WHUFC.com
Scott Parker's winner proved just enough but the manager was satisfied with cup progress
25.08.2010
Avram Grant hailed his players' professionalism in getting the job done and advancing to the third round of the Carling Cup. Tuesday night's 1-0 home win against Oxford United was anything but straightforward with the League Two newcomers holding their own, defending well in numbers and offering the occasional threat going forward. Patience was the order of the day with Scott Parker's last-gasp goal coming deep into added time, to send the 20,000-odd fans home on a high. "When you play at home against a team that are not from your league, it is obvious that they will defend and we needed to score an early goal," the manager said. "They defended very well and worked like a team. They helped each other. It was not easy to find a way through. I was very impressed and tactically they played very well. "I liked it that my players continued to pass the ball and waited for the opportunity. They didn't go crazy to score. At the end of the day, we found it. We are in the next round and this is what is important."
New recruit Freddie Piquionne was involved in Parker's goal, with good work as well from substitute Benni McCarthy, working his way back to fitness. Their key contribution, as part of a side featuring five Academy players and the 23-year-old Pablo Barrera, underlined that this is very much a team in development under the new manager. He said all would be better for the experience. "Mentally it is not just about the first win, it is that we did it in the last moment. The players were fighting against relegation last year so there is some psychology problems and we need to adapt also to the way we play football. We are developing. Of course it will take time and be step by step but the main thing is to progress."
The chances were there in the opening stages to have made it a more comfortable night but Oxford also showed intent - a fact emphasised by the man of the match award given to debutant Stech as Robert Green was rested for the first time in two years. "Marek is a good talent," added Grant of the former youth-team shot-stopper who stood in the visitors' way when they did venture forward. "But is not just him, we played today with five players from the Academy. I think that is unusual but we will continue to do this."
With young talent is a requirement for older heads to steady things, summed up by stand-in captain Parker's poise under pressure which rightly earned high praise from the manager. "He is very important. First he is a very good player, second he is always fighting,. He always gives everything and he is clever. His passing is very good. "We know what we want in the next seasons and we want to develop young players but also we need experienced players that are very positive. Scott is very important for us because he is a good influence on the others."
More help would appear to be on the way with the manager determined to make the squad stronger as well as fill some gaps in key areas. It remains to be seen whether signing number six or even seven for the summer will be in place by Saturday but regardless the manager is not worried about heading up to Manchester United. "They are a very good team. It is a good challenge for us. One of the things I want to see in this team is that, everywhere we go, we try to play football and fight to take points. I know it is not easy at Old Trafford but we will try to do it ."
Before then will, of course, come extra work on the training pitch, with particular emphasis on shooting practice, while the likes of Green, Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer and late substitute Carlton Cole will also be back in contention . "We need to work on our finishing. We need to be calmer in the box as against Bolton [last Saturday] we also created a lot of chances and didn't score. "[Against Oxford] the players kept pushing, we kept our shape and we moved the ball. We tried to find the opportunity until the last minute and I was very pleased we did."
• The draw for the Carling Cup third round will be held on Saturday lunchtime. whufc.com will have all the news and reaction as soon as it takes place.
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Five-star reserves
WHUFC.com
Olly Lee scored twice as Alex Dyer's reserves scored a 5-0 friendly victory at Queens Park Rangers
24.08.2010
West Ham United reserves scored a fine 5-0 pre-season friendly victory at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday afternoon. Alex Dyer's side were flying high at QPR's Harlington training ground - just a stone's throw from London Heathrow Airport - with Olly Lee (two), Frank Nouble, Anthony Edgar and Cristian Montano all hitting the target. The reserves kick-off their Barclays Premier Reserve League Southern season with an inter-divisional clash with Manchester City at Thurrock FC on 7 September, and Tuesday's result will only add to the growing confidence within Dyer's young squad. "We were brilliant all-round," he said. "The boys all worked hard for each other and passed the ball really well. We were up against a team very much like our own, as QPR fielded a lot of young professionals, and we played very well. "We were 3-0 up at half-time and added a couple more after the break to complete what was a really good day's work."
