WHUFC.com
Fabio Capello has again given international calls to Robert Green, Matthew
Upson and Carlton Cole
30.08.2009
Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole could all play their part in
England reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being called again by Fabio
Capello.
The trio have been regulars under the Italian head coach of late and were
always expected to feature in the 24-man selection to play a friendly at
home against Slovenia this Saturday before the all-important qualifier
against Croatia on Wednesday week. Should Capello's side win that Group Six
encounter they will be certain of a place at the finals in South Africa.
The 29-year-old Green has started the last three internationals and has five
caps to his name. His form has been tremendous at the start of the new club
season, with clean sheets in the away win and draw at Wolverhampton
Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers respectively. Upson, 30, is the most
experienced of the trio. He has 15 caps and one goal for his country, and
could get the nod to replace the injured Rio Ferdinand.
Up front, the 25-year-old Cole has retained his place after his excellent
substitute's cameo in the last friendly - a 0-0 draw in the Netherlands on
12 August. That was his third international cap although he is yet to find
the net. He is up and running for West Ham though, with a superb strike
against Tottenham Hotspur a week ago in front of the watching Capello.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Foster (Manchester United), Green (West Ham United), Robinson
(Blackburn Rovers)
Defenders: Johnson (Liverpool), Brown (Manchester United), Upson (West Ham
United), Terry (Chelsea), Lescott (Manchester City), A Cole (Chelsea),
Bridge (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur),
Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Barry (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea),
Carrick (Manchester United), Gerrard (Liverpool), A Young (Aston Villa),
Milner (Aston Villa)
Strikers: Rooney (Manchester United), Heskey (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham
Hotspur), C Cole (West Ham United), Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Cole tipped to shine
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola expects Carlton Cole to be an important figure over the
coming weeks and months
30.08.2009
Gianfranco Zola has backed Carlton Cole to return from international duty
firing on all cylinders. Cole has been the spearhead of Zola's West Ham
United side so far this season, scoring a memorable goal against Tottenham
Hotspur and helping the Hammers to attain positive results against
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.
The 25-year-old also put in an action-packed display for England in the 2-2
friendly draw in the Netherlands earlier this month. However, after playing
three matches in the space of six days, the manager admitted his England
striker was not at his best as Saturday's hard-fought goalless draw at Ewood
Park, approached its conclusion. Cole is again part of Fabio Capello's squad
for the friendly international with Slovenia on Saturday and FIFA World Cup
qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday week, both of which will be played at
Wembley. Zola expects his No1 forward to be a potent threat for both club
and country over the coming weeks and months. "In the first half at
Blackburn he was bright and he was dangerous, but in the second half,
obviously, he didn't have the same standard because of the games he has
played during the week. "You know, with Carlton, I am always really
demanding because I know he can do much better than this, but it is okay. He
was alright and I'm sure he'll be a player who will perform very well for us
this year."
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Internationals in spotlight
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be well represented over the coming week as
national-team duty takes centre stage
30.08.2009
Gianfranco Zola will have to do without a number of players this coming week
because of international duty. As usual, whufc.com will provide full updates
on all the club's national-team players whenever and wherever they are in
action.
Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole
Mainstays of the senior squad, Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole
are all in with a good chance of facing Slovenia this Saturday in a friendly
before the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday week.
Green, 29, has five caps so far, Upson, 30, has 15 appearances while Cole
has played three times at senior level. Both fixtures are at Wembley, with
the second potentially being the fixture that sees England book their place
at the South Africa finals. Fabio Capello's team have won their first seven
fixtures in UEFA qualifying.
Jonathan Spector
After a summer to remember with the United States, Jonathan Spector is
hoping to win his 19th and 20th caps with two important 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers against El Salvador in Utah on Saturday and away to Trinidad and
Tobago on Wednesday week. Still only 23, the versatile Spector played every
minute as the US reached the FIFA Confederations Cup final in July. In
CONCACAF qualifying, the top three teams will reach South Africa
automatically and the US currently occupy third place, although the nation
in fourth will go into a play-off.
Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Jack Collison
With the squad yet to be named, the club's three Welsh internationals could
all face a major date on Wednesday week when Wales try to keep alive slim
hopes of reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals with the visit of Russia.
