Dean Ashton has told WHUTV that he is enjoying life among the goals after
his ninth strike of the season
28.04.2008
Dean Ashton could be forgiven for not wanting the season to end after making
it three goals from his last six appearances at the weekend against
Newcastle United.
Speaking to WHUTV, the 24-year-old striker was in upbeat mood after his
superbly-taken strike against Newcastle United had looked like sealing all
three points before a spirited fightback by the visitors meant it finished
2-2. "I feel like if I can have a run of games I am going to score goals,"
Ashton said. "I believe in myself like that and it has shown. I have played
sort of five or six of the last seven and got myself a few goals so I am
pleased with that."
Having missed out on last week's 2-1 win against Derby County with
tonsillitis, Ashton was back in the starting lineup and partnered Bobby
Zamora as United took the game to Newcastle from the off. Aside from his
23rd-minute goal, his ninth of the season, the No9 had other opportunities
to add to his tally and also linked up well with his team-mates. He added:
"That's more like what we are about with lots of chances and I had lots of
shots myself. Really I felt I should have got a lot more goals and it should
have been more comfortable."
Ashton will hope to keep his place for the trip to Manchester United, having
missed last season's 1-0 win there on the final day but played in the
previous campaign's 1-0 away reverse on 29 March 2006 - the only one of
Saturday's starting eleven to be involved in the last defeat by Sir Alex
Ferguson's side. Since then, United have won twice at home and once away. He
said: "With our record against Man United, it is going to be a great game
and we will be looking to get a result there but it will be extremely hard."
As usual the travelling support will play their part and Ashton was happy
that the fans had something to cheer at the Boleyn Ground at the weekend,
even if it was the style of play and not the points in the end. He said: "It
seemed like a full house and we are really pleased we have put on a better
performance at least and probably should have won." He also had a word for
substitute Luis Boa Morte - "he gives everything out there and all the lads
know that".
Reflecting overall on the game itself, Ashton said: "Coming in at half-time,
we were pretty disappointed to have conceded the two goals when we have
dominated the game and probably played the best football we have played all
season. For the first 40 minutes, I thought we were excellent, deserved our
two-nil lead but at this level if you just sit off for a minute you can get
punished."
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Carr - driving South? - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 25th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Newcastle's Stephen Carr is once again being linked with a return to London.
Former Tottenham full-back Carr is out of favour on Tyneside and is once
again being linked with a return South by the Daily Mirror. With his current
contract set to expire in the summer and with no news of a new deal emerging
from Newcastle the 31-year-old Irish defender is set to leave on a free
transfer and, according to the Miror, is seen by Alan Curbishley as a good
back-up option. Carr has spent the last four years in the North East since
joining the Magpies in a £2m switch from Tottenham.
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Hammer Hamsik? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 24th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are believed to have joined Chelsea in the hunt for Napoli's
Marek Hamsik. TuttoSport have claimed that the Hammers are keen on landing
the highly-rated Slovakian who has been valued at around the £15 million
mark. West Ham United's new technical director Gianluca Nani, who originally
signed the player for Brescia could give United the advantage over the
Blues. However the lure of Champions League football means that Chelsea
remain favorites to land the 20-year-old midfielder who joined Brescia for
£300,000 three years ago.
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Dawson seeked? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 28th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Tottenham's Michael Dawson. The
24-year-old centre-half is rumoured to be surplus to requirements at White
Hart Lane since Juande Ramos was installed as manager and could be set to
leave three years after joining the North Londoners. With Alan Curbishley
set to make changes in defence during the summer the former England under 21
is said to be one of the players on his radar. Dawson has been one of
Tottenham's most regular performers this season. His only league goal this
season came in the 1-1 against West Ham at the Boleyn Ground last November.
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Johnson staying put - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 27th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Andy Johnson has told reporters that he has no intention of leaving Everton.
The striker has been linked with a move to West Ham since last summer but
appears determined to remain at Goodison Park and fight for his place. "I
have seen the stories in the newspaper and they are absolute rubbish," he
told the Daily Post. "I have recently signed a new deal at Everton, which I
was delighted to do. Of course there is competition for striking places here
but I wouldn't have it any other way - and neither would the manager."
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Ramos eyes Green - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 26th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is being linked with a move to
Tottenham. A number of the weekend's tabloids claimed that the former
Norwich man is Juande Ramos' main summer target, with the Spaniard said to
be willing to pay as much as £8m in order to land his man. The 28-year-old
goalkeeper has been in sparkling form this season and recently earned his
first England call-up for three years.
