WHUFC.com
All the early team news and stats ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League
game at the Boleyn Ground
08.01.2010
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 10 January
1.30pm
Referee: Phil Dowd
• West Ham United play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers looking to make it
three games in a row unbeaten at home in the Barclays Premier League.
• A Boleyn Ground draw with Chelsea on 20 December, coupled with three
points in the Boxing Day game with Portsmouth, moved the Hammers out of the
bottom three and another maximum on Sunday could move Gianfranco Zola's side
up to 13th in the table.
• The Hammers will be looking to continue their encouraging home form in the
league. In their last eight matches in east London, the Hammers have won
three and drawn three with just the narrow defeat by Everton and the loss to
Manchester United the only blotches on their Boleyn Ground copy book in that
time.
• The hosts have enjoyed a good run of form against the Midlanders, with
four wins and just one defeat in their last six meetings. They have not lost
at home to Wolves since 1978.
• Their visitors, however, are in good form and have won three of their last
six Barclays Premier League games.
• This will be the second league meeting between the two sides and West Ham
United's second 'return' fixture of the season. The Hammers won 2-0 at
Molineux on the opening day of the season on 15 August.
• This will be the sides' second encounter in the Premier League but they
have met 56 times before. West Ham hold the upper hand with 26 wins. Wolves
have emerged victorious on 17 occasions.
Last time out
Sunday 3 January 2009
FA Cup third round
West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela, Kovac, Behrami,
Stanislas (Edgar 88), Diamanti, Jimenez, Nouble (Sears 79)
Subs not used: Stech, N'Gala, Da Costa, Payne, Lee
Goal: Diamanti 45
Sunday 3 January 2009
FA Cup third round
Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne,
Stephen Ward, Henry, Jarvis, Milijas (Halford 89), Ebanks-Blake (Elokobi
89), Iwelumo (Vokes 76)
Subs not used: Surman, David Jones, Zubar, Hahnemann
Goal: Jarvis 77
Last meeting
The teams last met at Molineux on 15 August 2009 when goals from Mark Noble
and Matthew Upson ensured a 2-0 away win for the Hammers. The teams that day
were -
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins, Ilunga (Spector 65),
Parker, Noble, Collison, Dyer (Stanislas 73), Jimenez, Cole (Nouble 90)
Subs not used: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Spector, Payne, Hines
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Foley (Vokes 75), Mancienne (Stearman
67), Craddock, Ward, Halford, Henry, Milijas (Edwards 80), Jarvis,
Ebanks-Blake, Keogh
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Elokobi, Surman, Jones
Head to head
Last six meetings (league unless stated)
15 August 2009 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 West Ham United
15 January 2005 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-2 West Ham United
2 October 2004 - West Ham United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
25 January 2004 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 West Ham United (FA Cup)
6 March 1993 - West Ham United 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
4 October 1992 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United
Next up
West Ham United play Aston Villa at Villa Park a week on Sunday, while
Wolves play host to Wigan Athletic next Saturday.
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Phil Dowd.
• Dowd began refereeing in 1984 before graduating to the Staffordshire
Senior League and Midland Football Alliance.
• He joined the Football League list of assistant referees in 1992 before
joining the list of referees in 1997.
• Dowd was promoted to the Barclays Premier League list of referees in 2001.
This is his ninth season as a top-flight referee.
• He was the fourth official at the 2006 FA Cup final between West Ham
United and Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• Dowd took charge of five West Ham matches last season, most notably the
3-1 home victory over Newcastle United on 20 September, Gianfranco Zola's
first match as Hammers manager. Dowd was also the man in the middle for West
Ham's home matches against Arsenal, Fulham and Manchester United and the
penultimate game of the season away at Everton.
• Sunday's game will be Dowd's third Hammers game of the season after
refereeing the goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers on 29 August and the 2-2
draw with Fulham on 4 October.
West Ham United
• In their last Barclays Premier League home game at the Boleyn Ground - the
2-0 Premier League win against Portsmouth - West Ham United kept their first
clean sheet since the 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 29 August.
