Bristol Rovers v Hammers: Cup Match Preview - WHUFC
28/08/2007 11:43
Bristol Rovers v West Ham United
Carling Cup round 2
Tuesday 28 August
Memorial Stadium
Kick-off: 19.45
Referee: Mike Jones
Team news:
Dean Ashton is expected to return to the Hammers starting line-up for the
first time since the 2006 FA Cup final. Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy is a doubt
after picking up a groin injury against Wigan.
Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope has no new injury concerns and will pick
form the same squad that defeated Oldham 1-0 on Saturday. The Rovers boss
may recall strike partners Andy Williams and Lewis Haldane who started in
the last Carling Cup match against Crystal Palace.
Background:
The Hammers have started the 2007/8 campaign with a win, a draw and a defeat
in the opening three matches. Last season the Irons were knocked out of the
Carling Cup competition in the third round away at Chesterfield. Marlon
Harewood scored the opening goal after four minutes but Colin Larkin
equalised and Caleb Folan got the winner in the 87th minute.
Bristol Rovers have started the season with a win and two draws from their
opening three fixtures. Last season they lost out in the opening round of
the Carlin Cup to Luton. The match was 1-1 after extra-time but Luton went
on to win 5-3 on penalites.
The two sides last met each other in 1995 in the second round of the Carling
Cup at Upton Park.
Head-to-Head:
Last five meetings:
14/10/1995 West Ham 3 (Bishop, Cottee, Dicks) Bristol Rovers 0
20/09/1995 Bristol Rovers 0 West Ham 1 (Moncur)
24/04/1993 West Ham 2 Bristol Rovers 1
17/10/1992 Bristol Rovers 0 West Ham 4
08/05/1991 West Ham 1 Bristol Rovers 0
The match is also live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm.
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Deano raring to go - WHUFC
28/08/2007 12:54
Dean Ashton is hoping to make his first start for the Hammers tonight since
the FA Cup final in 2006 as the Club take on Bristol Rovers in the Carling
Cup.
"I feel really good at the moment," he admits. "I just need games now.
Obviously I've got to win my place back now so if I have to play in the
reserves I'm happy to. "Hopefully I'll get a chance to start tonight in the
Carling Cup. I just need games now really. "I felt I did ok on Saturday but
it's always difficult coming on as a substitute. You want to make an
impression but you have to get into the game quickly. I felt I did that and
I was pleased with my contribution but disappointed with the result."
The 23-year-old striker admits he has been buoyed by the reception he has
been getting from the Hammers fans. "It makes you feel really good," he
said. "It does give me a big boost and it's really great to feel like they
are all behind you and behind the team."
If Deano does start tonight, Hammers fans will have to make do without the
sight of his unusual robotic warm-up exercises on the touchline.... "They
probably look a little bit funny for people watching but they're very
important for me to make sure that my ankle and my legs are right coming on
to the pitch," he said. "It's just something that I've done since coming
back from my injury."
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Youths lose to Portsmouth - WHUFC
28/08/2007 14:43
West Ham United's Under-18s fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Portsmouth after
being only minutes away from taking home their first point of the season. It
looked like being a stale-mate in what was a frustrating game for Director
of Youth Academy Tony Carr and his team, until the home side was awarded a
debatable free-kick on the edge of the area. A low left-foot shot went
agonisingly under the feet of the boys in the West Ham wall and into the
corner of the net. With not many chances created by either side, it was a
disappointing end to the match, which the Hammers at least deserved a share
of the spoils.
"It was petering out to a 0-0 draw and I think that would have been the
right result. They didn't deserve to win and we didn't deserve to lose,
admits Tony
"It had been a pretty fair challenge on one of their boys, which to be fair
on another day would have gone unnoticed, but they were awarded the
free-kick and lucky for them, it went in." He added: "It was the only decent
shot they had on goal, but it wasn't a good game overall. They stuck 10
behind the ball, were not attacking and adventurous, so it was hard to break
that down and get our football flowing. In fact, their staff came up to me
afterwards and apologised for the way they approached the game."
