WHUFC.com
The manager could not fault the way his players kept going despite a tough
start against Chelsea
11.09.2010
Avram Grant is convinced his players will soon get the rewards they deserve
after coming up short again - this time in a 3-1 loss against the Barclays
Premier League champions. The statistics may show that the team have yet to
avoid defeat in four matches this season and have conceded three times in
each of those contests, but the positives were there to see for the fans
packed into the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers refused to lie down to Chelsea,
despite being two goals down inside 18 minutes, and made it a contest right
to the end. The match was barely 90 seconds old when Michael Essien powered
in a header but debutant Victor Obinna had a couple of chances to level
matters as the home side came back strongly. However, Hammers hopes were
dashed when Robert Green was unable to hold on to a fierce free-kick and
Matthew Upson's clearance cannoned off Salomon Kalou and into the net. It
was a freak goal that left Grant cursing his team's fortune. "The second
goal was unbelievable," said the manager. "I never saw such a thing. But I
must say the reaction was good, we dominated and created a lot of chances.
This is football. We need to score when we get the chances."
The manager said his team continued their spirited display after the break,
with the introduction of Kieron Dyer and then Freddie Piquionne livening up
the attack. Obinna - who was named man of the match - continued to threaten.
However, Essien was able to make the game safe with a headed second before
the committed Scott Parker's superb lofted effort late on. With new boys
Lars Jacobsen and Tal Ben Haim slotting in well at the back, and the rested
Pablo Barrera and Thomas Hitzlsperger, still out with a thigh injury, among
those to come in, the manager has more options in store. Grant added: "We
have a lot of positives to take and if we continue like this, the future
will be good. "All of the new players that we had brought something to the
team. Obinna and Barrera are players that can quicken the attack. Since the
transfer window shut, most of the players had been on international duty.
This week we will train for the first time together and I am very happy with
my new players."
Grant will have a full week to work with his men at Chadwell Heath and said
the focus would especially be on the rearguard. "I can say we are not
organised so much as a team on the defensive side," he said. "We need to
work on this and have all the players together. We have this now and all the
team now need to be more defensively organised, including the attack. But we
are improving in a very short space of time. With time we will be better and
better."
"The organisation was not so good until now but today it was much better.
There is a lot of things that we have improved but at the end of the day we
lost the game. I am sure, though, if we continue like this we will take
points. "We need to build the spirit from game to game, from month to month.
To build it takes time, not a long time, but I am happy when I see
improvement. "I am not happy that we have zero points - especially because
we deserve more from our two games at home. Regardless, we are going for a
long-term project. I am very confident that we are doing the right thing. We
don't have points now but at the end of the day you count the points when
the season is finished."
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Parker still positive
WHUFC.com
Man of the moment Scott Parker has full faith in the team's ability to turn
things around
12.09.2010
Scott Parker has spoken of his full confidence that West Ham will soon be
"getting some points and moving up the league". The midfielder was
magnificent again in Saturday's 3-1 defeat despite the Chelsea might in
midfield. He held his own and topped off a superb display with a late
consolation that had everyone in the Boleyn Ground out of their seats.
Parker met a Petr Cech punched clearance on the edge of the area with a
first-time side-foot volley that looped back over the keeper and into the
net. Fresh from his new long-term contract and looking to next Saturday's
trip to Stoke City, Parker said: "We can take some positives out of today's
game. We were playing a very good side in Chelsea and we always knew it was
it was going to be a tough game. We go into the Stoke game with positives
and look to reproduce them in that game. "Morale is high. It has been a
difficult start for us. We are not kidding ourselves. We would like points
on the board. We have had a difficult start but at the same time we need to
win games. We know that and we are trying our hardest with everything we are
doing in training. "We are going into games to win the match. At the moment
it has been a bit tough. The quicker we can get some points the better
really."
Parker has two goals from five matches in all competitions this season and
played with all the freedom of someone who has just sorted out his future.
"I am pleased that I am here. I can concentrate on my football and do my
best for West Ham like I always do. I am really happy to be part of it and
be part of us getting some points and moving up the league."
He also had no doubt that Robert Green would bounce back from his part in an
unfortunate second goal for Chelsea. "Greeny is a very strong character.