• The Hammers have scored all seven of the penalties they have been awarded
this season, a Barclays Premier League high.
• West Ham have scored 28 goals this season in the league with eleven
different scorers registering. Carlton Cole leads the way (seven), with
Alessandro Diamanti (five) and Guille Franco (three) next in line. Jack
Collison (two), Matthew Upson (two), Junior Stanislas (two), Manuel da
Costa, Mark Noble, Luis Jimenez, Zavon Hines and Radoslav Kovac have also
registered.
• Cole is West Ham's top scorer this season with seven goals in 13 league
games. The England striker has scored 14 goals in 25 Premier League games
since Boxing Day 2008.
• Scott Parker has been booked seven times this season, Guille Franco five -
leading to his suspension last weekend - while Julien Faubert, Cole and Mark
Noble are each on four yellow cards.
• Only Robert Green has played in every league game for the club this
season. He is on a run of 108 successive league starts.
• Diamanti has had 47 shots on goal this season, with 27 of them hitting the
target, both higher than anyone else at the club.
• Jack Collison has more assists (four) than anyone else, while Mark Noble
has put in the highest number of crosses (19) at the club.
• Matthew Upson has the highest number of defensive clearances (21), while
his central defensive partner James Tomkins has made 17 defensive blocks.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• While they may have three wins in six, Mick McCarthy's side will be
looking to avoid their third consecutive defeat.
• Kevin Doyle is the club's top scorer with five goals from 32 shots.
Team news
• Gianfranco Zola could recall key first-team players for Sunday's match.
Guille Franco returns from his one-match suspension, while the likes of
Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Herita Ilunga could be involved
after missing last weekend's FA Cup defeat by Arsenal.
• Fabio Daprela, who impressed greatly on his first-team debut at left-back
against Arsenal last weekend, will be eager to be involved again.
• Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer are both likely to miss out as they are
still recovering from their hamstring injuries.
• Frank Nouble has been struggling with a calf injury since making his debut
last weekend, but will be hoping to keep his place in attack if fit. Freddie
Sears could make his first Barclays Premier League appearance of the season
after his return from a loan spell at Crystal Palace.
• Long-term absentees Luis Boa Morte (knee) and Calum Davenport (leg) are
also definitely unavailable.
• Carlton Cole is making good progress from his knee injury and is aiming
for a late January return.
• Wolves are set to welcome back leading goalscorer Doyle, who missed last
weekend's FA Cup win at Tranmere through illness.
• Defender Christophe Berra could also be in contention after recovering
from concussion.
Old boys
• Carlton Cole spent two months on loan at Wolves at the end of 2003, where
he made seven appearances, scoring one goal.
• First-team coach Kevin Keen played 42 times for Wolves after leaving West
Ham in 1993.
• Nigel Quashie spent the tail end of the 2008/09 season on loan at
Molineux, playing three games.
Others who have played for both clubs include Jeremie Aliadiere, Edward
Anderson, Frank Burrill, Henri Camara, Robert 'Dickie' Deacon, Tommy Dunn,
Noel Dwyer, Joe Gallagher, Bobby Gould, Harry Hooper, Tudor Martin, Shaun
Newton and Dick Richards.
General information
Tickets for the match are now on general sale. For ticket information, click
here. For details on getting to the Boleyn Ground, click here
Weather: Sunday's forecast is for cold day with some possible snow showers.
Temperatures are not expected to get above freezing.
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Quartet in contention
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola could have up to four key first-team players back for the
visit of Wolves
08.01.2010
Gianfranco Zola has a key quartet of players in contention for Sunday's
vital game with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jonathan Spector, Jack Collison,
Scott Parker and Mark Noble could make a return from injury, while Guille
Franco is available again after suspension, giving the West Ham United
manager a welcome selection headache ahead of the Boleyn Ground match. "The
game is very important," he said. "Some of the games coming up are very
important and it is vital that we play the same way as we have done recently
and if we do so we have a very good chance. "We will have Mark Noble coming
in, Jontathan Spector coming in, Guillermo Franco coming in and also Scott
Parker. It is a maybe with Scott, we will see. There are some positives
about that."
