WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background information ahead of Saturday's visit
of the Tigers
19.02.2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Hull City
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 20 February 2010
3pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Introduction
• West Ham United will take on Hull City looking to make it two wins from
two home games after beating Birmingham City 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground on
Wednesday 10 February.
• The Hammers go into Saturday's game 15th in the Barclays Premier League
table following Wednesday's goalless draw between Wigan Athletic and Bolton
Wanderers. Victory could lift West Ham above Sunderland and Wigan Athletic
into 13th place.
• West Ham have not lost at home to Hull since 20 January 1990. In the
intervening period, the Hammers have scored 7-1 and 2-0 victories over the
Tigers in October 1990 and January 2009 respectively.
• Hull go into Saturday's game 17th in the standings, level on 24 points
with their hosts but with a far inferior goal difference. West Ham's stands
at minus eight, while Hull's stands at minus 26.
• This is the 36th league meeting between the two sides. West Ham have won
12, drawn 14 and lost nine of the previous 35.
• West Ham have not lost at home in the Barclays Premier League since the 5
December visit of Manchester United. Since then the club have drawn 1-1 with
Chelsea, won 2-0 against Portsmouth, drawn 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers and
beaten Birmingham City 2-0.
• Zola's men have kept three clean-sheets in the last five league matches,
and conceded just three goals in total during that period.
• The pair's most recent meeting at the Boleyn Ground took place on 28
January 2009, when David Di Michele and Carlton Cole scored either side of
half-time in a 2-0 home win. Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke also saved a penalty
from Mark Noble.
• The lineups that day were:
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Collison (Faubert 71), Noble (Boa Morte 84), Di Michele (Savio 86), Cole
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Tristan, Tomkins, Sears
Hull City: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney (Mendy 73),
Ashbee, Kilbane, Geovanni (Bullard 53), Cousin, Manucho (Fagan 53)
Subs not used: Myhill, Garcia, Halmosi, Folan
• West Ham's biggest home win over Hull was the aforementioned 7-1 success
on 6 October 1990. Hull's best away showing in east London came in the shape
of 2-1 victories on 29 December 1934 and 20 January 1990.
Last time out
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Ilunga (Spector 45),
Behrami, Parker (Noble 86), Kovac, Diamanti ,Mido (Ilan 66), Cole
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas
Goals: Diamanti 45, Cole 67
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Hull City
Hull City: Myhill, Gardner, McShane (Zaki 67), Dawson (Zayatte 67),
Mouyokolo, Fagan, Boateng, Hunt, Cairney ,Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink
(Olofinjana 44)
Subs not used: Duke, Kilbane, Barmby, Garcia
Last meeting
• The teams last met at the KC Stadium on 21 November 2008, with the match
ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Guille Franco and Jack Collison put West Ham
2-0 up early on before a Carlton Cole own-goal, Jimmy Bullard goal and Kamil
Zayatte strike gave Hull a 3-2 half-time advantage. After Bernard Mendy had
been sent-off for the home side, Manuel da Costa scored a second-half
equaliser to grab a share of the spoils.
Hull City: Duke, Mendy, Gardner, Zayatte, Dawson, Fagan, Marney, Garcia
(McShane 57), Hunt (Geovanni 85), Bullard, Altidore (Vennegoor of Hesselink
74)
Subs not used: Myhill, Kilbane, Boateng, Barmby
Goals: Cole 27 (og), Zayatte 44, Bullard 45 (pen)
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Da Costa, Gabbidon, Parker, Behrami
(Hines 60), Collison, Stanislas, Cole, Franco (Jimenez 70)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Spector, Ilunga, Kovac, Nouble
Goals: Franco 5, Collison 11, Da Costa 69
Old boys
• West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble played five matches on loan at Hull
City at the end of the 2005/06 season.
• Hull City forward Richard Garcia was part of the West Ham United side that
lifted the FA Youth Cup in 1999. The 27-year-old Australian played 22 times
for the Hammers before joining Colchester United for a nominal fee in
September 2004. Garcia moved on to Hull City in July 2007, helping the club
gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the KC Stadium.
• Jimmy Bullard spent an early part of his career with West Ham United but
failed to make a first-team appearance for the club before leaving for
Peterborough United in May 2001.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Tommy Brandon,
Roy Carroll, Alf Fenwick, Cliff Hubbard, Stuart Pearson and Tony Weldon.
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
21 November 2009 - Hull City 3-3 West Ham United
28 January 2009 - West Ham United 2-0 Hull City
19 October 2008 - Hull City 1-0 West Ham United
23 March 1990 - Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
6 October 1990 - West Ham United 7-1 Hull City
20 January 1990 - West Ham United 1-2 Hull City
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 14 D 14 L 10
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Martin Atkinson, who last took charge of the
West Ham United in the 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke City on
17 October 2009 - his only Hammers appointment this season.
• In contrast, the West Yorkshire official has taken charge of three Hull
City league matches this term - the 4-1 defeat at Sunderland on 12
September, the 3-2 home win over Everton on 25 November and the goalless
draw at Tottenham Hotspur on 16 January.
