Marek Stech has returned to action for West Ham United and was impressive
this week with the reserves
22.04.2008
Marek Stech made a welcome return to reserve-team action on Monday night as
he played in the reserves 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Despite the disappointment of the scoreline, when the home side scored two
first-half goals to seal the contest by half-time, the 18-year-old Stech
enjoyed a memorable game and made a number of key saves. The Czech Republic
youth international has only just returned to action after an ankle ligament
injury suffered just after an impressive display for the reserves in a 1-0
win at Portsmouth on 23 January, with youngster Adam Street filling in
superbly during his absence.
While his compatriot goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko and the rest of the
club's coaching staff are tipping big things for the popular Prague-born
shot-stopper, Robert Green is particularly well placed to judge the progress
of his young colleague. "Marek is a good lad," the club's No1 said, while
speaking at a recent fans' forum. "He is still very young and he is probably
got a good inch or two on me. He is filling out, getting stronger - that is
a major part of what he needs to work on. He has got endless potential and,
with Ludo, it will come out."
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McCartney keeps on going - WHUFC
George McCartney has been a model of consistency this season with one
reliable display after another
22.04.2008
George McCartney made it 50 not out for West Ham United at the weekend with
a half-century of consecutive appearances for the club dating back to 17
March 2007.
The popular Northern Ireland left-back was happy to reach the milestone but
admitted he was feeling the effects of a long campaign after the 2-1 defeat
of Derby County. "To be honest, I am starting to feel shattered now," he
told WHUTV. "I will be happy when the season is over. It has been a tough
season but it has been pleasing to play so many games. I haven't had any
rest but that is because I have wanted to be out training every day and
playing as many matches as I can."
McCartney, who turns 27 next Tuesday, added: "Overall I am happy with how
things have gone this season. The last few weeks the results have been
disappointing but we just need the supporters to get behind us for the last
three games and hopefully we can stay in tenth place." Like his team-mates
and fans alike, McCartney is eager to stay in the top half of the table -
ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who drew at Wigan Athletic. "It gives us a
little bit of breathing space. We have opened up a five-point gap and
hopefully things will stay that way."
Reflecting in detail on Saturday's contest which saw Bobby Zamora's early
goal cancelled out by Tyrone Mears before Carlton Cole's late winner,
McCartney said: "The first half we had our chances to score two or three
goals and didn't take them and in the second half they have come out and had
a right go, and they have equalised. If anything they were probably the
better team but luckily Coley has come off the bench and scored the winner
for us.
"It has been a long season and a major improvement on what was achieved last
year," he added, and while mindful the work never stops he said the efforts
were taking a toll. "You give fans that improvement and people always seem
to want more. Some players have played 40 games this season and now it
starts to catch up on the whole squad. I think you have seen in that in the
last few weeks. All the hard work we have put in at the start of the season
is maybe beginning to tail off. The players are trying their hardest to put
on performances and get the results."
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McCartney happy with progress - SSN
Hammers full-back hails improved campaign
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 22nd April 2008
George McCartney believes West Ham supporters should be pleased with the
team's improvement this term. The Hammers only just staved off relegation
last season after a dramatic resurgence in the closing weeks of the
campaign. They have been comfortable in mid-table this season despite a
number of injuries to key players, but manager Alan Curbishley has been
criticised for some of his tactics. West Ham have also endured a
disappointing last few weeks that have killed off their chances of
qualifying for Europe. However, McCartney feels the players should be
forgiven for a late lapse after a hard season. "It has been a long season
and a major improvement on what was achieved last year," said the full-back
on WHUTV. "You give fans that improvement and people always seem to want
more. "Some players have played 40 games this season and now it starts to
catch up on the whole squad. I think you have seen that in the last few
weeks."
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Upton Park dreams come true for Tomka - Echo News
By Rob Pritchard
FORMER Basildon schoolboy James "Tomka" Tomkins' lifelong dream came true
when the 19-year-old stepped out for his full home debut at Upton Park on
Saturday. The teenager, who attended Chalvedon School, was drafted into the
Hammers' starting line-up after both Jonathan Spector and Matthew Upson were
ruled out by injury. And Tomkins, who made his full debut at Everton on
March 22, responded by putting in an assured performance as the Irons beat
relegated Derby County 2-1. Afterwards the youngster, who still lives with
his parents in the new town, was delighted to start at the Boleyn Ground for
the first time. "To play in front of the fans at Upton Park is brilliant,"
said the England Under-19 international, who joined the club as an
eight-year-old.
