Filed: Monday, 12th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton says that he would like to extend his stay at the club - but has
heard nothing regarding a new contract. The 24-year-old striker - who scored
United's second goal against Aston Villa yesterday afternoon - has two years
remaining on his current contract. However he says that despite requesting
talks with the club, he remains in the dark with regards to his immediate
future. "I'd like to speak to the club about it," he said. "I'd like to know
where my future stands. "Obviously I had to prove myself and I feel I've
done that now. The only worry is that the club haven't spoken to me yet - so
I don't know where I stand at the moment. "I've got two [more] years and I
want to talk to the club because I've really enjoyed myself here. That's all
I'm really thinking about."
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Stronger - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 12th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley looks back on a tumultuous season - and dismisses talk of a
mass exodus ...
I've been saying all season that the players have done fantastic. We've let
ourselves down on a couple of occasions, we know that - especially that bad
week we had. But they've just got on with it and it's been a terrific
effort. I now know that my squad is stronger than when I started last year.
My big hope is that we get the players back for the start of pre-season and
I think then I'll have the competition that can make us better next year.
The one thing about Villa today was their pace - and the way it's worked out
is that a lot of my pace has been injured for most of the season, so I'm
hoping they get back. I came in 18 months ago and we had to stay up which
was the short-term brief. The long-term brief is to try and break into the
European spots at some stage. The squad is that much stronger now because a
lot of players have played football that they perhaps didn't think they'd be
getting. I've got to get some return dates on certain players. Craig Bellamy
has been training for the last two weeks, we think he's okay. Faubert had a
chance today but we just felt we couldn't risk that. Kieron Dyer is going
to start full running, we're very hopeful on that. Upson isn't far away. If
I can get some of these players back that have been injured it will be like
new signings. I've not had too many knocks on the door this year from people
unhappy that they're not playing. When everybody gets fit I think it's
natural that there will be players who are unhappy - and one or two may want
to leave. But I'm under no pressure to do anything. I told the story where I
had the five centre halves in my office at the start of the season. I said
to them 'I can only play two so I can envisage
some problems'. As it stands at the moment none of them are fit except
Ferdinand who came back today.
Ljungberg? Freddie cracked a rib and he's recuperating. But we've had no
discussions with Freddie whatsoever. Some things get put in papers and we've
just got to get on with it. This has been the most competitive Premier
League I've been involved in and I'm sure it's going to get a bit stronger
next year, so we've all got to move forward and push on.
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West Ham United 2 - KUMB
Aston Villa 2
By Gordon Thrower
So where did that season go?
It was only a few minutes ago that I sat down to write my first report of
the season and somehow nine months have gone. Of course unlike last season
there was to be no last match trauma, only the honour of still seeing our
name on screen when they show the "top" section of the league table was at
stake.
It was a scorching hot day and the temptation to remain in the Black Lion
beer garden was almost overwhelming, especially as one's arrival was
substantially delayed by the fact that the Jubilee line was, not for the
first time, knackered. However, the need to deliver a spare ticket to a
lucky recipient following a last minute cry-off meant that staying put was
not an option.
Team news was that Ashton had recovered from the knock picked up in Salford
and Ferdinand had recovered from the dodgy hamstring picked up way back when
the weather was rotten. The starting line-up: Green, Neill, McCartney,
Ferdinand, Tomkins, Solano, Parker, Noble, Boa-Morte, Ashton, Zamora.
Unfortunately Mike Dean had failed to pick up an injury and was available to
referee.
It was a bright start and both teams went for it right from the start. An
early Solano lob into Zamora saw the striker find space but his header was
wayward. We then forced a couple of corners, the second which started a
Villa breakaway by Reo-Coker. Agbonghr's ball into the box found the
impressive Young who didn't quite get the shot right, the post coming to
Green's aid.
Things settled down and Ferdinand was taken out right on the edge of the
box. After an interminable delay whilst Vila constructed a wall using all 10
outfield players Solano calmly stuck the free-kick past a poor attempt at a
save from Carson – who, lest we forget, was preferred to Green in past
England squads. Solano's celebrations, as is the fashion when scoring
against a former club, were muted.
Enter Mike Dean. God help us but this twit has the Cup Final next week.
Remember that if you're thinking of having a bet because later on in this
report he gets something right and the chances of that happening two weeks
in a row are minimal. Firstly he decided to indulge in a spot of double
booking, punishing Neill and Parker for challenges. Parker's looked
especially harsh and, if that was the yellow standard, serious questions
need to be asked about some later decisions.
Dean later endeared himself to the home crowd by deciding a knock to Tomkins
was not serious, but seeing Zamora go clean through following some slick
passing, the moron decided that he would bring play back after all.
