WHUFC.com
The 2008/09 Hammer of the Year is on target to hit the ground running with
the new season
24.07.2009
Scott Parker is happy to be back in action for West Ham United again and
sees next week's trip to China as a chance to 'look forwards and upwards'.
The Hammer of the Year made his long-awaited return from a groin injury in
the 0-0 draw with ND Mura 05 on Thursday night - his first run-out since the
1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 21 March. After coming through with no
problems, he is looking to get more minutes under his belt with the
high-profile fixture against Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Asia Trophy
on Wednesday.
"I found it OK," Parker told whufc.com after his 45-minute appearance in
Slovenia that saw him take the captain's armband from Robert Green, who like
Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole was playing his second game of the summer.
"I've not played for the best part of four months so it was quite difficult
but I got through it and that was the main thing. I look forwards and
upwards now really."
Parker has had a different pre-season to most of his colleagues because of
his efforts to overcome that groin problem. A club physiotherapist joined
him for part of his family holiday to ensure he was in the best shape
possible once the first-team squad reported back in early July. It meant he
sat out the first few friendlies as he focused on a personal programme.
"Pre-season has been quite difficult for me as I still had the problem I had
last year and only got over it two weeks before I came back," the
28-year-old England midfielder added. "I've been working hard through the
summer and realistically this was the best time for me to play.
"As a professional athlete I'm not sure you're ever 100 per cent fit but
that's the way it is. I feel fine and as good as I can be I just hope to get
fit now and push on."
The next step will be the trip to the Chinese capital, with the Hammers
playing Spurs on Wednesday before a fixture on Friday against either Hull
City or local side Beijing Guoan. Parker said: "China should be good and
we've got some good games out there. It will be difficult with the heat and
the time difference but we look forward to it and hopefully we can put in
some good displays. We want to do well out there."
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Nouble eyes Thurrock bow
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fans could get a first glimpse of Frank Nouble with the
friendly at Thurrock on Friday
24.07.2009
Frank Nouble is relishing the prospect of a possible first run-out for his
new club when a West Ham United XI take on Thurrock on Friday night. The
17-year-old striker could feature for Alex Dyer's side at the Ship Lane home
of the Blue Square South team along with a number of those who played in a
1-1 draw at Cambridge United last Saturday. The most experienced performers
on view for the 7.45pm friendly are set to be defender Calum Davenport and
midfielder Nigel Quashie.
Also in the frame could be Matthew Fry, Holmar Eyjolfsson, Conor Okus and
Cristian Montano - the latter scoring the winner in a first-team friendly at
Grays a fortnight ago. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults, £5 for OAPS and
concessions and £2 for children. Click here for more information.
Nouble will have no trouble settling in, having come to know many of his
team-mates in recent years. "I know some of the young players here from
outside of football but also from playing against them at a young age," he
said. "The likes of Conor and Matty are definitely going to help me feel at
home. It is going to be about hard work and they are going to push me."
He is certainly ready and raring to go after finalising his switch from
Chelsea in midweek. He said: "I have been training for the last two weeks so
my fitness is up there. I have just got to keep it going and do well
whenever I play. I know if I show the fans that if I work hard, I can win
them over. You won't see anything less than 100 per cent from me, that's for
sure .Hopefully my ability will come through."
The England youth international's first glance this week at the newly-grown
Boleyn Ground surface has whetted his appetite."Being here for the first
time gives me a buzz," he said. "The pitch looks fantastic and it looks a
stadium that you want to make your home. I want to be running out there,
scoring goals and doing well for this club. I am excited."
Nouble, who has Ivory Coast ancestry through his father, admitted he
harbours international ambitions with England but knows all that matters
first is proving himself in claret and blue. "I have played for England at
Under-17 level.. Hopefully I can come back into that but my main focus is to
work for West Ham.
"I am looking forward to staying here and doing well for this club and
nothing else at the moment. My mind-set is always that. I am just eager to
get going."
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Thurrock 2-3 West Ham United
WHUFC.com
All the action from Friday night's friendly involving a West Ham United XI
at Thurrock FC
24.07.2009
Thurrock v West Ham United XI
Ship Lane, Grays
Kick-off: 8pm
Final score- 2-3
90min - It was barely the last action of the game. A thrilling end to a good
work-out for Alex Dyer's side.
