Daily WHUFC News - 4th April 2010

'We are all together'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has thanked his players, friends and family for helping him
through a tough time
04.04.2010

Gianfranco Zola has drawn on his own difficult experiences as a player
during West Ham United's recent indifferent run of form. The Hammers boss
battled his way to the top of the game as a player after starting out with
local clubs Nuorese and Torres in his native Sardinia, and is now determined
to show the same steely resolve as a manager. At the same time, Zola is also
aware that his position makes him feel responsible for his coaching staff
and players. "Football-wise, I have always had a difficult time because I
have always gone the long way. I had to make my own way through. I had to
make sacrifices and work hard. That's what we have to do right now. Things
are not going well, so we have to work hard and make sacrifices. "Before,
when I was a player I was on my own and I suffered on my own, but now I
suffer for the players and I'm responsible for them. Now, I have the
responsibility for the players and I know they are trying very hard. "What
keeps me happy is that I think I'm doing the right thing. I'm working very
hard. The results are not going my way, but a lot of things have happened,
but my heart is there and I am doing it with all my honesty. Although the
results are not coming my way now, that doesn't stop me from trying all the
time."
With Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Everton in mind and already
having acknowledged the fantastic commitment of thousands of Hammers to
brave the holiday traffic up to Goodison Park, Zola also thanked those who
have sent him messages of support during his side's run of six defeats in
succession. "To be honest, I've had a few people who have been calling me,
close friends, but I don't like to mention them without telling them because
I'm sure they want to stay in the background. There have been few people who
have called me and I thank them. I've had some very encouraging messages
from other managers."
Another thing that has kept the manager going is his own conviction that his
commitment to his pure footballing principles. At the same time, Zola
conceded that he was determined to make his team hard to beat at Goodison
Park. "We've been working a lot on the organisation over the last two weeks
because it was required in the Stoke game, and we saw an improvement. The
game was decided by a piece of magic from [Ricardo] Fuller. For me, the way
I pictured the game, it was going to be tight and one piece of magic from
somebody would resolve the game, but unfortunately it came from a Stoke
player. "I won't change my philosophy. It would be silly not to look at the
situation and try different things, but I won't change my philosophy. It's
the only reason why I'm in football. "The run has been dreadful, but I have
the players behind me and I have brilliant staff beside me and we are all
together in this. If I had people who were not committed or were thinking on
their own, then this would be a problem, but I don't think that is the case.
You can see that from the commitment they have shown."
On Easter Sunday, the manager said he had strong faith that things will turn
out for the best for the club. "I pray every single day. First of all, we
work hard, and then we put a lot of faith in what we do. Sometimes you do
everything right and something goes wrong and you lose the game. That has
happened so many times this season. Other times, it goes your way, so you
always have to be positive and wait for those times. I pray for me, for my
players and for everybody."

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International bright young things
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr continues to turn out a production line of fine talent from the
pitches at Little Heath
03.04.2010

The Easter holiday may have meant a free weekend for the club's most
talented youngsters in terms of Under-18 football - but plenty of young
Hammers have been enjoying the spotlight. Most recently, Matthias Fanimo and
Blair Turgott, the midfield mainstays from Tony Carr's all-conquering U16
side, were in Saturday action with England U16s. The duo have played their
part in the Young Lions march to the final of the Montaigu friendly
tournament in France, where they will take on Portugal on Monday. Fanimo
started the 2-1 home win against Japan on Saturday, scoring early in the
second half before making way on 66 minutes. Turgott, a scorer in the 6-0
win against Gabon on Thursday, played the closing stages off the bench.
England are looking to retain the trophy they won last year, when Robert
Hall was a key performer. Hall has moved up to the U17s and has been
impressing this week in UEFA European Under-17 Championship action. England
won all three of their Elite round group games against Sweden, when
16-year-old Hall scored a cracker, Malta and Slovakia to earn a place in
this May's eight-nation finals in Liechtenstein. Finally, Carr will return
to England after a hugely successful stay at the International Amateur
Soccer Tournament - The Challenge for the Tiffany Trophy Cup. Having won all
three group games, the Hammers U16/U17 squad took on crack US side D.C.
United in Friday's final in the US capital. The showpiece fittingly ended in
a 3-3 draw after extra time, with an own goal and further strikes from
George Moncur and Elliot Lee, a penalty, taking the game to a shoot-out.
There young goalkeeper Dave Wootton was the hero, saving two kicks in a 8-7
victory on penalties. The U18s are currently due to return to Academy league
action on Saturday 17 April, away to MK Dons. Remember WHUTV is the place to
be to see highlights of every U18 game played, with exclusive interviews as
well. Due to come on Monday is a catch-up with reserves debutant Callum
Driver.

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N'Gala and Nouble win
WHUFC.com
The club have four players out on loan and are all at clubs with something
to fight for still
03.04.2010

Bondz N'Gala's terrific start to life at Plymouth Argyle continued on
Saturday while Frank Nouble also tasted that winning feeling in spectacular
fashion. The duo were not the only Hammers youngsters in loan action, with
Freddie Sears a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat by Derby County that dented
Coventry City's aspirations for the Championships play-offs. In League One,
Matt Fry was still not ready to make his debut for high-fliers Charlton
Athletic who won 1-0 at MK Dons. Charlton are now just two points off the
automatic promotion spots, with Swindon Town the closest of the top two.
Nouble has found chances limited since his switch to the County Ground as
Swindon continue to pick up fine results. Their best of the season came on
Saturday with a 3-0 win at Leeds, Nouble getting the last six minutes. It
was a much more involved day for N'Gala, who has now played four full games
for the Green Army and helped them to two wins and a draw. This Saturday's
success was a 2-1 defeat of Doncaster Rovers that has moved them to just
three points from safety at the foot of the Championship. N'Gala's loan is
until the end of the season.

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Manager stronger for support
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola insists his players and staff are all together ahead of
Sunday's trip to Everton
03.04.2010

West Ham United are living up to their name ahead of Sunday's trip to
Everton, according to Gianfranco Zola. The manager has endured a difficult
time over the past few weeks, with the Hammers losing each of their last six
Barclays Premier League fixtures. Zola admitted that he had lots to ponder
last weekend, but has returned to Chadwell Heath from a short break in his
native Sardinia refreshed and rejuvenated for the visit to Goodison Park.
With his players and coaching staff determined to put things right on
Merseyside, the boss is up for the fight against David Moyes' men. "The
players have helped me very much. We are very much a unit. We know everybody
here knows we are not doing a very good job right now, but we are trying
very hard and we are committed to it. "I'm here and I'm delighted to be here
spending my time with my players and helping them. As long as I know that
they are on the same lines as myself and there are no other problems, I know
I can give them something that they need."
Zola also revealed that he had received messages of support from his close
friends, family members and even fellow managers. "I've had a lot of support
and I tell you that I'm blessed to be surrounded by people who are very
supportive of me and that is a very important thing. "The fact that you have
people supporting and following you is the most important thing. Everything
you do, you do for them. I've had a lot of support from them and from the
players. Trust me, I don't like to leave things behind me that are undone
and things are not completed and I believe that, here, there is still
something to be done and I can play a big part in it."
The job continues with a tough-looking trip to an in-form Everton side that
has not lost at home in the league since 29 November last year. With that
record in mind, Zola is planning to make his side as hard to beat as
possible this weekend. "I see it's going to be a tight game, especially at
the beginning. We are going to be trying to defend well against them because
they have been in good form. I see us playing a good game, to be honest. I
feel that they have prepared very well so I am positive about that. "I am
expecting that we're going to defend well and we're going to be very
effective playing on the counterattack. That is what I am expecting is going
to happen, and maybe nicking one or two goals on the break."

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Zola sticking to his guns
Hammers boss won't change team's philosophy
Last updated: 4th April 2010
SSN

Under-pressure West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola insists he will not change
his style of football despite the club's perilous position. The Hammers are
in a serious fight to retain their top-flight status following six
consecutive league defeats, a run that includes home losses to Wolves and
Stoke. It has been argued that Zola's attacking philosophy has left the east
Londoners vulnerable at the back having conceded 55 goals this season - the
sixth worst defensive Premier League record. Despite calls for a re-think
for their last six league games of the season, starting with a
tricky-looking trip to Everton on Sunday, Zola is standing his ground over
his team's playing style. "I won't change it," he told the Sunday Telegraph.
"I will try to find solutions that guarantee some results. "It's the only
reason why I'm in football because it's my dream to play in a certain way.
"I'm here - and I've decided to fight to the end for these players. "The
owners gave me their support after the Stoke game. It's enough for me. I'm
going to work at proving that they were right."
Zola is also at odds with the club's hierarchy over West Ham's complaint
that Fulham fielded a weakened line up in their clash against relegation
rivals Hull City last weekend.
The Italian tactician believes Roy Hodgson's decision was an honourable one
ahead of their Europa League clash with Wolfsburg, but has been inundated
with messages of support of his stance. "I've had a few people who have been
calling me, very close friends," he continued. "I don't like to mention them
without telling them, but I have also had very good messages from some
managers, very encouraging ones. "Football-wise I have always had a
difficult career. I always had to do things the long way. "I had to make my
own way through, make sacrifices - that's what we have to do right now."

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HAMMER-GEDDON
A divided team united on the 'r' word
News Of The World
By Neil Ashton, 03/04/2010

