James Collins is still in good spirits despite the disappointment of his
knee-ligament injury
14.02.2008
James Collins is targeting as quick a return as possible from his serious
knee injury with surgery due next week before he begins on the road to
recovery.
The Wales defender suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his
right knee during a reserve-team outing at Portsmouth on 23 January - just
as he was approaching full fitness and a return to regular first-team
action. West Ham United head physiotherapist George Cooper is optimistic
that Collins could yet return to play some part in pre-season training this
summer.
"He has got a 75 per cent tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and that
was diagnosed under arthroscopy which has made planning the operation much
easier," he said. "There is going to be no surprises when they go inside the
knee. They know what is going on in there." While it is difficult to predict
yet when Collins will be ready to return, the hope is that he could resume
training in six months.
Of the unfortunate injury itself, which came about when a Portsmouth player
went over under pressure on the halfway line and landed on top of Collins'
right knee, Cooper said: "The guy's fallen on him. It was a committed tackle
which he does four or five times a day in training. It looked innocuous
compared to the whole-hearted challenges he usually makes."
Speaking to the official matchday programme, Collins is ready to begin the
"hard work" as soon as the operation is carried out. He added: "I think the
minimum time I will be out is six months so that is what I am aiming
towards. It is weird because I am not in any pain or anything. I can bend my
knee no problem and even run already, which is what I am finding it hard to
get my head round as I can do all that but I can't play football.
"However, I understand making any sort of tackle and kicking the ball, I
would be in trouble so I just have to take my time, do as I am told by the
physios and that way I will suffer no setbacks." Pledging to continue
"supporting the boys every week", Collins said the strong team spirit at the
club would help him cope with the lay-off. "This is the first long-term
injury I have picked up so it is going to be tough to deal with, but
everyone around me is really supportive, which always helps."
Meanwhile, Cooper said he was pleased with the prospects for Calum
Davenport, who is also targeting a summer return after suffering a fracture
to one of the vertebrae in his neck on 19 January during the first match of
a loan at Watford. Cooper said: "I have to complement Watford for the
impeccable way they handled it. Calum was lucky to have such a good team
around him when it happened." Cooper said the initial "loss of power and
pins and needles" Davenport felt was due to swelling. "That has now
disappeared and he is expected to make a full recovery."
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Millers sign young Hammer on loan - BBC
Teenage left-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two side Rotherham on a
month's loan from West Ham. Widdowson, 18, completed the loan move after
featuring for Rotherham's reserve team in a match against Leeds. He could
make his Millers debut in their match against Wycombe Wanderers this
weekend. Widdowson spent a short spell training with League One club
Carlisle United late last year and has been a key player for West Ham's
Under-18 team.
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We're not loaded anymore - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have slipped outside of the Top 20 in football's rich list -
despite being owned by a billionaire. The Hammers, who were listed in 19th
place in the 2005/06 list with a turnover of £60.1m slipped outside of the
World's rich list this year. Two of the teams that suffred a similar fate in
last year's list, Valencia and Celtic, are back in this year's list which
also saw Glasgow Rangers, Manchester City and Benfica slip outside the top
20. Topping the list for the third successive year are Real Madrid, whilst
six English clubs - Man Utd (2nd), Chelsea (4th), Arsenal (5th), Liverpool
(8th), Tottenham (11th) and Newcastle (14th) - make the top 20. West Ham's
re-emergence into the Deloitte's list last year followed four years in the
wilderness and was boosted by the FA Cup Final appearance against Liverpool.
Deloitte's Football Rich List 06/07
(last year's position in brackets, income in Euros)
1 (1) Real Madrid 351.8
2 (4) Manchester United 315.4
3 (2) FC Barcelona 291.1
4 (6) Chelsea 284.4
5 (9) Arsenal 264.2
6 (5) AC Milan 227.7
7 (8) FC Bayern Munich 223.7
8 (10) Liverpool 202.1
9 (7) Inter 195.4
10 (12) A.S. Roma 157.7
11 (15) Tottenham Hotspur 153.6
12 (-) Juventus 145.5
13 (11) Lyon 141.5
14 (13) Newcastle United 129.4
15 (16) SV Hamburg 121.3
16 (14) Schalke 04 114.5
17 (-) Celtic 111.8
18 (-) Valencia 107.8
19 (-) Marseille 99.7
20 (-) Bremen 97.0
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Hell, Sid? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are being linked with a move for Chelsea outcast Steve
Sidwell. The Daily Mirror - never the most reliable of sources - are
claiming that the Hammers are prepared to pay around £5m for the former
Reading midfielder, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer last summer.
Sidwell has barely featured for Chelsea's first team this season, and was
left out of their Champions League squad prompting him to announce his
desire to find a new club.
He was linked with a move to relegation-threatened Sunderland during the
transfer window but that move failed to materialise. The former Reading
captain was previously linked with a move to East London back in 2004 and
2005 when Alan Pardew - who had overseen the young Sidwell's career - was
manager of West Ham.