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Everton rival West Ham for Newcastle's Carr
tribalfootball.com - April 28, 2008
Everton are interested in Newcastle United fullback Stephen Carr. Carr is
off contract in June and has been linked with West Ham, while the Evening
Chronicle says Everton and Celtic are also keen.
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Green ready for United battle - Setanta
by Alex Livie, 28 April 2008
Robert Green has insisted West Ham will not roll over against title chasing
Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. West Ham's trip to Old
Trafford has taken on added importance following The Red Devils' defeat to
Chelsea at the weekend. The Hammers have nothing to play for other than
pride, but they have the chance to dent Sir Alex Ferguson's side's title
charge. West Ham have beaten The Red Devils on the last three meetings
between the two sides and although Green admits they have little to play
for, he expects their professionalism to shine through. We've got slightly
less to play for this year," said Green. "But we'll still be giving it
everything. "I've personally got no preference who wins the league but the
last thing you want to do is roll over.
"We'll be giving it our all and I'm sure Newcastle will do the same against
Chelsea next week. "Maybe if it doesn't go for United in the first few
minutes they might get a bit nervous. It will be one hell of an atmosphere
and a great game to play in."
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Angry AJ denies exit talk - Setanta
by Tom Adams, 28 April 2008
Andy Johnson has angrily denied suggestions that he is ready to leave
Everton in the summer after becoming frustrated with his chances under David
Moyes. The former Crystal Palace striker has made just 19 Premier League
starts to Yakubu Aiyegbeni's 25 this season and the News of the World
reported on Sunday that West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle were all
showing an interest. Johnson signed a new contract at Goodison Park in
November though and has no intention of leaving Merseyside as the club
prepare for a return to the Uefa Cup next season. "I have seen the story in
the newspaper and it's absolute rubbish," said Johnson in the Liverpool
Echo. "I have recently signed a new deal at Everton, which I was delighted
to do. "Of course there is competition for striking places here but I
wouldn't have it any other way and neither would the manager. "Stories like
this make me really angry and I can only promise the fans that I love being
at Everton, I am fully prepared to fight for a place in the side like
everyone else in the squad and that leaving the club has never even entered
my head. "We've had a great season and I look forward to helping this club
progress even more in the next few years."
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Hammers keeper Green is an £8 million target for bitter rivals - Guardian
Series
TOTTENHAM manager Juande Ramos is believed to be ready with an £8 million
bid for West Ham keeper Robert Green, according to media reports.
Green (pictured) signed from Norwich for £2 million two years ago and has
become a crowd favourite at Upton Park this season after a a series of fine
displays. His impressive form even saw the 28-year-old back in the England
squad for the recent friendly with France. That has put him at the top of
Ramos' wish list. The Spaniard has made a keeper his number one priority as
he seeks a replacement for out-of-favour Paul Robinson.
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Curbishley blames "couple of crazy minutes" for costing his Hammers side
victory
By Guardian-series
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley was left to rue a "couple of crazy minutes"
late in the first half which cost his side victory against Newcastle on
Saturday.
The Hammers were firmly in control of the match following early goals from
Mark Noble and Dean Ashton. However, they were pegged back just before the
interval when youngster James Tomkins misjudged the flight of Joey Barton's
ball over the top. Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins raced onto it before
stroking past Robert Green. And, just moments later, Martins' wayward shot
was deflected in from 12 yards out by Geremi to level the scores. "We played
ever so well for 40 minutes and perhaps could have been a couple more in the
lead," said Curbishley. "We just had a crazy couple of minutes. "Perhaps we
overplayed a bit in the middle of the park and got caught with it. It was a
terrific ball from Barton over the top, which Martins feeds on. "Young
Tomkins just got caught under it - he had to make a decision but its another
learning curve for him. "It turned the game back in their favour. We just
needed to get through that couple of minutes. "But I'm delighted with the
way we played, for the whole game really, but obviously two wasn't enough."
Curbishley was also pleased with the support from the Upton Park crowd, who
had last week booed the team off the pitch following a drab display in the
win over Derby. But the Irons boss said: "It was a different atmosphere from
the start. "Coming into the game against Derby, no disrepect, there was an
expectation level. "I think everyone was disappointed with last week,
ourselves, the fans and the reaction. "But when you sit down and think about
it it's not the best is it? "We asked them to get behind us (against
Newcastle) and I think they showed that from the first minute, and we
responded. "I'm really pleased with the support - it does make a
difference."
