The form of Julien Faubert and several inexperienced players stood out for
reserves manager Kevin Keen
10.04.2008
Kevin Keen has paid tribute to his young reserves after they kept up their
impressive home record with a professional performance against Derby County
this week.
Although Tony Stokes, from the penalty spot, and Junior Stanislas got the
first-half goals in the 2-1 win at Bishop's Stortford, Keen was also
impressed by the more inexperienced players in his lineup such as midfielder
Tom Harvey. "I think we deserved it," he said. "It was two very young teams
for a reserve game and a good experience for a couple of ours. Tom Harvey
came in and did really well on one of his first appearances.
"He was probably the pick of our players but first half we were a little bit
slack so we had a bit of a dig at them to get ready for the second half. I
thought then we controlled it, and had chances without really finishing them
off. It is a good win." Turning to others who impressed, he said: "Daniel
Kearns came on and did some really good things in the last ten minutes and
Anthony Edgar kept going. It was a young team, but they kept going to the
end and we could have had one or two more chances before the end."
The oldest outfield player on view was the 24-year-old France winger Julien
Faubert who was given a pre-planned 45 minutes as he works his way back to
full fitness. Keen said: "I thought Julien did really well. He has come back
and looked as fit as he has probably looked since pre-season. Hopefully that
will give him a boost and maybe we will get him another couple of games in
that first team which is what we are looking for before the end of the
season. It would be good."
It is unlikely that United will overhaul Aston Villa at the top of the
Barclays Premier Reserve League southern section but considering the lack of
striking options, the form of late should be commended. "With Zavon [Hines]
and JJ [Jack Jeffery] out on loan, we are struggling a little bit for front
men so Stokesy, who is now a midfield player but used to be a forward when
he was younger, has had to go up front which is tough for him ... they
linked up well and Junior's always got that little bit of something that he
might make something happen."
There was also special mention for young left-back Joe Widdowson, who has
shown the benefits of some first-team experience this year at Rotherham
United. "I thought he did really well for the goal for Junior," said Keen,
as he reflected on the defender's surge up the flank before crossing for
England Under-19 international to smash in what proved the decisive goal.
Finally, Keen paid tribute to the facilities at Woodside Park."The thing
that keeps bringing us back here is the pitch," he said. "The pitch is
excellent. We go to certain non-league grounds where it is not the best,
let's put it that way. The pitch is good, the facilities are wonderful and
they really look after us. We lost our first game here against Aston Villa
but apart from that we have done very well." United will conclude their
league campaign for the season away to Arsenal on 21 April.
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Manager still hungry for more - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley is thinking of nothing but finishing on a high after the
disappointment of recent setbacks
11.04.2008
Alan Curbishley has reiterated there is plenty to play for in the final
matches of the season in order to secure his pre-season goal of "a bit more
than being mid-table".
As he prepared for the trip to Bolton Wanderers, he said: "We've got five
more games to see if we can push higher up the league and we'll see where we
go from there." With three of those fixtures coming at the Boleyn Ground as
well the chance to make it four wins from four against Manchester United -
there is every prospect of pushing up a place or two at least.
The manager said: "With what we did pre-season and the way it was looking in
the summer I was looking for a bit more than mid-table. I did say I'd like
to have a solid season and produce some football and it would give us a bit
of a foundation for next year. That's what I was basically after - and to be
on the back pages for the right reasons instead of the reasons we were on
them last year.
"I am honest enough to say that the last couple of weeks we haven't done
well enough. You can't hide from that. Whatever the problems we have had we
should be doing better. We have got a strong enough squad that should have
coped with the last few weeks and we haven't got the results and it is a
results business." The manager admitted to frustration at selection problems
but equally spoke of his satisfaction at the efforts put in by his men.
"I also find it very gratifying what they have done," he said. "I have gone
on record all season saying the players have done fantastically well to cope
with all the problems we have had. You know the squad is stronger because of
it and perhaps we are all going to be stronger because of it. It is a little
bit frustrating for everybody. The fans can be looking at the team, the back
of the programme, and realise that it could be a little bit different. But
that's how it has been.
