WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and statistics ahead of Saturday's Barclays
Premier League game
27.11.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Burnley
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 28 November 2009
3pm
Referee: Chris Foy
• West Ham United return to league action for the first time since the 3-3
draw with Hull City last weekend. The Hammers have lost just once in their
last five games but know a win over Burnley is important before the visit of
champions Manchester United next weekend.
• West Ham are looking for their second home league win of the season,
having triumphed 2-1 against Aston Villa on 8 November. The Hammers also
beat Millwall 3-1 in the League Cup in August.
• West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola said: "I am very encouraged by the
desire in my squad and I can sense that we are very close to be where we
want to be. We are out of the bottom three and a victory on Saturday will
help us to focus on the next step. We just need to keep working and the
rewards will come our way. I can feel it, I can sense it."
• Saturday's meeting will be the first between the sides since a
Championship match in April 2005 and the first in the Premier League.
• West Ham have enjoyed an excellent run of form against the Clarets, with
seven wins and two draws from their last nine meetings. That run means you
have to go back 31 years to find Burnley's last victory over their hosts on
Saturday - a 3-2 win at Turf Moor on September 1978.
• When asked if West Ham's league position surprised him, Burnley manager
Owen Coyle said: "Nothing surprises me in this Premier League. It is so
competitive. You only have to look just now with Everton down in amongst the
group of teams - although David Moyes will sort them out and they will
finish well up the league. Nobody would have expected that but it is because
of injuries and that can happen to anyone in this league."
• Burnley will be looking for their first away win of the season having
picked up just one point from their first six away games.
• West Ham United go into the weekend's game in 17th place, with eleven
points from 13 matches. Burnley are six points and seven places ahead but
have a goal difference of minus ten - six worse than the Hammers.
• This will be the 71st league meeting between the clubs, West Ham have won
25 with 16 draws.
Last time out
Saturday 21 November
Barclays Premier League
Hull City 3-3 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon, Collison.
Parker, Behrami (Hines 60), Stansislas, Franco (Jimenez 70), Cole
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Daprela, Kovac, Nouble
Goals: Franco 5, Collison 11, Da Costa 69
Saturday 21 November
Barclays Premier League
Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Jordan, Carlisle, Bikey, Caldwell, Eagles (McDonald,
69), Alexander , Elliott, Blake (Gudjonsson,81), Steven Fletcher (Nugent,75)
Subs not used: Thompson, Duff, Penny, Guerrero
Goal: Caldwell 9
Last meeting
The last meeting between the two sides was a 1-0 win to the Hammers at Turf
Moor on 5 April 2005, when Teddy Sheringham got the only goal seven minutes
from time.
The teams that day were:
Burnley: Coyne, Sinclair (Grant 87), McGreal, Cahill, Camara, Oster (Valois
83), Micah Hyde, O'Connor, Branch (Duff 75), Bowditch, Akinbiyi
Subs not used: Roche, Jensen
West Ham United: Walker, Ward, Repka, Ferdinand, Powell, Newton, Reo-Coker,
Mullins (Fletcher 76), Noble (Etherington 76), Sheringham, Harewood (Zamora
85)
Subs not used: Bywater, Williams
Goal: Sheringham 83
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
5 April 2005 Burnley 0-1 West Ham United (Championship)
28 August 2004 West Ham United 1-0 Burnley (Championship)
2 March 2004 Burnley 1-1 West Ham United (Championship)
18 October 2003 West Ham United 2-2 Burnley (Championship)
2 September 1980 West Ham United 4-0 Burnley (League Cup)
26 August 1980 Burnley 0-2 West Ham United (League Cup)
Overall record v Burnley (all competitions) W29 D16 L29
Next up
West Ham United welcome champions Manchester United to the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday 5 December. Burnley travel to the south coast to play Portsmouth on
the same day.
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Chris Foy
• Not to be confused with the Australian actor of the same name, Foy will be
taking charge of West Ham United for the fourth time this season.
• The 47-year-old official was the man in the middle for the Hammers'
opening-day 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 3-1 loss at Manchester
City and the 2-2 home draw with Arsenal, when he appeared as a late
replacement for Steve Bennett.
• Foy, who was born in St Helens, Merseyside, has been a Barclays Premier
League referee since 2001, having originally made the Select Group list of
assistant referees in 1995.
• In 2007, Foy officiated the FA Trophy final at Wembley, before returning
to the Home of Football a year later to act as fourth official for
Portsmouth's FA Cup final victory over Cardiff City.
• Foy has also served as referee in two of Burnley's league matches this
season - a 3-1 home win over Sunderland and a 3-2 defeat by Blackburn Rovers
at Ewood Park.
West Ham United
• West Ham United will be hoping to continue the run of form that has seen
them lose just once in their last five games.
• The Hammers' minus four goal difference tells its own story when compared
to the teams around them in the league table. Indeed, the east Londoners
have lost by more than one goal just once in the league this season - the
3-1 defeat at Manchester City in September.
• Hanging on to leads is crucial if they are to pick up their second home
win in three games. Three times they have failed to convert a two-goal lead
into a win so far this season.
• West Ham have scored 19 goals this season with nine different scorers
registering. Carlton Cole leads the way (six), with Matthew Upson (two),
Guile Franco (two), Alessandro Diamanti (two), Manuel da Costa, Mark Noble,
Zavon Hines, Jack Collison and Junior Stanislas also registering.
• Cole is West Ham's top scorer this season with six goals in 12 league
games. The England striker has scored 13 goals in 24 Premier League games
since Boxing Day 2008, all from open play.
• Diamanti has more assists (three) than any other West Ham player.
• Noble has put in more crosses (15) than anyone else for the Hammers.
