WHUFC.com
Goals from Olly Lee, Junior Stanislas and Cristian Montano see West Ham
United edge out Fulham
27.04.2010
West Ham United reserves v Fulham Reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Boleyn Ground
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Kick-off: 7pm
Full-time score - West Ham United reserves 3-2 Fulham reserves
100 mins - Trotta creates some space about 20 yards from goal and shoots
with his right foot. Spence blocks before clearing. I am 99 per cent sure
the injured player was the substitute Kamau. However, the medical staff have
re-emerged from the tunnel, so fingers-crossed the stretcher was simply a
precaution. The final whistle is blown and West Ham have completed their
reserve season with a victory.
Don't forget to keep a close eye on whufc.com for exclusive post-match
reaction. WHUTV will also have highlights and post-match interviews soon.
98 mins - Smith lifts a free-kick into the box. Toure wins it but the ball
bounces safely through to Kurucz.
96 mins - GOAL! Peniket pulls a goal back for the ten men as he curls a low
shot inside Kurucz's far post from 15 yards.
95 mins - The crowd give the injured Fulham player a warm round of applause
as he is carried off and down the tunnel. Let's hope it's nothing serious.
I'll try and work out who it is for you now.
91 mins - I'm sorry, but I can't see which Fulham player is down injured.
We're going to have four added minutes, but at present, everybody's concerns
are with the injured player. There are six yellow-vested paramedics and the
Fulham physio tending to him at the moment. The medical staff carefully lift
the player on to a larger stretcher.
90 mins - Montano is booked for a challenge that leaves a Fulham player in a
heap on the pitch. The physio dashes on as the striker is cautioned. There
seems to be some concern as he landed awkwardly, but his legs are thrashing
around, so hopefully it's not too serious. Montano goes to check on his
opponent's condition. The stretcher is brought on by the paramedics who are
always on hand.
88 mins - Stefan Payne and Pierre, who is injured, are the two Fulham
players to be replaced. Zola comes on for Daprela.
87 mins - Great stuff! Stanislas turns on a sixpence before shooting. His
effort is deflected and Etheridge can only turn it aside. Montano races to
the loose ball before crossing with his left foot to the far post. Abdulla
catches the ball flush on the volley, only for the goalkeeper to save well
with his legs.
85 mins - Fulham are going to make a second change. It is going to be
Richard Peniket to come on. In fact, Michael Kamau is also going to be
introduced. Andrea Zola is also going to be sent on for the final few
minutes. I hope his Dad hasn't gone home early...!
82 mins - GOAL! Montano has his goal! Toure can only get a toe-end on the
through ball and the Colombian-born player is there to finish superbly,
smashing the ball low past Etheridge and into the bottom right-hand corner.
Surely game over, now. Montano will be well-pleased with that, as he has
been desperate to make his mark at reserve-team level.
81 mins - Fulham force a corner. Buchtman takes it, it is flicked on at the
near post and Trotta tries to hook it goalwards. The ball spins high in the
air and Kurucz claims.
80 mins - Steve Davis is coming back into it at the World Snooker in
Sheffield. He's just rattled in a 128 break against Neil Robertson and is
now only 9-2 behind... Frei is on for Harris.
79 mins - Fulham are going to make a change. Kerim Frei is going to come on.
77 mins - Zola and Modelski are warming up on the touchline. I'm not sure
Dyer will want to change anything, though.
76 mins - We have a short break in play as Briggs receives treatment. Dyer
uses the hiatus to issue some instructions while some of his players enjoy a
drink.
74 mins - That should have been 3-1. Brown does brilliantly to trick his way
into the box. He cuts the ball back to Abdulla, who controls and shoots, but
it hits a Fulham defender and Etheridge gathers the spinning ball. Abdulla
wants a penalty, but the referee is not having any of it. Moments later,
West Ham have the ball again and Stanislas smashes the ball high and wide
from 25 yards.
71 mins - I doubt anyone cares, but Bayern Munich are now 2-0 up on
aggregate against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg in
France.
68 mins - You have to feel sorry for Montano. He runs on to Stanislas's
through ball and rounds Etheridge before smashing his shot against the post
from no more than five yards. The angle was a bit tight, to be fair to the
striker, but still he lies on the turf, holding his head in sheer disbelief.
On the plus side, West Ham are well on top here, all of a sudden.
67 mins - Boa Morte has showered and changed and is now making his way
through the West Stand Lower to sit with Zola and Clarke. He gets a cheer
from the fans as he jogs up the steps.
66 mins - Montano again! McNaughton slams a superb raking ball over the
Fulham back-four, a la Michael Dawson. Montano gets between Fulham's
centre-backs and heads goalwards, but Etheridge is able to jump high enough
to catch above his head.
65 mins - Montano comes close to his first goal at reserve level, latching
on to a long through ball and volleying towards the near post. Etheridge
throws himself to his left to keep the ball out before expertly preventing
the corner.
61 mins - West Ham make a hash of a free-kick. Spence gives the ball away to
Smith. He tries to play in Payne, but Brown is there again to cut the pass
out. Good positional play from the No6.
58 mins - Trotta does well to hold of McNaughton before flicking the ball
into the path of Briggs. The captain cuts into the box on his right foot and
shoots. The ball hits Spence and bounces towards the goal, but Kurucz is
there to gather it.