89min - GOAL! - Nouble scores....It was a superb strike but was all about
Montano's trickery on the left flank. He danced past two defenders, cut
inside and curled the pass of the game into Nouble's path. The No10 had
evaded his marker and showed tremendous composure to fire into the corner.
Terrific play all round.
88min - Bezzichieri has a go from fully 25 yards. Woolley is equal to it. At
the other end, Mehmet's fingertips just about deny Knight a second and
probable winning goal.
86min - GOAL! - Knight strikes a left-footed shot past Mehmet, although it
needed the help of the post to beat the keeper.
84min - Arguably the best move of the match finishes with Nouble's goalbound
shot deflected behind by Swaine. Bezzichieri had started it before the play
switched via Wearen to Fry. The full-back rounded his marker before slipping
the ball back for the No10 to go for goal.
83min - Wearen is fouled. Quashie takes a moment to organise the troops
before getting us back under way. Davenport is then on hand to avert the
danger with a Thurrock attack. Fry is down. The lively No3 feels the force
of a late challenge.
82min - More good handling from Mehmet after Lima's snap-shot. Can the
Hammers hold on?
79min - GOAL! - Eoin Wearen rises highest to head in from Abdulla's
perfectly placed corner. The yellow-booted Irish youth international has not
looked out of place despite being only 16.
78min - Nearly an own goal. Montano chips forward for Nouble whose presence
forces the error from the home defender. Nouble then gets on the end of the
Abdulla corner but the ball loops away.
76min - Knight races away and is clear off the Hammers defence. Mehmet comes
off his line, stands up well and then gets down to save superbly.
75min - A shout for a penalty there. Nouble did well before chipping into
the area for Montano. The visiting fans claimed handball but the referee
adjudged it was a clean challenge.
74min - Paul Lima has a go for Thurrock. It is a good effort but he never
troubled Mehmet in truth.
73min - Chance for Thurrock. Fry did well to head away a cross into the
six-yard box but the ball came back to the home side. However, they could
not keep it on target.
72min - We have switched to a more conventional 4-4-2 with Abdulla and
Nouble in attack. The latter is doing well despite a physical introduction
to life at West Ham.
71min - Flynn has a go from long range but his effort is low and wide.
70min - Holmar Eyjolfsson does well to clear the danger after Mehmet was
unable to collect.
67min - Another double change for Thurrock. Anderson and Paine are off to be
replaced by No17 and No18. Will endeavour to bring you their names as soon
as possible.
65min - The floodlights are in full flow here as darkness descends on the
stadium. There are a few clouds but the rain has stayed away since that
pre-game downpour.
63min - A double substitution for Thurrock. Bryant and Orilonishe are going
off, to be replaced by 14 David Knight and No12.
61min - Good tracking back by Montano averts the danger of a low cross that
fizzed across the area. Thurrock are on top at the moment.
59min - It is a good game. Lalite gets a shot away but it is deflected wide
for a corner.
58min - Nouble releases Wearen who in turn finds Abdulla. His shot is
blocked. Corner to West Ham, which is played to Quashie on the edge of the
box. He shoots low but Woolley saves.
57min - Great reflex save from Mehmet. Corner to Thurrock but it should have
been 2-1 to the hosts. Davenport then clears the danger.
55min - Fantastic pass from Montano. Nouble is on to it but the ball will
not sit up right for him and the Thurrock defenders get it away. After a
quick counter, Montano is at the other end sorting out the danger.
54min - Well played Fry. Matt Bodkin was surging up the wing until a
well-timed tackle stopped him in his tracks.
52min - Quashie has been a big influence for his young team-mates tonight.
The captain has been talking constantly and shown a good attitude.
51min - Apologies. Deniz Mehmet is also on for Loveday in goal. The Turkish
U17 international gets his first touch of the ball.
50min - Swaine is waved back on as Davenport tries to play in Nouble. The
offside flag halts the No10's progress.
49min - We have had a stoppage here with treatment for Swaine. The No4 has
been in the wars, having broken his nose in a game on Monday night.
