John Pantsil was in positive mood after coming on for the frantic finale at
Coventry City
31.10.2007
John Pantsil was a happy man today after helping West Ham United through to
the Carling Cup quarter-finals on his first appearance of the season. The
Ghana right-back had not been involved in first-team action since January
but entered the fray for the final 30 minutes of last night's cup tie at
Coventry City. It was to be an eventful last half-hour as a lively home side
took the lead before a deflected Luis Boa Morte shot and Carlton Cole's
last-gasp winner sent the travelling party home in upbeat mood. "I think it
was a good start for me," Pantsil said. "It was a tough game but we were
able to get through to the quarter-finals. I'm so happy for the performance
the players put in at the end and I'm looking to do well for the team as
well as the fans. "We are happy that we were able to cope with a team from
the Championship who were out to prove that they are better than a Premier
League team," he added. "So we had to prove that we deserve to be in the
league above them."
Pantsil was unfazed by playing in right midfield as a replacement for Mark
Noble, saying he was just pleased to be involved and get the chance to do
his best. "It was OK," he added. "I was told by the manager where to play
and as a professional player I have to be ready for anything. "If we had
lost it would have been a long journey home for us on the coach. No one
would be laughing. Now we are happy that we have qualified for the
quarter-finals and that will give us more strength for the next game. We
will do well for the fans and the club as well. "We have to keep our heads
together, keep on doing the good work and if we continue like this things
will be OK. This season is going to be a great season for West Ham United."
The club will learn their quarter-final opponents on Saturday lunchtime but
for early ticket details click here. To view all the Coventry highlights,
and action from every other game this season, go to WHUTV.
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Cup update for season ticket holders - WHUFC
Enrol within the automatic cup scheme for a potential quarter-final home tie
31.10.2007
Season-ticket holders can prepare for a potential home Carling Cup
quarter-final tie by enrolling now within the automatic cup scheme.
After last night's 2-1 fourth-round win at Coventry City, West Ham United
became the first club through to the last eight. The next round is due to be
played on 18/19 December with the draw to take place this Saturday
afternoon.
Should the club be drawn at home, tickets will go on sale to season ticket
holders from 9am on Wednesday 7 November. Season ticket holders enrolled
within the automatic cup scheme, however, would automatically have their
credit or debit cards debited and the booking processed without the need for
contacting the ticket office.
To enrol within the automatic cup scheme, simply call the ticket office on
0870 112 2700 (option 3) or click here. Once done, select the My Account tab
and then Manage Cup Ticket Scheme.
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Wright sets sights on success - WHUFC
Summer signing Richard Wright is out to make his mark in the Carling Cup
01.11.2007
Richard Wright is relishing the chance to prove himself at West Ham United
after his third Carling Cup appearance of the season. The outstanding
Premier League form of England goalkeeper Robert Green has restricted
Wright's appearances this campaign to the cup competition and the run into
the last eight has left the 29-year-old with the prospect of another
opportunity to shine. Although he was not really tested in Tuesday's 2-1
defeat of Coventry City, he was just grateful to be in the spotlight again.
"I didn't have a great deal to do in a way but for me it is nice to be
playing in the team and hopefully go out there more often," the Ipswich-born
shot-stopper told WHUTV. "Hopefully I will get to play in the next round as
well. It wasn't the best performance but the main thing is we are in the
draw."
The quarter-final lineup is particularly tough with all eight contenders
from the Premier League. Among them are Arsenal and Everton, two of Wright's
former clubs, with the latter the team he left in the summer after five
years. He is under no illusion about the task facing his new colleagues. "Of
course, when you play the Premier League teams, it will be very difficult,"
he said. "We are looking forward to it. When you get to the quarter-finals
of the Carling Cup, it doesn't matter who you get."
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Fans Forum date in December - WHUFC
All season ticket holders and club members can apply to attend
01.11.2007
The next Fans Forum will take place at the Boleyn Ground on Monday 3
December with another group of supporters getting the chance to take part.
CEO Scott Duxbury and Finance Director Nick Igoe will take questions from
fans at 7pm in the Bobby Moore Suite. All season ticket holders and club
members can apply to attend, by clicking here.
Please include your full name, address, postcode and patron number. Places
for the forum are limited and will be issued on a first come, first served
basis. The club will be announcing further forum dates soon.
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Last eight confirmed for Carling Cup - WHUFC
West Ham United's potential quarter-final opponents have been finalised
31.10.2007
A strong lineup has been confirmed for Saturday's Carling Cup quarter-final
draw. West Ham United became the first team through with a 2-1 defeat of
Coventry City on Tuesday night and a further seven Premier League sides
reached the last eight this evening. The club are involved at this stage of
the competition for the first time since the 1999/00 season.
The full lineup is:
Arsenal
Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea
Everton
Liverpool
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
The matches will be played on 18/19 December, with the semi-finals following
over two legs on 8/9 and 22/23 January. The final will be played at Wembley
Stadium on 24 February. Season ticket holders who have not yet enrolled in
the automatic cup scheme can click here for more information.
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Cole determined to take chance - SSN
Striker aims to get career back on track
Last updated: 1st November 2007
West Ham striker Carlton Cole admits he has still not fulfilled his true
potential. The former Chelsea striker's promising career has stalled after a
series of unsuccessful loan stints at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa. But
after initially struggling following his move to Upton Park, the
24-year-old, scorer of the injury-time winner in Tuesday's Carling Cup
success over Coventry, is determined not to blow his latest opportunity at
the big time. I don't believe I have lived up to certain expectations of
me," said Cole. "People have always expected a bit much of me but the
managers and coaches I have worked with have seen what I can do. "I know
what the West Ham fans have seen of me so far has not been good enough. I am
24 now. I feel I should have a lot of games under my belt now but I haven't.
"I accept I have not helped myself sometimes but this is a little window for
me. I am getting older now. I realise I have an opportunity to fulfil my
dream and I don't want to waste it."
