WHUFC.com
The club's 2010/11 opponents will be confirmed first and fastest to mobile text alert subscribers
14.06.2010
Avram Grant will find out who his first opponents will be as West Ham United manager this Thursday with the release of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League fixtures. You can get them first with West Ham United text alerts. Simply text 'CLUB WESTH' to 88442* or click here and we will send you our fixtures direct to your mobile on 17 June, before they are released online. Come fixture release day, there will be no need to find a TV, get on a computer or ring your mates - sign up to our official text alert service and you will be the first to know our fixtures for the 2010/11 season, the minute they are released. In addition to the fixture release exclusive, with our official text alerts service, you will get all the breaking news and the latest on our summer signings.
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Busy pre-season for U18s
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's U18s will be fully prepared for the 2010/11 FA Premier Academy League campaign
14.06.2010
West Ham United's youngsters will enjoy a host of challenges during a busy schedule of pre-season fixtures. The Under-18s - guided by Tony Carr MBE - are looking forward to the 2010/11 FA Premier Academy League season with optimism and will be fully prepared after contesting eight friendly matches. With the likes of England Under-17 striker Rob Hall and England U16 midfielders Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott among an intake of 13 schoolboys this summer, the Academy Director is excited about his team's prospects.
"We begin at a two-day festival of football at Southend United," Carr confirmed. "We took part in it last year and it was very good, so we were more than happy to take part again. "We have tried to organise more matches than usual for two main reasons - first, we are not going on tour and second, we have a big squad this year and playing eight games means everybody will have the opportunity to play plenty of football. "We have got a nice spread of matches against both non-league and Football League clubs, while we will face either Arsenal or FC Twente from the Netherlands at the Southend tournament."
The pre-season will begin with the Southend United Youth Tournament at Roots Hall on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July. West Ham will face the hosts in the semi-finals before taking on either Arsenal or Dutch club FC Twente in the final or third-place play-off. Trips to non-league Great Wakering Rovers on Wednesday 28 July and Heybridge Swifts on Saturday 31 July follow. Ipswich Town will welcome the Hammers on Wedensday 4 August before Carr's squad make the short trip to Leyton Orient on Saturday 7 August. The U18s complete their schedule with away games at Hornchurch on Tuesday 10 August and Norwich City on Saturday 14 August before the new FA Premier Academy League season commences on Saturday 21 August. West Ham ended the 2009/10 campaign fifth in the ten-team Group A table, winning ten, drawing eight and losing ten of their 28 league matches. The Hammers also reached the FA Youth Cup fifth round, beating Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers before being knocked out by Newcastle United.
Pre-season fixtures
Saturday 24 July v Southend United (at Roots Hall)
Sunday 25 July v Arsenal/FC Twente (at Roots Hall)
Wednesday 28 July, 7.30pm v Great Wakering Rovers (A)
Saturday 31 July, 3pm v Heybridge Swifts (A)
Wednesday 4 August, 2pm v Ipswich Town (A)
Saturday 7 August, 11am v Leyton Orient (A)
Tuesday 10 August, 7.30pm v Hornchurch (A)
Saturday 14 August, 11am v Norwich City (A)
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Behrami out of Spain tie
WHUFC.com
Valon Behrami has been ruled out of Switzerland's FIFA World Cup opener against Spain
14.06.2010
Valon Behrami will miss Switzerland's 2010 FIFA World Cup Group H opener against Spain on Wednesday, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has confirmed. The Swiss will be without the West Ham United midfielder after he failed to recover from a thigh muscle injury suffered in a 1-1 warm-up draw with Italy in Geneva on 5 June. Hitzfeld announced that he would also be without striker Alex Frei, the country's all-time leading scorer with 40 international goals, who has an ankle problem. The loss of two senior players will be a massive blow for Switzerland, who already face a stern test against the reigning European champions and World Cup favourites in Durban. "I have taken the decision. Alex Frei and Valon Behrami will not play against Spain," said Hitzfeld on Monday.