There has been more than one time since I have been here that he has kept us
in the game. That is what happens. When you are a keeper one mistake is
highlighted where I can probably go and make five mistakes and no one speaks
about them. As a keeper you make one mistake and it is punished. He is a
great keeper."
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'Together we can turn things around'
WHUFC.com
Chairman David Sullivan has spoken positively in his programme column for
Chelsea
11.09.2010
I cannot begin to describe to you how tough the last few months has been for
myself and our club, but think you probably have some idea as loyal
supporters. First of all, I would like to set the record straight and say
that reported comments by me last weekend were presented in such a way as to
imply general criticism of the club's foreign players. This is not how I
feel. I know the vast majority are totally committed and we have worked hard
with others that wanted to go to get them back onside. What is important is
that we all focus on the job in hand after a disappointing start to the
season. In particular, the Bolton game where we played well but, for all our
efforts, got nothing out of it. However, we are building a new team under a
new manager and it will take time. Even if you look at the Manchester United
match a fortnight ago, until we conceded a soft penalty, we were very much
in the game. I personally have never worked harder in a transfer window. We
have eight new players to bring balance to Avram's squad, as well as hanging
on to our star names.
However, we missed out on a number of major targets, mainly due to the
impossible demands of clubs, players or agents. This was a big factor in why
I have been working 16-18 hours a day for the last three months.
On my eight-day family holiday, I was talking to players and agents
non-stop. So much so, that my family were hardly talking to me at the end.
My sons were in tears of frustration with me being on the phone rather than
spending time with them. My mobile phone bill was over £2,000 for eight
days.
It is the most difficult task to try and keep the club afloat, yet still
pursue a strategy of improving the team. We have stuck to our promises. In
line with my partner David Gold, neither of us has ever drawn a penny in
wages, management fees or even expenses, and it is not our intention ever to
do so. I paid the £2,000 mobile phone bill myself. The club is still in a
very much in a precarious position. We have £50m of banks loans and £50m of
other debts.
The banks have been incredibly supportive and without their help we would
simply not exist. David Gold and I have pumped nearly £30m into the club (in
addition to buying more than 60 per cent of the shares). The £30m has been
eaten up by trading losses. We have been trading at a £30m annual loss for
the last four years. We inherited a wage structure that we simply cannot
support.
With the help of our bankers we will keep the club afloat, but please
realise it will take a few years to take West Ham United to where we want it
to be.
Every day we are still being hit with bills run up by the previous regime.
For example, an agent pops out of the woodwork and says he is owed £50,000
for arranging last year's pre-season friendly versus Napoli, on a match that
lost the club £70,000.
The madness of the way the club was run is shown by the money paid to
players even in the early rounds of the Carling Cup. The appearance money
versus Oxford was £45,000 - plus £9,000 in win bonuses. Our cut of the gate
was £65,000, so we ended up making £11,000. The latter is a tiny
contribution to our wages and overheads. I could go on and on. This is the
'burden' our club carries from the past. None of this is in any way a
criticism of the players. Nobody can blame them for accepting the
over-generous contracts the previous regime offered them. They have all
worked really extremely hard this summer and in the next few weeks I think
we will see a dramatic improvement in our results. Today is a big game and,
let's not kid ourselves, an extremely hard game.
I urge every supporter to please get behind the team for the 90 minutes of
the match. Together we can turn things around.
David Sullivan
Chairman
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Purdy at the double
WHUFC.com
Daniel Purdy scored twice as West Ham United U18s defeated MK Dons 3-0 at
Little Heath
11.09.2010
Republic of Ireland Under-18 international Daniel Purdy scored twice as West
Ham United scored a 3-0 FA Premier Academy League victory over MK Dons on
Saturday. The Dublin-born forward netted twice before half-time, as did
England U17 winger Matthias Fanimo, as the Hammers brushed aside their
visitors at Little Heath. Academy Director Tony Carr had demanded an
improvement defensively following the 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City a week
ago and was rewarded with a convincing display. Midfielders Declan Hunt and
Jack Powell and Australian forward Dylan Tombides were all handed their
first starts of the season, while Purdy marked his second start with two
well-taken goals. "We were 3-0 up at half-time and should have gone on to
get more goals," said Carr. "However, it is our first clean sheet of the
season and another three points and a good performance, so let's see if we
can go on and build on it at Coventry City next weekend. "We freshened
things up a bit and have a few youngsters a chance to start the game. With
respect to MK Dons, we thought this was a game in which we could give them
some experience and they took advantage of their chances and produced a good
all-round performance. "We have got a reasonably big squad and the reserves
will be basically playing every week, so I will have to rotate things quite
a bit this season. "We were all disappointed with how we played against
Birmingham last week and the challenge was to win the game and keep a clean
sheet and that's what we did. Let's hope we can maintain this when we go to
Coventry next week.