Cole also feels that his career has not been helped by a run of unfortunate
injuries at crucial times but now hopes to prove himself to Alan Curbishley
with a good run in the first-team. He added: "You are going to get
criticised when it doesn't look like you are putting in a shift but
sometimes it has been a bit unjust. "I have always tried my hardest but I
have hardly ever been 100 per cent fit. "I always seems to get my chance
when I am coming back from injury and it doesn't quite happen for me. It is
a bit hard when you are under pressure to impress everybody, although you
have to take the rough with the smooth. "It means a lot to get a run of
games. It builds my confidence up because no matter where I have been, I
never seem to be the first choice. "But the manager has shown faith in me
and I just want to repay that by scoring goals."
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Vinny's Coventry Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Wed Oct 31 2007
League Cup 4th Round
Coventry City 1 West Ham United 2
A last gasp winner from Carlton Cole sent West Ham into the last eight of
the League Cup despite a below par performance which saw three new injuries
hit our already depleted squad.
Despite being absolutely delighted at the final whistle, I can't overlook
the fact that we were shocking for most of the game. Some strange tactics
from Alan Curbishley didn't help matters as he decided to play only one up
front. When we conceded we went to two up front and scored two goals.
Like the players, the fans were also subdued and never really go going until
some last minute piss taking out of the Coventry supporters who had been
telling us that they were going to Wembley.
It was West Ham's first time at the Ricoh Arena, a stadium which Coventry
moved into a few years ago. It was like every other new stadium in England
and there is little difference between a host of other grounds such as
Reading, Derby, and Wigan.
As the kick off approached, I was waiting for the Coventry fans to turn up
as there were so many empty seats and as the game kicked off, those empty
seats remained.
From the battling point at Fratton Park on Saturday, several changes were
made to the starting line up although the formation of 4-5-1 was kept the
same. In goal, Richard Wright came in for Robert Green for his third
consecutive League Cup start.
In defence, Danny Gabbidon was dropped to the bench in favour of Anton
Ferdinand. In midfield, Matthew Etherington returned to the left wing in
place of Nolberto Solano who was cup tied. Craig Bellamy was out injured
(and will be for some time) so Lee Bowyer came in for him. This saw Bowyer
go into the middle alongside Mullins and Noble with Luis Boa Morte occupying
the right wing role.
The first fifteen minutes had little in way of chances as each team decided
to keep giving the ball back to each other. Coventry looked to make life for
our defenders uncomfortable by playing long, high passes towards their
attackers. We couldn't find our feet and were struggling to play any sort of
football, with the game looking congested in the centre of midfield.
Coventry had what you could call the first chance of the game with a header
from De Zeeuw from a free kick played into the area which was head over
Richard Wright's goal.
Our first shot also came from a free kick when Bowyer was fouled about 25
yards from goal. The ball was knocked to Mark Noble who smashed the ball at
goal but it was always rising and only found the Coventry supporters.
For a very brief spell we started to play some decent passing football with
Bowyer and Mullins at the heart. This good build up led to Etherington
crossing the ball for Mullins who had started the move and looked to finish
it, but his header was off target.
Coventry continued to get the ball forward quickly and try to get our
defenders in a one on one situation. One of these occasions saw George
McCartney booked (harshly) for a fouls on Misfud.
Our main problem was that we had all these midfield players but no one to
pass too. When the ball was played out to the left, Etherington was
reluctant to run at his man and instead waited for McCartney to overlap him
and every occasion which slowed down our attacks.
Up front, Carlton Cole was working hard to win headers and put defenders
under pressure but with little support he could not make anything happen.
Luis Boa Morte, was finding it hard to get involved and when he did get the
ball he often tried one trick to many and ended up losing the ball. But it
was Boa Morte who was involved in an incident which should have changed the
face of the game but for some strange officiating from referee Rob Styles.
The Portuguese Winger put bear down on defender Ben Turner who seemed to be
unaware of how close Boa Morte was to him. Boa Morte won the ball and tried
to break free of the grip Turner had on him. It was clear even from the
other end, that Turner was holding him back and eventually seemed to drag
him to the floor just outside the box. The ref gave nothing when it surely
should have been a free kick and red card. The West Ham players protested
furiously and Lucas Neill found himself in the referee's book for dissent.
We did not muster one shot on target during the first half which was of
course a little worrying but having watched West Ham this season closely it
was not much of a surprise as we seem like a side void of playing decent
attacking football, and seem unable to create many chances.
On change was made at half time and it was Hayden Mullins who was taken off
with Jonathan Spector replacing him. This seemed odd to most of us, but we
have since learnt that Mullins had taken a knock.
Despite being forced into this change, Alan Curbishley did not want to
change his strange formation with Jonathan Spector going into centre
midfield when it would have made more sense to put him on the right and Boa
Morte up front.
Although we didn't look much better it was clear that Etherington had been
told to be a little braver as he finally started to run at the defender and
attempt to get a few crosses into the box.
Our first half chance of the second half fell to Bowyer who received the
ball after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area but his shot was
poor and went high over the bar.
Cole saw his header go wide from a cross from the left as it looked as
though we were starting to take control of the game.
Despite looking a little better, Coventry fired a warning as Misfud had the
ball in the back of the net only for an offside flag to deny him.
Another change was made with Mark Noble being replaced (another with injury)
and John Pantsil came on. You would have thought that as Pantsil is a right
sided player, Curbishley would now have to change this boring and safe
formation and play a 4-4-2 but Pantsil went into centre midfield alongside
Bowyer and Spector.
Coventry seemed to step up a gear at this point, forcing a number of corners
and free kicks. There was a sense in the air that things could turn sour for
us and on the 68th minute they did.
A cross into the area from Osbourne found two totally unmarked Coventry
players in acres of space and Jay Tabb met the ball with a header past
Wright to put the home side one up.
It seemed that that old familiar feeling was rushing back to the West Ham
fans who have suffered many a night at a lower league club which ended in
defeat.
As the Coventry fans taunted us with chants of "We're Going to Wembley", we
hit back immediately with a goal just three minutes after theirs.
A free kick was awarded and played into the area by Neill. The ball was
headed clear but only as far as Luis Boa Morte who hit a shot, which took a
wicked deflection and into the back of the net.
Relief more than joy could be felt among the travelling support, and there
was now just under twenty minutes left before another half hour of extra
time.
