Jordan Spence had another night to remember on international duty with
England's Young Lions
16.04.2008
Jordan Spence continued his perfect record as captain of England Under-18s
with a 2-0 friendly win against Austria in Hartlepool on Wednesday night.
The 17-year-old, who has already played at U19 level and previously wore the
armband as well for the U16s and U17s, turned in a good defensive display as
Daniel Welbeck and Daniel Drinkwater scored the only goals of the game in
the tenth and 90th minutes. Fittingly for fans of West Ham United, the
homegrown talent was wearing the No6 shirt and ensured a second consecutive
clean sheet for his country after a 2-0 win against Ghana last November.
Welbeck and Drinkwater, both of Manchester United, were also the goalscorers
on that occasion.
Youth-team captain Spence was particularly effective throughout the contest,
denying Austria an instant equaliser with a superb challenge on visiting No8
Georg Krenn just after Welbeck had opened the scoring from close range. The
Chigwell School old boy also had a good chance to get on the scoresheet
himself, going close with a volley as the first half drew to a close.
Drinkwater wrapped up the win with a stunning set-piece at the death to
complete a memorable evening that saw Spence play the full 90 minutes for
the home side at Victoria Park.
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Trio in frame for Derby - WHUFC
Lucas Neill, Mark Noble and Freddie Ljungberg are all back in training and
looking to the weekend
16.04.2008
West Ham United are expecting to have Lucas Neill, Mark Noble and Freddie
Ljungberg back for Saturday's home game with Derby County at the Boleyn
Ground.
All three missed out on the trip to Bolton Wanderers but have returned to
training this week. Neill suffered a twisted ankle a week ago in the latter
stages against Portsmouth while Ljungberg and Noble have both made good
progress from hamstring injuries that have kept both out of the last two
fixtures. The club's medical staff have reported the two midfielders are
looking sharp and in contention for selection.
There is also good news on Anton Ferdinand, who is being earmarked for a
possible return against Newcastle United on Saturday week. The defender has
had treatment on a nerve in his back which directly affects the hamstring,
and it was as a result of this that he felt it tighten during the early
stages of the Bolton game. Matthew Upson, back after a month out with a calf
problem, came through that contest with no problems and is training fully.
Wingers Julien Faubert and Matthew Etherington are also said to be making
excellent progress. Faubert got 45 minutes in a reserve-team run-out last
week, is back in training and may yet come into the manager's thinking
before the end of the campaign as he is no longer feeling his calf
stiffening. Etherington may return to full training soon after his abdominal
injury and, if all goes to plan, could also feature before the end of the
season.
With regard to long-termers James Collins (knee), Danny Gabbidon
(abdominal), Calum Davenport (neck), Nigel Quashie (foot), Lee Bowyer
(groin), Kieron Dyer (double broken leg) and Craig Bellamy (abdominal), all
are said to be coming along nicely. Bellamy, like the other six, is not
likely to return this campaign as he looks to pre-season while Welsh
international team-mate Collins is back at the training ground and stepping
up his rehabilitation from his cruciate ligament injury after a positive
surgeon's report.
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Collison eager for home start - WHUFC
Jack Collison was happy to make his full debut for West Ham United but hopes
for better next time around
16.04.2008
Jack Collison is itching to get his first senior run-out at the Boleyn
Ground this Saturday after making his full debut at Bolton Wanderers last
weekend.
The 19-year-old reserve-team captain, who met fans at the stadium this week
as part of a special promotion for the club's new Umbro Leisurewear range,
is hoping to remain involved from now until the end of the season. He is
particularly keen to face Derby County as his initial excitement at starting
at the Reebok Stadium soon turned sour. It was only his second taste of
Barclays Premier League action, having previously come off the bench in the
2-0 loss at Arsenal on New Year's Day.
The closest he has come to playing for the senior side at home so far was as
an unused substitute against Birmingham City back in February, but Collison
hopes he will get another chance to impress against the already relegated
visitors this weekend. He said: "I would love to play in front of the fans
at Upton Park and it would be nice to get a win as well when I am playing.
Fingers crossed, I will work hard now in training and we will see what
happens."