While it has been a disappointing start by the Hammers' standards, Tony said
there is enough in the team to see the corner being turned in terms of
results pretty soon. "We can do better, but it's only two games in and
there's a long road ahead yet, said Tony. "And just because you are losing
games, doesn't mean you don't have good players. We have Watford up next, at
home this weekend and we go again. "Obviously we are looking not only for
our first points of the season but also our first goal. Some of the boys
will be involved in reserve games as that kicks in this week. "But while it
can have an adverse effect on our matches, it can also be positive as the
boys who play in the reserves might get a goal or put in a good performance
and bring that into our match on the Saturday." "The important thing is for
me is to lift the team and make sure the confidence and belief is there. We
are not far away from getting a result, I am sure of that."
West Ham United: Stech, O'Neill, Blackwell, Miller, N'Gala, Harvey,
Stanislas, Lee, Hunt, Sears, Jeffery
Subs: Street, Ashman, Edgar (Stanislas), Fry (Jeffery), Kearns (Lee)
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Bellamy eyes Hammers stay - SSN
Welsh ace wants Hammers to be final club
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 28th August 2007
Craig Bellamy hopes he will finish his playing career with West Ham. Bellamy
moved to Upton Park in the summer from Liverpool, making The Hammers his
seventh club in just eight seasons. Now the Welsh international striker is
hoping he has moved for the last time. "It's a really good club and I've
made a really good choice coming here," he said. "It's probably because I
knew a lot of people at the club and I knew what I was coming into. Touch
wood, hopefully I'll finish my career here. "Maybe because of the surgery I
had as a very young player, it might not take me to 34 or 35. "So these five
years are going to be very important for me. I can cement my name here.
Hopefully with a few better performances I will have a good chance of doing
that."
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'I never called Lumplard a fat cockney t**t' By Alan Davies - The Times
By way of setting the record straight, and as an addendum to Martin Samuel's
latest burnishing of the reputation of Chelsea's midfield goal-machine in
The Game (August 20), I have never called Frank Lampard a "fat cockney
twat".
That Lampard thinks I did is undeniable, for he told me that I had after the
Football Writers' Association dinner in 2005 (not 2004, Martin). It was my
turn to shake his hand as he affably greeted each of the group of hacks I
was with. He looked happy, he'd had a standing ovation for his speech and
was at the top of his profession. Before I could congratulate him on his
Footballer of the Year award, his England Player of the Year award, his
Premiership winner's medal or his £5 million-a-year contract he looked me
square in the eye and without letting go of my hand said: "You called me a
fat cockney twat".
At least I assume he was looking me in the eye, I was distracted by the
sheer size of his tie knot, his bright pink tie knot. It was huge. I went to
reply (something along the lines of: I write a column as an Arsenal fan,
it's a joke and anyway I didn't call you a twat) but he cut me off: "It's
about respect," he said.
And he said that over and over again. All the time a smiling lady who I
thought was Frank's mum was tapping me on the shoulder happily and saying:
"It's Jonathan Creek! It's Jonathan Creek!"
I managed to tell Frank that I'd since written that he should be the
post-Beckham captain of England but, although I think that registered with
him, he dismissed it (rightly, it was a stupid idea) and told me again:
"It's about respect."
Then he went away and Martin Samuel started laughing. "He's only gone and
dug him out," he laughed like a cockney Brian Blessed.
"I'm sure I didn't call him a twat," I said.
Martin roared with laughter. For ages. Then I laughed a bit and pondered who
had told Frank I'd written what he thought I'd written because I didn't
think he could have actually read the offending article.
When I got home that night I double-locked the front door and checked the
peep hole to be sure Frank hadn't followed me back to kill me. Then I dug
out the article, published in TheGame on April 12, 2004, shortly after Frank
had scored a crucial goal from a rebound off Jens Lehmann as Chelsea beat
Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final.
