Matthew Upson may be the club's leading light with England but plenty of
others are following behind
13.10.2008
Jordan Spence will be in action again tonight as already-qualified England
conclude their round-robin qualifying group for the 2009 European Under-19
Championship.
The 18-year-old central defender skippered England to 3-0 and 3-1 wins
against Albania and hosts Northern Ireland last week in their
mini-tournament to ensure progress to the Elite round next spring before the
final game against Serbia. Tonight's opponents in Newry are also through
with maximum points from their opening two fixtures so the final contest is
simply about who finishes first in the section.
Spence's success follows on from Mark Noble's delight in helping the
Under-21s to a 3-2 win against Wales last Friday. That gave the Young Lions
the edge in their European U21 Championship play-off with the second leg on
Tuesday at Villa Park. At Under-16 level, Robert Hall has again been named
in the Victory Shield squad after playing his part earlier this month in the
6-0 victory against Northern Ireland. Hall will hope to figure when England
go to Llanelli to face Wales on 31 October.
Naturally, academy director Tony Carr is thrilled for Spence - who has
represented England at every age level. "They obviously like him in the
England set-up as he has come all the way through. It is great that they
have qualified. We have got a good spread of academy products in the
international picture with Mark Noble leading the way with the Under-21s,
while we also have Jack Collison involved with Wales."
On the 14-year-old striker Hall, Carr was pleased to see the young forward
make his mark at U16 level and then get another chance to impress. He sees
only positives for the future. "Robert is a good prospect and hopefully he
will continue to improve. He will keep his feet on the ground. I am sure
that will be the case because he is a good lad with a good family behind
him. Hopefully he is one for the future for us."
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Games the key for Bellamy - WHUFC
A midweek test against Germany will serve Craig Bellamy well for the Sunday
trip to Hull City
13.10.2008
Craig Bellamy is looking forward to taking on the might of Germany on
Wednesday night after the "big bonus" of an extended weekend run-out for the
West Ham United striker in World Cup qualifying.
Although he did not score in the 2-0 win against Liechtenstein, the Wales
captain was not too despondent - even with a missed penalty. It was his
first start of the season after three club games off the bench. He said: "If
I scored a hat-trick and played as well as I could have, ran into the corner
and pulled up lame that would have destroyed me. So to come off and feel I
am ready to play on Wednesday is great. I have not had that in a long time
to be able to play consecutive matches.
"Training does not prepare you for a game, which is different as it is about
touch, turning - a completely different scenario. People say you need games
to get into the rhythm. Hopefully this will help me become sharper ...
hopefully they more I play in games and you will see a different scenario.
You only get sharp with games and my game is based on sharpness. So the more
games I get, the better I will be."
Bellamy is a man for the big occasion and expects he and his international
colleagues - including fit-again James Collins - to provide a test for their
hosts in Monchengladbach on Wednesday. "Germany will be a completely
different game, much quicker," he said. "It will be a good football pitch ?
my goals have been against the decent sides at international level and there
is no more decent team than Germany.
"I don't know why we play better against bigger teams," the striker added.
"Maybe the counterattack, or maybe the mentality. I know it might sound
strange, but to play against the bigger teams is easier as you know what you
are up against. You know you will be up against it, and you know you need to
be on your game otherwise it will be very tough."
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Your chance to meet McAvennie - WHUFC
Frank McAvennie will give fans a treat at a Halloween book signing at the
Lakeside shopping centre
13.10.2008
Club legend Frank McAvennie will be visiting the Lakeside store to sign
copies of a new book.
The former striker, who scored 57 goals in 186 games for the club, will be
in store at the Essex shopping centre on Friday 31 October between 1.30pm
and 4.30pm to sign copies of a new book entitled 'West Ham United - In My
Day Vol.Two'. It follows on from the hugely popular first volume launched
last year.
The new book is packed with 20 exclusive interviews with former West Ham
United players from decades spanning from the late-1950s to the late-90s, as
they recall their highs and lows of life with West Ham United through a
series of compelling interviews.
As well as providing a fascinating insight into what playing for the east
London club meant to players who wore the claret and blue, In My Day also
presents more than 160 evocative black and white photographs from days gone
by, many of them published for the first time.
Among those featured in this edition are cult hero Julian Dicks, 1980 FA Cup
winner Geoff Pike, 1975 FA Cup winners Pat Holland and Mervyn Day, Irish
legend Liam Brady and, of course, golden boy McAvennie, whose goals shot
United to within touching distance of the championship in 1986.
