Friday, April 24

Daily WHUFC News - 24th April 2009

Chelsea match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's London derby at the
Boleyn Ground
23.04.2009

West Ham United v Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 25 April
3pm
Referee: Mike Dean

• West Ham United welcome Guus Hiddink's Chelsea for the club's 17th home
fixture of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season.

• Gianfranco Zola's side go into the match in seventh place in the Premier
League table. West Ham have 45 points from their 33 matches and sit a point
clear of local rivals Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur with five games
remaining. A seventh-place finish will be good enough to qualify for next
season's UEFA Europa League.

• Chelsea go into Saturday's fixture third in the Premier League table with
68 points from 33 matches, three points behind second-placed Liverpool and
six behind leaders Manchester United.

• West Ham have won eight home league matches (Wigan Athletic, Blackburn
Rovers, Newcastle United, Stoke City, Fulham, Hull City, Manchester City and
Sunderland), drawn two (Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion) and lost six
(Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and
Manchester United).

• The Hammers go into the match unbeaten in their last four home matches in
all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their last three home
Premier League fixtures. Since losing 1-0 to Manchester United on 8
February, West Ham have drawn 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth
round and beaten Manchester City 1-0, drawn 0-0 with West Bromwich Albion
and overcome Sunderland 2-0.

• West Ham are looking to complete the season unbeaten against Chelsea for
the first time since 2002/03, when the Hammers won 3-2 at Stamford Bridge
and 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground.

• This is the 82nd league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
34, Chelsea have won 31 and there have been 16 draws.

Referee

• The referee is Mike Dean.

• Dean, 40, began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior
football in the Northern Premier League.

• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.

• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. Last year, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.

Last time out

Saturday 18 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Collins (Dyer 33), Ilunga, Neill,
Boa Morte, Stanislas (Savio 74), Noble, Di Michele (Sears 81), Tristan
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Payne, Hines
Booked: Noble, Boa Morte, Upson
Goal: Tristan 85

Wednesday 22 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 0-0 Everton
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Essien (Mikel
60), Lampard, Drogba, Anelka (Kalou 60), Malouda (Di Santo 77)
Subs not used: Hilario, Belletti, Mancienne, Mellis

West Ham United

• West Ham go into the match seeking to extend their unbeaten home run in
all competitions to five matches. Since losing 1-0 to Manchester United on 8
February, the Hammers have drawn 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth
round and beaten Manchester City 1-0, drawn 0-0 with West Brom and overcome
Sunderland 2-0 in the Premier League.

• West Ham's biggest ever home win over Chelsea came on Valentine's Day
1981, when a goal apiece from Alan Devonshire and David Cross and a brace
from Trevor Brooking secured a 4-0 victory at the Boleyn Ground. Chelsea
were managed by Geoff Hurst.

However, the Hammers did beat the Blues 5-0 in the London League during the
Second World War, with future manager Ted Fenton, Archie Macauley, Alec
George Foreman, Len Goulden and Joseph Stanley Foxall netting a goal apiece
on 20 December 1941.

• West Ham's most recent home win over Chelsea came on 3 May 2003, when
Brooking's Hammers won 1-0 through a goal from substitute Paolo Di Canio.

• West Ham have not conceded more than one goal in any of their last seven
Premier League matches, the longest run in the top division.

• Carlton Cole is West Ham's top scorer in the Premier League this season
with nine goals. He has eleven in all competitions.

• Goalkeeper Robert Green is the only West Ham player to have played every
minute of the club's 33 Premier League matches so far this season. Matthew
Upson has started 32 games, Herita Ilunga 30 and Lucas Neill 29.

• Carlton Cole has unleashed more shots on target (45), off target (29) and
in total (74) and made more assists (5) than any other West Ham player. Cole
has also been caught offside (28) and committed more fouls (62) than any of
his team-mates.

• Defender Matthew Upson has made more defensive clearances (52) and blocks
(28) than any other West Ham player.

• Mark Noble has delivered more crosses (30) than any other Hammers player.

Chelsea

• Chelsea have lost just one of the 15 matches they have played in all
competitions since Guus Hiddink took temporary charge at Stamford Bridge on
11 February, a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham on 21 March. Aside from reaching the
FA Cup final by beating Watford, Coventry City and Everton and UEFA
Champions League semi-finals with victories over Juventus and Liverpool,
Hiddink has also led the Blues on a run of just one defeat in their last
eight Premier League matches.

• Hiddink, 62, has brought a team to the Boleyn Ground once before during
his management career. On August 2003, the Dutchman's PSV Eindhoven beat
newly-relegated West Ham 2-1. Richard Garcia gave the Hammers a 35th minute
lead before second half goals from future Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman and
Danish winger Dennis Rommedahl secured victory for the visitors. The game
marked Joe Cole's final game for West Ham before his £6.6m move to Stamford
Bridge.

• Hiddink managed Lucas Neill during his spell in charge of Australia
between July 2005 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

• The Blues have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having
conceded just 20 goals in 33 matches.

• Chelsea's biggest ever win at the Boleyn Ground came last season, when
goals from Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole secured
a 4-0 success for the Blues. Former Hammer Lampard was also sent-off nine
minutes before half-time with Chelsea already 3-0 up.

• Chelsea have gone a record 109 Premier League matches without losing
consecutive games. That run will stretch to 110 at the Boleyn Ground.

• France striker Nicolas Anelka is the Premier League's joint top scorer
with 15 goals - matching the tally of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Anelka has 21 in all competitions. Lampard has netted 12 league goals and 19
in all competitions.

• Lampard has started all 33 of Chelsea's Premier League matches this
season. Anelka has started 28 and made four substitute appearances, while
John Terry and Petr Cech have made 30 starts each.

• Chelsea have had more shots off target (256) than any other Premier League
club this season.

• Lampard has unleashed more shots in total (131), on target (88) and off
target (43) than any other Chelsea player. Lampard also has more assists
(nine) than any of his team-mates this term, the joint-highest number in the
Premier League.

• Bosingwa has delivered more crosses (63) this season than any of his
colleagues.

• Michael Ballack has committed more fouls (34) than any other Chelsea
player, while Ashley Cole has won the most free-kicks (45) for his side.

• John Terry has made more defensive blocks (23) and clearances (26) than
any other Chelsea player.

• Goalkeeper Petr Cech has kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League this
season, second only to Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar, who has shut
out his opponents on 19 occasions.

Team news

• West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could welcome back Radoslav Kovac from
the thigh injury he suffered while on international duty with the Czech
Republic on 1 April. Kovac made the last of his five West Ham appearances in
the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on 21 March.

• Scott Parker is sidelined with the groin injury that has ruled him out of
West Ham's last three matches.

• Zola could also welcome back Jonathan Spector, who has trained this week
after missing the away matches at Tottenham and Aston Villa. Spector
suffered concussion in an accidental aerial challenge with Sunderland's Tal
Ben Haim on 4 April. James Collins is a doubt with a calf injury suffered
during the Villa game but it is not thought to be a long-term problem.

• Zola will be without midfielders Valon Behrami and Jack Collison. Both are
making good progress after suffering knee injuries. Switzerland
international Behrami is undergoing rehabilitation work at Chadwell Heath as
he begins the road back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

• Wales international Collison is now running fully after suffering a
dislocated kneecap in the 1-0 victory at Wigan and should step up his
training with the rest of the squad next week.

• Carlton Cole is making good progress in his recovery from the groin injury
he suffered in England's 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia at Wembley on 28
March. He has been running as part of his personal fitness programme.

• Wales defender Danny Gabbidon is continuing his recovery from back and
stomach injuries by working with the club's medical staff at Chadwell Heath.
Strikers Terry Dixon and Dean Ashton are also working hard on their
respective rehabilitations after ankle and knee injuries respectively.

• Chelsea will be without Portugal full-back Jose Bosingwa, who has returned
to training following a hamstring strain but is being rested ahead of
Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Barcelona .

• Portugal playmaker Deco is also a major doubt with a hamstring problem.

• England midfielder Joe Cole is sidelined for the remainder of the season
with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in the FA Cup
third-round replay victory over Southend United, a game which also featured
on-loan West Ham winger Junior Stanislas.

• Portugal defender Paulo Ferreira is sidelined for the remainder of the
season with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in training
in early March.

Last meeting

• The teams met at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 14 December 2008. West Ham
left west London with a 1-1 draw. Craig Bellamy put the Hammers ahead on 33
minutes before Nicola Anelka equalised for the home side six minutes after
half-time

• The lineups were:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel (Belletti 80),
Deco, Ballack (Drogba 46), Lampard, Joe Cole (Kalou 74), Anelka
Subs not used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Bridge, Ferreira

West Ham United: Green, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Ilunga, Collison (Boa Morte
87), Parker, Noble (Mullins 72) Behrami, Bellamy (Di Michele 89), Cole
Subs not used Lastuvka, Faubert, Tristan, Sears

Attendance: 41,675

Old boys

• West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola made 312 appearances for Chelsea in all
competitions, scoring 80 goals. Zola joined the Blues from Parma for £4.5m
in November 1996 and remained at Stamford Bridge before joining Cagliari on
a free transfer in June 2003. During his time at Chelsea, Zola won the FA
Cup twice, in 1997 and 2000, the League Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup
and the UEFA Super Cup, all in 1998.

• West Ham first team coach Steve Clarke joined Chelsea from Scottish club
St Mirren for a fee of £422,000 in January 1987, going on to make 421 league
and cup appearances for the Blues. Clarke was the club's player of the year
in 1994 and won the FA Cup, in 1997, and both the League Cup and European
Cup Winners' Cups in 1998. He was also voted as the right-back in Chelsea's
centenary side. Clarke left Stamford Bridge in September 1998 to join former
Blues team-mate and manager Ruud Gullit as his assistant manager at
Newcastle.

• Scott Parker joined Chelsea from Charlton Athletic for £10m in January
2004. The England midfielder made 28 league and cup appearances, scoring one
goal for the Blues before joining Newcastle for £6.5m in June 2005.

• Carlton Cole began his career at Chelsea in August 2001, making 31
appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions before moving to
West Ham in July 2006.

• Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard began his career at West Ham, joining the
club as a full-time trainee in 1994. Lampard went on to make 187 appearances
in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring 39 goals. The England
midfielder joined Chelsea for £11m in June 2001.

• West Ham Academy graduate Joe Cole made 150 appearances in all
competitions for the Hammers between August 1998 and May 2003, scoring 13
goals. Cole, an England midfielder, joined Chelsea for a £6.6m fee in August
2003.

• England captain John Terry spent five years at the West Ham Academy before
joining Chelsea at the age of 14.

• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Clive Allen,
Syd Bishop, Peter Brabrook, Billy Bridgeman, Billy Brown, Robert Bush,
Dickie Deacon, Alan Dickens, Len Goulden, Jimmy Greaves, Ron Greenwood CBE,
George Hilsdon, George Horn, Joseph Hughes, Sir Geoff Hurst, William
Jackson, Glen Johnson, Joe Kirkup, Andy Malcolm, Harry Medhurst, Scott
Minto, Eric Parsons, Joe Payne, Dave Sexton, John Sissons, Ron Tindall and
Billy Williams.

Head to head

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)

14 December 2008 - Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United
1 March 2008 - West Ham United 0-4 Chelsea
1 December 2007 - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
18 April 2007 - West Ham United 1-4 Chelsea
18 November 2006 - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham United
9 April 2006 - Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United 09-04-2006

Overall record v Chelsea (all competitions) W 36 D 17 L 37

Next up

• West Ham will travel to Stoke City for a Barclays Premier League fixture
on Saturday 2 May, with kick-off at 3pm

• Chelsea head to Barcelona for a UEFA Champions League semi-final,
first-leg tie on Tuesday 28 April, with kick-off at 7.45pm

Travel information

• The London Underground District line will be suspended between Barking and
Upminster. Two rail replacement bus services will operate. Service A will
run between Barking and Dagenham East, calling at Upney, Becontree and
Dagenham Heathway. Service B will run between Barking and Upminster, calling
at Dagenham East, Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge.

• The Hammersmith and City line will be suspended between Plaistow and
Barking.

• The Jubilee line will be suspended between Stratford and Green Park. Two
rail replacement bus services will operate. Service A will run between
Canada Water and Bank, calling at Monument, London Bridge and Bermondsey.
Service B will run between North Greenwich and Stratford, calling at Canning
Town and West Ham.

• The Waterloo and City line will also be suspended.

• c2c services will be suspended between Fenchurch Street and Barking, with
services being diverted to Liverpool Street. This means services will not
call at West Ham or Limehouse, but will additionally call at Stratford. An
amended timetable will be in operation all day. For full details visit
c2c-online.co.uk

• On National Express East Anglia services, no trains will run between
Romford and Upminster. Buses will also replace trains between Shenfield and
Colchester.