The German-born coach added that he hopes to have the pair available for Switzerland's second group-stage fixture against Chile in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth on Monday 21 June. "It is better to spare them so we have both of them available against Chile," said Hitzfeld. Behrami is set to be replaced by former Manchester City player Gelson Fernandes or UC Sampdoria midfielder Marco Padalino, who he played alongside at Swiss club FC Lugano as a teenager during the 2002/03 season. Switzerland held an open training session at their Vanderbijlpark base on Monday, inviting local fans to bring their vuvuzela horns along in order to create an atmosphere similar to the one they will experience at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Hitzfeld and his squad will travel to Durban on Monday afternoon before holding a final training session at the newly-built 62,760-capacity stadium on Tuesday evening. The Swiss have never beaten Spain in 18 previous meetings, losing 2-1 at Hillsborough during the 1966 World Cup and 3-0 in Washington DC at the 1994 finals.
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Green and Barry on road to recovery
Post categories: 2010 World Cup, England
BBC.co.uk
Phil McNulty | 13:32 UK time, Monday, 14 June 2010
World Cup 2010: Rustenburg
Robert Green's work was not being done under the icy gaze of an expectant nation - but he was literally the focus of attention as England got back to World Cup business at their Rustenberg base. Goalkeeper Green spent Sunday taking his frustrations out on a golf ball at the Lost City course at Sun City, the night after the calamitous error that allowed Clint Dempsey to equalise for the United States in England's opener. Green, as a result, is now a central character in England's World Cup plot and his every move on the training pitch was followed by the cameras perched pitchside. And a few yards away coach Fabio Capello, who was the subject of the first serious criticism of his reign after the 1-1 draw, was monitoring another member of his squad who he hopes will play a pivotal role in this South African story. Gareth Barry, virtually Capello's security blanket when it comes to his tactical approach, was stepping up his fitness as he attempts to fight his way into contention for England's next clash with Algeria on Friday evening. England's goalkeeper for that game will once again be the subject of fevered speculation as Capello shows no signs of ditching the policy of revealing his team to the players only two hours before kick-off.
Capello appears unmoved by the possibility that this waiting game, and his failure to decide on his first-choice keeper, may have resulted in Green being over-anxious amid the pressure of his first World Cup experience. The feeling around England's camp on Monday was that Capello may be prepared to stick with Green rather than twist against the Algerians. The logic behind this is that to drop Green now would effectively kill his World Cup stone dead - and put Capello in a position where he might have to do something similar if Joe Hart or David James suffer the same misfortune. In other words, one strike and out. Goalkeepers, arguably more than anyone else because of the precarious and game-changing nature of their position, benefit from knowing a manager trusts them. Capello's obvious reluctance to declare his preferred choice gave exactly the opposite impression.
For the record, Green's handling was impeccable in the open part of England's training session, working with goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi. He shared laughs with rivals Hart and James, then received full backing from his team-mates via the words of Jamie Carragher. Capello will be assessing every aspect of Green's work between now and Friday - and will be doing the same with Manchester City's Barry, a player he has made almost indispensible to his plans.
Barry is hardly going to burst into England's headquarters declaring "The Big Man's Back In Town", as Wayne Rooney did after he was declared fit for the last World Cup - but there is no doubt Capello will rest a lot easier once he has him available for selection. The Italian's desire to have Barry on board the plane for South Africa was illustrated by his willingess to wait until the last possible moment before confirming his fitness after an ankle injury suffered playing for Manchester City against Spurs last month. And after England's performance in Saturday's draw, lacking rhythm, tempo and too often careless in possession, Capello will surely recall the player he has made his midfield anchor at the first opportunity. Owen Hargreaves was the identikit for this role, but in his absence Capello has used Barry as the player who allows his midfield flexibility while also providing a screen for England's occasionally vulnerable defence. He will give Capello's side the sort of shape he likes. He can then utilise Steven Gerrard elsewhere, probably shifted to the left, and give Frank Lampard more attacking licence.
