'The team is alive'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has spoken of the togetherness in his squad ahead of the
visit of Arsenal
23.10.2009
Gianfranco Zola believes the unity within the ranks of his West Ham United
squad will see them through their current sticky patch.
Zola's side will play host to high-flying Arsenal on Sunday boosted by a
virtually fully-fit squad. Zola welcomed back Kieron Dyer as he put his
players through their paces at the Boleyn Ground on Friday. The midfielder
was back in training after recovering from a muscle strain and his return
has swelled a group already boosted by the return of several key players in
recent weeks. Only long-term absentees Calum Davenport, Luis Boa Morte and
Dean Ashton remain sidelined.
With any injury worries behind him, Zola has been able to focus on
motivating his players to get their first maximum on home soil this season
and from the evidence he has seen in training, that should not be too far
off.
"I know that it hasn't been a good start and I question myself all of the
time," Zola said. "I just look at the situation and I look at the group and
the way they train and if they are positive or negative.
"You can only see the thing from the outside and see that the results are
not coming but from me I see them all of the day and see the way they train
and it is not a team that is going to struggle. If we train like that we are
not going to have a problem. They are going to come out of this situation
and they are going to come out of this situation soon."
The togetherness Zola sees has allowed an honest de-brief about what could
be improved on in recent matches.
"We spoke about the recent performances and the mistakes we made and
everybody realises that. It is a very compact group, a very good unit. They
all have the desire to change the situation and we are working on that.
"Things will change quickly. Sunday is a difficult game and nobody is
expecting anything from us but the team is alive and is determined to react
to the situation."
The game presents the Hammers with another chance to climb the Premier
League table. A victory on Sunday could potentially move Zola's side up to
15th in table if other results go their way.
"This game is as much about psychologly as anything else so I think it is
important that we get some points as soon as possible. We know we are not
far away from where we want to be. It's not the position - it's to get the
comfort back of getting points week in week out that would make a big
difference.
"The table is very short and if you end up winning two games you might find
yourself in the upper-middle part of the table. It's just about getting the
confidence up, performing well and getting points, which is something that
is not happening right now."
The Gunners will certainly be no walkovers, though. Wenger's men have scored
in every competitive match they have contested this season, netting an
impressive 40 goals in 14 games in all competitions. However, Zola is
determined to stick to his principles and not dampen his own attacking
spirit for the game.
"It's difficult because if you play against Arsenal only trying to stop them
it is a lost cause. They have so many players that can score goals. It will
be about how we can cause them problems. They score a lot but they also
concede a lot so we will be looking to exploit their weaknesses.
"We will pay attention to the strike force that they have but at the same
time the secret for me will be punishing them when they concede those
situations to us."
Although things may have not been going quite as planned results-wise of
late, the manager's confidence in himself and his squad has helped him
remain focused on the task in hand.
"The motivation comes from myself and I don't like to let myself down.
Throughout my career it is something that has been there. I have had
downfalls in my career but always knew I was going to bounce back and that
is what I think is going to happen in this situation.
"It is difficult because I care about these players and I care about this
club and to see them in this situation hurts me. I may not look like it but
I am a warrior."
If the manager does ever feel the need for advice or a forum to sound ideas
in, he explains that his ever-reliant staff - including first-team coaches
Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen - are always on hand.
"I've got my reference points and I speak to them consistently. I speak to
my staff, which is fantastic and we always comfort ourselves and find good
solutions to the problems we have got. I can assure you that last season we
had more than this one."
Sunday's game, which kicks-off at 4.15pm, will present Zola with the chance
of pitting his wits against one the managers he most looks up to. Indeed,
the manager uses Arsene Wenger as a motivation for what he wants to achieve
at West Ham United.
"He is the manager I look up to for the project we are trying to realise
here. I like the style of football he plays and that's the point we want to
get to. We want to follow the same policy. We want to work with the young
players and make them better. That is our project and he is one of the
people I admire very much.
"I like the strength of his character. He has been through some bad moments
but he never changes his attitude to the game. He always plays attacking
football and that is something that I really like in him."
With everything coming together injury-wise, Zola now just needs the same
kind of fortune on the pitch. He is hoping that passion of the Boleyn Ground
crowd can help make that happen on Sunday.
"I think it will be vital the crowd stays with us. In these difficult
moments the players feeling the crowd behind them is very important. I hope
they will be very loud and very supportive as they always have been.
"I can understand it is difficult for them as the team is not producing the
results they want to see. They have to trust that if they are behind the
players the points will arrive."
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Arsenal match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League match
with Arsenal
23.10.2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Arsenal
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 25 October 2009
4.15pm
Referee: Chris Foy
WHUTV - LIVE AUDIO COMMENTARY
• West Ham United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they play
host to Arsenal in their fourth home fixture of the 2009/10 Barclays Premier
League season.
• The Hammers are seeking their first home league victory of the season,
having lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and drawn with Fulham in
their opening three matches at the Boleyn Ground.
• The game will mark the culmination of a week of action to mark the 'Kick
It Out (racism) message. Both sets of players will be wearing t-shirts in
support of the cause during the pre-match warm up.
• Arsenal have won two and lost two of the four league matches they have
contested away from the Emirates Stadium, winning at Everton and Fulham and
losing at Manchester United and Manchester City.
