WHUFC.com
Scott Parker has become the latest West Ham United player to commit his
long-term future to the club
13.02.2009
West Ham United are delighted to confirm that Scott Parker has committed his
long-term future to the club by signing a new contract that will take him up
to summer 2013. The England midfielder put pen to paper on the new deal on
Friday afternoon. The 28-year-old has been in outstanding form this season,
playing 25 of the club's 28 games, having enjoyed a strong finish to the
previous campaign. Although the subject of confirmed interest from other
clubs during the transfer window, Parker said he was never in any doubt
about where he saw his long-term future. He said: "I am very happy, pleased
and excited - especially after all the speculation in the transfer window -
that I can now put that to rest and sign a new-long term contract. In the
last few weeks, the way the club is going and the direction that the manager
and the board want to go is something I want to follow. "By signing my new
contract, it says that I want to do this as well. It also says a lot about
West Ham, there has been a lot of negative things written, saying there was
a crisis and all of that. This shows that West Ham are in a position to keep
their players when others want them and as a player and for the fans, that
is a great thing. "The manager showed a real desire to keep me. He sees me
as a massive part of the squad and that meant a lot to me, especially when
there were things being written everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."
There has been a clear policy at the club this season to agree long-term
contracts with key players. The likes of Jack Collison, Freddie Sears,
Herita Ilunga, Carlton Cole and Dean Ashton have all affirmed their
commitment to the cause, while the manager Gianfranco Zola has also stated
his long-term ambitions at the Boleyn Ground in line with the project
involving him, technical director Gianluca Nani and CEO Scott Duxbury.
Zola said: "This is great news. Scott is an excellent player and it is good
to have him at our service for more years. We have a long-term view, and we
need time to set up our project and give it a chance to grow. The club is
sticking to this policy and it is brilliant. It means we are really serious
about everything that we have said.
"When I first sat with Scott Duxbury we said we want to do this in the right
way and everything is going along so well. Scott, Gianluca and I are working
very well together and it is the key for the good results we are getting.
Everyone is playing their part, not just the players and the technical
staff. They have been brilliant."
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "Scott Parker is a hugely important
player and his belief in the club's vision is a fantastic boost for everyone
at West Ham United. He has been tremendous this season, not only with his
individual performances but for his example and leadership to the talented
youngsters we have coming through.
"Added to the absolute assurances Gianfranco has given fans this week about
his long-term commitment, this agreement is a further sign that we can all
look forward. Today's news underlines that a lot of nonsense has been
written and said about this club in recent weeks. It is clear that even if
external forces try to destabilise us, nothing will stand in the way of our
football project and our efforts to bring success to this club and our
supporters."
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Di Michele determined
WHUFC.com
David Di Michele is feeling the benefit of an extended run in the team under
Gianfranco Zola
13.02.2009
David Di Michele was in buoyant mood at Chadwell Heath this week after a
fruitful start to 2009. The Italian international has been enjoying a
positive run in the team and has more than contributed to a fine patch of
form that has seen West Ham United rise to eighth place in the standings. Di
Michele has started the last five games for the east London side, winning
the first three before picking up a credible point at the Emirates Stadium.
With the striker looking forward to getting his second taste of the FA Cup
against Middlesbrough on Saturday, things could not be going much better.
"Life at West Ham is great and I'm really enjoying it," Di Michele said.
"Being in the team over the last few weeks has really helped my form. You
can express yourself and get the match fitness that you need. When I wasn't
in the team I understood and was just waiting for my chance. As soon as the
chance came I did well to take it and it was important for me to do that."
The West Ham No32 joined on in the summer and was delighted to see his
countryman Gianfranco Zola join him as manager soon afterwards. The striker
said it was a big bonus having a mentor that knows exactly what it takes to
make the adjustment from Serie A to the Premier League. "I'm enjoying
working with Gianfranco as he gives me lots of advice. He was a great
player, but more importantly he was a great player that made his name in
England. It means that I benefit from the important tips and suggestions,
which really give me an advantage when he plays," he said. Di Michele is
midway through a season long loan from Torino and the Italian is so settled
he would extend his stay in London immediately if given the chance. "I need
to do the best I can and then at the end of the season we will see. Although
his thoughts are firmly set on helping the Hammers to reach the sixth round
of the FA Cup in Saturday's match, Di Michele was still slightly frustrated
at not getting anything from last weekend's game against league leaders
Manchester United. "There was a bit of disappointment that we did not get
anything against Manchester United as we had two or three chances in the
first half and they didn't have as many chances as one may expect from a
team like that. A draw would have been a fairer reflection on the game but
we have to keep going as we are."