West Ham United U18: Cowler, Driver, Potts, Craig, Sanchez, Hunt, Powell
(Hurley 80), Vose, Fanimo, Purdy, Tombides (Subuola 65)
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West Ham 1 - 3 Chelsea
BBC.co.uk
By Sam Sheringham
Chelsea kept up their impeccable start to the season, hardly breaking sweat
as they brushed aside a West Ham side who remain rock bottom of the table.
Michael Essien put the Blues in front inside two minutes with a free header.
And the second goal arrived in bizarre fashion as Matthew Upson's clearance
struck Salomon Kalou's heel and ballooned into the net. Essien rose above
Tal Ben Haim to add a late third, before Scott Parker lobbed Petr Cech from
the edge of the box. West Ham's defeat, which looked inevitable from the
moment Essien opened the scoring, leaves the east Londoners without a point
in their first four Premier League games. And if it seems too early to start
talking about a crisis at Upton Park, manager Avram Grant desperately needs
to find a formula which maximises the potential of a side containing a
number of players of genuine quality. The Hammers' fortunes could not
contrast more starkly than those of their west London opponents, who have
now scored 16 goals in four games this season, with Parker's effort the
first they have conceded in the league since mid-April. The game's opening
followed a predictable pattern with Chelsea assuming control and launching
an early attack which yielded a corner. Didier Drogba's cross found Essien
unmarked to head his team in front, despite Carlton Cole's efforts to head
the ball clear. Chelsea's second goal had more than a hint of farce about it
as Hammers goalkeeper Rob Green failed to cling on to a low Drogba
free-kick. Upson pounced on the loose ball but his clearance cannoned into
Kalou's heel and looped into the net.
Grant's decision to line-up with a midfield diamond formation played into
Chelsea's hands, by providing plenty of space for full-backs Ashley Cole and
Paulo Ferreira to exploit. When West Ham did get the ball, their four
central midfielders seemed to get in each other's way, often resulting in
possession being surrendered to the Blues. One such instance almost led to a
third goal for Chelsea as Valon Behrami lost the ball in midfield and
Kalou's low shot was deflected wide by Upson. Striker Victor Obinna, making
his West Ham debut along with Lars Jacobsen, had two first-half chances to
get the Hammers back in the game. First, an inch-perfect Carlton Cole chip
found the Nigerian in space, but his side-footed volley drifted a yard wide.
Shortly afterwards, the forward on loan from Inter Milan cut inside from the
left and blazed a powerful shot across the face of goal. Ramires, Chelsea's
£17m Brazilian signing, was largely a passenger on his debut - one
long-range effort over the bar early in the second half probably his most
noteworthy contribution. West Ham made a brighter start to the second
period, with substitute Kieron Dyer adding some much-needed thrust to their
attacks. But Chelsea continued to look more likely to score, Kalou whistling
a left-footed curler just past the upright and Drogba drawing a sharp save
from the diving Green. And the Hammers goalkeeper was at full stretch once
again to prevent Branislav Ivanovic from extending Chelsea's lead from close
range.
The third goal eventually arrived seven minutes from time as the peerless
Essien leapt at the far post to head home Ferreira's cross from the right.
West Ham finally got on the score sheet two minutes later courtesy of a
moment of true class from Parker. Cech punched a corner to the Hammers
midfielder, who brilliantly cushioned a volley back over a crowd of players
and into the far corner. But the goal received a muted response from the
Upton Park faithful, who are already sensing their side may face a tough
battle to maintain their Premier League status.
