WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is ready to prove his worth to manager Gianfranco Zola over the
busy festive period
21.12.2009
Mark Noble has revealed that West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola
continues to lead by example - both off the pitch and on it. The Hammers
boss may be 43, but the midfielder said the Italian could still boss it when
mixing with players half his age. Noble, 22, told how Zola immediately won
the West Ham squad over on his first day at Chadwell Heath back in September
2008. The former England Under-21 captain also explained that, despite his
'Mr Nice Guy' image, the manager was not afraid to tell his players exactly
what he requires from them. "He gets angry and he lets you know about it as
well. He balances that so well. I think with a man of his stature, you can't
say anything because he proves it every day in training. He's a good man to
play for and I'm going to do everything possible to get us out of this
position. "I remember the first day he came. I'll never forget it. The ball
got zipped into him and he [Johan] Cruyffed a player and chipped Robert
Green! It's the way he is. He apologised after and it wasn't a flash
apology; he was genuinely sorry. Indeed, Noble credited West Ham's fighting
spirit in Sunday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Chelsea to a
rousing pre-match speech from their manager. "We've got a fantastic manager
here who believes in every one of us and tells us so every day. He spoke to
us on Saturday and said some words that you could tell were coming from the
heart. It wasn't just to make us feel good or play better. Sometimes it's a
little bit fake, just to get you going, but he was really saying what he
felt. You don't normally see that. "We gave him everything against Chelsea
because he's such a good man and you put your body on the line for him in
every game. I would do that, personally, and I'm sure every other player
would too. It's a nice way to feel about your manager. "Speak to a lot of
players in the Premier League and I bet it doesn't really feel like that.
He's a good man to play for and I would do everything I can to get us out of
this position."
Noble returned from a one-match suspension to put in an impressive display
against the Blues at the Boleyn Ground. The youngster showcased his full
range of skills, passing the ball with typical aplomb while never giving his
illustrious opponents a moment's peace when they were in possession. With
bottom side Portsmouth to visit on Boxing Day, Noble is eyeing an important
victory to further raise the spirits both within the dressing room and in
the stands. "With Portsmouth winning [against Liverpool], we needed some
sort of result, and when I was out there I was convinced we were going to
get the three points. They didn't really threaten us or anything, but then
again, you sometimes get these decisions go against them. Unfortunately for
us, it went against us on Sunday. "We're glad we picked up a point on
Sunday, and it was obviously for the fans and for him. We've got to crack on
and get some more points."
Having been injured and ill earlier in the season and harshly sent-off on
his 100th league appearance for the club at Birmingham City, the popular
midfielder is eager to put a consistent run of performances together to
cement his place in Zola's starting lineup. "I hurt my knee in training. It
was nothing serious so I carried on, but the next day I could hardly walk.
That was a bit devastating. Then I got really ill when I was coming back. I
got the flu and that put me back, and then I got red carded. "It was
stop-start, but I had a full week of training last week and it was good to
get back on the pitch and playing the way I can do."
Looking at the bigger picture, Noble believes West Ham's draw with Chelsea
was symptomatic of the close nature of this season's Barclays Premier
League. Manchester United and Liverpool both lost last weekend, and the
Hammer believes there could be more shock results to come as the campaign
wears on. However, Noble insists one of the so-called 'Big Four' will still
sit top of the pile come next May. "It's still only eleven men versus eleven
men and it's about whoever wants it more on the day. The quality that the
normal top-four have got means they'll put some results together, and I'm
sure one of them will win it in the end."
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Upson on a high
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson has credited the 1-1 draw with Chelsea to the spirit shown by
the West Ham United squad
21.12.2009
Matthew Upson has praised West Ham United's spirit as they gave Premier
League leaders Chelsea a real battle in the 1-1 draw at the Boleyn Ground on
Sunday. A penalty apiece had set the game on course for a thrilling finale,
which saw both sides have chances to take all three points. In the end they
both had to settle for just the one, although the fast and furious nature of
the game provided plenty of entertainment for the neutrals among the Sky TV
audience at home. "It was a good game with a good tempo," Upson said. "We
came out with a really good attitude and a resilient gameplan and we applied
that so we are happy with that. "Guille Franco up front and all over the
midfield we worked so hard and that's what got us the result today. We have
got to show that attitude now in every game and if we can achieve that we
can pick up some points"
West Ham went into the break ahead thanks to Alessandro Diamanti's spot-kick
and looked on top until Chelsea were awarded a penalty for what appeared to
be a clean tackle by Upson on Daniel Sturridge. "I got the ball 100 per
cent," Upson said of the challenge. "I got the ball clearly so I'm very
disappointed with the linesman's decision as it swayed the referee to give
the penalty."
