Neill set for Australia challenge - WHUFC
Lucas Neill will be in action on Wednesday as the Socceroos begin their
World Cup qualifying programme
05.02.2008
Lucas Neill will be in action for Australia from 8.30am British time on
Wednesday.
The West Ham United captain arrived in Melbourne on Monday morning, having
followed a special routine to minimise the effects of jet-lag, devised by
the Football Federation of Australia medical staff. The match, which kicks
off at 7.30pm local time, against Qatar is the Socceroos opening 2010 World
Cup qualifier.
Acknowledging before he left that "this is going to be a very tough week for
me", Neill will be straight back on a plane to England after the match to
prepare for Saturday's Premier League visit of Birmingham City. "Physically
it is going to be tough but with the break in matches that follows I know I
will have a chance to recuperate.
"My desire to want to qualify for the World Cup coupled with the FIFA ruling
means it's a game I must attend. However, I realise this is a very important
time for me and the West Ham team as every win is crucial to achieving our
European dream so I wish the timing could have been better.
Closer to home, Matthew Upson is with Fabio Capello's first squad for the
Wembley friendly against Switzerland and George McCartney will hope to be
involved when Bulgaria travel to Belfast. However, the returning Craig
Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon were pulled out of the Wales squad against Norway
in Wrexham.
Freddie Ljungberg has not travelled with Sweden to Turkey either as the
established captain has been rested to give younger players some valuable
experience, and Jonathan Spector is not involved in the US's home friendly
against Mexico.
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Tomkins and Sears shine - WHUFC
A solid performance from James Tomkins at U19 level was capped by an assist
while Freddie Sears did well
05.02.2008
James Tomkins helped England Under-19s keep a clean sheet in a high-profile
Under-19 friendly against Croatia on Tuesday night while Freddie Sears came
close to a goal off the bench.
The centre-back, on the verge of his first-team breakthough, was not content
with playing a key rearguard role as he also set up the clinching second
goal for Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark in the second half. Scott Sinclair of
Chelsea had opened the scoring early in the first half. Croatia, as was
expected, proved difficult opposition but the home side were able to hang on
for victory.
Tomkins is a mainstay for England at this level, having already helped them
to qualify for the next stage on the road to this summer's European U19
Championship. Club-mates Sears and unused replacement Junior Stanislas are
also pushing for inclusion when England take on Poland, Serbia and Belarus
on 26, 28 and 31 May for a place in July's finals in Ukraine - while Jordan
Spence, still only 17, has also been capped at this level.
In difficult conditions at Swindon's County Ground, England took the lead in
the 22nd minute when Chelsea attacker Sinclair stepped up to score from the
spot having won the penalty himself. Tomkins then had a scare when his
misplaced pass allowed Croatia a shooting opportunity through Sandi Krizman
but his shot smacked against the post.
Tomkins more than made amends in the 74th minute as he headed Sinclair's
free-kick into the path of Clark, who made no mistake. Substitute Sears,
earning his second cap after his debut last September, could have had a goal
in the closing stages as he raced clear of his markers but was unable to
keep his shot on target. In a lively run-out, Sears had a further
opportunity to score but he could not find the goal his play deserved.
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Collison helps Wales to win - WHUFC
Jack Collison made his third international appearance for Wales Under-21s as
they won well in Malta
05.02.2008
Jack Collison has helped Wales to the top of their European Under-21
Championship qualifying group after a 4-0 victory in Malta on Tuesday
afternoon.
Brian Flynn's side had to be patient for the victory that moves the
principality to the top of qualifying Group 10. The deadlock was finally
broken through Manchester City prodigy Ched Evans in the 62nd minute before
three goals in the final ten minutes made sure. First, Simon Church of
Reading doubled the advantage before Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams added the
third. Evans then struck his second in the dying seconds from the penalty
spot to complete a good day's work.
After collecting 12 points from their first five fixtures, the principality
are a point ahead of Romania and France, with a game in hand on the latter
nation. The 19-year-old had already made a significant impact on his U21
debut last November, scoring a stunning solo goal to round out a 4-0 home
victory for Wales against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He followed that up three days
later with a fine display against a strong visiting France team, as Wales
won 4-2.
