Bowyer Scharner
Barclays Premiership 25th August 2007 Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Upton Park Attendance: 33,793 Referee:Andre Marriner
Lee Bowyer salvaged a point for the Hammers with a timely 80th-minute
equaliser on an afternoon when they were left to rue a host of missed
opportunities.
Certainly, the second-half substitute could not have chosen a better moment
to score his first-ever goal for the club after Paul Scharner had given the
Latics the lead against the run of play, just a couple of minutes earlier.
Following their win over Birmingham City last time out, Hammers had made
just one change as skipper Lucas Neill returned in place of Jonathan
Spector, who was named on the bench.
Wearing black armbands in memory of former Upton Park striker Jeroen Boere,
who died in Spain last weekend, West Ham started brightly in the intense
east end sunshine as the wayward Bobby Zamora let fly from range before
George McCartney sent an angled effort sizzling over the angle.
Chris Kirkland was then forced to scamper from his line to thwart both Craig
Bellamy and then Kieron Dyer, while the relieved Wigan 'keeper also gathered
Matthew Etherington's teasing free-kick into the danger area as a pack of
claret and blue shirts raced in for the kill.
And on the quarter-hour mark, Mark Noble's inch-perfect cross was met by the
rising Zamora but his downward header bounced agonisingly wide of Kirkland's
right-hand post.
Bellamy then thought he had opened his Hammers' account only to be thwarted
by the sight of a raised offside flag and as West Ham seemingly edged closer
and closer to breaking the deadlock, McCartney also deposited another
long-ranger onto the roof of the net.
Having erased the memory of an opening day defeat at Everton with
back-to-back victories over Middlesbrough and then Sunderland, the Latics
had proudly sat on top of the Premiership at the close of play last
Saturday.
Not surprisingly, Chris Hutchings had named an unchanged side following that
3-0 over victory over the Black Cats but, apart from a Scharner header that
flew just wide, the visitors did little to threaten Robert Green in the home
goal during the opening half-hour.
And although Wigan's cause was not helped by the departure of an injured
Antoine Sibierski just before the break, only Green's left-hand post
prevented the Latics from taking the lead against the run of play when Jason
Koumas found space to unleash a low 20-yarder in the closing moments of the
first-half.
Just after the break, runaway substitute Julius Aghahowa saw the ball drift
wide after he lifted it over the advancing Green, who was then relieved to
see Scharner send a 25-yard grass-cutter the wrong side of the base of his
right-hand upright.
In reply, Mark Noble's angled 20-yard pile-driver rocketed through a pack of
bodies and beyond the past the far post after Denny Landzaat had been booked
for handball and, as Curbs looked to turn chances to goals, he introduced
Dean Ashton on the hour-mark to the delight of the Hammers' supporters
amongst the shirt-sleeved 33,793 crowd.
With three wins from their four league visits to Upton Park, though, Wigan
still had a little bit of history on their side and when Koumas sent a
right-wing free-kick into the danger zone, Green bravely dived into
Aghahowa's studs a split-second before Mario Melchiot nodded the loose ball
wide.
Bowyer then replaced Hayden Mullins before Luis Boa Morte came on for the
disappointed Bellamy, who trudged off holding his groin after a lively
display.
On 78 minutes, however, Wigan took the lead in spectacular style, when
Melchiot's long-throw was nodded on by Emile Heskey under pressure from
Matthew Upson and Scharner sent an acrobatic overhead kick past Green from
12 yards.
But the visitors' joy was destined to be short-lived, for within just two
minutes, the three Hammers' substitutes combined to create a richly-deserved
home equaliser when Ashton found Boa Morte whose defence-splitting pass
picked out Bowyer and he kept his cool to slot an inch-perfect, angled
12-yarder wide of the exposed Kirkland to rescue a point.
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West Ham 1-1 Wigan - BBC
By Sam Lyon
Lee Bowyer struck his first goal for West Ham to rescue a point for the
hosts and deny high-flying Wigan a third straight victory at Upton Park.
Despite a wealth of possession for the Hammers it was Wigan who created the
clearer chances, Jason Koumas hitting a post and Julius Aghahowa going
close. Mark Noble's penalty appeal was turned down at the other end, before
Paul Scharner volleyed a fine Wigan opener. However, Bowyer secured a draw
minutes later, clipping in from the angle. It was no more than West Ham
deserved from a topsy-turvy encounter, during which both sides' attacking
frailties were exposed. Wigan came into the match knowing anything other
than a defeat would not only keep them in the upper reaches of the table,
but also extend their best start to a Premier League season. But it was the
hosts that made nearly all the running in the first half. With Kieron Dyer
enjoying the freedom of Upton Park and Noble picking passes, the Hammers
barely allowed Wigan a touch in the early stages. And it was the latter that
created the hosts' first chance of the afternoon when his clipped right-wing
cross was glanced narrowly wide by Anton Ferdinand. George McCartney also
blazed over but clear-cut chances were at a premium, though Noble had strong
appeals for a penalty turned down when he crumpled under the challenge of
Andreas Granqvist two yards out on the half hour.
Replays suggested there was slight contact, but it would have been harsh on
the Swedish defender. There was less confusion about the officials' decision
minutes later, though, when Craig Bellamy strode through to slot home only
to be denied - correctly - by the linesman's flag. However, despite having
to hang on for long periods in the half, it was Wigan that came closest to
opening the scoring just before the break when Koumas cut in from the left
and fired onto the post from 20 yards. The goal would have been against the
run of play, but the pattern continued after the break with West Ham
dominating possession but Wigan creating the better chances. Aghahowa,
fairly anonymous in the first half, was the main aggressor for Wigan. And he
should have done better when he broke free of the defence only to take a
poor touch and allow Robert Green to smother his shot. The Nigerian was
again denied by Green on the hour when the keeper blocked his snap shot from
six yards, with Mario Melchiot heading the follow-up wide of the target with
the goal gaping. Still West Ham huffed and puffed but, with Granqvist and
Titus Bramble looking increasingly comfortable, it appeared the hosts' hopes
of rewarding their superiour possession with a goal were fading. And their
worst fears looked to have been realised 12 minutes from time when Scharner
broke the deadlock with a wonderful finish, firing an overhead kick into the
corner from Emile Heskey's knockdown to hand Wigan the lead. It looked like
West Ham's toothless attack would once again cost them the points, but
Bowyer had other ideas and, having gone close from a Boa Morte pull-back
minutes earlier, grabbed the leveller with a clipped shot into the corner
from the Portuguese winger's fine pass on 81 minutes. An expected home rally
ensued as West Ham pressed for a winner but, other than a muted appeal for a
penalty when Dyer fell under Bramble's tackle, they could not trouble the
Wigan goal and it finished all square.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley:
"We're a little frustrated by a draw but I guess I have to be delighted
we've got something from the game after falling behind so late.
