WHUFC.com
Tony Carr was pleased with his team's display in their FA Youth Cup defeat
by Newcastle United
04.02.2010
Tony Carr was full of pride for his West Ham United Under-18 side after
seeing them knocked out of the FA Youth Cup by Newcastle United. The Hammers
played their full part in an entertaining tie at the Boleyn Ground,
controlling possession for long periods and creating countless opportunities
for long periods, only to finish on the wrong end of a 3-0 fifth-round
defeat. Academy Director Carr praised the attitude and approach of his team,
who continued to plug away, despite falling three goals behind just six
minutes after half-time. George Moncur smashed a 30-yard free-kick against
the crossbar and Eoin Wearen saw his penalty saved late on as the Hammers
gamely tried to force their way back into the match, but it was just not to
be their night. Instead, goals from Jeffrey Henderson - whose shot was ruled
just over the line by the assistant referee - Philip Airey and Bradden Inman
saw the Magpies steal a place in the quarter-finals. "I was pleased with the
way we played, to be honest," Carr told WHUTV. "The scoreline didn't do us
justice and doesn't tell the story of the game. I thought for the first 20
or 25 minutes of the game we were terrific. We passed the ball and outplayed
them, and that's no understatement. "We've just gifted them the first goal.
Ahmed on the near post has let the ball go and it was just a crazy, crazy
goal. It was easily cleared but he thought it was going to hit the
side-netting. It hit the post and we cleared it off the line, the linesman
then said it crossed the line but all the boys swear it didn't. "From then
on, it lifted Newcastle tremendously. They were a team that played on the
counterattack and were physically stronger than us but, football-wise, we
outplayed them. In terms of individual performances, there were some
terrific individual ones from us. "At half-time, we were in the game, but
then we made one fatal error. They got lucky when we tried to play the ball
down the line and it ricocheted into the path of their number nine. He's
then outpaced Paco Craig and put it in. [For the third goal] Ahmed Abdulla
has just tried to take too many touches outside his own box and been caught
and bang, we were 3-0 down. "It was obviously an uphill battle from that
point. We've hit the crossbar and missed a couple of good opportunities and
missed a penalty as well. It wasn't to be our night, but I was pleased with
the way we played. "I'm really disappointed with going out of the
competition because I thought we were more than their match, but they did it
where it mattered in and around the box. They scored the goals and we
didn't, end of story. We wish Newcastle all the best and we hope they go all
the way now."
The U18s return to action with an FA Premier Academy League fixture at
Norwich City on Saturday morning. Kick-off is at 11am. The Hammers will be
looking for a repeat of the home fixture between the two sides, which saw
Carr's team run out 3-1 winners at Little Heath on 5 December.
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Half-term stadium tours
WHUFC.com
Supporters can enjoy tours of the Boleyn Ground during the upcoming
half-term holiday
04.02.2010
West Ham United club historian John Helliar will host tours of the Boleyn
Ground over the upcoming half-term holiday. Helliar, who is also a regular
contributor to the official programme and works at the stadium on matchdays,
is a respected authority on all things West Ham. The tours will give
supporters access to otherwise restricted areas including the dressing rooms
and tunnel, while Helliar will be happy to answer any Hammers-related
questions fans might have.
The tours will begin all begin at 10.30am on the following days:
* Monday 15 February
* Tuesday 16 February
* Wednesday 17 February
* Thursday 18 February
Tours are priced at £15 for adults and £7.50 for under-16s and over-65s. To
book, please call the ticket office on 0871 222 2700 and select option
three.
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Cole has 'unfinished business'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole is gunning for goals at Burnley after being injured against the
Clarets earlier this season
04.02.2010
Carlton Cole wants to conclude his own "unfinished business" when West Ham
United head to Burnley on Saturday. The Hammers' leading scorer netted his
seventh goal of the Barclays Premier League season in the 5-3 home win over
the Clarets on 28 November, only to be forced off by a knee injury just
moments after scoring from the penalty spot.
