Benni's big night
WHUFC.com
No one in the West Ham United squad knows more about scoring crucial goals than Benni McCarthy
21.09.2010
Benni McCarthy would love history to repeat itself when West Ham United travel to Sunderland in Carling Cup action on Tuesday night. The forward scored a dramatic extra-time winner for Blackburn Rovers in an FA Cup fifth-round tie against the north-east club back in February 2009. The goal came two minutes before the end of the additional 30 minutes and was part of a fantastic run of form that saw the South Africa striker score eight goals in ten appearances.
McCarthy has not hit such heights since that winner, but has been working extremely hard in recent weeks to get back to his best. He is fighting fit once again and is certainly looking lean and mean on the Chadwell Heath training pitches. He was on the bench for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stoke City and is desperate to play. "I feel extremely sharp and good. Now I am just waiting for my turn. If a chance comes my way, then I would like to grab it. Football is so competitive and everyone wants a place in the team. "We have got some great players and two or three players fighting for the same position. It is good to give the manager a headache and make it hard to select the team. "I am just training 100 per cent every day. I have got myself to a good level. It is where I wanted to be and now it is up to me to maintain that and to give something extra. If I get my chance, then hopefully I will take it."
The Carling Cup is naturally a competition that gives players a chance to stake their first-team claims - indeed McCarthy impressed with a late cameo in the previous round against Oxford. He is hoping to get a longer run-out this time around. "It is always great when you have Carling Cup games, especially if you have not featured in the league a lot. You might start or a get a long run-out from the bench and it is great."
Certainly the chance to match his cup heroics against Sunderland would be something to savour. "It would be nice to repeat that. If you play teams and you have got some good memories of them, it can only be a positive thing. "I think it was just before we went to penalties when I scored, so hopefully we can match that result tomorrow. We have the players to be able to get through, but we have to take our opportunities."
McCarthy knows all about cup triumphs as a UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto. Vastly experienced for club and country, he is well placed to judge the spirit in the camp and is upbeat about what he has seen. "Things are really going great," he said. "Obviously especially after the good result against Stoke, the atmosphere in the group and in training has changed a little bit. "Everybody is now a little bit more positive than we were when we were playing good football but not getting the result. Hopefully from here we can kick on and start turning our season around. "The atmosphere is good. Nobody has dropped their heads because we have been playing great football. We have been up against strong teams like Man United, Chelsea and Villa. "We have shown everyone that we can compete but the results have not been going our way. People tend to worry a bit but we are positive and confident. Hopefully if we can keep that spirit and the same enthusiasm, we can kick on from there."
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Grant up for cup challenge
WHUFC.com
Sunderland is next up for Avram Grant and he is looking to build on the weekend positives
20.09.2010
Avram Grant is focusing fully on the Carling Cup third-round tie with Sunderland on Tuesday night after the positives of the point and performance at Stoke City. Speaking at Chadwell Heath on Monday morning, he touched on the spirit in the squad, the work of his coaches and the importance of the cup competitions.
Avram on being pleased to be off the mark after a point at Stoke...
"It's a relief and I think we deserved it. We played very good against Chelsea. I think if you saw the Chelsea game, they created less chances than they did in any game - they created one chance and they scored from this chance. "We just wanted to continue our progress after we also played very well against Bolton, but still had zero points. At the end of the day, you need points and we took our first point. We could have taken three, because I think we played very well and reacted well after their goal, so there are many positives we can take to the next games."
Avram on his coaching staff working well in his absence...
"It was great, but we have a way of how we coach, how we come to the game and how we prepare for the game, so we followed that way. Of course, for me it was very difficult and also very strange, but the staff and the players did a good job and that's what is important. The most important thing is that the team continues focusing and takes more points. "We want to win any game - friendly games, league games and also in the Carling Cup - so we will go to this game and we want to win and we want to be in the next round."
Avram on fringe players being given a chance at Sunderland...
"Valon Behrami got injured on Saturday - we hope it's not so bad, but it's not so easy - and also Thomas Hitzlsperger is injured. So we won't have players resting as they'll play tomorrow. "This is an opportunity to see the other players. We have good players in the squad and they will play tomorrow."
Avram on the importance of the Carling Cup...
"The most important thing is the league and building something for the future. I think the Carling Cup is like a bonus.We like this bonus of winning, so we want to win and we will do everything to be in the next round."
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Petro sees the positives
WHUFC.com
The assistant manager has been buoyed by what he has seen so far this season
21.09.2010
When Avram Grant takes his place back on the bench this evening against Sunderland, his right-hand man Zeljko Petrovic will be there by his side. The assistant manager formed part of an effective trio with Paul Groves and Kevin Keen on Saturday to help the Hammers prise a point at Stoke City. He was delighted with the application and approach of the players in executing the manager's game plan to perfection. "We prepared ourselves very well," said the former Yugoslavia star, who appeared at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. "We had been very busy from Monday to Friday preparing for it as we knew it would be a very tough game. Stoke is a tough place, not only for us but all the big clubs as well. "They have a special style of football and in the set-pieces they are the most dangerous team in Europe. We played well and I saw some good things from us especially in the first half. We played one-touch football and we enjoyed seeing that on the bench. "Normally you can't single out one player but I have to say that Scott Parker was unbelievable. He is on a high level and helped us to pass the ball well. "All the players wanted it before the game. You could feel it and see it. The manager has supported us, he prepared us very well in advance and we saw the results."