The match at Bolton proved a difficult one for the entire team, and when the
home side took the lead just after half-time, Collison was sacrificed as
Alan Curbishley added extra firepower in the shape of Carlton Cole. "It was
obviously a tough game to come into. It always going to be physical," the
Wales U21 international said. "The ball was in the air a lot. It was about
winning the headers, winning the second ball.
"It was always going to be tough. I am quite harsh on myself, I could have
done a bit better but I think the team could have done a bit better as well.
I was a bit disappointed to have come off when I did, especially as we had
only just conceded. I would have liked to have got a bit longer on the pitch
and try and help us get back into the game but it wasn't to be - hopefully I
will get another chance soon."
His brief experience to date against the contrasting but equally effective
styles offered by Arsenal and Bolton summed up the difficulties facing any
young player. Collison said: "They were two totally different games, two
totally different teams in the way they play but at the end of the day it is
all experience for me. Every minute on the pitch is a bonus because you are
just learning all the time ... playing with players like Scott Parker and
Hayden Mullins makes it that much easier. You learn so much."
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Potts proud after Marathon - WHUFC
Steve Potts has offered thanks to everyone who has supported him on his
charity run this week
16.04.2008
His legs may be heavy but smiling Steve Potts is still floating on air after
completing his first London Marathon last Sunday.
"It was a great experience and such a good day," said proud Pottsy, who
looks set to raise a fantastic five-figure sum for Children with Leukaemia,
after taking a highly-respectable 4hr 4min 7sec, to run the capital's 26
miles and 385-yards course. "Everyone was pulling in the same direction and
there were so many people watching, too. There were even a few shouts of
'C'mon Pottsy!' and that really helped me to get through it.
"I knew that I had to try to enjoy the day rather than get daunted by it all
and despite trying to pace myself from the start, I just got carried along
by a wave of people. All my pre-race plans soon went out of the window,"
laughed the former Boleyn Ground defender, who had his own welcoming
committee of 40 friends and family - including eldest son Daniel celebrating
his 14th birthday - roaring him on at the 19-mile mark. "That was a very
special moment for me but it started to get harder towards the end.
"While I'd told myself right from the off that I was not going to stop, one
bloke even coasted past me bouncing a basketball! It's difficult enough just
getting around, so fair play to those runners who dress up, too. Looking
back, I really enjoyed the race in a peculiar sort of way but no matter how
many times I do it, I don't think that I'll ever have that same feeling of
elation as I did when I crossed the line to finish my first-ever marathon.
"Compared to the people who have dug deep into their pockets, I've done the
easy bit," concluded the ever-modest 40-year-old, who stands ninth in the
all-time West Ham United appearance charts, with 506 outings for the club.
"And, remember, the really hard work is done by all the doctors, nurses and
patients, who have to deal with this terrible illness. Every penny counts in
the battle against leukaemia and I'm really, really grateful to everyone who
has sponsored me and helped me to raise so much money for such a good
cause."
The London Marathon may be over for another year but the race to find a cure
for leukaemia is still well and truly on. It is not too late to make a
donation, please visit: www.bmycharity.com/pottsy or post to: Steve Potts,
London Marathon c/o Children with Leukaemia, 51 Great Ormond Street, London,
WC1N 3JQ. Please make cheques payable to: 'Children with Leukaemia'.
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Curbishley wields the axe - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2008
By: fans forum
Alan Curbishley will be asked to reduce the size of his squad this summer in
order to facilitate new signings. Directors Nick Igoe and Scott Duxbury,
talking to supporters at tonight's fans' forum admitted that new signings
are planned this summer - but that others must go first in order to reduce
the size of a squad felt to be too large. The first team squad is set to be
reduced to about 24 players, meaning that around half a dozen players - at
least - are likely to be moved on in the summer. In other matters, Igoe and
Duxbury confirmed yesterday's news which revealed that a team from
Roehampton University had been charged with examining the club's medical
set-up. The Roehampton team - who have previously worked with Chelsea,
amongst others - will be charged with creating a technical team that works
independently of the manager and his players. Roehampton will work alongside
Gianluca Nani when the Italian officially joins the Hammers in June. However
his main brief will be to begin implementing a world-wide scouting network
with the intention of identifying players at both youth and first team
level. Igoe and Duxbury also confirmed that plans to move the club to the
existing Parcel Force site by West Ham tube station are in the balance due
to the safety concerns of the nearby gas cylinders. It was also confirmed
that the deal to move the club's training facilities was under way, with the
new location close to being secured.
