Lee Bowyer will have extra reason for wanting to figure against Manchester
City
03.01.2008
Alan Curbishley is hoping to have two of this season's key men Lee Bowyer
and Matthew Etherington back in contention on Saturday for the FA Cup visit
of Manchester City.
Bowyer, in particular, will be eager to play should all go well - having
described the previous meeting between the two clubs when City won 2-0 at
the Boleyn Ground on the first day of this season as "the worst game I have
ever played". In an interview with the matchday programme, he explained he
"was probably trying a bit too hard" to impress. "I am big enough to hold my
hands up and accept that. It wasn't acceptable. I knuckled down and things
have started going well."
Few would argue about his turnaround in fortunes. From that inauspicious
beginning, the experienced midfielder has been a real plus this campaign -
scoring four goals in ten league appearances. His stand-out performance was
the two goals and assist he had in the 5-0 win at Derby County on Saturday
10 November. However, a subsequent hernia operation has kept him out ever
since.
Bowyer, in his second spell at the Boleyn Ground, is determined to get back
involved and give his all for the Hammers fans. "I would like to finish
playing here," he said. "That would be my ideal; the icing on the cake for
me and my career. I support the club, I love the club. Always have and
always will. It will be the perfect scenario for me to come home and finish
at the club I love."
Regarding the 30-year-old's fitness and that of left-winger Etherington,
Curbishley said: "They have been training fully for the last nine days so we
will have to see nearer the weekend. They are probably the two closest." The
manager added that a number of other players have been back in full training
- suggesting a clearing treatment room at Chadwell Heath. "There are some
that are following up behind who have been in training. Julien Faubert is
one of them. There is a reserve game [at Aston Villa] on Monday which we are
hopeful a few will play in."
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Collison 'shocked' by rapid rise - WHUFC
The 19-year-old reserve-team captain Jack Collison is thrilled to have made
his debut
03.01.2008
Jack Collison has already made 2008 a year to remember having earned his
first-team breakthrough after rising through the Academy ranks.
Much has been written about the tall midfielder this season after his
impressive summer friendly displays saw him elevated to become reserve-team
captain. He then earned international recognition with two games for Wales
Under-21s in November. However, none of those achievements could surely have
compared with making his Hammers bow.
With half-time approaching on New Year's Day, Alan Curbishley turned to the
19-year-old as a replacement for the injured Freddie Ljungberg. "He told me
to warm up because Freddie was struggling," Collison told WHUTV. "I was a
little bit shocked and then he's called me over and said 'you're going on'.
I didn't have much time to think. I just had to stick my shirt on and I was
on the pitch.
"He told me to get close to [Cesc] Fabregas and try and stop them playing
but obviously when you come to Arsenal, a team like that has got so much
movement and interchanges. It is hard but I did my best." Collison's
commitment was clear by his disappointment at the final whistle, with
Carlton Cole offering a consoling arm as he trudged off after the 2-0
defeat.
"Against a good side, I struggled a little bit but it can only get better
from there. Arsenal are one of the best footballing sides in Europe. You
don't see the ball for a couple of minutes and then when you get it, you
have got to work hard to keep it. It is just a big learning curve for me.
Collison's surprise at a run-out was matched by his original disbelief that
he was even going to be in the matchday 16, having been named in the larger
travelling party. "It was a little bit of a shock to be involved," he said.
"The gaffer told me earlier at the hotel so I had a little bit of time to
prepare but I didn't expect to come on in the first half. It is just a dream
really to come on at the Emirates."
Such sentiments echoed the words of 18-year-old defender James Tomkins, who
also made it on to the bench for the London derby. "Me and Tomka have been
travelling a lot lately, both been working really hard and both got rewarded
by being on the bench," Collison said.
Having had a taste of the big time, he is hungry for more - starting perhaps
with Manchester City at home in this Saturday's FA Cup third round. "I am
really looking to push on. It is a great start to 2008 - players like myself
and James Tomkins are looking to get in there while players are injured and
do our bit for the team."
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Tomkins thrilled to step up - WHUFC
The visit of Manchester City could mean another big day for defender James
Tomkins
02.01.2008
James Tomkins has moved closer to his West Ham United debut after making it
on to the bench for the New Year's Day match at Arsenal.
