Wednesday, November 25

Daily WHUFC News - 25th November 2009

Gabbs knows whats needed
WHUFC.com
The experienced centre-back Danny Gabbidon says it will not take much to
turn things around
25.11.2009

Danny Gabbidon is delighted to be back in action and is aiming to build on
that in the months to come with West Ham United. The Wales defender made his
first appearance for the club in two months in the 3-3 draw at Hull City
last Saturday in an unfamiliar left-back position. Gabbidon also played
there against Wigan Athletic on 12 September but it remains to be seen what
manager Gianfranco Zola - who offered plenty of praise for his weekend
display - will decide for Burnley on Saturday.

Gabbidon said: "It was good to get a game [at Hull]. I felt good out there.
I was hoping I could start the game well because I haven't played for over a
month or so I was fairly pleased with how it went. Playing left-back as well
was an adjustment. It was nice to get a run out and it would have been nice
to get a win but it wasn't to be. We move on to the next game."

With James Tomkins, Herita Ilunga and Jonathan Spector all possibly pushing
for recalls for the visit of Burnley, the Hammers could well have a full
complement of defenders to choose from. Whoever gets the nod, the
experienced centre-back, who returned after 18 months out with back and
abdominal troubles in the summer, said the rearguard and the rest of the
squad were all fully focused on the job in hand.

"I don't think we are that far away from being where we want to be," the
30-year-old said. "We showed [at Hull] we can play some good football,
especially in the first half where we were two-nil up. It is just playing
that way for 90 minutes, having the confidence to keep the ball and make the
right decisions.

"We need to defend as a team, attack as a team and at the moment we are not
quite doing it for 90 minutes. We showed what we can do in the first half
for certain periods and then we showed the bad side as well. We have to cut
those negatives out and the results will come. The minute we start defending
better as a team, making better decisions and keeping clean sheets that is
when the results will come."

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Trio remember Ron
WHUFC.com
Ron Greenwood's achievements have been discussed in a nostalgic look back at
the 60s
24.11.2009

John Bond, Ken Brown and Ronnie Boyce have all paid tribute to the man who
helped inspire West Ham United to their 'greatest day' in a special Sky
Sports programme.

The homegrown Hammers gathered for a special 'Time of our Lives' show that
looked back at the successful side of the mid-60s. Hosted by Jeff Stelling,
the hour-long programme was full of memories and stories from the popular
players - including their thoughts on team-mates such as Johnny 'Budgie'
Byrne and the FIFA World Cup-winning trio led by Bobby Moore.

Of 'Mooro', his former defensive partner Brown led the tributes to an
immaculate man who was as polished off the pitch as he was on it. "He was
more than one of the lads. He was a joy to be with and he was an absolute
dream of a player. "

However, the three fans' favourites most notably remembered the achievement
of their manager Ron Greenwood. A former Chelsea favourite as a player, who
won the Division One title at Stamford Bridge in 1955, Greenwood wasted no
time in settling in east London when he was appointed in April 1961.

He finished in mid-table in his first two full campaigns before tasting
success, but his main achievement was putting the Academy at the heart of
the club and instilling in the squad a philosophy of attacking football -
the West Ham way.

With a smile, 'Ticker' Boyce recalled spending his entire career at the club
largely under Greenwood's guidance. "Looking back, his philosophy was simply
to attack and to please the paying public. That is all I can remember him
saying. I can't remember really a defensive session."

Bond, a goalscoring right-back, added: "I was there for eight years with Ron
and I can't remember to this day doing one defensive practice. We never did
the same thing twice. We didn't do any defensive work. It was amazing how
everyone was together and knitted together. We all knew exactly what we were
doing. He was a genius. There is no doubt about it."

That 'genius' saw Greenwood lead the club to FA Cup glory in 1964 before his
and the club's finest hour with the triumph of the 1965 European Cup
Winners' Cup. They also talked about how the manager played a pivotal role
in helping Geoff Hurst establish himself as an England forward feared the
world over.

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Dyer on Dyer
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer was the star turn as West Ham United won a competitive reserves
duel with Stoke
25.11.2009

Alex Dyer has hailed the contribution of Kieron Dyer after an impressive
return to action with West Ham United reserves saw him score twice in a 5-2
defeat of Stoke City.