Their absence from last weekend's narrow FA Cup defeat by Arsenal meant Zola
was forced to turn to some of the younger members of his squad. The West Ham
United manager is confident that if his starting XI show similar application
and commitment against Wolves, who have not won in east London since 1978, a
third consecutive home league game unbeaten should be secured. "The players
know they played a good game against Arsenal and were unfortunate not to get
anything out of it," he suggested. "It wasn't necessary to do much work as
they know if they can maintain that on Sunday they will get points. "Arsenal
was a mixture of strength and also a bit of luck in the way the game went.
It didn't affect the players' confidence as they know they played a good
game and if they repeat that standard they will be alright."
The wintry weather has already put paid to some Premier League fixtures this
weekend, but with the Boleyn Ground pitch and surrounding areas in good
condition on Friday afternoon, Sunday's game looks set to go ahead. "I think
there might be a lot of snow coming at the weekend so I don't know what
might happen. We will prepare like we have to play so we will see what
happens. "This week has been a difficult weather-wise but it is the same for
everyone else. It might be nice to have a little rest but we will see what
happens and stand by what happens. Like the rest of the country the cold
conditions have hit Chadwell Heath, but for Zola and his players it has not
prevented them from training fully. "The players have kept their focus
despite the difficulties. It hasn't been ideal but it hasn't been ideal for
everyone in the country. "It hasn't been easy and everybody has had to leave
earlier. It is part of it and we can't do anything about it. We can only
adapt to the situation and get the best out of it and we did so."
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No old pals act
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins will go up against England Under-21 team-mate Michael
Mancienne on Sunday
08.01.2010
James Tomkins will be looking to get one over England Under-21 team-mate
Michael Mancienne when West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers. In an
interview with the official matchday programme for Sunday's Barclays Premier
League fixture, the 20-year-old revealed how he had got to know Mancienne
well during the duo's time at last summer's UEFA European U21 Championship
finals in Sweden. Tomkins made his U21 debut partnering Mancienne in
England's 7-0 friendly victory over Azerbaijan in June, and the pair have
since become manager Stuart Pearce's first-choice central defenders.
However, the young Hammer said any friendships would count for nothing when
West Ham take on Mick McCarthy's side this weekend. "I have known Michael
for quite a while and we have played together for the England U21s," said
Tomkins. "I rate Michael as a good player. He is very versatile and can play
at right-back, centre-back and in midfield. He is very good on the ball and
is a nice lad too. We've played together quite a lot now and we get on well.
"It will be good to see him again today, but obviously it's more important
that we pick up the win and the three points that we need."
In a wide-ranging interview, Tomkins also discusses his increasingly
important role in Gianfranco Zola's West Ham team, his support for close
friend Jack Collison following the death of the midfielder's father, and
moving out of home.
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West Ham v Wolverhampton
BBC.co.uk
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Venue: Boleyn Ground Date: Sunday, 10 January 2010 Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, live on Sky
Sports 1 & highlights on Match of the Day 2
TEAM NEWS
West Ham midfielders Mark Noble and Scott Parker should return from the
hamstring strains that caused them to miss the FA Cup defeat by Arsenal.
Forward Guillermo Franco returns to the squad, having served a one-match
suspension.
Wolves welcome back leading goalscorer Kevin Doyle, who missed last
weekend's FA Cup win at Tranmere through illness. Defender Christophe Berra
will also be restored to the side after recovering from concussion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham
Suspended: None Doubtful: None
Injured: Boa Morte, Cole & Hines (all knee), Davenport (leg), Dyer, Gabbidon
& Ilunga (all hamstring)
Wolves
Suspended: None Doubtful: None
Injured: Edwards, Keogh & Kightly (all ankle), Murray (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
The reverse fixture on the opening day of the season was telling for Wolves
but misleading for West Ham.
