11/05/2007 14:48
With everything to play for in this week's crucial final match of the season
against Manchester United, Alan Curbishley insisted: "We haven't done
anything yet." "We have to get something from our game at Old Trafford," he
added. "Or we have to hope something else goes our way. We have given
ourselves a chance and that was all we could do. The question is: can we
grab it this weekend?" And Curbs is keen to get the game underway. "We've
been in the bottom three and facing the threat of relegation for so long and
it's all going to be sorted out at the weekend.
"We are looking forward to it. Obviously we hope that it falls in our
favour. In a funny sort of way you get to the end of the season and a lot of
people are looking forward to their break. I feel quite refreshed about it
all so we're going into it a little bit different." In spite of all the
speculation surrounding the final round of Premiership fixtures this Sunday,
Curbs insists his focus is solely on the Hammers. "There's been lots of talk
this week about the match between Sheffield United and Wigan," he said.
"They have to do what they have to do. I don't think Sheffield United will
forget what happened to them a few years ago when they were relegated on the
final day. "I think they have to go and do their job because it's hurt them
before. Wigan know what they've got to do as well. If we pick anything up at
all then we've done our job and that's what we've got to focus on. "We've
got to concentrate on ourselves and not have an eye out for what's going on
elsewhere. Nothing else matters other than us getting our result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collins confident going into final game - WHUFC
11/05/2007 11:46
Hammers defender James Collins insists the players are fully focused on
Sunday's trip to Old Trafford and trying to maintain their winning run.
"Obviously it's a massive game and not too many people here are looking at
the Sheffield United v Wigan game," he said. "We just have to concentrate on
what we do. Hopefully we can go there and put in a good performance like we
have done the few couple of weeks and get the result we need. "We've been on
a great run. Early on in the season our confidence wasn't very good, we got
off to a poor start. Then halfway through the season we weren't playing
anything like we knew we could. "These last couple of months we've been on
fire. We've been scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. The confidence is
back up high and hopefully we can carry that on for the last game on Sunday.
"There's been a lot of talk off the pitch about Carlos and there are a lot
of Clubs making noise about that. We've been concentrating on Sunday, that's
all we can do. It's nothing to do with the players what goes on off the
pitch. It's all about how we perform on the pitch. We're all concentrating
on that."
Having taken to the pitch at Old Trafford before, James knows exactly what
to expect from Sunday's stage. "I've played there twice," he said. "I played
there for Wales against England a couple of years back, I think we lost 2-0,
and I played up there last season when we lost 1-0. "It's an intimidating
place and it's going to be very much a party atmosphere from their fans
because they've won the League. We've got to go there concentrating on our
own game and our own performance and get the result."
But James is hoping the team's recent form will continue, with help from the
Hammers' fans. "I've said so often that our fans have been amazing this
season," he said. "We didn't give them that much to shout about at the start
of the season but certainly these last couple of months we've tried to repay
them with our football on the pitch. Hopefully we can go there and give them
something to shout about again on Sunday. "If you look back to before the
Blackburn game everyone was writing us off, no one fancied us to stay up.
The performances we've put in and the results we've got have been amazing,
especially away at Arsenal. "The away win at Blackburn was the start of it,
the last couple of months have been amazing. Hopefully we can continue that
on and take the confidence into Sunday and get the final point we need."
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New Club Membership system announced - WHUFC
11/05/2007 09:30
West Ham United is delighted to announce the launch of two brand new Club
Membership schemes for the 2007-08 campaign, offering supporters of all ages
the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive benefits tailored to their
specific requirements…
The Academy is the new membership scheme for adult supporters, replacing the
Hammers Club. For just £30 a year, you will receive some amazing benefits
and an exclusive insight into the Club. All existing Hammers Club members
will automatically receive details on how they can enrol to their new-look
Membership scheme. Alternatively, to receive further information or apply,
please contact 0870 112 2700 or visit our online Ticket and Membership
website by clicking here
Membership to The Academy includes:
• Welcome Pack
• 3-month WHUTV subscription
• Ticket priority
• Pre-match e-newsletter
• Exclusive website members area
• Amazing shop offers and discounts
The club are also pleased to announce that a new membership scheme has been
introduced specifically for supporters aged 16 to 21. Within The Academy
membership scheme will be a young adult category - this will replace the
previous scheme open to Students of all ages and will focus specifically on
this age group. As well as receiving all the great benefits listed within
The Academy, these supporters will be entitled to reduced price match
tickets for all home fixtures.
Youth Academy is the new membership scheme for junior supporters aged
between six to 16, replacing the Junior Hammers Club. For just £20, our
young fans will receive some fantastic benefits and enjoy superb savings on
tickets - including one match free of charge! All existing Junior Hammers
members will automatically receive details on how they can enrol to their
new-look Membership scheme. Alternatively, to receive further information,
please contact 0870 112 2700.
Membership to The Youth Academy includes:
• Welcome Pack and Bag
• Ticket priority
• Chance to apply for a free match ticket
• Priority on Community coaching courses
• Pre-match e-newsletter
• Exclusive YA website members area
• Amazing shop offers and discounts
• Ticket discounts
PLUS, look out for our brand new exclusive online membership, Fan@tic,
enabling you to enjoy unique benefits, feel part of the team and follow the
Club from wherever you are, anywhere in the world. Details to be announced
on whufc.com soon…
For more information on any of the Club's new Membership schemes, simply
call 0870 112 2700.
