Bobby Zamora and Freddie Sears have been in the manager's thoughts - while
Scott Parker is doing well
28.02.2008
Alan Curbishley looks set to have Bobby Zamora back in contention for
Saturday's game against Chelsea while he acknowledges that some of his
younger talents are also pushing hard for selection.
Zamora has been out since 28 August with a persistent knee problem but has
made three reserve-team appearances in quick succession - scoring a
hat-trick in the first of them, a 4-1 defeat of Birmingham City. His last
game was the 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday but the 27-year-old
forward picked up a slight knock to his other knee. He was taken off as a
precaution but has since resumed training.
Confirming he would have largely the same squad as he had for last week's
1-0 win at Fulham, the manager added that Zamora was close. "Bobby Zamora
only played half a game on Monday. He got a kick just under the other knee
and he had to come off with it but he is training. So we will see how he is.
He has got through the last three or four weeks and has looked quite sharp
so hopefully he will be back."
Meanwhile, Scott Parker has come through eight days of full training after
his recovery from a knee injury suffered when Cristiano Ronaldo accidentally
fell on him during the Manchester United victory on 29 December. When asked
if he would figure against Tottenham on Sunday week, the manager said "It
might be a bit tight for him". Craig Bellamy is recovering from his
abdominal strengthening operation which, if all goes to plan, could see him
"out for another three or four weeks".
Also involved in the reserve game last Monday were Dean Ashton and
18-year-old striker Freddie Sears who has hit 24 goals in 23 games at U18
and reserve-team level this season. Curbishley confirmed that along with Jon
Spector and John Pantsil, Ashton asked to play, having only got ten minutes
as a replacement in the weekend win at Fulham. "He scored and he wanted to
play in the game. It wasn't what people were reading into it."
When asked if Sears, who struck twice and made the other goal for Ashton,
would figure soon, Curbishley added: "He is a centre-forward who we have got
hopes for. It was a good display. As I said previously if we get to it and
they go in, I have got no doubts about playing them. [James] Tomkins, [Jack]
Collison and Sears have all been around the first-team squad for the last
four or five weeks. [They are] part and parcel of the future of the club.
"[Sears] is different to what we have got available at the moment. He is
Bellamy-like. He is quick, wants to get in behind people and goes about his
business very quietly. He is a good finisher. He has burst on in the last
two months really and I think the natural progression is to get some sort of
football and we will see if that is in the next 12 games. I am not afraid to
put the young boys in. If an opportunity arises I will do it."
Curbishley added that he was aware the fans are hungry to see homegrown
talents coming through - as has been the case of late with Anton Ferdinand
and Mark Noble - along with 20-year-old winger Kyel Reid this season.
"Anyone that comes through the ranks has that affinity with them so they
should be looking out for Sears, Collison and Tomkins and the likes over the
next couple of months and next season."
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Portsmouth set for 7 April - WHUFC
West Ham United's home game against Portsmouth at the Boleyn Ground will be
shown live on TV
28.02.2008
West Ham United can confirm that the home match against Portsmouth has been
switched to an 8pm kick-off on Monday 7 April - subject to the visitors'
involvement in the FA Cup.
Should Harry Redknapp's side win through to the FA Cup semi-finals, which
are scheduled for Saturday 5 April, the match will have to be rearranged
again. Portsmouth are due to play their sixth-round tie away to Manchester
United on Saturday 8 March. As informed earlier this month, the original
Portsmouth fixture at the Boleyn Ground could not take place as scheduled at
3pm on Saturday 5 April because of London Underground engineering works.
However, the club was not in a position to confirm date of fixture until
approval was given by the Premier League and selection of fixtures for
broadcast reasons.
Subject to the match going ahead as planned, the 7 April game will be
televised live on Setanta Sports - as was the previous meetings between the
two clubs on 27 October which finished goalless. With a game in hand on
Portsmouth, West Ham United, in tenth position, are just four points behind
seventh-placed rivals. As with all fixture information and ticket news,
return to whufc.com for any updates.