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International round-up - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 13th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson played a full 90 minutes as England comfortably beat
Kazakhstan at Wembley. The 29-year-old centre-half had a fairly uneventful
evening as Fabio Capello's charges strolled to victory - eventually -
against a young side full of inexperience. Robert Green - also in the squad
for Saturday and this coming Wednesday's game against Belarus - was an
unused substitute. Elsewhere, striker Craig Bellamy didn't enjoy the best of
comebacks after he missed a penalty in Wales' 2-0 win over minnows
Liechtenstein at the Millennium Stadium. Talking after the game, the Welsh
captain said: It is not the first penalty I have missed so I am not going to
beat myself up about it. But it was so bad the keeper nearly dived over it!"
Bellamy managed to play for 80 minutes before being replaced by centre-half
James Collins - another formerly-injured Hammer returning to the
international stage.
Valon Behrami was part of the Swiss side that narrowly beat Latvia at the
AFG Arena on Saturday night. The United midfielder, whose fitness was cause
for concern last week after a training ground incident shook off any doubts
by completing the entire game. Friday night saw Mark Noble's England
under-21s edge past their Welsh counterparts - including Jack Collison - in
the first leg of their Euro Championship qualifier.
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Striker decision imminent - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 13th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola is set to make a decision over Spanish striker Diego Tristan
in the next 48 hours. Despite reports to the contrary from Setanta Sports
last week Tristan extended his stay in London by a second week in order to
demonstrate his fitness levels, which were said to be concerning Zola and
number two Steve Clarke. Having initially impressed with his skill and
commitment the only barrier preventing the 32-year-old veteran from being
offered a contract was his serious lack of fitness, a result of not having
played since being released by relegated Livorno at the end of last season.
Zola confirmed last week that Tristan was still in his thoughts, telling
whufc.com: "He is staying with us this week and then we will make a
decision. He's working very well and we're pleased with him. "He could be a
good alternative. He's got a lot of experience; he's got skills so he can do
well as long as he gets fit."
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Upson ready for Belarus battle - SSN
Defender looking to impress in Minsk
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 13th October 2008
Matthew Upson is confident he can handle the pressure if called upon by
Fabio Capello in Belarus. Upson lined up alongside Rio Ferdinand in the
heart of England's defence on Saturday against Kazakhstan. He is expected to
keep his place for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier after John Terry was
again ruled out with a back injury. Ashley Cole will also miss the clash in
Minsk due to a hamstring problem but Upson believes the England squad is
capable of coping with such absences and is looking to make the most of his
chance. Asked if he had done enough to keep his place, Upson replied on Sky
Sports News: "I hope so. I gave it 100 per cent and I have been learning and
focusing in the week and I think I am ready to step in. "It is a blow to
lose two players like that but I guess it is just a hazard of the game.
"That is what the squad is here for and we will have to pull together in
Belarus." Upson believes England are making progress under Capello and is
targeting three points from a potentially tricky fixture against Belarus.
Victory would give England their most successful start to a World Cup
qualifying campaign and Upson realises the importance of putting more
pressure on the chasing teams in Group 6. He said: "It is something the
players are focusing on. A win would give us 12 points which would be a
fantastic start and that is what we are trying to achieve. "I think we are
getting more of an understanding. There are certain areas we need to work on
but it is a process of improving and I think we are on the right track."
England have won their first three competitive matches with Capello at the
helm but Upson does not want the supporters to get too excited. "I think it
is natural for the fans to expect a lot from their team," admitted the West
Ham defender. "I think we have one of the strongest groups of players in the
world, and we have a fantastic stadium so there is going to be pressure and
expectation. "That is something we have to cope with. The players would ask
probably not to get too carried away, as we are still in that process of
building and learning."
Wayne Rooney has been in supreme form for England in recent games and Upson
has been impressed by the 22-year-old. Upson said: "He has had an
unbelievable start to his career. People can forget just how young he is.
"The moment people expect a certain level of performance things can get
tough but I think Wayne has coped with that brilliantly. "I think Wayne will
go from strength to strength."
Upson also backed Ashley Cole to respond in the right manner after being
booed by his own fans for making a mistake against Kazakhstan. Asked if
such booing can affect the whole team, Upson answered: "I think it does in a
way but it can be positive. It makes us pull together and we all encouraged
Ash. "It is their right (to boo). We would ask them for a bit of leniency
and understanding when mistakes happen. As a group it is important that we
look after each other. "Part of being an elite sportsman is reacting well
when you make mistakes and Ash knows that. He will cope with it mentally."
