WHUFC.com
The club's longest-serving player said there is a real togetherness in the
ranks
07.04.2010
Mark Noble has spoken of the togetherness in the West Ham United camp and
said each and every player is firmly committed to securing safety. The
Hammers showed their commitment last weekend by twice coming from behind to
earn a 2-2 draw at an Everton side that had won their previous seven home
fixtures. The midfielder played a part in the comeback, hitting the bar just
before his corner led to Manuel da Costa's equaliser before being involved
in the move when Ilan came up with a late point-saving header.
Noble, the club's longest serving player, believed the determination shown
to battle back for a precious point would stand them in good stead for the
final five matches - starting with Sunderland's visit this Saturday. He
said: "None of us want to be in this situation, we are proud of who and what
we play for. We know what we have to do for the rest of the season.
In response to claims in certain quarters that the team are not up for the
fight, Noble said: "We have got a bit of spirit. [The point at Everton]
shows we can come back. We are a group. We are one changing room and we are
not split at all. "Everyone is positive. We all get on well and it is not a
split camp. Manu has come in and scored and done fantastic. Ilan has not
played much football and he scored the equalising goal. You saw how we all
celebrated together. We are a team and it is the team that is going to get
us out of trouble."
It is not just the team that are playing their part, with Noble lost for
words to describe the travelling support. "The fans were unbelievable, even
when we were 1-0 down we still heard them singing. That was fantastic and
that is what we are going to need for the rest of the season. They stuck by
us and probably a bit of help from them gets us the last equalising goal.
"We have really shown what we can do. The boys are happy, the manager is
happy but we have got another home game coming up and we have to win that.
We want three points and then to go to Liverpool and give them a tough game.
We know that Anfield is a tough place but we got a point there last year and
can do it again."
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Dyer delighted with youngsters
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer was proud of his young reserve team following Tuesday's goalless
draw at Stoke City
06.04.2010
Alex Dyer was delighted with his young side after they dominated their
goalless Barclays Premier Reserve League South draw at Stoke City on
Tuesday. Dyer's West Ham United side contained four Academy scholars and
five first-year professionals, but more than matched their hosts - who
included five Barclays Premier League regulars - at Nantwich Town's Weaver
Stadium. Olly Lee twice went close to scoring the only goal of the game,
while goalkeeper Marek Stech, wing-backs Callum Driver and Davide Ferrari,
centre-backs Sergio Sanchez, Jordan Spence and Callum McNaughton and
midfielders Josh Payne and Anthony Edgar all impressed. Dyer, who employed
the 3-5-2 formation that worked so well in last month's 2-0 win at Arsenal,
was pleased with the performance of every single player in a West Ham shirt.
With two fixtures remaining - at Wolverhampton Wanderers next Tuesday and
home to Fulham on 27 April - the manager is looking for a strong finish to
the campaign. "I am really pleased with the level of consistency that we've
found in recent games. It is something that we try to stress to all of them
throughout the club. It is important that they give 100 per cent for the
football club, 100 per cent for themselves and 100 per cent for each other
in every game they play. "We've tried to get a nice unit together that
trains together and is around each other all the time. It shows that we
spend a lot of time together and we'd like to keep them together for the
rest of the season. "Hopefully, next season, they can continue to improve
and we'll see some of them graduate to the first team."
For a variety of reasons, Dyer was proud of both the attitude and
performance of his young team against a Potters side including England
striker James Beattie, Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye, Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir
Begovic, Danny Pugh and Andrew Davies. "There were some really good
performances from the young lads. Callum Driver was excellent all night - he
delivered some good crosses and got up and down really well all night. His
overall performance was very good. "Sergio Sanchez was very good, as well.
He reads the game well and looks like he has played a lot of games in the
reserves, when this was his second full game. Big Callum McNaughton played
his first game at Stoke and his performance was excellent. "Jordan Spence
again put in another good performance for the reserves and deserves to
travel with the first team because he conducts himself so well, while Davide
Ferrari was brilliant. It was Davide's last game for the club because he is
going back to Italy, but he worked forward well and got back in when he
needed to. It was a good performance from the lad. "We played three in
midfield and I want to stress that Josh was excellent again. In the last
four-or-five games, he has upped his game and looked like the player we knew
he could be. As long as he finishes the season off well, it will hold him in
good stead for the future. "Alongside Josh, it was good to see Olly back to
his old self, getting on the end of things, working up and down and getting
himself into the opposition box. Anthony Edgar got better as the game went
on and he has got quality. He needs to work on some things, including his
temperament, but he played well."
