Kevin Keen on how Scott Parker and Dean Ashton came through their latest
test
27.11.2007
Kevin Keen was full of praise for his West Ham United reserve side after an
impressive 8-0 victory at Derby County last night.
"The boys, both young and old, were outstanding," Keen said. "We played
fast-attacking football and it was so pleasing to watch. I couldn't have
asked for more from them and the attitude from everyone of those players was
second to none.
"We had senior players coming back from injury who gave 100 per cent and our
younger players stepped up to the grade. It's not easy going up to a place
like Derby, a Monday night, perhaps not a game that is seen by many people
and facing a young, but battling Derby side. Yet the effort was there and it
paid off for us."
Keen said another huge plus was that Dean Ashton and Scott Parker came
through the 90 minutes unscathed and undoubtedly added to their fitness.
"For the club as a whole, this is great news," he said. "Not only did they
get through the game without any problems, they played a very significant
part in the win.
"Deano got two goals and looked very sharp and he had assists in some of the
other goals. Scotty was tremendous all night in midfield, he really was and
they showed a wonderful example which was followed by our younger players.
"Another great performance was by Christian [Dailly] just back from his loan
spell at Southampton. He simply came in and did the job he had to do. John
Pantsil, Nigel Quashie and Jimmy Walker all showed their worth. In fact,
Jimmy made a fantastic save when it was 0-0, so that proved to be
important."
There were several other performances that pleased Keen, among them was
Junior Stanislas, who grabbed two goals, while Hogan Ephraim, just back from
his loan spell at Queens Park Rangers, got one as did reserve team captain
Jack Collison. Kyel Reid, who recently signed a new contract at the club,
also found the target for his second in three games.
As well as the satisfaction of scoring several goals, the reserves are now
unbeaten in four games, with two wins and two draws. "There is a lot of
confidence among the younger players this season," added Keen. "They are
benefitting from playing alongside the senior players and also, having
played quite a bit in the reserves last year, they are getting rewards from
the experience they have gained.
"The quality in our play was great to watch, some of the goals were good
individual efforts, others included some six or seven passes between
different players, so it was a fantastic performance all round. The players
all did West Ham United proud."
The reserves are next in action against Chelsea on Monday 10 December. The
club has confirmed this will be held at the home of Bishop's Stortford FC.
The full address is Woodside Park, Dunmow Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23
5GZ. The kick-off will be at 7pm.
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Gabbidon back in the groove - WHUFC
Danny Gabbidon said he is 'getting better' with every game he plays this
season
27.11.2007
Danny Gabbidon is determined to protect his place in the West Ham United
lineup as more players return to fitness over the coming weeks.
The Wales central defender has struck up a solid partnership with Matthew
Upson and said he was feeling the benefits of an extended run. Indeed, the
pair's first start as a defensive duo may have come in the 1-0 defeat at
Aston Villa on 6 October but the club have not tasted defeat in any of the
subsequent six matches.
"The first couple of games I was a bit rusty and I thought I could play a
lot better," Gabbidon told WHUTV. "I feel as though I am getting better with
every game and we have had some decent results. I am fairly pleased with how
it is going but I have got to keep playing well to stay in the team because
there is a lot of competition waiting to get in there."
Alan Curbishley has plenty of options at centre-back with James Collins and
the currently sidelined Anton Ferdinand both hoping to force their way into
contention after run-outs this season already. Behind them are Christian
Dailly and Calum Davenport along with two of the club's brightest Academy
prospects in England youth internationals James Tomkins and Jordan Spence.
Gabbidon, and the ever-impressive Upson - who is the only outfield player to
have played every minute of the club's 13 league games this season - are the
men in possession though and the Wales defender is enjoying every minute.
"[The team] have slipped up a couple of times but we are on a decent run and
the whole back four are playing well. We are not conceding too many goals,"
he said. "The rest of the team are all working hard and we are scoring goals
at the other end as well."
Proof of that commitment came in Sunday's 1-1 derby draw with Tottenham
Hotspur, when Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe,
who missed a last-gasp penalty, all tried and failed to make a significant
impact. In looking back at the contest, Gabbidon admitted he felt frustrated
at having to settle for a point after Michael Dawson's header past a
stranded Robert Green had cancelled out Carlton Cole's opener.
He said: "I thought we had a few chances and probably could have finished
the game off in the first half but they came back strong. They got a goal
back and they kept going because they wanted to win as well so, with the
penalty at the end, a draw was probably a good result. I suppose we are
probably a bit lucky we didn't lose so we will have to be happy with a draw.
