WHUFC.com
World Cup-watching will be high on the agenda for Jack Collison as he works
hard on his rehab
13.06.2010
Jack Collison will be an interested observer when the Netherlands take on
Denmark on Monday lunchtime - having fond memories of a personal duel with
Wesley Sneijder.
The Wales midfielder went up against the Internazionale star when the
imperious Dutch beat Wales in a friendly encounter a couple of years ago and
has continued to watch his progress. "Wesley Sneijder is outstanding. I came
up against him in my first game for Wales, he is a top-class player. The
Dutch team will do well."
Cambridge-born Collison said he would also be willing England to go all the
way. "I have been really looking forward to the World Cup - it is a
fantastic tournament. It is great to see some of the lads out there. "I will
be following and supporting England and hoping they do well, so it is good
to have Matty and Greeny out there. England have a really good chance. Then
there is Specs and Valon [Behrami] out there with their teams, so hopefully
they will have a good tournament. "There are lots of players to look out
for, ones you know but also players that many people don't get to see on a
regular basis and will be able to enjoy watching them play."
Collison said his World Cup viewing will help take his mind off his
painstaking bid to recover from a knee operation. He cannot wait to show new
manager Avram Grant what he is capable of, although it will be a good few
months before he is out on the traiing pitch. "Obviously when I come back, I
am looking to impress our new manager. Football moves on and you go on - we
have a new manager. I am looking forward as I am sure all the lads are, in
getting to play for the new manager and impressing on him what we can do.
"We all start from a clean slate - I am looking forward to working with him.
He has worked with some top players at Chelsea and at Portsmouth, so it is a
new time starting at the club and I definitely want to be part of it."
Collison is also relishing one day running out in front of the fans again,
with memories still lingering of the reception he got when facing Millwall
last August just after his father passed away. "The fans were magnificent
all season to all the team - for me as well, personally, they were
fantastic. Obviously I had a difficult time off the field as well and the
response I got from our fans for that was just brilliant. "As I said at the
time it all happened, the match against Millwall, and the reaction from the
crowd to me, was something I will never ever forget and again. I want to
repay them for that by playing my best for West Ham and helping us getting
good results. "Although I managed to get a few goals last season and play
some part, in the end the injury prevented me from playing towards the end
of the season. It was frustrating for everybody. "It is going to be a long
summer what with recovering from the injury and I will be working hard, but
it is good to have the World Cup to watch in between my sessions! The
weather hopefully will also be nice and that always makes you feel better. I
am looking forward now to getting back to fitness and being able to play my
part for the team in what will hopefully be a bigger and better season for
us."
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Renew your season ticket
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant's appointment has fuelled the excitement ahead of the new
2010/11 season
12.06.2010
Time is running out for season ticket holders to make sure of their seat for
the 2010/11 campaign - which has moved into sharper focus after the
appointment of Avram Grant.
Fans have until 30 June 2010 to renew and make sure of receiving the price
freeze from last season - save for the addition of the Government's VAT
rise. The new manager's arrival has brought fresh optimism to the Boleyn
Ground, with new signings also on their way over the coming weeks to boost
the talent already within the squad. A special online site has been created
with all the information for anyone wanting to renew or indeed apply. CLICK
HERE (http://www.foreverwesthamutd.co.uk/sth/ )for all the latest
information, including application forms and finance offers OR CALL 0871 222
2700. New applicants can also benefit from the price freeze offered to
season-ticket holders if their application is with the club by 30 June 2010.
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(Still) England's number one
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
For those with short memories, here's a brief reminder why West Ham United's
Rob Green remains the best goalkeeper in England.
(http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=124788 )
Green was pilloried in this morning's press - gaining such imaginitive
headlines as 'Hand of Clod' (so clever that two tabloids used it) - after
his err allowed the US to equalise and ultimately earn a point (thanks to
England's profligacy in front of goal) in last night's World Cup clash in
Rustenburg. However West Ham fans, who have seen Green fail to miss a single
league fixture in over three seasons, know better - and this little
compilation of some of the West Ham number one's finest moments should serve
as a timely reminder to all those calling for him to be dropped.
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Green on blunder
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has dismissed the error that cost England a goal against the
United States last night as a 'one-off'. The United goalkeeper ensured he
would be the target of every two-bit hack this morning after allowing Clint
Dempsey's weak effort to slip out of his hands and over the goal line in
last night's 1-1 draw in Rustenburg. However the West Ham number one - who
received the backing of fellow players and manager Fabio Capello after the
game - insists that it is not something he will dwell on. "It's done, it
happened," he said. "It's not something you can allow to affect yourself.
"In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine. It's about being
steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that's life as a
goalkeeper. I've been in this situation before and it's about holding your
head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to
come. That's life."