On the quarter hour the scores were levelled. Linda had been drawn into the
middle and Reo-Coker fed Young in the inside right slot. Green's positioning
wasn't the best and Young had enough angle to slot in at the far post. It
could have been worse a few minutes later as Tomkins was caught the wrong
side of his striker. Fortunately his striker was the asinine Carew who
failed to make decent contact when he might have scored.
Neill forced a corner which caused the mildest of panics as Anton wound
himself up for a shot. Noble then got on the end of a clever flick from
Ashton only to see his run ended by a cynical hack from Petrov. I'm sure the
idiot Dean had a perfectly adequate explanation for his failure to issue the
yellow card that the laws of the game demand for such incidents, but, since
unfortunately he is not accountable to us mere paying members of the public
we'll never know what that explanation is. My theory – and this is backed up
by years of having to put up with ruined matches at the hands of this twit –
is that he is incompetent. Simple as that.
Meanwhile Boa-Morte was having great fun. Possibly discovering that there
was someone who was getting booed even more than he was, he was happily
chasing back at Reo-Coker and winning the ball off him time after time, thus
endearing himself to the home support no end. This gave him the confidence
to try a first time volley which, although not accurate, won generous
applause for the effort. LBM was also involved just before the interval as
his neat ball inside to Zamora saw Bobby hit a shot on the turn that had
Carson, and, unfortunately, the post beaten.
Those of you who had McCartney in the Injury Lotto finally got a pay-out as
Linda failed to appear for the second period, Pantsil being the replacement.
Villa started the brighter of the sides in the second half, forcing an early
corner on the right which came to naught. Boa-Morte countered with a surging
run that ended up with a shot that was too close to Carson.
Then the moment that I'll keep on Sky + for the rest of my life. Mike Dean
got one right. I know it's hard to believe but he did. I guess if you give
an infinite number of apes an infinite number of typewriters, eventually one
of them will write "Hamlet" and the same principle applies with this idiot.
Agbonlahor played a ball across from the left and Green pulled off a
marvellous save from Carew from point blank range. Green came out to follow
up and Petrov beat him to the ball but dived. It was embarrassing. Even Dean
thought so – actually he probably thought it was a penalty and was trying to
be controversial – and out came the yellow card. Such a shame Dean hadn't
thought to show the yellow to the same player earlier when he'd brought down
Noble but I suppose we should be grateful for one decision from this
official in 10 years.
Young then found space on the right but Parker had made up an incredible
amount of ground to make the blocking tackle. Barry then had a shot
deflected wide. Carew's header from the resulting corner was cleared off the
ine by Noble. Up the other end Solano's cross was brought down by Ashton but
a defender cleared just as the trigger was about to be pulled.
The sun was causing problems as, twice, Zamora failed to pick up the ball,
the second time a promising ball coming back off his heels as he lost the
flight of the ball.
Just before the hour we went behind. Pantsil lost the ball upfield in a
pointless run that was going nowhere. Stretched by his failure to seem in
too much of a hurry to get back, Neill found himself outnumbered at the far
post and, whilst Green's save from Reo-Coker's shot was superb the ball fell
straight out to Barry who turned the ball back in first time for what will
probably be his last Villa goal before yet another Liverpool illegal
approach finally works.
We came back strongly. Solano's free-kick narrowly missed conversion by
Ashton, Carson flapping away at the cross in that comical manner that seems
to be required of England goalkeepers. Ashton's header from the corner was
then cleared off the line by Petrov – yes the same one who shouldn't have
been on the pitch. Boa Morte then twisted and turned before getting a cross
in that Zamora put against the bar with a powerful header. This was
virtually his last contribution as he was replaced by Cole shortly after.
Agbonlahor then got a cross in that Tomkins did well to block, Green getting
a kick in the face from Carew for his trouble that the idiot ref eventually
spotted as a head injury without obtaining the free-kick that one might
expect of even a moderately able official. Sears then replaced Noble in an
attempt to give the attack a bit more emphasis.
With two left on the clock, and most people feeling grateful for Spurs'
impending defeat, we equalised. Paintsil's ball in was, frankly, dreadful.
However a deflection brought it away from the defence and Ashton's powerful
drive gave Carson no chance. That, apart from a bizarre attempt by Cole to
chest the ball back to his 'keeper from a distance of about 1 inch, was
that. And an entertaining match, if not a season, came to a close.