In a team full of high-profile personalities, it will be the return of one of its more low-key individuals that Capello will hopes sparks England into life after a few mediocre months.
The sight of Rooney retreating from England's main training group to head for the sanctuary of a swimming pool to nurse an ankle injury added to the current sense of deflation - but the problem is not thought to be serious and every indication is he will take his place against Algeria. The mood within England's camp remains upbeat, despite the failure to start the campaign with a win. Germany's performance in victory against Australia apparently captured much attention within the squad as they swiftly put the usual hints that they are a spent force to bed. England players are still confident they will qualify from Group C - and rightly so. Capello will be in similar mood, particularly if he can call on his unsung hero Barry.
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West Ham waiting on Juan Roman Riquelme as Argentine ace weighs up move to Upton Park
Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 1:01 PM on 14th June 2010
Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is considering a move to West Ham United. The gifted 31-year-old is out of contract at Boca Juniors and has stalled on an expected move to Brazilian side Flamengo because of a raft of interest from South American and European sides. Renewing with his current side is not out of the question, but Riquelme is also said to have an offer from a second, unnamed English side. The former Villarreal star almost signed for Everton three years ago, but instead clinched a move from Spain back to his homeland. Fiery Riquelme missed out on Argentina's World Cup party after a clash with coach Diego Maradona. Brazilian sides Cruzeiro and Flamengo are also interested, as are Mexico's Atlas, and Buenos Aires side Racing Club de Avellaneda. Flamengo are believed to have offered him a two-and-a-half year deal worth £45,000 a week. Meanwhile, Zenit St Petersburg striker Sergey Kornilenko insists he would have signed for West Ham in the winter if Gianfranco Zola had the final say.
'West Ham changed owners and the plans of David Gold and David Sullivan were to sign more stellar attackers, such as (Ruud) van Nistelrroy, for example,' said the Belarus striker, who was on trial with the Hammers. 'Zola said that signing a contract for me was just a couple of days away, but the Londoners got new owners.'
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West Ham line up Robert Green replacement as Richard Wright opens talks after Ipswich release
Daily Mail
By Mel Henderson Last updated at 1:54 PM on 14th June 2010
West Ham have earmarked ex-England man Richard Wright as a possible successor to calamity keeper Robert Green. While Green attempts to put his World Cup clanger behind him and retain his place in Fabio Capello's side for Friday's clash with Algeria, the Hammers are in talks with Wright after he was surprisingly dumped by Ipswich boss Roy Keane. West Ham's new owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, are willing to sell Green in a bid to reduce the club's crippling £100million-plus debts and have made every player, except for Scott Parker, available for transfer. Although Green's horrendous error to gift the USA an equaliser in the Group C opener may have seen his value diminish, the cash-strapped Hammers are clearly looking to replace him on the cheap and turn to Wright for a second time. Wright, who left home-town club Ipswich for Arsenal in 2001 and then subsequently joined Everton, was signed by then manager Alan Curbishley three years ago but in just one season at Upton Park he made only three senior appearances, all of them in the League Cup, while Green was ever-present in the League. Capped twice by England, he returned to Ipswich in 2008 and was first choice until Keane axed him last season in preference to new signing Brian Murphy from League of Ireland champions Bohemians. Keane later released Wright and he had been linked with a move to League One side Charlton until West Ham recently opened negotiations to re-sign him.
