Bondz N'Gala is hoping to get more chances to show what he can do before the
end of the season
18.02.2008
Bondz N'Gala is learning fast at West Ham United and is looking to add his
name to the list of talented Academy youngsters on the fringes of the first
team.
The imposing centre-back is enjoying life at reserve-team level alongside
England Under-19 defender James Tomkins. The pair first came together for
Kevin Keen's side at home to Chelsea on 10 December with N'Gala turning in a
man of the match display in the goalless draw. They then reunited last week
for the visit of Birmingham City and again were imperious in a 4-1 success.
"My aim is to be a regular for the reserves now and try to push on from
there," the 18-year-old, who is nicknamed Bonzo, told WHUTV. "The next step
is to make my mark for the reserve team. Hopefully, the manager is watching
and I will do all I can to impress." He could get another chance to do just
that on Wednesday night when Fulham arrive at Bishop's Stortford looking to
fare better than Birmingham.
"It was a very good win," N'Gala said of last week's success. "We worked
hard at them and got the result in the end. We had a good team out so we
believed in our ability and got back in the game, and in the end we got
four." As well as Tomkins, the back line featured the highly rated Jordan
Spence, who is still only 17, at right-back and Jonathan Spector, a veteran
by comparison at 21, at left-back.
Having the chance to play alongside the likes of established US
international Spector and returning hat-trick hero Bobby Zamora further
forward is something that N'Gala is looking to use to his advantage. "I am
always listening to what they have got to say and take it on. They have been
there and are willing to help. It is good to see Bob back out there.
Hopefully we will see him out there soon for the first team doing the same."
In between those Chelsea and Birmingham reserve fixtures, N'Gala went off to
Weymouth on a work experience arrangement last month only to be recalled
after a change of management at the Conference club. Despite that aborted
spell he did get the chance to taste the top level of non-league football
and found it as useful an experience as playing alongside Zamora and Co.
"It has helped me playing competitive football elsewhere," the homegrown
talent from Forest Gate said. "I have grown up a bit more. I had to grow up
quick in that league. It is a bit different to being here - they play the
ball a bit long more, you have got to get used to it. There was more heading
for me. It was good."
N'Gala's first game upon his return to West Ham United was helping the
Under-18s to a 2-0 win at Arsenal on 2 February and he was back in action
again for Tony Carr's in-form Academy side at the weekend as they won 1-0
away to Southampton. "It is good to be back and to see the lads again. It is
good to be playing in the West Ham shirt again as well."
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Carr pleased with young charges - WHUFC
West Ham United's Under-18s are on a roll as two good victories away to
table-topping sides demonstrate
17.02.2008
Tony Carr has paid tribute to his young team as they maintained their fine
form at the weekend with a superb 1-0 win away to Southampton.
The victory means the Under-18s have beaten the top two teams in the
division in their last two outings away from Little Heath, having already
won 2-0 at Arsenal a fortnight ago. Carr was also pleased that both
successes had erased the memory of defeats by the two clubs earlier in the
campaign, and that Saturday's match-winner Junior Stanislas had kept going
despite missing an earlier penalty.
"Junior made amends and scored the winning goal for us," Carr said, mindful
that Stanislas had also missed from the spot in a 2-0 win against Ipswich
Town last December when he had already scored two goals and was on a
hat-trick. His penalty profligacy is also surprising given his prowess with
free-kicks this campaign. "He can't score from 12 yards but he was pleased
to get the winner," Carr said. "He grabbed the ball and he was determined to
take it but he missed. It is all part of the learning experience."
Stanislas is an exciting young prospect, with Carr expecting him to push on
his development in a wide-right position although he can also play on the
left-hand side. While he makes progress at club level, he has also twice
been an unused substitute for England Under-19s this season. "He is on the
fringes of the England squad," said Carr. "He's got a little bit to do to
force himself into the team."
Reflecting further on Saturday's success, he said: "We just deserved to win
it on the day. I thought we carried the bigger threat going forward. They
defended resolutely and restricted us to a few efforts at goal but we got
there in the end. It is a good time at the moment and hopefully we can carry
on and remain unbeaten for as long as possible."
Aware his team had previously lost 6-1 and 3-2 to Arsenal and Southampton
respectively inside a fortnight at the end of October and start of November,
Carr explained his satisfaction at seeing things go his side's way. "It is
always nice to make amends for an earlier defeat. Three or four months down
the road, the teams are slightly different and it is a different game but it
is always nice to get one back if you get beaten by a team. Southampton are
at the top and Arsenal are second. We have beaten them both and kept a clean
sheet."
