A successful evening saw supporters get the chance to quiz the manager,
Robert Green and James Tomkins
23.04.2008
Alan Curbishley, Robert Green and James Tomkins have all taken part in a
disabled fans' forum at the Boleyn Ground.
The audience was made up of disabled and visually impaired season ticket
holders and members, with all watching having the opportunity to tour the
dressing rooms and pitchside before gathering in the Castle Suite. Ticket
office manager Steve Kitcher compered the evening and was grateful to all
involved for a successful night. He said: "This was the second such event
this season after a previous forum back in September. We are very grateful
to the players and the manager for taking part and hope everyone who came
along enjoyed the experience."
Those present asked about ticket allocation, the problems faced at away
matches and issues over scheduling. Naturally football talk dominated,
however, with the manager happy to field frank questions from fans about all
aspects of the club. In looking to next season, Curbishley talked about the
increased options at his disposal as he looks to build on this season's
consolidation. "I know it will be better offensively and more exciting for
everybody," he said, in view of the return of key men including Kieron Dyer
and Craig Bellamy and more experience likely for youngsters such as Freddie
Sears
Green was particularly in the spotlight with many present telling the
goalkeeper of their belief that he was England's No1 while he also talked
about his forthcoming charity climb. When asked to reflect on how he was
enjoying life at the club, he said it has been "a wonderful time here".
Looking to the future, he added: "The vision that the new board, the
chairman and the chief executive have for the club is to be up there with
the best of them. I share that vision with them and I want to be a part of
it with West Ham.
"Everyone at the club from the top to the bottom has got the vision in mind.
It is about taking things step by step and, as frustrating as this season
has been, it is still a step in the right direction. Come 12 months ago,
everyone would have given everything they could to be in the position we are
in now. In another 12 months, if we take as big a step as we have done in
the past 12 months - we are going to be looking a lot further upwards. That
is what I want to be part of."
Tomkins, who revealed he was a striker and even winger in his younger years
and a fan of Zinedine Zidane, was quizzed about his pride at coming through
the youth academy and spoke about his hopes of having a long and successful
career. "My first objective is to play regularly for the first team. I am
West Ham through and through. I have been here since I was eight years old.
My family background are all West Ham and I don't see myself anywhere else."
The 19-year-old centre-back had a couple of names for supporters wondering
who would be next to follow him, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears into the
first-team picture. "There are a few coming through. The next one might well
be Junior Stanislas. He scoring a lot of goals in the youth team and playing
in the reserves already. He is going to be impressive while Jordan Spence is
doing very well and is captaining England at youth level."
Among those watching for the two-hour event last Thursday was supporter Paul
Reynolds and he was pleased with the chance to get up close to the players
and manager - describing it as a "pleasant evening, enjoyed by all" and that
he was "looking forward to the next one already". He added: "I would like to
say what a good Idea the disabled forums are, the disabled fans get to meet
the players and manager and get their questions answered in a face to face
forum which is normally not available to us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Moore Fund in spotlight - WHUFC
West Ham United are dedicating this Saturday's home game to the Bobby Moore
Fund for Cancer Research
23.04.2008
West Ham United have dedicated the Barclays Premier League home match
against Newcastle United on Saturday to raising money for the Bobby Moore
Fund for Cancer Research.
The fund is one of two official charities the club is proud to have linked
up with this season along with the Richard House Children's Hospice.
Stephanie Moore, Bobby's widow, established the fund in 1993 and ever since
it has been raising money for research into bowel cancer. As well as
providing valuable help to such a worthy cause - with over £1m raised each
year - the charity helps keep alive the memory of one of English football's
greatest sons.
