WHUFC.com
After an unfortunate first campaign in east London, Julien Faubert is
finding his feet at last
07.11.2008
Julien Faubert has spoken of the high confidence in the camp with this
weekend's return to the Boleyn Ground after road trips to Manchester and
Middlesbrough.
The France midfielder is looking forward to a double-header of home games in
quick succession - against Everton this Saturday and then Portsmouth in a
week's time. If selected, those two matches will finally bring up 20 league
games in claret and blue for the No20 who signed in summer 2007 - a reminder
of the frustrating time he endured last season with injury and his steadfast
determination to battle back.
Faubert had a good pre-season though before this campaign and is finally
feeling at home in east London as a regular in the side. All that is needed
now is an upturn in results to match the positive play like that seen in the
1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. "There has only been frustration that the results
have not come in some matches lately, especially as we have been playing
very well," he said.
"There is good spirit around the dressing room, we got a point last week and
now this match is one we want to win very much and there is no reason why we
can't be confident in doing this. I came here because I feel I can achieve a
lot here. We play good football and everyone is looking for success, we have
a good manager, staff and players to do this."
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Upson 'Creating Chances'
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson paid a visit to an Essex group that offers support to people
dealing with mental illness
07.11.2008
Some say that defending is an art but Matthew Upson got a taste of the real
thing when he took a trip to an Essex-based group as part of the Barclays
Premier League's Creating Chances community initiative.
The England defender paid a visit to the Braintree Rethink Carers Support
Group,
as part of the club's ongoing involvement in the Places for Players
programme. The charity offers support, guidance and a voice to those
suffering from mental illness and also, crucially, to those people around
them whose lives are affected too.
Upson met and spoke with volunteers, carers and representatives of the
organisation as well as those from the mental health trust. He also viewed
the Creative Minds art exhibition which featured works of art created by
those who have suffered mental health problems.
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West Ham v Everton
BBC.co.uk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 8 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Merseyside &
highlights on Match of the Day; featured game on Final Score
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West Ham's Scott Parker has recovered from a calf injury, while striker
Diego Tristan (leg) and defender Calum Davenport (thigh) are being assessed.
Midfielders Mark Noble (calf) and Valon Behrami (groin) remain unavailable,
and striker Carlton Cole is suspended.
Everton have doubts over Steven Pienaar (knee) and Ayegbeni Yakubu (heel)
while Marouane Fellaini is missing after picking up his season's fifth
booking. Midfielder Segundo Castillo could start after coming through a
reserve game.
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West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Collison, Mullins, Boa Morte, Bowyer, Bellamy, Sears, Etherington, Walker,
Lastuvka, Lopez, Tomkins, Di Michele, Tristan, Davenport.
Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta,
Osman, Pienaar, Cahill, Castillo, Yakubu, Anichebe, Vaughan, Saha, Baines,
Rodwell, Nash.
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Everton David Moyes: "We played well there last year and got two really
important results in league and cup. "But that was last year and it's a
different West Ham with a different manager. "It's a different Everton too
but I would love a similar result."
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A load of Barack's
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will invite the new President of the United States to a
forthcoming match at the Boleyn. Barack Obama swept to power earlier this
week amid scenes that echoed Tony Blair's instalment as Prime Minister back
in 1997. Back in January it was revealed that Obama's Kent-based relatives
are all Hammers fans - and that they took the newly-crowned President to a
game at the Boleyn during a family visit back in 2003. And now the 44th
President of the USA has been invited to a game of his choice by the club;
director Mike Lee confirming: "We are very proud of what Barack Obama has
achieved and respect what he has done. "We plan to send him a letter of
congratulations and invite him to come to game at Upton Park the next time
he is in London."
Gianfranco Zola echoed the welcome, adding: "I will invite him to come and
see us - but at the moment I am sure he has other things on his mind!"
