Robert Green has been called up by his country for a week that sees several
team-mates also away
24.03.2008
Robert Green was today training with the England squad after his call-up for
Wednesday's match against France in Paris in the wake of Chris Kirkland's
withdrawal.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper has been rewarded for his tremendous form of late
and had long been tipped by many for an international recall. His only cap
to date came in a friendly against Colombia in the United States back in May
2005. He was due to play at the 2006 World Cup before injury dashed his
hopes but he has never given up hope of a return to the senior set-up. He
will challenge David James and Paul Robinson, the latter himself a late
call-up for the injured Scott Carson.
Reflecting on his performance against Everton, which earned him the man of
the match award from Setanta Sports, Green said: "It was all right. The
conditions were awkward in the first half but they calmed down a bit in the
second. I think everyone dug in and did well. It was pleasing just to play a
small part in a really good performance." The shot-stopper was
"disappointed" to only get a point in the end although added: "Take it with
a pinch of salt because you look at going a goal behind after eight minutes,
I think it was exactly the same time as we did against Spurs and probably a
similar time to Liverpool, so you're fearing the worst slightly."
He paid tribute to the young central defensive partnership of James Tomkins
and Anton Ferdinand who held firm after Yakubu's opener to provide the
platform for Dean Ashton's equaliser. "After that we really dug in together,
sorted ourselves out and Tomka and Anton did tremendously well at the back
to hold off the power of the two up front." On Tomkins, he added: "I'm
pleased for him because it was a difficult start and he got caught slightly
for the goal but that's the Premier League, they get a chance and they
hammer it home. It's a steep learning curve after then but other than that
he did admirably."
Tomkins played because of a calf injury to Matthew Upson, which has cost him
a place alongside Green in Fabio Capello's England squad, having been named
in the initial 30-man party last week. The 28-year-old defender, capped
eight times, played the full 90 minutes last month in a 2-1 win against
Switzerland. However, he has missed the last three West Ham United fixtures
- including Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton.
The club will have two other players on England duty next week, with Tomkins
and Freddie Sears set to play for the U19s in a friendly against Russia at
Milton Keynes on Tuesday. Mark Noble has been rested by the U21s for their
home friendly against Poland on the same evening.
Also in friendly action this Wednesday are Freddie Ljungberg, who will
captain Sweden in a glamour tie against Brazil in a match to be played at
Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, George McCartney for Northern Ireland at home
against Georgia, Jonathan Spector for the US in Poland and John Pantsil who
will play for Ghana against Mexico at Fulham's Craven Cottage. On the same
day, Lucas Neill and Jack Collison, for Australia in China and Wales U21s in
Bosnia-Herzegovina respectively, are the only two players who will be
involved in competitive action.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomka tells all on WHUTV - WHUFC
James Tomkins was lost for words after his debut but recovered to share his
thoughts on a great day
24.03.2008
James Tomkins has told WHUTV how he owes a debt to the likes of Anton
Ferdinand and Lucas Neill for helping him to impress on his first-team bow.
The defender is enjoying a week to remember after making his debut in the
1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday and even nearly scored with virtually his
first touch as an early header crashed against the bar. He is also in line
to represent England U19s on Tuesday in a friendly against Russia and then
finish the week with his 19th birthday on Saturday. Before he gets the
chance to blow out the candles though, he will have to catch his breath from
a memorable weekend.
"It was brilliant," he told WHUTV. "It was a great atmosphere and it is such
an honour. I am still speechless now. It is just so good to play at Goodison
Park and a good experience for me playing against good players like Yakubu."
While the Nigeria striker was able to get the better of the teenager in the
eighth minute at Everton to put the home team in front, Tomka - as he is
known to his team-mates - was able to stamp his authority on the match after
that.
He said: "I felt I grew in confidence and learnt as the game went on. I just
loved it. It is a good experience for me to play against players like that."
As is typical of the modest centre-back, he was quick to pay tribute to
those around him. "The whole defence were brilliant. Anton was talking to me
every two seconds. He was great for me and great to play alongside.