After the Malta fixture, Wales go to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 26 March before
home and away games against Romania on 20 August and 10 September. Overall,
the ten group winners and four best runners-up will advance to October's
play-offs, with the seven sides coming through that stage progressing to the
final round in Sweden in June 2009.
"It would be great to qualify for the finals. Also, I'm not playing that
regularly at the moment, so these matches will come in handy for me. We
don't have many reserves games and, while I am in and around the squad, I
don't feature every week so the international break will be good for me to
get these games under my belt."
Collison, who made his senior debut for West Ham United as a substitute
against Arsenal on New Year's Day, was yet again with the first team for
Saturday's fixture at Wigan Athletic. "This season has been very good for me
so far. At the start, I got to travel away with the first team, then I made
my international debut and then my debut for West Ham against Arsenal. I
just have to carry on working hard and keep pushing on, to cement a place at
West Ham and in the Welsh squad. Making it to the senior teams on both
accounts is the aim."
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Ferdinand feeling good - WHUFC
Anton Ferdinand has more than settled back into the side and is focused on
big things for club and country
05.02.2008
Anton Ferdinand is relishing life at West Ham United and told WHUTV that he
is playing with freedom for "the first time in a long while".
The homegrown centre-back, who turns 23 next month, has been a rock at the
heart of the defence since returning to action in stunning fashion with a
goal in the 2-1 victory at home to Manchester United on 29 December. It is
clear for all to see that the longest serving player at the Boleyn Ground is
focused solely on his football.
"I am enjoying myself," he said. "This is the first time in a long while
where I am playing with nothing over my head and I feel free. I am
concentrating on nothing but football and I think that is showing in my
play." Such has been the nature of his performances, that Ferdinand, who
earned 17 caps as an Under-21 international, admitted he had hoped to figure
in Fabio Capello's initial 30-man England squad.
He added: "I was disappointed but all I can do is play football and play
well for West Ham United. That is what I am going to try and maintain."
Since that United victory, Ferdinand has formed a terrific partnership with
Matthew Upson, who has deservedly received an international call. Neither
could be faulted for Kevin Kilbane's headed winner on Saturday - which the
Wigan Athletic man has admitted was not even an attempt on goal.
Ferdinand said: "It is disappointing not take something from Wigan. I
thought we deserved something. They didn't have many chances, we didn't have
many chances. It was more like a game that should have been a bore draw."
Much was made on Saturday of the conditions at the JJB Stadium and Ferdinand
agreed the surface was not conducive to good football.
"The pitch didn't help us. We like to pass the ball, it didn't help but we
can't use the pitch as an excuse. We have to play on what is given to us. We
were unlucky and should have come away with something. We go out on the
pitch to keep clean sheets. We have been doing well in recent times but it
wasn't meant to be."
With just 22 goals against, a defensive record that is still unrivalled
outside the traditional top-four clubs, there is plenty of reason to be
positive. Added to that impressive statistic, West Ham United know that a
win at home against Birmingham City next Saturday could yet propel them up
to eighth place and potentially leave them within sight of sixth spot.
As illustrated during a difficult game at Wigan, the team will keep on
going. "Whenever we let in a goal it is frustrating and upsetting but, as we
showed, we might let one in but as a back line we don't stop until the end
of the game," Ferdinand added. "We have got to regroup and go into
Saturday's game like we do with every game, expecting to win."
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Ladies hit ten at Reading - WHUFC
Hat-tricks from Katie Ling and Lindsay Morgan helped West Ham United to
bounce back in fine style.
05.02.2008
Reading Royals 3-10 West Ham United
West Ham United kept up their charge for a strong finish to the league
season with a resounding 10-3 win at Reading Royals.
The away success left Tony Marshall's side in seventh spot in the 12-team
second tier of women's football but the club are just five points behind
fourth place with eight games remaining. Marshall said: "We have already
beaten last season's points total and I see no reason why we cannot push on
to a top-four finish. The stats do not lie and they prove conclusively just
how far we have come in a short space of time. If we can build on this then
there are definitely exciting times ahead."
