Hammers boss may tinker with side ahead of Arsenal clash
By James Dall Last updated: 27th September 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has hinted that he may tinker with his
side ahead of Arsenal's visit to Upton Park. The Hammers entertain an
in-form Arsenal side on Saturday, and Curbishley has revealed he has yet to
make a decision on his starting XI. In West Ham's last Premier League match
they demonstrated some sloppy defending and succumbed to a 3-1 defeat
against Newcastle United. Curbishley then rotated his squad for the Carling
Cup victory over Plymouth, bringing in Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg,
Danny Gabbidon and Luis Boa Morte into his side. The former Charlton manager
hailed Arsenal's stunning start to the season and explained that he is
eagerly anticipating the encounter. "They've made a fantastic start, and I
watched them on Tuesday night when they made nine changes so we know they've
got a fantastic squad," Curbishley said. "It's a proper game, with a great
atmosphere, and everyone is looking forward to it. "The one thing you know
about Arsenal is that they will come and play their game. It will be
difficult because they are a top side but we'll wait and see what happens.
"I've got a little bit of thinking to do about my side. I was disappointed
with the result at Newcastle and with our defending, and I've let the
players know about that. "It's a massive game but we've just got to cope
with it. If we'd have gone to extra-time against Plymouth so be it."
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Ashton tipped for call-up - SSN
Brooking urges Ashton to work on match sharpness
By James Dall Last updated: 27th September 2007
Sir Trevor Brooking believes that West Ham United's Dean Ashton could break
into the England squad if he regains his match sharpness. Ashton was in line
to make his England debut against Greece in August 2006 but the striker
suffered a cruel ankle break ruling him out for several months. The forward
is now over his injury and has scored three goals in his last three matches,
putting him in line for an England call-up. Steve McClaren is without
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey for England's forthcoming Euro 2008
qualifiers, creating an opening for Ashton. However, the 23-year-old faces
strong competition from the likes of Peter Crouch, Andy Johnson and Jermain
Defoe for the role of partnering Wayne Rooney up front. Brooking is positive
Ashton has the ability, and is sure with more games he will be ready to make
the step up. "Deano has been out for over a year, which is a long time, and
has only been playing again for the last three games," said Brooking. "We
all know he has got ability, he has just got to work on that match fitness,
do it consistently and get that sharpness back to get the spring and the
confidence. "After a long time out, that will take a bit of time. The
balancing act is as to when the right time is for him. "Everyone is aware
that when you go into the England side where you play a game, whoever you
are, you will have to perform. "So you have got to be sure Dean is fully fit
and raring to go."
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...and you call us cheats? - West Ham Online
Billy Blagg - Fri Sep 28 2007
West Ham supporters had to endure a torrid time least season, and even the
subsequent celebrations after The Great Escape (TM Patent Pending) were
marred by media talk of skulduggery, legal threats by Sheffield United, and
the combined internet abuse of hundred of thousands of supporters from
around the country.
Interesting then that our rivals for this Saturday's game aren't exactly
immune from taunts of 'cheat' and mumbles of corruption in high places
either. The only difference is that Arsenal's dubious dealings occurred back
in the day when players had handlebar moustaches and parted their hair in
the middle. Even so, I remember it all very well….
After the Great War of 1914-18, the Football League took stock before
opening competitive fixtures in 1919. It was decided to expand the league
from 20 teams to 22 to meet the high demand for competitive football in a
world free from war. The two new entrants to join the 1914/15 season's
promoted sides of Derby and Preston, were to be elected at the Annual
General Meeting of the Football League.
The first place went to Chelsea who, having finished 19th before hostilities
broke out in 1914, had, effectively been relegated. The revamped First
Division gave them an extra life. Debate on who should get the second place
though was fierce. Should it go to 20th placed Tottenham Hotspur or Barnsley
or Wolves, the two teams who finished third and fourth in the Second
Division before the bullets started flying? The answer was astonishing.
