There will be plenty of West Ham United involvement when the international
fixtures resume this week
06.10.2008
West Ham United are not in action until the trip to Hull City on 19 October
so the focus for a number of players will switch to representing their
countries. Qualification for World Cup in South Africa in 2010 will be the
main priority for most with games on Saturday and Wednesday week but there
is also the fascinating prospect of two West Ham United youngsters going
head to head.
Under-21s
Mark Noble and Jack Collison have both been called into their respective
Under-21 squads for the crucial European Championship play-off between
England and Wales and the central midfielders are expected to come up
against each other in the two games. The first leg will be played at Ninian
Park, Cardiff on Friday 10 October with the return leg four days later at
Villa Park. The winner will seal a place at the U21 Euro finals in Sweden
next summer. For more on this story click here
England
Fabio Capello has named Robert Green and Matthew Upson in his England squad
for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions face Kazakhstan at
Wembley first followed by a trip to Belarus. England are top of Group 6 with
two wins from two, with Upson coming on as a late substitute in the 4-1 win
in Croatia last time out. For more on this story click here
Wales
James Collins and Craig Bellamy have been selected in the Wales squad,
having missed the two previous World Cup qualifiers. Liechtenstein visit the
Millennium Stadium before Wales travel to face Germany. Bellamy has made
three substitute appearances for the club this season while Collins played
70 minutes for the reserves in the 4-3 win over West Bromwich Albion last
week. Wales are third in Group 4 with three points.
Switzerland
Valon Behrami has been called up by Ottmar Hitzfeld as Switzerland hope to
get their qualification campaign back after the surprise 2-1 defeat at home
by Luxembourg. Behrami missed that match with a slight knock, but will be
looking to help his country move up the table after that defeat left them
fifth in Group 2. The Swiss first play host to Latvia before making the trip
to take on Greece.
Australia
Lucas Neill has been selected by Australia coach Pim Verbeek for the
upcoming Asian zone qualifier against Qatar. The Socceroos, who sit third in
Group 1 with three points from one game, welcome their opponents to Brisbane
on Wednesday week.
DR Congo
Coach Patrice Neveu has called up Herita Ilunga to the DR Congo squad for
their final African zone second round qualifier. The Leopards are in action
on 11 October knowing they must avoid defeat away in Malawi to stand any
chance of progressing to the last phase as one of eight best runners-up from
the 12 groups.
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Upson and Green flying the flag - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 6th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has retained his place in the England squad, despite making the
errors which cost West Ham the points in yesterday's 3-1 home defeat against
Bolton.
Green - who couldn't get picked for England when at the top of his form -
has kept his place in Fabio Capello's squad despite making two first half
blunders in yesterday's Premier League clash. Meanwhile Matthew Upson also
keeps his place in the squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers
against Kazakhstan and Belarus. England face Kazakhstan at Wembley this
coming Saturday before travelling to Minsk to face Belarus the following
Wednesday.
Full England squad
James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham), Carson (West Brom); Brown (Manchester
United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Manchester
United), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge
(Chelsea); Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Walcott (Arsenal), Barry (Aston
Villa), Jenas (T*ttenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Downing
(Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City); Heskey (Wigan), Crouch
(Portsmouth), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth
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Zola gives his support to Green - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 6th October 2008
By: Thomas Rooney
Robert Green has been fantastic for West Ham during his time at the club. He
has often rescued a number of points for the Hammers and has got himself a
reputation as a superb saver of penalties. However, in yesterday's
disappointing 3-1 defeat to he made two mistakes that effectively cost
Gianfranco Zola his first points since taking charge.
First, Green dropped a regulation catch after 30 minutes that allowed Kevin
Davies to tap the ball into an empty net. Then, just four minutes later, he
failed to hold on to a low shot which gave Gary Cahill the chance to bundle
the ball home. It was a nightmare few minutes for the keeper and something
he will want to forget as soon as possible.
Quite rightly though, Zola has come out in support of his keeper. The new
West Ham boss said that Green is a 'great goalkeeper' with 'all my trust'.
It was important that Zola immediately made public comments in favour of
Green. It was, after all, just a bad day at the office. Actually, it was
more like a bad four minutes at the office. That's the reality of what
making mistakes as a goalkeeper can do. They are always highlighted –
especially when two come along in quick succession during a defeat.
