WHUFC.com
West Ham United will play old rivals Millwall in the Carling Cup second
round later this month
12.08.2009
West Ham United will play Millwall in the 2009/10 Carling Cup second round
with the match provisionally scheduled to be played on Wednesday 26 August.
Gianfranco Zola's team, along with a dozen other top-flight sides, join the
competition at this stage with the first round having concluded on Wednesday
night. Last season, in Zola's second match in charge, the Hammers were
knocked out in the third round after a 1-0 defeat by Watford. whufc.com will
confirm the date, kick-off time and ticket news as soon as available.
The clubs have never met in the League Cup before with 22 league encounters
and one FA Cup tie. West Ham have won eight and Millwall five. The most
recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in the Championship back on 16 April 2005 when
Marlon Harewood equalised after an early Barry Hayles strike.
West Ham were 4-1 winners against Macclesfield Town in last year's second
round, but only after Lee Bowyer forced extra time with a late equaliser.
Carlton Cole, Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid all then struck during the
additional 30 minutes to ensure the club's progress.
The club have twice reached the League Cup final but have never triumphed,
losing in 1966 and 1981 to West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool respectively.
This year's final will be staged at Wembley on Sunday 28 February 2010.
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Green and Cole impress
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were well represented by Robert Green and Carlton Cole for
England on Wednesday
12.08.2009
Netherlands 2-2 England
Robert Green and Carlton Cole led the way for the West Ham United contingent
as Fabio Capello's side battled back well in a competitive friendly in the
Netherlands.
Green got the nod for the third consecutive international and turned in a
competent display. He was certainly not at fault for the two Dutch strikes
in the first half with mistakes from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry
contributing to the goals for Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart
respectively. It was a different story in the second half with Jermain Defoe
soon scoring on the counter before poaching the equaliser from close range
on 76 minutes - with Cole more than contributing to the comeback.
Defoe was one of six players on the pitch in the second half at the
Amsterdam ArenA to have emerged from the Hammers Academy. He along with Glen
Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick all
spent time under the expert guidance of Tony Carr. That contingent and Green
were joined by Cole in the 59th minute as a replacement for Wayne Rooney.
Cole was a constant threat on his third international appearance not least
with a sublime piece of control, skill and shooting in the 69th minute with
an effort that just fizzed past the post. He won several headers and had the
Dutch defenders on the back-foot throughout, all in all giving Capello
plenty of food for thought for next month's potentially decisive FIFA World
Cup qualifier against Croatia. Matthew Upson did not get the chance to add
to his 15 caps.
Former West Ham and England striker Teddy Sheringham was among those quick
to praise Cole for his performance. "Carlton Cole was fantastic when he came
on," he said. "He held the ball up brilliantly."
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Wales reunite defensive duo
WHUFC.com
Club-mates James Collins and Danny Gabbidon got a vital game under their
belts for Wales on Wednesday
12.08.2009
Montenegro 2-1 Wales
James Collins and Danny Gabbidon appeared to come through unscathed as John
Toshack's Wales just lost out in a fiery friendly in Podgorica.
It was a particularly noteworthy evening for Gabbidon who has enjoyed a good
pre-season with West Ham United but was making his first international
appearance since December 2008. The 90 minutes he got on Wednesday evening
will serve him and the club in good stead, and he had the added benefit of
appearing alongside his club colleague Collins, who played for just over an
hour.
Further forward, Jack Collison got another international run-out in midfield
with the full 90 minutes. The home side had taken the lead just after the
half-hour mark when Gabbidon's foul on Simon Vukcevic led to Stevan Jovetic
scoring from the spot before Radomir Djalovic made it two on the stroke of
half-time.
Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Sam Vokes - who could be up against the
Hammers this weekend - pulled one back with a header soon after the
interval. A touching note from the evening was that the Wales players were
all wearing special badges on their shirts in support of former West Ham
striker John Hartson in his fight against cancer.
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Ilunga and Spector lose out
WHUFC.com
Defensive duo Herita Ilunga and Jonathan Spector saw their national sides
come up short in midweek
12.08.2009
Herita Ilunga was on the losing side in the French city of Blois in an
all-African friendly encounter on Wednesday night.
The DR Congo left-back returned to the country where he made his footballing
name with Saint-Etienne and Toulouse for the exhibition match against
Senegal on the banks of the river Loire. After a goalless first half, the
Senegal team came out on top in the second half. Both teams have long been
eliminated from 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying and in turn have failed to
make next January's CAF African Cup of Nations.
