WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is determined to taste victory at the Reebok Stadium for the
first time on Tuesday
14.12.2009
Both Gianfranco Zola and his West Ham United team will be aiming to make
history at Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday. Neither Zola, during his successful
playing career, nor the Hammers have ever tasted victory at the Reebok
Stadium. In ten previous visits to the ground, which opened in 1997, West
Ham have suffered defeat on seven occasions, securing draws in the three
other meetings. Zola, meanwhile, left Bolton's new home with draws in both
of his two playing appearances at the Reebok. As such, the manager knows his
team will be in for a battle when they travel to take on Gary Megson's side
in midweek. Zola is determined to make the return trip south having
collected three vital Barclays Premier League points and moved clear of the
relegation zone. "It would be very, very good to win at the Reebok for the
first time. It's going to be very, very tough, there's no doubt about that.
For us, every game has become tough, especially in this moment, so we must
really be prepared to play tough games."
Zola also insisted his players were mentally strong and confident in their
abilities following Saturday's frustrating 1-0 defeat by Birmingham City at
St. Andrews. "I think we are OK. Obviously it was tough to see us lose a
game like Saturday's. We didn't expect that, but we are strong enough to
cope with this."
One player who is getting stronger all the time is Kieron Dyer, who produced
a lively display after being sent on as a second-half substitute at
Birmingham.
The 30-year-old rattled the inside of Joe Hart's post with a fine run and
shot just seconds after coming on, and continued to pose a threat for the
remainder of the game. Zola believes the midfielder is getting ever closer
to a first start since the Carling Cup third-round loss at Bolton on 22
September, but revealed he could well remain as a substitute for the time
being. "We know with Kieron, it is just a matter of time. We know he cannot
play for the whole 90 minutes, so we just try to use him at the moment where
we think he will be more effective. We believe that towards the end when the
opposition is tired he can be more effective. Until he's going to be ready
and fit to start again. It's close to that, but we don't think he's ready."
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Zola ready to dig deeper
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is urging his players and supporters to keep calm following
defeat at Birmingham City
13.12.2009
Gianfranco Zola was determined to retain a positive outlook following
another luckless away day. Zola looked on as his West Ham United team
produced a spirited display at Birmingham City, only for the Hammers to go
down to a 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat. Despite watching his side, who
lost Mark Noble to a second half red card for two bookable offences, drop
into the bottom three, the manager insists their luck will improve soon.
"Did we deserve to get anything today? I thought we did. Whatever I say is
pointless but I just feel bad for the players because they're trying very
hard and they certainly don't deserve this. It's one more reason to dig in
even deeper to find something out. It's a question of finding solutions. "I
have more certainty that we'll find a solution than a worry that we won't
and I'll stand by that. "It's very important not to panic about being in the
bottom three and we're certainly not panicking. We don't look like a team in
panic and it's important to keep calm. "There's a long way to go but
obviously we need to do better because, right now, it's costing us dearly.
Please, no panic!"
Two players who impressed in the Midlands were Kieron Dyer, who hit the post
after emerging as a second-half substitute, and match-winner and former West
Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer. Both drew praise from Zola. "Kieron Dyer is all
about fitness. Right now we don't think he can play the whole game at the
moment because it might impact on his injury situation - that's we try to
use him as best as we can and when the opposition is going down, he can be
an impact player late in the game. We'll use him that way until he gets to
the stage where we can use him even more. "When Lee Bowyer left in January,
he wasn't playing very much for us and was coming back from an injury and he
needed to play. He didn't have the possibility to play for us regularly and
that was one of the reasons why we let him go. "I know how capable he is.
He's a player, who can score goals and it's painful to say that today but I
have no doubt that he's a good footballer."
Zola was typically unwilling to blame injuries for his side's defeat.
Instead, he was focusing on those he does have available ahead of the busy
Christmas and New Year period. "The players I've got are fine and I'm not
going to complain about that. Obviously, we are missing important people but
it's not in my nature to sit here and moan about what I haven't got. "I have
to make the most of what I have now and I appreciate very much what the
players are giving me. They are trying very hard, they're committed and, for
me, that's the most important thing."
