocation for the visiting support. Originally, New
Scotland Yard insisted that only 1,500 of the original 3,000 seats should be
made available but a further 800 tickets have now been released. It'll be a
lively atmosphere to say the least and the result will probably depend to a
large extent on how seriously Zola takes this stage of the competition.
Assuming we don't actually stick out a total reserve XI we ought to be too
strong for them, though our traditional frailty in the face of lower-league
opposition is always a worry. Nevertheless, with a team of near first XI
strength I can see us winning this and I'll plump for a 3-1 this time and a
place in the next round for us.

Enjoy the game!

Last season: N/A

Danger man: Neil Harris – as a Millwall player of long standing a win would
mean a lot, and his hat-trick in the last round indicates a bit of form.

Referee: Paul Taylor – as a ref on the football league list we don't
encounter him that much, though he did referee our 2-2 draw with Southampton
in the 2008/09 pre-season.

Look out for: People trying to tell your fortune or sell you heather. If you
must buy the heather make sure it comes from a sustainable source and on no
account agree to have your drive tarmaced.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola promises strong side for 'heated' Millwall tie
By Mike McGrath
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009

The West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists he cannot afford to rest
players for tonight's Carling Cup match against local rivals Millwall while
the club works on targeting signings. Zola's only available senior frontline
striker is Carlton Cole, with technical director Gianluca Nani and chief
executive Scott Duxbury looking to add at least one more forward before the
transfer window closes. Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh has "rejected" a move to
Upton Park but the deal is still being worked on, while Lazio's Goran Pandev
and Livorno's Alessandro Diamanti have been linked with the Hammers For now,
Zola is short on numbers ahead of what he expects to be a hostile atmosphere
when they face Millwall at Upton Park. "If I rest players, I've got nobody
to play with," he said. "I don't think we're in a position where we can rest
many players. We will try to present a team that can do the job."
A heavy police presence is anticipated for the second-round tie between the
bitter rivals. "I don't have a background in the match, but they tell me
it's a game that they have suggested I don't come to by walking to the
stadium," Zola joked. "It's going to be, obviously, a very heated game. We
are ready, we are professional, we care about the competition and we'll try
to do our best."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Craig gives his Millwall team-mates a crash course in rivalry
Ian Winrow
25.08.09
Evening Standard

Tony Craig has given his Millwall team-mates a crash course in the club's
rivalry with West Ham ahead of their Carling Cup tie. Very few of Kenny
Jackett's side were at the club when the two clubs last met four years ago
in a 1-1 draw. So skipper Craig, a lifelong Millwall fan, Neil Harris and
Paul Robinson have been working overtime to make sure the youngsters and
overseas players in the team are aware of what to expect at Upton Park. "If
they didn't know before what this means they certainly do now," said
defender Craig. "There have been a few of the senior boys telling them about
the rivalry between the two clubs and certainly the supporters. "They know
now and know that it means a lot, but these lads play for the shirt and give
a good account of themselves every time they put it on."
Millwall's chances of claiming a place in the third round are likely to
hinge on how well their makeshift back-four can handle the threat of West
Ham's attack. Originally a left-back, Craig will start alongside Andy
Frampton in the heart of a Lions defence that is still missing injured
centre-backs Robinson and Zak Whitbread. And manager Jackett is waiting for
a phone call from Wolves boss Mick McCarthy to find out whether he has
permission to play on-loan left-back George Friend. But Millwall have not
conceded a goal in almost 400 minutes of football since the opening day 1-1
draw with Southampton. Jackett said: "Everyone keeps saying it's a
patched-up back four, and it probably is, but we have kept four clean sheets
in a row. If that's from a patched-up back four, then that's not bad and
long may it continue."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has made no secret of his view that the
Carling Cup offers his side their best chance of gaininig a place in
European competition next year. And while he would like to rest key players
in a clash that comes only two days after the home defeat by Tottenham, the
Italian claims he has no choice but to field his senior players,
particularly up front where he is worringly short of back-up for striker
Carlton Cole. Zola said: "If I rest players, I've got nobody to play with. I
don't think we're in a position where we can leave out many players. We will
try to present a team that can do the job."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Millwall captain Tony Craig has vowed to beat West Ham for the fans
The Lions' skipper reckons his side can cause a shock at Upton Park by
turning over Premier League side West Ham in the second round of the Carling
Cup
The London Paper
by: Julian Bennetts
25 August 2009

TONY CRAIG reckons he'll be the most popular man in south London if he
captains Millwall to a shock win at arch rivals West Ham in tonight's
Carling Cup second round clash.
The defender was born in Greenwich and is a life-long Lions' fan so he knows
how much the London derby means to the fans. After he was forced to turn off
his mobile phone to avoid getting any more requests for tickets, the
24-year-old has promised the club's 2,300 travelling supporters they will
not be let down at a red-hot Upton Park. "The fans will be out in force and
I know they're really looking forward to it - bragging rights are at stake,"
said Craig. "If we win, it will certainly make loads of my mates really
happy! I've been getting lots of calls about tickets for the game and I've
had to put my phone away so I can concentrate on the game."
And the former Crystal Palace man has warned England striker Carlton Cole he
will struggle against a Millwall defence that has conceded just one goal in
five games this season.
He added: "We've kept four consecutive clean sheets, so we've got a solid
back four and it's all going right for us. "It's a test we're all looking
forward to, but we can show how good we are and we're all hopeful of
stepping up to the mark."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United - The Game's Gone Crazy
The crazy world of West Ham United!
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
West Ham v Millwall - Shame Beckons.

