Kyel Reid and Zavon Hines turned in impressive first-team displays in front
of Tony Carr
28.08.2008
Tony Carr has spoken of his delight at seeing Kyel Reid and debutant Zavon
Hines get their first goals for the club at senior level.
The Academy products played a key role in West Ham United turning around a
tricky Carling Cup tie at home to Macclesfield Town to win 4-1 on Wednesday
night. The 20-year-old winger Reid is more experienced at this level -
indeed he set up the winning goal against Plymouth Argyle in this
competition last season - and has stepped up since joining the pre-season
tour of North America. Hines, 19, has also shown an eye for goal in the
summer and underlined his good form with a strike on his first-team bow.
Having worked with both as they came through the ranks, Carr was naturally
thrilled to see them make an impact with the third and fourth goals after
Lee Bowyer's equaliser and Carlton Cole's decisive second. "The two young
lads coming on added a little bit. They worked hard, ran about and added a
little bit of spark to the game. For both to score was terrific and I
congratulated them afterwards. It was hard work but terrific to see a couple
of the young lads involved and great for the Academy."
He said a big factor in their progress has been confidence. "Kyel and Zavon
are training regularly with the first-team squad, they are not with the
youth team anymore. They have moved on and that's what it is all about and
they are gaining confidence playing with the first team. They both featured
in the summer and then to come on last night and score is another step in
their development. It is something that can never be taken away from them."
Freddie Sears began last night's game and Carr underlined that the
18-year-old would have also taken plenty from the experience but in a
different way. "It is not all glory is what you find out," he said. "Not
every game do you score and end up being the hero. He had one really good
chance to score. He hit the target and may have kept the shot a little bit
lower made it a bit more difficult for the goalkeeper. It was a frustrating
night but he would have learned a lot."
It was a "difficult night" for the whole team but the vastly experienced
coach said the important thing for all concerned was to get through to the
third-round draw this weekend. "It was a tough game to play in. The opening
round of the Carling Cup is a difficult game. It can be a real banana skin
whether you are at home or away as shown this week. Two or three Premier
League clubs went out and, like ourselves others, had to come from behind to
win.
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Hammers In For Henrik - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 28 August, 2008 - 14:18.
Henrik Larsson West Ham United have emerged as front runners to sign striker
Henrik Larsson. Having had their fingers well and truly burned over the
signing of one Swedish International, Freddie Ljungberg, Hammers appear to
be confident that moves to secure Larsson's services will have a happier
outcome. Larsson's agent has confirmed that West Ham United have been in
discussions to bring the much travelled striker to the Boleyn on a two year
deal that would net the player £50,000 per week in wages, Larsson is
available on a free transfer during the January transfer window however it
is most likely that an 'arrangement' could be put in place that would see
the player moving to London before September 1st. Having sold Bobby Zamora
to Fulham and with continuing doubts over the fitness of Craig Bellamy,
Hammers have moved to fill the gap that cannot quite be filled by the as yet
inexperienced academy duo of Freddie Sears and Jordan Spence. The potential
arrival of Larsson could well herald the departure of the much maligned
Carlton Cole who is known to be on Roy Keane's transfer wish list. It seems
that other clubs value West Ham players considerably more than the current
board! - Ed
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Pandiani poised for Prem return - SSN
'The Rifle' in talks with English clubs
By Chris Burton Last updated: 28th August 2008
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani is reported to be negotiating a return to
the Premier League. The 32-year-old endured an ill-fated spell at Birmingham
between 2005 and 2006, but is keen for another opportunity to prove himself
in England. The powerful front man shone initially on his arrival at St
Andrews, scoring four goals during a successful loan spell. However, having
persuaded then Blues boss Steve Bruce to sign him on a permanent deal he
failed to replicate his early heroics. Struggling for fitness and form he
was shipped off to Espanyol in January 2006. He is currently on the books of
Primera Liga side Osasuna, but has been linked with both Fulham and West
Ham. His agent, Eugenio Botas, confirmed that talks have begun with a number
of Premier League clubs, but refrained from specifying which. "We are in
talks with several English clubs," he said. "A decision could be taken at
the weekend or next Monday."
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New record low for Hammers - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's crowd for last night's Carling Cup tie with Macclesfield was the
lowest seen at the Boleyn Ground this century. The official crowd figure was
10,055 - the lowest attendance figure since the ground was redeveloped -
although many inside the ground felt that it was even lower. That figure
beat the 11,111 crowd which saw the 2004 Carling Cup tie against Notts
County and the 2003 Carling Cup tie against Rushden & Diamonds (13,715). The
last time United had a smaller attandance than last night's was back in 1999
for the Intertoto Cup tie agains Heerenveen, which was watched by just 7,485
(although that fixture took place in the middle of the summer whilst many
fans were on their holidays). A number of factors have been blamed for last
night's record low attendance including the high pricing of tickets, poor
recent form and general apathy amongst supporters.
