WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young midfielder returns to the scene of his debut
brimming with confidence
30.01.2009
The first time Jack Collison pulled on a West Ham United shirt at the
Emirates Stadium, he was an unknown 19-year-old making his Premier League
debut. This Saturday, the midfielder will return to Arsenal as a regular in
Gianfranco Zola's in-form side and a full Wales international.
Now a relative veteran of 15 league and FA Cup appearances, Collison is
confident that Zola's team can gain revenge for the 2-0 defeat they suffered
on his first ever appearance in claret and blue. With United on a
seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions - capped with a comprehensive
2-0 win over Hull City on Wednesday evening - and having not tasted defeat
on their travels since 29 October, that confidence is well-founded.
"We're on a really good run of results and we don't want to stop that. We've
had good results away at Liverpool [drawing 0-0] and Chelsea [drawing 1-1]
this season and we're going to look to go one better and get all three
points at Arsenal. I don't see any reason, playing the way we are at the
moment, why we can't do that."
Collison was one of a whole host of players who produced the goods during
Wednesday evening's home victory over Phil Brown's Tigers. The 20-year-old
was involved in many of the hosts' best moments, including a flowing
40th-minute move that saw him crash David Di Michele's cross against the
post - one of four occasions on which the Hammers hit the woodwork.
While the team's performance left the home supporters leaving the Boleyn
Ground purring with pleasure, a typically modest Collison insisted there was
more to come from him and his team-mates. The youngster also reserved praise
for manager Zola and his coaching staff for the exciting, entertaining brand
of football the team is now producing on a regular basis.
"It was a good performance, but I thought we were superb a couple of weeks
ago against Fulham. Obviously it's nice when you're playing well, getting
results and really pushing up the table and looking ahead of us. The manager
and his staff have come in with their ideas and the boys have adapted and
there is a real buzz about the place at the moment. Every time we go out on
the pitch we are confident and feel like we can take points out of every
game we play in."
That confidence is clear not only in Collison but also his midfield cohorts
Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Valon Behrami. The quartet have started six of
the last seven Premier League matches, with Noble's absence from the 2-1 win
over Stoke City the only time during that span when the group has not all
been involved from the kick-off.
Collison believes that continuity has been key to the understanding the four
now have in each others' games. The youngster also alluded to the belief
that manager Zola has instilled in them both individually and collectively,
belief that has seen Parker in imperious form in front of the back-four and
Noble, Behrami and Collison himself all find themselves on the scoresheet in
recent weeks.
"The midfield has been brilliant. It's been quite settled over the past few
weeks and that's made a difference. The manager has given us the freedom to
go out there and express ourselves and that's given us confidence. It's made
a really big difference. When you've got experienced players like Scotty
Parker in there and then the youth of myself, Nobes and Valon, it's working
well for the team."
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Carr keen to keep winning
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy director is preparing his side for the weekend
visit of Charlton Athletic
30.01.2009
West Ham United Academy director Tony Carr is eager for his side to secure a
FA Premier Academy League win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday for more
than one reason.
Not only is Carr keen to see his in-form Under-18 team secure a third
straight victory after beating Southampton and Ipswich Town in their opening
two matches of 2009, but he is also out for revenge after going down to a
2-1 defeat at the Addicks before Christmas.
"Looking at the Charlton game away prior to Christmas it was a disappointing
performance from us on that day so, if nothing else, we want to try and
improve that performance against the same team and keep our run going after
two wins following our Christmas break. We are looking forward to it in
different ways. First, we want to get our third victory on the spin and
second, we want to put that performance to rest when we didn't perform
anywhere near our normal level."
"It was a terrific performance against a good team [at Ipswich]. We
thoroughly deserved to win and, at the same time, we played very well so we
want both of those to continue for as long as we can."
