All the early team news and background for Sunday's short trip across London
to face Tottenham Hotspur
07.03.2008
Barclays Premier League
White Hart Lane
Sunday 9 March
3pm
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
WHUTV - Pre-match press conference, plus live commentary to come
WESTHAM.WAP.COM - All the news, on the move
Introduction
* West Ham United, tenth in the Barclays Premier League, travel to Tottenham
Hotspur with the chance of extending their lead on the eleventh-placed club
to eleven points.
* Alan Curbishley's men go into his 50th top-flight game in charge of the
club determined to bounce back from successive 4-0 defeats by Chelsea and
Liverpool on Saturday and Wednesday respectively. Tottenham also conceded
four in their last league outing, a 4-1 reverse at Birmingham City last
weekend. They followed that with a 1-0 home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the
UEFA Cup last-16 first leg on Thursday.
* West Ham United have not won at White Hart Lane since a 2-1 victory
secured by Ian Wright and Marc Keller on 24 April 1999.
* Both clubs will stay in the same positions, regardless of what happens
this weekend although a victory would move Curbishley's side to within a
point of Portsmouth in ninth position.
* The clubs also met in the 29th game of the 2006/07 season, at the Boleyn
Ground, when a late Paul Stalteri winner gave Spurs a 4-3 victory. Despite
the defeat, the match sparked a run of seven wins from the final nine games.
* Ashton and Zamora, along with youth-team sensation Freddie Sears, all
played in a 3-1 reserve-team victory away to Tottenham back on 25 February.
Sears scored twice and made the other for Ashton in a game played at Leyton
Orient.
* Speaking to WHUTV, West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand said: "These
games hurt you know," he said. "I can only talk for myself but the last two
games have hurt me and we have got to get it back. There is no better game
to go into for me personally, with the rivalry that we have got, than Spurs
on Sunday ... knowing the rivalry this is where we are going to see who is
going to step up to the plate."
Last match
Liverpool 4-0 West Ham United (5 March): Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson
(Spector 63), McCartney, Solano (Ashton 69), Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg, Boa
Morte, Cole (Zamora 69)
Subs not used: Wright, Pantsil
Goals: Torres 8, 61, 81, Gerrard 83
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 PSV Eindhoven (6 March): Robinson, Chimbonda,
Woodgate, King (Taarabt 73), Gilberto (O'Hara 46), Lennon, Jenas
(Huddlestone 64), Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
Subs not used: Cerny, Lee, Tainio, Dawson
Goals: Farfan 33.
Team news
* In addition to the matchday 16 that faced Liverpool, Alan Curbishley hopes
to have Scott Parker in contention for the first time since the win against
Manchester United on 29 December. Parker, who picked up a knee injury
unrelated to the previous problem in the summer when Cristiano Ronaldo fell
on him accidentally, has been back in training for the past fortnight.
* Also in with a shout are some in-form youngsters from the reserves -
namely Kyel Reid, Jack Collison and Sears who all travelled to Anfield. The
18-year-old homegrown Hammers fan Sears scored his 25th goal in 24 matches
at U18 and reserve-team level at the weekend while reserve-team captain
Collison, 19, is a Welsh Under-21 midfielder while Reid, 20, is a promising
left winger. The 18-year-old centre-back James Tomkins has been sidelined of
late with a groin problem.
* Ever-present Matthew Upson is rated 50-50 after picking up a calf injury
just after the hour against Liverpool. Jonathan Spector, who came on his
place, could get the nod to start.
* Fit-again after a long-term knee injury that has kept him out since 28
August, Bobby Zamora got the last 25 minutes against Chelsea and then 21
minutes off the bench at Liverpool. He had previously played in three
official reserve-team matches, scoring three goals. Dean Ashton also played
for 21 minutes against Liverpool and is also itching for a starting berth.
* Julien Faubert is out again after picking up a knock last weekend in a
challenge by Chelsea's Claude Makelele. He had started the two previous
games. Nolberto Solano replaced him at Liverpool and could keep his place.
* Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington (both groin) did not travel to
Merseyside, although the former is back in training.
* Kieron Dyer also continues to make progress from his double leg-break.
James Collins (cruciate knee ligaments) and Calum Davenport (neck) will not
return this season.
* Craig Bellamy has had an abdominal strengthening operation and has been
ruled out until April at the earliest. Danny Gabbidon (groin) is also some
way off a first-team return as is Nigel Quashie (foot), who has not played
since these teams met on 4 March 2007.
* For Spurs, Jermaine Jenas looks set to be out for some time after being
carried off against PSV with an ankle injury. Tottenham may also be without
Gilberto, a debutant on Thursday, after he was substituted with a calf
problem. Alan Hutton returns to contention after being cup-tied but Darren
Bent has been affected of late by illness. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and
Gareth Bale (foot) are both long-term absentees.