56 mins - Great block from Spence to deny Buchtman after the midfielder had
skipped past McNaughton. The ball rebounds to Harris, whose low shot is
gathered by Kurucz at the second attempt. Fulham look by far the more likely
scorers at present.
54 mins - McNaughton does well twice more in the space of a few seconds,
first to out-muscle Trotta, then to cut off Payne's attempted through ball
to the same player.
53 mins - Briggs shoots powerfully from 25 yards but McNaughton is there to
block with his face! The ball runs through to Brown, who brings it clear
with typical aplomb. The Academy defender is a cultured player.
51 mins - Payne works a yard of space inside the Hammers penalty area and
shoots, but Brown blocks. Fulham work the resulting throw to Trotta, who
lays off to the same player, but Payne curls his shot over from 16 yards.
49 mins - A neat flick from Abdulla looks to have released Stanislas, but
Pierre sticks to his task and wins the ball back before Stanislas concedes a
foul.
48 mins - Fulham have started the brighter after the break, and Trotta goes
close-ish to equalising, shooting low from 25 yards. Kurucz slides, but he
always looked confident that the ball would go safely wide.
46 mins - West Ham get the second half up and running, kicking towards the
deserted Bobby Moore Stand end.
Half-time score - West Ham United reserves 2-1 Fulham reserves
Two half-time changes for the Hammers. Boa Morte and McCarthy are the men to
make way. They are replaced by Edgar and Montano.
47 mins - Fulham take a throw-in wide on the left and Smith crosses low.
McNaughton blocks it and clears and referee Bull blows for half-time. Join
us again in about 15 minutes for the second half.
46 mins - We're into the one and only added minute and West Ham have got
their mojo back. Daprela, who has been superb this half, gets forward again
and cuts inside. Abdulla feeds the ball wide to Lee, but he crosses too high
for Abdulla and Boa Morte and the ball bounces behind.
45 mins - Into the final minute of the first half and West Ham have suddenly
got a bit sloppy in possession. It is important that they see out the
remaining seconds. Dyer is on the edge of his technical area keeping a close
eye on things.
43 mins - So close to an equaliser for Fulham. Stefan Payne gets through the
middle and clear of Spence and Brown, only to shoot powerfully wide of the
far post. He shrieks in frustration.
42 mins - I should also say that Stanislas looks very confident tonight. Not
only is he seeing plenty of the ball, but he is also looking to run beyond
the forwards and get on the end of things.
41 mins - McCarthy turns well and finds Stanislas. He lays the ball back to
Lee, whose cross is just too high for Abdulla in the centre. Daprela picks
up the loose ball, but Boa Morte is crowded out on the edge of the box and
the chance is lost. Lee and Daprela are vital to this formation, and their
willingness to get up and down the flanks is giving West Ham some real
width.
38 mins - This has been a thoroughly entertaining game so far. Both teams
are keeping the ball on the floor and moving it well around what is a very
lush, green pitch. Alex Dyer will be delighted with the way his side have
come from behind to take the lead. Without sounding too sentimental, Dyer
puts a lot of time and effort into the reserve squad, and he will be
particularly pleased to have seen Lee belt in his first goal of the season.
35 mins - I should have mentioned that Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are
here.
32 mins - McCarthy is fouled 40 yards out. Boa Morte curls the ball in, but
it is headed clear.
30 mins - Stanislas concedes a free-kick 35 yards out. Buchtman shoots and
Kurucz is scrambling, but the ball curls wide.
27 mins - GOAL! Good, my reverse psychology worked! Boa Morte slots the ball
wide right to Lee, who slams it low across the box for Stanislas to finish
first-time. Etheridge got a hand to the ball, but he couldn't keep it out.
26 mins - At last a bit of a lull in the goalmouth action...
21 mins - Josh Pritchard cuts inside on his left foot and shoots low from 25
yards. Kurucz is there, though, and collects at the second attempt.
18 mins - Brilliant stuff. Brown swaps passes with Payne before releasing
Stanislas through the middle. He jets past Pierre and crosses towards
McCarthy, only for Toure to stab the ball behind. The corner is won by
McNaughton, but it's an easy catch for Etheridge.
17 mins - It's all calmed down a bit, but you get the feeling there could be
another goal at any moment.
14 mins - It's all happening! Fulham win a corner and Briggs crosses, only
for Toure to be penalised for a foul on Brown.
13 mins - GOAL! That's more like it! Stanislas drives at the Fulham defence
and tries to slot the ball through to Abdulla. The youngster is muscled out,
but the ball is only half-cleared to Lee, who takes a touch and belts the
ball into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.
13 mins - Briggs calls Kurucz into action again with a low shot from 25
yards, but the goalkeeper is equal to it.
11 mins - GOAL! Fulham take the lead. Smith gets round McNaughton and clips
the ball high to the far post where Trotta gets above Brown and heads the
ball past Kurucz from six yards. That was too easy, and Dyer lets his
players know by telling them to concentrate.
9 mins - The first corner comes to nothing when Briggs's shot is deflected
behind. Buchtman floats the ball in and Kurucz punches clear of the area.
8 mins - Marcello Trotta picks the ball up 25 yards from goal, but his shot
is well blocked and bounces harmlessly into Kurucz's arms. Seconds later,
Kurucz makes an outstanding save after Trotta had escaped Spence's clutches
and shot from just eight yards. The Hungarian deflects the ball behind for a
corner.