She is outside the stadium now, a pox ridden tart tottering around on high
heeled shoes with a mini skirt just covering her arse, seamed stockings, and
a blouse cut so low you can see her belly button piercing. No Pardew isn't
coming to the game with one of the Southampton players' wives, Shame is
flaunting her wares up and down Green Street, hoping to find a taker.

When the draw was made, impressionable young fools immediately hit the
blogs, giving it large, unconsciously quoting their favourite lines from
'Green Street'. You can bet your life that they have been talking about
journos, Bovver, Yanks, Tommy Hatcher (pronouncing the 'haitch') and the
Major ever since. Of course, they haven't got the first idea of what it is
really about and how somebody could really end up killed as they play out
their Hollywood fantasies. You can hear the cry now, "Where to even fucking
begin with Millwall. Millwall and West Ham firms hate each other, more than
any other firms by far." It is sad, it is pathetic, but like having
unprotected sex with an Aids infected tart, it is also dangerous and, to
these fools, irresistibly exciting. Give them enough alcohol to build up
their Dutch courage and there must be a fair chance that things will kick
off.

I hope to God nothing happens. This has been a terrible week as it is: the
attack on Davenport, the death of Collison's dad, rumours of Ashton's
retirement, the defeat to Tottenham - the last thing the club needs now is
bad press and an FA enquiry into crowd misconduct. Will that matter to the
yobs who engage in this sort of thing? Of course not. To them the club is a
badge, a flag to be waved in the face of others. They are not fans of the
team, they are not supporters of football, they are every day nobodies
seeking personal notoriety with no thought for the consequences. The sad
thing is that 'Green Street' glorified these idiots and they are too stupid
to understand the final message of the movie.

The best result tonight? A game that passes off without any crowd trouble.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Manager Gianfranco Zola Wants To Take Millwall 'Opportunity'
The Italian is looking for his charges to correct Sunday's loss to Spurs...
25 Aug 2009 09:44:09

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola wants his side to remedy Sunday's
2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, starting on Tuesday night in the League Cup
against Millwall.
The Hammers had led against Spurs thanks to a stunning goal from Carlton
Cole, before Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon struck to reverse the result.
Zola has insisted tonight's fiery London derby is not a hindrance to his
charges' preparations for a long season, but more a chance to get back to
winning ways. "It's going be a very heated game, but we are professional, we
care about the competition," Zola told Sky Sports News. "You see it as a
difficulty, I see it as an opportunity. "We lost a game in a disappointing
way but we right away have another opportunity to make it right."
West Ham currently sit 11th in the Premier League, having got off to a
winning start with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening
day of the season.
Zola will be unable to rest a host of first-team players, as many Premier
League managers do in the League Cup, because he has limited options at his
disposal.
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com

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Zola admits derby game could get heated
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:25 August 2009 - 10:59

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is looking forward to the League Cup clash
with fierce rivals Millwall. The London clubs have a passionate history both
on and off the pitch, however, having not featured in the same division for
several years the two clubs do not meet as regularly as both sets of fans
would like. Despite, the worry that injuries could occur, Zola was looking
forward to the derby match: "It's going be a very heated game, but we are
professional, we care about the competition," Zola told Sky Sports News.
"You see it as a difficulty, I see it as an opportunity."We lost a game in a
disappointing way but we right away have another opportunity to make it
right."West Ham suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spurs on the weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Preview: West Ham v Millwall
By Simon Hayes on August 25, 2009 1:35 PM
Wharf.co.uk

West Ham will enter the fiery cup clash with Millwall with just one
recognised striker ready to play.

Carlton Cole is the sole frontman available for selection, as Millwall plot
a high-profile upset of Gianfranco Zola's injury-hit squad. The stabbing of
defender Calum Davenport over the weekend has left the player's career
hanging in the balance. And the Hammers must also contend with injuries to
Kieron Dyer, Herita Ilunga, Dean Ashton, Luis Boa Morte and Valon Behrami.

Millwall have not beaten a Premier League side in the League Cup since their
victory over Everton in 1995/6, and their only win at Upton Park came in the
Simod Cup back in 1987. They remain hopeful that Chris Hackett will recover
from a groin strain and take his place in the side, but will be without
Nadjim Abdou (hip) and summer signing Steve Morison (hamstring).

Here's The Wharf's quick guide to the players who could be key in tonight's
clash at Upton Park.

Matthew Upson v Gary Alexander

England centre-half Upson has overcome his injury-jinxed history to become
one of the most important players in Gianfranco Zola's team. Cool and
elegant on the ball he also has the physical presence to mix it with more
direct players than he usually encounters in the Premier League. Alexander
has become a firm favourite with Lions fans for his wholehearted approach
and ability to score crucial goals. He hit one of the best goals seen at the
new Wembley Stadium in the play-off final defeat to Scunthorpe in May.
Alexander will have an extra incentive to do well against the Hammers,
having been on the club's books as a youngster.

David Martin v Julien Faubert

Left winger Martin is one of the best crossers of the ball outside the
Premier League and will be an important part of Millwall's push for
promotion this season. With genuine pace he is a real handful for any full
back, and he weighs in with his share of goals as well. Faubert has turned
himself into a right back this season, having originally joined as a winger.
The pacy Frenchman is still settling into the role and might find his work
cut out against Martin.