As Zola says, Green is a fantastic goalkeeper and one that will bounce back.
He would have been given a lift later yesterday afternoon as well when he
was named in Fabio Capello's England squad for the games against Kazakhstan
and Belarus. At 28-years-old, if Green has international ambitions, he needs
to be in and around the squad, so it's good to see him in Capello's
thinking.
In reality, he will be sitting on the bench for the England games though and
I'm sure he would much rather have another game for West Ham straight away
to redeem himself. Instead, he will have two weeks to think about his
errors. However, he shouldn't think about it too much. The game is gone now
and it is all about training with England. When West Ham travel to 3rd
placed Hull in a couple of week's time, I have no doubt that Green will be
back to the keeper we all know he can be. I'd actually like to see the
football odds on him saving a penalty in this game as that tends to be how
football works sometimes.
A quick word on the game itself – well, two words: reality check. Most fans,
pundits and even players went into this game thinking it would be a rather
comfortable three points for West Ham. After three wins out of three at
Upton Park so far, a lot of football bets were being placed on Zola's men to
comfortably defeat struggling Bolton. As we know – this was far from the
case.
Like Green had a blip though, I hope it is a case of the team simply having
a blip. It wasn't the ideal result going into the international break, but
West Ham currently sit in 6th position after seven games and that's a decent
start. Of course, three points over Bolton would have been welcome
considering games against Arsenal and Manchester United are not too far
away. However, Zola will make sure that the players, including Green, are
more than ready to face in-form Hull on 19th October.
West Ham didn't exactly play too badly against Bolton; it was just a case of
heads going down when Gary Megson's side went 2-0 up. Zola has targeted a
mental improvement from his players in the coming weeks and has actually
stated that this latest result could be a blessing in disguise. Not only
does it give everyone involved at the club a reality check, but it could
prove to be 'one step back and two steps forward'.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola supports goalkeeper Robert Green after
mistakes - Telegraph
The honeymoon at Upton Park is over for Gianfranco Zola but the West Ham
manager defended goalkeeper Robert Green whose uncharacteristic errors
helped Bolton to a 3-1 victory yesterday.
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 10:32AM BST 06 Oct 2008
England goalkeeper Green gifted Kevin Davies the first, dropping a routine
cross into the striker's path, and Bolton took advantage of a parried save
with Gary Cahill making a straightforward finish for the second. Carlton
Cole's header offered the hosts a temporary reprieve but Green appeared
unprepared for Matthew Taylor's thunderous third, failing to deploy a wall
in front of the stunning 25-yard free-kick which sealed a first win on the
road since April for the visitors. Zola managed to find consolatory praise
for the number one despite his costly errors, and Green later celebrated an
international call-up – along with club colleague Matthew Upson – for
England's forthcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and
Belarus. "He's disappointed," said Zola. "But I have nothing to say as he's
a great goalkeeper and has all my trust and the team's trust. "Everybody
believes in him. It was a bad day for him – but football is like that."
The Italian suffered his first league loss since replacing Alan Curbishley
last month, after starting brightly with wins against Newcastle and Fulham.
But Zola maintains both he and his side will come back stronger when they
return from the international break after learning a valuable lesson in
defeat. "It might be rhetoric but games like this can help you too," he
said. "One step backwards and two steps forward. "Until the goal we were
completely in control of the game and doing what we were supposed to do. But
we need to improve mentally. "It is painful to lose but we will come back
stronger – we should react quickly and it's a pity we don't play next week."
Meanwhile, it is understood ongoing negotiations with several potential
sponsors will be concluded this week as West Ham edge closer to replacing
former principle partners XL Airways, which ceased operations when they were
put into administration last month. Zola, meanwhile, is expected to make a
final decision over whether to sign free agent Diego Tristan after the
32-year-old former Spain striker spent a week-long trial at the club's
Chadwell Heath training complex. Midfielder Nigel Quashie is expected to
make a loan move to Championship leaders Birmingham City next week following
a recovery from a knee injury which has kept him out of action since March
2007.
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Zola backs Green while Cole is grateful for international break -
sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 06 October 2008 - 11:08 AM
Category: Football
Robert Green was culpable for all three of Bolton's goals in their 3-1 win
on Sunday at Upton Park, but manager Gianfranco Zola refused to make his
goalkeeper a scapegoat. It was the Italian's first taste of defeat in the
Premier League, but he backed Green to return stronger, labelling him a
"great goalkeeper".After half an hour, in a rare Bolton attack, the
28-year-old dropped a cross at the feet of Kevin Davies for the opening
goal.
