WHUFC.com
With West Ham United sitting in seventh, Gianfranco Zola is determined to
not rest on his laurels
20.03.2009
Gianfranco Zola said the confidence is high in the squad before Saturday's
trip to Blackburn Rovers and not just because West Ham United have a fine
record against Sam Allardyce's men.
The Ewood Park club may sit just one point above the relegation zone and
although wary of the threat posed, Zola is looking for another yet another
away win that would make it seven straight successes against this weekend's
opponents. "Blackburn is a team that is very, very dangerous, especially
because they have big, powerful players and will certainly play a physical
game that will ask us questions," he said.
"We are OK though. We are in a position where we can play this game and play
it with confidence and I'm sure it will be an interesting game."
That optimism stems from the club reaching the important 40-point mark in
last Monday's goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion - the figure that
is regarded by many as the total needed to ensure Premier League survival.
However, with that one achievement now achieved, Zola is resolute that his
squad must now focus on their next target - securing a place in the UEFA
Europa League for next season. To that end, the more experienced players in
his squad are required to help urge the rest along, including Radoslav Kovac
who has played at the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and in both
the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
"When you get to this situation people who are not used to playing at high
levels need [leadership] and if you have three of four players within the
group that are pushing the others, that is the key. That's why I keep
talking to them and that is what we need to do for the future," Zola said.
Chief among those players pushing the others is Scott Parker, with the
manager stressing the midfielder's claims for a place in Fabio Capello's
England squad when it is named on Sunday night. "For me Scott Parker has
been outstanding and I think he deserves [to be called up] but I am his
manager and it is easy for me to say that.
"His energy and his quality in the game has been outstanding - his passing
and his stamina, everything. He is a really, really complete midfielder
because he can produce quality but, at the same time, he works very hard
defensively. I believe, in his position, he is one of the best in this
country."
While injuries to fellow midfielders Jack Collison and Valon Behrami has
forced Zola into shuffling his pack in recent matches, he is confident his
squad has the strength in depth to handle the run-in and has explained why
it was important to allow players who were not playing to move on in
January.
"I have no regrets [about selling players] because the players I had then
were not playing," Zola said. They were not young players that you can give
games to every now and again - I don't like those things. When I have an
important player I want to play him as much as possible.
"If I don't play him then I will prefer him to go and play somewhere. I knew
when I was going through I might have problems with injuries if I was
unlucky but I prefer that the players with me are 100 per cent happy and I
know that if a player is not playing he is not happy."
The manager also has others coming back from injury, with the likes of James
Collins and Kieron Dyer getting closer. The latter could even find himself
in the mix sooner rather than later. "Kieron is getting better and better.
He is improving very much. I am very pleased with him."
With Carlton Cole suspended, there is one striking berth still up for grabs.
Freddie Sears and David Di Michele worked hard against West Brom while Diego
Tristan could be back after a muscle problem. One forward who is not yet in
the mix though is Irish youth international Terry Dixon.
The 19-year-old has made excellent progress in training after overcoming his
knee injury. However, a few minor niggles, which are common when a player
returns from a lengthy lay-off, have prevented Zola from assessing his form
fully on the training pitch.
"Terry Dixon might have had a chance but I need to see him. They keep
speaking to me very highly about him. The problem with him is that now he
has sorted the problem with his knee, every time he tries to force a little
bit he gets little problems like a tight calf or a tight groin.
"We have to take it step by step. It is very frustrating for him and
everybody as we have been following him for such a long time. When you have
been out for such a long time you need to take it easy."
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U18s to face Bluebirds
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's youth team will take on Cardiff City in their latest FA Premier
Academy League fixture on Saturday
19.03.2009
Tony Carr may be forced to shuffle his pack of players for Saturday's FA
Premier Academy League visit of Cardiff City on Saturday.
The Bluebirds compete in Group B in the four-group Academy League system and
will take on the Hammers in an inter-group fixture at Little Heath this
weekend. It is the only time the pair will face one another this season.
Group A members West Ham go into the game in high spirits after beating
Crystal Palace 4-1 away from home last Saturday, but Academy director Carr
may call upon a number of Under-16 players after several Under-18 regulars
turned out for Alex Dyer's reserve team on Tuesday evening.
Striker Balint Bajner, who scored twice in the win over Palace, defenders
Matt Fry and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and midfielders Daniel Kearns, Oliver
Lee, Georg Grasser and Conor Okus all lined up as the Hammers' second-string
went down to a battling 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa in midweek, and Carr
admitted he may be forced to rest some of his young charges at the weekend.
"We play Cardiff on Saturday at home which makes a change because in each of
the last three seasons we have played them away in Wales. We only play
against these teams from outside the southern area once a season and we
either play them home or away and we've got them at home this year. It will
be different for us this year in that we won't have to travel to Cardiff.
"It's going to be a tough game this weekend but we are looking forward to it
because we're going into it off the back of a good performance at Crystal
Palace. Most of the boys had to turn out again on Tuesday in the reserves
against Aston Villa and so, consequently, I'll have to keep one eye on who
has played, who has got a knock and who is tired and needs a rest.
"It may sound a bit clichéd when you talk about some of the boys needing a
rest but when you play at your maximum and you are young and your body is
still developing, you are going to get a below-par performance. It is as
simple as that. It is about managing this week and hopefully we'll be able
to get a strong enough team out to get a good result and a good performance
again this weekend."
Carr was impressed with the Academy professionals' collective performance
against a Villa team including former Hammer Marlon Harewood and England
Under-19 forward Nathan Delfouneso. With Tom Harvey unavailable for
selection, Dyer fielded Lee and Okus in unfamiliar wing-back roles, but Carr
believes both could take credit for their reserve team performances.
"We had a late withdrawal as Tommy Harvey couldn't make the game so Alex
Dyer had to shuffle his system. We're a bit stretched as the first team have
a number of injured defenders at the moment so that had a knock-on effect
and he played with three at the back. Conor had to play as a left wing-back
and Ollie played right wing-back and playing against the top side in Aston
Villa they were mostly called on in defensive areas. It was great experience
for them and something new and, although we lost the game, it was a
creditable performance and they had their moments.
"We'll look at what we've got and find the eleven who are fit, keen and
eager to play and hopefully pick the team that will do the business."
With some of his Under-18 players set to be rested, the likes of Sergio
Sanchez, Miles Smith, Robert Hall and Daniel Subuola - all regulars in the
Under-16 side - could all feature against Cardiff.
Kick-off at Little Heath on Saturday is at 11am. Admission and parking are
both free of charge.
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Quintet set for England
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble leads five West Ham United players preparing to represent England
over the next three weeks
20.03.2009
Mark Noble leads West Ham United's band of young Englishmen preparing for
international duty over the coming three weeks
The midfielder has been called into the England Under-21 squad for the
upcoming friendlies against Norway and France.
Former Hammer Stuart Pearce's squad will travel to Sandefjord in southern
Norway for a match at the Komplett.no Arena on Friday 27 March before
returning home to take on France at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on
Tuesday 31 March.
Both matches will act as warm-up games ahead of this summer's UEFA European
Under-21 Championship finals in Sweden. There, Noble and his team-mates will
face Finland, Spain and Germany as they seek to lift the trophy for the
third time in England's history and for the first time since 1984.
The 21-year-old, who has scored three goals in 14 appearances at Under-21
level, was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals in 2007 before
going down 13-12 on penalties to eventual champions Netherlands.
Aside from Noble, James Tomkins, Freddie Sears, Jordan Spence and Robert
Hall are also set to pull on the Three Lions.