Leading up to the Boleyn Ground fixture, and on the day of the game itself,
various initiatives will take place in support of the charity. These
include:
# Stephanie Moore to speak to crowd and introduce a short DVD about the
charity
# Collections in and around the ground
# Leaflets distributed to raise awareness
# Players wearing promotional T-shirts
# Herbie and Bubbles, and shop staff, raising awareness
# Staff to donate at least £1 to wear a pin badge
# Two mascot places offered to charity
# Dedicated programme and website coverage
Stephanie Moore MBE said: "Bobby played almost his entire professional
career at West Ham United and celebrated his most glorious footballing
successes whilst at the club. I am proud that his name, and the charity
founded in his memory, should now be linked with West Ham United. The
partnership will help improve the quality of life for those who have bowel
cancer, and those who will be diagnosed in the future, by raising money for
invaluable scientific research into the disease which claimed his life."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Moore remembered - WHUFC
whufc.com looks back at the life of Bobby Moore, with his charity firmly in
the spotlight this weekend
23.04.2008
On 24 February 1993, football fans in England and across the world united to
mourn the tragic death of Bobby Moore at the age of just 51.
Instinctively, thousands of them made their way to the Boleyn Ground to pay
their respects and leave claret and blue tributes ranging from shirts and
scarves to flags and flowers. It was not just West Ham United fans either.
Rightly regarded as one of the all-time greats, Moore stood for everything
that was right about the game and his passing compelled supporters of other
clubs to offer condolences.
In his remarkable career, the legendary Barking-born defender served West
Ham United to distinction between 1958 and 1974 before a three-year stint
with Fulham. Moore helped the east London club to FA Cup and European Cup
Winners' Cup glory as well as winning 108 England caps and lifting the World
Cup trophy in the 1966 final at Wembley. That led to Royal recognition with
his OBE in 1967.
His achievements will never be forgotten. Indeed, visitors to the Boleyn
Ground cannot miss the Bobby Moore Stand built in 1993 which serves as
permanent recognition. Then there is the blue plaque in his honour outside
and the statue on the corner of Green Street. Much more than all of those
things, however, is the unseen legacy in the heart of every fan - that
unstinting expectation of football played the right way by those who
understand what it means to wear the shirt.
Moore's name also lives on with the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research,
set up by his widow Stephanie to raise money in his memory. The bowel cancer
that claimed his life is the third most common type of the disease in the UK
after breast and lung cancer. Around 100 people in this country are
diagnosed every day. The Bobby Moore Fund is one of West Ham United's two
chosen charities this season.
Bobby Moore was the essence of West Ham United. A local boy made good who
walked with the best on a global stage but always in a down to earth manner
that never belied his roots. His is the standard by which all others are
judged.
Bobby Moore - 12 April 1941 - 24 February 1993
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Newcastle: King Kev to Continue the Toon's Recent Dominance Over
the Irons? - footballpools.com
King Kev's Toon revival is building more momentum week on week so it's a
shame really that their season is nearing its end. The Hammers on the other
hand have been waiting for the season to finish for weeks now as they have
little to play for compared to their usual exciting end of season finales.
On paper this Premier 10 match looks relatively even, however, Newcastle's
recent form and head to head superiority should give them the edge.
Newcastle have been Toon Strong for the Hammers
Newcastle are unbeaten in the last 8 encounters with the Hammers (5 wins & 3
draws). In those 8 games the Toon racked up a total of 20 goals compared to
the Hammers 8. I wouldn't be surprised if they scored a few in this match
either due to the form of current forward trio Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins
and Mark Viduka. The Magpies have also performed well at Upton Park in the
last few seasons, they are unbeaten in their last 3 visits to East London
which includes 2 wins in their last 2 trips. West Ham haven't actually
beaten the Toon for nearly 7 years. Their last win was in September 2001
when Don Hutchison, Fredi Kanoute and Paolo Di Canio scored in a 3-0 win. On
current form I wouldn't expect a repeat of that result this weekend.
West Ham: A Mid-Table Club in Turmoil?
The Hammers are a club in turmoil; I know that sounds strange seeing the
team sits comfortably in a mid-table position at the moment. However, here
are the facts, the Upton Park natives are growing restless, the manager is
under increasing pressure, the big summer signings have all been injured and
the board want to reduce an over-inflated wage bill. Even a much needed win
at the weekend (against Derby) didn't stop the home crowd booing
relentlessly at the final whistle. So all Alan Curbishley needs is a visit
from a Keegan inspired Newcastle side unbeaten in 6 games, scoring plenty of
goals and suddenly looking solid at the back.
