At leat four of the club's matches in the first part of the season will be
shown exclusively live on Sky Sports
15.08.2008
West Ham United can look forward to more live Barclays Premier League games
on Sky Sports than anywhere else in 2008/09. That's 92 games exclusively
live, including some high-profile fixtures involving Alan Curbishley's men.
The first four fixtures to be televised live are:
Manchester City v West Ham United, Sunday 24 August
West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers, Sunday 5 October
West Ham United v Arsenal, Sunday 26 October
Sunderland v West Ham United, Sunday 23 November
Plus, Sky Sports will also show delayed coverage of another 242 games with
Sky digital viewers able to choose highlights from a range of games on
Football First: Match Choice. Sky Sports live football line-up also includes
a choice of more than 100 live UEFA Champions League games and 70 live
matches from the Coca-Cola Football League plus the end-of-season play-offs
and all three play-off finals.
The start of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season heralds the
beginning of an epic year of major contests live on Sky Sports including:
UEFA Champions League - September 2008 - May 2009
The Ryder Cup - September 2008
The British & Irish Lions - May - July 2009
The Ashes Series - July - September 2009
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
All the odds for Wigan - WHUFC
Ahead of the new season start, here is what on offer from JAXX, our official
online sports betting partner...
15.08.2008
It has finally arrived. The new season is upon us and West Ham United face
an intriguing opening-day fixture. The north-west side have a decent recent
record at the Boleyn Ground, having won twice and drawn the other of their
three Barclays Premier League meetings since both teams arrived in the top
flight in 2005. Hopes are high that Alan Curbishley's men will get off to a
flying start and JAXX reckon that's the case, offering 9/10 that the Hammers
will beat Wigan. The Latics are available at 33/10, with the draw at 23/10.
Games between these two are often tight affairs. Each of their last three
Barclays Premier League meetings at the Boleyn Ground have produced less
than three goals in total, and four of our last six league meetings home and
away have yielded less than three goals, so that might be worth remembering
since you can bet under or over 2.5 goals in each game with JAXX. It is
17/20 that there will be more than 2.5 goals scored in total, and 3/4 that
there will be fewer than 2.5 goals
.
West Ham United are 17/100 to score a goal or more on Saturday and 29/10 not
to score. Wigan Athletic are 9/20 to find the net at the Boleyn Ground and
are considered 27/20 not to notch.
JAXX also offer Handicap betting. If you think the Hammers will beat Wigan
by two clear goals or more, back them with a goal start at 49/20 - a
successful bet of £20 will return £69. Wigan are 13/20 getting a goal start
(meaning if they win or draw, your bet will be successful) and the draw on
the Handicap market (a home victory by a one-goal margin) is available at
49/20.
Perhaps more inviting is 7/10 for West Ham United to be the first team to
score, meaning a successful £20 bet will return £34. Alan Curbishley's side
are 1/2 with JAXX to be the last team to score. You can also bet on which
half will produce most goals. The first half is 39/20, the second half is
1/1 (evens) or for an equal amount of goals in each half, 41/20 is
available.
JAXX are once again proud to be the official betting partner of West Ham
United and the London-based on-line bookmaker offer a wide range of
exclusive Season-long Specials for Hammers fans. For example, JAXX are
offering a market 'Without The Big Four', West Ham United could be big value
at 20/1.
It was great to see Dean Ashton get a run-out for England in the summer. He
fully deserves to get a chance to prove what most of us already know - he's
England's No1 striker. Deano is 40/1 to be the Premier League's top marksman
this season. Hopefully he will give 7/2 favourite Fernando Torres a run for
his money.
JAXX wish the team well for Saturday and the rest of the season, and hope
that the 9/10 to beat Wigan will be rewading odds. Register with JAXX, place
your first bet and you will get a free matching bet to the value of your own
stake, up to £25. For example, if your first bet is £25, it will be doubled
and you will get another £25 to bet absolutely free. Your free bet will be
credited to your account within 48 hours of placing your first bet.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Wigan - BBC
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 16 August Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of
the Day
West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand is a doubt with a hamstring problem. Craig
Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Spector, James Collins, George McCartney,
Danny Gabbidon and James Tompkins are already out injured.
Chris Kirkland (back) and Emile Heskey (groin) have both been passed fit to
play for Wigan, while Jason Koumas (knee) is also expected to be fit. But
Paul Scharner (ankle) and Ryan Taylor (shin) are unavailable and Erik Edman
(knee) is a long-term absentee.
West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Neill, Ferdinand, Davenport, Etherington,
Reid, Faubert, Parker, Noble, Behrami, Boa Morte, Ashton, Mullins, Cole,
Sears, Collison, Hines.
Wigan (from): Kirkland, Nash, Pollitt; Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Melchiot,
Montrose, Scharner; Brown, Cattermole, De Ridder, Kapo, Kilbane, Koumas,
Palacios, Taylor, Valencia; Camara, Heskey, Sibierski, Zaki.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
West Ham are setting off on their fourth consecutive Premier League campaign
since their return to the big time in 2005.