The point was all the more impressive for the Hammers as they had to
overcome the early setback of losing Danny Gabbidon to a hamstring injury.
Although he was ably deputised for by James Tomkins from the bench, Upson is
still hoping for a speedy recovery for his fellow central defender. "We were
only talking yesterday about the last time we played together. It's a shame
to see Danny go off as he's had another decent run of games and hopefully he
will be back and fit soon."
The result and performance will certainly give the Hammers a lift going into
their next game - a crucial Boxing Day meeting with bottom of the table
Portsmouth. Against the same opponents last season, a 4-1 Boxing Day win
acted as a springboard to a thrilling run which saw the Hammers climb to
finish a respectable ninth in the table. "We can't focus on the results too
much, we've got to focus on performances. If we do that and have no fear
going into games and we're not thinking about losing or winning then the
result will take care of itself. "It can be a difficult game to call when
you watch West Ham and we've got to work on that consistency. The one thing
we need to have is that spirit and that attitude and if we have that it will
carry us a long way."
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West Ham footballer Calum Davenport faces assault trial
BBC.co.uk
The case of Premier League footballer Calum Davenport, who is accused of
attacking his sister at her home, has been committed to crown court. The
West Ham United player, of Bedfordshire, is charged with causing actual
bodily harm to Cara Davenport, 28, in Bedford on 22 August. Bedford
Magistrates' Court was told Mr Davenport, 26, would plead not guilty. He
was committed to Luton Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing on 25
January and released on bail. As a condition of bail, Mr Davenport of
Greenfield, in Bedfordshire, is not allowed to contact his sister.
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Upson tight-lipped on future
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th December 2009
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson has refused to be drawn on his immediate future following a
string of rumours suggesting he is about to leave West Ham United. The
current club captain, whose contract expires in July 2010 has refused to
sign a new deal leadding to a flurry of speculation suggesting he is set to
leave the club in next month's transfer window. When asked about the rumours
by the BBC's Jonathan Pierce following this afternoon's 1-1 draw with
Chelsea, Upson, who is 31 next April, refused to either confirm or deny
rumours of an imminent departure, saying: "That's a difficult question
because there's so many thangs that are outside of my contol and things that
may happen. All I've got to focus on is the next game, getting myself right
and being in the best form I can and hoping we pick up some points for West
Ham."
The England defender, who made a welcome return to action against Chelsea
earlier today also criticised the decision to award a penalty against him
for a suppposed foul on xxx in today's game. I got the ball cleanly so I'm
very disappointed with the linesman's decision really," he said. "I think it
was the one that swayed the referee to give the penalty."
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Noble offers Zola support
Hammers midfielder says British players can set an example
Last updated: 21st December 2009
SSN
Mark Noble is confident every player in the West Ham United squad is willing
to put his body on the line for manager Gianfranco Zola. The Hammers are
staring at a relegation battle after slipping in to the Premier League's
bottom three on the back of just one win in seven games. However, Sunday's
1-1 home draw with leaders Chelsea offered signs of encouragement for the
Hammers, with Noble and midfield cohort Scott Parker, in particular,
impressing. Noble believes the British players in the West Ham squad can set
the example for others to follow and outlined the support that Zola has at
Upton Park. "Me and Scott are English players and we know what the game
needs," said Noble. "We know what you need to beat teams like Chelsea. "The
position we're in at the minute we need that every game, it's not just good
enough to do it against Chelsea. "You need to do it against every team.
We've got to get on with it and win the remainder of our home games." He
added: "We've got a fantastic manager here who believes in every one of us
and tells us that every day. "He spoke to us yesterday and he said some
words that you could tell were coming from the heart. It's nice to see that
in football now, you don't normally see that. "Sometimes it's a little bit
fake to get you going, but you could tell he was really saying what he felt.
It was nice to see and I think the boys showed that for him. "You put your
body on the line for him in every game. I would do that personally and I'm
sure every other player would. It's nice to feel that way about your
manager. "I bet if you speak to a lot of players in the Premier League it
doesn't really feel like that. Then again, we have to crack on and get some
more points."