We can see you sneaking in: lowest attendences in the last 20 years
(competitive matches only)
1. 02/09/92: Bristol Rovers - 4,809 (Anglo Italian Cup)
2. 29/11/89: Plymouth Argyle - 5,409 (Full Members Cup)
3. 24/11/92: Reggiana - 6,872 (Anglo Italian Cup)
4. 23/09/92: Crewe Alexandra - 6,981 (League Cup)
5. 16/12/92: Pisa - 7,123 (Anglo Italian Cup)
6. 28/07/99: Heerenveen - 7,485 (Intertoto Cup)
7. 22/10/91: Cambridge United - 7,812 (Full Members Cup)
8. 26/11/91: Brighton & Hove Albion - 8,146 (Full Members Cup)
9. 28/08/08: Macclesfield Town - 10,055 (Carling Cup)
10. 17/07/99: FC Jokerit - 11,098 (Intertoto Cup)
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Cole considers Hammers exit - SSN
Sunderland target frustrated at West Ham's failure to resolve his future
Last updated: 28th August 2008
Skysports.com understands Carlton Cole is considering his future at West Ham
following the club's failure to resolve his contractual situation. The
24-year-old was the subject of a bid from Premiership rivals Sunderland
recently, while two more clubs, one from abroad, are tracking the striker.
Cole, who scored in the Hammers' 4-1 Carling Cup win over Macclesfield on
Wednesday night, has become a key figure at Upton Park over the last 15
months. Having played over 30 Premiership games for the East Londoners last
season he is now firmly established an integral part of Alan Curbishley's
first XI and has started both of the club's league fixtures this term.
However, it appears the player has become unsettled as a result of West
Ham's failure to secure his future with talks over a new long-term contract
having stalled. The hit-man was keen to commit himself to the Hammers, but
having received no assurances regarding his future is now considering his
options. With just four days to go before the transfer window shuts it could
now be that Sunderland, and his other suitors, choose to step up their
interest in the powerful striker.
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Curbs defiant despite jeers - SSN
Hammers fans losing patience
By Chris Burton Last updated: 28th August 2008
Alan Curbishley insists he has the full support of the West Ham board and
will not be driven out of the club. The Hammers boss has endured a difficult
week, seeing his side lose 3-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League on
Sunday, before needing extra-time to dispose of League Two Macclesfield in
the Carling Cup on Wednesday. The Upton Park faithful made their feelings
known throughout the 4-1 victory over the Silkmen, barracking the manager
from the terraces. Curbishley admits the current situation is far from
ideal, but will not walk away from his post. "What can I do about it apart
from win games and keep going?" he said. "I've had this now for a little
while, I'll get on with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before. "The
disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go out and
perform. The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they have to
realise the effect it has when they are not behind us. It can all change at
the weekend. "Football is a bit like this, you go through periods like this.
It has happened to other managers and happened a bit last year."
West Ham fans are disappointed by what they see as unattractive football,
and Curbishley accepts he faces a challenge to win them over. "We have to
win some games and play better football," he added. "I understand the
responsibility of being West Ham manager, I've watched games at Upton Park
and other managers here have had similar criticism. "You have to get on with
it, it's part and parcel that fans let you know when they are not happy.
It's part and parcel of being part of this club and I'm not going to duck
away from it."
The Hammers boss also believes he continues to enjoy the backing of the
club's hierarchy. "I'm in no doubt about that since I've been here," he
said.
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Holy Walter - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 28th August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Walter Pandiani is to spend the next few days mulling over a move to West
Ham, according to reports. The Uruguayan international was first linked with
a move to West Ham two weeks ago and has since spent time training at the
club. Now his agent has revealed that he is considering at least two offers
from Premier League clubs - the other thought to be Fulham, although he has
also been linked with Premier League new-boys Hull City - with a decision to
follow imminently.Pandiani's agent, Eugenio Botas, said: "We are in talks. A
decision could be taken at the weekend or next Monday. "We are going to
wait and see."
Pandiani, also known as 'The Rifle' last played in England three years ago
and made a total of 35 appearances for Birmingham, scoring seven goals.
However his early good form petered out shortly after making the move to the
City Ground permanent (having initially signed on loan) and he returned to
Spain in the summer of 2006 to join Espanyol. The striker went on to score
18 goals in 47 games for Espanyol before moving to Osasuna the following
summer. A former roadsweeper, Pandiani began his professional career in his
home country with Progreso in 1996 before moving on to Basañez and then
Penarol. He moved to Spain in 2000 to join Deportivo La Coruna where he
spent the next five years (bar a year on loan at Mallorca in 02/03),
averaging a goal every three games.
