Freddie Sears' hopes of making it at West Ham United have taken a step
forward with his new contract
11.03.2008
West Ham United are pleased to have secured the services of 18-year-old
striker Freddie Sears until summer 2010.
The homegrown talent's improved terms has come about as a result of his
prolific form for the Under-18s and reserves this campaign, with 25 goals in
24 matches. He has also been capped twice by England at Under-19 level and
been on the fringes of breaking through at senior level. Alan Curbishley has
taken the forward along on a number of first-team away games, most recently
the trips to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, and has spoken previously
about Sears' potential.
"[Sears] is different to what we have got available at the moment," the
manager said, when asked to describe the youngster's style of play. "He is
[Craig] 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 ... I am not afraid to put the young boys in. If an
opportunity arises I will do it."
Academy director Tony Carr was delighted to see the deal concluded. He said:
"Even though Freddie was already under contract, it is an indication that if
a boy pushes on, does well and catches the eye the club will recognise that
with a new contract. That is an incentive for any young player to keep
working, keep improving and if they show sufficient improvement they will be
able to extend their stay at the football club.
"He has been with us since a very young age. It is a real endorsement of the
academy system - another local boy nurtured from a very young age into the
professional ranks. We have got high hopes for him for the future." That
said, Carr was rightly cautious about expecting too much, too soon, claiming
"it is a bit early for him to start thinking about what he might do and what
he might not do" but added: "It is another stage in his development and we
are pleased for him."
Speaking to WHUTV last month, Sears spoke of his high hopes for the future
at the Boleyn Ground. "I am a West Ham fan," the Hornchurch-based forward
said. "It would be great to run out to the fans. It would just be
unbelievable ... I have just got to keep getting noticed. I am on the
fringes at the minute." Watch out for more reaction to come from the
talented young striker - while check out WHUTV's Bubbling Under channel to
see some of his goals from the current campaign as well as that exclusive
interview.
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England call Tomkins and Sears - WHUFC
More youth international recognition is on the way for James Tomkins and
Freddie Sears this month
12.03.2008
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears have been selected by England Under-19s for
the international friendly against Russia on 25 March.
The duo will hope to impress in the match in Milton Keynes in the hope of
winning a place in Brian Eastick's squad for May's vital European U19
Championship elite round. The Young Lions are due to come up against hosts
Belarus, Serbia and Poland in a four-country mini-tournament to decide which
of the four will compete in the eight-nation 14-26 July finals in the Czech
Republic. Russia are also bidding to qualify so will provide stern
opposition.
Central defender Tomkins is an established performer at U19 level for
England, having particularly impressed Eastick in the 2-0 friendly win
against Croatia last month. Prolific forward Sears came off the bench for
that fixture, his second such appearance for his country, and very nearly
scored in an impressive late cameo. Jordan Spence, still only 17, and Junior
Stanislas have also been involved at U19 level this season and could yet
force their way into the reckoning.
Why not head along to Milton Keynes to see two of the club's brightest young
talents in action on Tuesday 25 March? Admission for Stadium: MK is £3 for
adults in advance (£5 on the day) and £1 for concessions. On the same
evening, Mark Noble will hope to figure in the U21s' friendly against Poland
at the Molineux home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Matthew Upson could also
turn out again for the senior side the following night when they take on the
might of France in Paris.
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Widdowson gaining experience - WHUFC
Promising young left-back Joe Widdowson appears to have established himself
on loan at Rotherham
12.03.2008
Joe Widdowson made his third successive appearance for Rotherham United on
Tuesday night although it was a difficult night for the League Two promotion
chasers.
Widdowson, 19, is on a month's loan at Millmoor and, after sitting out the
first two fixtures upon signing for the Yorkshire club, the left-back has
now got three full 90 minutes under his belt in what is proving a
competitive division. That was summed up by the 3-0 loss at mid-table Bury,
with Widdowson having previously played in the 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town
and the 1-0 home defeat by Accrington Stanley.
His debut saw him singled out as man of the match by Rotherham manager Mark
Robins. Academy director Tony Carr said: "Joe has played a few games now. It
is a good experience for him and I am sure he will come back better for it."