Coventry reacted well to losing their lead as they continued to force a host
of corner kicks. On the break we looked dangerous with Etherington getting
the better of the Coventry right back on more than one occasion and it was
hit cross shot which went agonisingly across goal, but no one was there to
put the ball into the goal.
Another injury resulted in our third and final substitution with Anton
Ferdinand limping off and Danny Gabbidon replacing him.
Three minutes of injury time were given and neither side really looked like
getting that winning goal, yet out of nothing a winner was found, to send
the West Ham fans into jubilation.
A long ball forward was misjudged by Turner in the Coventry defence and
Carlton Cole managed to shrug him off and coolly finish to break Coventry
hearts and send West Ham into the Quarter Finals of the League Cup.
It was pandemonium in the stand, with the dramatic ending making up for 90
minutes of poor football.
Player Reviews
Richard Wright
I was never really happy with him throughout the game as I thought he looked
a little nervous. He never had a real save to make and although he did claim
his fair share of crosses he never looked truly convincing.
Lucas Neill
Was pleased with the Captain's showing. looked solid throughout and stood up
to the physical test which Coventry put on. He like the whole defence did
their job well for the majority.
Matthew Upson
You would expect him to be dominant against a Championship side and that he
was. Immense in the air and looked strong throughout.
Anton Ferdinand
Apart from a couple of dodgy moments, Anton, like Upson was strong and
showed good technical ability throughout. Calmer on the ball than the other
defenders, the injury to Anton is a blow because I still believe he is our
best centre half.
George McCartney
No doubt that this was his poorest performance of the season. The usual
dependable performer seemed rattled throughout this encounter. Just a blip I
would think and one bad performance doesn't make you shit.
Lee Bowyer
I don't know if I was the only one, but I thought Bowyer played quite well.
His passing was usually decent and had the knack of winning a number of free
kicks when he had run himself into trouble. The thing with Bowyer is that if
you give him time and space he can hurt the best teams, but he doesn't get
this time in the premiership. With so many injuries in midfield, expect to
see a lot more of him.
Mark Noble
For the third game running we didn't really see much of Noble. Never got a
hold of the game and didn't see the ball too often before he came off with
injury. Maybe we are expecting too much from the youngster but as he has
shown us what he can do before, you can't help but be a little disappointed
by another flat performance.
Hayden Mullins
It is hard to pick out any player who had a good first half performance but
Mullins may well be that player. Of all our players, he was the one looking
to play some football on the floor with a few passing moves started by him.
An injury to him is yet another blow.
Matthew Etherington
Played like a coward in the first half, and put in one of those performances
which makes Etherington nothing more but a championship player. He didn't
want to take anyone on, he didn't want to get stuck in and I think if he was
black fans might even call him lazy. But the second half he looked much
better. Took players on, got down that left hand side and put some crosses
in – like a left winger should.
Luis Boa Morte
Most of us are not convinced about him as a left winger, so why he would do
any better on the right is beyond me. Until he went up front for the last 20
he had done nothing more than frustrate the fans with his constant inability
to keep the ball and make the correct, simple pass.
Carlton Cole
His efforts deserved a goal as he put in another tireless performance. With
so many injuries up front we need him to step up and lead the line and he
doing just that. Took his goal well and we will be wanting more goals from
him this weekend.
Subs Used
Jonathan Spector (on for Mullins 45)
Not a centre midfielder, and look totally lost.
John Pantsil (on for Noble 61)
Not a centre midfielder and looked totally lost until the Coventry goal,
when we put Boa Morte up front with Pantsil going to the right wing where
looked much better.
Danny Gabbidon (on for Ferdinand 85)
Didn't have much to do in the short time he was on.
Overall
We are through to the last eight of the League cup and that has got to be
the most important thing we take out of this game. The performance was not
good enough and our style of football is boring and predictable, but the job
was done and this is a competition we can go all the way in.
Bolton are next up on Sunday at Upton Park, and this is a game that we
really should be winning, even if we just want to be a mid table side.
With the injuries we have it is hard to know which side will be starting and
we can only hope a few players can find some fitness in time for a game that
is there for the taking.
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Carlton Cole vows he can fulfil promise - Telegraph
By Martin Smith
Last Updated: 1:05am GMT 01/11/2007
As a teenager Carlton Cole was lauded not only as a sure-fire Chelsea
striker way into the future, but for England, too. Now, as he approaches his
24th birthday, he wonders where it all went wrong. Claudio Ranieri gave him
his debut, aged 18, nearly six years ago, and Peter Taylor said he had the
potential to move on from his under-21 team and break into the senior
England squad. Yet more than half the 120 first-team appearances he has made
for Chelsea, Wolves, Charlton, Aston Villa and now West Ham, have been as a
substitute; the early promise has not been fulfilled.
"Obviously, I have not lived up to certain expectations," Cole admitted.
"But I don't want to leave any stone unturned throughout my whole career. I
don't want to waste my career."
Alan Curbishley, his manager at West Ham, said: "He has had a difficult
time. I had him [on loan] at Charlton four years ago, and he did ever so
well for me. Then he decided not to stay there, went to Villa and got a
little bit lost, then went back to Chelsea and got lost again. He has all
the attributes. He needs to be given a run, and be given a chance."
Injuries to Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora have provided that
opportunity, and he rewarded Curbishley's patience with the winning goal at
Coventry in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
"No matter where I have been, I have never really been the first-choice
striker," Cole said. "I am probably the first choice here at the moment
because no one else is fit. That gives me the confidence to go out there and
try and do a good job for the team.
"I came to the club and a lot was expected of me. I have never been given a
great chance to fulfil my potential at any of the clubs I have been with.
What the fans have seen of me so far has not been good enough."
Cole has been unable to build up a rapport with West Ham's demanding
supporters. "Obviously you are going to get criticised when it doesn't look
like you are putting in a shift," he said.
"I have always tried my hardest, but I have hardly ever been 100 per cent
fit. I always seem to get my chance when I'm coming back from injury, and it
doesn't quite happen for me. I'm thankful I scored in front of the fans at
Coventry."
Cole added: "I am definitely maturing as a player. I am nearly 24 and feel I
should have a lot of games under my belt by now. This is a little window for
me to do that."
Iain Dowie, the Coventry manager, is hoping his old club can go on to
Carling Cup glory at Wembley next spring.