7 mins - Alex Smith picks up the ball about 35 yards out, but the Fulham
left-winger can only drag his shot straight at Kurucz.
6 mins - Boa Morte is playing on the left of the three-man midfield, with
Payne in the middle and Stanislas on the right. Kurucz catches confidently
and bowls the ball out to Brown. He runs forward 20 yards before lofting the
ball towards Abdulla, but his pass is too high and bounces through to
goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
5 mins - Fulham have a corner. Chris Buchtman crosses towards the near post,
but centre-back Cheick Toure can only divert the ball well wide of the post.
West Ham are in a 3-5-2 formation again, as has been Alex Dyer's prefered
system in recent weeks. Daprela and Lee are the wing-backs, with Spence,
flanked by Brown and McNaughton in the centre of defence.
3 mins - Payne and Lee create space for McCarthy on the edge of the penalty
area. The South African passes left to Daprela, but his cross is behind
Abdulla, and Fulham escape again.
1 min - So nearly a magical start for the Hammers. Daprela and Stanislas
combine well down the left before the latter finds McCarthy. His first touch
is into the path of Abdulla, but a defender gets back in well to concede a
corner. The ball is crossed into the box, but headed clear at the near post.
6.59pm - And here we go...
6.58pm - Captain Jordan Spence steps forward to go through the pre-match
rituals with his opposite number Matthew Briggs. West Ham will attack the
Sir Trevor Brooking Stand end of the stadium in the opening 45 minutes.
Fulham will kick-off.
6.57pm - Here come the two teams. Must admit, there isn't what you'd call a
massive crowd in the West Stand Lower this evening. Still, a few hundred
hardy souls have turned out. Good on them, too.
6.55pm - Both teams are back in their respective dressing rooms ahead of
what promises to be an entertaining climax to the reserve-team season. A
host of scouts have turned out to catch what could be the likes of Josh
Payne's final appearance in a West Ham United shirt. Southend United manager
Steve Tilson is among those who have popped along to the Boleyn Ground on
what is a glorious, warm and sunny evening.
Good evening and welcome to the Boleyn Ground
West Ham United complete their Barclays Premier Reserve League South season
with the visit of a youthful Fulham side to east London. Benni McCarthy is
the star turn in tonight's starting lineup, with Luis Boa Morte continuing
his comeback from a long-term knee injury with another start.
Fabio Daprela, Junior Stanislas, Peter Kurucz and Josh Payne have all turned
out at first-team level this season, while Academy youngsters Jordan Brown
and Ahmed Abdulla will be eager to shine.
Victory could see the Hammers finish fifth in the nine-team table, providing
Portsmouth fail to beat champions Aston Villa in their final match.
With their own first team in UEFA Europa League semi-final action against
Hamburger SV on Thursday, Fulham manager Billy McKinlay has named a very
young and inexperienced team.
West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Lee, Daprela (A.Zola 88), McNaughton,
Spence, Brown, Stanislas, Payne, Boa Morte (Edgar 46), Abdulla, McCarthy
(Montano 46)
Subs: Stech, Modelski
Fulham reserves: Etheridge, Marsh-Brown, Briggs, Pierre (Peniket 88), Toure,
Pritchard, Harris (Frei 80), Buchtman, Trotta, Payne (Kamau 88), Smith
Subs: Bettinelli
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West Brom reject £4m West Ham bid for Graham Dorrans
BBC.co.uk
Newly promoted West Brom have turned down a bid of about £4m from West Ham
for midfielder Graham Dorrans. The 22-year-old Scotland international scored
17 goals to help lead the Baggies back to the Premier League after one
season in the Championship. But West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace insisted
Dorrans is not for sale. "Our aim now is to retain our core players and try
to strengthen our squad around them," he told the club's official website.
Dorrans has become an integral part of manager Roberto di Matteo's plans and
has featured in all but one of West Brom's 45 matches this season. He topped
the club's goalscoring chart, with 12 league goals, and also notched five in
the FA and League Cups. His consistent performances were acknowledged by the
Professional Footballers' Association when he was named in their
Championship team of the year.
Dorrans signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the Baggies in
January, with the option of a 12-month extension. However, his displays have
alerted a number of top-flight clubs, including West Ham. Hammers co-owner
David Sullivan said he wants to strengthen the squad after securing their
Premier League future following a 3-2 win over Wigan on Saturday. However,
the former Birmingham supremo also conceded the club will listen to offers
for any player other than Scott Parker. "Under no circumstances will Scott
Parker be sold and we will be buying more than we are selling," he told the
Daily Mirror.
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West Ham 1 Fulham 0!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th April 2010
By: A Different Staff Writer
The club has won an early round in the latest arbitration battle resulting
from the Tevez affair. Fulham have been told by a tribunal that they will
not be able to base a compensation claim relating to the affair on the
decision made by Lord Griffiths to award Sheffield United millions in
damages.
Fulham are the latest club to seek easy money out of the affair, claiming
that they lost out on Premier League prize money in compensation from West
Ham United - being represented at this latest tribunal by Sir Ken Macdonald
QC - in relation to the 2006/07 season, for what they claim is lost revenue
relating to final league placings. West Ham's win at Old Trafford on the
final day of that season saw them leapfrog the Cottagers to finish 15th -
one place above Fulham in 16th.
The south west Londoners, led by Mohamed Al Fayed had tried to base their
case on the unfathomable decision by Lord Griffiths to award Sheffield
United some £25million in damages back in 2008 - a decision that shocked the
world of football.