Against a strong Potters second string, the Hammers were in good form. Led
by the professionalism of the England attacker, they roared into a two-goal
lead and turned on the style again after the interval to finish up deserved
5-2 winners. "We showed our class," said the reserve-team manager. "When we
conceded we came back and scored straight. It has been a good night for the
lads.

Dyer was the star of the show on Tuesday night at the home of Bishop's
Stortford but there were also goals for Danny Kearns, Terry Dixon and Frank
Nouble - with the latter pair linking up well in attack in front of the
watching Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. It was the most experienced
player on view though that caught the eye. "We played Kieron in the hole,"
his coach said. "He found little gaps and he got us playing. It was his
first game back after injury and he was outstanding.

"He scored two good goals. He looked fitter than I have seen him for a long
while. He came to the reserves with a good attitude and it set the tone in
the changing room. It set the tone out on the pitch as well. It was a good
performance from him.

"He gave the others confidence and the courage to get on the ball. His
attitude around the young lads was tremendous. He was positive. He didn't
scream and bawl at them. He encouraged them to get on the ball and play. It
makes my job a little bit easier to have someone out there like that who
will use his initiative and give out some leadership. At certain times he
played further forward and could run beyond. He got on the ball a lot and
was gliding past players."

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Reserves 5-2 Stoke City
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer scores twice as Alex Dyer's reserves beat Stoke City 5-2 at
Bishop's Stortford's Woodside Park
24.11.2009

West Ham United reserves v Stoke City reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford FC
Tuesday 24 November 2009

Full-time - West Ham United reserves 5-2 Stoke City reserves

92 mins - Stoke try to snatch a late consolation as Faye rolls a free-kick
short to Pugh, but his low shot is well wide. Seconds later, the referee
blows the final whistle. Alex Dyer will be pleased with that performance and
result. His namesake Kieron will also be pleased with two goals and a lively
showing. The rest of West Ham's team also did well, with Nouble, Dixon and
Eyjolfsson all catching the eye. West Ham are up to fifth in the league
standings.

91 mins - Stech claims the ball as we head into two minutes of added time.
Manager Zola leaves for home. He will have been happy enough with what he
saw tonight, I'm sure.

90 mins - The Hammers are still working hard to close down their opponents
as we head into the final minute. Stoke win a free-kick wide on the left
that results in a bit of penalty area pinball before Kearns slices it out
for a corner.

88 mins - West Ham force two corners down the left, both of which are worked
short before Stoke snuff out the threat.

87 mins - Nouble has had quite a night. He has chalked up three assists to
go with his goal. Good work from the big England U19 forward.

85 mins - Can West Ham score a sixth goal for a second time this season?

83 mins - GOAL! Daprela finds Dixon with a fantastic 50-yard pass out of
defence after Zola had cleared a Pugh free-kick. Dixon holds the ball up
superbly before rolling the ball to Nouble, who takes a couple of touches
and drives the ball low past Sorensen.

81 mins - We're into the final ten minutes and Edgar is looking to get his
name on the scoresheet, bursting past his marker and letting fly, but the
ball heads over the crossbar, over the stand and towards the M11.

78 mins - Payne comes close to reclaiming a three-goal lead for the home
side, taking a short free-kick from Edgar before seeing his shot deflected
on to the roof of the net.

75 mins - GOAL! This is getting a bit silly. A corner is curled in from the
right and Moult outjumps his marker to net his second header of the night.

74 mins - Wearen is penalised for holding back Griffin. The experienced
former Newcastle United and Portsmouth defender belts the ball out of the
stadium in frustration.

72 mins - That was Dixon's first competitive goal for the club. That is a
nice reward for the London-born forward, who has recovered from a
career-threatening knee injury. His fitness is starting to come too, as the
19-year-old showed by tracking back with his full-back all the way to the
corner flag. Good defending.

71 mins - The few hundred hardy souls who braved the weather tonight have
been rewarded with a fine performance from the hosts. Dyer's team look
hungry for more goals.

68 mins - A second substitution by West Ham. Wearen replaces Dyer, who
receives a warm cheer as he comes off. The England man signs some autographs
before heading off. He will have impressed manager Zola and first-team coach
Steve Clarke, of that there is no doubt.

