WHUFC.com
The manager made no excuses for a deeply disappointing display away to
Newcastle United
05.01.2011
Avram Grant has backed his players to show their fighting spirit once again
after a hugely disappointing evening at Newcastle United. More than 700
travelling fans made the trip to the north-east on a chilly Wednesday night,
only for them to see the Hammers outclassed from start to finish in a 5-0
defeat. The manager made no excuses for a display where "everything went
wrong" but called on his men to remember the form shown in four previous
matches unbeaten. "We are not happy with the performance and not happy with
the result," he said. "But we did well before now and we will get back to
that. "It is difficult to explain what happened. It was a bad day at the
office. Of course, we are disappointed to be back at the bottom but all that
matters is where we will be at the end of the season. Our points situation
has improved with the teams around us and we have to remember the form in
the previous four matches."
Grant was certain he would see a positive reaction from his team, who now
have an FA Cup third-round tie with Barnsley and then a huge Carling Cup
semi-final first leg with Birmingham City to contemplate before resuming
top-flight action a week on Saturday against Arsenal. "We are confident in
ourselves because we know the football we are capable of playing and that we
can take points. We did well in difficult games recently away to Blackburn
Rovers and Fulham and you can see this week how good those results were. "I
am sure we will get back to that form quickly. We will stay positive. We
know not to judge things on one performance. We have bounced back before
after difficult results and this will be the case. I don't like how we
played but we know this can happen. Sunderland lost 6-0 at Newcastle and
after that came back strong. "It is frustrating because we had a good
Christmas and New Year period but this is football. Everything we did went
wrong and everything they did came off. We didn't play like we had before
when we put pressure on the opponents and passed the ball well."
Without doubt the only Hammers performance really worthy of note on the
night was that from the travelling support. Grant rightly said they deserved
full respect. "I am sorry for the supporters, especially when so many came a
long way. I am disappointed for them to see that performance after what we
had given them in the previous two games."
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'We didn't do them justice'
WHUFC.com
Captain Matthew Upson has apologised to supporters after the 5-0 defeat at
Newcastle United
05.01.2011
Matthew Upson has issued an apology on behalf of the team to the club's
supporters following the 5-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Newcastle
United. The West Ham United captain admitted the Hammers had been a distant
second-best at St James' Park and said 'Sorry' to each and every fan who
made the long round-trip to the North East on Wednesday evening. The skipper
insisted that he and his team-mates would not dwell on the heavy defeat and
would do everything possible to bounce back to winning ways when Barnsley
visit the Boleyn Ground in the FA Cup on Saturday. "I can only apologise for
the display. Again, it was a fantastic effort from the supporters who came
to watch and we didn't do them justice and that's a shame. We need to
improve and keep them coming away from home. "They've been great all season
and we will be back on it in the next game."
Upson was at a loss to explain the Tyneside debacle, admitting that
everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong, while everything the
Magpies touched turned to goals. Leon Best bagged a hat-trick on his Premier
League debut for the club, while Kevin Nolan and Peter Lovenkrands were also
on target as Newcastle ran riot. "It's very difficult to sum it up after
such a heavy defeat. We're obviously very disappointed and need to re-group
and get ourselves together after a good run. "I think we have put a lot of
our efforts into our last four games and had some good results so perhaps
this was one step too far for us because we were really poor. "You need to
look at it, pick pieces out of it and scrap it. That's the best way to move
forward. You can't dwell on it or over-analyse it so we'll do that and get
back to what I would call normal. "It was just a poor performance - a poor
individual performance and a poor collective performance and just a poor
performance from everybody associated with the team. We just have to move
on."
West Ham's defeat, combined with a draw for Wigan Athletic at Bolton
Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers' shock win over Chelsea, sent them
back to the bottom of the table. With ten days until Avram Grant's side
resume their battle to beat relegation with the visit of Arsenal to the
Boleyn Ground, Upson said it was up to the Hammers alone to save their
Premier League skins. "Results have gone poorly but it's all about us and
the points we accumulate. We can't worry about anyone else."
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Transfer window update
WHUFC.com
January promises to be a busy month off the field - as well as on it - for
the Hammers
05.01.2011
West Ham United Chairman David Sullivan has updated supporters on the
efforts being made to strengthen the Hammers squad this month. With the team
going well on a four-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League and
contemplating a Carling Cup semi-final next week, the Board are working
behind the scenes to sign new players. Although different names are being
linked every single day, the club will not confirm until moves are official.
Mr Sullivan said: "We will bring in two or three players whatever happens
and have had a few meetings already. As I say, watch this space but the
squad and the players we have now have also shown that they are good enough.
"We can never sit still, though, and this goes for all areas of the club. We
have to be mindful that you can only register 25 players and we already have
a squad of 30 players."
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Academy reaching out
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United Academy has teamed up with Technical Soccer Coaching to
train local youngsters
05.01.2011
West Ham United have teamed up with Technical Soccer Coaching (TSC) to
provide innovative training to youngsters from across south Essex and east
London. The partnership will see Hammers Academy coaching staff running
sessions at a host of venues, with young players of all ages and both sexes
being taught the importance of individual technique and small group skills.
Backed by Academy Director Tony Carr and Deputy Academy Director Paul
Heffer, West Ham's coaches will be joined by TSC staff in running sessions
at Caterham High School in Ilford, Campion School in Hornchurch and the
Robert Clack Leisure Centre in Dagenham. TSC plan to open new venues in
Enfield, Southend, Colchester, Bishops Stortford and Kent in 2011.
Carr himself has endorsed the Technical Soccer Coaching approach, saying:
"Good technique is the foundation of all the work we do at the West Ham
United Academy and one of the teaching methods we employ is the excellent
Technical Soccer Coaching programme. "It is comprehensive and covers all the
aspects of technical training. 'Our teams enjoy it and it helps to develop
technical, confident and creative footballers'."
TSC's coaching philosophy is already teaching 150 children the fundamentals
of technique, with a small number having already graduated to train
full-time at the West Ham United Academy. TSC coaching is centred around the
Circle of Technical Development, which concentrates on six key areas.
