23/08/2007 10:20
New Hammers signing Kieron Dyer made an appearance for England at Wembley
last night in the 2-1 defeat to Germany. Kieron came on in the 57th minute
to replace former Newcastle team-mate Michael Owen. The 28-year-old
international looked lively after coming on and created a late chance to
equalise but was unlucky not to convert as he steered his shot just wide. "I
missed a good chance to score," he said. "But it was great to get some more
minutes under my belt. "I had a stop-star pre-season so it was nice to get
another 30 minutes, which will all get me up to 100%. Despite the result,
Kieron inists the performance was all-important. "It wasn't about the
result," he said. "It's all good preparation for the qualifiers we have
coming up. We had enough chances to convert, hopefully it sets us up well
for the games against Israel and Russia. "It's the second time I've played
at Wembley. Even though we lost I think it's going to become a fortress for
us. "It's such an honour to be involved with England - it really is the
pinnacle. You can get no higher accolade as a player than to represent your
country."
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Hammers in international action... - WHUFC
23/08/2007 13:10
West Ham United's George McCartney was part of the Northern Ireland team
that edged closer to a place in the 2008 European Championships, after a
comfortable 3-1 win over Liechtenstein. George played the full 90 minutes
as the Northern Irish, under new manager Nigel Worthington, swept away their
opponents with goals from David Healy and Kyle Lafferty. It was the
defender's first match for his country for two years and he was one of
Worthington's first names on the team sheet after the squad was announced.
McCartney played well and set-up chances for his team-mates, including Chris
Brunt, who narrowly missed getting the ball in the net. George, who showed
good form in the winning run at the end of last season for West Ham, has
played in both the Hammers' opening games so far during this campaign. He is
hoping that he can do his bit in helping Northern Ireland reach the finals
for the first time in its history. "No Northern Ireland team has ever
qualified for the European Championship finals before and it would be a
fantastic achievement for a country of this size," he said. "I am sure with
the supporters getting behind us we can push forward and get the achievement
that we so badly need to kick start football in this country." He added: "We
are in a very good position and are very much looking forward to the next
game." Northern Ireland now sit in second place in their table and face
Latvia away on September 8.
Jonathan Spector was also in action last night for the USA in a friendly
against Sweden. His side lost 1-0 but it was still a useful run out for the
team."It was a disappointing result, but Sweden are a very decent side," he
said." I was looking forward to playing against Freddie but he had to miss
the game through injury. "As a team we don't get the chance to play in
Europe very often so it was a good experience in that sense."
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Supporters urged to observe smoking ban - WHUFC
23/08/2007 14:30
As a result of new legislation brought in by the government on the 1st July
2007, the Boleyn Ground, home of West Ham United, became a totally non
smoking stadium. This means that once you enter the turnstiles or any other
entrance to the stadium it is illegal to smoke in any area of the stadium.
This includes all lounges and corporate areas, the public seating areas,
concourses, stairs and toilets of all stands. Despite extensive national
press coverage on this subject and numerous no smoking signs around the
stadium it has been evident over the course of our first two home matches
that some supporters are choosing to ignore this ban. Could we please ask
for the co-operation of all supporters in observing this ban and not to
smoke whilst in the Boleyn Ground.
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Curbs praises Hammers stars - WHUFC
23/08/2007 15:30
Alan Curbishley today paid tribute to his Hammers stars after the week's
international matches. "We have quite a few players forcing the issue with
their national sides," Curbs said. "Kieron Dyer made the England squad this
week and Julien Faubert was also in the reckoning for France before his
injury.
"Danny Gabbidon captained Wales last night as Craig Bellamy's wife was due
to give birth, so we have a lot of players making their mark on the
international stage."
One player not selected for the England squad for last night's friendly
against Germany was Hammers keeper Rob Green. "He's got to be in the
reckoning," insists Curbs. "Steve McClaren came to our first game of the
season so he has to be watching him. "Being a goalkeeper is a very difficult
position to play in. If you make any mistakes there they are completely
highlighted. "Rob has got great attributes, both as a player and as a
person. He's very calm. He's got every chance of getting in the England team
and I don't think he has given up on it."
With the transfer window about to close, Curbs commented on speculation that
he may be searching for a left-back. "Well, we had one playing for Northern
Ireland last night," he confirmed. "I'm very happy with George McCartney. We
also have Jonathan Spector, who was also on international duty this week. We
have that position quite covered."