Frank Lampard - one of many England players who were way below par on the
night - added: "It was unfortunate. These balls are moving about. We were
disappointed for Greeny because we are a team and we win, lose and draw as a
team. "It is unfortunate for keepers, They are the last line and, when they
make a bit of a boob, it gets picked out. But no-one will be pointing the
finger. He made a good save in the second half as well. "I think he has got
the character to bounce back. You are playing in the World Cup so you have
to have character because it doesn't always go your way. Greeny will have
that. I hope so. He is a very good professional. He will work hard and keep
going."
Meanwhile manager Fabio Capello was in philosophical mood, simply saying:
"Sometimes a forward misses a goal and sometimes the keeper makes a mistake,
this is football. The second half he played very well."
* A SkySports poll asking whether Green should retain the goalkeeper's
jersey for England's next game against Algeria is currently 50/50.
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Green's apology to the nation
The Sun
From MARK IRWIN in Rustenburg
Published: Today
ROBERT GREEN apologised to the nation yesterday for the blunder which cost
England a vital win in their World Cup opener. The brave keeper immediately
accepted the blame for his howler and has said sorry not just to his
team-mates but the whole country. Green spilled Clint Dempsey's tame shot to
gift the USA an equaliser five minutes before the break. Yesterday he said:
"I walked in at half-time and said sorry to the chaps - and now I apologise
to the millions of people back home." Green could have put his head down and
made the long walk through the media mixed zone without saying a word on
Saturday night. After all, plenty of his team-mates blanked the world's
Press and refused to comment on the dismal 1-1 draw with the USA. But
instead he came straight out and apologised to the nation for an error which
will haunt him for the rest of his life. And even if Dempsey's 40th-minute
goal proves to be the end of Green's international career, at least he will
bow out with a lot of dignity and a touch of class. The handful of England
colleagues who did stop to talk all gave their complete support to the West
Ham keeper. But it was the concerns of the USA players which underlined the
esteem in which Green is held by his fellow professionals. Landon Donovan
summed up the mood in the American dressing room when he said: "We are all
absolutely delighted with the result - but I hope you take it easy on Rob
Green. "I can't even begin to imagine how he's feeling right now. Even in
our dressing room we were all saying it's too bad when something like that
happens to a player. You know he's going to get hammered and you can't help
but feel sorry for him."
Rival keeper Tim Howard added: "I've got mixed emotions about this result
because of what has happened to Rob. "There's nothing I can say or do to
make him feel better. But you have to have broad shoulders at this level and
I am sure he will bounce back. "Coming into this tournament I knew there
were going to be some crazy goals because of the new ball and I didn't want
to be a part of any of them."
Green, though, refused to look for any excuses and made it clear that the
controversial adidas Jabulani ball had nothing to do with his blunder. He
confessed: "I'm not blaming the ball - I should have stopped it, there's no
two ways about it. "It's a shot from a long way out and I don't know how
I've let it in. I save shots like that time and again in training. "It's a
genuine, horrible mistake and now I have to deal with it. "There's nothing
you can do after a goal like that other than say 'OK, we've got 50 minutes
left and don't let it happen again'. "People didn't need to say much to me
after the game because I made a mistake and that's life. It's easy to be
confident when things are good and you're playing well. It's when times are
tough that you have to be mentally strong. "Against the US I had 50 minutes
when I had to stand up and be a man. I did that. "I was pleased with the
save I made from Jozy Altidore in the second half. "I could have played out
the rest of the game with my head still in the clouds, but I am 30 and I've
learned how to deal with these things."
Green insisted that Fabio Capello's policy of only announcing his line-up on
the way to the game had no effect on his pre-match preparations. Fellow
keeper David James explained: "The manager always tells us his team five
minutes before we get on the bus. "It was no different to any other game.
That's the way he does it. We've all had three weeks to prepare for the
game. "Of course I feel for Rob. Everyone makes mistakes but keepers always
get the blame. "We've got out of the game with a draw and we're still in a
good position to qualify. So it's still onwards and upwards."
England skipper Steven Gerrard added: "It's very difficult to take their
goal right now but as captain it's important to make sure everyone rallies
around and supports Rob. He's a strong character, I know he can overcome
this."
And John Terry insisted Green has already begun to overcome his demons by
saving England from a humiliating defeat in Rustenburg. The Chelsea skipper
said: "Greenie was mortified at half-time and we told him that the only way
he could repay us was to make important saves in the second half. That's
exactly what he did. "All the lads are right behind him and now we have to
move on and make sure we get out of the group."
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England v USA: Robert Green backed by American John Spector after horror
goal
USA defender and Robert Green's West Ham United team-mate John Spector is
backing the England goalkeeper after his mistake gifted America their goal
in the 1-1 draw.
