22/08/2007 11:32
Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Robert Green and Mark Noble have all signed
new four-year deals with the Club. The quartet have put pen-to-paper on new
contracts that will keep them at the Club till 2011. All four players have
played major parts in the past two seasons in helping the Hammers reach an
FA Cup Final in 2006 and to avoid relegation with a superb winning run at
the end of last season. Noble, who played 50 minutes for the Under-21s in
their 1-1 draw with Romania last night said, "I am delighted to have sorted
out a new deal. "After ending the season on such a high and being so
involved with the team it is great for the Club to show their belief in me
by offering me a new contract. "It is common knowledge just how much this
Club means to me so it is was an easy decision to commit my future here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green delighted to agree new deal - WHUFC
22/08/2007 13:50
West Ham United keeper Rob Green is thrilled to have agreed a new five-year
deal with the Club. "I am delighted to have signed my contract," said the
England stopper. "Seeing what has been going on at the Football Club over
recent months, I was keen to be a part of it all and what appears to be a
bright future. "I joined the Club a year ago in different circumstances, but
the way the end of the year went for the team and for me personally, I was
eager to put pen to paper on a new contract when the chance came around."
The 27-year-old Hammers' number one added: "It's only the second club that
I've been at and every part of it, from the supporters to board level, from
backroom staff to coaching staff, the support and passion are the main
things that have been so apparent since I joined. I'm really pleased to have
become a part of that further."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green and Noble commit to Hammers - BBC
Goalkeeper Robert Green and midfielder Mark Noble are the latest players to
commit their futures to West Ham. The 27-year-old England player and Noble,
20, have signed new four-year deals - 24 hours after Danny Gabbidon and
James Collins penned new contracts. Noble told West Ham's website: "I'm
delighted and it's great for the club to show their belief in me. "It's
common knowledge how much this club means to me, so it was an easy decision
to commit my future here." Green joined West Ham from Norwich for £2m in
August 2006 and a series of good displays have led to him being included in
the England squad. England Under-21 international Noble came through West
Ham's youth ranks and, after loan spells at Hull and Ipswich, has
established himself in midfield for the first team.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers look for the final touches - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
WITH just eight days to go until the transfer window slams shut, West Ham
are poised to add to their squad with bids for up to six players, writes
DAVE EVANS. They have no chance of signing all of them, but if manager Alan
Curbishley could add one or two more to his already experienced squad, then
West Ham will have a very healthy look about them as they seek to haul
themselves up the league. Their attempts to bring Icelandic international
striker Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona seem to have finally failed with the
player currently injured and keen to play European football. If he changes
his mind before next Friday, then he would be West Ham's first choice, but
before then they may opt to spend around £10million on Bolton's
controversial striker Nicolas Anelka. They face stiff competition from
Portsmouth and even Manchester United but, if West Ham win the chase for the
French international, it would be another huge character coming into the
squad. Perhaps, more important, is the signing of a left back, with George
McCartney the only current player at the club in that position. Reading's
Nicky Shorey has been the name on the lips of West Ham fans, but, as of yet,
there has been no bid for the England international, while the saga over
Gabriel Heinze's future at Manchester United has led to speculation that he
may join the Hammers on loan. Derby winger Giles Barnes, the nephew of
former West Ham man Bobby Barnes, has also been linked with a big-money
move, but he is still recovering from the broken foot that has ruled him out
since the play-off final in May. He has just resumed training, but is some
way off fitness and though West Ham have made a bid of around £2million
which was rejected, they may wait until January to improve on it. Ghana
international captain Stephen Appiah is in London this week as his country
played a friendly at Millwall yesterday (Tuesday) and the Fenerbahce
midfielder would love the opportunity to seal a deal while he is here.
Manager Alan Curbishley is certainly building a strong squad, but with all
the injuries he has suffered already this season, he may need a few more
players to get him through until January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New deals signed by four West Ham stars - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
WEST HAM quartet Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Robert Green and Mark Noble
have all signed new deal that will keep them at Upton Park until 2011.