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The Woes of a West Ham Fan - West Ham Till I Die
For the first time in years, last night I voluntarily missed a home game.
Despite ticking the box to enable my season ticket for all Cup games, I
received no email from the club telling me they had debited my card, so I
assumed they hadn't. Reminds me, must check the bank account…
Why didn't I go? Probably for the same reason as the 20,000 other people who
didn't. I knew what I would be letting myself in for. Instead, when I got
home I listened to much of the game on Radio London, having read the Evening
Standard story on the train about how morale at Upton Park is at an all time
low.
It was humiliating to be losing to a side that is bottom of League Two for
74 minutes. Only when they were down to ten men did we come to life. I'm
told Lee Bowyer looked good and the youngster Hines did well, but really, it
doesn't get much worse than struggling against Macclesfield, does it?
And today we hear that Carlton Cole wants to leave as he is not satisfied by
his contract renegotiations. Sell him, I say.
It would not surprise me at all if by this time next week we were looking
for a new manager. Curbishley obviously feels that he is being humiliated -
firstly by the Board and secondly by his players, who he just doesn't seem
to be able to motivate.
It is ridiculous that we are even thinking about a crisis, let alone talking
about one, but that's the mood of the club at the moment. Yes, it was right
to trim the size of the squad and get rid of fringe players, but we haven't
really done that have we? Nigel Quashie and Luis Boa Morte are still there.
We all needed one big signing this summer to show us that the current board
has the ambition we as supporters have. I doubt very much whether that will
happen before the Transfer deadline on Sunday.
As you can tell, I am feeling very down, and not looking forward to Saturday
at all. But I will be there. Make no mistake about that. We are owed a
performance. Big time.
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Hammers chase Appiah, Cavani, Pandiani and Zoro - among others - Echo news
2:37pm Thursday 28th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
WEST Ham United are chasing a host of targets as the summer transfer window
begins to close. With clubs banned from signing players from next Tuesday
until January 1, the Irons are desperately attempting to reinforce their
squad for the new Premier League campaign. And manager Alan Curbishley has
revealed that he is keen to bring in a midfielder and a forward before the
transfer deadline. "We're looking at all three departments - the back,
middle of the park and up front," Curbishley confirmed. "We're out there
vigorously trying to do things. "It's just a matter of if it all comes
together."
The club has made an approach for Ghana international Stephen Appiah, who is
currently looking for a new club after leaving Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
However, any move for the midfielder who played under Irons technical
director Gianluca Nani at Italian club Brescia may depend on a number of
factors working in their favour. Former Juventus player Appiah, 27, still
has a home in Turin and favours a return to the Italian club, while there
may be issues over whether the Accra-born player is available on a free
transfer or Fenerbahce are entitled to a fee for his services.
Another Irons target is Palermo's Uruguayan forward Edson Cavani. The
21-year-old, who has also been linked with Lazio, has scored seven goals in
40 Serie A appearances since arriving at Palermo from Danubio in January
2007.
A third player - and second Uruguayan - who could be on his way to the
Boleyn Ground is former Deportivo La Coruna and Birmingham City frontman
Walter Pandiani. The Montevideo-born 32-year-old has been told he can leave
Spanish side Osasuna after scoring just goal league goals for the La Liga
club last season.
Finally, Ivory Coast defender Marc Zoro, 24, has been offered the chance to
win a contract at Upton Park after being told he can leave Portuguese giants
Benfica. The Abidjan-born centre-back, who has 13 international caps, was
part of the Elephants' squad at the 2006 World Cup, but he did not appear on
the pitch in Germany. Before signing for Benfica in May 2007, he played more
than 150 games for Italian clubs Salernitana, Campania and Messina.
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Ferdinand hits back at Hammers claims - Echo news
2:30pm Thursday 28th August 2008
NEW Sunderland signing Anton Ferdinand has moved quickly to deny West Ham's
claims he rejected a new deal at the club. The former England under-21
international moved on Wednesday to the Stadium of Light once the Hammers
had a accepted a fee believed to be £8million. West Ham chief executive
Scott Duxbury claimed the Hammers only agreed to sell the 23-year-old
defender once he had rejected an improved contract worth between £35,000 and
£45,000 a week. Ferdinand however, has rubbished these claims citing the
club withdrew its offer and accepted Sunderland's bid. Ferdinand has signed
a four-year deal worth around £50,000-a-week with the Black Cats. Speaking
to the Daily Mail he claimed: "I'd been offered a new deal by West Ham. But
when Sunderland came in with a bid that offer was withdrawn."