"The fans have got high expectations and today we needed to win it to show
them we can still hold for this tenth place or even higher. "I thought I did
ok.
Tomkins' debut at Goodison Park was a rollercoaster affair, with the
youngster hitting the crossbar before losing Yakubu for the Toffees' goal.
On Saturday, the centre back was given a slightly easier ride by the Premier
League's worst strikeforce, but he knows there is still more work to be done
before he establishes himself as an Irons regular. "There are obviously
areas of my game that I have got to improve. I've been talking a lot and
learning from the previous game I had at Everton," he admitted. "I'm just
going to keep trying to learn.If I play the next game then I've got to focus
on that. If not then don't get too disheartened. I'm going to be patient and
just try and perform if I get the chance."
If the chances do not come along for Tomkins next season, the teenager
admitted he would be willing to go out on loan in search of further first
team football. "I'm not too sure if I'll get chances next season but fingers
crossed I do," he added. "If there's no room for me then I may go on loan.
But I'm not too sure what's around the corner. There might be a few changes
next season but I will have to wait and see what happens."
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Hammers link to another Newcastle Crock FFS - Cmonyuirons.com
Despite lavishing millions in transfers fees and astronimical wages on
ageing, injury-prone players, Alan Curbishley is being linked with
Newcastle's ageing, injury (and error) prone full-back Stephen Carr. Every
week Curbs trots out the same old excuses about West Ham's injury list, yet
refuses to accept the stricken players were all his purchases. Who's next
Alan? Louis Saha, Ledley King and Harry Kewell?
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Hammers linked with Cameroon ace - ESS
Last Updated: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:23
West Ham are being linked with a summer raid on Toulouse to try and persuade
them to release Cameroon ace Achille Emana. The 25-year-old international
midfielder who likes to get forward is said to be on manager Alan
Curbishley's summer shopping list. But he will have to find around £6.5m for
the player's services and he also faces competition from Newcastle as well
as clubs in Spain and Italy. Curbishley is unlikely to be spending big
money come the close season and, according to reports, will be offloading
some of his top earners at Upton Park after an injury-ravaged season. He
will still be given money to spend in the transfer market and it remains to
be seen if he is ready to splash a significant sum on Emana.
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Keegan to return to happy hunting ground - Echo News
By Rob Pritchard
NEWCASTLE United boss Kevin Keegan returns to one of his favourite grounds,
Upton Park, this Saturday with a near fully-fit squad to choose from for the
vital clash with West Ham. The Toon have put together a six-match unbeaten
run to close within five points of the Hammers with three matches remaining.
Should the Tynesiders prevail, with Alan Curbishley's side facing a daunting
visit to Old Trafford and a home game against in-form Aston Villa in their
closing two Premier League fixtures, Keegan's men could yet finish the
season in 10th place. And the ex-Fulham boss has a fine record at the Boleyn
Ground to inspire him, having lost only once in four visits in his first
spell as Toon chief. The Magpies have been flying in recent weeks, beating
Fulham, Tottenham, Reading and Sunderland and gaining draws at Portsmouth
and Birmingham City. And Keegan told the Newcastle Chronicle that his cause
would be boosted still further by the return from injury of Emre, James
Milner, Stephen Carr and Cacapa ahead of Saturday's journey to the East End.
And the quartet could all play in a behind-closed-doors friendly to prove
their fitness. "Just about everybody will be back and available for
selection at West Ham on Saturday," said Keegan. "Emre, James Milner and
Stephen Carr are OK, and Cacapa will be back in full training and we didn't
lose anyone through injury against Sunderland, so that's good. "The problem
we have is that we haven't got any reserve games so we'll try and fix one up
behind closed doors instead." Keegan has enjoyed a fine managerial record
against the Hammers, losing just two of the 11 fixtures between his sides -
Newcastle and Manchester City - and West Ham. Further to that, the former
England manager's Newcastle won on three of their four visits to the Bolyen
Ground between 1993 and 1996. However, one word of caution - on his first
managerial visits to E13 with both Newcastle and Manchester City, the games
ended goalless.
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Green expects Hammers clear-out - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 22 April 2008
Robert Green admits it is 'inevitable' that there will be a culling of
players at West Ham during the close season. The England goalkeeper
concedes West Ham have underachieved during the 2007/08 campaign, but he
places the lion's share of the blame on The Hammers' gigantic injury list.