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Jack Jeffery is continuing his loan at Conference
outfit Cambridge United, with the striker yet to start but having made a
couple of substitute appearances.
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More Blackburn tickets available - WHUFC
The ticket office has extra seats for this weekend's return to Barclays
Premier League action at home
11.03.2008
A small number of seats have been made available for Saturday's previously
sold out fixture against Blackburn Rovers.
The Barclays Premier League encounter against Lucas Neill's former club is
the last of this season's Kids For A Quid fixtures at the Boleyn Ground with
entry for all under-16s costing just £1. West Ham United won the first
meeting between the clubs this season at Ewood Park on 9 December, thanks to
a solitary strike from Dean Ashton. Another victory would move Alan
Curbishley's side to within three points of the seventh-placed visitors.
For more information, contact the ticket office on 0870 112 2700 .
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Dicks rounds on Hammers players - BBC
Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks says the players are to blame for the
club's poor run, not the manager. The Hammers have suffered three successive
4-0 defeats piling pressure on boss Alan Curbishley. But Dicks told BBC
London 94.9 that the blame lies elsewhere: "I think Alan is the right man
for the job. "These are all professional footballers, they are earning
fortunes, but a lot of them are just going through the motions." Dicks
added: "At the end of the day the manager gets the blame which I think that
is wrong. It's down to the players, they're the ones out on the pitch.
"Nowadays people give them (managers) eight months or a year and if they
don't do anything then they get rid of them which for me is wrong."
Despite victories against Manchester United and Liverpool at Upton Park in
recent months, West Ham have capitulated to Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham
in their last three matches. The Hammers' board offered their backing to
Curbishley on Monday, and Dicks believes the focus should instead be on the
players. Dicks added: "I watched them against Manchester United and they
deserved to beat them. I watched them against Liverpool and they deserved to
beat them too. "Obviously the last three matches have been disappointing,
but I was at the Chelsea game and I think fans can appreciate players having
bad days and off games but they can't appreciate players not trying. "Apart
from (Mark) Noble and the keeper (Rob Green), the players didn't try against
Chelsea. "People pay a lot of money to watch the team play and we all have
bad days, but it's when people don't try or there's no passion, that's what
really gets fans annoyed. "Alan Curbishley can put his 11 players out if
they don't perform then there's not a lot he can do about it in that game.
Nine of the players didn't perform (against Chelsea), they didn't work they
didn't show any passion whatsoever."
Dicks' former team-mate at Upton Park Slaven Bilic has been linked with
taking over at West Ham if Curbishley loses his job. The Croatian manager is
unlikely to be available until after Euro 2008 but Dicks thinks Curbishley
should still be in charge at that stage despite criticism about his style of
play. "I think if you get results, I don't care who you are, the fans will
come around, but at the end of the day it's down to the players," continued
Dicks. "I played with Slaven, he was a quality player and obviously he's
done really well with Croatia but hopefully they'll give Alan quite a bit
more time. "They are tenth in the table, it's not a disastrous season, it's
only the last three games that they've performed badly. "But 12 goals in
three games is a lot to concede, but they have Blackburn next and if they
can go out, beat them and get two or three results on the spin it'll all be
forgotten."
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Sears signs extended deal - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 11th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears' recent sparkling form has seen him land an extended two-year
deal. The 18-year-old striker has put pen to paper on improved terms which
tie him to the club until 2010 in order to stave off the interest of fellow
Premier League clubs. Academy boss Tony Carr, talking to whufc.com confirmed
the deal, stating: "Even though Freddie was already under contract it is an
indication that if a boy pushes on, does well and catches the eye the club
will recognise that with a new contract. That is an incentive for any young
player to keep working, keep improving and if they show sufficient
improvement they will be able to extend their stay at the football club. "He
has been with us since a very young age. It is a real endorsement of the
academy system - another local boy nurtured from a very young age into the
professional ranks. We have got high hopes for him for the future."
