Jack Collison is establishing himself on the international scene and could
be playing at next year's U21 finals
25.03.2008
Jack Collison could take a major step towards appearing at the 2009 European
Under-21 Championship when he plays for Wales away to Bosnia-Herzegovina on
Wednesday afternoon. The 19-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for
club and country this season. Not only as he captained the West Ham United
reserve side to the top of their table, he has scored twice in three U21
internationals since making his bow back in November. Collison qualified for
Wales via his grandfather and the club's fourth Welshman after Danny
Gabbidon, James Collins and Craig Bellamy is now sensing the chance to make
history with Brian Flynn's side and secure a place at next year's finals in
Sweden. "It is a massive game for us as a team. If we win in Bosnia we have
got a great chance of qualifying," Collison said before the long trip to
Sarajevo. "The U21s have never qualified for anything. At the moment they
are the priority with Wales. I know the senior squad have got a friendly
with Luxembourg and obviously it would be nice to get involved there but the
main aim for Wales is the U21s because they are so successful."
Wales are top of qualifying Group 10, a point ahead of Romania who they meet
home and away in August and September. This week's game could give Wales a
four-point advantage before that double-header, a commanding lead to have
when only the group winners, with Mark Noble's England looking likely to
take Group 3, are guaranteed a play-off spot. The four best runners-up from
the ten UEFA sections will also go through but Collison is more than
confident of making sure of top spot. "There is a lot of good talent there.
We are a very young team. The average age is only 18 or 19. [Manchester City
prospect] Ched Evans is firing for Norwich this season, young Aaron Ramsey
has been playing week in, week out for Cardiff. Obviously he is flying. A
lot of clubs will be looking at him. There are a lot of boys there to look
out for." None more so than Collison himself, who made his debut against
Bosnia at the end of 2007 and capped it with a "pretty decent goal" that saw
him surge past three players, play a one-two and then round the goalkeeper
to score.
He was also on target in his most recent reserve-team outing as West Ham
United beat Reading 2-1 last week and at the weekend found himself receiving
high praise from manager Alan Curbishley. Having made his first-team bow on
New Year's Day, Collison is expected to get his first start soon. "It is
exciting times. It has been a good season but I want more of it. I don't
want to stop here. I need to work my way into both first teams and take it
from there."
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Stanislas earns Young Lions chance - WHUFC
Tricky midfielder Junior Stanislas will be on England duty on Tuesday night
with James Tomkins
25.03.2008
Junior Stanislas has joined James Tomkins in being selected by England
Under-19s for the international friendly against Russia this evening
although Freddie Sears has withdrawn. The duo, both 18, will hope to impress
in Milton Keynes in the hope of winning a place in Brian Eastick's squad for
May's vital European U19 Championship elite round. The Young Lions are due
to come up against hosts Belarus, Serbia and Poland in a four-country
mini-tournament to decide which of the four will compete in the eight-nation
14-26 July finals in the Czech Republic. Russia are also bidding to qualify
so will provide stern opposition.
Central defender Tomkins is an established performer at U19 level for
England, having particularly impressed Eastick in the 2-0 friendly win
against Croatia last month. Prolific forward Sears, who has been ruled out
tonight through injury, came off the bench for that fixture, his second such
appearance for his country, and very nearly scored in an impressive late
cameo. Late call-up Stanislas, after Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs pulled out, was
an unused substitute while Jordan Spence, still only 17, could yet force his
way into the reckoning and may play for the U18s in April.
Admission for Stadium: MK is £3 for adults in advance (£5 on the day) and £1
for concessions.
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Tomka the England hero - WHUFC
James Tomkins was on target twice for the Under-19s on Tuesday night in a
friendly win against Russia
25.03.2008
James Tomkins continued his magnificent week with two goals as England
defeated Russia 3-1 in an Under-19 international friendly in Milton Keynes.
Tomkins opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a header after a good
cross by Reading's James Henry. The Basildon-based defender then followed up
from close range to score when Sone Aluko's shot was blocked in the 59th
minute. Evgeny Pesegov pulled one back with a free-kick two minutes later
but almost immediately Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll restored the
two-goal advantage.
