WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young striker is back from injury and out to impress
manager Gianfranco Zola
22.01.2009
West Ham United striker Zavon Hines is fit and ready to show manager
Gianfranco Zola exactly what he can do.
The young forward, who plundered six goals in pre-season and opened his
senior account in the 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield
Town in August, returned to action in the reserves this week after four
months out with a knee injury. After looking sharp in the 2-0 Barclays
Premier Reserve League South defeat by Fulham on Tuesday evening, the
20-year-old is eager to make up for lost time.
Having seen fellow Academy graduates Freddie Sears and Jack Collison force
their way into the manager's thoughts this season, Hines wants to follow in
their footsteps and make his name on the Premier League stage.
"Seeing Freddie and Jack out there playing and scoring [has inspired me]. I
want to be at West Ham for as long as I can and the only way I can do that
is by playing and scoring and trying to catch the manager's eye. Now I've
got to show what I've got."
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On This Day: 22 January
WHUFC.com
A thrilling FA Cup draw with Third Division Oldham Athletic is today's
classic bygone match
22.01.2009
Classic Match
Oldham Athletic 2-2 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
22 January 1966
Six months before shooting England to World Cup glory, Geoff Hurst was on
the scoresheet as West Ham United fought out a memorable 2-2 draw with
Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park. Facing opponents who were bouncing along
near the bottom of the Third Division table, Ron Greenwood's side were on a
run of five First Division matches without a win when they headed for
Oldham.
Full-back Jack Burkett appeared to have settled the visitors' nerves when he
put West Ham ahead after just ten minutes with a freak goal. The
Edmonton-born defender thrashed at a clearance that sailed a full 80 yards
before bouncing over Oldham goalkeeper Johnny Bollands. Four minutes later,
opposite number Jim Standen kept the Hammers' lead intact when he saved
Albert Quixall's penalty.
Alan Bloor did level matters on 36 minutes, however, and Oldham managed to
hold Greenwood's men until 20 minutes from time, when Hurst put United back
in front. However, Oldham kept their own FA Cup dreams alive when Quixall
made it 2-2 on 76 minutes to force a replay. Two days later, Jimmy
Pennington put the Latics ahead at the Boleyn Ground but, watched by a
season-high crowd of 35,330, West Ham hit back through Hurst and Peter
Brabrook to go through.
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Zola ready for Hartlepool
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola and his players will not be taking
Hartlepool United lightly
22.01.2009
Confidence in Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United squad is high going into
Saturday's FA Cup fourth round trip to Hartlepool United.
The Hammers head to Victoria Park unbeaten away from home since 29 October
and on a run of five matches without defeat in all competitions. As a
result, Zola said his players will travel to County Durham eager to progress
through to the last 16 on Saturday. However, the manager insisted West Ham
United will not treat their League One opponents lightly.
"The team were playing well when we were losing but something wasn't
clicking. The confidence and self belief were still there and now we've got
four or five results on the spin and this has given the players even more
confidence in their potential and everything is going in the right way. It's
down to the work that they do every single day in training and down to the
fact they're quality players and using those qualities in the right way."
Hartlepool themselves will also be confident of securing victory in what
will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, having knocked out
Premier League Stoke City in the third round and beaten Northampton Town in
their last League One fixture. Zola knows his players will face a
determined, talented Hartlepool side this weekend.
"They are a good team and try to play football. They have some very
interesting players, some quick players and play quite differently from
being a League One side. They try to play football and are a good team. We
respect them. It will be a hard game but for us the cup is an important
achievement so we want to get through this round."
While some managers may choose to field weakened sides in their respective
FA Cup ties, the West Ham United boss has revealed that he plans to field a
strong line-up this weekend. Having won the competition twice as a player -
in 1997 and 2000 - Zola knows exactly how it feels to lift the famous trophy
and wants to give his players the best possible chance to do likewise.
"I do respect them [Hartlepool] and I know they're a decent side and we
won't put out a weakened team for sure. If they beat us then it's because
they played much better than us. We won't under-estimate them, that's for
sure. I've never played there but I know it's a good pitch."
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Quashie set for Wolves loan move
Wolverhampton Wanderers look set for a second loan capture from West Ham
United inside a week by signing experienced midfielder Nigel Quashie.
Following young winger Kyel Reid's arrival, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has
again targeted Upton Park for his second move of the January window.