And he should have done better four minutes later but could only steer
Gretar Rafn Steinsson's drive into the path of onrushing defender Gary
Cahill, who netted his first goal since his £5m summer move from Aston
Villa.
Though Carlton Cole pulled a goal back for the home side after the interval,
Matty Taylor?s quickly-taken free-kick, which made Green blush again, sealed
the result with four minutes remaining. The Hammers have not managed to keep
a clean sheet in their past 20 games, dating back to February.
Zola said of Green: "He is a great goalkeeper - he has all my trust, all of
the team's trust. Everyone believes in him. It has been a bad day, but I am
sure next game he is going to save two penalties - football is like that."
Striker Cole, who, unlike Green, was not called up to the England squad,
believes that the international break will be a good opportunity for the
team to dispel the stench of disappointment in the dressing room before they
travel to Hull on October 19.
"The boys are very disappointed and the atmosphere is very subdued," Cole,
24, said. "We just want to be positive now until the next game.
"We know what we have to do to improve - it is not always rosy in the
Premier League and we need to battle on and get our next win under our
belts. We will bounce back and it will be a good two weeks for us to clear
our heads and get focussed on the Hull game."
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McLeish hoping forgotten Hammer Quashie will fit in at Birmingham - Daily
Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:47 PM on 06th October 2008
Coca-Cola Championship table-toppers Birmingham City are hoping to complete
the loan signing of West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie when he has
demonstrated his return to full fitness. Quashie has spent almost a month
training with the midlands club to prove he is ready for a return to
competitive action. City manager Alex McLeish was quoted in the Daily Mirror
as saying : 'We will try to do something after the international break. We
have had him on a fitness programme because he has been out of the game for
a long time, and he has looked good. 'He is on the verge of being able to
play at the top again.'
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Nigel Quashie to complete move to Birmingham City - sundaymercury.net
Oct 6 2008
After spending time at Birmingham City on trial recently as we reported last
week it looks like West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie will make a loan move
to Birmingham after next week's international break.
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I went to the wrong Match! West Ham v Bolton - CmonYuIrons
6 October 2008
Reading some of the rags makes me wonder if I watched the same match as the
persons who wrote the articles.
The Independent headlines: West Ham 1 Bolton 3: Error-strewn Green hands
Bolton an easy victory. Hardly an easy victory, West Ham dominated most of
the game with some fine passing football and possession, I must have missed
that match!
Fair enough Green did make a couple of blunders which in his case is very
rare, we usually only see those kind of mistakes made my David James and
without those blunders Bolton would probably not have won. Zola was right
when he shouted to lads on the pitch "Chin Up" losing confidence after a
goal is what West Ham is renown for. Green was not the only person who made
mistakes, Noble and Faubert lacked concentration and led to some silly
passes to the opposition. Overall i was pleased with the style skill we
played, Zola promised us entertaining football and that,s what we got, as
Zola said " Winning every game is not important, its not War, but
entertaining football is" and to me, entertainment is what i want each
season when i pay for my season ticket. Great game, well done to Bolton but
hardly an easy win.
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Tottenham following West Ham's Noble
06.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Tottenham are tracking West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble. The England
U21 international is rated in the £7 million class by the Hammers, which may
be forced to sell due to their hefty compensation bill owed to Sheffield
United.
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Birmingham boss McLeish confirms deal for West Ham's Quashie
06.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has confirmed he intends to sign on-loan
West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie. Quashie, 30, has spent almost a month
training with the Blues to prove his fitness having missed last season with
a foot injury. Manager Alex McLeish said: "We will try to do something after
the international break.
"We have had him on a fitness programme because he has been out of the game
for a long time, and he has looked good. "He is on the verge of being able
to play at the top again."
