WHUFC.com
Avram Grant was in joyful mood after a morale-boosting and vital 3-1 victory
at Blackpool
02.02.2011
Avram Grant was not exactly dancing a jig of delight, but the West Ham
United manager was singing a positive tune after guiding his side to a
morale-boosting 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Blackpool. With the
music blaring loudly from the away dressing room behind him, Grant told West
Ham TV how he had been hugely impressed with the spirit and application
shown by his players at Bloomfield Road. The manager was delighted not just
with new boys Robbie Keane and Gary O'Neil, but also with the form and poise
shown by the remainder of his squad on a potentially difficult night in
Lancashire. "It's not my iPod! If it was my iPod, you would be hearing
Israeli music," joked a smiling Grant. "I enjoyed it very much. We played
very well in the first half and the reaction even after the score went to
2-1 was great, the supporters were great so it was a good night for us."
The manager said the players had discussed their recent habit of losing
first-half leads and made sure they did not relinquish their advantage this
time around. "In the second half we were calmer and spoke about what happens
in the last games when we were a little bit nervous when the other team put
pressure on us. I think we learned from those games and we handled the
situation well."
Grant was delighted with the form of his new front pairing of Keane and
Frederic Piquionne, as well as the contribution of right winger O'Neil.
However, the boss said Wednesday's victory had been a complete team effort
based on hard work, commitment and concentration. "They are intelligent
players and it is easier to play the football that we like with these sorts
of players. They play the football that we like, because they like to pass
the ball and play intelligently, so it was easy for them to come in and help
us to get the victory. "They had a good partnership. You have to remember
that behind them that Scotty and Mark did a good job too. When everybody is
doing well and playing our football, we have a good team."
Grant also had words of praise for his young central defensive partnership
of James Tomkins and Winston Reid, who were thrown together after Danny
Gabbidon was forced off with an injury after half-an-hour. "They are very
good. They played together in the Carling Cup and they did well. There is no
doubt that they will be two of the best defenders in England in the future."
Another young player to shine was Victor Obinna, who took his tally to five
goals in two matches with two more memorable strikes - the second of which
scorched into the net from all of 30 yards to put West Ham 3-1 up just 90
seconds after Charlie Adam had reduced the arrears direct from a corner.
Grant said the Nigerian, 23, had learned from the error he made in getting
himself sent-off in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham
City last month. "I think he didn't play before because he didn't do the
right things that we wanted him to do. He has a lot of quality but after the
red card, he was not happy about this and we spoke about how to maximise his
quality. In the last two games, he has worked for the team and got the
reward and he was also involved in the second goal."
While his players were deserving of Grant's praise, the travelling
supporters were again in excellent voice, urging their team on from first to
last.
At the final whistle, the manager walked across the pitch before throwing
his scarf into the crowd and waving jubilantly to the Hammers fans, who sang
his name in response. "I think they deserve it. I was a supporter and I know
how they feel. When we take so many supporters such a long way, they deserve
more than a scarf. "I can tell you that they are really great. I was at a
team last year where the supporters were great and I came here and they are
the same - they came a long way to see us and I am very happy because they
are happy."
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Robbie's debut delight
WHUFC.com
Robbie Keane was happy to mark his West Ham United bow with a goal and a win
at Blackpool
02.02.2011
Robbie Keane was all smiles after marking his West Ham United debut with a
goal and - more importantly - three Barclays Premier League points at
Blackpool. Keane struck the Hammers' second goal in a 3-1 victory at
Bloomfield Road, pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area to plant a
superb volley into the bottom right-hand corner. The Republic of Ireland
captain's goal capped a fine all-round performance that saw him link
encouragingly with new strike partner Frederic Piquionne. The 30-year-old
also struck up an instant rapport with the travelling supporters and
markedly ran to the away section after scoring to celebrate with his adoring
fans. "It's always nice as a striker to score on your debut but of course
the most important thing was getting the win and we managed that," he told
West Ham TV. "Full credit to the lads because Blackpool came at us but we
put in a good team effort and we did it and we enjoyed it. Keane was pleased
with the way he linked up with Piquionne, with the two dove-tailing to good
effect throughout on a cold and blustery night on the Lancashire coast. With
intelligent movement and deft touches, the pair pulled Blackpool's defence
all over the pitch, leading to centre-back Craig Cathcart being replaced at
the break by Tangerines manager Ian Holloway. "We linked up well. He's
obviously strong and good in the air, while I like to drop off and play in
the holes. I think we can combine quite well. The longer we play together,
the better we will get."
Keane was delighted to put smiles on the faces of the 1,200-odd fans who
made the long trip up the M1 and M6 to watch their new hero in action.
"I think it's always nice when you go to a new club to have a good
relationship with the fans. I'm very lucky that, over the years, I've had a
great relationship with them at every club I've been at. You only get a good
relationship with the fans if you are good at what you do. I did that
tonight, but it was about getting the three points."