PAINTBALLING and go-karting were off the agenda when West Ham's stars
decided to organise a team-bonding session on Tuesday. Instead, 18 players
met up in Mayfair and partied at two of the West End's swankiest nightspots.
It's not entirely clear how closely the players 'bonded' at Mahiki and Funky
Buddha into the early hours of Wednesday morning or what was discussed. But
senior players like Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole knew something had to be
done to repair broken morale at the club. Because if they waited for
Gianfranco Zola to lift the cloud of despondency which hangs over Upton
Park, it would be far too late.
Zola's body language suggests nothing more than a manager who doesn't expect
to be at the club - whether he keeps West Ham up or not. He is a man
seriously under pressure, arms folded and showing signs of stress as he
searched for solutions on the sidelines this week. The Hammers are on the
slide, six defeats on the spin and already preparing for the worst-case
scenario.
David Sullivan and David Gold have drawn up an emergency procedure, a
business-plan based on two seasons in the Championship. The co-chairmen have
agreed to put money into the club to service the debt if necessary, offering
personal guarantees if they lose their Premier League status. They can
expect to lose between 15-20 per cent of their 23,100 season ticket holders
in the first year as they prepare for life outside the top flight. Zola is
carrying the can for this collapse, a changed man from the up-and-coming
coach who took the Hammers to a 10th-placed finish last time out. The
atmosphere has changed at their training ground, with too much scrutiny and
too much suspicion among the players.
Details of salaries of playing and coaching staff are in the public domain,
tossed around the dressing room as they take turns to pick holes in the pay
packets. Upson, Robert Green and Cole earn in excess of £40,000 a week,
compared to James Tomkins (£4,000), Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas
(£1,500). The vast differences in salaries have divided a dressing room,
with half the team still enjoying the extravagances of Eggert Magnusson's
doomed regime.
Some privately complain that Zola is not assertive enough, popular as a
person and yet incapable of giving the players a going over when required.
Instead he is often searching for words, simply telling the players "not to
worry." The playing staff backed him last season, schooled by one of the
game's masters as he encouraged his team to play with passion and freedom of
expression. A year later he is isolated. He considered walking away after
last week's defeat against Stoke, a by-product of Sullivan's extraordinary
website tirade in advance of the game.
Zola was in touch with the League Managers' Association, demanding
protection in the event of becoming the season's sixth top-flight casualty.
By then, the board had spoken of replacements - including the prospect of
offering the job on a short-term basis to Alan Curbishley, Terry Venables or
Graeme Souness. Curbs was an outlandish proposal, just months after he
settled his case for constructive dismissal. And yet he offered stability.
Venables is noted for masterminding Middlesbrough's escape from relegation
in 2001 and Souness is admired for his tough-guy approach. The long-term
target is Mark Hughes, fired by Manchester City last December.
The impact of relegation has long been an issue, discussed at length by Gold
and Sullivan when they took a 50 per cent stake in the Hammers. Gate
receipts (£17.6m), broadcast and sponsorship (£44.16m), commercial revenue
(£10.2m) and retail (£3.7m) will all take a hit if they go down. Turnover is
expected to halve, with Premier League parachute payments of £12m in the
first season barely making an impact on their outgoings. They have an
ongoing commitment to pay Sheffield United £21m before 2013, a £3m
arbitration settlement with Curbishley and an annual wage bill of £60m. The
banks will take a dim view, especially with the credit facilities on a £31m
bank loan and an overdraft approaching £11m due to end in August 2011.
Gold and Sullivan have already indicated that high-earning players will be
sold to sort a wage bill that was the sixth-highest in the Prem last season.
They are experts in asset stripping, brutally cutting costs as they were
twice relegated when they owned Birmingham. The pair are ruthless
businessmen, setting aside personalities as they prepare to keep the club
afloat. In 2006 Brum sold 11 players immediately after relegation from the
Premier League, moving on high-earners such as Emile Heskey and Jermaine
Pennant.
Two years ago they sold seven players, including Fabrice Muamba and Oliver
Kapo for combined fees of £8.5m, after they were relegated under Alex
McLeish. Birmingham fought to the finish both times and yet the Hammers were
accused by Sullivan of lacking focus and desire after their defeat against
Wolves.
Today's game at Everton, along with fixtures against Sunderland, Liverpool,
Wigan, Fulham and Manchester City, will determine their fate. They were in a
similar position in 2003 when Trevor Brooking was briefly put in charge,
taking the team to St Andrew's on the final day of the season. The 2-2 draw
consigned them to the Championship, down among the dead men for the first
time since 1993. If Zola is looking for inspiration at Goodison Park this
afternoon, he could do worse than borrow Rufus Brevett's classic line from
the dressing room at St Andrew's that day. As relegation began to sink in
among the likes of Joe Cole, David James and Trevor Sinclair, one of the
players claimed the Championship would not be so bad. "Oh yeah? Then wait
until you see the fixture list," was Brevett's notable response.

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West Ham's woes continue as midfield star ruled out for rest of the season
Published 05:00 04/04/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham's woes look set to continue after Jack ­Collison was ruled out for
the rest of the season. The 21-year-old Wales star is set to undergo ­knee
surgery having suffered from the problem for most of the year. He's not
featured for the Hammers since the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United in
February. Team-mate Luis Boa Morte could return ­before the end of the
­season. The Portugal ­midfielder has not played since suffering cruciate
ligament damage in pre-season.

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Fulham star slams West Ham over weak team complaint
Published 05:00 04/04/10 By Julian Bennetts
The Mirror

Clint Dempsey has slammed West Ham for complaining about Fulham fielding a
weakened team in their defeat against Hull. The USA star was brought into
the side for the 2-0 defeat at the KC Stadium, where Roy Hodgson rested five
men for the Europa League game with Wolfsburg. Angry Hammers have asked the
Premier League to decide if Fulham should be punished but Dempsey has told
West Ham they complained only because their own poor form has dragged them
into a relegation battle. "It's disrespectful to me because I was on the
pitch against Hull," fumed Dempsey. "I don't feel I'm a weak player. I felt
strong and confident and I tried to get the job done . "West Ham are under
pressure - there is a lot of money at stake if you go down. "I'm sure it's
frustrating for them, but we have to do what we think is best for the club."

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West Ham star in line for Serie A return
Published 23:00 03/04/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Palermo are set to renew their interest in West Ham midfielder Valon
Behrami. Behrami was strongly linked with a move away from Upton Park in
January with Palermo, Stuttgart and even Manchester United expressing an
interest in the Swiss international. The talented midfielder has been one of
the few shining lights at Upton Park this season and was ­reportedly offered
a five-year extension at the start of February. But with the club facing a
crippling debt, the contract offer was withdrawn. West Ham boss ­Gianfranco
Zola is refusing to discuss any new deals with his players until he knows
which league they will be playing in next season. Palermo are fourth in
­Serie A and hope the ­attraction of Champions League football next season
will tempt Behrami to quit Upton Park, especially if the Hammers suffer
­relegation.

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Tony Cottee: Players are to blame for West Ham's plight
Published 23:00 03/04/10 By Anthony Clavane Exclusive
The Mirror

Tony Cottee has urged West Ham's players to stand up and be counted – and
scrap hard for the eight points he believes will keep them in the top
flight. Hammers legend Cottee can't believe his boyhood favourites are
facing a fight for survival at the bottom of the Premier League given the
talent at Gianfranco Zola's disposal. But Cottee does not blame the Italian
coach for their plight – he believes the team should take a long, hard look
in the mirror. West Ham travel to Everton, another of his old clubs, today
seeking just a second away win of the season and having lost their last six
matches. "It's down to the players," said Cottee . "I am going to Goodison
hoping we don't get a hammering, four or five nil. "It's a game West Ham
are not expected to win, but it would be terrible for morale if we were
mauled. "And yet I look at the team and think that, on paper, they could
beat ­Everton. They have four England internationals at the spine of the
team: ­Robert Green, ­Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole. Then
there's the likes of Mark Noble and Jack Collison. "So the players have not
been performing. Now is the time to put that right – or else they'll go
down." ­Cottee scored 93 times in 212 league games for West Ham before
joining Everton in 1988 and becoming a legend on the blue half of
Merseyside. But he is hoping the in-form Toffees don't rub the ­Hammers'
noses in it. ­Cottee said: "Everton are on fire and have surged up the table
after starting as badly as West Ham did. "I am a great admirer of David
Moyes and if it wasn't for their bad start they would be looking at a top
four finish. "My loyalties ultimately lie with West Ham, though, as I
supported them and played for them for six years. If they lose, I can't
think of a better team to lose to. As long as they go down fighting. "It
won't be the end of the world. There are three key games left that are
winnable – two at home against Wigan and Sunderland and one away at Fulham.
"If they win two of those three I believe they will stay up. Then they just
need two more points to reach 35 - a total that should keep them in the
Premier League."
TC backed Zola and his decision to give the players three days off following
the 1-0 defeat to Stoke. Cottee said: "I was all for his staying. If he had
gone, who was there to bring in? He knows the players and can inspire them.
"They've gone away for a few days and will be refreshed. "It's in the
players' hands now. There's a lot of talented individuals – but they need to
play as a team."

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Zola facing the sack as West Ham look to Bilic or McClaren
Published 23:00 03/04/10 By Paul Smith
The Mirror

Gianfranco Zola has no long-term future at West Ham. A comprehensive defeat
at Everton today could still spark his early departure and force the club's
owners to find a temporary coach to save the Hammers from going down. In the
past week Zola, who is paid £1.9million a year, has invoked the fury of
co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold. Following the club's sixth
straight defeat, against Stoke, Zola met Sullivan and Gold for crisis talks
last Saturday night and vowed he was the man to lead them out of trouble.
He said he wanted to ­battle on but just 30 ­minutes later contradicted
himself, claiming he was ­considering his future. Zola's decision to return
home to Sardinia for three days last week to film a TV commercial infuriated
­Sullivan, who felt he should have remained in England to address the
growing ­crisis at the club. Zola then publicly contradicted his club's
decision to complain to the Premier League over Fulham fielding a weakened
team in their ­defeat by Hull. Increasingly the Hammers' hierarchy believe
Zola is trying to undermine his own position in order to claim a £3million
pay-off. Waiting in the wings are Slaven Bilic and Steve ­McClaren. Bilic
remains in charge of Croatia but failed to lead his team to the World Cup
finals. McClaren has rebuilt his reputation with FC Twente and is close to
guiding his team to the Dutch title.

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Gianfranco Zola vows he will not change attacking philosophy at West Ham
Gianfranco Zola is adamant he will not bow to any pressure from David
Sullivan, the outspoken West Ham co-owner, to change his attacking
philosophy despite a run of six straight league defeats, saying: "I wouldn't
listen."
Telegraph.co.uk
By Oliver Brown
Published: 10:30PM BST 03 Apr 2010

Gianfranco Zola claims to have been inundated with messages of support from
friends and several fellow Premier League managers Photo: AFP The pair have
not spoken since before last Saturday's abject loss to Stoke, when Sullivan
left for Dubai on holiday, and Zola, having resolved to remain as manager
until the end of this season to help stave off relegation, was not in
acquiescent mood.

Pressed on his style, which many believe has left West Ham United far too
vulnerable defensively, Zola argued: "I won't change it. I will try to find
solutions that guarantee some results. It's the only reason why I'm in
football because it's my dream to play in a certain way.

West Ham to lodge Fulham complaint "I'm here — and I've decided to fight to
the end for these players. The owners gave me their support after the Stoke
game. It's enough for me. I'm going to work at proving that they were
right."

Zola is also at odds with the club's hierarchy over West Ham's official
complaint to the Premier League over Fulham's team selection against Hull
City a week ago, believing Roy Hodgson's decision to field a weakened side
was an honourable one.

But then, it has always been the Sardinian's lot to play the loner, from the
moment he left his native island, as an outrageously talented teenager, to
join Napoli amid inflated expectations that he could be the club's successor
to Diego Maradona.

The rancour that has engulfed Zola over West Ham's sharp slump has left him
appearing more isolated than ever — a curious fate, for a man so popular,
although he claimed to have been inundated with messages of support from
friends and several fellow Premier League managers.

"I've had a few people who have been calling me, very close friends," he
said. "I don't like to mention them without telling them, but I have also
had very good messages from some managers, very encouraging ones.

"Football-wise I have always had a difficult career. I always had to do
things the long way. I had to make my own way through, make sacrifices —
that's what we have to do right now."

The sense of personal responsibility that Zola feels for West Ham's
predicament is acute. While a consensus appears to have formed that he is
leaving Upton Park this summer, his decision last week not to abandon the
club in mid-stream was plainly one taken seriously.

"Before I was on my own, as a player. Now I have responsibility for players,
and I know they are working very hard," he said. "What keeps me happy is I
think I am doing the right thing — results are not going my way but I'm
trying my hardest, my best. I'm doing it with honesty. Even if results are
not coming my way now it doesn't stop me from trying."

A devout Catholic, Zola has tended to keep his faith a private matter, but
it needs few guesses to work out who features in his prayers this Easter
morning ahead of a critical game at Everton. "In my own way, I pray. We put
a lot of faith in what we do. We do everything right and we lose the game —
it has happened so many times this year. We have to keep positive.