One complaint Zola did have, however, was with the decision to send off
Noble. The midfielder's 100th league appearance for the club was marred by
referee Lee Mason showing the 22-year-old yellow cards for dissent and a
challenge on Blues forward Christian Benitez. "I think that the referee had
a day off today! I'm sorry to say that because referees are human beings and
they make mistakes. "He said that Mark Noble's second booking was for a bad
tackle. Come on, please, he just took the ball! For the first one, referees
have to be above everything and understand that players are under pressure.
Sometimes, they have to say something but I haven't asked Mark if he said
anything to offend the referee. "Before, in this country certain free-kicks
were never given but now they give them for everything. I really don't
understand it."
On a more positive note, Zola is hoping to see his side bounce back at
Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening. The Hammers were beaten 3-1 after
extra-time at the Reebok Stadium in the Carling Cup third round in
September, and both the manager and his players will be determined to turn
the tables this week.
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Bowyer reveals Hammers fear
Ex-Hammer reckons East Londoners need new investment fast
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 13th December 2009
SSN
Lee Bowyer has urged West Ham to bring in prospective owners David Gold and
David Sullivan or face relegation. Bowyer was Birmingham City's matchwinner
for the third time in four games as he put his old club West Ham to the
sword on Saturday. The 32-year-old midfielder has recaptured the form that
brought him to prominence during his Leeds days in recent weeks and what the
Hammers would do to have him in their starting line-up now as they slipped
back into the relegation-zone. Bowyer, who was deemed surplus to
requirements at Upton Park 11 months ago, admits he has sympathy for Hammers
boss Gianfranco Zola but reckons a possible takeover by former Blues owners
Sullivan Gold is essential to their survival.
Bowyer said: "I am sorry to see West Ham at the bottom. When I was there
under Alan Curbishley, we had a decent squad. I feel sorry for Zola and
(assistant) Steve Clarke because it is out of their hands a bit what is
happening to that club. "West Ham have lost some good players. For example,
Craig Bellamy went and they've not really replaced those type of players
and that is why they are where they are at the moment. "I think there are
rumours that David Sullivan and David Gold might be going there and, if they
can go and do to West Ham what they did for this club, it will be a great
move for West Ham."
Asked about the Hammers' survival chances, Bowyer added: "I think in this
league you need to score goals and, if you don't, you are going to be in
trouble.
"Kieron Dyer has just come back, which is a bonus to them, and he is going
to be a big player for them but you need more than one player to score you
goals. "I couldn't see too many threats out there that were going to get the
goals for them. Carlton Cole is out, and he is a big player for them, but,
yes, I am a bit concerned for them."
Bowyer declined to celebrate his second-half winner out of respect for the
Hammers and said: "I supported West Ham as a boy and I'll always support
West Ham. "That is my home club. I was fortunate enough to play for them. I
respect the club and people involved, Zola, Clarke and obviously the fans."
Bowyer believes he is proving that West Ham were wrong to allow him to leave
in January and admits he feels at ease working under Alex McLeish. He said:
"Everyone wants to feel loved in a way, wanted, and that is how I feel here.
The management, coaching staff and the fans have made me feel like that.
"I wasn't down at West Ham. It was just I didn't think I got a fair go once
Curbishley went. That is out of my hands. "When you feel you should be
playing in front of other players, you are not in control. I didn't think I
had a fair go but that is football. "Football is about opinions and
decisions and that is why I am here now and I'm proving people wrong."
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Cole aims for January return
Hammers striker quashes reports he is set for three months out
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 13th December 2009
SSN
Carlton Cole has quashed reports he is set for three months on the sidelines
and is hoping to be back playing some time in January. The West Ham striker
slightly tore his posterior cruciate ligament in the 5-3 win over Burnley
last month and was withdrawn at half-time as a result. The Hammers were
boosted by the news that the 26-year-old would not require surgery but some
reports stated that the frontman could be out of action until March. However
Cole is focusing on a return date next month and is busy strengthening his
knee in the gym. "I have done my PCL," he told Goals on Sunday. "It's a
ligament behind your knee and they say you don't really need it if your
muscles are strong. It protects it, but I have done a little damage to it,
it's not torn fully. "I have to build up the muscles and do some rigorous
rehab work to protect the knee and it is going to be like that for the rest
of my career.
