Lucas Neill is loving life at West Ham United and sees only good things to
come in future
18.01.2008
Lucas Neill reflects on his first 12 months before looking back to the
Fulham win when Dean Ashton and Anton Ferdinand scored in a 2-1 victory. He
then turns his attention to the second trip to Manchester City this week
after the FA Cup exit.
It is a year to the day since I signed for the club. It has been a
tremendous 12 months and also a very rewarding period. There is a totally
different feel to the club now. The environment round the training ground is
much more relaxed. The goals and targets we are setting are a lot different
to what they were a year ago. We are making the headlines for the right
reasons now and it appears the ongoing circus that surrounded the club is a
distant memory.
After being sidelined with a hamstring strain against Fulham, I was very
proud to see the team win again at home in a game we didn't start so well in
but once again showed the spirit and determination to come from behind. It
was an important three points that opened up a very nice gap between the top
half and the lower half of the table. It was great to see Deano on the
scoresheet, strikers rely on goals for confidence and I am sure that will
give him a boost that will benefit both him and the team.
Apart from the sloppy goal, I thought we defended very well as a team once
again and going forward Freddie Ljungberg looked like the Freddie of old now
that he has put a series of injuries behind him. It was great to see Julien
Faubert finally make his West Ham debut. He is an exciting player but he is
going to need time to get used to the pace of English football and we as a
team need time to establish how to play to his strengths as well.
We were bitterly disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup against a team
undefeated at home. I felt for large periods of the game we were the
dominant team and very much in control. We created more chances but
ultimately we were done by a sucker punch of one chance, one goal. It is a
harsh lesson and it just shows the need for us to score when we are having
dominant periods in games. We need to get that ruthless streak in us so that
when the opposition is chasing the game, space will open up and we can
finish teams off on the counterattack.
It is imperative that we do not lose this weekend in a match that we are all
determined to be victorious in. A win will see us close the gap on fourth
place and keep tabs on the group of teams just ahead of and of course keep
us in the hunt for a European spot. We go into the game with a lot of
confidence from the FA Cup performance and an attitude that seeks revenge.
I'd like to thank the strong army of fans that were present on Wednesday
night and thank you in advance for no doubt the same kind of following on
Sunday afternoon. Hopefully you will have a lot more to smile about on the
way back down the M6!
Lucas Neill
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Etherington expects 'ruthless' approach - WHUFC
The team know what they have to do to make up for their cup exit, according
to Matthew Etherington
18.01.2008
Matthew Etherington is expecting West Ham United to show more of a cutting
edge on Sunday as the club look to push on up the Premier League table.
Speaking to WHUTV, the winger said the club should have beaten Manchester
City in the FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday - and he and his
team-mates are eager to put things right on Sunday. Although on the wrong
end of a 1-0 scoreline, Etherington added that plenty of positives could
still be taken.
He said; "We more than contained them on Wednesday and were the better side.
They didn't really create many chances and if you look at the saves the two
keepers have had to make, their keeper has had a lot more to do. We can take
a little bit of confidence from that and just have to make sure we are a
little bit more ruthless in front of goal.
"Hopefully we will be able to turn it around on Sunday and get three
points," he added, claiming that all that was required to unlock a strong
City rearguard was some composure in the final third. "We got into some good
positions but sometimes we chose the wrong option and that cost us in the
end.
"We have still got an outside chance for a UEFA Cup place," he continued.
"We are in a good position so that will be the main objective to push on in
the league and make sure we come here Sunday and get a good result."
Spurring Etherington on to succeed on a personal level is his new contract
until 2012, which has left him "over the moon". He added: "I can concentrate
on my football now and my future at West Ham."