"I have the players, the staff, behind me. We are all together in that. If I
have people who are not committed then it wouldn't be a problem but I don't
think that is the case. I pray all the time — for me, for my players."

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Daily WHUFC News - 3rd April 2010

Zola ready for Everton
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has called on his team to hammer the Toffees at Goodison
Park on Sunday
02.04.2010

Gianfranco Zola insists West Ham United can reignite their fight for
Barclays Premier League survival at Everton on Sunday afternoon. Zola's side
go into the live Sky-televised date at Goodison Park seeking to end a run of
six consecutive defeats. Everton, meanwhile, have recorded victories in
their last six home matches in all competitions - a run dating back to their
2-1 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Birmingham City on 23 January. David
Moyes' men have overcome the likes Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester
United in recent weeks. While the odds may be stacked against them, the
Hammers will be going all out to upset the Toffees this weekend. "Sometimes
in football, strange things can happen and things can happen that are
unexpected, and that is what I am looking for," said Zola. "The players know
they are working hard, they are committed and they are focused and they are
staying strong. We have had a lot of adversity to overcome, but we are
strong and we are going to do our best. "I am sure there will be a lot of
supporters travelling up there and we want to please them because they
deserve a good trip."
The manager also defended his decision to allow some of his players and
coaching staff a pre-planned three-day break earlier this week. With three
matches in eight days last week, Zola said it was important for everyone to
have the opportunity to recharge their batteries ahead of what promises to
be a dramatic run-in. "We played on 20 March with Arsenal, then on the 23
March with Wolves and on the 27 March with Stoke, so we had three games in
eight days plus, after another defeat, I thought it was the right thing to
do to give them a little break. "Plus, I am the manager and I decide what we
do. I spend every single day working with these players and nobody can tell
me what I have to do for them."

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Time for a change
WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami has told WHUTV that West Ham United still have time to alter
the course of their season
02.04.2010

Valon Behrami insists West Ham United's final six Barclays Premier League
matches can change the outlook of the whole season. The Hammers have picked
up just 27 points from their opening 32 fixtures, but the Switzerland
midfielder has told WHUTV that all is not lost just yet. Behrami and his
team-mates head for Everton on Sunday seeking to end a run of six straight
league defeats - the latest of which came in the shape of a 1-0 home defeat
by Stoke City last Saturday. "It was not an easy week after the last
result," said the 24-year-old, who took time out of his schedule this week
to take part in an event backing the Richard House Children's Hospice.
"Obviously we are not happy with our situation but in training, I saw a good
reaction from the team. "We are looking for a good result at Everton, but we
know it's not going to be easy. We need to find some good points away from
home and then find a good result at home because the situation is very
difficult. "The team is all together. We have a good relationship with
everyone. Everyone trusts the manager and wants to give a lot for him,
because this situation is not easy. We know that. It's just that we have to
give something special and something more than we did before. "We can change
the whole season in the last six games. If a small thing changes, maybe an
own-goal, then it can change our whole season. We haven't been so lucky. I
know we didn't play so well either."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Sunday's major meeting with
Everton at Goodison Park
01.04.2010

Barclays Premier League
Everton v West Ham United
Goodison Park
Sunday 4 April 2010
4pm
Referee: Howard Webb

• West Ham United go to Everton for a huge Easter Day encounter that sees
them looking to arrest a run of six straight defeats. They will also want to
avenge a 2-1 home defeat by David Moyes' men back on Sunday 8 November and
are yet to win away since the opening day of the season.

• Everton are flying at home, having not lost in nine and won the last seven
matches they have played at Goodison Park.

• The Hammers will be eager to score their first success over the Toffees
since Bobby Zamora's 25-yard special earned a 1-0 victory for the home side
on 21 April 2007.

• Everton won both league meetings last season, coming from a goal down to
win 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on 8 November 2008 before triumphing by the
same scoreline at Goodison Park on 16 May 2009.

• This is the 110th league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
32, Everton have won 55 and there have been 22 draws.

• In the clubs' last Barclays Premier League meeting at Goodison Park on 16
May 2009, West Ham United were defeated 3-1. Radoslav Kovac put the Hammers
ahead with a long-range shot before James Tomkins was sent-off and Louis
Saha netted a penalty seven minutes before the break. Joseph Yobo and Saha,
again, added second-half goals for the Toffees.

Last time out

Saturday 27 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-1 Stoke City
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Da Costa, Parker, Noble (Ilan 76),
Dyer (Diamanti 45), Behrami, Faubert, Cole, Mido (McCarthy 84)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Kovac, Daprela

Saturday 27 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Everton
Everton: Howard, Heitinga, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Neville, Cahill,
Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 88), Pienaar, Osman (Gosling 83), Saha (Yakubu 76)
Subs not used: Yobo, Nash, Senderos, Hibbert

Last meeting

Sunday 8 November 2009
West Ham United 1-2 Everton
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Spector, Da Costa, Parker, Behrami, Jimenez
(Diamanti 57), Faubert, Collison (Stanislas 45), Franco, Hines
Subs not used: Kurucz, Noble, Tomkins, Daprela, Nouble
Goal: Hibbert og 65

Everton: Howard, Heitinga, Yobo, Baines, Distin, Hibbert, Cahill, Gosling
(Neill 76), Fellaini, Rodwell, Saha (Yakubu 57)
Subs not used: Nash, Jo, Baxter, Agard, Wallace
Goals: Saha 27, Gosling 64

Head to head

Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)

8 November 2009 West Ham United 1-2 Everton
16 May 2009 Everton 3-1 West Ham United
8 November 2008 West Ham United 1-3 Everton
22 March 2008 Everton 1-1 West Ham United
15 December 2007 West Ham United 0-2 Everton
12 December 2007 West Ham United 1-2 Everton (League Cup fourth round)

Overall record v Everton (all competitions) W 36 D 24 L 61

Next up

West Ham United welcome Sunderland on Saturday 10 April while Everton are in
action on Wednesday night when they travel to Aston Villa.

Referee

• Sunday's referee is Howard Webb.

• Webb began officiating in Yorkshire in 1989. Webb was appointed as a
Football League assistant referee in 1996, fulfilling the same role in the
Barclays Premier League in 1998.

• The 38-year-old took charge of his first Barclays Premier League match as
a referee in October 2003, and has since been the man-in-the-middle for a
host of high-profile fixtures.

• Webb refereed the 2005 FA Community Shield, 2006 FA Trophy final and 2006
UEFA European Under-21 Championship, as well as taking charge of his first
UEFA Champions League match in 2006.

• The former police officer was referee for the 2007 Carling Cup final and
was selected as England's representative at Euro 2008, taking charge of the
first match of the tournament between Austria and Poland and the Group D
fixture between Greece and eventual champions Spain.

• Last season, Webb was in charge of three West Ham United matches, the 3-0
loss at Manchester City in August, the 2-0 home win over Hull City in late
January, and the 2-1 final-day victory over Middlesbrough in May.

• This season he took charge of the 3-1 Carling Cup defeat by Bolton
Wanderers on 22 September and the 2-1 loss at Burnley on 6 February. For
Everton, he was in charge when they won 2-0 and 3-1 in the league at home to
Burnley and Manchester United in December and February respectively. He was
also the man in the middle for the 2-1 FA Cup exit at the hands of
Birmingham City on 23 January.

• Webb took charge of the 2009 FA Cup final at Wembley and is on the
provisional list of referees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

• He warmed up for this Sunday's match by taking charge of the
Internazionale-CSKA Moscow quarter-final first leg in the UEFA Champions
League last Wednesday.

West Ham United

• The Hammers have won on just one of their last 13 visits to Everton. Since
winning 1-0 on New Year's Day 1994, West Ham's only other success at
Goodison Park came in the shape of a 2-1 victory on 14 December 2005. A
Bobby Zamora strike and an own-goal from David Weir were enough to see the
Hammers secure the three points.

• West Ham's biggest ever away win at Everton came on 10 April 1929, when a
Vivian Gibbins hat-trick and an own-goal saw the Hammers run out 4-0 winners
in front of a crowd of 10,000 at Goodison Park.

• Alessandro Diamanti's eight goals in all competitions has left him just
one behind top scorer Carlton Cole.

• In terms of attacking ambition, Diamanti leads the Hammers statistics in
terms of shots (81), shots on target (44), shots off target (37) and assists
(4).

• West Ham have scored 38 goals this season in the league with 15 different
players on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (nine), with Alessandro
Diamanti (seven), Guille Franco (four) and Matthew Upson (three) next in
line. Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas (two each), Ilan, Manuel
da Costa, the departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines, Radoslav Kovac, Valon
Behrami, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker have also registered. An own-goal
from Everton's Tony Hibbert completes the tally.

• Parker has been cautioned nine times this season. Should he be cautioned
against Everton or Sunderland on 10 April, he will receive a two-mach
suspension.

• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 119 successive league starts.

Everton

• Everton's biggest ever home win over West Ham came on 22 October 1927. The
Toffees secured a 7-0 victory in front of a crowd of 10,000 at Goodison
Park.

• Louis Saha is the club's leading scorer with 15 in all competitions, and
13 in the Barclays Premier League. However, he has not scored since his
double strike against Chelsea at the start of February - but has a habit of
scoring against West Ham. He has three goals in his last two matches against
West Ham.

• Only Tim Howard has played in every top-flight match for the Toffees this
season.

Team news

• Gianfranco Zola could again be without Herita Ilunga (tendon injury),
James Tomkins (ankle) and Jack Collison (knee).

• Kieron Dyer was substituted at half-time in last weekend's defeat by Stoke
City while Guille Franco may not return in time from a minor achilles
problem.

• Luis Boa Morte is working hard on his fitness after missing the whole
season to date with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and other knee
problems suffered last July.

• Zavon Hines will not play again this season with a knee injury.

• Everton have lost young midfielder Dan Gosling for nine months after he
suffered a anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee last weekend
against Wolves. Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta, both fit again, have
suffered the injury in the past 12 months.

• Marouane Fellaini (ankle) and Victor Anichebe (rib) are likely to miss out
while Arteta was missing last Saturday with a groin strain.

Old boys

• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Niclas
Alexandersson, Ray Atteveld, Slaven Bilic, Ian Bishop, Joe Blythe, David
Burrows, Tony Cottee, Charlie Crossley, George Eccles, William Kelly, George
Kitchen, Alex McCartney, Lucas Neill, John Russell, David Unsworth, Mark
Ward, William Wildman, Danny Williamson and Richard Wright.

General information

• For ticket information, click here.

