WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's men had to wait but they got the FA Youth Cup victory they
deserved thanks to a late winner
09.12.2009
A Danny Purdy strike in extra time was enough to give West Ham United's
youngsters an impressive 1-0 away win against Plymouth Argyle in the FA
Youth Cup third round on Wednesday night.
In sodden conditions in Devon, Tony Carr's men had to wait until the 104th
minute of an entertaining contest before Irish youth international striker
Purdy showed great composure to score. He capitalised on a defensive blunder
before firing low into the net with the help of a post. The woodwork had
earlier saved the Pilgrims, with Robert Hall smashing a 25-yard-drive
against an upright for the closest chance of normal time.
West Ham had gone into the contest determined to make amends for exits at
the first hurdle in the previous three editions of the competition. It was
always going to be a tricky tie, with Plymouth boasting England Under-17
striker Liam Head - who has already figured for the club's first team - in
their ranks. However, Carr also had a strong selection including an U17
starlet of their own in Hall and in-form Cristian Montano who had scored
twice in a 3-1 weekend win against Norwich City.
The fourth round must be played by Saturday 16 January 2010.
West Ham United: Loveday, Modelski (Driver 87), Craig, Sanchez, Brown,
Moncur, Barrett (Purdy 99), Wearen, Abdulla, Montano, Hall (Lampe 106)
Subs not used: Mehmet, Subuola
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Duo set for UEFA duel
WHUFC.com
West Ham United could be well represented in the next stages of the U19 UEFA
EURO in the spring
09.12.2009
Frank Nouble and Eoin Wearen could go head to head when England and the
Republic of Ireland meet in the next stage of the 2010 UEFA European U19
Championship.
The two nations were paired together in the Elite round draw held this week
at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland, and will joined by mini-tournament
hosts Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group 3. The matches will take place
between 26 and 31 May. Players are eligible to play if they were born on or
after 1 January 1991.
The 18-year-old Nouble, who has scored in his last two matches for the
Hammers reserves, played in all three matches as England won their
qualifying round group in October, defeating Slovakia, Slovenia and Finland.
Nouble has been involved with the first team this season, making his debut
on the opening day of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ireland finished second in their group, losing to winners Italy but
defeating Albania and San Marino. Reserve-team midfielder Wearen, 17, has
yet to be capped at U19 level but played twice for his country's U18s in two
recent friendlies in Turkey. He is still eligible for the FA Youth Cup and
was involved in the 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday night.
Only the group winners will progress to the U19 finals to be held in
northern France next summer between 18 and 30 July. There could also be
plenty of Hammers interest in four of the other Elite round sections.
In Group 4, Turkey may call upon Under-20 goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet, still
only 17, for their matches with Norway, Spain and Azerbaijan which they are
hosting between 14 and 19 April. Group 5 features Northern Ireland, who
could call upon tricky midfielder Danny Kearns, 18, for their ties against
Italy, Czech Republic and Russia between 21 and 26 May.
In Group 6, Polish right-back Filip Modelski, 17, will hope to figure
against the Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia between 18 and 23 May while in
Group 7, 18-year-old left-back Fabio Daprela's Switzerland are in a strong
section that also features Austria, Denmark and Serbia and will be played
out between 25 and 30 May.
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Arsenal cup date fixed
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has spoken about the forthcoming FA Cup tie with Arsenal
after the fixture date was confirmed
08.12.2009
Gianfranco Zola is more than up for a FA Cup derby meeting with Arsenal
after the third-round tie was fixed for 4.15pm on Sunday 3 January 2010.
The glamour tie at the Boleyn Ground has already had supporters snapping up
tickets for the first match of the new year - which will be shown live on
ITV1. Zola said the derby was one that would capture the imagination and was
not worried about facing fellow top-flight opponents so early in the
competition.
"This is a big month with some big games and that will continue in the new
year with the FA Cup third round," he said. "We have drawn Arsenal, which
will get a lot of attention. Maybe we could have been luckier with the draw,
but there are no complaints.
"We will deal with it and they will not want to have been drawn against us
either. We are at home and we have the chance to go one better after drawing
against them in the league here earlier this season. It will be tough but we
have to be tougher than them."
