Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Another home game next Saturday will give everyone at West Ham United the
chance to get going again
10.11.2008
Gianfranco Zola and his staff will be back down to work at Chadwell Heath
today fully focused on the visit of Portsmouth and the chance to return to
winning ways.
The manager said he would be working positively ahead of the weekend
encounter to reverse a run that has seen his team dominate the last two
matches away to Middlesbrough and then at home to Everton last Saturday only
to see victory turned into defeat. "I am going to be working hard during the
week," he said. "I have got a fantastic staff that I work with and we are
going to be finding solutions.
"I have had so many difficult moments in my career and never let my self
down. I am going to do the same. It is the only way I know how to react so I
am going to be looking for solutions, looking for things to improve. Maybe I
need to change something. I will try to find something that is good for the
team. Maybe I am not doing enough. But I am going to be reacting that is for
sure."
Zola, who will welcome back Carlton Cole from suspension next weekend, was
rightly delighted with much of his team's play, not least Freddie Sears and
Craig Bellamy, and Jack Collison's dynamism in midfield that culminated in a
goal on his first senior appearance at the Boleyn Ground after four run-outs
away from home. The 63rd-minute strike had looked like proving a winner
until Everton's three late goals came out of nothing to shock the home
faithful.
"Although they were very costly, it is very easy to only focus on those
[final] ten minutes and forget about the previous 80 minutes. I am going to
be looking at [what happened] but also pointing out some good things that
have happened." One notable negative was the early loss of key defender
Matthew Upson to a dead leg, although it is not thought to be too serious
and Zola made no excuses.
"We work together as a team," Zola added. "We will carry on." With just
three points separating half the division, victory against Portsmouth next
week could take the club up to tenth and just a point behind their visitors.
Along with Cole's return, there is hope as well that Valon Behrami and Diego
Tristan could be in contention, although Collison and Sears have given the
manager plenty to ponder.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Forest fixture for U18s
WHUFC.com
The Under-18s have been paired with Nottingham Forest in the third round of
the FA Youth Cup
10.11.2008
West Ham United have been drawn against Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth
Cup third round.
Tony Carr's team will make the trip to the east Midlands early next month,
with all ties to be completed by Saturday 13 December. The Academy director
said: "It is going to be a good tie for our players and exciting for them to
be involved. It would be nice to have a run this year in a cup which is the
most prestigious tournament of our season."
West Ham United were the last team picked out in today's draw, which threw
up a host of intriguing ties including Manchester United against Chelsea and
holders Manchester City away to Swansea. Last year's campaign ended at the
first hurdle, with the young Hammers losing 2-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Nottingham Forest compete in Group D of the FA Premier Academy League, under
former defender Chris Fairclough, with three wins and a draw from their
first eleven fixtures this season.
West Ham United have won the FA Youth Cup on three previous occasions -
1963, 1981 and 1999. The most recent success saw a 9-0 aggregate defeat of
Coventry City, when a team inspired by Joe Cole and Michael Carrick turned
on the style - particularly in the 6-0 second-leg win at the Boleyn Ground.
Only Manchester United and Arsenal with nine and six triumphs respectively
have a better overall record in the competition with West Ham United also
finishing as runners-up on four occasions. The competition dates back to the
1952/53 campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill named in national squad
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill has been called up for Australia's upcoming World Cup qualifier
against Bahrain
10.11.2008
Lucas Neill as been named in the Australia squad for the World Cup Asian
Qualifier match against Bahrain in Manama on 19 November.
The Socceroos captain will be looking to help his side continue their
excellent start to the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa. After wins against Qatar and Uzbekistan in their opening two
matches, Pim Verbeek's side will be hoping to extend their lead over
second-placed Japan at the top of Group 1, when Neill will be hoping to win
his 46th cap.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wales call up trio
WHUFC.com
Craig Bellamy, Jack Collison and James Collins have all been named in the
Wales squad
10.11.2008
Three West Ham United players have been called into the Wales squad for the
friendly against Denmark on 19 November.
