WHUFC.com
Shore Capital and Corporate is to undertake a fundraising initiative for
West Ham United
05.02.2010
WH Holding, the parent company of West Ham United, is pleased to announce
that it has appointed Shore Capital and Corporate to conduct a fundraising
for the club of £20-40m. The purpose of the fundraising is to strengthen the
club's balance sheet. The fundraising is not open to the general public, but
the club will consider whether in due course to enable a wider participation
by retail investors. David Sullivan, West Ham United joint-chairman, said:
"These are exciting times for the club and David Gold and I have a clear
vision to take us forward. We are looking for people to share in the
adventure. This is a big challenge but we are going to make West Ham great
again." Karren Brady, West Ham United vice-chairman, said: "Although this
fundraising is initially aimed at professional investors, I would love to be
able to bring in our loyal and fantastic fan base as investors further down
the line so that they can share in the club's great future, on and off the
pitch. This is an option which we have seriously under review."
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Zola looking forward
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan available for Saturday's
trip to Burnley
05.02.2010
Gianfranco Zola cannot wait to unleash his new attacking trident on Burnley.
The West Ham United manager has three new forwards in his squad for
Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Turf Moor in the shape of Benni
McCarthy, Mido and Ilan. The trio, who all completed moves to the club on
Monday, has impressed Zola in training at Chadwell Heath, and the manager
revealed all three could be involved against the Clarets. With Burnley on a
run of 12 league matches without a victory, the Hammers boss also revealed
that a win in Lancashire would provide his players with a huge confidence
boost ahead of the visit of Birmingham City in midweek. "We know Benni is a
goalscorer and that's why we brought him here and we're looking forward to
seeing him producing goals for us. "Mido has been a surprise. He is working
hard and he wants to prove himself, so he has started with the perfect
attitude, which is very important, because he knows his starting position,
and everything he is going to achieve in this club, he will have to conquer
it.
"To be honest, he has been brilliant so far, and I look forward to seeing
him train like this for a long time. "Ilan has only trained twice with us,
but he looks OK. He is a good player. Obviously I need to see him a little
bit more to have a more valuable opinion, but he is sharp and a skilful
player and can give us good help."
While Zola now has a plethora of forwards at his disposal, with McCarthy,
Mido and Ilan joining the likes of Carlton Cole, Frank Nouble, Freddie Sears
and Alessandro Diamanti on the journey north, the manager insisted the
Hammers would be seeking to continue their fine recent defensive record. The
back five of Robert Green, Julien Faubert, James Tomkins, Matthew Upson and
Jonathan Spector have conceded just one goal in the club's last three
matches, an impressive record Zola is keen to extend at Burnley. "What has
influenced us was the fact that, at the beginning of the season, we could
never play the same formation for more than two games. That was a big thing,
trust me, because we were always changing players and formations and the
team shape, and that didn't help to find a good balance. "We want to score
more goals but, at the same time, we want to keep it tight at the back. In
the last few games we didn't score many goals, but we didn't concede many as
well. I would like to just be a little bit more prolific in front of goal,
but keep the same attention defensively that we've had in the last few
games. "In the few games since Chelsea, it's been very hard to score against
us, so that is a very good starting point. Now we have to create more
opportunities and score more goals."
While the manager has total confidence in his players' ability to bring
three points back from Turf Moor, he is acutely aware of the need to avoid
the backlash from a Burnley side that has lost its last four league games.
"They're not [doing too well recently], but I don't trust it. I know it's
going to be a tough game and if we want to produce a good result, we have to
perform. The team is ready and we're looking forward to the match. "I think
it's massive. It's a game, first of all, against a team on more or less the
same points as us, so it will be vital not to give them anything. Plus, on
the psychological side, it will be massive not to give them anything. To get
a good result against them with two home games to play would be massive. We
won 5-3 in the home game and I would take 3-5 this time, but I wouldn't mind
1-0 to be honest!"
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Burnley match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday afernoon's fixture away
at Turf Moor
05.02.2010
Barclays Premier League
Burnley v West Ham United
Turf Moor
Saturday 6 February 2010
3pm
Referee: Steve Bennett
• West Ham United return to action boosted by the arrival of three new
forwards - Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers, Mido on loan from
Middlesbrough via Eygptian side Zamalek and Ilan from French club AS
Saint-Etienne. Even more crucially, the transfer window slammed shut with
none of the club's key performers having to be sold following the arrival of
new owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
• Burnley, the hosts on Saturday, also made a couple of deadline day
acquisitions, extending David Nugent's loan from Portsmouth until the end of
the season and taking Chelsea youngster Jack Cork on loan until the summer.
Earlier in the month, they acquired Celtic left-back Danny Fox, Stoke City
centre-back Leon Cort, AS Monaco forward Frederic Nimani on loan and
out-of-contract keeper Nicky Weaver.
• The Hammers head to Burnley for the first time since 5 April 2004 when
Teddy Sheringham's 83rd-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win. Only Mark Noble
remains at the club from that side, playing 76 minutes before being
substituted on only his ninth league appearance for the club.
• Gianfranco Zola's men have drawn their last three games - Aston Villa
(0-0), Portsmouth (1-1) and Blackburn Rovers (0-0) - and only lost once in
the last six league outings. However, they have not won away from home since
the opening day of the season when they secured a 2-0 triumph at
Wolverhampton Wanderers on 15 August.
• Brian Laws' team have not won in their last 12 league outings, with their
last victory coming against Hull City on 31 October. Laws, since taking over
from Owen Coyle on 13 January, has led the team in four matches and lost all
four.
• Saturday's meeting will be the second meeting between the teams in the
Premier League, following the Hammers' 5-3 triumph at the Boleyn Ground on
28 November 2009. That match was the first time West Ham had won by that
scoreline since Oxford United visited east London in the old Division One in
November 1992.
• West Ham have enjoyed an excellent run of form against the Clarets, with
eight wins and two draws from their last ten meetings. That run means you
have to go back 32 years to find Burnley's last victory over their visitors
on Saturday - a 3-2 win at Turf Moor on 9 September 1978.
• Burnley have still not won away from home this season but are a different
proposition at home. They have won five and drawn four of their eleven
fixtures at Turf Moor.
• West Ham United go into the weekend's game in 15th place in the Barclays
Premier League, one point above their hosts who sit in 19th spot. The
Hammers have a vastly-superior goal difference - minus nine compared to
Burnley's minus 23.
• This will be the 72nd league meeting between the clubs, West Ham have won
26 with 16 draws.