The England striker returned to action last month courtesy of two substitute
appearances against Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers, but is hopeful of being
back in Gianfranco Zola's starting lineup at Turf Moor. "I've got unfinished
business with them, because I got injured in the home game," said Cole.
"Hopefully I can stay away from injury this time and notch another goal
against them."
The 26-year-old was part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team that lost 2-1
at Burnley on Boxing Day 2002, and he knows Brian Laws' side will provide a
stern test again seven years on. "I played there before for Wolves on loan
from Chelsea," he confirmed. "We went up there and it was a really hard
game. I've not been there for four or five years now and they've changed
their style of play to silky passing. It should be a good game with some
good football and we need to get a six-pointer up there, which we're fully
capable of doing."
Two men who could help Cole in his quest for points at Burnley are Benni
McCarthy and Frank Nouble. Experienced South Africa forward McCarthy has
arrived at the club from Blackburn, while teenager Nouble has been filling
in for the striker during his injury absence. "I'm looking forward to
playing with Benni," said Cole. "I'm very happy that he's joined us and it
can only be a good thing for the club. He's a quality player and very
experienced as well. For me, as well, I can learn from him and pick his
brains about how he does things. I just can't wait to start training with
him properly. "Frank is doing well. It's hard to play the lone role up
front, and people forget that Frank is only 18, because he's built like a
bulldozer. He's still trying to learn his game and learn about his body and
how to use it. He's doing a good job and looking sharp in training and
impressing. I've been impressed with everything he does. "He's been asking
me for tips about what he should do and we've started to watch DVDs
together, as well, so we can learn what other players do. He's in the same
boat as me, trying to become a better player."
West Ham's supporters appreciated Cole's efforts at Portsmouth, singing his
name to the tune of the Spandau Ballet hit 'Gold' on his return to
first-team duty at Fratton Park.
"These things touch me, because it just shows how far I've come. I'm not
saying all the fans didn't appreciate me, but once I started banging in the
goals, I've become a more important and integral part of the team. I'm just
happy and thankful that the fans appreciate that. "Physically I feel good,
but I need to get my match-sharpness back. Everything is positive for me at
the moment, so I just need to keep on the road and I'll get there. I want to
score more goals and get my tally back up and hopefully score a goal every
other game."
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New date for Old Trafford
WHUFC.com
Fans should take note of the new date for the Barclays Premier League away
game at Manchester United
03.02.2010
West Ham United can confirm the rearranged away game at Manchester United
will now take place on Tuesday 23 February. The Old Trafford fixture will
kick-off at 8pm. It was originally scheduled for the following Saturday - 27
February - only to be postponed because of the Barclays Premier League
champions' involvement in the Carling Cup final the following day. The new
date for the home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers is yet to be
confirmed, having twice been called off in the past month. Supporters should
also take note that the Arsenal away match at the Emirates Stadium on
Saturday 20 March will get under way at 5.30pm because it will be shown live
on ESPN. Meanwhile, there is still time for fans to make sure of their place
for the visit of Birmingham City next Wednesday - a night that could see the
potential home debuts of new recruits Benni McCarthy, Mido and Araujo Ilan.
Under-16s can take advantage of the hugely popular 'Kids for a Quid' scheme.
Demand is high so supporters should move quickly to book their seats for
what promises to be a special night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground.
As well as the reduced under-16 prices, tickets for over-65s and young adult
members start from £17.50. Anyone interested should call 0871 222 2700 via
Option 1, go along to the West Stand ticket office in person or click here.
http://www.whufcboxoffice.com/
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Laws is no fan of Hammer Mido
Published 11:00 04/02/10 By Mirror Football
The Mirror
Brian Laws claims he would not want Mido in his team as he fights to keep
Burnley in the Premier League. Mido signed for fellow relegation strugglers
West Ham on Monday and makes his debut against Laws's Burnley side on
Saturday. It's the third time in 12 months Mido has been sent out on loan
from Middlesbrough, following spells at Wigan and Egyptian side Zamalek. And
Laws reckons Mido lacks the hunger he needs from his players to save the
club from the drop. He said: "No disrespect, but is Mido going to come in
here and work as hard as these other players? "That is the mentality that we
have. We may not have the class of the top teams, but if we haven't got
that, we have got to work hard - harder than the opposition. "Therefore we
have got to have players who have the hunger to work hard enough. If you've
got hungry players, you've got a chance."
