WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson is preparing to tackle former Birmingham City team-mate
Nicklas Bendtner on Saturday
20.03.2010
Matthew Upson knows he will have to be at his best to shackle former
team-mate Nicklas Bendtner this afternoon. The West Ham United defender and
Arsenal striker shared a dressing room at Birmingham City during the first
half of the 2006/07 season, before Upson moved to the Boleyn Ground in
January 2007. The pair played seven times together, with both getting on the
scoresheet in a 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on 2 December 2006, and the
England centre-back knows he will have to be alert to deal with the threat
posed by the powerful Denmark forward. "I know Nicklas relatively well,"
said the 30-year-old ahead of Saturday's match, which will be screened live
on ESPN and ESPN HD from 4.45pm. ESPN is available on Sky channels 417 and
442, Virgin channels 529 and 530 and Top Up TV 34. "He's progressed as a
player over the last 18 months. I played with him at Birmingham for a short
while when he went on loan there. "You know what you are going to get from
him. He's a big physical presence who can bring the ball down well, and he's
also a threat in the air. He's also got good feet as well, but he probably
needs that little bit of consistency and clinical finishing in front of
goal, but he's still young and, given the opportunities, he's shown he can
take them, so we'll have to be ready for him."
Upson also spent five-and-a-half years at Arsenal between May 1997 and
January 2003, when he moved to Birmingham for £1m. During his time at
Highbury, the Suffolk-born player worked under Gunners manager Arsene
Wenger, and quickly became a convert to the Frenchman's preferred style of
play. That said, Upson is treating Saturday's trip to the Emirates Stadium
like any other Barclays Premier League fixture. "I wouldn't say it is
special [to go back to Arsenal]. It's always nice to go back there, but I've
been left quite a few years now, so in my mind, it's just another away game
for West Ham United. "When they have got the wind in their sails, there are
probably not many better teams to watch in the Premier League, and maybe
even in Europe. They are highly entertaining and have a lovely style of
play, and we will have to be really on our guard if we want to take
something from the game. "We've got a fairly good recent record there. We
obviously got a massive win there the season we stayed up and we got a good
point there last season with a really big team display, so it shows that it
can be done and we're capable of doing it."
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Noble ready to return
WHUFC.com
After missing the last two games, Mark Noble could force his way back into
Gianfranco Zola's thoughts
19.03.2010
Mark Noble is relishing being back in contention for Saturday's trip to
Arsenal after the frustration of having to sit out the last two matches with
an arm injury. Speaking to WHUTV, the midfielder confirmed he had trained
all week and was eager to force his way into Gianfranco Zola's thinking for
the Saturday evening trip to the Emirates. "I have been training the last
four or five days," he said. Noble had been forced off with injury in the
second half of the 23 February game at Manchester United, which meant he
missed out on the home match with Bolton and last Saturday's trip to
Chelsea. With Scott Parker absent, Noble could be the man to profit."I feel
good and sharp. I want to be out their with the boys and play my part. It
has been a stop-start season. I keep getting little niggling injuries that
are keeping me out, they do my head in, but hopefully I can be back and
involved against Arsenal."
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Zola inspired by Inter
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola wants his team to take heart from Internazionale's midweek
win when they tackle Arsenal
19.03.2010
Gianfranco Zola has encouraged his West Ham United team to emulate
Internazionale by springing a surprise at Arsenal on Saturday. Jose
Mourinho's Italian champions shocked the football world by scoring an
unexpected win at Stamford Bridge to knock Chelsea out of the UEFA Champions
League in midweek. With that in mind, Zola believes his players can take
inspiration from the performance of the Nerazzurri and produce another upset
at the Emirates Stadium. "It's not a great time, but we never give up. I
stand by the thing that football can sometimes produce surprises. There were
not many that thought Inter could play the game like they played against
Chelsea. I think the majority if people said that Chelsea would go through.
They needed one goal and they were comfortable, but football can sometimes
be unpredictable. "I always hope. I never go on to the pitch with the
feeling that I'm going to lose the game. I tend to go for the positive side
all the time, so I'm going to go there and I'm confident that my team can do
something. I always do."
West Ham travel to north London without injured Hammer of the Year Scott
Parker - who has tightness in his leg muscles - seeking to end a run of
three straight defeats against an Arsenal side themselves welcoming back a
fit-again Cesc Fabregas. However, Zola insisted that, while the odds may be
stacked against his team, they will going all-out to upset the formbook.
"Obviously on paper, Arsenal is flying right now, playing well and scoring
goals, and we have not been playing well recently and our away form is not
the best. But football is football - trust me, it can be tricky. "Last year
we did very well there [to draw 0-0]. We defended very well there and got a
good point for us, so I want to play this game. "Fabregas is back, and Alex
Song is also back from suspension, which is great! It's tough for us,
because we have a few injuries. There's no doubt it will be a difficult
game, but we will give it our best shot. "Fabregas is a big, big player for
them, not only in terms of the quality of the football that he plays, but he
produces a lot of important of goals he scores for them. That's the quality
that has surprised me the most - I knew he was very good at playing the
ball, but I didn't expect him to score so many goals. "Scott felt a little
bit of tightness in the leg, and I can't risk anything because we have
another game on Tuesday, so I don't think he's going to be available.
Everyone knows how important Scott Parker is to my team, but we have to cope
with that. It's important that we go on the pitch and believe that we can
get a good result."
Parker's absence may be a blow, but the Hammers have been boosted by the
return of Herita Ilunga and Mark Noble to full training this week, while
Carlton Cole and Guille Franco are both pushing for a start after regaining
full fitness. While it may not be to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger's liking,
Zola has told his players to prepare for a battle this weekend. "We will try
to be aggressive. I know Arsene doesn't like losing very much, but sometimes
when you play teams like Arsenal, the only way to beat them is to be strong
and aggressive and stop them playing. If you allow them to play, they can
cause you a lot of problems."
Zola and his players have also been working hard to cut out the individual
mistakes that cost them dear against Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea in recent
weeks. "I personally learnt a lot and so did the players as well [from the
Chelsea defeat] because they worked hard and kept themselves in the game,
then they made a mistake and they punished us. When you play against strong
teams, you cannot afford to make any mistakes, because they punish you. That
has been the case. "Their second goal, when we didn't challenge John Terry
in time, he found Malouda and he produced an unbelievable cross and we lost
the man [Didier Drogba] in the box, and that's the way the goal came. When
you play teams like Chelsea and Arsenal, the concentration has to be 100 per
cent for 90 minutes otherwise they will take advantage of your mistakes."
Following Saturday's trip to Arsenal, West Ham play host to Wolverhampton
Wanderers next Tuesday before Stoke City visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
week. The manager believed three matches in eight days could define his
side's season. "The next few days will be very, very important for us. We
have massive games. Saturday is a derby, it will be tough, but we are going
to give it our best because the game will be important for Tuesday. It's a
massive, massive week, but we know that."
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Arsenal memories inspire Dyer
WHUFC.com
Evening Standard reporter Ken Dyer believes West Ham United can spring a
surprise on Saturday
19.03.2010
Evening Standard reporter and lifelong West Ham United fan Ken Dyer believes
the Hammers need to look to the past for inspiration ahead of Saturday's
trip to Arsenal. Dyer was in the Press Box when Alan Taylor inspired West
Ham to a 2-0 FA Cup sixth-round win at the Gunners' old Highbury home in
March 1975. A little more than five years later, the respected correspondent
was again on hand as Trevor Brooking headed the Hammers to FA Cup glory in
an unforgettable final at Wembley. With those memories still fresh in his
mind, Dyer has called on the club's modern-day players to emulate Taylor and
Brooking by firing West Ham to a vital Barclays Premier League success at
the Emirates Stadium this weekend. "It is always special when we play
against Arsenal. The Emirates is a fantastic stadium, but Highbury was
always a special place to go as well. It had history all over the place. "I
remember back in 1975, I had been away for several months in Australia
before I came back for the FA Cup quarter-final. It poured down with rain
all day, but the game went ahead and Alan Taylor scored the only goal of the
game. 'Sparrow' was on one of those runs that players go on and it went
right through to the final, when he scored twice in our 2-0 win over Fulham
at Wembley. "Arsenal had John Radford playing for them that day and Mervyn
Day brought him down for a cast-iron penalty, but the referee didn't give it
- we could certainly do with some of that sort of luck this weekend."