Carr's youngsters overcame the absence of striker Balint Bajner and
defenders Tony Brookes and Filip Modelski through injury and the sending off
of Christian Montano to register a fine 3-0 win at Ipswich last Saturday,
and the coach will have an under-strength squad to call upon again for this
weekend's fixture at Little Heath. Montano is expected to be available as
his suspension for being red carded at Ipswich has yet to start.
"We have got a couple of injury concerns. Daniel Kearns is not sure if he's
going to be fit. We'll do a fitness test on him before the game. Balint
Bajner is not quite fit and Tony Brookes is not fit so we're looking like
we'll go with the same squad against Ipswich last week."
Carr has also urged his players to rise to the challenge as many of them
enter their final few months as Academy professionals. A number of the
teenagers took part in a reserve team friendly against an experienced
Ipswich Town side on Wednesday, and Carr said that their performances in
games such as that would help him and his coaches to decide on their
long-term futures.
"I think most of my lads played half-a-game and we want to get them exposed
to reserve team-type football as much as we can between now and the end of
the season because we've got to make decisions on whether we're going to
keep them next season or not."
Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at 11am. Admission is free.
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Arsenal v West Ham
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 31 January Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, text commentary on BBC Sport
website & highlights on Match of the Day; featured game on Final Score
BBC.co.uk
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Arsenal are set to be without defender Mikael Silvestre for up to another
three weeks because of a thigh problem. Kolo Toure may start after being on
the bench midweek, while striker Eduardo continues to improve his match
fitness.
West Ham's Carlton Cole and David Di Michele are pushing for a start after
scoring against Hull, but new signing Savio Nsereko could be bought in.
Midfielder Kieron Dyer continues his recovery from a broken leg and needs
more checks on a muscle injury.
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Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson,
Song, Eboue, Adebayor, van Persie, Fabianski, Djourou, Diaby, Vela, Ramsey,
Bendtner, Gibbs, Wilshere.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Collison, Noble, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Nsereko, Tristan, Tomkins,
Sears, Faubert, Boa Morte.
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West Ham defender Matthew Upson:"Our mental approach is good so we believe
we can go and win any game. "Our away performances at the top clubs this
season have been very good. "We are more than capable of going there to
Arsenal and taking something from the game."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
One time title contenders Arsenal enter this London derby with their sights
set on the more realistic task of overhauling a five point gap on fourth
placed Aston Villa, to claim a Champions League place.
West Ham famously became the first club to beat Arsenal at the Emirates
Stadium on 7 April 2007 (0-1), but have not managed to gain a point or score
a goal against the Gunners since.
Gianfranco Zola's side are third in the Premier League's "form" table, two
places above Arsenal; the Hammers have claimed 13 points from a last
possible 18, the Gunners 12 points from six games.
This is the first of two successive matches against 'Big Four' clubs for
West Ham, with a home clash against Manchester United scheduled for Sunday,
8 February.
It's also the first of two London league derbies for the Gunners on
successive weekends, with a trip to Tottenham also set for the Sunday of
next weekend.
Distance between the clubs: 10 miles (16 kilometres)
West Ham are making the shortest journey of all Premier League clubs this
weekend.
CLUB FORM
ARSENAL
Club stats
5th 42 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 5th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Undefeated in nine in all competitions; won four, drawn five.
2. Unbeaten in nine top-flight matches; won five and drawn four since losing
3-0, away to Manchester City on 22 November.
3. Victory will take them over the 950 Premier League points mark under
Arsene Wenger; they're on 948 at present.
4. Scored in each of their last nine league outings; no Premier League club
can match that.
5. Netted in all but three of their 23 league fixtures this season.
6. 12 points down on this corresponding stage last season, when in the top
two.
7. Scored more Premier League goals in injury time this season than any
other club (six).
8. Won all seven league games when clean sheets have been kept.
9. Failed to score in one of 34 home Premier League matches.
10. Home to Cardiff on Tuesday in an FA Cup fourth round replay.
Fixtures
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WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
8th 32 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 8th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Undefeated in seven in all competitions; six wins, one draw.
2. Claimed 13 points out of 15, since suffering a 0-1 home loss to Aston
Villa on 20 December.