One sour note from the victory saw centre-back Callum McNaughton replaced by Paco Craig after suffering a facial injury after being caught by an opponent. West Ham's reserves have had a busy pre-season, beating Bishop's Stortford and Crystal Palace, drawing with Dagenham & Redbridge and Ipswich Town and being edged out by Thurrock and Burton Albion.
West Ham United reserves: Cowler, Modelski, Eyjolfsson, McNaughton, Brown, Abdulla, Lee, Triallist, Edgar, Nouble, Montano
Used subs: Craig, Wearen, Moncur, Hall
Unused subs: Wootton
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High demand for derby dates
WHUFC.com
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are the next two visitors to the Boleyn Ground
24.08.2010
Hammers fans can look forward to two mouth-watering matches at the Boleyn Ground next month with the visit of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
The London derbies will see champions Chelsea arrive first on Saturday 11 September before old rivals Spurs make the short trip to east London a fortnight later on Saturday 25 September. A packed stadium is expected for both games.. Unlike last season when the games were moved for television, both matches are traditional 3pm kick-offs on Saturday afternoons. Demand is always high for these two fixtures and is also expected to increase with both matches now on general sale from the Ticket Office.
A season ticket is still the easiest way to make sure of your seat for every single match played at the Boleyn Ground. With a season ticket, you never miss a kick from the comfort of your own reserved seat, and never have the worry of missing out on the big matches. Meanwhile, members will get the chance to buy tickets for the two home matches after that, Fulham and Newcastle on 2 and 23 October, from next Tuesday 31 August - before they go on general sale. Fans on the club's Academy and Youth Academy membership schemes get priority on all ticket sales along with a host of other great incentives. Click here for more.
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Diamanti departs
WHUFC.com
Serie A newcomers Brescia Calcio have signed Alessandro Diamanti on a permanent contract
24.08.2010
West Ham United can confirm the transfer of Alessandro Diamanti to Serie A newcomers Brescia Calcio for €2.2m. The 27-year-old Italian attacker made 29 appearances in all competitions and scored eight goals in the 2009/10 season - with half of them coming from the penalty spot. He was then a substitute in the first match of the new season away to Aston Villa ten days ago before travelling back to his homeland for transfer talks at the weekend. This Saturday would have marked a year since Diamanti arrived at the club for an undisclosed fee from AS Livorno Calcio but he had indicated he wanted to return to Italy. The sale also releases space in the squad for another player to be brought in as the club is restricted to 25 players over 21, of which only 17 can be non-homegrown. Diamanti faced stiff competition for a first-team place under Avram Grant with the arrivals of Pablo Barrera, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piquionne. Should Brescia secure their Serie A status for the coming campaign, then another €300,000 will be payable to the club. The Hammers have also added Tal Ben Haim and Winston Reid to the squad this summer and could unveil more exciting new faces before the transfer window shuts a week today. All at West Ham United would like to wish Alessandro well for the future and thank him for his efforts in his year at the club.
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West Ham are psychologically troubled, says Avram Grant
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant feels his side lack belief after seeing them scrape past Oxford in the Carling Cup. Scott Parker scored the only goal in injury time to finally break the League Two side's resistance and give the Hammers their first win of the season. "Mentally it is not just because it is the first win but that we did it in the last moment," said Grant. "This team carried a lot of psychology problems. "When everything goes well we are OK, when it does not we are a bit nervous."
Grant, though, is hopeful that the victory will help his side turn a corner. "Tonight [Tuesday] they saw that if you don't give up and keep trying to do the right things you can score in the last moment," he added. "When you play against a team not from our league they will always defend. I liked that the players continued to pass the ball and were not crazy to score. "We are in the next round and that is the most important thing."
Oxford manager Chris Wilder was disappointed at the manner of defeat but proud of his players for their heroics. "I'm delighted for the football club," he said. "We've been off the radar for a long time and now we are back on it with games like tonight with 4,000 supporters on a Tuesday night in east London.
"The players grew into the game and enjoyed the experience and when you see the reaction of their goalkeeper at the end when he slid 40 yards on his knees in front of their supporters that says it all. "We had nothing to lose. I've played teams from lower leagues before and every misplaced pass gets a little boo and a groan. Sometimes you tighten up and do not play free-flowing football. That's why it was important to keep it tight early on. "But right at the end to see the ball in the back of the net was heartbreaking for everybody."