The League decided to promote Arsenal – who had finished 5th in the Second
Division - for their "long service to league football", having been the
first club from the South to join the League in 1893. The league voted
eighteen votes to eight to promote Arsenal after Arsenal chairman Sir Henry
Norris colluded with Liverpool chairman and friend, John McKenna, to put
pressure on the league board. Rumours of backroom deals or even financial
bribes were rife and the ensuing arguments helped form a emninty with
Tottenham – already smarting at being usurped as the true North London club
– that remains to this day.
Although no real proof exists of why this surprising vote by the League was
made, the whispers and conjecture of bribes by Sir Henry Norris, the Arsenal
Chairman and property magnate, who had reportedly spent over £125,000 –
about £10m at today's prices - in moving Arsenal from south of the river to
Highbury to ensure they didn't go into liquidation, cannot be discounted
Norris was a man who, had he been alive today, may well have made Roman
Abramovitch look a bit tardy in the financial department. Determined to turn
the League's major southern club into a force to rival those of the north,
Norris bulldozed Arsenal's move from Woolwich to North London, despite a
vociferous campaign by fans, residents and Council, thus ensuring the club's
future. With the home gate almost trebling in the post war football boom,
Arsenal became the South's major force and one of the most famous clubs in
the world within 20 years.
Although no conclusive proof of any deal being struck has ever come to
light, other aspects of Norris's financial dealings fuelled speculation in
later years. Norris eventually resigned as chairman and left the club in
1929, having been found guilty of financial irregularities – something even
Terence Brown can't hold claim too – after he was found to have misused his
expenses account, and to have pocketed the proceeds of the sale of the
Arsenal team bus (sic). Whether or not this also involved hiding documents
that the League should have seen isn't recorded.
Arsenal F.C. though has never looked back. The club has never left the top
division since and hold the English record for the longest unbroken stretch
of top-flight football; not bad for a team who should never have even been
in the division.
So, when the 'cheat' taunts flow down from the Centenary Stand and anger
starts to burn remember that the Gunners have their own version of 'one
Carlos Tevez.' It's just that 'one Sir Herbert Norris' just doesn't have the
same ring.
Still, with Arsenal recording one of the highest profits of any club this
week, remember that cheats do sometimes prosper and hope the Hammers own bit
of skullduggery one day brings us similar rewards.
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Gunners are becoming special - The Sun
September 28, 2007
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG is certain Arsenal are back on the brink of greatness. The
Sweden international spent nine years at the club before his £3million
summer move to West Ham. Ljungberg, 30, faces his old Gunners pals for the
first time tomorrow. He said: "The team is playing with the same belief and
confidence we had when I was there. "There was a great spirit and huge
respect for manager Arsene Wenger. "It will feel strange playing against
them but now I have a new challenge."
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Ashton is put on England alert - The Sun
September 28, 2007
DEAN ASHTON has been warned to make sure he is ready if England boss Steve
McClaren calls. West Ham's uncapped striker, 23, missed all last season
through injury but could be in the squad to face Estonia and Russia next
month after netting three goals in three games. But Hammers legend Trevor
Brooking said: "Everyone is aware when you go into the England side you have
to perform. "We all know Deano has ability but after a long time out he has
to work on match fitness. "He has to get that sharpness to get the spring
and the confidence." And he believes the injuries to Owen and Heskey could
open the door for Ashton to gain his first full England cap. He added:
"There is going to be a lot of debate about who should play and who should
not for England next time. "England manager Steve McClaren, though, is the
one to say who should be in - and I am sure you will have about eight
different strikers put forward. "Probably last time, Emile was not high on
many people's suggested list, but Steve came up with him and showed a lot of
courage. "Hopefully any player picked will respond if they are given the
chance."
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CURBS TO DEPLOY TOP TWO
By Andy Sims, PA Sport
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is ready to unleash Craig Bellamy and Dean
Ashton against Arsenal on Saturday. The pair have started two games in
attack together this season but that was while Ashton was feeling his way
back from a long-term ankle problem. The 23-year-old has three goals in as
many games now, including the winner in the midweek Carling Cup victory over
Plymouth which Bellamy missed as he recovered from a hamstring complaint.