Petrovic admitted there was some disappointment in the Britannia Stadium away dressing room after the match at not winning the game but urged the squad to take heart. He was most impressed with the competitive edge and said that was precisely what would be needed in a tricky-looking Carling Cup third-round tie this evening. "The most important thing is you have to win the battle and then you can play football. If you just want to play football you cannot play against Stoke, you cannot beat Sunderland. Our players have to be organised and we are asking them to concentrate for 90 minutes. "I can see the players have confidence, they want to play and enjoy putting in to action what the manager wants. We all understand each other better with every game."
Petrovic admitted he cannot wait for his first derby date with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, and is ready for the crowd to play a massive part. "I know this is a special game. It is a big derby and the players are going to be ready for it. "We have fantastic supporters. I was a coach before at Hamburg and it was exactly the same there - a club with a big history and big passion. "It is very easy for players to play here at West Ham. The fans support you, the stadium is full. We just have to give 100 per cent and stick together."
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Sunderland match preview
WHUFC.com
West Ham United travel to the Stadium of Light in the Carling Cup third round
20.09.2010
Sunderland v West Ham United
Carling Cup third round
Stadium of Light
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Howard Webb
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Sunderland searching for a place in the Carling Cup fourth round for the first time in three seasons.
• Avram Grant's side reached the third round by defeating League Two challengers Oxford United (1-0) in the second round on Tuesday 24 August. West Ham's goal was scored in added-time by Scott Parker.
• Sunderland went through to the third round by defeating League One promotion-chasers Colchester United (2-0) at the Stadium of Light. Both Black Cats goals were scored by England striker Darren Bent.
• West Ham manager Grant and centre-back Tal Ben Haim will both return after being absent from Saturday's game out of respect for the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
• West Ham reached this stage of the competition last season before being knocked out by the same scoreline over 120 minutes away to Bolton Wanderers. The 2010/11 final will be held at Wembley Stadium on 27 February 2011.
• The Hammers have reached the League Cup final twice in their history, losing out on both occasions. West Bromwich Albion ran out 5-3 aggregate winners in 1965/66, while Liverpool earned a 2-1 replay victory at Villa Park in 1980/81 after the initial game at finished 1-1 at Wembley.
• Sunderland reached the League Cup final in 1984/85, losing 1-0 to Norwich City at Wembley.
• West Ham's biggest ever win away at Sunderland came on 9 September 1967, when goals from Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst (two), Harry Redknapp and Bobby Moore helped them to a 5-1 victory. The Hammers' biggest ever win over Sunderland came in the shape of an 8-0 success at the Boleyn Ground on 19 October 1968. Geoff Hurst scored six goals - including a hat-trick in each half - while Bobby Moore and a young Trevor Brooking added one apiece.
• Sunderland's biggest ever win over West Ham came on 5 March 1977, when the Black Cats romped to a 6-0 victory over the Londoners. Their best performance in east London was a 3-0 triumph on 25 April 1931.
Team news
West Ham United
• Lars Jacobsen is cup-tied having appeared previously in the competition for Blackburn Rovers.
• England midfielder Kieron Dyer could return to the squad after missing Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke City. The 31-year-old has recently returned to match-fitness following a long-term leg injury and is being carefully managed by the club's medical staff.
• Defender Tal Ben Haim is available again after missing Saturday's match to respect the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
• South Africa striker Benni McCarthy could appear for the first time since the Carling Cup second-round victory over Oxford United on 24 August after working hard on his fitness during the recent international break.
• The Hammers will again be without Thomas Hitzlsperger after the 28-year-old picked up a thigh injury during Germany's international friendly draw in Denmark last month.
• Valon Behrami is also to be assessed after a knock to his right knee on Saturday. It is not linked to his previous knee injury, which affected his left leg.
• Peter Kurucz, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and Anthony Edgar on the long-term injured list are all recovering from knee surgery. Kurucz and Edgar have recently undergone surgery, while Collison and Hines are regular visitors to Chadwell Heath as they continue their rehabilitation.
Sunderland
• Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is still not fit enough to feature after recovering from a broken arm during the club's pre-season preparations.
• Ghana FIFA World Cup defender John Mensah is struggling to be fit after suffering a hamstring injury in training. His compatriot Asamoah Gyan could start in attack.
• Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur forward Fraizer Campbell is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a serious knee ligament injury. Irish midfielder David Meyler will also be out until March 2011 with a similar problem.
• Former England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole is suspended after being sent-off in the Barclays Premier League draw with Wigan Athletic on 11 September.
Previous meetings
• The most recent meeting between the two sides was on 10 April 2010, when Ilan's 51st-minute goal secured a vital Barclays Premier League victory for West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground. A 34,685-strong crowd were present to see the Hammers pick up three valuable points in their ultimately successful fight against relegation.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Kovac, Noble, Behrami, Stanislas (Franco 74), Cole, Ilan (Daprela 89)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Spence, Diamanti, McCarthy
Sunderland: Gordon, Ferdinand, Turner, Da Silva (Benjani 88), Richardson, Cattermole, Meyler (Jones 63), Henderson, Malbranque (Zenden 72), Bent, Campbell
Subs not used: Carson, Kilgallon, Hutton, Bardsley
• Tuesday's game marks the 80th time West Ham and Sunderland have faced one another in competitive fixtures, and the sixth in the Carling Cup. West Ham have won 31, Sunderland 28 and there have been 20 draws. In this competition, West Ham have won three, Sunderland one and one tie has been drawn.