The talented 18-year-old central defender will hope to go one better in the
FA Cup against Manchester City on Saturday, should manager Alan Curbishley
again decide to give the England youth international a place in the matchday
squad. Regardless, Tomkins is just thrilled to have had a taste, having been
away with the first team on several occasions this season but not been
involved.
"I have been in a few squads and not quite got on the bench," he said. "It
has been good to go away with the squad - they are a great bunch of lads.
They always give you confidence and pat you on the back. To get on the bench
against Arsenal was a great thing.
"It was a dream to look out and see 60,000 people out there and you're on
the bench. It was brilliant to see the new stadium. Obviously it is
disappointing that we lost but it was a great experience. I phoned my dad
and my brother late and they both come up to give me some support which is
good. They are West Ham fans as well - they made it but they were
disappointed we lost."
Tomkins, known as Tomka to his team-mates, said he had an idea the day
before that he might be involved for the short trip to north London,
especially given the run of injuries at the club. "Obviously you get an
inkling," he said. "You try and prepare yourself as much as you can that you
are at least going to be on the bench so I was doing that."
The experience was made all the sweeter because Jack Collison was also
involved, with the 19-year-old midfielder actually getting the call to play
late in the first half when Freddie Ljungberg limped off injured. "It was
brilliant to see Jack out there," said Tomkins. "We have got a good set of
lads at the club, a good Academy with good young players. He played well as
well which will have done him the world of good - hopefully there will be
plenty more to come."
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Duo set for weekend return - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 3rd January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington could both feature in this weekend's FA
Cup third round tie with high-flying Manchester City. The duo, who have been
out of action for several weeks, are described by Alan Curbishley as being
the two players 'closest' to first team action from a dozen-strong list of
casualties. "They have been training fully for the last nine days,"
Curbishley told whufc.com. "We will have to see nearer the weekend." The
Hammers boss - who was forced to give a first team debut to Jack Collison at
Arsenal on New Years Day due to the crippling injury list - also revealed
that several other players are on the cusp of a full recovery. ""There are
some that are following up behind who have been in training," he added.
"Julien Faubert is one of them. There is a reserve game on Monday which we
are hopeful a few will play in."
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Transfer window latest - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 3rd January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie is a transfer target of Sheffield United,
according to reports. The 29-year-old midfielder has made just eight
appearances for the Hammers since signing from West Bromwich Albion in a
£1.5m deal a year ago this month. The Scottish international's last
appearance came in the 4-3 defeat at home to Tottenham last March. There are
currently no signs of any inward transfers, although the Hammers continue to
be linked with the likes of Darren Bent and Nicky Shorey. One player
unlikely to be coming to East London however is highly-rated Gillingham
youngster Luke Freeman, who was recently linked with the Hammers. The young
striker - who made his Gills debut as a 15-year-old - is thought to prefer a
move to Arsenal.
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Curbishley - No Ashton rift - SSN
West Ham boss insists all is well with striker
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 3rd January 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has reiterated that he has not fallen out
with striker Dean Ashton. Ashton was relegated to the substitutes bench for
the victory over Manchester United last weekend and the defeat at the hands
of Arsenal on New Year's Day. The striker had started the Hammers' five
previous games, after the beginning of his season was disrupted by injury,
and Ashton was said to be unhappy at dropping out of Curbishley's first XI.
However, Curbishley is adamant there is not a problem between the pair. "I
wouldn't mind clearing up the situation concerning Dean," said Curbishley.
"We've played the top four teams, we played 4-5-1 at Chelsea, kept it tight
and were unlucky not to get something from the game. "We went 4-5-1 against
Manchester United and away at Arsenal and Carlton Cole is suited best to the
lone striker's role - there's a lot or work to be done when you're playing
that role. "I think we've eased Dean in properly at the start of the season
and we're doing it again now. "Obviously people want to play every game but
he played three and a half games, nearly four games, on the spin over the
Christmas period. "I changed it for the Manchester United game and perhaps
had we not been playing another top-four team I might have changed it around
a bit. "But he's had a good rest and hopefully he'll come into training nice
and fresh. "I spoke to Dean before the Manchester United game and he
understood it, he probably felt a bit tired anyway and I explained what we
were trying to do. "There are no problems, we want to get the results and
then we'll worry about individuals."