In a perfect response to the disappointing but expected FA Cup exit at the
hands of Arsenal, the Hammers goals on Sunday came primarily from Katie Ling
and Lindsay Morgan - who both scored hat tricks, Dani Hoy grabbed two and
the remaining two goals came from Julia Setford and Tracy Duxbury. Defender
Carly Roache made her 100th appearance for the club. West Ham United are
back in knockout action this coming Sunday when they take on Arsenal again,
this time in a rearranged London County Cup fixture at Harlow Town.
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England: Upson set to start - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 6th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Matthew Upson is in line to start for England against Switzerland tonight
according to the morning papers. Several of today's tabloids are claiming
that new England boss Fabio Capello has opted to start with the Hammers
centre-half, who is set to win his eighth cap partnering Manchester United's
Rio Ferdinand. Capello is thought to have opted for Upson ahead of
Tottenham's newest recruit Jonathon Woodgate and fellow central defenders
Curtis Davies and Ledley King. The game can be seen live in the UK on the
BBC later tonight. Elsewhere Lucas Neill is set to start for Australia in
their World Cup qualifier against Qatar later this morning. The Socceroos
face the footballing minnows in Melbourne at 8.30am GMT; Neill will fly back
to England immediately after the game. Also in action tonight is full-back
George McCartney who is set to represent Northern Ireland against Bulgaria
in Belfast.
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Hammers: We'll fight Kia - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 6th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United have vowed to fight the writ served against the club by Kia
Joorabchian last week. The Iranian businessman lodged a claim last week for
'unpaid' fees relating to Carlos Tevez's time at the club. Joorabchian is
thought to be seeking around £7m in fees and has also stated that he has
documentary evidence to support his claim. However West Ham insist that they
will challenge any such action, with an unnamed spokesman saying:
"We have been aware of this claim from Mr Joorabchian for some time. "In
our view there is no substance to it and, if necessary, we will defend our
position in court."
Joorbachian's legal team are expected to lodge exact details of the claim in
court later today. It is though to consist of two seperate fees; one of
£4.5million pertaining to an agreement with former directors Terry Brown and
Paul Aldridge plus a second seperate claim for around £2.5m based upon a
verbal agreement with former Hammers MD Eggert Magnusson, who has since left
the club. West Ham insist that no such agreement exists. We'll have more for
you on this later today.
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Three out of three aint bad - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Mark Noble gave an assured performance as England's under 21s breezed past
the Republic of Ireland at St. Mary's tonight. The 20-year-old midfielder
helped the young Lions to a 3-0 win over the Irish, with all goals coming in
the second half. James Milner opened the scoring with a deflected effort on
the hour mark before doubling his tally eight minutes later with a crisp 20
yard drive. Arsenal's Theo Walcott completed the rout 12 minutes from time
after a good run on the left culminated with a fine effort from the edge of
the box. Noble - who looked solid throughout - played 86 minutes of the game
before being replaced by Southampton's Andrew Surman. Meanwhile James
Tomkins and Fred Sears helped the England under 19s to a 2-0 win over
Croatia at Swindon's County Ground earlier this evening. Tomkins played a
full 90 minutes whilst Sears came on as a 74th minute substitute for
Manchester United's Febian Brandy. A third Hammer, Junior Stanislas was an
unused substitute. Both goals came from Chelsea's Scott Sinclair, one each
side of the half time whistle. Sinclair's first came from the penalty spot
on 22 minutes, whilst James Tomkins had a hand in his second 16 minutes from
time. Sears almost grabbed a third late on after rounding the Croatian
'keeper but found the angle too tight. Finally Jack Collison was part of the
Wales under 21 side that enjoyed an emphatic 4-0 win in Malta this
afternoon. Briyan Flynn's young charges scores all four goals in the second
half; the win lifts the Welsh to the top of European Championship qualifying
Group 10 with just three games left to play.
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Faubert: Trapattoni for West Ham - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Julien Faubert has claimed in an interview that former Italian manager
Giovanni Trapattoni could be on his way to West Ham United. Trapattoni was
linked with the Hammers' vacant 'Director of Football' role last month,
although that was dismissed at the time as speculation. However Faubert -
speaking in an interview with RMC - claimed that the 68-year-old could
indeed be on his way to East London. "His arrival is possible, it is up in
the air. I don't know if it will happen or not," said Faubert. "I have a
person at the club - he is Italian - who speaks French and helps me with the
translation who told me about [it].