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Stoke City 0-0 Reserves
WHUFC.com
West Ham United enjoyed the better of a lively goalless draw at Nantwich
Town's Weaver Stadium
06.04.2010
Stoke City reserves v West Ham United reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Weaver Stadium, Nantwich Town FC
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Kick-off: 7pm
Full-time score - Stoke City reserves 0-0 West Ham United reserves
91 mins - Subuola stabs the ball away from the corner. Pugh picks it up and
shoots from 30 yards, but McNaughton blocks with his head. Seconds later,
the full-time whistle is blown and that's it. West Ham will be pleased with
a point and a clean sheet, but they could easily have won this game. Lee, in
particular, missed a couple of great chances. All in all, though, that is
another positive result for the Hammers. Dyer and his players will head to
Telford a week from now to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final
away league game before hosting Fulham in their final fixture on 27 April.
Remember to keep a close eye on whufc.com for exclusive reaction from
tonight's game.
90 mins - Stoke win a late free-kick wide on the right. Aside from Abdulla,
every West Ham player is inside the penalty area. We're into the only minute
of added-time as Pugh curls the ball over and Stech turns it over his own
crossbar.
89 mins - Aaargh! Edgar does absolutely brilliantly to turn away from two
Stoke defenders close to the left touchline. He scampers to the edge of the
box before clipping a cross to the back post. The unmarked Lee tries to
sidefoot the ball past Begovic from about eight yards, but the goalkeeper
makes a fine stop with his feet. Stoke eventually scramble the ball clear.
88 mins - Moult again! Payne loses possession to Lund, who finds the Academy
graduate about 20 yards out. His snap-shot appears destined for the top
corner before Stech sticks out his massive hands and plucks the ball out of
the air. Stoke make a change, with Andy Nicholls on for Mitchell.
85 mins - Full marks to Stephen Pressley, who obviously isn't a Messi fan.
He's still here watching as Stoke force a throw-in deep in West Ham
territory. Edgar and Payne combine and the Hammers clear the danger.
84 mins - Montano gets a rest, with Subuola replacing him up front.
83 mins - Moult again tries to kick-start Stoke's night, but his cross is
too close to Stech and the goalkeeper claims unchallenged. Seconds later,
the striker turns past Sanchez and Driver before forcing Stech into a smart
save low to his left.
80 mins - Moult brings the ball down and carries it forward, but Spence is
there to snuff out the danger when the youngster crosses into the penalty
area.
79 mins - Payne and Lee combine before the latter shoots powerfully from 25
yards, forcing Begovic to tip the ball out for a corner. Edgar delivers and
McNaughton wins it in the air at the far post. Abdulla tries to apply the
finishing touch but Begovic clings on.
77 mins - For anyone who is remotely interested, Lionel Messi has scored a
hat-trick and Barcelona are now beating Arsenal 3-1. I told you it would be
more entertaining to stick with me!
76 mins - Dyer does make a change, replacing Dixon with Ahmed Abdulla.
75 mins - Driver does brilliantly again, beating his man before finding
Dixon with a backheel. The forward tries to play the ball one side of
Macdonald and run around the other to retrieve it, only for Faye to get back
and muscle him off the ball before clearing with his left foot.
74 mins - Sanchez sends a good ball down the right channel for Driver to
chase. The Academy wing-back wins his initial challenge with Macdonald, only
for the ball to spin in the Stoke player's favour and he is able to clear.
Driver, Sanchez and McNaughton have been superb so far tonight.
72 mins - I'm not sure Alex Dyer will want to change things here, but Nicky
Barrett is out warming up along the touchline. The manager's only concern
may be that his young players will tire in the closing stages.
70 mins - West Ham are pushing hard for a winner, here. First, Begovic is
forced to tumble on to a Ferrari cross, then the goalkeeper is out quickly
to claim Edgar's attempted pass to Dixon.