Sears has averaged a goal per game this season playing for the youth team
and reserves. Alan Curbishley has tipped him to make his first team debut
before the end of the current season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shocked Hammers keeper battles to keep believing
By Guardian-series
CONCEDING 12 goals in just three games would give any goalkeeper cause for
alarm and Robert Green admits he is questioning his own self belief in the
wake of West Ham's current slump. The Irons' season has imploded in
remarkable fashion following 4-0 drubbings against Chelsea, Liverpool and
Spurs in the space of nine days. Ironically, Green (pictured) has been at
fault for none of them and is arguably the one performer from the run of
games to come out with his reputation still in tact. However, the
28-year-old - who insists there have been "no positives to take" from the
run - said: "It can't really get any worse. "I can't remember a week in
football like it, nor can many of the other lads in the dressing room. "I've
watched all 12 go in in the past week and you start questioning yourself
although you've got to keep believing that you're doing the right things.
"In the past week, I wouldn't say I've had one saveable one, really. "It's
been immensely frustrating but you've just got to look at yourself, as have
the rest of the guys, and think 'What else can I be doing for the team?'
"It's a collective thing, rather than individual. It's just a case of
keeping our heads and keeping going."
Green has demonstrated this season that he is nothing if not resilient. The
former Norwich star has had to contend with being continually overlooked at
international level by coaches old and new, despite putting in consistently
high performances for the east Londoners. And he has called on his team
mates to show some of the same mettle by dusting themselves down. taking on
board criticism, and going again - starting with Blackburn this Saturday.
"You need to listen to criticism, whether it be good or bad, because that's
how you learn and get better," he said. "If someone turns to me and says
'you could do this' in a certain situation, then I'll take it on board. I've
already asked myself what I can do differently. "It's a question of being
professional about things and learning from it - and we've got a hell of a
lot to learn from this week. "Come this Saturday it's going to need some big
characters to come out and face their own fans and put a performance in."
The manner of the defeats has rightly brought heavy criticism to the club's
doorstep, with the bulk of it aimed at Alan Curbishley. But Green urged the
supporters to stick by the under-fire boss. He said: "I can understand the
frustration with the performances that have been put in - it hurts because
losing games like that are not what you associate with West Ham United. The
lads are bitterly disappointed. "Against Chelsea, it's not fun to play the
last 20 minutes with a half-empty ground. Likewise on Sunday, the away end
was only half-full in the last five minutes. "We've had three bad results
and everyone is going to get flak for it - we're under no illusions about
that. "But if you look at, we're in tenth place which compared to where we
were last year is a massive step in the right direction. "We can go and do
something about that between now and the end of the season."
6:29pm Tuesday 11th March 2008
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Is the West Ham boss falling victim to the 'Baby Bentley' brigade? -
FootballFancast.com
FFC guest columnist Joseph Malone looks at the reported discontent that
surrounds Alan Curbishley at West Ham and wonders if the former Charlton
boss is being let down by his players.
One look at Alan Curbishley on Sunday and you saw a man who was forlorn,
crestfallen and with utter despair on his face. It was that same vacant look
that was sketched on Alan Pardew's face some 18months previous as he too
failed to comprehend how this band of West Ham players; all brought in at
high cost could give such woeful half hearted displays.
Curbs was hurt and it is clear he is under such undue pressure at a football
club that only stayed in the Premier League on the last day of the season.
The former Charlton boss always said at the start of the season that this
would be the year to consolidate, mid table and then to build from there.
What has changed? West Ham are comfortable in the League and for a time this
season looked liked competing for a UEFA spot, so where has the pressure on
Curbs stem from? High expectations? Has the money that has since been thrown
at the club mean fans demand instant success?
I'm no great fan of Alan Curbishley and therefore show no bias to this
piece; I'm just intrigued to know where the discontent has come from. From a
neutral looking in I see a manager who came in at the clubs hour of need,
saved them from relegation and has lay down a good foundation to be built on
next season. He has been extremely unfortunate with injuries to Bellamy,
Faubert and Kieron Dyer and surely that should count for something,
especially when some of the criticisms thrown at him are over style of play.
Last season I credited West Ham's for the loyalty and full support to Alan
Pardew. The fans turned on the players and the term 'Baby Bentley' was born.
Why should the manager be blamed when the players give out performances like
that. I found it refreshing and I just wonder why the West Ham players have
been free of criticism?
