WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's FA Cup third-round
date with Barnsley
07.01.2011
FA Cup third round
West Ham United v Barnsley
Saturday 8 January 2011
3pm
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Championship side Barnsley to the Boleyn Ground as
they begin their challenge for the FA Cup. The teams last met in the same
round of the same competition two years ago - on 3 January 2009. The Hammers
won 3-0 that day.
• Tickets are pay on the day with the Hammers making all seats just £10 for
kids and £15 for adults. Season ticket holders get an extra £5 off. Click
here to buy.
• Both teams went out in the third-round last season, the Hammers to Arsenal
and the Tykes to Scunthorpe United.
• West Ham have won the FA Cup three times in their history - in 1964, 1975
and 1980 and finished as runners-up twice - in 1923 and 2006.
• Barnsley have won the FA Cup once - in 1912 - and were runners-up in 1910.
• The pair have met on one previous occasion prior to 2009 in the FA Cup.
Barnsley won a fourth round tie 4-1 at Oakwell on 24 January 1993. Striker
Andy Liddell struck a hat-trick for the Tykes, while Trevor Morley scored
the Hammers' consolation in a game notable for freezing temperatures and a
mid-match snow storm.
• West Ham have not lost at home to Barnsley since the Yorkshire club's 5-2
win in the League Cup second round second leg on 6 October 1987. The Hammers
had taken a 2-0 lead through current first-team coach Kevin Keen and Stewart
Robson, only for the Tykes to hit back through two Steve Agnew goals and
score three times more in extra-time.
• Barnsley have won just twice in 27 attempts against West Ham at the Boleyn
Ground. Aside from the aforementioned League Cup tie, the Tykes secured
their only other success in east London by way of a 2-0 victory on 8
September 1919.
• Barnsley reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008, beating Blackpool,
Southend United, Liverpool and Chelsea before going down 1-0 to Cardiff City
at Wembley in the last-four.
• That win against Chelsea on 8 March 2008, was against a team managed by
Avram Grant - who would bounce back to take the Blues to within a spot-kick
of winning the UEFA Champions League. Kaye Odejayi scored the only goal in
the 66th minute.
• Barnsley won their first game in four matches with a defeat of Coventry
City on Monday but have failed to win away since a road success at Ipswich
Town on 13 November.
• West Ham return to Carling Cup action on Tuesday night with the semi-final
first leg against Birmingham City at the Boleyn Ground, kick-off is at
7.45pm.
• Should the match finish level after 90 minutes, a replay will be held at
Oakwell on Tuesday 19 January. The fourth-round draw is on ESPN on Sunday
afternoon.
Team news
• Manager Avram Grant is definitely without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh),
Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle). None are expected to
return before February at the earliest. Goalkeeper Peter Kurucz (knee) is
not expected to play at all this season.
• Herita Ilunga (hamstring), Kieron Dyer (thigh), Benni McCarthy (calf) and
Junior Stanislas are suffering with muscle problems that will keep them out.
• Lars Jacobsen is back in full training having been kept out with a
troublesome heel since the Wigan Athletic match on 27 November. Fellow
defender Matt Fry has extended his loan at Charlton Athletic for another
month, although is cup-tied for the Hammers in the FA Cup.
• Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth after his loan spell.
• The likes of Ruud Boffin, Jordan Spence, Zavon Hines, Anthony Edgar and
Frank Nouble could all be pushing for inclusion with Avram Grant set to give
at least two youngsters a chance. Left-back Jordan Brown will be absent with
a thigh injury.
• Barnsley can play on-loan defender Matt Hill after being granted
permission by Wolverhampton Wanderers. Scotland striker Garry O'Connor
should begin in attack ahead of Andy Gray, with former Liverpool trainee
Adam Hammill likely to overcome a knock and feature on the wing.
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Lancashire-born official Neil Swarbrick.
• Swarbrick usually takes charge of matches in the Football League as a
member of the National List, as he has yet to make the step up to the Select
Group who control Barclays Premier League matches.
• Among the matches that Swarbrick has taken charge of this season were two
Championship fixtures involving Barnsley.
• On 14 August, he was the man in the middle for the Tykes' 1-0 home league
victory over Crystal Palace, while he was also the referee for the 2-0
defeat by Leicester City at Oakwell on 6 November.
• Last season, Swarbrick took charge of the League One play-off semi-final
second leg between Charlton Athletic and Swindon Town at The Valley, when
West Ham United youngsters Matt Fry and Frank Nouble were both among the
substitutes.
• In the FA Cup, Swarbrick was the referee for one of the largest upsets in
recent years, when British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division
side Chasetown defeated Port Vale to reach the third round in December 2007.
Last time out
Barclays Premier League
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham United
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Ben Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac (Behrami
45), Noble (Hines 71) , Piquionne (Obinna 45) , Cole, Sears
Subs not used: Boffin, Spector, Reid, Barrera
nPower Championship
Monday 3 January 2011
Barnsley 2-1 Coventry City
Barnsley: Steele, Foster, Shackell, Hassell, Hill, Trippier, Doyle, Lovre
(Gray 76), Hammill, Arismendi, O'Connor (Butterfield 83)
Subs not used: Preece, O'Brien, Colace, Morales, Bennett
Goasl: Doyle 4, Lovre 57
Background
• West Ham United and Barnsley face one another for the first time since 3
January 2009, when the Hammers ran out 3-0 winners. The goals came from
Herita Ilunga (10), Mark Noble (39pen) and Carlton Cole (68)
• The lineups that day were:
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Tomkins, Ilunga, Collison (Dyer 70) ,
Noble, Mullins, Boa Morte (Etherington 66) , Bellamy, Cole (Tristan 75)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Spector, Bowyer, Di Michele
Barnsley: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Guedes, Van Homoet, Campbell-Ryce,
Colace, Leon (Butterfield 89), El Haimour, Odejayi (Coulson 86), Rigters
(Adam 86)
Subs not used: Steele, Mostto, Potter, Heslop
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
3 January 2009 - West Ham United 3-0 Barnsley
10 January 1998 - West Ham United 6-0 Barnsley
9 August 1997 - Barnsley 1-2 West Ham United
6 February 1993 - West Ham United 1-1 Barnsley
24 January 1993 - Barnsley 4-1 West Ham United (FA Cup Fourth Round)
16 August 1992 - Barnsley 0-1 West Ham United
Overall record v Barnsley (all competitions): W 29, D 14, L 9
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here.
