Pay on the day for Spurs
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole has called for a united effort for Saturday's clash with
Tottenham Hotspur
24.09.2010
Carlton Cole says he and his West Ham United team-mates will give their all
on Saturday to match the strong support from the stands. Fans yet to make
sure of their place can buy seats from the Ticket Office from 9am. The
advice is to get there early to avoid the disappointment of missing out on
one of the most keenly-anticipated fixtures of the season. England striker
Cole believes the Boleyn Ground faithful can greatly improve the club's
chances of recording a first Barclays Premier League victory of the season
by turning the stadium into a cauldron of noise. Having secured an
impressive draw at Stoke City last weekend and an even more impressive
Carling Cup win at Sunderland on Tuesday, Cole said Avram Grant's squad
would go into battle with their local rivals brimful of confidence.
"It's been buzzing really," the No9 told WHUTV. "I think the Stoke game was
a massive game for us. We got the right result and a bit of luck when we
needed it as well, which has not been going for us this season. As they say,
you make your own luck, and we dug in at Stoke. "Following that, we needed a
good result on Tuesday in the Carling Cup and the boys really did well and
pulled through. It was good to see the strikers scoring as well, but that's
the first goals between us all. Hopefully we can crack on and score a few
more. "The fans are our 12th man and we need them behind us from the get go.
Hopefully, they'll be their usual selves and as vocal as possible. We want
them to be intimidated when they come to us."
Cole is the only West Ham player to score against Spurs in the last six
meetings between the two clubs. However, following Tottenham's midweek
extra-time Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Arsenal, Cole believes the
time is right to go goal-crazy against Harry Redknapp's side. "Obviously we
know the history between us - derby games are always going to be nice ones
to go into, especially after our victory the other day. We're going to be
well up for this and hopefully Tottenham will be a bit tired after doing
extra-time in midweek and we can take advantage. "Obviously we want a good
cup run in the Carling Cup, but now we've got to concentrate and get our
first win in the league. I don't see why we can't do it against Tottenham.
It's going to be a very hard game but we're capable of getting the right
result and all the players will be fighting to get it."
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
The manager has spoken ahead of Saturday's London derby with Tottenham
Hotspur
24.09.2010
Avram Grant has conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's
Barclays Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. The manager spoke
about the increased confidence in the squad following two impressive
performances away from home at Stoke City and Sunderland. Grant also fielded
questions about Spurs' reported summer interest in Scott Parker, his
confidence in Robert Green, how he keeps his players focused and motivated,
and dealing with the pressure of football management.
Avram on facing Tottenham Hotspur...
I think it will be a good game. We are improving in the last weeks and
playing better and better. Tottenham are a very good team, in my opinion,
with very good players and a very good manager so I think it will be a very
good game. This is the fixture and we cannot change it. If I could change
it, I would choose another game, but I can't change it. I'm happy that we
are playing now that we are better than two weeks ago. We have a good mood
in our team.
It's never a good time to play Tottenham, because they are a very good team,
but this is the fixture and we'll do our best.
Avram on the meaning of Saturday's game to West Ham United supporters...
With West Ham against Tottenham, you need to look at the history. I know
that for our supporters this is the big derby and the most important game of
the season. I don't know what has happened in the history but this is a
fact. I said also to my players that we need to respect the supporters about
this and try to do everything to make them happy.
Avram on team news...
I never speak about players individually. I told you last week that we are
winning as a team and we are losing as a team and you needed to see the
reaction of the players on the bench when we won in midweek. They were so
happy. I think this is good, because the team is more important than
anything.
Avram on the positive atmosphere around the club this week...
The atmosphere is much better, but it was also good before. The most
important is that their game is improving. Except the game against Aston
Villa and the last 30 minutes against Man United, we deserved more points in
all the games we have played. But, as you know, when you see the table it is
not deserved, it is the points that you take. It was very encouraging
because we played well against Chelsea and deserved more, but it was only
deserved. Then we played well against Stoke City and could win the game, but
it was a good point after we had zero points before. We continued
progressing against Sunderland, so you will see that it's not by
coincidence. We are developing and I want us to continue with this tomorrow.
Avram on reported interest in Scott Parker...
It's not a secret that me and Harry [Redknapp] are friends and we stay
friends. They wanted Scott Parker and other clubs also wanted him. For me
it's reasonable, when you have good players and they knew our financial
situation and tried to take advantage of it but I'm very happy that Scott is
with us.
I speak with Harry a few times a week and we're speaking about everything. I
don't remember [what he said about Parker's performances for West Ham].
I don't know [if we had firm offers]. I heard Liverpool wanted him and
Tottenham of course, but I didn't see any bids for him. I was not so
interested because we wanted him to stay. When we are interested in selling
a player, then I am interested about the details and how much money, but we
have a vision at West Ham. We want to build a team for the future and need
players like Parker for this.
I am very happy that Scott stayed. We are speaking a lot about the money
involved in football and I don't think money is everything. I think it is
important, but I don't think it's everything. I don't want that players will
say they will go to a place where they are paid more or they will not play
where they are paid less. I think they need to check and need to see all
picture - what is the vision of the club, if they can be part of this and
not just go where anybody can buy you. I think Scott Parker saw all the
picture and I'm happy he stayed here. Players are not slaved but I don't
want them to think only about money. Anywhere you are a top player and are
on good money and sometimes you need to choose where will be good for you,
and sometimes this is not always to be in the big club. I was in a big club
and I was in a club with bankrupt. I don't want to be in football without
values and only think about the cheque at the end of the season. Especially
in football, it is different, because you don't start playing football for
the money. They can earn money, but it's important to think about values and
other things. I think that he did a good decision. It's not easy, but
remember he was in a big club - he was in Chelsea before - so he knows how
it is to be in a big club and he knows how it is to be in a different
position. He said he wants to be part of the vision of the club and he tries
to do good things. Our target is not just for this year. We know this year
will be difficult, but we hope that every year will be better and better and
I think it's good for Scott to be part of this.
Avram on the importance of Robert Green...
They are important players because they have played for a long time and are
giving everything for the team. With Robert Green, first we must say that
every player has good days and bad days. I didn't see even one player who
was good all the time. Especially with goalkeepers, every mistake they make
everybody is watching. I don't want, after five games in the season, to put
a judgement on Robert Green. Let's wait and see. I have a feeling that in
the end of the season, we will look back and see he had a good season. We
need to wait and see. I understand why you ask me about individuals, but the
team is about more than two players. I expect that other players will try
their best for the team and to improve it. If you see our game, we are
playing better and better as a team in every game. That situation is
reasonable because we have seven or eight new players. Individuals are not
so important. It is important because we want them to be at their best, but
I can speak about the team.
Avram on getting the best out of his players...
We are using many other things to help the players as well as psychology.
Myself and my assistant [Zeljko Petrovic] have a lot of experience about
football, but the psychological side is also very important and we need to
pay attention to it. Psychology in sport is not like any other thing because
everything is under pressure. These players are very young - remember when
you were 20. They have a lot of pressure - pressure to win, to fight for
their places, they are not used to big money when they are young and
pressure from the media. They are very young, so we try to help them. There
are other areas in football where we can help them - quality, tactics, style
of play, how you improve yourself all the time because I don't like players
who don't like to be better. There are a lot of areas and this is why I like
football, because it's a big challenge.
Avram on dealing with pressure...