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Curbs - no new left back - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 23rd August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has claimed that he is not in the hunt for a new left-back.
The Hammers were left with just one recognised left-sided full-back once
Paul Konchesky was sold to Fulham earlier this summer. But according to
Curbishley - who is left with just George McCartney on the books - he is not
looking to replace Konchesky, despite reports earlier this week suggesting
that a deal for Nicky Shorey has been agreed with Reading. "We had one
[full-back] playing for Northern Ireland last night," Curbishley told
whufc.com. "I'm very happy with George McCartney - but we also have
Jonathan Spector, who was also on international duty this week. "We have
that position quite covered."
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Fans slam Diouf link - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 23rd August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham supporters have reacted angrily to reports that Alan Curbishley may
be interested in signing Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf. The Sengalese
striker was watched by Curbishley (along with 21+ other players!) on Tuesday
night when Senegal faced Ghana in a friendly at Millwall's New Den ground.
Reports subsequently surfaced linking the Hammers with a move for the out of
favour striker. Although there is no indication from West Ham United at this
stage that there is anything to the story, the mere suggestion that
Curbishley could be interested in the player has been enough to anger a
number Hammers fans.
And that all stems back to an incident in November 2002 when Diouf spat at
watching Hammers fans whilst warming up on the touchlines for former club
Liverpool. A number of supporters complained to Merseyside Police although
the incident was brushed under the carpet with Liverpool spokesman Ian
Cotton calling the accusations 'absolute rubbish' - before performing an
about-turn some days later when claiming that Diouf 'did spit on the ground
as he warmed up as a substitute'.
One supporter, speaking on the KUMB.com forums this morning said: "As one of
the Hammers fans who complained to Merseyside Police that day at Anfield I
pray that this link is simply not true. "If he ends up playing for us I will
make my way down the the front of the BML and gladly spit back at him.
Eggert and Curbs - if it is true. forget it now."
Another supporter added: "I think it was unforgivable to spit at us that day
with such clear intent. I've felt uneasy with some of the other arrivals but
this would be really hard to accept."
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Curbs: Pressure always on - SSN
Speculation common, says West Ham chief
By Andrew Scurr Last updated: 23rd August 2007
Alan Curbishley concedes most managers must now live with regular
speculation surrounding their futures. The West Ham chief was speaking after
seeing Tottenham boss Martin Jol come under scrutiny despite leading Spurs
to top-five finishes in each of the last two seasons. Curbishley enjoyed 15
years of relative peace at Charlton but is now seemingly under constant
pressure at Upton Park less than a year into his tenure. "We all know how
difficult it is and Martin Jol this week has copped a lot of publicity, and
Spurs have," he told Sky Sports News. "I think he'll be the first to admit
he wants to get on with it now and make sure it doesn't come round again
because we all go through it. I had a fairytale existence at Charlton for 15
years. "I've been at West Ham for eight months and I've been very critical
of some of the things that have been written about me in the press but
you've just got to get on with it."
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Green not expecting McClaren vote - TeamTalk
Robert Green will not be holding his breath for a recall to the England
squad despite Paul Robinson's howler against Germany. The West Ham
goalkeeper, who was axed from the 28-man party for Wednesday night's Wembley
clash despite figuring in the previous two squads, opted to go out for a
meal rather than watch England stumble to a 2-1 defeat. Green was a member
of Steve McClaren's squad for the friendly draw against Brazil and the
European Championship qualifying win over Estonia in June. But the return
of in-form David James to the fold meant former Norwich keeper Green, 27,
was the fall guy, with Scott Carson McClaren's apparent third choice.
Robinson's latest error in gifting Germany's equaliser, when he palmed a
cross against the bar and into the path of goalscorer Kevin Kuranyi, leaves
James in pole position to reclaim the number one shirt for the Euro 2008
qualifiers against Israel and Russia next month. At 37, the Portsmouth man
is hardly one for the long-term future, but despite a solid start to the
season with the Hammers, Green is not expecting a call from Soho Square any
time soon. "I think my chances are slim," said Green, whose sole cap came
as a substitute against Colombia in 2005.
"David James is back in the squad, Scott Carson will be playing at Aston
Villa at some point and Robbo has been a permanent fixture. Ben Foster will
also be coming back from injury so really I'm fifth or sixth in line.