47min - First chance of the half for Thurrock. Leon Lalite fires over.
46min - We have a couple of changes. Zola is off to be replaced by Simone
Bezzichieri while Eoin Wearen - the Irish youth international midfielder -
is on for Brookes. Nick Barrett has gone to right-back.
HALF-TIME
45min - The referee allows no time for stoppages as he blows for half-time.
44min - Nice run by Fry but he is crowded out.
43min - We are back under way again. Thurrock have a go for goal through
Flynn. Loveday saves well.
42min - We have a hold up in play while Anderson gets treatment. Dyer is
using the time to have a word with his players.
40min - Another foul on Barrett. The midfielder has been in the wars
tonight. Huke seems OK. He is sat on the bench and no doubt reflecting on a
good goal.
39min - Abdulla is straight into action. He races away before teeing up
Nouble. The No10 makes room and then has a go for goal. The shot is blocked
though.
38min - An early change. Huke is going off to be replaced by Ahmed Abdulla.
It looks like Huke has a head injury.
37min - Quashie shoots high and wide but the referee had already blown for a
foul.
36min - In case you are interested, Dyer has changed his front three around.
Nouble has gone to the left, Huke is through the middle and Montano to the
right.
36min - Anderson has a go from distance. Loveday was never worried.
35min - At the other end, Fry recovers well to clear the Thurrock danger.
34min - Zola sets Nouble away down the left. The No10 is lightening quick
and covers 60 yards in no time. He then gets to the byline and pulls the
ball back expertly for Barrett. The No7 connected first time but Woolley was
able to clear.
33min - Highlights of today's game will appear on WHUTV over the weekend, by
the way.
32min - West Ham have done well after the set-back of going a goal down. The
new-look forward line is finding good space and looking hungry.
29min - GOAL! - Seb Huke shows good composure to slot the ball under Woolley
from about 15 yards. It was a nice finish and came after Montano's run and
shot was parried by Woolley into the No9's path.
29min - Huke is clattered by Rob Swaine. The older Thurrock players are
using all their experience.
27min - Electric pace by Nouble sees him fly down the left. He leaves three
defenders in his wake, dances into the penalty area before bringing the ball
on to his left. He shoots but it is low and wide.
26min - A bit of a mix-up between Fry and Montano leads to a Thurrock
corner. Loveday is again fouled and West Ham clear their lines.
24min - Free-kick to Thurrock in a dangerous central position. Flynn is over
it. He fires in a rasping left-foot drive that Loveday tips over the bar.
Great effort.
23min - Great play by Nouble. He glided past two defenders and strode into
the area. With everyone expecting a shot, he slid in Montano who was poised
to go for goal when a Thurrock defender stuck his leg out for a corner. Fry
got on the end of the Barrett flag-kick but it came to nothing.
22min - Loveday is still receiving treatment. He took a whack in the face
but should be OK to continue.
21min - Loveday is flattened after a deep ball into the box. Free-kick to
West Ham.
20min - Nearly a second for Thurrock. Another cross from the left just
evades David Bryant who was at full-stretch.
19min - Huke tries to breakaway from a swift counter but his adjudged to
have strayed offside.
18min - GOAL! - Phil Anderson converts from close-range after Lee Flynn had
caused all sorts of problems. It came from a burst down the left and low
cross. Loveday could not do anything about it.
16min - Barrett is upended in midfield. A free-kick forward for the Hammers
finishes with Fry earning a corner. Barrett comes across to take it - but
the ball is overhit and runs out for a goal-kick.
15min - Decent delivery from Barrett but the ball is cleared. It eventually
falls to Nouble who tricks his way past Phil Anderson before his shot is
blocked by Paine. A quick counter sees Orilonishe burst through on goal.
Only a last-ditch tackle from Zola prevents a clear shooting opportunity.
The referee deemed that a foul. From the free-kick, the West Ham wall does
its job.
14min - Huke forces the first corner of the game.
13min - Fola Orilonishe does even better for Thurrock at the other end.
Finding space 20 yards from goal, he unleashed a right-foot drive that had
Loveday scrambling across. It just fizzed wide of the post.