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Whinging Hammers reflect a very modern malaise
The abuse aimed at Alan Curbishley after two wins in three is sadly typical
of a game whose self-proclaimed Proper Fans have lost all sense of
perspective
Rob Smyth
guardian.co.uk, Thursday August 28 2008 13:59 BST
Football fans are, as Sean Ingle famously observed on these pages in 2005,
idiots. They are also a miserably deluded shower. Everyone thinks their team
has the hardest core/nawtiest firm/coolest casuals/strongest values/
The Proper Football Fan has so many commandments, and all of them are
consistently broken by supporters of all clubs. One of the most important –
"you never, ever boo your own," the equivalent of swearing at your mother –
went west last night at Upton Park, where Alan Curbishley was given the bird
and informed, in a manner of speaking, that "you'll be the recipient of a
nice shiny new P45 come sunrise".
They were wrong, but only in the detail. They will get their wish sooner
rather than later, and at some level of consciousness all involved parties
know it. The presumed availability of the fans' darling Slaven Bilic (who
wouldn't want to give up managing their country to take over a mid-table
side with no money?) only weakens Curbishley's position further.
As well as being obviously counter-productive, booing your own team shows an
utter lack of class and cool. But this mob rule is increasingly prevalent in
football and, while the Proper Fan tries to blame it on the admittedly
lamentable post-Italia 90 brigade of supporter, it is clearly not as simple
as that. Let he who has never tasted a prawn sandwich cast the first stone.
That Curbishley is under such pressure is a reflection of a game that has
lost all perspective. Curbishley, after all, is a man who has won two of his
three games this season (and whose side were drawing 0-0 when they were
reduced to 10 men), having finished in the top half last season. In short,
he has done OK: 6/10 maybe. Factor in an injury list that verges on the
macabre and a significant reduction in the funding promised when he took
over and it's nearer 7/10.
In the past you had to be on the useless side of mediocre to get the sack.
English people laughed at how those crazy Italians turned over managers like
a lothario does partners. You can get sacked – sorry, you can agree to leave
by mutual consent – for anything these days. On occasion it can be
justified, if there is an upgrade as obvious as Juande Ramos for Martin Jol
or a manager as palpably out of his element as Sammy Lee, but for the most
part it is the product of English football's increasingly ruinous obsession
with the grass on the other side.
Clearly there are issues at West Ham, particularly with the frigid football
favoured by Curbishley and his decision to sign so many injury-prone players
on huge wages. That is fair enough – English football clubs are like the
inhabitants of Twin Peaks, with secrets and lies lurking behind each door -
but if you start sacking managers who are achieving acceptable returns
purely on aesthetic grounds, Pandora's Box will be well and truly open.
Ultimately, however, it seems at West Ham that the biggest issue is with
Curbishley himself. Equilibrium does not sit well with a fanbase that is
predisposed towards melodrama, and the fact that the club spent almost the
entire second half of last season marooned in 10th place reinforced the
existing perception of Curbishley as a human tranquiliser. He is everything
West Ham fans aren't – undemonstrative, equable, impassive – and, as with
Sam Allardyce at Newcastle, they never warmed to him from the start. When he
miraculously averted relegation in 2006-07, 99.99% of the praise went to
Carlos Tevez.
This is not to say Curbishley is the right man for West Ham. From afar, it
is impossible to know. But he certainly deserves a chance to have a full
season with something resembling his best XI on the field and to build on
what, for all the tedium, was a very solid first full season in the
circumstances.
He may not give you the fantasy but he will supply a comfort, and the little
things that you only appreciate in hindsight: security, beating Manchester
United three times in a row, beating Liverpool. West Ham fans should be
careful what they wish for: the last time they went chasing the fantasy,
after a series of perfectly adequate mid-table finishes around the turn of
the century, they played a part in the removal of the incumbent Harry
Redknapp and got a new manager, Glenn Roeder
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Cole to become a gentleman of Verona? - Echo
2:04pm Thursday 28th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
WEST Ham United striker Carlton Cole is reportedly attracting interest from
Italian side Chievo Verona. Representatives from the Serie A club are
believed to have been at Upton Park for Wednesday evening's Carling Cup
second round tie against Macclesfield Town. And the 24-year-old put in a
fine performance after arriving as a second half substitute, scoring the
Hammers' second goal in a 4-1 extra-time victory. However, with Craig
Bellamy and Freddie Sears back to full fitness, the former England Under-21
international could find his first-team opportunities limited in the coming
weeks. And despite manager Alan Curbishley claiming that nobody would be
following Nobby Solano, Freddie Ljungberg, Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil and
Anton Ferdinand out of the Boleyn Ground before the end of the transfer
window, doubts remain that the club would reject a bid for the ex-Chelsea
man. Sunderland, who signed Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand for £8million
on Wednesday, are also believed to be monitoring Cole's situation.