"We started the season with Bobby Zamora and Bellamy, and then at Newcastle
we had Carlton Cole and Ashton, so hopefully now we can get Bellamy and
Ashton together," said Curbishley. The Hammers did the 'double' over Arsenal
in the Premier League last season, the second win coming as they plotted
their unlikely survival bid, but Arsenal go into the Upton Park clash with
confidence. Arsene Wenger's men are top of the table and would have a 100%
record but for a Jens Lehmann blunder against Blackburn. Their second-string
side defeated Newcastle earlier in the week. "They've made a fantastic
start, and I watched them on Tuesday night when they made nine changes so we
know they've got a fantastic squad," said Curbishley. "It's a proper game,
with a great atmosphere, and everyone is looking forward to it. "The one
thing you know about Arsenal is that they will come and play their game. It
will be difficult because they are a top side but we'll wait and see what
happens. "It comes around so quickly. Arsenal rested a lot of players on
Tuesday but I think we talk about 'three games in a week' too much. It's
perhaps all in the mind a little bit, but we'll find out on Saturday. "It's
a massive game but we've just got to cope with it. If we'd have gone to
extra-time against Plymouth so be it."
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Dean Ashton England call - the Mirror
28/09/2007
Sir Trevor Brooking believes Dean Ashton is ready to solve England's
striking problems for the crucial Euro qualifiers. England boss Steve
McClaren faces a major selection dilemma for the games against Estonia and
Russia after Emile Heskey and Michael Owen were ruled out of the must-win
clashes on October 13 and 17. Ashton has finally regained full fitness after
suffering a broken ankle on the eve of his first cap against Greece in
August 2006. Sir Trevor, the FA's Director of Football Development sees no
reason why Ashton cannot reproduce the form which made him one of the
hottest properties in the English game.
"Dean has been out for over a year," said Brooking (below). "We all know he
has ability. He has just to work on that match fitness, do it consistently
and get that sharpness back to get the spring and the confidence. "You have
to be sure Dean is fully fit and raring to go. Probably last time, Emile was
not high on many people's suggested list, but Steve came up with him and
showed a lot of courage. "There is going to be a lot of debate about who
should play and who should not. The disappointment of somebody means an
opportunity for somebody else. "Hopefully the players will respond if they
are given the chance."
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Duo ready to hammer Gunners - Setanta
by Laurent Picard, 28 September 2007
West Ham are ready to play attacking duo Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton in
the clash against Arsenal on Saturday. Ashton is back on track since
suffering a longterm ankle problem. The athletic striker enjoyed a good
performance at Newcastle despite the 3-1 defeat and hit the net for the
second time in the new season. The 23-year-old impressed again against
Plymouth by scoring the winner in The Carling Cup, helping The Hammers to
qualify for the fourth round.
Bellamy was injured and did not appear due to a hamstring injury and coach
Alan Curbishley is ready to start both players in attack at Upton Park
against leaders Arsenal. "We started the season with Bobby Zamora and
Bellamy, and then at Newcastle we had Carlton Cole and Ashton, so hopefully
now we can get Bellamy and Ashton together," Curbishley declared. The
Hammers boss understands London rivals Arsenal are in a top form and cannot
wait to watch his team against the young Gunners in The Premier League after
having defeated them twice in as many games last term. "They've made a
fantastic start, and I watched them on Tuesday night when they made nine
changes so we know they've got a fantastic squad," he added. "It's a proper
game, with a great atmosphere, and everyone is looking forward to it. "The
one thing you know about Arsenal is that they will come and play their game.
It will be difficult because they are a top side but we'll wait and see what
happens. "It's a massive game but we've just got to cope with it. If we'd
have gone to extra-time against Plymouth so be it."
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West Ham's Ashton addicted to bikkies
tribalfooball.com - September 27, 2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has revealed an unusual pre-match superstition.
He revealed: "I've got to eat biscuits the night before a game. I don't know
why. I don't have to eat any particular type or a certain amount. As long as
I eat some sort of biscuit the night before a game then I'm fine."
