Alan Curbishley has seen plenty of positives with the form shown by his
promising young Academy graduates
27.03.2008
James Tomkins turns 19 with Saturday's trip to Sunderland and is ready to
complete a major week in his football life with another run-out for West Ham
United.
The homegrown defender made his first-team debut in the 1-1 draw at Everton
last weekend as the club finished with four homegrown players on the pitch
in the form of Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble and Freddie Sears. It was a
development that manager Alan Curbishley said has "given everybody a lift".
Tomkins then followed that up with two goals for England Under-19s in a 3-1
midweek victory against Russia and there is every chance he could keep his
West Ham United place for the forthcoming trip to the Stadium of Light.
As a player, Curbishley also came through the ranks along with assistant
Mervyn Day and reserve-team coach Kevin Keen and there is an understanding
within the coaching staff of what the Academy means to supporters. The
manager said: "The biggest selling shirt at the club is Mark Noble and,
after signing the four or five big hitters in the summer, it tells you that
the West Ham fans have an affinity to homegrown players. On Saturday, we
ended up with four in the eleven that finished which was nice for
everybody."
Curbishley revealed Tomkins had a "little inkling" that he would play at
Goodison Park and that "he had no nerves at all". The manager added: "We
never told Tomkins until an hour and a quarter before the game he was
playing on Saturday. I didn't want him to be thinking about it too much.
What pleased me most about it was he had a little bit of a shaky start with
the goal but got stronger as the game went on."
When the final whistle blew at Goodison Park last Saturday, West Ham United
had six players on the pitch that were aged 24 or under and Curbishley is
clear that across the board "if they are good enough they are going to get a
game". Although the search for young players extends far and wide, he
recognises there is something extra with Tomkins and Sears and how they
connect with those watching on in the stands. "They are genuine West Ham
fans and the club is what they are about ... you know they want to do well
and they lap every minute up."
With the likes of Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas and Kyel Reid, who has
just been loaned to Championship promotion hopefuls Crystal Palace, waiting
in the wings, there would look to be plenty of others ready to stake a
claim. The manager added: "West Ham have always had a sprinkling of
homegrown talent. There has perhaps been a lull in recent years and
hopefully we are on our way back because it is vitally important for
everybody."
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Reid and Hines loaned out - WHUFC
Homegrown talents Kyel Reid and Zavon Hines have left the Boleyn Ground to
join two Championship clubs
27.03.2008
West Ham United have agreed to let Kyel Reid and Zavon Hines join
Championship clubs Crystal Palace and Coventry City respectively on
month-long loan deals.
The 20-year-old Reid has made four substitute appearances this season for
the first team. The left winger, who signed a new deal with West Ham United
last November, had a previous loan spell at Barnsley during the 2006/07
campaign, when he played 26 times. Palace, who also acquired Chelsea talent
Scott Sinclair on loan today, are one point outside the play-off positions
as they push for promotion to the top flight.
Coventry have different concerns, as they sit just one point above the drop
zone and hope that Hines, who will link up with former West Ham United
defender Elliott Ward, will help them avert the threat of League One
football next season. The quick 19-year-old forward has yet to make his
senior bow but has impressed of late - not least in a lively display off the
bench for the reserves against Fulham on 20 February when his late goal
sealed a 2-0 win.
The deals bring the number of West Ham United players currently out on loan
to five. Goalkeepers David Blackmore, on a season-long deal, and Richard
Wright are at Thurrock and Southampton respectively. The other player out at
the moment is 19-year-old striker Jeffery who has played six games for
Cambridge United as they battle for promotion to the Football League.
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Extra seats for Portsmouth - WHUFC
The visitors on 8 April have returned a number of tickets for the Centenary
Stand lower tier
27.03.2008
The ticket office can confirm that Portsmouth have returned a number of
tickets for the Barclays Premier League fixture on Tuesday 8 April meaning
these can be sold to home fans instead.
Only a limited number of seats were left before now but this development
means any supporters still wanting to attend can purchase these tickets for
the Centenary Stand lower tier. The evening match, which gets under way at
7.45pm, is the last to be played under the lights at the Boleyn Ground
before the end of the season and promises to be an intriguing contest
between two teams targeting a strong finish.
For more information, please contact the ticket office on 0870 112 2700 via
option 1 or click here for online bookings.
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A spiritual night at West Ham United - WHUFC
Leading clairvoyant Diane White will be at the Boleyn Ground for a special
evening event next month
27.03.2008
West Ham United are hosting an evening of clairvoyance on Wednesday 23
April.
