WHUFC.com
He may have had to bide his time of late, but the manager expects Carlton
Cole to have a major impact
23.10.2010
Carlton Cole will go into this afternoon's match with Newcastle United with
words of encouragement ringing in his ears from Avram Grant. The England
striker has had to play a waiting game of late behind in-form duo Frederic
Piquionne and Victor Obinna, but the manager has been delighted with the
attitude and application of his No9. The Hammers have four fit forwards and
the manager said all will get their time to shine this season. Cole has been
the loudest voice in support of the playing pair - whether in training at
Chadwell Heath or around the dressing room on matchday. He knows he has to
take his chance when another opportunity comes along. Grant said: "Carlton
is working like a professional. He now has competition and that will push
him forward. He takes the competition well and I believe he will have a good
season when we look back in a few months "I am very happy with the attitude
of all the players, they are learning very quick. They have strong
character. Carlton Cole is one of them. He has trained well, he is a
professional. There is no doubt he has quality. He knows how to be a good
striker. "I believe very much in competition. You see what happens to the
teams that don't have competition. This is the reason we brought in Freddie
Piquionne, who at the moment is scoring goals. We also have Obinna and Benni
McCarthy, who is in a good way."
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'A great opportunity to grow'
WHUFC.com
Karren Brady has given the latest update on the club's plans for the Olympic
Stadium
23.10.2010
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Our amazing Olympic Stadium project is gathering momentum.
Since my last programme notes, we have secured the support of Live Nation
and UK Athletics. These are two huge players in the global entertainment and
sporting worlds respectively that have fully endorsed what we and Newham
Council are striving for - a lasting legacy that best serves the public's
needs.
Much has rightly been made of what the Olympic Stadium would do for east
London in terms of community, health, education and opportunity. But, we
will make sure that in so doing, the stadium is fit for purpose - football.
That it is right for West Ham and you, our superb supporters. While there
has been an overwhelmingly positive response to our plans, we know some are
wary of change. Moving after more than a century is a big step, even if we
are going 'home' to West Ham. We also know that some have concerns over the
running track, viewing distance, atmosphere and hospitality facilities. All
we are asking is for people to keep an open mind at this stage. Trust us. We
are busily exploring lots of ideas to make the stadium right for us, but
it's all very doable and is a great opportunity to grow and secure our
future for decades to come. Once we have a full and proper understanding of
how the stadium can be adapted, we will present detailed proposals to
supporters. That's a promise. We have asked for stadium tours where we can
take people inside and we are confident that all who visit will see the huge
potential of a fantastic home that will secure our club's future for many
generations - and give us the best chance to move to a new level. Every
proposal will be considered to make it work for you while preserving the
club's soul. Remember this club is run by fans for fans. The only certainty
is our conviction that West Ham United, above all others, belong in the
Olympic Stadium. If you are supportive of us making the most of this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would like to request a place on one of
the tours we are hoping to arrange soon, please email
olympicproject@westhamunited.co.uk and we will be pleased to send regular
updates to you to keep you fully up-to-date with our plans.
Karren Brady
TWELVE REASONS FOR THE OLYMPIC STADIUM
1. Ours is the natural and logical solution that creates a busy, viable and
sustainable multi-use stadium for all to use.
2. Our stadium will capture the heart and spirit of the Olympic Games for
decades to come - meeting all of the 2012 Olympic bid commitments and more,
marrying national sports benefits with local ones.
3. Together with our many bid partners and supporters, including UK
Athletics, we will create a vibrant and busy stadium that is a centre of
sport, education and culture attracting around two million visitors a year.
4. We will retain the stadium's iconic look and feel, protecting the public
investment, and make the venue even better.
5. We will create a 60,000-capacity, world-class venue with first-class
views and luxury seating. We will put in a new roof to cover all seating and
install world-class hospitality and customer facilities inside the stadium.
We will also create major visitor attractions at the stadium.
6. We will make a multi-million pound investment to make it suitable for the
different uses we propose but we are adamant it will be free of ongoing
public subsidy and gate receipts will be shared with Newham Council,
ensuring financial benefits are passed on to the local community. The area
will also benefit in many other ways such as employment, health and
education.
7. Working with our partners, we will make the Olympic Stadium, the rest of
the Olympic Park and the surrounding area a destination of world-wide
significance.