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West Ham v Boro preview
Savio and Kovac set for debuts; Riggott, Aliadiere out
SSN
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 13th February 2009
Middlesbrough will be hoping to put a 13-game winless streak in the Premier
League behind them when they travel to Upton Park for their FA Cup
fifth-round tie.
Boro are in extremely poor form, with victories over Barrow and Wolves in
the FA Cup providing rare highlights in a dismal few months for the
Teessiders.
West Ham on the other hand have risen to eighth in the league and recorded
strong wins over both Barnsley and Hartlepool in the previous rounds during
a purple patch. The two sides last met in the FA Cup in the 2005/06 season
when a late goal from Marlon Harewood sent West Ham through to the final -
but neither side has progressed so far since.
Recent signing Savio could start for the first time since joining West Ham,
as could loan acquisition Radoslav Kovac. Valon Behrami and James Collins
both missed midweek international action, but should be available for the
tie. James Tompkins could be involved at some point despite a recent
recovery from a minor hamstring injury. However, Dean Ashton, Danny Gabbidon
and Kieron Dyer all remain out of Gianfranco Zola's plans.
Middlebrough have lost Chris Riggott to a knee ligament injury suffered
against Manchester City last week, which will serve as a huge blow both for
this game and for the coming weeks. Former on-loan Hammer Jeremie Aliadiere
and Andrew Taylor are missing for Gareth Southgate with ankle problems.
On-loan Wigan striker Marlon King will not feature as he played for Hull
City earlier in the competition.
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Davenport wants to stay
Defender hoping Sunderland loan becomes permanent
SSN
Last updated: 13th February 2009
Calum Davenport is hoping that his loan deal to Sunderland will be made
permanent in the summer. The West Ham defender has not settled at a club
since his transfer from Coventry to Tottenham in 2004, being loaned out on
three occasions during his time at White Hart Lane. He then signed for the
Hammers in January of 2007 but has since been sent on loan on two further
occasions. The 26-year-old wants the latest deal to bring him some
much-needed security. "I want a bit of stability in my career," Davenport
told The Northern Echo. "I'm 26 and I've got a young family to consider as
well, so I want to settle. "I haven't just come up here for six months away
from West Ham with a view to going back - I'm hopefully coming here to get
in the team, perform well and convince the manager and fans that I can add
something to the squad. "Then hopefully something might happen in the
summer."
Davenport's switch to the Stadium of Light was completed only hours before
the closure of the January transfer window. The defender has been the
subject of transfer gossip many times before and is growing tired of the
disturbances that accompany the deals. "In an ideal world, I'll be staying
up here so my name won't appear in the transfer gossip columns," he added.
"Every window it seems that my phone has been going off non-stop, so this
window I just kept it off and said to my agent: 'Talk to me when something
happens and clubs agree something. Until that point I don't want to know'.
"For me, that time of year is always a nightmare."
The centre-back managed to force his way into the West Ham first team under
Alan Curbishley, but has not been a part of present manager Gianfranco
Zola's plans. Now he feels he is being loaned out to ease the financial
strain on the club. He said: "The club are maybe in dire straits financially
and they need to trim the squad down. "Maybe that sealed my fate a bit - I
think they wanted to get me out to ease a few of their problems."
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Cole - I'm hungrier now
Striker even more determined after winning first England cap
SSN
Last updated: 13th February 2009
Carlton Cole says his first England cap has made him even hungrier for
success. The West Ham striker was handed his international debut when coming
on as a 75th minute substitute in England's 2-0 away defeat to Spain. This
taste of life at the highest level has left Cole desperate for more and he
is determined to work hard for Hammers - who take on Middlesbrough in the FA
Cup on Saturday - to earn another call-up. He told the club's official
website: "This has given me a massive confidence boost now. I know I can get
chances in big games with my play and that is what I am going to be working
on now at club level. "I am going to work so hard for West Ham. Hopefully my
scoring record will continue and I am just going to get better and better
for the club. Now I have had a little taste, I am more hungry now. I want
success and I want to get chosen again. I want to stay in the England squad.