"In the first half they put lots of men behind the ball and we struggled to
break them down, whereas in the second it changed and they began to get a
few chances on the break. "A point was probably a fair result and I'm
delighted that Lee's got a goal - it's all that's been missing from his play
for me."
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings:
"We cancelled eachother out to a certain extent, but this is a tough place
to come and I think we deserved a draw because of the chances we created.
"We came under a lot of pressure at times but we held out and restricted
them to half chances. "That's our first away point of the season and that's
important. We're on the right road."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Dyer, Noble, Mullins
(Bowyer 65), Etherington, Zamora (Ashton 61), Bellamy (Boa Morte 75).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Spector.
Booked: Upson.
Goals: Bowyer 81.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane, Valencia (Brown 77),
Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Sibierski (Aghahowa 38), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Hall, Folan.
Booked: Landzaat, Brown.
Goals: Scharner 78.
Att: 33,793
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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He's an ugly bugger isn't he?! - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 26th August 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings rates his team's goalscorer for looks and shares
his thoughts on an away point at the post match press conference....
Chris Hutchings - Wigan Athletic
Why did I seem reluctant to celebrate Sharner's goal? Well he's an ugly
bugger isn't he! He was delighted and I was obviously delighted inside but I
held my emotions back – I didn't want to give him a full kiss on the lips!
The "Chris Who?" comments and being tipped for relegation? I never let it
bother me. I have great faith in the players I've got and I have belief in
myself and so far we've done ok. We won't be getting carried away. It's the
good start that we all wanted to have, that every manager wants – it's 7
points on the board from three games which is a great return but we've got
to keep it going.
Are we aiming for survival or better? Better. We haven't got the players in
just to survive. We want to have a season like our first in the Premiership
not like last year. The players who have come in share my ambition, the
chairman's ambition, the club's ambition. We're trying to push this club
forward.
Today's performance? First half I wasn't impressed at all. We started
slowly, they dictated the tempo. Second half we showed a little more desire
and created a few more chances. We had to defend well – you always have to
at places like this. Previous week we went to Everton and scored a goal at
the right time but didn't hang on. It's always a tough place here – we came
under pressure but defended quite well. We got blocks in, some clearances
and that's what you have to do – a big team effort.
It was a great goal. Scharner has a habit of doing that – getting on the end
of things in the box. He's popped up again with a vital goal for us. Worked
on in training? (laughs) sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!
Bramble? Well he was obviously at the right club at Ipswich. Bobby Robson
spent a lot of money on him at Newcastle but may be the expectation was too
much.I have faith in him – that's why we bought him. He did very well today
and we must ensure he continues in that vein.
What did I do at half time? That's between me and the lads! Don't ask me
questions like that! (laughs). We wanted to sharpen things up – we'd been a
little bit laboured and I don't know whether we had the belief to win the
game. It was something we talked about and I got that response from the
lads. We had a bit of disruption when Sibi came off on the first half. I
thought Agahowa did well when he came on.
The spotlight doesn't really bother me. People in the game know what a good
job I did at Bradford and Wigan as a team. That's gone, it's in the past and
we've got to move on. I don't think I have anything to prove to anyone.
We're frustrated in a way – disappointed that we conceded so soon after
scoring. It's something we'll have to work on. Concentration? They'll say it
was a good bit of play. They'll see it one way we'll see it another. We've
come away with a point and we're delighted with that.
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Pleased - and disappointed... - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 25th August 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
Want to know what Alan Curbishley thought of today's 1-1 home draw with
Wigan? We sent Gordon Thrower - our man with the gammy leg and tickly cough
- along to the post-match press conference to find out....
Lee Bowyer's been desperate for a goal. Since I've been here he's done
everything right to get in there and get a goal and it's just not happened –
the 'keeper's made a save or it's got away from him or whatever. I was
delighted for him. Putting him on there I knew what we were going to get – I
moved Kieron back into the middle to try and fashion something.
I was pleased that we've come back but disappointed that we had to come
back. The amount of possession we had – especially in the first half –
should have got us something. Wigan would have been well pleased to get in
at half time all square. They did get stronger in the second half and got
their goal which we're gonna be massively disappointed in and it looked as
if it was gonna be another away day for them but we dug in and got back and
I'm well pleased with that.
Bowyer's been desperately unlucky on a few occasions. He's played in most of
the pre-season games and hasn't got the goal. After he got the goal we had a
long throw in the last minute and the 'keeper was waiting for the ball – I
was waiting for Bow to come in in front of him, take a gamble and finish it
.
The penalty in the first half? I thought Noble got pulled back. I haven't
seen it again yet but one or two who have say he was pulled back. If we'd
got our noses in front in the first half it might have been different. They
would have come out a bit more rather than asking us to break them down. As
it went on we introduced the subs to give us a bit of a lift. We're pleased
we came back and got a point but disappointed we haven't got all three.
Today I had Lucas Neill coming back. Keiron Dyer's not had much of a close
season, I've got people – Dean Ashton – feeling their way back. When the
others – the Parkers and the Ljungbergs are ready we're going to have the
same problem getting back into the pace of the Premiership.
Looking at the fixtures I'd like to have had a few more points. I think most
managers look at the fixtures and look at the ones that are winnable, We've
got an even spread throughout the season. We got the result at Birmingham
and if we'd got the result today it would have been a decent start so yeah
we're a bit disappointed.
The Wigan goal? Well we knew that set plays are a big part of their game but
because of the shuffle around Scharner got away from his man – for the
overhead kick he's got acres of space. The markers swapped over and the man
who should have marked him didn't. There should have been a few more bodies
around him.
Dean Ashton? No I haven't ruled him out for England. These people write
headlines. He's in a similar position to Michael Owen – he's been out a long
long while but with every game and every week he's getting better. He's got
an opportunity this week with another game coming up quickly. He needs games
– since we completed the pre-season there's not been an opportunity for
other matches to be played – no reserve games or anything. He needs football
football football. He's managed to get through pre-season without any
hiccups. He looks stronger every time he comes on. Bear in mind I've been
here 8 months and not really seen him. Pre-season's the first look I've had
and I've had to make sure others get some football as well. Tuesday should
be an opportunity to get 90 minuts. He did give us a bit of presence when he
came on – a couple of occasions he was just inches away from putting people
through with that final pass. As I said at the start of the season I class
him as a new signing. I don't think his ankle is a problem – it's now just
match fitness. He needs a clean run and I'm sure he's going to get it.
Substitute for England? Right now he needs 90 minutes. Hopefully he'll get
that Tuesday.
