Ba battling on
WHUFC.com
Hot-shot striker Demba Ba is eager to add to his five-goal haul for the
Hammers to aid survival
03.05.2011
Demba Ba has issued a rallying call for the final three matches of the
season.
"We simply have to give everything we have," he said. "It is not just about
tactics, it is about all of us giving everything to win these games and we
will be fighting."
The striker has scored five goals in ten appearances for the Hammers -
including in the weekend loss at Manchester City - and is full of confidence
that the team can see off Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland.
He said heart could be taken from battling displays at Chelsea and City in
the past fortnight. "We will definitely get something, we didn't start the
City game well but we tried to get back into it. We can believe, we can get
what we need to out of the games we have left, definitely I believe that.
"We have had good results, against Liverpool maybe people were surprised but
we won the game well, don't think nothing has changed, just that all I can
say of the last games we have played, we have to do better."
Ba will work hard in training this week in the hope of starting the
Blackburn match, although manager Avram Grant has a full complement of
forwards to choose from.
"All these games are big games, but for us the next game is all we are
focusing on right now, to win that and then the next game. "Of course, you
are always learning, learning from every game. What we would look at is to
try to not make the same mistakes again."
Ba did not believe playing two of the final three games at home would see
the squad suffer under the expectation from a fired-up Boleyn. "I think our
fans are great, they are very brave. Even if we did lose, if they saw we
gave 100 per cent of ourselves, then they would be a little happy with that.
"We are just keeping our heads down and will keep on working for every game
that is left."
The striker said there was a togetherness from the stands to the pitch that
would help the team over the line. "Everyone is committed, in everything we
do, in training, in how we prepare for each match and even after a game like
Sunday. We didn't win but will be fighting to win the next matches against
whatever team we have to play. "I am not counting the points - we just have
to focus on playing the games and nothing else."
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'Dads and lads' deal for Rovers
WHUFC.com
There is a great promotion in place for the next home match against
Blackburn Rovers
03.05.2011
Calling all dads and lads - or mums and daughters for that matter. The club
is running a special parent and child offer for the big Blackburn Rovers
game this Saturday, which can see two family members share a luxury matchday
experience. The promotion, for just £100 plus VAT, includes VIP padded
seating, a stadium tour and much, much more for an adult and an under-16.
The Rovers match will be a pivotal one in the Hammers' season and is the
last 3pm Saturday kick-off in this campaign. Both teams are sure to be up
for it as they fight for Barclays Premier League survival and a thrilling
afternoon is in prospect at the Boleyn.
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Turgott's time to shine
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will once again be well represented at the UEFA U17 EURO
this week
02.05.2011
Hammers youngster Blair Turgott is working hard with England in Novi Sad
ahead of the start of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Serbia. The
Academy attacker - aiming to follow in the footsteps of club-mate Robert
Hall who helped England lift the title in Liechtenstein a year ago - was a
key man in qualifying for the eight-nation finals, especially playing his
part in the Elite round elimination of the ever-strong Spain. Turgot will
hope to feature in Tuesday's opening game against France, which kicks off at
2pm London time, with the Young Lions knowing that if they can at least
finish third in their group they will play at the FIFA U17 World Cup in
Mexico this June.
Academy Director Tony Carr was delighted that Turgott was following the
likes of Hall, Matthias Fanimo, George Moncur (all England), Deniz Mehmet
(Turkey), Eoin Wearen, Kieran Sadlier, Danny Purdy (all Republic of
Ireland), Seb Lletget (United States) and Dylan Tombides (Australia) in
getting age-group international experience this season with their respective
nations. "Blair won't play again for us this season because of his England
commitments," Carr said. "But it is great for his experience and it is a
vital part of his development. He has got to push on from here and keep
improving. "Next season will be about setting new challenges and giving
himself the best chance to push on from the Under-18s into the reserves.
Like the others, he will have to keep his feet on the ground and stay
focused."
After their opening Group A game against the French, England will meet
Denmark in a 2pm match on Friday 6 May - to be televised live on Eurosport -
and then take on host nation Serbia at 4.15pm on Monday week, with the top
two progressing to the semi-finals. Turgott was part of a strong England
squad named by coach John Peacock, although club-mate Matthias Fanimo missed
out because of injury. They had a three-day training camp in Coventry before
departing for the tournament.