Wigan, the most junior club in the Premier League, are mixing it once again
with the elite for the fourth season in a row since their arrival in 2005.
Alan Curbishley is sending out a Hammers side for the 60th time in this
league; Steve Bruce is starting his first full season as manager of the
Latics, with his 25th Premier League game in charge.
Wigan have not lost at Upton Park since their very first league match there,
when they were hammered 4-0 at second league level on 29 November 2003.
Distance between clubs: 222.2 miles (358 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
2007-08 Premier League performance
Last season's finishing position: 10th
1. This is their 14th Premier League campaign.
2. Last season's was the sixth top-half finish out of their nine Premier
League seasons since 1997-98.
3. Average Premier League finish: 11th (11.31)
4. Kicking off at home for the fourth year running - in fact every year
since their return to the top division.
5. Won two of the three opening-day fixtures since promotion. The one defeat
was 12 month's ago, a 0-2 home loss to Manchester City on Sven-Goran
Eriksson's managerial debut for the visitors.
6. The next goal conceded will be their 700th shipped in Premier League
history.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Club stats
Fixtures
2007-08 Premier League performance
Last season's finishing position: 14th
1. Embarking on their 31st season as a league club.
2. Average Premier League finish: 14th (13.67)
3. Lost all three of their previous opening day fixtures in this league;
home to Chelsea, and away to Newcastle and Everton.
4. Picked up two victories from their first 16 league matches last term;
lost 11 of them.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Ins and Outs
Dean ASHTON was West Ham's top scorer with 11 goals.
ASHTON is also the Hammers' top Premier League marksmen with 10.
Robert GREEN was the only player to have been on the field for every minute
of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches last season.
GREEN was one of four goalkeepers to bear that distinction for their Premier
League club; the others being Brad FRIEDEL (Blackburn), Jose REINA
(Liverpool) and Marcus HAHNEMANN (Reading)
George McCARTNEY was the only other player to have made 38 Premier League
appearances for West Ham last term.
Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds,
Newcastle and West Ham).
If selected:-
Hayden MULLINS will be making his 100th career Premier League appearance -
all for West Ham.
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).
Matthew ETHERINGTON will be playing two days after his 27th birthday.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Ins and Outs
Marcus BENT, now a Birmingham player, was Wigan's leading scorer last season
with seven Premier League goals.
Defender Paul SCHARNER made the most appearances for the Latics last term;
39 (all competitions).
Goalkeeper Chris KIRKLAND and SCHARNER played in all but one of their
Premier League matches.
Emile HESKEY is a double shy of 100 career Premier League goals (Leicester,
Liverpool, Birmingham and Wigan).
If selected:-
Ryan TAYLOR will be playing three days before turning 24.
HEAD TO HEAD
West Ham have gained one point and scored one goal in their three home
Premier League meetings with Wigan.
There has never been a goalless draw between these clubs.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 4 wins, Wigan 4, Draws 2
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Wigan 3, Draws 1
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 1 win, Wigan 3, Draws 1
Prem: West Ham 0 wins, Wigan 2, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 1-1 Wigan Athletic
25 August 2007 - Ref: Andre Marriner
West Ham scorer: Bowyer 81
Wigan scorer: Scharner 78
REFEREE
Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)
Premier League referees' table
Steve Bennett's 2007-08 Premier League card count
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd v Wigan Athletic - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th August 2008
By: Preview Percy
With our normal preview correspondent currently unavailable we asked
"Preview Percy" to jot a few lines about Saturday's season-opener at the
Boleyn……
So an enjoyable Euro 08 is history and all those matches that the papers
like to refer to as "traditional curtain raisers" are safely out of the way
and it's time for the real thing. It's fair to say that there is a large
element of gloom, doom and despondency amongst our support at present.
Following a season, in which the plus points of a 10th place finish were
largely ignored as a result of the less than inspiring manner in which that
result was achieved, any cause for optimism rested on getting last season's
injury absentees fit and running for the new term.
At one stage the official site was optimistic that Alan Curbishley would
just about have a full squad to select from. Fate duly tempted, the injuries
started to mount up. The likes of McCartney and Ferdinand have been largely
absent pre-season, Etherington and Ashton were in and out of the friendly
side and the luckless Dyer's return now seems as far away as ever. Also, and
possibly crucially, after a promising pre-season, Craig Bellamy's hamstring
went. Add to that a failure to make any significant additions to the squad
(Behrami apart), the Ljungberg fiasco, disciplinary problems with backroom
staff and the rise in ticket costs and the fans' current lack of enthusiasm
for the coming season is understandable – even if some have perhaps been
guilty of reading too much into pre-season results.
So to the weekend. As with last season, selection in certain areas will
largely be a matter of availability. In defence, during pre-season Davenport
has been given his longest run-out in claret and blue since the promotion
season, largely due to the absence of Ferdinand, Gabbidon and Collins, and
he will probably line alongside Upson in the middle. Much of the starting XI
will depend on whether McCartney has recovered from injury and sickness.
