WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears is still very much part of Gianfranco Zola's long-term plans
19.05.2009
Gianfranco Zola has backed Freddie Sears to make a big impact in the future
with West Ham Untied. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a year of development
under Zola's tutorship, making seven starts and 15 substitute appearances in
all competitions this campaign. But with Dean Ashton expected to return to
full training for pre-season, competition for places will once again be
fierce and Zola believes that a temporary spell learning his trade with
another club may suit the Hornchurch-born forward.
"I think that the right thing to do for him will be to go on loan to play,"
Zola said. "He has worked hard here but has not been playing enough,
sometimes ten minutes, sometimes a full game. "Probably he never got what he
wanted. He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly."
Zola has seen first hand the benefit a loan move can have on young players
to have graduated from the Academy. James Tomkins played eight games during
a six-week loan spell with Derby County earlier this season and has been a
revelation since Zola bought him back into the first team. Likewise, England
Under-20 international Jordan Spence has just benefitted from playing 21
games while on loan at League One Leyton Orient. Now Zola is predicting the
same scenario for the 19-year-old Sears. "Unfortunately here it is difficult
for him. Next season he will have the possibility of going on loan and to
prove himself. "Then he is will come back here as we believe that he is an
important player for us in future."
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Zola backs World Cup bid
WHUFC.com
England have the support of Gianfranco Zola as they try to earn hosting
duties for the 2018 or 2022 finals
19.05.2009
Gianfranco Zola has thrown his weight behind England's bid to host the 2018
or 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The West Ham United manager filmed a special interview that was used as part
of the Football Association's bid launch at Wembley Stadium. Among those
also taking part were England manager Fabio Capello, the Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, FA Chairman, Lord Triesman, Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham
and Wayne Rooney. The FA's President HRH Prince William also sent a special
message of support.
Zola said: "If you think that I came when I was 30 [to England] and I played
for seven years in Chelsea until I was 37 and I wasn't planning to stay that
long. That tells you a lot about my appreciation about the place. The
stadiums are fantastic. The crowd is even better and the quality of football
right now you are talking about is the best in Europe.
"It is just a wonderful place to play football," he added, as he stood
pitch-side at the Boleyn Ground and showed the film crew around the famous
old stadium he has called home since taking charge of the club back in
September. "I think it would be a great place to play a World Cup over here.
I believe there all the perfect conditions to be the place."
Other nations who have expressed interest in hosting world football's
showpiece event in 2018 or 2022 are Australia, Belgium-Netherlands (joint
bid), Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal-Spain (joint bid), Russia, USA,
Qatar (2022 only) and South Korea (2022 only).
Zola was not the only West Ham representative backing the bid, with Sir
Geoff Hurst also having his say on the nation's chances. The former striker
believes there is every chance that a new generation of England
internationals will get the chance to experience what he did when he
represented the country on home soil back in 1966.
"I think we have a realistic chance; we are a major football nation,
everything is in place, we have the expertise, the stadiums, the
infrastructure, the teams, the supporters, it's safer than it's ever been
and we're ready now," said Sir Geoff, who naturally had to relive again his
memories of scoring a hat-trick in the 4-2 final win against West Germany.
"We saw how much things have changed when we hosted the European
Championship in 1996 and it will be even bigger in 2018. We have to have the
whole nation behind us to get the World Cup here as it will be a national
event - not just for football people. In 1966 there were a lot of people who
were not into football before the finals, but they were fans for life by the
time it had finished."
FIFA will confirm the hosts of both World Cups in December 2010.
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Green laments hard luck
WHUFC.com
Robert Green believes Saturday's game-changing moment could have been
avoided
19.05.2009
Robert Green believes referee Phil Dowd could have spared West Ham United
defender James Tomkins a red card in Saturday's Barclays Premier League
defeat by Everton at Goodison Park.
Tomkins was sent-off by Dowd after fouling Toffees midfielder Tim Cahill
inside the Hammers' penalty area, ostensibly for denying the Australian a
clear goalscoring opportunity.
However, England goalkeeper Green believes he would have pounced on the ball
before Cahill had the chance to apply his finish, thereby negating the need
for Dowd to banish Tomkins from the field of play for the first time in his
professional career.
