WHUFC.com
Having made a big impact in the Rome derby, Valon Behrami is fired up for
the visit of Tottenham Hotspur
05.12.2008
Valon Behrami is targeting another good performance for West Ham United at
home to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.
The Swiss international is excited about the prospect of a London derby with
Tottenham, having been made well aware this week at Chadwell Heath of the
significance of the match. He is certainly no stranger to capital clashes,
having scored a last-gasp winner in March for Lazio to seal a memorable 3-2
win against old rivals Roma and spark mass celebrations for his team at the
Stadio Olimpico.
"The Tottenham game is important for us, important for our league position
but is most important for the fans," the 23-year-old said, moving his focus
firmly from the creditable 0-0 at Liverpool on Monday. "We have been working
hard for the game this week, we are only thinking about that. Against
Tottenham we have to hold the level of performance we had against Liverpool,
the high intensity - that is what we are trying to prepare for in training."
Behrami firmly believes that West Ham United can compete with those teams
pushing on in the top half of the table. "The gap is not so much I think but
the problem is to do it every game," he added, before reflecting further
that he and his team-mates could have come away from Anfield with a second
straight away win. "It was a good performance. We defended very well but we
could have won that game with the opportunities we had."
Aside from his poise and pace, what has particularly endeared Behrami to the
Hammers faithful is his endless energy and enthusiasm. A natural athlete, he
has a simple explanation for why he covers so much ground. "When I am happy,
I can run for everyone," he said, before quickly emphasising the team over
the individual. "Against Liverpool, the whole team ran a lot and gave
everything. That is what we want to do again against Tottenham."
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Behrami and Noble unveil shirt
WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami and Mark Noble were at the Boleyn Ground on Friday to relaunch
the 2008/09 kit
05.12.2008
Valon Behrami and Mark Noble have become the first players to wear the
relaunched 2008/09 home and away shirts at a special photo-call at the
Boleyn Ground on Friday. The midfielders were joined by Bill Mummery, Isle
of Man Executive Director for SBOBET. The adult home shirt will be on sale
from the club's Lakeside and Stadium stores from Saturday 6 December. The
adult shirt will be priced at £30 and feature the logo of new sponsors
SBOBET, while the kids' shirt will be £25 featuring the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK logo. All 2008/09 home shirts can also be ordered today
from the online whufc.com Megastore. Click here for more information. Fans
who have already purchased the 2008/09 home shirt will be able to bring the
shirt to either store and get the new logo applied free of charge from
Wednesday 10 December. whufc.com will have further information when
available regarding the 2008/09 away shirt, with the intention being to
relaunch this from Saturday 13 December.
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Big weekend for loanees
WHUFC.com
Eight West Ham United players are set to represent their loan clubs on
Saturday
05.12.2008
For the second consecutive week, there will be plenty of interest in
Saturday's results despite West Ham United not playing until the home match
against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.
The eight Hammers players out on loan at Championship and League One clubs
will be looking to continue their good start after they all enjoyed positive
results last time out. whufc.com rounds up who will be in action and where
this weekend.
James Tomkins
Tomkins goes into this weekend's Championship match with Derby County on a
high after playing a key role in their midweek Carling Cup win over Stoke
City.
The central defender helped keep a three-pronged Potters attack including
Jamaica international Ricardo Fuller and powerful Mali striker Mamady Sidibe
at bay, as the Rams progressed to the semi-finals for the first time since
1968. "I had a slight pain in my knees and I was lying on the ground for a
bit but I wanted to carry on," he said. "I was obviously very tired as it
was still only my first few games of the season, but I'm very happy to get
to the semi-final.
"It would be nice to stay here for it. I'll sit down with Gianfranco Zola at
the end of December when my loan spell finishes and have a look and see
whether he wants me, but it would be brilliant to stay here for the game."
Tomkins, whose initial loan spell ends on 31 December, will face London
opposition in the Championship this weekend when the 14th placed Rams host
Crystal Palace at Pride Park.
"Being a London boy myself it's nice to play in London derbies and that's
our next game so we just need to focus on that."
Josh Payne
Payne also enjoyed midweek cup success after he was re-called to Cheltenham
Town's starting line-up by former Hammer Martin Allen. The Robins twice came
from a goal down to beat Morecambe 3-2 in the FA Cup second round.
The 18-year-old, who is in his third month at Whaddon Road, will be hoping
to make it eleven league and cup appearances for Allen's side when they host
Crewe Alexandra in League One. Cheltenham are currently second from bottom
in the table with the visitors one place below.
Junior Stanislas
The attacking midfielder excelled in his first appearance for Southend
United, scoring two goals in their 3-1 win against Luton Town in the FA Cup
second-round last weekend. Southend now face the tricky-looking task of a
trip to table-toppers Leicester City in League One, when the
nineteen-year-old will be hoping to cause an upset with his eleventh-placed
team.
Jordan Spence
The England Under-19 defender made his senior debut with a full 90 minutes
in the FA Cup for Leyton Orient last Saturday in the memorable 2-1
second-round victory at Bradford City. The 18-year-old's loan team now face
a trip to mid-table Northampton Town, when a win would put them level on
points with their hosts in League One.
