09/10/2007 12:07
Hayden Mullins believes the international break will allow West Ham United
to get "back to basics" as they look to push on from a respectable mid-table
position. The versatile midfielder was naturally disappointed with the 1-0
defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday that saw him go up against former club
captain Nigel Reo-Coker but the 28-year-old is already plotting how he and
his team-mates can put that right. He said: "I think we have to get back on
the training field, work hard and get back to basics. What we were doing
right before we went on this bad run. We had a very good record. We want to
get back to that."
Once the international programme is out of the way, West Ham entertain
Sunderland at home on Sunday 21 October before a trip to Portsmouth six days
later and then the Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Coventry City on Tuesday
30 October. According to Mullins, there is every chance of taking league
points and reaching the last eight of the cup competition. "We know there a
couple of good games coming up for us later this month and we're looking to
win them," he added.
Looking back to Saturday, Mullins paid tribute to the effort shown despite
conceding from a free-kick he felt was harshly awarded. "We did really well
in the second half, we were the much better side and we're disappointed to
come out of that losing. It's just a reminder that we have to take our
chances and keep it a bit tighter at the back."
The duel with Reo-Coker caught the eye but, for Mullins, meeting former
colleagues is nothing new. "He's a good mate of mine but once you get out
there and the whistle goes, there are no friends," he said. "If you have to
put a challenge in, then you have to put a challenge in and you talk about
it after." As is often the case in football, the difference between victory
and defeat is often a fine line and Mullins reiterated there was plenty to
take from the contest. "I think we always looked dangerous but didn't get
that bit of luck that we needed. That was the decisive factor. Once you get
half a chance, Carlton Cole had one, Lee Bowyer and Matty Etherington, you
have to take them, which we didn't today. We'll be going back to the
training field and working on that."
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Ephraim extends at QPR - WHUFC
09/10/2007 15:42
West Ham United can confirm that young winger Hogan Ephraim has extended his
loan at Queen's Park Rangers for a third month. The 19-year-old Academy
graduate has been on loan at the Championship club since August and has made
nine appearances in his first two months at Loftus Road. His most recent
outing came last night with Ephraim impressing in the 1-0 home defeat of
Norwich City, the club's first victory of the season. Ephraim's loan will
see him stay with QPR until 6 November. The England Under-19 international
had a similar loan spell at Colchester United last season, scoring once in
21 games and coincidentally Ephraim's first goal for QPR came in last
Wednesday's 4-2 defeat at Colchester.
Two other West Ham players are also out on loan. Scotland defender Christian
Dailly, who is in his country's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers at home
against Ukraine this Saturday and next Wednesday's trip to Georgia, is at
Championship club Southampton until 22 October while 18-year-old goalkeeper
David Blackmore is on loan at Conference South side Thurrock.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boa Morte the difference in reserve victory - WHUFC
09/10/2007 14:47
West Ham United reserves 1
Tottenham Hotspur reserves 0
West Ham United won the battle of a lively London derby as Luis Boa Morte's
first-half header was enough to secure victory against Tottenham Hotspur at
the Boleyn Ground this evening. The home side, up against visitors that were
unbeaten in four games at this level, controlled the first half after Boa
Morte's early goal and battled through after the interval to ensure all
three points would remain in east London. The win moves West Ham up to fifth
in the ten-team Premier Reserve League table, a point ahead of their
opponents tonight.
Kevin Keen's men started brightly forcing a corner inside the first two
minutes before Jack Collison and Boa Morte combined well for the first real
chance on goal, although the visitors were able to clear. The promising
start paid off on nine minutes as West Ham took the lead with a well-worked
goal.
James Tomkins, playing his first reserve game since suffering a shoulder
injury at the end of last season, headed clear to an on-running Junior
Stanislas. He in turn fed Kyel Reid who sent a perfect left-wing cross into
the path of Boa Morte, and the Portuguese forward - partnering Jack Jeffrey
in attack - had the simple task of heading in from close range.
Collison, lively in the centre of midfield despite the presence of Kevin
Prince Boateng and Wayne Routledge, continued to combine well with Boa
Morte, who went close to getting a second before Tony Stokes tried his luck
with a long-range shot. More good play from the Hammers saw Stanislas
collect the ball from Jeffrey and then fire an effort just wide of the post.
At the other end, Spurs' defender Cian Hughton gave the first test of the
evening to home goalkeeper Richard Wright, who saved comfortably. It was to
be a quiet first half for Wright, who was ably assisted by solid defending
from Calum Davenport and Tomkins. Just before half-time, Collison again
combined with Boa Morte, only for the resulting effort to be cleared by
Spurs and it remained 1-0 at the break.