"Five years later, we famously took on Arsenal in the FA Cup final at
Wembley. Back in those days, I was lucky enough to travel with the team on
the bus, which was a real privilege. After the game, John Lyall invited me
down to the dressing room and, as you can imagine, the atmosphere and
celebrations going on in there were something to behold. "After we had
beaten them, I was among the small group of journalists invited to attend a
special reception at a swanky London hotel in the evening. I remember the FA
Cup was there and myself and my wife had our picture taken with the trophy -
that was a nice moment."
Dyer believes West Ham's two meetings with Arsene Wenger's side this season
should add to the confidence within Gianfranco Zola's squad. The Hammers
battled back from a 2-0 half-time deficit at the Boleyn Ground on 25 October
to snatch a share of the spoils in the reverse league fixture. Then, on 3
January, Alessandro Diamanti put the hosts ahead in the pair's FA Cup
third-round meeting, only for Arsenal to score two late goals to put the
east Londoners out of the competition. "We have given Arsenal a couple of
good games this season, but we have yet to beat them. We came back from two
goals down in the league and could have got the better of them in the FA
Cup, when we went ahead before being undone by two late goals. "The thing
about playing the modern-day Arsenal team that maybe suits us is that they
try to pass the ball. We play better against teams that move the ball and
sometimes over-elaborate, rather than teams that get the ball forward
quickly and play a more direct style. "Arsenal create a lot of chances but,
like a lot of the better teams, they do give you an opportunity, and we've
got to take it when it comes."
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Nouble set for Swindon
WHUFC.com
Frank Nouble will look to prove his undoubted potential in a loan spell at
Swindon Town
19.03.2010
England Under-19 striker Frank Nouble has joined Swindon Town on a one-month
loan. Nouble has just spent a successful month at Championship high-fliers
West Bromwich Albion, appearing three times, with fierce competition for
places at the Boleyn. The chance to further impress at Swindon will see him
look to aid their League One promotion push. They are fourth and welcome
leaders Norwich City to the County Ground on Saturday. Still only 18, Nouble
has made great progress since his summer switch from Chelsea, making his
debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the season and
going on to play nine times in league and cup to date. His first league
start came with an impressive display away to Aston Villa in January. A
former U17 international, Nouble is part of the Young Lions squad aiming to
reach the 2010 UEFA European U19 Championship. He played in all three games
as England reached this spring's Elite round, where they will meet
mini-tournament hosts Ukraine, the holders, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Republic
of Ireland.
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Arsenal match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background from Saturday evening's trip to the
Emirates Stadium
19.03.2010
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v West Ham United
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 20 March
5.30pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
• West Ham United will look to make it third time lucky against Arsenal this
season after a draw and a defeat in the previous two encounters. It is the
first of three matches in eight days that will do much to define the Hammers
season, with home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City to
follow on Tuesday and Saturday week respectively.
• The first encounter with Arsenal this season was a 2-2 Barclays Premier
League draw at the Boleyn Ground on 25 October. That day, the Hammers fought
back from two goals down to tie the game through goals from Carlton Cole and
Alessandro Diamanti.
• On Sunday 3 January, the Gunners again travelled to east London for an FA
Cup third-round tie. Diamanti was again on target just before half-time only
for Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo to score in the second half for the visitors
and seal a 2-1 away win.
• West Ham will be looking for their first win in seven matches against the
Gunners, having lost four times and drawn twice since winning 1-0 at the
Emirates Stadium on 7 April 2007.
• The two teams have met 105 times in the league. Arsenal have won 46, West
Ham United have won 27 and there have been 32 draws.
• This year marks 30 years since the 1980 FA Cup final, when Trevor Brooking
scored the winner with a rare headed goal at Wembley on 10 May. The club
will honour that team at this year's End of Season Gala Dinner. Click here
for more details.
• Fans not going to the match can catch all the action exclusively live on
ESPN & ESPN HD from 4.45pm on Saturday with Ray Stubbs and his guests in the
studio; Kevin Keegan and former Hammers favourite Shaka Hislop. ESPN is
available at: Sky 417 and 442, Virgin 529 and 530, Top Up TV 34. For further
information on how to subscribe to ESPN, go to espn.co.uk/tv
Last time out
Saturday 13 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 4-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Spector, Gabbidon, Upson, Daprela, Parker, Kovac,
Dyer (Cole 68), Behrami, Ilan (Diamanti 84), Mido (Stanislas 68)
Subs not used: Stech, Tomkins, Collison, McCarthy
Goal: Parker 30
Saturday 13 March 2010
Barclays Premier League
Hull City 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen, Clichy, Campbell, Sagna, Arshavin, Eboue
(Walcott 66), Denilson, Nasri (Eduardo 76), Diaby, Bendtner
Subs not used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Merida, Eastmond
Goals: Arshavin 14, Bendtner 90
Last meeting
• The two sides' last meeting was a 2-1 win for Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground
on Sunday 3 January 2010. The two teams that day were -
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela, Behrami, Kovac,
Jimenez, Stanislas (Edgar 87), Diamanti, Nouble (Sears 79)
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, N'Gala, Payne, Lee
Goal: Diamanti 45
Arsenal: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Sagna, Gallas, Song, Merida (Nasri
65), Ramsey, Wilshere (Diaby 65), Vela, Eduardo
Subs not used: Mannone, Traore, Gilbert, Emmanuel-Thomas, Eastmond
Goals: Ramsey 78, Eduardo 83
Head to head
• Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
3 January 2010 West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (FA Cup third round)
25 October 2009 West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
31 January 2009 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United
26 October 2008 West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal
1 January 2008 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
29 September 2007 West Ham United 0-1 Arsenal
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions) W 33 D 38 L 51
Next up
• West Ham United have another vital home game on Tuesday night against
Wolverhampton Wanderers, click here for ticket news. Arsenal's push for the
title will see them head to Birmingham City next Saturday.
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Martin Atkinson. He turns 39 on 31 March.
• 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.
• Atkinson 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.
• Atkinson refereed two West Ham games last season - the goalless draw with
Portsmouth at the Boleyn Ground on 15 November and the 1-0 defeat by
Tottenham Hotspur on 11 April. This will be his second West Ham United match
this season after the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City on 17 October.
West Ham United
• The Hammers have scored all seven of the penalties they have been awarded
this season, a Premier League high.
• Alessandro Diamanti has the most shots (73), shots on target (39), shots
off target (34) and crosses (26) of any of the Hammers players this season.
His eight goals in all competitions have left him just one behind top scorer
Carlton Cole.
• Hammer of the Year holder Scott Parker has won more free-kicks (53) than
any other player in claret and blue.
• West Ham have scored 37 goals this season in the league with 15 different
players on target. Carlton Cole leads the way (nine), with Alessandro
Diamanti (seven) and Guille Franco and Matthew Upson (three) next in line.
Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas (two each), Ilan, Manuel da
Costa, the departed Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines, Radoslav Kovac, Valon
Behrami, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker have also registered. An own-goal
from Everton's Tony Hibbert completes the tally.
• Parker has been cautioned nine times this season and Faubert, Franco,
Kovac and Noble five each. Cole and Collison are 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 two-mach suspension.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 116 successive league starts.
• Jack Collison made his West Ham United and Premier League debut as a
substitute in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day 2008.
• The best Hammers awayday at Arsenal came on 14 November 1964 with a 3-0
victory. Geoff Hurst, Johnny Byrne and Martin Peters all scored without
reply for a West Ham team without the injured Bobby Moore.
• West Ham's heaviest defeat at Arsenal was a 6-1 reverse exactly 34 years
ago on 20 March 1976. Brian Kidd scored the final three goals for the
Gunners, with Alan Ball getting two, against a Hammers team boasting Frank
Lampard, Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking. Arsenal finished 17th that season
on 36 points, ahead of West Ham in 18th only on goal difference.
• West Ham United became the first away team to win at the Emirates Stadium
in a competitive fixture on 7 April 2007, when Bobby Zamora's goal and a
man-of-the-match display from Green helped the Hammers to secure a vital 1-0
victory.
Arsenal
• The Emirates Stadium is the place to go for if you are after goals. The 56
scored at the ground this season is the second highest in the Barclays
Premier League this season, behind only Stamford Bridge on 58.