Jack Collison - fresh from his goal-scoring home debut on Saturday - is
listed in manager John Toshack's squad alongside the experienced pair of
Craig Bellamy and James Collins. Bellamy will captain the side in Copenhagen
as they look to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 loss in Germany on 15 October.
Collison will be looking to win his third cap, while Bellamy and Collins
will be hoping to earn their 54th and 27th caps respectively.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez High Court case continues
By Simon Austin
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's battle to avoid a huge pay-out to Sheffield United in the Carlos
Tevez affair will continue in the High Court on Tuesday. An independent
tribunal ruled that Tevez, who is now at Manchester United, was not eligible
to play for West Ham at the close of the 2006-2007 campaign. The decision
left the Hammers liable for damages of up to £30m. The Blades want an
injunction to stop West Ham appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
(Cas). As well as ruling on Sheffield United's injunction, the court will
also give clarification on the findings of September's independent Football
Association tribunal. This could also have a large impact on whether Cas
will be able to hear the case. The hearing was held in private, in court 24
of the Commercial Court, before Mr Justice Teare. There is also due to be a
separate directions hearing, in which guidelines for the awarding of damages
to Sheffield United will be laid out. This will involve representatives of
the two clubs and the three-man panel that sat on the original tribunal in
September. The tribunal ruled that Tevez had not been eligible to play for
West Ham at the end of the 2006-7 season and that he played a key part in
the London's club's Premier League survival as the Blades were relegated.
West Ham have already appealed to Cas but must overcome two obstacles before
the case is heard in Lausanne. The first is obviously to overturn the
Blades' injunction, while Cas must also be persuaded that it has the
authority to hear the appeal. It is set to decide on this at the end of
November.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola to strive for answers
SSN
Hammers boss eager to address slump
By James Dall Last updated: 10th November 2008
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has voiced his determination to get
to the root of his side's worrying form. The Hammers suffered their fifth
Premier League defeat in six outings last Saturday as they surrendered a
one-goal advantage against Everton. Zola, who took over from former boss
Alan Curbishley in September, must now prepare his charges for Saturday's
clash versus Portsmouth and concedes he may need to alter his methods. "I am
going to be working hard during the week," the Italian said on the club's
official website. "I have got a fantastic staff that I work with and we are
going to be finding solutions. "I have had so many difficult moments in my
career and never let my self down. I am going to do the same. It is the only
way I know how to react so I am going to be looking for solutions, looking
for things to improve. "Maybe I need to change something. I will try to find
something that is good for the team. Maybe I am not doing enough. But I am
going to be reacting that is for sure."
Of the late defeat against Everton, he added: "I am going to be looking at
(what happened) but also pointing out some good things that have happened.
"Although they were very costly, it is very easy to only focus on those
(final) 10 minutes and forget about the previous 80 minutes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bowyer rues defensive frailties
SSN
Hammers must tighten up at the back
By Chris Burton Last updated: 10th November 2008
Lee Bowyer believes West Ham's leaky defence will continue to cost them dear
unless they can find a solution. A 3-1 defeat by Everton on Saturday
stretched the Hammers' winless run to six matches, a string of results which
has seen them concede 12 goals. They have failed to keep a clean sheet since
February and are in danger of seeing their European aspirations slip through
their grasp this term. Bowyer accepts that performances of late have not
been good enough, with the ongoing defensive frailties causing him the
greatest concern. "We should have beaten Everton 1-0 but the lack of clean
sheets means we have to score two or three goals to score to win and that's
not easy in this League," he told the Evening Standard. "We have to tighten
up as a team."
Despite suffering an alarming slump of late, Bowyer insists inexperienced
boss Gianfranco Zola is the right man to take the club forward as he has the
club playing in the right manner. "After we went in front (against Everton)
we felt we could hit them on the break with the pace and score another one,"
he added. "They nicked an equaliser though and it went downhill from there.