West Ham Legend Julian Dicks spoke to BBC Radio in support of Alan
Curbishley: "I think Alan is the right man for the job. "These are all
professional footballers, they are earning fortunes, but a lot of them are
just going through the motions."
Dicks added: "At the end of the day the manager gets the blame which I think
that is wrong. It's down to the players, they're the ones out on the pitch.
"Nowadays people give them (managers) eight months or a year and if they
don't do anything then they get rid of them which for me is wrong."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Curbishley jetting to Italy for Nani talks
tribalfooball.com - March 12, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley will fly to Italy this week to meet
Gianluca Nani, who will become technical director in the summer.
Curbishley was part of the selection panel that appointed the general
manager of Brescia to the new post.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United: Should Curbishley be sacked? - SquareFootballl
Colin Illingworth
To lose 4-0 once can be put down as a freak result. To lose 4-0 twice is a
major concern. But to lose 4-0 three times in a row is totally unacceptable,
especially for a club like West Ham United.
The Hammers have been well and truly hammered over the past few days and the
fans have directed their anger at manager Alan Curbishley. Despite being
just eight points away from a European spot the Hammers have been far from
happy this season, but is it time for Curbishley to go or should he given
more time to weather the storm?
Neutrals looking in on the situation have expressed their dismay as the
pressure mounts on Curbishley and have labelled the West Ham fans crazy.
After all, this time last season the Hammers were all but relegated. A
remarkable run of results saved their Premiership status and today they sit
comfortably in mid-table, well away from the relegation issue. However that
isn't good enough for the fans who have had to endure poor football,
negative tactics and been left furious with some baffling decisions from the
manager. And don't think that this situation has suddenly blown up following
the maulings at Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs – there have been rumbles of
discontent at the Boleyn Ground for a number of months now.
West Ham fan Matthew Beeby, who didn't think Curbishley was the right man
for the job in the first place, believes that the former Charlton boss has
done nothing to make him change his mind and even questions his role in the
Great Escape.
"Curbs has spent a decade scrapping, trying to over-achieve with an at best
mediocre side. Given the cash to spend and the quality at West Ham, he
simply doesn't seem up to the task. Last season we stayed up, but how much
of that was to do with Curbs? After the win against Manchester United in his
first game, we went another 10 without even a sniff of a turnaround. The
season only turned around after a dodgy decision at Blackburn. By his own
admission, Curbs only started playing Tevez because the crowd was constantly
chanting his name and Mark Noble had to talk himself into getting a game by
pestering Curbs every day until he relented.
"Even this season we have been getting results in spite of Curbs, not
because of him. Games like the win at Middlesbrough or at home to Manchester
United, Curbs had clearly already settled for a draw, consistently bringing
off a striker for a defender with 15/20 minutes to go. Jonathon Spector
clearly knows something about Curbs, given the number of games he seems to
get.
"At the end of last season my only regret about not being relegated was that
it meant Curbs would not get the boot! Last season we needed someone to come
in and keep us up. I'm not sure how much of it was due to him, but we stayed
up. Having done that, we need someone who can push us on - someone who can
attract big name players, someone used to the pressure of being expected to
push for honours, not just sit in mid-table."
The West Ham faithful have every right to be furious with their team,
especially after shipping 12 goals in three games without reply, but the one
thing that you have to bear in mind is that Curbishley has been unable to
field his first XI due to a horrendous run of injuries. New signings Craig
Bellamy, Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, and Julien Faubert have all missed huge
chunks of the season due to injury, as have Dean Ashton, who has been in
terrible form, Bobby Zamora, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins among others.
Curbishley has had to work with what has been available, but his persistence
in playing Carlton Cole, Ljungberg, Lee Bowyer and Boa Morte has infuriated
a number of fans who believe that they aren't worthy of donning the famous
claret and blue shirt. Although Matthew Beeby concedes that Curbishley has
been hard hit with injuries he doesn't believe that Curbishley would change
his cautious style even if he had a fully fit squad to choose from.