• Cesc Fabregas is the top scoring midfielder in the country in the league
with 14 goals, and a further three in the cup. He has more assists than any
other player in the Premier League with 15.
• Arsenal have won their last five Premier League games and another success
would represent their best sequence since October 2007.
Team news
• Gianfranco Zola has been boosted by having Herita Ilunga (tendon) and Mark
Noble (arm) back in full training this week. The club has three games in
eight days with home matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City
to follow on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.
• Julien Faubert (hamstring) is also closing on a return. Luis Boa Morte is
edging nearer to his own full training comeback after missing the whole
season to date with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered last July.
• Benni McCarthy has also benefitted from a full week's work, meaning he and
Guille Franco, also in contention again after a back problem, will be
pushing Carlton Cole, Mido and Ilan hard for a place in the attack. McCarthy
was an unused substitute at Chelsea last week.
• Fabio Daprela could keep his place at left-back against the team he made
his first-team debut against back in January.
• Manuel da Costa will miss the matches against Arsenal and Wolves as he
serves the final two games of a three-match suspension for his red card in
the reserves last month.
• Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is expected to return after a two-match
absence with a hamstring problem on Saturday. Tomas Rosicky has also been
given the all-clear to play after sitting out last week against Hull City.
• Alex Song is also available again after a two-match ban.
• The Gunners are without William Gallas (calf) that has kept him out for
six matches, meaning Sol Campbell, who made his Arsenal playing return with
a reserve match at the Boleyn Ground on 12 January, will probably partner
Thomas Vermaelen
• Robin van Persie is hoping to return in April after an ankle problem while
Kieran Gibbs also has hopes of playing again this campaign after his
metatarsal injury in November. Johan Djourou (knee) is also set to figure
again this season but is not yet ready to return.
• Aaron Ramsey will miss the rest of the season with tibia and fibula
fractures in his right leg suffered at Stoke City earlier this month.
Old boys
• Matthew Upson joined Arsenal from Luton Town for £2m in May 1997 at the
age of 18. Upson made a total of 56 appearances for the Gunners over
five-and-a-half seasons before moving to Birmingham City for £1m in January
2003
• Luis Boa Morte was brought to English football from Sporting Clube de
Portugal in 1997 in a £1.75m deal, making 25 appearances for Arsenal before
leaving for Southampton for an initial fee of £500,000 in August 1999.
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Jeremie Aliadiere,
James Bigden, Jimmy Bloomfield, Liam Brady, Dick Curtis, George Burgess,
Kaba Diawara, Ted Drake, Stan Earle, Bert Fletcher, Ron Greenwood, Eddie
Hapgood, John Hartson, Les Henley, Fergie Hunt, James Jackson, Bernard Joy,
Fred Kemp, Tom Lee, Harry Lewis, William Linwood, Fredrik Ljungberg, Roddy
MacEachrane, Jimmy Marshall, David Noble, John Radford, Stewart Robson,
Charles Satterthwaite, Laurie Scott, Rami Shaaban, Bill Sidley, Bob
Stevenson, Davor Suker, Charlie Walker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright and
Richard Wright.
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Emirates
Stadium, click here
Weather: Saturday's forecast is for a cloudy day with some showers. The top
temperature will be 14C.
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Hitchcock comes home
WHUFC.com
Lifelong West Ham United fan Kevin Hitchcock is enjoying life as the club's
new goalkeeper coach
18.03.2010
Lifelong fan Kevin Hitchcock is enjoying life as goalkeeper coach at West
Ham United. The 47-year-old was born and brought up in east London, spending
his formative years cheering on the likes of Mervyn Day, Bobby Ferguson and
Phil Parkes. In March 1993, Hitchcock joined West Ham on loan from Chelsea,
but never had the chance to make a first-team appearance for his boyhood
club. Nowadays, Hitchcock is one of the most respected goalkeeper coaches in
the game, having worked with the likes of Brad Friedel at Blackburn Rovers
and Shay Given and Joe Hart at Manchester City. In between, the stopper
formed part of the successful Chelsea squad of the 1990s, where he played
alongside Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke and Mark Hughes, who he worked under
at both Blackburn and City. "I was born and bred West Ham. I was born in
Custom House and grew up in Plaistow and had a season for 12 or 14 years
over at Upton Park and all the family are staunch Hammers supporters."
Hitchcock has forged a successful working relationship with former team-mate
Hughes, but with the Welshman out of work after leaving Eastlands in
December, he was available to answer Zola's call. "It's no secret that
Gianfranco is a good personal friend of mine, and I got a phone call from
him and asked me if I would help him out until the end of the season. It
came out of the blue and, of course, I have worked with Mark Hughes for such
a long time. "I said to Franco 'I'd love to work with you and help you out
but I need to ask Mark's permission'. Mark said 'Go and help out Franco out'
and here I am."
To read Kevin Hitchcock's views on Robert Green and working with West Ham's
promising young goalkeepers, purchase a copy of the official matchday
programme for the Barclays Premier League visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers,
which will be on sale in and around the Boleyn Ground next Tuesday evening.
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Cup woe for Holmar
WHUFC.com
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson's KSV Roeselare face a tough task to reach their first
Belgian Cup final
18.03.2010
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson's KSV Roeselare face an uphill battle to reach the
Belgian Cup final after going down 3-0 to KV Cercle Brugge in their
semi-final, first-leg tie. With a vital final First Division fixture to
follow on Sunday, Roeselare manager Dennis van Wijk left out regular
starters Nikita Rukavytsya, Joeri Dequevy and Eyjolfsson's Iceland Under-21
colleague Bjarni Vidarsson. Eyjolfsson kept his place at the heart of the
defence, though, and Roeselare made an encouraging start at the Jan Breydel
Stadium. However, Cercle, who sit ninth in the First Division table to
Roeselare's 15th, steadily began to take control of the match, going ahead
through Jelle Vossen's goal on 29 minutes. Hans Cornelis doubled the hosts'
advantage seven minutes later before Ukrainian Oleg Iachtchouk added a third
goal with 18 minutes remaining. Roeselare, playing in the semi-finals for
the first time in the club's 89-year history, will need to produce a heroic
performance in the second leg, which will be played at their own Schiervelde
Stadion home on Friday 26 March. Before then, the Flanders-based side have
the small matter of a home league match with KVC Westerlo, who visit on
Sunday evening. Roeselare must win and hope 14th-placed KSC Lokeren fail to
beat champions Anderlecht to leapfrog Lokeren out of the relegation play-off
position.
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Mehmet and Modelski doing well
WHUFC.com
Two of the club's promising Under-18s have been busy on the international
scene
18.03.2010
West Ham United goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet has been with Turkey this week for
two Under-18 friendlies against Ukraine played in Gaziantep. The Academy
shot-stopper, still only 17, was an unused substitute on Monday in a 3-0 win
at the Kamil Ocak Stadium before playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0
success at the same venue on Thursday. Mehmet, who played at the FIFA U17
World Cup last year, has appeared eight times for Tony Carr's Under-18s this
season. Meanwhile, right-back Filip Modelski has been called up by Poland
Under-18s for two matches against FYR Macedonia between 18-24 April. Having
overcome a serious knee injury suffered last year, Modelski is an
established part of Carr's team. The 17-year-old has played 15 times this
season in all competitions. Modelski has just returned from two
internationals against Belgium played on 9 and 11 March, which finished in a
2-2 draw and 2-0 defeat respectively. He played the full 90 minutes in both
matches before heading back earlier this week to take part in a Hammers
reserve match behind closed doors against Tottenham Hotspur.
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Arsenal v West Ham
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Premier League
BBC.co.uk
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 March 2010 Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London DAB, DSAT & Online; BBC Sport website,
BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day.
Live on ESPN
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal will welcome back captain Cesc Fabregas for the visit of West Ham
following the midfielder's return to training this week. Alex Song will be
available after suspension and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky is also set to
return.