Weather
The forecast is for showers with temperatures in east London peaking a 9C.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
Having reflected further on the midweek loss, Avram Grant said the squad
were galvanised to bounce back on Saturday
07.01.2011
The manager faced the press on Friday ahead of the FA Cup third-round tie
and spoke at length about the determination in the camp to make amends for
the midweek setback at Newcastle United. The manager will blood some new
faces against Barnsley but said he would be going all out for the victory.
Avram on the team putting the midweek defeat behind them against Barnsley...
Like I said, the game was not good, everything Newcastle did went well,
Robert Green could not make any saves for the goals because they finished
very well. We didn't play well at all. Because we had done well in the
previous four games, it was even more disappointing since we felt that we
were doing the right things before. I must say that from time to time it
happens. It happened to us against Liverpool and then the reaction was very
good and I hope it will be the same against Barnsley. Less than one week
ago, people said we were very good and in the right way because we were up
to 15th. After three days you say that we are not good. We didn't think we
were heroes before and we don't think the opposite now. We know our position
and what we have to do.
We had a very good Christmas, we did it in the right way. One game will not
stop our ambitions. Remember we are only two points from 14th and only five
points from eleventh.
Avram on his future…
I don't have anything to say about this, I am used to it almost from the day
when I arrive. I need to do my job, the other things are not my area.
In football many people say that you are as good as your last result but we
know what we are doing. In the last five games we drew two and we won two,
one of them with Fulham away which is a very difficult place to play. We won
a six-pointer against Wolves and then came the Newcastle defeat. We are not
analysing only one game, we are analysing the whole situation and there are
at least ten teams more or less in the same position.
Avram on press speculation...
For me it is like any job. It only matters what your boss is telling you and
not what other people are telling you. I have a good relationship with the
owners here, one of them was here today and we are only concentrating on how
we can make our squad stronger and not other things.
Avram on the importance of Saturday's match…
Our first priority is the league and of course we have reached the
semi-finals of the Carling Cup after winning at Sunderland away, Stoke at
home and of course against Man United, the only game that they lost this
season. We are very pleased to be in the semi-finals and we want to continue
with our form on Tuesday. That will be an important match for us. Despite
all what is happening we are continuing with our vision and against Barnsley
you are going to see other two young players who are the future of the club.
We are going to play as the other matches, to win.
Avram on fan backing…
The fans are great. I must say that. They are doing well behind us. It is
not easy when you want to give the fans reason to be happy. What they saw at
Newcastle was not good. Of course they were not happy and neither were we. I
think 700 travelled up there and they were brilliant. We are doing
everything to make them happy. We wanted a different result and we to
perform well but it didn't happen.
Avram on transfer rumours...
I cannot answer about players. I did a mistake and I answered about a deal
when we didn't finish it. We know and everyone knows we need a stronger
squad. We have some long-term injuries. We will do everything to make the
squad stronger..
Avram on coping with the pressure…
I knew what business I am in from the first moment. I really think that when
you sign the manager, you sign a philosophy. We know what our vision is for
the long and short-term. We need to do our job. Against Barnsley, it is a
cup game and we want to win. We want to continue our project to let young
players play. They will play, we will be behind them and I am sure they will
do their best.
We need to stick together. I am very happy with the reaction of the
supporters and the players. This is what is important, what we do on the
pitch.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sharing the Olympic dream
WHUFC.com
Saturday's FA Cup match with Barnsley will show the club's commitment to
healthy living
07.01.2011
West Ham United are delighted to be honouring the Newham-Barnsley
Partnership once again at Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie. The special
bond between the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the London
Borough of Newham was launched back in October 2008, with the establishing
of a groundbreaking sporting and cultural partnership.The club will welcome
the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales and Cllr Steve Houghton and Cllr Joe
Hayward from Barnsley. With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
acting as a catalyst, the boroughs are working together in an exciting
pioneering project with a focus on sharing expertise across a wide range of
fields, including sport, culture, volunteering, health and enterprise. On
Saturday, children from Greenacre School and the Fit Reds project will join
youngsters from John F Kennedy School in Newham for half-time activities on
the pitch. They will engage in relay runs and exercise programmes. There
will also be coaching for wheelchair players who attend schools in both
areas.
Mick King, Chief Executive of the West Ham United Community Sports Trust,
said: "The Newham-Barnsley Partnership is a unique approach to bringing our
two communities together and just one exciting way that we are using the
London 2012 Olympic Games to inspire the kids in Newham, in Barnsley and
right across the country. "We hope all the supporters will give them a big
round of applause as they make their way on to the pitch. It is an excellent
example of using football as a vehicle to bring people together and promote
healthy lifestyles."
The link-up with Barnsley is also helping to promote the club's Men's Health
Project, with a recent visit to Yorkshire including a match at Oakwell.
By supporting men to take part in physical activity within a football
environment, the Trust are able to engage men that would not usually access
health services or take the time to consider the need for good health,
physical activity and general wellbeing. It is the second time the
partnership has been honoured. When the Hammers played the Tykes in the same
round of the cup in 2009, children from both areas took part in a penalty
shoot-out on the pitch. Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: "This
partnership is showing how a sustainable Olympic legacy can be created
throughout the country."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant defiant over future as West Ham manager
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant says he will not alter his approach despite
intense speculation over his future. His position is under scrutiny once
again, with the Hammers back at the bottom of the Premier League after their
5-0 thrashing at Newcastle. But Grant said: "Despite all that has happened,
we will continue with our vision. My way will stay the same way. I will not
change." "To live in this club is to live with the rumours," added the
Israeli. "It is a matter of what your boss is telling you and I have a good
relationship with the owners [David Sullivan and David Gold]. "I don't think
they are shy guys to tell me something else. "When you sign a manager, you
sign up to a philosophy and you have to know what you are doing. In this
club, we know what we are doing, we know our vision for the short and long
term."