General information

• Saturday's match is completely SOLD OUT

• Saturday's weather forecast is for heavy rain showers with a maximum
daytime temperature of 17C.

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Ludo keen on Green
WHUFC.com
Ludek Miklosko has spoken to WHUTV about his admiration for goalkeeper
Robert Green
23.04.2009

West Ham United great Ludek Miklosko has heaped praise on goalkeeper Robert
Green ahead of Saturday's big game with Chelsea. The former Czech
international, who made 365 appearances for the Hammers in an eight year
playing career, is now the club's goalkeeping coach and as a result works
with Green on a daily basis. Miklosko has been impressed by what he has seen
in the two and a half years since Green joined the club, and is backing his
claim for a more regular involvement at international level. "He is
fantastic," Miklosko said. "He is one of our best players over the past two
seasons and he is doing very well. "His consistency is very good and for me
he is the best English goalkeeper in that way. I still can't see why he
doesn't get a run in the England team."
Green was voted Hammer of the Year last season and Miklosko, a former winner
himself, believes that 29-year-old Green's fine form is just reward for his
hard graft in training. "I think he is improving and wants to get better and
better and really working very hard. He is not just doing the football
training, he is doing the pilates and is working at least two sessions every
single day," Miklosko said.

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Spirits high at Chadwell Heath
WHUFC.com
This weekend may be too soon for Jack Collison and Carlton Cole but they are
doing well at Chadwell Heath
22.04.2009

Gianfranco Zola and his staff have been hard at work this week ahead of a
major meeting with Chelsea this weekend.

While the manager and some players took part in the club's charity golf day
in glorious sunshine on Wednesday, the focus has still been very much on the
footballing matters at hand. Jack Collison and Carlton Cole were among those
working hard out on the training pitch and in the gym with the aim still for
both to make an impact before the end of the season.

Jonathan Spector is in contention to face the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists on Saturday after sitting out the last two games because of
concussion but it remains to be seen whether James Collins will be available
after his calf problem against Aston Villa last weekend. There is also hope
that Radoslav Kovac (thigh) will figure against the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists but Scott Parker (groin) could miss out again.

Also present at Chadwell Heath on Wednesday were Danny Gabbidon, Valon
Behrami, Terry Dixon and Dean Ashton who are all working on their intensive
rehabilitation programmes with next season the most likely aim for all four.
One player who is out of the treatment room, though, is Kieron Dyer and the
manager has been delighted with how he has performed in the last few games.

"Kieron has been absolutely excellent," Zola said looking back to his hour
off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Villa. "It took him ten minutes to get
into the game and after that he was brilliant. I am pleased for him as it
has been a long time. He has worked very hard. Seeing him fit now is good
for him and us."

With five games to go, the manager said everyone is "up for it" when it
comes to pushing for as many points as possible in a bid to secure seventh
spot and UEFA Europa League qualification. "We are going to be trying very
hard and we know we have a great chance."

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Kieron set for Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Premier League
title-chasers Chelsea
23.04.2009

Kieron Dyer believes West Ham United will have to be at their best to upset
Chelsea's Premier League title ambitions.

The England midfielder, who enjoyed a successful run out in last Saturday's
1-1 draw at Aston Villa, has identified Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba
and international team-mate Frank Lampard as the men to stop if the Hammers
are to beat Guus Hiddink's side.

Dyer, who produced an encouraging display after appearing as a first-half
substitute at Villa Park, is also eager to gave revenge for the 4-0 drubbing
Chelsea dished out at the Boleyn Ground on 1 March last year.

With Liverpool also due to visit east London on 9 May, Dyer said the Hammers
can have their say in the Premier League title race.

"We could have a great part to play in where the title goes this season.
We've got Chelsea next and then Liverpool at home as well. Last season,
Chelsea came to our place and gave us the run-around and beat us 4-0 so we
have to redeem ourselves. With our injury situation it always seems to be
backs against the wall, but we seem to be thriving on that."

Drogba has been in fine form in recent weeks, netting five goals in his last
five matches including the winner in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win
over Arsenal at Wembley. Former Hammer Lampard, who was sent-off in last
season's respective fixture, has plundered 20 goals for club and country
this season.

"They have got match-winners all over the park but obviously Frank Lampard
and Didier Drogba are the main two. Drogba has been like a new player and
Frank is a 25-goal-a-season man, but they're not the only two we've got to
worry about!

"We have to worry about their whole team and if we're going to get a result,
we're going to have to have our eleven players on the pitch digging in. We
can't carry anyone and can't have any passengers. Hopefully that will be
enough because if their players all produce it's going to be an extremely
hard game."

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Drogba in Tomkins' sights
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is prepared for a physical battle with Chelsea's Ivory Coast
striker Didier Drogba on Saturday
24.04.2009

James Tomkins is relishing the prospect of facing Chelsea stiker Didier
Drogba on Saturday.

The England Under-20 defender has been in superb form since bring drafted
into the West Ham United side in mid-February. Since then, Tomkins has
started seven matches, during which time the Hammers have conceded just
three goals.

On Saturday, however, the 20-year-old is expected to come up against Ivory
Coast international Drogba, who has put together his own impressive run of
performances since Dutchman Guus Hiddink took charge at Stamford Bridge in
February.

Despite Drogba's physical approach and fearsome reputation, which have
brought him 36 goals in 55 games for his country and two Premier League
winner's medals, Tomkins insists he will not be fazed by the challenge of
shackling the 2007 African footballer of the year.

"I'll approach facing Drogba like I approach every game. I've played against
a lot of good players in the Premier League and I've coped with them OK so
if I'll keep learning and using those experiences. The experience of the
staff here has helped me through. I'm looking forward to the challenge and I
like a challenge.

"Obviously he's a great player and has done it at all levels. I will talk to
a lot of people before the match about what to do and what not to do and
when it comes to it, I'll do what I feel is best. I know he'll be a physical
lad and is very strong but I'll do my best. It's going to be a good test,
like all strikers are."

For Chelsea, Saturday's game is the seventh fixture they have contested
during a packed April, a month that will end with Tuesday's UEFA Champions
League semi-final first-leg against FC Barcelona. With a trip to the Camp
Nou just days away, Tomkins believes the Hammers can take advantage by
beating the Blues, strengthening the club's challenge for their own European
adventure into the bargain.

"We're fighting for seventh place so that's the target we're really trying
to head towards. No matter what side they put out, they're going to be
strong. They played on Wednesday and have another game on Tuesday in the
Champions League so if any time is a good time to play them, I suppose this
is, but it's still going to be a tough game. Whatever team they play they
are going to be strong. They've got good players there."

One of those players is England captain and Tomkins' fellow central defender
John Terry. Like the West Ham youngster, the 28-year-old spent five years
working under Tony Carr at the club's famous Academy before joining Chelsea
in 1995 at the age of 14.

While he will be fully focused on his own game beforehand, Tomkins has vowed
to seek out the Blues captain after the final whistle to discuss the art of
defending.

"When he's not playing Chelsea seem to struggle. He's quite a vocal lad and
very much a leader and I want to bring that into my game if I can. The way
he's passionate is brilliant. That comes from within, I suppose, but you
can't really learn that. The way he is so commanding and has improved at lot
on the ball as well is something I'll look at. If I play, this will be first
time I've played against Chelsea, so it will be good to talk to him."

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Clarke up for Saturday
WHUFC.com
Steve Clarke is looking forward to the challenge of facing Chelsea at the
Boleyn Ground this weekend
23.04.2009

Steve Clarke was in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's big Barclays Premier
League game with Chelsea.

West Ham United could be boosted by the return of two players from the
treatment table. Radoslav Kovac is hoping to have recovered from a thigh
strain to challenge for a place in midfield, while Jonathan Spector is in
contention after recovering from concussion.

Clarke said: "We should have Kovac back. It's been a strange week, we've
been training with nine, ten or eleven players. We actually had 13 players
training this morning so we should be OK for a team!"

West Ham secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Blues at Stamford Bridge
when the two sides met in the reverse fixture in December. Clarke, however,
is adamant that the team should not approach the game looking for a similar
result.

"To win you need to put in hard work and effort. You have to be organised,
you have to respect their strengths and you have to be prepared to play
against them.

"If you sit and try to defend against them for 90 minutes it will be a long
90 minutes. We look forward to the game. We've been playing well recently,
but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to start
at the weekend."

The Hammers play host to Chelsea just three days before they face a tricky
trip to the Camp Nou to play Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. But
Clarke is certain that Guus Hiddink and his players will be focused on
coming out on top in the London derby.

"They're in the middle of a difficult run of matches with a lot of big games
and I'm sure they'll think about resting one or two players against us.

"But it's only a great time to play them if you beat them after a match.
Before the game, I'm sure they'll approach it as it's an east and west
London derby and they won't want to lose it so it will be a difficult game."

Chelsea's attack could be led by Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, a player
Clarke knows well from his time at Stamford Bridge. The West Ham United
first-team coach believes that his in-form defence, who have conceded just
three goals in their last seven matches, can rise to the physical challenge
he will pose.

"I think Didier has been in tremendous form for Chelsea, scored a few goals,
but our defenders are playing well. They've defended very well in recent
matches, in fact for a long period of time they've defended well. If we can
defend as we have been we'll be OK."

Clarke spent a total of 15 years as both a player and assistant manager at
Stamford Bridge, but is fully converted to his new side's cause.

"For me it's just another game. It might sound strange but I work for West
Ham United now and I'm enjoying my time here. I had great times at Chelsea,
it's gone, it's in the past and I have to look forward."

Clarke joined former team-mate Gianfranco Zola in September and, after a
seeing their side steadily climb the league table, the pair have never
looked back.

"It's been very good. We've put on good training sessions and the players
have applied themselves well and worked very hard in training and you see
the rewards on the pitch.

"It's worked out well for us, up until now it has been a good season. There
are have been a lot of problems and a lot of things to deal with and I think
both of us improved, Gianfranco as a manager and I have certainly improved
as a coach."

In the race for the seventh place, West Ham United hold pole position, but
Clarke is determined the squad will not rest on their laurels and see the
task through to completion.

"If the season stopped today we could look back with satisfaction but the
season doesn't stop today as we've got another five matches. We're pleased
until now but we'd like to see the job out and finish the job and finish
seventh.

"[We want to] win as many as we can and get as high up that league as
possible. That's my only target in football - finish as high as you can."

After such a successful start to their time with West Ham United, Clarke
also revealed he, like Gianfranco Zola, is close to finalising a new deal
that will see him commit his long-term future to the club.

"I think Gianfranco is in discussions with the club about extending his
contract. The club have approached me about the same and we've had good
discussions. But I've only just arrived and they are already talking about
extended it which means we've done something right.

"I'm enjoying my time here, I think it was a strange move for a lot of
people when I came here but I feel justified in the move."

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West Ham v Chelsea
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 25 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5
Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the
Day
BBC.co.uk

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BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is setting his sights on a Champions League/FA
Cup double, having effectively conceded the Premier League title to
Manchester United after Wednesday's goalless home draw with Everton. It was
only the second time in eight top-flight games the West Londoners had failed
to win under the interim manager.

West Ham against Chelsea is the 18th of 20 Premier League London derbies
this season. Chelsea will be playing in each of the last three, but have not
beaten a fellow club from the capital so far (three draws, two defeats);
West Ham have won two, drawn two and lost three of their seven to date.

Chelsea are still pursuing their third runners-up spot in as many seasons,
and at the same time will not want to fall out of the top three and miss out
on automatic qualification to the group stages of next season's Champions
League.

West Ham go into the game in seventh spot, which, if maintained, will
probably be good enough to earn a place in the third qualifying round for
next season's Europa League.

West Ham have not beaten any of the six clubs currently above them in the
table; Aston Villa (home and away) is the only one on the top nine that
Chelsea have defeated.

This match is being staged on Gianfranco Zola's 222nd day in charge of the
Hammers . The 42 year old Italian and former Stamford Bridge favourite made
312 appearances and scored 80 goals in his playing days for Chelsea.

Chelsea are undefeated in seven Premier League matches against West Ham;
they have won six and drawn one since the Hammers' 1-0 home win on 3 May
2003, when Paulo Di Canio scored the winner.

Distance between the clubs: 13 miles (21 kilometres)
Chelsea make the shortest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.


CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED

Club stats

7th 45 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 9th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Lost one of the last seven Premier League matches; 1-0, away to Tottenham
on 11 April.

2. This is Gianfranco Zola's 30th Premier League game in charge; they have
won 10 under him.

3. Completed 17 top-flight matches since a loss by more than a single goal;
the most recent being 0-2, home to Tottenham on 8 December.

4. The current total of 45 points after 33 games is a point up on last
season, when positioned 10th, where they ended the campaign.

