WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Sunday's league visit of Manchester City to east London
27.02.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Manchester City
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 1 March
12.30pm
Referee: Mike Dean
• West Ham United return to top-flight action with the visit of Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground on Sunday lunchtime, with a sell-out crowd expected.
• The club are ninth in the standings, one point and one place better off than City. The highest West Ham can rise with a win after the weekend games is seventh - depending on the fortunes of seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and eight-ranked Fulham away to Chelsea and Arsenal respectively. Wigan are two points ahead and Fulham one.
• Gianfranco Zola said: "Sunday is a very important match and the players know it. We will see what we can do. It is a tough match but we know how important it is for us and we are not willing to lose it. I don't think we are far away from a win. The players know what they have to do and I am sure they will get back to the winning habit."
• Mark Hughes said: "We are keeping trying to tell people we are fairly early in our progression and development. Where we are at this moment in time is right on track, it was never going to happen overnight. We have a group of players now that understand the pressures that will be placed on them. We have to deal with that and they are standing up to be counted."
• After 26 games last season, the club were also in ninth place but were four points adrift of eighth spot. A week later the club were tenth, and stayed in that position for the rest of the season.
• The club has 12 games remaining this season - six at home and six away. The teams still to visit the Boleyn Ground are City, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Chelsea, Liverpool and Middlesbrough. The six away games are Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Stoke City and Everton.
• West Ham have only lost once in the ten league games this season where the team have scored first - at home to Everton on 8 November.
• Manchester City have not lost in the last seven meetings between the teams in all competitions - four of those came last season before the 3-0 win for the home team at the City of Manchester Stadium on 24 August 2008.
• The last West Ham success was a 1-0 home league win on 15 April 2006 when Shaun Newton scored on 15 minutes. Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Dean Ashton all started in that fixture but are sidelined this weekend. Richard Dunne, Micah Richards and Darius Vassell were in the City first eleven.
• West Ham United's biggest home win against Manchester City was a 6-1 success in the old First Division on 18 May 1963. The club also won by the same margin in the away fixture that season on 8 September 1962.
• Manchester City have won just once on the road in league action this season - a 3-0 win at Sunderland back on 31 August.
• The two clubs met four times last season.
The 2007/08 league season started with City's trip to the Boleyn Ground on 11 August and it was the first game in charge for manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who lasted only a season. Rolando Bianchi (18) and Geovanni (87) scored both goals.
That was followed by the first FA Cup third-round meeting on 5 January again in east London when neither side could break the deadlock in a contest that saw Robert Green and Joe Hart excel.
The replay at the City of Manchester Stadium was again a tight affair and only a 73rd-minute headed goal from Elano separated the sides. The final meeting last season was the 1-1 league draw four days later on 20 January. Carlton Cole scored a terrific overhead kick in the eighth minute before Darius Vassell struck a 16th-minute equaliser.
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Mike Dean
Last time out
Wednesday 25 February - Middlesbrough 2-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble (Collison 56), Kovac (Tristan 69), Cole, Sears (Di Michele 57)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector
Booked: Behrami
Thursday 26 February - Manchester City 2-1 FC Copenhagen (UEFA Cup)
Manchester City: Given, Zabaleta (Elano 82), Onuoha, Dunne, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Bridge, Robinho, Bellamy
Subs not used: Hart, Garrido, Berti, Vassell, Caicedo, Evans
Goals: Bellamy 73, 80
West Ham United
• Mark Noble is serving a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth caution of the season away to Bolton Wanderers last weekend.
• Valon Behrami will miss the midweek trip to Wigan Athletic for the same reason after being cautioned in Wednesday's defeat at Middlesbrough.
• Robert Green, in line for his 100th appearance for the club, is the only player who has played every minute of every league game for the club this season. Matthew Upson has started every game.
• Carlton Cole is the leading league scorer with eight goals, along with a further two in the cup competitions.
Manchester City
• Shaun Wright-Phillips is serving the last game of a three-match ban and will miss the contest. Nigel De Jong returns after being ineligible for European duty midweek.
• Robinho has scored eleven league goals this season.
• Craig Bellamy scored seven goals in 24 league games for West Ham United between July 2007 and January 2009. He moved to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee on 19 January.
Team news
• January transfer window signing Savio is pushing for his first start in a West Ham United shirt and could compete with Jack Collison to replace the suspended Mark Noble.
