Carlton Cole is determined to build on his progress last season with more
goals for West Ham United
28.08.2008
Carlton Cole has spoken out to assure fans of his happiness at West Ham
United and pledged that the "best is yet to come".
The 24-year-old striker is "chuffed" to be in talks with CEO Scott Duxbury
over a new deal. "I don't want the fans to think that I want to leave. I am
happy at West Ham. I have just had a baby and I don't want to go anywhere. I
am really settled in my life and only want to work hard and do well for West
Ham. I am just looking forward to a bright future and when the time is right
the deal will be done.
"All I am thinking about is pushing on this season and scoring more goals.
That is my main objective. I am happy with my current situation and
hopefully I can carry on playing games and doing my best for West Ham. When
I play, I am happy. Every time I play for West Ham I try and give 100 per
cent and hopefully I can stay fit and be available for selection every game
like I was last season."
While Cole was rightly lauded for his all-round play and high number of
assists in the 2007/08 campaign, he is not content to simply rest on his
laurels. "I want to repeat last season but add more goals. The fans have not
seen the best of me yet. I had my first proper run of games last season and
I was happy with my tally of appearances. My hold-up play is I think quite
good but I want to show there is more to my game."
Alan Curbishley could go into Saturday's fixture with Blackburn Rovers with
a full complement of strikers including Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy, and
Cole believes that competition for places can only be good for the club.
"Hopefully we can be a potent strikeforce together, whatever combination the
manager goes for. As long as it is all good for the team, the main thing is
winning games. Even if we are coming off the bench, we have got to all pull
in the same direction and help each other."
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All the odds for Blackburn - WHUFC
Ahead of the visit of Blackburn Rovers, check out the offers from official
online sports betting partner Jaxx.
29.08.2008
West Ham United will look to continue their great Barclays Premier League
record against Blackburn Rovers when former Paul Ince brings his side to the
Boleyn Ground.
The Hammers have won nine and drawn one of the last ten meetings with Rovers
at the Boleyn Ground. Alan Curbishley's side started their Barclays Premier
League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic, and the home
faithful also saw the Hammers produce a 4-1 home victory over a gritty
Macclesfield Town side here in the Carling Cup on Wednesday. Still, a win is
a win, and the third round awaits.
London-based online bookmaker JAXX reckon West Ham United should be able to
fashion another victory over Rovers, offering odds of 7/5 that they win.
Rovers, who have made a fine start, having beaten Everton at Goodison Park
before being held to a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Hull City last Saturday,
are available at 2/1 to maintain their unbeaten start. The draw is available
at 11/5.
Games between West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers usually produce goals.
Indeed, eight of the last ten league meetings (and 16 of the last 22) have
seen three or more goals scored in total. Check out the JAXX Over/Under
market - they are offering odds of 3/4 that there will be under 2.5 goals
scored in total and it is 17/20 that there will be more than 2.5 goals in
the game.
Incidentally, it is 3/10 that the Hammers score - as they have done in all
eleven Premier League meetings with Rovers - and it is 9/4 that they don't.
Nine of the last ten meetings have seen both sides score and it is 17/20
that they both find the net. It is the same price that they do not.
Check out the Correct Score market. Three of the last four games between the
two have resulted in 2-1 victories for the Hammers and it is a 7/1 shot that
the score will be the same again. You can also bet on which half will
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an equal amount of goals in each half, 41/20 is available.
JAXX offer a wide range of exclusive season-long specials for fans. For
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And that's not all - register with JAXX, place your first bet and you will
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Anti-racism drive backed - WHUFC
The club is proud to restate its firm commitment to the Kick It Out campaign
across football
29.08.2008
West Ham United would like to make all supporters aware that the club
condemns racism in any form - either on or off the pitch.
Should you witness any acts of racial abuse or behaviour likely to cause
offence, please report it to the nearest steward or alternatively you can
text our dedicated anti-racism number on 07969 042837 giving details of the
location of the offenders. If you are the target for racial abuse or hear or
see someone making racist comments or gestures at a football match, you
should immediately report it to your nearest steward or police officer.