Central defender Tomkins and striker Sears will both make their bow at
Under-20 level in a friendly against Italy at Queens Park Rangers' Loftus
Road home on Tuesday 31 March. The pair are among nine players in Noel
Blake's squad who represented England at the UEFA European Under-19
Championship in Czech Republic last summer and could feature at this
summer's FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Central defender Spence, who is currently enjoying a successful loan spell
at League One outfit Leyton Orient, has been named in Brian Eastick's
Under-19 squad for a friendly international against Czech Republic at
Walsall on Wednesday 25 March. Spence, 19, and his colleagues will use the
match as preparation for May's UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite
Qualifying Round, when they will host Scotland, Slovakia and
Bosnia-Herzegovina in a bid to reach the finals in Ukraine in July.
Finally, youth team striker Hall is in Kenny Swain's Under-16 squad for the
prestigious Montaigu Tournament in France in early April. England will take
on Russia on Wednesday 8 April before facing the United Arab Emirates 24
hours later. Swain's youngsters conclude their group stage matches against
the Ivory Coast on Saturday 11 April. Should they top their group, England
will face either France, Australia, Germany or Mali in the final on Monday
13 April.
The senior England squad, who face a Wembley friendly against Slovakia on
Saturday 28 March before hosting Ukraine in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying
matches on Wednesday 1 April, will be named on Sunday evening. Goalkeeper
Robert Green, defender Matthew Upson, midfielder Scott Parker and striker
Carlton Cole will all be hoping to be included.
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Blackburn v West Ham
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Ewood Park Date: Saturday, 21 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5
Live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; Highlights on Match of the
Day
BBC.co.uk
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Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen (thigh) and fellow defender Gael Givet (knee)
face late fitness tests. Striker Roque Santa Cruz (knee) and midfielder
Vince Grella (groin) are out but Stephen Warnock has been cleared to play
after shaking off a toe injury.
West Ham will make a late check on defender Matthew Upson's calf injury
while midfielder Savio Nsereko requires assessment after picking up a knock.
Kieron Dyer and Diego Tristan are fit and in contention for a place.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Blackburn (from): Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba,
Simpson, Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Villanueva, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Treacy,
Mokoena, Dunn, McCarthy, Roberts, Pedersen.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Ilunga, Parker, Savio, Kovac, Upson, Noble,
Tomkins, Di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Spector, Tristan,
Payne, Stanislas, Dyer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce: We are a little bit concerned that we
haven't won at home since Newcastle in January, which was an outstanding
victory in the end.
"Since then though we haven't won a game at home, so it will be very
important to win this one against West Ham. "We've two home games on the
trot that are very important at this stage of the season to make sure that
you secure the maximum points if you can."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola: We have not been in Europe for a while.
"We need to push because we want to achieve the estimate of 52 points if we
want to go to Europe, we need to push ourselves hard because we have a few
injuries. "It is achievable. You have to think in this way. You have to have
a target and you have to give everything to achieve that."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Blackburn take on West Ham at Ewood Park, eager to get their battle against
relegation back on track after last Saturday's 4-0 drubbing by Arsenal at
the Emirates Stadium.
West Ham were fortunate to get away with a goalless draw, home to rock
bottom West Brom last Monday, but have won one more game on their travels
than Blackburn have managed at home; four to three.
West Ham are bidding to beat Blackburn for the seventh successive time in
all competitions (Premier League and FA Cup).
Blackburn have scored more Premier League goals against West Ham than any
other club (39).
West Ham have secured more points (41), gained more wins (13) and scored
more goals (40) against Blackburn in Premier League matches than against any
other club.
Distance between the clubs: 241 miles (388 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Club stats
15th 30 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 12th
Lowest could fall: 18th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Won 33% of their Premier League games under Sam Allardyce (four of 12),
and lost 25% (three of 12).
2. Played 12 games against the clubs currently in the top eight, and only
taken points off Everton.
3. Need a victory to pass 500 home points in the Premier League; on 498 at
present.
4. Not scored in the last two league games at Ewood Park.
5. Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa have done the double over them
so far. West Ham could become the fourth of a possible nine clubs to
complete such a feat.
6. Failed to score in four of their last six top-flight matches against
London clubs, and won one of the last eight at home against clubs from the
capital; 1-0 against Fulham on 20 September.
7. This is the third of four successive league games against London
opposition. A home clash with Tottenham follows on 4 April, before a trip to
Liverpool.
Fixtures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
7th 40 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 8th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Won 11 and lost 11 of their 29 Premier League matches, scoring 34 goals
and conceding 34.
2. Not conceded a single goal in three league games; never kept four
successive clean sheets in the Premier League.
3. Lost one of nine away top-flight matches; 2-1, against Bolton on 21
February.
4. The current tally of 40 points after 29 games matches last season's
return.
5. Already beaten Wigan and Fulham home and away. Blackburn could become the
third of a possible five clubs they could do the the double over in this
top-flight campaign.
6. Lost one of the 12 top-flight matches in which they've opened the
scoring; home to Everton.
7. Lost seven of the last 10 Premier League trips to the North-West, and won
one of 11; 0-1, away to Wigan on 4 March - their most recent match in the
region.
8. Among their eight remaining fixtures after this, are a visit to Aston
Villa and home games against Chelsea and Liverpool.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Squad profiles
Benni McCARTHY and Jason ROBERTS are the club's top Premier League scorers
with seven goals each.
David DUNN is a double shy of 50 club career goals.
If selected:-
Stephen WARNOCK will be making his 100th appearance in a Blackburn 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.
Matthew UPSON is the only other player to have started all of the Hammers'
Premier League matches this season.
Carlton COLE is the club's top Premier League scorer with nine goals.
If selected:-
Mark NOBLE will be making his 100th appearance in West Ham colours.
Scott PARKER will be making his 250th career league appearance (Charlton,
Norwich, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham).
Lucas NEILL will be opposing former club mates. The 31 year old Australia
international midfielder made 227 appearances (188 in the league) and scored
eight goals (five league) for Rovers between September 2001 and his move to
Upton Park in January 2007.
HEAD TO HEAD
Victory will give West Ham their third Premier League double over Blackburn.
The previous two came in the last two seasons.
Rovers have not beaten the Hammers since a 3-2 top-flight triumph at Ewood
Park on 10 December 2005.
West Ham suffered one of their highest scoring losses on the road in the
Premier League, when they went down 7-1 to Rovers at Ewood Park on 14
October 2001.
A total of 41 goals have been scored in the last 11 Premier League matches
between these clubs. They have not registered a goalless draw against each
other since December 1980.
Rovers need to score three more times to total 200 goals against West Ham
(all competitions).
Home and away
League (inc PL): Blackburn 42 wins, West Ham 38, Draws 11
Prem: Blackburn 8 wins, West Ham 13, Draws 2
at Blackburn only
League (inc PL): Blackburn 28 wins, West Ham 12, Draws 5
Prem: Blackburn 7 wins, West Ham 3, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 West Ham United
9 December 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley
West Ham scorer: Ashton 52
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
30 August 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley
West Ham scorers: Davenport 12, Samba 20 og, Cole 90, Bellamy 90
Blackburn scorer: Roberts 22
REFEREE
Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)
Premier League referees' table
Chris Foy's 2008-09 Premier League card count
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Fulham launch Tevez legal claim
BBC.co.uk
Fulham are the latest side to launch a legal claim for compensation against
West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair. The club say they are claiming for the
loss of their league position bonus for the 2006-07 season, about £500,000.