According to age and ability, each of the six parts combines a variety of
drills, skills and training games used by Academies and Centres of
Excellence across the world. All the exercises can be adapted for coaches
who are planning their own sessions and also by players practicing
individually. The six areas are ball manipulation and first touch, speed and
mobility, receiving, passing decision-making, attacking and defending
techniques, goal-scoring and finishing and group-combination play.
Academy coach and TSC Technical Director Ian Yuill said he and his staff
were committed to teaching children good technique from a young age.
"The Technical Soccer Coaching philosophy is that football is only 11v11 in
the tunnel and that out on the pitch the game is a constantly changing
sequence of play between two, three and sometimes four players," he said.
"Team systems and gameplay are important however they are only as good as
the individual players involved in them. For too long, poor control or
inaccurate passing and shooting has been masked by the importance of
'winning at all costs' rather than on the fundamentals of player
development. "We believe that individual technique and small group skills in
attack and defence are vital and ultimately determine a team's success.
"Technical Soccer Coaching therefore focuses on individual skill development
and small-sided team play."
For more information about the partnership between West Ham and TSC, visit
www.technicalsoccercoaching.com or call 0800 6899440.
GET INVOLVED
Technical Soccer Coaching sessions are held at the following venues -
Mondays - 5.30pm-8.30pm
Caterham High School Clayhall, Ilford, Essex
Mondays - 6pm-7.30pm
Robert Clack Leisure Centre, Dagenham, Essex
Fridays - 6pm-7.30pm
Campion School, Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, Essex
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Newcastle 5 - 0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Newcastle's Best was a strong presence in attack
by Saj Chowdhury
Leon Best hit a hat-trick on his first Premier League start for Newcastle to
help the Magpies crush West Ham. Best slotted in his first competitive goal
for the home side on 18 minutes before knocking in Peter Lovenkrands's pass
at the far post. Kevin Nolan side-footed in the third from 10 yards and his
ball led to Best's third, which was blasted in. Lovenkrands made it a
miserable night for the Hammers when he poked home Joey Barton's cross at
the near post. Former Coventry striker Best deserved his name in lights
after his three-goal haul, but Barton was the star of the show. Barton, who
joined the Magpies in 2007, is enjoying his finest season in a Newcastle
shirt and produced a brilliant all-round midfield display against the
Hammers. The 28-year-old not only hassled the visitors' midfield but also
delivered pinpoint balls with alarming accuracy as far as the east Londoners
were concerned. Before his opener, Best twice had chances to put a mark on
his Newcastle tally thanks to Barton's deliveries. His first cross was cut
out by James Tomkins as Best was about to make the contact and the second
whipped-in ball was headed wide by the striker from 10 yards. Best had come
on as a substitute in the 1-0 win at Wigan last weekend and wasted a
goalscoring opportunity after stumbling as he was about to shoot, so many of
the fans in black and white could have been forgiven for thinking that
perhaps the burly forward was destined not to break his duck.
But he relieved his and the St James' Park faithful's anxiety with a
delicate finish in the 18th minute and then repeated the feat six minutes
from half-time.
Barton played an important role in both strikes, finding the front two with
raking past from just beyond the Newcastle area before feeding in
Lovenkrands with a quick free-kick who in turn found his strike partner.
With the former Manchester City man pulling the strings, regular playmaker
Nolan could afford to have a relatively quiet game. But in the final minute
of the first half he sparked into life when he stroked Tomkins' awful
clearance through a crowd of players and past Hammers goalkeeper Robert
Green. West Ham's painful night in the North East continued after the break
when Best grabbed his third.
On this occasion it was Nolan's deft flick that fooled West Ham's sleepy
defenders Danny Gabbidon and Tomkins. The ball found its way to Best, who
smashed in with confidence from the edge of the area.
Newcastle's fifth was poked in at the near post by sharp-thinking
Lovenkrands thanks again to Barton who played in another teasing ball from
the right.
Nile Ranger should have added a sixth but somehow sent his shot three yards
right of Green's upright. Woeful is an inadequate word to describe their
opponents' performance. Newcastle keeper Harper was only called to make one
save in the opening 45 minutes when he palmed away former Magpie Scott
Parker's swerving shot. West Ham's other chances fell to Carlton Cole, who
after being virtually anonymous became a little more animated with his side
5-0 down. His first effort was an overhead kick that fell straight to Harper
and the second a fierce strike saved again by the home side's number one.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew's side deserved their clean sheet but it will
probably the easiest they have earned all season. And the future of Hammers
manager Avram Grant will again be thrown into doubt following a performance
that left his side his side back at the bottom of the Premier League.
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West Ham's Grant stays calm after 5-0 loss to Newcastle
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant labelled his side's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle as
a "bad day at the office". The result sees the Hammers, who were 3-0 down at
half-time, pushed back to the bottom of the table. "Everything we tried to
do didn't go well and the physical side and quality wasn't there," Grant
admitted. "We were in it at the beginning then gave away sloppy goals. These
results can happen sometimes. You can have bad days in the office."
West Ham had revived their fortunes, picking up seven points from three
games, but they rarely caused the rampant Magpies concern at St James' Park.
"At 3-0 we tried to do something, but they then made it 4-0 and it wasn't
easy," added Grant.
The Hammers now face two cup games, an FA Cup tie against Barnsley on
Saturday followed by a Carling Cup semi-final first leg match at home to
Birmingham three days later. Grant said he would have enjoyed the prospect
of those matches had his side not been depleted by injuries, with Kieron
Dyer, Herita Ilunga, Benni McCarthy, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison and
Manuel da Costa currently missing from the squad. "We're a little bit short
and there is pressure going into the cup games," said the Israeli.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew sang the praises of his side's
hat-trick hero Leon Best and midfielder Joey Barton, who he believes
deserves an international call-up. Best made his first league start for the
Magpies, replacing the injured Shola Ameobi who joined star striker Andy
Carroll on the sidelines.