Coventry, conquerors of Manchester United in the previous round, had looked
set to add another Premier League scalp to their list when Jay Tabb put them
in front midway through the second half.
But Luis Boa Morte's deflected strike pulled the visitors level within three
minutes before Cole struck to break home hearts.
"I am a West Ham fan, so now I hope they go on and win it," said Dowie, "But
for a blink of an eye it might have been us. There are a few broken hearts
in our dressing room, so it is my job to mend them."
Coventry's frustration will not be helped by the knowledge that Rob Styles,
the referee, missed a blatant handball by West Ham substitute Jonathan
Spector at the start of the move which led to Cole's winner.
Dowie, however, magnanimously refused to blame the official for his side's
exit.
"I do not want to bemoan the referee but it was handball," he said. "I am
sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he has got it wrong when he sees it."
Dowie had nothing but praise for his team, although he may reflect on a
chance that went begging given West Ham's horrific injury list and the
visitors' general poor play.
Curbishley labelled it his side's "worst performance of the season" and also
confirmed Anton Ferdinand and Hayden Mullins had picked up hamstring and
knee injuries respectively which must make them major doubts for Sunday's
Premier League encounter with Bolton at Upton Park.
Little wonder, then, the only positive Curbishley could find was in the
result.
"I am a little bit down with the performance but I will take the result," he
said. "Cup competitions are one-offs but I'm glad we are in the
quarter-final. We will look to see who we get in the next round but I hope
we play better than that.
"In the end I was just hoping we would fashion something and thankfully we
did because I was not looking forward to extra-time."
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Stoke target Quashie - The Mirror
01/11/2007
Stoke supremo Peter Coates is ready to get his chequebook out for West Ham's
out-of-favour Nigel Quashie - and beat Neil Warnock's Palace to his
signature. Quashie can quit the Hammers despite their injury crisis and
Coates is willing to match his wages and take him to the ambitious
Potteries. Palace are reluctant to pick up his salary - so Stoke have
emerged as the new favourites.
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Carlton Cole slams fans - The Mirror
By James Nursey 01/11/2007
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has slammed the club's fans for their 'unjust'
treatment and vowed to win them over with goals during the Hammers'
injury-crisis. Cole, 23, has been a target for the boo-boys after failing to
make an impact following a £2million move from Chelsea in July 2006. But
with forwards Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora all crocked, boss
Alan Curbishley is relying on Cole to add to his two-goal tally this term.
"I have a good chance to establish myself," said Cole, who scored the
Carling Cup winner at Coventry. "I've been put under a lot of pressure by my
own fans though and I feel it is a bit unjust but that is football. "I am
trying to come to terms with it. A lot was expected of me but I haven't been
given a great chance anywhere to fulfil my potential by playing regular
games. What the West Ham fans have seen of me probably hasn't been good
enough but hopefully I can finally show them what I am about. "The manager
has put a lot of faith in me and I just want to repay him and get the goals
that he needs. I don't want to leave any stone unturned."
HAMMERS HOUSE OF HORROR
Alan Curbishley has a whole team out injured
Dean Ashton: Damaged knee ligaments - out until end of November
Kieron Dyer: Broken leg - out for the season
Julian Faubert: Ruptured Achilles - out until next year
Craig Bellamy: Abdominal strain - out to end of November
Bobby Zamora: Knee injury - return date unknown
Scott Parker: Damaged knee ligaments - expected back in next few weeks
Calum Davenport: Groin strain - return date unknown
Fredrik Ljungberg: Calf strain - out until end of month
Anton Ferdinand: Hamstring - unknown
Hayden Mullins: Knee - unknown
Mark Noble: Groin problem - unknown
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Injuries provide Carlton Cole with chance to fulfil promise - The Times
Adrian Milledge
Carlton Cole is aiming to turn West Ham United's injury crisis to his
advantage by using it to establish himself in Alan Curbishley's starting
lineup and erase his reputation as l'enfant terrible.
Cole, who began his career with Chelsea, failed to realise his potential at
Stamford Bridge and during loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Aston Villa
and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Instead, the former England Under-21 striker is better known for his
association with events off the field. He was cleared by police of being
involved in the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2005 while at
Chelsea and more recently he had four cars worth about £264,000 repossessed
in the space of two months after failing to keep up with the instalment
payments.
There was another incident with the bailiffs in February when they turned up
at the West Ham training ground in Chadwell Heath, claiming that Cole owed
£800 in unpaid congestion charge fees.
Cole also failed to impress on the pitch last season, making only five
starts from a total of 19 league appearances that produced a modest two
goals, but injuries to Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora have
forced Curbishley to give him a run in the team.
And Cole, whose late goal away to Coventry City on Tuesday evening secured
West Ham's place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals, is determined to seize
his chance.
"There are a lot of injuries at the club at the moment, so I have a good
chance to establish myself," he said. "Hopefully I can do a good job. The
manager has put a lot of faith in me and I just want to repay him and get
the goals that he needs.
"I want to do as much as I can do and don't want to leave any stones
unturned in my career. I don't want to waste my career on things off the
pitch.
"I am almost 24 now and am cracking on. I feel I should have had a lot of
games under my belt, but I haven't and this is a little window for me to do
that. I have not helped the situation in my career but hopefully I can turn
the corner now."
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Pantsil delighted with rare West Ham appearance
tribalfooball.com - October 31, 2007
Ghana fullback John Pantsil was happy with a rare West Ham appearance in
this week's Carling Cup victory against Coventry. "I think it was a good
start for me," Pantsil told whufc.com. "It was a tough game but we were able
to get through to the quarter-finals. I'm so happy for the performance the
players put in at the end and I'm looking to do well for the team as well as
the fans. "We are happy that we were able to cope with a team from the
Championship who were out to prove that they are better than a Premier
League team," he added. "So we had to prove that we deserve to be in the
league above them."