"I would love to believe that with all those players fit Curbs would select
an attacking side that would overcome other teams with pace and fast
interplay. Sadly though, I suspect that his cautious nature will overcome
any hope of that. We are getting more players back fit now, but we're
actually on one of our worst runs of the season – suggesting Curbs doesn't
know what his best team is, and that the results we were getting before may
once again have been more to do with team spirit and togetherness than his
managerial prowess."
West Ham United have a reputation for playing football the traditional way
but the fans have seen little of that under Curbishley. They want to see
neat, tidy, attacking football, but they also want to see the team score
goals. Since their 5-0 annihilation of Derby County back in November the
Hammers have failed to score more than twice in any competitive game, which
is shameful considering the amount of attacking talent in the squad.
Curbishley has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the West Ham
board so he knows that there must be a swift turnaround in fortunes at Upton
Park in order to keep his job. Some clubs have had more managers in a decade
than West Ham have had in their entire history, but with a new chairman in
charge and a recent fashion for changing managers at the drop of a hat in
the Premiership Curbishley would be mad to think that his job is safe –
especially when you remember that Chelsea axed Jose Mourinho earlier this
season despite leading the club to consecutive Premiership titles. The
Hammers have never had a foreign manager before, but if Press reports are to
be believed it looks as though Croatia manager Slaven Bilic and former fans'
favourite Paolo Di Canio are being lined up to replace Curbishley and
Matthew Beeby believes that Bilic is the ideal candidate for the position.
"The Hammers have a history of appointing either past players or from
within, and I'd like to see us do that again – my man for the job would be
Slaven Bilic. He knows the club, knows the Premier League, and has proven
that he can create a solid team. He clearly wants a club job, and I think we
could be the club for him. We can match his ambition, and after the summer,
as long as Croatia have a good showing in the Euros, he will be ready for a
fresh challenge. And if he could bring the living legend Igor Stimac with
him as assistant that would be a dream team…"
Chairman Björgólfur Guðmundsson has ambitious plans for the Irons. He wants
to move to a new stadium and bring Champions League football to the East
End. Although he has publicly backed the manager you have to wonder how much
longer he will persist with Curbishley. Matthew Beeby believes that the club
could easily realise the chairman's dreams but only if a new manager is
appointed.
"The chairman is open in his ambition to challenge for Champions League
places and is pushing hard to get a new stadium off the ground. If he is
serious about that, then he needs to look at Curbs, look at the playing
staff, and see if things need shaking up. There was talk about having money
in January to strengthen, but despite all our injuries this year, nothing
happened. Maybe the money isn't there, maybe Curbs chose not to spend it,
but when teams around us were strengthening, we stood still.
"With the right backing, right manager, and a new ground, there's no reason
we can't be fighting it out every season for places in top five or six in
the league, just like Everton are this season. It won't happen next season,
or maybe even the season after that, but I'd like to believe in the next
decade we can become a force in the Premier League and push on in Europe."
The Hammers take on Blackburn Rovers at home on Saturday, a fixture that
always produces a glut of goals, followed by away trips to Everton and
Sunderland. If the Irons continue their current poor form then Alan
Curbishley could well be the latest managerial casualty in the Premiership.
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Waterlogged pitch curtails Hammers' hopes - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:46am on 11th March 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was denied the chance to give some of his
returning players - such as Bobby Zamora, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker -
another run-out when last night's reserve match with Derby was postponed due
to a waterlogged pitch at Bishop's Stortford.
NEXT FIVE GAMES: Saturday: Blackburn (h); 22 Mar: Everton (a); 29 Mar:
Sunderland (a); 7 Apr: Portsmouth (h); 12 April: Bolton (a).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer linked with Gers switch
20080311 11:54
West Ham defender George McCartney is a summer target for Rangers manager
Walter Smith, according to reports. The Northern Ireland international has
been watched by Rangers scouts on a regular basis and his position at Upton
Park could well be undermined if West Ham make a move for reported long-term
target Nickey Shorey from Reading. That move could depend on whether
Reading win their battle to avoid the drop from the Premiership and after
two successive wins they are in with a good shout. If they do then Shorey
could stay where he is, scuppering Smith's hopes of landing McCartney.