8. Our stadium will also have a very active community use, inspiring
learning and achievement and helping to create a better quality of life for
tens of thousands. It will generate much-needed employment in the area and
make for a healthier east London by increasing sports and physical activity.
9. Our stadium will significantly enhance the legacy role and value of the
Olympic Park as a whole. It will provide a boost to the continuing
regeneration of East London and open the door to a major redevelopment of
the area around West Ham's existing ground.
10. No one is better qualified and placed to make this work other than West
Ham and Newham Council. We have the real interests of East London people at
heart.
11. UK Athletics and Live Nation - the world's biggest live events company -
are the latest leading organisations to endorse the West Ham-Newham bid with
those on board including: Westfield, HS1 Ltd, University of East London,
Essex Cricket, ExCel London and London City Airport.
12. The 2012 London Games promise to be the best Olympics and Paralympics
ever. West Ham United and Newham Council will help guarantee it delivers the
greatest legacy.
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
The manager has a strong squad to choose from for the visit of Newcastle
United on Saturday
22.10.2010
Avram Grant has given his weekly press conference ahead of the visit of
Newcastle United. The manager confirmed he should have all the players from
last week available along with the likes of Matthew Upson and Pablo Barrera.
The Hammers are bidding to make it six games unbeaten in all competitions
but know the top-flight newcomers have a decent away record.
Avram on a good feeling at the club...
We are unbeaten in four games and one game that we won away in the Carling
Cup which is always important. We are happy and even with the draws we have
had, we were closer to winning than losing. We are progressing. We are a few
points from the middle of table where we belong by the football we are
playing. I know we have to win games to get there. We have good competition
in the squad. At the start of the season people said we didn't have a good
squad but now because we are playing well and we are changing the team,
everyone says rightly that there is a good squad.
Avram on Newcastle being a must-win game...?
We want to win this game. At the beginning of the season, you cannot say
this about any game but we need to want to win every game. Of course if it
was the end of the season you could say it is a must-win. We just want to
win because it would take us forward.
Avram on decisions going against the team this season...
I don't want to think too much about the first goals against Aston Villa,
Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United and other decisions against Fulham
and Stoke. I don't want to think it is because my players are too nice and
don't jump on the referee. I think it is a coincidence but at the end of the
day it affects us - last week it cost us two points. I don't think that
Wolves would have come back last week with ten seconds to go. If you ask me
'Can I change this?', I can't. But people need to be aware that teams that
aren't sporting and go always to the referee have an advantage.
Avram on a big week for the club...
It can be a good week for us. It is a good challenge. We want to continue
what we did in the last few weeks and also take points,. Everybody said
Newcastle are a good team, they are having a good season but if we win
against them it will speak for itself. The Carling Cup after this is also
very important but I will speak about it after Newcastle.
Avram on new mental toughness in the team...
We are better but we can always ask more. Everyone can develop themselves a
lot. You cannot take a slow player and make him fast but you can take a
player and give him ideas and tools to be stronger. I believe in this very
much. You saw this. At the start of the season, we conceded three goals in
some games, we were unable to come back when behind...now we are better.
Quality is also very important.
Avram on Kick It Out's anti-racism initiative...
We are all supporting the Kick It Out campaign. It is very important that
all of us work very hard to fight against every evil and prejudice in
society. Football can do so much to help because in football everybody is
equal - it doesn't matter where you are from or how much money you have.
We can take this example to show people that positive thinking and positive
energy is the only way to be in life. People should not stand on the side
and watch others. Everyone should do all they can to fight against racism.
This is very important.
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Allison to be honoured
WHUFC.com
Fans will get the chance to pay their respects to one of the club's
favourite sons on Saturday
22.10.2010
West Ham United will stage a minute's applause before Saturday's match
against Newcastle United in honour of Malcolm Allison. The former defender
died a week ago at the age of 83. He served the club to distinction between
1950/51 and 1957/58, playing 255 games in all competitions, before a hugely
successful coaching career. The foundations were set for his future
achievements during his time at the Boleyn Ground. Allison was also a
leading figure under manager Ted Fenton in the establishment of the Academy
principles throughout the club.
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Newcastle match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's big top-flight
showdown with Newcastle
21.10.2010
WEST HAM UNITED v NEWCASTLE UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER 2010
KICK-OFF: 5.30PM
Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Newcastle United with both at the wrong end of the
table. The last-placed Hammers are on a positive run and have six points
from eight matches, with the Magpies four places and two points better off.
