WHUFC.com
Goals from Benni McCarthy and Junior Stanislas maintain West Ham United
reserves' unbeaten start
28.09.2010
West Ham United reserves v Wigan Athletic reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Thurrock FC, Ship Lane
Tuesday 28 September
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Daniel Cook
Final score - West Ham United reserves 2-0 Wigan Athletic reserves
93 mins - The referee blows for full-time. The previously unbeaten Wigan
have now been beaten. West Ham keep up their unbeaten start to the Barclays
Premier Reserve League season and are now third in the Southern Division
with games in hand on the two teams above them. Keep an eye on whufc.com and
WHUTV for exclusive reaction and highlights.
92 mins - The substitute is called Ryan Watson. It's been a thoroughly
decent evening for Alex Dyer and his players, who have recorded a second
straight victory and clean sheet in the league. It's now one defeat in ten
matches for the reserves. Victories breed confidence, and the Hammers will
definitely head for Tranmere Rovers FC full of it when they take on
Liverpool next Tuesday evening.
91 mins - We're going to have at least two more minutes...
89 mins - Breeze has a spot of cramp and is having his calves stretched by
the Wigan physio. We can all listen to a bit of 'My Girl' during the break
in play. Breeze is replaced by a lad with ginger hair, but unfortunately
nobody knows the identity of the mystery substitute.
87 mins - Hall tries to get in behind the Wigan defence, but collides with
Girvan. That looked a bit painful for both of them.
84 mins - We're approaching the closing stages now and West Ham have
regained the ascendancy which has been theirs almost all game long. Buxton
concedes a free-kick on Sears which is taken quickly and the Hammers win a
right-wing corner. Hall sends the ball over, but Eyjolfsson is penalised for
a push.
80 mins - Dyer will not be pleased with that. McManaman beats Spence before
sending over a fine cross to the back post. Morris outjumps Brown and powers
a downward header against the base of the post.
78 mins - Spence picks out Lee with a cross following good work from Kovac
and Hall, but the midfielder's header is saved by Welsby.
77 mins - Hall takes the free-kick, but it hits the wall and spins to
safety.
76 mins - McCarthy is felled by an aggressive challenge from Holt. The
striker takes exception to the tackle and tells the substitute exactly what
he thinks of him. The referee has a chat with the Hammers striker to calm
the situation down.
75 mins - Very honest play from Sears, who bursts on to a pass from Abdulla
and rounds Welsby. He appears to be caught slightly by the goalkeeper but
stays on his feet. When he tries to cross, Welsby is there to gather.
73 mins - Belatedly, Wigan are showing signs of life. Perhaps the music is
inspiring them? Girvan crosses but it's too far in front of Rugg and flies
behind for a goal kick. West Ham make use of the break in play by bringing
on Ahmed Abdulla and Robert Hall for Spector and Stanislas.
71 mins - The hits are continuing to be churned out behind us. 'I'll be
there', which I believe was recorded by The Four Tops, is the latest to keep
us all entertained. Meanwhile, Wigan left-back Buxton flashes a long-range
shot a few yards wide of the target. Boffin had it covered all the way.
68 mins - There is a bit of an air of inevitability about all this. West Ham
are being put under hardly any pressure whatsoever. Their experience and
work ethic are both ensuring that the Latics cannot put together any sort of
meaningful possession.
65 mins - Two changes from Wigan - Caldwell and Serrano are replaced by
Roman Golobart and Joe Holt.
63 mins - Another sustained period of West Ham possession ends with
Stanislas winning a corner off the head of Girvan. Stanislas takes the
corner himself and picks out McCarthy at the back post, only for the South
African to scuff his shot. Welsby pounces on the ball.
61 mins - Wigan are at least trying to get a foothold in this game. Rugg
turns and gets away from Kovac. He shoots low, but Boffin is in the right
place to gather the ball low down.
60 mins - Kovac has hardly given the ball away all night, but this time he
fancies a pop at goal from long-range. The Czech cannot replicate his goal
at Everton a couple of season's back, though, and his shot thuds into the
front of the stand to my right.
