WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola believes his West Ham United team deserved all three points
from their trip to Portsmouth
26.01.2010
Gianfranco Zola believes his West Ham United team deserved all three points
from their Barclays Premier League trip to Portsmouth. Instead, the Hammers
had to settle for just one following a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park on Tuesday
evening, leaving the manager wondering what might have been. Matthew Upson
bundled the visitors into the lead early in the second half, only for
substitute Danny Webber to snatch an equaliser with just 14 minutes
remaining. It was the club's first fixture since David Sullivan and David
Gold took commercial and operational control a week ago and the joint
chairmen were present at Fratton Park to see the side turn in another
battling performance. Zola said: "It's starting to get better but I didn't
take it very well, to be honest, because I thought we had control of the
game and I couldn't see them scoring. We were defending very well and
creating chances going forward. Actually, I was expecting to score another
goal at any time."
While there was a semblance of luck about Upson's opener, which looped over
Asmir Begovic after hitting the captain's right shoulder, there was also
more than a suggestion of an infringement in the build up to Webber's
leveller. Kevin-Prince Boateng appeared to catch James Tomkins in the face
with a stray arm - causing an injury that led to the defender's withdrawal
soon afterwards - before finding John Utaka. The Nigerian fed Webber, whose
low finish eluded the otherwise unbeatable Robert Green. "It's OK. It's fair
to say they fought hard until the end. Maybe on their goal, there was a foul
on James Tomkins, but I have to see it to be more precise. Everybody said it
was a foul, but it's OK. Nothing takes away from the fact we played a good
game and we're getting better and better."
While he admitted to being slightly disappointed not to get the better of
Avram Grant's side, Zola was satisfied that his team had not allowed
bottom-placed Pompey to close the five-point gap between themselves and the
Hammers. "We were playing against a team that was behind us so it was
important not to lose, but honestly I believe we deserved something more
from the game. "I am pleased with the players. Maybe we could have got
something more, but I can only praise these players, because their attitude
and the way they play is unbelievable. They give everything for the team and
that's important."
With five days to go until the end of the January, the manager revealed that
new faces could arrive at the club before the transfer window closes.
However, he was also quick to praise the players who are already giving
everything for the claret and blue cause. "Maybe we could have more quality
in the future and it will benefit everybody, but whoever comes in must have
the same attitude these boys have because that is the key to our success."
One player who will feel like a new signing for Zola is Carlton Cole, who
returned from two months on the sidelines with a knee injury to play for 20
minutes on the south coast.
With important fixtures against Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Birmingham
City to come over the next few weeks, the manager was delighted to have his
leading scorer back on the pitch. "It's very good to see him. I think it was
important to give him a few minutes, but I must say it was difficult to take
off Frank Nouble, because he played well again and I was delighted with his
performance."
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Upson clear on goal
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson played a captain's role again on Tuesday and also weighed in
with a crucial goal
27.01.2010
Matthew Upson led the way again for West Ham United on Tuesday night in the
1-1 draw with Portsmouth - not least with the goal that set the Hammers on
their way. The captain was part of another strong rearguard effort but also
played his part at the other end. In the 52nd minute, he claimed a vital
touch on Younes Kaboul's attempted clearance from Alessandro Diamanti's
cross to send the ball looping in over Asmir Begovic. It may not have been
the most clinical of finishes but Upson was not concerned. "I am most
definitely claiming the goal. It doesn't matter how they go in. It hit me
last so I'm claiming it," he said. "The initial corner got cleared and I
knew the way that Alessandro delivers it that it was going to end up in that
area. I made my way to a place where I thought I could affect the ball. It
was a difficult height for the defenders to deal with. I managed to get my
body in the way and block it and it just looped into the net."
The point maintains the Hammers' 16th position in the Barclays Premier
League standings, but a win in Saturday's home match with Blackburn Rovers
could elevate them to within a point of the visitors, who sit 12th in the
standings. "I think the home form will decide things for us," Upson added.
"Saturday is a huge game and a game we will be looking to get a win from. If
we do that, and we're fully focused on that, then Portsmouth will look like
a good result. "If we win on Saturday, we will look at it as a good point.
It would have been nice to take three looking at the position we were in,
especially with the chances we didn't take in the first half. It's not an
easy place to come and play and we've got to look at the positive side of
things."