"Hopefully I will be back some time in January. I just need to get back fit
and help the Hammers. "It was welcoming news when I got told by the
specialist ad hopefully I can focus on getting back fit and scoring goals."
Cole admits that although he has dreams of representing England at the World
Cup next summer he is just concentrating on helping West Ham get out of
trouble. "I just want to focus on purely West Ham," he added. "It is not
ideal being injured, but if you want to get injured in a World Cup year
early on is (better)."
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Vinny's Birmingham Report
Vinny - Sun Dec 13 2009
West Ham Online
Birmingham City 1 West Ham United 0
A poor performance and a dreadful result saw West Ham slip back into the
relegation zone as a goal from Lee Bowyer in the second half gave Birmingham
all three points at St Andrews. This was such a weak display and we never
looked liked winning the game. Birmingham played better football, had more
ideas and despite us having a few chances in the last fifteen minutes this
was simply not good enough. I can't even say we were unlucky and that we
played well. This was the display of a team who really could go down this
season. Having got to Birmingham New Street station around 1.30pm I took
the long walk (which seemed like a long walk anyway) to the ground on a
chilly day in the midlands. We had taken a large number of supporters and
just about sold out the 3,900 allocated to us. Gianfranco Zola made a few
changes to the side who were blown away by Manchester United last weekend.
In defence the right back problem saw Jonathan Spector dropped again and
Julien Faubert come in. This situation is beginning to get a little farcical
with either Faubert or Spector dropped each week because their performance
was not good enough. In midfield Mark Noble returned and replace Jack
Collison who dropped to the bench. Up front Alessandro Diamanti came in for
the injured Zavon Hines. Our formation was 4-3-3 with Diamanti on the left
and Stanislas on the right of the attacking three. Radoslav Kovac kept his
place in the team which I thought was surprising as there are now options to
replace him. Lining up for Birmingham was former West Ham youth trainee Liam
Ridgewell and midfielder Lee Bowyer. We were very slow out of the traps and
Birmingham took the game to us. Within the first five minutes Birmingham
were very close to scoring but for an excellent double stop from Robert
Green. A corner was swung in and met by a flick from Roger Johnson but Green
got down well to push it away and from the rebound Ridgewell saw his
attempted charged down by the England keeper.
The home side seemed to be camping in our half and were we struggling to
retain possession. Another chance came when a ball into the area eluded
Ilunga and Larsson saw his header go into the hands of Green. A little bit
more anticipation from the Birmingham midfielder would have seen him test
Green a lot more. We had a few counter attacks which usually broke down with
Stanislas far too often losing the ball when he took too much time to make
the decision. There was not once in the game when he went outside the
defender and put a cross in with his left foot. I am perplexed to why he
plays on the left wing.
It would be Diamanti who would have our first real effort as he powered
through the challenges getting a bit of luck along the way and hit a strong
left foot shot into the side netting.
Off the pitch things were getting a little heated with a small section of
Birmingham and West Ham fans. I was sitting to the left at segregation point
and there seemed to be a lot of individual arguments breaking out. It wasn't
even banter it just seemed silly name calling. What happened to banter with
opposition supporters? Mark Noble saw a shot go just wide after a good move
and there were times where our short passing football looked good. But we
are so soft at the back that every time Birmingham attacked you thought they
would score. And score they should have when just before half time Ridgewell
put in a good cross for Cameron Jerome to somehow head over the bar when it
had seemed that a goal was the only outcome. I wasn't impressed with our
first half performance where Birmingham had largely dominating and we looked
soft and back, weak in midfield and impotent up font.
It surprised me to hear fans cheering as they saw that Tottenham were a goal
down at home to Wolverhampton. Surely we need teams like Wolves to be losing
and not gaining any confidence from an away victory? That and they would go
above us if we were to not gain a win in this game.