"Leon has been banging on my door to play and I knew he would have a chance
during this busy period. He kept his focus on wanting to play and there was
hunger in his eyes," said Pardew, who was facing a team he managed for three
years. "But he was the beneficiary of our midfield's good play, particularly
Barton's. "His midfield display was good as I've ever seen. And from what
I've witnessed of his performances since I've joined the club, I think he
deserves an England call-up. "He's had a temperament problem in the past but
I haven't seen that since I've been here."
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Sorry, says departing captain
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson has apologised on behalf of the team following West Ham's
humiliating 5-0 defeat at St James' Park tonight. The current club captain,
who has refused to sign a contract extension and is set to leave United this
summer when his current deal expires called the defeat a 'poor performance'
- whilst offering an apology to every fan that made the long journey to the
north east. "I can only apologise for the display," he said via whufc.com.
"Again, it was a fantastic effort from the supporters who came to watch and
we didn't do them justice and that's a shame. "We need to improve and keep
them coming away from home. They've been great all season and we will be
back on it in the next game. Reflecting on the game itself, Upson mused:
"It's very difficult to sum it up after such a heavy defeat. We're obviously
very disappointed and need to re-group and get ourselves together after a
good run. "I think we have put a lot of our efforts into our last four
games and had some good results so perhaps this was one step too far for us
because we were really poor. "You need to look at it, pick pieces out of it
and scrap it. That's the best way to move forward. You can't dwell on it or
over-analyse it so we'll do that and get back to what I would call normal."
Joint chairmen Sullivan and Gold, who were at St James' Park tonight to
personally witness the biggest defeat of their stewardship are yet to
comment on a performance that leaves West Ham bottom of the Premier League
once again.
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Newcastle Utd 5 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Was the productive Christmas period merely a false dawn? West Ham returned
to their bad old ways with a good old-fashioned hammering at St James Park
tonight.
Seven points from a possible nine over the Christmas period offered hope
that the much-criticised Avram Grant had finally found the solution to a
season of dispair as he led his side to vital wins against fellow relegation
candidates Fulham and Wolves.
However all that good work was undone tonight as the Hammers capitulated
against a side who were playing Championship football last season - and a
side currently managed by a character last seen working in League One.
Since being forced out of West Ham by Eggert Magnusson in December 2006,
Alan Pardew has pursued a somewhat less-than-illustrious career having been
booted out of both Charlton and Southampton. Yet once again tonight he came
up trumps against his former employers, as he did when his then-Charlton
side beat Alan Curbishley's Hammers back in 2007 (even if we had the last
laugh that season).
Although Pardew will no doubt receive plaudits for masterminding the win
that leaves West Ham bottom of the Premier League, again, it is in no doubt
that the Hammers were the architects of their own downfall. A defence at
sixes and sevens was protected by a midfield lacking cohesion and energy. As
for a front line that failed to fashion more than one or two meaningful
half-chances, the less said the better.
A fairly even opening gave no indication of the horror that was to follow;
Tiote and Parker both saw decent efforts come to nothing as the two sides
traded blows. However once the recalled Leon Best - standing in for regular
striker Andy Carroll - put the Magpies ahead on 18 minutes the Hammers were
never in the game.
Best's first goal of a fruitful evening emanated from an awful pass from
Frederic Piquionne whilst West Ham were attacking, with the loose ball
picked up and quickly turned into a counter attack. The move was finished by
the former Coventry man who was left with just Rob Green to beat after being
put through on goal.
Six minutes ahead of the break Newcastle doubled their lead with Best
grabbing his second of the night after the West Ham defence fell asleep,
failing to pick up Jonas Gutierrez wide on the left from a free kick. The
Argentinian's cross from the byeline was bundled home at the far post by
Best, with Hammers defenders still scrambling back.
Worse was to follow ahead for Grant's side on the stroke of half time when
Kevin Nolan made it 3-0 after further inept defending allowed the Newcastle
captain to turn the ball home from close range. James Tomkins, so strong in
recent weeks was the guilty party on this occasion; the young centre half
gifting the ball to the opposition inside the penalty box after failing to
clear his lines.
With the most disappointing performers, Radoslav Kovac and Piquionne
replaced by Behrami and Obinna at the break, West Ham set out with some
purpose at the beginning of the second half making several forays into
opposition territory. But as was the story of the night, the end product was
always poor.
Not so for the home side - who have already put six past Aston Villa and
five past bitter rivals Sunderland at St James' Park this season - or young
Best, making his first Premier League start of the season - one in which he
secured the match ball with a third goal on the hour mark.
Although West Ham may feel that Best was offside, the lack of cohesion
between the back four as they attempted to play what appeared to be some
sort of rudimentary offside trap was cruelly exposed as the youngster strode
through before finishing finely to grab his hat-trick.
As if West Ham's misery wasn't severe enough, Newcastle decided to pour salt
into the would by adding a fifth just three minutes later as once again,
West Ham's defence resembled a collection of Sunday league hangover victims.
Joey Barton, who had an excellent night sent a low cross into the near post
where Matthew Upson was beaten far too easily to the ball by a
less-than-prolific Peter Lovenkrands.
Ten minutes later Nile Ranger missed one easier than any of the five chances
taken when he somehow managed to sidefoot an effort wide from six yards out
with West Ham's defence nowhere to be seen. Had he hit the target the score
would have replicated West Ham's 6-0 defeat at Reading three years ago this
very week - coincidentally of course, another of Pardew's former clubs.
It took Alan Curbishley's team of 2006/07 more than two months to fully
recover from that particular defeat, which came when Curbishley's team had
played the same number of games as Grant's current side (22) with two points
less (18 to the current team's 20).
38 points was the minimum requirement to survive that season and with the
teams at the bottom all picking up points in recent weeks - including
Wolves, who beat Chelsea 1-0 tonight to rise above the Hammers - it is
likely that a similar tally will be required this term.
WIth only four league wins under his belt, it is hard to see at present how
and where Avram Grant can conjure up the necessary five or six wins from the
remaining 16 matches. Despite their public backing of Grant, this cannot
have gone unnoticed by Messrs Sullivan and Gold who are nearing the end of a
torrid first year at the Boleyn Ground.
