WHUFC.com
Thomas Hitzlsperger is dreaming of a return to the Home of Football in this
season's FA Cup
20.02.2011
Thomas Hitzlsperger is dreaming of a Wembley return ahead of Monday's FA Cup
sponsored by EON fifth-round visit of Burnley. Der Hammer was back in West
Ham United's first-team squad for the first time for the 3-3 Barclays
Premier League draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend after six months
out with a thigh injury. The No11 has successfully come through two
reserve-team matches in recent weeks and is now targeting his first Boleyn
Ground appearance since the SBOBET Cup victory over Spanish side RC
Deportivo La Coruna in August. Should West Ham win on Monday evening, they
would be just one round from Wembley - a stadium Hitzlsperger graced in
Germany's 2-1 friendly defeat of England in August 2007. The 28-year-old has
told the official matchday programme how much he enjoyed his night at the
Home of Football and how he would love to return to Wembley in this year's
FA Cup.
"It was really strange because before the game, I remember telling my
team-mates they were going to love the English atmosphere. We went there to
a great stadium and the game started with England scoring the first goal and
I was hoping it wouldn't be a disaster for us. We then got level and went a
goal up and all of a sudden it went very quiet. "I really enjoyed it and
always remember it when I think of England. We have a chance to go to
Wembley in the FA Cup and that would be fantastic. We seem to do well in the
cups so we can have another go and I think we have a good chance of
progressing, even though Burnley are on a good run at the moment. "It would
be nice to finish the season at Wembley as it would be a great day out for
everyone."
Hitzlsperger discusses a wide range of subjects in Monday's matchday
programme, including his favourite sausage, his most embarrassing moment on
a football pitch and the best players he has lined up alongside during his
illustrious career. The Germany midfielder's Fans' Mailbag is just one of a
whole host of exclusive interviews to feature in Monday's issue. There is
in-depth news, views and photographs from the day the Olympic Park Legacy
Committee (OPLC) Board recommended West Ham and the London Borough of
Newham's joint bid to take control of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. Jack
Collison talks about twitter, ice chambers and his imminent return to
action, while Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle and Clarets fan and former
Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell
give the opposition view. Kevin Keen, Wally Downes and Tony Carr bring
supporters the latest from the reserve and youth teams, while manager Julia
Setford and captain Nat Grafton talk about the successful Ladies team.
Former Hammers defender Colin Foster is the subject of 'Where Are They
Now?', while the historical features look back to the day West Ham beat
Switzerland in 1936 and an FA Cup victory over Manchester United 50 years
later. For all this, plus much, much more, supporters cannot afford to miss
out on a copy of Monday's official matchday programme. Priced £3.50,
Monday's issue - the 21st of an action-packed season - will be available in
and around the Boleyn Ground, as well as in the Stadium Store.
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Noble fired up
WHUFC.com
Longest-serving player Mark Noble has seen enough of the club's strikers to
feel confident
19.02.2011
Mark Noble has claimed West Ham United have the firepower to shoot
themselves to Barclays Premier League safety. The homegrown Hammer has
hailed the arrival of Demba Ba to join a potent front-line already boasting
Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne, while Victor Obinna, Freddie Sears and
Zavon Hines could also play their part in the run-in when it comes to goals.
"We're all gearing towards staying in the Premier League," said Noble. "None
of us wants to be involved in a relegation. I've managed to stay away from
that [in my career], even though we've been close, but hopefully we've got
the firepower now and we can push on. "We've got to score goals to win
games, so if we can do that and not let them in then I'm sure we'll be
fine."
Ba gave notice of his ability with a two-goal show against West Bromwich
Albion last week and the midfielder said his new team-mate was learning fast
about the rigours of the English game. "Demba probably didn't know what to
expect in the Premier League. A lot of players don't. "Against West Brom,
he won headers, got to the by-line and cross them and managed to get a
couple of goals, which was fantastic. Obviously we're going to need a player
like him over the next couple of games."
While Noble is only thinking short-term and the need to stay in the
division, he has also cast his mind to the prospect of running out at the
Olympic Stadium in summer 2014. "I think it's a really good thing for the
club. Obviously a lot of fans love Upton Park, as we all do as it's a
fantastic place to play and the atmosphere is great there, but times are
moving on and if we can get 55 or 60,000 there it would be fantastic for all
of us."