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West Ham close in on Benfica defender Zoro - FoootyLatest.com
Thursday 28 August 2008 - 12:24:26
News is coming in from Portugal that West Ham Utd have decided to bring the
Benfica defender Marc Zoro to London on trial, on the advice of Luis Boa
Morte. Zoro has been told by Benfica coach Quique Flores hat he is not part
of his plans this season, and he is now looking for a new club. He will be
on trial at West Ham until the last day of the transfer window, but the
Ivory Coast international is thought to be a possible replacement for Anton
Ferdinand, who has moved to Sunderland.
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Have West Ham fans reached the point of no return? - FootballFancast
Posted by: FFC Towers News Desk, today
Tagged: Premiership, West Ham
Alan Curbishley sees winning games as the only way to silence the boo boys.
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has vowed to ignore the criticism and
fight on despite being jeered during his side's Carling Cup victory over
Macclesfield Town. Hammers fans turned on the already under-pressure manager
after their side needed extra-time to overcome League Two opposition at
Upton Park on Wednesday to book their place in the third round of the
competition. Carlton Cole, debutant Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid scored the
goals that sealed their 4-1 passage after the scores were level at 1-1 after
90 minutes. Referring to his hostile treatment from the crowd of just
10,055, a defiant Curbishley said: "What can I do about it apart from win
games and keep going? "I've had this now for a little while. I'll get on
with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before. "I understand the
responsibility of being West Ham manager. I've watched games at Upton Park
and other managers here have had similar criticism. "You have to get on
with it, it's part and parcel that fans let you know when they are not
happy. "The disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go
out and perform. "The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they
have to realise the effect it has when they are not behind us." So has Alan
Curbishley reached the point of no return with West Ham fans?
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Hammers trial for African ace - Setanta
by Laurent Picard, 28 August 2008
Ivory Coast international Marc Zoro is undergoing a trial at West Ham
United, according to Portuguese sources. The Benfica ace, who suffered
racist abuse during his time in Italy, has been told by manager Quique
Sanchez Flores to look for new employers, as he is not part of his plans. As
a consequence, the 24-year-old is seeking other opportunities, and is
believed to have agreed to experience a short trial with The Hammers,
looking for a centre back after losing Anton Ferdinand. Alan Curbishley
allowed Ferdinand join Sunderland on a long-term contract, and is in search
for a replacement. Marseille centre half Gael Givet is also rumoured to be a
possible target for West Ham, and the East Londoners will have to take a
quick decision.
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Pandiani set for Prem return - Agent - teamTalk
Walter Pandiani's agent says the former Birmingham striker is in talks with
several Premier League clubs over a possible return to England. The
32-year-old from Uruguay is currently at Spanish side Osasuna and has been
linked with Fulham and West Ham. He also played against Stoke and Hull in
pre-season, scoring against the Potters, and could be on the wishlists of
either Tony Pulis or Phil Brown. Eugenio Botas, agent for the player
nicknamed 'The Rifle', said: "We are in talks with several English clubs. A
decision could be taken at the weekend or next Monday."
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Bowyer boost for boss - Newham Recorder
28 August 2008
LEE BOWYER returned to the team for his first match since last February in
Wednesday night's Carling Cup clash against Macclesfield and his goalscoring
performance earned praise from his boss. Bowyer grabbed the vital equaliser
after 75 minutes of the cup tie with a near post header from Julien
Faubert's cross, and he was only denied a second headed goal in extra time
by a brilliant save from Town goalkeeper Jon Brain. "You can't hide in a
game like that, you just have to get on with it and I think Lee Bowyer
epitomised that, he kept going and brought us into the game," said Hammers
boss Alan Curbishley.
"Lee's been out for some time, I think that is his first game since
Birmingham back in February. He was obviously really tired and asked to come
off halfway through extra time, but he didn't realise we'd used all of our
subs."
The 31-year-old midfielder had his best season in a West Ham shirt during
the last campaign, despite injury ruling him out of the last three months,
and the boss feels that he is an important man to have in the squad. "He's
got back into scoring goals, but he was playing with a groin injury that had
to be sorted out and in the end he missed the last two or three months of
the season, and really had to start again in pre-season," said Curbishley.
"I know him very well and you need a midfield player who wants to get into
the box and he does just that, so it was a big plus for him tonight." Bowyer
may have done enough to earn a start against Blackburn on Saturday, despite
the fact that Mark Noble will be back from his one match suspension.
