WHUFC.com
The skipper's stirring interval speech made a lasting impression on Carlton
Cole at West Brom
12.02.2011
Carlton Cole was bloodied and bruised but determined to have his say on
Saturday after a six-goal thriller at the Hawthorns. The England striker
took a blow to the face in scoring the Hammers' second goal in the stirring
fightback that led to a 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Cole faced the
TV cameras to offer his thanks to the tremendous supporters but also praise
his team-mate Scott Parker for his stirring half-time words when the team
were three-goals down. "I have got to say our captain today, Scotty Parker,
at half-time was just inspirational in the changing room. I told him when I
came off the pitch, I went up to him and said 'You have given me so much
motivation'. "He was just in the zone, I have never seen him like that. I
was like 'Wow, this is the real deal'. I know that we are professional
footballers, we should have that in us already and we do, but sometimes you
need your captain to come across like that. "It was inspirational I must
say. If you were in there, you would have had a tear in your eye, I had a
tear in my eye. "He gave a lot. He showed a lot of passion in that changing
room, it spurred us on in the second half. We came out determined that we
weren't going to disappoint anyone, the manager, ourselves, the fans and our
families, everyone with us here who works with us and supports us. "That was
for the fans. They had travelled all the way up here to support us and it
wasn't enough or what we wanted for them in the first half - because it was
really, really poor."
Cole was also full of praise for his strike partner Demba Ba, who scored
either side of his goal to make it a stunning full debut. "I have to give my
respect to Demba. He took the game by the scruff of the neck - got two goals
and hit the post and the crossbar. He was incredible today and I this will
help to spur us on in the next games. "Also Freddie Piquionne when he came
on, helped set up my goal and showed a great attitude - obviously he wasn't
in the starting lineup today but he came on and helped us get the draw. I
can't speak more highly of him."
Cole's last word, though, was for the supporters. "They stuck behind us,
stuck with us even though we were 3-0 down. They were still singing right to
the end. The first half was unacceptable, our travelling fans didn't deserve
that. "I think we can take a lot out of today and put it into our training
as well the rest of the week. Keep on going, that is all we need to do, just
never give up - that is the do or die attitude we need to have."
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Hawthorns comeback cheers Grant
WHUFC.com
The manager was encouraged by the way his team refused to lie down despite a
shocking start at West Brom
12.02.2011
Avram Grant admitted Saturday's fightback to draw 3-3 at West Bromwich
Albion was more than welcome - even if it was not so good for the health.
The manager watched on as the Baggies raced into a three-goal lead by the
32nd minute through Graham Dorrans, Jerome Thomas and a Winston Reid own
goal. It was all too easy for the home side, even if Carlton Cole was
wrongly flagged for offside when he 'scored' at two-nil, while debutant
Demba Ba and Gary O'Neil struck the woodwork just before half-time. Grant
believed the stirring comeback after the interval - that could easily have
been a victory had there been more luck in the dying minutes - underlined
his confidence in securing survival. The Hammers are also off the bottom and
the draw means they remain just two points from safety, with West Brom the
team to catch. The second half story had begun with Grant not changing his
personnel until the first goal back. Ba showed poise to rifle in from eight
yards on 50 minutes and Cole headed in from substitute Frederic Piquionne's
headed first touch eight minutes later. The superb Piquionne then headed
against the bar before Ba secured a point with a superb half-volley on 83
minutes. "We have what it takes to stay up," said the manager. "The fight in
the second half showed that the spirit was not low. Despite the problems we
have had with players that can't play this season, we have shown a lot of
character. Not many teams could do what we have done at three-nil down. "We
came to win the match and only for neutral supporters was it a great game.
From our side, we were not good in the first half and started very sloppy.
To come back from three-zero is good but it is not good for the health. But
as a manager I can't think about anything other than changing the game."
Change the game is exactly what the manager achieved. He adopted a calm and
considered tone at the interval to put things right, going on to make the
right decisions at the right times in the second half. "I didn't lose my
temper. My job was to make them relax and give them the right things to
change the game. "In my nature, I always think in football things can
change. I thought only about how we could change it because one goal can
change everything. That's what happened."
Piquionne was an inspired alteration, with the manager going for broke by
teaming him up with Cole and Ba in a powerful front three. "Freddie made a
big difference. It was one of the reasons that we wanted to bring players in
the transfer window because we didn't have a good bench. "It is good to have
players like him to come in - or Cole or Ba when they are on the bench -
because we have lost Robbie Keane after his first two good games and Victor
Obinna who was in fantastic form."
Keane is out for at least a month with a calf injury suffered against
Birmingham City a week ago, while Obinna returned from his international
trip to Nigeria with an ankle injury. Also missing out were the established
first-choice centre-backs Matthew Upson - hence Scott Parker as captain -
and James Tomkins. "We needed to play Manu dea Costa even if he is not 100
per cent fit. It was not easy for him but he gave everything. We might not
have Upson, Tomkins and Gabbidon back for another week or two."
The manager preferred to keep the focus on those who played, with Mark Noble
having a hand in all three goals and Parker commended by the manager for the
passion shown for the armband. "We attacked so well and the players were
very lively and clever in the second half. We could have won, two times we
hit the bar, we hit the post and had another off the line. It was an
unbelievable game. "We paid for the poor beginning but in psychology terms
we will take more away than West Brom. There were a lot of positives to take
from the match. I don't think it is usual for a West Ham side to come back
like this. The character is here."