Overall record v Sunderland (all competitions) W 31 D 20 L 28
Last time out
• West Ham United
18 September 2010
Barclays Premier League
Stoke City - West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Jacobsen, Ben-Haim, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Noble, Behrami (Piquionne 72), Boa Morte (Dyer 45), Cole, Obinna
Subs not used: Stech, Kovac, Faubert, Tomkins, Barrera
• Sunderland
18 September 2010
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Sunderland: Mignolet, Bramble, Ferdinand, Onuoha (Zenden 77), Richardson, Riveros (Gyan 64), Al Muhammadi, Henderson, Malbranque (Reid 86), Bent, Welbeck
Subs not used: Carson, Bardsley, Da Silva, Colback
West Ham United
• Valon Behrami scored his first goal for West Ham United in the club's 1-0 Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light on 23 November 2008.
• The Hammers brought in eight new players this summer - Obinna, Jacobsen, Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexico winger Pablo Barrera, France forward Frederic Piquionne, New Zealand defender Winston Reid, Belgian goalkeeper Ruud Boffin and Israel defender Tal Ben Haim, who has arrived on loan from Grant's former club Portsmouth.
• Five senior players left the Boleyn Ground during the summer transfer window - Alessandro Diamanti and Fabio Daprela both joined Italian Serie A new boys Brescia Calcio on permanent contracts. Brazilian Ilan was released at the end of his short-term contract, Egyptian Mido returned to Middlesbrough following the end of his loan spell and has since joined Ajax, while Mexican Guillermo Franco was released at the end of his one-year contract.
• Teenage midfielder Josh Payne was released and subsequently joined Doncaster Rovers before being loaned to Oxford United. Academy graduate Bondz N'Gala has linked up with Plymouth Argyle on a permanent basis.
• West Ham possess the eighth best record in League Cup history. The Hammers have contested 193 ties, winning 99 drawing 39 and losing 55. During that period, West Ham have scored 359 goals and conceded just 232.
Sunderland
• .The Black Cats have lost just once this season and came back to draw with a late, late goal against Arsenal on Sunday.
• Darren Bent has picked up where he left off last season with three goals from his first five league matches.
• Sunderland have been busy this summer signing nine new players, namely Ahmed El Mohamady (ENPPI, loan), Marcos Angeleri (Estudiantes), Titus Bramble (Wigan Athletic), Asamoah Gyan (Stade Rennes), John Mensah (Olympique Lyonnais), Simon Mignolet (Sint-Truiden), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United, loan).
• Among the notable departures were former captain Lorik Cana to Galatasaray and Kenwyne Jones to Stoke City.
• Sunderland have the 29th-best record in the history of the League Cup. The Black Cats have contested 149 ties, winning 63, drawing 34 and losing 52. Sunderland have scored 242 goals in those matches, conceding 215.
Ten-year League Cup records
West Ham United
2009/10 Third round (lost 1-3 after extra time at Bolton Wanderers)
2008/09 Third round (lost 0-1 at Watford)
2007/08 Quarter-final (lost 1-2 v Everton)
2006/07 Third round (lost 1-2 at Chesterfield)
2005/06 Third round (lost 0-1 at Bolton Wanderers)
2004/05 Third round (lost 0-1 at Chelsea)
2003/04 Third round (lost 0-1 after extra time at Tottenham Hotspur)
2002/03 Third round (lost 0-1 v Oldham Athletic)
2001/02 Second round (lost 6-5 on penalties following 0-0 draw at Reading)
2000/01 Fourth round (lost 1-2 v Sheffield Wednesday)
Sunderland
2009/10 Fourth round (lost 1-3 on penalties following 0-0 draw with Aston Villa)
2008/09 Fourth round (lost 1-2 v Blackburn Rovers)
2007/08 Second round (lost 0-3 at Luton Town)
2006/07 First round (lost 0-2 at Bury)
2005/06 Third round (lost 0-3 v Arsenal)
2004/05 Second round (lost 2-4 on penalties following 3-3 draw at Crewe Alexandra)
2003/04 Second round (lost 2-4 v Huddersfield Town)
2002/03 Fourth round (lost 0-2 at Sheffield United)
2001/02 Second round (lost 2-4 at Sheffield Wednesday)
2000/01 Quarter-final (lost 1-2 at Crystal Palace)
Old boys
• Anton Ferdinand began his career at West Ham's famed Academy, making 163 appearances and scoring five goals for the Hammers before joining Sunderland in August 2008.
• Left-back George McCartney, who joined Sunderland in summer 2008, spent two seasons at the Boleyn Ground, making 71 appearances and scoring one goal for West Ham. The Northern Ireland defender made 157 appearances during his first spell with Sunderland before joining the Hammers in August 2006.
• Midfielder Kieran Richardson began his career at West Ham, but failed to make a first team appearance before joining Manchester United in 2002. The 24-year-old joined Sunderland in July 2007.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Dick Bell, Gary Breen, Clive Clarke, Keith Coleman, Ernest England, John Foreman, Harry Forster, Jack Foster, Harry Hooper, Don Hutchison, Mick McGiven, Andy Melville, Billy Moore, Bryan 'Pop' Robson and Dave Swindlehurst.
Tuesday's officials
Referee - Howard Webb
Assistant referees - D S Bryan and A J Madley
Fourth Official - C H Webster
• .2010 FIFA World Cup final referee Howard Webb is fresh from officiating in Sunday's major meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, which the home side won 3-2.