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West Ham 1 - 0 Oxford Utd
BBC.co.uk
Scott Parker spared West Ham's blushes by scoring the winner deep into injury time to overcome League Two's Oxford in the Carling Cup second round.
The visitors forced keeper Marek Stech into good saves from James Constable and Asa Hall while Simon Heslop and Harry Worley went narrowly wide.
Parker came close 10 minutes from time while Carlton Cole had an effort ruled out for offside after 88 minutes. As extra-time loomed, Parker converted Frederic Piquionne's cross. The timing was harsh on the visitors who had been stubborn and organised throughout and at least deserved a crack at the Hammers in extra-time. But while West Ham manager Avram Grant will be thankful to have avoided a cup giant-killing, this performance only laid bare the size of his task at Upton Park. West Ham are without a point after two league games this season and they are struggling for fire power. And the truth is that the result was tough on Oxford who, for long periods of this match, were as good as their top-flight opponents. Piquionne might have put the Hammers in front in the first minute but his rasping 20-yard shot was neatly turned around the post for a corner by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke. But it was the header he missed from six yards and when under no pressure with just the goalkeeper to beat which summed up the home side's problems. The first half was all huff and puff and no end product for the Hammers and it could have been worse for the hosts because the visitors had their chances. Alfie Potter, who once scored for Havant and Waterlooville against Liverpool at Anfield in an FA Cup fourth-round tie, was a scampering menace, firing in a 25-yard shot which stung the hands of Stech. Constable and Hall, the latter with a blistering 30-yard drive, also brought sharp saves from the West Ham goalkeeper in the first half. The second half was much of the same, Grant's men driving forward but too often without conviction or creativity. Oxford might have produced a heroic result if shots from Hall and Potter had been more precise. But as it was, they were stung by a late, late show from Parker.
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West Ham sell Alessandro Diamanti to Brescia for £1.8m
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have sold Alessandro Diamanti to Brescia for 2.2m euros (£1.8m). The 27-year-old forward cost the Upton Park club £6m when they signed him from Livorno in August 2009. He scored eight goals in 29 games for the Hammers in the 2009-2010 season but has played only 17 minutes of Avram Grant's first two games as manager. West Ham said in a statement that the sale of Diamanti would "release space in the squad for another player to be brought in".
Brescia won the last promotion spot to Serie A after winning a play-off against Torino at the end of last season. Should they do enough this season to remain in Italy's top flight for another term, another 300,000 euros (£245,000) will be payable to West Ham. The Hammers added: "Diamanti faced stiff competition for a first-team place with the arrivals of Pablo Barrera, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piquionne."
The club concluded its media release by revealing it "could unveil more exciting new faces before the transfer window shuts [on 31 August]". West Ham, with no points from their first two Premier League games this season, have been linked with a move for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.
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Parker spares Hammers
Oxford undone by last-gasp strike
Last updated: 24th August 2010
SSN
Scott Parker spared West Ham's blushes with a last-gasp winner against lowly Oxford in the second round of the Carling Cup. The Us frustrated Avram Grant's Premier League side with a disciplined display at the Boleyn Ground until Parker smashed home Frederic Piquionne's cross. Grant will be relieved to have scraped through after defeats in their opening two league games, but tough tests lie ahead with Manchester United and Chelsea on the horizon. The truth is the result was harsh on Oxford who for long periods of this match matched their top-flight opponents, so much so that it was difficult to determine who were the big-time team. It was the same old story from West Ham. Lots of neat passing and fluid movement but no real penetration. They had made six changes from the team which lost to Bolton at the weekend. Marek Stech took over from Robert Green in goal and defender Tal Ben Haim, on loan from Portsmouth and once of Chelsea, was handed his debut. Parker and Mark Noble, however, were retained in midfield and they ensured that the Hammers had most of the possession. But it is one thing passing the ball about in pretty patterns, quite another doing it with penetration. Piquionne was one of the culprits. He might have put the Hammers in front in the first minute but his rasping 20-yard shot was neatly turned around the post for a corner by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke. But it was the header he missed from six yards and when under no pressure with just the goalkeeper to beat which summed up West Ham's problems. Not direct enough. Too little fire power. The first half was all huff and puff and no end product, unless we count the boos which rained down on the team at half-time. It could have been worse because Oxford had their chances. Alfie Potter, who once scored for Havant and Waterlooville against Liverpool at Anfield in an FA Cup fourth round tie, was a scampering menace, firing in a 25-yard shot which stung the hands of Stech.
