All the action as West Ham United entertained Tottenham Hotspur in the
Barclays Premier League
23.08.2009
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
Sunday 23 August
Kick-off: 1.30pm
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Full-time - West Ham United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
96 mins - Just a shade after the clock ticks past 95 minutes played, the
referee brings proceedings to an end. West Ham will feel hard done-by after
that. They played very well in patches without converting their chances. It
is just 52 hours until kick-off against Millwall in the Carling Cup second
round, so the Hammers will get the chance to put this defeat to the back of
their minds very quickly.
94 mins - Defoe is the player replaced. Naughton comes on for his Spurs
debut.
93 mins - I would think we're going to have a bit more than four minutes of
added-time after all that messing about. Cole gives away a free-kick for a
foul on King. We're into the fourth minute of time added on. How much more
will Clattenburg add? Spurs are going to bring on summer signing Kyle
Naughton the next time there is a stoppage.
91 mins - An off-the-ball incident involving Faubert and Defoe leaves the
striker on the ground. Clattenburg takes his time before calling over the
Frenchman for a talking to before showing him the yellow card.
90 mins - Cole holds off the challenge of Bassong and shoots from 30 yards,
but the ball flies wide. West Ham have had their chances in this second
half, that's for sure. Four minutes of added time will be played.
89 mins - Collison is off. Frank Nouble is on.
88 mins - Collison comes within a whisker of snatching a point for the
Hammers, controlling the ball on his chest and bursting between King and
Bassong, but he cannot get any power on his shot and Cudicini falls on the
ball.
87 mins - Another effort from distance, this time from Kovac, sails high and
wide. West Ham are running out of time...
86 mins - Spurs make a second substitution. Modric is replaced by Jamie
O'Hara.
85 mins - Defoe tests Green with a low shot that the England goalkeeper can
only turn aside. Green shows bravery to scramble across and block Crouch's
follow-up effort out for a corner. Modric takes, but Assou-Ekotto's shot is
a pea-roller,
84 mins - West Ham win a corner on the left. Noble runs across to take it.
Meanwhile, Zavon Hines is ready to come on, with Scott Parker the man to be
replaced.
83 mins - Noble lets fly from all of 30 yards, but the ball ends up about 20
rows back in the Bobby Moore Stand. Spurs break and Defoe plays in Lennon,
but his cut-back is behind Crouch.
81 mins - Defoe and Crouch combine to find Lennon again, but this time
Spector gets in a block and Green gathers the bouncing ball.
80 mins - Having gone ahead for the first time, Spurs make their first
change, with Peter Crouch coming on for Keane. King has taken over as
captain.
79 mins - GOAL! Spurs take the lead courtesy of Lennon, who took advantage
of a slip from Spector before shooting low across Green and into the far
corner.
78 mins - Jimenez is the man to make way, and Kovac is on.
77 mins - Kovac is stripped and ready to come on for his first appearance as
a permanent West Ham player. A repeat of his 35-yard special at Everton in
May would be very welcome.
75 mins - It looks like Kovac is going to be the first substitute to enter
the fray. Zola has just called him back to the dugout. Jimenez could be the
man to be replaced. The Chilean just received some running repairs on the
touchline.
74 mins - It looks like I was wrong about Hutton. He's sat down again! Defoe
skips past three challenges before shooting from 20 yards, but Spector
blocks his effort.
72 mins - Superb from Cole again. He gathers Noble's pass and beats
Assou-Ekotto before lashing a low, left-foot shot that fizzes past the far
post with Cudicini beaten.
71 mins - No changes from either manager as yet. Spector concedes a needless
corner with a weak header. Modric takes and Cole heads powerfully clear. It
looks like Spurs are going to bring on Alan Hutton.
69 mins - Cole tries to out-muscle Bassong and forces the Frenchman into
conceding a corner. Noble lofts the ball to the far post and Jimenez rises
like a salmon to nod the ball goalwards, only for Cudicini to plunge to his
right and push the ball around the post. The second corner is cleared.
68 mins - It's all gone a little bit quiet after the excitement of the two
goals earlier. Both teams look a little bit edgy, desperate to avoid what
would be their first defeat of the new season.
65 mins - Lennon twists and turns as he tries to get a cross in, but Parker
snuffs out the danger. Corluka takes the throw-in, but is flagged for a
foul-throw! How often do you see that in the Barclays Premier League?
63 mins - Faubert flies in to win a challenge with Assou-Ekotto. The
Frenchman has done a decent job at right-back again today. Spurs have a
corner, but the Hammers clear the ball with ease. Collison bursts clear but
is brought down by Huddlestone, who is booked.
60 mins - Jimenez loses Assou-Ekotto with a neat drop of the shoulder and
gets into the penalty area before going down. Referee Clattenburg
emphatically waves away the home fans' protests. Jimenez is not finished
though and dribbles past two challenges before finding Collison, but the
Welshman's shot hits Bassong.
58 mins - A quick throw-in from Huddlestone finds Keane, who lofts the ball
out wide to Lennon. The winger beats Spector and flashes in a cross that
Green can only help on its way. Moments later, Lennon gets past the American
again and lifts the ball to the back post, where Modric can only head into
the side-netting.
57 mins - Defoe is on white-hot form this season. He's scored six goals in
his last four matches. Meanwhile, Noble comes close, but his poked shot hits
Bassong.
54 mins - GOAL! Maybe not. Cole turns from hero to villain, inexplicably
passing the ball to Defoe on the edge of the West Ham penalty area. The
in-form striker turns and bangs the ball past Green before anyone can blink.
Spurs are level and Cole has his hands on his head.
54 mins - Harry Redknapp has never managed a losing side against West Ham
since his departure from the Boleyn Ground. Could that record be about to
change this afternoon?
52 mins - Spurs try to hit back immediately, but West Ham stand firm. First,
Spector clears from Modric, then Collins does well to block Palacios' shot
with his head.
49 mins - GOAL! Cole scores an absolute belter. Spurs failed to clear the
ball and the England man nipped in with his back to goal, controlled the
ball and belted an unstoppable left-foot half-volley past Cudicini from just
outside the penalty area. That was an outstanding strike.
48 mins - A loose pass from Huddlestone hands West Ham a throw-in deep in
Spurs territory. The ball is worked back to Faubert, who whips in a superb
cross that curls and bounces and eludes absolutely everyone.
46 mins - Spurs get us underway. West Ham win possession and Noble's lofted
pass sends Parker clear. Stanislas is unmarked in the centre, but the
midfielder cannot find him with a pass and Tottenham clear.
Both teams are back out on the pitch in the east London sunshine. Who is
going to nick the three points in front of the 33,095 fans inside the Boleyn
Ground?
Half-time - West Ham United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
47 mins - West Ham are finishing the half by far the stronger of the two
sides, but the whistle is blown before they can turn that ascendancy into
goals.
45 mins - Spurs nearly pay for playing with ten men. Collins finds Stanislas
with a wonderful cross-field pass. The winger skips past Corluka and races
into the box, rolling the ball past Cudicini and seemingly into the path of
Cole, but the striker cannot apply the finishing touch and the ball rolls
across the six-yard box to safety. We're going to have two added minutes.
Assou-Ekotto is finally back in the action.
44 mins - Assou-Ekotto has three physios working on him on the sideline.
Palacios has dropped in at left-back, with Keane in central midfield.
42 mins - Parker and Assou-Ekotto collide in the midfield, leaving both
players clutching their left legs. Parker stays on his feet, while the Spurs
full-back is rolling around on the turf. The Cameroon international heads
off to the touchline after a period of treatment. I'm not sure he's going to
be able to carry on.
40 mins - Aside from a couple of long-range efforts, neither goalkeeper has
had a huge amount of work to do. King's header was the closest either side
has come to breaking the deadlock as we enter the closing stages of the
first half.
38 mins - The Hammers are working their way back into the game. Faubert
crosses from the right and Jimenez goes up with Corluka. The Chilean wins
the ball, but his header flies wide of the far post.
37 mins - A fantastic block from King is the only thing between Jack
Collison and the opening goal of the game. Cole fashioned the chance,
holding off King and Bassong after the pair had left Green's long clearance
to each other.
34 mins - Bassong rises highest at the far post, but can only glance
Huddlestone's free-kick wide. Spurs are right on top here. West Ham just
cannot keep the ball for any length of time.
33 mins - Another good chance for Modric after Huddlestone had robbed Noble
inside the centre circle, but the Croatian's shot is too close to Green.
32 mins - Scott Parker gets a loud cheer of approval after tracking back and
blocking Lennon's attempted cross. Spurs win the ball back and Keane finds
Modric, whose low shot bounces narrowly wide of the far post.
30 mins - Luis Jimenez is the first player to see yellow. He is booked for
blocking off the run of Assou-Ekotto wide on the left touchline. Modric
crosses and King flicks the ball on and over Green's head, only for it to
bounce back off the crossbar before Stanislas completes the clearance.
28 mins - Faubert concedes another corner by challenging Modric, but Cole
heads the resulting set piece clear. Spurs work the ball back into the box
and Bassong has a shooting chance, but he can only stab the ball harmlessly
wide.
26 mins - Another corner for Spurs. Assou-Ekotto sees his cross blocked
behind by Faubert. Modric finds Huddlestone, but his shot is blocked. The
ball rebounds to Keane, but he is rightly flagged offside before shooting
wide.