Avram Grant and Chris Hughton will remind their sides that each is a just a
win from the security of mid-table.
• West Ham United are seeking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches in
all competitions when they welcome Newcastle. The Hammers drew 1-1 at Stoke
City before winning 2-1 at Sunderland in the Carling Cup third round. Two
home games followed with Tottenham Hotspur beaten 1-0 before a 1-1 draw
against Fulham and, most recently, a 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers
last Saturday.
• Newcastle have an excellent away record this season in all competitions,
losing only at Manchester United and Manchester City. They have most notably
won 1-0 at Everton in the top-flight and 4-3 at Chelsea in the League Cup.
• Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer could both be facing their former club.
• Chris Hughton is a former West Ham United defender and was actually in
charge the last time the teams met at the Boleyn Ground. He was the
caretaker manager on 20 September 2008, when the Hammers won 3-1 - a day
when Herita Ilunga made his home debut. Hughton made 40 appearances for the
Hammers between 1990 and 1992.
• That last Boleyn Ground meeting just over two years ago saw David Di
Michele score twice and Matthew Etherington add a third, before Michael
Owen's consolation.
• Fans yet to buy their tickets can pay on the day - should any seats remain
unsold. The Ticket Office will be open to callers from 9am until the 5.30pm
kick-off. Season ticket holders are able to take advantage of a superb
promotion, with the club giving them an exclusive chance to buy up to three
additional tickets for friends and family at the reduced rate of £15 each.
• Nine greats from West Ham United's 1960s heyday will be present. John
Bond, Dennis Burnett, Ken Brown, Eddie Bovington, Peter Brabrook, Brian
Dear. Alan Dickie, Martin Peters and Alan Stephenson will join fans in the
Legends Restaurant in the West Stand.
• West Ham's biggest home win against Newcastle was an 8-1 success on 21
April 1986, when Alvin Martin memorably scored a hat-trick against three
different goalkeepers. Newcastle's best showing in east London was a 5-3 win
on 20 February 1960.
Team news
West Ham United
• Ahead of his weekly team news update at the Friday media conference,
manager Avram Grant has just three outfield players on the confirmed injured
list. Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Zavon Hines (knee) and Jack Collison
(knee). The latter two are entering the final stages of their rehabilitation
and are hoping to return around the turn of the year, Hitzlsperger has a
February comeback date having had surgery on his torn muscle.
• Robert Green, Scott Parker and Mark Noble will all hope to maintain their
ever-present records this season in the Barclays Premier League. Green is on
a run of 134 consecutive league starts for the club.
• Matthew Upson had played in every league game until the Wolves game last
Saturday, when he missed out with a neck spasm. He has been in full training
this week, along with every other defender in Avram Grant's squad.
Newcastle United
• Newcastle have had a largely settled squad, with Fabricio Coloccini, Jose
Enrique, Mike Williamson, Joey Barton and James Perch having all started
every one of the club's eight top-flight matches, while Jonas Gutierrez,
Andy Carroll and Wayne Routledge have appeared in all of the fixtures as
well.
• Newcastle are without thigh-injury victim Sol Campbell, while goalkeeper
Steve Harper faces another month out with a shoulder problem. Tim Krul will
continue to deputise.
• Club captain Kevin Nolan should return after being rested with an ankle
complaint against Wigan, while 23-year-old right-back Danny Simpson may also
be back from his ankle injury.
• Summer loan signing Hatem Ben Arfa, the Olympique Marseille playmaker, is
a long-term injury casualty after the broken leg he suffered at the start of
the month. Another new recruit out is Dan Gosling (knee).
• Another notable absentee will be Colin Calderwood, with Hughton's
assistant manager having departed to take the top job at Hibernian.
Last time out
West Ham United
• West Ham United kept up their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw away to Wolves
after the international break. Mark Noble's second-half penalty cancelled
out Matt Jarvis's effort before the interval.
16 October 2010
Barclays Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 West Ham United
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Ben Haim, Da Costa, Parker, Noble, Dyer
(Cole 77) , Boa Morte, Piquionne, Obinna
Subs not used: Stech, Behrami, Ilunga, Faubert, Tomkins, McCarthy
Goal: Noble (53 pen)
Newcastle United
• Newcastle United showed great resilience to recover a two-goal deficit
last time out after a quickfire double from Charles N'Zogbia midway through
the first half. Shola Ameobi and Fabricio Coloccini were on target.