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Upson must take pay cut to join Sunderland
Published Date: 14 June 2010
Sunderland Echo
England defender Matthew Upson will have to take a pay cut if he wants a move to Sunderland. The West Ham centre-half was linked in the Sunday papers with a potential switch to Wearside, as the Hammers look to cut their wage bill and new boss Avram Grant sets about restructuring his squad. And Upson IS a player Sunderland would be interested in – but only at the right price in terms of both transfer fee AND wages. Boss Steve Bruce remains an admirer of the 31-year-old who he originally plucked from Arsenal's fringe squad in 2003 when he was Birmingham City manager – transforming the defender into a player who was sold to the Londoners for huge profit. But Sunderland will not pay over the odds for a player in the autumn of his career who joined the Hammers on a megabucks salary. Upson has been an outstanding player for West Ham, but he arrived at a time when the club's former Icelandic owners were throwing money at the club. These are different days though and the club's new owners, Bruce's former employers at Birmingham, David Sullivan and David Gold, are looking to make massive savings on the previous wage bill. That's good news for Sunderland in terms of signing Upson – particularly if former Hammer Anton Ferdinand is included in part of the deal – a swap which would cut a transfer fee further. But Upson would have to accept that a pay cut to move, with Sunderland not prepared to match the sort of wages he commands at Upton Park. That might not be a stumbling block for the defender, though. Upson, who enjoyed playing under Bruce, is already a multi-millionaire and will still be well rewarded if he moves to Wearside. He might also welcome a chance to leave the Boleyn Ground where not only the manager, but the squad, the owners and the situation has changed dramatically in recent months. In joining Sunderland, he would be coming to a club on the up, serving under a manager he feels comfortable with. And that would appeal to a player who is believed to fancy a fresh start
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World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello has handled inherited England goalkeeper weakness badly
England have a major problem in goal, not simply with Robert Green, whose error destroyed the good start against the United States, but also with David James, who seems to have issues with management.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Henry Winter, Rustenburg
Published: 7:15AM BST 14 Jun 2010
Fabio Capello has said he will work on Robert Green's 'psychological' problem . The obvious solution would be to employ the most in-form, confident keeper in Joe Hart against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, but Fabio Capello still needs persuading and prefers to spend this week addressing the "psychological'' problem of Green. England's hugely experienced manager does not make many mistakes but his handling of the goalkeeping situation borders on the naive. Having questioned the standard of English keeping within days of starting work in January 2008, Capello does not appear convinced by the abilities of any of his keepers and has exacerbated the problem by not committing to one.
We come in peace... The goalkeepers have not enjoyed being informed of who is starting only two hours before kick-off. Green looked nervous in the tunnel, let alone when faced with Clint Dempsey's routine strike. When asked whether Green would face Algeria, Capello said: "No, yes. We have to wait. We think about this problem psychologically."
Capello needs to work on Green's mind, restoring his belief, if the West Ham man is to be in a fit state to face Algeria. It did not help Green that there was little support for him on the pitch in Rustenburg. Barring John Terry, none of the players rushed to console the distraught Green and it was a surprise that even the captain, Steven Gerrard, did not have a few comforting words.
As the players walked off at half-time, the goalkeeping coach, Franco Tancredi, went on to meet Green and accompany him to the dressing room. Hart and James waited by the tunnel to offer support, particularly Hart. Hart enjoyed a great season for Birmingham City, playing on loan from Manchester City, and his uncomplicated nature means he does not dwell on any mistakes. If Capello considers Hart too inexperienced, the coach's failure to use James is even more perplexing. When England's players came off after the pre-match warm-up, Capello's right-hand man, Franco Baldini, waited to give them a good luck handshake. The keepers were last off and James' half-hearted handshake with Baldini was very noticeable. Capello needs to sort out any tensions in the goalkeeping department quickly. James, a senior international, deserves respect.
However much Capello is responsible for the present goalkeeping mess, the Italian cannot be held accountable for the long-term malaise. One of the reasons Capello is so supportive of the National Football Centre is that it will address the obvious deficiencies such as the shortage of keepers. Where once England rotated between Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence, now they lack a high-class keeper. David Seaman, whose 75th and final cap came in 2002, was England's last accomplished keeper. The decline is partly because of tightening of budgets; managers husband resources to spend on expensive goalscorers and playmakers, leaving less cash for keepers. Hence they look overseas where an experienced keeper is far cheaper than his English counterpart. Capello has inherited a costly problem and the price was paid in Rustenburg.