It's been an odd old 9 months. At the start of the season when asked what
I'd like for this year I asked for a dull season untroubled by anything that
would cause sleepless nights. Boy did we get that. Next year we need to push
on though. Will we ever see a fully fit squad? Will Rob Green ever make the
England squad? Where actually is Nigel Quashie? And will Chalks ever pay me
that tenner for mentioning the word "Jacuzzi" on national radio?
All these questions and less will be answered right here next season. In the
meantime I should go into self-indulgent mode and finish off with a few
thank-yous. This rubbish comes to you each week thanks to the invaluable
assistance of the following people without whom I'd be even more of a
gibbering wreck than usual(so blame them!): Upton Girlie, Margot, Romford,
Gent, Nan, Alan & Trevor, Naeem, Bonehead, Goes To Eleven, Delilah and most
of all If Not Why Not (where's my birthday present?!).
Have a great summer everyone and be safe.
Robert Green (7)
Maybe slightly in the wrong position for the first goal but made some fine
stops later on.
Lucas Neill (5)
Seemed a yard short against the admittedly pacy Young.
George McCartney (5)
Not at his best in the first half – possible as a result of the hamstring
problem that saw him sit out the second 45.
Anton Ferdinand (6)
A welcome return but was made to battle.
James Tomkins (6)
Had a tough time up against Carew and Young. Stuck to the task though.
Mark Noble (7)
Another hard shift put in before being sacrificed in the chase for the
equaliser.
Scott Parker (8)
At full-time he went down on his knees, possibly looking for the one blade
of grass he hadn't covered during the day.
Nobby Solano (7)
Always looked dangerous on the ball. Fine free-kick though the 'keeper
helped a bit.
Luis Boa Morte (7)
A good game – some great tracking back and a few good crosses.
Bobby Zamora (7)
Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Dean Ashton (8)
Always dangerous, his goal was superb.
Substitutes
John Paintsil (5)
(replaced McCartney, 46) Passing was poor.
Carlton Cole (5)
(replaced Zamora, 73) Failed to make an impression.
Fred Sears (5)
(replaced Solano, 80) Also failed to make an impression.
Richard Wright (0)
Did not play.
Hayden Mullins (0)
Did not play.
KUMB Match facts
West Ham United: Robert Green, Lucas Neill, George McCartney, Anton
Ferdinand, James Tomkins, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Nobby Solano, Luis Boa
Morte, Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton.
Substitutes: John Paintsil, Carlton Cole, Fred Sears, Richard Wright, Hayden
Mullins.
Goals: Nobby Solano 8 Dean Ashton 88
Booked: Scott Parker 10 Lucas Neill 10
Sent Off: None
Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker,
Barry, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.
Substitutes: Harewood (Carew 87).
Subs not used: Taylor, Salifou, Routledge, Maloney.
Goals: Young (14), Barry (58)
Booked: Mellberg , Petrov
Sent Off: None sent off
Referee: M.Dean
Attendance: 34969
Man of the Match: Scott Parker
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
De Mos admits Hammers dream -SSN
Dutchman wants Hammers job
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 12th May 2008
Dutch coach Aad de Mos has revealed he would love the chance to manage West
Ham. De Mos departed Vitesse Arnhem two weeks ago after falling out with the
club's hierarchy. Now the 61-year-old has admitted he would love to take
charge at Upton Park. "It's a club I'd love the chance to manage one day,"
the former Ajax and PSV Eindhoven chief said. "If an opportunity ever arose
it would be very difficult to turn down." De Mos still has contacts at West
Ham after forging a relationship between them and his former club Mechelen
back in 2000. Meanwhile, Vitesse are yet to appoint his successor but
Volendam coach Stanley Menzo has emerged as favourite along with Zwolle's
Jan Everse.
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Ashton unsure over future - SSN
Hammers star wants talks
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 12th May 2008
Dean Ashton admits he does not know where he stands over his future at West
Ham. The 24-year-old has returned to good form this year and bagged 11 goals
after missing all of last season with a badly broken ankle. Now a host of
clubs including Manchester United, Newcastle and Portsmouth are said to be
taking a keen interest in Ashton. The striker, who has two years left on his
current contract, admits the club are yet to talk to him about his future.
"As far as I know I'll be at West Ham. The only worry is that the club
haven't spoken to me yet so I don't know where I stand," he said. "Obviously
I'd like to speak to the club about my future. I'd just like to know where
my future lies. "Obviously I had to prove myself after spending so long out
injured and I feel I've done that now. "West Ham is the team I play for. I
want to talk to the club because I've really enjoyed myself here and that's
all I'm really thinking about."