58 mins - I think there must be a party going on in the Thurrock Hotel
behind us. The loud music coming through the wall would suggest as much.
Back on the pitch, another West Ham attack is thwarted when Stanislas is
caught offside.
57 mins - Wigan cannot get a kick. The Hammers are just camped inside their
half, probing for the opening that could bring about a third goal. Jordan
Brown does well to beat Girvan, but his cross eludes everyone and WIgan
counter-attack through Morris, only for Spence to make a superb sliding
challenge to stop him in his tracks.
54 mins - Sears has a chance to add a third, but he cannot direct his header
on target from Spence's cross.
53 mins - GOAL! Sears does well to create some space for Stanislas. The No11
tricks Girvan one way and then the other before planting a powerful shot
past Welsby. That should the be three points in the bag. Now it's just a
case of seeing how many the Hammers can score...
51 mins - Two of Wigan's players have changed their shirts at half-time,
presumably because of the wet weather. Serrano is now in No21, while
Caldwell is sporting No22. Meanwhile, Wigan finally have a shot on target,
but Morris's scooped effort is straight at Boffin.
49 mins - Spector wins possession and the ball is worked wide right to
Spence. He takes a touch and looks up before planting his cross on the head
of Stanislas, but his header is too close to Welsby.
47 mins - Spence brings down opposite number Buxton, but referee Cook waves
play on. Morris tries to make something of it, but Tomkins blocks his
attempted pass to Serrano and Brown clears easily, Seconds later, Buxton is
down and needs treatment. I think he felt that tackle by Spence, who
receives a ticking off from the man in black.
46 mins - Sears and McCarthy get the second 45 minutes started...
Wigan's players are the first to return to the pitch for the second half,
closely followed by the Hammers. Eyjolfsson is the first man out in claret
and blue. He has an important UEFA European U21 Championship play-off
against Scotland coming up over the next couple of weeks, so he will welcome
the match practice.
Half-time score - West Ham United reserves 1-0 Wigan Athletic reserves
46 mins - The referee blows for half-time. That was all a little bit
one-sided, to be honest. If anything, though, Alex Dyer will want to see his
side add to their goals tally during the second 45 minutes.
45 mins - We're going to have at least one added minute.
43 mins - West Ham make a change. Reid is replaced by Iceland U21 man Holmar
Orn Eyjolfsson. Reid was struggling with an illness at the weekend and may
be still feeling the effects of that.
42 mins - McCarthy and Sears combine again before the ball is worked inside
to Lee. The midfielder's shot is deflected wide of the far post. Stanislas
sends over a deep corner, but Tomkins' header hits a Wigan defender and
flies across the face of goal before being cleared.
39 mins - Beautiful stuff from the Hammers. Reid, Tomkins and Stanislas are
all involved before Brown races on to a neat pass from Lee. He crosses
first-time and McCarthy is there to meet it, but his left-foot shot is too
close to Welsby.
37 mins - Unlucky for Spector, who plays a neat one-two with McCarthy before
bursting clear of the Wigan back four. Unfortunately, the American's touch
is just too strong and the ball rolls into the arms of Welsby.
36 mins - Kovac has really bossed this half. He has been on the ball
countless times and I'm not sure he's given possession away once. Just as I
type, he puts in another good tackle and brings the ball clear, setting up
yet another West Ham attack.
34 mins - Nice again from McCarthy, who instantly finds Sears. The No10 runs
at the Wigan defence before cutting on to his left foot and shooting low.
The effort lacks the power and direction to beat Welsby, though.
33 mins - I'm not sure if that counts as a shot on target, but it was going
in! Serrano crosses from deep on the right but makes a mess of it and the
ball lands in the hands of Boffin.
31 mins - Wigan are a bit of a mess at the back. The goal kick is taken
short and when Robinson passes back to Welsby, he is closed down by Sears.
The goalkeeper's hurried clearance hits Robinson and falls to McCarthy, but
his first-time shot is cleared off the line by Caldwell. From the resulting
corner, the ball drops to Kovac, who hits a left-foot volley which hits a
defender and bounces into the arms of Welsby.
