WHUFC.com
Reserve team coach Alex Dyer is targeting a second-place finish after overcoming Stoke City on Tuesday
08.04.2009
Alex Dyer praised the club's Academy professionals after a youthful side beat Stoke City 1-0 to climb to second in the FA Premier Academy League table.
A second-minute goal from Northern Ireland youth international Daniel Kearns was enough to see off the Potters in West Ham United's final home reserve fixture of the season at Bishop's Stortford.
Coach Dyer was delighted with the performance of 17-year-old Kearns and the other members of his young team, which included nine teenagers alongside Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and striker Zavon Hines. Hungary Under-19 forward Balint Bajner, midfielder Connor Okus and Colombia-born winger Cristian Montano were among those to shine on Tuesday evening.
"I was pleased," said Dyer, "The boys formed a young side and played very well again. We lost our way a bit in the second half, but overall well happy with the performance."
The only goal of the game arrived when Kearns latched on to Bajner's pass before expertly slotting past Stoke goalkeeper Tom Harrison. The pair, as well as Hines and Montano, caused the visiting defence huge problems with their pace and intelligent movement.
"The front three looked sharp. Kearnsy has got bags of ability and he got himself in the box and Balint did very well with it and to be fair Balint during the game set a few of the lads up - Zavon and Cristian I think it was - so Balint did well. Kearnsy was brilliant to be fair, made his run into the box and finished it well."
Having fallen behind, Stoke did not give up the fight, but did not possess the quality to find an equaliser against a West Ham defence expertly led by the imposing Bondz N'Gala.
"Stoke were very dogged and as the game went on they got more into it and they stopped us from playing. We lost our way a little bit and stopped passing and moving and doing the things that we were doing in the first half. When you go a goal ahead earlier on, it's very difficult for seasoned pros, let alone the young lads. They have to learn the game and have to learn that when things went bad for them, they had to go back to basics and keep the ball. It was a good learning curve for us."
Tuesday's success lifted the Hammers above Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur into second place in the table. Both clubs have games in hand on Dyer's side, but the coach is hopeful of picking up maximum points in West Ham's closing two away games of the season at West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouh to secure a top-two finish.
"The lads, since they've come in the side, especially the second years have dug in and matured a lot very quickly and especially as this was our last home game tonight it was nice to finish off with a win. To be second in the league when usually it has been a chore with the reserves, this year it has been very good. Hopefully if we can win the next two games we might finish second or third in the league, which would be good for West Ham United."
Having completed their complement of home fixtures, Dyer thanked the staff at Bishop's Stortford FC for their warm hospitality throughout the season. West Ham played six of their nine home games at Woodside Park, beating West Brom, Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke and losing to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
"From the start of the season we have come here and they have looked after us. Especially, Pete Williams [kit man] comes here early and they give him cups of tea and it's a nice atmosphere. We enjoy playing there and our record there has been good, I think maybe we've only lost two games here so we like coming here and hopefully we can come here in the future."
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Winning start for Hal
WHUFC.com
Young striker Robert Hall was part of England's Under-16 team for their 3-1 win over Russia on Wednesday
08.04.2009
Robert Hall made a winning start at the prestigious Montaigu Tournament in France as England's Under-16 side beat Russia 3-1 in La Chaize le Vicomte.
The West Ham United striker, 15, has scored twice in five appearances for the Hammers' Under-18 side this season and was part of Kenny Swain's starting eleven on Wednesday afternoon as England began their defence of the title.
West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino netted twice, after three and 56 minutes, while England's third goal was scored by Everton's Jake Bidwell.
Hall was replaced late on by Liverpool's Connor Coady, but will hope to be back on the pitch when England take on the United Arab Emirates in their second Group B fixture in Les Sables D'Olonne on Thursday afternoon.
The Ivory Coast are the fourth team in England's group, while Group A includes hosts France, Australia, Germany and Mali. The top nations in each group will contest the final in Montaigu on 13 April, while the two runners-up will face each other in the third-place play-off on the same day.