I always feel pressure in football. I was in many clubs and also two clubs
in England here. When you are at the top it is pressure to take more points,
and when you have zero points it is pressure not to stay with zero points. I
must say that although we had zero points, it is only the beginning of the
season so the difference is not so big between last place and sixth place -
not more than six points. The owners are very, very positive and followed
the things we said before. We decided before how to do it and they know we
want to do something very positive here. You can't push a button for success
- it takes a little bit of time.
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Tottenham Hotspur match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday's London derby against
Spurs
24.09.2010
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
Boleyn Ground
Saturday 25 September 2010
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Introduction
• West Ham United - although bottom of the Barclays Premier League - welcome
Tottenham Hotspur looking to build on the positives of the opening Barclays
Premier League point of the season at Stoke City last Saturday and then a
first away win in 14 months with Tuesday's Carling Cup triumph at
Sunderland.
• For their part, Spurs are in the middle of their maiden UEFA Champions
League campaign and welcome Dutch champions FC Twente to White Hart Lane
this coming Wednesday. Harry Redknapp's side sit fifth in the early season
standings, with eight points from their first five fixtures.
• Avram Grant's side reached the fourth round of the League Cup competition
with a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light, summer arrivals Frederic Piquionne
and Victor Obinna scoring their first goals for the club. Tottenham were
knocked out by Arsenal after a 4-1 defeat after extra time at home. The draw
for the last 16 will be held on Saturday lunchtime.
• The Hammers have not beaten Tottenham since a 2-1 success on 7 May 2006,
just before the 2005/06 FA Cup final. Yossi Benayoun scored the late winner
in a match that attracted additional attention because of food poisoning
affecting some of the Spurs squad.
• West Ham manager Grant and centre-back Tal Ben Haim will both return to
league action after being absent from Saturday's game out of respect for the
Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Both men were also involved at Sunderland on
Tuesday.
• Tottenham won all three meetings between the club's last season -
including the Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing on 29 July 2009 when Jermain
Defoe's 75th-minute strike settled the contest.
• West Ham lost this fixture last season on 23 August 2009, by the odd goal
in three. Carlton Cole had given the Hammers a 49th-minute lead with a
stunning strike before goals from Defoe and Aaron Lennon settled the match
in favour of the visitors.
• West Ham have lost the last five meetings and not won in eight fixtures
between the clubs. In fact, the Hammers have scored just once in those last
five defeats, Cole's spectacular effort at the Boleyn 13 months ago.
• This is the 116th league meeting between the two sides. Tottenham have won
47, West Ham have won 39 and there have been 29 draws.
Team news
West Ham United
• Lars Jacobsen is back in contention after being cup-tied in midweek
• Herita Ilunga, Winston Reid, Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Upson will all
come into the manager's thoughts for the weekend, having missed out on
Tuesday. All of the club's first-team defenders have been out on training
pitches this week.
• Robert Green, Mark Noble and Carlton Cole will all hope to maintain their
ever-present records this season in the Barclays Premier League, after
sitting out from Tuesday's starting XI although Noble and Cole were used as
substitutes.
• South Africa striker Benni McCarthy could appear for the first time since
the Carling Cup second-round victory over Oxford United on 24 August after
working hard on his fitness.
• The Hammers are likely to again be without Thomas Hitzlsperger after the
28-year-old picked up a thigh injury during Germany's international friendly
draw in Denmark last month.
• Valon Behrami was being assessed this week after a knock to his right knee
on Saturday. It is not linked to his previous knee injury, which affected
his left leg.
• Peter Kurucz, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and Anthony Edgar on the
long-term injured list are all recovering from knee surgery. Kurucz and
Edgar have recently undergone surgery, while Collison and Hines are regular
visitors to Chadwell Heath as they continue their rehabilitation.
Tottenham Hotspur
• Striker Jermain Defoe will be absent with an ankle injury suffered while
on England duty in Switzerland on 7 September. Michael Dawson will also be
unavailable after suffering a nasty knee ligament injury in England's 4-0
2012 UEFA European Championship qualifying victory over Bulgaria at Wembley
on 3 September.
• Brazil goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is expected to miss out with a groin
strain suffered in the 4-0 UEFA Champions League qualifying play-off victory
over BSC Young Boys on 25 August.
• Spurs are also without Jonathan Woodgate, who has not been registered in
their 25-man Barclays Premier League squad because of his persistent injury
troubles.
• Croatia full-back Vedran Corluka (back) and French defender Younes Kaboul
(hamstring) are both rated as doubtful for Saturday's derby.
• Midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who played under Avram Grant and alongside
Frederic Piquionne at Portsmouth last season, will definitely miss out with
a back problem.
Previous meetings
• The two sides last met on Monday 28 December 2009 when the north Londoners
won 2-0. Scott Parker lasted just 12 minutes for an injury-ravaged Hammers
in a game that saw Luca Modric and Jermain Defoe score in the eleventh and
81st minutes.
Tottenham: Gomes, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto (Bale 88), Corluka,
Huddlestone, Lennon (Jenas 89), Palacios , Modric (Kranjcar 83), Crouch,
Defoe
Subs not used: Alnwick, Hutton, Keane, Bassong,
West Ham United: Green, Upson, Ilunga (Spector 19), Tomkins, Parker (Jimenez
12), Kovac, Behrami, Faubert, Collison (Stanislas 79), Franco, Diamanti
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Payne, Nouble
Head to head
(Premier League unless stated)
28 December 2009 - Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United
23 August 2009 - West Ham United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
11 April 2009 - Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Ham United
8 December 2008 - West Ham United 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
9 March 2008 - Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 West Ham United
25 November 2007 - West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Overall record v Tottenham Hotspur (all competitions) W 43 D 34 L 57
Last time out
West Ham United
21 September 2010
Carling Cup third round
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Stech, Faubert, Da Costa, Tomkins, Ben Haim, Barrera,
Kovac, Parker, Boa Morte, Obinna, Piquionne
Subs not used: Boffin, Brown, Spector, Noble, McCarthy, Cole
Goals: Piquionne 35, Obinna 59
Tottenham Hotspur
22 September 2010
Carling Cup third round
Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Arsenal aet
Tottenham: Pletikosa, Assou-Ekotto, Bassong, Naughton, Caulker, Bentley,
Palacios, Livermore (Keane 46), Sandro (Kranjcar 96), Pavlyuchenko, Giovani
(Lennon 46)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Jenas, Huddlestone, Hutton
Goal: Keane 49
West Ham United
• West Ham have not won a London derby in the league in their last 12
attempts since prevailing 3-1 at home to Fulham in January 2009.
• The club are in the middle of a three successive capital clashes at home.
They lost 3-1 to Chelsea at the Boleyn on 11 September and welcome Fulham on
2 October.
• West Ham have not beaten Tottenham since the last day of the 2005/06
season when they denied the Lilywhites a Champions League place with a 2-1
victory at the Boleyn Ground, and they have not won a league game at White
Hart Lane since April 1999.
• The Hammers' best home performance against Spurs came in the top flight on
8 February 1964 with a 4-0 win.
• West Ham's biggest away win at Tottenham came in a First Division fixture
played on 2 September 1981. Then, the Hammers won 4-0 at White Hart Lane
with all four goals being scored by David Cross in front of a crowd of
41,200.
• West Ham are without a win away from home in the Barclays Premier League
since 15 August 2009 - the first day of last season - when they won 2-0 at
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
• Parker is West Ham's top scorer this season with three goals in seven
matches in all competitions.
• West Ham have the tenth-best all-time record in Premier League history.