• West Ham are looking for their first win and first goal in five matches
against the Gunners, having lost three times and drawn once since winning
1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on 7 April 2007.
• Gianfranco Zola's side go into the weekend 19th in the Barclays Premier
League table, having mustered five points from eight matches. Arsenal,
meanwhile, sit fourth, with 18 points from eight games played.
• Sunday's match will be the 105th league meeting between the two sides.
Arsenal have won 46, West Ham United have won 27 and there have been 31
draws.
Last time out
Saturday 17 October 2009
Barclays Premier League
Stoke City 2-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac
(Stanislas 83), Noble, Collison (Franco 88), Diamanti (Hines 79), Cole
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Jimenez
Booked: Cole, Faubert, Hines
Goal: Upson 34
Tuesday 20 October 2009
UEFA Champions League Group H
AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Eboue (Ramsey 83), Song,
Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, van Persie (Vela 74)
Subs not used Almunia, Silvestre, Merida, Gibbs, Wilshere
Booked: Clichy, van Persie, Vela
Goal: Fabregas 36
Last meeting
• The teams last met at the Emirates Stadium on 31 January this year, when
they fought out a goalless Barclays Premier League draw.
• The lineups were:
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Vela 36), Diaby (Song
89), Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner (van Persie 68)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Djourou, Gibbs
Booked: Diaby, Vela
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Savio 70), Collison, Cole, Di Michele (Boa Morte 83)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Spector, Lopez, Davenport, Collison
Booked: Collins, Neill
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
31 January 2009 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United
26 October 2008 West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal
1 January 2008 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
29 September 2007 West Ham United 0-1 Arsenal
7 April 2007 Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
5 November 2006 West Ham United 1-0 Arsenal
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions) W 33 D 37 L 50
Next up
• West Ham United will travel to Sunderland for a Barclays Premier League
fixture on Saturday 31 October, kick-off 3pm.
• Arsenal will host Liverpool in a Carling Cup fourth-round tie at the
Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.
Referee
• Monday's referee will be Chris Foy.
• Now 46, Foy started refereeing at the age of 20 in 1983. He joined the
Football League list of assistant referees in 1994 and the Premier League
assistant referees' list a year later.
• Foy became a Football League referee in 1996 before being promoted to the
Premier League list in 2001, taking charge of his first top-flight fixture
in December of that year.
• Foy took charge of the 2007 FA Trophy final between Stevenage Borough and
Kidderminster Harriers at Wembley on 12 May 2007.
• He returned to the national stadium as fourth official for the 2008 FA Cup
final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City before refereeing last season's
Carling Cup final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
• Foy has been actively involved in the 'Don't X The Line' campaign to
eradicate abusive or aggressive behaviour from players and spectators at
junior and youth matches.
• Foy took charge of three West Ham fixtures last season, refereeing the
Hammers' 1-0 defeat at Hull City on 19 October, the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham
Hotspur on 8 December and the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on 21 March.
• This will be Foy's third West Ham United match this season, after he took
charge of the opening day win against Wolves and the 3-1 defeat to
Manchester City on 28 September.
• Foy also took charge of the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and
Manchester United.
West Ham United
• West Ham United are seeking their first home Barclays Premier League
victory of the season at the fourth attempt, having lost out narrowly to
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and drawn with Fulham.
• West Ham United's biggest ever top-flight home win over Arsenal came on 7
March 1927, when the hosts were 7-0 victors. Vic Watson scored a hat-trick,
while Joseph Johnson and Jimmy Ruffell were also on target. Arsenal
contributed to their own demise by scoring two own-goals. On 5 November
1960, the Hammers ran out 6-0 winners, with Dave Dunmore netting a hat-trick
and Andy Malcolm, Phil Woosnam and John Dick each scoring once.
• Carlton Cole is the Hammers leading scorer this season with four goals,
all of which have come in the Barclays Premier League. Cole has also had
more shots in total (27), on target (16) and off target (11) than any of his
team-mates in the Barclays Premier League this season. Cole has also made
more defensive clearances (8) than any other West Ham player. Cole, who has
eleven goals in his last 20 league appearances dating back to last season,
led the way in the scoring charts in the 2008/09 campaign with ten Premier
League goals, one in the FA Cup and one in the League Cup.
• Cole has committed more fouls (27) than any other Barclays Premier League
player this season.
• Robert Green has played 95 consecutive Barclays Premier League games -
more than any other player in the top-flight currently. All being well, he
will reach his unbroken century when Everton visit the Boleyn Ground on
Sunday 8 November.
• Five players - Junior Stanislas, Mark Noble, Matthew Upson (two),
Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole (four) have got on the league
scoresheet for the Hammers so far this season.
• Jack Collison made his West Ham United and Premier League debut as a
substitute in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day 2008.
• West Ham United became the first away team to win at the Emirates Stadium
in a competitive fixture on 7 April 2007, when Bobby Zamora's goal and a
man-of-the-match display from Green helped the Hammers to secure a vital 1-0
victory.
Arsenal
• The Gunners have scored in every competitive match they have contested
this season, netting 27 goals in eight Barclays Premier League fixtures so
far this term. In total, Arsenal have scored 40 times in 14 games in all
competitions.