They finished 16th, a place behind West Ham, but argue the Hammers benefited
unfairly from Tevez's goals and the merit payment should be reversed. West
Ham reached a settlement with Sheffield United over losses following their
relegation earlier this week. But former Blades boss Neil Warnock is
currently considering legal action for loss of earnings, and some of his
squad from that season are rumoured to be following suit. Leeds' decision to
take legal advice, after the Blades' relegation saw them miss out on add-ons
from the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Bennett to
Bramall Lane, shows how far reaching the consequences of the whole affair
could be. Sheffield United's compensation figure has not been disclosed but
the BBC understands it is in the region of £20m in instalments. The Hammers
were fined £5.5m in April 2007 by the Premier League for breaking rules over
third-party agreements when bringing striker Tevez and fellow Argentine
Javier Mascherano to Upton Park. They were not docked points and,
ultimately, went on to ensure their Premier League survival, with Tevez
playing a key part with his goals, including three in the last two games. A
Premier League and Football Association inquiry launched in January
continues to investigate the conduct of some West Ham representatives during
the affair.
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Bruce would back legal action
Latics boss would back chairman if he took action over West Ham
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 20th March 2009
SSN
Steve Bruce has said that he would understand if Wigan chairman Dave Whelan
was to change his mind and take action against West Ham over the Carlos
Tevez affair.
The Tevez debate has reopened this week after the Hammers settled out of
court with Sheffield United, with the sum believed to be in the region of
£15million rising to a potential £25million. The Latics, then managed by
Paul Jewell, finished below the Hammers when Tevez's goals helped the London
club survive relegation. Although Wigan avoided the drop themselves they
could pursue legal action over loss of prize money in terms of final league
positioning. "That's entirely up to the chairman," Bruce told Sky Sports
News. "I wasn't here then but I knew he backed Sheffield United all the way
with it because obviously he believed what went on was wrong." But the
former Birmingham boss is concerned that the whole affair shows no sign of
ending. "I think everybody will have a look at it when you see the colossal
sums of money that's been settled now between West Ham and Sheffield," he
added. "For me that will just open up other doors and it looks like it has.
"I think there is a lot to be had when people are settling out of court for
the amount of money that's been branded about, it's quite staggering. "So
you know I don't think it's run its course. There will be a few more coming
out of the woodwork and West Ham are in for a rocky ride by the look of it.
"Where does it all end?"
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Zola hails Parker as 'complete midfielder'
Evening Standard
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has hailed Scott Parker as the finest
defensive midfielder in England and urged Fabio Capello to give him a
chance. Parker, 28, has three caps - all were earned while at separate clubs
- but has not featured under Capello and appears to be behind Gareth Barry
and Michael Carrick if the England boss wants to use a disciplined
midfielder. Capello names his squad this weekend for the friendly against
Slovakia and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine - and Zola feels Parker
is worthy of a place. "Scott Parker has been outstanding this year," Zola
said. "He deserves it. His energy and quality has been outstanding, his
passing - everything. "He is a complete midfielder because he can produce
quality but works very hard defensively. I believe in his position he is the
best in this country." Parker's last cap was in the defeat in Croatia during
Steve McClaren's reign and he would be the answer to questions in pub
quizzes around the country if he earns an appearance while at Upton Park.
He was given his debut while at Charlton, played once while at Chelsea and a
third time while at Newcastle - so another appearance would mean four caps
while at four different clubs. Zola feels other players in his squad should
also be recognised by Capello, pointing to the likes of Carlton Cole and
Robert Green. "From my point of view there should be many but Capello is the
one who decides," Zola said. "Our players are in good form and there is a
chance for a few players to be in the squad. If my players are selected they
will do well for England."
Cole is suspended for the Barclays Premier League clash at Blackburn
tomorrow, while Matthew Upson needs a late check on his calf injury. Savio
Nsereko also requires assessment, but the good news is that Diego Tristan
and Kieron Dyer are in contention for a starting place. Zola feels another
four wins will earn a place in next season's Europa League - but he is wary
of the threat Sam Allardyce's men pose. "They are very dangerous, especially
up front," Zola said. "They have big, powerful players and will play a
physical game which will ask questions or ourselves and we need to be at our
best. "But we are okay. We are in a position where we can play this game
with confidence."
Zola's men have seven points from their last games, bouncing back from five
games without a win. "The team has shown me it is a strong team and also a
mentally strong team," Zola added. "After we lost a few games - against
Manchester United and Bolton, then in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough - we
had a very difficult game against Manchester City and the players performed
very well. "It was a very good indication for me how strong they are
mentally."
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Legal anarchy in the UK
By Dan Mason
March 20, 2009
Soccernet.com
Carlos Tevez celebrates his winner at Old Trafford to keep West Ham up -
"single-handedly", say some. For two years I have banged my head against the
wall as football's ill-informed opinion makers have painted a hopelessly
inaccurate picture of a heroic Sheffield United, valiantly struggling for
'justice' against the pantomime villains of West Ham United.
Following this week's news of further compensation claims by Neil Warnock,
twenty Sheffield United players as well as the only-vaguely connected Fulham
and Leeds United, I wonder whether the rest of the world will finally start
to see the true nature of this affair.
For the benefit of those who by now instantly tune out when the name Carlos
Tevez is mentioned - I sympathise, by the way - I'll briefly bring you up to
speed.
Thanks to Lord Griffiths' assertion that the Argentine was responsible for
the Blades' relegation, Neil Warnock and his former Sheffield United charges
now believe that their inability to win enough games to avoid the drop
should be rewarded with the very bonuses and earnings they would have
received had they have done so. Got that?
It is the latest in long list of attempts by those associated with Sheffield
United to profit out of a disaster of their own creation. The actions this
week of Warnock, Bates et al prove beyond doubt that the driving force
behind the whole sorry affair was the acquisition of money. The notion of
the Blades fighting for justice looks naive to these eyes.
Whereas in recent years the media has lambasted the avarice of 'Cashley'
Cole and even West Ham captain Lucas Neill for attempting to maximise their
income, they have turned a blind eye to the Blades' pursuit of compensation
cash.
This is largely due to the success of Sheffield United Chairman Kevin McCabe
in manipulating the popular perception of the Tevez saga. His version of the
Blades' noble fight has now been uttered so many times it has, indeed,
become the accepted truth.
Sheffield United's version of events has rarely been challenged. After the
initial Tevez enquiry, unwilling to enter into a protracted war of words
with the likes of Warnock, McCabe and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, West Ham
kept silent. By opting out of the debate, West Ham allowed the ideological
landscape of the saga to be coloured by the version of events coming out of
Sheffield which, to this day, continues to be the accepted one.
Let me get one thing absolutely straight. Carlos Tevez was at all times
registered and eligible to play for West Ham United. His registration,
completed in August 2006 was repeatedly ratified and never once terminated
by the Premier League.
Similarly, it is a myth that West Ham United concocted a scheme to secure
the playing services of Tevez and Mascherano. The very idea is laughable to
West Ham fans who have, for decades, suffered at their club's inability to
organise the proverbial shindig at a brewery.
This is the club that missed out of a League Cup semi final by accidentally
fielding a cup-tied player. It is the club who in a couple of seasons went
from the Premier League, where they fielded the likes of Ferdinand, Lampard,
Carrick, Cole, Defoe and others, to a struggling Championship side giving a
game to Robbie Stockdale. Portraying West Ham as having undertaken a dirty
tricks campaign of Watergate proportions is the worst piece of casting since
Sean Bean starred in, well, take your pick.
Let us strip away the melodrama that surrounds the Tevez saga. The whole
story rests upon the fact that West Ham fell foul of an obscure rule
relating to third-party influence on team matters, of which there was none.
The alleged third-party clause concerning Tevez was one that allowed the
striker to be moved to a different club - something that would have worked
against West Ham.