25 mins - This is a decent game now. First, King blocks Cole's shot, then
Jimenez launches a shot on the turn into the Spurs fans gathered behind the
goal.
24 mins - Lennon gets into the box and finds Keane. His pass ricochets to
Huddlestone, who catches the ball sweetly on the volley, but it hits Upson.
Seconds later, Huddlestone works Green with a skimming effort.
23 mins - Big chance for Cole. Spector's through-ball puts the England
striker clear behind Bassong, but he cannot divert the ball past Cudicini
and the chance is lost.
22 mins - Huddlestone's quickly-taken free-kick finds Modric, but he screws
his shot miles wide of the target. Robert Green, complete with a new
crewcut, boots the ball clear from the resulting goal-kick.
21 mins - Lennon and Palacios work well to fashion a shooting chance for
Defoe, but it is blocked by Upson. The game is really heating up, with
tackles flying in on both sides.
19 mins - Jermain Defoe is given a ticking off after catching Spector as he
attempts to clear the ball.
18 mins - Scott Parker has the first shot on target, picking up King's
clearance 40 yards from goal, trotting forward ten and letting fly with a
dipping shot that Cudicini can only gather at the second attempt.
16 mins - Both sets of fans are trying to inspire their teams with some
tuneful singing, but as yet we've not seen either goalkeeper worked. As I
type, Cole lashes a shot over after muscling his way clear of King.
13 mins - Corluka's back header is a little short and the crowd get excited
as Jimenez closes on Cudicini, but the Italian clutches the bouncing ball
safely to his chest.
11 mins - Carlton Cole gets a cheer after jumping into Cudicini as he claims
Corluka's defensive header. Moments earlier, Modric had seen another shot
blocked on the edge of the West Ham area. The game has yet to settle down,
but West Ham are definitely coming into it more and more.
9 mins - FInally a chance for West Ham to get the ball into the box as
Huddlestone fouls Spector. Stanislas crosses and Palacios heads out for a
throw-in.
7 mins - Modric's corner is flicked on by Spector and hits Clattenburg.
Spector clears to Jimenez, who dummies cleverly before colliding heavily
with Palacios. Both players need treatment from their respective physios.
6 mins - Lennon beats Spector and whips the ball in. Upson meets it, but can
only slice it behind for another corner.
5 mins - Modric's second corner appears to hit Collins on the right arm, but
referee Clattenburg immediately waves away any penalty claims. Assou-Ekotto
works the ball wide to Modric, whose cross is hacked clear by a diving
Upson.
3 mins - Julien Faubert bursts past Luka Modric down the right flank, but
his cross is too close to Carlo Cudicini. Moments later, the Frenchman fouls
Modric wide on the left. The Croatian floats over a free-kick and Collins
heads out for a corner. Modric crosses, and Collins heads out for another
flag-kick.
2 mins - Spurs have the first attempt on goal, but Robbie Keane's shot is
blocked before it can reach the penalty area.
1.29pm - The mascots line up for their traditional pre-match photographs
with the two captains and referee Mark Clattenburg. An announcement is made
that positive news has been received about the condition of Calum Davenport,
who was seriously injured on Friday night. The announcement is met with
spontaneous applause from both sets of supporters. Calum, of course, also
played for Spurs. West Ham are going to kick off attacking the Sir Trevor
Brooking Stand.
1.26pm - The substitutes are taking their places in the rather comfortable
dugout seats. 'Bubbles' rings out around the ground and here come the two
teams. The Boleyn Ground is alive with noise ahead of the first home match
of the new Barclays Premier League season.
1.23pm - Both teams have headed back to their respective dressing rooms for
their final pre-match instructions from their managers. The stewards are
erecting the Barclays Premier League sign on the pitch, which means kick-off
is rapidly approaching. I know I'm going on about it, but it really is a
gorgeous day here.
1.15pm - Academy goalkeeping coach Jerome John is filling in for Ludek
Miklosko this afternoon after the big Czech slipped a disc in his back in
pre-season. John also warmed up the two goalkeepers at Molineux eight days
ago, with Robert Green going on to keep a clean sheet, so West Ham fans have
nothing to worry about. A huge ESPN inflatable blimp is making its way
around the pitch carrying the slogan 'It's great to be here'. I agree. It's
a beautiful day for a London derby. 15 minutes to kick-off...
1.10pm - A couple of former Hammers favourites are back at the Boleyn Ground
this afternoon. Alvin Martin is part of the talkSPORT commentary team, while
Shaka Hislop is on a visit to London from his home in the US. Hislop works
as an analyst for ESPN in the States and, of course, the American
broadcaster is showing live coverage of today's game after signing a deal to
show 46 Barclays Premier League matches in the UK this season. West Ham are
already chalked in for two more live games, with the visit of Liverpool and
trip to Manchester City in September both being shown.
1.05pm - It looks like someone has told West Ham's players to wear white
boots this afternoon. No fewer than seven of the 16 outfield players
involved are sporting them. Julien Faubert, James Collins, Danny Gabbidon,
James Tomkins, Radoslav Kovac, Carlton Cole and Jack Collison are the guilty
parties. Incidentally, Scott Parker always insists on wearing completely
black boots when he plays. Very old school. The players break off from their
stretching to get involved in a game of keep-ball. On the big screens, Mark
Noble talks about last Saturday's 2-0 win at Wolves.
1pm - Half-an-hour to go until kick-off on a beautiful, sunny late summer
day in east London. Both teams are out on the pitch going through their
pre-match warm-ups. Sensibly, West Ham fitness coach Antonio Pintus is
putting the Hammers through their paces in the shade. Both teams go into
this afternoon's game with perfect league records. West Ham won their only
match at Wolves, while Spurs have swept aside the challenge of Liverpool and
Hull City. A win for the visitors would take them three points clear at the
top of the table, while a two-goal success for the Hammers would take them
into the top-four.
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola made two enforced changes to the
side that opened the new Barclays Premier League season with a 2-0 win at
Wolverhampton Wanderers eight days ago.
At the back, Herita Ilunga, who suffered a fractured jaw at Molineux, was
replaced by US international Jonathan Spector. Further forward, muscle
injury victim Kieron Dyer was ruled out, with Junior Stanislas taking his
place.
For Spurs, Ledley King was passed fit to play, with Scotland defender Alan
Hutton dropping to the substitutes bench and Vedran Corluka switching to
right-back.
West Ham United: Green, Faubert. Collins, Upson, Spector, Parker (Hines 84),
Collison (Nouble 89), Noble, Jimenez (Kovac 78), Stanislas, Cole
Subs: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Payne
Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon,
Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric (O'Hara 86), Keane (Crouch 80), Defoe
(Naughton 90)
Subs: Button, Hutton, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko
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Derby defeat for Hammers
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole's stupendous strike is not enough to hold off Tottenham Hotspur
at the Boleyn Ground
23.08.2009
Carlton Cole's sensational strike was not enough to stop Tottenham Hotspur
leaving east London with all three points. Cole gave West Ham United the
lead just after the interval with an unstoppable half-volley, only to see
Jermain Defoe equalise almost straight away. Both sides went all guns
blazing for the win but it was the visitors who were to take the spoils
after Aaron Lennon fired in the winner with 12 minutes remaining.
Gianfranco Zola was forced into making two changes to the team that
impressed in defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day. Herita
Ilunga was missing through the fractured jaw picked up in that game, while
Kieron Dyer was forced to sit out with a minor muscle strain. Their absences
opened the door for Jonathan Spector to come in at left-back and Junior
Stanislas on the left of midfield.
Before the game got under way, stadium announcer Jeremy Nicholas read out a
message of support from both clubs for defender Calum Davenport, who was
injured in an incident on Friday evening. The message was greeted with
applause from fans in all four corners of the ground.
After a cagey start from both sides, Cole gave a glimpse of what was to come
on 16 minutes he used his customary strength to out muscle Sebastien Bassong
on the halfway line. After racing into the Spurs half, he sent a thunderous
volley just over. Moments later, Scott Parker came even closer when his
effort from distance was just gathered by Carlo Cudicini.
The game was already being played in beautiful August sunshine and the
temperature on the pitch increased further with tackles flying in from both
sides. Scott Parker seemed to be particularly enjoying the physical side of
the game, making several bone crunching challenges.
Cole had the best chance of the half on 21 minutes when Spector threaded a
ball through Jimenez's legs and into the penalty area. The England forward
ran onto the pass but Cudicini got just enough on his poked shot to divert
it wide of the goal.
It was by no means one way traffic and the 33,095 inside the Boleyn Ground
were getting good value for money, with Tom Huddlestone launching a couple
of howitzers at goal, the second of which Green had to get down to his left
to gather at the second attempt.
Jimenez picked up his first caution in English football for a body check on
Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the left touchline. And from the resulting set piece
Luka Modric crossed and Spurs captain King sent a looping header that Green
could only watch as it hit the crossbar an bounced away.
Modric was looking particularly dangerous and his fast feet presented him
with an opening that he could only fire weakly at Green. At the other end,
Cole was leading the West Ham line with frightening tenacity. Indeed it was
his sheer persistence and strength that helped him hold off both Tottenham
central defenders before rolling the ball back to Collison. The Wales
international's low shoot seemed destined for the back of the net only for
Ledley King to make a superb last ditch tackle.
In the last minute of the half a superb run down the left from Stanislas saw
him dart past Corluka and roll a sublime ball across the goal that Cole was
just inches away from reaching.