12min - Well done Nouble. He picked the ball up inside his own half and ran
at the left-back. As he approached the area, he slid the ball out to Brookes
who then made space before crossing. The ball fell to Nouble again and he
worked an opening before firing wide to the keeper's right. Bright play.
11min - Quashie tries to set Huke free on the left but the pass is overhit.
Unlucky though as the German U20 team-mate of Savio had made a good run.
10min - Nouble did well there. The No10 chased down a loose back-pass and
gave Woolley a scare. The keeper just about got the ball away though.
9min - Davenport lofts one forward for Huke but it runs through to Joe
Woolley in the Thurrock goal.
8min - Nice control on the chest from Huke there. He then laid it off nicely
for Montano but the ball just ran out of play.
7min - The game is a little scrappy at the moment. West Ham are building
from the back through Brookes and Fry whenever they can.
6min - Wayward pass from Matt Paine for the hosts just as they looked like
building their first attack.
5min - Nouble is dropping deep to help the midfield. He has two defenders on
him when he receives the ball at the moment.
4min - Neat interchange between Quashie, Zola and Huke there. West Ham have
started by zipping the ball around well.
3min - Cristian Montano looks to have a free role around Huke and Nouble.
Zola is to the left of the midfield three with Barrett to the right. Quashie
is in a holding role between them.
2min - A rampaging run by Matty Fry from left-back only finishes with a
Thurrock defender forcing a goal-kick.
1min - Sebastian Huke and Frank Nouble get us under way. The pair exchange a
handshake before the off. Barely 18 seconds later Calum Davenport is
flattened by a late challenge from David Bryant. That was a fierce one from
the Thurrock No9.
KICK-OFF
8pm - Think we are going to be even later. Nigel Quashie is only just
leading out the team now. The midfielder has the captain's armband having
worn it in the 1-1 draw at Cambridge United a week ago.
7.55pm - There is a healthy crowd here now. Just to remind, the kick-off has
been delayed until 8pm because of traffic problems in the area.
7.53pm - West Ham will be wearing the 2009/10 away strip this evening. The
players are back in the dressing room, receiving a team talk from Alex Dyer
while the Thurrock team continue on their warm-up drills.
7.51pm - This is the last pre-season fixture before the first team fly to
China for the Barclays Asia Trophy. A total of 24 players from those who
featured in the Austrian training camp over the past two weeks are set to
travel to Beijing. whufc.com will have full coverage of the China trip,
including Wednesday's opening match against Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile,
the Under-18s have a friendly against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.
7.50pm - We've just had Purple Rain by Prince played by the PA. Quite
fitting considering the clouds amassed to the right of the ground and the
earlier shower. So far though the sun is holding its own and we have a
perfect setting for an evening's football.
7.33pm - As well as the absent Okus, Danny Kearns is still working his way
back to fitness after a muscle injury. He is back in training though.
7.32pm - Because of the traffic problems, we are going to get under way at
8pm. Kick-off is delayed by 15 minutes.
7.30pm - Bright sunshine now over this part of south Essex. with the stadium
in the shadow of the QEII Bridge and close to the Lakeside shopping centre.
The crowd is building as well with many having had to cope with the Friday
night traffic on the M25 and A13. Goalkeeping coach Jerome John is putting
Loveday through his paces with the rest of the Hammers contingent making
their way on to the pitch for the warm-up.
7.22pm - We have just been handed the Thurrock team-sheet. It reads: Joe
Woolley, Lee Flynn, Phil Anderson, Rob Swaine, Kenny Clark, Matt Paine, Matt
Bodkin, Leon Lalite, David Bryant, Paul Lima and Fola Orilonishe.
7.20pm - We may see a 4-3-3 formation from the visitors with Cristian
Montano, Nouble and Huke in the attack with Zola, Quashie and Nick Barrett
in midfield. Iceland Under-21 defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson will partner
Calum Davenport in central defence with Brookes and Matt Fry at full-back.
Peter Loveday will start in goal although we may well see Deniz Mehmet in
the second half.
7.16pm - Here comes the rain. Talk about extreme weather - the rain is
coming down hard and fast. It is going to make for a zippy playing surface.