16 October 2010
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle United 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Newcastle United: Krul, Williamson, Perch (Ranger 88) , Enrique, Coloccini,
Barton, Gutierrez, Tiote, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Carroll, Lovenkrands
(Ameobi 61)
Subs not used: Taylor, Kadar, Soderberg, Smith
Goals: Ameobi 72, Coloccini 90
Last meeting
The Hammers earned a creditable 2-2 draw at St. James Park on 10 January
2009 in the last meeting between the clubs. Former Magpies striker Craig
Bellamy (29) cancelled out Michael Owen's goal (19) before Carlton Cole put
the Hammers in front ten minutes after the break. The home side earned a
point when Andy Carroll struck with 12 minutes to play.
Newcastle United: Given, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Enrique, Gutierrez,
Guthrie, Geremi (N'Zogbia 62), Duff, Owen, Carroll
Subs not used: Harper,Xisco,Kadar,Edgar,Lua Lua,
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker,
Noble (Mullins 86), Collison (Boa Morte 76), Cole, Bellamy (Di Michele 81)
Subs not used: Stech, Faubert, Tristan, Tomkins,
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
10 January 2009 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
20 September 2008 - West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United
26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
20 January 2007 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
17 February 2006 - West Ham United 0-2 Newcastle United
Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 37, D 35, L 47
Ten-year league records
West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)
Newcastle United
2009/10 Championship 1st (102 points - promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 18th (34 points - relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2006/07 Premier League 13th (43 points)
2005/06 Premier League 7th (58 points)
2004/05 Premier League 14th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 5th (56 points)
2002/03 Premier League 3rd (69 points)
2001/02 Premier League 4th (71 points)
2000/01 Premier League 11th (51 points)
Background
West Ham United
• West Ham are bidding for a third game unbeaten at home after a 1-0 win
against Spurs and a 1-1 draw with Fulham.
• Scott Parker and Frederic Piquionne are West Ham's top scorers this season
with three goals apiece - both have scored twice in the Barclays Premier
League and once in the Carling Cup.
• Danny Gabbidon's yellow card against Fulham on 2 October was the quickest
caution given to a top-flight player this season. It came after just one
minute and 25 seconds.
• No Barclays Premier League player has made more key defensive blocks than
Matthew Upson this season with the skipper having nine to his name in seven
matches.
• It is nine matches since the Hammers scored more than once in a Barclays
Premier League contest - the longest run in the top-flight.
Newcastle United
• Andy Carroll is Newcastle's leading scorer in the Barclays Premier League,
with four goals. Shola Ameobi also has four goals this season, but only one
has come in the top flight.
• Newcastle have caught their opponents offside more than any other Premier
League team this season, with 38 instances.
Referee
• Chris Foy took charge of the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground on
11 September this season. He has yet to officiate in a Newcastle match this
campaign. He has issued 18 yellow cards in six matches, but no reds.
• The 47-year-old official took charge of five West Ham matches last season
- the opening-day 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 3-1 loss at
Manchester City, the 2-2 home draw with Arsenal, when he appeared as a late
replacement for Steve Bennett, the 5-3 home win over Burnley and the 2-0
defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
• Foy, who was born in St Helens, Merseyside, has been a Barclays Premier
League referee since 2001, having originally made the Select Group list of
assistant referees in 1995.
• In 2007, Foy officiated the FA Trophy final at Wembley, before returning
to the Home of Football a year later to act as fourth official for
Portsmouth's FA Cup final victory over Cardiff City.
Old boys
• Scott Parker is a former Newcastle captain, who spent two years at the
north-east club after joining from Chelsea in July 2005 prior to his £7m
move to West Ham in June 2007. He played 55 league games, scoring four
goals.
• Kieron Dyer spent eight years at Newcastle between July 1999 and August
2007, before his £6m switch to the Hammers. He played 190 times for the club
in the Barclays Premier League, scoring 23 times.
• Others who have played for both clubs include Lee Bowyer, Franz Carr, John
Dowsey, Dave Gardner, Paul Goddard, Shaka Hislop, James Jackson, Vic Keeble,
Matthew Kingsley, Paul Kitson, Robert Lee, Joe Loughlin, Stuart Pearce,
Wayne Quinn, Bryan 'Pop' Robson, George Robson, Keith Robson, Harold Smith,
Nolberto Solano, Hal Tate, David Terrier.