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Curbishley suspects Enemy on Board - West Ham - Cmon You Irons.com
Curbishley had his players training at 9am yesterday, on their day off,
after Sunday's debacle at White Hart Lane, there were no grand addresses, no
sit-down talks. Nor have there been any ultimatums from the directors.
Although Curbishley suspects he has an enemy on the board, he feels cheered
by the attitude of Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the chairman who, like his
manager, is not prone to impulsive decisions and understands the value of
long-term development.
My advice to Curbs is to prove this Enemy wrong, get results as best you
can. The Fans do not actually mind losing 1-0 or 2-1, its the lack of
performances like Parker and Solano always seem to show that we want, 3
consecutive 4-0's is not a good sign for even the smallest of clubs. The
Fans worry that Mid Table safety and complacency has set in as it did with
Curbs time with Charlton. We know this season is virtually finished for us
and are quite happy with 9th - 10th place, maybe all we have to look forward
to is knowing the Spuds will hopefully finish behind us, which will be fine
in my eyes.
Prove us wrong Curbs, thats all we ask.
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West Ham closer to landing Chelsea's Sidwell
tribalfooball.com - March 11, 2008
West Ham United are set to land Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell at the end
of the season. Sidwell will be shown the door by Chelsea in the summer, says
the Mirror, with West Ham eager to take him to Upton Park.
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West Ham boss Curbs can't sleep as he urges fans to stop hammering him and
his players - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:25pm on 11th March 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley today urged disgruntled fans to lay off after
the club made it clear that his job is not in jeopardy, despite shipping 12
goals in their last three games. Curbishley, who admitted that the
embarrassing 4-0 defeats have left him and his players feeling hurt, said
critics should look at what the club has achieved rather than start baying
for blood over their recent slump. The Hammers boss also revealed how
anxiety, which followed losses against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs, have
left him with sleepless nights as he bids to lead the club back to winning
ways. He said: "When fans moan at me and get on my back how do they think I
feel? Don't they just stop for a moment and consider how hurt my players and
I are? Do they suppose we lost 4-0 three times in a row on purpose? "It's
time for those who are always ready to point the finger to step back and
take a cold, hard look at things, just as I have to do when evaluating what
has gone wrong. "It has been a horrible week for me, the players and the
fans, but there has been no board meeting about it, no players' meeting
either. All that has happened was that we came in yesterday on what normally
would have been a day off. There is only one thing to do now and that is
regroup, get our heads down and work towards out next game. "For me, it's
the sleepless nights again, the knot of anxiety in my stomach, but it goes
with the job. I have to stay strong."
Talking in his column in the Daily Express, he said that like last season,
when West Ham were facing relegation, he never stopped believing he could
turn the club's fortunes around and the same applies today. He accepted that
expectation levels for the club, which over the last 20 years have had an
average league position of 13th, was now higher but claimed that injuries
are partly to blame for what some consider under-achievement. He added: "It
shouldn't go unnoticed what we have achieved. I think the criticism and
speculation is out of hand. Football is changing mostly for the better, but
this is a part of the game that has become less acceptable. If it's not me
facing the stick, it will be someone else. "Last season all I read was
negative stuff, a lot of rumours and speculation. It's what I will get from
now on. But anyone who is realistic will be looking at West Ham in 10th
position in the league and know it's not all gloom and doom. We have reached
40 points, which normally signifies survival, but we have not stopped
putting in the hard work and have no intention of allowing everything to
slip away from us. "My average position after eight years of management in
the Premier League is 11th. I came to West Ham to improve on that. I think
the board are realistic about it, but we will have to see on that score
because it's a results business. Nothing surprises me anymore in football."
Despite their recent form, Curbishley's team have twice the amount of points
they had before playing Blackburn at the same time last season. Last night,
the club released a statement which said: "The board of West Ham United
recognise that recent results have been disappointing and frustrating for
everyone connected to the club. However, there is no question of Alan
Curbishley's future as manager being called into doubt. Alan, his staff and
the players have done well to put the club into the top half of the table,
despite a massive injury list, and they have the full support of the board."