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Season tickets prices to rise - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
It has been revealed tonight that season ticket prices for next season are
set to rise by around 5%. Nick Igoe and Scott Duxbury, talking to supporters
at the fans' forum tonight confirmed that prices for next season are set to
rise. Unsurprisingly perhaps the announcement was greeted less than
favourably by many of those present. The five per cent rise means that
tickets in the Bobby Moore Lower - which cost £595 for season 07/08 - will
rise £30 to £625.
Meanwhile supporters in the Bobby Moore Upper will see their £725 cost for
07/08 rise by £36 to £761. We'll have more from tonight's fans' forum for
you shortly
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JC's home plea - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Jack Collison says he is looking forward to making his home debut after two
appearances on the road. Midfielder Collison made his first team debut as a
sub at Arsenal last December before making his first start at Bolton last
weekend. Now the 19-year-old says he wants the opportunity to play in front
of the Boleyn crowd - a wish that may be realised as soon this weekend when
basement boys Derby are in town. "I would love to play in front of the fans
at Upton Park and it would be nice to get a win as well when I am playing,"
he told whufc.com. "Fingers crossed, I will work hard now in training and we
will see what happens. "At the end of the day it is all experience for me.
Every minute on the pitch is a bonus because you are just learning all the
time. Playing with players like Scott Parker and Hayden Mullins makes it
that much easier - you learn so much."
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Simply the best? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Ginaluca Nani has been hailed as 'one of the best' by Italian FA technical
director Paolo Piani. Nani - who officially takes up his post with the
Hammers on 1st June - has been lauded by Piani and other famous figures in
Italian football this week as his nine years with Serie B outfit Brescia
nears an end. "Gianluca has been one of the best students attending our
football courses in Coverciano," said Paini. "He did very well obtaining
successful results with Brescia; he's a real talent finder. He discovered
and launched many smart football players."
Two of those players - Luca Toni, currently with Bayern Munich and Milan's
Andrea Pirlo - added to Piani's praise whilst wishing Nani well in East
London.
"I would like to send my best wishes to Gianluca who I had the good fortune
of knowing during my time at Brescia," said Toni. "I am sure he will
approach his new role with the enthusiasm and professionalism that has
always been his trademark."
Pirlo wished 'good luck to the great Gianluca Nani for his adventure at West
Ham United' whilst another former Italian international - Gianfranco Zola -
said: "Gianluca has done a fantastic job at Brescia. I am sure he will do
the same with West Ham United."
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Fred's not dead - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th April 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Ljungberg is expected to be available for selection for this
weekend's match against Derby. Initial fears were that the Swedish
international - who was injured in the dying stages of the 1-1 draw at
Everton a fortnight ago - would miss the rest of the season with a
hamstring. But as confirmed on KUMB last week, the injury was not as bad as
first thought - meaning that the 30-year-old should be fit to feature in the
last four four games of the season.
"The injury was a little weird, especially since it was quite painful," said
Ljungberg. "It was quite hard for the medical team to diagnose but I've been
told it was an inflamed nerve. Thankfully I am getting back to full fitness
very quickly. It is likely I will be fully ready this coming week and
available for this weekend game. I am lucky it wasn't a hamstring injury,
and I have been told that the extra work I put in this winter is the reason
I am in good shape."
Ljungberg has made 26 appearances for the Hammers since his summer switch
from Arsenal, scoring two goal in the process.
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Fans Forum Report - Arch Dandy - KUMB
Nick Igoe and Scott Duxbury in attendance.
- S/Ts probably up 4-5% next season, although there was some vocal
opposition to a rise.
- Merchandise should be better next season, they've got rid of Eggerts
Son-In-Law.
- New home and away shirt sold through the club.
- Ground, been offered the West Ham site but the main problem is with the
gas cylinders. The Health and Saftey Executive have turned down a similar
proposal by The Oval because of safety concerns on a sensitive development.