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The Chairman Needs to Speak to Us - West Ham Till I Die
The weekend papers carried all sorts of lurid rumours about the likely fate
of West Ham now that its chairman's fortune has been devastated by the
credit crunch. Much of it was probably ill informed speculation, but it is
nevertheless very unsettling for all who have the club's interests at heart.
I have no inside information about what is going on, but I do know - as
someone who has a background in media relations - that the lack of any firm
statement from the chairman will be seen by journalists as an indication
that he is looking to sell. We're told on C'Mon U Irons that he would rather
sell any of his other assets that sell West Ham, but there are no quotes at
all.
So let's stop the speculation, let's have some facts. We deserve no less.
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Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson: I would rather sell my other assets then sell West
Ham United - Cmon Yu Irons
13 October 2008
After speculation that Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is looking to sell West Ham
United and that the club would be going into administration, news has
arrived that Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson wants to reassure the fans that he has
no intentions of selling his club and that administration is far from being
true.
According to the Independent Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is furious with rumours
that West Ham United have supposedly asked the firm Seymour Pierce to find a
new owner for the club, he also wanted the fans to know that he would rather
sell any of his other assets than sell West Ham United.
This is great news from the big man whom has suffered great losses in his
Icelandic empire and that his country Iceland are begging him to sell his
European assets in aid of helping the Icelandic economy.
All premier league clubs have massive debts and West Ham's debts are around
£60m in various loans, this amount is nothing compared to what is called the
big 4 clubs which in total is estimated at around £1.2bn.
The threat of having to pay Sheffield Utd up to £50m is a big worry for the
club, but with the talent of the squad and at least 6-8 players rumoured to
be sold in january the club will be ready for its destiny.
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Captain Neill begs West Ham for long-term contract - Daily Mail
By Christopher Davies
Last updated at 2:19 PM on 13th October 2008
Lucas Neill has pleaded with West Ham to give him a new contract. The
Hammers' captain is in the last year of his current deal and the arrival of
Gianfranco Zola has given the Australian international a lift. He said: 'My
contract runs out next summer and I am open to them giving me a few more
years at the club. If it doesn't work out, so be it but I'd love a long-term
commitment. 'I love playing in England and the pressure cooker of the
Premier League. 'I suppose sometimes you can be in a place too long, become
a little too comfortable and little bit stale. But the change of manager has
refreshed everything. The Australian international, who joined West Ham
from Blackburn in January 2007, heaped praise on new boss Zola. 'Zola is a
fantastic guy, really enthusiastic. He is a footballing man and all the boys
are really pleased with the way things have gone so far. 'If I was not held
in such high regard at West Ham and being captain and very proud of that.
Why leave somewhere where I am one of the most important people at the club?
'I don't mean that in an arrogant way. I mean it is such a responsibility
and I relish it.'
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Upson: Me and Rio need some work - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 13 October 2008
Matthew Upson has admitted that his relationship with Rio Ferdinand 'needs
some work' as England prepare to cope without John Terry for Wednesday's
trip to Belarus – live on Setanta Sports. England face Belarus on Wednesday,
live on Setanta Sports. Click here for details on how to subscribe to see
the game on Setanta Sports on satellite and freeview plus Setanta By
Broadband. A back injury means England's skipper misses out once again, and
Upson is favourite to retain his place at centre back despite a nervy
showing against Kazakhstan. Belarus will provide a much greater attacking
threat than the Kazaks, despite the absence of Alexander Hleb, and Upson
admits his understanding with Ferdinand needs to improve. "It's a blow to
lose two players like John and Ashley (Cole). But that's what the squad's
here for, we all need to pull together and provide cover," said the West Ham
defender. "I think myself and Rio are getting more of an understanding, the
more time we spend together, the better the relationship's gonna be. "There
are areas that we still need to work on, Mr Capello highlights them in team
meetings and out on the training pitch, but it's a process of improving and
I think we're on the right track."