"We have knuckled down all season and managed to produce the results to get
us where we are. This has been a disappointment these last three or four
weeks but, as the sun comes out and we are entering into our final straight,
we need to pick up ... we desperately need to end on a high. We have got
three home games after the weekend out of the four and if we can finish off
strongly it can give us a big boost going into the pre-season."
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Upson back in contention - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley has confirmed that Matthew Upson is looking to a comeback
for this weekend's away game
10.04.2008
Matthew Upson is in line to return for West Ham United at Bolton Wanderers
on Saturday having missed the last month with a calf injury.
The 28-year-old England defender, who has played 28 of the 33 league games
this season, could come back in alongside Anton Ferdinand at the Reebok
Stadium, although youngsters Jonathan Spector, 22, and James Tomkins, 19,
have filled in admirably in his absence. Having worn it previously, Upson
may even get the captain's armband if Lucas Neill fails to overcome the
injury he suffered late in the 1-0 loss against Portsmouth earlier this
week.
"Matty Upson should be back," said Alan Curbishley at his pre-match press
conference. "He has trained all week. We just felt Tuesday was a little bit
too early. He is back this weekend. We will see how Mark Noble is today
[Thursday] and the same for Lucas Neill. He turned his ankle over near the
end on Tuesday." The manager added that players like Upson, along with
Robert Green, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton, had many incentives for the rest
of the campaign - not least England.
He said: "Everybody has got a lot to play for. We have got a big English
contingent in the side. A lot of them would like us to do a bit better
because it enhances their situation. I am sure everyone with the national
side is aware what we have got at our club and every game is really looked
at and reported on."
With Neill and Noble both doubtful, that could raise the prospects for the
likes of Tomkins and 19-year-old midfielder Jack Collison, the usual
reserve-team captain who was rested on Wednesday. One player who did feature
in the 2-1 defeat of Derby County's second string was Julien Faubert with
the winger's fitness being assessed after his own calf troubles. It may be
that he is kept back for pre-season, but if all goes well then he could
potentially return before the end of the campaign. Young goalkeeper Marek
Stech, 18, is also training again after his ankle injury.
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Bolton Wanderers match preview - WHUFC
All the early team news and background for Saturday's trip to the north-west
to take on Gary Megson's men
10.04.2008
Barclays Premier League
Reebok Stadium
Saturday 12 April
3pm
Referee: Rob Styles
WHUTV - Pre-match press conference and live commentary to come
WESTHAM.WAP.COM - All the news, on the move
Introduction
* West Ham United, tenth in the Barclays Premier League, go to Bolton
Wanderers knowing victory could move the club within two places of
Manchester City, depending on their result at Sunderland.
* A win would also keep United at least four points clear of Tottenham
Hotspur in eleventh with just four fixtures remaining. Of those final games,
three are at home and one is away.
* At least two wins from the final five games would take West Ham United to
the 50-point mark in the top flight - something the club has only managed
seven times in the previous 14 seasons since 1992/93.
* The last time West Ham United finished a top-flight campaign with a
positive goal difference was the 1985/86 season (+34). The club is
currently -5.
* Alan Curbishley's men were involved in the only Barclays Premier League
game played midweek, a 1-0 home defeat by Portsmouth. Niko Kranjcar scored
the only goal on 61 minutes.
* West Ham United have won two, drawn two and lost two of the last six
meetings between the clubs in all competitions. However, the last two trips
to the Reebok Stadium have ended in 4-0 and 4-1 defeats respectively.
* The last victory at Bolton came on 18 November 1995. Since then the club
have drawn two and lost five in all competitions. That last win saw the
visitors score three goals in the second half through Ian Bishop (46), Tony
Cottee (68) and Danny Williamson (89).