Quashie, 30, has just returned to West Ham following a two-month loan stay
at Wolves' local rivals Birmingham City. The Scotland international is set
to sign on loan until May. London-born Quashie, who started his professional
career with Queens Park Rangers, has made just eight starts in two years at
West Ham. The majority of that time has seen sidelined with a persistent
foot injury. But he still has another 18 months left on his Hammers
contract, having signed a three-and-a-half year deal when he signed
following an unhappy 12 months with Wolves' neighbours West Bromwich Albion
in January 2007. And, although he has been dogged by the unfortunate
statistic of having been relegated from the Premier League with four
separate clubs (QPR, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and West Brom), he does
one have significant promotion on his CV. He played a key role in the
Portsmouth side that went up to the Premiership as Division One champions
under Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith in 2003 - the same season Wolves last won
promotion, via the play-offs. And he will hope to have the same impact on
McCarthy's Championship leaders, who currently stand five points clear.
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Hartlepool v West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Preview Percy
Cup time again and we visit the North East for the second time in three
weeks for the fourth round tie against Hartlepool United.
Since election to what used to be the old Third Division (North) in the
1920s, the Monkey Hangers have never been out of the third and fourth levels
of professional football. We've never played at those levels and, since
we've managed to avoid one another in the cups over the years, Saturday's
match marks the first meeting of the two clubs.
Over the years, even the most die-hard Hartlepool supporter would struggle
to describe the club's history as "distinguished". Back in the old days when
the bottom four clubs in the bottom tier sought re-election to the league
(as opposed to facing automatic relegation), the first few weeks of the
close-season were often a nervous time for supporters of Hartlepools (as
they were then known). However, though it appeared that the club were always
up for re-election, there were usually worse clubs in the mix each year,
even before the League chairmen's legendary closed-shop mentality was taken
into consideration (between 1960 and 1987 when automatic
promotion/relegation was introduced only two clubs failed to be re-elected).
Since those days the club has flittered between the bottom two tiers and
came within 8 minutes of gaining promotion to the Championship for the first
time in Cardiff when, the day before our own promotion on the same ground,
they were 2-1 up against Sheffield Wednesday, only for a controversial
penalty and red card to save the Owls, who went on to score twice more
against the 10-men in extra time.
Perhaps the club's biggest claim to fame over the years (other than the
support of Sky's Jeff Stelling – whom God preserve) is that it was the first
managerial home of Brian Clough who got a couple of respectable seasons out
of the team before going onto greater fame at Derby and, later, Nottingham
Forest.
The advent of a brand new name on the fixture list has seen the welcome
arrival of a few new North Eastern names on the KUMB.com forums to whom I am
much indebted for information regarding the current Hartlepool squad – hats
off in particular to Mr Creosote for much of what follows:
At the time of writing Hartlepool lie in 12th place in what us old'uns call
Division 3. They are safe enough – 9 points clear of the O's who currently
occupy the uppermost relegation spot but are well off the play-off pace,
lying some 14 points behind Scunthorpe who are in 6th. Recent form has been
mixed with their last six matches providing three wins and three defeats.
The wins have come at home to Southend, in the cup against Stoke and, most
recently, last Friday where they overcame Northampton. The defeats came
against play off contenders Oldham and Scunthorpe and, perhaps more
surprisingly, at home to Bottom of the table Crewe to whom they suffered a
4-1 defeat. Of course, from the list of standard things that it is illegal
not to mention in a cup match preview, I am obliged to point out that, this
being the cup, the form book goes out of the window (though my neighbours
are still not talking to me after being hit by so many Percy-launched form
books in 2006).
The home side will be under the stewardship of Chris Turner who appears to
be there on a sort of interim/caretaker/temporary basis until someone can be
persuaded to take over properly. First choice 'keeper is Adam Lee-Barratt
who older readers may remember having a hit in the 70's with "In A Broken
Dream". The home support aren't over-enamoured of their custodians – Mr
Creosote refers to Lee-Barratt and his Danish rival for the jersey Jan Budtz
(stop sniggering at the back there) as a "choice between Krusty The Clown
and Coco The Clown"- though he doesn't actually specify which is which. This
worries me slightly - I still shudder at the thought of the aforementioned
Mr Clough's description of Polish no.1 Jan Tomaszewski in similar terms
shortly before the shot stopper had the night of his life in the Polish side
that drew 1-1 with England in 1973 to stop us qualifying for the following
year's World Cup.
In front of whichever member of Chipperfields Circus (their description not
mine!) is between the sticks, the back four lines up with Sweeney on the
right, long-serving Humphreys on the left with Collins and Nelson in the
middle. Mr C describes the middle pairing as good in the air, not very quick
and possessing an inability to "pass wind" which must be a bit uncomfortable
for them. McCunnie has been known to fill in on the right apparently and he
made an appearance from the bench against Northampton last week.
The midfield, in their preferred 4-4-2 formation, is usually comprised of
former Man Utd youngster Ritchie Jones, on the right, Ben Clark and former
Mackem Gary Liddle in the middle (ho ho) and Matty Robson out on the left.
Robson may be a particular threat according to our friend in the North –
having pace described as "unstoppable" and "a great shot". His crosses do
apparently have a habit of leaving the ground though.