The two Daves have the opportunity to address the latest problems to some
degree with a financial injection into the playing squad during the transfer
window. Whether or not they'll swallow their pride and bow to popular
opinion by replacing Grant along with that remains to be seen.
Premier League standings
13 Blackpool 19 25
14 Fulham 21 22
15 Birmingham 20 22
16 West Brom 21 22
17 Wolves 21 21
--------------------------------
18 Aston Villa 21 21
19 Wigan 21 21
20 West Ham 22 20
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Grant dumbfounded by Toon rout
But Hammers boss remains confident of staying up
By Ben Collins Last updated: 6th January 2011
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant was at a loss to explain his side's 5-0
drubbing at Newcastle. The Hammers boosted their survival hopes with a
four-match unbeaten run leading up to Wednesday's trip to St James' Park.
But that run came crashing to a halt with a woeful performance on Tyneside
that saw them slip back to the bottom of the Premier League table. Leon Best
marked his first Premier League start for Newcastle with a hat-trick,
opening the scoring after 18 minutes. He scored his second in the 39th
minute before Kevin Nolan punished more poor defending on the stroke of
half-time to leave the visitors reeling. Best was then left unmarked to
complete his hat-trick on the hour mark and Peter Lovenkrands scored
Newcastle's fifth just three minutes later. "I can't explain it because in
the last few games we played we were very good in every aspect of football,"
Grant told Sky Sports.
Bad day
"Sometimes you have a bad day at the office, like when Sunderland came here
(5-1). Everything that Newcastle did went well and everything that we tried
didn't go well. "We are not happy about what happened today because in the
last game we played well. "We did everything that we needed. But today we
came here and we not in form. "I don't know why. Maybe it was because we've
had a lot of games in a short time but so have Newcastle. I can't explain it
now." A shock 1-0 victory over Chelsea saw Wolves climb out of the bottom
three while Wigan's 1-1 draw at Bolton also saw them go above West Ham.
However, Grant remains confident of beating the drop as the Hammers are just
one point adrift of safety. "I said before the game we'd battle until the
end of the season and we'll continue to battle because we know we can still
do it," he added.
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Best batters hapless Hammers
Striker bags treble on first top-flight start for Toon
By Ben Collins Last updated: 5th January 2011
SSN
Man of the match: Hard to ignore Leon Best after taking his chance to
impress with aplomb but he was run close by Joey Barton, who was a constant
threat from the right.
Goal of the match: Enrique and Nolan combined well to set up Best on the
hour mark and he fired home to complete his hat-trick.
Save of the match: Steve Harper pulled off a point-blank save late on to
deny Carlton Cole and maintain Newcastle's clean sheet.
Moment of the match: Best getting a standing ovation as he was brought off
shortly after completing his hat-trick.
Talking points: How well can do Newcastle do this season if Alan Pardew
keeps masterminding attacking performances like this? Is Best set to partner
Andy Carroll on his return? Is Avram Grant the man to keep West Ham up? And
can he do it with this set of players?
Leon Best scored a hat-trick on his first Premier League start for Newcastle
as the Magpies hammered West Ham 5-0. With top scorer Andy Carroll and Shola
Ameobi both injured, Alan Pardew gave Best a rare chance to impress, and the
former Coventry striker took full advantage. Best bagged a first-half brace
before Kevin Nolan pounced on the stroke of half-time to leave the Hammers
reeling. Best then completed his hat-trick on the hour mark before strike
partner Peter Lovenkrandspiled on the misery for Avram Grant's men by
scoring Newcastle's fifth just three minutes later. The Hammers had climbed
out of the relegation zone during a four-match unbeaten run but they have
now slipped back to the bottom of the Premier League table, with a woeful
performance putting Grant back under pressure. It was the third time this
season Newcastle had scored five or more at St James' Park, and substitute
Nile Ranger passed up a glorious opportunity to match the six they managed
against Aston Villa back in August.
Miserable run
Best was making just his second Premier League start after appearing for
Southampton in October 2004 and just his second this season after a
miserable run of injuries had hampered his progress on Tyneside. But he
needed just 18 minutes to justify his selection when he ran on to
Lovenkrands' ball over the top to thump a left-foot volley across Robert
Green and into the bottom corner. Former Magpie Scott Parker had earlier
tested Steve Harper with a swerving shot and he attempted to stamp his
authority on the midfield battle as the visitors looked for a way back into
the game. However, Cheik Tiote and Joey Barton recognised the danger and
started to close Parker down, and with Jonas Gutierrez and Jose Enrique
teaming up to terrorise the Hammers down their right, the home side were
threatening at regular intervals. They increased their lead six minutes
before the break when a quick-thinking Barton and Lovenkrands carved the
sleeping visitors open from a free-kick. Barton picked out the Dane's run
into space and when he slid the ball across goal, Best was again on hand to
fire home left-footed.
West Ham woe
West Ham's woes deepened markedly on the stroke of half-time when Gutierrez
once again found space down the left and sent in a low cross which James
Tomkins could only stab out to Nolan two yards inside the penalty area.
Nolan was a model of composure as, with Green desperately trying to recover
his ground, he sidefooted the ball firmly into the bottom corner for his
ninth of the season. Grant sent on Valon Behrami and Victor Obinna for
Radoslav Kovac and Frederic Piquionne at the break in a desperate attempt to
breathe new life into his team. But despite Parker's continuing industry
they were unable to create anything of note, and Newcastle killed off any
hope of a fightback with 30 minutes left when Nolan turned Enrique's pass
into Best's path and he beat the offside trap to finish with aplomb.
Lovenkrands added a fifth from a low cross by the excellent Barton and there
was still time for Ranger to fire horribly wide with the goal at his mercy
and the visitors in tatters.