Louis Saha equalised from the resulting penalty after Radoslav Kovac had
earlier given Gianfranco Zola's team the lead with a swerving 35-yard
special. West Ham battled gamely on with ten men, but further goals from
Joseph Yobo and Saha ended the visitors' hopes of reaching next season's
UEFA Europa League.
"We weren't playing particularly well but we were limiting their chances and
Kova had scored one of those goals where it moved all over the place," said
Green. "He [Cahill] came through and he's [Tomkins] made contact. It's a
penalty but I don't know whether he's got a goalscoring chance because I
feel I would have got their first.
"The referee has got to make a split-second decision and it's disappointing
because it's changed the course of the game. Obviously they got their tails
up and we conceded another goal not even five minutes into the second half
and that put us up against it. It's disappointing because it was avoidable."
While Green conceded that Dowd's decision to send-off Tomkins had been the
game's pivotal moment, the goalkeeper admitted that Everton had worked hard
for their victory.
Hopes that the Toffees would be distracted by their FA Cup final date with
Chelsea and the fact they had already secured a European place for 2009/10
were extinguished as David Moyes' team produced a typically and impressively
resolute display.
While Saha was clinical, taking his tally against West Ham this season to
four in two matches, West Ham passed up a host of clear-cut chances to score
themselves, most notably through Diego Tristan, Luis Boa Morte and the
returning Carlton Cole.
"They put their effort in just as much as we did," said Green. "The
difference was that they had a little bit more quality up front to take
their chances. If you look at it, at 2-1 we were having more chances than
they were and didn't take them, which is the story of our season.
"We've been playing games and chances have been coming along but we've not
been taking them so, in that respect, it's disappointing."
With a top-seven finish now beyond their reach, the Hammers go into Sunday's
game against almost-relegated Middlesbrough eyeing a success that would take
them over the 50-point barrier for the first time since 2005/06.
To do so, Green has called the club's forwards to find their shooting boots
one last time before heading off for their summer holidays.
"We've got to draw on Sunday to get the same amount of points as we got last
season," said the 29-year-old. "It's a good job that we got our points when
we did. We went on that run and had a spell where we took our chances. Coley
was on fire scoring goals but, other than that, we've really struggled to
put teams away. I can't remember the last time we scored three goals in a
game - Barnsley in the FA Cup in January or Portsmouth on Boxing Day in the
league.
"We've nicked a lot of games 1-0 and nicked enough games like Wigan, Stoke
and others where we've just clung on and defended for our lives and done a
magnificent job of defending. When we've managed to nick a goal, we've hung
in there more often than not and that's why we are where we are."
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Widdowson departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Joe Widdowson has made a permanent switch to
Grimsby Town
19.05.2009
Joe Widdowson has signed a three-year deal with Grimbsy Town after a
successful loan spell at the League Two outfit earlier this season.
The out of contract 20-year-old Academy product made 20 league appearances
for Grimsby, scoring one goal, after joining for three months at the turn of
the year. The left-back had begun the season well at West Ham United,
earning a place on the club's pre-season tour of North America and
ultimately marking David Beckham during the MLS All-Stars match in Toronto
last July.
Although on the bench for the League Cup tie with Macclesfield Town last
August, Widdowson never featured for the West Ham first team in a senior
encounter, but also made three loan appearances for Rotherham United during
another loan spell in early 2008. He said: "Having been to Grimsby, I know
the place, I know the club and it wasn't a difficult decision. There were a
couple of other clubs interested but they couldn't really guarantee me
regular football."
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Fred on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has revealed that Freddie Sears could spend next season out
on loan.
Sears, who has failed to score a single goal in his 22 appearances this
season - or since his debut goal against Blackburn 14 months ago - has been
used sparingly this term by Zola, and has more often than not been cast
behind Diego Tristan and David Di Michele in the first team pecking order.
Many fans have commented on Sears' failure to push on since that electric
debut performance in March 2008 and it has often been suggested that the
youngster would benefit from a spell on loan in one of the lower divisions -
much like the then 18-year-old Jermain Defoe did back in October 2000.