"I want much more of this. David Beckham signified how great it is to play
for your country with his 108th cap and I was just glad to be on the pitch
for my first when he was equalling the record. I was overwhelmed with
excitement to be coming on in a game like that, especially as at one point I
thought I might miss out."
While pleased to play for England, Cole was also disappointed that the Three
Lions lost the game. He added: "I had hoped it would be a win but when you
are playing the European champions it is tough. I knew we had a great team
but they had a better team on the night. "They deserved their victory. I was
disappointed not to score right at the end but I got my 15-minute cameo and
it was really good for me to be involved in the England set-up."
He also enjoyed playing under national boss Fabio Capello. "He is a quality
manager. He tells you what he wants and what he expects and you have got to
deliver," he said. "The boys were a bit unlucky. We got outshone by a good
side but we have our foundation and England are working towards getting
better and better as each game comes."
Cole kept hold of his Number 21 England shirt at the end of the night as a
reminder of the important occasion. He said: "A few of the Spanish boys
wanted to swap shirts but I had to keep it. I don't care who it was who
asked me for it. It was one of those things that you never know if the
chance will come again. I took it home with me. I was so excited and happy
to be on the field."
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Scott Parker Signs New Contract
onenil - Fri Feb 13 2009
West Ham Online
Scott Parker has committed his future to West Ham by signing a new long term
contract.
He spoke about his delight upon signing a new deal to the Club's official
Site:
"I am very happy, pleased and excited - especially after all the speculation
in the transfer window - that I can now put that to rest and sign a new-long
term contract. In the last few weeks, the way the club is going and the
direction that the manager and the board want to go is something I want to
follow.
"By signing my new contract, it says that I want to do this as well. It also
says a lot about West Ham, there has been a lot of negative things written,
saying there was a crisis and all of that. This shows that West Ham are in a
position to keep their players when others want them and as a player and for
the fans, that is a great thing.
"The manager showed a real desire to keep me. He sees me as a massive part
of the squad and that meant a lot to me, especially when there were things
being written everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."
Zola said: "This is great news. Scott is an excellent player and it is good
to have him at our service for more years. We have a long-term view, and we
need time to set up our project and give it a chance to grow. The club is
sticking to this policy and it is brilliant. It means we are really serious
about everything that we have said.
"When I first sat with Scott Duxbury we said we want to do this in the right
way and everything is going along so well. Scott, Gianluca and I are working
very well together and it is the key for the good results we are getting.
Everyone is playing their part, not just the players and the technical
staff. They have been brilliant."
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "Scott Parker is a hugely important
player and his belief in the club's vision is a fantastic boost for everyone
at West Ham United. He has been tremendous this season, not only with his
individual performances but for his example and leadership to the talented
youngsters we have coming through.
"Added to the absolute assurances Gianfranco has given fans this week about
his long-term commitment, this agreement is a further sign that we can all
look forward. Today's news underlines that a lot of nonsense has been
written and said about this club in recent weeks. It is clear that even if
external forces try to destabilise us, nothing will stand in the way of our
football project and our efforts to bring success to this club and our
supporters."
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F.A. Cup: Southgate v Zola
BY STUART YOUNG ON FEB 13, 09 01:15 PM IN MIDDLESBROUGH
Mirror.co.uk (options )
Middlesbrough travel to the east-end of London tomorrow to face West Ham in
the 5th round of the F.A. Cup. We are able to put our poor league form on
hold for the afternoon and try to build some much needed confidence within
the team tomorrow. With Southgate's boys in serious trouble at the bottom of
the table and Zola's men sitting comfortably in 8th spot in the league, I
wanted to compare the two managers in today's post.
Southgate v Zola
Both are young and both are still learning their trade as Premiership
managers. Southgate is the more experienced out of the two though with a
couple of mediocre seasons behind him.
The odd thing about the two managers at present is their different styles of
play. Zola was an attacker as a player and Southgate was a sturdy defender
in his playing days yet the Italian has mastered his back four into
conceding very few goals this season whilst Southgate has seen his side ship
goals for fun.