The One and Owen-ly
King Kev's Midas touch took it's time to start working this time round but
now it's in full effect as the Toon are on a 6-match unbeaten run. Fair
enough, 4 of the teams they have played are currently sitting in the bottom
5 but four points from trips to Portsmouth and Tottenham illustrates
Newcastle's recent improvement. Only Chelsea, Manchester Utd and Liverpool
have taken more points that Keegan's team since the beginning of March. In
Michael Owen they possess the Premier League's in form striker after scoring
6 goals in his last 6 games and he has been ably assisted by the pace of
Martins and the guile of Viduka. Perhaps Keegan is a miracle worker as he's
suddenly turned a sieve like defence into a rock solid one. Newcastle have
conceded just 1 goal in the last 5 matches which is an incredible statistic
seeing that they'd only kept 2 clean sheets in their previous 26 League
games. Special K's team are on the up!
West Ham are a difficult team to predict but the current home crowd's apathy
towards their manager could play into the Toon's hands. I expect Newcastle
to attack from the off and their 3-man strike force should prove too strong
for a Hammers defence that's not kept a clean-sheet in the last 9 matches.
Therefore back King Kev's team to win once again to hammer home the message
- all is fine on the Tyne.
Pundit's Pick: Curbishley under increasing pressure as Newcastle prove Toon
strong (away win)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd v Newcastle Utd - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 24th April 2008
By: Matthew Coker
After making hard work of last weekend's victory, we enjoy a second
successive home game at the Boleyn as we welcome Newcastle United down from
the North East for a 3pm Saturday kick off.
Our opponents have enjoyed something of a turbulent season, having drafted
in Big Sam Allardyce as their new manager last summer, shortly before the
club was taken over by Mike Ashley, and then let him go after the side had
began to look worriedly over their shoulder at the foot of the table.
Few had seen the re-appointment of Kevin Keegan as a realistic possibility
until one Wednesday he popped up on Tyneside ready to restore pride, and
more importantly, attack minded slightly gung ho, football to the Geordie
faithful. The early signs were not great; there was definitely a feeling of
the side initially taking a step backwards before they have kicked into gear
in the last half a dozen outings.
Their recent run of games has seen them undefeated in their last six, having
taken vital points from relegation scrappers, Reading, Fulham, Sunderland
and Birmingham, but perhaps more notably spanking the Spuds 4-1 at White
Hart Lane. This run sees them comfortable in 12th place, on the same points
as T*ttenham and just five behind us, though they are very much in the in
form side of the trio.
Keegan joined the club in January but there was not sufficient time to make
any real purchases so he is very much working with the squad that he
inherited. Two major changes that he has made are to play players in their
right positions, most notably a proper left back at left back and Alan Smith
well away from the starting eleven, and perhaps more predictably, to put the
onus on attack. The side has switched to a genuine 4-3-3, as opposed to the
current penchant for a Sudoku inspired description of a five man midfield as
a 4-3-3, with three centre forwards (Owen, Viduka and Martins) starting in
recent weeks.
No doubt his approach to the game and his ability to make players believe in
themselves has also had a positive impact as the side are playing with a
swagger and there have been significant improvements in performance from
several individuals (see Joey Barton) since the new gaffer turned up.
All in all, with the current lack of confidence and creativity that we are
showing, you probably could not choose a worse fixture for West Ham next
weekend.
Team of the Toon
Steve Harper continues for the side in goal due to the injury to Shay
Given's groin that will rule him out for the season, though Harper has been
given starts throughout this campaign, even when Given has been fit and
available.
The back four will feature Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye as the central
duo, Habib Beye on the right and Jose Enrique on the left side. Both of the
wide defenders were signed by Allardyce and then inexplicably not played,
bizarre when they were kept out of the side by Charles N'Zogbia played out
of position and the chunky ex-Yiddo, Stephen Carr.
However, both are taking the opportunity under Keegan, Enrique is growing
into the role and improving with each game, whereas Beye has been something
of a revelation, both in his defensive duties and in his ability to get
forward at any opportunity.
The midfield has almost been forced to abandon wingers due to James Milner
being kept out with a foot injury (though he may be available for Saturday),
N'Zogbia missing out due to a want away attitude and Damien Duff being a
shadow of the player that Chelsea signed.