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Tevez questions West Ham future - BBC
West Ham forward Carlos Tevez has admitted he does not know where he will be
next season. The Argentina international, 23, could be playing his final
game for the relegation-threatened Hammers when they travel to Manchester
United on Sunday. "I have stopped learning English as I don't know where I
am going to end up next season," he told the Times. The Hammers will stay up
if they get at least a point at Manchester United, or if Wigan fail to beat
Sheffield United. Speculation continues as to where he will play next season
with clubs in England and overseas supposedly interested. And should the
Hammers stay up they could face legal action from Charlton, Sheffield United
and Wigan over the signing of Tevez. The Hammers were fined a record £5.5m
on Friday for breaching Premier League rules over the signings of Tevez and
fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano, who has since joined Liverpool. After a
tough start to life in England, Tevez has inspired a run of form that has
seen them win six of their last eight matches. He added: "It was hard to
settle. The language is an issue - and I will learn English if I stay in
this league. "The football here is different compared to Brazil or
Argentina. "In my opinion, it's the most difficult competition in the world.
That may be why so few people make it over here.
"Every Saturday you get kicked and you end up going home with marks all over
your body. They hit you hard, they hit you everywhere - Premiership
defenders are very strong individuals.
"And the referees allow a lot. They don't interrupt the game as much as they
do elsewhere. But you know what? I don't mind all that, it makes me a better
player, a stronger player."
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Man Utd v West Ham - BBC
Old Trafford
Sunday, 13 May
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day
This will be a featured match on Sunday's Score - 1430 BST on BBCi and
bbc.co.uk/score
Manchester United are expected to name a strong side against
relegation-threatened West Ham.
The Premiership champions are likely to name either Cristiano Ronaldo or
Wayne Rooney on the bench, with Alan Smith given a chance to impress.
West Ham star Carlos Tevez could be playing his final game for the club as
his future remains in doubt.
Luis Boa Morte is set to continue on the left of midfield for the Hammers,
who know a point would keep them up.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic,
Heinze, Evra, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Scholes, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs,
Richardson, Rooney, Smith, Solskjaer, Dong.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney, Benayoun,
Reo-Coker, Noble, Boa Morte, Zamora, Tevez, Carroll, Dailly, Spector,
Davenport, Konchesky, Mullins, Bowyer, Etherington, Cole, Harewood, Blanco,
Sheringham.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has played down suggestions relegation rivals
Sheffield United and Wigan could collude to send the Hammers down.
If Wigan win at Sheffield United and West Ham lose at Manchester United then
Curbishley's side will be relegated.
"Sheffield United have to play as if they need to stay up. If not, they may
find it turn on them.
"That happened a couple of years ago. Crystal Palace were six minutes from
staying up and suddenly went down."
MANCHESTER UNITED return home as champions of England for the 16th time in
their history. They will be presented with their ninth Premiership trophy
and first in four years, after facing relegation candidates West Ham.
Victory will give United 29 victories in a top flight season for the first
time ever, eclipsing the 28 achieved in 1956-57 and 1999-2000.
This will be a more competitive contest than Wednesday's dead rubber against
Chelsea. United players have places to win in the team for next Saturday's
FA Cup final against Chelsea at the new Wembley.
United have picked up 30 points out of 33 in home Premiership matches
against West Ham.
WEST HAM UNITED need a point to be certain of their Premiership future - any
pending legal proceedings permitting. The Hammers will also still stay up if
they match Wigan's result. But defeat at Old Trafford, coupled with victory
for Wigan will see the Londoners playing Championship soccer next season,
unless the Latics' victory is so emphatic it means Sheffield United's goal
difference, currently three superior to West Ham's, becomes inferior. In
that case, the Blades will go down instead.
Alan Curbishley's reign at Upton Park got off to a dream start with a shock
1-0 win over Manchester United on 17 December. They then completed 11
winless League games, gaining just three points in the process. But survival
chances have been rekindled subsequently with six wins from eight outings.
Nigel Reo Coker's goal in December proved sufficient for only West Ham's
second win in 23 Premiership encounters with Manchester United. Now they're
on the look out for a first 'double' over the Red Devils since their 1976-77
top flight campaign.
REFEREE
Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)
Premiership referees' table
Martin Atkinson's 2006-07 Premiership card count
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
MANCHESTER UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
1st 88 points
CHAMPIONS £9,660,000
1. Victory will equal their highest points total in a Premiership season of
92 points - picked up when gaining the title in 1993-94 from a 42-game
campaign. It will be their best total in a 38-match season, and will beat
Chelsea's winning mark of 91 last season, but trail by three the Blues' 95
points total in the previous campaign.
2. Lost one of the last 13 Premiership matches.
3. Won more Premiership matches this season than any other club (28), drawn
fewer (five), dropped fewer points (22), scored more goals (83), at one
every 40 minutes on average, and boast the highest aggregate of 109 goals
(83 for, 26 against), at 2.95 per match.
4. Opened the scoring in 26 top tier engagements - only Chelsea have taken
the lead more often (27 times).
5. Failed to score in just three Premiership matches this season, and in one
of the last 19.
6. Been involved in just one goalless draw in the highest League this
season. Wednesday's 0-0 against Chelsea was their only no score draw in 38
matches - the equivalent of an entire League season. Won 15 and drawn one of
their 16 Premiership games this term in which clean sheets were kept.
7. Own the longest list of different scorers of Premiership goals this term
of 17 players.
8. Won more home Premiership games than any other club (15 of 18), gained
more points on home turf (47) and undefeated in the last 15, winning 13 and
drawing two since the solitary Old Trafford defeat (0-1 to Arsenal on 17
September).
9. "Doubled" only by Arsenal so far this season.
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
17th 38 points
Highest achievable finish: 15th £2,898,000
Lowest possible finish: 18th £1,449,000
1. Lost more Premiership matches than any other club this season (21).
2. Conceded 59 goals at one every 56 minutes on average - the poorest
defensive record in the Premiership.