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Ashton to start - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 25th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has confirmed that Dean Ashton will start against Bristol
Rovers this coming Tuesday. West Ham takes on Rovers in the League Cup at
the Memorial Ground on Tuesday night with Ashton yet to make a competitive
start this season. But with the Hammers only managing to score once from
open play in their opening three league games Curbishley is ready to offer
Ashton his first start of the campaign. Curbishley confirmed the news in
tonight's post match press conference - a full transcript of which will be
posted on KUMB.com later this evening.
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Curbishley rues lost points -SSN
Curbishley not satisfied with Hammers' slow start
By Robin Hackett Last updated: 25th August 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was disappointed to see his side draw with
Wigan and admitted the side has not started the season as well as he had
hoped.
West Ham were much the better team against Wigan, but went behind when Paul
Scharner put the visitors ahead on 78 minutes. And, although Lee Bowyer
levelled matters three minutes later, Curbishley felt his side deserved
more. "I'm disappointed we had to come back after dominating the game
because, by half-time with the amount of possession we had, we should
certainly have got something," he said. "Wigan got stronger in the second
half, though. "I thought we should have had a penalty when Mark Noble was
tugged, but we got one last week at Birmingham and you have to accept that.
Wigan asked us to break them down and we couldn't do it." He added: "We
haven't taken full advantage of our starting fixtures. I thought we would
have got more points than this after three games, but the games are still
evenly balanced up until Christmas."
However, Curbishley was happy to see Bowyer get on the scoresheet. "Lee has
been desperate for a goal," he said. "He did everything right to get in
there earlier when Luis (Boa Morte) broke through and he just missed out,
but I was delighted for him when it finally happened. "Lee has been great
here. He had an injury last season which set him back, but when I put him on
as sub today I knew exactly what I would get from him."
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Two points lost for Hammers - SSN
West Ham rue missed chances
By Hayley Paterson Last updated: 25th August 2007
West Ham and Wigan shared the spoils after a fantastic strike from Paul
Scharner against the run of play and a Lee Bowyer equaliser in the last ten
minutes.
Wigan's Scharner dispatched a tremendous overhead kick past Rob Green in a
rare attack as the Hammers failed to convert their chances, even though they
had the majority of possession. Lee Bowyer's late strike in the 81st minute
was all they could muster. West Ham had a penalty claim controversially
turned down by referee Andre Marriner in the first half after Mark Noble
appeared to be pulled back by Andreas Granqvist infront of goal. In the
second half another claim was waved away when Kieron Dyer went down in the
box.
Wigan looked composed on the ball but had few chances, before Scharner
produced a cracking out-of-the-blue effort from an Emile Heskey flick on. A
stunned Hammers side pushed desperately for the equaliser, which duly
arrived from substitute Lee Bowyer, who had missed a sitter from close range
moments before. Bobby Zamora, still preferred to Dean Ashton as a starter,
chalked up two spectacular misses, skewering one shot across goal for a
throw-in and then letting Dyer's cross run under his foot with only Chris
Kirkland to beat in the 21st minute. Anton Ferdinand's header bounced just
wide of a post when he jumped head and shoulders above everybody for Mark
Noble's cross and Craig Bellamy was denied by a linesman's flag when he sped
through onto Dyer's pass on 33 minutes.
And referee Andre Marriner did not spot a Wigan hand appearing to haul down
Noble in the six-yard box during a scramble which followed a corner. But it
was full-back George McCartney who went closest of all for West Ham in the
first half - twice. His stinging shots in the sixth and 37th minutes
narrowly cleared Kirkland's crossbar, the second with the aid of a
deflection. Wigan took 25 minutes to create a chance but it was a good one
when Antoine Sibierski, who was substituted 13 minutes later, crossed from
the left and Scharner escaped flimsy marking to put his header wide from
about 10 yards. But Wigan suddenly came to life with a long run by Denny
Landzaat and after Julius Aghahowa ran into a defender the ball ran loose
for Koumas whose low shot grazed the foot of a post as it went behind.
Noble's follow-up shot from his own free-kick 10 minutes into the second
half met a similar fate but then so did Scharner's almost immediately at the
other end before Green pulled off a remarkable instinctive save from
substitute Aghahowa, and then saw Mario Melchiot's header go wide.
Scharner struck spectacularly following Heskey's leap for a long throw by
Melchiot but it looked to be a West Ham head that helped the ball on for the
Austrian's bicycle-kick act. There was no doubting the identity of Bowyer's
strike however as he showed West Ham's strikers the way to do it.
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Sub Bowyer Saves Hammers -Soccernet
West Ham 1-1 WiganPA
Lee Bowyer rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham with a rare goal in a late show
started by Austrian Paul Scharner's acrobatic overhead strike 12 minutes
from time, after battling Wigan had been given a pounding. Scharner looked
to have won it when he took off in the penalty area and hooked the ball over
his shoulder past a startled Robert Green, but although he raced to the
touchline to celebrate a possible third Wigan win in a row with manager
Chris Hutchings, it was to be short-lived. Substitute Bowyer, on for Hayden
Mullins, finished crisply two minutes later when fed by fellow sub Luis Boa
Morte and shamed Hammers' earlier efforts to score. Hammers manager Alan
Curbishley could see more home points slipping away when he brought on
England hopeful Dean Ashton for Bobby Zamora for the last 30 minutes, but it
was the Hammers' two other subs who turned up trumps. West Ham have still
never beaten Wigan in the Premier League at Upton Park, but if their
finishing had been anywhere near accurate, they could have wrapped this one
up in the opening half. Zamora, still preferred to Ashton as a starter after
the former Norwich star's recovery from a broken ankle last season, made two
spectacular misses, skewering one shot across goal for a throw-in and then
letting new boy Kieron Dyer's cross run under his foot with only Chris
Kirkland to beat in the 21st minute. Anton Ferdinand's header bounced just
wide of a post when he jumped head and shoulders above everybody for Mark
Noble's cross and Craig Bellamy was denied by a linesman's flag when he sped
through onto Dyer's pass on 33 minutes. And referee Andre Marriner did not
spot a Wigan hand appearing to haul down Noble in the six-yard box during a
scramble which followed a corner. But it was full-back George McCartney who
went closest of all for West Ham in the first half - twice. His stinging
shots in the sixth and 37th minutes narrowly cleared Kirkland's crossbar,
the second with the aid of a deflection. Wigan took 25 minutes to create a
chance, but it was a good one when Antoine Sibierski, who was substituted 13
minutes later, crossed from the left and Scharner escaped flimsy marking to
put his header wide from about 10 yards. Although Sibierski, with three
goals already this season, Jason Koumas and even Scharner showed attacking
intentions, Emile Heskey was often an isolated figure up front as West Ham
began to dominate possession. But Wigan suddenly came to life with a long
run by Denny Landzaat and after Julius Aghahowa ran into a defender, the
ball ran loose for Koumas, whose low shot grazed the foot of a post as it
went behind. Noble's follow-up shot from his own free-kick 10 minutes into
the second half met a similar fate, but then so did Scharner's almost
immediately at the other end, before Green pulled off a remarkable
instinctive save from substitute Aghahowa, and then saw Mario Melchiot's
header go wide.