Having made his first-team debut in a 1-1 draw against Everton last weekend,
Tomkins had lined up at the heart of the Young Lions defence. The England
No5 has been capped at U16, U17 and U18 level by his country and is firmly
established at this age group. The centre-back, who turns 19 on Saturday,
was rested in the second half, going off on 66 minutes as club-mate Junior
Stanislas joined the action from the bench.
Both players, along with Jordan Spence and Freddie Sears, all have realistic
hopes of winning a place in Brian Eastick's squad for May's vital European
U19 Championship elite round. The Young Lions are due to come up against
hosts Belarus, Serbia and Poland in a four-country mini-tournament to decide
who will compete in the eight-nation 14-26 July finals in the Czech
Republic. Only the winners will progress.
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Tomkins bags a brace - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 26th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins scored twice tonight as England under 19s beat Russia 3-1 in
Milton Keynes. The 18-year-old centre half couldn't have hoped for a better
end to the week after making his first team debut for the Hammers on
Saturday at Everton. Tomkins opened the scoring for Brian Eastick's side
after 19 minutes with a well-placed header before completing his personal
tally for the night on the hour mark by firing home from close range after
Russian keeper Pomazan had spilled a Sone Aluko shot. The Russians pulled a
goal back two minutes later through a Pesegov free kick but England's
two-goal advantage was restored on 64 minutes by Andy Carroll. Tomkins was
one of two players substituted on 66 minutes - presumably with West Ham
united's Premier League visit to Sunderland this weekend in mind - to be
replaced by Junior Stanislas, who had been a late inclusion in the squad.
The game was watched by a crowd of nearly 9,000 - very impressive given that
Stuart Pearce's under 21s, who drew 0-0 with Poland were also in action
tonight.
England: Button (Steele 46) Obeng, Cork, Tomkins (Beevers 66), Clark,
Sinclair (Delph 78), Walker, Carroll (Obadeyi 75), Upson (Stanislas 66),
Aluko, Henry.
Russia: Pomazan (Polyakov 46), Drukovsky, Alborov, Klimov, Bobrovsky, Ryzhov
(Radelkin 68), Gorbatenko (Bebikh 46), Ionov, Voynov (Pesegov 27), Mochalin,
Polevikov (Stavpets 46).
Referee: Steve Bratt
Attendance: 8,814
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Sears a doubt for Sunderland? - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 25th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears could be out of this Saturday's trip to Sunderland after being
mysteriously withdrawn from the England under 19 squad. The 18-year-old
striker, who had appeared in United's last two game against Blackburn and
Everton appeared to be fine after leaving the pitch on Saturday afternoon.
But a brief note posted on the club's website this lunchtime confirmed that
Sears would miss tonight's under 19s friendly against Russia having 'been
ruled out through injury'. No further explanation has been offered as yet.
Hammers possibly in action tonight are James Tomkins, who made his first
team debut at Everton on Saturday and Junior Stanislas who is a late
selection having been called up this weekend. The game, being played in
Milton Keynes (MK Dons) kicks off at 7pm. Tickets are still available and
can be purchased by calling the ticket hotline on 01908 622900.
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McCartney looking up - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 25th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
George McCartney believes that his experience with West Ham United has
improved him as a player. The popular Irish full-back was signed by Alan
Pardew in August 2006 and has been an ever-present under Alan Curbishley
this season. Talking to the Belfast Telegraph, the 26-year-old international
insisted that he has 'matured' since moving from this weekend's opponents
Sunderland - and that the team still feels that they can finish higher in
the league. "It's been a great season," he said. "We're still sitting in
mid-table, a few points ahead of Tottenham and we are looking at the teams
above us.
"We probably should have beaten Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday but it
has been a roller-coaster season for everyone. "The manager has brought in
new signings in the summer and we have an outside chance of getting a
European place which would help us attract players to the club." On a
personal level, he added: "If you are playing every week in the Premier
League you are going to improve as a player - and people say you will get
better with age."
