All the early team news and background for Saturday's Barclays Premier
League encounter
18.09.2008
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Newcastle United
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 20 September
3pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
WHUTV - Full audio commentary
Introduction
* West Ham United will look to make it four wins in four home games in all
competitions when they welcome Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
* It will be the first match in charge for Gianfranco Zola since taking
charge of West Ham United officially last Monday. He has been joined at the
club by Steve Clarke.
* West Ham United with two wins, six goals for and a plus four goal
difference have the best home record of any club to date in this season's
top flight.
* The club are eighth in the Barclays Premier League, with six points, but
could potentially move fourth with a victory. Newcastle United are 16th with
four points to their name.
* Zola said: "It's been a very good week and I've enjoyed it. The training
sessions have been spot on and the players have been very committed. [On
Thursday] for example it should have been an easy session but the players
want to push it all of the time and that is the kind of attitude that every
manager hopes for. So let's just hope for a good result on Saturday."
* Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton, who made 40 appearances for
West Ham United between 1990 and 1992, said: "The only aim for me is to put
points on the board and make it a better situation for whatever manager
comes in ... the spirit has been good, the players enjoy coming to the
training ground and the banter in the changing rooms too."
* Newcastle are unbeaten in their last nine matches against West Ham United
and will know their hosts have not kept a clean sheet in their last 16
matches dating back to 23 February.
* West Ham United have three players who could make their home debuts in
Herita Ilunga, David Di Michele and Walter Lopez. Ilunga started in the 3-2
defeat at West Bromwich Albion last week while Di Michele played 70 minutes
as a substitute.
* Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer could all potentially face
their former club while Kieron Dyer is still out. Zola has said the latter
is doing well though and is close to a return to training.
* West Ham United are next in action Saturday 27 September away to Fulham
when Newcastle United are at home to Blackburn Rovers.
* Robert Green has faced four fellow England goalkeepers in the first four
league games of the season. Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic), Joe Hart
(Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers) and Scott Carson (West
Bromwich Albion).
Last time out
Saturday 13 September - West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United West Ham
United: Green, Neill, Davenport, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Faubert 65),
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte (Etherington 79), Ashton (Di Michele 19), Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Bellamy, Mullins, Tomkins
Goals: Noble 29, Neill 35
Saturday 13 September - Newcastle United 1-2 Hull City Newcastle United:
Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt,
Guthrie, Xisco, Owen, Ameobi (Gonzalez 61)
Subs not used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson
Goal: Xisco 82
Team news
* Zola has been denied the services of Dean Ashton who sprained his ankle on
Monday and will sit out training for at least the next week.
* A late decision will be made on the fitness of Craig Bellamy as he
continues to receive treatment for his troublesome hamstring.
* Hayden Mullins is also a doubt after a knock but Jack Collison is back in
contention.
* Fit-again James Tomkins is pushing for a starting berth as Zola considers
his defensive options with Lopez also challenging fellow new recruit Ilunga
at left-back.
* Newcastle look set to have the services of Damien Duff again after his
recovery from a groin problem but Obafemi Martins has only just returned to
training from a similar problem and the match is thought to be too soon.
* Jonas Gutierrez (shoulder), Jose Enrique (hamstring) and Alan Smith (leg)
are all unlikely to figure while Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton are both
suspended.
Background
* The last meeting of the clubs came at the Boleyn Ground on 26 April 2008,
when Mark Noble and Dean Ashton put the home side two-nil up inside 23
minutes. Obafemi Martins and Geremi then struck to ensure a 2-2 draw.
* The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Faubert (Solano
89), Parker, Noble, Ljungberg (Boa Morte 21), Zamora (Cole 68), Ashton
Subs not used: Walker, Mullins
Newcastle United: Harper, Beye, Edgar (Diatta 89), Taylor, Jose Enrique,
Geremi, Butt, Barton, Owen, Viduka (Smith 82), Martins
Subs not used: Forster, Duff, Carroll
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
20 January 2007 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
17 September 2006 - West Ham United 0-2 Newcastle United
17 December 2005 - West Ham United 2-4 Newcastle United
20 August 2005 - Newcastle United 0-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 36, D 34, L 47
Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 3pm unless stated)
Saturday 20 September
Blackburn Rovers v Fulham
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal (5.30pm)
Liverpool v Stoke City
Sunderland v Middlesbrough (12:45pm)
Sunday 21 September 2008
Chelsea v Manchester United (2pm)
Hull City v Everton
Manchester City v Portsmouth
Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa (12pm)
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details of getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here. Please note important travel information regarding tubes
and trains. Click here for more information.
Weather: The forecast is for a generally cloudy day with some sunny spells.
The temperature is set to peak at around 19C.
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Clarke delighted at new role - WHUFC
Speaking to the matchday programme, Steve Clarke is looking forward to his
new footballing challenge
18.09.2008
Steve Clarke is excited to be at West Ham United and cannot wait to get
started with the visit of Newcastle United this Saturday. Speaking in an
exclusive interview for this weekend's official matchday programme, the new
first team coach reveals the chance to join the club "was the right
opportunity at the right time for me" adding: "I have always had respect for
West Ham United and the supporters and I am very happy to be here."