65 mins - Another goal, this time for Stoke, is avoided as Eyjolfsson lunges
in with a perfectly-timed sliding tackle to deny the on-rushing Faye.

64 mins - GOAL! Crikey! Another goal. Dixon scores himself this time,
playing a neat one-two with Nouble before curling a first-time shot into the
net from 18 yards.

63 mins - GOAL! Dyer obviously didn't like that very much. West Ham kick-off
and Dixon fed Dyer, who cut into the box and the midfielder slotted his
second of the night past the goalkeeper.

62 mins - GOAL! Moult gets his name on the scoresheet with a header from a
corner that bounces into the top corner.

61 mins - Ferrari has a knock and receives some treatment. After a short
while, he comes off, with Andrea Zola his replacement at left-back. Can the
Italian impress in front of his father?

60 mins - The game is opening up a bit. Lund comes forward again, but his
shot from 20 yards is dragged well wide of Stech's far post.

59 mins - Ferrari makes up for his error by finding Dyer with a good header.
The midfielder turns and runs at the Stoke back line before shooting low.
Simonsen dives low to his right and the ball thuds into his midriff.

58 mins - Ferrari fouls Lund in a dangerous position just outside the
penalty area. Lund himself takes the kick short and receives the ball back
before seeing his cross blocked. That was a real waste.

57 mins - Stoke are coming back into this a bit, but the Hammers still look
fairly solid at the back. Eyjolfsson, in particular, has looked strong. The
captain is revelling in his role and clearly enjoys leading the side. Dyer
has sent Ahmed Abdulla to warm up along the touchline. Alex Dyer, that is,
not Kieron.

54 mins - Payne gives away a free-kick and West Ham's defence switch off,
allowing Moult far too much space inside the penalty area. The striker turns
and shoots low, but his effort is weak and easy for Stech.

52 mins - Stech flaps at a cross and the ball drops. One Stoke player tries
to turn the ball goalwards and it falls to Urwin, who somehow skies the ball
over the goal and out of the ground from six yards.

48 mins - West Ham have assumed the ascendancy again after the break. Stoke
have hardly been out of their own half so far. Dyer is again to the fore,
and is heavily involved already.

47 mins - Stech is out smartly to dive at the feet of Moult. Good
goalkeeping there.

46 mins - Moult and Urwin kick-off the second half...

Here come the visitors. In the meantime, substitute goalkeeper Sam Cowler
and U18 stopper Sam Cowler are being warmed-up by Jerome John.

No changes from the home side at the break. The Hammers are the first team
back out following the break. No sign of Stoke as yet.

Half-time score - West Ham United reserves 2-0 Stoke City reserves

46 mins - Moult gets a bit of space inside the West Ham box, but shoots into
the side netting. A warning that the Hammers cannot afford to be complacent
after half-time. Seconds later, referee Atkin blows and the first half ends.
Good work so far from Dyer's side, who will climb to fifth in the table with
a victory.

45 mins - Another chance for the hosts. Edgar plays Nouble down the
inside-left channel. He cuts on to his right foot and feeds the ball back to
Edgar, who takes a touch and lashes a shot wide. We are going to have one
added minute, at least.

44 mins - Daprela nearly lets in Moult with a poor touch, but shows good
pace and strength to win the ball back as the Stoke forward threatened to go
clear.

42 mins - Dyer goes again down the right and beats three men before cutting
the ball into the box. Stoke half-clear to Kearns, who thinks about shooting
but is crowded out.

40 mins - Stoke win a corner, but West Ham clear easily through Kearns. The
whole West Ham team are oozing confidence at the moment. Let us hope they
can translate that confidence into a third goal before the break.

39 mins - Kearns, Dyer and Edgar are running this game, with Payne providing
a shield in front of the back four. Nouble, Dyer and Payne play some pretty
football out on the left before Nouble cuts inside and shoots low. Simonsen
parries, Dixon is forced wide and cleverly backheels the ball into the path
of Edgar, whose fierce shot is blocked by a Stoke defender.