The Hammers have contested 583 matches, winning 195, drawing 147 and losing
241. During that time, West Ham have scored 683 goals and conceded 823.
Tottenham Hotspur
• Tottenham have conceded only two goals in their last six Premier League
encounters against West Ham. Carlton Cole scored in the 3-1 defeat at the
Boleyn last season and in the 1-1 draw in east London on 25 November 2007.
• Tottenham's biggest home win over West Ham came in the first meeting
between the two clubs on 4 November 1899. Spurs won 7-0 against Thames
Ironworks FC at White Hart Lane.
• Tottenham's biggest away win at the Boleyn was a 6-1 top-flight success as
the reigning champions on 25 August 1962. Jimmy Greaves scored twice for
Spurs and future Hammers manager John Lyall scored an own goal.
• Tottenham have the sixth-best all-time record in Premier League history.
Ever-presents Spurs have contested 701 matches, winning 260, drawing 183 and
losing 258. During that time, Tottenham have scored 957 goals and conceded
937.
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)
Tottenham Hotspur
2009/10 Premier League 4th (70 points)
2008/09 Premier League 8th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 11th (46 points)
2006/07 Premier League 5th (60 points)
2005/06 Premier League 5th (65 points)
2004/05 Premier League 9th (52 points)
2003/04 Premier League 14th (45 points)
2002/03 Premier League 10th (50 points)
2001/02 Premier League 9th (50 points)
2000/01 Premier League 12th (49 points)
Referee
• The match referee will be Martin Atkinson
• Aged 40, he was the man in the middle for Ivory Coast's 1-0 win against
Italy at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 10 August.
• A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football
League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to
the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in
Premier League matches.
• Atkinson joined the National List of referees for the Football League at
the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier
League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham
City.
• Atkinson was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between
Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took
charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay
United at Wembley Stadium.
• Atkinson refereed two West Ham games last season - the 2-1 defeat at Stoke
City on 17 October and the 2-0 home loss against Arsenal on 20 March 2010.
Old boys
• Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp made 175 appearances for West Ham between
August 1965 and April 1972, scoring eight goals. Redknapp served as
assistant manager under Billy Bonds before taking charge in August 1994. He
remained as manager until May 2001, overseeing 327 matches.
• Spurs striker Jermain Defoe came through the ranks at West Ham before
scoring 29 goals in 93 league appearances between 1999 and 2004. He is in
his second spell at White Hart Lane after returning in January 2009.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Calum
Davenport, Ilie Dumitrescu, Dave Dunmore, Matthew Etherington, Les
Ferdinand, Jimmy Greaves, Fred Griffiths, Pat Holland, Chris Hughton, Bill
Joyce, Bill Kaine, Frederic Kanoute, Kenny McKay, Fred Massey, Fred Milnes,
John Moncur, Jimmy Neighbour, Tony Parks, Martin Peters, Sergei Rebrov, Mark
Robson, Peter Shearing, Teddy Sheringham, Mauricio Taricco, Mitchell Thomas,
Michael Carrick, and Bobby Zamora.
Next up
• West Ham United welcome Fulham on Saturday 2 October, kick-off 3pm. The
match is Kids for a Quid, click here for more information.
• Tottenham are in UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday 29 September,
playing host to Dutch champions FC Twente, kick-off 7.45pm.
General information
• For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here. For the latest public transport information, including
news of closures to the District line this weekend, click here.
• Weather - Saturday's forecast is for light rain showers with a maximum
daytime temperature of 14C (58F).
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Bid with no backing set for submission
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th September 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are set to officially bid for the Olympic Stadium bid next
week.
Applications for organisations wishing to move into the stadium post-2012
games have to be submitted by the end of this month, with the winners set to
be annouced a fortnight or so later. West Ham are still considered to be
favourites having recently received the endorsement of Sebastian Coe,
chairman of the 2012 games committee.
Despite the board's insistence on pushing the deal through, supporters
remain overwhelmingly opposed to the move for a number of reasons - although
the extended viewing distance from the stands has been cited as the main
reason for not moving from the club's home for the last 105 years, the
Boleyn Ground.
The situation for West Ham supporters couldn't be more different from that
at Bristol City, followers of whom have recently been asked to take part in
a poll by their club who are, like West Ham, seeking to move to new
premises.
The survey, conducted by BCFC's Supporters Trust at the request of the club
received nearly 3,000 responses. Unlike West Ham supporters, who, it
appears, will have no choice but to endure viewing distances similar to
those at the new Wembley stadium, one of the key criteria (81 per cent
support) for a new stadium was 'steep stands' and 'definitely not a
soulless, generic bowl'.
63 per cent of respondents asked for straight stands' as opposed to curved
viewing galleries such as those at the Olympic Stadium whilst a whopping 85
per cent wanted the stands to be as close to the pitch as possible.
West Ham meanwhile have refused to allow their supporters to have a say in
the club's future home, despite the club's new owners David Sullivan & David
Gold pledging to 'listen to supporters' in a ten-point pledge made at the
end of last season.
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West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd September 2010
By: Preview Percy
The nation is in turmoil - apparently lardy breakfast DJ Chris Moyles hasn't
been paid for two months. Preview Percy isn't quite as lardy but we haven't
paid him either. Ever. Like the BBC we get what we pay for.....
Next we entertain Tottenham and their soap-dodging supporters at home for a
3pm home Saturday kick-off. All our home matches have kicked-off at this
time so far this season. Which is nice.
The visitors lie in 5th place in the league, having taken 8 points from
their five matches so far from wins against Stoke (away) and Wolves (home)
and draws at home to Man City and away at West Brom. Their sole defeat in
the league thus far came at home to Wigan, though they also took a thumping
in midweek to Arsenal in the League Cup.
In the league it's fair to say that they've enjoyed a fair share of luck so
far this term. As mentioned in last week's Stoke preview, they were
fortunate to come away from the Britannia with all three points when the ref
decided not to trust his own eyes when the ball clearly crossed the line
late on, and it took a late late show last weekend at home to Wolves to give
them a slightly flattering 3-1 home win. The goals included a rather flukey
finish from Alan Hutton – as I said to that upstart Fabregas last week, come
back when you've done it from your own half for Civil Service away at
Carshalton son.
They are, of course, managed by alleged tax dodger and former Hammer Harry
Redknapp. Redknapp took major exception to a tv reporter referring to him as
a "wheeler dealer". That's the same Harry Redknapp who devoted whole chunks
of his "auto"biography to bust-ups he'd had with the likes of Barry Fry and
Jim Smith over his "interesting" methods in the transfer market. Tottenham
have largely avoided some of the problems usually associated with Redknapp
in the transfer market by effectively taking the manager out of the loop in
the actual process of signing a player. However, this may not protect the
club in the event of his getting on the wrong end of a guilty verdict in the
forthcoming tax case. A brief look at the charges involved suggests that the
amount of tax allegedly evaded is not great – certainly a lot less than the
good people at HMRC would normally consider worthy of going to court for.
All of which suggests that, should a guilty verdict be forthcoming,
Redknapp's next pre-season training camp might well have barbed wire on the
perimeter fence.
They qualified for the so-called Champions League last season by being in
the right place at the right time; the highly amusing decline of Liverpool
coming before Man City's billions had had time to take effect. They
struggled a bit in the first leg of their qualifying round against Young
Boys (yes calm down at the back we did all the jokes at the time thank you),
going down (I said stop it) 3-2 in Switzerland, before strolling to a 4-0
win in the return leg. Their first match in the interminably long group
stages saw them draw 2-2 away to Werder Bremen.