• Arsenal's top Barclays Premier League scorers this term are Robin van
Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen, who have each netted four times.
The trio, along with Andrey Arshavin, have all scored five times in all
competitions.
• Fabregas, with nine, has more assists than any other player in the
Barclays Premier League this season.
• Arsenal have hit the woodwork six times in the league this season, the
highest total of any team.
• Van Persie has unleashed more shots in total (33), on target (20) and off
target (13) than any other Arsenal player in the Barclays Premier League
this term.
Team news
• Gianfranco Zola has virtually a clean bill of health for his squad ahead
of the game with Kieron Dyer and Danny Gabbidon both taking a full part in
training.
• Scott Parker will also return from a one match suspension but he faces
competition for a place in the team from Radoslav Kovac, who impressed in
the holding midfield role against Stoke City.
• Guille Franco is also pushing for a start after another full week of
training. The Mexican international was an unused substitute against Stoke.
• Terry Dixon made his competitive debut for the Hammers as a substitute in
Monday night's reserve game with Portsmouth as he continues his journey back
to full fitness.
• Frank Nouble could also come into consideration after he impressed in that
game. The 18-year-old got on the scoresheet with a stunning left-footed
strike from distance.
• Long-term absentee Luis Boa Morte (knee) has been back at the club this
week as steps up his rehab, but Dean Ashton (ankle) remains a long-term
absentee with no date set for his return.
• Calum Davenport has spent another week at Chadwell Heath as he continues
to build up his strength work.
• Arsenal will definitely be without England forward Theo Walcott, Brazil
midfielder Denilson (back) and Switzerland defender Johan Djourou (both
knee), while Tomas Rosicky (knee), Eduardo (thigh), Samir Nasri (broken leg)
and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) are all doubts.
Old boys
• Matthew Upson joined Arsenal from Luton Town for £2m in May 1997 at the
age of 18. Upson made a total of 56 appearances for the Gunners over
five-and-a-half seasons before moving to Birmingham City for £1m in January
2003
• Luis Boa Morte was brought to English football from FC Porto in 1997 in a
£1.75m deal, making 25 appearances for Arsenal before leaving for
Southampton for an initial fee of £500,000 in August 1999.
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Jeremie Aliadiere,
James Bigden, Jimmy Bloomfield, Liam Brady, Dick Curtis, George Burgess,
Kaba Diawara, Ted Drake, Stan Earle, Bert Fletcher, Ron Greenwood, Eddie
Hapgood, John Hartson, Les Henley, Fergie Hunt, James Jackson, Bernard Joy,
Fred Kemp, Tom Lee, Harry Lewis, William Linwood, Fredrik Ljungberg, Roddy
MacEachrane, Jimmy Marshall, David Noble, John Radford, Stewart Robson,
Charles Satterthwaite, Laurie Scott, Rami Shaaban, Bill Sidley, Bob
Stevenson, Davor Suker, Charlie Walker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright and
Richard Wright.
General information
• For ticket information click here.
• There are planned engineering works on the London Underground on Sunday.
Most notably, the Central line will be suspended between Liverpool Street
and Leytonstone, with rail replacement bus services operating instead. Upton
Park station and the District line will be operating normally except for
between West Kensington and Richmond and West Kensington and Ealing
Broadway. Click here for more information.
• The weather forecast for Sunday is for a sunny day, with temperatures
expected to peak at around 17C.
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Collison ready for Gunners
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison has told the official matchday programme of his determination
to beat Arsenal
23.10.2009
Jack Collison has told the official matchday programme he is itching to help
West Ham United get back to winning ways when Arsenal pay a visit to the
Boleyn Ground on Sunday.
The 21-year-old returned to the Hammers' lineup for last weekend's 2-1
defeat at Stoke City after a short period out with a minor leg injury.
Collison is expected to retain his starting place when the Gunners arrive,
and the Wales international is determined to help Gianfranco Zola's side end
a run of six league matches without a victory.
In doing so, the popular Academy graduate is also keen to gain revenge for
the 2-0 reverse he suffered on his first-team debut for the club at the
Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day 2008. That day, Collison admitted the
pace of the game, plus the challenge of facing Arsenal and Spain star Cesc
Fabregas, had left him breathless.
Nearly two years on, he is an established Barclays Premier League midfielder
and full international himself, and desperate to get one over Fabregas and
his Gunners team-mates on the day both clubs will show their support for the
Kick It Out campaign.
"I went on that pitch and it felt like I didn't know what I was doing,"
Collison told the matchday programme. "It was all a blur. It was a great
thing, though, for me to make my debut and be out there against top players
like Cesc Fabregas. Since then I have done a lot of growing up on and off
the pitch and I am sure I will give a much more mature display this time if
selected."
In a wide-ranging interview, Collison also talks about the support he has
received following the death of his father Ian in August, his important role
as the club's Kick It Out ambassador, his pride at seeing so many of his
fellow Academy graduates playing first-team football and his happiness at
shaking off the knee injury that blighted the tail-end of his 2008/09
season.
Sunday's programme also features a number of exciting features and
interviews, including James Tomkins' Dream Team, Zavon Hines Talking
Football and the club's support for the Kick It Out campaign.