Obviously Lucas was talking throughout the game - they all helped me along."
Tomkins is not the only talented young defender coming through with the
likes of Jordan Spence and Bondz N'Gala also emerging while further forward
there are midfielders Junior Stanislas and Jack Collison pushing to join
Freddie Sears, who impressed again off the bench against Everton. "It is
great for the Academy and shows how well we are doing in the reserves and
the youth team," Tomkins said. "Freddie deserved his chance and obviously
you have got Jack Collison and Junior Stanislas coming through. It is
looking good for the Academy."
The defender may have had a rapid rise and looks set for a week to remember
but there is no danger of him losing sight of what is important. "My dad and
my brothers came along [to watch me]. My mum wasn't able to make it but I
was thinking of her after the game and she sent me a text. They have been so
good, such a supportive family and it is good to have people behind you like
that."
His manager Alan Curbishley has also been right behind him, with the manager
admitting Tomkins' bow could have come sooner had he not suffered a shoulder
injury last season. "He was on the verge of getting a game before I turned
up but he put his shoulder out. So he's been around it and everyone has
great hopes for him ... He likes to play and pass his way out. I know he is
quite aggressive but what please me most is that when Yakubu rolled him it
didn't faze him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
First-team future for Academy aces - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley expects his young charges to get better and better the more
opportunities come their way
23.03.2008
Teenage trio James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears have all made
the first-team breakthrough for West Ham United this season - much to the
delight of Alan Curbishley.
The manager reflected on the impact of all three after the 1-1 draw at
Everton as they follow in the footsteps of established homegrown stars Anton
Ferdinand and Mark Noble. "They're very, very level-headed," Curbishley
said. "I came down to breakfast this morning and the three of them were
sitting round the table and then Noble came down who was like the shop
steward because he's a year older them. He sat with them and I thought he
was taking their subs.
"There is a nice spirit when you've got the young boys with you. Everything
is a bonus to them at the moment and long may it continue. I don't know how
it's going to shape up in the run-in but if I can put one or two of them in,
I will." Curbishley acknowledged that the introduction of the three players
this season, along with a couple of run-outs for 20-year-old winger Kyel
Reid who has of late been "itching to get a chance", has been "a tremendous
lift for the fans".
That said, the manager was well aware there was still every chance of the
club finishing just outside the top five or six this campaign and that
securing results was still the primary focus. "I've got to have one hat on
considering trying to win Premier League matches and points and another one
where I'm looking at the future of the club," he explained. It is clear more
opportunities will come their way though, with striker Sears for example
seen as not just an impact player off the bench.
The manager said: "I'm going to start him in one of the games, I've just got
to pick it. [Everton] is a tough place to come to. I didn't think giving two
18-year-olds their debut at Goodison, at the same time, was advisable. But
we'll see what we've got in the remainder of the games because certainly we
want to see him start a game and see what he's got." The same goes for
defensive debutant Tomkins with Curbishley claiming "we had no doubts about
the two of them".
The likes of Academy director Tony Carr and reserve-team manager Kevin Keen
have more than played their part in bringing the youngsters through this
season and Curbishley has no worries about keeping them grounded despite the
increased attention. "It's difficult in the Premier League because
everything is so hyped up. You play and it doesn't die down until about
Wednesday and then you've got to get on with the next one. The people who
are around them - we know they are level headed and I think it's just all a
big bonus for them at the moment."
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England's number five - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has finally been called up to the England squad after Wigan's
Chris Kirkland withdrew earlier this evening. Kirkland became the second
goalkeeper to be ruled out of the squad following Scott Carson's withdrawal
24 hours earlier. And Green, who had been overlooked then in favour of
Tottenham's Paul Robinson finally got the nod earlier tonight earning him
the dubious honour of being England's fifth choice goalkeeper. The United
keeper received his first call-up four years ago this month but had to wait
a further year before making his only international appearance thus far.
Green replaces Matthew Upson as West Ham's only representative in the squad
which faces France in Paris this coming Wednesday.