With Bondz N'Gala back in the side after sitting out last weekend's 4-1 win
at home against Norwich City, Carr this time decided to rest Jordan Spence.
Both defenders figured for the reserves in the 4-1 midweek victory against
Birmingham City and the youth academy director underlined that he has to get
the balance right in terms of games played by his young charges. "I didn't
want Jordan to play three games in a week. I knew Bondz was going to play on
Tuesday so I left him out last time.
"When I get the opportunity I try to rest them here and there. You can do it
on the odd occasion but it is difficult for them to play Saturday, Tuesday
and Saturday," Carr added about his crop of talented teenagers who are still
getting to grips with the game. Key to everything is the close coordination
between the Academy and reserve-team manager Kevin Keen, through to Alan
Curbishley's senior set-up.
"We work together every day so we talk about what teams are going to play,
who might play and in which games. At reserve-team level, it is all to do
with what senior players play and then we work it back from there."
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Upson's buzz at the Boleyn - WHUFC
England defender Matthew Upson is honoured to be wearing the No6 shirt for
West Ham United
17.02.2008
Matthew Upson has spoken of his pride at wearing the No6 shirt at West Ham
United.
With next Sunday marking 15 years to the day that club legend Bobby Moore
passed away, Upson has revealed what it means to him to have the shirt.
"It's a big honour," he told the matchday programme. "Sometimes I do sit at
home and think about it and I get a little buzz because it's a big honour. I
didn't actually specifically ask for it. I was given it and it's a real
honour to wear that shirt."
While Upson is understandably looking to play for England against France in
Paris next month, the defender is first and foremost committed to giving his
all at the Boleyn Ground. Having played every minute of this season's league
campaign after the "dreadful" events of last year when injury cost him the
chance to help in the fight for survival, Upson said: "It's only just
beginning at West Ham. I want to give some very good years in my career to
West Ham and I feel I am coming into my prime."
He also sees plenty of competition coming up through the ranks with the
likes of England youth internationals Jordan Spence and James Tomkins set to
stake a claim in future. "Tomka's showed some real talent and understanding
of the position. Jordan looks very good too. He's trained with us a few
times and he looks a really good athlete. He's got a good athletic build.
There are some good young prospects coming through."
His current partner Anton Ferdinand is still only 22 himself and, having
played alongside his brother Rio for England earlier this month, Upson can
see that his young colleague has a bright future ahead. "They are quite
different. Rio is a more polished version at the moment his stature, career
and experience is at a greater level but Anton has some every good aspects
and if he keeps working and improving I am sure that he will do very well."
With the team not playing this weekend ahead of the trip to Fulham,
fittingly a club also served by the legendary Moore, next Saturday, Upson
has relished the chance of an extended break. "It has been a crazy couple of
weeks. I have had six games in two weeks, so the body and mind could do with
a rest." That said, he is not going to stop putting in the work on the
practice pitches - with a refreshing philosophy about life at the training
ground.
"Never waste a day," he said. "Turn up to work every morning and improve at
something, even if it's learning how to do something really miniscule, it
doesn't matter. Take something out of the day which has made you a better
player. If you do that throughout your career, you can only get better."
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Stanislas sees off Southampton - WHUFC
Despite missing an earlier penalty, Junior Stanislas underlined his class
with a key goal for the Under-18s
16.02.2008
Southampton Under-18s 0-1 West Ham United Under-18s
Junior Stanislas struck the only goal of the game to give West Ham United a
precious away victory against league leaders Southampton.
The talented midfielder, impressive for the reserves in midweek, had earlier
missed a penalty but kept going to score with a fine finish in the 75th
minute. The three points mean Tony Carr's side, who have won four of their
last five games and drawn the other, are now just a point behind Southampton
in Group A of the Premier Academy League. To underline the Saints' youth
pedigree, they have been divisional champions for the past four years.
It was a cagey contest at Stapleford with Carr's young charges perhaps
showing the effects of a 6am start in order to make it to the south coast
for an 11am kick-off. Southampton dominated the first half but the visitors
picked up the pace before the interval and were able to turn around with the
score goalless.
West Ham United were a different proposition after the break and carved out
a couple of opportunities, notably through Stanislas's header and a shot
from Anthony Edgar. Then, on the hour, Zavon Hines surged into the box only
to be fouled. The referee pointed to the spot and Stanislas stepped up to
take it. However, the goalkeeper dived to his right to make a good save.
Undeterred, the visitors kept going and finally broke the deadlock when Tony
Brookes surged forward from right-back. He crossed into the area and the
Southampton goalkeeper collided with one of his team-mates as he tried to
claim possession. The ball dropped free and Stanislas was on hand to drive
the ball into the net from a slight angle on the half-volley.