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Widdy Miller - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Youth team full-back Joe Widdowson has joined League Two outfit Rotherham
United on a month's loan. The left-sided defender made his debut for the
Millers last night in their 3-0 reserve team defeat against Leeds United at
Millmoor. The 18-year-old is expected to be named in this weekend's first
team squad to face Wycombe Wanderers, who are currently one place behind
Rotherham in League Two in sixth place. Widdowson's spell with Rotherham is
his second on loan already this season; he previously spent a month with
Carlisle United last November/December. Carlisle boss John Ward had wanted
to take Widdowson back to Brunton Park in January for a second loan spell
but that failed to materialise.
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Hammers tour in the Can? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are one of three Premier League teams being linked with a
money-spinning pre-season tour of North America. Canadian outfit Vancouver
Whitecaps announced yesterday that they had agreed to play a 'top ten'
Premier League side this summer in either Burnaby's Swangard Stadium or BC
Place Stadium. Whitecaps Club President and former manger of the Canadian
national team, Bob Lenarduzzi, said: "We can't be specific at the moment.
All I can say at this time is the team is currently in the top half of the
English Premier League standings. "If the draw is big enough, we would
consider going into BC Place."
The Whitecaps play in the USL First Division, an 11-team league consisting
of nine American sides and two Candian. The standard of football is similar
to the Football League Two (or Division 4 to those of our readers above 30).
West Ham United announced last May that they had opened an academy in the
USA, whilst Eggert Magnusson hinted late last year, prior to his departure
from the club that the Hammers were investigating the possibility of playing
at least one 'home' Premier League fixture in North America.
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Sidwell to make move to West Ham - blueandwhitearmy
By Paul Griffiths - 14/02/2008 22:55
According to reports, Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell will make a move away
from Stamford Bridge and Chelsea to move to Upton Park to join West Ham
during the next summer transfer window for a sum that is said to be in the
region of £5m. Sidwell has struggled to make an impression since his move
from Reading last summer.
He was said to be shattered when Avram Grant omitted him from Chelsea's
squad for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, a decision that is
said to have made the midfielder's mind up about leaving Stamford Bridge as
soon as he can. Sidwell has found life hard with a plethora of big name
stars ahead of him in the Chelsea midfield pecking-order. He had hoped to
cement his place firmly in the squad when Michael Essien and Obi John Mikel
midfield but he was left out of contention for last Sunday's game against
Liverpool with Obi coming into the squad after he returned from Africa.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is keen to sign Sidwell and is prepared to
match the £5m per year wage deal he currently enjoys at Stamford Bridge.
However, West Ham will face stiff opposition from Sidwell's former side
Reading with manager Steve Coppell hoping to persuade him to make a return
to The Madejski Stadium.
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Liverpool, Man City and West Ham wait as Newcastle decide on Owen future!?!
- Talking Soccer
Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan will have to splash out £20 million if he
wants to keep Michael Owen at the club. Keegan is expected to splash the
cash this summer but could find himself £20 million out of pocket before he
has even begun. The Mirror are reporting that the club do not want to risk
losing Michael owen, who cost a whopping £16 million from Real Madrid, for
nothing with the players contract having just 1 year remaining to run.
Owen will demand a four year deal worth £5 million per season to remain at
St James Park and with Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham all waiting
in the wings, the Toon will have little choice but to give the player what
he wants.
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Hammers skipper contemplates missed opportunities
By Guardian-series
LUCAS Neill believes that West Ham's recent poor results could have
scuppered the club's bid to claim a UEFA Cup spot this season. The Irons
were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with struggling Birmingham at Upton Park
on Saturday, which followed a 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Wigan. But
the Hammers skipper reckons they needed all six points to stay in touch with
seventh-placed Manchester City - instead they find themselves trailing by
seven points. "We have obviously lost ground - we lost points and what
should have been a really exciting month is starting to look a little bit
anti-climatic now," Neill told WHUTV. "It is definately two games that we
were going to look back at the end of the season and think we should have
possibly got maximum points." The Irons can still get back in the hunt for
Europe with a victory over Fulham in their next match. And Neill (pictured)
has urged his team mates to look on the club's achievements of last season
as inspiration. He said: "As we all know, last year we won seven out of nine
games so all is not lost yet.
"We are all very disappointed but we also had a good chat about what we are
going to do here on in."
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Shorey stalls on new Royals deal - TeamTalk
Reading defender Nicky Shorey has put contract negotiations at the Madejski
Stadium on hold until the end of the season. Shorey, who is under contract
with the Royals until 2009, is believed to be the target of the Premier
League's top four as well as West Ham, and Reading are keen to tie the
full-back to a long-term deal. However, Shorey has decided to put
negotiations on hold until the summer and it is thought the England
international is waiting to see if Reading avoid relegation this season
before making a decision upon his future. Reading director of football Nick
Hammond does, however, remain confident that positive negotiations will take
place in the summer. "In all honesty I think we will look again in the
summer and see what the situation is then. He still has a year on his
contract to run after this season," Hammond told the Reading Evening Post.
