WHUFC.com
The manager is delighted with the support he has on and off the field at
West Ham United
17.01.2009
West Ham United have plenty of incentive for Sunday's visit of Fulham to the
Boleyn Ground - not least the knowledge that victory would leave them two
points off seventh place in the Barclays Premier League.
The in-form club have started 2009 on a high and are bidding for a fifth
match unbeaten in all competitions. Not surprisingly, the manager was
positive when asked his view of life back in English football.after an
eventful first four months in charge at the Boleyn Ground.
"I want this fight and I want to become better," he said. "I was in Sardinia
spending my time in 20 degrees of sunshine, playing golf and I could have
stayed there. I didn't need the money but I came here because every day I
want to become a better person and a better manager."
With things going so well, Zola sees no reason why his team cannot maintain
their momentum and achieve a 'double' over their London rivals. Although
rightly guarded over his team selection, the manager said the situation
regarding Craig Bellamy would not have a negative impact on his
preparations. The player is not on strike as reported in some quarters, but
has expressed his desire to leave in the wake of interest from elsewhere.
The club has rejected all bids for his services.
"I'm handing the situation well with my staff and we are getting to the
point where we want to get and on Sunday it is going to be the same. I have
a lot of faith in myself and in the players and the staff that I've got and
we are going to get through whatever is in front of us. No player is more
important than the club."
That united front has been a hallmark of the squad since Zola and Steve
Clarke arrived. "We are stronger than this," he said. "I know my players my
staff and myself and we're stronger than this. We've had everything against
us this year and we are still there. There's nothing which will prevent us
from doing what we can do ... the club has done very well and we want to
respect the club. The club is above everybody and it's important to stay
committed to it.
"I have a great relationship with CEO Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani and
they have told me the club is fine and I trust them totally. We are
committed to building something important."
As well as such unstinting support for him behind the scenes, the manager
also has no doubt about the commitment he has within his squad. "When you
have such a good professionals you don't worry about it and you know all of
the time that you will get the best out of them. I am very proud to be the
manager and they won't let me or the club down."
Indeed, the manager knows his squad are collectively responsible for the
progress so far - a point borne out for example by his captain Lucas Neill,
homegrown Hammers Mark Noble and Jack Collison in midfield and Carlton Cole,
who is bidding to score for the fifth game running. "Many of the players are
important. We have Scott Parker who is playing out of his skin, Matthew
Upson, Robert Green, Valon Behrami all playing fantastically."
Whatever happens on a day to day basis, Zola remains resolute about the
long-term project he bought into when he arrived. "It is not only my plan,"
he explained. "It is the club's plan. The club want to get to a better
level. In a few years' time they want to compete at high levels. The way the
club choose to do this is to build a club of young, talented players and
have experienced good players to lead them. That is why they don't want to
sell the best players."
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Stech ready and waiting
WHUFC.com
A talented young goalkeeper, Marek Stech has received a big boost to his
first-team ambitions
17.01.2009
Marek Stech is set for another first-team taste this weekend as understudy
for the ever-impressive Robert Green on the West Ham United bench against
Fulham.
The 18-year-old shot-stopper was in imperious form for the reserves on
Tuesday night keeping a clean sheet in the draw with Aston Villa. That
capped a great week that began with his maiden experience of being a senior
substitute against Newcastle United with Jan Lastuvka out with a minor knee
injury. His Czech compatriot will not return to training until next week,
giving Stech another taste of the spotlight.
"[The 2-2 draw with] Newcastle was great. It was my first time on the bench.
When I first came here I was nearly on the bench but it didn't happen. I was
very pleased that Gianfranco Zola gave me a chance, even if I am so young.
It was a great opportunity for me and I was so happy. It was a good
experience to see the stadium and take part in the warm-up before the game.
The atmosphere was special."
The Czech Under-19 international is one of a talented crop of academy
youngsters coming through alongside his contemporaries James Tomkins, Jack
Collison and Freddie Sears but has had to be more patient. "Hopefully I will
be on the bench again. If I am called, I will be ready. I have just played
another reserve game. If something happened and I had to play I would be
ready but Greeny is doing so well."
While Stech knows he will have to bide his time for his West Ham United
breakthrough, he is confident it will come sooner or later. "It will mean
everything. It will be a big chance for me and I have to take it. If you
play well you get more chances. It was a good game on Tuesday but I have
keep focused and do that every game. I will just have to try to do my best
and hopefully everything will go OK."
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West Ham v Fulham (Sun)
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 18 January Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, score updates and coverage on
BBC Sport website & highlights on Match of the Day
BBC.co.uk
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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury worries ahead of Sunday's
London derby at Upton Park. Midfielder Kieron Dyer, who returned as a
substitute in the 3-0 FA Cup win against Barnsley, may be on the bench again
as he is short of match fitness.
Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who has struggled with illness and injuries
in recent weeks, is still being troubled by a hip problem and is out.
Otherwise, Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has a fully fit squad to choose from.
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West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Stech, Faubert, Tristan, Tomkins,
Mullins, Dyer, Bellamy, Boa Morte.
Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Konchesky, Pantsil, Baird, Hughes, Murphy,
Dempsey, Davies, Gera, Zamora, Johnson, Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Etuhu,
Stoor, Andreasen, Kallio, Hangeland.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: "I love London derbies. It is one of those
games where you don't need any extra motivation to play and I'm sure the
players are committed. "Fulham have conceded very few goals away from home
and are organised, but we are on a good run which we hope to continue. "Even
when we were losing we were playing well and in the last few weeks we have
added the results as well."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson: "We'd take a goalless draw again (after drawing
our last four away from home 0-0). "West Ham are doing well and we've lost
our last three games against them, but in each of them we've been on a par
with them, or even slightly better. "Hopefully this time the gods will be
kinder on us when it comes to refereeing decisions."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The 12th London derby of this Premier League season, matches West Ham and
Fulham, who are locked together in mid-table, equal on 26 points. The
Cottagers boast a goal difference advantage of eight, even though the
Hammers have scored eight more goals (26 to Fulham's 18).
These clubs are second bottom and second top in the London Premier League
table; West Ham have four points from four league clashes with fellow clubs
from the capital, Fulham have eight points from five.
The Cottagers, who were frozen off against Blackburn last Saturday, hold a
nine-match unbeaten sequence in the Premier League, but their last four away
league games have all been goalless draws.
West Ham are looking for a fourth consecutive Premier League win over
Fulham; the Cottagers are hunting only the second win from 12 meetings with
the Hammers in this league.
Distance between the clubs: 15 miles (24 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 10th 26 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Picked up seven points out of nine.
2. Gained their first win in seven home league games, with a 2-1 victory
over Stoke on 28 December, in their last league game at Upton Park.
3. Six points down on this same stage last season.
4. Victory in the reverse fixture is their only win in the last six London
Premier League derbies, four of which were lost.
5. The 2-1 victory over the Cottagers on 12 January last year is their only
maximum in 10 home London derbies; seven of the most recent nine were lost,
including the last three.
Fixtures
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FULHAM
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 9th 26 points
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Won three and drawn six of their last nine Premier League games.
2. The 1-0 away loss to Everton on 1 November is their only defeat in 13
league outings.
3. The highest placed club yet to gain a first away win of the season.
4. Without victory in nine league matches on the road.
5. Not scored in the last five away league games, or in 453 minutes (seven
hours 33 minutes) of top-flight soccer away from the Cottage, since Clint
Dempsey's 87th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw, away to Portsmouth on 26
October.
6. Drawn five of the last six away league matches, and third bottom in the
Premier League's "away" table, with only West Brom and Stoke beneath them.
7. Collected 16 more points at Craven Cottage than on the road (21 at home,
five away); the widest such disparity in the top league.
8. Up by 12 points on the corresponding stage last season, their best
comparable points return for five years.
9. Lost only one of five London league derbies; that defeat being this
season's reverse fixture.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Squad profiles
Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for
every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
GREEN will be playing on his 29th birthday.
Dean ASHTON will be making his 250th career league appearance (Crewe,
Norwich and West Ham).
If on the field from the outset:-
Scott PARKER will be making his 250th club career start (Charlton, Norwich,
Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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FULHAM
Squad profiles
Aaron HUGHES and Mark SCHWARZER have played every minute of every one of
Fulham's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
SCHWARZER will be making his 400th career English league appearance
(Bradford City, Middlesbrough and Fulham).
Aaron HUGHES will be making his 50th Premier League appearance in Fulham
colours.
HEAD TO HEAD
There have been six red cards in the last nine Premier League games between
West Ham and Fulham.
The Hammers are unbeaten in 10 top-flight matches against the Cottagers; won
seven and drawn three since the 0-2 defeat at Upton Park on 3 November 2001
when Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque were on target.
Fulham have never failed to score in a Premier League game with West Ham
away from home.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 33 wins, Fulham 24, Draws 16
Prem: West Ham 7 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 3
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 20 wins, Fulham 8, Draws 8
Prem: West Ham 2 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 2
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 2-1 Fulham
12 January 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley
West Ham scorers: Ashton 28, Ferdinand 69
Fulham scorer: Davies 8
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Fulham 1-2 West Ham United
27 September 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner
Fulham scorers: Murphy 59 pen
West Ham scorers: Cole 43, Etherington 45
Sent Off: Johnson (Fulham) 45
REFEREE
Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)
Premier League referees' table
Phil Dowd's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Zola - 'I want this fight'
Italian relishing future challenges, but slams the transfer window
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 17th January 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has vowed to keep battling as he looks to continue the
turnaround in West Ham's rollercoaster season. The Hammers were as high as
fourth after the first five games of the season, before a poor patch under
new manager Zola saw them record just one win in twelve and plunge to the
cusp of the relegation zone. However, after two wins and a draw, the East
Londoners are now looking at a top half stay, and Zola is adamant that he
can continue to improve alongside them. "I want this fight, I am ambitious
and I want to become better. That is why I took this job," he said. "I love
the task that I have, I know that it is difficult, I have had many problems,
but I am still here smiling, which is the most important thing - although
maybe I am losing some hair, but I can cope with that!"
With the league now beginning to take shape, many of the club's rivals will
be looking to invest in the transfer window in the hope of ensuring a strong
finish. But with the Upton Park outfit in financial difficulty, Zola will
have to work with the players at his disposal - and he believes that other
managers should too. "The whole transfer window is nonsense," Zola declared.
"It is not about dealing with players you have got and getting the best out
of them. I would cancel the window and push managers to work with what they
have got."