Neill has failed to convince at left-back so far but with the "Thatcher
experiment" seemingly – and thankfully – going no further, if Linda is still
poorly expect to see the Aussie out left with Behrami filling in on the
right. This would leave us with a midfield of Parker and Noble in the centre
and Etherington and Faubert on the left and right respectively. On the other
hand, if McCartney is fit Faubert is likely to start on the bench as Neill
reverts to his more usual right-back spot and Behrami is pushed up to fill
the right-back berth.
Up front the lack of variety is something of a worry. In this writer's
opinion Bellamy is the key player to our playing the sort of crisp and
incisive football we like to see. Without that sort of player making the
sort of runs that sort of player makes we are left with a strike-force of
Cole and Ashton and a tendency to hit the ball long. Though playing Freddie
Sears instead of Cole or Ashton would restore some balance to the forward
line, the youngster is a long way from being the finished article and,
unless there is a sudden change of mind on the part of the boss I expect to
see Sears on the newly expanded bench this weekend.
Our opponents are currently below us in the league table by virtue of
alphabetical order. Their pre-season has been fairly humdrum, the best
result being a 6-0 win at Barnsley – though I did raise an eyebrow at their
result at Hannover when a typo suggested that they had conceded 962 goals.
The actual result was a 2-2 draw - the 96 actually being part of the German
club's full name. Their most recent run-out was a 2-0 win last weekend at
Dutch side Utrecht. Pre-season? Make of it what you will.
Wigan, it is fair to say, are not a club that one would normally associate
with attractive football. Last season the pitch at the (usually half-empty)
JJB stadium was poor by today's standards (though those of us old enough to
remember the Boleyn of old or the Baseball Ground will allow ourselves a wry
grin at the memory), and we were not the only club to leave with suspicions
that the home side had done little to improve matters as teams with a
passing game struggled to cope with a surface pitted with more divots than a
municipal golf course.
Chris Kirkland is expected to be between the sticks for the visitors though
there is an injury doubt at the time of writing. Expect Carlo Nash to step
in if Kirkland's back is still playing up. In front of the 'keeper, the
squad also has a couple of fitness problems. Austrian defender Paul
Scharner, often a danger in attack from set-pieces, has been struggling with
an ankle problem and has been rated as "doubtful" as I write. The likely
replacement will be the much-derided Titus Bramble, of whom Latics assistant
boss Eric Black recently said "he has shown without a doubt that he is a
Premier League centre-back," though the quote notably omitted to mention
which country Black had in mind. Fellow defender Ryan Taylor is also a
doubt. Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot is still about. If he plays,
expect an aerial barrage from long throws. On past experience, not all of
Melchiot's throws will actually be legal and keep an eye out for the lifted
back foot – the assistant referee is unlikely to. The defensive line-up has
recently been bolstered by the extension of the loan of Honduras
international Maynor Figuerola who impressed in his one and a half
appearances for Wigan.
In midfield the visitors have recently signed Lee Clattermole from Boro'
and, eventually, Olivier Kapo from Bruce's old club Birmingham City. The
Kapo deal was delayed as a "minor problem" believed to be connected with
unpaid disciplinary fines raised its head. The pick of the Wigan midfield
however is probably winger AntonioValencia who spent half the summer being
linked with big-money moves to the likes of Man Utd, Barcelona and
Liverpool. However it seems that he is likely to stay for one more season
(or at least until the January window) and if fit, selected, and on form he
is likely to prove a handful as long as Wigan ensure he sees plenty of the
ball.
Up front, Marlon King is out of favour and, by time you read this he is
likely to have completed a deal to spend the season on loan at Hull. Having
already spent part of his career at Gillingham, King seems intent on going
through the book of "Crap Towns" – either that or his agent really hates
him. Of those left in the squad we are most likely to see Emile Heskey
featuring alongside another recent loan addition Amr Zaki. Whilst Heskey is
a known, if nonetheless awkward, quantity, Zaki has eluded Premiership radar
up to now and the whisper from the JJB is that they are quite excited by the
signing of the Egyptian who has pitched in with a couple of pre-season
goals. Also in the squad is former Irons' loanee Henri Camera though, if the
comments attributed to Bruce to the effect that he didn't realise that
Camera was actually still a Wigan player when the Senegalese striker turned
up for training are to be believed, we shouldn't expect him to play too much
of a part in Saturday's proceedings.
Of course we couldn't let any mention of the visitors pass without reference
to "Honest Dave" Whelan whose hypocritical – and, frankly, often false –
comments on the Tevez affair did so much to entertain us a while ago. Given
his somewhat chequered reputation in just about every area of business in
which he has been involved, it seems that he may have finally grasped the
meaning of the phrase "people in glass houses" and, having abandoned
Sheffield United to the Championship, he has largely kept schtum in recent
months. Last year he elected to stay on holiday rather than watch Wigan's
August visit to the Boleyn and it'll be interesting to see if he has better
things to do this weekend.