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Pick Green or send him home
The Sun
IAN WRIGHT - Columnist
Published: Today
IF I was Fabio Capello, I would call Robert Green into my office this morning. I would sit him down, look straight into his eyes and ask him: Are you ready to play against Algeria on Friday? If he said no I would thank him for his honesty and then set about deciding whether to replace him with either David James or Joe Hart. But if he said yes - and I believed he was OK mentally - then I would keep him in goal for what is now a vital second game for us. I realise this might not be the popular consensus across the country after his horrendous error on Saturday night condemned us to a disappointing 1-1 draw in our World Cup opener against the USA. There are widespread calls to drop the West Ham keeper after he let Clint Dempsey's feeble shot squirm through his grasp to gift the Yanks an equaliser they never looked like scoring themselves. But I honestly believe that if Green feels he is still up to the job then Capello should stick by him as axing him at this stage could do more harm than good - both for the player and England. And if Capello is not going to pick him against Algeria then he might as well tell him to pack his bags and catch the first plane home. After all, what would be the point of him remaining in South Africa for the rest of the tournament? If he does not play against Algeria then he is highly unlikely to play in the rest of the matches - unless the other two keepers come in and both do even worse, or get struck down by a virus. But the chances of that happening are virtually non-existent. So Green, as if he has not suffered enough, would be forced to endure the further embarrassment of hanging around the camp like a spare part, knowing that barring a minor miracle, his World Cup is over. He would become a sorry figure in the England squad and it could destroy his career. I accept that playing him carries a certain amount of risk. His confidence must have been knocked and every team he plays against will know it and try to take advantage of it. He should expect a barrage of low shots from long range from now on. Hopefully he will deal with them better than the one from the USA. The more I see it, the worse it gets. All keepers, even the great ones, drop clangers. What made this one so bad was that it was such a basic error in such an important match. Getting your body behind the ball is one of the first things schoolkids are told when they go in goal. As a striker, it was the equivalent of Gordon Smith failing to score the winner for Brighton against Manchester United in the 1983 FA Cup final. The TV commentator that day famously prejudged the outcome by screaming to the nation's viewers 'And Smith must score'. But he did not. The Seagulls Scottish striker's shot was smothered by United keeper Gary Bailey who was untroubled in the replay as the Red Devils coasted to a 4-0 victory. Nobody would have blamed the TV commentator on Saturday for saying 'And Green must save'. But the keeper did not - and I feel desperately sorry for him and his family who now have to deal with the aftermath of his actions. The last thing they need is the national coach sticking the knife in as well. It has given Capello a major headache. He knows, like we all do, that if his first-choice keeper makes another massive mistake like that we could be on the way home. The only thing I'd say in response to that is that Green is unlikely to ever drop a bigger clanger than that. That was the only way the Americans looked like they were ever going to score.
We may not have been at our best, but we looked comfortable. I have heard people claim the USA were a good side and a point is a good result. I do not agree. The Americans got lucky and I would have been disappointed had we won only 1-0. As it turned out, we could not even manage that as some of our big names - like Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney - did not play their best. But on the plus side Glen Johnson was my man of the match and Steven Gerrard showed the captaincy suits him as he put on the kind of all-action display that has been his trademark at Liverpool. Besides, Algeria and Slovenia showed they are nothing to worry about, especially as I expect Rooney and Lampard to recover from their blip against the USA to help guide us through the group and on to bigger and better things. It is good to know the best is still to come from them. It was not the start we all hoped for, but we must stay positive and continue to get behind the lads. And that includes Green.