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Underestimate us at your peril - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 25th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon says that the Black Cats will need to be
at their best to beat the Hammers this weekend. Alan Curbishley's side
travel to Wearside on the back of a strong performance at Everton where
United were the width of a post away from taking all three points for the
second Saturday in succession, having beaten Blackburn the week before.
Sunderland are currently four points above the relegation zone thanks to a
surprise 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday. But they remain at least two
wins away from safety and hope to extend their run againt the Irons this
weekend - although the £9million summer signing says that it will be a tough
game despite the Hammers being in, as Alan Curbishley referred to it
recently, 'no mans land'. "I'm not sure these teams will think they have
nothing to play for," he said. "This is the Premier League and everyone
wants to win every game. "They'll have their own reason for wanting to win
the games and we'll have ours. It's up to us to perform and be as committed
and determined as we were at Villa on Saturday to get the three points."
Meanwhile Sunderland's Niall Quinn has urged their fan to get behind Roy
Keane's side this weekend. "Every point is vital now and we need the fans
more than ever," he told the club's website. "We've got a decent home record
and the fans have played a huge part. Its great to see them turning out in
such big numbers and its sure to give them a boost against West Ham." The
Hammers could welcome Matthew Upson - who withdrew from the England squad at
the weekend - back to squad for the trip. However Freddie Sears is a doubt
after being pulled out of the England under 19 squad to face Russia tomorrow
night.
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Who's really in charge? - Soccernet
Norman Hubbard
Like successful public transport systems and social democracy, there are
some things which Europe has an intrinsic grasp of but England just cannot
fathom.
Directors of football, and their seemingly interchangeable counterparts,
technical directors, belong in that category; accepted and often
uncontroversial on the continent but a permanent source of confusion and
dispute in England when results are bad.
Last week, West Ham unveiled the Italian Gianluca Nani, fluent in four
languages and responsible for bringing Roberto Baggio and Andrea Pirlo to
Brescia. His credentials border on the impeccable, yet there are grounds for
scepticism about his new working relationship. Who, for instance, has the
final say? Alan Curbishley would claim he does and the cosmopolitan Nani may
have to defer to a manager whose modus operandi at West Ham has been to
recruit players well known to any observer of the Premier League over the
last decade and, in some cases, were his former charges at Charlton.
So why appoint Nani? Perhaps because there is a growing recognition that the
English system fails more often that it succeeds. Attempts to implement an
alternative, however, have been no more effective. But given the
all-encompassing role of the old-style boss, a division of responsibilities
makes sense. There was a time when scouting entailed a quick trip to Oldham
or Aldershot, not the African Cup of Nations, the Under-19 World Cup,
Europe's lesser leagues and their rivals' reserve teams.
The question is where the buck stops. Technical directors or directors of
football seem adept at enjoying power without accepting responsibility.
Witness the under-performing Damien Comolli's dreadful summer spending spree
for Spurs; though Younes Kaboul, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Darren Bent all
appear ill-advised buys, manager Martin Jol was ultimately sacrificed.
That notwithstanding, the structure at Newcastle was seemingly implemented
on the suggestion of the former Tottenham director Paul Kemsley and is a
source of bafflement. While the Premier League attempt to stage games
elsewhere, Newcastle appear to have relocated much of their club to London
where Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere do, well, something. No one,
Kevin Keegan included, appears quite sure what; as at West Ham, the manager
insists he has ultimate responsibility for recruitment.
But that brings greater scrutiny upon him. At West Ham, Nani may wonder why
such inflated wages are being paid to ageing and injury-prone players such
as Kieron Dyer and Freddie Ljungberg, or why Curbishley signed four right
wingers last summer. Results already make managers accountable; directors of
football are not.