• 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, not least last summer's World Cup final when Spain won 1-0 against the Netherlands.
• Webb also 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.
Next up
• West Ham United play host to Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday 25 September, with kick-off at 3pm.
• Sunderland travel to Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday 25 September, with kick-off at 3pm.
General information
• Tuesday's weather forecast is for sunny intervals with a maximum daytime temperature of 17C (63F) in Sunderland.
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Carr pleased with U18s form
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr was happy to secure a goalless draw at Coventry City
20.09.2010
Academy Director Tony Carr has expressed his pleasure after watching his Under-18s keep a second consecutive clean sheet in Saturday's goalless FA Premier Academy League draw at Coventry City. West Ham United's youngsters followed up a 3-0 home win over MK Dons with a resilient display in the Midlands, and could even have snatched all three points with a little more luck in front of goal. Having watched his team concede six times in their opening three fixtures, Carr was happy to see his players show their worth at the defensive end of the pitch. "We've been working very hard on that side of the game just to try and improve the team play and the team performance," he said. "At Coventry, I thought it all came together - we worked very hard and it was a very tough game in terms of the intensity of it. There was no quarter asked or given. "We had a couple of good chances. The first fell to Blair Turgott after great work from Matthias Fanimo. His shot was well-saved on the line by the goalkeeper before being scrambled away. We appealed that it might have gone over the line, but the assistant referee was having none of it. "Blair had another great chance, too. He was picked out by Eoin Wearen and his touch just let him down. If his first touch had been true he certainly would have gone on and scored because he was right in the centre of the goal with just the goalkeeper to beat."
West Ham sit second in the Academy League Group B table behind leaders Norwich City ahead of Saturday morning's home meeting with Crystal Palace.
West Ham United U18: Cowler, Young, Craig, Sanchez, Potts, Turgott, Wearen, Lletget (Vose), Fanimo, Hall, Subuola (Tombides)
Subs not used: Powell, Hunt, Purdy
*Youth team striker Jack Werndly has been allowed to join Norwich City on a permanent basis after the Norfolk-based club agreed to take over the 17-year-old's scholarship. Under-16 attacker Kieran Sadlier has been selected for the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming UEFA European U17 Championship qualifying tournament, hosted by Malta, between 20 September and 1 October.
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Kovac eyes Sunderland start
WHUFC.com
Radoslav Kovac is targeting a return to Avram Grant's starting XI after impressing as a substitute at Stoke City
20.09.2010
Radoslav Kovac is hoping his strong showing at Stoke City will see him restored to West Ham United's starting lineup for Tuesday's trip to Sunderland. The Czech midfielder joined the fray as a 52nd-minute substitute for the injured Valon Behrami, throwing himself into every challenge with typical gusto as the Hammers held on to secure a valuable 1-1 draw. Having helped the club pick up their first Barclays Premier League point of the season in the Potteries, Kovac is now eyeing a place in Avram Grant's XI for the midweek Carling Cup third round tie at the Stadium of Light. The 30-year-old former Spartak Moscow star is also eager to be involved in the mouth-watering London derbies with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and Fulham on 2 October. "It was good for us to get a point because it was a very hard game. We have lost our last three games, so to get a draw and not lose gives us a real boost. From now, our confidence can get better and better and better. "I enjoy the physical battle against Stoke every time, putting in challenges and winning headers.
"We go to Sunderland on Tuesday and we need to get a result there to set us up well for Tottenham. We have two important home games coming up and I hope to be in the starting lineup for both of them."
Prior to Saturday's visit to the Britannia Stadium, Kovac had appeared in just one first-team match this season, starting the 3-1 opening-day defeat at Aston Villa. Rather than let his omission get him down, the Prague-born midfielder has turned out twice for Alex Dyer's reserves, giving 100 per cent in the 1-0 victories at Leicester City and Everton and acting as an inspiration for the club's younger players. The player himself believes the playing time ensured he was ready for action when called upon at Stoke. "I didn't play in the last three games, but I felt very good physically when I came on. This is because I have played two full matches for the reserve team. It is very important that I played these games. "The games I played at Leicester and Everton were important for me because they enabled me to keep my match-fitness. They were very good."
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Players take the praise
WHUFC.com
Another big week lies ahead but Avram Grant will go into it on a high after a good weekend
20.09.2010
Avram Grant is already back hard at work with his West Ham United squad but has done so with the satisfaction of seeing his coaching staff step up to the plate at Stoke City. Assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic brought all his top-level experience to bear on Saturday while coaches Paul Groves and Kevin Keen also ensured the manager's pre-match plan was put into action. Typically, though, the backroom staff themselves were quick to put the praise for a precious point on to the players. Groves said new forward Frederic Piquionne was a tireless performer and willing runner in attack. He worked with the striker last season at Portsmouth and knows what he is capable of bringing to any team, although he also acknowledged the effort of Carlton Cole and Victor Obinna.
"Piquionne has added something different to the squad," said Groves. "He gives you different options. He has that versatility, he does have pace and is a willing runner especially in behind defences. "Playing those three gave us a threat of legs and pace."
Not for the first time, Scott Parker was the main man - not just in terms of the goal but in his marauding runs from midfield. "It is only five games gone but he's shown good qualities," added Groves. "He was a big influence on the game. "He's a first class individual on and off the pitch and people can't speak highly enough of him. He's scored some important goals too, including the [Carling Cup] one against Oxford that won the game. That's good for him because he gets recognition for that which he deserves."