The next weekend, still traumatised by Arsenal's catastrophic defeat (we
could have gone on to beat FC Porto - imagine that, no Special One), I
sulkily watched Chelsea play Middlesbrough on TV and a nearly identical
chance fell to Frank. This is what I wrote: "The rebound fell to Frank
Lampard Jr, an easier chance than that he'd taken at Highbury, and he showed
all the quick feet and dexterity of Micky Droy as he ludicrously fluffed
this absolute sitter.
"That was it for me: 'Lampard, you useless git, you couldn't do that against
us, could you? You gormless fat cockney! Kiss your badge now, go on! Run to
your adoring headhunters and shout, 'Look at me, I missed an open goal from
four yards, I'm rubbish!' Do it! Do it!"
I then reported how the person I was watching it with had urged me to calm
down and stop shouting at the telly. I wrote: " 'Sorry,' I said, 'and sorry
to you Frank, you played well, you took your chances, enjoy your semi-final.
You jammy sod.' "
Later that summer I wrote about watching England v Portugal in Lisbon and
described Frank Lampard as "the true leader of the team and a prime
candidate for the captaincy in 2006".
So, yes, I did call you fat, Frank. I know you're not, it's just unfortunate
you're cursed with those childbearing hips. I said you were gormless. Well,
at the moment you trod on the ball against Boro you looked pretty gormless
but I accept that was an uncharacteristic slip. You're not gormless, or a
useless git or even that jammy a sod. I hope you've read this and that,
should we ever meet again, you won't loom over me menacingly and demand my
respect repeatedly until I'm forced to yield in front of whoever happens to
be smirking nearby.
Regarding my days as a columnist, you might think yourself lucky. I made so
many caustic remarks about Moan U when I wrote in TheGame that one of their
fanzines tried a "Boycott The Times" campaign and TheGame editor at the time
had to adopt an "If they're just abusive, bin 'em" policy with the post.
As for Sp*rs, I've been going to White Hart Lane in disguise for the past
four seasons. I may be "F***ing Jonathan Creek" to you (and many others) but
I saw your dad play in the FA Cup Final in 1980 and you play in it in 2002.
I pay to go to games, 40-odd a season, following Arsenal and England. I'm
not entirely clueless after 36 years as a fan and 25 as a season
ticket-holder and I care to the point of mental illness about how my club
and country fare.
You're greatly admired but not greatly loved, Frank, perhaps because you're
a bit chippy and sensitive, you were below your best in Germany last summer
before your book launch and because Chelsea play such joyless, functional
football they are hard to watch. Pay less attention to the critics, enjoy
your football, count your caps, your medals and your money (in that order)
and never forget, you could always take a pay cut and leave for a club that
plays a bit. We'd have you at Arsenal before you could say: "José Mourinho
is a twat."
That's a joke, José. Oops . . .
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Rovers v Hammers Carling Cup - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 28 August, 2007 - 13:57.
Bristol Rovers play host to West Ham in tonight's Carling Cup tie at the
Memorial Ground safe in the knowledge that they won't have to face Craig
Bellamy. The Wales captain has joined other new signings, Freddi Ljungberg
and Scott Parker on an injury list that also includes other recent signings
Julien Faubert, Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie.
On the bright side Dean Ashton will make his first start this season,
although Alan Curbishley would have preferred to see Bellamy in action
alongside Ashton as opposed to the currently wayward Bobby Zamora, he may
choose to use Luis Boa-Morte as a third striker in a 4-3-3 formation.
Generally a team that usually plays 4-4-2 should stick to what they know
best, going 'continental' has never really been Curb's way so he will
probably elect to stick with his normal set up.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Dyer, Noble, Mullins,
Etherington, Ashton, Zamora/Boa-Morte
Subs : Walker, Gabbidon, Spector, Bowyer
Directions
Driving
Exit M5 at junction 16 (Signposted Filton) and join the A38 (South) towards
Bristol City Centre. The ground is about five miles down the A38. You will
pass the large British Aerospace works and further on, you will pass on your
left the Royal George and Duke Of York pubs. At the next traffic lights, the
Memorial Ground is signposted to the left and is about 100 yards down this
road.