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Manchester City league preview - WHUFC
All the team news and background for Sunday's second trip in a week to the
City of Manchester Stadium
18.01.2008
Barclays Premier League
Manchester City v West Ham United
City of Manchester Stadium
Sunday 20 January
4pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
WHUTV - Full audio commentary plus Alan Curbishley and Matthew Upson
Team news
Alan Curbishley expects to have largely the same squad that was unlucky to
lose at the City of Manchester Stadium in midweek. Julien Faubert is pushing
for a starting berth, having got half-an-hour in the 1-0 FA Cup third-round
defeat while Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole, who sat out on the night for
Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte, are also in contention.
Danny Gabbidon and particularly James Collins are waiting in the wings for a
defensive opportunity while Nolberto Solano is getting closer to his return.
Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora continue to take part in full training.
Bellamy could be back in action before the end of the month while the
manager has reported more positive news on Kieron Dyer, who is running
again. John Pantsil and Henri Camara are at the African Cup of Nations.
For City, Nery Castillo picked up a shoulder injury on Wednesday and looks
to be out as is Emile Mpenza, who is resting a hamstring injury. Michael
Johnson is also sidelined with an abdominal problem. Valeri Bojinov, who
played in City's 2-0 win at the Boleyn Ground on the first day of the
season, is out with a long-term knee problem.
Background
Curbishley's side are in fine league form, with six wins and four draws from
the last 13 fixtures. The only three reverses came against strong opposition
in the form of Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal. Depending on Portsmouth's
result on Saturday, a win would take tenth-placed West Ham United up to
ninth in the table while they are six points ahead of Newcastle United in
eleventh. Victory would also leave them just four points behing
seventh-placed City with a game in hand.
The 2007/08 league season started with City's trip to the Boleyn Ground and
it was the first game in charge for new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. Rolando
Bianchi (18) and Geovanni (87) scored both goals. That was followed by the
first FA Cup third-round meeting on 5 January when neither side could break
the deadlock in a contest that saw Robert Green and Joe Hart excel.
Wednesday night's replay was again a tight affair and only a 73rd-minute
headed goal from Elano separated the sides. Dean Ashton, Boa Morte and
Bowyer all had good opportunities but found Hart in fine form again. The
lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg
(Faubert 62), Noble, Bowyer, Etherington, Boa Morte (Cole 70), Ashton
Subs not used: Wright, Spector, Mullins
Manchester City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Ireland, Hamann,
Elano, Petrov, Castillo (Bianchi 34), Vassell (Gelson 81)
Subs not used: Schmeichel, Onuoha, Garrido
The Hammers have still not lost in all nine league games this season when
they have taken the lead while three of the last five league games have seen
the side come from behind to win 2-1. George McCartney, who is on four
cautions, is bidding to make his 28th appearance this season in all
competitions - and is the only West Ham United player who has featured in
every game to date, starting in each one. In terms of the Premier League,
only Green - who turned 28 on Friday - and Upson have played every minute of
the 21 matches. No other top-flight club still has two league ever-presents.
Ashton, with six goals, five in the league, is the club's leading scorer.
For City, only Martin Petrov has started every top-flight game this season,
although Vedran Corluka has appeared in each fixture. Elano with seven
goals, five in the league, is the club's top scorer. The 2-0 win on the
opening day was one of only two away wins in the league this season. Prior
to the 1-0 Everton away reverse last weekend, City had not lost in the
previous five league games - three of which had been drawn - since 9
December.
It is at the CIty of Manchester Stadium, where City are particularly
impressive. They have won nine and drawn two of their eleven league games
there this season and conceded just seven goals. Only Manchester United and
Arsenal have a better record. City did lose 2-0 at home to Tottenham
Hotspur, however, in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on 18 December.
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
16 January 2008 - Manchester City 1-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)
5 January 2008 - West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City (FA Cup)
11 August 2007 - West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City
30 December 2006 - West Ham United 0-1 Manchester City
23 September 2006 - Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
15 April 2006 - West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City
Overall record v Manchester City (all competitions): W 34, D 13, L 38
Barclays Premier League fixtures (all 3pm unless stated)
Saturday 19 January
Birmingham City v Chelsea
Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough
Fulham v Arsenal
Newcastle United v Bolton Wanderers (5.15pm)
Portsmouth v Derby County
Reading v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
Sunday 20 January
Wigan Athletic v Everton (1.30pm)
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details of getting to the City of
Manchester Stadium, click here
Weather: The forecast is for rain. The temperature is set to peak at around
10C.