Southgate has not had the spending power like West Ham have had this season
and was not very instrumental in the January transfer window. Zola, on the
other hand, was able to bring in a couple of new players to strengthen his
squad for the remaining games of the season.
I would say Zola has had an instant impact at Upton Park where as Southgate
has never really been consistent enough to merit acknowledgement.
Southgate comes up short in the man-management side of things as well. Take
Afonso Alves, he was a massive hit in Holland scoring a load of goals. We
spent a massive amount of money on him yet he can't score more than 1 goal a
month for us. Zola inherited his players when he joined the club and
instantly took control of misfiring players such as Carlton Cole. Almost
immediately the West Ham striker started banging in the goals for the team
and who does Cole thank for that? Yeah you guessed it, Zola.
I still remain optimistic about Southgate at Middlesbrough. Currently he and
his team are not doing the business, but if we do avoid relegation I think
he will become a good manager for us.
The verdict
Zola has edged it for me. His personality is shining at West Ham. They will
do well under the guidance of the little man. Southgate needs to brighten
up, not just for his sake, but for the team as well.
Prediction for tomorrow: Hammers 1 Boro 1
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Fans Advised Over Tube Closures
Mfc.premiumtv.co.uk
OWING to major closures on their network, Transport for London are
suggesting an alternative route for fans travelling to tomorrow's game at
West Ham by train and tube. Tube, London Overground and Docklands Light
Railway improvement works throughout the weekend will result in disruption
for passengers, with sections of the District, Hammersmith and City and
Circle lines closed.
To get from Kings Cross to Upton Park, TfL advises taking the Northern line
(black line) southbound from Kings Cross to London Bridge and transfer to
the Jubilee line (grey) eastbound from London Bridge to West Ham, and then
switch to the District line (green) eastbound for two stops to Upton Park.
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West Ham v Middlesbrough preview
by Joseph Caron Dawe , 13 February 2009
Setanta.co.uk
Gianfranco Zola can turn his focus back to matters on the pitch after a week
in which he had his fair share of speculation to deal with. The West Ham
manager takes his side into FA Cup fifth-round battle with Middlesbrough,
and will be delighted to have gotten through a period of intense conjecture
which linked him with a return to former club Chelsea following Luiz Felipe
Scolari's departure. With all that out of the way The Hammers host
struggling Boro at Upton Park as they bid to reach the quarter-final stage
of the competition for only the second time in eight seasons. The last time
they made it that far they went on to be losing finalists in 2006 – they
beat Boro in the semis that year.
Boro may be floundering in the league but when it comes to the cup they have
form. For the past three seasons they have reached the last eight, and are
seeking a fourth successive passage. To do that Boro will have to beat West
Ham for the first time in five attempts, having failed to overcome the
London side in their last four shots. Gareth Southgate's side will also need
to break a five-game duck in front of goal to stand any chance of making it
through – they have won just two of their last 15 competitive matches, with
both victories coming in the FA Cup.
The Hammers will give late fitness tests to defenders Valon Behrami and
James Collins, who are both fighting hamstring problems and missed midweek
international duties due to their injuries. Midfielder Radoslav Kovac –
signed on loan from Spartak Moscow during the January transfer window –
could make his debut, while Kieron Dyer is touch-and-go.
Boro are minus Marlon King up front as he is cup-tied, while Southgate has
to start dealing with the loss of Chris Riggott, who was diagnosed with
medial ligament injury earlier in the week. Marvin Emnes and the mercurial
Tuncay Sanli will vie to replace King, and David Wheater is set to replace
Riggott in defence.
Pivotal Player: Tuncay Sanli. Given a little time on the ball the Turk could
do just enough to turn this one in Boro's favour. He will need a concerted
effort from his team-mates to do so though...
Prediction: 1-1.
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West Ham and Spurs monitoring Newcastle forward
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 13 February 2009 - 11:48
Sport.co.uk
Newcastle United forward Andrew Carroll is being courted by West Ham and
Tottenham Hotspur according to sources close to the player. The England U-21
international has broken into the Newcaste first team this term scoring
goals against Manchester City and West Ham United, with belief escalating
around St James' Park that the forward has a bright future at the club.