I was hoping like many other supporters that we would come out flying in the
second half and take the game to the home side. But of course it was the
other way around with Birmingham having a goal ruled out for offside as
Benitez rounded Green and finished. But if that was a warning it was not
taken seriously as Birmingham took the lead on 52 minutes. It all came from
a poor pass from Stanislas to Noble and the ball was played into the feet of
Jerome who played a good ball through to Bowyer who had not been tracked and
the former West Ham man expertly slotted past Robert Green. How they did not
double their lead a few minutes after is anyone's guess as a free kick swung
in by Larsson evaded everyone and saw Ridgewell at the back post with surely
a tap in but the defender inexplicably put the ball over the bar.
Something needed to change and Zola brought on Kieron Dyer and Jack Collison
in place of Kovac and Stanislas. For me this should have been how we started
as Collison and Dyer are simply better players who offer a whole lot more.
Dyer showed a touch of class after just a minute of coming on and he had
Birmingham all backing off as he ran 40 yards and curled a shot at goal
which hit the post and bounced out. From where I was sitting I was convinced
it was about to go in and it would have been a wonderful goal. That seemed
to give us a bit more confidence and we looked much more of a threat going
forward. At the other end Mark Noble was booked for dissent by referee Lee
Mason and just five minutes later Noble went in on Benitez (winning the ball
I may add) and the ref not only gave a free but a second yellow to Noble.
Watching the ref he did not seem to react until he saw it was Noble and he
could not seem to wait to go over to him and show him the red card. I truly
believe if that had been another one of our players he would have not shown
the yellow card. So down to ten men in a game we have to win? Don't forget
draws are no good for a team in our position and I consider drawing like
losing at the moment. As we pressed for the equaliser Diamanti saw his free
kick from just outside the area go over the bar and Scott Parker saw his
effort go just wide.
We introduced Frank Nouble for Ilunga as we tried to seek out a goal and
that one great chance did come as Franco was played through on goal but his
shot was superbly saved by Hart to keep Birmingham in the lead. I have
failed to mention in the middle of those chances Birmingham should have had
the game wrapped up when Faubert slipped and Jerome was in on goal one on
one with Green but the striker saw his shot go wide in what was a terrible
miss.
So another game and another defeat and you know you have problems when the
only positive is that your didn't concede more that one goal for only the
second time in the last twelve games.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Made a few good stops throughout the game and always had to be alert. Little
he could do about the goal as Bowyer really couldn't miss. His kicking was
poor but got better in the second half.
Julien Faubert
Can't say he was dreadful but still looks shaky and most teams would be
confident in causing him problems. Birmingham do not play with out and out
wingers so no one was really running at him. He did though make a terrible
error when he held on to the ball for too long and seemed to slip letting
Jerome in on goal. Who knows if he will start on Tuesday.
Danny Gabbidon
I feel it is he who should be organising the back line given his experience
but when you watch him he doesn't say anything to Tomkins who at his age
needs his fellow centre half to keep talking to him. Gabbidon gets beaten in
the air far too often and we need Upson back as soon as possible.
James Tomkins
His second consecutive performance but like the Faubert / Spector situation
who knows if he will be playing in the next game because he regained his
place based on very little. Like Gabbidon he was beaten in the air a lot and
gave away a few needless free kicks.
Herita Ilunga
Better from Ilunga who has had a very disappointing campaign thus far. He
was better on the ball and did not give it away as much. Got forward well in
the second half and from a defensive point of view with no help from
Stanislas he did well.
Radoslav Kovac
I really don't want to be seen as just digging at the bloke but once again I
am left scratching my head to why he is playing. Yes I know Collison's form
has patchy but surely a midfield of Noble, Parker and Collison is better
than one with Kovac in his place? I cannot recall any positive things Kovac
did in this game. There are better player in the squad who now are available
to start so why is he playing?