36 mins - GOAL! If the first goal was good, that second was absolutely
fantastic. West Ham knock the ball around for a good minute, with Stoke
chasing shadows. Kearns, Edgar and Ferrari combine before Nouble holds off
Cohen before rolling the ball to Dyer. The England man bursts past
Higginbotham before slotting the ball through the legs of Simonsen. That was
simply frightening football from the Hammers. They must have completed at
least 20 passes before the goal was scored.

33 mins - Ferrari comes close to scoring for the second straight league
game. The Italian cuts in from the left and, after his initial cross was
blocked, fires a low cross-shot across the face of goal.

32 mins - Alex Dyer does well to evade a clearance from Griffin. The manager
ducks just in time to let the ball fly over his head. The rain and wind have
eased off a lot.

29 mins - West Ham are playing well again tonight, just as they did against
Norwich a week ago. If they can keep this pass-and-move football up, then
they look by far the more likely scorers of the game's next goal.

27 mins - A good ball out from Kearns finds Edgar. He feeds Dixon, who runs
at the Stoke defence before being crowded out.

25 mins - Ferrari again loses possession. The ball flicks off Daprela to
Moult, but the forward rushes his effort and shoots straight into the stand.

24 mins - A good spell of possession ends with Ferrari trying to find
manager Gianfranco Zola in the stand. Zola's touch lets him down, though,
and the ball bounces off a seat before being retrieved.

21 mins - Stoke have a corner. Lund curls it over, but Arismendi can only
head well over the top.

19 mins - Big let-off for the Hammers. Brookes plays a back-pass towards
Stech but it is well short. Moult gets in on goal, but can only stab his
shot wide of the far post.

19 mins - Dyer looks really up for this. He played a massive part in that
goal, ghosting past Arismendi as if he wasn't even there and choosing the
right moment to find Edgar.

16 mins - GOAL! Superb goal from Dyer's side. Edgar wins the ball in
midfield and plays a one-two with Dyer before feeding Nouble. The big
striker twisted and turned on the edge of the box before lifting a fine deep
cross to Kearns. The Northern Ireland youth international controls before
firing low into the far corner. Fine move and fine goal.

14 mins - The speedy Urwin wins another free-kick for the Potters, but Dixon
again is in the place to block the set piece. West Ham break through Brookes
and Dyer down the right. Dyer finds Payne, who takes a touch before firing a
low shot wide of the target.

12 mins - Ferrari is penalised for handball about 25 yards from the West Ham
goal. Pugh smacks his free-kick straight at Dixon in the wall and the
Hammers clear.

9 mins - Stech does well twice in quick succession. Arismendi cut a ball
across the six-yard box that the goalkeeper cleared with his feet. Lund
latched on to the loose ball and hit his shot well, but Stech was in the
right place to make the save.

6 mins - Payne gets away from Arismendi in midfield, but his through ball is
too strong for Nouble and rolls through to Simonsen. Stoke break through
Moult. He cuts into the box and goes down under a challenge from Kearns. The
referee gives nothing and Stech picks up the loose ball.

4 mins - The Hammers are seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages. They
need to keep it on the floor. Anything aerial in this weather is liable to
fly miles out of play.

3 mins - West Ham have started marginally the better, but the horrific
conditions are making things tough already. The wind is sending the rain
almost sideways across the pitch.

1 min - The Hammers are using a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Dyer supporting
Dixon and Nouble. Payne is playing in the centre of midfield, with Kearns to
his right and Edgar to his left.

7pm - West Ham will kick off...

6.58pm - It is a horrid night here on the Essex/Hertfordshire border.
Seriously horrible. It is raining hard and very windy. Both teams will
struggle to play good football. Here come the two teams...

6.55pm - Stoke have made a few last-minute changes to their team. Matt Cohen
and Tom Urwin are now starting, with Leon Cort and Tom Soares not involved.
The Potters now have just four substitutes.

Good evening and welcome to Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford, for the
Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture between West Ham United and Stoke
City.

Alex Dyer's Hammers have been out of league action since drawing 1-1 at
Fulham on 3 November. In the intervening period, West Ham were narrowly
beaten 2-1 in a friendly at Norwich City eight days ago.

