Filed: Sunday, 28th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley blasts Mike Dean for the penalty that could have cost United
all three points ...
It was a terrible ending. If they had scored it would have been an
injustice, the way the game went and the actual decision to give the
penalty. So justice was done. We could have perhaps taken all three points.
But I've not forgotten that Greenie made two really good saves in the first
five or ten minutes, so we'll take the point.
We've copped another injury - one injured before the game and another during
it. Bellamy's got an abdominal strain - again. He just can't get going for
us. Let's not forget Ashton, Zamora, Parker, Ljungberg, Dyer, Faubert,
Collins and Davenport - and so on.
We go to Coventry on Tuesday and I'll have to wait and see what we've got
left. It's becoming quite critical now. The players that are playing put in
a great display, they did exactly what we asked them to.
We've changed the way we've been playing - it was about stopping Portsmouth,
if you like - and we did a good job. As the game went on, if you took the
penalty out of it we probably had the best chances.
The penalty? Well it was out of the box to start with. It was ball to hand
and a very harsh decision to give in the 93rd minute, that's for sure. If
the ref hadn't have given it, I don't think too many people would have
complained.
I was surprised that he gave it but obviously pleased that we got the save.
Greenie done fantastic, but we shouldn't have been put in that position.
Solano's two chances? Yes, he will be disappointed with that but we've
brought Nobby in, perhaps asked him to play out of position, and Craig, but
we felt that had to be done today as Portsmouth were on such a great run.
But we knew that if we got it down and passed it we'd create a couple of
chances, which we did.
Green? Well he's been playing like that all season. Everyone will talk about
the penalty save but let's not forget the saves he made as the game started
and one or two things he did during the game. It was a great night for him
and he obviously hasn't done himself any harm.
Me, despondant? Well I look at Portsmouth and they've had a good start, made
five or six signings who are all playing. I just want to be in a position
where we get a few [players] back so there's a bit of competition. At the
moment we are down to 16 or 17 players, and it's very difficult.
Two of them - Solano and Camara - will be cup-tied for Tuesday night so it's
getting a bit delicate. We could do with one or two of them coming back.
Hopefully, Ashton and Parker are probably the two who are closest to that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy blow for Hammers - SSN
Striker still struggling with injury
By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 28th October 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has revealed Craig Bellamy faces another spell
on the sidelines through injury. Bellamy suffered a recurrence of his
abdominal injury during West Ham's goalless draw with Portsmouth and was
forced off at half-time. The former Liverpool and Blackburn striker
underwent abdominal surgery last month and he was able to play for Wales in
their recent internationals. Bellamy will miss Tuesday's Carling Cup clash
with Coventry, and Curbishley is unsure how long Bellamy could be sidelined
for after revealing he has been struggling with the problem since
pre-season. "Craig's injury is not too bad but there's still something
niggling there," said Curbishley. "He won't be playing Tuesday. He has had
this abdominal strain through the pre-season and despite the operation which
we went off to have in Germany it has come back again. "We are not very
lucky with injuries at the moment. There's (Dean) Ashton, (Bobby) Zamora,
Scott Parker, Julien Faubert, Freddie Ljungberg all out. Now Bellamy. "He
could be weeks out or it could be something that can be sorted out quickly
but we have two more games now and then have to worry about the
international break again - when I always seem to have players trying to
come back from injuries."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Robert Green makes England case - Telegraph
By David Miller
Last Updated: 12:32am GMT 29/10/2007
Portsmouth (0) 0 West Ham United (0) 0
Portsmouth and West Ham may not hold 'top four' ranking, but few, if any,
teams attempt to play more articulate football – even if it did not always
precisely work for either side in this vivid goalless draw.
Goalless, it must be said, only because the unfortunate Nolberto Solano was
unable to grasp chances for West Ham, one in each half, and that with the
last kick of the match Benjani Mwaruwari selfishly stole a penalty kick from
the awaiting Niko Kranjcar and saw Robert Green deservedly save West Ham a
point.
The game's talking point was that Green, with four distinguished moments,
emphatically outshone his rival, David James, at the other end as England
custodian. In a currently unhappy pass-the-parcel situation among those
available, Green is worthy of his second cap, against Croatia on Nov 21.
