Daily WHUFC News: 05/09/09

Saturday, May 9

Daily WHUFC News -9th May 2009

FA-Club statement
WHUFC.com
The Football Association and West Ham United have clarified the situation
regarding the club's UEFA licence
08.05.2009

In a statement issued on Friday afternoon (8 May), the Football Association
said: "The FA can confirm that, following initial consideration of West Ham
United's application, the club has not to date been granted a UEFA licence
to compete in European competition next season should they qualify.

"In accordance with set procedures, a final hearing will take place on
Tuesday 26 May before a panel appointed by Sport Resolutions - an
independent specialist alternative dispute resolution body."

In addition regarding the UEFA licence application, West Ham United said:
"Due to a number of factors, principally relating to a possible change of
ownership of West Ham United, the club has not been able to submit certain
financial information, but expects to be in a position to do so by Tuesday
26 May."

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Captain's Blog - 'We go again'
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill has called for the same spirit from the players - and the fans -
as last week for Liverpool
08.05.2009

The 1-0 win at Stoke City last weekend put us in a fantastic position and it
gave us a one-point cushion which is huge to us.

It was great to win and for us to keep a clean sheet. I had said in my blog
on the day before the game that it was stressed to the boys how important a
result was at the Britannia Stadium in the week leading up to the match and,
that if we are to qualify for Europe, then we needed to turn up, keep strong
in character and resilient in our play. We were all of those things.

We showed great character in the first half, passed the ball around well and
it was a fantastic strike by Diego. In the second half, we showed our desire
to see the game out and win it. The need to be positive was very much
emphasised on everyone and it resulted in us getting a great win at a place
where only three other teams have managed a victory.

We thank everyone who made the trip to Stoke last weekend. It was a huge
following, everyone was very vocal and we managed to be well heard in the
Britannia Stadium which is not easy. It made for a great atmosphere for us
to play in front of. Obviously it was a contribution to our win and
performance and it didn't go unnoticed.

It is a massive game on Saturday against Liverpool and we go into it looking
for back to back wins after a fantastic result last week. We are aiming to
upset Liverpool again, like we did up at Anfield earlier in the season, and
put a huge dent in their title hopes. More importantly, it will give us some
bonus points towards Europa League qualification.

But we know it is going to be a really tough game. Liverpool have a very
talented squad and we welcome back Yossi Benayoun, who was a West Ham
favourite with a lot of our fans.

With Manchester City away to Manchester United, Tottenham playing Everton
and Fulham in a tough home match with Aston Villa, any points we can pick up
this weekend will be huge for us, as many outside of the club, would not
expect us to pick up anything.

All the teams around us will also be thinking if we can pick up points here,
so can they in their equally tough matches. But we just have to worry about
ourselves and our own performance, pick up our own points and hopefully send
out a message to the rest that we are going to be hard to catch.

It is the second from last home game of the season so without a doubt as
always, there will be a big atmosphere and thank you again in advance for
your support.

Off the pitch this week, has seen Mister [the manager] and Jack Collison
meet with some of our disabled supporters at an evening event arranged by
the club. They took part in what I believe was a lively question and answer
session before chatting to everyone afterwards.

As the games get counted down, we know there is still so much for us to be
playing for and we go again on Saturday with the same attitude and desire
and look to be stronger again in a bid to win the points and hopefully be
another step close to that Europa qualification.

Lucas Neill

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Rolling back the years
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has faith in the abilities of his vastly-experienced
strikers ahead of the visit of Liverpool
08.05.2009

Gianfranco Zola believes Diego Tristan and David Di Michele can roll back
the years and roll over Liverpool on Saturday.

The West Ham United manager said his experienced strikers, both 33, have the
quality to help the Hammers secure a victory that will boost their challenge
for a top-seven Premier League finish.

Seventh place would see West Ham qualify for next season's inaugural UEFA
Europa League, a target Zola is eager to reach.

With England internationals Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole sidelined by ankle
and groin injuries respectively, the manager has been delighted with the
contributions made by Tristan and Di Michele in recent weeks.

Former Spain forward Tristan, who was La Liga's top scorer in 2001/02, has
stepped up to the plate by scoring vital goals at Aston Villa and Stoke
City, and Zola has been pleased with the player's application since he
joined the club on a free transfer last autumn.

"Diego Tristan has been producing the performances and the goals that we
need right now and that is a bonus.

"The problem with Diego was only the physical conditioning. When he first
came here in November he wasn't as good as now physically. Other than that
Diego Tristan has got everything. He can be a top striker in Europe, easily.
Obviously he has to be supported by very good conditioning, especially in
the Premier League.

"You can check and you can see he is a player. He has been a top player for
Spain and top scorer in his country for many years. He just lost a little
bit of it over the last few years but he's getting it back very, very
quickly.

"In the last few games he has been outstanding. The way he played against
Chelsea and Stoke City was quite remarkable."

Tristan's current contract runs out at the end of the season, but Zola
admitted that the Spaniard's form could see Tristan extend his stay in east
London.

"His contract ends at the end of the season and after that we will see.
Obviously he's putting himself in a strong position and he's still got three
games. I think he's playing for his future but, more than that, he is
playing because he is enjoying it. I haven't spoken to him yet but I believe
he may want to stay."