It is the sort of situation that fosters distrust towards this (for an
English audience, anyway) new-fangled invention. Harry Redknapp was deeply
unhappy about Velimir Zajec's appointment at Portsmouth, believing his
authority had been compromised. Portsmouth were in peril when Zajec replaced
him and then when Alain Perrin operated under the Croat in the same
structure; the returning Redknapp, his powers restored, preserved their
Premier League status (and Avram Grant's comparative success as technical
director at Fratton Park later appeared to be a simple reflection of the
fact he had not annoyed Redknapp).
And indeed, hampered by Comolli, Tottenham were in the relegation zone
before Juande Ramos' appointment. Elsewhere, Southampton, were demoted in
the season when Rupert Lowe started to act as a director of football,
installing an ineffective manager in Steve Wigley and failing to heed Gordon
Strachan's advice to sign a promising striker named Emmanuel Adebayor.
Extreme example though it is, it is easy, too, to understand managers
objecting to having players foisted upon them by a hockey-playing rugby fan.
Nor have old-school managers flourished in their boardroom role when English
bosses have been shunted upstairs. Having played direct football for two
decades, Leicester made Dave Bassett director of football. When Redknapp
fulfilled that role at Portsmouth while Graham Rix managed, there was too
little voltage at the top of the ticket. The suspicion lingers that David
Pleat undermined Glenn Hoddle at Spurs; a director of football who is a
frustrated manager is a recipe for dispute.
Indeed mutual respect between manager and director of football is a rarity.
Jol and Frank Arnesen, in their brief partnership at Tottenham, may have
provided one exception before the Dane decamped to join the competing
functions at Chelsea. Office politics exist in most other jobs, and Chelsea
are proof they now do in football. This taste of the average workplace is in
no way beneficial, as Jose Mourinho can no doubt testify.
Introducing a business model for liaison and communication doesn't seem to
work either. Foster Gillett briefly occupied an office near Rafa Benitez's
at Melwood without making any discernible contribution.
So what does succeed? Recent evidence suggests it is one, clear voice at the
helm of the club, rather than the dual power bases of manager and director
of football. At Manchester United, for example, Sir Alex Ferguson's word
goes unquestioned. The Scot is often perceived as the last of a dying breed,
the autocrats in the dugout. Given United's success in recruiting
Portuguese-speaking players in recent seasons, Carlos Queiroz has more power
than the majority of assistants, yet few doubt that Ferguson has the final
say.
Such is the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the worldwide game that
Arsene Wenger effectively functions as his own director of football at
Arsenal, though Boro Primorac's low-profile role is also thought to be
important.
Sven-Goran Eriksson also has the global contacts to operate without a
director of football in the blue half of Manchester. David Moyes and Martin
O'Neill, old-school managers in some functions, are the sole source of
authority at their respective clubs. Both, tellingly, have excellent
relationships with their board, making recruitment easier and ensuring no
buffer is required.
As long as the manager's judgment continues to be excellent, there is no
problem. But there is logic in an attempt to create a structure that
outlives any individual. There are clubs where excellent recruitment is a
constant, no matter who the manager is, but England is yet to produce an
equivalent to Sevilla, Udinese or PSV Eindhoven in that respect.
Rather than continuity, however, a director of football tends to be a recipe
for instability in England. So no matter how well qualified he is, it is
hard to envisage Nani's partnership with Curbishley lasting long.
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George Hammers out Worthy message of hope - Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
George McCartney's well documented fall-out with former Northern Ireland
manager Lawrie Sanchez is consigned to history and the West Ham left-back is
proving he's committed to his country. McCartney is now loving life on the
international stage since being welcomed back with open arms by Nigel
Worthington in August last year. The former Boys' Model pupil missed some of
our country's finest footballing hours - including the win over England -
but he's very much focused on future glories and targeting qualification for
the World Cup in 2010. "I missed out on two years of games with Northern
Ireland under Lawrie but once Nigel took over I was very pleased he gave me
a call," said McCartney. He asked me would I want to come back and I didn't
hesitate in saying yes. "We can now go into the World Cup qualifiers with
confidence and I think we can improve as a team. "There are a lot of young
lads in the squad and Nigel won't take anyone messing around - we will be
prepared and focused each day. There is a lot to build on for the future."