5. Lost one of the 14 top-flight matches in which they've opened the
scoring; home to Everton.

6. The highest they have finished since their return to the Premier League
was ninth in 2005-06. The best placed finish in 13 Premier League seasons
was fifth in 1998-99, and the lowest 18th and relegation in 2002-03. Their
average is 11th.

7. Won 50% of their home league games; eight of 16.

8. Not conceded in three at Upton Park, or in 298 minutes (four hours 58
minutes) of Premier League football on home turf since Ryan Gigs scored the
winner for Manchester United in a 0-1 triumph on 8 February.

9. Not beaten a member of the 'Big Four' (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and
Manchester United this season (lost three, drawn three), nor in nine matches
against them since a 1-0 home victory over Liverpool on 30 January last
year.

10. Still to play another of the 'Big Four', in Liverpool, on 9 May. The
full list is:- Stoke (a), Liverpool (h), Everton (a) and Middlesbrough (h).

Fixtures

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

CHELSEA

Club stats

3rd 68 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd
Lowest could fall: 3rd

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ever-presents in the Premier League, with an average finishing position
of fifth; won the title in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

2. Undefeated in six in all competitions; four wins, two draws.

3. Claimed seven points out of nine, and lost one of nine Premier League
matches; 1-0, away to Tottenham on 21 March.

4. The current tally of 68 points after 33 games is their lowest for six
years, and six points down on last season.

5. Won 18 and lost just one of the 20 league games this season in which they
have opened the scoring. The defeat was home to Arsenal.

6. Own the tightest defence in the highest league. More details

7. Boasting the strongest away form in the highest league, and need a win to
pass the 500 away points mark all-time in the Premier League; on 498 at
present.

8. The league run-in after this is:- Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Blackburn (h)
and Sunderland (a).

Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED

Squad profiles

Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.

Carlton COLE, currently injured, is the club's top Premier League scorer
with nine goals.

Kieron DYER needs a double to register 50 career club goals.

If selected:-

Scott PARKER, who's almost ready to return from injury, will be playing
against a former club. The 28 year old England international made 28
appearances (15 in the league) and scored one league goal for Chelsea
between January 2004 and June 2005.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

CHELSEA

Squad profiles

Nicolas ANELKA is one of three Premier League players with as many as 21
club goals this season; the others are Steve GERRARD of Liverpool and
Manchester United's RONALDO.

ANELKA and RONALDO jointly lead the race for the Barclays Golden Boot, with
15 Premier League goals each.

Frank LAMPARD is the only remaining player to have started all of Chelsea's
Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

ASHLEY COLE will be making his 250th career league appearance (Arsenal,
Crystal Palace and Chelsea).

ALEX will be making his 50th Premier League appearance - all in Chelsea
colours.

LAMPARD will be facing a former club. The 30 year old England international
was a West Ham trainee, making 187 appearances (148 in the league) and
scoring 38 goals (24 league) for them before his £11m move to Stamford
Bridge in June 2001.


HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea won last season's corresponding fixture 0-4, despite having Frank
Lampard sent off. The points were secured midway through the first-half when
the Blues scored three times in five minutes.

The Blues are pursuing a fourth successive top-flight victory at Upton Park
to complete the double over West Ham for the fifth time in the Premier
League, and fourth season in a row.

West Ham need to score four goals to total 150 against Chelsea in all
competitions; Chelsea need three more to total 150 against West Ham.

Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 34 wins, Chelsea 31, Draws 16
Prem: West Ham 9 wins, Chelsea 14, Draws 4

at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 22 wins, Chelsea 11, Draws 7
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Chelsea 6, Draws 2


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 0-4 Chelsea
1 March 2008 - Ref: Peter Walton
Chelsea scorers: Lampard 17 pen, Joe Cole 20, Ballack 22, Ashley Cole 64
Sent Off: Lampard (Sent Off) 36

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Chelsea 1-1 West Ham United
14 December 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley
Chelsea scorer: Anelka 51
West Ham scorer: Bellamy 33


REFEREE
Mike Dean (Wirral)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke in talks over Hammers deal
BBC.co.uk

West Ham coach Steve Clarke says he is in no hurry to extend his contract,
despite the board's enthusiasm. Since Clarke and manager Gianfranco Zola
joined the club last September, they have kept the team in the race for a
place in Europe next season. "Already they're talking about extending so we
are doing something right," Clarke said.
"Discussions are on-going but it will be sorted when it's sorted. There's no
rush on my side or that of the club." Zola has already spoken of his desire
to sign a longer-term deal and build a long-term project at Upton Park, on
the proviso that Clarke and his backroom team stay at the club. The pair
enjoy legendary status at former club Chelsea, who are West Ham's next
opponents, and when manager Luis Felipe Scolari was sacked by the Blues they
were widely tipped to make a return. But Clarke said although he has happy
memories of his Chelsea days, that chapter of his life was over. "I am
enjoying my time here. I think it was a strange move for a lot of people
when I came but I feel justified in making it," he said. "I had great times
at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the past and I have to look forward. I
am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Davenport eyes Black Cats leap
Defender eager to stay on Wearside
Last updated: 23rd April 2009
SSN

On-loan Sunderland defender Calum Davenport has reiterated his desire to
make his switch from West Ham permanent. The 26-year-old moved north in
January but had to wait until the home defeat to Manchester United earlier
in April to make his first start for the Wearsiders. He has since started
against Hull City and wants to extend his stay with the Black Cats as he
feels settled and happy. Davenport has not settled at a club since his
transfer from Coventry to Tottenham in 2004, being loaned out on three
occasions during his time at White Hart Lane. He then signed for the Hammers
in January of 2007 but has since been sent on loan on two further occasions.
Davenport told the Sunderland Echo: "Since I've been up here I've loved
every minute of it.
"Everybody from the manager to the tea ladies have been unbelievable. So if
I can stay I'll be delighted. But the main thing is getting results first
and foremost and seeing what happens in the summer. "I've had a lot of
injury problems and being at Tottenham, it was a massive club. It forced me
to go out on loan to play week in, week out.
"If I can find somewhere where I'm settled and happy, as I feel I am here,
I'll be happy. Who knows? "I've settled in well. I've got a young family and
my daughter's at school down south so they're up at the weekends. We're in
Durham and the family really like it. Credit to the club, everything has
been fantastic."
Sunderland take on West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday and victory will
go a long way to securing their survival, although Davenport is taking
nothing for granted.
He said: "I was saying to the lads, they're a team who trust each other with
the ball, pass and move, pull you into areas and pop it around you. "We're
going to have to be nice and compact down there. Whereas the game at the
weekend was played at a high tempo, we'll have to give them a bit of respect
in terms of their quality on the ball, even though they're bottom of the
league. "We might have to nick it off them and hit them quick. With Djibril
Cisse and Kenwyne Jones' pace maybe we can hit them that way. "There's
absolutely no pressure on them and it comes from the manager. If you listen
to him he wants them to go out, express themselves and play a certain way.
"It's quite easy to fall back on the fact it's a results business, but he's
got a belief in the way they play and they stick to it. "It's up to us to
make sure we prepare right and get the result we want."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers offer Clarke extension
Hammers offer contract extension to assistant Clarke
Last updated: 23rd April 2009
SSN

West Ham have approached assistant boss Steve Clarke about extending his
contract - but he is in no rush to sign. The former Chelsea number two
signed a three-year deal earlier in the season when he switched to Upton
Park as assistant to boss Gianfranco Zola. The pair have been linked with a
move back to Chelsea at the end of the season and the Hammers' decision to
offer the pair contract extensions is a clear indication of their desire to
head off any potential summer move. But Clarke, while flattered by the
extension offer, is in no hurry to sign. "I think Gianfranco is in
discussions with the club about extending his contract, the club have
approached me about the same," he said. "We have had good discussions but I
have only just arrived and already they are talking about extending so it
means we have done something right. "Discussions are ongoing but it will be
sorted when it is sorted. There is no great rush to do anything. I signed
here for almost three years and I will have two years left come the summer,
so there is no rush. There is no rush on my side or the side of the club."
He added he is enjoying his time at Upton Park. "I think it was a strange
move for a lot of people when I came here but I feel justified in making the
move," he said, adding he is pleased with how the Hammers have done until
now. "We would like to see the job out and finish in seventh."
The Hammers entertain Chelsea on Saturday and asked if it was a good time to
be playing the Blues, he said: "They are in the middle of a difficult run of
matches, a lot of big games. I'm sure maybe they'll think about resting one
or two players against us at the weekend. "But it is only a great time to
play them if you beat them after the match. Before the game, I'm sure
they'll approach it, they won't want to lose, it's a big London derby. "It
will be a difficult, difficult game."
But he is hopeful of a result, saying: "We have been playing well recently
but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to start
at the weekend.
"It is just another game for me. It is three more points in the chase for a
place in Europe."I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the
past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Eager To Extend Terms With Assistant Manager Steve Clarke
The Hammers would love to lock down their assistant who, at least for the
moment, is playing it cool...
24 Apr 2009 07:07:04
Goal.com

Steve Clarke has revealed that he has an offer on the table to extend his
terms as assistant manager of West Ham United, but has also indicated that
he will take his time before deciding whether to put pen to paper on an
improved deal. The Ayrshire-born Scot, for so many years the
second-in-command at Chelsea, has struck what looks to be an excellent
rapport with Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, and the club are obviously keen
on continuing the promising pairing. "I think Gianfranco is in discussions
with the club about extending his contract, the club have approached me
about the same," Clarke was quoted as saying by the BBC. "We have had good
discussions but I have only just arrived and already they are talking about
extending so it means we have done something right. "Discussions are ongoing
but it will be sorted when it is sorted. There is no great rush to do
anything. I signed here for almost three years and I will have two years
left come the summer, so there is no rush. There is no rush on my side or
the side of the club."
The 45-year-old was keen to stress that he is very happy with his decision
to join the Hammers' cause, despite the perceived drop down from the same
position at Stamford Bridge. "I think it was a strange move for a lot of
people when I came here," he acknowledged, "but I feel justified in making
the move. "We would like to see the job out and finish in seventh."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke pen new West Ham contracts
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will on Friday sign new four-year contracts
at West Ham, ending speculation over their future.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Last Updated: 7:30AM BST 24 Apr 2009

The lengthy deals will replace the 12-month rolling contracts they agreed
when they were appointed at Upton Park in September following Alan
Curbishley's exit. West Ham were keen to reward Zola and Clarke after the
promising start they have made at the club, who are seventh in the Premier
League table and vying to qualify for next season's Europa League. Alan
Pardew favourite to replace sacked Jim Magilton at Ipswich TownTalks were
opened last week with chief executive Scott Duxbury and were concluded on
Thursday with West Ham due to make an announcement later today ahead of
tomorrow's League match against Chelsea. Zola is, of course, a Chelsea
favourite, and was voted the club's best player of all-time, while Clarke, a
former team-mate of the Italian, was lured from Stamford Bridge as part of
the deal to sign up a new management team.
West Ham paid Chelsea £1 million in compensation to secure Clarke, which
appeared an extraordinary sum to sign up an assistant manager, but he has
worked in tandem with Zola who, in an exclusive interview to be published in
The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, hails the Scot as "vital" to the success he
has so far enjoyed. Zola told Telegraph Sport he was delighted to be
discussing a new deal, adding: "The club is looking after me and my staff. I
don't think they were worried that I might leave. They know that I like what
I am doing here. I am just starting a project and it would be a pity to
leave something that is not done yet. "
Eyebrows were raised when the 42-year-old was appointed, given he had not
managed before and was plucked from his role as assistant coach to the
Italian under-21s. That criticism grew after a series of disappointing
results, but Zola and Clarke have turned things round dramatically. The new
deals, it will be argued, also confirm that despite the financial
difficulties being endured by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and with
ownership of West Ham expected to be transferred from the Icelandic
businessman in the coming months, the club are continue to function
successfully as a self-financing business under Duxbury. As well as Zola and
Clarke, West Ham have signed up a number of key players on new long-term
deals including Carlton Cole, Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Jack Collison.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why only West Ham seem to care about winning a place in Europe
Revamped Uefa Cup still does not interest Spurs or Fulham
Teams will have to play 19 games to win trophy
David Hytner The Guardian, Friday 24 April 2009

The battle for the final qualifying place in the Uefa Cup, or what will be
known from the beginning of next season as the Europa League, has become a
phoney war. The prize, if that is the correct term, will be handed to the
seventh-placed team in the Premier League and recent results have seen the
contenders narrow to three London clubs.

The trouble is that while they would each enjoy the prestige of such an
encouraging finish and, no doubt, the increased share of the league's prize
money fund, only West Ham United, the current occupiers of the position,
truly want what goes with it. Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, who are
separated by goal difference and are one point below the Hammers with five
matches to play, have rather more mixed feelings.