Ashton was complimented by Sir Alex Ferguson after scoring in the 4-1 rout
at Old Trafford on May 3, but has taken little notice of his words. "A lot
has been written about me but the thing I'm most worried about is what West
Ham think of me," he said. "I suppose it (Ferguson's praise) is flattering
but you don't really read a lot into what goes into the papers."
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Hammers board meet to iron out striker Ashton's Upton Park future - Daily
Mail
Last updated at 10:44am on 12th May 2008
The future of Dean Ashton is on the agenda at today's West Ham board
meeting. England striker Ashton, who scored a late equaliser in the 2-2 home
draw with Aston Villa, wants assurances about his career at Upton Park.
Ashton said: "I just want to know where I stand. I haven't really been told
that at the moment. "I'm not saying I want to go. I have seen my name linked
with other clubs, but I'm more worried about what West Ham think of me and
whether they want to keep me."
Owner and chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was expected at today's meeting to
confirm that Alan Curbishley must trim his squad. The club, who bought
almost exclusively from the English market last summer, may turn their
attention to Europe for new players, particularly following the appointment
of Italian technical director, Gianluca Nani.
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Ashton in dark over Hammers future - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 12 May 2008
Dean Ashton admits to being 'flattered' by reports linking him with
Manchester United, but the only talks he is seeking are those that clarify
his future at West Ham. The former Norwich and Crewe striker has endured a
tough season at Upton Park, with injuries hindering any hint of regular
first team football.
Two superb goals in his final two matches of the season have helped Ashton
force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad, as well as helping him to
attract reported interest from United. Ashton insists his only priority is a
meeting with Alan Curbishley, where he will seek confirmation that the club
intends to keep him this summer. "I suppose it is flattering to be linked
with United, but you don't really read a lot about what goes into the
papers," said Ashton.
"The thing I'm more worried about is what West Ham think of me and whether
they want to keep me. "As far as I know I'll be here. I haven't heard
anything myself and the only worry is that the club haven't spoken to me yet
so I don't know where I stand with the club at the moment. "Obviously I'd
like to speak to the club about my future. I'd just like to know where my
future stands. I haven't really been told particularly where my future
stands at the moment. "West Ham is the team I play for. I've got two years
(left) here and I want to talk to the club because I've really enjoyed
myself here and that's all I'm really thinking about."
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We're not selling, says Hammers boss Curbishley - Northampton Chronicle
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists that star striker Dean Ashton is not
for sale. The big hit-man is said to be a target for one of the big four
clubs, but Hammers boss Alan Curbishley says he is under no pressure to
sell. Curbishley said: "Every club has its problem over sides wanting to buy
their players - look at Tottenham and Dimitar Berbatov. "It's something you
have to deal with if it comes along but fans saw last summer that we had
players coming in rather than leaving. "I'm not under pressure to cut the
wage bill."
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Squad Sorting - West Ham Online
Alex V - Mon May 12 2008
Okay, let's sort Curbishley's squad out for him. No doubt Curbs was doing
something similar last night, perhaps with cue cards and some sort of
wallchart, or perhaps tapping away at a spreadsheet. We can only guess at
the squalor of Curbishley's private life, but for now let's look at the
playing staff at the club.
When you look at Premiership players, you have to turn off some of the inate
personal biases you have in order to get any sort of objectivity going. For
a start, you have to concede that even average footballers are paid the
equivalent of what the slimiest fat cats get in big business - it's a fact
of life, get over it. You also have to turn off the part of your brain that
inexplicably either thinks players are solid gold stars or absolute rubbish
- all the players in our squad are generally decent premiership players,
none of them are 'championship players' (and it's a damned hard league, we
should know!), and it's better to stand back and take a more objective look.
Sometimes this doesn't work - Robbie Savage is a #### however objectively
you look at it.
What are the general principles at work here? Well we want a better squad! I
think the general consensus is that we need to clear away some of the dead
wood in the squad, if any exists, and build a leaner fitter squad.
Personally I have made it clear in previous articles that I want to move
away from average Premiership performers, and gamble a little more on
younger players with potential. But basically it's all about winning
matches.
Okay, I want to start with the least contentious section of the squad - the
following players are ones that Curbishley would be almost certain to keep
over the Summer, unless offers come in that cannot be refused etc.
- The youngsters. Sears, Tomkins, Collison etc. There's no point selling
these for peanuts before we have a proper chance to assess. They may not
make it, and may spend next season on loan for example, but they STAY.
- The relatively young. Ferdinand and Noble are Premiership players on the
rise, with good reputations and solid England Under-21 experience. Obviously
Ferdinand is linked with a move away from the club, and there are contract
issues there too, but I don't think there's any doubt that he is a
first-choice player for us and one of the highest-rated players at his age
in this country.