Of course, certain club officials at West Ham acted improperly in attempting
to cover up the offending contractual detail. The club were quite rightly
punished with a world-record fine which, had the Hammers been relegated (as
seemed likely at the time), would have helped push the club to the brink of
extinction.
There are those that say rules are rules. I agree and point to the long
forgotten fact that West Ham were punished. But to suggest that West Ham's
rule-break was the determining factor of a 38-game Premier League campaign
has always seemed a total nonsense.
Likewise, the misnomer that Tevez "single-handedly" saved West Ham from
relegation.
For the record, Bobby Zamora scored 4 goals worth 12 points to West Ham in
that relegation run in. His contribution is obvious but ignored. Likewise
the individual performances of Robert Green, James Collins, Mark Noble,
Nigel Reo-Coker, Lucas Neill and of course manager Alan Curbishley.
Ironically, Tevez and his compatriot Javier Mascherano were, if anything,
responsible for West Ham being in the mire in the first place. Unwanted by
Alan Pardew and resented by their team mates, the arrival of the
Argentineans precipitated a disastrous erosion of form and morale that took
UEFA Cup participants West Ham from 4th in the Premier League on a run of
nine games without victory, and seven without a goal.
Even allowing for his hot streak at the season's end, over the course of 38
games West Ham were statistically better off without Tevez in the team.
West Ham without Tevez: P12 W4 D3 L5 Points per game: 1.25
West Ham with Tevez: P26 W8 D2 L16 Points per game: 1
However, when West Ham finally showed signs of form in that relegation
battle, fellow strugglers Fulham, Wigan and Sheffield United collectively
lost their nerve. Their ships were sinking. In an attempt to keep their
heads above water they ganged up on the one side holding a life-preserve.
Armed with West Ham's inconsequential rule-break they proceed to bash the
Hammers silly with it. Understandable perhaps, but principled? Do me a
favour.
When Sheffield United's relegation was confirmed, they chose to ignore the
fact that they lost over half their matches as well as 8 of their last 11.
Even then the Blades would still have saved themselves had they drawn at
home with Wigan in their final game. They lost.
It was in their hands. Literally in Phil Jagielka's case. His bizarre
handball in the box condemned the Blades to defeat. Jagielka is reported to
be one of the twenty Sheffield United players attempting to sue West Ham.
How it is that Jagielka who, as a direct result of the Blades' relegation,
now enjoys the form of his life for Everton and England and earns a reported
£40k a week, feels entitled to make that claim?
Jagielka and Sheffield United have since refused to accept their culpability
in failing to determine their own Premier League destiny.
They say that teams and clubs are shaped by the personality of their
manager. As anyone who follows football should know, former Blades boss Neil
Warnock is a past-master in finding other people to blame for defeats
suffered by his teams.
Warnock has presided over teams that take gamesmanship and the physical side
of the game to the limits. Even this week, while expressing trademark ire
towards Premier League chief Peter Scudamore, Warnock told the Daily Mail, "
I'd love to get him in a room on my own for an hour, no holds barred."
Charming.
That a boy who has cried wolf more often than Lon Chaney should be given
credence, let alone portrayed, as he has been, as a white knight crusading
on behalf of what he calls "justice" and "principles", I find as a deep
irony.
Sheffield United appealed three times before they could find someone to
agree with their version of events. Enter the Right Honourable Lord
Griffiths, the 85-year-old mediation lawyer and expert in insurance. He
headed an arbitration panel that ruled as fact that Carlos Tevez was the
sole reason for Sheffield United's relegation.
Griffiths' report said:
"Ultimately, however, we have not found it necessary to come to a conclusion
whether the cause of Sheffield United's relegation was (a) the number of
points achieved by West Ham with Mr Tevez's assistance or (b) Sheffield
United's poor performance."
You haven't thought it necessary to consider Sheffield United's role in
their own relegation? So they could have intentionally knocked in 16 own
goals every game, and it would still be West Ham's fault? Griffiths' verdict
is illogical. Personally, I'm planning to sue Manchester United. After all,
it is clearly their fault that West Ham haven't won the Premier League this
year.
My feelings on the absurdity of the judgement are too lengthy to explore
here. However, I must highlight the types of evidence considered by Lord
Griffiths and his panel.
Evidence heard included an opinion offered by journalist Henry Winter
concerning West Ham's final day win at Manchester United. Winter said that
Carlos Tevez scored the goal that kept West Ham up. Actually, he didn't. Had
Tevez not scored and West Ham drawn 0-0 they still would have stayed up. In
his Daily Telegraph match report for that same game Winter actually made
West Ham's Robert Green his man of the match.
Also considered were the on-screen summings-up of Match of the Day presenter
Gary Lineker - a man whose job it is to present glib banalities to a
television audience.
Based on those pieces of conjecture, it was determined that no other team,
player, or manager affected the relegation battle and West Ham were to pay
compensation for fielding a player who was always legally entitled to play
for them. Is that justice?
Even though Sheffield United could appeal 3 times, West Ham were forbade
from appealing against Lord Griffiths. Is it little wonder that this week
the Hammers decided to settle out of court with Sheffield United?
Griffiths' decision to divest Sheffield United of responsibility for their
own relegation, has terrible ramifications for football. The Tevez saga
looks likely to go down as a Bosman-like test case, green-lighting a
litigious path for any side not collectively man enough to take defeat on
the chin.
GettyImages
Neil Warnock's team were relegated after a final day draw against Wigan
Athletic.
From Stuart Atwell's, 'ghost goal' for Reading all the way back to Sir
Geoff's infamous effort in the 1966 World Cup final (would the Blades have
that triumph awarded to West Germany?) - the possibilities are surely
endless. Where there's blame there's a claim.
This week West Ham called it 'legal anarchy.' The legal actions of Warnock,
Bates, Fulham and the rest show that might be not as paranoia.
Sheffield United's opportunism (and popular support for it) has pushed
football further away from sporting endeavour and firmly towards the pursuit
of money, bereft the notion of nobility and dignity in defeat. Money is far
more important.
To these eyes, it is Sheffield United and Lord Griffiths that have tarnished
British football and not West Ham United. The Blades' legal action could
prove far more damaging to the game than anything West Ham could dream of
inflicting upon themselves.
Blades have been rewarded to the tune of £25 million. So, please, I beg you,
no more talk of justice. My head hurts enough as it is.
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Spector overcomes injury woes to re-enter the picture
By Ravi Ubha
March 20, 2009
Soccernet.com
The injury list at Upton Park perennially lingers, with the likes of
influential striker Dean Ashton and roving midfielder Kieron Dyer -- OK,
he's always hurt, no matter what the club -- missing chunks of the current
campaign. Former manager Alan Curbishley blamed the malaise on
training-ground pitches in East London, a theory only partially accepted by
the Hammers' passionate, and always expectant, fans.
Jonathan Spector is easing his way back into West Ham's lineup following a
serious injury. Whatever the reason, the curse afflicted Illinois utility
man Jonathan Spector last season just as the 23-year-old began to cement a
spot at one of England's most famous sides. Mind you, not as famous as
Spector's first team in the Premier League, quintuple-chasing Manchester
United, which produced jack-of-all trades duo Phil Neville and John O'Shea.
Spector returned to first-team action in December after hip surgery, though
injuries to teammates -- of course -- have meant a slight increase in action
under popular pint-sized Italian Gianfranco Zola, Curbishley's successor.
Spector spent time on loan at Charlton under Curbishley before switching to
West Ham three years ago.
"Coming back from injury is always difficult, especially being out for an
extended period of time," Spector said. "On top of that there's the new
manager and new players. I knew coming in it would be a tough season this
year, but at the same time, the manager stressed he wants me to be at the
club. I had some loan options turned down because he wanted me to stay."