Reigning champions England have won the Montaigu Tournament three times before, in 1978, 2000 and last Spring, when Swain's team completed a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over France following a 1-1 draw in the final.
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Czechs in turmoil as coach sacked
BBC.co.uk
The Czech Republic national side is in turmoil after coach Petr Rada was sacked and captain Tomas Ujfalusi quit. Six players have also been banned, with West Ham's Radoslav Kovac and Reading's Marek Matejovsky among them. A string of bad results prompted Rada's sacking, while a breach of discipline after last week's defeat by Slovakia led to the player bans. The Czechs trail leaders Northern Ireland by five points in World Cup qualifying Group Three. They lost 2-1 at home to neighbours Slovakia on 1 April after being held to a 0-0 draw in Slovenia on 28 March, seriously denting their chances of reaching the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
The Czech Republic have eight points from six matches, with a game in hand on leaders Northern Ireland. Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros, Martin Fenin, Vaclav Sverkos and Ujfalusi were the other four players banned indefinitely, with captain Ujfalusi immediately announcing his retirement from international football. The six players were criticised for visiting a restaurant following the defeat. Another key Czech defender, Marek Jankulovski of AC Milan, said he is also considering retiring. Rada last year replaced Karel Brueckner, who led them to the Euro 2004 semi-finals. The Czechs next play in Slovakia on 5 September.
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View from the Opposition - Tottenham Hotspur FC
One McAvennieeeeee - Wed Apr 8 2009
West Ham Online
This weekend sees West Ham United make the short trip across London for a game with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur. WIth only 6 points separating the 2 teams and West Ham in the last European spot driving seat, I'm sure we can expect a tense game with an atmosphere to match.
This week we have passionate Spurs fan and Season Ticket holder Lee Deavall taking time out to kindly answer our questions:
Q. You could liken Spurs this season to an ex girlfriend of mine with breast implants, or False Dawn as she was known. What is your view of Tottenham's Season?
A. Been a disaster really. Started with the usual transfer circus that surrounds our club and another shocking start which has seen us in the bottom three for most of it. The only highlight has been getting to the Carling Cup final but once we got Man Utd there was only going to be one winner.
Q. I see Madrid are doing really well under Ramos. Was sacking him so early a mistake symptomatic of the now yearly delusion that Spurs are a top 4 club?
A. Took you all of two questions to bring out the "top four club" subject. West Ham fans really do have a hang up about this. With Ramos, Levy was crapping himself that we would go down so he acted.
Q. Doubtlessly now with Harry managing the team having a c*ck on the club crest is more apt than ever. Has he improved things?
A. With it being his first time managing a big club I thought it may take him a while to settle in but he's done what he was brought in to do, steady the ship and move us up the league.
Q. Can you tell me on a scale of 1-10 how embarrassed are you with the behaviour of Mr Redknapp in the transfer window?
A. With regards to Defoe that's got to be 10/10. How we can sell a player and buy him back for double a year later is beyond me (Redknapp and brown envelope comes to mind), he should never have been sold in the first place. I can see why he brought Chimbonda back, he can play anywhere across the back four and at the time we needed cover. I think Palacois has been a good buy, he's probably been our best player since he joint although i think we paid too much for him. Bent and Pavlyuchenko are as much use as a glass cricket bat, we needed to bring someone else in up front and i was happy to have Keane back.
Q. Undoubtedly a lot of your squad have under performed but have picked up well in the last few games - who would you say doesn't deserve their place in the starting line up.
A. Again Bent and Pavlychenko, they are useless. Bentley has also been very poor.
Q. Now after a poor first three quarters, What is your expectation for the rest of the season?
A. I'd be happy to finish where we are now. We've played well in the last few games and hopefully can carry that on to the end of the season.