• In total, Atkinson has refereed 32 matches this season, issuing 130 yellow
cards and three reds.
• A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football
League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to
the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in
Premier League matches.
• He joined the National List of referees for the Football League at the
start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier League
fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham City.
• Atkinson was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between
Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took
charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay
United at Wembley Stadium.
• The official has taken charge of one previous West Ham United fixture this
season, officiating in the 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke City
on Saturday 17 October.
West Ham United
• The Hammers have scored all seven of the penalties they have been awarded
this season, a Barclays Premier League high.
• West Ham have scored 32 goals this season in the league with 12 different
players on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (eight), with Alessandro
Diamanti (six) and Guille Franco and Matthew Upson (three) next in line.
Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas (two each), Ilan, Manuel da Costa, Mark
Noble, the departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines and Radoslav Kovac have also
registered.
• Scott Parker has been cautioned eight times this season and Franco and
Noble five. Julien Faubert, Cole, Collison and Kovac are each on four yellow
cards, but will not be suspended if they receive a fifth as the FA
disciplinary deadline has passed. Should any player reach ten cautions
before the second Sunday in April, they will receive a suspension.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 112 successive league starts.
• Cole is on a run of 15 goals in 27 league starts since Boxing Day 2008
when he scored the second goal in a 4-1 win at Portsmouth.
Hull City
• Manager Phil Brown has been in charge at Hull City since 4 January 2007.
Since then, the 50-year-old has led the Tigers to promotion from the
Championship in 2007/08 before maintaining their Barclays Premier League
status last season.
• Stephen Hunt is Hull's leading Premier League scorer with six goals in 26
appearances. The injured Geovanni and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink have scored
three league goals each. Geovanni has also scored once in each of the two
domestic cup competitions.
• Hunt and full-back Andy Dawson have both started all 26 of the Tigers'
Premier League fixtures this season. Defender Anthony Gardner and goalkeeper
Boaz Myhill have each started 20.
Team news
• Mexico striker Guille Franco and England midfielder Kieron Dyer are both
in contention for Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United matchday squad after
training fully this week.
• It remains to be seen if Benni McCarthy (knee) will be fit to play on
Saturday. Danny Gabbidon (hamstring) is also thought to be close to a full
training return.
• Herita Ilunga has been ruled out of Saturday's game with a tendon injury.
• Luis Boa Morte (knee), Calum Davenport (leg) and Zavon Hines (knee) are
all long-term absentees. Boa Morte has been doing some light training around
the Chadwell Heath pitches - having not played since his cruciate ligament
injury at the Barclays Asia Trophy in China in July.
• Hull City have a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday's fixture,
with club captain Ian Ashbee definitely ruled out with a long-term knee
ligament problem.
• Brazilian midfielder Geovanni is likely to miss out with a knee injury,
but former West Ham playmaker Jimmy Bullard could feature after recovering
from his own knee problem.
Match sponsors
• Boostfine Mechanical Services are Saturday's proud Match sponsors.
• Romford-based Boostfine are leaders in the field of heating, ventilation,
air conditioning, hot and cold water services, gas services, public health
services and water treatment.
• The Man of the Match will be nominated by Boostfine and will be announced
shortly before the final whistle.
• For further information about the services offered by Boostfine, click
here.
Matchball sponsors
• ADS Painters & Decorators are Saturday's proud Matchball sponsors.
• Based in Romford, ADS Painters & Decorators is one of London's leading
painting and decorating contractors - having successfully completed a wide
range of works including new builds, refurbishments and fit out projects for
leading regional and national construction companies.
• For further information about the services offered by ADS Painters &
Decorators, click here.
• For more information on match sponsorships at West Ham United, please call
the Corporate Sales Team on 0871 221 2700.
General info
• For ticket information, click here.
• Supporters travelling by train to the home Barclays Premier League fixture
with Hull City on Saturday 20 February should be aware of the following
information.
• Owing to planned engineering works, the c2c line between Pitsea and
Southend Central will be closed. Rail replacement bus services will replace
trains, with journey times increased by up to 45 minutes.
• Trains will continue to run between London Fenchurch Street and Pitsea via
Laindon and Ockendon, between Fenchurch Street and Grays via Rainham, while
a shuttle service will run between Southend Central and Shoeburyness.
• Owing to planned engineering works, the line between Pitsea and Southend
Central will be closed. Rail Replacement Bus services will replace trains.
• The London Underground's Jubilee line will also be suspended between Green
Park and Stratford, with trains being replaced by buses. The Circle line
will also be completely closed.
• For up-to-date public transport information click here.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for sunny intervals and a maximum daytime
temperature of 6C.