Mark Noble
Had his moments where he looked quite good but his decision making was
shocking and he and Kovac both went missing for large periods leaving Parker
to do everything. Got himself sent off and the first booking was silly but
the second was very harsh. It was not even a free kick.
Scott Parker
Again he can come away pleased with his display because he did well
throughout the game and did not hide for a moment. His passing range is
limited but his determination to drive the team forward is really the only
positive about our play.
Junior Stanislas
He needs to be dropped now. He is offering very little and at this moment in
time he looks severely out of his depth. He just isn't getting involved
enough, he still is not taking on his man with a positive outcome and his
misplaced past cost us the winning goal.
Alessandro Diamanti
I am still not convinced by him. He shows glimpses of class but still hasn't
had a effect on the side which I would have wanted by now. Had a few decent
attempts and he cannot be accused of giving up and he kept going to the end.
But I still think we need a bit more from him.
Guillermo Franco
Worked hard, won his fair share in the air, kept the ball really well when
in possession and his hold up play was generally excellent. Should have
scored in the second half but Franco is still playing well and if we can
create some chances for him he will take them.
Subs Used
Jack Collison (on for Kovac 69 mins)
He has been inconsistent in recent weeks but lets not forget that he is
probably our only midfield goal threat so to drop him in favour of playing
Kovac is the wrong decision in my opinion.
Kieron Dyer (on for Stanislas 69 mins)
He has to start next game. There can be no other way as he gives us pace and
that is something we have none of. He came on and we looked better. We will
be a better team if he plays.
Frank Nouble (on for Ilunga 83 mins)
On to give us something more up front and another body to aim at. Found it
difficult to get into the game.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Payne, Da Costa, Spector
Yellow Cards: Kovac (2nd), Noble (3rd), Collison (3rd), Diamanti (2nd)
Red Cards: Mark Noble
Man Of The Match: Scott Parker
Attendance: 28,303
Overall
Two wins out of sixteen games is not good enough. Gianfranco Zola must
surely now be under immense pressure as we are back in the relegation zone
with Bolton (a), Chelsea (h), Portsmouth (h) and Tottenham (a) all coming
up.
How many points do you really think we are going to pick up? Say we win the
game we all think we will win at home to Portsmouth. Three points is still
not going to be enough to get us out of trouble and we have got to dig very
deep and grind some results out. We have got to win two of them at least.
Zola can't seem to find a settled side and it worries me that he really
doesn't know what he is doing. Just stick with Faubert or Spector even know
neither of them are any good. Stop playing Kovac if Dyer, Collison or the
tea lady are available.
Our team seems to be very soft and apart from Parker and probably Franco we
are looking so very poor that I am drained of confidence that we are going
to get out of this position.
Next Game - Bolton (a)
Every game is now massive but really this has got to be a game we go and
take three points from. This is a team who are below us in the league and a
loss on Tuesday night will be devastating.
We have never beaten Bolton at the Reebok but this is the time to do it. We
need to rally behind the team and really show them support because we cannot
afford to do anything but win the game.
There are a few supporters questioning Zola and thinking his time may be up
and anything less than six points in our next four games will see that
opinion strengthen and people may well get there wish come the new year.
Zola's View
"Did we deserve to get anything today? I thought we did. Whatever I say is
pointless but I just feel bad for the players because they're trying very
hard and they certainly don't deserve this. It's one more reason to dig in
even deeper to find something out. It's a question of finding solutions.
"I have more certainty that we'll find a solution than a worry that we won't
and I'll stand by that.
"It's very important not to panic about being in the bottom three and we're
certainly not panicking. We don't look like a team in panic and it's
important to keep calm.
"There's a long way to go but obviously we need to do better because, right
now, it's costing us dearly. Please, no panic!"
"Kieron Dyer is all about fitness. Right now we don't think he can play the
whole game at the moment because it might impact on his injury situation -
that's we try to use him as best as we can and when the opposition is going
down, he can be an impact player late in the game. We'll use him that way
until he gets to the stage where we can use him even more.
"When Lee Bowyer left in January, he wasn't playing very much for us and was
coming back from an injury and he needed to play. He didn't have the
possibility to play for us regularly and that was one of the reasons why we
let him go.