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Curbishley dismissive of Ashton rift rumours - Soccernet
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has again dismissed suggestions of a rift
with star striker Dean Ashton after the England player was relegated to the
substitutes bench against Manchester United and Arsenal. Ashton had started
the previous five matches for the Hammers but Curbishley opted to rest him
for the victory over United last weekend and the subsequent defeat at the
hands of the Gunners on New Year's Day. The striker has been frustrated with
the lack of first team chances and was said to be unhappy at being left out
of the starting line-up for the last two games. Talks about a new contract
appear to have stalled but Curbishley is adamant there is not a problem
between the pair. 'I wouldn't mind clearing up the situation concerning
Dean,' he said. 'We've played the top four teams, we played 4-5-1 at
Chelsea, kept it tight and were unlucky not to get something from the game.
'We went 4-5-1 against Manchester United and away at Arsenal and Carlton
Cole is suited best to the lone striker's role - there's a lot or work to be
done when you're playing that role. 'I think we've eased Dean in properly at
the start of the season and we're doing it again now. 'Obviously people want
to play every game but he played three and a half games, nearly four games,
on the spin over the Christmas period. 'I changed it for the Manchester
United game and perhaps had we not been playing another top-four team I
might have changed it around a bit. 'But he's had a good rest and hopefully
he'll come into training nice and fresh and looking forward to the weekend's
game against Manchester City. 'It's all right playing against the best teams
but when you play them you have to do certain things tactically and I
thought we did it the best way. 'I spoke to Dean before the Manchester
United game and he understood it, he probably felt a bit tired anyway and I
explained what we were trying to do. 'After the result against Manchester
United everyone knew I was going to go to Arsenal and play in the same way,
my big problem was that I didn't have the same personnel who would be
comfortable doing that. 'There are no problems, we want to get the results
and then we'll worry about individuals.'
Curbishley has 14 players in the treatment room but is not expecting to
splash out on new arrivals during the transfer window. He added: 'If
everyone is fit we have a big squad here and, hopefully, most of them will
be back soon. 'Things could change if the position gets more acute but I
don't envisage us doing much, if anything, during this month.' Curbishley
will lose John Pantsil and Henri Camara to the African Nations' Cup after
the weekend and may look to take a striker on loan but, apart from that, he
will stick with the squad he has. Winger Matthew Etherington and midfielder
Lee Bowyer could return for the FA Cup third round home clash against City
and others are getting closer to full fitness as well. 'We have a reserve
team game next Monday and I'm hoping that players such as Julien Faubert,
Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport will be fit to play in that,' added
Curbishley.
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Contract talks put on hold as West Ham stop spending - The Times
Gary Jacob
West Ham United have reined in their spending on players after the excesses
of the previous two transfer windows. The club have told Alan Curbishley,
the manager, that he may be allowed to sign only one target this month and
have put on hold contract talks with several first-team players.
Lucas Neill, Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington are among the players who
have been in talks about extending their deals. Neill, the captain, has been
seeking parity in salary with some of the players signed in the summer, who
are earning about £75,000 a week. He has 18 months left on his contract.
Etherington, the midfield player, remains in talks, but the club would
prefer to wait for Ashton to return to fitness before extending his deal,
which has 2½ years left.
The club spent about £18 million at this time last season and, although
their net spending of £10 million was relatively small, some of the wages
that they offered were considerably higher than those earned by players
already at the club. Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker and Fredrik
Ljungberg were all given about £75,000 a week when they joined in the
summer. Robert Green and Mark Noble had their salaries increased recently,
and other players had deals extended to protect their value.
Ashton looked sharp when he regained fitness from a broken ankle this
season, scoring three times. A knee injury forced him to withdraw from the
England squad that played Estonia and Russia in October.
But the forward has been on the substitutes' bench for the past two matches,
against Manchester United and Arsenal, when Curbishley wanted his team to be
solid defensively and changed to a 4-5-1 system. The manager used the same
tactical system against Chelsea, when they lost 1-0. In each case, Carlton
Cole led the line. "We wanted to keep it tight," Curbishley said. "Carlton
Cole is suited best to the lone striker's role. There's a lot of work to be
done when you're playing that role.
"Obviously people want to play every game but he played 3½ games over the
Christmas period. I changed it for the Manchester United game and perhaps,
had we not been playing another top-four team, I might have changed it
around a bit."