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West Brom 3 - 3 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Michael Da Silva
Demba Ba scored twice on his full debut as West Ham tenaciously fought back
from three goals behind to earn a point at West Brom. Goals from Graham
Dorrans, Jerome Thomas and a Winston Reid own goal gave the Baggies what
looked like an unassailable 3-0 half-time lead. But a Ba double and a
Carlton Cole header denied West Brom victory in front of their new boss Roy
Hodgson. Both sides spurned late chances to win what was an enthralling
contest. The Hodgson era got off to a flying start when, after just three
minutes, Dorrans found space on the edge of the West Ham penalty area before
unleashing an unstoppable rising drive beyond Robert Green. West Ham had
barely recovered from Dorrans' stunning opener before Thomas had doubled the
home side's lead. Thomas picked up Marc-Antoine Fortune's pass on the left
wing, before bending the ball brilliantly inside the far post, taking full
advantage of some woeful West Ham defending.
But West Brom were rampant and their lead should have been stretched to
three when Peter Odemwingie escaped the attention of Wayne Bridge from Mark
Noble's corner, but could only find Green with his close-range header. West
Ham thought they were back in the game when Cole latched onto Scott Parker's
neat through-pass and found the back of the net but the striker was flagged
offside, despite appearing to be level. It was end-to-end action as West Ham
looked for a route back into the game but the clearer chances fell to the
home side, who thought they should have had a penalty when the lively Thomas
appeared to be pulled down in the box by Reid. But West Brom eventually made
it three in the 32nd minute - and the hapless Reid was at fault again.
Dorrans' free kick from the left caused yet more disarray in the penalty
area, deflecting off Reid and into his own net.
At 3-0, West Ham looked down-and-out but the Hammers showed glimpses of the
brilliant comeback that was to follow, when Ba found space from Noble's
corner only to see his shot expertly palmed onto the post by Boaz Myhill and
eventually hacked off the line by James Morrison. Moments later, Gary O'Neil
rattled the crossbar with Myhill beaten this time. But West Ham were not to
be denied a goal back five minutes into the second half - taking advantage
of the kind of questionable defending that was a feature of both side's
play. Ba, making his first West Ham start following his move from Bundesliga
side Hoffenheim, got the goal when he latched on to Noble's ball into the
danger area and, under pressure from Paul Scharner, Ba chested the ball down
and turned it in from close-range. The visitors capitalised on West Brom's
vulnerability just eight minutes later when Carlton Cole threw himself at
the ball inside the six-yard area. Despite picking up a head injury for his
troubles, Cole's brave header set up a thrilling finale. Green kept West Ham
in the match with an excellent save to his left after Odemwingie skipped
away from two challenges before attempting to curl in from the edge of the
box. That save proved as crucial as the second-half introduction of Frederic
Piquionne, whose presence in attack further unsettled West Brom, who
breathed again after the French striker's header crashed back off the bar.
The three-man attack of Piquionne, Cole and Ba worked well for West Ham as
the latter saw his shot from 12 yards cleared off the line after a jinking
run by the influential Noble on the left. Just as it was looking as though
the Baggies might hold on for an invaluable win in their quest for survival,
Ba dashed those hopes with a well-taken equaliser. Jonas Olsson
inadvertently flicked Noble's cross from the right into the path of Ba, who
was waiting unmarked at the far post, to send an accomplished volley past
Myhill. In a gripping finale, Piquionne blazed over and Odemwingie missed
two decent chances to win the contest, ensuring West Ham climb off the foot
of the table with this well-earned point.
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Cole hails 'inspirational' Scott Parker team-talk
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Carlton Cole praised captain Scott Parker for his "inspirational"
half-time pep talk as the Hammers came from 3-0 down to draw with West Brom.
Cole, who suffered a mouth injury as he scored the second of West Ham's
three goals, said Parker's passion spurred them on to fight back.
"We were diabolical but at half-time Scott was inspirational," said Cole.
"Scott was in the zone - I've never seen him like that. If you were there
you would have had a tear in your eye."
Cole's goal added to Demba Ba's double as West Ham clawed their way back
from 3-0 down at half-time to claim a valuable point in their quest for
Premier League survival. But, according to Cole, West Ham are indebted to
their captain for his rousing locker-room monologue. "Scott Parker showed a
lot of passion in the changing room and it spurred us on," said Cole. "We
did not want to disappoint ourselves, the manager, our families and the
fans. "I know you could say that if you are a professional footballer then
you should have that in you anyway, but sometimes you need your captain to
step up like that.
"It was inspirational and if you were in there you would have a tear in your
eye."
Cole also praised his strike-partner Ba and substitute Frederic Piquionne,
whose second-half cameo proved pivotal for the visitors. "Demba Ba came on
and took the game by the scruff of its neck with two goals," said Cole. "He
hit the post and was unplayable today." "Frederic Piquionne came on and set
up my goal and showed a great attitude. Obviously he was not in the starting
line-up today but came on and led us to getting the draw. I can't speak
highly enough of him."
West Ham boss Avram Grant was also full of praise for Piquionne, and blamed
elementary defensive errors for West Ham's first half capitulation. "It is
good that we have Frederic Piquionne back because during the first half of
the season, when we had injuries, we did not have attacking options on the
bench. But now we have that option and a player like Frederic coming off the
bench can make the difference. "But the standard of our defending and
organisation in the first half was not good," admitted Grant. "It was
difficult for West Brom in the second half because we attacked so well. Our
play was very lively and clever."
Michael Appleton, who took charge of West Brom as new boss Roy Hodgson
watched from the stands, praised his side for their explosive start and says
he is eager to learn from Hodgson. "We got off to a fantastic start and I
couldn't have asked for anything better. It was exactly how we had planned
in the week. "But 3-0 is a dangerous score," added Appleton. "Momentum is a
massive thing in football and once we conceded a goal we had our backs to
the walls. Towards the end we had to make sure we dug in because if we had
lost the game it would have been a disaster."