3. Won seven and lost seven of 19 league games under Gianfranco Zola.
4. Four points down on this same stage last season, when 10th in the table,
where they remained static until the end of the campaign.
6. Undefeated in six away league games; won two and drawn four on the road,
since losing 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 29 October.
7. Drawn their last two matches against 'Big Four' clubs', 0-0 away to
Liverpool, and 1-1 away to Chelsea, and not beaten a member of the quartet
(Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United), since a 1-0 home
victory over Liverpool on 30 January last year.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ARSENAL
Squad profiles
Manuel ALMUNIA has started in goal for every one of Arsenal's Premier League
games this season.
If on the field from the outset:-
Bacary SAGNA will be making his 50th Premier League start in an Arsenal
shirt.
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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 on the field from the outset:-
Matthew UPSON will be making his 250th club career start (Luton, Arsenal,
Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Reading, Birmingham and West Ham.
UPSON will be facing a former club. The 29 year old defender made 56
appearances (34 in the league) for the North Londoners between May 1997 and
January 2003.
Luis BOA MORTE will also be facing former colleagues. The 31 year old
Portugal international made 39 appearances (25 in the league) and scored
four goals for Arsenal between June 1997 and August 1999.
HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal are bidding to record four successive Premier League victories
against West Ham. They have won the last three with an aggregate score of
5-0.
There has never been a draw when these two have met in North London for
Premier League action.
The Hammers are one of only three clubs to have picked up maximum points at
the Emirates Stadium. The others are Hull and Aston Villa; both this season.
Arsenal are hoping to do the double over West Ham for the sixth time in the
Premier League, and second in successive seasons.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 46 wins, West Ham 27, Draws 30
Prem: Arsenal 16 wins, West Ham 6, Draws 5
at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): Arsenal 26 wins, West Ham 13, Draws 12
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, West Ham 4, Draws 0
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
1 January 2008 - Ref: Chris Foy
Arsenal scorers: Eduardo 2, Adebayor 18
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal
26 October 2008 - Ref: Phil Dowd
Arsenal scorers: Faubert 75 og, Adebayor 90
Sent Off: Cole (90)
REFEREE
Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)
Premier League referees' table
Steve Bennett's 2008-09 Premier League card count
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Europe or bust
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th January 2009
By: Staff Writer
Lucas Neill says that European qualification is not beyond the Hammers as
they prepare to face Arsenal this weekend. Club captain Neill, speaking to
the AAP revealed that he was delighted with the team's run of excellent
results, a run capped by a vintage performance against Hull on Wednesday
night. And with the Hammers below seventh-plaved WIgan on goal difference
only, Neill feels that Europe is a definite possibility - whilst the FA Cup,
in which United face Middlesbrough in the fifth round next month is also a
target. "I'm the captain of a team that hasn't lost in seven matches," he
said. "We are in the latter stages of the FA Cup and we're all just starting
to get a little bit excited about possibly being only two wins from Wembley.
"I've committed to come here and get West Ham into Europe - and we're right
on course for that."
Neill also had praise for manager Gianfranco Zola, who the Australian feels
has been instrumental is guiding the Hammers to within striking distance of
the top seven. "He always wants to win, he wants a high level of performance
and, if possible, he wants attractive football with lots of goal scoring
opportunities," added Neill. "I think we showed that against Hull the other
night. "We're enjoying it, we're confident and trusting what he's teaching
us - and trying to go out and convert that into points."
Neill, who is out of contarct later this year also revealed that he expects
to hammer out a new deal with the club towards the end of the current season
- something comfirmed earlier this week by CEO Scott Duxbury. "The CEO and
my agent have already talked about wanting to extend my stay at West Ham and
when the time is right for all parties I'm confident that it will get done,"
he said.