Meanwhile, Curbishley revealed that Freddie Ljungberg could miss the Euro
2008 finals after being injured during the game. The Sweden midfielder
skipper was stretchered off with a cracked rib in the first half after being
accidentally trodden on by Magpies defender Steven Taylor. "I think Taylor
has tried to leapfrog him but has landed on him," explained Curbishley.
"He's been racked all down his front and the side of the face. We hope he's
ok for the Euros."
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The Deuce linked with West Ham! - CmonYuIrons.com
Posted by Rooster on Monday, April 28th 2008 Digg it
We are at the stage where rumours of possible transfers take centre stage in
the media, and the usual tabloids turning out to be the most unrealistic.
An article from Sportingo had me intrigued which could actually turn to fact
if Fulham are relegated.
NEXT YEAR'S FORECAST
Rumours and whispers are rife that Blackburn, West Ham, and Newcastle have
all taken a peak at Clint Dempsey. Judging by Newcastle's patience with
Onyewu Martins last season, he might be better with a move to West Ham,
where countryman Jonathan Spector has already made a home with his favourite
manager. Outside of Friedel, Blackburn have shown little favour for American
field players. It seems that BG will be tightening his purse strings in the
summer transfer window and i cant imagine Curbs and Nani buying any Elite
named players, so, the Deuce would be a great signing for the Hammers.
Nani's mission is to find young players from around the world that will fit
into the Academy and grow to become stars of the future, then saving West
Ham millions in the years ahead and then become one of England's greatest
teams, well thats how its meant to work out.
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West Ham's Sears struggling with his driving
tribalfooball.com - April 28, 2008
West Ham United striker Freddie Sears smashed his car into a tree - courtesy
of a club steward! The Sunday Mirror says despite passing his driving test,
poor Freddie, 18, had problems parking his Audi at a recent game. "One of
the stewards was only too glad to guide him into a massive space," said an
onlooker. "But he took his eye off the car and then turned round to see him
hit a tree!"
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United boss Ferguson will remember past heartache when West Ham come to town
- Daily Mail
Last updated at 09:43am on 28th April 2008
While Avram Grant is hoping that West Ham provide Chelsea with some
neighbourly help at Old Trafford on Saturday, those close to Sir Alex
Ferguson believe that he's jittery about the prospect of facing Alan
Curbishley's team in a match that now has a crucial bearing on the outcome
of the Premier League title race. Grant, jubilant after Chelsea's 2-1 win
over the defending champions knows that United's vastly superior goal
difference means the result will count for nothing if United take maximum
points from their final two games — at home to West Ham and away at Wigan.
"They've dropped points against West Ham in recent seasons," said the
Chelsea manager. "They could do so again. And Wigan is not an easy place to
go either."
Chelsea's deserved victory at the weekend has suddenly robbed United's title
push of impetus and undermined the mood of confidence that has developed
since they overhauled Arsenal at the top of the table in mid-March. Although
United remain clear favourites to retain the trophy, Ferguson knows that few
rivals during his 21 years as United manager have proved as unpredictable as
West Ham. It still irritates him that West Ham's performance on the last day
of season 1994-95 cost United the title. A 1-1 draw at Upton Park gave the
trophy to Blackburn by a single point, despite their 2-1 defeat at
Liverpool.
Three years earlier, a solitary Kenny Brown strike virtually handed the
final Football League Championship, before the advent of the Premier League,
to Leeds United. At Old Trafford, West Ham can collapse dramatically as they
did in April 2000 when Harry Redknapp's team — including Rio Ferdinand and
Frank Lampard — lost 7-1. But, since then, West Ham have secured three
unlikely 1-0 wins there, including the victory secured by Carlos Tevez's
goal on the last day of last season. If West Ham could deny United a victory
on Saturday and Chelsea were to take points at Newcastle on Monday, then the
final day of the season could be as dramatic as that of 1998-99 when United
beat Spurs 2-1 to reclaim the title on 79 points from Arsenal who finished a
point behind. West Ham midfielder Mark Noble warned: "We're going to Old
Trafford determined to play our best. "We have nothing to lose while they
have to win. We can go out and enjoy ourselves against some of the best
players in the world and savour what will be a special atmosphere."
And Grant said: "The pressure is on United because we have come from
nowhere. When United went to the top they were thinking they'd won the
championship but now they are under pressure and I hope that will help us."