But the independent panel, in an adjuducation made today, have told Fulham
that any forthcoming claim must be based on its own merits and not on
Griffiths' earlier lapse of sanity.
"We agree with Fulham that, under the FAPL Rules, we have power to admit the
Interim Award if we were to choose to do so. We also see the force of
Fulham's submission that it would be just and, in particular, convenient for
us to do so in the present case," read the panel's findings.
"[But] we are frankly troubled by the prospect of the parties calling much
of the same evidence before us as was called before the FA Tribunal and the
time which will be taken up and the costs which will be incurred, perhaps
unnecessarily, as a result. We are also, unsurprisingly, as Mr Beloff QC for
Fulham suggested we should be, instinctively reluctant to re-tread ground
covered, at least in part, by a previous Tribunal.
"However, we have come to the clear conclusion that it would be contrary to
principle for us to admit the Interim Award in the present case. And we are
unconvinced that there are considerations of justice and convenience which
favour admitting the Interim Award and are sufficient to override the
desirability of adhering to established principle, either generally, or in
this particular case."
West Ham agreed to pay Sheffield United £4million a year for the next five
season's after being ordered to cough up by Lord Griffiths, who somehow
deemed that one player was responsible for the Blades' relegation. Fulham -
who themselves only avoided relegation in 2006/07 having gained three points
against a severely weakened Liverpool side on the penultimate weekend of
that season - instantly signalled their intentions to sue the Irons on the
back of the Griffiths decision.
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Hammers move for Dorrans
Baggies face fight to keep hold of star
By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 27th April 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham have launched a £4million bid for
highly-rated West Brom ace Graham Dorrans. Hammers co-owners David Sullivan
and David Gold are keen to reshape the Upton Park squad after admitting
every player bar Scott Parker was up for sale and Baggies star Dorrans is at
the top of their shopping list. Dorrans has been a revelation for West Brom
this season, scoring 18 goals from midfield and he has been the driving
force behind the club's successful promotion to the Premier League.
The Scotland international was rewarded for his sparkling performances this
season by being named in the PFA Championship team of the year. West Brom
are keen to keep hold of the former Livingston man as they prepare for life
back in the top flight, but could struggle to reject a big offer for the
playmaker with not just West Ham chasing his services. Dorrans' agent,
Willie McKay, admits it would not come as a shock if West Ham were chasing
the 22-year-old. "I would not be surprised if West Ham have made a bid for
Graham as he has been the best player in the Championship," McKay told
skysports.com. "Graham has had a fantastic season for West Brom and I know a
lot of clubs are interested in him. "As far as I know Graham is very happy
at West Brom, but every player wants to play at the highest level they can.
"It is up to the two clubs and if a deal is agreed Graham will have a
decision to make."
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Baggies reject Dorrans bid
Chairman insists Scotland international is not for sale
Last updated: 27th April 2010
SSN
West Bromwich Albion insist Graham Dorrans is not for sale after turning
down a big-money bid from West Ham United. Skysports.com revealed earlier on
Tuesday that the Hammers had lined up a £4million offer for Dorrans after
securing their Premier League status. Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and
David Gold are keen to reshape the Upton Park squad after admitting every
player bar Scott Parker was up for sale and Baggies star Dorrans is at the
top of their shopping list. Dorrans has been a revelation for West Brom this
season, scoring 18 goals from midfield and he has been the driving force
behind the club's successful promotion to the Premier League. The Scotland
international was rewarded for his sparkling performances this season by
being named in the PFA Championship team of the year. And, ahead of the
return to the top flight, West Brom have outlined their determination to
keep the 22-year-old at The Hawthorns. Chairman Jeremy Peace told the club's
official website: "As I have stressed several times since we achieved
promotion over two weeks ago, our aim now is to retain our core players and
try to strengthen our squad around them. "I want to make it clear again that
Graham Dorrans is not for sale."
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Hammers ready for summer shake-up
Published 09:41 27/04/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has warned that Scott Parker is the only
player the club would not consider selling if the price is right during a
summer shake-up at Upton Park. Sullivan, along with his boardroom colleague
David Gold, is quickly beginning preparations for a busy summer in the
transfer market after the club effectively ensured their Barclays Premier
League survival with Saturday's 3-2 win over Wigan. Parker scored the winner
on that occasion, and Sullivan immediately ruled the midfielder out of a
potential summer exodus. "Other than Scott Parker, there is not a player we
wouldn't sell if it was the right bid," said Sullivan. "Scott will not be
sold and we will be buying more than we are selling. There will be no
fire-selling and we will enhance the squad, not diminish it." He added: "We
will have to shake up the pack because there is no point kidding ourselves
otherwise we will be in the same position next year - the table doesn't
lie." But, while he also expressed a wish to keep Upson, he would make no
such guarantees over the former Birmingham defender - or, for that matter,
his international colleagues Robert Green and Carlton Cole. "We will make
(Upson) a proposal for a new three-year contract," he said. "We would give
him an offer of a comparable level to what he is on now, which he may or may
not want to take. "But Upson has a year to go so if we get a good offer we
will take it."