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ll the odds for Newcastle - WHUFC
Ahead of Saturday's duel, here's what on offer with JAXX, the club's
official online sports betting partner
18.09.2008
Gianfranco Zola's reign as the 12th manager in West Ham United's history
starts with a tricky test against managerless Newcastle United.
The Hammers have won both their Barclays Premier League games at the Boleyn
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Zola's side are 20/23 to beat Newcastle for the first time in ten meetings.
The Magpies, who lost 2-1 at home to Hull City last weekend, are 12/5 to
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which has occurred in this corresponding fixture on two of the last four
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There are invariably goals in games between the two sides. No less than nine
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West Ham United have been in front at the break in both Premier League
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Backing Newcastle to score the first goal or the last goal in this
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If you fancy West Ham United to score at any time, JAXX offer 3/10. If you
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JAXX offer half-time/full-time betting. The one result that has not occurred
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Zola happy with Hammers structure - BBC
New West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says he is happy with the club's
management structure in which he works under technical director Gianluca
Nani. The Hammers' previous manager Alan Curbishley resigned earlier this
month because a lack of control over the club's transfer policy. But Zola
told BBC Sport: "I came to this club to work as a team - I want to work with
the board and Gianluca Nani. "If we need to improve certain things I'm sure
they will back me," he added. "As far as I'm concerned I've got so much to
do on the pitch I wouldn't be able to look after the other things. "That is
the way I have been brought up. I like working on the pitch and trying to
improve what I've got and then telling the club that if we want to improve a
little bit more then we need to change these things and then it's down to
them."
The 42-year-old Zola officially took charge of the team on Monday, having
watched West Ham slip to a 3-2 away defeat by West Brom at the Hawthorns
last Saturday. And Zola has already pinpointed his squad's fitness as an
area he wants to improve. "I was surprised how the players tired towards the
end of that game. Probably if they had not we wouldn't have lost," said
Zola, ahead of Saturday's game with Newcastle. "But I told the players not
to be too hard on themselves. Up to 70 minutes they were very good and
looked the better team on the pitch. "The last 20 minutes they went down
physically and when you go down physically you also lose attention and
that's why we conceded a third goal. "We have already started working on
that."
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More on Moore campaign - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 18th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
The campaign to have the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK logo placed
on West Ham United's shirts for the remainder of this season received
further strong backing today. The online petition created to campaign for
the addition of the Moore logo in the space vacated by the demise of XL has
now received more than 7,000 signatures since going online on Tuesday, with
thousands more Hammers fans adding their support today. West Ham United are
currently considering several options to replace XL and have already spoken
with a number of interested parties. KUMB.com have contacted the club's
marketing department asking for their thoughts on the campaign; we are
hoping to have some news for you tomorrow.
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Surprise, surprise - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 18th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton could be out for as long as a month after breaking down in
training. The United striker, whose career in East London has been blighted
by injury injured an ankle at Chadwell Heath during new manager Gianfranco
Zola's first session with his squad. "Unfortunately I've picked up another
injury and I'm looking at spending the next three to four weeks on the
sidelines," Ashton told The Sun. "I just went over on it. It happens to a
lot of players. It's not too serious but it will take a few weeks to heal
properly. "I'm looking at about three weeks and then it's the international
break. Hopefully I'll be back after that." Ashton's injury could mean a rush
return for Criag Bellamy, who, despite trianing last week, wasn't considered
fit enough to play against West Bromwich Albion last weekend. With Bobby
Zamora having been sold by the club to Fulham, Zola's other option is
32-year-old loan striker David Di Michele, who enjoyed an interesting debut
at the Hawthorns after replacing Ashton early in the game.
Dean Ashton - West Ham stats
2005/06: P16 Gls 5
2006/07: P0 Gls 0
2007/08: P35 Gls 11
2008/09: P5 Gls 2
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Thousands call for Moore logo - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 17th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
A petition to replace the space formerly filled by the XL logo on West Ham
United's shirts with an advertisement for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK has attracted almost 3,000 signatures.
XL went bust last week leading to the club removing the logo from the shirts
ahead of the weekend visit to West Bromwich Albion. Instead of a logo the
space was filled by a crudely sewn claret patch.
The club are understood to have been looking at potential replacements for
XL this week. However a number of supporters are now imploring West Ham to
fill the void with the logo of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The club recently retired the number six shirt in honour of Moore, who began
his career at the Boleyn fifty years ago this year. Supporters believe that
installing his charity's logo on the shirts would be a fitting tribute to
the greatest Hammer of all time.
One KUMB member, aaronhammer has been busy mocking up potential designs on
Photoshop ... see what you think for yourself below.
http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=123604
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Zola impressed by Hammers - SSN
New Hammers boss hails players' attitude
Last updated: 18th September 2008
Gianfranco Zola has been delighted by the commitment of his West Ham players
in training since taking charge at Upton Park. The Italian watched from the
stands as the Hammers lost 3-2 to West Brom at the weekend before he
officially became manager on Monday. Zola has been focusing on the fitness
of his players after coming to the conclusion that they began to tire
against the Baggies. He has been impressed by their work ethic but has
refused to set any targets for the rest of the season at this stage. "The
training sessions have been spot on and all the players have been very
committed," Zola explained. "They have been very keen and full of
enthusiasm, which is a very good indication for a manager. "It is too early
for me to tell you where we are going to get because I need to see them for
a couple more weeks, but as long as they can keep this attitude they can go
far."