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Ba determined to get move
Player remains AWOL as Hoffenheim fume
By Giscard Gourizro & Thomas Zocher Last updated: 6th January 2011
SSN
Demba Ba has told skysports.com he is committed to sealing a dream move to
England. The Senegal star is currently AWOL from Hoffenheim as he seeks to
seal a deal with a Premier League club. He should currently be in La Manga
with the rest of the Hoffenheim squad as they are undertaking a winter
training camp. But Ba refused to travel to Spain and is now looking to seal
a move to England, with West Ham seemingly leading the race for his
signature.
"All I know is my ambition is to play in the Premier League," he told
skysports.com. "If there is an opportunity I should take it and the club
knows that."
Fuming
However, Hoffenheim have been left outraged by Ba's behaviour and have again
condemned him for not travelling to La Manga. "Demba's behaviour will
definitely see us coming up with consequences," warned general manager Ernst
Tanner, speaking to Deutsche Presseagentur. "We cannot accept his doings
with regard to our club, our fans and his team-mates. That's a fact, he is
acting on his own authority at the moment. "We already had a situation with
him in the past, he was also wanting to leave by all available means then.
"The manner Demba Ba is wanting to do it for a second time now, the way he
is actually trying to pressurise his employer, is definitely unique in the
whole Bundesliga."
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No decision on Grant future
Hammers board has no plans to meet after Newcastle rout
By Bryan Swanson - Follow on Twitter @skysports_bryan Last updated: 6th
January 2011
SSN
West Ham's board has yet to decide if Avram Grant will remain the club's
manager for Saturday's FA Cup game against Barnsley, according to Sky Sports
News sources. A senior figure at the club says the Hammers' hierarchy is
undecided about whether Wednesday night's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle will be
Grant's last game in charge. But it is believed the board has no plans to
hold an emergency board meeting on Thursday to discuss the manager's future.
Speculation surrounding Grant's position began to mount before Christmas
with the Hammers having spent all season in the drop zone. A four-match
unbeaten run during the festive programme boosted their hopes of survival,
temporarily lifting them out of the bottom three. But a woeful performance
on Tyneside, which saw the Hammers slip back to the bottom of the Premier
League, has put the Israeli coach's position back under scrutiny.
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AWOL Ba in London
Hoffenheim striker seeks English deal
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 5th
January 2011
SSN
Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba has arrived in England as he looks to seal a
move to the Premier League. The Senegal international, who spent time with
Watford as a youngster, is looking to move to England. He was due to link-up
with his club Hoffenheim, who have travelled to La Manga in Spain for a
mid-season training camp. The German club confirmed he was AWOL and now Ba
has arrived in the English capital for talks with various interested
parties. "I dont know [what is happening], I am just keeping myself fit," Ba
told Sky Sports News. When asked if he was refusing to return to Hoffenheim,
he replied: "I would never do that."
Offers
West Ham have been leading the chase for his signature, amid claims they
wanted him on loan with a view to a £6million deal. However, reports suggest
that the likes of Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn could be set to launch
counter offers. His agent Habib Sissoko admits they are hoping a deal will
be struck. "Hoffenheim have received offers from several clubs and now we
are waiting for final deal," he told Sky Sports News. "I think we are going
to sort it out in a few days. "It is not a secret, many clubs here want him.
I will talk more in a couple of days." Asked if West Ham were favourites, he
replied: "Demba loves West Ham."
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Newcastle 5 West Ham 0
The Sun
Published: 05 Jan 2011
AVRAM GRANT and West Ham look to be heading for divorce after they were torn
apart by the Best man. Toon striker Leon Best showed there is life beyond
Andy Carroll as he helped himself to a first hat-trick on a night to forget
for the hapless Hammers. When Newcastle win at home these days, they win big
- this was the third time they have bagged five or more in front of their
adoring fans this season. Boss Alan Pardew said: "Leon's been knocking at my
door saying he's not had an opportunity. He kept telling me he could do it
and he's proved himself. "He wasn't due to start but Shola Ameobi pulled out
and it was a brilliant night for him. "He has a good record in the
Championship but he's unproven at this level. "There is a snobbish opinion
that they're not really good enough coming from that level but he's proved
there are players who can live at this level if they have that belief."
Newcastle were three up and cruising at the interval as impressive Best hit
the goal trail for the first time in almost a year. After a glaring early
miss, all was forgiven on 18 minutes when he beat Robert Green with an
angled left-foot finish from six yards. It got even better for Best seven
minutes before the interval when he doubled his tally by turning home Peter
Lovenkrands' low centre at the far post. Kevin Nolan made sure of the three
points with a clinical 45th-minute effort after James Tomkins could only
half-clear a Jonas Gutierrez cross. There was no let up after the break and
Best sealed a richly-deserved treble on the hour, sauntering through a
gaping hole in the West Ham back line to sweep his shot past an exposed
Green. Just three minutes later it was five as Lovenkrands deservedly got in
on the act, reacting first to meet Joey Barton's low cross at the near post.
Carlton Cole forced two great late saves from Steve Harper but Newcastle sub
Nile Ranger should have made it six at the death, somehow shooting wide from
five yards. It meant Newcastle hardly missed injured 11-goal top scorer
Carroll, who Pardew insisted again is not for sale after fresh interest from
Spurs. The Toon boss added: "We've given the answer to anyone who has
contacted us that Andy's not for sale. "Harry Redknapp has not rung me
directly. "We had a conversation after the game there about some of his
squad that might be of interest to me. "He asked me how good Andy was and I
said he's not bad. I can't say strongly enough that Andy won't leave this
club in this window, 100 per cent."
Under-pressure Grant would love similar assurances from the Upton Park
board, but after this, he should not hold his breath.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - LEON BEST (Newcastle)
NEWCASTLE: Harper 8, Simpson 8, S Taylor 8, Coloccini 7, Enrique 8, Barton
7, Tiote 8, Nolan 8, Gutiérrez 6, Lovenkrands 8, Best 9. Subs: Williamson (S
Taylor 46) 7, Ranger (Best 64) 6, Ferguson (Gutierrez 66) 7. Not used: Krul,
Guthrie, Routledge, Perch
WEST HAM: Green 6, Ben Haim 5, Tomkins 4, Upson 5, Gabbidon 4, Sears 4,
Parker 5, Kovác 6, Noble 5, Piquionne 3, Cole 4. Subs: Behrami (Piquionne
46) 5, Obinna (Kovac 46) 5, Hines (Noble 70) 5. Not used: Boffin, Reid,
Barrera, Spector. Booked: Kovac, Hines, Obinna, Ben Haim.
