'It was the best thing that could have happened' said Freddie Sears as he
relived his fantastic first game
17.03.2008
Freddie Sears has told WHUTV of his shock at the moment he realised he was
about to make his West Ham United debut.
The 18-year-old only found out on Saturday that he was going to be a
substitute against Blackburn Rovers, although he had been given an inkling
on Friday that he may even start before Bobby Zamora passed a late fitness
test. Sears had already received a rapturous welcome from the Boleyn Ground
faithful - including Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Trevor Brooking - when he
limbered up on the touchline in the first half but nothing could prepare him
for the call when it came from Alan Curbishley.
"I was pleased to be there but when he said 'Freddie warm up, get ready', I
was a bit shocked - it just went from there," the England Under-19
international said. "I weren't nervous. The atmosphere and the fans spurred
me on a little bit more. It was really good." Once Sears entered the fray in
the 74th minute, his all-action approach was soon apparent with a huge cheer
greeting his efforts in chasing down a Blackburn defender who was dallying
on the ball.
That was nothing though compared to his goal, little more than five minutes
after first stepping on to the pitch, which he celebrated with a crossed
Hammers salute to acknowledge his lifelong love of the claret and blue. He
said: "It was the best thing that could have happened. I come on, got my
first early touch. Then I had a shot and it come back so I headed it in. It
was a great feeling. It was unbelievable ... especially at home as well at
Upton Park as a West Ham fan."
The homegrown talent had plenty of support on the day, revealing "my mum and
dad were in the stands, a few friends and family and my mates were all
around" and in typically unassuming fashion summed up his day by claiming -
"I am delighted, it was a good debut." His team-mates were also quick to
show their acclaim, with the likes of fellow Academy graduates Anton
Ferdinand and Mark Noble running to him at the final whistle. "They have all
signed the matchball for me - all with little comments," he said. "That is
great."
Sears showed penmanship of his own when inking a new deal with the club at
the start of the week and finished it in the best way possible. The
Hornchurch-based youngster told whufc.com last month he dreamed of running
out in front of the fans at some point in the future but having done that
and more, he will not rest. "You have just got to keep going, you have got
to keep pushing on. This season I have worked hard. I have to keep pushing
on and hopefully you never know what could happen."
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Curbs ready to 'push forward' - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley is excited about good times ahead with a good mix of youth
and experience in his squad
16.03.2008
Alan Curbishley is looking forward to a bright future at West Ham United as
summed up by the arrival of Freddie Sears into the first-team picture.
The 18-year-old striker set the Boleyn Ground abuzz on Saturday with a
scintillating performance that saw him score the winning goal in a 2-1
victory against Blackburn Rovers barely five minutes after coming on as
substitute. According to Curbishley, there is much more to come with a whole
crop of talented teens to go with the experienced names amassed in the past
year.
"I don't think anybody at the club is thinking anything other than
progressing and strengthening," the manager said. "That is why we are
looking at this technical director and everything else because we want to be
pushing forward. I firmly believe if I have the squad available we have an
opportunity to push forward."
Curbishley feels the key to success is a blend of youth and experience -
with the likes of Sears, 20-year-old Mark Noble, 22-year-old Jonathan
Spector and 23-year-old Anton Ferdinand complemented on Saturday by the
know-how of proven performers like Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg. "It
is a nice healthy mixture," the manager said, predicting that with the
advent of seven substitutes next season there would be more opportunities
for Academy youngsters.
As well as Sears, Curbishley had fellow 18-year-old James Tomkins, with the
defender also an England U19 international, on the bench while he reminded
that Wales Under-21 midfielder Jack Collison, still only 19 and who made his
debut on New Year's Day, "has been impressing". Then there is 20-year-old
winger Kyel Reid who was also due to be involved until Ferdinand "complained
about his groin" and the manager had to rethink his substitute options.
The manager said he was "really pleased" after Ferdinand overcame his injury
worries to impress - especially on a day when the side were again without
England centre-back Matthew Upson. "We have all took a bit of criticism in
the last week [after the Tottenham Hotspur defeat]. There is no hiding and
he couldn't hide either ... He is still a young player in my eyes. He took
it on the chin and I suppose he could have quite easily said [his groin] was
a bit sore and we would have had to get on with it but he knew he had to get
a performance in."