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Curbishley: Freddie's ready - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 29th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has revealed that Freddie Sears could make his first team
debut before the end of the season. The Hammers boss, talking ahead of the
visit of Chelsea this weekend confirmed that the 18-year-old striker is very
much in his plans - as are some of Sears' fellow youth team players. "He's
different to what we've got available at the moment," said Curbishley,
talking in the pre-match press conference. "He's Bellamy-like; he's quick,
wants to get in behind people and goes about his business very quietly when
he's around us. He's a good finisher. "He's burst on in the last two months
really. I think the natural progression is to get some sort of football and
we'll see if it's in the next 12 games. "He's been on the [first team] trips
for the last couple of months and luckily enough has been on the bonuses as
well so he's well happy!"
With regard to Sears' fellow youth team players - the likes of centre-half
James TOmkins and midfielder Jack Collison - he added: "I've got no doubts
about playing them. The Tomkins, Collisons and Sears have all been around
the first team squad for the last four or five weeks so if they get a game
that's part and parcel of the future of the club. "I'm not afraid of putting
the young boys in. If the opportunity arises, then I'll do it - especially
now in a side that's doing okay. "Anyone that comes through the ranks has
that affinity with them [the fans], so they should be looking out for the
likes of Sears and Tomkins over the next couple of months - and next season,
obviously."
When questioned whether Sears may be set for a first team debut as soon as
this weekend in the big London derby, Curbishley replied: "He's around us,
he's training with us and in the squad - so we'll have to see."
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Parker set to return - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 29th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker could be back in action by mid-March after recovering from his
latest knee injury. The midfielder, signed from Newcastle United last summer
for £7m has been out of action since the New Year after sustaining an injury
during the 2-1 win over Manchester United. But Curbishley confirmed earlier
today that he expects the former Charlton man to be back in the frame soon.
"He's in full training and we're trying to get him a game next week," said
Curbishley. "He's not far off again. "We're a little bit disappointed
because if he had got himself right for last week he could have played in
that game on Monday and been that much further forward. "But he's in full
training, and he's trained for the last eight days so he'll definitely be
back before the end of the season."
Although the Tottenham game ws considered by Curbishley to be 'probably too
early' Parker could be back in contention for the visit of Blackburn on 15th
March, meaning he could still figure in the club's final nine games of the
season.
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My unsung hero - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 29th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has cited midfielder Hayden Mullins as his first team
squad's 'unsung hero'. Midfielder Mullins looked as if he was destined to
spend much of the season on the bench after the arrival of a number of
midfielders last summer. But due to a number of injuuries and good form, the
former Crystal Palace player - who was Alan Pardew's first signing back in
October 2003 - has already made 30 appearances for the first team this
season, and looks set to see out the rest of the season as first choice for
the defensive midfield role. "We bought [Scott] Parker in, Kieron Dyer's
come in and he must have looked at that and thought 'there's a bit of
competition here'," said Curbishley. "But he's stayed strong, he's stayed
fit and played every game - and deserved to play in every game."
The 28-year-old midfielder has made an amazing 182 appearances for the club
in just four-and-a-half years as a Hammer, scoring six goals in the process.
One of the few games Mullins has missed since joining the club was the 2006
FA Cup final; he was unable to play after receiving a ban for violent
conduct three weeks before following a scuffle involving Liverpool's Luis
Garcia.
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Pompey date announced - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's postponed Premier League home fixture against Portsmouth
is now set to take place on Monday, 7th April. The fixture was initially
scheduled for Saturday, 5th April but postponed due to TfL underground
engineering works. However should Portsmouth upset the odds and beat
Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter final tie their meeting with the
Hammers will be postponed yet again as the semi-finals of the competition
are scheduled to take place on the weekend of April 5th/6th. One piece of
good news for those no longer able to attend the match is that the game -
should it take place on the Monday as planned - will be broadcast live by
Setanta Sports.
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Curbishley denies link - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has denied any interest in signing Derby County's Giles
Barnes. The Daily Mirror ran a story this morning claiming that West Ham
United were set to renew their interest in the 19-year-old midfielder. But
Curbishley fiercely denied the Mirror's claims, telling Sky Sports: "There
are lots of players out there that we like, but there's no truth in that
newspaper article."