69 mins - Close at the other end, this time. Payne crosses low to Montano,
who takes a touch and sees his shot loop just over the crossbar off
Macdonald. Edgar's corner is headed back to him, before his second cross
falls to Payne on the volley, but his powerful shot is blocked.
66 mins - Stoke go as close as they have gone all night. Beattie wins the
ball about 35 yards out and tees up Pugh, who strikes the bouncing ball
first-time from the left corner of the penalty area. The shot is well-struck
and Stech can only palm it out for a corner. The flag-kick comes to nothing
and West Ham clear.
65 mins - McNaughton doesn't get enough on his clearance and Lund is able to
find Cohen, who crosses, but Sanchez is there to clear before Payne belts
the ball upfield. A warning for Dyer's men, there.
64 mins - West Ham really need to score while they are on top. Driver is
involved again as he tees up Payne to cross deep to the back post, but the
centre is just too long for Ferrari, and the ball flies out of play off the
top of the Italian's head.
62 mins - That was a great, great chance. Dixon lays the ball off to Payne,
who waits before clipping a perfect ball over the Stoke defence to Lee. The
youngster has an age, but his first touch takes him a little bit wide and he
rather mis-hits his shot across the face of goal.
61 mins - I doubt any of you are bothered that Arsenal are drawing 1-1 in
Barcelona, but there you go. Back here at Nantwich, the Hammers are
controlling the game, with the back three of Spence, Sanchez and McNaughton
looking very solid.
59 mins - Sanchez takes a terrible free-kick and it hits Moult. He
mis-controls and Spence takes the ball off him before the striker fouls him.
The referee whistles and tells Moult he is on his 'final warning'. Yes, it
is that quiet here that I can hear what the referee is saying to the
players!
58 mins - Edgar's corner drops to McNaughton, but he just cannot get the
ball out from under his feet and his shot is blocked inside the six-yard
box. West Ham are well on top, here.
56 mins - Ferrari has penalty claims waved away. His cross hits a hand, but
the referee is adamant that it was accidental. The ball eventually goes out
for a corner.
54 mins - West Ham have started again well here after half-time. Josh Payne
is again looking lively. His pass to Montano leads to Lund conceding a
corner. Payne takes it himself short to Edgar, whose teasing cross is headed
away.
52 mins - Edgar breaks free down the left, drops his shoulder and
mis-controls the ball through to Begovic. Shame.
51 mins - Tony Pulis looks to have got a bit bored and gone home. The same
cannot be said of Falkirk manager Stephen Pressley, who is watching on
intently from his seat in the row in front of me.
48 mins - it is still not exactly bright here at Nantwich Town FC. Montano
breaks forward through the gloom and gets goal-side of Macdonald. He tries
to square to the unmarked Edgar, but the centre-back blocks his pass.
46 mins - Montano takes the ball from the kick-off and tries to slalom his
way through the Stoke defence, much like he did in a recent Academy league
game against Norwich City. This time, he is stopped in his tracks by Davies.
Welcome back to the Weaver Stadium, which I can now happily report is bathed
in a warm glow from the floodlights. West Ham will kick-off the second
half...
Half-time score - Stoke City reserves 0-0 West Ham United reserves
The floodlights are slowly coming back on again...
45 mins - Before Stech can take the goal kick, the referee blows for
half-time. We'll have to see if the floodlights can be turned back on in
time for the second 45 minutes. The 'M People' are back on the airwaves
again...
44 mins - The lights are slowly turning back on again in the stand, but the
floodlights are still off as Beattie's shot is deflected behind for another
corner. The ball is curled in and skims off Sanchez's head for another
flag-kick. Pugh's centre is too deep and flies out for a goal kick on the
far side.
42 mins - It is still light enough to play until half-time. Play resumes
with a Stoke free-kick, which is headed out for a corner. The ball is curled
in and headed clear at the near post by Lee.
We are reliably informed that the generator will 'take a few minutes to warm
back up' and then we'll be back underway again. We got a brief burst of 'M
People' on the tannoy, but that has gone off again now.