Racist abuse at football matches is against the law so the police and
stewards can take action. Anyone found guilty of racist behaviour at the
match can be ejected from the ground, arrested or even have their season
ticket taken off them for life. Racism is the belief that because people are
a different colour or from another country or part of the world, they are
inferior but racist behaviour also includes threatening, abusing or
insulting a person because of their colour, race, nationality or creed.
West Ham United has long been working hard to eradicate racism at the Boleyn
Ground and in February 2008 these efforts were recognised when it was
awarded the Preliminary Level of the Racial Equality Standard for
professional football clubs. The RES sets out a number of measures in a
framework document to encourage and support the development or racial
equality practices at professional clubs.
The Standard, developed by the Kick It Out campaign and backed by football's
governing bodies, formalises a club's commitment towards ensuring that
spectators, players, management and staff are able to work within an
environment that is free of discrimination and encourages community
accessibility.
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Toshack unsure over Hammers duo - BBC
Wales manager John Toshack hopes to have Craig Bellamy for the forthcoming
World Cup qualifiers, but expects to miss West Ham team-mate James Collins.
Toshack is hopeful that his captain Bellamy will be over a hamstring injury
to play up front for the Hammers against Blackburn on Saturday.
But centre-back Collins is making a tentative return from a serious knee
injury after eight months out. He is expected to miss the Azerbaijan and
Russia games (6 & 10 September). Toshack does not expect striker Freddie
Eastwood to recover from his groin strain in time to play for Coventry this
weekend, but hopes to have him available next week. Midfielder Jason Koumas
is another worry, having limped off in Wigan's game last weekend. "It's a
waiting game this weekend," said Toshack. "I've spoken to Craig, he's a lot
better and back in full training. "You know him, if there's any possibility
of his being involved he'll be there."
Wales open their 2010 World Cup campaign against Azerbaijan in Cardiff a
week Saturday before his team travel to face Russia in Moscow four days
later.
Injury-prone Bellamy has not played a full 90 minutes of competitive
football since scoring in West Ham United's 3-1 victory against Sunderland
at Upton Park on 21 October last year. The West Ham forward has suffered
with abdominal and groin problems in the last year but Bellamy is currently
recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in a pre-season friendly win
at Ipswich Town. The 29-year-old had been in excellent pre-season
goal-scoring form for West Ham before his latest injury blow on 4 August.
Key defender Collins was expected to be out for 12 months when he suffered
serious knee ligament damage in a reserve game in January. But the
25-year-old played 45 minutes in a specially-arranged friendly against
Queen's Park Rangers last week and is expected to play in another
behind-closed-doors match this week as Collins continues his rehabilitation.
However, the former Cardiff City defender is not expected for a first-team
return for another fortnight. West Ham manager Alan Curbishley earlier this
week warned Toshack that he would not countenance his Wales stars being
rushed into action. "I don't know what's happened there with the selection
of these two players, I think they are going to be best served remaining
with us," said Curbishley. "James Collins has been out for nigh-on six
months and is nowhere near available."
The Hammers boss has since back-tracked on Bellamy, saying that it was a
question of Wales being "sensible" with the striker. Toshack, who is already
without Collins' club and country team-mate Danny Gabbidon, has recalled Rob
Earnshaw as a potential stand-in for Bellamy and Eastwood, and the
Nottingham Forest striker scored against Sunderland in midweek.
Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams has also been brought in as possible
cover for Collins.
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Cole: I stay - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has revealed that he is in talks with West Ham regarding a new
contract. 24-year-old Cole joined United in the summer of 2006 and has just
under two years remaining on his current contract. Talking via the club's
website tonight he said that he was looking forward to extending his stay in
East London, contrary to newspaper reports this morning that claimed the
former Chelsea trainee was unhappy at the club. Talking to whufc.com tonight
- in an article no doubt designed as a 'hands off' to the vultures currently
circling over the Boleyn Ground - he said: "I don't want the fans to think
that I want to leave. I am happy at West Ham. I have just had a baby and I
don't want to go anywhere. "I am really settled in my life and only want to
work hard and do well for West Ham. I am just looking forward to a bright
future and when the time is right the deal will be done. "All I am thinking
about is pushing on this season and scoring more goals. That is my main
objective. The fans have not seen the best of me yet. My hold-up play is, I
think, quite good but I want to show there is more to my game."