It was maybe surprising that they resisted the temptation to get too busy
during the window, it being a largely acknowledged truth that the extra
matches that a European campaign brings will place pressure on a squad.
William Gallas came in from Arsenal on a free in an apparent attempt to make
himself unpopular all over London. £8m went on Dutch midfielder Van Der
Vaart in a deadline day deal whilst Brazilian midfielder Sandro arrived for
an "undisclosed fee" believed to be in the region of £6m. Sandro was given a
debut in the League Cup defeat to Arsenal as was keeper "Michael" Stipe
Pletikosa, a long-term target who has come in on loan from Spartak Moscow.
In the league, Cudicini has got the nod so far this season in the absence of
Gomes who is recovering from a groin strain.
They've not had the best of luck on the injury front in defence. Jonathan
Woodgate and Michael Dawson are both on the "no return date" list, Dawson
picking his injury up on England duty in the victory over Bulgaria. Woodgate
was left out of the 25 man Premier League squad having been absent since
last November with a persistent groin problem, and there are rumblings about
retirement. Another long-term absentee is Vedran Corluka who has a bad back.
Against Wolves they went with a back four of Kaboul, King, Gallas and
Assou-Ekotto. King's knees are in a similar state to my own, though he at
least doesn't have to carry the same sort of weight around as me.
On the left side of midfield they have been playing the impressive Christian
Bale, a player who bigger clubs are keeping a close eye on. After an
uncertain start to his career in London having come up from Southampton, he
has improved no end. A decent striker of a dead ball. He has weighed in this
season with both goals and assists. Clearly one who is destined for better
things.
Up front they will be without everyone's favourite deserter Jermain Defoe,
another whose England exploits have led to a spell on the treatment table.
Although loyalty is clearly defined in the Defoe dictionary as "those cards
you get from supermarkets" rumours that he asked for a transfer to Spain at
half-time during England's World Cup defeat to Germany are believed to be
far-fetched. Keane and Crouch started against Wolves whilst Pavlyuchenko
came on, scored and picked up the statutory yellow for that most awful of
crimes: taking his shirt off. Why this "offence" should be given the same
punishment as actually kicking somebody is something I've never been able to
understand. However, we must accept that it's a jolly important problem.
After all why else would the powers that be at FIFA to have thought it
necessary to issue instructions to officials on the subject rather than
spending their time investigating corruption amongst the likes of Blatter,
Walker et al. Good job our game is in such good hands isn't it?!
So to us. Well the point at Stoke was well-deserved. Whilst they will point
to their disturbing the metalwork on a number of occasions, we created a
number of chances of our own. Piquionne hit the bar himself, whilst another
day and another 'keeper would have seen another goal so a draw was about the
right result. The midweek win at Sunderland will have given Grant food for
thought – particularly up front where Obinna and Piquionne both opened their
accounts. Whether their exploits will be enough for Grant to seriously
consider leaving Cole on the bench is another matter but it's something I'd
like to see tried in a league match.
In defence the cup-tied Jacobsen will come back in, presumably at the
expense of Faubert, whilst Tomkins can expect to revert to the bench with Da
Costa, Gabbidon and Upson all available for selection. Hitzlsperger will, on
the other hand miss this one – if I hadn't seen him score for us out in
Austria during pre-season I'd be beginning to doubt whether or not he
actually exists.
Predictions? Well I think both clubs are in slightly misleading positions
and, as mentioned, the visitors have ridden their luck to a certain extent
this season. The two performances away from the Boleyn will have boosted
confidence in the team. I am therefore going to go for an entertaining 2-1
win for this one as the recovery continues.
Enjoy the game!
Last season: Lost 1-2 One nil up from a superb goal from Carlton Cole. All
looking good. Then Cole elected to set up Defoe with a suicidal back pass
cum through ball for the equaliser, before Spector fell over to let Lennon
in late on.
Danger man: Christian Bale In my opinion their best player who is capable of
both scoring and creating.
Referee: Martin Atkinson Inconsistent official whose punishment of offences
often appears to depend on his mood. He'll be seen ignoring shocking tackles
one minute before dishing out a yellow for a nothing challenge. We had him
for three matches last season - Stoke away (lost 2-1), Hull at home (won
3-0) and Arsenal away (lost 2-0).
Travel: Once upon a time a company built a railway called the District
Railway. This eventually became the London Underground's District Line. It's
coloured green on the iconic Underground map. As usual it's shut.
Daft fact of the week: Tottenham's new "hello sailor" home kit has not been
popular with their supporters. Apparently the blue bits over the shoulders
show up the dandruff something rotten when dumping old fridges and
mattresses in your front garden.
Note to visiting Spurs fans The "Christian" Bale reference is an in-joke
amongst the regulars in my local. You see there is a solitary Spurs fan
regular in there who once claimed to be "Christian" Bale's best mate, much
to the amusement of those of us who actually go to games. And he does have a
fridge in his front garden as well.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp - Give Grant time
Spurs boss insists Grant needs time to put his stamp on Hammers
Last updated: 24th September 2010
SSN
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists Avram Grant is the right man for West
Ham - but he must be given time. The two sides meet in a derby clash at
Upton Park on Saturday with the Hammers manager already under pressure after
picking up just one point from the opening five top-flight matches. But
former West Ham boss Redknappbelieves Grant, who signed a four-year contract
to succeed Gianfranco Zola this summer, can turn the situation around.
The Spurs boss, who worked alongside Grant during his time at Portsmouth,
said: "I don't see why you'd give someone a job and then consider letting
them go after three or four weeks. "He has only just got there. That doesn't
make sense. I'm sure he will do a good job there. "I think he's there for
the long-term. He'll do a good job there if he's given time."
While the Hammers currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League table,
Redknapp does not envisage Grant's side to be in relegation trouble by the
end of the season. He added: "It's going to be tight down there. All the
teams that have come up have played well. "Wolves, who came up the previous
year, played well when we played them last week, they are a very good side.
"They're not relegation candidates so it's certainly going to be very tight
this year but I certainly don't see West Ham being one of those teams that's
going to struggle to stay up."
Redknapp admits West Ham retain a special place in his heart after making
175 appearances for the club as a player before embarking upon a successful
seven-year spell as manager in which he brought through the likes of Rio
Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. He said: "I still look for their
results every week. "I grew up there. I was there at 15 and have great
memories as a kid growing up with all those great players, Frank Lampard,
Trevor Brooking. "They were great days and it was a great part of my life."
He continued: "I loved managing a good team and all those kids that came
through as well. "Six of them went on to play for England out of that youth
team so they were great times, working with (Paolo) Di Canio and all those
people, they were great times."
Redknapp has justified his team selection after making ten changes to his
side for the midweek Carling Cup clash against arch-rivals Arsenal, with
Spurs going down 4-1 in extra-time. He said: "You want to win every game and
I wanted to win the other night. "Arsenal put out a fairly strong side and I
played a team we had to play. "I couldn't play Ledley (King) because of his
injury. I had to make some changes because I have two central defenders fit
now. Michael Dawson is out long term I only have (William) Gallas and
(Sebastien) Bassong, so there's no-one else available. "I didn't want to
chance Gallas on Tuesday, it would've been difficult gambling with him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harry accuses Hammers
Redknapp claims West Ham contacted O'Hara over summer
Last updated: 24th September 2010
SSN
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has accused West Ham United of
contacting midfielder Jamie O'Hara over the summer. If true, the allegations
would break Premier League rule K3, which states that the buying party in a
transfer must contact the player's club before speaking to him directly. And
Redknapp, whose side meet the Hammers on Saturday, has insisted that
'tapping up' players is widespread within the game. He said: "They were
talking to Jamie O'Hara all through the summer. Jamie told me he'd been
getting phone calls all summer. "Listen, it (tapping up) happens in the
game. "We're all kidding ourselves if we think it doesn't go on in the game.