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Lee goes
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Mike Lee is understood to have resigned from his position as non-executive
director at West Ham United. Lee, the former Director of Communications and
Public Affairs for the London 2012 Olympic bid arrived at the club in
December 2007 as part of a major board reshuffle following the departure of
Eggert Magnusson.
However it is understood that he will now work only in his role of director
of communications having relinquished his non-executive position - a role
which has led to him representing the club in a number of interviews in
recent months. Oxford-educated Lee, who completed a BA (Hons) in Politics,
Philosophy and Economics at St Peter's College has spent his career in media
relations, and was heavily involved in the bid to bring the 2012 Olympics to
London. The former Director of Communications and Public Affairs for UEFA
was awarded an OBE in the 2005 New Honours List, and was expected to play a
major role in West Ham United's proposed move to a new stadium. However with
that project on the back-burner for now, Lee's role has included more
general representation.
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Exodus?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has insisted that the collapse of Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's
business empire will not lead to a mass player exodus at West Ham.
Gudmundsson - who has already seen his bank, Landsbanki, go under this year
- received further bad news earlier this week when one of his major assets,
Samson Holdings went into receivership. That led to further rumours
suggesting the Icelandic businessman is set to sell West Ham United. However
Zola insisted yesterday that even were that the case, he will be under no
pressure to trim his squad. "The situation hasn't changed even though it
seems there is a story about this every day," he said. "I have been assured
that the club hasn't got any problems. "I am going to be working with my
players and focusing on helping them to play as best as they can. Right now
we don't need to buy anybody because we have a big, big squad when I have
everybody back from injury. "My job is to work with this team and improve
it. For this year everything I need is in this squad. Maybe I need to sell
some players because not all of them are going to get a game. But I don't
have [any] concerns.
"Everything I need is in this squad and I'm going to be working with it.
That is where the manager comes in."
Zola - who leads his side out against Everton at the Boleyn tomorrow as they
seek their first win in six - also called for a reduction in the number of
top flight games played every season. "It is one of the issues that
everybody should be looking at. In this country the top teams play too many
games. I did that with Chelsea and it is very demanding physically. There
should be a mid-season break. "Everywhere else they have it, so they should
have it in this country as well."
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Duo back in contention
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
Diego Tristan and Scott Parker are both in contention for a starting berth
against EVerton at the Boleyn this weekend. Parker, who had missed United's
last two games through injury is back in full trianing and fit for selection
- whilst Spanish striker Tristan, who made his first appearance for the club
against Tottenham reserves earlier this week is also likely to be fit
despite an injury scare that caused him to come off at half time. Definitely
out of contention however are Valon Behrami (calf strain) and Mark Noble
(also calf) whilst striker Carlton Cole will sit out the final game of his
three-match suspension. Everton will also be missing key personnel in the
shape of record signing Marouane Fellaini, whose yellow card last weekend
made him the first player this season to receive a one-game ban for
collecting five yellows.
"Fellaini's going to be a big miss for them because in their formation, he
is an important player," said Zola. "They paid a lot of money for him as
well so it means they have a lot of faith in him. He's a threat, especially
in set plays and when the ball is out wide he gets in the box. "For them
he's going to be a big miss."
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Fridge on rumours
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th November 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's vice Chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson has admiitted for the
first time that current owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson could be willing to
sell the club.
Talking to the BBC last night, he said: "He is evaluating all of his
business interests, including West Ham. "West Ham is a well-run club with
no debt and is one of Mr Gudmundsson's most important investments."
Fridgeirsson's admission comes just a month after he slammed similar rumours
suggesting that Gudmundsson was looking to pass on ownership of the club he
purchased just two years ago in an £85million deal. At the time he told
reporters that "there is no reason to fear that he will not honour his
commitment with West Ham", adding that "we are not actively in the process
of selling." However that appears to have changed with his latest admission,
which follows news of the collapse of the Gudmundsson-owned Samson Holdings
earlier this week.