In the second half, West Ham again started brightly, Stokes once again in
the thick of action as he got stuck in to stop a Spurs attack just outside
the box. Reid got free in the 53rd minute but could only send his
fiercely-driven shot over the bar.
Tottenham were more dangerous after the interval and went close when Leigh
Mills hit the post and Tomkins then had to make a clearance in a crowded
penalty box minutes later. Wright then made a save as Simon Dawkins hit a
fierce shot. But the home side still had the upper hand - Reid sending a
promising strike whistling over the bar before the solid Jonathan Spector
tried his luck from long range after surging forward from left-back.
Keen made his only change of the night on 68 minutes, Zavon Hines replacing
Stanislas and the No14 was to be a lively presence. Boa Morte had a great
chance to double the home advantage but could only divert his free-kick over
the crossbar before Hines went close only to be thwarted by Spurs keeper
Tommy Forecast.
The visitors kept pushing and Tomkins was again in good form as he rose high
to head clear a particularly dangerous attack before Jeffrey collected the
ball from a good cross by John Pantsil, but could only watch as his header
went just over the bar. Wright then saved from Boateng before Davenport had
to be alert on the line to head clear a Tottenham free-kick.
West Ham though were unlucky not to have grabbed a second goal as Hines
found himself in space but his shot shaved the post. Spurs tried one more
time to find an equaliser but Pantsil cleared off the line and one goal
proved enough for the hosts.
West Ham United: Wright, Pantsil, Tomkins, Davenport, Spector, Stanislas
(Hines 67), Stokes, Collison, Reid, Boa Morte, Jeffrey,
Unused subs: Stech, Hales, Widdowson, Fitzgerald
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer delight after reserve team triumph - WHUFC
09/10/2007 23:01
It was a successful evening for West Ham United reserves in more ways than
one as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 this evening. With no first team
game this weekend because of the international break, there was a chance for
players such as Richard Wright, John Pantsil, Jonathan Spector and Luis Boa
Morte to get more match action under their belts as they bid to impress
first-team manager Alan Curbishley. The game also saw a welcome return for
James Tomkins who played his first reserve game since suffering a shoulder
injury at the end of last season and Calum Davenport got another 90 minutes
as he continued his way back from a hernia operation in the summer.
For conditioning coach Alex Dyer, the result for Kevin Keen's men added to
the satisfaction of having seen the players all come through unscathed.
Speaking after Boa Morte's first-half goal won the game, Dyer said: "It was
a good game and we went out and controlled it from the kick-off. Spurs came
into the game more in the second half, but we got off to a great start with
Luis's goal and should have had a few more.
"Kevin came in at half-time and said that Spurs would have to come out and
play better than they had in the first half and to be fair they did, they
had some decent players in their side. We knew that we had to not only keep
our momentum going but make sure we kept to our game. I think the lads coped
well, we carried on breaking against them and there were another three or
four good chances for us.
"Stokesy (Tony Stokes) and Specs (Jonathan Spector) both went close, Zavon
Hines came on as substitute and was very sharp, then there was young players
like Jack Collison who were tremendous tonight. Kevin made Jack the captain
of the team this season following his good performances for the first team
during pre-season and he does not look out of place at this level. He may
only still be a young boy but he leads by example."
Dyer said the team may be young, but they are hungry to impress and push on
to the next level. "I think we can do well this year," he added. "There is a
big squad here at the club and playing for the reserves means a chance for
the boys to impress, with Curbs watching the games so they know they must
grab the opportunity when it comes along."
Young defender Tomkins was also praised by Dyer for solid defending
alongside Davenport. "It's good to see James back. He has been working
really hard during the summer and he's always keen to do that extra bit of
work if he needs to after training," said Dyer.
"This is only his first reserve game of the season and second match overall,
having played for the youth side last week, but he looked like the James
Tomkins we all know about again. All he needs is few regular games under his
belt and I think we will see him really push on. The result is good for the
whole club, a win at whatever level rebounds on all of us. So we will all go
home tonight with smiles on our faces."
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Ashton is sidelined for six weeks - BBC
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out of action for up to six
weeks with a sprained medial knee ligament. The 23-year old suffered the
injury in the latter stages of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. The
injury is a cruel blow for the forward whose previous call-up to the England
squad last August saw him pick up an ankle injury in training. Meanwhile,
young Hammers winger Hogan Ephraim has extended his loan at Queens Park
Rangers for a third month. West Ham's head physiotherapist George Cooper
said: "We received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we expected
which is that he had sprained the upper third of his medial ligament. "In
the majority of cases it will take up to six weeks for full recovery."