Last time out
Saturday 30 January 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Blackburn
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Diamanti, Behrami
(Parker 70), Kovac (Cole 57), Noble, Collison, Nouble (Sears 78)
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Ilunga, Stanislas
Saturday 30 January 2010
Barclays Premier League
Burnley 1-2 Chelsea
Burnley: Jensen, Kalvenes (Edgar 35), Carlisle, Mears, Cort, Bikey, McDonald
(Paterson 60), Elliott, Eagles, Fletcher, Blake (Thompson 72)
Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Gudjonsson, Nimani N'galou
Goal: Fletcher 50
Last meeting
• The last meeting between the two sides was a 5-3 win by the Hammers at the
Boleyn Ground on Saturday 28 November. West Ham raced into a 5-0 goal lead
just after the hour mark only for their visitors to provide some late drama
with three goals in the final 22 minutes.
• The teams that day were:
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Spector, Ilunga, Da Costa, Parker, Kovac,
Collison (Faubert 78), Stanislas, Cole (Hines 45), Franco (Jimenez 59)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Tomkins, Noble, Nouble
Goals: Collison 18, Stanislas 33, Cole 43 pen, Franco 51, Jimenez 64 pen
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Jordan (Nugent 55), Carlisle, Bikey, Caldwell (sent
off 90), Eagles, Alexander (McDonald 70), Elliott, Blake (Kalvenes 55),
Fletcher
Subs not used: Thompson, Duff, Penny, Gudjonsson
Goals: Fletcher 68, 74, Eagles 90
Head to head
• Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
28 November 2009 West Ham United 5-3 Burnley
5 April 2005 Burnley 0-1 West Ham United (Championship)
28 August 2004 West Ham United 1-0 Burnley (Championship)
2 March 2004 Burnley 1-1 West Ham United (Championship)
18 October 2003 West Ham United 2-2 Burnley (Championship)
2 September 1980 West Ham United 4-0 Burnley (League Cup)
• Overall record v Burnley (all competitions) W30 D16 L29
Next up
• West Ham United welcome Birmingham City to the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday
evening, with Burnley heading to the capital on Tuesday night to take on
Fulham.
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Steve Bennett.
• Steve Bennett is 49 and has been a Premier League referee since 1999.
Bennett began refereeing in 1984 before graduating to the Football League in
1995. He was appointed as an official FIFA referee in 2001 before retiring
in 2006 at the compulsory age of 45.
• Bennett took charge of the 2005 League Cup final at the Millennium Stadium
between Chelsea and Liverpool and the 2007 FA Cup final between Chelsea and
Manchester United.
• This will be his second West Ham United game of the season. He took charge
of the 2-1 home win against Aston Villa on 4 November when Zavon Hines hit a
93rd-minute winner.
• He had the honour of officiating in Burnley's first-ever Barclays Premier
League match when they lost 2-0 at Stoke City on 15 August. He has not taken
charge of a Clarets game since.
West Ham United
• West Ham United will be hoping to continue the run of form that has seen
them lose just once in their last six games.
• The Hammers' minus-nine goal difference tells its own story when compared
to the teams around them in the league table.
• Zola's men have yet to lose away this year, albeit in just two matches
last month - the 0-0 stalemate at Aston Villa and the 1-1 draw at
Portsmouth.
• The Hammers have scored all seven of the penalties they have been awarded
this season, a Premier League high.
• West Ham have scored 29 goals this season in the league with eleven
different scorers on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (seven), with
Alessandro Diamanti (five) and Guille Franco and Matthew Upson (three) next
in line. Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas (two each), Manuel da Costa, Mark
Noble, the departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines and Radoslav Kovac have also
registered.
• Scott Parker has been cautioned seven times this season and Franco and
Noble five. Julien Faubert, Cole, Collison and Kovac are each on four yellow
cards, but will not be suspended if they receive a fifth as the FA
disciplinary deadline has passed.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 111 successive league starts.
• Cole is on a run of 14 goals in 25 league starts since Boxing Day 2008
when he scored the second goal in a 4-1 win at Portsmouth. He has not
started a game since the last Burnley match on 28 November, when he scored
from the penalty spot before being substituted at half-time.
• Alessandro Diamanti has the highest number of shots (56) and assists
(four) at the club.
• Mark Noble has put in more crosses than anyone else (23).
• Central defensive partners Matthew Upson and James Tomkins lead the way in
the defensive clearances and defensive blocks lists respectively. Upson has
made 29 clearances, while Tomkins has 21 blocks.
• West Ham United's record win over Burnley came on 26 August 1968, when a
Martin Peters goal and braces from Geoff Hurst and Trevor Brooking secured a
5-0 win that briefly sent the Hammers to the top of the table.
• The best performance at Turf Moor was a 5-3 success on 28 September 1974.
Burnley
• Stephen Fletcher is Burnley's top scorer this season with ten goals - six
of which have come in the Premier League. Most recently, he scored last
weekend in the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea. His 48 shots this season are the most
of any Clarets player.
• Former Hammers defender Tyrone Mears has the most assists (five) of any
Burnley player.
• Chris Eagles has crossed the ball 42 times.
• Clarke Carlisle has made 43 blocks and 17 tackles - more than any other
Burnley player this season.
• Burnley's record home win against West Ham at Turf Moor came with a 6-0
triumph on 3 March 1962 in the old Division One.
Team news
• Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan will all travel after all three new forwards
looked good in training at Chadwell Heath this week.
• Alessandro Diamanti (knee) and Fabio Daprela (ankle) are both doubtful
with minor knocks.
• Gianfranco Zola has had some good news on the injury-front, with Herita
Ilunga and Kieron Dyer pushing to play, along with Carlton Cole and Scott
Parker, who both came off the bench last Saturday against Blackburn Rovers.
• Cole has come off the bench in the last two games. West Ham's top scorer
had been sidelined with a knee injury picked up in the home game with
Burnley on 28 November.
• Danny Gabbidon (hamstring) and Guille Franco (thigh) are due to step up
their rehab work and it is hoped they will return to full training in the
next week.
• Luis Boa Morte (knee), Calum Davenport (leg) and Zavon Hines (knee) are
all long-term absentees. Boa Morte has been doing some light jogging around
the Chadwell Heath pitches - having not played since his cruciate ligament
injury in July.
• Burnley could give a debut to new signing Danny Fox, but the former Celtic
player is recovering from a groin strain. Scotland defender Steven Caldwell
is also a doubt with a similar injury.
• Defenders Stephen Jordan and Christian Kalvenes are both facing a race to
be fit after suffering hamstring injuries, while veteran Graham Alexander
has been nursing a calf strain.
• Midfielder Chris McCann will definitely miss Saturday's game with a medial
knee ligament injury.
Old boys
• Burnley defender Tyrone Mears played six games during a one-season stay at
the Boleyn Ground in 2006/07, before being sold to Derby County in July
2007.
• Other players to have represented both clubs include Ian Wright, David
Unsworth, Reg Atwell, Frank Birchenough, Herman Conway, Tommy Green, Walter
Pollard, Jack Tresadern and William Jenkinson.