Background
* After 28 games last season, West Ham United had half the points (20) they
have achieved from the same number of matches this campaign (40).
* Prior to the Chelsea defeat, the club had been unbeaten in the last six
matches at the Boleyn Ground.
* Alan Curbishley's side are in good overall league form, with eight wins
and six draws from the last 20 fixtures.
* West Ham United and Tottenham last met on Sunday 25 November at the Boleyn
Ground. Carlton Cole put the home side in front on 20 minutes before Michael
Dawson equalised on 67 minutes. Jermain Defoe, now with Portsmouth, saw an
added-time penalty saved by Robert Green.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano
(Spector 81), Noble (Parker 63), Mullins, Etherington, Boa Morte (Boa Morte
72), Cole
Subs not used: Wright, Collins
Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Kaboul (Bent 54), Bale,
Malbranque, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon, Berbatov, Keane (c) (Defoe 78)
Subs not used: Cerny, Lee, Boateng
* Last season's meeting at White Hart Lane fell on 22 October 2006 when Mido
struck the only goal of the game on 45 minutes. It was also notable as it
was Green's debut for West Ham United.
* The Hammers have still not lost in all 14 league games this season when
they have taken the lead.
* Despite shipping eight goals in the last two games, West Ham United's away
defensive record is still the best in the division outside of the top five
clubs.
* Robert Green has kept eight clean sheets in 26 league games.
* Jon Spector turned 22 with the visit of Chelsea. Mark Noble made his 50th
appearance for West Ham United in the same game.
* George McCartney is bidding to make his 35th appearance this season in all
competitions. He has not missed a match since the 4-3 home defeat by
Tottenham Hotspur on 4 March 2007 - 43 games ago.
* McCartney is the only West Ham United player who has featured in every
league and cup game to date, starting in each one.
* In terms of the Premier League, only Green has played every minute of the
28 matches after fellow ever-present Upson was forced off with a calf strain
against Liverpool.
* Carlton Cole is two cautions away from a ban after his eighth yellow card
of the season at Liverpool, when Lucas Neill and Mark Noble each picked up
their fifth. The 'one-match ban for five cautions' rule was for all yellow
cards up to the end of February. However, a player receiving ten cautions
before the end of the second Sunday in April will be suspended for two
matches, starting seven days after the tenth offence.
* Tottenham have no player who has played in every Premier League game this
season.
* Ashton, with six goals, five in the league, is the club's leading scorer.
Robbie Keane has 20 goals for Tottenham, 12 in the league, while Dimitar
Berbatov has 17, ten of which have come in domestic top-flight action.
* Calum Davenport, Matthew Etherington and Bobby Zamora all played for
Tottenham but only the latter could feature this weekend. Zamora was at
White Hart Lane between July 2004 and February 2005 before his switch to
east London as part of the Jermain Defoe transfer. He made seven league and
cup starts, and eleven substitute appearances. His only goal was an extra
time winner against the Hammers in a League Cup third-round tie on 29
October 2003.
* West Ham United will next be in action on Saturday 15 March when they
welcome Blackburn Rovers the day before Tottenham go to Manchester City.
Before then, Spurs make the return trip to PSV on Wednesday.
Head to head (last six Barclays Premier League meetings)
25 November 2007 - West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspurs
4 March 2007 - West Ham United 3-4 Tottenham Hotspur
22 October 2006 - Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Ham United
7 May 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
20 November 2005 - Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Ham United
1 March 2003 - West Ham United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Overall record v Tottenham (all competitions): W 43, D 34, L 52
General information
Tickets: Please note this match is SOLD OUT. For ticket information, click
here. For details of getting to White Hart Lane, click here
Weather: The forecast is for an overcast afternoon with the temperature is
set to peak at around 10C.
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Captain's Blog - Up for the derby - WHUFC
The skipper expects the players to rise to the 'great atmosphere' sure to be
provided at Spurs on Sunday
07.03.2008
I think it is safe to say it has been a disappointing and frustrating week.
When you go up against the big teams you need to be playing near to your
season's best to have a chance of getting good results. We were very much
below that level in the two games and were given a lesson about what happens
when really good players are given chances in games.
The best way we can put this week behind us is to go out and beat our rivals
on their home patch. A win will ease the pain that we are all feeling at the
moment and hopefully springboard a positive run in the remaining nine games
of the season. It was this time last year, with ten games to go, that we
came up against Tottenham and in losing that game most people had us
destined for the Championship. In a similar vein this year people are
already writing us off for qualification for Europe but if we show a similar
spirit and a no-lose attitude in performances who knows where we could end
this season?
If there is one thing that everybody associated with West Ham should take
from last year it is that if we all stick together achieving the
unachievable is very possible. I feel that it is the West Ham way that when
things seem low and the going gets tough, everyone involved in West Ham
unites to make things better.