Zola will be without Dean Ashton for the clash with Newcastle on Saturday
after the striker picked up an ankle problem. Reports suggested that Ashton
could be sidelined for a month but Zola expects him to be back much sooner.
He explained: "Deano unfortunately won't be available this week. He will
have to rest but he will be ready to start again next week. "We will
monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week to recover. "He
already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were training so we had
to stop him. "Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his old one. We don't
know yet whether he is going to be available for Saturday."
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Clarke ready for Hammers job - SSN
Zola backs Wilkins appointment
By Pete Oliver Last updated: 18th September 2008
New West Ham first-team coach Steve Clarke insists his move to Upton Park
was the "right opportunity" for him. Clarke quit Chelsea to join the Hammers
and will be in the dug-out for the first time at Upton Park against
Newcastle United on Saturday. "This was the right opportunity at the right
time for me," Clarke told West Ham's matchday programme. "I have always had
respect for West Ham and the supporters and I'm very happy to be here."
Meanwhile, new Hammers boss and former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola believes
Chelsea have made the right choice by appointing Ray Wilkins as Clarke's
replacement at Stamford Bridge. "I am sure he will do well. He has the
knowledge to do the job and knows the Premier League very well," said Zola.
"And he is a very humble man so I am sure he will be very helpful for
Scolari. "He knows the club and the supporters. He can do a great job and he
is a very good man. I worked with him for a few years and it was always a
pleasure."
Former England international Wilkins, 52, spent a six-year spell as a player
at Chelsea in the 1970s, captaining the club when he was just 18, and also
held a coaching role at the club under Gianluca Vialli between 1998 and
2000.
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Curbs - No Magpies contact - SSN
Former Hammers boss plays down link to St James' Park role
Last updated: 18th September 2008
Alan Curbishley insists there has been no contact with Newcastle United
regarding the St James' Park managerial vacancy. A string of names have been
linked with the post since Kevin Keegan quit as Magpies boss earlier this
month. Keegan stepped down due to his dissatisfaction with the management
structure, while Curbishley recently left West Ham due to the club's
transfer dealings. Reports have suggested that Newcastle could turn to
Curbishley to steady the ship following a turbulent start to the season.
But, when asked if there had been any contact with the Magpies, Curbishley
told Sky Sports News: "No, there's been none whatsoever."
Curbishley would not be drawn on whether he held an interest in the role on
Tyneside and feels the manner of his departure from West Ham was different
to Keegan's exit from Newcastle. He added: "Kevin's situation has been
linked with mine, but I think it's a little bit different to what went on.
"I think Newcastle is something that they've got to sort out. "I don't know
if I'm in their plans or not. At the moment I'm just sorting myself out, as
you can imagine."
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West Ham Utd v Newcastle Utd: preview - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 19th September 2008
By: Preview Percy
And on we move to a new era against a club whose recent history makes ours
look almost dull. Whilst we moved with, what was, for us, almost impressive
speed to bring in a new manager, Newcastle's managerial saga seems to have
been going on for ever.
First there was the "has he gone or not" mystery, with rumour and counter
rumour ruling the roost. Then, once it had been established that Keegan had
actually left the club, this was followed by the "did he resign or was he
sacked" conundrum. Most clubs would leave it there but the soap opera had
another twist or two to turn. Amazingly, we are told reconciliation talks
were held. The fact that the matter is now in the hands of lawyers will tell
you exactly how successful they were. Amazingly out of all this the one
person still in a job is convicted thug Dennis Wise.
The managerial departure led to mass protests from the Geordies that led to
club owner and outfitter to the chav nation Mike Ashley to put the club up
for sale for anything between £300-500m depending on newspaper and time of
day. Clearly the words credit-crunch have not hit Ashley Towers. As ever
there was something faintly daft about the Geordie protests, many of them
blaming some "Cockney Mafia" for their ills in the somewhat strange
geographical misapprehension that everyone south of Birmingham is either a
cockney or Welsh.
Since Ashley is clearly not Welsh, he must be a cockney goes the logic so
the good people of Buckinghamshire's Burnham and High Wycombe, both of which
might lay claim to the title of Ashley's "home town," will be pleased to
know that the sound of Bow Bells extends so far West. Ashley is unlikely to
make an appearance this weekend, citing fears for his safety as the reason
for his absence. I suppose it would be too much to hope that he might have
been banned from football grounds like the rest of us would have been for
knocking back a pint in the stands. Still if you get caught, the defence
that you thought it was Kaliber is apparently now valid.
At the time of writing the managerial reins are being handled by former
Hammer Chris Hughton and it's unlikely that that will change any time soon-
the potential sale of the club will not help that one little bit. Hughton
presided over a depressing 2-1 home defeat to Hull City at the weekend, a
match that culminated in Danny Guthrie's shocking assault on Carl Fagan.
After that match Newcastle sit in 16th position in the fledgling table,
above ever-so-slightly disliked rivals Sunderland only by virtue of
alphabetical order.
