WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background from Sunday's match against Liverpool
25.02.2011
WEST HAM UNITED v LIVERPOOL
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2011
KICK-OFF: 1.30PM
• West Ham United, who start the weekend in 19th place, welcome Liverpool to
the Boleyn Ground knowing a win would be a major boost to their survival
hopes with ten more matches after that in the 2010/11 Barclays Premier
League season. They will also be hoping to avenge a 3-0 defeat at Anfield on
20 November but face a resurgent Reds side who are up to sixth under Kenny
Dalglish.
• West Ham have not won at Anfield in 47 years but have had better luck at
home, most recently winning 1-0 on 30 January 2008. However, Liverpool have
won on their last two trips to east London.
• The Hammers have lost their last four matches against Liverpool with the
Reds scoring three goals in each of those contests.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions and have only
conceded three goals in that period.
• This is the 107th league meeting between the two sides. Liverpool have won
57, West Ham have won 21 and there have been 29 draws.
• The Hammers have scored at least three goals in four of their last five
matches but have not kept a clean sheet in nine.
• The Reds only defeat in the last 17 meetings was that loss thanks to Mark
Noble's last-gasp penalty in January 2008.
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Last time out
Monday 21 February 2011
FA Cup fifth round
West Ham United 5-1 Burnley
West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Bridge, Reid, Tomkins, Parker, Noble,
Hitzlsperger, Barrera 67), Cole (Spector 73), Ba (Piquionne 82), Sears
Subs not used: Boffin, Hines, Da Costa, Boa Morte
Goals: Hitzlsperger 23, Cole 48, 50, Reid 58, Sears 90
Thursday 24 February 2011
UEFA Europa League last-32 second leg
Liverpool 1-0 AC Sparta Praha
Liverpool: Reina, Agger (Skrtel 85), Krygiakos, Wilson, Kelly (Carragher
46), Meireles, Cole, Lucas, Poulsen (Spearing 65), Kuyt, Ngog
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Maxi, Pacheco, Jovanovic
Goal: Kuyt 86
Previous meeting
The last meeting came at Anfield back on 20 November when the Reds were
rampant. Glen Johnson, a Dirk Kuyt penalty and a Maxi Rodriguez all scored
before half-time to leave the Hammers in deep trouble at the bottom of the
league - five points from safety
Liverpool: Reina, Konchesky, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson, Maxi Rodriguez,
Raul Meireles (Shelvey 83), Kuyt, Poulsen, Torres (Babel 85), Ngog (Aurelio
74)
Subs not used: Jones, Kyrgiakos, Eccleston, Kelly
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Upson, Ilunga (Tomkins 76),
Kovac, Noble, Boa Morte, Piquionne, Cole (McCarthy 69), Obinna (Barrera 45)
Subs not used: Stech, Reid, Spector, Nouble
Background
• Thomas Hitzlsperger is in line for his 100th Premier League appearance -
on his top-flight debut for the Hammers.
• Carlton Cole is the Hammers' top scorer with ten goals in 32 matches in
all competitions. Steven Gerrard is Liverpool's top marksman with eight,
although Andy Carroll hit eleven for Newcastle United before his £35m
January transfer to Anfield.
• Two Liverpool players, Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt, made their debuts
against West Ham. Carragher's first appearance came at Anfield in January
1997, while Kuyt's came at Anfield in August 2006.
• Raul Meireles has scored five goals in his last six matches, after 17
games without registering.
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
20 November 2010 - Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 April 2010 Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
19 September 2010 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool
9 May 2009 West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool
1 December 2008 Liverpool 0-0 West Ham United
5 March 2008 Liverpool 4-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Liverpool (all competitions) W 23 D 34 L 64
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)
Liverpool
2009/10 Premier League 7th (63 points)
2008/09 Premier League 2nd (86 points)
2007/08 Premier League 4th (76 points)
2006/07 Premier League 3rd (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 3rd (82 points)
2004/05 Premier League 5th (58 points)
2003/04 Premier League 4th (60 points)
2002/03 Premier League 5th (64 points)
2001/02 Premier League 2nd (80 points)
2000/01 Premier League 3rd (69 points)
Team news
• All members of the first-team squad - including Matthew Upson - trained
on Friday except for Victor Obinna (foot), Kieron Dyer (thigh), Robbie Keane
(calf) and Junior Stanislas (hernia). Jack Collison is doing light training
work at Chadwell Heath after nearly a year out with a knee injury.
• Dyer could return to training next week while Keane is out for another
month.
• Junior Stanislas is still recovering from surgery on an abdominal hernia
while Victor Obinna's sore foot that kept him out of the West Brom trip and
Burnley game are still proving troublesome.
• Avram Grant has been keeping a close eye on Australia U17 striker Dylan
Tombides, after his recent impressive form for the reserves. The tall
Academy product was on target in the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion
on 2 February.
• Liverpool could welcome back captain Steven Gerrard from a groin injury.
The No8 missed the UEFA Europa League victory over Sparta Prague on Thursday
evening.