3. Failed to score in 17 Premiership matches. Only Watford (18) and
Manchester City (19) have missed the target more often.
4. Opened the scoring 12 times. Only Watford have taken the lead less
frequently in the highest echelon (nine times).
5. Conceded the opening goal in more top tier matches this term than any
other club (24).
6. Their previous lowest points total in a Premier League season was 42. The
most recent of the three occasions when that number was accrued was 2002-03,
when it wasn't sufficent to avoid relegation. The best they can accumulate
this time is 41.
7. One of the worst behaved clubs in the highest League - 86 cards (two red,
84 yellow).
8. Gained maximum points on the road only three times (against Blackburn,
Arsenal and Wigan), and scored only 10 away Premiership goals - fewer than
any other club with the exception of Sheffield United (eight).
8. Failed to score in an unmatched 12 of their 18 top division fixtures away
from Upton Park, and kept just three clean sheets on the road. Only
Tottenham, Newcastle and Fulham have an inferior performance (two clean
sheets each away from home).
9. 'Doubled' just Blackburn and Arsenal so far this season.
KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
MANCHESTER UNITED
Squad profiles
Wayne ROONEY and Cristiano RONALDO are Manchester United's joint top scorers
with 23 goals each.
RONALDO is the club's leading marksman in the Premiership with 17. The
Portugal World Cup star is two behind Chelsea's Didier Drogba at the head of
the race for the Barclays Golden Boot.
If selected in the 11, RONALDO will be making his 150th start for the Red
Devils.
If ROONEY plays, he'll be making his 100th Premiership appearance for the
newly crowned champions.
Paul SCHOLES is one goal short of holding the record outright as Manchester
United's highest scorer of Premier League goals. He has netted 95 and
equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy's total. Ryan GIGGS has scored 93 times in the
Premiership.
GIGGS is a double short of 100 League goals.
When next selected in the 11, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th
Premiership start - all for the Red Devils.
If he plays, Rio FERDINAND will be making his 150th Premiership appearance
in a United shirt.
FERDINAND began his professional career with West Ham. The England
international made 158 appearances (127 in the League) and scored two League
goals for the Upton Park club in five years from November 1995, until his
£18m move to Leeds.
Michael CARRICK was also a West Ham trainee. The 25 year old made 159
appearances (136 in the League) and scored six League goals in six seasons
for the Eastenders until his £3m move to Tottenham in August 2004.
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Bobby ZAMORA is West Ham's leading scorer with 11 goals - all in the
Premiership.
Marlon HAREWOOD is a hat trick short of 50 League goals for the Hammers and
one shy of 100 career League goals (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West
Ham).
If on the field at kick off, HAREWOOD will be making his 150th start in a
West Ham shirt.
Dean ASHTON needs a double to bring his career total of club goals to 100.
If he lines up for the kick-off, Daniel GABBIDON will be making his 50th
Premiership start for the Upton Park club.
When next he lines-up for the opening whistle, Teddy SHERINGHAM will be
making his 50th start for the east Londoners. He's also a hat trick shy of
150 career Premier League goals.
SHERINGHAM is one of three former Manchester United players in the West Ham
squad. The veteran England forward made 153 appearances (104 in the
Premiership) and scored 46 goals (31 League) in four seasons with the Red
Devils from July 1997.
Roy CARROLL kept goal 72 times for the Old Trafford club (49 in the
Premiership) in four seasons until his free transfer to Upton Park in June
2005.
Jonathan SPECTOR started his professional career at the Theatre of Dreams,
making eight appearances (three in the League).
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
29 March 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll
Man United scorer: van Nistelrooy 45
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 1-0 Manchester United
17 December 2006 - Ref: Phil Dowd
West Ham scorer: Reo-Coker 75
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: Man United 45 wins, West Ham 35, Draws 23
Prem: Man United 14 wins, West Ham 2, Draws 7
at Man United only
League: Man United 34 wins, West Ham 11, Draws 6
Prem: Man United 10 wins, West Ham 1, Draws 0
The "League" figures in these Head to Head totals include all Premiership
matches
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester Utd v West Ham Utd: preview - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2007
By: Matthew Coker
As my Newcastle supporting mate keeps reminding me, at least we have
something to play for at this stage of the season. No danger of mid table
obscurity finished off by half a dozen games where the players just go
through the motions awaiting the onset of their beano to Magaluf. For us, it
is do or die right up to the end of what has been one of the most undulant
of seasons, even by claret and blue standards.
It has, of course, been the West Ham way of late to keep the drama going
until the end of the campaign. Last year's dramatic Cup Final in Cardiff was
superseded by two play off final appearances in the Welsh Capital and those
were a consequence of a trip to St Andrews that saw us relegated in May
2003. Supporting the Irons is not for the feint hearted, but there is no
danger of it getting boring.
This Sunday, we head in our thousands to Old Trafford in the hope that we
can avoid relegation that we were all certain was coming up until about six
weeks ago. The specific causes of our team suddenly finding the stomach and
the balls needed to stage a comeback are unknown but with one week to go, we
are in the league position that so few of us would have dared suggest when
leaving the ground after the home defeat to Watford or a week later
travelling back from the Valley.
Just in case there is anyone out there who has just arrived from outer space
or if this is the first football article that you've read after spending six
weeks in a coma, let me set the scene for you. Watford and Alan Pardew's
Charlton are already relegated and therefore only one place in next season's
Championship is up for grabs. The three candidates for demotion are
Sheffield United and ourselves (in 16th and 17th place and both on 38
points) and Wigan Athletic (on 35 points and in the relegation zone).