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, might prefer eighth place, as that would
still represent the club's best finish, eclipsing the ninth place secured
under Chris Coleman in 2004. Hodgson has enjoyed some heady moments in
Europe, including reaching the 1997 Uefa Cup final with Internazionale – his
team lost over two legs to Schalke on penalties – but he is aware of the
thinness of his Fulham squad which, remarkably, has not been exposed by
injuries this season. Could his team hope to have similar good fortune next
time out?

The Premier League club that finishes seventh will enter the tweaked Europa
League at the third qualifying round. England's other two entrants, who are
expected to be Everton and Aston Villa, will start in the fourth and final
qualifying round. These two-leg ties presage the group stage, in which there
are 12 groups of four, all playing each other at home and away. The two top
teams advance into the round of 32, where the numbers are made up by eight
teams dropping down from the Champions League groups.

From there, the ties follow a straight two-leg knock-out formula. The
differences to this season's format appear minimal – certainly, there has
been no streamlining of the competition – and the bottom line for England's
final qualifier is that they will have to play 19 matches in order to win
the trophy.

That is half a Premier League season and explains why Harry Redknapp, the
Tottenham manager, having been stretched to breaking point by participation
in this season's Uefa Cup tournament, shares the pragmatic concerns of
Hodgson.

"I'd be a liar if I said that European football wasn't a bit of a
distraction," said Redknapp, who is 62 and Hodgson's senior by five months.
"It makes it hard in terms of league position and everything else. But your
pride wants you to get there."

That problem is not seen as such by West Ham's youthful management team.
Gianfranco Zola, in his first manager's role, has stated that he wants to
take the club into Europe while Steve Clarke, his assistant, has no time for
the drawbacks. Both men are keen to embellish their CVs and continental
football would do that.

"I want to be involved in European football every year," said Clarke, "and
so do the club. You have to push yourself and challenge yourself. Maybe next
season we'll get to the stage where we think, 'I wish we hadn't qualified',
but we'll deal with that when we come to it.

"The only tangible thing we can take from this season is to qualify for
Europe. So if you're ambitious, you have to chase the highest that you can
get.

"Only time will tell about the strain it would place on our squad, but our
injured players will be back in pre-season so we'll be stronger and then
it's another test of management, of coaching, to utilise your players as
best as you can to challenge for every competition."

There is no doubt that Hodgson and Redknapp remain ambitious but their years
of experience have given them perspective. Redknapp's situation is slightly
complicated by the fact that Tottenham fans expect and virtually demand
European football. Neither manager, though, has the appetite for bullish
language.

"We set one very clear, major target and that was to finish in the Premier
League at the end of the season," said Hodgson. "We've achieved our target
and we haven't sat down to set up a different target."

Given the manner in which Tottenham and Aston Villa limped out of this
season's Uefa Cup with weakened teams, the lustre of the competition for
English clubs has been questioned.

Clarke's take is provocative. "Probably the shine has gone off it in recent
years for English teams because nobody has won it," he said. "If somebody
was to win it and you got the TV profile and the build-up to the final,
people would think, 'That's a good day out, we will try and do that'."

West Ham first want to be in it.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer: Hammers can have title say
by Danny Sanderson , 23 April 2009
setanta.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer believes the Irons can have a major say in
where the Premier League trophy ends up this campaign, as they prepare to
face Chelsea at Upton Park on Saturday. The injury-prone player also claims
that, despite their treatment room continuing to be oversubscribed, they are
thriving on the situation they find themselves in under Gianfranco Zola.
Dyer told West Ham's official website: "We could have a great part to play
in where the title goes this season. We've got Chelsea next and then
Liverpool at home as well. Last season, Chelsea came to our place and gave
us the run-around and beat us 4-0 so we have to redeem ourselves. "With our
injury situation it always seems to be backs against the wall, but we seem
to be thriving on that."
Dyer feels they will have to be at their best to beat the West London outfit
and has marked the on-form Didier Drogba and former Hammer Frank Lampard as
the ones to stop if they are to claim the crucial three points in their
search for European football. "They have got match-winners all over the
park, but obviously Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are the main two. Drogba
has been like a new player and Lampard is a 25-goal-a-season man, but
they're not the only two we have got to worry about!
"We have got to worry about their whole team and if we're going to get a
result, we're going to have to have our eleven players on the pitch digging
in. We can't carry anyone and we can't have any passengers. Hopefully that
will be enough because if their players all produce it's going to be an
extremely tough game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Upson: Zola can lead West Ham into Champions League
24.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Matthew Upson believes Gianfranco Zola can lead West Ham United into the top
four. "I don't see any reason why not," said the 30-year-old. "You can't
tell what is going to happen in 18 months or two years' time. You have to go
with it and make the right decisions. "I think the club is going in the
right direction and I am very excited about next season. "We can make it to
the Europa League. Even though we still have Liverpool and Chelsea to play,
they are both home games. Europe is a big goal for the club and it will be
interesting next season if we achieve it to see how things go. "It would
mean exciting times at the club next season without a doubt. If we can get
some players back fit and bring a couple of new players in, then this club
and team can really go places. "The longer the boss stays the better. He has
done brilliantly since he came in and has a very good relationship with the
players. "He has great tactical awareness and gets a lot of respect because
of the quality of player he was. If you are not a good manager that soon
wears off but he has proved that he has good managerial skills."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham want Man Utd's Possebon on-loan next season
24.04.09 | Ian Ferris

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola wants Italian U20 international Rorigo
Possebon on loan from Manchester United. Zola will reportedly ask Reds boss
Sir Alex Ferguson if he can take Brazilian born Possebon to West Ham on loan
next season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham, West Ham target Esposito focused on Lecce
23.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Lecce defender Andrea Esposito is calm about interest from Tottenham and
West Ham United. The young centre-half said: "Playing in a great team is the
dream of everyone, but I now concentrate solely on the safety of Lecce.
"We'll take care of the rest after the end of the championship."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson1

Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Thursday, April 23

Daily WHUFC News - Web Item - Steve Clarke

Clarke in talks over Hammers deal
BBC.co.uk

West Ham coach Steve Clarke says he is in no hurry to extend his contract,
despite the board's enthusiasm. Since Clarke and manager Gianfranco Zola
joined the club last September, they have kept the team in the race for a
place in Europe next season. "Already they're talking about extending so we
are doing something right," Clarke said.
"Discussions are on-going but it will be sorted when it's sorted. There's no
rush on my side or that of the club."
Zola has already spoken of his desire to sign a longer-term deal and build a
long-term project at Upton Park, on the proviso that Clarke and his backroom
team stay at the club. The pair enjoy legendary status at former club
Chelsea, who are West Ham's next opponents, and when manager Luis Felipe
Scolari was sacked by the Blues they were widely tipped to make a return.
But Clarke said although he has happy memories of his Chelsea days, that
chapter of his life was over. "I am enjoying my time here. I think it was a
strange move for a lot of people when I came but I feel justified in making
it," he said. "I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the
past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers offer Clarke extension
Hammers offer contract extension to assistant Clarke
Last updated: 23rd April 2009
SSN

West Ham have approached assistant boss Steve Clarke about extending his
contract - but he is in no rush to sign. The former Chelsea number two
signed a three-year deal earlier in the season when he switched to Upton
Park as assistant to boss Gianfranco Zola. The pair have been linked with a
move back to Chelsea at the end of the season and the Hammers' decision to
offer the pair contract extensions is a clear indication of their desire to
head off any potential summer move. But Clarke, while flattered by the
extension offer, is in no hurry to sign. "I think Gianfranco is in
discussions with the club about extending his contract, the club have
approached me about the same," he said. "We have had good discussions but I
have only just arrived and already they are talking about extending so it
means we have done something right.
"Discussions are ongoing but it will be sorted when it is sorted. There is
no great rush to do anything. I signed here for almost three years and I
will have two years left come the summer, so there is no rush. There is no
rush on my side or the side of the club." He added he is enjoying his time
at Upton Park. "I think it was a strange move for a lot of people when I
came here but I feel justified in making the move," he said, adding he is
pleased with how the Hammers have done until now. "We would like to see the
job out and finish in seventh."
The Hammers entertain Chelsea on Saturday and asked if it was a good time to
be playing the Blues, he said: "They are in the middle of a difficult run of
matches, a lot of big games. I'm sure maybe they'll think about resting one
or two players against us at the weekend. "But it is only a great time to
play them if you beat them after the match. Before the game, I'm sure
they'll approach it, they won't want to lose, it's a big London derby. "It
will be a difficult, difficult game."
But he is hopeful of a result, saying: "We have been playing well recently
but we haven't beaten one of the big teams yet and it would be nice to start
at the weekend.
"It is just another game for me. It is three more points in the chase for a
place in Europe. "I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the
past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson1

Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Daily WHUFC News - 23rd April 2009

Dyer pleased with final showing
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer was happy with his reserve side's effort in their final game of
the season with Portsmouth
22.04.2009

Alex Dyer was full of praise for the performance of his young reserve side
as they suffered the heartache of conceding a last-minute goal in the 1-0
defeat to Portsmouth.

West Ham United had plenty of chances of their own, with stand-in captain
Zavon Hines going close several times, but were made to pay when Theofanis
Gekas' deflected shot beat Peter Kurucz with just seconds remaining. Despite
the late setback, Dyer was keen to draw on the plusses and commended the
manner in which his side, which included just two players out of their
teens, approached the game.

"It was a great performance, to be fair. The lads worked hard, especially in
the second half. They came out and the tempo was good to their game.

"We said a couple of things to them at half-time and they produced in the
second half. We created three-or-four good chances. Zavon Hines has done
well this year but it just wasn't his night."

Portsmouth's goal was a cruel way for Dyer's side to finish their season,
but the reserve team manager said the manner of the defeat will just add to
the players' valuable experience.

"It was just the way the game was that they had one chance, and it wasn't
really a chance. They had a shot and it's got a deflection and gone in, but
that's the reality of life.

"Hopefully they will learn from it. They were disappointed, the boys,
because they wanted to win. It was the last game and they gave their all.
They ran and they worked hard and they passed the ball well. It was just not
their night at the end."

The reserves season started with several senior players lining up for Dyer's
side, but as some have moved on and injuries have taken their toll on the
first-team squad, Dyer has called upon the latest batch of Academy graduates
to represent the reserves. The youngsters have not disappointed and Dyer has
been delighted with their application while under his tutorship.

"The young lads who have come up during the second part of the season have
really worked hard and have shown the quality that they have got at times.
Sometimes they are a bit naïve because they are young but, overall, I've
been pleased with them."

"They have worked very hard and moved the ball and done the things that
we've asked them to do in the games and in training."

Dyer was appointed reserve team manager earlier this season after Kevin
Keen's promotion to first-team coach. The former Hull City, Crystal Palace
and Barnet defender says he has enjoyed the experience of taking charge of
West Ham's second string under the stewardship of the first team coaching
staff.

"I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to work at this level. The senior
lads who have come into the reserves at the start of the season worked hard
and played well for the club. It is difficult when you come and play reserve
football sometimes, but they are good professionals and they worked hard.

"For me, it's been very easy to do this job. The management team have looked
after us and I'd like to thank them for helping us - the gaffer, Steve
Clarke and Kevin Keen have been great. They've given me all the support I've
needed to do the job to the best of my abilities."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer prepared for Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Premier League
title-chasers Chelsea
23.04.2009

Kieron Dyer believes West Ham United will have to be at their best to upset
Chelsea's Premier League title ambitions.

The England midfielder, who enjoyed a successful run out in last Saturday's
1-1 draw at Aston Villa, has identified Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba
and international team-mate Frank Lampard as the men to stop if the Hammers
are to beat Guus Hiddink's side.

Dyer, who produced an encouraging display after appearing as a first-half
substitute at Villa Park, is also eager to gave revenge for the 4-0 drubbing
Chelsea dished out at the Boleyn Ground on 1 March last year.

With Liverpool also due to visit east London on 9 May, Dyer said the Hammers
can have their say in the Premier League title race.

"We could have a great part to play in where the title goes this season.
We've got Chelsea next and then Liverpool at home as well. Last season,
Chelsea came to our place and gave us the run-around and beat us 4-0 so we
have to redeem ourselves. With our injury situation it always seems to be
backs against the wall, but we seem to be thriving on that."

Drogba has been in fine form in recent weeks, netting five goals in his last
five matches including the winner in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win
over Arsenal at Wembley. Former Hammer Lampard, who was sent-off in last
season's respective fixture, has plundered 20 goals for club and country
this season.

"They have got match-winners all over the park but obviously Frank Lampard
and Didier Drogba are the main two. Drogba has been like a new player and
Frank is a 25-goal-a-season man, but they're not the only two we've got to
worry about!