• Sunday's weather forecast is for an overcast day with a maximum daytime
temperature of 8C.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hall on high again
WHUFC.com
The club's young forward is making great strides and could sign off the
season with a major UEFA tournament
02.04.2010

Robert Hall's season to remember will continue with a place at the 2010 UEFA
European Under-17 Championship this May. The West Ham United striker, who
was given his maiden taste of first-team action with a friendly at Grays
Athletic last July, featured for the final 30 minutes as England won 2-0
against Slovakia to win Elite qualifying round Group 7. The Young Lions were
the mini-tournament hosts and will be one of eight nations involved at the
finals. Hall had already scored in a 4-0 victory against Sweden this week
before featuring again in a 5-0 romp over Malta in the second group game.
The showpiece event will be held in Liechtenstein between 18 and 30 May.
Hall, who does not turn 17 until October, is fully expected to be part of
coach John Peacock's final squad. Meanwhile, the club's two Under-16
internationals Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott were second-half
substitutes in a 6-0 win against Gabon at the friendly Montaigu
International Tournament in France. Turgott rounded out the scoring, having
played along with Fanimo from the start in Wednesday's 3-1 win against
Ukraine.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham complain over Fulham team selection for Hull
BBC.co.uk

The Premier League have confirmed they have received a complaint from West
Ham over Fulham's decision to rest players for last Saturday's match against
Hull. Fulham left out Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Aaron Hughes, Dickson
Etuhu and Damien Duff for a game they lost 2-0. Manager Roy Hodgson made
the decision with one eye on Thursday's Europa League match with Wolfsburg
and said Fulham "have no case to answer". West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola
said that he had no issue with Hodgson. "As far as I am concerned, a manager
can play his best team," he said. "I have no doubts that Roy Hodgson is
doing the best for his team and he is a person that I respect for his
loyalty and I have no complaints with that. "He decided to do that and I'm
sure he has done the right thing for his club."
Hull are in the final relegation spot, level on points with West Ham but
Hodgson defended his club's actions "Firstly I do not think West Ham should
be picking our team and I think that is a fairly obvious statement," he
said. "My conscience is perfectly clear on the subject and we do not have a
case to answer. "We chose a team comprising a player just sold for £10m
[Chris Smalling] and a South African international [Kagisho Dikgacoi], and
replaced Bobby Zamora with Clint Dempsey, a United States international. "I
can't understand why, if you have a large squad, it's not allowed for you to
change things around. I can't imagine anyone questioning Liverpool,
Manchester United or Chelsea for using all the players in their squad."
And Hodgson has found support from Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who
described West Ham's action as "foolish". "As a manager you always make
decisions that can help your team," said Martinez. "Roy Hodgson and Fulham
have had such a successful season, they know exactly what they have got
behind the scenes and know what they need. "For anyone to criticise another
football club when they are in such outstanding form is very foolish. "Roy
Hodgson has got to make the decisions to help his team achieve their aims
for the season."
A Premier League spokesman added: "We can confirm that we have received an
official complaint from West Ham over this matter. "We will now ask Fulham
for their observations and then the Premier League board will then consider
what actions, if any, are appropriate." This is not the first time this
season that a team selection has caused a row in the Premier League. In
February, Wolves were handed a £25,000 suspended Premier League fine for
fielding a weakened team in their 3-0 December defeat at Manchester United.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made 10 changes to the side as he rested key
players ahead of the game against Burnley, which Wolves won 2-0. Nine
players were recalled to face the Clarets. The Premier League's E20 rule
stipulates that clubs must field a full-strength side in all top-flight
games. And it is understood that the Premier League is only likely to
enforce that regulation if wholesale changes are made.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Goodison Park Date: Sunday, 4 April 2010 Kick-off: 1600 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, live on Sky
Sports 1 & highlights on Match of the Day 2

TEAM NEWS
Everton captain Phil Neville will make his 200th start for the club on
Sunday. Midfielder Mikel Arteta is unlikely to return from a groin strain,
and Dan Gosling is out for the rest of the year with a cruciate ligament
injury.

West Ham are hopeful that Jack Collison and defender James Tomkins will be
fit to play after respective knee and ankle injuries. Herita Ilunga could
also return, but Kieron Dyer is a doubt after he came off at half-time
against Stoke.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Everton
Doubtful: Anichebe (rib), Arteta (groin)

Injured: Fellaini (ankle), Gosling (knee)

West Ham

Doubtful: Collison & Ilunga (both knee), Dyer (unspecified), Tomkins (ankle)

Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Franco (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW
The expectation is for two club records to be extended at Goodison Park; one
far more desirable than the other. Everton are vying for an eighth
successive home win, while West Ham must break a suffocating sequence of six
straight defeats. With relegation a real threat, the Hammers have made an
official complaint to the Premier League over the weakened team fielded by
Fulham against struggling Hull last weekend Everton's points tally in 2010
is comparable with the top three, and their irresistible late-season surge
has put them in contention to qualify for Europe for the fifth time in eight
years under manager David Moyes.

His West Ham counterpart, Gianfranco Zola, is only 18 months into his tenure
but the Hammers' miserable form since the turn of the year - they have only
earned nine points from 12 games - has fuelled speculation that his
remaining time at Upton Park will be short-lived. Zola was in his native
Sardinia earlier in the week to take part in an Italian government campaign
promoting the role of the father. West Ham's patriarchs David Sullivan and
David Gold seem less inclined to be supportive of a man who spent his
playing career as a favourite son.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Everton are unbeaten in their last five league matches against West Ham,
winning the last three.

• West Ham's only victory in their last 14 visits to Goodison Park was in
December 2005.

• Louis Saha has scored five goals in the last three league meetings between
these clubs.

• Everton are unbeaten in their last five matches, keeping a clean sheet in
the last three.

• They have gone nine games without defeat at home, winning the last seven.
That's a Premier League club record, and Everton's longest run of victories
since an eight-match streak from January to April 1990.

• They have accrued 27 points from 13 games since the turn of the year. Only
Manchester United could better that prior to the weekend fixtures.

• Phil Jagielka is poised to make his 100th appearance for Everton.

West Ham

• West Ham have suffered a Premier League club record six straight defeats.
Another loss on Sunday will equal their club record seven-match losing
streak set in May 1967.

• Their tally of 27 points from 32 matches is the club's lowest at this
stage of a Premier League season.

• The Hammers are without an away win in 15 attempts, losing the last four,
since beating Wolves on the opening day of the season.

• They have conceded 15 goals in their last six matches.

• Carlton Cole has made 99 league appearances for West Ham.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Everton

Saha: 15 goals (13 league);
Cahill: 7 goals (5 league); Pienaar: 7 goals (4 league)

West Ham

Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Howard Webb

Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Mike Mullarkey

Fourth official: Lee Probert

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Everton (D0-0 v Wolves, a): Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman
(Gosling 83), Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 88), Heitinga, Cahill, Pienaar, Saha
(Yakubu 76). Subs not used: Nash, Hibbert, Yobo, Senderos.

West Ham (L0-1 v Stoke, h): Green; Faubert, Da Costa, Upson, Spector, Dyer
(Diamanti 46), Parker, Noble (Ilan 76), Behrami, Mido (McCarthy 84), Cole.
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Kovac, Daprela.

MOST RECENT MEETING

West Ham 1-2 Everton (8 November 2009)

West Ham scorer: Stanislas 65

Everton scorers: Saha 27, Gosling 64

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ful(ham) if you think it's over
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 1st April 2010
By: Staff Writer

David Sullivan has confirmed that West Ham United will be lodging a formal
complaint over Fulham's decision to rest six players for last weekend's trip
to Hull. It had been rumoured earlier in the week that the Hammers board
would register their disapproval at Fulham's decision to rest half a team
ahead of their UEFA Cup clash with Wolfsburg. Today that was confirmed by
Sullivan who told Sky Sports that United would indeed be formally
approaching the Premier League with regard to the game which Hull won 2-0 -
a result that saw City pull level on points with the Hammers at the foot of
the table.

News of West Ham's decision to appraoch the league is the latest in a series
of disagreements between the clubs that began when Liverpool rested a string
of players for their trip to Craven Cottage in the closing weeks of the
2006/07 season ahead of a European fixture. Fulham won that particular game
which was enough to ensure their Premier League survival.

West Ham eventually stayed up that season at the expense of Sheffield
United, who were relegated on the final day of the season - but despite
Fuham having taken advantage of a weakened Liverpool side they still saw fit
to chase the Hammers for compensation relating to league position prize
funds after it was decreed that Carlos Tevez has been the sole reason for
the Irons avoiding relegation.

Wolves, who made ten changes to the side that lost 3-0 against Manchester
United at Old Trafford earlier this season were fined £25,000 by the Premier
League for failing to play their best available XI. West Ham travel to
Fulham on on 1st May for their final away game of the 2009/10 season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd April 2010
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy has been missing of late due to "technical problems" with his
PC. Unfortunately, he found where we hid his keyboard, so he's back.........

Next it's up the M1 & M6 we go as we play the game of "How many more
boarded-up buildings are there this time round" for a 4pm kick-off on Sunday
at Godison against Everton.

If one may adapt one of the oldest of football clichés for a moment, it's
turning into a season of two halves for the Toffeemen. Their form since the
turn of the year rivals that of the top five or six and, home and away their
last six matches have produced 3 wins, two draws and a solitary defeat which
came away at Tottenham. Even that was a match they ought to have got
something out of, Septic loanee Landon Donovan missing a sitter that ought
to have given them a point. More worryingly for us, their home form of late
has been impeccable with the last 6 matches at Goodison all ending in a home
victory .

The reason for the disparity between the start of he season and the end of
it is fairly simple to ascertain. Their injury list has been as lengthy as
ours has been at times. However, unlike ourselves, they had the resources in
depth to grind out a few results to keep them ticking over until the cavalry
had recovered enough to start picking up the points more regularly. Unlike
ourselves, of course, when the cavalry turned up they actually started to
perform with the result that they now lie in a creditable 8th spot on 49
points and there has been talk of Europa League qualification should their
current form continue as the season ends.

Their custodian of the onion bag is, of course, Tim Howard. Howard had
battled against many disadvantages in life to make it to the top, not least
of which is the fact that he suffers from the sad twin afflictions of being
American and of having played for Manchester United. After that, dealing
with Tourette's Syndrome to become one of the Premier League's top 'keepers
must have been a piece of cake. We'll be bumping into Howard during the
summer (or more accurately during the Southern hemisphere winter) in his
role as first choice 'keeper for the US World Cup - apparently there is a
World Cup for something called "Soccer" going on down there at the same time
as the Football one.

Their last outing saw them surprisingly only draw 0-0 at Wolves, a result
described by David Moyes as " disappointing" in view of the number of missed
chances. The match saw them come away with a couple of injuries, notably to
the gifted, if sometimes erratic, Arteta who picked up a groin strain. The
Sunday kick-off will give him an extra day of recovery and he is listed as a
possible to make the squad for the weekend. Less fortunate was Dan Gosling,
whose collision with Marcus Hahnemann has left him with a ruptured cruciate
ligament that will keep him away from action for at least nine months. He is
being pencilled in for a return about thirty seconds after ITV cut to an
advertising break.

The defence will see a couple of old "friends" in the shape of the two
Phils, Neville and Jagielka. Jagielka should never be forgiven for his
disgraceful role on the last day of the "Great Escape" season where his
rather obvious and baffling handball could have sent us down had we not
inconveniently messed things up for Hypocrisy FC by winning at Plastic
Trafford. The other Phil was once famously given a guitar by one of the
Gallagher brothers (I always forget which one is Noel and which is "and
Lyle") on which the Oasis "axe-man" had written "How many England caps have
you got? And how many do you think you deserve?" I always thought that a bit
harsh to be honest. After all, which one of us contacted by England manager
is going to say "thanks for the invite but I don't think I'm really up to
the task of top class international football". Indeed, given the continued
selection of Emile Heskey in recent squads I have deliberately kept this
summer (or more accurately Southern hemisphere winter) free should my
services be required up front.