I don't think our confidence is low, though, because we felt we should have
beaten Middlesbrough last week and Everton. The way we're playing at the
moment is exciting. "We're moving the ball well and we've all got options.
We haven't had that for a while now. As an attacking player I'm enjoying
it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Don't Quote Me
Billy Blagg - Mon Nov 10 2008
West Ham Online
As I squashed onto the District line train after the match at Upton Park
last Saturday, I was alarmed to find that I was standing shoulder to
shoulder with an ageing Everton fan and his odd looking wife.
As a survivor from the Terrace Wars of the '70's where an area – be it
stand, ground or train - needed to be defended at all costs, I always find
it disconcerting to travel on the same mode of transport as opposing fans
and I'm still never certain how to act in their company. Mr Everton,
obviously mindful of my new 1958 Bobby Moore shirt chose to couch the wonder
at his team's win in guarded terms "How did we play so badly and end up
winning 3-1?" he asked. "I dunno" replied his wife sagely. I thought about
rephrasing the question "How did West Ham play so well and end up losing?"
The answer, of course, would have been the same…
I should be immune from the pain of seeing West Ham continue their unerring
knack of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but I never will, and it
never stops hurting when it happens. Fan feeling aside though, the effect of
defeat outside the terraces of Upton Park was bought home by an interesting
couple of conversations on Radio Five Live on Sunday morning.
Gareth Southgate was explaining how the 1-1 draw against the Hammers the
previous Sunday, in a match which mirrored the Everton game in that the
opposition had been pretty much outplayed, had transformed the training
ground during the week. "It put us in the top half of the table instead of
the bottom and we knew we could push on from there" the Boro manager said
"It buoyed us up for the next game". This, of course, was prior to
Middlesbrough's shock win at Aston Villa on Sunday that moved the Smog
Monsters up to a heady 8th place.
Of more interest to the Hammers should be Hull City's impressive boss, Phil
Brown. Brown admitted that Hull had a points target after a dozen games that
they had pretty much exceeded but, in view of the way the league was
shaping, the coaching staff was reviewing the game plan month by month as
"it looks likely that 40 points may not be enough to keep someone up this
season".
Brown also spoke about the psychological aspects of losing at home to
Bolton. It gave Wanderers confidence as they move further away from the
bottom three while Brown was intent on stopping the rot on his own side as
"once confidence was lost it becomes hard to get it back". Brown's belief in
the mental side of the game was evident with him referring to sporting
characters with huge mental strength and how that dominates their ability to
see their particular sport.
Some Naysayers got a good deal of stick on WHO the other week when they
suggested that West Ham were already embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
Phil Brown's comments, when his team sit an impressive 6th having garnered
20 points already, suggests that some of those 'knee-jerk pessimists' may
have their finger a little tighter on the pulse.
Now this isn't an alarming 'Don't Panic' response to the appointment of
Gianfranco Zola but some things need to be faced. I've already expressed
concern at Gianfranco's alarming habit of smiling and talking up the
opposition when his own team have been pummelled as they were at Old
Trafford a few weeks back. That smacks of a lack of experience – which, of
course, no-one can deny – and worries me if we can't play our way out of
trouble.
I'm of an age where I think there shouldn't be a divine right for so-called
bigger teams (?) to be handed three points but, having said that, I've
noticed so many people here saying 'we won't get anything there / against
them' and, if we all take that attitude, then we can already write off
another 18 points this season. I hate to mention this but it was an attitude
that Spurs decided not to take when they played Arsenal and Liverpool in
consecutive games.
The losses against West Brom and Bolton are now looking like really bad
results and dropped points against Boro, Everton and Hull – games we played
well in and should have got something from – have already made life
difficult. I would suggest that five of those six teams are sides we should
be looking to finish above.
Our inability to keep a clean sheet is now seriously jeopardising our
chances of staying in the Premiership let alone finishing in the top half
but, with Icelandic funds frozen, Zola can't even think about bringing in
some embittered Italian World Cup defender come January unless he sells
first. A couple of top-class defenders are surely the minimum we need in the
New Year but, out of all the clubs in the Premiership, we may be the only
ones who can't buy in the transfer window with impunity.
