WHUFC.com
There has been positive news from the treatment room on young winger Anthony
Edgar
22.11.2010
Anthony Edgar's recovery from a knee problem is going well and he could
return to light training later this week. The flying winger, who was a
revelation with the first team in pre-season with two goals, saw his
progress hampered by injury in a reserve-team friendly at Queen's Park
Rangers on 24 August. He had surgery a week later and has been committed to
returning to form and fitness as soon as possible. The homegrown Hammer, who
made his senior debut in last season's FA Cup third-round match against
Arsenal, signed a new deal in the summer. It was a major lift for the
youngster and he is pleased with his rehabilitation to date. "I am doing
really well," he said. "I have been running for a week or two. Hopefully I
will be in light training this week and push on from there. I am in the gym
every day and working hard. It has been a long haul. "The other lads have
kept me going. They put their hand on my shoulder and said 'You did well [in
the summer], just go again'. I believe in my ability. In a way I am happy it
happened at the start of the season rather than in the middle. I just have
to get back on my feet and keep going."
Edgar has remained busy off the pitch and took time out last week to attend
a Premier 4 Sports event in tandem with the West Ham United Community Sports
Trust at Royal Docks Community School in Custom House. Local youngsters also
took part in an afternoon designed to raise awareness of judo as an Olympic
sport - with Stratford-based British judo star Jermaine McIntosh the main
attraction. "It is really good to see the guys in action," added Edgar.
"After watching their performances I will be looking out for them at the
Olympics. Nowadays it is better to keep healthy, keep fit and do sports. It
is good for the community and it is good to see so many children involved.
"Judo looks like a physically demanding sport so to get this far in the
sport is a good achievement. Hopefully they can push on get stronger."
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Ladies surge ahead
WHUFC.com
The Hammers are riding high after proving too strong for hosts Colchester
United
22.11.2010
Colchester United Ladies 0-4 West Ham United Ladies
West Ham United Ladies have pushed further ahead at the top of the FA
Women's Premier League table after a thumping victory at local rivals
Colchester United. The game had been in some doubt all week due the muddy
conditiions at Colchester's Stanway Rovers ground but the Hammers were
delighted it got the go ahead. Gemma Shepherd, Rosey Sullivan, Tracey
Duxbury and Nina Downham (pictured) were all on target in a comprehensive
win. Shepherd opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark and ten minutes
from half-time Sullivan doubled the Hammers' advantage. Duxbury put the game
beyond doubt shortly before the hour and Downham weighed in with a fourth on
72 minutes as the Hammers warmed up in perfect style for their League Cup
quarter-final with Leicester City next weekend. With rivals Kenysham Town's
match postponed, the Hammers have stretched their lead to six points at the
top of the table
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Petrovic set for Japan?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd November 2010
By: Staff Writer
Zeljko Petrovic could be on his way to the Far East - just four months after
being appointed as Avram Grant's number two. The 45-year-old former
Yugoslavian international could be on his way out of West Ham this week with
some sources claiming that he is set to be fired by co-owners David Sullivan
and David Gold. The duo, who purchased 50 per cent of West Ham United last
January, have come under fire this week from supporters following the team's
horrendous opening third of the 2010/11 Premier League campaign - a start
that has produced a solitary win against Tottenham. However news from
Montenegro suggests that Petrovic has already agreed to join Japanese
J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds in a coaching capacity - and that a deal
has been in place for some time. Stories of unrest within the first team
squad first began to emanate some weeks ago following reports of
dissatisfaction amongst the players with the training methods employed by
Grant and Petrovic, his new assistant. Additionally, a report in today's
Sun newspaper quoted 'an insider' who stated: "I think to a man the players
don't like him. They think he is full of himself for someone with so little
experience of football over here. "It's his first job in English football
and he doesn't seem to work the players hard enough."
Sullivan and Gold are rumoured to have axed Petrovic in order to save Grant,
whom they awarded a four-year contract to in the summer.
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'Arrogant' Petrovic faces the axe
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM are set to sack Avram Grant's right-hand man in the first step
towards digging the club out of trouble. Assistant boss Zeljko Petrovic will
pay the price for a deep rift with the players at the rock-bottom Hammers.
SunSport revealed exclusively how the first team squad are unhappy with the
Montenegran's training methods and his 'arrogant' personality. And as the
first cracks appear in the management team, under-pressure boss Grant is
poised to fire the man he appointed only four months ago. The club hope to
bring in more specialist coaches to bring the best out of a bunch of
woefully under-achieving players. Saturday's dismal 3-0 defeat at Liverpool
exposed the breakdown in relations between Petrovic and the squad. Striker
Carlton Cole appeared to vent his frustration at Grant's No 2 when
substituted. Grant himself is under enormous pressure, even though he was
only appointed in the summer. But West Ham have been in the relegation zone
all season - and are already five points from safety. Club chairmen David
Sullivan and David Gold are doing their best to stick by Grant but it is
believed both men are fast running out of patience.