Parking
Plenty of street parking around the area where the ground is.
By Train
Bristol is served by First Great Western from London Paddington with a
journey time of around 2 hours. Head for Bristol Parkway, which is 2 miles
from the ground. - Ed
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West Ham closer to Anelka and Shorey - Sportigo
Tue, Aug 28, 07 12:45
Mark Apostolou
Nicolas Anelka is a wanted man, with Manchester United, West Ham and
Portsmouth all reportedly chasing him (The Sun). But which sides' fans
actually want the Bolton striker? As far as I can gather, United supporters
are not too keen and I can understand why. Do Hammers and Pompey supporters
feel likewise? Maybe worth investing in, but only if the price is not
astronomical, as it surely will be.
Sticking at Upton Park, and in my opinion a far better value purchase, West
Ham have stepped up their bid for Reading left-back Nicky Shorey by bidding
£5m (The Sun). Steve Coppell has been quoted as if he is beginning to lose
patience with Shorey over his reticence to commit to the Royals. I would be
mighty surprised if the newly-capped England defender is at the Madjeski
come the end of the season.
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West Ham and Celtic fight for Iceman - Sportigo
Tue, Aug 28, 07 12:03
Mark Apostolou
The Iceman appeared to not be cometh-ing (deliberate misuse of English for
comic effect) to Britain; now it appears he may be back on course for move
away from the Nou Camp. Eidur Gudjohnsen has been linked with a loan deal
from Barcelona to Celtic (Daily Mail), as well as being the subject of a
long-running on/off saga with West Ham. I am not sure if a short-term deal
is what the former Chelsea man would be after at this stage in his career,
but Celtic may offer him Champions League football, depending on their
performance against Spartak. West Ham can offer him Premier League football
and all the glitz and glamour that comes with it. If you were the front man,
what would you do?
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THERE'S NO PRESSURE ON US IN CUP - ELLIOTT - This Is Bristol
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10:40 - 28 August 2007
Steve Elliott knows Bristol Rovers' 14-game unbeaten run will come under the
severest of tests against West Ham's Premier League stars tonight.But the
Pirates' influential central defender - who has started the campaign in
outstanding form - is relishing the chance to pit himself against opponents
from the top echelon of the domestic game. "We're very proud of our unbeaten
record and it's something we've managed to keep going so far this season,"
said Elliott.
"We've played with confidence in a lot of cup games and there's no pressure
on us tonight because nobody will be expecting us to win. We can just go out
there and enjoy what will hopefully be a good game of football on a decent
pitch."
Rovers head into the match boosted by an impressive weekend away win at
Oldham - and their first clean sheet in eight games. "Tonight's game will be
totally different because we are playing top-quality opposition. "But at
least we are defending well again and hopefully we can take that into
tonight's game.
"It's going to be a big night at the Memorial Stadum and hopefully the fans
will get behind us. "West Ham have four top-class strikers, so any two of
them will give us a decent test. "Look at Dean Ashton. You don't cost over
£7 million unless you've got something about you and whoever plays is going
to test myself, and all the lads at the back. It's important we concentrate
and take our good form into the game."
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TROLLOPE: IT'S THE BIG TIME - This Is Bristol
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10:40 - 28 August 2007
Paul Trollope is warning his Bristol Rovers players they will face a waiting
game against West Ham in the Carling Cup tonight - before they can get the
ball off their Premier League opponents. But the Pirates' coach believes his
team's growing experience of big games will help them to cope with the
demands of tonight's Sky-televised second round clash at the Memorial
Stadium. "Last season we had some big game experience for a League Two side
- matches on Sky, play-off games, high-profile Johnstone's Paint Trophy
games - and that will stand us in good stead," said Trollope. "But we
haven't come up against opposition this good before. Hopefully the mentality
that has developed among the players over the last 18 months will help us
deal with it. "We did well to get through the last round on penalties
against Crystal Palace and it sets up a great night against Premier League
opposition. "They will be expected to beat us and it's a big challenge, but
if we can perform at our best we'll be hoping for a giantkilling."