Next up
• Avram Grant's side face Stoke City at home in the Carling Cup fourth round
on Wednesday 27 October. Ticket prices have been slashed by the club, with
season ticket holders able to secure their seat for just £15 for adults and
£5 for children. Non-season ticket holders can buy their seat for £20 for
adults and £10 for children.
• Newcastle are in Carling Cup action on the same night, with their last-16
opponents Arsenal travelling to the north-east.
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West Ham v Newcastle
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 23 October Kick-off: 1730 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live
and local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
West Ham welcome back defender Matthew Upson, who missed last week's draw
against Wolves with a neck spasm. Zavon Hines and Jack Collison are
recovering well from knee injuries but are unlikely to return before the end
of the year.
Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan returns to the squad having been rested last
weekend with an ankle problem. Defender Danny Simpson could make his first
appearance of the season after overcoming an ankle injury.
West Ham
Injured: Collison, Hines & Kurucz (all knee), Hitzlsperger (thigh)
Newcastle
Injured: Ben Arfa (leg), Best (ankle), Campbell (thigh), Gosling (knee),
Harper & Taylor (both shoulder)
MATCH PREVIEW
Unbeaten in four matches, West Ham will climb off the bottom of the table if
they avoid defeat again on Saturday. A win would put them above Newcastle
and could take them out of the relegation zone for the first time this
season. Victories have been hard to come by for Avram Grant's side though,
with last month's 1-0 win over Spurs their only success in the league this
season. The Hammers have failed to score more than one goal in any league
game, which may explain why they have failed to push on.
Newcastle, who were promoted as champions last season, have scored twice as
many goals as West Ham. But it's over a month since their last win and a run
of one point from three games has seen them drop to 16th. There have been
distractions off the pitch for the Magpies this week, with assistant boss
Colin Calderwood leaving to take up the manager's position at Hibernian and
striker Andy Carroll appearing in court accused of assaulting an
ex-girlfriend.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has included Carroll in his squad, saying
that he is "quite sure he will be in the right frame of mind to play
football." He will be hoping his striker rewards him with a first goal since
August.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This is the 120th meeting between these sides. Newcastle lead by 47 wins
to 37 and there have been 35 draws.
• West Ham are unbeaten in their last three matches against Newcastle.
West Ham
• West Ham have recovered well from losing their opening four fixtures; they
are unbeaten in four and have scored in their last five games.
• West Ham have won just once in the league this season - a 1-0 victory
against Spurs last month.
• Despite being bottom of the table, the Hammers are a point better off than
they were at this stage last season.
• Current West Ham captain Scott Parker joined the Hammers from Newcastle
for £7m in the summer of 2007.
Newcastle
• Newcastle have won once away from home in the league this season, beating
Everton 1-0, and they have also won at Chelsea in the Carling Cup.
• That 1-0 win at Everton is their only league victory in the last two
months.
• Newcastle are one short of 250 Premier League victories. They will become
only the seventh club to reach this milestone in the division.
• Andy Carroll scored his first ever Premier League goal against West Ham -
in Newcastle's 2-2 home draw in January 2009.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Parker & Piquionne: 3 goals (2 league)
Newcastle
Carroll: 4 goals (4 league); Ameobi: 4 goals (1 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Mick McDonough & Bob Pollock
Fourth official: Peter Walton
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (D1-1 v Wolves, a): Green; Jacobsen, Ben-Haim, da Costa, Gabbidon,
Dyer (Cole 77), Parker, Noble, Boa Morte, Piquionne, Obinna. Subs Not Used:
Stech, Tomkins, McCarthy, Faubert, Behrami, Ilunga.
Newcastle (D2-2 v Wigan, h): Krul; Perch (Ranger 89), Coloccini, Williamson,
Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands
(Ameobi 60), Carroll. Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Kadar.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Newcastle preview
Premier League strugglers set to go head-to-head
Last updated: 22nd October 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS
Skysports.com's prediction: 2-1
SKYBET odds: West Ham 13/10, Draw 23/10, Newcastle 21/10
One to watch: Andy Carroll
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
West Ham v Newcastle
5.00pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD2, Sky Sports 2 and online with Sky Player
West Ham will be desperate to hand Newcastle United a spot in the relegation
zone when they host the Magpies on Saturday tea-time. The Hammers currently
sit rock bottom of the Premier League table after eight matches and will
have their sights set on a three-point haul against the promoted Magpies.