Ominously perhaps for Cole the club failed to quash speculation regarding
his possible sale when stories arose in the press this morning - in contrast
to the Craig Bellamy rumours that emerged earlier in the week which resulted
in a swift rebuttal by United CEO Scott Duxbury. Talking on Tuesday morning,
Duxbury said: "We are not interested in selling players who are committed to
the club and essential to our first-team squad. "If a player refuses to sign
a new contract or is not crucial to the manager's plans then we will look at
offers on a case by case basis. It is the only sensible way to build for the
future."
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Upson ignores off-field antics - SSN
Defender desperate for behind the scenes uncertainty to disappear
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 28th August 2008
Matthew Upson insists West Ham's squad are focused on facing Blackburn this
weekend - but they are desperate for any uncertainty behind the scenes at
Upton Park to disappear. Anton Ferdinand's departure to Sunderland raised
questions following Alan Curbishley's insistence the defender was part of
his plans the week before, then the Hammers boss was jeered by his own fans
during the Carling Cup win over Macclesfield. Curbishley has vowed to fight
on and he also insists no more players will be sold before the transfer
deadline - and Upson is determined for the club to be in the headlines for
positive reasons. "I think once things settle down behind the scenes and
stabilises then I think the players will be pleased," said the defender.
"But we're here to do a job and all hat stuff is not really any of our
business to be honest, it's happening at the club we play for but it's not a
lot to do with us and we just have to focus on what we're doing."
Ferdinand was thought to have cost Sunderland around £8million, representing
good value for the Hammers, who had recently offered him a fresh contract.
Technical director Gianluca Nani is still looking for players but Curbishley
also has James Collins and James Tomkins returning from injury and may not
sign a centre-back replacement for Ferdinand. "It's business and I don't
know where he was contractually and what the situation was," Upson added
after Ferdinand's departure. "There are a lot of other factors other than
what he's doing on a football pitch and what the manager needs." With West
Ham appearing to change their transfer policy from the heavy spending of a
year ago, Upson added: "It just shows that it's all very well having that
money but if it is not invested wisely and you get the benefits of what
you've done with that money then you can soon find yourself in trouble. "His
choice to sell Anton is a business decision and has nothing to do with
playing matters really."
Curbishley has been a target of the Upton Park boo-boys before and they
turned on him again after falling behind to League Two Macclesfield, before
winning 4-1 after extra-time. Upson added: "I wasn't surprised. I think the
fans had every right to be a little bit impatient. "They have every right to
be frustrated and if they're angry at the manager then that's just something
he needs to deal with."
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Cole fears he will be the latest to join the West Ham exit - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 12:20 AM on 29th August 2008
Carlton Cole is considering his future at West Ham amid fears he will be the
next of up to seven players to leave Upton Park. Cole, 24, was hoping to
tie-up a new long-term contract but talks have stalled and the striker
believes he may be another player earmarked for sale as the club continues
to streamline their budget following Anton Ferdinad's departure to
Sunderland. While boss Alan Curbishley has insisted no more players will
leave, his mood will not have been lightened by defender Matthew Upson's
reaction to fans who chanted 'You're getting sacked in the morning' at the
managerduring Wenesday's Carling Cup tie against Macclesfield. 'I wasn't
surprised,' said Upson. 'I think the fans had every right to be a little bit
impatient. 'They have every right to be frustrated and if they're angry at
the manager, then that's just something he needs to deal with.' Cole was the
subject of a bid from Sunderland recently, while Hamburg have also shown
interest.
More ominously perhaps for West Ham is the pending verdict next month on
their legal battle with Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.
Sheffield chairman Kevin McCabe, who is claiming up to £50m in compensation
for the loss of their Premier League place two seasons ago, is confident of
winning a case that has the potential to pile even more pressure on Upton
Park's fragile finances.