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Newcastle line up £10m swoop for Cole
Published 23:00 19/02/11 By Brian McNally
The Mirror
Newcastle are lining up a summer move for £10million-rated West Ham striker
Carlton Cole. Toon manager Alan Pardew is flush with the £30m Newcastle
have banked from the £35m sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool. So he is
considering the 27-year-old England hitman as the answer to his depleted
strikeforce. He signed Cole as a 22-year-old back in 2006, but their
partnership was short-lived when he was sacked by the Hammers just a few
months later. Cole's never been the most prolific scorer. He's scored eight
times this season of which four have come in the Premier League. However,
Pardew is a big fan of his powerful, physical style and ability in the air.
It is believed that West Ham want around £10m for Cole, but relegation could
force their hand into accepting less.
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Grant hails Parker as West Ham's answer to John Terry
Published 23:00 19/02/11 By Anthony Clavane
The Mirror
Avram Grant has hailed Scott Parker as West Ham's answer to John Terry after
the midfielder inspired last week's amazing comeback against West Brom.
Parker's rousing half-time speech worked wonders as the Hammers clawed back
a three-goal deficit to claim a draw – and the Israeli boss believes he
epitomises the fighting spirit that will keep the club up. Grant, whose side
face Burnley in tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round clash said: "It's good that
players show emotion. John Terry did it for me at Chelsea - and he did it
well. Scott is one of the leaders we have at the club. It's not the first
time that has happened to me. "Some want to do it but are shy. I encourage
it because players are not computers. You must let them express themselves."
Parker's role as Mr Motivator led some critics to question Grant's
laid-back managerial style and wonder why he left it to his talisman to
inspire the players. But the Upton Park manager insists it is typical of
the club's team spirit - and that his track record in motivating players is
second to none. He said: "We started the season badly and lost four games
in a row. "It was not easy for us. But since then we have progressed. "In
many games we have come from behind. We deal very well with the problems in
the team. "We have had a lot of injuries but because of the team spirit we
have a stronger mentality so we can cope with it better. "In the last game
we came from 3-0 behind to make it 3-3 and almost 4-3. "A lot of players
have shown improvement. "I'm very proud because if you check then 90 per
cent of players have been better after I have worked with them. "It's been
like that at Chelsea and Portsmouth and it will be like that at West Ham."
Grant took his players for a team bonding session earlier in the week –
with Kieron Dyer winning the go-karting competition. He joked: "The
go-karting was easier for the players because I couldn't do it because I
have a back problem. "But it was competitive. I wanted them to enjoy it and
be together.
"They asked for it, the staff asked for it, and it was a good thing to do
for team spirit."
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Grant feeling positive following Hammers' team bonding go-kart session
Published 13:35 19/02/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant believes West Ham's team bonding session has helped to bring his
squad closer together as they head into a crucial period in their battle to
avoid relegation. The Hammers fought back from 3-0 down to pick up a point
at relegation rivals West Brom last Saturday and move off the foot of the
Barclays Premier League table. The second-half comeback, which was inspired
by captain Scott Parker's rousing half-time team-talk, came as a huge relief
for Grant and his side after the previous weekend's 1-0 home defeat to
fellow strugglers Birmingham. The team were rewarded for their draw with a
trip to the Red Lodge karting track in Newmarket, East Cambridge, yesterday
when they raced against each other before taking part in some clay-pigeon
shooting nearby.
Hammers strikers Carlton Cole and Zavon Hines have both expressed their
delight at the team-bonding session and Grant also believes it has helped
the squad become closer - something that will be vital in the weeks ahead.
"We are playing on Monday this week and our last game was Saturday so we
decided to take the individuals to be as a team together," Grant said. "We
did go-karting and other things like clay-pigeon shooting too. "It was good
for the team. It was very successful. "It was nice to watch them enjoying
themselves away from everything."