It is a sentiment with which Zola appears to agree; talking to whufc.com
today, he said:
"I think that the right thing for him will be to go on loan. He has worked
hard here but has not been playing enough; sometimes ten minutes, sometimes
a full game.
"He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly. Unfortunately
here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the possibility of
going on loan and to prove himself."
Sears came into the first team reckoning having scored virtually a goal per
game at reserve and youth level - much like Carlton Cole did when breaking
through at Chelsea. Like Cole, Sears' career appears to have hit a temporary
stumbling block - but one from which he will be hoping to recover soon.
Freddie Sears: facts and figures
Appearances 2007/08: 7
Goals: 1
Yellow cards: 1
Appearances 2008/09: 22
Goals: 0
Yellow cards: 0
Number of starts: 8 (5 League; 1 FA Cup; 2 Carling Cup)
Number of sub appearances: 21 (19 League, 2 FA Cup)
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Zola unafraid of tough calls
Hammers boss unconcerned with making decisions over contracts
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 19th May 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola insists that he will not be afraid to make tough decisions
when it comes to his players' futures at the end of the season. The West Ham
manager has guided the club to ninth in the table and, although European
football is now out of the question, there has still been plenty to shout
about at Upton Park this season. However, the most difficult part of the
job, where players' futures are on the line, is approaching and the Italian
knows the importance of the next few months. The former Chelsea forward is
yet to decide who has done enough to warrant a new deal but he is confident
his side will begin next season in better shape. "I have a rough idea but it
is too early to say and things might go in one way or another," he told the
club's official website. "Even without anybody, I am sure that the team will
be better and don't forget that we will have (Dean) Ashton back and that
will be a big thing for us. Plus all the players will be better next season.
"Obviously the club pays me for those moments and I have to take the
decision and I will do that with the interest of the club to take the club
forward. "When the moment comes I will make it. "It is no problem to make
the decision. I am motivated by the fact that I want to make the team and
club better and I will take the decisions bearing that in mind. "I will be
all right, I know it is part of the job."
Meanwhile Zola confirmed that 19-year-old striker Freddie Sears is likely to
go out on loan next term after 15 of his 21 appearances came from the bench
this season.
"He has worked hard here, but has not been playing enough, sometimes 10
minutes, sometimes a full game, he added. "Probably he never got what he
wanted. He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly.
"Unfortunately here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the
possibility of going on loan and to prove himself.
"Then he will come back here as we believe that he is an important player
for us in future."
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Grimsby seal defender deal
Widdowson happy with choice to stay at Blundell Park permanently
Last updated: 19th May 2009
SSN
Grimsby Town have completed the signing of Joe Widdowson on a three-year
contract from West Ham United. Widdowson impressed on loan at Blundell Park
in the second half of the season and made 20 appearances for the League Two
club. He was not offered a new deal by the Hammers and is confident he has
made the right choice in deciding to stick with Grimsby. "It's very pleasing
to sign here permanently," Widdowson told the club's official website. "I
really enjoyed my time here on loan from January until the end of the
season, so it's good to be here for the next few years. "I've been back at
West Ham for the past couple of weeks and they aren't going to offer me a
contract there."Having been to Grimsby I know the place, I know the club and
it wasn't a difficult decision. "There was a couple of other clubs that were
interested in me, but they couldn't really guarantee me regular football
like I was getting at Grimsby." Meanwhile, Andy Taylor has left Grimsby by
mutual consent having not played a first-team game since last October.
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Spurs, West Ham and Hull are Beijing bound Published: 6:53PM Wednesday May
20, 2009
Tvnz.co.nz
Source: Reuters
Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Hull City will contest the Premier
League Asia Trophy in Beijing from July 29 to Aug. 1, according to Chinese
state media.
The three English Premier League clubs will play Chinese Super League side
Beijing Guoan in the fourth version of the biennial tournament at the
Worker's Stadium, the Xinhua news agency reported citing organisers. Hull,
however, are still embroiled in the battle against relegation - to be
concluded on Monday - and a Premier League spokesman said by telephone late
last week they were not yet ready to release details of the clubs or venue.
