All the news and background for Saturday's return to top-flight action in
the derby at Craven Cottage
22.02.2008
Barclays Premier League
Craven Cottage
Saturday 23 February
3pm
Referee: Howard Webb
WHUTV - Pre-match press conference
WESTHAM.WAP.COM - All the news, on the move
PHOTO GALLERY - Exclusive training photos
Introduction
West Ham United go to Fulham with the memory of Bobby Moore looming large
over the Barclays Premier League fixture. The legendary defender served the
club between 1958 and 1974 before a three-year stint with Fulham. During his
Hammers career, Moore helped the club to FA Cup and European Cup Winners'
Cup glory as well as winning 108 England caps and lifting the World Cup
trophy.
* While West Ham United are secure in the top half of the table, it is the
third league match running where they will take on a team fighting for
survival in the relegation zone. Fulham are 19th in the 20-team division
although they did beat high-flying Aston Villa 2-1 in their last home game
on 3 February. It was their only win in the last 16 league and cup outings.
* West Ham United have not lost away to Fulham since a 2-1 defeat in the
English League Cup in the 1974/75 season, the same campaign that the Hammers
got the better of their London rivals in the FA Cup final. Moore played for
Fulham in that Wembley showpiece as West Ham United won 2-0. The last league
reverse at Craven Cottage was a 4-2 defeat on 15 October 1966.
* West Ham United have won the last eight league meetings between the two
clubs, stretching back to 3 November 2001 when they lost 2-0 to a Fulham
side boasting current Hammers forward Luis Boa Morte.
* Speaking to whufc.com, Anton Ferdinand said: "I can't wait to get back to
playing. The game on Saturday is what you train all week for. The away fans
are quality. It is a London derby, which is always enjoyable. The atmosphere
is always good."
* Jonathan Spector could potentially come up against five US international
team-mates. He told whufc.com: "We certainly want to win, we want to push on
and get a result but it is tough when you are playing against some friends
and team-mates who you know are struggling down at the bottom."
* Mark Noble is bidding to return and told whufc.com that victory is vital.
"It is a similar situation to last season ... we can just crack on now and
really give everything we have got to put the points on the table. That is
the most important thing. If we do that I am sure we can consolidate and
keep on catching everyone."
Last match
West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City (9 February): Green, Neill, Ferdinand,
Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Mullins, Bowyer, Etherington (Camara 83),
Ashton (Spector 90), Cole (Faubert 62).
Subs not used: Wright, Collison
Goals: Ljungberg 7, McFadden 16
Middlesbrough 1-0 Fulham (9 February): Niemi, Stalteri, Baird, Hangeland,
Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Andreasen, Kamara (Dempsey 46), Nevland
(McBride 64)
Subs not used: Keller, Volz, Bocanegra
Goals: Aliadiere 11
Team news
* From the matchday 16 that faced Birmingham, Alan Curbishley could
potentially also call upon the likes of John Pantsil, Nolberto Solano, Mark
Noble, Luis Boa Morte and Bobby Zamora.
* Zamora has come through two reserve-team games, scoring a hat-trick in
getting 90 minutes in the 4-1 win against Birmingham on 12 February before
another full run-out on Wednesday night in a 2-0 defeat of Fulham. It is
thought he may play again for the reserves on Monday at Tottenham Hotspur
before returning to contention.
* Faubert, a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham, followed that up
by playing the whole reserve game against the same opposition.
* Scott Parker will join in full training on Monday, having stepped up his
recovery from a knee injury unrelated to the condition he had previously in
the season. Kieron Dyer also continues to make progress from his double
leg-break. James Collins (cruciate knee ligaments) and Calum Davenport
(neck) will not return this season.
* Craig Bellamy had an abdominal strengthening operation on Wednesday and
will be out for a minimum of six weeks.
* Young trio Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears also showed good
form for the reserves against Fulham and could travel with the team to
Craven Cottage.
* Fulham were busy in the transfer window and may have a number of new faces
on view. Brede Hangeland (Copenhagen), Leon Andreasen (Werder Bremen), Tony
Kallio (Young Boys), Paul Stalteri (Tottenham Hotspur), Jari Litmanen
(Malmo) Erik Nevland (Groningen) and Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards) all
arrived in west London.
* The home team could also have Brian McBride in attack as he continues his
return from six months out with a knee injury. New Zealand midfielder Simon
Elliott got 90 minutes in the midweek reserve match after achilles and calf
problems. Hameur Bouazza is out with a shoulder injury.