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Hammer time is up for Avram
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM co-owner David Gold shows Avram Grant that time is running out for
him. But Grant remained defiant after his side's drubbing put them bottom of
the Prem again. He said: "I feel confident I'm the man to lead us out of
trouble. "Look what we've done before this game. We were on the bottom but
played good football to take points and climb the table. "Up until this
result, we've done well." Yet Grant's seven-month tenure at Upton Park looks
more precarious than ever. Owners Gold and David Sullivan were shocked at
how easily the Hammers were brought back down to earth after a four-game
unbeaten run by a side missing major goal threat Andy Carroll. Leon Best's
hat-trick proved devastating and Grant admitted: "That result is difficult
to explain. It was a bad day at the office." Asked about the absence of his
lucky scarf, he said: "I forgot to bring it but that wasn't why we lost."
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Behrami set for Fior year deal
The Sun
Published: Today
VALON BEHRAMI will end his West Ham nightmare with a move to Fiorentina. The
Swiss international, 25, has agreed a four-year contract with the Italians.
Hammers paid Lazio £5million for the injury-prone midfielder in 2008 but he
has made just six league appearances this season.
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Wolves tie up Sid loan
The Sun
By DEAN SCOGGINS
Published: Today
WOLVES have hijacked West Ham's move to sign Steve Sidwell. The Aston Villa
midfielder, 28, will join Mick McCarthy's side on loan until the end of the
season. Sidwell had agreed personal terms and passed a medical with the
Hammers. But their failure to complete the deal saw Wolves move in and agree
to pay a £250,000 loan fee and £35,000 a week in wages. Sidwell has started
only 24 league games since a £5million switch from Chelsea in 2008 and is
out of contract in the summer.
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Newcastle 5-0 West Ham: Best grabs hat-trick in rout
Published 22:02 05/01/11 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
Leon Best bagged a sensational hat-trick to send West Ham bottom, as Avram
Grant vowed to battle on despite this crushing defeat. Ireland striker Best
started the night as a surprise call-up by boss Alan Pardew, who handed the
forgotten man a rare chance. He ended it a hero, taking a standing ovation
from a delighted St James' Park crowd after the Geordies had run riot.
Best's goals were complimented by strikes from Kevin Nolan and Peter
Lovenkrands to inflict the Hammers' worst defeat of the season. Best joins
Andy Carroll and Nolan as Newcastle hat-trick heroes this season. Pardew
only called up Best, who had failed to score in his 51 weeks on Tyneside, at
10.30am, and admitted he had seen little in the man to merit his inclusion.
But Best silenced his critics in emphatic style, leaving West Ham boss Grant
facing an uncertain future despite a Christmas revival. Under-pressure Grant
savaged his players, and admitted he had "forgotten" to bring his so-called
lucky scarf . He said: "It is difficult to explain it. It was a bad day at
the office. In the last game we played well in every aspect. I don't know.
This division, we play so many games with a short squad, sometimes this
happens. "We do not want to be bottom, most important is where we are at the
end of the season. I am confident because of what we did before this game.
"I do not judge us on one game. This was a bad day but it is not something
that is usual for us. In the last month we don't play like this. We need to
continue that form. I don't like the game, the performance, how we play. "It
was not good, not the desire, not the effort, not the passing, not the
pressure. "I don't think this will effect our psychology. It was worse two
months ago. My job? I am not thinking about this. I forgot to bring my lucky
scarf. Seriously. But we didn't lose because of that."
Delighted Pardew said: "Joey Barton was outstanding - and Leon, who had
knocked on my door for two weeks telling me he has never had a chance.
"He has been here one year, got no assists, no goals, so I said: 'What is
there to keep about you?' He proved it tonight. He was not due to start. I
called him and he couldn't wait. Brilliant night, and he deserves it."
Pardew again confirmed the man Best replaced, injured Andy Carroll, would
"not be leaving this football club in this window - 100 per cent," despite
persistent interest from Spurs. He added: "We have given the answer to
anyone who contacted us, that he is not for sale." He added of Best: "Like
all strikers from the Championship, there is a snobbish opinion that they
are not good enough, but they can be if they get belief."
Best was regarded as a £1million panic buy from Coventry last January in the
boardroom and terraces - one of the mistakes that was held against Pardew's
predecessor Chris Hughton. His first goal came after 17 minutes, volleying
home left-footed from 12 yards. The second came after 38 minutes, when a
cheeky free-kick was slid down the left for Lovenkrands to exploit. His
cross allowed Best to swivel and shoot past Robert Green. Nolan then curled
one in beautifully from the edge of the box after a Jonas Gutierrez cross
was half cleared. Best's third was again a clinical finish. Barton played a
positive ball up to Nolan, whose first-time layoff sent Best clear. He cut
inside and fired left-footed over Green. Newcastle weren't finished. As
Grant glowered on the touchline at the horror show unfolding before him, the
Geordies went five up after 63 minutes. Once again the brilliant Barton was
the inspiration, crossing to the near post for Lovenkrands to drill home his
third of the season.
Newcastle: Harper 7, Simpson 7, Taylor 7 (Williamson 45 7), Coloccini 7,
Jose Enrique 7, Barton 8, Nolan 8, Tiote 8, Gutierrez 7 (Ferguson 66),
Lovenkrands 7, Best 9 (Ranger 64 5).
West Ham: Green 4, Ben-Haim 4, Tomkins 4, Upson 4, Gabbidon 4, Sears 4,
Parker 6, Kovac 4(Obinna 45 5) Noble 4(Hines 70 5), Piquionne 4 (Behrami 45
4), Cole 4.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
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Behrami's move to Italy is back on
Published 23:00 05/01/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
Fiorentina have made a £4million move for West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami.