- The stars. Hard to really assess who these are to true accuracy. Ashton,
Upson and Green are the ones I would pick out.
- The crocks. This bunch of players were bought last Summer, barely played,
obviously have quality, and cannot really be just moved on this Summer. Like
it or not, we have to see it through with these signings and hope they get
fit and come good. Parker, Bellamy, Dyer and Faubert. (I suppose you could
make a case for selling any of them, but realistically Curbishley cannot do
that without admitting they were a mistake in the first place).
- McCartney. I don't rate him personally, but I cannot deny his form has
been solid and his attitude seems to be excellent. I don't see a case where
Curbishley could sell him even if he bought a replacement, because we are so
short in that area of the side. A KEEP.
I'm hoping then, that we can agree to a large extent that the following
players would probably be on Curbishley's KEEP list (barring some ludicrous
offers)...
Green.
McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand, Tomkins.
Parker, Noble, Faubert, Dyer, Collison.
Ashton, Bellamy, Sears.
Obviously squad building is not an exact art - if Spurs offer £12 million
plus for Ferdinand, what do we do? If Noble demands a Summer move, do we
deny him it? But barring unforeseen circumstances, these are 13 players I
would expect to see in pre-season at West Ham - it is virtually a team
there.
Now the bit where opinions will differ. Here's my take on the players in the
rest of the squad - for me the following players have to make a case for
staying in the squad, because none of them are truly essential. The problem
here is that I don't know the exact details of players wages, their
contracts, their attitude in training and in the dressing room, and what
potential they actually have. I make my guesses based on what I've seen and
heard.
- Lucas Neill. Neill feels like an important 'issue' - he is the club
captain. We may be out of step with what Curbishley thinks about Neill - we
can't see the work that he does in the dressing room, on the training pitch,
and just generally around the club. He may be an instrumental figure who has
been key to our progress on the pitch, or he may be a destructive one, a
negative influence in a position of too much power at the club. I must say
in his defence that I thought he was excellent up until Christmas, and his
form has only fallen away more recently. I also think that his International
commitments may be key to his performance levels - if Curbs could get him to
retire from International football, I would make him a definite KEEP. But
given his position as a high earner, and some indifferent form, I wouldn't
be absolutely shocked if Curbs tries to move him on.
- Spector and Cole. Where I think the 'fans' are definitely out of step with
reality is with these two younger players, who by my reckoning should be
clearly in the KEEP list. Spector is presumably not a financial drain on the
club, is still relatively young, and offers excellent cover across the whole
back line and central midfield - I just can't see a justification for moving
him on. Some fans are critical of his form, but he has never had a run of
games to build form - in fact he barely plays the same position from one
game to the next. Cole is apparently one of our most highly-paid players -
when we bought him he could have gone to any Premiership club pretty much,
and I think the wages reflect that fact. He does lack goals, but I think
he's been excellent this season, and has looked particularly good as a
strong direct player coming off the bench to change matches. So I just can't
understand why you would think about selling. For me both of those are
definite KEEPs.
- Bobby Zamora. This is a much more difficult decision. He is clearly a good
Premiership player, and was terrific in the run-in last season. But he was
playing with Tevez at the time, and my good memories of Zamora are mixed
with bad ones of indifferent performances. He definitely chips in with a
steady stream of goals, but I would argue that he just isn't a dynamic
enough presence to really change matches with regularity. I do think you
need 5 strikers these days at any club, especially with 7 subs on the bench
next season. But if Curbishley brings in a striker over the Summer, Zamora
would sadly be on my hit list to go. A great servant to the club, very
difficult to imagine it without him, but we want to improve and he will
bring in an almost guaranteed £4 million plus in the market - GO.
- Nol Solano. I think he's been excellent tucked into central midfield this
season, but too slow played out on the wing. There's no doubt that he is a
solid, creative and experienced player though, and chips in with set-piece
goals. It kind of depends how much we pay him in wages - if he's a top
earner I think Curbs might be best to move him on, because I don't see him
in the first team next season. If he's affordable, then he's an excellent
option to have around. KEEP.
- Lee Bowyer. Another experienced head, and largely a dependable one,
probably on a sizable wage, and with injury problems. These are tough
decisions - I can see every reason for Curbs liking to have him around, but
I think the squad is top-heavy with aging pros eking out a living, and
playing at a veteran's pace in an increasingly frantic Premiership. For
those reasons I say GO, but I bet he's here next season. Also I'm not
convinced we could sell him if we tried.