The semi-finals will be played on Thursday 12 May, with the final being held
on Sunday 15 May. All three matches will take place in Novi Sad.
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West Ham's Avram Grant targets seven points for safety
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 18:52 GMT, Sunday, 1 May 2011 19:52 UK
West Ham boss Avram Grant said his team need seven points from their
remaining three games to avoid relegation from the Premier League. The
Hammers lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Sunday to leave them bottom of the
table and three points from safety. Their next two games are against
Blackburn and Wigan - two of their relegation rivals - before they host
Sunderland on the final day. "Our target is to take seven points. We will
try to take all nine," said Grant. West Ham have not picked up a point from
their last five games, a run which has left them rock bottom with 32 points
from 35 games and trailing 17th-placed Blackpool by three points. And on
Sunday they initially appeared to be in danger of of losing by a heavy
margin as City ran riot in going 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. Midfielder Nigel
de Jong lashed in a 20-yard drive to give the hosts the lead and they
doubled it when Pablo Zabaleta's cross-shot was prodded in off the bar by
visiting defender Lars Jacobsen. Demba Ba pulled one back for West Ham to
set up a tense final hour, but fourth-placed City held on for the win.
Despite the defeat, Grant felt his side gave a good account of themselves.
"At 2-0 they were on top of us, and then our reaction was very good," Grant
told Sky Sports. "I thought we showed a lot of character today. The second
half was good. "Now we play against a team that are in our area
[16th-placed Blackburn next Saturday], so we have to win this game. "I
thought that other teams around us would take more points in the last two
games, so the gap stays three points."
Meanwhile for City, the win increased their chances of securing their
pre-season aim of securing Champions League football for next season. They
now have a seven-point cushion separating them from fifth-placed Liverpool
and Tottenham in sixth, both of whom have 55 points, although Kenny
Dalglish's side have played a game more than their rivals. Despite Sunday's
close scoreline, City goalkeeper Joe Hart felt his side had plenty in
reserve. "It was a bit nervy but I think if we'd needed to step it up
another gear, we would have done," Hart told Sky Sports. "We got the two
goals early and I think it's fair to say got sloppy and let them back in it,
but I think if needs be we'd have got another goal."
City defender Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, felt the result was indicative of
the strides taken under manager Roberto Mancini this season. "Maybe last
season we would have lost points in a game like this, we're really happy
because it wasn't easy," he said. Asked about the increasing likelihood of
sealing their place in next season's Champions League and perhaps even
closing the five-point gap to third-placed Arsenal, the Belgian added: "It's
massive, not just for the group but for the club. "We really want to achieve
this and, why not catch up with Arsenal? We're going to try it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant - My vision needs time
Hammers boss remains confident he can take the club forward
Last Updated: May 1, 2011 1:00pm
SSN
Avram Grant is confident he can lead West Ham United in the right direction
providing he is afforded patience by the club's board. The Israeli took
charge at Upton Park last summer, but the Hammers are currently bottom of
the table and three points from safety ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester
City. The build-up to the game has also been overshadowed by co-owner David
Sullivan's gloomy prediction that West Ham's chances of staying in the
Premier League are '25 per cent'.
However, Grant believes he needs more time to implement his vision for the
club and is committed to being a success with the Hammers. "When you have a
project it takes time to make things better," said Grant. "If you have a
vision it gets done step by step. "An owner of one of my former clubs once
asked me why I thought he had no patience and I said 'because you want the
result yesterday'. "All owners want results yesterday. All clubs need
immediate results, but they also need to have vision for the seasons ahead.
"Owners spend a lot of money and sometimes, because of that, they expect you
to push a button and create success. "But football is not a normal business.
Manchester City brought a lot of players and they have had to show patience
for success. "Chelsea brought a lot of players and they haven't won the
Champions League yet. "I have a job to do and I'm committed to it. I believe
in all my heart that if we take the right steps this club will be a good
club that will be worth watching. "This is the reason I came here because I
was not looking for a job at the time."
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No Room for Error!
May 3rd, 2011 - 1:49 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
What on earth were we doing starting with a 4-4-2 formation against City?