General info
• For ticket information, click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for an overcast day with a top temperature
of 6C
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'It is mind blowing'
WHUFC.com
Benni McCarthy cannot wait to get started after making his deadline-day
switch to West Ham United
05.02.2010
Benni McCarthy has been with West Ham United for less than a week but he is
already feeling perfectly at home in east London. The South Africa striker
swapped the relatively quiet life of Blackburn Rovers for the hustle and
bustle of West Ham on transfer deadline day, joining the Hammers on a
two-and-a-half year contract. The 32-year-old has been working hard in
training, giving goalkeeper Robert Green a thorough workout at Chadwell
Heath, and may well make his debut against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
He is one of three new strikers, with Ilan and Mido, the club's new No9 and
No11 respectively, also added to Gianfranco Zola's squad. "It is very
exciting to be here," said McCarthy. "It is mind-blowing to be part of
everything that is happening at West Ham, and how this part of London is
evolving. "It will all be happening in and around this club and the new
owners have come in and put the club back on track to go places. I want to
be on this train, I want to be here now and grow with this club. I have come
in at the right time.
"Maybe for results so far, you would like to be somewhere different or where
we deserve to be, but all that is going to change. There are just too many
good things at this club. Relegation doesn't exist for me. We have got way
more in our squad to be at the wrong end of the table."
While McCarthy is excited about the prospect of leading West Ham's charge up
the Barclays Premier League table, the experienced forward is also looking
forward to making his home in the nation's capital. "It will be a different
experience. You can't compare Blackburn to London. It is a small town and
the surroundings are really nice and cosy and comfortable, but London is the
big city. It is one of the best cities in the world. It has got so many
great things that you can do if you have family and that. "You can do so
many tours and see so many fascinating things around London and learn about
all of the different cultures that live here. The football scene is
fantastic because we have got rivals in Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
Hotspur. There will be a lot of derby games and that is the kind of games I
want to play in. I look forward to playing for West Ham in big matches.
"Coming to London has been very appealing. There is a big South African
community in London, loads of South African shops. There is nothing of that
kind up north so I will be very settled."
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Holmar happy
WHUFC.com
Young defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson is enjoying life on loan at Belgian
side KSV Roeselare
05.02.2010
To say Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson's loan spell at Belgian club KSV Roeselare has
been a success would be something of an understatement. The West Ham United
loanee has made just four appearances since moving to Roeselare, but has
already helped the club to reach the Belgian Cup semi-finals and record a
vital victory over relegation rivals Lokeren.
The 19-year-old, already an established Iceland Under-21 international, has
been a revelation since his arrival at the Schiervelde stadium, earning rave
reviews for his commanding, composed performances at centre-back. A narrow
2-1 defeat by KV Mechelen was followed by a 3-2 loss to KV Kortrijk in the
first leg of the Belgian Cup quarter-finals. With Eyjolfsson an influential
figure, Roeselare would get back to winning ways with a 4-1 success at
Lokeren, lifting the club above their hosts and off the bottom of the table.
Then, last Wednesday evening, the youngster was part of the side that
defeated Kortrijk 1-0 to secure their passage to the semi-finals on away
goals. Now settled into his own apartment in the quiet Flemish town,
Eyjolfsson is enjoying life in the Low Countries. "Things have been going
really well for me," he said. "We lost the first two games I played, but we
were unlucky both times. Since then our results have been superb and we've
won twice and reached the cup semi-finals. "The win over Lokeren was very
important as we are both involved in a relegation battle."
A regular in Alex Dyer's reserve team at West Ham, Eyjolfsson is no stranger
to first-team football, having starred for HG Kopavogur in his homeland at
the tender age of 16.
At Roeselare, Eyjolfsson has settled in quickly to the demands of the
Belgian League, helped by the presence of Iceland U21 colleague and former
Everton midfielder Bjarni Vidarsson. "I have been hanging out a lot with
Bjarni and also Nikita Rukavytsya, who is from Australia. We've been
checking out the town, which is very quiet, and chilling out, so it's been
good," said Eyjolfsson. "The football is quite similar to the English game,
too. The standard is good and the forwards that I've come up against have
all been quick and powerful, so the move has worked out better than I could
ever have imagined, to be honest. "It's been a great experience for me to be
playing regular first-team football."
Aside from a two-legged cup semi-final against Cercle Brugge KSV, Eyjolfsson
has plenty more to look forward to before the league season reaches its
climax at the end of March. "We have some big league matches coming up," he
confirmed. "We are at home to Anderlecht on 28 February and are away at Club
Brugge, who are second, the week after. Both of them are going to be massive
games. "We need to keep doing well to stay away from the relegation zone.
The club has signed four new players, including myself and Nikita, and we're
doing well. "I'm happy here. I've got my apartment sorted out now and I've
settled in really quickly, so it's been great so far."
Roeselare, whose home league fixture with KRC Genk fell victim to snow on
Saturday, travel to Cercle Brugge for a cup semi-final dress rehearsal in
this weekend.
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Burnley v West Ham
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Venue: Turf Moor Date: Saturday, 6 February 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
Loan signing Jack Cork is set to make his Burnley debut but fellow new boy
Danny Fox will have a late fitness test on a groin problem. David Nugent is
back after a loan from Portsmouth was extended and Stephen Jordan is fit
after a hamstring injury.
West Ham could have a new-look attack following the transfer window signings
of Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan. Defender Herita Ilunga and midfielder
Kieron Dyer could both feature after recovering from hamstring injuries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Burnley
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Fox (groin), Jordan (hamstring), McCann (knee)
Injured: Alexander (calf), Caldwell (groin)
West Ham
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Ilunga & Dyer (both hamstring)
Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Davenport (leg), Franco & Gabbidon
(both hamstring)
MATCH PREVIEW
As the most out-of-form team in the Premier League, Burnley are discovering
the harsh realities of life in the top flight. This game is a six-pointer,
a big game for both football clubs. Earlier in the season, the Clarets could
rely on their form at Turf Moor but, having won five of their first six home
games, they have failed to win any of the subsequent five and now languish
in the relegation zone. Prince Charles, rumoured to be a Burnley fan, was
inspecting a community programme at Turf Moor on Friday and Brian Laws will
be looking for a royal command performance from his strikers on Saturday.
Burnley have scored just four goals in their last nine league games although
West Ham have scored just five, an odd state of affairs given there were
eight goals when the clubs met in November, with the Hammers winning 5-3.
West Ham also have the advantage in the league table but although they sit
four places higher than Burnley, they are just a point ahead and will find
themselves behind the Clarets if they lose on Saturday - and could even be
back in the relegation zone. The Hammers could give debuts to their new
transfer window signings, including Benni McCarthy, who will be guaranteed a
hot reception from the Turf Moor faithful given his days as a Blackburn
player.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Burnley last beat West Ham at home in 1978. Since then the Hammers have
won three and drawn one of their matches at Turf Moor (in all competitions).