Avram Grant's men can take some comfort, at least, from the fact they are
unbeaten in four league matches, with their latest point coming in a 1-1
draw at Wolves last weekend. The Magpies, meanwhile, enter the Upton Park
clash having collected just one point from their last three games and in
danger of entering the drop zone for the first time this season.
Unconvincing
Chris Hughton's side scraped an unconvincing home draw against Wigan last
Saturday, with defender Fabricio Coloccini's last-gasp equaliser ensuring
the Magpies took a point from the encounter. Newcastle have also endured a
difficult week off the pitch after star striker Andy Carroll was charged
with assault and assistant boss Colin Calderwood departed to take the
manager's post at Hibernian. The encounter will mark the first time the two
clubs have met since Newcastle's relegation season in 2008-09, when the
Hammers won the same fixture 3-1 and drew 2-2 in the reverse at St James'
Park. The Magpies currently lead the overall head-to-head 44 league wins to
37, but could struggle to build on that tally if they fail to shake off
their recent slump in form. Grant has just three outfield players on his
confirmed injury list, with Thomas Hitzlsperger(thigh), Zavon Hines (knee)
and Jack Collison (knee) the only definite absentees. The latter two are in
the final stages of their rehabilitation and could return around the turn of
the year. Hitzlsperger is poised for a February comeback having undergone
surgery on a torn muscle.
Magpies news
Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan will make his comeback to the squad for the
trip to the capital having been rested for last weekend's visit of the
Latics due to a niggling ankle injury. Danny Simpson could also make his
return after coming through a third reserve team game following a long
lay-off with an ankle problem. Sol Campbell will be missing once again as he
struggles with a thigh injury, while Steven Taylor (shoulder) is due to
return to training on Monday.
Steve Harper is around four weeks away from a recovery, while Leon Best
(ankle), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) are
still sidelined.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon, Dyer, Parker, Noble,
Boa Morte, Obinna, Piquionne.
Newcastle: Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique, Nolan, Tiote,
Barton, Gutiérrez, Lovenkrands, Carroll.
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Gold - No pressure on Grant
Co-owner backing manager despite league position
Last updated: 22nd October 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has received a vote of confidence from co-owner
David Gold. Grant replaced Gianfranco Zola at the Upton Park helm over the
summer after a disappointing 2009/10 campaign. The Hammers only finished one
place above the relegation after picking up 35 points, a total which Gold
accepts would not usually be enough to beat the drop. West Ham made a poor
start to life under Grant with four straight Premier League defeats, and
they remain bottom of the table going into Saturday's clash with Newcastle.
However, results have improved in recent weeks and, following a four-match
unbeaten run, Gold maintains that Grant's job is safe. "Avram Grant's under
no pressure. I think he's doing a fantastic job and you only have to speak
to players, which I do, to see there is a good spirit and a great respect
for Avram Grant," Gold told Sky Sports News. "He came to a football club
that would normally have got relegated, with 35 points. "So really what he
has done is take over a relegated club, to all intents and purposes, and
we're building. "If we were going backwards we would be worried, but every
day you can see this club strengthening under the regime of Avram Grant."
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Karren Brady's football diary
Published: Today
SATURDAY, OCT 16
FOLLOWING a bad decision going against his team, Ron Atkinson famously said:
"I never comment on referees and I'm not going to break the habit of a
lifetime for that prat." I know exactly how he feels after seeing a
perfectly good goal ruled out by referee Mark Clattenburg, who doesn't
usually get it that wrong. But today he was the only person at Molineux who
saw a handball, where there wasn't one - and in the process took two points
away from us.
While I'm hoping they will prove immaterial at the end of the season, I can
assure you that if they don't then I'll be calling him a lot worse than a
prat.
By the way, I love Mick McCarthy's post-match interview following Danny
Murphy's comments that the boss sends his Wolves team out too fired up. His
quotes are dry as a Martini, full of irony and I'll bet Mick is great
company away from the touchline or out of the dressing room.