• If selected, it will be Cole's 100th start in the league.
• Noble is in line to play his 100th game for the club, if selected.
• Junior Stanislas celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday, while Radoslav
Kovac turned 30 on Friday.
• West Ham United's record home win over Burnley came on 26 August 1968,
when a Martin Peters goal and braces from Geoff Hurst and Trevor Brooking
secured a 5-0 win that briefly sent the Hammers to the top of the table.
Burnley
• Burnley will be looking for their first away maximum of the season at the
seventh time of asking. However, their solitary point away from Turf Moor
came in their last away game - the thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester City
on 7 November.
• They have managed just five goals away from home with three arriving
courtesy of the stalemate at Eastlands.
• Their home form is a different story, with five wins and a draw from their
first seven at Turf Moor.
• Defender Graham Alexander is the Clarets' top scorer in the league this
season with four goals to his name. Alexander has scored three penalties -
the joint highest in the league along with Frank Lampard.
• If the full-back makes it five on Saturday, it will be the 100th league
goal of his career.
• Burnley's record win at the Boleyn Ground came on 31 May 1947, when they
left east London with a 5-0 victory.
Team news
• Gianfranco Zola has had some good news on the injury-front in the run up
to the game with Herita Ilunga and Kieron Dyer among those back in full
training. Dyer particularly will be in his thoughts after scoring twice in
the reserves' 5-2 win against Stoke City on Tuesday.
• Herita Ilunga, James Tomkins and Mark Noble are also in contention after
returning to full training. Alessandro Diamanti misses out as he has not
recovered from his hip problem in time.
• Matthew Upson is ruled out with a hamstring injury so Scott Parker is
likely to deputise as captain.
• Fabio Daprela, Holmar Eyjolfsson and Frank Nouble were among others who
also caught the eye for the reserves at Bishop's Stortford and may be
considered for the game. Josh Payne also played after returning from a loan
at Colchester United and Bondz N'Gala is back from his temporary spell at
Scunthorpe United.
• Luis Boa Morte (knee) is continuing his individual rehab programme and is
still some months from a return. He has been back at Chadwell Heath this
week. Dean Ashton and Calum Davenport have no date set for a possible
return.
• Burnley are expected to name the same squad that faced Aston Villa last
time out.
(More team news to follow later on Friday)
Old boys
• Burnley defender Tyrone Mears played six games during a one-season stay at
the Boleyn Ground in 2006/07, before being sold to Derby County in July
2007.
• Other players to have represented both clubs include Reg Atwell, Frank
Birchenough, Herman Conway, Tommy Green, Walter Pollard, Jack Tresadern and
William Jenkinson.
General info
• For ticket information, click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for heavy rain showers and a top
temperature of 9C.
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'It's a big opportunity'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is backing his players to chalk up a home win over Burnley
on Saturday
27.11.2009
Gianfranco Zola believes his West Ham United side have a 'big opportunity'
to start climbing the Barclays Premier League table on Saturday. The Hammers
host Burnley, who have picked up just one point on their travels this
season, losing five of their six matches away from Turf Moor. Zola has also
been boosted by the return of the fit-again Herita Ilunga, Mark Noble and
James Tomkins to his squad, while Kieron Dyer is also eager to be involved
after netting twice on his return to reserve-team action in midweek. The
West Ham manager knows the Lancastrians' visit to the Boleyn Ground
represents the perfect chance for his players to kick-start their campaign.
"It's a big opportunity for us. We need to get a victory in our ground. It's
been a while since we had a victory so it's important, we know that. If we
keep playing the football the way we're playing right now and improving
certain things, we have a good chance."
While Noble, Tomkins, Ilunga and Dyer could all be involved on Saturday,
Zola will be without captain Matthew Upson, who injured a hamstring in
training. Scott Parker will skipper the side in the England defender's
absence. "Unfortunately, Matthew Upson had a problem the other day in
training and he's not going to be available. On the other hand, we have
Gabbidon who is back and did very well for us the other day, and Mark Noble
and James Tomkins will both be available again. "Matty is not going to be
able to play, but Kieron Dyer is available. I haven't decided yet, but it's
good that he's coming back. He's an important player and a quality player so
it's good to have him back and available. "He's available but I'm not saying
he's going to play. I don't want to put pressure on him. He's been out for a
long time. The other day he did very well with the reserves, but that's it.
It's good for me to have him available. "I saw him very positive. He came
back and he is bright and now he needs to train a lot because he has to be
able to play at this standard for a long period. You can only get that by
training every day and every week."
Whoever lines up in Zola's starting eleven on Saturday, the manager believes
his players will be spurred on to victory by the disappointment of
relinquishing a 2-0 lead in last weekend's 3-3 draw at Hull City. "I don't
think it looked like we gained a point from the game. It looked like we lost
two, because after we equalised we had two clear chances to win it.
"Obviously, we think we should have been celebrating a victory last week,
but I believe it will give them more focus in certain moments of the game.
"I know, on a couple of occasions, we didn't handle it very well. We should
have had more control of the game, and I'm assuming that will give them the
focus when those moments come again and they will handle them better. "It's
simple. We were 2-0 up and had to be more in control of the game."
While Burnley's away form has been indifferent, they have picked up 16
points from a possible 21 at home. With that in mind, Zola knows his players
cannot afford to be complacent this weekend. "They are a good team. They
play well. I saw them playing against Manchester City [where they drew 3-3]
and was positively impressed by them. "They have a good squad. They like
passing the ball. I believe it will be an entertaining game. It is a team
that also plays differently than the normal ones because they try to play a
different kind of football with a lot of passing - very similar to what we
do. It should be an interesting game."
