WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer has heaped praise on his men after a Barclays Premier Reserve
League win at Everton
15.09.2010
Alex Dyer was brimming with pride as West Ham United began the new Barclays
Premier Reserve League season with a superb 1-0 win at Everton. Junior
Stanislas scored the match-winner, but it took a resilient all-round
performance from the Hammers to secure victory over a strong Toffees side.
Extensive match highlights are available to view now on WHUTV here. Both
clubs named first-team players in their starting lineups, with Stech, James
Tomkins, Winston Reid, Radoslav Kovac, Stanislas, Freddie Sears and Frank
Nouble all featuring for Dyer's side. Everton, meanwhile, handed starts to
Phil Neville, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu. With a strong, gusty wind
blowing around Everton's Finch Farm training complex, West Ham had to be at
their very best to keep the Toffees at bay, both before and after
Stanislas's 28th-minute goal.
"It was a great day," said Dyer. "It was a great day for the boys who have
come all the way up to Everton. They put in a superb performance. Every
single one of them worked their hearts out and deserved their win. "Both
clubs put out a mixture of first-team players and youngsters and it was a
proper reserve-team game. I like to think that for our part, the first-team
boys who came and played showed great attitude and application. They helped
out the younger ones and I wouldn't have swapped our boys for their boys.
"Marek was very good. He made some great saves and kept us in the game. I
also thought James Tomkins and Winston Reid were very good at the back. I
was very pleased with Kovac, as he looked a lot fitter and worked very hard
and controlled the midfield for us. Freddie Sears was also outstanding - his
movement up front was very good - and Junior obviously got the goal to cap a
decent performance. "I was also happy with Olly Lee and Ahmed Abdulla in the
midfield, because they worked hard to get tight to their men and did not
stop running for the whole game."
Dyer was particularly pleased with the approach taken to the fixture shown
by the senior players. An early-morning departure meant 6am alarm calls for
the squad, but they showed no signs of tiredness despite the early start.
"This is reserve-team football and I want it to be done properly. I hate it
when people say to me 'It's just reserves and it's all about developing the
lads'. Of course it is about bringing them through, but part of their
development is learning how to win games. "We scored midway through the
first half and, like we did against Leicester last week, we had to hold on
to the result that we had. "It was very difficult and very windy, but we
coped with the conditions well. Every single one of the lads gave 100 per
cent right until the last minute. It was a long way to come and not play
well and we didn't do that. It's the first time some of the younger lads
have travelled so far to play and they all delivered."
Dyer's day was capped by a handshake and message of congratulations from
Everton first-team manager David Moyes, who watched the whole match from a
balcony outside his training ground office. "It was nice. He came over and
said 'Well done' and that it was a good game and our boys did well. It's
very pleasing that the opposition first-team manager could see that our
first-team boys came out with the right attitude. That's what pleased me
most - that they travelled all that way and wanted to do a job for West Ham
United."
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Jonjo's walk from Wembley
WHUFC.com
The Bobby Moore Fund stands to benefit from the actions of a plucky
eight-year-old Hammer
16.09.2010
Jonjo Heuerman is no ordinary West Ham United fan. His mum Donna and dad
Gary first contacted the club back in August to explain that the
eight-year-old Jonjo was planning to walk from the centre-circle at Wembley
Stadium to the Boleyn Ground to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK. Since then, the club have been right behind his amazing
idea, which follows previous fundraising efforts by his older sister Megan.
Jonjo's grandmother Lynda passed away on 17 February 2009 from bowel cancer,
eight days before the anniversary of Bobby Moore's tragic death from the
same illness on 24 February 1993. Now, 18 years later, Jonjo will set out on
that date to walk 23 miles from the national stadium to Upton Park. He plans
to arrive on Saturday 26 February, just before the Hammers take on
Liverpool. Jonjo, from Kent, said: "I am very excited and I want to raise
lots of money for the Bobby Moore Fund. I need to do it over three days
because it is a long way and I am only eight. "I will be walking with my
Mummy and Daddy and will be collecting money along the way. I am being
helped by the local area Cancer Research UK office who will be speaking with
the Bobby Moore Fund for me and they will be helping with all of the money I
collect too. "The walk is very long and my Mummy and Daddy are helping me
organise things. I want to raise £10,000 or more because my sister raised
£9,500 last year for our local hospice in memory of my Nanny and I want to
beat her amount."