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Arsenal v West Ham preview
Gunners have won 10 and lost two of their last 15 London derbies
By James Dall Last updated: 30th January 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 2 West Ham 1
Sky Bet odds: Arsenal 4/9 Draw 3/1 West Ham 15/2
One to Watch: Carlton Cole
West Ham United face London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday
aiming to continue their impressive form. After a difficult beginning to his
time at Upton Park, manager Gianfranco Zola has guided his side to four
top-flight wins in their past five outings. Former Chelsea striker Carlton
Cole has spearheaded much of the Hammers' positive work, with the forward
scoring in each of his last five league matches.
West Ham were the first team to claim victory at Emirates Stadium, and will
be hopeful of causing another upset at the weekend. Arsenal left it late to
claim an unconvincing point at Everton in midweek, but the draw at least
kept their nine-game unbeaten run intact. The Gunners will be aware that
victory over their capital rivals is vital as they look to close in on
fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Arsene Wenger is set to be without defender Mikael Silvestre for up to
another three weeks because of a thigh problem. The French coach has
indicated he could rotate his team for encounter, with Kolo Toure pressing
for a recall to the starting XI after being on the bench at Everton.
Striker Eduardo continues to build up his match fitness, while Theo Walcott
(shoulder), captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring
tendon) remain sidelined.
Zola must decide whether to change a winning side as he prepares for the
short trip to North London. Carlton Cole and David Di Michele were both on
target in the 2-0 win over Hull on Wednesday, but new signing Savio could be
brought into the starting XI after coming off the bench in midweek.
Midfielder Kieron Dyer - who had been out with a broken leg - will continue
to have further checks on a muscle injury and misses out. Striker Dean
Ashton (ankle) and defender Danny Gabbidon (groin) are long-term absentees.
Possible starting XIs
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue, Denilson, Diaby,
Nasri, Adebayor, Van Persie.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble,
Collison, Cole, Di Michele.
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Cole acknowledges boss
West Ham striker hails boss after rediscovering magic touch
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 29th January 2009
SSN
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has thanked manager Gianfranco Zola for
helping him rediscover his killer instinct in front of goal. Since Zola took
over from Alan Curbishley in September Cole has blossomed and is in the
midst of a run which has seen him score six goals in seven games.
The 25-year-old's impressive goalscoring run has helped fire the Hammers up
to eighth in the table easing the relegation fears which surrounded the club
shortly after the Italian took over. The former England U21 international
was a trainee at Chelsea during Zola's time at the West London club and
enjoyed loan spells at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa before settling at
the Hammers in 2007. "The goals have changed me," he said.
"I have been playing the same all year, but now I am notching a few and that
is all I was missing. "I am playing with more awareness now. The manager has
made more effort to help me realise what is going on around me on the pitch.
"You need to follow your own instincts and you only get that when you play
more games in the Premier League. "I did a lot last season to warrant a
place in the squad and I am just happy that everything is working out for me
now and I am getting the goals this club deserves. "However, I am not going
to let it get to my head. I know what I am capable of and I just have to
keep getting in the right positions."
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With Zola's help Cole is no longer tangled up in boos
West Ham manager helps former team-mate win over crowd
Czech defender Kovac due to arrive inside 24 hours
Sachin Nakrani The Guardian, Friday 30 January 2009
Carlton Cole has thanked his manager at West Ham United, Gianfranco Zola,
for helping him achieve the best form of his career and win over supporters
who had been vocal in their criticism.
The striker's goal in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Hull City was his 10th of
the season and his fifth in five league matches, equalling a club record set
by Tony Cottee. Naturally, Cole is in ebullient mood but he admits his
success could not have been achieved without Zola's help off the pitch.
"I'm playing with more awareness now," said Cole of the effect of the man he
used to play alongside at Chelsea. "That is because the manager has made an
effort in trying to make me aware of what's going on around me on the pitch.
Because of that I'm now in the best form of my career. I've just got to keep
on going. I'm not letting it get to my head – I just need to get in the
right positions."