For Keen, there was an encouraging showing from Manu da Costa, especially as it was his first league outing of the campaign. "He did very well. He is a fantastic athlete and he has a wonderful leap. "To be fair to the lad he has been waiting for his chance and he has done exceptionally well." The former Hammers star was impressed by the whole rearguard action, saying "the back four coped really well" in terms of the direct approach employed by Stoke from start to finish. A different challenge awaits next week in the league, with Tottenham Hotspur heading to the Boleyn Ground, seven days before another home derby date with Fulham. "We have got a couple of home games in the Premier League, good London derbies," added Keen. "Getting a point here is the start of the season for us and we can build on this."
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Sunderland v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Carling Cup third round
Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Tuesday, 21 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The League Cup Show
TEAM NEWS
Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan will be given his first start for the Black Cats since his big-money move from Rennes. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defenders Michael Turner and John Mensah are out through injury, plus Lee Cattermole is suspended.
West Ham boss Avram Grant may play a strong team as the Hammers search for only their second win of the season. Valon Behrami and Thomas Hitzlsperger will be missing through injury, but Tal Ben Haim is available again.
MATCH PREVIEW
Both sides come into this match off the back of impressive Premier League draws at the weekend. A Scott Parker-inspired West Ham picked up their first point of the season away at Stoke, ending a run of four defeats that had seen them make their worst-ever start to a league campaign. They are unbeaten against Sunderland in their last four encounters, but the Hammers' record in the League Cup is abysmal - they have gone out at the third-round stage in seven of the last eight seasons, and have not beaten a Premier League club since 1997. The Black Cats have lost just once this season and manager Steve Bruce was delighted by the "effort and endeavour" which saw his side pick-up a point in the 94th minute against Arsenal.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This will be their fourth meeting in the League Cup. Sunderland won in the second round in 1964 and West Ham won in the fourth round in 1979, and the second round in 1988.
• Overall, this is the 80th meeting of these clubs. Sunderland have won 28, lost 31 and drawn 20 of the previous 79.
• West Ham are unbeaten in their last four league matches against the Black Cats.
Sunderland
• Sunderland are looking for a place in the last 16 for the third year running.
• This is Sunderland's 150th League Cup tie.
• The Black Cats are unbeaten at home this season (W2, D2).
West Ham
• The 1966 and 1981 runners-up are looking for a 100th victory in the League Cup.
• They have fallen by the wayside at the third-round stage in seven of the last eight years, including the last two.
• The Hammers have not eliminated a fellow Premier League club since the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the third round in October 1997.
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Sunderland v West Ham United - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th September 2010
By: Preview Percy
This match rather crept up on us, to be honest, what with our current league position keeping us awake at night. Preview Percy remembered it though. Unfortunately.
Next up we have a travel unfriendly trip up to Wearside for a 7.45 Tuesday night kick-off at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland will be our hosts for a 3rd round League Cup tie. As with all League Cup matches these days, this one will be played to a finish with both extra time and penalties available to separate the sides should this be necessary.
In the league they currently lie in mid-table, having won one, lost one and drawn three of their five matches thus far. Their last outing saw them pick up a point in the battle of the whiney managers when Darren Bent's late goal secured them a draw against Arsenal slightly deeper into stoppage time than Wenger would have liked. By all accounts they were well worth the point, with Arsenal's goal scoring highly on the fluke-ometer. Here's a funny thing. In 1994, whilst playing for Civil Service FC away at Carshalton I scored a goal identical to Fabregas's effort. However, the fact that I was actually in my own half at the time makes me officially better than Fabregas, who, I am sure, didn't have to drive himself to the match in a clapped-out Nissan Cherry.
In the previous round they saw off Colchester 2-0, the goals coming as a result of goalkeeping errors from which Darren Bent was able to profit. As is the modern trend, the match was used to give a few squad players a run out, including defender Michael Turner for whom the match was a rare outing this season. Turner, with whom your correspondent shares a London hairdresser, has been behind Titus Bramble and ex-Hammer Anton Ferdinand in the central defence pecking order over the past few weeks, having missed the start of the current season as a result of a suspension carried over from last term. This being the League Cup he may well get a start this time out, with Ferdinand moving over to the left of defence to accommodate Turner in the middle.
As well as Ferdinand, Sunderland have another couple of ex-Hammers in their squad. Kieran Richardson started his career in Tony Carr's academy before being poached by Man Utd. A more meaningful contribution to first team affairs came from George "Linda" McCartney who spent two years at the Boleyn before returning in controversial circumstances to Sunderland whence he came in the first place. He's had a few injury problems and has found himself out of favour with Bruce (which puts McCartney up in my estimation) who has commented publicly on McCartney's "personal problems". McCartney has yet to feature in any of Sunderland's matches this season – including the Colchester tie, and, though he was named in the 25 man Premier League squad, I'd personally be surprised if he were to play a part in Tuesday's proceedings. (Watch Bruce pick him now!)
Bent's usual strike partner up front in recent weeks has been former Man Utd striker Danny Welbeck. Welbeck has been selected in place of Frazier Campbell whose anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Man City will keep him out for most, if not all of the rest of the season. Sunderland's big signing during the transfer window was Ghanaian striker Asamoah Guyan. Gyan is, of course, famous for missing the last minute penalty in the World Cup quarter-final tie against Uruguay, a miss that contributed to Uruguay's passage to the semi-finals earning your correspondent £150 from his old office's sweepstake in the process. Gyan has yet to start a match since his arrival from Rennes, though it would seem logical to start him in a League Cup match if you're rotating the squad for such matches.
