John Pantsil is celebrating after the host nation won through to the last
eight of the Africa Cup of Nations
28.01.2008
John Pantsil had an eventful game as he helped Ghana to book their place in
the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
The host nation were always fancied to progress, having won their first two
Group A fixtures, and made no mistake with a 2-0 victory against Morocco in
Accra this evening. The two goals came from Premier League players Michael
Essien and Sulley Muntari. In an entertaining contest, Pantsil got forward
with plenty of conviction along the right-hand side but had a scare as the
half-hour mark approached.
With Ghana leading 1-0, the West Ham United defender contrived to head
Hicham Aboucherouane's ball from the right into his own net - only for the
referee to disallow it for an infringement. He also picked up a 19th-minute
yellow card for his troubles but, as it was his first of the competition, he
will be eligible for Sunday's last-eight encounter - with the opposition to
be known tomorrow after Group B's conclusion.
While Pantsil is looking forward, club-mate Henri Camara faces a nervous
wait until Senegal's final Group D game on Thursday. Senegal, who saw coach
Henryk Kasperczak resign earlier today, need to beat South Africa, hope
Tunisia lose to Angola and then that the aggregate goal difference is at
least four. Camara's potential early return to London would not matter this
weekend as he cannot play against Wigan Athletic, the club who loaned him to
West Ham United in August.
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Captain's Blog - Aiming high - WHUFC
Lucas Neill is looking forward to the visit of Liverpool as a chance to show
the team's intentions this season
29.01.2008
Lucas Neill looks back at the last outing against Manchester City before
turning his attention to Liverpool. He sees no reason why the club cannot
aim high for the remainder of the campaign and also has a word for two
luckless team-mates.
Arguably our last match against Manchester City was our best performance of
the season away from home. It was disappointing not to take all three points
but it was another case of not taking the chances that we were creating as a
team. However, there were plenty of positives to take out of the game. There
were some excellent individual performances and it was a huge bonus to be
able to give players coming back from injury some game time like Julian
Faubert and Lee Bowyer. Coley capped off another fine lone striker
performance with a great left-foot overhead although his celebration
pointing at his right foot left a lot of the players in the team a little
bit bemused!
I said before that match it was imperative we didn't lose. The reason for
this is that the mentality within this squad is now gearing itself for a
very high finish. We in the team all believe that a fourth-place finish is
still a genuine possibility. We have all the teams around us still to play
and it is vital now that we win as many games as possible but especially
against the teams that are all challenging for fourth, starting this week
with Liverpool.
I welcome the staff, players and fans of Liverpool to Upton Park. The last
couple of seasons West Ham have done the double over a top-four team and
this year we are halfway there with Man Utd. Liverpool are the only other
team we can accomplish that against which is what we are aiming for. We play
Liverpool at a testing time for them and, at Upton Park in a night game
under the floodlights, I think we have a very good chance of beating them.
With players now coming back to training from long-term injuries,
competition for places is starting to increase and as a result the level of
training has intensified. The camp is in good spirits, in a confident mood
and there is a real determination to finish in the European places after the
disappointment of now being out of both cups.
The manager will be in an unfamiliar position soon, where he will have a
near fully-fit squad to choose from for the first time this season. The only
bit of negativity this week was first the news that filtered back from
Vicarage Road about Calum Davenport seriously injuring his neck just as he
begun a loan spell with Watford which we were all gutted to hear. Then came
the devastating news that James Collins has seriously injured his knee with
the reserves. Both announcements were felt by the whole squad and we wish
them well on their respective roads to recovery.
Last Saturday was Australia Day and I popped into the Walkabout Bar on the
Embankment to toast my fellow countrymen and was delighted to discover that
West Ham have become a well supported team by Aussies abroad. Thanks to
everyone I met for a great day. It was nice to hear so many stories of
people expressing their joy at being able to watch West Ham live or on their
telly and be proud of the fact it is an Aussie leading the team out on to
the field.
Thanks as always for your fantastic support.