Curbishley ran out of patience with the misfiring Zamora and sent on Ashton
for the last 30 minutes, but it looked a move doomed to failure when the
striker had two shots blocked. Instead, Scharner struck spectacularly
following Heskey's leap for a long throw by Melchiot, but it looked to be a
West Ham head that helped the ball on for the Austrian's bicycle-kick act.
There was no doubting the identity of Bowyer's strike, however, as he showed
West Ham's strikers the way to do it.
Lee Bowyer's first West Ham goal in 35 games saved his team's bacon after
Austrian Paul Scharner threatened to snatch an undeserved win for Wigan at
Upton Park. But then came substitute Bowyer's strike just two minutes later
and Curbishley said: 'Lee has been desperate for a goal. 'He did everything
right to get in there earlier when Luis (Boa Morte) broke through and he
just missed out but I was delighted for him when it finally happened. 'Lee
has been great here. He had an injury last season which set him back but
when I put him on as sub today I knew exactly what I would get from him.'
Bowyer, originally on loan at West Ham before joining them permanently from
Newcastle last season, said: 'The boss sent me on and said to just keep
plugging away and the ball will drop for you. 'We wasted a couple of chances
in the first half and had to fight back but spirit did it for us. We didn't
just lie down and accept defeat and we deserved to get a point.' Curbishley
admitted: 'I'm disappointed we had to come back after dominating the game
because by half-time with the amount of possession we had we should
certainly have got something. Wigan got stronger in the second half, though.
'Lee has been unlucky in pre-season not to score but the history of his
career shows he does score and today I thought he really deserved it. 'I
thought we should have had a penalty when Mark Noble was tugged but we got
one last week at Birmingham and you have to accept that. Wigan asked us to
break them down and we couldn't do it.' Curbishley admitted: 'We haven't
taken full advantage of our starting fixtures. I thought we would have got
more points than this after three games but the games are are still
evenly-balanced up until Christmas.' West Ham's problem has been a failure
to finish - just two goals so far - and the substitute the fans expected to
find the net, Dean Ashton, could not do it. Ashton, easing his way back
after breaking an ankle while training with England before the start of last
season, had two shots blocked when coming on just after the hour and said:
'It is special to hear the fans chanting your name when you are warming up
and I'm available now to start. 'I can't wait to cut loose because it is
difficult to make an impact coming on from the bench.' Bowyer did just that,
though, and both he and Ashton are set to start for the first time this
season in the Carling Cup against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings was delighted with another point after
consecutive wins over Middlesbrough and Sunderland - another one in the eye
for cynics who said Paul Jewell's successor would not last long after six
years as his number two. He said: 'It didn't bother me in the slightest what
people said. 'I've got great faith in the players that we've brought in and
a belief in my ability as a manager.' Former Chelsea defender Hutchings who
was sacked by Bradford after just 137 days when he was promoted to replace
Jewell there, added: 'We have done OK so far but we won't get carried away.
We've got seven points but we just have to keep it going. 'Survival fight.
No, we are better than that, the players we have brought in are better than
that. And the chairman and I are ambitious. 'We want another season like
Wigan's first season in the Premier.' Chairman Dave Whelan elected to miss
the game. He was on holiday in St Tropez so did not have to face West Ham's
directors after backing Sheffield United's appeal to have the Hammers
relegated last season over the Carlos Tevez affair.
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Vinny's Wigan Report - West HamOnline
Vinny - Sun Aug 26 2007
West Ham United 1 Wigan Athletic 1
If you have come out of this game happy with the result and performance then
you need your head testing because that was a big pile of steaming dog shit.
I was horrified at the way we played football, and am stunned at our
managers' delight at how we performed.
The only good to take from this match was that we did not lose it, and even
that seemed unlikely when Wigan went one up with little over ten minutes
remaining.
I suppose it is my own fault for thinking that things were going to change
and that with the money the club has we would see quality players coming
into the side and good flowing football being played. Instead we get
overrated and overpriced players such as Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy
whilst only being able to play the long ball.
Nope, today I am not having it – we were shit. Simple as that, and what
makes it worse is that Wigan are shitter. They came for the point and got it
with ease as they were able to deal with the flat and unimaginative football
Alan Curbishley's men were producing.
Only one change was made to the side which beat Birmingham. Lucas Neill was
fit enough to play and he came in at right back replacing Jonathan Spector
who dropped to the bench. The short term injuries of Freddie Ljungberg and
Scott Parker have escalated into long term ones. Parker must have now been
injured for about six weeks when we were led to believe the injury was just
a minor one.
It was a slow start to the game on a beautifully sunny day at Upton Park,
but we were beginning to see a lot of the ball as the possession percentage
rose in our favour. No real chances were falling our way with Zamora and
McCartney seeing their shots go wide.
Wigan keeper Kirkland had to be on his toes as he intercepted some decent
passing by Bellamy and Dyer. Kirkland would have had no chance if someone
had of got on the end of a wonderful teasing free kick from Etherington
which only needed the slightest of flicks goalwards.
There was a penalty shout when Granquist appeared to foul Noble in the area
but the appeals were turned down to the annoyance of the West Ham fans
especially those in the Bobby Moore stand.
The ball was in the back of the net shortly after that incident but Bellamy
was adjudged to have been offside. I thought he was off as that is all he
ever seems to do. Him and Zamora seem to be trying to outdo one another to
who can be offside the most.
Wigan as an attacking force were pretty anonymous but they had two chances
which were the most clear cut of the half. The first one was when a
brilliant cross from Koumas was played in for Schanar but his bullet header
went wide.
It would be Koumas who would have the next chance as he cut in from the left
and hit a powerful shot which beat Green but not the post to the relief of
the hammers crowd.
Although a goal for Wigan would have gone against the run of play it
wouldn't have exactly shocked many as we were never truly comfortable in
that first half.
Our football had been very one dimensional. Wigan had doubled up on
Etherington and with McCartney unwilling to overlap, we had nothing going
down the left. On the right hand side we had Lucas Neill holding onto the
ball for too long as Dyer had gone missing from the right wing position. The
long ball from the back was a beginning to become a favourite option of ours
but Bobby Zamora could not win a header and when he did get the ball he
found it difficult to pass to anyone in claret and blue.
No changes were made at half time and it was Wigan who came out of the traps
faster with Aghahowa coming very close when he broke free of our static
defence and tried to lift it over the onrushing Green but his touch wasn't
good enough and we were able to clear.