"I know how capable he is. He's a player, who can score goals and it's
painful to say that today but I have no doubt that he's a good footballer."
"The players I've got are fine and I'm not going to complain about that.
Obviously, we are missing important people but it's not in my nature to sit
here and moan about what I haven't got.
"I have to make the most of what I have now and I appreciate very much what
the players are giving me. They are trying very hard, they're committed and,
for me, that's the most important thing."
"I think that the referee had a day off today! I'm sorry to say that because
referees are human beings and they make mistakes.
"He said that Mark Noble's second booking was for a bad tackle. Come on,
please, he just took the ball! For the first one, referees have to be above
everything and understand that players are under pressure. Sometimes, they
have to say something but I haven't asked Mark if he said anything to offend
the referee.
"Before, in this country certain free-kicks were never given but now they
give them for everything. I really don't understand it."
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West Ham striker Cole hoping to return in January
By Soccernet staff
December 13, 2009
ESPN
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has revealed he hopes to return to action next
month despite reports of a long-term lay-off. Cole has been out of action
since suffering a slight tear to his posterior cruciate ligament in the 5-3
win over Burnley on November 28, and there had been suggestions he could be
unavailable until March. However, having undergone tests, it has now been
revealed that it will be a case of strengthening the muscles in the knee and
he feels he could be playing again before the end of January. "I have done
my PCL," he told Goals on Sunday. "It's a ligament behind your knee and they
say you don't really need it if your muscles are strong. It protects it, but
I have done a little damage to it - it's not torn fully. "I have to build up
the muscles and do some rigorous rehab work to protect the knee and it is
going to be like that for the rest of my career. Hopefully I will be back
some time in January. I just need to get back fit and help the Hammers. "It
was welcoming news when I got told by the specialist and hopefully I can
focus on getting back fit and scoring goals."
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Rejected Lee Bowyer gives West Ham another reason for regret
Birmingham 1 West Ham 0
Peter Lansley, St Andrew's
Telegraph.co.uk
Lee Bowyer has told West Ham United that they have only themselves to blame
for losing out on the steady stream of goals he is contributing to
Birmingham City's surge into the top half of the table. The former West Ham
midfield player has had plenty to smile about recently but he kept his
celebrations to a minimum out of respect after his latest match-winner sent
his beloved team into the relegation zone. The midfield player was frozen
out of Upton Park last season before joining Birmingham on a free transfer
and embarking upon a goal trail that, on Saturday, enabled Alex McLeish's
team to record a fourth successive victory. Bowyer, who turns 33 in a
fortnight, is enjoying a new lease of life at St Andrew's. His tenacity on
Saturday helped to win the ball in midfield and, after he scampered forward,
Cameron Jerome and Christian Benítez combined to set him up for his sixth
goal of the season. Bowyer has scored the only goal of the game in three of
the past four matches.
"It wasn't my choice to leave," Bowyer said. "I've always supported West Ham
and I'd have quite happily stayed and finished my career there." His time
at Upton Park was undermined by injury, but he felt that he was not given a
fair crack of the whip after Gianfranco Zola succeeded Alan Curbishley as
manager. His concerns on Saturday, however, were less for his own situation
than those of his former club. David Gold and David Sullivan, the former
Birmingham owners, should hear from Rothschild, the investment bank
overseeing West Ham's projected sale, over their £42 million bid for the
club this week. "When I was there under Curbishley, we had a decent squad,"
Bowyer said. "It is out of [Zola's] hands a bit what is happening with that
club. With what [Sullivan and Gold] have done for [Birmingham], if they can
go and do that [at Upton Park] then I think that would be a great move for
West Ham. They have lost some good players and you can see today the type of
replacements they have."
With Dean Ashton retired and Carlton Cole out because of a knee injury,
Guillermo Franco and Alessandro Diamanti offer more panache than penetration
and despite the desire to keep passing, through Scott Parker and Mark Noble,
heads are down. Noble was dismissed for a needless second caution and,
although Kieron Dyer, taking to the same pitch as Bowyer for the first time
since the pair were sent off for fighting while team-mates at Newcastle,
went on to shoot against a post after an audacious run, Birmingham deserved
to hold on.