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Solano arrested on rape charge
Published 10:45 27/04/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Footballer Nolberto Solano was arrested yesterday over a 22-year-old woman's
allegation he raped her. Peruvian international Solano, 35, the former
Newcastle United midfielder, was later released on bail. Solano, who now
plays for Championship side Leicester City, was arrested at a house in
Gosforth, Newcastle. Police said: "Inquiries are ongoing and a 35-year-old
man has been bailed." Solano, right, nicknamed Nobby, joined Newcastle in
1998 for £2.5million from Argentinian side Boca Juniors. He has two children
by ex-wife Claudia.
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Gianfranco Zola to demand payoff as part of dignified West Ham exit
Italian's stance has shifted over past week
Manager will seek settlement of up to £1.9m to leave
Dominic Fifield and Jamie Jackson guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 27 April 2010
22.12 BST
Gianfranco Zola is set to leave West Ham United at the end of the season but
intends to sit down with the owners to secure a dignified, negotiated exit
with a payoff rather than quitting as manager.
Zola's initial intention had been to leave once West Ham had secured their
future in the Premier League but his stance is understood to have shifted
over the past week and, rather than walking away and appearing to accept
full responsibility for this season's toils, he will now seek a settlement
over the remaining two years of a contract worth £1.9m a season.
The Italian's relationship with the co-owners, David Gold and David
Sullivan, has been fractious at best. He has become more defiant in part
because of the support he has received from the players and is deeply
frustrated by Sullivan's comments that all of the squad, bar the midfielder
Scott Parker, will be available for sale this summer.
Gold said he hoped Zola would stay as manager after Saturday's win against
Wigan Athletic all but mathematically kept West Ham in the top flight for
another season. The co-owner was speaking sincerely but the words put the
onus on Zola to quit if he were unhappy and the manager is now less minded
to do that.
Gold and Sullivan will meet Zola to discuss his future after the final game
of the season on 9 May. "Franco has indicated he doesn't want to discuss his
position until the end of the season and that's fine by us," said Sullivan,
who has yet to indicate publicly whether he wants Zola to stay on. "We shall
ask him what he has in mind, we will see what he wants to do."
There was an indication that West Ham may well be planning for a future
without Zola in the £4m bid the club has made for Graham Dorrans, the West
Brom midfielder. This was rejected by Jeremy Peace, the West Brom chairman,
who said: "As I have stressed several times since we achieved promotion over
two weeks ago our aim now is to retain our core players and try to
strengthen our squad around them. I want to make it clear again that Graham
Dorrans is not for sale."
With Zola's future in doubt any interest in Dorrans would surely have been
driven by Gold and Sullivan rather than a manager who might soon be leaving.
Zola came close to resigning at the end of last month when he returned to
his native Sardinia to consider his position after a run of six consecutive
defeats, which threatened West Ham's Premier League status. But Zola
returned to declare he wanted to stay to help West Ham avoid relegation, and
his team collected seven points from the next four games to make the club
all but secure. The Italian has had a particularly difficult season, with
West Ham's onfield struggles compounded by fragile finances and the
criticism players received from Sullivan, who bought West Ham with Gold in
January.
Following West Ham's 3-1 home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 March
Sullivan published an open letter on the club's website in which he
described that performance as "shambolic and pathetic". This caused Zola an
unwanted distraction ahead of the following game with Stoke City, which was
lost, prompting the manager's bout of soul-searching in Sardinia.
West Ham's difficult season was also reflected by Sullivan insistence that
only Parker was not for sale. He said: "Other than Scott Parker, there is
not a player we wouldn't sell if it was the right bid. Scott will not be
sold and we will be buying more than we are selling. There will be no
fire-selling and we will enhance the squad, not diminish it. We will have to
shake up the pack because there is no point kidding ourselves otherwise we
will be in the same position next year – the table doesn't lie."
Hesaid although Matthew Upson would be offered a new contract, his England
colleagues Robert Green and Carlton Cole would not. "We'll make [Upson] a
proposal for a new three-year contract. We would give him an offer of a
comparable level to what he is on now. But Upson has a year to go so if we
get a good offer we will take it."
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West Ham Res 3-2 Fulham Res
Tuesday 27th April 2010
Fulham FC
Fulham's Reserves lost their final game of the season on Tuesday evening at
Upton Park. The Whites took an early lead through Marcello Trotta. But West
Ham equalised through Oliver Lee before taking the lead courtesy of Junior
Stanislas. The home side made sure of all three points when Cristian Montano
scored on 82 minutes. Richard Peniket netted an injury time consolation goal
for Fulham. Billy McKinlay's side made a fine start with both Alex Smith and
Trotta having good early opportunities to hand Fulham in the lead. Trotta,
the Italian under 19 international, was looking real a threat early on. On
eight minutes he saw a 25 yard effort easily collected by West Ham keeper
Peter Kurucz. And the home side's custodian had to be on top form moments
later when he once again denied Trotta. Fulham took the lead on 11 minutes
after Alex Smith was able to round his opponent before clipping a ball to
the far post where Trotta was on hand to head home. Unfortunately the lead
was only to last a couple of minutes. The home side were back on level terms
when a clearance fell to the feet of Oliver Lee who finished well from 25
yards. West Ham took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when Junior
Stanislas converted a low cross from close range. With just two minutes to
go before the half-time interval Fulham striker Stefan Payne almost netted
the equaliser. The front man raced clear of the West Ham defence but
unfortunately fired his shot wide of goal. Fulham started the second-half
much the brighter side. Payne, once again, came close to levelling the
scores on 51 minutes after he received a pass from Trotta - only to fire
over. Fulham continued to press forward in search of an equaliser and only a
good save from Kurucz denied Courtney Harris. Those scares spurred West Ham
into action and the Whites were fortunate not to concede when Cristian
Montano missed a hat-trick of chances all within a matter of minutes.