Mark Noble v Ali Fuseini

West Ham youth product Noble has developed into one of the best young
midfielders in the Premier League. The 22-year-old has had a good start to
the season, scoring in the opening day win at Wolverhampton, and is a
consistent goal threat when he gets close to the penalty area.
Fuseini, still only 20, is an effective holding midfield player, strong in
the tackle and with good distribution. He will be important in breaking up
West Ham's attacks. The Ghanaian's favourite player is Chelsea's Michael
Essien, whom he one day hopes to partner in his country's midfield.

Tony Craig v Carlton Cole

Craig, usually a left-back, has been filling in for injured skipper Paul
Robinson in central defence for the last two games, having recovered from
injury himself. He also took over the captain's armband in Robinson's
absence. Cole - who has turned himself into a proven Premier League
goalscorer and an England international - will have a three inch height
advantage over Craig and will be a constant threat to the Lions.

Venue: Boleyn Ground
Kick-off: 7.45pm

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neil Ruddock tips West Ham to beat Millwall in Carling Cup
Speaking exclusively to thelondonsport, the Millwall fan reckons Gianfranco
Zola's side will prove too much for arch rivals West Ham in the second round
of the League Cup at Upton Park
The London Paper
by: Neil Ruddock
25 August 2009

thelondonsport columnist Neil Ruddock WEST HAM meet another of my old clubs
in the Carling Cup tonight and, while I'm a great Millwall fan, I don't
fancy them to get a result at Upton Park.

The only chance Millwall have is to nick it on penalties, based on what I've
seen of West Ham this season. The fact it's a local derby makes it harder
for Millwall to pull off a shock because the West Ham players will know what
the game means to their fans. And while we're on the Hammers, I'd just like
to wish Calum Davenport a speedy recovery from his stabbing injuries – and
the same for big Johnny Hartson in his cancer fight.
Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka shot down that old theory they can't play
together by ¬setting up goals for each other in Chelsea's win at Fulham on
Sunday. But by far the best partnership of the day was that of Carlton Cole
and Jermain Defoe in Tottenham's win at West Ham. Fabio Capello has got to
be over the moon. If those two strikers can link up like that for England
then it's looking rosy for the World Cup. It's just a shame they were
playing on different sides at Upton Park!

Cole's 20-yard back-pass for Defoe to level for Spurs was simply
unbelievable – it was the last thing anybody expected. If Cole had been a
centre-half he'd have got caned by the West Ham crowd, but the fact he's a
centre-forward saved him because he gets his team out of trouble more often
than he puts them in it. But there's no doubt the game turned on that
moment.

Not that Defoe needs any extra help because he's in great form. He was
coming through when I was at West Ham and he reminds me so much of Ian
Wright – he just wants to score goals. He's got a mixture of goals in him
and has everything in his locker. For anyone to suggest he's not a natural
goalscorer is simply ridiculous.

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Zola: No Rest for the Hammers
The Sun
Published: Today

WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola says he cannot afford to rest players for
tonight's Carling Cup clash with Millwall. The Hammers boss said: "If I
rest players, I've got nobody to play with." A heavy police presence is
expected for the meeting of the bitter London rivals at Upton Park. And
Zola joked: "I don't have a background in the match but they tell me it's a
game I don't come to by walking to the stadium!"

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 25th August 2009

Diamanti eyes dream move
Striker wants to play in the Premier League
Last updated: 24th August 2009
SSN

West Ham target Alessandro Diamanti admits it would be a dream come true to
play in the Premier League. The 26-year-old, who is under contract until
2013 with Serie A side Livorno, has admitted a long-term ambition to play in
England's top flight. Livorno have revealed they are yet to achieve any
realistic offers for the highly rated striker, insisting that, for the time
being, he is staying put. Diamanti, though, admits a move to Upton Park is
of particular interest to him. "West Ham would change my life," he told Sky
Italia.
"It will be hard remaining with Livorno, even despite the affection of the
supporters which I will remember forever. I'll talk with president Aldo
Spinelli," he added. "It would be a dream joining the Premier League."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola not chasing Neill
Hammers boss in the dark regarding the future of Aussie full-back
By Chris Burton Last updated: 24th August 2009
SSN

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola claims re-opening contract talks with Lucas
Neill are 'not a priority'. The Australian international is currently
without a club after seeing his previous deal with the Hammers expire at the
end of last season. Zola had been keen to tie the combative full-back down
on new terms, with talks regarding such an agreement having taken place.
However, no paperwork has been signed and Neill remains a free agent. He is
now believed to have spoken with Turkish giants Galatasaray about a move to
Istanbul. That has left Zola frustrated and the Italian coach admits he will
not be looking to track down Neill any time soon. He said: "He was in talks
with West Ham, then I find out he was in talks with Galatasaray and with
Sunderland. Now I don't know what's going on. "But he's out, and that's no
good for him. For the moment, he's not our priority in that position."
Meanwhile, Scott Parker has offered support to Carlton Cole after the
striker's mistake gifted Tottenham an equaliser in the Hammers' 2-1 defeat
to their capital rivals on Sunday.
The England international had opened the scoring at Upton Park shortly after
the interval, but a rare error allowed Jermain Defoe to level matters
minutes later and Aaron Lennon grabbed a late winner. "He was fantastic,"
Parker told the club's official website. "He wants to do well and perform
and score goals, all of which we know he can and is good at doing. He gives
his all for the team in every match and leads the line well for us. "He is a
big player for us and is quite rightly getting his rewards by being picked
for England - you could see again on Sunday what he can do. "We played well
and it was a fantastic goal by Coley - I think they gained momentum when
they equalised and then went on to get their second goal."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Midfielder Faubert Could Be Great At Milan - Agent
The Frenchman may seal a move to the Rossoneri before the end of the
transfer window...
24 Aug 2009 15:59:34

With reports this morning indicating Milan were ready to swap defender
Massimo Oddo for West Ham United's versatile Julien Faubert, agent Oscar
Damiani has seemingly confirmed their interest in the Frenchman. "[Sporting
director Ariedo] Braida already knew about him, he didn't need my advice,"
he told CNR Radio on Monday. "He is a very good player, physically strong
and fast, but Milan know this already. He could be a major player for the
team." Asked why he felt the 26-year-old flopped in his loan-spell at Real
Madrid last season, Damiani believes the player suffered from the intense
competition for places at the club. "He did not have many opportunities.
Also, he was just coming off an injury," he concluded. He has made two
starts under coach Gianfranco Zola already this season.