41 mins - We have just had a power cut! I am working on battery power, so
will keep you updated for as long as possible. The referee had just called
Anthony Edgar over for a talking too after the midfielder presumably spoke
out of turn. The floodlights have gone off...
40 mins - Hmmmm,,. Lee finds Montano with a lovely curling pass around
Macdonald. The defender appears to push the forward over as he reaches the
penalty area, but the referee waves away the claims of Montano and Dixon. It
looked like a clear push, but the referee is adamant, waving his arms to
signal 'play-on'.
38 mins - Stech claims the long throw well and bowls the ball out
immediately to Ferrari. He finds Dixon, who turns infield and finds Driver
in acres of space on the right. The wing-back seems to be caught in
two-minds and his low cross is easily cut out. That was half a chance.
37 mins - Beattie gets free down the inside-right channel, but Spence is
across well to put the ball behind for another corner. Pugh crosses
left-footed and Lee heads out for a throw-in.
34 mins - Beattie turns and shoots from about 25 yards. The ball hits Lee
and flies out for a corner. Pugh curls the ball in and Stech calls loudly
for it before catching above his head.
33 mins - Moult and Mitchell combine down the right after Ferrari is caught
upfield, but Spence is across well to cover and he lays the ball back to
Stech.
32 mins - Dixon is looking a bit frustrated. He tries to turn away from
Davies, but the ball gets away from him. The Ireland U21 forward looks
towards the referee and claims he had been held.
30 mins - The noise of the air conditioning unit seems to have got louder.
West Ham win a series of throw-ins down the right. From the latest, Driver
hurls it into the box, where Begovic collects easily.
29 mins - West Ham win a corner down the right. Edgar crosses and McNaughton
is penalised for a clear push at the back post.
28 mins - This is rapidly turning a bit comical. McNaughton turns and passes
back to Stech, who completely shanks his clearance along the ground. It
somehow eludes Moult and goes back to McNaughton, who clears.
26 mins - Talking of rusty... Faye makes a hash of his through ball to
Beattie and McNaughton takes a massive hack at the ball, only to slice it
through to Stech. West Ham break, but Dixon's cross-shot goes tamely behind
the goal.
24 mins - The opening 24 minutes have not been the best I've seen all
season, but the Hammers are more than holding their own against their more
experienced hosts. Moult, who scored twice for Stoke in their 5-2 defeat in
the reverse fixture at Bishop's Stortford, has been the brightest player on
show so far. Beattie, meanwhile, looks a bit rusty.
21 mins - Mitchell has just had a shocker there. Lund spreads play wide
right where the midfielder has acres of space behind Ferrari, but he makes a
complete hash of controlling the ball and it rolls off his foot for a
throw-in. I doubt Pulis would have been too impressed by that.
19 mins - Moult and Beattie combine before the former turns away from
Ferrari and crosses into the West Ham box, where Sanchez clears with a
diving header.
17 mins - West Ham's wing-backs are having lots of joy down the flanks. Both
are getting themselves available in plenty of space and getting forward
regularly. The challenge will be to maintain their fitness and discipline
for the full 90 minutes. Ferrari illustrates my point by turning away from
his marker brilliantly and winning a free-kick inside the Stoke half.
15 mins - Good hands from Stech there as Lund fires Beattie's lay-off
straight at him from 25 yards.
14 mins - Driver gets forward superbly down the right and finds Montano
unmarked in the centre. The Colombian takes a touch but makes a mess of his
attempted volley.
13 mins - Payne leaves Beattie in a heap with a strong but fair challenge on
the touchline. The striker doesn't look too happy, but he's going to be OK
to continue.
11 mins - Edgar shows some strength in knocking the much bigger Faye off the
ball before the African brings down Payne. West Ham are settling down nicely
here. Dixon has done particularly well up front, showing good strength and
composure to hold the ball up on a number of occasions.
9 mins - Montano does well twice, the first time running at the Stoke back
four, then by winning a left-wing corner. Edgar takes, but his effort is
overhit. McNaughton retrieves the ball, but his cross is blocked.
6 mins - Anything you can do... Mitchell races on to Moult's pass and gets
in behind McNaughton. He seems to have an age to pick his spot, only to shin
his shot badly wide of the near post. He should have done better.