Gold met with Grant at West Ham's training ground on Friday ahead of the FA
Cup third-round tie against Barnsley, and the manager said their
conversation was about strengthening the squad. A new striker and a
left-back are top of Grant's priority list - and he admitted West Ham will
struggle to escape the relegation dogfight without new recruits. "Everybody
is aware of the financial situation. The owners took over the club in more
than £100m of debt and they are doing everything to deal with this," he
said. "We need a stronger squad. We have a lot of long-term injuries and we
will do everything to make the squad stronger because we need it, otherwise
it will not be easy to continue like this."
Grant said he was surprised by the renewed speculation over his future
following the Newcastle defeat, given that West Ham had picked up eight
points from a possible 12 over Christmas and the new year. "They say you are
only as good as your last result but in our last five games we drew two and
we won two," he said. "You have to analyse the whole situation and the
owners are happy." West Ham's FA Cup home tie against Barnsley is followed
on Tuesday by the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against
Birmingham, which is also being played at Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Barnsley
BBC.co.uk
FA Cup third round
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 8 January Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score
TEAM NEWS
West Ham manager Avram Grant looks sure to shuffle his team for the FA Cup
visit of Barnsley as he concentrates on his side's current relegation
battle.
Zavon Hines and Jordan Spence are likely to feature, as is Mark Noble who is
fit again after a hip injury. Barnsley's on-loan defender Matt Hill has been
given permission to play in the match by parent club Wolves. Garry O'Connor
is expected to keep Andy Gray on the bench and Adam Hammill will shake off a
knock to start.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The tie in context
• Barnsley are one of five Championship clubs that will have to at least
match a Premier League club away from home in the third round, to maintain
their interest in the FA Cup.
Gulf in class
• West Ham are 16 places superior to Barnsley on the league ladder.
Head-to-head
• West Ham are looking for a fourth successive win over Barnsley in league
and cup.
• The most recent two victories were at Upton Park, in the Premier League in
January 1998, and in the FA Cup in 2009. The two games resulted in a 9-0
aggregate win for the Hammers.
• Barnsley last beat the East London club in January 1993, also in the FA
Cup.
FA Cup records and best performances
• This is only the third time these clubs have been drawn to meet in the
competition.
• Barnsley won the original meeting, 4-1 in the fourth round at the Oakwell
Ground, in January 1993.
• The Hammers avenged that with a 3-0 third round triumph at Upton Park in
January 2009.
The clubs
WEST HAM UNITED
Current form
• Lost 5-0, away to Newcastle, last time out on Wednesday.
• That defeat ended a four-game unbeaten sequence.
• This is the first of back-to-back cup ties. On Tuesday, they entertain
Birmingham in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-finals.
FA Cup form
• It is 31 years since Trevor Brooking's famous header that won the cup for
West Ham for the third time in their history.
• Been knocked out in the third round in two of the four years since
finishing runners-up in 2006.
• Tranmere were the last lower division club to eliminate them in the third
round in December 1999.
BARNSLEY
Current form
• Beat Coventry on Monday; their first win in four.
• Not won on the road since the trip to Ipswich on 13 November.
FA Cup form
• Not won a tie since reaching the semi-finals in 2008.
• Lost in the third round to Scunthorpe last season, and defeated at the
same stage by West Ham in the previous year.
• Chelsea were the last Premier League club the Tykes have ousted; 1-0 at
home in the quarter-final on 8 March 2008.
Replay date
Tuesday, 18 January 2011 (Kick off: 1945 GMT)
Match officials
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)
Assistant referees: Stuart Burt and Sian Massey
Fourth official: Darren Deadman
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant unconcerned by sack rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant has shrugged off intensifying rumours regarding his future at
West Ham.
The club's 13th full-time manager, who has been in the Boleyn hot-seat for
just six months is under pressure follows the club's disastrous first half
of the 2010/11 season, in which his team have managed to secure just four
wins from 22 games.
To add to his woes, a series of recent fans' polls have overwhelmingly
supported Grant's removal. Yet the Israeli remains confident - in public, at
least - that he can still save the club's season.
"We are not analysing only one game, we are analysing the whole situation -
and there are at least ten teams more or less in the same position," he said
today during the Barnsley pre-match press conference.
"In football many people say that you are as good as your last result but we
know what we are doing. In the last five games we drew two and we won two,
one of them with Fulham away which is a very difficult place to play. We won
a six-pointer against Wolves and then came the Newcastle defeat."
Referring to a question regarding his own future, he continued: "I don't
have anything to say about this - I am used to it almost from the day I
arrived. I need to do my job, the other things are not my area.
"For me it is like any job. It only matters what your boss is telling you
and not what other people are telling you. I have a good relationship with
the owners and we are only concentrating on how we can make our squad
stronger, and not other things."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Barnsley - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th January 2011
By: Preview Percy
A 5-0 drubbing at Newcastle but is Preview Percy depressed? Well yes, he is.
However he decided that he's suffered enough this week so now it's your
turn...
If it's January it must be the third round of the Cup and, not for the first
time in recent years we have been drawn at home to Barnsley in a match that
kicks off at 3pm. Travel news isn't great I'm afraid. There are no tubes
through Upton Park with buses replacing the District/Hammersmith & City
lines. Not enough for you? Well the bit of the c2c line between Barking and
Fenchurch Street is shut with trains being diverted to Liverpool Street. "Ok
let's go by car then" I hear you say. Well fine but if your normal route
home takes you along Barking Road towards Canning Town just be aware that
the road is closed westbound between the building site that used to be
Rathbone Market and the flyover. Hope you all got walking boots for
Christmas!
The visitors make the trek south as a break from life in what we are
supposed to call the Championship. It will always be division 2 to me,
partly because I'm a traditionalist but mainly because I hate being told
that things are being "re-branded" and it annoys the hell out of the
marketing people. They currently lie in 16th place in the 24-team league,
six places and 8 points above the relegation zone outside which our mutual
"friends" Sheffield United currently hover. You will recall that, quite
apart from any local enmity that may exist between the Tykes and the
hypocrites, The red and white half of Sheffield plumbed new depths (even for
that tawdry little club) over the Iain Hulme affair. Hulme found himself in
intensive care (or "high dependency unit" as those irritating marketing
people "re-branded" it) after an assault from defender Chris Morgan left him
with a broken jaw. Despite the seriousness of the injuries (they don't stick
you in "high dependency" for a bruised fingernail), Sheffield United
insisted that Barnsley were making "too much" the incident. As I said, a new
low.
