WHUFC.com
Tony Carr believes Academy graduate Joe Cole should be handed an England
chance against Slovenia
22.06.2010
Academy Director Tony Carr believes it is time for former student Joe Cole
to be given his chance to shine at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Carr, who was
recently made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services
to football, has already seen Academy graduates Glen Johnson, Frank Lampard
and Jermain Defoe appear on the sport's biggest stage in South Africa.
However, with England failing to fire on all cylinders in their opening two
Group C fixtures and desperate for the victory over Slovenia that will
ensure their progress to the last 16 on Wednesday, Carr is one of many who
think manager Fabio Capello should call for the mercurial Cole. "It has to
be said that the World Cup hasn't really come alive yet, for me," Carr told
WHUTV. "One or two of the games have been very good and there have been one
or two brilliant performances, but generally it's been very mundane stuff
and England, to be fair, have been really disappointing. "We have had two
disappointing results and, as we speak today, we have it all to do against
Slovenia. Hopefully we can get the win and if we do, we can wipe the slate
clean and start again. It won't be easy, though, and will be a very nervy
game for both teams. I just hope we can get that one goal and go on from
there. "I said before the tournament started that this could be Joe's World
Cup. He's injury-free and has finished the season really strongly. He's also
fresh because he hasn't played 50 or 60 games this season. "To be fair, he's
one that could unlock the door for us and do something different. It's not
that he's the only one and that others can't make things happen or score
goals, but Joe can do that unorthodox thing and come up in different and
difficult areas for the opposition.
"I think he's worth his chance because we can't be much worse than we've
been in the last two games."
Cole, 28, has scored ten goals in 54 games for England, including an
outstanding volley in England's final group-stage fixture against Sweden at
the last World Cup in Germany in 2006. He recently returned to the Boleyn
Ground to honour former mentor Carr at the Academy Director's successful
testimonial match. While Carr has been watching the World Cup closely, he
has also been preparing for the start of pre-season training on Monday 5
July. With the likes of England Under-17 forward and UEFA European U17
Championship winner Rob Hall and England U16 midfielders Matthias Fanimo and
Blair Turgott among those set to become full-time scholars next month, the
Academy Director also told WHUTV of his excitement ahead of the 2010/11
campaign.
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'Hold nothing back'
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson has issued a rallying cry ahead of England's FIFA World Cup
meeting with Slovenia
22.06.2010
Matthew Upson is desperate to help England to reach the second round of the
2010 FIFA World Cup. The West Ham United captain has already been confirmed
as a member of Fabio Capello's starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon's
make-or-break Group C meeting with Slovenia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in
Port Elizabeth. The experienced defender will partner former Academy of
Football youngster John Terry at the heart of the back four, with former
Hammers Glen Johnson and David James also expected to form part of Capello's
defence. England must win to guarantee their passage to the last 16, and
Upson fully expects the Three Lions to roar when they need to most. "We are
all good players, everyone has great ability," insisted the 31-year-old, who
started alongside Terry on the only previous occasion England have met
Slovenia - a 2-1 friendly victory at Wembley in September 2009. "We need to
get the best out of ourselves and that's an individual thing as well as a
team thing. "It's down to us as individuals to make sure we are in the right
frame of mind and let it flow, let it happen and hold nothing back."
England have come under widespread criticism for their stuttering displays
in drawing with the United States and Algeria in their opening two matches,
while Capello's relationship with some of his players has been the subject
of much media speculation over the past few days. However, Upson believes
Team England are ready to put in a much-improved display when they meet the
Slovenians. "Everyone was disappointed after the Algeria game," said the
centre-back. "We had some spare time in Cape Town and everyone went off and
reflected on what happened. We have had to put that behind us and move on to
the next game. It's all down now to the game on Wednesday. "Our training
through the whole five weeks has been outstanding. The sessions have been
first class. The matches haven't been a reflection of how well we have
trained as a group, which is frustrating."
Upson will become the third West Ham centre-back to represent England at a
World Cup finals, following in the footsteps of Bobby Moore, who appeared in
1962 and 1970 and famously lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966, and Alvin
Martin, who featured once in 1986. England must win to guarantee their
passage to the second phase while a point will definitely be enough for
Slovenia. Should the match end in a draw, England will progress should the
US lose. To complicate matters still further, Capello's side could also go
through with a draw of 3-3 or greater should the Americans be held goalless
by Algeria.