Background
* Curbishley's side are in good league form, with seven wins and six draws
from the last 17 fixtures.
* Victory could take the Hammers up to ninth - with Blackburn Rovers, who
are two points ahead, not playing until the visit of Bolton Wanderers on
Sunday. The club are five points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in eleventh,
with a game in hand on every other team in the division bar Liverpool. Spurs
have no league game this weekend.
* West Ham United and Fulham last met on 12 January 2008 when Dean Ashton
(28) and Anton Ferdinand (69) cancelled out Simon Davies' eighth-minute
opener at the Boleyn Ground.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg
(Faubert 89), Mullins, Noble, Etherington, Bowyer (83), Ashton, Cole (Boa
Morte 65)
Subs not used: Wright, Collins
Fulham: Niemi, Baird, Stefanovic, Bocanegra (Hughes 14), Konchesky, Volz
(Bullard 77), Davis, Murphy, Davies, Healy (Smertin 78), Dempsey
Subs not used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon
* The Hammers have still not lost in all 13 league games this season when
they have taken the lead.
* West Ham United have conceded only ten goals away from home in the league
this season, a mark bettered only by Liverpool (eight), Manchester United
and Chelsea (both nine).
* Only last-placed Derby County (24) have conceded more than Fulham's 22
goals against at home this season.
* George McCartney - who like Lucas Neill, Noble and Boa Morte is on four
cautions and would only earn a one-match ban if yellow-carded again on
Saturday - is bidding to make his 32nd appearance this season in all
competitions. After the Fulham game, only a player receiving ten cautions
before the second Sunday of April will earn a suspension - although it would
be for two matches not one.
* McCartney is the only West Ham United player who has featured in every
league and cup game to date, starting in each one.
* In terms of the Premier League, only Robert Green and Matthew Upson have
played every minute of the 25 matches.
* No other top-flight club still has two league ever-presents while Upson,
along with Stephen Kelly of Birmingham, is one of only two outfield players
in the whole division to have achieved that feat.
* Ashton, with six goals, five in the league, is the club's leading scorer.
* Boa Morte will be hoping to figure against the team where he made 205
league appearances, scoring 44 goals, between July 2001 and January 2006
when he headed east to West Ham United. Alan Curbishley will know all about
the Fulham trio of Paul Konchesky, Aleksei Smertin and Danny Murphy as all
played under him at Charlton Athletic.
* Fulham boast three former Hammers in the shape of defenders Ian Pearce and
Konchesky plus midfielder Jimmy Bullard. Pearce played 142 league games,
with nine goals, between September 1997 and January 2004 while Konchesky
figured in 59 league games, scoring one goal, between July 2005 and July
2007. Bullard was at West Ham United between February 1999 and May 2001
without playing a game.
* Clint Dempsey, one of five US internationals at Craven Cottage alongside
Keller, Bocanegra, McBride and Johnson, is Fulham's leading scorer with six
goals, all of which came in the top flight.
* Dempsey is also the club's only league and cup ever-present, while Davies
has also featured in each top-flight match.
* Fulham have had five players sent off in the league this season - Chris
Baird, Konchesky, Elliot Omozusi, Moritz Volz and Hameur Bouazza. Only Lee
Bowyer against Birmingham a fortnight ago, has been dismissed for the
Hammers although that was later overturned on appeal.
Head to head (last six meetings in all competitions)
12 January 2008 - West Ham United 2-1 Fulham (league)
13 January 2007 - West Ham United 3-3 Fulham (league)
23 December 2006 - Fulham 0-0 West Ham United (league)
23 January 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Fulham (league)
17 September 2005 - Fulham 1-2 West Ham United (league)
24 February 2004 - West Ham United 0-3 Fulham (FA Cup)
Overall record v Fulham (all competitions): W 33, D 18, L 27
Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 3pm unless stated)
Saturday 23 February
Birmingham City v Arsenal (12.45pm)
Liverpool v Middlesbrough
Newcastle United v Manchester United (5.15pm)
Portsmouth v Sunderland
Wigan Athletic v Derby
Sunday 24 February
Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
Reading v Aston Villa (12.30pm)
Monday 25 February
Manchester City v Everton (8pm)
General information
Tickets: Please note this match is SOLD OUT. For ticket information, click
here. For details of getting to Craven Cottage, click here
Travel information: The District Line is suspended between Plaistow and
Barking due to planned engineering works, while the Hammersmith and City
Line will be suspended between Whitechapel and Barking for similar reasons.