As a war cry to you the supporters, I urge you to put the results and the
performances of this week behind you and make a positive noise from the
White Hart Lane terraces. In return we as players will make sure that we
match you for passion and together we can feed off each other to beat the
'old enemy'. We thank you in advance for what we know is going to be a great
atmosphere created by yourselves. Now it is down to myself and the players
to uphold our end of the bargain.
Thank you to all those who pledged your support to our chosen charity the
Richard House hospice last weekend. Your donations helped raise an amazing
£8,000 which I know will go a long way to fund the great work they are
doing. You can still make donations by visiting their website.
Lucas Neill
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Noble 'stronger' for Spurs - WHUFC
An honest Mark Noble has said his experiences in the past seven days are
important for his development
07.03.2008
Mark Noble expects to be better for the experience of the last week with
West Ham United and knows what a weekend win would mean for every single
supporter.
White Hart Lane was the scene of his first Premier League start back in
November 2005 and he needs no excuse to be fired up once again. "We've lost
to Chelsea 4-0 and lost to Liverpool 4-0 but you need these times in your
career to make you stronger," the homegrown 20-year-old midfielder said
ahead of the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur. "Hopefully I can take that
from this. We need to train hard and get ourselves ready for Sunday because
it's a massive game for the fans and for the club and we need to put the
performance in.
"We have to pick ourselves up. We have to get ourselves together in the days
leading up to the game and we have to put a performance in. We got punished
the last two games and we haven't been good enough so we have to get on with
it and put a performance in on Sunday." Noble felt no positives could be
taken from the midweek loss at Anfield and said the key to turning it around
was simple. "If we don't score goals then we're not going to win games," he
claimed.
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Ferdinand frustrated but focused - WHUFC
Anton Ferdinand was in determined mood when he spoke to WHUTV about Sunday's
trip to Tottenham
06.03.2008
Anton Ferdinand will do everything he can to put things right at Tottenham
Hotspur and has told WHUTV of his personal pain following defeats by Chelsea
and Liverpool.
The entire back five had been in fine form before the successive 4-0
reverses and a sombre but determined Ferdinand, the longest serving player
at the club, has taken the manner of the results to heart. "These games hurt
you know," he said. "I can only talk for myself but the last two games have
hurt me and we have got to get it back. There is no better game to go into
for me personally, with the rivalry that we have got, than Spurs on Sunday.
"Every game is tough in the Premiership but there is no better game to go
into after these two bad defeats," he added. "Knowing the rivalry and
everything this is where we are going to see who is going to step up to the
plate." Ferdinand is clear though that the team can still bounce back in the
final ten games of the season and make inroads up the table. "I can't say we
are in a crisis. Everyone knows what a crisis is - which was last year - and
we dug ourselves out of that. We have got to get back the feeling we had
last year which helped us get out of that situation."
To do that, the 23-year-old centre-back knows the squad as a whole have to
take responsibility and not look for excuses regardless of the unquestioned
quality of the opposition. "It is disappointing to concede eight goals in
two games. To have a good [goals against] record and then lose it in the
space of two games is not a good thing. We have got to get back to the
drawing board, back to the training pitch and back to the basics.
The homegrown centre-back, who struck a memorable last-gasp equaliser at
White Hart Lane on 20 November 2005, continued. "I feel West Ham are a team
that can play against these type of sides. We have showed that in the past.
For me personally there is no excuses. We weren't good enough in these last
two games. We have got to get back to what we do best and that is working
hard for each other."
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Tottenham v West Ham - BBC
White Hart Lane
Sunday, 9 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live &
highlights on Match of the Day.
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has a twisted ankle and is a concern
ahead of the clash with West Ham on Sunday. Alan Hutton is back in the squad
after being ineligible for the Uefa Cup clash with PSV Eindhoven, but Darren
Bent has been ill and has not trained properly.
West Ham could have Scott Parker (knee) available again but Matthew Upson is
rated only 50-50 after injuring a calf. Julien Faubert, Danny Gabbidon,
Matthew Etherington, Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy all remain unavailable.
Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Hutton, Lee, Tainio, Gilberto,
Dawson, King, Woodgate, Kaboul, Rocha, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Malbranque,
Lennon, Zokora, Boateng, Taarabt, Keane, Bent, Berbatov.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Noble,
Mullins, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Cole, Wright, Pantsil, Zamora, Spector,
Ashton, Parker, Collison.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: "This cannot continue, so Spurs is an even
bigger game for us on Sunday. "Expectation is always high at West Ham. We
had high hopes in the summer with the new players we brought in. "But it
hasn't materialised. The injuries have wrecked us, so we have had to do what
we have had to do to get ourselves where we are."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
A shell shocked West Ham take on Carling Cup winners Tottenham in a mid
table match up at White Hart Lane.