Adam Scime, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Gold ponders bid for West Ham after selling Birmingham City
Gold and Sullivan could make £150m bid
Yeung promises Alex McLeish extra transfer funds
Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Monday 24 August 2009 18.40 BST

David Gold, the departing Birmingham City chairman, may be interested in
buying West Ham. David Gold is waiting to discover if there will be any role
for him once Carson Yeung's takeover of Birmingham City is completed before
deciding whether to move to buy West Ham, which could cost up to £150m in
total.

Gold, who is a fan of West Ham and played for their youth team, is thought
to be open to helping Yeung make the transition from shareholder to sole
owner – he has offered to buy every Birmingham share – which would lead to
Gold and David Sullivan departing St Andrew's.

If and when Gold leaves he will consider making an official approach to
Upton Park – potentially assisted by Sullivan – though it is understood the
72-year-old businessman currently values West Ham below £150m. That
valuation is made up of £100m required by Straumur and £50m to take on the
club's working debt.

West Ham are currently owned by their creditors including Straumur, the
collapsed Icelandic bank, via the asset management company CB Holdings.
Straumur need to sell to service their own creditors and are willing to
consider serious offers.

Gold, who, with his brother, Ralph, were assessed as being worth around
£300m by the Sunday Times this year, is keen to remain in football and has
told friends of his interest in stabilising West Ham.

The Premier League, meanwhile, has received the requisite initial paperwork
from Yeung regarding his buy-out which could be completed this week. The
businessman, whose offer is worth around £80m, has claimed he will offer the
Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish, who will keep his job, up to £5m from his
own fortune for new players.

"I have already contacted some players ... We have bought the club with
company money but I personally will invest £4-5m if we get along with the
players," he said. "Before the 1 September transfer deadline, I hope I can
buy some useful players."

McLeish had complained of having insufficient funds to ensure the newly
promote club retains its Premier League status.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Carlton Cole is backed to be a World Cup wonder for England
Published 21:36 24/08/09 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Carlton Cole's West Ham team-mates believe he has a "massive" opportunity to
book his place at next year's World Cup Finals. The Upton Park striker
turned in a Man of the Match display - capped by a stunning goal in front of
Fabio Capello - despite finishing on the losing side against Spurs on
Sunday. And the widespread belief is that while Peter Crouch stays on the
bench in favour of skipper Robbie Keane at White Hart Lane, Cole can take
advantage by consolidating his position in Capello's plans. Speaking ahead
of Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash against at home to fierce London rivals
Millwall, midfielder Scott Parker said: "Carlton is definitely good enough
for Capello's squad. He's got all the attributes to be a big player for us
and at international level. "Everyone can see that he's got massive
strength. He can bring people into the game as well and he's got a massive
season ahead of him. If he does well this season I think he'll definitely be
pushing to get into the England side."
Cole had to be ordered by boss Gianfranco Zola to put the mistake which cost
his side the match on Sunday out of his mind, after his inexplicable back
pass allowed Jermain Defoe to score. But Parker revealed Cole's team-mates
have also given him their backing. He added: "Coley scored a great goal and
then made a massive error. That's football. They got back in the game and
from then on they seemed to have the momentum to hit us again. "But of
course [we consoled Carlton]. That could have happened to any of us out
there, it's part and parcel of football. "You put yourself on offer like
Coley does and you are going to make mistakes. Also, I think Defoe is quite
a small fella and he's obviously not seen him and passed the ball back and
it's gone straight to him. "We would love to bring some more players in. We
are short on numbers. "We all understand the situation we are in and it's
what we have to work with. We have to dig in - and we'll do that and try and
get some results. "But if we play and perform like we did against Spurs
we'll be ok. There's no hiding the fact that Tottenham are going to be up
there this year, they are a very good side and have a very good squad. "But
if we can perform like we did on Sunday there's not going to be many teams
who can live with us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set for Chamakh swoop
442 Staff - Yesterday, 21:57
FourFourTwo.com

