WHUFC.com
Young defender Winston Reid has sent his condolences to those involved in
New Zealand's earthquake
22.02.2011
Winston Reid has spoken of his sadness after an earthquake left 65 people
dead in New Zealand. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck just before
midnight UK time, and Reid said his immediate thoughts were for those who
have lost friends and family in the tragedy. The centre-back was speaking
after scoring his first goal for the Hammers in a 5-1 defeat of Burnley in
the FA Cup, but was only concerned with thoughts back home. "It was a
fantastic night for me and for the team, but obviously a thing like this
happening puts it all into perspective. I heard about the earthquake and
then saw the pictures of it all on the news. It is devastating and my heart
goes out to everyone back home. "I would just like to say that I am thinking
of everyone back home, especially those who have lost loved ones and have
had their lives changed because of this. "It is not a large country, but
the spirit among the people there will be what gets them through. They will
all help each other out and will help each other to recover from what has
happened. My thoughts are with everyone."
The 22-year-old was born in Auckland but moved to Denmark with his mum aged
ten. He regularly still goes home to New Zealand, not least when
representing his country on international duty. "My immediate reaction was
to call home to my family and friends - the problem was that because of the
quake, the phone lines were all down as you would expect, so it took a bit
of time to get through, which was worrying. "I had to get messages through
and then get them sent on to others and do it like that, but my family and
friends are OK. Obviously everything is turned upside down, but they are all
feeling so fortunate, and so am I, that they are all alive that is the main
thing because people have lost their lives and that is the most tragic
thing.
"While there are many buildings and houses that have been destroyed, many of
the buildings are built strongly and so would have survived, so hopefully
many people are also OK. "It is a very sad time because they have lost loved
ones. I have also seen pictures on the news of people on buses with their
belongings of what has survived. "I have not experienced an earthquake
myself back home, but I know a few months ago there was a small tremor, so
it looks like a bigger one had been building up - there is nothing you can
do. "Even if you live in a country where earthquakes happen, I don't think
you are ever fully prepared for it. It is still a shock when it happens as
you simply can't stop it or stop what it does."
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Cole on a roll
WHUFC.com
England forward Carlton Cole is ready to keep on scoring to help the
Hammers' cause
22.02.2011
Carlton Cole may have moved on to double figures for the season with his
two-goal show against Burnley - but he is determined to do more to aid the
club's survival fight. The striker has notched ten times in 32 appearances -
although has started just 19 of those matches - and is the club's leading
scorer this season. Having won 5-1 on Monday, the striker is hoping he and
the team can give the fans more to savour when Liverpool arrive on Sunday
afternoon. Speaking to West Ham TV, Cole said: "The fans turned up, all the
kids as well, and I am happy for them to witness a five-goal victory. It was
entertaining stuff and last week against West Brom was very entertaining as
well. That's what the punters pay for. "It also just shows the spirit of the
lads lately as well. It was well publicised that the boys went out last week
to get a bit of team spirit and I think Burnley showed what we are really
about. I am happy for the boys, happy for the manager, and happy for the
people all connected with West Ham United. We really did do a good job."
Cole may have scored twice in under two minutes early in the second half,
but admitted his first left a lot to be desired after a poor first touch and
then clumsy finish. "I can't believe I celebrated the first goal really! It
was a bit embarrassing, but these things happen and every goal counts -
whether it comes off my shin or whether it's a bobbler. "I don't care, as
long as it goes in. I'm on ten goals this season but I really want to
convert that into the league. That's where it counts at the moment, because
we really want to be a Premier League outfit next season. Everyone really
dug in and that's what we need, we need everyone pulling in the same
direction. Everyone has to play their part this season because this is going
to be a massive team effort."
Cole had plenty of praise for team-mate Thomas Hitzlsperger, a player he
knows well from spending a season at Aston Villa with him in 2004/05 - and
was delighted to see him overcome his injury woes. "It's fantastic. He's a
great player, he shows what he can do in training and he's going to be a
massive asset for us. "We've missed that as well, we always rely on Mark
Noble, Kovac and obviously Scotty Parker, but now they've got a bit of
support as well from a talented football player and hopefully he can
continue his form. Today he scored a cracking goal to set us off and that's
what we all needed."
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Winston Reid sympathises with New Zealand quake victims
By Leon Mann
BBC sports reporter
BBC.co.uk
New Zealand's Winston Reid said his joy at scoring his first goal for West
Ham was quickly put into perspective by the earthquake in Christchurch. Reid
scored West Ham's fourth goal in a 5-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on Monday. He
told BBC Sport: "It was a fantastic night, but the earthquake put it into
perspective. It is devastating and my heart goes out to everyone back home."