More important to Zola is focussing on the next few games, and with Fulham
and Hull City set to visit, the Italian is viewing a potentially bright
future for his side. "We now have two home games and that is a great
opportunity to put some distance between us and the bottom end, to try to
get a little taste of the top half," he added. "Fulham are a very organised
side, and will not concede much, but we are in a good spell. "It is all in
our hands now, which is the best thing to have."
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WEST HAM'S TEVEZ EVIDENCE
News Of The World
We reveal documents Hammers will use in defence
By ROB BEASLEY, 17/01/2009
THE News of the World today publishes the documents West Ham insist will
prevent them being hit with a points deduction and another massive fine in
the long-running Carlos Tevez scandal. The Hammers face a fresh
investigation into allegations they broke strict rules on 'third party'
agreements after the Premier League and the FA launched a new joint inquiry
into the Argentine's registration earlier this month.
So today, we publish the full, incredible story of how former Hammers boss
Alan Curbishley personally handed Tevez a terse legal letter West Ham claim
terminated his controversial third party agreement with the club. And how a
tense 24 hours of sensitive phone calls, letters, faxes and emails resulted
in the Premier League clearing Tevez to play in the Hammers' final three
games of the season which secured their top flight survival.
The Londoners are stunned at the new inquiry after they were fined a record
£5.5million in April 2007 for playing Tevez when he was not owned by the
club. However, the new probe has been prompted by the findings of FA
arbitration panel chairman Lord Griffiths following Sheffield United's
£30million compensation claim after they were relegated while West Ham
stayed up.
Griffiths ruled Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury had misled the League
over the termination of the club's third party agreement with Iranian
businessman Kia Joorabchian, who owns Tevez's economic rights. Joorabchian's
lawyer Graham Shear gave evidence that Duxbury verbally assured him their
third party agreement was still in place — despite Duxbury informing the
Premier League West Ham had terminated it.
But West Ham are adamant these documents will prove the agreement had ended
BEFORE Tevez was cleared to play in the final game of the season when he
scored the winner against Manchester United which kept the Hammers up and
sent Sheffield United down.
Duxbury last night declared: "We welcome the new investigation because it is
our chance to make it perfectly clear to both the FA and Premier League that
we did everything in our power to terminate the agreement we had with Carlos
Tevez and satisfy all the demands of the Premier League in order for him to
continue as a West Ham player. "Tevez's advisors claim the third party
agreement still existed despite the termination, but we dispute that that is
the legal position. "I saw it as my job to make sure Tevez played and helped
the club in the fight against relegation, even though it was clear he was
very unhappy with the agreement being terminated. I made it clear to Tevez's
advisors that if Carlos stayed and helped us to the end of the season then,
yes, I would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave for another club.
"We contend that is not a third party agreement, that is simply part of
running a football club and doing everything in the best interests of West
Ham. Unfortunately, Lord Griffiths appears to believe that some official
agreement still remained in place. "That's why we welcome the new inquiry so
we can explain our position absolutely."
Duxbury, former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson, Joorabchian, Shear and
Blades chairman Kevin McCabe will all be asked to submit evidence to the new
inquiry. The key date in the Hammers' defence is April 27, 2007. That is
when West Ham claimed they provided documentary evidence to the Premier
League confirming the termination of the agreement — including a signed
letter from Curbishley confirming he had personally handed a termination
document to Tevez. It was addressed to Carlos Alberto Tevez (the 'player'),
Argentinian citizen, single, professional football player — and included his
identity card number and his national tax ID number. It was dated April 27
and signed by Magnusson, who had written the termination letter that
morning.
The Icelandic businessman was responding to a no-nonsense ultimatum from the
Premier League who had fined West Ham £5.5m for non-disclosure of
documentation and ordered them to scrap the third party agreement. The
League had examined the deal — which gave West Ham use of a player who was
actually owned and controlled not by them but by Joorabchian's two companies
based in the British Virgin Islands.
Premier League general secretary Mike Foster informed West Ham they had
until 12 noon on April 28 — the day of their vital League clash at Wigan —
to "modify the third party agreement in a fashion satisfactory to the
(Premier League) board or terminate the third-party agreement outright" or
Tevez would not be allowed to play again. It was a bombshell that began one
of the most dramatic days in the club's history.
So Magnusson immediately scripted a curt 81-word letter to Tevez, MSI Group
Ltd and Just Sports Inc & Co making it clear the "Private Agreement dated 30
August 2006 between the Club, the Player and the Companies in relation to
the services of the Player" had been "hereby terminated with immediate
effect, and shall cease to have any further force or effect."
Then, just after lunch, West Ham's lawyer Philip Cheveley emailed the
Premier League a copy of Magnusson's letter. Foster replied but insisted:
"We require evidence that the notice of termination has been served. "We
also need you to notify the player, as he is party to the agreement in
question, and provide evidence of this."
So under-fire Curbishley, fighting to save his job and the club from
relegation, took charge. He simply couldn't afford to lose one of his most
influential players for the last three games of the season so decided the
termination letter must be served, and quickly. However, in Curbishley's
letter to the Premier League he admits Tevez refused to acknowledge receipt
of the letter. Agreement Curbs wrote: "I hereby confirm I have handed the
attached letter to Carlos Alberto Tevez and asked him to countersign it to
acknowledge receipt. "Mr Tevez has declined to countersign the letter, but I
confirm that he has now received it."