Chelsea, who have developed strong links with China over the last few years,
were reported to have been invited to take part but have decided to tour
North America instead. Premier League champions Manchester United will play
in China but will skip the main two cities of Beijing and Shanghai and round
out their Asian tour with a match against Hangzhou in Zhejiang on July 26.
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Robert Green leaps from No 6 to No 1 in England goalkeeping charts
The Times
Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent
Robert Green's journey from self-styled "England No 6" to the nation's
first-choice No 1 is likely to be completed next month. The West Ham United
goalkeeper is in line to start England's World Cup qualifiers against
Kazakhstan and Andorra, on June 6 and 10 respectively, after David James was
ruled out. James has elected to have shoulder surgery today in a bid to be
fit for the start of next season.
Fabio Capello is also planning to recall Paul Robinson to his squad after
the former England goalkeeper played an important role in steering Blackburn
Rovers away from relegation this season, but Green is in pole position to
take over from James. The 29-year-old has made a good impression in training
despite winning only one cap under the Italian, playing for 45 minutes in
the 2-0 friendly international defeat by Spain in February, when he conceded
one of the goals.
Capello's concern about the lack of goalkeepers at his disposal is shown by
the fact that he has picked James to start in all of England's 13 matches
since he took over as manager, with a paucity of options exacerbated by many
of the candidates' susceptibility to injury. Ben Foster (thumb), Scott
Carson (hand) and Chris Kirkland (back) are injured, leaving Green and
Robinson as Capello's only realistic options.
Carson is close to a return, but Capello may be forced to call up Joe Hart
from the under-21s, despite the fact that the Manchester City goalkeeper has
not played a Barclays Premier League match since January.
Capello is frustrated by James's untimely absence but was consulted by the
Portsmouth goalkeeper before he elected to have surgery and agreed that it
was better for him to miss next month's qualifiers against the lesser lights
in group six than England's matches against Croatia in September and Ukraine
in October.
Green's probable elevation represents a remarkable transformation after he
was repeatedly overlooked by Capello. The former Norwich City goalkeeper had
to wait four years between his first cap, a second-half appearance in a
friendly against Colombia in 2005, and his second against Spain.
Capello ignored him entirely for his first year in charge, leading Green to
become so exasperated that he wore gloves with the words "England's No 6"
stitched into them for a Premier League match against Birmingham City last
season, the first occasion on which he was watched by the England manager.
Green was adamant afterwards that he was poking fun at himself rather than
Capello, who does not appear to have harboured a grudge.
Capello has also been impressed with Robinson's performances as Blackburn
have climbed to safety, especially as he appears to have lost some weight
and improved his general level of fitness. Robinson, 29, has not played for
his country since being blamed for Russia's winner in the European
Championship qualifying defeat in Moscow 18 months ago, but has been named
in several of Capello's squads and could return to the starting line-up if
Green fails to make the most of his opportunity.
Capello is bracing himself for a confrontation with several Premier League
managers before naming his squad for the World Cup double- header next week
because he fears some will seek to withdraw their players, blaming injuries.
The England manager may also be concerned that Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael
Benítez, the Manchester United and Liverpool managers respectively, will
attempt to pull out several of their players, citing fatigue at the end of a
long season.
Capello allowed most of United's players to miss last year's post-season
trip to Trinidad & Tobago after their Champions League exertions, but will
be less sympathetic this time around and is determined to take a
full-strength squad to Kazakhstan.
Five for the future
Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic)
Played for England Under-21 but a one-cap wonder for the seniors, as a
substitute in the friendly against Greece in August 2006. His debut before
the age of 30 won £10,000 each for a family syndicate who had backed him to
succeed. Injury-prone.
Manuel Almunia (Arsenal)
As English as Manuel, the hapless waiter in Fawlty Towers, but could qualify
next month through his five-year residency here. Not capped by Spain and has
expressed an interest in playing for Fabio Capello. A spectacular
shot-stopper.
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Appeared for England Under-19 and Under-21 but has also won only one cap, in
the friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain last June. His
career at Manchester City has stalled since the arrival of Shay Given from
Newcastle United in January.
Joe Lewis (Peterborough United)
England Under-21 player who earned a surprise call-up from Capello in May
last year for England's friendlies against the United States and Trinidad &
Tobago. Unused substitute for both games.