However, the Newcastle faithful are not the only fans of Carroll. Last week
the 20-year-old rejected a five year deal with the club, and according to
sources close to Carroll, Harry Redknapp and Gianfranco Zola are both ready
to gamble on the youngster in the summer. Earlier this season Carroll was
involved in a training ground bust up with former wideman Charles N'Zogbia,
who moved to Wigan in the January transfer window, but the Gateshead forward
has put the bust-up behind him staking a claim for a regular first team
place. Carroll would be available on the cheap in the summer with only two
years left on his contract.
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ITV Spy: West Ham's progress
Published: Friday, 13 February 2009, 11:45AM
Itv.com
Is this West Ham's season?
Discounting last week's defeat to an unstoppable Manchester United, the
Hammers have been on the up since Christmas. Gianfranco Zola and Steve
Clarke deserve great credit for the way they've begun turning the Hammers
around, but now they need to build on their success. After easy wins over
Barnsley and Hartlepool, the Hammers have a great chance of making the FA
Cup quarter-finals when they take on Middlesbrough at Upton Park on
Saturday. As we all know, Boro are struggling badly at the moment and a Cup
run will be bottom of Gareth Southgate's priorities, especially with a home
game against Wigan coming up next week. See off Boro and the Hammers are in
the last eight where, as the cliché says, they just need a home draw to be
within touching distance of Wembley.
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Ashton is on the mend after third ankle op
Ken Dyer
13.02.09
Evening Standard
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has undergone a third ankle operation. Ashton
has not played since September after suffering more problems with the ankle
he broke while training with England in August 2006. Specialist Niek van
Dijk, who has operated on Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Ballack, removed
some bone debris from the ankle joint. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola said:
"We don't know when Dean will be back but it went very well and he is much
better than before." Yesterday, Zola pledged his future to West Ham, despite
reports that Chelsea players want the Italian and assistant Steve Clarke to
move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Zola and Clarke are focusing on their
FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough, whose only wins this year have been in
this competition. Although Gareth Southgate's side are low on confidence,
Zola is not expecting an easy fifth-round tie. He said: "I saw them at
Manchester City last week and they played well. "They may be going through a
bad run but Gareth Southgate is a good young manager. He will have his team
very concentrated and very well prepared."
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It's another false Dean as Ashton tells Hammers fans: I'll be back better
and stronger
Last updated at 9:48 AM on 13th February 2009
Daily Mail
Dean Ashton has reassured West Ham fans that he is working hard and
'looking to be firing on all cylinders' when he comes back. It must be a big
relief for them. That he expects to come back, that is. The injury-prone
striker has turned into one of the unluckiest around and has just confirmed
he has had another ankle operation. Ashton is not quite in the Kieron Dyer
bracket yet but after being sidelined since last September and several false
dawns since, supporters had probably forgotten he was still at the club.
West Ham were supposed to have had offers for the striker before his latest
long-term lay-off and must be kicking themselves that they signed him to a
five-year contract last summer rather than take the money.
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Late fitness test for Hammers duo
TeamTalk
West Ham will give late fitness tests to Valon Behrami and James Tomkins
ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round visit of Middlesbrough. Both are
struggling with hamstring problems but Czech midfielder Radoslav Kovac could
make his debut after being on the bench for the defeat to Manchester United.
Midfielder Kieron Dyer - who had been out with a broken leg - has been
having tests on a muscle injury, but striker Dean Ashton (ankle) and
defender Danny Gabbidon (groin) remain sidelined.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Kovac, Spector,
Sears, Nsereko, Tristan, Tompkins, Dyer.
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Calum Davenport seeking permanent Sunderland move
On-loan Sunderland defender Calum Davenport has admitted he wants to leave
West Ham United for good after being deemed surplus to requirements by
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola.
Telegraph
By Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 11:52AM GMT 13 Feb 2009
The centre-half has been borrowed by the Stadium of Light club until the end
of the season, but is already setting his sights on turning the move into a
permanent deal after falling out of favour under Zola. "I want a bit of
stability in my career, I'm 26 and I've got a young family as well, so I
want to settle," Davenport said.
"I haven't just come up here for six months away from West Ham with a view
to going back - I'm hopefully coming here to get in the team, perform well
and convince the manager and fans that I can add something to the squad.