"We have to worry about their whole team and if we're going to get a result,
we're going to have to have our eleven players on the pitch digging in. We
can't carry anyone and can't have any passengers. Hopefully that will be
enough because if their players all produce it's going to be an extremely
hard game."

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Spirits high at Chadwell Heath
WHUFC.com
This weekend may be too soon for Jack Collison and Carlton Cole but they are
doing well at Chadwell Heath
22.04.2009

Gianfranco Zola and his staff have been hard at work this week ahead of a
major meeting with Chelsea this weekend.

While the manager and some players took part in the club's charity golf day
in glorious sunshine on Wednesday, the focus has still been very much on the
footballing matters at hand. Jack Collison and Carlton Cole were among those
working hard out on the training pitch and in the gym with the aim still for
both to make an impact before the end of the season.

Jonathan Spector is in contention to face the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists on Saturday after sitting out the last two games because of
concussion but it remains to be seen whether James Collins will be available
after his calf problem against Aston Villa last weekend. There is also hope
that Radoslav Kovac (thigh) will figure against the UEFA Champions League
semi-finalists but Scott Parker (groin) could miss out again.

Also present at Chadwell Heath on Wednesday were Danny Gabbidon, Valon
Behrami, Terry Dixon and Dean Ashton who are all working on their intensive
rehabilitation programmes with next season the most likely aim for all four.
One player who is out of the treatment room, though, is Kieron Dyer and the
manager has been delighted with how he has performed in the last few games.

"Kieron has been absolutely excellent," Zola said looking back to his hour
off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Villa. "It took him ten minutes to get
into the game and after that he was brilliant. I am pleased for him as it
has been a long time. He has worked very hard. Seeing him fit now is good
for him and us."

With five games to go, the manager said everyone is "up for it" when it
comes to pushing for as many points as possible in a bid to secure seventh
spot and UEFA Europa League qualification. "We are going to be trying very
hard and we know we have a great chance."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham reputation for style set to lure quality to Upton Park
Gianfranco Zola believes West Ham are producing such a reputation for
exciting football that players will be persuaded to join the Upton Park
revolution.
Telegraph
By John Ley
Last Updated: 8:31AM BST 22 Apr 2009

West Ham are seventh going into the weekend's visit of Chelsea and ahead of
the clash with his former club, where Zola earned a reputation as one of the
most exciting players to feature in the Premier League, he believes such
standards are coming through in his side's playing style. "I believe we are
building up a reputation because we try to play good football and there is a
good atmosphere," said Zola. "That could be an attractive thing for good
players to come. I wouldn't be surprised to see a good player come to play
for West Ham in the summer.

Arsenal in line for Matthew Upson bid as West Ham look to Europe"West Ham
has a good platform to build up something important for the future. We want
to build it slowly and with attention. We are not big spenders but we spend
the money wisely and we work hard to make it happen." If West Ham remain
seventh they will qualify for the Europa League and Zola believes the club
is equipped to cope with the rigours of the new-look competition. "I think
so. Why not? This is a very ambitious club and I believe that myself, along
with Gianluca Nani (the club's technical director) and Scott Duxbury (chief
executive) are working well as a team. "I believe the relationship has
always been strong and we have good ideas and we are not scared to apply
them. With these conditions I believe the club is strong. It can go forward.
"If I had all my best players available (this season) maybe it could have
been better but I like to enjoy what I have got and not to think too much
about what I haven't got. It has been a good test for me. I have been forced
many times to take something out of a situation and it has been very good
for my improvement."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham eye Racing Santander's Lotam Zino
The Mirror
By Football Spy 22/04/2009

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is giving a trial to Israeli Lotam Zino who is
at Racing Santander.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Chelsea preview
11:47am Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Guardian Series

West Ham v Chelsea
Premier League, Saturday, 3pm

LAST MEETING: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham (14-12-2008) Craig Bellamy's first half
volley gave the Hammers a shock lead, but Nicolas Anelka scored to make it
honours even.

LAST TIME AT UPTON PARK: West Ham 0-4 Chelsea (01-03-2008) A five-minute
blitz early on ensured it was a day to forget for the Irons, with ex-Hammers
Frank Lampard and Joe Cole both on the scoresheet.

HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea 37 wins, West Ham 36 wins, 17 draws FORM: Interim boss
Guus Hiddink has transformed the Blues' fortunes after a torrid spell under
Luis Felipe Scolari, guiding them to the last four of the Champions League
and the FA Cup final.

DANGER MAN: One minute Didier Drogba seems destined for the exit door, the
next he is being hailed as a hero. Hiddink's arrival has signalled a new
dawn for the Ivorian, and the striker is red hot at the moment, with five
goals in his last four games.

FUN FACT: Chelsea owe their existence to a dog. Club founder Henry Augustus
Mears was about to sell his plot of land at Stamford Bridge, much to the
displeasure of his colleague, Frederick Parker. However, it was only when
Mears' pet dog bit Parker on the hand, that he decided to trust his friend's
judgement and pressed on with his plans to build a team and a stadium.

PREDICTION: West Ham 0 Chelsea 2

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham reserves endure last day heartbreak
11:27am Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Guardian Series

WEST HAM'S reserves brought the curtain down on their Barclays Premier
League South campaign with a last-gasp defeat at Portsmouth. Greece
international striker Theofanis Gekas scored a stunning last-minute goal
from the edge of the box to win the game for Pompey. First team coach Steve
Clarke was in attendance to watch a young and inexperienced Hammers side,
that contained only two players above the age of 19 – captain Zavon Hines
and keeper Peter Kurucz. Hines came close to giving the Irons the lead, but
his fierce shot after a lofted through ball from Anthony Edgar arrowed just
wide. Pompey began to dominate, and while West Ham came close on several
occasions, the hosts managed to eke out the win. Manager Alex Dyer was
pleased with his side's efforts, despite the loss. "It was a great
performance, to be fair," he told the club's website. "The lads worked hard,
especially in the second half. They came out and the tempo was good to their
game."
Dyer has been impressed by his young squad's application this season. "The
young lads who have come up during the second part of the season have really
worked hard and have shown the quality that they have got at times. "They
have worked very hard and moved the ball and done the things that we've
asked them to do in the games and in training."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton could make shock West Ham return
East London Advertiser
22 April 2009
By JONATHAN CLEGG

Dean Ashton could receive a shock first-team recall before the end of the
season as Gianfranco Zola bids to solve the West Ham's struggles in front of
goal. Veteran striker Diego Tristan salvaged a point at Aston Villa last
weekend, but West Ham have netted just eight goals in 12 matches and have
managed to score twice in a single match on just one occasion in the past
three months. With in-form Spurs now just a point behind the Hammers, Zola
admits that the club's European hopes are in danger of unravelling unless he
can get his side firing. And the Hammers boss could roll the dice by
fast-tracking Ashton back into the Hammers line-up this season. England
hitman Ashton has been sidelined since August with an ankle injury sustained
during Zola's first training session as West Ham boss. But Zola is aware of
the forward's qualities, describing Ashton as "the perfect player" for his
Hammers side. He said: "We know that scoring goals has been the big problem
throughout the season, but we're going to try very hard to find a solution
now. "Dean is a player who would have made a big difference for us this
year. We know he can give us something extra, especially regarding goals and
we're looking forward to having him back soon. "It would be fantastic if he
could play maybe one game or two games before the end of the season, not
only for him but for the supporters and everyone at the club."
Ashton's future at West Ham had been placed in doubt during his eight-month
absence from the side, during which time Carlton Cole has emerged as the
club's No1 target man and taken Ashton's place in the full England squad.
But Zola insists that the former Norwich striker, who top-scored for West
Ham last season with 11 goals, is the ideal spearhead for his improving
side. "Of course he has got a future here," Zola said. "His finishing is
amazing and if you look at this team, the build-up is very good, but maybe
we lack a little bit of finishing, which Dean Ashton has got in his blood,
so he will be a perfect player for us.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons downplay Parker fears
East London Advertiser
22 April 2009

West Ham have moved to downplay fears that Scott Parker will require an
operation on the groin injury that has kept him out of action for the past
three weeks. Midfielder Parker missed the club's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa
last weekend and his fitness remains in doubt ahead of Saturday's home clash
against former club Chelsea. The 28-year-old not been expected to miss
significant time after suffering the injury against Blackburn last month,
but now looks set to miss a fourth successive Premier League encounter. And
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed there is no timeframe on a
possible return for the former England international, although he insists
Parker will not require an operation to resolve the problem. He said: "To be
honest I don't know how long [he will be out for]. Parker's situation is
strange - it's an inflammation, so it can go away in a few days or it could
be longer. "He is improving a lot but still he is not ready. I don't think
he needs an operation - as far as I know he doesn't need one."
Defender James Collins is also unlikely to be available for the match at
Upton Park, which is dedicated to raising money and awareness for the
Richard House Children's Hospice in Docklands.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Freddie Sears Wants More Time To Shine At West Ham United
The talented teen has admitted to getting a bit restless on the Hammers
bench...
23 Apr 2009 07:14:00
Goal.com

West Ham United starlet Freddie Sears is positively pulling at the leash for
a chance to prove his potential. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has not been
shy to say how much he rates the 19-year-old striker, though so far he has
only used him sparingly as they look to bring European football to Upton
Park next season. Sears was given a brief cameo appearance during the 1-1
draw against Aston Villa on the weekend and, though he managed to catch the
eye even during this limited time, he was keen to let it be known that he is
hungry for more action. "On a personal note it was good to get on again at
Villa, even if it was only for 10 minutes," Sears told the club's official
website. "The manager told me to go on and make something happen and I think
I did okay. "We've got Chelsea next week and I'd love to play against them.
We'll see how it goes. "It's obviously been a bit frustrating not playing as
much football as I was used to in the reserves and youth team, and the
injuries we have means the youngsters haven't been able to go out on loan.
"I'm training well and enjoying it here but I obviously want to start
playing more and scoring some goals."
The England Under-19 striker is yet to find the back of the net in his 18
appearances in total this campaign, most of which have been as a substitute.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Sears targets more first team action
23.04.09 | Andrew Slevison

West Ham striker Freddie Sears has made his ambitions clear and is targeting
more first team action at Upton Park. The 19-year old was used as a
substitute against Aston Villa on the weekend to take his total of first
team appearances in the league to over 20 but is keen for more under
Gianfranco Zola. "On a personal note it was good to get on again at Villa,
even if it was only for ten minutes," he told the club's official website.
"The manager told me to go on and make something happen and I think I did
okay.
"We've got Chelsea next week and I'd love to play against them. We'll see
how it goes. "It's obviously been a bit frustrating not playing as much
football as I was used to in the reserves and youth team, and the injuries
we have means the youngsters haven't been able to go out on loan. "I'm
training well and enjoying it here but I obviously want to start playing
more and scoring some goals."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola: Kieron Dyer absolutely excellent
23.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is delighted with the return to full
fitness of Kieron Dyer. Zola told whufc.com: "Kieron has been absolutely
excellent. "It took him ten minutes to get into the game (against Aston
Villa) and after that he was brilliant. I am pleased for him as it has been
a long time. He has worked very hard. Seeing him fit now is good for him and
us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer delighted with first season in charge of West Ham reserves
23.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Alex Dyer is delighted with his first season in charge of West Ham United's
reserves. Dyer was appointed reserve team manager earlier this season after
Kevin Keen's promotion to first-team coach. The former Hull City, Crystal
Palace and Barnet defender says he has enjoyed the experience of taking
charge of West Ham's second string under the stewardship of the first team
coaching staff. Dyer told whufc.com: "I'm very grateful to have the
opportunity to work at this level. The senior lads who have come into the
reserves at the start of the season worked hard and played well for the
club. It is difficult when you come and play reserve football sometimes, but
they are good professionals and they worked hard. "For me, it's been very
easy to do this job. The management team have looked after us and I'd like
to thank them for helping us - the gaffer, Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen have
been great. They've given me all the support I've needed to do the job to
the best of my abilities."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham trials for Lotam Zino
22.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United have handed trials to Lotam Zino. The Mirror says West Ham
boss Gianfranco Zola is giving a trial to Israeli Lotam Zino who is at
Racing Santander.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs, West Ham join Man City interest for Perrotta
22.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester City face competition for Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta. Along
with City, Italian sources say Tottenham and West Ham United are also keen
on the Italy international. Perrotta's agent, Giuseppe Bozzo, said: "I can
only say that in the past, the player was followed by several teams.
However, we are not following the market at this time because we need only
look at the primary concern of Roma, which is the fourth place."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
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Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Wednesday, April 22

Daily WHUFC News - 22nd April 2009

Sears ready to shine
WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears was pleased to play his part in West Ham United's exciting
draw at Aston Villa on Saturday
21.04.2009

Freddie Sears is determined to play his part in firing West Ham United into
next season's UEFA Europa League. The 19-year-old was delighted to play his
part in helping the Hammers to nick a deserved Premier League point at Aston
Villa on Saturday, forcing Luke Young to concede the corner that led to
Diego Tristan's dramatic 85th minute equaliser. After appearing as a second
half substitute in the entertaining 1-1 draw at Villa Park, Sears is eager
to make his mark again in the final five games of the campaign. "Obviously
we were pleased to get a draw, but we even had chances to go on and win it
at the end. Junior [Stanislas] had a great chance at the start too. I think,
overall, a draw was a fair result for us. We pushed hard to get the goal so
we were delighted when it came."