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West Ham boss happy to see Parker in action
tribalfooball.com - September 27, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was delighted to give Scott Parker his debut
in this week's Carling Cup victory over Plymouth. He said: "Parker needed to
feel his way into it, and he needed to get through it. No matter how much
you train you need to play games, and at least we've got him back playing."
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DON'T EXPECT DEANO TO SAVE US - Daily Star
28th September 2007 By Andy Rose Your Shout
Sir Trevor Brooking has warned England not to expect Dean Ashton to become
their Euro 2008 saviour. The West Ham hitman is in line for a call- up for
next month's crucial qualifiers against Estonia and Russia as Michael Owen
and Emile Heskey are out injured. With most of his goalscoring rivals also
struggling at club level this season, Ashton has taken advantage by rattling
in three goals in three games. But West Ham legend Brooking is cautious
about casting the uncapped 23-year-old in the role of goalscoring hero after
more than a year out with a broken ankle. He's only got back in the side in
the last three games," he said. "He's been out for over year, which is a
long time. "We all know he has ability, he's just got to work on that match
fitness, do it consistently and get that sharpness back, along with his
spring and confidence. "After a long time out it will take a bit of time.
''The balancing act is working out when the right time is for him. You have
to make sure Dean is fully fit and raring to go Sir Trevor Brooking "You
have to make sure Dean is fully fit and raring to go." Team-mate Bobby
Zamora, out for three weeks with a knee injury, faces another month off
after an operation on Wednesday.
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West Ham boss Curbishley expects Zamora out for month
tribalfooball.com - September 27, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has revealed Bobby Zamora is likely to be out
for at least another month due to his persisting knee problem. Zamora has
not played since The Hammers' 2-1 League Cup victory at Bristol Rovers
during August. Despite spending a month in rehabilitation, Zamora is still
making little sign of progress, with the Hammers boss unable to predict a
comeback date for the former Tottenham man. "Since the Bristol Rovers game
Bobby's knee keeps swelling up," Curbishley told The Independent. "It's not
the same problem he was struggling with last season. "He has been out for
three weeks and he is still not training."
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Transfer speculation: Kerlon Moura Souza to West Ham United (£5m) -
SquareFootball
Alex Wolstenholme
27/09/2007 17:51:30.
Player: Kerlon Moura Souza
From: Cruzeiro
To: West Ham United
Cost: £5m
Source: Daily Mirror
Likely?: 2/5
Famous for his ability to run with the ball while balancing it on his
forehead, Kerlon is the latest hot property to come out of Brazilian
football. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is reportedly a target for
West Ham although after last season you may have thought the club would shy
away from South American signings. Despite that the Mirror suggests that
West Ham's 'connections' on the continent could give them the edge. The star
of the 2005 South American Under-17 tournament is also wanted by a number of
Italian and Spanish clubs and that looks a more likely destination at
present especially given any work permit issues that may arise.
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Dyer Story We've Heard So Many Times! - newcastlemad.co.uk
By Nu Mad Thursday 27th September 2007
At long last Kieron Dyer's injury problems are no longer Newcastle United's
concern, and we heard the same news from Upton Park that we've heard time
and time again in the past. He's keeping "positive". The West Ham midfielder
is focused on making a full recovery from a double fracture to his leg, an
injury he suffered after only three games for the Hammers. He is expected to
be out for six months but Dyer is aiming to be back in the West Ham team
'sooner rather than later'. Dyer: "I have been passed so many messages that
the fans have been sending in. "Nearly every member of the squad came to see
me and a lot of the staff as well. "That was brilliant and really gave me a
lift, considering I have only been at Upton Park a short space of time. "I
have been trying to stay as positive as I can. The physios and my specialist
were really pleased with how the operation went and said there is no reason
why I shouldn't make a full recovery. "I'm focusing on that for now and
getting some rest before I begin my rehab shortly. "They don't give exact
timescales with this type of injury because some people heal a lot quicker
than others. Also, there can be complications when you have screws put in,
so you have to play it by ear really. "But I am just staying positive and
focusing on being back and playing for West Ham sooner rather than later."
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