- Hayden Mullins. Another midfielder whose chief attribute is dependability
- I highly doubt that Curbishley is even considering letting him go this
Summer. The trouble is that if you let him and Bowyer go, and Parker gets
injured again, we are looking very threadbare in midfield. And Mullins is
unlikely to be a top wage-earner, nor that valuable an asset in the transfer
market. Will the £2 million we get for him really be worthwhile? - if we get
injuries next season it could be a costly mistake! It would depend who
Curbishley wants to bring in really - I lean towards a keep.
- James Collins. Horrible season from him - half his appearances this season
were for Wales. It's a bit of a stretch now to recall the form he showed in
last season's run-in, but it was damned impressive at the time. This is the
problem - Collins is 25 and probably just getting that bit too old to be
considered a rising talent. This season probably would have been make or
break for him - do we wait another season to pass judgement? I think it's
unlikely he's a financial drain on the club, and for that reason it's a very
bordeline decision - keep for one more season? Another point - what is he
actually worth in the transfer market?
- Danny Gabbidon. I can't see a single reason to keep him, unless the club
has decided to go backwards. His best form is from three seasons ago, he's
had a succession of injuries over two seasons, he's approaching veteran
status, and it's unlikely he'd be first-choice at the club if fit. He is
EXACTLY the sort of player that the board would be encouraging Curbishley to
jettison - a player on first-team wages, who is only rated an average
Premiership player at best. I would argue that he punched above his weight
in that first season under Pardew, and makes too many mistakes - an
absolutely definite SELL, and a very enticing purchase for any newly
promoted club. If fit, I expect us to make at least £3 million from a sale.
If we keep him, it will say everything about what is wrong at the club.
- Richard Wright. Had a good time at Southampton - what an escape that was
for them! He seems like about the best reserve keeper we could hope to have
at the club, and for that reason I hope we KEEP. Again I'm happy that
Curbishley is in the best position to make a case either way - hopefully
Green will be fit and first-choice throughout next season.
- James Walker. He's probably not a high wage-earner, and you definitely
need three keepers at the club. KEEP.
- Matty Etherington. I didn't think Ethers could make the step-up to the
Premiership, but I have been happy to be proved wrong - he can be a menace
on that left side, and is a nice throwback to the era of the traditional
winger who hugs the touchline, only has one foot, and needs the ball at his
feet. But I think Premiership football has moved on, and I can't see a case
for keeping him as anything other than an impact sub for the last 15 minutes
of games. On that basis it's a SELL, and I expect him to be snapped up
pretty quickly, maybe by a bigger club than we expect.
- Kyel Reid. 4 appearances this season, so there must be something there
that Curbs likes. No progress at Palace on loan unfortunately, so probably
not ready to threaten the first team yet. But he's still relatively young,
and with 7 subs to pick next season Curbs could get the chance to give him
more first-team football from the bench. If there's the merest chance he can
make it, why sell at this stage? KEEP.
- Freddie Ljungberg. Again I feel some fans have a strangely negative
opinion of him - for me he was our best attacking midfielder last season.
Not saying much I know, and it definitely took too long for him to find his
form, but beggars can't be choosers in that department. There are some
persistant rumours that West Ham are looking to get shot of him this Summer,
but unless there's been a bust-up behind the scenes I can't imagine why we
would consider it. Sure he's on big wages, but technically he's our most
gifted player, and he can play in any position in midfield - how do you
replace that? It's too easy to say "he's past it" but I think that is unfair
on a player who, at 50% of what he was at his peak, would still be a
definite first-team player at almost any club outside the top four. A
definite KEEP for me.
- Nigel Quashie. Impossible to really assess a player who has been out of
the picture for so long. From what little we saw I would rate him as a
useful stop-gap midfielder, not one to take us forward. Get him fit, ship
him out. GO.
- Calum Davenport. Another player it is difficult to assess - I still
remember the player we had on loan in the Championship, who at the time
looked a potential world-beater. It's fair to say he hasn't delivered on
that promise, and at 25 he is very much on the borderline for proving
himself a top-drawer player. And I don't quite see how and when he will get
the chance to prove the case either way at West Ham. To be honest, we would
never have bought him if we'd got Upson first, so the whole signing has
proven a bit of a misfire. And with such serious injury problems, maybe just
getting back on the pitch will be a triumph for Davenport - sad to say that
when he does get fit, he may find himself on the way out. GO.
- John Paintsil. He's obviously not a natural defender, and may be better
suited to that wide-right berth rather than full-back, but he is unlikely to
be first-choice in either. But then the question is whether he's a decent
alternative - I think if you compare him to Lucas Neill, he is. He is more
attacking, and has definite quality on the ball, and he seems like a trier
with a good attitude. I wonder what his wages are - if they are relatively
low I would consider a KEEP here, just because he is something a little bit
different.