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Manager staying positive
WHUFC.com
Although things have not gone West Ham United's way in recent weeks, the
manager is optimistic
23.10.2009
Gianfranco Zola is aware his team may be the underdogs against Arsenal on
Sunday but believes the signs are there for a turnaround in fortunes.
WIth the Chadwell Heath treatment room clearing, the manager, Steve Clarke
and Kevin Keen have had more players to work with out on the pitches. Zola
has been delighted with the determination to arrest a disappointing run of
results. In contrast, Arsenal have had a fine run of form, but he is not
worried.
"In my opinion it is just the kind of game that we need," he said. "We are
the underdogs. Nobody is expecting us to do well against Arsenal. But the
spirit of the team is very high and we are going to be working very hard. It
could be a surprise. Certainly we are going to give it our best shot.
"If we keep performing well then sooner or later we are going to get the
points we deserve. We are very close. You can smell it, you can sense it is
very close. We just need the victory that would guarantee a little more
comfort to the players and a little bit of confidence. Everything should be
starting to work in the right direction again."
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West Ham v Arsenal
BBC.co.uk
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Premier League
West Ham v Arsenal 16:15
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 25 October 2009 Kick-off: 1615 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio & highlights on
Match of the Day 2
TEAM NEWS
Scott Parker returns from a one-match ban for struggling West Ham, while
Kieron Dyer (hamstring) could feature. Mexico international forward
Guillermo Franco is hoping for his debut after building his fitness in the
reserves.
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is fit again after six weeks out with a
virus and is pushing for a recall. Striker Eduardo is expected to return
from injury, but Niklas Bendtner (groin) and Tomas Rosicky (knee) are
doubtful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham
Suspended: None Doubtful: Dyer (hamstring)
Injured/unavailable: Ashton (ankle), Boa Morte (knee), Davenport (leg)
Arsenal
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Bendtner (groin), Nasri (fitness), Rosicky (knee)
Injured: Denilson (back), Djourou & Walcott (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Arsene Wenger says he is "really convinced" his Arsenal team can win a
trophy this season, having failed to get his hands on any silverware since
winning the 2005 FA Cup.
"It is just the kind of game that we need...Nobody is expecting us to do
well against Arsenal - it could be a surprise"
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola
Based on recent form it is not difficult to see why Wenger, who has just
turned 60, is so confident. Four straight wins in the Premier League have
lifted the Gunners to within four points of leaders Manchester United with a
game in hand.
Arsenal are winning in some style too; they are the Premier League's leading
scorers by five clear goals, having found the net 27 times in eight games.
Arsenal's recent run contrasts sharply with that of West Ham, who haven't
won since the opening day of the season. That 2-0 victory at Wolves must
seem a long way off now for manager Gianfranco Zola, who said this week that
the incentive of a place in England's World Cup squad should bring out the
best in his key players.
If Arsenal's strikeforce continues to fire on Sunday, West Ham and England
goalkeeper Robert Green should certainly get plenty of chance to impress
Fabio Capello.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Arsenal won this fixture 2-0 last season with an own goal and a late
Adebayor strike. They are unbeaten in their last four league matches against
West Ham and not conceded a goal in this fixture since a 1-0 home defeat in
April 2007.
• West Ham have won only two of their previous 14 Premier League home
matches against the Gunners.
• Second bottom West Ham haven't won since the opening day of the season
(2-0 at Wolves). If they fail to win today it will be their longest winless
run since an 11-match sequence between December 2006 and March 2007.
• They have picked up just one point at home this season, courtesy of a
stoppage-time equaliser against Fulham.
• Striker Carlton Cole has scored in each of the club's three league home
matches this season, and in their last four in total.
Arsenal
• Arsenal are bidding for a fifth straight league win.
• The Gunners have scored 27 goals in their opening eight league matches
this season - the most by any club in the top flight since Tottenham scored
28 goals in their first eight matches in 1963.
• If Arsenal lose today it will be only the second time in the Premier
League era that they have lost three of their opening five away matches in
the league.
• Robin van Persie has scored in the club's last three league matches.
• If fit, Tomas Rosicky will make his 50th Premier League appearance.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 4 goals (4 league); Stanislas: 3 goals (1 league)
Arsenal
Fabregas, van Persie & Vermaelen: 5 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Steve Bennett
Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Phil Sharp
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (L1-2 v Stoke, a): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami,
Kovac (Stanislas 83), Noble, Collison (Franco 89), Cole, Diamanti (Hines
78).
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Jimenez, Spector, Da Costa.
Arsenal (W3-1 v Birmingham, h): Mannone, Eboue (Wilshere 90), Gallas,
Vermaelen, Gibbs, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby, Walcott (Arshavin 33), van
Persie, Rosicky (Sagna 72).
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Ramsey, Silvestre, Traore.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham (31 January 2009)
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Zola drawing on experience
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola talked about his time as a player at SSC Napoli ahead of
Sunday's visit of Arsenal
24.10.2009
As a player, Gianfranco Zola spent the vast majority of his career at the
very top, challenging for league titles and trophies. Back in 1992/93,
however, it was a different story as Zola's SSC Napoli spent the season
battling against relegation from Italy's Serie A just three years after
winning the championship. Ultimately, the Azzurri fought off the drop,
finishing in eleventh place, just two points clear of relegated Fiorentina.