While Keane was understandably pleased to show what he could do on his first
appearance in claret and blue, but he is experienced enough to know that
West Ham have plenty more work to do to safeguard their Barclays Premier
League status. With 17th-placed Birmingham City to visit the Boleyn Ground
on Sunday and a trip to West Bromwich Albion to follow on Saturday 12
February, the Dublin-born forward is eyeing maximum points from two vital
matches. "This is just one little step forward to what we want to achieve.
It's a good start and it's important that we maintain this now and carry it
forward to Sunday's fixture."
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Da Costa back in reserves draw
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides scored his first goal at reserve level as Manu da Costa
returned
02.02.2011
West Ham United reserves 1-1 West Bromwich Albion reserves
A fine Dylan Tombides goal saw a youthful Hammers side earn a draw at home
to an equally inexperienced West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night at
Bishop's Stortford. A solitary strike from Baggies substitute Mani
O'Sullivan just before the interval put the visitors in front before
Australian youth international Tombides equalised with a fine strike early
in the second half. It was a creditable point for the young Hammers, who
were guided by Tony Carr with Alex Dyer having departed to become Charlton
Athletic's assistant manager. A huge plus was Manu da Costa getting a solid
hour under his belt alongside Jordan Spence in central defence. The
Portuguese defender had not played a competitive fixture since suffering an
ankle injury against Arsenal on 30 October. Herita Ilunga was the only other
recognised first-teamer on view, with the only notable name in the Baggies'
ranks being veteran keeper Dean Kiely.
The teams will meet again for another Barclays Premier Reserve League
encounter in a week's time at West Brom.
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Duo receive call-ups
WHUFC.com
Robbie Keane and James Tomkins will join Danny Gabbidon on international
duty next week
02.02.2011
Two more West Ham United players have been called-up to represent their
countries during next week's international break. Robbie Keane and James
Tomkins have been included by Republic of Ireland and England Under-21s
respectively as the 2011 international calendar kicks-off. Captain Keane
should earn his 105th senior cap for Ireland when they take on Danny
Gabbidon's Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in their opening Carling
Nations Cup fixture on Tuesday 8 February. The 30-year-old has scored a
national-record 45 goals for his country, including one in a 2-2 2008 UEFA
European Championship qualifying draw with the Welsh - including Gabbidon -
in Cardiff in November 2007.
Tomkins, meanwhile, has been called-up to the England U21 squad for the
first time since appearing in a UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier
against Macedonia in October 2009. The centre-back, who has seven U21 caps
and appeared at the 2009 UEFA European Championship finals in Sweden, has
been in superb form for West Ham of late. Those performances have been
rewarded by a re-call from U21 coach Stuart Pearce, who has included the
21-year-old in his squad for a friendly match against Italy in Empoli on the
afternoon of Tuesday 8 February. The pair are joined on international duty
next week by Gabbidon, who will hope to shackle new team-mate Keane when the
pair clash in Dublin.
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Blackpool 1 - 3 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Julian Shea
Victor Obinna followed up his weekend hat-trick with two goals as West Ham
beat Blackpool to move off the foot of the Premier League table. Keeper
Richard Kingson's blunder gifted him the opening goal, before debutant
Robbie Keane volleyed in a second. Blackpool's Charlie Adam scored from a
corner only for Obinna's rasping shot to make it 3-1 before half-time. Adam
thumped a free-kick against the bar as the Seasiders laid siege in the
second half but West Ham held on. From the outset, neither side held
anything back as they both went all out in attack, and the game developed a
lively tempo.
Although Ian Holloway's team had the better of the early possession, it was
the visitors who did more with the ball when they had it, and the first
meaningful chance fell to Obinna. Frederic Piquionne fired in a cross from
the left which was allowed to go all the way across the box to Obinna and
his bobbling shot drew a good full-stretch from Kingson. Obinna was a
constant threat, and with West Ham having clearly identified the right-hand
side of Blackpool's defence as a weakness, he was regularly in the thick of
the action. When the first goal of the game came, it was no surprise that
the Nigerian was involved. He twisted and turned and pulled marker Craig
Cathcart out of position, and opened up the angle to shoot from the
left-hand corner of the box, with Kingson inexplicably palming the ball into
his own net.
But with the Hammers having shipped 10 goals in their last three league
games, Blackpool knew the visitors were open to a sucker punch, and they
very nearly landed one through Andy Reid. The Blackpool debutant spotted
keeper Robert Green off his line and tried to curl a shot into the far top
corner from wide on the right, but the England keeper back-pedalled and
managed to finger-tip the ball over the bar. Seeing their lead threatened
roused West Ham to action and inevitably Obinna was involved. He drew a fine
double save from Kingson but there was nothing the Ghanaian could do about
Keane's follow-up volley into the bottom corner from close range. But just
as Avram Grant's side were starting to think of the rare luxury of a two
goal half-time cushion, Blackpool struck back. Adam, the focus of so much
pre-match attention, fired in a low corner from the right which somehow
eluded everyone and skidded into the far corner to put the hosts on the
scoreboard. Amazingly, there was still time for another goal before the
break, and once again, Obinna was at the heart of things.