Sears was impressed with the expert finishing of Spaniard Tristan, who
swivelled superbly to head Kieron Dyer's shot past Brad Friedel. At the
time, however, the England Under-19 man did not realise just how deliberate
his striker partner's effort had been. "I don't know what part of Diego the
ball has come off but, at the end of the day, it's gone in and that's all
that matters! We got the draw that we needed. The vibe in the dressing room
after the game was good. Everyone was buzzing."

A year ago, Sears burst on to the scene after scoring his own late header
past American Friedel, diving to nod a dramatic winner in the Hammers' 2-1
win over Blackburn Rovers at the Boleyn Ground. This season, the teenager
has not scored as many goals as he would have liked, but Sears knows he
still has a part to play between now and the end of the season as Gianfranco
Zola's team challenge for a top-seven finish and European football. Sears is
one of eight Academy graduates to represent the Hammers this season, Mark
Noble, Jack Collison, James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas, Josh Payne, Kyel Reid
and Zavon Hines being the other seven, as manager Zola has been forced to
shuffle his pack due to injuries and suspensions. All have impressed when
handed their chance to shine. "On a personal note it was good to get on
again at Villa, even if it was only for ten minutes. The manager told me to
go on and make something happen and I think I did ok. We've got Chelsea next
week and I'd love to play against them. We'll see how it goes. "It's
obviously been a bit frustrating not playing as much football as I was used
to in the reserves and youth team, and the injuries we have means the
youngsters haven't been able to go out on loan. I'm training well and
enjoying it here but I obviously want to start playing more and scoring some
goals."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Holmar on a high
WHUFC.com
Holmar Eyjolfsson is hoping to end the reserves' season with a win after an
exciting weekend away
21.04.2009

West Ham United reserves conclude their season on Tuesday evening with a
trip to the south coast to face Portsmouth. Young Icelandic defender Holmar
Eyjolfsson is determined to end the campaign on a high with a win at Havant
and Waterlooville's West Leigh Park stadium. A win there would cap a great
few days for the 18-year-old Eyjolfsson, after he travelled with the
first-team for their weekend game with Aston Villa. "We are determined to
end the season on a high," Eyjolfsson said. "Personally, the season looks
like it is ending on a high, but it hasn't all gone how I wanted it to. It
is getting there. I want to do as well as I can, play as well as I can and
do well in the last reserve game and see where that takes us."

Eyjolfsson has endured a stop-start season, but after being ruled out for
much of the winter, he has featured in four of the last five reserve games
and is already looking ahead to next season, where he aims to follow in the
footsteps of his former Under-18 team-mates by making his bow for the first
team. "It gives you an incentive to work towards the first team and shows
that you can do it and gets you hungrier to do it. I want to break into the
first team - that is my goal. "It's been a hard season because of the
injuries, but I am getting back now and I'm focusing on ending the season
well and then coming back strongly next pre-season and keeping away from
injuries."

After making the successful step up from youth-team football this campaign,
Eyjolfsson has enjoyed the challenge of facing experienced Premier League
and international footballers in recent weeks. Last week's 4-2 reverse
against West Bromwich Albion saw 42-times capped South Korean forward
Do-Heon Kim provide another stern examination of the youngster's
development. "It was good experience coming up against these players but you
want to do better than we did. We wanted to keep a clean sheet but that
didn't happen. You take the positives, learn from the bad thing and get more
motivated for the next game."

Icelandic Under-21 international Eyjolfsson has struck up a formidable
partnership with regular reserve-team captain Bondz N'Gala this season,
although their pairing could be temporarily put on hold tonight should
N'Gala not recover from the ankle injury that kept him out of the Gianfranco
Zola's squad for the 1-1 weekend draw at Villa Park.
Reserve-team manger Alex Dyer is expected to name another youthful line up
for the season-ender with several players who featured for the Under-18s in
Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Coventry set to be involved. This means the likes
of Adam Street, Matthew Fry, Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar could all be
called upon again by Dyer. West Ham sit fourth in the Barclays Premier
Reserve League South with 22 points from 15 games. Tuesday's hosts are one
place and three points below, but could go above the Hammers with a victory
in the match, which kicks-off at 7pm.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserves edged out
WHUFC.com
A late goal from Greek Theofanis Gekas broke West Ham United's hearts at
Portsmouth on Tuesday evening
21.04.2009

West Ham United ended their Barclays Premier League South campaign in
heartbreaking fashion with a 1-0 loss at Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.

Greece international striker Theofanis Gekas won the game for Pompey with a
moment of magic just seconds from the end of the game, taking a touch on the
edge of the Hammers' penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable
right-foot drive past the helpless Peter Kurucz. Defeat was very harsh on
the visitors, who could easily have won the game themselves.

First team coach Steve Clarke, Academy director Tony Carr and goalkeeping
coach Ludek Miklosko were among the 257-strong crowd who watched an
intriguing, if not exciting, game at Havant and Waterlooville FC's West
Leigh Park that was settled by Gekas' 94th minute strike.

Reserve team manager Alex Dyer again named a relatively inexperienced side
for the fixture. Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Kurucz and
captain-for-the-night Zavon Hines were the only non-teenagers in the side.
With regular skipper Bondz N'Gala missing with an ankle injury, Nick Barrett
moved to right-back, with Matthew Fry in the centre of the defence alongside
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson.

For the home side striker Gekas, who is on loan from German side Bayer
Leverkusen and was the Bundesliga's top scorer with VfL Bochum in 2006/07,
led the forward line, with former Barnet and Reading defender Linvoy Primus
at the back and ex-Reading goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown between the sticks.

West Ham began much the brighter of the two sides on a warm, sunny evening
on the south coast and could have taken the lead in just the fourth minute.
Superb interplay from Daniel Kearns and Balint Bajner down the right wing
was followed by Anthony Edgar lifting a neat pass over the Pompey defence to
Hines, but the striker could only drive a rising shot across the face of
Ashdown's goal.

Edgar, twice, and Ollie Lee both saw shots blocked himself as the Hammers
looked for the opening goal but it was not long before Portsmouth, with
withdrawn striker Gautier Mahoto and left-back Andre Blackman to the fore,
took the intiative.

As Dyer's youngsters struggled to maintain possession in midfield, Pompey
began to threaten fairly regularly. French 17-year-old Mahoto looked the
home side's most likely scorer, smashing a volley narrowly wide of Kurucz's
far post after Eyjolfsson had blocked his initial shot, then screwing an
effort off-target after Gael Nlundulu's cross had deflected into his path
off Fry.

Central defender Luke Wilkinson should have scored for Portsmouth on 27
minutes, but he could only divert his header from Nlundulu's right-wing
free-kick straight at Kurucz from six yards. Seconds earlier, Hammers
left-back Ashley Miller had been booked for an untidy late challenge on
Blackman.

After Mahoto had again shot wide from a decent position, West Ham gradually
worked their way back into the game, with Miller dragging a long-range
effort wide after winning a fine challenge in the midfield, while the
unmarked Bajner should have done far better when Kearns' cross dropped to
him inside the penalty area.

In between those two chances, Lee had a goal correctly ruled out for
offside. Kearns curled a corner into the penalty area and Fry hooked
goalwards, but the midfielder was beyond the last defender when he poked the
ball past Ashdown from inside the six-yard box.

Dyer made a single change at half-time, bringing on Colombian-born forward
Cristian Montano for Bajner. Three minutes after the break, Lee tested
Ashdown with a rising 25-yard shot that the goalkeeper could only push
around the post for a corner, although it may have already been flying wide
of the target.

In truth, the second half was far less incident-packed than the first, at
least until the final seconds, with neither side creating more than a
handful of goalscoring opportunities.

Hines wasted the first of a number of decent chances on the hour-mark,
ghosting past right-back Tero Mantyla with a neat piece of skill but
shooting wastefully wide of the near post instead of cutting the ball back
into the path of his colleagues.

Barrett became the second Hammer to be booked on 65 minutes for hauling back
the lively Mahoto before Lee went close with a well-struck left-foot shot
from 25 yards. Later, Eyjolfsson also saw yellow for a foul on Gekas.

The game finally livened up again in the closing 20 minutes. First, Pompey
substitute Nadir Ciftci gifted possession to Lee with his first touch. The
midfielder fed Hines with a neat through ball, only for Ashdown to block the
captain's shot with his legs.

Seconds later, Gekas stung Kurucz's fingertips with a rising shot on the
turn, showing a glimpse of the international class that has seen him score
14 times in 38 appearances for Greece.

West Ham, who handed a reserve team debut to left-back Jordan Brown with 15
minutes remaining, continued to look the more likely winners and should have
won the game with three minutes remaining. However, instead of finding the
bottom corner of Ashdown's net, Hines could only drag his shot wide of the
far post from 15 yards.

Into the first minute of added time and Hines missed another superb chance,
latching on to Montano's flick-on but delaying too long and allowing
Wilkinson to block his shot behind for a corner.

Dyer's Hammers have ended the season with 22 points from their 16 games and
currently sit in fifth place in the league table, with Portsmouth moving
above West Ham on goal different thanks to Gekas' late, late winner.

West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Barrett, Miller (Brown 75), Eyjolfsson,
Fry, Kearns, Lee, Grasser, Edgar, Bajner (Montano 46), Hines
Subs: Street, Abdulla, McNaughton

Portsmouth reserves: Ashdown, Mantyla, Blackman, Primus, Wilkinson, Nlundulu
(Bogard 71), Pack, Hurst, Navas Alors (Ciftci 71), Gekas, Mahoto
Subs: Stewart, Gazet du Chattelier, Ryan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserves 0-1 Portsmouth
WHUFC.com
21.04.2009

Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Portsmouth v West Ham United
West Leigh Park, Havant and Waterlooville FC
Tuesday 21 April
7pm


Full-time - Portsmouth reserves 1-0 West Ham United reserves

94 mins - GOAL! Portsmouth have a late chance in the shape of a free-kick 30
yards from goal. Mahoto curls the ball over the wall but Kurucz sinks to his
knees to gather the ball cleanly. Seconds later Gekas breaks the Hammers'
hearts by taking a touch and smashing the ball past the Hungarian into the
far corner from the edge of the penalty area. That is a real sickener for
the visitors. They really did not deserve that at all. Seconds later, the
final whistle is blown.

91 mins - Hines misses another great chance. He latches on to Montano's
clever flick-on but Wilkinson gets in a superb block.

90 mins - We are into the final minute of the 90 and the game looks to be
heading towards a goalless conclusion. There will be three added minutes.

87 mins - West Ham should have just won the game! Instead, captain Hines
could only drag his left-foot shot wide of the far post from 15 yards. He
should have hit the target, at least.

82 mins - Eyjolfsson is the third Hammers' defender to be booked after
bringing down Gekas five yards outside the penalty area. The Greek takes the
free-kick himself and the ball curls just wide of the target with Kurucz
scampering across his goal.

80 mins - Into the final ten minutes and still no goals. Will West Ham
finish their season on a high by grabbing a late winner?

75 mins - Miller is replaced by Jordan Brown. The teenager is making his
debut at reserve team level.

72 mins - Ciftci makes an almost immediate impact...at the wrong end. The
winger gifts the ball to Lee, who threads a fine ball through to Hines, only
for the striker to see his shot blocked by the legs of Ashdown. Portsmouth
break straight up the other end, where Gekas forces Kurucz to tip his rising
shot from 20 yards over the crossbar. West Ham eventually clear the danger.

71 mins - Portsmouth make a double change. Nadir Ciftci is on for Pablo
Navas Alors, while Daniel Bogard is on for Nlundulu.

68 mins - Dyer has striker Ahmed Abdulla on his bench. I wonder if the
Under-18 player will be given a chance to become the match-winner?

66 mins - A loose clearance falls to Lee, but he can only drive a left-foot
shot wide from 20 yards. The game continues to ebb and flow, but neither
side looks like breaking the deadlock at the present time.

65 mins - Barrett is booked for hauling back Mahoto. He becomes the second
Hammer to see yellow after Miller. Mahoto floats the ball over and Kurucz
flaps at it, but the Hungarian recovers well to claim Pack's hooked cross
into the six-yard box.