7.10pm - The players have just come out for a look at the pitch, which looks
in great condition from here. Frank Nouble is deep in conversation with new
team-mates Ahmed Abdulla and Tony Brookes. The striker towers over both of
them and will be hoping to put in a good performance on his West Ham debut.
7pm - Welcome to the Ship Lane home of Thurrock FC for the latest friendly
encounter for Alex Dyer's reserves. The second string have been boosted
again by the presence of Calum Davenport and captain Nigel Quashie. Up front
there is a debut for new recruit Frank Nouble alongside German triallist
Sebastian Huke. The starting XI also features Andrea Zola - the manager's
son - who has been training at the club. Conor Okus is missing with a slight
hip problem while Robert Hall is away on England Under-17 duty.
Thurrock: Joe Woolley, Lee Flynn, Phil Anderson, Rob Swaine, Kenny Clark,
Matt Paine, Matt Bodkin, Leon Lalite, David Bryant, Paul Lima, Fola
Orilonishe
Subs: to follow
West Ham United: Peter Loveday, Tony Brookes, Calum Davenport, Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson, Matthew Fry, Cristian Montano, Nick Barrett, Nigel Quashie,
Andrea Zola, Sebastian Huke, Frank Nouble
Subs: Deniz Mehmet, Callum McNaughton, Simone Bezzicheri, Eoin Wearen, Ahmed
Abdulla
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Nouble prize on debut
WHUFC.com
A first goal on his first start for West Ham United capped a memorable
night's work for Frank Nouble
24.07.2009
Frank Nouble made it a debut to remember with a last-minute winner as a West
Ham United XI won by the odd goal in five at Thurrock on Friday night.
The 17-year-old striker only signed in midweek but was quickly in the groove
in his first outing in West Ham colours. He kept his cool to score from
Cristian Montano's killer pass after the hosts had seemingly earned a draw
through David Knight. It was Nouble's first game of pre-season, having only
had a double training session with his new club the day before the fixture,
but he still managed the full 90 minutes.
Irish youth international Eoin Wearen, still only 16, had headed the Hammers
in front with eleven minutes to play after Phil Anderson had scored the
first goal of the game and triallist Sebastian Huke had equalised on the
half-hour mark. It was an entertaining contest at the Ship Lane home of the
non-league club who were often on top and looked perhaps the more likely in
the closing stages.
Huke, a German youth international colleague of Savio's, began in a
three-man attack also featuring the excellent Cristian Montano and Nouble.
All eyes were on the latter though because of his switch this week from
Chelsea and he did not disappoint with some good bursts of pace and neat
touches in the opening stages. The youthful Hammers team were also reliant
on the experience of Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie, who was captain for
the night.
Reserve-team manager Alex Dyer also gave a run-out to Andrea Zola, the son
of the manager, with the midfielder getting the first 45 minutes before
making way for triallist Simone Bezzicherri. Huke only lasted 38 minutes as
a stray elbow meant an early substitution and chance for 17-year-old Ahmed
Abdulla who was to prove pivotal to the Hammers attack in the second half.
Dyer is set to take a Hammers XI to Kingstonian next Friday night, with all
those on view perhaps hoping to stake a claim for a spot in the glamour
pre-season friendly against SSC Napoli on Saturday 8 August. The first-team
squad are heading to China this coming week for the Barclays Asia Trophy -
starting with a derby date against Tottenham Hotspur at the Beijing Workers
Stadium on Wednesday 29 July.
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Sears strikes again
WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears was on target again for Crystal Palace in a 3-0 win over
Bristol Rovers this weekend
25.07.2009
Freddie Sears scored a superb solo goal for Crystal Palace as they ran out
3-0 winners against Bristol Rovers. After two half-chances in the opening 19
minutes, Sears struck soon after. The 19-year-old expertly controlled a long
ball from Clint Hill, before cleverly flicking the ball over his marker's
head and finishing low and hard with his left foot. More good work from
Sears in the second period almost set up his strike partner Danny Coyle,
whose shot just clipped the top of the crossbar. The Academy product then
came close to grabbing his second when he made some space for himself before
flashing a shot across the face of the Rovers' goal. Two late goals from
Neil Danns and Alessane N'Diaye completed the scoring for the Eagles in
Friday night's fixture. Sears, who also scored twice during Palace's tour of
the United States earlier this month, will be looking to hit the net again
when the Eagles take on League One new-boys Norwich City at Selhurst Park on
Tuesday evening.