Scott Parker charged forward from the centre circle and laid the ball off to
Obinna, who unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot from 30 yards into the
top corner. Adam continued to show his huge value in the transfer market by
being at the centre of everything Blackpool did, and he came within inches
of narrowing West Ham's lead when he smashed a second-half free-kick against
the crossbar. That free-kick was earned after James Tomkins fouled
substitute James Beattie and the introduction of the former Everton striker
caused West Ham's defence all kinds of problems. Winston Reid in particular
struggled to deal with him, and was lucky to avoid conceding a penalty when
he hauled Beattie down in the box, although the forward did not complain
much about the decision.
Beattie came on at the same time as former Hammer Marlon Harewood, showing
the home side's attacking intent, and they laid siege to Green's goal for
the rest of the game. But for all Blackpool's pressure, Green's
stoppage-time one-handed save from Harewood was one of the few times he was
truly threatened, and the visitors held on for only their second away win of
the season.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway: "To be honest I can't wait to get away from
home. "All these things are happening in front of our own fans and it is not
nice. "So, let's get away, play at Everton on Saturday and see if we can
stop the rot."
West Ham manager Avram Grant: "I am very pleased with how we attacked in the
first half - we created a lot of chances. "In the second half we defended
very well, which we didn't do in the last games we were winning against
Everton and Birmingham. "It was a very important win. Every game now is very
important for us. "We wanted to make one step today, we have finished the
second third of the league and are starting the last third."
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Blackpool 1 West Ham Utd 3
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
An accomplished performance at both ends of the pitch was enough to lift
West Ham off the bottom of the Premier League. A first half of breathtaking,
attacking football - combined with a backs-to-the-wall second - was the
foundation for United's second away win of the season, which lifts them into
18th place in tonight's Premier League and level on points with 17th placed
Birmingham. Victor Obinna was the star of the show for the second successive
game, scoring a brace to add to his three against Nottingham Forest. With
Robbie Keane grabbing his first goal for the club on his debut inbetween
West Ham had the game won by half time.
At least, almost any other club would have... but with Avram Grant's side,
you just never know what's around the corner given their recent propensity
to leak goals at the most inopportune moments.
Happily that wasn't to be the case tonight as a defence, superbly marshalled
by the hastily-improving James Tomkins withstood everything the Tangerines
could throw at them (barring the odd jitter).
That rearguard action was even more impressive given the absence of captain
Matthew Upson, who was replaced on the night by Danny Gabbidon - who was
then replaced by Winston Reid after only 33 minutes, having pulled a
hamstring.
But such was the efficiency of West Ham's attacks that the defence enjoyed a
two goal cushion throughout the second half - a lead that started with
Victor Obinna's opening goal on 24 minites.
Having received the ball wide on the left the Nigerian weaved into the box
before unleashing a fierce drive that slipped under the legs of 'keeper
Richard Kingson, who committed the cardinal sin of being beaten at his near
post.
For Obinna it was the second touch of luck in as many games - but there was
nothing lucky about his second, which arrived just two minutes after Charlie
Adam had brough the home side back into the game with a goal direct from a
corner.
Picking the ball up on the perimeter of the centre circle, Obinna drove
towards goal before unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt that flew into the top
right corner of the net.
That goal gave the Hammers a 3-1 lead at the break for inbetween Obinna's
haul, Robbie Keane - making his debut in claret and blue - scored his first
for West Ham with a cleverly taken goal; Keane showing the sort of guile
that age never dampens and the kind that Grant's side have been missing
since perhaps Craig Bellamy departed some three seasons ago.
Although the Hammers created a number of chances in the second half - most
notably when Robbie Keane drew a smart save from Kingson having been played
in by a quick Mark Noble free kick - most of the play was at the other end,
with Tomkins imperious in defence.
But the only real scare for West Ham came when Neal Eardley crashed a 68th
minute free kick against the crossbar with Rob Green rooted to the spot;
West Ham having the luck when it was most needed, just as they did when
beginning the Great Escape of 2006/07 at Blackburn with Carlos Tevez's
goal-that-never-was.
With another 13 league matches still to play this season Avram Grant and his
team will almost certainly need a little more luck if they're to avoid 'the
dreaded drop' - although tonight's win will be a massive boost to a team
looking, on the night, light years away from relegation material.