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Green has been called up to the England Squad - West Ham Online
ForeverHammers - Sun Mar 23 2008
Well done son. England's rightful No 1 Rob Green has been called up by
England for the friendly against France next week after injury deprived
Fabio Capello of the services of Chris Kirkland. Green, who has one cap to
his name, has often been overlooked by previous England managers, despite
his excellent club form for West Ham. At long last justice has been done.
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Jeffery loan extended - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Jack Jeffery has had his loan with Conference outfit Cambridge United
extended by a further month. The young striker joined former Hammer Jimmy
Quinn at the Conference promotion hopefuls at the end of February and has
made five appearances for the Us - although is yet to open his goalscoring
account.
Former United striker Quinn opted to extend Jeffery's loan due to an injury
to regular first-teamer Lee McEvilly. The 18-year-old striker is set to
partner another former Hammer, Lee Boylan, as Cambridge seek to confirm
their place in this season's play-offs. The Us are next in action on Monday
evening, when they face a trip to mid-table Ebbsfleet United.
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We could have nicked it - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2008
By: Staff Writer
An ebullient Alan Cubishley looks back at a fine performance at Goodison
Park ... We came here today and I asked them to pass it around which I think
they did. We got off to a poor start; James Tomkins, coming in for his first
game eager and wanting to win everything got rolled by Yakubu and we found
ourselves one down. But he grew in confidence as did the team; for the rest
of the game I think we were a match for Everton and had some great chances.
We're disappointed that we haven't taken all three points. Young Freddie
came on and gave us all a bit of a lift and could have nicked a goal. But
the pleasing thing is, as I have said for the last couple of weeks we may
give some youngsters some games. Young Freddie has come on twice now and
been excellent and James Tomkins had a great debut - apart from the first
goal obviously. But it was a great debut and something that we can build on.
We had four [Academy players] on the pitch at the end of the game and we've
got a couple more who have been travelling with us and have been involved
with the squad for the last four or five weeks. The Premier League clubs
are always being accused of stifling young talent but when do that get a
game? I could have shuffled it around today and perhaps not played James and
gone for a bit more experience but it was always in my mind that I wanted to
do this.
I think we are [disappointed]. Everton created a couple [of chances]
themselves but overall I think that we were quite strong. But you need the
goals - and the biggest problem we've had is that we have been on top in
games but don't quite get enough goals to finish teams off, which was the
case today.
I've been realistic about it. I watched the Tottenham/Portsmouth game before
we left the hotel and Harry [Redknapp] was bemoaning the fact that he had
four or five players missing - I thought 'hold on, we've had that all
season' - even more! It has been difficult, but as I've been saying to
everybody connected to the club - be realistic, we've had a decent season so
far and want to finish as high up as we can. That week we played some decent
sides and weren't good enough, and got badly hurt. But overall, week in week
out we've produced and now we're looking at the future.
Alan Curbishley was talking to the BBC's Match of the Day programme.
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Moyes upset by offside decision - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 23rd March 2008
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes has expressed his disappointment at the offside decision which
ruled out Yakubu's second effort on goal in yesterday's 1-1 draw with the
Hammers. TV replays confirmed that the Nigerian international was clearly
onside when the ball was played shortly before he fired home - an effort
that would have put the home side 2-0 up. United went on to level the game
through Dean Ashton before going close to winnin git in the final minute
when Fred Sears hit the post. Yet Moyes felt that the game would have been
well beyond Alan Curbishley's side had Yakubu's effort been allowed. "I
thought we should have had the second goal which obviously makes a
difference," he told the BBC. "It looked onside and if we get that it
changes the outcome. "Credit to West Ham, they kept going and gave us a
difficult game in the second half. I'm pleased that we got a point - but
disappointed that we didn't get all three."
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Lean Dean aims to be West Ham and England goal machine - Daily Mail
Everton 1 West Ham 1
By JOHN EDWARDS - More by this author >
Last updated at 20:02pm on 23rd March 2008
There was a time, not so long ago, when the XL on Dean Ashton's chest might
have referred to his shirt size, rather than West Ham's sponsors. Already
sidelined for a year with a broken ankle, he had spent seven weeks
recovering from knee ligament trouble and the effects of such prolonged
inactivity were beginning to tell. While onlookers once marvelled at the
punch he brought to West Ham's attack, all eyes were suddenly on his paunch.