Also earning praise was Ashton, and not only for his "very good finish" and
assist for Sears. The duo had teamed up in a recent reserve match and
Curbishley was impressed. "In the second half, [Freddie] and Deano played up
front and he bounced things off of him and was prepared to run in behind
him". That was shown again at the weekend and the manager was not surprised
that Sears' "legs were getting shorter the longer he was on the pitch" as
the nervous energy took hold. "Anyone would respond to Freddie. He is
bubbly." Few would disagree.
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Nani confirms appointment - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 16th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianluca Nani confirmed this afternoon that he has been appointed as
Sporting Director of West Ham United. The Italian, talking in a news
conference this afternoon, said: "From June I will take over my new position
with West Ham. I have conducted the negotiations in person but in the full
co-operation of Brescia chairman Corioni, who I must thank along with his
family. "I have leant so much in these years with the club and for that
opportunity I must thank them."
The club are expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow morning.
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Vinny's Blackburn Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sat Mar 15 2008
West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
A goal on his debut from youngster Freddie Sears won this tightly contested
encounter as West Ham looked to make amends for losing three consecutive
games 4-0.
This was not a pretty game and we did not play well but the result to stop
the rot was needed and a bit of faith in youth from Alan Curbishley provided
the much needed result. Of course this victory by no means makes up for the
last three games and the manner of our defeats, but Curbishley has avoided
another mass slagging for at least another week.
Those defeats have put a very anti Curbishley feeling in the air with lot of
negative comments directed his way by many supporters before the game had
even begun. This was also echoed in the latest issue of Over Land & Sea
where editor Gary Firmager did not hide his displeasure with the current
situation and wanted Curbishley removed.
Today Curbishley did something that he hasn't done this season which was
actually to go for it in the final fifteen minutes. At 1-1, any other time
this season he would have not made any risky attacking changes and maybe
would have even tried to tighten things up. But in keeping Zamora and Ashton
on the pitch whilst adding Sears to the field of play in place of a
midfielder this showed a lot more ambition, but if he had not been under
pressure following on from the three defeats, I doubt this would have
transpired.
Only one change was made to the side which were crushed by Tottenham last
Sunday and that saw Nolberto Solano come in for the suspended Luis Boa
Morte. Solano went to the right hand side of midfield with Ljungberg coming
to the left.
On the bench, youngsters James Tomkins and Freddie Sears were named with
Carlton Cole unavailable due to injury.
We started the game exactly like a side who had been beaten 4-0 in their
previous three outings. The players looked drained of energy and confidence
and this gave Blackburn the edge in the opening half hour as they took the
game to us and should have taken advantage to a much larger degree.
Morten Gamst Pedersen was key to the Blackburn attacks with his delivery
into the area causing our defence to panic on more than one occasion. An
early corner from the winger found Santa Cruz who beat everyone to the ball
but his header was wide of Robert Green's goal.
Another header was won from a corner, this time it was taken by David
Bentley and met by the towering centre half Christopher Samba but his
powerful header went just over the bar when many thought he was poised to
score.
You could feel the tension beginning to grow around Upton Park and I dreaded
to think of what the atmosphere would be like if we were to concede a goal.
From our attacking point of view, very little was going on. Solano whipped
in a good free kick which found Ashton unmarked but the striker completely
missed his shot.
The visitors took the lead on the 19th minute which had many supporters
(including myself) scratching their heads over how bad it was defended.
Everything was wrong from the moment Scott Parker gave the ball away to the
point where Santa Cruz was left unmarked to head past Green.
Parker gave the ball away to David Bentley who hit a wonderful pass towards
Gamst Pedersen who controlled the ball well. He had Spector in front of him
but he afforded the Blackburn man plenty of room to put in the cross.
Blackburn only had one man in the area and it was obvious to everyone where
the ball was going to go, but Ferdinand ball watched and didn't get right to
Santa Cruz who head past Green to send the travelling support (about 300)
wild.
Sections of the crowd began to sing "We're gonna lose 4-0" and with our
current form, it wasn't the most ludicrous of suggestions.