"Then, hopefully, something might happen in the summer. The foundations are
here at Sunderland. They stayed up last year, so it's a case of kicking on,
which is something that West Ham have done since getting back into the
Premier League. "They're sitting in eighth now. I don't think that happens
overnight: it's a progression. "One of the things with West Ham is you
couldn't train properly because the pitches were always waterlogged. The
facilities here are brilliant, it's nice to be able to train whatever the
weather."
The Bedford-born former England Under-21 international began his career at
Coventry, before moving to Tottenham five years ago in a £1.3 million deal
and then switching to Upton Park in a £3m transfer two years ago. "It was a
relief to get something sorted in January," Davenport added. "From West
Ham's point of view, I think they were only interested in doing something on
a permanent basis, but Sunderland could only do something on loan, so that
dragged it out a bit. For me, that time of year (the transfer window) is a
nightmare. I just want to establish myself somewhere and feel at home
somewhere, instead of it being 'He's going there' or 'He's not staying'. I
want my name not to appear in the transfer gossip columns next window."
Davenport, who arrived on loan with Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim,
has been warned he faces a fight for a place in the Sunderland side by
manager Ricky Sbragia. That is due to the impressive recent performances of
central defensive pairing Anton Ferdinand and Danny Collins. "They are
playing out of their skins," said Sbragia. "They have been consistent,
reliable and are growing in confidence as well. They are there to defend and
that's what they have done in recent weeks. "Danny did remarkably well
against Stoke on Saturday, he didn't give (James) Beattie much and won a lot
in the air, he's been fantastic in general."
"The others will have to be patient," he said. "It would be unfair to change
it at the minute."
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Hammers boss expresses pride at his Three Lions
Guardian Series
11:56am Friday 13th February 2009
WEST Ham boss Gianfranco Zola revealed his pride at the trio of Carlton
Cole, Robert Green and Matthew Upson, who all played a part in England's 2-0
defeat at the hands of Spain on Wednesday. Both Upson and Green entered the
fray as half-time substitute, while Cole was awarded his first cap for his
country when he was introduced in the 75th minute. He almost enjoyed a debut
to remember when he received a clever pass from David Beckham before taking
the ball round keeper Pepe Reina, only to see his shot cleared off the line
by Carlos Marchena. "It was great to see Robert, Matthew and Carlton playing
for England," Zola said. "I am so happy for them and the club. It reflects
very well on everyone and it is a very good reward for how they have been
playing. All three of them did very well in a big game against good
opponents. We are looking forward to giving the England squad more players
in the future."
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King and Riggott miss out for Boro
Guardian Series
12:18pm Friday 13th February 2009
MIDDLESBROUGH are without striker Marlon King and defender Chris Riggott for
tomorrow's trip to West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Riggott
suffered a medial ligament injury, which will rule him out for at least a
month, in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, while King - on loan
from Wigan - is cup-tied having played for Hull in the competition during an
earlier loan spell. Manager Gareth Southgate will check on the fitness of
several of the players who were on international duty in midweek, before
naming his side. Marvin Emnes and Tuncay Sanli are in the frame to replace
King, while David Wheater could switch to central defence to replace Riggott
- with Justin Hoyte set to be recalled at full-back.
Provisional squad: Jones, Turnbull, McMahon, Hoyte, Huth, Pogatetz, Wheater,
Bennett, Walker, Digard, O'Neil, Bates, Shawky, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, A
Johnson, Alves, Emnes.
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'Fearless' Hammers ready for Boro test
Guardian Series
12:14pm Friday 13th February 2009
GIANFRANCO Zola insists his 'fearless' Hammers are ready for anything that
Middlesbrough will throw at them in their FA Cup fifth round clash at Upton
Park tomorrow. The Irons tasted defeat for the first time in nine games when
they were narrowly beaten by Premier League champions Manchester United last
week.
But the Italian his eager to prove that result was nothing more than a
hiccup and his attentions are now on making it in to the quarter-finals of
the world's most famous knockout competition. However, he is expecting a
tough ride from Gareth Southgate's struggling side. Zola told the club's
website: "I am expecting a very tough match because they're obviously having
a bad run in the league so for them this is a great opportunity to turn
their season around. I'm expecting them to be very concentrated and prepared
to go for the win. "They're not having a good run and in my opinion that
makes them more dangerous. It's a big match, not only because it will allow
us to get to the next round of an important competition but also because we
lost the last game and we want to get back on track. "I think the way the
team are playing we don't fear anything and can do a good job in the FA Cup.