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Behrami set to put bite on Rovers - Newham Recorder
28 August 2008
WEST HAM new boy Valon Behrami should be fit for Saturday's clash with
Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park, despite being forced off after just 28
minutes of Wednesday's Carling Cup clash. Behrami suffered an accidental
kick to the face and manager Alan Curbishley revealed the extent of the
injury. "He's broke his front tooth and it's been pushed up into his gum,"
said the manager, although he confirmed the prognosis is good. "He's off
having an x-ray, but I don't expect him to be missing for the weekend
because of that."
Behrami, who signed from Lazio in a £5million deal earlier in the summer,
has struggled to show his quality in the right back position. But he may
earn himself a place in the team in right midfield for Saturday, if George
McCartney is fit enough to start, allowing Lucas Neill to revert to his
right back slot.
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Boss may make do after Anton sale - Newham Recorder
28 August 2008
DESPITE the sale of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland this week, West Ham boss
Alan Curbishley has hinted that they do not necessarily need to replace him
before the end of the transfer window next Monday. The boss reiterated the
fact that the club are looking for players to come in, but he was quick to
back the centre halves that are already at the club. "We've got James
Collins in full training and James Tomkins is not far away either," insisted
Curbishley. "George McCartney returning is a big help as it frees up Lucas
Neill, who can also play at centre half where he recently played for
Australia in their friendly against South Africa. "So I think we're covered,
and after the Blackburn game with a two-week break, I'm expecting Collins
and Tomkins to be available."
That sort of thinking may alarm some West Ham fans who see a replacement for
Ferdinand as an essential in what looks like another season blighted by
injuries. But the manager confirmed that the club are still hunting for new
signings and insisted that most movement occurs in the last few days of the
window. "We are looking at all three departments - the back, middle of the
park and up front," revealed the manager. "We're out there vigorously trying
to do things. It's just a matter of it all coming together." Watch this
space.
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Under-fire Curbishley issues war cry for unity at troubled West Ham - Daily
Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:50 AM on 28th August 2008
Alan Curbishley has called on West Ham's players and fans to unite when
Blackburn Rovers visit Upton Park on Saturday. A section of the Boleyn
Ground crowd turned on the manager last night when his team were trailing
League Two Macclesfield with 74 minutes gone in their Carling Cup second
round tie.
Chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' could clearly be heard
before Lee Bowyer cancelled out Gareth Evans' opening goal and forced the
match into extra time. The Hammers eventually prevailed 4-1 but a much
stiffer test lies ahead, when old-boy Paul Ince brings Rovers to East
London. It's a big game for all sorts of reasons,' said the West Ham
manager. 'What can I do about the criticism except win games and keep going?
The fans, when they are behind us, are brilliant - they have got to realise
the effect it has when they are not behind us. 'It's happened to other
managers but I've had this for a little while now but I'm a big boy. I've
looked from afar when the spotlight has been on other managers and wondered
what it would be like. 'I understand it now but the players are the ones who
have to go and perform.'
Curbishley also insisted chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was right behind
him and that there would be no more departures before the transfer window
closed. He added: 'I have the full support of the board though. I have no
doubt about that. 'I understand the responsibility of being West Ham
manager. When the crowd here are behind you it's fantastic but when they're
not, they let you know. 'I don't think the morale is too bad. We were all
desperately disappointed at Manchester City. We looked for a better
performance against Macclesfield and we certainly need a better performance
against Blackburn on Saturday.'
The decision to let Anton Ferdinand join Sunderland for £8million has been
at the heart of the current unrest. Striker Carlton Cole, who came on as a
second-half substitute to score in extra-time claimed he was 'really
disappointed' at the sale of Ferdinand. Cole said: 'He was a close friend
of mine even before I joined the club but times move on and I am sure he
will do fantastic up there. It's a great signing for them.' But Matthew
Upson described the decision to sell the defender as 'business' and said he
had no complaints with the board, adding: 'I don't know where he was
contractually. There are a lot of factors other than what he's doing on a
football pitch and what the manager needs. 'At the end of the day the club
is a business and if the owner sees fit to run it that way, that's his
choice. It's not up to us to complain about it, we have to get on with
things.'
Upson joined West Ham from Birmingham in the winter transfer window of 2007
when the club were spending big money on players. The contrast between then
and now, with the club attempting to balance the books, is stark and Upson
admitted: 'It's changed very quickly here, hasn't it? It just shows you that
it's all very well having that money but if it's not invested wisely and you
don't get the benefits from that money then you can soon find yourselves in
trouble.' The England defender also believed that frustrated West Ham fans -
only 10,055 turned up - were right 'to be impatient' with the team's
sub-standard performance against a team who are 91st in the League and who
played the whole of extra-time with ten men after defender Izak Reid was
sent off for two bookable offences. Upson said: 'If they're angry at the
manager, then that's something he needs to deal with but I'm sure we'll get
going and things will get better. 'I wouldn't say the spirit is too bad and
when it settles down behind the scenes and stabilises a bit more then things
will improve.'