Well though Portsmouth played in the first and last quarter of an hour, it
would have been an injustice had West Ham lost. If intelligent coaching were
the criterion for appointing an England manager – which it isn't, because
there is no time and it's a question of selection and leadership – then Alan
Curbishley could be our man.
The ambition of some of the first-time passing by both teams in the
attacking third of the field, often blind on the return, was as good as you
will see in Italy or Spain – or at the Emirates Stadium or between Rooney,
Tevez and Ronaldo. Here was entertainment, confounded only inside the
penalty area.
Harry Redknapp, affectionately likened to Arthur Daley as a wheeler-dealer,
is no less responsible for rewarding the public with what they want to see,
and vociferously supported in the raucous old naval town. If he
predominantly shops overseas, that is regrettably the way of the present
world, and the Fratton Park faithful certainly do not complain.
The evening's chief protest came from Craig Bellamy, West Ham's valuable
striker, incensed at the lack of protection from referee Mike Dean as
Hermann Hreidarsson, a lumbering giraffe-like Icelander, repeatedly
stretched the laws to the limit in his challenges.
Bellamy's histrionics were self-defeating, and only goaded the crowd.
Eventually both players were booked, and at half-time Bellamy retired with a
recurrent abdominal strain which, in the absence of the injured Dean Ashton,
Kieron Dyer and Bobby Zamora leaves Carlton Cole as the only available
striker against Coventry tomorrow.
On Saturday, Cole was the loan spearhead in a 4-1-4-1 formation. For a while
West Ham lived dangerously, as Portsmouth's flexible similar formation –
Pedro Mendes defensive midfielder, Kranjcar and John Utaka wide – fizzed
around the edge of the penalty area. In the eighth minute, Green had to
present his international credit card: a leaping, graceful tip over the bar
when Kranjcar cut inside and let fly with a high swerving drive.
In the 24th minute a cross from the left by Cole found Solano darting past
two defenders on the far post, but he could not control his header, which
glanced wide and invited unfair criticism.
Football fans' forum
He was more seriously at fault soon after the hour when Cole's shot
rebounded to him off the crossbar and his header from six yards wide of an
empty net spelled dunce.
In the third minute of added time, Danny Gabbidon handled. A cluster of blue
shirts assembled for a "Who, me?" conference. Benjani grabbed the ball,
telegraphed his shot, Green saved, was mobbed by his colleagues – and our
'arry went spare.
Man of the match
Robert Green (West Ham)
• One penalty save (second of the season)
• One clean sheet
• Three catches, no drops
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harry blast for striker Benjani - TeamTalk
Harry Redknapp has banned Benjani Mwaruwari from taking any more penalties
after his stoppage-time miss gave West Ham a point at Fratton Park. Pompey
could have climbed to fourth in the table had they recorded their fifth
consecutive league win, but Rob Green's plunging save to his left denied the
Zimbabwean his sixth goal in four games - and his eighth this season - after
Hammers defender Danny Gabbidon was harshly ruled to have handled. Redknapp
also saw striker Kanu miss a spot-kick when Liverpool's Jose Reina saved in
last month's goalless draw - the only other time Pompey have failed to win
at home this season. And he said: "Benjani worked his socks off as usual for
us but, as for penalties, he won't be taking another one. "(Niko) Kranjcar
or (Sulley) Muntari were down to take any penalties. I wish one of them had.
"Kanu went on as substitute but I've already told him to stop taking
penalties after the Liverpool game."
Redknapp added: "I saw Niko with the ball and I was happy with that but
Benji must have taken it off him. "Of course I gave Benji a rollicking. I
said 'you are a silly boy' and told him off - but he does so much work that
I wish I hadn't rollicked him now. He's been in great form."
The Pompey boss backed referee Mike Dean's controversial decision to award
the spot-kick. He said: "I thought it was a penalty. Gabbidon touched the
ball and moved it on with his arm, but coming so late in the game it has got
to be a bit harsh. "West Ham played well and matched us up in midfield. They
must have done their homework but we started strong and if we'd scored it
might have given them problems. "But it is another clean sheet, another
point and we've had a great month. "We are not Arsenal or Manchester United
or Chelsea - we are not going to batter everybody.