They are likely to start with Ireland no.1 Shay Given twixt the sticks. The
back four on Saturday consisted of Canadian U20 cap Edgar, Taylor, Argentine
international Colocini and N'Zogbia. Beye remains a doubt but his
availability would lead to something of a defensive reshuffle. Last weekend
the Magpies lined up with a three man midfield of Butt, Geremi and Guthrie,
though Guthrie's antics will ensure his absence against us and a couple more
games only, the FA disciplinary bods having predictably bottled the prospect
of further action. Argentinian midfielder Jonas "Spiderman" Gutierrez has a
broken shoulder bone and has stayed in Buenos Aires for treatment so we
won't be seeing him without a miracle cure and the reintroduction of
Concorde.
Indeed the Geordies' injury list is nearly as long as ours was last season
with the likes of Fat Aussie Viduka, Damien Duff and Oba Martins all having
suffered of late. Duff and Martins are close to a return. Current mutterings
are that this may be a game too soon for them but given the player shortage
it wouldn't surprise me if one or both played some part in the weekend's
proceedings.
Michael Owen is likely to start up front, possibly alongside Shola Ameobi.
Legend has it that, whilst on England U21 duty, Howard Wilkinson once asked
Ameobi what his nickname was. On hearing that he didn't have one, Wilkinson
enquired what the notoriously forgetful Bobby Robson called him. "Carl Cort"
came the reply. If they stay with three-up, a formation that will be
dictated by player availability, there may be also a start for Xisco who
marked his debut with the consolation goal against Hull.
It was Xisco's transfer, along with the arrival of Uruguayan midfielder
"Nacho" Gonzales on loan from Valencia that brought the differences between
Keegan and Ashley to a head, Keegan making the rash assumption that, as team
manager, he might have some sort of say in the players coming into and
leaving the club. Imagine a club so badly run that the Chairman and manager
disagree over something as basic as that. Oh, hang on a moment….
Still at least at the Boleyn we've gone for the better end of those who
spent part of their careers slumming it at Stamford Bridge. Instead of
Dennis Wise, we have gone for Zola and, just as significantly, Steve Clarke.
Zola has said all the right things about playing decent football and,
seemingly in anticipation of the new boss's arrival, there was an element of
"going for it" about our play up at West Brom, particularly in the first
half.
Unfortunately this also coincided with some criminal defending, not to
mention some equally dire refereeing which ultimately saw us come home
pointless. The appointment of Clarke is a clever move in that he will bring
both experience and a certain focus to defensive issues within the squad,
thus addressing the two main concerns that fans have had over the Zola
appointment to date.
Of the new boys last weekend, Ilunga had the more impressive debut at left
back and seems likely to keep his place. Di Michele showed some promising
touches early on but some of the flicks and overhead kick attempts he
attempted later on left the travelling support puzzled as to whether they
should applaud the effort or hold their heads in despair at the execution.
Zola may be left with little option but to select him though since Dean
Ashton will be missing for a few weeks having gone over on his ankle and
Bellamy's hamstring is still apparently suspect. Ashton's absence may mean a
return to the first team squad for Freddy Sears who spent last week in the
U18s where he picked up a brace in the 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa.
As for the rest of the side much will depend on how well the players have
impressed the new managerial team during training. There are a number of
places in the team where choices will have to be made. Boa-Morte and
Etherington will compete for one spot on the left with Behrami and Faubert
being the options on the right so predicting a starting line-up will be
difficult.
With a new boss on board I expect there will be something of a lively
atmosphere at the Boleyn, especially if the travelling Geordies continue to
vent their collective spleen on their chairman. If Zola is true to his word
we can hope for some attacking football – hopefully without the defensive
errors we saw last week - so I'll take us to win an entertaining 90 minutes
2-1 to continue the 100% home record and to add the name Zola to those of Di
Canio and lasagne that currently make up the Hammers list of favourite
things from Italy.
Enjoy the game!
Last season: 2-2
Danger Man: Michael Owen – always seems to score against us
Look out for: Their chairman – he'll be the one wearing a wig, glasses with
false nose and moustache. The visiting support might buy you a pint if you
spot him and point him out, just don't drink it in sight of the pitch…
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Jeffrey hoping to impress Hammers boss Zola - Guardian Series
7:47am Friday 19th September 2008
WEST Ham youngster Jack Jeffrey is hoping a string of impressive displays
during his loan spell at neighbours Orient can help him force his way in to
Gianfranco Zola's plans. Just as the Italian was taking over from Alan
Curbishley at Upton Park, the 19-year-old striker was heading out of the
door to take up a one-month loan spell at Brisbane Road last Friday. The
former Cambridge United loanee didn't have long to wait to make his O's
debut after being thrown on after just 24 minutes of the match with
Stockport on Saturday, following an injury to JJ Melligan. And Jeffrey now
hopes to make the most of the opportunities that come his way at Brisbane
Road as he is targeting following in the footsteps of other youngsters like
Freddie Sears into the first team at West Ham. He said: "This is a good
opportunity for me to hopefully play some first team football and get some
valuable experience as well. "I have been in and around the reserves at West
Ham for the last three seasons so hopefully this can help me push my career
on. "There is a lot of competition for places at West Ham, but other young
players like Freddie have been given a chance, and to be fair to him he has
taken it. "But if I can do well at Orient in the first team and get a few
goals then I might have more of an opportunity of getting into the first
team there myself. "Of course Gianfranco Zola has just taken over at West
Ham as well and everyone starts off in the same boat, because all the
players need to impress the new manger even those that play in the first
team all the time. "He will no doubt have different ideas on people than
Alan Curbishley, and hopefully if he gets some good reports back on me from
Orient he might have a look at me when I go back to West Ham."