There is no service on the Victoria Line. Replacement bus services will be
operation. Click here for further information
Weather: The forecast is for a cloudy afternoon with the temperature is set
to peak at around 13C.
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Captain's Blog - A special weekend - WHUFC
The West Ham United captain is looking forward to Fulham and the chance to
honour Bobby Moore
22.02.2008
Last weekend was a free one as we didn't have a game. As a result, the boys
were given a few days off to recharge the batteries and we have all come
back physically and mentally fresher.
We are now going into a very important period in which we are going to have
to win the majority of our games in order to qualify for Europe. The last
two results were disappointing for us and that's why I think the weekend off
came at the right time. It was a chance for us to regroup as we look to push
on in what we call the business end of the season.
This Saturday, we are in confident mood as we go into the match against a
Fulham team needing a win for different reasons to us. Having beaten them
not so long ago, we are all focused on doing the double over them and I
think playing away from home with the onus on them to attack will suit our
game plan.
Our performances away from Upton Park have probably been better and more
consistent than those at home for whatever reason and we are hoping for
another similar performance this weekend to keep this good record intact. We
welcome back into the squad Julien Faubert and Nolberto Solano, just two of
several players who have fallen victim to our unfortunate injury list, and
possibly Bobby Zamora. He has been firing in the goals for the reserves as
he progresses well on the comeback trail.
At the game this weekend we will also be wearing black armbands to honour
arguably one of West Ham United and England's greatest players, Bobby Moore.
Just the mention of the man's name to anyone associated with West Ham and
England, as well as many from Fulham where he also played, brings stories
and complimentary remarks about the greatness of the man.
I for one, have the utmost respect for his achievements and it is an honour
to wear the captain's armband like he did for West Ham. Bobby was truly one
of the greatest. What a great weekend it would be to get a win against
Fulham that will not only push us up the table, separating us from the
bottom half, and at the same time celebrate the life of a West Ham and
England legend.
Thank you in advance to all those who will be going to Craven Cottage
tomorrow to cheer us on. Your loyal support is much appreciated and it is up
to us to get the win that your support warrants and a victory that will get
us back on the European trail.
Lucas Neill
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Curbishley expects better at Fulham - WHUFC
The race for European places is hotting up and Alan Curbishley knows there
is every chance of success
22.02.2008
Alan Curbishley is looking forward to getting back in action against Fulham
on Saturday afternoon knowing full well that his team could propel
themselves back into European contention with victory.
Despite only taking one point from Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City in the
previous two games, victory on Saturday would move the club up to ninth and
potentially within four points of fifth place. There is also the benefit of
no game last weekend which should lead to his players feeling fresh and
revitalised - although the manager is aware of the threat posed by a Fulham
team fighting for survival.
"We are disappointed with the last two results and performances. We have had
a little bit of a break. I give the players four days off over the weekend
to recharge their batteries because most of the players that will be playing
on Saturday have been playing all the games."
At Craven Cottage, Curbishley is looking to his midfielders and attackers to
build on the defensive work shown throughout the team. "My big complaint
after the Birmingham game to the players was that when we were not winning
with 25 minutes to go a bit of panic set in. It was one-touch and bang. And
that wasn't us compared to previous games and the way we have been trying to
do it.
"We are looking forward to Saturday but we know that just like anywhere in
the Premier League this is just as tough and they have picked up recently. A
new manager has gone in so we know it is going to be a tough game. We know
what they are going through as last year we were in a very similar position.
We know what they are up against."
Describing his opposite number Roy Hodgson as possessing a "great wealth of
experience," Curbishley added: "He has come in and steadied the ship and now
he needs to pick those results up." Of Fulham's chances of avoiding
relegation, Curbishley was honest in his assessment that they need to "win
another six games" to pull themselves clear of trouble before 11 May. "It
just shows you that no matter how much money you spend, how tough it all
is," he added.
Curbishley was clear that his own side would be just as up for the challenge
as Fulham, despite the security of a mid-table position. "I don't want the
season to drift," he said. "We have spoken about that. We want to get as
many points as we can and finish as high up the table as we can. Going into
the last two games we could see the teams above us and really we have got to
get something at Fulham to keep in sight of the teams above us."