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Matthew Upson's ex-mentor backs him for England glory
BBC.co.uk
Matthew Upson's former youth coach at Luton Town, John Moore, believes the
England centre-back has the attributes to do his country proud in the World
Cup. The West Ham defender has found himself thrust into action in Port
Elizabeth after injuries to fellow centre-halves Rio Ferdinand and Ledley
King and the suspension of Jamie Carragher. Upson's career began at
Kenilworth Road when he was signed up as a trainee in 1994 and then agreed
professional terms two years later. The 31-year-old made only one appearance
for the Hatters, coming on in the 88th minute during a 1-0 win over
Rotherham in August 1996, but has since been held up as an example of the
quality young players Luton were able to produce. Upson is the biggest
success story from a crop of players, including Matthew Spring and Gary
Doherty, as the Suffolk-born defender switched to Arsenal for £2m in 1997
and went on to make 47 appearances for the Gunners. Moore, who played 274
times during an eight-year spell at Kenilworth Road, was Luton's youth team
coach when Arsene Wenger came calling for his starlet's services. After 19
England caps and one international goal Upson has been charged with helping
to steady his nation's ship during what has so far been a tense opening to
the World Cup for Fabio Capello's side. "It's a fantastic achievement for
Matthew. It's the climax of his ambitions really to play in the World Cup,"
Moore told BBC Three Counties. "It's a fantastic opportunity for him and I
hope he can do well."
Youngsters who go on to great things are often touted as having something
special from the moment they start playing but, according to Moore, that was
not the case with Upson. "One of his problems was, as a 14-year-old, he grew
very quickly. He was initially a midfield player and then he grew and became
this big beanpole," the Scot said.
"Sometimes your co-ordination goes because of that so we moved him to play
at the back and he obviously bounced on from then."
Moore, who managed the Hatters for one season in 1986, leading the club to
seventh in the old First Division, admits seeing players like Upson flourish
is a perk of the job.
"What I enjoyed was the fact that you could take a boy coming in from school
and help them achieve their ambition," he said. "In a sport that is very
cruel and ruthless, I have tremendous admiration for any boy who's come
through and done it, because to get to where Matthew's got you have to
persevere against the odds."
England fans will be hoping Upson's perseverance pays dividends against
Slovenia on Wednesday.
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Gyan flattered by Prem link
Ghana forward welcomes reports of English interest
By Giscard Gourizro Last updated: 22nd June 2010
SSN
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has welcomed reports linking him with a move to
the Premier League. It is claimed that the 24-year-old, who is currently on
the books of French outfit Rennes, is attracting interest from West Ham
United. A couple of star showings at this summer's World Cup have helped to
raise his profile and bring him to the attention of clubs across Europe.
Gyan has scored in both of Ghana's games in South Africa so far and he is
delighted to hear that his performances are catching the eye in England. "I
am flattered by interest from the Premier League, but I am concentrating on
helping Ghana into the next round of the World Cup," he told skysports.com.
"It looks like we might be the only African nation with a genuine chance of
reaching the next round."
Gyan, who found the target on 10 occasions in Ligue 1 for Rennes last
season, insists he will not be pushing for a switch this summer but admits
the chance to play in the Premier League would be difficult to turn down.
"It is simply the best league in the world and every player wants to be part
of it," he added. "I have a contract with Rennes and they will have a say as
well. They have been brilliant to me and if I do leave it will be on good
terms."
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Upson: We can go through like Italia 90
Published 23:00 22/06/10 By John Cross in Port Elizabeth
The Mirror
Matt Upson is determined to draw on the spirit of Italia 90 to help England
save their World Cup campaign. West Ham defender Upson comes back into the
starting line-up against Slovenia today facing a similar mission as 20 years
ago. The late Sir Bobby Robson endured a difficult start after two draws and
yet England went on to reach the semi final which is their best tournament
since 1966. It is a similar backs-to-the-wall story now and an equally tight
Group after England's poor start leaves them needing a victory at the Nelson
Mandela Bay Stadium today to guarantee reaching the second phase. But Upson
believes that England are best when facing adversity and he says his own
memories of Gazza, Lineker, Pearce and Co can help Fabio Capello's men
progress. Upson said: "I remember the tournament really well, I was eleven
at the time, it was that age for me of just watching and playing football
non stop. "The World Cup was a really big event for me at that time and I
watched every game. "I remember the tournament very strongly and England did
really well and got a lot of praise for how well they did, so I'd love to be
in a similar position in a few weeks' time. "I think every time you hit a
moment of adversity it is a time to shine. It's an opportunity for you as a
group to get together and get stronger. "That's why I hope we can approach
it in the right way, relax and be our normal selves, and I think we'll come
through that and hopefully move on to further stages in the tournament."
Upson has a formidable record alongside John Terry in England's central
defence - six games together under Capello and six wins. That perhaps
explains Upson's disappointment when Capello called up Jamie Carragher and
Ledley King from the international wilderness to go to the World Cup and
both started ahead of him in South Africa. But Upson is one of the most
honest, intelligent and focused members of Capello's 23 man squad in South
Africa and is now determined to make his partnership with Terry work again.