However, the Hammers have been boosted by news that striker Craig Bellamy
began running again last Friday after an operation on a groin injury. He
will join up with the Wales squad ahead of their own qualifiers against
Cyprus and San Marino - although he is set to sit out the first fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hoges extends QPR loan - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 8th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Young Hammers striker Hogan Ephraim has extended his loan spell with
Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers for another month. Ephraim - who has
made ten appearances for Rangers since moving on loan at the start of the
season - will now remain with the Championship's bottom club until November
6th. He played for the Londoners last night as they beat Norwich - now
managed by Alan Pardew's former number two Peter Grant - 1-0 at Loftus Road
to record their first league win of the season. Ephraim scored his first
goal for QPR last week against Colchester, a club he spent time with last
season on loan.
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Ashton out for six weeks - SSN
Hammers confirm extent of injury
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 9th October 2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out of action for six weeks. The
Hammers striker suffered medial ligament damage to his knee in the weekend
defeat at Aston Villa and now scans have confirmed the extent of the
problem. The injury has ruled him out of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers
against Estonia and Russia; just over 12 months after a broken ankle denied
him his international debut against Greece. West Ham have revealed that
Ashton will be missing until mid-December.
We received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we expected which
is that he had sprained the upper third of his medial ligament," West Ham's
head physiotherapist George Cooper confirmed. "In the majority of cases it
will take up to six weeks for full recovery."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Solano unfazed by Hammers role - SSN
Peruvian happy to wait for chance
By Patricio Figueroa Last updated: 9th October 2007
Nolberto Solano insists he is not worried about his situation at West Ham.
The Peruvian midfielder arrived from Newcastle on transfer deadline day -
but he is yet to be involved in a match for The Hammers. But the 32-year-old
is refusing to panic about his lack of involvement. "I am not worried about
that I haven't played any game yet at West Ham. I have a lot of experience
in football," said Solano as he arrived in Peru ahead of their World Cup
qualifier with Paraguay. "It's true, I am not playing but I am calm about
that. "I don't forget that the championship has just started in England and
I have a lot of experience in football and in the national team. "I have
even spoken with the coach of Peru and he told me to be calm."
Speaking about the forthcoming Paraguay clash, Solano added: "The first
match is very important because it's the first one and because it's against
a tough team like Paraguay so we have to win. "It's going to be very
difficult but I hope that things get sorted out correctly for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ephraim extends Rangers stay - SSN
Hammers starlet extends stay with Championship strugglers
By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 9th October 2007
Queens Park Rangers have extended Hogan Ephraim's loan spell for another
month. The West Ham United youngster has impressed during his stint at
Loftus Road and helped Rangers to their first victory of the season over
Norwich on Monday night. The 19-year-old has scored one goal in nine
appearances for Rangers so far this season. The loan extension will see
Ephraim remain at Loftus Road until 6th November. Meanwhile, caretaker
Rangers manager Mick Harford has admitted he would love to land the job on a
permanent basis. Harford took temporary charge of Rangers following the
sacking of John Gregory earlier this month. New Rangers Flavio Briatore is
thought to be scouring Europe for a new manager, but Harford hopes the win
over Norwich will boost his chances of staying on. "All I can say is that I
can effect what I can effect - the football side, the team and the players,"
said Harford. "I can't effect whether they want to bring another manager in.
If they offered it to me, I would accept it. "I'm philosophical about it. If
we play like we did tonight then maybe I'll have an opportunity. If we
don't, someone else will."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton hit for six by knee injury - Telegraph
By Richard Bright
Last Updated: 1:45am BST 10/10/2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out of England's squad for the
Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia after scans confirmed that his
knee injury would keep him out for up to six weeks. The 23-year-old forward
sustained the injury in the latter stages of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston
Villa, but had been called up for England after scoring three goals in eight
appearances. It is a bitter blow for Ashton whose previous call-up to the
England squad, for an August 2006 friendly against Greece, saw him pick up
an ankle injury in training.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's Make Or Break for Dyer - the Sun
KIERON DYER is hoping to get the all-clear today to start his long recovery
from a broken leg. And the West Ham and England midfielder admits he is
already targeting a place in next summer's Euro 2008 finals. Dyer, 28,
suffered the double leg break in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in
August in only his second game for the Hammers after a £6million move from
Newcastle. He said: "It's a very big day for me. I'm having an X-ray and if
the specialist is happy I should be able to put weight on my leg." Dyer is
confident England can get the points they need against Estonia and Russia to
qualify for the tournament. He added: "I have no doubt that we will get the
results. It would be great if I could be involved. "But I'm concentrating on
rehab. The bones are pinned and it feels solid."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer Blow as Ash hit for six
By ANDREW HAIGH
Published: 09 Oct 2007
WEST HAM and England striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out for up to six
weeks. Scans knee have confirmed that Ashton has a sprained medial knee
ligament. The Hammers hitman sustained the injury in Saturday's 1-0 defeat
at Aston Villa, ruling him out of England's Euro 2008 games against Estonia
and Russia. The club's head physiotherapist George Cooper said: "We received
the results of Dean's scan and they were what we expected, which is that he
had sprained the upper third of his medial ligament. "In the majority of
cases it will take up to six weeks for full recovery."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has been boosted by the news that striker
Craig Bellamy is running again following groin surgery. He will join up with
the Wales squad ahead of their own qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino
- although he is set to sit out the first fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserve Report - TottenhamHotspur.com
A Luis Boa Morte goal proved enough to give West Ham the spoils as our
reserves fell to defeat at Upton Park on Tuesday evening.