According to Spector, who inked a new three-year deal in November, West Ham
rejected overtures by Sunderland, a few Championship sides and Germany's FC
Koln in the January transfer window.
He made his lone start in a 2-1 loss at Bolton on Feb. 21, lining up at
right back and setting up Scott Parker's consolation effort; entered as a
midfield sub in a 1-0 win at Wigan on March 4 when top prospect Jack
Collison sustained a freakish knee injury; and surfaced in the first half of
a dour 0-0 stalemate Monday at home against bottom-feeders West Bromwich
Albion that dented West Ham's UEFA Cup (Europa League for the
technical-minded) chances.
This time, central defender Matthew Upson got struck down, thanks to a calf
problem, and Spector strode on as a right back after a reshuffle, marking a
fifth appearance since his comeback. Zola overlooked Spector for a midfield
start, opting for the flashy Savio Nsereko and on-loan Czech Radoslav Kovac
with Collison, Dyer and Swiss international Valon Behrami sidelined. The
U.S. international picked his spots going forward, unlike left back Herita
Ilunga, less averse to exercising caution.
Despite his fondness for playing in the center of defense, a position he
adopted at under-23 level, Spector sees his future in England at right back.
He's unworried about his style not meshing with Zola's attacking philosophy.
Curbishley, gone in September, employed more conservative tactics, and
Spector's new deal, in the works for a while, picked up steam when the
Englishman was at the helm.
"To be honest, I like the way the manager has us playing," Spector said. "It
is attacking, which the fans have enjoyed, and we've had a fair amount of
success playing that way. I'm a defender naturally, so I didn't expect to
come on in midfield Monday. But it looks like a few opportunities may open
up for me, and now it's down to me to make the most out of them."
What do those West Ham fans make of Spector?
"I think he's one of these players most people think is never going to be a
star," said Iain Dale, a political commentator and writer who runs the West
Ham Till I Die Web site. "He's not going to score many goals and dribble for
40 yards. But he's quite reliable and very useful, and every team needs a
player like that."
If current right back Lucas Neill departs when his contract expires in the
summer, Spector might finally have a stable position. Then again, as Dale
suspects, Zola could buy a replacement.
Anything that develops in the next two months is a bonus.
Spector made his 26th and final appearance of the 2007-08 season in April,
the hip keeping him out thereafter. Training with the national team ahead of
glamorous friendlies against England, Spain and Argentina, he was diagnosed
with a torn labrum. A pitch had nothing to do with it; Spector blamed
genetics.
His hopes of competing at the 2006 World Cup dashed because of a dislocated
shoulder, Spector endured more disappointment, missing out on the 2008
Olympics in Beijing.
The right hip won't ever be 100 percent. A realistic target is getting it
above 90 percent.
"I couldn't be happier with how I've felt," Spector said. "The surgeon
actually expected that I'd have pain my entire first season back. I haven't
really had any pain or discomfort even after the surgery. I'm totally
surprised how well it healed and how much stronger everything around my hip
is. I continue to do the exercises I was given by the trainers and
physiotherapists and just stay on top of it."
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ALLARDYCE HAILS CLARKE EFFECT
Posted 20/03/09 14:30
Football365
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce feels West Ham are a negative side, but in a
positive way thanks to the influence of Steve Clarke. The former Chelsea
assistant was appointed earlier this season to support Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola, and the rewards are now being reaped Zola and Clarke head
to Ewood Park on Saturday with the team pushing for a place in next season's
new Europa League as they are seventh in the Barclays Premier League. Seven
points from the last three matches in which they have not conceded a goal
has left Zola openly dreaming of European football, an unthinkable prospect
not so long ago. Allardyce believes that is primarily due to Clarke, who is
having the same kind of impact on West Ham as he did under Jose Mourinho
during their time together at Chelsea. "If West Ham do come and attack us
then that leaves them open, but I don't think they'll do that," said
Allardyce on Zola's view that four more wins will guarantee his side that
spot in Europe. "Steve Clarke is there, and I know him really well, and they
won't come and attack. "They'll sit back, try and frustrate us, and make the
game very, very tight because Steve, under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho,
always did that at Chelsea. "He was always on the negative side, rather than
on the positive, so I see West Ham giving us very little space in which to
play.
"What I'm saying is a backhanded compliment towards Steve because if you
look at any team that wins the league, they've the best defensive record.
"It's not about how you attack, it's first about how you defend, and that
allows your talented players to try and get you the goals to win you the
game. "Steve has been instrumental in making sure West Ham have stopped
leaking goals, which at times was one of the problems faced by Alan
(Curbishley). "So contrary to the perception of many people, it's not about
how West Ham play with the ball, it's about how they defend without it. "I
think what Steve has done since he has been there is the reason why West Ham
are where they are in the league. "It's not for the flair football, but
because of the way they've organised themselves defensively and become
difficult to beat."
Rovers go into the game looking to bounce back from their 4-0 loss at
Arsenal last Saturday, a result that stunned Allardyce as prior to then his
side had gathered enough momentum to lift them out of the bottom three.
Despite that setback, Allardyce is confident of avoiding successive losses,
defiantly stating: "I don't expect to get beat. "If that comes around at
five o'clock on Saturday, then I'll be very, very disappointed. "But at this
moment in time I don't think we're going to lose, and that's not bravado,
that's belief. "We've only lost to Aston Villa at home since I arrived, so I
know we've the capabilities to beat West Ham. "If we don't, then I don't
think we will lose, we'll at least draw the game."
Captain Ryan Nelsen and fellow defender Gael Givet face fitness tests on
thigh and knee problems respectively. Striker Roque Santa Cruz will miss a
third successive match with a knee tendon issue and midfielder Vince Grella
remains out with a groin injury. Stephen Warnock has at least been cleared
to play after shaking off a toe injury which forced him off after 55 minutes
of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
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Blackburn Beckon Amid Legal Chaos
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 20 March, 2009 - 14:18.
WestHamFans.org
Now Sam Allardyce is not really most fans cup of tea, but Gianfranco Zola
and his West Ham United team will be glad to slap eyes on the Blackburn
Rovers manager and his team with who they are due to play a game of
football! There may not be too many match reviews, rather a legal portent
from a distance, just in case someone gets injured and there is a chance to
sue West Ham, irrespective of the perpetrator's side. Well, everyone else is
suing aren't they? Leeds, Fulham, Players and any other 'Warnock' who wants
to dip their snout in the trough. Strangely enough, the much maligned Wigan
hierarchy, oft criticised on this site, have come out with some straight
talking that others may do well to heed: Quote "Contrary to some reports in
the media Wigan Athletic Football Club would like to clarify its position in
relation to the West Ham United / Sheffield United / Carlos Tevez situation.