Lucas Neill
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Collison maintains meteoric rise - WHUFC
Jack Collison hs been called again by Wales U21s but he is knocking on the
door of the senior side
28.01.2008
Jack Collison's rapid progress for West Ham United means he is not too far
away from being promoted by Wales to the senior set-up, according to Danny
Gabbidon.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been named in Brian Flynn's squad for a vital
European Under-21 Championship qualifier away to Malta a week on Tuesday. It
is the latest step forward in a campaign to remember. He first impressed in
pre-season, was then made reserve-team captain, scored a wonder goal on his
U21 debut and finally made his first senior West Ham United appearance on 1
January at Arsenal.
"He is brilliant," said Danny Gabbidon, who like Craig Bellamy has been
named in the full Wales squad to play Norway in a friendly at Wrexham on
Wednesday week after their good progress from groin and abdominal injuries
respectively. "He could easily play in our first team. He has been in and
around the first team and he deserves that. His performances week-in,
week-out in training and in games are top drawer. There are a few other
young lads who, if they keep playing as they are, are going to become really
good players."
Collison qualifies for Wales through a grandfather and his decision to play
for the principality came via much prompting from the strong Welsh
contingent at the Boleyn Ground - including, of course, Gabbidon. "I got on
to him a couple of times about it," the fit-again defender said. The
Under-21 manager, was on to me about it as well. Jack said he was interested
and eventually, the manager came to the training ground, watched him train
and had a word with him."
That led to Collison's selection for the European U21 Championship qualifier
at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina last November. The Cambridge-born
attacking midfielder capped a sparkling display with the final goal in a 4-0
victory, running from midfield beyond three opponents, playing a neat
one-two and then rounding the keeper to score.
"It is great to have him," Gabbidon added, mindful that the future is bright
for Wales and that there is a realistic chance of qualifying for the 2009
U21 finals in Sweden - especially as Collison went on to play his part in a
4-2 defeat of France five days after his debut. "We have got a lot of good
young players coming into the Welsh team now and he is going to be one of
them," added Gabbidon. "It won't be too long until he is in the full squad
if he keeps carrying on the way he is."
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Noble ready for the Reds - WHUFC
Mark Noble cannot wait to get in action against the might of Liverpool at
the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday
28.01.2008
Mark Noble cannot wait for the visit of Liverpool on Wednesday night -
describing the match as a "massive game" for all concerned.
Though hugely disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup, the free weekend
will have given the players a chance to recharge their batteries. "We have a
bit of a rest and then a big game against Liverpool," said the 20-year-old
midfielder. "We are concentrating on that. They are always going to be
strong, they are always going to be tough and hard to play against."
Only the traditional big four clubs, including Liverpool, have a better
defensive record in the top-flight season and Noble believes the club can
take extra impetus from a recent resurgence at home. The last two league
fixtures at the Boleyn Ground have seen the club come from behind to win 2-1
against Manchester United and Fulham.
Mindful that Alan Curbishley is keen to get his players looking up from
their tenth-place position, Noble added: "We have got to just play how we
have been. Our home form has been getting better lately. If we can nick the
three points that will firmly put us in contention."
While the players will need no extra motivation to show they are capable of
competing for the European places, Noble also knows the fans will do their
bit for the cause. "The night games are always a bit special because the
fans will have been in the pub all day! They will all be up for it and I am
sure we will be too. We need to get a result."
The Hammers youngster will have to tread carefully though as he and Luis Boa
Morte have joined George McCartney on four cautions for the season after
yellow cards in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City. All three players face the
threat of a one-match suspension if they pick up a fifth caution of the
campaign before the last day of February.
Noble's latest yellow card came when he complained to the referee about the
City defenders not retreating the full ten yards at a free-kick and
proceeded to measure it out himself. "I just felt they were too close and
wanted to prove it," he said with a wry smile.
It is goals, not cards, that Noble is after collecting now after going close
at the City of Manchester Stadium - with Liverpool the next in his sights.
"I am just gutted I didn't score because I had a couple of chances and
another day they could have gone in. I will just keep playing the way I am
and working hard."
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Stech making great strides - WHUFC
Tony Carr is delighted with goalkeeper Marek Stech who is celebrating his
18th birthday on Monday
28.01.2008
Marek Stech turns 18 today and there is every sign that the promising West
Ham United shot-stopper is coming of age.