"It was a tight game and they played the same system as us. It is difficult
to break down and we are going to get a lot of games like that here now."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley sung the praises of Green who now looks
sure to be a contender, along with Pompey's David James, for the England
goalkeeping jersey after Paul Robinson's recent blunders. The West Ham fans
chanted "Green for England" after the former Norwich star saved only his
second penalty for West Ham - the first coming at Reading earlier this
season. Green also excelled to keep out Kranjcar and Benjani earlier and
Curbishley said: "He's been playing terrifically well for us all season. I
think he's always been on the threshold of England and they are fully aware
of him. "Before the last squad announcement, I spoke to Steve McClaren who
was interested in Dean Ashton and one or two others and Greenie got a
mention. "The message to Robert now is 'keep going and lets see what
happens'. He can't do anything else. "The penalty save will get the
headlines but he made two great saves in the early minutes of the second
half that were equally important as far as I'm concerned. "We're
disappointed a bit that we've only got one point but we are pleased with
what we've done and it would have been a disaster to have it taken away
right at the end. Surely you can only give a penalty at that stage if it is
a stonewall one. "We played well and came here with a gameplan because
Portsmouth are playing so well and I think it has paid off." He added: "It
could have been better. Nobby Solano had two great chances with his head,
but it is not his forte. "He hasn't enhanced his reputation in that respect
but he worked hard and shows a lot of experience for us and I know he'll be
a good signing. "The last couple of away games we should have got something
and we had a hard game against Sunderland last week, but we got far more
influence on the game today the longer it went on."
Curbishley, who rested midfielder Lee Bowyer due to a knee injury ahead of
Tuesday's League Cup tie at Coventry, lost Craig Bellamy at half-time with
"an abdominal strain" after the Wales striker - playing on the right wing -
was booked along with Pompey's Hermann Hreidarsson in an unseemly spat.
Bellamy made a fast comeback from groin surgery two weeks ago and played
twice for Wales before resuming service with West Ham for the win over
Sunderland but may now be sidelined again for a spell. Curbishley said:
"He's got this injury and it is giving him problems. We will have to sort it
out but we are used to things like this with Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora,
Scott Parker, Danny Collins and Julien Faubert also on the injury list. "But
Carlton Cole won a few more admirers today. He battled well up front and his
shot that came back off the post before Solano's miss was a great effort. At
least we are getting the chance to use our squad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toon Jinx For Hammers! - Newcastle Mad
By Nu Mad Sunday 28th October 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has already seen his side stripped of
ex-Newcastle midfielders Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer with long term
injuries ... now he will have to do without Craig Bellamy. Bellamy faces
another spell on the sidelines through injury, after suffering a recurrence
of his abdominal injury during West Ham's goalless draw with Portsmouth.
Bellamy underwent abdominal surgery last month and he was able to play for
Wales in their recent internationals. He made 132 appearances for Newcastle
between 2001-5, scoring 42 goals. Curbishley: "Craig's injury is not too bad
but there's still something niggling there. "He won't be playing Tuesday. He
has had this abdominal strain through the pre-season and despite the
operation which we went off to have in Germany it has come back again. "We
are not very lucky with injuries at the moment. There's (Dean) Ashton,
(Bobby) Zamora, Scott Parker, Julien Fauberdt, Freddie Ljungberg all out.
Now Bellamy. "He could be weeks out or it could be something that can be
sorted out quickly but we have two more games now and then have to worry
about the international break again - when I always seem to have players
trying to come back from injuries."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam's 'West Ham Inspiration' Fails At Madejski! - Newcastle Mad
By Nu Mad Sunday 28th October 2007
Sam Allardyce has admitted his side's woeful away record is now "a huge
concern", as his players failed to get inspiration watching a West Ham
video! Allardyce was disappointed his players had not risen to the occasion
after he had used a video of another side's success a the Madejski Stadium
as a blueprint to beat the Royals. Allardyce: "The players should have been
well aware of what they needed to do by the amount of time we spent through
the week saying 'this is Reading'. "We showed them the video where West Ham
won by three goals by playing on the break but we never did that. "We just
kept giving possession away and gave the opposition another chance to put
the ball in our box so it was really disappointing. We ended up chasing them
too much. "Our away form is obviously a huge concern after this result
because a point, after the fact that we had lost the previous two away
games, would have been very nice and given us a bit of confidence. "Now we
get ever more edgy as time goes on because we have not been able to get a
result away from home. "It is all very well playing well at home but
sometimes away from home you have got to be able to dig in and we didn't do
that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole shows signs of improvement - the Times
Portsmouth 0 West Ham 0Tom Dart at Fratton Park
"Carlton Cole should be shot. Worst player to ever wear the West Ham
colours" - Never Say Die, Oct 6
"Carlton Cole deserves full praise for producing a performance like he did
today despite the treatment he has been given. If we give him some real
support, we might just find we have a real player on our hands" –
clawhammer, Saturday
Carlton Cole tries the patience of West Ham United fans, but he is also
trying his hardest. For the critics on internet messageboards such as these
and those in the stands who have jeered him, trying is not enough. Cole
knows it and it torments him.