Clive Allen's side failed to recover from an early strike from the former
Fulham man to inflict our first defeat of the season after five games.
The decisive strike came after four minutes when Kyel Reid's teasing ball
into the area from the left flank was nodded home from five yards by Boa
Morte.
The hosts appeared to grow in confidence after seizing the advantage, and
only a last-ditch challenge by Leigh Mills from an almost identical move
involving the same players kept them from extending their advantage.
Cian Hughton cut in from the left and struck a low shot at the near post to
force Richard Wright into action for the first time after a quarter of an
hour, getting down well to gather the ball at the second attempt.
West Ham continued to dominate however, with Simon Dawkins cutting a lonely
figure on his own up front as we struggled to get the ball out of our own
half with the experience and physical strength of the home side telling.
Boa Morte was proving the greatest threat and on the half-hour mark he
nearly had a second, hitting a sweet shot from 25 yards which was heading
for the top right-corner until Tommy Forecast got enough on it to
acrobatically turn the ball away.
The Portuguese international had another chance to double West Ham's lead
four minutes later when he slid in from five yards but just failed to make
contact with a John Pantsil low centre from the right.
Former Spurs man Davenport ensured the two teams went in level at the break,
though, getting a leg in the way to deny Dawkins and send the ball over the
bar after good footwork from the young forward inside the box.
David Hutton was replaced at the interval with Jonathan Obika entering the
fray as Clive Allen attempted to redress the balance, although West Ham
continued to look the more threatening side at the start of the second 45
minutes.
Reid was thwarted with a great shot from outside the area when Jake
Livermore managed to get a boot in the way as the ball fizzed just over the
crossbar.
We almost restored parity against the run of play when Leigh Mills rose
highest to head a Wayne Routledge cross goalward, only for the ball to come
back off the post in the 55th minute.
The chance appeared to galvanise the lads as they began to get themselves
back into the game. Routledge played Dawkins in on 63 minutes but after
riding one challenge was denied a shot by Davenport and moments later a
Routledge set-piece found Dawkins again but his header was held by Wright.
Both sides made further changes on 65 minutes when Junior Stanislas made way
for Zavon Hines for Kevin Keen's men, while Clive brought on Takura Mtandari
for Troy Archibald-Henville.
The 69th minute saw Boa Morte causing problems once more with a free-kick
which sailed just over after clipping the wall, while Hines came close to
making a rapid impact from the bench when he weaved into the box from the
right flank and fired a shot at Forecast's near post, which the goalkeeper
turned round the post with his left foot. Jack Jeffrey also had a chance for
the Hammers putting a looping header onto the roof of the net from ten yards
out.
An equaliser almost came eight minutes from time in similar circumstances to
Dimitar Berbatov's equalising free-kick between the Club's first-teams last
season. Routledge had a crack from the opposite side of the box, but
Davenport was on the line to head clear with Wright well beaten.
A final chance went begging for West Ham in stoppage time when Hines dragged
a shot wide from just ten yards out before the referee's final whistle
brought an end to proceedings.
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Dean Ashton absence a headache for West Ham - The Times
Gary Jacob
West Ham United have only one forward free from injury after learning the
extent of Dean Ashton's knee problem yesterday. The Barclays Premier League
club estimated that Ashton will be out for up to six weeks, but the forward
believes that he could return for the league match away to Derby County in
four weeks.
A scan has shown that Ashton has sprained his medial knee ligament, an
injury he suffered during the 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa on Saturday. He
remained on the pitch because West Ham had used three substitutes.
Ashton is said to be relaxed about the setback, having not had a break since
April while he regained fitness from a broken ankle that had kept him out
for all of last season. But his loss is a blow for West Ham because he has
returned to his best with three goals in eight appearances.
Only Carlton Cole is fit among the five forwards at Upton Park. Henri Camara
has a hamstring problem and Bobby Zamora will be out for two more weeks
after knee surgery. Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, may be forced to
push LuÍs Boa Morte into attack, although the manager hopes that Craig
Bellamy will be available after a groin operation.
Curbishley is keen that Bellamy tests his recovery for Wales against San
Marino in a European Championship qualifying match a week today.