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'Let's hear the passion'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola believes West Ham United's supporters have a vital role to
play on Saturday
19.02.2010
Gianfranco Zola has backed the Boleyn Ground crowd to play a starring role
in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match with Hull City. The West Ham
United manager believes the home fans can act as a 12th man and inspire the
Hammers to victory over the Tigers. Having secured an impressive 2-0 home
win over Birmingham City last time out, Zola also stressed the importance of
following up that success with another positive result on Saturday. "This is
a massive game because we don't need just one result now and then - we need
to put some wins together. That would make a big, big thing for us, so
Saturday is important not only in that sense, but also because we're playing
against a team that is in pretty much the same situation of us. It's vital
that we win this confrontation. "The crowd is always very important but, in
games like the one we're playing on Saturday, they are even more important.
I think, if the crowd are passionate the way they always are, it will be
massive for the players. They will pick it up straight away and they will
respond. "I think it is normal that the crowd shows you their feelings, but
on Saturday, I think it is one of those games when the importance of it
should mean they support us all the time, no matter what happens, and I'm
sure they will do that. "This crowd is very passionate. They care about the
club and I'm sure they will be pushing us forward. That's what I'm looking
for. The players will respond if they hear that support behind them. They
will be buzzing."
With Bolton Wanderers due to visit east London on 6 March, the manager said
everyone at the club was targeting six points from six from the club's next
two home matches.
"The next two games are very important. We start on Saturday. It is a big
opportunity because we can make a big step forward. It's going to have a big
impact on the psychological side and also on the practical side, with the
points we can pick up if we win, so I'm really looking forward to the
match."
Zola said the arrival of new chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold had
helped stabilise matters on and off the pitch, allowing him, his coaching
staff and his players to focus their minds 100 per cent on collecting vital
Premier League points. "I think the situation is much better, yes. There is
a better atmosphere. Everybody is more tuned in because there is not so much
talking and speculation around us, and that is certainly helping the
situation. "We have more stability. We know what we're doing and we know
where we're going. We need to perform better than we've been doing during
the year. The players and staff are focused on that and the situation is
improving."
On the injury front, the manager has been boosted by news that Mexico
striker Guille Franco is fit to return following his recent leg injury,
while Kieron Dyer has also been back in full training. Unfortunately, Herita
Ilunga has been ruled out until next month with a back problem, while Benni
McCarthy will be unavailable for another couple of weeks due to the knee
injury he suffered on his debut at Burnley a fortnight ago. Long-term
absentees Danny Gabbidon, Luis Boa Morte and Zavon Hines are also out.
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Cole's goal vow
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole has unveiled plans to score more than once in a game for the
first time on Saturday
20.02.2010
Carlton Cole would love to go goal-crazy against Hull City this afternoon.
West Ham United's England striker has netted more than 50 goals in his
playing career for club and country - but never scored more than once in a
single game. The 26-year-old is determined to put an end to that record when
the Tigers visit the Boleyn Ground for a vital Barclays Premier League
fixture, although he knows the visitors will pose a difficult challenge.
"I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can notch a few goals because
I've never notched a few in a game before, and we can get the win. "Everyone
in the squad is fired up. We've got good team spirit and a good unit. The
manager has got us all up for it so we're going to be ready for this one.
"Obviously, I want to continue my goalscoring form. I want to get a couple
now, I don't want just one per game. I just want more and I will strive for
more."
West Ham's leading scorer with eight goals this season, Cole has forged a
strong relationship with the club's supporters, and the forward believes the
fans can play a vital role in inspiring the Hammers to victory over Hull.
"The fans were great against Birmingham. They really showed their support
and how they love the club and it spread to the players. That's what we need
- a 12th man to help us to get to where we need to get to. "The fans are
really special here and we all need to pull in the same direction to get the
result today."
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Parker prepared
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker is eager to build on victory over Birmingham City by recording
another win on Saturday
19.02.2010
Scott Parker has backed in-form team-mates Alessandro Diamanti and Mido to
fire West Ham United to victory over Hull City. The Hammers go into
Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at the Boleyn Ground in high
spirits, having overcome Birmingham City 2-0 at the same venue last time
out. With the incentive of recording consecutive league wins for the first
time this season, as well as that of rising to 13th in the table, Parker has
backed his colleagues to rise to the occasion this weekend. Among those he
has tipped to shine are Italian Diamanti, whose free-kick paved the way to
success against Birmingham, and Mido, who has impressed with his skill and
work-rate since joining on loan from Middlesbrough at the start of the
month. With the pair among a number of players in good form, Parker is
targeting three points not only from Saturday's fixture, but also from the
upcoming home matches with Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke
City, Sunderland and Manchester City. "We've got another home game coming up
and all our home games from now on are winnable," said the 29-year-old
reigning Hammer of the Year. "We're realistic and we know what we need to do
and hopefully we can build on our win over Birmingham. Back-to-back wins are
crucial in the Premier League. "If you pick up results and pick up another
one and, all of a sudden, things happen for you. "Alessandro did very, very
well in the last game. He worked extremely hard. He's obviously a
technically gifted footballer, but we saw another side of his game against
Birmingham. He worked really hard and his goal rounded off a very good
personal performance from him. "Mido seems like he is enjoying it here. We
need numbers in the building and there's no doubt he's a very good player
and he's got something to prove as well."