Diane White, said to be fast becoming one of the country's best mediums,
will be in attendance in the Premier Suite from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets cost
£15 and are available from the Corporate Sales office. However, Diane's
shows traditionally tend to sell out fast so anyone interested is urged to
book now to avoid disappointment.
For more information or to register your place, call 020 8548 2777
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Coventry sign Hines as trio leave - BBC
Coventry have signed West Ham striker Zavon Hines on loan until the end of
the season after three players left the Ricoh Arena on transfer deadline
day.
The pacy 19-year-old has yet to make his debut for the Hammers' first team.
His switch came after Colin Hawkins, Wayne Andrews and youngster Donovan
Simmonds all moved out on loan. Andrews and Hawkins, who are leaving City
this summer, have joined Bristol Rovers and Chesterfield respectively, while
Simmonds has joined Gillingham.
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Palace bring in two more - SSN
Reid and Ashton follow Sinclair to Selhurst Park
Last updated: 27th March 2008
Crystal Palace have dipped into the loan market again to sign Premier League
duo Kyel Reid and Nathan Ashton. Eagles boss Neil Warnock agreed a deal for
Chelsea youngster Scott Sinclair earlier on Thursday and has now secured the
services of Reid and Ashton until the end of the season. Promising winger
Reid arrives at Selhurst Park from West Ham United as he looks to build up
his experience. Reid has made four appearances for the Hammers this term and
spent the last campaign on loan at Barnsley. Young full-back Ashton joins
Palace on loan from Fulham, having made his debut for the Premier League
strugglers against Reading back in November. Along with Sinclair and Reid,
Ashton could feature for Palace in Saturday's Championship fixture at home
to Blackpool. Meanwhile, Fulham have allowed young striker Ismael Ehui to
join non-league Carshalton on a month's loan.
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Hines in for Sky Blues - SSN
Hammers striker links up with Championship strugglers
Last updated: 27th March 2008
Coventry City have boosted their attack with the signing of West Ham United
teenager Zavon Hines. The Championship strugglers had been looking to add a
striker to the squad before the loan deadline and had been linked with
Wolves' Freddy Eastwood. But Sky Blues manager Chris Coleman has been able
to clinch a deal to bring in Hines until the end of the season. Hines has
yet to make a first-team appearance for the Hammers and underwent a trial at
League Two club Bury earlier this term. He was watched by Coleman last week
in the reserves and could feature for Coventry in Saturday's game against
Plymouth Argyle at the Ricoh Arena.
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Curbs welcomes youthful 'lift' - SSN
West Ham boss praises impact of Sears and Tomkins
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 27th March 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley insists he has had no doubts about blooding
what he hopes will be stars of the future at Upton Park. Young defender
James Tomkins made his debut at centre-back against Everton on Saturday,
while striker Freddie Sears made his second appearance after scoring the
winner on his first outing against Blackburn the week before. And Curbishley
has revealed he has been allowing West Ham's youngsters to gain experience
of life with the first-team since Christmas in the wake of injury problems
which have seen the likes of Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer sidelined for the
majority of the season. "I took a view just after Christmas as we have had a
lot of injury problems," Curbishley told Sky Sports News. "I took the view
that I was going to have the young players around us, training with us and
coming on the trips to see what it is all about. "It has happened in the
last week that two of them (Sears and Tomkins) have been given an
opportunity at the same time. "We had no doubts and if they are good enough
they have to go in."
And Curbishley believes West Ham have benefited from their mid-table Premier
League position as it has offered the opportunity to look at other options.
"I'm in a good position where I can perhaps not worry about the league
position and the importance of trying to win things, and look at the bigger
picture," added Curbishley. "That's what I've done over the last couple of
weeks so when they did get introduced, James Tomkins at the weekend and
Freddie Sears the week before, it didn't faze them. "They grabbed it and it
has given every one a lift at the club."
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Alan Curbishley happy to gamble with youth - The Times
Gary Jacob
Few risks have been taken on the pitch at Upton Park this season, but Alan
Curbishley is prepared to gamble with West Ham United's position to give
younger players experience. The manager has said that the prospects of James
Tomkins and Freddie Sears will be enhanced by playing in the remaining seven
matches of the Barclays Premier League season.
Curbishley had targeted finishing in the top six, but West Ham will need to
do exceedingly well, or poorly, to be dislodged from tenth place. They are
five points behind Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa and the
same number of points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, with Middlesbrough a
further five points behind in twelfth pace.