Talking of strikers, another old adversary will be Louis Saha. He's an
irritating player really. You can watch him for 88 minutes and he'll look
for all the world as if he's a player who has been contacted by a manager to
whom he didn't say "thanks for the invite but…etc". Then he'll somehow score
two goals to see you lose a match that you looked totally comfortable in. Or
is that just us?

Another danger will be Tim Cahill. The Aussie seems to have the knack of
scoring time and time again - though I was rather surprised to discover his
tally for the season thus far came to a total of 7 in all matches. Whenever
one catches up on the goals of the week he always seems to be on it which
means either he's flogging goals to those less fortunate to himself or that
I really ought to pay more attention when watching the highlights.

Ok what of us? Well I despair to be honest. The 3-1 defeat to a team like
Wolves was a new low this season and whilst the performance against Stoke
showed a few signs of improvement there was still a lack of intelligence,
nous, guile, creativity, call it what you will that meant that even if we
were still out there playing now (as well we might had the referee added on
the right time for each Delap throw-in) I couldn't in all honesty see us
scoring.

On the injury front, as usual there is conflicting information as to the
potential availability of certain players. Tomkins (who could easily be
recovering from shell-shock rather than the foot/ankle problem that was the
official cause of his absence from the Stoke line-up) is listed as either
having "no return date" or "possibly available" depending on who you care to
believe. My own thought is that DaCosta will continue either way. Other
possible returnees include Franco, Collison and Ilunga. Given that Cole is
likely to take up one spot up front, should we actually go with two
strikers, expect the General to join him if fit on the grounds that: a) in
the few moments he was on against Wolves he looked the liveliest player we
had in the final third (not a difficult achievement admittedly); and b) the
fastest that Mido moved all afternoon against Stoke was the amazing sprint
that he made on the way to the touchline as he was being substituted . To
nobody's great surprise Kieron Dyer is likely to be missing and the patience
of those at SuGo Towers must be wearing increasingly thin as a potential
pay-off looms closer and closer.

Predictions? Sorry but we've been incredibly goal-shy of late and, against a
side that is in cracking form at the moment - especially at home - I have a
bad feeling here. If we're not going to sore a 0-0 is the best we can hope
fore but, on recent form, a 3-0 reverse is probably the more likely result.

Keep them crossed and enjoy the game!

Last season: Lost 1-3 It was all looking so good as a Kovac effort from
distance put us one up. Then Cahill's disgraceful dive got Tomkins sent off
by overweight ref Phil Dowd. Saha stuck away the penalty. Yobo and another
Saha effort made it 3-1 as the home side took full adantage of the extra
man.

Referee: Howard Webb Traditionally one of the better officials on the list,
he's had a bit of an up and down season. Poor match up at Turf Moor last
time we saw him where embarrassing Burnley dives were given free-kicks at
every opportunity.

Danger Man: Saha another one who scores with depressing regularity against
us.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola backs Hodgson selection
Italian reveals desire to guide Hammers to safety
By Danny Wright Last updated: 2nd April 2010
SSN

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says he has no issues with Roy Hodgson's
decision to field a weakened team for Fulham's recent defeat to Hull. Zola's
thoughts run in direct contrast to those of the club's owners, David Gold
and David Sullivan, who have decided to lodge a complaint against Fulham for
allegedly breaking Premier League rules.
West Ham believe Hodgson's team selection, which saw the likes of Bobby
Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu rested,
was untoward after the Tigers picked up a 2-0 victory that put them level
with the Hammers on 27 points at the wrong end of the Premier League. Fellow
strugglers Wolves were hit with a £25,000 suspended fine earlier in the
season for fielding an under-strength team in a defeat to Manchester United
and Zola admitted his colleague was within his rights to choose the team he
wanted. When asked for his reaction to the complaint being lodged, Zola
said: "I just heard about that. I didn't know it was happening. As far as
I'm concerned a manager can play his best team.
"I have no doubts that Roy Hodgson is doing the best for his team. He's a
person I respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with that. "He
decided to do that and I'm sure he has done the right thing for his club.
Plus from what I read in the reports Fulham weren't that bad, so I have no
problems with that." Hodgson insisted that he had "no case to answer"
following West Ham's complaint, and said he would continue to shuffle his
pack for Sunday's encounter with Wigan. The Cottagers have one eye on their
Europe League campaign and beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Thursday
ahead of the second-leg quarter-final date at the Volkswagen Arena next
week. For Zola, the focus remains very much on keeping his side afloat in
the Premier League. The Italian returned to the London outfit after a break
in Sardinia last week, which the United chief used to weight up his future
at the club following the 1-0 home defeat to Stoke - their sixth successive
loss.
Zola said the decision to return to his under-fire post was a tough one,
however, he revealed the backing of his players and his desire to finish the
job ensured he made a return.
The 43-year-old said: "I was delighted to get back. For me it was tough and
very emotional then, but that is it now. It's a situation where you have to
be strong and that's what I'm going to be. "I think I have the players'
backing. They want to react and I know that I can do something for this
club, the club that gave me a very good opportunity and I want to try my
best to help them and I think I can help them by being here. "It will be
tough but sometime in football a surprise can happen. The players are
working hard, they are focused and we just need to stay strong. "We have
had a lot of adversity to come around but we are stronger than that. We will
do our best because I'm sure there will be a lot of supporters travelling
there and we want to do it for them. They deserve a good break."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton v West Ham preview
Gosling out for Toffees; Zola boosted by duo return for Goodison game
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 2nd April 2010
SSN

Skysports.com's prediction: Everton 2 West Ham 1
Skybet odds: Everton 4/9, Draw 10/3, West Ham 13/2
One to watch: Louis Saha

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Everton v West Ham
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player

West Ham's record against Everton does not bode well as they look to stop
the rot at Goodison Park on Sunday. The Hammers are in the midst of their
worst Premier League run after last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Stoke which saw
the Upton Park outfit outside the bottom three on goal difference alone and
left boss Gianfranco Zola contemplating his future in East London. After
some deliberation - and a break in Sardinia - the Italian tactician insists
he is determined to fight until the end of the season to save West Ham from
relegation and he will be hoping his players, who were also given three
days' rest during the week, can respond and keep the Hammers in the
top-flight. But Zola's hopes of survival may lie in games further down the
line with West Ham's record against Everton - one win in eight - reading as
ill as their current league form. Worse still for the Hammers is Louis Saha
loves playing against the Irons and has scored five goals in his last three
appearances against the Claret and Blues, not to mention Everton's fine
record on home soil - one defeat in 15 and seven wins on the spin.
Team news
But one blow for Toffees boss David Moyes is that he will be without Dan
Gosling for Sunday's fixture after the midfielder was ruled out for up to
nine months. The England Under-21 international's season is over after he
damaged a cruciate ligament in last week's goalless draw at Wolves. Mikel
Arteta (groin) is also unlikely to return while Joseph Yobo (back) and
Victor Anichebe (rib) are hoping to shake off knocks. Tim Howard (thigh) is
fit enough to play but another player may again have to take goal kicks.

West Ham, meanwhile, could have Jack Collison and James Tomkins back for the
crucial clash at Everton. Collison (knee) and Tomkins (ankle) have been out
since February but both could return, along with Herita Ilunga who is trying
to overcome a knee injury. Kieron Dyer is a doubt after he came off at
half-time against Stoke last week while Guillermo Franco is unavailable as
he recovers from an Achilles injury.

Possible starting XIs

Everton: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Pienaar, Rodwell,
Heitinga, Osman, Cahill, Saha.

West Ham: Green, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Faubert, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Collison, Diamanti, Cole.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make Fulham complaint
Premier League asked to look at team selection for defeat at Hull
Last updated: 2nd April 2010
SSN

The Premier League have received an official complaint from West Ham about
Fulham's team selection against Hull City. The Cottagers made six changes
for last Saturday's Premier League clash at the KC Stadium, which Hull won
2-0. Manager Roy Hodgson then made five changes ahead of Thursday's 2-1 win
over Wolfsburg in the Europa League quarter-finals, with Aaron Hughes,
Dickson Etuhu, Damien Duff, Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora coming back into
the starting line-up. West Ham and Hull are both locked in the Premier
League relegation scrap, and Saturday's win took third-bottom Hull level on
points with the Hammers and boasting a game in hand. Hodgson has already
rejected claims that he has any case to answer, insisting he was simply
using the full depth of his squad. Wolves were hit with a suspended £25,000
fine after manager Mick McCarthy made 10 changes for their defeat at
Manchester United in December as he looked ahead to their home meeting with
Burnley. A Premier League spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have
received an official complaint from West Ham over this matter. "We will now
ask Fulham for their observations and then the Premier League board will
then consider what actions, if any, are appropriate." Premier League rules
state that all teams must field their strongest side available for all
games.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hodgson hits back at Hammers
Cottagers chief has a clear conscience
Last updated: 2nd April 2010
SSN

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has slammed West Ham's claims that he broke Premier
League rules by fielding a weakened team for last week's defeat at Hull
City. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told Sky Sports News that the
relegation-threatened club will make a complaint to the Premier League about
Hodgson's admission that he rested players in the 2-0 loss at the KC Stadium
- a result which brought Hull level with the Hammers on 27 points. Sullivan
will argue that Fulham deserve to be punished in a similar fashion to
Wolves, who were hit with a suspended £25,000 fine for fielding a weakened
side in their defeat at Manchester United. However, Hodgson has defended his
decision to rest a number of key stars ahead of the Europa League
quarter-final with Wolfsburg. "Firstly, I don't think West Ham should be
picking our team and I think that is a fairly obvious statement," said
Hodgson following Thursday's victory over Wolfsburg. If there is a complaint
my conscience is perfectly clear on the subject and as far as I'm concerned
we don't have a case to answer. "In the last game I selected a team
comprising of a defender just sold for £10m (Chris Smalling), a South
African international (Kagisho Dikgacoi), who replaced Danny Murphy and I
replaced Bobby Zamora with Clint Dempsey, a USA centre forward. "I can't
understand why, if you have a large squad, it's not allowed for you to
change things around. I can't imagine anyone questioning Liverpool,
Manchester United or Chelsea for using all the players in their squad."
Fulham face Wigan on Sunday and Hodgson has no plans to change his selection
policy for the visit of Roberto Martinez's side. "We have a good squad with
a strong bench and there are a lot of players I can use and I will pick a
team this weekend best capable of winning the match - as I did when we went
to Hull," added Hodgson.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola - Break a good idea
Hammers boss feels his players will benefit from three days off
Last updated: 1st April 2010
SSN