They have therefore gone for a midfield trio of Nicky Butt, Geremi and Joey
Barton. It is a fairly defence minded unit, Butt and Geremi in particular
take on the holding roles, but the system works in that not much attacking
is required with the three strikers sharing the forward work and because the
wide defenders can provide the creative width. This leaves the two defensive
midfielders to work on more destructive elements of the game, though one
obvious weakness is that all three of the midfielders lack pace.
It is hardly news to report that Barton comes with more baggage than in the
back room at Heathrow's Terminal 5 and this is part of the reason that his
relationship with the Geordie faithful is only lukewarm. This is an
improvement on many of their first impressions though, where his criminal on
and off field performances had not made a good start even before he started
accusing them of viciousness (in a classic case of the pot calling the
kettle black (and white). However, a recent run of good form has seen him
edge towards their good books, though he is still some way off being the
influence that he was for Manchester City.
The strikers operate with Michael Owen playing in the deeper role of the
three, arguably tucked in on the tip of the diamond. It is ironic that a
striker who has the height advantage of a man standing in a hole, is now
playing in the hole but regardless, he is in free scoring form with six
goals in his last six games, including a brace in last weekend's derby.
The role has not only helped with the goals though; his ability to drop deep
and receive the ball and the work that he does as a playmaker are previously
unseen elements of his game and the more complete Michael Owen is likely to
be attractive to current England coach, Fabio Capello, a man who seems to
steer clear of one dimensional, fox in the box type forwards.
Obafemi Martins also helps out with the running around, combining pace and a
deft touch and he is a lively and skilled player who has weighed in with
seven goals so far this season. The most pedestrian of the three is the fat,
Aussie, Mark Viduka, though even without much motion, he has managed seven
goals in seventeen starts. In fact, all three of the front men are on a
ratio of approximately a goal every other game this season and all have
enjoyed their best run of goals in the last few weeks.
Geordie Guesswork
We have seen too many instances over the last few weeks that we are a team
that struggles with the creative side of the game. Last week's line up
looked promising on paper, with two pacy strikers, two attack minded wide
players and my preferred central midfield duo of Noble and Parker.
However, we still lacked ideas when we had the football, our only consistent
attacking strategy was early on when Faubert looked lively and delivered
some decent balls into the box. However, unlike Matty, who puts over lots of
low crosses that suit our strikers, Faubert's tend to be aimed at head
height. Obviously, high balls are as much use to Freddie Sears as a Jean
Paul Sartre novel is to Kerry Catona and despite Zamora's headed goal, he is
not a traditional centre forward.
Interestingly, the second goal came from one of the few pieces of
intelligent interplay, when Ljungberg and Noble linked up to tee up Carlton
and we can only be hopeful that it is the attacking co-ordination that has
been worked on in training this week.
Whilst Newcastle's run has been built on a succession of favourable fixtures
against weak or disinterested sides, I honestly can't say that we are any
better than any of those sides on current form. When you consider that they
are not conceding at the moment, that they have a fairly resilient set up in
the middle of the park and that they have three free scoring strikers, I
think we are in trouble at the weekend.
I'll have us down for 3-1 defeat, which on the back of last week could well
lead to Curbishley getting his name sung on Saturday afternoon.
Enjoy the game.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James plays waiting game with Hammers - Guardian Series
JAMES Tomkins fufilled a lifelong dream when he stepped out for his full
home debut at Upton Park on Saturday - but the young defender is not getting
carried away. The 19-year-old (pictured) was called into the starting line
up to face Derby after both Matty Upson and Jonathan Spector were ruled out
through injury. And he put in an confident display as the Irons ran out 2-1
winners. The England U19 international - who has been at the club for almost
11 years - was over the moon to finally be given a run out in front of the
home support. He said: "To play in front of the fans at Upton Park is
brilliant and I though I did ok. "The fans have got high expectations and we
needed to win it to show them we can still hold for this tenth place or even
higher."