Cole misses out due to a hamstring injury, meaning he will have to wait for
the chance to answer the boo-boys who berated him for gifting Kazakhstan a
consolation on Saturday. Upson admits he understands the boos, but he asked
England's fans to lower their expectations so soon into Fabio Capello's
reign. "The boos made us pull together, it's unfortunate that it (Cole's
mistake) happened but everyone's going to make a mistake at some point in
their career. "Ash made that, but you move on and the team will be stronger
for it. "It's natural for the fans to expect a lot from their team. We've
got one of the strongest groups of players in the world, the stadium is
fantastic – so there's going to be expectation. "What we ask is that you
don't get too carried away, we are still in the process of building.
"Nobody's expecting the crowd to clap for 90 minutes. You just ask for a bit
of leniency, everyone in that stadium has made a mistake in life – so why
jump on Ashley's back? "I agree that they can come and cheer, boo, whatever,
but as players we'll stick together."
As for the task ahead, Upson revealed a draw would not be the worst result
for England in Minsk. "It's too early to say if we'll win the group or not,
but what we can do is take every game as it comes. "A win on Wednesday would
be a great start, but a different result wouldn't be a complete disaster
either. "Belarus are a big threat. They only lost to Ukraine by a late goal,
they beat Andorra comfortably, it will be a difficult game."
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Bellamy keen to build on fitness - TeamTalk
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy is confident two games in five days is just
what he needs to rediscover his best form for the Hammers. The striker
started his first match of the season for Wales in the 2-0 win over
Liechtenstein on Saturday and is set to feature again against Germany on
Wednesday. Bellamy missed a penalty against Liechtenstein - Wales' third in
as many games - but he insisted staying injury free was all that mattered.
"If I scored a hat-trick and played as well as I could have, ran into the
corner and pulled up lame that would have destroyed me," he told the
Hammers' official website. "So to come off and feel I am ready to play on
Wednesday is great. I haven't had that in a long time, to be able to play
consecutive matches. "People say you need games to get into the rhythm. You
only get sharp with games and my game is based on sharpness. So the more
games I get, the better I will be."
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Hammers' clash with Tigers is a sell-out - Echo
1:43pm Monday 13th October 2008
WEST HAM'S first-ever Premier League trip to Hull City's KC Stadium is a
25,000 sell-out. Around 2,500 Hammers' supporters will make the journey up
the A1 to watch their side take on the Tigers, who have roared into the
top-six following a superb start to the season. And home fans snapped up the
final few remaining tickets for Sunday afternoon's clash on Monday morning.
This weekend's match will mark West Ham's first visit to Humberside in
17-and-a-half years, the Irons' last visit ending in a goalless Division Two
draw at Boothferry Park in March 1991. That season, the Irons won the
corresponding fixture 7-1 at Upton Park, a fixture that saw Steve Potts
score his one and only goal for the club. The Hammers have not lost a league
game at Hull since November 1955, but did go down to a 1-0 FA Cup fourth
round defeat at Boothferry Park in January 1973. Sunday's fixture will see
Gianfranco Zola's side come up against former Iron Richard Garcia, the
Australian forward who won the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1999.
Newly-promoted Hull come into the game third in the Premier League table and
unbeaten in four matches, while Zola will be hoping his side can bounce back
from their disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Bolton on October 5.
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Indian billionaire Anil Ambani delays West Ham bid as price drops
13.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Indian billionaire Anil Ambani is convinced he can land West Ham United on
the cheap. The Sunday Mirror says the Indian tycoon, the sixth richest man
in the world, was poised to make a £150million bid for the club. But Ambani
has instructed his financial advisers to delay making an immediate move. He
now believes he could snap up the Hammers for half that amount – and could
wait until the New Year to make a move. West Ham's majority shareholder,
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, is in financial meltdown. A source close to Ambani
said: "He is in no immediate rush to make a move for West Ham given their
present financial plight. As things stand he believes the club is overpriced
and will eventually be forced to sell for a great deal less than the current
asking price."
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West Ham chiefs furious with administration claims
13.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have rubbished claims they face administration. The
Independent says West Ham are furious at suggestions they face the threat of
administration because of the economic crisis. The club's chairman and
owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who is the single shareholder, was hit hard
by the collapse of the financial markets. However, Gudmundsson has again
reassured the club that he has no intention of selling West Ham and neither
has he appointed the investment house Seymour Pierce to field inquiries from
prospective bidders. There is interest in buying the club but this has been
rebuffed by Gudmundsson, who has stressed that he remains fully committed to
West Ham and would rather sell his other assets if he is forced to.
Understandably, and despite those reassurances, there is nervousness at the
club.
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