4 mins - A chance for Driver inside the Stoke box. He got forward well and
maybe should have hit the target from a tight angle after latching on to
Montano's poked through ball. Instead, his shot flies wide of the near post
and into the hedge behind the goal.
2 mins - I seriously don't think I have ever been at a game at this level
with less noise coming from the crowd. Instead, all I can hear are the
shouts of the players and managers and the air conditioning unit on the wall
behind me. West Ham are playing with five at the back, with Driver and
Ferrari as wing-backs.
1 min - Hmmm... An uncertain start from the home side, who give the ball
away twice and allow Cameron Mitchell and Louis Moult to combine. Moult
crosses low and Beattie misses his kick. The ball drops to Matthew Lund, but
he shoots straight at Stech.
6.59pm - Stoke get us underway a few seconds early...
6.58pm - The wind has got up a little bit in the last few moments, but
conditions are generally superb for a game of football. Stoke will kick-off
shooting towards the end with trees behind the goal. West Ham will attack
the end with playing fields behind the goal...
6.56pm - Here come the two teams...
6.55pm - Stoke manager Tony Pulis is here, alongside a host of scouts and
important-looking men in suits. I am astounded to announce that Pulis is not
wearing a baseball cap.
6.52pm - Academy goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet and defender Paco Craig have also
made the trip to Nantwich. The two youngsters are not included in the
matchday 16, but will no doubt benefit from the experience of being with
Dyer and his reserve squad.
6.50pm - The PA operator here obviously has a CD collection that has not
been added to since the 1980s. The likes of Europe, Queen and Tina Turner
have been filling the air here over the past 20 minutes or so. Stoke's
players have already headed for their dressing room, while Alex Dyer's squad
are just filtering back down the tunnel ahead of tonight''s game. As far as
I know, there are no big games being played elsewhere this evening, so what
better way to spend the next couple of hours than here on whufc.com...
6.45pm - We have 15 minutes to go until kick-off here at the small yet neat
and modern Weaver Stadium. It has clouded over here in deepest Cheshire, but
we look set fair for a dry evening. The playing surface looks a tad bare in
places, but generally doesn't look to be the worst. Tonight's game
represents a big chance for some of the club's younger players to stake
their claim. Callum McNaughton will be relishing a battle with Beattie,
while the challenge for Cristian Montano is to score past Bosnia
international goalkeeper Begovic, who was in near-unbeatable form for
Portsmouth when West Ham visited Fratton Park in January.
Good evening and welcome to the friendly confines of the Weaver Stadium here
in the Cheshire market town of Nantwich.
West Ham United reserves will take on an older, more experienced Stoke City
side in their penultimate FA Premier Academy League South away fixture of
the 2009/10 campaign.
Alex Dyer has a young side at his disposal, with Jordan Spence captaining a
team including Czech Republic Under-21 goalkeeper Marek Stech and first-year
professionals Davide Ferrari, Olly Lee, Josh Payne, Anthony Edgar and Terry
Dixon.
The starting XI is filled out by four second-year scholars in defenders
Callum Driver, Sergio Sanchez and Callum McNaughton and forward Cristian
Montano.
Stoke, in contrast, have five players with extensive Barclays Premier League
experience in their starting lineup.
Asmir Begovic, who starred for Portsmouth in their 1-1 draw with West Ham at
Fratton Park before joining Stoke for £3.25m in January, will be in goal,
while England striker James Beattie is back in action following a knee
injury.
Former Middlesbrough defender Andrew Davies will marshal the back four,
while Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye and ex-Manchester United winger Danny
Pugh are also in the Potters side.
Stoke City reserves: Begovic, Cohen, Macdonald, Davies, Wint, Lund, Mitchell
(Nicholls 88), Am. Faye, Pugh, Beattie, Moult
Subs: Parton, Hedley, Sinclair, Jackon
West Ham United reserves: Stech, Driver, Sanchez, Spence, McNaughton,
Ferrari, Lee, Payne, Edgar, Montano (Subuola 84), Dixon (Abdulla 76)
Subs: Cowler, Barrett, Wearen
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Ilan eyes home start
WHUFC.com
After a stunning second goal at the weekend, Ilan is understandably eager
for more
06.04.2010
Ilan is revelling in being the first Brazilian at the Boleyn but will not be
happy until West Ham United are secure in the Barclays Premier League. The
forward scored a stupendous header late on in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton
to earn the Hammers a precious point. It was his second goal in six matches
since arriving in east London from French football back in February.