Curbishley's confirmation was swiftly forwarded to the Premier League, while
Cheveley emailed Shear and asked to confirm receipt of the notice
terminating their private agreement. Later that afternoon Shear responded,
saying: "I acknowledge receipt of your email and the purported 'notice of
termination.' I shall take my client's instructions, in the meantime all my
client's rights remain fully and expressly reserved."
Cheveley then emailed Foster again to ask for confirmation that the Premier
League were satisfied with West Ham's evidence and that Tevez remained
registered to play for the club. But the Hammers had to wait until 10.57pm
that night for the all-important clearance. In an email to Cheveley, which
was copied to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore, Foster
wrote: "I can confirm you have satisfied requirements of Board and player is
eligible to play."
But, ominously, he warned: "Board may have to review situation dependent on
future developments and, in particular, if your termination of agreement is
challenged."
The day before the final game at Old Trafford when Tevez scored to keep West
Ham up, Magnusson sent another letter to the Premier League confirming the
club's view that their private agreement with Tevez had been terminated.
Foster replied by fax, email and post to Duxbury, again confirming that
Tevez "remains registered with and eligible to play for your club."
The ramifications of the saga are still reverberating around Upton Park —
even though Tevez is now playing for Manchester United. During the FA
arbitration, Shear was asked if Duxbury assured him that West Ham would not
depart from the terms of their deal with MSI. Shear said: "Broadly, yes.
West Ham were desperate to ensure Tevez played for the club in the critical
last few games of the season. Whilst having no choice but to adhere to the
Premier League's requirements, West Ham wanted to do everything possible to
attempt to placate the rights owners."
And Lord Griffiths said in his ruling: "If the Premier League had known what
Mr Duxbury was saying to Mr Joorabchian's solicitor following the commission
decision, we are confident the Premier League would have suspended Mr
Tevez's registration as a West Ham player."
But West Ham are hoping their dossier of evidence will finally bring a
positive end to the most controversial saga in Premier League history.
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Moyes slams 'dangerous' clubs
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Independent.co.uk Web
Everton boss David Moyes has described the transfer policies adopted by West
Ham and Portsmouth as "a danger to football". All the attention may be on
Kaka's potential £100million-plus move to Manchester City, but Moyes
believes it is clubs offering big wages that have upset the balance of the
market. He told the Sunday Express: "I think what happened at Portsmouth and
West Ham in recent times was a danger to football. "They bought players and
gave them big wages. That made it difficult for clubs like Everton because
we would try to get similar players but they blew us out with higher wages,
far more than Everton could afford. "It upset the whole market. Now they are
backing off and selling players because they paid them higher wages than
maybe they should have. "In truth, the people who went into those clubs are
now either one down, or bankrupt, or can't afford to pay the wages. "Now
Portsmouth might say, 'We had our day in the sun. We won the FA Cup and we
don't really care'. "But I think those sort of clubs are the ones which have
disrupted the wages in the Premier League."
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West Ham eye Sweden Under-21 star Mikael Lustig
sundaymirror.co.uk 18/01/2009
West Ham could make a £1million move for Sweden Under-21 star Mikael Lustig
with Lucas Neill's future at the club still in doubt. Neill, out of contract
at the end of the season, is certain to leave Upton Park with Newcastle
desperate to sign him. And the Hammers have started making plans for life
without their captain, with Lustig at the top of the short-list.
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West Ham out to sign Brescia youngster Savio Nsereko
By Steve Goodman, sundaymirror.co.uk 18/01/2009
West Ham lead the race to sign Brescia strike prodigy Savio Nsereko. Upton
Park boss Gianfranco Zola plans to raid his native Italy for the £6m-rated
German youth international. And Hammers director of football Gianluca Nani,
who previously workedfor Brescia, has led transfer talks for the
19-year-old. The Uganda-born player's form this season has also attracted
interest from Juventus, Roma and Napoli. Nsereko's agent Patrick Bastianelli
said: "West Ham are in pole position to sign Savio. They are the club that
has offered him the most interesting project, andthey are keen to do a deal
in a hurry."
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Man City bid £14m for Craig Bellamy
EXCLUSIVE
By Scott Piecha
The Sunday People
Manchester City have upped their bid for Craig Bellamy to £14million in an
attempt to hijack Tottenham's move for the West Ham star. Mark Hughes has
flexed his financial muscles again in the transfer market to try and secure
a deal for his fellow Welshman, who has asked for a move away from Upton
Park. Spurs, who had offered £12million for the former Liverpool striker,
now fear that they will lose a bidding war with bigspending City. Hughes was
Bellamy's manager at Blackburn a couple of years ago before selling him on
to Liverpool and is one of his biggest admirers. Hammers boss Gianfranco
Zola has done everything to keep his star man, even offering him a new deal,
but the Italian knows it will be hard to keep the player now he has set his
sights on a move. Zola sat down with Bellamy last week to try to convince
him to stay at Upton Park but it was made clear he wanted to be allowed to
talk to other clubs. Bellamy wanted to stay in London by moving to Spurs but
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has resigned himself to missing out on the
Welsh firebrand. No talks will be granted between any club and Bellamy
before they have accepted an offer, which is why City have upped their bid.
West Ham, who signed Bellamy for £7.5m, would prefer to sell to City rather
than their bitter London rivals but now it looks like coming down to money,
which puts City firmly in the driving seat.