That's the kind of attitude we'll have for the game on Saturday."
Zola first enjoyed FA Cup success with Chelsea back in 1997, when the Blues
overcame Middlesbrough 2-0. And he is now keen to replicate that feat from
the sidelines. "I remember everything about that day. I will always say that
winning the FA Cup was one of the best achievements in my career and it
would be fantastic to repeat it as a manager. I am very much looking forward
to it."
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Boro confident of Cup success
Virgin media
13 Feb 2009
Middlesbrough are without striker Marlon King and defender Chris Riggott for
tomorrow's trip to West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But Marvin
Emnes and Tuncay Sanli are in the frame to replace King, while David Wheater
could switch to central defence to replace Riggott - with Justin Hoyte set
to be recalled at full-back. And Boro manager Gareth Southgate is pleased to
have more options available to him and is confident his side can progress to
the next round of the Cup and move up the league table. Southgate said: "We
know that with the players we've got coming back, that we've got some good
players we've been missing for a few weeks. It's good to be starting to get
close to a fully-fit squad to pick from and we know that there's enough
quality in that squad if they play to their ability to both progress in this
competition and climb the league table."
Riggott suffered a medial ligament injury, which will rule him out for at
least a month, in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, while King -
on loan from Wigan - is cup-tied having played for Hull in the competition
during an earlier loan spell. Southgate will check on the fitness of several
of the players who were on international duty in midweek, before naming his
side.
Provisional squad: Jones, Turnbull, McMahon, Hoyte, Huth, Pogatetz, Wheater,
Bennett, Walker, Digard, O'Neil, Bates, Shawky, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, A
Johnson, Alves, Emnes
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Enjoyment factor is the key for impressive Hammers
Guardian Series
12:28pm Friday 13th February 2009
HAMMERS manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed that a relaxed atmosphere and
an emphasis on enjoyment has been the secret behind the team's recent
success. The Irons racked up an impressive unbeaten streak of eight games
before last week's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. Despite that setback the
team remain in contention for a UEFA Cup place bid as the season enters the
final straight. And Zola insists the environment that he and assistant
manager Steve Clarke have tried to create is the key to the vast improvement
on the pitch. "Steve and myself have been footballers so we know exactly
what the players like and don't like," he told whufc.com. "We want to set up
facilities that allow them to enjoy themselves and get better. Once the
players get this feeling then it's easy and down to them. "It's nothing
special. It's just we like working with them and we want to give them
something to improve them and it's really working well. Hopefully, we're
looking forward to improving even more."
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West Ham v Boro preview
Savio and Kovac set for debuts; Riggott, Aliadiere out
Sport.co.uk
By Rob Carragher Last updated: 13th February 2009
Middlesbrough will be hoping to put a 13-game winless streak in the Premier
League behind them when they travel to Upton Park for their FA Cup
fifth-round tie.
Boro are in extremely poor form, with victories over Barrow and Wolves in
the FA Cup providing rare highlights in a dismal few months for the
Teessiders. West Ham on the other hand have risen to eighth in the league
and recorded strong wins over both Barnsley and Hartlepool in the previous
rounds during a purple patch. The two sides last met in the FA Cup in the
2005/06 season when a late goal from Marlon Harewood sent West Ham through
to the final - but neither side has progressed so far since.
Recent signing Savio could start for the first time since joining West Ham,
as could loan acquisition Radoslav Kovac. Valon Behrami and James Collins
both missed midweek international action, but should be available for the
tie. James Tompkins could be involved at some point despite a recent
recovery from a minor hamstring injury. However, Dean Ashton, Danny Gabbidon
and Kieron Dyer all remain out of Gianfranco Zola's plans. Middlebrough have
lost Chris Riggott to a knee ligament injury suffered against Manchester
City last week, which will serve as a huge blow both for this game and for
the coming weeks. Former on-loan Hammer Jeremie Aliadiere and Andrew Taylor
are missing for Gareth Southgate with ankle problems. On-loan Wigan striker
Marlon King will not feature as he played for Hull City earlier in the
competition.
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