However, Ilan has yet to cement a place in the side or indeed start a match
at home. That could all change with the visit of Sunderland this week, and
Ilan was well aware of the significance of his strike - but was most
concerned from a team perspective. "I got a goal against Burnley in my first
match but unfortunately we got nothing; this is more important," he told
whufc.com. "I've got a few goals with my head before and it's an important
thing in the game here in England so it was a good time to start doing that.
It was a perfect ball from Julien Faubert and it made it easy for me."
The header not only earned a share of the spoils, it stopped a run of six
straight top-flight defeats for Gianfranco Zola's men and Ilan sees the only
way as up. "It's a springboard for us, a new start, we've got five games
left and we need to win two or three of them to be in the Premier League
next season. "That's our objective and next Saturday will be another battle.
The manager has asked us to fight right till the end. The tactical plan was
normal but we have to keep on like this to the end of the season now."
A steady scorer in Ligue 1 for the past five years with FC
Sochaux-Montbeliard and AS Saint-Etienne, Ilan has always had an eye for the
spectacular. "Confidence isn't a problem for me but I need a run of games
and I hope to play some more. "There are a lot of good players here. I've
not had many opportunities but on two, three occasions I have, I've scored a
couple of goals. If I get more chances, I might score even more."
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Captain keeping calm
WHUFC.com
The skipper is happy to see the team get a reward but knows more work has to
be done
06.04.2010
Matthew Upson is delighted West Ham United have "stopped the rot" and are
feeling positive for final five fixtures ahead. The 2-2 draw at Everton at
the weekend has given the squad the perfect platform for this Sunday's visit
of Sunderland. "There are not many hours of football left. It is down to us
to get ourselves ready," he said. "We are fully aware of the situation, what
is needed from us and will put everything together to do what we have to
do."
"We are good enough. We will build on this as I said, go again this week,
build up a good strategy for the next game ahead and then go out there as a
team together to commit to it. Then, if we deliver the performance this can
bring, then I am confident we can win the game against Sunderland."
Although the club are in the driving seat and have their fate in their own
hands, Upson said there was no point taking comfort from the league table.
"It is very important obviously, but at this stage, it is neither here or
there. The most important thing is where we are come 9 May. We know there is
plenty of work still left to do."
Looking back on Sunday's performance when Manuel da Costa and Ilan scored
for his side, Upson was most pleased to see a six-match losing run halted.
"It is good to have broken that cycle, it was a poor one for us to have,
something not nice to go through, so it was great to get a point and stop
the rot.
"Goodison Park has been a difficult place to come for teams and take
something away with them. So, on that front, we have to be pleased to be
coming away with a point and we can build on that and take that into our
next game now."
Upson has spoken of his belief in a "real desire" for all at West Ham to
beat the drop and said that was reflected in recent training sessions "We
have had a really good week to be honest, we have got together as a group,
worked hard on the training pitch, on things that didn't work before and
tactically.
"Our shape was a lot better and even though we didn't have much possession
in the first half, I thought we were proving to be difficult to break down.
You have to be like that in the Premier League, especially with the position
we are in."
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Busy Easter for loanees
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's four Football League loanees were in action over the
Easter weekend
05.04.2010
West Ham United's band of loanees enjoyed a busy Easter weekend of action.
In the Coca-Cola Championship, Freddie Sears and Bondz N'Gala took to the
field for Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle respectively, Centre-back N'Gala
has been credited with the defensive improvements made by Paul Mariner's
Plymouth, who remain four points adrift of safety with just four matches
remaining. The Forest Gate-born defender completed a full 90 minutes in
Saturday's superb 2-1 win at Doncaster Rovers, only to suffer a setback when
Middlesbrough secured a 2-0 victory at Home Park on Monday. The 23rd-placed
Pilgrims face Watford, who sit four points and two places above them, just
outside the relegation zone, at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Sears' Coventry are virtually safe after reaching 52 points - seven above
the drop zone - but have no chance of reaching the play-offs after two
defeats over the weekend.