A free kick was awarded to us for a handball and Mark Noble stepped up to
take it. The initial shot was poor and smacked into the wall but Noble's
follow up went just inches wide.
It was around this time when Curbishley finally succumbed and introduced
Dean Ashton for the awful Zamora. Ashton received a heroes welcome and it
seems that a lot of peoples hope are riding on him.
Wigan had the best chance of the game up till then and Aghahowa was in the
thick of things again. A free kick was whipped into the area and Aghahowa
diverted the ball goalwards which Green saved but the ball came out to
Melchiot who was bound to head the ball into the goal but somehow he put it
wide. We had escaped when we should have been punished.
You see here I am writing this after reading comments from Curbishley that
we had loads of possession etc, but reviewing the clear cut chances of the
game brings me to one team and that was Wigan.
Two more changes were made by Curbishley when he took off Bellamy (I don't
know if he was injured but then again I don't care) and replaced him with
Boa Morte who went up front to partner Ashton. A few moments later Mullins
was removed and Lee Bowyer was his replacement.
But these changes seemed all in vein as Wigan took the lead on the 78th
minute. It was a simple goal really with regards to the move – don't get me
wrong it was a clever finish but we did give Schanar the time and room to
unleash an overhead kick from Melchiot's long throw.
Cue the mass exodus from the Upton Park crowd.
Fair play to our players, we went straight at them quickly and with menace.
Our attack though was being led by Luis Boa Morte who seemed to be on a
mission to get us back into the game, and Wigan could just not handle him.
He went on a mazy run down the left hand side, making his way into the area
and pulling the ball back for Bowyer but his finish was dreadful, much like
the finishing he subjected us to last season.
Bowyer would redeem himself just moments later but scoring the equaliser.
Ashton found Boa Morte and he played a beautifully weighted defence
splitting pass through to Bowyer who finished well.
A point at home to Wigan Athletic rescued. Happy days.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Another solid performance from Greeno. Made a couple of decent saves on what
was a quiet game for him in terms of shot stopping. The fans got behind him
singing "England's Number One" only for Green to turn to us and tell us that
he is "number six"!.
Lucas Neill
Making his first appearance of the season, the club captain took a while to
get into this one looking a bit rusty with his passing. Koumas had the
better of him in the first half bit Neill didn't give him a sniff in the
second. Bit of match fitness needed but nothing really to be concerned
about.
Anton Ferdinand
Pleased with his display today after being a bit worried on how he would
cope with the troublesome Heskey. Of course Anton was not going to win every
header but he won the majority and made some decent tackles and clearances.
Matthew Upson
For the most part he was solid enough but when up against anyone with a bit
of pace he looks really worrying. Think it was Aghahowa who did him a couple
of times in the second half completely wrong footing him. Jury is still out
on him I think.
George McCartney
His defending was spot on and I can have no complaints with that. But maybe
we can send him to a hypnotherapist to overcome his fear of overlapping
Etherington and actually aiding our attacks instead of hindering them with
his constant backwards passing.
Kieron Dyer
The hype machine is on full power when it comes to Dyer. I totally missed
this innovative creative force that he displayed today. I just saw a guy
failing to get in the majority of his crosses in the first half and failing
to make one in the second. I thought it was a quiet and pretty flat
performance from this £7 million player. Shouldn't come as a shock though –
he has been doing this for a number of years at Newcastle.
Hayden Mullins
No major criticisms to be put at Mullins. He did his job quietly but
efficiently. Offers nothing going forward but I guess that is not his role.
His passing wasn't too wayward today and there was a few times when he made
the effort to spot the pass out to the wing to get an attack going. Without
Parker he is the best we have got.
Mark Noble
Another dynamic performance from Noble. Was all over the pitch doing as much
as he possibly could. One moment he would be putting in a crunching tackle,
the next he would be skilfully beating his man and playing a nice pass to a
teammate. Is showing us all what he can do and looks as though he is
relishing every moment he is getting to play.
Matthew Etherington
For a large part of this game he was heavily marked and Melchiot in
particular was too strong for him. Didn't go into his shell which was nice
to see and worked hard to win the ball back when caught in possession. His
presence was a threat but I don't feel McCartney did enough to help him find
room.
Craig Bellamy
Nothing performance from what looks like a nothing player.
Bobby Zamora
Missed a couple of sitters, played like a cunt, but still managed to get an
hour on the pitch.
Subs Used
Dean Ashton (on for Zamora 61 mins)
Showed glimpses of class and although he looks a bit leggy he still gives me
more hope than Zamora. Hopefully he will get a goal at Bristol and start
against Reading.
Lee Bowyer (on for Mullins 65 mins)
Missed a sitter and scored a goal. And that was Lee Bowyer today.
Luis Boa Morte (on for Bellamy 75 mins)
For me, he is the man who changed it all. On as a striker he ran Wigan
ragged and was superb in the fifteen minutes he was on the pitch. After
thinking he was a little bit of a cunt, I am now retracting that thought and
think we should rethink the hatred towards him. Booed as if he was our enemy
when he came on but will be happy with his assist.
Overall
Whenever I write one of these I think I can usually gauge how much I will be
cunted off. I think this one will get the ever optimists telling me off for
being unhappy with this performances citing that we were all over them (we
were not) Bellamy was onside (debatable) and that with Dean Ashton and Scott
Parker in the side we will be great (hopeful).
Like the Manchester City game it is not so much the result but the
performance which gets to me. The football we are playing is just shit.
It's not the shit that gets results either, its just boring, unimaginative,
and soulless... hang on, maybe I'm talking about Alan Curbishley?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan defy doubters at Upton Park
By Andrew Warshaw at Upton Park, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:34am BST 26/08/2007
West Ham United (0) 1 Wigan Athletic (0) 1
Chris Hutchings and his Wigan team may have been everyone's fall-guys when
the season started a fortnight ago, but after narrowly avoiding relegation
in May the Latics are challenging the assumption that they have little
chance of survival this time round.
Upton Park has been a happy hunting ground for Wigan in recent seasons and
so it proved yesterday when they maintained their impressive start to the
campaign; they now sit in third spot this morning, much to the delight of
their manager, who spent six years as No 2 to Paul Jewell.
"It didn't bother me in the slightest," Hutchings said when asked about the
'Chris who?' jibes when he took over; his only previous managerial spell was
137 days at Bradford City when they were in the top flight. "I have great
faith in the players we have brought in, and in myself. We haven't got these
players just to survive. We want a season like our first in the Premiership,
not like last year. The new players share my ambitions and that of the
chairman to push this club forward."