The Hammers had finished the half on top and left the field to rapturous
applause from the home support.
The game then burst into life four minutes after the restart with Cole's
exquisite opener, which surely will be in the running for goal of the season
come May. Standing with his back to goal just outside the penalty area, the
25-year-old striker controlled a ball forward with his right foot and then
in the same movement swivelled and hit an unstoppable volley into the top
corner with his left.
But just five minutes later Cole's pleasure turned to pain as his attempted
pass back towards goal was intercepted by Defoe and he duly smashed the ball
past Green to get Spurs back on level terms.
The goal seemed to knock the wind out of West Ham's sails and Green had to
be alert to beat Modric's cross-shot away and the Croation international
headed wide when he really should have scored moments later.
The home support were adamant they should have had a penalty on 60 minutes
when Jimenez appeared to have been sent tumbling in the area by
Assou-Ekotto. Referee Mark Clattenburg was quickly on the scene and waved
away the howls for a penalty.
The Chilean was in determined mood and only a scrambling save from Cudicini
prevented his header from Noble's corner creeping in. Cole nearly grabbed
his second a short time later after once again out-powering Assou-Ekotto and
flashing a shot narrowly wide.
Radoslav Kovac was then introduced for his first taste of Barclays Premier
League football after signing permanantly from Spartak Moscow. The
impressive Jimenez, who appeared to have taken a slight knock, was the man
to make way.
Lennon delivered the sucker punch to the Hammers after beating Spector on
the left, the diminutive winger fired a low shot across Green and into the
far corner. Harry Redknapp swapped Robbie Keane and Luka Modric for Peter
Crouch as Spurs attempted to consolidate their advantage.
The Hammers desperately tried to get back into the game and threw on Zavon
Hines and Frank Nouble. The ploy nearly worked when Collison burst between
two defenders but could not quite get enough power to send the ball past
Cudicini.
Zola must now ready his troops for another red-hot London derby on Tuesday
evening, when Millwall visit the Boleyn Ground in the Carling Cup second
round.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
The manager said his side should take plenty of comfort from their showing
against Tottenham Hotspur
24.08.2009
Gianfranco Zola has praised his team after they edged in front against
high-flying Tottenham Hotspur only for the visitors to claw their way to
victory.
Having seen Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon capitalise clinically to wipe out
Carlton Cole's magnificent 49th-minute strike on the volley, the manager had
every justification for feeling the home side deserved more than they got
from what was at times a pulsating London derby.
Zola said: "A draw would have been the correct result. Until we scored and
when we scored, we looked in control of the game, so I thought we were going
to win the game. But that's football, especially when you play at high
levels, one mistake can be very costly."
The win took Spurs to the top of the table but the manager in particular
refused to blame Cole for his errant pass that led to the visitors
equalising his outstanding opening goal. "Carlton played an unbelievable
game," he said. "In the second half, on his own, and also in the first half,
he troubled their whole defence. For me, he played a great game and it was
unlucky that he made a mistake.
"He lost his concentration for a second and it was very costly, but that
doesn't change the story for me. He played a great game and, when he plays
like that, he plays such an important role for us."
Cole was disconsolate at the end but the manager was at pains to pick his
No12 up. "I told him to stop feeling sorry about himself. Yes, he made a
mistake for their first goal, but he created our first goal with something
unbelievable. He has to stop that.
"He made a mistake. He lost his concentration for a second and that will be
something good for the future. He will have to learn that if he wants to be
playing on a regular basis for the national team, he has to avoid those
blackouts. He knows, he's an intelligent boy, he is determined and ambitious
and he will learn from that.
"Tottenham are a very good team, they are playing well, they are well
organised and they have a lot of players who can change the game. That was
the story. We were standing up against them, then we made two mistakes and
they punished us. That tells you a lot about their team."
Zola, who confirmed that Dean Ashton was "still doing his rehabilitation" on
his long-term ankle problem, said Kieron Dyer had sat out with "tightness in
his muscle" and should be OK for Blackburn Rovers away on Saturday. Valon
Behrami and Terry Dixon are also set to train fully later this week meaning
the only other absentees are Herita Ilunga (jaw) and the long-term Luis Boa
Morte (knee), while Savio has been unwell this week.
Regardless of the squad situation, the manager felt his side more than held
their own against expensively-assembled opponents who have also seen off
Liverpool and Hull City this season. "That was the most encouraging thing
and that's what I told the players. We matched them in everything they did.
"In the first half they started very well and gave us difficulty. They were
in control of the game, but we stood our ground and kept our composure and
every time they had a chance, we had a chance as well.
"In the end, we were creating more chances than them, we got the goal and we
were controlling the game. Then we made the two mistakes, but what is
important is that we can face anybody and we can play at the same level as
teams like Tottenham. We just need to mature.
"The reason why the Premier League is considered so good around the world is
because there are such good players that when you make a mistake, they
punish you. That was the case. We will learn from this, trust me, and we
will get better and better."
Zola added that attempts to strengthen the squad were ongoing. "Defensively
we are covered. In defence I have eight players I can choose from. In
attack, I can only choose from Carlton Cole and myself! Sorry, with no
disrespect towards the young players. Obviously, we have two young players
who are doing well but they need time. We cannot pretend that they are on
the same level as the others."
Ultimately he would not be drawn on speculation about incomings and
outgoings, only to say that he would focus only on those he has available
for the immediate task in hand of Millwall in the Carling Cup second round
before the trip to Blackburn. "I have to make sure that everybody I have in
my team is used in the best way."
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Thoughts with Davenport
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has restated the support of everybody at West Ham United for
Calum Davenport
23.08.2009
Gianfranco Zola has reiterated the support of everybody at West Ham United
for Calum Davenport. The club received positive news on Sunday about the
condition of the 26-year-old defender, who received stab wounds in an
incident in the early hours of Saturday morning. Davenport's mother, who was
also injured during the incident, is recovering, while the player's
condition is stable following surgery on Saturday. Following Sunday's
Barclays Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur, Zola said the
thoughts of everyone in the dressing room were with the player at this time.
"I said it before the match that we are very sorry for what happened to him.
It's a terrible story. We imagine what he has been through and we are close
to him. Hopefully, he will get better very quickly. "The doctor told me that
the situation is stable and he's okay and, obviously, the situation will
become clearer in the next few days. For the moment, the situation is
stable. "Now it is important that he is alright. It was unbelievable when we
heard about it. You don't expect these things to happen, especially to the
people that you know. We are very, very sorry for him."
Club staff are maintaining close contact with the medical team treating the
player.
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Brookes the U18 hero
WHUFC.com
Tony Brookes ensured a superb start to the new season for Tony Carr's
Under-18s on Saturday
22.08.2009
Everton Under-18s 1-2 West Ham United Under-18s
A late Tony Brookes header was enough to give West Ham United an impressive
win on the opening day of the FA Premier Academy League campaign.
Brookes, playing at right-back, signed his first professional contract with
the club in the summer. His headed winner meant an excellent result from an
inter-group fixture that had seen the side travel up on Friday to Merseyside
to take on the Toffees.
In all, Carr's team play 18 games home and away against all of their Group A
rivals and then a total of ten fixtures against sides from Groups B, C and
D. Everton are in Group C, the same division as Stoke City who travel to
Little Heath this coming Saturday.
The young Hammers were raring to go on Saturday morning after an impressive
pre-season and applied early pressure before opening the scoring against
their hosts through Cristian Montano's tenth-minute goal. Everton were soon
able to level matters at their Finch Farm ground through Karl Sheppard but
when Danny Kearns swung in a corner five minutes from time, Brookes was on
the spot to claim the victory.
Speaking to whufc.com, Tony Carr said: "It was a very good performance to go
with an impressive result. We had a couple of Under-19s playing which you
are eligible to do and it was a great start for us. Everton are well
respected so we are delighted to get the victory."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1 - 2 Tottenham
Bbc.co.uk
By Mandeep Sanghera
Aaron Lennon kept up Tottenham's 100% start to the season as he grabbed his
side's winner at West Ham. Lennon cut inside defender Jonathan Spector and
angled a powerful left-footed strike into the far corner. West Ham had
taken the lead when Carlton Cole scored with a spectacular 22-yard strike on
the turn. But Jermain Defoe levelled when he smashed in after latching on to
Cole's horrendous backpass, and Lennon's late goal sealed three points for
Spurs. It is the first time in 49 years that Tottenham have won their first
three league games of the season - and during that 1960/61 campaign the
Londoners took victory in their first 11 games on their way to claiming the
old First Division title.
The win also gave extra credence to belief in some quarters that they are
good enough to break into the top four and challenge for a Champions League
place, particularly as they had to come from a goal down at Upton Park to
earn three points from a testing encounter. Spurs certainly had an air of
confidence and authority about them as they stroked the ball around trying
to unlock the Hammers defence but found their London rivals in resolute
mood. West Ham may be a work in progress and not as established as the
Spurs side but they have a similar style. Both teams like to pass the ball
around and complement some of their more cultured stars with a midfield
enforcer - Scott Parker biting into tackles for the Hammers and Wilson
Palacios doing the same for Tottenham.
Cole should have put the hosts ahead a lot sooner than he did but he had a
tame shot saved after being put through on goal - although there was a
suspicion he was offside.
Sebastien Bassong poked a shot wide at the other end, and Ledley King looped
a header against the crossbar from a Luka Modric free-kick as Spurs tried to
gain the upper hand.