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What the hell is happening at West Ham? - the Spoiler
August 28th, 2008 · 8 Comments
We're used to seeing Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle fans sharpening their
knives, taking their tops off and turning on their managers at the drop of a
hat, but West Ham fans always seemed a bit more tolerant.
Their conga when 3-0 down at Manchester City showed a decent sense of humour
and lack of ego, but last night you'd be forgiven for thinking they were
cheering on Macclesfield, such was the venom they directed at their own
players and manager.
After all the rumours of the board selling players behind Alan Curbishley's
back and trying to force him to resign, the West Ham manager needed the fans
to get behind him, but, instead, the moment Macclesfield took the lead, the
crowd morphed into an angry mob, yelling to the man who kept them in the
Premier League and guided them to the top half that he was "getting sacked
in the morning".
Is he really worthy of the sack just three games into the season, especially
given that they've won two of them?
"The fans are brilliant when they are behind us, but they have to realise
the effect it has when they are not behind us," said a poignant Curbishley
after the game.
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London calling for Pandiani - Setanta
by Laurent Picard, 28 August 2008
Walter Pandiani, who has linked to Fulham and West Ham, is in talks with
Premier League clubs according to his agent Eugenio Botas. The Osasuna
striker has been told by manager Jose Ziganda he has not future in Pamplona,
as a consequence Pandiani has asked his agent to seek other opportunities.
The 32-year-old bagged six goals for Birmingham between 2004 and 2006, and
appears to be ready to return to England, after scoring only twice last
season in La Liga. The Cottagers and The Hammers are both believed to be
keen on securing the signing of the former Uruguay international. "We are in
talks with several English clubs," his agent Eugenio Botas declared. "A
decision could be taken at the weekend or next Monday. "We are going to wait
and see."
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Fans sing 'you're getting sacked in the morning' but Curbishley vows to
fight on at West Ham - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:48 AM on 28th August 2008
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley vowed to win over doubting fans after last
night's Carling Cup scare against Macclesfield at Upton Park. Hammers fans
were jeering Curbishley and sang 'you're getting sacked in the morning' just
before Lee Bowyer grabbed an equaliser to force extra-time in the
second-round clash against the minnows from League Two. 'What can I do about
it apart from win games and keep going,' said Curbishley. 'I've had this now
for a little while, I'll get on with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before.
'The disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go out and
perform. 'The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they have to
realise the effect it has when they are not behind us. It can all change at
the weekend.
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Pressure grows on Hammers boss Curbishley - metro.co.uk
Thursday, August 28, 2008
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley vowed to win over doubting fans after last
night's Carling Cup scare against Macclesfield at Upton Park. Hammers fans
were jeering Curbishley and sang 'you're getting sacked in the morning' just
before Lee Bowyer grabbed an equaliser to force extra-time in the
second-round clash against the minnows from League Two. 'What can I do about
it apart from win games and keep going?' said Curbishley. 'I've had this now
for a little while, I'll get on with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before.
'The disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go out and
perform. The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they have to
realise the effect it has when they are not behind us. It can all change at
the weekend.
'Football is a bit like this, you go through periods like this. It has
happened to other managers and happened a bit last year.' Macclesfield had
not scored a league goal this season but took a fifth-minute lead through
Gareth Evans and looked good value for a win before Bowyer struck.
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After Match Reaction - West Ham - The SilkWeb.com
Thursday 28 Aug 2008 09:01:05 by GaryJ
Keith Alexander was sent to the stands last night after he was left fuming
over Izak Reid's red card. Read what he, and under fire West Ham boss Alan
Curbishley had to say here...
Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander: "It was a scandalous, ridiculous
decision. It cost us the game. "Our performance did not deserve the referee
spoiling the game for us but you don't get those kind of decisions at places
like this."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley: "What can I do about it apart from win games
and keep going? I've had this now for a little while, I'll get on with it.
I'm a big boy as I've said before. "The disappointing thing is the players
are the ones that have to go out and perform. "The fans are brilliant when
they are behind us and they have to realise the effect it has when they are
not behind us. It can all change at the weekend. "Football is a bit like
this, you go through periods like this. It has happened to other managers
and happened a bit last year."
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Irons boss vows to beat the boo-boys - Guardian Series
8:56am Thursday 28th August 2008
ALAN Curbishley has vowed to stand up to the boo-boys and lead West Ham
United back to glory. The under-fire Irons boss has been forced to endure
murmurs of dressing room unrest, rumours of players being sold without his
consent and protests from sections of supporters in recent weeks. But
Curbishley, who insists he still has the full backing of the Hammers' board
and players, has come out fighting, insisting he will stand up and face his
critics.