The two small teams from the North face off against each other at Brammall
Lane and any result apart from a Wigan victory sees the sportswear clad, JJB
outfit down. However, if Wigan do win, we will need to get something from
Man Yoo to avoid relegation by proxy of an inferior goal difference to the
other two sides. Unless, of course, Wigan win by a big margin, which could
see our goal difference become better than the Blades.
The important bits to grasp are that, like a man reading Playboy magazine
with the curtains shut, it is firmly in our hands. However, being the
circumspect type of columnist that I am, I want to make sure I cover all
eventualities and I'm therefore going to go into an end of the season Match
of the Day format and take a look at how things are shaping up, not only for
us, but also for our two foes. Starting with how we all got here.
Matt's Apostasy
I'm sure that I am not only one who has compromised their core beliefs
during this campaign. A perfect example would be last weekend, where I
openly confess to cheering on L'Arse (in order to give Man Yoo the title), I
must plead guilty to sending a text to Yido mates that read "Come on You
Sp*rs" and I committed the near treasonous act of cheering a Jermaine Defoe
finish, though all three crimes were committed for the love of West Ham,
M'Lud.
Such behaviour was rewarded when nearly everything that could have gone
right last weekend, did. Our own performance was majestic, the finishes will
be rightly applauded, but we should not neglect the good work undertaken by
Messrs Boa Morte and Noble in creating the second, nor by Senor Carlos is
creating the third.
After feeling, for a while, as though the football world was against us, all
thoughts of an anti-West Ham conspiracy went out of the window as the other
results came in. The Fulham v Liverpool reserves game was the only spanner
in the works but the winner from Boro's Mark Viduka was a moment of comic
genius at the JJB. The home crowd's initial audible laughter at Stewy
Downing's slip was soon muffled as they realised they were losing. Again.
However, if this was not enough to keep us all smiling, listening to Villa
strolling through Warnock's mob as I drove back from East London was when I
was truly ready to believe that this was do-able. I've no doubt in my mind
that Sheffield United would have been prepared to forfeit a victory next
week as a way of dealing out the "natural justice" of sending us down via a
footballing route if they were safe.
The final nail in the coffin was to Charlton, which elicited feelings of
relief more than anything else. I've no real beef with the Addicks but if it
is us or them, then their welfare doesn't come into it. The thought of
having to concentrate on three matches at once is beyond me and the demise
of Charlton keeps life simple. So from one outstanding weekend, can we
possibly lurch into another? Let's take a nose around Old Trafford and see
how the land lies.
The Mancs
My normal method of previewing a game is to take a player-by-player run down
of our opponents. However, I thought this particular game did not lend
itself easily to that format as the home team line up is going to be
difficult to predict. We are never going to looking at an easy game, United
have not just been crowned Premiership Champions by chance, but there is
still a world of difference between seeing Ronaldo running at you and seeing
Kieran Richardson.
The question is how important is this to United? The first port of call is
with the fans and there is a surprising lack of desire for them to send us
down. Unlike Bolton last week who were predicting the highlight of their
season would be when they nailed down our coffin, there is a feeling that
United would be happy for us to stay up.
It is probably the fact that we have caught them in a good mood prior to
their end of season celebration and also that they have the Cup Final a week
later to concentrate on but they are currently been quite complimentary
about us. A few of the older heads have memories of league title losing last
day's at our place but most Man Yoo fans seem to think that the games
between our two sides are something they'd like to keep going and that we
are a much preferred option to Warnock or Wigan.
Unfortunately, the one person who does not see the sense in being a good
host is Alex Ferguson. He no doubt vividly remembers 1992 and 1995 and this,
I am sure, will play a part in his team selection. He is already pledging
the virtues of fair play and stated on Tuesday that "Alan Curbishley is a
very good friend of mine but he understands I have to respect the issues
other managers have. They deserve our best attention to the game and I will
be picking a team to win on Sunday."
The hint that Alan is his pal gives us some optimism but I think we'll see
at least a few regular starters alongside the likes of Alan Smith and Chris
Eagles. However, I suspect that the real strength will be on the bench with
the Rooneys and Ronaldo's bought on only if required.
So the next step is to gauge the moods in the camps of the other two sides.
Starting with the team currently deep in the sh*t…………
Wigan
"We know what we've got to do (against Sheffield United) and we're going to
train all week with only one thing in mind – victory."
- Paul Jewell
If you needed proof (accent apart) that Paul Jewell was a scouser, then you
only need to listen to the club putting itself up as the innocent victims in
this whole relegation scenario. Most of the patter in Wigan is still about
the FA decision and how unfair it is not to dock us points. The supporters
have taken the same tack as both Dave Whelan and Jewell in trying to blame
the FA or referees or conspiracy theories rather than face up to the fact
that this season they have not been good enough.
From Whelan's point of view, he has failed to attract footballers to Wigan
(Andy Johnson) or indeed even keep his best ones there (Jimmy Bullard,
Pascal Chimbonda) so he has now turned his attention to trying to get
lawyers to the club. He may well be more successful at attracting the legal
professionals as this court case would at least attract some national and
local interest, something that the gates at the JJB demonstrate that his
football team does not do.
I can understand anyone at Wigan using this situation as a distraction to
avoid having to look at the on pitch horror show at the moment. The centre
backs and the replacement keeper are the biggest causes for concern as they
respectively are too slow and too erratic. The fact that they have failed to
score in, let alone win, their last two games, at home with so much at stake
speaks volumes about the confidence at the club and to obtain a win at
Brammall Lane will require a massive reversal in form and fortune.
Anything other than a victory means goodbye Wigan and the only place that
they will be getting that is on the pitch. They seem to be basing all the
hopes on Jewell's previous exploits with Bradford and the bizarre logic that
the current bad run will not go on for ever. Unless they start to focus on
this game of football, I can't see them getting the result they need.