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Gabbidon back in the picture - WHUFC
A fit-again Danny Gabbidon has a fight to get back to first-team contention
but is ready for the challenge
18.01.2008
Danny Gabbidon is looking forward to getting back in action for West Ham
United and competing for his place in the team.
The Welsh international defender has been out since suffering a groin injury
which forced him to leave the field against Everton in the Carling Cup tie
in December. The problem kept Gabbidon on the sidelines over the busy
festive schedule, but he is hoping to be available for selection soon -
perhaps even for this Sunday's league trip to Manchester City.
Speaking at a West Ham United Learning Zone event at the Boleyn Ground
alongside Nolberto Solano this week, Gabbidon said: "It's always frustrating
when you are out injured, as you just want to be out there playing. But I am
pleased to be back in training now. While the FA Cup match against City was
a bit too soon for me, there is maybe a chance I will possibly be available
for the league game against them, but if not, certainly after that."
It will be a further boost to Alan Curbishley and the team to see another
player out of the treatment room, but Gabbidon is fully aware he will have
to fight to win his place back. "There is competition for places across the
team when everyone is fit, so we are all aware that if any of us don't play
well enough or work hard enough, then there is someone to take our place.
"I think the competition is particularly fierce in the central defender
position," the 28-year-old added. "With Anton [Ferdinand], Matty [Upson],
James [Collins] and myself as well as other players in the squad, we know we
all can't play together so it is a case of winning your place and making
sure you keep it.
"It is all friendly rivalry. We all wish each other well because we want the
team to do well, whoever is playing but, at the end of the day, you want to
be the one the manager picks. For me, coming back from injury and with Anton
and Matty doing well, I will have to just continue to work as hard as I can
and grab my chance when it comes along.
"It is a good thing for West Ham though that we have good quality central
defenders competing for just a couple of places and indeed the whole squad
is strong, so that can only help us go forward as the season goes on."
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Wigan beamback at Boleyn Ground - WHUFC
Can't make it to the JJB Stadium? Come along to watch the match in east
London
15.01.2008
If you cannot make it to the JJB Stadium to watch West Ham United take on
Wigan Athletic on Saturday 2 February - come along to the Beamback.
West Ham United have never lost in five visits to Wigan, winning four and
drawing one. Last season's awayday was particularly memorable as the 3-0
success on 28 April set the club up for their survival success on the final
day of the season.
See the Premier League encounter in warmth and style with a mouth-watering
package running from 12pm to 5pm at the Boleyn Ground.
# Pie and mash, and a matchday programme in the Premier Suite (pay-bar
available). Prices are £20 for adults, £18 for senior citizens/disabled and
£15 for children under 16. For more information call 0870 112 2700 (Option
3)
West Ham United will also be looking to go one better than the 1-1 home draw
against Wigan on 25 August this season. Make sure you are at the Boleyn
Ground to soak up the atmosphere on Saturday 2 February. The kick-off is
3pm.
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Davenport departs for Watford - WHUFC
Fit-again defender Calum Davenport is leaving the Boleyn Ground to join
Watford on loan
18.01.2008
West Ham United have loaned defender Calum Davenport to Watford for a month
with the option for a permanent transfer.
The 25-year-old defender moved to the Boleyn Ground a year ago yesterday but
has found chances limited due to the good form of others and injury. He made
six appearances in last season's run-in and then had to have treatment on a
hernia problem. Fit again, he played for the reserves on 7 January but was
always going to have a difficult battle to displace the likes of Matthew
Upson and Anton Ferdinand.
