Kevin Keen's West Ham United XI are unbeaten in three matches this pre-season after an away draw
30.07.2008
Cambridge United 0-0 West Ham United XI
Jack Collison returned to his former club on Wednesday night as a West Ham United XI recorded a goalless draw at the Abbey Stadium. The reserve-team captain came through the ranks at Cambridge before moving to the Boleyn Ground three years ago. He has not looked back since, establishing himself as part of Alan Curbishley's first-team squad. Despite the Wales midfielder's presence and an in-form forward line of Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines, Kevin Keen's youthful team could not make the breakthrough against experienced opposition after two previous victories against Billericay Town and Thurrock.
After Collison had just missed with a chance in the first half, Sears came the closest of all in the game as he hit the post with ten minutes to play after rounding the keeper. Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson was another impressive performer, clearing one off the line after entering for Joe Widdowson who had played the previous night in the 2-0 first-team win at Peterborough United. A West Ham United XI will next be in action against Grays Athletic this Saturday afternoon.
West Ham United: Walker, Miller, Widdowson (Eyjolfsson 60), Spence, N'Gala (O'Neill 76), Stokes (Payne 55), Stanislas (Edgar 65), Collison (c), Jeffery, Sears, Hines
Subs not used: Street, Harvey
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Curbishley sees the positives - WHUFC
Another impressive performance and a debut for Valon Behrami have left the manager looking forward
30.07.2008
Alan Curbishley is delighted with the form being shown by his squad after another impressive pre-season display on Wednesday night.
Craig Bellamy took the headlines with two goals early and late in the first half but there were good performances across the pitch. Valon Behrami showed up well at right-back on his debut with Lucas Neill also strong in the left-back role. Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand were reunited in the centre of defence for the first time since 12 April while Mark Noble and Scott Parker were a solid midfield duo. Robert Green also underlined his form with a couple of great saves.
The manager said: "The first half was as quick a game as I have seen for a long while. We got off to a great start with scoring early but I think the first 45 minutes was really competitive. I think you had everything there for both teams. Greeny's had to make some saves and we looked good when we attacked." Curbishley added that George McCartney and Lee Bowyer are training while the ill Dean Ashton should have recovered by the weekend to figure in either the Southampton or Ipswich games on Friday and Monday respectively.
James Tomkins is also looking good after a knee knock on England Under-19 duty and Luis Boa Morte and Matthew Etherington continue to be eased back in after minor foot troubles following their first 45 minutes of pre-season action last Thursday. "We are pleased with what has happened so far," said Curbishley. It is tough coming back from the American trip. Coming home some of us were still suffering a little but we got over it [against Peterborough]."
There was particular praise for the progress of Julien Faubert, Parker and Bellamy with Curbishley hoping his team will create enough chances for the strikers to score at least 30 goals this coming season. "We know we have got pace all over the park. We can counterattack and we can defend when we have got to. Parker came back and blocked shots. Centre-halves blocked stuff. It was a good work-out." Added into the mix is new signing Valon Behrami, who began his club career at right-back.
"He is a great athlete and he got involved," said Curbishley. He kept streaking down the line. We are pleased to have got him. He is a versatile player. He can play right-back, can play wide right and can play centre midfield and has played wide left. He is one of those players with a great attitude. I think he could be a great asset."
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Stalemate for young Hammers - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 31st July 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's reserves could only manage a stalemate against Blue Square Premier outfit Cambridge United at the Trade Recuitment Stadium tonight.
A young Hammers side - all under 21 bar goalkeeper Jimmy Walker - failed to break the deadlock on a hot summer's night in Cambridge despite creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities. However coach Kevin Keen will be pleased by the clean sheet which extends the reserves unbeaten pre-season run to three games. Striker Freddie Sears went closest to breaking the deadlock with a 25-yard effort that beat keeper Potter but not the woodwork, whilst former Cambridge loanee Jack Jeffery saw his goalbound effort hacked off the line midway through the first half. The hosts best chance of the game fell to Lee McEvilly; his effort, an audacious lob, narrowly cleared the bar. Kevin Keen's side have the chance to extend their unbeaten pre-season run to four matches this coming Saturday when they visit Grays.
West Ham United: Walker, Miller, Widdowson (Eyjolfsson 60), Spence, N'Gala (O'Neill 76), Stokes (Payne 55), Stanislas (Edgar 65), Collison (c), Jeffery, Sears, Hines.
Subs not used: Street, Harvey.
