WHUFC.com
Bondz N'Gala made his first-team debut at Bolton Wanderers but was
understandably downbeat in defeat
23.09.2009
Bondz N'Gala was in philosophical mood after making his West Ham United
debut in the Carling Cup third-round defeat at Bolton Wanderers. Still only
19, the reserve-team captain and Academy graduate became the night's second
debutant when he replaced the other, Manuel Da Costa in the 63rd minute. The
Hammers were a Herita Ilunga goal up by then but Bolton snatched a late
equaliser before killing the game off with two more goals in extra time. "It
was lovely to make my debut but it's not a very nice feeling to lose. It's a
night of mixed emotions really," N'Gala said of the 3-1 reverse. "Everyone
was distraught in the dressing room about losing the game as we want to win
every game."
The Newham-born central defender had to deal with the physical presence and
Premier League know-how of Bolton forward Kevin Davies. "He is a good
player. He knows how to play on his experience and how to win free-kicks so
it was a good experience to play against him. "The game is quite a bit more
physical because you don't get a striker that is as developed as Kevin
Davies in the reserves but it was great experience that I will learn from."
With the new season just seven games old and his first-team debut safely in
the bag, N'Gala is already looking ahead and hoping for more chances to
impress. "I would love to make a few more appearances and prove my worth to
the club."
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Zola on ... Bolton
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd September 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola reflects on a Carling Cup exit at Bolton ...
It was a long night and also a disappointing night. It was an unexpected
defeat. I didn't expect that, to be honest, because the way things were
going on the pitch, I was waiting for the second goal to come at any moment.
It was very disappointing.
[Finishing not good enough?] Well, that was one of the reasons we lost. When
you build up so many opportunities, you need to obviously do better. That
was it, really. When you play teams like them, you can expect in the last
minute that a corner-kick can always produce something. That was a problem.
On the other hand, we defended corner-kicks and free-kicks so well the whole
evening, so I wasn't expecting that. There are moments in the game when you
have to raise your attention a little more and deal with those situations
better.
We wanted to stay in and progress in the competition, but unfortunately that
wasn't the case. Never mind. We are going to make up for it in the next
game.
It's not a great moment for us, obviously, but we're playing good football
and that is encouraging, so we just need to improve a few things. At least
we are producing some good football.
We came here to play our game and it was evident in the way we played. I
don't remember a game where we created so many opportunities. That was it,
really. We just need to be a little bit more precise and we will do better.
We came here to play an open game and it's been an open game, it's as simple
as that.
Diamanti has done well. He is dangerous and, of course, he helps the team.
It's just a moment when things aren't going our way, but if we keep a good
attitude and try to raise our attention a bit more, we'll turn it round.
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Green criticises 'sloppy' performance
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd September 2009
By: Staff Writer
Robert Green has accused his team mates of complacency following last
night's Carling Cup defeat at Bolton. The West Ham and England keeper, who
has shipped six goals in the last week hit out after United conceded three
goals in just over half-an-hour having led the game until the 87th minute.
"We didn't play any football in the second half and I think we're getting
above ourselves, thinking we're better then we are at the moment," Green
told the Evening Standard. "We're in a position where we have to get
results. Like Saturday, we didn't defend well for 90 minutes and didn't take
our chances. We were sloppy at both ends and you know when you come to
Bolton you're going to concede free-kicks and corners and so it proved. "I
think they scored off their 16th corner and with five minutes to go you have
to defend properly. We didn't and it cost us. We didn't play well enough
before or after our goal to kill the game off."
A frustrated Green - who raised his hands in despair to the travelling fans
following one of last night's goals before turning to berate his defence -
maintains that West Ham, who have now lost three games on the bounce, will
have to make a huge improvement if they are to take anything away from the
City of Manchester Stadium next Monday evening.
City - who were beaten by the odd goal in a seven goal thriller at Old
Trafford on Saturday, a week after they smashed Arsenal for four - currently
have a 100% record at home and sit in fourth spot in the Premier League.
"We're going to be big underdogs," added Green, "and they showed on Sunday
what they're capable of. We're going to have buck our ideas up before then
to really nail down what we're about."
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Green slams 'cocky' Hammers
England stopper says defeat was disappointing
By James Riach Last updated: 23rd September 2009
SSN
West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green has slammed his team-mates after their 3-1
defeat to Bolton in the Carling Cup. The Hammers were leading thanks to a
goal from Herita Ilunga but an injury-time equaliser from Kevin Davies and
extra-time efforts from Gary Cahill and Johan Elmander sealed Bolton's
comeback. England keeper Green, who made a number of excellent saves in the
match, was angry at his side for becoming over-confident and not finishing
the game off. "We didn't play any football in the second half and I think
we're getting above ourselves, thinking we're better than we are at the
moment," he told the London Evening Standard. "We're in a position where we
have to get results. Like Saturday (against Liverpool), we didn't defend
well for 90 minutes and didn't take our chances. "We were sloppy at both
ends and you know when you come to Bolton you're going to concede free-kicks
and corners and so it proved. "I think they scored off their 16th corner and
with five minutes to go you have to defend properly. "We didn't and it cost
us. We didn't play well enough before or after our goal to kill the game
off."
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Rob Smashes Hammers
The Sun
Published: Today
ROB GREEN has accused his West Ham team-mates of getting above themselves.
The Hammers' 3-1 Carling Cup exit at Bolton marked a third successive defeat
- and they return to Premier League action at Manchester City next Monday
with just four points to their name. England keeper Green said: "I think
we're getting above ourselves, thinking we're better than we are at the
moment. We're in a position now where we have to get results. "Against
Bolton on Tuesday, we didn't defend well and we didn't take our chances. "We
were sloppy at both ends. With five minutes to go you have to defend
properly - we didn't and it cost us. We didn't play well enough before or
after our goal to kill the game off."
The trip to Eastlands will bring Green, 29, and his defenders up against
in-form former team-mate Craig Bellamy who struck twice in Sunday's
Manchester derby. And the keeper admits there will be no room for error if
Gianfranco Zola's men are to finally kick-start their campaign. He added:
"Craig's a tough opponent. I've played with him over the years and he's
quick and dangerous in one-on-one situations. "He's a quality player and a
player who we'll miss. We're going to be big underdogs. "Manchester City
lost 4-3 on Sunday but showed what they're capable of. We're going to have
to buck our ideas up before then to show what we're about."
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