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What's the Business Case for the Olympic Stadium?
West Ham Till I Die
I have always been open to the possibility of a future move to the Olympic
Stadium. However, the new regime at the club need to recognise that many
fans have genuine concerns about the atmosphere, the running track and
security of tenure at the Stadium. Moving in to a 55,000-60,000 capacity
ground could radically transform West Ham's prospects, guaranteeing the
additional revenue to take the club forward. Also, as David Gold has said,
the move to the City of Manchester Stadium worked for Man City, so why
cannot a move to the Olympic Stadium work for the Hammers?
However, the fact remains that many supporters are not sold on a potential
move across the borough. I recently took time to speak informally to a few
fans, of my acquaintance, to ascertain their views. Some were
uncompromising in their belief that Upton Park was the spiritual home of the
club and it should remain there. Some were nervous at the prospect of
selling Upton Park and becoming a tenant at the Olympic Stadium. Others
doubted our ability to fill a 55-60,ooo capacity seater and had reservations
about it's implications for the match day atmosphere.
If the move materialises, the new owners will need to sell the business case
to the fans. That way, fans can scrutinise their proposals and debate its
merits in Hammers sites and forums. It is important that they take the fans
with them by showing how the move will contribute to the creation of a
stronger, more successful West Ham Utd FC.
In the meantime there is a lot of negotiation to be done before the move
becomes a realistic proposition. But it is possible that hard economic
realities and common sense could convince the government that an
accommodation with West Ham is not only mutually beneficial, but the only
viable option for the long-term use of the stadium.
The central barriers to be overcome are the Olympic authority's inflexible
interpretation of an 'atheltics legacy' and the collateral issue of the
running track. There is also the issue of the financial contribution that
club will have to make to the post-2012 adaption of the stadium. Apparently
there is an government budget allocated to fund this work. But how much
will the club be required contribute to expensive adaptations such as the
possible installation of retractable seating over the running track?
The fans need to be convinced that this move could open up an exciting new
chapter in Hammers history. At the moment many of them just see it in terms
of a loss of the club's heritage. Yet, Stratford is actually in the old
County Borough of West Ham, unlike Upton Park which is officially in East
Ham. So, it could actually be argued that the club would be moving back to
its roots. Yes, the club has been located there a very long time, but is it
really the Upton Park of old? Atmosphere wise, the current stadium is
certainly not the ground that I remember from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Nothing like it. The Taylor Report put paid to that! Upton Park is pivotal
to the club's history, but perhaps we may have to accept that it will
eventually pass in to historical record to facilitate a new chapter opening
up in Stratford, post-2012.
One fan said that he felt that a move would be a 'betrayal of the legacy of
Bobby Moore.' I can understand that feeling, but we should remember that
Bobby's relationship with the club after 1965 was not always unproblematic.
From what I have read it would appear that after the ECWC win he grew
increasingly frustrated at the club's lack of ambition and failure to mount
a serious championship challenge. Maybe, just maybe, Bobby would have seen
this move as evidence of some belated ambition by the club?
We obviously need to know what would happen to the proceeds from the
sale/development of Upton Park. I think that most fans would expect to see
those monies reinvested in the infrastructure of the club. Also, the club
have to secure a lease at the Olympic Stadium that guarantees long-term
security of tenure. Realistically, I do not think that this is a problem.
Afterall, there are not likely to be many other options in terms of tenants!
Anyway, that is a potential issue for the future. More immediately, it will
interesting to see if all the discourse about the club's alleged levels of
debt is a prelude to a hike in the price of season ticket/match tickets next
season? If I recall correctly, season ticket holders were told that renewal
for 2009-10 would guarantee a freeze and slight reduction over the following
two PL seasons. Assuming that we will retain our PL status (which I think
will be the case) will those commitments now be honoured? Or will they be
dropped and a price hike justified by the state of the club's finances, the
need to invest in the squad in the summer transfer window, etc? Time will
tell?