While the Hammers continue to search for new talent before the end of the
transfer window, they made sure of keeping some of their current crop of
stars happy by offering them improved terms. Welsh duo Collins and Gabbidon,
who was made captain of his country for their friendly in Bulgaria, have
signed two-year extensions. While goalkeeper Green and midfielder Noble have
penned four-year deals after impressing at the end of last season and the
beginning of this. Hammers captain Lucas Neill has declared himself fit and
raring to go for Saturday's Premier League clash against Wigan. The Aussie
suffered a knee injury in training that has ruled him out of West Ham's
first two games, but he is expected to replace Jonathan Spector in defence
on Saturday. Scott Parker is still battling to be fit after returning to
training on Monday, while Freddie Ljungberg should also pass a fitness test,
but may have to settle for a place on the bench after Kieron Dyer's classy
debut performance last Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham are set for yet more court action - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
ANOTHER week, another twist in the Carlos Tevez affair as West Ham have been
told that they will face another inquiry following Sheffield United's
decision to seek High Court damages. The FA will conduct a fresh arbitration
hearing into Sheffield United's case and the Hammers have been given 14 days
to respond and to nominate a representative on a three-man panel. Despite
failing at an earlier arbitration hearing as well as at the high court over
the judgment not to dock points from West Ham last season, the Blades feel
that their best way of achieving "justice" is to sue West Ham personally for
£50million in compensation. Legal opinion seems divided over their chances
of winning a court case, though perhaps significantly, Sheffield chairman
Kevin McCabe is looking for a football figure rather than a legal man to sit
on the three-man arbitration panel as he hopes to appeal to the spirit of
the game rather than to the cold, hard facts of the case. McCabe believes
his latest offensive will force a compensation settlement from West Ham, but
the club insisted that they would defend the case vigorously and may even
consider countersuing the club over the constant slurs coming from Bramall
Lane. And still it goes on. Will Tevez score before it is all resolved?
Probably not.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zamora, the votes are in. - West Ham Online
Ged - Wed Aug 22 2007
Recently we asked if you'd like the results of the polls published, so as
requested, here's the first one.
We asked:
Zamora, is he good enough for the premiership?
461 site members voted over 3 days, and natually the figures are rounded to
the nearest percent.
14% a/ Yes. He's done well the last two seasons and will improve. (66 votes)
38% b/ Yes, but he won't be first choice for much longer. (175 votes)
33% c/ Yes, but possibly not for our ambitions. (154 votes)
10% d/ No, he's been found wanting. (48 votes)
4% e/ He may not be able to hit a cows arse with a banjo, but as long as he
can hit the bar, he's alright by me. (18 votes)
From this we can see that the vast majority of you think he's good enough to
play in this league, but not only that, but that all three of the yes
options attacked more than the single option to vote no, which given some of
the discussions had on here in the last few weeks, certainly came as a bit
of a surprise.
Interestingly, 52% of you believe that he's good enough for us in some
capacity, even if he's not first choice.
So it's official, WHO says Bobby IS good enough. Here's hoping that he
starts scoring. This Saturday would be nice please Bob; I'm sure it means as
much to you as it does to us to beat the Wiganers like the unloved curs they
so clearly are.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green and Noble agree Hammers deals - viewlondon.co.uk
West Ham United have confirmed two more key first-team players, Robert Green
and Mark Noble, have signed on for another four years at the club. Noble –
an England under-21 international midfielder – and Green – who has won an
international cap playing in goal for the Three Lions – join Welsh
internationals Danny Gabbidon and James Collins in tying their futures to
Upton Park. All will now remain with the Hammers until the summer of 2011
and both Green and Noble have played a significant part in the club's good
form over the last few months. Green, 27, is the first-choice stopper for
Alan Curbishley and had an impressive game during the 1-0 victory at Premier
League champions Manchester United on the last day of last season, which
secured the club's top-flight status. Noble, 20, has enjoyed a sterling run
of form over the last nine months, playing a vital role as West Ham avoided
the drop in 2006/07 and scoring the winner in the Premier League outing
against Birmingham City at the weekend. "I am delighted to have sorted out a
new deal," Noble, an east London native, said. "After ending the season on
such a high and being so involved with the team it is great for the club to
show their belief in me by offering me a new contract. "It is common
knowledge just how much this club means to me so it is was an easy decision
to commit my future here."