Cole took his tally to three goals in five games when he scored the Hammers'
second goal in the six-goal thriller at the Hawthorns. The England striker
combined well with new signing Demba Ba in the absence of the injured Robbie
Keane and he thinks morale within the squad has improved greatly after their
trip to Cambridgeshire. "Team spirit is a vital weapon to have," Cole said
on Twitter after the game. "Sometimes you need to come out of familiar
surroundings & learn about one another in different circumstances. "I firmly
believe all of my team mates will go that extra mile to get us out the
predicament we find ourselves in. "We will fight as a team, together as one,
we showed great team spirit and now is the time for us to show it on the
pitch, starting from Monday. "I will be greatly disappointed if we don't
leave Upton Park with nothing less than a victory."
Grant and his side must temporarily forget about their battle with
relegation on Monday when they take on Burnley in the fifth round of the FA
Cup at Upton Park. The Hammers have performed well outside of the league
this season, brushing aside leaders Manchester United in the Carling Cup
before being denied a date at Wembley by a defeat to Birmingham in the
semi-finals. The former Chelsea boss has fond memories of the FA Cup, having
taken Portsmouth to the final last year, and he now hopes to make it to the
last eight with a win over the Clarets on Monday night. "I really like the
FA Cup, it is always exciting," Grant said. "It's a good competition and
sometimes it gives you a break from the league which is good."
Eddie Howe has lost only once since being appointed Burnley manager last
month and the Lancashire club are only nine places below West Ham in the
league ladder. Grant encountered tough games against Championship side
Coventry and League One neighbours Southampton on the road to Wembley with
Pompey last season and that experience has made him sure that Monday's game
will be tough. "It's always good to play at home but I know it will not be
an easy game," Grant said. "I know from playing against lower-league teams
in the past, they want to beat Premier League teams a lot. For them the FA
Cup is everything. "We know that and we will have to prepare for what will
be a difficult game."
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AVRAM GRANT: WEST HAM HAVE TWIN TARGET
Daily Star
20th February 2011 By Steve Morgan
WEST Ham boss Avram Grant reckons his players are mentally tough enough to
go all the way in the FA Cup – and also avoid relegation. That wasn't the
case last term when he led Portsmouth to Wembley but they dropped out of the
top flight. The Hammers are second from bottom in the Premier League.
But Pompey were already doomed and Grant, whose team take on Burnley at
Upton Park tomorrow, is confident history will not repeat itself. He said:
"Here the league is our first priority but I have said to the players they
always need a winning mentality. "It is something we are trying to build
here. Players need to come in every day wanting to win every game. "Spirit
and mental strength is very important, because of the pressure. "You cannot
take players who are average and make them superstars, no way, but to get
the best from average players you need to work on their mental strength.
Because of the team spirit we have got a stronger mentality now. The last
game we came back from three-nil down to draw 3-3 and it was almost 4-3."
Grant hopes that being in knockout action will give his players a rest from
the grind of the relegation battle. He said: "I really like the FA Cup, it
is always exciting and sometimes it gives you a break from the league."
Summer signing Thomas Hitzlsperger will make his long-awaited debut after
suffering a thigh tear in August.
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Grant hopes bonding session will glue West Ham together in relegation fight
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 1:51 PM on 19th February 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant believes West Ham's team bonding session has helped to bring his
squad closer together as they head into a crucial period in their battle to
avoid relegation. The Hammers fought back from 3-0 down to pick up a point
at relegation rivals West Brom last Saturday and move off the foot of the
Barclays Premier League table. The second-half comeback, which was inspired
by captain Scott Parker's rousing half-time team-talk, came as a huge relief
for Grant and his side after the previous weekend's 1-0 home defeat to
fellow strugglers Birmingham. The team were rewarded for their draw with a
trip to the Red Lodge karting track in Newmarket, East Cambridge, yesterday
when they raced against each other before taking part in some clay-pigeon
shooting nearby. Hammers strikers Carlton Cole and Zavon Hines have both
expressed their delight at the team-bonding session and Grant also believes
it has helped the squad become closer - something that will be vital in the
weeks ahead. 'We are playing on Monday this week and our last game was
Saturday so we decided to take the individuals to be as a team together,'
Grant said. 'It was good for the team. It was very successful.