Behrami's move to Fiorentina's Serie A rivals Roma stalled because the
Italians' bankers told them to cut their wage bill. That in turn has held up
Steve Sidwell's move from Aston Villa to West Ham, but Fiorentina's
intervention could now help speed up his arrival at Upton Park.
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West Ham target Demba Ba told he'll be going nowhere
Published 10:48 06/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Hoffenheim general manager Ernst Tanner has told want-away striker Demba Ba
to forget about a transfer this month and warned him he can expect to spend
the next six months without a club. Ba refused to travel with the Bundesliga
club to their winter training camp in Spain amid interest from Premier
League club West Ham. Hoffenheim are reported to have turned down an offer
from the Hammers and the player has since gone on strike. Tanner claims the
striker will now have to face the consequences of his actions, but he will
not be allowed to leave. "I have told him to expect legal action," Tanner
said on his club website. "He will be fined and have his contract
terminated, but he will not be able to play for any other club. "We have
already had this situation with Demba Ba wanting to get away at all costs.
The way the player has tried for a second time to put pressure on his
employers must be a first in the Bundesliga." Ba said he would never play
for Hoffenheim again after receiving an approach from Stuttgart in 2009.
However, he was ordered fulfil his contract in Hoffenheim and eventually
accepted that he would not be going nowhere. "Demba's behaviour will
certainly have consequences," added Tanner. "This approach to his employers,
but also to his team-mates cannot be tolerated." Ba has refused to return to
the club following the winter break and is likely to face a hefty fine from
the club.
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Milito to trade Barca for Blackburn or West Ham?
Published 23:00 05/01/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
Barcelona defender Gaby Milito could be heading for Blackburn. Top 10 things
you need to know about West Ham and Blackburn target Gabriel Milito
The Argentinian centre-back, 30, has been offered around the Premier League
as he looks to tie up a loan deal to help his fitness after losing a regular
place at the Nou Camp. Ambitious Blackburn have been sounded out, along with
West Ham.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
est hat-trick puts shambolic West Ham back on the bottom
Newcastle United 5 West Ham United 0
By Simon Turnbull at St James' Park
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Independent.co.uk
For Alan Pardew, it was the Best of times. For Avram Grant, it was the
worst. Four years and a month since Pardew's services were deemed surplus to
requirements at Upton Park, Newcastle's newish manager enjoyed a liberal
slice of vengeance at the expense of his one-time employers. It was served
up, on a chilly Tyneside night, courtesy of three goals from his
third-choice centre-forward.
Leon Best has been hampered by injury since his £1m move from Coventry 12
months ago but after six fruitless starts last season and a substitute
appearance at Wigan this season, the Republic of Ireland international
shattered his scoring duck for the Magpies with a hat-trick after being
picked by Pardew as a stand-in for the incapacitated Andy Carroll's
hamstrung stand-in, Shola Ameobi.
There were also goals from Kevin Nolan and Peter Lovenkrands as the West Ham
revival bubble was unceremoniously pricked. After their festive-time run of
four matches without defeat, the Hammers now find themselves back at the
bottom of the league.
Grant cut a disconsolate figure as he watched the capitulation from
pitch-side – minus his lucky claret and blue scarf. "I forgot to bring it,"
the West Ham manager explained afterwards. "But it was not because of this
that we lost. It's difficult to explain it. It was a bad day at the office."
West Ham were woeful from the start. Best might have scored two goals in the
opening four minutes had he made the most of silver-platter service from the
right wing by Joey Barton, who produced another display of England class.
Scott Parker tested Steve Harper with a swerving drive but it was virtually
one-way traffic all night.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute, Best playing the ball to
Lovenkrands on the right before racing into the box and beating Rob Green
with a left-foot finish from six yards.
The second goal, six minutes before half-time, was a subtle variation on the
Barton free-kick theme. With the West Ham defence expecting the kind of
hoisted effort from which Carroll (whom Pardew insisted afterwards would not
be leaving in the transfer window) has greatly prospered this season, the
sometime England midfielder rolled a low pass to Lovenkrands on the left and
the Dane pulled the ball across the goalmouth for Best to bury another
first-time shot.
That was bad enough for the visitors but the real Hammer blow came in the
final minute of the first half. A cross from the left by Jonas Gutierrez was
diverted to Nolan and the captain side-footed the ball home from 15 yards.
On the hour Barton and Nolan combined to tee up Best for his hat-trick. Four
minutes later came the final insult for Grant's shambolic side, Barton
despatching a right-wing cross and Lovenkrands turning the ball home at the
near post.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Taylor (Williamson, h-t),
Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez (Ferguson, 66);
Lovenkrands, Best (Ranger, 64). Substitutes not used Krul (gk), Perch,
Guthrie, Routledge.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon; Sears,
Parker, Kovac (Obinna, h-t), Noble (Hines, 70), Cole; Piquionne (Behrami,
h-t). Substitutes not used Boffin (gk), Reid, Spector, Barrera.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Match rating 8/10.
Man of the match Best.
Attendance 42,387.
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West Ham set to sack Avram Grant in Premier League bloodbath with Roy
Hodgson, Carlo Ancelotti and Gerard Houllier all on the brink
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 9:04 AM on 6th January 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham boss Avram Grant is set to be axed in the what could be the first
of a string of Barclays Premier League sackings. Sportsmail understands
Hammers chiefs are close to pulling the trigger after the humiliating 5-0
defeat at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Grant is not the only manager in
serious danger of losing his job. Liverpool's Roy Hodgson, Aston Villa's
Gerard Houllier and Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti are all fearing the worst
after poor losses.
Despite a recent mini-revival prior to the St James' Park mauling, Grant now
finds his side back on the bottom of the table and facing an uphill battle
to stay in the top-flight. West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
will now decide whether it's time to boot out the man they handed a
four-year contract to only last summer. Next up for West Ham is an FA Cup
tie at home to Barnsley on Saturday but Sullivan and Gold could dump Grant
before then. A hat-trick from Leon Best - plus goals from Kevin Nolan and
Peter Lovenkrands - inflicted a devastating defeat on the lowly Hammers to
send them spiralling back down to the foot of the table. The Israeli
insisted: 'We were in a worse position one month ago. It's where we are at
the end of the season that matters.'