Curbishley's other concern is in midfield. Already without Kieron Dyer and
Julien Faubert for most of the rest of the season, there are concerns that
Scott Parker's return from a knee injury may be delayed by a further four
weeks. Curbishley hoped that the midfield player would return at the end of
the month, after Parker limped off against Arsenal ten days ago.
Curbishley could be without Anton Ferdinand for six weeks. The defender has
a hamstring problem, but the club are also concerned about a criminal trial
for alleged assault next month.
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West Ham Reserves v Spurs Reserves, 09.10.07 - a Spurs Odyssey
BARCLAYS PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (SOUTH)
(At Upton Park)
TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER, 2007
WEST HAM RESERVES 1 (1) SPURS RESERVES 0 (0)
Scorer:-
Boa Morte, 9
Referee: - Mr. A. Halliday
Attendance: - Est. 350
Teams:-
West Ham (4-4-2):- Wright; Pantsil, Tomkins, Davenport, Spector; Stanislas
(sub Hines, 67), Collison (Capt.), Stokes, Reid; Boa Morte, Jeffrey
Subs not used: - Hales, Stech, Widdowson, Fitzgerald
No bookings
Spurs (4-5-1):- Forecast; Riley, Archibald-Henville (sub Mtandari, 68),
Mills (Capt.), Hughton; Routledge, Boateng, Maghoma, Livermore, Hutton (sub
Obika, 46); Dawkins
Subs not used: - Butcher; Hutchins; Townsend
No Bookings
After falling foul of an early Luis Boa Morte goal, Spurs defended stoutly
against a lively and threatening West Ham team, and as the game wore on
gained more and more of the possession. Despite hitting the post and having
a shot cleared off the line in the second half, the inexperienced Spurs side
suffered their first defeat in their 5-game season.
West Ham fielded the more experienced side with 4 established Premier League
players (Wright, Davenport, Spector and Boa Morte), and the majority of
their remaining players having a wealth of Reserve experience behind them.
Spurs had Boateng and Routledge in their side, but the remainder are either
recent graduates or still active members of the Academy.
Spurs lined up in a 4-5-1, with Routledge and Hutton on the flanks and
supporting Simon Dawkins when going forward. Boateng, Maghoma and Livermore
held up the midfield, each part of Clive Allen's creative plans too, whilst
the young defence featured Riley, Archibald-Henville, Leigh Mills, and Cian
Hughton. Tommy Forecast was in goal, and apart from a quite spectacular
diving save from Boa Morte, Tommy was well protected by his defence,
although the West Ham team was always lively in attack, and gave us plenty
to think about. They had the chances, but didn't force the saves.
Unfortunately for Spurs they failed to test Richard Wright to any great
degree, and over the course of the game, failed to make best use of the
ball, often passing short or into congested areas, where they were too
easily harried off the ball before they could make a decent final pass.
Boateng usually had two or three claret and blue shirts around him when
receiving the ball, and as a result failed to impose himself upon the game.
Routledge had a couple of decent free kicks, but played behind the right
back at times, and was playing deep for a lot of the game. Again, he seemed
restrained and could have impressed more, I feel.
The Spurs formation did not best suit Simon Dawkins, trying to play with his
back to goal.
For West Ham Boa Morte was often to the fore, but in the second half Jack
Jeffrey got through a lot of work, and had plenty of chances, without
threatening the keeper to a great degree. Kyel Reid also impressed, as did
substitute Zavon Hines, who had a couple of very good efforts late in the
game.
It was Boateng who had the first shot on goal after 4 minutes, trying from
30 yards but hitting the ball outside the right post. Five minutes later,
Spurs fell behind as Reid hit a good cross into no-man's land. Forecast was
stuck on his line; Mills was a little slow to react, and Boa Morte made
ground to hit a powerful header into the net. Stokes then had a 25 yard
effort go low and wide after a cross from the right was only half cleared.
Maghoma made a powerful run down the middle after 14 minut4es, when he was
blocked and the ball ran to Hutton who fed Hughton, who hit a powerful shot
which Wright parried then held. Tommy Forecast's spectacular diving save
came after 29 minutes, when Boa Morte went on a charge from the right
channel. Forecast pushed the powerful shot out for a corner. Just before the
break, Spurs made ground after a good challenge by Archibald-Henville,
sending the ball to Jake Livermore who passed to Boateng from a central
position. Boateng did not cross as early as he might have done, and when it
was delivered the ball was too heavy for Hutton. The first half finished on
a Spurs corner, but the score was unchanged.
Jonathan Obika replaced Hutton at half-time, but sadly he rarely managed to
control the ball well tonight. Both players had 90 minutes with the under
18s on Saturday. After 52 minutes, the Spurs defence failed to deal fully
with a West Ham cross from the right, heading the ball only as far as Boa
Morte who hit a powerful shot that was deflected over the bar. Then Leigh
Mills rattled the post with a super header from Routledge's corner.