Pantsil was unfazed by playing in right midfield as a replacement for Mark
Noble, saying he was just pleased to be involved and get the chance to do
his best. "It was OK," he added. "I was told by the manager where to play
and as a professional player I have to be ready for anything. "If we had
lost it would have been a long journey home for us on the coach. No one
would be laughing. Now we are happy that we have qualified for the
quarter-finals and that will give us more strength for the next game. We
will do well for the fans and the club as well. "We have to keep our heads
together, keep on doing the good work and if we continue like this things
will be OK. This season is going to be a great season for West Ham United."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole's ambition fired by feeling of potential unfulfilled
Stuart James
Thursday November 1, 2007
The Guardian
It is difficult to believe Carlton Cole could "go missing" on a football
pitch given that he stands 6ft 3in tall but many Upton Park regulars will
have endorsed Alan Curbishley's choice of words when the West Ham United
manager reflected on a career that has promised much and delivered little.
The injury-time goal that took West Ham past Coventry and into the
quarter-finals of the Carling Cup on Tuesday could be a sign that Cole is
rediscovering the form that prompted Chelsea to offer him a six-year
contract as a teenager. With West Ham's treatment room now overflowing an
opportunity beckons.
"I have been under a lot of pressure from my own fans," said Cole.
"Sometimes I think it has been a bit unjust but that is football. I am
trying to come to terms with that. I came to the club and a lot was expected
of me. But I have never been given a great chance to fulfil my potential at
any of the clubs I have been with. What the fans have seen of me so far has
not been good enough. Hopefully I can change that now.
Arsenal fans have said they are planning to demonstrate against Alisher
Usmanov at Saturday's game at home to Manchester United. The Russian has a
more than 23% stake in the club and is expected to attend the match. "We are
going to make our feelings clear that we don't really want him as any part
of our club," said Mark Brindle, chairman of the Red Action group.
Peter Ridsdale, the former Leeds United chairman, has apologised for his
part in the decline at Elland Road. "We messed up. We gambled. We won. Then
we lost. Big-time," he writes in his book, United We Fall. "For that
nightmare I hold up my hands and say sorry. I can't wind the clock back and
handle things differently. If I could, I'd be more stringent and cautious."
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BE NEW KING COLE - The Star
Carlton Cole is hell-bent on showing West Ham fans that he is not one of
football's biggest wasters. The Hammers striker is desperate to let his
goals do the talking after his last-gasp strike against Coventry clinched a
Carling Cup quarter-final spot. Cole, 23, has had a tough time from fans but
admits he has often given the critics plenty of ammunition. I've not helped
the situation, but hopefully I can turn the corner," said Cole, once
described by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri as the best player he had
ever coached. But life hasn't been a barrel of laughs for the striker who
made his debut for Chelsea at 17 and was signed on a six-year contract.
I've not helped the situation, but hopefully I can turn the corner Carlton
Cole He has had to fight off allegations over his private life, and had
£264,000 worth of cars repossessed because of a dispute over payments. He
also had bailiffs at the training ground gates amid claims that he owed
London Transport £800 in congestion zone charges. Now he's hoping to turn it
all around and push Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora for a place
in the starting line-up. Cole said: "I have been under a lot of pressure
from my own fans. "Sometimes I've felt it was a bit unjust, but you have to
deal with the rough and the smooth. "I do a lot of extra work in training
and I'm doing a lot of stuff off the field that is making my life better on
the pitch. "I've not lived up to certain expectations, but I'm getting older
now and I'm getting to realise I have a good chance of fulfilling my dream.
"The manager has put a lot of faith in me and hopefully I can get him the
goals that he needs."
Boss Alan Curbishley said: "Carlton has had a difficult time but he
understands what he has to do. "He's never had an extended run so we may see
something different from him now. "Ashton and Zamora won't be back for a
while and Bellamy is in and out so it's there for him to grab."
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Hammers'injury glut gives Cole new break - The Independent
By Simon Stone
Published: 01 November 2007
Carlton Cole is determined not to look back on a wasted career. It is now
five years since Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea manager, claimed that
Cole was the best young player he had ever worked with.
But the Chiswick-born forward's career has stalled badly since then. Loan
periods at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa failed
to revitalize him, with unfounded rape allegations hardly helping.
And, as West Ham struggled following his arrival prior to the start of last
season, a section of the Upton Park crowd singled out Cole as the scapegoat
for many of their side's ills.
However, the Hammers fans were certainly cheering the 24-year-old at
Coventry on Tuesday night, when he prodded home the injury-time winner which
booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
With Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora and Craig Bellamy all out injured, Cole is
the man that the West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley, is relying on to keep
the the team moving forward.
And, recognising a rare opportunity to become a first-team regular, Cole is
determined not to miss out. "I don't believe I have lived up to certain
expectations of me," he admitted. "People have always expected a bit much of
me but the managers and coaches I have worked with have seen what I can do.
"I know what the West Ham fans have seen of me so far has not been good
enough. I am 24 now. I feel I should have a lot of games under my belt now,
but I haven't.
"I accept I have not helped myself sometimes but this is a little window for
me. I am getting older now. I realise that I have an opportunity to fulfil
my dream and I don't want to waste it."
Cole does feel some of the attacks on him have been unwarranted,
particularly as an unfortunate run of injuries have meant he is all too
often just short of full fitness when he gets called upon, preventing him
from offering a true example of his ability. "You are going to get
criticised when it doesn't look like you are putting in a shift but
sometimes it has been a bit unjust," he said.
"I have always tried my hardest but I have hardly ever been 100 per cent
fit. I always seem to get my chance when I am coming back from injury and it
doesn't quite happen for me. It is a bit hard when you are under pressure to
impress everybody, although you have to take the rough with the smooth."
Cole confirmed that he had made changes to his lifestyle, although he
refused to specify what they were. However, no one at the Hammers will be
complaining if he carries the fight on their behalf as he did at the Ricoh
Arena on Tuesday.
Curbishley believes the 6ft 3in former England Under-21 international is
ideally suited to the lone forward role his current injury crisis has forced
upon him just now. And the fact Cole is already assured of his place for
Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with struggling Bolton is a big boost
to what has sometimes been his fragile confidence.
"It seems like we are a bit cursed injury-wise at the moment," he said. "I
am probably the only fit striker just now, which means I have a good chance
to establish myself.
"It means a lot to get a run of games. It builds my confidence up because no
matter where I have been, I never seem to be the first choice. But the
manager has shown faith in me and I just want to repay that by scoring
goals."