On whether a European spot could be achieved, he added: "There is all sorts
of combinations and things but you have got to be finishing in the top seven
to have any real shout. We have seen we have got a tough March. It is a lot
of games but who knows? We put an incredible run together last year and we
have got to put some wins together out of these next 13 games."
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Fulham v West Ham - BBC
Craven Cottage
Saturday 23 February
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live &
highlights on Match of the Day.
Fulham striker Brian McBride is in contention for a start after proving his
fitness as a substitute in two matches back after his knee problem.
Fit-again Aaron Hughes will replace Chris Baird at the back and Hameur
Bouazza is also expected to return.
Nolberto Solano, Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble return for West Ham but Bobby
Zamora is short of match fitness. Scott Parker (knee) starts training next
week but Craig Bellamy is out for six weeks after abdominal surgery.
Fulham (from): Niemi; Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Murphy,
Andreasen, S Davies, Bullard, Bouazza, Nevland, Stefanovic, Kamara,
Bocanegra, Volz, McBride, Smertin, Seol, Healy, Keller.
West Ham (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Pantsil, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson,
Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Collison,
Etherington, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole, Camara.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson: "We will need a bit of luck as much as anything
else," he said before the two teams meet at Craven Cottage. "West Ham
certainly survived some scares. "We could do with some of the same sort of
luck they had in games towards the end of last season. "But the main thing
is you have still got to go out and aim to play well."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley:"You have got to be finishing in the top seven
to be in with a shout of Europe. "We have a tough March but it is possible.
We put an incredible run together last year and who knows? "We need to put
some wins together in these last 13 games."
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Fulham v West Ham preview
Cottagers have plenty left to play for
By Amanda Cornforth Last updated: 22nd February 2008
Struggling Fulham head into Saturday's home clash with West Ham second from
bottom in the Premier League but still within striking distance of safety.
There are just seven points between themselves and 14th placed Sunderland so
there is plenty left to play for over the last 12 games of the season.
Paul Konchesky will face his former club - and the team he has supported
since he was a boy - following his switch across London last summer. The
defender went on to help West Ham in their successful battle against
relegation last term and will be hoping he can do the same for the Cottagers
this time around. The Cottagers suffered defeat at Middlesbrough last time
out but had previously claimed their first victory since November at home to
Aston Villa so West Ham will have to be wary at Craven Cottage.
Striker Brian McBride could feature in attack for Fulham as he continues his
return from six months out with a knee injury. Midfielder Hameur Bouazza
will miss out with a shoulder injury. The Hammers failed to build on their
victory over Liverpool as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham and
lost away at Wigan in their last two games. Boss Alan Curbishley got neither
the results nor the performances he wanted in those games and frustrated
fans greeted the draw with a chorus of boos.
On top of that, the Hammers' rivals for European qualification were able to
edge further clear and they are 10th in the table heading into the weekend,
seven points off the European pace. But UEFA's announcement that England top
the Fair Play League, and the chance of Chelsea winning the Carling Cup on
Sunday, could mean seventh place will be good enough to qualify. Forward
Bobby Zamora has come through two reserve team games but he may be rested
for a further week before he makes his return. Craig Bellamy remains out of
action after undergoing an abdominal strengthening operation on Wednesday
and will be out for a minimum of six weeks.
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Fulham v West Ham Team News - WHO
Match Reporter - Fri Feb 22 2008
West Ham go to Craven Cottage tomorrow looking to get back to winning ways
after a defeat and a draw against Fulham's relegation rivals in our last two
games. Mark Noble who withdrew from the bench against Birmingham as a
precaution returns to the squad and is likely to return to starting line up
at the expense of Lee Bowyer. John Paintsil is back from the AFN and is
likely to be in the squad. Luis Boa Morte also is likely to return to the
squad after the birth of his child kept him out of contention a fortnight
ago. Noberto Solano is another player back from injury; he's reported by the
manager to be full fit after having a hamstring strain. Bobby Zamora has
played 2 full reserve games but is likely to still be missing and will have
one more reserve game on Monday before being back in the first team picture
for the Chelsea game. Scott Parker is recovered from his knee injury and
will start full training on Monday and is still at least a couple of weeks
away from being available. Craig Bellamy is almost certainly out for the
season; he had an abdominal strengthening operation in the week and is at
least 6 weeks away from being able to start training properly. Julian
Faubert is full fit and pushing for a start on the right wing.