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ZOLA HOPES TO AVOID INJURIES - Football365
Posted 19/09/08 08:06
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is hoping he will be luckier than his
predecessor when it comes to injuries. The Italian takes charge of a team
for the first time on Saturday when the Hammers play host to Newcastle. Alan
Curbishley, who walked out on the club earlier in the month after the sale
of players without his full backing, often had to make do without
experienced players through lack of fitness Striker Dean Ashton has already
been ruled out of tomorrow's clash and fellow forward Craig Bellamy is
unlikely to feature either but Zola, who has brought in a new fitness coach,
was confident he would fare better. He said: "I know that at this club there
have been a lot of injuries and we have been very unlucky. We have been
working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it will. "I don't
know the training system they had before and I don't want to say we had
loads of injuries because of that. When Alan was here he did a great job and
I hope I can carry on from that job."
Zola watched last week's 3-2 defeat at West Brom from the stands before
taking charge on Monday and revealed he intended to sharpen up the Hammers
in all areas.
He said: "Obviously you also have to keep a balance. The idea is to get to
the point where we play offensive football as much as possible. But we also
have to work on the defence. "We are trying to look at things defensively
but also passing the ball."
The Hammers finished 10th under Curbishley last term and Zola made it clear
he expected better come May. He said: "We need to improve on last season.
That is our main target although I have just stepped into the job and I have
to work on the team, so I can't say what the possibilities are. "But I am
sure that if the players carry on working as they have been, with spirit and
attitude, then we can do a good job."
One area Zola has no plans to revamp concerns the players' diets. He said:
"I went to the canteen and I enjoyed the food very much so I don't want to
change that part. "I haven't had pie and mash yet but I hope I can have a
big dish of it after Newcastle. They are very professional here in that way.
The food is okay."
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Hammers set to be without star strikers - Guardian Series
8:23am Friday 19th September 2008
DEAN Ashton's ankle injury may not be as serious as originally feared, but
Craig Bellamy is almost certain to miss Saturday's Premier League clash with
Newcastle United. The West Ham United striker was initially expected to be
sidelined for between three and four weeks after spraining his ankle in
training on Monday. New Irons' manager Gianfranco Zola admitted Ashton had
been carrying an injury before he arrived at the club on Monday. However,
the Italian has revealed that he hopes the England forward, 24, to be back
in training as early as next week. "Deano unfortunately won't be available
this week. He will have to rest but I think he will be ready to start again
next week," said the former Chelsea forward, who takes charge of the Hammers
for the first time when the manager-less Magpies visit Upton Park on
Saturday. "We will monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week
to recover. "He already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were
training so we had to stop him. "Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his
old one (an abdominal injury). We don't know yet whether he is going to be
available for Saturday."
Bellamy has made just one first-team appearance this season, scoring as a
late substitute in the 4-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers on August 30. But
despite inheriting two crocked forwards Zola refused to blame predecessor
Alan Curbishley, who resigned a fortnight ago following a 20-month reign
blighted by injuries, for the pair's absences. "I don't know the training
system they had before and I don't want to say we had loads of injuries
because of that," the new boss said democratically. "When Alan was here he
did a great job and I hope I can carry on from that job."
And the Sardinian, who has brought in fitness coach Antonio Pintas to
improve his players' conditioning, instead vowed to end the injury crisis
himself. "We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of
luck it will," he added optimistically. With Ashton and Bellamy out, Zola is
expected to name former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole and Italian loanee
David Di Michele in his team to face Newcastle.
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Birmingham boss McLeish confirms he wants West Ham's Quashie
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish hopes to sign West Ham midfielder Nigel
Quashie on-loan. "I would like something to happen with this but we'll have
to see if there's been any reaction to the tough training he's been doing,"
said McLeish. "He's been out for a long time and has picked up a few
niggles. Nigel's still training with us and we can see he's got a lot of
quality, but he's still got a little more fitness to find."
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Curbishley chasing compo from West Ham
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Alan Curbishley is seeking compensation from West Ham United. The Daily Mail
says the 50-year-old believes he has a case for constructive dismissal even
though he resigned a fortnight ago. Curbishley's solicitor has sent a letter
to West Ham and the claim appears to centre on whether the club broke the
terms of his contract by selling George McCartney to Sunderland without his
permission. He insists he was supposed to have the final say on transfers
and was incensed because he had reassured the squad there would be no more
summer departures. Curbishley wants a pay-off reflecting the £2.5million of
salary remaining on his contract, but the club are on strong ground because
he chose to quit and was aware of overall transfer policy.
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West Ham coaching pair sent on gardening leave
19.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham have sent two of former manager Alan Curbishley's assistants away
from the club. Former assistants Mervyn Day and Glynn Snodin have been
placed on gardening leave.
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Ashton Out, Says This Hammers Fan - goal.com
James Dyer, a West Ham United supporter, sharesh is views on the gifted but
injury-prone Dean Ashton. To James, the England international's presence at
the Bolyen Ground causes more harm than good...