Captain James Constable and Asa Hall, the latter with a blistering 30-yard drive, also brought sharp saves from the West Ham goalkeeper in the first half.
The second half was much of the same, West Ham driving forward but too often without conviction or creativity. Grant was forced to throw on Carlton Cole for Junior Stanislas in the 62nd minute in a bid to give his side more fire power. But take nothing away from Oxford. They were magnificent when you consider that they had spent four seasons in non-league, had battled financial problems and only returned to the Football League in May. They have a healthy future in front of them if this is anything to go by. They might have produced a heroic result if shots from Hall and Potter had been more precise but as it was they were stung by a late, late show from Parker.
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Diamanti seals Brescia switch
Hammers' Italian striker completes return to his homeland
By Ben Collins Last updated: 24th August 2010
SSN
West Ham have confirmed that striker Alessandro Diamanti has completed his return to Italy. Sky Sports revealed on Monday that Brescia had agreed a fee with the Hammers and were set to negotiate personal terms with Diamanti. And West Ham announced on their official website on Tuesday that the 27-year-old has sealed a €2.2million (£1.8m) switch to the newly-promoted Serie A side. Diamanti was signed by Gianfranco Zola last summer from Livorno for an undisclosed fee. He signed a five-year deal at Upton Park and went on to help the Hammers secure Premier League survival, scoring eight goals in 29 appearances in all competitions. Diamanti was one of the side's best players last season but faced stiff competition this term with new manager Avram Grant having brought in attacking talents such as Pablo Barrera,Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piquionne. If Brescia stay up in Serie A this season then West Ham will receive another payment of €300,000 (£250,000). "All at West Ham United would like to wish Alessandro well for the future and thank him for his efforts in his year at the club," finished the statement on the Hammers' official website.
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West Ham 1 Oxford 0
By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has a lot to thank Scott Parker for this morning. Some might even argue the vultures would have started circling around the Israeli sniffing blood had his midfielder not popped up with a late, late winner. Extra time was looming and a massive shock seemed on the cards as League Two Oxford gave West Ham a huge scare. Hammers second-choice goal-keeper Marek Stech was outstanding, which speaks volumes about the visitors' display. Grant said: "Thanks to him we didn't go to extra time. "Mentally it's not just the first win of the season. "This team has had a lot of psychological problems in the past. "They saw today if you don't give up until the last minute, you get something. "When they are winning it's OK. But when they don't, the players get very nervous."
After two Premier League defeats, losing to a team three divisions below them would certainly have had trigger-happy co-owner David Sullivan considering his options. For the 3,000 Oxford fans who made the trek to London, though, this was the stuff of dreams. I It is almost a quarter of a century since they won the competition, beating QPR 3-0 at Wembley. They fancied their chances after thrashing Bristol Rovers 6-1 in the first round. Stech pulled off great first-half saves from James Constable, Asa Hall and Alfie Potter. Hammers' Frederic Piquionne wasted a glorious chance on the hour and Parker then thought he had scored from 10 yards but Ryan Clarke produced a heart-stopping save. In the end, though, Parker beat Clarke from close range but U's boss Chris Wilder was still proud of his players. He said: "I knew it would be the last attack and it was heart-breaking when it went in. "When you saw the reaction of their goalkeeper - who ran 40 yards and sank on to his knees - you knew we had done all right."
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - SCOTT PARKER
WEST HAM: Stech 7, Faubert 5, Tomkins 5, Spector 5, Ben-Haim 5, Barrera 5, Parker 6, Noble 7, Stanislas 5 (Cole 5), Sears 5 (McCarthy 5), Piquionne 5. Subs not used: Green, Boa Morte, Kovac, Da Costa, Ilunga.