Season ticket holders have until Friday evening to secure their seat, before
the sale is opened up to club members.
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TV switch comfirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 9th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's third round FA Cup clash with Arsenal will be broadcast
live on TV. It was announced this morning that ITV1 will be showing the
entire game live on Sunday, 3rd January. As a result of the decision the
game will now kick off at 4:15pm GMT. Meanwhile West Ham's youth team are in
cup action themselves this evening when they face Plymouth in the third
round of the FA Youth Cup at Home Park. The game kicks off at 7:00pm.
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Sullivan points to Blues 'legacy'
Reports suggest former Blues co-owner has bid £42m for Hammers
Last updated: 10th December 2009
SSN
David Sullivan will be supporting Birmingham against West Ham at the weekend
as he hopes that his old club can continue to benefit from his efforts. The
announcement comes at a time when reports suggest the 60-year-old has joined
forces with fellow former Blues co-owner David Gold to table a £42million
bid for the Hammers. Birmingham, now under the ownership of Carson Yeung
following the Hong Kong businessman's £80m buyout of Sullivan and Gold,
host West Ham on Saturday with the home side in a rich vein of form. Alex
McLeish's side are unbeaten in six games and there have been whispers of
Europa League qualification, while Gianfranco Zola's contrasting strugglers
sit 17th in the Premier League. Sullivan hopes that Birmingham can again
avoid a defeat when West Ham visit St Andrews, despite rumours that his bid
for the London club has been submitted with proposed options of either a
complete takeover or 50 per cent shareholding. "I would be very surprised
if Birmingham don't win at the weekend," said Sullivan in the Daily Mirror.
"To go six games undefeated and win three in a row is amazing and it is
wonderful to think they are playing a team like West Ham and Birmingham will
be the odds-on favourites. "I will be supporting Birmingham because it is
the team we left behind and we want that team to show people we left behind
a fantastic team.
"The legacy we left was a good one and I am so pleased the team are doing so
well for the manager, the new owners and the supporters."
Birmingham's recent success has been built upon a three-pronged attack and
Sullivan believes the tactical reshuffle has silenced McLeish's critics.
"The minute the team switched formation they have been performing
fantastically well," added Sullivan. "Alex made some fantastic signings and
it is a great mix there - plus (Christian) Benitez is a world-class player I
left behind. "I think any doubts anyone has ever had about Alex's abilities
as manager have been removed by the performance of the team this season."
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Hammers striker link dismissed
No West Ham bid for Paraguay international
By Patricio Figueroa Last updated: 10th December 2009
SSN
Club America have denied that West Ham United have made a bid for striker
Salvador Cabanas. The Hammers have been linked with a bid for the Paraguay
international who was named South American Player of the Year in 2007. But
the Mexican club have been quick to deny that the Upton Park outfit have
made an approach for the 29-year-old. "We haven't received any proposals for
Salvador or any other player of America," the club's vice-president Yon de
Luisa stated. "I don't know where that information about West Ham United has
came from. In addition, it even isn't true that we have asked 12 million
dollars for Salvador, there isn't anything true in that at all. "Cabanas is
in contract at America until June 2011 and we don't want him to leave
because we are comfortable with him and he has said to us that he is fine at
America. "I can confirm that we don't have any offers for him, they are
only rumours. Neither West Ham or any other team has asked us anything about
Salvador."
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Spector excited by England tie
Defender looking forward to facing Hammers team-mates
Last updated: 9th December 2009
SSN
West Ham defender Jonathan Spector is relishing the chance to face some of
his team-mates for USA in the 2010 World Cup. England will face USA in the
group stages of the tournament in South Africa next year meaning Spector
could come up against a number of his Hammers colleagues. Shot-stopper
Robert Green, centre-back Matthew Upson and striker Carlton Cole all
stand a chance of making the England line-up. Excited by the prospect,
Spector admits the clash with England is one the whole of the US squad is
looking forward to. "England is going to be a tough game, but it's one I'm
personally looking forward to, playing against my team-mates and a lot of
people I know," he told the club's official website. "We've got a lot of
guys in the US team that play over here and have played here in the past,
but it's one we've been looking forward to. "The other two games with
Slovenia and Algeria are two we look forward to and we'll have a good chance
of advancing."