With Dean Ashton a confirmed starter up front for a star-studded Hammers
squad, former Gas youngster Bobby Zamora could also make an appearance.
"We will need to defend solidly, be compact, resilient - and patient," added
Trollope. "West Ham are going to have a lot of possession because of their
individual technique. But if we can get our passing game going in their half
of the pitch, then hopefully we can provide some crosses and shots that will
lead to goals. "Individually, everybody is going to have to be focused and
concentrate on their own jobs."
Trollope played alongside West Ham's Portuguese star Luis Boa Morte at
Fulham and described him as "outstanding." He added: "They have a big pool
of players at their disposal and whoever plays, we know it's going to be a
big test. They have pace, skill and strength - that's why they are playing
in the Premier League. "There will be a lot more variety and pace in the
opposition's attacks than we normally come up against. But if we're solid
and can start to pass it, hopefully we can cause them a few problems. "I'm
not saying we're going to beat them, but we won't go into the game with any
sense of fear. If we can impose our game on them, you never know."
Trollope made a couple of changes for the Palace game with one eye on the
following League One fixture, and acknowledges his side tonight will be
picked with one eye on Saturday's big home clash against Nottingham Forest.
"Forest is the most important match this week, although tonight is a
tremendous occasion, and I know everybody who is fit will want to play in
it," he added. "We have a few bumps and bruises after the weekend with David
Pipe, Craig Disley and Aaron Lescott, but we are hopeful everyone will be
available."
The game is all-ticket and none remain on sale. A crowd of around 11,000 is
expected.
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Bellamy keen on Rovers return - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:39am on 28th August 2007
Dean Ashton has been promised his first West Ham start for manager Alan
Curbishley on the way back to relaunching his Premier League and England
career but co-striker Craig Bellamy insists he is just as desperate to play
against Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup tomorrow night. West Ham fans with
bitter memories of such defeats against Oldham, Northampton and, more
recently Chesterfield in this competition will be wary of the trip to the
Memorial Stadium rugby stronghold but both Ashton and Wales' star Bellamy
are relishing the occasion. Ashton admits he can hardly wait now to kick off
under Curbishley after nearly a year in the injury-wilderness recovering
from the ankle he fractured in training with the England squad last August.
And Bellamy, who arrived at West Ham in a £7 million move this summer with a
bad-boy reputation from his days at Newcastle, Blackburn and Liverpool, is
anxious to make his mark in a new front-line partnership with a return to
familiar surroundings. Bellamy, 28, must recover from a groin strain to face
Rovers, but revealed: "I would love to be involved, if I'm honest. "Rovers
are the first club I was ever with. I was in their kind of School of
Excellence at the age of nine when my local club Cardiff didn't have much
for youngsters and I had to cross the bridge. "Their fans today won't know
this but I was there for about two years - before Jamie Cureton and then me
were both poached by Norwich."
That started Bellamy on a league career in which he has had more than a few
brushes with authority and a tendency for itchy feet but he sees himself
settling down at West Ham. He said: "I've signed for five years and, touch
wood, I will see out my career here. "Maybe because of the surgery I had to
have as a very young player that might not take me to 34 or 35 but those
five years are going to be very important for me to cement my name here.
"There is big competition for places at West Ham, what with Deano coming
back and there might be another forward coming in (before transfer deadline)
but you need that because you know if you don't do well somebody will take
your place. "It is not rotation here it is a case if you are playing well,
you are in. That is what everybody wants. You want to be fighting and
looking over your shoulder. "I don't care what people say about what
happened at Liverpool and the other clubs. I'm here now and want to get my
first goal. "I wanted to come here because a knew a lot of people and West
Ham ended last season very well after getting into the bad habit of getting
used to losing. "The fans really get behind you here if they see you are
willing to work and battle and that suits me."