In last season's corresponding match we scrambled a point at home despite
dominating for large periods of the game. This was in those heady opening
days of the season when the full injury crisis had yet to wreak its terrible
effect on the squad and, more cruicially, the type of game we were trying to
play. Although in Valencia (the player that is, not the Spanish city of the
same name!) Wigan have a player who can turn a match with his inventiveness,
the rest of their squad does not suggest we will be seeing a team who will
come to batter us with all out pace and skill. Instead, expect to see the
sort of thing we saw an awful lot of in the second tier a few years back as
the visitors "set out their stall" to "silence the home crowd." A good start
is crucial to our plans for the season and, if we try to play decent
football, three points should be there for the taking. My concern is that,
in the absence of Bellamy, we might resort to the sort of stuff we saw far
too much of last year as aimless long balls are pumped forward in the often
forlorn hope that Ashton or Cole might get on the end of something. If we
play that way this Saturday I fear that we will be merely playing into the
hands of our opponents. Cole's goal against Villareal was proof, however,
that it doesn't have to be that way – though it would have been more
heartening had we tried such a move more than once in the remaining 44
minutes of the half.
However, the first game of the season is not the time for doom and gloom. It
is the only time really when one can indulge in a spot of totally blind and
unthinking optimism so I'll plump for a 2-1 home win on this occasion
despite the depressive air about the place - and I'll throw in a win for
Essex in the cricket for free!
Enjoy the match!
Last season: 1-1
Danger Man: Antonio Valencia
Keep an eye out for: Wigan fans with megaphones (yes, really!), Honest Dave
Whelan
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fans tucked up - again - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 15th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed that Band A tickets will cost up to £25 for
the second round Carling Cup clash with League Two outfit Macclesfield.
Non-season ticket holders hoping to make a rare visit to the Boleyn Ground
and wishing to sit in the best seats will have to pay £25 to watch what is
likely to be a second-string Hammers side play opposition from three
divisions below when the two teams meet on August 27th. However the club
have at least granted cheap access to minors; under 16s wishing to attend
can sit anywhere in the ground for just £5.
The full price list is as follows:
Non-season ticket holders
Band 1 £25; Band 2 £25; Band 3 £20; Band 4 £15.
Season ticket holders
Band 1 £20; Band 2 £20; Band 3 £15; Band 4 £10.
Seniors/Youth Academy Members
Band 1 £10; Band 2 £8; Band 3 £7.50; Band 4 £5.
Juniors
All bands £5.
Meanwhile non-season ticket holding Maccesfield supporters, who have been
allocated 4,300 seats in the Lower Centenary will pay just £15 for their
tickets (£7.50 for seniors) whilst season ticket holders pay just £10 (£5
seniors).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Injury update - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 15th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
With the new Premier League kicking off tomorrow the Hammers are still
missing several key first team squad members. Despite hopes at the start of
pre-season that all players would be back in time for tomorrow's season
opener at the Boleyn Ground Alan Curbishley is still without up to ten
players.
Kieron Dyer, who barely featured last season following a £7.5million move
from Newcastle is likely to be out of action until October at the very
earliest after the club's new medical team advised the midfielder to delay
his comeback.
Craig Bellamy, who had been on fire at the beginning of pre-season is likely
to be out of action until the beginning of September with a hamstring,
sustained at Ipswich last week. The Welsh striker was in Greece earlier this
week attending a clinic specialising in such injuries.
Also hopefully back in September are James Collins (cruciate) and Nigel
Quashie (foot), who has been out of action now for 17 months. However the
return date of Danny Gabbidon, himself yet to kick a ball in 2008 remains
unknown as he attempts to recover from an abdominal injury.
Jonathan Spector's return date is still unknown, although an initial
diagnosis suggested he would be out until Christmas. The club are yet to
comment on the severity of the condition of young midfielder James Collison,
who tore medial knee ligaments earlier this week.
The club's only dedicated left-back, George McCartney will also miss
tomorrow's season-opener after being laid low with a virus. His return date
also remains unknown.
Meanwhile centre-halfs Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) and James Tomkins (knee
ligaments) are also definitely out; the latter possibly for some months.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan team news - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 15th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has confirmed that Lucas Neill will start at left-back in
tomorrow's season-opener against Wigan. Club captain Neill, who normally
features at right-back for United (and at centre-half for Australia) will
cover for the injured George McCartney, who has missed the entire pre-season
through injury. "Lucas has played a lot of his career at left back so it's
not a problem for him," said Curbishley. "He's been quite comfortable
[there] during pre-season."
Meanwhile Calum Davenport is set start alongside Matthew Upson at
centre-half due to injuries to Anton Ferdinand, James Tomkins, Jonathan
Spector, James Collins and Danny Gabbison. The former Coventry player
thought his career was over earlier in the year when breaking a bone in his
neck whilst on loan at Watford. However following an amazing recovery he is
set to feature against the Latics tomorrow. "Davenport was training near the
end of last season and carried on through the summer," added Curbishley.