Last match
West Ham United v Portsmouth (8 April): Green, Neill, Spector, Ferdinand,
McCartney, Solano (Pantsil 82), Mullins (Cole 73), Parker, Boa Morte,
Ashton, Zamora.
Subs not used: Walker, Tomkins
Goal: Kranjcar 61
Aston Villa 4-0 Bolton Wanderers (5 April): Al Habsi, Steinsson, Cahill,
Andrew O'Brien, Taylor, Guthrie, McCann, Joey O'Brien (Cohen 83), Davies,
Helguson, Diouf.
Subs not used: Walker, Samuel, Giannakopoulos, Campo.
Goals: Barry 9, 60, Agbonlahor 56, Harewood 85
Team news
* Matthew Upson has been training fully all week and is set to return on
Saturday for the first time since 5 March. Jonathan Spector and James
Tomkins have both filled in at centre-back in his absence. There could be a
change at right-back with Lucas Neill not certain to be fit after turning
his ankle late in the game against Portsmouth.
* Bobby Zamora (foot) and Freddie Sears (groin) both returned against
Portsmouth while George McCartney and John Pantsil also featured, having
previously had hamstring and concussion concerns respectively.
* Mark Noble also did not figure against Portsmouth with a hamstring injury
suffered last week. He is doubtful this weekend.
* Julien Faubert played 45 minutes in Wednesday night's 2-1 reserve-team win
against Derby County. His fitness is being assessed ahead of pre-season but
there is a possibility he could figure again before the end of this
campaign. Jack Collison was rested.
* Jimmy Walker, who played 90 minutes against Derby on Wednesday, continues
to be the No2 behind Robert Green, with Richard Wright out on loan. Marek
Stech, 18, is back in training after an ankle ligament injury.
* Bolton saw Heidar Helguson, for the first time since February, and Joey
O'Brien return in last week's defeat against Aston Villa with Jloyd Samuel
and Matthew Taylor dropping to the bench. Jussi Jaaskelainen (back), Nicky
Hunt (shoulder) and Ricardo Gardner (ribs) are all set to miss out.
* One positive news for Bolton is that captain Kevin Nolan is available
again after a two-match ban, although he has been troubled by a back injury
of late.
Background
* After 33 games last season, West Ham United were five points from safety
and had just 29 points compared to the 44 they have achieved from the same
number of matches this campaign.
* West Ham United and Bolton last met for a 1-1 draw on Sunday 4 November at
the Boleyn Ground. George McCartney scored his first goal for the club in
the 20th minute but Nolan equalised in the third minute of added time.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Mullins
(Spector 50), Bowyer (Pantsil 85), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole (Camara 72)
Subs not used: Wright, Reid
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Hunt (McCann 81), O'Brien, Meite (Michalik
46), Gardner, Diouf, Guthrie, Nolan, Campo, Speed (Samuel 78), Davies
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Giannakopoulos
* United's last away trip to Bolton came on 9 December 2006 and ended in a
4-0 loss for Curbishley's side. Kevin Davies (17 and 52), El Hadj Diouf (77)
and Nicola Anelka (78) scored the goals.
* The 2-1 defeat at Sunderland was the first time in 15 league matches this
season when Curbishley's team had lost after taking the lead.
* Green has kept eight clean sheets in 32 league games.
* McCartney has now made 39 appearances this season in all competitions. He
has not missed a match since sitting out the 4-3 home defeat by Tottenham
Hotspur on 4 March 2007 - an unbroken run of 48 games.
* McCartney is the only West Ham United player who has featured in every
league and cup game to date, starting in each one.
* In terms of the Premier League, only Green has played every minute of the
33 matches.
* Carlton Cole, like Kevin Davies, is one caution away from a two-match ban
after picking up his ninth yellow card of the season at Sunderland. However,
this threat of a two-match suspension only applies to any player receiving
ten cautions before the end of the second Sunday in April - which comes with
the trip to Bolton.
* No Bolton player has appeared in every top-flight game this season.