"He [Trapattoni] would be a huge boost for our tactics because we have gaps
in that area of the game, on the defending and positioning aspects."
Faubert also revealed that he was finally settling into life in England
after adjusting to the cultural differences. "Everything is different here
and the league can't be compared to the French one," he said. "They fight
for every ball and the referees don't whistle often. The games are much
quicker - they are not focused on tactics at all - and there is no time to
rest. "You arrive at the stadium an hour before the game, contrary to France
where you are away with the team in a hotel a night before. "It shows you if
you are a professional or not because you are your own boss. It's up to you
to eat well, to drink enough, and to rest to be ready on D-day."
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Davenport on recovery - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Calum Davenport is looking forward to recovering from the injury which could
have cost him his career. The 25-year-old centre half broke a bone in his
neck just minutes into his Watford (loan) debut last month and is unlikely
to play again for several months while the damage heals. However he revealed
that he was 'thankful' that the damage wasn't even worse. "I'm going to be
alright. It's a long road but I'm going to come through it," he told Sky
Sports. "I'm definitely going to have a different aspect on everything that
I'm doing. "There was a lot of swelling and bleeding around my neck and
obviously I broke a bone. It was quite worrying for me, but thankfully I'm
still walking because some people don't come through it. "It's made me a
better person; even in the last two weeks since it happened I look at things
differently as I was lying there thinking the worst. I'm just thankful that
I'm still going to be able to play football."
The former Spurs defender - who played just half a dozen games for the
Hammers following his £3m move in January 2006 - had moved to Watford with
view to a permanent deal. That switch is now in tatters due to the injury,
although Davenport remains confident that he will be able to pick up his
career once fully recovered - and believes that the key to a speedy recovery
is having the support of those around him. "It's difficult to stay motivated
and to see any light at the end of the tunnel," he added. "But I've got a
good family around me who can pick you back up when you are feeling low."
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Curbs denies Parker rumours - SSN
Midfielder set to return in six weeks
Last updated: 5th February 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has rejected reports that Scott Parker could
miss the rest of the season through injury. Parker is currently on the
sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the win over Manchester United in
December. Reports over the weekend suggested Parker could be ruled out for
the remainder of the campaign with the latest injury, but Curbishley insists
the former Newcastle and Charlton man will be back in action in six weeks.
"Contrary to stories this week, Scotty Parker is about a month or six weeks
away," Curbishley told the club's official website. Meanwhile, Bobby Zamora
and Craig Bellamy both scored for The Hammers in a specially-arranged
practice match on Monday. Zamora has been out of action sice August with a
knee injury, while Bellamy is building his fitness after an abdominal
problem. Both forwards scored in the 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers as
they work on regaining full fitness.
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Ferdinand focused on football - SSN
Defender is enjoying life at Upton Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 5th February 2008
Anton Ferdinand admits that he is enjoying life at West Ham and feels that
he is playing better than ever. The defender struggled to hold down a
first-team place at the start of the season, but having made a goal scoring
return during the 2-1 victory over Manchester United in December he has
since formed an impressive partnership with Matthew Upson. Currently the
longest serving player at the club having progressed from the academy ranks,
Ferdinand is now hoping that his recent fine form will allow him to push
into Fabio Capello's England reckoning after the disappointment of missing
out on the Italian's first squad. "I am enjoying myself," he told West Ham's
official website. "This is the first time in a long while where I am playing
with nothing over my head and I feel free. "I am concentrating on nothing
but football and I think that is showing in my play." He added: "I was
disappointed (to miss out on England) but all I can do is play well for West
Ham United. That is what I am going to try and maintain."
Ferdinand has been a key factor behind the Hammers having the best defensive
record outside of the 'big four' and admits that the 1-0 defeat at Wigan on
Saturday came as a huge disappointment to everyone at the club. "It is
disappointing not to take something from Wigan. I thought we deserved
something," he said. "They didn't have many chances, we didn't have many
chances. It was more like a game that should have been a bore draw. "The
pitch didn't help us. We like to pass the ball, it didn't help but we can't
use the pitch as an excuse. We have to play on what is given to us. We were
unlucky and should have come away with something. "We go out on the pitch to
keep clean sheets. We have been doing well in recent times but it wasn't
meant to be."