Meanwhile, the Hammers are closing in on Italian Gianluca Nani as their new
technical director. Curbishley flew to Italy today for more talks with Nani,
who is the general manager of Brescia. Another Italian, Franco Baldini, was
West Ham's first choice for the newly-created post but he joined Fabio
Capello's England coaching set-up instead. Curbishley has been kept at the
centre of the recruitment process and believes the appointment of a
technical director would be a positive step. Nani apparently has good
contacts in South America and would also oversee the club's planned move
away from Upton Park.
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Hammers boss suffering sleepless nights
By Guardian-series
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley has admitted to having sleepless nights
following his side's recent slump. The Irons boss has endured a tough nine
days after consecutive 4-0 defeats against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs.
Although he received the board's full backing on Monday, the 50-year-old
(pictured) conceded that he is beginning to feel the strain. He told the
Daily Express: "It has been a horrible week for me, the players and the
fans, but there has been no board meeting about it, no players' meeting
either. "For me, it's the sleepless nights again - the knot of anxiety in
the stomach. But it goes with the job. I have to stay strong." Curbishley
said that he "understands" that expectations at the club have been lifted,
but insisted the levels imposed on his side this season are unrealistic.
The Hammers only escaped relegation on the last day of last season. And,
despite spending big on the summer, he insists that a horrendous run of
long-term injuries to key players has made his job more difficult. "During
the close season we spent £7 million on players, not forgetting what we laid
out during the window trying to stay up, which made a total of £25million.
Most of it we made back in sales," he said. "Other clubs spent just as
heavily. We spent because we were in a desperate position but no sooner had
we survived than I read that last summer people were expecting us to reach a
European place. "But from the day we started pre-season training we have
lost nearly all of those we brought in through injury.
"I still have not been able to field my strongest side." He added: "What has
happened in the last couple of weeks does leave me bitterly disappointed, so
can we get some facts straight. "Over the last 20 years, although a lot of
time has been spent in the top division, West Ham have had an average league
position of 13th."
Curbishley concluded that the players - with the exception of the last seven
days - have coped well during tough times this season to keep the club in
the top half of the table. And he pointed to the fact that the team has
amassed 61 points from the 38 games prior to the last three outings. "I know
season do not run like this, but it shouldn't go unnoticed what we have
achieved," he said. "I am not looking for excuses but I do think the
criticism and speculation is out of hand. "Anyone who is realistic will be
looking at West Ham in tenth position in the league and know it's not all
gloom and doom."
10:39am today
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Curbs hits out at expectation levels - TeamTalk
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has bemoaned the added expectation placed on
his Hammers side this season. Curbishley's men grabbed seven wins from the
last nine Premier League fixtures at the end of last season to finish 15th
and complete an amazing escape from relegation. And the momentum at Upton
Park prompted many fans and pundits to tip the Hammers for a top-six finish
this season. But after three consecutive 4-0 defeats pressure has mounted on
Curbishley and the Hammers manager, who received the board's backing on
Monday, has conceded that results have left him with an uneasy feeling.
"What has happened in the last couple of weeks does leave me bitterly
disappointed, so can we get some facts straight," Curbishley told the Daily
Express. "Over the last 20 years, although a lot of time has been spent in
the top division, West Ham have had an average league position of 13th.
"This year, expectation levels have bee lifted and I understand that.
"During the close season we spent £7million on players, not forgetting what
we laid out during the window trying to stay up, which made a total of
£25million. "No sooner had we survived than I read last summer people were
expecting us to reach a European place. "But from the day we started
pre-season training we have lost nearly all of those we brought in through
injury. I still have not been able to field my strongest side. "I never
expected those three results. "It has been a horrible week for me, the
players and the fans, but there has been no board meeting about it, no
players' meeting either. "For me, it's the sleepless nights again; the knot
of anxiety in the stomach, but it goes with the job. I have to stay strong."
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Di Canio looks for coaching post after calling time - Daily Mail
Last updated at 09:00am on 11th March 2008
Former West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic star Paolo di Canio has
announced his retirement after struggling with a string of injuries. The
controversial 39-year-old has brought an end to his playing career and is on
the lookout for a new job in coaching after spending the past two years in
Italy's Serie C with Cisco Roma.
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