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West Bromwich Albion 3 West Ham United 3
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 12th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
An astonishing game of football at the Hawthorns has finished in stalemate
after West Ham came from 3-0 down to snatch a point in this afternoon's
Premier League clash.
Goals from Graham Dorrans, Jerome Thomas and an own goal by Winston Reid had
put the home side three-up by the break. However a stunning comeback from
Avram Grant's side saw the Hammers snatch a point through goals from Carlton
Cole and man of the match Demba Ba (2), making his first start for United.
In a game featuring two teams who have now conceded 99 Premier League goals
between them this season, the likelyhood of a tight match with infrequent
chances was always unlikely - and so it proved, as the old adage 'a game of
two halves' was illustrated perfectly.
Those three goals in the opening 45 minutes for the home side could quite
easily have been six, as Avram Grant's side initially looked like boys
against men - despite their managerless opponents having lost 13 of their
last 18 games prior to today.
The Baggies were ahead after just three minutes when former Hammers target
Graham Dorrans took advantage of the space offered by West Ham's defensive
unit on the edge of the box. Having criminally been allowed time to pick his
spot, Dorrans found the corner of Rob Green's net with some ease.
Two minutes later and Albion should have doubled their lead when Chris
Brunt's goalbound effort was blocked on the line by his own player, Marc
Antione-Fortune. However they didn't have to wait long - three minutes, to
be precise - before adding a second through Jerome Thomas who, like Dorrans
before him, was afforded acres of space around the penalty box.
West Ham survived what looked like a fairly cast-iron penalty appeal on 12
minutes when Thomas, having rounded Rob Green, went down in front of an open
goal with the hapless Winston Reid appearing to tug at his shoulder.
Odemwingie then somehow missed a free header from a corner before Chris
Brunt's fairly innocuous 32nd minute free kick, floated into the box, was
turned into his own net by the hapless Reid, looking more like a Sunday
league footballer than one deserving of a starting berth in a Premier League
team.
Althoughly defensively they were, at best, inept, Avram Grant's side still
managed to hit the woodwork twice - firstly through Demba Ba, striking the
woodwork for the second successive game and then when Gary O'Neil's effort
beat Boaz Myhill all ends up before cannoning back off the crossbar. Carlton
Cole was also unlucky to be pulled back for offside when finding the net on
25 minutes as TV replays clearly showed he was in line with the last
defender.
So (very) down but not out, West Ham set about their unlikely comeback in
committed fashion - but only after they had survived a third penalty appeal
following Reid's clumsy 49th minute challenge on Thomas. From the resulting
passage of play, United reduced the deficit to two when a lofted Mark Noble
delivery found Ba at the back post; the Senegalese striker shrugged off two
defenders before planting the ball between the legs of Boaz Myhill. Game on.
Luis Boa Morte went close with a header from a Noble corner before Avram
Grant threw Freddy Piquionne into the proceedings at the expense of the
Portuguese on 57 minutes. His first touch - centreing a Noble free kick to
the right side of the six-yard box - was met by the head of Carlton Cole who
had the simplest of tasks to make it 3-2.
With Albion reeling, West Ham pushed on for an equaliser. Lee Mason waved
away a fifth penalty appeal when Noble went down in the box before Ba saw an
effort cleared off the line by Nicky Shorey. When the African's penalty
appeal on 67 minutes - the game's sixth, and possibly the strongest - was
ignored by Mason you got the distinct impression he had made his mind up not
to award any today.
Ba, already proving to be a most astute transfer window purchase went close
again with an effort that found the side-netting with 20 left to play. But
he had his sights set correctly with just seven minutes of normal time
remaining when Noble - who played a significant part in ever United goal -
lofted a cross to the back post and Ba struck a wonderful volley into the
top corner of Myhill's net.
The only disappointing aspect of the second-half was that West Ham failed to
push on for a match-winning fourth goal, with their opponents on the ropes
and there for the taking. As it was, the home side appeared more likely to
win the game; Peter Odenwingie guilty of failing to convert either of the
two golden opportunitities he was presented with in the closing minutes.
Although Grant and his team deserve great credit for producing a stunning
comeback it shouldn't gloss over the error-strewn first half in which the
Irons could have quite easily been six behind at the break. Massive question
marks remain about the ability of young Winston Reid to cope at this level
currently, whilst the entire team appeared completely unprepared to deal
with their opponents.
Whilst a point keeps the Hammers in the fight to avoid relegation - and a
place higher than this morning due to Wolves' 2-0 defeat at the Emirates
Stadium - time is running out for Grant and his players. With only 25 points
on the board - and just 11 league games left to play - they simply must
start winning games, with most pundits agreeing with Grant's forecast than
anything less than 38 points will not be enough this season.
Premier League tonight (the important bit)
15 Aston Villa 27-30 (-15)
16 Blackpool 26-29 (-11)
17 West Brom 26-27 (-17)
--------------------------------------------
18 Wigan 27-27 (-18)
19 West Ham Utd 27-25 (-18)
20 Wolves 26-24 (-19)
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Hammers comeback stuns Baggies
Game of two halves as relegation rivals share spoils
Last updated: 12th February 2011
SSN
Man of the match: Demba Ba. As quiet as the rest of his West Ham team-mates
during the first half but burst into life after the break. His first goals
in English football could have earned his new team a vital point in their
relegation battle.
Goal of the match: Graham Dorrans' opener for West Brom. The Scotland
international smashed home an unstoppable strike from outside the penalty
area past Robert Green.