King had to be at his defensive best to block a Jack Collison shot after
Cole had held the ball up and laid it into the path of his team-mate.
England striker Cole was producing a mixed performance and he left Hammers
fans shaking their heads when he failed to react quickly enough to tap in a
Junior Stanislas' low cross. But Cole struck a spectacular opener to atone
for that miss as he flicked the ball up and smashed in a shot on the turn.
The West Ham striker's effort would have impressed watching England manager
Fabio Capello, but he then ruined his performance with a shocking mistake.
Cole's misplaced pass put rival forward Defoe clean through on goal and the
in-form Spurs man powered in a shot for his fourth Premier League goal of
the season. Jimenez had a header scrambled away by Spurs keeper Carlo
Cudicini as the game opened up but it was the visitors who looked the more
accomplished. A feature of Spurs' play this season has been the way they
have applied pressure high up the pitch. And their pressure told when
Lennon, who had drifted in and out of the match, arrowed in a shot to put
Spurs top of the table on goal difference.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "When you play well and lose like we did
you are disappointed. "You can't afford to make any mistakes, especially
against teams like Spurs. "The first goal was a creation from Carlton Cole.
He made a mistake but he is an intelligent guy and I think it will make him
better in the future."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp: "To come back from 1-0 down, it was a big win
for us. "It's early doors and a great start but that's all. We just have to
keep going and see where that takes us. "We have Birmingham, Manchester
United and Chelsea coming up so we have got some hard games. It will be
interesting to see how we shape up."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola on ... Tottenham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd August 2009
By: Staff Writer
A disappointed Gianfranco Zola shares his thoughts on today's 2-1 derby
defeat - and updates us on the situation with Calum Davenport.
I thought a draw would have been the correct result. From what we saw, that
would have been the right one. There was a moment I was thinking the game
was over. Until we scored and when we scored, we looked in control of the
game, so I thought we were going to win the game. But that's football,
especially when you play at high levels, one mistake can be very costly.
That was the story. He [Carlton Cole] created that goal from nothing and it
a stunning goal, then he made a mistake. That is football. It's a pity
because it would have been a great result for us.
I said before the match that we are very sorry for what happened to him
[Calum Davenport]. It's a terrible story. We imagine what he has been
through in this moment and we are close to him. Hopefully, he will get
better very quickly. The doctor told me that the situation is stable and
he's okay and, obviously, the situation will be more clear in the next few
days. For the moment, the situation is stable.
Now it is important that he is alright. The rest will be decided in the next
few days. Now it is important that he is okay and not having problems. It
was unbelievable, I couldn't believe it when we heard about it. You don't
expect these things to happen, especially to the people that you know. We
are very, very sorry for him.
[to a question on Dean Ashton] As far as I know he's still doing his
rehabilitation. I'm hoping I can have him in my team because he's a player
who can make a big difference for us.
I hope he will be back playing for us. Until they tell me something
different, I am hoping in that way. I spoke to him sometime ago and he came
one day also to have training with us. As I said, I'm hopeful.
I rate Tottenham. I said it in the press conference before the game. I think
they can challenge the four teams at the top. There is no doubt they have
everything in the bag to be challenging at high levels.
It's a very good team, they are playing well, they are well organised and
they have a lot of players who can change the game. Today that was the
story. We were standing up against them, then we made two mistakes and they
punished us. That tells you a lot about their team.
Carlton played an unbelievable game. In the second half, on his own, and
also in the first half, he troubled their whole defence. For me, he played a
great game and it was unlucky that he made a mistake. He lost his
concentration for a second and it was very costly for us, but that doesn't
change the story for me. He played a great game and, when he plays like
that, he plays such an important role for us.
First of all, I told him to stop feeling sorry for himself. Yes, he made a
mistake for their first goal, but he created our first goal with something
unbelievable. He has to stop that. He made a mistake. He lost his
concentration for a second and that will be something good for the future.
He will have to learn that if he wants to be playing on a regular basis for
the national team, he has to avoid those blackouts. He knows, he's an
intelligent boy, he is determined and ambitious and he will learn from that.
That was the most encouraging thing and that's what I told the players. We
matched them in everything they did. In the first half they started very
well and gave us difficulty. They were in control of the game, but we stood
our ground and kept our composure and every time they had a chance, we had a
chance as well.
In the end, we were creating more chances than them, we got the goal and we
were controlling the game. Then we made the two mistakes, but what is
important is that we can face anybody and we can play at the same level as
teams like Tottenham. We just need to mature. The reason why the Premier
League is considered so good around the world is because there are such good
players that when you make a mistake, they punish you. That was the case. We
will learn from this, trust me, and we will get better and better.
[to a question on James Collins' future] I don't know what's going to
happen. He's played very well in the first two games and there is interest
in him from another team. I don't know what's going to happen with him,
honestly. All I am hoping is that we're going to get some support because
Carlton Cole is on his own. We'll see what happens. Yes, there is an
interest for James Collins, but I don't know what is going to happen.
There might be some needs like that. We will see. We are holding everybody
and we are trying get somebody. It might be necessary to do something, but
for the moment we are trying to hold everybody.
Calum's situation is different than Collins' one. Defensively we are
covered. In defence I have eight players I can choose from. In attack, I can
only choose from Carlton Cole and myself! Sorry, with no disrespect towards
the young players. Obviously, we have two young players who are doing well
but they need time. We cannot pretend that they are on the same level as the
others.
I'm sorry about the [Lucas Neill] situation, but it's a situation that I
don't understand and I don't want to comment on. I knew he was in talks with
West Ham, then I found out through the newspapers that he was in talks with
Galatasaray, and then I found out he was in talks with Sunderland. I don't
know what is going on. The only thing I know is that he is out and it is not
good for him.
I don't know. For the moment it is not our main priority. The position we're
looking for is not a defender but a striker.
[to a question on transfers] I would like to be very, very close, but
honestly I don't know. The club knows what we need and, to be fair, they are
trying everything they can to make this happen. All I can say is that it is
a pity because, potentially, this club can do very well. You saw it. If we
had just a little bit more than what we have, then this year we might be
challenging for the really important positions. I believe and I'm hopeful
that the people that own West Ham realise this and they can give us some
help.
He [Kieron Dyer] came off the other day because he had just tightness in his
muscle. It's nothing wrong and he should be available for the next league
game – not Tuesday.
What can I say? We're looking for strikers. I don't think West Ham is the
only team interested in Chamakh. There are a few teams interested,
obviously. I don't know what is going to happen. As I said, I am here and,
as far as I'm concerned, until I have somebody in my side, I have to make
sure that everybody I have in my team is used in the best way. That's what I
need to focus on. On the other thing, I am relying on the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 1 Tottenham 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd August 2009
By: Staff Writer
An understrength Hammers side slipped to their first defeat of the new
season thanks to a late winner from Aaron Lennon.
Gianfranco Zola's side, missing Herita Ilunga and Kieron Dyer from the team
that won comfortably at Wolves last week plus long term absentees Dean
Ashton and Valon Behrami took the lead through a wonderful Carlton Cole
striker before conceding two late goals to gift all three points to the
visitors.
A tense first half had ended goalless although Spurs went closest to opening
the scoring through a Ledley King header that looped over Rob Green before
clipping his crossbar on that half hour mark. At the other end, the closest
West Ham went to breaking the deadlock was through Scott Parker, who forced
a fingertip save from stand-in keeper Carlo Cudicini with one of United's
rare efforts on goal.
The game, which had been a decent spectacle despite failing to produce any
major moments of goalmouth incident exploded into life just four minutes
into the second half when Carlton Cole scored a goal even better than Mark
Noble's stunning strike against Wolves last weekend.
It was one of those rare moments when the crowd were universally stunned,
something notable by the reaction to the goal which contained an audible
'ooohhhhh' amongst the cheers - something last heard at the Boleyn when
Paolo Di Canio scored his volleyed goal of the season against Wimbledon
eight years ago.
Cole, picking up the ball some 25 yards from goal let the ball drop before
instantly unleashing a fierce, dipping volley that flew into the top
right-hand corner of Cudicini's net. It was not only Cole's first goal of
the new campaign, but surely the best he has ever scored - and is ever
likely to.
The goal was also the first in four attempts for Zola against Tottenham, who
had also seen his side suffer three defeats in three meetings prior to
today's meeting. However Zola's and West Ham's joy was to be shortlived when
hero turned villain just five minutes later as Cole, much to his obvious
dismay, played an inexplicable back pass straight to former Hammer Jermain
Defoe on the edge of the box which the in-form striker finished with some
aplomb to restore parity.
Thereafter either side could have snatched the win; West Ham were unlucky to
be denied a penalty on the hour mark when Luis Jimenez, who enjoyed an
excellent home Premier League debut was tripped inside the box by the vastly
improved Essou-Ekotto as the Chilean made his way towards goal. Dithering
referee Mark Clattenburg, who wasn't have the best of games as it was
presumably decided that Jimenez made a meal of the challenge - although no
yellow card was forthcoming which tends to suggest a lack of certainly over
his decision, which typified his afternoon.
Jimenez also went close nine minutes later when his header had Cudicini
scrambling at his near post to push the ball away with outstretched fingers.
However it was to be the visitors who went home with all three points when
winger Aaron Lennon made the most of a Jonathan Spector slip to fire across
Rob Green into his far corner just eleven minutes from time. Spector, who
had otherwise performed ably as cover for the injured Herita Ilunga at left
back was considerably unlucky.