"They have been on my back," the striker said. "I got booed a lot. It hurts.
It's in my hands to try to get them on my side. I know when I get on I try
my utmost. In the past, I've never been match fit and I'm trying to do
something special. And if it didn't work out I got stick. But I'm trying to
establish myself as a proper player."
Cole, nearly 24, began his career at Chelsea and scored in only his second
match, in April 2002. But he went on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa before signing permanently for West Ham in
the summer of 2006. Since then he has made only 12 appearances.
"I've had people around me off the pitch. I train well," he said. "I have
got a sports psychologist. He is with me every day. He talks to me; he does
a lot – mental things you don't think about as a footballer. Some people
have it naturally, some don't."
Given a chance because of his club's injury problems, Cole scored against
Sunderland last week and impressed against Portsmouth on Saturday, hitting
the bar and leading the line with effort and strength.
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, needs Cole, especially because Craig
Bellamy has a chronic abdominal strain, which led Curbishley to substitute
him at half-time at Fratton Park on Saturday. The forward may also have
suffered from a sore throat.
Danny Gabbidon's handball in the dying seconds gave Portsmouth the chance to
pinch a win. Feeling confident, Benjani Mwaruwari took the ball from Niko
Kranjcar, the nominated penalty-taker. Tony Adams, the Portsmouth assistant
manager, said that he thought Sulley Muntari was going to take it because
he'd scored one against Reading the week before, but this time Robert Green
saved.
More fuel for the "Green for England" campaign? Not for Harry Redknapp, the
Portsmouth manager. "If Russia win in Israel, we might as well play Ray
Clemence in goal," he said.
Portsmouth (4-5-1): D James 6 – G Johnson 7, S Campbell 5, S Distin 6, H
Hreidarsson 6 – J Utaka 6 (sub: Kanu, 77min), P Bouba Diop 6, P Mendes 5, S
Muntari 6, N Kranjcar 6 – B Mwaruwari 5. Substitutes not used: J Ashdown,
Lauren, M Taylor, N Pamarot. Booked:Bouba Diop, Hreidarsson. Next: Newcastle
United (a).
West Ham United (4-3-3): R Green 8 – L Neill 7, D Gabbidon 4, M Upson 6, G
McCartney 7 – N Solano 5 (sub: J Spector, 78), H Mullins 6, M Noble 5 – C
Bellamy 4 (sub: M Etherington, 46 5), C Cole 8 (sub: A Ferdinand, 89), L Boa
Morte 5. Substitutes not used: R Wright, H Camara. Booked: Bellamy, Cole,
Noble, Solano. Next: Bolton Wanderers (h).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Know-alls who know nothing - The Times
Martin Samuel
There used to be a bloke in the row behind us at Upton Park whose boast was
to have seen every West Ham United home game since the war. This statement
afforded instant respect. He knew, you see. He was there.
One day we were reminiscing of better days, as supporters often do,
particularly when a goal down to Middlesbrough at half-time, and
unsurprisingly the name of a certain former England captain came up. Our
sage sucked deeply on his pipe. "You know the one problem with Bobby Moore?"
he asked the mutely captive throng. "He couldn't pass."
Not much point watching 30 years of football if you don't know what you're
looking at, but there you go. Like Nigel in that XTC song, he was happy in
his world. And now, such considered opinions would no longer be confined to
the back of the East Stand. Thanks to phone-ins, messageboards and digital
interactive, our world is one big forum and the "Bobby Moore Was Rubbish"
lobby would surely find its public voice.