West Ham fans will not be surprised to discover that Dean Ashton has picked
up yet another injury. Talking to English newspaper The Sun, Ashton
confessed to having sustained a twisted ankle in training which he believes
will keep him out of action for around three to four weeks.
This is not the first injury to hit the Hammers; star player - having
already been substituted in three of West Ham's four Premier League games so
far this season; each time he has cited injury as the reason for his
withdrawal. He only lasted 19 minutes in the Hammers' defeat to newly
promoted West Brom before being replaced by new arrival David Di Michelle.
Even more embarrassingly, it was in taking a free-kick in the very first
game of the season, after scoring twice in the first 10 minutes against
Wigan, that Ashton first injured himself in an attempt to score a hat trick.
Hammers fans will remember that it was in training for his first England cap
in August 2006 that Ashton broke his ankle, ruling him out for the entire
Premier League season. That was a campaign in which West Ham struggled
against relegation right up until the last game. In the following season
Ashton netted 11 times in 35 league and cup appearances, but was the subject
of some criticism from pundits and much ridicule from opposition fans for
his weight, which he vowed to work on before the start of the next Premier
League year.
The first 10 minutes of the opening game of the season against Wigan looked
like the Ashton of old - not least because of the two clinical finishes by
the England international - but after hobbling off following his attempt at
taking a free-kick he has lasted 90 minutes only once since. That was,
sadly, during West Ham's 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City.
This latest injury has now ruled him out for four weeks and will only go to
further exasperate Hammer's fans who must surely be losing patience with
Ashton.
In his interview with The Sun, Ashton stated, "I just went over on it. It
happens to a lot of players" unfortunately it seems to happen to West Ham
players more than any other club. The Hammers' have become renowned for
their ever extending injury list to the extent that outgoing manager Alan
Curbishley was never really able to field his first eleven last season.
However there seems to be a growing frustration with particularly
injury-prone players such as Ashton, Dyer and Bellamy, who seem to play one
game before aggravating an injury, or picking up an entirely new one, and
spending the next month recovering whilst still being paid some of the
highest wages at the club.
I know many will argue that Aston is a quality player when fit, and the
goals that he has scored make it impossible to deny his talent. However when
a 24-year-old suffers as many injuries as Ashton has, what will his
condition be like in three years' time, one must wonder? I personally
believe that new boss Gianfranco Zola should cash in on Aston, if he ever
passes a medical, and buy a more reliable performer. The Hammers would get
more out of a slightly less explosive player who plays all 38 games of a
season than a sporadically brilliant player like Ashton who scores when he
plays, but plays very little.
James Dyer
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Duff Back For West Ham Whilst Oba's A Possibility - tynetalk.co.uk
By Tyne-Talk September 18 2008
Damian Duff and Obafemi Martins could make their return to the side this
weekend after recovering from injury and returning to training. Chris
Hughton will take his Newcastle side to West Ham on Saturday for the 5th
Premier League game of the season. Newcastle will travel on the back of a
dismal result against Hull last weekend, their second defeat of the season,
yet Hughton insists that morale is high, whilst West Ham will also be
looking to impress after losing to West Brom.
Hughton said of Duff and Oba's return to training: "We have got the bonus of
Damien Duff having trained this week and he will come into contention so
that is a big plus for us. Martins trained today but of course he has been
out for a while and we will assess that one tomorrow. But certainly with
Damien coming back it is a big plus for us."
Regarding the instability of the club and a potential sale he added: "Any
thought or question of anything that could happen is something completely
out of my control.
All I can do is do the job I am doing at the moment to the best of my
abilities and prepare the team for a tough game."
The mood has been good. One thing the players realise is these are difficult
times, and what they realise also is they can't affect anything that's gone
on or will go on outside of the training ground. That makes them all the
more conscious that they need to keep together as a group. They need to make
sure the spirits on the training pitch as a group of lads are as good as
they can be."
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Zola reign excites Neill - eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk
18 September 2008
Lucas Neill believes Gianfranco Zola will bring an exciting new era to West
Ham as he prepares for his first game in charge of the club against
Newcastle. Former Chelsea forward Zola watched from the stands at the
Hawthorns as the Hammers slumped to a 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion
last Saturday. The Italian will take his place in the dugout for this
weekend's match at Upton Park and officially took charge of training for the
first time at Chadwell Heath on Monday. Hammers skipper Neill admits that
the squad "can't wait to get started" under the new manager, who enjoyed an
illustrious career as a player. "He is someone we have all looked up to as a
player and admired his ability on the pitch," said Neill. "He's come in and
said he would like to teach us a few things that have stood him in good
stead in his career and he can't wait to work with us because he likes the
squad that he's inherited. "He can't wait to get started - as can't we to
learn the gameplans and other things he wants to teach us."
Zola has promised to bring stylish football to Upton Park and Neill has
revealed that the Hammers boss has already begun work on installing his
attacking philosophy in the team. He said: "[The manager] has already
expressed his desire to play out from the back and play a more creative
brand of football, a bit more patience and passing, which we all want to
play anyway. "It's just a case of getting us confident enough to do it. So
it's going to be interesting - there's a lot of work to be done on the
training ground. "But I want to assure the fans that everybody on the
training ground is extremely focused on doing a good job, working hard and
not letting all the hype and speculation affect them. "The changing room is
still very tight, very happy and confident and bubbly - even more so now.
