WHUFC.com
The manager is looking for his team to surprise the league leaders at the
Boleyn Ground on Sunday
18.12.2009
Gianfranco Zola has said beating Chelsea this Sunday would "put me on top of
the world" and is expecting his players to rise to the occasion. The
manager's mood has been furthered by the fact Matthew Upson and Luis Jimenez
have both been training fully this week and should be in contention, along
with the available again Mark Noble after suspension. There is also "good
news" on Carlton Cole and Valon Behrami's progress from knee injuries, with
the latter a possibility for the Boxing Day fixture against Portsmouth and
the former pushing hard for a return in January. For now, it is league
leaders Chelsea that are occupying the manager's thoughts. He said: "It
would be massive to get a result against a big team. It will be a fantastic
atmosphere. We're going to do everything we can to lift the crowd and get
them behind us and maybe surprise them." He will be up against someone he
knows well in Carlo Ancelotti and is hoping to get one over his former
mentor. "It will be very nice to meet Carlo on the pitch," he said. "We
played together in my first game for the national team and then he's been my
manager at Parma. It will be very good to see him and to beat him would put
me on top of the world. It would be great."
Looking back to the midweek setback at Bolton Wanderers, Zola reminded all
that he accepts full responsibility for his role. "Whatever happens here is
my responsibility. I'm the guy in charge here and if somebody has to take
the blame it is me and nobody else. "I must say that the commitment that
everybody is putting into this situation is top, and I appreciate that … If
the team is not working or picking up the points we should pick up, I should
have done better. But it's OK, it's part of the job."
Embracing the challenge, he said he was up for the fight. "I am very
demanding on myself, and that's why I became the player that I became. Every
day I demanded the best from myself. "Every time I see an opportunity to
improve myself, I go for it, and I want my players to become the same. In
life it's like that. Every day you have to find a reason to improve
yourself, and that's what I want to see in my players as well."
He reminded that the team's position is almost identical to last season and
also that 12 months ago the papers were full of rumour and speculation - the
vast majority of which did not come to pass. "I keep focused. It doesn't
help me or my situation if my mind keeps going to those things. Why should
I? Last year it was the same. I kept my mind on the job and it worked. It
has to work this year as well. "Don't forget from last year we are more or
less in the same situation. Last year, we had two points more than this.
It's important that we keep in the reality and the reality is that I have to
keep the team working at their best."
He said he trusts all his players to do their best for the club and give
everything over the coming months to improve fortunes. "I believe the
players are committed to what they are doing. I believe their attitude tells
me they are committed. "They are here and they want to do the job for West
Ham because they care about West Ham. I trust the players so nobody will
change my mind that they are focused on the job they are doing. "The last
two games were painful, but this is the situation. They belong to the past
and if you keep switching your mind to the past, it doesn't help the
situation. Now we've got a massive game on Sunday against Chelsea, so our
focus and our energies have to be on that game. "In the last two games, we
did some good things and made some mistakes but the point now is what we're
going to do on Sunday against Chelsea, and I want the players to be focused
on that; how are we going to beat Chelsea? That's what will make the
difference."
Zola said he would not compromise his beliefs and said he remains aware of
the expectation on his shoulders from supporters. "At West Ham, they want to
play football in a certain way. They're not interested in playing
differently, and that's why I was appointed and what I try to do. "I try to
keep that plan and to get results as well. I don't see why you shouldn't
play good football and get results as well. Playing good football is
connected to getting results as well, so the two things cannot be separated.
Tell me, if I play good football am I going to lose? I don't think so."
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Noble upbeat for Sunday
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is back from suspension for the visit of Chelsea and is
predicting a tight game
18.12.2009
Mark Noble is back in contention for Sunday's derby against Chelsea and is
backing his team-mates to give the leaders a tough test. The midfielder was
harshly sent off a week ago at Birmingham City and had to sit out the
midweek trip to Bolton Wanderers because of the resulting suspension. With
two defeats in those fixtures, Noble knows that the weekend date will have
many neutrals predicting an away win. However, he believed such thinking
could work in the Hammers' favour. Speaking during one of the club's three
Christmas hospital visits this week at King George in Goodmayes, Noble said:
"Everyone is going to think it is a foregone conclusion and they are going
to win but it is just eleven men against eleven men. If we can go out there
and play to our capabilities and make it hard for Chelsea then you never
know what the final score could be."