Save of the match: Green produced a couple of fantastic saves but the pick
of the bunch came in the 44th minute when he flung himself at another
Dorrans effort almost identical to the opening goal.
Talking point: Should West Brom have had either of two penalties given
before West Ham mounted their comeback?
Visitors West Ham produced a gutsy second-half comeback to deny relegation
rivals West Brom in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Baggies, watched by new boss
Roy Hodgson at the Hawthorns, raced into an early 2-0 lead through Graham
Dorrans and Jerome Thomas inside the opening eight minutes. West Ham were
simply awful at the back in the first half as the home side cut them apart
at will. West Brom deservedly extended their lead to 3-0 shortly before half
time when Dorrans' free kick flew into the back of Robert Green's net with
the help of a touch from Hammers defender Winston Reid. But West Ham looked
a totally different proposition after the break. Demba Ba netted his first
goal in English football to start the comeback before Carlton Cole bundled
home the second. And the surprise fightback was completed when Ba smashed
home the equaliser seven minutes from time.
Concerned
The Baggies, overseen by caretaker boss Michael Appleton, served up a treat
for Hodgson in the first half but the former Liverpool manager will be
deeply concerned by the capitulation which followed. West Brom remain above
the relegation zone on goal difference alone, while West Ham are two points
below them, having moved off the bottom up to 19th. The hosts appeared eager
to impress Hodgson from the off and they made the best possible start as
Dorrans put them in front after only three minutes. The Scotland midfielder,
who had not scored all season, opened his account in spectacular fashion,
unleashing a fierce drive from outside the box that flew into the top
corner. Two minutes later Albion almost doubled their lead as Green palmed
Peter Odemwingie's cross to Chris Brunt, whose shot was on target but
cannoned away off his team-mate Marc-Antoine Fortune. That was a near miss,
but West Brom were looking rampant, and within moments, they had made it
2-0. Fortune made amends by providing the assist, laying the ball to Thomas
who then coolly passed it across Green and into the net.
Appeals
The momentum showed no sign of letting up as Thomas muscled past two
defenders, rounded Green and went down under the attentions of Reid, but
referee Lee Mason waved away appeals for a penalty. Youssouf Mulumbu then
had to be withdrawn for James Morrison, but West Brom remained on the front
foot, with Odemwingie sending a free header from Dorrans' corner into
Green's arms. West Ham thought they had pulled one back when Cole was
slipped in and beat Boaz Myhill, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
Reid then survived another scare at the other end when his apparent handball
in the box went unpunished. The New Zealand defender was having a torrid
afternoon and it got worse moments later as Albion extended their advantage.
Dorrans sent a free-kick into the area and it deflected in off a hapless
Reid to put the Baggies three up.
Woodwork
Hammers captain Scott Parker tried to respond but Gonzalo Jara did enough to
put him off as he shaped to shoot and then Myhill tipped Ba's strike on to
the post, Morrison clearing the danger. But West Brom were soon attacking
again, with Dorrans bringing a great save out of Green and Thomas shooting
wide from distance. West Ham saw another attempt hit the woodwork in
first-half stoppage time as Gary O'Neil cracked a shot against the bar, but
the rebound went unconverted, as did a Manuel da Costa header soon after.
The visitors needed something quick at the start of the second period and
found it five minutes in thanks to Ba, who chested down Mark Noble's lofted
pass and tucked the ball past Myhill. The goal seemed to galvanise the
visitors and Myhill had to get down to stop Luis Boa Morte's header from a
corner. Hammers boss Avram Grant then threw on Frederic Piquionne for Boa
Morte and the striker's impact was almost immediate as he nodded Noble's
free-kick back across goal for Cole to head in and make it 3-2.
Ascendancy
Suddenly, with more than half an hour to go, it was game on and Piquionne
nearly drew things level with a header that bounced off the bar. West Brom
managed to switch play and Odemwingie was denied from the edge of the box by
another fine Green save. But West Ham were in the ascendancy and went close
again when Ba's shot was blocked by Nicky Shorey. The Senegal forward then
sent a shot into the side-netting, and with seven minutes of normal time
remaining, he scored the third West Ham goal which had by that point seemed
almost inevitable. Noble was the provider once more, delivering a cross that
was not dealt with and fell to Ba, who volleyed against the turf and in.
Odemwingie and Piquionne had chances to seal victory in the dying moments,
but it was honours even come the final whistle.
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Grant - Tiredness no excuse
Hammers boss wants a renewed sense of purpose
Last updated: 12th February 2011
SSN
Avram Grant has ordered his West Ham players to banish the word "tired" from
their vocabulary. The Hammers are bottom of the table and will need to get
back to winning ways quickly after their defeat against fellow strugglers
Birmingham last week. The loss angered Grant, who has warned his players
that a repeat of performances like that could see them demoted to the
Championship. He said: "One player said to me a few games ago that he was
tired, so we didn't play him.
Responsibility
"They need to take responsibility and at their age they should be able to
play. "I don't want to see anyone being tired during a game. In June they
can go on vacation. "The players know we need to play with our normal
energy, like in the last two or three months when we have picked up points.
"If you take the table from only the last three months then we are in a good
position. This is the lesson we have learned."
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Hammers fight pleases Grant
Manager praises two goal Ba
Last updated: 12th February 2011
SSN
West Ham boss Avram Grant believes his team's superb second-half fightback
at West Brom shows they have what it takes to beat the drop this season.
The Hammers produced a miraculous comeback to gain a 3-3 draw after looking
down and out at the break with Albion holding a commanding 3-0 lead.
