WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr was happy with his U18s' FA Youth Cup victory
over Aldershot Town
08.12.2010
Academy Director Tony Carr was all smiles after seeing his West Ham United
U18s defeat Aldershot Town 5-0 in the FA Youth Cup third round. George
Moncur, a Doug Bergqvist own-goal, Sebastian Lletget, Dylan Tombides and
substitute Daniel Purdy were all on target as the Hammers cruised into the
last 32. On a freezing night at the Boleyn Ground, West Ham could have added
more goals to their tally, with Robert Hall hitting the post and Shots
goalkeeper Jordan Clement making a number of fine saves. To their credit,
Football League Youth Alliance side Aldershot did not give up, forcing Deniz
Mehmet into two late saves, while Paco Craig was also forced to clear one
effort off the line. "I was more than satisfied," Carr told WHUTV.
"Obviously the first objective is to get into the next round, but the second
objective is to play well and I think we did that in patches. We're in the
next round, we scored five goals and for long periods of the game we played
very well, kept possession of the ball very well and nullified them in the
sense that they created very few opportunities - just one or two late on."
The fourth-round draw will take place next week, with the Academy Director
eyeing another home draw. "I think you want home games because it gives you
that slight advantage. You know you're going to play at Upton Park rather
than play at non-league grounds, which some teams have elected to do and is
a shame because it's possibly the only opportunity the scholars may get to
play at a major stadium. "Certainly we'd like a home draw and we'll give it
our best shot."
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Tomkins takes heart
WHUFC.com
Another strong display from James Tomkins was one of the positives from last
weekend
08.12.2010
James Tomkins said the West Ham United squad were eager to make up for the
disappointment of last Sunday when they welcome big-spending Manchester
City. The Hammers went down 1-0 at Sunderland with Tomkins and defensive
partner Matthew Upson the shining lights of a strong rearguard display.
Chances were at a premium in the game, with only Jordan Henderson's goal
standing out at either end. Tomkins, who was the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday
night to watch the youth team in action, took heart from his personal
performance and vowed the team would come back stronger. "We are all
disappointed to lose after a couple of wins. We went to Sunderland full of
confidence and credit to them. ""They defended well without creating too
much. We didn't create too much either, chances were few and far between but
they took the one they did create. That was the difference. We have to start
again and not be too downhearted. "We showed a lot of heart and fight in the
second half. We were a new back four and still getting together but I
thought we did well. There is a chance for us to bounce back against
Manchester City and pick up points."
The 21-year-old knows it will not be easy against City's high-level squad
but said the prospect was one to be excited about. "Of course I relish a
challenge like that against world-class players. They have spent a lot of
money in the team. You have just got to go out there and show what you can
do against them. "We are at home at Upton Park and with home fans behind us
hopefully we will get the result. We need hard work this week. We will get
the confidence back up in training and see what happens."
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Hola, my good friend
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th December 2010
By: Staff Writer
Carlos Tevez is set to receive another warm welcome when he returns to the
Boleyn this weekend - but will be in no mood to do his former club any
favours. The Argentinian striker, who still talks warmly of his time at West
Ham annoyed former employers Manchester United when responding to Irons fans
with a 'crossed hammers' salute during a league game three years ago. But
unlike in recent appearances, the 26-year-old should be on top of his game
this weekend as he seeks to propel current club Manchester City towards the
league's higher echelons.
Talking about the Citizens' title chances - and in another sideswipe at his
previous club - Tevez said: "The thing that would wind up Alex [Ferguson]
more than anything is for us to win something and really start achieving
things. "Let's not be thinking about Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, we
need to think of City and what we can do. What we have got to do is not to
devote any of our time to United and just focus on ourselves."
Despite scoring just seven goals during his year-long spell at West Ham -
and having waited until his 20th appearance before opening his account - the
Argentinian international was a huge success amongst Hammers fans who
identified with his never-say-die attitude. However he was even more
popular with Sheffield United FC who somehow managed to swindle West Ham out
of some £25million when finally finding a panel stupid enough to believe
that a player who averaged less than a goal every four games was responsible
for the Blades failing to win enough games to avoid finishing in the
league's bottom three.
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A frosty welcome awaits
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th December 2010
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers boss Alan Pardew is set to return to the Premier League - and
walk straight into controversy. The 49-year-old is expected to be unveiled
as Newcastle United's successor to the recently-sacked Chris Hughton within
the next 24 hours. But news of Pardew's arrival in the North East has been
almost universally slammed by the club's supporters, still upset over the
firing of the popular Hughton by Buckinghamshire-born (and therefore not a
Cockney) owner Mike Ashley.
Pardew left West Ham four years ago this week after the team he had managed
since 2003 slumped to a record string of successive defeats. He was accused
of losing control of the dressing room and being responsible for what Alan
Curbishley subsequently referred to as the 'Baby Bentley brigade'.
However he is also widely acknowledged as the manager who delivered what
many supporters feel was the club's best season in recent years, when he led
his newly-promoted side to ninth in the league and an FA Cup final
appearance - the club's first for 25 years - in 2005/06.