30 mins - Another crossing chance for the home side. McCarthy lays the ball
off for Sears before sprinting towards the penalty area. Spence overlaps and
crosses first time, but it's too high for the South African. The Hammers
keep the pressure on and win the ball back from the Wigan throw, but Lee is
miles over the top with a long-range strike.
29 mins - Caldwell tries to get something going for Wigan, but he woefully
over-hits his pass for Redmond and the ball skips off the wet turf and out
for a throw. West Ham counter and Stanislas gets free down the left. He
crosses low, but Robinson is there to cut out the pass aimed for Sears.
26 mins - Some nice possession football from the hosts ends with Brown
racing on to Lee's pass down the left. He beats his man with a burst of
pace, but his cross is too high for Sears, The build-up play was good
though, and earns a warm round of applause from the supporters.
25 mins - Wigan cannot get anything going at all offensively. The Latics, to
be fair to them, have a very young and inexperienced team on show tonight.
It'll be a good learning curve for them.
23 mins - McCarthy is putting a real shift in out there. He keeps dropping
deep to pick up possession off the midfield. On the latest occasion, he
turns and tries to pick out Sears, but the experienced Caldwell is there to
cut out the pass.
20 mins - West Ham are enjoying this. Reid does well to snuff out another
Wigan raid before passing to Boffin. He plays the ball to Tomkins, who
strides forward and thumps a fantastic pass out to Stanislas. Unfortunately,
he just delays his pass to the overlapping Brown too long and the left-back
is caught offside.
18 mins - This has been a walk in the park so far for Boffin and his
defenders. Wigan try to attack down the left through Rugg, but he is easily
muscled off the ball by Tomkins before the Belgian goalkeeper clears
upfield. West Ham are using a 4-3-3 formation, by the way, with Kovac
anchoring the midfield and Stanislas and Sears supporting centre-forward
McCarthy.
16 mins - Lee wins a free-kick about 25 yards out. McCarthy looks keen to
take it, but Stanislas wins the argument. Unfortunately, the winger's strike
dips too late and clears the crossbar.
15 mins - The Hammers are going for the kill early here. Stanislas shows
neat footwork to lose a defender before curling a shot against the head of
another. That looked to be on its way towards the goal, too.
13 mins - GOAL! West Ham look keen to use Sears and a long ball out to the
right from Kovac wins a throw for the Hammers. It is taken quickly by Spence
and the ball is worked to McCarthy, who thumps his shot beyond Welsby from
inside the penalty area. Great start for Dyer's side!
12 mins - Wigan counter and Jordan Rugg really should do better with a
header from around ten yards. He rose high to meet Daniel Redmond's centre,
but his effort flew a long way wide of the near post.
10 mins - A first chance for the Hammers. Sears streaks away down the right
and leaves Adam Buxton for dead. His cross flies across the six-yard box,
but the sliding Lee just cannot stretch far enough to poke the ball into the
net.
9 mins - The slick playing surface is making for a decent game so far. Both
teams are keen to keep the ball on the grass, which always makes for a more
entertaining spectacle. As yet, however, neither goalkeeper has had much
work to do.
7 mins - Chairman David Gold has made his way to Ship Lane to keep a close
eye on the reserves. Mr Gold has been mingling with supporters before the
game and has now taken his seat in the Directors Box.
5 mins - Nice football from West Ham on the slick surface. Brown and Lee
combine to clear from a tight corner. McCarthy is certainly looking sharp up
front, showing for the ball regularly and working the Wigan back four when
they are in possession.
3 mins - Interesting play from Wigan No7 Serrano, who challenges Lee on
halfway but inadvertantly belts the ball out for a corner! Stanislas to
take... The ball is headed clear by Caldwell.
2 mins - A first touch for McCarthy, who finds Sears. The No10 wins a throw,
then receives possession and forces a Wigan defender to concede a corner.
Stanislas crosses, Caldwell heads straight up into the air and Sears
challenges and fouls goalkeeper Welsby.