Not any more.
Four months on, he is back to his fighting weight and looking every inch the
England striker he so nearly became before injury intervened. An England
place seemed close at hand after he was named in one of Steve McClaren's
squads and will surely beckon again after compelling evidence that he could
prove Fabio Capello's missing link. McClaren's successor has been bombarded
with suggestions for his best attacking formation, but all those
permutations appear to lack a viable candidate providing muscle as well as
menace. There are plenty who could fill the other roles, not least Steven
Gerrard or Wayne Rooney as support striker, or Michael Owen alongside a
target man, but genuine leaders of the line seem in short supply. Ashton
appears to meet the requirements, and they were in evidence at Goodison Park
as he took on Everton's defence by himself and salvaged a point with an
outstanding 68th-minute equaliser - a soaring leap above Phil Jagielka and
connection that was too good for Tim Howard's despairing dive. It was just
reward for a forceful show of lone front-running and proof that Capello need
look no further for an attacking spearhead, according to West Ham's England
squad keeper Robert Green.
"When you look at England's strikers, the likes of Rooney and Owen, the one
thing they seem to be missing is what Dean offers," he said. "He has unique
attributes among current England forwards and he already has half an eye on
getting back in there. It has to be one step at a time, because the body
needs time to adjust after a lengthy injury absence. He'll feel stiff and
awkward for a few days after the effort he put in here. "It is a difficult,
thankless task up front on your own. There is so much mileage to cover, but
he looks like a new man. He did magnificently well and scored a wonderful
goal. "He has a vast range of qualities and is ideal as a big centre
forward. If he stays fit, his sheer quality will shine through. We have seen
it for the Under 21s, and it is just a question of getting him out on the
pitch week in, week out."
Yakubu's 19th goal of the season gave Everton the perfect start as he
brushed aside 18-year old debutant James Tomkins before volleying beyond
Green.
His 20th should have arrived shortly after when a linesman wrongly raised
his flag just as Yakubu expertly placed a side-foot finish beyond Green's
reach.
Ashton had clipped a post and had a free-kick saved by Howard when he
equalised for a sprightly West Ham side who had plenty of youthful
exuberance in Tomkins and substitute Freddie Sears. Sears might even have
won it with a last-minute effort that came back off an upright, and manager
Alan Curbishley said: "I've never had any doubts about those two boys. They
are very level-headed. I came down to breakfast this morning and they were
sitting round a table with 19-year-old Jack Collison. "Then Mark Noble
joined them and he was like the shop steward because he's about a year
older. There is a nice spirit when you've got youngsters with you."
Dropping two points a week after losing at Fulham was worrying enough for
David Moyes, but Mikel Arteta's most subdued 90 minutes of the season must
have concerned him even more. The Everton manager said: "Mikel's form could
be better, but you could say that about a few of the players. He is
important for us, and we need him to reach the high standards he has set
himself."
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Everton 1 West Ham United 1: Youth of today gives Curbishley glimpse of
tomorrow - The Independent
By Guy Hodgson
Monday, 24 March 2008
Strip away the fuss surrounding David Beckham winning his 100th cap and the
England team who face France on Wednesday will underline a fact: no club has
had a greater influence on the national team than West Ham United. It is
conceivable that four players in Fabio Capello's team - Rio Ferdinand, Joe
Cole, Frank Lampard and Glen Johnson - will have spent their formative years
at Upton Park and Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick were not far away. So
when West Ham unveil a youngster it is no mere footnote.
Last week it was Freddie Sears; on Saturday it was a defender true to the
club's belief that centre-halves should be more than mere stoppers. James
Tomkins was acquainted with the truth that football can be cruel in his
first eight minutes but emerged after 90 covered in promise.