The 22-year-old has friends and cousins in the Christchurch area, which was
hit by the 6.3-magnitude quake on Tuesday. When Reid heard the news he
called home immediately but had some initial problems reaching his loved
ones. "Because of the quake, the phone lines and cables were all down, so it
took a bit of time to get through, which was worrying," he explained. "I had
to get messages through and get them sent on to others, but my family and
friends are OK. Everything is turned upside down, but they are all feeling
so fortunate and so am I, that they are all alive. That is the main thing,
because people have lost their lives, which is tragic."
The defender, who joined West Ham from Danish side FC Midtjylland in August
2010, has admitted that he is still in shock and has been watching the news
intently for updates. "Even if you live in a country where earthquakes
happen, I don't think you are ever fully prepared for it," he reflected. "I
am thinking of everyone back home, especially those who have lost loved ones
and have had their lives changed because of this. "It is not a large
country, but the spirit among the people there will be what gets them
through. They will all help each other out and help each other recover from
what has happened. My thoughts are with everyone." Reid's headed goal on 59
minutes helped West Ham stroll into an FA Cup sixth-round tie at Stoke.
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Robbie Keane to be sidelined at West Ham for month
BBC.co.uk
By Frank Keogh
West Ham will be without striker Robbie Keane for at least a month as he
recovers from a calf injury. The 30-year-old is doubtful for the Republic of
Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in March. Keane - on loan
from Tottenham - was sidelined as West Ham beat Burnley 5-1 in the FA Cup
fifth round on Monday. Before the game, first team coach Wally Downes denied
reports defender Matthew Upson would miss the rest of the season with an
Achilles tendon injury. The club say the 31-year-old Hammers captain is
still being assessed and there is a possibility he could return at some
stage next month. And Downes said suggestions the centre-half, whose
contract expires at the end of the season, would not play again this
campaign were "absolutely untrue". Downes told BBC Radio 5 live: "The
problems with Matthew have certainly been overplayed in the media. "He's
just had a scan, the same most players have every now and again. If you scan
any footballer at any time, you will find something wrong with them. The
medical people are so thorough nowadays. "I'm sure if you scanned 100
players, you would find something wrong with each and every one of them.
It's just what level they can play on with. Matthew has a bit of tendinitis
in his Achilles. Hopefully, it won't be a problem and he will be back soon."
Keane's absence is a blow for West Ham, who are second from bottom in the
Premier League and battling to avoid relegation. The Dubliner has scored 45
goals in 104 appearances for the Republic of Ireland, who face Macedonia on
26 March and then Uruguay in a friendly on 29 March. With an expected return
in four to six weeks, Keane is likely to sit out three or four matches but
West Ham will hope he is fit for the home game against Manchester United on
2 April. He was signed on loan from Tottenham, with the option of an
extended deal if the Hammers stay up, and scored on his debut in a 3-1 win
at Blackpool before being substituted after 75 minutes in the home defeat by
Birmingham on 6 February.
West Ham do have several attacking options, however, including new signing
Demba Ba, Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna and Freddie Sears.
They, together with Keane, have ensured the Hammers have scored at least
three goals in four of their last five matches. Cole (2), Sears, debutant
Thomas Hitzlsperger and defender Winston Reid found the net against Burnley.
Hitzlsperger, nicknamed Der Hammer, fired in a left-foot drive to give the
London club the lead in the 23rd minute. After the Hammers sealed a place in
the FA Cup quarter-finals, manager Avram Grant said the German midfielder
had shown no ill effects in what was his first game since suffering a thigh
injury while playing for his country in August.
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Owls bid for Hammers duo
Wednesday try for Ilunga and McCarthy
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 23rd
February 2011
SSN
Sheffield Wednesday have made an audacious bid to sign West Ham United duo
Benni McCarthy and Herita Ilunga. The duo are only on the fringes of the
first-team picture at Upton Park and the Hammers are willing to let them go.
South African striker McCarthy has not started a league game this season,
whilst left-back Ilunga has been pushed out by Wayne Bridge's arrival. Now
League One Wednesday, courtesy of new owner Milan Mandaric's financial
backing, are looking to land both players on loan. "We are trying to get
both players in and the two clubs have been in dialogue for a few days,"
confirmed manager Gary Megson. "We are facing a battle to convince them to
drop two divisions but we are asking the questions."
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Grant on... Burnley
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant was in relaxed mood as he fielded questions following the
comfortable 5-1 FA Cup victory against Burnley...
Avram: how good was that win?
It was a good win. We know in the Cup you can always make the game
difficult, but in the second half we made it look easy. It's not always easy
so I'm very pleased with the result.
Did you say something at half time? Because two goal in two minutes ended
the tie.