1 min - Wigan win a throw deep inside the West Ham half off Winston Reid,
but it comes to nothing and Stanislas lofts the ball upfield.
6.59pm - Wigan will kick-off towards the M25 end of the stadium. And we're
off and running...
6.57pm - Here come the two teams to the strains of 'Bubbles' - nice touch!
West Ham are in claret and blue, while Wigan are in blue and white.
6.55pm - There is a good-size crowd in at Ship Lane for tonight's game - the
first West Ham United reserves have played as the home team at this stadium.
Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been as kind to us. It is raining and a
very murky evening here in south Essex. But let's not worry about the
weather - the Hammers have made a fine start to the Barclays Premier Reserve
League season and have a strong team out tonight as Alex Dyer and his
players go for two wins from two.
Good evening and welcome to Thurrock FC's Ship Lane home for West Ham
United's opening home Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture of the 2010/11
season. Wigan Athletic are the visitors for the club's first-ever reserve
meeting as the Hammers seek to build on their 1-0 win in their first league
game of the season at Everton a fortnight ago.
Alex Dyer has a strong squad to call upon this evening, with no fewer than
four full internationals in West Ham's starting lineup - Winston Reid,
Radoslav Kovac, Jonathan Spector and Benni McCarthy. All four, along with
England Under-21 internationals James Tomkins, Freddie Sears and Junior
Stanislas, will be hoping to catch the eye of manager Avram Grant ahead of
Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Fulham to the Boleyn Ground. The
most recognisable name on Wigan's teamsheet is Gary Caldwell, the Scotland
and former Newcastle United and Celtic centre-back.
West Ham United reserves: Boffin, Spence, Reid (Eyjolfsson 43), Tomkins,
Brown, Spector (Abdulla 73), Kovac, Lee, Stanislas (Hall 73), Sears,
McCarthy
Subs not used: Cowler, Moncur, Wearen
Wigan Athletic reserves: Welsby, Buxton, Caldwell (Golobart 65), Robinson,
Girvan, Breeze (Watson 89), Serrano (Holt 65), Morris, Redmond, Rugg,
McManaman
Subs not used: Williams, Watson, Boothman
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Nouble hits winning goal
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's two loanees both enjoyed good nights in the latest round
of Football League action
28.09.2010
Frank Nouble scored with his first touch to ensure Swansea City ultimately
ran out 3-2 winners away to Watford on Tuesday night. The striker, who
turned 19 four days ago, is in the middle of a three-month loan at the south
Wales club and his 69th minute goal, seconds after arriving as substitute,
was his first in Swansea colours. Brendan Rodgers' team are up to eighth in
the Championship, although they are level on 15 points with their
fourth-placed opponents.
Nouble has made three appearances for Swansea since his switch from the
Boleyn earlier this month. He enjoyed successful loan spells at West
Bromwich Albion and Swindon Town last season and is coming off the back of
scoring two goals in four matches as England reached the final of the UEFA
European Under-17 Championship last July. It was a similarly good night for
defender Matthew Fry, who himself turned 20 on Sunday. The centre-back
played the full 90 minutes as Charlton Athletic won 1-0 at home to MK Dons -
the winning goal coming via an assist from former Hammers winger Kyel Reid.
Charlton sit in seventh place in the League One table, just outside of the
play-off positions.
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Russ savours Spurs success
WHUFC.com
It was a star-studded affair at the Boleyn last weekend with Russell Brand's
stag do
28.09.2010
Russell Brand had extra reason to celebrate Saturday's success against Spurs
as he was also enjoying his stag do at the Boleyn Ground. The comedian and
actor treated 20 guests to a special afternoon watching the Hammers, and was
rewarded with a day to remember. Lifelong fan Brand was given special
permission to take his mates, including Noel Gallagher, David Walliams and
David Baddiel, pitchside at the end of the 1-0 victory. Oasis star Gallagher
attracted much of the attention, mainly because he was singing City songs as
he looked around the ground, but Brand was not worried in the slightest. "I
don't think Noel Gallagher is going to stop supporting Man City but neither
would we accept him here at Upton Park as anything other than a guest. "In
fact he has been lowering the tone ever since he stepped on the hallowed
turf but he is going to be forced to kiss it before he departs."