Now, 17 years later, the West Ham United manager can empathise with the
situation his players find themselves in as they battle clear of the
Barclays Premier League's lower reaches. Zola believes his own experience
will stand both himself and his squad in good stead as they prepare to take
on local rivals Arsenal on Sunday. "Once, in Naples, we were struggling big
time. We were probably in the same situation like we are now. We were
struggling so I know how difficult it is for the players to play in these
situations because the confidence is not at the top. If you want to play
good football, you have to be at the top of your confidence. "I think this
team trains better than we did back then. That is, for me, a good point."
The manager has also been hugely encouraged by the positive approach shown
by his players in training, extending an invite to the reporters who have
suggested that morale in the camp has been affected by recent results. "I
want to point out that, despite the poor league table position, that the
team is playing very well. The attitude is brilliant. "I would love to
invite you to see the training sessions as they are very intensive and very
focused. That is what makes a manager say 'Okay, it's not going to be long
before we start winning matches'."
The positive vibes at Chadwell Heath, coupled with the encouraging
performance in last weekend's narrow defeat at Stoke City, have reinforced
Zola's belief in his own belief in attacking, free-flowing, passing
football. "I won't change. I would rather change my job! It's the way I like
to play. It's the way I believe is right for this club. I won't change my
principles because of some problems. I didn't change last year when I was
having problems as well and, in the end, we came good. "I do the job because
I love to do it in this way and I won't change it. "I never give up. I just
challenge my players. My determination to succeed is stronger than anything.
I will never let myself down. I will never show the players that I am
letting myself down. I want from every one of them to do the same thing. "We
all have problems. Life is like that. You have problems in front of you. One
thing that I want from the players and I impose on myself is not to look at
the problems but to look at the solution to the problems. That's what I want
from my players."
While he is demanding of his players, the manager is also setting himself
high standards as he attempts to turn things around. Zola even admitted that
he has been sacrificing sleep in order to spend as much time as possible
plotting a route up the Barclays Premier League table. "Absolutely. That is
the point. As a player it was easy because I would stick to my job and I
would work harder. As a manager you have to rely on your players. I will be
even more supportive to them. I will be more strict if I need to be strict,
and I will be more inventive to find solutions to problems. "I can tell you
that this situation is pushing me a lot and it is a test for me, and I'm
really working hard to sort it out. "It does give me sleepless nights. It is
a job, you can imagine, where you have to look after so many things. You go
from one aspect to another and you're always looking for solutions. It is a
job that keeps you very busy."
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Mehmet ready for World Cup
WHUFC.com
Deniz Mehmet begins his FIFA Under-17 World Cup challenge with Turkey on
Sunday afternoon
24.10.2009
Academy goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet will begin his quest to become a FIFA
Under-17 World Cup winner on Sunday. The 17-year-old has been named as the
No1 stopper in Turkey's squad for the tournament, which gets underway in
Nigeria on Saturday afternoon. Turkey, who have reached the tournament for
the second time in their history after qualifying in 2005, will kick-off
with a Group D fixture against Burkina Faso in Enugu on Sunday afternoon.
Mehmet and his team-mates will take on Costa Rica at the same venue on
Wednesday 28 October before completing their group stage fixtures against
New Zealand in Calabar on Saturday 31 October. Turkey are one of 24 teams
vying for the title of world champions and are one of six European nations
to have qualified alongside Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and
Switzerland. The top two sides in each of the six groups will qualify for
the knockout stages, alongside the four best third-placed countries. The
FIFA U17 World Cup is being held for the 13th time this year, having first
taken place in China in 1985, when this year's hosts Nigeria were the
winners. Turkey reached the semi-finals in their only previous appearance
four years ago before losing 4-3 to Brazil. They were then edged out 2-1 by
the Netherlands in the third-place play-off. The Turks' passage to this
year's tournament was only secured by a 1-0 win over England in the group
stage at this summer's UEFA European U17 Championship finals in Germany.
Mehmet starred in the game, making a serious of superb saves to ensure his
nation's progress. Mehmet is one of two English-based players named in
Abdullah Ercan's 21-man squad, with Millwall midfielder Kamil Corekci also
included. The coach is confident of success, saying: "To achieve something
like winning the FIFA U17 World Cup, you need to pass through a certain
process. We finally did that, and now we're one of the strongest candidates
to win the tournament."
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Player signing sessions
WHUFC.com
There will be two chances for fans to meet the players at the club stores
next week
24.10.2009
West Ham United fans will get the chance to meet some of their heroes next
week at two special signing sessions at the club stores. Two first-team
players will be appearing at the Stadium and Lakeside stores next week and
will be on hand to meet supporters and sign autographs. The first session is
at the Lakeside club store on Tuesday 27 October from 3pm with the second
session, which also starts at 3pm, coming two days later at the Stadium club
store.
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Zola expects Hammers surge
Italian coach hoping for reversal in fortune
By Chris Burton Last updated: 23rd October 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola is confident West Ham will become upwardly mobile in the not
too distant future. The Hammers have endured a difficult start to the
2009/10 campaign, with only one victory taken from their eight games so far.