Such is Cole's confidence that he was even able to smile after several
glaring misses against Hull. That, he admits, is partly down to the more
relaxed atmosphere he finds himself playing in now, specifically at home,
where he was regularly the target of abuse from frustrated supporters.
"It's nice to have the fans on my side now," he said. "I've been there when
the fans ain't been really great to me and that's been tough. But I have
them on my side [now] and they are really helping me out with my goals."
Cole's next chance to score comes tomorrow at Arsenal, where victory would
be the Hammers' seventh in eight matches and could take them seventh in the
table, just five points off a Uefa Cup spot.
Given that run, it is perhaps not surprising that players are enthused about
joining the club despite its precarious financial position.
Having signed the Germany Under-20 striker Savio Nsereko from Brescia
earlier this week – the 19-year-old came on as a substitute against Hull –
West Ham are now closing in on the Czech international Radoslav Kovac. They
expect a deal to be finalised with his club, Spartak Moscow, in the next 24
hours.
"I was told that everything was decided," the 29-year-old defender told the
Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport. "Spartak are preparing the documents. A
flight to London is booked and I'm flying there on Thursday. The final
decision was to choose West Ham over Celtic. The prestige of the Premier
League tipped the balance."
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Wolves set to sign £3m West Ham misfit
The Mirror
By Football Spy 30/01/2009
Wolves are set to complete the £3million signing of West Ham's Calum
Davenport. The 25-year-old defender, whose move to Bolton fell through two
weeks ago, is desperate to leave Upton Park after falling out of favour with
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. Birmingham and Cardiff have also been linked
with the former Coventry man, but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is ready to
offer him a three-year deal at Molineux.
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West Ham boo boys now love me for my goals, says Carlton Cole
The Mirror
By John Cross 30/01/2009
Carlton Cole believes the best form of his career has finally won over the
West Ham fans. The Upton Park faithful used to get on the striker's back
when he was going through a lean spell in front of goal. But Cole is now
confident he can make it six goals in as many games in tomorrow's London
derby at Arsenal. Cole said: "The statistics show it's the best run of my
career. I've just got to keep on going. "When you have a relationship with
the fans you can make mistakes and know they are not going to get on your
back. That's why it's nice to have them on your side. "I've been there when
the fans haven't been great to me. "You have to take the rough with the
smooth but I'm happy I have them on my side now and they really help me
out."
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Davenport set for Wolves
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 30 January 2009 - 9:31 AM
Wolves are set to complete the £3million signing of West Ham defender Calum
Davenport. The 25-year-old, whose move to Bolton fell through a fortnight
ago, is desperate to leave Upton Park after falling out of favour with
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.Birmingham and Cardiff have also been linked
with a move for the former Coventry man, but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is
ready to offer Davenport a three-year deal at Molineux.
And with West Ham desperate to slash their current wage bill, Davenport is
expected to make the move before the transfer window shuts on Monday.
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Nsereko could make Hammers start
TeamTalk
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola must decide whether to change a winning
side and hand Savio Nsereko a first start at Arsenal on Saturday.
Carlton Cole and David Di Michele were both on target in the 2-0 win over
Hull on Wednesday, but new signing Nsereko could be brought into the
starting XI after coming off the bench in midweek. Midfielder Kieron Dyer -
who had been out with a broken leg - will continue to have further checks on
a muscle injury and misses out. Striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and defender
Danny Gabbidon (groin) are long-term absentees.
Hammers (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Collison, Noble, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Nsereko, Tristan, Tomkins,
Sears, Faubert, Boa Morte.
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Arsenal not such strong favourites against West Ham this time
By Myles Palmer
Arsenalnewsreview.co.uk
We all know that Arsenal have to beat West Ham on Saturday to stay on course
for next season's Champions League.
Peter Hill-Wood says failure to stay in the Big Four would not kill the
club. Right. It wouldn't kill the club but it would cost them what they
earned from the Champions League last season : about £40 million.
What do you earn in the Uefa Cup? About £150.