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West Ham v Everton preview
Parker and Castillo looking to return
Last updated: 7th November 2008
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Everton 1
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 6/4 Draw 12/5 Everton 7/4
One to Watch: Mikel Arteta
West Ham will be looking to end a run of five games without a victory when
they welcome Everton to Upton Park on Saturday. The Hammers have picked up
just one point from a possible 15 in recent weeks, but will take heart from
an encouraging 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside in their last
outing. Everton meanwhile have added to their recent draw with Manchester
United by claiming consecutive 1-0 victories against Bolton and Fulham.
Despite their impressive form, David Moyes will no doubt be keen to avoid
relying on another late winner this time round, having recorded their last
two strikes in the closing minutes. Both sides have one win each in their
previous two meetings, although Everton have claimed victory in almost half
the clashes between the two sides overall. Team news
West Ham look unlikely to make any dramatic changes to the team that started
against Middlesborough, although Scott Parker could replace Jack Collison in
the starting line-up after recovering from a calf problem. Mark Noble and
Valon Behrami both remain sidelined and Gianfranco Zola will have to decide
whether to retain youngster Freddie Sears up front as Carlton Cole sees out
the final game of his three-match suspension. Everton are likely to be
without record signing Marouane Fellaini who was substituted with an injury
concern at Fulham. However, in his absence, Segundo Castillo is in
contention to make his long-awaited comeback from injury after completing 90
minutes in a midweek reserve game.
Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker, Mullins,
Boa Morte, Bellamy, Sears.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Arteta, Osman, Castillo,
Pienaar, Cahill, Yakubu.
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Lucas Neill's dream team
News.co.au
November 08, 2008 12:00am
SOCCEROOS captain Lucas Neill has revealed how he aims to financially back a
new A-League club and eventually play for it. Heavily involved in putting
together a bid for a franchise for submission by the end of the year, Neill
yesterday spelt out how he plans to establish a team in western Sydney. "I
did a bit of homework myself and then got a company (Inspire Sports Group,
whose management arm represents Neill) to invest some time and money into
working out what suited," he said.
"We've signed an agreement with Parramatta Stadium committing to playing
games there, and we consider that to be an important step. "We've talked to
Blacktown Council to seek their help (in siting an amateur side), and we've
also signed an agreement with Football NSW to allow us use of their
(training) facilities." Neill said he had no plans to be involved in the
off-field running of the club after its inception, but wants to be a key
figure on the football side. "I certainly want to come back and play,
that's the dream," he said. "I'd only be involved on the sporting field.
I've got no commercial or administrative interest. I'd be coming back as a
player and maybe later as a coach. "The project managers are confident we
have done it all right, and we have a number of investors who have
approached us. "I'm going to be putting my experience and time into the
club, and coming back to play and I will make a major financial investment.
I won't be the major investor but I will hold an important role in the
start-up of the club, and after that my value will come elsewhere."
As for recruiting players and coaches, Neill said the bid had a list of
targets but it would be premature to approach them. He said a marquee
player was important.
"That gets the bums on seats, people want to see young Australian talent but
they also want to see a person with reputation, a household name," he said.
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FIFA deny blocking West Ham, Arsenal target Appiah from next move
07.11.08 | tribalfootball.com
FIFA deny they're blocking free agent Stephen Appiah from signing for a new
club. Appiah has been without a team since terminating his contract with
Turkish club Fenerbahce in August. Fifpro - the global body representing
professional footballers - had suggested that administrative bureaucracy at
Fifa was hindering Appiah's transfer to a new club. But a Fifa spokesman
told BBC Sport that the Turkish Football Federation was instructed in June
to allow any potential transfer to go through should a club make a bid for
Appiah. The player had been at the centre of speculation linking him to
Arsenal - which manager Arsene Wenger subsequently denied - and West Ham.
"It is false that Fifa's supposed 'administrative slowness' is hindering the
player from signing a new contract with another club," the spokesman said.