"You'd need to speak to him in that respect," added Hammond when asked if he
thought Shorey was waiting to see if Reading maintain their top flight
status. "I think he'd already made the decision (about whether he wanted to
sign a new deal) at the start of this season and there's no reason why that
has changed. "The important thing now is that he performs well up until the
summer and then we will speak again."
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Transfer speculation: Steve Sidwell to West Ham United (£5 million) -
squarefootball.net
Steve Sidwell to Chelsea was always one of those deals that most fans looked
at and thought- "how many games will you play? " The answer turned out to be
quite a few but only when there's a lot of players missing. Avram Grant's
decison to take Sidwell off the Champions League squad list made the
ex-Reading man's position crystal clear. There's every chance Chelsea will
sign even more midfield talent in the summer and Sidwell is never going to
be a regular. The Mirror says that West Ham will offer the midfielder a way
out in the summer but there's bound to be other clubs on the case. The
number of internationals that the 'Big 4' can pile up in their squads should
give some players pause for thought about moves to the elite clubs but with
the riches on offer- and the chance to win something- it's hard to turn them
down.
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West Ham coach: Zamora can be best in Premiership
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008
West Ham United reserves boss Kevin Keen is convinced Bobby Zamora can
fulfil his potential at Upton Park. Fit-again Zamora struck a hat-trick in
this week's 4-4 draw with Birmingham City and Keen told WHUTV: "Bobby is an
outstanding athlete. In my opinion he is one of the best forwards in the
Premier League when he is fit and I have told him that on many occasions. We
have just got to be a bit careful as to when we bring him back.
"We haven't got a game this weekend and then we play Fulham away but he
could be a real diamond to have in the run-in for Curbs and Mervyn. He can
really turn games, he can score goals - I don't want to speak too highly of
him because he is a big enough character anyway."
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West Ham's Etherington reflects on gambling successes
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008
West Ham United winger Matthew Etherington admits he still looks fondly on
some of his gambling successes. Etherington may have needed rehab for
gambling addiction, but the West Ham winger has fond memories of bashing the
bookies. Asked by the Racing Post for his best betting moment, Etherington
said: "Backing Westmead Hawk to win the Greyhound Derby both times. The
first year he won it I had £5,000 each-way at 25-1."
With winnings on that scale (payout: £166,250), imagine how much he may have
lost before checking into the Sporting Chance clinic last year.
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West Ham's Collins targets next season return
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008
West Ham defender James Collins hopes to return early next season after
suffering a knee ligament injury last month. "I can run and bend, but I need
to get my head around that I can't play football because of making tackles,"
the Wales defender said.
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Zamora: Faubert can be West Ham success
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008
Bobby Zamora says West Ham teammate Julien Faubert can make a big impact at
Upton Park. "He is in exactly the same situation as me," Zamora told the
club's official website after hitting a hat-trick for the reserves this
week. "He has had a few bits and pieces since coming back. He has been sub
for the first team but for him to get another 90 minutes is the main thing.
He put in a few brilliant balls and made my job a lot easier."
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West Ham's Collison backed for more senior action
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008
West Ham United reserves coach Kevin Keen is hopeful of Jack Collison
winning more first team chances this season. He told WHUTV: "It has been a
good year for Jack, he's made his senior debut, he's got into the Wales
Under-21 squad, he's managed to score a few goals and played a lot of games
in the reserves. He is very hard-working, grafting midfield player who can
nick a goal. I hope that between now and the end of the season we might get
to see him a couple of times in the first team. We will have to wait and
see."
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West Ham physio: Davenport will make full recovery
tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2008
West Ham United head physiotherapist George Cooper says defender Calum
Davenport will make a full recovery after breaking his neck while on-loan at
Watford. Cooper told whufc.com: "I have to complement Watford for the
impeccable way they handled it. Calum was lucky to have such a good team
around him when it happened." Cooper said the initial "loss of power and
pins and needles" Davenport felt was due to swelling. "That has now
disappeared and he is expected to make a full recovery."
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Chelsea's Sidwell wants West Ham move
tribalfootball.com - February 14, 2008
Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to join West Ham United in the
summer. The Mirror says the former Reading star has had enough of Chelsea
after being axed from their Champions League squad in a snub that marked his
card about the future. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been put on alert
and is willing to match his lucrative £3m-a-year contract. Sidwell featured
in Avram Grant's side when they were without their Africa Cup of Nations
stars, but has since been quietly offered around. Sunderland, Blackburn and
Bolton were all interested - but Sidwell's future is at Upton Park.
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Etherington's Derby delight - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:32am on 14th February 2008
Matthew Etherington may have needed rehab for gambling addiction, but the
West Ham winger has fond memories of bashing the bookies. Asked by the
Racing Post for his best betting moment, Etherington said: "Backing Westmead
Hawk to win the Greyhound Derby both times. The first year he won it I had
£5,000 each-way at 25-1." With winnings on that scale (payout: £166,250),
imagine how much he may have lost before checking into the Sporting Chance
clinic last year.
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