West Ham duo Herita Ilunga (tendon) and Mark Noble (arm) returned to
training this week and could be in line for a recall at Arsenal. Fit-again
Benni McCarthy and Guillermo Franco also hope to be involved.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Arsenal
Injured: Djourou (knee), Gallas (calf), Gibbs (foot), Ramsey (leg), Van
Persie (ankle)
West Ham
Suspended: Da Costa (two matches)
Doubtful: Ilunga (tendon), Noble (arm)
Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Faubert (hamstring)
MATCH PREVIEW
Arsenal's title credentials have been written off more times than the
Comeback Kid, but Arsene Wenger's side will go top of the league - for a day
at least - if they beat lowly West Ham on Saturday.
With eight games - four at home, four away - left, we are still in the
race, so let's have a go
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
An uncanny knack of scoring last-minute goals - five in their last four
league outings - has helped transform the Gunners from title also-rans to
Sir Alex Ferguson's tip as the biggest threat to Manchester United's crown.
The Premier League's top scorers go into Saturday's game chasing a sixth
successive win and boasting the best home record in the top flight.
West Ham head to North London in search of only their second Premier League
away win of the season. Gianfranco Zola's struggling side hover just three
points above the drop zone and are winless in their last three.
The Hammers were the first side to defeat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, a
1-0 success in April 2007, but have failed to win any of their last nine
Premier League London derbies.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This is the 123rd meeting between these sides. Arsenal have won 51 to West
Ham's 33.
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five league matches against West Ham,
although the last two were draws.
• The Gunners are looking for their sixth consecutive Premier League win.
• Their tally of 71 league goals this season is the highest in the top
flight.
• In their last four league matches, Arsenal have scored five goals in or
after the 90th minute.
West Ham
• West Ham have not won any of their last nine Premier League London
derbies.
• The Hammers haven't won a league game away from home since the opening day
of the season.
• They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating
Stoke 2-1.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Arsenal
Fabregas: 17 goals (14 league);
Arshavin: 11 goals (9 league)
West Ham
Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: Phil Sharp & Peter Kirkup
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Arsenal (W2-1 v Hull, a): Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy,
Denilson, Diaby, Eboue (Walcott 65), Nasri (Eduardo 76), Arshavin, Bendtner.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Merida, Eastmond.
West Ham (L1-4 v Chelsea, a): Green, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Daprela, Ilan
(Diamanti 83), Parker, Kovac, Behrami, Dyer (Stanislas 68), Mido (Cole 67).
Subs Not Used: Stech, McCarthy, Tomkins, Collison.
MOST RECENT MEETING
FA Cup third round:
West Ham 1-2 Arsenal (3 January 2010)
West Ham scorer: Diamanti 45
Arsenal scorers: Ramsey 78, Eduardo 83
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West Ham owner attacks athletics plan for 2012 stadium
West Ham's renewed interest in the 2012 site has reopened the legacy debate
By Matt Slater
BBC.co.uk
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has attacked plans to convert the Olympic
Stadium into an athletics venue as an "appalling waste of public money". The
£537m site is set to be reduced from 80,000 seats to 25,000 after 2012, with
athletics as its primary use. But Sullivan says the only "sensible option"
is to opt for a 60,000-capacity venue that West Ham could rent. "To build
an 80,000-seat stadium and reduce it to 25,000 for athletics makes no sense
at all," said Sullivan. "The whole concept was misconceived. I can't get my
head around it. "Let's be honest, that stadium should not have cost £537m.
It's a temporary stadium with limited facilities - that's public money
appallingly badly spent. The Emirates [Arsenal's ground] was built for half
the price."
Sullivan's solution is simple: give West Ham United a similar deal to the
one Manchester City were given at the City of Manchester Stadium after the
2002 Commonwealth Games. The Hammers would rent the stadium from the Olympic
Park Legacy Company (OPLC) - the local and national government partnership
set up to develop the site after the Games - and share half the gate
proceeds above an agreed level (Sullivan suggested 40,000). The Premier
League club would also contribute to the estimated £100m costs of converting
the stadium from its Olympics configuration, which does not incorporate
catering outlets or hospitality boxes. This expense would be softened by the
£38m already in the budget for converting the stadium after the Games. "It
might cost tens of millions of pounds to get it fit for football but we'd
happily chip in for that," said Sullivan, who bought a 50% stake in West Ham
with his business partner David Gold in January. West Ham's renewed interest
in the site has reopened a long-standing debate about London 2012's
bricks-and-mortar legacy. Amid concerns about leaving behind "white
elephants" in some of the capital's poorest areas, the debate has focused on
the affordability of London 2012's "pledge" to ensure a future for athletics
at the stadium.
London 2012 chairman Seb Coe, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell are among those who have claimed London
promised the International Olympic Committee the stadium would remain an
athletics venue. "We made a commitment to a legacy for track and field in
London," a spokeswoman for London 2012 told BBC Sport. "But we were always
clear we wanted other sports to use the stadium alongside track and field,
and that we were never talking about athletics being the sole legacy use for
the stadium."
This stance has been interpreted as meaning the track must stay, a prospect
that has put off potential suitors, including West Ham, in the past. But as
fears about the sustainability of a 25,000-seat athletics venue have refused
to budge, the entire post-2012 plan is up for grabs once more. Sir Robin
Wales, the Mayor of Newham and a member of the London 2012 and OPLC boards,
has been an outspoken advocate for moving the borough's biggest sports team
to the new venue. "We are concerned about it being a white elephant," Wales
told BBC Sport. "We were concerned [at the time of the bid] and we continue
to be concerned. Unless somebody comes up with money from somewhere else,
the only realistic solution is to make the stadium work for a Premier League
football team and that would be West Ham. "We have never understood why that
wasn't obvious. Look at what Manchester did after the Commonwealth Games.
Why didn't we do that here? It's daft we didn't do it in the first place."
Like Sullivan, Wales believes it might be possible for football and
athletics to co-exist at the stadium. But both men make it clear this needs
to be explored properly and if it proves too difficult it is athletics that
should make way. "London needs an athletics facility but there is no reason
why it has to be at the Olympic Park. You could renovate Crystal Palace with
the money you make from this deal," said Wales, an ardent Hammers fan.
Sullivan suggested they would consider covering the track for 10 months of
the year but if that did not work they could build a new athletics stadium
somewhere else, perhaps even at Upton Park. A move to West Ham's current
ground is unlikely to satisfy UK Athletics, the sport's governing body, but
there are indications a compromise is possible. West Ham vice-chairman Karen
Brady is believed to have had constructive talks with UKA on Wednesday. For
its part, OPLC has welcomed West Ham's interest but has been careful not to
upset UKA, which has just announced its bid to host the 2015 world
championships at the Olympic Stadium. A spokesman for the legacy company
said it wanted to safeguard the "significant public investment in the
stadium" as well as "making sure that legacy promises are fulfilled". "In
the coming weeks, we will put in a place a process which will allow
appropriate uses for the stadium to be brought forward, which we will then
evaluate prior to the OPLC board making recommendations to the Mayor and
Ministers," he added. "We aim to reach a settled position by March 2011."
The one other variable in the Stratford equation is the Westfield shopping
mall development. It has been reported that Westfield's Australian owners
were unhappy about the prospect of having West Ham as neighbours. Some have
even suggested Westfield, which opens its mall in 2011, had a veto. But this
was dismissed by both Sullivan and Wales, who claimed Westfield was
perfectly relaxed about West Ham's proposed relocation, give or take a few
minor issues that could easily be resolved. "When they look at the concept
they'll love it," said Sullivan. "What will happen is dad and the kids will
go to the football and mum will go shopping. You'll have 40,000 mums there
20 Saturdays a year - it will be the most vibrant shopping centre in
London."
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Zola - It's a crucial week
By Carla Hilton Last updated: 19th March 2010
SSN
Gianfranco Zola believes West Ham's next three matches could go a long way
to deciding their fate. The Hammers boss is preparing his side for a
daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday where they face title
chasers Arsenal. Defeat could see them out of the drop zone only on goal
difference heading into crucial ties against Wolves and Stoke just days
later. West Ham have what looks to be the toughest fixture run-in of those
in the mire, with matches against Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City
still to play. Fully aware of what lies ahead, Zola says the next seven days
will be crucial to the Hammers' survival hopes. "The next few days will be
very important for us," said the Hammers boss. "We have massive games coming
up. Tomorrow is a derby. It will be a difficult game and we will give our
best because tomorrow's game will also be important for Tuesday and
Saturday. "It will be a massive week."