Curbishley also hinted that he would use the 4-5-1 system in future, meaning
no starting place for Ashton when West Ham play the bigger sides. The
forward has scored twice since returning from the knee injury. "Playing
against the best teams, you have to do certain things tactically,"
Curbishley said. "I spoke to Dean before the United game and he understood
it. He probably felt a bit tired anyway and I explained what we were trying
to do. There are no problems, we want to get the results and then we'll
worry about individuals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Peter Butler - From West Ham To South East Asia - Goal.com
Ex-West Ham and West Brom player Peter Butler is still only 41 years old but
he has already coached in five different countries.
After leaving his post as reserve coach of Halifax in 2001, Butler moved to
Australia where he worked with Sorrento Soccer Club in Perth. In 2003, the
former tough-tackling midfielder took over Malaysian club Sabah before
heading to Singapore and eight months as head coach of Singapore Armed
Forces. He is now in charge of Indonesian outfit Persiba Balikpapan and he
found time to talk to Goal.com Asia.
Your first coaching job was at Halifax?
Yes, I started there. I was at West Brom and wanted to leave and start
coaching. It was an opportunity for me to get all my licenses. I enjoyed it.
I am from Halifax and I wanted to end my career there. I went there as coach
but I ended up playing about 70 games. It was a great experience.
When the manager there was sacked, Paul Bracewell came in and wanted to
bring in his own people. That was fair enough. So I thought 'what do I do
now?' I could have sat on my backside and wait for a nother job –there were
offers to stay in England – but then the position in Australia came up.
What was the Australian job?
I was director of an academy at a state league side in Perth. I set up
programs there for 11-18 year-olds and it was a great experience. There were
some good young kids in the system there. The problem is that at 14-15, they
fall out of the system, maybe go on to Aussie Rules Football or something
completely different and they are then lost to the game.
Can Australia become a major football power?
I feel that Australia could become a real power in Asia without a doubt.
They have the new league set up and they have to give it 5-10 years. Then
they can look at leagues like Japan and Korea as models. They have to be
patient. A lot of planning and thought has gone into it.
There are some very good players and athletes in Australia but they are
always competing against Aussie Rules, Rugby, cricket etc. There is some
good stuff going on there at youth level and I have no doubt in the future
that they will be a powerhouse.
How was the standard in Australia compared to England's lower leagues?
It is a difficult question and not really fair to compare. The English lower
leagues are very tough. It is all hustle-and-bustle, cut-and-thrust, they
are unique in the world of football. Australia was a lot slower but
different. The A-League is new but it has potential to be very big.
Moving from England to Australia is perhaps not such a big move culturally
but then going from Australia to South-east Asia must have been very
different.
It was a big culture shock but i was surprised at how easily I settled and
got into it. It was a wonderful learning curve. If you want to test yourself
then Asia is a great place to work. I went to East Malaysia and they are
great people. They love football.
It seems these days that Malaysian fans love English football and are less
interested in their domestic game. Is that correct?
When I was there they were developing the Super League and I took Sabah to
the Super League. When I joined Sabah they used to get crowds of 2,000. From
the day I went there, we got a lot of success and we got to the cup final
and played in front of 80,000.
It was my first season, took them to the Super League and the final and I
did it with a team of kids. We went from having crowds of 2,000 to having
crowds of 30,000.
Since then, in the past two or three years, I can't believe how much it has
gone downhill. Sponsors have pulled out, there has been a lot of
mismanagement, a lot of politicking, politicicians getting involved for
their own reasons. Malaysians love football and their domestic football but
in the last two or three years, a lot of people have become disillusioned
with it.
The Asian Cup was a disaster from a Malaysian point of view…
I took my kids to a game during the Asian Cup but there was nobody there –it
was so sad. They have wonderful stadiums, some great people doing some good
work there. They need to develop the system slowly and be patient. The big
issue in Asia is all about winning a trophy – it's all win, win, win. They
have to lose that mentality and start thinking about development, getting a
coach education system in place.
I can actually see Malaysian football coming back domestically in the future
irrespective of the failures of the national team at respective
international competitions recently in south east asia, but it will take a
long time and a lot of hard work from top to bottom. I believe it is good
that the government has decided to start taking a closer look at the state
of Malaysian football and people should be made accountable for the failures
at development level and national level. They need to place people in
positions of responsibility with overseas experience who can help the local
coaches and educate them with what is going on in the global game.