Q. Three O clock Saturday 11th April - What player should we most look out for?
A. Modric from the left, he's quality
Q. Spurs fans favourite saying is "next season will be our season", what do you think next season holds?
A. Will have to see what Redknapp does in the summer, but based on the current squad a mid table finish in the league and maybe a good cup run.
Q. What is the best/funniest chant you've heard at a Football match?
A. I like Man Utd's one about Park.
Park, Park, wherever you maybe, you eat dogs in your home country, could be worse, could be scouse, eating rats in your council house
Q. You've had a number of excuses over the years as to why you failed to break into the top four, from managers to poisoned pasta based cuisine. What will be the excuse this year?
A. The baby food Ramos was feeding the squad. I think Huddlestone is happy the cakes and ketchup are back on the menu under Harry.
Q. When you snatched Darren Bent from under our noses a couple of years back you seemed to enjoy gloating about being able to attract the best players. What is your view now?
A.I think we attract good players, nicking Carrick off you for £2.75m and selling him for £18.6m is an example but i must admit we got our pants pulled down over Bent.
Q. Your Strike force once again epitomises your fan base, Bent and Keane. Is that a combination you expect to win you things? If not what activity do you expect to see the brown envelope pusher do in the summer?
A. hahaha, Not really, i don't expect to see Bent or Pav here next season so i think we'll be in for another striker. If you believe the papers Juve are keen on Modric. It will probably be another summer of comings and going again.
Q. What of West Ham this season?
A. You've done well considering the injuries you've had and I hope you enjoy your cup final on Saturday.
Q. And our fans?
A. You've got a lot of meat heads that follow your team - good away following but no atmosphere at home.
Q. If you could implement one rule change, what would it be?
A. Automatic relegation for clubs fielding players who are owned by a third party.
Q. What is your favourite kosher potato based snack?
A. Flaming Hot Monster munch
Q. Do you have a fantasy football team if so who is in it?
A. I don't have one.
Q. If you take the first letter from the first 8 questions, did you notice what it spelt?
A. I did and I'm used to being called that by a certain person asking these questions!
Q. We have recently signed Terry Dixon as our medical team feel they can fix what yours couldn't. What do you know about him?
A. Good striker, has been called up to the full Republic of Ireland squad before. Has been very unfortunate with injuries, dislocated his kneecap which saw him miss the whole 2006/07season only to come back and do the same thing again. I wish him all the best and hope he does well, even if it is for you boys.
Q. Finally your prediction for the match?
A. 3-1 Home win.
Many thanks to Lee for answering these.
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Czechs ban Hammer after late night out
Evening Standard
08.04.09
West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac was among six players banned from the Czech Republic team for disciplinary reasons while their coach Petr Rada was sacked because of poor results. The players were widely criticised back home after reports that they had a late-night drinking session at a restaurant following the 2‑1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Slovakia. As well as Kovac, who is on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season, the group also included captain Tomas Ujfalusi, former Liverpool striker Milan Baros and Reading's Marek Matejovsky. Czech FA board member Jaroslav Starka said: "The executive board has banned all these six players, who were at the bar. However, the new coach will decide whether to pick them in future." Last Wednesday's defeat to Slovakia leaves the Czechs five points behind Group Four leaders Northern Ireland. England have moved up two places to seventh in the latest world rankings on the back of victories over Slovakia and Ukraine. Spain lead the table, a record 350 points ahead of Germany.
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Zola - 'Neill move was my idea'
08 April 2009
London24.co.uk
WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola certainly sprang a surprise for the Hammers fans and probably the Sunderland management with the selection of skipper Lucas Neill in a central midfield role on Saturday, writes DAVE EVANS. It looked like something of a gamble and it didn't work perfectly, but in the circumstances, it proved to be another masterstroke from the little Italian. "It was my idea," confirmed Zola after the game. "I think Lucas Neill is a very intelligent player. I've played him right back, left back, central defender and he has always done a good job. "He is intelligent and he has good technical ability, so I was 100 per cent sure that he would have done the job."