Wigan Athletic have not sought any further legal advice and will not be
pursuing the matter any further, reports that the Club are seeking
compensation for false league position payments are totally incorrect. As
far as Wigan Athletic Football Club is concerned the matter is being dealt
with by the appropriate authorities and the Club does not wish to comment
any further." Unquote............Hardly a ringing endorsement and with a
veiled 'wait and see' tone to it but, it shows a club that wants to move
forward, whether Wigan's stance is base on Steve Bruce's philosophy or
because they are in a healthy league position is irrelevant, the fact is
they want to get on with playing football, not running to teacher! It is to
be hoped that Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke can put the week's press
coverage behind them and concentrate on lifting the quality of Hammers play
above that of Monday's performance against the Baggies. Mathew Upson should
return to face a resurgent Blackburn side who have crawled out of the
relegation zone, Ewood Park has recently been a happy hunting ground for
West Ham, very few will forget the 'Devine' intervention of the referee in
the 'goal that never was' during the Great Escape season..wait a minute,
can't someone sue over that? -Ed
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Dixon suffers setback
Elven-a-side.com
March 20, 2009
West Ham striker Terry Dixon has suffered a setback in his bid to make the
breakthrough at Upton Park as the Irish youngster has been sidelined once
again through injury. Dixon was forced to leave Spurs after a nightmare time
through injury and it was hoped that he could resurrect his career with the
hammers this season. Having made strides at the club, Dixon was poised to be
handed a place in the first team squad this weekend, but a niggling calf
injury has denied him of that. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola said: "The
problem with Terry Dixon is now he has sorted out his problems with his
knee, every time he tries to force something he has a tight calf or groin
because he has been out for such a long time. We have been following him for
a long time. He may have had the chance to play by now if he was fit."
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Five reasons why Fulham don't deserve £700k from West Ham
March 20th, 2009 · No Comments
The Spoiler
Without mentioning the fact they thought this was a good idea…
Fulham are the latest club hoping to make money from West Ham's decision to
compensate Sheffield United. According to The Independent. they will launch
a legal claim on the basis that were it not for Carlos Tevez, they would
have finished above the Hammers and would therefore have made an extra
£700,000 in prize money.
Here are five flaws that The Spoiler has found in Fulham's argument:
1) Fellow compensation-seeker Neil Warnock believes Fulham would have been
relegated that season if Rafael Benitez hadn't fielded reserves against them
in the penultimate game of the season. Warnock has said since: "Maybe Rafa
gets a yearly hamper from Harrods for his team selections." That was
Fulham's only win from their final twelve games.
2) Carlos Tevez lasted only 13 minutes against them that season before
getting injured at Craven Cottage. His replacement Bobby Zamora, West Ham's
top scorer that season, scored. Using Lord Griffiths magic calculator, it
could be argued that the game may have finished 3-2 to the hosts had Zamora
not replaced Tevez, a result which would have seen Fulham finish above West
Ham
3) As Fulham did not directly suffer from Tevez's presence, their claim
appears to be based on the belief that West Ham should have been deducted at
least two points. There is no precedent which suggests that punishment
should have been given in relation to the rules they breached.
4) The Cottagers have since signed Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil and Zamora,
who were all members of West Ham's 2006-07 squad. Therefore Fulham mustn't
believe the myth that Tevez was a one-man team that season.
5) Since gaining promotion in 2005, West Ham have never finished below
Fulham so there is no reason to believe 2006-07 was unique.
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Zola talks up 'complete midfielder' Parker
Published: 20/03/2009
ITV.co.uk
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has hailed Scott Parker as the finest
defensive midfielder in England and urged Fabio Capello to give him a
chance. Parker, 28, has three caps - all were earned while at separate clubs
- but has not featured under Capello and appears to be behind Gareth Barry
and Michael Carrick if the England boss wants to use a disciplined
midfielder. Capello names his squad this weekend for the friendly against
Slovakia and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine - and Zola feels Parker
is worthy of a place. "Scott Parker has been outstanding this year," Zola
said. "He deserves it. His energy and quality has been outstanding, his
passing - everything. "He is a complete midfielder because he can produce
quality but works very hard defensively. I believe in his position he is the
best in this country." Parker's last cap was in the defeat in Croatia
during Steve McClaren's reign and he would be the answer to questions in pub
quizzes around the country if he earns an appearance while at Upton Park.
He was given his debut while at Charlton, played once while at Chelsea and a
third time while at Newcastle - so another appearance would mean four caps
while at four different clubs.
Zola feels other players in his squad should also be recognised by Capello,
pointing to the likes of Carlton Cole and Robert Green. "From my point of
view there should be many but Capello is the one who decides," Zola said.
"Our players are in good form and there is a chance for a few players to be
in the squad. If my players are selected they will do well for England."
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Wright: I spent too long on the bench
ELVIN KING
Greenun24.co.uk
Last updated: 20/03/2009 12:35:00
RICHARD Wright today revealed that he has spent too much time on the bench
having been second-choice keeper for most of his seven years at Arsenal,
Everton and West Ham. "I have missed too much," said the 31-year-old Ipswich
Town number one as he looked forward to tomorrow's Coca-Cola Championship
game against Watford at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm). "Coming back to Ipswich
has given me back the drug that I was missing. "You are always happy when
your team wins, but when you are one of the substitutes the buzz is not the
same. You need to play." And Wright sees good times ahead for himself and
his home-town club, and compared the current scene to the late nineties when
George Burley was building a team that eventually won promotion to the
Premiership in 2000. Wright saved a penalty in the play-off final against
Barnsley at Wembley Stadium, and he went on: "It took time to achieve the
success we did under George. And that compares to now. "We had a couple of
near misses in terms of the play-offs but, overall, it was a building
process and things don't happen overnight. "The hardest thing about our
club at the moment is that we've got a great backer and everyone wants
instant success. "I crave that as much as anyone but we've got to stay
patient and keep trying to get as many good results as we possibly can."
Current manager Jim Magilton was also in that Ipswich side of a decade ago,
and Wright is convinced things are moving in the right direction. Wright,
who left Town in the summer of 2001 before returning last summer, looked to
the final seven matches of this season. "We have to focus on what we have to
do, which is trying to get three points every time. "If we beat Watford we
can then look at other results and hope that they go our way. "We need
others to lose, but that won't count for anything if we haven't won. "We
need our fans to stick with us, and when they are singing your name and
cheering you on it's such a great buzz and hopefully we'll experience that
again tomorrow," he added.
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BLACKBURN v West Ham: Allardyce's injuries mount ahead of Hammers visit
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:17 PM on 20th March 2009
Daily Mail
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen and fellow defender Gael Givet will both
undergo fitness tests ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with
West Ham at
Ewood Park. Nelsen missed last week's 4-0 loss at Arsenal with a thigh
injury, whilst Givet limped off early in the game with a knee problem.
Striker Roque Santa Cruz will miss a third successive match with a knee
tendon issue and midfielder Vince Grella remains out with a groin injury.
Stephen Warnock has been cleared to play after shaking off a toe injury that
forced him off after 55 minutes of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Team (from): Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Simpson,
Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Villanueva, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Treacy, Mokoena,
Dunn, McCarthy, Roberts, Pedersen.
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West Ham boss aware of Rovers' 'physical' threat
1:53pm Friday 20th March 2009
Guardian Series
GIANFRANCO Zola is preparing his players for a physical battle against
Blackburn Rovers this weekend. The Hammers boss takes his depleted side to
Ewood Park after last week's disappointing goalless draw with West Brom on
Monday, and he is aware that the threat posed by Sam Allardyce's men will be
'dangerous' despite their lowly league position. "Blackburn is a team that
are very, very dangerous, especially because they have big, powerful players
and will certainly play a physical game that will ask us questions," said
Zola. "We are in a position where we can play this game and play with
confidence and I'm sure it will be an interesting game."
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Blackburn v WEST HAM: Zola waiting on Upson for Rovers clash
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:40 AM on 20th March 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham will make a late check on Matthew Upson's calf injury ahead of the
Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn. Midfielder Savio Nsereko also
requires assessment before the Ewood Park clash after picking up a knock.
Kieron Dyer and Diego Tristan are fit and in contention for a place, while
Jack Collison (knee) and Carlton Cole (suspended) are still out.
Provisional squad: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Parker, Savio, Kovac, Upson, Noble,
Tomkins, Di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Spector, Tristan,
Payne, Stanislas, Dyer.