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Reina backs Green and says World Cup ball is 'the enemy'
Published 23:00 14/06/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Liverpool number one Pepe Reina has leapt to the defence of Rob Green and called the controversial adidas Jabulani ball an "enemy" of keepers in the World Cup. Reina insists that England should stick with Green even after his mistake against the USA and believes he will not be the last keeper to be embarrassed by the World Cup ball. Spanish keeper Reina said: "What happened to Green was purely bad luck but he is still a very good keeper. "A lot of keepers have criticised the ball and in some matches already we have seen the danger when players shoot from long range. In South Africa, it is the main enemy for keepers. "Keepers need more confidence, often more than any other position on the pitch. Our position is more complicated than any other. "That is even more so at a tournament like the World Cup but Green can recover and England definitely have enough quality to finish top of the Group. That is certain."
Spain do not begin their World Cup campaign until tomorrow against Switzerland and by then all of the other big guns will have played. But Vicente Del Bosque's men will be under pressure to deliver an impressive start to show their World Cup credentials in South Africa. Reina firmly believes that Spain can live up to their billing and win the trophy to go with their Euro 2008 crown but says USA's draw with England should also provide a warning. Reina said: "We are focused on the World Cup but there is no such thing as an easy opponent. But the surprises in other Groups are a warning to us. "A lot of people consider us to be the big favourites for the title. That is a positive but no-one in the squad is getting carried away. "For us, every match will be like a final and the first is against Switzerland. We're not interested who we might get in the second phase, we're just focused on getting through and hoping that will be as Group winners. "Spain has been working with great intensity and the atmosphere has been incredible. I noticed the same atmosphere and determination before we won Euro 2008. "As a squad, we are united and we are more like a club than a national squad. The World Cup is a long event and we are still in the first few days but the belief is there."
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West Ham plan swoop for Nigeria World Cup ace - Exclusive
Published 23:00 14/06/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant has ripped up the club's proposal to Sol Campbell and is targeting Nigerian defender Elderson Echiejile instead. Hammers chief David Sullivan teed up numerous potential transfer deals for Grant to decide on once he was installed as Gianfranco Zola's replacement. And Grant has knocked back a proposed lucrative two-year deal for centre-back Campbell, 35, who is out of contract at Arsenal. But Grant has given the green light for West Ham to bid for Rennes' 22-year-old versatile defender Echiejile.
The Nigerian, on duty at the World Cup, is available for around £3million and is expected to arrive at Upton Park later this summer.
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Juan Roman Riquelme Rumour Resurfaces!
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham have been linked with a possible move for former Argentinian international, Juan Roman Riquelme. This is a rumour that has circulated in previous seasons and has hitherto come to nothing. It remains to be seen if it has any more substance on this occasion?
Riquelme is a top class play maker. He is only absent from the current Argentina Squad, at the World Cup Finals, due to an alleged clash of personalities/egos with Maradona. He is currently out of contract at Boca Juniors and has a number of offers from clubs both in South America and Europe. At 31 he probably still has a couple of good years left in him, although one wonders how he would cope with the pace and physicality of the English game? We shall have to see when or if any move transpires? However, there remains a strong possibility that the player will prefer to continue plying his trade in Argentina.
There are also reports that West Ham are seeking to sign Robert Pires. If true, at 36 years of age, this is surely a retrograde step? Perhaps they want to reunite the Henry-Pires combination that once served Arsenal so well? If so, it is a combination that has more than likely had its day. Anyway, what is it with West Ham's predilection for signing ex-gooner forwards, way past their best?
There are also reports suggesting that we may sign Richard Wright (another ex-gooner, incidentally), after his release by Ipswich Town. Contrary to some erroneous reports, if Wright rejoins the club it will almost certainly be as cover to the first choice keeper. The young keepers providing cover, Stech and Kuruz, are very promising, but it is probably wise to also have another, more experienced keeper available in the squad. It may also allow one of the youngsters to go out on loan to a good Championship side to gain further valuable first team experience.