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West Ham v Hull 15:00
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Boleyn Ground Date: Saturday, 20 February 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score &
highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
West Ham forward Guillermo Franco is in contention to return against Hull
after two months out with a muscle complaint. Benni McCarthy is still absent
with the knee problem he suffered on his debut a fortnight ago, while Kieron
Dyer is not yet ready to return from injury.
Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard could make his comeback after 11 weeks out
with a knee injury. Geovanni (knee) remains sidelined, but George Boateng
is available after his red card at Blackburn was rescinded.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Spector, Faubert, Tomkins, Da Costa, Daprela,
Parker, Behrami, Kovac, Collison, Diamanti, Stanislas, Cole, Mido, Ilan,
Franco.
Injured: Boa Morte, Hines, Ilunga & McCarthy (all knee), Davenport (leg),
Dyer & Gabbidon (both hamstring)
Hull (from): Myhill, Gardner, McShane, Dawson, Mouyokolo, Boateng, Mendy,
Hunt, Cairney, Altidore, Olofinjana, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Garcia, Zaki,
Zayatte, Fagan, Barmby, Duke, Kilbane, Bullard.
Doubtful: Bullard (knee)
Injured: Ashbee & Geovanni (both knee), Ghilas (thigh), Marney (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
With both clubs locked together a point above the relegation zone,
Saturday's outcome at the Boleyn Ground could be decided by who keeps their
heads.
Hull manager Phil Brown
West Ham and Hull have each successfully fought against relegation in recent
seasons, yet neither side has shown much likelihood of avoiding another
scrap. West Ham's recent victory over Birmingham was their first for six
games, while Hull have only won once since November. Phil Brown's side could
do worse than adopt the Chinese calendar, given that last weekend heralded
the year of the Tiger. This match could mark the latest comeback from injury
by Hull's Jimmy Bullard. The midfielder began his career with West Ham, the
club he supported as a boy, but his last match in the East End - on his Hull
debut in January 2009 - ended with him suffering the knee injury which kept
him out for nearly 10 months.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Hull have lost their last two league trips to West Ham. Their only win in
the last 11 visits, stretching back 75 years, was 2-1 in the old Division
Two in January 1990.
West Ham
• The Hammers won for the first time in six matches when they beat
Birmingham last time out. They are vying for successive league wins for the
first time since March 2009.
• Gianfranco Zola's side are unbeaten in their last four home league
matches, keeping a clean sheet in the last three. A clean sheet against Hull
will equal their Premier League club record of four in a row at home, set on
three previous occasions.
• They have only earned one point after conceding the first goal this
season, losing 10 times and drawing once. They last came from behind to win
a league match in December 2008, beating Stoke 2-1.
• Julien Faubert is poised to make his 50th Premier League appearance.
Hull
• Hull have won one of their last 12 Premier League matches.
• They have gone 18 games without an away win since beating Fulham last
March.
• The Tigers have failed to score in seven of their last nine away games in
the league.
• Nick Barmby has scored 99 club career goals.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 8 goals (8 league); Diamanti: 7 goals (6 league)
Hull
Hunt: 6 goals (6 league); Geovanni: 5 goals (3 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Robert Madley
Fourth official: Andy D'Urso
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (W2-0 v Birmingham, h): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga
(Spector 46), Diamanti, Parker (Noble 86), Kovac, Behrami, Mido (Ilan 66),
Cole. Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Collison, Stanislas.
Hull (L0-1 v Blackburn, a): Myhill; McShane (Zaki 67), Mouyokolo, Gardner,
Dawson (Zayatte 67), Fagan, Boateng, Cairney, Hunt, Altidore, Vennegoor of
Hesselink (Olofinjana 44). Subs not used: Duke, Barmby, Garcia, Kilbane.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Hull 3-3 West Ham (21 November 2009)
Hull scorers: Bullard 27, 45 pen, Zayatte 44.
West Ham scorers: Franco 5, Collison 11, Da Costa 69
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£2.5million a point
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th February 2010
By: Staff Writer
Hammers joint Chairman David Gold has offered to loan Portsmouth up to
£10million to save them from going out of business. Pompey were recently
given seven days by the High Court to find a solution to their crippling
financial problems which left them on the verge of being wound up. Were
they to be so, the results of all teams having played them in the Premier
League this season would be expunged - meaning that West Ham would lose four
points from their meagre tally of 24, plunging the Irons back into the
relegation zone. Despite cliaming that two parties are interested in buying
the club, Gold has stepped in with the extraordinary offer that would ensure
the south coast-based club could continue to operate until the summer, at
least. "We have no duty to assist Portsmouth's owners or chief executive,
who played their part on the current situation, but I feel sympathy for the
fans and for that reason we should consider helping," said Gold. "If
Portsmouth asked me for £10million, I would lend it to them so long as the
Premier League endorsed it and I was repaid on the agreed date. "West Ham
have taken four points off Pompey this season and were they to go out of
business we'd be in the bottom three.