West Ham United are poised to pounce for in-demand Bordeaux striker Marouane
Chamakh, according to reports. The Moroccan international, who has netted 15
times for his country, has been linked with a move to the Premier League
throughout the close-season. He previously claimed to have agreed terms with
Sunderland, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur, while Arsenal
withdrew their interest in the striker after refusing to up their first
offer of £5 million. West Ham have most recently been linked with Chamakh's
services, with Hammers' boss Gianfranco Zola also linked with Barcelona's
Eidur Gudjohnsen, Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli and Bayern Munich talisman
Luca Toni as he bids to bolster his front-line. And although both Chamakh
and Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc announced over the weekend that the striker
was set to stay in France, the Hammers are now believed to be set to launch
a £7 million bid, pending the sale of defender James Collins. According to
the BBC, Collins - a target of both Stoke City and Aston Villa - is
available for around £5 million, with the money from the sale to be used to
bring Chamakh to Upton Park to provide some much-needed support for Carlton
Cole in attack. Bordeaux, despite being keen to keep hold of the prize
asset, are wary of the fact that the striker is in the final year of his
current contract, and would be able to depart for free next summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham swoop for Livorno star Alessandro Diamanti
Published 22:59 24/08/09 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Gianfranco Zola has flown out to Italy to complete a deal for Livorno
striker Alessandro Diamanti. And the Hammers boss is confident that Bordeaux
striker Marouane Chamakh is moving to Upton Park. Zola is desperate to bring
in support for Carlton Cole with Dean Ashton's ankle injury causing grave
concern. It was believed yesterday that, following an interview given by
Chamakh over the weekend, there was no chance whatsoever of the marksman
joining West Ham. But last night Hammers chiefs remained adamant that not
only was a deal in place - they have agreed a £7million fee with Bordeaux -
but also that Chamakh is still very keen to join them. The only stumbling
block remains West Ham's ability to offload defender James Collins to fund
the deal with Stoke and Aston Villa still front runners. Indeed Villa Martin
O'Neill is believed to have been at Upton Park on Sunday to see the
centre-back play in West Ham's 2-1 defeat to Spurs. Diamanti, meanwhile, is
so highly thought of at Upton Park that he is seen as a 'cross between Paolo
Di Canio and Zola himself'. Hammers chiefs have been monitoring his progress
for even longer than they have been watching Chamakh. They believe Upton
Park fans will take to the eccentric 26-year-old just as they took Di Canio
to his hearts because of his skill and outlandish behaviour in equal
measure. Diamanti's 17 goals helped Livorno return to the top division of
Italian football last season. The player's performances even drew interest
from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan. Although Mourinho has since reinforced his
front line by signing Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona, Diamanti still interests
a clutch of Italian clubs that provide the biggest competition to West Ham,
which is why Zola has flown out to his homeland to tie up the deal. In fact,
it is believed that Livorno are so resigned to losing Diamanti that they
have lined up David Beckham's LA Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan as a
replacement. Meanwhile it is understood West Ham are willing to listen to
offers for Ugandan forward Savio with doubts about his ability to cope with
the physical nature of Premier League football. It was widely believed
yesterday that the east Londoners have agreed a deal with Lazio for striker
Goran Pandev but the club's primary focus is on tying up deals for Chamakh
and Diamanti.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
EXCLUSIVE: Jack Collison tragedy shatters West Ham days after Calum
Davenport stabbing
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 8:08 AM on 25th August 2009
Daily Mail

West Ham have been stunned by a second trauma in two days after it emerged
midfielder Jack Collison's father has died in a motorcycle accident. Ian
Collison, 46, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was on his way to see his son
play against Spurs on Sunday when he crashed his red Honda bike on the M25
near Epping. Emergency services were called to the crash, which happened
just before noon, but Mr Collison, a roofer, was pronounced dead at the
scene. It leaves manager Gianfranco Zola having to deal with two shattering
incidents as Calum Davenport had a second emergency operation yesterday
following the stabbing incident which has left him fighting to save his
career.
Zola had already talked of the shock among West Ham's players about the
horrific injuries to Davenport. He said: 'It was unbelievable. You don't
expect things like this to happen, especially people you know. Now all that
is important is that he is all right, the rest about his future can be
decided in the next days.'
Dealing with two such horrific personal traumas will be a severe test of
Zola's management skills, less than a year after he joined the club. The
Italian has fostered a close-knit atmosphere among his relatively small
squad and has encouraged youngsters such as Collison to compete for
first-team places.
A West Ham spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are with Jack and his family and
we ask people to respect his privacy at a very difficult time for them.'
Collison, 20, had played all but the final minute of West Ham's 2-1 defeat,
which kicked off at 1.30pm. The Wales midfielder did not learn of his
father's death until the early evening as Essex Police had difficulties
establishing the identity of the next of kin.
Mr Collison and Jack's mother, Amanda, separated when the player was young.
Collison was picked by Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp as one of his 10 players
to watch for the season — a sign of his rich promise. Redknapp wrote: 'He
grabbed my attention last season as a good midfield allrounder, an emerging
talent. He'll get plenty of football and working with Gianfranco Zola will
only help him to improve. His energy and touch suggest West Ham have
discovered yet another talent.'

Defender Davenport, 26, was in a stable condition in intensive care after a
second emergency operation on his legs on Monday. It is not yet known
whether he will be able to play again. His mother was also in a stable
condition. Davenport's sister's boyfriend, Worrell Whitehurst, 25, from
Derby, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Bedford
Magistrates Court yesterday.