The 30-year-old Danny Gabbidon has 41 caps while the 26-year-old James
Collins is hoping for his 31st apppearance. Before then, the 20-year-old
Jack Collison, who already has six senior caps, will definitely be on U21
duty on Friday 4 September after dropping down to help Wales in their UEFA
European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Italy in Swansea.
James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas
Tomkins and Stanislas will aim to help England Under-21s take the first step
towards the 2011 UEFA European U21 Championship in Denmark. The Young Lions
begin their Group 9 qualifiers against FYR Macedonia in Prilep on Friday
before heading to Athens to take on Greece four days later. Tomkins has four
caps to his name, while Stanislas made his debut against the Netherlands
earlier this month in a friendly. Club-mate Freddie Sears - on loan at
Crystal Palace - is also involved in the squad.
Savio
The 20-year-old forward has been named in the Germany Under-20 squad to face
South Africa in Pirmasens this Saturday but it remains to be seen whether he
will be able to join up with his country. The 20-year-old forward, capped
twice at this level previously, has been unwell over the past fortnight with
a virus, a frustrating start to the new season after an intensive summer
training programme. Germany have qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup
between 24 September and 16 October.
Fabio Daprela
The 19-year-old left-back, who was an unused substitute in the Carling Cup
tie with Millwall, has headed back to Switzerland for a training camp with
his country's Under-19s - having played for them at the 2009 UEFA European
Under-19 Championship in Ukriane earlier this summer. The Swiss will play
Georgia twice in friendlies over three days - with the first fixture on
Wednesday and the second on Friday. Daprela is the only overseas-based
player in his country's squad.
Danny Purdy
Academy striker Danny Purdy is in the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad to
compete in an eight-nation friendly tournament in Poland from Monday to
Friday.
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Hammers on call
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 30th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson, Rob Green and Carlton Cole have once again been called up to
Fabio Capello's England squad. The Hammers trio, who were all in the squad
for England's recent 2-2 draw with Holland have kept their places in the 24
man selection for the forthcoming clashes with Slovenia and Croatia. England
face the Slovenians at Wembley next Saturday in a friendly, before taking on
Croatia at the same venue the following Wednesday - a game that should
England win, will guarantee Capello's side a place in next summer's World
Cup finals in South Africa. With Rio Ferdinand out of the squad through
injury, Upson is favourite to step in and partner captain John Terry for the
two games. Rob Green, who has kept goal for Capello in England's last two
outings faces stiff competition from Manchester United's Ben Foster for a
starting berth whilst Carlton Cole will battle Jermain Defoe and Emile
Heskey for the chance to partner shoe-in Wayne Rooney in attack. However
there was once again no place for last season's KUMB Player of the Year,
Scott Parker, nor Mark Noble who had been considered an outside bet to make
the 24-man cut.
Full England squad
Foster, Green, Robinson; Bridge, Brown, A.Cole, Johnson, Lescott, Terry,
Upson; Barry, Beckham, Carrick, Gerrard, Lampard, Lennon, Milner,
Wright-Phillips, Young; C.Cole, Crouch, Defoe, Heskey, Rooney.
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Hammers plot swap deal
Zola closes on stopper as Savio bids farewell
Last updated: 30th August 2009
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham and Fiorentina have come to an
arrangement that will see Savio move back to Italy and Manuel da Costa head
in the opposite direction to Upton Park. The swap deal is only on a loan
basis and will be until the end of the current campaign, when both parties
will then reassess the situation. Savio has struggled to establish himself
since joining the Hammers in a big money move from Brescia in January. West
Ham boss Gianfranco Zola conceded earlier in the summer that the 19-year-old
had failed to adapt to the physical demands and pace of English football but
was hopeful he would do so given time. However, it now looks likely he will
return to Serie A for the rest of the current campaign as West Ham close on
a deal for central defender Da Costa. The talented Portugal Under 21
international is keen on a move to England and has previously attracted
attention from Sunderland. Da Costa spent the second half of last season
on-loan at Sampdoria. Fiorentina have been linked with West Ham defender
Matthew Upson, but skysports.com has since learnt the England international
is unlikely to leave East London for Italy.