If we have to sell to buy then serious considerations needs to be given to
what assets we can afford to let go. Rest assured no-one is going to give us
£6 for Lee Bowyer or Calum Davenport so it's hard to see where the money is
going to come from unless someone like Green or Bellamy is allowed to go.
Sure there are some exciting kids coming through but I don't see any real
replacements for an Upson or a Neil. I find myself wishing we had the money
back for Julien Faubert and Luis Boa Morte but a quick glance at the squad
on Soccernet left me puzzling as to who most of the players are and what we
can expect from them.
I can understand that when Bjorgolfor Gudmundsson looks at the training
ground he appears to see a large, strong squad of seasoned professionals
with designs on his ever-dwindling bank balance but when I look at it I see
a weak, injury prone crop of nomads -although I'd have to agree about the
drain on 'golfor's bank balance.
Zola has a massive job coming up. If the club isn't bought by some
South-East Asian despot and he has no finances to fall back on then he has
to get rid of the deadwood for as much money as he can, possibly be prepared
to sacrifice a few stars and bring in some seasoned pro's prepared to battle
it out as well as play the intricate patterns that we enjoyed – for the most
part – against Everton.
In the short term though, some mental strength is required to stop the slide
and also Zola needs to exert his reputation to tempt players to Upton Park.
Players who may not be so tempted to find their way to Hull, West Brom,
Wigan or Middlesbrough. It's in this area that Gianfranco Zola's reputation
as a top class manager will either be cemented or dashed.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Takeover our club!
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th November 2008
By: Kyle Marvell
Due to the recent 'credit crunch' there has been all sorts of speculation
over us being taken over by numerous oconsortiums. No matter how much Mr
Gudmundsson insists that we're not for sale and in a stable condition we all
know that we need a takeover to be able to compete with the likes of Aston
Villa, Everton and Man City. So what would a takeover do for the good of our
club?
We all know that a takeover could do us a world of good; we could have a
fresh start, clear our debts and also spend a bit of money. But would it
really be that simple? Our expectations when Gudmundsson purchased the club
were to sustain in Europe and become a big club - and look where that got
us.
If one thing's for certain, it's that we don't want another Eggert Magnusson
facilitating the best seat in the ground ; someone who came in all guns
blazing, spent millions on crocked players, their wages and then left in
controversial circumstances. What we need is a long term plan, one which we
could build on step by step and never look back. Forget 'Champions League in
five years', I would prefer it if we had lower expectations and slowly make
our way up season by season.
After Terence Brown departed we thought at last we will have a chairman that
will care for the club and not their own wallet. With all due respect, they
did splash the cash but it was the manner in which they did it that was the
problem. It's arguable that signing the likes of Boa Morte, Lucas Neill and
Matthew Upson made a difference in us staying up or not. But to give them
contracts that would send our wage bill sky-high wasn't the sort of long
term plan that would see us in Europe. In staying up we thought we could buy
some quality players and push on; I'm still waiting for those two world
class players to arrive. Instead we chose a number of injury prone players
such as Bellamy, Parker and Dyer whom I and many other West Ham fans don't
even think of being a West Ham player.
There have been a number of rumours that may or may not be true like the
Zabeel Investments interest. The company, which is Dubai-based were said to
be interested in making a bid for the club in early October but denied their
interest and continued their pursuit of Charlton. There have also been
rumours of Kia Joorabchian having another go at putting another
controversial bid in for us. When I first heard of this, the first thing I
thought of was the 06/07 season when so much controversy happened. This
season seems to be shaping up like then one two seasons ago, but whether
that will be a bad thing we're yet to find out.
But this season is looking bleak: no clean sheet, not a win in sight and a
possible relegation battle to consider. Now who would want to buy a club
which looks likely to go down? If you now look at this season in
perspective...it doesn't look good. We need a reality check, but would a
takeover be that reality check? It could maybe turn events even worse.