Lennon's goal neccesitated a further change but Gianfranco Zola, bereft of
any real attacking alternatives due to a combination of injuries and the
board's failure to sign anyone other than the aforementioned Jimenez so far
during the summer transfer window was forced to introduce 20-year-old Zavon
Hines and 17-year-old Frank Nouble (one Premier League appearance between
them before today) in search of a late equaliser.
Not surprisingly that failed to materialise, but worryingly the sqaud's
frailties have already been exposed just two games into the new season.
Should the club fail to bring in any more new faces - or even worse, reduce
it further with a sale or two - it could prove to be a long, difficult
campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola eases Ashton fears
Hammers boss says striker is 'still doing his rehabilitation'
By James Dall Last updated: 23rd August 2009
SSN
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has played down reports suggesting Dean
Ashton could be set to announce his retirement from football. A report on
Sunday claimed the striker was ready to call an end to his career after
severely struggling for fitness in recent years. Ashton, who was linked with
a move to Stoke earlier this summer, has not played for the Hammers since
September 2008. Speaking after his side's 2-1 loss to Tottenham, Zola said:
"As far as I know, he's still doing his rehabilitation and I'm hoping to
have him in my team. He's a player who can make a big difference. "Until
they tell me something different, I'm hoping he'll come back." Ashton signed
for the Hammers from Norwich in 2006 for £7.25million and has made 46 league
appearances since the move, scoring 15 goals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola considers forward options
West Ham manager could sell defender to fund attacking signing
Last updated: 23rd August 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has confirmed he is in the market for a striker and could
sell James Collins after West Ham United lost 2-1 against London rivals
Tottenham Hotspur. Zola's side took the lead at Upton Park on Sunday
through Carlton Cole only for goals from Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon to
turn the game on its head. The Italian coach has been strongly linked with a
move for Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh, but Zola admits he faces competition
for his signature. He said: "I don't think West Ham are his only potential
destination. There are a few teams after him."
It is claimed that money from selling James Collins, who has been linked
with Stoke, could allow the Chamakh deal to go through. "There's an interest
in him (Collins) from another team, but that's all I know," Zola said. "In
defence we have eight players I can choose from. In attack, I can only
choose Carlton Cole or myself. We have two young players who are doing well,
but they need time."
Zola's side were also dealing with the shock of hearing defender Calum
Davenport was in intensive care after being stabbed in both legs. "We're
very sorry about what happened," he said. "The situation will be clearer in
the next few days. Now it's just important that he's all right. "We didn't
believe it when we heard. You don't expect things like this to happen,
especially to people you know."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Soaring Spurs nail Hammers
Rivals beat West Ham following Jekyll and Hyde display from Cole
By James Dall Last updated: 23rd August 2009
Man of the match: Aaron Lennon was a constant menace down the right for
Spurs and scored a stunning winner.
Save of the match: Carlo Cudicini made a couple of decent stops, the best of
which was a block from Carlton Cole after he'd been put through.
Goal of the game: Undoubtedly Cole's effort - a left-footed lash from
outside the area which left Cudicini with no chance.
Talking point: Just how far can Spurs go now that they've made their best
start to a season in almost 50 years?
Aaron Lennon helped maintain Tottenham Hotspur's 100 per cent start to the
new Premier League season as his late strike handed Spurs a 2-1 win over
London rivals West Ham United on Sunday. A flash of brilliance by Carlton
Cole followed by a moment of madness from the Hammers striker saw the
scoreline delicately poised until Lennon fired home left-footed with 11
minutes remaining. England international Cole broke the deadlock in the
second half with a sensational effort that left Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo
Cudicini with not a prayer. But then just five minutes later Cole turned
provider for the opposition as his perplexing pass-back fell straight to
Jermain Defoe's feet, allowing the in-form attacker to net his fourth league
goal of the term. And the comeback was complete in the latter stages as
Lennon cut in from the right before curling a wonderful effort into the far
corner to secure a third win in as many games for Spurs.
Since leaving West Ham, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has an impressive record
of getting results at Upton Park - but he does not usually need help from
his former club.
Redknapp has played down suggestions of challenging for the top four but
they now have three wins from three and the initial signs pointed to a more
comfortable win against Gianfranco Zola's men after defeating Liverpool and
Hull. Spurs enjoyed the majority of possession and looked dangerous going
forward, with Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green kept busy in the early stages
when Tom Huddlestone launched a fearsome drive towards the near post. Luka
Modric forced Green into a save at the near post and went wide, with the
Croatia playmaker also setting up the chance that saw Ledley King hit the
crossbar on the half-hour mark. Luis Jimenez was booked for a foul on Benoit
Assou-Ekotto in the build-up, with Modric whipping over the free-kick and
King's looping header bouncing off the woodwork. Sebastien Bassong also went
wide from another Modric free-kick - but it was not entirely one-way traffic
and West Ham had the clearer chances in the first half even if they had less
of the ball. Zola is desperate to buy another striker before the transfer
window closes but a shortage in attack is bringing the best out of Cole
going forward - even if he was guilty of a blunder for the equaliser. He
volleyed over early on after chasing down a long pass and juggling the ball
like he did when playing for England against Holland. When Spector threaded
a ball through and Jimenez intelligently dummied, Cole ran through and saw
Cudicini block his finish.
Cudicini had already been called into action when Scott Parker latched onto
a poor clearance and struck a 35-yard volley that had the Italian
shot-stopper scrambling across his goal-line to save. The Hammers had two
huge changes just before the break. King bravely blocked from Jack
Collison's shot after Cole held the ball up and pulled it back for the Wales
midfielder. Then Junior Stanislas was sent down the left with a 60-yard pass
from James Collins and the youngster carried the ball into the area - but
his dangerous cross was just too far in front of Cole. Cole broke the
deadlock four minutes into the second half with his unstoppable volley.
Despite his height, Jimenez managed to get his head on the ball, cushioning
it back to Cole 25 yards out. The 25-year-old took a touch before swinging
with left and sending his effort crashing past Cudicini. But the Hammers
striker went from hero to villain in the space of five minutes. There was no
danger when held the ball up near the halfway line but his pass backwards
turned into a perfect through-ball for Defoe. The former Hammers striker
accepted the invitation and lashed past Green for his sixth goal in four
games this season for club and country. Modric almost gave Spurs the lead
shortly after but headed just wide when Lennon found him at the far post,
while the hosts felt they should have had a penalty when Assou-Ekotto hauled
down Jimenez.
Defoe, in turn, thought he should have had a spot-kick when Julien Faubert
challenged him - but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on again. Cole,
looking to atone for his mistake, cut inside and went just wide with his
shot. Lennon's winning goal came with 11 minutes remaining. Spector lost his
footing when there was little danger apparent, with Lennon nipping in and
unleashing a drive into the far corner.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Tottenham Report
Vinny - Sun Aug 23 2009
West Ham Online
West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
New season, new optimism but same story when it comes to Tottenham as
individual errors gifted the north London side all three points. It all
seemed to be going our way when Carlton Cole scored a spectacular goal to
give us the lead but it would all turn sour as the half wore on and to have
left with not even a point is hard to take as we competed well for most of
the game.
Of course many of the same criticisms will be labelled at the team with the
quality and size of the squad coming into question and once again we would
see a couple of injuries make life very hard.
On the whole I was pleased with the performance against a very good
Tottenham side who really seem to have come together. The balance they have
in their side will make them a force this season painful as it is to say it.
The sun was beaming down on the Boleyn Ground for the first home game of the
season and despite there being an obvious number of supporters choosing to
stay away (the corners of three stands empty) the atmosphere come kick off
was electric.
Gianfranco Zola was forced to make two changes to the side who defeated
Wolverhampton last weekend. One of the changes saw Herita Ilunga missing due
to an injury he picked up in the Wolves game and he was replaced by Jonathan
Spector. This of course would see Spector have to fill in at left back which
was a cause of concern before a ball was even kicked.
The other change came in midfield with Kieron Dyer missing and replaced by
Junior Stanislas. Apparently Dyer was out with a 'minor muscle strain' which
I take as the same old story and I would expect to see this come about quite
a number of times this season with the fitness of Kieron Dyer.
With Spurs sitting top of the league having won their first two games it was
no surprise to see the visitors start well and for the opening ten minutes
it looked as though it would be a long afternoon as they looked dangerous
from the off.
Despite the territorial possession Spurs had we began to settle down and
look good on the counter attack with Cole using his strength to good effect
up against Ledley King and Sebastian Bassong.
Our first shot on goal saw Cole get in behind the defence but instead of
holding the ball up and having a look to his left where Stanislas would have
been in a better position he decided to smash the ball way over the bar. The
subject of Carlton Cole's decision making would be something spoke about
later on.
Stanislas had started the game on the left but had hardly had a kick and
went over the right hand side to see if he could find more joy.
Scott Parker saw his low effort made a meal of by Tottenham keeper Carlo
Cudicini with the keeper just keeping the ball out despite the shot having
little power or direction.
The game found its physical side around this time with Scott Parker of
course putting in the crunching tackles. This is something we simply had to
do given the power Spurs have in Palacios and Huddlestone.