"We're lucky to have a great bunch of lads who want to be successful at this
club, so let's hope we can come up with the winning formula under our new
manager."
Matthew Upson has also backed Zola to be a success - and says he can have
the same impact that fellow Italian Fabio Capello has achieved with England.
"I think he will bring a really good culture to the club," Upson said. "He
wants people to enjoy playing in a good atmosphere and it will be
interesting to see how he develops that. I think it is a very positive move.
"I think the Italians, having just spent 10 days with England and Fabio
Capello, have very sure and very sound thoughts on football. They spend a
lot of time on technical and tactical play. "I know the Premier League is a
lot about the physical challenges but I think Italians are very organised
and will bring a different type of culture to West Ham that it hasn't had
before.
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XL collapse will not restrict Zola's spending - eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk
18 September 2008
West Ham could take a £4m hit following the collapse of their sponsor XL -
but the club have promised that Gianfranco Zola will still be given the
funds to excel as manager at Upton Park. The Hammers are currently searching
for a new partner after XL Airways went into administration last week,
terminating a three-year £7.5m sponsorship deal with the club that was
signed only last year. West Ham owner Bjorgulfur Gudmundsson has also been
personally hit by the Crawley-based company's collapse. Gudmundsson is the
major shareholder of the Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which financed a
management buyout of XL in 2006. The Hammers will now be forced to search
for a major new sponsor amid tougher worldwide economic conditions. But club
officials are adamant that this development will not affect the club's
transfer spending under Zola, who has been promised the funds to "build a
team" at Upton Park. The Italian has pledged to assemble a squad capable of
playing the free-flowing football traditionally associated with West Ham,
announcing at his opening press conference last week that he wants to
recruit "as many quality players as possible".
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury has revealed that the club will back
his vision in the transfer market. "Gianfranco has made it quite clear that
it's not just him - it's about building a team around him and that's what
we'll do," said Duxbury. "It won't be a cheap option because we will be
building a team around him that can move the club forward." Former manager
Alan Curbishley was given significant sums to reshape the team when he was
appointed in 2006, but the club spent little in the summer transfer window
and sold nearly £20m worth of talent. The collapse of XL has raised fears
that the club will be forced to embark on a new wave of cost cutting, but
financial director Nick Igoe has insisted that last week's developments will
not affect Zola's transfer budget. The club will continue to trim the
first-team squad of fringe players in January but the club's ability to
finance quality signings remains unaffected. "We are in an excellent
financial state," said Igoe. "This is unfortunate timing - we did our
dealings in the summer as it is prudent to do. But we had some wind of this
and we have been talking to people about the possibility of replacing XL. We
will now begin to accelerate that. "There has been a £30m investment from
the owner to fund the playing squad. That is a big, big commitment.
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Keen praises new signings - e24
18 September 2008
Kevin Keen has backed new signings Herita Ilunga and David Di Michele to
make a big impact after the duo made their debuts for West Ham last weekend.
Defender Ilunga made his first start for the Hammers in the 3-2 defeat by
West Bromwich while Di Michele replaced Dean Ashton inside the opening 20
minutes at the Hawthorns. Italy striker Di Michele made an instant
impression, setting up Mark Noble's equaliser and almost getting his own
name on the scoresheet when his low shot was pushed behind by Scott Carson.
Making his first appearance of the season, Di Michele faded in the second
half but Keen believes that the forward will become an influential figure as
his fitness improves. "That was his first game of the season and to be
thrown in like that, especially in the first half, I thought he did really
well," Keen said. "He got into a few pockets and made things happen and
hopefully as he gets a little bit fitter and gets a bit more used to the
Premier League, I think he can go on and be very creative for us."
Ilunga, the Congo international, played the full 90 minutes and proved a
steady presence at left-back. Keen is confident that the muscular defender
will prove a big hit at Upton Park. He said: "I thought Herita Ilunga was
super. I think he'll be great for us and I think the supporters will like
him. "He's got an aggressive side to him but at the same time he can get
forward and make things happen.
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Woes of sponsors spill on to the pitch - ft.com
By Roger Blitz, Leisure Industries Correspondent
Published: September 17 2008 03:00 | Last updated: September 17 2008 03:00
United they stand, even if their shirt sponsors may fall. Manchester United
may soon be seeking a new sponsor as AIG's troubles deepen. Last weekend
West Ham United's players hastily covered up the XL emblem that had adorned
their jerseys after the tour company's collapse. Somehow, Newcastle United –
managerless and up-for-sale – soldiers on with Northern Rock plastered
across its black-and-white kit. Are Premier League football clubs facing a
shirt-sponsor credit crunch? Manchester United will lose little sleep even
if its £56.5m four-year deal with the troubled insurance giant does unwind.