Alan Curbishley will be seeking an improvement from his side for his 50th
Premier League match in charge of West Ham, who've been beaten 4-0 in each
of their last two outings, against Chelsea (h) and Liverpool (a).
Tottenham, who've lost two league and cup games on the trot after Thursday's
0-1 home reverse by PSV in the Uefa Cup, also shipped four in their most
recent league game, away to Birmingham last Saturday.
Premier League games involving Spurs have produced more goals than any other
club this season; while those involving West Ham have yielded the second
lowest number (behind Chelsea).
The Hammers who lie immediately above the half-way line, are one place and
eight points superior to Spurs. They have not taken away maximum points from
the Lane since a 1-2 triumph on 24 April 1999, when Ian Wright and Marc
Keller were on target.
CLUB FORM
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures, and refer to stats and sequences in the Premier League only,
unless stated otherwise)
1. Last Saturday's defeat at Birmingham was their first loss in five.
2. Need to score once to total 50 goals this season.
3. Five shy of conceding 50 this term.
4. Still the most entertaining club to watch for goals; their 27 games have
produced 94 at 3.48 goals per game.
5. The current tally of 32 points after 27 games is their lowest relative
points return in a decade.
6. Gained one win in six London league derbies this season; 5-1, home to
Fulham on Boxing Day.
7. Picked up 13 points out of 15 at home, since the 2-3 defeat to Birmingham
on 2 December - their only league loss at the Lane in seven. Also, scored in
every home game this term, and the joint top home scorers with Liverpool (33
each).
8. Lost only one league derby in 12 at White Hart Lane since September 2005,
winning seven of them. The defeat was 1-3 to Arsenal on 15 September 2007.
9. Three short of scoring 500 at home in this league.
10. The visit to PSV in the Last 16 second leg of the Uefa Cup is next.
Another home London derby against Chelsea follows a trip to Manchester City.
Portsmouth and Newcastle also due to visit the Lane this month.
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures, and refer to stats and sequences in the Premier League only,
unless stated otherwise)
1. Won one of five.
2. The current tally of 40 points is twice as many as were accumulated after
28 games last season.
3. In danger of suffering three league losses in a row for the second time
this season; completed 20 fixtures since losing away to Newcastle, home to
Arsenal and away to Aston Villa between 23 September and 6 October
respectively.
4. Their 28 games have produced just 62 goals (31 for, 31 against). At 2.21
per game, its just slightly better than Chelsea's return of 59 goals (2.19
per game).
5. Not lost any matches in which they have scored first; won eight and drew
five of 13.
6. Home and away victories over Fulham are their only wins in seven London
league derbies this season.
7. Won only once on the road since Christmas; that being the 0-1 victory at
Fulham on 23 February.
8. Chasing a seventh away maximum of the campaign.
9. Home to Blackburn next, before a visit to Everton and a long trip to
Sunderland at the end of March.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Robbie KEANE is Tottenham's leading scorer with 20 goals, and top Premier
League marksman, with 12.
Darren BENT is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals (Ipswich, Charlton
and Tottenham).
If on the field from the outset:-
Tom HUDDLESTONE will be making his 150th club career start (Derby, Tottenham
and Wolves).
Jermaine JENAS will be making his 100th start in a Tottenham shirt.
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 12).
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds,
Newcastle and West Ham).
Nol SOLANO needs a double to total 50 Premier League goals (Newcastle, Aston
Villa and West Ham).
Fredrik LJUNGBERG is three shy of 50 Premier League goals (Arsenal and West
Ham).
If selected:-
ASHTON will be making his 50th career Premier League appearance (Norwich and
West Ham).
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and
West Ham).
Matthew ETHERINGTON will also be facing former team mates. The 26 year old
midfielder made 51 appearances (45 in the league) and scored two goals (one
league) for Tottenham between December 1999 and August 2003.
Bobby ZAMORA will be renewing acquaintance with ex colleagues. The 27 year
old forward made 18 appearances (16 in the league) and scored one goal for
Spurs between July 2003 and his move to Upton Park in February 2004.
HEAD TO HEAD
Spurs are unbeaten in three against West Ham (won two, drawn one), and have
not lost in six home Premier League games against them (three wins, three
draws).