Jonjo's story has attracted huge interest with fans on Facebook and Twitter
starting to follow him, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Pixie Lott and
Jamie Cullum all taking up his cause. The walk itself will take in six
London boroughs and Newham Police have agreed to support the last leg of his
walk from Stratford to Green Street, with bucket collections along the
route. The family will lay a wreath at the 1966 FIFA World Cup winners'
statue before continuing on to the stadium and finishing on the pitch. Among
those backing Jonjo are club principal partners SBOBET, with a £500 pledge
already to the fund and an invitation to the family to raise more awareness
at a future West Ham game. Bill Mummery, SBOBET Executive Director said: "I
received an email from Jonjo and was very moved by his story and his
proposed walk in memory of his Nan and support of the Bobby Moore Cancer
Charity. "I telephoned Jonjo's parents to pledge our support and suggested
how we might provide additional help "This is an excellent opportunity for
us to help a family who are avid West Ham supporters, the Bobby Moore Fund
and an excellent local community initiative. I very much looking forward to
meeting Jonjo and his family at West Ham to congratulate him on his
magnificent efforts"
Jonjo's links
www.fornannyandbobby.piczo.com
www.justgiving.com/forannyandbobby
www.twitter.com/jonjoheuerman
www.facebook.com/jonjos.walk
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Manager update for Stoke
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant will not be taking the team for the match against Stoke City on
Saturday
15.09.2010
Out of respect for the traditions, heritage and religious obligations of the
Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Avram Grant will not be in the dug-out at
Stoke City this Saturday. Dating back thousands of years, Yom Kippur - or
Day of Atonement - is the most significant day of the year. It is a strict
day of fasting and abstaining that forbids all followers to work. West Ham
United fully respect and understand the situation. It is very unusual for
the day to clash with the fixture list. The manager will pick and prepare
the side as usual and fully ensure that all are ready for the match this
weekend. Assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic, senior coach Paul Groves and
first-team coach Kevin Keen will all be on the bench at the Britannia
Stadium.
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Carr set for Testimonial dinner
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr MBE will host his Testimonial dinner on 18
November
16.09.2010
Academy Director Tony Carr will complete a memorable Testimonial year by
holding a special dinner at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday 18 November.
A former West Ham United trainee, injury forced Carr to take up a coaching
career in the early 1970s. After joining the club as a youth coach working
under Ronnie Boyce in 1973, Carr has become one of English football's finest
developers of young talent. A host of his famous graduates, including Rio
and Anton Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry, returned to the
Boleyn Ground in early May for an unforgettable Testimonial match. With a
successful golf day also held last year, Carr is hoping to round-off his
Testimonial year with a memorable evening. "This will be the culmination of
a terrific year for me in terms of the players who turned out for me on the
night and obviously then being made an MBE. I want to finish the Testimonial
year off with a dinner to say 'Thank you' to a few people and hopefully a
few supporters can come along and enjoy it. "It's going to be at Upton Park,
so the maximum will be 600 guests. We will have tables of ten and hopefully
a few companies, box holders and supporters would like to come along. "We
will have some entertainment on the night. I will give talk on my year and
my experiences and we'll also have an interesting auction. Hopefully a few
ex-West Ham players and guests will come and it'll be a star-studded evening
that everyone can enjoy "Tickets will go on sale very shortly and fans
should keep an eye on the official website and programme for details."
Carr will also have reason to celebrate next month when he and his family
travel to Buckingham Palace for his investiture after being made an MBE in
the Queen's Birthday Honours list. "It is in October that I will be going to
the Palace, as I've had a letter now confirming that, so I'm really looking
forward to that. It should be an experience to remember. "I've bought a new
suit so I'll be smart for the day, and now I just can't wait for it to
arrive."
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Tal backing team-mates
WHUFC.com
Tal Ben Haim believes scoring first can only lead to good things at Stoke
City on Saturday
16.09.2010
Tal Ben Haim is backing his West Ham United team-mates to do the business at
Stoke City this weekend. Ben Haim will not be available because of the
Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, but is sure his team-mates can hit the back
of the net first at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The Hammers have
fallen behind in all of their opening four league matches, leading to four
disappointing defeats. "In the Premier League it is very important that you
score first, because when you score first you have a big chance to win the
game," the Israel centre-back told WHUTV. "Of course we should be
optimistic. I'm sure that if we get one or two good results we can move
forward."