Later on Wednesday night, Jonathan Spector was an unused substitute as the
United States lost 2-1 to Mexico in a World Cup qualifier at the Azetca
Stadium. The match appeared destined to finish in a 1-1 draw until a late
winner from Miguel Sabah. Spector was pipped to the right-back berth by the
experienced Steve Cherundolo.
The result moves Mexico to within a point of the second-placed US in
CONCACAF qualifying for next summer's World Cup in South Africa. The top
three teams in the six-nation table will automatically qualify with the
fourth-placed country to feature in a play-off against a South American
qualifier.
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The old foe return
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have drawn Millwall in the second round of the Carling Cup.
The two local rivals get the chance to go head-to-head once again after
tonight's Carling Cup second round draw pitched them together. With Premier
League West Ham gaining home advantage, the League One side will go into the
game as massive underdogs - although it is nearly twenty years since United
last beat their most bitter of rivals. Since the Irons won a Division Two
fixture 3-1 at the Boleyn back in February 1991, the teams have met six
times with the Lions winning three and the remainder drawn. Most recently,
the sides drew 1-1 in a Championship fixture at the Boleyn four years ago.
The tie is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 26th August; ticket details
to be confirmed.
Carling Cup second round draw
West Brom v Rotherham
Norwich v Sunderland
Tranmere v Bolton
QPR v Accrington
Bristol City v Carlisle
Leyton Orient v Stoke
Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday
Hull v Southend
Leeds v Watford
Cardiff v Bristol Rovers
Portsmouth v Hereford
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Wolves v Swindon
Gillingham v Blackburn
Blackpool v Wigan
Southampton v Birmingham
Preston v Leicester
Newcastle v Huddersfield
West Ham Utd v Millwall
Hartlepool v Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough
Reading v Barnsley
Swansea v Scunthorpe
Doncaster v Tottenham
Peterborough v Ipswich
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West Ham scared, says Lions boss
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Millwall managing director Andy Ambler has claimed that West Ham's players
won't be looking forward to facing the League One side when they meet in the
Carling Cup later this month. Ambler, who will no doubt be secretly
delighted at pulling a money-spinning away tie from the hat told
southlondon-today.co.uk: "This is a chance for Kenny Jackett's emerging side
to test themselves against Premier League opposition. "We are all looking
forward to his squad showing off what they can do - though our players will
be looking forward to it more than theirs will."
Ambler, a former Business Operations director with Fulham joined Milwall in
2007 added that he felt the game would be televised live due to it being a
rare occurence these days, with the two sides being literally leagues apart.
"I would like to think the TV cameras will want to be there," he said,
"because it is a long time since we played each other."
Reaction to the draw from the Hammers camp to follow.
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Plaudits for Cole as England draw
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
A strong second half performance from West Ham's Carlton Cole helped England
snatch a 2-2 draw in Holland tonight. The big striker came on as a second
half replacement for Wayne Rooney and played a major role in England's
second half comeback, with Fabio Capello's first choice XI having gone into
the break two goals behind. Although failing to get on the scoresheet
himself - both goals being scored by fellow substitute Jermain Defoe - Cole
was instrumental at the apex of England's attack and played a major part in
the equalising goal. At the other end, Rob Green - who played the entire
game - had a decent night although tomorrow's papers will no doubt highlight
the fact that both of Holland's goals - which came as a result of errors by
Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry - started from short passes by Green. Matthew
Upson, the third Hammer in the squad was an unused substitute. Former
Hammers featuring included Glenn Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Michael
Carrick and Jermain Defoe.
* Junior Stanislas made his debut for England's under 21s as the young Lions
drew 0-0 in Holland last night. The 19-year-old played for 83 minutes beofre
being replaced by on loan Freddie Sears, also making his debut for the under
21s. James Tomkins played for a full 90 minutes.
Holland U21s 0 England U21s 0
Holland: Krul, Janmaat, Van Eijden (Bruma 46), Pieters (Blind 46), Kuiper,
Donald (John 63), Fer (Van Der Heijden 46), Barazite, De Jong, Biseswar,
Emnes (Anita 63).
Subs not used: Nienhuis, Goosens, Leerdam.
Booked: Janmaat.