City set up with a fluid 4-5-1 and that extra man in midfield was our
undoing in the decisive first 20 minutes. We should have gone 4-5-1 as well
and sought to win the key midfield battle. It cost us the match, a
consequence of the latest of a series of dubious tactical decisions. Yet,
we then rejigged it and for the remaining 70 minutes gave City a real
contest. It was disappointing to see West Ham play so well at both Stamford
Bridge and the City of Manchester Stadium and emerge with nothing. We could
have possibly taken a point from both matches. But it is no good crying
over spilt milk, we have to refocus on the final three matches, play for all
nine points and hope that we can grab 17th place.
They say that luck evens itself out eventually, perhaps we will get the
lucky breaks to balance up the extreme misfortunate of being relegated in
2002-03 with a record 42 points. Some supporters have said that, in truth,
we deserve relegation after under-performing so badly all season. It is
hard to argue against that objectively. We have had the winnable games, we
have had the opportunities to get out of trouble, but have consistently
failed to take them. Yes all too true, but supporting a football club is
not an objective experience, it is deeply partisan by its very nature. And
I am deeply fearful of the consequences for our beloved club, unless the
co-owners commit themselves to financing a concerted, one year, promotion
campaign and, in the process, retain some of the quality in the current
squad to facilitate that outcome.
Who knows, it could prove to be the making of players such as Sears,
Montano, Brown, Spence and Fry. But I really could not stand to see the
likes of Tomkins and Collison cherry picked by Spurs and Chelski, much like
Cole, Johnson, Carrick and Defoe were when we were relegated last time. If
relegation does happen then the club must retain these youngsters, because
they are the club's future and the integral to our redemption. Of the
established players, we should try to convince Parker, Noble, Jacobsen, Ba
and Cole to stay with us for at least a year. It may be 'mission
impossible' to convince Parker to play in the Championship, but we can at
least try. If he is adamant that he wants to go, then we must reward his
loyalty and commitment to the cause by granting the move. But we should seek
to get an auction going between Spurs, Arsenal and Man City and achieve the
best price/deal possible. Who knows, it may be possible to pick up some
good part-exchange or loan deals as part of the package?
Then there is the need to bring in the players who are experienced and
successful at Championship level. Players like Long at Reading and Pratley
at Swansea (if their clubs are not promoted this season?) could help us gain
promotion; along with one or two more experienced heads who will give us the
necessary 'know how' and 'steel' to get us out of the Championship. In my
last blog post, I outlined a four prong strategy that we should pursue to
get us promoted in one season. Inevitably, that would extend to the
management and coaching staff. We need a manager that can not only get us
out of the Championship, but also take us forward on a return to the PL.
Paul Lambert has been mentioned and he does appear to fit the bill. Lambert
has shown that he can get teams promoted, but it is often forgotten that he
previously did very well managing in German football, and the CL, with
Stuttgart. So, he has the future potential as well as the current
substance. Whether we could recruit him from Norwich City is another
matter? Perhaps he would be the right choice even if we manage to stay in
the PL? I cannot see Avram Grant remaining in the manager's post, next
season, whatever our fate!
Yet, I digress, we still have a chance of saving ourselves. But can Avram
Grant and this frustrating squad muster the 'where with all' to deliver
three consecutive victories? That is the key question. It is a
challenging task, but not impossible given the opposition. Two wins and a
draw (7 points) might be enough, but three wins (9 points) should definitely
save us. I very much doubt that Wolves, Wigan and Blackpool will pick up
enough points to match 41 points, although that supposes their forthcoming
opponents, such as Man Utd and Spurs, will give 100% if the outstanding
issues of the PL title and the 4th place finish have been resolved? And
then you have the goal difference issue. It would typical of West Ham's
luck to be relegated by the odd goal or two!
The Blackburn match is now absolutely massive. If we lose next weekend then
the game is almost certainly up. There is no room for error. We must start
this game with passion and a high tempo performance, factors that have been
sadly missing for most of this season. Personally, I would start with a
4-4-2 formation against Blackburn, with Rob Green, Lars Jacobsen, Wayne
Bridge, Manuel Da Costa and James Tomkins in defence; a midfield of Freddie
Sears, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Scott Parker (who will hopefully be fit) and
Luis Boa Morte; and a strike force of Demba Ba and Robbie Keane. I feel
that we need pace, mobility and guile, up front, against Blackburn's
lumbering defence and Ba and Keane are probably best equipped to provide
that. Depending on how the match unfolds, it is possible that either Victor
Obinna or Charlton Cole could figure from the bench. I would also like to
see Pablo Barrera reinstated to the substitutes bench and potentially used
later in the match to run at the centre of the opposition's defence. As I
have stated previously, I feel that Barrera could still prove to be a asset,
not stuck out wide on either flank, but in more central attacking positions.