Upson reiterated his pleasure that matters off the pitch have had a positive
resolution, with David Gold and David Sullivan, two familiar faces from his
Birmingham City days, assuming control of the club. "It's been great to
clear up all the overhanging speculation of needing a buyer and needing
financial help. We've solved that with the takeover and I'm glad we've got a
couple of people in that are very passionate about the club, so it's a
positive for the club and for the players. "I've worked under them before so
I know how they are going to do business and get it organised, The club
needs it and needs that kind of work so they are fully equipped to get the
job done."
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Zola blasts Marriner
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has hit out at Andre Marriner after the referee failed to
halt play for a blatant elbow on James Tomkins during last night's 1-1 draw
at Portsmouth. The young defender was felled by a clear elbow by Pompey's
Prince Boateng less than six feet away from calamity ref Marriner, who
astonishingly waved play on - despite having taken a moment to assess the
situation. As Tomkins lay stricken on the floor - where he remained until
being hauled off, concussed, some moment later - Portsmouth continued
playing and scored an equalising goal, much to the annoyance of Gianfranco
Zola who said: "It was a foul. When somebody went to jump with Tomkins they
went with the elbow high - that's why I was disappointed with that goal."
Marriner is of course no stranger to controversy where the Hammers are
concerned. He was panned by both managers following West Ham's 2-2 draw at
Sunderland earlier in the season during which he failed to dismiss
Sunderland captain Lorik Cana, who had already been booked, for an
horrendous challenge on Mark Noble, before later sending off Radoslav Kovac
for an innocuous challenge.
The referee was also heavily criticised for making a spate of unnnecessary
bookings during West Ham's defeat at Bolton earlier in the season and for
failing to take take action against Liverpool for their treatment of rookie
Zavon Hines at the Boleyn Ground earlier in the season. Last season Marriner
came under fire for refusing to allow either of two strong penalty appeals
during West Ham's 1-1 draw against Wigan at the Boleyn. He was also heavily
criticised by Alan Curbishley the season before for allowing Sunderland to
register a later winner in the 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light.
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Sullivan's Eidur fight
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Eidur Gudjohnsen's proposed move to West Ham could be off after Tottenham
staged a late bid to hijack the deal. Monaco striker Gudjohnsen completed
the first part of a medical ahead of a move to East London yesterday and was
expected to complete a deal sometime today. However North London rivals
Tottenham have staged an eleventh-hour bid to try and lure the Icelandic
international to White Hart Lane. Hammers joint Chairman David Sullivan
admitted that he was fighting to save the move, saying this morning: "We
thought we had him, but I am worried that he has 'ducked' on us. I am
chasing it up as we speak."
More for you on this as it happens...
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Spurs enter race for Eidur Gudjohnsen as West Ham fear losing out on former
Chelsea star
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 9:16 AM on 27th January 2010
Daily Mail
Tottenham are ready to hijack West Ham's swoop for Eidur Gudjohnsen. The
Hammers were confident of tying up a deal to land the former Chelsea forward
on a free transfer from Monaco. But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made a
last-gasp attempt to lure Gudjohnsen to White Hart Lane in a loan deal. 'I
like Eidur and I've spoken to his agent,' he said. 'He's a good footballer.
I thought he was going to West Ham but I left it with my chairman. 'He would
be a good loan signing. We've got a lot of games coming up and he can play
in different systems.' Gudjohnsen is due at West Ham on Wednesday for a
medical after Monaco agreed to let him leave for nothing. But the Iceland
international's head may now be turned with Tottenham's interest. They are
chasing a place in the Champions League, while West Ham's battle is at the
opposite end of the table. The Hammers, who are ready to spend in the final
days of the January transfer window following the takeover by David Gold and
David Sullivan, are on the brink of completing a deal for Blackburn's Benni
McCarthy. If they are unable to add Gudjohnsen to their ranks, boss
Gianfranco Zola could turn his attention to Manchester City's Benjani. In
another twist in what is expected to be a frantic end to the transfer
window, West Ham are also weighing up a deal for Tottenham's misfit
midfielder David Bentley.
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Spurs set for Eidur talks
Hammers also battling it out for Eidur
Last updated: 27th January 2010
SSN
Sky Sports News understands Tottenham are hoping to beat West Ham to the
signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted on Tuesday
night that he was interested in luring Gudjohnsen back to England from
Monaco, but felt West Ham were favourites to land the former Chelsea star.