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Zola is a happy Hammer despite the club's off-field problems
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:42 PM on 17th January 2009
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola remains determined to make a success of his first managerial
job with West Ham, declaring: "I want this fight". The Italian former
Chelsea midfielder, who took charge at Upton Park in mid-September, has
found himself embroiled in transfer speculation over the future of key men
like striker Craig Bellamy and captain Lucas Neill, while also having to
deal with the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club. The spectre
of the Carlos Tevez affair also continues to cast a shadow over the Boleyn
Ground. Yet the 42-year-old, whose side host Fulham tomorrow, insists he is
up for the challenges ahead. "I want this fight, I am ambitious and I want
to become better. That is why I took this job," he said. "I was in Sardinia
spending my time in 20 degrees of sunshine and playing golf, I could have
stayed there. I had no interest in the money, I did not need it. "I came
here because every day I want to become a better person and a better
manager. "I love the task that I have, I know that it is difficult, I have
had many problems, but I am still here smiling, which is the most important
thing, although maybe I am losing some hair, but I can cope with that."
Zola insists he has been given assurances any off-field issues will not
impact on team affairs. "There has been a lot of talk about this club and
the [financial] situation, having problems and going into administration,
but I have a great relationship with CEO, Scott Duxbury, and [technical
director] Gianluca Nani," he said. "We are very committed to building
something important at the club. They always assure me the club is fine and
I trust them totally."
Zola added: "When you have such good professionals as I have here, you do
not worry about it. You know that you are going to get the best out of them.
I am very proud to be the manager and the players won't let me or the club
down." The Hammers boss, though, happily admits he could do without all the
disturbance which the January sales bring. "The whole transfer window is
nonsense," Zola said. "It is not about dealing with players you have got and
getting the best out of them. If I have lots of money then I can solve my
problems by buying lots of players. "I would cancel the window and push
managers to work with what they have got."
On the pitch, the Hammers have slowly found some form, with an unbeaten run
of four matches, including two Barclays Premier League wins, since Boxing
Day. However, given how close the table is from the Hammers in 10th and the
bottom three, Zola knows there is an opportunity to now put some daylight
between themselves and danger. "Fulham are a very organised side, and will
not concede much, but we are in a good spell," he said. "The team had never
let me down - even when we were losing games, we were playing quite well.
But in the past few weeks, they have added results to it, which is the most
pleasing thing for a manager."
Zola added: "We now have two home games and that is a great opportunity to
put some distance between us and the bottom end, to try to get a little
taste of the top half. "It is all in our hands now, which is the best thing
to have."
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ZOLA: THERE'S NOW WAY FOR BELLAMY TO STAY
Daily Star
CRAIG BELLAMY looks set for a £12m move to Tottenham after storming out of
West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground following a furious bust-up.
Bellamy was left seething at the club's refusal to allow him to talk to
Tottenham, with the North London club ready to stump up the cash for the
29-year-old forward. The 54-cap Wales inter-national rejected a new contract
on Thursday. Now he has already cleared out his locker and will not be in
the squad for tomorrow's clash with Fulham. The Hammers have already knocked
back one offer from Tottenham and also rejected Spurs' request to talk to
the player directly. That left Bellamy fuming at West Ham officials. Bellamy
has already seen four separate bids from Manchester City turned down. But he
has finally lost patience with West Ham after his plea to join Harry
Redknapp's revolution at White Hart Lane was snubbed. And Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola admits there is little he can do to persuade the former
Liverpool and Newcastle striker to stay at Upton Park after his latest
outburst. "I respect Craig and I am disappointed he doesn't want to stay,"
said the Italian. "But I only want players here that want to be here. "I
need players who are committed to what we're doing. The club is above
everybody and it's important to stay committed to it. "I spoke about Craig a
week ago because I think highly about him but it's his choice. "He knows
what he can get here but if he thinks he can't get what he wants here then
that's up to him."
Bellamy has scored just five goals this season but has found his form just
in time for the transfer window, hitting the net three times in his past
four games. That has alerted Tottenham, with the player desperate to join up
with Redknapp and risk the wrath of the West Ham faithful by making the move
to their deadly rivals. But Zola is adamant the Hammers will cope without
the forward. He says his squad are standing strong at such a difficult time.
But Hammers fans are unlikely to be so understanding. Zola added: "At the
moment we're doing well and so everyone is happy. "But there will be times
when it's not going so well and then you will want to see their commitment.
"I know my players and myself and we're stronger than this. "We've had
everything against us this year and there's nothing which will prevent us
from doing what we can do. "We are sorry a player doesn't want to stay with
us any more. "We respect him for what he has done for us but we want to
carry on."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy closer to Hammers exit
Viewlondon.co.uk
Craig Bellamy has gone on strike at West Ham United, according to reports.
The striker is reported to have cleared his locker at Upton Park and refused
to play in Sunday's clash with Fulham. Bellamy had a transfer requested
refused by the Hammers and was also denied permission to speak with
Tottenham Hotspur over a possible move. West Ham have had rejected three
bids from Spurs for the 29-year-old – the latest being a £12 million offer –
and they have also offered Bellamy a new long-term deal. Manchester City
have also been linked with the Welshman, who reportedly stormed out of the
training ground yesterday after a meeting with chief executive Scott
Duxbury. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola insists he will not stop the striker
leaving the Irons. "I respect Craig and I am disappointed he doesn't want to
stay," the Italian said. "But I only want players here that want to be here.