Us? Well there will have been a bit of a confidence boost from the deserved point up at the Britannia on Saturday, though that result will, arguably, be of limited relevance in this particular tournament, especially if Grant continues his own League Cup rotation policy which saw starts for Stech, Spector, Tomkins, Stanislas and Sears against Oxford. The arrival of cup-tied Jacobsen at right back for the league might see Faubert chucked into the mix for the League Cup. Obinna and McCarthy might also be given the chance to boost their match fitness. Kieron Dyer has also (much to his annoyance allegedly) been absent from first team action for a couple of weeks and is another that might get the nod.
Prediction? Well it's a League Cup match which is likely to feature a fair number of non first-team regulars on both sides. So it's a bit of a lottery really. But, having got one match against a team in red & white stripes right, I'm on a roll. So I'll go for 1-1 after extra time and you can flip a coin as to how the penalties go. We rarely win them but let's say a penalty win for us as I'm in a good mood.
Enjoy the game!
Last season (league): Drew 2-2 Went 2-0 up, opposition down to ten men, what could go wrong? Story of last season in a nutshell.
Danger Man: Darren Bent I can't see him as an international striker to be honest, but he's the sort of journeyman who tends to score against us. Especially if we have a non-first choice defence on display. Or even if we haven't.
Referee: Howard Webb Usually a decent ref, I thought he had a poor season last term. And that was before his World Cup Final shambles where his early leniency against Van Bronckhorst and de Jong was taken as carte blanche by the Dutch to continue kicking lumps out of the Spanish. Last seen by us failing to issue the statutory red card to Distin up at Everton when Cole was upended with only the keeper to beat.
Daft fact of the week: When Kevin Keegan advertised Sugar Puffs on the box a few years back, sales of the product plummeted by 20% in Sunderland, though the manufacturers are not believed to have lost too much sleep at the resulting £3 per week reduction in income.
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Parker - No hiding place
Hammers midfielder determined to secure first win
Last updated: 20th September 2010
SSN
Scott Parker accepts there is 'no hiding place' for West Ham United following the club's difficult start to the season. The Hammers ended a four-game losing streak by picking up a first point of the campaign courtesy of a 1-1 draw at Stoke City on Saturday. Parker had given his team the lead at the Britannia Stadium and has again been West Ham's stand-out performer this season. The midfielder was satisfied to emerge with a point from a tough trip to Stoke, but acknowledged it is time for the Hammers to start winning. "We have to put up a front," said Parker. "That's exactly what's needed now, it's going to be a tough season for us. "There's no hiding from the fact that it's going to be difficult. When you play in the Premier League there is no hiding place. But the one thing we have to do is stick together, no matter what is written and who says what. "The way things were going there were a lot of people who wouldn't have thought we would have got a result at Stoke. "We came away with a point and before the game we would have taken that if we are being brutally honest with ourselves. "But we do need to start winning. We all know that in the Premier League you can have as much quality as you want, but you need a real desire to go and win. "I try and play my game and try and inspire others to follow. And there are a few like that out there."
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Hammers praise Green
Coach and skipper back under-pressure keeper
Last updated: 21st September 2010
SSN
West Ham coach Paul Groves and captain Scott Parker have come out in support of under-pressure goalkeeper Robert Green. The Hammers shot-stopper, 30, has been under the spotlight since his heinous error for England during the World Cup in the summer, when he spilled a long-range Clint Dempsey strike into his own net as the USA levelled terms with the Three Lions. His form so far this season for West Ham has been similarly patchy, and in the first half against Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday he was guilty of a few errors which did not result in goals. Coach Groves praised Green for the way he kept his composure and concentration against the Potters at the Britannia Stadium, despite criticism coming from elsewhere. "If anybody says Robert has a problem then my answer to that is the saves he made at Stoke," he said in the Daily Star. "In the first half a couple of mistakes did happen but he didn't let them affect him. "I felt he made good decisions on whether to come and punch when he dealt with balls in his box. "If you are a centre-forward and make mistakes it doesn't get highlighted the same - and, as far as I'm concerned, he answered the questions well."
Parker netted the crucial goal for West Ham against Stoke and it helped his side to their first point of the campaign. The combative midfielder also came out to praise Green, and insists he is a goalkeeper of quality. "Greeny's a strong character and he's a very, very good keeper as well," he remarked. "He helped get us the point at Stoke and since I've been at the club he's made numerous saves on numerous occasions. "You obviously feel sorry for him but that's the nature of the beast. Someone like me or any of us on the field, we could have made 10 mistakes, which probably we did but, as a keeper you make one, it's highlighted and it doesn't seem to be forgotten about."
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Obinna eyes Hammers stay
Nigerian happy at Upton Park
Last updated: 21st September 2010
SSN
West Ham loan star Victor Obinna has indicated he would be happy to stay at Upton Park on a permanent basis. Obinna is at West Ham on a season-long loan deal from Inter Milan after falling down the pecking order at the European champions. The Nigerian international has caught the eye during his first two outings for West Ham and the 23-year-old claims he would be open to the idea of staying at the club permanently. "I wanted to try playing in the Premier League because I thought it was a style of football that seemed right for me," Obinna told the Daily Mirror. "There is also a possibility that my move could be made a permanent one. "I'm happy to be a West Ham player. "I believe we have to work hard to take West Ham where it belongs."