We replied with a Parker effort which was well struck but sailed well wide
of the goal and then Ashton met Zamora's cross with a header which Friedel
had to push around the post for a corner.
The game was a very messy affair at this point with both sides giving away
countless free kicks which saw Blackburn pick up a booking for Bentley. A
free kick awarded about 25 yards from goal was taken by Solano who curled it
over the wall and Friedel had to tip over the bar. Solano is a very good
free kick taker and once again was able to get his shot on target.
Another yellow card was issued to a Blackburn player after David Dunn went
in hard on Solano. Blackburn were living up to their reputation as a very
tough side and really were a reflection of their manager Mark Hughes. Sadly
we were also a reflection of our manager - weak and average.
Out of nothing, the 39th minute brought us an equaliser and it was down to
simple route one football. Robert Green launched a kick towards Zamora who
flicked the ball on into the area where the Blackburn defender misjudged the
flight of the ball and Ashton beat Friedel to the ball and clipped it over
him and into the net. It was a very smart finish and reminded us all what
Ashton could do.
Up till that point Samba had Ashton in his pocket and it did look as though
Ashton was going to have another one of those frustrating days, but a little
bit of luck gave Ashton the chance to show a little bit of skill and score
his first goal since his stunning striker at Middlesbrough back in December.
There was surprisingly no booing as the ref blew the half time whistle and
this I believe was purely down to the timing of our equaliser which had come
just before the half time whistle.
The second half was just as evenly contested as the first with both sides
having a few half chances in the early stages, but neither looking as though
they were going to take control of the game.
A bit of pressure applied to the Blackburn back line did seem to unsettle
them with Friedel completely slicing a clearance and it going behind for a
corner.
Zamora had been an eager runner all day long but had nothing to show in the
way of goal mouth action. His frustration at not having an chance on goal
was evident when he hit a low shot from outside the box which went well
wide.
Blackburn's best method of attack was down the flanks with Bentley and Gamst
Pedersen continuing to pull the strings every time they went forward.
It was Pedersen who had a good opportunity to put the visitors back in front
but his shot went way over the bar to the jeers of the home support.
We found it difficult to get in behind the Blackburn defence with there
being little pace in our side and little width with Solano and Ljungberg
continuing to drift inside and make Neill and McCartney work harder than
they needed to when going forward.
The lack of movement in our side led to play becoming congested and this
often led to us losing the ball. Chances were few and far between and an
Ashton long range effort was at least on target but still not causing the
away side too many headaches.
Mark Hughes obviously thought his side could go on to win this game and made
an attacking change by taking off midfielder Dunn and replacing him with
striker Matt Derbyshire.
In response, Curbishley made a similar change replacing Nobby Solano with
Freddie Sears who was making his debut for the club. Also on was Mark Noble
in place of the tiring Scott Parker.
And with this change, we got much better and the reason for that was simply
movement. Noble was everywhere, and showed how much he has got to his game
as he was getting stuck in and winning tackles, while also carrying the ball
forward and making a positive pass.
Sears was showing that he had pace and his first involment was to chase a
lost cause and put pressure on Samba as he was trying to clear.
This all seemed to get the crowd the going and the atmosphere inside the
Boleyn was heating up and it would boil over if we could find that all
important goal.
On 81 minutes the crowd would get that goal they craved and it was made even
sweeter by the player who managed to score.
A nice pass from Neill into the area found Ashton who held the ball up well
and cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Sears who hit a shot at goal
which was well saved by Friedel but the keeper could only parry the ball
back out for Sears to follow it up with a diving header into the back of the
net.
For a side who apparently have no more to play for, the crowd certainly
lapped this up and celebrated madly.
It just shows how much it means to the supporters when we get a player who
is a home grown talent and also a West Ham boy. Of course there will be
comparisons to Tony Cottee's debut and although this might be putting a lot
of pressure on Sears, it is also great to have that hope amongst one of our
players.
There was still time for one other major incident which will be overshadowed
by the goal from Sears but cannot be forgotten because it was such an
important moment.