'It was nice to watch them enjoying themselves away from everything.'
Cole took his tally to three goals in five games when he scored the Hammers'
second goal in the six-goal thriller at the Hawthorns. The England striker
combined well with new signing Demba Ba in the absence of the injured Robbie
Keane and he thinks morale within the squad has improved greatly after their
trip to Cambridgeshire. 'Team spirit is a vital weapon to have,' Cole said
on Twitter after the game. 'Sometimes you need to come out of familiar
surroundings & learn about one another in different circumstances. 'I firmly
believe all of my team mates will go that extra mile to get us out the
predicament we find ourselves in. 'We will fight as a team, together as one,
we showed great team spirit and now is the time for us to show it on the
pitch, starting from Monday. 'I will be greatly disappointed if we don't
leave Upton Park with nothing less than a victory.'
Grant and his side must temporarily forget about their battle with
relegation on Monday when they take on Burnley in the fifth round of the FA
Cup at Upton Park. The Hammers have performed well outside of the league
this season, brushing aside leaders Manchester United in the Carling Cup
before being denied a date at Wembley by a defeat to Birmingham in the
semi-finals. The former Chelsea boss has fond memories of the FA Cup, having
taken Portsmouth to the final last year, and he now hopes to make it to the
last eight with a win over the Clarets on Monday night. 'I really like the
FA Cup, it is always exciting,' Grant said. 'It's a good competition and
sometimes it gives you a break from the league which is good.'
Eddie Howe has lost only once since being appointed Burnley manager last
month and the Lancashire club are only nine places below West Ham in the
league ladder. Grant encountered tough games against Championship side
Coventry and League One neighbours Southampton on the road to Wembley with
Pompey last season and that experience has made him sure that Monday's game
will be tough.'It's always good to play at home but I know it will not be an
easy game,' Grant said. 'I know from playing against lower-league teams in
the past, they want to beat Premier League teams a lot. For them the FA Cup
is everything. 'We know that and we will have to prepare for what will be a
difficult game.'
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Mears Out To Hammer Old Foes
Posted on: Sat 19 Feb 2011
Burnelyfootballclub.com
Tyrone Mears feels that FA Cup opponents West Ham have defensive frailties
that the Clarets can exploit. The Clarets defender heads to Upton Park on
Monday night for a reunion with his former club. And in-form Mears, who
suffered a miserable, injury hit season with the Hammers in 2006/07, is
ready to show the Upton Park faithful what they were missing as Burnley go
in search of another London cup scalp. He said: "I am really looking forward
to it.
"It should have gone a lot better than it did at West Ham and I was gutted
in terms of what happened in terms of the injury and the way I left. "I
signed with a stress fracture on the shin that tormented me for probably
five or six years, until six months after (I signed) I eventually got it
done. It wasn't good, but things happen in life and you move on."I have been
back a couple of times and the first time I went back there I scored against
them (for Derby), so that was a bit strange."But I do feel for West Ham at
the minute. "They are a club that shouldn't be fighting relegation with the
players they have. "They shouldn't be at the bottom, but it's happened and
they have to deal with that and I am sure they will make sure they are
concentrating on the league. "But they had a decent run in the Carling Cup
and I am sure they will want to do that as well in the FA Cup. "For us, we
look at it that they score a lot of goals and attack-wide they are very
good, but defensively we can get at them. "We do have to respect them
because they are a Premier League team with good players, but they are
struggling and that is something we have to look to bounce upon."
Right-back Mears has again been 'Mr Consistent' for Clarets this season,
adding his first goals for the club to his natural attack-minded instincts.
And he believes new manager Eddie Howe is reaping the benefits of a squad
that was , by his own admission, under-performing under previous manager
Brian Laws. Mears said: "I felt a little bit sorry for Brian (Laws) to be
honest. "You couldn't put your finger on why we weren't playing well because
we have the players here to challenge to go back up and he wasn't rally
getting the best out of us towards Christmas. "The new manager has come in
and he obviously has a good record with Bournemouth and he has come in and
things have improved. "I don't think that's any disrespect to Brian, but he
is getting the best out of the players now and long may that continue."
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