While Cole's second strike of the campaign kept West Ham on course for a
second cup final appearance in three years – following their thrilling 2006
FA Cup defeat to Liverpool – victory came at a cost with Anton Ferdinand's
hamstring problem looking the most serious of three more injury blows, as
Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins were also forced off.
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Cole fires up the fans - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
THE West Ham man who has had more stick than Solvite, showed once again on
Saturday that he is beginning to change the opinions of many West Ham fans -
Carlton Cole was excellent at Fratton Park, writes DAVE EVANS.
It has been a long and turbulent road for Cole, but with his 24th birthday
just a couple of weeks away, it is high time that he began to produce mature
displays to match his experience, Saturday was one of them.
One man certainly in his corner is defender Matty Upson: "He's had a
difficult time and that starts to take its toll on your performances and
belief," he explained.
"Carlton has got to start believing that he can do that job and playing like
he did at Portsmouth is going to help him start to believe that.
"He's got the raw talent, the physique and the touch, and performances like
that will do him the world of good."
They certainly will. Manager Alan Curbishley went with five in midfield to
combat Pompey, and that meant Cole playing a lone role up front. Not only
that, but it also meant he was the only man up against defenders of the
stature and class of Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin.
It was something that the striker had prepared hard for: "We were practicing
in training all week and I understood it would be a difficult job for me
against Campbell and Distin, who are both international quality players,"
said Cole.
"But I was happy putting myself about and giving them a hard time. I know I
gave them some difficulties and those are the challenges I thrive on at the
moment."
Cole scored his first goal since January against Sunderland last week, and
he almost added to that strike at Fratton Park.
George McCartney played the ball up to him on 65 minutes and with his back
to goal, Cole turned Campbell superbly before thumping a shot against the
underside of the bar.
What happened next when Nolberto Solano attempted to head the rebound in,
overshadowed the effort of Cole, but it was the nearest either team came to
breaking the deadlock.
Injuries may be the only reason that the former Chelsea man has got his
chance, but now he is in the team, he will be looking to stay there, and
certainly on recent performances, he deserves his chance.
Carlos Tevez took 20 games to get his first goal last season and Cole has
never been afforded such luxury, and may have even left during the summer.
"I had a long think about my future, because I didn't know if I was coming
or going with all the money coming into the club," he confessed.
"We had a lot of strikers at the time, and I'm not first option, but my
agent, family and friends said 'stick at it and you'll get your chance' and
hopefully I can keep it going," said Cole.
"I want to give it a go at West Ham because that's where my future lies at
the moment."
Man of the moment Rob Green also had some words of encouragement for the
striker: "We're professionals and you can say we get paid lots of money and
all the usual arguments, but the lad has come in on the back of a lot of
injuries to key forwards and is expected to perform after no minutes of
football," he explained.
"He led the line fantastically well. It's a tremendously difficult job to do
and is probably as dispiriting as it is difficult, but Carlton kept going
and to hold the ball up as he did against two gigantic centre backs was a
fantastic effort."
It was and if that shot on the turn had been half an inch lower then he
would have been the fans' hero as well as Green.
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KING COLE - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
FOR ALL those fans going to the Bolton game on Sunday, there is a simple
message - 'bring your boots, as you might get a game!'
Tuesday night's last minute victory over Coventry City booked West Ham's
place in the Carling Cup quarter finals, but it came at a price.
Hayden Mullins, Mark Noble and Anton Ferdinand were all forced off with
injuries, bringing the West Ham players currently on the treatment table to
a round dozen!
And it is not the fringe players who are suffering at Upton Park. West Ham
now have a staggering squad of sidelined talent worth over £41million, a
toll that would severely test any team in the Premiership.
For the record, the injured players are Dean Ashton (knee), Craig Bellamy
(abdomen), James Collins (calf), Calum Davenport (hernia), Kieron Dyer
(broken leg), Julien Faubert (Achilles), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring),
Freddie Ljungberg (calf), Hayden Mullins (knee), Mark Noble (groin), Scott
Parker (knee) and Bobby Zamora (knee).
On Tuesday night, manager Alan Curbishley did not look like a man whose team
were now two ties away from Wembley - he looked somewhat shellshocked.
"I'm delighted to be in the quarter finals, but we copped some injuries," he
said.
"We've attacked the competition, but we've now lost five players through it
and now it will be a struggle to put a team out!"
Besides the injuries to Noble, Mullins and Ferdinand on Tuesday, Dyer broke
his leg in two places at Bristol Rovers in round two, while Zamora suffered
his knee injury during the same game.
Bellamy will definitely not play again before the international break, and
Curbishley insisted that the striker will not be available for the Welsh
match with the Republic of Ireland on November 17.
That means Bellamy will miss out on the home game with Bolton and the trip
to Derby County, hopefully returning for the clash with Spurs at Upton Park
on November 25.
Returning to the fray on Sunday should be Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara,
who were both cup-tied on Tuesday, while Nigel Quashie, who played 90
minutes in a reserve team match last week, may get his first call-up since
March.
It must be hell for the manager at the moment, but he is not showing it: "We
will have to see how we shape up for the weekend and just get on with it,"
he said.
Now where are my boots?
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Carlton's dealing with those boo-boys - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole has revealed the two secrets behind his
resurgence in form for the Hammers - a sports psychologist and his Nan!
Ever since his arrival in the summer of 2006, the £2million capture from
Premier League giants Chelsea, has struggled to make an impression at Upton
Park, but not all of it has been his fault.
The 23-year-old centre forward has scored just three league goals in his
West Ham career, one of those within seconds of his debut against Charlton
Athletic; one at Newcastle United last season; and one last week against
Sunderland, but that must be taken into the context that he has been given
just eight Premier League starts for the Hammers, the rest of the time he
has been forced to impress off the bench.
"The fans have obviously got on my back but I've never had a string of games
in my West Ham career," he insisted. "I've always been coming in and having
to make an impact straight away, but I'm nearly 24 now and I'm trying to get
my feet on the ground."
It was Cole's attitude, particularly in training, that has caused problems
for the West Ham striker, but he is endeavouring to address his difficulties
off the field, to improve his displays on it.