Ben Alnwick (Tottenham Hotspur)
Had loan spells with Luton Town, Leicester City and Carlisle United. Made
his debut for Tottenham in Carling Cup semi-final, second leg away to
Burnley in January but could not displace Heurelho Gomes on a regular basis.
Words by Russell Kempson
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Is Robert Green good enough for England?
Thet Imes
Matt Hughes writes today that Robert Green is in line to start for England
in their World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra. Formerly the
national team's self-styled sixth-choice goalkeeper, the West Ham United
player has found that injuries to others have propelled him to the front of
the queue. At 29 Foster is hardly a player for the future. He has won only
two international caps and only three seasons ago was playing Championship
football with Norwich City. He has impressed, however, in West Ham's recent
rise up the Premier League table and has reportedly done well in training
for England. So, what do you think? Is the man who once stitched "England's
No 6" into his gloves up to the challenge of being their No 1?
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Keeper Crisis? England will still be in safe hands, Fabio...By Matt Lawton
Last updated at 1:49 AM on 20th May 2009
Daily Mail
The mood at the Football Association suggested the loss of David James and
Ben Foster to injury did not amount to a crisis. 'We only regret Manuel
Almunia does not yet have his British passport because now we could play him
against Kazakhstan and nobody would complain,' joked one member of Fabio
Capello's staff. England's manager remains confident in the English
goalkeepers who remain available and he is now expected to select Paul
Robinson as well as West Ham's Robert Green and Scott Carson in his squad
for next month's World Cup qualifiers away to Kazakhstan and home to
Andorra.
Joe Hart is another option, but the young Manchester City keeper has not
been playing first-team football since Shay Given moved from Newcastle in
January and Capello thinks it more prudent to leave him with Stuart Pearce's
Under 21 side. Chris Kirkland could also have earned a recall had he not
been injured, but Capello remains relaxed enough about the situation when
Green and Robinson have been performing so well for their respective clubs.
James, who misses out because of shoulder surgery, has started all 13 of
Capello's England matches, limiting Foster, Green, Carson and Hart to one
substitute appearance apiece.
But Capello had Robinson watched when Blackburn went to Chelsea last weekend
- something that should please Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce - and he will
be in contention for a first appearance since winning his 41st cap in
October 2007, even if Green would seem to be the favourite. It was only in
February, in the friendly against Spain, that Green won the second of his
two caps. It's England's No 6: West Ham keeper Robert Green raised a few
laughs with these gloves but it's getting serious for him now as he is in
contention for Fabio Capello's next two World Cup qualifiers following
injuries to David James and Ben Foster
Capello's scouts have noted how Robinson looks fitter and trimmer than he
perhaps was in the past and Allardyce insists the 29-year-old's form is back
and that his confidence is restored. 'Paul is the best English keeper in the
country at the moment,' he said. 'Fabio should have had someone watching us
in our last home game against Portsmouth. If he didn't, he hasn't done his
job right. 'He'd have seen a much better performance than he did from David
James. 'He's back to his top-end performances and he's shown it consistently
over the last eight to 10 games. 'Even the games we've lost heavily he's
stopped us losing by an even greater margin with his performances, like
Liverpool and Arsenal.He is right up there with all the other top
goalkeepers I've worked with.'
Robinson said: 'I'm feeling good at the moment. I feel like my form is
coming right back to the top now. Obviously I had a dip in confidence and it
affected my form.
'But I know what I'm capable of and I still think I've got more to come. I
can only go from strength to strength. I'm very pleased with my decision to
come to Blackburn and staying in the Premier League justifies that. 'I've
honestly not really thought about England. I'm just concentrating on playing
well here. Enjoying my football again is the most important thing and I'm
doing that.'
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Hammers skipper Lucas Neill wanted by Greek side Olympiakos as Everton's
interest cools
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:51 AM on 20th May 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham defender Lucas Neill is wanted by Greek side Olympiakos. The
Australia captain, 31, is out of contract in the summer and West Ham want to
extend his deal. But Neill is on around £65,000 a week and the Upton Park
club would like him to take a cut. Everton had shown interest, with his
close friend Tim Cahill in their ranks, but his wages were too big for them
also and Neill looks likely to head abroad.