Then you went to Singapore – a smaller country but with much more success in
football.
When I first went there, there were about 1,000 in the stadium again. They
love English football in Singapore but they don't watch their local
football. I would say the majority of Chinese/ Singaporeans only go to the
stadium not because they are interested in the quality of the football only
because they have money on the game.
The Singapore national team coach (Raddy Avramovic) has done a good job. A
lot of people are critical that he has allowed four or five overseas players
to naturalise and get citizenship. I have seen what the Singapore FA are
doing and they are trying.
There is some good stuff going on in Singapore but it is a non-competitive
league. Three teams –Home United, Tampines and Singapore Armed Forces – who
I was coach of- are in it. Apart from those three, it is by far the weakest
league in south-east Asia.
You are only 41 yet have coached in five countries. What kind of coach are
you and how have you grown from your experience?
When I started, I wanted to coach in as many countries as I could in order
to get experience. From a cultural point of view, you have to embrace their
culture and throw yourself into it. I think I am far from a typical English
coach. I have a very open mind. You have to learn how to deal with difficult
people and you must improvise. Improvisation is the key to working in this
part of the world. You have to be flexible – if you are stubborn, you have
no chance of success. I learned that the hard way and it has not only made
me a better coach but it has also made me a better person.
Can you give an example of a football cultural difference?
Well, there are presidents calling you on the bench telling you to change
the team (laughs). It is knowing how far you can push the players. Getting
Malayisans in in the morning for strength and conditioning work and then
getting them in the afternoon and doing ball work in the afternoon. You have
to gain their trust and show them the reason why they are doing it.
If you do that in Australia or England then it is no problem, they'll do it,
they want to get stronger and fitter. In Malaysia you have to cajole them
and show they why they should do it. Indonesians are a little different,
they want to work. If you get them up at seven in the morning and get they
in the gym, they'll be there.
I have taken a lot of things from Indonesia and Malaysia and have adopted
them into my personality. I learn things from then. You can't rant and rave
at the players. You lose a lot of face by shouting. I don't, I talk to them
and get them believing in what we are doing and trusting me. I am like a
father figure to them.
If you were to coach in England again, what kind of things would you take
from Asia as a coach?
I would take a great deal. Things such as being patient, putting things in
place and developing slowly.
Now you are in Indonesia. Some say that potentially, Indonesia is the
strongest SE Asian nation. Would you agree with that?
Without a doubt. Some of the players I work with are very talented and could
move on to play in different leagues. I am not saying that they are ready
for Europe as I don't think they are. They have to become stronger mentally.
People talk about their physique but I don't think that is such a big
handicap. There are some strong Indonesian boys. I think you can overcome
that. They have a willingness to work and potentially I can see the
potential in Indonesia is massive.
Last week, we lost a league game in front of 45,000 people. I said to my
assistant that 'this is just like England.' Indonesians are always singing,
they never stop. That club is a big one, while mine is small but I thought
they if you could bottle this atmosphere and take it back to the UK well…
I got a taste of that during the Asian Cup in Jakarta. The atmosphere was
fantastic.
The clubs are like that too.
So then why isn't Indonesia better? What's the problem?
First, they have to get a coach education program. The Vision Asia project
is a great idea through the AFC. They have to be willing to change and not
be afraid of change. They have to be willing for some people to step aside
to let things move forward. There are no real development programs. Most of
these kids haven't been coached. Indonesian coaches don't really coach the
youngsters, they just let them play. Sometimes that is great and kids can
express themselves.
In the UK, we got to a stage where kids are being overcoached. There are
more programs than ever in the British system but we don't produce any
better players than we did 15 or 20 years ago with the old apprentice
scheme.
When Howard Wilkinson introduced the Charter for Quality, I could see there
were going to be problems. We have created a monster. Kids now at 16,17 etc
are earning 10,000 pounds a week. They are spoiled. We produce kids now
without that hunger and passion. This charter for quality means that kids no
longer do the menial jobs like cleaning the dressing room etc. Kids in the
UK don't appreciate what they have – fantastic training grounds, food etc
What is your proudest achievement as a coach?