Raised in Grays, Brand rejected the idea that his impending marriage to US
singer Katy Perry would mean an end to days at the Boleyn. "I don't think
that is going to happen," he said. "I am just on my stag do and I am
thrilled to be here on the day we had an amazing result. We played so well
more importantly. There is so much to be optimistic about for West Ham
fans."
Despite the elation of the result, Brand did not invite any of the players
for the rest of the festivities that included dinner and a nightclub in west
London.
"I think they should remain healthy and focused," he added with a smile. "I
don't think they should be drinking, I don't think they should be going out.
I am a traditionalist. They should be in bed by 9pm and travelling on the
bus like Alan Devonshire."
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SBOBET player of the month open
WHUFC.com
Who will be voted the month's best player after Kieron Dyer took the August
prize?
28.09.2010
There is still time to have your say on the SBOBET Player of the Month for
September 2010. Six nominees have been shortlisted including three of the
club's summer recruits - namely Lars Jacobsen, Victor Obinna and Frederic
Piquionne. Robert Green, Manuel da Costa and two-time Hammer of the Year
winner Scott Parker round out the nominees.
To register your vote in the monthly poll, click here
(http://www.whufc.com/page/NewsIndex/0,,12562,00.html ) and go to the vote
in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
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Lars ready to launch
WHUFC.com
Lars Jacobsen believes West Ham United can get even better following a
memorable victory over Tottenham
28.09.2010
West Ham United are ready to launch themselves up the Barclays Premier
League table following Saturday's win over Tottenham Hotspur, according to
Lars Jacobsen. The right-back was part of a superb all-round display against
Spurs, working hard up and down his flank and keeping the talented Croatia
midfielder Luka Modric unusually subdued. Denmark FIFA World Cup player
Jacobsen was one of a number of outstanding performers on a memorable day at
the Boleyn Ground, with Frederic Piquionne stealing the headlines with a
towering first-half header. The defender said the club's first league
victory of the 2010/11 campaign was all the sweeter for having come against
their fiercest local rivals.
"Everybody is buzzing about the win," he told whufc.com. "First of all, it's
the three points and the first victory of the season in the Premier League
and it also came in a local derby against Spurs and you don't get anything
better than that. We're all very pleased. "Derby matches are the same
everywhere. It's a special atmosphere and the stadium is always packed. The
games are always tight, as it should be, and that's what football is all
about. They are the most intense games and that's what you want as a player
and as a spectator as well."
Jacobsen has been a revelation since his arrival from Blackburn Rovers on
transfer deadline day, adding a calmed assurance to the right-back position.
Looking forward, the 31-year-old believes things will continue to get better
over the coming weeks. "I can only talk about the four games that I've been
here, but I think we can take a lot of positives. The Chelsea game, even
though we lost, was a positive and from that moment on we seem solid on the
pitch. "Drawing at Stoke and winning at Sunderland gave us a boost in the
right direction and we managed to get the three points today. Now we have to
draw a line and say we need to get some more points on the board and look
forward."
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Midweek date set for Cup clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's fourth round Carling Cup clash with Stoke will take place
on Wednesday, October 27th.
The Hammers - who beat Oxford and Sunderland in rounds two and three
respectively - were drawn out of the hat first during Saturday's draw and
therefore take home advantage against a side with whom they share much
history in this particular Cup.
The last meetings between the teams in the competition - known then as the
Rumbelows Cup - came during the 1990/91 season when the Hammers easily won a
two-legged second round tie 5-1 on aggregate.
West Ham had strolled to a 3-0 win in the first encounter at the Boleyn
thanks to goals from Julian Dicks, Kevin Keen and Jimmy Quinn before a
Martin Allen Brace saw Billy Bonds' side through 2-1 at the Victoria Ground
in the return leg. The Irons were knocked out in the next round by Oxford
United, but reached the FA Cup semi-final in that same year.