Birmingham City (4-4-2): J Hart 6 — S Carr 8, R Johnson 7, S Dann 7, L
Ridgewell 7 — S Larsson 6, B Ferguson 6, L Bowyer 7, J McFadden 6 (sub: K
Phillips, 90min) — C Benítez 6 (sub: K Fahey, 90), C Jerome 6. Substitutes
not used: Maik Taylor, G McSheffrey, J O'Shea, L Carsley, G Vignal. Booked:
Ridgewell, Ferguson, Johnson.
Next: Blackburn Rovers (h).
West Ham United (4-1-4-1): R Green 5 — J Faubert 5, D Gabbidon 4, J Tomkins
4, H Ilunga 4 (sub: F Nouble, 83) — R Kovac 5 (sub: K Dyer, 68 7) — A
Diamanti 5, S Parker 5, M Noble 5, J Stanislas 4 (sub: J Collison, 69 5) — G
Franco 6. Substitutes not used: P Kurucz, J Spector, M Da Costa, J Payne.
Booked: Kovac, Diamanti, Stanislas, Noble. Sent off: Noble.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton, Birmingham City and Refereeing Standards
West Ham Till I Die
It was revealing to read Dean Ashton's interview in The Sun on Saturday.
Ashton returned from injury in 2007-08, but none of us were really aware of
the severe problems that he endured that season. Basically, he was playing
in constant pain, could not jump off his right foot and had to learn to curl
the ball on to target, rather than shoot straight at it.
When you read about the physical pain and discomfort that he experienced it
is a minor miracle that he did so well that season, scoring 11 goals and
winning an England cap against Trinidad & Tobago. He also clarified that he
had not attended home matches this season because he could not cope with all
the questions about his future, especially as it become clear to him that he
may no longer have one as a professional footballer. At the present moment,
Ashton is reported to be having difficulties just walking on the affected
ankle. Hopefully that will improve and Dean will regain full mobility in
due course. We wish him all the very best.
On the Birmingham City game. Another winnable match, another three points
lost. Yes, we are having bad luck, injuries to key players and have
suffered constantly from poor refereeing decisions, but it does go deeper
then that. Arguably, we started this match with a line up that was far too
negative. In my opinion there was no basis for dropping Collison and
playing Kovac. Also, as stated last week, I think that we badly needed
Nouble's physical presence up front, alongside Franco.
When he came on, Dyer made a real difference with his pace and ability to
run at the opposition. Zola wants to build up Dyer's match fitness and use
him, in the short-term, as a impact substitute. Putting him on for the last
20 minutes, against tiring defenders, could be a very productive tactic for
us. And once again Diamanti created so much for us. Zola is playing him (a
left footer) on the right. Personally, as I have said on numerous
occasions, I would like to see Diamanti playing through the middle, in a
free role, with the licence to shoot in and around the box. I think he
would be an absolute revelation.
The season so far has been disappointing and frustrating I know, but panic
is not the correct response. It no good calling for Zola's head or
retreating into cynicism and defeatism. Zola and Clarke need to get the
players to roll up their sleeves and battle extra hard. They need to
improve our defensive organisation, get the players fighting for each other
and grinding out results. We can legitimately criticise the club's lack of
foresight and investment in the playing staff, but we need to stick with the
team and hope that they can carve out a run of improved results, quickly get
the injured players back and do some telling business in January.
A more industrious and disciplined approach needs to commence with Bolton
Wanderers on Tuesday evening. To win that match we need to first match them
physically and then make our greater class tell. We definitely need
Nouble's height and strength and Kovac, if selected, needs to start playing
like a current Czech Republic International! The type of scrap that we can
expect from Bolton should be food and drink to Kovac. He should be a vital
player in winning the midfield battle and defending the inevitable Bolton
ariel assaults on our box. If only!