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Diamanti has left Upton Park
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM last night sold striker Alessandro Diamanti to Serie A new-boys Brescia for just £1.8million. The Italian ace, 27, cost the Hammers £5.5m from Livorno last year - but was way down the pecking order at Upton Park under new manager Avram Grant. If Brescia retain their top-flight status for next season, West Ham will reap another £245,000.
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Diamanti goes home for £1.8 mill
The Sun
Published: 24 Aug 2010
WEST HAM have sold Italian striker Alessandro Diamanti to Serie A newcomers Brescia for £1.8million. Diamanti, 27, made 29 appearances in all competitions and scored eight goals in the 2009/10 season — half of them coming from the penalty spot. He was a substitute in the first match of the new season at Villa before travelling back to his homeland for transfer talks at the weekend. Diamanti was keen to return to Italy, and the move will free up space in the Hammers squad for another player to be brought in. He faced stiff competition for a first-team place under manager Avram Grant with the arrivals of Pablo Barrera, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piquionne. Hammers are in line for another £250,000 if Brescia stay in Serie A this season.
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Grant: Last-gasp win a mental boost
Published 07:21 25/08/10 By Pa Sports
The Mirror
West Ham manager Avram Grant believes his struggling team came through a psychological barrier with their 1-0 Carling Cup second-round victory over Oxford. The Hammers required a Scott Parker goal deep into injury time at Upton Park to secure their first win of the season against a team who only returned to the Football League in May after four troubled seasons as a non-league club. But Grant is confident that the nature of the victory will give his side the heart to step up their fight in the Premier League. The Hammers face Manchester United and Chelsea in their next two matches and Grant said: "Mentally it is not just because it is the first win, but that we did it in the last moment. This team carried a lot of psychology problems. But they saw that if you don't give up and keep trying to do the right things you can score in the last moment." He added: "When everything goes well we are okay, when it does not go well we are a bit nervous. "When you play against a team not from our league they will always defend but I liked that the players continued to pass the ball and were not crazy to score. Manchester United are a very good team but it will be a good challenge for us."
Oxford manager Chris Wilder, meanwhile, was delighted with the determination showed by his side who are still looking for their first win after returning to the Football League. He said: "The players grew into the game and enjoyed the experience and when you see the reaction of their goalkeeper (Marek Stech) at the end when he slid 40 yards on his knees in front of their supporters that says it all. "I'm delighted for the football club. We've been off the radar for a long time and now we are back on it. "I've got some good, athletic players. We've played well this season. We've not got the points total we should have done but the standard of performance is pretty high. "We have to use this as a springboard to go and get our first win of the season. Even so, right at the end to see the ball in the back of the net was heartbreaking for everybody."
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Liverpool make shock bid for England striker
Published 23:00 24/08/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has made a shock move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole - offering £6 million up front for the hit man. The Kop chief has reacted swiftly to the meek and mediocre defeat by Manchester City by slapping in an offer for target man Cole that has surprised the Hammers. The Anfield club are willing to pay a big chunk in one payment for Cole and odd up to another £6 million after games and achievements in the odd package.
Hodgson and Liverpool's money men are concerned about Cole's injury-hit past and would like to protect themselves with the offer, but also come up with a figure that will eventually suit the Hammers. West Ham have already turned down bigger deals from Stoke and warned them off, but they may reluctantly let Cole go before the window shuts to give Avram Grant cash for other players. In Liverpool's favour as the talks over figures begin Cole will be interested in joining them rather than the Potters - or potential rivals Sunderland. Stoke still want Cole despite landing Kenwyne Jones but their chances are slim while Liverpool are heading the hunt for the England international. Sunderland are in the same boat. Cole could become a hero on Merseyside if he fills the striker's jersey, ideally beside Fernando Torres but possibly as his replacement if a massive bid comes in any time soon. Hodgson wants to wheel and deal after a mixed start to the campaign. Torres cannot be relied on to run the front line on his own again and some of the other options look short.