There have only been two goalless draws in the last 87 league matches
between these sides.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 43 wins, West Ham 39, Draws 29
Prem: Spurs 10 wins, West Ham 9, Draws 6
at Spurs only
League (inc PL): Spurs 27 wins, West Ham 14, Draws 14
Prem: Spurs 6 wins, West Ham 3, Draws 3
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Ham United
22 October 2006 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Spurs scorer: Mido 45
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
24 November 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
West Ham scorer: Cole 20
Spurs scorer: Dawson 67
REFEREE
Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)
Premier League referees' table
Chris Foy's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Anton spurred on by defeat - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 7th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Anton Ferdinand is desperate to put the Chelsea and Liverpool debacles
behind him - starting with this weekend's hop across the city. Ferdinand,
who had been playing at the top of his game recently gave away a penalty
against Chelsea last weekend and looked distinctly average against
Liverpool's Fernando Torres on Wednesday night. As a result he says that
Sunday's short trip to White Hart Lane can't come soon enough. "I can only
speak for myself but those last two games have hurt me," he told whufc.tv.
"We've got to get it back right - and there's no better game to go into for
me personally than Spurs on Sunday. "Having a good record and then losing it
in the space of two games is not a good thing. I can't say we're in a crisis
because everyone knows what a crisis is, which was last year - and we dug
ourselves out of that. "But we've got to back the feeling we had last year
that helped us out of that situation - and make sure that we take that into
these last ten games."
Ferdinand was also keen to point out that there were 'no excuses' for the
two thrashings, and that that Hammers have shown in the past that they can
compete with the best in the league. "I feel that West Ham is a team that
can play against these type of sides," he added. "We weren't good enough in
those last two games and we've got to start doing what we do best - which is
work hard for each other. "Every game is tough in the Premier League but
there's no better game to go into after these two bad defeats knowing the
rivalry. This is where we'll see who can step up to the plate."
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Spurs v West Ham preview
Jenas doubtful for Spurs; Parker could make Hammers return
By Ben Collins Last updated: 7th March 2008
Skysports.com prediction: Spurs 2 West Ham 2
One to watch: Dimitar Berbatov
SkyBet odds: Tottenham 8/11 Draw 9/4 West Ham 10/3
Tottenham and West Ham lock horns on Sunday looking to bounce back to
winning ways after both suffering two demoralising defeats in the last week.
Birmingham took advantage of Tottenham's Carling Cup hangover to win 4-1
last weekend before Spurs' Uefa Cup hopes suffered a blow as they lost 1-0
at home to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday. West Ham endured an even tougher week
as they were thrashed 4-0 by both Chelsea and Liverpool, and manager Alan
Curbishley has demanded a positive response - not only to restore pride but
to spark an end-of-season flourish. The Hammers have not won at White Hart
Lane for nine years but they go into Sunday's clash eight points clear of
their London rivals in 10th. The Hammers' European hopes have almost been
extinguished as they lie eight points adrift of sixth-placed Aston Villa,
but Curbishley wants to make sure their hard work does not go to waste after
managing to hold down a top-half place despite being ravaged by injuries
this season. Tottenham's Carling Cup triumph means they are already assured
of a Uefa Cup place for next season but, similarly, Juande Ramos wants to
ensure his players remain focused for the rest of the season and perhaps
even snatch a top-half finish.
Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas is doubtful having twisted an ankle,
although Alan Hutton is back in the squad after being ineligible for the PSV
clash.
The former Rangers full-back is likely to replace Gilberto, who suffered a
nightmare debut by gifting PSV the only goal of the game and being booked
before being hauled off at half-time. Ramos could rest key players ahead of
the return leg such as defender Ledley King with Michael Dawson fit again
following a hamstring injury. Darren Bent has not trained properly due to
illness, while Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) are
expected to miss the rest of the campaign.
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker could be available again following a knee
injury but defender Matthew Upson has added to the Hammers' injury woes and
is rated as only 50-50 after picking up a calf problem at Liverpool. Bobby
Zamora is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after recovering from
a knee injury and coming off the bench at Anfield. Craig Bellamy, Lee
Bowyer, Matthew Etherington, Julien Faubert and Danny Gabbidon are all
continuing their rehabilitation but will not yet be back in first-team
contention.
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Noble looking for Hammers reply - Setanta
by Craig Kemp, 07 March 2008
Mark Noble has insisted that West Ham's recent run of heavy defeats have
made him stronger ahead of Sunday's visit to White Hart Lane. The
20-year-old local lad returns to the venue of his first Premier League start
back in November 2005, knowing that the last seven days have been good for
his development. The Hammers have suffered successive 4-0 defeats against
Chelsea and Liverpool and the midfielder is optimistic that the club will
get their Uefa Cup bid back on track at their London rivals. "You need these
times in your career to make you stronger," said Noble on the club's
official website.
"Hopefully I can take that from this. We need to train hard and get
ourselves ready for Sunday because it's a massive game for the fans and the
club and we need to put a performance in. "We got punished the last two
games and we haven't been good enough, so we have to get on with it and put
a performance in on Sunday. "If we don't score goals, like we haven't been,
then we won't win games."