Derby boss Paul Jewell also laughed off the rumours, telling Derby's
website: "I spoke to Alan Curbishley before the transfer deadline. He said
he had made an enquiry last year and this year he hasn't been interested."
Barnes has been linked with West Ham for some considerable time, and both
the Newham Recorder and the Sun have previously claimed that a deal to sign
him had been agreed. The nephew of former Hammer Bobby Barnes, Giles made
his debut for the Rams as a 16-year-old at the end of the 2005/06 season and
has made nearly 100 first team appearances since.
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Happy Pants - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Ghanaian star John Paintsil has declared himself delighted
to be back in England following his recent sojourn to Africa. Right-back
Paintsil was part of the Black Stars team that finished third in this years'
African Nations Cup by virtue of beating the Ivory Coast 4-2 in the
third-place play-off. However Paintsil - who was beginning to make a real
impact at West Ham for the first time since joining the club prior to his
departure for Africa at the beginning of January - says he is glad to be
back in England alongside the supporters who have taken the 26-year-old to
their hearts. "I'm so happy to be with my group and the team at West Ham,"
he told whufc.tv. "I'm proud to be at West Ham and I'll always be ready to
give all I have. "When I was playing at the Cup of Nations people were
shouting the name of West Ham at me. I was so happy and proud to hear my
club's name mentioned in Ghana.
"But it was amazing to see the fans again last Saturday. I'm here to serve
the fans as well as the club as I like to make the fans happy."
Although his first team opportunities are likely to remain limited for the
rest of the season Paintsil firmly believes that the Hammers are set to fire
their way into Europe - either with or without him. Contrary to rumours
earlier in the season suggesting that he was unhappy with his role, he added
that 'I believe that we will make it this year' and that he 'can't wait to
play in Europe with West Ham'.
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Yer money I'm after baby - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will respond this week to Kia Joorabchian's High Court claim
that the club owe him £7m - although he refuses to say why. Joorbachian -
the agent for former Hammers Carlos Tevez and Javi Mascherano - claims that
he has 'explosive' evidence which supports his demand of a payment for £4.5
million plus a further sum of £2.6 million, which, it is claimed, was due on
January 31st. He insists that the two parties - with Eggert Magnusson and
Scott Duxbury said to have been acting on behalf of West Ham - agreed the
sums on two seperate dates; May 4th and August 2nd last year. However
Joorabchian's High Court writ, which the Hammers are set to mount a vigorous
defence against later this week, somewhat unusually fails to provide a
reason why he feels he is owed the sum. An article in today's Daily Express
claims to have evidence of 'exchanges' between Joorabchian and the West Ham
duo in the form of recorded telephone messages and text messages - which, on
the face of it, would appear to be an extremely unorthodox method of
conducting a multi-million pound deal (and possibly inadmissible as evidence
in court anyway due to the manner in which it was obtained).
Despite this one unnamed 'source' is 'quoted' in today's Express as saying:
"In my view it could be fresh evidence that West Ham may have broken the
rules after their hearings into the Tevez case. It would also certainly help
Sheffield United in their own claim against West Ham."
Sheffield United are still clinging to the hope that they can hold West Ham
United responsible for their failure to secure enough points in order to
avoid relegation from the Premiership last season. They were knocked out of
the FA Cup at Middlesbrough last night after goalkeeper Paddy Kenny scored a
comical own goal in the final minutes of extra time.
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Solano eyes strong finish - SSN
Peruvian hoping West Ham can score more goals
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 28th February 2008
Nolberto Solano accepts that West Ham's midfielders must do more if the
goals are to start flying in at Upton Park. The Hammers are seven points
off sixth place and have been criticised in recent weeks for some poor
attacking performances. While they have been strong defensively, West Ham
have only scored 31 goals this season and Solano has been disappointed with
how they are struggling to carve out chances. But the Peruvian is ready to
shoulder his share of the responsibility and has urged his team-mates to
find some form and enjoy a strong finish to the season. "I understand what
the manager is saying as we don't score many goals," said Solano. "Our
strikers don't score many goals. Sometimes we don't create many chances to
give the strikers. We know it.