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FA cough up - at last
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton has agreed an out-of-court settlement with the FA in regards to
compensation for ruining his career. The former Hammers striker was forced
to retire in his mid-20s as a result of a challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips
whilst both were on England duty in 2006 - since when the player has battled
to receive adequate compensation. 27-year-old Ashton - who, given today's
market rates, would almost certainly be worth in excess of £25million -
called it a day in 2009 after being told that his career was finally over,
following three years of operations and rehabilitation.
The level of compensation is, as expected, undisclosed; a statement on the
FA's website this evening read:
"The FA is pleased to announce that the legal proceedings brought by Dean
Ashton following his unfortunate injury during training the day before his
debut for England in August 2006 have been settled upon terms mutually
acceptable to the parties and their insurers. It is a term of the settlement
that no further statement will be made by any of the parties."
Ashton - who has already received a pay-off from West Ham United in the
region of £2million - is now unable to partake in any sporting activity,
having had his ankle fused together last year to prevent further
degeneration. West Ham are also in the process of suing the FA for the loss
of Ashton.
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Defender in contract mystery
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tal Ben Haim is currently without a club due to a contract dispute with West
Ham United. The Israeli defender - who joined the Hammers on loan at the
beginning of the season - is said to be unable to return to Fratton Park due
to an problem regarding his loan contract with West Ham, which officially
ended on January 1st.
No details of the exact nature of the issues ivolved have been revealed,
whilst Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill, whose club retain the player's
registration, appears to be equally in the dark. "Tal is not training with
us. That's why we are still on six-a-sides. He could come back I suppose,
but I absolutely don't know, honestly," a confused Cotterill said this
morning. "I don't know the answer. That's more of a political question
probably for someone else. "The only small bit I do know is that he is in a
disagreement with West Ham over whether his contract was valid from 1st
January. As a player we would welcome him. Whether we would welcome his wage
is a question for someone else."
West Ham had initially been hoping to extend Ben Haim's contract until the
end of the season but for reasons unknown, that deal failed to materialise.
The Hammers confirmed their final 25 man squad for the remainder fo the
season yesterday.
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Burnley postponed?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's fifth round FA Cup tie against Burnley has been moved to Monday,
21st February, according to a club missive. The Championship side - who beat
Port Vale and Burton Albion te reach the last 32 - had been set to visit the
Boleyn Ground on the weekend of February 19/20. However the game has now
been postponed by 24 hours to allow it to be broadcast live on TV according
to an email from the club - although this is yet to be confirmed by either
Burnley or the TV companies.
Although any such move will mean the club missing out on a six-figure sum in
lost gate receipts - with most Burnley fans likely to stay at home and watch
the game on TV rather than make a 500-mile round journey on a week night -
the shortfall should be more than covered by the £288,000 sum paid by the TV
companies to feature a live Cup tie.
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NEC reveal Prem offer
Interest in Belgian star
By Gerrit van Leeuwen Last updated: 2nd February 2011
SSN
NEC Nijmegen have claimed they turned down a bid from a Premier League club
on transfer deadline day for leading scorer Bjorn Vleminckx. The 25-year-old
Belgian international is currently the top-scorer in the Eredivisie.
Vleminckx has attracted a great deal of attention this season and last week
Blackburn, Fulhamand Bolton are all known to have dispatched scouts to watch
him. However, the club in question is reported in Holland as being West Ham
United. A club made an official approach and they also made an official
bid," NEC technical director Carlos Aalbers confirmed. "It was far from our
asking price, we are talking about the top-scorer in the league and look how
far he has progressed."
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Grant relief at vital win
Hammers boss delighted to see side climb off bottom with victory
By Steve Pass Last updated: 2nd February 2011
SSN
Avram Grant was relieved after West Ham beat Blackpool 3-1 to climb off the
bottom of the Premier League. Victor Obinna put the Hammers ahead on 24
minutes before on-loan Spurs striker Robbie Keane scored on his debut.
Charlie Adam pulled one back for the Seasiders from a corner but Obinna
scored soon afterwards to make it 3-1 at the break and neither side could
add to their goal tally in the second period as the Hammers ran out winners.
The result lifts Grant's side to third-from-bottom and the West Ham boss
agreed it was a relief to climb off the bottom.
Deserve it
He told Sky Sports News: "It's a big relief because we deserve it. "We
didn't play the football of a side at the bottom of the league and if you
see all of the results against the teams around us - Fulham, Everton, Wigan,
today Blackpoolbefore Wolves - we are taking the points. "This shows
something about our team." Grant was delighted that experienced marksman
Keane could notch on his debut for the club. "Beginner's luck?" he joked.
"It's always good but he played well. He was in the right team in the right
place, he passed the ball well and it's good for us because we are a team
that tries to play football and not to play the direct ball and he is good
for us."
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Obinna brace at seaside
Obinna brace and Keane debut goal helps lift Hammers off bottom
Last updated: 2nd February 2011
SSN
Man of the match: Victor Obinna. Scored a brace and a goal assist to hand
the Hammers a vital victory to climb off the bottom.