"But I also feel for the Pompey fans. To see your club go into liquidation
would be devastating. If I can do something to avoid that I'd be happy to do
it as a football fan. "But if this measure is being considered simply as a
means of helping Portsmouth to avoid administration then I wouldn't support
it at all. I don't have sympathy for a badly run club that faces
administration."
Portsmouth, who are currently seven points adrift at the bottom of the table
have also asked the Premier League to allow them to sell players outside of
the transfer window in order to avoid being wound up by HMRC. Gold agrees
that this would be a viable solution - but only if those players remain at
Portsmouth for the rest of the season. "The issue isn't about preventing
Portsmouth raising money," he added. "I would have no problem, for example,
if they were allowed to pre-sell players on the understanding they couldn't
play in the league until after the next transfer window. "I do have a
problem with a club being able to buy those players and gain an advantage
over a competitor. I wouldn't want a competitor buying a player not usually
available to them to help them stay up, and neither would my club's rivals
want West Ham doing that. A principle needs upholding."
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Sing up, if you love West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th February 2010
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson has called upon the club's supporters to get behind the team
against Hull tomorrow - but is still refusing to commit his future to the
club. The club captain, speaking ahead of the visit of United's fellow
Premier League strugglers told whufc.com: "The supporters' backing is
crucial. It always helps when they are behind you. A lot depends on us, we
have to show the right attitude and give them the right messages to get
behind us. If we do, it will be a big atmosphere. "In our position if we
were to get two wins back to back it would boost the situation in the table
and the players' confidence. We need to make sure it happens. We needed the
Birmingham win massively and another would put us in a great position."
However when questioned by the Sun over his future, Upson - who has
steadfastly refused to pen a contract extention - declined to be drawn over
his future at club level.
"I've got a World Cup I'm focused on," he said. "My club form will dictate
how successful I am in terms of going to that. I've a lot of responsibility
and I'm glad of that. I want more and [for] us to do well."
The 30-year-old centre half had appeared to be on his way out of West Ham
during the January transfer window as a result of United's crippling
financial situation, until the arrival of David Sullivan and David Gold
ensured that the club could retain its most coveted players. The former
Birmingham captain's form has suffered as a result of the uncertainty and he
was blamed for Burnley's opening goal in the demoralising 2-1 defeat at Turf
Moor earlier this month. With the World Cup looming, Upson knows only too
well that his club form will have to improve if he is to make Fabio
Capello's squad for South Africa - and if West Ham are to continue their
climb away from the relegation zone.
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West Ham United v Hull City: Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th February 2010
By: Preview Percy
We threatened him with a 25% pay cut if he didn't go away. Unfortunately,
since we don't pay him anything in the first place, he turned up anyway.
Preview Percy casts his eye over this weekend's match....
Next we welcome Hull City (pron. 'ull citeh) to the Boleyn for Saturday's
3pm kick-off.
The visitors currently lie in 17th place, two places below us. They are
level on 24 points with us having played a game more and possessing an
inferior goal difference (-26 compared with our -8). Their overall current
form over the last six games is pretty similar to ours, both of us having
won 1, drawn 3 and lost 2. However, our home form of 3 wins 2 draws and 1
defeat makes more pleasant reading, especially when compared to their away
form of 4 defeats and 2 draws from their last six. Since the turn of the
year they've drawn 0-0 at Spurs, lost 4-0 at Man Utd, drawn at home to
Wolves and Chelsea (2-2 and 1-1 respectively) beaten Man City 2-1 at home
and lost 1-0 away at Blackburn.
Like ourselves, the Tigers have been in the news of late for reasons more
connected with events off the pitch than on it. The club's auditors recently
came up with the worrying statistic that the Club will need to cut annual
costs by £16m – and that's on the assumption that they stay up. Meanwhile,
up in the corridors of power, their former chairman Paul Duffen resigned
last October. Since Duffen's departure there have been accusations and
counter accusation between Duffen and the current regime, which is headed by
returning chairman Adam Pearson. Duffen, it was alleged, misused club funds
for personal use. It was also suggested that a company controlled by Duffen
received payments from agents in return for Hull using those agents in
player deals. Things came to a head in January when Hull instigated legal
proceedings against their former chairman in the High Court, freezing his
assets in the process. Those of us who shivered through the Birmingham match
last week will know just how that feels. Undeterred, Duffen claimed that it
had been he who had started legal proceedings against the club over monies
owed, though Hull denied that this was the case. Whatever the truth, the
case was eventually settled out of court on "terms satisfactory to the
club". Make of that what you will.