Anyone with information about the motorcycle accident should contact Essex
Police on 0300 333 4444.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack Collison tragedy hits West Ham
Ian Collison, 46, was on his way to watch son play
Calum Davenport's career in balance after stab attack
James Callow The Guardian, Tuesday 25 August 2009

West Ham suffered their second tragedy in 24 hours after the father of their
young midfielder Jack Collison was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday
morning. Ian Collison, 46, was on his way to watch his son play against
Spurs at Upton Park when he crashed on the M25 near Epping. Emergency
services were called to the crash, which happened just before noon, but Mr
Collison was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 20-year-old Collison, who only later found out about his father's death
due to difficulties in establishing next of kin, had played 89 minutes for a
West Ham side who were still coming to terms with the news that their
team-mate Calum Davenport had been the victim of a vicious knife attack at
his family's Bedford home on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oddo turns down Hammers move Tuesday 25 August, 2009
Football-italia.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Massimo Oddo has rejected a move to West Ham, or any overseas club, leaving
Milan in a bind. "I have to consider my family." The 2006 World Cup winner
has just returned from a loan spell at Bayern Munich and has been told he is
not in Coach Leonardo's plans. Negotiations were in full swing for an
exchange with West Ham full-back Julien Faubert, but Oddo sensationally
pulled the plug. "I have to consider my family in all this and with two
young children I will not repeat the difficult experience I had in Munich,"
he told Sky Italia. "I do not feel that I can go on loan to a club that
plays outside of Italy."
That narrows down his options considerably, especially as Fiorentina have
found their full-back in Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri. A return to the
Biancocelesti is plausible, but first Oddo would need to significantly lower
his wages.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola refuses to pursue Lucas Neill
By staff writers
August 25, 2009 .
FoxSports.com.au

Lucas Neill appears no closer to sorting out his football future with West
Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola declaring no interest in chasing the
Australia defender. The Socceroos skipper is without a club after letting
his deal at Upton Park expire at the conclusion of last Barclays Premier
League season. He has been linked with a move to national teammate Harry
Kewell's Galatasaray as well as a possible switch to Sunderland. Zola
indicated on Tuesday morning (EST) that he was unlikely to pursue Neill any
further as the situation continues to frustrate the manager. "He was in
talks with West Ham, then I find out he was in talks with Galatasaray and
with Sunderland. Now I don't know what's going on," Zola told Sky Sports.
"But he's out, and that's no good for him. For the moment, he's not our
priority in that position."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Livorno Striker Alessandro Diamanti Targets Move To West Ham United
The 26-year-old says it would change his life if he could play in England...
25 Aug 2009 02:48:36

Livorno forward Alessandro Diamanti says that it would be a dream if he were
able to transfer to West Ham United and play in the Premier League. The
26-year-old is being closely followed by the Hammers, but his club is
claiming that he will not be departing for England. Diamanti said that
playing at Upton Park "would change his life", according to Sky Italia. "It
will be hard remaining with Livorno, even despite the affection of the
supporters which I will remember forever," he continued. "It would be a
dream joining the Premier League. "I'll talk with president Aldo
Spinelli."Livorno play Napoli away this week.

Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton FC's under-18s team begin season with narrow defeat to West Ham
United
Aug 25 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

DESPITE Karl Sheppard's equaliser, Everton under-18s eventually lost their
opening match of the season 2-1 to West Ham United at Finch Farm on
Saturday. It was a disappointing start to the FA Premier Academy League
season for Neil Dewsnip's side especially as they played well enough to have
taken something from the match.
The Hammers took a 10th-minute lead, but Sheppard netted from Lewis
Codling's cross to level before half-time. In the second-half Everton had
few chances, but late on Femi Orenuga, on his debut, was denied by the
keeper as he went through one-on-one and from the rebound Codling couldn't
scramble the ball home. But with five minutes left West Ham scored their
second following a corner. With seconds remaining, Conor McAleny saw a
header to earn a point saved superbly by the West Ham keeper. Dewsnip said:
"The result was disappointing particularly the manner in which it happened.
But there were a lot more positives than negatives in the performance. "We
didn't start great and West Ham did. They got a goal up, but we rallied and
showed some good character and spirit. We played really well up until
half-time and got an equaliser. "But the second-half petered out and there
wasn't a real goal-scoring chance until late on.

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Neill not money hungry
Brought to you by
25 August 2009 | 15:30 - AAP
Sbs.com.au

Lucas Neill's agent has strongly denied the Socceroos captain is yet to
settle his future because he is motivated by money, revealing his client has
already turned down one "absolutely phenomenal" offer. The 31-year-old
defender is still to find a club three weeks into the new English Premier
League season after rejecting a contract offer from former club West Ham
that required him to take a pay cut. Neill has been linked with moves to
English clubs Sunderland and Manchester City and Turkish giants Galatasaray
and it is believed he is now weighing up handful of other options, including
three outside of England. A free agent, Neill could decide on his new club
within the week but the drawn-out decision process has prompted suggestions
from pundits and fans that he's holding out for the best possible deal
financially. Paddy Dominguez, of Neill's management company Inspire Sports,
rubbished those suggestions on Tuesday, saying Neill was simply taking his
time in choosing the club that was the best fit for him and his family.
"He's already declined some extremely lucrative contracts, so if he was
financially motivated, he would have accepted one of those," Dominguez told
AAP. "One of those was absolutely phenomenal from a financial perspective.
"... It's about making the right decision more than anything. "It's his last
European contract so obviously it has a little bit of a different
significance to earlier in his career, so he wants to make the right
decision. "Each week we have been getting more and more interest. "So as
each new option arrives he obviously has to sit down, think about it and
take a look at the clubs, the managers, the living conditions ... those
things take time."
It is believed Neill received by far his biggest offer from Galatasaray,
which could have made him Australia's highest-paid sports star. It would
also have reunited him with Socceroos teammate Harry Kewell, but he opted
against the move, although it is possible a deal could still be resurrected.
Dominguez did not rule out a return to West Ham but that looks increasingly
unlikely after Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola indicated the club had almost
given up on Neill. "He was in talks with West Ham, then I find out he was in
talks with Galatasaray and with Sunderland. Now I don't know what's going
on," Zola said. "But he's out, and that's no good for him. For the moment,
he's not our priority in that position."
Dominguez also played down concerns the delay could threaten to impact upon
Neill's preparation for next year's World Cup. "Lucas is doing two sessions
a day, he's completely fit," Dominguez said. "Last season Lucas played 55
games in all competitions for West Ham ... I don't think in an eight-nine
month lead-up to a World Cup playing 52, or 51, or 50 would be a bad thing.
"Between his club and country, he'll still end up playing around 50 very
high intensity games."