We always want to score. We didn't say 'score two goals in two minutes' but
we spoke about a few things. We spoke about how to play more forward because
we passed the ball very well in the first half but not so much forward. But
we did it well in the second half.
What pleased you most?
The result, the performance - also it was good to see Thomas Hitzlsperger
back.
What a debut for him and a fantastic goal. What can he do for you for the
rest of the season?
He was one of our best players in the preparation before the season and we
miss him so much. He got injured a few days before the league [campaign
started] and he is a very good player.
In our system he is very important because he can do many things. He knows
how to defend, he knows how to score like we saw today and it's not even
half of what he can do, what you saw today - but it was good for a first
game after such a long time [out].
How much of a confidence boost is it going to be for you and the team, this
result, going on for the rest of the season?
We never analyse just the last game, you know - we look back at the last
two, three months when there were so many positive things, so many good
results and we can learn from this.
Do you think a good run in the Cup can spark your Premier League form?
I hope so. It's happened to us before when we had good results in the
Carling Cup we had good results in the league. We hope to do it because our
main target is the league.
Now you have to face Stoke twice in consecutive games, in both the league
and Cup?
Yes; it will not be easy for us or them. Our target is to get good results
in the league but we will be very happy to be in the semi-final.
In the previous round agaist Nottingham Forest you rested a lot of your key
players yet tonight you more or less fielded a full-strength team. The
reasoning for the change?
It was a period when we played two or three games in a week, so we needed to
use other players. Even in the league, in important games. But today, after
nine days of rest it was much easier to use the players.
You've won eight games out of nine in the cups at West Ham but only five out
of 27 in the league. What's the difference?
I cannot tell you what is different because we prepare ourselves for the Cup
games the same way we prepare for the league. It's happened but I don't know
of any particular reason.
Thomas hasn't had any reaction, has he? He's fine?
Yes. I know you're used to everyone being injured, but for the moment he's
okay!
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Howe on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Eddie Howe felt that his Burnley side had been hard done by after going down
5-1 to West Ham...
Eddie: obviously a huge disappointment, can you give us your thoughts on
what happened tonight?
Well it could have been very different. I thought we were excellent in the
first half and very unfortunate to go in one-down at the break. Second half
we had a bad start, there's no denying that. Defensively we looked a little
shaky and West Ham punished us. I thought there were a lot of positives to
take from the game and a few things we need to work on. But I thought the
result could have been a lot different.
You forced Robert Green into three good stops before they got the goal?
If we could have got the first goal - and it goes without saying - it could
have made all the difference. We had a really good spell where we were
keeping the ball and creating chances but the ball just didn't fall for us
in the box. As you say, their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves. But
at the start of the second half the game was over and once you go three-nil
down you've got to chase the game, which makes it very difficult.
What do you take out of it though to help your quest to make the play-offs
in the Championship?
I think there's a lot to take. We know we've got a talented squad and we
know the areas where we're very strong and I think we proved that today. We
passed and moved the ball really well first half - the result sort of takes
the gloss off that. We know there's areas where we can improve and the
second half was a disappointment in terms of our defending - then we got a
little bit frustrated. But all in all we've had a good little run in the FA
Cup and now our focus has to turn to the league.
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Cole: they all count
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has admitted to feeling a touch abashed about his comedy goal
against Burnley last night. The West Ham number nine - whose second half
brace set West Ham on their way to a 5-1 win - managed to fluff his lines
when left one-on-one with Lee Grant. Having fallen over the 'keeper he then
executing a perfect sliding tackle on a surprised Claret's defender to send
the ball into the net. "Obviously it wasn't the best of touches to take it
towards the goalkeeper," Cole confessed to ESPN. "I wanted to lure him in a
little bit but I ended up going in 50/50 with him! It broke for me, I saw it
and scored.
"I had to improvise but I got it in so that was a plus point for me. I can't
believe I even celebrated that, to be fair - it's a bit embarrassing but
these things happen and you've got to take it! "The second goal, I thought I
done well with it. Big thanks to Mark Noble who set me up for both goals.
I've come into a little bit of form and hopefully I can take it into the
league; that's where it really counts at the moment. "
Cole's brace, which takes his personal tally for the season to 10 in all
competitions was complemented by goals from Thomas Hitzlsperger, Winston
Reid and Freddie Sears - and the England striker was quick to praise both
his team mates and boss Avram Grant. "I thought we had a strong performance
in the first half and finished them off in the second," he summised. "I'm
really happy about the boys' performance today and even overchuffed for the
manager as well..."