Gianfranco Zola insists it was a 'good idea' to allow his West Ham United
players time off from the club's battle against relegation. The Hammers
were awarded a three-day break earlier this week on the back of last
Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City, which left Zola's side outside the
drop zone on goal difference. Zola returned to his native Sardinia to
consider his future as manager before determining he is the man to lead West
Ham through the remainder of the season. And the Italian has come out to
defend his decision to give his players a break and is hopeful it will
benefit his squad for the final six games of the campaign. "The three days
off were planned a month ago because we were coming off a busy period and it
was a good idea to give some players some time off," Zola said in the London
Evening Standard. "I know managers who give their players five days off
while the maximum we allow is three days. To be honest this is no one else's
business but mine as manager. "I know what my team need and if I give them a
few days' rest it is because I believe it is the right thing to do. "I went
to Sardinia and while I was there I did an advertisement, if you can call it
that, to highlight the role of the father. "It was an Italian government
project to promote the role of the father in the family because there are
problems in that respect in Italy."
Zola insists he has the backing of his squad and is determined to carry on
as manager despite losing six consecutive games. "I know I have the players
behind me 100% and that is all that matters," said Zola, who takes his side
to Everton on Sunday. "The only time a manager should leave the job is when
he hasn't got the support of the players or if somehow he is not able to do
his job properly."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold living financial nightmare
Blatter also blasts the financial health of the Premier League
Last updated: 1st April 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Gold fears England's top clubs are 'spiralling
downwards towards oblivion'. The Upton Park supremo fears the financial
chaos currently blighting the game will continue to have catastrophic side
effects in the future. Portsmouth are the most high profile club to slip
into administration this season, the first in Premier League history, but
Gold has warned that they will probably not be the last. "It's a complete
nightmare. It's a complete nonsense that's spiralling downwards towards
oblivion," he told Bloomberg. "There's hardly anybody making a profit. How
can that be right? "Competition is good, it drives the world economy. But in
this case what it does is fill the car parks of all the training grounds in
the Premier League with the most incredible array of cars."
The Premier League has, however, insisted that finances overall are
'robust', with a new set of rules implemented in September after being given
the go-ahead by all 20 top-flight sides. A league spokesman said: "The
finances of the Premier League as a whole are robust with long-term
broadcast and commercial rights all up significantly during the worst
recession in living memory. "It is currently the most profitable league in
Europe with an average wage to turnover ratio of 62 per cent. "Financial
sustainability has been brought into focus by the issues facing Portsmouth
FC, but the Premier League clubs have discussed this as a group and voted in
a new set of rules that will help prevent another club over-extending
themselves to the point they cannot meet their liabilities."
While English football battles to balance its books, Fifa president Sepp
Blatter feels more needs to be done to prevent sides from over-spending and
incurring unsustainable debts. He told CNN International: "I think something
is wrong here with the Premier League. To let a club go into administration,
this is not good. "They have two clubs in the Premier League who are not in
debt. Why? Because they have two sponsors and they have taken away the debt.
These clubs are Chelsea and Manchester City. "And all the others even the
big Manchester (United), I think they are just able to pay the interest of
their debt but there are clubs that are not even able to pay the interest of
their debt. This is not correct, this is not good. "And these clubs, why are
they in debt? Because they pay too high salaries to their players, they
spend more money than they have. "In any family in the world you cannot do
that, in any company you cannot do that. And why in football it is possible
because they do not have different laws."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola : Roy right to rest stars
The Sun
Published: 02 Apr 2010

GIANFRANCO ZOLA is on a collision course with his West Ham bosses after
claiming Fulham were RIGHT to field a weakened team against Hull. The
Premier League have received an official complaint from the
relegation-threatened Hammers about Roy Hodgson's decision to rest five key
players for a match which Hull won 2-0. But Zola was not aware it would be
lodged —and his verdict on Hodgson's team selection appears to conflict with
the viewpoint expressed by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
The under-fire Hammers boss said: "As far as I'm concerned a manager can
play his best team." Gold and Sullivan are claiming Hodgson broke Premier
League rules by resting Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron
Hughes and Dickson Etuhu for the match at the KC Stadium last week. The
Tigers' victory allowed Iain Dowie's team to draw level with West Ham on 27
points, leaving Zola's side outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Should the Premier League uphold the complaint, Fulham could find themselves
being hit with a similar penalty to the suspended £25,000 fine handed to
Wolves after Mick McCarthy rested nine players for his side's match at
Manchester United.
When asked for his reaction to the complaint being lodged, Zola —who takes
his side to Everton on Sunday — said: "I just heard about that. I didn't
know it was happening.
"I have no doubts that Roy Hodgson is doing the best for his team. "He's a
person I respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with that. "He
decided to do that and I'm sure he has done the right thing for his club.
"Plus from what I read in the reports Fulham weren't that bad, so I have no
problems with that."
Zola's position at Upton Park appeared in jeopardy when Sullivan decided to
write an open letter to Hammers fans urging them to stick with the team
despite their 'pathetic' performance against Wolves the previous week. The
former Chelsea striker flew back to his native Sardinia to consider his
future following the defeat but decided to carry on as manager despite his
side losing six games in a row. Zola added: "I was delighted to get back.
For me it was tough and very emotional then but that is it now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola defies Sully in Fulham row
The Sun
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: Today

GIANFRANCO ZOLA has risked another row with David Sullivan by supporting
Fulham in their selection bust-up with West Ham. The furious Upton Park boss
said: "As far as I'm concerned a manager can play the best team for his
club." Hammers chiefs made an official complaint - confirmed yesterday by
the Premier League - after Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson fielded a 'weakened'
team and lost 2-0 at struggling Hull last Saturday. But Zola admitted: "I
didn't know it was happening. I've no doubts Roy is doing his best for his
team. "He's a person I respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with
that. "I'm sure he did the right thing for his club." Zola's comments will
not go down well with West Ham's co-owners David Gold and Sullivan, who may
view them as disloyal. The mild-mannered Italian has clashed with the pair
on several occasions since they took control of the ailing club in January.
Hodgson rested several top stars at Hull ahead of their Europa League
quarter-final win over Wolfsburg on Thursday. The Hammers feel that handed
relegation rivals Hull an unfair advantage.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No one tells me what to do
The Sun
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: Today

GIANFRANCO ZOLA insists he knows best after giving his West Ham flops an
early Easter break. The Hammers boss came under fire for giving the players
three days off - even though they are deep in relegation trouble having lost
SIX matches in a row. But Zola hit back: "We played Arsenal, Wolves and
Stoke in seven days. We had another defeat, so I thought it was the best
thing to do to give them a little break. "Plus I'm the manager and I decide.
I spend every day working with the players so I know what the best thing is
to do. "Nobody can tell me what I have to do and I have no regrets."
Italian Zola spent his time off back in his native Sardinia where he
considered his future. But he decided to return to try to haul the Hammers
away from the drop. Zola said: "I never really wanted to leave but Sunday
was tough for me. Really tough, trust me. "Losing to Stoke was very
emotional. Sunday was one of the toughest days I've had as a manager. "But
it didn't last too long because Sardinia can do miracles! I ate and relaxed
- but I'm delighted to be back. I love spending time with the players and
helping them.
"We are very much a unit. Everybody knows we are not doing a very good job
right now. "The players, my staff, myself, everybody. But are we are all
very committed to the cause. I don't like to leave things undone."
The all-new smiling Zola takes his team to Everton tomorrow. He added: "I'm
expecting us to defend well and maybe nick one or two goals on the break."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Time for Zola to become a leader
The Sun
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today

THE First Lady of Football, West Ham vice-chairman and wife of Burton Albion
manager Paul Peschisolido gives the inside story on another harrowing week
for her relegation-threatened club...

Saturday, March 27

A DESPERATE day for my club. Now the rope is really fraying and the drop
awaits us unless we break out of a depressing run of six consecutive defeats
very quickly. I'm not knowledgeable about the finer intricacies of football
but two or three times at St Andrew's we failed with late attempts to dodge
relegation and today West Ham turn in a try-hard, no-luck, performance
typical of a team under pressure. Now's the time for leadership and
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke must provide it. Having sat with them after
the match, I feel they will give it their all. I receive a text from a
neighbouring PL director after the game. 'If your manager gets you out of
this one, forget the Chelsea lounge, you should name your black cat after
him'. I know what he means, but we're not relegated yet. And we won't give
up without a fight.

Sunday, March 28

GOD has something against claret and blue this weekend. Villa were roasted
at Chelsea yesterday and now Burnley experience the kind of a kick in the
tender area (male) you get when you're down in the dumps. Burnley haven't
half the talent at their disposal we have but that's not the point. Martin
Olsson cheats a penalty out of the referee and Blackburn beat their
neighbours. I'd be lying if I said I was sorry. Inevitably, lots of
speculation about Zola's job and what David Sullivan's open letter after the
humbling by Wolves really meant. I'll tell you: It meant he couldn't contain
his frustration and anger. Neither more nor less. He's an open book on his
emotions. And why should he be silent? He and David Gold have just gambled
£50million on a life's dream so they have earned the right to say what they
think. Football has more than its share of mealy-mouthed bores,
silky-tongued frauds and fat-bottomed do-nothings to need some plain
speaking.

Monday, March 29

ON the plane to Dubai I read of the Government's vote-chasing with the
announcement that the Prime Minister, no less, favours fans having a 25 per
cent share of clubs. The idea isn't worth a missing hubcap even in Liverpool
and Manchester at whose fans the idea might well be aimed. Clearing his mind
during three days off in Sardinia, our manager says he'll stay and fight.
Thank god for that.

Tuesday, March 30

WE'RE scouring Dubai for investors and sponsorship in West Ham, which isn't
half as glamorous as it might seem. We'd prefer a few fans in England to
take a substantial shareholding but neither the rich nor a consortium of the
not-so-rich have come forward to put money where their mouths are. So we
search alone. I think I'll write to Gordon Brown telling him what to do with
his 25 per cent plan.

Wednesday, March 31

MEETINGS with Russians, Indians, Chinese and sheikhs out here and the
football-wise among them seem to know as much about me as I do about myself.
During negotiations we meet one of the wives of a sheikh. My eyes are drawn
to the football-sized diamond on her finger. 'You like the ring?' she asks,
seeing me stare. Well, it's very big, I reply. '16 carats. But it comes with
a curse'. A curse? 'Yes. My husband'. Oh dear.

Thursday, April 1

I ADMIT I'm a bad loser. I supported Wolves boss Mick McCarthy in his 10
changes for the visit to Manchester United in the belief that a manager must
be left to choose the team he sees fit. He received a £25,000 suspended fine
and it set a precedent and now I would like to know what the Premier League
is going to do about Roy Hodgson leaving out five of his best players at
Hull where, perhaps crucially in the relegation rough and tumble, they lost.
Roy, that's like throwing stones through your neighbours' window. I won't
mention that Fulham are still suing West Ham for more than £450,000 owner
Mohamed Al Fayed claims we owe them over the Tevez affair, for playing a
player they claim cost them a league position. Sorry, I just did.