Up front will be top scorer Joel Porter, an import from down-under whose
early days at Victoria Park were blighted by knee problems. He seems to be
something of a favourite up there, and his 15 goals this season in 30 league
and cup matches will have had something to do with that. First name on the
list to partner Porter (ho ho again) would have been James Brown whose goals
get Mr Stelling singing and dancing on Saturday afternoons. Unfortunately
for the home side a knee injury picked up in November has brought a
premature end to the Godfather Of Soul's season. The second striker spot is
therefore likely to be contested between Michael Mackay and David Foley who,
in the words of Mr Creosote are "not very good" and Liam Henderson, who has
recently arrived on a 3 month loan deal from Watford.
As for us, well last week's prediction that we might remain unchanged was
written before a certain ungrateful Welsh idiot threw a hissy fit and
stormed off to add us to the ever increasing number of clubs that he's
fallen out with. Still if the papers are to be believed we may have nearly
doubled our money on an admittedly talented player – dodgy groin and all and
I'd dearly lve to believe that the Fonz will be given all the cash to spend.
One thing is for sure we do need that sort of player alongside Cole (or
Ashton if he ever returns) and it is to be hoped that the names we're being
linked with have Bellamy style pace. In the last round GZ took the
opportunity to give outings to a few squad players and we may see the likes
of Tomkins, Boa-Morte and Spector at some stage, and possibly another few
minutes for Dyer if the game permits.
Predictions? Well for all Mr Creosote's self-deprecation regarding the
Hartlepool squad, this is The Cup which, as page two of the things it's
illegal not to mention list tells us, is a "great leveller". Small ground,
bumper (for them) crowd and the continued high from the dispatch of Stoke in
the last round all mean that this is a potential banana-skin (that's on page
3) of the highest order. Our traditional vulnerability against sides from
lower divisions means that there isn't a Hammer about who won't heave a sigh
of relief should we safely 'negotiate this hurdle' (page 4). We should be
too strong but it is with a nervous twitch that I'll go for a 3-1 to us.
Enjoy the match!
Danger man: Joel Porter – warmed up with a brace against Northampton last
weekend. Though the cup "always throws up unlikely heroes" (page 5).
Look out for: Mr Creosote – who deserves a beer as, without him, I've had
had to do some more research. Just don't offer him a 'waffer thin' mint!
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Osvaldo: I rejected West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer
New Bologna signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has claimed he rejected the chance
to move to West Ham United. The 23-year-old former Fiorentina striker was
hevaily linked with a move to London earlier this week following the
departure of Craig Bellamy but instead completed a move to Serie A
strugglers Bologna yesterday. And in a statement confirming his switch
Osvaldo claimed that he opted for a move to the Rossoblù over West Ham -
despite having been offered the chance to move to England. My options were
West Ham or Bologna," he told the Italian club's website. "Both were
interesting, but I chose Bologna. "I know that the club and the fans expect
a lot from me. I want to show my worth and score a lot to lend the team a
hand. Bologna is a great opportunity for me."
Gianfranco Zola had been tracking the former Italian under-21 star for some
time, but Osvaldo becomes the second transfer window target the Hammers have
missed out on following Giampaolo Pazzini's move from Fiorentina to
Sampdoria last week.
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Quashie set for Wolves switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Nigel Quashie looks set to complete a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for
the rest of the season. The Championship title chasers have announced this
lunchtime that Quashie, who has just returned to West Ham following three
months on loan with Wolves' bitter rivals Birmingham is poised to complete a
loan move to Molineux. In a brief statement released on their website this
lunchtime, Wanderers - who only last week took winger Kyel Reid on loan from
the Hammers - said: "Nigel is at the Compton training ground today with a
view to completing a deal that will see him become the second loan arrival
from Upton Park in the space of a week."
Lee Bowyer replaced Quashie at St Andrews last week when joining City on
loan for the rest of the season, marking his debut at the weekend with a
last minute goal.
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Eggy defends transfer policy
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Eggert Magnusson has hit back at critics of his transfer policy whilst he
was chairman of West Ham United. 61-year-old Magnusson was in charge of
players sales and transfers during his tenure, which lasted little more than
a year before he was fired by former friend and club owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundson as a result of the club's spiralling wage bill.
However the popular ex-Chairman has spoken out in the wake of Craig
Bellamy's sale to Manchester City - a deal which is estimated to have made a
profit of some £5million (in transfer fee terms) - in defence of his policy
which, whilst proving successful in terms of preserving United's Premiership
status back in 2006/07, has led to some big name departures this season as
the Hammers attempt to bring the wage bill back under control.
'I am very proud of my time at West Ham," he told Talk. "We were in a
situation where we were bottom of the League and needed players in January.