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Where will the new fans come from?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th February 2011
By: Matt Davies
West Ham United's move to the Olympic Stadium is not yet 'rubber stamped'
and with Barry Hearns ready to challenge the move on behalf of Leyton
Orient, the final decision could be a few weeks away. However this is just a
delay and it is very unlikely to make any difference to the decision. So let
us assume that we are moving in for the 2014/5 season. What does that mean?
Well, there is much made about the stadium itself and the infamous running
track. There are worries that this will turn off the fans and the proposed
60,000 seat stadium will be half full on matchday. I can't see it myself -
but where are the new fans going to come from?
The local area is the most obvious source of new fans and is the root of Mr
Hearn's argument, but are there many youngsters in the local area that are
still choosing a club to support? Or supporters of the Irons that cannot get
into the Boleyn Ground due to available seats or prices? Let's say that
optimistically we could expect another 3,000 fans from the local area. That
would bring us up to approximately 35,000 West Ham fans on a good day.
Casting the net more widely would see us making use of the good public
transport links introduced for the Olympics, especially the trains. This
will help the Essex boys and girls to make the trip in and open up Kent and
beyond. Let's say that this adds another 5,000regular fans from the
surrounding counties, bringing us to 40,000.
The draw of the Olympic Stadium itself may bring in more home based West Ham
fans from around the country, convincing those that just follow the scores
at home to make the move to supporting the team in person. Maybe this will
increase the West Ham fans in the stadium on game day to 45,000. But even
with an increased number of tickets for the away supporters we are still
going to be a long way short of full.
One of the most interesting suggestions is that new fans could come from
mainland Europe.
Yes, it is being suggested that fans could be flooding into Stratford
International station on game day from places such as Frankfurt. How
realistic is this? Is the Premier League attractive enough to pull in
European football fans?
Well, let's compare trips. I currently drive to Plaistow from Reading and
walk from there. It takes me and my son approximately three hours each way
(not including the walk) and costs approximately £40 in fuel and wear and
tear to the car for each return trip.
Deutsche Bahn, the German train operator that runs many international
services on the continent have been making noises about taking over
Eurostar, and have been trialling a service through the Chunnel from
Frankfurt to Stratford which takes approximately five hours each way. There
are a few sticking points relating to safety rules in the tunnel and train
lengths before the service can start but these will be resolved shortly and
they will start a regular service before the Olympics.
They are also challenging on price, with a suggested cost of 39 Euros each
way, and no required transfer at either end with Stratford International
being walking distance to the new stadium. It really is a possibility for a
day trip. They are also throwing in free wifi on the train, and food and
drinks at a reasonable cost.
What about other European cities? Well Rotterdam would take three hours each
way and Amsterdam four hours, both via Brussels. Both of these routes are
scheduled to be up and running in 2013.
So Stratford International could become a European gateway to football on a
Saturday with both fans from the continent visiting the London teams and
vice versa.
Provided some of these visitors drop in at the West Ham Olympic Stadium we
could see our crowd coming up to 55,000 mark (including away fans); not
quite full, but a good start.
All of these figures are clearly estimates and would be halved if we fail to
stay in the Premier League this season, but I for one am looking forward to
the new opportunities the Olympic Stadium presents.
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Hitz eyes surge to safety
Midfielder happy to mark debut with a goal in cup win
Last updated: 22nd February 2011
SSN
Thomas Hitzlsperger is hoping West Ham United's Premier League survival
fight will be boosted by the FA Cup win over Burnley after the midfielder
marked his belated debut with a goal. The Hammers, who also reached the
Carling Cup semi-finals, set up an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Stoke City
courtesy of a 5-1 thrashing of Burnley on Monday night. The club's cup form
has been in stark contrast to their League results, with Avram Grant's side
currently inside the bottom three. West Ham have several tricky games on the
horizon, but Hitzlsperger feels the team can take heart from the club's cup
exploits.
Confidence
"It's going to bring some confidence back to the camp and that's important
with the games ahead of us," said Hitzlsperger. "This is what we needed, I
think, especially (to win) by such a great margin, 5-1 is a good win for us.
"With the games we have coming up, we're playing some really good teams so
we need confidence and structure in our game. "We can't make any mistakes
because we need to climb up the table."
Hitzlsperger set the Hammers on their way against Burnley with a goal on his
debut and he is delighted to be back in action after months on the sidelines
due to a thigh injury. The Germany international midfielder added: "I have
been looking forward to this for a long time. "The reception I got was
fantastic. I didn't expect it because I thought the fans had forgotten about
me. "The manager was speaking to me before the game about whether I would
play 30 minutes or start, but I'm delighted to start with a goal and an
important win for us."