- Luis Boa Morte. A triumphant end of season for Boa Morte - he's been man
of the match in three of the last four games of the season. The one thing
about Luis is that regardless of how frustrating he is to watch, he is a
damned nuisance to the opposition - niggly fouls, 100% commitment,
play-acting, and just that touch of the unpredictable that makes him
dangerous. I appreciate that he has been horrible to watch at times this
season, but at the same time I think he brings something quite unique to the
table. I think if things are going stale in a match next season, Curbs might
want to turn to a player like Luis from the bench to just get out there and
cause mischief. Added to this is the fact that Boa Morte is the one player
to make a success of that advanced midfield position in a 4-5-1 - he was
brilliant roughing up Makelele away at Chelsea for example. So for me, and I
don't expect this to be popular, he is a KEEP.
So, that leaves me with this list.
Green, Wright, Walker.
Upson, Ferdinand, McCartney, Neill, Spector, Tomkins, Paintsil.
Parker, Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg, Dyer, Faubert, Boa Morte, Collison, Reid,
Solano.
Bellamy, Ashton, Cole, Sears.
A first team squad of 25-ish, as it stands. Davenport, Etherington,
Gabbidon, Bowyer, Zamora and Quashie out. (I have to say I doubt Bowyer will
be sold).
Having looked through the players one by one, I'm surprised how few I want
to get rid of. On the one hand I want to see radical changes at the club,
but on the other hand when you look at players and try to be pragmatic about
it, you can usually see a case for hanging onto them. That said, there are a
number of borderline cases there that I wouldn't be surprised to see leave
the club - Mullins, Boa Morte, Paintsil, Solano.
But at the same time, it all depends who Curbishley brings in over the
Summer. If he buys a central midfielder, do we need Mullins? If he buys
another central defender, is it worth persevering with Collins? If Zamora
won't go, do you look at Carlton Cole? There are lots of twists and turns to
come over the Summer, and I certainly wouldn't expect it to be predictable.
But I think, if you look at the squad as it is, there is the basis of a good
one there, and it's hard to imagine what you can do to improve it on paper
without spending big money (I'll look at transfers in next week). I think
it's also true that if we started next season with this season's squad
unchanged but fully fit, I think we'd stand a decent chance of improving on
10th position. Anyway, this Summer will be fascinating, and arguably more
fun than our season :)
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Ashton unsettled about lack of new West Ham contract - Daily Mail
Last updated at 23:48pm on 12th May 2008
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has expressed concern that the club has yet to
discuss a new contract amid speculation he will be sold this summer. Ashton
said: "As far as I know I'll be at West Ham. The only worry is that the club
haven't spoken to me yet so I don't know where I stand. I'd just like to
know where my future lies
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Curbishley gets the thumbs-up
David Hytner
The Guardian, Tuesday May 13 2008
Alan Curbishley will lead West Ham United next season after the board of
directors pronounced itself satisfied with his efforts this time out.
Curbishley took the club to a 10th-placed finish, above their rivals
Tottenham Hotspur, and provided a season of stability after the desperate
fight against relegation in 2006-07.
Although there has been frustration about the style of football, and a
feeling in some quarters that the team ought to have kicked on more, the
board, which met yesterday for six hours, accept that injuries had
undermined their prospects.
Curbishley emerged from the meeting, chaired by the owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, looking forward to a summer of fine-tuning and working with
Gianluca Nani, the technical director who takes up his post next month. One
of their first tasks will be to open talks with Dean Ashton, who has two
years to run on his deal.
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West Ham 2008 Report Card
The Guardian, Tuesday May 13 2008
On-pitch moment of the season
Matthew Upson scoring the winner against Manchester United
Off-pitch moment of the season
The departure of Eggert Magnusson in December, making way for the owner,
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, to take a more hands-on role
Player who must not to be sold
Dean Ashton, restored to fitness after spending so long recovering from his
broken ankle
Greatest goal
Freddie Sears' late winner six minutes into his debut against Blackburn,
after three 4-0 defeats in a row
Most embarrassing moment
The 4-0 defeat at White Hart Lane in March, the third of that run
Effect of manager's shopping
Craig Bellamy, Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker, Julien Faubert and Kieron
Dyer all had extensive injury problems and have yet to be seen for a lengthy
period in the first team
The season in five words
Win or lose, they're 10th
Five-point action plan for the summer
Expensive experienced players who have spent more time on the treatment
table than out on the pitch should be moved on; continue the development of
the younger players; retain Robert Green in goal; add youth and invention;
rekindle some of the enthusiasm
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Villa's Reo-Coker happy with West Ham visit
tribalfootball.com - May 12, 2008
Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker believes he won his battle with West
Ham fans in Sunday's 2-2 draw. He told avfc.co.uk: "It was impossible to
block out the crowd. But I knew what to expect and I concentrated on my
game. I did what I had to do. "It was difficult but it wasn't about me. We
went into the game knowing so much was at stake and our whole season could
stand or fall on the one game. "It was pleasing for me to be involved in the
two goals, but what mattered was how the team finished the season. "It was
end to end stuff between two sides who play end to end football. I think it
was definitely entertaining stuff for the supporters."