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Neill weighs up European options
Former Hammers captain could move abroad
Last updated: 30th August 2009
SSN
Former West Ham United captain Lucas Neill could move abroad as he weighs up
options from several European clubs. Sky Sports News understands Neill has
been offered the chance to move to Spain or Germany and is seriously
considering a new life on the continent. The 31-year-old is currently a free
agent after turning down a new deal at West Ham and he was linked with
Premier League rivals Sunderland. Galatasaray, where compatriot Harry Kewell
plays, were also mooted as admirers, but clubs in Spain and Germany have now
shown an interest. Neill continues to train three times a day under the
supervision of an Australian fitness coach. As a free agent, he does not
need to secure a move before Tuesday's 5pm deadline.
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West Ham take craving for quiet life to extreme
Blackburn 0 West Ham 0Chris Brereton, Ewood Park
The Times
A turbulent week for West Ham United finished in more docile circumstances
after an encounter with Blackburn Rovers that has no doubt already been
forgotten by those unfortunate enough to be there.
Gianfranco Zola's side were desperately keen to move into sunnier uplands,
so it is a shame that they were abject on Saturday — with Blackburn as bad,
if not worse.
"It's been a long week with a lot of things going on," Zola said. "I think
we coped very well and we're looking forward to these next few days where we
can rest a little bit and be ready for the next game.
"Today we couldn't give our best for physical reasons, but the players stood
strong on the pitch and didn't concede anything, so it's a very mature
performance." Mature it may have been, but cultured it was not, with
free-flowing, entertaining football at a premium.
Carlton Cole and Luis Jiménez attempted the occasional foray forward, and
Cole squandered West Ham's best chance in the first half by firing over from
close in, but it seemed that a point was all they came for — and all they
got. From that point of view the afternoon was a success, but on every other
point this was a shocker.
Blackburn were no better and failed to raise their game in front of a
restless Ewood Park crowd questioning why Jason Roberts is the only man up
front. Roberts will run all afternoon, but it is becoming increasingly clear
that the role of lone striker is not for him.
He needs help and quickly if Blackburn are to score more frequently than the
solitary goal they have netted this term, and that was from Gaël Givet, a
defender, against Sunderland. David Hoilett, 19, the substitute, showed
glimpses of talent to raise the game above the turgid and David Dunn,
playing in his first Barclays Premier League game in four months after
injury, was impressive.
However, apart from that, Blackburn have some serious questions to answer.
"The creating of chances is not a concern, the taking of chances is a big
concern," Sam Allardyce, the manager, said. "We've played three games, we've
created a whole host of chances over those three matches and we've only
scored one goal from our centre half.
"We got the clean sheet, though, so we've got at least one point on the
board, which reflects the fact that we are off and running. We've got to try
to get two players into double figures this year. It's a must for a
successful season and based on the statistics that we look at, that is an
absolute necessity."
Blackburn Rovers (4-5-1): P Robinson 6 — L Jacobsen 6, C Samba 6, G Givet 5,
P Chimbonda 6 — K Andrews 6, D Dunn 6, V Grella 6, S Nzonzi 6 (sub: D
Hoilett 7, 60min), M G Pedersen 7 — J Roberts 6 (sub: N Kalinic 6, 75).
Substitutes not used: J Brown, B Emerton, Z Khizanishvili, M Olsson, M
Salgado. Booked: Dunn. Next: Wolves (a).
West Ham United (4-3-1-2): R Green 7— J Faubert 6, J Collins 6, M Upson 6, J
Spector 6 — J Collison 6 (sub: R Kovac 5, 87), S Parker 6, M Noble 7 — L
Jiménez 7 (sub: K Dyer 6, 66) — C Cole 7, J Stanislas 7. Substitutes not
used: P Kurucz, D Gabbidon, F Nouble, J Tomkins, Z Hines. Booked: Collins,
Noble, Parker. Next: Wigan (h).
Referee: P Dowd Attendance: 23,421
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West Ham To Swap Savio For Fiorentina's Manuel Da Costa - Report
The striker could be heading back to Serie A, as the Hammers look to
reinforce their rearguard...