Bellamy was given huge applause when he came off 15 minutes from the end of
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wigan having had a "goal" disallowed and run
himself into the ground at the expense of a "tweaked groin." But the big
cheer was still not as loud as the one for Ashton's arrival as an earlier
substitute.
Boss Alan Curbishley admits: "People have criticised me for easing Deano
back but he knows it is for his benefit. The ankle injury is over now, it is
match-fitness that was the question. "Now it is time to let him loose and
let him show us what he can really do. You have to remember I've been here
eight months and, until the last few games, hadn't seen him in a West Ham
shirt." Ashton said: "The backing I get from the fans at West Ham gives me a
real buzz and I want to get out on the pitch and show how much I appreciate
it. "The boss has made sure I am patient but I've got ambitions which
include the England squad again and getting back in for West Ham is tough
enough. Now I'm really pushing to be let loose and make a start."
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Green fears Rovers scent blood - Daily Mail
By SIMON CASS - More by this author »
Last updated at 21:56pm on 27th August 2007
Robert Green knows all about the embarrassment of a televised upset after
crashing out of the Carling Cup in front of the cameras to lowly
Chesterfield last season. And the West Ham goalkeeper clearly feels Sky's
producers have a taste for the macabre when it comes to West Ham's second
round tie against League One Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on
Tuesday. 'Last season was a massively disappointing game at Chesterfield and
Sky are sensing blood again,' said Green. 'It's our job to get it right by
putting on a professional performance. I can come out with all the old
cliches about it being tough, but if we go there keyed up then we should
win, even if we are not at the top of our game.'
Manager Alan Curbishley is likely to field a strong side which should see
striker Dean Ashton start for the first time since his ankle injury on
England duty last summer. 'If you go back in my history, we've always
attacked the League Cup,' said Curbishley. 'I think it's a tournament that a
Premiership club is going to win and why not West Ham?' Bristol Rovers'
defiant manager Paul Trollope, perhaps sniffing blood himself, said: 'The
pressure is all on West Ham. 'We'll give them a huge amount of respect
because we know they are a real force and will provide a tough challenge.
But we will not fear them.'
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Lee's back on the goal trail as Hammers go for Europe - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:37am on 28th August 2007
Lee Bowyer hopes his goal against Wigan will open the floodgates for the
rest of the season - starting with West Ham's Carling Cup second-round tie
at Bristol Rovers tonight. The midfielder is likely to be in Alan
Curbishley's starting line-up after scoring his first goal since 2006 and
said: "It's a big relief but hopefully now I've scored the first one, the
goals will start flooding in. "I've done everything but score but against
Wigan it was nice to be slipped in with a pass so I could slide it past the
'keeper. "It was like the chances I used to take regularly in the old days
and hopefully it will be the the first of many." The 30-year-old midfield
player is happy to be playing for the club he supported as a youngster from
Canning Town. He said: "I've been playing in the centre of midfield, but the
manager put me on out wide and that was perfectly all right with me. "I love
this club and I don't care where I play as long as I get a game. The manager
knows I can finish. You don't lose that ability but sometimes you just need
that little bit of luck. I kept thinking, 'please, this just can't carry on'
but fortunately enough I had a proper chance against Wigan and I took it."
Curbishley will emphasise the importance of tonight's tie by starting
striker Dean Ashton for the first time this season. The West Ham manager has
erred on the side of caution up to now, sending on Ashton as a second half
substitute in two of the three Premiership games played so far. Tonight,
though, Ashton, who is now fully recovered from the broken ankle which kept
him out all last season, starts against the League One team, to underline
Curbishley's ambition to do well in what is regarded as the least important
of the three domestic competitions. He said: "A Premier League club normally
wins the Carling Cup, so why can't it be us? It's a route into Europe and we
are going to give it our best shot. "We have to be careful with Dean
because, although the ankle is fine now, we have to guard against the
possibility of strains elsewhere. He was out for a long time and he has to
be nursed along a little."