All at the club are mindful of last season's experience when some predicted
doom and gloom, only to be confounded by a Hammers' resurgence. Indeed,
going into this same weekend a year ago, West Ham were a point away from the
drop zone. Also, tellingly for the weeks to come, Chelsea's visit sees them
become the final club of last season's top eight to make the 2009/10 trip to
the Boleyn Ground. Although under no illusions about the gravity of the
situation, Noble for one will not give in. "I am sure we can dig deep and
get out of it," said the 22-year-old, showing typical defiance of someone
who is the longest serving player at the club. He was further buoyed by this
week's chance to meet sick youngsters in need of some festive cheer. "The
position we are in the table, obviously we know it is not good but you get
perspective when you come and see kids in a place like this. It has been
brilliant to come here."
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Chelsea match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League match
with Chelsea
17.12.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Chelsea
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 20 December
4pm
Referee: Mike Dean
• West Ham United return to home soil for the first time in three games
looking to bounce back after defeats to Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham
City.
• The Hammers will be looking to continue their improving home form. In
their last six matches in east London, the Hammers have won two and drawn
two with the narrow defeat to Everton and the loss to Manchester United the
only blotches on their Boleyn Ground copy book in that time.
• West Ham are 19th in the Premier League table with 14 points but a win
could potentially move the club up to 15th in the table and within three
points of 12th place. Chelsea are top of the pile with 40 points from their
first 17 games.
• West Ham United have not beaten Chelsea home or away for seven years. The
last victory was a 1-0 win in the 2002/03 season, when Paolo Di Canio scored
the only goal of the game in the 71st minute.
• This is the 83rd league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
34, Chelsea have won 32 and there have been 16 draws.
Last time out
Tuesday 15 December
Barclays Premier League
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Ilunga (Nouble 82),
Kovac (Dyer 67), Parker, Noble, Diamanti, Stanislas (Collison 68), Franco
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, da Costa, Payne
Goal: Diamanti 69
Wednesday 16 December
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth
Chelsea: Cech, Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Ivanovic, Deco (Joe Cole 59),
Lampard, Mikel (Malouda 64), Ballack, Kalou (Borini 72), Anelka
Subs not used: Carvalho, Ferreira, Zhirkov, Hilario
Goals: Anelka 23, Lampard 79 (pen)
Last meeting
The two sides last met at the Boleyn Ground on 25 April this year when
Salomon Kalou scored the game's only goal. Mark Noble also saw his 70th
minute penalty saved by Petr Cech.
The teams that day were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte (Savio 72),
Dyer (Sears 61), Noble, Stanislas, Di Michele (Kovac, 61) Tristan
Subs: Lastuvka, Spector, Lopez, Payne,
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (A.Cole 83), Ivanovic, Terry, Mancienne (Ballack
83), Belletti, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou (Essien 73), Malouda, Anelka
Subs: Hilario, Stoch, Di Santo, Drogba
Goal: Kalou 55
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
25 April 2009 - West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea
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
Overall record v Chelsea (all competitions) W 36 D 17 L 38
Next up
Saturday's game is the last before Christmas so both sides will next be in
action in the traditional Boxing Day fixtures. West Ham United will play
host to Portsmouth while Chelsea face a trip to Birmingham City.
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.
• Coincidently, this will be Dean's first West Ham United match since the
equivalent game last season.
West Ham United
• 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.
• Hanging on to leads is crucial if the club are to pick up their second
away win of the campaign. Three times they have failed to convert a two-goal
lead into a win so far this season.
• The Hammers have lost six of their seven games when they have been level
at half-time.
• At Christmas last season, West Ham were 17th. An impressive second-half
run saw them climb the table to finish in ninth place.
• West Ham have scored 25 goals this season with ten different scorers
registering. Carlton Cole leads the way (seven), with Guille Franco (three)
and Alessandro Diamanti (three) next in line. Jack Collison (two), Matthew
Upson (two), Junior Stanislas (two), Manuel da Costa, Mark Noble, Luis
Jimenez and Zavon Hines have also registered.
• Cole is West Ham's top scorer this season with seven goals in 13 league
games. The England striker has scored 14 goals in 25 Premier League games
since Boxing Day 2008.
• Alessandro Diamanti has had more shots (41) and has created more goals (3)
than anyone else at the club.
• Mark Noble's 17 crosses is the highest at the club.
• Matthew Upson has made more defensive clearances (16) and defensive blocks
(10) are higher than anyone else.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 105 successive league appearances.
• Julien Faubert and Cole are each on four yellow cards this season.
• 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.
Chelsea
• Despite sitting at the top of the table, Chelsea's win against Portsmouth
was their first in five games in all competitions following defeat to
Manchester City and draws with Blackburn Rovers, Apoel Nicosia and Everton.
• Chelsea are yet to draw any of their away games this season. The Blues
have won five and lost three.
• Didier Drogba is Chelsea's and the Premier League's top scorer with 13
goals. He has also had more shots off target than any other player (32) in
the league.