"He's got a point to prove I think. "He came to us 18 months ago, took an
injury like a lot of them did and took a long time to recovery. He's had a
good pre-season but knows there's a lot of competition when everyone is fit.
He wants to grab it by the scruff of the neck and make the most of it."
Likely starting line-up: Green; Behrami, Neill, Davenport, Upson; Faubert,
Etherington, Parker, Noble; Ashton, Cole.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton backed for England call - SSN
Neill tips striker for regular call-ups
Last updated: 15th August 2008
Lucas Neill believes West Ham team-mate Dean Ashton can become an England
regular this season. Ashton broke his ankle during an England training
session in 2006 and only made his international debut against Trinidad &
Tobago in May. Neill has noticed an improvement in Ashton since he was
selected by Fabio Capello and is backing the striker to earn more call-ups
if he can stay fit. The Australian defender feels that Ashton has the
quality and determination to enjoy his best ever season for West Ham. "I
think getting into the England squad was a massive boost to Dean's
confidence. It's seen him go on to another level," said Neill. "He's got
that ability and looks so natural. I see good things for him this year -
regular England call-ups. "I think he senses there is a real chance for him
to get into the England team. He wants to reach 20 goals this year. "That's
another big thing for him because he spent so long on the sidelines."
West Ham just finished in the top half of the Premier League last season
despite a number of injuries to key players, and Neill insists the new
campaign will provide a better indication of the team's potential. He
explained: "Tenth was probably more than we deserved. But this season you
will probably see the West Ham everyone wanted to see last term. "Finishing
in the top six is achievable but we're going to focus on the top eight and
hope we're there or thereabouts. "The squad - on paper - can compete with
the teams around us trying to obtain fourth, fifth or sixth spot. "It's
important we get off to a good start and hope that momentum can carry us
through."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAMMERS PREVIEW - West Ham United v Wigan Athletic - Echo News
11:35am Friday 15th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
WEST Ham United go into Saturday's Premier League clash against Wigan
Athletic at Upton Park looking to bounce back from last season's opening day
nightmare. A year ago, the Irons were well beaten at home by Manchester
City, who paraded five new signings under manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
This is the fourth straight campaign that the East Enders have started out
at the Boleyn Grond The previous season, 2006/07, the Hammers beat Charlton
Athletic 3-1 at Upton Park, while in 2005/06 Blackburn Rovers were beaten by
the same scoreline.
HISTORY – West Ham United have never beaten Wigan Athletic in the Premier
League at Upton Park. In three previous visits, the Latics have recorded
two wins (2-0 in 2005/06 and 2006/07) and one draw (1-1 last season). Last
term, Paul Scharner gave Wigan a 78th minute lead, only for Lee Bowyer to
equalise for the Irons just three minutes later. West Ham's only league win
came in the Championship in 2003/04, when two goals from Marlon Harewood,
one from Kevin Horlock and a Jason Jarrett own goal gave the home side a 4-0
victory. The Irons also beat Wigan 1-0 in the FA Cup in 1983/84.
OVERALL RECORD: West Ham United 4 wins, Wigan Athletic 4 wins, 2 draws.
LINKS – No current West Ham United player has represented Wigan Athletic.
Wigan's Senegal international striker Henri Camara spent an unsuccessful
season on loan at Upton Park in 2007/08. The 31-year-old failed to score in
10 Premier League appearances – three of them starts – for the Hammers.
INJURIES/SUSPENSIONS – West Ham United will be without at least four first
team starters. Striker Craig Bellamy is out for at least another fortnight
with a hamstring strain, while defender Anton Ferdinand is very doubtful
with a bruised foot. Left-back George McCartney has been excused from
training this week as he is suffering from a virus, while Kieron Dyer is on
a special course of treatment to complete his recovery from a double leg
fracture suffered a year ago this month. Also out of action are centre-backs
James Collins and James Tomkins (both knee), Danny Gabbidon (stomach),
full-back Jon Spector (hip) and midfielders Nigel Quashie (foot) and Jack
Collison (knee).
For Wigan Athletic Austrian defender Paul Scharner (ankle) is out of
Saturday's game, while full-backs Ryan Taylor (shin) and Erik Edman (knee)
are also sidelined. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is a slight doubt with a back
injury, but should play, while Wales playmaker Jason Koumas (knee) is
expected to be fit. Emile Heskey has recovered from a groin injury.
TACTICS – Both West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley and his Wigan
Athletic counterpart Steve Bruce will employ a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
However, Curbishley's dream of pairing England striker Dean Ashton with a
speedy partner may have to wait until the second half, as Carlton Cole is
expected to be preferred to Freddie Sears up front.
Behind them, Mark Noble is set start alongside Scott Parker, with the more
defensive-minded Hayden Mullins among the substitutes. Noble and Parker will
be expected to harry and hassle a similar-looking Wigan midfield of Wilson
Palacios and Lee Cattermole. Expect plenty of strong tackling and a lack of
subtle creativity from this quartet.