It is a matter of being strong mentally and I have no doubt we are destined
for many good things
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola
The Hammers were worthy 2-0 winners at Molineux, but have only managed three
more victories in the first half of the season. They will have expected to
fare far better following a top-ten finish last year.
A season of survival was always on the agenda for promoted Wolves, and they
have spent most of the campaign in the bottom six. Nonetheless, they sit a
point above West Ham in the table and their manager Mick McCarthy believes
his current squad is good enough to keep the club in the top flight.
As for West Ham, their perilous position has not deterred potential suitors
from taking over the club. There have been offers from the American-led
Intermarket group as well as by ex-Birmingham City owners David Gold and
David Sullivan. It is reported that a deal could be concluded within the
next week.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham are unbeaten in their last six home matches against Wolves (W4,
D2). Their only home defeat in the last 15 meetings was 2-1 in the old First
Division in March 1978.
• The Hammers are vying to complete the league double over Wolves for the
first time in 87 years.
• The Hammers have only won one of their last six league games, mustering
just four points in that period.
• It is 13 months since they last came from behind to win a league match - a
2-1 home victory against Stoke in December 2008.
• They have been awarded - and scored - seven penalties in ten league
matches at home this season, including one in each of their last four home
matches. Their last penalty miss was by Mark Noble in a 1-0 home defeat by
Chelsea in April 2009.
• Alessandro Diamanti has scored four goals in five matches.
Wolves
• They have lost six of their last nine league games, including the last
two. They have yet to lose three successive league games this season.
• Wolves have scored the fewest goals in the division this season: 17 in 20
matches.
• Jody Craddock will play his 200th game for Wolves, while Matthew Jarvis
has made 199 career appearances.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 7 goals (7 league); Diamanti: 6 goals (5 league)
Wolves
Doyle: 5 goals (5 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mark Scholes & Martin Yerby
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (L0-2 v Tottenham, a): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga
(Spector 19), Collison (Stanislas 79), Behrami, Kovac, Parker (Jimenez 12),
Diamanti, Franco. Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Nouble, Payne.
Wolves (L0-3 v Man City, h): Hahnemann; Foley (Jarvis 80), Berra (Stearman
45), Craddock, Elokobi, Mancienne, Zubar, Henry, Surman, Doyle (Ebanks-Blake
73), Iwelumo. Subs not used: Hennessey, Castillo, Maierhofer, Milijas.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Wolves 0-2 West Ham (15 August 2009)
West Ham scorers: Noble 22, Upson 69.
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Zola confident on players
Hammers boss thinks stars will stay
Last updated: 8th January 2010
SSN
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is confident he can keep his best players
at Upton Park during the January transfer window. The cash-strapped Hammers
are currently flirting with the relegation zone in the Premier League and
speculation has mounted that they may have to let their prized assets leave
the club. Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Robert Green have
all been linked with moves away from East London in recent weeks, although
Zola reveals the club have yet to receive any firm offers.
The Italian coach admits there is bound to be interest in some of his
players, but hopes they will be going nowhere. "I know I have good players
in my team and it is normal that teams are looking for them. I am confident
we can keep our best players," he said. "I don't think we have had any
enquiries so far. I haven't been told so. I am confident I can keep them
here. "I don't deal with these things (transfers). I am just dealing with
the players we have and I try to make them happy to stay here."
While speculation has mounted that the Hammers are set to sell a number of
key figures, they have also been linked with a few incoming transfers.
Strikers Marlon Harewood, James Beattie and Eider Gudjohnsen have been
touted as possible signings, but Zola has refused to name names. "We are
looking into something," he added. "That doesn't mean we need to talk about
it. I don't think it would be a wise thing to do. "In two days' time I have
a very big match coming up against Wolves and for me to talk about the
players that might come in or that may go out certainly won't help the
situation. "What matters to me is that we win the game on Sunday which is
vital for us."
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West Ham v Wolves preview
Hammers aiming to move above opponents
Last updated: 8th January 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Wolves 0
SKYBET odds: West Ham 4/5, Draw 5/2, Wolves 7/2
One to watch: Scott Parker
West Ham welcome Wolves for the lunchtime kick-off on Sunday looking to
bounce back from last weekend's 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat by Arsenal.