I know that many supporters feel that PL survival is now too big a mountain
to climb. Given the apparent tactical and motivational shortcomings of the
management, and the the infuriating under-performance of the squad, I can
well understand those misgivings. I am afraid that all we can do now is
support the team 110% and hope that we can belatedly scramble out of the
relegation zone. It will certainly be gut wrenching and will probably go to
the final day of the season.
SJ. Chandos.
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I'd rather watch Hammers on TV
Published: Today
The Sun
DAVID SULLIVAN admits he prefers to watch West Ham on TV than travel to away
games. The club's joint-chairman came clean following fierce criticism that
not one Hammers director travelled to watch the Premier League's bottom team
lose 2-1 at Manchester City on Sunday. Sullivan and fellow top brass say
they chose to donate £6,000 - their travelling costs - to a kids' charity
instead. He said: "Watching our poor away performances week after week, and
not having the ability to influence things, has impacted on us. "My family
think I'm mad devoting so much time and money to the club and, as the match
was on TV, I decided to watch it on TV. "We couldn't influence the result,
we donated the cost of private plane to a charity for terminally ill
children, we thought that would do more good."
West Ham have won only once away from Upton Park this year - at Blackpool in
February - and have lost the last three, nudging them ever closer to
relegation. But Sullivan's no-show prompted a stinging reaction as it came
just days after he questioned the commitment of a number of the club's
players in the struggle to stay up.
He insists he would never miss a home match and will be at Upton Park for
this Saturday's cruncher against Blackburn. West Ham are heading for
meltdown with one of the highest wage bills in the Premier League while they
are nailed to the foot of the table. The club is still around £90million in
debt and Sullivan has previously described going down as 'Armageddon' with
savage cuts in costs needed to trim a salary bill of £60m a year. The
Hammers also hope to move into the 60,000 seater redesigned Olympic Stadium
in just three years' time. Sullivan's business partner and fellow
joint-chairman David Gold was recently hospitalised by blood poisoning.
Sullivan underwent a triple heart by-pass 15 years ago but insists he can
handle the stress of running West Ham. He added: "Had it not been on TV we
would have been there. None of us draw any salary or expenses from West Ham
United. We are not £20k-£60k-a-week footballers. "We only took 1,100
supporters yesterday. Like us the bulk of the West Ham United supporters
preferred to watch it on TV. We'll be at Wigan as will 4,500 supporters."
Hammers striker Demba Ba insists West Ham can prove Sullivan wrong by
pulling off a great escape. Rock-bottom Hammers have lost five games in a
row and some of the players nearing the end of their contracts were
criticised by the owner last week. But after Sunday's defeat at Eastlands,
Ba insisted: "I see how the players train. I see how they react after games
and I can say that we are going to fight to the end. It is a great team to
play in. We are going to keep our cool, put our heads down and keep on
working. "In the last three games we have to give everything, not just
tactically. "It is not only about tactics but it is about fighting. "We are
playing teams around us in the table which will help us. I think if we beat
them then we have more chance to stay up."
Despite their perilous position, Hammers showed enough in their trips to
Chelsea and Manchester City to suggest they still have an outside chance of
surviving. Ba, who has scored five goals since arriving in January, added:
"Yes, it was disappointing not to take any points but it is like that. "We
need to move on and look to next week. I think we are going to do something
in the last three games, definitely. "We had a totally new, different team
at the start of February and other teams were surprised by us. "Now they
look at West Ham differently. They know how to counter West Ham - so we just
have to do better. "Chelsea and Man City were big games but for us the most
important are the three to come. "Blackburn next is now the most important.
"We don't feel that there is pressure at home. The fans have been great."
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Ba: West Ham will fight to the end
Published 23:00 02/05/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Demba Ba has admitted West Ham must simply fight to survive after being
rumbled tactically by the rest of the Premier League. Avram Grant's side
remain rooted to the foot of the table after their fifth consecutive defeat,
at Manchester City on Sunday. They will have to quickly refind the winning
formula with fellow relegation candidates Blackburn visiting Upton Park for
a six-pointer on Saturday. After losing the Carling Cup semi-final to
Birmingham on February 6, the Hammers went unbeaten in four games, including
their only back-to-back Premier League victories of the season, following
the boost of new signings in the January transfer window.