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Upson admits sale fears
Hammers defender unsure of future
By James Riach Last updated: 21st December 2009
SSN
West Ham defender Matthew Upson admits he may have to be sold in the January
transfer window. The 30-year-old centre half is reportedly a target for
London rivals Tottenham, while the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and
Manchester City have also been linked with a bid for his services. With the
Hammers mired in a relegation dogfight in the Premier League, the sale of
one of their star players would be a body blow to their survival hopes.
Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan have reportedly
tabled a £50million bid for the club, although if a deal does not go through
before the transfer window then the team's prized assets may be sold to ease
financial worries. England international Upson admits the situation is out
of his control, although insists he is focused on the Hammers' next game.
"It's a difficult question because there are so many things out of my
control and things that may happen," he told the London Evening Standard.
"All I can focus on is the next game, getting myself right and being in the
best form I can to pick up points for West Ham."
Chelsea were held at Upton Park on Sunday in a 1-1 draw after a penalty
apiece from Alessandro Diamanti and Frank Lampard. Upson praised his team's
resilience against the league leaders although he knows they must push on
now and play the same way for the rest of the season. "We came out with a
good attitude, a resilient game plan and applied it," he added. "But it
can't stop here. "We have to have that attitude every game. If we achieve
that, we'll pick up some points. "As players we can't focus on results, we
need to worry about performances. If we do and have no fear, not thinking
about winning or losing, the result will take of itself. "We have to work on
that consistency. We need that spirit and that attitude and if we have that
it will carry us a long way."
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West Ham United defender Matthew Upson admits he may leave Upton Park soon
Matthew Upson has cast further doubt on his West Ham future by refusing to
confirm that he will end the season at Upton Park.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 7:00AM GMT 22 Dec 2009
Matthew Upson refused to confirm whether or not he would be at West Ham come
the end of the season . It is understood that the England defender would be
available for around £12 million and is keen to leave, with Tottenham,
Manchester City and Aston Villa likely to be monitoring the situation.
"There are so many things out of my control and things that may happen," he
said. "All I can focus on is the next game, getting myself right and being
in the best form I can to pick up points for West Ham." Unhappy West Ham
return for Manchester's City boy Craig BellamyMark Noble, meanwhile, spoke
of the importance of maintaining the high tempo that West Ham produced in
their 1-1 draw with Chelsea. "Me and Scott Parker are English players and we
know what the game needs," said Noble. "We know what you need to beat teams
like Chelsea. "We've got a fantastic manager here who believes in every one
of us and tells us that every day. He spoke to us and said some words that
you could tell were coming from the heart. He gets angry, and he lets you
know about it as well."
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That's More Like It!
West Ham Till I Die
Well done to the Hammers for a gritty, committed and skillful display
against Chelsea. It has to be said that Zola and Clarke got the tactics
spot on. However, once again we were robbed by dodgy refereeing decisions,
but hopefully a few of these decisions will go our way before the end of the
season.
The game unfolded much as I had anticipated, with the flanks being key to
the result. With Diamanti, Illunga and Faubert prominent on the wings we
were able to restrict Chelsea's width and they constantly played in the
defensive brick wall of Upson and Tomkins, ably assisted by Parker, Noble
and Kovac.
Parker, Kovac, Noble and Collison won the midfield battle. They made
Lampard and Ballack look very ordinary and largely ineffective for most of
the match. Whilst Upson and Tomkins were so assured that they barely gave
Drogba a kick all match.
The aspects of our display that I really liked were the amount of width that
we achieved going forward. And also the solidarity and organisation shown
at the back. Too often this season we have been very narrow in our play,
but on Sunday we really exploited the flanks to maximum effect. Both
Illunga and Faubert undertook some sterling forward play and Diamanti was a
constant threat to Chelsea on the left side. The latter's delivery in to
the box is different class. It's just a shame that we failed to win any
free kicks around the Chelsea box, to allow Diamanti to use his dead ball
expertise to it's full extent.
Up front Franco did a good job as a lone striker. I would have preferred
Nouble to have played alongside him, but I can see that might have had
adverse consequences in terms of losing a man from the midfield. So, I
guess Zola made the right call on that one.
It was interesting to read an article in the Sunday papers where Diamanti
and Franco were referred to as 'disappointing' and 'five-a-side footballers'
who get you relegated! Well this display by both players was the perfect
answer to that type of tabloid nonsense. Both put in full blooded, skillful
and gritty performances that were a credit to them.