This was the first meeting between the sides since the infamous Carlos Tevez
saga, which has rumbled on through the summer. Dave Whelan, Wigan's
chairman, was at the forefront of the so-called Gang of Four's support for
Sheffield United in their attempt to get West Ham docked points, but was
absent yesterday - apparently on holiday in St Tropez.
His opposite number, Eggert Magnusson, used the occasion to criticise
Sheffield in the match programme, while West Ham fans showed their feelings,
too, booing each one of their opponents when the teams were read out to the
crowd.
Away from the politics, it was an intriguing test for both teams. Wigan
arrived buoyed by two successive wins, yet badly needed a half-time breather
after West Ham had typically dominated possession, only to prove unable to
convert.
After the break, the visitors improved and took the lead 12 minutes from
time through Paul Scharner's spectacular overhead kick. The equaliser by Lee
Bowyer - driving through to score 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute
- was his first goal in 34 West Ham games in two different spells for the
club.
There was another plus point for West Ham yesterday with Dean Ashton, back
after injury, playing for 30 minutes.
Assessing his side's first three games - one win, one loss and a draw - Alan
Curbishley, even without two of his big-name signings in Freddie Ljungberg
and Scott Parker, admitted that his team should be higher up the table.
"I've still got players feeling their way back, but I had hoped to have a
few more points by now. But Dean Ashton is like a new signing for me. He's
been out a long while, but with every week he is getting stronger."
Match summary
Moment of the match: Wigan seemed to have consigned West Ham to a second
straight home defeat when Lee Bowyer rammed home an equaliser to justify
being brought on as a sub.
Match rating: 6/10
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eggert Magnusson threatens legal action
By Andrew Warshaw, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 12:58am BST 26/08/2007
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson launched a stinging rebuke against
Sheffield United in the latest outburst over the Carlos Tevez affair,
threatening legal action against the Yorkshire club. Magnusson said: "I will
take whatever action is appropriate to defend the reputation of West Ham
United Football Club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan: Match Report - West Ham Till I Die
August 25th, 2007
In theory we should all be moaning about the loss of two points and the fact
that we have only scored one goal in open play in three games. In theory we
should be worried that we haven't been able to beat teams like Wigan and
Manchester City. In theory. But I take a lot of positives out of today. We
dominated the game in a way I have rarely seen. We passed. We looked like a
team who had played together before, in stark contrast to the Manchester
City game. We tackled as if we meant it and although the final pass
sometimes didn't come, there was great movement in the side.
I felt that our forward players did well, although Bobby Zamora lost out to
often and his shooting boots had been left at home. Matty Etherington was
simply outstanding at times and with Kieron Dyer wreaking havoc down the
right it was a mystery as to how we didn't score in the first half.
The other highlight of the game was Mark Noble. He was everywhere - taking
free kicks, corners, shooting at will, tackling as if he meant it. Dean
Ashton showed some delightful touches when he came on with half an hour to
go. He should have been on from the beginning. If he had been, I'm pretty
sure we would have gone in a goal up. He has such a great touch for such a
big man. His bofy is simply awesome. When he took his training shirt off all
you could see were rippling muscles under his stretch vest. He still looks a
tad heavy, but he needs match practice, not half an hour here and there.
It's great news that Curbishley has said he will start against Bristol
Rovers on Tuesday.
Anyway, much as I would like to have got another two points, let's remember
we are above Spurs and Man U are in the drop zone. We have four points out
of nine. Thay ratio would give us 51 points at the end of the season…
And so to the points
Green 8 had little to do. Was not to blame for the goal
Ferdinand 8 Did brilliantly keeping Heskey quiet
Upson 7 Solid. Distribution a little poor at times
Neill 6 Weak first half. Never got close to the Wigan winger. Maybe back too
soon?
McCartney 7 Some great runs going forward
Noble 9 Simply outstanding. Has put the Man City holiday behind him.
Mullins 7 Sublime pass in the first half was the pass of the game.
Etherington 9 Definitely back to his rampaging best
Dyer 8 He's fast. Lack of final pass lets him down, but a great home debut
Zamora 6 A very average performance from Bobby
Bellamy 8 He's fast too. Very committed. Loves a hard tackle. Subbed with a
groin strain
Bowyer 7 Let's hope his first goal leads to many more
Ashton 8 Made a real difference with his height and physical presence
Boa Morte 7 Several nice touches towards the end
Alan Curbishley 7 marked down for not playing Ashton from the start. Could
have cost us three points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 Wigan Athletic 1 - The Sun
August 25, 2007
ALAN CURBISHLEY hailed Lee Bowyer after the midfielder bagged his first goal
for West Ham. The Hammers went 1-0 down with just 12 minutes remaining when
Paul Scharner's overhead kick stunned the Upton Park faithful. But two
minutes later Luis Boa Morte found Bowyer to salvaged a point. And
Curbishley said: "Lee has been desperate for a goal. "He did everything
right to get in there earlier when Luis broke through and he just missed out
but I was delighted for him when it finally happened. Lee has been great
here. He had an injury last season which set him back but when I put him on
as sub today I knew exactly what I would get from him." Bowyer added: "The
boss sent me on and said to just keep plugging away and the ball will drop
for you. "We wasted a couple of chances in the first half and had to fight
back but spirit did it for us. We didn't just lie down and accept defeat and
we deserved to get a point."
West Ham have struggled with their finishing this season and Hammers fans
were delighted to see Dean Ashton back in action. The striker said: "It is
special to hear the fans chanting your name when you are warming up and I'm
available now to start. "I can't wait to cut loose because it is difficult
to make an impact coming on from the bench."
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings hit back at his critics after his side continued
their unbeaten run this term. He said: "It didn't bother me in the slightest
what people said. "I've got great faith in the players that we've brought in
and a belief in my ability as a manager. "We have done OK so far but we
won't get carried away. "We've got seven points but we just have to keep it
going. "Survival fight. No, we are better tan that, the players we have
brought in are better than that. And the chairman and I are ambitious. "We
want another season like Wigan's first season in the Premier."
The Austrian took off to hook the ball over his shoulder after Emile
Heskey's challenge for a long-throw into the area, leaving goalkeeper Robert
Green helpless. But so was Wigan's Chris Kirkland almost immediately
afterwards when Luis Boa Morte fed fellow substitute Bowyer to equalise with
a neat finish to make it 1-1.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Dyer, Noble, Mullins
(Bowyer 65), Etherington, Zamora (Ashton 61), Bellamy (Boa Morte 75). Subs
Not Used: Walker, Spector. Booked: Upson. Goals: Bowyer 81.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane, Valencia (Brown 77),
Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Sibierski (Aghahowa 38), Heskey. Subs Not Used:
Pollitt, Hall, Folan. Booked: Landzaat, Brown. Goals: Scharner 78.
