03/09/2007 10:55
Following a few frantic days of injury trauma and transfer deadlines, Alan
Curbishley can now allow himself to smile as he heads into international
week, buoyed by the sight of his Hammers sitting in 11th spot in the
Premiership. "The win at Reading was a great result for us after a bad week
in which we saw Kieron Dyer get a very nasty injury," insisted Curbs. The
thrilling three-goal victory at the Madejski Stadium erasing the memories of
an awful New Year's Day beating in Berkshire. "Compared to last season, a
totally different side turned up," he added. "But the events of January
weren't the spur because we came here knowing that we already had some good
away form behind us. "The defence gave us a base and we got a good start
thanks to a fantastic goal from Craig Bellamy, which settled it all down but
after that I was getting a bit frustrated because we needed to finish the
game off. "In the end, I was pleased that Matthew Etherington found the net
with a couple of goals because he needed them. "Since Luis Boa Morte came in
there's been a bit of a tussle between the two of them but he worked hard in
pre-season and, just like Lee Bowyer recently, Matty's grabbed his
opportunity. "Hayden Mullins has also seen me go out and sign players yet
he's managed to stay in the side too and I'm delighted for the all boys who
have come into the team because they've really stepped up to the plate.
"Although we worked so hard in pre-season, we got what we deserved in our
first game against Manchester City and after getting back on track at
Birmingham City we then had another below par performance at Upton Park
against Wigan Athletic. "Our home form is probably something that we need to
look at but we can take heart from the fact that we've now also won away
from home at Bristol Rovers and again at Reading. "I've got a decent squad
full of players, who have proved that they can come in and do the job for
me," acknowledged the Hammers' boss, who pre-match had still been grafting
well into the early hours, having just lengthened the Upton Park roll-call
by signing Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara with just minutes to spare
before the transfer window slammed shut. "With all our injuries, we had to
do something on deadline day and both our chairman Eggert Magnusson and his
number two Scott Duxbury worked ever so hard to bring two players in. "I was
welcoming the players to the Club at around 1:00 a.m. yet earlier, as
midnight approached, we hadn't even been sure whether anything was going to
happen. "Then suddenly everything went through - we only signed Henri Camara
with four minutes to spare - and we're delighted. "Henri's always been a bit
of a threat whenever he's played against us, while Nolberto Solano can play
at right midfield or right-back. "Although some of my signings are out
injured, I've brought in players of the right age with proven quality and a
bit of hunger. We're pleased with the business we've done and, hopefully, we
can go on and have a decent season. "Once again, our injuries tested us
against Reading but we still put on a great display," continued Curbs, who
was able to give Dean Ashton his first Premiership start for over a year.
"Deano was a bit disappointed about coming off midway through the second
half because he felt he could have done a bit more but I just felt that we
needed to get a bit more pace onto the pitch to try and get a third goal.
"We've been managing him and although, as expected, he found it a little bit
difficult at the start, we're delighted that he's got another hour under his
belt and now he's got two weeks to work a little bit harder so that he can
push on even further."
Another England hopeful also continued his excellent recent form with his
fifth clean sheet in the last eight Premiership games. "Robert Green's made
a good start for us," observed Curbs, who was relieved to see his 'keeper
save a late Kevin Doyle penalty to extinguish any hopes of a Royals'
recovery. "I don't think that Greeny's done anything wrong for me, he's been
solid. With the England boys always watching him, he must be getting some
good reports from them right now."
By Steve Blowers
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Etherington on top of his game - WHUFC
03/09/2007 12:01
Matty Etherington scored a brace to help the Hammers to a convincing 3-0
victory over Reading at the weekend, although he did not play the last time
the two teams met he still understood how important it was to put that
result to bed. "A lot was said before the game about how we needed to get
the right result to put January's defeat behind us and I think we have done
that quite convincingly now and to be fair could have scored a few more.
This is a really tough place to come so this is a great result for the
team."
Matty started on the bench for the season opener against Man City, but he
came on at the start of the second-half and has not really looked back,
starting in every League match since and getting on the scoresheet against
Reading. "There is a lot of competition for places here at the moment and
the manager brought in a lot of good quality over the Summer so we all have
to work that much harder to win our place in the team. I got my head down
over pre-season and worked hard, came off the bench against Man City and got
my place in the team and now I just need to make sure I keep it. "I am
obviously really delighted to get the two goals but I probably should have
had a hat-trick to be fair. I was pleased with the way I took my goals and I
just want to go on and keep scoring."