Cambridge United: Potter, Gleeson (Bexfield 60), Coulson, Hoyte, Tonkin (Collins 79), Parkinson (Youngs 46), Carden, Convery (Quinton 60), Pitt (Farrell 33); Willmott (Bussens 79), Beesley (McEvilly 46).
Subs not used: None.
Referee: Simon Long.
Attendance: 2,491.
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Injury latest - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 31st July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Several players are still some way away from full fitness - despite hopes that all but one would be ready for the start of the new season. Geroge McCartney, Lee Bowyer, Kieron Dyer, Nigel Quashie, Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Luis Boa Morte, Matthew Etherington, Jonathan Spector and James Tomkins are all currently injured with just over two weeks to go before the 2008/09 Premier League campaign kicks off with the visit of Wigan.
Although most are expected to return prior to 16th August - bar Spector, who will be sidelined until the end of the year - few will be fit enough to play in a Premier League fixture, having had little or no pre-season - something that Alan Pardew blamed for the failure of a number of his players to perform in his final season.
West Ham United have confirmed that McCartney and Bowyer - whose last appearance came in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham back on 9th February - are back in full training, whilst Boa Morte and Etherington are being 'eased back' having experienced 'minor foot troubles'. Tomkins, who took a knock during England's ill-fated under-19 European Championships jaunt is said to be 'looking good' whilst Dyer has targetted the pre-season friendly at Ipswich on 4th August as his comeback game.
Meanwhile, centre-half Collins is said to be making good progress with his cruciate injury and could be back by the start of September. Collins' Welsh team mate Gabbidon is still recovering from therapy to rectify a 'stomach and pelvic problem' whilst Quashie is still out of action, some 16 months after sustaining a 'foot problem'.
West Ham announced sweeping changes to their medical set-up last week. The announcement followed the findings of a team of experts from Roehampton University charged with improving the club's procedures. A number of new appointments were announced; Nikos Tzouroudis, previously employed by a number of major European clubs has been hired to overview operations. Italian osteopath Marco Cesarini and rehabilitation physiotherapist Giorgio Gasparini, who has worked with the Italian national squad also join the team.
CEO Scott Duxbury told whufc.com: "The Board and manager have taken these decisive steps to ensure the club has the very best support in place for the entire coaching and playing staff. "We sought the best independent advice and over recent months have been looking at home and across the continent for the leading experts in the field. "I am delighted we have been able to strengthen our existing operation in this way and am confident the benefits will be considerable."
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If the kids are United - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 30th July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley says he is looking forward to following the progress of the club's recent Academy acquisitions from abroad - and the prospect of further arrivals.
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (Iceland), Balint Bajner (Hungary), Filip Modelski (Poland, yet to be officially confirmed) and previously, goalkeeper Marek Stech (Czech Republic) are all at West Ham's Academy which expanded its reach recently with the arrival of United's first Technical Director, Gianluca Nani, whose brief it it to bring the best young European talent to East London.
With more possible future stars set to follow from both the UK and abroad, Alan Curbishley admits to being excited by the prospect. The boys are young, but they do have a lot of potential," he told the Ilford Recorder. "We have done a little bit of work in this area and have got at least four youngsters into the club so far. We are looking to do some more. "[Holmar] is young, a good athlete and a good shape. He would have come on the American trip, only he picked up a little groin strain. But what he has shown us in training already has delighted all of us. "[Balint] is a big centre forward. Tony Carr and the Academy department were very impressed with him, and he deserved a chance at the club." Meanwhile 18-year-old Stech was a 70th-minute replacement for Robert Green in Tuesday night's 2-0 pre-season friendly win at Peterborough.
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Curbs on new signing - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 30th July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has been singing the praises of the club's latest signing, Swiss international Valon Behrami. The 23-year-old defender/midfielder made his debut in United colours at Peterborough last night, playing for just over an hour in the 2-0 win. And Curbishley was in no doubt that the versatile £5million signing from Lazio will prove to be a key player in his team this season. "He is a great athlete and he got involved," Curbishley told whufc.com. "We are pleased to have got him. "He is a versatile player. He can play right-back, can play wide right and can play centre-midfield - and has played wide left. He is one of those players with a great attitude. I think he could be a great asset."
On the game itself, which was won by a Craig Bellamy brace, Curbishley added: "The first half was as quick a game as I have seen for a long while. We got off to a great start with scoring early but I think the first 45 minutes were really competitive. "It is tough coming back from the American trip. Some of us were still suffering a little - but we got over it."