But Demba Ba's brace, either side of Carlton Cole's header, completed a
dramatic turnaround and allowed the Hammers to climb off the foot of the
Premier League table. Grant, who was missing key players Robbie Keane,
Victor Obinna and Matthew Upson through injury, hailed the spirit showed by
his players.
Spirit
He said: "I think we have what you need to stay up. "If you look at other
teams, if they had the problems we have had this year, I'm sure after the
first half, the spirit would be very low. "But this team, despite what we
have had this season, have shown a lot of character and spirit and I don't
think another team in this position could do that."
In the absence of Keane (calf) and Obinna (ankle), Grant was delighted to
see Ba shine up front. "It is the first game that he started and it is not
easy," Grant said of the former Hoffenheim forward. "In the first half you
could see that he was not used to English football, but he adjusted very
well and scored two goals. He is a good striker."
Organised
Asked what he had said to his players during the interval, Grant joked: "It
is better that you don't know!" He added: "We just spoke about how to change
the game and the way we were playing because we had started the game not
organised at all. "We gave them a lot of possession and didn't defend well.
If you don't defend, you see what happens, but we spoke about this."
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Cole hails inspirational Parker
Striker believes comeback can spur on Hammers
Last updated: 12th February 2011
SSN
Goalscorer Carlton Cole praised captain Scott Parker for inspiring West Ham
to come back from a three-goal deficit and earn a vital draw at relegation
rivals West Brom. The Hammers were trailing 3-0 before two second-half goals
from Demba Ba, either side of Cole's strike, completely turned the game
around. Cole also praised manager Avram Grant for the 57th minute
introduction of substitute Frederic Piquionne, who set up West Ham's second
goal within moments of his arrival.
Rollercoaster
Cole said: "Scott Parker was an inspiration in the changing room at
half-time. Obviously on the pitch he was inspirational but in the changing
room he turned it around for us. "We came out like a different team in the
second half. "Substitutions were spot on as well and gave us the impetus we
needed."
He added: "It was an emotional rollercoaster. "I think the first half was
unacceptable for West Ham - all the travelling fans didn't deserve that. "If
we show this kind of attitude it should stand us in good stead for the rest
of the season."
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West Brom 3 West Ham 3
The Sun
Published: 12 Feb 2011
DEMBA BA struck twice as West Ham roared back from 3-0 down for a draw that
could yet transform their relegation fight. New West Brom boss Roy Hodgson
saw his home side profit from horrendous Hammers' defending - Graeme Dorrans
and Jerome Thomas firing home inside eight minutes before Winston Reid's
32nd-minute own goal. But the Baggies themselves fell apart at the back
after the break as full debutant Ba's double sandwiched Carlton Cole's
point-blank header to earn West Ham a deserved point.
As early as the third minute, Dorrans stole in on the fringe of the area to
crack home the goal of the game as Hodgson smiled on from the stands. And
Chris Brunt almost doubled that advantage straight away, pouncing from 10
yards for a goalbound shot that deflected away off his own team-mate
Marc-Antoine Fortune. But Fortune soon found even more space to roll a pass
for Thomas, who had an embarrassing amount of time to slot into the far
corner.
The Hammers then achieved the impossible - even worse defending - as Thomas
crept between the visitors' two centre-backs from a long ball and rounded
keeper Robert Green, only to tumble over at the vital moment amid penalty
appeals. Just when West Ham seemed to be settling, they gifted the Baggies a
soft third goal.
Dorrans' flighted free-kick from way out on the left dipped in off Hammers'
defender Reid. West Ham's first serious threat arrived 10 minutes later.
Home keeper Boaz Myhill reacted sharply to tip away Ba's low shot from a
half-cleared corner, James Morrison hooking the loose ball off the line. But
just before the break Thomas again burst into dangerous space, rifling wide
from 20 yards. The Hammers, though, began the second period far more
positively.
And in the 50th minute Mark Noble angled a neat chip through for Ba, who
chested down and profited from a slight rebound off Paul Scharner's arm by
sidefooting home clinically.
Soon, indeed, it was the Baggies whose defending became desperate. And
especially in the way the Hammers cut the deficit to 3-2 after 58 minutes.
Noble lofted a clever free-kick through for Frederic Picquionne to nod the
ball across a completely exposed goal-area for Cole to thunder in.
Picquionne promptly nodded against the top of the bar in a contest totally
at odds with the first half. Long gone by now was the Baggies' confident
passing, as their nervy defending helped the Hammers build up impressive
momentum. Ba had a shot cleared off the line before West Brom survived two
weak penalty appeals in as many minutes. Then, with Noble influential in
central midfield and Picquionne a mobile menace up front, Ba planted another
clear opportunity wide at the near post. The Hammers' pressure briefly
faded, Morrison wriggling through for a 20-yarder drilled wide as the
Baggies briefly pushed forward again.
But Scott Parker soon drifted a deep centre over that tormented the home
defence, just evading Picquionne at the backpost. And as West Ham roused
again, Noble caused more penalty-box mayhem by dinking in an 83rd minute
cross that Ba hook-volleyed in for a 12-yard equaliser. Peter Odemwingie
should have nicked victory for the hosts six minutes later, only to drill
too close to Green. And the same Baggies striker matched that feat when well
placed on his left foot in stoppage time. Picquionne headed inches over at
the other end to complete an incredible finale.
West Brom: Myhill, Jara, Scharner, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Mulumbu (Morrison
14), Dorrans (Tamas 82), Thomas (Barnes 61), Odemwingie, Fortune. Subs Not
Used: Carson, Pablo, Vela, Cox. Booked: Dorrans, Brunt. Goals: Dorrans 3,
Thomas 8, Reid 32 og.