Every player that gets transferred, someone's ringing him. "It doesn't just
suddenly happen. An agent will speak to an agent for a player. He will speak
to the player. The player says 'yeah, I'd like to go to that club' and
that's how it happens. "If people don't think it happens at almost 99% of
transfers then they are in the wrong world."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant backing for Green
Hammers boss certain keeper will be key player for club this term
By James Dall Last updated: 24th September 2010
SSN
Avram Grant is confident that West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green will put his
poor form behind him. Green has endured a disappointing domestic season to
date, off the back of his infamous gaffe for England at the World Cup.
Grant, though, is sure the shot-stopper will soon recapture his form for the
club, who are yet to win in the league this season. "Every player has their
good days and their bad days," he said. "I don't know of one player who is
good all the time. It's especially bad with goalkeepers because everyone is
watching but after five games I don't want people to make a judgement about
Robert Green.
"I have a feeling that we will look back at the end of the season and say he
had a good year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Spurs preview
Vital derby clash for both sides at opposite ends of table
By Steve Pass Last updated: 24th September 2010
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 1 Spurs 1
SKY BET odds: West Ham 12/5 Draw 12/5 Spurs 11/10
One to Watch: Frederic Piquionne
MATCH FACTS
Tottenham have won only 19 of 84 Premier League London derbies away from
home - Spurs to win 11/10 - BET NOW
The Hammers have only scored one goal in their last five Premier League
matches against Spurs - West Ham not to score 15/8 - BET NOW
Tottenham have scored more goals at West Ham's ground (22) than any other
opponent's in the Premier League
West Ham host Tottenham in a London derby clash, with both sides looking for
a vital win at opposite ends of the table. The Hammers are rock bottom of
the Premier League after a dreadful start to the campaign, with just a point
from their opening five games. But Avram Grant's side will take heart from
their battling performance in earning their first point at Stoke last
Saturday. They then followed this up with a fine 2-1 win over Sunderland in
the Carling Cup in midweek to further boost confidence. In contrast, Spurs
go into this clash on the back of a 4-1 extra-time defeat to arch-rivals
Arsenal in the Carling Cup.
Boss Harry Redknapp fielded an under-strength side for the defeat and - with
his first-team regulars back - he will be looking for a reaction against the
Hammers. Fifth-placed Spurs already sit seven points off the title pace and
will be looking to build on their 3-1 win over Wolves in the league last
time. Redknapp's side will also take confidence from their undefeated start
to their travels in the top-flight this term.
Team news
Grant and defender Tal Ben Haim were involved at Sunderland after missing
the Stoke clash out of respect for the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur and the
centre-back could return to his starting place. Fellow defender Lars
Jacobsen is also back in contention after being cup-tied in midweek, while
Herita Ilunga, Winston Reid, Danny Gabbidon and Matthew U pson missed out on
Tuesday but are pressing for a start. Robert Green, Mark Noble and Carlton
Cole were dropped from the starting line-up against the Black Cats but
should return to maintain their ever-present top-flight records this term.
Striker Benni McCarthy is pushing to play after working hard on his fitness,
but midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) will miss out again. Fellow
midfielder Valon Behrami is being assessed this week after a knock to his
right knee against the Potters. Peter Kurucz, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and
Anthony Edgar are recovering from knee surgery and remain on the long-term
injury list.
For Spurs, Luka Modric returns to the squad after missing the last three
outings due to a foot injury. Rafael van der Vaart and Vedran Corluka are
also available after overcoming groin and back injuries respectively. But
Jermain Defoe will again be missing with an ankle injury suffered while on
England duty earlier this month, while international colleague Michael
Dawson is also out with a knee ligament injury. Claudio Cudicini is set to
continue between the posts as Heurelho Gomes has failed to recover from a
groin injury. Doubts remain over defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who is
carrying a knee injury, while fellow defender Ledley King is likely to be
rested ahead of next week's UEFA Champions League tie with FC Twente.
Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton are likely to start after impressing against
Wolves last week, but Younes Kaboul (hamstring) is rated as doubtful, while
Jonathan Woodgate and midfielder Jamie O'Hara are definitely out.
Possible starting XIs
:
West Ham: Green, Upson, Jacobsen, Gabbidon, Ben-Haim, Behrami, Parker,
Noble, Piquionne, Obinna, Cole.
Spurs: Cudicini, Hutton, Assou-Ekotto, Gallas, Bassong, Bale, Van der Vaart,
Jenas, Huddlestone, Keane, Crouch.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton: I'll finish it Harry
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
CARLTON COLE has vowed to break the hoodoo Harry Redknapp holds over his
former club West Ham. The Spurs boss has yet to taste defeat against Hammers
as a manager. But striker Cole aims to change all that today when Tottenham
visit Upton Park. He said: "Redknapp has never lost to West Ham but that run
has got to end somewhere and I want to be part of it. "I want to be part of
the change here, I want to help. We are capable of getting the results as
West Ham have good players. "It's about doing the right things and pulling
in the same direction, all together."
Cole has added reasons to score today - and not just that he has yet to net
this term. Last season he scored a sensational opener against Spurs but his
cock-up let in pal Jermain Defoe for the equaliser before Aaron Lennon
grabbed Tottenham's winner. Cole said: "Jermain texted me after that match -
it was full of his useless banter, stuff that I didn't want to hear after we
had lost but he kept at it. "We're good mates off the pitch, there's always
plenty of banter between us. Luckily we can joke about it now." There are
still tickets available for today's big London derby - and Cole is
predicting a thriller. He said: "As players we want to come alive in these
games. If you win a derby it's a massive boost. "Afterwards, you feel you
can beat anyone. We need to start winning - and hopefully it will start very
soon for West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady's Football Diary
The Sun
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
No wonder Wenger was so reffin' angry
Saturday, September 18
MY favourite football manager Arsene Wenger boils at what he sees as
injustice. It is no surprise he loses his temper when Sunderland equalise in
added-time-plus. But I do not believe Wenger pushed the fourth official as
he will be aware that type of behaviour will be copied on, say, Hackney
Marshes, with frightening results. Wenger can, like some angry nanny, become
emotionally over-engaged in Arsenal matters. But it's love, you know. By
contrast, Birmingham's Lee Bowyer, in my experience a polite and helpful
man, has battled successfully against sudden swells of hatred. Today,
however, after being taken off by Alex McLeish, Bowyer fires abuse at a
woman who lets him know what she thinks of a tackle on a West Brom player.
Within minutes, he's apologising sincerely. It's easy to forget the volcanic
pressures of football at this level.
Rom key run
Sunday, September 19
WE shall shortly find out whether any team can live with Chelsea this
season. Away games against Manchester City and Aston Villa sandwich their
visit to Arsenal. And should they emerge from those three matches still
undefeated, then the question surely has to be this: Who will come second in
the Premier League? They are far too complete a side for all but Europe's
best and the first half against Wigan at Stamford Bridge would have been
stopped in boxing on the grounds of a technical knockout, if not of cruelty.
I'm told that Roman Abramovich counts the Roubles at Chelsea these days -
but, then, don't we all?
It all just depends whether you think in ink wells or in oil wells.