Goal of the match: Obinna's piledriver to put the Hammers two goals to the
good again. Blackpool had just reduced the arrears but Obinna's powerful
effort left Richard Kingson no chance.
Shot of the match: Neal Eardley's free-kick from 25 yards in the second
period crashed against the crossbar with Robert Green just a spectator.
Save of the match: Obinna hit a great shot in the build up to the second
goal which Kingson did well to save and the keeper then saved again from the
striker before Robbie Keane slotted home the rebound.
Moment of the match: Obinna's second goal. Blackpool had just got back into
the game through Charlie Adam's bizarre goal from a corner but Obinna's
piledriver restored the two goal advantage at the break.
Talking point: Can West Ham now pull clear of the drop zone? on this
evidence yes. Blackpool are worryingly dropping down the table, with the
13th placed Seasiders now sitting just four points above the
third-from-bottom Hammers.
Victor Obinna netted a brace as West Ham beat Blackpool 3-1 to climb off the
bottom the Premier League. The in-form striker, who scored a hat-trick in
the FA Cup win against Nottingham Forest last time out, gave the Hammers the
lead on 24 minutes when Richard Kingson fumbled his low shot at the near
post into the net. The Hammers then doubled the advantage 13 minutes later
when Obinna forced Kingson into a fine double save and on-loan Spurs striker
Robbie Keane netted the rebound on his debut for Avram Grant's side. But
Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam gave the Seasiders hope in bizarre fashion
when his low corner from the right crept past Robert Greenand into the goal.
But the Hammers were two goals to the good less than two minutes later when
Scott Parkerfound Obinna to the left of goal and his long distance
piledriver left Kingson with no chance. In the second period, Blackpool put
the Hammers under heavy pressure and Neal Eardley hit the crossbar with a
free-kick and substitute Marlon Harewood forced Green to make a fine save
but the visitors held firm to earn a massive three points. Keane's flying
start after joining the club and the form of Obinna offers much hope for
manager Grant. The Hammers boss made five changes to the side which beat
Forest in the FA Cup at the weekend and the result was a vibrant first-half
display.
Blackpool were buoyed by the presence of their captain Adam after his
widely-predicted deadline-day move failed to materialise. And the Scotland
midfielder immediately tried to dispel any suggestions that the club's
refusal to sell him might affect his game with a powerful run in the opening
minute.
Midfield partner David Vaughan also looked keen to influence proceedings as
the Seasiders, with new signing Andy Reid on debut, played their usual
attacking game.
Better opportunities
But it was West Ham who had the better of the opportunities in a lively
opening. Kingson was twice called into action early on, firstly to save a
close-range shot from Obinna after Keane's scuffed effort diverted a
Frederic Piquionne cross into his path. The Ghana goalkeeper then plucked a
long-range strike from Gary O'Neil, who was making his full Hammers debut,
out of the air with little difficulty. The visitors had another chance when
Mark Noble's drive rebounded to Parker but the Hammers talisman fired well
wide. Kingson was nearly caught out when Craig Cathcart almost turned a
Bridge shot into his own net but he made a quick reaction save to his right.
The Tangerines keeper was at fault, however, as West Ham claimed the lead
after 24 minutes.
Kingson looked to have Obinna's ambitious shot from wide on the left covered
but let it slip from his grasp and roll over the line. It was a timely
moment to score as it soon became apparent West Ham had injury problems.
During one stoppage in play James Tomkins, Wayne Bridge and Danny Gabbidon
all went down in apparent pain. Gabbidon was unable to continue and was
replaced by Winston Reid but, despite obvious discomfort, Tomkins limped on
while Bridge quickly recovered. Andy Reid went close to an equaliser after a
poor clearance from Tomkins fell to him outside the area but Green palmed
over his long-range effort.
Doubled lead
West Ham then doubled their lead on 37 minutes as Keane made his mark.
Blackpool got themselves into a mess at the back as Noble lobbed a free-kick
into the area after Parker was felled. Kingson twice saved from Obinna in
quick succession but got no help from his defenders and Keane's sliced
effort found the net before it could be cleared. Blackpool responded as Adam
found the back of the net direct from a corner, Frederic Piquionne
completely missing his kick at the near post and unsighting Green. Yet the
Tangerines' joy was short-lived as Obinna restored a two-goal advantage on
the stroke of half-time with a ferocious shot from distance after being
found by Parker. The game tightened up in the second half as West Ham looked
to deny Blackpool any further way of getting back into the game. The
midfield battle intensified and after Noble and Adam collided, Parker was
booked for a late challenge on Vaughan. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway
decided to go for all-out attack on the hour, sending on two more strikers
in new signing James Beattie and former West Ham forward Harewood. Beattie,
who joined the club on loan from Rangers on Monday, had a chance moments
after coming on but failed to make firm contact and Green easily gathered.