Att: 33,793
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 1 Wigan Athletic 1: Bowyer stops Hammers' fall under the shadow
of Tevez - The Indepenent
Midfielder salvages a point from another display lacking creativity and
guile
By Jason Burt at Upton Park
Published: 26 August 2007
Off the pitch, there had been plenty of bile. On it, there was barely a
shred of style. And so an unsatisfactory draw was perhaps inevitable given
that West Ham were desperate for revenge for the three consecutive home
defeats that Wigan had inflicted on them, while the visitors still had the
bitter aftertaste of the Carlos Tevez affair. Bile is also something that
has, too often, been associated with the career of Lee Bowyer, but the
midfielder scored yesterday – his first goal in 35 appearances in West Ham
colours – to save a vital point. He also stemmed the pressure that will
build on Alan Curbishley if results do not improve.
The West Ham manager revealed his frustration at the score, and his team's
modest start to this season. "I'm disappointed," Curbishley said. "I looked
at the fixtures and was hoping to have more points."
Four points from three games, including that first-day loss to Manchester
City, is not the kind of exhilaration dreamed of by West Ham's rampantly
ambitious chairman, Eggert Magnusson, and despite his pleas for
consolidation and mid-table progress, Curbishley has to deliver a more
exciting return. Excitement was a commodity provided in abundance by Tevez,
and the hole left by his departure is yet to be filled.
However with Dean Ashton, a second-half substitute after constant chanting
from the home fans, and playing a role in the goal, there is an old talisman
back in town.
Also absent yesterday was the Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan. Officially he was
on holiday in St Tropez, although unofficially it was felt that it may have
been diplomatic for him to give this one a skip given the noise he made over
West Ham's behaviour. That was a shame for the manager, Chris Hutchings.
Favourite for the sack, the man who lasted less than four months at Bradford
City after succeeding Paul Jewell is making a fist of the Premier League
now. "It doesn't bother me in the slightest," Hutchings said of the
scru-tiny he has been under. "I have got great faith in the players I have
brought in and great belief in myself. We want a seasonlike the first one we
had in the Premiership, not like last year."
Magnusson will concur with that. But he also returned to the Tevez theme
himself in his programme notes, reiterating his threat, delivered last week,
that if Sheffield United do not let the whole Tevez saga rest he will take
legal action himself. "Desperate" and "without legal merit" he labelled the
Blades's latest attempts to punish West Ham, showing a cutting edge of his
own. If only his team had one too. They passed and passed and passed the
ball, with Mark Noble committed and industrious, but desperately needed to
take the early chances that came their way. Unfortunately they fell to Bobby
Zamora, who was slow to react, before Anton Ferdinand planted a header wide.
And then Wigan began to threaten. Their edge came from the midfield guile of
Jason Koumas and the energy of Paul Scharner. Firstly the two combined for
the latter to head wide and then Koumas stepped insideto hit an angled shot
that beat Robert Green only to strike a post and bounce away.
Wigan, compact and organised, shrugged off the loss of Antoine Sibierski,
and had Antonio Valencia been braver, may have pulled ahead. Instead he
snatched at a shot and pushed it wide while, soon after, Green was alert to
save from the Ecuadorian. West Ham pleaded for a penalty when Noble appeared
to be pulled back, and then a shot from the midfielder, after his free-kick
cannoned back to him, drifted narrowly wide.
A goal was beckoning, and it was Wigan who took it. From Mario Melchiot's
throw-in, Emile Heskey competed and the ball fell to Scharner. Unmarked, he
twisted and sent an overhead kick into the corner of the net.
The Austrian ran over to Hutchings to celebrate. The manager remained
passive, aware there were still a dozen minutes left. West Ham immediately
attacked and Luis Boa Morte picked out Bowyer, who calmly slid home. "I
don't think we deserved to get beaten," Curbishley said. Which was true. But
it's still not what's expected of him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers defy odds - The Times
West Ham 1 Wigan 1
John Aizlewood at Upton Park
A MOST curious encounter: one where West Ham United had most of the
possession, yet Wigan Athletic had most of the clear-cut chances. After 90
fascinating minutes, the spoils deserved to be shared but Wigan headed back
up the M6 regretting a lapse of concentration. West Ham, though, will wake
up today wondering just how and why they could see so much of the ball, yet
be so unthreatening.
They said it wouldn't last and they were right but you suspect Wigan
savoured the psychological fillip of a brief peek at the Premier League peak
last weekend. Today, they lie a highly respectable third and manager Chris
Hutchings – still such an elusive quarry that his name was misspelled in
Alan Curbishley's programme notes – lauded his team's early points haul.
"We just have to keep it going," he said. "We haven't got the players we've
recruited just to survive. We want a season like our first in the
Premiership."
West Ham's season still threatens to become engulfed in grubbiness, but they
have other problems too, not least an impotent front pairing until Dean
Ashton attains full fitness as neither Craig Bellamy nor Bobby Zamora have
scored this season and they looked far from comfortable in each other's
company.
"I'm pleased we came back but disappointed we had to," sighed Curbishley.
"The possession we had meant we ought to have won but we didn't deserve to
get beat. To be honest, I'm disappointed we haven't got more points on the
board."
As expected, Wigan were well-drilled, combative and, more than anything,
determined to hold onto the parity they had strolled onto Upton Park with.
In the end they succeeded, but it could have been better. "I wasn't
impressed with our first half, we let them dictate play," lamented
Hutchings. "And while I'm delighted with a point, I'm frustrated we didn't
hold on."
All afternoon, West Ham were unsure just how to unpick this particular
Lancastrian lock but did have their share of half-chances in the first half.
Anton Ferdinand's newly shorn head made powerful contact with Mark Noble's
cross, only to beat both Chris Kirkland and his post and when Kieron Dyer's
cross eluded the entire white-shirted defence, Zamora, on the edge of the
six-yards box, missed his kick entirely.
Yet, when Wigan broke forwards, they picked at West Ham's soft underbelly
with such venom you wondered why they neglected to do it more often. Twenty
five minutes in, Jason Koumas found himself free on the left, where
Curbishley surely hoped Neill might be. Koumas's cross was true, but Paul
Scharner unaccountably headed wide. And as if to prove the point, Wigan's
second attack of the first period ended with Koumas's drive hitting the
outside of Robert Green's post.
After the restart, Wigan slowly began to sense that three points was as
plausible as one. Julius Aghahowa wasted another glorious Wigan chance when
he fluffed a 53rd minute one-on-one with Green and then Scharner rattled a
piledriver wide but with the crowd chanting for Ashton the home side looked
bereft of ideas. An hour in, Curbishley acquiesced to the popular will. Off
went Zamora, on came Ashton but Wigan grew braver, coming closer still when
Mario Melchiot headed wide of an open goal from four yards after Green had
parried Antonio Valencia's effort.