Bet you won't stop gambling
Monday, September 20
MANY players gamble. It's a disease that runs like WAG flu through some
clubs. One of my own players was forced by debts to live in his car,
pleading for an advance on his salary or else he might find his right foot
under a cushion. Today the Premier League discuss extending the ban on
players betting on their own matches. But I don't think it's necessary.
There's no way players could or should be stopped from doing what lawfully
they wish with their money.
And while a few of them are stupid enough to waste it on sex, drink and the
roll of the dice, that will happen whatever men in suits may rule. Indeed,
one Premier League chairman, a friend of mine, has a serious gambling
problem of his own. I've often had to bail him out of one fine mess or
another. The worst recently was when he part-exchanged his wife's Rolex for
a few bob of credit.
United rewrite the laws
Tuesday, September 21
IT'S an unwritten law of football that clubs agree new contracts with their
best players two years before the end of the current one. This is common
sense. Although the player gets a hefty pay rise, he immediately hits his
maximum transfer value. That way you have a better chance of keeping him -
but more than make up for his extra money if he is sold. Now Man U are
kicking the theory over the bar as only, it must be said, Man U could. They
are said to be re-signing players of the value of Dimitar Berbatov and
Darren Fletcher with just a year to go - saving on the difference in wages
between contracts but risking losing chunks of transfer money if they become
free agents. Just imagine if they'd tried it on with Cristiano Ronaldo -
£80million down the drain there. Man U are trading on their name or, some
may say it's the Glazers who are trading on the name.
Mersey misery
Wednesday, September 22
REMEMBER the Merseybeats? Well, Liverpool and Everton are currently the
Downbeats. Roy Hodgson's team followed David Moyes' in going out of the
Carling Cup after losing penalty shootouts. Expectations at Anfield have
long been higher whereas Everton's rubbish starts to a season are now of
epidemic proportions and, therefore, not so concerning - except to Moyes and
Co. Liverpool supporters must fear their club is in accelerated decline, the
effects of the cowboy takeover now dangerously spreading its tentacles
through the playing side. I have faith in Hodgson's ability to eventually
stabilise his team, but tonight's defeat by Northampton is a blow to his
hopes of doing much more this season than aiming for Premier League
respectability. That would be a pleasant state for most of us but might
still test the loyalty of those players with Champions' League ambitions.
Typically, there are no squeals from Hodgson (left) following his side's
shock loss at home to a League Two side. This is his last shot at the big
time, but I wonder whether he might be already looking back dreamily to warm
slippers and a comfy chair at Craven Cottage.
Here's a funny fling
Thursday, September 23
I RECEIVED the most unusual telephone call of the year today from a
northern-based Premier League director. I don't know this particular
director very well - but I do know that he loves horse racing. He tells me
he wishes to employ a lawyer and asks whether I could recommend one -
especially one of those who had acted for an England player in winning a
super-injunction against a national newspaper. The director volunteers that
he is having a fling with a 21-year-old lingerie model... the only trouble
is that he fears his boyfriend might find out about it! I'm speechless, well
almost. At least until I ask the inevitable question... "When you go racing,
do you place all your bets each-way."
Bywater has busy hands
Friday, September 24
IT is always a pleasure to report off-field pursuits of footballers that do
not include naughty, sometimes even criminal deeds. Derby goalkeeper Stephen
Bywater has been creatively busy in the back garden of his country home a
few miles from his goalposts. Regrettably, Bywater's artwork included a
blow-up doll complete with bits a 75-year-old neighbour complained were so
rude his wife "didn't want to come home" from holiday. Worse, the object's
title was mis-spelled. Bywater has now covered up his masterpiece and
apologised. Some say he keeps goal like a blow-up doll. At the Boleyn,
morale is rising after the midweek win at Sunderland. So much so that
striker Frederic Piquionne is predicting West Ham finish in the top 10. I
like optimism... but I have to say at the moment I'll settle for 11th!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp: Give Avram a chance
The Sun
Published: 24 Sep 2010
TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has urged West Ham to stand by under-fire
manager Avram Grant. The Hammers are rooted to the foot of the Premier
League after a dismal start which has seen them pick up just one point from
five matches. Despite last week's 1-1 draw at Stoke, and public votes of
confidence from club chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan, pressure is
still on the Israeli, who signed a four-year contract to succeed Gianfranco
Zola this summer. And failure to take anything from a hotly-contested derby
against their bitter local rivals Spurs will only add further questions
about Grant's future at the club. But Redknapp, who worked alongside Grant
during his time at Portsmouth, is convinced that the 55-year-old is the man
to drag his former club out of the relegation zone. He said: "I don't see
why you'd give someone a job and then consider letting them go after three
or four weeks. "He has only just got there. That doesn't make sense. I'm
sure he will do a good job there. "I think he's there for the long-term.
He'll do a good job there if he's given time."
Redknapp thinks a squad with the likes of Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and
Robert Green is good enough to avoid a potentially-crippling relegation to
the Championship. He added: "It's going to be tight down there. "All the
teams that have come up have played well. "Wolves, who came up the previous
year, played well when we played them last week, they are a very good side.
''They're not relegation candidates so it's certainly going to be very tight
this year but I certainly don't see West Ham being one of those teams that's
going to struggle to stay up."
Redknapp made 175 appearances for West Ham as a player before embarking upon
a successful seven-year spell as manager in which he brought through the
likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. And he admits the club
retains a special place in his heart. He said: "I still look for their
results every week. "I grew up there. I was there at 15 and have great
memories as a kid growing up with all those great players, Frank Lampard,
Trevor Brooking. "They were great days and it was a great part of my life."
He added: "I loved managing a good team and all those kids that came through
as well.
"Six of them went on to play for England out of that youth team so they were
great times, working with Paolo Di Canio and all those people, they were
great times."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Redknapp dismisses Hammers relegation fears
Published 12:57 24/09/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Harry Redknapp has dismissed talk of West Ham being in relegation danger
this season. The Spurs boss, who takes his side to Upton Park tomorrow, has
also rejected talk of Hammers boss Avram Grant being under pressure after
the club's poor start to the season. Grant has taken just one point – last
Saturday's draw at Stoke - from his first five games. But Redknapp said:
"He's only just got there! Why do you give someone a job then talk about him
leaving after just three or four weeks?" Ironically, West Ham's midweek
Carling Cup win over Sunderland made them only the second club – after
Manchester United- to win at the Stadium of Light in TEN MONTHS. Redknapp
added: "They have had a good week. They played well at Stoke and got a great
point then they got a great win at Sunderland. They've turned it around.
"Its going to be so tight at this year down there. You couldn't put your
life on anyone going down. "Blackpool have done better than anyone would
have expected. Newcastle have done well. West Brom gave us a hard game and
Wolves look a much better side than when they came up last year. "But I
wouldn't see West Ham being in any danger this year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs boss sympathizes with confidence hit Green
Published 23:00 24/09/10 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Harry Redknapp believes West Ham's Robert Green is facing a crisis of
confidence. The Spurs boss also fears the Hammers have a job on their hands
helping the England keeper through his poor form with fans up and down the
country taunting him over his World Cup howlers. A section of the Hammers
faithful turned on Green last week after yet another unconvincing display
during the club's 1-1 draw at Stoke. Yet on arrival at Spurs two years ago
Redknapp stuck by keeper Gomes in similar circumstances. The Brazilian
rewarded the faith by establishing himself firmly as the club's no.1.