Giant striker Carlton Cole says new boss Zola has got him playing better and
that's why he has scored five goals in his last five league games
As a kid, Carlton Cole played with Zola at Chelsea. He says. "The manager
has made an effort in trying to make me aware of what's going on around me
on the pitch. Because of that I'm now in the best form of my career. I've
just got to keep on going. I'm not letting it get to my head – I just need
to get in the right positions."
In recent games Arsenal have become scrappers, demonstrating more grit than
talent. But they draw too often. Every time you draw, you drop two points.
At this rate they could draw their way into the Uefa Cup, where the Hammers
could also be competing.
In the unlikely event of a West Ham win, they would be seventh in the table
and only five points off a Uefa Cup spot. New striker Savio Nsereko is 19,
German, just arrived from Brescia, and played as a sub against Hull.
Zola, a rookie manager, finds himself at a club with dire financial
problems. He has got them passing and moving. They've improved a lot
recently. He's lost Craig Bellamy to Man City, but he's kept skipper Scott
Parker, keeper Rob Green and centreback Matthew Upson. The busy young Mark
Noble has shown promise in midfield for some time and he's playing well at
the moment.
Without Fabregas and Walcott, Arsenal are finding it much harder to score
goals.
And sloppy play at the back often looks like costing them games. The
build-up to the Tim Cahill goal at Everton showed that this Arsenal team
lacks the solid partnerships and good habits that all good teams need.
Having four very agile and quick defenders is not enough.
Leyton Baines took a throw on the left and he threw it to Fellaini in the
box and he laid it back to Pienaar and he hit straight out to the unmarked
Baines by the touchline. Both Sagna and Denilson started to move towards
Baines but they had left him in ten yards of space. He had time to look
across the penalty area and measure an out-swinging cross to the far post,
which beat Clichy and was coming down as Cahill met the ball with a very
smart header that flew back into the near side of the goal, wrong-footing
Almunia. Denilson and Sagna should have made it harder for Baines to cross
that ball. Once he'd measured that cross, any defence would be in trouble.
But Denilson was playing in an alien position, so he didn't see the danger.
Last night I went to Book Slam and saw four young novelists reading from
their new books. Met my daughter Caroline there, as she's come to London for
a conference today.
We saw Joe Dunthorne, Chris Killen, Ross Raisin, Richard Milward and
musician-comedians Ginger & Black. The DJ was Jamie Byng, the boss of
Canongate.He was playing my kind of music but some tunes I didn't recognise,
so I wandered into the booth and start looking through his albums. That's
quite a rude thing to do but Jamie is very welcoming, friendly and hip.
After the fourth reading host Patrick Neate thanks us all for coming and
says that Jamie wants to say a few words. He gets onstage and says this is
his fifth Book Slam, he really loves it, that he used to be a DJ before he
was a publisher, that he thinks the two are similar, being all about context
and selection. He says that made serious bids for the two of tonight's debut
novels that were NOT published by Canongate. He also says that he had
published, several years ago, a book called Dreams of My Father by a young
guy called Barack Obama. And that tonight, as a small gesture of goodwill to
Book Slam, as we leave the club we will each be given a free copy of that
paperback ! Wow !
I'm tempted to have a music morning. While the Palmers seem to be reunited,
I'm here on my own now. Michael went out to work in Covent Garden at 8.15
before Caroline got up, she's gone to the Home Office, Jan's gone to a
funereal in Sudbury, north of Wembley, and I'm still in a funk groove after
last night, so I could easily get on Michael's decks and have a party with
Kool & the Gang, the Crusaders, Fred Wesley's Damn Right I'm Somebody,
Graham Central Station, Little Feat et al. I haven't done that for a while.
Or I could write till 1pm, play some tunes, then go to the gym.
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Arsenal v WEST HAM: Zola in selection dilemma for trip to Gunners
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:05 AM on 30th January 2009
Comments (0) Add to My Stories First start? Nsereko could line up for the
Hammers
Daily Mail
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola must decide whether to change a winning
side in the Barclays Premier League match at Arsenal tomorrow.