"At home games, we have been winning 1-0 and it is not enough, especially in
this league. We need to kill the game in the first half an hour. "Sometimes
it is very difficult to score, in this league, as teams fight and fight for
the result, but we need to improve and create more chances. "Our midfield
has to give the chances to the strikers to create something. We can't carry
on only creating two or three chances in a game, we need to do much better.
"We need to play better football if we want to score more goals." Solano
added: "We aren't having a bad season, compared to last season. We are in a
comfortable position but we want to win."
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Curbs denies Barnes deal talk - SSN
Hammers boss rules out midfielder move
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 28th February 2008
Alan Curbishley has categorically denied that he is considering a summer
swoop for Derby midfielder Giles Barnes. The West Ham boss was linked with a
reported £3.5million move for the highly-rated young Rams player in the
summer. But Curbishley has rejected the national newspaper claims out of
hand.
He told Sky Sports News: "There's no truth in that. "There are lots of
players out there that we like, but there's no truth in that newspaper
article."
Curbishley is preparing his side for their Premier League clash with Chelsea
at Upton Park this weekend. Blues boss Avram Grant has seen his position
called into question in the wake of their Carling Cup final defeat, despite
it being just the third game he has lost in 35 matches since replacing Jose
Mourinho. But Curbishley believes the spotlight directed at Grant comes with
the territory of being at the helm of a leading club. He said: "I think it's
part and parcel of being a football manager now, especially a football
manager at a top-four club. "If you're at Manchester United, Arsenal,
Chelsea or Liverpool now, you're expected to compete in the Champions
League, to win the Premier League, to qualify for the Champions League and
to do well in the cups. "It's never going to change. Top-four managers are
all under that pressure. Other managers in the Premier League have different
pressures to deal with. "Avram Grant, Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez and Sir
Alex Ferguson have all got the same pressure."
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Player Of The Month - February - West Ham Online
Vinny - Thu Feb 28 2008
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
Games In February
Wigan Athletic (a)
Birmingham City (h)
Fulham (a)
Freddie Ljungberg is the player of the month for February after a number of
good performances which has won over a number of supporters who doubted his
commitment earlier in the season. With his injury problems behind him,
Ljungberg has become our creative spark and is clearly one of most dangerous
players when going forward. February saw Ljungberg score his first goal for
the club in the home game against Birmingham after Carlton Cole had flicked
the ball on.
West Ham started the month with a poor performance at Wigan where Ljungberg
was often marked by two players as it was clear that Wigan were wary of the
threat he posed. In the Fulham game he swapped flanks on a number of
occasions but looked better on the right wing and created a couple of
chances that should have been put away. Ljungberg has now firmly established
himself as a member of the first team and most people would have him as one
of the first names on the team sheet. Ljungberg was voted your player of the
month by some margin and if he continues his good form he may well be in the
running for March.
In second place for a second month running is Anton Ferdinand. He has been
consistent throughout February which has just been a continuation of some
great form that has got his career back on track.
Previous Winners
August - Mark Noble
September - Dean Ashton
October - Robert Green
November - Carlton Cole
December - Nolberto Solano
January - Matthew Upson
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CURBS IN FAN ABUSE PLEA
By Alex Lowe, PA Sport
Alan Curbishley believes abuse of managers has reached such critical levels
that a "crash helmet" is now a vital piece of kit for the modern day boss.
Following last weekend's uninspiring 1-0 win at Fulham, Curbishley was hit
by fierce criticism from sections of the West Ham support who are frustrated
with the team's style of play. But in the wake of Chelsea boss Avram Grant
receiving death threats, Curbishley believes the criticism of managers has
gone too far. And the Hammers boss urged fans to stop the vitriolic abuse.
West Ham are due to meet Chelsea on Saturday, and Curbishley said: "Letters
are one thing - that's the world we live in - but some of the abuse from
fans these days is poor. The League Managers' Association have been looking
at it and are considering ways of trying to stop it. It has become more
prevalent and it seems like people can say what they like to managers. "I've
been in management for 17 years now and that experience has helped. You take
it on the chin but sometimes you do need a crash helmet to be able to handle
that side of it. "If we win, we are heroes; if we lose, we are castigated.