• Drogba also has eight assits to his name
• Frank Lampard's four penalties is the joint most in the league this
season.
• Petr Cech's eight clean sheets is the highest in the league.
• John Terry leads the way in defensive clearances for the Blues with 30 in
total this season.
• Ashley Cole will be 29 on Sunday.
• Chelsea have had more shots on target (187) and off target (144) than any
other team.
• Chelsea's biggest ever win at the Boleyn Ground came two seasons ago, 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.
Team news
• Mark Noble is set to return after serving a one-match suspension against
Birmingham City.
• Matthew Upson and Luis Jimenez have both trained fully this week and
should also be in contention.
• Carlton Cole and Valon Behrami are both making good progress from knee
injuries. The former is aiming for a January return while the latter could
be involved on Boxing Day if all goes well over the coming days.
• Kieron Dyer is likely to be out for two to three weeks with a hamstring
problem suffered in midweek at Bolton.
• Zavon Hines is definitely out with a knee problem but it is still too soon
to know how long he will be sidelined.
• Luis Boa Morte (knee) and Calum Davenport (leg) remain long-term
absentees.
• For Chelsea, Didier Drogba (back) and Daniel Sturridge (hip/thigh) are
doubts. Drogba sat out in midweek in the hope of being fit for the weekend.
• Jose Bosingwa is out with a knee problem while Michael Essien will not
play because of a hamstring injury.
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.
General information
• For ticket information, click here
• Sunday's weather forecast is for a chilly but bright day with a maximum
daytime temperature of 3C.
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Travel advice general
WHUFC.com
Fans using Upton Park Underground station to get to the Boleyn Ground are
being offered advice by the police
18.12.2009
With queuing at Upton Park Underground station after a match taking up to an
hour, the Metropolitan Police have suggested alternative travel
arrangements. Supporters travelling eastbound are asked to walk to Plaistow
station using Queens Road. Fans travelling westbound are asked to walk along
Barking Road to the Town Hall before turning left into High Street North and
continuing to East Ham station. A third alternative is to walk to Forest
Gate mainline station. To do so, supporters should follow Green Street
before turning left into Romford Road and right into Woodgrange Road. Each
of the three walks should take about 20 minutes.
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Diamanti determined
WHUFC.com
Alsessandro Diamanti has urged all at the club to keep the faith before the
Chelsea match
17.12.2009
Alessandro Diamanti is sure everyone at West Ham United remains positive
ahead of the visit of Chelsea to the Boleyn Ground. The Italian forward
scored his first goal from open play for the club in midweek at Bolton
Wanderers and is determined to concentrate on the plus points. Although
disappointed by the final outcome on Tuesday, Diamanti has already switched
his focus to Sunday's match with fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti's side. "One
of my main points is to always be positive and I will always be," Diamanti
said. "We are in a difficult situation at the moment but we always need to
stay positive. It would be good to beat Chelsea. Straight after the Bolton
game we were already concentrating on this to try and get a result against
them."
For the second time in three days, the travelling claret and blue army were
in superb voice at the Reebok Stadium and Diamanti said not being able to
reward that support with results just added to the players' frustration. "It
is vital that the fans keep supporting us in this difficult moment. They
have been fantastic in the last two games. They came to the Bolton game in
numbers and they have been fantastic for us lately."
Diamanti's goal had levelled the match at Bolton, only for the hosts to
score two late goals to seal a 3-1 win. It meant there were certainly no
smiles or celebrations from the popular 26-year-old, who has settled in
quickly into life in London. I'm only happy when the team does well, when
the team wins games. We are sorry to see the situation as at 1-1 we looked
on the rise. We need to accept that and get back to working as hard as we
can and even harder after if possible as we need to put things right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Chelsea
BBC.co.uk
Sunday, 20 December 2009
West Ham v Chelsea 16:00
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 20 December 2009 Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, live on Sky
Sports 1 & highlights on Match of the Day2
TEAM NEWS
West Ham welcome back defender Matthew Upson after a hamstring injury and
forward Luis Jimenez also returns from a muscle strain. But Kieron Dyer
(hamstring) joins Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami, Zavon Hines (all knee) on the
sidelines.