That torrid run of results has left them languishing in the Premier League
relegation zone, and they could host capital rivals Arsenal on Sunday
sitting bottom of the table should Portsmouth take three points from their
trip to Hull City 24 hours earlier. Zola accepts that his side need to start
grinding out results if they are to steer themselves to safety, but he is
adamant that his players are capable of turning the situation around. He
said: "I know it hasn't been a good start and I question myself all the
time. I look at the group the way they train and if they keep doing so with
the same attitude they will not have a problem. "They will come out of this
situation brilliantly. That's my thought and I hope I'm right. This game is
about psychology. It is important we get some points. We are not far away
from where we want but we need results. "We need the comfort back of getting
points. The table is very tight. If you end up winning two games you might
find yourself in the middle of the table. Don't be surprised if things
change quickly."
Zola admits West Ham's plight has given him cause for concern over recent
weeks, but the Italian insists he has always risen to the challenge when
faced with adversity during his distinguished career. "I don't like to let
myself down," he said. "I have had downfalls in my career but I always knew
I was going to bounce back. That is what is going to happen now. "It is
difficult because I care about these players and about this club. To see
them in this situation hurts me."
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Giovinco rejects Hammers talk
Agent says playmaker will be staying at Juve
Last updated: 23rd October 2009
SSN
Sebastian Giovinco's agent has insisted his client has no intention of
leaving Juventus in January. The Italian playmaker has been linked with a
move to Upton Park for some time and fresh reports have suggested West Ham
will rekindle their interest once the transfer window reopens. It is claimed
the Hammers are prepared to offer Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami to Juventus
in exchange for the 22-year-old. However, Giovinco's representative Andrea
D'Amico has stressed that he will not be going anywhere in the New Year. "He
is not interested in any other option than to remain at Juventus," D'Amico
told tuttomercatoweb.it. "Giovinco is doing well and his only focus is with
the Bianconeri project and nothing else."
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Wenger knew Upson would shine
Gunners boss admits defender wanted regular action
Last updated: 23rd October 2009
SSN
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he always knew defender Matthew Upson
would make the grade in the Premier League. Wenger signed the youngster from
Luton in 1997, but he found first-team chances hard to come behind the likes
of Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Martin Keown. Upson had made 35 Premier
League appearances for the Gunners, including 20 starts, when he finally
moved on to Birmingham in January 2003 for an initial fee of just £1million.
West Ham paid a whopping £7.5million for Upson four years later and Wenger
has conceded that he always believed the talented defender would make the
grade at Premier League level. Wenger admits with first-team chances hard to
come by at Arsenal it was only right to allow him to leave the club and grow
and develop as a player elsewhere. "I knew when he left that he would make a
big career, but at that moment when Matthew was here, he was impatient,"
admitted the Frenchman. "That I could understand as well because I bought
him at Luton and after a few years he didn't play here. "I didn't stop him
[going] because I knew he had qualities to play in the Premiership, but he
had players in front of him that stopped him."
Wenger insisted: "I knew he would make it. "He had Premiership quality and
had the potential to be international quality. "He is there now because he
is at the right age for a central defender and for a few years now he has
not been stopped by injury which was his problem for a while." Upson comes
up against his former club on Sunday and Wenger has confirmed that he has
thought about bringing the England international back to Arsenal, something
he rarely does with ex-players. "Yes, he was always in my mind. Upson has
good quality, good attitude, good spirit," he continued. "But of course this
is not the best moment to talk about that because he is a player at West
Ham. "Three, four, five years ago yes, but now he is settled and has a good
career where he is."
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Zola welcomes Gunners test
Hammers boss ready to tackle Arsenal
Last updated: 23rd October 2009
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola believes a clash with in-form Arsenal is the
ideal encounter to bring the best out of his struggling side. The Hammers
have plunged into the relegation zone after taking a paltry two points from
their last seven Premier League games. Arsenal, in contrast, have enjoyed
four successive victories and make the trip to Upton Park having scored an
impressive 14 goals in that spell. But the diminutive Italian believes that
his troops can upset the odds and insists that one victory could kick-start
their season. Zola told the club's official website: "In my opinion it is
just the kind of game that we need. We are the underdogs. Nobody is
expecting us to do well against Arsenal. "But the spirit of the team is
very high and we are going to be working very hard. It could be a surprise.
Certainly we are going to give it our best shot. "If we keep performing
well then sooner or later we are going to get the points we deserve. We are
very close. You can smell it, you can sense, it is very close. "We just
need the victory that would guarantee a little more comfort to the players
and a little bit of confidence. Everything should be starting to work in the
right direction again."
And Hammers striker Guillermo Franco is eager to be given a starting role
against the Gunners having stepped off the bench to make his debut in the
weekend defeat at Stoke.
The Mexico international, who faced Arsenal in UEFA Champions League action
while with Villarreal, is hoping to be given the chance to partner Carlton
Cole and is confident the club can halt their current slump. Franco said:
"Everybody has been working hard and is determined to turn things around. We
are not in a good moment but I can see plenty of belief in the squad. "I am
ready to play and want to show what I can do for West Ham. I am really
enjoying being at the club and I am happy to be here. We just need to get a
win. We know Arsenal are a strong team and they have lots of good players
but so do we. "I have played against them in the Champions League and I know
what to expect. We have the players to compete with them and the only
talking we can really do to show that is on the pitch."