Tomkins was handed his full debut at Everton last month and added a brief
substitute appearance to his name up at Sunderland a fortnight ago. These
experiences will no doubt stand the promising Academy graduate in good stead
for the future. But he knows that plenty more work needs to be done in order
to firmly establish himself as part of the first team set up. "There's
obviously areas of my game that I have got to improve," he said after the
Derby game. "I've been talking a lot and learning from the previous game I
had at Everton. 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."
With six senior centre halves currently in front of him at the club, that
chance may be a while coming yet. For now though, the teenager admitted he
is willing to find a temporary placement elsewhere next yeat in order to
boost his first team experiences. "I'm not too sure if I'll get many chances
but fingers crossed I do," said Tomkins, who revealed he has yet to sit down
with boss Alan Curbishley to dicuss his options for next year. "If there's
no room for me then I may go on loan although 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."
10:33am today
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Italian Nani to take care of West Ham's injury problems - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:45am on 24th April 2008
Gianluca Nani's first task as West Ham's new technical director will be to
find a solution to the club's injury crisis. On orders of chairman
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the Italian, who arrives in June, will take charge
of an exhaustive review of medical facilities and personnel in a bid to stop
so many of West Ham's best-paid players, like Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer,
ending up in the treatment room. Should Nani wish for a more definitive
prediction he could always turn to club medium, Diane White, who last night
held 'an evening of Premiership clairvoyance' at Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
George McCartney urges West Ham fans to back "shattered" players - The
Mirror
By Neil McLeman 24/04/2008
George McCartney has urged whingeing West Ham fans to get off the backs of
the "shattered" players and be happy they are not in relegation trouble.
Alan Curbishley's injury ravaged side were booed off Upton Park at the end
of last Saturday's 2-1 win over Derby. But the Northern Ireland full-back,
who has played 50 consecutive matches for the Hammers stretching back to
last March, claimed he and his team-mates had given everything to achieve
mid-table security. "It has been a long season and a major improvement on
what was achieved last year," said McCartney, 26. "You give fans that
improvement and people always seem to want more. "Some of us 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 put in at
the start of the season is maybe beginning to tail off. The players are
trying their hardest to get the results and put on performances. "To be
honest, I am starting to feel shattered now. I will be happy when the season
is over. It has been tough, but pleasing to play so many games. I haven't
had any rest but that's because I've wanted to be out training every day and
playing so often."
Despite complaints from fans over the entertainment on offer, McCartney
insisted finishing in the top half of the table would be a big success a
year after avoiding the drop on the last day of the season. "Overall I'm
happy with how things have gone," he said. "Recent 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 10th place."
Robert Green admitted he was also disappointed with the reaction from some
sections of Upton Park after the narrow win over Derby. And the goalkeeper
warned the players were lacking in confidence before a Newcastle side on a
six-match unbeaten run arrives this Saturday. "The Derby performance wasn't
great - don't get me wrong - but you'd appreciate some understanding that
we're not playing the best we can," Green stated. "We've got a lot of guys
who have been out of the side and come back in again. "Obviously the
confidence isn't going to be sky high."
Curbishley, who has 14 men on the injured list, has been told he must cut
six players from his first-team squad this summer as the Hammers' hard-nosed
Icelandic owners look to reduce the wage bill. Carlton Cole admits there are
"a few worried people" in the dressing room, and that they are all playing
for their futures. And that could mean more chances for youngsters James
Tomkins and Freddie Sears, who both started their first home Premier League
games against Derby. Tomkins, the 19-year-old England youth defender, said:
"There might be a few changes but I will have to wait and see what happens.
"If there's no room for me, then I may go on loan."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wage freeze - Newham Recorder
23 April 2008
WEST HAM goalkeeper Rob Green is expecting the club to cut their wage bill
in the summer and send some players packing, but he asks the question:
"Where can we make cuts?" - writes DAVE EVANS. The 28-year-old goalkeeper is
certainly safe from the summer cull, but he is quick to point to the vital
role that the big squad has played this season. "You look at the squad and
it's huge, then you look at whose playing and we've as many injured players
as we have fit ones," said Green. "We've got six international centre halves
out injured and that just shows what kind of situation we have been in this
season.