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Avram Grant says West Ham 'not a team for relegation'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Avram Grant is confident his side will not be drawn into a
relegation battle after they slipped to a fourth successive league defeat.
"We can take a lot of positives from this," said Grant following Chelsea's
3-1 win that left West Ham without a point and bottom of the table. "We had
three big chances in the first half and in the second half, we dominated,"
added the Hammers manager. "If you saw the level we played, it's not a team
for relegation." Michael Essien scored two and Salomon Kalou one for the
Blues before Scott Parker grabbed a late consolation. "Essien has been
fantastic this season," boss Carlo Ancelotti said. "I think he's better than
a new signing," said Ancelotti. "We missed him last season because he's one
of the top midfielders in the world. "He came back and we're happy he can
maintain this level of play." Essien rose above the Hammers defence to head
Chelsea's first from a corner and their second goal owed much to good
fortune as Matthew Upson's clearance hit Kalou and looped into the net.
Essien added his second header seven minutes from time before Scott Parker
volleyed a late consolation. Parker's goal was West Ham's first from open
play in the league this season, but Grant was pleased to see his team
creating chances, with striker Victor Obinna twice going close to scoring on
his debut. And Grant sprung to the defence of out-of-form goalkeeper Rob
Green, whose failure to hold on to a Didier Drogba free-kick that led to
Chelsea's goal. "It happens sometimes," said Grant. "The most important
thing is to react. He is a strong boy and he will be better in the next
game."
For Ancelotti, the only blot on another polished display was a rib injury to
John Terry, which forced him off after 82 minutes. But Ancelotti is
optimistic his captain will be fit for the Champions League match against
MSK Zilina on Wednesday. "John took a knock on his ribs," said the Italian.
"We'll have a look tomorrow and I hope he will be fit for Wednesday. On
Sunday it will be more clear.
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Grant on... Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 11th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant chooses to dwell on the positives following a fourth successive
league defeat, this time at home to former club Chelsea...
It was always going to be an uphill struggle after the early goal? And the
fumble by Green for the second didn't help either?
It's not easy when you concede a first goal, the team react very well and
then they find a second goal. But we continued well. It's amazing; Chelsea
didn't create any chances after the goal in the first half, even the
[second] goal wasn't a chance. We created three big chances and dominated
the game in the second half, we reacted very well. We could easily have
scored [more] but we didn't and unfortunately we lost. But we have a lot of
positive things to take and if we continue like this I think we should be
okay.
Your view on Obinna's performance?
I think all the new players that came into the squad, into the team - we
have Obinna, Barrera - who didn't play - in the attack. It's taken them some
time to adjust and they didn't play together because they travelled in the
week when most of the players were [away] on internationals. But I'm very
happy for the new players. Some of them played for the first time today,
like Obinna.
Kieron Dyer's been in good form but you left him on the bench? What was your
thinking behind that?
There was a lot of thinking about everything, the bench is not
over-important. For the first time this season he came off the bench and
helped us, which we needed. But Kieron, after a long injury, sometimes he's
not ready to play 90 minutes.
How confident are you that you're not going to be in a relegation battle
this season?
If you see the level that we've played at today it's not a level for
relegation. We played like a mid-table team. It's a new team; all the time
we play together as a team we're improving. The organisation was not so good
at Villa but today was much better. Also, after only a few weeks training
we're playing at this level against very good teams - and the reaction of
the players is good. So there's a lot of things we've improved, but at the
end of the day we lost the game - but if we continue like this we will take
points, for sure.
You mentioned the organisation of the defence - but you've conceded three
goals in every game this season?
You're absolutely right, we need to think about this. I can say that we're
not organised so much as a team but we haven't had all the players together
until now. I think we can improve in a very short time but today, the first
two goals, we cannot say we were organised at set pieces.
Is there any problem with Rob Green's confidence?
I don't want to speak about players as individuals, we're playing as a team
so you can write about that.
But is there a problem with Upson and Green's confidence? Especially after
that goal?
Every player has good days, every player has bad days - but I don't like to
speak about players as individuals.