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West Ham v TOTTENHAM: Jenas doubtful with twisted ankle - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:08am on 7th March 2008
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has a twisted ankle and is a concern
ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash at West Ham on Sunday. Alan
Hutton is back in the squad after being ineligible for the UEFA Cup tie
against PSV Eindhoven yesterday, while Darren Bent has been ill and has not
trained properly. Head coach Juande Ramos could rest players such as Ledley
King with next week's return leg against PSV in mind. Benoit Assou-Ekotto
(knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) are expected to miss the rest of the campaign.
Provisional squad: Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Hutton, Lee, Tainio,
Gilberto, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Kaboul, Rocha, Huddlestone, O'Hara,
Malbranque, Lennon, Zokora, Boateng, Taarabt, Keane, Bent, Berbatov.
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Tottenham v West Ham Utd - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 7th March 2008
By: Matthew Coker
After what has been a bloody hard week for the supporters so far, we cap it
all with a short jaunt North to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur
in a 3pm, Sunday afternoon kick off.
Our opponents currently sit in 11th place in the league, one place below us
but we enjoy a eight point advantage over them, which despite Juande Ramos
reported excellence, has been a gap that stretches back at least the to end
of November (a fact based on my recollection of my Spurs supporting mate,
Tim, informing me that the 8 point gap that we held over them on 2nd
December would have gone by Christmas.)
They are probably no longer relegation candidates, mainly by virtue of there
being so many utterly woeful teams below them, but they are nevertheless
only seven points from the drop zone and they are 21 points away from the
fourth place and the Champions League qualification that was their birth
right for this season according to noises emanating from the Lane last
summer.
Obviously, much has happened since then, not least a change of coach with
the newly appointed Spaniard, Juande Ramos, making a good impression on his
new club. He has not had much opportunity to get involved in the transfer
window, indeed Alan Hutton was the only notable signature bought in during
January.
The biggest change that he has made is on the player's fitness levels, where
he and fitness coach, Marcos Alvarez, have made radical changes to the
fitness levels by having double helpings of training instead of double
helpings of pudding. This is believed to have shed over eight stone from the
total squad weight and has enabled Spurs to work much harder off the ball,
where they now play a pressing game as well as allowing them to break
quickly.
Their recent victory in the Carling Cup has been given way too much
attention already, but the most obvious effect (apart from prompting the
memories of legions of fairweather supporters that they are, in fact,
lifelong fans) is that the league has taken a lower priority. Qualification
for next season's UEFA Cup has taken any urgency out of a need to climb the
table (though for them to get to sixth would be unlikely no matter what run
they put together).
"I think Tottenham could win the UEFA Cup now because they are safe in the
league. I think this will breathe confidence into Europe and Ramos can win
the Cup this year."
Graeme Roberts.
The sentiments from the club seem to echo Robert's opinion, which puts the
UEFA cup at the top of their priority list. This can't do us any harm, as we
take them on smack bang in the middle of their two legged tie with PSV
Eindhoven, them having lost 1-0 at home to the Dutch side currently six
points clear in their domestic league on Thursday night and having to face a
trip to the Holland on Wednesday night.
Ramos put a much weakened side out at Birmingham last weekend, which
featured the likes of Jamie O'Hara, Teemu Tainio, Tom Huddlestone and Darren
Bent in the starting line. You would imagine the 4-1 spanking that they
received would prevent Ramos taking the experiment as far against us, but I
don't think we'll be facing the very best that Spurs can offer on Sunday
afternoon.
Spuds Selection
Paul Robinson seems to have regained his place in the first team line up,
though a new keeper must be high on the club's shopping list. His inclusion
could be in our favour as he displayed signs last weekend of the England
keeper that we all knew and derided just a few months back, though he did
very well in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night.
There will be a few problems for them along the back four as both first
choice central defenders, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate suffer with
constant injury problems, to the degree where the last duo that were as sick
as these pair was Fred and Rosemary West.
It is widely recognised that King can only get through one game in a week
and having played against PSV, is unlikely to play against us. This, to our
advantage, means the appearance of one or both of Younes Kaboul or Michael
Dawson or even one of the wide defenders in the middle.
Alan Hutton, who reluctantly joined up from Rangers in January, has proved
to be a tough tackling Scot who is more than capable of getting efficiently
up and down the line. It is rumoured that Avram Grant put Anelka on the left
to close down the Hutton and Lennon combination, but whether that is true or
not, the right back had a much better day at Wembley than his opposite
number.
To our advantage, Hutton's always looks on the verge of getting booked,
indeed even Clinton's customers look further away from a card than Hutton
and if he is up against the guile of the Ljungberg on Sunday, I would fancy
him to get his name in the book at some point.