The giant goalkeeper has won many admirers at the club already - not only
for his imposing physique and obvious talent, but also for his work ethic
and modest nature off the pitch. As with all of Tony Carr's young talents
within the Academy, Stech is getting the best possible guidance about how to
conduct himself both on and off the pitch - especially with compatriot Ludek
Miklosko around as goalkeeping coach.
Of the Prague-born teenager, who joined West Ham United in July 2005, Carr
said: "We haven't produced a goalkeeper through the youth academy for a very
long time. Hopefully he is the one that can fill in that missing link. He is
a real prospect and we have got high hopes. He has got a lovely size about
him and a great attitude."
The Czech Republic youth international, who starred in the 2006 European
Under-17 Championship final, has stepped up to reserve-team level this
campaign, not least last Wednesday when he more than played his part in the
1-0 victory away to Portsmouth. Although the focus was rightly on the
returning Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon, Stech produced some tremendous
saves to keep out a lively Pompey attack.
Since then, Stech has been forced on to the sidelines to rest an ankle
ligament injury suffered in training but Carr said the problem would not
deter his young charge for too long, citing his continual commitment to
honing his skills. "He always wants to train and come in on his day off - he
always wants to do that bit extra. There is no ego with him and he is
definitely one for the future."
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McCartney called by Northern Ireland - WHUFC
George McCartney is in line for another international appearance in Belfast
on Wednesday week
28.01.2008
George McCartney has been named by Northern Ireland in their squad to face
Bulgaria in an international friendly in Belfast on 6 February.
The West Ham United left-back has been capped 24 times by his country, with
one goal, and has been a regular fixture for his country since Nigel
Worthington took charge back in June. McCartney, 26, has not missed a league
and cup game for his club this season, with Wednesday night's visit of
Liverpool set to be his 29th appearance of the campaign.
Northern Ireland are coming off the back of a strong, although ultimately
unsuccessful, EURO 2008 qualifying campaign and have high hopes for the 2010
World Cup. The Northern Irish have been drawn in Group 3 with the Czech
Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino, with matches due to
begin early next season.
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JP in Kos - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
John Paintsil's Ghana are through to the knockout stages of the African
Nations Cup after completing their Group A campaign with a convincing 2-0
win over Morocco. Goals from Chelsea's Michael Essien and Portsmouth's
Sulley Muntari ensured that the Black Stars ended their Group campaign with
maximum points, having already beaten Guinea and Namibia. Paintsil showed no
signs of the mystery illness which saw him taken to hospital following last
weekend's tournament opener against Guinea and played the full 90 minutes at
the half-full Ohene Djan stadium. However the Hammers full back was lucky to
see an own goal chalked out when he nodded Hicham Aboucherouane's free-kick
into his own net on 19 minutes. The Ghanaians will play the runners-up in
Group B in the first knockout stage later this week; that is likely to be
either the Ivory Coast or Mali.
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Nod for Welsh duo - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 28th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon have both been selected in the latest Welsh
squad. Wales face Norway in a friendly at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on
Ferbuary 6th. The two Hammers - who have made 66 appearances for their
country between them (Gabbidon 22, Bellamy 44) - are in line to start
despite neither having featured for Alan Curbishley's team since returning
from injury. James Collins - West Ham United's third regular Welsh
international - is ruled out having sustained cruciate ligament damage
against Portsmouth reserves last week. Welsh boss John Toshack called the
loss of Collins 'a really terrible blow', adding: "He is absolutely
distraught. We are talking about a future Wales captain here. "We have a
squad full of very young players and at 24, James is approaching a time in
his career when he can be a major influence on our side."
* 24-times capped George McCartney has been called up for the Northern
Ireland squad to face Bulgaria, also on February 6th.
Full Welsh squad: Hennessey (Wolves), Price (Derby), Eardley (Oldham),
Gunter (Tottenham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan (Peterborough), Evans
(Wrexham), Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Hull), Ledley (Cardiff), S. Davies
(Fulham), A. Davies (Nottm Forest), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Robinson
(Toronto FC), Crofts (Gillingham), Vaughan (Real Sociedad), Edwards
(Wolves), Koumas (Wigan), Bellamy (West Ham), Eastwood (Wolves), C. Davies
(Oldham), Easter (Wycombe), Earnshaw (Derby), Cotterill (Wigan).