Striker Didier Drogba has recovered from the back injury which kept him out
of the midweek win over Portsmouth. Ricardo Carvalho is expected to replace
Alex in defence while Joe Cole will come in for Deco.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham
Suspended: None Doubtful: Jimenez (groin), Dyer & Upson (both hamstring)
Injured: Behrami, Boa Morte, Cole & Hines (all knee), Davenport (leg)
Chelsea
Suspended: None Doubtful: Drogba (back), Sturridge (hip/thigh)
Injured: Bosingwa (knee), Essien (hamstring)
MATCH PREVIEW
In 1996, new Parma manager Carlo Ancelotti decided that the unique talents
of Gianfranco Zola did not fit into his system and sold the player to
Chelsea, thus setting in motion the process that saw Zola become a Blues
legend. Thirteen years later, the pair come to face to face as managers who
both need a morale-boosting win but for very different reasons. Chelsea are
top of the league but have displayed indifferent form in December with their
defence giving opposing teams some early Christmas gifts - the Blues will
need to step up a level if they want to go into 2010 as league leaders. If
Chelsea's form this month has been lacklustre, West Ham's has been
appalling, with three defeats from three games leaving them second from
bottom of the Premier League.
Zola's assistant Steve Clarke, himself a former Chelsea hero, says: "We're
not stupid, we understand the situation and we're working hard to rectify it
and at the moment it's not easy." With top scorer Carlton Cole out until
January, Kieron Dyer also sidelined with injury and Robert Green looking far
from secure in goal, there may not be much festive cheer in the air at Upton
Park this Christmas.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Chelsea have won on their last four visits to Upton Park, scoring 12 goals
and conceding two.
• West Ham have not beaten Chelsea in any of their last nine meetings in all
competitions (D1, L8).
• Referee Mike Dean is officiating at a West Ham game for the first time
since this corresponding fixture last April.
• West Ham have lost their last three league games, scoring just once in
that time.
• The Hammers have conceded nine goals in their last three home games.
• West Ham have won just three league matches this season - no other Premier
League team has won fewer.
• Gianfranco Zola's side have been on level terms at half-time in seven
league matches this season but have gone on to lose six of them and draw the
other.
• West Ham have the best penalty record in the Premier League - scoring five
out of five.
• Gianfranco Zola scored four times against West Ham as a Chelsea player.
Chelsea
• Chelsea have scored more goals than any other team in this season's
Premier League. They have scored exactly three times more than they have
conceded (42:14).
• The Blues have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League team
(nine) and are the only top flight team to have scored in every game this
season. They have scored in their last 22 league matches and their last 33
games in all competitions. Barcelona were the last team to stop Chelsea
scoring back in April.
• Chelsea have lost three of their last five away games - but they are their
only defeats in this season's Premier League.
• The Blues are looking for a seventh successive victory in a London Premier
League derby (ninth in all competitions).
• Ashley Cole will be making his 100th Premier League appearance for Chelsea
on his 29th birthday. Didier Drogba will be making his 150th Premier League
appearance.
• Frank Lampard will be making his 450th appearance for Chelsea while
Ricardo Carvalho will be making his 200th.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 7 goals (7 league); Stanislas: 4 goals (2 league)
Chelsea
Drogba: 18 goals (13 league); Anelka: 8 goals (5 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Jeremy Simpson
Fourth official: Steve Bennett
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (L1-3 v Bolton, a): Green, Faubert, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Ilunga, Dyer
(Stanislas 21), Parker, Kovac, Collison (Da Costa 87), Franco, Diamanti.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Spector, Nouble, Daprela, Payne.
Chelsea (W2-1 v Portsmouth): Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel
(Malouda 64), Ballack, Lampard, Deco (Joe Cole 58), Anelka, Kalou (Borini
72).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Carvalho, Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira.
MOST RECENT MEETING
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea (25 April 2009)
Chelsea scorer: Kalou 55
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Chin up, Franco
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
Concerns regarding Gianfranco Zola's state of mind have been expressed
following his 'no show' after Tuesday's defeat at Bolton. The West Ham
manager, who was lacking his usual effervescence on the touchline during the
game failed to appear for the cameras following the disappointing 3-1 defeat
which left United in 19th place in the Premier League. Instead his role was
taken by number two Steve Clarke, who defended his partner by insisting that
any criticisms regarding the teams' performance should be aimed at him, not
Zola. "If anyone's looking to blame, they'll have to blame me," Clarke told
the post-match press conference. "I'm the guy they brought in to help
Gianfranco. He's the novice manager, just in the game but if anyone wants to
point fingers, point them at me."
Zola has worn a brave face this year whilst the club's owners have
instigated the release of a number of his players - players such as Craig
Bellamy, Matthew Etherington, Hayden Mullins, Lee Bowyer, Lucas Neill and
James Collins. But he has looked increasingly ill-at-ease in recent weeks as
West Ham's results fail to improve. Yet despite the recent disappointing
run, Zola continues to enjoy the backing of the majority of supporters - as
does Clarke, although some criticisms - notably regarding team selection and
perceived tactical inflexibility - have been raised. Supporters are instead
attributing the club's malaise to concerns over the purportedly perilous
financial position and uncertain ownership situation and yet another chronic
injury crisis that has left Zola and Clarke without established first team
players such as Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami. Although this
weekend's fixture with the current league leaders could come too early for
Zola's makeshift side it is during the next few weeks that better
opportunities to secure vital points will arrive. Prior to February, West
Ham play bottom club Portsmouth both home and away in the Premier League and
also play host to fellow strugglers Wolves and Blackburn. A healthy return
from those four games - plus a little bit of luck in the other pre-February
fixtures againt Tottenham and Aston Villa (both away) - could help to
assuage relegation worries.