Canadian international Hulme spent most of this season on loan at Preston
and the deal became permanent as the current window opened. Dagenham-born
Paul Hayes came on loan in the other direction last October. It's Hayes'
second spell at Oakwell with him having spend two years at the club between
2005-07 scoring both in open play and in the penalty shoot-out in the 2006
3rd division (or "League One") play-off final.
They currently have a couple of loans from Premiership clubs. Midfielder
Diego Arismendi is currently registered with Stoke City having arrived from
Uruguayan club Nacional in 2009 but has spent much of the time since his
arrival either injured or out on loan. Having spent the back end of last
season on loan at Brighton he joined Barnsley on a season long loan during
the summer. The other loanee is Wolves full-back Matt Hill who came in in
October as emergency cover for Jay McEvely before, in an almost West Ham
turn of events, fracturing a foot. However, having recovered from the
injury, his loan period was extended and Wolves have given the 29 year-old
permission to play in this tie.
In goal their current first choice is 26 year-old Luke Steele. Steele
started his career with Peterborough, moving to Man Utd for £500,000 where
he picked up an FA Youth Cup winner's medal. Steele starred in Barnsley's
2008 cup run to the semi-final, coming in on loan from West Brom where his
performances in the eye-catching wins at Anfield and at home to Chelsea
nabbed him a shedload of man of the match/round awards. In 2008 Steele also
picked up what was one of the more bizarre disciplinary fines in recent
years. The FA fined the 'keeper £1,000 for wearing an undergarment that
displayed a manufacturer's logo that was visible over his 'keeper's kit.
That's the same FA who took no action on Sheffield United's Chris Morgan for
his assault on Iain Hulme by the way. Aren't you glad that the guys who run
our game have such a strong sense of priority.
The current jewel in the crown is apparently 22 year-old winger Adam
Hammill. Hammill is reported to have been the subject of a recent bid from
Blackpool, with whom he spent time on loan from Liverpool with whom he spent
his early years and Tykes' manager Mark Robins is apparently pessimistic as
to the club's chances of retaining Hammill's services much beyond the next
few weeks.
Hammill is the current top scorer having netted 8 times in whatever you want
to call the league. Their current form has brought them 8 points from their
last 6 with two wins, two draws and two defeats. Their last outing saw them
beat Coventry 2-1, a match which represented their 1,000th win in whatever
you want to call the second tier, a level at which they've spent a record 69
seasons and counting.
So much for them. As for us, well my Mum once told me if you can't say
something nice about someone you should say nothing at all. She obviously
didn't have a preview column to fill only a few days after a performance so
bad it wouldn't have seemed out of place on a programme designed to make
money for Simon Cowell (who is to genuine talent what Mike Dean is to
refereeing). The events of the other night were simply unacceptable – sadly
not the first time I've written those words this season. If you believe the
papers (though frankly, why would you?) our manager has this match and
Tuesday's League Cup match at home to Birmingham to rescue his position. It
seems a little illogical to give someone two cup games to save a position
when it's the league position that is causing concern. Even if we win the
next two we'll still be bottom (albeit a lot closer to Wembley) so it's
difficult to see what's supposed to change.
Team news – well it looks like some of the youngsters will be given a run
out – Jordan Spence and Zavon Hines are being mentioned in dispatches so
expect a number of regulars to be on the bench or sat at home with their
feet up. Whilst I can appreciate that some players ought to be rested for
more important battles to come (someone please lock Parker away for a few
days), after Wednesday night's debacle I'd be tempted to send those
responsible for the disgrace straight back out on Saturday and made to play
without pay, the money going to reimburse the ticket and travel costs of
those who went up to Tyneside on a Tuesday night in January. And to buy them
a pint or two into the bargain. The rest can go to the Bobby Moore Fund. If
nothing else it should serve as a reminder to those that let everyone down
on Wednesday that they are damned lucky to be in a job that most of us would
give our right arms to do (not including goalkeepers obviously – that would
be daft).
Prediction? Well it's the Cup. We ought to have too much on paper for them
but we do have this habit, don't we? I think we'll win but I'm not
optimistic that that will be the case. I'll go for a dreadfully unconvincing
1-0 but don't back it on my say so!
Enjoy the game!
Last season: N/A
Danger Man: Adam Hammill – unless they discover a reason for leaving him out
thus maintaining his transfer value by not having him cup-tied.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick – Influential violinist, guitarist and vocalist with
folk-rock legends Fairport Convention who is credited with a major influence
on the band's direction and....no wait that's Dave Swarbrick. Neil? Football
League ref who once annoyed Dennis Wise so he can't be all bad.
Daft fact(s) of the week: Far be it for me to suggest that there's sod all
to to in Barnsley other than to get drunk. However, I would point out that
the UK's first bottle bank was opened there in 1977. Coincidence? I think
not! Also the late great Brian Glover, whose cameo as the sadistic games
master in the film "Kes" is still one of the greatest football scenes in
cinematic history, came from the town as did umpire and rainmaker Harold
"Dickie" Bird. And irritating "Egghead" team-member CJ De Mooi, but they
don't like to talk about him much.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Message to Grant
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th January 2011
By: Haim Baram
We have seen enough, we have heard enough, we are sick with all the excuses,
politics and underhand tricks. It is time to go, Avram. Shalom, thank you
for your efforts, however futile. It is not your fault that you are devoid
of talent, flair and creativity. Your employers have been warned, they
should have known better, and now it must be over. You seem to be intrigued
by England and English history. So am I. Therefore, let's accompany your
inevitable departure with a suitable quote. These were the words of Oliver
Cromwell to the Rump Parliament, as long ago as in April 1653: "You have
been sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let
us have done with you. In the name of God, go!" There is is nothing of real
substance to add.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant brushes off pressure
Hammers manager's only worry is how to strengthen
By James Pearson Last updated: 7th January 2011
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant is not concerned by pressure on his position,
stating the club's only worry is how to strengthen. The Hammers have endured
a season to forget and their recent upsurge in form ended abruptly in
midweek following a 5-0 crushing at Newcastle. West Ham are now bottom of
the table again although they are just two points adrift of 14th-placed
Fulham, a fact that has not escaped Grant. Grant has confirmed he has held
talks with the club's owners, however, that was just over how to strengthen
his squad and not to discuss his position. "I've been speaking with the
owners and the only concern is how to make the squad stronger," he told Sky
Sports News. "We have more than 10 injuries and a few are them are long
term. The squad needs to be strong as there are a lot of important games
coming up. "I feel that I need to do my job. There's always pressure in
football. The managers at the top are under pressure. "We're dealing with
this well because we know what we need to do. We've done well over
Christmas. "We've got a vision at this club. We want to stay in this league
and I believe we can do it. "We're two points off of 14th and five points
from 12th."