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It was seven years ago today ... - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 28th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
... that West Ham United completed one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in
recent times, beating reigning Premiership champions Manchester United 1-0
at Old Trafford.
Paolo Di Canio's 76th minute goal - scored in front of 9,000 delirious
travelling Hammers - was enough to defeat a side who were, at the time,
possibly the best side in Europe, if not the world. Alex Ferguson's side
went on to win the league again that season and make the quarter finals of
the 'Champions League', but on a freezing cold January day they were no
match for a Hammers side made up of emerging talents, aging stars and
loanees. You can relive that famous moment by clicking here; for the record,
the Hammers team that day was: Shaka Hislop; Sebastien Schemmel; Nigel
Winterburn; Stuart Pearce; Hannu Tihinen; Christian Dailly; Frank Lampard,
Joe Cole (substituted for Ian Pearce, 89 minutes); Michael Carrick; Freddie
Kanoute; Paolo Di Canio (substituted for Ragnvald Soma, 88 minutes).
(Unused subs: Craig Forrest; Steve Potts; John Moncur).
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Agony for Camara - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 28th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Henri Camara's Senegal slumped to an unexpected defeat at the heands of
Angola last night in the African Nations Cup. Camara - on loan at West Ham
for the season from relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic - saw his side
beaten 3-1 by the unfancied Angolan side in their second match of the
competition.
The 30-year-old striker once again started from the bench, and played just
the final 20 minutes of the game after coming on as a second half substitue
for Fulham's Dio Kamara. Senegal - who could only manage a draw in their
first game against Tunisia - must win their final match of the group phase
against South Africa to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout
stages. However a draw between Tunisia and Angola would render that
particular result irrelevant. Elsewhere in the tournament John Paintsil's
Ghana play their final game of the tournament against Morocco at the Ohene
Djan Stadium later today. Despite having won both of their opening games the
Black Stars have been criticised by supporters in Ghana for their negative
football.
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Freddie on target - again - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 28th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Freddie Sears hit the target again on Saturday to rescue a draw for the
under 18s against Charlton. The highly-rated Sears struck late on at Little
Heath to earn a share of the spoils for the young Hammers who had led 2-0
through goals from Oliver Lee and Tom Harvey before a spirited comeback from
the visitors saw them go 3-2 ahead. Sears - who was included in the first
team squad for last weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester City -
scored with a clever shot on the turn to rescue a point for Tony Carr's
side, who had been cruising before conceding three goals in quick
succession. Olly Lee - son of former Hammer Rob Lee - had given the Irons an
early lead with a well taken header at the far post. That lead was soon
doubled when Tom Harvey found the corner of the Charlton net with a measured
curling strike from 12 yards. However Yado Mambo, Danny Uchechi and Scott
Wagstaff found the net for the visitors before Sears struck to earn the home
side a draw.
West Ham United: Street, O'Neill, Ashman, Spence, Blackwell (Brown 78),
Stanislas (Edgar 60), Harvey (Okus 46), Lee, Kearns, Sears, Hunt.
Charlton Athletic: Woolley, Solly, Long, Mambo, Coleman, Shelvey, Stavrinou,
Yussuff, Uchechi, Wagstaff, Godfrey.
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Hammers pair fit for Wales duty - BBC
Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon have been named in the Wales squad for next
week's friendly with Norway in Wrexham. The pair have not played for West
Ham since last year, but both came through a reserve match last week as they
continue their recovery from injury. But club-mate James Collins is out of
the 6 February match after suffering knee ligament damage in the same match.
Craig Davies, who has scored 10 goals for Oldham, wins a recall for the
first time since a friendly in November 2006. The 22-year-old was sent off
for Wales Under-21's in August 2006 in a 3-2 defeat by Israel Under-21s, and
received a five-match ban which only applied to competitive internationals.
"Craig has served his ban and has done very well at Oldham, scoring a lot of
goals," said Wales manager John Toshack. "He has had to sit out the last 18
months for a silly incident when he was sent off in an under-21 game. But
now he has completed that ban I want to see how much he has improved."