Sheffield United
"I've enjoyed it, while my team has given value for money. There are not
enough people that put smiles on faces these days."
– Neil Warnock
The Blades supporters are joining forces with their Northern counterparts to
add their voice to the injustice of it all. However, they are at least able
to look past the law courts to the football field and their concerns are all
centred on team formation.
Much of the fans support for Neil Warnock centres on his past performances
and there are genuine fears that he is not the man to lead the club into the
future. Particular worry is attributed to giving him the summer's £20m
transfer kitty as his Premiership signings have been dubious to say the
least and the biggest criticism levelled at him is that the team is too
negative.
This is more true away from home; the donning of the black and white
travelling strip seems to coincide with the loss of a striker, as though the
kitman has forgotten to bring enough forward's shirts so they have to make
do with an extra midfielder This has been a tried and tested strategy that
has not bought much success and the defeat at Villa Park last weekend was
one in a long line of bad days in the (satellite) office.
The hope in Sheffield is that Warnock will adopt the usual home strategy of
a 4-4-2 which will give the team the chance of some early goals and calm the
nerves. Whether that is the case or not, remains to be seen.
What I think, for what it's worth
This is near on impossible to call. Without the multitude of permutations
and the various implications that each has, the last day nerves can always
cause the most unexpected of outcomes. I'm sure that Robert Green and Dean
Ashton won't want reminding of Norwich's self implosion in 2004/05, when
they held the pole position in the safety race before kick off only to down
by a 6-0 deficit, a scoreline that no one saw coming.
I'll quickly point out, before anyone starts panicking about omens, that Boa
Morte was playing for Fulham that day and pulled off one of his
characteristic lay ups for a Malbranque goal and that the other teams have
several players relegated in the past (Heskey, Stead, Camara). However, if
that does not appease you, other superstitions that go in our favour are
that Sheffield United have a pattern of getting relegated every 13 years,
the last time in 1994 which makes it time again.
In respect of results, I think that it is too much to hope for a victory at
Old Trafford. However, I am going to be so bold enough to go for a 2-2 draw,
with us taking a lead and then them coming strong at the end to draw level.
Just in case I am wrong about this though, I'm going to go for a Sheffield
United win at Brammall Lane based on home advantage and by comparing the two
sides performances against us in recent weeks. And while that seems a tad
straightforward, can you blame me for looking for a little mundanity after
the season we've all been through?
Whatever the outcome on Sunday, West Ham support has been the one
unshakeable aspect of this season. I've no doubt that whatever the outcome
of this season, our voices will be heard, our pride will be audibly
transmitted and whatever the outcome of this weekend, we'll suffer our fate
without tears or excuses.
Keep your heads held high, your fingers crossed and enjoy the game.
Irrrrrrroooooonnnnnssssss!!
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CURBS: BLADES WOULDN'T DARE - Sky
By Chris Stanton - Created on 11 May 2007
Alan Curbishley has rubbished the notion that Sheffield United and Wigan
could be in collusion in order to facilitate West Ham's relegation.
Mischievous speculation this past week claims The Blades and The Latics, who
face each other on 'Survival Sunday', could take justice into their own
hands after the Premier League's controversial decision not to dock The
Hammers points.
Were Wigan to claim victory at Bramall Lane and The Hammers lose at
Manchester United then Curbishley's team would be relegated. Neil Warnock's
Sheffield United are still not sure of their status either, however, and
Curbishley does not believe The Blades would dare do any favours to Wigan.
"If Sheffield United go into that game not fully focused it could turn round
and bite them - as they know to their cost a few years back. They went down
in the last 10 minutes. They were safe then suddenly it was turned on its
head," Curbishley told Sky Sports News. "I've been involved in that as well
- two years ago at Charlton we played Crystal Palace. With six minutes to go
Palace were in the Premiership and West Brom were down but it got turned on
its head so you can't possibly go into games thinking like that. "I think
Neil Warnock and the Sheffield United players have got so much to play for,
they can't leave anything to chance and the Wigan boys know exactly what
they have to do. They have to go there and win and there's no easing off on
that. "If Sheffield United don't set about their task properly it could be
them who find themselves in trouble at the end of the game."
Curbishley believes the furore over The Hammers' recent 'reprieve' has
diverted attention away from some strong performances on the pitch. "At the
end of it a lot of sensible people have been saying this should be settled
on the pitch," added Curbishley. "People have forgotten the way we've been
playing and the results we've picked up. If it [the negative press] carries
on again next week we'll be pleased because it means we'll have done our
job."
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Man Utd v West Ham preview - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 11 May 2007
West Ham's great escape will be complete with a solitary point at Old
Trafford, live on Sky Sports 1, but Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his good
friend Alan Curbishley that Manchester United cannot be in a generous mood
as the Premiership relegation battle reaches a crescendo. With nine games to
go The Hammers were a full 10 points shy of safety, but a run of six wins in
eight games - coupled with the London club's success in avoiding a points
deduction for the Carlos Tevez affair - has left their fate in their own
hands. A draw against the newly-crowned champions would safeguard West Ham's
Premiership status and ensure that Wigan or Sheffield United join Charlton
and Watford in the Championship, whilst a defeat will also suffice if The
Latics fail to win at Bramall Lane.