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Your name's not down, you're not coming in - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 30th July 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will be holding an open training session tomorrow morning - but only season ticket holders and club members are invited.
The Boleyn Ground opens for business at 9:30am tomorrow (with the squad expected on the field at around 10:30am) for another of the popular open training days, where fans are allowed a sneak preview at the first team in action as they prepare for the forthcoming season.
However this year those supporters without a season ticket or club membership will be barred from entering; a decision criticised by several supporters today.
With many thousands of long-term fans now priced out of watching their team play live, the open training sessions were always an excellent opportunity for those unable to afford the cost of watching top-flight English football to see their heroes in action.
However Harry Redknapp's 'open-door' policy is long gone, and year by year supporters' access to players has become more and more restricted - so much so that now only those able to pay the club an annual subscription, be that in terms of membership or purchasing a season ticket, are privileged enough to be able to attend.
Additionally, those wishing to attend tomorrow's session have been informed that there will be 'no time for a formal autograph session' - although keen youngsters are still expected to be able to grab those signatures they most fervently seek.
Cynically, some might say, the open training session follows the day of the new home shirt launch - which will of course be available in the stadium store tomorrow.
Only at West Ham: top five PR blunders
5. September 2002: Brown - I know you are but what am I?
Former Chairman Terry Brown stunned United fans when he claimed in a private letter to a supporter that if the club's young stars (namely Cole, Carrick and Defoe) were to leave it would be due to 'disgraceful treatment they have received from supporters'. Relegation at the end of that season - due in no small part to a lack of investment by the club's board - didn't exactly help either.
4. January 2000: Hell freezes over
West Ham announce via their website (whufc.com) that 'Hell will freeze over before today's match with Chelsea is cancelled', following rumours of a postponement on web forums on the morning of the game. An hour before kick-off, the game is postponed by match officials due to adverse weather conditions.
3. May 2007: Benny balls-up
The club proudly announce on their website (whufc.com) that Yossi Benayoun has finally agreed to sign a new five-year deal with the club, putting to bed rumours linking the Israeli with a move to Liverpool; six weeks later he completes a £5million switch to Merseyside. (more)
2. December 2003: Terry Brown's 'Ratner' moment
Then-Chairman Terry Brown was forced into making a swift about-turn after he said of striker Jermain Defoe 'everyone knows that boy's not right in the head' in an off-the-cuff statement to shocked shareholders during the club's AGM. Two months later Brown was clearly proved right when the diminutive goalscorer signed for Tottenham. (more)
1. July 2003: No standing, club tell disabled fan
Disabled season ticket-holder Paul Reynolds - who suffers from paraplegia and is therefore unable to walk - received a (circular) letter from the club asking him not to stand during matches. The club later issue an apology to Paul. (more)
(And the biggest urban myth)
1. March 2007: Eggy's 60 large
Eggert Magnusson came under fire when, in an exclusive interview with KUMB.com, he claimed that the average Hammers fan earned £60,000 per year leading to uproar amongst supporters. Except that what he actually said was 'the average salary of a West Ham supporter who comes to the games here is second highest in the league ... I think it's around £60,000 per year.'
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No sack fears for Curbs - SSN
Hammers boss unfazed by bookmakers' odds
Last updated: 31st July 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley claims he does not feel under any added pressure despite being the favourite to be axed. The Hammers chief is leading the market with the bookmakers as they take bets on the first Premier League boss to part with his club. However, the former Charlton chief insists he is unconcerned by his perceived position at the front of the sack race. "I'm not bothered," he told The Sun. "I'm not a gambling man. I had 15 years at Charlton as outsider to get the sack. But I don't think I'm under pressure. "Other people like to stir things up and make it worse." Curbishley is favourite ahead of Bolton boss Gary Megson and Newcastle's Kevin Keegan.
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Cambridge United 0-0 West Ham XI - CambridgeUnited.premiumtv.co.uk
Posted on: Wed 30 Jul 2008
Competition: Pre-season Friendly
Weather at kick-off: hot, sunny
Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Dan Gleeson (Pat Bexfield 60'), Josh Coulson, Gavin Hoyte, Anthony Tonkin (c, Jordan Collins 79'), Andrew Parkinson (Tom Youngs 46'), Paul Carden, Mark Convery (Darren Quinton 60'), Courtney Pitt (Ben Farrell 33'); Robbie Willmott (Craig Bussens 79'), Mark Beesley (Lee McEvilly 46').