* Ashton, with eight goals, seven in the league, is the club's leading
scorer. Since the departure of Anelka in the January transfer window, Nolan
and Diouf with five goals apiece are the home side's leading scorers in
league and cup.
* West Ham United will next be in action on Saturday when Derby County
travel to the Boleyn Ground while Bolton head to the Riverside to take on
Middlesbrough.
Last six meetings
4 November 2007 - West Ham United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
5 May 2007 - West Ham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
9 December 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 4-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
15 March 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup)
11 March 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 4-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
18 February 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)
All-time record versus Bolton: W 22 D 10 L 27
General information
Tickets: For latest information, click here. For details of getting to the
Reebok Stadium, click here
Weather: The forecast is for rain and a chilly afternoon. The temperature is
set to be around the 9C mark.
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Season ends on winning note - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 10th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kevin Keen's reserve team ended the season on a winning note with a 2-1
victory over Derby County at Woodside Park last night.
First half goals from Tony Stokes and Junior Stanislas were enough to see
the Hammers through at Bishops Stortford despite Paris Simmons' 27th minute
reply.
Captain for the day Stokes sent the Hammers on their way after just nine
minutes when he converted from the penalty spot having been hauled down
moments earlier after racing on to a through ball by Julien Faubert, making
his return to action.
Simmons pulled the visitors level three minutes ahead of the half hour mark
with a fine curling effort from the edge of the box before England youth
international Stanislas restored United's lead from close range on 38
minutes after a great run from Joe Widdowson.
Man of the match Stanislas went close twice more after the break but
couldn't add a telling third. However the Hammers managed to cling on to
their slender lead to record their ninth win of a solid season.
The win takes United back into second place in the table above Reading.
However Aston Villa's 2-0 win at Portsmouth - courtesy of goals from Ciaran
Clark and Nathan Delfouneso - means that the Hammers can not now win the
title.
West Ham United: Walker, O'Neill (Brookes 81), Spence, N'Gala, Widdowson,
Faubert (Kearns 46), Harvey, Hales, Stanislas, Edgar, Stokes.
Subs not used: Miklosko, Ashman, Lee.
Derby County: Hinchliffe, Keane, Beardsley, Booth, Dudley, Johnson, Mills
(Cole 80), Garton, Ojamaa, Simmons (Robertson 63), Dylan (Amory 68)
Subs not used: Kean.
Premier League Reserve League South - top
1. Aston Villa P15 Pts33 GD+23
2. West Ham Utd P17 Pts31 GD+13
3. Reading P16 Pts29 GD+16
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Curbishley hoped for more - SSN
Hammers boss rues failure to challenge for Europe
Last updated: 10th April 2008
Alan Curbishley concedes he was expecting West Ham United to finish better
than mid-table in the Premier League. The Hammers are currently on course
for a top-10 placing this season, but have hit a poor patch of form in
recent weeks after one win in seven games. Injuries have hampered
Curbishley's plans this term, but the Hammers boss is aware that results
have still not been good enough. Curbishley had hopes of securing European
football for the club this season and is prepared to accept any criticism
which comes his way. "I was hoping for a bit more than being mid-table, I
must admit," said Curbishley.
"I wanted a nice solid season that would give us a bit of a foundation for
next year. I wanted to be on the back pages for the right reasons, instead
of the reasons we were on them last year. "I find the job frustrating at the
moment. All season things have come along and caused us problems, in terms
of team selection. "Criticism is part and parcel of football. I am honest
enough to say that in the last couple of weeks we haven't done well enough.
"You can't hide from that. Whatever the problems we have had, we should have
done better. We should have coped with the last few weeks. We haven't got
the results and it is a results business."
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McCartney a happy Hammer - SSN
Hammers star rejects speculation
Last updated: 10th April 2008
West Ham defender George McCartney says he is enjoying life at Upton Park
despite being linked with a move away from the club. McCartney has been of
West Ham's most consistent performers in a mixed campaign and his
performances have not gone unnoticed. The left-back is believed to be a
target for Scottish titans Rangers after impressing at West Ham this season.