You spoke of the 'spirit' and 'character' at Portsmouth; are you convinced
you'll have that here?
At Portsmouth we created spirit but it was not from one game - we built it
from game to game, from month to month. Even last year, every time West Ham
conceded a goal they were down but today, from the third minute, we reacted
very well. So to build spirit takes time; not a long time, but as long as
you see improvement - and I think we saw improvement today.
Do you think the owners are happy it's taken so long to get organised?
I'm not happy but this is the game. I'm not happy that we have zero points
especially because from the last two games we've deserved more. We know
we're going for a long term project but I'm very confident that we're doing
the right thing. We don't have points now but at the end of the day we can
have the points when the season is finished. If we were in this position
after 25 or 30 games its... but I don't think we will be in this position.
Will you be at the Stoke game?
Ah, I need to speak with the owner but one thing I can assure you is that
the team will be ready for the game.
But you're not sure yet? You have to discuss it?
As I said, the team will be 100 per cent ready for the game but I need to
speak about this with the owner.
Of Obinna, David Gold said 'a star is born'. Did you see it that way?
'A star' what?
'A star is born', he said...
A star is born? He was born 23 years ago... [laughs] but I think you will
see with time the team we will be more and more organised - and also with a
little bit more luck. I don't like to speak about luck but we missed it a
little bit in the last game. You will see the players perform better and
better.
Of the players we bought, Barrera didn't play today because he played two
games [in the week] and just came back yesterday. But Obinna and the others
have the quality - even the players for whom we paid no money, we bought
good players.
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Blues crush struggling Hammers
Visitors still top of table as Essien brace inspires win
Last updated: 11th September 2010
SSN
Man of the match: Michael Essien. The Blues man got the visitors' attack
underway in just the second minute and rounded off his assault with a late
goal, as well as providing plenty of trouble for the Hammers defence in
between.
Goal of the match: Essien capitalised on a stunning Paulo Ferreira cross
with an even more impressive headed finish to complete his double in the
second half.
Mistake of the match: Robert Green suffered yet more woe after his World Cup
gaffe as he fumbled a Drogba free-kick to allow Kalou to score.
Debut of the match: Despite West Ham's defeat, they can be heartened by the
display from new-boy Victor Obinna, who came close on several occasions.
Talking point: The recent defeat is likely to put Hammers manager Avram
Grant under serious pressure. Will he stay at Upton Park?
Chelsea continued their strong start to the season and piled more woe on
West Ham as they celebrated a 3-1 victory at Upton Park. The triumph gave
the Blues their fourth win this term while at the same time condemning the
floundering Hammers to their fourth defeat. Michael Essien took just over a
minute to open the Blues' scoring account as he made the most of a Didier
Drogba corner to nod in from in front of the goal. Carlton Cole got the last
touch in a vain attempt to keep out the attempt but Essien deserved full
credit for the powerful header. Salomon Kalou then took advantage of a
sloppy Robert Green error to notch Chelsea's second goal in the 18th minute
and make it 2-0. That ended the scoring for the first half but Essien struck
again late in the game as a stunning Paulo Ferreira cross set him up to nod
a superb header past Green. Scott Parker managed to pull one back for the
Hammers just two minutes later but it was no more than a consolation goal as
their dismal start to the season continued.
Chelsea's victory over their London rivals piled more pressure on under-fire
manager Avram Grant, whose side remained rooted to the foot of the table
without a single point from their opening four games and having conceded 12
goals. In contrast, Carlo Ancelotti's team have now scored 17 and conceded
just once, and their domination of this game began as early as the second
minute when debutant Ramires won a corner on the left flank. Essien rose
above two defenders to head home Drogba's cross to silence the home fans.
West Ham almost equalised moments later when new signing Victor Obinna sent
a close-range effort straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. The visitors
went 2-0 up in the 18th minute, though, when West Ham's England goalkeeper
Green spilled a 30-yard Drogba free-kick. Defender Matthew Upson tried to
clear the loose ball but it cannoned back off Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker
Kalou and over the head of the stricken Green. Kalou went close to grabbing
his second in the 21st minute but his shot was deflected around the post,
much to the relief of the grounded Green. Another corner from Drogba caused
panic in the home defence but this time John Terry's effort was collected
easily by Green.