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Hammers sound out former skipper Lomas for shock return
Published 23:00 22/11/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham are ready to give Avram Grant a new coach to help him out of a
crisis – and are moving for former skipper Steve Lomas as the surprise
choice.
The Hammers hierarchy badly want Grant to succeed after appointing him in
the summer and plan to help him with new staff. Lomas was a favourite at
West Ham and has picked up his coaching badges, as well as experiencing a
brief spell as a non-league manager. Lomas has been sounded out about the
post and it's thought he would take it to get back into the senior game. The
former Northern Ireland international, 36, could be an ideal addition for
Grant, whose current No.2, Zeljko Petrovic, will be gone by the end of the
week. Lomas was with West Ham for years and will command respect from the
dressing room, where many will remember him from his playing days. Grant
needs results quickly and West Ham have identified Saturday's meeting with
Wigan as their "save our season" game, cutting ticket prices in a bid to
attract a full house. But the high-risk strategy will pile pressure on Grant
if his side do not end a run of nine games without a win against their
relegation rivals. The Premier League's bottom club are now five points from
safety after winning only one match this season. And the Irons have failed
to beat any of the newly-promoted teams in their last three matches at Upton
Park. Vice-chairman Karren Brady gave Grant a public vote of confidence last
week but after travelling fans voiced their displeasure during the 3-0
defeat at Anfield on Saturday, the board issued an email to fans yesterday
to rally support. The message said: "The board has designated this match the
'save our season game' and, in an unprecedented move, has made available
5,000 adult tickets for just £20 to ensure a bumper Boleyn crowd."
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Di Canio could be Hammers candidate
November 22, 2010
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio will return to Upton Park for the visit of
Wigan Athletic on Saturday - just at the time the club's fans are calling
for their icon to return to rescue the team from the bottom of the Premier
League. Di Canio, who became a cult hero during his four years with the
Hammers, is visiting the hospitality suite named in his honour at the Boleyn
Ground, but there is a strong possibility that he could soon be moving into
the stadium's dugout to be a part of the staff, with assistant Zeljko
Petrovic on his way out of Upton Park. However, a West Ham insider told
ESPNsoccernet: "The name of Di Canio has been mentioned, but he has no
coaching experience whatsoever. The fans might want Di Canio, but this might
not be the right way to go. They need a defensive coach and a coach who
specialises in free-kicks. "Most of all they need to sign some top quality
players in January. They spent £8 million in the summer, and that is not
enough." Current West Ham boss Avram Grant has just three games left to
persuade the board not to sack him before Christmas, a run of matches that
begins against Wigan. At Anfield, Hammers fans started to walk out before
half time with the team 3-0 down, and those who stayed called for former
striker Di Canio to return.
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Avram Grant hangs on at West Ham but No 2 Zeljko Petrovic faces boot
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 7:40 PM on 22nd November 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham are on the brink of sacking Avram Grant's No 2 Zeljko Petrovic.
Grant, who is under pressure with the Hammers rock bottom of the Barclays
Premier League, is set to lose his right-hand man, who failed to win over
the players. Paul Groves and Kevin Keen prepared West Ham in pre-season but
Montenegrin Petrovic was appointed above them just two weeks before the
season started. Yet, the 45-year-old was not welcomed in the dressing room
by the players, who have become disillusioned by their poor start to the
season. Despite facing a relegation battle, West Ham have so far stood by
Grant.
Sections of the travelling support at Liverpool, where they lost 3-0 on
Saturday, called for his sacking. But vice-chairwoman Karren Brady has
insisted that Grant will not be axed. The defeat at Liverpool means Grant
has only won once in 14 games and Petrovic will now pay the price. Co-owners
David Sullivan and David Gold could bring in new defensive and striking
coaches to aid Grant. West Ham, who are five points adrift of safety, face
fellow strugglers Wigan on Saturday in what is already a must-win match.
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Petrovic chop reports surface
Monday 22nd November 2010 18:44
TeamTalk
Avram Grant's number two at West Ham, Zeljko Petrovic, is understood to be
on the brink of getting the axe at Upton Park. Grant is under extreme
pressure with the Hammers at the foot of the Premier League, but it is
Petrovic who is believed to be close to the sack. Vice-chairwoman Karren
Brady has insisted that Grant will not be axed despite calls for his head by
some sections of fans in the last few games. And reports have suggested
Petrovic, who has failed to gain the respect of the players, will carry the
can for the Hammers' poor start to the season. Paul Groves and Kevin Keen
prepared West Ham in pre-season but 45-year-old Petrovic was appointed above
them just a few weeks before the season started.