In addition to his form for the Hammers in recent games, Noble also played
50 minutes of the England under-21s' 1-1 draw with Romania last night –
Stuart Pearce's first game in charge as full-time manager.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Duo Hammer out new deals - The Sun
By ALI MARTIN
August 22, 2007
WEST HAM duo Mark Noble and Robert Green have agreed new four-year deals at
Upton Park. The pair join Danny Gabbidon and James Collins, who also signed
contract extensions until 2011 yesterday. Midfielder Noble, who played 50
minutes for England Under-21s in their 1-1 draw with Romania last night,
said: "I am delighted to have sorted out a new deal. "After ending the
season on such a high and being so involved with the team, it is great for
the club to show their belief in me by offering me a new contract. "It is
common knowledge just how much this club means to me so it is was an easy
decision to commit my future here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man City, West Ham eyeing Udinese striker Di Natale
tribalfooball.com - August 22, 2007
Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale is attracting Premiership interest. The
Italy international's agent is demanding talks with Udinese management over
the striker's situation and this has alerted West Ham United and Manchester
City, according to Italian press reports today.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League Rumour Mill: Heinze interesting Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:53am on 22nd August 2007
West Ham want to buy Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United after learning
Sir Alex Ferguson does not have to sell him to Liverpool. The Hammers are
happy to offer the Argentinian left back an escape route after the Football
Association ruling that United are within their right to refuse to sell him
to their rivals. But it is believed the Red Devils are only prepared to sell
Heinze to foreign opposition.
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is already displeased at his lack of
first team opportunities on Merseyside and his agent Ronen Katzav said: "He
will think about moving to a medium-sized team if his chances remain
restricted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs relishing full-strength pool - TeamTalk
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is relishing the prospect of having a
fully-fit squad at his disposal. Injuries to key players, particularly new
signings, hampered the club's fight to stay in the top flight last season
and has already struck again this summer. And Curbishley said: "It's uncanny
that we've been hit with so many injuries. "I've signed about eight players
who have only managed around 30 starts between them since last Christmas,
but once they are all fit we'll have a strong squad." Lucas Neill, Scott
Parker and Freddie Ljungberg should all return to training this week ahead
of Saturday's Upton Park clash with Wigan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill says he's fit and ready - foxsports.com.au
August 22, 2007
WEST HAM'S Australian captain Lucas Neill has declared himself fit after a
knee injury which kept him out of the club's first two games of the season.
The Socceroos defender said he was ready to return against Wigan at Upton
Park on Saturday. "I like to work hard, play hard, and with that comes
success," Neill told newspaper Daily Express. "Some may say it is arrogance
but, like all Aussies, my belief is, who wants to be second? "The
Australians who come to this country face a 20-hour plane journey leaving
friends and family behind. "They know it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
and so we give it everything." West Ham has started the new campaign with a
2-0 loss to Manchester City and a 1-0 win over promoted Birmingham and sit
15th.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Old boys on parade - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
WEST HAM'S greats of the past will have a chance to get one over their old
rivals on Sunday when the Hammers Old Boys take on a Chelsea Old Boys team
down at Tooting & Mitch-am's ground. The match has been organised to
celebrate Tooting's 75th anniversary, but that doesn't mean that winning
won't be on the minds of the West Ham players who will don the claret and
blue. Expected to line-up are Frank McAvennie, Ray Stewart, Phil Parkes,
Tony Cottee and Tony Gale among others and that should be enough to beat the
likes of Ray Wilkins, Kerry Dixon, Clive Walker and Graham Le Saux. Also on
parade will be both the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, while the teams will
take part in a half time 'crossbar challenge' to entertain the fans. Entry
for the event is £10 for adults and £5 for under-15s and senior citizens.