"So with regard to cutting the squad down, I think it is inevitable really,
but you look at it and say, where can we cut it down?" Manager Alan
Curbishley though, expressed his relief at the size of his playing staff
this season. "I think what has come out is that we have got a big squad and
thankfully that has held us in good stead," he said. "Having 27 or 28
players has helped us contend wih our injuries, but I know I've got a big
squad and if everyone was fit, I would have a few problems, but they are
not."
On the face of it, selling off the players who are no longer likely to fit
into the first team plans, is a sensible move. But it all depends on how big
the cuts are likely to be as owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson looks to trim the
budget. West Ham can certainly live with the likes of Nigel Quashie, Calum
Davenport, Luis Boa Morte, Richard Wright, Lee Bowyer and John Pantsil being
taken off the wage bill, but will it also mean Freddie Ljungberg, Lucas
Neill or even Dean Ashton will be sacrificed in the name of economy? West
Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury was quick to dispel the possibility that
Ljungberg will be leaving.
"That's nonsense," he insisted. "Freddie, with his international experience,
is an important player for West Ham in reaching our goal to play in Europe.
"He is playing the Euros this summer for Sweden and is going to be one of
the tournaments big stars," said Duxbury. "Our squad is too big, but we only
plan to sell players that are not close to getting into the team. We have a
very talented team and experienced star players like Freddie, Craig Bellamy
and Lucas Neill are very important to us."
With the host of injuries that West Ham have suffered this season though,
every player is close to getting into the team. It is a state of affairs
that has perplexed Green. "You look at a club like Portsmouth. Their squad
is a lot smaller, but they've got players who have played week-in, week-out,
whereas we've got a huge squad, but there's probably a whole host of players
who've made just 10 starts or less," he said. Perhaps West Ham should be
concentrating on getting their players fit, before they send some others out
of the exit door.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Get real' says Curbs to boo-boys - Newham Recorder
23 April 2008
IT COMES to something when a team gets booed off the field after winning a
Premier League match, writes DAVE EVANS. Yes, it was Derby County and yes,
West Ham probably didn't deserve it, but a win is a win and for manager Alan
Curbishley, he could not quite fathom the crowd's reaction. "I'm a bit
disappointed because there is not too much appreciation of what is going on,
what we've had to put up with this year," reflected the manager after
Saturday's 2-1 win. "Have I heard a winning team booed off before? Probably
I have here. I've been around long enough to know that if the fans are not
happy here they let you know. "I think previous managers have suffered that
and managers to come will have the same," said Curbishley. West Ham fans are
entitled to vent their anger in whatever way they want of course. The
Hammers were pretty awful on Saturday and too often were second best against
a dreadful Derby County side. But there is a line to be drawn. It is harsh
to boo players like James Tomkins when he overhits a pass to Freddie
Ljungberg and the ball flies into touch. And it is certainly completely out
of order to boo one of your own players when his name is read out before the
start of the game and when he comes on as a substitute. However bad Luis Boa
Morte may have been this season, he does not deserve that sort of character
assassination, even before he steps out on to the field. "The players are
very disappointed with some of the chants, but I know what happens here, you
put the results together and it turns the other way," said the boss. "When
the team is winning, people don't like coming here because of the backing we
get, but when they are not happy they let you know. "But surely there has
got to be some realism and appreciation of what has happened to us this
year," he insisted. "Week in, week out, we have been under the cosh. We lost
Ferdinand last week in the first minute and this week we lost Matty Upson
and Jonathan Spector - that counts for six centre halves."
For the second time in as many weeks, the manager was treated to a rendition
of 'you don't know what you're doing' from the West Ham crowd when he took
off young striker Freddie Sears and put on Carlton Cole - three minutes
later, Cole grabbed what proved to be the winner. "That sort of chant is
commonplace up and down the country," said Curbishley, with the hint of a
smile. "It is not the best of chants if you're a manager I must admit. Gary
Megson was commenting on it last week, because he doesn't know what he is
doing either, but he has won the last two games and Bolton are out of the
bottom three." He continued: "We've just got to get on with it and as I've
said it can turn round as quickly as it has happened. But obviously I'm
disappointed with the reaction and the lack of appreciation of what we've
had to do. Players have been missing all year and I think we were up to 14
today."