The Hammers have won three on the spin away from home now, but only managed
a point at Upton Park, Matty believes after the convincing display and
result at the Madejski the home form will be back on track too. "I think we
have got a lot of pace in the team and we are looking good on the break and
maybe at home we can't break as well because teams are playing a bit more
with a defensive mind against us, but we have got a lot of guile and pleased
with the way we are looking away from home and we now need to take this
victory and use it to get a good result in front of the home crowd in two
weeks time against Middlesbrough. "We said before the game that it would be
great to get a good result and go into the break on a high and with a decent
tally of points on the board and that is exactly what we have done. If you
lose, the international break can really drag as you are desperate to put
things right but now we can all be positive and get some good work done in
training and look forward to picking up where we left off."
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Anton hails good team performance - WHUFC
03/09/2007 15:25
Anton Ferdinand put Saturday's victory over Reading down to an excellent
team display and was particularly happy to prove the last visit to the
Madjeski was just a one off.
"It was definitely good for me personally as well as the team, to put that
result behind me as that was not a good day for anyone involved. This time,
it was just an all-round good performance with another clean-sheet away from
home and three good goals. To be fair we could have probably beaten them by
about 6 but were not quite clinical enough with some of our finishing, but
three goals was enough on the day to give us a good solid victory to take
into this international break."
Curbs praised his back four in particular for their assured defensive
display, but for Anton personally it was all about getting one over on his
mate!
"We were definitely pleased with how we performed defensively, we were very
organised and were making some good blocks. Leroy Lita is a good friend of
mine from the under 21s so I especially wanted to play well against him and
be top of my game so I had the bragging rights! The whole back-line did very
well but then so did everyone else, it was a great team performance which is
very positive as it means we are playing well as team and not just as
individuals which is pleasing for the Manager as well."
Matty Upson and Ferdinand have formed a consistent pairing in the League
already this season and Anton is pleased with the way things are working out
with his new defensive partner.
"Matty is a very good player and it was very frustrating for him to be out
last season, he was just getting back into playing competitive games for
ninety minutes for the first couple of games but he is really settling into
the team now and we seem to be creating a good partnership together but we
both know there are some very good other centre-backs at this Club also
desperate to play so we have to keep playing well week in week out to stay
in the team."
The away form at the end of last season and carrying on into this has been
impeccable and Anton assures the home form will also be back to it's best
sooner rather than later.
"A lot of teams are coming to Upton Park now and sitting back because they
know we are an attack-minded team so it can prove quite difficult for us to
break them down. We are looking better away from home because we are being
allowed to play a bit more and catch teams on the break which suits our game
as there is a lot of pace in the team. But we are confident the home form
will come starting with Middlesbrough and the away form will continue as it
is which should hopefully see us where we want to be in the table."
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Curbs hails Bellamy - SSN
'Fans will love you' - Curbishley
By Stephen Bramley Last updated: 3rd September 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley believes Craig Bellamy can lay his bad-boy
image to rest and prove a huge hit at Upton Park. The former Liverpool,
Newcastle and Blackburn striker turned in another tremendous individual
display as The Hammers cruised to a 3-0 Premier League win at Reading on
Saturday. Bellamy has often hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, but
Curbishley insists the Wales international - now at his seventh different
club in eight seasons - should be remembered for his passion for the game.
"I think it's worth remembering he got sold at an early age at Norwich, then
Coventry got relegated, so he moved on again," Curbishley told The Sun. "And
the only reason he left Blackburn was because Liverpool activated a get-out
clause. "Then Liverpool moved on this summer and made big changes - we found
Bellamy was available and we worked hard to get him in. "The one thing I
said to him was, 'West Ham fans will love you for your endeavour, your
passion, your finishing'. "And I also said 'Why don't you be remembered for
that instead of other stuff?'"
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Kamara targets top 10 - SSN
Striker happy to have chosen Fulham over Hammers
Last updated: 3rd September 2007
Diomansy Kamara admits the future plans for Fulham swayed him to move to
Craven Cottage rather than West Ham United. The Senegal forward was a
£6million signing from West Brom in the summer after also attracting
interest from West Ham. He opted for Fulham and scored his first Premier
League goal for the club with his acrobatic late equaliser in Saturday's 3-3
draw with Tottenham. Kamara revealed The Hammers made a concerted effort to
take him to Upton Park as he sought a return to the top flight. But he was
impressed with what Lawrie Sanchez had to offer and feels Fulham have the
potential to claim a place in the top 10. "West Ham wanted me a lot, but for
me the Fulham project is different," said Kamara. "It's a very young team
and there is a very strong ambition to finish in the top 10."