The 28-year-old was a calm and composed presence against his former club,
defending strongly, using the ball intelligently and striking up an instant
rapport with captain and centre-back partner Matthew Upson. With Denmark
international Lars Jacobsen also settling in immediately at right-back and
Nigeria forward Victor Obinna producing a lively display in attack, the
Hammers No3 has plenty of reasons for optimism ahead of this weekend's trip
to the Potteries. Manager Avram Grant could choose between Winston Reid and
James Tomkins - both impressive for the reserves on Tuesday - as well as
Danny Gabbidon and Manuel da Costa to line up alongside Upson this Saturday.
Ben Haim added: "I think we played well and created chances but we suddenly
found ourselves 2-0 down and Chelsea didn't get in many good situations or
create much. That is football - we need to look forward and take the points
in the next game. "I think it will take time, but in football we need to
take the points very quick. We hope that we can do it next week."
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Avram Grant to miss Stoke game to observe Yom Kippur
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Avram Grant will miss the Hammers' league game at Stoke on
Saturday to observe Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement is a key date in the
Jewish calendar and requires Jews to fast and pray over the course of Friday
night and Saturday. "West Ham fully respect and understand the situation,"
said the Hammers in a statement. "It's very unusual for the day to clash
with the fixture list."
Grant's assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic will take charge of the team.
Grant will pick West Ham's team for Saturday's game, while Petrovic will be
helped by senior coach Paul Groves and first-team coach Kevin Keen. Three
years ago, Grant observed Yom Kippur prior to his first match as Chelsea
manager before flying by helicopter to Old Trafford for the game against
Manchester United. Defender Tal Ben Haim will, reportedly, also be given
permission to miss the Stoke game to allow the Israeli to observe Yom
Kippur. West Ham, who have lost all four of their league games this season,
are bottom of the table.
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Leave Granted
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have confirmed that Avram Grant 'will not be in the dug-out' when
the Hammers play Stoke this weekend. With both teams under immense pressure
already due to their respective poor starts this weekend's clash at the
Brittania Stadium is being referred to in some quarters as a 'six pointer' -
despite the season being less than a month old.
However it has now been confirmed that West Ham's new manager will not be in
attendance due to the game falling on the same day as the Jewish faith's Day
of Atonement, or Yom Kippur as it is popularly known.
West Ham, in a brief statement issued on whufc.com this evening confirmed
that Grant would not be at the game 'out of respect for the traditions,
herittage and religious observations of the Jewish holy day'.
"West Ham United fully respect and understand the situation. It is very
unusual for the day to clash with the fixture list," read the statement.
"The manager will pick and prepare the side as usual and fully ensure that
all are ready for the match this weekend. Assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic,
senior coach Paul Groves and first-team coach Kevin Keen will all be on the
bench at the Britannia Stadium. "
This weekend's match is the first time that Yom Kippur has conincided with a
Premier League match day since Grant began his management career in England.
Three years ago, whilst at Chelsea, it fell the day before a clash with
Manchester United whilst last year - when Grant was at Portsmouth - a clash
was also narrowly avoided.
* 60% of KUMB.com members agree that Grant and fellow Israeli Tal Ben Haim
should be granted the day off, according to a poll conducted today. You may
view the poll and its accompanying comments - or even cast your own vote
(KUMB members only) - by visiting this thread.
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Tomkins eyeing recall
Young defender aiming to work hard to force return into first team
Last updated: 15th September 2010
SSN
West Ham defender James Tomkins is determined to do the best he can to earn
a first team recall. The 21-year-old was a regular under old boss Gianfranco
Zola last season but has featured in just the opening day loss to Aston
Villa in the top flight under Avram Grant this term. However, the defender
is determined to force his way back into the struggling side, who have yet
to pick up a point from four attempts. He featured in the reserve's 1-0
victory at Everton on Tuesday and now hopes to play a part in the
bottom-of-the-table clash with Stoke this weekend. Tomkins told the club's
official website: "I really want to play. I will keep working hard and
trying to impress in training, as that's all I can do. "If I do play well
for the reserves, hopefully the feedback will get back to the manager and,
you never know, I might get to play. That's all that I want to do - to
play."
