26/08/2007 11:28
Just three games into the season, he has already lost, won and drawn. And
having now experienced every emotion in the Hammers' dug-out, Alan
Curbishley freely admits that he would liked to have posted more than four
points on the board. "We've been given a good, even spread of fixtures where
we've got games that look 'winnable' and I was hoping to have taken
advantage of that," revealed Curbs after seeing Lee Bowyer's late strike
give Hammers a deserved equaliser against Wigan Athletic at Upton Park on
Saturday. "We got the result at Birmingham City and six points would have
represented a decent start for us if we'd won against Wigan. "We're a bit
disappointed but, then again, we're only at the start of a long season and
we certainly don't expect to be in the bottom three again this year. Here at
West Ham we want to have a solid, mid-table season so that we can then build
some foundations that will enable us to push on next year. "If we're not up
in that region, then people will become frustrated but you have to remember
that I haven't gone overboard in the transfer market. "Sure, I'm pleased
with the business that I've done during the summer and, although I may have
spent around £28million, I've also got around £21m back in sales and have
managed to replace the players that have left the club. About ten teams have
spent more than West Ham United this summer and that has made the Premier
League more difficult but we can only get stronger."
Certainly, there were encouraging performances from new boys Craig Bellamy
and Kieron Dyer in the 1-1 draw with the Latics. "Craig may have tweaked his
groin in the second half but he showed that he'll thrive on people like
Kieron, who can see his runs and slip balls into him," insists Curbs.
"Alongside Dean Ashton, we've also got Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg and
Julien Faubert to come back and once we get a settled side, things will be
different. "So far, everyone I sign seems to get injured which has made it
difficult but at the end of the day, that's why I've got a squad."
Indeed, that strength in depth could not have been illustrated any better by
substitute Bowyer, who has flirted with the first-team in recent months. And
the former Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Newcastle United midfielder
popped up at the perfect time to bag his first-ever Hammers' goal in his
32nd appearance for the club. "Lee Bowyer has been desperate for a goal,"
revealed Curbs. "Since I've been at the club he's done everything right to
get in there and try to score and it's just not happened for him. He's been
desperately unlucky and not quite got his goals, which have always been a
big part of his game. "I knew what we'd get if we brought him on, though,
and while I was pleased that we came back into the game with his equaliser,
I was also disappointed that we had to come from behind because we had a lot
of possession in the first half. "Set plays are a big part of Wigan's game
but, unfortunately, we gave Paul Scharner acres of space to lose his marker
and score with his overhead kick. He shouldn't have had the room to pull off
something like that. "It looked like it was going to be a good away-day for
Wigan but we dug in and got back into the game and I'm well pleased with
that.
"We certainly didn't deserve to get beaten and I'm sure Wigan will still be
happy to be leaving with a point," concluded Curbs ahead of preparing for
tomorrow night's Carling Cup trip to Bristol Rovers, which will be swiftly
followed by Saturday's Premiership encounter at Reading. "We may only have
got four points from three games but we know that we're better than this and
if we keep going the results will definitely come."
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It could have been a different story - WHUFC
26/08/2007 09:31
Two decades after sharing the same Brighton & Hove Albion dressing room, it
all ended honours even between former Seagulls team-mates Alan Curbishley
and Chris Hutchings at Upton Park. "Although I was pleased that we got back
into the game, I was also disappointed that we had to come from behind in
the first place," insisted Curbs after seeing Lee Bowyer quickly wipe out
Paul Scharner's overhead kick to rescue a point for the Hammers, with his
first-ever goal for the club. "We had a lot of possession in the first half
and if we'd got our noses in front it could've been a different story after
the break because Wigan would've needed to come out at us. "They would've
been well pleased to get in at half-time all square but Wigan got stronger
after the break and when they scored it looked like it was going to be a
good away-day for them. "Thankfully, we dug in and got back into the game
and I'm well pleased with that. We certainly didn't deserve to get beaten
and I'm sure Wigan will still be happy to be leaving with a draw. "So far,
we haven't taken advantage of our fixtures and, having got the result at
Birmingham City, it would've been a decent start to the campaign if we'd won
again today. "We're a bit disappointed because I was hoping to have a few
more points on the board but, even so, it's still only the start of a long
season."