You only have to look at the prices Manchester City are paying now to see
how difficult that is. "We paid for quality players but they were the right
ones and, like Bellamy, will attract big fees. I believe my last signing -
Julien Faubert - will be another one."
Followign Bellamy's departure West Ham have now parted company with ten
first team squad players since Magnusson was fired by Gudmundsson, receiving
over £32million in transfer fees whilst spending just £5million (on one
player, Valon Behrami) during that 13 month period.
Exodus - Magnusson's legacy
Sold: John Paintsil (Fulham, £1m); Bobby Zamora (Fulham, £5.3m); Anton
Ferdinand (Sunderland, £8m); George McCartney (Sunderland, £6m); Matthew
Etherington (Stoke, £3m); Craig Bellamy (Man City £14m).
Released: Freddie Ljungberg; Richard Wright; Henri Camara; Nobby Solano.
Currently on loan: Jimmy Walker (Colchester Utd); Kyel Reid (Wolves); Lee
Bowyer (Birmingham); Nigel Quashie (Wolves); Joe Widdowson (Grimsby Town).
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Prem quartet join Watson chase
West Ham, Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn rival Boro
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN
Skysports.com understands a quartet of Premier League clubs are planning to
hijack Middlesbrough's move for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson.
Middlesbrough finally agreed a fee with Palace for Watson on Wednesday after
weeks of talks between the two clubs. Palace are resigned to losing Watson
with the player's current deal set to expire in the summer and the
midfielder rejecting all overtures to sign a new contract. News of Boro's
bid being accepted has triggered interest from West Ham, Fulham, Blackburn
and Wigan. The four clubs are all thought to have made offers for Watson as
they look to win the race for the highly-rated 23-year-old. Watson is
expected to listen to what is available from the five clubs before deciding
where he will go.
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Wolves close on Quashie deal
Midfielder to join on loan for rest of season
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN
Wolves are close to completing a deal to sign West Ham United midfielder
Nigel Quashie on loan for the rest of the season. Quashie is at the
Championship leaders' training ground to finalise his move just days after
his spell at Birmingham City finished. The 30-year-old had spent three
months on loan at Birmingham and made 11 apppearances - two of which were
against Wolves. His last game for Blues was in the FA Cup defeat by their
local rivals, which means he will not be able to make his debut in
Saturday's fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough. The Scotland
international's impending switch to Molineux will end manager Mick
McCarthy's quest to add a central midfielder to his squad. McCarthy had also
been chasing Bristol City's Marvin Elliott and QPR's Mikele Leigertwood, but
has now agreed a deal for Quashie, who had been linked with Newcastle
United. Quashie will become the second West Ham player to join Wolves in the
transfer window after winger Kyel Reid was signed on loan last week
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Zola - Bellamy wanted to go
Hammers boss refutes strike talk
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has denied reports that Craig Bellamy went
on strike and insists they always wanted to keep the striker. Wales
international Bellamy completed his move to Manchester City from Upton Park
earlier this week, putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
There had been suggestions that the former Liverpool forward had withheld
his services as he looked to engineer a move to Eastlands.
But Hammers boss Zola is adamant that is not the case, and has stated
Bellamy's absence from training in his final days in East London was down to
injury. He told Sky Sports News: "We wanted to keep Bellamy, we tried
everything to keep him. He decided he wanted a new experience - simple as
that. "We couldn't hold a player who was so determined to leave."
When asked directly about the strike claims, he replied: "No he didn't go on
strike. "He didn't train one day because he had a problem in his calf and
the day after was not a compulsory day, so he didn't train again. "I don't
want to talk about strikes or anything like that. Craig Bellamy has decided
to go and that's it, end of story."
There have also been suggestions from the Bellamy camp that he wanted to
stay with West Ham, and it was the club's decision to allow him to leave.
But Zola was quick to refute those claims and has reiterated that they will
not part company with any player who is committed to the club.
He said: "I don't think so, I don't think that is the case (that Bellamy
wanted to stay). "The fans have to be confident when I say that somebody
wants to stay here, we don't want to sell players that are important for the
team unless they want to go."
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EXCLUSIVE: Hammers stunned as Cardiff slap £8m price tag on Wales midfielder
Ledley
by JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 2:11 PM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have made an approach for Cardiff winger Joe Ledley but been
stunned by an £8million asking price. Eager to increase his side's
firepower, after selling Craig Bellamy to Manchester City, West Ham manager
Gianfranco Zola has trained his sights on the free-scoring Wales midfielder
and been given the go-ahead to bid £5million for him. It is understood there
has been contact between the clubs but that Cardiff have made it clear it
will take a bigger offer to prise Ledley away. Ledley only turned 22 on
Wednesday but has already attracted strong interest from several Barclays
Premier League clubs after finishing as Cardiff's joint-top scorer with 11
goals last season and bagging an FA Cup semi-final winner against Barnsley
along the way.