The striker appeared for eleven minutes as a substitute in Saturday's 1-0
home defeat by Derby County, before completing the full 90 minutes in
Monday's 3-0 loss at Reading.
In League One, Frank Nouble enjoyed a six-minute run out as a replacement in
Swindon Town's impressive 3-0 win at Leeds United on Saturday. The Robins,
who have climbed into the second automatic promotion place behind runaway
leaders Norwich City, repeated that scoreline against Tranmere Rovers on
Monday, with Nouble appearing for the final 22 minutes.
In the same division, Matt Fry is still awaiting his debut for Charlton
Athletic as he continues his recuperation from a knee injury. The Addicks,
who boast former Hammers Christian Dailly and Kyel Reid in their ranks, sit
fifth in the table, two points behind Swindon with seven matches remaining.
Further afield, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson has remained with Belgian top-flight
side KSV Roeselare ahead of their relegation play-off fixtures in May.
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Upson wants to build on point
Hammers defender insists team-mates aware of situation
Last updated: 6th April 2010
SSN
Matthew Upson insists his West Ham team-mates must build on their
hard-fought point against Everton on Sunday, which ended their six-game
losing streak. The Hammers twice battled back from a goal down to emerge
with a creditable 2-2 draw at Goodison Park at the weekend. The point moved
Gianfranco Zola's side one clear of third-from-bottom Hull City, who still
have a game in hand, as yet another exciting season draws to its conclusion.
Upson believes everyone is aware of the club's predicament and now he wants
his colleagues to end their winless run by defeating Sunderland. "There are
not many hours of football left. It is down to us to get ourselves ready,"
he told the club's official website. "We are fully aware of the situation,
what is needed from us and will put everything together to do what we have
to do. "We are good enough. We will build on this, build up a good strategy
for the next game ahead and then go out there as a team together to commit
to it. "Then, if we deliver the performance this can bring, then I am
confident we can win the game against Sunderland. "It is good to have broken
that cycle, it was a poor one for us to have, something not nice to go
through, so it was great to get a point and stop the rot."
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Parker backs Hammers team-mates
Midfielder gutted with two-game ban
Last updated: 6th April 2010
SSN
Scott Parker is confident West Ham are good enough to secure their survival
without his services. Key midfielder Parker will miss West Ham's next two
games after picking up his 10th booking of the season in Sunday's 2-2 draw
at Everton. It means Parker will be forced to sit out this weekend's home
game with Sunderland as well as the clash at Liverpool on 19th April. Parker
is disappointed to miss the two games and he has called on his team-mates to
build on the battling point at Goodison Park. "I'm very disappointed to miss
two games having been sitting on a 10th yellow card for six or seven games,"
said Parker. "I only had the next game to get through and it was cleared. I
will take the Everton result over that though any day. It is a good starting
point. "It is going to be tough for the rest of the season, but we are up
for it. I hope we can push on. "We all deserve it - players and fans - and
hopefully we can go on and do that. "When I come back I'm sure we will be in
a good position and kick on."
Meanwhile, Hammers striker Ilan has called on Gianfranco Zola to give him
the chance to fire the side to safety. The Brazilian striker came off the
bench to grab West Ham a point at Everton and he believes his side need to
win three of their last five games to guarantee survival. "We've got five
games left and need to win two or three of them," Ilan told The Sun. "I've
not had many opportunities here but I've scored a couple of goals. If I play
more, I might score more."
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Upson: West Ham will stay up despite off-field problems
Published 22:45 06/04/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Matthew Upson is confident West Ham will stay up despite the club's
off-the-field problems. The Hammers skipper reckons the club are back on an
even keel despite the animosity between boss Gianfranco Zola and West Ham's
owners. Upson said: "We are fully aware of the situation and what is needed
from us. We will put everything together to do what we have to do." The
Hammers won their first point in seven games against Everton on Sunday and
Upson added: "We are good enough to stay up and will try to take the
performance against Everton into our next game against Sunderland. "It is
good to have broken that cycle of defeats, so it was great to get a point
and stop the rot."
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