Carlton Cole and David Di Michele were both on target in the 2-0 win over
Hull on Wednesday, but new signing Savio Nsereko could be brought into the
starting XI after coming off the bench in midweek. Midfielder Kieron Dyer -
who had been out with a broken leg - will continue to have further checks on
a muscle injury and misses out. Striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and defender
Danny Gabbidon (groin) are long-term absentees.
Provisional squad: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Collison, Noble, Di Michele, Cole, Lastuvka, Nsereko, Tristan, Tomkins,
Sears, Faubert, Boa Morte.
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Hot Cole backed to keep streak going
Ken Dyer
30.01.09
This is London
There was a time, not long ago, when it appeared Carlton Cole would have
found the task of hitting a cow's backside with a banjo a considerable
challenge. For all his selfish, powerful play outside the box, he was firing
blanks where it mattered most and the Upton Park crowd were letting him have
it in spades.
Gradually though, with a little help from his friends and his manager, the
big West Ham striker has begun to score the goals which were missing from
his game - and has won over the doubters in the process.
The 25-year-old former Chelsea striker is still far from the finished
article but he's getting there.
Against Hull on Wednesday night, Cole scored his fifth successive Premier
League goal to equal the post-war club sequence scoring record held by Tony
Cottee for more than two decades.
It's not only the fans who have sat up and taken notice either. Whisper it
quietly but none other than England coach Fabio Capello is said to have been
suitably impressed by Cole's recent hot streak.
Also purring with satisfaction at the big striker's current strike rate is
the man who could lose the record tomorrow, West Ham legend Cottee.
The former striker was at Upton Park on Wednesday night to see Cole score
one and miss a few more and he said: "Confidence is the key word for all
strikers. I remember that season of 1985, I didn't hit the target for the
first seven games while Frank McAvennie was scoring for fun. That spurred me
on though and I soon began hitting the back of the net.
"It's a great feeling when you're on a run like Carlton's because you go out
in every game convinced you're going to score. My advice would be not to
think about it too deeply but just enjoy it, because those sort of scoring
runs don't come along too often in your career.
"Carlton could certainly have scored a hat-trick the other night but I
wouldn't be too worried about that if I was him. Strikers usually have to
get three chances to score one and although you always want to score more,
he's doing fine.
"I heard someone the other day say some nice things about the rest of
Carlton's game but added that he doesn't score enough goals.
"The harsh reality is, although you might be playing well for the team and
doing everything else well, a striker is ultimately going to be judged on
how many goals they score.
"The fans often don't see the runs you make or the hard work you put in. If
you're a striker it's the end product which really counts and Carlton is
certainly achieving that.
"My personal opinion is that it might be a bit too early to talk about
Carlton and England but if he goes on improving as he is, he won't be that
far away. After all, if Fabio Capello wants to play a big man up front the
choice is limited to Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch and Carlton, who is
different to the other two."
While his record would go by the wayside if Cole scores against Arsenal,
Cottee is hoping the former Chelsea man makes it six in a row.
"Players are very protective of their records," he admits, "but if West Ham
win 1-0 and Carlton scores the goal, I will be happy."
Cole himself, meanwhile, remains pragmatic about his prolific run.
"I'm getting in the right positions and statistics will tell you that I'm in
the best scoring form of my life," said the striker.
"I could have scored a hat-trick against Hull but I musn't be greedy. I' m
playing with a bit more awareness now and the manager has urged me to be
more aware of what is going on around me.
"The boys know what we can do, We're playing well, training even better and
people can see how confident we are at the moment.
"We just need to keep it going now. The keyword for us at the moment is
unity, we're at one with each other.
"Obviously we have a lot of respect for both Arsenal and Manchester United
because they're both great teams but we can only go out there and play our
game.
"We're certainly not fazed by the thought of playing Arsenal but on the
other hand we're not getting ahead of ourselves because if we go to The
Emirates thinking how good we are, we're going to get brushed aside.