SUNDAY, OCT 17
IT'S just six weeks before FIFA are due to vote for the hosts of the 2018
and 2022 World Cups. But I wonder if it will be delayed while the
allegations of bribery in a cash-for-votes scandal are probed. Don't let
this news skew your judgment of the majority of the fantastic people on
FIFA's executive committee. In particular, Chuck Blazer, a jovial New Yorker
and one of the 24 FIFA members I recently had dinner with, along with David
Dein. I'm hoping Chuck and two other members from the Americas will vote for
England's bid because we have a truly compelling case. David, as
International President of our bid, is a terrific asset. Sincere and
well-spoken, the ex-Arsenal chairman should have a far bigger part to play
in domestic football.
MONDAY, OCT 18
NOW it can be revealed - I'm sleeping with the enemy. The Bradys have owned
an apartment at Stamford Bridge since my husband played for Fulham.
I'm using it most weekdays when I'm working in London. It has its problems.
The television homepage is Chelsea TV - and waking up to Peter Osgood each
morning is grit in the breakfast muesli for me. Then there are the
larger-than-life pictures of their stars outside my window. I once dashed to
the restaurant to grab a coffee only to find myself at a players' pre-match
meal. I got some strange looks. Actually, since my pal Peter Kenyon left, I
don't see many Chelsea people and the only contact I've had recently was
with the porter who brought me a club hairdryer. I wonder if it belongs to
Didier Drogba.
TUESDAY, OCT 19
MY evening ends around Cinderella hour after dinner with several different
football bosses. One of them has a collection of private names for the
chairmen not in our gang! One he calls 'The Ali Baba of Deceit' which needs
no interpretation. Another is 'The Stalled Phantom' because he's well-bred
but powerless. A third is 'Witchfinder General' as he wants to kill the
opposition, and even tried once! It's fun - but I'm funned out sharing hours
between West Ham, TV and writing. I receive a letter that sums it up: "Hi
Miss Brady. I'm a serial stalker and I've followed you all day as my newly
chosen victim. However, after you started at 4am and finished at midnight,
I've decided to go elsewhere."
WEDNESDAY, OCT 20
LORD SUGAR and I are like-minded business people, as you might have noticed
from the new series of The Apprentice. The fact we became friends after a
Sun column I wrote about him as Spurs chairman is incidental. He's direct,
tough and sharp with his deals. We shared a desire to run our football clubs
like a business and, as a result, some supporters have seen us as
spoilsports. However, the more sensible of those fans will grudgingly admit
that he put Spurs on a sound financial footing, as I did at Birmingham and
now at West Ham. You can only imagine our horror at the trickery that sees
Man United and Liverpool carrying debts that would cripple many an island
economy. I've just finished his autobiography, What You See Is What You Get,
and it's true that he is a plain-speaking, self-made man and one of the best
there is in business. He admits football left scars on his personality,
writing: "I still remain sceptical and untrusting of new people I meet.
"I've never regained the light-hearted sense of humour I had as a younger
man - it's now just dry sarcasm."
A sad legacy of his time at Spurs but he still cares passionately about
them. When we are filming on a Saturday I always know when Spurs have scored
as I hear him roaring "Yes, yes, yes" from down the corridor, and then
laughing loudly when we've let one in. He is a lot more fun than you'd think
and the book is full of fascinating anecdotes.
THURSDAY, OCT 21
I'M not sure where to start with the Wayne Rooney saga. At the beginning,
when he declared he was too good for the club that has been the most
successful in the world since before he was born, or on how he has let down
this country's most successful manager, who frankly has done more to help
Rooney's career than his own son's. I wonder if this is all just a tactic to
get a new contract with a whopping rise. Let's face it, is Roo really going
to go to Spain for a life of paella and sangria? I think not! He's more
macho than nacho. And he's not going to Man City either. I suspect there's a
long way to go but the ending is always the same. The player gets what the
player wants.
FRIDAY, OCT 22
WELL, I was right and I was wrong. Wayne DID get what he wanted, a five-year
contract and a huge rise, and I was wrong in that it took less than 24
hours. A distraught Football League director phones me. One of his team's
key men will be out for two weeks with a peculiar groin injury. Playing with
his new puppy, the footballer rested a furry toy on his lap - and got bitten
in the meat-and-two-veg department.
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Hammers Ref Justice riles Grant
The Sun
By JAMES MASTERS
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has warned Premier League referees - give us a decision or we'll
come after you. The Hammers - bottom of the Premier League - have been left
seething by a number of bad calls. Mark Clattenburg wrongly denied Freddie
Piquionne a last-gasp winner at Wolves last weekend. Grant claims refereeing
errors against Fulham and Bolton also cost his side points. And the Israeli
warned his men will soon have to abandon their nice-guy approach.
