Dean Ashton has made the step up to senior international football with his first England cap
02.06.2008
Dean Ashton has made his long-awaited England debut with a creditable 45-minute display in the 3-0 friendly win away to Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old striker missed out on a first cap last Wednesday in the 2-0 home win against the United States but he was named alongside Jermain Defoe in Fabio Capello's starting lineup in Port of Spain. Ashton turned in a hard-working performance, especially in terms of his link-up play with Defoe, but only twice had shooting opportunities. The first was a fifth-minute run and shot that sailed over the crossbar before a 37th-minute volley from David Beckham's ball saw Ashton drop off his defender well but unable to keep the effort down.
The No9 made way at half-time, one of three interval substitutions, with Peter Crouch coming on his place. By then, England were two goals up, with Ashton having been involved in the opener for Gareth Barry on 12 minutes before Defoe struck his first three minutes later. The West Ham United academy product, now at Portsmouth, added a second early in the second half. Although off the pitch by then, Ashton, who has joined club-mates Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker in earning England recognition, will have every hope of further international appearances.
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Pantsil begins road to finals - WHUFC
John Pantsil is being spurred on by memories of Germany 2006 in Ghana's World Cup qualifying bid
01.06.2008
John Pantsil helped Ghana off to a flying start in their qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup with a rousing 3-0 home win against Libya on Sunday.
The Black Stars reached the second round of the 2006 finals in Germany and West Ham United full-back Pantsil is determined to help his country get to the 2010 edition in South Africa. He said: "It is an experience that changed the lives of many of us so naturally we want to do it all over again. It would be painful to have to watch it again on TV after being an integral part of it the last time round."
On Sunday, Ghana were comfortable winners through goals from Prince Tagoe, Junior Agogo and Laryea Kingston. Pantsil was directly involved in the second, crossing for Agogo to score with his head. Ghana have three more first group round matches to play in their African qualifying zone this month. Next up is a trip to play Lesotho in Johannesburg next weekend before away and home matches against Gabon on 14 and 22 June. Overall 20 teams will progress to the second group round, with the five group winners from that stage all going to South Africa.
Elsewhere in World Cup qualification action on Sunday, Lucas Neill, absent for family reasons, will have been delighted to see Australia keep their fine form going in the Asian zone with a 1-0 win against Iraq in Brisbane. The two nations will meet again for Iraq's 'home' fixture in Dubai next Saturday. Australia also have further qualifiers in Qatar on 14 June and at home against China in Sydney on 22 June.
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Ljungberg back in action - WHUFC
Freddie Ljungberg played for Sweden on Sunday, nine days before they start at the Euro 2008 finals
01.06.2008
Freddie Ljungberg has returned to action for Sweden in a 1-0 home defeat by Ukraine in the final friendly before the start of their Euro 2008 campaign on 10 June.
The West Ham United captain missed the final two games of the Premier League season with a rib injury suffered on 26 April and was also missing for his country in last week's warm-up encounter with Slovenia. Ljungberg came on at half-time in Stockholm as a replacement for Sebastian Larsson and instantly linked up with an experienced forward line of Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, Sweden, who made six second-half changes, were undone by a late winner from Serhiy Nazarenko. At the finals in Switzerland and Austria, Sweden have been drawn in Group D along with Greece, Spain and Russia. They open against the Greeks, the defending champions, in Salzburg on 10 June.
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Bellamy and Collison play again - WHUFC
Craig Bellamy and Jack Collison figured as Wales were beaten by a strong Netherlands side on Sunday
01.06.2008
Craig Bellamy continued his return to fitness and form with a second-half appearance alongside Jack Collison for Wales away to the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon.
The West Ham United striker got his second run-out off the bench for John Toshack's men in five days after having played for just under half-an-hour in last Wednesday's 1-0 win in Iceland. In front of 50,000 fans at a packed De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Bellamy arrived in the 56th minute, with Wales already two goals behind and immediately took the captain's armband from Jason Koumas. He joined club-mate Jack Collison, with the 19-year-old reserve-team captain having come on at half-time for his second senior international cap.
An extremely youthful Wales side were undone by strikes from Real Madrid duo Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder - with a superb free-kick - in each half. Toshack's side did appear more of a threat with Bellamy's appearance but they were up against an experienced side who are one of the leading contenders for the Euro 2008 finals when they get under way next weekend. The West Ham United No10 did get a chance to pull one back in the 85th minute when he superbly sprung the offside trap and raced clear, only to be denied by Edwin van der Sar.