Stoke had a £6million bid rejected at the start of the season, while Everton
are believed to have enquired about him twice and Arsenal, Tottenham and
Championship leaders Wolves have all tracked his progress. With Cardiff
holding out for their valuation, after seeing prices soar since Manchester
City began flexing their financial muscle, the ball is back in West Ham's
court. They are reluctant to go above £5million but may try and meet the
Championship side halfway with a renewed offer of between £6million and
£7million. Ledley is already an established Wales international, scoring
twice in 24 appearances since making his debut in a World Cup qualifier
against Poland just over three years ago, and can play in central midfield
as well as on the wing.
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Zola reassures fans fearful of West Ham departures
Italian promises no sales unless players determined to leave
Brescia midfielder Nsereko thought to be in Hammers' sights
Mikey Stafford guardian.co.uk, Thursday 22 January 2009 13.24 GMT Article
history
Gianfranco Zola today reassured West Ham United fans that no players will be
sold by the financially troubled London club unless they are determined to
leave. The Hammers manager was speaking after a week in which French
midfielder Julien Faubert agitated for a move to Lyon in the wake of Craig
Bellamy's transfer to Manchester City.
Zola denied that Bellamy had gone on strike last weekend to expedite his
transfer to Eastlands. "We wanted to keep Bellamy and we did everything we
could to keep him," the Italian said. "He decided that he wanted a new
experience, simple as that. We couldn't hold a player who was so determined
to leave. He didn't go on strike. He just didn't train one day because he
had a problem in his calf and the day after was not a compulsory day, so he
didn't train as well.
"But the fans, they have to be comfortable when I say if somebody wants to
stay we don't want to sell players who are important for the team, unless
they want to go because they have their reasons."
Zola refused to name possible replacements for the Wales striker, although
the agent of Savio Nsereko, Brescia's German attacking midfielder, said West
Ham had made inquiries.
The West Ham manager was encouraged by his side's 3-1 win over Fulham at the
weekend, in which Bellamy's replacement, David di Michele, scored the first
goal: "We will see what needs to improve and to replace Craig. Right now
what Di Michele did the other day was fantastic and I think he deserves my
trust and to insist on keep playing him."
The Italian was mute on any possible bid for Crystal Palace's midfielder Ben
Watson, but did not rule out strengthening his squad before the transfer
window closes. "It is still a long season and we want to build up something
that can last for as long as possible, so we might consider strengthening
the team, but right now I don't want to talk about it."
Nigel Quashie looks set to join fellow Hammer Kyel Reid on loan at
Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old
midfielder had been on loan at Birmingham City, but was meeting the Wolves
manager, Mick McCarthy, today after Alex McLeish decided not to extend
Quashie's loan spell at St Andrew's.
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West Ham are in for rough ride, says Hartlepool manager
Hartlepool United caretaker manager Chris Turner will urge his players and
the club's supporters to "give them hell" when West Ham United head to
Victoria Park on Saturday.
Telegraph
By Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 2:02PM GMT 22 Jan 2009
The former Manchester United goalkeeper wants his League One side to make
life as uncomfortable as possible for Gianfranco Zola's Premier League team
when they visit the North East for their FA Cup fourth-round tie. And his
hopes of an upset have been bolstered by the way his team dumped Stoke out
of the competition in the previous round as well as eliminating West
Bromwich Albion from the Carling Cup last September.
"They will have seen enough to know that they will be in for a rough ride
even though they have fantastic players," Turner told Telegraph Sport.
"It will be a pleasure to have them here at Victoria Park but for the 90
minutes we want to give them hell. "West Ham will have taken notice of the
fact we beat West Brom who bare a very good football side and we beat Stoke
who are a strong, powerful unit. "We have the opportunity to be mega
giant-killers this year in the greatest knockout competition in the world
and we've got every chance of securing a little niche in football folklore."
The FA Cup's rich tradition for serving up shock results has convinced
Turner, the club's director of sport, that the League One side can overcome
the odds. The former Sheffield Wednesday manager added: "I'm not daft and I
realise that because they have a fantastic array of talent but you know that
if they come here in the right frame of mind which I'm sure they will do and
they play to their strengths they will make life very difficult for us. "But
it's a great opportunity for the players to go head to head with some of the
best footballers in the business and it will be fascinating for the fans to
watch. I know it's a cliché but in football anything is possible. "It's 11
versus 11 and it's what happens on the day. Obviously we need a little bit
of luck or West Ham to be off-key. I will say to our players we can win this
game. "There have been FA Cup upsets throughout the course of the
competition's history. That's because when it's your day, it's your day. I
know my team will give 100 per cent effort and commitment and if that's
enough to beat them on the day then so be it."