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West Ham step up pursuit of Marouane Chamakh and Alessandro Diamanti
West Ham United have stepped up their efforts to sign two strikers before
the transfer window closes.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent
Published: 7:30AM BST 25 Aug 2009

A £7 million deal to secure Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh is already in place
and on Monday West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury travelled to Italy to
conduct negotiations over a deal for Livorno's highly-rated Alessandro
Diamanti. Duxbury flew to Italy at the invitation of Livorno president Aldo
Spinelli which has encouraged West Ham – who have been chasing Diamanti for
some time – that a deal can finally be struck. The Serie A side rate
Diamanti, who has been identified by West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola as one
of the most exciting talents in Italy, at £7 million but he could initially
move to east London on loan.

Premier League table So far, so good. However there are major snags for West
Ham to overcome if they are to sign one or, ideally, both of their main
targets. The club need to sell before they can buy which has presented Zola
with, potentially, some difficult decisions to make.

West Ham are desperately short of strikers – as the manager openly admitted
after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur – while the new
non-executive chairman Andrew Bernhardt made clear, again, in his programme
notes that there will not be a fresh injection of cash from CB Holdings, the
company that now runs the club following the financial collapse of the
former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

Zola spoke candidly about how he has eight defenders at his disposal at
present but, in Carlton Cole, just one senior striker. A deal to offload
James Collins to Stoke City for £5 million collapsed last week, after the
defender failed to agree terms for his departure, while there is also fresh
interest in Matthew Upson who West Ham have rated at £15 million.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was at Upton Park to run the rule over
both players and held talks after the match with West Ham's sporting
director Gianluca Nani. No bid has yet been submitted by O'Neill, who is
also considering other options, such as Wigan Athletic's Paul Scharner and
Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin, but a dialogue has now been opened.

Similarly Everton are believed to have expressed an interest in signing
either Upson or Collins in the wake of their deal allowing Joleon Lescott
finally to move to Manchester City. Again, Everton manager David Moyes is
considering other targets and they include David Wheater – who Middlesbrough
don't want to sell although they would part with Robert Huth – and Bolton
Wanderers's Gary Cahill.

West Ham were in talks to sell Upson to Liverpool for £15 million but that
deal collapsed after the Merseyside club's bankers refused to sanction such
expenditure. It was a significant reason for Rafael Benitez's frustration
last week and Liverpool have since signed Sotiris Kyrgiakos for just £2
million.

Selling Upson is by no means certain, although if West Ham could get the fee
they want it means they could buy both Chamakh and Diamanti. Even if a deal
is agreed the final decision rests with Zola.

However Zola may be tempted to cash in on the 30 year-old former Arsenal
defender, who has just two years left on his contract and is resisting
attempts to negotiate an extension, if it means he can spend elsewhere. If
West Ham could have sold Dean Ashton, Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport
this summer, as it is understood they had hoped to do, the situation would
have been different. West Ham fiercely reject suggestions that other players
are for sale.

The dilemma for Zola is that if West Ham cannot sell Upson or, as is more
likely, Collins, he may miss out on his strikers. He's unlikely to sell
both. In the meantime West Ham will carry on negotiating for Diamanti even
though Livorno's director of sport Nelso Ricci claimed that he expected the
26 year-old, who has also interested Parma, to be offered a new contract. It
could be that if West Ham fail to raise the funds to buy Diamanti they will
try and take him on loan with a view to a permanent deal, similar to the one
they negotiated with Inter Milan for Luis Jiménez.

West Ham have no intention of selling Julien Faubert, who is understood to
be wanted by AC Milan, who are considering offering Massimo Oddo in
exchange, while the club are not interested in Lazio striker Goran Pandev.

West Ham defender Calum Davenport's career could be under threat after he
was allegedly stabbed in both legs, a court heard on Monday. The 26
year-old, who was reportedly on the verge of a move to Peterborough, is in a
stable condition in intensive care after being attacked at his mother's home
on Saturday. Worrell Whitehurst, 25, his sister's boyfriend, was charged
with causing grievous bodily harm.

In a further tragedy for the club, midfielder Jack Collison was on Monday
night dealing with the devastating news that his father had died in a
motorcycle accident on the way to watch him play against Tottenham on
Sunday.

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West Ham United's Carlton Cole Good Enough To Play Regularly For England -
Scott Parker
The midfielder has backed his team-mate to regularly feature for the Three
Lions, despite his recent blunder for the Hammers...
25 Aug 2009 07:10:42