Friday, April 2

ALL this sunshine is burnishing my hopes. We couldn't have a harder match
than at Everton on Sunday but it's no good behaving like a little lost boy -
or girl - at times like these.
I know how much our squad likes Zola and they have half-a-dozen chances to
the end of the season to defy the growing feeling among fans along the lines
"Nice guys don't win". But, I've looked into his eyes and seen a burning
determination to crawl out of the predicament we're in. The players are
certainly good enough. So, come on you Irons, in more ways than one.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United complain to Premier League about Fulham team selection
Alex Brodie
The Times

West Ham United have complained to the Premier League over Roy Hodgson's
decision to rest several players for Fulham's Barclays Premier League match
against Hull City last Saturday. The Premier League has confirmed that an
official complaint has been received from the East London club concerning
the match at the KC Stadium in which Fulham left out Bobby Zamora, Danny
Murphy, Aaron Hughes, Dickson Etuhu and Damien Duff. Hull beat Fulham 2-0 to
move level with West Ham on 27 points. Hull are 18th, one place below West
Ham on goal difference, but they have a game in hand. All five players
started the Europa League quarter-final, first leg win against Wolfsburg at
Craven Cottage last night. Duff and Zamora scored in the 2-1 victory over
the German champions.

Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said today that he can understand
Hodgson's side of the argument. Asked about his club's complaint to the
Premier League, the Italian said: "I just heard about that. I didn't know it
was happening. As far as I'm concerned a manager can play his best team. I
have no doubts that Roy Hodgson is doing the best for his team. "He's a
person I respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with that. He
decided to do that and I'm sure he has done the right thing for his club.
Plus, from what I read in the reports, Fulham weren't that bad, so I have no
problems with that." Hodgson for his part believes he and Fulham "have no
case to answer".

"Firstly, I do not think West Ham should be picking our team and I think
that is a fairly obvious statement," Hodgson said. "My conscience is
perfectly clear on the subject. "I can't understand why, if you have a large
squad, it's not allowed for you to change things around. I can't imagine
anyone questioning Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea for using all the
players in their squad."

A Premier League spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received an
official complaint from West Ham over this matter.We will now ask Fulham for
their observations and then the Premier League board will then consider what
actions, if any, are appropriate."

Roberto Martinez, the Wigan Athletic manager, has supported Fulham and
Hodgson and referred to West Ham's complaint as "foolish". "As a manager you
always make decisions that can help your team," he said. "Roy Hodgson and
Fulham have had such a successful season, they know exactly what they have
got behind the scenes and know what they need. "For anyone to criticise
another football club when they are in such outstanding form is very
foolish. Roy Hodgson has got to make the decisions to help his team achieve
their aims for the season."

Fulham are suing West Ham for £500,000, the loss of their league position
bonus three seasons ago after Carlos Tevez's goals helped keep West Ham up
and finish a place above Fulham in the Premier League. The Premier League
fined West Ham £5.5 million in April 2007 for breaking its rules on
third-party agreements over the deals which brought Tevez and Javier
Mascherano to Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola's honesty makes strong case for the Fulham defence
The Times
Zola has much to contemplate but he has expressed no grievance with the
Fulham side beaten at Hull City last week
Gary Jacob, Russell Kempson

The complaint made by West Ham United that Fulham fielded a weakened side on
Saturday was undermined by Gianfranco Zola last night. The manager said that
he had no grievance with Roy Hodgson's selection in his team's 2-0 defeat at
the KC Stadium last week, which put Hull City level on points with West Ham.
The Premier League has written to Fulham to ask for their observations after
they changed six players, including Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy and Damien
Duff, for the match. Five of the six returned for the 2-1 home win against
Wolfsburg in the Europa League quarter-final, first leg on Thursday. Hodgson
said: "We have no case to answer."

Zola's honest appraisal will put further strain on his relationship with
David Sullivan, the West Ham co-chairman, who was behind the complaint.
Zola's only concern was obtaining sufficient points to stay up. "I am sure
that he [Hodgson] did the right thing," Zola said. "Plus I read the reports
and Fulham were not that bad. So, no problems at all."

The League could fine Fulham, if found guilty, but it will not impose a
points penalty, which would be of no benefit to West Ham. The League handed
Wolverhampton Wanderers a suspended £25,000 fine when they rested ten
players for the league defeat away to Manchester United in December.
However, the motives for those changes were different because Wolves thought
that even their best team would lose. While Zola feels that the complaint
could give Fulham extra motivation when they meet at Craven Cottage in West
Ham's penultimate match on May 1, he said: "I'm not going to tell you
whether it's going to be spicy or not."

The Italian received messages of support after contemplating his future at
the club last weekend. "I don't like to leave things behind me that are not
completed," he said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton boss David Moyes laments lack of firepower
Published 06:00 03/04/10 By David Maddock
The Mirror

Everton boss David Moyes has revealed his frustration at the lack of deadly
firepower that has derailed his side's season. The Blues have actually
scored more goals already this term that they did during the last campaign.
But too often in recent weeks their late push for fourth place has been
knocked back by a profligacy in front of goal that has cost them vital
points. Everton lost at Spurs when they missed simple chances, then dropped
points at Birmingham and Wolves despite creating the sort of opportunities
that should have comfortably secured victories. Had those points been taken
then the Goodison club would probably be favourites now for a Champions'
League place, given their incredible overall form since the turn of the
year. But their manager believes that a lack of clinical finishing is one of
the problems that comes with a lack of financial muscle, and is something
Everton will always have to deal with. "It's a fact that it is the
goalscorers who cost the big money because it is goals that carry such a
premium, and the big clubs can buy the best," Moyes said. "We've got
goalscorers, Yakubu and Louis Saha have made a good contribution, and we
also have Cahill and Fellaini who get into double figures. "There have been
times though that we would have liked someone to come along and get us the
goal in the big games when it really matters, and maybe that's cost us a
little.
"As a manager you'd like someone who gets you 20-30 goals a season, because
that means they are scoring virtually every week. But you also want someone
who can pop up with the vital goal in the big games. "There is a difference
between the two types, and ideally you'd want both, but they're out of reach
of most clubs, because of the cost." The Blues entertain West Ham this
afternoon still hoping to string together a run of victories that will
secure a European place. And Moyes has faith in his two centre forwards to
come good and provide the goals that will help in that quest. Yakubu has
struggled since returning from the same ruptured Achilles injury that could
end David Beckham's career, and Saha has long-standing injury problems. But
the manager said: "They have both shown they are top quality strikers when
they're fully fit, and I think we have to give both a chance to come through
for us. "Yak had a terrible injury and he has found it hard to come back
from that. Some days in training he still looks like he's suffering, but he
has got a future here still with us. "We have got to give him a chance to
get back to the level he had before the injury, when he was a match for
anyone. Both he and Louis have got the ability, and we don't necessarily
have to go out and look to spend big money on strikers." Moyes has his
familiar injury problems for tomorrow's game, with Dan Gosling, Joseph Yobo
and Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe all out.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hull will capitalise on West Ham's crisis, claims Craig Fagan
Published 23:00 02/04/10 By David Anderson
The Mirror

Hull's Craig Fagan claims the Tigers are revelling in the crisis gripping
West Ham. Last season Hull benefited from Newcastle's implosion to stagger
over the finishing line to secure safety on the final day. And 11 months on,
they believe they can capitalise on West Ham's woes to pull off another
great escape. Hull's win over Fulham's weakened team, which has so angered
West Ham, lifted them level with Gianfranco Zola?s shellshocked side and
Fagan says the spotlight is focused on Upton Park. The forward says this is
a huge boost for Iain Dowie's side as they attempt to register their first
away win in 13 months at Stoke today. "The situation West Ham are in takes
the pressure off us," he said. "They're a massive club and people are
directing attention at them because of that. "That's good for us because it
lets us get on with our business and hopefully get ourselves out of it. "A
lot of people will have been counting us out of it and saying we were down
not too long ago. "A point at Stoke would be a good point away from home and
it would bring a lot of teams back in it around us. "There are teams above
us, who thought they might have been out of it a week ago, but even the
teams on 35 points are looking over their shoulders now. "To them it was
done and dusted but we know we can go out there and surprise a few people.?
Dowie also has West Ham in his sights, even though they were his boyhood
club. "My dad used to take me there when I was growing up and I played for
them too," he said. "But we're level on points with them and we want to try
and get ahead of them." Dowie has given the Tigers a real lift since taking
over two-and-a-half weeks ago and he has injected some self-belief into the
players with his positive, hands-on-approach He is also working them harder
in training than they did under the maverick Phil Brown and Fagan admits
some of his team-mates have found this a shock. "The training sessions are
fitness based so it's not something that bothers me," he said."I can
understand why some lads might have said it's a shock to the system, though.
"He's been very positive and you can tell that he's enthusiastic about
managing again. "That attitude has passed on to the lads and every day
training has been exciting. He's out on the training pitch taking whole
sessions on his own and that's something we hadn't seen for a while. Maybe
that freshness was what we needed.
"I'm not going to dig anyone out and say it had gone stagnant, but a new
manager always brings a new face and new ideas."

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Zola deepens rift with owners by backing Fulham team selection
Published 23:00 02/04/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror

Gianfranco Zola last night insisted he has ­unfinished business at Upton
Park after returning refreshed to the relegation battle from a break in
Sardinia. The West Ham boss considered quitting last weekend after his
team's record sixth ­successive Premier League defeat. And after infuriating
the new Irons regime, he took another step towards the post-season exit door
yesterday by undermining the club's appeal against Fulham playing a weakened
team at Hull when the Tigers won 2-0 to move level on points with West Ham
with a game in hand. Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Everton, Zola said: "I just
learnt that. I didn't know it was happening. "I have no doubts Roy Hodgson
is doing his best for his team – I have no complaints with that. "He decided
to do that and I'm sure he did the right thing for his club. "Plus I read
the reports and I think Fulham were on top, so it's no problem. "I want to
be successful on the pitch and that is my only concern. I like to get my
points on the pitch by playing and beating the ­opposition."
Zola's stance will do nothing to ease the tension between the football
management team and joint-chairman David Sullivan. With the Premier League
likely to dismiss the case, the only effect will be to add spice to their
May 1 visit to Craven Cottage. "Maybe, we will see," said Zola. "But
hopefully when we get to that game, we'll have more points than we have
right now."
He insisted a couple of days back home in the sun and the backing of his
players convinced him to stay on – for now, at least. "I never wanted to
leave, to be honest, but the Sunday was really tough for me," admitted Zola.
"It was tough because the players were feeling so down. That's why it was
very emotional but it didn't last very long. Sardinia can do me the world of
good. "I'm here, I'm delighted to be here, working with the players. I love
spending my time with the players and helping them. We are up for the
challenge."
But it is difficult to believe West Ham, who have not won away since the
opening day of the season, can beat Everton and begin their ­resurrection
tomorrow. While David Moyes' side have won seven straight at home, the
Hammers have picked up only nine points from 12 matches to slide to the edge
of the relegation zone. "Surprises can happen," said Zola, "that's what I am
looking for." He went back to coaching school last week to spend time on his
UEFA A licence course. Zola is being allowed to work in the Premier League
as he is in the process of sitting exams and hopes to pass this year.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Has Zola Poured Oil on Troubled Waters?
West Ham Till I Die

Zola has been reported as publicly expressing sympathy with Roy Hodgson and
stating that the Fulham XI selected against Hull City did not massively
under perform and therefore that it was not a problem. This is clearly at
odds with the club's official position, presumably formulated at board
level, which has allegedly resulted in the club complaining to the PL that
Fulham deliberately fielded an under-strength team in a PL fixture.