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West Ham ponder Paolo Di Canio comeback as No 2 Zeljko Petrovic is sacked
ahead of 'save our season' Wigan clash
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 12:18 AM on 23rd November 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have sacked Avram Grant's No 2 Zeljko Petrovic and declared
Saturday's clash with Wigan their 'Save Our Season' match. The club's owners
decided against axing Grant despite Saturday's limp defeat at Liverpool,
instead dismissing Petrovic just four months into his job. Now they want to
bring in two new coaches. Former West Ham icon Paolo Di Canio has been
considered as a forwards' coach but his appointment is thought to be
unlikely, while former Brentford boss Wally Downes has been lined up to work
on the defence. The club's joint owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, have
also decided to lower ticket prices for the clash against thirdbottom Wigan
in a bid to ensure a sell-out crowd at Upton Park. They will make 5,000
adult tickets available for just £20 each, where prices normally range
between £36 and £52. With the Hammers lying bottom of the Barclays Premier
League with just nine points, a club statement read: 'A full house of loyal
vociferous supporters is needed to help the team as they go all-out for
victory. 'Fans are being urged to snap up tickets and show their support yet
again - having once more provided terrific backing at Liverpool on
Saturday.' Sullivan and Gold are reluctant to sack Grant, 55, who has a
four-year contract, but they believe he needs help. When he took over in
June, Grant outlined his desire to appoint Petrovic, 45, a former Yugoslavia
and PSV Eindhoven midfielder, who had previously worked under Martin Jol at
Hamburg. He joined West Ham two weeks before the start of the season, but
failed to gain the respect of the players during his short spell at the
club.
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Is the Door Now Open for Di Canio?
West Ham Till I Die
There are reports circulating that, West Ham Assistant Manager, Zeljko
Petrovic is leaving the club. KUMB have reported that there are rumours
that Petrovic has agreed to leave to become coach to the Red Dragons in
the Japanese J - League. If true, this would seem to create the ideal
vacancy for Di Canio to work under Avram Grant. Will it happen? Well, the
club's board could certainly do with an inspired appointment to defuse the
mounting discontent within the ranks of the Hammers faithful and distract
their attention on to the prospect of the return of their idol!
There is an element of risk, because we do not really know how Di Canio
will operate in an assistant manager/senior coaching role? We all know that
he was a player who was defined by his passionate approach to the game. Has
a older and wiser Di Canio learnt how to control, harness and channel that
passion; whilst also avoiding damaging serial bust ups and controversies?
One thing is certain, Di Canio possesses the footballing brain and tactical
nous to succeed. Harry Redknapp has in the past recounted how seriously Di
Canio approached tactical issues as a player; analysing opponents and
offering his manager possible opinions/solutions. For me, the key issue is
whether he can get his passionate (ying) in balance with his footballing
knowledge (yang)? If he can then he can definitely become a top manager.
And, after all, everyone needs to be given a first break in their career and
it just feels right that West Ham should provide that opportunity for Di
Canio. Having rescued his playing career, after the infamous ban for
pushing over a referee whilst with Sheffield Wednesday, perhaps the Hammers
will now set him on the road to a successful management career?
It would definitely be a calculated gamble, but one that we should take.
His knowledge, passion and gravitas would re-energise both the dressing
room and the training ground; and get the squad playing to their full
potential. Of course, all of this assumes that the owners will continue to
persevere with Avram Grant. The likelihood is that they will refuse to
dismiss Grant to avoid the accusation that the move was a da facto admission
that their judgement was at fault for making the appointment in in the first
place! If Grant is dismissed then they will probably need to find a ready
made, top quality, replacement to dig us out of this hole. In that
situation the bold move would be to offer someone like Martin O'Neill a
lucrative short-term deal to keep us up. Under that scenario, Di Canio could
still be brought in to a revamped coaching set up.
The other rumour abroad is that they are at last seeking to appoint a
specialist defensive coach. I advocated this solution some weeks ago in
response to the club's stubborn, reoccurring defensive problems. However, I
conceived of someone like Gerorge Graham or even Alvin Martin being
appointed. Yet, the Sportsmail has reported that the name under
consideration is former Brentford boss, Wally Downes. I guess we shall just
have to wait and see?
The wheels of change appear to be starting to turn. Who knows, the deal
could be done and Di Canio might be introduced as the new Assistant Manager
on Saturday? If things have not yet reached that stage, then supporters
have the perfect opportunity to demand the Italian's appointment at the
Wigan match, in the presence of the great man himself! However, I fear that
the board are too conservative to consider such a radical, bold move. But
as we all know from history, it is not conservatism that digs clubs out of
relegation trouble, it is thinking outside the box and making the bold
moves that transforms the negative status quo and makes positive things
start to happen!
SJ. Chandos.
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