Likely line up
Green
Neill – Ferdinand – Upson – McCartney
Faubert – Noble – Mullins – Etherington
Ljungberg
Cole
Subs Wright, Spector, Bowyer, Solano, Ashton
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Hammers considered January move for England defender Brown - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:40am on 22nd February 2008
West Ham weighed up a move for Manchester United defender Wes Brown in the
January transfer window, it has been revealed. The 28-year-old is out of
contract this summer and talks over a new deal have stalled. Brown is
understood to want around £50,000 a week, which would put him in the middle
band of wage earners at Old Trafford. United have refused to meet those
demands and that has alerted other clubs. Their chief executive David Gill
confirmed West Ham made contact with them about Brown and that they rejected
a bid from Newcastle. Kevin Keegan's side have also been linked with a
summer move for West Ham's Dean Ashton. The striker has had a difficult
campaign and Hammers manager boss Alan Curbishley has not yet decided
whether Ashton will partner Carlton Cole up front against Fulham at Craven
Cottage on Saturday. The two have failed to form an effective partnership
but Curbishley said: "When we have everyone available I have a decent squad
and Dean is very much part of that." Players from West Ham and Fulham will
wear black armbands to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the death of
Bobby Moore, who played for both clubs. Fulham could give Brian McBride a
first start since the striker suffered a knee injury in August.
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Curbishley doesn't want Hammers season to drift - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:22pm on 22nd February 2008
Alan Curbishley has demanded West Ham bounce back from two disappointing
results to attack the last three months of the season and keep pushing for a
UEFA Cup place. The Hammers failed to build on their victory over Liverpool
and travel to Fulham tomorrow after being held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham
and losing away at Wigan. Curbishley got neither the results nor the
performances he wanted in those games - frustrated fans greeted the draw
with a chorus of boos - and the Hammers' rivals for European qualification
were able to edge further clear. West Ham are 10th in the table heading into
the weekend, seven points off the European pace. But UEFA's announcement
that England top the fair play league, and the chance of Chelsea winning the
Carling Cup on Sunday, could mean seventh place will be good enough to
qualify. And Curbishley last night laid down the challenge. "I don't want
the season to drift. We have spoken about that. We want to try and get as
many points as we can and finish as high up the table as we can," said
Curbishley.
"Going into the last two games we could see the teams above us. We have got
to get something at Fulham to keep seeing the teams above us. I gave the
players four days off to recharge their batteries and we are looking forward
to Saturday."
West Ham's inability to see off sides that are fighting for survival could
come back to haunt them over the next six weeks. The Hammers face six games
in March, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham - but Curbishley
insists Europe is still on. "You have got to be finishing in the top seven
to be in with a shout of Europe," said Curbishley. "We have a tough March
but it is possible. We put an incredible run together last year and who
knows? We need to put some wins together in these last 13 games. "No one
West Ham fan will ever forget what happened last year and we have to push
forward. The last two results have gone against us and we need to turn that
around this weekend."
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Fulham v WEST HAM: Solano, Noble and Boa Morte back for Hammers - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:33pm on 22nd February 2008
Nolberto Solano, Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble are all set to return for
West Ham's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham tomorrow. The trio missed
the Hammers' 1-1 draw with Birmingham a fortnight ago but have benefited
from a week off. Julien Faubert, a substitute against the Blues, will also
be pushing for a start after coming through a full reserve-team game on
Monday. Bobby Zamora needs one more reserve match before returning to
first-team contention, so youngster Freddie Sears could earn a place on the
bench. Scott Parker (knee) is due to start full training after the weekend,
while Craig Bellamy is out for at least six weeks after undergoing abdominal
surgery.
Team (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Pantsil, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson,
Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Collison,
Etherington, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole, Camara.
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Hammers trio in line to return - TeamTalk
Nolberto Solano, Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble are all set to return for
West Ham's Premier League trip to Fulham on Saturday. The trio missed the
Hammers' 1-1 draw with Birmingham a fortnight ago but have benefited from a
week off. Julien Faubert, a substitute against the Blues, will also be
pushing for a start after coming through a full reserve-team game on Monday.
Bobby Zamora needs one more reserve match before returning to first-team
contention, so youngster Freddie Sears could earn a place on the bench.
Scott Parker (knee) is due to start full training after the weekend, while
Craig Bellamy is out for at least six weeks after undergoing abdominal
surgery.
West Ham (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Pantsil, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson,
Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Collison,
Etherington, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole, Camara.
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