A ball was played into Jason Roberts who turned Ferdinand far too easily and
hit a shot with the goal at his mercy but Robert Green made a fantastic save
to deny him and make sure that we didn't throw away the lead right at the
death.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
His catching and general holding of the ball was a bit off today especially
in the first half but he got himself together and made a wonderful save at
the end to ensure we secured the victory. A vital input from Green.
Lucas Neill
Against his former club, Neill put in an improved performance compared to
his recent showings and looked a little more comfortable when in possession
of the ball. Still, he was troubled by Pedersen and went walkabout (no pun
intended) for their goal.
Jonathan Spector
Solid, unspectacular and just a general Spector performance. Lets not forget
that he is our sixth choice centre half and would be no where near the first
team if we had players fit. Thought he should have closed down Pedersen
before he crossed to Santa Cruz.
Anton Ferdinand
Given a torrid time by Jason Roberts and rarely looked comfortable. Has
fallen apart without Upson beside him and with Gabbidon also out, Ferdinand
does not seem to have the ability to step up and be the strong solid
defender. Another worrying performance.
George McCartney
Another solid display from the left back. I don't know how he didn't have a
go at Ljungberg because there were times where McCartney would get down the
left only for Ljungberg to run away from him and go inside when it was
obvious McCartney wanted to knock it down the left and only got that
opportunity when Zamora was there.
Nolberto Solano
There were certain things which he did well and his cleverness on the ball
was evident but only in spurts. Gave the ball away far too many times and
often made the wrong choice of pass. Not the greatest game you will see
Solano play.
Scott Parker
You will never see Parker hide and he will always give 100%. That's exactly
what he did today with his performance usually played at a high tempo. He
loves to get stuck in and never looks worried when on the ball as he is
usually calm. A few misplaced passes aside, this was a solid display from a
player we really need to stay fit.
Hayden Mullins
Like many of our players during this game he was also solid if
unspectacular. He worked hard against a tough Blackburn midfield and looking
over his performance at the end of the game I think he did his job well.
Freddie Ljungberg
His moodiness is starting to get on my nerves as he continued to have a go
at Solano throughout the second half, berating him for not passing to him.
Shakes of the head, a look to the heavens all did nothing to make me warm to
his performance, which was at best average. Won a few free kicks, but never
really made an impact and he is much better on the right hand side then he
is on the left.
Bobby Zamora
I think we all know that Bobby has fantastic work rate and we saw that yet
again during this game. He did well at times to drag defenders away from the
area and put in a few good crosses. Obviously he will be disappointed that
he never got an opportunity on goal, but for the time being I am happy to
see him in the starting line up.
Dean Ashton
A performance which we all expect Dean Ashton to put in. Scored one, made
the other, caused their defence problems, had most of our chances and was
involved for the whole 90 minutes. Ran for everything, jumped for
everything, didn't look out of breath all the time, and with his shirt
untucked he doesn't look like the Michelin man. I'd actually say he was our
man of the match.
Subs Used
Mark Noble (on for Parker 75 mins)
Obviously everyone will talk about the impact Sears made, but Noble too
deserves praise for his input in the final fifteen minutes which saw him all
over the place making tackles and passes. Is very unlucky to be out of the
first team at the moment.
Freddie Sears (on for Solano 75 mins)
A star is born? Searing his way to the top? Happy new Sear? Oh the joy of
being able to make up so many clichéd headlines to do with this lads name.
Scoring a goal on your debut as a 18 year old is stuff dreams are made of
and this boy might be the next big thing out of the West Ham academy. Not
putting any pressure on him of course…
John Pantsil (on for 87 mins)
Sheer class.
Overall
If you wanted Curbishley out before this game then you probably haven't
changed your mind but whatever your view, this was an important victory as
no one wants to see their team lose week in week out no matter if you like
the manager or not.
We needed to stop the rot and after going a goal down we showed a lot of
bottle to bring it back and go on to win the game.
Next up is Everton and this will probably be the first game of the season
that I am not going to get to see, so don't expect a report next week.
As for our chances at Goodison - well our record there is as good as
Blackburn's at Upton Park.