It was a good save from Greeny."
Green's form has been a major factor in the club's progress, along with the
experience and endeavour provided by Lucas Neill and George McCartney at
full-back and Gabbidon was the latest to sing his praises. "He has been top
drawer. You can't really fault him for the first goal as he has got us out
of a few tricky situations. He has done really well and obviously the
penalty save made up for his mistake. He has been superb. He is a good
person to have behind you." No doubt the England goalkeeper would say the
same about the No4 in front of him.
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Chelsea's Essien Set To Miss West Ham - Premiership Latest.com
The Football Association have rejected Chelsea appeal against Michael
Essien's red card and have also charged the West London club for failing to
control their players during Saturday's win at Derby County. The Blues had
aimed to reverse the three-match ban for the Ghana international, who had
been penalised by referee Andre Marriner for 'violent conduct' with a
straight red card for an arm in the face of Rams' Kenny Miller in the second
half injury time. Chelsea players including skipper John Terry had then
remonstrated the decision suggesting that there was no nasty intent from the
midfielder. The FA said in a statement: "Chelsea FC have been charged for
the behaviour of Chelsea players towards referee Andre Marriner during the
match at Derby County on Saturday, 24 November. "The club were charged with
failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly
fashion following the sending-off of Michael Essien for violent conduct, and
have until 12 December to respond. "At a Regulatory Commission hearing
today, Essien had a claim for wrongful dismissal rejected. He will therefore
serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect." Essien is set to miss
the games against West Ham, Sunderland and Arsenal.
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West Ham boss Curbishley delighted to see Parker, Ashton come through 90mins
tribalfootball.com - November 27, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley was delighted to see Dean Ashton and
Scott Parker get 90 minutes under their belts in the reserve-team's 8-0
victory at Derby County. Curbs told WHUTV: "It was a long journey for them.
Sometimes you wonder about the reserve league but it was a game we needed
for them. Both of them got 90 minutes, both of them are looking a lot better
and it will be in the bank. They are nearer full fitness."
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Gabbidon happier with West Ham form
tribalfootball.com - November 27, 2007
Danny Gabbidon feels he's getting back to his best at West Ham United. The
Wales defender told WHUTV: "The first couple of games I was a bit rusty and
I thought I could play a lot better. "I feel as though I am getting better
with every game and we have had some decent results. I am fairly pleased
with how it is going but I have got to keep playing well to stay in the team
because there is a lot of competition waiting to get in there."
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YOUNG RESERVES ARE RAMS TO THE SLAUGHTER AS THELWELL WATCHES -
ThisIsDerbyshire
DERBY COUNTY RES0
WEST HAM UTD RES8
09:30 - 27 November 2007
England hopeful Dean Ashton bagged a brace as Derby County Reserves were
comprehensively beaten by West Ham United Reserves at Burton Albion's
Pirelli Stadium last night. A Rams side made up entirely of teenagers were
no match for an experienced West Ham team that included the likes of Ashton,
Scott Parker - both coming back from injuries - Nigel Quashie and former
Derby favourite Christian Dailly on his return from a loan spell with
Southampton. Led by first team caretaker boss Kevin Thelwell, the Derby
youngsters found themselves simply outclassed - little more than a fortnight
after the senior side had been humbled 5-0 by the Hammers in the Premier
League at Pride Park. The hosts started well and could have led inside 30
seconds but Tyrone Amory's left-wing cross was turned behind before Greg
Mills could apply the finish. After nine minutes, defender Mitch Hanson's
vicious 25-yard free kick was beaten away by keeper Jimmy Walker. But the
visitors broke the deadlock after 22 minutes, when Kyel Reid unleashed a
swerving 20-yard shot that flew past keeper Ben Hinchcliffe. After 29
minutes, Ashton rounded the keeper to slot home and, two minutes later,
headed in from six yards. A minute before half-time, Jack Collison bundled
in a fourth from close range.
Reid crashed a shot against the bar early in the second half but Derby full-
back Kallum Keane diverted Hogan Ephraim's cross into his own net after 59
minutes. Ephraim made it six despite a touch from Hinchcliffe and the rout
was completed by substitute Junior Stanislas, who shot high into the net
after 75 minutes, then squeezed in a header in the last minute.