Zola has been impressed by the approach adopted by last season's
Championship play-off winners under Owen Coyle. Despite being aged just nine
days younger than the Hammers boss, the 43-year-old Irishman turned out for
Burnley's reserves earlier this season, leading Zola to joke that Coyle had
nearly inspired him into making his own playing comeback. "I know he's doing
a good job and I also know he played in a game, so he gave me an idea! I'm
only joking. I'm sure he's fitter than me! "It's good. He's doing very well.
He's got his team playing good football and he's getting results. It's good
to see managers that encourage their teams to play football and make it
entertaining. I wish he would have success, but not on Saturday!"
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Franco the brave
WHUFC.com
Guille Franco talks exclusively about his Scottish roots in Saturday's
official matchday programme
27.11.2009
Guille Franco has expressed his love for English football after making a
strong start to his West Ham United career. The Mexico striker has impressed
in recent weeks, linking play superbly and netting twice in his last four
Barclays Premier League matches. In an entertaining interview with
Saturday's official matchday programme for the visit of Burnley, Franco also
revealed his family's Scottish ancestry. The 33-year-old, whose full name is
Guillermo Luis Franco Farquarson, told how his grandfather collected kilts
and other items relating to the Farquharsons, a historic clan who hailed
from the Scottish Highlands. With his British heritage, it should be no
surprise that Franco has settled quickly into life at the Boleyn Ground.
"I'm delighted to be here. It is not easy for a player to come to the
English league and adapt quickly and win a starting place but I feel happy.
I'm feeling physically strong and that's helped me. I'm playing matches, as
I'd hoped to do, so things are going well personally. I've scored twice and
hopefully there'll be more to come."
Franco also spoke of his admiration for strike partner Carlton Cole and his
success with former clubs San Lorenzo, Monterrey and CF Villarreal.
Saturday's matchday programme is packed with exclusive interviews, features
and photographs. Former Hammers midfielder Adam Nowland talks about the day
he shot down Burnley, top scorer Cole reveals his ambition to maintain his
hot start to the season, while Radoslav Kovac picks his Dream Team and Frank
Nouble is Talking Football. Readers can also catch up with Hammers fan Alex
Walkinshaw, better known as Inspector Dale Smith in The Bill, and Siobhan
Dillon, the celebrity stylist who shot to fame by designing a West
Ham-themed basque for pop star Katy Perry. For all this and more, pick up a
copy of Saturday's matchday programme, which will be on sale in and around
the Boleyn Ground, priced £3.50.
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FA Cup draw awaits
WHUFC.com
The third-round draw will be held on Sunday with the ties set to be played
in the first weekend in January
27.11.2009
West Ham United will learn their first opponents in this season's FA Cup
when the 2009/10 third-round draw takes place on Sunday afternoon.
The Hammers will be ball No42 in the hat when Olympic great Sir Steven
Redgrave and England women's football star Kelly Smith conduct proceedings
from around 3.55pm at Wembley. The third round will be played on the weekend
of 2/3 January 2010, with this stage seeing all Premier League and
Championship clubs enter for the first time.
Gianfranco Zola's men reached the fifth round last season, having knocked
out Barnsley and Hartlepool United before coming unstuck after a replay at
Middlesbrough. West Ham won the famous old competition in 1964, 1975 and
1980 with next May marking 30 years since the last time the Hammers got
their hands on the trophy.
Draw numbers
1 Arsenal
2 Aston Villa
3 Barnsley
4 Birmingham City
5 Blackburn Rovers
6 Blackpool
7 Bolton Wanderers
8 Bristol City
9 Burnley
10 Cardiff City
11 Chelsea
12 Coventry City
13 Crystal Palace
14 Derby County
15 Doncaster Rovers
16 Everton
17 Fulham
18 Hull City
19 Ipswich Town
20 Leicester City
21 Liverpool
22 Manchester City
23 Manchester United
24 Middlesbrough
25 Newcastle United
26 Nottingham Forest
27 Peterborough United
28 Plymouth Argyle
29 Portsmouth
30 Preston North End
31 Queens Park Rangers
32 Reading
33 Scunthorpe United
34 Sheffield United
35 Sheffield Wednesday
36 Stoke City
37 Sunderland
38 Swansea City
39 Tottenham Hotspur
40 Watford
41 West Bromwich Albion
42 West Ham United
43 Wigan Athletic
44 Wolverhampton Wanderers
45 Northwich Victoria or Lincoln City
46 Northampton Town or Southampton
47 Hereford United or Colchester United
48 Tranmere Rovers or Aldershot Town
49 Kettering Town or Leeds United
50 Gillingham or Burton Albion
51 Wrexham or Swindon Town
52 Brighton & Hove Albion or Rushden & Diamonds
53 Rotherham United or Luton Town
54 Milton Keynes Dons or Exeter City
55 Brentford or Walsall
56 Carlisle United or Norwich City
57 Accrington Stanley or Barnet
58 Oxford United or Barrow
59 AFC Bournemouth or Notts County
60 Stockport County or Torquay United
61 Cambridge United or York City
62 Bath City or Forest Green Rovers
63 Port Vale or Huddersfield Town
64 Staines Town or Millwall
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Hammers duo help England
WHUFC.com
England U16s won the Victory Shield thanks to the efforts of Blair Turgott
and Matthias Fanimo
27.11.2009
West Ham United youngster Blair Turgott was the match-winner as England beat
Scotland to claim the Victory Shield for the ninth successive season. The
Young Lions lifted the Under-16 crown at Tynecastle In Edinburgh on Thursday
after Turgott scored on the hour mark. England had needed to come from
behind after Jack Grimmer put Scotland in front midway through the first
half. Arsenal's Zak Ansah quickly levelled and after that it was all England
with Turgott and his Hammers club-mate Matthias Fanimo behind most of the
visitors' best work.