The 18-year-old hit the bar after five minutes and the pivotal moment in
Everton's goal three minutes later was his being suckered into a rash jump
by the wily Yakubu. It could have demoralised a fledgling talent, but, as
his manager, Alan Curbishley, said: "What pleased me most is that it didn't
faze him."
The introduction of the England Under-19 international, Tomkins, is part of
Curbishley's plan to turn disappointment to his advantage. Injuries have
halted the Hammers' assault on European places, but he now has a chance to
glimpse tomorrow.
No one enhances that future more than Sears, who scored the winner against
Blackburn Rovers as a substitute eight days ago and was fractions away from
repeating the feat. He hit the post in stoppage time but what impressed was
the calculation of his flick past Tim Howard. No panic, no rush, just icy
purpose.
David Moyes' purpose is to lift a team struggling with potential anticlimax.
Three weeks ago the Uefa Cup and a place in the Champions League were
realistic aspirations and one target has gone and another is made more
remote by this result. The Everton manager spoke of a point gained but his
smile can convey simmering fury. "Maybe you were putting words in my mouth,"
he said when it was put to him that confident words about finishing fourth
have become muted.
Moyes had every reason to be angry that Yakubu had a valid "goal" wrongly
disallowed for offside, which would have put Everton 2-0 ahead. The problem
for Everton is that results and decisions are not going for them.
Goals: Yakubu (8) 1-0; Ashton (68) 1-1.
Everton (4-4-2): Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines; Arteta,
Carsley, Cahill (Fernandes, 11), Osman; Anichebe, Yakubu.
Substitutes not used: Wessels (gk), Hibbert, Graveson, Valente.
West Ham United (4-5-1): Green; Neill, Tomkins, Ferdinand, McCartney;
Ljungberg (Solano, 80), Noble, Mullins, Parker (Spector, 82), Boa Morte
(Sears, 56); Ashton. Substitutes not used: Walker (gk), Cole.
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).
Man of the match: Yakubu.
Attendance: 37,430.
Capello's notebook
Joleon Lescott The Everton defender began impressively but faded. Overall,
an uninspiring performance. Robert Green Belated call-up yesterday after
another solid show in West Ham's goal.
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Everton lose winning feeling to West Ham - Telegraph
By Phil Shaw
Last Updated: 12:25am GMT 24/03/2008
Everton (1) 1 West Ham United (0) 1
Derby week is underway on Merseyside, and however much Everton manager David
Moyes protests his pleasure at lying fifth in the Premier League and in
gaining a draw against a West Ham side reinvigorated by youth, his team look
as if they wished it meant Derby County at home rather than Liverpool away.
In fact, Paul Jewell's mutton dressed as Rams visit Goodison Park a week
next Sunday, yet Moyes knows that defeat at Anfield would leave Everton in
the position of hoping Liverpool are physically and mentally drained by
their triple-header with Arsenal. Instead of making hay while the sun
shines, as Evertonians dreamed of doing, they could be clutching at straws.
Did Everton's players still believe they could reach the Champions' League?
"We haven't talked about fourth place much," Moyes said. "There's no doom or
gloom and I'd be disappointed if people felt like that. The players are
doing well and we're very pleased to be fifth. It was another point today to
consolidate, and there are lots of big games to go."
All of which would have been more persuasive but for Moyes's candid
assessment of individual displays. Of playmaker Mikel Arteta, who often
sprinkles stardust amid the honest toil of team-mates, he said: "His form
could be better, but you could say that about a few." Leighton Baines?
Victor Anichebe? "Second half not so good."
After collecting 23 points out of 27, Everton have now taken one from six.
Perhaps because they are not blessed with the squad depth of the 'Big Four',
they have frequently fallen away as the finishing line beckons. Last
season's 12-point haul from the final eight matches was their only 50 per
cent return during six seasons under Moyes.
Where there is Yakubu Ayegbeni, however, there is hope. After putting
Everton ahead with awesome assurance, the Nigerian had an effort wrongly
ruled out for offside. They equalised from an old-fashioned No 9's header by
Dean Ashton and ended up frustrated not to have won.