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Fulham's Pantsil: No unity at West Ham
20.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Fulham fullback John Pantsil says West Ham had no team spirit when he was at
Upton Park. He said: "At West Ham we didn't stick together like we do here.
When I came to Fulham the welcome was amazing, I felt I had been playing for
the team for years. "Here, the manager will shake everybody's hand before
training. But if training is not going well, he is not afraid to tell us to
put more effort in. "Some managers just keep quiet and let the players do
whatever they want. And on a Saturday, whether they win or lose, they don't
care. But here the manager will challenge you to play well. And he has
really improved my game, being offensive and defensive, and overlapping."
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West Ham, Sheffield United - and one man's crusade in the Tevez affair
Sportigo.com
As the legal battles continue to rage, a Sportingo contributor takes a
closer look at some of the arguments and comments being made.
by Danny Hall on 20 March 2009
When diminutive Argentinian Carlos Tevez stepped off the plane from Buenos
Aires and surveyed his new surroundings at Upton Park, little did he know
the shock waves his arrival would send through the very foundations of
football. And after two-and-a-half years of complicated legal action, West
Ham United finally agreed a settlement with Sheffield United to bring to an
end one of the longest running sagas in the English game. The exact figure
of compensation paid to the South Yorkshire club still remains shrouded in
secrecy – rumours have placed the amount between £15m and £25m – but the
majority of Sheffield United supporters are just grateful to see a
conclusion.
Rumours of further legal action from other clubs continue to circulate, and
United chairman Kevin McCabe's campaign has been described as a hollow
victory as it has the potential to open up a legal minefield that could
disrupt the whole structure of the game.
No-one has been more critical of United's stance than Martin Samuel, who
started a one-man crusade against Bramall Lane officials when writing for
The Times and carried it on after his "transfer" to the Daily Mail.
Self-confessed West Ham supporter Samuel seems to take particular exception
to the appeal's conclusion that Tevez made a significant contribution to the
Upton Park club's survival in the Premier League that season. "On the
totality of the evidence, we have no doubt that West Ham would have secured
at least three fewer points over the 2006-7 season if Carlos Tevez had not
been playing for the club," read the statement.
Stands to reason, really. It is hard to imagine Scott Parker curling in a
top-corner free-kick and laying on two more assists against Tottenham, or
Mark Noble having the strength or vision to score the winner against
Manchester United on the last day of the season.
Who else could have scored seven goals in nine games?
How many West Ham players, after joining halfway through the season, can be
voted the club's "Hammer of the Year" but be deemed not to have made a
significant contribution to the club's fortunes?
Another of Samuel's favourite lines, and a view commonly shared by a wide
majority of the footballing community, is that United's fate was sealed
themselves by their negative tactics away from Bramall Lane. As Samuel
writes: "How can a single player at another club be responsible for
Sheffield United having the worst away record in the Premier League that
season?"
But why let facts get in the way of a good story?
An examination of United's results from that season shows that they gained
11 points away from home with three wins and two draws. Hardly setting the
goal trail alight, granted. But Watford, relegated along with United, only
gained 10 points with two wins and four draws, Charlton had one win and five
draws and Fulham had a similar record to United, recording one win and eight
draws.
Samuel's recurring theme throughout his articles is that it is impossible to
determine how a season will pan out because of the influence of a particular
player. Quite how he came to the conclusion that Barnsley were "17th and
safe" before the injury to Iain Hume, therefore, is hard to ascertain. And
Samuel's vendetta against United exists not only in the minds of the club's
supporters. Kevin McCabe himself expressed his opinion in a club statement
released in January, after yet another article about United.
"For some time now Mr Samuel - whether at The Times, his past employers, or
at the Daily Mail where he now works - has pursued a crusade against
Sheffield United," McCabe said. "As usual his reports are without foundation
and I suggest he concentrates "I gather Martin is a West Ham supporter so,
maybe, in some clumsy way, he believes his regular attacks on the Blades
helps to protect their wrongdoings over the Tevez affair."
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Cascarino: Sheffield United have only themselves to blame for relegation
The Times
Tony Cascarino
The Carlos Tevez case is an absolute mess. Almost two years on from
Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League, the claims and
counter claims, accusation and demands, are still going on. They are even
branching off in new directions now that West Ham United have agreed to pay
Sheffield United millions of pounds in compensation for playing an
ineligible striker who helped keep them in the Premier League at the
Yorkshire side's expense.
Will there still be cases going through the legal process in five years'
time? Where and when will it end? It may all be great news for smart-arsed
lawyers who know how to exploit the possibilities via the courts but it's
terrible for the game. It's an unhelpful sideshow, something else that dents
football's image, and of course it's all about football's greatest
obsession, money.
Neil Warnock, the former Sheffield United manager, is apparently consulting
lawyers. The club's players are too, in the hope of clawing back money for
loss of earnings because their wages decreased as a result of their unfair
relegation. Even Leeds United are trying it on, examining the possibility of
a claim because clauses in the deals of players who moved to Bramall Lane
would have given Leeds larger transfer fees if Sheffield United had survived
in the top-flight.
It's like a never-ending feeding frenzy now that West Ham have opened the
floodgates by agreeing to pay up. Where will it all lead to in the
compensation culture we live in these days? Players suing their clubs for
the mental stress of relegation, because maybe if the club had spent more
money on better players it could have been avoided?
As a player, I wouldn't have wanted to get involved in the legal battles. I
would have preferred to draw a line under the whole incident and move on.
It's not like the Sheffield United squad who went down in 2007 are
unemployed and on the dole. They're professionals on very good salaries.
And it's not like Tevez relegated Warnock's side single-handedly. He was one
player in a team game, and he didn't even play well for most of the season.
Sheffield United had their fate in their own hands going into the last game
of the campaign and they slipped up at home to Wigan Athletic. It wasn't
Tevez who sent Sheffield United into the Coca-Cola Championship, it was
their own failure to get enough points.
It's been reported that the figure West Ham will pay to Sheffield United is
between £15-25million. Is that fair? It's hard to know. All I can say is, if
it suits both parties, then it's the right amount. West Ham broke the rules,
they should take their punishment. But that should put a lid on the whole
affair.
The bottom line is that the failure of the Premier League to deal adequately
with the problem at the time has created a monster. If the League had acted
properly and quickly when the issue came to light, had nipped it in the bud,
then it wouldn't have snowballed. They should have relegated West Ham, but
surprise, surprise, the bigger club stayed up. Hopefully the League will
learn from this unhappy experience. The rest of us are learning that
football, lawyers and lust for money don't make an attractive mix.
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West Ham need four more wins to bag UEFA Cup spot, says Gianfranco Zola
The Mirror
By Neil Mcleman 20/03/2009
Gianfranco Zola has challenged his Hammers to win four more games to secure
a place in Europe. Injury-hit West Ham looked exhausted as they laboured to
a goalless home draw with West Brom on Monday night. It took them to 40
points - which should keep them in the Premier League. But before tomorrow's
trip to Blackburn, Zola urged his players to focus on hitting 52 points,
which he reckons will be enough to claim seventh spot. "We have already
achieved the first target which was to get to 40 points," he said. "Now they
have to push even more. We can be optimistic to achieve 52 as long as we get
all the players back from injury."