Southampton, as their league position suggests, were not about to give up
and kept going in the closing stages. That spell included their best
opportunity of the match when an effort crashed against the post but Adam
Street was able to keep a clean sheet for the second consecutive away game
after the 2-0 win at Arsenal which preceded last weekend's 4-1 home success
against Norwich City.
West Ham United: Street, Brookes, N'Gala, Payne, Miller, Harvey, Stanislas,
Edgar, Kearns (Lee 85), Hines, Sears
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'Season starts now', says Neill - WHUFC
Having the chance to rest this weekend should set West Ham United up
perfectly for the games to come
16.02.2008
Lucas Neill said West Ham United will be doing all they can to treat the
return to action next Saturday at Fulham as the chance to start the final
push this season.
With 13 games remaining, the captain believed the weekend break has afforded
everyone at the club "a great time to put a line through everything and
"recharge the batteries". He added: "The best way to look at it now is to
start our season from when we get back.
"We have got 13 games left, how many can we win, how far can it take us.
Let's forget about everything that has happened and hope that we have got an
80 to 90 per cent squad fit to choose from and start the season now." The
club are more than secure in mid-table on 37 points but Neill said as well
as looking up there was a need to be mindful of the teams pushing hard in
the bottom half of the table.
"We have to keep a small eye on our rivals Tottenham now who seem to be
gaining momentum and seem to be getting things right," he explained. "They
are only five points behind as a result of our last two performances and not
picking up enough points. We don't want to drop out of the top ten, that is
the first thing." That said, the emphasis is on the other end of the table.
"We have lost opportunities but there is still the opportunity to strive for
fifth or sixth place."
Neill had sympathy with fans who have been disappointed with the 1-0 defeat
at Wigan Athletic and the 1-1 home draw with Birmingham City that preceded
the extended break from action. "We have come along way since last year. As
exciting as last year was, this year we are winning games for different
reasons and we know that teams are going to make it really hard for us.
"It is a back-handed compliment to us that teams are going to come and try
to frustrate and as a result we might not be able to play that freeflowing
football we probably haven't played enough of this season. The fans have
been fantastic all season and we need them. We ask for them to get behind us
even in the frustrating time."
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Stan's the man - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 16th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Junior Stanislas' second half strike was enough to earn all three points for
West Ham United's under 18s against Southampton at the Saints' Stapleford
training complex this morning. Tony Carr's youngsters moved to within a
point of league leaders Southampton thanks to the midfielder's second half
strike, which came 15 minutes from time. The United midfielder pounced on a
mix-up between the Saints goalkeeper and one of his defenders to fire home
the winning goal from close range for Carr's Hammers, who extended their
unbeaten run to five games. The margin - and Stanislas' personal tally -
could have been even greater but for a penalty miss on the hour mark. West
Ham - on 39 points from 22 games - now trail league leaders Southampton by a
single point with just six games of the season to go. However Arsenal - who
Carr's side beat 2-0 at London Colney a fortnight ago and play Crystal
Palace today - remain favourites to take the title, as they trail the
Hammers by just three points with four games in hand having thrashed
Southampton 5-2 last weekend.
West Ham Utd: Street, Brookes, N'Gala, Payne, Miller, Harvey, Stanislas,
Edgar, Kearns (Lee 85), Hines, Sears.
Premier League Academy (Group A): top of table
1. Southampton P22 Pts40 GD-1
2. West Ham Utd P 22 Pts39 GD+16
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Di Canio's Hammers dream - SSN
Italian eyes Upton Park return
Last updated: 17th February 2008
Former West Ham icon Paolo Di Canio has revealed he dreams of returning to
the club as manager one day. Di Canio enjoyed a successful four seasons at
Upton Park establishing himself as a hero among the club's fans. The
colourful Italian plans to hang up his boots this summer and move into
management with the hot-seat at West Ham his dream role. "I will take up
managing next year. I hope to have the same success as a coach that a did as
a player," Di Canio told The People. "My dream would be to manage in the
Premiership because English football is the best in the world. My dream in
particular would be to manage at West Ham, that would be perfect. "I spent
four seasons there and I would love to go back and win something with them.
The fans are fantastic there and the atmosphere at Upton Park was always
special. "I haven't been back for a few years but I hope to go and watch a
match in the Bobby Moore Stand before the end of the season. "It would be
incredible to go there as a manager. Every weekend I watch all the English
games on the TV but I have a special place for them in my heart for West
Ham."