• West Ham won 5-3 when the teams met at Upton Park in November but the most
number of goals between the sides came back in 1925 when Burnley won 5-4 at
Turf Moor.
Burnley
• Burnley are on their worst run of the season - they have lost their last
four Premier League games and have not won in 12.
• The Clarets won five of their first six home league games this season but
haven't won at Turf Moor in any of the last five (D4 L1). Their last league
win at home was on 31 October.
• Burnley have scored just two goals in their last six league games and have
not kept a clean sheet in their last 12.
• Burnley have hit the woodwork nine times this season, the joint-highest
total in the Premier League.
• Burnley's next four games are also against bottom half opposition and thus
potential relegation rivals - Portsmouth, Stoke, Wolves and Blackburn.
West Ham
• West Ham's only win in their last nine league games came against
bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth.
• The Hammers haven't won away from home since the opening day of the
season.
• West Ham have drawn their last three league games and have scored just
once in their last four.
• The Hammers have the best penalty record in this season's Premier League,
scoring seven out of seven.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Burnley
Fletcher: 10 goals (6 league); Alexander: 6 goals (5 league)
West Ham
Cole: 7 goals (7 league); Diamanti: 6 goals (5 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Steve Bennett
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Bob Pollock
Fourth official: Alan Wiley
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Burnley (L1-2 v Chelsea, h): Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Bikey, Cort, Kalvenes
(Edgar 35), Eagles, Elliott, McDonald (Paterson 60), Blake (Thompson 72), S
Fletcher. Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Nimani, Gudjonsson
West Ham (D0-0 v Blackburn, h): Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Kovac (Cole
58), Noble, Behrami (Parker 70), Faubert, Collison, Diamanti, Nouble (Sears
78). Subs not used: Ilunga, Da Costa, Stech, Stanislas
MOST RECENT MEETING
West Ham 5-3 Burnley (28 November 2009)
West Ham scorers: Collison 18, Stanislas 33, Cole (pen) 43, Franco 51,
Jimenez (pen) 64
Burnley scorers: Fletcher 68, 74, Eagles 90+5
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West Ham United reveal fundraising plan
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United are looking to raise between £20m and £40m from professional
investors in a bid to put the club's finances on a sounder footing. The
Hammers were taken over by ex-Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and
David Gold, in a deal that valued their 50% stake in the club at £105m. At
that time, in January, they said wealthy fans would be able to invest in the
east London club. But now Shore Capital and Corporate is to seek
professional backers. However, former Birmingham City chief executive Karren
Brady, who has joined West Ham as deputy chairman, said the investment
opportunity may be opened up to supporters at some stage. "Although this
fundraising is initially aimed at professional investors, I would love to be
able to bring in our loyal and fantastic fan base as investors further down
the line so that they can share in the club's great future, on and off the
pitch," she said. "This is an option which we have seriously under review."
At the time of the takeover, it was reported that the club had debts of
about £100m. Part of the terms of its purchase by Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold
included giving them first option to buy the remaining 50% of the club from
Icelandic bank Straumur, at a fixed price at any point in the four months
from the takeover date.
Zola tips Upson for World Cup
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers boss backs defender to earn place in summer squad
By Ben Collins Last updated: 5th February 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has tipped Matthew Upson to earn a place in
England's World Cup squad. The 30-year-old defender has been one of the most
consistent performers in the Premier League over recent years and the
Hammers had to fend off interest in the England international during the
transfer window. The presence of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand has restricted
Upson to 18 caps, but the former Arsenal and Birmingham man remains on the
fringes of the England side and started the last international against
Brazil in November. West Ham visit Burnley on Saturday and Zola believes
Upson's form for the Hammers until the end of the season could book him on
the plane to South Africa. "I think he has been playing very well," said the
Italian coach, who took charge in September 2008. "He didn't perform as well
as he could at the start but now he's one of the best players I've had. "His
mental strength is getting better and better. I know he has two very good
players in front of him [for England] - it depends on the condition of those
players. "He knows the World Cup comes through the performances he has with
West Ham."
Zola is set to field a new-look strikeforce at Turf Moor having signed
Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, Brazil international Ilan and Mido. The Egypt
international, 26, has arrived on loan from Middlesbrough and is determined
to prove himself in the Premier League after previous spells with Tottenham
and Wigan. "Ilan has trained only twice but he looks a very good player,"
said Zola. "He is sharp, a skilful player. "We know Benni, and Mido has been
a surprise, he's working very hard and he wants to prove himself. "He has
started with a perfect attitude which is very important. He knows that
everything he desires he will have to work hard for. "I have been very
pleased. He's had problems, but he is a player with great potential. With
his quality he should be playing for a big team. "If he wants to achieve it,
he has a chance because this team will pick itself. I never bother too much
about what the players earn, I judge them on the pitch."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton: why me?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th February 2010
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton has been speaking about the injury that ended his career
prematurely. Ashton, 26, confirmed his retirement from professional football
last December following months of speculation regarding his future. Although
he lost the battle to save a career that promised so much, Ashton remains
optimistic about his future - although openly admits that he is bittter
about the circumstances that led to him calling it a day. "There's always
going to be a little bitterness in terms of 'why did it have to be me?'," he
told SSN. "But at the same time I've just got to concentrate on the
positives of having a good career, enjoying what I acheived and thinking
about the future. "If I constantly go over how 'I might have done this' and
'I might have done that', 'I might have scored ten goals and been a hero'
... if you think like that you go insane. "I've kind of not even thought yet
that I've finished football and that I'm not going to be able to play again.
Football's all I've known since growing up as a little boy so it would be
nice to get back into the game in some capacity. "[I miss] the simplicity of
being able to play football, being able to shoot - I loved shooting. I miss
the simple things like that; pre-season when the grass is nice - just little
things like that. Generally I always enjoyed it, even if I was moaning! Now
I can look back and think that."
Ashton - whose pain has been eased somewhat by the fact that his wife is
expecting another child soon - also spoke about the time he realised his
career was over. "When I was getting back running I'd done all the hard work
after the op," he recalled. "I was jogging really slowly and then heard a
weird crunch. You kind of know then that to then go and play is not going to
happen. "There were times when I thought 'I just know that this isn't right'
and it's not going to get right - but I wanted to put on a brave face and
didn't want to show people that I think it's going to be the end."
The striker - who scored 19 goals for West Ham from 43 starts (plus 13 subs
appearances) - added that he had returned to the club to meet his former
team mates occasionally, whilst backing the recent takeover by David
Sullivan and David Gold. "I'm pleased, I wanted them to take over," he said.
"I think they'll bring some real stability to the club. It's been an
up-and-down few years since the FA Cup final with different owners and
managers. "I think they're in it for the long run which is what West Ham
need. They need some stability and an injection of money to get the club
back where it deserves. "I've gone into the club a couple of times to speak
to them. Most players, it's their worst nightmare and obviously they are
sympathetic. But it's been nice to see them and I obviously keep in contact,
so it's good."