Bad day
West Ham suffered a bad day at the office at St James' Park with Leon Best
helping himself to a hat-trick as the visitors' defence crumbled. Grant felt
the busy hectic festive period played its part with his injury-hit squad
feeling the strain of a flurry of fixtures. "It was a bad game. We did not
play well," he continued. "The players looked tired. We were not quick or
sharp. "But we're not analysing only one game. The last few times that we've
played we played well and picked up eight points. "It was a disappointing
result. The results elsewhere were disappointing as well. There's a long way
until the end of the season. "The team that is strong mentally and the team
with the strongest squad, this is the team that can survive."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Barnsley preview
Last updated: 7th January 2011
SSN
Team news for Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash between West Ham and
Barnsley at Upton Park. West Ham manager Avram Grant is set to reshuffle his
team for the game against the Tykes. Youngsters Zavon Hines, who came off
the bench in Wednesday's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle, and Jordan Spence could
both feature against Barnsley at Upton Park. Mark Noble is fit again after a
hip injury but on-loan defender Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth.
Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem
and he could be back in action by mid-February.
Barnsley's on-loan defender Matt Hill has been given permission to play in
the the game against the Hammers. The Tykes have received confirmation from
Hill's parent club Wolves and the left-back will retain his place in Mark
Robins' starting line-up. Robins has no new injury or suspension problems
for the third-round tie and is not expected to make too many changes
following Monday's 2-1 home win over Coventry. Striker Garry O'Connor
returned to the side against Coventry following his permanent move from
Birmingham and he is expected to start again with Andy Gray on the bench.
Winger Adam Hammill shook off a knock to play the full 90 minutes on Monday
and will continue, while Jacob Butterfield, Jim O'Brien and Hugo Colace are
all pushing for first-team recalls.
West Ham (from): Green, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera,
Stanislas, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna,
Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Spence, Hines, Boffin.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hoffenheim may allow Ba talks
Fifa could be called in due to striker's desire to leave
By Thomas Zocher Last updated: 7th January 2011
SSN
Hoffenheim patron Dietmar Hopp has questioned Demba Ba's actions, but has
suggested it may be time for the club to discuss a transfer. Ba has refused
to return to training with Hoffenheim following West Ham United'sinterest in
signing the striker on loan with a view to a permanent move. The Senegal
international has insisted he is not a mercenary, having previously been
disappointed that Hoffenheim did not sanction a move to Stuttgart. Hopp
believes Ba is trying to force an exit from the Bundesliga side and is
weighing up whether to enter into negotiations with interested clubs.
Dubious
"Definitely, it's of use to work on a transfer for the player," Hopp told
kicker-Sportmagazin. "It's the second time in his Hoffenheim career that he
has opted to go toe-to-toe with the club over a transfer request. "For me,
it is still dubious if Demba Ba will get a new club under these
circumstances. Ba is attempting to get a transfer through by force. "As far
as I know there were already indications at Christmas that he would be doing
this." Hoffenheim's general manager Ernst Tanneris ready to bring in Fifa on
the issue and doubts Ba will ever play for the club again. Tanner told Bild:
"For me, actually, I cannot believe Demba Ba will play in a Hoffenheim
jersey again and I am definitely looking to contact Fifa over this affair.
"If we do not want him to play elsewhere for a while, he will definitely be
unable to play for the time being."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers boss has backing
The Sun
Published: 07 Jan 2011
UNDER-FIRE West Ham boss Avram Grant believes he has the backing of the
club's owners following a meeting with co-chairman David Gold. The Hammers
are bottom of the Premier League after their run of good form over the
holiday period was brought to a crashing halt by Wednesday's 5-0 defeat at
Newcastle. West Ham face Barnsley in the FA Cup third round and then
Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday
night.
Gold and co-owner David Sullivan will chair a board meeting the following
day, which could mean that Grant has the two cup games to save his job.
Grant said: "To live in this club is to live with the rumours. It is a
matter of what your boss is telling you and I have a good relationship with
the owners. "I don't think they are shy guys to tell me something else. One
of them (Gold) is here and we are only concentrating on how to make the
squad stronger. "When you sign a manager you sign up to a philosophy and you
have to know what you are doing. In this club we know what we are doing, we
know our vision for the short and long term. "Despite all that has happened
we will continue with our vision. My way will stay the same way. I will not
change."
Meanwhile, youngsters Zavon Hines and Jordan Spence could both feature
against Barnsley at Upton Park. Mark Noble is fit again after a hip injury
but on-loan defender Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth. Thomas
Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem and he
could be back in action by mid-February.
Squad: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera, Stanislas, Kovac,
Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears, Reid,
Faubert, Spence, Hines, Boffin.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Tykes AV to the brink
The Sun
Published: Today
BARNSLEY plan to pile on the misery for West Ham chief Avram Grant - by
dumping the Israeli out of the FA Cup again. The Tykes beat Grant's Chelsea
side on their way to the 2008 semi-finals. Barnsley manager Mark Robins
said: "West Ham are favourites but we will go there with the intention of
causing an upset. "It is an opportunity to test ourselves against a Premier
League team. We would like nothing better than a good Cup run."