If you're talking about winning silverware then I haven't really won any. I
have always joined clubs who wanted to construct a new team. I have never
joined a team with stars, they have always been mid-table or at the bottom
and I have taken them up.
At every club, I have always brought in young players. At Sabah, I brought
in six young lads. I am a big believer in giving youth a chance. Taking
Sabah into the Super League and the Malaysian Cup final was a big
achievement as we were punching above our weight. We had no stars. At
Singapore, I was there for eight months and we were top of the league. I
resigned because of interference from the general manager there.
Here, I have brought in a lot of young lads. You don't always measure
success by wining trophies but by building a team for the future.
What are your future plans?
I want to stay in Asia or go to the Middle-East. I like working in this
region. I am ambitious and I would like to take on a new challenge – perhaps
West Asia or Japan, Korea and China.
John Duerden
Asia Editor
johnduerden@hotmail.com
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Ashton is told 'get used to warming the subs' bench'
Sachin Nakrani
Friday January 4, 2008
The Guardian
Dean Ashton has been told by his manager Alan Curbishley that, if he decides
to stay at West Ham United, he should not expect to start against the
Premier League's top sides. The forward was on the bench for the club's
recent matches against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, despite
recovering from a broken ankle that kept him out of action for the whole of
last season.
Curbishley played a 4-5-1 system in all three games with Carlton Cole as a
lone striker. Despite the varying success of the formation - West Ham lost
two and won one - Curbishley said he will continue to play that way against
the title contenders, including Liverpool who the Hammers face later this
month, even if that means upsetting Ashton. The 24-year-old forward is
reportedly unhappy with his lack of football this season. He has made only
eight starts and could seek a move during the transfer window.
"It's all right playing against the best teams but when you play them you
have to do certain things tactically and I thought we did it the best way,"
Curbishley said. "We played 4-5-1 at Chelsea, kept it tight and were unlucky
not to get something from the game. We went 4-5-1 against Manchester United
and won and then again away at Arsenal, where we lost. But going to the
Emirates is tough.
"Carlton Cole is best suited to being the lone striker - there's a lot or
work to be done. I spoke to Dean before the United game and he understood.
There are no problems. We want to get the results and then we'll worry about
individuals."
Curbishley said he understand's Ashton's desire to play having been out for
so long but is adamant the Premier League club has eased the former England
Under-21 international back into first-team action at the correct pace. "He
[Ashton] has worked so hard to get where he is and he's not had any niggles
so had an uninterrupted start," Curbishley said. "He's had a good rest now
and hopefully he'll come into training nice and fresh and looking forward to
the weekend's game [against Manchester City]".
Despite his lack of football, Ashton has scored five goals this campaign and
is said to be a target for a number of clubs, including Manchester City,
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham could be busy in the transfer market themselves this month and
Curbishley has confirmed he has met with the club's chairman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson twice in recent weeks regarding the future of the club,
including the possible recruitment of a technical director. "[Gudmundsson]
is now taking a fuller role, but he'll let me run the football side of it,"
Curbishley said. "He's coming over to the game at the weekend and it's an
opportunity to have another chat.
"We said from the outset it's a technical director we want more than
anything else, but I know people have been wary of that so we have to make
sure we get it right."
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Faubert set for West Ham playing comeback
tribalfooball.com - January 03, 2008
Julien Faubert is set for a return at West Ham United. "We have a reserve
team game next Monday and I'm hoping that players such as Julien Faubert,
Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport will be fit to play in that," said
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley.
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Collison shocked by West Ham breakthrough
tribalfootball.com - January 03, 2008
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison admits he's been shocked by his progress
this season. Earning his first cap with Wales U21 was followed by his
Premiership debut against Arsenal this week and the 19 year-old told WHUTV:
"He (Alan Curbishley) told me to warm up because Freddie (Ljungberg) was
struggling.
"I was a little bit shocked and then he's called me over and said 'you're
going on'. I didn't have much time to think. I just had to stick my shirt on
and I was on the pitch. "He told me to get close to [Cesc] Fabregas and try
and stop them playing but obviously when you come to Arsenal, a team like
that has got so much movement and interchanges. It is hard but I did my
best." He added: "It was a little bit of a shock to be involved. "The
gaffer told me earlier at the hotel so I had a little bit of time to prepare
but I didn't expect to come on in the first half. It is just a dream really
to come on at the Emirates."