When you are making such a drastic change in your line-up, it is normal to work on it in training, but with Neill not returning from international duty in Australia until Friday, there was absolutely no time to work on the new system. "It came off the cuff, so it was very pleasant," admitted Zola. "But I think when you have a team with such a fantastic team spirit, whoever you play comes in and it is easy for him to do the job."
Neill's move into midfield is likely to be shortlived, with Radoslav Kovac and Scott Parker expected to be fit for the trip to White Hart Lane this Saturday. But Zola will certainly appreciate that he has a combative, tough-tackling player, who can step into the middle of the park and do a job for him. It may not be his first choice position, but the skipper has shown that he is ready to play anywhere for the West Ham cause.
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Craig Bellamy: apology
Telegraph.co.uk
Our online reports "Manchester City lead chase for Craig Bellamy", "Craig Bellamy dropped by West Ham" and "West Ham beat Fulham without want-away Craig Bellamy" each wrongly stated that Craig Bellamy had refused to train for West Ham United's match against Fulham on January 18.
Last Updated: 11:55PM BST 08 Apr 2009
The additional references in the second report to his having "stormed out" of the training ground on January 16 and in the third to his being AWOL (absent without leave) on the day of the match, which we repeated in our subsequent online report "West Ham eye Brescia's Savio Nsereko", were also wrong. We now accept that Mr Bellamy attended the club's Chadwell Heath ground on January 16 and that he did not contravene West Ham's training or attendance requirements or refuse to play against Fulham. We apologise to Mr Bellamy for any distress caused.
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Zola: Sav will come good
The Sun
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA insists he was right to splash the cash on West Ham starlet Savio ? despite the winger?s slow start to life in England. Savio, 19, arrived from Brescia in January for £5.5million but has failed to make an instant impact at Upton Park after penning a 4½-year deal. The Hammers head into Saturday?s London derby against Tottenham without several key men, including striker Carlton Cole. But boss Zola reckons Germany Under-20 star Savio is ready to show supporters why he is so highly rated. Zola said: ?We have expectations of him but we can?t forget that the boy is only 19. ?He has great potential and he can become a really top player. ?But the crowd and everybody else need to be patient.?
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Have West Ham fans every reason to look to a brighter future?
Posted by: TF90M , on Wed 8 Apr 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
TF90M's James Bailey wonders with the storm clouds starting to lift from Upton Park whether West Ham fans are looking ahead to a brighter future.
A couple of months ago we investigated the 'curse' that continually hits West Ham United with injuries, transfer regulations and financial problems all continuously striking blows to the club. Although the Carlos Tevez saga is still raging, and probably will do so for a considerable amount of time, the appointment of Italian Gianfranco Zola as manager seems to have given the London side a much needed boost and the 'curse' that the team were under may just have been lifted.
After the weekend's victory against Sunderland, The Hammers now have their sights set on European qualification and importantly the team is playing football reminiscent of how Zola himself used to play. With Junior Stanislas netting on his first senior start after a slick team move, the team's confidence appears to have increased, the side seems to be moving forward and the young players are proving their worth.
The goals from Stanislas and James Tomkins, who has been at the club since he was 8, sum up why West Ham fans are flocking to applaud their Italian manager. Zola said, when appointed, that he respected the club's traditions and academy successes and despite not being one to boast, after the team's most recent victory, the former Chelsea man stated "Tell me if this is something I didn't say at the beginning."
It seems if Zola can get the best out of the academy players this will not only delight the fans but also the new board who will not need to splash out as much on new acqusitions if the talent keeps coming through.
West Ham have always boasted a good academy structure, and it seems as if Zola, despite some initial scepticism, may be the right man to lead West Ham forward. A tough game at White Hart Lane follows on Saturday, although if they can beat their city rivals Tottenham, Europe will be a definite possibility and as Zola says "we are trying everything possible to achieve that."
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