"I'm now trying to work as hard as I can and I'm getting a lot of help," he
said. "I've got a sports psychologist - Daniel Abrahams - that I needed, and
I'm trying everything possible to enhance myself.
"He's with me every day and talks to me about mental things that you don't
really think about as a footballer. Some people have it naturally and some
people don't and I've needed help, he has done a lot for me."
Help is certainly what he needed. When a well-paid Premier League footballer
has the bailiffs coming to the Chadwell Heath training ground to try and
repossess his car, then you know that something is not quite right, but Cole
believes he has turned a corner.
"I've got other people off the field like my Mum, my Uncle and my Nan
Georgina, who wants to see the best for me," he revealed.
"She's always wanted the best for me and if I come off the field feeling a
bit low, then she's there for me, as are my family, my close friends and my
agent.
"Gran has arthritis in her knees so she can't get to all the games, but
she'll have been watching on the television."
Cole the promising youngster seems to be finally flourishing into Cole the
accomplished footballer, and with so many injuries hindering manager Alan
Curbishley's plans, that has to be a good thing.
The boss said: "When I came here he hadn't been playing and we told him in
pre-season that he needed to get fitter and so we have been waiting
patiently.
"It's been mix and match up front and now he's got his opportunity with the
injury situation. He's got a lot more to offer than just being a target man,
he's had it tough in the past couple of seasons and he hasn't had a chance
to establish himself and he just has to grab it."
For the final word on the matter, Cole quotes his new mentor: "As my sports
psychologist says 'You've got to play against the best to be the best' and I
want to be playing against the best in the Premier League."
Now, at long last, he is.
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Matty happy with a solid stalemate - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
WHILE injuries have affected his central defensive partners all season,
Matty Upson is thankfully steering well clear of the treatement table so far
this term, and his form is slowly improving because of it, writes DAVE
EVANS.
Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon, Calum Davenport and James Collins have all
been beset by injury problems, which comes as something of a surprise as it
was Upson who was considered by many to be too big a gamble for West Ham
because of his history on the sidelines.
Upson moved to West Ham for £6million from Birmingham in January, but played
just two games and only 41 minutes before injury ended his season and seemed
to back up the doubters fears.
However, this season has been a different story and though he has had one or
two shaky moments at the heart of the Hammers defence, he has played in
every one of their 10 Premier League matches.
The 27-year-old Suffolk-born defender was certainly pleased with Saturday's
performance at Portsmouth.
"I think we were solid enough," he confirmed. "We soaked up some pressure
and were dangerous on the break like we have been all season."
West Ham have been adopting counter attack tactics away from home this
season and played with five across midfield on Saturday to combat
Portsmouth. It is a strategy that the former England international is fully
in favour of.
"The tactic suits us and worked well against Portsmouth. We had two glaring
chances that we should have tucked away to make it even better," said Upson.
"I think our style of play and the way we set-up suits these types of away
games, so I think we'll do well on the road this season.
"We set up well and everyone did their job, so it was a good point. It's a
difficult place to play and they're in a hot run of form."
Away from home, West Ham have probably played their best football this
season, but Upson is keen that the team start to turn on the style at Upton
Park as well, starting with Sunday's live TV game with Bolton Wanderers.
"We have a massive home game against Bolton," emphasised the defender.
"We've not done ourselves justice at home yet, in my opinion.
"Our performances have not been good enough and that's something we need to
put right."
One thing that Upson is beginning to put right is the supporters perception
of him.
There may still be fans out there who doubt his ability to lead the line,
but with just nine goals conceded in 10 Premier League games, he is showing
that an in-form and fully fit Matty Upson is a huge asset to West Ham
United.
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Clamour grows for Green's big call-up - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
IT WAS Rob Green against David James on Saturday and though both kept a
clean sheet in the end, it was the West Ham man who was taking all the
plaudits, writes DAVE EVANS.
The former Norwich City man saved brilliantly from Benjani's penalty to
salvage a point, but his display was so much more than that, as his manager
was quick to highlight.
"It was a terrific performance," said Alan Curbishley. "Obviously the
penalty save will get the headlines, but he also made some saves that were
equally important."
Penalty saving is often an exact science for goalkeepers, but not for Green.
He has only saved two in his life and they have both come this season.
At Reading he confessed that he could only dive one way because he had
injured himself, while on Saturday things did not go to plan either.
"I'd done my homework on Portsmouth, but they'd had three penalties this
season and Benjani hadn't taken any of them," he confessed.
"But you get a kind of feeling that you know the ball is only going to go
one way and thankfully for myself, the boys and all the fans, he gave me a
chance to save it."
It was always going to be a tough task travelling to Portsmouth, but with
Green in goal there seems to be a confidence in the defence, that has not
always been there in the past.
"To keep a clean sheet was the most important thing because we worked
tremendously hard to do that," said Green. "We've created chances as well -
it's not as if we've come here and been battered, so we're probably
disappointed with a point until the last minute and delighted afterwards."
Green has kept four clean sheets this season, letting in just nine goals in
10 Premier League games, which compares favourably to the three goalkeepers
currently occupying the places in the England squad.
David James may have kept three clean sheets on the trot, but he has still
conceded 12 goals in 11 league games, while Scott Carson at Aston Villa, has
let-in nine goals in eight games before being sent off against Manchester
United.
Worst of the lot of course is Paul Robinson. The current England goalkeeper
has conceded 18 goals in nine Premier League games as Tottenham have
struggled at the wrong end of the table.
One man definitely calling for Green's call-up is team-mate Matty Upson who
was full of praise for the 27-year-old keeper.
"I think 'Greeno' has been in awesome form all season. He is reassuring,
commands his box and makes saves like that penalty," explained Upson on
Saturday.
"He's been outstanding and if he carries on like that, I don't see how
England can overlook him.
"I've no idea why he hasn't been called up. It's all down to the England
manager and the selection process he has, but I can't think why you'd want
to keep him out."
More and more people are thinking the same way, and perhaps Curbishley gave
West Ham and England fans a little hint of things to come when he said: "The
bottom line is that the message to Robert Green is 'keep going'. Let's just
see what happens."
We will all see and soon, there are just over two weeks before England take
on Austria in a friendly in Vienna.