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A Spence force - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 26th August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United's Jordan Spence made history when his 90th minute goal
ensured England beat Brazil in Seoul on Friday night. Spence's goal meant
that England's under-17s beat Brazil 2-1 - the first time an England side
has EVER beaten a Brazilian team at a FIFA tournament. "It's a blur now," a
delighted Spence told thefa.com. "I managed to stay onside - I just wanted
to direct it towards goal. I did not see the ball hit the back of the net.
As soon as I made contact I was gone. "It was the biggest buzz. Crazy. Just
one of those feelings where I wish I could hit a rewind button and go
through it all again." The win ensured England topped Group B. John
Peacock's young lions now face tournament outsiders Syria in the first
knockout phase on Thursday.
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Ashton eyes England comeback - SSN
Hammers striker ready to play bigger role
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 26th August 2007
Dean Ashton is determined to fulfil his ambition of playing for England. The
West Ham striker broke an ankle whilst training for England just over a year
ago and has not started a game for his club since. Ashton finally looks set
to play a full 90 minutes in Tuesday's Carling Cup clash against Bristol
Rovers, and his long-term target remains to succeed at international level.
"I'm ready now, I'm available to start," Ashton said after playing the final
half hour of the 1-1 draw with Wigan. "I want to get back on track towards
England again because that has always been my dream and I'm determined to
make it come true. "But before that, getting back for West Ham comes first
and I know the gaffer has been right to make me be patient. "It was a bad
injury and he has been easing me back in, but I want to be let loose now and
get a start because it is difficult to come on from the bench like I have
been and make an impact."
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West Ham's Ashton plotting England comeback - Soccernet
Dean Ashton has vowed to fulfil his his England 'dream' - but not before he
plays himself into form at West Ham. The 23-year-old striker broke an ankle
while preparing for what looked certain to be his first international cap
just over a year ago and has not started a club game since. But the
£7.5million man will finally get a chance to play a full 90 minutes in
Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash at Bristol Rovers. 'I'm ready now,' he
said after playing the final half-hour of yesterday's 1-1 Barclays Premier
League draw with Wigan. 'I'm available to start. I want to get back on track
towards England again because that has always been my dream and I'm
determined to make it come true. 'But before that, getting back for West Ham
comes first and I know the gaffer has been right to make me be patient. 'It
was a bad injury and he has been easing me back in, but I want to let loose
now and get a start because it is difficult to come on from the bench like I
have been and make an impact.'
After being unleashed by manager Alan Curbishley just beyond the hour mark
yesterday Ashton soon had two shots blocked and then fired high over. But
Wigan's Austrian midfielder Paul Scharner briefly stole the show with a
spectacular overhead kick to give his side a shock lead 12 minutes from
time. For a few moments, it looked like another calamitous Upton Park
setback for the home side following the opening-day defeat to Manchester
City. Happily for the Hammers, Ashton combined with fellow substitutes Lee
Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte to dig their team out of a hole within two
minutes. After Bowyer narrowly failed to convert the Portuguese winger's
cross, he then fired home the same player's pass in the next attack which
Ashton had started. Curbishley was relieved to take a point even though his
side had dominated and said: 'The crowd were getting a bit restless and
that's why I brought Deano and the other substitutes on. 'It's true I have
been easing Deano back in and what I've really wanted to do was to put him
on when we had a lead. 'But he has worked so hard to get back to full
fitness and the ankle trouble is behind him now. 'The big fear in pre-season
was that something else would happen to him. We didn't want him starting
straight away and getting tired and causing himself other problems. 'But we
think we have him back to where he should be now and he'll get his 90
minutes on Tuesday in a competitive game and, hopefully, show us what he can
do. 'Don't forget I've never seen him play a full game in a West Ham shirt
and I've been here eight months but he's been realistic about the situation.
'We are all realistic - that's the word. We've just got to make sure we do
the right thing for the team - and individuals, too.'
West Ham have splashed plenty of cash again on new players this summer.
Kieron Dyer, the latest £6million signing, made a promising home debut but
they still lack a cutting edge with other new arrivals Julian Faubert
(Achilles), Freddie Ljungberg (ankle) and Scott Parker (knee) on the
treatment table. Bowyer's goal was his first in 35 games - over two spells
with Hammers - but it would have been an injustice to Wigan if frantic late
pressure yielded a winner. Wigan manager Chris Hutchings again made a point
to the cynics who said he would be once again found wanting as Paul Jewell's
successor - having been fired within four months of replacing him at
Bradford six years ago. Hutchings has now taken Wigan to third place in the
Premier League and reminded his critics of their 10th-place finish the
season before last. 'We are aiming for another season like that - not just
survival like last season. We are far better than that - and more
ambitious,' he said. 'I've great faith in the players we've brought in,
great belief in my ability as a manager and some people writing us off
doesn't bother me at all.' Wigan were defensive for long periods but forged
more clear-cut chances than West Ham for all the home team's possession.