However, Ferguson has already pledged to play his part in ensuring the
integrity of the relegation battle by bringing back a number of his top
performers despite the FA Cup final with Chelsea looming large on the
horizon. The Old Trafford support will give their title winning heroes a
rousing reception as the Premiership trophy is presented in Manchester for
the first time in four years, and United know that a victory would see them
enjoy their best ever Premiership season. Ferguson has led his side to a
points tally of 92 before, but the club played 42 games in the 1993/1994
season, and a tremendous campaign full of attacking verve and intent would
be perfectly capped by a 29th win in 38 games. The Scot's big hitters are
likely to return after being rested during the 0-0 draw with Chelsea,
meaning the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Ryan
Giggs could all be restored to the starting line-up. Conversely, Dong
Fangzhou, Kieran Lee and Chris Eagles will all fade into the shadows after a
rare run-out at Stamford Bridge. After failing to appear since March due to
an ankle injury, captain Gary Neville may lift the trophy in front of his
adoring Mancunian public, but he will not feature in the game itself. Louis
Saha (knee) is unlikely to feature though, with fellow Frenchman Patrice
Evra also a possible absentee, and Park Ji-sung (knee) and Mikael Silvestre
(shoulder) remain sidelined.
West Ham boss Curbishley does not believe that Sheffield United and Wigan
will conspire to relegate his side should things not go his way at Old
Trafford, and The Hammers will be squarely focused on their own performance
in Manchester. Their hopes will rest on the talismanic Tevez who has played
a huge role in their bid to escape the drop, but even if safety is achieved
the game could prove to be the Argentinian star's last in Claret and Blue.
West Ham team news to follow…
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
Fans' favourite Tevez to write his name into West Ham folklore with a
crucial equaliser.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez
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Tevez halts English lessons - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 11 May 2007
Carlos Tevez has put down his English phrase book after conceding he is
unsure as to where he will be plying his trade next season. The diminutive
Argentine is at the centre of a furore over irregularities in his transfer
to West Ham, in a row that has incensed those other clubs battling to retain
their Premiership status, but to the Upton Park faithful he remains an
iconic figure.
Tevez's sublime skills have been matched by an infectious appetite to battle
and it is the South American who has been the heartbeat of West Ham's upturn
in form of late, which has seen six wins from eight games pull them one
place above the drop zone. With West Ham still needing a point, from a tough
looking end of season trip to Old Trafford to ensure their top flight
status, Alan Curbishley's players face an uncertain future - none more so
than Tevez. A host of clubs are sure to have been alerted to the
23-year-old's fine form, both in England and on foreign shores, and Tevez
admits he is far from certain as to where he will be playing beyond the
current campaign. "I have stopped learning English as I don't know where I
am going to end up next season," he told The Times. "But yes, it was hard to
settle (in England). "The language is an issue - and I will learn English if
I stay in this league - and, of course, the football here is different
compared to Brazil or Argentina. "In my opinion, it's the most difficult
competition in the world. That may be why so few people make it over here.
"Every Saturday you get kicked and you end up going home with marks all over
your body. They hit you hard, they hit you everywhere - Premiership
defenders are very strong individuals. "And the referees allow a lot. They
don't interrupt the game as much as they do elsewhere. But you know what? I
don't mind all that, it makes me a better player, a stronger player."
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Curbs dismisses Wigan-Blades conspiracy theory - Soccernet
Alan Curbishley has dismissed the conspiracy theory that Sheffield United
and Wigan could collude in a bid to get West Ham relegated. If West Ham lose
at Manchester United on Sunday, a Wigan victory at Bramall Lane would send
the Hammers down. It is the result all the other struggling clubs want to
see after West Ham avoided a points deduction, despite being found guilty of
irregularities relating to the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier
Mascherano. But Curbishley is confident his side can get the result they
need to be safe. And he warned Sheffield United not to plan for an easy
Sunday afternoon - or they could end up shooting themselves in the foot. The
Hammers boss said: 'I keep hearing all these conspiracy theories that if
it's not going so well for West Ham at Old Trafford then Sheffield United
can relax and if Wigan get the result [they could stay up]. 'But everyone
has to be prepared to go into any game to win it. You can't go into any game
thinking you just turn it on when it goes against you. 'Sheffield United
have got to play as if they need to stay up because, if they don't, they
could easily find it turn around on them.
'That happened a couple of years ago. Crystal Palace were six minutes away
from staying up and suddenly went down. 'Sheffield United need to get their
result at the weekend, Wigan need to get their result and we need to get
that result. 'The difference is that, if we get our result, the rest takes
care of itself.'
The fact West Ham head to Old Trafford with their fate in their own hands is
verging on remarkable given they were 10 points adrift of safety with just
nine games remaining. But they have strung together six wins from their last
eight games to escape the relegation zone on the penultimate weekend of the
season. And Curbishley told WHUTV he is confident West Ham can extend their
recent excellent form and nail the point at Old Trafford that would confirm
their Premiership status. 'We've given ourselves a chance and, given the
position we were in, that's all we could ask for. It's in our hands. It's
not been in our hands for so long,' said Curbishley. 'Perhaps this week the
expectation levels have turned. We are playing well, we have got a settled
side and there is no reason why we can't go to Old Trafford and finish it
off. 'Middlesbrough got a deserved point there a couple of weeks ago and we
go there needing a point. Why not?'
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Tevez admits his playing future is uncertain - Soccernet
West Ham forward Carlos Tevez admits he has stopped learning English because
he does not know where he will be playing next season. The Argentina striker
has become a cult figure at Upton Park despite the controversy surrounding
his transfer and the club's current relegation scrap. The Hammers need a
point in their final game of the season at Manchester United on Sunday to
make sure they survive the drop after a fabulous run of form, inspired by
the 23-year-old, which has seen them win six of their last eight matches.
Speculation continues as to where he will play next season with clubs in
England and overseas supposedly interested. And Tevez has given a clear
indication his future is in the balance. 'I have stopped learning English as
I don't know where I am going to end up next season,' he told The Times.