SJ. Chandos.
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Burnley v West Ham United: Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th February 2010
By: Preview Percy
Nigel Quashie may have gone for free but we'd have had to pay someone to
take Preview Percy away. So, sadly, he's still here until the next window
opens.....
Next up we have a trip up to the North West to Turf Moor – a ground with a
proper unsponsored name.
Since we last met at the end of November there have been a few changes about
both places. The last time I wrote of Owen Coyle I mentioned that he was
linked with every half-decent managerial vacancy that came up. Clearly the
words "half-decent" meant that I didn't have the likes of Bolton in mind
yet, having turned down Celtic a while back, it was at to the Reebok
(horrible sponsored name) he went, much to the annoyance of the Burnley
faithful. The move inspired a rash of biblical insults with the fans' taunts
of "Judas" being countered by Coyle's own self-comparison to "Moses". Given
the use of Old and New Testament references, I suppose we should be grateful
that Coyle didn't go to Stoke where we'd have had to add "Delilah" into the
mix.
Coyle's replacement was Brian Laws, a manager with no managerial experience
of the Premiership. Though he made him self popular on the non-hypocritical
side of Sheffield by becoming the first Wednesday boss in 95 years to do the
double over their whinging thuggish neighbours, a poor run of results led to
his departure from Hillsborough "by mutual consent" as the Owls descended to
the Championship relegation zone. Small wonder then that some Burnley fans
have been crying into their Benedictines over the change.
Their mood won't have been improved by their lack of form in recent weeks,
having drawn one and lost 5 of their last 6 in the league. They've lost
their last 6 away from Turf Moor whilst their last league win anywhere came
in the 2-0 home victory over Hull way back on 31 October, since when their
home form has included draws against Villa, Bolton, Arsenal and Fulham, and
last week's battling defeat at home to Chelsea where the difference between
the two sides was John Terry's ability to score away from home. One win in
three months has met that they have dropped from 11th when we last met, to
19th at present where they sit one point and four places below our good
selves.
There has been a bit of activity on the transfer front during the recent
window. David Nugent's loan spell from Pompey has been extended, Nugent's
reluctance to return to the South coast being matched only by Portsmouth's
reluctance to pay their players. They've also brought in Chelsea midfielder
Jack Cork who, it is to be hoped, has brought his girlfriend up with him if
he has one. In defence they have brought in Leon Cort for £1.5m (rising to
£2m with add-ons) from Stoke, and 'keeper Nicky Weaver from that legendary
club "Free Agent". Weaver's last proper job was with Dundee United with whom
he made 18 appearances in the SPL. Weaver has been brought in to provide
competition for Brian "Beast" Jensen, though the rather chunky Dane was
preferred as onion bag custodian against Chelsea.
Cort also started the Chelsea match alongside Bikey, though Nugent didn't
actually feature in the squad, the ink not having dried on the loan
paperwork from Portsmouth. Expect him to at least make the bench on
Saturday. They do have a few casualties in the treatment room at present –
welcome to our world! Norwegian Christian Kalvenes and Scot Steven Caldwell
may miss out this time round, being listed as "doubtful" with hamstring and
groin problems respectively. Kalvenes was replaced by Edgar who may stand in
again should the Norwegian not recover in time.
We, of course have also rung the changes. The advent of our new owners (who
I believe in the modern parlance are to be known as "SuGo") has meant that
we haven't had to sell any of our best players during the window. In have
come Benni McCarthy, Mido and Ilan. McCarthy managed to upset Sam Allardyce
which is probably reason enough to have signed him. Mido has agreed to play
for a grand a week in a bid to prove a point whilst Brazilian Ilan has
arrived from "Free Agent" having fallen out of favour with French strugglers
St Etienne, which, as CVs go isn't the most inspiring. However we definitely
needed more depth up front where Nouble's understandable lack of experience
of playing as a lone striker has been all too apparent in the absence of
Cole and Franco. Expect Nouble to return to learning his trade in the
reserves or on loan for a bit bearing in mind the recent influx of forwards.