Despite patching up his differences with Toshack after some personal issues,
in-form Cardiff City striker Paul Parry has not been included. Gareth Bale
is another notable absentee as the Spurs attacking full-back continues his
rehabilitation from a foot injury. Bellamy last played for the Hammers in
late October because of an abdominal injury, but the striker is in
contention for a return to the West Ham squad for Wednesday's Premier League
visit of Liverpool.
Gabbidon is continuing his recovery after picking up another groin injury in
mid December, and his inclusion in the Wales squad is a huge boost for
Toshack in light on Collins' latest set-back. "West Ham have assured us all
they need are competitive matches to get their fitness back, and we will
hope that by the time the Norway game comes around they will have played
another match or two," added Toshack. "West Ham have another reserve game
this week and two league matches before we all meet up on Sunday."
With Wales Under-21 playing a crucial Uefa Championship qualifier with Malta
the night before, Toshack has resisted the temptation to promote on-form
striker Ched Evans into the senior squad. That means David Cotterill gets
another chance, who has impressed Toshack with his attitude after dropping
down to the Under-21 squad last season.
Wales squad for friendly with Norway at Wrexham on Wednesday, 6 February:
Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lewis Price (Derby County), Neal
Eardley (Oldham Athletic), Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Gabbidon
(West Ham), Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Steve Evans (Wrexham), Lewin
Nyatanga (Derby County), Sam Ricketts (Hull City), Joe Ledley (Cardiff
City), Simon Davies (Fulham), Arron Davies (Nott'm Forest), Carl Fletcher
(Crystal Palace), Carl Robinson (Toronto FC), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham),
David Vaughan (Real Sociedad), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers),
Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic), Craig Bellamy (West Ham), Freddy Eastwood
(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Craig Davies (Oldham Athletic), Jermaine Easter
(Wycombe Wanderers, loan Plymouth Argyle), Robert Earnshaw (Derby County),
David Cotterill (Wigan Athletic).
Wales Under-21 squad for Uefa Group 10 match against Malta Under-21 at
Hibernians FC, Malta on Tuesday, 5 February:
Rhys Taylor (Chelsea), Owain Fon Williams (Crewe Alex), Joe Jacobson
(Bristol Rovers), Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol
City), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Mike Williams (Wrexham), Rhys Williams
(Middlesbrough), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Jack
Collison (West Ham), Andy King (Leicester City), Shaun MacDonald (Swansea
City), Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff City), Nick Adams (Bury Town), Simon Church
(Reading), Ched Evans (Manchester City, loan Norwich City), Sam Vokes (AFC
Bournemouth).
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Collins facing year on sidelines - SSN
Hammers defender suffers more injury woe
By Chris Burton Last updated: 28th January 2008
West Ham and Wales defender James Collins has been ruled out for a year with
severe ligament damage. Collins had only recently shaken off a groin
problem, but will now be facing another spell on the sidelines after picking
up the injury during a Hammers reserve game with Portsmouth last week.
The swelling around the injury is thought to be so bad at present that an
operation will not be possible until mid-February, with at least six months
of rehabilitation then required after undergoing surgery. As a result,
Collins has been ruled out for the remainder of West Ham's Premier League
campaign as well as Wales' upcoming fixtures. The news comes as a blow to
Wales boss John Toshack who will already be without Gareth Bale for next
Wednesday's friendly with Norway and could have to cope without West Ham duo
Danny Gabbidon and Craig Bellamy as the pair continue their recovery from
recent injuries. "This is a terrible blow for us, but we are more concerned
about James. He is absolutely distraught," said Toshack. "We have suffered
these sorts of major injuries now for over three years, when one gets fit
another seems to be injured. "But losing James at this stage with our World
Cup games coming up next season, is a really terrible blow. "We have a squad
full of very young players and at 24, James is approaching a time in his
career when he can be a major influence on our side. "We are talking about a
future Wales captain here, and this is a blow to all concerned."
On the chances of Bellamy and Gabbidon being able to feature against Norway,
Toshack remains confident that the pair can get enough football under their
belts before the squad is due to meet up on Sunday. "West Ham have assured
us all they need is competitive matches to get their fitness back, and we
will hope that by the time the Norway game comes around they will have
played another match or two," he said, "West Ham have another reserve game
this week and two league matches before we all meet up."