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David Sullivan and David Gold make £42m move for West Ham
Pair also offer £21m for 50% shareholding
CB Holdings set deadline today for other buyers
Stuart James
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 10 December 2009
David Sullivan and his former Birmingham City co-owner David Gold, have made
two proposals to West Ham. David Sullivan and David Gold, the former
Birmingham City co-owners, have made an offer of about £42m for West Ham
United. The bid has been submitted to Rothschild, the bank which was
appointed in October to find new owners. The offer outlines two proposals.
One is to buy West Ham outright and assume full control and the other is to
purchase a 50% stake that would come with the guarantee of funds for new
players. It is believed that would see Gold and Sullivan pay about £21m for
a 50% shareholding and the same amount to service the short-term debt and
strengthen a threadbare playing squad when the transfer window reopens.
The duo would effectively become strategic partners, although they would
demand to have complete authority when it comes to the running of the club.
Other interested parties have until today to finalise their proposals as
Rothschild bring to an end a process that CB Holdings – the company formed
by creditors and headed by the Icelandic bank Straumur which runs West Ham –
had hoped would unearth a number of potential buyers. Sullivan and Gold were
always expected to be near the front of the queue from the moment it became
clear they were leaving Birmingham City after selling to Carson Yeung,
although how their offer will be received remains to be seen.
There have been reports that Straumur, the largest shareholder in CB
Holdings, is seeking close to £80m, suggesting that Sullivan and Gold will
come up well short with their bid. Whether that valuation is realistic is
debatable. A source close to the club said West Ham owe around £49m to
several banks, a further £19m to Sheffield United to be paid over the course
of five years as a result of the Carlos Tevez affair and another £15m to
clubs to cover outstanding transfer-fee instalments.
On the field the situation is not much brighter with the threat of
relegation hanging over the club. Indeed West Ham's parlous league position
– one point and one place above the bottom three ahead of Saturday's trip to
Birmingham City – allied to the opening of the transfer window three weeks
tomorrow mean that Gold and Sullivan, as well as any other prospective
buyers, will demand a swift response to their proposals.
It may well be that West Ham's ownership structure remains unchanged, with
Andrew Bernhardt, the chairman, insisting there is no pressure to sell if an
acceptable offer is not forthcoming. Should their bid fail, Gold and
Sullivan, who are worth an estimated £750m between them, will almost
certainly give up on West Ham and turn their attention to alternative
options, with League One Charlton Athletic likely to be high on their list.
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Davids Closing In on Hammers
The Sun
By GRAHAM HILL
DAVID SULLIVAN and David Gold will officially make their move to buy West
Ham this weekend - thanks to the club's faithful fans. SunSport revealed
exclusively three weeks ago the former Birmingham owners and lifelong
Hammers fans were putting together a unique package to take over the
cash-stricken club. They will make their move in time to beat the Saturday
morning bid deadline imposed by West Ham's Icelandic owners. As revealed by
The Sun, Sullivan and Gold want to take a substantial shareholding in the
Hammers and assume responsibility for investing in the team in the transfer
window.
They had been linked with buyouts at Crystal Palace and Charlton - but have
been swayed by a huge response from Hammers fans since their interest was
revealed by SunSport. The pair had not wanted to show their hand early but
they were spotted at Upton Park watching the Hammers' recent 5-3 win over
Burnley. They aim to buy the club outright at a later date and have been
trying to strike a deal since leaving Birmingham but have been frustrated by
the complexity of the transaction. Sullivan and Gold sold their stake in
Brum for £80million this season when Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung took
over St Andrew's. West Ham are owned by CB Holding, a company made up of
creditors of Hansa, which was owned by former chairman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson.
CB Holding have appointed Rothschild and Standard Bank to try to find a new
buyer. Several parties have made approaches but Sullivan and Gold have a
strong affiliation with West Ham and once owned a 30 per cent stake in the
club. Gold grew up opposite the Hammers' East London ground and represented
the club as a youth-team player.