West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker has lavished praise on Carlton Cole
and believes that the striker has what it takes to regularly feature for
England, despite the faux pas in front of Fabio Capello during the 2-1 loss
to Tottenham Hotspur. A backpass by Cole led to Jermain Defoe scoring the
equaliser, but the forward had previously bagged a goal of his own through a
magnificent volley. "Carlton has got all the attributes to be a big player
for us and at international level," Parker is quoted by FIFA.com as saying.
"Everyone could see against Spurs he's got massive strength. He can bring
people into the game as well and he's got a massive season ahead of him. If
he does well this season I think he'll definitely be pushing to get into the
England side."
The 28-year-old played down the error by Cole, saying, "He scored a great
goal and he's made a mistake but that could have happened to any of us out
there, it's part and parcel of football. "You put yourself on offer like
Coley does and you are going to make mistakes."
Meanwhile, the former Newcastle United player took some time to focus on the
lack of attacking options at the club, and stressed that the Hammers will be
bringing in new faces before too long. "We would love to bring some more
players in," said Parker. "Our squad is very, very short and we are short on
numbers. We all understand the situation we are in and it's what we have to
work with. We have to dig in - and we'll do that and try and get some
results. If we play and perform like we did against Spurs we'll be okay."
Parker proclaimed that the Irons should have no problem this season if they
put out good performances and cut down on mistakes. He also praised the
Lilywhites, saying that they have what it takes to break into the elite this
season. "There's no hiding the fact that Tottenham are going to be up there
this year," he added. "They are a very good side and have a very good squad.
"If we can perform like we did against them there's not going to be many
teams who can live with us."

Adithya Ananth, Goal.com

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Parker backing team-mate Cole to star for England
ESPN
August 25, 2009

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has backed Carlton Cole to establish
himself in the England squad despite his blunder in front of Fabio Capello
on Sunday. Cole's backpass led directly to Jermain Defoe's equaliser at
Upton Park as Tottenham went on to claim a 2-1 win - but Cole had opened the
scoring with a spectacular volley and stretched the visitors' defence as a
lone striker. With Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola short on numbers in attack,
Cole's next opportunity is likely to be tonight against Millwall in the
Carling Cup. Parker said: ''Carlton has got all the attributes to be a big
player for us and at international level. Everyone could see against Spurs
he's got massive strength. ''He can bring people into the game as well and
he's got a massive season ahead of him. If he does well this season I think
he'll definitely be pushing to get into the England side. ''He scored a
great goal and he's made a mistake but that could have happened to any of us
out there, it's part and parcel of football. You put yourself on offer like
Coley does and you are going to make mistakes.''
Technical director Gianluca Nani and chief executive Scott Duxbury are
looking to add at least one more forward before the transfer window closes.
Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh has ''rejected'' a move but the Hammers are
understood still to be working on the deal, while Lazio's Goran Pandev and
Livorno's Alessandro Diamanti have been linked in Italy with playing for
Zola. ''We would love to bring some more players in,'' Parker added. ''Our
squad is very, very short and we are short on numbers. We all understand the
situation we are in and it's what we have to work with. ''We have to dig in
- and we'll do that and try and get some results. If we play and perform
like we did against Spurs we'll be okay. ''There's no hiding the fact that
Tottenham are going to be up there this year, they are a very good side and
have a very good squad. If we can perform like we did against them there's
not going to be many teams who can live with us.''
A heavy police presence is anticipated for the second-round clash against
Millwall, West Ham's bitter rivals. ''I don't have a background in the match
but they tell me it's a game that they have suggested I don't come to by
walking to the stadium,'' Zola joked. ''It's going to be, obviously, very
much a heated game. We are ready, we are professional, we care about the
competition and we'll try to do our best.''

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West Ham hit by second trauma after Jack Collison's father dies
West Ham have been hit by more trauma after it emerged that midfielder Jack
Collison's father was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to Upton
Park at the weekend to watch his son play against Tottenham.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Emily Benammar
Published: 8:51AM BST 25 Aug 2009

According to a report in the Mail, Ian Collison had been travelling down the
M25 near Epping when tragedy struck. Emergency services were called to the
location but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Son Jack, who played
until the 89th minute of the 2-1 defeat against Spurs, is understood not to
have been informed of the accident immediately due to problems in
establishing next of kin. Premier League transfers A West Ham spokeswoman
said: "Our thoughts are with Jack and his family and we ask people to
respect his privacy at a very difficult time for them."
It is the second time in three days that West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola
has been hit with distressing news concerning his squad members. On Saturday
night, it emerged that defender Calum Davenport had been involved in a
stabbing incident which had left him needing surgery and fighting to save
his career. Davenport had a second operation on Monday and was said to be in
a stable condition in intensive care. When asked of Davenport's situation,
Zola said: "It was unbelievable. You don't expect things like this to
happen, especially people you know. "Now all that is important is that he is
alright, the rest about his future can be decided in the next days."
The boyfriend of Davenport's sister, Worrell Whitehurst has been charged
with causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Bedford Magistrates Court.

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Hines has mixed emotions after West Ham debut
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Zavon Hines had mixed emotions about his West Ham United debut in their
defeat to Tottenham. "It was a kind of weird day," Hines told whufc.com. "I
was hoping I'll come on for my debut but then we lost so I don't know
whether to be happy or sad." The striker added: "It was good to get out
there. It was good to make my debut especially as I've been injured. My main
is just to keep fit and try to play games."

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AC Milan fullback Oddo rejects West Ham move
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

AC Milan fullback Massimo Oddo has turned down an offer from West Ham
United. "I have to consider my family in all this and with two young
children I will not repeat the difficult experience I had in Munich," he
told Sky Italia. "I do not feel that I can go on loan to a club that plays
outside of Italy."

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Livorno's Lucarelli can understand West Ham ambitions for Diamanti
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli concedes teammate Alessandro Diamanti
will find it difficult to reject an offer from West Ham United. Lucarelli
said: "I know the story from what I've read in the newspapers. We hope he
will stay, because for us he is a key player and would be a significant
loss. "But if the figures are true, it seems that the offer would be good
even for the club and its budget. "In my heart, however, I hope he can stay
here."

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