Kyel Reid
The 21-year-old winger marked his first appearance for Blackpool last
Saturday by setting up the winning goal in the 2-1 win at home to Plymouth
Argyle, which moved the Lancashire side up to 18th in the Championship. Reid
and his new team-mates will be hoping for another three points when they
host 22nd-placed Charlton Athletic.
Nigel Quashie
Promotion-chasing Birmingham City will have the 30-year-old midfielder
available for the home game against Watford. Quashie helped the Blues to a
credible draw against fellow promotion-chasers Wolverhampton Wanderers last
weekend, and they will be looking to close the six point gap between the two
Midlands club, who currently occupy first and second in the table, with
victory over the Hornets.
Jimmy Walker
The 35-year-old got off to a winning start to his spell at Colchester United
as they beat Northampton Town 2-1 away. The Essex side, who sit 16th in the
League One, will be looking for their third straight win when they play host
to Hereford United, who are third from bottom in the table.
Bondz N'Gala
The MK Dons had a week off from first team commitments so the 19-year-old
central defender should be fresh and raring to go for the League One home
match against Bristol Rovers. N'Gala has made two substitute appearances for
Roberto Di Matteo's second-placed side so far.
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Second rate - or second tier?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham supporters have accused journalists of incorrectly misinterpreting
quotes made by full back Herita Ilunga. According to reports in this
morning's papers and websites, Ilunga, talking in an interview with
footanglais365 claimed that West Ham were a 'second rate' team. However the
literal translation of Ilunga's 'seconde zone' comment to mean 'second rate'
- rather than 'second tier' or, as is even more likely, 'mid table', has
been challenged by French-speaking Hammers.
Ilunga, in answer to a question regarding West Ham's current status replied
that "West Ham est un club de seconde zone. Il ne faut pas se leurrer, nous
ne sommes ni Arsenal, Manchester United ou Chelsea." - which translates
(roughly) as "West Ham is a mid-table club. We can't delude ourselves; we're
not Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea."
However today's papers carry headlines such as the Sun's 'Hammers are just
second rate' and the Mail's 'West Ham are just a stepping stone' , whilst
Setanta's website claims that Ilunga 'called West Ham a second rate club'.
Ilunga - who signed on loan from Toulouse back in September - was rather
more complimentary in the actual interview which was mostly ignored by the
press; in it he added: "West Ham is a club that has values, a history. It's
also a club that develops players who have since left like Frank Lampard or
Joe Cole. It's a club where the people know their football. "After you prove
yourself in such a team, you can hope to move on to another club. But there
is a very good atmosphere; even if there are few French speakers. You become
integrated very quickly."
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Bowyer battling to be fit for Irons
TeamTalk
West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer is attempting to shake off a knock ahead of
Monday's Premier League clash against Tottenham at Upton Park. Midfielder
Kieron Dyer will step up his recovery from a broken leg by playing in a
friendly next week. Striker Dean Ashton is still out with an ankle injury.
Kick-off on Monday evening is 8pm.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Faubert, Boa Morte,
Parker, Mullins, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole, Noble, Lastuvka, Tristan,
Davenport, Collison, Di Michele, Bowyer.
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West Ham picture special: Will the Hammers survive? It's a fair bet
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 3:32 PM on 05th December 2008
Daily Mail
West Ham finally enjoyed a spot of good fortune when they officially
unveiled their new kit sponsor, online bookmakers SBOBET. The Hammers had
been forced to wear squad numbers on their front of the shirts since the
collapse of travel company XL two months ago. West Ham's Icelandic owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has also been hit by the credit crunch. Gudmundsson
bought the Hammers for £85 million in 2006, investing a further £30 million,
but Iceland's second richest man, behind his son Thor, has suffered a severe
cash crisis, seeing an estimated £230 million slashed from his personal
fortune to cast doubts over whether he is able to financially sustain West
Ham any longer. Valon Behrami (left) and Mark Noble show off the new shirt
with Bill Mummery, Isle of Man Executive Director of SBOBET
The closure of his homeland bank Landsbanki, of which he was their largest
shareholder with a 45 per cent stake and biggest loser when they were forced
into liquidation, was merely compounded by the initial demise of West Ham's
erstwhile principle sponsors XL Airways, another of Gudmundsson's prime
business interests.
And with a potential £50 million to be owed to Sheffield United over the
Carlos Tevez transfer affair, Gudmundsson may finally be forced to accept a
cut-price fee to offload the club in a desperate bid to prevent any further
losses.
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West Ham won't consider selling Arsenal target Upson
05.12.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United won't consider offers for England centre-back Matthew Upson.
The Telegraph says Arsenal are believed to be among the clubs interested in
Upson, who has started each of England's last three matches, but West Ham
remain adamant that the financial difficulties of owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson will not force unwanted player sales next month. Upson is
regarded as integral to manager Gianfranco Zola's long-term plans, though
the Italian is preparing to significantly reduce the size of the squad over
the next six weeks.