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Nani confirms Hammers deal - SSN
Brescia chief agrees deal
By Nadia Carminati Last updated: 16th March 2008
Italian Gianluca Nani has confirmed that he will be the new sporting
director of West Ham United. The Premier League club have been scouring the
world for a person to fill the newly created role, which will become a
pivotal position at the East London outfit. Nani currently holds a similar
role at Brescia but he has been lured to the English capital by Hammers
chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. Nani confirmed he would be taking up his
appointment at the end of the season. "From June I will take over my new
position with West Ham," he told a news conference. "I have conducted the
negotiations in person but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman
[Luigi] Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. "I have leant so
much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I must thank
them." Nani is known for his strong contacts throughout the continent and
his main duty will be to oversee transfer policy at Upton Park.
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Sears secures sweet dreams - SSN
Hammers boss set for sound night's sleep after debutant's winner
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 15th March 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is ready for his full allocation of forty
winks on Saturday night after debutant Freddie Sears fired his side to a 2-1
win over Blackburn at Upton Park. Hammers boss Curbishley has admitted he
has been struggling to nod off following a hat-tick of 4-0 thrashings at the
hands of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham over recent weeks. However, goals
from Dean Ashton and youngster Sears cancelled out Roque Santa Cruz's opener
to ensure Curbishley will be looking forward to his bedtime this weekend.
Blackburn had taken the lead in the 19th minute as a swift counter-attack
allowed Morten Gamst Pedersen to break down the right before crossing to
Santa Cruz and the Paraguayan forward made no mistake as he headed in from
close range. West Ham, though, hit back on 39 minutes as Bobby Zamora
flicked on allowing Ashton to take advantage of some poor defending from
Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba to dink past goalkeeper Brad
Friedel.
And with nine minutes of the match remaining Sears, who had come off the
bench just five minutes earlier, was in the right place to finish at the
second time of asking after Friedel could only palm his initial shot to
secure a fairytale finish. With both sides looking for European
qualification, the game opened up a little in the second half but the lack
of goalmouth action explained why finishing in mid-table looks likely. It
took the introduction of a fearless youngster to change the game, with
Romford lad Sears immediately sparking excitement from home fans every time
he received the ball, while the defeat also lifts some of the pressure on
Curbishley. Blackburn started the stronger and Pedersen drove in a dangerous
early corner that fizzed across Green's goal, and the winger also headed
wide after a sweeping move down the right when David Bentley and Brett
Emerton combined. Samba should have given Mark Hughes' men the lead in the
18th minute when Bentley's corner found him in the six-yard area and the
defender put his header over the crossbar.
But they were not to be denied with their next attack. Bentley spread the
ball wide to Pedersen, who had plenty of room down the left flank. Santa
Cruz was unmarked in the penalty area and headed past Green when Pedersen
found him for his 16th of the season. The goal woke West Ham up and they
tried for an immediate reply, with Friedel needed to tip an Ashton header
around the post when Zamora found his strike partner with a cross from the
left.
Friedel also tipped over the crossbar from Nolberto Solano's 30-yard
free-kick before the break. The hosts were then rewarded for their efforts
six minute before the interval as Green helped set up the equaliser with a
long free-kick. Zamora flicked on with his head, Ashton spun around Samba
before lofting his finish over Friedel and in.
Hughes took off Emerton at the break for Zurab Khizanishvili, with the
second half starting like the first - Pedersen driving over a dangerous
free-kick.
Friedel was almost embarrassed at the other end when he sliced a back-pass,
but he had less trouble with a shot from Zamora that drifted wide. Green was
not tested either when Pedersen fired wildly over from close range when
Jason Roberts' low cross found its way to him just before the hour mark.
Friedel was forced into action when Ashton tried his luck from long range
and the American was down well to stop the striker's effort. David Dunn, who
had been booked earlier, was taken off for Matt Derbyshire as Blackburn
changed shape. Curbishley then brought on Sears for his debut, with the home
fans giving the exciting youngster a huge welcome. His goal came nine
minutes from the end after Ashton had back-heeled. Friedel saved Sears'
first shot but he slid in to head home the rebound.