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Tomka and Sears reach finals - WHUFC
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears will have a major UEFA finals to look forward to later in the summer
31.05.2008
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears are set to compete at the European Under-19 Championship in the Czech Republic this July after helping England qualify on Saturday.
The West Ham United duo played key roles as the Young Lions secured a 0-0 draw and the point they needed to progress against Elite round mini-tournament hosts Belarus, having already won 2-0 and 1-0 against Serbia and Poland respectively in the other two Group 1 fixtures earlier this week. The finals will be held between 14 and 26 July and, as well as the hosting Czechs, will also feature Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain - the defending champions.
England could feasibly call upon two other United players with both 17-year-old Jordan Spence, the current U18 captain, and attacking midfielder Junior Stanislas also having been capped at this level. Both missed out on Brian Eastick's selection for this final qualifying round but could yet be in contention later this summer. Sears and Tomkins more than played their part in this stage with Sears scoring both goals in the first victory and Tomkins helping to secure three successive clean sheets. Another possible player on view at the finals could be 18-year-old goalkeeper Marek Stech, who may be selected by the Czech Republic.
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Traore: Come and get me Curbs - SSN
Defender would love Premier League challenge
Last updated: 1st June 2008
Paris Saint Germain defender Sammy Traore says he would sign for West Ham straight away if the Hammers want him. He has made his 'come and get me' plea after finding his opportunities at the Parisian club limited under the tenure of Paul Le Guen. The player, who has returned to PSG after a year-long loan spell at Auxerre, would relish the challenge if Upton Park boss Alan Curbishley came knocking. He told football365.fr: "England is a championship which attracts me and which attracts many people. "To leave for England would be a good thing. Now, I did not say that I was going to sign for a club like Arsenal, Manchester United or a club like that. "There are good English clubs where you can open out. A club like West Ham is a very good club. If a club like that calls me, I would sign straight away."
But if no offers are made, then the defender will stay and fight for his place in the PSG side. "I will study the proposals as well as possible but if nothing interests me, there remains a year's contract in Paris," he said. "If I must begin the season on the bench, it is not a concern. It is like everywhere: competition exists in all the clubs. I never said that I hold the power."
Meanwhile, former PSG defender Bernard Mendy has confirmed Premier League clubs are interested in his signature. But the right-back, who is a free agent, denied reports in the press linking him with Fulham and West Brom. The player, who experienced English football in a loan spell at Bolton in 2002-3, also spoke of interest from Lyon. He told football365.fr: "That is true that my experience at Bolton was superb but I repeat it: I am open to every proposition. "In France and abroad. I will know soon. But today, the most concrete contacts come from England. "I have been told about Premier League clubs but not Fulham and West Bromwich. "But why not tempting an experience at Lyon."
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Negredo waits on future - SSN
By Francisco Acedo Last updated: 1st June 2008
Alvaro Negredo's future will be decided next week, after reports suggested two Premier League club's had launched bids to land him. The striker left Real Madrid last summer and joined Almeria, and he shone with 13 goals in La Liga and helped the minnows retain their top-flight status. However, Real inserted a buy-back clause in the deal and they will now take the player back for 4 million euros (£3.1million) before selling him on - with reports claiming he could go for up to 12 million euros (£9.4million). It is claimed in Spain that two English sides have made bids for the exciting 22-year-old, with some sources suggesting the two clubs as Newcastle and West Ham. Tottenham have also been credited with an interest after they scouted him late last year. Now Negredo's agent Junma Lopez says he will meet with Real next week to talk over his future. "We still have not had any news from Real and I will attend a meeting next week to clear the subject," he said. "If Real does not accept a deal then he will remain with Almeria."
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Prem bids for Kightly - SSN
Grays claim transfer talks
Last updated: 1st June 2008
Michael Kightly is on the verge of moving to the Premier League, according to the boss of his former club Grays Athletic. Kightly, 22, left Grays for Wolves in late 2006 and he has gone on to emerge as one of the most highly-rated players outside the top-flight. Grays still have a vested interest in Kightly, as they will benefit from a sell-on clause should he leave Molineux. Owner-manager Mick Woodward has claimed Blackburn, Everton and West Ham have all made bids for the England Under-21 ace. "I think you'll see Michael Kightly move very shortly," Woodward told The Non-League Paper. "I know Everton, West Ham and Blackburn have come in for him and a club has put a £4 million bid in already. "People will see who they can get rid of first. West Ham are going to have a good clear-out because they've got too many 'Big-Time Charlies' and they want players who are hungry. Kightly fits that bill perfectly."