Scouts will flock to watch winger Adam Hammill. Robins is resigned to losing
Hammill - who has a £500,000 release clause in his contract - to the Premier
League in the transfer window. The gaffer admitted: "I don't think there's
any chance of keeping Adam. "There has been interest from one or two clubs.
"If he decides to leave and a club come up with the right money, I guess he
will speak to them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant I'll do a Houdini
The Sun
By MATT PARKER
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT reckons he is the Harry Houdini of management - and has promised
West Ham fans a Great Escape this season. The ex-Chelsea boss is back on the
brink of the sack after the Hammers were thumped 5-0 at Newcastle in the
league on Wednesday. Grant has somehow clung on to his job so far while
other bosses have been axed. But he is convinced he and his under-achieving
side will come good in the end and beat the drop. He said: "In football you
can go from zero to hero and hero to zero very quickly. "When I was in the
Champions League final with Chelsea I didn't think I was a genius.
"You always want to give the fans a reason to be happy and what we saw in
the last weeks was good - apart from the last match. We are doing everything
to be happy and despite everything, the fans will be happy in the end. "In
football, many people say you are only as good as your last result but we
know what we are doing. "In the last five games we won two and drew two and
then came a bad result. "It is very important not to analyse just one game.
"We are only two points from 14th place and five from 11th - and there are a
lot of games left."
Grant knows the pressure is off today as he can give squad men a go in the
FA Cup third round at home to Barnsley. But a Carling Cup semi-final
first-leg with Birmingham - the former club of West Ham's owners David
Sullivan and David Gold - is looming on Tuesday. And the Israeli admitted he
needed the backing of his bosses in this month's transfer window for his
Houdini-like escape from relegation to have any chance of happening. So far
the club's huge debt mountain has scuppered prospective deals, with Aston
Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell preferring to join Fulham. Grant added: "We
need three players to make the squad stronger. "It's not easy but the owners
also agreed we need to make the squad strong. We need to do something in
January. "Many good players want to come. They like the way we play football
- even in our situation. The problem is only a financial problem."
Houdini was one of the world's most famous magicians and illusionists in the
late 19th and early 20th century. He is best known as an escape artist who
broke out of water tanks while handcuffed or tied in a straitjacket. Houdini
died in hospital on Hallowe'en 1926 aged 52 following a burst appendix.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's season so far, a fan's view: 'After being bottom at Christmas,
getting to 17th would be a result'
By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:30 25/12/10
By Mark Ford
1) How has your club's season gone so far?
Being bottom of the league is very bad, being in a cup semi-final is very
good. So it's been a mixed season.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy
your chances in the FA Cup? Or League Cup?
After being bottom at Christmas, getting to 17th would be a result. However,
I still fancy us to win the League Cup.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window and
will it happen? Any particular players you'd like to see at your club?
We need a striker who can score! Carlton Cole (top), Frederic Piquionne
(middle) and Victor Obinna (below) are hardly prolific.
4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
It would have been nice, but football authorities have had a problem with
England for years. We won't get anything like this for a long time.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it
make or break your season?
The fans mostly seem to be against Avram Grant. The possible stadium move
is dividing people.
The owners need to appease the fans because, if they aren't behind the
club, then we have no chance of staying up.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Behrami set for Fiorentina deal
Published 23:00 07/01/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
West Ham are ready to sell Swiss star Valon Behrami to Italian giants
Fiorentina – after missing out on a deal with Roma. Midfielder Behrami
hopes to tie up a move to Florence over the weekend, with his agent in talks
after the collapse of his transfer to Roma over terms. Hammers are desperate
to move out Behrami to raise money for signings. His failure to leave cost
them in the race for Steve Sidwell. West Ham had to pass on Sidwell because
they could not compete with Fulham's three-and-a-half year contract offer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs' infamous Lasagna poisoning was exaggerated - reveals former starlet
Published 23:00 07/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Johnnie Jackson will return to Tottenham tomorrow for the first time since
the infamous Lasagna-gate game at Upton Park in 2006. Jackson, now 28, made
20 appearances in seven years after coming through the youth ranks at White
Hart Lane. And he is desperate to add to his remarkable tally of 13 goals
from midfield for Charlton this season. But Jackson, who came through the
Spurs ranks in the year below Ledley King and Peter Crouch, had a strange
farewell to the North London club nearly five years ago. "This is a perfect
draw for me - I haven't been back there since I left," said Jackson, who
scored his only Spurs goal against Charlton. "The last time I was involved I
got a call at 7am from Chris Hughton saying a few of the lads had gone down
ill and I had to get myself to the ground quick and there would be a car to
take me to Upton Park. "It turned out I wasn't actually a sub but a few of
the boys who had been called ended up on the bench. "I think it was
exaggerated a bit to be honest. The only one who I remember actually played
the game who was struggling was Michael Carrick - I think he had to come off
in the end. "But they ended up losing it and missing out on the fourth and I
think they made more of a deal of it than it actually was. There were some
great stories going about like the chef was an Arsenal fan. I am not so sure
about that."
He added: "I loved my time there but and I always felt eventually some big
name would come in to take my spot. I am not bitter about that - the club
was going forward and has continued to do so. They are genuine title
contenders and will probably end up winning the cup with the year ending in
one!"
After spells at Colchester and Notts County, Jackson joined Charlton on loan
in February last year before signing in July. And since being pushed further
forward to left midfield, he cannot stop scoring with 10 in his last 11
games, including two in the last round against Luton. Tomorrow he will look
to continue that streak under new caretaker manager Keith Peacock. "I am
playing probably as well as I ever have at the moment and I have scored more
this season than I ever have before," Jackson said. "I am doing nothing
different - everything is falling for me at the moment. Luck seems to be on
my side. I will take a little deflection or tap-in or anything back at the
Lane tomorrow."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sidwell completes Fulham move
Published 21:45 07/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Fulham have completed the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell.