It could be ten years before its all built.
- New Training Ground site in the process of being bought, can't say
where.........
- It'll be state of the art, hopefully be able to reduce injuries and
attract young foreign players.
- Playing squad is too big so expect reductions down from 29 to 24 ish..
- Nani is in basically in charge of creating a structured scouting network
for first team and youth. It's a strategic appointment to collate info and
identify players.
- Roehampton Uni are in looking at our physio/medical setup, they've worked
with Chelsea and Addidas elite athletes. The aim will be with Nani to create
a technical team independent of managers/coaches, looking at Chelsea's 'best
of breed' approach. They are especially worried about return rate.
- Will bring in players in the summer.
- Sheff Utd/Kia have both launched claims that are contested, Sheff will be
dealt with by the end of June. No date for Kia.
- Incentives for top ten were slightly misquoted, they are massively geared
up for top 6... peanuts for top ten.
- MLS friendly is commercially driven.
- No Intertoto as pre-season seen as more important for players/Premiership
season.
- Camara & Solanos contracts up end of season.
- No apporaches for Green.
- Yossi tapped up.
- Ashton has another 2 years.
- They are a bit unhappy with league position and the entertainment value.
- Curbs still has backing.
- Think everything will improve if Curbishley can play the team he wants
free of injuries.
- Curbishley picks the players to be signed. Magnusson negotiated.
- Business plan is all about hitting top 6 and Europe.
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Why West Ham's supporters have done their club proud... - Chelsea Pies
I've always thought it was a bit ridiculous just how much the West Ham fans
hate Non-fat Frank. Yes, he was a little bit tubbier when he wore claret and
blue, and yes I'd agree he didn't try quite as hard for the hammers as he
does for Chelsea. But he's certainly no Paul Ince - much of the hatred seems
over the top.
But today, countless West Ham fans have shown what great supporters they are
by wishing Lamps well as his mum battles against her extremely poor health.
This message on "West Ham Till I Die" is just an example of dozens hammers
on the web, wishing the Lampards well...
"There are times when old enmities go out the window, and this morning is
one of them. Nothing matters more in life than the health of your family, so
Frank Lampard's race to be at his mother's hospital bedside last night -
thereby missing the Wigan game for Chelsea - was not only totally
understandable, but laudable. The Lampards are a very close knit family and
if you've read his autobiography, you will know how close to his mother
Frank is . Mrs Lampard, according to the papers this morning, has conracted
pneumonia and is in a very serious condition. I hope all readers of this
blog will join me in wishing her well and sending the whole Lampard family
our best wishes." Well done lads, and let's hope you beat Spurs to that top
half spot!
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Alan Curbishley ordered to slash West Ham wage bill - The Mirror
By John Cross 17/04/2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is under strict orders to cut the club's wage
bill this summer - which could signal the exit of Freddie Ljungberg, Kieron
Dyer and Lucas Neill. Billionaire business tycoon Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is
determined to reign in the club's massive spending since heading an
£85million Icelandic takeover of the club 15 months ago. Gudmundsson is
determined to balance the books and get some of the club's biggest earners
off their wage bill to put West Ham in better financial shape. Curbs will be
told to shake-up the squad and that will leave £80,000- a-week-plus men
Ljungberg, Neill and Dyer at risk. Former Arsenal midfielder Ljungberg has
struggled with injuries, Neill is on £90,000-a-week and Dyer is currently
recovering from a broken leg but they were all signed on huge contracts by
exchairman Eggert Magnusson. Gudmundsson wants to reduce the wage bill as
well as trimming the squad. That could mean West Ham may be ready to sell
some of their other top players, with several clubs looking at keeper Robert
Green and striker Dean Ashton. Gudmundsson is now taking a more realistic
financial outlook, especially as West Ham have failed to qualify for Europe.
Ironically, Curbishley's own position could be strengthened because
Gudmundsson wants to steady the ship rather than carry on spending big and
possibly bringing in an expensive new manager. Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, a
West Ham hero, is regarded highly at Upton Park but Curbs has already been
given a vote of confidence and if he can keep on the right side of
Gudmundsson then his position will be more secure.
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