Scharner missed a clear header, Jason Koumas grazed the outside of a post
and substitute Julius Aghahowa forced a smart, instinctive stop from Robert
Green - whose England rival Chris Kirkland hardly had a shot to save.
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West Ham 1-1 Wigan - West Ham Online
Seventeen year old - Sun Aug 26 2007
Wigan usually win at Upton Park, comfortably triumphing here in their last
three visits. Of course West Ham return the compliment at Wigan, but it had
begun to appear that the pair had agreed an ongoing pact as overly welcoming
hosts. It remains to be seen whether yesterday's draw will send the universe
into a state of flux however.
Yet, as is the way, Wigan will certainly have departed East London the
happier side. Widely tipped to struggle this season, they have got off to a
flying start, and their stout defensive display denied West Ham the
opportunity to push on from last week's win at Birmingham.
There was vague animosity in the air following the Carlos Tevez controversy
of last season. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, an absent guest yesterday, had
unsuccessfully called for West Ham's relegation. He is not a popular man in
these parts.
So when Paul Scharner gave Wigan the lead with 12 minutes remaining,
neutrals were probably salivating at the chance to label an away victory as
Moral Justice. The home support would not have taken well to a defeat here-
just as well substitute Lee Bowyer instantly equalised, his first goal for
the club.
Wretched in their first home game against Manchester City, West Ham and Alan
Curbishley could ill afford another blow. Their performance was certainly
better yesterday but the feeling is that something is missing.
For all of their possession, West Ham rarely troubled a Wigan defence which
is hardly the firmest they will face all season. Anton Ferdinand headed
inches wide, Craig Bellamy had the ball in the net only to be called offside
and Mark Noble was denied a penalty when it seemed he had been hauled down.
It all capped a frustrating first half for West Ham- and the mood would have
been darker if Jason Koumas's shot had found the net rather than the far
post. Wigan were not at their most adventurous, but always looked capable of
nicking a goal.
Early in the second half, Julius Aghahowa raced clear of the West Ham
defence only to clip his shot over. Then he forced Robert Green into a
sprawling save, Mario Melchiot heading the rebound off target. All West Ham
had offered, despite Dean Ashton's promising introduction, was Noble's
fizzing shot which went just wide.
With the game seemingly destined to be without goals, Wigan struck. Emile
Heskey, mostly quiet, flicked a long throw to Scharner who, with his back to
goal, hooked an excellent shot into Green's far corner.
The shock sprung West Ham back into life. Luis Boa Morte wriggled away from
Melchiot and crossed to Bowyer who fired high and wide under pressure. But a
minute later, Ashton and Boa Morte combined to set up Bowyer again. From a
tight angle, his low shot was too good for Chris Kirkland. All three players
involved had come on as substitutes, a plus for Curbishley on an otherwise
vexing afternoon.
Green- A quiet day for Green, he did well to halt Aghahowa twice- but he
could do nothing about the very good goal.
Neill- A welcome return for the Hammers skipper and he was a solid presence
with good distribution.
Upson- Unconvinced? I suspect we all are. Fine if the ball is in the air but
less confident when faced with pace.
Ferdinand- A good performance from a much-maligned player in recent times.
He dealt well with Heskey's strength.
McCartney- Defensively apt, but his attacking contribution leaves much to be
desired.
Dyer- A promising display- he looks like he needs more match fitness. Likes
to move inside which meant we struggled for width.
Mullins- Does what he does ok, but nothing more than that.
Noble- A decent game although not as good as last week. Always willing and
wants to play football rather than hoof it.
Etherington- Providing more of an outlet than last year and there were
glimpses of his old self- but he didn't take on Melchiot enough.
Bellamy- Frankly, quiet. Full of energy and desire- but is the overall
talent there? We desperately need a goalscorer.
Zamora- A good option as a fourth striker for now, but if Curbishley thinks
he is our best option for a full season, I despair.
Ashton- Could stand to lose some weight is my Dr. Gillian moment- otherwise,
won most of his headers, played a part in the goal and was skillful on the
ground. Encouraging.
Bowyer- We thought Carlos Tevez waited an age for his first goal- this guy's
waited four years! Good finish and a glimpse of the old Lee Bowyer in that
moment.