We last met up at the KC Stadium back in November, a match that finished in
a bizarre but entertaining 3-3 draw. You'll recall that we were 2-0 up
through Franco & Collison after 11 minutes before Mark Clattenburg decided
to get involved, awarding some dubious free-kicks and a frankly disgraceful
penalty to send us in 3-2 down at the interval. Clattenburg then evened
things up by dismissing Mendy for upending Parker when clean through, before
DaCosta buried a loose ball from a corner to level the scores.
Man of the match that day was, arguably, ex-Hammer Jimmy Bullard. Hull were
keen at the time to stress that what was then a four match unbeaten run was
the result of team efforts rather than the sole influence of Bullard.
However, it was noticeable that the team's form dipped considerably when the
unfortunate Bullard limped off after only 19 minutes of the 3-0 defeat at
Villa Park. Bullard's knee ligament injury saw him leave the field almost in
tears, coming so soon as it did after his recovery from a similar (if more
severe) injury to the other knee. For all Hull's protestations about the
"team effort" it took another eight matches before they put three points on
the board in the 2-1 win over Man City earlier this month. Bullard is close
to a return to action and, though it might be another week or so before he
hits anything like full fitness, such is the player's influence about the
Hull side that the talk is of him playing at least a part in Saturday's
proceedings.
Last week they went down 1-0 at Blackburn, the winning goal being credited
as an own goal to Hull 'keeper Boaz Myhill. The influential George Boateng
was dismissed after an aerial challenge that left both Boateng and Pedersen
out cold. Once Boateng had woken up, the red card brandished by ref Probert
seemed to add insult to injury. This was an opinion with which the FA's
disciplinary bods clearly agreed earlier this week when they overturned the
three-match ban that resulted. Boateng will therefore be available for
Saturday.
They had a quietish window last month. The only incoming player was Amr
Zaki. The Egyptian striker arrived on loan from Zamalek where he was, for a
while, a team-mate of Mido. Zaki made a storming start to his Premier League
career scoring some decent goals – including a fine strike at the Boleyn on
his debut for Wigan. However, Zaki blotted his copybook by returning late
from international duty on a number of occasions, upsetting Steve Bruce and
the illegal price-fixing, child slave labour employing, dodgy share dealing
and Rugby League wage-cap rule-breaking Dave Whelan in the process. Which,
of course, is no bad thing. Whelan, who had likened Zaki to Alan Shearer at
the start of his Wigan career, later downgraded his opinion to "a disgrace".
Well he ought to know.
Also in the forward section of the squad is US international Jozy Altidore
who arrived on loan from Villareal at the start of the season. The
season-long deal contains an option for Hull to buy the player for a
reported fee of £6.5m, though it remains to be seen whether Hull will bother
to exercise the option. Altidore has not been what you'd call prolific and
he has scored but once in 19 games in the league, getting the first against
Man City. He's not exactly been a hit in Spain either where he made only 6
appearances for Villareal. A loan spell at second division Xerez was also
unsuccessful, his spell there being marred by an injury to a toenail which
prevented him from making a single appearance. At international level,
however, he was part of the US squad that surprisingly lifted last year's
Confederations Cup in South Africa, scoring the first in the 2-0 semi-final
win over Spain in Bloemfontein.
The Blackburn match saw Altidore partnered up front by the brilliantly-named
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, with Zaki starting on the bench alongside the
visitors' other ex-Hammer Richard Garcia. Mr V of H (as we will call him to
save my sanity) has barely outshone Altidore up front, having notched only
three times in twenty league matches this season. All of which probably
means that the pair will have a field day this weekend knowing our luck.
One absentee is likely to be Geovanni. Manager Phil Brown had hoped that the
Brazilian might be available for selection in January. However, his knee
injury has taken longer to heal than expected, despite a trip to Portugal to
see a specialist a couple of weeks ago.
So what of us? Well it was a welcome return to winning ways in the sub-zero
temperature of the Boleyn the other week. A few first half scares apart –
and lets face it we'll always have one or two of those – we looked fairly
comfortable against a Birmingham side whose performance admittedly tailed
off alarmingly, especially after the second had gone in. There are, of
course, injury doubts. When are there not? McCarthy, having succumbed to
"Hammer Debut Injury Syndrome" is listed as "doubtful" and is likely to miss
both this game and Tuesday's trip to Salford. Diamanti is also listed as a
"doubt" as is, no, don't laugh, Kieron Dyer.
Ilunga tore a tendon in his back against Birmingham a decent second half in
that match for Spector should mean that the septic will start at left back,
especially as Daprela, who showed great promise against Arsenal in the Cup,
is also on the injured list. The midfield line-up will depend on Diamanti's
fitness, with Noble being a possible to start should the Italian not recover
in time. Up front, despite the absence of McCarthy, it's still a case of
perm any two from four with Franco said to be making a return to the squad.
Mido is presumably likely to get the nod once more over Ilan and the
Generalissimo for the right to partner Cole.
