Robert Green has a reputation for saving from 12 yards and it was another
fine stop to deny Blackburn
01.09.2008
Robert Green has described his stunning penalty save from Jason Roberts that
turned the game against Blackburn Rovers as a "little bit of pot luck".
The goalkeeper, who was recalled to the England squad last night, flung
himself low to his left just after half-time to keep out the Blackburn
forward's spot-kick and ensure Alan Curbishley's side retained their 2-1
advantage. Some tense moments followed, before Craig Bellamy and Carlton
Cole struck late on to secure a memorable victory that led to West Ham
United finishing the weekend in fifth place - one point off top spot.
"It is a pleasing win," said Green. "We knew there was quite a lot riding on
it. None more so than going into a two-week break without a game and we
needed to come away with a good result. It sort of mirrored the [2-1 win
against] Wigan game in that we started off brightly and then conceded not
the greatest of goals.
"The boys defended well for a long period of time and it was a big relief
when the third goal went in and everyone relaxed and started playing
football again. It is always a difficult one to get a balance between
playing a lot of football and committing men forward, while trying to hold
on to what you have got. So all in all it is a very pleasing day and a
pleasing win."
The shot-stopper's moment in the spotlight came on 48 minutes when Roberts
stepped up to the spot after Carlton Cole's inadvertent handball. Normally,
Green prepares by watching videos of opposing penalty takers - a formula
that stood him in good stead last season for stops against Reading,
Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur - but it was a case of the unknown this
time around. Green explained: "I don't think they have had one this season
and I think Benni McCarthy took them all last season so it was a little bit
of pot luck, but thankfully it came off. I am just pleased for everyone
involved."
The 28-year-old emphasised the collective spirit over his individual moment
of brilliance, hailing the commitment throughout the team. "There was a lot
of hard work and a lot of blows physically ... the lads acquitted themselves
well. It is not going to be perfect flowing football every minute of every
game and while it was going well we scored and when we needed to we
defended. Then it came good at the end ... I was pleased for everyone that
got involved in the changing room and obviously pleased for the fans to see
a lot of goals and an entertaining game. I think people have gone home
happy."
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McCartney makes Sunderland return - BBC
West Ham defender George McCartney has rejoined Sunderland. Linked with a
return to the Black Cats in July, Sunderland have signed the the Northern
Ireland international defender for an undisclosed fee. West Ham turned down
a £4.5m offer in early July but Sunderland made a renewed bid of around £6m
for the 27-year-old Northern Ireland player. McCartney underwent a medical
at Sunderland on Monday, before agreeing a five-year contract with the Black
Cats. McCartney came through the academy at Sunderland and made his debut in
a 3-0 League Cup win against Luton in September 2000. He made 157
appearances for the Black Cats before moving to West Ham in a £1m deal in
August 2006. "George's experience will prove invaluable and he shouldn't
take long to settle in as he knows a lot of the lads already and obviously
he knows the club inside out," said Sunderland boss Roy Keane. "I'm happy
with my squad now. We have strength in depth and healthy competition for
places in all areas." McCartney added: "The club has moved on over the last
two years and I think there are exciting times ahead."
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A damp squib - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Despite a day of frenzied rumour and speculation the transfer deadline has
passed without West Ham United announcing a single new signing. As the
midnight deadline drew nearer rumours regarding the likes of Paulo Ferreira,
Stephen Appiah, Gael Givet and Edison Cavani continued to do the rounds.
However United fans, desperate for at least one new signing to cheer found
themselves disappointed as the club failed to bring news of any last minute
deals (barring the departure of George McCartney to Sunderland). That could
yet all change - previous years have seen a number of deadline deals delayed
yet later sanctioned by the Premier League - but with no signs whatsoever of
any new arrivals that would appear extremely unlikely (despite the Hammers
having history here with Messrs Tevez and Mascherano). Chiarman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson has been the target of some heavy criticism by supporters
tonight, who have now seen the club sell half of their best defence in years
without replacing them. The first rumblings of possible anti-Board protests
at future home games have also been sounded, with many fans asking 'where's
the money gone?' in respect of the £50million in TV rights received during
the past two seasons. The Hammers now find themselves in the bizarre
situation of having to play at least half a season without a recognised left
back in the squad, following the departure of McCartney - unless the club
manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat later today.
Transfer Window Summary
Ins: Valon Behrami (Lazio) £5m
Outs: Freddie Ljungberg (-) free; Nobby Solano (-) free; Richard Wright
(Ipswich) £500k; Bobby Zamora (Fulham) £4.8m; John Paintsil (Fulham) £1.5m;
Anton Ferdinand (Sunderland) £8m; George McCartney (Sunderland) £4.5m
Total Expenditure: £5m
Total Receipts: £19.3m
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McCartney gone for 'family reasons' - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 1st September 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed the sale of George McCartney to Sunderland.
In a brief statement on whufc.com tonight the club confirmed that McCartney
had returned to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, thought to be worth up to
£8million after the player was said to have handed in a transfer request.