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WHEATER MISSES BORO SURVIVAL BATTLE
Daily Express
Wednesday May 20,2009
By Niell Hickman Have your say(0)
MIDDLESBROUGH will be without defensive linchpin David Wheater for Sunday's
all-or-nothing clash at West Ham, but that could be a blessing in disguise
as it means he will get a proper break this summer. Manager Gareth Southgate
will pull Wheater out of the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden as
the player must undergo knee surgery.Southgate says his centre-half
desperately requires a period of rest and recuperation, and also has serious
questions over the value of the finals for England's Under-21 players,
especially for stars such as Wheater and Aston Villa striker Gabriel
Agbonlahor, who have had long, hard seasons at the top. "David will need
surgery in the summer so he will miss the Under-21 championship and that's
unfortunate for him," said Southgate. "The break will do him the world of
good and it does all players good to have time away from football over the
summer. If you're going away with the full international team then that's a
fantastic honour, but I'm not convinced those levels below the full team are
as worthwhile. "I may have a different view on that to other people because
I didn't play at any other level other than full. But many of the players
going to the Under-21 finals will have played a lot of matches this season.
"Look at someone like Agbonlahor who has had a season that has gone from
Aston Villa's European games last August and now he is being asked to play
until the end of June. For me, in terms of David Wheater's welfare and
progression he is already playing against the best players in the world, so
I don't think it will do any harm to have a rest. "It's different for Adam
Johnson or Andrew Taylor because they haven't played that many matches this
season. Adam will view it as exciting, but David has played every game for
two seasons. Andrew has missed big chunks of both seasons while Adam has not
played as many first-team games as he would have liked. So it's different
for those two.
"It's a difficult thing for any player because you want to play for your
international team and you obviously do not want to do anything that will
affect your chances. But, for me, full level is the only thing that is
important. I can say that because it's the only level that I played, but
someone who has benefited from playing at Under-21 level might well say the
opposite."
Southgate is certain Wheater will bounce back next season, regardless of
Sunday's result when Boro need to win to have any chance of staying in the
top flight. Wheater's form has dipped slightly, especially in the second
half of the season. But Southgate says he will recover. "I don't like talk
of second-season syndrome because I think it's a load of rubbish," said
Southgate. "It's nothing to do with it being his second season. "My view is
that you have to prove yourself as a professional year after year. Perhaps
what happens is people allow you mistakes in the first season and don't
judge you too harshly. Then they change. David has done well, and every game
he plays will be adding to his overall experience and will make him a better
player."
Boro will be without winger Stewart Downing on Sunday as he has a suspected
broken foot, and will have a scan on Friday to determine the extent of the
damage. If it is a break, that could mean six months on the sidelines and
would scupper potential transfers to Liverpool or Spurs, both of whom are
willing to pay £12million. Boro's medical expert, Grant Downie, has not
confirmed the break. But if surgery is required it could mean rehab. He
said: "We will not be able to assess the extent until the bruising and
swelling go down."
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'United will try and sue Burnley'
Sheffield United Mad
By Bladesmadeditor Tuesday, 19th May 2009
The Sun columnist Ian Wright is hopeful his former club, Burnley, win
promotion to the Premier League on Monday...
The ex Match of the Day pundit and former England striker has outrageously
pointed unecessary comments involving the Blades in his weekly column in
national newspaper, The Sun. United will of course receive compensation from
West Ham United from the 'Tevez Affair'' and Wright has included the 'Saga'
situation at the end of his article. He said: "As for Monday's Championship
play-off final, I really hope my old club Burnley come up. "In 2000, I
played 15 times in the season they got promotion to the Championship. "It's
a great ground (Wembley), the fans are superb and I really hope they beat
Sheffield United. "No doubt, though, if United do lose, they'll try and sue
Burnley — as they play in claret and blue."
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Zola:Sears to be Hammers loan star next season
5:53pm Tuesday 19th May 2009
Echo
FREDDIE Sears is still part of Gianfranco Zola's long-term plans but the
Hammers boss hinted his striker will have to go on loan to 'prove himself.'
