After two starts in a row, John Pantsil naturally wants to keep his place
for the high-profile trip to Old Trafford
30.04.2008
John Pantsil is relishing the chance to take on Manchester United at Old
Trafford this Saturday having enjoyed two consecutive appearances at
right-back.
The Ghana defender had not played two full games in a row for the club since
August 2006 until playing his part in the 2-1 win against Derby County and
the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United. More used to being a substitute as a
valued squad member, it was off the bench as a 49th-minute replacement back
on 30 December that Pantsil helped energise the team to a 2-1 home win
against Manchester United. Naturally, he is eager to take on Sir Alex
Ferguson's Champions League finalists again.
Pantsil, who has played in a 2006 World Cup round of 16 match against Brazil
in front of 80,000 fans in Dortmund, said: "I love playing in the big
stadiums and with the big atmosphere. That brings out the best in me. We are
looking forward to playing at Old Trafford. We don't want to go down to
eleventh or 12th in the league, so every game left is important for the
club. We are going to Old Trafford to do everything possible to get a point
or even three points."
The popular 26-year-old defender's opportunities in recent weeks have come
about with Lucas Neill deputising in the centre of the defence and the
full-back's standing among the supporters has been increased with his
whole-hearted displays and appetite for a crunching tackle. "I am happy I
have been playing," he added. "The crowd has been fantastic and really
encouraged me to keep going. It is marvellous to be able play for these
fans, they support us in everything we do.
"I have to do everything possible to do my best when I play for the club. It
is all for the team-mates and the fans. Next season is going to be even
better for West Ham United. We are going to challenge the big teams. With
the crowd behind us we are always going to have confidence, and with every
game we can't wait to see them in the stands."
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Di Canio on WHUTV - WHUFC
Paolo Di Canio was a surprise visitor back at West Ham United last weekend
and enjoyed the day
29.04.2008
Paolo Di Canio picked a good day to make an impromptu visit to the Boleyn
Ground.
On Saturday afternoon the sun was shining over east London, spirits were
high among the crowd and the two teams in West Ham United and Newcastle
United were full value in an entertaining contest. Word had gone around
before kick-off that Di Canio was back in town and it was no surprise that
the Italian received a rapturous response when spotted watching on and soon
enough his name was ringing around the stadium once again among "the best
fans in the world".
Di Canio memorably wore the claret and blue between January 1999 and May
2003, scoring 48 goals in 118 league appearances. The striker had then had a
season under Alan Curbishley at Charlton Athletic before returning to
boyhood club Lazio and finally heading to Cisco Roma, where he played until
hanging up his boots earlier this year. Speaking to WHUTV, he said: "It is a
special day for me because I have this chance to come back after five years.
It is a special moment because I have met lots of friends. The atmosphere
around here is always full of passion and I have big emotions inside me.
"I always followed every season of West Ham - in particular this season they
have done well because I think they have a lot of injuries this year. I
think they have done a good job. Of course I hope for the future that this
club can grow and give more satisfaction to the fans but today is a special
day for me because I couldn't imagine this response from the fans. I still
keep West Ham in my heart and I will forever."
Di Canio, the Hammer of the Year in 1999/00, had some words of advice for
youngsters like James Tomkins and Freddie Sears who he has watched with
interest in recent weeks and who he knows "are the future of this club". He
added: "They must grow up with the passion. They must remember that
everything they do they have to do with professionalism but especially they
must give even more for these fans because they are absolutely fantastic.
They follow the club during the season even when the team maybe doesn't play
so well."
The 39-year-old paid a visit to the dressing room area before the game and
was delighted to catch up with Curbishley, who he played under during the
2003/04 season. He said: "Alan is a good man, he is a great manager. I had
the chance to work with him when I used to play for Charlton. He is a
hardworking man, and also I think he gives a tactical system in the way you
want it and the players follow him in the right way. I think he is one of
the best managers in England."