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West Ham Line Up Bid For Reading's Shorey - goal.com
It is being reported that West Ham United have made an official bid of £5
million bid for Reading's England left-back Nicky Shorey. According to The
Sun, Reading have turned down a £5 million offer from West Ham United for
their highly-rated England full-back Nicky Shorey - but will have their
resolve tested when the Hammers come back with an improved bid. The
newspaper reckons West Ham manager Alan Curbishley will not give up and
indeed is confident that Shorey will be lining up in a Hammers shirt at the
Madejski Stadium on Saturday after completing a move just before the
transfer window slams shut. Curbishley has reportedly been on Shorey's trail
for some time and decided to act on Monday following the Hammers'
unconvincing home draw against Wigam Athletic at the weekend. Although
Newcastle are also said (by The Sun) to be interested in Shorey, West Ham's
is apparently the first firm bid received by the Royals for the 26-year-old.
Shorey has not signed a new contract with Reading and has less than two
years to run before his current deal expires.
Left-back is a problem position for Curbishley at the Boleyn Ground. He has
considered deploying Danny Gabbidon in that position and indeed played the
Wales centre-half at left-back in some of he Hammers' pre-season games. For
tonight's Carling Cup second round tie at Bristol Rovers, Curbishley is
expected to start with Northern Ireland international George McCartney at
left-back.
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Man City, West Ham wait as Gudjohnsen told to leave
tribalfooball.com - August 28, 2007
West Ham United remain in the frame for unwanted Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. Manchester City have also been linked with the ex-Chelsea man,
who has been told to find himself a new club this week. "Eidur knows the
situation," said Barca sports chief Txiki Begiristain. "We now have six
players in front of him."
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Banned Lazaridis seeks to clear his name - The Guardian
SINGAPORE, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Soccer news in brief from around the world:
Former Australia international Stan Lazaridis on Tuesday insisted he was not
a drugs cheat after being handed a one-year ban following a positive test
last year. The former West Ham and Birmingham midfielder tested positive for
finasteride -- a masking agent -- which was present in medication he was
taking to treat hair loss. "I have always prided myself on being a fair
player and have never once tried to gain an unfair advantage in any way," he
said in a statement.
"The FFA (Football Federation of Australia) Anti Doping Tribunal stated in
their verdict that I'm not a drug cheat. "I always had a fear that people
would perceive it that way but I want to make it clear that I am strongly
opposed to anyone using performance enhancing substances."
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DON'T BE FAZED BY BIG NAMES, WARNS PHILLIPS - Western Daily Press
BY CHRIS SWIFT
08:00 - 28 August 2007
Experienced keeper Steve Phillips is warning his Bristol Rovers team-mates
not to be fazed by the name game when they look at the opposition team-sheet
ahead of tonight's clash with West Ham.The shot-stopper knows it would be
all too easy for the League One side to get psyched out by the multi-million
pound array of talent the Premier League club will bring to the Memorial
Stadium.
Not only did Hammers boss Alan Curbishley break the club's transfer record
by paying £7.5 million to recruit Craig Bellamy from Anfield over the
summer, he also forked out £6m to capture England star Kieron Dyer from
Newcastle and £3m to take Freddie Ljungberg from London rivals Arsenal. Add
those big names to a squad already containing the likes of Dean Ashton
(£7.25m from Norwich) and Luis Boa Morte (£5m from Fulham), and it's not
hard to see that there is a certain degree of economic disparity between the
squads on duty for the Carling Cup second round clash. "People have been
wondering whether Ashton is going to play, whether Bellamy is going to play,
whether Boa Morte is going to play ??? to me, that doesn't matter," insisted
Phillips. "They are all as good as each other and it's important we don't
get affected by names. From my point of view, I just have to concentrate on
talking to my defenders the way I would in any other game. "We are not going
to kid ourselves, because West Ham are a quality outfit and we will be
tested."
Rovers succeeded in shutting out the opposition for the first time since
April's 1-0 win over Swindon when they overcame Oldham at Boundary Park at
the weekend, thanks mainly to a solid defensive streak which ran right
through the team. "We'd like to think it would take something special to
break us down, although we know West Ham are capable of doing that," added
Phillips. "But we will give a good account of ourselves and I think we can
cause them problems as well. "I think we are looking as good as we did last
season at the back and better going forward. "And as long as goals don't go
flying past me tonight, to be honest I don't care whether I'm in for a busy
night or a quiet one."