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Moyes felt West Ham's second-half vibrancy reflected the fact that, as a
mid-table outfit, they were under no pressure. Yet manager Alan Curbishley
was without nine injured first-teamers and had blooded James Tomkins, 18 -
likened to Bobby Moore and Rio Ferdinand - as well as giving another
substitute outing to Freddie Sears, who looks 18 going on 11.
Football fans' forum
"I came down to breakfast in the hotel to find Tomkins, Sears and Jack
Collison sitting together," Curbishley said. "In comes Mark Noble. He's a
year older so he's a like a shop steward!" Tomkins was exposed by Yakubu for
Everton's goal, but recovered to defend with composure and struck the bar
with a fourth-minute header. The lively Sears galvanised Ashton and harassed
Phil Jagielka into his worst game at centre-back before hitting a post in
the last minute.
"I've got one hat on trying to win matches and another one for the club's
future," Curbishley added. "I want to give the youngsters a chance and I'll
pick the games to do that, but when they get the opportunity, it's so
difficult in the Premier League. Everyone needs to win." Moyes knows the
feeling.
Man of the match
Dean Ashton (West Ham) 8
Six shots, two on target, one goal
One chance created
Completed 78 per cent of his passes
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Injuries rock Sunderland before West Ham clash - Sunderland Echo
Mini-injury crisis rocks Sunderland
Sunderland have a mini-injury crisis with four players doubtful for this
Saturday's home game against West Ham. Leading marksman Kenwyne Jones (left)
missed out on the weekend's victory over Aston Villa with a flu virus, while
Carlos Edwards (groin), Danny Collins (dead leg) and Nyron Nosworthy (ankle)
have been laid low by injuries. Both Jones and Edwards will miss out on
Trinidad and Tobago's midweek friendly international against Jamaica.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane, whose delight at Saturday's first away win of the
season was tempered by the injury setbacks, said: "We'd lost Kenwyne Jones
to a virus which was always going to make it difficult for us at Villa.
"He's a very important player for us, but, ironically, it probably made us
play better football because, obviously, when you've got a player like
Kenwyne in your side, the tendency is to go long because he's so good at
getting on the end of things.
"But he missed training the day before the game with the virus and there's
no way he could have been involved in the game against Villa. Carlos has a
slight groin problem. He picked it up in training the day before, so we
didn't want him playing the full game. "Neither of them will be fit enough
to travel on international duty this week. "Nyron picked up a knock in the
game, as did Danny, so we'll just have to wait and see how they come along.
"There were plenty of ice packs in the dressing room, but then there usually
are - there'd be something wrong if there wasn't after a Premier League
game."
Jones is likely to be the biggest doubt for the game against West Ham, who
have bounced back from three successive 4-0 drubbings to beat Blackburn and
hold Everton to a draw at Goodison Park. Despite the fact that Sunderland
played well without him at Villa Park, the five-goal top scorer would be
expected to make an immediate return once fit. The Edwards groin strain
should clear up in the next few days with rest and Collins and Nosworthy
will both be desperate to face the Hammers at the Stadium of Light on
Saturday. Nosworthy took a bad knock towards the end of the first half at
Villa and it looked as though he would not be able to continue, but he
soldiered on and was able to get through the game. Collins also got through
the full 90 minutes with the knock.
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Green called up by Capello - FootballUK
Monday Mar 24 2008 07:16
West ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has been called up into the England
squad for the friendly against France due to an injury to Wigan Athletic's
Chris Kirkland. Head coach Fabio Capello had already been forced to bring in
Spurs' Paul Robinson, with Aston Villa loanee Scott Carson injured during
his side's 1-0 defeat by Sunderland. That now leaves Robinson and Green to
challenge David James for a starting berth in the Stade de France on
Wednesday evening. Capello is hoping for a positive display against France
in midweek, as he continues his getting to know period with the players at
his disposal.
He told TheFA.com: "Having world-class players is not enough if you don't
have a winning mentality, a team or group mentality. "There are obviously
important players, but wherever I have worked so far, if you need to build a
house, you start with what you have and capitalise on that. "The important
thing is that we need to bring back self-confidence and the right mentality
in order to do good things."