'But yes, it was hard to settle (in England). 'The language is an issue -
and I will learn English if I stay in this league - and, of course, the
football here is different compared to Brazil or Argentina. In my opinion,
it's the most difficult competition in the world. That may be why so few
people make it over here. 'Every Saturday you get kicked and you end up
going home with marks all over your body. They hit you hard, they hit you
everywhere - Premiership defenders are very strong individuals. 'And the
referees allow a lot. They don't interrupt the game as much as they do
elsewhere. But you know what? I don't mind all that, it makes me a better
player, a stronger player.'
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The Biggest explosion since Maradona - a WHO exclusive by clack
defjam - Fri May 11 2007
El Piola Vago, ('the lazy smart ass' or 'lazy chav') maybe the name of the
Cumbia dance group from rundown Fort Apache but anyone who has seen their
singer play football will know that, on the pitch, he is far from lethargic.
"I first saw Tevez play when he was 8 years old", says legendary Argentine
youth coach, Ramon Madonni, "and he played just as he does today, running
all over the opposition's area, beating everyone. He had lots of aggression
and chased everything". "He was playing for Santa Clara, the team from Fort
Apache, against my team, El Parque, who were the best in the area, but he
ran us a merry dance that day. So we invited him to join El Parque".
Madonni, 62, currently runs Boca Juniors academy and proudly reels off the
names of some of the 70 professional players he has discovered and coached
over the years. The list reads like a who's who of Argentine football -
Redondo, Riquelme, Cambiasso, Sorin, Gago - but he's under no doubt as to
who he considers the best of the lot, "the biggest explosion in Argentina
since Maradona" is how he describes the kid from Fort Apache. "He was just
different", says Madonni of the young Tevez, " but when I say different, I
suppose I mean he was just better than everyone else. Maradona is something
unique, something apart, so we never compare anyone with him, but, after
Maradona, Tevez is the best Argentina has produced".
Fort Apache isn't actually the real name of the isolated ghetto that lies 4
miles to the North of the centre of Buenos Aires - a journalist first coined
the phrase after a shoot-out in front of the local police station in the
early 80's and that's how it's been dubbed ever since. Most of the 30,000
inhabitants of the twenty two block labyrinth are descendents of indigenous
indians from the interor of Argentina and bordering countries. It's a
self-contained community, with it's own set of codes, and a shocking crime
rate. Built in two stages, the project was originally part of the Onega
dictatorship's plan for the eradication of shanty towns in the 1960's but,
later, during preparations for the 1978 World Cup, the military government,
worried about security and the image Argentina world portray to the rest of
the world, rounded up delinquents, placing them, out of sight, in the
'Ejercito de los Andes' estate, a name that has long been forgotton.
"The biggest problem is juvenile crime", says the captain of the local
Gendarmes, "of every 10 arrests, 7 are minors carrying arms". Since 2003,
the neighborhood has been patrolled by armed soldiers wearing bullet-proof
jackets.
Rusting iron corridors run between the buildings, giving the complex the
feel of an abondoned military base, or prison, taken over by squatters, but,
"Fort Apache is the most beautiful place in the world", according to one
Carlos Tevez. "I had an unforgettable childood there and I will never
forget my roots", he said shortly after turning professional, "if I wasn't a
footballer I'd be one of the rubbish collectors, I'm sure of that. There is
real poverty but I'd like to live there again one day".
At the centre of the community is the Santa Clara football and social club.
Every evening they run classes of 'Baby Football'. All over Argentina and
Uruguay, children are taught by qualified coaches, on 7 a side dust pitches,
with an emphasis on ball control in reduced spaces. After an hour- long
series of repeated trapping, dribbling and passing exercises, the 6 year
olds play a 10 minute match. The little lad up front, wearing the Boca
Juniors shirt looks quite useful - his name is Christian Tevez and it was
here, on this very dust pitch, that his famous uncle first started learning
his tricks before Madonni spotted him.
"Carlitos was a great kid, always well behaved", says Madonni, "All he
wanted to do was play football. He never missed a training session once. We
loved him and so did all his team-mates because he gave his all in every
single match".
Madonni becomes animated when asked to explain his methods, "We always look
for technique, that's the overiding principle in everything - and then we
teach them aggression, jumping, heading, chesting, shooting, but when I say
aggression, I don't mean kicking or hitting opponents, but chanelled
aggression - shielding the ball, using your weight and balance. The truth is
you can't teach anyone how to play football, but you can perfectionise it.
And most important of all, it must be fun, they must enjoy it!"
All of this would, of course, be music to the ears of the FA's football
director,Trevor Brooking. It's a virtual blueprint of everything he wants
grassroots and children's football in England to adopt.
"We never played in a competitive league at El Parque", explains Madonni,
"just friendlies. We were like a sort of Harlem globetrotters team and the
players knew that they were there to learn".
Only at the age of 12 do children in Argentina move onto bigger pitches and
eleven a side.
So, aged 12, Tevez left El Parque to join his first senior club, lower
league All Boys, a 15 minute bus ride away from Fort Apache but when Madonni
invited him to join first division Argentinos Juniors, the club where
players like Maradona and Redondo had begun their professional careers, the
14 year old Tevez's response was surprisingly negative.
"'No, Argentinos no, Papa', he said", recalls Madonni, mimicking Tevez's
voice, "He was a fanatical Boca Juniors supporter and wasn't interested in
Argentinos".
However, In 1996, when Madonni himself was handed the job of youth coach at
Boca, one of the first things he did was go back for young Carlitos, and the
rest, as they say, is history.
Debut for Boca at 17, two Argentinian league championships, two Copa de
Libertadores (South American champions league) and the 2003 world Club
championship, in which they beat AC MIlan in Japan. He then won a Brazilian
championship with Corinthians and has been voted South American player of
the year three times.