However, the Northern Ireland international has played down the speculation
saying he is happy at West Ham and is concentrating on ending the season on
a high. "I am really happy with how things are going for me personally but
it is disappointing that the results haven't been as good as what they were
earlier in the season," McCartney told the club's official website. "It is
up to the players, the coaches and the manager to prepare for Bolton on
Saturday and make sure we give our fans a good end to the season."
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Curbs lauds Prem strength - SSN
Hammers boss hails English trio
Last updated: 10th April 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley believes the Premier League is the strongest
domestic league in Europe. The Premier League has dominated this season's
UEFA Champions League with three English sides reaching the semi-finals.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all aiming to go all the way in
Europe's premier competition and Hammers chief Curbishley admits England
boasts the strongest league in Europe. "I think the Champions League has
been a fantastic spectacle and it just shows how strong the Premier League
is with three teams in the semi-finals and Arsenal as well who put in a
fantastic effort.
"You find the Premier League if you look at Derby, who for some time been
stranded, but week-in week-out putting their lot in and have took Liverpool
and Manchester United to the wire. "Other teams have played against the top
four and caused upsets. "I think the Premier League is the strongest and
most competitive it has been for some time and I think that is borne out by
the success of the top four in the Champions League."
Curbishley would like to see an all-English final in Moscow, but he refused
to predict who would go all the way. "Who is going to win it and who is
going to get there, I don't know, but it would be nice if we could end up
with a Premier league final, if that's the case. "But for me to say who is
going to be there and how it is going to happen, I don't know."
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Lucas Neill: Stay or Go? - West Ham Till I Die
I know I am not alone in being underwhelmed by the performances of Lucas
Neill this season. He has been inconsistent and at times downright
foolhardy. I reckon he has cost us a shed load of goals by going absent
without leave. He talks a good game but hasn't lived up to his reputation.
If we are to shed some high wage earners in the Summer there's a good
argument for letting him go. In my opinion Jonathan Spector and John Pantsil
are more than up to filling that position. Spector, while not the finished
article, is a really promising young player who rarely puts a foot wrong. He
may not be the marauding, attacking right back we have been used to over the
years, but there's a real element of Steve Potts like consistency in his
game.There, you wanted a bit of controversy! What do you think?
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Ipswich keen to secure Wigan, West Ham target Garvan to new deal
tribalfootball.com - April 10, 2008
Ipswich are seeking to secure young midfielder Owen Garvan to a new
contract. Town boss Jim Magilton is keen to keep Wigan and West Ham target
Garvan at the club as he believes the midfielder is key to their progress.
"Owen has a bright future and we want that to be at Ipswich Town," Magilton
told the club's official website. "He has progressed at the club and we want
him to continue to move forward here. "I've sat down with him and had a chat
and the two-year contract extension is on the table for him. "He knows we
want him to stay here and become part of what we are trying to build at this
club and he can have an important part to play in that."
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Bilic: "Its your last chance West Ham!" - Cmon Yu Irons
By Rooster
Bilic would love the chance to manage a Premier league club and be amongst
the world elite as a manager, be serious, its only Croatia he manages, and
half the country lives up my road. Bilic has revealed he will be signing a
new contract in the next seven days, ending rumours he will be leaving for
England, Probably because the Hammers havent shown much interest in him.
Bilic, who was born in Split, has said he is satisfied with the conditions
being offered by the Croatian Football Federation and is ready to sign the
deal. "The contract will be signed tomorrow or in seven days, but now, off
the top of my head, it will be signed within seven days. This is not
contentious. Of course, it is exceptionally important that the whole expert
team is content," said Bilic. He added that there are some details outside
of financing and they will be "much more" important than the amount of money
involved in the deal. The former West Ham United player has been linked with
a move back to the club as manager but looks to have pledged his future to
his country with this contract. Croatia travel to Euro 2008 this summer but
will have to do without top striker Eduardo, who suffered a horrible broken
leg while playing for Arsenal.