Zola's side played well in the first half against Chelsea but defensive
errors let them down in the final third. "I personally learned a lot and the
players worked hard and kept themselves in the game until we made a mistake
and they punished us for that," Zola said. "When you play games against
teams like Arsenal and Chelsea you can't afford to lose concentration. It
has to be 100% for 90 minutes or else they will take advantage of any
mistakes."
The Italian chief is hoping his side can replicate or even better their
point at the Emirates last season. "Obviously on paper you can see that
Arsenal are flying now," he said.
"They are playing against a West Ham side that hasn't been playing very well
and our away form is not the best but football is football and sometimes it
can be tricky. "Last year we did very well and got a good point for us and
we have a chance. I want to play this game."
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Swindon bring in Nouble
Striker in line for debut against Canaries
Last updated: 19th March 2010
SSN
League One hopefuls Swindon have snapped up West Ham striker Frank Nouble on
loan. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this week, Nouble has joined the
League One promotion hopefuls on loan for a month. Robins boss Danny Wilson
has moved for Nouble after losing forwards Billy Paynter and Vincent
Pericard to injury. Nouble has only recently returned to West Ham after a
loan spell at West Brom, but Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is happy to farm
out the teenager again so that he can gain some valuable first-team
experience. The 18-year-old is set to go straight into the Swindon squad for
this weekend's clash with league leaders Norwich.
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Arsenal v West Ham preview
Gunners aim to go top against struggling Hammers
Last updated: 19th March 2010
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 3-0
SKY BET odds: Arsenal 2/9, Draw 9/2, West Ham 14/1
One to Watch: Cesc Fabregas
Arsenal have the opportunity to pile more pressure on leading duo Manchester
United and Chelsea when they entertain London rivals West Ham on Saturday.
United face a difficult game against Liverpool on Sunday before Chelsea make
the awkward trip to Blackburn later the same afternoon. Arsenal are
currently two points off the pace in the title race and can therefore go top
of the table, at least temporarily, by beating the Hammers at Emirates
Stadium. Arsene Wenger's side have won their last five Premier League games,
although they were made to work hard for a 2-1 victory away to Hull City
last weekend. Performances have been more eye-catching at home and the
Gunners will be looking to put on another good show in front of their
supporters. Cesc Fabregas is expected to be available for the clash with
West Ham after sitting out the last couple of matches with a hamstring
problem. The injury will be assessed closer to kick-off but he has made
positive progress over the past few days and Wenger will be keen to have him
back in the midfield ranks. Alex Song is also in contention again following
a two-match suspension, while Tomas Rosicky could return from a groin
strain. Wenger's main headache is in central defence, with William Gallas
set to miss a further two games with a calf injury that has been described
as 'endless'. Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Robin van Persie (ankle), Kieran
Gibbs (foot) and Johan Djourou (knee) are still absent.
West Ham's relegation worries appeared to be easing a few weeks ago
following consecutive victories over Birmingham and Hull, but they have
slipped back towards the drop zone. Gianfranco Zola's men have lost three in
a row since beating Hull, going down to title chasers Manchester United and
Chelsea as well as being defeated at home by Bolton.
They may feel that anything gained from the trip across the capital is a
bonus, with Zola perhaps having one eye already on the upcoming games
against Wolves and Stoke at Upton Park. Zola raised a few eyebrows with his
selection at Chelsea last weekend and may decide to make changes for the
clash with Arsenal. Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti are pushing for
recalls in attack after Mido and Ilan failed to fire in the 4-1 defeat to
the Blues. A leg injury has ruled out West Ham captain Scott Parker, but
Mark Noble has recovered from an arm injury and could start in midfield.
Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon (both muscle) and Julian Faubert (hamstring) are
all missing, while Zavon Hines and Luis Boa Morte are long-term absentees.
Possible starting XIs
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Diaby,
Nasri, Arshavin, Bendtner.
West Ham: Green, Upson, Tomkins, Spector, Daprela, Noble, Behrami, Kovac,
Collison, Diamanti, Cole.
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Cole still to reach peak
Hammers marksman hints at bench-duty against Gunners
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 19th March 2010
SSN
Carlton Cole has admitted he has yet to make a full recovery from a knee
injury but claims he is closing in on peak condition so he can shine for
both club and country. The West Ham striker dealt his team a hammer blow
when he snapped his posterior cruciate ligament in November and was set for
a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The powerful centre-forward managed to
avoid surgery and returned to the Hammers first team at the end of January
and looked like he had rediscovered his best form in February when he scored
in successive games before being included in the latest England squad. Cole,
though, has looked off the pace lately and West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola
named the 26-year-old on the bench last time out in the 4-1 defeat to
Chelsea and the former Stamford Bridge performer has revealed he is still
not 100 per cent. "I am still working on my injury because I was supposed to
be out for four months or even more if I had the operation," Cole told the
Daily Mirror. "I had treatment to get myself back so I am ready to help the
club progress. I am still doing my rehab now so I think the manager is
covering me now because he doesn't want me to do too much and blow up. It is
steady progress for me. It has been a long way back for me. "I will make a
full recovery. It is just a matter of time. I am happy and my knee is
feeling good."
Cole has confessed he would not be surprised if he does not start at the
Emirates on Saturday evening when the Hammers take on title-challenging
Arsenal with more winnable games around the corner. "I am not sure how that
will pan out or what team we will play," added the former Wolves, Charlton
and Aston Villa loanee. "Then, most importantly for us, we have got the
Wolves game on the Tuesday and then Stoke next Saturday. "They are down
there in a dogfight with us so if we can get three points out of both of
those matches, we are on the route to surviving. "I need to save my legs for
those games so I can be fully firing and not too tired."
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Hitchcock to direct keepers
The Sun
Published: 18 Mar 2010
KEVIN HITCHCOCK has been appointed West Ham's new goalkeeping coach
following the departure of Ludek Miklosko. Miklosko made 375 appearances for
the Hammers during a seven-year period at the club before joining the
coaching staff at Upton Park in 2001. Former Chelsea ace Hitchcock, who held
a similar post at Blackburn and Manchester City, will take charge of
coaching West Ham's No1 stopper Robert Green as the Hammers look to avoid
relegation from the Premier League. A club statement said: "West Ham can
confirm that coach Ludek Miklosko has left the club with immediate effect.
"Kevin Hitchcock, who spent time on loan at the club back in March 1993, has
been appointed as a goalkeeping coach until the end of the season. "With
respect to all parties involved, the club will be making no further comment
until the terms of his departure are confirmed."
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Zola: the team is down to me
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
GIANFRANCO ZOLA takes West Ham into a week that will make or break their
season - insisting he alone picks his team. The Hammers boss was typically
cool when quizzed on the input of Boleyn co-owners David Sullivan and David
Gold into team selection. Sullivan always speaks to his manager ahead of
games while Gold pops into the dressing room to wish the players luck. But
Zola was adamant the team that steps out at Arsenal today will be his choice
only. Zola said: "One of the owners comes to see the preparation before a
match. I think that's normal - I have no problem with that.In fact, I like
it when they see what we are doing. "I speak to Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold
before every game and we discuss the formation. "But they have never
suggested any players to be in the team."
Gold was at the training ground yesterday and said with a grin: "I'm here to
tell Franco who to pick!" With the struggling Hammers also facing home games
against Wolves and Stoke in the coming week, Zola has described the next
seven days as being the most important in his time as boss. Zola said: "The
next few matches can make a big difference. It's going to be an important
period for me."
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Karren Brady's Football Diary
The Sun
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
THE First Lady of football, West Ham vice-chairman and wife of Burton Albion
boss Paul Peschisolido, Karren finally sees the attraction of John Terry,
finds some lingerie on a Stamford Bridge boardroom peg - before finding a
50-year-old Prem chairman that she can call 'dad'.
Saturday March 13
BUMPED into the Chelsea team in the Stamford Bridge lift and John Terry
stops to say he reads my column every Saturday. He describes it as fantastic
and very honest, then wished me well. Move over Toni. Now I know why all
these women are falling over each other. On second thoughts, maybe he liked
my comments about his stature last week.
As usual, he leads his team from the back and plays a big part in their
second goal after which my Hammers collapse. The most intriguing part of the
afternoon is the black, lacy bra hanging on a peg in the boardroom. I
daren't imagine how it got there. Fabio Capello sits lunching on his own,
perhaps to avoid people like me asking for a picture with my son.