The 28-year-old midfielder joins the Barclays Premier League club for an
undisclosed fee on an initial six-month deal, which could potentially see
him stay until the summer of 2014. Wandsworth-born Sidwell said: "I'm
delighted my move to Fulham has been finalised, and I'm looking forward to
training with the squad and helping the club make steady progress up the
table in the second half of the season." Sidwell, who had also interested
Wolves before undergoing a medical with West Ham, joined Villa from Chelsea
in 2008 after initially making an impact in the top flight with Reading. He
continued on Fulham's official website, www.fulhamfc.co.uk: "I'd also like
to thank (chief executive) Jez Moxey, and (manager) Mick McCarthy in
particular, at Wolves for being so understanding in my desire to return to
London and to play for Fulham." Fulham boss Mark Hughes added: "He is a
player whose career I have followed for a while now, and there was a deal in
place to bring him in prior to when I arrived. "At that time I just didn't
think it was the moment to make it happen because I was new to the club.
"But he has been in my thoughts ever since, and when the opportunity to sign
him in the January transfer window presented itself we moved quickly knowing
there was a possibility he might go somewhere else. "His intention was that
he always wanted to come to Fulham - this was his first choice and we are
delighted to have him on board. "He is a young man who wants to get his
career back on track and start playing football again. He has a good
reputation in the game and is well admired. "On the pitch he can get from
box to box, he works tirelessly, is good on the ball and can also get you a
goal. He wants to be part of what we are doing here - and because of that he
will do well for us."
Sidwell will not figure in tomorrow's FA Cup third round match against
League One side Peterborough at Craven Cottage tomorrow.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant - Owners have not threatened to sack me
Published 16:28 07/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Avram Grant today insisted he has not been told his job is again under
threat at West Ham. The Upton Park are understood to be reviewing the
manager's position following Wednesday night's thrashing at St James' Park.
Grant issued a personal apology to fans after the game but insisted his side
was improving after going unbeaten in the previous four games. And before
tomorrow's FA Cup tie with Barnsley - which is followed by the first leg of
the Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham on Tuesday - he insisted he
was given no new ultimatum when co-owner David Gold visited their Chadwell
Heath training ground this afternoon. "To live in this club is to live with
the rumours," he said. "It is a matter of what your boss is telling you, not
what other people are telling you, and I have a good relationship with the
owners. "One of them is here and we are only concentrating on how to make
the squad stronger. And I don't think they are shy guys to tell me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant to turn to West Ham kids
Published 15:59 07/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham manager Avram Grant is set to reshuffle his team for the FA Cup
third round tie against Barnsley. Youngsters Zavon Hines, who came off the
bench in Wednesday's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle, and Jordan Spence could both
feature at Upton Park. Midfielder Mark Noble is fit again after a hip injury
but on-loan defender Tal Ben Haim has returned to Portsmouth. Thomas
Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh problem and
could be back in action by mid-February.
Provisional squad: Green, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera,
Stanislas, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna,
Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Spence, Hines, Boffin.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant out 'within a week'
Published 10:17 07/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant could leave West Ham within days after club chiefs finally lost
patience with him, according to reports. The Israeli could even go before
Hammers face Birmingham in the Carling Cup semi-finals on Tuesday. Sam
Allardyce and Chris Hughton, binned earlier this season by Blackburn and
Newcastle respectively, are in the frame to step in at Upton Park. The 5-0
thrashing at Newcastle on Wednesday night that sent West Ham back to the
bottom of the Premier League was the final straw. "Grant is likely to be
gone within a week - maybe even four days," said a club insider. "Newcastle
was a very, very bad performance that has hit the club hard. "We made them
look like Barcelona."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker wanted by Bologna
By talkSPORT
Friday, January 7
West Ham striker Victor Obinna is being chased by Italian club Bologna. The
Hammers hope to make Obinna's loan deal from Inter Milan permanent at the
end of the season. But their option to buy Obinna will not be valid if they
are relegated from the Premier League and Bologna are prepared to make their
move to buy the Nigerian forward this month, according to reports in Italy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reading the Avram Grant Smoke Signals
West Ham Till I Die
All the smoke signals seem to indicate that Avram Grant's days are numbered
and that only David Gold stands in the way of him being fired. His regular
Friday press conference was cancelled today for the first time ever, which
is a sure sign something may be up. According to The Sun the club have been
inundated with calls and emails calling for action to be taken. The failure
to sign Sidwell has little to do with the 25 man rule but more to do with
not feeling able to sign a player who might not be wanted by a new manager,
I suspect.
Three names are coming to the fore as a replacement – Sam Allardyce, Chris
Hughton and Martin O'Neill.
A lot of money has gone on O'Neill in the last 48 hours. He would certainly
be my choice, but if Liverpool get rid of Hodgson, as seems likely, he would
be a prime candidate to go to Anfield. I've already made my views clear
about Allardyce – I wouldn't bother renewing my season ticket. If I want to
see balls kicked at a corner flag I'll go to Twickenham thank you very much.
And Chris Hughton? Well, he is an ex Hammer and got Newcastle out of the
championship, but I'd hardly say he's tried and tested. I think he's too
much of a risk.
If Grant is still manager for the match tomorrow, it will interesting to see
how it reacts. It might not be pretty.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Preview: West Ham v Barnsley
West Ham Till I Die
Well if the information I have proves correct, the lineup for tomorrow's
game is going to raise more than a few eyebrows with no fewer than NINE (!)
changes will be made to the team that faced Newcastle. Quite right, many
will say. Out go Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, Frederick
Piquionne, Robert Green, Radoslav Kovac, Tal Ben Haim, Freddie Sears and
Danny Gabbidon. Only Mark Noble, James Tomkins remain.
And get this. Our defensive five may well be Boffin, Reid, Tomkins, Faubert,
Boa Morte. Yes, Boa Morte at left back. The mind boggles.
In midfield it could be Noble, Behrami, Barrera and Obina, with Nouble and
Hines up front.
Well if that's correct, you have to say that it's a brave – or in the words
of Sir Humphrey Appleby "courageous" – move on the part of Avram Grant. Or
alternatively he's viewing it as s**t or bust. And I suppose, who could
blame him?
We all know our record of cup upsets over the years and few of us would bet
against one tomorrow. But Barnsley are 16th in the Championship. Having
looked through their list of players, I have to say I haven't heard any of
them. That may be more of a reflection on me than them, but we ought to win
this game. Will we have the players to do it? Well, we haven't long to wait
to find out.