Steve Elliott, meanwhile, knows Bristol Rovers' 14-game unbeaten run will
come under the severest of tests against West Ham's Premier League stars
tonight.
But the Pirates' influential central defender - who has started the campaign
in outstanding form - is relishing the chance to pit himself against
opponents from the top echelon of the domestic game. "We're very proud of
our unbeaten record and it's something we've managed to keep going so far
this season," said Elliott. "We've played with confidence in a lot of cup
games and there's no pressure on us tonight because nobody will be expecting
us to win. We can just go out there and enjoy what will hopefully be a good
game of football on a decent pitch."
Rovers head into the match boosted by an impressive weekend away win at
Oldham - and their first clean sheet in eight games. "Tonight's game will be
totally different because we are playing top-quality opposition. But at
least we are defending well again and hopefully we can take that into
tonight's game."
Rovers defender Joe Jacobson has been named in the Wales Under-21 squad to
play France in Grenoble on September 7.
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LAWRENCE HOPES FOR SLICE OF LUCK TO BEAT OLD PAL CURBS - Western Daily Press
BY CHRIS SWIFT C.SWIFT@BEPP.CO.UK
08:00 - 28 August 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley owes a lot to Lennie Lawrence. But Bristol
Rovers' director of football will know better than to expect any favours
from the man whose career he helped to shape when Curbishley brings his
star-studded Hammers side to the Memorial Stadium this evening. Lawrence not
only signed Curbishley as a player when he was in charge at Charlton in
1984, but brought him back to The Valley as player-coach in 1990.
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PATIENT PIRATES WILL BE READY - Western Daily Press
BY CHRIS SWIFT C.SWIFT@BEPP.CO.UK
08:00 - 28 August 2007
Paul Trollope is warning his Bristol Rovers players they face a waiting game
against West Ham in the Carling Cup tonight - before they can get the ball
off their Premier League opponents. But the Pirates' coach believes his
team's growing experience of big games will help them cope with the demands
of tonight's Sky-televised second-round clash at the Memorial Stadium. "Last
season we had some big-game experience for a League Two side - matches on
Sky, play-off games, high-profile Johnstone's Paint Trophy games - and that
will stand us in good stead," said Trollope.
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Turks reconsider Hammers bid - all3points.com
28th August 2007
By Staff Writer
Turkish club Fernhabache are reconsidering West Ham's move for midfielder
Stephen Appiah according to reports over the weekend. West Ham made a bid
for the Ghanaian international in July only to be told that the Turkish club
were not willing to release him. At the time Appiah threatened to go on
strike when the deal was blocked. Reports over the weekend claim that
Fernhabache have had a change of heart and are now ready to cash in on the
player who is likely to cost West Ham around £5 million.
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Hammers move for Tugay - all3points.com
28th August 2007
By Staff Writer
West Ham are lining up a move for Blackburn's experienced Turkish midfielder
Tugay. Tugay had looked to be on his way out of Rovers this summer when his
previous deal expired but boss Mark Hughes offered the Turkish international
a 1 year extension. Hammers boss Alan Curbishely believes that Tugay could
provide the necessary experience missing from his young squad and reports
over the weekend claim he will this week ask Blackburn if he can buy out the
last 10 months of the 37 year old's contract.
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Fenerbache to let Appiah Leave? - ghanaweb
Fernhabache are reconsidering West Ham's move for Ghana national team
captain, Stephen Appiah, according to reports over the weekend. West Ham
made a bid for the midfielder in July only to be told that the Turkish
champions were not willing to release him. At the time Appiah threatened to
go on strike when the deal was blocked. Reports over the weekend claim that
Fernhabache have had a change of heart and are now ready to cash in on the
player who is likely to cost West Ham around £5 million.
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