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Matthew Upson backs fans putting West Ham manager Alan Curbishley in the
firing line - Telegraph
West Ham defender Matthew Upson believes the club's supporters were entitled
to vent their frustrations at manager Alan Curbishley during the Carling Cup
win against Macclesfield.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:36PM BST 28 Aug 2008
Worrying times: Alan Curbishley needs a victory at Upton Park against
Blackburn Photo: Getty Images
With his team trailing their League Two opponents for much of the match, the
atmosphere turned nasty as West Ham fans taunted their manager with chants
of, "You're going to get sacked in the morning" and "Alan, sort it out".
Upson, however, showed limited sympathy for Curbishley and also questioned
the club's recent transfer policy. "I wasn't surprised [by the crowd]," he
said. "I think the fans had every right to be a little bit impatient. They
have every right to be frustrated and if they're angry at the manager, then
that's just something he needs to deal with."
Of this week's sale of Anton Ferdinand, Upson said: "His choice to sell
Anton is a business decision and has nothing to do with playing matters,
really. There are a lot of factors other than what he's doing on a football
pitch and what the manager needs."
With West Ham having adjusted their transfer policy in an effort to scale
back on a wage bill that mushroomed under former chairman Eggert Magnusson,
Upson added: "It just shows that it's all very well having that money but,
if it is not invested wisely, you can soon find yourself in trouble. Once
things settle down behind the scenes and stabilise, I think the players will
be pleased."
West Ham eventually prevailed 4-1 after extra-time on Wednesday night but,
although Curbishley is not in any immediate danger of being sacked, his
relationship with the board has come under some strain over the past week.
Curbishley surprised board members by publicly suggesting that he did not
sanction the departure of Ferdinand when he was aware that a collective
decision had been made to sell the defender, after the 23-year-old turned
down a new contract offering about £35,000 a week.
West Ham now face Blackburn tomorrow at Upton Park in a match that has
assumed considerable importance for Curbishley, not least because the
supporters would be furious to see their team beaten by any club managed by
former player Paul Ince. Curbishley is the bookmakers' favourite to become
the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season, but the
directors are adamant they will not be swayed by short-term factors.
They recognise the steady progress since Curbishley became manager in
December 2006 and the club looked certain to be relegated, but there is also
an expectation that the team should now improve on last season's 10th place.
With the vast majority of players now available or returning from injury,
there is a belief that Curbishley at last has a squad capable of achieving
that target. There is also a feeling that the players are better prepared
this season following an independent review of their fitness in the summer
by experts from Roehampton University.
There have been changes in staff in the sports science and physiotherapy
departments while a new training ground is due to open next year. Curbishley
says he has the board's backing, with the club attempting to make two loan
signings before the transfer deadline.
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Bilic stands by as Curbishley fights for future at Upton Park
By Jason Burt
Friday, 29 August 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Alan Curbishley is under increasing pressure at West Ham United, with the
Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, understood to be interested in succeeding him
at Upton Park should he be sacked. No final decision has been taken on
whether to dispense with Curbishley, and he may yet salvage his career with
a string of positive results, but there is a growing sense of frustration
over what is perceived to be his negative attitude, given the apparent
strength of his squad.
Part of the reason for the growing scrutiny over Curbishley is a lack of
knowledge of the foreign transfer market. He has himself admitted to a
weakness in this area in the past, which helps to explain why West Ham have
employed the Italian Gianluca Nani as the club's technical director.
The squad should be enhanced further today with another Nani recruit as West
Ham hope to announce the signing of the powerful midfielder Stephen Appiah
from Fenerbahce for £5m, although they were last night dealing with late
interest from the Ghanaian's former club Juventus. Two more Nani signings
are expected before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday – a
striker and a defender – with the leading candidates including Henrik
Larsson and Pegguy Luyindula for the attacking role and Gaël Givet in
defence. The latter two would be season-long loans with an option to buy.