In an ideal world nobody would boo and every fan would get behind all their
players whatever sort of form they are in. But in reality this is never
going to happen and certainly is not a new thing. Expectation may be higher
among Hammers' fans these days, but in the not too distant past the likes of
Sandy Clark and David Kelly received similar treatment to that of Boa Morte
at the moment. Curbishley must be careful not to be too critical of the
fans, but he made sure that his point came across. "I don't think there is a
lot of appreciation going on at the moment, but I can't do too much about
that," he said. "The players have been going out there and apart from last
week and a couple of other occasions, have done the job as well as they
could. "I've got no complaints, but if it is not good enough for some people
we have just got to get on with it, I can't do anything about it. "If you're
a West Ham fan just take a look at the back of the programme and have a good
look at it. "I don't know. The realism of what we have been through is not
there. They've not seen Craig Bellamy all year, Kieron Dyer played two
games, Bobby Zamora six or seven and it just goes on and on and on."
Undoubtedly the fans will also go on and on and on and on. They are entitled
to their opinions, but booing youngsters and players, who although may be
out of form, are still trying as hard as they can, is something not worthy
of any football fan - let alone a West Ham fan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs star heading for £10m exit: Will he choose Newcastle, Manchester City
or West Ham? - caughtoffside.com
April 23, 2008
Spurs striker Darren Bent has made a plea to Juande Ramos to give him more
of a chance to prove himself at White Hart Lane. The England international
said: "If you play a number of games consecutively, any striker will score
goals." (various) But given the fact that JR has been linked with a raft of
strikers, it seems more likely that Bent will have even less of a chance
next season than he did in this one. Which has led to speculation that the
fight for the former Charlton man will begin in the summer with Newcastle
and West Ham apparently the most likely suitors. Tottenham striker Darren
Bent could re-sign with former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley after
failing to impress at White Hart Lane. (Telegraph) Darren Bent will be
leaving the club in the summer for an estimated £10Million. Newcastle
United, West Ham and Manchester City have all been linked with a swoop for
the 24 year old. (various) So do Spurs fans want Bent to stay? And do fans
of the three clubs chasing him feel that he can re-ignite his career at
their club?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green excited about West Ham board plans
tribalfootball.com - April 23, 2008
Robert Green insists his future is at West Ham United. The goalkeeper told
whufc.com at a disabled fans' forum: "The vision that the new board, the
chairman and the chief executive have for the club is to be up there with
the best of them. I share that vision with them and I want to be a part of
it with West Ham. "Everyone at the club from the top to the bottom has got
the vision in mind. It is about taking things step by step and, as
frustrating as this season has been, it is still a step in the right
direction. Come 12 months ago, everyone would have given everything they
could to be in the position we are in now. In another 12 months, if we take
as big a step as we have done in the past 12 months - we are going to be
looking a lot further upwards. That is what I want to be part of."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Middlesbrough, Celtic keen on West Ham's Cole
tribalfooball.com - April 23, 2008
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is expected to be sold in the summer.
The Sun says Middlesbrough and Celtic are chasing the former Chelsea
trainee.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green, Ashton set for new West Ham deals
tribalfootball.com - April 23, 2008
Robert Green and Dean Ashton are set to be offered new contracts at West Ham
United. The Sun says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is keen to fend off summer
interest from rival clubs. And he plans to take both players into the
£40,000-a-week bracket. The pair are currently on less than a quarter of the
£85,000 a week paid to Freddie Ljungberg.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Tomkins tips Stanislaus as next to breakthrough
tribalfootball.com - April 23, 2008
West Ham defender James Tomkins is backing winger Junior Stanislaus to be
the next Academy youngster to make a first team breakthrough. Tomkins told
whufc.com at a disabled fans' forum: "There are a few coming through. The
next one might well be Junior Stanislas. He scoring a lot of goals in the
youth team and playing in the reserves already. He is going to be impressive
while Jordan Spence is doing very well and is captaining England at youth
level."
The centre-half added: "My first objective is to play regularly for the
first team. I am West Ham through and through. I have been here since I was
eight years old. My family background are all West Ham and I don't see
myself anywhere else."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