Sunday March 14
FOOTBALL LEAGUE awards at the Grosvenor House, the great and the good busy
autographing their own menus! Even with the administrator in, Crystal Palace
afford a table at £150-a-head. Husband Paul has a face like a smacked arse
having lost 6-5 a day before. Barry Fry says 'don't let the f*****s get you
down' in his charming way. As soon as the words "Achilles injury" are said,
I know it's the end of Becks' career. I'll eat one of Posh's Hermes Birkin
handbags if he ever makes a MLS return. I'd love to believe he's a future
England manager - but he's too pretty.
Monday March 15
WE should tremble at the power of the Women's Institute. Not too long ago
they gave Prime Minister Blair such a hard time that his grin slipped. Now,
in the wake of Phil Brown's apology for a spat between players in front of
the local branch, the Hull manager is sacked. I'd suggest to Rafa Benitez
that he doesn't invite members to Sunday's match with Man U. I don't see the
point in pushing Brown out in the hope one of the candidates - a bunch of
losers from what I've seen - can steal enough points to keep the club up.
Brown did a decent job and had as good a chance as anyone of leading an
escape. If he failed? At Birmingham, we stood by Steve Bruce and Alex
McLeish after relegation and were rewarded with immediate promotions.
Tuesday March 16
CHELSEA chairman Bruce Buck emails me before their home match with Inter:
"As far as tonight is concerned, only on the day I got married have I been
as nervous as this." Only Jose Mourinho can reach places others can't. For
all the money, prestige and progress at stake, it's pride that really
matters. Bruce's must be in tatters as Mourinho's team beat Carlo
Ancelotti's. It's a special night for the Special One who strolls round the
Bridge as if he were still the gaffer. Hugs, kisses and handshakes for all.
"I win important things. They win the FA Cup," he says of the current
Chelsea team. He sounds like a woman scorned, one who cannot move on.
Wednesday March 17
A SPORTING era ends this week the loss of icons Jonny Wilkinson and Beckham
for one reason or another. As one sun sets another rises. Capello must
surely be appraising the talents of James Milner, scorer of Villa's winning
goal last night and a player who, in the opinion of manager Martin O'Neill,
has improved 10 times since moving to central midfield. He provides energy,
edge and enthusiasm and Capello will be looking for ways to accommodate him
in South Africa. The irony of Milner replacing Gareth Barry in England's
team would have them rocking in the Holte End.
Thursday March 18
OUR academy at West Ham is famous for bringing on young players who are a
credit to football. The man chiefly responsible is Tony Carr, who always has
his trainees' best interests at heart. He has been busy deciding which
players to keep on contract and which to let go. For him and other academy
heads, this is the Beatles moment - are they about to turn away potential
brilliance, as Decca records did with the future superstars? Take it from
me, I know the feeling. At the League dinner I was jolted when the
Apprentice of the Year announced things had looked up since he was released
from Birmingham. Ouch. Today an agent tells me they will be taking 5 per
cent of a teenager's salary from his contract which, trust me, wouldn't pay
for a decent night out. What a dirty cockroach, the type who gives the trade
a shocking reputation.
Friday March 19
IT must be decades since Fulham lasted longer in European competition than
neighbours Chelsea, or, come to that, Al Fayed wasn't jealous of Abramovich.
Today's the day, though. A Premier League director and I are laughing about
this as we make our way to the cinema on the eve of his team's match in
London. He wants to see The Hurt Locker and I'm for Crazy Heart. It's just
like transfer negotiations and neither of us are renowned compromisers. We
settle on Avatar. He has highlights and an ear-ring to try to offset 10 of
his 50 years. More ageing gipsy than on-the-town gigolo, he offers the lady
our money. To me, she says: "You'll love it... but I'm not sure about your
dad." Never mind the player I want to sell, he won't even buy popcorn.
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Gianfranco Zola happy with hands-on involvement of ownersGary Jacob
The Times
Gianfranco Zola has denied that West Ham United's co-owners have had an
input in his team selection. The manager has admitted that David Gold, the
club's joint-chairman, often visits the club's training ground and the
dressing room before matches, and has regular telephone contact with David
Sullivan, the other joint-chairman, but he claimed that there was no
pressure placed on him to select certain players. The Italian is under
pressure, with the team facing the threat of relegation, two places and
three points of fthe bottom three. He said that their future is likely to be
determined by matches against Arsenal on Saturday, Wolverhampton Wanderers
on Tuesday and Stoke City a week today.
"They [the owners] tell me that you have you play this and that," he said in
jest. "But no never have they suggested. I speak to Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold
before the game and we discuss about the formation. They like me to explain
what we are trying to do. I like that. They have been very good. What I'm
trying to do is be transparent. I like that they ask me questions and they
ask me what I do and deal with situations. I have no problem with that."
Gold visited the training ground, in Essex, yesterday and joked that he was
there to tell his manager the team. Zola said that he welcomed Gold's
presence. "I think that's normal," he said. "There's nothing wrong with
that. I have no problem with that. It's not an issue. I like it when they
come here and see what we are doing, so they can keep an eye on what we do.
No problems at all for me."
West Ham will take on Arsenal after three consecutive defeats in the league.
"We are not panicking," Zola said. "Our destiny is still in our hands. It's
down to us to produce. If we don't play our football, it's going to be
trouble. It's important you do make your own points. It's normal that you
feel pressure because you want to produce results all the time. I don't
spend much time worrying about my future. My future depends on what I can
give."
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Zola denies David Gold dressing room rift
Published 05:00 20/03/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Gianfranco Zola has rubbished claims he wants West Ham co-owner David Gold
to stay out of his dressing room. Manager Zola said: "One of the owners
comes to see the preparation. I have no problem with that. "I like it when
they come here and see what we are doing, so they can keep an eye on what we
do. "They like to know, they like me to explain what we are trying to do. I
like that. "What I'm trying to do is be transparent. I like that they ask me
questions and they ask me what I do and deal with situations. I have no
problem with that."
The east Londoners are still battling relegation, and ahead of their clash
at the Emirates, Zola admits the following games against Wolves and Stoke
are crucial. Zola said: "The next few matches can really make a big
difference for us. We have matches that are all six-pointers. We are playing
games against teams that are more or less at our level.
"And also they are in similar positions to us. So it's going to be games
that will determine a lot for us." Goalkeeping coach Ludek Mikloso has
parted company with the club this week, and will be replaced by Kevin
Hitchcock.
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Paolo Di Canio 'dreams' of becoming West Ham boss
Published 23:00 19/03/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirro
Paolo Di Canio has declared his intention to take charge of West Ham. The
Hammers hero knows he's not experienced enough to replace under-pressure
manager Gianfranco Zola just yet. So he is willing to learn the ropes in
League One or League Two first. Di Canio yesterday spelled out his
ambitious plan to kick-start his managerial career next season. He said:
"Everybody knows I love West Ham and it would be my dream to be their
manager one day. "But first of all I need to prove I am good enough to do
the job and show my quality as a coach. "Wherever I start it should be good
for the club and for Paolo Di Canio."
The 41-year-old former Lazio, Celtic and West Ham striker has been studying
football management in Italy but wants to use his coaching badges in England
first. The Upton Park legend added: "Italy is my country but England is my
home. "When I go back there it's like I have never left."
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Exclusive Carlton Cole interview: Injuries, West Ham's relegation battle and
the World Cup
By Neil McLeman in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 18/03/10
Carlton Cole claims he is winning the battle against his wounded knee after
support from fellow patient Fabio Capello. The West Ham striker missed two
months of action after snapping his posterior cruciate ligaments back in
November. But as he faces a crucial two months for club and country, he
revealed he has been boosted on his road to recovery by the England boss who
underwent his own knee replacement op in January. "He spoke to me when I was
out injured," revealed Cole. "He had a knee operation at the time so we had
the same sort of problem. "I can't say we compared medical notes but he
certainly understood where I was coming from. "He had a major operation on
his knee so hopefully he feels better now. I am feeling better - I am
certainly back playing before him!"