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Winger eyes regular role - SSN
Etherington to continue hard-work
By James Dall Last updated: 3rd September 2007
Matthew Etherington has admitted that competition in the West Ham side is
fierce, but the winger is determined to keep his place in the starting XI.
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has strengthened his squad with 10 players this
summer, however Etherington got the nod to start against Reading and scored
a brace.
West Ham went on to win the game 3-0 and the pacey wide-man put in a
man-of-the-match performance. Etherington believes his hard work during
pre-season paid dividends and is now focused on keeping the likes of Luis
Boa Morte out of the side. "There is a lot of competition for places here at
the moment," Etherington said. "The manager brought a lot of good quality
over the summer so we all have to work that much harder to win our place in
the team. "I got my head down over pre-season and worked hard, came off the
bench against Manchester City and got my place in the team and now I just
need to make sure I keep it." Curbishley explained that Etherington and Boa
Morte have both been competing for the wide-left position, and the rivalry
is fierce.
"Since Luis came in there's been a bit of a tussle between the two of them
but he (Etherington) worked hard in pre-season and, just like Lee Bowyer
recently, Matty's grabbed his opportunity," Curbishley said. "I'm delighted
for all the boys who have come into the team because they've really stepped
up to the plate."
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Pilgrims relishing Upton Park trip - teamtalk
Plymouth manager Ian Holloway is looking forward to his Argyle side's
Carling Cup third-round trip to West Ham later in the month. Holloway, whose
side reached the FA Cup quarter finals last season, is enjoying another cup
run. He said: "It's fantastic and going up to Upton Park will be a reward
for the players and a treat for the fans. "The only shame is that it's not
at home but you can't always have everything."
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Etherington prepared to battle with Parker and Ljungberg - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:29pm on 3rd September 2007
Matthew Etherington is determined to keep his place in the West Ham midfield
as Freddie Ljungberg and Scott Parker get closer to full fitness to provide
competition. Ljungberg and Parker were close to playing against Reading at
the weekend, with Etherington seizing his chance to impress in their absence
by scoring a brace at the Madejski Stadium. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley
also brought Nolberto Solano to the club on transfer-deadline day to
increase his options in midfield. "There is a lot of competition for places
here at the moment and the manager brought in a lot of good quality over the
summer so we all have to work that much harder to win our place in the
team," said Etherington. "I got my head down over pre-season and worked
hard, came off the bench against Manchester City and got my place in the
team and now I just need to make sure I keep it." Luis Boa Morte also
provides Etherington with competition. "Since Luis came in there's been a
bit of a tussle between the two of them but he (Etherington) worked hard in
pre-season and, just like Lee Bowyer recently, Matty's grabbed his
opportunity," said Curbishley. "Hayden Mullins has also seen me go out and
sign players yet he's managed to stay in the side too and I'm delighted for
the all boys who have come into the team because they've really stepped up
to the plate."
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Bellamy exorcises West Ham demon - The Times
Reading 0 West Ham United 3: the Welsh forward's speed leaves memories of
last season's "Bentley boys" in the dust
Russell Kempson at Madejski Stadium
Eight months ago, West Ham United left the Madejski Stadium in a state of
chaos. They had lost 6-0 to Reading, were nosediving towards relegation and
Alan Curbishley, their manager, criticised the "Baby Bentley" culture of
claret-and-blue excess.
On Saturday, the demons of New Year's Day were exorcised in emphatic
fashion. West Ham could have scored six, such was the power of the
counter-attacking thrusts led by Craig Bellamy and Matthew Etherington.
Ferrari-style pace abounded.
That Reading forced 14 corners and missed a second-half penalty, when 2-0
down and with 14 minutes remaining, suggests that a recovery could have been
close at hand. In reality, they got what they deserved: nothing.
Robert Green, the West Ham goal-keeper, was one of only four "Bentley boys"
to make the return trip down the M4 and start at the Madejski. It was not
his favourite venue – he had conceded 11 goals in three matches there and
ruptured his groin when playing for England B – yet, this time, there were
no horrors to report.
"It took a long time to get over what happened in January," Green said. "It
was the low point of the season."