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Calum thankful on injury - SSN
Injured defender grateful to be able to play again
By James Pearson Last updated: 5th February 2008
Calum Davenport is thankful he will be able to play football again after
breaking a bone in his neck on his Watford debut. The defender joined The
Hornets as cover for Danny Shittu, who has been on international duty at the
Africa Cup of Nations. However, disaster struck for the West Ham man after
he broke a bone in his neck after team-mate Darius Henderson landed
awkwardly on him in his debut against Charlton. Davenport believes the
injury is going to make him a better person and that he is just thankful his
football career is not over. "I'm definitely going to have a different
aspect on everything that I'm doing to be honest," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think there was a lot of swelling and bleeding around my neck and
obviously I broke a bone.
"It was quite worrying for me, but thankfully I'm still walking because some
people don't come through it. "I'm going to be alright. It's a long road but
I'm going to come through it. "It's difficult when you're picking up injury
after injury to stay motivated and to see any light at the end of the
tunnel, but I've got a good family around me who can pick you back up when
you are feeling low. "It's made me a better person. Even in the last two
weeks since it happened I look at things differently. I was lying there
thinking the worst. "I'm just thankful that I'm still going to be able to
play football which is something I love."
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West Ham in new legal fight over Tevez fees - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 2:08am GMT 06/02/2008
West Ham say they are ready to go to court to fight a new legal challenge
from the owners of Carlos Tevez over £7 million in 'unpaid' fees relating to
his one-year spell at Upton Park. Kia Joorabchian, the player's agent and
front man for the two offshore companies which own the Manchester United
striker, filed a writ in the Chancery Division of the High Court last week.
His lawyers are due to lodge a particulars of claim at the court today but,
according to the writ, Joorabchian is seeking an outstanding sum of £4.5
million, plus a further £2.6 million which, he alleges, was due to be paid
to him by West Ham on Jan 31. Joorabchian is understood to be claiming he
has documentary and taped evidence to back up his claims. But West Ham
insist they do not owe the north London businessman any money, adding that
they are prepared to go to court to prove it. "We have been aware of this
claim from Mr Joorabchian for some time," said a spokesman for the club. "In
our view there is no substance to it and, if necessary, we will defend our
position in court."
West Ham say they will not know exactly what Joorabchian is claiming until
he files the particulars with the court. He is not thought to be seeking any
monies on behalf of Tevez. Instead, it is thought the claim relates to loan
fees, insurance for the player and other agents' fees he believes he was
contractually entitled to. The first part of the claim is understood to be
linked to promises made by the club's former chairman, Terry Brown, and
managing director, Paul Aldridge, who negotiated the original loan deal
which took Tevez and Argentine team-mate Javier Mascherano to West Ham in
August 2006.
The second tranche of £2.6 million is understood to relate to a verbal
agreement Joorabchian says he had with Eggert Magnusson - the club's former
chairman and frontman for the Icelandic takeover by billionaire Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson in November 2006.
West Ham maintain no verbal or written agreements exist to back up
Joorabchian's claims. They also believe that any outstanding issues with
Joorabchian or Tevez's owners, Just Sports Inc and Media Sports Investment,
were settled at the time of last August's out-of-court deal which secured
the player's transfer to Manchester United. At that time, in an agreement
designed to placate the Premier League, Just Sport and MSI agreed to pay
West Ham £2 million for the release of Tevez's registration. United agreed
to pay Just Sport and MSI a £5 million loan fee plus £5 million a year to
Tevez in wages. The deal avoided a court battle which could have cost West
Ham £30 million.
A Football Association arbitration panel are due to rule next month on
Sheffield United's claim that West Ham should not have been allowed to
continue playing Tevez after they were found guilty of breaching league
rules on third party ownership last season. A Premier League chairmen's
meeting tomorrow is expected to prohibit the third party ownership of
players.
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