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Belenenses defender Rolando wanted by Newcastle, West Ham
tribalfooball.com - March 23, 2008
Belenenses defender Rolando is wanted by Newcastle United. The Sunday Sun
says Rolando, born in the Cape Verde islands but holder of a Portuguese
passport, has declined to sign a new deal at Belenenses in the knowledge
that several clubs across Europe are tracking him. Newcastle's new technical
director Jeff Vetere has recommended Rolando to manager Kevin Keegan after
first spotting him while working with Real Madrid's youth set-up. Lazio and
Porto may be Newcastle's main opposition in the race to land the Portuguese
Under-21 international, although West Ham and Osasuna have also expressed an
interest in him.
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West Ham keeper Green backing Ashton for England
tribalfootball.com - March 23, 2008
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green says Dean Ashton is the man to lead
the line for England. "When you look at England's strikers, the likes of
Rooney and Owen, the one thing they seem to be missing is what Dean offers,"
he said. "He has unique attributes among current England forwards and he
already has half an eye on getting back in there. It has to be one step at a
time, because the body needs time to adjust after a lengthy injury absence.
He'll feel stiff and awkward for a few days after the effort he put in here.
"It is a difficult, thankless task up front on your own. There is so much
mileage to cover, but he looks like a new man. He did magnificently well and
scored a wonderful goal. "He has a vast range of qualities and is ideal as a
big centre forward. If he stays fit, his sheer quality will shine through.
We have seen it for the Under 21s, and it is just a question of getting him
out on the pitch week in, week out."
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West Ham keeper Green wins England call-up
tribalfooball.com - March 23, 2008
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has won a call-up to the England
squad. Green is added to the party set to travel to Paris for Wednesday's
friendly. Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland played throughout Saturday's 3-1
Barclays Premier League defeat against Blackburn but has since reported
discomfort, after appearing to injury himself early on at Ewood Park. Green
becomes the second goalkeeper to be added to the squad, with Tottenham's
Paul Robinson called up on Saturday night following an injury to Aston
Villa's on-loan Liverpool man Scott Carson. Of the three initially selected,
only Portsmouth's David James managed to come through his weekend assignment
unscathed - in a 2-0 defeat against Robinson's Spurs at White Hart Lane on
Saturday.
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West Ham boss Curbishley planning for next term with Sears
tribalfootball.com - March 23, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley says Freddie Sears will be a major part
of next season's squad. After their draw at Everton, Curbishley said: "Sears
coming on also gave Dean (Ashton) a boost as the kid chased everything. "Now
Dean has seven games left this term and when he looks back at his season he
may realise that he hasn't done that bad. "He's been out a long while and
had to get his fitness back from a bad injury while playing in the top
flight. That's hard. "There was some 'stick' from the fans but then we've
all had that. That's the business we are in, he got stick, I got stick,
everybody was getting it. "But a couple of weeks ago he was back up front at
Spurs, we were down to 10 men and losing and he charged around for 45
minutes and in many respects that did him a lot of good. "He worked ever so
hard in that performance, and then played well against Blackburn and scored.
Now he has done it again and scored another goal. "Now I want him to finish
the season well, and let's hope he can get a full pre-season of training."
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West Ham boss Curbishley happy with Ashton scoring form
tribalfootball.com - March 23, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley was delighted to see Dean Ashton score
in their 1-1 draw at Everton. "Ashton did well and took his goal
excellently," said Curbishley, who offered a word of caution to Hammers
fans. "Everyone wants it straight away and he has had to get himself fit
after a long time out.
"And when Ashton has been getting fit, I have had points to win to make sure
we were safe so I've used him as a substitute a bit. "But the last three
games he has looked as sharp as I have seen him. "Since I have been here I
have hardly seen him at the level I was told he reached when he first came
to the club. "I have not really seen the real Dean Ashton, the one I was
told was on fire before the injury that ruled him out for a complete
season."
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