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley said: "Calum hasn't played any
competitive football for the club since March. He needed to go and get some
first-team football so when the opportunity at Watford arose it seemed like
the perfect scenario for all parties." The manager admitted he was "blessed"
with central defenders, with James Collins and Danny Gabbidon, plus youth
prospect James Tomkins, waiting in the wings.
Davenport first came to prominence after coming through the ranks at
Coventry City before Tottenham Hotspur swooped to sign him in August 2004.
He then had a ten-game spell on loan that season at West Ham United before
further temporary stays at Southampton and Norwich City. The former England
Under-21 international then returned to Tottenham ahead of his switch to
east London 12 months ago. Watford are third in the Championship, three
points off first place.
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Man City v West Ham - BBC
City of Manchester Stadium
Sunday, 20 January
Kick-off: 1600 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Team news to follow later.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester City and West Ham go head-to-head for the second time in a week,
the third time in 15 days and the fourth time this season.
City knocked the Hammers out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win in an uneventful
third round replay on Wednesday night. The Londoners have now not scored a
singe in five league and cup meetings with the Eastlands outfit.
The Citizens are the lowest ranked of four clubs still holding an unbeaten
home record in the Premier League.
City have won nine league games at home and two away; West Ham have won four
at home and five away.
Sven-Goran Eriksson began his Manchester City managerial reign with a 0-2
victory over West Ham at Upton Park on the opening day of the season. All
five of their league fixtures against London clubs this season have been in
the capital.
West Ham's only Premier League victory on Manchester City soil was 0-1 on 27
April 2003, when Frederic Kanoute got the winner.
CLUB FORM
MANCHESTER CITY
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Won two of eight in all competitions and conceded one goal in five.
2. The 0-2 victory, away to Newcastle on 2 January, is their only maximum in
five Premier League matches.
3. Not suffered back-to-back defeats in 17 league games since losing 0-1
away to Arsenal and Blackburn on 25 August and 2 September respectively.
4. Eriksson has a 50% win rate as City boss (won 11 of 22 Premier League
matches).
5. Already matched their total of 11 league wins last season.
6. One of two clubs not awarded a penalty in this Premier League season so
far; the other is Everton.
7. Won their first nine home league games and drawn the last two.
8. Conceded a mere seven home goals in the Premier League. Only Manchester
United have shipped fewer in front of their home supporters (three).
9. Gained 29 points at home and 10 away; the 19 points disparity is the
widest in the Premier League.
10. Away to Sheffield United in the fourth round of the FA Cup next, before
a league visit to Derby, a home fixture against Arsenal and the Manchester
derby at Old Trafford.
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Chasing their first back-to-back wins in 16 Premier League outings since
Reading (a) and Middlesbrough (h) were beaten on 1 and 15 September
respectively.
2. Their 21 league games have yielded 47 goals (27 for, 20 against); at 2.24
it's the lowest goals per game average in the highest league.
3. Let in 20 goals in their 21 Premier League fixtures; only the 'big four'
clubs have conceded fewer.
4. Not lost a league game in which they scored first; won six and drew three
of nine.
5. One of five clubs not shown a red card in Premier League competition so
far this season.
6. All four penalties awarded against them in the Premier League have been
missed.
7. Won three of their last five away league games.
8. Drew only one Premier League match on the road; Portsmouth and Chelsea
are the only other clubs with just one away draw.
9. Conceded eight goals on their league travels; only Liverpool have leaked
fewer Premier League goals away from home (seven).
10. Home to Liverpool after this, then away to Wigan before Birmingham come
to Upton Park, and a London derby, away to Fulham.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER CITY
ELANO is Manchester City top scorer with seven goals.
ELANO is also the club's top Premier League marksmen with five.
GEOVANNI has scored the quickest goal of this Premier League season. He
netted after 28 seconds of Steve Bruce's first game in charge of Wigan at
the JJB Stadium on 1 December.