• Czech Republic international Radoslav Kovac, 29, who has arrived at the Boleyn Ground from Russian side Spartak Moscow on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move, could make his home debut after starting against Middlesbrough.
• Dean Ashton (ankle), James Collins (hamstring), Luis Boa Morte (groin), Danny Gabbidon (stomach-back) and Kieron Dyer (calf) are not under consideration.
• Ashton underwent successful ankle surgery on his left ankle earlier this month to aid his rehab while Gabbidon continues to make progress on his long-term problems related to an abdominal injury. Both are aiming to be fit before the end of the season - although may not play any part this campaign.
• Dyer is thought to be a fortnight away from a possible training return while Boa Morte and Collins could be back before the end of March.
• The 19-year-old academy products Bondz N'Gala, a central defender, and winger Junior Stanislas have both been part of the matchday squads in recent weeks.
• Mark Hughes has concerns in midfield with Shaun Wright-Phillips suspended and Gelson Fernandes doubtful with a hamstring strain. However, Nigel De Jong is available again after being unable to play against Copenhagen on Thursday.
• Long-term injury victim Valeri Bojinov continued his comeback with 90 minutes for City's reserves in a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United this week. The striker scored City's goal from the penalty spot.
Last meeting
• The teams met for the first match on Sunday 24 August 2008, when City ran out 3-0 winners against the ten-man Hammers.
The lineups were:
Manchester City: Hart, Corluka, Richards (Hamann 54), Ben-Haim, Ball, Ireland, Kompany, Johnson, Petrov (Etuhu 77), Elano (Evans 77), Sturridge
Subs not used: Schmeichel, Garrido, Fernandes, Caicedo
Goals: Sturridge 65, Elano 70, 76
West Ham United: Green, Behrami, Davenport, Upson, Neill, Faubert, Noble (sent-off 38), Parker, Etherington (Boa Morte 74), Ashton, Cole (Sears 31, Mullins 46)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Spence, Reid, Bowyer
Booked: Behrami, Noble
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
24 August 2008 - Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United
20 January 2008 - Manchester City 1-1 West Ham United
16 January 2008 - Manchester City 1-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)
5 January 2008 - West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City (FA Cup)
11 August 2007 - West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City
30 December 2006 - West Ham United 0-1 Manchester City
Overall record v Manchester City (all competitions) W 34 D 14 L 39
Next up
• West Ham United travel to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night, kick-off 7.45pm, with Manchester City welcoming Aston Villa to Eastlands at the same time.
General information
• For ticket information, click here
• Please note there is planned engineering works on London Underground. Click here for more information
• Sunday lunchtime's weather forecast is for a cloud day with some sunshine, with the temperature set to peak at around 12C.
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West Ham v Man City
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1230 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live & highlights on MOTD2
BBC.co.uk
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West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is suspended and defender James Collins (hamstring) will miss out. Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny Gabbidon (back) and Dean Ashton (ankle) remain sidelined.
Manchester City wide-man Shaun Wright-Phillips is suspended and Gelson Fernandes remains doubtful with a hamstring strain. Nigel de Jong is available again, having been ineligible for the Uefa Cup victory over FC Copenhagen.
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West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison, Kovac, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector, Tristan, Sears.
Man City (from): Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Kompany, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, de Jong, Fernandes, Robinho, Bellamy, Vassell, Weiss, Logan.
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West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: We are really dying to win again after our FA Cup defeat on Wednesday, and that is the kind of feeling we must have. "The guys are not willing to sit on this too long and we are determined to put another run of good results together. "We know what we are capable of achieving and will work very hard to make this happen."
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Zola plays down Bellamy return
Hammers boss urges players to concentrate on winning
Last updated: 27th February 2009
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says his side must concentrate on the game against Manchester City as opposed to Craig Bellamy's return. The Hammers welcome City, and former striker Bellamy, to Upton Park on Sunday hoping to secure their first win in five league games. Fresh from his brace against FC Copenhagen earlier in the week, the Wales striker will be hoping to steer City towards just their second win on the road. Zola, though, despite admitting some uncertainty as to the fans' reaction to Bellamy's return, has told his players they must focus all of their attention on winning the match. "I hope he (Bellamy) can have a good reception, but that is not down to me," said Zola. "However, it is not my concern. It is important we focus, I focus, on winning the game. "He is a big player and he is one of the City players we will have to look after," he added. "But I have already spoken a lot about him leaving and now that is that on that subject."