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Curbs slams Ashton - The Mirror
By Neil Mcleman 04/01/2008
Alan Curbishley has told England hopeful Dean Ashton that Carlton Cole is
better than him at playing the lone forward role for West Ham. And he warned
the £7.25million striker he will have to get used to sitting on the bench
against the Big Four teams. Ashton, who missed last season with a broken
ankle suffered during his first international call-up, has been tipped to
play a key role in Fabio Capello's new England team. But the 24-year-old
lost his place in the Hammers side for the big Christmas games against
Manchester United and Arsenal. Curbishley, who masterminded the home win
over the champions with a 4-5-1 formation, admitted he preferred Cole's
hard-running style to Ashton's more skilful approach. And the Irons boss
insisted the team came before the individual aspirations of any player. "We
went 4-5-1 against Manchester United and at Arsenal and Cole is suited best
to the lone striker's role where there's a lot of work to be done," he said.
"When you play against the best teams you have to change certain things
tactically. "I spoke to Dean before the Manchester United game and he
understood it. It's team first." Curbishley said Ashton is in contention for
a place in tomorrow's FA Cup tie against Manchester City. With Derby ready
to listen to offers for Giles Barnes, West Ham must decide if they are to
follow up their summer interest in the Barking-born winger.
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West Ham's £6m Italian job
Thu, Jan 3, 08 15:22
Mark Apostolou
West Ham United are closing in on £6m Udinese attacker Antonio Di Natale
(Corriere della Sera). Alan Curbishley is said to be on the verge of signing
the 30-year-old who could do a good job as either strike partner for Dean
Ashton, or indeed playing behind him. This could be the kind of signing that
makes all the difference between a mid-table finish and a run at the UEFA
Cup.
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Will Curbs Splash The Cash For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 3 January, 2008 - 09:40.
There must be some kind of time warp enveloping Hammers physio room because
the players who were going to be "back in a couple of weeks" have not
appeared, even worse the already lengthy injury list just keeps growing, so
what should Alan Curbishley do during the transfer window? Callum Davenport
and Nigel Quashie were signed up last time round and have done diddly squit,
Julian Faubert has never been seen by many fans and Kieron Dyer will be
lucky if he gets to play another match this season. The fact is that West
Ham have a large squad, much larger than Villa's for example, but with so
many injuries the club just have to bring in new players. Problem is once
the walking wounded DO finally return the team could suddenly become top
heavy, so does curbs go for loan deals? Loaning players has its own inherent
difficulties, no decent player will be loaned out by a Premiership club
particularly to 'money bags' West Ham, so perhaps the club will have to look
abroad, this is where the appointment of a Director of Football kicks in.
Hammers admirably have a firmly British base of players, but must look
elsewhere than the UK if they are to do any helpful business, remember Yossi
Benayoun anybody? Another point is how does the chairman see things? Does he
want mid table safety for this season or does he want his club to be pushing
for a top six slot? The general concensus is that players will be brought in
but it will be a trickle and not a flood, just enough to carry the team
until the big guns return. After all, if you look at the team that could be
put out on paper then Hammers could definitely be pushing for a Euro spot,
but of course the game is played on grass, not paper or play station! Before
fans consider who should be brought in, it is worth remembering who may
return and how the manager will deal with an abundance of choice as opposed
to the lean pickings that have been available to him.. Craig Bellamy, Bobby
Zamora, Julien Faubert, Kieron Dyer, Lee Bowyer, Matty Etherington, James
Collins, Danny Gabbidon and recently injured Scotty Parker, Nobby Solano and
Freddie Ljungberg. Davenport and Quashie have been mentioned already but
don't really qualify as they are rubbish! (maybe a bit harsh on Davenport).