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Narrow loss for U18s
WHUFC.com
West Ham United went down to a 3-2 friendly defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on
Saturday
25.07.2009
West Ham United Under-18s fell to a narrow pre-season defeat by the odd goal
in five at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
A fast-paced, entertaining encounter saw Assistant Academy Director Paul
Hilton give a number of first-year scholars and schoolboys an extended
outing, with the two clubs agreeing to allow rolling substitutions at Spurs
Lodge.
Goalkeeper Jake Larkins, midfielder Blair Turgot and forward Daniel Purdy
all impressed for HIlton's youthful-looking side.
The Hammers, without many of the second-year scholars who were involved in
the reserve team friendly at Thurrock on Friday evening, took an early lead
through Purdy, only for Spurs to hit back with three goals of their own
either side of half-time.
Turgot's penalty reduced the arrears just after the hour-mark, but Hilton's
team - cheered on by watching second-years Cristian Montano, Nick Barrett
and Ahmed Abdulla - were unable to muster an equaliser in the closing
stages.
West Ham started the better of the two sides and it was no surprise when
Republic of Ireland youth international Purdy latched on to Turgot's pass
before slotting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner after just four
minutes.
Ten minutes later and Purdy came within a lick of paint of doubling the
visitors' lead, only to see his acrobatic volley thud back off the crossbar.
Having survived that let-off, Tottenham hit back strongly and levelled
matters on 23 minutes. Further goals followed on 49 and 60 minutes - the
second a penalty - as the home side took control of proceedings.
West Ham could easily have equalised in between Spurs' second and third
goals, only for Mathias Fanimo to see his rasping 25-yarder fumbled on to
the crossbar by the home goalkeeper. Turgot headed in the rebound, only to
be denied by the assistant referee's flag for offside.
However, the midfielder did not have to wait much longer to get his name on
the scoresheet, confidently slotting home his spot-kick after Daniel Subuola
had been bundled over inside the penalty area.
Both sides continued to press for more goals and Purdy twice shot straight
at the goalkeeper when well-placed. At the other end, West Ham stopper
Larkins produced a superb reaction save to deny the Tottenham left-back in
the dying seconds.
West Ham United U18: Larkins, Smith, Sanchez, Lampe, Driver, Turgot, Moncur,
Fanimo, Vose, Purdy, Subuola
Used subs: Brown, Wearen, Werndly, Craig
Unused subs: Mehmet, McNaughton
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West Ham United's Julien Faubert Interests Bayer Leverkusen
The French winger could be set for a move to the Bundesliga...
25 Jul 2009 14:17:32
West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert has attracted the attention of
German side Bayer Leverkusen, according to The Daily Star. Fellow Bundesliga
side Schalke reportedly stated their interest in the Frenchman recently, and
the winger now seems to be in high demand. The former Bordeaux midfielder
has said that he does not know where his future lies, but he has also
insisted that he would be happy to remain at Upton Park. The 25-year-old
spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Madrid, a move which
baffled the footballing world, but he has now returned to the Hammers, and
has taken part in the club's pre-season preparation. The France
international has been at Upton for the past two years, but suffered a
serious injury blow before the 2007/2008 Premier League season and so his
appearances have been limited. Leverkusen are looking to strengthen their
squad for the new Bundesliga season, and have targeted the Frenchman who
would cost in the region of £5 million.
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has recently said that the player is still
being assessed by the club and added that they will make a decision on his
future in the next few weeks. But it is thought that if a bid for him came
in, then Zola would be happy to sell.
Nick Turner, Goal.com
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Gianfranco Zola's Son Makes Debut For West Ham United XI
Zola Jnr. lined up against Thurrock in a 3-2 victory last night...