Zola will be reunited with City boss Mark Hughes whom he played alongside at Wembley when Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1997. "It will be a pleasure to see him and shake hands with him again," he said. "We were partners - and had a very good partnership together. "When we were playing together, he always had the attitude and the qualities to be a manager."
Disappointed with Wednesday's FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, the Hammers boss is now focused on getting back to winning ways. He said: "We are really dying for it (a win) again, and that is the kind of feeling we must have. "We know what we are capable of achieving and will work very hard to make this happen."
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West Ham v Man City preview
Bellamy returns to Upton Park as 9th and 10th go head-to-head
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 27th February 2009
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
One to Watch: Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy returns to Upton Park for the first time since making his winter transfer window switch as Manchester City try to improve their woeful away record against West Ham. The Welsh marksman, whose brace on Thursday ensured that City are the last English team left in the Uefa Cup, will be bidding to make it a hat-trick of goals against his former employers. The 29-year-old striker has scored three times in the league, including two against former teams Newcastle and Liverpool. Bellamy might be well-travelled, but his side have been anything but this term - just one win away from Eastlands has been achieved in the league. Mark Hughes admitted his side have been well below-par away from home on certain occasions this season, but after the impressive draw at Anfield last Sunday, the City boss will be hoping his side can build from that. The signs look ominous for the Hammers, who have lost in the league to Bolton last Saturday and then coupled that defeat with another reverse midweek as they were dumped out of the FA Cup in a replay with Middlesbrough. After a purple patch which saw Carlton Cole score five goals in as many games, the striker's goals have dried up and so have the points - with Gianfranco Zola's side's last win coming against promoted side Hull when they won 2-0 on January 28th.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong, who starred in last weekend's draw with Liverpool, is available again for City after being ineligible to play in the midweek victory over FC Copenhagen. England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is sidelined through suspension while Gelson Fernandes remains doubtful with a hamstring strain.
West Ham will be without midfielder Mark Noble for Sunday's visit of Manchester City, as he serves a one-match suspension. Hammers skipper Lucas Neill made his return from injury in the midweek defeat to Boro and should continue at right-back at Johnathan Spector's expense. James Tomkins is again expected to deputise for James Collins, who was stretched off against Bolton, while Jack Collison and David Di Michelle should return to the starting line-up after slipping to the bench on Wednesday. Radoslav Kovac made his debut midweek and the Czech is likely to retain his place following Noble's absence.
Possible starting XI's:
West Ham: Green, Illunga, Tomkins, Upson, Neill, Behrami, Kovac, Parker, Collison, Di Michele, Cole.
Man City: Given, Richards, Dunne, Kompany, Bridge, Zabaleta, Elano, Ireland, De Jong, Robinho, Bellamy.
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WEST HAM v Manchester City: Noble absence adds to Zola's woes ahead of City clash
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 3:01 PM on 27th February 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham will be without midfielder Mark Noble for Sunday's visit of Manchester City, as he serves a one-match suspension. Jack Collison looks set to come into the starting XI, but defender James Collins (hamstring) is out after missing the midweek FA Cup replay defeat at Middlesbrough. Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron Dyer (calf), Danny Gabbidon (stomach/back) and striker Dean Ashton (ankle) remain sidelined.
Team from: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison, Kovac, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector, Tristan, Sears.
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4000 Fans And No Thanks. Disgrace
By Sam H ⋅ February 27, 2009
The West Ham Process
My journey for Middlesbrough started at 8:45am Wednesday morning, and finished at 4:30am Thursday morning. All calculations being correct, that's almost a 20 hour round trip to see, quite frankly, some absolute drivvle. I wish I had taken a leaf out of the Boro fans' book and just stayed at home.
The performance was poor, and I will get onto that in a bit, but the most frustrating thing for me is that only 3 (maybe 4) players at an absolute push, bothered to walk the few meters to come and applaud the travelling support. We made up a fifth of the total attendance at the Riverside, we had endured a painful attempt at a game of football, and had a 7 hour journey ahead of us. Most people took at least one day off work, others two. I can deal with a loss, no matter how bad, but a little respect for what we had gone through to watch our team play wouldn't have hurt anyone.
Rob Green made it all the way over to the fans, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker didn't make it all the way over, but noticably directed some applause in our direction. And I think that it may also have been Jack Collison who joined in with the thanks, although my eyes are slowly failing me so I can't be 100% sure on that one!