Dyer's team, who could rise to fifth in the table with a win against an
experienced Stoke side, includes England international Kieron Dyer, who is
back in action after a leg muscle injury. He will be partnered in midfield
by Josh Payne, who has returned from a successful loan spell at Colchester
United

England Under-19 striker Frank Nouble will partner Terry Dixon in attack,
while Iceland U21 central defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson will captain the
side.

For the visiting Potters, goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was between the sticks
when the two clubs met in the Barclays Premier League on 17 October.
Midfielder Amdy Faye, who featured for Senegal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup,
is among a host of experienced players turning out for Stoke.

Andy Griffin, Danny Pugh, Leon Cort, Danny Higginbotham and Tom Soares all
have extensive first-team experience, while Diego Arismendi was a £2.6m
summer signing from Uruguayan giants Nacional. Winger Nathaniel Wedderburn
knows Nouble well, as he is also an England U19 international.

West Ham United reserves: Stech, Brookes, Eyjolfsson, Daprela, Ferrari (Zola
61), Kearns, Dyer (Wearen 68), Payne, Edgar, Dixon, Nouble
Subs: Cowler, Grasser, Abdulla

Stoke City reserves: Simonsen, Griffin, Cohen, Higginbotham, Pugh, Lund,
Amdy Faye, Arismendi, Wedderburn, Moult, Urwin
Subs: Parton, McDonald, Connor, Nicholls

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Quashie loaned out
WHUFC.com
Nigel Quashie has joined League One side MK Dons on loan for six weeks
24.11.2009

Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie has joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan
until 3 January. The 31-year-old, who has made four appearances for the
reserves this season, went straight into Paul Ince's squad for Tuesday
night's home game with Carlisle United, coming on as a 36th minutes
substitue in a 4-3 defeat.
Quashie becomes the fifth West Ham United player out on loan with Jordan
Spence, Bondz N'Gala, Matt Fry and Freddie Sears also away from the Boleyn
Ground on a temporary basis.

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Swiss success aids Daprela
WHUFC.com
Swiss prospect Fabio Daprela is enjoying his time with club and country and
has high hopes
24.11.2009

Fabio Daprela is biding his time at the Boleyn Ground knowing that he has to
be ready to take his first-team chance when it arrives.

The promising 18-year-old defender was back on the bench at the weekend in
the 3-3 draw at Hull City after a hugely successful international break.
Daprela played in all three games as Switzerland Under-19s won a tournament
involving Greece, France and Poland and has returned ready to push on from
the experience. He may get another chance to shine on Tuesday night for the
reserves against Stoke City at Bishop's Stortford.

Daprela's good progress has caught the attention of Gianfranco Zola and the
left-back is only too happy to follow his manager's advice. "He has asked me
whether I play with the reserves or the first team that I must work hard. I
have to follow the older players and learn from them. I am very happy and it
was great to be on the bench at Hull."

In that recent international outing, Daprela played in all three games and
most notably stole the show with a wonder goal in a 3-1 defeat of Greece,
who like the Swiss will be playing in the Elite round next spring of the
2010 UEFA European U19 Championship. For a left-back, Daprela showed plenty
of attacking intent to score.

"I had the ball in midfield and just kept going," said the versatile
performer, who can also play at centre-back. "I beat the first player, then
the second and then third. Then I found myself up against the keeper but I
carried on and managed to score the goal. It was the first goal for my
country so I was very happy with that. Everyone back in Switzerland was very
happy.

He was more content with the fact his team performed so well and has high
hopes of matching his UEFA finals experience at U17 and U19 level in the
previous two summers. "It was a good tournament. We were strong but so were
the other teams, especially France. They were a good team but we drew
against them and it was enough to win the tournament."

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Quashie makes MK Dons loan move
BBC.co.uk

MK Dons have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Nigel Quashie
from West Ham. Quashie joins on an emergency loan until the new year and
will be eligible to play in both League One and Johnstone's Paint Trophy
fixtures. The 31-year-old has already trained with Dons and could make his
debut in Tuesday's match with Carlisle United. Quashie has made 368 career
appearances with 102 in the Premier League and has also been capped 15 times
by Scotland. The London-born midfielder has cost nearly £8m in transfer
fees, with big money moves to Nottingham Forest, Southampton, West Brom and
West Ham. Quashie went out on loan with Birmingham and Wolves in the
Championship last season and is yet to feature in the Hammers' first team
this campaign.