It's not unusual to see West Ham replica tops with Tevez's name on the back
in Argentina, especially at Boca Juniors matches, and since he signed on
deadline day last August, nearly all of the East London club's matches have
been transmited live in Argentina. Tevez's goals against Bolton last
Saturday and the presentation of the Hammer of the year award filled the
middle page spread of 'ole', the nation's daily sports paper.
But how does Madonni feel his protege is doing at West Ham? "If I'm honest
with you, I'm not quite sure how he ended up there. He should be with a
better team in my opinion. They say he went there to adapt but Tevez can
adapt to any football. At one point, they were playing him in midfield.
That's ridicluous!! Tevez has all the natural characteristics of a striker,
a brilliant striker infact".
It does seem strange that it took two thirds of the season before Tevez was
able to nail down a regular place in the West ham attack although there has
always been some debate over his correct position. Ex Boca Juniors manager,
Carlos Bianchi, with whom Tevez won everything, once said, "Not even Carlos
Tevez knows what his best position is so, in the end, we just put him on the
pitch and let him get on with it".
Back in Fort Apache, everybody has a story. "I saw him here on Christmas day
a couple of years ago", says one teenage girl, "he was playing football at
10pm with all the other lads. He's never really left the area".
"He signed a football for us last time he came here, which we raffled", says
his old kindergarten teacher.
El Piola Vago made their first television appearence this year, although ,
of course, one of their singer couldn't make it as he was in East London but
two of the group wore West Ham tops that the absent singer/songwriter had
gifted them "He'll be back, playing with them again in June and July," says
Tevez's cousin.
Ramon Madonni recounts one more anecdote, "I remember that when I first took
over at Boca, we had a match against All boys and Tevez started on the bench
for them. We were winning 1-0 but then he came on in the 2nd half and scored
two. When he got the winner he ran over to the bench and started doing that
Cumbia dance thing in front of me, grinning away. I said, 'What, you want to
dance with me?' and he took my arm and started swinging me around.....that's
Tevez for you".
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Tevez drops West Ham exit hint - TeamTalk
West Ham forward Carlos Tevez admits he has stopped learning English because
he does not know where he will be playing next season. The Argentina striker
has become a cult figure at Upton Park despite the controversy surrounding
his transfer and the club's current relegation scrap. The Hammers need a
point in their final game of the season at Manchester United on Sunday to
make sure they survive the drop after a fabulous run of form, inspired by
the 23-year-old, which has seen them win six of their last eight matches.
Speculation continues as to where he will play next season with clubs in
England and overseas supposedly interested. And Tevez has given a clear
indication his future is in the balance. "I have stopped learning English
as I don't know where I am going to end up next season," he told The Times.
"But yes, it was hard to settle (in England). "The language is an issue -
and I will learn English if I stay in this league - and, of course, the
football here is different compared to Brazil or Argentina. In my opinion,
it's the most difficult competition in the world. That may be why so few
people make it over here. "Every Saturday you get kicked and you end up
going home with marks all over your body. They hit you hard, they hit you
everywhere - Premiership defenders are very strong individuals. "And the
referees allow a lot. They don't interrupt the game as much as they do
elsewhere. But you know what? I don't mind all that, it makes me a better
player, a stronger player."
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Fergie: We turned down deal for duo - TeamTAlk
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he snubbed the opportunity to sign Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano because of uncertainty over the deal. West Ham
were fined a record £5.5million for breaking Premier League rules when they
signed the Argentina duo who, at the time, were part-owned by Media Sports
Investment, the company formerly run by Iranian-born businessman Kia
Joorabchian. Mascherano has since joined Liverpool but Tevez has emerged as
a key figure in the Hammers' battle for survival and will be part of Alan
Curbishley's side at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look for the point which
will preserve their top-flight status. Ferguson confirmed that, like most
leading clubs, Manchester United were given the opportunity to buy the pair
last summer. But the wily Scot was not happy at what was being offered.
"Tevez was offered to everyone," said Ferguson. "We were offered both him
and Mascherano but, if I remember it correctly, we weren't sure of the
deal."
It has taken the arrival of Ferguson's old friend Alan Curbishley to really
get the best out of Tevez. And, after inspiring the Hammers to a run of six
wins in eight games, the United manager knows his team will have to be on
their toes if their title-winning celebrations are not to fall a bit flat.
"Tevez is the one who has lifted their game a bit," said Ferguson. "He has
scored a couple of really good free-kicks and seems to have a lot of
enthusiasm for it."
Ironically, United have become embroiled in a signing storm of their own
this week as the search for reasons why Tim Howard did not play against them
for Everton last month has continued.
Ferguson has accused those within the Premier League who claimed they had no
knowledge of United's wish for Howard to be omitted at Goodison Park of
"telling porkies". The Red Devils made their feelings on the matter known at
the time, arguing that as Howard could not play against them anyway under
Premier League loan rules, the American should remain sidelined even though
he was moving to Merseyside on a permanent deal. "There are a few porkies
being told because we addressed it with the Premier League at the time,"
claimed Ferguson. "We could have just let the loan deal run if we had wanted
but the boy wanted his future sorting and Everton knew other clubs were
interested in him."
Given United now boast a seven-point lead with one game to play, Ferguson
jokingly suggested the Premier League might take three points off them,
although he knows such a scenario will not unfold. Instead, Ferguson remains
fully focused on West Ham's arrival. Given the Hammers have twice - in 1992
and 1995 - deprived United of league titles, there is a thirst for revenge
in the stands if not the dressing room. Ferguson is pledging to play a
strong side, rather than a full-strength one, and either Cristiano Ronaldo
or Wayne Rooney could find themselves on the bench. At least two places in
the FA Cup final starting line-up are up for grabs though, with Wes Brown
and Alan Smith keen to enhance their chances of featuring against Chelsea at
Wembley on May 19.
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