David Sullivan was quick to claim credit for last week's victory with his
"pay cuts for all" speech. He'll have to go some to top that. Look out then
for an "inspirational" speech from the SuGo offices suggesting that the
players' first born will be slaughtered unless they pick up three points on
Saturday.
It's tight at the bottom at the moment. This will be a nervy one but Cole is
beginning to return to his pre-injury sharpness and Mido will have a point
to prove. The doubt about Diamanti is a bit of a worry but I still reckon
that, with a decent start, we ought to have too much for the visitors. So,
with fingers duly crossed, I'll go for a 2-0 to us which, if results
elsewhere go for us, could see us go as high as 13th spot.
Enjoy the game!
Last season: won 2-0. - arguably our best performance of the season with Di
Michele and Cole finding the net. Hull 'keeper Duke saved a Noble penalty
and kept the score down. A repeat of both result and performance would be
most welcome.
Danger Man: Jimmy Bullard. (if fit) – always a worry from set pieces, his
overall influence on the Hull side should not be underestimated.
Referee: Martin Atkinson – took charge of the 2-1 defeat at Stoke where he
gave a penalty against Faubert for being the nearest player to an
Etherington dive, then missed Huth's right hook on Upson at a corner.
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Zola a happy Hammer again
Coach ends dispute with co-owners and turns focus back to results
By Chris Burton Last updated: 19th February 2010
SSN
Gianfranco Zola insists the atmosphere at West Ham has improved since his
public spat with the club's owners. The Italian coach was left fuming by
comments made by David Sullivan regarding the Upton Park wage structure and
the fact that players would need to take pay cuts in future contract talks.
Zola questioned the logic behind the timing of the announcement and the need
to make such comments to the media. However, he saw his side respond in the
best possible manner as they claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory over
Birmingham last time out. Zola insists the issue has now been laid to rest
and claims everyone connected with the club is pulling in the same
direction. "It's an old story which has been discussed too much," he said.
"There is a better atmosphere because there isn't so much talking or
speculation now. That has helped the situation."
Zola has also offered an olive branch to Sullivan and his fellow co-owner
David Gold by insisting the duo's arrival in January has helped to lift the
gloom which was starting to envelop Upton Park. "They want to improve the
situation financially and also as a team," he explained. "We have not
suffered any problems because they are looking after us. Nothing has
changed. The new board came in and brought in three players to help us. "The
club are trying to make the situation better, that is important and we do
not have a problem with that. I told the chairmen they can do what is
necessary for the good of the club."
While peace has broken out off the field, West Ham remain just a point above
the Premier League relegation zone heading into Saturday's home date with
Hull City and Zola knows it is imperative his side start to establish some
momentum. He added: "It's a massive game. We don't just need to win one game
every now and again, we need to put some wins together in a row. "We know if
we don't perform well we will be in trouble. All the games are difficult and
we know everything has to be right. "I know the players have difficult times
out there and the manager and staff have to always be supportive. That's
what we try to do and it makes a big difference when people respond to
that."
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West Ham v Hull City preview
Crucial relegation six-pointer at Upton Park
By Steve Pass Last updated: 19th February 2010
SSN
Predicted Score: West Ham 1 Hull 1
SKY BET ODDS: West Ham 4/5, Draw 5/2, Hull 7/2
West Ham and Hull to draw 1-1 is 6/1 so a £10 stake returns £70. Bet on this
match
West Ham entertain Hull City at Upton Park on Saturday in a vital relegation
six-pointer which is sure to be tense. Both sides go into the game on 24
points - just one above the drop zone - although the Tigers have played a
game more. The Hammers are currently in 15th in the table on the back of the
excellent 2-0 victory over high-flying Birmingham last time out. Gianfranco
Zola's side will be looking to build upon an unbeaten four-match Premier
League home run, which has yielded eight points in their battle against the
drop. Meanwhile, Phil Brown's Tigers are 17th in the table after their 1-0
reverse at Blackburn in their most recent fixture. Like the Hammers, the
Tigers have been relying on home form for their survival hopes - 20 out of
their 24 points so far this term have come at the KC Stadium. The Tigers
have yet to win away and Brown will be desperate to change this statistic at
Upton Park.
Team news
West Ham will be without striker Benni McCarthy for the visit of Hull. The
South African star, who signed for the Hammers on the last day of the
January transfer window, has been out with a knee problem since West Ham's
2-1 defeat at Burnley on 10th February. Herita Ilunga (thigh) will remain
sidelined for at least three more weeks while Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer
(both hamstring) are not ready to return. But West Ham boss Zola has been
boosted by the return of Guillermo Franco from a muscle complaint which has
kept him out for the last two months. Luis Boa Morte, Calum Davenport and
Zavon Hines are long-term absentees for the Hammers.