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West Ham 1-0 Oxford United: Daily Mirror match report
Published 23:00 24/08/10 By John Cross
The Mirror
Avram Grant paid tribute to last gasp hero Scott Parker - and then admitted keeping him is crucial for West Ham's future. Hammers midfielder Parker grabbed a dramatic winner in the third minute of injury-time to spare West Ham's blushes against League Two minnows Oxford. Stand-in skipper Parker, 29, has yet to sign a new five-year contract at West Ham and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is still keen despite having an £8m bid turned down. West Ham boss Grant said: "He is very important for us. He is a good player, he is always fighting until the last minute. "I know he is going to sign a new contract but I don't get involved in the finances. As far as I know, Scott is happy here, the team are happy for him. We need experienced players here. We know what we want for ourselves and Scott Parker is very important for us in the future. "We didn't want the game to go to extra time. It was very important that we won but it was not easy against a team who came to defend."
Parker's late intervention showed just how important he is to West Ham and why they must do everything they can to stop him from leaving before the window shuts. Just when West Ham heads were beginning to drop, Parker kept going and his determination and drive so late in the game will be crucial as you get the feeling this season is going to be a long slog for Grant. Grant took the gamble of leaving keeper Rob Green and Carlton Cole out of his starting line-up and their captain Matt Upson was not risked because of a facial injury. But it looked to have backfired for Grant because their League Two opponents had the better of the first half and the Upton Park faithful booed their team off at half time. Little wonder either as they are fed-up after two Premier League defeats which have left Grant under pressure and he could not afford a Carling Cup upset. But it was Oxford who went closest as midfielder Asa Hall hit a stunning 30 yard shot which West Ham's stand-in keeper Marek Stech pushed over the bar in the 42nd minute. West Ham still struggled to get going after the break even though striker Frederic Piquionne ran his socks off but his wayward finishing continually let him down. Finally West Ham piled on the pressure in the dying stages as Cole and Benni McCarthy came on and Oxford had to defend with their lives. Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke produced a stunning 81st minute save from Parker's low shot which had the visiting supporters chanting: "Are you watching Robert Green?" at West Ham's blunder keeper on the bench. But Parker was not to be denied and he raced into the box to meet Piquionne's low cut back to fire past Clarke and end Oxford's hopes of a memorable upset. Oxford boss Chris Wilder said: "I said to our assistant manager that it would be their last attack and then I looked up and saw the ball in the back of the net. It was heartbreaking."
West Ham: Stech 7; Faubert 6, Ben Haim 6, Tomkins 6, Spector 5; Barrera 6, Parker 7, Noble 8, Stanislas 6 (Cole, 62, 6); Sears 5 (McCarthy, 78), Piquionne 7.
Oxford: Clarke 7; Purkiss 7, Worley 7, Wright 7, Tonkin 7; Heslop 6, Hall 7, Bulman 6 (Baker, 70), Cole 6 (Clist, 45, 6); Potter 6 (Green, 86); Constable 6.
Hero of the match: Scott Parker - Spared West Ham's blushes in the 93rd minute
Villain of the match: Julien Faubert - Could not get out for the second half on time
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Scott Parker's late winner spares West Ham's blushes against Oxford
Guardian report
Jamie Jackson at Upton Park
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 August 2010 22.07 BST
Scott Parker celebrates his stoppage-time winner for West Ham against lowly Oxford United. Just after the hour Avram Grant was forced to bring on his alpha-striker, Carlton Cole, against the league's 86th-ranked team, so desperate was he to squeeze the first competitive win of a difficult start to life as West Ham's manager.
It finally arrived. But it was close. 93 minutes had passed when Scott Parker's volley left Ryan Clarke little chance, and offered a reminder why Harry Redknapp may again attempt to take him to Spurs before the transfer window's close.
Parker is yet to sign an improved deal that is on the table, but Grant is confident he will remain. "I know he's going to sign a new contract," the manager said. "Normally I don't want to get involved in this situation – I'm not speaking with players about this. As far as I know he is happy and the team is happy with him."
Grant had watched his team harried throughout the contest, though if Frédéric Piquionne had finished one of a series of chances the result would have been clear-cut. His first came courtesy of neat work by Parker, who won the ball in midfield and off-loaded to find Piquionne, whose shot forced Clarke into a sharp save.