Ashton has recently undergone the latest in a series of operations designed
to ease the pain felt in his ankle. It's going to be a long, hard slog - but
one he's ready to tackle.
"At the moment I've had my ankle fused so it won't move again," he
confirmed. "So that's going to help me in the long run to help me be able to
walk properly, exercise, play golf and things like that. That was the main
focus with this operation really, to relieve me of the pain and to let me
have a normal life - so I've got to be with the crutches for a little bit
longer. "I won't be able to run, play football or do any kind of dynamic
sport again but up until this operation I was really struggling to walk. I
was just desperate to have this op so I could walk properly, which you take
for granted. Every time I got off the sofa or got out of the car I was in
agony just trying to walk. "The surgeon said it would take me a year to get
used to how it feels and to build my muscles back up. But I've got time on
my hands to get it right. There's no point in me moping around and feeling
sorry for myself. "I've just got to think what a fantastic career I had and
that I was privileged to have had it - and just think about all the great
things that I could do from now on."
So any regrets? None, says Ashton. "Representing your country, you can't get
much higher than that," he added. "Even though I only played one game it'll
always stay with me, it was a great experience. "The FA Cup Final was just
fantastic and no one can ever take that away from me. Obviously scoring as
well, it was great. I'm still very proud of what I did."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On Goals on Sunday
Ashton joins Kammy and Ian
Last updated: 5th February 2010
SSN
GOALS ON SUNDAY
11am, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
It's Hammer time in the studio this Sunday morning! Don't worry, Chris
Kamara will not be donning his baggy pants and telling you You Can't Touch
This, but will instead be chewing the fat with two West Ham favourites. Dean
Ashton, who has of course retired, will be in the studio for two hours of
gossip, goals and more goals on the sofas.
It will be Ashton's first live television appearance since he was forced to
quit the game due to an ankle problem picked up on England duty. He will
talk about the injury itself, the rehabilitation process and the horrofic
moment when he knew he would never play again. Ashton will talk us through
the action from Turf Moor as we look back on all Saturday's games, including
the 213th Merseyside derby at Anfield, Manchester United's chance to return
to the top of the pile - briefly - against Portsmouth and Spurs and Villa's
clash which is crucial in the race for fourth place. There will also be a
look at the rest of Saturday's top-flight tussles and all the goals from the
SPL, while with Birmingham and Wolves, then Chelsea entertaining Arsenal in
a derby day double header, Jamie Redknapp will be setting the scene ahead of
a truly Super Sunday on Sky Sports.
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Burnley v West Ham preview
Nugent returns to boost Clarets ranks
By Nick Howes Last updated: 5th February 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
skysports.com's prediction: 1-1
SKY BET odds: Burnley 11/8, Draw 12/5, West Ham 2/1
One to Watch: David Nugent
Burnley will be looking to halt an alarming run of form when they host
relegation rivals West Ham on Saturday. The Clarets have yet to secure a
victory under new boss Brian Laws and extended their winless run to 12 games
when they were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea last weekend. Their home form in the
Premier League remains solid however, with 19 of their 20 points having been
earned at Turf Moor.
West Ham travel to Lancashire on the back of three straight draws, but will
be buoyed by a favourable run of results against Burnley which has seen them
win eight and draw two of their last 10 meetings.Manager Gianfranco Zola
will be hoping for a repeat of the last time the two sides met back in
November when the Hammers claimed a storming 5-3 triumph.
New signing Danny Fox faces a late fitness test to see if he will be able to
make his Burnley debut. The defender arrived from Celtic nursing a groin
strain but has trained with his new team-mates this week and could be fit
enough to feature. Fellow new recruit Jack Cork will also be hoping to make
his first appearance after joining on loan from Chelsea.
David Nugent is available again after missing out against Chelsea, while
Kevin McDonald and Christian Kalvenes should also be fit despite coming off
with knocks last weekend.
Chris McCann (knee) and Stephen Jordan (hamstring) are also pushing to be in
contention but Steven Caldwell (groin) and Graham Alexander (calf) remain on
the sidelines.
Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan are all available to make their West Ham bows
after completing their moves on transfer deadline day. Herita Ilunga and
Kieron Dyer have shrugged off their respective injury problems and will both
be in the matchday squad, and they will be vying with the likes of Carlton
Cole and Scott Parker for a place in the starting XI. The fixture comes a
week too early for Danny Gabbidon (hamstring) and Guille Franco (thigh)
while Luis Boa Morte, Zavon Hines (both knee) and Calum Davenport (leg)
remain long-term absentees.
Possible starting XIs
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Bikey, Cort, Kalvenes, Eagles, Elliott,
Cork, Nugent, Fletcher.
West Ham: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Noble, Behrami, Faubert, Parker,
Collison, McCarthy, Ilan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean looking forward
West Ham striker opens his heart to Sky Sports News
Last updated: 5th February 2010
SSN
Dean Ashton says he is not bitter despite seeing his career cruelly cut
short by injury. In his first television interview since retiring the former
West Ham talked frankly with Sky Sports News' Peter Staunton about the
injury, the operations and the moment he knew he'd never play again. Ashton
picked up an ankle injury training with England and although his
rehabilitation was almost complete, an innocuous jog put paid to any chance
he had of continuing a promising career. There has been talk of legal action
against Shaun Wright-Phillips, who made the tackle, but rather than look
back with any regret or resentment, the 26-year old says he is only
concerned to the future. There's no point in me moping around and feeling
sorry for myself, worrying what might have been and how good I could've
been," he said. "I've just got to think 'what a fantastic career I've had
and how privileged I was to have it. I've just got to look ahead to all the
great things I can possibly do."
Ashton - No regrets
Former England striker no bitter over retirement
Last updated: 5th February 2010
SSN
Dean Ashton has told Sky Sports News he has no regrets about his career
which was cut short earlier this season. The 26-year-old was forced to hang
up his boots after failing to overcome an ankle injury. Ashton broke his
ankle in 2006 whilst training with England and, although he played again
after the injury, he never fully recovered. He finally called time on his
career, which saw him play just under 250 league games for Crewe, Norwich
and West Ham, in December last year. But Ashton, who gained one England cap,
is refusing to let his forced retirement get him down. "There is no point in
me moping around and feeling sorry for myself, thinking how good I could
have been," Ashton told Sky Sports News. "I just have to think what a
fantastic career I did have and how privileged I was and all the things I
could do from now on." Ashton admits he knew soon after his injury first
occurred that his career was under threat. "I did all the hard work after
the operation and I was just jogging when I heard a crunch and I kind of
knew playing was not going to happen," he said. "If I constantly go over,
what I might have done - if you think like that you could go insane."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola: New strike force can fire West Ham to safety
Published 23:00 05/02/10 By Nick Ive
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola is hoping West Ham's new heavyweight strike force can lead
the club to safety after the boss beefed up his attack. The Hammers have
suffered with massive problems up front this season, but Zola was given the
funds to bring in front men Benni McCarthy, Mido and Araujo Ilan meaning he
has SEVEN strikers to choose from. Carlton Cole looks set to get his first
start in more than two months alongside McCarthy at Burnley today, while
Mido will be named in the squad. McCarthy has been branded fat and lazy
recently while Mido, who is earning just 1,000 per week, has battled weight
problems all his career. But Zola believes they have the ability to fire the
Hammers up the table.