Routledge took a free kick on 64 minutes, and Dawkins stooped to head home,
but only into the arms of Wright.
Stanislas was replaced by Hines, and Troy Archibald-Henville had to be
replaced by Takura Mtandari, who has just started playing at centre-back for
the Academy, after formerly playing at full back. Maghoma conceded a free
kick just outside the area, and it was Boa Morte who stepped up and again
had a shot deflected over for a corner. Jeffrey had one of his best chances
from a Pantsil cross, heading from the near post onto the top of the net.
Maghoma gave Wright his hardest save of the night, after carrying the ball
into the middle, making room for himself before hitting a curler towards the
far post. Wright made the save. Maghoma won another free kick outside the
box, taken by Routledge. This time, Wright had to rely upon former Spur
Calum Davenport to head the ball clear.
Hines had the best chance at the end of the game, hitting a left foot shot
close to the left hand post after Boa Morte's work. The game once again
ended on a Spurs corner.
Spurs approach to the Reserve League really is one of developing their young
players these days, and results are not held to be all-important. There is
no doubt that under Clive Allen, plenty of progress is being made by
individuals, but as a team they should still have done better with the ball
tonight, in my opinion. Their next game will be in two weeks time at "home"
(Leyton Orient) to Portsmouth. The Academy are at Leicester this Saturday,
and Spurs Odyssey should carry an exclusive report on that game too.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Curbishley welcomes international break
tribalfooball.com - October 09, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley hopes the international break will rescue his
ailing side. He said: "Perhaps this lull will help some of our injured
players recover fitness. I just hope my internationals come back from their
games injury-free."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Solano comfortable with West Ham decision
tribalfooball.com - October 09, 2007
Nobby Solano isn't concerned as he waits to play his first game for West
Ham. "I am not worried about that I haven't played any game yet at West Ham.
I have a lot of experience in football," said Solano as he arrived in Peru
ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Paraguay. "It's true, I am not
playing but I am calm about that. "I don't forget that the championship has
just started in England and I have a lot of experience in football and in
the national team. "I have even spoken with the coach of Peru and he told me
to be calm."
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Arsenal target £6M West Ham keeper Green
tribalfooball.com - October 09, 2007
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing £6 million-rated West Ham goalkeeper
Robert Green. The Sun says Wenger hopes to cash in on Green's growing
frustration at Upton Park with a New Year bid. Green, 27, is fed up at being
consistently overlooked by England boss Steve McClaren and knows a move to
one of the big four clubs would boost his chances of getting an
international call-up. Wenger remains unconvinced about current stopper
Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard took over by default from German No 1 Jens
Lehmann, whose days at Arsenal are numbered. The only sticking point could
be that Green will demand first-team football.
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Dyer waiting for West Ham green light
tribalfooball.com - October 09, 2007
Kieron Dyer hopes to get the all-clear to begin his comeback at West Ham
today. Dyer, 28, suffered a double leg break in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol
Rovers in August in only his second game for the Hammers after a £6million
move from Newcastle.
He said: "It's a very big day for me. I'm having an X-ray and if the
specialist is happy I should be able to put weight on my leg." Dyer is
confident England can get the points they need against Estonia and Russia to
qualify for the tournament. He added: "I have no doubt that we will get the
results. It would be great if I could be involved. "But I'm concentrating on
rehab. The bones are pinned and it feels solid."
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Ligament damage leaves Ashton facing six-week absence - The Guardian
Scans confirmed striker has sprained a medial knee ligament
Staff and agencies
Tuesday October 9, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
West Ham could be without Dean Ashton for up to six weeks after scans
confirmed that the striker had sprained a medial ligament in his knee.
Ashton, who suffered the injury during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa,
had already been ruled out of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia
and Russia, but is now a doubt for the game with Croatia next month. "We
received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we expected which is
that he had sprained the upper third of his medial ligament," said West
Ham's head physiotherapist George Cooper. "In the majority of cases it will
take up to six weeks for full recovery."
The injury is a bitter blow for Ashton, whose previous call-up to the
England squad for an August 2006 friendly against Greece was ruined when he
picked up an ankle injury in training. However, the Hammers have been
boosted by news that Craig Bellamy began running again last Friday after an
operation on a groin injury. He will join up with the Wales squad ahead of
their own qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino - although he is set to
sit out the first fixture.
Meanwhile, West Ham have confirmed that their young winger Hogan Ephraim has
extended his loan at Queen's Park Rangers for a third month. The 19-year-old
Academy graduate has been on loan at the Championship club since August and
has made nine appearances in his first two months at Loftus Road, including
an impressive display in the defeat of Norwich last night.