Hull boss Brown may call on midfielder Jimmy Bullard for only the sixth time
since his £5million move from Fulham last January. The 31-year-old has
returned to training after his latest knee injury, which saw him leave the
field in tears at Aston Villa in December, and could be on the bench. Brown
will definitely be without another midfielder in Geovanni, who is still out
with a knee problem, but George Boateng is available after his red card
against Blackburn was rescinded. Club captain Ian Ashbee remains out with a
long-term knee ligament problem.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Kovac, Parker,
Diamanti, Cole, Mido.
Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Gardner, Mouyokolo, Dawson, Fagan, Boateng,
Cairney, Hunt, Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
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Sorry I broke your face Zola
The Sun
By STEVE BRENNER
Published: Today
GEORGE BOATENG will think of two things when he sees Gianfranco Zola today -
a bashed-up face and summer holidays. Back in November 2002, a typically
tasty challenge from the combative former Middlesbrough star left Zola in
agony and his features in a mess. Boateng, 34, claimed it was accidental but
you would have understood if the West Ham boss never wanted to speak to him
again. Zola, though, is clearly not the vengeful type. Not only did he
accept his apology but a few years down the line he went out of his way to
arrange the Hull midfielder a memorable holiday stay in Zola's native
Sardinia. The generous 5ft 6in Upton Park chief will not want his men to
help the Tigers in this afternoon's relegation six-pointer. But Boateng, who
is 6ft, cannot wait to see his old rival again. He said: "Yeah, I had a few
tussles with him. What a player Zola was. He gave the Premier League a new
face but, as a manager, it's a lot harder. "I remember I elbowed him once
because he's so little. Where my elbow was, his face was there, too. "I hurt
him really bad, he was hurt proper. I spoke with him afterwards and he
understood. "When I saw him last year, he said he was pleased I wasn't
playing because he didn't want to get kicked again! "He's a fantastic bloke,
though. He even organised for my family to go on holiday to Sardinia one
year. "He knew a great place over there and sorted it for me through my old
mate Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. He got us a 10 per cent discount at this
beautiful place we stayed. It was wonderful. "It says everything about him
that after what happened when I caught him in the face, he still found it in
him to do something good for me."
As for today's clash, Boateng added: "Their confidence will be high but,
although they have good players, they are not a good team. "Hull City have
good players and I believe we are a better team. They have a lot of
individuals and we have seen when they go behind, it's difficult for them to
recover." SunSport caught up with Boateng at a Premier League Places for
Players event in Hull aimed at trying to get the local community more aware
of the importance of health and physical activity. Boateng and rookie Liam
Cooper were shown around the new NHS health centre in Hull. Ex-Tigers
striker John Hawley provided the footy action with kids, and myself,
encouraged to have a go at his Skills Drills programmes.
Boateng does not fit the usual stereotype for a footballer. Honest,
talkative, intelligent and totally willing to help those worse off than
himself, the Dutchman gives his all to everything - on and off the pitch.
Growing up in poverty-stricken Ghana has taught him to appreciate every
living second. And he travels back to his homeland to help kids get a start
in life. Boateng explained: "My parents took me to Holland when I was nine.
The poverty I experienced in Africa certainly makes me appreciate everything
I have today.
"I remember living in one room with a bed and a fridge. We had to walk a
mile to get water. Sometimes you had no shoes to wear. "We played football
at school and put our lunch money on the result just to try to get some
food. So you either had a full belly or you were starving all day. "They
were hard times. That's why I see helping the community in any way I can as
such an important aspect of my life. "I go back once a year and as soon as I
get back I think, 'Right I won't let the taps run like I normally do'. It
makes you think."
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No way your pay will go Up
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
MATTHEW UPSON has been told he will not get a penny pay rise out of West
Ham. The England defender has just over a season left on his contract and
earns £68,000 a week at the cash-strapped Hammers. Club owners David Gold
and David Sullivan must slash the £60million wage bill even if it means
losing their top earner. Gold said: "Matthew is an outstanding player. You
can see how important he is to us. "We will do everything we can to retain
him but we're not going to go bust. "What we inherited here is a club that's
been paying wages as if it is Manchester United and that cannot continue.
It's in a mess. "We have to take some tough actions. What we will drive for
is to ensure the club and manager has funds to stabilise the footballing
side."
Gold has offered to lend skint Portsmouth £10m but admits it is mainly to
save West Ham's skin. Pompey face going out of business, with another date
in court with the taxman next week. Relegation-threatened West Ham would
lose four points if Portsmouth went into liquidation and had all their
results erased. Gold said: "I want them to get relegated and to go into
administration, but I will be mortified if they go bust. "West Ham's
involvement is that everyone here is hoping they get relegated. It is human
nature. We want three clubs relegated. "If Portsmouth are one of them, we'll
cheer them all the way down - that's what we do for a living. "It will be
sad for their fans but it won't destroy them.
"In all honesty, the four points is the driving motive but we also owe it to
them. The Premier League is made up of 20 football clubs, not 19." The
Hammers face fellow strugglers Hull today and Zola said: "It's a massive
game."
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