Green believes West Ham have the necessary quality to be matching the
efforts of FA Cup finalists Portsmouth, but he sympathises with Alan
Curbishley who seems to suffer more injuries per game than his team scores
goals. Curbishley is reportedly planning a summer clear-out, with
high-earners Freddie Ljungberg, Lucas Neill and Luis Boa Morte all being
'offered' to other clubs, and Green admits the squad is too big if everybody
was fit. "You look at the squad and it's huge," said Green. "Then you look
at who's playing and we've as many fit players as we have injured players.
"We've got six international centre halves out injured so it's a good job
we've got James Tomkins waiting in the wings and him being as good as he is.
"The situation is incredible and you've never seen anything like it. You
look at something like Portsmouth's squad - it's a lot smaller but they've
got players who have played week in week out. It shows what kind of
situation it has been. So with regards to cutting the squad down, I think
it's inevitable really. "But you look at it and say where can we cut it
down? You look at the players out injured and the players who you'd maybe
look to cut - but being able to cut down on it is another matter."
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Forget Eastenders get yourself to West Ham v Newcastle if you want real
drama! - blogonthetyne.co.uk
Posted by Lee on April 22, 2008 8:56 AM | Permalink
On the 22nd anniversary of our 8-1 hiding at Upton Park (the one when Peter
Beardsley ended up in goal!) it's fair to say that Newcastle United are
building up to the big one in the East End in fine spirits after seeing off
the Mackems on Sunday in a superb 2-0 win. The emotionally charged day for
Kevin Keegan's boys will live long in the memory with the Geordie Nation
enjoying a day when you were proud to be a Geordie and proud to be from
Tyneside.
Now all of that will be transferred to West Ham and a side that have been
walloped by injuries. The not so happy Hammers will be without former Toon
trio Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Lee Bowyer so no painful celebrations if
West Ham score are likely but with Scott Parker and Nobby Solano still
lurking, the mandatory goal from an old boy is still a possibility. Upton
Park of course can be a cauldron of hate and even a 2-1 win over Derby
forced boos in their last game. It was only last season but the contrast
between Newcastle United today and last term is nothing short of incredible.
From the players involved in the 2-0 win in September 2006, only goalscorers
Oba Martins and Damien Duff were in action in our last game against the red
and whites at the weekend. And if that isn't staggering enough the fact that
we've also had three managers in that period shows that stability is vital
on Tyneside for the next few years. The scenes were akin to that of TV
series Casualty last time out as Shay Given punctured his bowel following
Marlon Harewood's heavy challenge. What followed behind the scenes was awful
to look at and probably the most serious situation this author has
encountered in football. Given of course collapsed in the dressing room
after the game and was rushed down the tunnel and past the media on a
stretcher much to the distress of his watching team-mates Duff and Stevie
Harper. It certainly took the gloss of the 2-0 win on a day when Glenn
Roeder had been taunted by sick West Ham fans over health fears during his
time at the club. We could all do without the same kind of drama this season
but with confidence high a repeat result is certainly up for grabs against
injury ravaged West Ham.
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Zamora proves to be a top Hammer - Guardian Series
WEST Ham's Bobby Zamora issued a reminder of his talent with one of the
highest scores of the week in the Actim Index, the official player ratings
system of the Barclays Premier League. The striker (pictured, celebrating
his goal against Derby on Saturday) was the highest climber in the Index,
rising 67 places to 367th overall after an injury-hit campaign. His match
score against Derby was bettered by just four other Premier League players
over the week, taking his total for the season to 63 points from just 717
minutes on the pitch. Irons midfielder Mark Noble also enjoyed a profitable
weekend, earning 25 points against the Rams while keeper Robert Green
remains the highest-ranked Hammer in 47th overall. The Actim Index, which is
taking place throughout the season, is calculated using a unique
mathematical formula that rates each player's contribution - such as goals,
shots, tackles etc - in the match.
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Fiorentina linked with West Ham United star - FansFC
18:20 April, 22, 2008
Fiorentina are said to be keen on West Ham United Football Club's Freddie
Ljungberg. It has been claimed that the Hammers would be willing to listen
to offers for the Swedish international in the summer, despite him only
arriving at Upton Park from Arsenal last summer. Fiorentina are known
admirers of Ljungberg and are willing to pay around £4million to sign him,
but the Londoners have hit back at reports and insist the midfielder is
staying at Alan Curbishley's side. "Rumours that Freddie is leaving are
nonsense," chief executive Scott Duxbury told the Echo. "Freddie with his
international experience is an important player for West Ham United in
reaching our goal, to play in Europe. "His pedigree stands for itself. He is
an important part of this club's future. And he has already shown how
important he can be when available. He still has his best years ahead of
him, and I know that Freddie is very happy at the club."