But enough of the praise, well deserved though it is! This result needs to
be a genuine turning point for us. That means following up with a victory
over Portsmouth on Boxing Day. If we slip up in that match then this
display against Chelsea means nothing. Positive results in the next three
games can pull us out of the relegation zone and get us heading in the right
direction. We should aim for seven points in the forthcoming matches
against Portsmouth, Spurs and Wolves.
Our performance against Portsmouth last Boxing day transformed our season.
We need a repeat this year. No excuses, no inconsistency! If they carry
the form shown against Chelsea in to the Portsmouth match they can get the
result to at long last kick start our season.
SJ. Chandos
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ALAN CURBISHLEY COULD RETURN TO WEST HAM UNITED
Daily Express
Monday December 21,2009
By Peter Edwards
ALAN Curbishley could be set for a return to West Ham United just over a
year after walking out on the club. Multi-millionaire David Sullivan is
close to completing a takeover deal at Upton Park and has made enquiries to
appoint Curbishley, who left in September 2008 following boardroom decisions
to sell Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney against his wishes. Curbishley
would only return to the club if certain boardroom members were removed. He
is also yet to be paid £2million compensation owed after winning a case of
constructive dismissal against the club last month. Sullivan's takeover
attempt comes with the Hammers languishing in the relegation zone, despite a
1-1 draw with Chelsea yesterday.
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David Sullivan on standby to move for West Ham if on-field struggles
continue
Published 23:00 21/12/09 By James Nursey Exclusive
The Mirror
West Ham's form on the pitch this Christmas is likely to determine whether
the club is taken over - with David Sullivan standing by should the Hammers
struggle. The club's Icelandic owners Straumur have been granted a
moratorium back home, giving them until September 2010 to settle their huge
debts. And there is now less pressure on Straumur to cash in on the Upton
Park club, who are 19th in the Premier League. But Sullivan and the Gold
brothers still have a £50million offer in to West Ham's financial advisers
Rothschild to buy the club. The former Birmingham chiefs expect to learn in
the next two weeks whether their bid has been accepted. It is comprised of
£25m cash down for Straumur and a pledge of £25m for new players and urgent
debts. Straumur, who bought West Ham for £85m in November 2006, were holding
out for a higher price.
But they know they will receive very little for the club, which has debts of
£100m, should they be relegated - with administration a possibility. So if
Gianfranco Zola's side fare badly in their next three games and relegation
looks likely, Straumur could be very tempted to sell. West Ham face
Portsmouth at home, Tottenham away and Wolves at home in their next three
crunch League games. Should Straumur decide to sell, Sullivan and brothers
David and Ralph Gold have insisted on gaining control before the transfer
window shuts. They want to keep the club's best players like Matthew Upson
and Robert Green and sign some new stars. If the Essex-based businessmen
fail to get West Ham they will turn to Charlton as sources close to the trio
indicated Crystal Palace was "a long shot".
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West Ham offered Chelsea flop in January loan deal
Published 23:00 21/12/09 By John Cross
The Mirror
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been offered an emergency deal for Chelsea
flop Mateja Kezman. Kezman, 30, is now with Paris Saint Germain but the
French club are looking to offload the Serbian striker. Ex-Chelsea forward
Kezman has been on loan at Zenit St Petersburg but the Russian club do not
want to buy him permanently. PSG are keen to organise a loan deal or
permanent transfer but are prepared to let him go somewhere until the summer
and then negotiate another move. Troubled West Ham, with striker Carlton
Cole already out injured, are looking for a striker on the cheap and Kezman
could fit the bill. Kezman said: "I still feel I have something to offer. My
stay at Chelsea was not always positive but I believe I have something to
prove."
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Mark Noble: West Ham's players will fight for Gianfranco Zola
Published 23:00 21/12/09 By Nick Ive
The Mirror
Mark Noble has backed under-fire boss Gianfrano Zola by insisting the West
Ham squad are willing to put their bodies on the line for the Italian. The
struggling Hammers were denied a deserved victory against leaders Chelsea on
Sunday when referee Mike Dean awarded the Blues a highly debatable penalty.