And what can Avram Grant expect from the crowd tomorrow? No idea. I just
hope the atmosphere doesn't turn nasty.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham try to hijack Wayne Bridge move to Aston Villa by matching
Manchester City wages of £90,000 a week
By Jason Burt 11:00PM GMT 07 Jan 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United were attempting to hijack Wayne Bridge's loan move to Aston
Villa after also agreeing to pay the left-back his full wages at Manchester
City - a staggering £90,000 a week. Whether Bridge would play for Avram
Grant if the deal went through is in severe doubt though. The club are
understood to be actively examining alternatives to the manager who arrived
only last summer but has recently lost support. Grant will take charge of
Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Barnsley and, probably, the first leg of
the Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham City, but is unlikely to be
retained beyond that if West Ham can attract their first-choice replacement.
It is believed they may have identified a candidate and it is likely that
the candidate is a manager who is not currently being employed. West Ham
have previously considered moves for Sam Allardyce and Martin O'Neill while
Chris Hughton has also been mentioned but it is unclear who is their
preferred choice should a change be made. Discussions are ongoing but it
seems that Grant's regime is reaching its end while West Ham are desperately
attempting to bolster their squad as they try to avoid relegation. A
complication is that they have hit their 25-man squad limit — which led to
the collapse of Steve Sidwell's move — but West Ham have re-kindled their
interest in Bridge.
The Telegraph revealed on Thursday that Aston Villa had agreed to take
Bridge on loan for the rest of the season and also agreed to City's demand
that his wages are paid in full. Villa manager Gerard Houllier confirmed
there has been a "dialogue" between the clubs about the 30 year-old defender
who would replace out-of-favour Stephen Warnock.
West Ham had inquired about Bridge before Christmas but balked at paying him
such a high salary. It would make him, as he would be at Villa, the club's
highest-paid player. On Friday morning they decided that they, too, would
meet City's demands. It is now up to Bridge to decide who he wants to join.
Left-back has been identified as one of three positions West Ham are
desperate to strengthen during this window — along with a striker and
central midfielder — but there may be surprise that the club are prepared to
pay so much to attract Bridge. However it also highlights the clamour to
avoid relegation.
On Friday Grant insisted he still felt confident he was the right man to
continue managing West Ham. "If not, then I wouldn't be here," the Israeli
said. "I wasn't looking for a job before I came here, but the job came along
and it was a challenge and I came to this challenge and I'm sure that we can
deal with this challenge and all of the difficulties." Grant said that West
Ham were moving in the right direction, despite the 5-0 defeat to Newcastle
United in midweek which returned them to the bottom of the table. "If you
look at where we were three months ago, we are now in a much better
situation and in the same situation as the seven teams around us," he said.
"We are doing the right things I think and we will try to do better and we
will try and use January to make the team stronger. It's not easy. But
everybody, including the owners, has agreed that we need to make the squad
stronger. Even when all of our players are fit, we are still one of the main
candidates for relegation."
That may be realistic but it is hardly the kind of talk that might convince
the owners to stick with Grant for the battles ahead.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant me more money to do the job at West Ham, pleads Avram
By MATT BARLOW Last updated at 1:01 AM on 8th January 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant has hit back at West Ham's owners by saying the only problems at
the club are financial. The manager says West Ham must find the cash to buy
three players this month to stave off the drop. However, he may not be in
charge beyond today's FA Cup third-round clash against Barnsley.
The Israeli could walk straight into another job after former club Maccabi
Tel Aviv targeted him for a third spell in charge following the sacking of
their current manager Avi Nimni.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Keane tempts Hammers
Virgin Media
West Ham are looking to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham as manager Avram
Grant targets three new players to save the club's season. Keane has been
told he can leave White Hart Lane in the January transfer window but Spurs
want to sell the striker, who went out on loan to Celtic this time last
year.
The Hammers are currently in talks with Tottenham about the player but,
given the financial constraints at Upton Park, a loan deal may be more
preferable to Grant. The Hammers are also targeting a left-back and Grant
was disappointed to miss out out on signing midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is
now bound for Fulham. West Ham are struggling with injuries. Ten of their 25
registered players were injured ahead of the Boxing Day win at Fulham.
Grant's men returned to the foot of the Barclays Premier League table with
Wednesday's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle and he needs fresh blood as a matter of
urgency. "We need a stronger squad. We have a lot of long-term injuries and
we will do everything to make the squad stronger because we need it,
otherwise it will not be easy to continue like this," Grant said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham keen on Spurs' Robbie
Friday 7th January 2011 19:17
TalksPort
Fulham boss Mark Hughes has admitted he is keen on landing Tottenham Hotspur
striker Robbie Keane. The Irishman is expected to leave White Hart Lane
during the January transfer window after slipping down the pecking order
under Harry Redknapp. Birmingham thought they had put a deal in place early
in the New Year window, with a £7million move believed to be in the
pipeline. However, no agreement has been put in place and Keane remains up
for grabs with West Ham also keen on his services. That has opened to the
door for other interested parties, and Hughes has revealed that he would be
willing to take the 30-year-old should finances at Craven Cottage allow. "A
lot of players are being mentioned, and a lot of them are good players,
players I admire," said the Cottagers coach. "But sometimes the deal to
bring certain players in can be a little prohibitive, certainly for a club
like ours. "Although at times [recently] and in the past there has been a
will to bring players here, on occasion we haven't been able to do it due to
the finances involved. "Would Robbie being keen to stay in London help
Fulham? Well that gives us a competitive advantage, I would suggest. "Fulham
is in a nice part of the world. That helps in acquisitions. There are clubs
where it is more difficult to attract players to the area, but we don't have
that problem when we are based in London."
Meanwhile, Hughes says reports linking Damien Duff with a return to
Blackburn are wide of the mark. Rovers had been linked with a double swoop
for former players, with Duff and Manchester City Roque Santa Cruz their
apparent targets. But Cottagers boss Hughes said of the Ireland winger:
"There was something in the press and I think Blackburn were trying to make
contact with me to discuss the situation. "But he's not available. He's part
of what we're doing so the conversation doesn't need to take place. "He's
contracted to Fulham and I have to protect the interests of the club.
Allowing a player of Damien Duff's quality to leave would be bad
management."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