Turner is short on good FA Cup memories so this is a good way of putting
that right. "My favourite memory is the day Manchester United beat City 1-0
in the third round at Maine Road thanks to a Norman Whiteside goal," he
said. "The League Cup was my thing. I got to the final with Sunderland
against Norwich where we lost to an own-goal and I beat Manchester United
1-0 with a John Sheridan goal when I was at Sheffield Wednesday in 1991. "So
maybe I'm due a change of luck this weekend."
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Matt to keep Hammers on the up
Hartlepoolmail.co.uk
Hartlepool Utd v West Ham Utd
Published Date: 22 January 2009
MATTHEW Upson is determined to continue West Ham United's purple patch on
Saturday. The England central defender has been one of the Hammers' shining
lights this season, despite being one a number of first-team regulars to be
linked with a move away from Gianfranco Zola's cash-strapped outfit. The
rumour mill has seemingly not affected Zola's side who have taken 10 points
from their last four Premier League fixtures. Upson, 29, insists the Hammers
need to remain in the winning habit and doesn't want to end their good form
by being a victim of a cup upset to Hartlepool United on Saturday. "It will
be a tough game and they are going to throw everything at us," said Upson,
who has made 13 appearances for his country. "We've just got keep the focus
on winning. It's a nice habit and something you don't want to break. "Every
game you go into, whether it's Hartlepool away or Arsenal away, you've got
to have the same mentality and the same winning attitude and take it from
there."
The Hammers players are under no illusions about the test Pools will pose in
front of an intimidating home crowd on Saturday lunchtime. Promising
midfielder Jack Collison realises Chris Turner's side will be buoyed by
their third round victory over Stoke City and their comfortable win over
Northampton Town in their last league outing. But he hopes the Hammers'
quality will prove telling and they can advance into the last 16 of the
competition. Collison said: "We are full of confidence and we really want to
have a good run in the FA Cup. "We know it is going to be a tough game.
"They beat Stoke in the last round and they had a win on the weekend, I saw
that, so we know it is going to be tough, especially at their place."
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Birmingham in West Ham talks for Davenport
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is in talks for West Ham United defender
Calum Davenport. McLeish is hopeful of signing West Ham defender Davenport
on loan with a view to a permanent £3 million switch at the end of the
season, says the Daily Star.
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West Ham sound out Bochum for Yahia
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Bochum centre-half Antar Yahia has attracted an approach from West Ham
United. The Daily Mail says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has made contact
with Bochum about Yahia's availability this week.
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Cardiff winger Ledley happy with West Ham, Stoke interest
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com
Cardiff City winger Joe Ledley has welcomed interest from West Ham and Stoke
City. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola is apparently poised to make a £5m bid
for the Welsh international midfielder. But Ledley, who has also been linked
to Premier League new boys Stoke City, insists "nothing is happening." The
22-year-old told BBC Sport: "It is great to be linked to a Premier League
club and if I continue playing well, then who knows what might happen?"
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Truth Undistorted
Just Like My Dreasm
German philosopher Hans Margolius once wrote that only in quiet waters do
things mirror themselves undistorted. So it is that on a sedate news day
during the transfer window, one's mind sets to wonder if today's stories
linking the club with a bargain buy from the Championship, and an unheralded
young defender from Greek abstrusity, might actually more accurately reflect
the club's intentions and ambitions for the immediate future. Is it too much
of a stretch to believe that for all the talk of lavish indulgence on exotic
transfer fruit... Osvaldo, Nsereko, Saviola, Cavenaghi, Balotelli, Pazzini,
Cavani, Acquafresca et al... the tastes of the club come the end of the
month might turn out to have been nauseatingly prosaic.
So, Fulham and West Ham want to hijack Middlesbrough's move for Ben Watson,
according to this mornong's Mail. The versatile Crystal Palace midfielder
had been due to seal a switch to Teesside on Thursday after Boro's £2million
offer was accepted by the Championship club, but both London sides have now
reportedly matched that bid. Watson, 23, had gone to the north-east for a
medical and talks over personal terms last night, but is believed to have a
preference for staying in the capital. Wise boy.
Palace boss Neil Warnock, however, has moved quickly to scupper the
speculation. "Middlesbrough have got the opportunity to speak to him first
and I'm not sure if he's going to speak to anybody else," he revealed. "Once
we agreed a fee other clubs quite rightly can match the fee and talk to him.
We've had a couple of Premier League clubs, but it's not West Ham or Fulham.
I'm pleased for Ben, the club and Simon Jordan because we had such a
derogatory offer from QPR. We've got a realistic valuation now - £2million
is realistic for someone of Ben's quality."