Turgott and Fanimo had both scored in the previous 2-0 win against Northern
Ireland and it was no surprise when the former found the winning goal,
although a point would have been enough to secure the trophy. England had
won the previous eight editions with Robert Hall having been part of last
season's U16 set-up and past teams including the likes of Trevor Brooking,
Joe Cole and Glen Johnson
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Sadlier aids Irish
WHUFC.com
Kieran Sadlier helped Republic of Ireland's U16s to a 3-3 friendly draw with
Czech Republic on Thursday
27.11.2009
West Ham United striker Kieran Sadlier helped the Republic of Ireland
Under-16s to a 3-3 friendly draw with Czech Republic on Thursday. The
Academy youngster played the full 80 minutes as Ireland were pegged back by
a last-minute equaliser at Kingspan Century Park in County Monaghan. Sadlier
was a threat throughout, winning a penalty that strike-partner Mickey
Drennan converted to put the hosts 2-1 up. Drennan, who plays for
Kilkenny-based Evergreen FC, netted a hat-trick, only for Czech substitute
Lukas Julis to score an equaliser with the last kick of the match. The match
was the second of a friendly double-header between the two nations. Ireland
won 2-1 in County Louth on Tuesday, when Sadlier was not involved.
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Kieron back with a bang
WHUFC.com
Kieron Dyer is hopeful of a first-team return after making a goalscoring
impact for the reserves in midweek
26.11.2009
Kieron Dyer is eager to help West Ham United climb the Barclays Premier
League table after playing a starring role in the 5-2 reserve-team win over
Stoke City. The England midfielder returned from a hamstring injury to score
twice in Tuesday evening's win at Bishop's Stortford. Dyer showed no
ill-effects from his recent lay-off, producing a performance full of pace
and intent in front of the watching manager Gianfranco Zola and first-team
coach Steve Clarke. Having come through unscathed, the 30-year-old hoped to
be involved in the first team, perhaps as soon as when Burnley visit the
Boleyn Ground this weekend. "Obviously I needed the run-out and it was good,
especially for young lads having an experienced player like myself out
there. It went really well. I scored two goals and looked quite sharp so
hopefully it gives the manager a poser."
Dyer was the experienced head in a young side featuring forwards Terry Dixon
and Frank Nouble and midfielder Danny Kearns, who scored a goal apiece.
At one stage during the first half, Dyer went to the touchline to speak to
namesake Alex, the reserve-team manager, about making a slight tactical
change. Moments later, the Hammers took the lead through a smart finish from
Kearns. "I was in the hole but we needed to stretch them so I changed
positions with Terry Dixon for a bit to stretch them. I was using my
tactical nous there! "I was just pleased to get a run out, like I said. My
hamstrings felt good so hopefully I'll feature at some stage. Obviously the
manager needs as many fit and experienced players as possible and I'm just
glad I can be back because we need to push up that table."
Dyer missed an early portion of the season with leg muscle injuries, but he
hopes those problems are behind him and he can regain full match-fitness in
the near future. "I had a good pre-season under my belt. I know I had the
problem after the first game of the season against Wolves, but I had that
good base of a pre-season and, although I'm not 100 per cent, I felt sharp
and quick and that's a good sign for the future."
While Dyer was pleased with his own progress, he was also impressed with the
performance of his young team-mates, and predicted bright futures for the
likes of Dixon, Nouble, Kearns, Edgar, defenders Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and
Fabio Daprela, along with goalkeeper Marek Stech. "I went and watched the
lads in the friendly against Ipswich and they were lacking a bit of belief
and confidence and got murdered. This time, they showed belief and hunger
and played a Stoke team that had a number of first-team players in their
squad, so to beat them 5-2 is a testament to them. "You only have to look at
Zavon Hines, Junior Stanislas, Josh Payne and Jack Collison to see the
gaffer is not afraid to put in the youths. If they keep playing like that,
I'm sure they'll be pushing into the first-team squad at some point."
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Fan support inspires Faubert
WHUFC.com
A return to the Boleyn Ground this weekend has given right-back Julien
Faubert plenty of belief
26.11.2009
Julien Faubert will hope to line up against Burnley on Saturday afternoon
and has no doubt the fans will once again play their part. The full-back
believed a win would be the perfect result to build on last week's 3-3 draw
at Hull City. "We need three points at home and we need to take three
points," he said. "We need to be strong at home. If we win or lose then last
week will be like a defeat. We have to win at home to make it feel like the
point at Hull was worthwhile."
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a renaissance this campaign after a loan spell
at Real Madrid in the second half of last season. Faubert returned fitter
and fired up to show the Hammers faithful what he can do. He has proved a
positive force up the right flank and is looking forward to hearing the team
roared on again by the home support. The Frenchman added: "I know that the
fans are great every time we play. When we are away the fans are there and
it is good to have the fans behind us. I have never heard a whistle and that
is West Ham, which is why I am very happy to play here."
Looking back to last weekend's topsy-turvy encounter at the KC Stadium,
Faubert said the team needed to learn the lessons. "I am happy that we came
back to draw but to win the game we needed to score four goals," he said.
"When you play away you have to be strong and to keep the shape. We are
happy we got one point but frustrated because we knew we could have taken
three."
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West Ham v Burnley
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 28 December Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day
West Ham captain Matthew Upson is out after picking up a hamstring injury,
with Danny Gabbidon set to replace him. Alessandro Diamanti is out with a
hip injury, but Kieron Dyer (hamstring) scored twice for the reserves and
James Tomkins (groin) may also return.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle has no new injury concerns so may opt to play the
same team for the fifth straight week. Long-term absentees Jay Rodriguez
(ankle), Chris McCann and Martin Paterson (both knee) remain missing.