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Done deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 24th November 2009
By: Staff Writer

Nigel Quashie's move to MK Dons is set to be confirmed later today. The
former QPR and West Brom midfielder has agreed to join the League One outfit
on loan and will have his switch confirmed later today, after the clubs
finalised terms last night. Quashie, who joined West Ham in January 2007 has
made just a handful of appearances for the club due to a string of injuries.
Signed from West Brom for £1.5million, he played in eight games between
January and March before sustaining an injury that kept him out for nearly
18 months, since when he has failed to feature for the club. Since returning
from injury at the beginning of last season Quashie has spent time on loan
at both Birmingham and Wolves, but failed to secure a permanent move.
Quashie is set to join the Dons on loan for the remainder of the season and
is set make his debut tonight against Carlisle.

His contract at West Ham is set to expire this summer.

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Hammers deny striker interest
West Ham not in for Osvaldo
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 24th November 2009
SSN

West Ham have denied having an interest in Bologna striker Pablo Daniel
Osvaldo. The Argentine-born striker was reportedly a target for Gianfranco
Zola.
But sporting director Gianluca Nani has insisted that a January bid is not
imminent - despite a previous interest in him. "Daniel is not one of the
players we are following," Nani told Radio Tau. "He is a great striker and
we followed him before he went to Bologna. "But since last year, we have
not followed him and even now we are not interested in him. "We have the
fifth best attack in the Premier League for the number of goals scored and
so it is certainly not the offensive zone when we need to intervene.
"Generally, we are happy with our squad."

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Nani rules out Behrami sale
Hammers sporting director insists midfielder is not joining Juve
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 24th November 2009
SSN

West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani insists the club will not sell
Valon Behrami in January. The Switzerland international only signed for the
Hammers from Lazio in summer 2008 but Juventus are reportedly keen to take
the midfielder back to Italy. With the club reported to be struggling
financially Hammers fans have become concerned that more of their top stars
may be sacrificed in order to keep much needed money coming in. The East
London club have sold a number of high profile first-teamers over the past
18-months with the likes of Anton Ferdinand, George McCartney, Matthew
Etherington, Bobby Zamora and Craig Bellamy all leaving Upton Park but
Nani is adamant that Behrami will not be following them. "I want to
reiterate that we have no intention nor do we have the need to sell any of
our top players," he told Radio Tau. "Everything is good as it is and that
also goes for Behrami, a great player that will remain here."

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Frank Lampard: Reading FC is just like West Ham United
By Jonny Fordham
November 25, 2009
Get Reading

Football consultant Frank Lampard senior has seen huge similarities between
Reading and West Ham United during his five months at Madejski Stadium.
The football legend was persuaded to come back into the game on a full-time
basis by Royals manager Brendan Rodgers after the pair struck up a good
relationship at Chelsea. And the former England left-back and father of
Chelsea midfield star Frank junior is having the time of his life in
Berkshire. "I love it here," said the experienced 61-year-old. "It's a
terrific club and it reminds me a lot of being at West Ham United. "When you
go to the ground on match days everyone is so friendly and some of the
bigger clubs these days, particularly in the Premier League, are much more
commercial and corporate these days. "But Reading reminds me of my time at
Upton Park as assistant manager to Harry Redknapp for seven years. It was a
good family club, like here, and that's how I like it."
Lampard takes his seat up in the director's box for Reading's games to get a
high vantage point to analyse them from, much like former manager Steve
Coppell. But after Reading's first home victory in the league for more than
10 months, Lampard was left wondering where all the players and staff were
after the final whistle. He explained: "Normally I leave my seat upstairs
with a minute to go to have a chat with the other guys as soon as they're
back in the dressing room. "But no-one came back and I was wondering where
they had gone, but they had all been out on the pitch applauding the fans.
"We played well and I was so pleased for the players, supporters and the
rest of the coaching staff because we've been working hard."
Lampard continued: "In the team meetings when we played at home we never
mentioned the form and now we can put it to bed. "We need to put two or
three games together now, teams in this league always beat each other, and
we can go to Derby and get a win and hopefully move along as quick as we
can. "The attitude of the lads has been brilliant, they kept going and it
hasn't been easy. I've been in the game a long while and you go through
phases. As long as you don't hide you end up getting out of them. "About a
month ago I said to them all, 'Whatever you do, don't hide, don't start
hiding in games'. It's easy to talk a good game and then go missing on the
pitch, but I've been very pleased with the attitude. "Brendan's made
mistakes, we all have along the way, and he'll be first to admit that. "But
he believes in the way he wants to play and has my full backing and guidance
and we work well together. "We have great respect for each other and he's
done very well. We want to be up in the Premier League and that's what I'm
here to help achieve."
As well as assisting with first-team duties, Lampard has also extended his
expertise and football knowledge to helping out with the Academy, which is
managed full-time by Eamonn Dolan. And he added: "I'm always here, be it
taking the youth team giving something back to them or helping out with the
first team. "That's the best part of my job here, working with the kids and
looking over them and helping bring players through the ranks."