Gianfranco Zola's side could move above their opponents in the table if they
are able to secure maximum points and will be buoyed by some encouraging
league form at Upton Park. The Hammers have won three and drawn three of
their last eight Premier League encounters in East London with their only
defeats coming at the hands of Everton and Manchester United.
Wolves' top-flight form away from Molineux is not the strongest and with
just one win on their travels since August, they will be expecting another
tough afternoon in the frosty conditions. Mick McCarthy's side have lost
three of their last four Premier League games but secured a morale-boosting
1-0 victory in the FA Cup at Tranmere last weekend.
West Ham trio Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Jack Collison all missed out
against the Gunners but are likely to earn recalls to the starting XI.
Guille Franco is also available after a one-match suspension. Fabio Daprela
and Frank Nouble both impressed on their full debuts last weekend and will
be hoping to retain their places in the side. Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer
are unlikely to recover in time from their respective hamstring problems and
the game also comes too soon for Carlton Cole (knee). Long-term absentees
Luis Boa Morte (knee) and Calum Davenport (leg) are definitely out. Wolves
should be boosted by the return of Kevin Doyle and Christophe Berra. Striker
Doyle (illness) and defender Berra (concussion) were both absent at Tranmere
but Doyle is poised to take over from Chris Iwelumo, with Berra likely to
replace Michael Mancienne. Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who was rested for
the cup success, will return to the starting line-up in place of Wales
international Wayne Hennessey.
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green, Upson, Tomkins, Behrami, Noble, Collison, Parker, Faubert,
Diamanti, Franco, Nouble.
Wolves: Hahnemann, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi, Stearman, Doyle, Milijas,
Ebanks-Blake, Jarvis, Henry, Ward.
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Playing the Waiting Game, While the Transfer Clock Counts Down
West Ham Till I Die
Like other Hammers fan I am waiting patiently for signs of movement on the
ownership/investment front. I am also keeping a nervous watch on the
counting down of the clock for the winter transfer window.
The speculation about the various takeover options have been at fever pitch
in recent weeks. Is it the Sullivan & Gold, Inter-market or Fernandes bid
that will ultimately prove successful? Will it be a complete buy-out or a
51% controlling interest now, with an option to buy out the rest at some
point in the future? Will Fernandes bid as part of a consortium
arrangement? Are the Inter-Market and Fernandes bids linked in some way?
Just who are the investors behind the Inter-Market bid?
These are the type of questions on which fans are speculating. While we may
be understandably frustrated at the lack of information about the Rothschild
process, the fact is that it is a legal process, and the bidding parties,
are bound by strict confidentiality clauses. All we can be confident about
is that there are bids submitted and C&B Holdings are currently considering
them.
Alternatively, there is the other option, that C&B Holdings will find the
bids unacceptable and retain 100% control of the club. It is a possibility,
afterall they have openly stated that they may secure a better deal in a
season or two, when market conditions for a sale are better? The threat to
that strategy is obviously our current league position and the threat of
relegation.
The truth is that if they do retain control then they need to find funds to
enable Zola to strengthen his squad in January. To reject the various bids,
whilst keeping the purse strings closed would be a potential mistake of
2002-03 proportions. It would also be a possible mistake that would gamble
with the eventual value of the very asset that they hope to maximise. I am
certain that they are all too aware of this and will take the action
necessary to negate the threat!
I know that there is the much debated option of cashing in on Upson, but how
much of the estimated £10-12m fee would Zola have to reinvest in a
replacement? We also need a right-back, probably another centre back and a
striker, could a deal for Upson deliver that? Perhaps, but it would take
some smart wheeler dealing to bring it about. Maybe the loan market will
help deliver some quality short-term additions?
Although we are in the dark about the current state of affairs on the
ownership issue, hopefully the club's senior management are keeping Zola and
Clarke fully briefed and helping them put their transfer plans in to action?