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Zola won't sacrifice style
Hammers manager sticking with beliefs
Last updated: 18th December 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has vowed to stay true to his footballing principles as he
looks to steer West Ham away from the drop zone. The Hammers have earned
good reviews for some of their attractive attacking play this season but
that has not been enough to help them pick up results on a consistent basis.
West Ham are currently languishing in the bottom three and some observers
believe they may have to change their style and adopt a more physical
approach. However, Zola disagrees and insists he will not turn to
'anti-football' to get West Ham out of trouble. "West Ham want to play
football in a certain way - they are not interested in playing differently
and that's why they appointed me," he said.
"My job is to keep to that plan and get results. I don't see why you
shouldn't play good football and not get results. Playing football is
connected to getting results. "The two things cannot be separated. If I play
good football, am I going to lose? I don't think so."
Assistant boss Steve Clarke has claimed he should be blamed for the club's
struggles this season, not the inexperienced Zola, who is in his first
managerial position. But Zola is happy to shoulder the burden of the
Hammers' current plight. "Whatever happens here is my responsibility," said
Zola, who has been in charge at Upton Park for 15 months. "I am the guy in
charge here and if anyone has to take the blame, it's me, nobody else. I
appreciate what Steve was trying to do. It was nice, but it's not fair. "The
commitment that people are putting in in this situation has been top. But
the team is not working, we haven't picked up the points we should have and
I should have done better."
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West Ham v Chelsea preview
Upson expected to return; Drogba could be selected after back injury
Last updated: 18th December 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 0-2
SKY BET odds: West Ham 15/2, Draw 10/3, Chelsea 2/5
One to Watch: Joe Cole
Priorities at opposing ends of the Premier League table clash on Sunday as
London rivals West Ham United and Chelsea meet at Upton Park. The Hammers
could go into the contest against the table-topping Blues aware that they
may slip to the bottom of the division on goal difference if Portsmouth have
defeated Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.
Gianfranco Zola's men, who produced a host of defensive mistakes to lose at
fellow strugglers Bolton in midweek, should therefore require no more
motivation when facing Carlo Ancelotti's side. Chelsea, though, have their
own intentions and could also kick-off under pressure as Manchester United
may have moved level on points at the summit if a win is recorded from a
difficult Saturday trip to Fulham. Ancelotti's team overcame a recent blip
in form by ending a four-game winless run in all competitions with a victory
over Pompey, but they still looked nervous and especially fragile at
set-pieces. West Ham will be looking to capitalise, but their defence
appeared horribly naive at the Reebok Stadium and that would imply that
goals are on the menu in East London. Zola, a hero with Chelsea in his
playing days, is without another former Blue as Carlton Cole is not expected
to return from his cruciate knee ligament injury until January at the
earliest. But Matthew Upson could be back in the heart of defence to add
experience after missing the trip to Bolton with a hamstring problem. Kieron
Dyer hobbled off in the North West after suffering an injury recurrence,
while Valon Behrami is a long-term absentee. Chelsea will still be without
Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa, but former Hammer Joe Cole and Florent
Malouda, both rested for the Portsmouth game, could feature. Lethal marksman
Didier Drogba was absent against Pompey due to a back injury, but could
return, while Ricardo Carvalho may replace Alex after dropping to the bench.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Kovac,
Stanislas, Franco, Diamanti.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovich, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Deco, Lampard, J
Cole, Anelka, Drogba.
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Anelka ready to Hammer in another nail
The Mirror
By Kevin Price; John Curle 19/12/2009
West Ham v CHELSEA OKAY, we admit it. Now we really are panicking about West
Ham being relegated. The inability to keep clean sheets and struggling to
score goals is a tried-and-tested recipe for relegation .. and that''s
exactly the situation the Hammers find themselves in. No Carlton Cole up
front and no Matthew Upton in defence has certainly not helped but West Ham
look poor in most parts of the pitch and last week''s capitulation to fellow
strugglers Bolton was testiment to that. The visit of Chelsea to Upton Park
tomorrow is not one that lightens our mood with only dark thoughts racing
through our minds. Since West Ham returned to the Premier League in 2005/06
this fixture has been all about Chelsea. Played four, won four, goals for:
12, against: two. Sadly, we cannot see the Hammers improving that dire
record.