"Mido doesn't look fat or over-weight," said the Italian. "He's not played
many games so he's not at his best, but he can only get to that point by
playing games. "What has impressed me in the first few days of training
sessions is his touch under pressure. "He's not afraid of physical contact
and he doesn't lose the ball easily, and so that's a very good thing for
us." Now Zola has so many attacking options he warned: "Nobody will get
anything here unless they deserve it. "There are six or seven, but the best
two will play, but it is very important players understand football is
competitive and you have to produce. I hope they enjoy the challenge as much
as I do." Zola was also full of praise for defender Julian Faubert, who
played in the goalless draw with Blackburn despite finding out his mother
had just passed away. "He played two days after his mum died. That shows the
commitment that the players have to the club. It was down to him to play as
you cant force anyone to play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole to make first West Ham start in two months
Published 17:13 05/02/10 By Nick Ive
The Mirror
Carlton Cole will make his first start in more than two months when West Ham
travel to Burnley tomorrow. Ironically the England striker's last start came
against the Clarets in the Hammers thrilling 5-3 victory at Upton Park on
November 28 last year. Cole suffered a knee injury in that game, but
returned to action last month and has made two substitute appearances. While
West Ham have tightened up at the back, they have struggled for goals.
Gianfranco Zola's men have conceded just one goal in their last three games,
but have only scored two goals in five matches. The Hammers remain out of
the drop zone on goal difference and Zola knows how important three points
is against the struggling Clarets. The boss said: "The Burnley game is
massive, a game against a team in more or less in the same situation so it
will be vital not to give them anything and psychologically it could prove a
boost. "If we want to produce a good result we need to perform. It is
against a team who are in a similar position to us so it is vital not to
give them anything. "Psychologically it would be good to get a result
against them. It is a massive. I would take 5-3 win again or a 1-0."
Zola has been boosted by the signings of Benni McCarthy, Mido and Araujo
Ilan in the January transfer window and "Ilan has trained only twice but he
looks a very good player," said Zola. " Mido and Benni – we know Benni he is
a goalscorer and looking forward to seeing him scoring. "Mido is a surprise.
He is working very hard and wants to improve himself. He has started with a
brilliant attitude. He knows his standing and everything he is going to
achieve at this club he has. "He has had problems off the pitch, but he is
player who has great potential and he wants to prove himself and get better
and better. If he does well he will be in the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers announce fundraising plan
Published 13:01 05/02/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham have announced plans to raise £20-40million from professional
investors in a bid to solve the club's financial problems. The Hammers were
bought by former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold last month
with reported debts of around £100million. West Ham have approached Shore
Capital and Corporate to conduct the fundraising, which is initially aimed
at professional investors but may be opened up to fans at a later date.
Deputy chairman Karren Brady said: "Although this fundraising is initially
aimed at professional investors, I would love to be able to bring in our
loyal and fantastic fan base as investors further down the line so that they
can share in the club's great future, on and off the pitch. This is an
option which we have seriously under review."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham decision to withhold Davenport wages could be illegal - exclusive
Published 10:00 05/02/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Debt-ridden West Ham have been told their decision to withhold Calum
Davenport's wages may be illegal. The Hammers have ceased paying Davenport
£20,000-a-week at Upton Park as the star has been charged with assaulting
his sister. Davenport has had to go to court to defend the allegations after
he was stabbed in a violent family bust-up last August. But West Ham, whose
debts are £110million, have got tough with Davenport following David
Sullivan and David Gold's takeover last month. Davenport,27, received a
communication from the Hammers' HR department alleging that he may have been
in breach of his contract. And the club have no intention of giving him his
backdated pay unless he is found not guilty. But the defender, who has taken
legal advice and brought in the PFA, has told his solicitor to fight his
case. Now the PFA have written to West Ham contesting the decision to
withhold Davenport's wages. And the Premier League have also sent a letter
to the Hammers asking for an explanation. They are waiting for a reply from
the Hammers' hierarchy but the PFA believe West Ham may have behaved
illegally. West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan has told MirrorFootball
the club intend to stand by firm however. But the PFA believe West Ham's
actions could set a worrying precedent for future players involved in
scrapes with the law. If the Hammers are forced to back-down it would be a
huge blow to their drastic cost-cutting programme. They are trying to
persuade injury-jinxed midfielder Kieron Dyer, who earns £60,000-a-week, to
take retirement. MirrorFootball has also revealed the new regime's cuts
include stopping club mobile phones and credit cards, axing ambassadors and
saving on heating and lighting bills.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola faces strikers conundrum as West Ham face must win trip to
Burnley
Gianfranco Zola, after struggling for most of the season to find a
recognised striker, faces a dilemma ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnley.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 2:37PM GMT 05 Feb 2010
Benni McCarthy could make his West Ham debut at Burnley. Carlton Cole is fit
and Mido and Benni McCarthy, both signed on Monday, are competing for a
starting berth. "We know Benni and Mido has been a surprise, he's working
very hard and he wants to prove himself, he has started with a perfect
attitude which is very important. He knows that everything he desires he
will have to work hard for," said Zola. Unhappy West Ham return for
Manchester's City boy Craig Bellamy"We want to score more goals but at the
same time I want to keep a balance. I would like be a bit more prolific in
front of goal and since Chelsea we have been very difficult to score
against." Zola also praised Matthew Upson, who was expected to be sold in
January but remained following the takeover by David Gold and David
Sullivan. "I think he's been playing very well," added Zola." He didn't
perform as well as he could at the start but now he's one of the best
players I've had. His mental strength is getting better and better. I known
he has two very good players in front of him, it depends on the condition of
the player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham bid to raise £40million
05.02.10
Evening Standard
West Ham have launched their bid to try and attract up to £40million of
investment. When David Sullivan and David Gold took control of the club last
month they said they hoped to get other investors on board in a bid to cut
the Hammers' debt of £110m. The club have now appointed Shore Capital and
Corporate to conduct the fundraising, which they hope will bring in between
£20m and £40m. West Ham deputy chairman Karren Brady said: "Although this
fundraising is initially aimed at professional investors, I would love to be
able to bring in our loyal and fantastic fan base as investors further down
the line." West Ham were busy in the transfer window and new signing Benni
McCarthy is set to partner Carlton Cole in attack at Burnley tomorrow with
Brazilian Ilan substitutes' bench.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Burnley v West Ham United
Updated: February 5, 2010, 4:59 PM UK
New signing Danny Fox faces a late fitness test to see if he will be able to
make his Burnley debut against West Ham. Fox arrived at Turf Moor still
nursing a groin strain he sustained at his previous club Celtic but the
defender trained with his new team-mates this week and could feature. Fellow
new recruit Jack Cork will also be hoping to make his first appearance after
joining on loan from Chelsea. David Nugent is available again after missing
the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea while negotiations were being finalised about
extending his loan deal from Portsmouth. Kevin McDonald and Christian
Kalvenes should be fit despite coming off with knocks during the Chelsea
match while Chris McCann is back in training after his knee injury and
Stephen Jordan is also pushing to be in contention having spent a fortnight
out with a hamstring strain. Steven Caldwell (groin) and Graham Alexander
(calf) are still sidelined. Burnley boss Brian Laws accepts his six January
signings have something to prove. Laws has brought in Leon Cort, Fox,
Frederic Nimani, Nicky Weaver and Cork and has extended Nugent's loan as he
attempts to haul the club to safety. He said: "It's a massive motivational
factor and I like the fact people have got something to prove because I know
I'm going to get everything out of them. "They are coming here for the right
reasons rather than the wrong reasons, so they were prime targets for me.''