West Ham:
Jim Walker, Ashley Miller, Joe Widdowson (Holmar Eyjolfsson 63'), Jordan Spence, Bondz Ngala (Ryan O'Neill 79'), Tony Stokes (Josh Payne 58'), Junior Stanislas (Anthony Edgar 67'), Jack Collison (c), Jack Jeffery, Fred Sears, Zavon Hines.
Gary Brabin named a strong side to face a young West Ham reserve line-up, with just Wayne Hatswell missing through an ankle injury and Lee McEvilly named among the subs after recovering from a hamstring strain.
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West Ham's youthful side included a couple of familiar faces - former U's loanee striker Jack Jeffery and former U's schoolboy Jack Collison. Included alongside them were veteran goalkeeper Jim Walker, England U19 defender Jordan Spence, and highly rated youngsters with Premiership experience in midfielder Tony Stoke and striker Fred Sears.
The young Hammers started the game on the offensive and enjoyed most of the early possession, and after just four minutes some intricate football on the edge of the area ended with a Sears shot at Potter from close range.
Moments later Potter was caught outside his area and Stanislas latched onto the ball out on the right wing and centred it, but as Collison went for the shot the backtracking defence scrambled the ball clear. Stanislas was involved again on 14 and again picked out Collison from the right but the young Wales international fired wide from inside the six yard box.
A minute later United threatened the West Ham goal for the first time when Beesley and Willmott combined well on the edge of the area but Beesley fired well wide. The U's were enjoying a good spell at this stage and on 22 Willmott made room for a shot but also fired wide, and on the half hour it was West Ham again as Sears sprinted clear from the halfway line, leaping away from Hoyte's challenge at the byline and pulling the ball back for Jack Jeffery, only to see it blocked by Anthony Tonkin.
The rebound fell to Collison who blazed miles wide, and three minutes later Sears was again through on goal but fired high over the bar.
Captain for the night Tonkin made a good forward run on 34 and picked out Andy Parkinson who was brought down on the edge of the area, and Mark Beesley's free kick clipped the base of the wall as they jumped and trundled through to the keeper.
Dan Gleeson charged down the right five minutes before half-time and crossed for substitute Ben Farrell, who had replaced the limping Courtney Pitt on 33, but he decided against the shot when perhaps he should have done, instead teeing up Willmott whose shot was blocked almost as it left his boot.
The half ended with West Ham left-back Joe Widdowson making a buccaneering run into the area but Potter made a brave block on the edge of the six yard box and then smothered the rebound as it came back off the West Ham player.
A satisfactory half ended with the Hammers ahead on chances but United standing firm and battling well to keep the scores level at half-time.
Half-time 0-0
Gary Brabin made two half-time changes, bringing on Lee McEvilly and Tom Youngs for Mark Beesley and Andy Parkinson, and switching to a 4-3-3 formation.
United made a positive start to the second half and took the game to the visitors from the restart, with Willmott cutting in from the right two minutes in and hitting a low swerving drive from the edge of the area straight at the keeper.
Tom Youngs had an impressive half and on 51 he danced to the edge of the box and picked out Willmott's run but keeper Walker was quickly off his line to thwart the young striker. Two minutes later Hoyte's mis-kick almost led to disaster for United as he presented the ball to the opposition midway inside the United half, but Stanislas' angled shot was saved by Potter.
On 56 minutes came the move of the match as Tonkin linked with Mark Convery on the overlap down the left, Convery passed to Tom Youngs who held the ball up before returning it to the midfielder. Convery's shot was charged down but only cleared as far as Gleeson who hoisted a cross into the centre, and it was a keeper's nightmare as the ball and Lee McEvilly arrived at the same time, the ball coming off McEvilly's head and just over the bar while Walker ended in a heap.
Brabin made another double change on the hour to bring on Darren Quinton and trialist Pat Bexfield for Convery and Gleeson, and two minutes later Zavon Hines did well down the left and linked well with Jack Jeffery who found Sears, but the young striker was thwarted again, this time by Coulson's block.
On 63 Youngs received a throw-in 18 yards out and fed the ball to Quinton but he could only shoot straight at the keeper, and three minutes later Bexfield crossed from deep on the right and McEvilly's towering header at the far post was hacked away by West Ham sub Eyjolfsson.
With 20 minutes remaining the visitors worked an opening for England Under-19 defender Jordan Spence as he advanced but fired straight at Potter from 18 yards. A lively half continued to provide openings for both teams and on 76 a brilliant through ball found Sears sprinting away from the defence into the area, but Tonkin got back to get his toe to the ball and put it behind for a corner.