Despite the fact they are best-priced 15/2 to win the game, West Ham look
incapable of keeping Chelsea at bay, even with the imminent return of Upson
- the subject of much recent transfer speculation. We can only see goals
galore for Chelsea, with Nicolas Anelka leading the way. The Frenchman is
9/2 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring and that looks decent value. Live on
Sky Sports 1, tomorrow, 4pm
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West Ham United to back Gianfranco Zola after meeting with Scott Duxbury
West Ham United have reassured Gianfranco Zola and his assistant, Steve
Clarke, that they have the full support of the club.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 10:30PM GMT 18 Dec 2009
A meeting was held with chief executive Scott Duxbury in the wake of
Tuesday's defeat away to Bolton Wanderers which left West Ham in the bottom
three. The three-hour meeting is understood to have been extremely
positive, and was far from a 'vote of confidence'-style meeting, and
examined the season so far and the improvements that need to be made. Sport
on television Interestingly, the managerial pair put forward an analysis of
the matches which reveals that nine points have been lost through individual
errors such as Robert Green's blunder at Bolton which need to be eradicated.
Indeed, if West Ham were to beat Chelsea on Sunday — admittedly a big if,
given their form - they would be one point better off than they were this
time last season with matches against other relegation strugglers to come in
the next few weeks. As it stands they are only two points worse off than
last December. Not that anyone is attempting to gloss over the club's
predicament. Zola and Clarke, who maintain their squad is technically better
than last season, even if the balance is not right, are hopeful that funds
will be made available to strengthen in the January transfer window. For
this to happen West Ham will have to sell. Chairman Andrew Bernhardt — who
is privately furious at the way the club is being portrayed as in a
financial crisis and has to be sold - has promised that all funds raised in
the transfer market will be reinvested directly. There is no pressure to
sell - and there will certainly be no firesale - to meet the club's
financial commitments while the granting of a nine-month extension to the
debt moratorium for Straumur, the bank which owns 70 per cent of West Ham's
parent company, CB Holdings, has helped. The obvious candidate to go, should
the club decide to sell, would be Matthew Upson who has refused to enter
negotiations over a new deal and with one year left on his contract after
this season, and having turned 30, could leave. Upson is wanted by
Manchester City, who need another central defender with Joleon Lescott ruled
out for two months, and they may be willing to meet the £12 million asking
price which would give Zola the funds to strengthen his defence and attack.
Upson is also understood to be anxious to go in the hope that he will cement
his place in England's World Cup squad. However his form has been
disappointing this season and although he has been out injured of late with
a hamstring problem there was dismay at the club that the captain chose not
to travel with the squad to Bolton. If Upson did go — and West Ham will not
countenance bids for other players such as Scott Parker or Carlton Cole —
then Zola knows they have to spend wisely. There is an acceptance at the
club that some of the recent purchases have not been successful which has
sharpened the focus on the role played by technical director Gianluca Nani
who has been responsible for the signings.
At £6 million Alessandro Diamanti, whose transfer had to be funded by the
sale of James Collins, is yet to impress even if Carlo Ancelotti singled him
out for praise on Friday, hailing his "fantastic technical quality" and
ability at set-pieces which have been a problem for Chelsea of late.
Radoslav Kovac and Luis Jimenez — Zola's signing — have been disappointments
while there is still frustration over the money that was wasted on the young
striker Savio who has since been sold to Fiorentina especially as money is
tight. There is, therefore, concern at Nani's transfer dealings and, to some
extent, his influence on first-team matters. One of the accusations levelled
at Nani is that he has not recruited enough players of the quality of those
who have left. He will argue that he is working to a tight budget — and the
landscape of his job has changed dramatically since the collapse of the
business empire of former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson - but most of those
signed by West Ham have come from Italy and there has not been a great deal
of imagination in the acquisitions. The situation has been amplified by the
campaign waged to portray the club as being in financial meltdown. It has
created an air of uncertainty which has filtered through to the dressing
room with Zola and Clarke expressing their concern as to what might happen.
Duxbury has moved to reassure them on this also and is believed to have
stressed to the pair that they need to get back to their winning partnership
of last season. It's believed that there are now four bids on the table with
Rothschild, who have been appointed to sift through potential investors,
including a high-profile offer from former Birmingham City co-owner David
Sullivan. Bernhardt will take his time to consider what to do next and he
may eventually allow one or more of the potential investors access to the
club's books.
All parties are still sold on the project of developing young players to
work alongside a core of seasoned professionals although, bizarrely, it
appears to be the latter who have under-performed this campaign with Green's
form also a concern. Zola and Clarke have been an effective team at West Ham
with the latter, in particular, a talented coach and organiser who perhaps
needs to be allowed more influence at the club.