West Ham believe the arrivals would complete one of the most impressive
squads in the Premier League, including a strong spine to the team and
several experienced internationals, and would take the number of players
with first-team squad numbers to 35. That includes eight young players but,
with an accent on youth, all such as Freddie Sears and James Tomkins have
bright first-team futures. Despite that there is a hysteria now surrounding
the club and fans are chanting that they want Curbishley out while
bookmakers have made him the favourite to be the first Premier League
manager sacked. Those chants reached a crescendo on Wednesday evening during
the Carling Cup encounter with Macclesfield Town.
The League Two club were beaten only after being reduced to 10 men and the
tie going into extra time at Upton Park, which was barely a third full for
the fixture. After the match Curbishley was in defiant mood, declaring that
he had the full backing of the board and said he was "disappointed" over the
speculation surrounding his future.
Much of the hysteria has been blamed on Curbishley and his own behaviour –
not least the way he handled the £7m departure of Anton Ferdinand to
Sunderland, suggesting the sale was beyond his control. However, it appears
he accepted that losing the defender, who had turned down the offer of a
five-year contract, would not hurt the first team. Beyond that there is the
questioning of tactics, his coaching methods and, also, his demeanour. It
has been a difficult summer at West Ham which, given that they have
appointed Nani, and overhauled their infra-structure should not have been
the case. The medical department has been revamped to deal with the chronic
injury crisis at the club while plans for a new training ground are
progressing. Curbishley, who has one more season after this one on his
contract having succeeded Alan Pardew in 2006, would be eligible for a
pay-off of around £1m if he is sacked.
If West Ham were to lose against Blackburn Rovers at home tomorrow, and
produce another poor performance, then Curbishley's position could become
untenable even this early into the season. Curbishley will be relieved to
know that Craig Bellamy, who has been the subject of a rebuffed bid by
Manchester City, is fit and is expected to partner Dean Ashton in attack
which increases the chances of securing a victory. West Ham's next match
after tomorrow is away to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion and, at
present, Curbishley should be in charge for that game, although the
situation is now, according to sources, being reviewed on a match-by-match
basis.
West Ham have made no secret that, after the spending spree overseen by the
former chairman Eggert Magnusson, and wages he offered to players, they have
to be more fiscally aware. The owner and chairman, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson,
has demanded more financial accountability and a balancing of the books.
If Curbishley is sacked, Bilic would be the outstanding candidate to replace
him, although West Ham would undoubtedly consider other options as they
search for a more charismatic, dynamic manager. According to sources in
Croatia, the 39-year-old is closely following developments at West Ham and
would want to take the job if it was offered to him even though, before this
summer's European Championship, he signed a new two-year deal to coach his
country for the World Cup campaign.
There are, however, believed to be get-out clauses in his contract and the
compensation payable to the Croatian Football Association would be minimal
for the former defender, who became a cult hero at West Ham even though he
only made 48 appearances, in 1996-97, before joining Everton. Bilic
insisted, however, that he did not move before West Ham were safe from
relegation.
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Ince set for mixed reception at West Ham by Neil Johnston - Yahoo Sports
Thu Aug 28, 9:46 PM ET
LONDON (AFP) - Blackburn's Paul Ince admits his first trip back to West Ham
United as a manager is the game of the season for him.
Ince takes his side to Upton Park, where he launched his illustrious playing
career, on Saturday insisting it is a bigger occasion than facing Manchester
United or Liverpool - his other two former clubs.
But the former England midfielder, who was appointed Blackburn manager in
the summer after cutting his teeth managing Macclesfield and Milton Keynes
Dons in the lower leagues, can expect a mixed reception from West Ham fans
with long memories.
Ince made his name at the London club, but the manner of his
one-million-pound move to Manchester United in 1989 still rankles with some
West Ham supporters, and it could be a long 90 minutes for the 40-year-old
stood in the technical area in front of the main stand at the Boleyn Ground.
"I looked at the fixtures and noticed straight away that West Ham away was
the third game in," said Ince, whose playing career also saw him playin
Italy for two years for Inter Milan.
"The trip to Upton Park was the one that stood out to me for some reason, I
can't think why! Not long ago I was looking at the fixtures and thinking
about Darlington and Rochdale - no disrespect to them.