In a best case line up, Pascal Chimbonda has been moved to the left hand
side which I assume is nearer the exit as he can only be keeping that
position warm for when Gareth Bale returns. New Brazilian signing, Gilberto,
got a run out against PSV but performed nervously and was subbed at half
time.
The first choice midfield lines up with Aaron Lennon on the right, Steed
Malbranque on the left (which has been their more dangerous flank this
season, with Malbranque in good form), most likely Tom Huddlestone stepping
up for Jermaine Jenas, who twisted an ankle against PSV and Didier Zokora,
who plays in the holding role.
It doesn't take Anne Robinson to identify that Zokora's standing in the
team. Despite his undoubted athleticism, his ability to do anything
productive with a football is well hidden and he is clumsy enough to make
mistakes which can often give away free kicks in match winning areas.
Admittedly, we don't have a natural player to exploit this weakness, but our
superiority in numbers and his lack of ability should stack up in our
favour.
The first choice forward line is the little and large duo of Dimitar
Berbatov (10 league goals to date) and Robbie Keane (12 league goals to
date) in what is now a well established partnership. Ramos has enough faith
in this duo to have let Jermaine Defoe go off to Portsmouth and Darren Bent
has dropped down the pecking order, even behind reserve side prospect, Adel
Taarabt.
Spurs strength is definitely going forward, they have scored more goals at
home than any other side (33 so far) but have also conceded as many at home
as the relegation candidates. A few crazy results have been some of the
cause of this, a 6-4 win over Reading, a 5-1 win over Fulham and a 4-4 draw
with Villa being three examples.
Their overall home form has been ok, they have won six, though mostly
against relegation candidates such as Derby and Wigan the only victory over
a top half side was against Manchester City in early December. Birmingham
City, Blackburn, Arsenal and Everton have all been victorious at the Lane,
though they are undefeated there in the league since early December and have
won four out of their last five games (the only exception being a draw with
Manchester United).
"It's the second time in four days we've played a top side and we knew it
would be a tough game but we did not expect this. We have let ourselves
down."
Curbishley, grateful that we are not up against another top side at the
weekend.
For my money, this will be a confidence restoring draw that we need after
this week. I think that Spurs will have their focus on the UEFA cup and this
will be reflected in team selection and application, we will have had our
confidence bruised by back to back spankings and will go out even more cagey
than usual.
I'll have as down as a 1-1 draw and settle for that the way things stand.
Enjoy the game.
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Upson not scared of boo-boys ahead of Hammers trip to Spurs
By Guardian-series
MATTY Upson insists there be no personal incentive other than to win when
West Ham travel to Tottenham on Sunday. The defender spent nine years at
Spurs' bitter north London rivals Arsenal and is expecting an unwelcome
reception when the Irons run out at White Hart Lane. But, asked if it would
give him extra motviation to do well, he said: "Not at all. It doesn't do
anything for me to be honest. "I think I'll get the odd boo, but nothing too
serious. "It doesn't really bother me to go back to old places or old rivals
- you have that throughout your whole career."
The 28-year-old (pictured) limped out of the Irons' clash at Liverpool on
Wednesday night after 63 minutes with a calf problem, which ended his own
personal achievement of playing in every single Premier League minute for
the club this season. However, he has refused to declare himself unavailable
for the east Londoners' visit to Spurs and is hopeful of making a full
recovery. "I've got a good chance of making Sunday - I certainly wouldn't
rule myself out," he said. "I got a kick in the first half (against
Liverpool). The bruising is starting to come out, so its just a bit of
bleeding inside that has caused the calf to tigthen up. "My experience of
this type of injury is that it can be a few days and you'll be ok. It is a
bit too early to say but hopefully I'll be able to play."
If fit, Upson is likely to come up against Spurs' dynamic duo, Robbie Keane
and Dimitar Berbatov. It is sure to be another hard test for the England
international, and come just days after facing an red-hot Fernando Torres at
Anfield. The Spaniard claimed an impressive hat trick - his second in
consecutive games - and generally ran riot against as Liverpool thrashed the
Hammers 4-0 at Anfield on Wednesday night. His performance also earned raved
reviews from Upson. He said: "I think he's a good player. He's got lots of
pace and has taken his goals well. "The first goal I thought was a real good
strikers goal. He made good contact and anticipated the deflection off
George McCartney - which was a bit unfortunate for us because we had the
delivery covered. "If it had not deflected off George, I would have cleared
it away, and if I didn't get it maybe Anton would have been in the right
position.
"But it has taken a nick and he (Torres) has timed his run well and applied
a good finish. "The second one we didn't pick him up when we regrouped in
the box. "When the ball came back in, people didn't tie up with their
markers."
However, Upson added: "All those little things are part of being fatigued.
If your body is fatigued, your mind will be. "People's decision making,
responsibilty and alertness hasn't been there (in the last two games) which
is disappointing."