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Hitzlsperger rejects 'West Ham saviour' tag
Published 23:00 22/02/11 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
All it took was one swing of Der Hammer's left boot - and the rest, as they
say, was histrionics. Thomas Hitzlsperger is already enshrined in East End
legend as the finest thing to come out of the Fatherland since our royal
family. After decorating his West Ham debut with a stunning goal in the FA
Cup romp against Burnley, a fan collared the German international midfielder
in the tunnel and told him: "You're going to be our saviour." Upon closer
inspection, Hitzlsperger may not be the messiah. But as an economist who
used to discuss fiscal strategy with Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank
of England, he is almost certainly the brightest spark in the Hammers'
dressing room. When he was at Aston Villa, Hitz-a-knockout's venomous left
foot was christened 'Der Hammer' by appreciative Holte Enders. And his
weekly chinwags with Mr King - a Villa fan - became such an established part
of his routine that nobody would have been surprised if Hitzlsperger had
turned up for training in a bowler hat, pinstriped suit and with a copy of
the Financial Times tucked under his arm. It must be a colossal meeting of
minds when Hitzlsperger compares notes with team-mates Carlton Cole, whose
bling and urban clobber are the stuff of legend, and Wayne Bridge, whose
latest squeeze is a warbling pop diva. Der Hammer, whose English is perfect
- with faint traces of his native Bavaria and the strangled vowels of a
Brummie - was suitably embarrassed to be cast as West Ham's saviour. But
after waiting six months for his debut because of injury, he is fit and
ready to answer his flock with a touch of "Ich bin ein Eastender."
Hitzlsperger, 27, said: "It's not unfair pressure - that's what the fans are
hoping for - but one player can't just do it all on his own. "Of course I'm
delighted to come in, score on my debut and make a winning start. Hopefully
we can transform that performance into the next game and right through to
the end of the season because we're desperate for good games and especially
good results."
In the excitement of scoring on his debut and the Hammers' biggest win of
the season, Hitzlsperger wondered if West Ham's long-suffering fans would
even remember they had signed him. They won't forget him now. He added:
"When you are not there, when you're not playing, it's only natural that
fans are going to concentrate on the players who are on the pitch. "At the
beginning of my rehabilitation, after I had the surgery, I was spending most
of my time in Germany, so nobody at the club had seen much of me. I've only
been back in England full-time since the beginning of January. "Obviously,
until now, I haven't been able to help the team, but now I'm back and they
are hoping for big things from me. All I can promise is that I'll do my very
best and be as professional as I can to help us in both the FA Cup and the
Premier League. "I don't know why we are in such a lowly position - if you
speak to players from the other teams down there, most would say they don't
deserve to be near the bottom, but you have to prove it week in, week out.
"We have some very good players and I see it every day in training, but you
have to apply that ability on matchdays, when it really matters. "The
quality of the Premier League is so high that the pressure is huge when you
are down there, and it's hard to get out of trouble again. "We just needed a
boost in confidence, and after a good win against Burnley we've got that,
but we have some difficult games coming up - starting with Liverpool on
Sunday. "We have to approach that game in a positive manner because it's
very tight in the relegation zone, but I'm very optimistic and I'm sure the
other players feel the saem way. "I scored once with my left foot - what
else? - against Liverpool when I was at Villa, but I've never finished on
the winning side against them and it's about time I did."
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Wednesday want Hammers' McCarthy and Ilunga
Published 23:00 22/02/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Megson has launched a shock bid to sign West
Ham misfits Benni McCarthy and Herita Ilunga. Megson is in talks with the
Hammers over a surprise deal to take the pair to his League One strugglers
on loan. McCarthy, 33, will be allowed to leave the Boleyn Ground and West
Ham are prepared to pay a whopping 80% of his £60,000-a-week salary. The
South Africa striker has struggled with his weight this season and has not
started a game since West Ham's Carling Cup win over Stoke in October.
Ilunga, 28, has also been frozen out by Avram Grant and the Congo defender
will be offered a chance to revive his career at Hillsborough. "We are
trying to get both players in and the two clubs have been in dialogue for a
few days," said Megson, who has seen Wednesday take just one point and score
one goal from four games since he replaced Alan Irvine. "We are obviously
facing a battle to convince them to drop down two divisions but we are
asking the questions."
Wednesday have not won in the league for two months, slipping from the thick
of the promotion battle to the fringes of the relegation picture. Former
West Ham chief executive Paul Aldridge, who is now vice-chairman at
Hillsborough, is working with Owls chief Milan Mandaric to complete the
deals this week.
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Obinna Available on a Free, and Could Hitzlsperger Be the New Lucas Neill?
West Ham Till I Die
There were reports yesterday that Inter-Milan have not taken up the option
to extend Victor Obinna's contract at the Serie A club. It means that the
player will be available on a free transfer in the summer. That is both an
opportunity and a challenge for the club. Because it also means that other
PL and Serie A clubs will undoubtedly be alerted to his availability as a
free agent.