West Ham should have pulled one back in the 27th minute but the unmarked
Obinna put his volley wide from eight yards. The Hammers striker then sent a
curling shot just wide of the target after cutting in from the left wing.
Chelsea almost extended their lead when another Drogba corner fell to
Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel. His rising drive from 20 yards slammed
against the angle of Green's left upright and the crossbar. Chelsea received
a scare in the 35th minute when Terry went down under a challenge from
Carlton Cole, but the England defender continued after lengthy treatment -
much to the disappointment of the home fans.
Ashley Cole became the first name in Chris Foy's notebook in the 40th minute
when he was shown the yellow card for a foul on Herita Ilunga. In the 43rd
minute, Cech had to punch away a cross-shot from Ilunga as West Ham looked
in vain for a way back into the game. They almost succeeded in stoppage-time
but Carlton Cole's effort was ruled offside. Ramires should have troubled
Green in the 50th minute but fired over from the edge of the penalty area as
Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings. West Ham tried hard to lift the
tempo of the game and substitute Kieron Dyer, on at half-time for Luis Boa
Morte, almost broke through with a clever run into the six-yard box. Chelsea
almost made it three on the hour when Kalou collected a fine pass from
Drogba only to send his curling shot inches wide of Green's right-hand post.
The visitors had clearly settled for the three points as there was little
urgency in their play.
When they did show some ambition, Drogba forced Green into a fine save with
a 20-yard shot. Branislav Ivanovic was booked in the 64th minute for
bringing down Carlton Cole. A cross from Obinna three minutes later then
found only the hands of Cech, much to the growing frustration of the home
fans.
Mark Noble then sent a long-range effort just wide of Cech's right-hand post
but the home side still lacked the killer touch. Chelsea made it 3-0 in the
83rd minute when Essien headed home Ferreira's cross but moments later they
conceded their first goal of the season when Parker calmly lobbed Cech from
20 yards. West Ham substitute Frederic Piquionne wasted a great chance to
reduce the arrears still further when he headed against the bar from just
two yards.
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Grant - I'm going nowhere
Hammers chief reflects on 'difficult' time at Pompey
By Hayley Paterson Last updated: 11th September 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant has hit back at suggestions that his job is under
threat and insists he wants to honour his four-year contract at Upton Park.
It was reported that the Israeli's future was already in doubt and that
co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold were rethinking their recent
appointment because Grant's side have failed to pick up any points from his
first three games in charge. However, the 55-year-old is confident he and
the owners are on the same page when it comes to taking the club forward and
believes his job is safe. "Those stories are absolutely not true. I have
spoken to the owners and they know where we are," the former Portsmouth boss
told the Daily Mail. "When I took the job they said it is going to be tough.
They took over a club with many debts and the first task is to regain
financial stability. "We agreed that for the first season we just have to
stay in this league. That is the objective. "I want to build something
exciting here. Something to be proud of because West Ham is a great football
club. "I signed a four-year contract because I have a vision that the owners
share. But they are also responsible people. The kind of people a club like
Portsmouth needed. "Nobody is happy that we have no points. The picture
might not be good now but it is one that will improve. I know it will."
Grant is used to grinding out results having taken on the Hammers job
following a chaotic term at Fratton Park during the 2009/10 season. And he
readily admits he tried to keep out of the way of the Pompey problems off
the field which saw the debt-ridden club on the verge of going bust, players
not being paid on time, players paying the wages of training ground staff as
well as struggling to field a full squad each week in the Premier League.
"The media sometimes create a big story from a small story. In this instance
the story was so much bigger than even the media realised," said the
ex-Chelsea chief.
"There are still things I don't know and to be honest I didn't want to know
too much at the time. "I had to focus on the football side and put all my
energy into what was a difficult enough challenge. "I didn't want the
distraction of all the financial problems. But there were obviously many
things that were wrong."