Darius VASSELL needs a double to total 50 career Premier League goals (Aston
Villa and Manchester City).
WEST HAM UNITED
Dean ASHTON is West Ham's top scorer with six goals.
ASHTON is also the Hammers' top Premier League marksmen with five.
The club's Premier League goalscorers list is predominately comprised of
English players (eight of 11).
Matthew UPSON and Robert GREEN (28 on Friday, 18th) are the only remaining
players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West
Ham's Premier League matches this season. West Ham are the only club to have
as many as two genuine ever-presents remaining in this Premier League
campaign.
BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds, Newcastle
and West Ham).
Nol SOLANO needs a hat-trick to total 50 Premier League goals (Newcastle,
Aston Villa and West Ham).
If selected:-
Matthew ETHERINGTON and Hayden MULLINS will be making their 150th league
appearances for the Hammers.
Anton FERDINAND will be making his 150th appearance in West Ham colours.
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).
HEAD TO HEAD
Sven-Goran Eriksson is hoping to record a second double of the season,
having already beaten Middlesbrough home and away. It would be City's second
double over the Hammers in successive seasons.
West Ham were one of three clubs City completed the double over last season;
the Citizens were one of six clubs to do the double of West Ham.
West Ham have won only one of their last 11 away league meetings with City.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man City 36 wins, West Ham 32, Draws 11
Prem: Man City 7 wins, West Ham 6, Draws 2
at Man City only
League (inc PL): Man City 26 wins, West Ham 9, Draws 4
Prem: Man City 5 wins, West Ham 1, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
23 September 2006 - Ref: Chris Foy
Man City scorers: Samaras 50, 63
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City
11 August 2007 - Ref: Peter Walton
Man City scorers: Bianchi 18, Geovanni 87
REFEREE
Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)
Premier League referees' table
Phil Dowd's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Davenport gone - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Centre-half Calum Davenport has joined Championship outfit Watford on laon.
The 25-year-old centre-half hadn't played a single game for the Hammers this
season and has moved to Vicarage Road on an initial month's loan with an
option to make the move permanent thereafter. The defender started his
career with Coventry before landing a move to Tottenham three years ago,
having previously impressed at Upton Park during a loan spell. Alan
Curbishley paid Spurs £3m for his services a year ago this month but
Davenport played just six games before sustaining a hernia which kept him
out for the remainder of last season. Alan Curbishley, confirming the news
on whufc.com this afternoon said: "Calum hasn't played any competitive
football for the club since March. He needed to go and get some first-team
football so when the opportunity at Watford arose it seemed like the perfect
scenario for all parties."
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Noble marked - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Today's papers are claiming that Celtic are set to make an audacious bid to
land West Ham United's Mark Noble. The young United midfielder is set to be
the subject of a £4m bid from the Scottish title-chasers according to at
least one tabloid this morning. Celtic boss Gordon Strachan was present at
the City of Manchester stadium on Wednesday night as the Hammers were sent
tumbling out of the FA Cup - apparently to cast his eye over Noble,
according to the report. However West Ham are unlikely to consider a bid of
any price for the youngster, who is still being tipped by many pundits to be
an England midfielder of the future and is very much a part of Alan
Curbishley's future plans.
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Faubert: England was Cantona for me - Soccernet
Ruled out for six months just two weeks after he signed from Ligue 1's
Bordeaux to the Hammers, Julien Faubert has finally played his first Premier
League game. The Frenchman talked with ESPNsoccernet about his comeback.
You played your first game with West Ham against Fulham last weekend after
recovering from a lengthy injury. How did you enjoy the comeback ?
First of all, I haven't felt any pain and that is the most important thing.
I had good feelings. Now, I need to work on my physical shape because I lost
some muscular strength.
The football I discovered is the English one I tasted when I played against
Liverpool with Bordeaux; with many duels and oppositions. It's much faster
than in France. There is also more space and I'm going to enjoy that. There
is room to have fun and express the best of yourself.