Obinna is not every one's cup of tea, but I have been impressed by his
technical ability. Yes, he is not the finished product, but he is
undoubtedly worth a punt on a free transfer. He possesses the tools, he
just needs to work at his game and instill more self-discipline. Obinna
came back admirably from the upset of the red card against Birmingham City.
It's that potential that we need to refine and polish. Presumably the club
will move to sign him on a pre-contract to ward off competition for his
signature Although they could possibly hold off until the club's PL fate is
known. Who knows if a deal will be struck if we suffer relegation?
Thomas Hitzlsperger had a great debut against Burnley. After so long out
with injury, he performed far better than anyone could have reasonably
expected. It was not just his long range goal in the first half, something
that 'Da Hammer' is apparently quite a specialist in. It was the way in
which he performed in midfield, moving the ball and bringing extra stability
and quality. If Demba Ba can shape up to assume the Tevez/Ilan mantle up
front, perhaps Thomas Hitzlsperger will prove to be the new Lucas Neill,
providing vital experience and leadership in the relegation struggle?
For his part, Hitzlsperger does not see himself as 'our saviour.'
Apparently, he was called this by a fan at the end of the Burnley match.
And he is right to reject this tag and emphasise the ultimate importance of
the team, the collective unit. For every Tevez there has to be a Green,
Noble and Zamora! But within the overall context of the team, individuals
obviously do make a difference. Hitzlsperger is the captain of Germany,
with over 50 international caps. That type of experience and presence is
invaluable.
The PL table is not looking great at the moment, but that can change with a
couple of back-to-back wins and other key results going our way. At least
the team is gelling, hitting form and scoring goals at last. A 5-1 victory
has got to be a great morale booster for any team. The big question is
whether our defensive frailties will undermine our new found potency in
attack? Lets hope not. There is still a possibility that Upson will be
reunited with Tomkins in the centre of defence. If not then we must hope
that Reid or Da Costa duly step up to the plate. The alternative is, of
course, Danny Gabbidon partnering Tomkins, but who knows whether he will
regain his fitness in time?
An important factor will be whether the team defend as a unit, higher up the
pitch. We must overcome our propensity to defend too deep. Whoever is in
the back line, they will benefit from the midfield providing defensive
cover, our forwards tracking opposition runs in to the box and the full-back
restricting the supply of crosses from the flanks. With our defensive
vulnerabilities, this could prove crucial.
The Liverpool match should be intriguing. They have undoubtedly improved
under Dalglish, but they are far from invincible. We must go for the win.
A draw would not be a total disaster, but we need to start maximising the
points on the board now, as a matter of urgency. Wolves, Wigan and WBA
remain our principal antagonists in the relegation stakes. But we know
that, invariably, a team sinks in to the relegation quagmire and that could
still happen to the likes of Villa, Brum, Blackpool or Blackburn.
The bottom line is that we need to win at least 5 of our 11 remaining
matches. It is not impossible and, crucially, we are scoring goals now. As
a supporter, I just want to see the team go for it big time, with 100%
commitment and belief, starting with the match against Liverpool on Sunday.
SJ. Chandos.
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Kiwi Reid tells of fears after quake devastates Christchurch
By Paul Hirst
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Independent.co.uk
West Ham defender Winston Reid has spoken of his sadness at the deadly
earthquake that rocked his native New Zealand. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake
struck Christchurch just before midnight on Monday (UK time). Reid had just
scored his first goal for the club, in the 5-1 FA Cup win over Burnley, but
delight turned to despair for the Kiwi after news of the earthquake broke.
"A thing like this happening puts it all into perspective," said Reid. "I
heard about the earthquake and then saw the pictures of it all on the news.
It is devastating and my heart goes out to everyone back home. It is not a
large country, but the spirit among the people there will be what gets them
through. They will all help each other out and will help each other to
recover from what has happened. My thoughts are with everyone."
The earthquake is thought to have killed more than 65 people and left
countless others trapped underneath the rubble.
Reid, 22, who was born in Auckland but moved to Denmark with his mother aged
10, still has many family and friends in New Zealand.
The young defender desperately tried to get through to his loved ones as
soon as he heard about the earthquake and was relieved to find out that they
were all unharmed.
"My immediate reaction was to call home to my family and friends – the
problem was that because of the quake, the phone lines were all down, as you
would expect, so it took a bit of time to get through, which was worrying,"
Reid said.
"I had to get messages through and then get them sent on to others and do it
like that, but my family and friends are OK.