Telegraph
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 9:10AM BST 13 Jun 2010
Robert Green's error prove costly for England but he has received support
from USA defender and his West Ham United team-mate, John Spector. Spector,
who was one of the unused substitutes for the USA has played alongside Green
in the West Ham defence since both men joined the club within weeks of each
other in 2006. "I had mixed feelings. Obviously I felt ecstatic when the
goal went in to take us back to 1-1, but devasted for him on a personal
note," said Spector. England's faltering starts "He is a friend of mine and
a fantastsic goalkeeper and that is why he is in the England squad. He
doesn't make many mistakes like that so my heart went out to him tonight. "I
really felt for him. I did see him to speak to him and felt so much for
him." Green said he would bounce back immediately and not dwell on the
error. "I saw the ball coming, thought I had it covered, but missed it,"
Green told reporters. The West Ham goalkeeper found It tough describing the
moment of horror when he allowed Clint Dempsey's 40th minute drive to slip
from his grasp and bounce into the net when he appeared to have it under
control. "I saw it all the way, it was my mistake, no one else's but what
can I do?" he said. "If I was younger it really might affect me very badly,
but all you can do is turn round and pick the ball out of the back of the
net and get on with it. "You don't want to make another mistake like that in
the next match - if I am selected. I don't often get things as wrong as
that. "You have to keep strong and move on. It was my mistake I must live
with it."
England defender John Terry said that all his team mates consoled Green, as
did manager Fabio Capello. "I told him not to sit there dwelling on it, not
to beat himself up over it. We all make mistakes," added Terry.
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Robert Green: 'a muff likely to make him the most hated man in England'
English papers go wild at Green blunder! American papers print three-line
summary under small photo!
Simon Burnton guardian.co.uk, Sunday 13 June 2010 12.02 BST
The football makes the front page of the New York Times (but only little,
and right down in the bottom corner), with a two-line story headlined
"goalkeeper fumbles ball, giving US a tie". "The resilient Americans played
sturdy defense with a suddenly cohesive back line that left Wayne Rooney
frustrated and inconsequential," they laugh.
It's also on the front page of the LA Times. Another three lines, headlined:
"A World Cup Draw". Simple, and to the point. The big theme in the American
press was the comparison between their own Tim Howard, who needed a
cortisone injection at half-time to overcome Emile Heskey's physical
challenge yet emerged with the man of the match award, and our own Robert
Green, who came up with, in the words of the Wall Street Journal, "a muff
that is likely to make him the most hated man in England".
Here, in brief, is how the English tabloids saw the game:
Stars and Tripe! (News of the World)
"An astonishing blunder ... Captain Marvel Steven Gerrard ... Green's howler
... the ball slipped from his grasp and rolled agonisingly over the line ...
back home the nation embraced World Cup fever ... Boxing champ David Haye
added: 'It's an okay start.'"
Tainted Glove! (Sunday Mirror)
"Calamity keeper ... one of the all-time blunder goals ... hapless Green ...
the softest of soft strikes ... the nation gasped in collective horror ... a
string of celebrities posted on Twitter ... Britain's Got Talent judge
Amanda Holden said: 'OMG Noooooooo!' ... Kerry Katona wore an England shirt
yesterday."
Blunder pressure! (The People)
"England's goalkeeper curse struck again ... a howler from the West Ham man
... tame long-range effort ... hapless ... a moment of agony for the
keeper."
Calamity! (Mail on Sunday)
"A terrible bunder ... a calamitous start ... howler cost England two
precious points ... perfect start ... plans unravelled ... astonishing
blunder ... the softest of equalisers ... millions of deflated fans ...
Capello picked the wrong man."
Away from the England game, the Sunday Mirror hired Kerry Dixon to test the
World Cup ball – and were amazed to discover that the former Chelsea
striker's shots on goal were not always on target. "I cannot understand why
they have plumped for that ball," said Dixon. "It's not up to it. It has
taken a lot of the skill element out of the game."
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Sunderland chase West Ham's Upson, offer Ferdinand part-exchange
June 13, 2010
IMScouting.com
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will bid to sign West Ham's England
international Matthew Upson and offer Anton Ferdinand in part-exchange,
according to the News of the World.
The 31-year-old is currently on World Cup duty, but Bruce knows Upson well,
having signed him for Birmingham City in 2003 where he blossomed, before his
2007 move to West Ham. Upson has since been an important part of the
Hammers' side and although new West Ham boss Avram Grant would likely be
reluctant to see him leave Upton Park, co-owners David Sullivan and David
Gold have made it clear that they are open to offers for all Hammers players
apart from Scott Parker. The News of the World reports that Black Cats' boss
Bruce is lining up a deal worth £7million to bring Upson to Sunderland. He
would apparently make former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand part of the
deal. The 25-year-old was signed for Sunderland by Roy Keane two years ago.
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