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West Ham v Arsenal preview
Struggling Hammers tackle in-form Gunners
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 23rd October 2009
SSn
PREDICTIONS
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Arsenal 3
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 11/2 Draw 3/1 Arsenal 8/15
Beleaguered West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola faces another stern test on Sunday
as in-form Arsenal make the trip across London to Upton Park, live on Sky
Sports 1 and HD1.
Zola's position is coming under ever-increasing scrutiny with the Hammers'
only victory of the season arriving on the opening day of the campaign at
Wolves. Five defeats and two draws in the seven games that followed have
seen West Ham slide into the relegation zone with only struggling Portsmouth
below them in the table. They are up against a Gunners side who have taken
maximum points from their last four Premier League outings, scoring 14 goals
in the process, to remain hot on the heels of leaders Manchester United. The
visitors will be eager to help manager Arsene Wenger celebrate his birthday
in style, with the respected Frenchman reaching the age of 60 on Thursday.
West Ham have failed to find the net in each of their last four top-flight
meetings with the North London club, and are relying heavily on the efforts
of Carlton Cole this term, with the England international providing four of
their nine goals.
Arsenal are hoping to have striker Eduardo back in action at Upton Park, but
Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky remain doubtful for the trip to East
London. Eduardo is making good progress from a thigh injury, but Bendtner
(groin) and Rosicky (knee) are rated at only 50-50 with the trio all having
missed the midweek UEFA Champions League draw with AZ Alkmaar. Goalkeeper
Vito Mannone continues to keep Manuel Almunia on the bench despite the
regular No.1 being back to fitness, while Lukasz Fabianski and Samir Nasri
returned for the reserves in midweek but are unlikely to be rushed back.
Forward Theo Walcott (knee), midfielder Denilson (back) and defender Johan
Djorou (knee) remain on the treatment table.
Hammers boss Zola could be tempted to stick with the players on duty for the
2-1 defeat to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium last time out. Despite watching
his troops slip to another defeat, Zola was encouraged by the performance
and believes an upturn in fortunes is just around the corner. Matthew Upson
will be fit to feature despite suffering a cut to his head in a first-half
clash with Ryan Shawcross, with the injury later opened up again by Robert
Huth's swinging arm, an incident which has led to the Potters defender being
banned for three matches.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac, Noble,
Collison, Cole, Diamanti.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Eboue, Fabregas,
Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie.
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Arsene Wenger will show no mercy to struggling Gianfranco Zola at West Ham
Nick Szczepanik, Tom Dart
Telegraph.co.uk
Arsène Wenger understands the situation that Gianfranco Zola is in and
sympathises, but the Arsenal manager will have no mercy on his West Ham
United counterpart when the clubs meet at Upton Park tomorrow.
West Ham are second from bottom and will sink to the foot of the Barclays
Premier League table if Portsmouth win away to Hull City today. Wenger will
attempt to ensure that they stay there by inflicting a third home defeat of
the season on the East London club.
Arsenal are fourth, with a game in hand on the three teams above them, and
Wenger will want them to continue their relatively unheralded challenge for
the title.
"I have a great deal of sympathy for Gianfranco Zola — until Sunday," he
said. "They have lost players and have to cut expenses, and from that point
on things become difficult."
Wenger said he was physically ill after defeats in his early days as a
manager. "So I decided not to lose games," he joked. "It is tough, but if
you love the game, you stay in it and suffer.
"At Nancy [Wenger's first club as manager], as soon as we had a good player
— bye bye. It is a challenge for [Zola] and it was for me. Luckily, West Ham
have always had good young players. When you look at the players who have
won the [title], many of them have come from West Ham.
"The pressure at the top of the table is high, because every time you don't
win, it's treated as a disaster. But at the bottom of the table, there's
more negative pressure. If you do not win, the worst can happen to the club
and you feel a lot more responsible for its safety.
"He will toughen up, don't worry. I was tough when I was younger. Am I more
mellow now? I don't know, but I think you anticipate problems better with
experience. When you are younger you are hit more by things that you can't
anticipate."
Zola also received support and sympathy from Claudio Ranieri, the Roma
coach, who was in charge of Zola at Chelsea between 2000 and 2003. Ranieri
encouraged his former player to tough it out at Upton Park and to find his
best line-up.
"I think he has good players but he has to choose the right players for his
team because last season [there] weren't good players like this season,"
Ranieri said. "Also for me there were bad times, sometimes, but after one
month everything changed. He has to continue and to carry on. I think he is
strong enough — he has to be strong. He is a Sardinian man and Sardinian men
are very, very strong."
At least Zola will not have to worry about losing one of his best players to
Arsenal. Wenger said yesterday that he had considered bringing Matthew
Upson, the West Ham, England and former Arsenal defender, back to the club,
but has abandoned the plan.
Wenger signed Upson from Luton Town in 1997, but he left in 2003 for
Birmingham City after starting only 20 top-flight games for Arsenal.
"I knew when he left that he would make a big career, but at that moment
when Matthew was here, he was impatient," Wenger said. "I didn't stop him
[going] because I knew he had qualities to play in the Premiership, but he
had players in front of him.