64 mins - Miller takes an age to clear his lines and is robbed by Gekas.
Mahoto works the ball wide to Nlundulu, who crosses. The Greek striker goes
down under a challenge from Fry but referee Long gives just a corner as
Barrett nods the ball behind. Nlundulu crosses and Kurucz spills the ball,
but he was being fouled.

62 mins - The goalmouth action has been a bit thin on the ground since
half-time. Let's hope things liven up during the final half-hour.

60 mins - Hines skips past Tero Mantyla with ease but then completely wastes
the chance by driving the ball behind the goal from an acute angle. Surely
he would have been better served in pulling the ball back into the danger
area instead?

57 mins - Georg Grasser wins a fine tackle in the midfield. The Austrian is
having a quietly effective game tonight.

55 mins - Kearns does well to win the ball in midfield, but when it is
worked back to him by Montano, he launches his cross way in front of the
on-rushing West Ham attackers and it is claimed easily by Ashdown.

53 mins - Hines wins a free-kick off Pack. Kearns curls the ball into the
penalty area but it is too low and is easily cleared.

50 mins - Montano has gone up front with Hines, who is cutting a bit of a
frustrated figure.

48 mins - Lee forces Ashdown into an acrobatic save. The goalkeeper pushes
the ball behind for a corner, but the shot looked as if it was going wide
anyway.

46 mins - West Ham make a half-time change, with Cristian Montano replacing
Bajner. Portsmouth start well, but Gekas can only head the ball into the
ground from Nlundulu's cross and it is safely gathered by Kurucz.

Half-time - Portsmouth reserves 0-0 West Ham United reserves

47 mins - More assured handling from Kurucz, who stretches to pluck
Blackman's deep cross out of the air after the left-back had got past
Barrett. West Ham end the half by winning another free-kick down the left
flank. Kearns takes but the ball is easily headed clear by Pack and the
half-time whistle is blown.

45 mins - West Ham are finishing the half very strongly. The lively Miller
nips in again and sees his powerful shot loop off Hurst and out for another
Kearns corner. The Northern Irish youth international crosses and the ball
is cleared back to him. Kearns beats his marker and curls the ball into the
danger-zone where four Hammers are being kept company by only three
defenders. Despite their numerical advantage, Bajner can only scuff his
left-foot shot too close to Ashdown. That was a real chance. There will be
two added minutes.

43 mins - West Ham think they have taken the lead through Lee, but the goal
is ruled out for offside. Bajner had forced a corner on the left, Kearns
swung the ball into the box but when Fry hooked the ball goalwards, Lee was
behind the last defender when he poked the ball past Ashdown from
close-range.

42 mins - Nick Barrett concedes possession inside the West Ham half, but
Hurst can only launch his shot out of the stadium.

41 mins - West Ham are threatening again. Miller wins another good challenge
inside the Pompey half and the ball breaks to Bajner, who lobs it over
Blackman into the path of Hines, but the striker's volley is mis-hit and
bounces harmlessly through to Ashdown.

40 mins - A crowd of 257 is watching Hines jink outside of his marker and
fire another shot across the face of Ashdown's goal. The ball flies out for
a throw-in.

37 mins - James Hurst is the latest Portsmouth player to be frustrated,
seeing his shot cannon off Miller and behind for a corner. Kurucz claims
Hurst's corner and launches a swift counter-attack. Hines finds space on the
right side of the penalty area and crosses. The ball is cleared and Miller
picks up possession, cuts inside a challenge and lets fly with his
unfavoured right foot, the ball dribbling narrowly wide of the left-hand
post.

36 mins - While things may have dried up on the attacking front, Eyjolfsson
and Fry have both looked very assured against Gekas and Mahoto, who is
playing in a slightly withdrawn role. As I write that, Mahoto goes close
again, screwing his volley over the top after Blackman had released Navas
Alors down the left wing.

33 mins - Captain Hines gets a talking to from referee Simon Long after
Kearns gives away a free-kick and the striker delays the taking of the
set-piece.

31 mins - Play is held up while Lee receives treatment. He was hurt after an
apparent clash of heads with fellow No4 Marlon Pack. West Ham's players take
advantage of the break to grab a drink, while coach Dyer imparts some advice
to his young troops.

30 mins - Portsmouth go close again, but Kurucz is able to watch Nlundulu's
shot fly narrowly over his crossbar.

29 mins - If we were playing tennis here, West Ham would be committing the
equivalent of unforced errors. Still, they are on level terms and well in
this match.

27 mins - Ashley Miller becomes the first player booked for a late challenge
on Blackman, who picked up a clearance on the halfway line and streaked
forward 40 yards before being brought down by his opposite number. The foul
hands Pompey a free-kick a yard outside the box. Nlundulu takes and Luke
WIlkinson should bury his header from six yards, only to nod the ball
straight into the arms of Kurucz.

25 mins - The Hammers are still giving possession away too easily in
midfield. Portsmouth break from one errant pass and Andre Blackman forces a
corner off Fry's head.

23 mins - The midway point of the first half has passed. West Ham started
brightly but the home side are now in the ascendancy. Fry gets a bit lucky
when his clearance hits Gekas, but the youngster reacts quicker than the
Greek to clear.

22 mins - First team coach Steve Clarke, Academy director Tony Carr and
goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko are all here tonight.

21 mins - The stadium we are at tonight, West Leigh Park, is of course home
to FA Cup giant-killers Havant and Waterlooville, who scared the life out of
Liverpool in the fourth round last season. West Ham force a corner, but
Ashdown easily claims Kearns' centre.

18 mins - Mahoto should have scored there. After starting the move himself,
the striker finds Gael Nlundulu on the right wing. The wideman crosses and
the ball breaks back to Mahoto off Fry, but the forward can only smash his
left-foot volley wide of the target from 14 yards. That was a let-off, no
doubt about it.

16 mins - Both teams need to start taking better care of the ball. Too
often, players are taking the difficult option instead of playing an easy
pass to feet. Mahoto goes close for Portsmouth, firing his initial shot
against Eyjolfsson before belting the loose ball a couple of yards wide of
Kurucz's far post.

14 mins - Pompey have come back into the game now, but they are not doing
much with their greater share of possession. For West Ham, Lee and Kearns
are heavily involved. Right on cue, Lee sees a powerful long-range strike
blocked by Primus' legs.

12 mins - Hines is captaining the side in the absence of Bondz N'Gala.

9 mins - Portsmouth win a corner down the right. It is taken short by
Gautier Mahoto, who takes the ball back and takes on his marker before
collapsing in a heap, much to the amusement of the crowd. Seconds later, he
is up on his feet and running again.

8 mins - Goalkeeper Peter Kurucz is wearing tracksuit bottoms under his
shorts, but I think it has more to do with the hard, dry surface than the
temperature!

6 mins - This is a good start from West Ham. Kearns' corner is cleared, but
Hines wins another free-kick in a dangerous position. Ollie Lee crosses, but
the ball is cleared to Edgar, who again sees his shot blocked.

5 mins - Edgar wins a free-kick wide on the left. The ball is only
half-cleared twice and falls to Edgar, who skips around his marker but sees
his left-foot shot well blocked behind for a corner.

4 mins - Great football from Daniel Kearns and Balint Bajner down the right
ends with Anthony Edgar lifting the ball over the Pompey defence for Zavon
Hines, but the striker can only drive his shot across the face of goal. That
was a decent opening.

2 mins - A cagey start from both sides. Unsurprisingly, there is no rhythm
to the game as yet.

7pm - And off we go!

6.59pm - The tune, I'm reliably informed, is called 'Portsmouth' and the
version being played is by Mike Oldfield. Interesting, eh? We're going to
kick-off now. Balint Bajner will do the honours.

6.58pm - The two teams run out to a strange nautical tune that must have
something to do with Portsmouth's maritime tradition...

6.55pm - It has been an interesting season for the reserves. A number have
players have graduated to first team duty after impressing for Dyer's team.
From the side that played in the first game of the season at Chelsea, Junior
Stanislas, Josh Payne, Freddie Sears and Jan Lastuvka have all gone on to
play for Gianfranco Zola's side, while Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson have both travelled with the first team in recent weeks. Marek
Stech, Tony Stokes, Joe Widdowson, Calum Davenport and Lee Bowyer, on loan
at Wycombe Wanderers, Ujpest FC, Grimsby Town, Sunderland and Birmingham
City respectively, have also been in second-string action this term, while
senior players including Kieron Dyer, David Di Michele, James Collins, Jack
Collison and Walter Lopez have also featured.

Away from home, the reserves have triumphed at Arsenal and Stoke City and
drawn at Aston Villa so far, with home wins coming against West Bromwich
Albion, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Chelsea and Stoke. Goals from David Di Michele
and Kyel Reid saw off Pompey in the reverse fixture at the Boleyn Ground on
25 November.

6.45pm - West Ham's central defenders Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Matt Fry
could be severely tested by Gekas tonight. Although he has only featured
once as a substitute for Paul Hart's team, he was the top scorer in the
Greek League in 2004/05, netting 17 goals for Kallithea and Panathinaikos,
who he joined in January 2005. Perhaps even more impressively, he was the
top scorer in the German Bundesliga in 2006/07, finding the net 20 times for
relegation-threatened VfL Bochum. Gekas, 28, was also part of the Greece
squad at the 2005 Confederations Cup and Euro 2008. He has 38 full
international caps and has scored 14 goals for his country.

Forest Gate-born Primus is also vastly experienced, having played 423 league
games during his career. The 35-year-old also walked the Great Wall of China
in 2005 for the charity Faith and Football.

The other experienced member of the Portsmouth side is Ashdown, who has made
36 first team appearances for Pompey. The 28-year-old goalkeeper also picked
up an FA Cup winner's medal last season, despite not appearing once in the
club's successful run to Wembley.

6.35pm Alex Dyer's West Ham United reserve team complete their Barclays
Premier Reserve League South campaign with a trip to sunny Portsmouth this
evening. The Hammers go into the game in fourth place in the table, three
points and one position above their hosts.

Dyer has named a relatively inexperienced side for tonight's game at Havant
and Waterlooville FC's West Leigh Park home. Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper
Peter Kurucz and striker Zavon Hines are the only non-teenagers in the side.
Captain Bondz N'Gala misses out with an ankle injury, with Nick Barrett
moving to right-back and Matthew Fry to the centre of the defence alongside
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson. Under-18 left-back Jordan Brown is named among the
substitutes.

For Portsmouth Greek international striker Theofanis Gekas, who is on loan
from German side Bayer Leverkusen, leads the home forward line, with former
Barnet and Reading defender Linvoy Primus and ex-Reading goalkeeper Jamie
Ashdown between the sticks.

It is a gorgeous evening on the south coast. Both teams are out on the
pitch, which looks in superb shape, going through their pre-match warm-ups.

West Ham United Reserves: Kurucz, Barrett, Miller (Brown 75), Eyjolfsson,
Fry, Kearns, Lee, Grasser, Edgar, Bajner (Montano 46), Hines
Subs: Street, Abdulla, McNaughton

Portsmouth Reserves: Ashdown, Mantyla, Blackman, Primus, Wilkinson, Nlundulu
(Bogard 71), Pack, Hurst, Navas Alors (Ciftci 71), Gekas, Mahoto
Subs: Stewart, Gazet du Chattelier, Ryan

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sears hoping to shine
Hammers youngster seeks regular role
By Chris Burton Last updated: 21st April 2009
SSN

Teenage striker Freddie Sears is desperate to establish himself as a regular
in West Ham's first-team. The 19-year-old burst onto the scene last season
with a match-winning cameo appearance during a Premier League clash with
Blackburn. Much was expected of the latest product to emerge from the famed
Upton Park academy, with big names falling over themselves to pile praise on
the youngster. His first full season as a senior professional with the
Hammers has not gone entirely to plan, though, with opportunities proving
hard to come by. He was in the fold for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa
and was awarded a 10-minute run-out off the bench, and he was able to catch
the eye with a bright display. Sears now hopes that he has done enough to
persuade Gianfranco Zola he is worthy of further opportunities in the
future, as he admits to finding life difficult watching from the sidelines.
"On a personal note it was good to get on again at Villa, even if it was
only for 10 minutes," he told the club's official website. "The manager told
me to go on and make something happen and I think I did okay. "We've got
Chelsea next week and I'd love to play against them. We'll see how it goes.
"It's obviously been a bit frustrating not playing as much football as I was
used to in the reserves and youth team, and the injuries we have means the
youngsters haven't been able to go out on loan. "I'm training well and
enjoying it here but I obviously want to start playing more and scoring some
goals."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Straumar bank forced to back away from West Ham takeover
22 Apr, 09 | England | Clubs ownership & management
Eufootball.biz