While Di Michele has failed to find the net since the 2-0 home win over
Stoke on 28 January, Zola insisted that the on-loan Torino man was still
playing an important role in the team's bid for European qualification.

"That's something we will consider. Di Michele is another player who has
been playing very, very well. Unfortunately he hasn't scored as many goals
as he should but his game has been outstanding. For me he has been a key
player because he is the one player who makes the team play very well."

A further bonus came with news that Ashton is making good progress in his
rehabilitation following a long-term ankle injury. The 25-year-old was due
to visit a specialist and Zola is optimistic that he will be fit to join his
team-mates in pre-season training in early July.

"Deano is doing very well and is intensifying his training work and so far
it's going very well. I believe he is having a meeting with his specialist
to discuss his progress but he's looking very well. I believe [he will play
a full part in pre-season training]."

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Hammers face Uefa licence hearing
BBC.co.uk

West Ham will face a hearing at the end of the season to decide if they will
be granted a Uefa licence for next season. The licence, which permits clubs
to play in European competition, can only be given when specific financial
documents are submitted by the club. West Ham's financial problems and the
potential for a change of ownership means these have not been submitted. The
Hammers remain confident that they will be in a position to do so on 26 May,
the day of the hearing. A statement from the Football Association read: "The
FA can confirm that, following initial consideration of West Ham United's
application, the club has not to date been granted a Uefa licence to compete
in European competition next season should they qualify.
In accordance with set procedures, a final hearing will take place on May 26
before a panel appointed by Sport Resolutions - an independent specialist
alternative dispute resolution body." West Ham are currently seventh in the
Premier League and challenging for a place in next season's Europa League.
However, it was revealed on Wednesday that the personal debt of chairman
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson stands at £300m and that a consortium of creditors
led by Icelandic bank Straumur - which is itself in financial difficulties -
is in talks about taking over the club. "Due to a number of factors,
principally relating to a possible change of ownership of West Ham United,
the club has not been able to submit certain financial information, but
expects to be in a position to do so by May 26," read a statement from the
club.

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Zola drops Tristan hint
Manager could retain in-form veteran striker
Last updated: 8th May 2009
SSN

Gianfranco Zola believes Diego Tristan's good form is strengthening his case
to remain with West Ham next season. The experienced Spanish hit-man, who is
out of contract in the summer, was snapped up by the Hammers last autumn.
Despite being the wrong side of 30, Zola believes Tristan is making a good
argument for securing fresh terms at Upton Park. The former Livorno and Real
Mallorca hit-man scored the Hammers' winner in their 1-0 success at Stoke
City last weekend. Zola does not necessarily believe the veteran is
impressing to win a deal, but that he is playing well because he is enjoying
his football. "Obviously he has put himself in a strong position," Zola
commented when asked whether Tristan would be offered a new deal. "I think
he is playing for his future, but more than that I would say he is playing
because he is enjoying it. "I haven't spoken to him but I believe he wants
to stay."
Zola has bemoaned Tristan's lack of fitness upon joining the club, although
he has no doubts that the striker possesses the attributes to be one of
Europe's finest. "The problem with Diego was the physical condition," Zola
said. "When he first came here in November he wasn't as good as now
physically. "Other than that Diego Tristan has got everything and he can be
a top striker in Europe easily. "Don't forget he has been a national player
for Spain and has been top scorer in that country for many years.
"He just lost a little bit of it in the last few years but he is getting
back very, very quickly and in the last few games he has been outstanding."

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Hammers to wait on licence
West Ham will have to wait on Europa League place
Last updated: 8th May 2009
SSN

West Ham face a hearing two days after the Premier League season concludes
to establish whether they will be allowed a Uefa licence for next term. A
panel appointed by an independent specialist dispute resolution body will
decide on 26th May whether the club will be given the licence required to
play in the Europa League, should they finish seventh in the table. The
licence can only be granted when certain financial documents are submitted -
but the likely change of ownership at Upton Park means West Ham have not
been able to do that. The Hammers are confident they will be in a position
to supply all the required information ahead of the deadline.
A statement from The Football Association read: "The FA can confirm that,
following initial consideration of West Ham United's application, the club
has not to date been granted a Uefa licence to compete in European
competition next season should they qualify. "In accordance with set
procedures, a final hearing will take place on May 26 before a panel
appointed by Sport Resolutions - an independent specialist alternative
dispute resolution body."
West Ham remain hopeful they will be playing Europa League football next
term, providing they achieve a seventh-placed finish. "Due to a number of
factors, principally relating to a possible change of ownership of West Ham
United, the club has not been able to submit certain financial information,
but expects to be in a position to do so by May 26," read a statement on the
club's official website. It means that if West Ham finish seventh, they will
not find out until two days later if they will be allowed in the revamped
version of the Uefa Cup.
A Premier League statement added: "The Premier League respects the fact that
there are set procedures in the matter of West Ham's Uefa Licence
application and that a final outcome will not be known until after the
season has finished. "There is now a clear and definitive timetable and
every club still competing for a European position continues to have
everything to play for."