The 19-year-old faces stiff competition for a first-team birth when Dean
Ashton resumes training over the pre-season meaning Sears may be sharpening
his skills away from the Boleyn Ground.
Zola said: "I think the right thing for him to do for him to go on loan to
play. He has worked hard here but has not been playing enough, sometimes ten
minutes, sometimes a full game. "Probably he never got what he wanted. He
has improved as a player but needs to play regularly." Last season James
Tomkins and Jordan Spence both spent time away from Upton Park at
Championship Derby County and League One Leyton Orient respectively.
"Unfortunately here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the
possibility of going on loan and to prove himself. Then he will come back
here as we believe he is an important player for us in future," Zola added.
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James Tomkins Should Not Have Been Sent Off - West Ham Keeper Rob Green
The glovesman feels that the referee could have been a little more lenient
at the weekend at Goodison Park...
19 May 2009 19:46:36
Goal.com
West Ham United were beaten 3-1 by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday,
ending their hopes of landing seventh spot in this season's Premier League,
and denying them the Europa League place that would have gone with it; but
goalkeeper Robert Green was left with an abiding sense of injustice after
the defeat.
One key moment in the game was when referee Phil Dowd awarded Everton a
penalty, and decided that James Tomkins, whose foul on Toffees midfielder
Tim Cahill had led to the kick being awarded, deserved to be sent off for
preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Green, though, feels that he would have been able to gather the ball easily
after Cahill had pushed it past Tomkins, and for that reason he thinks that
Dowd could have displayed a little more mercy.
"We weren't playing particularly well but we were limiting their chances and
Kova [Radoslav Kovac] had scored one of those goals where it moved all over
the place," the keeper told West Ham's official website.
"He [Cahill] came through and he's [Tomkins] made contact. It's a penalty
but I don't know whether he's got a goalscoring chance because I feel I
would have got there first.
"The referee has got to make a split-second decision and it's disappointing
because it's changed the course of the game. Obviously they got their tails
up and we conceded another goal not even five minutes into the second half
and that put us up against it. It's disappointing because it was avoidable."
With Europe no longer on the agenda, Green is hoping that the strikers at
Upton Park can use the one remaining fixture, at home to all-but-doomed
Middlesbrough, to find their shooting boots - a lack of goals being a key
factor in the Hammers failing to finish seventh, Green feels.
"We've got to draw on Sunday to get the same amount of points as we got last
season," he added.
"It's a good job that we got our points when we did. We went on that run and
had a spell where we took our chances. Coley [Carlton Cole] was on fire
scoring goals but, other than that, we've really struggled to put teams
away. I can't remember the last time we scored three goals in a game -
Barnsley in the FA Cup in January or Portsmouth on Boxing Day in the league.
"We've nicked a lot of games 1-0 and nicked enough games like Wigan, Stoke
and others where we've just clung on and defended for our lives and done a
magnificent job of defending. When we've managed to nick a goal, we've hung
in there more often than not and that's why we are where we are."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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Gabbidon boost for club and country
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 19 May 2009 - 9:57 PM
Sport.co.uk
Danny Gabbidon is set to end his Wales and West Ham injury nightmare by
returning to first-team training this week. The West Ham defender has not
played since December 2007 after failing to recover from a troublesome
stomach injury.The 29-year-old had feared for his career with Wales boss
John Toshack questioning whether the centre-back would ever make another
international appearance. But after stepping up his rehabilitation with the
club's fitness coaches, Gabbidon is ready to return, much to the delight of
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. "This is very, very good news that he will be
training with us this week," said Zola. "He is looking forward to next
season, which is good. "I am not sure whether he will be on the bench this
season as he has been out for such a long time but it will be fantastic to
have him train with us."
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Olympiakos target West Ham skipper Neill
20.05.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham captain Lucas Neill is being pursued by Greek Super League club
Olympiakos. Neill's contract at Upton Park expires at the end of the current
season and the fact the club is not flush with funds will require him to
take a pay cut. If the Socceroos defender is unable to do that, it will be
likely that he moves on and Olympiakos may swoop. Reports suggested that
Everton were interested in bringing in Neill to join fellow Aussie Tim
Cahill but his price was too expensive for the Toffees.
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