However, Montano finally managed to beat Neil Etheridge in the 82nd minute
after latching on to a through ball and driving a powerful low effort into
the net. Richard Peniket scored the final goal of the game late into injury
time with an expert finish past Kurucz.
Fulham: Etheridge, Marsh-Brown, Briggs, Pierre (Peniket 88), Toure,
Pritchard, Harris (Frei 80), Buchtman, Trotta, Payne (Kamau 88), Smith
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers planning move for Boateng
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
April 27, 2010
West Ham are planning a summer move for Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince
Boateng, who is one of a host of Pompey players set to leave Fratton Park at
the end of the season. Boateng joined Portsmouth from Spurs last August
after admitting his career had stalled since arriving in England from
Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin in 2007. And he has been one of Pompey's
most consistent performers in a torrid season, netting five goals in 25
games - including the second goal in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over
Spurs. West Ham have already signalled their intent to strengthen the squad
to ensure they are not embroiled in another relegation battle next season,
though a £4 million bid for West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans was turned
down by the Championship club on Tuesday. Now the Hammers have turned their
attention to Boateng, and with Portsmouth already admitting their entire
squad is up for sale, West Ham can expect to get the German-born midfielder
in a cut-price deal. Ironically, Pompey boss Avram Grant could also be
heading to Upton Park, as he is reportedly one of the favourites to land the
manager's job should Gianfranco Zola resign or be sacked. But there are many
other top names in the frame if the Hammers do change manager, with Slaven
Bilic and Steve McClaren topping the candidates.
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The great West Ham clear-out: Who's up for grabs and how much will they cost
in the big summer sale
By Tom Bellwood
Last updated at 5:47 PM on 27th April 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham are safe for another season - but the players are not. Co-owner
David Sullivan has revealed that the club will accept offers on every player
this summer, except Scott Parker. The Hammers have struggled all season
under manager Gianfranco Zola and have only just staved off the threat of
relegation with two games to spare. So Sullivan has promised a reshuffle in
the summer – the dead wood will be cleared away and a raft of new playing
bought in its place. So with anywhere up to 25 players set to head for the
exit, Sportsmail analyses the Hammers under threat and how much the club
could recoup from a mass sale.
Allesandro Diamanti - Fans love him as he's as close to having Paolo Di
Canio back as they're ever going to get. Naturally gifted, wonderful
finisher, but prone to anonymity.
Value: £3m
Possible destinations: West Brom, Napoli
Benni McCarthy -Not one of the club's finest moves. McCarthy has looked off
the pace, overweight and has struggled in front of goal when handed
opportunities.
Value: £1m
Possible destinations: Galatasaray, Celtic
Carlton Cole - Fans will be disappointed to see Cole leave. Their powerful
forward wears his heart on his sleeve and has scored nine vital goals.
Value: £10m
Possible destinations: Aston Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool
Danny Gabbidon - The Wales international has featured just 11 times this
season as injuries continue to hamper his time at Upton Park.
Value: £500,000
Possible destination: Cardiff, Rangers
Fabio Daprela - Brought in as cover last summer and has made just seven
appearances for the Hammers this season.
Value: £500,000
Possible destination: Grasshoppers
Frank Nouble - Made 10 appearances earlier in the season but barely for more
than a few minutes. Now on loan at Swindon.
Value: £1m
Possible destinations: Reading, QPR, Ipswich
Freddie Sears - Has spent the season on loan at Crystal Palace and Coventry
City, appearing just twice for the Hammers.
Value: £500,000
Possible destinations: Crystal Palace, Watford
Herita Ilunga - Always an outlet going forward but suspect at the back. Has
only featured once this year.
Value: £2m
Possible destination: Paris St Germain, Blackburn
Junior Stanislas -Another product of the Academy – full of running and no
shortage of ability but needs more games. Could still attract interest from
some leading clubs.
Value: £2.5m
Possible destinations: Aston Villa, Tottenham
Jack Collison - Started the season as an exciting prospect but will end it
knowing he has plenty of work to do. A hardworking midfielder with real
touches of class.
Value: £1.5m
Possible destinations: Ipswich, Sheffield United
James Tomkins - Aside from a couple of high-profile mistakes, Tomkins has
proven himself a decent prospect. Strong in the air but needs more
experience.
Value: £2m
Possible destinations: Tottenham, Fulham, Bolton
Jonathan Spector - The own goal against Wigan was unfortunate but has
generally done well. Willing to shift to unfamiliar positions and has
commendable workrate.
Value: £500k
Possible destinations: Wigan, Wolves
Julien Faubert - A pacy defender who has looked more comfortable going
forward than dealing with duties at the back. His cross for Ilan's goal at
Everton was stunning.
Value: £1.5m
Possible destinations: Rangers, Bordeaux
Kieron Dyer - A player synonymous with all that was wrong at West Ham. A
highly paid former international who has failed to deliver after a series of
nasty injuries.
Value: £1.2m
Possible destinations: QPR, Ipswich Town
Matthew Upson - Few players have seen their standing in the game drop as
much as Upson this season. Has been troubled by imposing forwards and his
heading hasn't been up to scratch.