"I need players who are committed to what we're doing. The club is above
everybody and it's important to stay committed to it. "I spoke about Craig a
week ago because I think highly about him but it's his choice. He knows what
he can get here but if he thinks he can't get what he wants here then that's
up to him."
Bellamy has scored three times in his last four games, to lift the Hammers
into the top half of the Premier League table.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy walks out on West Ham
18.01.09 | Ian Ferris
Craig Bellamy has angered West Ham by telling the club he wants to join
Tottenham and reportedly refusing to play at home to Fulham on Sunday.
Bellamy arrived at the training ground on Friday to inform chief executive
Scott Duxbury of his desire to move across London. The Hammers in turn
offered the Wales international another long term deal but this was turned
down by the striker, who cleared his locker and left Chadwell Heath without
training, making it clear he would not play on Sunday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola assures West Ham of his long term vision
18.01.09 | Ian Ferris
Gianfranco Zola is determined to make a success of his first managerial job
with West Ham. "I want this fight, I am ambitious and I want to become
better. That is why I took this job," he said. "I was in Sardinia spending
my time in 20 degrees of sunshine and playing golf, I could have stayed
there. "I had no interest in the money, I did not need it. "I came here
because every day I want to become a better person and a better manager. "I
love the task that I have, I know that it is difficult, I have had many
problems, but I am still here smiling, which is the most important thing,
although maybe I am losing some hair, but I can cope with that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy to Play for Bottom Club
West Ham Till I Die
Could someone please explain what the attraction to Craig Bellamy is of
going to play for a club that is now bottom of the Premier League, where he
will play second fiddle to Jermain Defoe, rather than continuing to play for
one which is ten places above them, been loyal to him while he was injured
and sees him as a vital part of its future?
Could it be because he's a money grabbing, disloyal piece of ****?
Incidentally, I have quite a few friends who support Tottenham. Not a single
one of them wants him to go there.
The Redknapp magic certainly seems to be working. Played 12, Won 4, Drawn 3,
Points 15 from a possible 36. They were bottom of the league when he took
over and they're still bottom.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He Came From *hite Hart Lane
West Ham Till I Die
On Sunday, we see the return to Upton Park of Bobby Zamora. A reader (Kim)
makes a plea in a comment on a previous thread that we give him a very warm
welcome. I echo that. We never got a chance to say goodbye to him, and I
suspect most of us wish we'd never sold him. On his day he was a fantastic
player, and scored some crucial goals for us. In fact, he scored 40 goals in
100 first team starts, which is a good ratio by any standards.
So, let's hope there are a few bursts of…
Zamora, Oh, Oh
Zamora, Oh, Oh
He came from *hite Hart Lane
He's better than Jermain
Zamora…
And let's hope we also give Johnny Pantsil a cheer too. I always loved to
see him play. He was a bit unpredictable but never really got a chance to
show us what he is capable of. Let's hope he doesn't do it tomorrow.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Who Should Partner Carlton Cole?
West Ham Till I Die
Zola has a dilemma tomorrow. Assuming Bellamy isn't going to play, should
Cole be partnered by Sears, Tristan or Di Michele? I, along with most of the
readers of this blog, would probably go for Sears as he is lightning quick
and brings movement to the team. Zola hasnt even included Sears on the bench
in many recent games, so I am doubtful that he will start. My guess is that
Diego Tristan will get the nod.
There are two other possibilities. The one I dread is that he might do what
Curbishley did once or twice and put Boa Morte up front, or secondly that he
might play 4-5-1 and play a five man midfield of Collison, Behrami, Parker,
Noble and Boa Morte.
What would you do?
Personally, I would put Bellamy on the bench so he could get the "benefit"
of all our views. And if he refused, fine him two weeks wages. Which is
something they should do anyway.
Not that I am a vengeful person. Oh no. Never let it be said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola: West Ham is more important than individual players
7:22pm Saturday 17th January 2009
Echo
GIANFRANCO Zola maintains West Ham are bigger than Craig Bellamy and the
club will continue to move forward, with or without the Wales international.
The Hammers have turned down several bids from both Manchester City and
Tottenham for the 29-year-old, while also offering Bellamy a fresh contract
in their attempt to keep the player they signed from Liverpool for
£7.5million in July 2007. Even though the east London club do not want to
sell, it seems Bellamy has his mind set on leaving. The player was one of
several first-teamers who opted not to attend Friday's voluntary training
session at Chadwell Heath ahead of the visit of Fulham, and is understood to
want to talk to interested parties. While it remains to be seen whether
White Hart Lane or Eastlands will be the next stop for the much-travelled
former Norwich trainee, Zola is trying to remain pragmatic about the whole
situation. "We are sorry a player does not want to stay with us anymore,"
Zola declared. "We respect him for what he has done for us, but we want to
carry on. "He knows what he can get here, but if he thinks he can't get what
he wants here, then that's up to him."
The Italian continued: "The club is above everybody and it is important to
stay committed to it. "We are doing well and so everyone is happy, but there
will times where it is not going so well and then you see the commitment. "I
know my players and myself - and we are stronger than this.
"We have had everything against us this year and there is nothing which will
prevent us from doing what we can do."
Zola insisted the Hammers were anything but a one-man show. "Bellamy gives
us a lot on the pitch, but I am prepared to deal without him," he said. "He
is an important player as are many of the others. Scott Parker is playing
out of his skin, Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Valon Behrami are all playing
fantastically. "In a team you have players who are not available, and you
have got someone else who is available and come in to do a job."