Positions have a bearing on players' bonuses and clubs will receive £720,000
per place in prize-money at the end of the campaign. "I appreciate
everybody's position - they want to finish as high as they can, but I've got
to think about the club as well," Curbishley said. "I've got to mix and
match a little bit. For me, it's obviously the bigger picture. I've got no
doubts about putting some of them [younger players] in. But it all depends
if Tottenham go above us, I suppose."
A year ago, Mark Noble was given an opportunity when Nigel Quashie suffered
a foot injury. Noble, now 20, has since started regularly in the team. This
time, Tomkins wants to profit. The central defender is likely to continue in
the starting line-up in the match away to Sunderland tomorrow, when he will
turn 19, because Matthew Upson is a doubt with a calf injury.
Tomkins scored twice for England Under-19 against Russia on Tuesday. "Every
game and every point is vital, but at some stage, if they are good enough,
you have got to give them a go," Curbishley said. "They bring enthusiasm and
want to do well. You can see the strength of the squad."
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EXCLUSIVE: Rooney lined up as England captain, and Ashton could help ease
his load up front - Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE by NEIL ASHTON - More by this author »
Last updated at 08:19am on 28th March 2008
Wayne Rooney is in line to be England captain for the friendly against the
United States in May as Fabio Capello contemplates calling up Dean Ashton to
solve his striker crisis. Capello believes Rooney, 22, is the country's only
world-class talent but wants more from the Manchester United striker and is
prepared to make him England's third-youngest captain after Bobby Moore and
Michael Owen to achieve it. Capello also wants to beef up England's attack
and Ashton, who is finally returning to form with West Ham, will be closely
monitored. Ashton came to Capello's attention with goals against Blackburn
and Everton last weekend. He was picked for the first time under Steve
McClaren but missed the chance to make his debut when he broke his ankle
before the 4-0 win over Greece in August 2006. Although Capello is convinced
Steven Gerrard can play in the hole behind Rooney, he will adopt a more
attacking strategy against the USA. Capello will not abandon the system he
used in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against France but wants England to be able
to adopt several different formations as they gear up for the World Cup
qualifiers. While Ashton is in contention for a call-up, Peter Crouch has
also impressed the England regime and remains a potential partner for Rooney
in any tactical switch. Theo Walcott had been earmarked to start alongside
Rooney in Paris but his chance was lost when he made only a brief appearance
from the bench during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea last Sunday. Capello
is desperate to find a right back after another poor performance from Wes
Brown in the Stade de France. Glen Johnson, who has been so consistent for
Portsmouth, also disappointed the Italian. Capello has noticed a difference
in attitude between players from different clubs. Gerrard arrived at the
team hotel last Sunday in a foul mood after Liverpool's loss to Manchester
United and the coaching staff were delighted by his excellent response in
training the following day. Rooney, who had torn Liverpool apart, also
showed that he was willing to take on new ideas. But questions are forming
over the attitude of some others. David Bentley was especially upset when he
learned his place had gone to David Beckham.
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Colchester dismiss West Ham link to Gerken - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:56pm on 27th March 2008
Colchester have rejected speculation linking their goalkeeper Dean Gerken
with a £500,000 move to West Ham. The Essex club insist they will not have
to sell any of their players following their inevitable relegation to League
One. Meanwhile Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green insists there is still more
to come from the club's homegrown stars. The goalkeeper said: "The manager's
had no hesitation in blooding them and it just shows what they can do. I'm
sure everyone is encouraged to see players coming through and doing so
well." Trinidad & Tobago will not prevent Sunderland's Carlos Edwards and
Kenwyne Jones from facing West Ham this weekend. The Black Cats refused to
release the duo for tonight's friendly international against Jamaica on
medical grounds. After Edwards (groin) and Jones (virus) were withdrawn, the
club rejected a request from the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation to
have their conditions independently verified. The T&TFF threatened to impose
a FIFA sanction that would deny Sunderland use of the pair until five days
after tonight's clash in Kingston. Enforcement of the ruling would have
prevented them from featuring in the crucial Barclays Premier League
showdown against West Ham on Saturday. But according to FIFA vice-president
and T&TFF special adviser Jack Warner, agreement was reached following
intervention from Sunderland manager Roy Keane and striker Dwight Yorke.
Keane and Yorke, Trinidad & Tobago's 2006 World Cup captain, persuaded
Warner to drop the threat. "We are putting all that behind us," Warner told
a press conference, reported in the Trinidad & Tobago Express. "We won't
invoke the FIFA regulation."
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