The worst person for me though had to be Carlton Cole, who half heartedly raised his hands and clapped as he walked off the pitch….after having spent the time swapping shirts with a Boro player. Now, you could argue that I am splitting hairs, but when you have made the sacrifices that 4,000 or so fans had made to be there for that game, you should at least contain your excitement at getting hold of a precious piece of Middlesbrough memrobillia till when you are out of the fans' sight. To be honest, he was so poor anyway, he may as well have been in the Boro shirt from the start.
Regular readers of my blog will know that I am usually optimistic and I'll always try and find the bright side of things, but the fact that not every single player and both Zola and Clarke did not come and at least recognise our efforts, was an absolute disgrace. So try as I might, there is no silver lining to this one…appalling.
The 'Performance'
In all honesty I don't want to talk to much about the game, as I am still pretty cross, so I'll keep it brief…
- So, once again, we go 1-0 down early on, closely followed by the second. Bored of that now West Ham, it has to stop.
- It was clear after about 15mins that we needed width. Everything was predictable and it was all coming through the middle. We rarely mixed up our options and we didn't have a plan B when it wasn't working.
- Neill and Illunga put in the effort to get up the flanks, but a simple introduction of Savio on the left would have made life a lot easier for them. Behrami's role therefore could have been to hug the right touchline, Savio's the left. It would have mixed our game up, it would have provided some new outlets for our play and I believe it would have caused Boro some problems. Southgate knew what he was doing the exact same thing…we made Downing look good.
- I don't think the sale of Etherington was the right move.
- We shouldn't have given starts to both Kovac and Sears, neither really looked at the races. I felt sorry for Sears really because he was just chucked in with very little game time under his belt alongside Carlton Mis-Control, who once again looked to be back to his former self.
- SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT. We need someone to just take some of our opportunities and make something from them…ie, put the ball in the back of the net. We had a lot of posession, we had a lot of pressure, but we did nothing with it. Boro seemed to have less posession, but attacked with pace and intention and always looked a threat. It has to change.
I'm going to stop going on about it all now, it's done, it's finished and it's clear that a lot has to change. Unfortunately I think the blame lies at Zola's feet for poor tactical selections and decisions. If we are all honsest with ourselves, Man City could very well be a struggle…
Sam
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West Ham v MAN CITY: De Jong back in contention after missing out on UEFA Cup victory
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 27th February 2009
Daily Mail
Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong is available again for the Barclays Premier League match against West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday. De Jong sat out the UEFA Cup victory over FC Copenhagen on Thursday night as he was ineligible. England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is sidelined through suspension while Gelson Fernandes remains doubtful with a hamstring strain.
Team from: Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Kompany, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, de Jong, Fernandes, Robinho, Bellamy, Vassell, Weiss, Logan.
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View from the Opposition - Manchester City
One McAvennieeeeee - Thu Feb 26 2009
West Ham Online
So without a win in 5 for the Chelsea dream team, and out of the FA cup, we are back to concentrating on a mid table finish which so many despised last season. This weekend we welcome the richest club in World Football to the academy, Manchester City. They possess a striker who has scored against all his former teams he's played against this season, with only 1 team to go...........
Lifelong City fan Andy Leatherbarrow has kindly agreed to answer our questions this week.
Q. What are your thoughts on the season so far?
A.Typical city really, lurching from the sublime to the ridiculous. We have played some awesome football at home (Pompey 6-0 was the best Ive ever seen us play) and then been dire and uninterested away (Pompey again!). The perception of city has changed as well. We were always liked by other supporters but are now widely hated, especially by the media. I prefer being hated to be honest!
Q. Expectations for the rest of this season?
A. Hopefully that we have settled down a bit now and will see some consistancy. We have brought in effective players in the window which we needed to do. De Jong will be especially important to us. Whilst I hate everything Bellamy stands for he has done well so far, it will though all end in tears with that lad.
I back the manager but whatever gloss Hughes puts on it, if we dont qualify for Europe (which we wont) then he cant judge this season as anything but a failure. We have spent a shit load of money.
Q. You've had 8 (eight) different home grounds (including Middle Eastlands) since you were formed – when you find one that gets a decent atmosphere do you think you'll stay put?
A. Whatever you do dont leave Upton Park. We have one of the better ones but new stadiums are soulless. Stadiums named after trainers in a shopping centre car park, need I say more....
Credit to CoMs though, best bars in the Prem inside the ground.