It's not nice."
Grant received death threats following Chelsea's Carling Cup defeat by
Tottenham at Wembley last weekend. Curbishley often has a bulging mailbag
awaiting him at work and he is quite happy to write back to some supporters
- providing they have made a valid point. I got shown a letter from a player
that was unsigned and anonymous - I used to get them signed so I wasn't too
fussed about an anonymous, unsigned nasty letter," laughed Curbishley.
"Some people do write nice things and some people feel free to write what
they want. I do write back, but only if I think they have a good point. "You
can't think: 'That's a critical letter, so I'm not going to take on board
what they've just said'. Some things are perfectly true."
The toughest time of Curbishley's managerial career came last season after
he took over a West Ham side that was spiralling towards relegation from the
Barclays Premier League. Eventually, West Ham pulled themselves clear in an
astonishing climax to the season but the nadir for Curbishley was when he
took the Hammers back to his old club Charlton - and they lost 4-0. "The
West Ham fans were having a go at me at Charlton - and the Charlton fans
were having a go at me as well! That wasn't very nice," said Curbishley.
"And all on the same day as getting beat 4-0."
Grant may find himself under greater pressure following the defeat by
Tottenham than at any point in his time at Chelsea, but Curbishley insisted
West Ham will not be taking pity on their fierce London rivals. The Hammers
lost ground in the race for European qualification after dropping points
against Wigan and Birmingham, and Curbishley said: "I don't feel any
sympathy, because I am sure Avram knows that some criticism goes with the
territory when you're managing one of the top-four clubs. "Chelsea may not
have succeeded last Sunday but they're still fighting on three fronts and I
know they will be determined to bounce back against us this weekend."
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West Ham's manager has no hangover after the boos
David Hytner
Friday February 29, 2008
The Guardian
Alan Curbishley heard the travelling West Ham support sing the name of Paolo
Di Canio at Fulham last Saturday. They had coarser language for him and the
manager was forced to brave a hail of abuse at full-time.
The team had won 1-0, courtesy of Nolberto Solano's contentious goal, to
reach the 40-point mark in the Premier League rather sooner than they did
last season. It had not been pretty, though, and the chorus for Di Canio
reflected not only the fans' affection for their former striker but a
yearning for a return to his intoxicating blend of magic and mayhem.
Curbishley does not do either. "I don't go too high or too low," he said
yesterday, as if to reinforce his middle-of-the-road image. "When we came
out of Old Trafford last year [having avoided relegation], I was obviously
massively delighted and we could push on but it was only the same as when I
came out of Fulham on Saturday."
West Ham have a long history of enjoying attractive football if not
consistent results. Curbishley, though, after digging in to save the club's
skin last season, has subverted tradition and polarised opinion. A product
of the club's youth system, an East End boy and childhood Hammers fan,
Curbishley finds himself in a kind of no man's land. Reflecting on the
club's comfort in 10th place, eight points ahead of Tottenham, he said: "We
get a result and we don't go anywhere, we don't get a result and we don't go
anywhere. The way the league has panned out, it is like there is a hole in
the middle."
Curbishley acknowledges that the supporters are "getting frustrated" but
others might argue they are simply getting bored. Habitual thrill seekers
gain no pleasure from standing still. Curbishley, though, believes they
should be careful what they wish for and, had it not been for serious
injuries, the team could be higher.
One thing was evident as he prepared for tomorrow's Premier League visit of
Chelsea. The cat-calls do not faze him. "Do I get upset by it? Only if it's
from a member of my family," smiled Curbishley. "The 17 years I've had in
management have stood me in good stead. If the criticism is relevant, then I
listen to it and see if I can do something about it but you do need to have
a crash helmet on and you need to be able to handle that side of the game."
Solano has sympathy for his compatriot Claudio Pizarro's "difficult"
situation at Chelsea but he is preoccupied with a goalscoring drought closer
to home. Although the Peruvian scored last Saturday, his third goal of the
Premier League season, he is aware that Curbishley has demanded his
midfielders contribute more.