But, including the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Stoke, Grant's side have
failed to win in seven matches in all competitions over the last two months.
Midfield inspiration Scott Parker and Wayne Bridge, who missed the City
match, will return for Saturday's must-win fixture. And Ba, who joined the
club from during the last window and scored four times in February, said his
side had to find a new way to win again for their vital last three matches.
"We had a totally new, different team at the start of February, and other
teams were surprised by us," said the Senegal striker. "Now they look at
West Ham differently. They know how to counter West Ham. "So we just have to
do better. Not just tactically - we have to give everything that we have. It
is not only about tactics, but it is about fighting. We are playing teams
around us. I think that will help us. If we beat them, then we have more
chances to stay up."
Ba scored his fifth goal in eight Premier League starts against City but it
was too little, too late after conceding two early goals to the Champions
League hopefuls.
Now the Hammers must focus on their remaining matches, which are all against
teams near them in the bottom seven of the Premier League - Blackburn, Wigan
and Sunderland. "It was disappointing not to take any points but we need to
move on and look to next week," Ba continued. "I think that we are going to
do something in the last three games. Definitely. "Chelsea and City were big
games, but for us the most important is the three to come. Blackburn is the
most important to start. "We have learned from the past games, we always
learn, try to not produce the same mistakes again. We don't feel that there
is pressure at home. The fans have been great. Even if we lost and gave 100%
they would be happy."
The best results for West Ham came away from Lancashire on Sunday. Wolves
failed to beat 10-man Birmingham while Manchester United lost to keep the
title race alive. Sir Alex Ferguson's side still have to face Blackburn and
Blackpool in the last two games. The Hammers will be in the unusual position
of cheering on Chelsea at Old Trafford this Sunday. None of the West Ham
board were at the City of Manchester Stadium, not even chairman David
Sullivan, who last week questioned the commitment of some players going out
of contract this summer. When asked after Sullivan's comments, Ba said: "We
are going to keep cool, put our heads down and keep on working. I see how
the players train, how they react after games and I can say that we are
going to fight to the end. "It is a great team to play in."
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Dicks digs out 'lazy' West Ham stars
Published 17:55 02/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Julian Dicks believes the lazy attitude of some of West Ham's players could
cost the club their place in the Barclays Premier League, and lead to the
sacking of manager Avram Grant. Grant looked to be on his way out of Upton
Park in January after rumours linked Martin O'Neill with the Israeli's
position, but he remained in charge and seemed destined to keep his post
after overseeing a four-match unbeaten run to move the club out of the
relegation zone. However, a recent five-match losing streak has seen the
club plummet to the foot of the table and they are now three points adrift
of safety with three games remaining. While vice-captain Scott Parker has
excelled in the middle of the park, picking up the Player of the Year award
from the Football Writers' Association, few of his team-mates have stepped
up to the plate this year. The Hammers have conceded an average of two a
game away from home this year while goals have been hard to come by at the
other end.
Dicks admits the manager must bear overall responsibility for the dismal
season, but maintains that West Ham would not be in such a perilous
situation had a number of the club's players put in the required effort.
"The last three games are about the players," said Dicks. "The players have
to stand up and be counted. They are all on good money and it's about time
that they started to earn it, and that hasn't been the case with some of
them this season. "There's a few players there that aren't good enough.
That's not their fault, but there are some players there who are good enough
that don't work hard enough. "Robert Green has pulled off some world-class
saves this year, Scotty Parker has played well, so has [Mark] Noble, and I
like Demba Ba and Robbie Keane, but once you get past those, you struggle to
put your hand on anyone else. "If the players don't have passion and desire,
then you are going to struggle to win games. So it's down to Grant or
whoever is in charge to get rid of these players."
Dicks, who made over 300 appearances for the east London club, admires the
way that Grant has stuck to his task of trying to keep the Hammers up
despite all the speculation surrounding his future. The former West Ham and
Liverpool defender admits that the ex-Chelsea boss will have to leave his
post if the club go down, though. "I think he has gone about his job
particularly well, given the amount of stuff that has come out about him,"
Dicks added. "He has kept his dignity really well, but football is a
results-based game and if he is not getting the results then someone else
has to come in and try to get results. "If a team goes down, then the
manager usually goes. I don't see it being any different at West Ham."