Green also revealed a novel strategy for saving the first penalty of his
career. He had brought down Dave Kitson as Reading attempted to stage a late
rally, but atoned with a sprawling dive to batter away Kevin Doyle's
spot-kick. "I got a dead leg to my right leg in the first half and I
couldn't dive to my right," Green said. "So I dived to my left. I think you
know your luck is in when that sort of thing happens."
Luck played little part in West Ham's victory. Bellamy scampered away to
give them an early lead and, although Stephen Hunt struck the bar, a
revitalised Etherington extended the lead and concluded the romp late on
with clinical finishes.
Bellamy may infuriate many, with his strutting manner and nonstop verbals,
but his high-octane tempo is priceless and Curbishley believes that he can
earn cult status at Upton Park: a sort of Welsh version of Paolo Di Canio.
"We worked hard to get Craig here," Curbishley said. "I promised we would
get other players in and I told him that the fans would love him for his
endeavour, his passion, his finishing. I said, 'If you come here, they will
carry you around the Boleyn.' "
Nicky Shorey, the England and Reading left back, could also have been
contemplating a hero's life in the East End, but his proposed move did not
materialise. He played as if his mind was elsewhere, a common trait among
many of his team-mates as they perhaps began to ponder whether
"second-season syndrome" is real and not just imagined.
Reading (4-4-2): M Hahnemann 7 – G Murty 4, M Duber-ry 4, I Ingimarsson 4, N
Shorey 3 – E Fae 3 (sub: D Kitson, 61min 6), B Gunnarsson 4 (sub: K Cissé,
68 5), J Harper 6, S Hunt 4 – K Doyle 3, L Lita 4 (sub: R Convey, 74).
Substitutes not used: A Bikey, A Federici. Next: Sunderland (a).
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 6 – L Neill 6, A Ferdinand 8, M Upson 7, G
McCartney 6 – L Bowyer 6 (sub: J Spector, 80), M Noble 5, H Mullins 5, M
Etherington 7 – D Ashton 4 (sub: C Cole, 64 4), C Bellamy 7 (sub: L Boa
Morte, 90).Substitutes not used: D Gabbidon, R Wright. Booked: Green. Next:
Middlesbrough (h).
Referee H Webb
Attendance 23,533
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CUP TIE IS TREAT FOR FANS - OLLIE - This Is Plymouth
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06:50 - 03 September 2007
Ian Holloway has described Argyle's Carling Cup third round tie away to
Premier League club West Ham United later this month as 'a treat' for the
Green Army.
The draw for the last 32 of the competition was held on Saturday lunchtime
and the Pilgrims were given a trip to Upton Park on the week commencing
September 24. Argyle have beaten Wycombe Wanderers (2-1) and Doncaster
Rovers (2-0) in the previous two rounds, both at Home Park. West Ham,
meanwhile, entered the Carling Cup at the second round stage and won 2-1
away to Bristol Rovers, in a match marred by their England international
midfielder Kieron Dyer suffering a broken leg. Holloway said: "It's nice to
be through to the third round and nice to play West Ham. "They only just
beat my old team (Bristol Rovers) and we are at Upton Park, which is a treat
for the lads and for the fans, but I'm not really too concerned about it.
"The chairman (Paul Stapleton) will be pleased because it's a decent draw
and could mean a few quid. "But, as far as I'm concerned, it's another game
where we are risking more injuries and all that matters to me is our league
position. "If we beat West Ham that will be fantastic and I will say
something then, but that's a big 'if' isn't it?"
Argyle have won only two of their previous 21 matches at Upton Park, and
were thrashed 5-0 on their last visit in February 2005. Defender Mathias
Doumbe was sent-off in the closing stages as West Ham set off on a run of
results which culminated in them securing promotion by the play-off route.
The two clubs have met twice before in the League Cup, with both games at
Upton Park. West Ham have come out on top each time, with Argyle losing 3-2
in September 1961 and then being routed 6-0 only 12 months later. Wales
international striker Craig Bellamy netted both of the Hammers' goals in
their win against Bristol Rovers last Tuesday. Despite injuries to several
key players, manager Alan Curbishley was still able to send out an
expensively-assembled starting line-up at the Memorial Stadium . West Ham
are eighth in the Premier League after beating Reading 3-0 at the Madejski
Stadium on Saturday.