The club have struggled for goals and of their 31 in the Premier League,
from 26 matches, 14 have come from midfield. Lee Bowyer has four; Matthew
Etherington three. "We need to improve and also create more chances for the
strikers," said Solano. "We can't carry on creating only two or three
chances in a game. At home we have been winning 1-0 and it is not enough,
especially in this league."
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West Ham's Dailly happy with Rangers move
tribalfootball.com - February 28, 2008
West Ham United defender Christian Dailly is happy with his loan move to
Rangers. "Walter Smith being manager here was a massive influence," he said.
"Having worked with him before in my career, I knew I was not going to get a
better manager. "I knew from that point of view, it would be great.
Obviously I know Rangers and it's as good a club as you are going to get."
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West Ham's Solano: Pizarro unhappy at Chelsea
tribalfooball.com - February 28, 2008
West Ham midfielder Nobby Solano has revealed fellow Peruvian Claudio
Pizarro is unsettled at Chelsea. Chelsea is always a tough game and I'm
looking forward to it but Claudio's situation is not the best and he is
finding it difficult," said Solano. "He is finding life very hard but we
haven't spoken about it too much. "It's a tricky situation especially when
you're not scoring goals and when you play as a striker. Football is a big
challenge and if he gets the chances he needs to take them."
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Pantsil happy at West Ham
tribalfootball.com - February 28, 2008
John Pantsil sees his future at West Ham United. The Ghana fullback told
WHUTV: "It was so amazing to see the fans last Saturday and I am very happy
to come back to the club. "I can't wait to play in Europe with West Ham. I
believe that this year we will make it."
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West Ham kid Sears in Curbishley plans
tribalfooball.com - February 28, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley says teenager striker Freddie Sears is
nearing a Premiership breakthrough.
He told WHUTV: "He is a centre-forward who we have got hopes for. It was a
good display. As I said previously if we get to it and they go in, I have
got no doubts about playing them. [James] Tomkins, [Jack] Collison and Sears
have all been around the first-team squad for the last four or five weeks.
[They are] part and parcel of the future of the club.
"[Sears] is different to what we have got available at the moment. He is
Bellamy-like. He is quick, wants to get in behind people and goes about his
business very quietly. He is a good finisher. He has burst on in the last
two months really and I think the natural progression is to get some sort of
football and we will see if that is in the next 12 games. I am not afraid to
put the young boys in. If an opportunity arises I will do it."
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West Ham's Nolberto Solano reckons footballers have it easy - The Mirror
How playing in the Premier League is just the ticket for Solano
By Neil Mcleman 29/02/2008
West Ham's Nolberto Solano reckons footballers have it easy and revealed how
his fantastic journey from Peru to the Premier League began on the buses.
The youngest of seven children, he earned cash to buy boots and get to games
as a teenager by helping his brother collect bus fares. And now the former
Newcastle and Aston Villa midfielder is on £30,000 a week, he insists he
never grumbles and appreciates his fortune paid for playing a game. "In
South America you pay when you get off the bus," said the scorer of West
Ham's winner at Fulham last weekend. "Sometimes I used to help my brother on
the weekends, as I was at school in the week. "I was 13 or 14. My brother
gave me tips, maybe £10 a month. I was playing in the youth team and needed
the money to get to training - my parents couldn't afford it - or if I
wanted to buy new boots. "So I know we're privileged in this profession
compared with other people. That's why I have no complaints. "Some people go
to work at 7.30 - I got up at 6.30 to work on the bus - but we start at 9.30
or 10. We're here two hours. It's a wonderful profession, the best in the
world."
After starting his professional career at 17 in Peru and then briefly
playing alongside Diego Maradona in Argentina with Boca Juniors, Solano also
rates Premier League players the luckiest of the lot. "If you compare the
conditions generally in South America with what the English players have,
it's very difficult," said the 33-year-old, who was the first Peruvian to
play in England when he joined Newcastle in 1998. "The youth teams play on
very bad pitches as the clubs don't have the same economy to support the
young kids. "When you move here, everything is perfect. Sometimes we're
spoiled a lot at this level. "When the lads complain about the pitches, I
say: 'Listen, you are very lucky to be here compared with what I used to
play on'. "That's why I'm very glad every day I'm still playing."
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