On the injury front things are looking up. Franco's hamstring will probably
need another week though the injury room websites have returned to playing
the "Kieron Dyer's back soon" game in the hope that one day they'll be
right. Danny Gabbidon is similarly listed so neither of them are likely to
be about.
The big question is whether Zola will go for one or two up front. If it's to
be one then look at that to be Cole. However, all the talk has been of what
a good partnership Cole and McCarthy will make and, given Burnley's recent
form, the feeling may well be that this is one away match for which the less
cautious approach of a traditional 4-4-2 might be appropriate. If that's the
case expect Benni to start and Mido and possibly Ilan to turn up on the
bench.
Prediction? Well they haven't won since Halloween whilst we haven't got
three points on the road since the 2-0 win at Molineux on the opening day of
the season. The blank facts would therefore suggest a draw is on the cards.
However you can never underestimate the effect that a few signings can have
on team spirit. Whilst I personally would have liked to see a right-back
come in, maybe at the expense of one of the three strikers, I still reckon
that we'll have got more of a boost from the arrival of our three signings
than they'll have got from their new arrivals. The fans' jury is still out
on the manager and an early goal may well cause mutterings of discontent.
Whilst I wish Burnley no ill – there are definitely other teams around us
that I'd rather see the back of – I can't help but notice that we're
unbeaten in the league this decade so I'll go for an optimistic and cheeky
2-1 win to push us closer to safety and leave our opponents worrying for a
week or two more.
Enjoy the game!
Last season - Did Not Play
Danger Man: Chris Eagles - impressive during the late rally that saw then
score three times at the Boleyn in the bizarre 5-3 victory in November.
Referee: Steve Bennett – gave a shocker of a penalty against Manuel Da Costa
in our 2-1 win over Villa, a decision that nearly cost us two points that
were rescued by Zavon Hines' late, late winner.
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Injured Dyer won't quit after Sullivan drops hint
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
February 4, 2010
ESPN
Soccernet has learned that Kieron Dyer has no intention of retiring after
new owner David Sullivan was quoted as saying the player should consider
ending his career as he is costing the club too much for too little a
return. Sullivan hinted that the player might be set to announce his
retirement, but a close associate of Dyer's told Soccernet: "Kieron is not
retiring, far from it. He is once again fighting to get back to fitness, and
might only be a couple of weeks away. "He has had a hamstring injury, and
everyone knows he's had a terrible time with injuries, but he has a couple
of years left on his contract so he hasn't even considered retiring." Dyer,
31, has been plagued by injuries since joining West Ham for £6 million in
2007 and has made just 18 appearances for the club. He is understood to be
earning £60,000 a week. Sullivan referred to a member of the squad who earns
"£60-70,000 a week" when he said in the Daily Telegraph: "There is one
player who hardly plays at all who might have to accept retirement."
Earlier, the co-owner had hinted that he was unhappy about the level of wage
payments at the club as he is reportedly planning to make cuts to staff as
well as attempting to negotiate new agreements with those earning excessive
amounts. "We cannot rip them up under football league rules - you are stuck
with these contracts," Sullivan said. "We have to let them run down or do
deals with players." Hammers striker Dean Ashton was forced to retire due to
injury in December last year at the age of 26 and Sullivan said: "There is
one player who has accepted retirement but we have to give him one year's
money."
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West Ham striker Cole keen to start work with McCarthy
05.02.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is keen to get down to work with new
arrival Benni McCarthy. Hammers boss Gianfranco admits he is expecting big
things from his new strike partnership. And Cole told whufc.com: "I'm
looking forward to playing with Benni," said Cole. "I'm very happy that he's
joined us and it can only be a good thing for the club. He's a quality
player and very experienced as well. For me, as well, I can learn from him
and pick his brains about how he does things. I just can't wait to start
training with him properly."
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