While it appeared as though Straumar was ready to assume control of English
West Ham United, the Icelandic bank has since put all plans on hold.
"Industry insiders" indicate that although Straumur was set for a takeover,
the bank is currently restructuring, placing business activity on the back
burner for now. In addition, it looks like Straumar is just one of several
routes for West Ham to take, as told to BBC. Last week, speculation surfaced
to suggest that two parties showed interest in West Ham, with one
originating from the Middle East and the other from the Far East. It seemed
likely that Straumar would help to move the club out of dangerous waters,
after supplying a large portion of the GBP 85 million shelled out by
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson for West Ham in 2006. Straumar and Gudmundsson are
further linked by Hansa, the owner's holding company and credit client of
the bank. Hansa entered into administration late last year as a result of
financial issues. Ironically, creditor Straumar is now facing difficulties
due to economic changes, much like many other banks in Iceland. Sources
suggest that the reins may be handed to an asset management group, leaving
the future of West Ham and Hansa uncertain.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham target McCormack
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 21 April 2009 - 6:43 PM

Ross McCormack has emerged as a shock £3million transfer target for West Ham
United. The Cardiff striker, who has also starred for Scotland in recent
weeks, has enjoyed a dream year at Ninian Park to help the Welsh club into
the Championship play-off places.McCormack has made little secret of his
desire to play in the Premier League next season should Cardiff fail to make
it into the top flight. West Ham scouts have been keeping tabs on the former
Rangers man with McCormack continuing to bang in the goals. And Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola could make a move for the player as he looks to bolster his
striking options for next season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Holmar Eyjolfsson determined to finish West Ham season strongly
22.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Young Icelandic defender Holmar Eyjolfsson is happy to be finishing the
season strongly with West Ham United's reserves. Eyjolfsson has endured a
stop-start season, but after being ruled out for much of the winter, he has
featured in four of the last five reserve games and is already looking ahead
to next season, where he aims to follow in the footsteps of his former
Under-18 team-mates by making his bow for the first team. He told whufc.com:
"It gives you an incentive to work towards the first team and shows that you
can do it and gets you hungrier to do it. I want to break into the first
team - that is my goal. "It's been a hard season because of the injuries,
but I am getting back now and I'm focusing on ending the season well and
then coming back strongly next pre-season and keeping away from injuries."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sears pleased with new West Ham first team chance
22.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

Freddie Sears was happy to see action for West Ham United in their 1-1 draw
with Aston Villa. The young striker told whufc.com: "On a personal note it
was good to get on again at Villa, even if it was only for ten minutes. The
manager told me to go on and make something happen and I think I did ok.
We've got Chelsea next week and I'd love to play against them. We'll see how
it goes. "It's obviously been a bit frustrating not playing as much football
as I was used to in the reserves and youth team, and the injuries we have
means the youngsters haven't been able to go out on loan. I'm training well
and enjoying it here but I obviously want to start playing more and scoring
some goals."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keen to sign Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will step up his interest in Inter Milan
striker Mario Balotelli.
By Telegraph staff
Last Updated: 9:39AM BST 21 Apr 2009

According to the Mirror, Balotelli, 18, was a target of West Ham's in
January, but Inter were not willing to sell the Italian U21 international.
However, Balotelli, who was born to Ghanaian immigrant parents but brought
up by an Italian family, was subjected to racist chants at the weekend
during Inter's 1-1 draw with Juventus, and West Ham believe the player may
now be willing to swap Serie A for the Premier League. Zola to use Arsenal
blueprint Juve fans reportedly chanted "black Italians don't exist", and as
a result the Bianconeri have been ordered to play their next league home
game - against Lecce on May 3 - behind closed doors. Inter president
Massimo Moratti said he would have pulled his team off the field if he
witnessed the abuse. "If I had been at the stadium, at a certain point I
would have left my seat in the stand, I would have gone onto the pitch and I
would have pulled the team off," Morati claimed. "They seemed proud and
happy to sing those things. This is terrible."
Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli also condemned the chants, adding:
"On behalf of Juventus and the great majority of our fans I want to strongly
condemn the racist chanting against Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli. "There
are no excuses or justification for this type of behaviour. Episodes such as
this are inexcusable. "Together we must all try to promote a sporting
culture that puts respect for the adversary at its core and fights against
racism."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola plotting for West Ham future by using Arsenal's template
Gianfranco Zola will continue to use Arsenal as his template as he looks to
manufacture a new world at Upton Park.
Telegraph
By John Ley
Last Updated: 9:19AM BST 21 Apr 2009

The West Ham manager, who has taken his side to within sight of a place in
Europe, will follow Arsene Wenger's example and nurture youth for the future
of the club. Zola, though, admitted that if the club are successful and
reach next season's Europa League, more players will be required, despite
the club's uncertain future. West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola opens gates to
public for training"We know that if we play in Europe we will need more
players," said Zola. "One of the reasons we have a policy of having good
young players available is that they can come in and do a good job for the
team. "We are going to have a bigger squad next year. I am not going to have
more than a maximum of 22 players. I know I risk a little bit when I go for
a small number like that but I believe I gain something else. Maybe I will
have three, four or five very good young players in the reserves who are
ready to come in when they are needed."
Mark Noble, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas
have all come from the Hammers' Academy while others currently on the
fringes of the first team, such as Josh Payne and Bondz N'Gala, all show the
future is bright. "Arsenal was one of the models this club was looking at,"
added Zola. "It is what we want to do. I think it is working okay at the
moment and we want to improve. "Certainly Arsenal is a team I admire very
much and to do what they do is something we would like to do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to step up interest in Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli
The Mirror
By Darren Lewis 21/04/2009

Gianfranco Zola is ready to step up his interest in Inter Milan starlet
Mario Balotelli, who was targeted by racists at the weekend. The Under-21
Italian international was born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, but brought up
by an Italian family. West Ham were keen to sign Balotelli in January, but
Inter would not do business. The striker, who scored the opener in his
club's 1-1 draw at Juventus, was subjected to chants of "Black Italians
don't exist" from the Juve fans. Juventus have now been ordered to play
their next league home game - against Lecce on May 3 - behind closed doors,
but are set to appeal the decision. Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli
condemned the actions of his club's fans.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Eyeing Inter Striker Mario Balotelli – Report
The Hammers unsuccessfully attempted to sign the Italian youngster in the
January transfer window...
21 Apr 2009 08:54:26
Goal.com

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, Premier
League club West Ham United have targeted an end of season move for Inter's
Mario Balotelli. It is thought that Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola knows the
18-year-old striker reasonably well from his time as Italy Under-21
assistant coach. Apparently, the east London outfit were keen to sign the
Italy U-21 international, who has scored three goals in six caps, during the
January transfer window, but the Nerazzurri were unwilling to do business. A
potential transfer fee for the 6ft 3in forward has not been mentioned but it
is unlikely he will come cheap because he is regarded as one of Serie A's
hottest prospects. Since breaking into the first-team setup at the San Sire,
Balotelli has scored ten goals in 34 appearances.

Ricky Brooks, Goal.com

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Zola adamant that Hammers will be in market for top stars
East London Advertiser
21 April 2009

Gianfranco Zola insists that West Ham will still be in the market for
top-class signings this summer despite the financial uncertainty at Upton
Park. The Hammers are expected to be taken over by a consortium of
international banks in the coming weeks, with Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson set to
be ousted as chairman as the club falls into the control of its major
creditor, the troubled Icelandic bank Straumur. The transfer of ownership is
unlikely to provide a boost to the club's finances, since Straumur itself
was last month declared "effectively insolvent" by the Financial Services
Authority. Yet Hammers boss Zola remains convinced that he will be given
funds to make a major summer signing as he attempts to build on a successful
first season in charge at Upton Park. The Italian, who expects to sign a new
contract at West Ham before the end of the season, believes that the club's
progress during the current campaign and a reputation for attractive
football will help him lure top names to the club. He said: "We are looking
for top-line players this summer. We are not big spenders, but we will spend
our money wisely and work hard to make it happen. "We are building up a good
reputation among players because we try to play good football and there's a
good atmosphere and that could be an attractive thing for good players to
come here. "I wouldn't be surprised to see a top player come and play for
West Ham in the summer. There is a good platform here to build up something
important for the future. "I believe that the club is going to improve.
There will be some stability and the situation will be better. We've been
through everything this year so we're not scared of anything."
Zola will underline his commitment to the club by signing a new contract in
the coming weeks, with No 2 Steve Clarke also set to extend his current
deal. The pair were signed on one-year rolling contracts when Zola took the
Upton Park hotseat in September, but are set to be rewarded for their
achievements this season in guiding the Hammers into a Europa League spot.
"The club is looking after us and we are talking about [new four-year
contracts] and it's looking good," Zola said. "Maybe it will happen during
the next few weeks. The club has been very good to us and we appreciate
that.

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No problems with Faubert - Juande Ramos
by Laurent Picard , 21 April 2009
setanta.co.uk

Julien Faubert, who missed training on Sunday, will be fined by Real Madrid
according to Juande Ramos. The West Ham midfielder, who is on loan to the
Santiago Bernabeu outfit until the end of the season, is experiencing a
terrible spell in Spain. The Frenchman has only played twice in the Primera
Liga, and he has not been included in Real's squad for a while. Faubert was
told he would not be involved in the game with Recreativo Huelva last
Saturday; and as a consequence he took a day off, whereas he was supposed to
practise on Sunday. "Indeed he forgot to make the training session on
Sunday," Ramos told Marca. "He was confused, that is all. He thought that
Sunday was a day off, as it is usually the case. "It is a mistake, but there
is no particular issue with him. He is aware that there is an internal
discipline and he is ready to respect it. There is no problem at all."

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Hammers close in on Scots star
Eveningtimes.co.uk

Ross McCormack could be set for a £3million switch to West Ham this summer.
The Premiership club have been checking on the former Ibrox kid who has had
an impressive season at Cardiff. He has scored 21 goals in 35 matches this
season, and that kind of form has alerted a number of top clubs. Cardiff are
pushing for a play-off position to take them into the English top flight,
and McCormack has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premiership.
It is understood there is no release fee in his contract, but that Cardiff
won't stand in his way if an offer comes in. Upton Park boss Gianfranco Zola
is believed to be leading the line of admirers and could make a bid for the
Scots star this summer.

Publication date 21/04/09

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More Real Madrid trouble for West Ham's Faubert
21.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert is in more hot water at Real
Madrid. Faubert's loan move has been a disaster for the Frenchman and he was
fined for missing a training session on Sunday. Real coach Juande Ramos
explained: "It was an oversight by the kid. He thought we had Sunday off,
like normal. It was an oversight and there is no problem with him."

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Bank takeover unlikely for West Ham
21.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

A takeover of West Ham United by Iceland's Straumur bank looks unlikely. BBC
Sport says reports had indicated that Straumur was poised to take on
ownership of the club from its owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. But Straumur is
restructuring and at an effective business standstill. Any potential
takeover by the bank in the future is only one of a number of options that
West Ham is considering. One football industry expert with knowledge of the
situation said a Straumur takeover was by no means certain to happen, adding
that: "It is only one of the options potentially on [the club's] agenda." It
was reported at the weekend that two potential bidders, from the Middle East
and Far East, had expressed an interest in buying the club. However, as yet
the club has not opened its books to any parties to undertake due diligence.


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Transfers - Gossip Shop: Balotelli for Hammers
Eurosport - Tue, 21 Apr 12:51:00 2009
Yahoo.co.uk

Sadly, Italy's latest boy wonder Mario Balotelli has been targeted by
racists, but out of all things bad comes some good. Just to prove that every
cloud has a sliver lining, West Ham could well be set to benefit from the
behaviour of the mindless idiots who hurled abuse at the Internazionale
striker at the weekend. The 18-year-old Italy U21 international, born to
Ghanaian parents in Palermo but raised by an Italian family in Brescia, was
taunted about his heritage during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Juventus.
Both Inter and Juve have been quick to condemn the actions of the brainless
Bianconeri fans - culminating in a quickly-delivered stadium ban for Juve -
but the damage might already have been done and Balotelli may be ready to
look for pastures new. At least that is what Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is
thinking. The Daily Mirror reports that the Italian tactician is keen on
luring his compatriot to Upton Park where he would be able to enjoy life in
the altogether more enlightened world of the Premier League.
With Zola's connections at Italy U21 level, he is sure to have the inside
track on the muscular youngster, who has netted six times in Serie A this
season - no mean feat considering the defensive quality of the Italian top
flight.

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West Ham boss Zola knows he needs bigger squad
21.04.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola knows he will need a bigger squad if
they qualify for next season's Europa League. "We know that if we play in
Europe we will need more players," said Zola. "One of the reasons we have a
policy of having good young players available is that they can come in and
do a good job for the team. "We are going to have a bigger squad next year.
I am not going to have more than a maximum of 22 players. I know I risk a
little bit when I go for a small number like that but I believe I gain
something else. Maybe I will have three, four or five very good young
players in the reserves who are ready to come in when they are needed."

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