Boa Morte- Hauled off alongside Bowyer against City, he looked much more up
for it when he came on. Created two chances and one led to our goal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham left waiting for Dean Ashton to fit in - Telegraph
By Oliver Brown
Last Updated: 9:20am BST 27/08/2007
West Ham United (0) 1 Wigan Athletic (0) 1
As West Ham's supporters grew restive at this static spectacle of a match, a
steady chorus of "Deano" began to spread through their ranks. Quite what it
is about Dean Ashton that inspires such devotion is difficult to fathom, but
with his peroxide blond hair projecting an image more of a surfer than a
footballer, he seemed content to ride the swell of expectation.
Undoubtedly, the game's more memorable flourishes took place when he was on
the pitch, as an acrobatic finish by Wigan's Paul Scharner roused West Ham
from their torpor.
Ashton, romantically recalled by fans for his strike in last year's FA Cup
final but an injured bystander since, played only a marginal role in the
revival - and so it fell to Lee Bowyer, a figure of whom perceptions are
rather polarised, to find the late equaliser that saved manager Alan
Curbishley from embarrassment.
Although Ashton sees a call-up to the England squad as attainable this
season, he faces enough of a challenge to cement front-line status at West
Ham. With such explosive forces as Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer back at
full tilt, the striker appreciated that even after a courageous recovery
from a broken ankle, he was not about to be indulged.
"With the competition for places here, it is difficult," Ashton admitted.
"When you get on as a substitute, you want to show that you deserve to be in
the team." On the crowd's constant lobbying for him to play, he was almost
bashful. "That makes me feel fantastic," he said. "It gives me that desire
to get out on the pitch and show my appreciation. I didn't score, but I'd
like to think I gave my best."
For Curbishley, however, the selection problems persist, even when West Ham,
after last season's unpleasant dance with relegation, have all the personnel
he could reasonably expect. Lucas Neill, who on £60,000 a week is perhaps
the Premier League's most anomalous example of the link between talent and
reward, is only feeling his way into competitive action after a two-week
absence, while Ashton's condition remains equally precarious.
"I am easing him in," Curbishley explained of his striker's comeback. "He's
worked so hard to get back to full fitness - the big fear wasn't the ankle,
the fear in the pre-season was of something else happening. If he isn't 100
per cent right when he goes out there, it might cause one or two problems.
But we think we have him where he should be now."
For the hour before Ashton was unleashed, it was grimly engrossing watching
West Ham find their level. No amount of honest commitment or slick movement
could disguise the inadequacy of the final ball, with Wigan goalkeeper Chris
Kirkland left on listless patrol. Among the few fillips for Curbishley were
the penetrating runs of Bellamy and the sharpness of Dyer, clearly the
better for his brief run-out with England against Germany.
It was by virtue of another Newcastle alumnus, Titus Bramble, that Wigan's
resistance held firm. Where Bramble had been the subject of much derision on
Tyneside for his lack of defensive poise, there was unqualified praise from
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings, who insisted: "I have got great faith in
Titus. He cost a lot of money as a young man moving up to Newcastle - maybe
it was a little bit too much, too soon, but he has done very well for me and
I hope that continues."
Bramble's defiance bred confidence for Wigan up front, as Scharner rudely
interrupted the run of play after 78 minutes with an overhead kick from
Emile Heskey's knock-down. The response, though, was rapid, as Luis Boa
Morte fed a fine pass for fellow substitute Bowyer to convert just three
minutes later.
For West Ham, who had a strong first-half penalty appeal turned down when
Andeas Granquist pulled back Mark Noble, it was proof of the fight that
endures in the team even in these frustrating times.
Man of the match
Mario Melchiot (Wigan)
13 clearances
Nine recoveries
Had two shots on goal
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West Ham 1 Wigan Athletic 1 - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
August 27, 2007
ALAN CURBISHLEY pleads with West Ham fans to trust him over Dean Ashton.
They demand proof that the £7million striker is free from a year-long battle
against a broken ankle. Ashton will start his first competitive game since
the 2006 FA Cup Final at Bristol Rovers tomorrow in the Carling Cup. His
cameo appearance for the last half hour was instrumental in averting what
would have been a disaster had Lee Bowyer not snatched a late point. And
with £7.5m signing Craig Bellamy yet to score and now nursing a tweaked
groin, calls for Ashton to be thrown into action are getting louder from the
Upton Park stands.