Cole had a wonderful chance when he was played through by a delightful pass
from Spector but as Cole ran towards the goal the ball seemed to get away
from him and although he managed to poke the ball towards goal Cudicini got
enough on the ball to get it away from danger. Cole in my opinion should
have done better and I remember a few times last season when he went through
on goal he looked unconvincing.
A great effort from Huddlestone forced Robert Green to get down to his left
to save when the shot was destined for the back of the net.
When Spurs got in their stride they were a handful with the excellent Modric
finding lots of space on the left hand side. I felt we gave him too much
time on the ball and most of the danger came from when he cut inside and
played a ball into the feet of the strikers.
There had been a number of tough tackles and fouls which referee Mark
Clattenburg had let go without showing a card but when Luis Jimenez body
checked Assou-Ekotto on the left the he was given his first yellow card in
English football.
From that free kick Tottenham nearly took the lead as the ball played in by
Modric was flicked onto the cross bar by Ledley King with Robert Green only
able to look on.
Modric would be involved again moments later when it all seemed to open up
for him but his weak shot was easily saved by Green.
At the other end we should have scored when some great control and strength
from Carlton Cole saw the striker knock the ball back for Collison to have a
shot on goal but his effort was charged down when a shot on target would
have surely seen us take the lead.
With the half time whistle just about to blow we had our best chance of the
half when Stanislas (who by this time had moved back to the left) skinned
Corluka and burst into the area and his cross to Cole was missed by the
striker and the ball ran away when a tap in should have been the result.
The level scoreline at half time was a fair one with both sides having a few
chances. At this point it was still very difficult to call because I felt if
we could just get in front we would be on our way. That thought process
would be soon a fading memory by the end of the second half.
The second half would be an eventful one with West Ham taking the lead only
four minutes in. And what a goal it was.
I would go as far to say that we will not score a better goal this season
and the individual effort from Carlton Cole may well be our goal of the
season.
Cole received the ball, flicked it up and sensationally smashed the ball
from 25 yards out past Cudicini to send Upton Park absolutely wild.
There was a mixture of joy and shock amongst the crowd as Cole had hit
arguably the shot of his life. With Fabio Capello in attendance he could
have not failed to be impressed with the effort.
The place was buzzing and even with only a few minutes of the second half
gone thoughts of a victory over our rivals were entering my head which when
it comes to West Ham is always foolish but not even I could have imagined
that we would just gift Spurs equaliser.
I have to admit that at this point I was in love with Carlton Cole and could
even entertain the thought of having a caramel baby with him. But only five
minutes later I longed for a sniper rifle to take him out.
With things seemingly going our way the 'indestructible' Cole saw the ball
at his feet around the half way line point but with nothing on he turned
back to make the pass but somehow he managed to play a pinpoint through ball
to Jermaine Defoe who needed just a couple of touches before smashing the
ball past Green and making it 1-1.
Hands were on the heads of supporters and players alike with Cole looking
obviously distraught. James Collins was one of a few players to go up to him
and try to pick him up from this terrible error.
The goal killed us if I am being honest and the atmosphere dampened a little
and there was little spark within our side. But the players kept going the
best they could and it was around this point where a bigger squad would come
in handy because we needed something fresh to lift us.
Modric should have scored a few minutes later when a cross to the back post
found the Croatian unmarked but his header was poor and went wide when I was
bracing myself for a second Tottenham goal.
The Bobby Moore Stand were crying out for a penalty when Jimenez had burst
past Assou-Ekotto into the area only to fall down. I sit at the other end of
the ground and didn't think it was a penalty but I am yet to see the replay.
With just under fifteen minutes left Jimenez was removed by Zola and
Radoslav Kovac replaced him. It seemed that Jimenez may have taken a knock
but even so I was a little disappointed to see a defensive player take his
place with both Hines and Nouble on the bench.
One of the main concerns before the game had been the battle of Jonathan
Spector and Aaron Lennon. We know that on his day Lennon can cause problems
for the best of defenders and Spector was of course playing out of position.
But up to now I thought he had done well enough but Lennon would only need
to beat him once to make us pay.
And pay we did as Lennon took on Spector cut inside and hit a very good shot
past Green to put the visiting side 2-1 up with just over ten minutes to go.
The last ten minutes played right into Tottenham's hands with so many
stoppages. The only chance we had was when Collison beat two defenders in
the area but his finish was poor.
Hines and Nouble were introduced but could not get into the game enough to
make any impact.
Four minutes of injury time were awarded but there was to be no late rally
and no dramatic climax, instead we had Jermaine Defoe and Julien Faubert
having a minor altercation which somehow saw Faubert booked when it had
seemed as though it was Defoe who had committed the offence.
Now I am no fan of Jermaine Defoe and am happy enough to call him a cunt but
the small section in that corner of the West Stand and the Trevor Brooking
Stand who started singing that he should have died with his brother is
taking things way too far.
I try to not be one of those fans who have a go at things fans chant and I
have no problem with banter but really what has that got to do with
football? Wishing death on a footballer because he left the club you
support?
So as the final whistle blew the Tottenham fans celebrated and we were left
thinking of what could have been yet again as Tottenham continue to be our
bogey side.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Had to make some smart stops in the second period and some of those saves
really saved us. His kicking was largely spot on and this was a solid
performance from Green.
Julien Faubert
Still finds himself getting a little lost with regards to his positioning
but I can't really slate his performance as I thought he did well enough
throughout. Got forward well and we looked good going down the right .
James Collins
The recent transfer speculation seemed to have no effect on his performance
and he and Upson looked excellent up against two tricky strikers in Keane
and Defoe. I thought Collins got the better of Keane for most of the game.
Matthew Upson
Defoe may come out of this game with plaudits but let's be honest - he was
given the goal on a plate by Cole. Upson had the better of him all day long
especially in the first half when I even forgot Defoe was playing.
Jonathan Spector
I have seen people criticise his performance but for me no matter how good
or bad he may have played he is a right back playing at left back and that
alone should give him some breathing space from criticism because he
shouldn't be playing there at all.
Jack Collison
Anonymous for most of the game with a pretty tepid performance from the
young midfielder. Never got hold of the ball enough and when he did see
possession it was usually unspectacular. He is a clever player when he is on
the ball and likes to pass and move quickly but in such a congested midfield
this proved to be difficult.
Scott Parker
Another top draw performance from Parker as he was vital to us competing
physically with the Spurs midfield. He put in an excellent shift, went in
for those crunching tackles and played the simple passes keeping possession
in the process.
Mark Noble
Was not able to get hold of the game as well as he did against Wolves but up
against better opposition that was understandable. Still he played well and
always looked to move forward with the ball when he was in possession.
Junior Stanislas
One decent run late in the first half aside this was a pretty quiet
performance from Stanislas who I have no doubt will do well against the
lesser sides in the premiership but up against International class defenders
he looked a little out of his depth.
Luis Jimenez
On his home debut Jimenez showed some good touches and looked good going
forward. I still don't think he is fully match sharp but he is improving
with every game and if you think back to the Spurs game in China the man has
improved greatly. He will be a big player for us this season.
Carlton Cole
By now you will have made your mind up to what you thought of Carlton Cole's
performance. His goal was out of this world yet his mistake to gift Spurs
the equaliser arguably was the reason we went on to lose. He caused the
Spurs defence lots of problems, used his strength well and got on the score
sheet. It was a bad mistake but I think our only striker can be forgiven.
Subs Used
Radoslav Kovac (on for Jimenez 78 minutes)
Made no impact whatsoever and was the wrong choice to bring on. We did not
need to be closing the game out trying to gain a point at home to Tottenham.
Zavon Hines (on for Parker 84 minutes)
Never got the chance to make an impact.
Frank Nouble (on for Collison 89 minutes)
Like Hines he never got the chance to make any impact.
Subs Not Used: Subs: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Payne
Bookings: Luis Jimenez, Julien Faubert
Man of the Match: Scott Parker
Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon,
Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric (O'Hara 86), Keane (Crouch 80), Defoe
(Naughton 90)
Subs: Button, Hutton, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko
Overall
I would not look at things in the doom and gloom sense because despite
hating the fact that Tottenham continue to beat us you cannot fail to see
that they are a good side and have some very good players and so they should
given the amount of money they have spent.
We caused them a few problems and but for gifting them the equaliser I think
we would have gone on to even double our lead.
Being so early in the season the blow of losing the game is slightly
softened but this is not to say that I am not disappointed with how a second
half lead ended in defeat but there will be games that we play worse and
win.
This week simply has to see us bring in a striker and a right back because
this will be the difference between a decent season and a really good one.
Next Game - Millwall (h)
You're invited to Upton Park to have a row.
I can't wait.
Franco's Feelings
"When you play well and lose like we did you are disappointed.
"You can't afford to make any mistakes, especially against teams like Spurs.
"The first goal was a creation from Carlton Cole. He made a mistake but he
is an intelligent guy and I think it will make him better in the future."
Att: 33,095
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Zola warning to Cole
Teletext.co.uk
Manager Gianfranco Zola has warned West Ham striker Carlton Cole he must cut
out the "blackouts" if he wants to become and England regular. With Fabio
Capello looking on, Cole's spectacular volley gave the Hammers the lead over
Tottenham on Sunday, but his stray backpass gifted an equaliser to the
visitors who went on to win. Zola said: "He's intelligent, he is ambitious
and he will learn from that."
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Why blame Harry Redknapp when the buck stops in the boardroom?