"Yes, he was always in my mind, but of course this is not the best moment to
talk about that because he is a player at West Ham. Three, four, five years
ago yes, but now he is settled and has a good career where he is."
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Gianfranco Zola sticks to his guns at West Ham
It may be a dangerous thing to say with your team in the relegation zone,
but Gianfranco Zola said on Friday that he would rather change jobs than
abandon his footballing principles at West Ham – even though their plight is
giving him sleepless nights.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Gerry Cox
Published: 10:30PM BST 23 Oct 2009
West Ham take on Arsenal on Sunday, which will give Zola the chance to pit
his wits against Arsène Wenger, the manager he admires most. This is not
based simply on the trophies Wenger has won, but the fact that he has stayed
loyal to his philosophy of good passing football. West Ham to sell Matthew
Etherington and Calum Davenport in bid to keep star playersZola wants to do
the same, but after finishing ninth last season, West Ham have struggled and
will be bottom of the table if Portsmouth win at Hull on Saturday.
West Ham's start to the season – one win, two draws and five defeats – is
identical to 2002-03, a season that ended with relegation.
"I'm not tempted to change our style," he said. "I would rather change jobs.
It is the way I like to play, the way that is right for this club, and I
will not change on principle.
"Arsène Wenger is a manager I look up to very much, because of the way he
plays and the fact he works with young players. That fits in with the
project we are trying to do here.
"Mostly I like his strength of character. He has been through some difficult
moments but he never changes his philosophy, always playing attacking
football."
Zola, universally admired as one of football's nice guys, described himself
as "a warrior", not so much for his physical stature as his determination.
"I never give up. My determination to succeed is stronger than anything.
"The situation is difficult because I care about his club and to see us in
this position hurts me. When I was a player it was easier to get on with
your job, but as manager you have more responsibility."
The temptation to put his boots back on and play is never far away. "There
was a moment last year when I thought about it, but the time has gone," he
laughed. "But I have a lot of faith in my players. There is a really good
spirit and I think we can change things."
Nevertheless the stress of modern management is clear to see. "This
situation is pushing me a lot and it is a test for me, but I am really
working hard to sort it out." That includes sleepless nights. "Yes. This is
a job when you have to look after so many things, and you are always looking
for solutions so it is a job that keeps you very busy." So will he still be
a manager at 60, like Wenger? "No."
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Arsène Wenger: I considered re-signing Matthew Upson for Arsenal
Arsène Wenger believes Matthew Upson's impatience for first-team football
caused him to leave Arsenal and has admitted that he seriously considered
trying to re-sign the England defender.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 11:01PM BST 23 Oct 2009
Upson, who will captain West Ham against Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday,
was the first defender Wenger bought after arriving at Highbury 13 years
ago, yet the form of Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell and
Kolo Touré, as well as a serious knee injury, restricted his opportunities.
"I knew when he left that he would make a big career, but at that moment
when Matthew was here, he was impatient," said Wenger. "That I could
understand as well because I bought him from Luton and after a few years he
didn't play here. I didn't stop him because I knew he had qualities to play
in the Premier League . Sport on television "He had the potential to be
international quality. He was always in my mind. Upson has good quality,
good attitude, good spirit. Three, four, five years ago yes, [I would have
liked to sign him] but now he is settled and has a good career."
Wenger, who has admitted that he was physically sick after some losses as a
younger manager, expressed his sympathy with Gianfranco Zola's situation at
West Ham.
"Resistance to stress is one of the qualities you must have," he said. "At
the bottom of the table it's only negative stress – if you do not win the
worse can happen to the club and you feel a bit more responsible for the
safety of the club." Wenger also said that he had spoken with Stan Kroenke,
the club's largest shareholder, at the AGM on Thursday.
"He is interested in sport and football but I do not ask him specifically
why he invests in Arsenal Football Club – it is not my problem," said
Wenger. "He loves sport and he loves to do well."
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Zola sticks to his principles
Published 08:51 24/10/09 Pa Sports
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola admits he is losing sleep over West Ham's dreadful start to
the season but says he would "rather change jobs" than scrap the attacking
philosophy with which he will send out his players against Arsenal at Upton
Park on Sunday. West Ham have won just one match this season and they could
be bottom of the league by the time they kick off their London derby against
the Gunners. Zola said: "Yes, it does keep me awake at night. This is a job
where you have to look after many things. You are always looking for
solutions. It is a job that keeps you busy." He added: "But the way I like
to play is the way I believe is right for this club. I won't change my
principles. I didn't last year when we were having problems as well. I do
this job because I love to do it in this way and I won't change it. I would
rather change jobs. "It's one of the things I admire very much in any person
who does a job. You can change certain things but the principles or your
philosophy doesn't have to change."
Zola admits that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is the manager he admires
most and he wants to school the West Ham youngsters along the lines of
Arsenal's attacking style.
Whether he gets the time to do so could depend on arresting a run of eight
matches comprising one win, two draws and five defeats, which is identical
to the start which led to relegation in 2002-03. Zola, however, is defiant.
"I won't give up," he said. "I just have a determination to succeed stronger
than anything. I will never show the players that I am down. Life is all
about dealing with the problems in front of you. My thing is not to look for
the problems but look for the solutions to the problems."
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