Boss Curbs admits his team are not living up to his own early expectations
but insists he will not jeopardise Ashton's long-term health by rushing the
fans' favourite back. He said: "The longer it goes without us scoring in a
game, the crowd get restless. "But I'm easing him in. He's worked so hard to
get back to full fitness, the big fear wasn't the ankle, the big fear this
pre-season was something else happening. "And if he isn't 100 per cent right
when he goes out there, and if he starts and gets tired, it might cause one
or two problems. We think we've got him where he should be now. "The fans
have to trust me as we've one or two like that.
"Kieron Dyer hasn't completed a full pre-season because of the problems at
Newcastle. Lucas Neill has come back after two weeks out and you could see
he was feeling his way. "But we know what we're doing. Dean's being
realistic. He's just delighted he's over it. I've only seen him myself these
last two or three months. We've played three games — but know we're better
than this."
Ashton and Bellamy, Curbs' first-choice strike pairing, finally got to play
together for just 14 minutes before the Wales captain trudged off, feeling
his groin.
Curbishley insists it was merely a precaution. Bellamy ran hard and long,
Dyer busied himself in the first half and Mark Noble, 20, yet again played
way beyond his years in midfield. But once Jason Koumas hit a post from 20
yards three minutes from half-time, Wigan sensed this new-look Hammers
line-up is vulnerable. And supported by the bullish Andreas Granqvist at the
heart of defence, Wigan relaxed while West Ham grew frustrated. No one saw
Paul Scharner's superb overhead kick coming on 75 minutes. Wigan defender
Mario Melchiot, 30, back in the Premier League after a spell with French
side Rennes, said: "We didn't start well but got back into it. "At
half-time the gaffer told us to keep going and be the way we wanted to be
and not the way they wanted us to be. "A point is always good away. Wigan
had a tough last season but we're showing everyone we're a different team."
Ashton's input into West Ham's face-saving equaliser sums up his qualities.
His skilful flicked header put Luis Boa Morte on a run and then he bulldozed
his way through two Wigan defenders to keep the momentum going in a blend of
brawn and brain. Bowyer was eventually in space to slip the ball past Chris
Kirkland and score his first goal for the club. Ashton said: "I tried to
change the game. It's a credit to the subs, Bowyer and Boa Morte, for making
an impact.
"I want to get back into the team. There are a lot of goals I've set. The
England squad is another one. But it's tough enough to get into West Ham's
team."
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN: Andreas Granqvist (Wigan)
WEST HAM: Green 6, Neill 5, Ferdinand 5, Upson 6, McCartney 6, Dyer 6,
Mullins 6 (Bowyer 6), Noble 8, Etherington 6, Bellamy 6 (Boa Morte 6),
Zamora 5 (Ashton 7). Subs not used: Walker, Spector. Booked: Upson.
WIGAN: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 6, Granqvist 9, Bramble 6, Kilbane 6, Valencia 6
(Brown 5), Landzaat 6, Scharner 8, Koumas 7, Sibeierski 7 (Aghahowa 6),
Heskey 5. Subs not used: Pollitt, Hall, Folan. Booked: Landzaat, Brown.
REF: A Marriner 7.
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West Ham United 1, Wigan Athletic 1: Curbishley searches for elusive Hammers
spirit - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 27 August 2007
Bust-ups with players have plagued Alan Curbishley's time at West Ham. Some
have been real, others down to malicious gossip. The rumour circulating at
the moment is that the manager has a problem with Dean Ashton.
Curbishley and the striker were at pains to deny that – the former also used
his programme notes to refute an alleged row with Craig Bellamy, although
there is clear frustration from Ashton that he has not been "let loose" yet
this season.
Two substitute appearances will be followed tomorrow, away to Bristol Rovers
in the Carling Cup, with the 23-year-old's first start for West Ham since
the FA Cup final in May last year. It has taken a year to recover from the
broken ankle he sustained in his first training session for England last
August and his absence has hit West Ham hard.
Indeed, it was not until Ashton's arrival as a second-half substitute
against Wigan that some cohesion and focus was brought to their attack.
Before that they had held the bulk of possession but, for all the effort of
Bellamy, had produced little.
It is a concern for Curbishley and for his chairman, Eggert Magnusson, which
explains the continued pursuit of another striker, with Nicolas Anelka the
most likely arrival before the transfer window closes. Ashton, a £7.25m
signing from Crewe, is itching to prove his value.