Grant said: "All referees are human beings, but I don't want to think that
because we are nice the other team has an advantage. "I'm following the
situation. It is not in my way to say to Scott Parker 'next time
slide-tackle the referee', but I will think about this if I see it continue.
"I still believe if we continue to play the football we have in the last few
weeks, we'll have enough points not to resort to this. "If it happens again
in the next game, I'll need to think about it."
Hammers defender Manuel da Costa can face Newcastle after being bailed on
suspicion of sexual and common assault.
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Da Costa in Hammers squad despite recent arrest
Published 15:19 22/10/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Manuel Da Costa is in the West Ham squad to face Newcastle tomorrow (sat)
despite his arrest on suspicion of sexual assault this week. The Portuguese
defender, 24, is on police bail until December pending further enquiries
after an alleged incident at a nightclub in east London. He is set to mark
Andy Carroll, the England Under 21 forward arrested for an alleged assault
last weekend and ordered to live with team-mate Kevin Nolan. The Hammers are
unbeaten in the five games Da Costa has started this season and the Premier
League's bottom club could climb to 15th with a win tomorrow. Grant said: "I
can only speak about football matters. He is available for the squad."
West Ham sit two points and four places below Newcastle and will leapfrog
the visitors and probably moved out of the relegation zone with three
points.
"I am happy we are progressing," Grant added. "We are a few points from the
middle of the table and we belong there from the way we play. "We want to
win this game. At the beginning of the season you cannot say any game you
have to win until the end of the season. We want to win this game and move
forward."
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Grant encourages his Hammers to ditch the 'Mr Nice Guy' approach
Published 23:00 22/10/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Avram Grant will order his players to stop being the Premier League nice
guys with referees if another dodgy decision goes against them tonight. The
West Ham boss listed five big calls to go against his side this season,
including the ruling out of Freddie Piquionne's late "winner" at Wolves last
week.
He reckoned his "very nice" and "very sporting" players are being penalised
for not pressurising the officials. And in Fergie-style mind games, he
warned his rock-bottom club could be forced to abandon the morale high
ground if ref Chris Foy continues the trend against Newcastle tonight. "I
don't want to think these decisions is because my players behave nicely and
don't jump on the referee," said the Hammers boss. "But it has affected us.
I cannot change it but everyone has to be aware of players who are not nice
have an advantage. "I don't think any of the referees are dishonest but
because there are so many decisions against us, I start to think. All
referees are human beings. If I think the other team has an advantage
because of this I will try to do the same. I am following the situation now.
It is not in my way to say: 'Scott Parker, next time slide-tackle the
referee'. "It's my tradition to be positive and nice and everything but it's
my tradition also that someone not doing it will not get an advantage. If it
happens again in the next game, I think we need to think about this."
West Ham are unbeaten in five matches since Manuel Da Costa returned to the
centre of their defence. And the Portuguese defender is set to continue
tonight despite his arrest for sexual assault this week. He will probably
mark Andy Carroll, the England Under 21 striker arrested last weekend for
assault.
Grant has claimed his own England striker Carlton Cole will play a vital
role this season despite not yet finding the net. But he warned Cole he must
fight his way into the side ahead of the impressive Piquionne and Vincent
Obinna. "You need to wait until the end of the season to judge him," he
said. "He knows how to be a good striker. I believe very much in
competition."
Grant also admitted he felt "compassion" for the plight of other managers
with Chris Hughton already under pressure at St James' Park "They need to be
patient," he said. "I don't think the tradition of Newcastle is to be
patient."
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Upson nears West Ham return
Published 15:24 22/10/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Matthew Upson is pushing for a return to action against Newcastle after
missing West Ham's draw at Wolves last weekend with a neck strain. Defender
Manuel Da Costa has been training all week and is available for selection
after being released on police bail following his arrest on suspicion of
sexual assault. Winger Pablo Barrera and defender Winston Reid are back in
contention after being rested last week following their return from
international duty.
Midfielders Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Zavon Hines and Jack Collison (both
knee) are long-term injury absentees.
Provisional squad: Green, Stech, Jacobsen, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Ben
Haim, Reid, Tomkins, Da Costa, Ilunga, Parker, Dyer, Noble, Boa Morte,
Behrami, Faubert, Kovac, Barrera, Piquionne, Cole, Obinna, McCarthy.
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