One would anticipate that Zola, Clarke and Nani will have their list of
potential targets, based upon the various level of transfer funds that could
be available? Hopefully, initial inquiries will have been made and the
wheels will be in motion? Because every day that goes by in the transfer
window, without such progress, reduces the probability that the January
deals will actually materialise.
In the meantime all that can be done is to focus on the current squad and
ensure that we win the next vital home fixture with Wolves. I have always
believed in this squad, the core quality and promise of our youngsters is
not in question. It is the balance and strength-in-depth of the squad that
is the key issue. We do not have the depth to deal with the inevitable
injury absences of key players. Whilst positions like full-back have been
a obvious problem all season.
Having said that, it is not by any means a bleak picture. The team have
played well this season without getting the results they have deserved.
They have been very competitive and, apart from Manchester Utd at home, have
not taken any real beatings. Diamanti is proving a key forward, Parker has
been truly magnificent all season, the warrior Behrami is back and giving
110%, Upson is a quality centre half, Franco looks a quality forward, Kovac
appears to be making more of an impact and Carlton Cole in on the way back.
What we really need is for some of the others to really step up to the plate
now. Green needs to get back to his best, Noble must once again become the
inspirational figure of the 2006-07 'great escape,' Tomkins, Stanislas and
Collison need to play their undoubted potential, Illunga must regain his
form of last season and it would help if someone like Sears suddenly comes
good.
Over the remaining months of the season we have a run of very winnable
fixtures. The points are there for the taking, starting with Wolves this
Sunday, the weather permitting!!
COYI.
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Mick weary of wounded Hammers
Wolves boss concerned with Upton Park atmosphere
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 8th January 2010
SSN
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
West Ham v Wolves
1pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player
Click here to remote record
Mick McCarthy has warned Wolves not to underestimate Sunday's opponents West
Ham in a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports HD1. Many predicted
Wolves to be lurking around the lower echelons of the division, but few
thought the Wanderers would be a point better off than the Hammers at this
stage of the season after the duo met on the opening day of the campaign.
Gianfranco Zola's men took a 2-0 win from the Molineux clash in August and
they will be desperate to replicate that result on home soil and McCarthy
saw enough of the East London outfit in their FA Cup exit last weekend to
recognise the difficulty of the challenge facing his side. "I saw their game
against Arsenal and they are a force to be reckoned with at Upton Park," the
Irishman said of the Hammers, who have won three and drawn as many from
their last eight home outings in the league. "They always have been. They
are always a good side at home. Results this time might suggest otherwise
but on their day at Upton Park they are terrific. "It is a difficult place
to go and play because the crowd are right on you, they are partisan. "They
get a fantastic crowd and it can be a tough place to play. But they have had
mixed results this season and that is the reason they are where they are.
Just like us, mixed results."
Wolves follow the trip to West Ham with a crucial home encounter against
Wigan and McCarthy is not hiding from the fact that in terms of the whole
season they are crucial games in the battle to avoid relegation. "These next
two games do look vital and you can't argue with that," added the former
Republic of Ireland tactician. "They are very important for all the three
clubs involved, not just us. The three of us are right together and they are
hugely important, of course they are. "We don't approach these kind of games
any differently than any others but they are harder games emotionally, they
are harder games because the pressure is on us to win them. "The games
against the top sides, the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and
Manchester United are harder physically because they move you around and
make you run. "But emotionally, the hard ones are the teams who are in and
around us. "The two games coming up, starting against West Ham, are going to
be pulling on the heartstrings and the butterflies are going to be clumping
around. "That is where the pressure, the stresses, strains and emotional
pressure comes from. "But then that is what we have to cope with. They are
great games for us."