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Scans confirm ligament damage for Ashton - Daily Mail
Last updated at 16:41pm on 9th October 2007
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out of action for up to six
weeks. Scans on the damaged knee that forced him out of England's squad for
the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, have confirmed that
Ashton has a sprained medial knee ligament. The West Ham forward sustained
the injury in the later stages of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa but
had been called up for England after scoring three goals in eight
appearances. The club's head physiotherapist George Cooper said: "We
received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we expected which is
that he had sprained the upper third of his medial ligament. In the majority
of cases it will take up to six weeks for full recovery."
The injury is a bitter blow for the 23-year-old whose previous call-up to
the England squad for an August 2006 friendly against Greece saw him pick up
an ankle injury in training. However, the Hammers have been boosted by news
that striker Craig Bellamy began running again last Friday after an
operation on a groin injury. He will join up with the Wales squad ahead of
their own qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino - although he is set to
sit out the first fixture. Meanwhile, West Ham have confirmed that young
winger Hogan Ephraim has extended his loan at Queen's Park Rangers for a
third month. The 19-year-old Academy graduate has been on loan at the
Championship club since August and has made nine appearances in his first
two months at Loftus Road. His most recent outing came last night with
Ephraim impressing in the 1-0 home defeat of Norwich City - the club's first
victory of the season. Ephraim's loan will see him stay with QPR until
November 6.
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Beaten Hammers miss Bellamy's cutting edge - Newham Recorder
09 October 2007
Aston Villa 1 West Ham United 0
THEY may have deserved a draw; the luck may be against them, but Saturday's
narrow defeat at Villa Park on Saturday made it three on the trot in the
Premier League, and manager Alan Curbishley was quick to point the finger at
the real problem, writes DAVE EVANS. "We gave it our best shot but we just
missed that cutting edge today," he confessed. "Perhaps a Craig Bellamy or
one of the others might have taken those chances that fell our way in the
second half. "We just want him back. Those five weeks seem a long time ago
since he was streaking away from Reading's defence."
Since that fateful day, when West Ham tore the Royals apart and could have
won by five or six goals, the season has taken a nosedive. Pace was what the
Hammers were all about on their travels, but on Saturday it was Villa who
had the pace and at times Curbishley's men couldn't handle it.
In the first half especially, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Luke
Moore caused all sorts of problems with their speed and skill, giving Lucas
Neill and Danny Gabbidon a torrid time down the right side of the West Ham
defence. The Hammers showed flashes of that old counter attacking form with
Henri Camara and Matty Etherington working hard to create an opening, but
aside from Camara's comical punch into the net, and a header from Freddie
Ljungberg at the far post that was held by Scott Carson, they didn't trouble
the home side.
The winning goal, when it came, was hugely disappointing. On 25 minutes
Gabbidon was adjudged to have hauled down Agbonlahor on the edge of the box
and the defender became doubly unlucky when Craig Gardner's free kick
deflected off the Welshman and flew right into the corner of the net. "We
were disappointed with the free kick because Agbonlahor slipped and you
either get those or you don't," said the frustrated manager. "There was a
bit of a tussle at the end of it, and the referee was possibly a bit hasty -
I didn't think it was a foul, and then Laursen pulled away from the wall and
nudged everybody and it hit Gabbidon and went in, but if Rob Green had got
sight of it, I reckoned he would have saved it."
West Ham struggled to get back into the game in that first half. Dean Ashton
was well marshalled by Martin Laursen, Camara limped off with a hamstring
injury, while the manager's decision to include Lee Bowyer in central
midfield at the expense of Mark Noble looked to be a mistake.
The Hammers needed to have a terrier like Noble up against Nigel Reo-Coker
and Gareth Barry and without him, Villa ran the midfield for almost the
entire 90 minutes.
At half time, Curbishley must have given the players some inspiring words,
because they were the better side for much of the second 45 minutes.
They created chances too, but unfortunately most fell to the sadly
out-of-sorts Carlton Cole. The former Chelsea man shot straight at Carson on
57 minutes, then headed Ljungberg's cross wide on 69, before being unlucky
on 77 minutes when a fine move involving Ashton and Ljungberg saw the
striker turn the ball inches over. Bowyer did get into the box - once - to
head another Ljungberg cross woefully wide, while Luis Boa Morte's excellent
injury time centre managed to evade the hapless Cole, the limping Ashton and
the unprepared Ljungberg as the last West Ham chance went begging. For
Villa, Agbonlahor had a shot superbly saved by the body of Green, while
Gardner couldn't quite get on the end of a Young cross that flew invitingly
across the face of goal, but that was it for the home side. It was West Ham
calling the shots in the second half and their manager felt they had done
enough to get something from the game. "They were definitely the sharpest in
the first half with their centre forwards causing us a few problems, but we
were the better side after the break and although we didn't create the
perfect chance, we needed to take one of the half chances that came our
way," explained Curb-ishley. "I was pleased with the way we played in the
second half and I thought that we deserved a point."