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Blades to reject Leeds cash claim
Sheffield Star
Published Date: 20 March 2009
By James Shield
THE Carlos Tevez Affair appears destined to rumble on after it emerged that
Sheffield United are poised to turn down a request from neighbours Leeds for
a slice of the £25m settlement package they agreed with West Ham. Monday's
announcement that the Blades had reached an out-of-court agreement with the
Hammers prompted Ken Bates, the Elland Road chairman, to call for the
transfers of Rob Hulse and Matthew Kilgallon to be settled in full. Both
players joined United from Leeds before Tevez's involvment during the
closing stages of the 2006/07 Premiership season sparked one of the most
acrimonious disputes in the history of English football. However with West
Ham, who broke rules outlawing third party ownership when they signed the
Argentine, agreeing to compensate United for losses incurred when they were
relegated, Bates believes clauses in Hulse and Kilgallon's contracts
stipulating further payments if they had helped their rivals survive should
now be honoured in full. United have refused to comment since this week's
dramatic developments but The Star has learned they are likely to rebuff
Leeds' approach, pointing Bates in the direction of Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
instead. Representatives of West Ham owner Gudmundsson have already made it
plain they will fight any more claims following confirmation that Warnock
and several members of his squad are considering private actions. Sources
within the game suggest that United are protected because their
reimbursement relates solely to the financial damage inflicted when they
slipped out of the top-flight; not future earnings or obligations. West Ham
are expected to mount a similar argument should Leeds ask them for payment.
United, who remained fourth in the table when they beat Derby County last
weekend, travel to fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City on Sunday.
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Blades switch for 'claim clubs'
Sheffield Star
Published Date: 19 March 2009
By James Shield
SHEFFIELD United could point Leeds, Preston and West Bromwich Albion - three
clubs who have laid claim to a slice of their £25m compensation package
following the Carlos Tevez Affair - in the direction of West Ham as the
fall-out from one of the most controversial episodes in the recent history
of English football continues.
Elland Road chairman Ken Bates insisted earlier this week that Leeds are
entitled to receive money relating to the transfer of former players,
including Rob Hulse and Matthew Kilgallon, in the wake of Monday's
out-of-court settlement.
But United's lawyers could point them in the direction of West Ham when they
receive details of Bates' claim highlighting substantial'add-ons' had the
pair helped preserve Bramall Lane's top-flight status. Preston and West Brom
are also analysing the situation closely while Sunderland, who sold Jon
Stead to the South Yorkshire outfit midway through the 2006/2007 campaign,
could also be told to pursue the Londoners should they seek payment of
outstanding clauses.
United sought financial redress after being controversialy relegated to the
Championship two years ago - a fate they believe Tevez, whose contract
breached rules governing third party ownership of players, helped West Ham
avoid - and won a landmark legal verdict at an independent tribunal last
autumn. Together with his fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano, Tevez, now
with Manchester United, moved to Upton Park at the start of the 2006-07
season but the club were later fined £5.5million by the Premier League for
failing to fully disclose the terms of the deal that brought them to
England. West Ham issued a statement on their website saying they will do
everything they can to prevent "legal anarchy". "It is now becoming clear
that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has encouraged a potentially endless legal
chain of claims and counter claims, which can only be damaging to English
football," it read. "As a club, we will strongly resist any attempts to
prolong this matter through the courts, both to protect our interests and
those of the wider game."
Having already agreed to pay substantial money to United, West Ham are
understandably keen to avoid any further settlements or legal expense.
However former manager Neil Warnock, who resigned from his post at Bramall
Lane three days after the club's relegation, is exploring the possibility of
launching his own action. A joint investigation by the FAPL and Football
Association into the Tevez and Mascherano signings is ongoing.
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Fulham join Tevez row by claiming £700k from West Ham
Ken Dyer and David Smith
Evening Standard
20.03.09
Fulham have made a claim for £700,000 from West Ham as compensation for
alleged losses caused by the Carlos Tevez saga. The west London club have
acted in the wake of the Hammers reaching an out-of-court settlement with
Sheffield United worth £15million spread over five years. Fulham believe
they missed out on significant Premier League merit money after finishing
16th at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season, two points behind the Hammers
who were 15th. Fulham received £20.26m as their share of League earnings
from broadcasting while West Ham got £20.71m. The difference is £450,000
although Fulham are understood to be claiming £700,000 which is the extra
amount they would have banked if the finishing positions were reversed this
season. It is understood Fulham, who are competing with West Ham for a place
in next season's Europa Cup, have based their action on conclusions reached
in the arbitration judgement of the independent tribunal into the Tevez
affair chaired by Lord Griffiths. The tribunal decided that Tevez, whose
signing had breached rules on third-party ownership, had a decisive effect
on Sheffield United being relegated and West Ham escaping the drop into the
Championship. In the judgment of Griffiths' panel there was "no doubt" that
West Ham would have banked "at least three fewer points" without Tevez. The
panel claimed that in the last two games of the 2006-07 season Tevez "more
likely than not" helped West Ham to achieve the three extra points that
ensured they avoided relegation at the expense of Sheffield United.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola admitted he is fed up with the seemingly
never-ending Tevez saga, with former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock and
several United players also lining up to make claims on the back of this
week's settlement. Zola (above) said: "For me, this agreement is the end of
the matter and my hope was we would be left in peace. It is settled but we
are still taking about it. It is a little bit annoying. "For me this makes
no sense. It was not only about Tevez that season. Yossi Benayoun played
fantastically well, Robert Green was outstanding, as was Lucas Neill. It was
a team effort and for me the whole thing is stupid. Enough is enough."
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West Ham News: Gianfranco Zola has told Hammers European qualification is
top priority despite slating new format
Friday, 20 March 2009
Londonpaper.co.uk
GIANFRANCO ZOLA has told his West Ham side to make European qualification
this season's number one priority. The Hammers head to Blackburn on Saturday
knowing a win will consolidate their push for a return to European action.
And if the current top four stays as it is, the Hammers will qualify for the
Europa League – formerly the UEFA Cup. But Zola who won European honours as
a player with Parma and Chelsea is unhappy with the current format. Speaking
of the revised Europa league, the Hammers' boss said: "For me it is
nonsense. Years ago, this competition was more attractive and that is
something that maybe should be thought about for the future. "But I have the
same idea about the Champions League, really. For me, it does not have the
same attractiveness as it had before." West Ham are two points above Wigan
who host Hull at the weekend, while ninth placed Fulham face a daunting
match against Manchester United. And despite being unhappy with the current
structure of European club competition, Zola acknowledges the importance of
West Ham's participation. The Italian said: "We have not been in Europe for
a while. "I played in Europe many years ago and I know how good it is to
play in those competitions, not only for the silverware you can get but
also, for the players." Zola added: "It is an opportunity to improve as if
you play abroad you always improve. I wish we can achieve that."
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Hammers wait on Upson at Ewood
TeamTalk
West Ham will make a late check on Matthew Upson's calf injury ahead of the
Premier League trip to face Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday. Midfielder
Savio Nsereko also requires assessment before the Lancashire clash after
picking up a knock. Kieron Dyer and Diego Tristan are fit and in contention
for a place, while Jack Collison (knee) and Carlton Cole (suspended) are
still out.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Ilunga, Parker, Savio, Kovac, Upson, Noble,
Tomkins, Di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Spector, Tristan,
Payne, Stanislas, Dyer.
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Defensive duo a doubt for Blackburn
BreakingNews.ie
20/03/2009 - 10:14:02
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen and fellow defender Gael Givet will both
undergo fitness tests ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with West Ham
at Ewood Park.
Nelsen missed last week's 4-0 loss at Arsenal with a thigh injury, whilst
Givet limped off early in the game with a knee problem. Striker Roque Santa
Cruz will miss a third successive match with a knee tendon issue and
midfielder Vince Grella remains out with a groin injury. Stephen Warnock has
been cleared to play after shaking off a toe injury that forced him off
after 55 minutes of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Team (from): Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Simpson,
Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Villanueva, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Treacy, Mokoena,
Dunn, McCarthy, Roberts, Pedersen.
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