By Martin Samuel
Last updated at 2:45 AM on 24th August 2009
Daily Mail
Portsmouth are in dire straits and we all know who is to blame: Harry
Redknapp. He spent all the money, you see. Won the first trophy of
significance since 1958 in the process, mind you, but now the club are in
trouble, Redknapp's regime is the one
under scrutiny. Emptied the kitty and then high-tailed it to Tottenham.
What a turncoat. What a rotter. There is one problem with that. Managers do
not spend money; chairmen and owners do. Managers ask and, beyond that, any
transfer is an executive decision. Rafael Benitez would love to buy more
players for Liverpool; the problem is, unless Tom Hicks and George Gillett
are amenable, he will be dipping into his own pocket.
Nailing Redknapp for Portsmouth's plight is also ungrateful because, if
anything, his greatest talent is making bad owners seem good.
Look at what he has achieved with Tottenham. This time last year, the club
were in jeopardy at the bottom of the league, as the time of Juande Ramos
stumbled to a close. The season before, the directors were caught on a
secret mission to Seville to lure Ramos after becoming disenchanted with
Martin Jol. After less than a year of Harry, however, Tottenham are
considered feasible top-four contenders and Daniel Levy, Redknapp's
chairman, looks like the brain of Britain.
It is a familiar story. Terence Brown, the former chairman of West Ham, was
hardly complimentary about Redknapp's transfer dealings after his departure,
but the manager who followed, Glenn Roeder, got the club relegated, and one
of the last signings made on Brown's watch, that of Carlos Tevez, was so
expertly handled it cost close to £30m in fines and compensation.
The fans at Portsmouth were chanting the name of Milan Mandaric, the owner,
when Redknapp was in charge. The club achieved their best league position
since 1956. Redknapp is not infallible, of course. He could do nothing for
Rupert Lowe at Southampton and was bright enough to accept that the lot at
Newcastle were beyond assistance. To blame him, in absentia, for the turmoil
at Portsmouth is unfair. All salaries and agents' fees would have been
authorised. If the financial plan did not work that is not the fault of an
employee. Indeed, Portsmouth were lucky to have Redknapp. Spending money is
no guarantee of success, after all. They could have bought and still won
nothing. At least in these hard times he gave them warm memories.
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Diamanti price-tag raised Monday 24 August, 2009
Football-Italia.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Livorno invited West Ham and Parma to raise their offers for star Alessandro
Diamanti. "So far the bids have been unsatisfactory." The trequartista is
hot property on the transfer market and has been rated at around £8m by the
Tuscan club. This week their directors confirmed negotiations with West Ham,
while the Ducali are also said to be interested in the player. "So far the
bids we received have been unsatisfactory," said President Aldo Spinelli
after last night's 0-0 draw with Cagliari. "I will not meet with the player,
that is down to our director of sport, Nelso Ricci. Diamanti needs to stay
calm, as he has a contract and just has to focus on his football. "As for
the rest, we will see how things pan out over the next few days."
The statements come just hours after a different version of events was
presented to the media by director Ricci. "On Tuesday Spinelli will meet the
player and his contract will be improved. This is a solution that suits
everyone," Ricci had said on Saturday. "I really think Diamanti is going to
stay with us this season."
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Calum Davenport on mend after stabbing
Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent
The Times
Gianfranco Zola expressed his confidence yesterday that Calum Davenport will
recover from his stab wounds and be able to resume his career at West Ham
United. The manager has spoken with Davenport's doctor, who performed
emergency surgery on the centre back's legs yesterday after he was attacked
at his mother's home in Bedfordshire in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Two men, aged 25 and 19, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted
murder.
Zola is hoping to learn more about Davenport's condition this week after the
player and his mother were stabbed by a knife-wielding attacker, who is
believed to have been known to the family. Davenport is in a stable
condition in Bedford Hospital. "We're very sorry about what happened," Zola
said. "It's a terrible story. We can't imagine what he has been through.
We're close to him. The doctor told me that the situation is stable and he
is OK. The situation will be clearer in the next few days. Now it's
important that he's all right. The rest will be decided in the next few
days."
Harry Redknapp also expressed sympathy for Davenport, the former Coventry
City and Tottenham Hotspur defender, whom he managed during a loan spell at
Southampton.
"I know Calum," the Spurs manager said after his team's 2-1 victory at Upton
Park yesterday. "I had him on loan, a lovely lad, inoffensive, and it's
really sad to see what's happened. Hopefully, they'll pull through. You
couldn't meet a brighter, more laid-back lad than him. It's really sad."
Davenport's ordeal could affect Zola's transfer plans because he had been
expected to move on before the end of the window, having failed to make an
impact during pre-season. Zola needs to sell to raise funds to complete the
£7 million purchase of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux and urged his
employers to get things moving.
James Collins is the player most likely to be sacrificed, with Aston Villa —
Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, was at Upton Park to watch the defender —
and Stoke City also interested. "I'd like to be very close to getting
someone in, but I don't know," Zola said. "The club knows what we need and
are trying everything they can. This club could do very well. If we had a
little bit more, we might be challenging for really important positions."
Zola also hopes that Dean Ashton recovers from ankle and foot injuries after
claims that he is considering retiring. "He's still doing his rehabilitation
and I'm hoping to have him in my team," the Italian said. "He's a player who
can make a big difference. Until they tell me something different, I'm
hoping he'll come back."
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Tottenham Hotspur go top of the Premier League with victory at West Ham
United
West Ham United 1 Tottenham 2Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent
The Times
If Harry Redknapp had enjoyed such outstanding results in East London while
in charge of West Ham, he would never have been allowed to leave and a
statue might even have been erected on Barking Road alongside that of the
club's World Cup winners.
Redknapp extended his 100 per cent record in the away dugout at Upton Park
to produce a picture that Tottenham Hotspur supporters will be tempted to
cast in bronze — the sight of Spurs at the summit of the Barclays Premier
League.
This was Redknapp's fifth successive win on his old stomping ground,
although a more telling statistic after Tottenham's third win in eight days
is that the last time they started a league campaign so convincingly, they
went on to claim the title.
The Tottenham manager usually needs little invitation to indulge in
hyperbole, but even he realised the folly in comparing his entertaining side
to the 1960-61 Double winners. As if to underline the point, Bill
Nicholson's team won their first 11 matches that season, a feat that is
likely to be beyond Spurs this year, particularly because they face
Manchester United and Chelsea in two of their next three matches.
"I wouldn't even compare ourselves to the 1961 team," Redknapp said. "That
was an amazing football team. They had Bill Nicholson as manager, Dave
Mackay, John White and Danny Blanchflower playing for them. If we're
anywhere as good as them, we'll be OK.
"It's just nice to get a good start as it gives you that confidence. If you
have a bad start, you never seem to move from where you are in the table. We
had a terrific run last year, but were still stuck in the relegation zone
after Christmas because of the start they'd had.
"Now the players must be looking at it wondering, 'Who knows what we can
achieve?' I'm not saying we'll finish in the top four, but we have good
quality and we'll give it a go. With a good start this year, there's a
chance we can do very well."
It says a great deal about the quality shown by Tottenham in the first nine
days of the season that this hard-fought win against an enterprising West
Ham side was probably their worst performance so far.
After overcoming Liverpool and overwhelming Hull City, the visiting team
looked decidedly leggy during the first half, but were fortunate to come up
against opponents who were considerably more hospitable than their
supporters.
Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon deserve credit for the clinical strikes that
secured the three points, although both were given their opportunities on a
plate after comical defending.
For much of the afternoon, Carlton Cole appeared destined to be cast as a
symbol of West Ham's potential and limitations — earnest and hard-working,
but with little end-product — which was precisely how it transpired,
although not in the manner that anyone could have envisaged.
The England striker gave his side a lead they deserved with a left-foot
half-volley in the 49th minute that will have been a welcome sight to the
watching Fabio Capello.
The England manager will have been less than impressed by the back-pass that
enabled Defoe to equalise five minutes later. As he put his head in his
hands, Cole will have hoped that Capello had left early for his second
engagement of the day: to watch Fulham play Chelsea at Craven Cottage.
A cynical explanation for the surprisingly sweet nature of Cole's strike was
that, with his back to goal, he had no time to think, a view supported by
his subsequent brainstorm.
Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, admitted that he had no idea what his
target man was attempting as he aimed a pass towards his centre backs from
near the halfway line, presenting Defoe with an opportunity to score his
sixth goal of the season, which he seized with aplomb.
Capello is famous for demanding that his strikers do more than score goals,
so he will have been pleased with Defoe's willingness to work off the ball
for his team-mates.
The Italian will also have noted Lennon's continued improvement as he
prepares to name his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Croatia next
month, with his match-winning goal crowning another mature performance.
The 22-year-old also enjoyed some good luck as Jonathan Spector slipped on
the edge of the penalty area in the 79th minute, although there was nothing
fortuitous about the finish, a left-footed curling effort as he cut in from
the right.
West Ham were unable to rouse themselves for a final assault after
dominating for so much of the game, which removed some credibility from
Zola's claim that they deserved a draw. The Sardinian was gracious enough to
praise his conquerors and predicted that Tottenham would challenge the
established "big four" this season.
"I rate Tottenham," Zola said. "They're a team that can challenge the four
teams at the top. There's no doubt Harry has got everything there to
challenge. They are well organised, have good players and today they played
against a team that stood up against them.
"A draw would have been the correct result, but we made two mistakes and
they punished us. There was a moment I thought the game was over because
after we scored, we looked in control.