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Keegan Targets Ashton, Brown And Bridge - goal.com
The Sun claims that Kevin keegan's summer shopping list at Newcastle
comprises Dean Ashton, Wes Brown and Wayne Bridge. West Ham striker Dean
Ashton is said to top the Toon boss' wishlist, with the ex-Norwich man
having returned from injury to decent effect this season. Keegan apparently
sees the former England U-21 man as being key to solving his side's
goalscoring woes, which is of particular importance given the uncertain
future of the Owen-Viduka partnership. At the other end, Manchester United's
Wes Brown has been earmarked to shore up the defence, with the one-club man
perhaps said to be expendable at Old Trafford. That would allow the Magpies
to swoop for the international stopper, although whether or not Brown would
be open to such a move is another matter. The same goes for Chelsea's Wayne
Bridge, who Keegan wants to follow in the footsteps of Damien Duff by
swapping London for the North East. Bridge, 28, has found first team action
harder and harder to come by over the past two campaigns, though, and could
potentially jump at the chance for regular action. Keegan said little of his
exact plans, stating only, "There are players we are looking to in terms of
thinking, can we get a wish list and can we get people to go and watch
them?"
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West Ham go for £10M Chelsea pair Bridge, Sidwell
tribalfootball.com - February 17, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is ready to offer £10 million for
Chelsea pair Wayne Bridge and Steve Sidwell. The People says England
left-back Bridge is tired of playing second fiddle to Ashley Cole - and is
ready to quit this summer. Hammers boss Curbishley has already expressed an
interest in Bridge, 27, who is keen to stay in London. Curbs has also lined
up a move for Stamford Bridge midfielder Sidwell, who has failed to gain
regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge since last summer's move from
Reading. Bridge has played fewer than half of Chelsea's matches since 2003
and was loaned out to Fulham to prevent him going rusty before the last
World Cup.
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West Ham legend Di Canio chasing Curbishley job
tribalfooball.com - February 17, 2008
West Ham United legend Paolo Di Canio admits he is after Alan Curbishley's
job at Upton Park. Di Canio has been playing for little Cisco Roma for the
past two seasons and told the People: "I will take up managing next year. I
hope to have the same success as a coach that a did as a player. "My dream
would be to manage in the Premiership because English football is the best
in the world. My dream in particular would be to manage at West Ham, that
would be perfect. I spent four seasons there and I would love to go back and
win something with them. The fans are fantastic there and the atmosphere at
Upton Park was always special. "I haven't been back for a few years but I
hope to go and watch a match in the Bobby Moore Stand before the end of the
season. It would be incredible to go there as a manager. Every weekend I
watch all the English games on the TV but I have a special place for them in
my heart for West Ham. "I watched the game against Liverpool the other week
with four friends, all Italian West Ham fans, and we celebrated when Mark
Noble scored the penalty in the 94th minute. "When I watch the Premiership I
am always proud to see players that were young boys when I was at West Ham,
like Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand. "I saw them grow up into
men. The standard in the Premiership was always good but these old West Ham
players, Jermaine Defoe as well, stand out for me as the best English
players."
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Noble grateful to West Ham fans
tribalfooball.com - February 16, 2008
Mark Noble is delighted with the response he's received from West Ham fans
this season. "I am over the moon that the fans have appreciated the way I
have been playing lately and they are enjoying my performances," the England
U21 midfielder told WHUTV. Central to that last month was his nerveless
display against Liverpool when he scored from the spot in the last minute
having run more than 13km during the game. "To beat Liverpool at home summed
up a good month. We need to push on and get in them European places. We seem
to take more points off the bigger teams than we do with the lesser teams.
It is important that we keep playing, getting results. "It is a similar
situation to last season at this stage. Everyone thought we were down so we
can just crack on now and really give everything we have got to put the
points on the table because that is the most important thing. If we do that
I am sure we can consolidate and keep on catching everyone up."
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Collison chasing more West Ham first team action
tribalfootball.com - February 16, 2008
West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison is waiting for his chance to crack
the first team again. He told WHUTV: "I am really trying to do my best to
force my way in. It is hard because the boys are performing really well -
especially Hayden [Mullins] and Nobes (Mark Noble) in midfield, they have
been superb. I have just got to wait my chance and keep doing what I am
doing." Collison, who made his senior debut on New Year's Day at Arsenal,
had little time to prepare but he was grateful to be given the experience by
Alan Curbishley. "It is very good to be in and around it," he added. "Nobes
pulled out with a tight hamstring and I found out I was on the bench maybe
15 minutes before the game. I was absolutely buzzing and just hoping to get
on the pitch, but unfortunately I didn't."
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