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West Ham look to Russia to solve Upton Park striker crisis
By Ashley Gray
Last updated at 3:38 PM on 08th January 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a bid to sign Belarus striker Sergey Kornilenko on loan
from Zenit St Petersburg. The cash-strapped Hammers want to take the 6ft 1in
target man until the end of the season. The 26-year-old, who has scored nine
goals in 30 international appearances, has been told he can find a new club
just six months after joining the Russian giants from Tom Tomsk for
£1.2million. Kornilenko scored just once in 12 appearances for Zenit and is
not in the plans of new manager Luciano Spalletti. Tom had hoped to take him
back on loan, but now concede they can't compete with the Hammers. Tom boss
Valeri Nepomniachi said: 'Apart from out interest, Sergey has proposals from
a foreign club and a top Russian club. 'Sergey admitted that he'd like to
play for Tom again, but the question is what proposal will be more
interesting for him. 'It is our understanding that West Ham are interested,
so our chances are probably not too great. Nevertheless, we've made an offer
for Kornilenko.'
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Gianfranco Zola promises to keep his England trio
Evening Standard
08.01.10
Gianfranco Zola has insisted he won't be selling his stars during this
month's transfer window. With the future of West Ham's longterm ownership
still to be resolved there has been speculation over possible moves for
England internationals Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Matthew Upson. But
Zola said: "We want to keep all our best players. Nothing's changed in that
respect and that is what I expect is going to happen this month. "The
ownership matter is something I cannot affect. I can't buy the club
otherwise I would do that, so really it is out of my control." Cole will
miss Sunday's game against Wolves as he is recovering from a knee ligament
injury. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had been linked with the striker but
said: "He is a great player that I rate but he is injured and we do not want
to add another injured player to what is already a very long list."
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Gianfranco Zola demands emergency summit to discuss West Ham departures
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 12:21 AM on 09th January 2010
Daily Mail
Gianfranco Zola is set to hold crisis talks with the West Ham board next
week to discuss any big-name departures and the potential takeover of the
club. England trio Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole have
attracted interest from a number of clubs, while Scott Parker has also been
linked with a move to Tottenham. Hammers boss Zola needs to keep his star
players if the club are to retain their Barclays Premier League status and
he is seeking assurances from the Icelandic board over the long-term future
of the club. Zola said: 'For me to talk about players who might come in or
might go out will not help our situation. 'I don't like dealing with these
things. I like working with the players on the pitch and try to make them
happy to stay here. 'I will have an update next week. I think that we will
have an important meeting and we will see what we can do.'
Zola is also hoping the board can sort out the ownership of the club because
new investors could provide finance to strengthen the squad in January. The
Italian added: 'It would be good for everybody - it would stop so much
speculation.'
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JACK COLLISON: GIANFRANCO ZOLA'S BRILLIANT FOR WEST HAM
ABOVE: Gianfranco Zola 9th January 2010 By Paul Brown
The Star
JACK COLLISON claims Gianfranco Zola proves great players CAN make great
managers. And the West Ham and Wales midfielder insists the Hammers owe
their boss a big win against fellow strugglers Wolves tomorrow. There is a
long list of famous footballers who flopped in management, including Sir
Bobby Charlton, John Barnes and Bryan Robson. And many questioned whether
former Chelsea and Italy star Zola was too nice to manage in the cut-throat
world of the Premier League. But Collison said: "I think Franco's been
brilliant. He's played at the top and was one of the best players ever to
play in the Premier League. "I think the whole of football admires Franco
for what he did for the game. He was one hell of a player and such a good
person off the pitch as well. "Things might not be going too well for us
right now, but the players believe in him. We feel he's doing the right
things for us. We just have to stick together. "I learn things from Franco
all the time. He's very hands-on and he really cares about the team. You
couldn't ask for much more from a manager. "He gave me an opportunity and he
wants us to go out and play with freedom and enjoy our football. That's
what it's about. "If we keep doing that, the results will come and we'll
start pushing our way up the table. "We feel we can do more for the manager.
It's definitely up to us as players to turn it around.
"The boss and his coaching staff get us in the right frame of mind off the
pitch. But it's up to us to go out there and do the business." Collison
reckons West Ham will beat the drop because some of their players remember
doing just that on the final day of the 2006/07 season. He said: "A few of
the boys have done it before. The likes of Mark Noble were here when it
went down to the wire. "We just look to them to help get us out of where we
are. Now it's a matter of doing things rather than saying things."
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