England: Loach (Fielding 46), Richards (Naughton 58), Gibbs (Bertrand 58),
Mancienne, Tomkins, Rodwell (Smalling 58), Stanislas (Sears 83), Cattermole
(Carroll 71), Delph (Wilshere 58), Rose, Vaughan (Sturridge 46).
Referee: Babak Rafati.
Attendance: 6,500.
Holland 2 England 2
Holland: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Braafheid, De Jong,
Schaars (Da Silva 82), Van der Vaart (Sneijder 46), Robben (Afellay 55), van
Persie (Babel 46), Kuyt (Huntelaar 78).
Subs not used: Vorm, Marcellis, Van Der Wiel, De Zeeuw.
Goals: Kuyt (10), Van der Vaart (38).
England: Green, Johnson, A.Cole (Bridge 84), Ferdinand, Terry, Barry
(Carrick 46), Beckham (Wright-Phillips 46), Lampard, Young (Milner 68),
Heskey (Defoe 46), Rooney (C.Cole 59).
Subs not used: Robinson, Upson, Lescott, Walcott, Hart.
Goals: Defoe (49,77).
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli.
Attendance: tbc.
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West Ham 2009/10 preview
Hammers look for steady improvement in new season
By James Riach Last updated: 12th August 2009
SSN
Star Man: Mark Noble
The longest-serving Hammers player has been a solid performer over the last
few seasons. At only 22 years old expect the tenacious midfielder to grow in
stature with every game.
One to Watch: Luis Jimenez
Coming from Italian side Inter Milan on a season-long loan, 25-year-old
Jimenez comes to Upton Park with the reputation of a flair player. If he
adapts to life in the Premier League he could be an excellent signing.
Fantasy Football pick: Matthew Upson (£3.8m)
A cheap price for a defender who is guaranteed to start if fit, and will
pick up the odd goal from a corner.
Manager: Gianfranco Zola
The little Italian took West Ham to a respectable ninth place in the league
last season despite a lack of managerial experience. His love of attacking
football should continue to entertain fans at the Boleyn Ground.
INS: Fabio Daprela (Grasshoper Club Zurich), Luis Jimenez (Inter Milan),
Peter Kurucz (Ujpesti Football Club), Herita Ilunga (Toulouse).
OUTS: Diego Tristan (Cadiz), Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City), Joe Widdowson
(Grimsby Town), Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace), Kyel Reid (Sheffield United)
Best signing: Luis Jimenez
Sky Bet Odds:800/1
Likely top scorer: Carlton Cole
Possible best XI: Green, Neill, Upson, Gabbidon, Ilunga, Parker, Noble,
Jimenez, Behrami, Ashton, Cole
Predicted finish: 10th
James Riach feels West Ham will be hoping for a season of consolidation in
the Premier League after off-the-field dramas hogged the limelight at Upton
Park last term.
While there was much speculation during the last campaign that the Hammers
would have to sell their prize assets this summer, a change in ownership
will bring some much-needed stability to the club. The collapse of the
Icelandic banking system left previous owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson with
debts of £300million, and Hammers fans will be breathing a huge sigh of
relief now that a takeover has been completed. Asset management group CB
Holding has taken over the running of the club, with new chairmen Andrew
Bernhardt insisting that Gianfranco Zola will have money to spend on new
players - as long as it is "within the parameters of sensible budgeting."
However, Zola's spending in the transfer market isn't comparable to the
clubs who finished around them in the league last year. The likes of Spurs
and Manchester City have splashed the cash on big names while the Hammers
have turned to relatively unproven talents.
The most significant name that has made the move to East London is Inter
Milan's Luis Jimenez - the Chilean attacker has joined on a season-long loan
with a view to a permanent move, and Zola is relishing seeing him in action.
"He is one of those players that has got the qualities that West Ham
supporters like and I think he will fit very well into our team," the
Italian said. "I am sure he will be a success. He is a quality player and
quality players always do well, especially with the way we play football."
The attacking style of play that Zola is keen to instil at the Boleyn Ground
has won many plaudits, but he will be keen to strengthen the back-line with
Lucas Neill possibly on his way out.