Terry and Upson were together when England beat Slovenia in a friendly last
September at Wembley and is convinced that if they can fulfil their
potential then they can win through from Group C. Upson said: "It's been a
case of being patient and being focused really, even though I haven't played
yet. I suppose I have been a little bit disappointed but that's what it's
about, now I've got an opportunity and I want to take it. "I feel very
comfortable playing with John, as with all of the lads here. I've probably
teamed up with him the most out of all my England caps. "I enjoy playing
with him, I know what he's about. With the decisions that he makes you get
to know a player, so I try and complement that. "I remember Slovenia being
very good on the counter attack, when we went forward and had a lot of
pressure they would break very well. "They're a decent side and they've
shown in this tournament that they're capable of causing some damage, so
we're going to have to be on our game. "But I'm just looking forward to the
whole occasion, and I just want to get out on the pitch and play."
For Upson, the Slovenia game is all about England being able to play to
their potential and strip away any doubts as he still believes the current
squad can be successful in South Africa. Upson added: "I think everyone has
been committed from the start, it's just been our approach to games and our
mentality possibly. I think we're all great players, everyone has great
ability and they wouldn't be here if they couldn't do the job. "We need to
get the best out of ourselves, and I think that's an individual thing as
well as a team thing. If we as individuals can press the button and go out
and play our best, then obviously the team will be successful. "But it's
down to us as individuals to make sure we are in the right frame of mind and
go out there and let it flow, let it happen, hold nothing back. "I think
people would have wanted us to get off to a better start, and have more
points on the board by now. As it is that hasn't happened but we have an
opportunity to win a football match and go through, which is what tournament
football is all about. "It's a test for us, but if we go through every game
will be a bigger test. So it's a case of are we ready for it and how we
prepare for it."
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Hammers target Marveaux to stay at Rennes
By Soccernet staff
June 22, 2010
ESPN
French Ligue 1 side Rennes are battling to keep hold of Sylvain Marveaux
amid reports West Ham United are preparing a £3 million bid for the
midfielder. New Hammers boss Avram Grant is expected to fund the swoop by
offloading Swiss International Valon Behrami and Marveaux, who has been
compared to Chelsea and France winger Florent Malouda, appears willing to
move on. "Rennes is my club and I owe them because I have been trained by
them and they gave me my chance," Marveaux told Sky Sports. "But today,
large French and European clubs want me, and that has left me thinking, at
24, I think it is time to move on."
However, the club's general manager, Pierre Dreossi, insists his club have
no intention of letting Marveaux leave. "I have said this before and I
repeat, Sylvain Marveaux will be with Rennes next season," Dreossi said. "I
do not usually change my mind, I've demonstrated that in the past. We are
looking forward to a good season and expect Sylvain to be part of that."
Marveux, who impressed in Ligue 1 last season, would become the Hammers
second signing of the summer after former Aston Villa winger Thomas
Hitzlsperger completed a free transfer from Lazio.
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England v Slovenia: Matthew Upson issues World Cup 2010 rallying cry
Matthew Upson has called on the England players "to get the best out of
themselves" in Wednesday's must-win World Cup clash against Slovenia.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 12:50PM BST 22 Jun 2010
Matthew Upson has called on England's players to get the best out of
themselves in Wednesday's World Cup clash with Slovenia Photo: AP England
have turned in two poor performances so far in South Africa, against the
United States and Algeria, leaving their hopes of progressing to the
knockout stages hanging by a thread. Upson has been told by manager Fabio
Capello he will start tomorrow with Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher
suspended and the West Ham defender is calling for a much-improved display.
Sport on television "We are all good players, everyone has great ability,"
Upson said. "We need to get the best out of ourselves and that's an
individual thing as well as a team thing. "It's down to us as individuals to
make sure we are in the right frame of mind and let it flow, let it happen
and hold nothing back." The goalless draw against Algeria on Friday dented
England's hopes of getting out of Group C and saw the fans turn on the
players. But Upson insists the result, and performance, are now out of the
players' systems. "Everyone was disappointed after the Algeria game," he
added. "We had some spare time in Cape Town and everyone went off and
reflected on what happened.
"We have had to put that behind us and move on to the next game. It's all
down now to the game on Wednesday."
Despite some fans questioning Capello's squad and team selections so far,
Upson insists the Italian has got it spot on on the training field. He said:
"Our training through the whole five weeks has been outstanding. The
sessions have been first class. The matches haven't been a reflection of how
well we have trained as a group, which is frustrating."
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