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West Ham Reserves 5-2 Stoke City Reserves
Why Delilah | Published: Wednesday 25 Nov 2009 |
Nov 25th

MARK O'Connor's experienced side could not build on their impressive victory
over Chelsea last time out when they were thrashed 5-2 by a young West Ham
team last night. The Potters started positively against a team who sat
bottom of the Reserve Premier League South before the game with some neat
play down the right by Matthew Lund. The nineteen-year-old cut the ball
inside to Diego Arismendi and the Uruguayan international struck it first
time, unleashing a half volley that forced a good save from Marek Stech.
However, this early dominance didn't last long as West Ham forward Frank
Nouble robbed Andy Griffin. The under-18 England starlet raced down Stoke's
left before crossing to Danny Kearns, who fizzed his shot low into the
right-hand corner of the Steve Simonsen's goal. West Ham broke away again
on 36 minutes, and this time it was England international midfielder Kieran
Dyer who did the damage. He played the ball into Nouble before making a run
behind the Potters defence to take the return and then fire past Simonsen to
put the Hammers 2-0 up at the break.
Stoke looked positive after the restart and were rewarded in the 62nd minute
when Lund whipped a corner into the West Ham box where Louis Moult powered a
header home to make the score 2-1. West Ham responded immediately. Terry
Dixon drove forward from kick-off before slipping the ball to Dyer, whose
hamstring problems now seem a thing of the past. He didn't break his stride
in collecting the pass before driving the ball low past Simonsen and into
the net on 63rd minutes. Dixon was involved again a minute later as Nouble
was given time inside the Stoke half. The big forward composed himself
before sliding the ball across to Dixon, who swept the ball home from six
yards to make the score 4-1 on 64 minutes. The Potters won another corner
and claimed another goal on 75 minutes ... and Moult was again the scorer.
Once again Lund swung the ball in and once again Moult was unmarked to power
his header home. But that was as good as it got for the Potters. Seven
minutes later, West Ham's Dixon and Nouble combined again for the latter to
coolly shoot past Simonsen to make the final score 5-2.

TEAMS

West Ham: Stech, Brookes, Eyjolfsson, Daprela, Ferrari (Zola, 61), Kearns,
Dyer (Wearen, 68), Payne, Edgar, Dixon, Nouble. Unused: Cowler, Grasser,
Abdulla.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Griffin, Cohen, Higginbotham, Pugh, Lund, Amdy Faye,
Arismendi, Wedderburn, Moult, Urwin. Subs: Parton, McDonald, Connor,
Nicholls.
Attendance: 216.

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LEAGUE OF INJUSTICE - ARTICLE TWELVE
Jeff Winter, 24 Nov 2009
SportingPreview.com

Hull City v West Ham

After the antics in Paris, it was good to have a virtually incident free
weekend in the Premier League. The game at the KC was vital to both sides
and the end result of a point a piece was probably not ideal. However, the
way the weekend's results panned out, I think both sides will probably
settle for a point.
I don't think even City fans can argue too much about the sending off - Mark
Clattenburg really had no option. They will have plenty to say about the
late penalty appeal which was turned down though. Old Celtic player "Vinegar
of Hessle" was clearly held down by Matthew Upson and Hull should have had
the chance to win the game from the spot. Having said that, as much as it
was a penalty, the one they actually got in the first half was most
definitely not.
Hull City's Fagan backed into West Ham's Faubert and it should have been a
free kick to the Hammers. So over the 90 minutes, the penalty claims evened
themselves out, so it stays 3-3. I am sure that the City fans who are still
moaning about Burnley a few weeks ago will disagree!! Verdict: Score remains
3-3