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Reid, da Costa, Bridge, O'Neil (Spector 78),
Parker, Noble, Boa Morte (Piquionne 57), Cole, Ba. Subs Not Used: Boffin,
Hitzlsperger, Kovac, Faubert, Hines. Booked: Boa Morte, Noble, Spector.
Goals: Ba 50, Cole 58, Ba 83.
Att: 23,916
Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
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We Av more spirit than the lot of you
The Sun
Published: 12 Feb 2011
AVRAM GRANT claims no other struggling side have the spirit to match West
Ham's 3-3 comeback draw at West Brom. The under-fire boss tipped the Hammers
to stay up after first-time starter Demba Ba pounced twice to complete a
second-half turnaround from 3-0 down. Grant, whose side moved within two
places of safety, said: "If you look at other teams, if they had the
problems we have had this year, I'm sure after the first half, the spirit
would be very low. "But this team, despite what we have had this season,
have shown a lot of character and spirit and I don't think another team in
this position could do that." "I think we have what you need to stay up."
Grant saluted ex-Hoffenheim hitman Ba, handed a key role due to injuries to
Robbie Keane (calf) and Victor Obinna (ankle). He said: "It is the first
game that he started and it is not easy. "In the first half you could see
that he was not used to English football but he adjusted very well and
scored two goals. He is a good striker." Asked what he told his players at
half-time, Grant joked: "It is better that you don't know! "We just spoke
about how to change the game and the way we were playing because we had
started the game not organised at all. "We gave them a lot of possession and
didn't defend well. If you don't defend, you see what happens, but we spoke
about this."
Michael Appleton, put in caretaker charge last week following Roberto Di
Matteo's sacking, led West Brom from the dug-out while incoming chief Roy
Hodgson watched from the stands. And Appleton, formerly the Baggies'
first-team coach, revealed he dined with Hodgson on Friday and expects to
team up with the ex-Liverpool boss. He said: "I spoke to Roy last night and
he said he is keen to work with me. "Obviously I would be daft not to work
with someone of his experience in the game. "I'm sure that sort of thing
will be qualified over the next few days from the football club, but as far
as I'm concerned, he is more than happy for me to work alongside him. "Roy
has a fantastic record and has worked at some wonderful clubs in different
countries. "He has a wealth of experience and I can't wait to work alongside
him." Appleton added: "It was my first game today and I've embraced it and
enjoyed it, even if there was a little bit of relief towards the end to get
the point."
Grant also welcomed Hodgson's instant return to the Premier League. He said:
"I like Roy. I have known him for a long time and he has had a fantastic
career. "Everybody needs to respect what he has done, everywhere in the
world, and I'm sure that it is a good signing for West Brom - even though I
thought Di Matteo did a very good job here."
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Lars blasts stupid Hammers
The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: 12 Feb 2011
LARS JACOBSEN admits West Ham deserve to be bottom of the Premier League
after making too many "stupid" mistakes this season. Yet the Danish defender
is convinced his team have the quality to remain in the division, and
believes a decent result at West Brom tomorrow is vital. With his one-year
deal also running out in the summer, the former Blackburn defender hopes a
successful survival fight will also mean an extended stay in east London.
The Hammers returned to the bottom following the 1-0 loss at home to
Birmingham six days ago and Jacobsen, 30, said: "When you look at the League
table, it doesn't lie. "We are down there. It doesn't matter how much talent
you have, how much quality you have, we need to get the points and we
haven't been good enough to collect the points. "It is due to a lot of
things. We probably have conceded too many stupid goals from set-pieces like
we did at the weekend against Birmingham. It is not because we cannot play
football. We can play decent football but we need to collect the points. "It
is a massive game against West Brom. We had a very, very big opportunity
against Birmingham which we blew — we were very disappointed about that.
"But it is another Cup final against West Brom who are also near the bottom
of the league. We have to get something from that game, that is for sure.
So, yes, a massive, massive game."
West Ham have been left reeling after loan signing Robbie Keane picked up an
injury. But Jacobsen is still impressed with the three other new faces at
Upton Park — Demba Ba, Gary O'Neil and Wayne Bridge. He said: "We have put a
lot of quality into the team — people who have played in the Premier League
for ages and who have done very well. "It is very good for our squad to put
those players in. They have brought things to the team we did not have. "It
was good to score three against Blackpool but frustrating to lose to
Birmingham, and we conceded from a set-piece — again. "This has been our
luck lately but we have to make sure we do not lose games — particularly at
home. It was a game we wanted to win so to lose was very hard mentally."
While West Brom sacked Roberto di Matteo, Jacobsen — who played against
England in midweek — says West Ham were right to stick with Avram Grant.
He added: "We do not want to be uncertain with what will happen. Football is
like that. "Everyone at West Ham backs Avram Grant 100 per cent. As a team,
I'm sure we can secure another season in the Premier League. I am sure we
can do it. "I do not know what will happen in the future. My contract
expires in the summer and we have to wait and see what happens. I'd be very
happy to stay at West Ham."
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Hammers legend holds positive talks about sensational comeback
Published 23:00 12/02/11 By Anthony Clavane
The Mirror
West Ham legend Julian Dicks is gearing up for a sensational return to Upton
Park after meeting up with boss Avram Grant. Dicks hopes to replace Alex
Dyer as reserve team coach after Grant responded to his plea in Sunday
Mirror Sport two weeks ago. We exclusively reported how 'The Terminator',
currently boss of Isthmian League Division One North club Grays Athletic,
was desperate to join the Hammers' survival battle The ex-West Ham skipper,
who twice played a major part in helping them stay up in the 1990s, admires
the way Kenny Dalglish has brought the feelgood factor back to Liverpool.