DERBY COUNTY RESERVES: Hinchcliffe, Keane, J Johnson, Hanson, Dudley, Mills
(Dillon 86), Booth, Loesch, Amory, Robertson (Ujcik 71), Simmons. Other
subs: Atkins (gk), Garton.
WEST HAM UNITED RESERVES: Walker, Pantsil, Tomkins, Dailly (Ngala 86),
Widdowson, Collison (Stanislas 60), Parker, Quashie, Reid, Ashton, Ephraim
(Jeffrey 82). Other subs: Stech (gk), Miller, O'Neill.
REFEREE: P Tierney (Lancashire).
ATTENDANCE: 361.
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Hammers boosted by Ashton double and Parker's 90-minute run-out - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:07am on 27th November 2007
Dean Ashton showed Alan Curbishley he is ready to start in Saturday's London
derby with Chelsea as he scored twice for the reserves in an 8-0 win over
Derby.
He came through 90 minutes along with Scott Parker as both players put
recent injury problems behind them.
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Ashton grabs a brace for Hammers reserves - HarlowCitizen
By Guardian-series
DEAN Ashton continued his comeback from injury by scoring twice for West Ham
reserves in an 8-0 thrashing of Derby. Substitute Junior Stanislas grabbed
two goals, while Hogan Ephraim, Kyel Reid, captain Jack Collison and a Derby
own goal completed the rout. The Barclays Premier Reserve League match -
played at Burton Albion FC - also saw run outs for senior players Scott
Parker, Christian Dailly, John Pantsil and Nigel Quashie. Reserve boss Kevin
Keen said: "The players did the football club proud. "We have come up to the
Midlands on a cold evening against a young Derby side who battled all the
way, so it was not easy to start with. "But the players really showed a
great attitude and produced some fantastic football out there." The
reserves are back in action against Chelsea at Bishop's Stortford 's
Woodside Park on Monday. Kick off is at 7pm.
West Ham Reserves: Walker, Pantsil, Dailly (N'Gala 85), Tomkins, Widdowson,
Parker, Collison (Stanislas 60), Quashie, Reid, Ashton, Ephraim (Jeffrey
86). Unused subs: Stech, Miller
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27/11/2007 12:33:20 - tottenhamhotspur.com
LATEST NEWS
GUS: WE DESERVED WIN
Gus Poyet was left in no doubt that we deserved to win Sunday's derby at
West Ham.
After a bright start, West Ham capitalised on a mistake by Younes Kaboul to
take the lead but a change of formation 10 minutes into the second half
(three at the back, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon as wing-backs) saw us take
control and equalise when Michael Dawson headed home Jermaine Jenas'
free-kick.
Both teams had opportunities in a frantic final few minutes. Paul Robinson
saved well from Scott Parker and Carlton Cole and we had a golden chance to
win it in injury time when Jermain Defoe was fouled by Lucas Neill and took
the penalty himself, Robert Green saving well.
"We're disappointed because we didn't win, we wanted to win from the
outset," reflected first team coach Gus, back at the Lodge and preparing for
Aalborg in the UEFA Cup.
"We thought we were doing alright until we made a mistake and that mistake
made us a little nervous for 10 minutes or so, then came the big penalty
decision at the end of the first half.
"We had a good meeting at half-time, the lads reacted well and knew we would
change it within a few minutes if we hadn't come back. From the moment we
went with the different shape we were in control, in fact, we looked like
the home team.
"At the end, because of the penalty, there was a little sadness because we'd
done everything to win.
"Now we have to win our next game and that starts in the UEFA Cup, then
Birmingham in the Premier League."
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Ramos praises 'magnifcent' Robinson for his Upton Park heroics - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:48am on 27th November 2007
Juande Ramos described Paul Robinson's performance as 'magnificent'
following Sunday's draw at West Ham. Robbo produced three fine saves all at
key times - a reaction block to keep out Luis Boa Morte just after West Ham
had taken the lead then two almost identical saves to turn around shots from
Scott Parker and Carlton Cole with the game finely-balanced at 1-1. That's
how it stayed as Robert Green saved his heroics until injury time to turn
away Jermain Defoe's penalty kick. "He's playing with a lot of enthusiasm
and he had a magnificent game," Ramos told the official Tottenham website.
"He's not really been affected in his play for Tottenham by what happened
with England. "He's a player who has a good personality, a good attitude and
plenty of experience both with Tottenham and the national team."
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