Almost a decade before the two clubs clashed at the same stage of what was
then known as the Milk Cup. A tense first leg at Stoke saw Ray Stewart
salvage a 1-1 draw with an 81st minute penalty after Alan Devonshire had
been hauled down by George Berry.
It was to be an equally late recovery for West Ham in the second leg.
England centre half Dave Watson nodded Stoke in front on the hour mark but
West Ham won their way through to the second round thanks to goals in the
last ten minutes from Paul Goddard and Sandy Clark. The Hammers eventually
succumbed to Liverpool - who they'd lost the final to two years before - in
the quarter finals (Graeme Souness' 86th minute winner securing a 2-1 win at
Anfield).
However the most famous meeting between the two clubs came back in the
pre-sponsorship days when the competition was known simply as the League
Cup. A marathon 1971/72 semi-final tie that stretched to an incredible four
matches and nearly two months - back in the day when a draw resulted in
another match, not penalty kicks - saw Stoke win through to Wembley (where
they were to upset the odds and beat hotly-fancied Chelsea 2-1 to win their
first ever trophy of note).
It had all been going so well for West Ham after the first meeting on
December 8th, 1971. A 2-1 away win at the Victoria Ground, secured through
goals by Geoff Hurst and Clyde Best (Peter Dobing netting for Stoke in
reply) was perhaps just as memorable for Bobby Moore receiving only the
second booking of his professional career.
Also in West Ham's favour was the fact that prior to the 1971/72 season,
only one team that had lost the League Cup semi-final first leg had reached
the Final. So it was with one foot in the final that the Hammers took to the
field for the second leg, knowing that a draw at the Boleyn would be
sufficient to book a place at Wembley.
After a tense opening, former England international Geoff Hurst was granted
the perfect opportunity to kill off the game when United were awarded a
penalty after Harry Redknapp had been sent tumbling by Gordon Banks. Sadly
for Hurst and the 39,000 crammed into the Boleyn ground, the England 'keeper
guessed correctly and produced a fine save from Hurst's resulting spot kick.
The penalty miss acted as a spur to the visitors and with the Hammers just
17 minutes from the final John Ritchie capitalised on a mix-up between Tommy
Taylor and John McDowell to level the tie. 30 minutes of extra time failed
to provide a winner so both teams were forced to travel to Hillsborough
three weeks later for the first replay.
The game, played on a bitterly cold 5th January 1972 failed to live up to
expectations although Gordon Banks had to be at his best to deny Clyde Best
on two occasions in a dismal 0-0 draw (aet). So it was that a second replay
was required - with the two sides travelling this time to Old Trafford on
26th January, nearly two months after the original first leg at the Victoria
Ground.
Whilst the last game had lacked any real thrills, this one had them in
spades. The night started badly for the Hammers when 'keeper Bobby Ferguson
was carried from the field with concussion following a shocking challenge by
John Conroy and Bobby Moore forced to take the vacant jersey. Those were the
days when only one substitute allowed; West Ham's being outfield player
Peter Eustace.
Moore made an instant impact when he saved Mike Bernard's 33rd minute spot
kick - although he could do nothing to stop the red-faced centre-half from
poking home the rebound. However two great strikes from Billy Bonds (39
mins) and Trevor Brooking (46) saw the Hammers lead in unlikely fashion at
the beginning of the second half.
Sadly that slender lead was to last for just four minutes when Peter Dobing
netted his second goal of the marathon tie to make it 2-2. When Irish
midfielder Conroy - who had been responsible for Ferguson's first half
injury - put the Potters 3-2 ahead on 55 minutes there were more than one or
two Hammers fans feeling a sense of injustice. However it was a lead that
Stoke were able to hold on to much to the disappointment of the travelling
Hammers faithful who had been sniffing a first Wembley appearance for seven
years.
West Ham Utd v Stoke City 2010 is set for a 7:45pm kick off.