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Special operator Freddie Sears cracks code for Curbishley - The Times
West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
Tom Dart at Upton Park
West Ham United had started playing in binary: 0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 1-0,
a code of results signifying little entertainment. Then came March and the
numbers went from dull to dire: 0-4, 0-4, 0-4. The sequence of suffering was
broken on Saturday with a simple sum: 1 x 18. That is, one 18-year-old,
Freddie Sears, who scored the winner against Blackburn Rovers six minutes
into his debut.
It was not only the three points that lifted spirits at Upton Park, but the
hope that Sears and other local boys of similar age and potential will
graduate from youth to first team and shine, as did the likes of Joe Cole,
Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.
The roar from the stands that greeted Sears's appearance on the pitch, let
alone his goal, indicated that the locals would love a team owned by
Icelandic businessmen to be made in Essex. "We had Mark Noble and Anton
Ferdinand [on Saturday] who've come through and two or three on the bench,
so it's a nice healthy mixture and, next year, with seven subs, it might
happen more often," Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, said.
Of course, the juiciest fruits from the famed academy have graduated to
bigger clubs in recent years, but Curbishley hopes that West Ham will be
buyers, not sellers. "I don't think anyone at the club is thinking of
anything but progressing and strengthening," he said.
Sears, who is in England's Under19 squad for their friendly against Russia a
week tomorrow, has been prolific for the West Ham youth team and the absence
of Carlton Cole, Luis Boa Morte and Craig Bellamy on Saturday meant that
Curbishley considered giving the forward a start against Blackburn. He came
off the bench with 15 minutes left and sent a diving header past Brad
Friedel after the goal-keeper had parried his initial low shot.
"He's only just started training with us, but he's been scoring goals in the
youth team and reserves," Noble, the 20-year-old midfield player, said. "I
hope he keeps his feet on the floor and keeps working hard. The future's
bright – we have just got to nurture him. His greatest asset is his
goalscoring ability. He shoots from anywhere. Even with a half-chance he
will shoot. I told him, 'I've been exactly where you are now, mate, go out
and enjoy it. Celebrate with your family or do whatever you do. But come
ready for work on Monday.' " Anton Ferdinand said: "He is special. Even
though it was his first game, there were no nerves. I've always said when
home-grown players come on the pitch it lifts the crowd. He's a grounded
lad, born and bred in this area, and he has a lot to offer this club. I know
what it is like to come through here. There is a lot of pressure on
youngsters because everybody expects them to be a lot better than they
actually might be."
You could say the same of Blackburn, whose prospects of a top-six finish are
receding. They should have won comfortably after Roque Santa Cruz's opening
goal, but their intensity dropped and the excellent Dean Ashton equalised.
"We just didn't have that drive we need to have," Mark Hughes, the manager,
said. Unlike Sears - especially if the rumour is true that he had promised
himself a new car if he scored. Just as long as it is not one of those "Baby
Bentleys" Curbishley dislikes so much.
How they rated
West Ham (4-4-2) R Green 6 – L Neill 7 J Spector 6 A Ferdinand Y 5 G
McCartney 5 – N Solano 7 S Parker 6 H Mullins 6 F Ljungberg 6 – D Ashton 8 R
Zamora 7 Substitutes: F Sears (for Solano, 75min), M Noble (for Parker, 75),
J Paintsil (for Ljungberg, 88) Not used: R Wright, J Tomkins. Next: Everton
(a).
Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2) B Friedel 6 – B Emerton 6 C Samba 6 A Ooijer 5 S
Warnock 6 – D Bentley Y 7 S Reid Y 6 D Dunn Y 6 M G Pedersen 6 – R Santa
Cruz 7 J Roberts 7 Substitutes: Z Khizanishvili 5 (for Emerton, 46min), M
Derbyshire (for Dunn, 71), B McCarthy (for Pedersen, 90) Not used: J Brown,
A Mokoena. Next: Wigan (h).
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Freddie Sears enters West Ham folklore - Telegraph
By Ben Findon
Last Updated: 1:42am GMT 17/03/2008
West Ham United (1) 2 Blackburn Rovers (1) 1
Based in Hornchurch, nurtured on the fields of the famed Little Heath
academy and unleashed at Upton Park, Freddie Sears announced himself as a
local hero in the finest West Ham tradition by taking just six minutesto
crown his debut with a winning goal.