McCartney, explaining his decision to return to the North East said: "I had
two great seasons with West Ham and I'd like to thank them for giving me the
opportunity to play for a club with the history they have and their
fantastic supporters. But for personal reasons alone, this is the right move
for me.
"My wife didn't settle in London and Sunderland have offered me the chance
to return where I spent ten years after joining the club as a youngster."
CEO Scott Duxbury thanked McCartney for his services, adding: "We had no
intention of selling George McCartney but it became clear in the last couple
of days after he handed in a written transfer request that he was desperate
to move on for family reasons. "Once Sunderland came in with an improved
offer, we decided the deal was in the best interests of all parties."
McCartney's comments are a touch surprising considering that just last month
he was happy to put pen to paper on a new five-year contract that tied him
to the Hammers until 2013. Equally, it is almost unheard of for a player to
sign such a lengthy new deal with his current club only to hand in a
transfer request six weeks later, citing reasons that must have been evident
to both player and club long before the new deal was signed at the end of
July. No details of any further ins and outs to the club have yet been
announced. As things stand, West Ham go into the next four months - at least
- without a single recognised left-back in the squad.
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Board announcement due - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 1st September 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will make an announcement around midnight tonight to confirm
the sum total of their transfer window activity. Although news of actual
deadline day movements have been thin on the ground it is thought that at
least one player will be moving either way. Going out is last season's
Hammer of the Year runner-up George McCartney, who completed a return to
Sunderland earlier today for a fee said to be worth anywhere between
£4.5million and £8million. He could be replaced by Chelsea's Portuguese
full-back Paulo Ferreira who has been strongly linked with a move across
London tonight. The 29-year-old Portuguese international is a versatile
option who can play anywhere across the back four. Further unsubstantiated
rumours suggest that an announcement on the Sheffield United arbitration
case, from which a decision was due at the beginning of September, may also
be forthcoming. As always, we'll have more news for you on this as it
happens.
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Black Cats bring in McCartney - SSN
Irish star seals Sunderland return
Last updated: 1st September 2008
Sunderland have completed the signing of former star George McCartney from
West Ham United. The Northern Ireland left-back has signed a five-year
contract at the Stadium of Light after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed
fee earlier on Monday. The 27-year-old returns to Sunderland two years after
leaving the club for the Hammers. McCartney explained that he has opted to
move back to the North East after failing to settle in London. "I had two
great seasons with West Ham and I'd like to thank them for giving me the
opportunity to play for a club with the history they have and their
fantastic supporters. But for personal reasons alone, this is the right move
for me," explained McCartney. "My wife, Elaine, didn't settle in London and
Sunderland have offered me the chance to return to the North East, where I
spent ten years after joining the club as a youngster."
McCartney is Roy Keane's tenth new signing of the summer and he was
delighted to seal the capture. "I've made no secret of the positions I've
been looking to strengthen and a left-back was one of my priorities, I'm
delighted," said Keane. "George's experience will prove invaluable and he
shouldn't take long to settle in as he knows a lot of the lads already and
he obviously knows the club inside-out. "I'm happy with my squad now. We
have strength in depth and healthy competition for places in all areas."
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Curb Your Anger Over Mac Sale - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
ALAN CURBISHLEY is on collision course with the West Ham board after
Sunderland made a deadline-day move to take defender George McCartney back
to the Stadium of Light. The board accepted a £2.5million offer despite boss
Curbs saying no more stars would be leaving in the transfer window. Curbs
had already performed a staggering U-turn by letting defender Anton
Ferdinand go to the Stadium of Light just a few days after claiming the
centre-half was part of his long-term plans. Twice last week, the
under-pressure Hammers boss declared no one else would be sold as the club
tried to balance the books after two years of crazy spending. Following
Saturday's 4-1 win over Blackburn, he stated: "I said on Wednesday that
Anton leaving was it. I've no intention of selling."
But SunSport can reveal West Ham were trying to strike a deal to offload
McCartney last Friday — 24 hours before Curbishley's empty claims. Icelandic
chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson authorised the sale of McCartney, 27, who
was undergoing a medical last night. Any deal would see Black Cats boss Roy
Keane take his summer spending past £35m. Sunderland immediately recouped
McCartney's fee by allowing Danny Higginbotham to rejoin STOKE for £2.5m.
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McCartney wanted to leave! - Bubbles In The Air
Monday 01 Sep 2008 23:18:43 by admin
George McCartney had handed in a transfer request days before the transfer
window. The Irish full back pointed to family problems as to the reason of
why he wanted to return to Wearside. The Hammer of the year runner up told
the clubs official site 'My Wife didn't settle in the London and Sunderland
offered me a chance to go back to the North East. McCartney seemed keen to
point out that this was not a footballing reason 'I had two great season at
West Ham and I'd like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play
for a club with the history they have and their fantastic supporters, but
for personal problems alone this is the right move for me'
Scott Duxbury also told the site that it was the right decision for all
parties - how does that work when he is our only natural left back?
Duxbury's comments will have to be judged in full at the end of the window.
The board will be making an announcement at midnight, check back here for
all the news as it happens.
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