He said: "I watched training at Chadwell Heath earlier in the week and met
Avram Grant. I feel it was a very positive meeting. "Hopefully I will
return to the club."
Dicks sat in the Bobby Moore stand during the defeat by Birmingham last week
was moved by the reception he got from fans. A banner was unveiled which
read: "Grant, please give Dicksy a chance." He added: "I am convinced we can
get out of trouble. I'd bring the passion and pride I had when a player
there. "I'd be delighted to be asked to help — even if it was just looking
ugly in the dugout."
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West Brom 3-3 West Ham: Ba brace completes Olympian comeback for Hammers
Published 17:07 12/02/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Demba Ba scored twice as West Ham's second-half comeback secured them a
point from a thrilling encounter with fellow Barclays Premier League
strugglers West Brom at The Hawthorns. Albion produced a stunning first-half
performance in front of their new head coach Roy Hodgson, who was watching
from the stands, scoring twice in the opening eight minutes through Graham
Dorrans and Jerome Thomas before Winston Reid's own goal put them 3-0 ahead
just after the half-hour mark. But things could not have been more different
after the break as a Ba double - on his first start for the Hammers - and a
header from Carlton Cole in between ensured the match finished all-square.
The Baggies, overseen by caretaker boss Michael Appleton, served up a treat
for Hodgson in the first half but the former Liverpool manager, who was
announced as Roberto Di Matteo's successor yesterday and takes up the reins
on Monday, will be deeply concerned by the capitulation which followed. West
Brom remain above the relegation zone on goal difference alone, while West
Ham are two points below them, having moved off the bottom up to 19th. The
hosts appeared eager to impress Hodgson from the off and they made the best
possible start as Dorrans put them in front after only three minutes. The
Scotland midfielder, who had not scored all season, opened his account in
spectacular fashion, unleashing a fierce drive from outside the box that
flew into the top corner. Two minutes later Albion almost doubled their lead
as Robert Green palmed Peter Odemwingie's cross to Chris Brunt, whose shot
was on target but cannoned away off his team-mate Marc-Antoine Fortune. That
was a near miss, but West Brom were looking rampant, and within moments,
they had made it 2-0. Fortune made amends by providing the assist, laying
the ball to Thomas who then coolly passed it across Green and into the net.
The momentum showed no sign of letting up as Thomas muscled past two
defenders, rounded Green and went down under the attentions of Reid, but
referee Lee Mason waved away appeals for a penalty.
Youssouf Mulumbu then had to be withdrawn for James Morrison, but West Brom
remained on the front foot, with Odemwingie sending a free header from
Dorrans' corner into Green's arms. West Ham thought they had pulled one back
when Cole was slipped in and beat Boaz Myhill, but the effort was disallowed
for offside. Reid then survived another scare at the other end when his
apparent handball in the box went unpunished. The New Zealand defender was
having a torrid afternoon and it got worse moments later as Albion extended
their advantage. Dorrans sent a free-kick into the area and it deflected in
off a hapless Reid to put the Baggies three up. Hammers captain Scott Parker
tried to respond but Gonzalo Jara did enough to put him off as he shaped to
shoot and then Myhill tipped Ba's strike on to the post, Morrison clearing
the danger. But West Brom were soon attacking again, with Dorrans bringing a
great save out of Green and Thomas shooting wide from distance. West Ham saw
another attempt hit the woodwork in first-half stoppage time as Gary O'Neil
cracked a shot against the bar, but the rebound went unconverted, as did a
Manuel da Costa header soon after.
The visitors needed something quick at the start of the second period and
found it five minutes in thanks to Ba, who chested down Mark Noble's lofted
pass and tucked the ball past Myhill. The goal seemed to galvanise the
visitors and Myhill had to get down to stop Luis Boa Morte's header from a
corner. Hammers boss Avram Grant then threw on Frederic Piquionne for Boa
Morte and the striker's impact was almost immediate as he nodded Noble's
free-kick back across goal for Cole to head in and make it 3-2. Suddenly,
with more than half an hour to go, it was game on and Piquionne nearly drew
things level with a header that bounced off the bar. West Brom managed to
switch play and Odemwingie was denied from the edge of the box by another
fine Green save. But West Ham were in the ascendancy and went close again
when Ba's shot was blocked by Nicky Shorey. The Senegal forward then sent a
shot into the side-netting, and with seven minutes of normal time remaining,
he scored the third West Ham goal which had by that point seemed almost
inevitable. Noble was the provider once more, delivering a cross that was
not dealt with and fell to Ba, who volleyed against the turf and in.
Odemwingie and Piquionne had chances to seal victory in the dying moments,
but it was honours even come the final whistle.
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Parker Should Be Made Captain
West Ham Till I Die
The most memorable thing about the Match of the Day highlights was the post
match interview with Carlton Cole. He made clear that the reason for the
second half revival was not a half time team talk from Avram Grant – it was
an inspirational talk from Scott Parker. Cole was adamant that it was the
finest speech he had ever heard and it brought a tear to his eye.
"He was an inspiration in the changing room at half-time. Obviously on the
pitch he was inspirational but in the changing room he turned it around for
us. We came out like a different team in the second half. Substitutions were
spot on as well and gave us the impetus we needed. It was an emotional
rollercoaster. I think the first half was unacceptable for West Ham – all
the travelling fans didn't deserve that. If we show this kind of attitude it
should stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. If you had been in
the changing room you would have had a tear in your eye!"