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How long will West Ham fans put up with the mediocrity? -
footballfancast.com
Posted by: Brenchers, yesterday
New Football FanCast columnist David Brenchley looks at the plight of his
beloved West Ham United and is sick tired of witnessing the mediocre
football that Curbishley's side is churning out.
So, another win and Alan Curbishley's job remains for another year, not that
it would have been in danger had Derby managed to escape from Upton Park
with three points. After joining when the club was staring relegation in the
face, Curbishley has done exactly what has been asked of him and stabilised
the club. Then again, stability is his middle name - or should that be
mediocrity?
He did exactly what was asked of him at Charlton as well, and more. After 15
years with one club, it is hard to change mentality. Having reached the
Premier League, all Curbishley had to do was survive. He did that
comfortably. Every season was the same: a good start to the season followed
by gaining the magic 45 points and looking comfortable in the top ten then
trailing off and finishing 14th. Sound familiar? The difference between then
and now is the crowd.
The Charlton fans seemed happy with being a Premier League club. The board
never really had too much money and Curbishley managed that well. Now he is
at West Ham, a club with tradition - no offence meant to Charlton - and
expectant fans. The fans are now beginning to make their opinions on
Curbishley heard and have been widely condemned for it. "You don't know what
you're doing" rang around The Boleyn Ground as Carlton Cole came on and
proceeded to score the winning goal - harsh maybe but surely the fans have a
right to demand a comfortable win against a team relegated before Easter.
Even the most positive fan will admit that, after last season, a mid-table
finish would be a great achievement, this isn't being disputed. What seems
to be the problem is the way Curbishley's teams seem to fade towards the end
of the season. As with his time at Charlton, West Ham's players seem to have
reached the magical 45 points target and patted themselves on the back, not
realising there are still games left to play. Losing to Chelsea, Liverpool
and Tottenham are perfectly acceptable; capitulating 4-0 to all three is
unforgivable to any West Ham fan.
On current form, West Ham will don't look like picking up any points from
their last three games. If Newcastle and Tottenham can pick up two wins in
that time (bearing in mind the former play West Ham at the weekend) West Ham
will finish 12th. As a West Ham fan, I have to stick up for the crowd. The
stick the team is receiving isn't because we feel we should be higher in the
table, it is because of the manner of the performances.
In my lifetime, West Ham fans have always known that their team isn't the
best - even when we qualified for European campaigns. What West Ham have
always been famed for though are attacking performances. With the prices of
season tickets going up every year, surely the fans have a right to demand
value for money, even if it means relegation scraps.
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West Ham's Green impressed by youngster Stech
tribalfootball.com - April 22, 2008
West Ham United No1 Robert Green has been impressed by teenage keeper Marek
Stech. "Marek is a good lad," the club's No1 said, while speaking at a
recent fans' forum. "He is still very young and he is probably got a good
inch or two on me. He is filling out, getting stronger - that is a major
part of what he needs to work on. He has got endless potential and, with
Ludo (Miklosko), it will come out."
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Hammers defender reaches 50 not out
By Guardian-series
GEORGE McCartney admits he is starting to feel the strain after nocthing his
50th consecutive game for West Ham on Saturday. The 26-year-old (pictured)
is the only player in the squad to have played in all 40 league and cup game
for the Irons this season to add to the final ten games he played of last
term.
But, although he is happy to have reached the milestone, the Northern
Ireland full back acknowledged that he is longing for a rest. Speaking after
the Irons 2-1 win over Derby, McCartney told the club's official website:
"To be honest I am starting to feel shattered now. "I will be happy when the
season is over. It has been tough but also pleasing to play so many games.
"I haven't had any rest but that is because I have wanted to be out training
every day and playing as many matches as I can."
Saturday's victory was Hammers first in five games and keeps the team in
poll position to end the season in the top half of the Premier League.
However, an underpar performance against the league's worst side was met
with a chorus of boos by the Upton Park crowd. McCartney though, is eager to
look on the positive side. "Overall I am happy with how things have gone
this season," he said. "The last few weeks the results have been
disappointing but we just need the supporters to get behind us for the last
three games and hopefully we can stay in tenth place."
And the left back is hoping the result can help the club to keep themselves
above bitter rivals Spurs, who are currently in 11th place. "It gives us a
little bit of breathing space," observed McCartney. "We have opened up a
five-point gap and hopefully things will stay that way."
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