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Jacobsen - Let's kick on
Defender looks for Hammers to push on after Spurs victory
Last updated: 28th September 2010
SSN
Lars Jacobsen is eyeing more victories after West Ham notched their first
Premier League win of the campaign against Tottenham. Avram Grant's side
lifted themselves off the bottom thanks to Frederic Piquionne's first-half
winner in last Saturday's derby. The welcome win came after a draw at Stoke
and Carling Cup victory at Sunderland and Jacobsen hopes the Hammers can now
push on. The defender, who joined from Blackburn on transfer deadline day,
told the club's official website: "Everybody is buzzing about the win.
"First of all, it's the three points and the first victory of the season in
the Premier League and it also came in a local derby against Spurs and you
don't get anything better than that. We're all very pleased. "Derby matches
are the same everywhere. It's a special atmosphere and the stadium is always
packed. The games are always tight, as it should be, and that's what
football is all about. "They are the most intense games and that's what you
want as a player and as a spectator as well."
Recent upturn
West Ham had a dreadful start to the campaign, losing their first four
Premier League fixtures before the recent upturn in results. Jacobsen is now
looking to the future and hopes the Hammers can pick up more points as
quickly as possible. He added: "I can only talk about the four games that
I've been here, but I think we can take a lot of positives. The Chelsea
game, even though we lost, was a positive and from that moment on we seem
solid on the pitch. "Drawing at Stoke and winning at Sunderland gave us a
boost in the right direction and we managed to get the three points today.
"Now we have to draw a line and say we need to get some more points on the
board and look forward."
Meanwhile, West Ham have been boosted by the news midfielder Kieron Dyer
should return against Fulham on Saturday. The former England man was forced
off in the 41st minute against Spurs after feeling ill but he has recovered
and should return against the Cottagers at Upton Park.
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The fight for image rights is simply wrong at West Ham
By LEO SPALL Last updated at 8:58 AM on 28th September 2010
Daily Mail
One of them has struggled badly with a weight problem and hardly played for
the club, another has spent more time on the treatment table than the pitch
and the other has a World Cup gaffe hanging over him. But Kieron Dyer,
Benni McCarthy and Robert Green are still among those reportedly unhappy
with West Ham for not paying for their image rights. Welcome to the wacky
world of the Premier League.
If image rights meant what they appear to, two of the above would probably
owe West Ham money and Robert Green, after gesturing to the press last
Saturday, would be in dangerous territory. So whatever is thrown up from
the collision course that the taxman and clubs appear to be on over the
rights, a name change for them must be a part of it. Joey Barton being paid
£675,000 for image rights when he was in prison only underlines how much of
a gruesome misnomer it is. At the core of the concept, in football at least,
is a tax-efficient way to pay players and there are some fair examples.
Scott Parker, apparently also out of pocket while West Ham withhold payments
and await a tax ruling on the rights, has done more than most to shine a
positive light into Upton Park. Yet it seems that for every player whose
rights are valuable there are another 10 being paid for them who shouldn't
be.
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West Ham United's Olympic stadium move plans to receive Downing Street boost
West Ham's plans to move into the London Olympic Stadium after the 2012
Games will receive a further boost with a Downing Street press call to
launch their bid on Thursday, the deadline for proposals to be formally
lodged with the Olympic Park Legacy Company.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Paul Kelso
Published: 7:45AM BST 29 Sep 2010
The club, who are bidding in partnership with Newham Council, remain
favourites to take on the stadium, and the Number 10 photocall can only
enhance their chances. Under the West Ham plan the capacity would be reduced
to 60,000, the athletics track retained around the pitch, a prerequisite for
any successful bid, and a warm-up track and other facilities made available
for community use. The club have also been in talks with entertainment
groups AEG, owners of the O2, and LiveNation, about helping them develop the
new ground as a concert venue.
AEG has also expressed an interest in bidding for the stadium in its own
right but last night could not confirm whether it would proceed with a
formal bid.
Tottenham have also been linked with the stadium but any bid would be
contingent on them failing to get planning permission for the redevelopment
of White Hart Lane. A decision from Haringey Council's planning committee is
also expected to be made on Thursday.