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West Ham to make cut-price transfer bid for Stoke striker James Beattie
Published 23:00 09/12/09
By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham are weighing up a cut-price move for Stoke's wantaway striker James
Beattie in the New Year. Beattie looks set to quit the Britannia Stadium in
January after his dressing room row with boss Tony Pulis and is already
eyeing up an escape route. The 31-year-old has scored just twice so far this
season and has failed to recapture the form which helped propel Stoke to a
creditable 12th place finish last term. But Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola
is keen to land the former Southampton man after losing both Carlton Cole
and Zavon Hines to injury. Mexico striker Guillermo Franco is the only fit
recognised forward at Upton Park with Cole out until the end of January and
Hines facing an operation on his injured knee. Beattie would provide perfect
cover for Cole and would give the Hammers the target man they so badly need.
And Zola is now hoping he can take advantage of Beattie's desperation to
leave Stoke by offering the five-times capped England man a safe haven in
east London. Meanwhile, the Hammers are set to welcome back captain Matthew
Upson for Saturday's Premier League clash at Birmingham. The England
defender has missed the past two games with a hamstring strain but is now
hoping to lead out the side at St Andrews this weekend.
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West Ham midfielder Jack Collison: My debt to Frank Lampard
Published 23:00 09/12/09 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Jack Collison has thanked big-hearted Frank Lampard for consoling him
earlier this season after he lost his father. The gesture was all the more
touching as the rookie West Ham midfielder and the Chelsea superstar barely
knew each other at the time. Collison, a product of the Hammers youth
academy, was left devastated back in August when his dad Ian was killed in
a motorbike accident. Collison Snr had been on the way to see his
highly-rated son play at home to Spurs when he crashed on the M25 near
Epping. The youngster played in the match unaware of the tragedy and -
backed by the support of West Ham's fans, players and staff - went on to
play again just two days later in the League Cup win over Millwall. Among
the welter of messages Collison received offering support was one from
Lampard - another West Ham academy product - who lost his own mother Pat
last year. Collison revealed the message provided a huge source of
inspiration as he battled to bounce back. He said: "Frank Lampard is someone
that I look up to. I never really met him before but he's a great player. "I
had a text off him because he has been through something similar with his
mum. "He offered me some real words of support and I've just got to thank
him for that because it was brilliant. "It really helped me through a tough
time to hear from somebody who has been through a similar sort of thing."
Collison, who has scored in two of West Ham's last three matches, insisted
football, his close-knit family and his club have helped him to get through
the toughest period of his young life. He added: "I've got a lot of very
good people around me. All the people at West Ham, they've been brilliant to
me. "All my family and friends – its been a big effort all around.
"Obviously I'm trying to be strong still for my family. Also the fans,
they've been great to me as well. Its been a big effort and the football has
been a nice opportunity for me to get away from things. "I enjoy playing
football and its been a nice release for me.
"My dad was massive for me. Obviously, like any young kid growing up my dad
was the one who introduced me to football. "He was the one who used to take
me down the park on the back of his bike to kick a ball about. So he was
massive and it's a great loss. "Now I've just got to get my head down and
keep improving because I know that's what he would what me to do. He'd want
to to just keep getting better and better and now I am out there playing for
him really." "Every time I go out on the pitch its for him. I know he is
going to be out there looking down and telling me where I am going wrong.
"But I am going to keep going out there and doing it for him and I'm going
to keep being strong for my family."
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David Sullivan: We laid the foundation for Birmingham success
Published 23:00 09/12/09 By James Nursey
The Mirror
DAVID SULLIVAN claims Birmingham's fine form proves he left a great legacy
at the club. Sullivan and the Gold brothers, David and Ralph, sold City
earlier this season to Hong Kong mogul Carson Yeung in an £80million deal.
The Essex businessmen are now bidding to pump their cash into Premier League
rivals West Ham, who have been put up for sale by owners Straumur. The two
clubs meet at St Andrews on Saturday with Birmingham unbeaten in six games
and the cash-strapped Hammers languishing 17th in the table.