Zola has seen several of his first-team players linked with a move away from
Upton Park. The Hammers have also had to fend off interest from Manchester
City in midfielder Parker, while defender Upson has been linked with a
return to former club Arsenal. Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear revealed yesterday
he had been talking to the agent of captain Lucas Neill, but no permission
had been given nor any offers received from the Magpies. Zola was less than
impressed by the whole saga and insists Australia international Neill,
signed from Blackburn in January 2007, wants to remain at Upton Park. "He is
enjoying his football and that is all what matters to me," said Zola. The
Hammers boss accepts transfer speculation is all part and parcel of the
modern game. However, Zola - who had a spell coaching the Italy Under-21
squad before taking charge at West Ham in mid-September - branded claims by
Manchester City forward Valeri Bojinov he had been in touch over a possible
transfer as "a lie".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee Bowyer's debut strike ends barren Birmingham run
Birmingham City (0) 1 Cardiff City (0) 1
Telegraph
By Gary Slater at St Andrews
Last Updated: 10:16PM GMT 17 Jan 2009
A cracking volley from Lee Bowyer deep into stoppage time rescued a point
for Birmingham. Bowyer, on loan from West Ham until the end of the season,
had enjoyed a quiet debut in midfield but made no mistake when the ball fell
for him eight yards from goal. The former England player, now 32, lashed the
ball past goalkeeper Peter Enckleman to silence some shouts of "what a load
of rubbish" from Birmingham's increasingly frustrated support. It was
Birmingham's first goal in open play for four weeks or 390 minutes of
football. "It was a timely goal," Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said. "We
threw everything at them at the end. I am pleased for Lee. He showed he has
still got the legs and the energy."
Cardiff had thought victory was in the bag courtesy of a sweetly-struck
left-foot volley from their captain Joe Ledley after 61 minutes. Ledley
pounced on a headed clearance from Rahdi Jaidi and thrashed the ball home.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones could not hide his disappointment. "Encks only
had one save to make," Jones said. "We dominated and deserved to come away
with three points."
Birmingham fans have long thought the club was the victim of a curse and
there was more evidence for them here when, for the second time in a week,
they fell foul of the match officials. On Tuesday, Howard Webb, the best
referee in the country, denied them a stonewall penalty and inadvertently
provided Wolves with an assist for their second goal in a 2-0 FA Cup
victory. Yesterday, Birmingham had a Cameron Jerome goal wrongly disallowed
for offside just before half-time. Television replays showed that Jerome was
level with the last defender. "We have been on the wrong end of some
decisions this week," McLeish said. "They say they even out so I am looking
forward to that."
Birmingham remain third but are still not scoring enough goals, with just 35
in 27 matches. To rectify that problem, McLeish had tried to sign Rangers'
prolific striker Kris Boyd, but the deal collapsed over his wage demands and
is unlikely to be revived. Director David Sullivan warned in the match
programme: "We will not be held to ransom and will certainly not pay
inflated transfer fees or salaries for any player."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gianfranco Zola proves nice guys can be winners
Hammers boss is last of Italy's golden generation in top-level management
Ian Hawkey
The Times
IF POINTS were awarded for a manager's courtesy, his knack for being widely
liked, then West Ham United and Fulham might be higher in the Premier League
than mid-table. Gianfranco Zola could lose count of the number of polls he
wins as the best ambassador for expatriate footballers in England over the
past decade. Roy Hodgson has not had a long career as an Englishman abroad
by rubbing people up the wrong way.
The conditions in which Zola and Hodgson assumed their posts have something
in common, too, though the rescue of Fulham that the Englishman was asked to
oversee just over a year ago was already a cliffhanger. Zola has been given
the larger part of a season to pull West Ham clear of trouble and make sense
of how that club operates at boardroom level. Under Hodgson, Fulham have
become formidably hard to score against — no team in the Premier League is
meaner away from home.
After a trying start in which Zola's first seven matches produced a single
win — against Fulham at Craven Cottage — with the idea growing that here was
a novice manager too nice for the role, West Ham have gradually gone the
same way. On their visits to Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea under
Zola, West Ham have conceded three goals. Under his predecessor Alan
Curbishley, they shipped nine on those three expeditions.
Tidiness at the back is what you might expect from men with extensive
experience in Italian football. Hodgson and Zola both worked in Serie A when
it was the most sophisticated league in the world, during the 1990s.
When Hodgson received the first of his three invitations to coach
Internazionale, Zola was curling in free kicks for Parma. He left for
Chelsea because he fell out with coach Carlo Ancelotti, and the story of
that spat is one he tells when asked if he is too amenable for the
confrontations that come with his current job.
"I can be very stubborn," he told me once. "My stubbornness first made me
come to England. At Parma I had played my best football ever, but then
something broke down. There were discussions about my position. So I
preferred a change of scene. I didn't think it was right for me to alter my
position, so I left. Because of my stubbornness, I made the best decision of
my life."
Growing up as a player in Serie A's golden age had given Zola an outlook
that would lead him into management. It was the world's best league and was
worldly in a way the Premier League has become. "When I first started
playing properly, it was 1986," remembers Zola. "There was a lot of money in
Italian football, with wonderful players: Diego Maradona, Michel Platini. I
had in front of me fantastic players, not just on television, but close to
me. Without them, I wouldn't have done what I have done. If you only have
one influence, you can only do the one thing. If you have several, your
brain opens up. It's about knowledge."