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Newcastle, Portsmouth rival Man Utd for Ashton
tribalfooball.com - May 12, 2008
A host of Premiership rivals are eyeing West Ham striker Dean Ashton. The
Daily Mail says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley met with the board yesterday to
review the season and discuss plans for the transfer window. Curbishley is
determined to keep Ashton and after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa
denied that he is under pressure to slash the wage bill. But a big offer
could tempt the board to sell and Ashton is seeking reassurances over his
future with two years left on his contract. Manchester United are rumoured
to be ready to test the Hammers' resolve to keep Ashton by tabling an
£8million bid for the England prospect this summer. Portsmouth and Newcastle
are also reported to be interested in the 24-year-old, who returned this
season after a year out spent recovering from a broken ankle.
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West Ham boss Curbishley: No pressure to slash wage bill
tribalfootball.com - May 12, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley insists he's not under pressure to
slash his wage bill. He said: "Every club has its problem over sides wanting
to buy their players - look at Tottenham and Dimitar Berbatov. "It's
something you have to deal with if it comes along but fans saw last summer
that we had players coming in rather than leaving. I'm not under pressure to
cut the wage bill."
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West Ham to make offer for Palermo's Bresciano
tribalfooball.com - May 12, 2008
West Ham United are launching a bid for Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano.
La Repubblica says the Hammers, with Italian Gianluca Nani now dictating
transfer policy, are ready to offer £4 million for the Australia
international
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"I'd love to manage West Ham" - de Mos - Echo
By Rob Pritchard
DUTCH coach Aad de Mos has revealed that he wants to manage West Ham. The
61-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Werder Bremen, Anderlecht
and Standard Liege boss forged ties with the Irons during his second spell
in charge of Belgian side KV Mechelen between 2000 and 2002.
De Mos, whose resume includes one European Cup Winners' Cup and European
Super Cup - both with Mechelen in 1988 - three Dutch Eredivisie titles, two
Belgian league titles, three Dutch Cups and one Belgian Cup, told Sky Sports
that he still has admiration for the East Enders. The Den Haag-born manager
is a free agent after departing Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem a fortnight ago
after falling out with the club's hierarchy. "It's a club I'd love the
chance to manage one day," he said. "If an opportunity ever arose it would
be very difficult to turn down."
Despite enduring a difficult first full season in charge, including a
staggering 55 injuries to first team players, current Hammers manager Alan
Curbishley has no plans to leave the Boleyn Ground. And having watched
Curbishley guide the club to a 10th place finish, chairman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson is highly unlikely to replace the 50-year-old.
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Nigel Reo-Coker and Olof Mellberg did Aston Villa proud, says Martin O'Neill
- BirminghamMail.net
May 12 2008 By Bill Howell
MARTIN O'Neill says that Nigel Reo-Coker thrived in the cauldron of noise
that was West Ham's Boleyn Ground. "Nigel Reo-Coker was particularly
excellent for us. He really thrust forward with the ball and was a real
throwback to what he used to do for West Ham, as their supporters would have
known over the last couple of years", he said. "He just seems to get blamed
for everything going wrong at Upton Park - probably for all West Ham's woes
since Bobby Moore! "He did splendidly for us to cope with all of that."
O'Neill also praised Olof Mellberg, who paid around £40,000 for replica
shirts to be left on every seat in the away end. O'Neill added: "I was
particularly pleased for Olof because he's been a splendid professional
footballer here over the years I have known him and a lot longer than that.
"He goes to Juventus with all of our best wishes. "It was a lovely gesture
of him regarding the shirts. I'm not sure I would have done it - I wouldn't
have the same money!"
O'Neill has precious little time to get Villa back in the swing. He added:
"There are drawbacks to being in the Intertoto but you don't have to play
umpteen games to progress from it. "This time last year we were not equipped
to play in it at all. It was a big season and a big push to finish 11th.
"Now we have improved significantly. "We finished with 60 points which is a
terrific achievement considering we have had a small squad all season."
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