Do we need any further evidence that Scott Captain should be made captain
and that the armband should be withdrawn from Matthew Upson? It may seem
harsh on Upson, but Parker has proved that he is already the team captain in
all but name
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West Ham to face Olympic Stadium fight over moving into Orient's patch
By NICK HARRIS Last updated at 11:32 PM on 12th February 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham's dream of taking over London's Olympic Stadium after the 2012
Games will come under threat this week when Leyton Orient announce they are
considering legal action over the decision to allow the Hammers to move from
Upton Park to Stratford as the venue's tenants. Rather than challenge the
decision of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), which on Friday selected
West Ham over Tottenham as the preferred bidder for the stadium, Orient will
focus on the legality of the Premier League allowing one of their clubs to
relocate into the 'territory' of a Football League club. Orient will outline
their objections at a Press conference on Wednesday. It is understood that
the League One club will demand details about what specific impact studies
the Premier League undertook to gauge the impact on Orient of a move to
Stratford by either West Ham or Tottenham. Premier League Rule I.6.5, which
governs stadium moves, states that the Premier League's board should agree
to a change of home for one of their clubs only if the board are satisfied
that a move 'would not adversely affect clubs (or Football League clubs)
having their registered grounds in the immediate vicinity of the proposed
location'.
Orient, the closest club to the Olympic site, believe that no meaningful
impact studies have been done and they fear that West Ham's intended
discount pricing policy will severely damage their own attendance and
income. It is expected that West Ham will offer cheap admission prices to
try to fill the reconfigured 60,000-seat stadium, undercutting Orient's
current ticket charges.
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Ba hauls Hammers back from brink
West Bromwich Albion 3 West Ham United 3: Hodgson sees best and worst of
Albion as new manager witnesses capitulation after three-goal start
Independent.co.uk
By Phil Shaw at the Hawthorns
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Who needs Roy Hodgson? That was the question at half-time, when West
Bromwich led 3-0 and caretaker head coach Michael Appleton was roared down
the tunnel by the Hawthorns faithful. After a stunning West Ham fightback,
culminating in Demba Ba's equaliser, the boos underlined the task
confronting Roberto Di Matteo's successor.
Ba, the gangling, French-born Senegal striker, joined West Ham from
Hoffenheim in Germany last month only after a knee problem saw him fail a
medical at Stoke. Whatever the doubts over his fitness, his finishing could
yet save Avram Grant's side from the drop.
Albion appeared in complete control following early strikes by Graham
Dorrans and Jerome Thomas and Winston Reid's own goal. Soon after the break,
however, Ba opened his account for West Ham. Carlton Cole swiftly added a
second and the newcomer deservedly hauled them level with seven minutes to
play.
Fittingly, given the news of West Ham's proposed relocation to Stratford on
Friday, it was an Olympian effort, lifting them off the foot of the Premier
League. Their fans, taunted with choruses of "Best ground in the
Championship" early on, were reciprocating with "That's why you're going
down" by the end.
Grant, who may not have given Ba his first start but for the injury that
will keep Robbie Keane out for five weeks, talked of an "an amazing match".
Asked what he had said during the interval, the West Ham manager grinned.
"It's better you don't know. But in football, everything can change."
Appleton said: "Confidence was sky-high at half-time, but when you're on a
terrible run like us, doubts come into your mind if you lose a goal. We
talked to the boys at half-time about momentum, which is crucial in
football. We needed to score first in the second half but didn't."
At least Hodgson, who maintained a watching brief from the directors' box
prior to taking over tomorrow, will be under no illusions, having seen the
best and worst of Albion.
Inspired by the fit-again Dorrans, they were cruising just after the
half-hour mark. With less than three minutes gone, Dorrans, taking a
through-pass by Peter Odem-wingie, was allowed time to look up and size up
his shot before driving it beyond Robert Green from22 yards. In Albion's
next attack, Green parried Odemwingie's shot to Chris Brunt, who drilled it
goalwards only for the ball to hit Marc-Antoine Fortuné. It scarcely
mattered because in the eighth minute Fortuné's cut-back found the onrushing
Thomas, who sidefooted it beyond Green.
Thomas looked certain to add a third after 12 minutes when he rounded Green
before losing his footing. Albion also claimed a penalty when the ball
struck Reid's hand, but the New Zealander's luck turned when Dorrans'
floated free-kick evaded the thrusting heads and hit his body on its way
into the net.
In the final minutes of the opening half, Ba's volley was turned on to a
post by Boaz Myhill, James Morrison clearing the ball off the line; then
Gary O'Neil's 25-yard drive dipped over the goalkeeper but smacked against
the bar. They were warning signs Albion failed to heed. Newcastle's recovery
from 4-0 down against Arsenal last weekend, along with Albion's chronic
inability to keep a clean sheet, were the only straws at which West Ham
could clutch. Needing an early riposte, they got it when Paul Scharner
failed to win an aerial challenge with Ba, who stroked the loose ball in
from close range.
Soon it was 3-2. As Mark Noble prepared to take a free-kick, Frédéric
Piquionne came on as substitute and was able to drift, not so much unmarked
as unnoticed, into the penalty area to head the ball on. Cole glanced it
home, and soon Piquionne headed against the bar from Wayne Bridge's cross.
Bridge and Noble were again involved when West Ham's pressure reaped a
dramatic reward.
The left-back's short corner found his colleague, whose cross skimmed off
Jonas Olsson's head to Ba beyond the far post. The African launched into a
mid-air volley, the ball beating Myhill on his near post. Appleton,
universally known as "Appy", was anything but by the final whistle.
Attendance: 23,916
Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the match: Ba
Match rating: 9/10
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