Cole opted against going under the knife and was back in claret and blue by
the end of January to help the fight against the drop. But despite becoming
a gym junkie to build up the strength in his right leg, the 26-year-old
admitted he is not yet 100 per cent. "I am still working on my injury
because I was supposed to be out for four months or even more if I had the
operation," he said. "I had treatment to get myself back so I am ready to
help the club progress. I am still doing my rehab now so I think the manager
is covering me now because he doesn't want me to do too much and blow up. It
is steady progress for me. It has been a long way back for me. "I will make
a full recovery. It is just a matter of time. I am happy and my knee is
feeling good."
But Cole only appeared from the bench at Stamford Bridge last weekend and do
not be amazed if he does not start at the Emirates tomorrow. "I am not sure
how that will pan out or what team we will play," he said. "Then, most
importantly for us, we have got the Wolves game on the Tuesday and then
Stoke next Saturday. They are down there in a dogfight with us so if we can
get three points out of both of those matches, we are on the route to
surviving. I need to save my legs for those games so I can be fully firing
and not too tired."
Co-owner David Gold said he thought the 26-year-old "was going to die"
because of his efforts in the win over Birmingham. But the new owners were
less complimentary when threatening to cut players pay before that game. "We
know that he was only saying that to get a reaction out of us," said Cole.
"He wanted us to work for our money but I don't think he knew how hard
everyone was working at the time."
The takeover also stopped the need to sell off any of the club's prime
playing assets in January and Cole wants to see out the five-year deal he
signed in 2008. "West Ham has given my career a new lease of life," he said.
"I want to repay the fans and make sure I do well. When I speak to Zola, I
can tell how proud he is of me so I want to try and repay him and try and
help the club get out of where we are."
Cole said the problems this season started on the pre-season trip to China.
But he wants to finish this troubled campaign with West Ham sitting
comfortably in mid-table, a personal goal tally of 15 (he has nine) and a
ticket to South Africa. After Peter Crouch's double against Egypt, he now
appears to be competing for the final forward's spot.
"I was privileged to be in the last squad against Egypt and it shows he
(Capello) still has an eye on me to go to the World Cup," he reckoned. "I
was just happy to be involved and that was a big stepping stone for me."
But Cole still reckons the final World Cup 23 could yet be affected by
injuries. "I know if I am firing, I will hopefully be in and around the
squad but I know I might be the 24th man," said the winner of seven England
caps. "It depends on injuries. I feel so sorry for Becks because I know how
much it meant to him. "There are going to be a lot of injuries I think
because when there are major competitions coming up and people want to get
in, they start tensing up and their bodies are not functioning the same and
that is when you start to get injuries. "You can never know what is going to
happen."
Barclays will be donating £1,000 per goal and £500 for every effort on
target in the Barclays Premier League this Sport Relief weekend.
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McLeish warns West Ham they won't get Brum stars by using a FIFA loophole
Published 22:45 18/03/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Alex McLeish has warned West Ham not to try to snatch Liam Ridgewell and
Sebastian Larsson using a FIFA loophole. Defender Ridgewell, 25, and
midfielder Larsson, 24, have been key players this term for promoted City
who have already secured their top-flight status. They are out of contract
in July and City are negotiating over new long-term deals for both men. But
the club also have an option to extend both stars' contracts by at least
another 12 months - regardless of the players' wishes. Mirrorsport revealed
last Thursday City's old owners David Sullivan and David Gold are eying the
duo with a view to getting them on free transfers. The new West Ham supremos
believe Brum's options, which they set-up, may be invalid under FIFA rules.
But McLeish insists any appeal to FIFA challenging Birmingham's right to
extend the pair's contracts would take too long.
Boss McLeish said: "This could get challenged and players have every right
to do it if they want but I just think it would be long, protracted and not
an overnight job. "If someone wants to challenge it, it will be like Bosman,
it will take four or five years. "I don't see it being ratified over 24
hours. "It is approved by the Premier League so I think it would be a long,
protracted mission to try and challenge it. "The players signed it at the
outset so they and their advisors knew what they were going into. "Players
know what they are signing but I don't know if someone challenges it how
long it would last. "To go through the corridors of power you are talking
about lawyers."
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Not strictly West Ham , but could have an effect - PeterR
Portsmouth set to field weakened side against Hull in response to nine point
penalty
Published 22:45 18/03/10 By Alex Crook
The Mirror
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant is ready to stick two fingers up to the
Premier League by fielding a deliberately weakened team against Hull
tomorrow. Pompey became the first team in Premier League history to be
deducted nine points for entering administration earlier this week. Angry
Grant claims all focus at Fratton Park is on next month's FA Cup semi-final
and he will hold a meeting with his players today to discuss how to play out
the remainder of their league fixtures. Grant fumed: "It will be a
democratic meeting but we will go with my decision in the end - I cannot say
what my team will be. "What we do next I will tell you after I have spoken
to the players. I want to know what their opinions are from what we do from
now on. "We do not have a duty to the other clubs in the Premier League, the
Premier League has a duty to those clubs but we only have a duty to
ourselves. "I think the Premier League are embarrassed by Portsmouth but I
think they need to check the rules about who can buy a club and who cannot.
"The writing was on the wall a long time ago and for me it is a sad day. It
is a sad day for Portsmouth Football Club and for the Premier League. "The
Premier League is the best league in the world but for the first time in its
history a football decision has been made not on the pitch but in some
office. "This is wrong, this is not good. I said we would fight against
everything as long as we had a chance, now I do not know. "All the time that
we believed we could stay up we had something to fight for, and it is always
easier when you have a target to aim for. "Our target now is the semi-final
and I am trying to win that."
Grant has refused to commit his future to Pompey beyond this summer are
growing frustrated at the lies and broken promises behind the scenes on the
south coast. The former Chelsea boss turned down an approach this week from
tomorrow's opponents Hull to become their new manager. Grant added: "It is
difficult to know what to do from here because this is not a situation that
has happened before. "I cannot ring Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger and
ask what they did in this situation. "I have a contract until 2012 but I
have a clause, even with the contract, I can leave. "I do not want to speak
about whether I was or was not approached, Hull have a new manager and I
wish him every success."
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Arsenal v WEST HAM: Skipper Scott Parker out as Carlton Cole and Mark Noble
return
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 3:27 PM on 19th March 2010
Daily Mail
A leg injury has ruled captain Scott Parker out of West Ham's crucial
Barclays Premier League clash against Arsenal. Carlton Cole will return up
front after being rested for last week's loss against Chelsea while Mark
Noble has recovered from an arm injury and could start in midfield. Manager
Gianfranco Zola will be without Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon (both muscle)
and Julian Faubert (hamstring), while Manuel Da Costa is suspended.
Provisional squad: Green, Stech, Kurucz, Daprela, Spector, Gabbidon, Upson,
Tomkins, Collison, Kovac, Behrami, Diamanti, Noble, Ilunga, Franco, Cole,
Mido, McCarthy, Ilan.
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Gianfranco Zola finds himself trapped in a relegation dogfight
The next eight days will tell us much about the merits of West Ham's
likeable manager
Donald McRae guardian.co.uk, Saturday 20 March 2010 00.11 GMT
Last Saturday night, having absorbed the pain of West Ham sinking deeper
into the mire after they had lost that afternoon to his once beloved
Chelsea, Gianfranco Zola loosened his tie and stretched out his legs. He
relaxed and, in his engaging way, reflected on "the passion and suffering of
managing a football club". Zola said those heavy words lightly, his famous
jaw-cracking smile proving he had lost none of his warmth or understanding
of real life.
Fifteen minutes earlier the West Ham manager had been announced as this
year's Man of Peace – an award decided by former recipients of the Nobel
Peace Prize and given to an individual who has made "an outstanding
contribution to international social justice and peace". Former winners, in
a blurring of showbiz entertainment and liberal sentiment, include Bob
Geldof, George Clooney and Bono.
Zola is more self-effacing so it was not surprising that, rather than bask
in the adulation, he should turn to this interview instead. It allowed him
to talk at length about football and the addictive agonies of managing West
Ham. But first, away from the gaze of all those who came to honour him, Zola
shook his head. "You know," he said, "my father is not alive but he would
have been very proud tonight. And my mum, who still lives in Sardinia, is
obviously delighted."
Zola seemed touchingly confused by his elevation to the great and the good.
He had transformed many British suspicions of the 'foreign footballer' when
he played for Chelsea, and become a cherished figure, while he now works
quietly and occasionally for Unicef. But, for the most part, the 43-year-old
is immersed in the solemn trials of management. "I got this call telling me
I had won and I thought it was a joke. I'm just a simple footballer and
people who have received the prize before have done really great things."