"Obviously everything is turned upside down, but they are all feeling so
fortunate, and so am I, that they are all alive. That is the main thing
because people have lost their lives and that is the most tragic thing," he
added.
"I have not experienced an earthquake myself back home, but I know a few
months ago there was a small tremor, so it looks like a bigger one had been
building up – there is nothing you can do.
"Even if you live in a country where earthquakes happen, I don't think you
are ever fully prepared for it. It is still a shock when it happens as you
simply can't stop it or stop what it does."
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Hitzlsperger: West Ham have confidence now to avoid drop
By Paul Hirst
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Independent.co.uk
Thomas Hitzlsperger is confident that West Ham will avoid relegation and
even thinks a place in the FA Cup final is not beyond the club's grasp after
Monday night's fifth-round hammering of Burnley. After six months out with a
thigh injury, Hitzlsperger finally made his Hammers debut at Upton Park. The
German could not have expected his bow to have gone any better as he opened
the scoring with a blistering 25-yard strike to set his team on their way to
a 5-1 win.
The east London side have struggled without Hitzlsperger since he was ruled
out after picking up the injury in Germany's match against Denmark last
August. Despite enjoying good runs in both cup competitions, West Ham have
struggled to stay afloat in the Premier League and have spent the majority
of the season in the relegation zone.
They sit 19th in the division ahead of Sunday's match against in-form
Liverpool, but Hitzlsperger is optimistic about his side's chances of
survival. "Our target is to stay in the Premier League. This season has been
up and down but we have to try to stay in the league and remain positive,"
he said.
"I'm really looking forward to the next few months and if I stay fit, which
I will, then we have a good chance of staying up because this is a good
group and we all fancy our chances."
West Ham have buckled at times this season but Hitzlsperger insists that the
squad will be able to deal with the pressure that will come playing against
the likes of Stoke, Tottenham and Manchester United in the next six weeks.
"If you talk to the teams around us, I think most of them would say we
shouldn't be in that position," the 28-year-old said. "We have some good
players here. I see it in training but you have to do it when it really
matters. The pressure is huge and when you're down near the bottom, it's
hard to escape. The quality is there but we needed a boost in confidence
which this win has provided."
The midfielder, who left Lazio for Upton Park last summer, tried to remain
positive during his lengthy time out. He said: "It was tough when I first
found out the injury would take up to six months to heal but I wasn't
frustrated. I tried to be positive and professional to get back as quick as
possible. That, I think, was the reason why I was able to come back."
The midfielder received a standing ovation from the home support, who have
nicknamed him "Der Hammer", when he was replaced after 72 minutes. The
nickname was particularly apt given the ferocious pace with which he
dispatched his strike and he was delighted to mark his debut with a goal and
a man of the match display.
He added: "I have been waiting for this day for a long time and to start off
with such a goal and good win like we had, it couldn't have been better."
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West Ham could sign Victor Obinna on a free after Inter Milan fail to extend
Nigerian's contract
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 8:58 AM on 23rd February 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham could sign Victor Obinna on a free transfer this summer after Inter
Milan failed to take up an option to extend his contract. The 23-year-old
has scored eight goals during his loan spell at Upton Park but was expected
to return to Italy in the summer. However, Obinna said: 'Inter have no more
say about me. I had a loan deal until the end of the season with an option
on my contract to be registered before the end of January for 2011 and 2012,
but they (Inter) did not register it.' Everton are also interested.
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I'm not West Ham United's saviour, claims Thomas Hitzlsperger
German contributed goal and assist on debut
Hopes to feature against Liverpool in league
Stuart James
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 22 February 2011 22.30 GMT
Thomas Hitzlsperger has warned West Ham United's supporters that he should
not be viewed as the club's saviour after he marked his long-awaited debut
with an impressive performance that included a fine goal and an assist in
the 5-1 victory over Burnley in the FA Cup. The 28-year-old, who moved to
Upton Park on a free transfer from Lazio in June, has been sidelined since
he tore a thigh muscle playing for Germany in a friendly against Denmark in
August. Introduced as "Der Hammer" by the Upton Park announcer before the
game, Hitzlsperger lived up to his nickname with a long-range goal in the
first half, and was told by one supporter after the game that he was "going
to be our saviour".
Asked whether he felt under unfair pressure to turn West Ham's dismal season
round, Hitzlsperger replied: "It's not unfair. That's what they're hoping
for. But you know what it's like – one player just can't do it on his own. I
think [against Burnley it] was a good team performance. I'm delighted that I
came in there, had a good game and that we won the game easily.
"Hopefully we can transform it and take it to the next game, Liverpool, and
until the end of the season because we're desperate for good games and
especially for good results."