The gates open at noon and kick off is 2pm. Tooting's ground is in
Bishopford Road, Morden in Surrey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Death of former Hammer Jeroen - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
FORMER West Ham United striker Jeroen Boere has been found dead at his house
in Spain - he was just 39. The Dutchman joined West Ham from Excelsior
Rotterdam in 1993 and after a loan spell at West Brom, was brought into the
team by new boss Harry Redknapp. He partnered Tony Cottee up front and
helped him to rediscover his goalscoring form as West Ham moved up the
league. Boere played 29 games for the Hammers, scoring seven goals before
going to Crystal Palace in a cash plus player deal that brought Iain Dowie
to Upton Park. Boere also played for Portsmouth and Southend United before
going abroad, though he was forced to retire from football after being
stabbed in the eye outside a nightclub in Japan in 1998. He had been working
as an estate agent in Spain when he died. The cause of death has not yet
been confirmed, but it is believed to be suicide.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain Matt gives boo-boys the boot - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
WHEN Manchester City star Elano ghosted past Matty Upson on the way to
setting up his team's winning goal on the opening day of the season, there
were a few people left wondering if the giant defender was up to the task of
Premier-ship defending, writes DAVE EVANS. Many of those doubters though
would have been won over on Saturday as Upson went back to his old stamping
ground at St Andrew's, faced the wrath of his former fans and promptly
rubbed their noses in it with a magnificent performance. The captain for the
day said: "I didn't expect to get too bad a welcome, but that's part and
parcel of coming back to your old club," he insisted. "I've got no hard
feelings towards them." Maybe not, but it was a hostile welcome that he
received, first from the fans and then from Birmingham midfielder Mehdi
Nafti's, whose tackle in the second minute was so late that it was also in
the third. "I came here to do a job and we did it, so I'm pleased," said the
28-year-old international defender. "We take the positives and move on."
His former boss at Birmingham, Steve Bruce, had some choice words to say
about Upson and his international chances in the future before this game,
but the defender rammed those words down his throat with a superb
performance on the field, as well as some barbed comments of his own.
"Steve's entitled to his opinion but he's irrelevant to my career now," said
Upson. "He's not the person I've got to show that I'm good enough to play
for England so he's welcome to say what he wants because it has no effect on
my career or what I do."
Upson will lose the captain's armband when Lucas Neill returns to the fold
against Wigan on Saturday, but he knows that he still has a very influential
part to play in West Ham's season. However, he is still reeling from the
first day disappointment. "We tried to pass too much and play too
delicately, but against Birmingham we really stood up for ourselves in tough
conditions against a City side who closed us down and competed well," he
said. "In the second half we wore them down a little bit and gaps started
to open up and we exploited them well."
It was Upson who was first to rush over and congratulate goalscorer Mark
Noble and it looked like the captaincy was something he relished on
Saturday.
"It was a nice touch. It was an honour to take the armband and lead out the
team," he said. "It's also always nice to keep a clean sheet. It's my job
and to know you've done it on a Saturday evening is very satisfying, so I'm
pleased.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zaragoza's Milito rejected West Ham
tribalfooball.com - August 22, 2007
Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito has rejected a move to West Ham United.