Wales squad v Norway
Toshack has named the following 24-man squad for the game at the Racecourse
Ground:
Squad: Hennessey (Wolves), Price (Derby), Eardley (Oldham), Gunter
(Tottenham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan (Peterborough), Evans (Wrexham),
Nyatanga (Derby), Ricketts (Hull), Ledley (Cardiff), Davies (Fulham), Davies
(Nottm For), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Robinson (Toronto), Crofts
(Gillingham), Vaughan (Real Sociedad), D Edwards (Wolves), Koumas (Wigan),
Bellamy (West Ham), Eastwood (Wolves), Davies (Oldham), Easter (Plymouth),
Earnshaw (Derby), Cotterill (Wigan).
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West Ham's Gabbidon: Collison just brilliant
tribalfooball.com - January 28, 2008
Danny Gabbidon says West Ham United youngster and fellow Welshman Jack
Collison is "brilliant". "He is brilliant," Gabbidon told whufc.com. "He
could easily play in our first team. He has been in and around the first
team and he deserves that. His performances week-in, week-out in training
and in games are top drawer. There are a few other young lads who, if they
keep playing as they are, are going to become really good players."
Collison qualifies for Wales through a grandfather and his decision to play
for the principality came via much prompting from the strong Welsh
contingent at the Boleyn Ground - including, of course, Gabbidon. "I got on
to him a couple of times about it," the fit-again defender said. The
Under-21 manager, was on to me about it as well. Jack said he was interested
and eventually, the manager came to the training ground, watched him train
and had a word with him."
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Stech exciting West Ham management
tribalfootball.com - January 28, 2008
West Ham coaches are excited about the progress of Czech Republic youth
international goalkeeper Marek Stech. Of the Prague-born teenager, who
joined West Ham United in July 2005, academy chief Tony Carr told whufc.com:
"We haven't produced a goalkeeper through the youth academy for a very long
time. Hopefully he is the one that can fill in that missing link. He is a
real prospect and we have got high hopes. He has got a lovely size about him
and a great attitude. "He always wants to train and come in on his day off -
he always wants to do that bit extra. There is no ego with him and he is
definitely one for the future."
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West Ham Utd v Liverpool - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th January 2008
By: Matthew Coker
After a weekend's grace from any West Ham activity, we return to action,
fully focused on the Premier League. To that end, the fixture list lines us
up with Liverpool, in a Wednesday night game under the Boleyn lights, kick
off time being 7.45pm.
Our opponents are the team that most remind me of Susan Storm, as they are
the most Invisible of the Fantastic Four. The do, generally, finish in the
league's pre-eminent quartet, but a genuine Scouse title challenge happens
about as often as a Chris Moyles gym session.
Their reputation has been cemented by historical dominance of both domestic
and European football in the 70s and 80s and also by their record in the
European Cup/Champions League competition (if they only remind us about
their European glory five times on Wednesday night, we can count ourselves
lucky) but they are the only of the so called big four to have never won the
Premier League.
The class of 2007/08 is not going to be one to deliver any league
championships back to Anfield. They currently sit in sixth place in the
league, fourteen points adrift of top side Manchester United, though the gap
between them and fourth place Everton is only two points (and they have the
same game in hand as us).
This was despite a promising start to the season, at least where points were
concerned, as they managed to avoid their usual slow start and went
undefeated until early December. However the Christmas period has seen them
fall further behind their title and Champions League qualification rivals
and they are on the back of a run of four consecutive league draws against
less than auspicious opposition including Wigan and Middlesbrough.
Away form has be fairly good this campaign; they have registered six wins
from eleven and only one defeat, a surprise 3-1 reverse at the Madjeski.
They are the side that has conceded the fewest away goals in the league so
far (just seven) but they are yet to face any of the top three sides away on
the road yet and victories, aside from the wins at Everton and Villa, have
come against weaker sides namely Wigan, Bolton, Derby and Sunderland.
"If you have a car and you win a race, you cannot just settle for that. You
must try and make the car better. We're a good car but you always want a
bigger engine."
- Rafael Benitez.
There are several encouraging factors that we can look at when going into
this game. Firstly, this is not a side brimming with confidence, certainly
not one that has got into the habit of killing games off. Even relatively
poor teams such as Wigan and Derby have shown that you can get back into
games against them.