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More casualties but the Battle of Ricoh is won! - Newham Recorder
31 October 2007
Coventry City 1 West Ham Utd 2
WEST HAM games are more like tours of duty than football matches these days.
But after the Battle of the Ricoh Arena, the Hammers' walking wounded limped
off with the prize of a place in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup,
writes DAVE EVANS.
It came at a cost. Anton Ferdinand hobbled off with a recurrence of his
hamstring injury; Hayden Mullins (knee) and Mark Noble (groin) also found
themselves being looked after by the medics; while Lee Bowyer earned himself
the football equivalent of the Victoria Cross as he carried on playing
despite being hardly able to walk.
Manager Alan Curbishley must be wondering what more bad luck can befall his
beleaguered troops. Already missing £35million of talent, at one stage at
Coventry, he was forced to deploy Jonathan Spector and John Pantsil as his
central midfield pairing - it is a situation that would be laughable if it
wasn't so serious.
The manager was not pulling his punches when he described his team's
display: "Coventry were the better side, we all know that," he confessed.
"We didn't win a header, we hardly won a tackle, people were running off us
and then when we did get the ball back we found it very difficult to keep
it."
In the end it was probably the fact that Curbishley was able to field his
first choice back four that was to prove the difference at the Ricoh.
Last season, on that miserable night in Chesterfield, Alan Pardew played
Pantsil at right back and gave George McCartney his debut at left back and
West Ham paid the price.
This time round, when the pressure was on, West Ham's defence held firm, and
led superbly by man of the match Matty Upson, they kept the Coventry chances
down to a minimum.
There were just two important moments in a scrappy first half. Goalkeeper
Richard Wright made a smart save from Leon Best after he had beaten
Ferdinand, before on 33 minutes came what could have been a decisive
incident.
Ben Turner lost possession to Luis Boa Morte and as the Portuguese striker
went through, he seemed to be wrestled to the ground by the retreating
defender.
Referee Rob Styles waved the claims away though and a possible goal and a
probable red card were ruled out.
Boa Morte had started up front with Carlton Cole, but Curbishley quickly
reverted to the same formation they adopted at Portsmouth on Saturday and
though it gave West Ham less attacking options, it did make them more solid.
However, those plans were almost out of the window within 15 minutes of the
start of the second half. Mullins had already been forced off at half time
and when Noble followed him on the hour, Coventry were able to take some
semblance of control.
Jay Tabb fired over the top, before Michael Mifsud followed suit, but on 68
minutes they went one better as they snatched a deserved lead.
This time Isaac Osborne spotted Tabb and Mifsud making a run to the far post
and it was Tabb who got to the cross first to head comfortably past the
exposed Wright.
It looked like a long way back for the fraught Hammers, but within three
minutes they grabbed a surprise equaliser. Lucas Neill, who had tried his
best to get himself sent off after constantly questioning the referee, swung
in a free kick from the right and when it was cleared to the edge of the
box, Boa Morte was there to fire an unconvincing shot through a crowd of
players and into the net, with the help of a deflection.
It was the lifeline that West Ham needed, but it seemed that the only option
for their walking wounded was cling on and hope for a penalty shoot-out.
George McCartney did hit the side-netting, while Matty Etherington's run and
low cross just needed a touch from Cole to find the net, but the best chance
fell to Mifsud at the other end.
In injury time, Kevin Kyle flicked the ball into the path of the man who had
put out mighty Manchester United in the last rou-nd, but as he pulled the
trigger, Upson was there to make the decisive block.
If West Ham were unlucky with the Boa Morte incident in the first half, they
got the breaks with their unlikely winner in the 93rd minute.
Spector seemed to win the ball in midfield with his arm, but Styles waved
play on and did so again when Wright's long clearance was flicked on by Boa
Morte for Cole to muscle Turner off the ball.
Knowing Styles so well, most West Ham fans must have been expecting a
whistle, but nothing came and as goalkeeper Andy Marshall went to ground too
early, Cole was able to pick his spot and fire West Ham into the quarter
finals.
For Curbishley, it was an almighty relief: "Coventry had the tempo about
them and we were doing everything to stay with them," he said.
"I'm a bit down about the performance and wasn't looking forward to extra
time."
Some Premier League teams rest their best players in the Carling Cup and
give the kids a chance. For West Ham it may prove the opposite, they play
their top players in the cup, get them injured and then find themselves
having to field the youngsters in the Premier League.
Was it worth it? Sunday's home clash with Bolton will give us a good
indication, but remember, West Ham are now just two cup ties away from a
Wembley Final so surely it must be.
The Hammers have won another battle, but will they have enough soldiers to
finally win the Carling Cup war? It doesn't look good, but if their luck
holds on the field, then absolutely anything is possible.
West Ham: Wright, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Bowyer,
Mullins (Spector h/t), Noble (Pantsil 61), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.
Unused subs: Green, Reid.
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Curbs bemoans 'ridiculous' injuries - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 31 October 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley bemoaned his 'ridiculous' injury crisis
after losing three more players in their Carling Cup win over Coventry. The
Irons triumphed 2-1 thanks to goals from Luis Boa Morte and Carlton Cole
but, like the last round, victory came at a cost in the shape of three
injuries. Anton Ferdinand appears to have suffered the worst blow with a
long-term hamstring injury, inspirational midfielder Mark Noble adopted a
groin strain, while Hayden Mullin aggravated a knee problem. Having suffered
the serious loss of Kieron Dyer to cruciate knee ligament damage in the
previous round at Bristol Rovers, Curbishley has been left shaking his head
at his own misfortune. "We've played a couple of matches in this cup and
lost five players," said Curbishley with a wry smile. "We lost Kieron Dyer
and Bobby Zamora in the first round at Bristol Rovers, and tonight we've
lost another three. "We're already really depleted and we can't take any
more, it's getting ridiculous."
As for the game itself, Curbishley delivered a frank assessment of his
team's performance, insisting it was the worst they had played all season.
"That is probably the worst we have played all season," said Curbishley. "We
were on the back foot from the first minute. "When you get a team playing as
well as they can, and us putting in possibly our worst performance of the
season, we never looked at it [the game] at all. "I wasn't looking forward
to extra time, but we rode our luck and in the end we got through."
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