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Reid stays on with Palace - WHUFC
Young winger Kyel Reid could yet find himself involved in the Championship
play-offs with Crystal Palace
29.04.2008
West Ham United winger Kyel Reid has extended his loan with Crystal Palace
to cover the Championship club's potential involvement in the end of season
play-offs.
The 20-year-old academy product has been with Palace since the end of March,
making two substitute appearances so far. Palace occupy the last of the
play-off positions and need a home win in their final game against Burnley
this Sunday to make sure of their involvement. Reid will return to the
Boleyn Ground for the final game of the Barclays Premier League campaign if
Palace do not qualify.
Meanwhile, fellow loanee Richard Wright helped Southampton to a 1-1 draw on
Monday night at West Bromwich Albion. The goalkeeper pulled off a number of
fine stops against West Brom, although the result left Saints inside the
relegation zone and needing to better Leicester's result at Stoke next week
to have any chance of escaping the drop. Southampton could also stay up at
Coventry City's expense with another Hammers player Zavon Hines hoping to
play his part in keeping the Sky Blues up when they go to Charlton Athletic.
A point will almost certainly be enough for the Midlanders where ex-academy
graduate, Elliott Ward has been a regular for the team playing in 36
Championship games and scoring six goals in the process.
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Reid in need - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kyel Reid is to stay at Crystal Palace for the remainder of the season. The
20-year-old left winger has extended his loan spell with the Eagles to cover
the rest of the season - which could involve the Championship play-offs.
Reid has made two appearances from the bench for Palace since joining Neil
Warnock's side on loan last month. A win for Palace in their final league of
the season against Burnley this weekend would guarantee them a place in the
play-offs. Reid, who has also made four appearances for the Hammers this
season is out of contract in the summer. He has previously expressed an
interest in making his current loan deal permanent.
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Curbs hopeful over Green stay - SSN
Hammers chief expects no problems with keeper's deal
Last updated: 30th April 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is confident of tying down Robert Green to a
new deal at Upton Park. The highly-rated keeper has been one of West Ham's
best performers in a mixed season and his form is believed to have attracted
interest from a number of other clubs. Tottenham have been linked with a
move for the former Norwich custodian and Curbishley is keen to secure
Green's long-term future to ward off potential suitors. Curbishley is
expecting no problems in trying to persuade Green to ink a new contract at
Upton Park. "The club will be keen to keep all the players. Rob's done very
well this year and has been very consistent," Curbishley told the Daily
Star. "I don't think there will be any problems."
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Curbs - We won't surrender - SSN
Hammers boss relishing United test
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 29th April 2008
Alan Curbishley has warned Manchester United to expect a tough test against
West Ham this Saturday. Manchester United have to win their last two games
of the season to make sure they finish above Chelsea and clinch the title.
The Hammers have been in poor form of late but Curbishley insists his
players are determined to cling on to a place in the top half of the table.
West Ham have a good recent record against Sir Alex Ferguson's side and
Curbishley is confident that his men can spring a major surprise. "My team
are not going to roll over and surrender to Manchester United," he told the
Evening Standard.
"Our bonus scheme only kicks in from tenth place so if we finish 11th we get
nothing. "Finishing tenth would be a massive credit to the players, who have
flogged themselves almost from pre-season training in an effort to overcome
misfortunes." West Ham are currently five points ahead of both Tottenham and
Newcastle, with a home game against Aston Villa to follow their trip to Old
Trafford.
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Ashtoon? - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 29th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Today's Sun reports that Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is weighing up a bid
for West Ham United's Dean Ashton. Steve Brenner reports that Keegan is
lining up a double swoop for Ashton - who scored against the Magpies at the
weekend - and Everton's Leighton Baines. Ashton - who moved from Norwich to
East London in the 2006 January transfer window - has made 33 appearances
for the Hammers this season, scoring nine goals. The Swindon-born striker
began his career with Dario Grady's Crewe before joining Norwich in a £3
million switch in January 2005.
