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Submitted by Neville Nixon on 10 October, 2007 - 23:10.
Hammers home game against Sunderland on the 21st of October could be a
defining moment for Alan Curbishley, if his team fail against Roy Keane's
then his management credentials will be called to book, a victory on the
other hand will see his team sitting in a comfortable midfield berth. The
outcome of the game rests fairly with how many players are available to the
West Ham manager, despite the official line he can be none too pleased to
see Craig Bellamy jetting off with the Wales team, although the surgeon who
operated on both him and Michael Owen recommends a quick return to playing.
A more serious problem is who will partner Bellamy up front?, that is of
course assuming that he returns from International duty unscathed. Carlton
Cole is the only established striker available but both Noberto Solano and
Luis Boa-Morte have played as forwards for their previous clubs with some
distinction. Hammers have strangely let Hogan Ephraim extend his loan at
Queen's Park Rangers for a third month. This 19 year old winger is a bright
prospect and yet another potential star to emerge from the Carr Academy, he
joined the Championship side on loan in August and has made nine appearances
, opening his scoring account against Colchester United last week. He will
now stay at Rangers until November the 6th. Why on earth has he not been
retained in case his services are needed? After all, Mark Noble was out on
loan last season but then came back and the rest is history. The combination
of experienced Pro's and raw young talent has stood West Ham well in the
past, and given the fact that the experienced Pro's are all high profile
players with great experience and presence there shouldn't be a problem with
them playing alongside and encouraging the younger players who come through
the ranks. Fortunately Australia aren't involved in any matches during the
International break, which will give Hammers captain Lucas Neill a chance to
have a bit of a rest, because his recent performances have been far of the
high standard that he sets for himself, he has looked really leggy of late
and has seemed to be beaten for pace more often than not. This is not the
Lucas Neill of last season, marauding down the flank when needed and always
there to marshal his defence by leading by example. A couple of weeks should
do him the world of good, as it will for Anton Ferdinand, but Scott Parker,
Dean Ashton and Henri Camara don't have a prayer for being fit in time for
the visit of the Black Cats. In midfield Curbs will have to try and work out
a way of incorporating Freddi Ljungberg and Lee Bowyer along with Mark Noble
and Hayden Mullins if he wants to at least retain some modicum of
creativity. 4-4-2 is Curbs' preferred formation and he tends to come unstuck
when he mixes it up, so perhaps he is better off sticking with what he knows
best. Either way Hammers will have to come out of the blocks fast in order
to put pressure on what will be a well drilled Sunderland team, it's a pity
that they don't still have Jim Montgomery in goal!
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Southampton set to send Dailly back to West Ham
tribalfooball.com - October 10, 2007
Southampton boss George Burley says defender Christian Dailly is likely to
return to West Ham when his one-month loan deal finishes next week. Dailly,
33, has made four starts for the Saints but the arrival of Phil Ifil from
Tottenham and Middlesbrough's Andrew Davies could end his spell. Burley told
BBC Radio Solent: "He's available for the Cardiff game and we'll look at it
from there. "But he's back in the Scotland squad and I'm pleased he has
achieved that."
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Fulham's Konchesky has no West Ham regrets
tribalfooball.com - October 10, 2007
Fulham fullback Paul Konchesky is delighted with his decision to quit West
Ham United in the summer. "It got to the stage where I just wanted to be
playing football regularly," he told fulhamfc.com. "When the new manager
came in at Christmas my chances became increasingly limited and at 26 I am
entering the peak of my career, so to waste that sitting on the bench made
no sense to me. "When the opportunity arose to speak to Fulham and I sat
down and spoke with the Manager I knew it was right for my career. Just
seeing the amount of investment the Chairman was making and the ideas that
the manager wanted to put in place really appealed to me. "I'm a London boy
and I have played my entire career in this city, although I got offers from
elsewhere. I think more important than anything it wasn't about just being
in London, but the chance and the new experience that Fulham gave to me. "I
was probably the same as everyone else really; you couldn't help but be
impressed with what he achieved during his time with Northern Ireland and
the success he generated for such a small nation. "His first spell in
management in league football was with Wycombe Wanderers and everyone
remembers the Cup run they had. But for me, the moment I spoke to him he was
making me feel welcome and explaining what part I played in his future plans
and for any player that will be appealing."
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McClaren: West Ham's Ashton devastated
tribalfooball.com - October 10, 2007
England manager Steve McClaren admits West Ham striker Dean Ashton is
"devastated" over his latest knee setback.
"I spoke to him on Monday and he was devastated," said the England manager.
"I watched him play against Aston Villa on Saturday and when I left with
five minutes to go he looked okay." The former Norwich striker had only
just won back his place in the West Ham team and was determined to force his
way into the England squad. He was initially called up by McClaren for his
first match as manager - the 4-0 win over Greece 14 months ago. But Ashton
missed the chance to make his debut because he broke an ankle in training
the day before the game and was ruled out for the entire season. McClaren
said: "It's terrible for him to miss out again but I've told him not to
worry. Once he gets his fitness and form back he'll be in contention for a
place."
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Wales boss: Bellamy comeback good for West Ham
tribalfooball.com - October 10, 2007
Wales boss John Toshack believes Craig Bellamy's return from injury will
boost West Ham. He said: "Craig looked his usual bubbly self this morning
and we just hope there is no reaction and that he can train with the team
tomorrow and Friday, and we will take it from there. I think all the
managers who have dealt with him from a Wales point of view will tell you
that it takes a lot to stop him from being involved with his country.
"Hopefully, Craig can play some part in these two matches and that will help
him when he gets back with West Ham."
Bellamy, who could face Cyprus on Saturday, admitted: "I am not surprised at
all that I am ready to play. I had the operation on Thursday and was doing
training on the bike on Friday back at West Ham. I was running on Saturday
and Sunday and have done some much sharper work since then, and I feel fine.
I could probably play now if I was asked."
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Solano believes he'll shine for West Ham
By Guardian-series
NOLBERTO Solano is confident he will get his chance at West Ham. The
32-year-old has yet to play for the club since arriving at Upton Park at the
end of August, but, nevertheless, he believes his time will come. "Lack of
matches does not make me feel desperate," he said. "I'm very experienced in
football. It's true, I'm not playing, but remember the Premier League has
just started." Solano flew out to Lima this week to play for Peru in
Saturday's match with Paraguay and the game with Chile four days later.
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Mascherano wants Reds future - Setanta
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 11 October 2007
Javier Mascherano has signalled his intent to stay on Merseyside by stating
his desire to remain at Liverpool for the foreseeable future. The Argentina
international joined The Reds on an 18-month loan agreement after ending his
time at West Ham, and now wants to commit to Rafa Benitez's side for the
long-term. "I'm very happy here. I feel settled and would like to play at
the new stadium," said the 23-year-old. "I love playing for Liverpool and if
the manager wants to keep me then I'd definitely stay for a long time.
"Liverpool are one of the world's biggest teams. They've got history,
tradition, success and great fans."
There had been talk that the diminutive midfielder would seek a move away
from The Premier League after becoming rustrated with Benitez's rotation
policy, but Mascherano dismissed talk of him being unhappy with such a
system. "Rafa's always used rotation so why would he stop it when it has
brought him so much success?" he added. "I know if I want to play I need to
work really hard. We have good players in every position so no one has the
right to start every match."
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