The worst thing in a football club would be unsettling the players and the
staff, and that could well happen if a takeover were to occur halfway
through the season. But then again whoever decides to take over this great
club might give the players a reason to start winning games, if only there
were clauses in footballer's contracts to cut down their wages if they were
playing poorly. That would buck their ideas up. At the end of the day, all
that most footballers care about is their salary. It's about time someone
came in and taught them a lesson or two.
So whether we get taken over or not we know it's going to be a tough old
ride this season. We can thrive on controversy, we can thrive on failure but
Eggert and co have left us in a complicated situation. The board over the
years have been a problem, and a takeover could be the answer were all
looking for.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chief executive gives e-mail assurances to West Ham staff
By NEIL ASHTON Last updated at 11:05 PM on 10th November 2008
Daily Mail
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury took the unprecedented step of
e-mailing his entire staff last Friday to assure them that the club's
financial future is in safe hands. In the circular, passed anonymously to
Sportsmail, Duxbury claims these are 'exciting times' to be part of the
club. However, the Hammers are privately encouraging potential investors to
save them from financial meltdown after their Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson was threatened with bankruptcy. And following the 3-1 home
defeat to Everton, Gianfranco Zola's side are 14th, just two points off the
bottom of the Premier League table.
In the e-mail, Duxbury says: 'I would like to assure you personally that we
are a strong, financially sound and well-run football club, capable of
competing at the highest level. 'As can be seen through the good football
being played on the pitch and the talented squad at Gianfranco Zola's
disposal, these are exciting times to be a part of West Ham United. Long may
that continue.'
West Ham insist that jobs are not at risk and that Duxbury was merely
reflecting the financial situation at the club according to the latest
accounts. Meanwhile, West Ham's legal battle against Sheffield United over
the Carlos Tevez affair will continue in the High Court on Tuesday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham are financially strong, claims chief executive
Dominic Fifield guardian.co.uk,
Tuesday November 11 2008 00.01 GMT
The Guardian, Tuesday November 11 2008
The West Ham United chief executive, Scott Duxbury, has been moved to issue
reassurances to all members of staff at the Premier League club that despite
the financial pressures currently being placed on the owner, Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, and the team's poor run of form, all is rosy on and off the
pitch at Upton Park.
Duxbury sent an internal email shortly after the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough
earlier this month in which he insisted the club was "strong, financially
sound and capable of competing at the highest level", a rallying cry that
appeared somewhat hollow after the team lost 3-1 at home to Everton last
weekend, a result that has left them just two points from the bottom.
"As can be seen through the good football being played on the pitch and the
talented squad at Gianfranco Zola's disposal, these are exciting times to be
a part of West Ham United," wrote Duxbury. "I would like to also assure you
personally that we are a strong, financially sound and well-run football
club, capable of competing at the highest level. We are planning for future
success and key to this is the work behind the scenes that goes on every day
in every department of the club."
The chief executive expressed similar sentiments in a statement published on
the club's official website last Friday in which he insisted it was
"business as usual" while admitting the current economic climate had
affected them. Gudmundsson, who became West Ham's sole owner when he bought
out the former chairman Eggert Magnusson's 5% stake last December, has been
under pressure since the collapse of Landsbanki, of which he was a major
shareholder.
It is understood that his main business in Iceland, Samson Holdings, is also
in severe difficulties and has filed for bankruptcy, while another of his
companies, Elmskip, lent the XL travel company £150m only to see the club
sponsors collapse.
Confidence within the West Ham hierarchy regarding Gudmundsson's strength to
survive the credit crunch has waned in recent days, though there is
confidence that the club remains an attractive proposition to potential
investors given it is not loaded with debt, retains its Premier League
status and is located in London.
However, any buyers may prefer to wait for an outcome in the ongoing Carlos
Tevez case which could result in compensation of up to £30m being paid to
Sheffield United. The Championship club went to the high court yesterday to
obtain an injunction stopping West Ham from appealing to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport after an independent tribunal ruled in September that
Tevez had not been eligible to play towards the end of the 2006-07 season.