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola faces a selection headache. Zola has gone
from having limited attacking options to a choice of six strikers following
the club's transfer dealings in the January window. The Hammers signed
forwards Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan prior to Monday's transfer deadline.
Mido and McCarthy are expected to feature but Danny Gabbidon, Guillermo
Franco and Kieron Dyer (all hamstring) are ruled out. Ahead of the game,
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has tipped defender Matthew Upson to make
Fabio Capello's England squad for this summer's World Cup finals. The
Hammers fended off interest in the 30-year-old during the transfer window
from a number of rivals in the Barclays Premier League. Zola and the club's
new owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, see retaining the likes of Upson
and goalkeeper Robert Green as a major coup for the club. And the Italian,
believes Upson can secure his place on the plane to South Africa with some
excellent performances for West Ham. Zola said: "I think he has been playing
very well. He didn't perform as well as he could at the start but now he's
one of the best players I've had. "His mental strength is getting better and
better. I know he has two very good players in front of him [in the England
team], it depends on the condition of those players. "He knows the World Cup
comes through the performances he has with West Ham.''
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker claims mood is high ahead of Burnley clash
6:21pm Friday 5th February 2010
Guardian Series
SCOTT PARKER claims the mood in the West Ham camp is buoyant following the
takeover of David Sullivan and David Gold last month. The pair bought a
controlling 50 per cent stake in the club and moved quickly to bring in
three new players in the January transfer window in Benni McCarthy, Mido and
Brazilian Ilan Araujo. Parker admitted the team was pleased to have seen the
situation resolved, with a few wins to distance themselves from the
relegation zone the next goal. "It (the takeover) can only be good for the
team," said Parker. "The negativity surrounding the club the last few months
has never helped. As a player you are always the last to know, but you read
what you read and it isn't good. But things have settled down and it seems
more stable now, so I'm sure we can push on. "We just need to win some games
now. We're in a relegation fight and we need to win games."
The midfielder also revealed manager Gianfranco Zola has encouraged the
middle men to start contributing in the goals column. "I think we all need
to chip in. We need to chip in, midfielders, forwards, everyone. We need to
turn the draws into wins. We've had a lot of draws. We're unbeaten in six in
the league now and we are doing well and we have got a little bit of solid
about us. But we really need to turn those one points into three."
The Hammers will be hoping for three vital points when they make the trip to
Burnley on Saturday for what is a crunch clash at the foot of the table. He
added: "We've got some massive games coming up with teams around us and they
are winnable games. We really need to go out and get three points in them."
Parker made his first appearance for several weeks in the goalless draw with
Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park last week, and he admitted he was glad to be
back. "Yeah, it was okay. I wasn't quite right to start and I've been out
for a little bit now so I was pleased to be involved and try to help the
team. It was a shame we couldn't get the three points but we have to take
the positives. It was another clean sheet and we got a draw so it's
pleasing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole is looking over his shoulder at Nouble
8:40am Thursday 4th February 2010
Guardian Series
WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole insists his place in the team could soon come
under threat from emerging talent Frank Nouble. The 18-year-old former
Chelsea academy player has filled Cole's boots in recent weeks, as the
Hammers' top scorer recovered from a knee injury that had kept him out of
action since November before he made his return against Blackburn Rovers on
Saturday. Nouble has played the lone striker role admirably, causing
problems for defenders with his size in a way not dissimilar from Cole. The
youngster has invested in the help of his team-mate as he seeks to develop
his game, but he is likely to take a back seat now, as the club brought in
three new strikers on transfer deadline day. Benni McCarthy arrived from
Blackburn, Egyptian forward Mido has come in on loan until the end of the
season from Middlesbrough and Brazilian Ilan Araujo has been snapped up on a
free transfer after he was released by French club Saint Eitenne last month.
But perhaps the biggest boost for manager Gianfranco Zola will be the sight
of Cole ready and raring to go. "It's coming on really well," Cole said of
his injury after the goalless draw with Rovers at Upton Park, in which he
made a cameo appearance. "I'm trying to get my explosivity back, my
sharpness, my match sharpness. It's always a long hard road back but I'm
getting there."
The 27-year-old has been impressed by the work of his understudy in his
absence however, and he remains confident that Nouble can carve out a
successful career for himself at West Ham. "Yeah (I've been helping him).
It's hard to play the pivotal man up front," added Cole. "He's only 18 but
people forget that because he's built like a bulldozer. He's still learning
about the game, learning about his body and how to use it and he's doing a
really good job. "He's learning in every game he plays and he's doing really
well, looking sharp in training. He's impressing and I've been impressed
with everything he does. "He's always picking my brains to see what he can
do. We've started to watch DVDs together to learn what other players do.
He's in the same boat as me, trying to learn to be a better player."
Asked if he felt threatened by Nouble's emergence, Cole said: "Yeah. He's
doing a really good job. But I felt he needed a partner (against Blackburn)
up there and when went 4-4-2 we started to get a bit more joy in front of
goal and started to create and cause them a few more problems. "When you are
up front alone and do the job he was asked to do it's really hard for him.