Herita Ilunga has put pen to paper on a long-term contract after a
successful season on loan and highly-rated Swiss youngster Fabio Daprela has
signed a five-year-deal after moving from Grasshopper Zurich. But one area
that Hammers fans will be desperate to strengthen is in attack. Zola's side
netted an impressive 42 goals in the Premier League last season but were
devoid of a reliable striker. Carlton Cole had an excellent start to the
campaign and finished with a goals tally of 12, but Zola will want to
bolster his options up front and not have to solely rely on the England
international.
Striking absence
Diego Tristan has been released by the club and Italian forward David Di
Michele failed to secure a contract after his loan expired - with question
marks surrounding Dean Ashton's future, Hammers fans will be desperate to
secure the services of at least one more striker. Young starlet Freddie
Sears burst onto the scene during the 2008/09 campaign, but Zola has decided
to let the 19-year-old earn his stripes on loan at Crystal Palace before
giving him a run in the first team. The likes of Peter Couch, Darren Bent
and Michael Owen had all been touted as possible targets, but Zola will have
to move shrewdly in the market now that these players have gone elsewhere.
However, while there have been no spectacular arrivals at Upton Park so far
this summer, the Irons still have much to celebrate. After the debacle of
the Carlos Tevez affair and the threat of financial meltdown, West Ham fans
may be grateful of a steady season where controversy fails to rear its head.
A safe mid-table finish may be on the cards, depending on the performance of
the new unproven signings.
Betting
Sky Bet's Dale Tempest says: "Last season Zola showed himself to be one of
the most promising young managers in the top flight. His partnership with
assistant Steve Clarke made West Ham one of the toughest teams to beat in
the League. Results faded when Cole, Collison and Behrami got injured but
with all three set to return and some promising young signings I'll be
backing West Ham at 11/10 to finish in the top half of the table. They
finished ninth last season with 51pts and despite the danger of losing
captain Lucas Neill I don't see them going backwards from last season's
impressive performances
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Parker pleased with West Ham preseason form
13.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker is delighted with his form in
preseason. "It's been a good pre-season," Parker told WHUTV. "It's been hard
like all pre-seasons are but I think pre-season has changed over the years.
"When I started out there used to be a bit of hill running and silly running
where you pick up a lot of injuries but this pre-season has been very good
and as a team we have developed a lot and become a lot stronger."
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West Ham battling to keep hold of Man City target Upson
13.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are battling to keep hold of England defender Matthew Upson.
The Independent says West Ham's efforts to prevent Upson leaving Upton Park
for City include the offer of the club captaincy as well as a new four-year
deal. Upson has rejected the latter but West Ham have been placed under no
pressure by their new Icelandic banking owners to sell the player and are
happy to refuse any discussions unless Manchester City move somewhere around
£15m – double the amount they have so far indicated privately they might be
willing to pay. If City did come close to that figure – and they will not –
then manager Gianfranco Zola has indicated that he would be willing to allow
the player to follow his destiny.
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West Ham, Fulham step in for Chamakh
13.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United and Fulham are stepping in for Bordeaux striker Marouane
Chamakh after Arsenal dropped their pursuit. The Daily Mail says West Ham
yesterday emerged as favourites to snatch Chamakh, but it is believed the
bid they are preparing is actually lower than the £6m Arsenal offer laughed
off as ridiculous by Bordeaux.
Fulham's bid could be more credible as Bordeaux are interested in taking
Diomansy Kamara as a replacement. Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson has looked at a
number of striking reinforcements after showing a willingness to sell Bobby
Zamora to Hull City. Chamakh may prefer to wait for Arsenal after receiving
glowing praise from Wenger and stressed his professionalism after scoring in
Bordeaux's 4-1 league opener against Lens on Sunday.
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West Ham submit offer for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh
Transfer gossip 13/08/2009
IMScouting.com
According to reports in France this morning West Ham have submitted a bid
for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. French newspaper L'Equipe suggests
the Hammers have made a five million euro bid for the Morrocan striker with
a 50% sell-on clause. Les Girondins have already rejected a seven million
euro bid for Chamakh from Arsenal who are now believed to be out the
running. Bordeaux have still not responded to West Ham's offer and are
waiting on other transfer targets, Luca Toni of Bayern Munich and Eidur
Gudjhonsen of Barcelona. L'Equipe add that Chamakh may visit Upton Park
early next week for talks with Gianfranco Zola. Fulham continue to be linked
with a move in a possible swap deal with Diomansy Kamara. Chamakh is out of
contract at the end of 2009/2010 and can start talking to clubs over a
Bosman free transfer from January 2010.
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