Indeed it was Oxford who enjoyed the better moments, certainly until the hour had passed. Ben Purkiss wheeled into room down his flank and curled in a cross that Julien Faubert cleared. A shot from Asa Hall ricocheted off James Tomkins and James Constable's attempt was fumbled by Marek Stech before the Hammers goalkeeper gathered safely.
The home side's problem was that once Parker or Mark Noble moved play forward any supposed cutting edge was blunt. Piquionne just could not convert. After 34 minutes he steered a close-range header wide of Clarke's right post, while earlier he flicked a Noble corner away for a throw-in.
Stech later produced a spectacular leap to prevent Hall's 25-yarder giving the visitors a well-deserved lead and the teams walked off for the interval to boos: not the sound Grant needed to hear two and a half matches into his Upton Park career.
But Parker swept home after Piquionne's forward surge and Grant's project was up and running. "Mentally it's not just the first win," Grant said. "This team has a lot of psychological problems in the past. It's OK but when they don't the players here get nervous. This has been a problem now we need to get over it."
Chris Wheeler, Oxford's manager, said: "We had nothing to lose." They played like it.
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Parker late show spares Hammers blushes
ESPN
Updated: August 25, 2010, 8:57 AM BST
Scott Parker came up with a winner deep into stoppage time to spare West Ham Carling Cup humiliation and earn a 1-0 win. Parker smashed home Frederic Piquionne's cross but the timing was harsh on the visitors who had been stubborn and organised throughout and at least deserved a crack at the Hammers in extra time. But while West ham manager Avram Grant will be thankful to have avoided a cup giant-killing this performance only laid bare the size of his task at Upton Park. West Ham are point-less after two games this season in the Premier League and they are struggling for fire power. Their next two games are against Manchester United and Chelsea and on this showing more humiliation could be in store. The truth is the result was harsh on Oxford who for long periods of this match matched their top-flight opponents, so much so that it was difficult to determine who were the big-time team.
It was the same old story from West Ham. Lots of neat passing and fluid movement but no real penetration. They had made six changes from the team which lost to Bolton at the weekend. Marek Stech took over from Robert Green in goal and defender Tal Ben Haim, on loan from Portsmouth and once of Chelsea, was handed his debut. Scott Parker and Mark Noble, however, were retained in midfield and they ensured that the Hammers had most of the possession. But it is one thing passing the ball about in pretty patterns, quite another doing it with penetration. Piquionne was one of the culprits. He might have put the Hammers in front in the first minute but his rasping 20-yard shot was neatly turned around the post for a corner by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke. But it was the header he missed from six yards and when under no pressure with just the goalkeeper to beat which summed up West Ham's problems. Not direct enough. Too little fire power. The first half was all huff and puff and no end product, unless we count the boos which rained down on the team at half-time. It could have been worse because Oxford had their chances. Alfie Potter, who once scored for Havant and Waterlooville against Liverpool at Anfield in an FA Cup fourth round tie, was a scampering menace, firing in a 25-yard shot which stung the hands of Stech. Captain James Constable and Asa Hall, the latter with a blistering 30-yard drive, also brought sharp saves from the West Ham goalkeeper in the first half. The second half was much of the same, West Ham driving forward but too often without conviction or creativity. Grant was forced to throw on Carlton Cole for Junior Stanislas in the 62nd minute in a bid to give his side more fire power. But take nothing away from Oxford. They were magnificent when you consider that they had spent four seasons in the Conference, had battled financial problems and only returned to the Football League in May. They have a healthy future in front of them if this is anything to go by. They might have produced a heroic result if shots from Hall and Potter had been more precise but as it was they were stung by a late, late show from Parker.
Grant admits worries
Avram Grant spoke of West Ham's psychological problems after his team squeezed into the second round of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win over Oxford.