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Grant - No room for rests
Hammers boss hoping for morale boost in midweek cup clash
By Chris Burton Last updated: 20th September 2010
SSN
Avram Grant admits he does not have the luxury of being able to rest players in the Carling Cup. West Ham are set to face Sunderland in the third round on Tuesday and will do so with the majority of their key men on display. They know it is imperative they get back to winning ways after enduring a troubled start to the new season. A 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday helped them to turn the corner and Grant will be looking for his troops to build on that performance in midweek . He said: "You need points and we took our first point. We could have taken three, because I think we played very well and reacted well after their goal, so there are many positives we can take to the next games. "The staff and the players did a good job and that's what is important. The most important thing is that the team continues focusing and takes more points. "We want to win any game - friendly games, league games and also in the Carling Cup - so we will go to this game and we want to win and we want to be in the next round. "But Valon Behrami (knee) got injured on Saturday and also Thomas Hitzlsperger is injured. So we won't have players resting as they'll play tomorrow. "This is an opportunity to see the other players. We have good players in the squad and they will play tomorrow. "The most important thing is the league and building something for the future. I think the Carling Cup is like a bonus. We like this bonus of winning, so we want to win and we will do everything to be in the next round."
The man who could benefit from Behrami's injury blow is Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac, who replaced the Swiss star at Sunderland and is hoping he will now be awarded an extended run in the team. He said: "It was good for us to get a point because it was a very hard game. We have lost our last three games, so to get a draw and not lose gives us a real boost. From now, our confidence can get better and better and better. "We go to Sunderland tomorrow and we need to get a result there to set us up well for Tottenham. We have two important home games coming up and I hope to be in the starting line-up for both of them. "I didn't play in the last three games, but I felt very good physically when I came on. This is because I have played two full matches for the reserve team. It is very important that I played these games. "The games I played at Leicester and Everton were important for me because they enabled me to keep my match-fitness. They were very good."
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Behrami out, Ben-Haim in for Hammers
Published 14:28 20/09/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant is likely to be without Valon Behrami and Thomas Hitzlsperger for the Carling Cup third-round tie against Sunderland. Behrami sustained a knee injury in the draw at Stoke while Hitzlsperger is struggling with a thigh problem. Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim is back after missing the Stoke game but long-term absentees Zavon Hines, Jack Collison and Peter Kurucz (all knee) remain sidelined.
Team (from): Green, Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Noble, Piquionne, Boa Morte, Dyer, Cole, Obinna, Kovac, Faubert, Stech, Barrera, Ben Haim, Gabbidon, Da Costa, Reid.
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Grant: I want a win... any win
Published 16:13 20/09/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant admits he does not have the luxury of resting some of his first-team regulars in the Carling Cup. The Hammers got off the mark in Barclays Premier League when Scott Parker's goal earned them a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday. Now they face Sunderland in the third round of the Carling Cup and Grant sees the game as a real chance to get a win under their belts. He said: "You need points and we took our first point. We could have taken three, because I think we played very well and reacted well after their goal, so there are many positives we can take to the next games. "The staff and the players did a good job and that's what is important. The most important thing is that the team continues focusing and takes more points. "We want to win any game - friendly games, league games and also in the Carling Cup - so we will go to this game and we want to win and we want to be in the next round. "But Valon Behrami (knee) got injured on Saturday and also Thomas Hitzlsperger is injured. So we won't have players resting as they'll play tomorrow. "This is an opportunity to see the other players. We have good players in the squad and they will play tomorrow. "The most important thing is the league and building something for the future. I think the Carling Cup is like a bonus. "We like this bonus of winning, so we want to win and we will do everything to be in the next round."
Meanwhile Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac is hoping to retain his place in the side for the trip to Sunderland. Kovac was introduced as a second-half substitute for the injured Behrami against Stoke. Having helped the club pick up their first Premier League point of the season in the Potteries, Kovac is now eyeing a place in the side at the Stadium of Light. The 30-year-old former Spartak Moscow star is also eager to be involved in the London derbies with Tottenham on Saturday and Fulham on October 2. "It was good for us to get a point because it was a very hard game," said Kovac. "We have lost our last three games, so to get a draw and not lose gives us a real boost. From now, our confidence can get better and better and better. "I enjoy the physical battle against Stoke every time, putting in challenges and winning headers. "We go to Sunderland tomorrow and we need to get a result there to set us up well for Tottenham. We have two important home games coming up and I hope to be in the starting line-up for both of them. "I didn't play in the last three games, but I felt very good physically when I came on. This is because I have played two full matches for the reserve team. It is very important that I played these games. "The games I played at Leicester and Everton were important for me because they enabled me to keep my match-fitness. They were very good."
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Inter striker wants permanent switch to Hammers
Published 23:00 20/09/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Victor Obinna is ready to make his loan move from Inter Milan to West Ham a permanent deal. The Nigeria striker, 23, has started the Hammers' last two Premier League games. And the £4m-rated Obinna, who only played nine games in two seasons in Italy, said: "I wanted to try playing in the Premier League because I thought it was a style of football that seemed right for me. "There is also a possibility that my move could be made a permanent one.
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Hammers boss: Stoke game could be the turning point
Published 23:00 20/09/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Avram Grant has admitted his "relief" after West Ham earned their first point of the season on Saturday. The Hammers boss observed the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur and missed the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium. And the Israeli, who was back at the club's training ground yesterday to prepare for today's Carling Cup tie with Sunderland, said: "It was very difficult not to be at the game. No one wanted to be there more than me. "It's a relief to get a point and I think we deserved it. I am sure it will be the first of many. Like last week, the performance was good but this time we got a draw. Our target is to continue progressing."