"Now here I am looking at when we are going to be playing against Manchester
United and Chelsea - and West Ham, of course."
West Ham fans still remember how Ince was pictured in a United shirt before
the deal was done 19 years ago, the photograph appearing in a national
newspaper. Ince received hateful abuse from West Ham United fans for many
years afterwards.
The initial move was postponed after he failed a medical, but was quickly
completed after he later received the all-clear.
Yet far from dreading the reception which awaits him on Saturday, Ince is
relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against his former club.
Ince's Premier League managerial career has certainly started brightly with
four points from the first two games, including an eye-catchng 3-2 win at
Everton on the opening day of the season.
In contrast, West Ham have endured a mixed start. Despite defeating Wigan
Athletic 2-1 in their first game, they were soundly beaten 3-0 at Manchester
City last weekend after being reduced to 10 men following the first half
dismissal of Mark Noble.
Manager Alan Curbishley has also seen defender Anton Ferdinand join top-tier
rivals Sunderland while West Ham were forced to issue a statement earlier in
the week concerning Craig Bellamy, a 7.5 million-pound signing last summer.
The Wales striker, who spent one season at Blackburn before moving to
Liverpool in June 2006, has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester
City, where Mark Hughes, his former international boss, is manager.
However, West Ham officials insist that Bellamy is staying at Upton Park.
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HAMMERS TALK: Potters line up £4m bid for Irons striker - Guardian Series
7:47am Friday 29th August 2008
WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole has emerged as a £4million target for Premier
League newboys Stoke City. Potters boss Tony Pulis is desperate to add more
firepower to his squad and believes he can tempt the 24-year-old into moving
to the Brittania Stadium. Despite being a key member of Alan Curbishley's
squad at Upton Park, Cole is believed to be unsettled after talks over a new
contract came to a halt. He was linked with a move to Sunderland earlier in
the season, and more recently emerged as a target for Italian outfit Chievo
Verona.
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West Ham crisis: Matthew Upon calls on players to save Alan Curbishley's job
- The Mirror
By Darren Lewis 29/08/2008
Carlton Cole has emerged as the latest West Ham star poised to quit the
club. The ex-Chelsea midfielder scored on Wednesday to save the club from an
embarrassing Carling Cup defeat to Macclesfield. But he is unhappy at not
getting a new deal and has told friends he is considering his future. The
exits of Anton Ferdinand, Freddie Ljungberg and Bobby Zamora coupled with
the refusal of the club to hand keeper Robert Green a new deal have caused
morale to plummet within the squad. Manchester City are believed to be
undeterred by West Ham's determination to hang on to striker Craig Bellamy,
while Dean Ashton has been linked with a move to Spurs. Cole, 24, has two
years left on his current contract and wanted to pen a new longterm deal
but, as with his pal Ferdinand, he is upset that talks have stalled. But
England defender Matthew Upson has called on hisWest Ham team-mates to save
Alan Curbishley's job. Defeat at home to Paul Ince's Blackburn Rovers
tomorrow will pile the pressure on the Upton Park boss with apparently
little or no confidence in him from the board. Despite Wednesday night's win
supporters calling for Curbishley's head during the match remain unhappy
with their manager. And Upson has called for the team to stay focused on the
job in hand. He said: "We're here to do a job and all that stuff is not
really any of our business to be honest.
"It's happening at the club we play for but it's not a lot to do with us and
we just have to focus on what we're doing. But I understand the fans'
frustration.
"They have every right to be frustrated and if they're angry at the manager
then that's just something he needs to deal with." Curbishley's No.2 and
close friend Mervyn Day also called on fans to stop panicking and get things
into perspective. He said: "I think it's a little bit early for the fans to
be against us. All this nonsense about Alan being under pressure, it's a bit
like a soap opera from Eastenders.
"People are saying we haven't had a great start but we've got three points
from two games which the majority of the Premier League has got. "I've read
somewhere that Saturday is a must-win game and all that sort of nonsense. "I
think at this stage of the season people are absolutely making a meal out of
something that is not even a snack. "We know we need to improve, we need to
improve in all facets of the game but that's what we are striving to do
anyway."