Marca says West Ham were prepared to meet Milito's £17 million buyout
clause, but the Argentine wouldn't consider a move to Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Back to school Noble learns a vital lesson - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
MAGICAL Mark Noble grabbed the winner, hit the post and bossed the midfield
at St Andrew's on Saturday and much of that stemmed from the rocket he
received from manager Alan Curbishley following the 1-0 defeat by Manchester
City. While others may have disappointed more on the first day of the
season, it was the 20-year-old Canning Town boy who attracted most attention
from the West Ham management team, and it certainly seemed to do the trick
at Birmingham. Curbishley revealed: "I felt Mark lost his way last week. We
had a bit of a chat with him as I think that perhaps the situation got to
him last week as it did for a few others. "We didn't perform, it was a very
flat, and laboured performance last week and he was one of the guilty ones."
Whatever he said to Noble it certainly worked as right from the start on
Saturday, the England under-21 international looked up for the task and
raring to go.
His job was made a whole lot easier by the call-up of experienced midfielder
Hayden Mullins in place of Lee Bowyer, who had been so disappointing against
Manchester City. Mullins was able to provide some defensive cover in
midfield which enabled Noble to make some telling sorties up the field,
hurting the Birmingham defence. It has been a meteoric rise for Noble and
Curbishley is only too well aware of the fact. "You have to consider with
Mark that he burst on to the scene last year. He went off with the England
under-21s as a squad player really and forced his way into the side," said
the boss. "We sat down with him this week, pointed a few things out and I
think he got back to basics today and he got back to doing what he is good
at and once again, got more confident as we went on."
The manager continued: "We showed him some clips of last year, what he was
about and what he gave us, and we then showed him his performance against
Man City and it was chalk and cheese. I think he came out today determined
to put that right." He did and it was testament to the confidence that the
youngster has in his own ability that it was he who rushed over to grab the
ball for the match-winning penalty while the likes of Craig Bellamy, Bobby
Zamora and Mullins were happy to let him. It was also no surprise that he
slotted it home. Nothing seems surprising for this talented youngster.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me! - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
CRAIG BELLAMY has a huge bust up with the manager; Paul Konchesky says that
all the players dislike the boss and that some decided not to sign for West
Ham because he was in charge; another story says that Curbishley has six
weeks to save his job, writes DAVE EVANS. Fact or fiction? Well the manager
himself is in no doubt about it and he went on the offensive following
Saturday's 1-0 win at Birmingham City. "It's all absolute nonsense," slammed
Curbishley after being questioned over his alleged bust-up with the Welsh
international following last week's 1-0 defeat against Manchester City. "I
can't begin to wonder why it is happening. There seems to be some sort of
agenda out there, but if you bring Craig in here or any other player they
will tell you what is happening."
He continued: "I haven't actually seen it, but I've heard about it. It is
such nonsense. "I seem to be a bit of a target at the moment and if it is
not me it is the club. What can I do about it? I can't say anything else
except it never happened and I can't believe it has come out."
Certainly the likes of Bellamy did not play against Birmingham as if they
have no respect for their manager. For Konchesky it may be a chance to get
his own back on a manager who has affected his career for a second time, or
just a case of sour grapes, but it would seem that the problem players that
were at the club when Curbishley arrived have now largely moved on.
"I can't keep trying to defend myself," said the boss. "There was a lot of
stuff written about West Ham last year, there was a lot of negative
publicity. Some truth was written but also some quite untruths. "If people
look into what exactly happened last year when I took over the club, it
wasn't easy, it wasn't happy days every day, it was difficult," he said.
"There were some difficult situations that had to be sorted out, but I have
been in the manager's chair for nearly 20 years and I'm sure there are more
of my ex-players who come up to me and thank me, than the ones that don't -
I just take it with a pinch of salt."