Q. Mark Hughes is like a kid in a candy shop with all the money at his disposal – Why do you think he went for the out of date packet of quavers that is Craig Bellamy?
A. He is a Hughes kind of player, and thats what worries me. He has done well so far but I still cant warm to him. When we play we look like a ten man team and Craig Bellamy. Whatever the manager says, there aint no love there. Lets be honest though, will he be playing for us next season?
Q. What player don't you think deserves his place in your starting line up? - If it is easier you can choose one that does.
A. This is difficult as I genuinely dont have a problem with any of our lads. He is a quality keeper but I dont think I would have signed Given personally. Hart has been great for us and to drop the bloke sends terrible signals to our young players. Basically you can play well, get in the England side, and you're still replaced. What would you think if you were a youth player at city?
Elano is a player that gets a lot of support from the anti-Hughes fans but he does fuck all 90% of the time and the manager is correct not to pick him. He had three good games against weak teams last season - WH away comes to mind!!
The player who deserves massive credit is Ireland. Awesome season, our best player. He was absolute shit last season but has sorted himself out. I own up to the fact that when Sunderland came knocking I would have let him go.
Q. It must be great having some Brazilian flair in your team, a player that seems to want to play for the shirt, a real talent that the team and fans love in equal measure. So how much do you miss Jo?
A. Very funny! I dont know what to think about this bloke. Big lad with pace and skill but hes an absolute fairy. £19m!! The biggest transfer flop in history? Yeah Id say so!
Earlier in the season I didnt think he had been given a decent chance but when I hear about him pissed in nightclubs when he should be training I lose sympathy. He will no doubt come back to haunt us. Hughes - if Everton are a rival for the euro spot we are apparently still chasing why the fuck are we lending them players???
Q. Robinho has been criticised for his lack of effort in many games, especially those away from home, Is this because he is too busy molesting young girls in night clubs the night before? That he dislikes playing with such low quality players? That he quite clearly wants to be playing for another club?.... or is there another reason?
A. I think with the fitness and conditioning routine in place that Robbie should be able to molest girls in Leeds nightclubs and then perform the following the day! More importantly what the fuck is he doing going out in Leeds?!
Yes he doesnt always fancy it away but the lad is class and his workrate at home is very good. Personally Id always pick him.
Q. Player to look out for?
A. On Sunday defo Ireland. For the rest of the season it has to be the hopeful return of Bojinov. Aggressive and skillful without the need to play pitch and put with team mates kneecaps, this lad could be a legend for us.
Q. What do you make of WHU this year?
A. Improving all the time, despite a couple of funny results recently. Back four and midfield look very solid and when on form I think the front two compliment each other well. If Carlton Cole could finish he would be worth 20m quid.
Q. Your view of West Ham fans?
A. Im related to a few so have to be diplomatic, so lets just say old school!!
Q. If you could choose 1 player from our squad who would it be?
A. We could do with a centre back and I have always like Upson, a good steady player.
Q. What is your favourite animal/rude word combination?
A. No idea, depends on the moment!
Q. Mark Hughes has won more honours as a player for your Main rivals than Man City have as a club in their whole history – how does that make you feel?
A. He will never be loved because of the United connection. Personally wouldnt have sacked Sven but we did so I back Hughes. We always needed a more physical and disciplined approach and I think that is coming. He also has a good eye for a player, all our best performers (Ireland aside) this season have been Hughes purchases.
Q. You went for Kaka but ended up with Kak – how do you think you did in the Jan transfer window?
A. We were widely slated for the Kaka thing but were only trying to show some ambition (and lets be honest Milan and Kaka were very keen on the money). To be fair I think we got 90% of the players we needed in the window. We needed a full back and got a decent one and a strong midfielder player who likes a tackle, again we got one. I think we desperately need some height in the team and would have tried harder to get a big number 9. However Im glad we didnt give any money to that twat Alladyce.
Q. Being the richest club in the world comes with its own pressures, Is not getting into champions league by next year going to be seen as failure?
A. I dont think it would be next year, though I think there will be real pressure to see a marked improvement. I think the owners are realistic but certainly as the money spent on the team continues to grow the pressure will mount. I do think though that they will expect top six next season.
Q. If your best mate collapsed in front of you after eating a bag of crisps and needed mouth to mouth resuscitation, what flavour would you like the crisps to be?
A. I would rather let the f*cker suffocate than give him mouth to mouth but if I have to lets stick to plain.
Many thanks Andy for answering these.
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