Day has also defended the club over the sale of Ferdinand. He went on: "We
had a situation where we were going into the last couple of years of his
contract. "He is a young lad and if you let his contract run out his value
goes down. "Or if he lets it run out totally, he is past 24 and that means
he goes out on a free transfer. "Also the club felt it was a decent offer
for someone in that kind of contractual situation. "Obviously from the
football side you want to keep all your best players. But sometimes they
have got to make proper business decisions."
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BILIC HOVERS AS SUPPORT FOR CURBS DWINDLES - Football365
Posted 29/08/08 08:26EmailPrintSave
The Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is emerging as a serious threat to Alan
Curbishley as the position of the West Ham manager becomes increasingly
precarious.
Subject to scathing criticism from the stands during the midweek Carling Cup
tie - which the Hammers only won in extra time after their opponents had a
player dismissed - against Macclesfield, Curbishley is understood to have
annoyed the club's board with his recent criticism of the club's transfer
dealings, while support from Hammers players for their beleaguered boss was
conspicuous by its absence yesterday.
Asked for his thoughts on the Upton Park faithful taunting Curbishley with
such chants as "You're getting sacked in the morning", defender Matthew
Upson replied: "I wasn't surprised."
"I think the fans had every right to be a little bit impatient. They have
every right to be frustrated and if they're angry at the manager, then
that's just something he needs to deal with," he continued.
Defeat on Saturday at home to Blackburn Rovers - now under the management of
East London hate figure Paul Ince - would surely make Curbishley's position
untenable.
According to The Independent, Bilic 'is closely following developments at
West Ham and would want to take the job if it was offered to him even
though, before this summer's European Championship, he signed a new two-year
deal to coach his country for the World Cup campaign.
'There are, however, believed to be get-out clauses in his contract and the
compensation payable to the Croatian Football Association would be minimal
for the former defender, who became a cult hero at West Ham even though he
only made 48 appearances, in 1996-97, before joining Everton. Bilic
insisted, however, that he did not move before West Ham were safe from
relegation.'
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Upson understands fans' anger - Setanta
by Robin Hackett, 29 August 2008
West Ham defender Matthew Upson believes the fans had 'every right' to voice
their frustrations at Alan Curbishley during the Carling Cup match against
Macclesfield at Upton Park. West Ham eventually managed to claim a 4-1 win
after extra time on Wednesday night, but the League Two side had been
leading from five minutes in before Lee Bowyer grabbed a 74th minute
equaliser. Amid growing discontent, fans made their feelings known and Upson
insists it is understandable that many fans are unhappy with Curbishley. "I
wasn't surprised," he told the Daily Telegraph. "I think the fans had every
right to be a little bit impatient. "They have every right to be frustrated
and if they're angry at the manager then that's just something he needs to
deal with."
Wes t Ham sold Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland this week and, with many of
Curbishley's high-profile signings having failed to impress, Upson believes
finances have not been handled as well as could be hoped. The Hammers spent
freely under former chairman Eggert Magnusson, but the club is now having to
cut back to balance the books. "His choice to sell Anton is a business
decision and has nothing to do with playing matters, really. "There are a
lot of factors other than what he's doing on a football pitch and what the
manager needs. "It just shows that it's all very well having money but, if
it is not invested wisely, you can soon find yourself in trouble. "Once
things settle down behind the scenes and stabilise, I think the players will
be pleased."
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Day defends Hammers decision to sell Ferdinand - Guardian Series
9:31am Friday 29th August 2008
WEST HAM assistant boss Mervyn Day has defended the club's decision to sell
Anton Ferdinand. The 23-year-old defender moved to Sunderland in an
£8million deal this week, but that was swiftly followed by reports the board
had underminded boss Alan Curbishley who reportedly wanted to keep the
player. However, Day insists it was best for all parties for the former
England under-21 star to move on. "We had a situation where we were going
into the last couple of years of his contract," Day told The Mirror. "He is
a young lad and if you let his contract run out his value goes down. "Or if
he lets it run out totally, he is past 24 and that means he goes out on a
free transfer. "Also the club felt it was a decent offer for someone in that
kind of contractual situation. "Obviously from the football side you want to
keep all your best players. But sometimes they have got to make proper
business decisions."