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Grant heartened by display
Hammers boss not worried this early in campaign
Last updated: 11th September 2010
SSN
Avram Grant says he was encouraged by West Ham's display in their 3-1 defeat
to Chelsea on Saturday. The Hammers are languishing in the basement of the
Premier League table after losing all four of their fixtures this term, with
Scott Parker'sgoal just their second of the campaign. But Grant insists he
took heart from their performance at Upton Park, and is hoping his side can
continue to play in the same manner as the season progresses. "The
performance, the reaction after they went up 1-0, 2-0 was very good," said
Grant. "We got back into the game and dominated certain parts of the game.
"In the first half we created chances more than Chelsea, but the second half
was where we dominated the game. "It was a good performance and if we
continue to play like this it should be good."
Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green suffered more misery on Saturday following
his World Cup gaffe in South Africa. The shot-stopper spilled a Didier
Drogba free-kick, allowing Salomon Kalou to nip in for Chelsea's second
goal, but Grant insists he can recover from his latest mistake. "He's a good
goalkeeper," added Grant. "He is strong, you have to be strong because these
things always happen to football players. "Things that happen, happen and
the most important thing is your reaction." Grant is also adamant his side
cannot be written off this early in the campaign, insisting they have plenty
of time to make up for their early disappointment. "The players have a lot
of experience," he said. "They know it is only the beginning of the season
and we have lots of time to take points."
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Parker - We can take positives
Midfielder buoyed by Upton Park performance
Last updated: 11th September 2010
SSN
Scott Parker insists West Ham can take plenty of positives from their 3-1
defeat to Chelsea. The midfielder, who penned a new four-year deal at Upton
Park earlier this week, scored the Hammers' only goal on Saturday in the
85th minute. But Parker was cheered by his side's display despite the loss,
and is hoping they can carry that form into their clash at Stoke next
weekend. "Obviously we can take some positives out of today's game," Parker
told Sky Sports. "We were playing a very good side in Chelsea. "We go into
the Stoke game now and we need to reproduce the positives in that game."
Despite his upbeat demeanour, Parker accepts the Hammers desperately need
points after losing their opening four games of the campaign. "It's been a
difficult start for us and we're not kidding ourselves," he added. "But at
the same time we need to win games and we know that and we're trying our
hardest. "Everything we're doing, in training and going into games, we're
going into them to win them. "At the moment it's been a bit tough and the
quicker we can get some points the better."
After committing his long-term future to the Hammers, Parker is looking
forward to focusing on his game without the added pressure of transfer
speculation.
"I'm just pleased that it's over to be honest because it's a bit stressful
when you're not really sure what's going on or where you're going to be," he
said.
"I'm pleased that I'm here and I can concentrate on football and do my best
for West Ham. "I'm really happy to be part of it and I'm hoping to help us
get some points and move up the league."
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Hope for Hammers
Merson backs West Ham despite another Upton downer
Last updated: 11th September 2010
SSN
Paul Merson insists West Ham will stay up despite another Robert Green
blunder condemning them to fourth defeat from four. Two goals from Michael
Essien and a fluke from Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea's 100 per cent start
going and left the hapless Hammers pointless and rooted to the foot of the
Premier League. But there was some sympathy from Merson who saw enough to
suggest they will not be there for long. Yet even he could not excuse Green
as another gaffe, with Chelsea leading a tight game 1-0, signaled the
beginning of the end. There appeared little trouble as the former England
keeper got behind Didier Drogba's tame free-kick, but he let the ball squirm
out of his grasp and could only watch on as Matthew Upson's attempted
clearance cannoned off Kalou's heel and looped into the net. "I thought West
Ham did fairly well in the first half," Merson told Soccer Saturday. "But
the first goal is after two minutes; you're bottom of the league, you
haven't got a point and Chelsea come but a corner comes in it's a free
header by Essien and they're 1-0 down and up against it straight away. "The
next goal is just an absolute fluke. It's a 35-yarder from Drogba, it's an
easy save for Green but he literally drops it and as (Matthew) Upson tries
to clear it, Kalou turns his back, it hits him on the heel and goes in the
net.