Zola seems to indicate that he was not consulted on the decision to complain
to the PL, which is surprising to say that least. As such, perhaps he does
not feel duty bound to uphold the club line on this matter. He quite
correctly and sensibly states that his priority is to win points on the
field of play, but would he have been better advised to have avoided being
pinned down on the issue? Would he have been wiser to side step press
questions, rather than place himself in a position where he is once again at
odds with the club's owners? We really do not need any more off-field
conflict that distracts from the efforts of Zola and Clarke to prepare the
team for the challenge that lies ahead over the next six matches.

The complaint is probably a manoeuvre to ensure that teams, higher up the
table, think carefully before fielding weakened sides in matches that impact
upon the relegation zone. However, could it eventually backfire against
us, notably when we play Fulham at Craven Cottage in the run-in? Perhaps,
but I must admit that one of the things that has always irritated me about
the conclusion of 2006-07 is the way in which Fulham clearly benefited from
Liverpool fielding of a much weakened side in the match that season at
Fulham. Victory that in that game virtually guaranteed Fulham's PL safety.
Yet, they had the bare face cheek to chase us for compensation for
eventually finishing one place below us in the final PL table!

Unsubstantiated reports suggest that Illunga and Collison may return from
injury on Sunday to reinforce our left flank. If so, that would be a
welcome development for the run-in. There will undoubtedly be question
marks over both players in terms of match fitness and form, but one feels
that their inclusion can only help improve balance of the team.

I see that West Ham have announced that they will release eight youth
players this summer. It has been reported in some places as further
evidence of the club's cost cutting, but in fact it is just part of the
annual process of releasing prospects that the Academy do not think will
progress to impact at first team level and freeing up space for the
potential others coming through.

The biggest name is Bondz Ngala, who is a young player that has been spoken
of highly in the past. Ngala's prime attributes as a centre back are
strength, leadership and good, no nonsense defending. Perhaps choices
needed to be made and it was felt that the likes of Spence, Eyjolfsson and
Fry had the better technique and defensive tools to potentially succeed at
PL level? Regardless, there will be no shortage of Championship or Division
One teams prepared to take a gamble on him. Not least Plymouth, who
currently have him on loan and appear keen to sign him on a permanent deal
in the summer.

However, the one name that really surprised me was the inclusion of Danny
Kerns? I have seen this young right sided midfielder play on a number of
occassions and have always been impressed by him. The likes of Charlton,
Millwall or Orient should give this lad another chance, he could well come
up trumps for them?

I will always remember watching a TV documentary on Bobby Robson and Ipswich
Town many years ago. In that programme, we saw Bobby working with Town's
youth prospects and, in one particular segment, informing some youngsters of
his decision to let them go. He made the telling observation that First
Division (as the top division was then) clubs needed to make tough decisions
on young players, because if a club retains players of second or third
division quality, it would be a contributing factor in the club eventually
finding itself in the second or third division!

Now times have most definitely changed and, it is true, that we, as a club,
do seem to struggle to stay in the PL with proven internationals and
outstanding youth prospects in our squad! But the principle probably still
remains the same, the club needs be hard headed in the decisions that it
makes about the youth players, so that the emphasis is firmly upon retaining
the 'creme de la creme.'

However, clubs do undoubtedly make mistakes and rejected youth players
sometimes go on to have first class careers elsewhere (i.e. Alan Devonshire
after being rejected at Crystal Palace or Stuart Pearce at Coventry City).
Personally, I think that along with any recommendations and other
assistance that they provide, the club should give exiting youth players a
photograph of Ray Houghton as inspiration and evidence that the club can
make big mistakes and there are occasionally other routes to the very top
after rejection from the Academy!

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Looking Cheap
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham have submitted a formal complaint to the Premier League about
Fulham's lineup against Hull, when they rested five senior plauers in
advance of the Europa League game last night. I'm not sure I agree with
complaining to the Premier League about another team's selection. Are we
really saying that if West Ham were in the same position as Fulham that we
wouldn't have done the same? Of course we would. Complaining in this way
makes us look cheap and we shouldn't have gone down this road.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes urges West Ham owners to leave Gianfranco Zola alone
Scot backs under-pressure Italian before visit to Goodison
'Sullivan is entitled to have his say but it doesn't help'
Andy Hunter and Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Friday 2 April 2010 22.30 BST

David Moyes has said Gianfranco Zola requires support not interference from
the West Ham United board as he looks to increase the pressure on the
beleaguered Italian on Sunday. The Everton manager also believes stability
at Goodison Park and elsewhere offers a pertinent lesson to Zola's employers
in the midst of their struggle for Premier League survival.

Zola has failed to back West Ham's official protest against Fulham by saying
he has "no complaint" against the team Roy Hodgson fielded against Hull City
last weekend. The Italian's stance threatens to widen the fracture with
David Gold and David Sullivan, the Hammers' co-owners, following the
latter's public outburst against the players' performance 10 days ago, after
the 3-1 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Upton Park.

Zola said he had not been consulted over the decision to lodge an appeal
with the Premier League, which received the official notice today.

"I just learnt that," he said. "I didn't know it was happening. I have no
doubts that Roy Hodgson is doing his best for his team. He's a person that I
respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with that. He decided to do
that and I'm sure he did the right thing for his club. Plus, I read the
reports and I think Fulham were not that bad, so it's no problem.

"I want to be successful on the pitch and that's my only concern. I like to
get my points on the pitch by playing and beating the opposition."

Zola returned home to Sardinia to consider his future last weekend after a
sixth successive league defeat. West Ham are level on points with
third-bottom Hull, having played one game more. Sullivan's criticism after
the defeat by Wolves intensified the spotlight on Zola's position and Moyes,
himself no stranger to difficult times during his early years at Everton,
believes the comments have complicated the West Ham manager's task at a
critical juncture.

"He [Sullivan] is entitled to have his say because he owns the club but I
don't necessarily think it helps," said the Everton manager, who is seeking
an eighth consecutive home league win on Sunday. "This is a difficult time
with only a few games to go and managers need support and help. I think it
is better to say things like that behind closed doors. Players can sometimes
jump on things like that [Sullivan's apology on the West Ham website after
the Wolves game] when they want to hear it from their manager. I'm sure
Gianfranco would like to get on with his job without too much interference."

Moyes admitted the trust between a manager and his board "has to be earned"
but cited his situation and Sir Alex Ferguson's at Manchester United as two
examples of how a chairman's support can reap dividends. He said: "It is up
to the manager to pick players back up after a defeat. I've lost a lot of
games and not felt good but I've always had great backing from Bill
Kenwright here. What you need at times like that is a chairman to give you
the encouragement and the positivity to get back up.

"Sir Alex has always said he is in control of the football club at
Manchester United and I am fortunate in that I've got control over what goes
on at Everton. That might not be the way for every club to go forward but it
is the right way for us."

West Ham's prospects of survival rest on how they can negotiate a difficult
run-in, which also includes trips to Liverpool and Fulham. While Zola said
he was unsure whether the latter game is "going to be spicy or not" due to
the complaint, the Fulham striker Bobby Zamora said he hopes the club can
win a first ever European trophy, while continuing to accrue points.

Zamora scored the opening goal — his 18th of the season — in Fulham's 2-1
Europa Cup quarter-final, first-leg win against Wolfsburg yesterday. He
said: "If we can win the Europa Cup and finish on 42 points we'll take that
all day long. I am desperate to score. I want to play, I want to score
goals." Fulham host Wigan .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton v WEST HAM: James Tomkins and Jack Collison may return to boost
Gianfranco Zola
Last updated at 3:53 PM on 02nd April 2010
Daily Mail

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could have Jack Collison and James Tomkins
back for Sunday's crucial Barclays Premier League clash at Everton. Collison
(knee) and Tomkins (ankle) have been out since February but both could
return, along with Herita Ilunga who is trying to overcome a knee injury.
Kieron Dyer is a doubt after he came off at half-time against Stoke last
week while Guillermo Franco is unavailable as he recovers from an Achilles
injury.

Team (from): Green, Daprela, Upson, Gabbidon, Collins, Tomkins, Behrami,
Parker, Kovac, Faubert, Cole, Diamanti, McCarthy, Stech, Spector, Stanislas,
Noble, Ilan, Mido, Da Costa, Dyer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ZOLA EXIT AT HAMMERS IS NAILED ON
ABOVE: Zola has no future at Upton Park 3rd April 2010 By Paul Merson
Daily Star

I'M very shocked that Gianfranco Zola is still in a job. Don't get me wrong,
I hate to see a manager – or anyone for that matter – lose their job. But
Zola should count himself lucky to still be West Ham manager after last
weekend's defeat against Stoke. I was surprised he wasn't sacked after they
lost 3-1 at home to Wolves. But then they lose to Stoke last Saturday and he
still isn't sacked. I really couldn't believe it. Zola won't resign so the
Hammers owners could have a big decision to make soon. The good thing for
Zola is that he doesn't have to win too many games to ensure West Ham don't
get relegated. Portsmouth are as good as down and Burnley and Hull aren't
great – and I think that will be West Ham's saviour. But I don't necessarily
think staying in the Premier League will save Zola's job. I don't expect him
to be manager at the start of next season so why is he there now? I'm a
massive fan of Zola. He is one of the best foreigners ever to play over here
together with Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp. But I can't help but think
he is on borrowed time at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FC Twente coach McClaren wanted by West Ham
03.04.10 | tribalfootball.com

FC Twente coach Steve McClaren remains a favorite for West Ham United's
owners. The Telegraph says Gianfranco Zola is now expected to remain in
charge of West Ham United until the end of the season. McClaren would have
to turn his back on Champions League football at Twente to return home.
McClaren also knows that his stock is continuing to grow at Twente and there
may be some nervousness at joining West Ham given the club's financial state
and the clear indications that the likes of Robert Green, Matthew Upson and
Valon Behrami are to leave at the end of the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clarke in frame to succeed Zola at West Ham
03.04.10 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United assistant manager Steve Clarke is in the frame to succeed
Gianfranco Zola in the summer. The Telegraph says Zola is now expected to
remain in charge of West Ham United until the end of the season with the
club understood to be considering appointing his assistant Clarke as the new
manager in the summer. The Scot has also made no secret that he would also
like the opportunity to manage a club, rather than be an assistant, and this
was part of his motivation for joining West Ham from Chelsea.
He earns £900,000 a year, a high salary for an assistant, but one which also
reflects the fact that he has greater duties than are usually associated
with the role. West Ham's co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, who
have a controlling 50 per cent interest in the club, are therefore pondering
whether to give Clarke the opportunity to stake a claim.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chief Brady defends Sullivan over angry letter fallout
03.04.10 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United chief Karren Brady has defended co-owner David Sullivan's
scathing open letter to fans after their defeat to Wolves last week.
Sullivan's attack on the players drew major criticism, including from
manager Gianfranco Zola and skipper Matthew Upson. But in her diary for The
Sun, Karren insisted: "Inevitably, lots of speculation about Zola's job and
what David Sullivan's open letter after the humbling by Wolves really meant.
"I'll tell you: It meant he couldn't contain his frustration and anger.
Neither more nor less. "He's an open book on his emotions. And why should he
be silent? He and David Gold have just gambled £50million on a life's dream
so they have earned the right to say what they think. "Football has more
than its share of mealy-mouthed bores, silky-tongued frauds and fat-bottomed
do-nothings to need some plain speaking."

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