Value: £7m
Possible destinations: Tottenham, Blackburn
Mark Noble - Suffered as many players have this season – showing moments of
brilliance and no lack of hard work - but an underlying lack of confidence
has hampered his development.
Value: £4.5m
Possible destinations: Tottenham, Fulham
Manuel da Costa - Endeared himself to Hammers fans by joining as part of the
deal which saw Savio depart. Has acquitted himself in his few opportunities
this term.
Value: £2m
Possible destinations: Fulham, Bolton
Robert Green - A certainty for Fabio Capello's World Cup squad but it hasn't
been a great season for Green who has suffered at the back of an
ever-changing defence.
Value: £8m
Possible destinations: Arsenal, Sunderland
Radoslav Kovac - A tenacious and talented midfielder who has made 28
appearances this season. A hard worker who is let down occasionally by his
passing.
Value: £2m
Possible destinations: Sunderland, Celtic
Valon Behrami - It's all or nothing from the Swiss international. He either
dazzles with creativity and finishing or rather ambles unnoticed through a
game.
Value: £8m
Possible destinations: Palermo, Stuttgart, Juventus
Zavon Hines - Thrust into the limelight with Zola facing a number of
injuries and enforced sales this term. The 21-year-old has shown moments of
brilliance but injury has decimated his season.
Value: £1m
Possible destinations: Blackburn, Wigan
TOTAL VALUE £60.2m
OR DOES ANYONE FANCY ONE OF THESE PLAYERS...? AVAILABLE ON A FREE
Ilan - Free signing from Saint Etienne - his goals against Everton,
Sunderland and Wigan have gone a long way to helping stave off relegation.
Possible destination: West Ham (permanent deal)
Guillermo Franco - Joined on a free and scored four goals - Franco, 32, has
impressed but is considered too old to be offered an extension to his
one-year contract.
Possible destinations: Blackburn, Stoke
Luis Boa Morte - Not a hugely popular player with the fans, the former
Portugal international, 32, hasn't played all season after suffering
cruciate ligament damage in pre-season.
Possible destinations: Wolves, Reading
Mido - Joined the Hammers on loan from Middlesbrough in January – and will
no doubt be returning up north after a poor spell at Upton Park.
Possible destinations: Middlesbrough, Al Ahli
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rio's tribute to legend Moore
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
RIO FERDINAND will have the honour of wearing Bobby Moore's No 6 shirt in
the testimonial for West Ham youth coach Tony Carr next Wednesday. The 1966
World Cup-winning skipper wore that number but it was retired by the Hammers
following Moore's death from cancer in 1993. Carr has named Ferdinand ahead
of the likes of Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Glen Johnson and
Paul Ince as his star pupil during a 30-year career at Upton Park. Carr, 59,
said: "I guess Rio nicks it because he had it all, even as a kid. "He was
quick, he could jump, pass and defend. "He was a superb athlete and had
reams of natural talent. "I want to give him the No 6 shirt next week
because he is England captain and that number belonged to another special
England skipper still much loved at this club. "I hope it could be the
secret weapon to bring the World Cup back this summer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why David Sullivan is right to instigate a clear-out at West Ham
By Dan Silver in Mirror Football Blog
Published 12:02 27/04/10
The Mirror
You might not have noticed, but West Ham have new owners. The shy and
retiring Blues Brothers David Sullivan and David Gold have been somewhat
reticent in coming forward since they took over at Upton Park last January -
did you know, for example, that Mr Gold grew up in the house at 442 Green
Street? Amazingly, it's true, but he doesn't like to talk about it - but
they finally broke their self-imposed silence yesterday, claiming that
everyone in the squad bar Scott Parker is for sale , and that Avram Grant is
yet another contender for beleaguered boss Gianfranco Zola's job .
I'm joking, of course - Gollivan, as the duo have been
less-than-affectionately dubbed in the East End, aren't so much in love with
the sound of their own voices as completely smitten, writing public love
letters to themselves at the drop of a point. And yet while you may disagree
with their methods, even the bluffest traditionalists in the Chicken Run
would be forced to concede that they may be on to something. The scrappy
weekend win over Wigan that effectively preserved West Ham's Premier League
status - not so much a Great Escape as a bungled attempt to vault over the
prison walls using a matchstick - was heralded in some quarters as a
vindication for Zola. The players themselves certainly seemed to think so,
many making a point of publicly celebrating the result with their manager.
And yet, the indisputable fact is that West Ham should not have been in this
position in the first place.
Recent results against Sunderland, Everton and Wigan were the equivalent of
trying to cover the Grand Canyon with a sheet of A4 paper; the meagre total
of six wins from the previous 32 league games - including dismal defeats to
Wolves, Burnley, Bolton, Stoke and Wigan - revealing the real story of the
season. Sure, the Hammers have had to endure boardroom ructions for much of
the past nine moths, but the truth is that their predicament was a result of
what happened on the pitch rather than off of it. And that particular buck
must stop with both the players and the coaching team. The stock line
trotted out by Zola sympathisers is that he's a good man (look at his little
smiling face!) who deserves to be given a chance to become a top-flight
manager. My uncle's also a good man, but I wouldn't want him in charge of my
football club. And it goes without saying that the majority of people
advocating this line of defence support other clubs. Would they want Zola in
charge of their own team? Of course they wouldn't.