His reaction on Saturday suggested otherwise, but it is clear that West Ham
are a target for some members of the national press at the moment, and after
the long running Carlos Tevez affair, a fairly easy target at that. With big
and sometimes controversial characters in their squad like Bellamy, Kieron
Dyer, Anton Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer to pick on, there could be an endless
stream of rumour stories coming out of Upton Park this season and in the
end, Curbishley will just have to live with it. He seems to have the backing
of his chairman though and puts much of it down to a general campaign in the
press to put big teams under pressure - it has always been there, but when
you are manager of Charlton Athletic, you don't really feel the heat. "I've
just been talking to Eggert and he is a bit fed up with it as well,"
revealed Curbishley. "I think I saw a headline on Wednesday with a picture
of Paul Robinson shouting saying 'what have you got to shout about? You're
bottom of the league and you're manager is under pressure'! So it is the
life that we lead," he said. "It is not what we are used to exactly, but I
think we know it is just around the corner. If you are a Premiership side
and you are going to be in that bottom six or seven after the first month or
two, then that's it because it is something to write about and something to
get hold of especially if you are a decent size club as well, whose
expectations are different to that."
And there lies the answer. If West Ham can muscle themselves into the top
half of the table, then the press may relent somewhat and go and pick on
someone else - Alex Ferguson perhaps! Curbishley has had his say, but now is
the time for the team to do the talking.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pace is the key for bubbly Bellamy - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
IF THERE is one thing guaranteed to hurt a defence, even in the Premiership,
it is sheer pace and striker Craig Bellamy showed just how devastating it
can be.
As well as winning the penalty that decided the match at Birmingham, he also
stormed through in the dying seconds only to be denied by the keeper.
"Birmingham is a tough place to come because they concentrate on set pieces
and getting in and around you with the tall players that they have,"
explained the Welsh international. "But on the second half performance, 1-0
probably didn't do us justice because we were very, very good and had a lot
of chances."
Saturday allowed him to renew a partnership with fellow speedster Kieron
Dyer and it certainly seemed to work. "Kieron is a very close friend of mine
and a quality player, so I was delighted to link up with him again," he
confirmed. "We've got a lot of pace and a lot of quality. With the pace we
have it's difficult for teams to get back." So was it a penalty? "I'm not
even going to go into this. The linesman was right there, which made it
easier. It was clear," he insisted.
Now he will be looking for a goal of his own, beginning against Wigan on
Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble lauds it over Bruce's Birmingham - Newham Recorder
22 August 2007
Birmingham City 0 West Ham United 1
JUST when it looked like being one of those days for West Ham, up popped
Craig Bellamy to earn a penalty which was so unlike the Hammers the fans
have come to know and love, writes DAVE EVANS. Surely it is the likes of
Liverpool and Chelsea who win penalties like this? Debut boy Kieron Dyer
delivered a superb through ball for the Welsh international to sprint on to
and, inexplicably, the keeper came into no-man's land to meet him and
promptly missed the ball and made contact with the player. It was a penalty
in just about everybody's book except inevitably for Steve Bruce, who
unbelievably claimed that 'everyone in the ground knew it wasn't a penalty'!
Thankfully, everybody did not include the linesman who immediately flagged
and allowed Mark Noble to calmly send Craig Doyle the wrong way from the
spot.
It was the way that one of the top teams triumph away from home and it
certainly settled the nerves of the West Ham fans still having nightmares
over the dreadful performance they had sat through the previous week. This
display was 100 times better against a team that never looked at the races
and the only worrying thing for the Hammers was that it took so long for
them to finally get their noses in front. Poor finishing was the reason for
that and much of it came from last season's top striker Bobby Zamora. The
former Brighton man linked well with Bellamy, passed the ball well and got
into some excellent positions, but at the moment he is suffering a huge
crisis of confidence in front of goal which could have cost West Ham dear.
The poor timing of his jumps cost him two golden chances after crosses from
Jonathan Spector and Matty Etherington, while when a chance fell at his feet
he rushed it, putting efforts wide or over the bar with the goal gaping.
Zamora will come good no doubt, so perhaps it is not right to dwell on his
display when there was so much right about West Ham in this game, especially
after the break. The first half was a scrappy affair but it was the Hammers
who had the cutting edge.