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Plans to keep passengers moving at key London 2012 station get the go-ahead
24 November 2009
London2012.com

A range of temporary measures to keep passengers moving at West Ham station
during the London 2012 Games have been given planning permission, the
Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced today. West Ham station is one of
the three London 2012 'gateway' stations that spectators will use during the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A series of temporary measures
will ensure the station can cope with the influx of spectators travelling to
the Olympic Park on the District and Hammersmith & City lines, while also
allowing regular commuters and residents to follow their usual route through
the station with minimal disruption.
A planning application outlining the works was submitted last month
following public consultation work with local residents and commuters, and
the plans have now been given planning permission. ODA Transport Director
Hugh Sumner said: 'West Ham is a key station that will enable spectators to
get straight onto the Greenway and up to the Olympic Park from the District
and Hammersmith & City lines. Our plans will make sure that spectators,
regular commuters and residents alike can safely use West Ham station,
avoiding unnecessary congestion. Securing planning permission for these
works is an important step towards keeping people moving at this key station
in 2012.'

The works at West Ham station will involve building a temporary footbridge
spanning the eastbound track of the District & Hammersmith and City Lines,
with a temporary walkway taking people to Manor Road. The temporary
footbridge and walkway will allow Games-time spectators to get directly from
those platforms onto the Greenway walking route towards the Olympic Park,
without having to pass through the station itself. The measures will also
allow regular commuters and residents to follow their usual route through
the station with minimal disruption.

Permanent works to install an improved ramp and stairs up to The Greenway
will also take place and will remain in place after the London 2012 Games.

Work on the temporary measures at West Ham station will begin next year and
the station will remain fully operational while the works are carried out.

Notes to Editors

1. Stratford International Station will bring spectators to the Olympic
Park by the Javelin service within seven minutes from St Pancras, and
Stratford Regional Station will bring spectators to the Park on the DLR,
National Express East Anglia, London Overground, Central and Jubilee lines.
West Ham has a key role to play for spectators wishing to travel on the c2c,
District and Hammersmith and City Lines.

– Ends –

For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press
Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games
is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor,
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the
London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

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Valon Behrami staying at West Ham, says Gianluca Nani
Valon Behrami will not leave West Ham in the winter transfer window,
according to club sporting director Gianluca Nani.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 12:30PM GMT 24 Nov 2009

The Switzerland international, who joined West Ham from Lazio in 2008, has
been linked with a move to Juventus in January. However, the Hammers are
adamant they will not be selling the 24-year-old midfielder. "I want to
reiterate that we have no intention nor do we have the need to sell any of
our top players," said Nani in an interview to Italian radio station Radio
Tau. "Everything is good as it is and that also goes for Behrami, a great
player that will remain here." Behrami is under contract with West Ham until
June 2013.

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Parker insists West Ham can build on Hull point
25.11.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker says collecting a point at Hull City
should be a confidence-booster. Parker insists they're good enough to start
climbing the table after Saturday's 3-3 draw at the KC. "It's a bit of
frustration and a bit of relief. I don't think anyone's ecstatic. I guess
there's a bit of a positive that we came out with a least a draw. We were
down at half-time but the manager picked us up and we've gone out there and
got another one," Parker told WHUTV.

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West Ham target Toni suspended by Bayern Munich
25.11.09 | tribalfootball.com

Bayern Munich have reportedly suspended Luca Toni. Bild says Toni has been
suspended by Bayern Munich following his critical remarks about coach Louis
van Gaal. "I have had problems with him for four months now and there is a
limit to everything," he added in an interview which is likely to have
consequences for the 32-year-old. West Ham United target Toni missed the
Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday due to a groin strain - it
is being reported by the Bild as a suspension. "We cannot accept this
behaviour and we have made that clear to him," said Van Gaal. Whether that
is the end of the issue remains to be seen. Van Gaal expects further
disciplinary measures to follow. "That is up to the board," he added.

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