As well as ruling on United's injunction the court will also give
clarification on the findings of that tribunal, with a decision expected
today.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers D-day over Tevez affair
The Sheffield Star
Published Date: 11 November 2008
WEST Ham should discover today whether they will have to accept defeat in
their legal battle against Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.
The Blades are seeking a permanent injunction to prevent West Ham taking an
appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. If the High
Court rule in Sheffield United's favour, it spells the end of West Ham's
legal challenge and the club would have to face up to a hefty compensation
bill - the Blades are claiming up to £50million. If the Hammers win, then
another round of legal wrangling will take place as CAS decide whether they
have jurisdiction over the case. A West Ham defeat would also have
implications for the price Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson can expect
if, as now seems very likely, he decides to sell the club. An independent
arbitration panel ruled in September that Tevez should not have been
permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, where the
Argentina striker helped West Ham avoid relegation - Sheffield United were
relegated instead. West Ham have always argued they had already been
punished by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - and were
merely following league instructions. The arbitration panel decided,
however, the Hammers had not abided by their pledge to end all third-party
agreements in relation to Tevez and found in favour of Sheffield United.
West Ham have since tried to appeal to CAS, but have so far been unable to
secure a decision that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case. If
West Ham lose the High Court ruling, their lawyers will seek to minimise
damages by scrutinising every detail of Sheffield United's compensation
claim. It would be unlikely a final figure would be decided before February.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez compensation decision due
Updated 08.34 Tue Nov 11 2008
ITN.com
Sheffield United are waiting for a legal decision that could force West Ham
to compensate them for the Carlos Tevez transfer. The Championship club are
seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent West Ham taking an appeal
to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. It is unlikely the
clubs will thrash out a final compensation figure until the new yearIf the
injunction is granted, West Ham will be forced to pay and the bill could
reach £30 million to cover the revenue Sheffield United lost because they
were relegated from the Premier League in 2007 while the London club stayed
up with Tevez in their team even though they had breached rules in signing
him. In September, an independent arbitration panel ruled Tevez should not
have been allowed to play and West Ham should pay compensation. West Ham
want to challenge that ruling but Sheffield United insist both clubs must
abide by the decision because they agreed to enter arbitration.
Even if an injunction is granted, it is unlikely the clubs will thrash out a
final compensation figure until the new year.
© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights rese
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Court to rule in Tevez affair today
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Metro.co.uk
West Ham should discover today whether they will have to accept defeat in
their legal battle against Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.
The Blades are seeking a permanent injunction to prevent West Ham taking an
appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. If the High
Court rule in Sheffield United's favour, it spells the end of West Ham's
legal challenge and the club would have to face up to a hefty compensation
bill - the Blades are claiming up to £50million. If the Hammers win, then
another round of legal wrangling will take place as CAS decide whether they
have jurisdiction over the case. A West Ham defeat would also have
implications for the price Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson can expect
if, as now seems very likely, he decides to sell the club. An independent
arbitration panel ruled in September that Tevez should not have been
permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, where the
Argentina striker helped West Ham avoid relegation - Sheffield United were
relegated instead. West Ham have always argued they had already been
punished by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - and were
merely following league instructions. The arbitration panel decided,
however, the Hammers had not abided by their pledge to end all third-party
agreements in relation to Tevez and found in favour of Sheffield United.
West Ham have since tried to appeal to CAS, but have so far been unable to
secure a decision that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case. If
West Ham lose the High Court ruling, their lawyers will seek to minimise
damages by scrutinising every detail of Sheffield United's compensation
claim. It would be unlikely a final figure would be decided before February.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham go for Bolton keeper Al Habsi
11.11.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is chasing Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper
Ali Al-Habsi. The Oman international is highly-rated in England, but knows
he has little first team future at Bolton due to the outstanding Jussi
Jaaskelainen being in front of him. Zola is keen to bring Al-Habsi to
London when the winter market opens in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Posts