Iron in the soul and claret and blue running through his veins, he
celebrated the strike that sunk Blackburn with a crossed hammers salute that
will put him into East end folklore. An afternoon that had begun with all
the uncertainties engendered by a run of three successive 4-0 defeats ended
with Upton Park alight with pride.
Sir Trevor Brooking, one of the great scions of the West Ham dynasty, beamed
his appreciation. Manager Alan Curbishley recalled scoring in his second
West Ham match when 17, and Upton Park sages noted comparisons with that
legendary home-grown poacher of the Eighties, Tony Cottee.
Sears, 18, has been averaging over a goal a game in the youth and reserve
sides. He is part of England Under-19s and has been impressing West Ham's
senior players in training. Quick and confident, he was immediately into the
match upon his arrival as a 75th-minute substitute. Set up by Dean Ashton's
superb back-heel, he had the presence of mind to remain alert after Brad
Friedel had blocked his initial shot and threw himself headlong to convert
the rebound.
"I wouldn't think he is as quick as [Craig] Bellamy but he's similar,"
Curbishley said. "He's a really good finisher and when he and Deano played
for the reserves a couple of weeks ago against Tottenham, he bounced things
off him and was prepared to run in behind him."
There were words of praise, and caution, from another product of the West
Ham academy. Anton Ferdinand, who broke through four seasons ago, said:
"I've been bigging him up since he started training with us. He's special,
even though it was his first game there were no nerves. I told him I had a
feeling he would score, it was written for him.
"This is where the hard work starts but he's a grounded lad and has a future
here. I like to think I'm close to a lot of the boys coming through. I know
what it is like; there is pressure on them because everybody expects them to
be better than they actually might be."
It had all seemed unlikely when Blackburn took a well-worked lead. Morten
Gamst Pedersen, set free by David Bentley, crossed for the unmarked Roque
Santa Cruz to head his 16th goal of the season. Yet Blackburn failed to
press home their advantage and paid the price when Ashton outwitted
Christopher Samba to slide an equaliser beyond Friedel before half-time.
"We have had a long hard season and today we looked a bit short,
energy-wise," said Blackburn manager Mark Hughes.
Man of the match
Dean Ashton (West Ham United) 8
• Scored the opening goal
• Had six attempts on goal, two on target
• Completed 100 per cent of dribbles
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West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1: Sears blazes a trail for revival of
Hammers' tradition - The Independent
By Paul Newman
Monday, 17 March 2008
Alan Curbishley would no doubt prefer to have something tangible to play for
in the closing weeks of the season but being in the Premier League's comfort
zone does have its consolations. If a Uefa Cup place still beckoned – or if
the relegation trapdoor remained ajar – the West Ham manager might have
thought twice about giving a debut to a teenage striker at this stage of the
campaign.
Not that Freddie Sears, scorer of the winning goal at Upton Park on
Saturday, is a raw novice. The 18-year-old from Romford has hit 25 goals in
24 games for the club's youth and reserve teams this season. "He has been
here for ever," Curbishley said. "He's come on a bundle and has been
training with the first team on a regular basis."
Within six minutes of the England Under-19 striker's introduction as a
substitute he ran on to Dean Ashton's clever back-heel and shot from the
edge of the penalty area. Brad Friedel parried his first effort but Sears
kept running and dived to head the loose ball into the corner of the net.
Sears is one of several teenagers who give West Ham encouragement for the
future. Jack Collison, the 19-year-old reserve-team captain, and James
Tomkins, who will join Sears in the England Under-19 squad to play Russia
next week, have also trained with the first team, while the likes of Jordan
Spence, Junior Stanislas and Daniel Kearns have all won international
recognition this season.
West Ham have been producing top-class footballers since the days of Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, but the problem of late has been
keeping them. Would Curbishley be stranded in mid-table if he had Rio
Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick at his disposal? It is much too
early to be putting Sears in that bracket, but he has made a big impression
already. "About three weeks ago we did one-on-ones and two-against-twos in
training and Matty Upson and people like that said he did ever so well,"
Curbishley said.
If this result was just what Curbishley needed after three successive 4-0
defeats, it was a big setback to Mark Hughes. Blackburn are running out of
matches to claim a Uefa Cup place and the Rovers manager was unhappy with
the way his team had let West Ham back in the game.