"I thought we'd win that game, but that's football. We made a mistake and
they punished us."
Redknapp's biggest challenge will probably be knowing when to rotate his
players in a squad that is already showing signs of fatigue, With far fewer
players at his disposal, Zola would love to have that problem. Not that lack
of numbers bothered Nicholson, mind.
West Ham (4-5-1): R Green 6 J Faubert 6 J Collins 5 M Upson 6 J Spector 5 L
Jiménez 5 M Noble 6 S Parker 7 J Collison 6 J Stanislas 5 C Cole 6
Substitutes: R Kovac (for Jiménez, 78min), Z Hines (for Parker, 85), F
Nouble (for Collison, 90). Not used: P Kurucz, D Gabbidon, J Tomkins, J
Payne. Next: Blackburn Rovers (a).
Tottenham (4-4-2): C Cudicini 6 V Corluka 6 L King 6 S Bassong 6 B
Assou-Ekotto 5 A Lennon 7 W Palacios 6 T Huddlestone 5 L Modric 6 J Defoe 6
R Keane 6 Substitutes: P Crouch (for Keane, 79min), J O'Hara (for Modric,
87), K Naughton (for Defoe, 90). Not used: D Button, A Hutton, D Bentley, R
Pavlyuchenko. Next: Birmingham City (h).
Referee: M Clattenburg Attendance: 33,095
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers punished by lethal Defoe
West Ham 1 Tottenham 2
By Conrad Leach
Monday, 24 August 2009
Independent.co.uk
The spirit of fair play is one of football's most cherished tenets but West
Ham arguably overdid it yesterday. Twice Gianfranco Zola's men gifted
possession to Tottenham in dangerous areas and twice the visitors profited
from it, coming from behind to preserve their perfect record and sit joint
top of the Premier League. It is only three games, but this is their best
start to a league season since 1960-61. That year they went on to win the
League and Cup Double. Tottenham fans: prepare to dream.
Understandably Harry Redknapp poured water on comparing this current team to
their legendary predecessors. Asked whether they would or wouldn't match
those feats, the Spurs manager, who was a teenager when that team was
emerging, immediately gave three reasons why this side could not do as well:
"We haven't got Bill Nicholson, Danny Blanchflower or Dave Mackay."
Given the scoring form he is in now, Jermain Defoe does not need any
inspiration from history nor any extra help from the opposition but that is
what he got yesterday, from Carlton Cole. It put the sides level, after Cole
had opened the scoring, and West Ham repeated the dose 25 minutes later,
helping Aaron Lennon to score the winner.
The way Defoe's strike came about could not have been from a more harmless
situation, but it gave Spurs renewed belief, having been second best for
long stretches of this derby.
Zola took a lot of encouragement from the way his side played but it doesn't
need a man of his experience to realise if his players can cut out their
elementary mistakes then they will be doing themselves a great service. Zola
also mentioned their desperate need for another striker, to lend support to
Cole. His search may end soon, however, as Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux
could move this week.
Cole was possibly feeling that life was just fine and dandy, prior to giving
the ball away senselessly. The forward is part of Fabio Capello's plans for
England this season, having played against the Dutch two weeks ago, and he
then scored his first goal of the season. After a long clearance by Robert
Green, one bounce and a header out of defence saw the ball fall to Cole.
Without hesitating, he swivelled and lashed his shot past Carlo Cudicini
from 22 yards.
Five minutes later came Cole's moment of madness. He casually stroked a pass
from midfield towards his own goal in the vague direction of either Matthew
Upson or James Collins but instead he found Defoe.
Right now there is not a player he would have wished less to give the ball
to. Defoe had already scored five goals this season, including a hat-trick
against Hull last week, and he did not hesitate to profit from Cole's
misfortune. One touch took him away from his marker and he beat Green from
12 yards. Capello was in attendance at the Boleyn Ground and Cole's mistake
would not have impressed him, although Defoe's sixth goal of the season and
Lennon's persistence on the right flank were good news ahead of England's
next World Cup qualifiers.
Lennon had been having one of those days when his crosses appeared aimless
but when Vedran Corluka tried to slip a pass inside Jonathan Spector, the
West Ham player's touch gave the ball straight to the winger.
Lennon then cut inside and from 20 yards he curled his shot inside the post.
Despite his unflattering comparisons with the 1960/61 side, Redknapp did not
rule out his players pushing on for a top-four finish this year.
He said: "It could be an open league. We can push for it and have a go.
We've had a good start."
Despite the setting of a London derby, all the supporters put their
loyalties to one side to give a round of applause in honour of West Ham
defender Calum Davenport, who was stabbed in both legs when at home with his
mother on Friday night. The 26-year-old was with Spurs before being sold to
West Ham in January 2007 for £3m. Zola said: "We are really sorry about
what's happened. It's a terrible story and we are close to him. We hope he
gets better very quickly." Feelings Redknapp echoed wholeheartedly.
West Ham 4-1-3-2: Green; Faubert, Collins, Upson, Spector; Parker (Hines,
84); Noble, Collison (Nouble, 89), Stanislas; Jimenez (Kovac, 78), Cole.
Substitutes not used: Kurucz (gk), Gabbidon, Tomkins, Payne.
Tottenham 4-4-2: Cudicini; Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon,
Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric (O'Hara, 87); Keane (Crouch, 80), Defoe
(Naughton, 90). Substitutes not used: Button (gk), Hutton, Bentley,
Pavlyuchenko.
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).
Booked: West Ham Jimenez, Faubert; Tottenham Huddlestone.
Man of the Match: Palacios.
Attendance: 33,095
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West Ham's Ashton still doing rehabilitation
24.08.09 | Andrew Slevison | tribalfootball.com
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has allayed fears that striker Dean Ashton is
about to retire. Recent reports suggested that the 25-year old would be
forced into early retirement after enduring injuries over the past few
seasons. However, Zola played down those reports, saying the former Crewe
and Norwich City hit man was still training for full fitness.
"As far as I know, he's still doing his rehabilitation and I'm hoping to
have him in my team. He's a player who can make a big difference," Zola
said. "Until they tell me something different, I'm hoping he'll come back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Livorno's Diamanti confirms West Ham offer
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Livorno attacking midfielder Alessandro Diamanti has confirmed an offer has
arrived from West Ham United. After the 0-0 draw with Cagliari, Diamanti
said: "Tomorrow I will decide my future with the president. This is an
important question that could change my life and see me make a leap in
quality. "It will be tough to make a choice, we will see. Of course, I have
always loved the people here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham eyeing AC Milan fullback Oddo
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are eyeing AC Milan fullback Massimo Oddo. Oddo was left out
of the Rossoneri squad for last night's 2-1 victory away to Siena and
Leonardo made it obvious he is not needed. "I was very clear with Oddo, just
as I was with [recently departed goalkeeper Zeljko] Kalac," said the Coach.
"I told him if he finds a new more suitable club then he should jump at it,
because there is already a set situation here. "We'll see what happens from
here until August 31, but I hope another wide player can be brought in."
Now there are reports Gianfranco Zola is offering Oddo a new experience in
the Premiership with West Ham United.
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Livorno urge West Ham to up bid for Diamanti
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Livorno have urged West Ham United and Palermo to raise their bids for
Alessandro Diamanti. "So far the bids we received have been unsatisfactory,"
said President Aldo Spinelli after last night's 0-0 draw with Cagliari. "I
will not meet with the player, that is down to our director of sport, Nelso
Ricci. Diamanti needs to stay calm, as he has a contract and just has to
focus on his football. "As for the rest, we will see how things pan out over
the next few days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola on striker shortage: I might have to come out of
retirement!
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola admits he could be forced out of
retirement due to their striker shortage! After defeat to Tottenham, Zola
said: "Defensively, we have cover. "We have eight players available in
defence, but in attack we can only choose between Carlton Cole and myself."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola not giving up on Chamakh
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola insists they haven't given up on
signing Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. The Morocco international
declared over the weekend he would be staying with his French club. But
after defeat to Tottenham yesterday, Zola said: "I don't think West Ham are
his only potential destination. There are a few teams after him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Behrami, Dixon to join West Ham training this week
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has delivered an injury boost to fans.
After defeat to Tottenham, Zola revealed Dean Ashton was "still doing his
rehabilitation" on his long-term ankle problem, said Kieron Dyer had sat out
with "tightness in his muscle" and should be OK for Blackburn Rovers away on
Saturday. Valon Behrami and Terry Dixon are also set to train fully later
this week meaning the only other absentees are Herita Ilunga (jaw) and the
long-term Luis Boa Morte (knee), while Savio has been unwell this week.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Villa boss O'Neill made personal check on West Ham's Collins
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United defender James Collins is in the sights of Aston Villa. The
Daily Mail says Villa boss Martin O'Neill was at Upton Park to check on him
yesterday and the Hammers need the money from the sale of Collins to finance
the signing of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux for £7million. Stoke City are
also keen on Wales international Collins.
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West Ham join Tottenham interest for Celtic winger McGeady
24.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have joined Tottenham in their interest for Celtic winger
Aiden McGeady. However, the Sunday Mail says McGeady, who signed a five-year
contract last summer, is happy with life under Tony Mowbray and his priority
is to bring the championship back to Parkhead. Some Parkhead players would
welcome the chance to move to the Premiership but that's not on McGeady's
agenda at this stage.
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