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Grant absent from Potters tie
Hammers confirm boss missing on Saturday due to religious reasons
By Elliot Ball Last updated: 15th September 2010
SSN
Avram Grant will not be taking charge of West Ham's team against Stoke
because of the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. The Israeli had hinted that he
may not be able to take charge of the Premier League game on Saturday and
the club have confirmed the Hammers boss will not be present for the
Britannia Stadium clash. Grant will select and prepare the side for the trip
to the Potters but will hand control to his assistant Zeljko Petrovic. Out
of respect for the traditions, heritage and religious obligations of the
Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Avram Grant will not be in the dugout at
Stoke City this Saturday," a club statement confirmed. "Dating back
thousands of years, Yom Kippur - or Day of Atonement - is the most
significant day of the year. It is a strict day of fasting and abstaining
that forbids all followers to work. West Ham United fully respect and
understand the situation. It is very unusual for the day to clash with the
fixture list. "The manager will pick and prepare the side as usual and fully
ensure that all are ready for the match this weekend. Assistant manager
Zeljko Petrovic, senior coach Paul Groves and first-team coach Kevin Keen
will all be on the bench at the Britannia Stadium." West Ham have lost their
opening four games of the season so far, having shipped in 12 goals against
the likes of Aston Villa, Bolton, Manchester United and Chelsea.
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You can take it for Granted Av
The Sun
By HUGH SOUTHON
Published: Today
WEST HAM co-owner David Gold has declared: "Avram Grant is absolutely safe."
Hammers are without a point in four league games under new boss Grant.
But Gold said: "It's four games against clubs who we took two points off
last term so we're just behind. "This will be called a vote of confidence
but I assure you it is a proper vote of confidence. "Against one of the
world's best, Chelsea, we saw a spirited performance which we can build on.
"Avram is safe. We will very quickly climb up."
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Respect Avram Grant's absense for Yom Kippur, West Ham fans are told
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 11:44 PM on 15th September 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have urged fans to respect manager Avram Grant's decision not to
take charge of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Stoke City
as he observes the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Grant, 55, will pick and
prepare his side but will not travel to the Britannia Stadium as bottom of
the table West Ham try to earn their first points of the season after four
straight defeats. Serbian Zeljko Petrovic will take control of team affairs
on the day.
Over Yom Kippur — or the Day of Atonement — Grant is expected to fast for 25
hours and spend the day in continuous prayer for forgiveness. A West Ham
statement said: 'West Ham United fully respect and understand the situation.
It is very unusual for the day to clash with the fixture list. The manager
will pick and prepare the side as usual and fully ensure that all are ready
for the match this weekend.'
Petrovic, 44, arrived at Upton Park in the summer, having previously worked
as a No 2 to former Tottenham boss Martin Jol at Hamburg. Before that he had
spells in charge of Boavista in Portugal and RKC Waalwijk in Holland. He was
a former team-mate of Diego Maradona's at Sevilla in the early 1990s, where
he played as a defensive midfielder. After being appointed as Chelsea
manager on Thursday September 20, 2007 Grant stayed at home on the Friday
and Saturday to observe the holy day, missing the preparations for his first
match against Manchester United on the Sunday, which Chelsea lost.
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Juventus set to make move for West Ham's Valon Behrami after poor start
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:17 PM on 15th September 2010
Daily Mail
Juventus have joined the race for unsettled West Ham utility man Valon
Behrami. The Italian giants have started the season badly, losing at Bari
and drawing and twice throwing away leads to draw at home against Sampdoria.
Reports in Italy say they are already working on targets for the winter
transfer window, with a full back high on their list of priorities. Behrami
is one of three players in their sights and the former Lazio player is keen
to move back to the country to satisfy family problems. Roma, Palermo,
Sampdoria and Cesena were all interested in the summer but could not reach
an agreement with West Ham for the 25-year-old. Behrami recently admitted
his disappointment at not sealing a switch to Serie A, but he has vowed to
give his full commitment to the Hammers. Juve like the Switzerland
international's versatility as he can play in defence or midfield. The Turin
club could turn to his compatriot Stephan Lichtsteiner as an alternative,
but he is more pigeonholed as a raiding right back. Palermo's Mattia
Cassani, who can play on either side of defence, is another alternative,
reports Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
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