And midfield ace Noble revealed the inspiration behind that display was a
rallying speech delivered from the heart by the manager. Noble said: "He
spoke to us on Saturday and said some words that you could tell were coming
from the heart. "It wasn't to make us feel good or play better, it was
coming from the heart. It's nice to see that in football now, you don't
normally see that. "Sometimes it's a little bit fake to get you going, but
you could tell he was really saying what he felt. It was nice to see
"Because he's such a good man, you put your body on the line for him in
every game. "I would do that personally and I'm sure every other player
would. "I bet if you speak to a lot of players in the Premier League it
doesn't really feel like that. I would do everything I can to get us out of
this position."
Noble also revealed how former Chelsea and Parma star Zola still hasn't lost
any of his trademark ball skills. "I'll never forget in training the ball
got zipped into him, and he 'Cruyffed' a player and then in one move he
chipped Rob Green," added the midfielder. "I was like 'wow'. He apologised
afterwards, and it wasn't a flash apology, he was genuinely sorry. "But
we're glad we picked up the point [against Chelsea]. It was for the fans and
for him, and I think we needed a little boost." West Ham remain in deep
trouble and face a huge game with basement side Portsmouth at Upton Park on
Boxing Day. And Noble added: "Portsmouth is massive. We've got some good
teams at home, and if we play like we did against Chelsea in our away games
then I'm sure we'll pick up points and gradually climb the table."
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West Ham squad are committed to Gianfranco Zola, says Mark Noble
'We have got a fantastic manager,' says Noble
'I am sure we will pick up points and climb the table'
Dominic Fifield guardian.co.uk, Monday 21 December 2009 23.00 GMT
West Ham United's embattled squad remain fully committed to their manager,
Gianfranco Zola, as they attempt to use Sunday's hugely encouraging
performance and point gained against the league leaders, Chelsea, as a
springboard into critical fixtures ahead.
Mark Noble expressed the sentiments of the club's senior players by
stressing that the team were "putting their bodies on the line for the
manager in every game" as they seek to hoist themselves out of the
relegation zone over the Christmas period. The weekend draw arrested a run
of three successive defeats and, with the bottom club Portsmouth due at
Upton Park on Boxing Day, the east London club enter a congested period more
optimistic that they can claw themselves to safety.
"We've got Portsmouth next up, and that's massive, and then we've got Wolves
[in mid-January] so there are some good teams to play at home, and if we
play like we did against Chelsea in our away games too then I'm sure we'll
pick up points and gradually climb the table," said Noble.
"We've got a fantastic manager here who believes in every one of us and
tells us so every day. He spoke to us on Saturday and said some words that
you could tell were coming from the heart. It wasn't just to make us feel
good or play better. Sometimes it's a little bit fake, just to get you
going, but he was really saying what he felt. You don't normally see that."I
remember his first day, I'll never forget it. The ball got zipped into him
and he 'Cruyffed' a player and then, in one move he chipped Rob Green. I was
like: 'Wow.' That was a Friday afternoon and you can't be chipping the
keeper [so close to a match day]. He apologised afterwards, and it wasn't a
flash apology. He was genuinely sorry.
"We gave him everything against Chelsea because he's such a good man and you
put your body on the line for him in every game. I would do that,
personally, and I'm sure every other player would too. It's a nice way to
feel about your manager. Speak to a lot of players in the Premier League and
I bet it doesn't really feel like that. He's a good man to play for and I
would do everything I can to get us out of this position."
Zola has endured a troubled season to date, the club's financial woes
providing a troubled backdrop while the team has laboured to only three
league victories all term. Key players have suffered from injuries while the
possibility remains that others will be moved on in January, if buyers can
be found, leaving the Italian attempting to revive a club where confidence
has proved fragile. The draw with Chelsea will help, not least because West
Ham arguably did enough to win the match only to see Matthew Upson harshly
penalised for a perceived foul, spotted by the linesman, on Daniel
Sturridge.
That handed the visitors a penalty, eventually converted at the third
attempt by Frank Lampard, and ultimately a point. "But is a draw against
Chelsea a good result? I think so with the way we're playing at the minute,"
added Noble. "I thought all the boys were excellent and it was a good point.
We got stuck into them. Myself and Scott [Parker] are English players and we
know what you need to beat teams like Chelsea. But, given the position we're
in at the minute, we need that every game. It's not just good enough to do
it against Chelsea. You need to do it against every team.
"But this point can be the start. We needed a little boost and, obviously,
with Portsmouth beating Liverpool on Saturday, we needed some sort of
result. I was convinced we were going to get the three points because I
didn't think Chelsea really harmed us. But we were unlucky with the
decision. Even so, we can be pleased with that performance and now we have
to maintain that level in the games to come."
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