1:14pm today
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Can Curbishley ever lift West Ham out of no-man's land? - Sportigo
Fri, Mar 07, 08 13:17
Two capitulations in four days bring yet more question marks over the
Hammers boss's ability to motivate, especially when nothing is at stake.
Chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' from the Upton Park fans will
not be music to his ears. 'Curbishley seems unable to take his teams the
extra mile, which in Premier League terms for West Ham means qualification
for Europe'Following West Ham's Fernando Torres-inspired mauling at Anfield
on Wednesday night, manager Alan Curbishley said: "We don't want the season
to drift. We're in a bit of a no-man's land at the moment." There is no
manager in England who knows "no-man's land" better than Curbishley. The two
4-0 defeats this week to Chelsea and Liverpool have seriously dented any
hopes the Hammers had of playing in the UEFA Cup next season. They now join
Tottenham, their opponents on Sunday, as the only two teams in the Premier
League with nothing to play for in the remaining weeks of the season. The
two capitulations also come as some surprise as West Ham have shown they can
live with the bigger teams at Upton Park. Both Manchester United and
Liverpool have lost at the Boleyn this season. Make no mistake, though,
these two performances were as bad as they get. They capitulated in front of
their own fans on Saturday, when Chelsea had the game sewn up by half-time
and rarely looked troubled after Frank Lampard had been sent-off. Then, on
Wednesday, "El Nino" bagged an easy hat-trick and the Hammers were clueless
and devoid of ideas in midfield and attack. In the two games, West Ham
notched up three attempts on goal - and the 31 goals scored in 28 games this
season tells its own story.
The West Ham support at Anfield made their feelings clear as to where the
problems lie. Chants of "you don't know what you're doing" and "boring,
boring West Ham" make it clear who the Hammers' hard-core support blame for
two capitulations in four days. Curbishley seems to have a problem
motivating teams in the second half of seasons. Even before the trip to
Liverpool, he talked of his worry that the Hammers were in no-man's land but
he called on his players to respond to the Chelsea defeat which he claimed
had left them "embarrassed".
Curbishley seems unable to take his teams the extra mile, which in Premier
League terms for West Ham means qualification for Europe. The same situation
occurred time and again at Charlton. Although he gained two promotions
whilst at the Valley, the Addicks were often well-placed going into the
second-half of the season only to fall away when a UEFA Cup place looked a
very real possibility. He could be excused at Charlton as simply keeping
them in the top division was a real achievement. But West Ham have invested
a lot of money and their fans expect to be challenging for something in the
middle of March.
It is quite amazing to think that the former Valley manager was linked with
the England job in 2006. When pundits complain that the FA keep choosing
foreign managers and paying them extortionate wages, they should think of
the slim line-up of English possibilities. (Amazingly the highest-placed
English manager in the Premier League is currently Harry Redknapp in ninth
position.)
There remains a nagging feeling that Curbishley is unable to take West Ham
much further; he lacks the motivational qualities of a David Moyes or Mark
Hughes. Whilst he did a fine job keeping the Hammers in the top division
last season, this season of transition is not a disaster. However, season
2008-9 could be crucial for Curbishley's future at Upton Park and will prove
if the West Ham gaffer can ever cross the no-man's land borders.
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Hammers feeling the exhaustion - itv.com
March 07 2008
West Ham defender Matthew Upson admits the teams' efforts this term have
worn out their injury-hit squad heading into the end of the Premier League
campaign. The Hammers have had important players on the treatment table all
season, and Upson is the latest casualty after picking up a calf injury
during Wednesday's thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. The England
international is struggling to make Sunday's clash at Tottenham when Alan
Curbishley's men look to get back on track after consecutive 4-0 reverses,
against Chelsea and then at Anfield. If Upson misses out, The Iron's squad
will be stretched even more as they look to make the jump from mid-table
into European qualification candidates. "The last two games have been unlike
us but it may be a case that there are a few tired legs now because we've
had to work so hard to reach mid-table safety," said Upson. "Because we've
been unable to score enough goals, every game has been tight and taxing. We
need to regroup now and, given a match against our local rivals Spurs on
Sunday, we don't have much time. "Across the middle we look a bit leggy and
lack the urgency to run beyond the strikers. We haven't passed the ball at
all over the last two games and that's because we're not using the energy to
run into space and receive the ball. "We identified what's wrong and we
need, as a group, to address it because, although we're safe, we can't
afford to let the season just dwindle away."
Hammers fans have also been urging a more expansive game from the Upton Park
outfit. "We could go that way," the 28-year-old added. "We haven't got too
much to lose now but the players have to be in the right condition if we're
going to throw everything at it. "I know the supporters are hungry for some
more attacking action and flair but it's up to the manager to decide which
way he wants to go."
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