Maybe, but an injury-ravaged West Ham side cannot afford to keep going
behind in games and expecting to come back and gain points. The way the
Hammers play away from home means they need to sit back, soak up some
pressure and then hit teams on the break. As soon as you go behind that
tactic goes out of the window and so it has proved in the last three games.
"We played a decent side today," insisted the manager. "People forget that
Villa are on a decent run and that we were only one point behind them coming
into today's game. They were sharp. "It was a game of two halves and, once
again, we found ourselves chasing like we did against Newcastle United and
Arsenal."
The absence of Bellamy is obviously a key, but West Ham fans must guard
against making the Welshman a saviour-in-waiting. They did that with Ashton
before his return, only to find that there were still problems elsewhere.
Bellamy should be back soon, but that may not mean that all of the Hammers
problems are solved just like that. Nothing is ever that simple.
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Gabbidon, Bowyer, Mullins (Noble
81), Etherington (Boa Morte 81), Ljungberg, Ashton, Camara (Cole 37). Unused
subs: Wright, Collins.
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Was This A Joke From West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 9 October, 2007 - 15:25.
On the same day that head West Ham physiotherapist, George Cooper, issued
this statement to confirm the extent of Dean Ashton's injury and
unavailability for England. "We received the results of Dean's scan and they
were what we expected which is that he has sprained the upper third of his
medial ligament,in the majority of cases it will take up to six weeks to
make a full recovery."
The club's official site ran the following additional statement: 'More
positive news is that striker Craig Bellamy began running again last Friday
after an operation on a groin injury and has joined up with the Wales squad
ahead of their own qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino, although he is
set to sit out the first fixture. Club-mates Danny Gabbidon and James
Collins are also in John Toshack's selection'.
Well, knock me down with a kipper, but is this not the most strangulated
hypocritical 'club statement' fans have read since dear old Eggert professed
his enthusiasm for Alan Pardew as "the man to take the club forward to
another level" just three days before sacking him? Under fire manager Alan
Curbishley must be seething with anger at the possibility of Craig Bellamy
joining up with the Wales squad, let alone actually playing for them!
Hammers have been through the mill when it comes to injuries, which of
course compounds with poorer results. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is also
lurking in the backgroung and will not hesitate to "Do what is best for the
club".
Before readers think that this article is a bit of 'Curb Bashing' please
note that it was Gudmundsson who ordered the sacking of Alan Pardew, not
Eggert Magnusson. Alan Curbishley's position as manager is not currently in
doubt, and to dismiss two managers in one year would not send out the
correct signals, but if things have not improved by the New Year expect
Curbs to be moved to a 'non executive ' role as Director of Football and his
place taken by a 'higher profile' manager! But would you want West Ham to
grind out 1 - 0 victories in order to progress to that famous other level?
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Curbishley hoping for a lucky break - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:13pm on 9th October 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley hopes the international break will rescue his
ailing side. He said: "Perhaps this lull will help some of our injured
players recover fitness. I just hope my internationals come back from their
games injury-free."
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Football-mad drivers bid for "WE57 HAM" plate - Reuters.com
Tue Oct 9, 2007 3:11 PM BST
LONDON (Reuters) - It's the ultimate status symbol for a West Ham fan with a
fat wallet and an ego to match -- the personalised car number plate "WE57
HAM". The plate is up for auction later this month with a reserve price of
4,000 pounds, small change for most premier league players.
"We know what a large and passionate support there is for West Ham," said
Damian Lawson, of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the auction's
organiser. "Because the number reads so well we think it stands a real
chance of topping the table of football plates." Bidding will have to be
fierce to beat the current record for a football-themed plate. The DVLA sold
"AR53 NAL" for 36,000 pounds in 2004. Private sales of plates such as "1
UTD", for Manchester United, have reportedly fetched even bigger sums. After
losing their last two games, gloomy Hammers' fans may, however, be more
tempted by Lot 835: "LOS 3R", which has a reserve price of 900 pounds.
Here are the 10 most expensive football plates sold by the DVLA:
1 - AR53 NAL (36,000 pounds)
2 - V1 LLA (35,000 pounds)
3 - ALB 10N (19,000 pounds)
4 - DER 8Y (14,500 pounds)
5 - S41 NTS (11,500 pounds)
6 - PRE 570N (9,400 pounds)
7 - 1 WBA (8,400 pounds)
8 - W1 GAN (7,700 pounds)
9 - EVR 70N (6,400 pounds)
10 - S9 URS
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