________________________________________
West Ham
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Diamanti (hip), Dyer (hamstring), Tomkins (groin)
Injured: Ashton (ankle), Boa Morte (knee), Davenport (leg), Upson
(hamstring).
Burnley
Suspended: None Doubtful: None
Injured: McCann & Paterson (both knee), Rodriguez (ankle)
MATCH PREVIEW
Grease was the word the last time a Burnley side beat West Ham. The Clarets
emerged 3-2 winners at Turf Moor in September 1978 - the same month John
Travolta and Olivia Newton John became household names in the UK as Danny
and Sandy. Burnley are freshmen in this season's top flight but have
adjusted well to life at high school with their slick passing style, winning
five out of seven home games. It has been a different story on their travels
however, with a maiden Premier League away win still the one that they want.
Owen Coyle knows only too well that his side need to start adding to their
solid home form with valuable away points if the Clarets are to enjoy
guaranteed summer nights in 2010 as a top-flight club.
West Ham have thrown two-goal leads away twice in the last three weeks,
which has left Gianfranco Zola with tears on his pillow. The Hammers have
exactly the same number of points from 13 games as they did when they
flunked their exams during their relegation season of 2002/03. Gianfranco
Zola's side urgently need to get points on the board quickly to ensure
lightning does not strike twice.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham completed a league double over Burnley during the 2004/05
campaign, the last time the two clubs were in the same division.
• The Clarets have not won in their last six league visits to Upton Park.
Their only victory in their last 17 league matches at West Ham was 1-0 in
old Division One in October 1973.
• This fixture has averaged 3.4 goals per game in 74 all-time matches.
West Ham
• Gianfranco Zola's side started the season with clean sheets in two of
their opening three games. They have since conceded 21 goals in 10 league
matches.
• West Ham have scored two goals or more in five of their last six league
games, yet have won only one of them.
• If he plays, Mark Noble is set make his 100th league appearance for the
club.
Burnley
• Owen Coyle's side have lost both Premier League trips to London this
season - 3-0 at Chelsea, 5-0 at Tottenham.
• The Clarets are bottom of the Premier League away table with just one
point from 18 and a goal difference of minus 15. Hull have also managed just
one away point to date.
• If selected, Wade Elliott will be making his 400th league appearance with
Andrew Bikey set for his 50th Premier League match.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 6 goals (6 league); Stanislas: 3 goals (1 league)
Burnley
Fletcher: 6 goals (3 league); Alexander: 4 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield & Dave Bryan
Fourth official: Phil Crossley
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (D3-3 v Hull, a): Green, Faubert, Da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon,
Collison, Parker, Behrami (Hines 60), Stanislas, Franco (Jimenez 70), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Kovac, Spector, Ilunga, Nouble.
Burnley (D1-1 v Aston Villa, h): Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan,
Alexander, Bikey, Eagles (McDonald 69), Elliott, Blake (Gudjonsson 81),
Fletcher (Nugent 74). Subs Not Used: Penny, Duff, Thompson, Guerrero.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Burnley 0-1 West Ham (5 April 2005)
West Ham scorers: Sheringham 83
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Dyer ready for West Ham comeback
BBC.co.uk
Former England midfielder Kieron Dyer is nearing a first-team return for
West Ham after being out with a hamstring injury since the end of September.
Dyer, 30, scored twice for the reserves in Tuesday's win over Stoke and
could feature against Burnley on Saturday. "It went really well. I looked
quite sharp so hopefully it gives the manager a poser," he told the club's
website. Dyer has only started four games for West Ham since signing for £6m
from Newcastle in August 2007. Just 10 days after making his debut, the
former Ipswich player was stretchered off with a broken leg in the Carling
Cup match at Bristol Rovers. Dyer was out for 17 months, and later suffered
a further stress fracture. There were fears for his career, but West Ham say
Dyer has continued to train hard in an effort to get back into the first
team. He starred in the 5-2 reserve team win over Stoke at Bishop's
Stortford on Tuesday, watched by Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola and assistant
Steve Clarke. His return is a boost for Zola, whose side are lurking
immediately above the relegation zone with 11 points from 13 matches. "The
manager needs as many fit and experienced players as possible and I'm just
glad I can be back because we need to push up that table," said Dyer. Dyer
has been capped 30 times by England and was in the national squad for both
the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
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Upson out of Burnley test
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th November 2009
By: Staff Writer
Club captain Matthew Upson could be out of action for several weeks after
suffering a hamstring injury in training. Upson, who succeeded the outgoing
Lucas Neill as club captain during the summer sustained the injury earlier
this week and as well as missing out against the Clarets, could also miss
the forthcoming clashes against Man Utd, Birmingham, Bolton and Chelsea.
Despite the loss of Upson, Gianfranco Zola's defensive options have been
boosted by the return of Danny Gabbidon, who played out of position at left
back against Hull last weekend but will almost certainly replace Upson on
Saturday afternoon. Gabbidon - the KUMB.com Player of the Year in 2005/06 -
has missed the best part of the last two seasons with an ongoing hip injury
but is close to reaching full fitness once again. Meanwhile there is further
good news regarding Kieron Dyer, who is also looking to be involved with the
first team again this weekend having come through Tuesday's 5-2 reserve team
win over Stoke unscathed. "Obviously I needed the run-out and it was good,"
Dyer told whufc.com. "It went really well. I scored two goals and looked
quite sharp so hopefully it gives the manager a poser."
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Quashie's parting shot
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th November 2009
By: Staff Writer
Nigel Quashie has accused West Ham of treating him unfairly. The midfielder
joined MK Dons on loan earlier this week but still couldn't resist taking a
swipe at the club that has paid him in excess of £1million in wages for each
of the last three seasons - during which he has made a total of eight
appearances.
"I want to enjoy my football somewhere where I feel wanted by the boss - and
by someone who knows how to handle players and get the best out of people,"
he told the Milton Keynes Citizen. "The situation at West Ham is that I came
back in the summer, got fit, played in their pre-season matches but then
ended up with the kids every day. But I was playing quite well in the
reserves and the reserve team manager was happy with me. "Gianluca Nani,
the director of football, was also happy with me and the DVDs were passed
along to the first team. They could see I was playing well, yet I was told
to remain back at home and pick up my wages. "It hurts because I am telling
the utmost truth and I've done nothing wrong. I was treated very unfairly."
Quashie, who has joined the Dons on loan for the next six weeks admitted
that the step down in class would be new ground for him, whilst adding that
his main aim is getting some much-missed match practise under his belt. "My
general plan is to get fit and start enjoying playing once again because I
don't enjoy just sitting at home," he added. "I just need to try and get a
few games under my belt and I want to be as professional as I can. "I want
to be respectable to the other players at the football club. I haven't
played at this level of football before but it is something I have to accept
at this moment."
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Zola urges Dyer caution
Hammers boss wary of risking midfielder too soon
By Chris Burton Last updated: 27th November 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola insists Kieron Dyer will not be rushed back into first-team
action, despite West Ham's current troubles. The midfielder, who has seen
his career plagued by injuries, is back in contention for Saturday's home
date with Burnley. He has been sidelined since September, unable to help the
Hammers out of an early season slump which has left them languishing towards
the foot of the table. In fact, the former Newcastle man has started just
four games for West Ham since moving to the capital in August 2007. Zola
knows Dyer must be handled with care if he is to perform at his best, but
the Italian has warned that he will not risk the 30-year-old unnecessarily.
"He's an important player and he's a quality player. It's good to have him
back available," Zola said.
"When Kieron Dyer is fit he can bring something different but what we don't
want right now is more setbacks. "I don't want to put pressure on him. He's
been out for a long time. I'm seeing him very positive, he's bright and he
just needs to train a lot and be able to play to his standard for a long
period.
"I don't think he will start (against Burnley) but I have yet to make a
decision." Zola has also sought to play down any talk of Dyer forcing his
way back into the England fold ahead of next summer's World Cup, with the
Hammers boss keen for the experienced playmaker to work his way back to full
fitness before setting any long-term targets. "That's (the World Cup) still
a long way off," he added. "I think he should take it easy. The most
important thing for Kieron is to remain fit as long as possible so he can
get his form back, and then everything else will come later."
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West Ham v Burnley preview
Hammers hoping for a reversal in fortunes on home soil
Last updated: 27th November 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
SKY BET odds: West Ham 5/6, Draw 2/1, Burnley 7/2
One to Watch: Carlton Cole
West Ham will want to start edging away from trouble when they entertain
Burnley on Saturday. The Hammers currently occupy a standing outside of the
Premier League's bottom three, but only goal difference is keeping their
heads above water. A dismal record on home soil has been their undoing so
far, with only one victory taken from six fixtures at Upton Park. Gianfranco
Zola's side have also been leaking goals at an alarming rate, conceding at
least twice in eight of their last nine games. One statistic which does side
in their favour, though, regards Burnley's record in games between the two
sides. Burnley have won none of their last nine meetings with the Hammers in
all competitions. Owen Coyle's side have also struggled on their travels
this term, and are yet to claim an away success in the Premier League. They
have conceded 20 goals in their last five fixtures away from Turf Moor, an
average of four per game. Burnley have, however, gone unbeaten through their
last three top-flight fixtures, allowing them to lodge themselves in the
relative safety of mid-table.
Welcome returns
West Ham could welcome Kieron Dyer back into the fold this weekend, with the
midfielder making impressive progress in his recovery from a hamstring
problem. Alessandro Diamanti (hip) and James Tomkins (groin) could also be
available to Zola following recent spells on the sidelines. Calum Davenport
(thigh) and Dean Ashton (ankle) remain long-term absentees, while Luis Boa
Morte is not expected to play again this season after suffering a cruciate
knee ligament injury.
Settled side
Burnley boss Coyle is pondering selecting the same starting XI for the fifth
consecutive match. The Clarets travel to East London with a settled side and
no major injury concerns. Burnley's only absentees are due to long-term
problems, with midfielder Chris McCann and forwards Jay Rodriguez and Martin
Paterson all scheduled for a return around Christmas.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Ilunga, Upson, Gabbidon, Faubert, Stanislas, Parker,
Collison, Behrami, Cole, Franco.
Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan, Eagles, Mears,
Bikey, Elliott, Blake, Fletcher.
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Dyer could face Clarets
Midfielder hopes to help struggling team-mates
Last updated: 26th November 2009
SSN
West Ham could soon be boosted in their fight for Premier League survival by
the return to full fitness of injury-plagued Kieron Dyer. The midfielder has
not played since the end of September after suffering a setback in his
recovery from a hamstring problem. But Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola may be
able to select Dyer for this weekend's match against Burnley after the
30-year-old came through a reserve game unscathed. "My hamstrings felt good
so hopefully I'll feature at some stage," Dyer told the club's official
website. "Obviously the manager needs as many fit and experienced players as
possible and I'm just glad I can be back because we need to push up that
table." Dyer missed the majority of last season, Zola's first in charge,
after sustaining a broken leg.
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Gianfranco Zola set to splash the cash this Christmas... on Katy Perry
lingerie for his wife
Published 05:00 28/11/09
By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Fear not West Ham fans - boss Gianfranco Zola has set his sights on
splashing the cash this Christmas. The Hammers boss is eyeing up a £300
piece of Katy Perry Lingerie for his darling wife after the pop star showed
off her claret and blue basque at the recent MTV Music Awards. Stunning
Perry wowed the watching world when she slipped on the little number for
boyfriend and diehard Hammers fan Russell Brand with the comedian's nickname
splashed across her backside. And Zola says he might even be persuaded to
slip something special into his missus's Christmas stocking. "I don't know
if I'll buy it yet but I'll see," said the little Italian. "I have to see
first what it looks like and then I will decide."
Zola, whose side have won just twice in the league this season ahead of
today's ome clash with Burnley, has also warned his underperforming stars
they could be in line for embarrassment. Asked about threatening his players
with wearing women's underwear, the Italian laughed hard at the idea of
Carlton Cole in a corset and claimed, "That would be a good idea!"
The Hammers take on Burnley in dire need of three points having won just
once at Upton Park this season. And Zola reckons his team are failing to
show their potential after insisting his side should be challenging further
up the table. "We are a good team and in my opinion we can reach a higher
level," he added. "It is down to us to find those things on the pitch that
will produce points and confidence which will give us the strength to get
there. "I believe in this team - it is a side that can be a very good team
in the Premier League but we need to find a way to show everybody how good
we can be."
Scott Parker will captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Matthew
Upson, but Zola reckons the England defender will be back in action sooner
rather than later after suffering a hamstring strain. He added: "Matthew had
a problem with his hamstring. It was in training on Wednesday. We should
know something more on that today."
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WEST HAM: ROBERT GREEN'S GOLDEN HANDSHAKE
Daily Star
28th November 2009 By Sami Mokbel
DAVID GOLD will make Robert Green's uncertain future his top priority if he
pulls off his dream West Ham takeover. The mega-rich tycoon will step up his
proposed buyout next week after rejecting a deal to buy Crystal Palace.
Palace chairman Simon Jordan held informal talks with Gold about the
possibility of an Eagles takeover. But the ex-Birmingham City co-owner has
studied the Selhurst Park club's ailing finances and poor infrastructure
and decided it is too much of a long-term project considering he is 72 years
old. Now Gold will press ahead with his Upton Park bid and will make
resolving Green's contract dispute his first task. East London-born Gold
wants to be in charge at the Hammers before the start of the January
transfer window so he can have a say in the comings and goings. The
29-year-old England keeper is stalling on a new Hammers deal, sparking
speculation he wants to leave. Arsenal and Tottenham are both waiting in
the wings and Gold wants to settle the keeper's future once and for all. The
shrewd businessman will seek assurances from Green over his long-term
commitment to the club. If he does not get those guarantees Gold will have
no option but to put the England star on the market.
Gold – who played for West Ham as a schoolboy – will want the highest
possible fee for Green if he is to leave and will make him available in the
summer if he feels the club can't thrash out a new deal for him. Green is
unlikely to be sold in January as Gold knows the former Norwich man will be
vital to the club's hopes of staying in the Premier League. The major
stumbling block over Gold's proposed takeover remains the price. Gold is
unwilling to pay CB Holdings' (the Hammers' Icelandic owners) £120m asking
price. If his attempts to buy West Ham end in failure then Gold will turn
his attentions to Charlton. Boss Gianfranco Zola admits he is fretting
about his defence as he awaits news on Matthew Upson's injury. The Hammers,
who are at home to Burnley today, fear the England man's hamstring problem
could rule him out for weeks. Results of a scan are imminent but an absence
of just two weeks would see Upson, 30, miss four crucial matches. One is at
home to Manchester United and two are relegation six-pointers away to
Birmingham and Bolton. Zola said: "We hope Upson won't be out for too
long. It's disappointing but what can I do? "He is our captain and an
important player but we have to face reality and try to find a solution."
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Kieron Dyer close to West Ham comeback
ViewLondon.co.uk
West Ham United midfielder Kieron Dyer could make only his fifth start for
the club on Saturday after completing a reserve game unscathed. The
30-year-old has been out since September with a hamstring injury but scored
twice in a 5-2 West Ham reserves win against Stoke City and could feature in
the Hammers' Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday. The former
England midfielder has made only four starts for the East London side since
transferring from Newcastle United for £7 million in August 2007 but is
hopeful of featuring at Upton Park this weekend. "Obviously I needed the
run-out and it was good, especially for young lads having an experienced
player like myself out there," Dyer, who suffered a broken leg shortly after
making his debut for the Hammers, told the official West Ham website. "It
went really well. I scored two goals and looked quite sharp so hopefully it
gives the manager a poser."
A returning Dyer, who has 30 caps for England, would be gratefully received
by West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, whose side are languishing in 17th with
only 11 points from 13 matches. "The manager needs as many fit and
experienced players as possible and I'm just glad I can be back because we
need to push up that table," the midfielder commented.