"In fact, neither the player nor a potential new club have presented to Fifa
any request to allow the player to play for a new club."
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WEST HAM v Everton: Parker boost for Hammers
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:37 AM on 07th November 2008
Daily Mail
Scott Parker has recovered from his calf injury and will be fit for
tomorrow's Barclays Premier League match at home to Everton. Midfielders
Mark Noble (calf) and Valon Behrami (groin) remain unavailable, and striker
Carlton Cole completes a three-match ban. But striker Diego Tristan will
take his place on the bench should he recover from a leg injury, with the
fitness of defender Calum Davenport (thigh) also being monitored.
TEAM (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Parker,
Collison, Mullins, Boa Morte, Bowyer, Bellamy, Sears, Etherington, Walker,
Lastuvka, Lopez, Tomkins, Di Michele, Tristan, Davenport..
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Zola issues invitation to Obama
Ken Dyer
This Is London
Gianfranco Zola has urged American president elect Barack Obama to come back
to Upton Park and watch a match whenever he likes. Obama attended a West Ham
game while on a London visit five years ago and his half-sister Auma is
married to an Englishman who is a Hammers fan. Zola said: "It would be
marvellous if he wants to come one day, although I think he's going to be
very busy doing other things." The Italian said he hoped that West Ham's
attacking principles would appeal to the new man in the White House and that
he would never change his philosophy, holding Arsenal up as the style to
follow. "Arsenal's style is something I like," he said. "That's my personal
opinion although other clubs like to go more direct. "I believe that playing
the Arsenal way will make the players better and that's what I am doing at
West Ham - trying to improve them as players because the results will
follow. "I might be right, I could be wrong but I will stick to my method.
We have to make sure football is still an entertainment. It is not a war,
it's not win at all costs. "We have to protect the spirit of the game and
make sure that other interests don't get on top of the game." "Every
morning, when I wake up, I focus on how I want my team to play. I keep my
principles." Zola has confirmed that midfielder Scott Parker will be fit for
tomorrow's visit of Everton. Valon Behrami and Mark Noble are still ruled
out and there is also still a doubt about Spanish striker Diego Tristan, who
has yet to make his debut.
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One-On-One
4-4-2
Your questions answered by footy's biggest legends!
Gianfranco Zola
You were signed to Napoli by Luciano Moggi – the man at the centre of
Italy's match-fixing allegations. Did he do offer you anything to sweeten
the deal? A lorry load of wine, perhaps?
Steve Pepper, Southampton
I don't think he needed to sweeten the deal in any way. In fact, I should
have given him a lorry load of wine! He took me to Serie A when I was
playing in a Third Division club, to Napoli where he gave me the chance of
playing alongside Maradona. Imagine that! Seriously though, the scandal was
incredibly damage for Italian football. We've lost our credibility and our
reputation is damaged. When something like this happens, it's hard to move
on just like that, there's always going to be a scar left and so far I think
Italian football has yet to recover.
What did you learn from Maradona on and off the pitch? What's your funniest
story about him?
Graham Rossi, Essex
I was very lucky to be his team-mate and get to play with him as well as
watch him train every day. The things he did! He was and will always be
unique. Off the pitch, I always liked his simplicity. He was Maradona, yet
with the team, he seemed just like an ordinary lad like the rest of us. He
didn't behave at all like a football star. As for the story, there are many
that come to mind [giggles], but there's one in particular that always makes
me laugh. One day when we played against Pisa in the Italian Cup, he made me
play in the number 10 jersey and picked the number 9 for himself. For me it
was the most beautiful thing I could ever imagine; Maradona letting me play
in the number 10. Imagine my confidence, but especially my shock!
You used to have wrong-footed penalties competitions with Maradona at
Napoli. Who won the most? How did he react when you won?