Instead, the flair will come from the wings on both sides. Wigan's
Ecuadorean Antonio Valencia is one of the Premier League's most exciting
talents and has been coveted by Manchester United in recent months. For West
Ham, Julien "Le TGV" Faubert is up to full speed and will look to link with
right-back Valon Behrami – the £5million summer signing from Lazio. On the
Hammers' left, Matty Etherington will look to use his pace to beat Mario
Melchiot to the by-line and whip in a number of dangerous crosses for Ashton
and Cole. However, Etherington may lack support going forward as fill-in
left-back Lucas Neill has no left foot and will seldom overlap.
West Ham's outfield contingent will be completed by centre-backs Matthew
Upson and Calum Davenport, who is playing his first competitive game for the
club since the dramatic 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on March 4, 2007.
Upson and Davenport will face a mixture of power and pace in Wigan's front
pairing of England battering ram Emile Heskey and Egyptian forward Amr Zaki,
who has won plaudits for his exciting goal-scoring displays in pre-season.
Wigan's team will be rounded out by powerful centre-backs Emmerson Boyce and
Titus Bramble and quicksilver Honduran left-back Maynor Figueroa.
Meanwhile left midfielder Kevin Kilbane, the Irishman, scored the winner in
Wigan's 1-0 win over the Hammers at the JJB Stadium in February.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS - West Ham United: Green, Behrami, Neill, Davenport,
Upson, Faubert, Etherington, Parker, Noble, Ashton, Cole.
Subs: Lastuvka, Widdowson, Eyjolfsson, Ferdinand, Bowyer, Mullins, Boa
Morte, Reid, Sears, Hines.
Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Melchiot, Figueroa, Boyce, Bramble, Valencia,
Kilbane, Palacios, Cattermole, Zaki, Heskey.
Subs: Pollitt, Montrose, Brown, Sibierski, Kapo, De Ridder, Koumas, Camara.
REFEREE - Steve Bennett (Kent) – Bennett dished out 143 yellow cards and
sent-off nine players in 45 matches last season.
The Orpington official took control of West Ham matches last season – the
3-0 home win over Middlesbrough last September and the 4-0 defeat at
Liverpool in March.
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Under pressure Curbs knows good start is vital to keep job - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:45 AM on 15th August 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is the bookies' favourite for the sack and
knows the critics are out to get him before a ball has even been kicked this
season. He has been in charge at Upton Park for 18 months and after just
saving them relegation in his first term, steered them to 10th place last
time.
Curbishley said: 'I used to sit around at Charlton and observe the vultures
hovering above a manager from afar. They don't go away until the right
results come along. 'I look at the first eight games because by the time
you've got through those you can see where you are. 'If you've had a poor
start you're playing catch-up but if it's gone well you can afford a couple
of bad results and still stay where you are. The first eight games set the
tone. I'd like to think we'll do better than last year. We'll be looking at
Europe.' Defender Anton Ferdinand, who is likely to miss tomorrow's game
with Wigan due to a hamstring injury, has rejected a new deal. Curbishley
said: 'He's entitled to do that. He has two years left on his current
contract.'
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Curbishley: I understand the criticism - Setanta
by Robin Hackett, 15 August 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has admitted he understands the criticism of
his team and has vowed to learn from his mistakes. The former Charlton
manager steered The Hammers to mid-table safety last season after having
kept them up the season before, but lacklustre performances have led to many
bookies installing Curbishley as the favourite in the managerial sack race.
But, while he admits he is not used to that kind of pressure, he is
confident he can turn things around. "I guess you could say I've had an easy
road until now," he told the Waltham Forest Guardian. "The vultures have
never circled over me before, but I'll deal with it. "I understand the
criticism – I don't close my eyes to it – but I don't have to accept all of
it as well. "Some of it is true and I take that on board and I try to
change." Many of Curbishley's high-profile signings – including the likes of
Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Freddie Ljungberg and Julien Faubert – suffered
major injury problems last season, and he says that left him unable to
change things around when times were hard. However, he also accepts the
fans' demands for quality football and believes the team can play with more
style this time around. "I accept that there is a responsibility. I know
there are certain traditions at West Ham and I've been brought up on that.
"People have to understand that we were patched up a lot of times last
season and quite often the team picked itself, given the injuries we had,
but I accept the criticism. "We didn't shut ourselves off to that and we're
trying to do better. We want to win games and we want to play better."
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Boss reveals no Hammers bid for Shorey
10:31, August 15, 2008 - ESS
Reading boss Steve Coppell claims that Aston Villa were the only side to
make an offer for Nicky Shorey despite West Ham's interest.