Meanwhile, today's Mirror claims West Ham have taken a shine to defender
Bryce Moon at Panathinaikos. The South African, 22 and rated at £500,000,
has caught the eye of technical director Gianluca Nani - and the fullback
last night admitted the two clubs have made contact. Moon said: "I know
about the interest of West Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands.
My agent is working on it." Also linked is Bochum's centre-half Antar Yahia,
as Gianfranco Zola looks to strengthen his resources in defence.
Finally, the Daily Star believe Birmingham boss Alex McLeish remains hopeful
of signing West Ham defender Calum Davenport on loan with a view to a
permanent £3m switch at the end of the season. Also, Wolves are apparently
set to take Nigel Quashie on loan until the end of the season. The player is
at the Compton training ground today with a view to completing a deal that
will see him become the second loan arrival from Upton Park in the space of
a week.
Posted by Trilby at 09:32
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Former Hammers chairman Magnusson not such a bad egg
By Raoul Simons Last updated at 11:51 AM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail
Is it time to take another look at the reputation of Eggert Magnusson? The
former West Ham chairman was ridiculed for paying over the odds during a
2007 transfer spending spree and earlier this month ex-manager Alan Pardew
attacked the Icelander for being "naive" and wanting to "buy the world".
However, one of Magnusson's key signings, Craig Bellamy, has just been sold
to Manchester City for a £6.5million profit while other recruits such as
Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker are mainstays of Gianfranco
Zola's resurgent side.
Former biscuit tycoon Magnusson, who has seen his personal fortune suffer in
Iceland's financial meltdown, told Talk: 'I am very proud of my time at West
Ham. We were in a situation where we were bottom of the League and needed
players in January. You only have to look at the prices Manchester City are
paying now to see how difficult that is. We paid for quality players but
they were the right ones and, like Bellamy, will attract big fees. I believe
my last signing - Julien Faubert - will be another one.'
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Wolves Move For Quashie
Posted on: Thu 22 Jan 2009
Wolves.co.uk
Wolves are set to sign experienced West Ham and Scotland midfielder Nigel
Quashie on loan until the end of the season. Nigel is at the Compton
training ground today with a view to completing a deal that will see him
become the second loan arrival from Upton Park in the space of a week.
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Warnock denies Fulham and West Ham interest in Watson
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Southlondon-today.co.uk
By Richard Cawley
CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock has dismissed reports that Fulham and West
Ham have made late bids to hijack Ben Watson's move to Middlesbrough. The
23-year-old midfielder is currently on Teesside discussing personal terms
with the Premier League outfit, and there had been rumours that the two
London clubs had also made their moves. Warnock said: "Middlesbrough have
got the opportunity to speak to him first and I'm not sure if he's going to
speak to anybody else. Once we agreed a fee other clubs quite rightly can
match the fee and talk to him. "We've had a couple of Premier League clubs,
but it's not West Ham or Fulham. "I'm pleased for Ben, the club and Simon
Jordan because we had such a derogatory offer from QPR. We've got a
realistic valuation now - £2million is realistic for someone of Ben's
quality."
Warnock has revealed that he will not be able to use any of the Watson fee
to make permanent additions to his squad, but instead will delve into the
loan market to try to bring in a striker. "I've known the situation all
along and we've got to do the best we can. I look at my old club [Sheffield
United] spending money left, right and centre and we're not in that bracket.
"We have to be a little bit fortunate with injuries and hope the young lads
continue to develop. Hopefully we can bring in one striker who will give us
a little boost for the last 18 or 19 games."
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Birmingham City confident of signing Premier League star
Jan 22 2009
SundayMercury.net
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is hopeful of signing West Ham defender Calum
Davenport on loan with a view to a permanent £3m switch at the end of the
season says the Daily Star.
Trash Talk says: This one has been in the offing for a while now, will be
good for Blues to get another solid defender in the side.
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Pools' spying mission
9:41am Thursday 22nd January 2009
thenorthernecho.co.uk
By Nick Loughlin »
RITCHIE Humphreys last week led a Hartlepool United delegation on a scouting
mission – but wonders how much West Ham will know about their opponents on
Saturday. When Pools' game at Oldham was postponed on January 10, Humphreys,
Micky Nelson and Ben Clark headed to St James' Park to watch the Hammers'
2-2 draw with Newcastle United. While goalscorer Craig Bellamy has since
departed for Man City, Pools know what they are up against in the fourth
round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The trophy was at Victoria Park yesterday,
with Humphreys getting his hands on it last night when a specially
commissioned painting of the player of the century was unveiled. "West Ham
are a top side and last week a few of us went up to Newcastle to watch them
and you could see the talent on show,'' he admitted. They had pace, they
pass the ball very well. I don't think Scott Parker lost the ball once, he
was fantastic.