Gary Megson was booed by Bolton Wanderers fans last week, before he had
taken charge of a match. Do you not find that weird? We no longer wait for
the game to deliver the verdict. Jeer now and avoid the rush. It used to be
that a new manager enjoyed a honeymoon period. Now he gets served with
divorce papers while walking up the steps to the chapel.
No torch for Megson. He did well, then overplayed his hand spectacularly at
West Bromwich Albion and won a quarter of his games with Nottingham Forest,
but, hell's bells, give the guy a chance. It used to be the newspaper men
who scurried to hasty judgment - and there may be a few mumbled apologies in
the direction of Avram Grant if he carries on putting six past teams with
Champions League ambitions – but these days supporters' groups leave the
critics puffing in their wake.
Nobody expects a stadium of brain-washed stooges in thrall to every
half-baked decision the board makes – and Phil Gartside is on a roll with
those this season – but booing a manager into the job should surely be a
watershed. Megson had not made one mistake as Bolton manager, not lost one
game, not conceded one goal; he was never given that chance. And if he gets
the bird for doing nothing, any legitimate displeasure is later devalued.
Frank Lampard is booed playing for England, whether he does right or wrong.
So it means nothing now. Rather than gaining a voice, the fans have lost
one.
The worry is that is takes a very strong character to be unmoved by such a
reaction. Megson may now waste valuable time courting popularity. He may be
half-hearted on a decision he feels is right because at the back of his mind
he fears the backlash. Maybe that is what supporters want. Power. Control.
We hear a lot these days about a future in which clubs are run as extensions
of fantasy football teams; press red if you want the striker dropped, text
now to buy that nippy right winger from Wrexham. And a lot of supporters
know their stuff. Yet anybody who has stood at a football match quickly
realises that not every companion is brimming with wisdom and insight. And
maybe Megson isn't either. But I tell you this: I bet he knows that Bobby
Moore could pass.
Argument for change
The most ridiculous argument yet advanced in support of the tyranny of 4-4-2
is that in a recent round of Champions League matches, each of the 32 teams
played four at the back. What does that prove? If every team played a
similar system there were as many defeated as victorious. In fact, because
that week there were also two draws, statistically 14 teams won with four at
the back and 18 did not: an argument for change, surely?
Guus Hiddink often plays a four with Russia and then, when the situation
demands, switches to three. Original thought that some should try.
Passion not enough
"We had a player with passion but we needed to pass and control the ball."
And in one sentence, Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, explains why
Steve McClaren's plan to build his team around Steven Gerrard's Roy of the
Rovers impersonation was doomed to fail. Not that he would have listened,
anyway.
Missing the point
It is an insult to suggest that Israel and Russia will carve up their
European Championship qualifier on November 17 to ensure that Russia
progress. Yet amid this paranoia, a simple fact is overlooked: any
conspiracy would have been foiled had England held on for a draw in Moscow.
Not so diabolical after all, then.
Hughes talks the walk
Amid speculation erroneously linking Mark Hughes with the Tottenham Hotspur
job, his pledges of constancy will not have been of comfort to many at
Blackburn Rovers. "It's taken me three years to put things in place and you
don't walk away from that lightly," the manager said. Which is not the same
as saying you do not walk away. Not at all.
Home of lost causes
If all goes wonky for England and Scotland next month, one plan to ease the
pain of a summer with no British interest in the European Championship
finals is to relaunch the home internationals, with an extra invitation for
Ireland. A winner with the fans and a lively distraction, no doubt, but if
we really want to appear a backwards, insular group of islands, out of step
with continental Europe, why not go the whole hog and play in long shorts,
with a heavy ball, using the W formation. Entrance: 3s 6d.
Why Jol had to go
It is a sad fact but Martin Jol had to go. Undermined by his employers at
Tottenham and his successor, Juande Ramos, he has been a lame duck all
season, but the result of his final game demonstrates that Daniel Levy, the
chairman, made the right decision. With so many rumours circulating it is
unthinkable that the players did not have an inkling that the Uefa Cup tie
against Getafe was to be Jol's swansong. Even then they were not inspired to
send him out on a high.
Spot the difference
Kneejerk opinion of the weekend? That Sven-Göran Eriksson has silenced and
embarrassed his critics with his form at Manchester City. Copyright most
newspapers, Saturday morning, shortly before his team was stuffed 6-0 by
Chelsea. Oh dear.