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DEAN CAN CAP IT ALL - The Mirror
15/08/2008
Alan Curbishley has urged Dean Ashton to "grab" England's No.9 shirt. The
West Ham striker, 24, has suffered two injuryplagued seasons since his
£7.5million Norwich switch. But after making his international debut in
Trinidad in June, the Hammers boss reckons Ashton is now ready to stake his
claim in Fabio Capello's Three Lions side. Curbs said: "It is all in front
of him. Capello spoke to Dean over the summer. "He is working hard and you
will see a difference. "I am looking for him to lead the line and get the
goals which come with that. "At his age and the position he is in everything
is up for grabs, and that includes the England start."
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Selection poser for Bruce - Echo News
15/08/2008 - 10:06:31 AM
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has a few injury concerns heading into the Latics'
season opener at West Ham. Chris Kirkland (back) and Emile Heskey (groin)
have both been passed fit after picking up problems in pre-season, while
Jason Koumas (knee) is also expected to be fit. But Paul Scharner (ankle)
and Ryan Taylor (shin) remain doubtful, with Erik Edman (knee ligament)
still recovering from a long-term injury and Marlon King unavailable after
joining Hull on a season-long loan.
Squad: Kirkland, Nash, Pollitt; Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Melchiot,
Montrose, Scharner; Brown, Cattermole, De Ridder, Kapo, Kilbane, Koumas,
Palacios, Taylor, Valencia; Camara, Heskey, Sibierski, Zaki.
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Premier League preview No19: West Ham United
Boasting a squad of talented but injury-prone and capricious attacking
players, the only thing predictable about the Hammers is their
unpredictability
Barney Ronay guardian.co.uk,
Friday August 15 2008 08:15 BST
guardian.co.uk writers' prediction: 16th Odds: 750-1
Alan Curbishley is currently the bookies' favourite to be the first Premier
League manager to lose his job this season. This is perhaps surprising.
Curbishley took West Ham to 10th place in the Premier League last time out.
This despite losing, at times, at least half his first choice starting XI to
injury. In the main, Curbishley's wobbly position is a reflection of two
things: his own inability to inspire much excitement or sense of momentum
among the club's fans; and a perception that the Icelandic millions of the
past two seasons have not been spent wisely. A combined £16.5m on Craig
Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Freddie Ljungberg brought a total of 31 league
starts and four goals between the three of them last season. The £6m
midfielder Julien Faubert has yet to show what he can do; Luis Boa Morte for
£5m is still just Luis Boa Morte.
So Curbishley will need to start well. Despite this, he's restricted himself
to trimming rather than adding to his squad. Ljungberg, Bobby Zamora, John
Pantsil and Richard Wright have gone. The only significant signing is Valon
Behrami, a £5m Swiss utility man (not exactly words to make the heart sing).
Never mind, though. The quality is there in West Ham's squad to make a
decent fist of things among the second tier of Premier League clubs, and
maybe even to push on for a Uefa Cup spot.
Dean Ashton will be fit and raring to go from the start for the first time
in two seasons. His big-man-fast-man partnership with Bellamy has potential,
if two of the League's most pasta-limbed players can get on the field of
play together for sustained periods. Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Dyer and
Faubert have pace, verve and strength in midfield. Lucas Neill, Matthew
Upson and the Anton Ferdinand of two years ago are quality Premier League
defenders. And many people – including Rob Green – think Rob Green should be
in the England squad.
With all hands on deck, this is a squad without glaring weaknesses – the
continuing absence of a regular left-back aside – and with some significant
strengths. Noble, Ferdinand, Carlton Cole and the exciting 18-year-old
striker Freddie Sears even give them a heartening sprinkling of young
English talent. Bellamy and Dyer will both be back fit soon and have each,
predictably enough, been hailed "like a new signing" by their manager.
That good start isn't out of the question, either. West Ham's first five
Premier League opponents are Wigan, Man City, Blackburn, West Brom and
Newcastle. Even better, Curbishley has been given help in two vital areas in
which the club has perhaps been lacking. Gianluca Nani, a 45-year-old
Italian, has been appointed technical director. This is partly to assist in
scouting foreign players, an area in which Curbishley has no great history
of success. Also this summer the club has overhauled its training and
treatment facilities with a view to curbing the playing squad's mysteriously
prolific injury history.
So perhaps making Curbishley favourite to get the chop seems a little harsh.
On the other hand West Ham are hardly an established presence in the top
flight, having returned just three seasons ago and been rescued only by
Carlos Tevez's goals in their second term back. Plus, this is a place where,
if things are going to go wrong, they're likely to go wrong quickly.
If Ashton is absent and Bellamy is having one of his leaner spells, it's
still hard to see exactly where the goals are going to come from. The lack
of an experienced, Premier League pedigree central midfielder – with
apologies to Nigel Quashie – could still be an achilles heel. And then
there's that oddly cool relationship between Curbishley and the supporters.
Start well, keep his key players fit and all should be well enough. Start
badly, lose a few of those injury-plagued big signings and things could
deteriorate.
Right now West Ham look like an atypically volatile Premier League club, or
at least one whose destiny, no matter what the bookies say about their
manager, seems unusually hard to predict. Given a middling start another
mid-to-lower-mid-table finish seems likeliest. A decent start and a
relatively clean bill of health could even see them surprise a few people.