He was a bit relieved, he told me, that I came on and helped him get in more
attacking positions. Next up is a critical encounter against Burnley, who
have slipped down the table and now occupy one of the relegation places. The
Clarets are sure to pose a threat at their Turf Moor home, which they have
transformed into something of a fortress this season, having beaten
Manchester United earlier on in the campaign, while they recently held
Arsenal to a draw. Cole admits he has geared himself up for the clash, as it
was during the return fixture at Upton Park in November that the striker
injured his knee in a challenge with keeper Brian Jensen. West Ham won the
game 5-3 and Cole was on the scoresheet. "I've got unfinished business with
them because I got injured playing against them last time. Hopefully I can
stay away from injury and try and notch another goal against them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCarthy partnership excites hotshot Cole
8:10am Thursday 4th February 2010
Guardian Series
By Ross Davies »
CARLTON COLE admits he 'cannot wait' to start building his partnership with
Benni McCarthy after the South African became the first of three signings
for West Ham on transfer deadline day. When David Sullivan and David Gold
walked in to Upton Park after their takeover of the club was announced last
week, one of the pair's first goals was to bolster an attacking department
that was being propped up by willing youngsters. And they have delivered
with interest, with former Tottenham Hotspur forward Mido joining from
Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season. Joining him was Brazilian
hitman Ilan, who arrived on a free transfer on a six-month contract, after
being released by French club Saint-Etienne last month. They also have a
proven goalscorer among their ranks in McCarthy, who signed from Blackburn
Rovers on a two-and-a-half year deal for a fee thought to be around
£2.5million. The 32-year-old's arrival has coincided with the return to
fitness of leading scorer Cole, who made his second cameo appearance in a
week in the goalless draw against Rovers at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
The Hammers frontman revealed he is looking forward to working with
McCarthy, who arrives with an impressive goalscoring pedigree, having netted
over 50 times for Blackburn since arriving from Porto in 2006. "I'm very
happy he's joined us," said Cole. "It can only be a good thing for the club.
He's a quality player, very experienced as well. For me I can learn off him
and pick his brains on how he does things. I can't wait to start training
with him properly."
McCarthy had trained with the team as early as last Friday, but the move was
not confirmed until Monday, once the fine print had been ironed out. Another
new team-mate has already been impressed by what he has seen at the club's
Chadwell Heath training ground. Jack Collison admitted he was also excited
by the quality that McCarthy can bring to the table, ahead of a fierce
relegation battle and a vital clash against another one of the drop-zone
candidates, Burnley, at Turf Moor this week. "He looks a good signing and I
think he's going to be a real positive for us," said the midfielder. "You
know what you're going to get with him. He's a larger than life character.
But he's also a very talented footballer and that's what we need. Hopefully
he's going to score some goals for us and if he plays like he trained the
other day I don't think it'll be a problem."
The end of the transfer window brought more positive news, as manager
Gianfranco Zola got his wish by keeping his whole squad in tact; a fact that
seemed less certain just two weeks ago, when talk of a buyer for the club
was nothing more than rumour. Midfielder Scott Parker, who also continued
his rehabilitation from injury with a brief outing at the weekend,
reiterated what it meant to the players when the speculation stopped and the
new owners were announced. "It can only be good for the team," he said of
the takeover. "The negativity surrounding the club the last few months has
never helped. As a player you are always the last to know, but you read what
you read and obviously it does put a little bit of doubt in your head.
"Thankfully it's all been dealt with now and we have two owners come in who
are not only massive fans but they want to take the club forward and that's
pleasing."
Cole added: "It's been more of knowing we don't have to sell any players, so
it's more of a stability thing. We've still got the same job to do."
McCarthy must share that burden too. His partnership with Cole could yet
hold the key to West Ham's survival chances this season.
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ZOLA CHALLENGES MIDO TO PROVE HIMSELF
Daily Star
GIANFRANCO Zola has challenged West Ham new boy Mido to earn himself a pay
rise. The Egypt striker arrived at Upton Park on loan from Middlesbrough on
a credit-crunching £1,000-a-week deal. The 26-year-old took a hefty pay cut
to try to show he is good enough to play in the top flight. And Zola, whose
side visit Burnley today, hopes the gamble pays off for the former Tottenham
forward, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Egyptian club El
Zamalek. "It tells you the boy is putting himself on the line," said Zola.
I never bother too much about what the players earn. I judge them on the
pitch." "What they earn is a consequence of a good performance on the pitch.
Hopefully next year he is going to earn £20,000 a week, which shows he has
done a good job." "Mido has to prove himself. He is somebody who is not
starting with any favours by coming here. I'm sure he will be showing the
right attitude if he wants to get something." "Nobody will get anything here
unless they deserve it, so it is down to him. I truly believe that what you
earn is what you produce. If he produces a lot for us, there is every chance
that he will be earning more next season." Fellow new signing Benni
McCarthy is also expected to make his Hammers debut today against their
relegation rivals. Meanwhile, Burnley striker David Nugent intends doing
everything he can to avoid becoming the answer to a tricky pub quiz
question. He doesn't want to be the subject of this teaser: Which
footballer was relegated with two different clubs in the SAME season?
That's the grim prospect facing on-loan Nugent, who is still on the books of
troubled Portsmouth. Nugent said: "I know Portsmouth are really in it now.
They are six points adrift with some really tough games coming up. I have to
make sure here at Burnley that we are fine." "We have two games coming up
against West Ham and Fulham and we need four points at least . It has been a
long time since we won a game. We started the season well, but the results
are starting to catch up with us now ."
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MIDO IS READY TO LOSE THE POUNDS
Daily Express
Saturday February 6,2010
By Nigel Clarke
MIDO could start for West Ham today as he seeks to upgrade the "plumber's
wages" he is on at Upton Park. Egyptian striker Mido, who is standing by to
replace Carlton Cole at Burnley, is on just £1,000 a week – the lowest in
the Premier League. ut that's the deal he signed in one last bid to make
himself a star in this country after failing to make it at Tottenham and
Middlesbrough. Mido, 27, has been called lazy and overweight, and it is
alleged that at White Hart Lane he was fined if his weight went over a
certain mark.
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola, who has doubts about Cole's fitness, said:
"Mido's wages tell you a lot. He's putting himself on the line. He has a
point to prove and it shows you how keen he is to succeed with us." Zola has
seven strikers he can choose from now and believes Mido can produce the
cutting edge that will bring the Hammers their second win in nine games. He
said: "Mido is a talent and he doesn't look fat or overweight to me. He has
already shown a good attitude on the training ground and if he wants to get
a new contract, he has to earn it. "But what he gets he has to earn, it is
down to him – he has to produce for us. I believe he will make the team
richer. It is up to him now." West Ham will also give a start in attack to
Benni McCarthy. Zola added: "This is a massive match for us in the
situation we are in, and will be a psychological boost if we get three
points. "But our attitude is good. Last week Julian Faubert played in our
draw with Blackburn two days after his mother's death. "I told him I didn't
expect him to turn out for us, but he insisted and I thought he was
brilliant. It shows how much we are together."
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