The fact is, unless Eriksson's rediscovered talents include the ability to
alter history, there is no need for red faces on the part of his detractors.
He is a different manager now. Until the defeat at Stamford Bridge, his City
team had been as dynamic as his England team were lethargic. With money to
spend and a year out of the game, Eriksson returned invigorated with fresh
ideas, a stark contrast to the tired complacency of his previous regime. So
doing an outstanding job in club football did not put a false glow around
his final years with England; it merely placed them in even harsher relief.
Running on empty
Christine Ohuruogu was named Athlete of the Year by the British Athletics
Writers' Association (BAWA) on Saturday. "There were extenuating
circumstances surrounding her missed tests, it is important to remember she
didn't fail a drugs test and received a much longer ban than footballers and
triathletes have," Jason Henderson, the BAWA chairman, said. Three
mealy-mouthed excuses in one sentence – that must be some kind of a record,
although perhaps not in athletics.
Paying the penalty
Benjani Mwaruwari is in trouble with Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager,
for missing a late penalty against West Ham United, saying that others were
better equipped to score. Yet Mwaruwari had been his side's only goal threat
for 93 minutes and here was a chance from 12 yards, with no defender in
sight. If he didn't fancy it, he wouldn't be a striker.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole makes striking claim at West Ham - Daily Mail
Portsmouth 0 West Ham 0
By STEVE CURRY
Last updated at 00:46am on 29th October 2007
Dean Ashton may be the pin-up boy for the punters at West Ham, but in the
long term they might well be switching their affections to the strapping
figure of Carlton Cole. The big striker didn't score in this absorbing
stalemate on the south coast but Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin will
testify to the bruising they got from this man with a mission.
Cole is trying to take the opportunity to seize the target man role in Alan
Curbishley's attack in the absence of knee ligament injury victim Ashton and
the manager believes he has the talent to be more than a nuisance player.
"When we had him on loan from Chelsea at Charlton, it was a successful loan
spell and he should never have left us," said Curbishley. "No disrespect,
but we thought we were the right club for him. "He ended up at Villa and got
a bit lost there and so went back to Chelsea and got lost again. He needed
to settle down and when I came to the club, he hadn't been playing. It
looked as though he was drifting away again. "I threw him in against
Brighton in the League Cup. He scored but was lacking fitness. He was having
to get fit in the first team and that was ridiculous. We told him in
pre-season he needed to be at peak fitness and he has worked hard."
Cole was forced to put in plenty of hard work at Portsmouth but came very
close to winning the game with an impressive shot on the turn that came back
off the crossbar only for Nobby Solano to head the rebound wide. "I'm
exhausted," admitted Cole. "We played a new system which meant I had to hold
the ball up while the two wide men linked up with me. The manager asked a
lot of me but I think I gave the defence a hard time, putting myself about.
"The fans have been on my back but I have never been given an extended run
in my career. I have always been under pressure to come in and make an
immediate impact. I am trying to establish myself as a proper player."
Both sides had chances to win, with Solano missing another sitter to add to
the one he put wide from Cole's shot, but Portsmouth would have gone fourth
if Benjani had converted a late penalty when Danny Gabbidon handled under
pressure from Niko Kranjcar. The Croatian is the club's nominated penalty
taker but Benjani grabbed the ball and placed his kick too close to Robert
Green, who put on another fine display to boost his England credentials. A
Kranjcar winner would have been a fitting end as he was the game's
outstanding performer. Manager Harry Redknapp said: "He's got quality and
class. The Croatians produce that kind of player with good silky skills."
There is no shortage of skill in this Portsmouth side, who have been bombing
on after a difficult run of early fixtures when they drew at home to
Manchester United and Liverpool and were unlucky to lose to Chelsea. Their
form has been so impressive that it can only give Curbishley heart that his
team have the makings of a top 10 side after this performance.
PORTSMOUTH (4-1-4-1): James 7; Johnson 6, Campbell 7, Distin 6, Hreidarsson
6; Mendes 5; Utaka 6 (Kanu 77min); Diop 6, Muntari 6, Kranjcar 8; Benjani 7.
Bookings: Hreidarsson, Diop.