Eardley went close to pulling one back but his 25-yard free-kick struck the
bar and West Ham scrambled clear. Blackpool kept up the pressure with Adam
flashing a shot narrowly wide and Winston Reid making a vital clearance,
before Harewood forced Green into a good save in injury time as the Hammers
held on to celebrate a crucial win.
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FA agree Ashton settlement
FA and former West Ham striker agree out-of-court settlement
Last updated: 2nd February 2011
SSN
Former West Ham striker Dean Ashton and the FA have agreed an out-of-court
settlement over the injury he suffered while on England duty. The
27-year-old sued the FA after he was forced to retire following a lengthy
battle against the ankle injury picked up during a training session in
August 2006 following a tackle by Shaun Wright-Phillips. He then retired in
December 2009 following a recurrence of the injury, although the amount of
compensation he will receive has not been announced following Wednesday's
settlement. The FA said in a statement: "The FA is pleased to announce that
the legal proceedings brought by Dean Ashton following his unfortunate
injury during training the day before his debut for England in August 2006
have been settled upon terms mutually acceptable to the parties and their
insurers. "It is a term of the settlement that no further statement will be
made by any of theparties."
Ashton - who began his career at Crewe and moved to Upton Park from Norwich
City in January 2006 for £7.25million - played for the Hammers following his
injury and won his sole England cap in 2008. But a recurrence of the injury
led to his surgeon to advise him to retire or risk such damage he would be
unable to walk. The Hammers are thought to be preparing their own
compensation claim against the FA for as much as £10.5million.
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Jacobsen issues Blues taunt
Hammers full-back focused on Birmingham revenge
Last updated: 2nd February 2011
SSN
Lars Jacobsen is convinced West Ham are man-for-man a better side than
Birmingham as they prepare to go up against the Blues in the Premier League.
The Hammers, who take on Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday night,
will host fellow relegation candidates Birmingham on Sunday as they bid to
escape the basement of the table. The Blues emerged triumphant against their
east London opponents last Wednesday, booking their spot in the Carling Cup
final with a 3-2 aggregate win after extra time at St Andrews. But West Ham
won the first leg at Upton Park 2-1, despite Victor Obinna's sending off,
and full-back Jacobsen feels they have the quality to enact a decisive
revenge at the weekend.
Better
Jacobsen told the Barking and Dagenham Post: "I think the lads are looking
forward to that game. We showed when we played Birmingham here - as long as
we were 11 versus 11, we were the better team. "It's one of those games you
need to win at home, Birmingham. They are also at the bottom of the league,
but we have to take one game at a time. "I think the rest of the games of
the season are like cup finals for us, because we need to take points every
time. "We're doing ever so well in the cups and we do need to take that into
the Premier League so we can get some more points."
Jacobsen returned to first-team action in Sunday's 3-2 FA Cup fourth-round
victory over Nottingham Forest having spent the last two months troubled by
an Achilles injury. The 31-year-old was happy to come through the clash
unscathed, and has set his sights on winning more game-time this season.
Frustrating
He added: "It was very frustrating. I haven't been out for two months, but I
haven't played football for two months. "It took me about half an hour to
get started (on Sunday). I was very rusty in the beginning, and haven't been
playing competitive football for two months, so it was hard to get into it.
"But I felt very good in the second half, and physically I felt alright. I'm
just happy that I got through and I didn't feel my injury any more. I'm
happy about that.
"I'm just looking forward and hopefully I'll get some more games in the
future."
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Hammers Ben & Heri ditched
The Sun
Published: 02 Feb 2011
WEST HAM duo Benni McCarthy and Herita Ilunga were the two biggest
casualties as Premier League teams named their 25-man squads. The pair have
been left out of the Hammers' line-up by boss Avram Grant and will not be
able to feature again in the league this season. It means they are likely to
leave the club on loan deals to the Championship in the coming weeks.
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Grant: Robbie can save us
The Sun
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT reckons Robbie Keane can fire West Ham to safety. Keane scored
his first Prem goal since November 2009 on his Hammers debut. Boss Grant
said: "In the last few games we've scored goals and now we've got someone
like Robbie who gets one chance and scores. "Robbie is a very good player,
we're playing good football so it's good for him and good for us."
Victor Obinna also netted twice to sink Blackpool. The Seasiders are now
just four points above the drop zone after six defeats in seven Premier
League outings. But boss Ian Holloway insisted: "I'm not worried at all. "We
haven't been at the bottom all season. "We're sunshine, we're light and you
won't catch me not smiling and enjoying myself. "We've got to stay strong,
work hard and it will turn."
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FA agree Ashton settlement
The Sun
Published: 02 Feb 2011
THE Football Association have agreed an out-of-court settlement with Dean
Ashton following the former West Ham striker's legal action for his injury
suffered on England duty. Ashton, 27, sued the FA for compensation after he
was forced to retire as a result of an injury resulting from a tackle on him
by Shaun Wright-Phillips during an England training session in August 2006.