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Low point of my career was under Carlo Ancelotti, says Gianfranco ZolaGary
Jacob
The Times
Gianfranco Zola said last night that the lowest point of his career was
playing under Carlo Ancelotti at Parma. The West Ham United manager, who
will face Ancelotti's Chelsea at Upton Park tomorrow, had endured a
disappointing Euro 96, in which Italy were knocked out in the group stage
after the forward missed a penalty against Germany. He returned to Parma and
suffered a poor start to the season and was quickly sold to Chelsea.
"It was the lowest point of my career," Zola said. "I invested very much
emotionally in Euro 96 and it did not go very well and it affected me very
much, especially at Parma. My confidence level was very low. Sometimes when
that happens you need a change and you need to find a new atmosphere, new
enthusiasm.
"It was not Carlo who sold me but I wanted to have another experience so I
don't blame him. Carlo was good to me, but it was just me that I could not
find a way to react and I needed a fresh challenge, and Chelsea was
fantastic for that."
At the end of his first season he was voted Player of the Year by the
football writers, the only person to claim the accolade without having
played a full campaign. Ancelotti, who was in charge of his first top-flight
club, has admitted that he should have found a role for Zola in his 4-4-2
system.
Zola faces a similar battle to regain confidence now, with his West Ham team
riddled with doubt after slipping into the bottom three of the Barclays
Premier League. They will be boosted by the return of Matthew Upson, who has
been out with a hamstring injury and will partner Danny Gabbidon in defence.
Zola has pinpointed Chelsea's problems at set-pieces as a key weakness, but
it is questionable whether West Ham can take full advantage in the absence
of Carlton Cole, who has a knee injury. "It is a massive game for us," Zola
said. "Chelsea is not the same Chelsea that it was some time ago. Maybe they
have lost a bit of confidence. A fantastic performance is required by us.
The results are affecting my players and their confidence isn't great and
that is totally understandable. You want somehow to fix it."
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Zola determined to stick to his principles
ESPN
December 19, 2009
Gianfranco Zola insists he will not turn to 'anti-football'' to keep West
Ham in the Premier League. The Hammers are second from bottom in the table
after a run of three straight defeats and the pressure is growing on Zola by
the week. The Italian preaches a free-flowing, attacking game but it may be
proving his side's undoing as they continue to look porous in defence and
without muscle up front in the absence of the injured Carlton Cole. Some
observers believe the east Londoners need to roll up their sleeves and dig
out some results the ugly way, starting against league leaders Chelsea on
Sunday, but Zola disagrees. ''West Ham want to play football in a certain
way - they are not interested in playing differently and that's why they
appointed me,'' he said. ''My job is to keep to that plan and get results. I
don't see why you shouldn't play good football and not get results. Playing
football is connected to getting results. ''The two things cannot be
separated. If I play good football, am I going to lose? I don't think so.''
West Ham lost 3-1 at Bolton on Tuesday to slip further into the mire and
Zola did not come out to face the press after that defeat, instead leaving
media duties to assistant manager Steve Clarke. Clarke claimed he should be
blamed for the club's struggles this season, not the inexperienced Zola, who
is in his first managerial position. But Zola is happy to shoulder the
burden of the Hammers' current plight. ''Whatever happens here is my
responsibility,'' said Zola, who has been in charge at Upton Park for 15
months. ''I am the guy in charge here and if anyone has to take the blame,
it's me, nobody else. I appreciate what Steve was trying to do. It was nice,
but it's not fair. ''The commitment that people are putting in in this
situation has been top. But the team is not working, we haven't picked up
the points we should have and I should have done better.''
Zola will be grateful for the return of Matthew Upson to his defence for
Sunday's match against the Blues. The centre-back, who returns from a
hamstring problem, is one of four England internationals - the others being
Cole, Scott Parker and Robert Green - who are being linked with moves away
from Upton Park in the January transfer window, given West Ham's position in
the league and the financial problems the club have. Zola, however, insists
the quartet are dedicated to the Hammers' cause. ''I believe these players
are committed to what they are doing. I believe they care,'' he added.
''Their attitude tells me they are committed. They want to do a job for West
Ham. I trust the players and I trust the men behind the players. I value
them very much and they know that. ''I don't know what's going to happen (in
January) but before then, I have four games and they are important games for
me. My mind is focused on that.''
With the team having conceded eight goals in their last three matches,
Upson's return is vital for Zola and the England defender should replace
James Tomkins in the starting ne-up. Forward Luis Jimenez is also back from
a muscle strain but Kieron Dyer, who came off against Bolton after just 21
minutes with a hamstring injury, is out for two to three weeks, according to
Zola. The former Italy striker added that top scorer Cole is making ''good
progress'' as he bids to recover from a knee-ligament injury but the striker
should still be sidelined until mid-January.