WEST HAM (4-1-4-1): Green 8; Neill 7, Gabbidon 5, Upson 7, McCartney 6;
Solano 5 (Spector 78); Noble 6, Mullins 6, Boa Morte 6. Bellamy 6
(Etherington 46, 6); Cole 7 (Ferdinand 89). Bookings: Bellamy, Noble,
Solano, Cole.
Man of the match: Robert Green.
Referee: Mike Dean.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth 0 West Ham United 0: Green's 'great' saves should have England on
red alert - Independent
By Paul Newman
Published: 29 October 2007
David James kept his fifth clean sheet in his last six matches, but it was
the England goalkeeper at the other end of the pitch who was the focus of
attention at Fratton Park on Saturday. Robert Green's injury-time penalty
save from Benjani Mwaruwari preserved the point for which his team had
fought so hard and capped a near-faultless display by the West Ham United
goalkeeper.
With Paul Robinson's England place under threat before next month's decisive
round of Euro 2008 qualifiers, the majority of national opinion seems to
favour either a recall for James, who is enjoying a golden autumn to his
career on the South Coast, or a switch to youth in the shape of Aston
Villa's Scott Carson. Green, however, has been reinforcing his own case for
a recall.
"I think he's always been on the threshold of England and they are fully
aware of him," Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, said on Saturday
night. Before the last squad announcement I spoke to Steve McClaren, who was
interested in Dean Ashton and one or two others, and Greenie got a mention.
"The message to Robert now is: 'Keep going and let's see what happens.' He
can't do anything else. The penalty save will get the headlines but he made
two great saves in the early minutes of the second half that were equally
important."
Green stood firm when Mwaruwari struck a crashing drive from 25 yards after
53 minutes, while his save from Niko Kranjcar's curling shot early on was
even better.
After initial pressure, however, Portsmouth struggled to break down West
Ham's well-organised defence. Curbishley had adopted a cautious approach as
Portsmouth sought a fifth successive Premier League win, which would have
seen them rise to fourth in the table, and played with a lone striker in
Carlton Cole. Injuries have left Curbishley short of attacking options and
the half-time exit of Craig Bellamy with an abdominal injury has added to
his problems. The Wales striker will not be able to face Coventry City in
tomorrow's Carling Cup game and it is not clear when he may be fit.
But West Ham were impressive on the counter-attack and had the best two
chances. Both fell to Nolberto Solano, who can be a magician with the ball
at his feet but runs out of tricks when it is in the air. In the first half
the Peruvian drifted behind Sylvain Distin at the far post, only to make a
hash of his header from Cole's smart cross. In the second Cole set up an
even better chance. The striker's shot hit the bar but Solano, diving to
head the rebound into an unguarded net, missed from five yards.
All West Ham's hard work could have been undone when Mike Dean awarded a
penalty for Danny Gabbidon's handball three minutes into stoppage time.
Kranjcar and Sulley Muntari were Harry Red-knapp's preferred penalty-takers
but, to the manager's displeasure, Mwaruwari insisted on taking it.
The Zimbabwean's seven goals have taken him to the top of the Premier League
scoring charts this season but did not save him from a dressing-down after
the match.
"Benjani worked his socks off as usual for us but he won't be taking another
penalty," Redknapp said. "I told him: 'You're a silly boy.' He just sat
there. Now I wish I hadn't bollocked him. He probably won't eat his fish and
chips now, will he?"
Portsmouth (4-3-2-1): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson; Bouba
Diop, Mendes, Muntari; Utaka (Kanu, 77), Kranjcar; Mwaruwari. Substitutes
not used: Ashdown (gk), Lauren, Taylor, Pamarot.
West Ham United (4-3-2-1): Green; Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney; Solano
(Spector, 78), Noble, Mullins; Bellamy (Etherington, h-t), Boa Morte; Cole
(Ferdinand, 90). Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Camara.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Booked:Portsmouth Hreidarsson, Bouba Diop; West Ham: Bellamy, Noble, Solano,
Cole.
Man of the match: Kranjcar.