Sullivan believes the clubs are going in opposite directions as promoted
Brum thrive under Alex McLeish. And he is anxious to get his hands on the
Hammers soon to use the January transfer window to arrest the decline at
Upton Park. "I would be very surprised if Birmingham don't win at the
weekend," said Sullivan. "To go six games undefeated and win three in a row
is amazing and it is wonderful to think they are playing a team like West
Ham and Birmingham will be the odds-on favourites. I will be supporting
Birmingham because it is the team we left behind and we want that team to
show people we left behind a fantastic team. "The legacy we left was a good
one and I am so pleased the team are doing so well for the manager, the new
owners and the supporters."
Sullivan was concerned by McLeish's tactics earlier this season when Brum
played only one up front at home against the likes of Bolton. But City's
recent success has coincided with McLeish playing Cameron Jerome in attack
alongside Christian Benitez and James McFadden cutting in from the left. And
Sullivan reckons Birmingham's hat-trick of wins over Fulham, Wolves and
Wigan has finally silenced critics of manager McLeish. "The minute the team
switched formation they have been performing fantastically well," added
Sullivan, who appointed McLeish in November 2007. "Alex made some fantastic
signings and it is a great mix there – plus Benitez is a world class player
I left behind. "I think any doubts anyone has ever had about Alex's
abilities as manager have been removed by the performance of the team this
season."
Sullivan and Yeung's new regime became embroiled in a war of words following
the takeover as his successors were angry at inheriting invoices for over
£6million. Yeung called in police to probe the club's finances and launched
a post-acquisition due diligence. But while the investigation remains
on-going, both parties have agreed to meet for imminent talks. And Sullivan
is now complimentary about Yeung after previously dismissing him as "a
hairdresser". He said: "The new owner has done the most wonderful deal for
season ticket holders who can buy a ticket for the West Ham game and
Tuesday's match with Blackburn for £10 which is £5 a game so obviously St
Andrews will be sold out. "I think that is marvellous and it is very
exciting for supporters."
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Tony Cottee: I'm glad Zola has admitted we are in a relegation dogfight
East London Advertiser
10 December 2009
Gianfranco Zola said after the loss against Manchester United that West Ham
are in a relegation fight and I am happy he has admitted it. People might
think that by saying that the boss is being negative, but we as fans have
known for a while this is the case and if you don't believe it, then I am
sorry but you are just kidding yourself. Gianfranco is an honest manager and
I would prefer to have a boss admit there are problems and they are in
trouble, rather than one who would rather bury his head in the sand and
continually commends and backs his players. Personally I always felt this
season would be a tough campaign for us and that we would not hit the
heights we did last season, when I thought we over-performed to finish way
up the table. We have had no investment in the playing staff and when you
are in the Premier League, generally if you don't spend, you don't progress.
Now is the time where as a player you work even harder in training and
battle for your life on match-days because every point is important.
Most players at some stage in their career have to go through what the squad
at West Ham are going through now, it is just what happens in football.
There are not many people who have the opportunity to play for Manchester
United or Chelsea throughout their whole career. I played the game for 20
years and in all that time I would say a quarter of it was battling against
the drop. In fact, the only club I did play for which I did not go through
at was at Leicester and even when I went into management at Barnet we were
fighting to beat the drop. I remember when we went through it at West Ham
and the great John Lyall was in charge, he just made us work a lot harder
and that is what Zola will have to do with his players. The longer you are
down there the more intense it becomes and while it is pretty big on those
on the field, the pressure is intense on the man in charge. At the end of
the day, the buck stops with the manager and for whatever reason, he is the
one that usually gets the blame if things go wrong. But I have great belief
in Zola and I feel the players he has at the club are more than good enough
to get us out of trouble. Carlton Cole will be back in February to lead the
line again, but even though I have great faith in Franco, it would be good
if we could bring in another striker in January. Although, if you fail to
create chances like last Saturday it won't matter who you bring in. It was
disappointing that we failed to test the keeper at the weekend, especially
as the Manchester United back-line was so depleted. The goal they scored
just before the break was a real killer and up until then we were well in
the game and quite comfortable. To concede just before the half is a real
killer for the players and when they scored their second goal, I feared the
worst. We have conceded more goals at home then any other club in the
Premiership and that for me is a worry. And when you are missing your top
scorer and you have no funds these things start to add up. Again we conceded
a couple of goals from balls into the box and we have to do more to stop
crosses from getting into the area.
This is not just the full backs, but those in front need to do more to help
them out and we have to defend better as a team. Unfortunately we are
catching Birmingham at exactly the wrong time and they are in fantastic form
as we head to St Andrews next Saturday. However we need to capture a point
from that game and hopefully get a win at Bolton the following Wednesday and
to get six points from the next couple of games will ease the pressure,
especially if we beat Bolton. They have had a tough time of it recently and
in total contrast to Birmingham are in big trouble themselves so the match
will be a real six-pointer.
I WAS really looking forward to seeing the World Cup draw on Friday and I
was absolutely delighted with England's group. USA are certainly an
improving team, but you would be very confident of beating them, while you
would expect us to be far too good for the likes of Algeria and Slovenia. If
we do win the group it would be likely that we would avoid Germany as well,
although a game against Ghana would not be an easy contest. We might also
have to play France, but I think they are on the wane and I believe we would
be too strong for them. What I was most pleased with about the draw is that
we have managed to avoid Spain and we would only play them, were we both to
get to the final. They are a team I really worry about and with a frontline
of Fernando Torres and David Villa with Iniesta and Xavi in midfield, you
would have to say they are the favourites. We could face Brazil in the semis
and although they are a really good side, I genuinely believe we would beat
them. I have been saying for a long time that we can win the World Cup. I'm
not saying we will, because it will be really tough, but I have great
confidence in the side. To win a World Cup, it is important to have a lot of
luck, have all your players fit and that your very best players perform
outstandingly well. We have three of four world class players in our squad,
plus a lot of very good players and although it's unlikely that everybody
manager Fabio Capello wants will be available, there are plenty waiting in
the wings who won't let anyone down. It's a good time to be supporting
England.
Tony Cottee was talking to Matt Diner
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West Ham skipper should return for Birmingham game
East London Advertiser
10 December 2009
West Ham captain Matt Upson should be fit enough to face his former side
Birmingham City at St Andrews this Saturday. The Hammers have conceded a
staggering seven goals in the two games since the England international has
been missing with a hamstring injury he picked up in training. And with a
crucial period of the season ahead, Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola and fans
alike will be delighted to see his return to the line-up. Upson has been one
of the Hammers' most consistent performers this campaign and is widely
regarded as third-choice centre half for England. "He has been at training
all week and he is looking good for Saturday," a club spokesman told the
Advertiser. "Rob Green seems to have recovered from his illness he had on
Saturday and both he and Mark Noble have been training. Zavon Hines is out
though with a knee injury, but we are yet to know the extent of the damage."
One Hammers player who is certainly looking forward to the game is James
Tomkins, who was recalled to the starting line-up for the 4-0 loss against
Manchester United. "It's a big game, playing Birmingham," he said. "But
we're going to go up there full of confidence and hopefully get the three
points.
"I don't think there's too much to worry about. We're a good team and we've
got plenty of good players here and good characters to get us out of the
trouble we're in. "We're letting in a lot of goals, which we're trying to
work on. "Defensively it's little things that are costing us goals and
we're not getting the rub of the green as well. I think it's a number of
things. "The main thing is to look forward to the next game and keep working
hard in training.
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West Ham cup match to be played on Saturday while Hammers distance
themselves from Adriano
East London advertoser
10 December 2009
West Ham FA Cup tie with high-flying Arsenal will take place on Sunday,
January 3 and will be live on ITV1. In what is undeniably the tie of the
round the game was always likely to be on the Sunday. Manager Gianfranco
Zola admitted that he wishes his side could have drawn weaker opponents but
is optimistic about their chances. "This is a big month with some big games
and that will continue in the new year. "We have drawn Arsenal, which will
get a lot of attention," he said. "Maybe we could have been luckier with the
draw, but there are no complaints. "We will deal with it and they will not
want to have been drawn against us either."
The club have once again denied persistent rumours that players will need to
be sold to balance the books. "We are not looking to sell our best players
and we don't have to sell anyone," a club spokesman said. The club have also
denied that they have made enquiries about Brazilian striker Adriano.
"People are putting two and two together because he has said he would be
interested to come to England. It is just speculation and we have five games
left until January," the spokesman added.
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