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Time to cash in on Ashton? - BubblesInTheAir.com
Monday 06 Oct 2008 15:42:38 by Dechlan Costello
Dean Ashton was the subject of intense transfer talk during the summer
transfer window, and I believe it could be the same next summer.....but for
completely different reasons! Just three months ago, the thought of losing
our star striker would have had every Hammer fan up in arms, especially
after losing the likes of Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora. But today I
asked myself how much would he really be missed? Now I know that some people
will see this as being close to Blasphemy, but what has Ashton really
offered us over the last two years? (Apart from the most experienced medical
team in the Premiership)
I do not argue that he is a very strong and powerful striker. He has
reportedly attracted attention from Newcastle United, Aston Villa and
Manchester United. He does score goals when he is fit. But that is the key
phrase....WHEN HE IS FIT. It may surprise many to know that Ashton signed
for West Ham on 23 Jan 2006, and has only managed a total of 19 league
starts to date. That is an average of less than one start for every playing
month in the Premiership calendar.
Aston Villa made a bid of £12million for Ashton during the transfer window.
In hindsight I think we should have accepted and reinvested the money.
Although that is an idea that seems to be completely lost on our board. I
also think that should any offers come along in the future for Ashton that
West Ham should seriously consider any offer before dismissing it out of
hand. As it stands Ashton is currently one of the clubs high earners, He
hardly ever plays due to ongoing injuries......remind you of a certain Mr
Ljundberg? And we all know how that ended up.......!
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SPURS TALK: £7million Hammers midfielder on Ramos' radar? - Echo
12:57pm Monday 6th October 2008
TOTTENHAM are considering a £7million move for rising Hammers star Mark
Noble, according to internet reports. The West Ham midfielder is beginning
to make a name for himself alongside Scott Parker in the Premier League and
is reportedly catching the eye of Spurs' scouts, if football site
TribalFootball is to be believed.
It has been suggested that the White Hart Lane outfit will test the Irons'
will with a bid of around £7million as they look to bolster their midfield.
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Former Hammers wants U's job - Echo
1:52pm Monday 6th October 2008
FORMER West Ham United winger Mark Robson has thrown his hat in the ring to
become the new manager of League One side Colchester United. The Newham-born
39-year-old, who made 47 appearances for the Hammers during a year-long stay
at the club in the early 1990s, has revealed his ambition to succeed Geraint
Williams at the Community Stadium. Robson, currently first-team coach under
former Grays Athletic boss Mark Stimson at League Two Gillingham, would also
consider an assistant manager role at the north Essex club. "Colchester
United would obviously be a very good place to manage and make your trade,"
he revealed. "It's a well-run club and I don't see any reason why I can't be
in the frame. "I know the game and it would be a great opportunity for me
and a great way to start my managerial career. "I enjoy the development side
of things both with the younger and the senior players. "Without giving too
much away, I think one of my main qualities is my man-management skills. "I
was at Charlton since 2000 and was there for a long time. While I was there,
I worked with Alan Curbishley and some other extremely good managers (Iain
Dowie, Les Reed and ex-West Ham chief Alan Pardew). "Management is something
I've wanted to do for a long time and it's a case of getting that job and
that opportunity."
Two other former Hammers - Teddy Sheringham and Steve Lomas - have also been
linked with the role, which became vacant after Welshman Williams left the
club after three years in charge a fortnight ago.
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Tristan handed second week to earn contract - Echo
3:54pm Monday 6th October 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
DIEGO Tristan has been given a second week to earn a contract at West Ham
United. The former Spain striker has spent the past seven days on trial with
the Hammers as manager Gianfranco Zola searches for a short-term replacement
for the injured Dean Ashton. Tristan, 32, has been without a club since his
release by Italian side Livorno at the end of last season. The ex-Deportivo
La Coruna star has been training at the Irons' Chadwell Heath training
ground since last Wednesday and has impressed Zola with his technique and
finishing. However, doubts remain over the forward's fitness and ability to
deal with the rigours of Premier League football. Seville-born Tristan will
not be involved in West Ham's Barclays Premier Reserve League South clash
with Fulham at Motspur Park on Tuesday evening (7pm kick-off), but he will
remain with the Hammers until the end of the week.
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Hammers keeper will bounce back from horror show, says England coach - Echo
Published Date: 06 October 2008
England coach Ray Clemence has backed West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green to
bounce back from a terrible performance when he gifted Bolton two goals in a
3-1 defeat. Green is an understudy to David James for England, and Clemence
is convinced he will rise to the England challenge if called upon for the
World Cup qualifiers.
Clemence said: "Robert Green has been playing well all season. Unfortunately
he made a couple of errors but that happens to goalkeepers. "You have got to
have broad shoulders. You have got to remember you are a quality goalkeeper
and carry on."
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