After the USA match, countless tabloid column inches were dedicated to crucifying Rob Green for his goal keeping mistake. I am not going to add to the frenzy of insults and excessive condemnation. Green must remember that it is not the successes that test our mettle, it is the periods of adversity and the way that we respond to them. That, invariably, is what defines us. If Capello selects Green for the Algerian match, then he needs to be mentally strong and go out and prove to the watching world that he is a quality goal keeper. If he can turn it around, the UK tabloid press will soon change their sensationalist tune!
In contrast to his mistake, there was much less written about Green's vital reflex save from Altidore. And even less about Carragher's part in the creation of the goal scoring opportunity. I have previously argued that Carragher's inclusion in the squad was worrying. At club level, he some times struggled against pace last season and that did not bode well for a re-adjustment to the demands of international football. When Carragher came on for the injured Ledley King, he did not impress. And remember this is against the USA, who are a competent and hard working side, but not in the same league as the international big boys like Brazil and Spain.
Similarly, I take no satisfaction from apparently being proven right about Ledley King. His fitness status was a disaster waiting to happen and now it looks like it has. The latest reports are that he will be out for at least three weeks. It still remains to be seen whether this is a correct prognosis or whether he can get back in to contention sooner? But even if he does, how long before he picks up another injury? Hence the original reason why he should not have been selected.
It now only takes Gareth Barry to break down and it will be an hat trick of (selection decision) chickens coming home to roost. He has not played a top level match in well over two months. He may now be injury free, but what about his match fitness and form? The answer is that we do not know the level at which he is able to perform after such a lengthy lay off? In addition, there is the prevalent danger that a lack of match fitness could result in Barry picking up a strain or other injury in the course of his first match back. Barry's selection is quite clearly a calculated gamble, we must keep our fingers crossed that it comes off.
Capello has been likened in the media to an Italian Alf Ramsey. Capello is a top class manager, there is no doubt about that. He is like Ramsey in some key aspects of his management, notably in his disciplinarian, no nonsense approach. However, it could be argued that Ramsey would not have made some of Capello's decisions in selecting the final 23 for the WC Finals. In this respect, it appears that Capello abandoned his self-declared guiding principles, on England squad selection, when the chips were down. Those principles being that (1) he would only pick fit players; and (2) he would select players in form.
Lets just hope that England do not end up paying the price for Capello failing to stick to his selection policy? Alternatively, who knows, perhaps fate may dictate that the non-availability of certain players may lead to the inclusion of others who will excel and, in doing so, exceed expectations. After all, it certainly happened for Sir Alf in 1966 with the rising star of Geoff Hurst, eclipsing that of the injured Jimmy Greaves, to achieve World Cup immortality.
If we are looking for WC Final England heroes who can exceed expectation, how about Upson, Carrick, Defoe, Joe Cole or (yes) even Robert Green fitting the bill? Stranger things have happened!
SJ. Chandos.
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Former West Ham United goalkeeper Richard Wright set for Upton Park return - report
14 Jun 2010 16:26:00
Goal.com
Richard Wright is being lined up as Avram Grant's next signing at West Ham United, according to the Daily Mail. The Hammers have already signed up Lazio midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger this summer and look to be targeting a new goalkeeper as back-up to Robert Green. Green made a terrible error in England's opening World Cup match against the USA on Saturday, allowing the ball to squirm past him from Clint Dempsey's strike from the edge of the area, and Grant is looking for someone to challenge the England 'keeper for the Hammers' No. 1 shirt. Wright spent the 2007-08 season at West Ham after joining on a free transfer from Everton, but failed to make a league appearance for the club and was quickly offloaded to Ipswich. The 32-year-old was first-choice goalkeeper at Portman Road during his first season, picking up the player of the year award, but after a four months out of the side last year, he couldn't break back into the starting line-up and has now been released.
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