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My Hammers will never surrender tamely, warns United's nemesis Curbishley -
Daily Mail
Last updated at 18:00pm on 29th April 2008
Alan Curbishley has revealed that the lure of bonuses will ensure West Ham
will not take it easy at Manchester United on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson's
side will be desperate to win their penultimate game of the season to
maintain their advantage over Chelsea at the head of the table. The Hammers
go to Old Trafford 10th in the League, a position they are desperate to hang
on to. "My team are not going to roll over and surrender to Manchester
United," said the West Ham boss. "Our bonus scheme only kicks in from 10th
place so if we finish 11th we get nothing. Finishing 10th would be a massive
credit to the players, who have flogged themselves almost from pre-season
training in an effort to overcome misfortunes." West Ham are five points
ahead of Tottenham and Newcastle and did the double over United last season,
including a last-day 1-0 win at Old Trafford. They also beat United 2-1 at
Upton Park this season with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty.
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Things are looking up for striker Dean Ashton at West Ham United after a
hat-trick of goals following injury hell - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:19pm on 29th April 2008
Striker Dean Ashton is enjoying his football again after netting his third
goal in six games for West Ham in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle in the
Barclays Premier League. Ashton, who was out out of action for more than a
year after breaking his ankle, said: "I feel like if I can have a run of
games I will score goals. "I believe in myself and that has shown."
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Hammers winger Matthew Etherington resumes training and could be included in
squad to face United - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:40pm on 29th April 2008
West Ham winger Matthew Etherington has resumed training after being one of
four players sidelined with abdominal injuries. He could be included in the
squad for the trip to Man United.
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Curbs gets the backing of Hammers legend - Echo News
FORMER Hammers star Paolo Di Canio has thrown an arm of support around
under-fire West Ham boss Alan Curbishley. The Irons chief has been a target
of the boo-boys in recent weeks despite steering the club to a creditable
tenth place this season amid an unprecedented injury crisis. But Di Canio,
who was at Upton Park to watch his former club draw 2-2 with Newcastle on
Saturday, played under Curbishley while Charlton in the 2003/4 season and
insisted the 50-year-old is more than up to the job. "Alan is a good man and
a great manager," Di Canio told the club's official website. "I had the
chance to work with him when I used to play for Charlton. "He is a
hardworking man, and also I think he gives a tactical system in the way you
want it and the players follow him in the right way. "I think he is one of
the best managers in England."
Di Canio became an all-time great at West Ham after bagging 48 goals in 118
league appearances during a three-and-a-half year spell with the club. He
was voted Hammer of the Year in the 1999/00 season. And he was greeted with
a rousing reception by the Upton Park faithful during his fleeting visit at
the weekend. Speaking after the game, Di Canio said: "It is a special day
for me because I have this chance to come back after five years. "It is a
special moment because I have met lots of friends. "The atmopshere around
here is always full of passion and I have big emotions inside me." "I always
followed West Ham - in particular this season they have done well because I
think they have a lot of injuries. "Of course I hope for the future that
this club can grow and give more satisfaction to the fans, but today is a
special day for me because I couldn't imagine this response from the fans.
"I still keep West Ham in my heart and I will forever."
The 39-year-old Italian, who quit the game earlier this year after two
seasons with minnows Cisco Roma in his home country, also had some words of
wisdom for the Hammers' rising young stars, such as Freddie Sears and James
Tomkins. "They must grow up with the passion," he said. They must remember
that everything they do they have to do with professionalism. "But
especially they must give even more for these fans because they are
absolutely fantastic. "They will follow the club during the season, even
when the team maybe doesn't play so well."
4:12pm Tuesday 29th April 2008
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Ashton condemns Boa Morte jeers - Echo News
By Rob Pritchard
DEAN Ashton has hit out at the West Ham fans who jeered Luis Boa Morte
during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United. Boa Morte, who has
struggled to find his best form since joining the Irons from Fulham in
January 2007, appeared as a 22nd minute replacement for the injured Freddie
Ljungberg. However, the boos rang around the Boleyn Ground as soon as some
fans saw the Portuguese player removing his tracksuit top, leaving Ashton
angry. The striker said he was generally impressed with the matchday
atmosphere, but that he and his team-mates were disappointed with the
treatment meted out to Boa Morte. "It seemed like a full house and obviously
we are really pleased that we put in a better performance at last and
probable should have won," said Ashton, alluding to some supporters'
negative reaction to last week's 2-1 home win over relegated Derby County.