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Tevez feels no blame
Argentina striker eager to forget West Ham and Sheffield Utd feud
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 5th December 2008
SSN
Carlos Tevez has told Sky Sports News that he does not feel responsible for
the ongoing feud between West Ham and Sheffield United. An arbitration panel
ruled that Argentina striker Tevez, now at Manchester United, should not
have been allowed to play for West Ham in the final matches of the 2006/07
season. Tevez helped the Hammers avoid relegation during those games, at the
expense of Sheffield United, and the Blades are now seeking a compensation
fee, believed to be in the region of £50million. The two clubs are set to
return to the High Court in March to decide upon a compensation figure, but
Tevez is not worried by the saga. "As far as I am concerned I did nothing
wrong," said Tevez. "I was not the person in charge of all the paperwork. "I
did my job on the pitch and that is where the matter ends for me."
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Ilunga - Hammers are 'second-rate'
Defender sets sights high
Last updated: 5th December 2008
SSN
West Ham defender Herita Ilunga has admitted he plans to use the club as a
stepping-stone to a bigger team. Ilunga, who is on a season-long loan from
Toulouse, has impressed at Upton Park after establishing himself as a
regular in Gianfranco Zola's side. The left-back has described West Ham as a
'second-rate' club and that he has ambitions of playing at a higher level.
"Without being derogatory, West Ham are a second-rate club," Ilunga is
quoted as saying in The Sun. "Let's not kid ourselves - we are not an
Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. "Once I have proved myself in a team
such this, I can hope to make the step up to another club. "I am keen to
continue my adventure in England."
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West Ham v Tottenham Premiership Preview: Can The Hammers Continue Their
Recent Form Against Spurs?
Submitted by Jake Briggs on Fri, 2008-12-05 10:05.
Premeirshiplatest.com
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola was starting to come under pressure at Upton
Park in his first managerial job. However, a spirited 0-0 draw against
Liverpool on Monday night at Anfield, which was on the back of a 1-0 win
against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light has turned things around for West
Ham, who had not won in their previous seven Premier League games. West Ham,
are just three points above Tottenham and with things so tight in the
Premiership this season, will hope to collect all three points against their
London rivals.
Spurs lost at White Hart Lane last week to Everton, which was the first loss
at home under Harry Redknapp, having won all their other matches on their
own patch since the former Portsmouth boss took over from Juande Ramos.
However, despite having a good run of form before the defeat to the Toffees,
Spurs are just out of the relegation spots on goal difference in 16th place
in the Premier League. However, Tottenham did make it through to the
semi-finals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, when they beat Championship
side Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent bagged
one apiece to send the North London club through, with Redknapp hoping for
more of the same to fire Spurs up the table.
Zola is unable to call on Kieron Dyer (broken leg), Jonathan Spector
(Thigh), Daniel Gabbidon (groin) and striker Dean Ashton (os Trigonum
syndrome) for the visit of Tottenham. With Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole David
Di Michele and Diego Tristan all fighting to play upfront in a Hammers
attack that has been misfiring recently.
Tottenham will be without Alan Hutton (metatarsal), Luka Modric (thigh) and
summer signing Giovanni Dos Santos (ankle) for the trip across London to
Upton park. Redknapp is likely to field his strongest side against the
Hammers as the Spurs boss is only too aware of the tightness of the
situation at the bottom of the table and the importance of staying in the
Premier League to Tottenham.
"It's very hard to get out, you need a good run. We've had a good run, we've
taken nearly two points a game," Redknapp said earlier this week.
"Long term the most important thing for this club is the Premier League.
That's the most important thing by far."
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Lopez, Parker, Bellamy, Etherington,
Cole, Boa Morte, Upson, Noble, Mullins, Collins, Faubert, Behrami, Stokes,
Lastuvka, Tristan, Davenport, Bowyer, Collison, Di Michele, Sears, Stech,
Hines, Jeffery
Tottenham Hotspur: (from) Gomes, King, Woodgate, Corluka, Bale, Jenas,
Bentley, Zokora, Lennon, Huddlestone, Bent, Pavlyuchenko, Cesar, Dawson,
Assou-Ekotto,
Gunter, Campbell, Stalteri, Ghaly, Taarabt, Rocha, Boateng, O'Hara,
Gilberto, Alnwick
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Ilunga keen to leave Hammers
Friday 05 Dec 2008
4thgame.com
West Ham United left-back Herita Ilunga has admitted that he sees the club
as a stepping stone before he moves to a bigger team. The 26-year-old has
made 12 appearances for the Hammers so far this term following his
season-long loan switch from Toulouse in the summer but has described the
club as a 'second-rate' football team.
HERITA ILUNGA Ilunga said: "Without being derogatory, West Ham are a
second-rate club. "Let's not kid ourselves, we aren't an Arsenal, Manchester
United or Chelsea. "But West Ham have values and history. They have
developed Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, and they're a club where people know
their football. "Once I've proved myself in a team such this, I can hope to
make the step up to another club. Know Premier League football? Play Premier
10 now - there's a £30,000 jackpot up for grabs every week... "I will either
stay at West Ham or else join another English club. I'm really keen to
continue my adventure in England."
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