Day has also thrown his support behind Curbishley amid a presumed crisis
growing at the east London club. Alongside reports he is being underminded
by the board following Ferdinand's exit and murmurs of player unrest in the
dressing room, the Irons chief has also had to contend with fury from
supporters following what they perceive as a lacklustre start to the season.
That culminated in chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" directed
at the 50-year-old during Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash with
Macclesfield at Upton Park, when the Hammers took extra time to see off the
lowly League Two outfit. And defeat at home to Paul Ince's Blackburn Rovers
on Saturday would turn the heat up on Curbishley even further. However Day,
while conceding the team does need to improve, has called on fans to get
things into perspective. "I think it's a little bit early for the fans to be
against us," he added. "All this nonsense about Alan being under pressure,
it's a bit like a soap opera from Eastenders. "People are saying we haven't
had a great start but we've got three points from two games which the
majority of the Premier League has got. "I've read somewhere that Saturday
is a must-win game and all that sort of nonsense. "I think at this stage of
the season people are absolutely making a meal out of something that is not
even a snack. "We know we need to improve, we need to improve in all facets
of the game but that's what we are striving to do anyway."
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West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green: It's clear that my face just doesn't fit
with England - Daily Mail
By Graham Willgoss
Last updated at 12:24 AM on 29th August 2008
Sport Magazine talks to West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green about his
hopes of making the England number one jersey his own this season...
You were in great form for West Ham last season but largely overlooked for
England. Why do you think that is?
'I think it's got to the point now that it's clear that my face just
doesn't fit with England. You look at the guys who've been involved, and
they've been part of the set up for a long time. 'Obviously Jamo's Jamo
(David James). But other than England youth teams, I've never really been
part of it. Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland have played a lot of Under-21
football and have come up through the ranks – they've always been involved.
I never really have.'
What do you think it would take to force your way into Mr Capello's plans?
'To not concede a goal until Christmas would be a start, but it's just one
of those things, not being picked. 'I can honestly say it's not something
I'm looking towards this season. Don't get me wrong – I'd love it to happen.
But to play for West Ham and for the first time in my career to play for a
team that wasn't fighting relegation is enough of a motivation.'
Do you agree that your form last season warranted a call up?
That's not for me to say really. But I think if you'd have said to me, 'How
well would you like to play last season?' and I'd have played as well as I
did and it still wasn't enough to get me in the squad, then so be it.'
Is the fact you're at West Ham, and not one of the supposedly bigger clubs,
an issue?
'I don't know if that's the case. It's not like they don't know who I am and
don't know what I can and can't do. It's just that some people rate me and
some people don't. But I suppose that's just football.'
Hypothetical question, of course, but would you have fared better between
the sticks than Scott Carson in that fateful Croatia game?
'I'd like to be able to say yes, but I wasn't even in the squad for that
game. But for Scott to be in that situation was a travesty for him. 'It was
the craziest decision you'll see, to stick with Robbo (Paul Robinson)
through all that time when he's struggling, and then the last game go to
Scott when you've got David James – one of the most experienced 'keepers you
could ever want – right there. 'I'm not saying Scott's not good enough, but
to stick him in for that game was absolutely crazy.'
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Pandiani. For the love of God no... By Jon Davis - West Ham Fans
Posted on Thursday 28 Aug 2008 22:24:00
Walter Pandiani. Give me strength. Surely West Ham aren't going to descend
to sign this has-been currently being hawked around by his agent. The
32-year-old is no longer wanted at Spanish 'giants' Osasuana. Just the sort
to get spirits soaring at Upton Park again. Not. "We are in talks with
several English clubs," his agent Eugenio Botas said. Yeovil may be?
Macclesfield need a decent striker at Div Four level. "A decision could be
taken at the weekend or next Monday. We are going to wait and see." For the
love of God let it not be us. 5-0. Say no more.
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