Chelsea are now unbeaten in 81 Premier League games at home and will be
confident of winning their final match against Bolton at Stamford Bridge on
11 May. If Ferguson wanted to clinch the title at Stamford Bridge it
certainly wasn't evident in the make-up of his team. Cristiano Ronaldo and
Tevez were on the bench, leaving Wayne Rooney as a lone and increasingly
frustrated striker. Chelsea were the better side early on. They passed the
ball as well as at any time this season while using Didier Drogba to
unsettle the United defence.
Michael Ballack was outstanding and scored both Chelsea's goals — the second
a disputed penalty. Ferguson claimed referee Alan Wiley was wrong to punish
Michael Carrick for handling the ball in the 86th minute — and wrong again
when, earlier, he ignored Ballack's manhandling of substitute Ronaldo in the
penalty area. He said: "It was a diabolical decision. If we're not going to
get these decisions then we are under pressure.The good thing, of course, is
that our fate is still in our hands."
However, there is a suspicion that the tension is beginning to get to
United. Ferdinand unintentionally kicked a female Chelsea steward
immediately after the match — he has since apologised — and the FA are keen
to view TV footage of the brawl that developed between United players and
Chelsea groundstaff on the pitch after the match. Ultimately, the
distraction of the Champions League could have a key role to play. United
face Barcelona in their semi-final second leg tomorrow while Chelsea play
Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
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Hammers on the Carr trail - Guardian Series
WEST Ham have been linked with a summer move for out-of-favour Newcastle
defender Stephen Carr. The former Spurs right back (pictured) is out of
contract in the summer and is yet to open any talks with the Toon regarding
his future. He has made just 12 appearances for the Magpies this season.
Carr - who made 270 appearances for Spurs before a £2 million move to
Newcastle in 2004 - is said to prefer a return to London should he fail to
sign a new deal at St James's Park. Should he end up with the east
Londoners, the experienced Republic of Ireland international would provide
stiff competition for skipper Lucas Neill. Neill has looked a shadow of the
player who helped the Irons put together a run of seven wins in nine games
to avoid relegation last season. And the two other players to play in the
right back position for the Irons this season - Jonathan Spector and John
Pantsil - have both so far failed to prove they are of suitable quality.
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Johnson rules out Hammers move - Guardian Series
WEST Ham target Andy Johnson has rubbished rumours that he is leaving
Everton in the summer. The striker has struggled to nail down a regular
starting place for the Toffees this season - he has made just 19 Premier
League starts and scored six goals - and was linked with a move to either
the Hammers or Newcastle in the summer. But the 27-year-old, who joined
Everton for a then-club record £8.6 million in May 2006, insists he is
determined to remain at Goodison Park and fight for his place. Johnson
(pictured) told the Daily Post: "I have seen the stories in the newspaper
and they are absolute rubbish. "I have recently signed a new deal at
Everton, which I was delighted to do. "Of course there is competition for
striking places here but I wouldn't have it any other way - and neither
would the manager."
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Hammers Analysis: A sign of things to come? - Guardian Series
By Rob Pritchard
THAT'S more like it. Yes, West Ham threw away a seemingly unassailable
two-goal lead against a Newcastle team they were giving the runaround.
However, any suggestion that the Irons' players had packed up early for the
summer was dismissed as Alan Curbishley's men produced their most complete
display in months. For more than 40 minutes the Hammers literally tore apart
a Magpies outfit who had not lost in their last six matches - and not
conceded a single goal in the last three. Indeed, the only criticism of
Curbishley's team was that they did not turn their almost total dominance
into more than two well-worked goals. In the end, that failure to score a
hatful cost the Hammers two points, but it is the bigger picture - the
future - that is what really matters. With a handful of his big-name summer
signings - Scott Parker, Julien Faubert, Freddie Ljungberg and Dean Ashton
(who missed the whole of last season through injury) - back and firing,
Curbishley's side were a real force to be reckoned with. Without the
pedestrian Hayden Mullins in central midfield, the effervescent Parker and
Mark Noble reduced Nicky Butt and Joey Barton - England internationals both
- to virtual anonymity. In front of them, Ljungberg was at his incisive best
in an advanced free-role behind the strikers. And on the right flank, the
pacey Faubert was a constant thorn in the Magpies' side, demanding the ball
and repeatedly surging for the by-line. All that evidence suggests that,
despite his side's recent struggles, Curbishley's team could be a force to
be reckoned with once all his big-name signings are fit and firing. Just
whisper it, but 2008/09 could be everything that 2007/08 was not.