"But still Luis Boa Morte doesn't deserve to be booed before he's come on to
the pitch because he gives his all out there and the lads all know that so
we were disappointed about that." While Boa Morte struggles to win the home
fans over, 24-year-old Ashton is more than happy with his recent own upturn
in form. The former Crewe Alexandra and Norwich City man has scored three
times in his last six appearances and finally appears to be over the ankle
and knee injuries that have blighted his career over the past two seasons.
And Ashton is keen to hit the net again - taking his season's tally to 10 -
in the final two Premier League fixtures of the season. "I feel that if I
can get a run of games I will score goals. I believe in myself like that,"
he added. I've played five-or-six of the last seven games and have got a few
goals so I'm really pleased with that."
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West Ham in summer shuffle -
SOCCERVOICE.COM, WEDNESDAY, 29.04.2008
Rumours are in the air constantly about the situation at Upton Park. Alan
Curbishley has in an objective perpective done a great job so far. The Sun
reports that Mr Curbishley will be given "zero" to spend and that players
must be sold to get new players in. Carlton Cole, Fredrik Ljungberg and Dean
Ashton are all been mentioned as possible movers. Dean Ashton will not be
given away and the amount needed to get him from West Ham will be around £
12 million. Newcastle has joined to chase for Ashton. Curbishley shuffled a
bit last season as well with a number of players leaving and new players
signed. Andy Johnson and Darren Bent are both linked with a move to Upton
Park.
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Spurs £10m striker heading to West Ham as replacement for Newcastle bound
star: Maybe? - caughtoffside.com
April 29, 2008
It appears that recent speculation linking Kevin Keegan with any footballer
known to man could have a knock on effect at White Hart Lane.
Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan is chasing West Ham striker Dean Ashton.
(The Sun)
SPURS record signing Darren Bent has urged manager Juande Ramos to make him
a regular started next season. The £16.5million signing from Charlton, is
one of the many names linked with the exit door at White Hart Lane this
summer. West Ham and Newcastle are considered the most likely suitors for
£10m rated Bent should he indeed leave in the summer (various)
So this could be very confusing. Dean Ashton does appear to be have a big
fan in Keegan but then the Magpies boss also wants Bent, so could it turn
into a three way junction? Clearly if Ashton goes then Bent could end up
with his old Charlton boss at Upton Park? My head is spinning! Who do West
Ham fans want to see spearheading their attack Deano or Bent? Do Spurs fans
think that the former Charlton man has a future at White Hart Lane? And do
the Geordies think another striker is even needed given the likes of Owen,
Martins and Viduka at St James' Park?
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London calling for Makoun - Setanta
by Laurent Picard, 29 April 2008
Setantasports.com can reveal that Lille star Jean II Makoun is discussing a
move to a London club. The Cameroonian is speaking to 'an ambitious' club
from the capital, although Manchester City are in the frame for the talented
midfielder. Agent Jean-Christophe Thouvenel has revealed that Makoun has a
gentleman's agreement with LOSC to be transferred in the summer and the
representative is planning a big-money move for one of Ligue 1's outstanding
players. "The discussions are very advanced with a London club," Thouvenel
told setantasports.com. "It is not West Ham, no. Tottenham? Well, I cannot
reveal it to you right now. "To give you a clue, without naming the club,
their manager is not English, they are a very good club that have a very
ambitious project, they want to attack well and defend well. "Last year
Mathieu Bodmer and Kader Keita left Lille, and the club asked Makoun to stay
one more year to help them with their transition to a new era. "A new cycle
will start there and I expect a very important transfer for the player. "I
am also in contact with Manchester City's general manager."
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