Grant added: "I have been very touched by the support I received this weekend in observing Yom Kippur. The backing from the owners, the positive messages from the fans and the commitment and effort of my staff and players was truly special. I am humbled by this response."
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West Ham striker Benni McCarthy ready to shine in Sunderland clash
By SIMON CASS Last updated at 12:02 AM on 21st September 2010
Daily Mail
Benni McCarthy is eager to show off his slimmed-down frame when West Ham visit Sunderland in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night. Sportsmail revealed how McCarthy was fined £80,000 for exceeding his target weight of 85 kilograms (13st 4lb). McCarthy, who is itching to fire West Ham into the fourth round for the first time in three seasons, said: 'I feel extremely sharp and good. If a chance comes my way, I would like to grab it.
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Gomes to face Hammers after lay-off
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, September 20
TalkSport
Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes is set to make his long-awaited return from injury in the London derby against West Ham on Saturday. Gomes has been ruled out for the last month after suffering a groin injury against Young Boys in the Champions League. The Brazilian keeper has missed the last four matches and was expected to be back in action by now. But Gomes is set to resume training this week and hopes to be available for selection for the game at Upton Park.
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West Ham boss Avram Grant offers thanks for compassion shown over Yom Kippur
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 4:59 PM on 20th September 2010
Daily Mail
Avram Grant has thanked West Ham management, players and fans for their understanding after he missed the 1-1 draw at Stoke to observe Yom Kippur.
With the Hammers struggling at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League the Israeli sought a solution which would allow him to be present at the game and respect the Jewish holy day. But no compromise could be found and Grant stayed away from the Britannia Stadium in order to fast in private and he has expressed his gratitude for the compassion shown to him by those close to the club. He said: 'I have been very touched by the support I received this weekend in observing Yom Kippur. The backing from the owners, the positive messages from the fans and the commitment and effort of my staff and players was truly special. I am humbled by this response. 'While I would like to have been there at the Britannia Stadium and will be glad to be back in the dugout this week, I am pleased that my coaching staff – Zeljko Petrovic, Paul Groves and Kevin Keen – got the attention they deserve. 'We are as much a team as the players out there on the pitch. It was very difficult not to be at the game. No one wanted to be there more than me.'
The east London club earned their first point of the year against Tony Pulis' side and Grant took time to praise his team's efforts and believes they are starting to turn the corner after the worst start in the club's history. 'We have our first point of the season at Stoke on Saturday and I am sure it will be the first of many,' said the Hammers boss. 'Like last week, the performance was good but this time we got a draw. 'We continue to progress and I am delighted about this. This was the first week that we have had all our players together except the injured ones. We are seeing the team improve defensively and offensively. 'Our target is to continue progressing. A few of the players were making only their first or second appearances of the season. 'Valon Behrami was one of them and that was the only disappointment as he picked up an injury, which we will have to assess this week. 'In every game, we will get stronger and I fully expected to see the reaction we got at Stoke, especially after a very strong week of training at Chadwell Heath where everyone was desperate to play. 'We were tough, determined and we never gave up. We could even have earned more than a 1–1 draw and, if we had, no one could have argued. 'The players could easily have dropped their heads when Stoke equalised after half–time but they kept on going and had the chances to get that first win. That is so encouraging and I maintain that we have seen positive things in every single match this season since the opening day. Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash away at Sunderland will come as a welcome break to league duties ahead of the derby clash with Tottenham at the weekend.
West Ham's recent record against Spurs is poor but the club would receive a huge boost were they to take anything from their north London rivals. Grant said: 'This is a very big week with Sunderland in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night and then Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday. 'There were big numbers of fans there at Stoke again and two away games in four days does ask a lot of people during a difficult financial climate. I cannot thank each and every one of those who travel enough. 'I am also grateful to those who have bought a ticket for Tottenham. We will need every single supporter in our corner as it will be a difficult derby, but it is a match we can win. I have seen the belief in the squad and they will give their all to earn our first three points. 'I know this game matters more to you than any other. We will be up for the fight and ready to face the challenge.'
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Pay the price! West Ham told to cough up £12.5m for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:34 PM on 20th September 2010
Daily Mail
Misfiring West Ham have been warned it will cost them £12.5million to prise France striker Kevin Gameiro from Lorient. The French club have spoken out after renewed reports linking the 23-year-old with a move. The Hammers were linked with Gameiro as the summer transfer window was closing and may have to look at their attacking options again after scoring just three times in five Barclays Premier League games. Liverpool were also linked in the summer, while a Sunday newspaper claimed Tottenham are now considering a January move after failing to land a striker in the summer. Gameiro is keen to take a step up from Lorient and has also been tracked by Valencia, Sevilla and Marseille, but he will not come cheap. Lorient are under little financial pressure after selling defender Laurent Koscielny to Arsenal in the summer for a deal which could eventually be worth about £10m. And club president Loic Fery said: 'We did not need to sell, not Koscielny, nor Gameiro, but the sale of Koscielny puts us in an even better situation. 'We would not sell for below €15m (£12.5m). Extending the contract of Kevin Gameiro is always our goal. 'Kevin appreciates what he wants from his new contract given his new status and we are discussing these things.' The 5ft 7in striker can also play wide and was handed his international debut by Laurent Blanc last month. He scored 19 goals in 40 games last season and is off the mark again in this campaign.
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