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Keegan: I thought West Ham would batter us - SunderlandEcho.com
Kevin Keegan admits he would have happily left Upton Park with 23 minutes
gone as he feared his side were going to be on the end of a thrashing. Goals
from Mark Noble and Dean Ashton seemingly gave Newcastle United an early
mountain to climb against West Ham on Saturday. But somehow, Keegan's side –
who had been terrible for the first 40 minutes – went into the break on
level terms thanks to strikes late in the half from Obafemi Martins and
Geremi. Keegan had been desperate to get his players into the dressing room
to tell them some home truths, such was the lethargy of his team. However,
after the game he praised the "never-say-die" attitude of his side, now
unbeaten in seven games, for their unlikely comeback. He told the Echo:
"After 25 minutes, I think I'd have just taken a 2-0 defeat and got home,
because I thought we were going to be really turned over. It had shades of
5-0 or 6-0.
"I looked at the players and thought I could have changed anybody. If I'd
taken anybody off at that stage, I don't think they could have argued. "The
run continues, but you might ask why after the first 35-40 minutes. "We
managed to keep it going through a combination of things, not least that
we've got a good spirit and a bit of a never-say-die attitude. "It took a
great goal to get us back in it, and suddenly we were 2-2, and we didn't
deserve to be 2-2 at half time. "The players knew that, I knew that, and
every supporter in the stadium knew that. "At half-time I just told them the
truth. We had to be better.
"I thought if it was a day that if we ever started to play for 15-20
minutes, like we did at Spurs, we would have won it, but West Ham stood up.
"It was a very hot day, and at the end a draw was probably just about right,
but how it ever got to be 2-2, I'll never know."
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West Ham boss Curbishley must raise own transfer funds
tribalfooball.com - April 28, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley must raise his own transfer funds for
the summer market. Cost-cutting ordered from above, says the News of the
World, will see Curbishley have almost nothing to spend on new recruits this
summer.
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Spurs launching £8M bid for West Ham's Green
tribalfooball.com - April 28, 2008
Tottenham are being linked with an £8 million bid for West Ham goalkeeper
Robert Green. Green signed from Norwich for £2 million two years ago and has
become a crowd favourite at Upton Park this season after a series of fine
displays. His impressive form even saw the 28-year-old back in the England
squad for the recent friendly with France. That has put him at the top of
Juande Ramos' wish list. The Spaniard has made a keeper his number one
priority as he seeks a replacement for out-of-favour Paul Robinson.
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Posh announce Manchester United & West Ham friendlies -
PeterBoroughToday.co.uk
12.45pm: Posh will host Manchester United in a pre-season friendly at London
Road on Monday, August 4. Premier League West Ham United will also visit
Posh for a friendly on Tuesday, July 29 and there is a possibility that
Liverpool will make it three prestigious visitors to London Road in the
summer.
Posh tried, but failed, to arrange a further friendly with Scottish giants
Glasgow Rangers. Posh boss Darren Ferguson confirmed that Manchester United
will be sending a far superior side than the one that visited London Road
last August.
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Di Canio's Upton Park return was quite a sideshow - ShieldsGazette
PAOLO Di Canio is idolised at a number of clubs, not least West Ham. And the
striker was back at his old stomping ground on Saturday to see his former
team take on Newcastle United. Di Canio – who finally hung up his boots last
month after two years with Italian minnows Cisco Roma – was spotted in one
of the boxes by home fans before the game, and within seconds his name was
being sung around Upton Park, as it had done so many times before.
However, the adulation which has often characterised the Italian's
relationship with adoring fans in both Italy and England has clearly gone
his balding head. Quite why he needed half a dozen or so minders to escort
him through a corridor at the top of the tunnel, I'll never know. When one
of his entourage bellowed: 'Clear the area' at a handful of journalists
waiting to interview Newcastle's players, you'd have thought the Prime
Minister was approaching. However, Upton Park - where Di Canio's rare talent
made him a legend - is probably the last place the 39-year-old would need
protection, though his association with far-right ultras in Rome has made
him a controversial figure. Anyway, we didn't clear the area, to his
minders' consternation, but I can report that Di Canio – wearing sunglasses
inside, of course – safely reached the exit door thanks to the ring of steel
that surrounded him. With Di Canio and his sizeable entourage gone, one
bemused hack, maybe uncharitably, quipped: "All this for a former Charlton
player".
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