Redknapp said of Green: "You've got two choices, take him out of the firing
line and rest him. Or you just try to let him play through it. "That depends
how bad he is really. He's obviously been having a bit of a dicky time but
he's a top goalkeeper so I don't know. "He seems to have been affected by
the World Cup. He's made mistakes and everywhere he goes he's getting abuse.
"That can't be easy. He's going to get it everywhere away from home isn't
he? "We want to get shots on goals and crosses in as you normally do. "He'll
probably have a worldie against us. That's how it works. He's a good
goalkeeper, it's just a matter of confidence. "That's where the goalkeeping
coach is important because they have a relationship with the goalkeeper more
than the manager. "Tony Parks was more influential in turning Gomes round
than I was. They work together, they talk."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Calamity keeper Green turns to club priest before every game
Published 23:00 24/09/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Robert Green is turning to a priest for help and guidance before games as he
struggles to rebuild his confidence after his World Cup nightmare. Despite
being booed by West Ham fans for dropping a clanger in their home defeat to
Chelsea, he is expected to make his 132th consecutive Premier League
appearance today against Spurs. Club chaplain the Rev Alan Bolding revealed
he is helping Green, a church-goer, to rediscover his form and confidence.
"I saw Robert at West Ham after the World Cup," he said. "I put my arm
around his shoulders and said, 'How is the best goalkeeper in the world?'.
"I have since talked to him on Fridays and like to think I am there for him
if he needs someone to turn to."
But Hammers boss Avram Grant last night refused to publicly back the England
keeper to remain as his No 1. Bottom club West Ham recorded only their
second win of the season in midweek but Green was again rested for the
Carling Cup. Grant has called for the 30-year-old Green to be judged at the
end of the season and not after only five games. "With Robert Green, first
we must know that every player has good days and bad days," he said. "I have
never seen one player who was good all the time, especially goalkeepers
whose mistakes are seen by everyone. "But I don't want after five games of
the season to make a judgement about Robert Green. I have a feeling we will
look back at the end of the season and say he has had a good season. But we
need to wait and see."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant not concerned by Green's form
Published 17:33 24/09/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant is confident that goalkeeper Robert Green will put his poor form
behind him to play a key part in West Ham's battle for survival. Green's
summer was blighted by the horrific gaffe which handed the United States a
valuable point in England's World Cup opener in Rustenburg. Fabio Capello
has not picked Green since, while the former Norwich stopper's domestic
performances have been far from the level which saw him become England's
number one last season. A costly error against Chelsea and a fumble against
Stoke last weekend have done little to ease the fears surrounding Green's
ability to deal with the psychological pressure of being targeted by away
fans during matches. Czech Republic Under-21 stopper Marek Stech replaced
Green in goal against Sunderland in Tuesday's Carling Cup win - West Ham's
first of the season - but the 30-year-old is expected to return for
tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Spurs. Grant seems baffled by
the scrutiny over his number one's performances and is confident he will
have a successful campaign. "Every player has their good days and their bad
days," he said. "I don't know of one player who is good all the time. It's
especially bad with goalkeepers because everyone is watching but after five
games I don't want people to make a judgement about Robert Green. I have a
feeling that we will look back at the end of the season and say he had a
good year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Jeremy Nicholas Column: Art for art's sake
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 24th September 2010
By: Jeremy Nicholas
One of my favourite films is Chariots of Fire, where devout Christian Eric
Liddell refused to run at the Paris Olympics because his race was on a
Sunday. I like people who are not afraid to stand up for something that is
important to them.
I admired Avram Grant for his stance on Yom Kippur. I know from Jewish
friends that the Day of Atonement is a big deal. Avram decided his faith
came first, but also took the decision knowing he could still do his job,
albeit from a distance. He spent the week before the Stoke game working with
the players in training, picked the team and trusted his coaches to carry
out his wishes. I'm glad we have a principled manager. After his return and
the win at Sunderland I hope we will now push on and turn the season around.
Avram has been put under ridiculous pressure by the papers, which seemed to
think his absence somehow led to us winning our first point of the season at
Stoke. What nonsense that is. I keep reading that he only has a few games to
make things happen or he's out.
I will start to believe what I read in the papers when they start getting a
few facts right. How many times did you see stories recently about West Ham
captain Scott Parker leaving the club? Despite the chairmen saying he was
the one player not for sale, the papers wouldn't let it lie.
But never mind the fact that he didn't leave, he is not the captain. The
captain of West Ham United is Matthew Upson. (Note to reporters, feel free
to copy and paste this phrase.)
Try putting the phrase 'West Ham captain Scott Parker' into Google and see
what comes up.
Can't be bothered? OK, I've done it for you.
West Ham have won the war to keep their captain Scott Parker ..The Sun –
August 11th
West Ham captain Scott Parker claims ….Telegraph – September 10th
Captain marvel: Scott Parker grabs West Ham's goal at Stoke – Daily Mail –
Sep 18th
West Ham captain Scott Parker has ended speculation …. - The Mirror – Sep
9th
And many, many more.
Rather than checking their facts, many reporters just assume it's correct,
because they've read it in another paper.
I know what reporters are like, because I am one. OK, I work for the BBC,
universally regarded as the 'voice of truth' so I always check my facts, but
I'm still at heart, a journo.
I was in the newsroom at BBC East Midlands Today this week and was asked if
I had a phone number for goalkeeper and art lover Stephen Bywater. The
former West Ham stopper is currently plying his trade in Derby. He's upset
his neighbours with a controversial art installation in his garden.
Having seen the pictures in the papers of the so called 'art', I was hoping
this wasn't a story that would be assigned to me. Stephen's art features a
horsebox, some graffiti and at one stage a blow-up doll and an enormous
phallus.
What a knob, I thought.
You can see the 'artwork' at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-11393407.
For the record I do not have the phone number of any current or past West
Ham footballers. If I did, I wouldn't give them to journalists. That doesn't
stop BBC producers often ringing and asking for them, as if my loyalty to
the BBC might outweigh my loyalty to West Ham. It doesn't.
I love the principles of the BBC. I value its ideals to inform, educate and
entertain. I've worked for it on and off since 1987. But I've never lost my
voice singing for it or cried when it was relegated.
I did get a bit upset when they closed GLR, the best radio station ever, but
I didn't actually cry.
Actually I might have cried when they killed off Mel in 'Waking the Dead',
but that's not the point. The thing is I haven't got any of the numbers.
Instead of going to the art viewing, I was despatched to interview Notts
County fans who'd had their coaches attacked by Wolves hooligans.
They'd been left to fend for themselves because the game had been declared
'low risk', so there were little or no police on duty. Some Wolves youths
hurled bricks through their windows and an old lady took one in the face,
narrowly missing her eye.
Notts County's manager and chief executive visited 78 year old Lois at her
home, to make sure she was OK. The tough old bird assured them it wouldn't
stop her travelling away with Notts. That would mean the hooligans had won.
Good on her.
Fair play to Wolves who also sent her some flowers.
I've never understood hooligans. For me the excitement of the match is
enough, but I know some people also enjoy a bit of aggro. When I was ten, my
Mum stopped me going to West Ham because of all the newspaper coverage of
football violence. As a compromise I was allowed to go to Leyton Orient
games, which I thought was a bit harsh. Having served my time, I was allowed
to go to West Ham again when I was eleven. Looking back at it now, I don't
think my chances of surviving an attack would have been much better aged
eleven, than at ten, but at the time I just kept quiet.