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WHO Awards 2007/08 - The Results - West Ham Online
Vinny - Sun Jun 1 2008
In the last couple of weeks there has been a series of Poll's which have asked you for your best and worst from the recent campaign.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Last Season: Carlos Tevez
1. Robert Green 54%
2. Matthew Upson 18%
3. George McCartney 17%
4. Carlton Cole 4%
5. Dean Ashton 3%
6. Mark Noble 1%
=. Scott Parker 1%
Robert Green is the winner of the WHO Hammer of the Year recieving more votes than all the others put together. There were very few which stood out this season, but Green's consistant form is what people have voted for.
The Runner up was Matthew Upson who beat George McCartney but just five votes.
GAME OF THE SEASON
Last Season - Manchester United (a) 1-0>
1. Man Utd (h) 62%
2. Reading (a) 21%
3. Liverpool (h) 8%
4. Derby (a) 7%
5. Middlesboro (a) 2%
For the second year running a victory over Manchester United has been voted as the game of the season, recieving an enormous amount of votes. Goals from Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson secured victory after coming back from a goal down.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Last Season - Tevez vs Man Utd (a)
1. Ashton vs Man Utd 53%
2. Etherington (1) vs Reading 10%
=Parker vs Boro' 10%
=Ashton vs Villa 10%
3. Cole vs Man City 5%
4. Bellamy (1) vs Bristol Rovers 4%
5. Ashton vs Boro 3%
= Solano vs Derby 3%
6. 2% Bowyer vs Middlesbrough
There seemed to be little doubt in voters minds who was going to win this one. With the goal fresh in the memory, Dean Ashton's wonderstrike against Manchester United at Old Trafford even earned applause from the home support.
WORST PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Last Season - Nigel Reo Coker
1. Henri Camara 59%
2. Luis Boa Morte 21%
3. Lucas Neill 9%
4. Jonathan Spector 4%
5. Hayden Mullins 4%
6. Freddie Ljungberg 3%
There were more votes for the worst player of the season than any other of the polls. I have to say, I was suprised by the winner which was Henri Camera. He recieved more votes than the others put together with Luis Boa More way behind.
WORST GAME OF THE SEASON
Last Season - Reading (a) 0-6
1. 63% Spurs (a) 0-4
2. 10% Chelsea (h) 0-4
3. 6% Portsmouth (h) 0-1
= 6% Derby (h) 2-1
= 6% Wigan (a) 0-1
4. 4% Everton (h) [cup] 1-2
5. 3% Liverpool (a) 0-4
6. 2% Man Utd (a) 1-4
Having been destroyed by Chelsea and Liverpool only days before, this defeat was just too much as Tottenham simply murdered us from start to finish. IIt was a very depressing game and it is no suprise that it won this poll by a long long way.
CHUMP OF THE SEASON (sponsord by Mark Lawrenson)
Last Season - Dave Whelan
1. The Physio Staff 33%
2. John Terry 21%
3. Oliver Holt 20%
4. Frank Lampard Jnr 12%
5. Kevin McCabe 9%
6. Luis Boa Morte 5%
7. Lucas Neill 1%
The Physio Staff at the club have been voted the Chump of the Season with the constant injuries runing our season and with little sign of changing as the injuries carried through from August till May with new injires being picked up all the time. Something needs to change or we will be having the same discussion this time next year.
Thank you to everyone who voted.
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West Ham Must Avoid Becoming A Feeder Club Again - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 1 June, 2008 - 08:12.
West Ham United have produced more home grown talent through their academy, run by 'Sir' Tony Carr, than virtually any other Premier League club. The amount of players who learned their trade at West Ham but lined up to play in the Champions League final and to play for England is testimony to Carr's outstanding achievement. Youngsters Freddy Sears, James Tomkins and Jack Collison have all featured for the first team and will hopefully progress further next season, so there should be no need to sell off any of the 'crown jewels' that are already at the club!
Media reports that Anton Ferdinand is up for sale are increasingly gathering pace, but why should Hammers want to sell a player who could still go on to represent his country at senior level? It would be too easy to jump on the "Curbs doesn't get on with him" bandwagon, but it should be remembered that this is the same manager that managed to sell on Marlon Harewood for £4 Million to Aston Villa, and let's face it dear old 'Marlene' has hardly been pulling up many trees there has he?