Looking at them from the stands, it looked like a diamond shape with Bellamy
running in behind Carlton Cole – you can name all the players and they will
present a very tough game for us.'' He added: "I imagine Gianfranco Zola
doesn't know too much about Hartlepool, but he will come Saturday. As a
player he was thorough, very professional and a lot of English players took
a lot from how he worked and trained as a player.
"A lot of people have said how he changed English football when he came here
and he set the place alight. No doubt he will be the same as a manager. "I
came up against him once as a player – I was a lone striker at the Bridge up
against Guillt and Leboeuf – but that was in the days when I played up
front.'' Pools will step up their preparations on the training ground this
morning, with Joel Porter and Sam Collins likely to join their teammates.
The pair have been struggling with injury, but should be in contention for
Saturday.
Tickets are on sale from Victoria Park and Humphreys is hoping for a full
house in front of the ITV cameras. "West Ham is a great occasion to look
forward to, but getting a result on Friday night (2-0 v Northampton) meant
we could enjoy the weekend off,'' he said. "There will be a lot of eyes on
the town and the club in the build up, it will be a bit like when we were
going to Cardiff in 2005. "Now we have a Premier League team at home and we
hope it's going to be a sell-out and a big occasion. You cannot let it pass
you by, you have to soak it up and be really focused come Saturday when we
start."
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Cole concentrating on UEFA Cup spot
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 22 January 2009 - 9:22 AM
Carlton Cole insists he will not allow speculation over a possible England
call-up to stop him from firing West Ham into Europe. The striker grabbed
his fifth goal in five games in front of England boss Fabio Capello in the
win over Fulham last weekend to take his tally for the season to nine.But
Cole, who was recently denied the opportunity to represent Nigeria after
playing for the England Under-21s, says he is only concentrating on helping
the Hammers continue their quest for UEFA Cup football. "I'm not even
thinking about England," said the 25-year-old forward. "In the past I've not
done so well but things are coming together and I'm just trying to crack on.
"I've just got to keep concentrating on trying to do the job well for West
Ham and getting us up the league. "Whatever comes with that will come. I've
got my own personal target. "It's coming good but it's not going to go to my
head. I want more."
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Former West Ham star signs for Wivenhoe
MIKE BACON
Greenun24.co.uk
Last updated: 21/01/2009 16:54:00
WIVENHOE Town have signed former West Ham, Celtic and Ipswich winger Stuart
Slater. Slater, who will be 40 in March, is linking up with former team-mate
Julian Dicks, now manager at Broad Lane, and will be in the Wivenhoe squad
for Saturday's home clash with Haverhill Rovers.
With professional moves totalling more than £2m, he is sure to be a fine
addition to the Essex team's squad. "Stuart is still a quality footballer
and I know he will do well for us at this level," Dicks said. "I used to
look after him at West Ham and he still looks fit and very capable. Apart
from anything else it will give the rest of the team a lift."
Wivenhoe haven't won a league game in eight now, but Dicks is not despondent
about the way the team is progressing. "When I came over from Spain to see
them lose 4-0 to Needham, things looked a bit sort of difficult and there
was little enthusiasm. "But I've kept at them, telling them I expect nothing
less than 110% and things have improved. "At Wisbech last week, it was all
going well after 70 minutes, but we lost a bit of concentration. But it will
come if the players keep giving their all."
Slater is sure to be a crowd-puller to Broad Lane on Saturday, the
Sudbury-born player having played more than 250 times for Celtic, West Ham
and Ipswich. He last played in 2004 for Weston-super-Mare and finished his
final season there by scoring in a 1-1 draw at Bishop's Stortford.
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Fulham And West Ham Fight Middlesbrough For Ben Watson
Goal.com
Fulham and West Ham United have entered the race for the signature of
Championship club Crystal Palace's midfield maestro Ben Watson. It was
reported that Palace had accepted an offer in the region of £2 million from
Middlesbrough for the 23-year-old just yesterday and that the Premier League
club could complete the deal today. However, according to British tabloid
newspaper the Daily Mail, the Cottagers and the Hammers have both matched
Boro's offer and hope that the chance to remain in London will lure the
England under-21 international to their club. It is thought that Watson has
already been to Teesside to under-go a medical and to begin contract
negotiations with Gareth Southgate's side, however, he may opt for Fulham or
West Ham as he would prefer to stay in the capital.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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West Ham keen on South African defender Bryce Moon
The Mirror
By Football Spy 22/01/2009
West Ham have taken a shine to defender Bryce Moon at Panathinaikos. The
South African, 22 and rated at £500,000, has caught the eye of technical
director Gianluca Nani - and the fullback last night admitted the two clubs
have made contact. Moon said: "I know about the interest of West Ham but I
have nothing official yet in my hands. My agent is working on it."
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