Reactions to Pardew's expected arrival in the North East have been almost
universally negative. One Newcastle supporter ('IPG') posting on
nufc-forum.com tonight raged:
"I won't be getting behind Pardew and frankly would accept going down again
if was to hasten getting Ashley out of our club. I hope the crowd are
exceptionally hostile at the weekend and that Pardew receives the worst
welcome in the history of managers."
Since being fired by Eggert Magnusson in 2006, Pardew (born in Wimbledon,
also out of range of the Bow Bells) went on to manage Charlton Athletic and
Southampton - both of whom he parted company with in the same manner.
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Nominated
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th December 2010
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com has been nominated as 'Best Club Fansite' in Soccerlens' 2010
football website awards.
Seven independent websites have received nominations for the award along
with KUMB.com, including two Manchester United sites (The Republik Of
Mancunia and Man Utd Talk), two Arsenal (Arsenal Mania and Arseblog), one
Liverpool (The Tomkins Times), one Tottenham (Harry Hotspur) and one Roma
(Roma, The Offside).
The winner of the award will be decided by a combination of votes from
website readers and a judging panel. To vote for KUMB.com (or any of the
other seven nominees, should you be so inclined) please visit the following
page:
soccerlensawards.com/best-club-fansite
Thank you for your continued support of KUMB.
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What is the Best Option at Left-Back?
West Ham Till I Die
In the summer of 2008-09, the West Ham board rubber stamped the sale of
left-back, George McCartney, to his former club, Sunderland FC. That
decision, allegedly taken over Alan Curbishley's head, was the catalyst for
the departure of the manager and the subsequent appointment of Gianfranco
Zola to the Upton Park hot seat. Very late in the 2008 summer transfer
window, the managerless club made two left-back loan signings, Walter Lopez
and Herita Illunga. The signings were so last minute that they were not
even reported before the closure of the window and were only confirmed a day
or so later.
Both loan signings were unknown quantities to us supporters. They were to
have contrasting experiences at the club. While Lopez shone in the
reserves, he never got sufficient first team opportunities and left the
following summer. In contrast, Herita Illunga came straight in to the first
team and made an impressive, instant impact. So much so that he
subsequently signed a permanent deal at the club. By the end of 2008-09 it
looked like West Ham had uncovered a real gem to fill the troublesome
left-back slot. Such was Illunga's excellent form that he became a firm
fans favorite and the first choice of new manager, Zola.
Yet, those hopes were frustrated, as Illunga's 2009-10 season was wrecked by
a series of injuries that severely restricted his first team appearances.
With the advent of the 2010-11 season, Illunga has struggled to hold down a
first team place. Indeed, he has hitherto failed to reproduce the
outstanding form of his debut season. Perhaps this is a hang over from his
former injuries? Regardless of the reasons for his loss of form, it has
forced the club to consider other options at left-back. The favorite to
fill the position was the highly promising U-21 Swiss international, Fabio
Daprela. Those hopes were foiled with the youngster's controversial sale to
Brescia in the summer transfer window of 2010. The majority of supporters
rated Daprela and had assumed, from the promise of his first team
performances in 2009-10, that he would become a first team regular. But,
for whatever reason, it did not happen.
The 2010 summer transfer window closed without the Hammers signing left-back
cover. Instead, Avaram Grant deployed auxilliary options at left-back.
This has revolved around playing either Danny Gabbidon or Tal Ben Haim in
the position. Gabbidon has covered the position in a number of PL matches
so far this season. And overall, he has performed competantly in the role.
Gabbidon has generally been solid defensively, but has not offered as much
going forward. It is not the perfect solution, but generally it has worked
reasonably well.
On other occasions, Tal Ben Haim has played there. In the Carling Cup tie
against Stoke City he looked a bit unsure, tending to drift in to central
defence and lose possession too often via wayward distribution. However,
he returned to the role in the Carling Cup quarter-final against Man Utd and
looked far more impressive. He exhibited a strong physical presence, and
firm but fair tackling, to dominate the left back defensive zone; as well as
demonstrate an impressive capacity to push forward in support of the attack.
This was the TBH that was so dominant and self-assured at Bolton Wanderers,
rather then the player that lost his way at Chelski, Man City and
Portsmouth.
At youth and reserve team level, West Ham have a very promising left-back in
Jordan Brown. While Matt Fry, currently on loan at Charlton, can play there,
as well as a left sided central defender. Perhaps one of these two young
players could provide other options at left-back? They undoubtedly have the
potential it is just whether they are ready to take on first team
responsibilities, especially in a team struggling for results? But we all
remember Glen Johnson stepping up in the 2002-3 relegation season and being
a revelation. It is just a question of whether either of these youngsters
are ready to do likewise?
So the questions to be posed are, can Herita Illunga rediscover his previous
form and go on to re-establish himself at first choice left-back? If not,
who is the best current option in the position, Tal Ben Haim or Danny
Gabbidon? Is there a case for bringing the promising Jordan Brown or Matt
Fry in to the first team set up? Or, alternatively, should we make do with
TBH or Gabbidon in the short-term, and look to sign a new left-back on the
January transfer window?
SJ. Chandos.
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