"I will try to show the manager I'm worthy of a starting place," he said.
The home support offered sustained choruses, chanting Ashton's name, before
he was brought on to replace the lumbering Bobby Zamora.
"The crowd were getting restless, but I am easing him in," Curbishley said.
"He has worked so hard to get to full fitness and we think we have got him
where we want him now."
The same cannot be said of the rest of the team, with Scott Parker, Julien
Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg absent and Lucas Neill looking far from
match-fit. It has been a disappointing start to the campaign.
"I don't think we're happy at all," Curbishley said. "We've played three
games, but we know we are better than this."
He was, again, quick to attack accusations that West Ham have been
spendthrifts. "We have spent £28m and brought in £21m but there are about 10
teams who have spent a lot more than us," Curbishley said. That is true,
except it doesn't take into account the high wages being committed and the
£19m spent last January.
Wigan's manager, Chris Hutchings – once Curbishley's team-mate at Brighton –
is certainly not one of those who has spent more. He can take great heart
from his side's start to the season and the way they worked themselves back
into this contest after a poor first half-hour. Hutchings has had his own
credentials questioned, having spent six years as assistant to Paul Jewell
and having suffered a traumatic, and brief, time as manager of Bradford
City.
"The spotlight doesn't really bother me," he said. "People in the game know
what a good job I did at Bradford and Wigan. I don't think I have anything
to prove to anyone."
Wigan certainly deserved a point on Saturday. Despite West Ham's possession
the visitors had the best chances, striking the post through Jason Koumas
and drawing a fine save from Robert Green before the impressively
hard-working Paul Scharner put them ahead with an overhead kick. West Ham
replied quickly and it was a slick move, involving all three substitutes,
which was finished by Lee Bowyer for his first goal in 35 games.
Afterwards Bowyer spoke of a "spirit" at West Ham which runs contrary to all
the talk of discontent. But they need more of it to match their ambition.
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West Ham go for £8M Blackburn striker McCarthy
tribalfooball.com - August 26, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is set to bid for Blackburn Rovers
striker Benni McCarthy. The Daily Mail says Curbishley has been frustrated
in his efforts to land Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona and Nicolas Anelka
from Bolton, and so has switched his sights to the South Africa striker.
West Ham are preparing an £8 million bid for McCarthy
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West Ham Back In For Benni And No Wonder - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 27 August, 2007 - 08:30.
West Ham have stepped up their efforts to sign Benni McCarthy from Blacburn
Rovers following Saturday's lame performance against Wigan. Many fans will
be confused as to what match Hammers manager Alan Curbishley was commenting
about when he claimed his team had most of the possession and should have
won easily! True the home side did have a superior percentage
mathematically, but the reality was that Hammers were woeful against a team
that they should have been able to beat on paper, of course the game is
played on grass and not paper.
Having failed to sign the South African player from Porto while Alan Pardew
was manger, Hammers will have to stump up in excess of £8 Million to entice
Mc Carthy away from Mark Hughes' set up, double the fee that Blackburn paid
to Porto for the hit man's services. The need for an additional striker was
painfully obvious against Wigan, in fact had Luis Boa-Morte not played like
a man possessed after coming on a sub, Hammers could have been looking at a
second consecutive home defeat!
Like many other Premiership players Mc Carthy will be heading off to the
Africa Cup of Nations for six to eight weeks during the season, but given
the need to bolster his striking options Alan Curbishley may well consider
the player's International obligations as part and parcel of the modern game
and an inconvenience worth putting up with. If Mc Carthy does arrive it may
well signal the departure of Bobby Zamora to Real Betis, they like him,
perhaps their coach has a sixth sense? And don't forget how well a certain
Freddie Kanoute is doing in La Liga.
Dean Ashton will start against Bristol Rovers in this coming Tuesday's
League Cup tie at the Memorial ground. Sky TV, obviously sensing an upset
will be there, but which West Ham will turn up? The League Cup represents a
genuine opportunity to get into Europe, one of the only routes open to the
club should be given massive priority and it is unlikely that Eggert
Magnusson could eventually resist doing a bit of 'throat cutting' should his
expensively assembled dogs of war not show at least some signs of progress.
- Ed
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West Ham in talks for Blackburn's Tugay
tribalfooball.com - August 27, 2007
West Ham United are in talks for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tugay. The
Turkish veteran, who is on a one-season deal at Ewood Park, could move to
the Hammers before Friday's transfer deadline.
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