"We just need to carry on with the same things we've been doing so well in
the last few weeks.
"When you step out on that pitch though you have to feel confident. That's
the most important thing for a player, to have confidence in your ability to
try and get the right result.
"For me personally I would love to score against any of the top four teams
because that would put me on a different level."
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West Ham United could be in for a hammering
Friday 30 Jan 2009 10:12:28 by Daniel Wakely
Onetonyadams.com
Our players continue to take stick from all angles and Saturday provides the
ideal opportunity for them to release their frustration.
2 comments have been left on this story
Zola has got West Ham playing open football which is getting results.
Hopefully they will find it hard to curb their natural attacking enthusiasm
and finally give us the space we need. As soon as Hull City pushed for the
winner against us two weeks ago we punished them but in our two matches
since, both teams have made defending their priority and, to their credit,
have done it immaculately.
Bar van Persie our attacks are lacking a decisive quality but we are back at
the Emirates tomorrow where we have won three games on the bounce. The
players will be desperate to put in a good performance and they are not as
far away from doing that as some would have us believe.
Like a number of our recent opposition, West Ham are on a solid unbeaten
run; a total of seven games in all competitions. They will be high on
confidence but that could play into our hands. Carlton Cole has six goals in
those last seven fixtures and Zola will struggle to resist the temptation to
give him the platform to add to that tally. Even at Chelsea the diminutive
Italian persisted with two up front and it paid off as the hammers took a
point away from Stamford Bridge but with Nasri and van Persie in far better
form than any of the Chelsea players were that day, we are more than capable
of taking three points tomorrow.
Apparently Silvestre will be out for another three weeks so we can probably
write him off for the season. Aside from that though we miraculously have no
new injuries but Wenger has said he will make a couple of changes to freshen
up the side.
Bendtner has had a total shocker on a number of occasions already this
season but he warrants a starting place ahead of Adebayor at the moment. He
has shown much more desire than the Togo international in his brief
appearances on the pitch recently and even, occasionally, more quality. He
will be fresher than Ade and deserves another chance in the starting eleven.
Denilson struggled on the right hand side at Everton and would be grateful
of a return to the centre. Wenger has given Diaby a chance in the centre of
the pitch recently but he is too clumsy in possession to be trusted with the
ball in such a vital area. Nasri spends most of his time in the centre
anyway and he would be the natural choice to partner Denilson in a game
where the presence of Song will not be as necessary. West Ham are a less
physically imposing side and we should have the confidence to expect to be
doing most of the attacking so the necessity of a solely defensive
orientated midfielder is less important.
Vela is another player who should be given a chance and there is an
opportunity to play him on the left hand side of midfield but if you were to
try and second guess Wenger you would unfortunately expect Diaby and Eboue
to fit into the starting line-up. Wenger's perseverance with players is, on
the whole, a good thing but his persistence with some players when he
appears to have other options available is hard to comprehend.
Gallas and Djourou performed well in the week and are the first choice
centre back pairing now. Cahill's ability in the air is something that
cannot always be countered and if anything it was the full backs, who have
long been touted as our best asset, that should have taken responsibility
for the Everton goal. Djourou had one moment of panic in the week but other
than that he looked capable of racking up the appearances for Arsenal in the
next few years.
Hopefully Sagna and Clichy will be called upon more in the opposition half
than in our own at the Emirates as they have struggled to give the side much
needed width in the attacking third recently. We have not created many
chances because we have made the pitch too narrow and with Eboue running
down blind alleys on the right and Nasri playing more centrally, Clichy and
Sagna have failed to give the support to our attacks that they need.
If they can get forward however, we will be able to sustain attacking
pressure on West Ham rather than hitting them with the occasional limp foray
forward. Contrary to the gloom surrounding our prospects I think Saturday
could see the restraints unleashed from our play.
Possible line-up:
Almunia
Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy
Eboue, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby
Bendtner, van Persie
Predicted score: 4-1
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