Attendance: 20,525.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth 0-0 West Ham - The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
By Neil Mcleman 29/10/2007
Carlton Cole reckons the support of his granny is helping to convince West
Ham fans that he is now a proper Premier League player. The former Chelsea
striker admits he has been "hurt" by the abuse he has received from his
club's followers since joining last year. And he revealed he has relied on
his own team of family and friends - led by his gran Georgina - to get him
through the dark days and make him believe he is worthy of the West Ham
shirt. Now the Hammers faithful are starting to believe it too. The former
England Under-21 star was outstanding leading the line alone in the goalless
draw at Fratton Park where only the crossbar denied him a winner, even if
Hammers were thankful for keeper Rob Green's stoppage time penalty save from
Benjani that ultimately earned them a point. With Craig Bellamy joining the
lengthy West Ham injury list, the 23-year-old will be the only fit forward
for tomorrow's Carling Cup visit to Coventry. And so he will have another
chance to show his value to the big-spending club. "I hope my relationship
with the West Ham fans is on the upturn," said Cole. "They have been on my
back. I got booed a lot and it hurts, but it's in my hands to try to change
them and get them on my side."
Cole, who got off the mark against Sunderland this term, scored only three
goals last season and started this campaign down the pecking order behind
Bellamy, Bobby Zamora and then Dean Ashton. "I had a long think about my
future in the summer," he said. "I didn't know if I was coming or going. But
my friends and family told me to stick it out. "My grandma is always there
for me when I'm low and come off the field. "She always tries to watch. She
has arthritis in her knees and she would have been in front of the box
today. "If I didn't think I could do a job here I would leave. I want to
make an impact at West Ham."
Hammers manager Alan Curbishley, who must have wished Cole had been on the
end of the two headed chances spurned by Nolberto Solano, had the forward on
loan at Charlton before he spent a season at Aston Villa. "When we had him
at Charlton it was a successful loan spell and he should never have left
us," he said. "We said to him pre-season 'if you've got any chance you'll
have to get yourself fit' and he has worked hard. "He's been waiting
patiently and now he's been given an opportunity he's got to grab it. He's
won a few fans over and he has a lot more to offer than just being a target
man."
Bellamy could be out for weeks after aggravating an abdominal strain he
suffered during pre-season just as he was returning from a groin operation.
The Wales striker still packed a lot into his 45 minutes at Fratton Park in
a comical running battle with Hermann Hreidarsson which saw both men booked.
"I think Hermann was probably getting too easily wound up by him," said
Curbishley, who coached the Icelandic defender at the Valley. "Knowing
Hermann very well, it was a nice clash."
45% POSSESSION 55%
4 SHOTS ON TARGET 2
8 SHOTS OFF TARGET 7
3 OFFSIDES 2
11 CORNERS 5
20 FOULS 12
2 YELLOW CARDS 4
0 RED CARDS 0
ATTENDANCE: 20,525
Man Of The Match: Green
TEAMS AND RATINGS
Portsmouth: James 7, Johnson 5, Campbell 7, Distin 7, Hreidarsson 6, Utaka 5
(Kanu, 77) Diop 6 Pedro Mendes 5, Muntari 6, Kranjcar 7, Benjani 5
West Ham: Green 9, Neill 7, Gabbidon 6, Upson 7, McCartney 7, Solano 5
(Spector 78), Noble 7, Mullins 7, Boa Morte 5, Bellamy 5 (Etherington 46,
5), Cole 8 (Ferdinand 90)
Referee: MIKE DEAN
THE ANORAK SAYS...
Portsmouth have kept five clean sheets from their last six Premier League
matches.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
How Severe Is Bellamys Injury For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 28 October, 2007 - 22:38.
Craig Bellamy's half time substitution against Portsmouth as a result of a
'groin strain' has supposedly rendered him unavailable for tuesday's Carling
Cup tie against Coventry, but don't be surprised if Bellars makes a
remarkable recovery and suddenly becomes available for selection. Without
wanting to play devil's advocate, this writer believes that Alan
Curbishley's behind the scenes man management has subtly kicked in to
action, faced with his star forward heading for dismissal through a second
yellow card or a straight red for having another go, the Hammers manager
seems to have elected to withdraw Bellamy rather than risk him being
suspended. The groin strain provided a perfectly acceptable explanation for
the Wales captain's withdrawal while at the same time maintaining a suitable
status quo between manager and player. Managing Bellamy was always part and
parcel of his arrival for what now appears to be a knock down fee, Curbs
stated that he would ensure that the ex-Liverpool and Newcastle striker is
remembered for all the right reasons, and if this little episode is anything
to go by 'Old sad eyes might just begin to be showing why he was short
listed to become manager of England. - Ed
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment