WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami has won a recall to the Switzerland squad for next week's
friendly with Norway
06.11.2009
Valon Behrami's fine week continued as the midfielder celebrated a return to
the Switzerland squad. The 24-year-old last turned out for his country in a
1-0 friendly victory over Finland a year ago, missing out as the Swiss
secured qualification for next summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa after
suffering a long-term knee injury. However, the energetic midfielder worked
hard over the summer and returned to action at Wigan Athletic in September.
In midweek, he was a driving force as West Ham United beat Aston Villa 2-1
at the Boleyn Ground. National team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has clearly been
impressed by Behrami's form and fitness, and has included him in the squad
for a friendly against Norway in Geneva a week on Saturday.
Jack Collison and Danny Gabbidon have both been called-up by Wales manager
John Toshack for the friendly with Scotland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium
on the same day.
England's squad for the prestige friendly against Brazil in Abu Dhabi on 14
November will be named following this weekend's round of Barclays Premier
League matches, with Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole all
hopeful of being included.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Spector is expected to be named in the United States
squad for a friendly against fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers Slovakia in
Bratislava on the same date.
At Under-21 level, James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines could all
be involved from the start when England host Portugal at Wembley next
Saturday lunchtime. Stuart Pearce's side then head for Vilnius to face
Lithuania in the second half of a 2011 FIFA European U21 Championship
qualifying double-header.
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TV matches update
WHUFC.com
Fans will be able to see two more of the club's matches live on Sky Sports
06.11.2009
West Ham United can confirm that two more matches have been selected for
broadcast by Sky Sports. Gianfranco Zola's men will look to complete a
double when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday 10 January, with
the kick-off set for 1.30pm. The Hammers won 2-0 at Molineux on the opening
day of the season. Exactly a week later at 1.30pm on Sunday 17 January, the
trip to Aston Villa will be broadcast with viewers again hoping to see
Zola's men record a victory. Goals from Mark Noble and Zavon Hines meant a
2-1 home success in the first meeting earlier this week. The club was
already due to be on Sky Sports twice next month. The visit of Chelsea was
put back a day to Sunday 20 December with a 4pm kick-off on Sky Sports,
while the Monday 28 December trip to Tottenham Hotspur will also be shown
from 12.45pm. Finally, the reserve match against Arsenal next Tuesday at
Bishop's Stortford has been postponed. It will take place instead on Tuesday
12 January, with kick-off at 7pm.
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U18s off to Fulham
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's in-form U18s will go for a third straight FA Premier Academy
League win on Saturday
06.11.2009
Tony Carr's Under-18s go for their third consecutive FA Premier Academy
League victory at Fulham on Saturday. The Academy Director has been
heartened by his side's improved displays in recent weeks, with the U18s
ending a seven-match winless run by beating Portsmouth and Arsenal. Carr
believes his players have shown a greater level of application and
concentration in both victories. "The keys to our improvement have been
based on consistency. We are concentrating better and not making the
mistakes that we made in the early matches this season so often. "As a
consequence, we are not conceding as many goals defensively, and we are
converting more chances at the attacking end of the pitch."
While Arsenal presented the Hammers with the challenge of stopping their
intricate, pass-and-move style of play, Carr is expecting a more physical
game at Motspur Park.
West Ham go into Saturday's match ahead of Fulham on goal difference in
Group A, with both teams having taken 12 points from their opening ten
fixtures. The Cottagers also won last week, overcoming Norwich City 3-1. "We
face a different sort of challenge at Fulham. They are a more direct side
and will test us, but all these matches are giving the players greater
experience and expanding their football education."
Four of Carr's squad - Jordan Brown, Eoin Wearen, Cristian Montano and Ahmed
Abdulla - featured at the same venue in Tuesday's 1-1 FA Premier Reserve
League South draw and are all expected to start on Saturday. However, one
definite absentee is goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet, who is part of Turkey's squad
at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria. Turkey face a quarter-final with
Colombia on Sunday afternoon.
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Claret and Blue unveiled
WHUFC.com
Friday afternoon sees the launch of the all-new West Ham United e-magazine
Claret and Blue
06.11.2009
This Friday afternoon sees the launch of the all-new West Ham United
e-magazine Claret and Blue. Claret and Blue is a monthly publication that is
free to receive and takes over from the existing newsletter. Although it
arrives like a regular email, when you click the front cover image it sends
you to a fully interactive e-magazine with a range of exclusive stories and
features, supported by fantastic free video content. Claret and Blue will
arrive on the first Friday of every month and is part the new weekly
newsletter updates that will be hitting your inbox every Friday. The first
edition brings you Martin Peters talking about West Ham's England hopefuls
as well Carlton Cole discussing his international ambitions. Evening
Standard journalist Ken Dyer reports from Chadwell Heath, while West Ham
United hero Tony Cottee brings you the first of his monthly
behind-the-scenes reports from the club.
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West Ham v Everton
BBC.co.uk
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 8 November 2009 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full match commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 14.85 MW
and DAB; coverage on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day 2
TEAM NEWS
West Ham duo Carlton Cole and Herita Ilunga both limped off in midweek and
could miss the match against Everton. Zavon Hines should replace Cole, while
Radoslav Kovac returns from suspension.
Everton are without the suspended Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, but Louis Saha
should recover in time from a calf problem. John Heitinga and Lucas Neill
are free to play for David Moyes' men after being ineligible for Thursday's
Europa League match with Benfica.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham
Suspended: None Doubtful: Cole & Ilunga (both hamstring)
Injured: Ashton (ankle), Boa Morte (knee), Davenport (leg),
Dyer (hamstring)
Everton
Suspended: Bilyaletdinov (three matches) Doubtful: Saha (calf)
Injured: Anichebe, Arteta, Jagielka, Neville, Pienaar & Vaughan (all knee),
Osman (foot)
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham had gone a scarcely believable 81 days since they last won in the
Premier League before their 'Zaviour' came to the rescue at Upton Park on
Wednesday.
It's all about taking your chance when you get it... I had been plugging
away in the reserves but I've got my opportunity this season and I've tried
to take it
West Ham's Zavon Hines
How crucial Zavon Hines' last-minute goal against Aston Villa will prove to
be to the Hammers' season remains to be seen, but manager Gianfranco Zola
talked after the match of his side having turned a corner.
They now face an Everton side who are in a rut and suffered a frightful
October that saw them garner just three points in the league, bow out of the
Carling Cup and be taught a footballing lesson by Benfica in the Europa
League.
Their spirits were given a further knock this week when midfield fulcrum
Mikel Arteta suffered a setback in his recovery from cruciate ligament
surgery.
The Toffees have missed his creative spark and will be looking to coax more
goals out of the likes of Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini, Jo and Yakubu, who
have mustered just two Premier League strikes between them all season.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Everton are unbeaten in four out of their last five visits to Upton Park
and have won on their last two trips.
• Everton won both of their league games against the Hammers last season by
a 3-1 scoreline.
• In 28 Premier League games against Everton, West Ham have never scored
more than two goals in one game. They have scored just 23 against the
Toffeemen, an average of only 0.82 goals per game.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on Sunday's match
West Ham
• Robert Green has saved six penalties in the Premier League since August
2006.
• The Hammers have thrown away seven points from winning positions this
season - those seven points would put them comfortably in mid-table.
• West Ham have won almost 80% of their tackles this season - a league high.
Everton
• Three out of Everton's last four matches have ended in a 1-1 scoreline.
• Everton currently have the same record they had at this stage last season:
P10, W3, D3, L4
• Everton have drawn more Premier League games (10) in 2009 than any other
side.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 6 goals (6 league); Stanislas: 3 goals (1 league)
Everton
Saha: 8 goals (6 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Alan Wiley
Assistant referees: Mike Bull & Stephen Child
Fourth official: Trevor Kettle
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (W2-1 v Aston Villa, h): Green; Behrami, Upson, Faubert, Ilunga
(Spector 8), Da Costa, Parker, Noble, Collison, Franco (Jimenez 88), Cole
(Hines 32). Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Tomkins, Diamanti, Stanislas.
Everton (D1-1 v Aston Villa, h): Howard, Neill, Yobo, Distin, Baines,
Cahill, Rodwell, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Fellaini (Saha 72), Yakubu (Jo
90). Subs Not Used: Nash, Gosling, Coleman, Duffy, Agard.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Everton 3-1 West Ham (16 May 2009)
Everton scorers: Saha 38 pen, Yobo 48, Saha 76.
West Ham scorers: Kovac 24.
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She wore a claret ribbon...
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th November 2009
By: Staff Writer
Singer Katy Perry wowed the MTV European audience last night with a
specially designed West Ham United basque. Perry - currently dating
Grays-born celebrity Hammer Russell Brand - sported the outfit at the
European Music Awards after being dared to do so by Brand. The singer - who
wore a number of outfits throughout the night - stunned the audience with
the two-piece outfit complete with a claret ribbon and the word 'Rusty' -
which is apparently Perry's nickname for Brand - emblazoned upon her
derriere.
Brand, writing on Twitter this morning said: "Wow. Now my girlfriend has
worn a West Ham basque while hosting the EMAs. What a day! I might revive
Gandhi and ask if he wants to be mates. "Yes I will be taking her to a game
- West Ham v Everton. And, before it begins, no I won't be taking her up the
Arsenal."
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Everton Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 6th November 2009
By: Preview Percy
It's been a busy week for Preview Percy as he has a look at Sunday's match
at home to Everton......
Next up it's another home match against Everton, the Sunday 3pm kick-off
resulting from the Toffees' involvement in the Europa League.
They've had a disappointing start to the Premiership season for a club that
has ambitions of regular European placings. They currently lie in 13th
place, three places and two points above ourselves with an identical goal
difference in their twelve points from 10 games.
They opened their season with two defeats – a 6-1 defeat at Arsenal and a
1-0 reverse at Burnley. They've beaten Wigan and Blackburn at home, and
Pompey and Hull on the road. They've picked up home draws against Villa,
Stoke and Wolves whilst going down at the Reebok to Bolton. All in all not
the brightest of starts.
Much of the blame for their stuttering start could be placed at the door of
their injury list. In particular, the absence of Arteta seems to have
affected them. A class act, Arteta has been missing with a knee problem
since February, and the mood at Goodison this week won't have been improved
by the news that his return has been put back indefinitely. Close to return
from long-term injuries are Phils Neville and Jagielka, though they are
still said to be a few weeks away and they won't be about this season.
Jagielka, it should be remembered, was responsible for Sheffield United's
relegation infinitely more than any of our own players and his disgraceful
bleating about "compensation" spoke volumes as to where his priorities lay.
South African Stephen Pienaar (knee) is said to be near a return and Tony
Hibbert returned the other night for the Benfica match having recovered from
a viral infection. One player who didn't make the squad for last week's 1-1
home draw against Villa was boy wonder Jose Baxter. Sources within the
Everton academy set up rate him a more developed player than Wayne Rooney
was at the same age and Baxter became Everton's youngest ever player last
season. Of course coming as he does from Bootle there is the odd skeleton in
his cupboard. He is currently on bail having been arrested last month for
possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of counterfeit
money. Did I hear the words "Scouse stereotype" anywhere? Still, on past
form involving Scouse players, should the matter ever get to court he stands
about as much chance of being found guilty as Stan Boardman has of actually
coming out with something funny.
The back four is likely to contain one Lucas Neill who, of course, will need
no introduction. He spent a month or so as a free agent when his contract at
the Boleyn had expired and the club were unwilling to match his previous
"Eggy-based" wage levels. He ended up on Merseyside where Phil Neville's
injury has seen him play more of a part than that cheery chappy David Moyes
might have originally envisaged.
They'll be missing the influence of Bilyaletdinov who in recent weeks has
started to combine well with the likes of Fellaini and Yakubu. Billy (as we
shall call him) blotted his copy book last week and got a straight red for a
two-footed tackle on Villa's Stilian Petrov and he now has a three match
break to consider the wisdom of his ways. Aussie Tim Cahill is always
capable of weighing in with a goal or two, especially in the air. Not to
mention the odd yellow card or two
They haven't been too prolific up front this season, and, much as we have
for much of the season with Carlton Cole, Louis Saha has borne the larger
burden of the goalscoring duties. He has netted six of their thirteen league
goals so far this season. Saha has been nursing a calf problem he picked up
in the 2-0 defeat at Spurs in the League Cup and he played only the last 18
minutes of the Villa draw last weekend. He was also absent in midweek as
they went down 2-0 to Benfica in the Europa League. It is likely that Moyes
rested Saha for that one in the hope that he'll ok to take at least some
part in Sunday's proceedings. They also have Jo on loan from Man City,
though he doesn't tend to be a first choice – he started from the bench
against Benfica.
Ss for us, well confidence it seems is everything. Few of us, however, would
have envisaged a win against Villa once Carlton Cole had withdrawn from
proceedings, However the pace and enthusiasm of Hines caused Villa all sorts
of problems and the eventual victory was well-deserved. Da Costa did well
alongside Upson – the towering header that was disgracefully given as a
penalty by Steve Bennett is one that will stick in the mind for a long
while. As will the clearance that ended up in Priory Road.
The injuries to Ilunga and Cole should mean that we will go with the line-up
that played most of the game with Spector at left back and Hines partnering
Franco up front. Despite the second half up at the Stadium Of Light, the win
will have done wonders for the mood of the squad, and the fact that our
three goals on Wednesday came after Cole's substitution should give the side
the idea that there can be "Life After Carlton" – though please do not tell
the money men that this is the case.
Everton have been having a rough time of it of late and their away form
isn't the most impressive. They've lost three of their four matches on the
road, the solitary win coming at Fratton Park where Portsmouth were right in
the middle of their dismal start to the season. The Europa League defeats to
Benfica (5-0 and 2-0) in recent weeks won't have lightened their mood any
and, despite the absence of Cole, I can see our confidence being the key to
this one. I'll therefore plump for another 2-1 victory to push us a wee bit
further up the table.
Enjoy the game!
Last Season: Lost 3-1 Collison's fine strike seemed to have earned us all
three points until three late goals made a travesty of our domination of the
match.
Danger Man: Saha – if fit is capable of causing problems.
Referee: Alan Wiley. Liverpool's favourite referee was last seen blowing the
whistle for half-time to deny Carlton Cole an equaliser up at Wigan earlier
this season.
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Noble gets all emotional
Hammers midfielder reflects on vital victory
By Chris Burton Last updated: 6th November 2009
SSN
Mark Noble admits West Ham's dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on
Wednesday was one of the most emotional moments of his career. The Hammers
headed into the midweek fixture on the back of a nine-game winless run. That
slump had left them languishing in the Premier League relegation zone and
short on confidence. A gladiatorial atmosphere at Upton Park helped to raise
the spirits of Gianfranco Zola's side, though, and they were able to pick up
three priceless points. Noble put West Ham on their way from the penalty
spot, only for Ashley Young to level matters six minutes into the second
half. Substitute Zavon Hines then stepped off the bench to snatch an
injury-time winner, leaving those on and off the field drained come the
final whistle. "Wednesday was important," said midfield dynamo Noble. I can
say the moments I have been through with this club that was emotionally one
of the best moments I have had. "It was so good to be involved with that. It
was a really tough game, really tough, but in the end I thought we deserved
it. "The confidence is up for Everton (on Sunday). We will rest well, train
well and hopefully the fans will turn up like they did against Villa. It
will be fantastic if they get behind us and drive us on to another win. "It
was so emotionally charged because we needed the win so much. It was
brilliant and now hopefully we can kick on. It is an unbelievable feeling
when you score a goal like that. You just feel like crying. "We kept going
and going. The crowd were unbelievable when they got the equaliser they
still cheered us and they didn't get on our backs. I thought that is what we
need with the moment we are going through. "I feel I have got a right to say
that because I am a West Ham fan myself and I have been brought up round
here. But I thought they were unbelievable and we won that game partly
because of them."
West Ham v Everton 1st Goalscorer: Noble, M. 16/1
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West Ham v Everton preview
Zola and Moyes aim to climb the table when meeting in East London
Last updated: 6th November 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
SKY BET odds: West Ham 11/8, Draw 12/5, Everton 15/8
One to Watch: Valon Behrami
Upton Park hosts a match between two sides who have failed to live up to
expectations this season when West Ham take on Everton in the Premier League
on Sunday. Following impressive campaigns in 2008/09, the Hammers finishing
ninth and the Toffees concluding in fifth position, high targets were
predicted for Gianfranco Zola and David Moyes' respected men in the current
campaign. West Ham were labelled as potential candidates to compete for the
European places, while Everton were thought to be well equipped to repeat
their 2004/05 feat of breaking into the top four. However, at this still
early stage of the season, neither Zola or Moyes will be particularly
pleased with the performance of their squads as the former sits in 16th
position and the latter occupies 13th spot. West Ham only climbed out of the
relegation zone on Wednesday with a late victory over Aston Villa in East
London, which was only a second league win of the season following the
opening day success at Wolves. Everton have fared little better and are
without a league success in four games, while Thursday's Europa League
defeat on home soil to a classy Benfica side only increased the football
misery engulfing the whole of Merseyside. Injuries have severely hampered
both sides and there will be next to no let up for this weekend's meeting in
the capital. West Ham boss Zola, who arguably performed above expectations
in his debut season in charge, will still be without long-term absentees
Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee), while injury-plagued Kieron
Dyer is unavailable. Zavon Hines, the last-action hero against Villa, is on
standby if Carlton Cole is not fit after replacing the limping striker in
the first half in midweek, but the knock is not thought to be too serious.
Herita Ilunga pulled a hamstring after just eight minutes against Villa and
it remains to be seen if the defender will be fit for the arrival of
Everton.
Moyes will not be able to select Diniyar Bilyaletdinov as the midfielder
will serve his suspension following a red card in last weekend's 1-1 draw
with Villa. The Toffees, who are battling against fixture congestion at the
same time as a long list of injuries, could be boosted by the return of
Steven Pienaar as the South African will be offered a fitness test after
missing the last seven games. However, captain Phil Neville, Leon Osman,
Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebi and Phil Jagielka are still out of action.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Ilunga, Da Costa, Upson, Faubert, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Collison, Cole, Franco.
Everton: Howard, Neill, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Cahill, Fellaini, Rodwell,
Heitinga, Yakubu, Jo.
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Pals to keep Zavon Hines's feet on ground
Ken Dyer
06.11.09
Evening Standard
West Ham's players have promised not to let Zavon Hines success go to his
head. The 20-year-old is a product of the celebrated West Ham academy and
scored the late winner against Aston Villa to help his team out of the
bottom three on Wednesday night. He looks certain to start at home to
Everton on Sunday in place of hamstring victim Carlton Cole and team-mate
Mark Noble said: "I'm so pleased for Zavon and now I just hope he keeps his
feet on the ground. "I am sure he will because, as a group of players, we
will make sure he doesn't get carried away."
On the morning of the Everton game, West Ham will unveil a plaque in honour
of the West Ham Pals, a battalion of the Essex regiment during World War
One.
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Mark Noble talks up West Ham ahead of Everton game
Evening Standard
06.11.09
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble admits their last-minute victory over Aston
Villa on Wednesday was one of the most emotional moments of his career.
Noble put the Hammers in front against Villa with a 45th minute penalty but
Ashley Young levelled six minutes after half-time. Substitute Zavon Hines
fired the winner in injury time to lift the struggling side out of the
bottom three. It was their first home win in the league this season and
Noble is now looking forward to Sunday's clash with Everton at Upton Park
with renewed heart. Noble, still only 23, is in line to make his 100th
league outing against the Toffees. "Wednesday was important," said Noble. "I
can say the moments I have been through with this club that was emotionally
one of the best moments I have had. "It was so good to be involved with
that. It was a really tough game, really tough, but in the end I thought we
deserved it. "The confidence is up for Everton. We will rest well, train
well and hopefully the fans will turn up like they did against Villa. It
will be fantastic if they get behind us and drive us on to another win. "It
was so emotionally charged because we needed the win so much. It was
brilliant and now hopefully we can kick on. It is an unbelievable feeling
when you score a goal like that. You just feel like crying. "We kept going
and going. The crowd were unbelievable when they got the equaliser they
still cheered us and they didn't get on our backs. I thought that is what we
need with the moment we are going through. "I feel I have got a right to say
that because I am a West Ham fan myself and I have been brought up round
here. But I thought they were unbelievable and we won that game partly
because of them."
The former England Under-21 captain kept his cool to score from the spot
against Villa and after missing his previous penalty, he was determined to
put it away. "I missed my last penalty and I was gutted about that and I
have been waiting that long to make up for it," added Noble. "I thought 'I
ain't making no mistake here. This is either going in the top corner or it
is going in the stand'. Thankfully it went in the top corner."
West Ham are keeping an eye on the fitness of both Herita Ilunga and England
striker Carlton Cole. They both collected hamstring injuries in the win over
Villa.
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HAMMERS WAIT ON INJURED COLE
Daily Express
Friday November 6,2009
By Geoff Marsh for express.co.uk
WEST Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is awaiting news on Herita Ilunga and
Carlton Cole ahead of Sunday's game with Everton. Both players were forced
off with suspected hamstring injuries during Wednesday's 2-1 victory over
Aston Villa and Jonathan Spector and Zavon Hines are standing by to step
into the starting XI. Fabio Daprela and Frank Nouble will also be added to
the squad. Radoslav Kovac is available again after serving a one-match ban
but Luis Boa Morte (knee), Dean Ashton (ankle) and Calum Davenport (leg)
remain long-term absentees with no date set for their return.
Provisional squad: Green, Jimenez, Stanislas, Nouble, Daprela, Kovac,
Spector, Hines, Upson, Collison, Franco, Cole, Ilunga, Parker, Diamanti,
Kurucz, Tomkins, Behrami, Faubert, Da Costa.
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More unsettling rumours intending to rock the West Ham applecart
Date: 6th November 2009 at 4:20 pm
Football FanCast columnist Johnny Moon reflects on yet more unfounded
rumours to unsettle West Ham supporters.
Call me an oversensitive soul, but has the Mirror got it in for us? Maybe it
is just coincidence that on the rare occasions I stumble upon their articles
they all seem to be intent on sticking the knife into our football club,
whether it is highlighting our financial woes, suggesting that Zola is
unsettled, or as today has proven linking our best players with a move away
from Upton Park. They just can't seem to get enough of us and to say its
unsettling is an understatement.
Perhaps it is my age and I remember the days when newspapers only reported
positives aspects of a football club and the look ahead to coming fixtures.
As Ferguson pointed out in the week, with regards to the character
assassination that Rio Ferdinand has faced, the modern day journalist is
only intent on sensationalising in order to provoke a reaction and cause
notable unrest and why the actions and workings of West Ham in the past few
years have given the media a loaded gun to fire at us, it is a shame that
they don't refrain for sticking the knife in any deeper than it already it
is.
The latest actions of them has to been to tout our best player (in my
opinion) Matt Upson to them lot up the A406. Perhaps they are just ignorant
to Scott Duxbury's words that he doesn't intend to do business with them, or
it has fallen on deaf ears, but for me these rumours are not only
unimaginative, but seem to be intended to unsettle West Ham fans and perhaps
turn us against those in charge of the club and create unrest. There seems
no other apparent motive; after all they don't know what our financial
situation is going to be like come January. Perhaps they should spend their
time looking into the credentials of the people who are looking to invest in
the football club to give West Ham fans an idea of what we can expect in the
future; however I guess that involves a bit of research and hard work,
something that appears to beyond most journalists these days.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NOBLE'S CROWD PLEASER
6th November 2009 By David Yuill
MARK Noble believes the West Ham fans hold the key to beating Everton. The
East End boy thanked the Upton Park faithful for their support during
Wednesday's crucial win over Aston Villa and is hoping for more of the same
tomorrow. He said: "The crowd were unbelievable. When they got the equaliser
they still cheered us and didn't get on our backs. I am a West Ham fan
myself and I have been brought up round here. But I thought they were
unbelievable and we won that game partly because of them. "It was just
incredible, the noise. It was so emotionally charged because we needed the
win so much. "It was brilliant and now hopefully we can kick on."
Everton arrive after an October to forget for David Moyes. Their only win in
eight games came in the Europa League and they only managed three draws in
the Premier League.
Their poor form plays right into the Hammers' hands as they look to climb
towards mid-table with Noble hoping for back-to-back wins. The former
England Under 21 skipper, who is in line to notch up his 100th league
appearance, said: "Our confidence is up for Everton. ''We will rest well,
train well and hopefully the fans will turn up like they did against Villa.
"It will be fantastic if they get behind us and drive us on to another win.
"Wednesday was important. I can say, of the moments I have been through with
this club, that was emotionally one of the best moments I have had."
Noble grabbed West Ham's opener from the spot just before half-time. Having
missed his previous effort from 12 yards, Noble was determined not to make
the same mistake.
He said: "I missed my last penalty and I was gutted. I have been waiting
that long to make up for it. "I thought: 'This is either going in the top
corner or it is going in the stand'. Thankfully it went in the top corner."
Gianfranco Zola joined Noble in praising the fans. He said: "The crowd is
massive. When you are in these situations and need confidence, the crowd
plays a major part in this.
"The other day they were really good and in the end, all together, we
celebrated a fantastic victory. "Football is about confidence. We know we
have been playing well but not picking up the points we needed. "That
victory will give us a lot. We know we have the qualities, we know that we
can compete at high levels."
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Alan Curbishley's chequed out just in time for Hull job
By Brian Reade
The Mirror
Published 21:22 06/11/09
So Alan Curbishley looks like getting £2 million from West Ham, after he
walked away from Upton Park when they sold two players behind his back. It's
a similar cheque to the one Kevin Keegan received when Newcastle did things
behind his back. Leaving both free to print out their CVs in time for Phil
Brown's inevitable sacking at Hull. Not that I'm implying managers ever put
out feelers or jostle for position when one of their own seems on the brink
of the chop. Doing things behind people's backs? Managers? Never.
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