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Ljungberg and Parker in boost for Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:23am on 3rd September 2007
West Ham, who go into the international break in buoyant mood following
their 3-0 win over Reading, were today further boosted with the news that
both Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg could be fit for their next match
against Middlesbrough. Parker, a £7million summer signing from Newcastle,
has been out for almost two months with knee ligament problems while
Ljungberg has been suffering from a groin injury. Both are making good
progress and could be back in just under two weeks' time.
Meanwhile, Alan Curbishley today explained the reasoning behind the
11th-hour decision to sign striker Henri Camara from Wigan on a season-long
loan. The 30-year-old Senegalese striker was signed just four minutes before
the transfer deadline and it was his blistering pace which finally persuaded
Curbishley to go for him. With serious injuries to Kieron Dyer and Julien
Faubert, the West Ham manager was keen to add another quick player to his
squad. Curbishley had been impressed by Camara in the past and when possible
targets such as Eidur Gudjohnsen and Adriano failed to materialise, he
decided to move for the former Wolves front man. "Craig Bellamy has been
suffering from a groin strain while Bobby Zamora had a swollen knee after
the Bristol Rovers game," said Curbishley. "So we had to do something on
deadline day. "We only signed Henri with four minutes to spare. We weren't
sure whether it was going to happen but suddenly it all went through."
West Ham's other late signing, the Peruvian winger Nolberto Solano, joined
on a one-year contract from Newcastle. Solano had previously been offered to
West Ham as part of the deal which brought Dyer to Upton Park but, at the
time, Curbishley felt he had enough cover. That changed when Dyer was ruled
out for the entire season after a double fracture of his right leg and West
Ham decided to go back in for Solano. "Nolberto can play right midfield and
right-back," said Curbishley. "I want a solid season. I want us to be on the
back pages for all the right footballing reasons this year." Craig Bellamy
opened the scoring for the Hammers at Reading and Matthew Etherington hit
the other two.
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Bent: Curbs is a great manager - The Sun
By GAVIN GLICKSMAN
September 03, 2007
DARREN BENT insists he did not reject a move to West Ham to avoid working
with Alan Curbishley. Bent traded life at Charlton for a £16.5million switch
to Tottenham after rejecting West Ham earlier this summer. But the England
striker has rubbished rumours suggesting he did not fancy renewing his
acquaintance with ex-Addicks boss Curbishley. Bent, 23, said: "It's a load
of of rubbish about not wanting to work with Curbs. "I don't know where that
story has come from because I didn't speak to anyone about my situation
until a couple of weeks ago. "It was nothing to do with Curbs — he's a
fantastic manager.
"He did wonders for me and made me the player I am today by giving me my
opportunity. "It's nothing to do with him. It was just a career decision and
I chose to join Tottenham."
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Bent Puts Record Straight On 'Fantastic' Curbishley - Goal.com
Tottenham Hotspur's record signing Darren Bent has put the record straight
on why he rejected a move to West Ham United this summer. The ex-Charlton
Athletic striker has dismissed suggestions that turned the Hammers diwn to
avoid having to work under former Addicks manager Alan Curbishley again.
Although West Ham agreed a deal with Charlton Athletic for striker Darren
Bent earlier this summer, the 23-year-old turned down the Hammers and opted
to go to White Hart Lane instead for a club record £16.5 millon. It had been
claimed that Bent's decision not to join West Ham was based on a wish not to
renew his working relationship with Curbishley. But the England forward has
now categorically kicked that rumour into touch. "That's a load of rubbish,"
he told Sky Sports News. "I don't know where that's come from because I
didn't speak to anyone about my situation until a couple of weeks ago. "It
was nothing to do with Curbs. He's a fantastic manager. He did wonders for
me and made me the player I am today by giving me my opportunity. "It's
nothing to do with him. It was just a career decision and I chose to join
Tottenham."
Bent was overlooked for a place in England's 2006 World Cup squad in favour
of Theo Walcott, but is now hoping to earn a place for Euro 2008. "Obviously
there's no mistaking the hurt I felt not going to the World Cup, but I used
that as a positive and score as many goals as I can and get into the next
one," he explained.
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West Ham offered Adriano £100,000-a-week
tribalfooball.com - September 03, 2007
West Ham United were ready to make Inter Milan striker Adriano the highest
paid player in the club's history. The Hammers had a bid - believed to be
£15 million - accepted by Inter last week, but after several days of
negotiations, couldn't convince Adriano about a move to Upton Park. The News
of the World says the Hammers were willing to pay the Brazil international
£100,000-a-week to come to London.
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