West Ham had been warned but they chose not to hear and Wigan's opener was
hardly a surprise. Melchiot hurled a long throw-in towards goal from the
right touchline. Emile Heskey trumped Matthew Upson to head on and Scharner
hooked home a splendid overhead kick.
So focused while they were level, Wigan promptly undid their good work by
falling soundly asleep for the two minutes they were ahead.
Ashton, though, still looks far from fully fit and he too struggled to
impose himself upon Andreas Granqvist and Titus Bramble as did Luis Boa
Morte, when he replaced a hobbling Bellamy. Yet, in a glimpse of what may be
the future, Boa Morte and Ashton combined intuitively to craft the
equaliser.
The pair played a delicate headed one-two before Boa Morte danced through
the centre of the visiting defence and squared for a third substitute, Lee
Bowyer, who sidefooted handsomely past Kirkland for his first West Ham
strike. "He's been desperate for a goal," smiled Curbishley "But it just
hasn't fallen for him."
After that, a visibly relieved West Ham trundled forwards in search of a
winner they scarcely deserved. Wide awake once more, Wigan, though, were
left to rue what ought to have been.
Star man: Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic)
Player ratings: West Ham: Green 7, Neill 5, Upson 5, Ferdinand 5, McCartney
6, Dyer 5, Mullins 6 (Bowyer 65min), Noble 6, Etherington 5, Bellamy 5 (Boa
Morte 75min), Zamora 5 (Ashton 60min, 6)
Wigan: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 7, Granqvist 7, Bramble 7, Kilbane 7, Valencia 5
(Brown 77min), Landzaat 5, Scharner 6, Koumas 6, Sibierski 5 (Aghahowa
38min, 6), Heskey 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Curbs treating Ashton with kid-gloves
tribalfooball.com - August 25, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has vowed to ease Dean Ashton back into the
first team - and ruled him out of an England return any time soon. The
Hammers striker is finding his way back in the game after a 2006/07 season
ruined by a broken ankle injury sustained while training with England.
"He's trained every day of pre-season and he's waiting for his chance," he
said. "We're delighted he got through it, which was our main aim when you're
out for a year. "I've taken the decision to start with Craig Bellamy and
Bobby Zamora, and I've spoken to him about that. He's just delighted to be
back, and he is waiting for his chance. "He'll need more before the
qualifiers, though. We've been careful with him and he'll just be delighted
to get a clear run."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan chairman Whelan ducked West Ham visit
tribalfooball.com - August 25, 2007
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan elected to miss yesterday's 1-1 draw at West Ham
United. He was on holiday in St Tropez so did not have to face West Ham's
directors after backing Sheffield United's appeal to have the Hammers
relegated last season over the Carlos Tevez affair.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 1WIGAN 1 BOWYER 81 SCHARNER 78 Bowyer grabs draw for Irons - Sunday
Mirror
Ralph Ellis At Upton Park 26/08/2007
Lee Bowyer finally ended his wait for a West Ham goal to spare boss Alan
Curbishley the embarrassment of a second home defeat.
Bowyer popped up with 10 minutes left to fire home from Luis Boa Morte's
clever pass.
And the timing couldn't have been better for Curbishley who had seen his
team batter Wigan but then fall behind just three minutes earlier.
Lifelong Hammers fan Bowyer had failed to hit the target ever since he
joined the club last January.
And relieved Curbishley admitted: "Ever since I've been at the club he seems
to have been doing everything right except get the ball in the net, and I
was delighted for him.
"When I brought him on as a substitute I knew exactly what we needed from
him, and I was pleased with the way he helped pick us up after we went
behind."
Curbishley's side dominated the first half, but somehow failed to beat Chris
Kirkland in the Wigan goal.
The best chances fell to Bobby Zamora, but he had a goal disallowed as well
as mis-kicking a volley from just a few yards out.
The Hammers had a warning of what might happen when Jason Koumas hit the
outside of the post with a dipping shot from 25 yards just before the
interval.
And after 78 minutes they fell asleep for Mario Melchiot's long throw. Emile
Heskey won the ball before Paul Scharner struck with a spectacular overhead
kick.
The introduction of bleached-haired substitute Dean Ashton picked the pace
up for the Hammers. Twice Ashton played Boa Morte into space and though
Bowyer missed the first chance created, he made no mistake a few seconds
later.
Curbishley said: "Ashton has been out a long while, and with every game
he'll get better and stronger. I want to make sure that we bring him back in
a way that makes sure we see the best of him."
For new Wigan boss Chris Hutchings it was a crucial first point away from
the JJB Stadium.
Hutchings said: "It hasn't bothered me in the slightest that people have
been questioning why I got this job.
"I won't be getting carried away but seven points from three games is a good
start and we've got to keep it going.
"Our goal is to do much better than mere survival.
"The players that have come in believe in my ambition, and the ambition of
the chairman and the club to take Wigan forward and do more than just cling
on in the Premier League."
STAT ATTACK
STORY OF THE GAME
W HA M
WIGAN
59% POSSESSION 41%
2 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
12 SHOTS OFF TARGET 9
6 CORNERS 1
11 FOULS CONCEDED 15
6 OFFSIDES 0
1 YELLOW CARDS 2
0 RED CARDS 0
HOWTHEYRATED
WEST HAM
Green 6; Neill 6, Ferdinand 7, Upson 6, McCartney 6; Dyer 7, Mullins 6
(Bowyer 7), Noble 7, Etherington 7; Zamora 6 (Ashton 7), Bellamy 6 (Boa
Morte 6).
Manager Alan Curbishley 6
WIGAN
Kirkland 6; Melchiot 7, Graqvist 7, BRAMBLE 8, Kilbane 6; Valencia 6 (Brown
6), Landzaat 7, Charner 7, Koumas 6; Sibierski 5, (Agahahowa 6) Heskey 6.
Manager Chris Hutchings 7
Referee Andre Marriner 8
NEXT 4PREM FIXTURES
WEST HAM
READING (A), M'BORO (H), NEWCASTLE (A), ARSENAL (H)
WIGAN
NEWCASTLE (A), FULHAM (H), READING (A), LIVERPOOL (H)
HEAD TO HEAD
Anton Ferdinand v EMILE HESKEY
Any more of this and Rio's kin brother will start threatening to take the
family England place - he made sure Heskey had little impact despite his
usual physical efforts.
Man of the MATCH
TITUS BRAMBLE
Had a habit of falling asleep with Newcastle, but has become a member of the
Wide Awake club after moving to Wigan - he gave Bobby Zamora a tough
afternoon.
DID YOU KNOW?
The two clubs who stayed up at Sheffield United's £50million expense in May
both beat each other away last season. United won at the JJB in April and
Wigan won this game 2-0 in December.
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