In other news- I've been asked why my column is no longer in Over Land and
Sea. That's because Gary Firmager wanted it exclusively, in line with his
policy of original writing. I'd already turned Iain Dale's request for
exclusivity on West Ham Till I Die, so I had to say the same to Gary. At the
moment the column is on Knees Up Mother Brown, WHTID and The Ball is Round,
as well as my own Mr Moon Has Left the Stadium blog. If anyone else would
like it on their site, please drop me a line via my site
http://JeremyNicholas.co.uk and I'll send it to you the day before every
home game.
As for my column being in the club's official programme, I've been told by
Rob the editor that it will appear in five issues across the season, so keep
an eye out.
My absence from the Stop Hammertime podcast is due to the recording moving
to Monday nights, when I often have TV commitments. I will however be
appearing on the October 2nd podcast. It's a great show from Phil Whelans
and Jim Grant. If you've never listened, you can find out more at
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7950250447.
Well done to West Ham fan Jamie Penfold who successfully completed his
biathlon of cycling to Upton Park from St James' Park after taking part in
the Great North Run. You can read about Geordie Hammer's efforts to raise
money for the Bobby Moore Fund at http://bobbymoorebiathlon.blogspot.com/.
Here's hoping for a win against Tottenham. It's a good time to play them.
They have a lot of defenders injured and a European game on their minds. We
are on the up after Stoke and Sunderland, so the Boleyn should be noisy.
And finally in my newly appointed role as head of factual standards, I urge
all journalists at the game to give Matthew Upson the recognition he
deserves and acknowledge him as captain of West Ham United. Just don't ring
me asking for his number.
Jeremy Nicholas, London 24th September 2010
(In his next column Jeremy will reveal all the hidden announcements he has
recorded in six years as stadium announcer on the EA Sports FIFA video
games, from FIFA 06 right up to the soon to be released FIFA 11.)
Jeremy Nicholas is an after dinner speaker who loves the BBC and West Ham
United in almost equal measures, but not quite. You can read more at his
blog www.mrmoonhasleftthestadium.com.
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Scott Parker rift spices up West Ham v Tottenham London derby
By MATT BARLOW
Last updated at 10:19 PM on 24th September 2010
Daily Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's control will be tested when he returns to
West Ham, where he was a player and manager. This London derby always has an
edge and manager Avram Grant described it as 'the most important game of the
season' for Hammers fans. Relations between the clubs have been soured by
accusations from the Upton Park boardroom that their London neighbours had
tried to unsettle Scott Parker this summer. A £7million bid was rejected and
Parker signed a new contract, but West Ham's vice-chairman Karren Brady
said: 'Harry Redknapp has introduced something in the transfer market I call
"Harry's Law". It goes: "Do what I like, when I like, with whom I like".
'Scott Parker grew unsettled by Spurs' clear interest in him even though
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan stated he was not for sale. No
permission to speak to Scott was requested or would have been given. But
this was not good enough for Spurs who were convinced we would be pressured
into selling.' Redknapp insists Tottenham did nothing wrong, saying: 'We
were told they were willing to sell and wanted to sell him to raise some
money.'
Redknapp also stirred the rivalry by claiming Hammers keeper Rob Green had
been struggling for form since his howler for England at the World Cup.
'He seems to have been affected,' said Redknapp. 'He's made mistakes and
everywhere he goes, he's getting abuse. That can't be easy.' Green is
expected to keep his place despite a costly mistake against Chelsea on his
last appearance at Upton Park. Grant said: 'I don't want to make a judgment
after five games. I have a feeling we will look back at the end of the
season and see he has had a good season.'
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Avram Grant grateful for West Ham's man in a crisis Scott Parker
Scott Parker's decision to turn down a move to Tottenham Hotspur could prove
pivotal for struggling West Ham
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Friday 24 September 2010 22.30 BST
When the summer transfer window jammed shut on 1 September and Scott Parker
remained in West Ham United livery, Avram Grant and Upton Park loyalists
could finally exhale.
The 29-year-old had been top of Harry Redknapp's shopping list as the
Tottenham Hotspur manager sought to strengthen his squad for a first foray
into the Champions League, and the performances this season of a midfielder
many thought Fabio Capello should have selected for England's World Cup
campaign illustrate why.
In a struggling West Ham team Parker has scored three times in seven games,
half of his club's goals, including the vital strike at Stoke City last
Saturday that gave Grant the first point of his tenure. Matthew Upson may be
Grant's designated wearer of the captain's armband but it is Parker who is
playing, and speaking, like the club's de facto leader.
After the draw at Stoke, Parker came forward to talk of the necessity for
the team to dig in for a long and hard winter. Although protective of Upson,
who has disappointed with some clumsy performances, Grant brightened when
talking of Parker's credentials.
"It depends what the captain is. Fifteen years ago the captain shouted at
the players, today they lead by example," the Israeli said. "Always, with
everything, Parker does this. When I want to check players I do it when
there are difficult times because when things are good everybody is a
genius. And he is good in a difficult time."
But Grant rejected the suggestion that he would like to make Parker his
captain, saying: "No, we have a captain now. I think Matty is doing well.
Parker is a second captain."
Maybe, but he plays second fiddle to no one in east London. Grant said
Liverpool were also interested in Parker's signature and it is hardly
difficult to imagine him aiding Roy Hodgson's so far fitful project at
Anfield. Instead Parker signed an improved deal this month that pays him
around £50,000 a week and commits him to West Ham until 2014. Redknapp
understands why.
"He's a big player. He had a spell at Chelsea [in 2004-05] where he was a
bit player and now he's the main man at West Ham, which is great for him,"
said Rednapp, who tomorrow brings Spurs to the Boleyn Ground, where he once
played and managed. "He's a driving force, isn't he? Without a doubt, he'll
be their key player this year. I think Avram knows that, he's relying on
Parker an awful lot."
Redknapp and Grant offer different versions of why Parker failed to move
across London after Spurs offered £7m. "We were told they were willing to
sell – they wanted to raise some money," Redknapp said. "Daniel [Levy, the
Spurs chairman] made an offer because he was told they needed to raise some
money. Obviously, they wanted to bring maybe two or three players in,
sometimes that's good business to do. So we thought 'Well, fine.' But David
Sullivan [the co-owner of West Ham] said Parker wasn't for sale at the end
of last season, so it was difficult."
In Grant's version Spurs saw a vulnerability due to West Ham's £100m-plus
debt and hoped to exploit it. "When you have a good player and they know our
financial situation they try to take advantage of this but I'm very happy,"
he said. "I was not so interested because I knew that he wanted to stay. We
want to build a team for the future and we need players like Parker."
Grant believes Parker chose West Ham over the Champions League football and
an improved salary on offer at Spurs to advance his career. "There's a lot
of talk about money in football. I think money is important but I don't
think it's everything. I don't want players who say: 'They are paying me
more there so I will go.' Or: 'They are paying me less so I won't go there.'
"They need to check and see everything, the picture, what is the vision of
the club. Parker saw the full picture and he stayed. If you are a top player
and you have big money you need to choose what is good for you and sometimes
that is not to be in a big club."
West Ham followed their point in the Potteries with an impressive 2-1 win at
Sunderland in the Carling Cup on Tuesday. After Spurs, Grant's troops face
Fulham, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, an itinerary that
counterbalances a start that featured matches against Manchester United and
Chelsea in consecutive weeks. "We are playing better as a team every game,"
Grant said.
If Parker's form continues the club should also improve on their position at
the bottom of the table and head towards safety.
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Please donate to my sisters Kenyan Cycle ride for Women v Cancer
http://www.justgiving.com/sandhy-cycles-kenya
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