He retired in December 2009 following a recurrence of the injury and
launched legal action against the FA which led to today's settlement. The
amount of compensation he will receive has not been announced. The FA said
in a statement: "The FA is pleased to announce that the legal proceedings
brought by Dean Ashton following his unfortunate injury during training the
day before his debut for England in August 2006 have been settled upon terms
mutually acceptable to the parties and their insurers. "It is a term of the
settlement that no further statement will be made by any of the parties."
Ashton later returned to action for the Hammers and won his sole England cap
in 2008 before the recurrence of the injury led to his surgeon to advise him
to retire or risk such damage he would be unable to walk. West Ham are
thought to be preparing their own compensation claim against the FA for as
much as £10.5million. Ashton began his career at Crewe and moved to Upton
Park from Norwich City in January 2006 for £7.25million.
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Blackpool 1 West Ham 3
The Sun
By DAVID FACEY
Published: 02 Feb 2011
VICTOR OBINNA and new boy Robbie Keane kick-started West Ham's survival
hopes and sucked Blackpool into the dogfight. Obinna's double and a debut
strike from Keane - all in the first half - lifted Avram Grant's men off the
bottom of the table. But Ian Holloway's Seasiders need to halt an alarming
slide quickly, or it will take more than the inspiration of skipper Charlie
Adam - controversially denied a transfer window move to Liverpool - to keep
them afloat.
It almost seemed as if the home team felt merely holding on to playmaker
Adam was enough to avert any crisis. They were strangely subdued at the
start, allowing their opponents to seize the initiative. And there was no
doubt West Ham were up for it, with Nigerian strike star Obinna serving
early notice of his hunger by forcing Richard Kingson into a decent low save
after just two minutes. Gary Taylor-Fletcher had to track back to make a
vital interception after Keane and Obinna combined again and Craig Cathcart
produced another last-ditch lunge with the same duo ready to pounce on
Freddie Piquionne's cross.
But the Hammers grabbed the lead their enterprise deserved on 24 minutes -
with a helping hand from Ghana World Cup star Kingson. Obinna, on a
season-long loan from Inter Milan, took great delight in turning Cathcart
inside out on the edge of the penalty box. When he finally unleashed a shot
there was precious little power behind it - but Kingson and his team-mates
watched in horror as it squirmed through his grasp, reviving memories of his
blunder against Sunderland. It took the Seasiders 35 minutes to pose their
first serious threat, as newcomer Andy Reid cleverly brought down a
clearance and almost caught out Robert Green with a dipping shot from the
edge of the penalty area. But the England keeper was equal to it as he
back-pedalled and clawed the ball away from just under his bar. Two minutes
later, though, the Hammers doubled their lead as Keane celebrated his
arrival on loan from Spurs with a scrappy but vital goal.
Kingson appeared to have made amends for his early clanger by twice saving
from Obinna after Piquionne had nodded Mark Noble's free-kick into the
danger area. But it seemed every loose ball was being claimed by a Hammer
and Keane reacted quickest, slicing it into the corner off his shin. Adam
offered Blackpool hope in even more fortunate fashion. His low corner took a
hop over Piquionne's boot as he tried to hack it to safety, and it crept
past the startled Green. But Obinna silenced the home crowd when he got the
ball 25 yards out and smashed in a left-foot thunderbolt for his fifth goal
in two games. The feeling that this was not going to be Blackpool's night
was confirmed when Neil Eardley's free-kick cannoned back off the angle of
post and bar with Green beaten all ends up.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - VICTOR OBINNA (West Ham)
BLACKPOOL: Kingson 5, Eardley 6, Baptiste 5, Cathcart 5, Carney 6, Reid 5,
Vaughan 7, Adam 6, Taylor-Fletcher 6, Campbell 5, Varney 5. Subs: Evatt
(Cathcart) 6, Harewood (Reid) 5, Beattie (Varney) 5. Not used: Rachubka,
Southern, Grandin, Puncheon.
WEST HAM: Green 6, Jacobsen 5, Gabbidon 5, Tomkins 6, Bridge 7, O'Neil 6,
Noble 6, Parker 7, Obinna 8, Piquionne 6, Keane 7. Subs: Reid (Gabbidon 33)
6, Boa Morte (Obinna 83) 5, Kovac (Keane 84) 5. Not used: Boffin, Cole,
Sears, Ba. Booked: Parker.