It was West Ham's first win of the new season and while Grant had made six changes from the side which lost to Bolton in the Premier League at the weekend, they were still booed off at half-time by the home crowd. The win, however, provided some respite and Grant said: "It's not just the win but the fact that it is in the last minute. Mentally it is not just because it is the first win but that we did it in the last moment. This team carried a lot of psychology problems. "Tonight they saw that if you don't give up and keep trying to do the right things you can score in the last moment. When everything goes well we are okay, when it does not go well we are a bit nervous. "When you play against a team not from our league they will always defend. I liked that the players continued to pass the ball and were not crazy to score. We are in the next round and that is the most important thing.''
Oxford manager Chris Wilder said: "We had to keep things really tight and stay in the game. The players grew into the game and enjoyed the experience and when you see the reaction of their goalkeeper at the end when he slid 40 yards on his knees in front of their supporters that says it all. "Carlton Cole came on and (Benni) McCarthy came on and when that happens you know you've done all right. I'm delighted for the football club. We've been off the radar for a long time and now we are back on it with games like tonight with 4,000 supporters on a Tuesday night in east London. "I've got some good, athletic players. We've played well this season. We've not got the points total we should have done but the standard of performance is pretty high. We have to use this as a springboard to go and get our first win of the season. "We had nothing to lose. I've played teams from lower leagues before and every misplaced pass gets a little boo and a groan. Sometimes you tighten up and do not play free-flowing football. That's why it was important to keep it tight early on. But right at the end to see the ball in the back of the net was heartbreaking for everybody.''
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West Ham United 1 Oxford United 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Carling Cup second round game between West Ham United and Oxford United at Upton Park on Tuesday Aug 24 2010.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 9:41PM BST 24 Aug 2010
Scott Parker spared West Ham United's blushes with a goal three minutes into added time to earn Avram Grant his first win as the club's manager. And now West Ham must hope the 29-year-old signs a new contract, on offer a fortnight, before the Premier League vultures descend on Upton Park. Late last season West Ham's co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, made the entire West Ham squad available for transfer – apart from Parker. Yet with Parker – captain on the night in place of the injured Matthew Upson -- yet to put pen to paper on a new five-year deal and with the transfer deadline still open the two Davids have cause for concern.
After Football League newcomers Oxford extended West Ham to the final seconds of this game, a relieved Grant admitted of his side: "This team has occurred psychological problems and we talked about this. In the past, when things have not gone well they have become nervous." And such anxiety will not be helped while Parker's future is unsure. West Ham have already rejected an £8 million offer, from Spurs, for the 29-year-old and Grant added: "It is very important to keep Scott Parker. He is a very good player, always fighting, and as far as I know he is happy here." Credit must go to Oxford and, in particular, a belligerent defence which continued to frustrate the disappointing Frederic Piquionne and, later, Carlton Cole. Parker's goal was cruel on Oxford, and must not be allowed to paper over the cracks of another performance that offers more concern for West Ham's future. While Oxford now turn their attentions to a home game with Accrington Stanley, West Ham go to Old Trafford, then face Chelsea. And After suffering their worst start to a Premier League campaign, with two defeats and six goals conceded, they made six changes but still looked nervous. However, Oxford were brave and after Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke dealt with a Piquionne shot, they played intelligently, using the flanks well and threatening to score. With former West Ham trainee Mitchell Cole heading wide, West Ham began to display the nerves so evident in recent games. Oxford's fans were not impressed with the opposition, singing: "going down" and "Premier League? You're having a laugh". Indeed, there has been little to smile about so far for those of a claret and blue persuasion and there were few signs to suggest that things will improve. Referee James Linington missed the fact that West Ham began the second half with 10 men, with Julien Faubert coming on a minute after kick-off. They needed all 11 to prevent a shock; after Piquionne miss-directed his downward header painfully off target, Asa Hall was denied a goal only by Marek Stech's acrobatic tip-over. West Ham were thwarted late on when Clarke saved brilliantly from Parker but as the mutterings of discontent echoed around the ground, Piquionne's late cross was converted by Parker from close range.
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West Ham chasing Villa fullback Young
25.08.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are chasing Aston Villa fullback Luke Young. The London Evening Standard says Hammers boss Avram Grant has made signing a right-back his No1 priority before the transfer window closes next week. Aston Villa's former Charlton defender Young is one possibility while West Ham are also considering a loan deal offer for Tottenham's Kyle Walker.
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