There have been several factors off the field that have aided their fragile
state of mind. The ongoing saga with the now unpopular owners and the
manager and the poor state of their relationship may have influenced the
players to a degree. Although footballers generally give the impression that
as long as they are paid they don't care who they play for (and bearing in
mind we have all seen the payslip of one of Liverpool's worst performers
this season, John Arne Riise, we know they are getting paid) but it is sure
to cause doubt as to Rafa's long term prospects and must have some effect on
his ability to focus on the job.
Staying off the pitch, there is a correlation between the downturn in form
and the departure of Pako Ayesteran from Rafa's backroom staff. A successful
fitness coach, who had worked with Rafa in Spain, he did much of the work on
the training field with the players and his departure would have changed the
level of communication between players and a manager who is well known for
keeping footballers at arms length.
Finally, it must be slightly unsettling for the first team squad to know
that every time they head off to an away game there is the possibility of
some little Everton scally breaking into your mock Tudor mansion and having
it away with your cinema screen size telly. The results of all this angst
are there to see on the pitch.
There have been several players in the Liverpool side that have kept the
standards up. The most concerning for us is Fernando Torres, bought in the
summer for £20m, though his 11 league goals to date suggest he may be good
value for it. The only other player to notch up a decent number of strikes
is Steven Gerrard, currently on 7 Premier League finishes, though his form
has varied from match winning to non-existent at various parts of the
season. There are debates going on as to his best position; injury to Xabi
Alonso has meant he has played mostly in the centre though there is a strong
school of thought for putting him on the right when the Spaniard has fully
recovered.
Defensively the side is strong, underpinned by the excellent Jose Reina and
with Jamie Carragher in his usual rock-like form. They have undoubtedly
missed Daniel Agger this season, Sami Hyppia not being the ideal partner to
Carragher as the two lack pace which would sit nicely with Craig Bellamy
resuming fitness for this one. Fabio Aurealio looked as though he had just
returned from injury against Villa, having just returned from injury. We
will also benefit from Alvaro Arbeloa missing this one (with an injury)
meaning Matty will be up against a slightly out of form Steve Finnan.
Overall though, Liverpool's problems do not sit along the back line.
There are a couple of claret and blue connections in the midfield starting
with one of the squad players we have currently on loan at Anfield.
Argentinian Javier Mascherano has been warmly welcomed by the Mickeys who
are impressed enough with his holding midfield skills and distribution to
warrant paying £17m for him in the summer. By my reckoning this makes the
man who kept him out of our first team, Hayden Mullins, worth at least £20m
- but we will be spared such expense in the middle of the park as
Mascherano's run of not being able to get a game at the Boleyn continues as
he is suspended. The most likely deputy will be Xabi Alonso, though Lucas
Leiva is an outside bet to see some action.
Yossi Benayoun should start on the right hand side of midfield on his return
from having left Upton Park in the summer. His recent run in the Liverpool
side has started to convince the fans that he is a capable player, though
Jermaine Pennant is pushing him for a starting place.
The left side of midfield is a problem for our opponents as neither Harry
Kewell or John Arne Riise has been much cop in the role this season. This
should leave a relatively quiet game for Lucas Neill, who of course chose
the glamour of East London over the chance to work in the City of Culture
last January.
Beyond Torres up front there is not too much to concern us. Peter Crouch is
probably the next best striker but he has not been used much this season,
Rafa's system-over-players philosophy has meant he has tended to shy away
from two big men up front. He tends to favour Dirk Kuyt who works hard but
looks incapable of scoring or, occasionally, Andriy Voronin who looks out of
his depth at this level.
The other option is Ryan Babel who the club spent big on in the summer,
though they do seem to have invested in his future prospects rather than on
his immediate ability. Babel is a pacy striker though due perhaps to his
inexperience and lack of composure up front (as well as his blistering pace)
has found himself used more as a winger than as a front man. The fans hope
that he will ultimately prove to be the strike partner to Torres but he
needs to convince Benitez that is the case.
"We are looking forward to the games ahead and we are looking to get into
the top six or eight"
– Curbs looks onwards and upwards.