Anton will always be in brother Rio's shadow, but he has shown enough to get 'those awful ones' who are Arsenal's inferior neighbours to start sniffing around! Perhaps Hammers should offer Anton Ferdinand as a straight swap for Darren Bent, the financial disparity in their respective values may go some way towards compensating for the amount of money that was made by the sale of Michael Carrick to Manchester United. Selling players with potential to London rivals is a sure fire way of getting your own supporters annoyed and frustrated, a point that surely cannot have been overlooked by Alan Curbishley, a man who has struggled to win over the Upton Park faithful and is probably in need of a complete public image make over. - Ed
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Spurs set to swoop for West Ham's Ferdinand
tribalfootball.com - June 01, 2008
Tottenham are set to land West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand in a £6 million deal. The News of the World says Ferdinand has been on Tottenham's hit-list for a couple of seasons and Juande Ramos will try and tie up a deal over the next couple of weeks after seeing Richard Dunne slip through the net.
Ferdinand, 23, has been at Upton Park for six years and the Hammers turned down a £4m offer from Spurs a couple of seasons ago. But boss Alan Curbishley needs to cut the extravagant wage bill and he has plenty of options in the central defensive area. And Curbs is likely to see £6m as good value for Ferdinand, who has not quite lived up to expectations in the last couple of years.
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West Ham keen on Torino fullback Natali
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham United are eyeing Torino defender Cesare Natali. New Hammers football chief Gianluca Nani rates Natali highly and Turin sources say a bid has arrived from the Premiership club.
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West Ham in long-term contract talks with Zamora
tribalfootball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham United are in talks with Bobby Zamora over a new four-year contract. The News of the World says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has decided the former Tottenham striker is still part of his plans. Zamora has two years left on his contract but is frustrated at earning around £25,000 a week, while team-mate Freddie Ljungberg is nearly three times as much.
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West Ham's Dyer upbeat on recovery
tribalfootball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham midfielder Kieran Dyer is well down the road in his recovery from last year's horrific broken leg. Dyer suffered the injury last August, in only his third start for the Hammers following his £6.5million move from Newcastle. After embarking on a gruelling running session, he is determined to be fit for the start of next season and a source revealed: "Kieron was blowing a bit but he's just glad to be able to run after such a long time out. "He has the entire summer to concentrate on getting back to full fitness."
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West Ham to land Newcastle fullback Carr
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham United are set to land Newcastle fullback Stephen Carr. The former Spurs defender wants to return to London after being released by Newcastle at the end of last season.
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West Ham's Ashton admits battle over physio
tribalfootball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham striker Dean Ashton admits he had to fight to have ex-Hammers physio John Green in charge of his rehabilitation from an ankle injury. Ashton demanded Green be allowed to oversee his recovery even though he had left Upton Park after a fall-out. After two ops and a year out, Ashton said: "I insisted on him and some didn't like that."
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West Ham join Bradley battle
tribalfootball.com - June 01, 2008
West Ham United have joined the battle for Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley. The USA international is on Middlesbrough's shopping list and admitted last week he fancied a move to Everton. The People says the Hammers, however, are leading the race for Bradley.
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Reading warn West Ham, Newcastle over Shorey price
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2008
Reading have warned a quartet of clubs looking to sign Nicky Shorey that they will not let the full-back leave on the cheap. Ligue 1 side Nice are also monitoring the situation and were thought to be preparing a £2million bid. But chief executive Nigel Howe insists Reading will hold out for what they think the left-back is worth. He told the Daily Star: "You sometimes get clubs who will fly a kite with a stupid offer, but no-one will steal any of our players away. We have a club here we have to protect."
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PSG defender Traore keen on West Ham move
tribalfooball.com - June 01, 2008
Paris Saint Germain defender Sammy Traore has opened the door to a move to West Ham by admitting he would join the Upton Park club without hesitation. Traore has returned to PSG after a year-long loan spell at Auxerre, but the Ghanaian revealed he would love a move to England. Under the guidance of Paul Le Guen Traore has found his opportunities limited with France's capital club, but he is prepared to stay and fight for a place. "England is a championship which attracts me and which attracts many people.� Traore told football365.fr."To leave for England would be a good thing. "Now, I did not say that I was going to sign for a club like Arsenal, Manchester United or a club like that. "There are good English clubs where you can open out. A club like West Ham is a very good club. "If a club like that calls me, I would sign straight away."
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