The team is retrieving the injured players step by step. We can't say that
the club has been lucky so far with last summer's signing, including myself.
Kieron Dyer broke his leg, Bellamy had abdominal surgery, Scott Parker has
been out for few weeks and me, it has been six months. With everyone fit, we
can compete for a UEFA Cup spot.
You were injured two weeks only after you signed. You couldn't imagine a
worst scenario.
Indeed. It was only my second pre-season game with my new team. I was
looking forward to discovering the stadium and then I got injured. I was
devastated. I knew it would happen one day because I'd had issues with my
two tendons for the last year.
My luck, if I can say that, is that I'd already had two serious injuries
when I was in Cannes. Two surgeries to each leg with five months missing. I
was between 18 and 20 years old.
Did you start doubting yourself after the injury ?
When you start running and you feel your leg is weaker than before, you
wonder if you are going to be able to get back at your best.
But the club didn't put any pressure on me and left me 'carte blanche'
for the surgery. In the French team I spoke once with Florent
Sinama-Pongolle, who explained to me that in England, there is a general
tendency to separate injured players from the group. But in West Ham, I
landed in a cocoon.
Let's talk about your departure from Bordeaux. Nothing has been simple.
Why ?
Indeed, it hasn't been simple at all. I had to miss training to be heard. I
feel guilty to have left the way I did, but I had been there for three
years, we won the League Cup, played in the Champions League and a new
trainer was arriving (former Manchester United defender and
1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc).
A new cycle was starting and I wanted to go elsewhere and live something
new.
Why did you chose West Ham, not a traditional Premier League giant?
West Ham is a historic club in England, one of the best supported in London.
I called David Bellion, who played there, before signing to have some
information. I wanted to come in England.
For me, England is Cantona, the respect of the fans, the explosion of joy
after a goal. In France I loved playing in Marseille or Saint-Etienne in
front of passionate fans. That lifted me. When I discovered Upton Park for
the first time, against Sunderland (3-1, October 21), I was amazed. It was
crazy. They also play football for this kind of emotion.
In only two years, you came from the third division to the national team.
Did it go too fast for you?
No, I don't think so. I didn't really perfectly deal with some situations at
some times but I never became big-headed like it has been said. I know where
I come from.
Today, I am a privileged person, I am lucky enough to do my passion for a
living and bring some confort to my family. I didn't have that luck when I
was young. But maybe I have been overestimated too fast and also criticized
too quickly.
Since your first call in the French team against Bosnia in August 2006, you
have never played again for the national squad. How do you explain that?
I haven't been consistent enough in Bordeaux I guess. If you want to be in
the French team, you have to be consistent and not have ups and downs. I've
seen the level needed to be up there: winning needs to be automatic.
I have to improve my consistency, be more decisive. I hope to be called
again one day soon. Being there is to belong to the best of the French
football.
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Gers boss questions Dailly reports - TeamTalk
Rangers manager Walter Smith insists it is "premature" to claim that West
Ham utility player Christian Dailly is on his way to Ibrox. Reports
suggested that the 34-year-old could be moving to Rangers to counterbalance
the departure of stopper Ugo Ehiogu to Sheffield United. Smith admits the
66-times capped Scotland player, who was on loan at Southampton earlier in
the season, would come into his thoughts if he were looking for cover but
claims the deal is far from done. He said: "I think it is a bit premature in
the sense that, with Ugo Ehiogu leaving, people are putting two and two
together and thinking that we need cover. "But we have Andy Webster and
Steven Smith returning. They have both been out for a long spell and we are
adequately covered there. "If we were to lose another player or two we would
maybe need to look at bringing in someone else to keep our squad up to size
for the number of games we have coming up in the next few weeks. "If we made
that decision, he (Dailly) would come into consideration but that is as far
as we can go at the present moment."