With us no longer having to make a choice between league and any cup, the
finishing position is now the measure of this season's success or otherwise.
The rest of February has the potential for putting some real points on the
table and getting something against Liverpool would, hopefully be the
catalyst for a decent run.
I'm going to put us down for a draw and with both defences in fine form, I
suspect a 0-0 is on the cards.
Enjoy the game.
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Sears strike earns point for young Hammers
By Guardian-series
West Ham 3 Charlton 3
(FA Premier Academy League)
WEST Ham younster Freddie Sears added to his blossoming reputation with
another goal for the Academy side in a six-goal thriller with Charlton at
Little Heath on Saturday. The young Irons had led twice in the game thanks
to goals from Oliver Lee and Tom Harvey before London rivals Chartlon
rallied and turned it around with three goals of their own. But Sears -
fresh from his involvement with the first team squad who travelled to
Manchester City on Sunday - struck late on to secure a point for the
Hammers. Academy director Tony Carr said: "Freddie had a quite game but he
notched a goal. That is goalscorers - you can never keep them quiet. "They
will have quiet spells in a game but they are always likely to score." The
Hammers started brightly and struck twice in the opening 20 minutes - Lee
headed in from a Daniel Kearns' cross and Harvey doubled the lead with a
curled effort. But plucky Charlton forced their way back into the game,
pulling it level before half time and then taking the lead after the break.
But Sears prodded in from a Kearns cross to earn a share of the spoils.
West Ham: Street, O'Neill, Ashman, Spence, Blackwell (Brown 78), Stanislas
(Edgar 60), Harvey (Okus 46), Lee, Kearns, Sears, Hunt.
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Ashton wants clear-the-air West Ham talks
tribalfootball.com - January 28, 2008
Dean Ashton wants clear-the-air talks with West Ham United. The News of the
World says the England striker wants to know where he stands as he seeks an
improved contract. Newcastle United and Manchester City are keeping tabs on
the situation.
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West Ham plan offer for Derby's Barnes
tribalfootball.com - January 28, 2008
West Ham United are ready to bid for Derby County winger Giles Barnes. The
Telegraph says West Ham are preparing to make a £5m bid for Barnes. They
face competition from Newcastle for Barnes' signature.
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Up the Irons - Barack Obama is West Ham fan - Telegraph
By Vicki Hodges
Last Updated: 1:18pm GMT 28/01/2008
The key question hagning over Barack Obama's White House credentials has
been answered - the Democrat has been revealed to be a West Ham United fan.
As the 46-year-old's campaign to become America's first black president
moves into overdrive, Obama has declared his fondness for the Claret and
Blues quarter of east London. According to reports, the US senator has been
a fan of the Hammers ever since a trip to England five years ago and watches
Premier League games whenever his busy schedule allows. Obama's revelation
could stir up tensions with Democrat rival Hillary Clinton further as the
60-year-old and her husband Bill are keen Manchester United followers. Mr
Obama has joined a host of world figures to nail their colours to the mast
by revealing his passion for his adopted club. First there was Osama bin
Laden's association with Arsenal, which led to the north Londoners
reportedly banning the terrorist from attending any future games. Bin Laden
was apparently on the terraces as Arsenal side reached the final of the
European Cup Winners Cup in 1994 season. The man behind the Sept 11 attack
was rumoured to be so smitten with the Gunners that he bought a replica kit
for his eldest son. Her Majesty the Queen also counts herself among the
Gunners faithful and has been a following for some 50 years ever since
clapping her eyes on former player Denis Compton. The red half of Manchester
can also count on support from former South Africa president Nelson Mandela
who was handed an 850-page dossier on the club's history on his 89th
birthday by Sir Alex Ferguson. Number 10 Downing Street has seen it's fair
share of football fanatics - once the removal vans confirmed Margaret
Thatcher's departure. John Major was a Chelsea supporter long before Roman
Abramovich's riches arrived at Stamford Bridge before Tony Blair arrived
waving his Newcastle scarf from the roof tops. And what of the current
incumbent, Gordon Brown? The PM has not forgotten his roots and remains
dedicated to Scottish outfit Raith Rovers. In fact the former Chancellor
made his early pennies by selling programmes for the team in his youth.
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