It will take a great team effort, but we are due a win up there. And
Tuesday would undoubtedly be the perfect time for it to happen.
Finally, what is up with refereeing standards these days. There are so
many poor decisions it is now a feature of virtually every match and quite
often decides them. They issue a nonsense number of cards, often for trival
offences. Look at the Mark Noble tackle on Saturday that earnt him a second
yellow. Even if the referee thought it was a foul, which is debatable, why
did he not just give a free kick? Why did he have to bring out the second
yellow? In my view yellow and red cards should be reserved for dangerous
play and other serious incidents.
Yes, I know that it is FIFA dictating refereeing policy, but sometimes it
does not seem like the game I grew up with. If this trend continues
football will end up a non-contact sport in which cheats and play actors
flourish and the non-penalised tackle is a rarity! Who wants to watch that
week in and week out?
SJ Chandos.
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Birmingham City blind to the boardroom back-biting West Ham United
They did it last season, and they are doing it again.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Sandy Macaskill
Published: 7:00AM GMT 14 Dec 2009
Birmingham City have the convenient capacity to ignore the lively boardroom
intrigue and behind-the-scenes upsets which have characterised
St Andrew's life in recent years, and concentrate on the more important
matter of winning matches. If Alex McLeish had to deal with Karren Brady's
snide newspaper columns last season, this year he is operating against the
backdrop of an ongoing public quarrel between former chairmen David Sullivan
and David Gold and the new Chinese owners, who even enlisted the help of the
West Midlands Police Economic Crime Team.
The police last week declared their findings (none) and said there were no
"criminal matters to be further investigated", and hostilities resumed,
Sullivan accusing his successors of suffering a case of "sour grapes". But
while their feud is fascinating in its own way, let's get back to what it
should all be about.
Oblivious to all the politicking, McLeish's side are now just four points
away from the top four and their game is getting better by the match, built
on the bedrock of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann in the centre of defence,
with Lee Bowyer once again providing the goals. The midfielder has six of
them now, the latest a cool side-footer past Rob Green.
If there is a cloud in the blue skies over St Andrew's it is that Cameron
Jerome and Christian Benítez have gone another game without scoring, even
though they were presented with enough opportunities by a shambolic West Ham
United. It could be because they are being asked to lend a hand to the
midfield, which seems to be having a knock-on effect on their threat in
front of goal.
"Because we're asking them to do so many other things, I hope we're not
taking the edge off them," McLeish said. "If Lee wasn't getting all these
goals, maybe we'd worry."
A few more goals would be good, but the bridgehead has now been established.
Defending it remains the priority, and there will be no talk of grabbing a
European place under McLeish until they have enough points in the bank to
ensure they survive in the Premier League this season.
"We've got to keep our heads down and keep working," he said. "Expectation
levels have gone up. Once we get to the kind of points margin they reckon is
good enough for survival, then we can look ahead."
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Birmingham's Bowyer: I wasn't appreciated at West Ham
14.12.09 | tribalfootball.com
Arsenal boss Wenger: Liverpool will have say in title race Birmingham City
midfielder Lee Bowyer is delighted with his run of scoring form. Bowyer
believes he is proving that West Ham were wrong to allow him to leave in
January and admits he feels at ease working under Alex McLeish. He said:
"Everyone wants to feel loved in a way, wanted, and that is how I feel here.
The management, coaching staff and the fans have made me feel like that. "I
wasn't down at West Ham. It was just I didn't think I got a fair go once
Curbishley went. That is out of my hands. When you feel you should be
playing in front of other players, you are not in control. I didn't think I
had a fair go but that is football. "Football is about opinions and
decisions and that is why I am here now and I'm proving people wrong."
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Cole confident of January return at West Ham
14.12.09 | tribalfootball.com
Arsenal boss Wenger: Liverpool will have say in title race Carlton Cole
hopes he's weeks away from a return at West Ham United. The West Ham striker
partially tore a posterior cruciate ligament against Burnley last month and
feared he would be out for three months. But he said: "Hopefully I will be
back in January. It was welcome news when I got told by the specialist."
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