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Squad sheets: West Ham United v Chelsea
guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 December 2009 16.57 GMT
In theory West Ham ought to lose this match and conserve energy for fixtures
to come. After all, the club have not beaten Chelsea since May 2003 and
their hopes of getting out of the relegation zone should lie with other
games. Nonetheless, Gianfranco Zolas's team can still be dangerous and have
been outscored in the league only by Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal,
Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City. If the visitors go on showing
erratic form in defence this may well turn out to be an awkward day for
them. Kevin McCarra
Venue Upton Park
Tickets £48-63 (0871 222 2700)
Last season West Ham 0 Chelsea 1
Referee M Dean
This season's matches 12 Y55, R2, 4.75 cards per game
sportingbet odds West Ham 13-2 Chelsea 4-11 Draw 16-5
West Ham
Probable starters in bold, contenders in light Photograph: Graphic Subs
from Kurucz, Gabbidon, Daprela, Nouble, Dyer, Faubert, Da Costa, Noble,
Payne, Jiménez, Ngala
Doubtful Dyer (hamstring), Jiménez (groin), Upson (hamstring)
Injured Behrami (knee, 28 Dec), Cole (knee, Jan), Hines (knee, Jan), Boa
Morte (knee, Feb), Davenport (legs, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide LLLWDL
Disciplinary record Y34 R3
Leading scorer Cole 7
Chelsea
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Alex, Mikel, Malouda, Zhirkov, Kalou, Kakuta,
Borini, Bruma, Sturridge, Matic, Deco, Ferreira
Doubtful Alex (groin), Ballack (thigh), Drogba (back), Sturridge (hip/thigh)
Injured Essien (hamstring, Jan), Bosingwa (knee, Feb)
Suspended None
Form guide WDLWWW
Disciplinary record Y22 R1
Leading scorer Drogba 13
Match pointers
• Chelsea have failed to score only once in their last 17 meetings with West
Ham in all competitions
• West Ham are on a run of 11 home league games without a clean sheet dating
back to their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea in April
• 12 of the 14 goals Chelsea have conceded have come from set pieces, the
highest proportion in the division
• West Ham have lost six of the seven league games in which they have been
on level terms at the interval
• If selected, Ashley Cole will be making his 100th Premier League
appearance for Chelsea on his 29th birthday
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My error prompted Gianfranco Zola's Chelsea career, says Carlo Ancelotti
I failed to find space for him at Parma, says Chelsea manager
'Zola is not living a good moment'
guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 December 2009 16.51 GMT
Gianfranco Zola came to Chelsea because he did not fit into Carlo
Ancelottis's 4-4-2 system at Parma. Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that
Gianfranco Zola's career in England was sparked by his failure to find a
place for the forward a place in the Parma team when the Chelsea manager was
coach there in 1996. Zola, whose West Ham United side play Chelsea at Upton
Park on Sunday, was often played out of position at Parma and Ancelotti
eventually made him available for transfer. "Probably I made a mistake with
him because I wanted to play 4-4-2 and I put the players in the right
positions but he wanted to stay in the centre like a striker," Ancelotti
said.
"In that period, when there was this discussion, Chelsea offered him a good
contract and he decided to go. I think it was a mistake. It was my first
experience in Serie A and I was not able to change the system.
"I preferred to maintain the system that I knew well. For this, Gianfranco
had a different decision to make. But a lot of time has passed since and now
we have a good relationship. He would probably not have gone to Chelsea if I
had changed the system, but he had a wonderful experience here at Chelsea
and all the fans here remember his performances."
Although West Ham are struggling near the foot of the Premier League,
Ancelotti is still wary of the threat that lesser sides can pose to Chelsea,
as was evident on Wednesday when they struggled to beat Portsmouth 2-1 at
Stamford Bridge .
"I think that Gianfranco Zola is not living a good moment but he has quality
to improve," added Ancelotti. "West Ham have had a lot of problems with
injuries, but we have to pay attention to this game. It's a derby and they
will put a very good spirit into this game. When you play against a team at
the bottom of the league, you have to pay attention. They will do their best
to win. We saw that against Portsmouth. They created a lot of difficulties
for us.
"We have to give respect to every team. Not only the teams at the top of the
table, also the teams that don't want to drop into the Championship."
Ancelotti dismissed speculation that the Atlético Madrid striker Sergio
Agüero was heading for Stamford Bridge during next month's transfer window.
"It's not true," the Italian said. "We don't have news of a signing or a
contract with any players. At this moment, we don't think about buying
Agüero."
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