Aug 30, 2009 10:15:46 PM
West Ham United could be set to off load striker Savio, who has not really
properly acclimatised to English football since his move from Brescia in
January, and allow the player to return to Italy with Fiorentina. In return,
the Hammers will receive Portuguese Under-21 international defender Manuel
Da Costa, with both deals being loans that will last for the rest of the
season, according to Sky Sports. Nineteen-year-old Savio is highly-rated by
Irons boss Gianfranco Zola, who nevertheless conceded that the youngster is
finding the physical demands of English football difficult to cope with
currently, though he hopes he will adapt given time. Da Costa spent the
second half of last season on loan at Sampdoria, and has previously been
linked with a move to Sunderland. Firorentina were earlier today linked with
a move for West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson, named in the England squad
again today, but Sky is now claiming that such a switch is looking
increasingly unlikely.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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GREEN'S SIZEABLE PROBLEM
Daily Express
Monday August 31,2009
By Tony Paskin Have your say(0)
ROBERT GREEN is desperate for West Ham to add new players ahead of
tomorrow's transfer deadline after claiming that the size of their squad
could hamper their progress.
With Tottenham and Manchester City both taking great strides, Green admits
that last year's flirtation with the Europa League places will be harder to
repeat. Zola has brought in Radoslav Kovac, Luis Jiminez (loan) and, last
week, striker Alessandro Diamanti, but Green fears that if West Ham have
only Diamanti and Carlton Cole as their attacking options, it will mean a
long, hard campaign. He said: "We have doubled the striker tally now. But
it would be nice to have three strikers. It will be harder to get into
Europe this season because we have a smaller squad and other teams have
strengthened. "The same few guys are going to have to battle hard throughout
the season." West Ham made only four changes on Saturday to the side who
were taken to extra-time in the 3-1 win over Millwall in midweek, and it
showed as they tired in the closing stages. The introduction of Junior
Hoilett, 19, on the hour nearly turned the game for Blackburn. His movement
made an immediate difference and he twice went close late on. Canadian
striker Hoilett has been with Rovers since the age of 13 and has spent the
past two seasons on loan in Germany's second division with SC Paderborn and
St Pauli. Midfielder David Dunn was quick to compare Hoilett with a former
West Ham player. Dunn said: "I'd say he's very similar to Jermain Defoe. He
did well in Germany and he's going to be a good player for us."
Blackburn (4-5-1): Robinson 6; Jacobsen 7, Samba 6, Givet 5, Chimbonda 6;
Andrews 6, Dunn 8, Grella 7, Nzonzi 6 (Hoilett 60, 5), Pedersen 5; Roberts 5
(Kalinic 75, 6). Booked: Dunn.
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Fiorentina to bid today for West Ham defender Upson
31.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Fiorentina are interested in West Ham United defender Matthew Upson. The
Viola could move for the England international today as they seek to bolster
their defence before the summer market shuts. Manchester City and Everton
are also keen, but Fiorentina can offer Upson Champions League football,
says Sky Sports.
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Villa boss O'Neill targets West Ham pair Upson, Collins
31.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill wants to make another defensive signing. The
Daily Mail says Villa boss Martin O'Neill wants to sign either Matthew Upson
or James Collins from West Ham before tomorrow's deadline. Wales
international Collins is the cheaper option at around £5m, with England's
Upson likely to cost twice the amount. Upson has also emerged as a surprise
target for Fiorentina, but Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola will only let one of
his centre-backs leave Upton Park.
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West Ham keeper Green: We need more strikers
31.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green hopes the club can sign more
strikers before tomorrow's deadline. Despite signing Alessandro Diamanti
from Livorno for £6m, West Ham are still badly in need of more strikers to
play alongside Carlton Cole and goalkeeper Green said: "We've doubled the
striker tally now! "Hopefully come Tuesday, without wanting to put any
pressure on anybody, it would be nice to have three strikers."
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West Ham boss Zola: Give me two more strikers
31.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola admits he still hopes to add to his
squad before tomorrow's transfer deadline. He said: "There are still two
days before the market closes and I'm still on my toes. "I would love to
keep all the team I have and add a striker or maybe two that I need. "There
are things to be considered at the club and, to be honest, I don't know what
is going to happen."
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