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Faubert set for Derby date - Echo News
Exclusive By Rob Pritchard
INJURY-plagued West Ham winger Julien Faubert is set to return to first team
action in the Irons Premier League clash with Derby County on April 19.
The £6.2million summer signing from Bordeaux has made just two starts and
four substitute appearances for the Hammers since his arrival. The France
international was initially sidelined for six months after rupturing his
Achilles tendon in a pre-season friendly against Sigma Oloumoc in Austria.
Having made his debut in the 2-1 home win over Fulham on January 12, Faubert
was then struck down with a calf problem and has not played since limping
out of the 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea on March 1. However, the 24-year-old
wideman made a successful comeback on Wednesday evening, completing 45
minutes in the FA Premier Reserve League South win over Derby County's
second-string at Bishop's Stortford FC. Saturday's trip to Bolton Wanderers
will come too soon for Faubert, but the pace merchant nicknamed "The High
Speed Train" is expected to be in contention for the visit of The Rams the
following weekend.
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Collison in line for full debut? - Echo News
Exclusive By Rob Pritchard
JACK Collison could be in line to make his full West Ham debut at Bolton
Wanderers on Saturday. The Wales Under-21 international and Irons reserve
team captain is set to play at the Reebok Stadium after being rested for
Wednesday's second-string fixture against Derby County. Collison, 19, has
made just one first team appearance, appearing as a first half substitute
for the injured Freddie Ljungberg at Arsenal on New Year's Day. However,
injuries to Ljungberg, Mark Noble, Matty Etherington, Julien Faubert and
Nigel Quashie have left Hammers manager Alan Curbishley short of midfield
options ahead of this weekend's game. A West Ham source said: "Jack was
rested for Wednesday and he'd played in every other reserve game so he could
be involved at Bolton." However the boss was keeping his cards closer to his
chest when asked if he would throw Collison and fellow teenagers Freddie
Sears and James Tomkins into the action from the start at Bolton. "I've got
to be aware that results do count and they affect them as well, but they are
gaining valuable experience," said Curbishley, who sent on Sears as a second
half substitute in Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to Portsmouth. "The
disappointing thing is that I put Freddie on on Tuesday and Portsmouth
scored straight away and it changed the whole game. "But they've been
involved and been around the squad for the last couple of months and that
will be the case for the remainder of the season."
Striker Sears has scored once, a last-minute winner against Blackburn
Rovers, in three substitute appearances, while defender Tomkins, who hails
from Basildon, started in the 1-1 draw at Everton and appeared as a late
replacement in the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland.
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West Ham star Dyer would pull troops out of Iraq - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:10pm on 10th April 2008
West Ham star Kieron Dyer, who has no great history as a peacemaker, has
waded into the great military debate of our time. Asked by the club's
programme what law he would pass if Prime Minister for a day, Dyer said:
"Pull troops out of Iraq." Meanwhile, worthy causes are all the rage at
Upton Park, with goalkeeper Rob Green hosting a Premier League goalkeepers'
golf day on 7 May in aid of African health charity AMREF. Former defender
Steve Potts is running in Sunday's London Marathon to raise cash for
leukaemia research.
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Hammers target experienced French star
By Guardian-series
EXPERIENCED French international defender Willy Sagnol is reportedly a
summer target for West Ham. The 31-year-old Bayern Munich rigth back
(pictured) has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League and is being
tracked by a number of clubs, including Aston Villa, Spurs and Everton. It
could take as little as £2 million to capture the Champions League winner's
signature. The Hammers have limited options in both full back positions,
with George McCartney and captain Lucas Neill featuring in almost every game
for the club this season. And 54-capped star Sagnol, who has made 180
appearance for Bundesliga giants Bayern, clearly fits the bill.
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