"There's enough competition for me here at West Ham, and if we have some
success here then that may contribute towards it but I can't control who
gets picked for the England side. What I can control is to continue playing
for West Ham. "I'm playing at the moment and if I carry on doing so maybe it
will happen, but while everyone else is fit and playing I can't see many
chances coming along. "It's disappointing to be dropped from any team - even
my mates' fantasy league team! It's frustrating but it's not something I can
control. It happens in football, sometimes it's better just to accept it.
"It's frustrating to be in one week and seemingly doing well and out the
next, having supposedly done nothing wrong. I feel like I've been playing
well and been dropped. "I could sit at home wondering why I haven't been
picked and not come up with any answers but there's not much point. I never
watch football - when you're in it everyday, you get football overload.
"Last night I went out for dinner with friends. I only knew the score when I
turned on the television when I got in."
Manager Alan Curbishley insists his goalkeeper, who this week signed a new
four-year contract at Upton Park, should not give up hope of wearing the
Three Lions in the future. "I've got a few players in the squad looking to
have a good season to force that issue," he said. "Green has got to be in
that situation. He's playing regularly in our side. (McClaren) has brought
David James back and Scott Carson has had to go out on loan again to get
some football so he's got to be in the mix. "There is competition there.
Steve McClaren came to our first game so he's well aware of our players. I
don't think Rob has given up."
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Dyer rues missed chance for England - TeaMTalk
Kieron Dyer was disappointed not to earn England a draw in Wednesday's
friendly with Germany but was pleased to get some more game time. West Ham
new boy Dyer, who is still working his way back to full fitness after
injury, missed a gilt-edged chance to earn Steve McClaren's men a draw when
he side-footed wide from close range. "I missed a good chance to score,"
Dyer told the club's official website. "But it was great to get some more
minutes under my belt. "I had a stop-start pre-season so it was nice to get
another 30 minutes, which will all get me up to 100%."
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Parker set to make Hammers bow - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:23pm on 23rd August 2007
Scott Parker, signed for £7m from Newcastle earlier this summer, is finally
set to make his West Ham debut in Saturday's showdown with Wigan after
returning to training this week.
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Motta rejected Spurs, West Ham
tribalfooball.com - August 23, 2007
Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta has turned down offers from Tottenham and
West Ham United this summer. With less than a year left on his contract, the
Brazilian wants to be granted a free transfer and is keen to move to Italy.
West Ham, Spurs and Real Zaragoza are all willing to pay a fee for Motta,
but the midfielder is prepared to wait until the January market to force
Barca to release him so he can move to Serie A.
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West Ham continue Appiah negotiations
tribalfooball.com - August 23, 2007
West Ham United are in advanced talks for Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen
Appiah. The Ghana international wants a move to Upton Park, despite
receiving interest from Germany and Italy this summer.
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Bellamy: West Ham stand United - Harlow Citizen
By Tess McDermott
CRAIG Bellamy says there is no friction, no undue pressure and no siege
mentality in the West Ham dressing room. The striker, who pulled out of the
Wales squad this week because his wife was about to give birth, said: "It's
a new season and, for me, it's a new club. "What went on before, for myself
and for the club, has gone. I signed a five-year contract to try and make my
name and do as well as I can over that period for West Ham. "That's what I'm
focussing on. This is definitely going to be a settled period in my career."
The 28-year-old said there was nothing' to reports of dressing room
discontent and he is eager to do his best for his team-mates and manager to
help West Ham succeed both on and off the pitch. He added: "We could have a
good season this year. "We've got to work hard for each other and give
ourselves every chance. "We want to get our first home win now."
Manager Alan Curbishley this week angrily rubished stories of a bust-up
between himself and Bellamy after the team's defeat to Manchester City as a
complete and utter fabrication'. Bellamy was philosphical about the way in
which footballers are portrayed in the press today. He said: "The game is
different now and that's partly down to the media. "I remember when I used
to go and watch, no one ever got booed off at half-time, no one ever got
booed at home and it wasn't so much about individuals. But that's how it is
now. Criticism and constant speculation are part and parcel of football.
"Everyone has the right to criticise. If it affected me, I'd have been out
of this game a few years ago."
Instead he said he is focussed on the football and winning. "That's the best
way to respond. If we can just get that first win at home, that will ease
things as well." l Welsh internationals James Collins and Danny Gabbidon
this week signed two-year contract extensions with West Ham until 2011.
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