Gudjohnsen is thought to be keen on a move back to the Premier League after
failing to settle in France and now Spurs and West Ham are ready to battle
it out for his services. The Icelandic international is believed to have
underwent a medical at West Ham as Gianfranco Zola looks to be reunited with
his former Chelsea team-mate. However, Spurs have refused to give up on
their pursuit of Gudjohnsen and are now believed to be holding talks with
the player over a possible switch to White Hart Lane. It seems Gudjohnsen
will have to make a decision which London club he would prefer to join.
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Harry Redknapp still keen on Eidur Gudjohnsen
Evening Standard
27.01.10
Tottenham have shown an interest in bringing in Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan for
the rest of the season, but Harry Redknapp believes West Ham have beaten
them to the former Barcelona and Chelsea forward's signature. Redknapp
expects Gudjohnsen to join West Ham but confirmed they had made an inquiry
about taking him on loan for the rest of the season, with his parent club
Monaco paying the bulk of the wages. "I spoke to his agent, he said he was
going to West Ham, so I left it with the agent," Redknapp said after the
Barclays Premier League win over Fulham. "I would take him on a loan. He
would be good loan signing playing in different systems. "He's a good
footballer and an interesting player on a loan but I think he's gone to West
Ham."
Redknapp currently has Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Roman
Pavlyuchenko competing for two places in attack but Gudjohnsen could play in
a deeper role.
Crouch opened the scoring against Fulham at White Hart Lane and the 2-0
victory was completed when David Bentley's free-kick deflected off Bjorn
Helge Riise. It was a rare golden moment for Bentley, who wants to leave
Spurs and was a surprise choice on the teamsheet after Niko Kranjcar fell
ill. "David did well," said Redknapp. "Kranjcar was sick so I gave him an
opportunity and he took it well. If he plays well he has a chance. "When he
plays like that he has every chance, if he shows a good attitude and comes
to work and plays hard. "When you're not in the team you're disappointed but
he showed a great attitude."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson added: "We were unfortunate with the second goal. I
would have been less disappointed if they scored when they started well in
the first 20 minutes.
"I'm still proud of the performance. It was a brave performance and
hard-working with the injuries we have. Spurs knew they were in a game but
we didn't create enough so cannot complain about the result."
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Tottenham in talks with Eidur Gudjohnsen despite forward having West Ham
medical
Eidur Gudjohnsen is holding extensive talks with Tottenham after undergoing
a medical at West Ham.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 9:04AM GMT 27 Jan 2010
Eidur Gudjohnsen is poised for a return to the Premier League with either
Tottenham or West Ham United . Gudjohnsen, the former Barcelona and Chelsea
striker, is at Monaco but the French club have agreed to let him leave. He
held talks with Gianfranco Zola and even underwent a medical at 8pm last
night, but Tottenham's late intervention could see the Icelander switch
London clubs. West Ham Transfer TalkAfter last night's 2-0 win over Fulham,
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who failed to persuade former Manchester
United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to join him, said: "I like Gudjohnsen.
He's a good footballer and an interesting player on a loan. I spoke to his
agent, he said he was going to West Ham, so I left it with the agent and
Daniel. "He would be a good loan signing. We have got a lot of games coming
up and he would suit the way we play. When I heard about it I thought it
would be interesting because I think Monaco are going to do a big part of
his wages."
And, if the 31-year-old prefers White Hart Lane to Upton Park, West Ham will
switch their attentions to Benjani Mwaruwari, Manchester City's 31-year-old
striker. Liverpool have shown an interest in the Zimbabwean but the former
Portsmouth forward could be tempted to work with Zola, who is desperate for
attacking cover, even though Carlton Cole made a late appearance as a
substitute at Fratton Park last night after recovering from a long-term
injury problem. Meanwhile, Redknapp could be busy looking for a goalkeeper
in addition to a striker. Redknapp has been searching for a back-up keeper
after losing Carlo Cudicini for the season following a car crash. And last
night, first-choice Heurelho Gomes suffered a shoulder injury in a collision
with team-mate Ledley King and had to have a painkilling injection at half
time to complete the match. "He hurt his shoulder and had to have an
injection at half time," said Redknapp. "The doctor persuaded him he could
carry on but we will find out on Wednesday how bad he is."
Redknapp, who was previously interested in signing Portsmouth's David James,
could resurrect a move for the England goalkeeper, close to moving to Stoke,
if Gomes' injury is serious.
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Parma plan Jimenez raid
Chilean could be heading back to Italy
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 27th January 2010
SSN
Serie A outfit Parma have admitted to holding an interest in Chilean
playmaker Luis Jimenez. The 25-year-old is currently on loan at West Ham,
who he joined on a season-long deal from Inter Milan over the summer.