McCartney has played every game for West Ham this season and rather than
struggling to keep pace with the Premier League's sharpshooters, he has
shone in the Hammers' rearguard. "It's been a great season and I've played
every game," he said. " We probably should have beaten Everton at Goodison
Park on Saturday but it has been a roller-coaster season for everyone. "We
are still sitting in mid-table a few points ahead of Tottenham and we are
looking at the teams above us. "If you are playing every week in the Premier
League you are going to improve as a player and you will mature as well as
people say you will get better with age. The manager has brought in new
signings in the summer and we have an outside chance of getting a European
place which would help us attract players to the club."
McCartney insists the best is yet to come from Worthington's Northern
Ireland. A disappointing 1-0 friendly defeat to Bulgaria last month did
little to inspire confidence but McCartney said: "We went so close in the
European Champions qualifiers and I know some people will think we have
peaked as a squad but that is nonsense. "We have a lot of young lads in this
squad who will only become better players with the experiences they already
have behind them and the future is very bright. "When you add the experience
of the likes of Maik Taylor and Aaron Hughes to that I think we have a good
blend. We have a very solid base to build on now. "Losing out on making it
to Euro 2008 was hard to take after going so close but you won't find any of
us feeling down about it. "We will be stronger for the experience and we'll
build on it."
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West Ham kids excite Curbishley
tribalfootball.com - March 25, 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley says he is looking forward to a bright young
future for the club's youngsters. The Hammers have seen four home grown
stars come through the ranks recently to make an impact at Premiership
level, the last one being James Tomkins at Everton last Saturday, and he
believes the Academy of Football is once again producing the goods. "The
fans get a big lift by homegrown talent - certainly at West Ham anyway - and
those watching (at Everton) would have got a big lift out of Tomkins. He
came through it after the goal," he told East London press. "Obviously young
Freddie coming on, and not forgetting Ferdinand and Noble, it bares well for
us in the future. "It's looking good for and if we can get one or two of
those injured players back it will give us that little bit of quality that
we need and will make the squad stronger."
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Sunderland risk Fifa action after Edwards and Jones miss friendly
Louise Taylor
Wednesday March 26, 2008
The Guardian
Sunderland could be without Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones for Saturday's
vital home game against West Ham United if Trinidad and Tobago persuade Fifa
that they have been improperly denied the use of the two players.
The winger and centre-forward were scheduled to fly to the Caribbean for a
friendly against Jamaica tomorrow but the manager Roy Keane told Trinidad
and Tobago officials they would not be travelling as Jones was recovering
from flu and Edwards from a groin strain.
Francisco Maturana, the Soca Warriors coach, appears sceptical about Keane's
stance and Trinidad are now believed to be considering asking Fifa to invoke
its five-day rule, whereby players are prohibited from playing for, or even
training with, their clubs during the five days following an international
they were supposed to have participated in.
While it is understood Trinidad may be reluctantly prepared to accept that
Jones, who missed last Saturday's win at Aston Villa with flu, was not well
enough to make such a long journey before playing in midweek, they are more
cynical about Edwards' no-show. The winger has recently recovered from a
long absence through injury and eyebrows were raised when Keane withdrew him
in the second half at Villa before explaining that he had developed a groin
strain.
Trinidad officials wanted Edwards to be sent to Birmingham for independent
medical tests but their federation press officer, Shaun Fuentes, claimed
that Sunderland said such an evaluation exercise would be pointless. Now the
federation is deciding whether to ask Fifa to ban both Edwards and Jones
from involvement with Sunderland.
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West Ham kid Collison wants success for club and country
tribalfootball.com - March 25, 2008
West Ham United midfielder Jack Collison admits he wants to establish
himself for club and country in the coming months. The Wales youngster said:
"It is exciting times. It has been a good season but I want more of it. I
don't want to stop here. I need to work my way into both first teams and
take it from there."
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