None of them, however, has had to cope with the maddening vagaries of life
at Upton Park or a new chairman like David Sullivan who, soon after taking
over the club, questioned whether Zola was "too nice" and "too soft" to
succeed as a manager. And no other Man of Peace has been embroiled in a
relegation dog-fight which, after West Ham visit Arsenal today, sees
decisive home fixtures, next Tuesday and Saturday, against Wolves and Stoke.
These eight days will tell us much about Zola's merits as a manager and go a
significant way to determining whether West Ham are relegated. Portsmouth
look doomed but Hull and Burnley, currently in the drop zone, are only three
points behind West Ham. "This has been a troubled season and we are still
looking for a way to get out. But in this country they say what doesn't kill
you makes you stronger."
Zola paused and patted his heart. "I'm still breathing, so I still have
hope. But it has been difficult. I came to West Ham with a specific project
– to develop a strong team and a top club. But 10 days after I arrived [in
September 2008] the club experienced a very big financial problem. Our
chairman [Björgólfur Guðmundsson] went bankrupt."
The Italian still enjoyed a productive first season. "It was brilliant. We
nearly qualified for Europe. This season we thought the financial situation
would be better but other problems came up like a Matryoshka – the Russian
doll where you open up one to find another and another. We are still opening
and finding more problems. Some people said most managers don't go through
the same things in 10 years."
Zola shrugged. Even his Man of Peace prize could bolster Sullivan's
accusation that Zola might be closer to Ossie Ardiles, a decent human being
but a failed manager, than a footballing man of war like the scheming José
Mourinho. "The chairman is the chairman. He is entitled to his opinion.
People think because I'm a nice person I'm a weak person. But I don't think
being nice means you don't know how to take tough decisions. I have coped
with that before and I'll cope with it again. The chairman and I spoke and
clarified things. Now there is no problem."
Yet Sullivan also angered Zola when, just before West Ham played Birmingham
last month, he suggested the players and staff would have to accept a 25%
wage cut next season. Zola nodded wryly. "He said he did that because he
wanted to motivate the players. It's OK. We won and we spoke after the game.
We came out having made clear our position to each other. And since then the
situation has become better."
Zola is compassionate and sensitive – not always the best attributes for a
manager. "It is a job where you have to make decisions that affect other
people. That's the part I found most difficult – when you pick a team and
you have to leave out a young player or someone who has suffered all week.
He would be willing to die for you but you have to pick the players you
believe will win that game. So you leave him out. That's not easy – trust
me. But it's becoming easier because you have a duty."
West Ham were still overwhelmed at Stamford Bridge last week. Zola received
a rapturous welcome but his popularity could not mask his team's
deficiencies as they lost 4-1. "At 1-1 we were doing OK. Then Chelsea took
advantage of every mistake. When I go to bed tonight the award will sweeten
the pain but I will lie there thinking why things didn't work. As a
footballer I was focused 90 minutes of a match – and then I went home and
switched off. But in this job the hour-and-a-half of the match is the
relaxing bit."
As for other great former footballers, management provides a test in how to
convey seemingly simple tasks to lesser players. "When you are a talented
footballer you rely on your abilities to win games. You use your skills
without thinking. But in management that doesn't work."
Zola cited his friend Diego Maradona, whom he played with at Napoli, to
pinpoint an extreme case of a footballing genius struggling in management.
"With Diego at Argentina it's similar to my situation. Up and down. Inside
of him there is so much football knowledge. If he is able to get it out and
pass it on to his players it will be fantastic. He has to find a way to do
that because, for him, it came so easily on the pitch." Despite Argentina's
chaotic World Cup qualification campaign, Zola said: "With Diego you never
know and, looking at their quality, I put them alongside Brazil and England
to win it."
That name-checking of England seemed another example of Zola's cursed
"niceness". Why else would he look to England, ahead of Spain, as Brazil's
likeliest challengers? "I'm not just saying that. England have a real chance
because they are a strong team with a very good manager. I always had the
impression England never came to competitions with freedom of mind. They are
so afraid of mistakes. In football you need freedom to try things. But
[Fabio] Capello will help. He will give them a lot of belief and
motivation."
Before Zola went to West Ham there were persistent rumours that Capello
would offer him a coaching role with England. "There was a lot of talk but I
never spoke to Fabio. It would have been a big honour because Capello is one
of the best. In that period I was having a good time working with
[Pierluigi] Casiraghi and Italy U-21s. "
Even Capello's famed decisiveness has been undermined by England's ongoing
soap-opera. "The English love this sort of thing," Zola said. "They like the
gossip. In Italy we don't like it. But here it's constant and in my opinion
it doesn't help England." Had Zola spoken to John Terry, his disgraced
former Chelsea team-mate? "We had a good chat [last Saturday]. He's OK. He's
a strong boy."
Zola and Terry could hardly be more different, a fact which the Italian
acknowledged even while arguing that his more rounded and altruistic
perspective was not unusual in football.
Today's opponent, Arsène Wenger, is a more suitable contemporary. "We do
talk," Zola said of Wenger. "The last time he came to West Ham to watch a
reserve game we spoke a lot. He's a manager I really like. I like his style
of football and his management."
Despite his urbanity, Wenger has an edge which allows him to compete avidly
at the highest level. "They have a real chance of winning the title," Zola
acknowledged. "And, against Porto, they were great. It's a long time since I
saw a team playing such good football."
His Saturday night was almost over but the Man of Peace was not quite done.
To bolster the iron in his soul, Zola recalled the last time he had taken
West Ham to the Emirates. Wenger then hailed West Ham, in January 2009, as
the best team in the Premier League after they continued a long unbeaten run
with a 0-0 draw at Arsenal. "It was a very good spell," Zola said. "Arsenal
were passing the ball around, as they do, but we defended really well. We
need to do the same [today]."
Zola looked up, his eyes flashing. And then he smiled more sweetly again.
"It's difficult to know what will happen. But I like what I'm doing at West
Ham and the fans are great. I hope I can pay them back – and show them all
that I'm nice but strong."
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'I've learned from the best', says Nouble
6:30am Saturday 20th March 2010
Gazette&Hearald
By Ned Payne »
OF all the strikers that turn out in League One this weekend, few can have
had the kind of apprenticeship that Frank Nouble has experienced in his
early career. The West Ham youngster, who signed a one-month loan deal with
Town yesterday morning and is expected to feature against Norwich this
afternoon, has trained and played alongside some of the biggest names in
English football. Nouble, 18, was initially a Chelsea trainee before
signing a professional contract with the Hammers last summer, and the
tutelage of the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Carlton Cole was
not lost on the England Under 19 international. "I'm lucky that I've been
around world class players that have helped me push my abilities," Nouble
told the Advertiser. "I think my game is pace, good feet for a big man,
strength, and I think I've picked these attributes up from the strikers I've
watched in my playing career. "When I was at Chelsea I just watched Drogba
and Anelka training every day, and I was training with them in the last year
I was there. "At West Ham, Carlton Cole's come on leaps and bounds, so he's
another one." Given his previous clubs and international prowess, Nouble
arrives at the County Ground with considerable pedigree, and the frontman
revealed that Town had not been the only club interested in acquiring his
services. "There were a couple of clubs in the Championship which I could
have gone to, but they weren't going anywhere," he said. "I thought to
myself, and West Ham did as well, that Swindon are competing for the
play-offs, they are right in the mix now. "If they get a result on Saturday,
they are really in there to push for second place. That appealed to me."
Although boss Danny WIlson has utilised a 4-5-1 formation in the last two
games, with Charlie Austin up front on his own, Town have played with two
forwards for the vast majority of the season. And if Wilson chooses to go
down that route this weekend against the league leaders, Nouble and Austin,
two players who started this season eight divisions apart, may find
themselves paired together. "He's been doing well this year. He's had his
own route to coming to Swindon and so have I," said Nouble of Austin.
"Hopefully if we're playing together we can create a good partnership that
can cause Norwich some problems."
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http://www.justgiving.com/vyperz
I am running the BUPA 10k on May 31st and raising money for the Bobby Moore
Cancer Fund
Please donate generously! Thanks.
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