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Sack the track, West Ham told
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: 02 Feb 2011
BAYERN MUNICH have warned West Ham against splitting a stadium between
football and athletics. The German giants quit the Olympic Stadium in Munich
after more than 30 years to move into a purpose-built football arena. And
since Bayern moved in 2005, they have seen crowds almost double in their new
home the Allianz Arena with the ground sold out for every game. Club
spokesman Markus Hoerwick believes fans want to be as close to the action as
possible and that means building football stadiums without an athletics
track. West Ham want to take over the Olympic Stadium when the 2012 London
Games are over and have promised to keep the athletics track. Rivals
Tottenham say they will dismantle the stadium shell and erect a
purpose-built football arena, as well as ploughing money into a
redevelopment of the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace. Hoerwick
said: "A running track separates fans from the footballers. Supporters want
to be as close as possible and with a running track you cannot provide this.
"The Olympic Stadium in Munich holds almost 70,000 but our attendances were
around 35,000. "In the Allianz Arena, attendances have gone up to 69,000
because we can cater for the demands of the football fan. "The Olympic
Stadium has been good to Bayern but it was open and cold. It had little
atmosphere and the fan experience suffered. "We considered trying to
redevelop the Olympic Stadium but there were too many problems. It was not
even used for the 2006 World Cup when it was staged in Germany.
"In Germany the move has been away from stadiums with tracks. There is no
football club in Germany that wants a stadium with a running track.
"When Bayern moved, we didn't consider for one moment having a new stadium
with a track. "If any club in England is thinking of doing this, them I
would say to them: 'Don't'."
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'Long may it continue' says Grant after Keane goal lifts Hammers
Blackpool 1 West Ham United 3
The Independent
By Kieran Daley at Bloomfield Road
Thursday, 3 February 2011
West Ham are on the up. How else do you explain the usually dour Avram
Grant, who is no Ian Holloway in the effervescence stakes, resembling a
giddy teenager in the aftermath of a victory that suggests it's somewhat
premature to discuss West Ham's Premier League demise?
Just about the only thing that did not go quite to plan for the Upton Park
manager was the now traditional tossing of his "lucky" scarf into the
Hammers faithful, the gale whipping around Bloomfield Road sending the
garment back into his face before reaching its intended target. It still did
not prevent him exiting the pitch with something of a spring in his step.
A vital away win left the Israeli with plenty of reasons to be cheerful, his
side dragging Blackpool into relegation trouble with a sixth defeat in seven
games to leave them just four points better off than their opponents, who
climbed off the bottom and remain in the relegation zone only on goal
difference.
Robbie Keane inevitably took the limelight with a debut strike, but it was
the contribution of Victor Obinna, with two goals to take his tally to five
in the last two games, which proved pivotal. "He's among the goals and
that's why he's here with us," Grant said. "Long may it continue."
All the goals were scored in an end-to-end opening period. Obinna saved the
best for last, restoring the visitors' two-goal lead with a memorable
25-yard effort to round off a swift counter-attack launched by the
impressive Scott Parker two minutes before the interval.
It proved to be a hammer blow for Blackpool less than 60 seconds after they
had unexpectedly been handed a way back into the game as Frédéric
Piquionne's near-post miskick in attempting to clear Charlie Adam's corner
allowed the ball to find the net. It was embarrassing for Piquionne and
goalkeeper Robert Green, who had earlier excelled in tipping over a curling
25-yard effort from Andy Reid, the Blackpool debutant.
West Ham took command with Keane's debut goal doubling their advantage eight
minutes before the interval. Richard Kingson produced a fine double save to
deny Obinna as Blackpool failed to deal with Mark Noble's free-kick launched
into the box, only for the loose ball to drop to Keane to claim his first
Premier League goal for 15 months from close range.
Kingson's efforts were o't quite as impressive as the visitors took a
deserved lead midway through the first half, as he palmed Obinna's tame shot
into the bottom corner after the forward had turned past Craig Cathcart.
"That goal really knocked the stuffing out of us," Holloway, the Blackpool
manager, admitted.
He added: "What could have gone wrong did go wrong for us. We lacked a
little bit of energy and to be honest I can't wait to get away from home
because all this bad stuff seems to be happening here. Let's get on the road
and see if we can stop the rot."
Grant said: "We've been playing well without winning but this time we took
our chances. I suppose throwing my scarf to the fans each time is costing
the club some money, but it's a gesture I enjoy making."
Blackpool (4-3-3): Kingson; Eardley, Baptiste, Cathcart (Evatt, 46), Carney;
Adam, Vaughan, Reid (Harewood, 60); Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney
(Beattie, 61). Substitutes not used Rachubka, Southern, Grandin, Puncheon.
West Ham United (4-3-3): Green; Jacobsen, Tomkins, Gabbidon (Reid, 33),
Bridge; O'Neil, Parker, Noble, Obinna (Boa Morte, 83); Keane (Kovac, 84),
Piquionne. Substitutes not used Boffin, Sears, Cole, Ba.
Man of the match Obinna.
Match rating 7/10.
Referee S Attwell (Warwickshire).
Attendance 15,095.
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