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No panic buying for Hammers boss Curbishley - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:08pm on 18th January 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley will not make a move for a striker during the
transfer window, despite his team firing blanks in their FA Cup tie against
Manchester City. West Ham go back to the scene of their 1-0 defeat when
they play City again at Eastlands on Sunday in the Premier League and
Curbishley today admitted: "If we had been more clinical in the final third
of the pitch on Wednesday, we would have won. There is certainly no need to
panic. We won't be buying and it's difficult to get real quality on loan.
"Craig Bellamy has been training hard for two weeks now and, with no match
the weekend after next, could be about ready after that." Curbishley gave a
strong hint as to his priorities when he rested regulars Hayden Mullins and
Carlton Cole for the cup tie. They could both be recalled on Sunday. He
said: "We wanted to win the game and we fielded a strong side but I took the
opportunity to rest a couple of players and give others, who have been out,
a game."
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Rangers make shock move for Hammers star Dailly - Daily Mail
By PETER JARDINE - More by this author »
Last updated at 10:36am on 18th January 2008
Rangers are weighing up a surprise bid for West Ham veteran Christian Dailly
after Ugo Ehiogu headed back to England. Ibrox manager Walter Smith has
identified the 34-year-old Scotland servant as a possible loan signing to
provide cover for central defence and the midfield holding role. Rangers
need back-up for these two areas - with Bryan Robson's Sheffield United
luring Ehiogu south yesterday and Kevin Thomson facing a spell on the
sidelines because of a groin injury. Thomson was in Manchester last night to
see a specialist and the player could be ruled out of a handful of games if
he requires an operation. Dailly fits the bill as cover both areas and
discreet inquiries are being made about the man who began his career at
Dundee United before moving south to Derby County in 1996.
Rangers signed David Weir and Ehiogu under similar circumstances last
January when Smith took over from Paul le Guen. But, while Weir has become
part of the Ibrox furniture thanks to his assured displays at the back,
Ehiogu has been restricted by injury and the arrival of Spanish central
defender, Carlos Cuellar, despite scoring a spectacular winner for Rangers
at Parkhead last March. "I've worked with Ugo before and he can do a job for
Sheffield United," said Blades boss Robson last night. Ehiogu said: "I've
enjoyed my time in Glasgow but, at my stage, have to play more often. I have
some great memories, like that Parkhead goal. "Rangers are going well now
and I hope they go on to lift the SPL title." Robson once paid a whopping
£8million to sign Ehiogu for Middlesbrough from Aston Villa but the defender
is now 35.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is unlikely to stand in Dailly's way if he
fancies a return north of the border for the second half of the season,
having loaned him to George Burley's Championship outfit Southampton for the
first part of the campaign. The versatile Scotland stalwart won his 66th cap
against Ukraine last October and is sixth in the SFA's all-time list - only
Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, Paul McStay and Tom Boyd have
made more appearances for the national side. Dailly worked for Smith after
he took over the Scotland job from the ill-fated Berti Vogts and he will now
be invited to join the SPL title race, with Rangers having established a
four-point lead over Celtic thanks to Wednesday's unconvincing 2-1 win over
Gretna at Fir Park.
Former Manchester United and West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll remains at
Ibrox as back-up to Allan McGregor despite interest from Derby County - with
no sign of a resolution yet on that particular issue. Meanwhile, Sasa Papac
has been ruled out of an international return with Bosnia because of club
commitments.
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Celtic ready to bid £4m for Hammer Noble - Daily Mail
Last updated at 09:40am on 18th January 2008
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is ready to make a shock move for West Ham
midfielder Mark Noble - and may tempt Hammers boss Alan Curbishley with a
£4m bid. Strachan made a surprise mission to watch England under-21 star
Noble on Wednesday as his side crashed out of the FA Cup at Manchester City.
Hammers are in no rush to sell but Celtic can offer Noble Champions League
football and the 20-year-old may be ready to make the move, reports the
Daily Mirror.
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