25 Jul 2009 09:17:32
The son of West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola made his first appearance
for a club XI last night, during a 3-2 victory over Thurrock. Andrea Zola,
an 18-year-old midfielder who operates on the left hand side, played the
first 45 minutes for a team largely consisting of youth team players, before
being replaced by Simone Bezzicherri.
But Zola Jnr's performance was overshadowed by a debut goal for new signing
Frank Nouble, a 17-year-old striker. Nouble only arrived at West Ham in
mid-week after opting to leave Chelsea, choosing the Hammers over fellow
London club Arsenal. He brought a successful end to an extremely busy week
as he scored the decisive goal in the last minute of the game. Zola has
recently spoke of his delight in signing Nouble, telling the club's official
website, "We are delighted to have Frank here. "Everyone has spoken about
how he is a talented boy. He is young, enthusiastic and the type of player
we like. "So we will welcome him, try to improve him further and hopefully
he will help make us better too."
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com
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Dean Ashton's West Ham future in doubt as Gianfranco Zola drops him from
trip
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has left Dean Ashton out of a
pre-season trip to Austria, adding to the belief that the forward is likely
to leave Upton Park this summer, with Stoke City the favourites to sign him.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 10:10AM BST 24 Jul 2009
Though Ashton is injured and would have taken no part in matches on the
club's pre-season tour of Austria, Zola did include other injured players in
the travelling party.
Aside from his ankle injury, West Ham staff are believed to have been
unhappy with the England striker's general levels of fitness upon returning
to the club after the summer break, according to a report in the Mirror.
Ashton is also facing the possibility of missing out on the club's trip to
China where they will play in a tournament including Tottenham, Hull City
and Beijing. Bedevilled by persistent and serious injury during his time
with the club, Ashton has only made 46 appearances in four seasons and, at
£70,000-a-week, Zola is prepared to sell a player rated at around £5
million. Ashton only signed a new five-year deal last year but has yet to
play since the arrival of Zola and has not even featured in training for 10
months. Stoke manager Tony Pulis has previously expressed an interest in
Ashton and the latest developments are likely to prompt fresh inquiries.
Zola is currently exploring the possibility of signing Barcelona forward
Eidur Gudjohnsen, whom he played with at Chelsea, to augment a callow
striking group that has only Carlton Cole and Luis Jimenez as experienced,
front line strikers.
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West Ham boss Zola frustrated with Ashton fitness
25.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Dean Ashton's future at West Ham United is in serious doubt. Hammers chiefs
were unhappy with the England striker's fitness when he reported back for
training and left him out of their 10-day trip to Austria - despite taking
other injured players. The Mirror says Ashton will also be frozen out of the
club's forthcoming trip to China, where they will play Spurs and Hull or
Beijing. Senior figures at Upton Park are frustrated at Ashton's inability
to even train and it is understood manager Gianfranco Zola is planning for
the new season without the £7million man. Stoke are keen on Ashton, 25, and
could now renew their attempts to sign him.
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West Ham open talks with Barcelona's Gudjohnsen
25.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have entered negotiations for Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. The Times says West Ham held talks with Gudjohnsen yesterday but
Barcelona are unwilling to pay a chunk of the forward's wages of £90,000 a
week. Gudjohnsen is keen on a return to England and a reunion at West Ham
with his former Chelsea teammate Gianfranco Zola.
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Swiss youngster Fabio Daprela on brink of West Ham move
25.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Swiss youngster Fabio Daprela is on the brink of a move to West Ham United.
The Times says West Ham are confident of signing Daprela, the Switzerland
Under-19 left back, from Grasshopper Zurich. The 18-year-old would be cover
for Hérita Ilunga, but West Ham face competition from clubs in Italy.
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West Ham bring tour to end with draw
11:53am Friday 24th July 2009
Guardian Series
WEST HAM brought their pre-season tour of Austria to a close with a goalless
draw against ND Mura on Thursday. Gianfranco Zola elected to experiment with
a young team, with Jordan Spence, Bonz N'Gala, Oliver Lee, Josh Payne and
Zavon Hines earning starts. Midfielder Danny Gabbidon continued his
rehabilitation as he started the contest, while there was an encouraging
substitute appearance from Scott Parker.
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