In: Valon Behrami (Lazio – £5m), Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (HK Kopavogur –
undisclosed), Jan Lastuvka (Shakhtar Donetsk - loan), Balint Bajner (Liberty
Salonika – undisclosed)
Out: John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora (Fulham – £6.3m), Richard Wright (Ipswich
– undisclosed), Freddie Ljungberg (released), Nolberto Solana (Larissa –
undisclosed)
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West Ham season preview - Setanta
by setantasports.com staff, 15 August 2008
West Ham have enjoyed a storming summer of recruitment that will strike fear
into their Premier League foes, with manager Alan Curbishley overhauling his
medical department to address a quite literally crippling run of over 50
injuries that so hindered their efforts last season. Roehampton University's
Sport Performance Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre have worked their
magic and while Dr Richard Steadman, Eileen Drewery and JD from Scrubs have
not been seen at Upton Park as yet, the high profile transfers of three
continental doctors have certainly rocked the football world. Italian duo
Marco Cesarini and Giorgio Gasparini will add Serie A sparkle to the
treatment room whereas Greek ace Nikos Tzouroudis arrives to blaze a trail
with spells at Panathinaikos and Fiorentina on his CV. Why the undeserved
excitement surrounding medical staff you may ask? Well mostly because it has
been a very quiet summer in East London in terms of actual transfers. The
extravagance of the Eggert Magnusson era has quickly given way to a new
frugal mentality, with club owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson only dipping into
his biscuit tin to finance the signings of Valon Behrami, Holman Orn
Eyjolfsson and Jan Lastuvka.
Switzerland international Behrami is of course the most eye-catching of the
trio and a player that new technical director Gianluca Nani has tipped to be
a real star in The Premier League for years to come. Freddie Ljungberg was
the player that typified the excesses of Magnusson's time in charge and the
ageing Swede, who contributed little of note last season, has been waved on
his way with a reported £6 million in his back pocket. Los Angeles boutiques
are already ordering in extra stock. Bobby Zamora, John Paintsil, Richard
Wright and Nolberto Solano have all joined the fashionista on the catwalk
out of Upton Park with a more streamlined look now in vogue. Noone looks
good in crutches though, and it is injuries that we come back to again as we
assess West Ham's chances this season. The early signs are not positive.
Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer have already suffered setbacks, and for all
Dean Ashton's quality and talent he remains an accident waiting to happen.
If Curbishley can cure his side's ills then a top ten place should be more
than achievable. If not, then a painful season awaits.
SIGNINGS: Valon Behrami (Lazio), Holman Orn Eyjolfsson (Kopavogur), Jan
Lastuvka (Shakhtar Donetsk)
ONES WHO GOT AWAY (UP TO 13/8/08): Diego Gaucho (Gil Vicente), Louis Saha
(Man United), Mark Bresciano (Palermo), Andy Johnson (Everton), Nicky Shorey
(Reading), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Barcelona)
SALES: Freddie Ljungberg (Released), Bobby Zamora (Fulham), John Paintsil
(Fulham), Richard Wright (Ipswich), Nolberto Solano (Larissa)
ODDS: 1,00/1. (William Hill)
SPECIAL BET: Top Southern club 50/1.
LIVE ON SETANTA: Liverpool (A) Dec 1.
PLAYER TO HAVE IN YOUR SUN DREAM TEAM: Dean Ashton.
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Bruce sets Upton target - WiganToday.net
15 August 2008
By Dave Seddon
Steve Bruce is targeting nine months of consistency as Latics kick-off their
fourth Premier League campaign at West Ham tomorrow. It took a
second-half-of-the-season revival to keep the club in the top flight last
term, so Bruce is looking for a more comfortable ride this time around. He
dipped into the transfer market five times over the summer in a bid to
strengthen the squad, resulting in a fresh look about the team which takes
to the pitch at Upton Park. Amr Zaki, Olivier Kapo, Lee Cattermole and
Maynor Figueroa all look set to start in East London tomorrow, with Daniel
de Ridder among the substitutes. Bruce told the Evening Post: "I think we
are stronger this season. The squad has a really good look about it. "But
I've told the lads it's now all about going out and reproducing the form
they showed from Christmas onwards. "That is the level we want to hit again,
and we need to do it for nine months of the season, rather than four. I hope
we can do that, it will be hard because the three sides who finished below
us who weren't relegated – Sunderland, Fulham and Bolton – have spent a
fortune this summer. The biggest thing for me was to keep the vast majority
of the squad together... hold on to players like Paul Scharner, Wilson
Palacios and Antonio Valencia. "We've done that, and with the new lads we've
brought in, there's a nice balance about us."
It's the signing of Zaki which has really fired the imagination of the
Latics fans, the Egypt striker due to link up with Emile Heskey in attack
for his competitive debut tomorrow. The 25-year-old's arrival marked the
beginning of the end for Marlon King's time at the club, for this season at
least.
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