It doesn't help that, despite his own protestations to the contrary, the
Sardinian appears to have learned nothing from his time in management. If
anything, he's gone backwards.
Zola's near fatal adherence to a particular formation and style of football
that works wonders with the talents that, say, his beloved Chelsea can count
on but was almost entirely unsuited to the playing staff he helped shaped at
Upton Park appeared to be borne out of a potent cocktail of naivety and
stubbornness. As a result the team lacked any real width, players were
frequently played out of position and, once the system was found out by
opponents, Zola patently lacked any alternative plan. That's not to say that
the players weren't culpable either.
Motivation was clearly an issue. Goalkeeper Rob Green warned earlier in the
season about the arrogance seeping into the side and yet his words went
unheeded - as much by himself as anyone else, it should be noted. Even when
supposedly fighting for their lives, West Ham's alleged stars started too
many games as if warming up on Hackney marshes, only shaken out of their
torpor by the sight of Green's net rippling yet again.
For all Matthew Upson's spirit and bravura when confronted by angry fans
following that cataclysmic home mauling by Wolves , the Hammers captain was
a peripheral figure on the pitch. And this from an England international
supposedly playing for his place on the plane to South Africa. If Upson
fails to make Fabio Capello's squad - and on the basis of form he should be
nowhere near it - then expect a series of self-pitying interviews in the
press this summer claiming he needs to leave Upton Park to further his
career.
How fitting, then, that Scott Parker scored the decisive goal on Saturday,
for he has, at times, single-handedly dragged his team from the mire, and is
surely the only member of staff who can tally his season's work with the
grossly inflated pay packet he'll take home for it. Which brings us to that
most recent proclamation from Gollivan that everyone bar the midfielder is
up for sale.
Snipers will point out that once again the co-chairmen are putting their
love for publicity before the good of their club. But, as with their
controversial call to cut players' wages issued before the crucial clash
with Birmingham - a game that West Ham won 2-0, of course, courtesy of a
performance more spirited than any that had preceded it - it's hard to fault
their intentions. Zola won't like it, the players won't like it and,
presumably, a large section of the support won't like it either. But the
Academy of Football has been in need of a serious clean out for some time
now. And the new chairmen should be applauded for having the guts to finally
face up to it - no matter what sort of broom they choose to employ in doing
so.
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West Brom slap £12m price tag on Dorrans
Published 23:00 27/04/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Brom have slapped a £12million price tag on prized asset Graham Dorrans
in a bid to scare off West Ham and other Premier League predators. And
Albion are ready to offer the Scotland international a bumper new contract -
just four months after the midfielder last agreed fresh terms. Dorrans has
been regularly watched by Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton this season,
while West Ham's written offer of £4m was swiftly rejected yesterday
morning.
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West Ham drop interest in Dave Jones
Apr 28 2010 by Mark Bloom, Western Mail
WEST HAM have ended any interest in pursuing Cardiff City boss Dave Jones
after their 3-2 win over Wigan secured Premier League status for next
season. The Bluebirds manager was being touted in London newspapers as a
potential successor to Gianfranco Zola if the Hammers were relegated into
the Championship. Swansea City's Paulo Sousa was also being linked with the
Hull job, speculation that has not yet gone away. But an impeccable source
close to West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says the club will look for a
higher-profile individual if Zola does leave this summer. Croatia manager
Slaven Bilic, ex-England boss Steve McClaren and Portsmouth's Avram Grant
are being touted for the Upton Park post, but the name of Jones has dropped
out of the frame. Our source told us: "David believe Jones has done a great
job at Cardiff, but the Premiership is a different game entirely. "If West
Ham went down to the Championship he would have been high on the list, given
the remarkable track record he has at Championship level. "But the club
needs an experienced campaigner at the higher level. "There is no room in
the Premiership for taking gambles on managers and, for that reason alone,
Jones would be out of the frame."
Jones said he was flattered to be linked with the West Ham job, but
maintains his focus is 100 per cent on the Bluebirds and their own Premier
League dream via the play-offs.
The future of current boss Zola has been questioned since Sullivan and David
Gold took over ownership of the club. Meanwhile, Sullivan has warned that
Scott Parker is the only player the club would not consider selling if the
price is right during the planned summer shake-up at Upton Park. Sullivan is
quickly beginning preparations for a busy summer in the transfer market,
with Jack Collison and Danny Gabbidon possibly amongst the departures.
Parker scored the winner on Saturday which saved the Hammers, and Sullivan
immediately ruled the midfielder out of a potential summer exodus. Sullivan
said: "Other than Scott Parker, there is not a player we wouldn't sell if it
was the right bid. "Scott will not be sold and we will be buying more than
we are selling. There will be no fire-selling and we will enhance the squad,
not diminish it. "We will have to shake up the pack because there is no
point kidding ourselves otherwise we will be in the same position next year
– the table doesn't lie."
But, while he also expressed a wish to keep Matthew Upson, he would make no
such guarantees over the former Birmingham defender – or, for that matter,
his international colleagues Robert Green and Carlton Cole. "We will make
(Upson) a proposal for a new three-year contract," he said. "We would give
him an offer of a comparable level to what he is on now, which he may or may
not want to take. "But Upson has a year to go so if we get a good offer we
will take it."
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http://www.justgiving.com/vyperz
I am running the BUPA 10k on May 31st and raising money for the Bobby Moore
Cancer Fund
Please donate generously! Thanks.
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