"I just think that's it at the moment and what can I do about it except win
games and just keep going?" he said defiantly. "I've had this now for a
little while and I just get on with it. I'm a big boy, as I've said before.
"The disappointing thing is that the players are the ones who have to go out
and perform.
"When we're doing ok and the fans are behind us, they're brilliant, and
they've got to realise the effect it has when they're not behind us."
And Curbishley, whose side came from behind to claim a 4-1 extra time
victory over 10-man Macclesfield Town at a deserted Upton Park on Wednesday
evening, claimed that a Premier League win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday
would lift the dark clouds gathering over the Boleyn Ground. "You know, it
can all turn around at the weekend if we play well against Blackburn and get
a decent result. That's the way it is," he insisted. "Football,
unfortunately, is a bit like this. You go through periods of your career
like this. It's happened to other managers. It happened a bit last year and
you've just got to get on with it."
Curbishley, who has occasionally reacted angrily to criticism since arriving
at Upton Park in December 2006, also pointed to his managerial record as
reason to be optimistic. The 50-year-old led the Hammers to Premier League
safety in 2006/07 before guiding his injury-ravaged squad to a 10th place
finish last season. "For me, the only thing that's unfair is that we stayed
up and finished 10th and had all sorts of problems – that's the only bit
that I can comment on," he added before re-stating his intention to ignore
the jeers and lead the club forward. "I've looked from afar when the
spotlight's been put on other managers and wondered what it's like. "Now I
understand it. I'm vastly experienced. I'm not going to hide away and I'll
get on with it."
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Curbishley Backtracks on Craig Bellamy - Cmon Yu Irons
28 August 2008
Alan Curbishley has decided to allow Craig Bellamy to play for Wales… just
24 hours after telling Wales to forget about their skipper playing in next
week's World Cup qualifiers. Curbishley said Bellamy was will not be
eligible due to his fitness to take John Toshack's team into its opening
match against Azerbaijan and was shocked that Toshack had named the Hammers
striker in the Welsh squad. But Curbishley backtracked on that tough talking
yesterday when he hinted Wales could have Bellamy provided they were
"sensible" about it. Curbishley said there was even a chance hamstring
injury victim Bellamy would be back in action for West Ham against Blackburn
this weekend … a week ahead of schedule.
This post was submitted by James Mitchell.
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West Ham: Who is Lying? - Vital Football
Now the Anton Ferdinand transfer has come to a conclusion, both West Ham and
Ferdinand are attempting to look the innocent party. The club claim
Ferdinand turned down a new contract and thhy were forced to sell,
indicating Ferdinand's demands were too high. The player has said: 'I'd been
offered a new deal by West Ham but when Sunderland came in with a bid, that
offer was withdrawn.'
This is just another example of a club that is having real problems managing
itself, it's relationship with players, and perhaps more importantly, the
fans.
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Hammers boss grateful to old pal Bowyer - Guardian Series
8:53am Thursday 28th August 2008
WITH his team facing Carling Cup humiliation at the hands of League Two
Macclesfield Town and a group of fans telling him he would be "sacked in the
morning" one of Alan Curbishley's old guard came through when he needed it
most. The under-fire West Ham United manager has known Lee Bowyer since he
was an impressionable teenager at Charlton Athletic. Curbishley nurtured the
youngster through the difficult early stages of the his career, sticking by
him when the midfielder was banned after testing positive for using cannabis
in 1994 to turn him into one of English football's finest young talents.
Bowyer, like his manager born just a stone's throw from Upton Park in
Canning Town, responded by becoming a first-team regular at The Valley
before moving on to success at both home and in Europe with Leeds United.
And while the 31-year-old has arguably not fulfilled his undoubted
potential, Bowyer was back to somewhere near his forceful best in Wednesay's
4-1 win over the Silkmen, scoring a vital equaliser before inspiring his
side to victory in extra-time. "He was obviously really tired and asked to
come off halfway through extra-time but he didn't realise we'd used all of
our subs," explained Curbishley, who has had to deal with rumours of
dressing room and boardroom unrest in recent weeks. "Up until he took his
injury he had a terrific time (last season). "He'd got back into scoring
goals but he was playing with a groin injury that had to be sorted out in
the end and he missed the last two-or-three months of the season and really
had to start again pre-season. "He's had a lot of work and I think he's now
had two-and-a-half games and I'm pleased he's back."
Bowyer had scored four goals before a groin injury curtailed his season
following his sending-off in a Premier League game against Birmingham City
in February. And Curbishley clearly believes the former Newcastle United man
can re-discover that form again this term. "I know him very well and you
need a midfield player who wants to get in the box and he wants to get in
the box and he wants to score so it was a big plus for him," the manager
added.
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