Parker has missed the last three games with an Achilles injury, but it is
hoped that he will be available for the club's remaining fixtures against
Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland. The England midfielder will undoubtedly be
the subject of numerous offers this summer if West Ham are relegated, but
Dicks thinks the club should not be pressured into selling their prized
asset. He said: "It's down to the club if they want to sell him or not. He's
under contract. They can make him stay. "If they want £10million for him
then they should hold out for £10million. If it happens, it happens. If it
doesn't, then he stays at West Ham."
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Sullivan - I missed City trip because I'm fed up with West Ham's away form
By LAURA WILLIAMSON Last updated at 1:19 AM on 3rd May 2011
Daily Mail
David Sullivan has revealed why no directors went to see West Ham lose 2-1
at Manchester City - they are sick of their 'poor' away form. With the
Hammers having won only twice on the road during this Barclays Premier
League season and three points from safety with three matches remaining,
Sullivan, joint chairman David Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady chose to
watch Sunday's clash on television. 'The honest reason we were not there?'
asked Sullivan. 'Watching our poor away performances week after week and not
having the ability to influence things has impacted on us. My family think
I'm mad devoting so much time and money to the club. 'We couldn't influence
the result (so) we donated the cost of the private plane to charity. We
thought that would do more good.' His words come a week after he questioned
the commitment of players such as Matthew Upson - who limped off after 26
minutes at Eastlands - Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer, whose contracts
expire in June. Sullivan, 62, said his side had only a '25 to 30 per cent
chance' of staying in the top flight. But he defended his absence from their
ninth away defeat of the season. 'None of us (the directors) draw any
salary or expenses from West Ham,' he said. 'We are not £20,000 or
£60,000-a-week footballers. 'We only took 1,100 supporters yesterday. Like
us, the bulk of the West Ham United supporters preferred to watch it on TV.'
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Dicks attacks 'lack of passion' at West Ham
By Paul Hirst
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Independent
Julian Dicks believes the lazy attitude of some of West Ham's players could
cost the club their place in the Premier League, and lead to the sacking of
manager Avram Grant. Grant looked to be on his way out of Upton Park in
January after rumours linked Martin O'Neill with the Israeli's position, but
he remained in charge and seemed destined to keep his post after overseeing
a four-match unbeaten run to move the club out of the relegation zone. But a
recent five-match losing streak has seen the Hammers plummet to the foot of
the table and they are now three points adrift of safety with three games
remaining. While vice-captain Scott Parker has excelled in the middle of the
park, picking up the Player of the Year award from the Football Writers'
Association, few of his team-mates have stepped up to the plate this year.
The Hammers have conceded an average of two goals a game away from home this
year while goals have been hard to come by at the other end. Dicks admits
the manager must bear overall responsibility for the dismal season, but
maintains that West Ham would not be in such a perilous situation had a
number of the club's players put in the required effort.
"The last three games are about the players now. The players have to stand
up and be counted. They are all on good money and it's about time that they
started to earn it, and that hasn't been the case with some of them this
season," Dicks said. "There's a few players who are there that aren't good
enough. That's not their fault, but there are some players there who are
good enough that don't work hard enough. Robert Green has pulled off some
world-class saves this year, Scotty Parker has played well, so has [Mark]
Noble, and I like Demba Ba and Robbie Keane, but once you get past those,
then you struggle to put your hand on anyone else. If the players don't have
passion and desire then you are going to struggle to win games, so it's down
to Grant, or whoever is in charge, to get rid of these players."
Dicks, who made more than 300 appearances for the east London club, admires
the way that Grant has stuck to his task of trying to keep the Hammers up
despite all the speculation surrounding his future. The former West Ham and
Liverpool defender admits the ex-Chelsea boss will have to leave if the club
go down, though. "I think he has gone about his job particularly well given
the amount of stuff that has come out about him. He has kept his dignity,"
Dicks added. Parker has missed the last three games due to an Achilles
injury but it is hoped that he will be available for the remaining fixtures.
The England midfielder will undoubtedly be the subject of numerous offers
this summer. "It's down to the club if they want to sell him or not. He's
under contract. They can make him stay," Dicks said.
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