"Robert Green made two worldy saves in the second half but the mistake he
made was phenomenal. He's in a situation at the moment where every mistake
he makes gets punished. "Any other goalkeeper and Upson would've cleared it
and we wouldn't be talking about it." A second from Essien seven minutes
from time put the seal on another miserable day at Upton Park. The home fans
were at least given something to cheer late on as Scott Parker lobbed the
deftest of volleys in for a consolation and that, plus a decent first-half
show and some fine individual performances, left Merson convinced their
position is merely temporary. "If they play like that West Ham, there's no
way they'll go down, no way," he said. Scott Parker is top drawer, Keiron
Dyer too. Carlton Cole needs a goal but I would be amazed if they went down
playing like that - but if they had played like that they wouldn't be bottom
now. "There was nothing in it, it was an even-Steven game; I know Chelsea
were in second gear, but West Ham will be ok."
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West Ham 1-3 Chelsea: Sunday Mirror match report
Published 22:26 11/09/10 By Paul Smith
The Mirror
West Ham's defeat by Chelsea ensured their worst ever start to a top-flight
campaign. Had Chelsea shown any real interest in the game, instead of
treating it like a training ground exercise, it could have been worse for
the hosts. The Hammers are already four points from safety and without a
single point, and in contrast Chelsea opened up a similar gap at the top of
the Premier League. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "We were fortunate to
make a very good start, but West Ham put us under a lot of pressure during
certain points of the game. "There were a few nervous moments towards the
end but overall I was pleased. There'll be times when we ride our luck and
don't get the breaks."
Captain John Terry was substituted in the second half after suffering a rib
injury, so Chelsea's medical staff will assess him along with Frank Lampard
— who didn't play. "Terry came off with rib bruising and is in considerable
pain. Frank hasn't trained for a few days," Ancelotti added. "However, it is
my intention to probably rest key players ahead of midweek Champions League
games."
West Ham boss Avram Grant admitted: "We played very well, apart from the
early mistake. We had three good chances to score in the first half and
dominated in the second half, but I'm pleased with the commitment. "I'm not
worried, because we are not playing like a team who will be fighting
relegation. We need to improve, but we'll win games if we play like this.
"There are things we need to work on, but the players are working hard on
the training ground. The spirit of the players is also good here."
The West Ham fans had barely finished singing I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
before Chelsea burst them inside two minutes of the contest. Michael Essien
headed Didier Drogba's deep corner home as four West Ham players watched and
stopped short of applauding the finish. Chelsea, who won their opening three
games and scored 14 goals without reply prior to their visit to Upton Park,
were in an unforgiving and ruthless mood even with the absence of Lampard —
who observed from the stands. But the last thing they needed was charity
from a club that is fast becoming something short of a comedy. Never one to
disappoint, step forward Robert 'calamitous' Green. Drogba fired in a weak
30-yard free-kick and the deposed England shotstopper made a total hash of
it. His initial embarrassment was spared by the equally inept Matthew Upson,
whose clearance was fired straight at Salomon Kalou's heel with the rebound
resulting in a goal. The Hammers, who had only scored a penalty this season,
occasionally threatened. Long-range efforts from Victor Obinna, Mark Noble
and Scott Parker failed to really trouble keeper Petr Cech. Chelsea took a
3-0 lead with seven minutes left, when Paulo Ferreira's cross from the right
was headed home by Essien. But Chelsea conceded their first goal this term
on 85 minutes when Parker lobbed Cech from 20 yards after the keeper punched
away Noble's corner. And in injury time West Ham sub Frederic Piquionne
headed his effort against the bar despite being gifted an open goal from
just three yards.
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Hammers debt breaks through £100m barrier
Published 23:00 11/09/10 By Paul Smith
The Mirror
David Sullivan claims he is at breaking point after revealing West Ham's
debts have burst through the £100m barrier. The Hammers' stressed-out
co-owner claimed it would take years to turn West Ham into a Premier League
force. Sullivan, who bought a 60 per cent stake in the club with David Gold
last season, said: "We have brought in eight players to balance the squad,
as well as hanging on to our star names. We missed out on a number of
targets, mainly due to the impossible demands of players, clubs or agents.
"This was a big factor in why I have been working 16-18 hour days. "On my
family holiday I was talking to players and agents non-stop. So much so that
my sons were in tears of frustration with me being on the phone rather than
spending time with them. "With the help of our bankers we will keep the club
afloat, but it will take years to take West Ham where we want them to be."
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