If a good forward, another midfielder and a back up defender could be found,
then that would probably be enough to carry the club through to the season's
end, and at least Hammers will suffer less than many when it comes to the
Africa Cup of Nations. - Ed
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Curbishley denies Ashton rift and says he will stay with Hammers - Daily
Mail
Last updated at 14:10pm on 3rd January 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley dismissed suggestions that striker Dean Ashton
will leave during the transfer window. Ashton is said to be unhappy about
not being in Curbishley's starting line-up for the last few matches. Talks
about a new contract appear to have stalled and the former Norwich forward
is thought to be unsure about how highly he is rated by his boss. However,
Curbishley claimed today there was no problem between him and Ashton and
said: "I believe we're managing him sensibly. It's been a tactical decision
more than anything else recently. "For the past few matches we've played
4-5-1 and Carlton Cole, at this stage, is more suited to that role than
Dean. "I spoke to him before the Manchester United match and I think he
understood. After that result it was no surprise we stuck with the same
system against Arsenal, although it wasn't as successful because we conceded
an early goal. "He suffered a bad injury and we have to manage his fitness
carefully. I believe we're doing that. "Dean had an uninterrupted run of
games when he came back until he injured his knee. Since he's returned, he's
been okay again with no other problems. "We've had a lot of games in a short
space of time and I didn't want to overload him. He should be nice and fresh
now as we go into Saturday's FA Cup tie against Manchester City. "I've no
problem with Dean and he remains an important part of our plans."
Curbishley, who has 14 players out through in jury, also confirmed that West
Ham will not be splashing out during the transfer window. "If everyone is
fit we have a big squad here and, hopefully, most of them will be back
soon," he said. "Things could change if the position gets more acute but I
don't envisage us doing much, if anything, during this month."
Curbishley, who will lose John Pantsil and Henri Camara to the African
Nations' Cup after this weekend, may look for a loan striker but, apart from
that, will stick with the players he already has at his disposal. Two of
them, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer, could return from injury at the
weekend and others may not be far behind. Curbishley said: "We have a
reserve team game next Monday and I'm hoping that players such as Julien
Faubert, Luis Boa Mor te and Calum Davenport will be fit to play in that."
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West Ham set for Parker boost - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:16pm on 3rd January 2008
Midfielder Scott Parker looks set to return to the West Ham team for
Saturday's FA Cup clash with Manchester City after missing the 2-0 defeat
against Arsenal on New Year's Day with a knee injury. Alan Curbishley has
hinted that youngsters James Tomkins and Jack Collison will keep their
places in the squad for the FA Cup tie with City. The boss said: "They are
two young lads who have been training with us regularly and I feel it's time
to give them a go." Meanwhile Matthew Upson has taken up the advice of a
South African specialist in biomechanics to do all he can to remain fighting
fit for West Ham this season as injuries continue to pile up for Alan
Curbishley. The 2-0 at leaders Arsenal was a match which manager Curbishley
described as "one too far" over the hectic festive schedule that had seen
them beat Manchester United last weekend. Midfielders Parker and Nobby
Solano were both absent at Emirates having picked up knocks against United,
while former Gunner Freddie Ljungberg lasted less than 40 minutes before he
hobbled off with a hamstring problem. Curbishley admits should the situation
become "acute" in any area, then he must consider strengthening during this
month's transfer window.
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West Ham target Bent told to prove his fitness - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:42pm on 3rd January 2008
Tottenham forward Darren Bent has been told to prove his fitness to boss
Juande Ramos. The striker, who has a hip injury and did not feature in any
of the games over the Christmas period, has been linked with a January move
to West Ham. However, Ramos has assured Bent he is part of his plans at
Spurs this season. Bent has struggled to make an impact since arriving from
Charlton this summer but Spurs are keen to stress they do not want to sell
him this month.
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane is the preferred partnership for head
coach Ramos, but the Spaniard said: "Bent and the other 20-odd players are
of course part of my plans. "He was injured against Reading and couldn't
play. When he's fit, he will play."
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West Ham plan bid for Udinese star Di Natale
tribalfooball.com - January 03, 2008
West Ham United are eyeing Udinese attacker Antonio Di Natale. Corriere
della Sera says Udinese - nor any Serie A rivals - can compete with the
spending power of West Ham and are resigned to selling the Italy
international at the end of the season.
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West Ham boss Curbs: No problems with Ashton
tribalfootball.com - January 03, 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists there's no problems with striker Dean
Ashton. Curbishley said Ashton will be eased back into the first team as he
recovers from a knee ligament injury. Ashton played 19 minutes as a
substitute during the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on New Year's Day. "He
understands," Curbishley said. "I have just been making sure we get him
through it."
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