As a brand, the Reds are a cut above the rest of the Premier League, says
Drew Barrand of the Sport Industry Group, as Manchester United builds
support in lucrative markets such as Asia and the Middle East. "If AIG goes
under, it allows the club to negotiate a new sponsorship contract in excess
of what it is earning," Mr Barrand says. Football shirt sponsorship has
enjoyed steady growth in recent years. According to sports marketing
consultants Sport Markt, total revenues last year were £287.8m in the six
large European leagues, up 10.6 per cent on the previous year and doubling
their value in eight years. Manchester United's AIG deal puts them top of
the shirt sponsor league, comfortably above Chelsea, the next highest
Premier League club, whose deal with Samsung is worth £10.3m a year. But as
with most aspects of life in the Premier League, there is a gulf between the
top clubs and everyone else, and the economic downturn is leaving other
clubs struggling to find a sponsor. Newly promoted West Bromwich Albion have
no shirt sponsor, while Aston Villa is following Barcelona, which carries
Unicef on its shirts, by donating its shirt rights to Acorns, a children's
hospice. "Clearly, with three teams without jersey sponsorship income, the
overall revenue from jersey sponsorship of all Premier League teams will
certainly drop this year in comparison to previous seasons," says Andrew
Walsh of Sport Markt. "In relation to other European top leagues, the actual
figure appears even lower, due to the strong currency abroad." Shirt
sponsorship represents about 20-25 per cent of a club's commercial revenue,
but clubs are finding it harder to nail down sponsors for periods of two to
three years. "A lot of sponsors are using it as a dip-in," Mr Barrand says.
"Once they get brand exposure, they come out."
Online gambling companies, a lucrative partner for several clubs, are
questioning the wisdom of tie-ups after the government banned their names
from appearing on children's replica kits. "The ones lower down the league
are finding it more and more difficult to find someone," says Nigel Currie
of BrandRapport. "There is a falling away of interest." AIG and Manchester
United are holding back from commenting on their relationship until the
future of the insurer becomes clear. One thing is beyond doubt, however: as
the economic climate worsens, so, too, does the outlook for football clubs'
shirt sponsorship.
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West Ham United's Dean Ashton out for a month with ankle injury - The Mirror
18/09/2008
Gianfranco Zola has suffered an early blow at West Ham with Dean Ashton out
for a month. The striker is also out of England's World Cup qualifiers next
month.
Ashton said: "I sprained my ankle in training. I just went over on it. It
happens to a lot of players. I'm looking at three to four weeks on the
sidelines."
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Birmingham ready to make loan move for West Ham's Quashie - Daily Mail
By Graham Hill Last updated at 1:13 PM on 18th September 2008
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has confirmed he is ready to take West
Ham's Nigel Quashie on loan - if the player can prove his fitness levels.
Quashie has been out injured for almost 18 months but McLeish is hopeful
that the 30-year-old can do a job for him after training at St Andrew's. 'I
would like something to happen with this but we'll have to see if there's
been any reaction to the tough training he's been doing,' said McLeish.
'He's been out for a long time and has picked up a few niggles. Nigel's
still training with us and we can see he's got a lot of quality, but he's
still got a little more fitness to find.'
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HAMMERS TALK: Curbishley could still be looking for a pay-off from West Ham
- Echo
12:17pm Thursday 18th September 2008
WEST Ham may have to brace themselves for another hefty compensation claim,
with former manager Alan Curbishley apparently looking to receive a pay-out
from the club. The Hammers, who have just reached a financial agreement
with Chelsea over the appointment of new assistant manager Steve Clarke,
could according to the Mail still be forced to hand Curbishley a settlement
package. The report claims that while the 50-year-old former Charlton boss
resigned a fortnight ago, he feels that he could have a case for
constructive dismissal after players were sold behind his back. It is also
highlighted in the article that Curbishley wants a pay-off reflecting the
£2.5million of salary remaining on his contract, but the club are on strong
ground because he chose to quit and was aware of overall transfer policy.
The Mail's story meanwhile states that former assistants Mervyn Day and
Glynn Snodin have been placed on gardening leave.
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Bilic could still take over at Hammers By Wes Evans - WestHamFansOnline.net
Posted on Thursday 18 Sep 2008 11:30:00
Croatia boss Slaven Bilic is almost certain to leave his post after the 2010
World Cup (assuming they qualify) and could be tempted by the West Ham post.
He spoke once again about his desire to manage at club level after his time
with his national side, and as we all know, his love for the Hammers has
never been in doubt.
"I will stay in office for the next two years but I'll be ready to change my
position if an attractive offer reaches me," said Bilic to Croation daily
Sportsle Novosti.
If Zola is doing the same thing that most managers do in their first
position - i.e. holding onto mid-table security if they're doing a good job
- then the board could be easily tempted to switch to the man that
masterminded a great campaign to Euro 2008 and led Croatia to 5th place in
the FIFA rankings. Of course, he could end up being rubbish for the next
World Cup campaign, then nobody would care about him being the Hammers'
manager. He could also open a farm. Who knows.
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If Zola can get injured-again Ashton back fit not fat, West Ham be feasting
on success at last - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 18th September 2008
Dean Ashton is out injured - again. The West Ham striker welcomed Gianfranco
Zola to the manager's job at Upton Park by telling him he will be out for
about a month with an ankle problem. Hatchet Man hasn't swallowed any
positive thinking manuals, but wonders if the Italian should see the setback
as an opportunity. Ashton was in the treatment room for a lot of last season
with half the rest of the squad and has been known to put on weight when he
is not playing regularly. But if Zola and his new fitness coach can get the
striker back fit - and trim - when the problem has cleared up, then West Ham
fans will really start to believe in him.
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