However, the South American has struggled to make an impact in England and
has seen his first-team opportunities limited as a result.
West Ham are also known to be struggling financially and are expected to
move players on before the January window slams shut. The Hammers could
choose to get Jimenez off their wage bill, agreeing to terminate his loan
agreement at Upton Park. That would open the door to Parma, with the Italian
club's sporting director Pietro Leonardi revealing that he is set to hold
talks with Inter regarding a possible deal. "Jimenez interests us," he told
tuttomercatoweb. "In fact, I am heading to Milan to talk about a possible
transfer."
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West Ham saviours wake up to the reality of long road ahead
Ken Dyer
27.01.10
Evening Standard
Portsmouth 1-1 West Ham
The honeymoon ends swiftly when you've just taken control of a club like
West Ham. A week ago emotion was thick in the East End air as David Sullivan
and David Gold "came home" to the club they always wanted to own. But
there's no time for self-congratulation, though, in the Premier League.
Their new team needed players desperately and Sullivan was soon working hard
on the telephones. An hour before the new co-chairmens' first match in
charge, at crisis club Portsmouth, Sullivan was hopeful of three points and
two new players. By the end of the night he had to settle for a single point
and probably just one player. Back at Upton Park they had been ready to
welcome Eidur Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic international had undergone a
medical and looked certain to sign on a loan deal from Monaco. It was then
that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp stepped in and Sullivan knew that the
honeymoon was over. Gold, though, was more sanguine about his club's 1-1
draw with Portsmouth although it could have been even better for the pairs'
West Ham debut after Gianfranco Zola's side had led until 14 minutes from
the end. "A point's a point and especially away from home that has to be
satisfactory," said Gold.
"Obviously the temptation is to be a little disappointed when you have been
in front but we'll take the point and look forward to Blackburn on
Saturday."
The two men had sat in the front row of the directors' box at Fratton Park
and, for the most part, enjoyed their first match at the West Ham helm.
Zola's team, still looking threadbare and without midfield industrialist
Scott Parker, had been in control during the first half and only some fine
saves from Asmir Begovic had kept them out. Neither co-owner showed much
outward emotion. Gold briefly held his head in his hands when a marvellous
move down West Ham's left ended with Jack Collison's shot being saved.
Both men showed their delight seven minutes into the second half when
Alessandro Diamanti's cross was back-headed by Pompey defender Younes Kaboul
onto the body of West Ham captain Matthew Upson and past Begovic. It was
nothing more than West Ham deserved but, as the half progressed, Zola's team
began to look tired and Portsmouth rallied. As Sullivan and Gold were just
beginning to believe their first match in charge would end triumphantly,
Kevin-Prince Boateng and the excellent James Tomkins contested a high ball.
Boateng seemed to catch the West Ham youngster in the face with an arm,
referee Andre Marriner waved play on and the move ended with substitute
Danny Webber slotting the ball past Robert Green. The big plus for Zola was
the return of striker Carlton Cole, who came on late in the second half.
"It's very good to see Carlton back," said Zola. "It was important to give
him a few minutes."
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Parma Interested in Jimenez?
West Ham Till I Die
It has been reported that Parma are interested in taking Jimenez from
Inter-Milan. Obviously any deal between the Serie A clubs, in the January
transfer window, is obstructed by his current loan deal with the Hammers.
It raises the question whether the club might consider releasing Jimenez to
facilitate him joining Parma?
Jimenez has been largely ineffective this season, but has shown some flashes
of quality. By far his best performance was in the Boxing Day victory over
Portsmouth, where he made a major contribution. However, the player has
failed to consistently reproduce that form and has been unable to tie down a
regular first team slot.
However, is this the right time to let him go? Or do we need to retain him
until the summer to provide vital creative midfield cover? One option could
be to release Jimenez and replace him with Jack Wilshire on loan from the
Gooners. The question here is whether we can afford to replace an
experienced player with another youngster? Or does Wilshire's rich promise
negate any doubts on that score?
Wilshire is allegedly a Hammers fan and would probably jump at the prospect
of a loan at Upton Park, especially if the alternative is Bolton Wanderers!
But should we consider it in our current circumstances? Also, does it send
out the wrong message to our own promising youngsters like Edgar and Kerns
who will find themselves being pushed back down the midfielder pecking order
by a gooners youth product?
SJ. Chandos.
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