Grant was not the only boss to suffer on Wednesday night. Liverpool manager
Roy Hodgson is now clinging to his job after losing 3-1 to Blackburn at
Ewood Park. Hodgson said later: 'My job? I'm not prepared to talk about
that, I am depressed enough about the performance.' Asked about his
feelings after the defeat Hodgson said: 'Dejection, bitter disappointment,
frustration. I am very disappointed for the fans who gave us good support
and saw the team concede the goals we did. 'I thought in the second half we
did well to retrieve a seemingly hopeless situation and get back on track
and had Steven's penalty gone in who knows, we may have made the last five
minutes more exciting. 'Unfortunately when you are Liverpool and you lose
away to Blackburn there is nothing that can be said which will put a
positive slant or make the situation look any brighter. 'As far as I am
concerned it is a really bad day and there is not much more I can say other
than, to the fans, that anything they are feeling tonight I can assure them
the feeling is equally as bad and equally as depressed in the dressing
room.'
Defending champions Chelsea suffered another big blow to their hopes of
retaining the title when they were beaten 1-0 by Wolves, who started the
night bottom of the league. But Ancelotti insists he remains the right man
to lead Chelsea out of their current slump. He said: 'I don't fear (for my
job). I'm worried because the team doesn't reach the result. I think it's
obvious we are not good enough in this moment. 'But the team has the skill,
the ability, the character, the personality to move on. It's important to
stay compact, to stay together and to work hard for each other.'
Houllier is also facing increasing scrutiny after Villa dropped into the
relegation zone after losing 1-0 at home to Sunderland. Phil Bardsley
scored his first top flight goal to leave the Holte End chanting towards
Houllier 'you're getting sacked in the morning'. Yet, Houllier insists he
retains the support of owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner
despite his woeful start at Villa Park. He said: 'I know about the chants.
I heard that. It hurts but I understand their frustration. They were
fantastic at the end and the players can't complain about the fans. 'Every
time we were under the cosh, or every time we had to come back into the
game, they were pushing and supporting the team. What is important is that
you have the backing of the chairman and the chief executive. 'I spoke to
Paul Faulkner and he was extremely supportive. I understand it is not easy
for them. I don't doubt Randy Lerner's firm support and determination. We
are in this together for better or worse. At the moment, we are going
through the worse.'
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Is Grant About to be Sacked?
West Ham Till I Die
Just heard on the Sky News sports bulletin…
"A source at West Ham says that they don't know if he will be in charge for
the FA Cup game on Saturday."
We can but hope.
I was presenting my show on LBC last night and could hardly believe what my
producer kept telling me. 1-0. 2-0. 3-0. 4-0. 5-0. At one point I think he
was taking the ****, but sadly not. How I kept myself together while hosting
a phone in on homeopathy is anyone's guess. I haven't seen any of the game
so maybe I am not in a position to comment, but that score doesn't lie, nor
does the apparent abject performance of the whole team. It is hardly
believable that having gone up to 15th that we are now bottom again.
So who to blame? The simple answer is everyone – the players and the
manager. Why on earth did Grant change the formation back to a 4-5-1 with
Freddie Piquionne in midfield, which is, I gather, what happened? People
have been very unfair blaming it all on Mark Noble. Rubbish. Mark Noble is a
central midfielder. If you play him on the left of a midfield five you're
not going to get the best out of him. He has also put himself on the line
for the team, twice coming back from injury way ahead of when he should
have. We should be praising him, not hurling insults, as some idiots have
done in the previous comments thread.
The fact is that the Christmas period results disguised what were actually
four or five average performances. In two of the games we got lucky, for
once.
Difficult decisions have to be made at Upton Park in the next few days. They
cannot be put off for any longer.
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What are the owners' options now?
Coffee 06 Jan 2011
WestHamOnline
When Messrs Sullivan and Gold wake this morning, it won't be long before the
reality of last night comes like an express train to shock them into full
consciousness.
They may take some comfort from the meagre two points that separate 14th
from bottom of the table. But they will also ask whether the 5-0 scoreline
is merely a royal blip in a season of blips or whether they are facing a
deeper cancer that demands emergency surgery.
The congestion in the lower half of the table does offer consolation,
because as we've seen in the last few days one result can bring a major
change in position. But it is only consolation if it does not hide greater
threats, such as a terminal decline in players' confidence.
The most obvious action, as this forum is not slow to observe, is to change
the manager. To do that, they will have to be very sure that Avram Grant is
the major reason for the present plight, and that they will be able to bring
in someone who has a significantly better chance of keeping the club up. The
compensation payable will probably also reduce the money available for new
players.
In Grant's defence, he inherited a squad that was already low on confidence
after last season, and has lost Hitzlsberger, the summer's major signing and
possibly a potent playmaker with Parker.
Arguments for change include inconsistent performances, poor formations and
an apparent inability to raise the players' motivation when needed.
Any decision to change the manager must also consider which replacements are
available. There are times when no obvious replacement is available, but
this is not one of those times: Curbishley and, much as it pains to say so,
Allardyce are both obvious candidates. Outsiders include Chris Hughton,
while Hodgson and Houllier are probably coming soon to the market. A new
manager must be allowed time to bed in. Can West Ham afford that time?
But we know that G&S are proud of not changing managers at the drop of a
hat. To sack two managers within a few months of each other may reek of
incompetence.
New players are an absolute must. But we hear from the German club
Hoffenheim that West Ham have no money to pay for Ba. Is this a G&S
bargaining position, or are the coffers truly empty? One or two decent
additions would give everyone, supporters and players alike, a useful lift,
while another Quashie would certainly have the opposite effect. At the
present time, it's hard to see how we are going to add significant quality
to the first team.
Everyone associated with the club knows that something has to be done if
we're to stay up. The owners' challenge is to determine the best option. Is
it as easy as it sounds? I'm not so sure.
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