Many of his Italian contemporaries would say the same. Zola's generation of
Serie A superstars retired from playing with a professional standing that
equipped them nicely for the best jobs in coaching. Club presidents and
federation chairmen took them on as managers in large numbers. The past
three Serie A titles were won by Inter under Roberto Mancini, Zola's
contemporary, formerly his competitor for a place as second striker for
Italy. Barcelona won two of the past four Spanish leagues and the 2006
Champions League coached by Frank Rijkaard, a Dutchman whose distinguished
playing career found its peak with the Milan team of the early 1990s. Didier
Deschamps, the French midfield general when Juventus took up the baton from
Milan as Serie A's dominant force in European football, appeared to take
brilliantly to management when he guided Monaco to a Champions League final.
Italy themselves looked immediately to the Zola generation when they
appointed the former Milan winger Roberto Donadoni in charge of the national
team, putting Zola himself among the support staff as assistant coach to the
under-21s.
Italians now are surprised to see that, out of this school of young
managers, Zola is just about the only one presently in work at a
top-division club in a leading European league. Mancini, whose friends like
to promote him as a future head coach of Chelsea, has not had a job since
being replaced by Jose Mourinho at Inter. Rijkaard took a year out after
leaving Barcelona last summer. Deschamps has been waiting for the right
offer for 18 months.
Donadoni's post with the Azzurri ended after Euro 2008. All will return to
coaching, and at least one will probably join Zola as a coach in the Premier
League, which now likes to call itself the most glamorous in the world.
SERIE A STARS WHO STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE IN THE DUG-OUT
In the 1990s, Serie A was the best and most glamorous league, with some of
the canniest footballers. Many were expected to feature in the top tier of
the next generation of head coaches. Several did, although Gianfranco Zola,
inset, is one of the few now in a job
FRANK RIJKAARD Dutch star of Milan's 1990s team. Coached Holland and then
Barcelona from 2003-08, winning two leagues and Champions League. Currently
ready for job by summer
ROBERTO MANCINI A star with Sampdoria, European Cup finalists in 1992.
Coached Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter, whom he took to three consecutive
titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Currently sniffing around Chelsea
DIDIER DESCHAMPS Heartbeat of Juventus team when they reached three European
Cup finals. As coach took Monaco to the final of 2004 Champions League. Left
Juventus after a year there in 2007. Currently awaiting an offer
ROBERTO DONADONI Winger with Milan and Italy. Coached Livorno in Serie A
before taking over the national team, the world champions. Quit after Euro
2008. Currently awaiting an offer
PAUL INCE Moved from Manchester United to Inter in the mid-1990s for two
seasons. Rose through managerial rungs with Macclesfield and MK Dons. Sacked
by Blackburn Rovers after four months. Currently awaiting an offer
RUUD GULLIT Star of Milan team. Joined Chelsea near end of his career and
became player-manager. Managed Newcastle United, Feyenoord and most
recently, briefly, LA Galaxy. Currently awaiting an offer
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ZOLA RAPS POACHERS
West Ham boss 'will stay honourable'
News Of The World
17/01/2009
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has blasted rival managers as 'dishonourable' for trying to
tap up his West Ham stars. The Hammers are fuming over Spurs' pursuit of
Craig Bellamy and Newcastle's declared interest in Lucas Neill. And Zola was
stunned by Mark Hughes' announcement that he wants Bellamy and Scott Parker
at Manchester City. The Italian fumed: "Talking about other team's players
is something I wouldn't do. I know there are some managers who have their
own rules. I would like them to act the way I do. I will stay honourable."
But Zola reckons there would be no more player-poaching if the transfer
system was changed. He said: "The whole transfer window is nonsense. It
would be fairer if you started with a team at the beginning of the season
and work with that. That is how you should judge the ability of a manager."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola determined to keep West Ham's best players
18.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is adamant he won't sell his best
players. He told whufc.com: "Many of the players are important. We have
Scott Parker who is playing out of his skin, Matthew Upson, Robert Green,
Valon Behrami all playing fantastically. "It is the club's plan. The club
want to get to a better level. In a few years' time they want to compete at
high levels. The way the club choose to do this is to build a club of young,
talented players and have experienced good players to lead them. That is why
they don't want to sell the best players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Zola: January market a nonsense
18.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has branded the January transfer window as a
"nonsense". "The whole transfer window is nonsense," Zola declared. "It is
not about dealing with players you have got and getting the best out of
them. "If I have lots of money then I can solve my problems by buying lots
of players. "I would cancel the window and push managers to work with what
they have got."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham fans urge Redknapp to drop Bellamy pursuit
18.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Tottenham fans do not want the club to sign West Ham United striker Craig
Bellamy. The Mirror says Tottenham fans have bombarded club websites in mass
protests against the signing of Bellamy. And the signs are that the
29-year-old striker, who stormed out of West Ham's training ground on
Friday, will move to Manchester City although their latest £14m bid was
turned down last night. Bellamy was refused permission to speak to Spurs
about a move to White Hart Lane on Friday. Speculation about his potential
recruitment sent angry Spurs fans into meltdown.
They deluged the club and independent websites with demands that the Wales
striker must not be signed, as his abrasive approach has caused problems at
previous clubs.
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