The former Aston Villa midfielder, who has won 52 caps for Germany, went
back to his homeland to undergo surgery and only returned to West Ham last
month. "I was speaking to the manager before the [Burnley] game. He said to
me: 'Are you fit enough to start and then play for an hour? Or would you
rather come on after an hour and play for 30 minutes?' I said: 'I'm feeling
good but it's unusual to start after such a long time.' But I said to him,
if you put me on right from the start I'll give my best and play as long as
I can."
Hitzlsperger, who hopes to make his first Premier League appearance against
Liverpool on Sunday, is confident the club can haul themselves clear of the
relegation zone. "The quality is there and we just need a boost in
confidence, and after the win against Burnley we got that but we have some
really good teams coming up, starting with Liverpool on Sunday," he said.
"They are in good form at the moment but we should approach the game in a
positive manner and after the Burnley win the fans can see we can finish
strongly. It's so tight in the relegation zone down there but I'm optimistic
and I'm sure the other players are too."
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Upson plays down injury fears
February 22, 2011
ESPN
West Ham defender Matthew Upson has played down talk he could be set to miss
the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Some reports on Monday
morning suggested the England man would play no further part in the Hammers'
battle to avoid relegation because of the problem. But the 31-year-old has
been quoted on his club's official website as saying he hopes to return to
training this week. "My mum rang me this morning and said 'Thanks for
telling me you're out' and said she'd read in the papers that I was out for
the season,'' he said. "I said 'that's news to me'. I've had a problem and
it's been a bit complicated. I've had several different diagnoses which is
always frustrating because, as an athlete, you have to choose what is right
and wrong which is not easy. "We're in the process of sorting it out and I
personally feel like I could be training very soon - possibly the end of the
week. That's a lot different to being out for the rest of the season.''
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Thomas sets sights on survival
Published: Today
The Sun
THOMAS HITZLSPERGER believes West Ham can avoid the drop — and go all the
way to the FA Cup final. After six months out with a serious thigh injury,
Hitzlsperger finally made his Hammers debut last night at Upton Park. The
German could not have expected his bow to have gone any better as he opened
the scoring with a 25-yard strike to set his team on their way to a 5-1
fifth-round victory over Burnley. Avram Grant's Hammers have struggled this
season and Hitzlsperger has cut a frustrated figure watching from the
sidelines since picking up a thigh injury in Germany's match against Denmark
last August. They are currently second bottom in the Premier League but
Hitzlsperger is confident he will still be playing top-flight football next
season. The midfielder, 28, said: "Our target is to stay in the Premier
League. This season has been up and down really but we have to try to stay
in the league and remain positive. "I'm really looking forward to the next
few months and if I stay fit, which I will, then we have a good chance of
staying up because this is a good group and we all fancy our chances. "I'm
optimistic about our chances of staying in the league and after the
performance against Burnley, we have a chance of getting to the FA Cup final
too."
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And not strictly WHU related.....but of interest
Much maligned Joorabchian reignites Tevez rumours
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:23 February 2011 - 08:51
The agent of Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has reignited rumours
purporting to the Argentine's exit from Eastlands by claiming he would like
his client to return to Brazilian club Corinthians. Earlier in the season,
the controversial former West Ham United and Manchester United forward
controversially handed in a transfer request claiming broken promises meant
he had played his last game for the cash-rich Premier League club.
Although the 27-year-old subsequently withdrew his demands, the player's
agent was credited with engineering the unsavoury affair over an alleged
bust-up with City's chief executive Garry Cook. Joorabchian now claims he
wants Tevez to return to his former club in Brazil where he still enjoys
cult status on the back of his performances during his two-year spell from
2004-2006. The Iranian born British educated businessman is adamant he can
secure the deal in "a couple of years" in another outspoken and ill-advised
outburst that is likely to place further strain on Tevez's fragile
relationship the striker's employers. In the aftermath of Tevez's transfer
request earlier in the season he was linked with moves to Chelsea, Real
Madrid, Inter Milan and Barcelona and all of the aforementioned are likely
to be interested in the prolific Premier League star, who netted his 50th
goal for the club during their recent victory over Notts County in the FA
Cup, should Joorabchian endeavour to move the player on. Joorabchian told
TV Gazeta: "Carlos would be happy to return to Brazil and play for
Corinthians. I want to help Corinthians in their sporting quest. "I would
like the deal to be done swiftly but in reality it will probably take a
couple of years. "Money will not be a problem. Carlos loves Brazil and I
think it is all very feasible." During Tevez's career at Manchester United,
Sir Alex Ferguson regularly cited the negative influence of Joorabchian on
the player, and later suggested it was the MSI boss who had dictated the
striker's exit from Old Trafford in the summer of 2009.
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