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West Ham United v Burnley
ESPN
Updated: November 27, 2009, 3:59 PM UK
Matthew Upson will miss West Ham's Barclays Premier League home match
against Burnley after suffering a hamstring injury in training. Fellow
centre-back Danny Gabbidon, fully fit after an abdominal injury, should take
the place of the England international at the heart of the defence, with
midfielder Scott Parker taking over the captain's armband. Forward
Alessandro Diamanti is still out with a hip problem but James Tomkins and
Mark Noble have been declared fit by manager Gianfranco Zola. Winger Kieron
Dyer has returned to fitness after a hamstring injury and played for the
reserves on Tuesday but is unlikely to feature. Zola insists Dyer will not
be rushed back into the first team despite the club's perilous position near
the foot of the Barclays Premier League. It is the latest attempt by the
former England midfielder to revive a career that many believe is grinding
to a halt owing to the sheer number of injuries he has suffered in recent
years. Dyer has only started four matches for the Hammers since joining from
Newcastle in August 2007. He scored twice for the reserves in Tuesday's 5-2
win against Stoke and is pushing for a first-team recall in tomorrow's
league match against Burnley at Upton Park. But Zola maintains he will take
things slowly. "He's an important player and he's a quality player. It's
good to have him back available,'' Zola said. "When Kieron Dyer is fit he
can bring something different but what we don't want right now is more
setbacks. "I don't want to put pressure on him. He's been out for a long
time. I'm seeing him very positive, he's bright and he just needs to train a
lot and be able to play to his standard for a long period. "I don't think he
will start but I have yet to make a decision.''
West Ham are desperate to claim all three points this weekend as they look
to pull clear of relegation trouble. "It's obviously a big opportunity for
us,'' Zola added. "We need to get a victory. It's been a while since we had
a victory so it's important and we know it. "If we keep playing the way we
have been playing and improve on certain things, we have a good chance.''
Burnley manager Owen Coyle is pondering selecting the same starting XI for
the fifth consecutive Barclays Premier League match. The 11th-placed Clarets
travel to east London with a settled side and no major injury concerns.
Burnley's absentees are due to long-term problems with midfielder Chris
McCann and forwards Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson all scheduled for a
return around Christmas. Defender Tyrone Mears returns to former club West
Ham hoping he will soon be eligible for England. Stockport-born Mears has
been tipped for a surprise international call by his club manager Owen Coyle
but he is currently unavailable due to erroneously playing for Jamaica nine
months ago. The 26-year-old featured for the Jamaicans, then coached by
former England international John Barnes, against Nigeria at Loftus Road in
February despite having no links to the Caribbean country. Former Hammer
Mears was under the impression his estranged father was from Jamaica but has
since discovered possible links to Sierra Leone. Now he is attempting to
have his international cap rescinded in the outside chance he catches Fabio
Capello's eye in World Cup year. "The problem is I am registered with FIFA
as a Jamaican player, which shouldn't have happened,'' said Mears "I don't
qualify for Jamaica. You have to hold a passport to play for a country.
"Because it was a friendly I was told it wouldn't count and I didn't think
it was a big deal but apparently it is. "I've spoken with lawyers and we've
written to FIFA and I think everything's going to be sorted out. At the
minute I couldn't play for England. "I have to send some information to the
FA and once they've signed off everything it should be fine, so it should
happen in the next few weeks. "It is not really a big topic on my mind, the
important thing is that I keep performing well for Burnley.''
The Clarets are yet to win outside their Turf Moor stronghold but have been
buoyed by the point claimed at Manchester City last time out. "It's
important that we go down there and play as we know we can,'' said Mears.
"It's going to be hostile. The fans down there make it tough for the away
teams. "The main thing for us, though, is that the manager creates an
atmosphere of no fear. He wants you to go out and enjoy yourself and give
everything. "We are getting better away from home but but it's not about the
performances, it's about the points.''
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This continued Chamakh talk just doesn't add up
Date: 27th November 2009 at 11:31 am
Author: GUEST BLOGGER
Football FanCast guest columnist Luke Riley cannot understand what the fuss
is with regards to Marouane Chamakh. If there was an award for the most
overrated and most sought after player of the past 12 months then Marouane
Chamakh would win it hands down. Quite what the fuss is about the Bordeaux
striker, I will never know, and anyone who has seen him play, like I have on
numerous occasions, will know there is not much substance to him and
certainly no justification as to why he warrants the attention and interest
that he does from the Premier League clubs that have been touted.
I think you can count on the one hand the amount of clubs that haven't been
linked to the Bordeaux striker, with Arsenal, West Ham and Sunderland
reportedly the most interested. All clubs quoted their admiration of a
striker, who is an extremely poor Teddy Sheringham at best, and why Arsene
Wenger has since ruled out a January move, you do sense that one of the
other two will perhaps reaffirm their interest in Chamakh when the window
opens.
Chamakh has come out once again and reiterated his desire to move to the
Premier League, claiming that perhaps a move will be beneficial for
Bordeaux, so they are in a position to get some sort of fee as he will be
available on a Bosman free at the end of the season. While it will be seen
as an admirable gesture on behalf of the striker as it could jeopardise
potential riches in the summer, it is clear that Chamakh is desperate to
move to England and prove himself in what is a far superior League
technically and a lot quicker to the one he faces in Ligue 1. In my view he
will be out of his depth in the Premier League, but I guess time will tell.
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Millwall and West Ham learn of FA hearing
28.11.09 | Ian Ferris
The Football Association has set a date for early January to hear the
charges brought against West Ham United and Millwall for the crowd trouble
which marred their Carling Cup tie on 25 August, with each club intending to
mount a robust defence, reports The Guardian. West Ham face four charges and
Millwall have to contend with three, both clubs facing one apiece of racist
abuse by their supporters – against the West Ham striker Carlton Cole and
the Millwall forward Jason Price – during the game, which West Ham won 3-1
after extra time. The clubs also face accusations that they failed to
ensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and
provocative behaviour, and a failure to ensure the fans did not throw
missiles. West Ham face a further charge of failing to ensure their
supporters did not enter the field of play. It is thought that each club
feel they did as much as possible to ensure a match which was always likely
to be a potential flashpoint went off without trouble. Part of their defence
will involve proving the lengths they went to.
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