Higgins departure a blow to ODA
Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive David Higgins is to leave his
post in January, dealing a blow to the organisation in its busiest year of
construction.
He will be succeeded by finance director Dennis Hone with the ODA stressing
continuity, but Higgins will be a tough act to follow given his
encyclopaedic grasp of the detail of the hugely complex project. Clearly a
sucker for punishment, Higgins is to take up a similar role at Network Rail,
one previously filled by ODA chairman John Armitt.
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Hammer Time
Wednesday 29th September 2010
Fulhamfc.com
West Ham United v Fulham, Barclays Premier League
Saturday 2nd October 2010 (KO 3pm)
This weekend we travel to Upton Park for our first London derby of the
season.
West Ham finished in 17th place last season, winning just twice in the final
12 games. Within days of the end of the campaign, manager Gianfranco Zola
was on his way out, but the ex-Chelsea link was maintained with the
appointment of Avram Grant.
From his time at Portsmouth, Grant has useful experience of working on a
budget, for finances are similarly tight for the Hammers. Nevertheless, he
has been able to spend £4million on Mexican international winger Pablo
Barrera and £1million for his former Pompey striker Frederic Piquionne. Also
acquired have been Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim and former Aston Villa
winger Thomas Hitzlsperger, signed on a free transfer from Lazio.
Despite the squad additions, the Hammers did not make an encouraging start
to the season and were rooted to the foot of the table after losing their
opening four games conceding three goals in each. However a recent draw at
Stoke before last weekend's victory over Spurs has lifted spirits in East
London.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Saturday's game are on General Sale.
Prices: Adults £36, Over 65s £21, U16s £1 (Juniors purchasing tickets must
produce ID at the turnstiles.)
Loyalty points: 1
Stadium Information
Address: Boleyn Ground, Green Street, Upton Park, London E13 9AZ
Telephone: 020 8548 2748
Capacity: 35,595
Visitors Sections: Centenary Stand Lower Tier
Disabled Sections: Centenary Stand
Fulham at Upton Park
P37 W8 D8 L22 F47 A77
Getting There
(Approx 15 miles from Fulham)
Despite recent renovations, the Boleyn Ground maintains the atmosphere of
one of London's most traditional Premier League football grounds – aside
from our own of course.
Coaches
Depart Motspur Park at 11:45am, Craven Cottage 12:15pm.
Price: Season Ticket Holders/Members Adults £10; Juniors £5
Non Season Ticket Holder Adults £15; Juniors £8
To book coach tickets, call 0870 442 1234 option 3.
By Road
Leave Fulham via New Kings Road (A308) and in two miles bear right onto
A3212 (signs Westminster). At Westminster join Embankment and follow signs
City. Continue ahead until Tower Hill then follow signs for A13 onto
Commercial Road. Pass the exit for Blackwall Tunnel then take the left hand
lane avoiding Canning Town flyover. Do not use flyover but continue ahead at
roundabout onto Barking Road (A124). In approx two miles turn left into
Green Street. Ground is on the right.
By Car
Travellers intending to use routes involving the Blackwall Tunnel should
note that the Southbound tunnel is closed completely on the weekend of the
West Ham game and that access to the A13 from the Northbound tunnel is also
subject to diversion. The closure is also likely to impact traffic levels on
the A13 throughout the day.
Car Parking
There are many residents only schemes in the vicinity of the ground. Car
crime is also a problem. Parking may be easier south of Barking Road or up
towards Romford Road.
By Tube
Upton Park tube (Zone 3) is less than five minutes walk from the ground and
is served by the District and Metropolitan Lines. Check www.TFL.gov.uk for
any engineering work which may affect your journey.
The Area
Upton Park is just a short tube ride from Central London, and with West Ham
fans reputedly very partisan, it's advisable to seek refreshments in more
neutral surroundings. If you're making a day of it, walking and boat tours
of the 2012 Olympic sites can be arranged, or for post-match entertainment,
change at West Ham Station for the Jubilee line and head to the o2 Arena.
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