As early as the seventh minute they should have had a penalty when Bellamy's
clever pass put Dyer away and when he was wrestled to the ground by full
back Stephen Kelly right in front of the watching linesman - nothing was
given. "I thought we had a penalty in the first half because I think the
challenge on Dyer was one with an arm around his neck when he went down,"
confirmed manager Alan Curbishley, who watched most of this encounter from
the stand instead of the dug out. He was certainly full of praise for his
new signing: "Dyer got stronger as the game went on," he said. "I don't
think he has done much pre-season. "It has been a difficult situation for
him, and I think it has gone quite unnoticed that he got picked for the
England squad this week, because that's what we've got, we've picked up an
England player."
He certainly looked like an England player. His pace showed what a danger he
could be in the second half and he should have rounded things off with a
goal in the last minute when a breathtaking break from the back saw
Etherington play the ball into his path, but with just the keeper to beat
his first touch was poor and he shot straight at Doyle. Back to the first
half, and man of the match Mark Noble rifled a free kick against the foot of
the Birmingham post, Spector's shot was deflected but still forced a save
from Doyle, while Etherington had another effort blocked. West Ham fans are
strangely superstitious people though. The seasoned Hammer sitting next to
me watched chance after chance go begging and insisted West Ham were going
to lose this match, he'd seen it all before. His prediction almost came true
when right on half time a free kick by Sebastian Larsson fell to the feet of
Radhi Jaidi, but though his shot on the turn looked in, Rob Green somehow
managed to superbly palm it away. Birmingham never came as close again. In
fact they had just one more chance when substitute Gary McSheffrey's free
kick was deflected and then skidded on the wet turf before Green pushed it
wide for a corner. The rest was all West Ham and the only shame was that
they didn't score three or four, because that was the level of their
dominance. They played a high speed, quality passing game that opened up the
City defence time and again only to fall at the final hurdle as a goal
looked imminent. Noble had a vicious shot blocked. He then beat two players
brilliantly on the left hand side before setting up Bellamy only for the
striker to fluff his shot, and even after the goal, there was Dyer's big
chance and then another for Bellamy after he was put in the clear by Zamora
- Doyle saved them both.
So was it a penalty? Curbishley seemed sure about it: "As soon as the
challenge was made on Bellamy, I instantly looked at the linesman as did the
referee and he gave it straight away," he explained. "The keeper came, and
when you come like that you have to get the ball and I don't think he got
the ball." He didn't and it was a penalty, but Curbishley would have
breathed a huge sigh of relief when Noble finally put the ball into the
Birmingham net, because for a long time it looked like being one of those
days for the Hammers. "I think Bellamy is always a threat," said the
manager. "We showed as we got stronger in the second half that we are a pacy
side, that we have the ability to break and as the confidence came back, we
got going." They did. This performance was every bit as impressive as last
week's was disappointing.
West Ham have so much pace in their team with Dyer and Bellamy likely to
hurt any team, while centre backs Anton Ferdinand and Matty Upson forgot
about their troubles against Manchester City and put in dominant and largely
mistake-free performances. Upson in particular, captain for the day and
getting a rough reception from his old fans, coped admirably. It is
difficult to read West Ham at the moment. One week they are awful, the next
excellent, but once the season settles down it is safe to say that there
should be more excellent days than awful ones. And remember, captain Lucas
Neill, midfielder Scott Parker and bench-warming striker Dean Ashton are
still to be properly unleashed on the Premiership this season. "There is
some competition out there," confirmed Curbishley. "Scotty Parker is in full
training on Monday as is Lucas Neill, I don't think Freddie Ljungberg is
that badly injured - he's got a little groin strain, so there is a bit of
competition now and with Dyer coming in as well, you have got to play well
to keep your place."
All that and money still to spend and the transfer deadline still another
couple of weeks away - you've never had it so good!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