With David Bentley pulling the strings, Blackburn had taken a deserved
19th-minute lead, Roque Santa Cruz converting Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross
for his 16th goal of the season. Even after Ashton equalised with his first
goal for two months, turning smartly past Christopher Samba before beating
Friedel, Blackburn had chances to restore their advantage. "It was a game we
were quite comfortable in," Hughes said. "We weren't really in any danger
without hitting any kind of level ourselves. In the second half we were
poor. Maybe there wasn't enough drive in our play to try to win the game."
Goals: Santa Cruz (19) 0-1; Ashton (39) 1-1; Sears (81) 2-1.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Spector, Ferdinand, McCartney; Solano
(Sears, 75), Parker (Noble, 75), Mullins, Ljungberg (Pantsil, 88); Ashton,
Zamora. Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Tomkins.
Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton (Khizanishvili, h-t), Samba,
Ooijer, Warnock; Bentley, Reid, Dunn (Derbyshire, 71), Pedersen (McCarthy,
89); Santa Cruz, Roberts. Substitutes not used: Brown (gk), Mokoena.
Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).
Booked: West Ham Ferdinand; Blackburn Bentley, Dunn, Reid.
Man of the match: Bentley.
Attendance: 34,006.
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West Ham set to unveil Gianluca Nani as technical director - the Mirror
17/03/2008
West Ham will unveil Gianluca Nani as their new technical director today
after the Italian quit Serie B club Brescia yesterday. Nani has agreed a
three-year deal to take charge of transfers and contract negotiations at
Upton Park from June. He said: "I am excited about the experience. It is
very different, and I am proud to be working in England." Manager Alan
Curbishley was part of the interview panel which appointed Nani.
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Curbishley confident West Ham can keep starlets
tribalfooball.com - March 16, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is confident of keeping his top
youngsters - including Freddie Sears. Sears scored on his debut against
Blackburn in Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win - and there are also
hopes of James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Kyel Reid making the step up. If
they do, boss Curbishley wants to keep the youngsters at the club. "Since
I've been here, that hasn't been a threat - and every indication I have is
that we want to push forward," he said. "We'll have to address it if it
happens and if we get a few sniffs, but that's part and parcel of the game.
"I understand players have left here in the past - but I think perhaps it
was a different situation then. For one thing, last summer was the first
time for a while that we have invested as opposed to letting players leave."
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West Ham boss Curbishley backs Nani appointment
tribalfootball.com - March 16, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is happy with the appointment of
Gianluca Nani as the club's first technical director. "I don't think anyone
is thinking of anything other than progressing," Curbishley said. "That's
why we're looking at this technical director and everything else - because I
firmly believe that when I have everyone fit we have an opportunity to push
forward." Other homegrown talent currently in the squad includes Mark Noble,
who has praised the work of the academy for developing players. "We've just
got to nurture them and hope they can get into the team," he said. "I think
it's all down to the academy. "They teach you how to play the game
properly."
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West Ham's Ferdinand hopes Blackburn performance will silence doubters
tribalfooball.com - March 16, 2008
West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand hopes he silenced the critics after
his performance in Saturday's victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Ferdinand was slated by manager Alan Curbishley after their defeat to
Tottenham, but redeemed himself on the weekend and said: "I just like to let
my football do the talking - and I'm sure I did that."
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Neill rallies West Ham for Euro push
tribalfootball.com - March 16, 2008
Captain Lucas Neill has West Ham United on course for a surprise return to
European competition. The Hammers took the honours with a 2-1 win against
his friend Brett Emerton and Blackburn Rovers, continuing West Ham's rise up
the Premier League table towards qualification for the UEFA Cup. "In a
similar vein this year, people are already writing us off for qualification
for Europe," Neill told the West Ham website."But if we show a similar
spirit and a no-lose attitude in performances, who knows where we could end
this season? If there is one thing that everybody associated with West Ham
should take from last year, it is that we all stick together. Achieving the
unachievable is very possible. "It is the West Ham way that when things seem
low and the going gets tough, everyone involved in West Ham unites to make
things better."
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