Angus Dunne, Blackpool
(Long silence) Well, I know I agreed answer your readers' questions but this
one I just can't answer… otherwise, Diego will be angry! [Laughs] All I can
say is that he didn't enjoy it when he lost, even though he was very strong
with his right foot.
Given your height did you ever contemplate becoming a jockey like your
fellow countryman Frankie Dettori?
Chris Benson, Bristol
(Laughs). Well, you know, actually not, because I've never had much contact
with horses, so I've never really had the opportunity to think about it!
Is it true that you took Asprilla fishing when he was your team-mate at
Parma?
Fabio Fuentes, Maracaibo, Venezuela
It's true. I did take him fishing once. But only once because of how he
behaved! He broke all my fishing rods and made a big mess in my boat. One
time was more than enough, even if he was a big fan of fishing.
As the previous holder of Serie A's free-kick scoring record, who is better:
you or Beckham? Or is there someone else?
Brad Reilly, London
Oh God! This one is difficult. I think I was better from close-range
free-kicks and he was better from long-range free-kicks. But there was one
that was probably better than both of us, Sinisa Mihajlovic. He would just
rack up goals from everywhere: short or long distances, he was equally
lethal.
You won the Football of the Year Award after your first year at Chelsea. Did
you find playing football in England easier after facing those tight Italian
defences?
Adam Calvery, Detroit
I think at the beginning, the 'open' English football really helped me, as I
was coming from tighter marking in Serie A. It was like a relief, in a
sense, as the defences were not as rigid as they were in Italy. It was an
advantage, but mind you, now the reality has changed also in England, I
don't think there is so much freedom and space for strikers anymore.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink always looked so annoyed if you didn't pass to him.
Was he still annoyed when you got into the dressing room? Did he ever turn
violent?
Peter Handle, Leicester
Well, on the pitch Hasselbaink always looked annoyed with everybody. He was
always like that, always breaking our balls a bit and nagging. But in the
dressing room he wasn't allowed to behave like that, otherwise I would have
smashed him in the face! No, really, he was a player that always gave the
maximum so he always expected the maximum from his team-mates.
There's a great picture of you dressed as Robin Hood when you were at
Chelsea. What made you pose for it? Do today's players take themselves too
seriously?
Sid Lemon, Middlesbrough
[Laughing] Oh, why, why? Well, firstly I accepted because it was a charity
event and also because it was a very funny thing to do. We had decided with
Parma to do this initiative in which we dressed as different characters and
it was nice. Times have changed, but I don't know if footballers take
themselves too seriously now. It's probably not for me to say.
You received an honorary OBE in 2004. What did you make of it? Did you get
to meet the Queen?
Richard Mackay, Bolton
I never got to meet her, but it was incredible. I didn't expect such
recognition in a million years. I received the prize in Rome from Britain's
ambassador and it was a complete surprise. If you asked me why, I don't
know! I guess they thought my behaviour on and off the pitch made me a
positive role model.
Who's the toughest defender you've played against?
David Tanner, Gillingham
It's a 50-50 between Baresi and Vierchowood. After a game against both, your
feet need loads of ice and anti-inflamatories.
How envious are you that you didn't get to play in the Abramovich era?
Gordon Mantle, Weymouth
Envious? No, not at all. I'm always happy about what I did and I don't have
regrets in my career. My years at Chelsea were very important for me, and
even if I didn't win the Premiership, we had great results and I'm very
happy about that part of my life.
You've had a great career, won a number of trophies and played with some top
players. So why haven't you written a book yet? What do you think of players
releasing books while they're playing?
Martin Tucker, Boston
I guess I haven't released an autobiography because I like to give my best
in everything I do. When I was a player I never felt the real motivation to
write a book, let alone a controversial book or a thin book full of press
speculations, just for the sake of selling copies. I'm not ruling out the
possibility of writing my autobiography in the future, but if I ever do, I'd
like to publish one that sends a message to the young players, one that
clearly states the things that I've learned and could help young footballers
to grow up.
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