Sears was involved again a minute later but although his 25-yarder beat Potter it crashed against the post, and the young Premiership goalscorer must have wondered what he had to do to score against United tonight.
Tom Youngs set up McEvilly for an audacious lob from 20 yards that cleared the bar by mere inches, and Youngs was involved again on 81 when his great ball released Craig Bussens into the area but the United substitute was caught in two minds about whether to shoot or pass and the chance evaporated.
Three minutes later that man Sears raced onto a through ball into the area and was driven wide as Potter advanced out of his goal, eventually sending an off-balance shot wide, and he had another chance as he burst into the area on 89 but this time Hoyte held him off at the expense of a corner, which United defended to keep their first clean sheet of this pre-season.
Referee: Mr Simon Long
Attendance: 2,491 (away 427)
Mark Johnson's man of the match: "Mark Convery - for some incisive passing and good all-round midfield play."
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A load of Mattocks? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 30th July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Leicester City defender Joe Mattock insists it is business as usual despite being linked with a move to West Ham United. A number of sources have claimed that the Hammers have been chasing the England under-19 defender since the turn of the year, with various reports of failed bids and serious interest.
But the 18-year-old Leicester-born full-back told the Leicester Mercury that he was concentrating on the coming season with his current club. Referring to United's reported interest, he said: "Things like that happen but I am just focusing on what I am doing on the pitch. "This time there has been a real pre-season and we have got to know each other as a group. "Hopefully we have a real team spirit because that's what we need."
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West Ham and Manchester City linked with a bid for Moroccan defender Chretien - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 7:47 AM on 31st July 2008
West Ham and Manchester City are chasing highly-rated Nancy defender Michael Chretien. The 24-year-old Morocco international, who can play right midfield as well as right back, had been expected to join Sevilla or Real Betis but would prefer England. He said: 'My agent is in discussions with Betis, but I am aware of an English club keen to acquire me. I don't want to be at Nancy next season, as I've done enough there. I want to test myself in a top European league.'
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Interest Increases For West Ham - The Ugly Inside.net
Thursday 31 Jul 2008 08:08:20 by TUI Staff
A surge in interest looks set to boost West Ham Gate. A steady flow of ticket sales in the last few days looks set to boost the West ham attendance after a very slow start. Up until last week sales had been brisker at Upton Park with the Hammers selling 2,000 tickets fairly quickly, now more have been sent and with some being held back for sale on the day, it looks like it will be a fairly full away section with 3,000 away fans. Saints fans though have been slower to respond and its only been the last few days that have seen ticket sales start to pick up. The Club arre worried that it could be another last minute walk up creating mayhem at both the box office and turnstiles and are urging fans to try and get to St Mary's either well ahead of the game, when they can take advantage of the parking facilities, or failing that as early as possible on the night. Even accounting for this late rush though its going to be a far lower attendance than for any other Ted Bates Trophy game with a gate expected of maybe 12-13000.#
Tickets are on sale now at £15 for adults, £10 for seniors/teens and £5 for kids, as well publicised if you purchase a ticket for the visit of the Hammers you can get your Stoke ticket half price.
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Lazio want the favour returned with Ljungberg By Wes Evans - fansonlline.net
Posted on Wednesday 30 Jul 2008 15:35:00
'Ciao, bella!'
That's Italian, and exactly the language the model, injury table frequenter and occasional footballer Freddie Ljungberg could be using for the forthcoming season.
That's right, for the sprightly sum of just €4 million or £3.1 million, depending on where you are (Europe or England...that's right, we still hold on to the pound like a kid with an ice lolly that melted long ago. But we still keep hold of it cos it's OUR LOLLY!) Ljungberg could be off to Lazio after they sold Valon Behrami to the Hammers.
According to Italian fish and chip paper holder La Repubblica, Lazio (a side which plays football in Rome, but ISN'T CALLED Rome...Roma are. Think Everton and Liverpool if you're having issues) want Ljungberg in a bid to 'stabilise their midfield'.
Captain of the ship
It seems they've seen his massive wages, and the fact he was half-good at Arsenal and decided he's the one that can steady the ship from the stands whenever he gets another hamstring injury from a tooth problem.
It may seem like a paltry sum, and would be if he has a cracking season over there, but his wages, and the getting rid of, would certainly please the West Ham board.
Now, if only I can get them to buy my car...only done 140,000, but it used to be a real performer. Costs a lot in upkeep though, and needs frequent repairs. Yours for £3 million.
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