• Denmark defender Daniel Agger and England pair Glen Johnson (achilles) and
Andy Carroll (thigh) are all doubts, while young full-back Martin Kelly is
hoping to return from a thigh problem.
Referee
• Sunday's referee will be Mark Halsey
• He played semi-professional football for Barnet and St Albans City in the
1980s before becoming a referee in the early 1990s. At the time, he would
continue to train with Barnet and later Potters Bar in order to maintain his
fitness.
• Halsey was the referee for the 2007 Community Shield between Chelsea and
Manchester United and the 2008 Carling Cup final contested by Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur.
Old boys
• Glen Johnson, 25, came through the ranks at West Ham, making 15 league
appearances in the 2002/03 season. He was transferred to Chelsea for £6m in
summer 2003 and subsequently moved on to Portsmouth before Liverpool snapped
him up in June 2009.
• Joe Cole played 149 games in all competitions, scoring 13 goals, before
his switch to Chelsea in August 2003.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Craig Bellamy,
Yossi Benayoun, Tom Bradshaw, David Burrows, Titi Camara, Charles Cotton,
Julian Dicks, Ray Houghton, Don Hutchison, Paul Ince, David James, Rob
Jones, George Kay, Paul Konchesky, Mike Marsh, Neil Mellor, Neil Ruddock,
Danny Shone, Rigobert Song and Thomas Stanley.
• Liverpool coach Steve Clarke was assistant manager to Gianfranco Zola at
West Ham between September 2008 and June 2010
General information
• For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here.
Weather
• The forecast is for a clear day with temperatures peaking around 9C
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Avram on Friday
WHUFC.com
The manager revealed Matthew Upson has been back in training as he looked
foward to Sunday
25.02.2011
Avram Grant was relishing a meeting with Kenny Dalglish when he faced the
press on Friday afternoon before Sunday's showdown with Liverpool. The
manager also spoke about Matthew Upson's return to training.
Avram on injury news...
"Robbie Keane is out for a few weeks more. We will see on Victor Obinna on
Saturday. Jack Collison is out for a few weeks more but he has been out for
a long time. We don't know on Matthew Upson. He trained today but it was not
training with pressure so we will wait and see. Kieron Dyer is not fit. I
think it will be two weeks more until he will be fit. "It's important to get
them back when you get to the last few games. It's important all the time
but coming to the end of the season you want competition between the
players. "It's not a secret that part of our problem this season has been
injuries at the wrong time. All the players you mentioned were good before
they got injured so it hasn't been easy. It's not been easy but we decided
to concentrate on what we have, not what we can change.
Avram on Thomas Hitzlsperger...
"He played very well [against Burnley] given it was his first match after
eight months so for me he did well. He cannot be in his best after one game
but it's good to see him back because he's an important player for us and he
was part of our plan to be one of the leaders.
Avram on Liverpool...
"A lot of things have things changed since Anfield [in November]. When we
played there we went with a lot of injuries but without speaking about this,
we didn't do well in any aspect of the game and they played well. "There are
good things we learned from this. From this game on we have played different
and better. Even in this game. It was good for us to learn from this game
and not repeat it.
Avram on Kenny Dalglish...
"The results are better. I dont know what happened but the results are
better. They are playing with more confidence. Of course with a team like
Liverpool there is always inspiration to finish in the top four or top three
or two. "They are playing good football now and getting results. Liverpool
is always Liverpool for me. It's a top team and top club. "Kenny was a great
player. I was the first time I came here the headlines were in 1977 that
Liverpool bought Kenny Dalgish for £440k. It was 'Why do we spend this
money? Now you cannot buy the kitman with this money so he was great. He
came to Liverpool and made them better. He was great player. "I wish we
could have a few of him here today in English football and he was also a
great manager. He achieved a lot. It's good to see people like Kenny
Dalglish back.
Avram on the importance of Sunday...
"Every game is important for us because we didn't start well this season so
we need these points. To play Liverpool is not easy but our target is that
we will not be hard to beat for the other teams. It's a big challenge and we
need the points and will do everything to get them. "We have improved a lot
in the last few weeks. We have scored many goals and our game is better and
more efficient and we hope to continue this."
Avram on the amount of points needed to stay up...
"In the last three years it was 35 and before it was 38. In 2002/03, it was
more than 40 when unfortunately West Ham got relegated but it depends. The
teams need to play each other and the top teams. I don't know but for sure
it will not be 35. It will be more."
Avram on Winston Reid being affected by the New Zealand earthquake...
"I spoke with him. His family is not from that area but of course when
something like this happens in your country, you can't be relaxed. In the
training he was OK. He was in contact with New Zealand all the time.
Everybody is sad to see what has happened."
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Winston staying focused
WHUFC.com
Young defender Winston Reid knows he has a job to do on Sunday despite a
hugely difficult week
27.02.2011
Winston Reid is the latest Hammers star to be featured exclusively on West
Ham TV. Every day brings fantastic new content from behind the scenes at the
Boleyn, as well as all the very best match coverage from the U18s, reserves
and first team. This week has seen the likes of Matthew Upson, Thomas
Hitzlsperger and Carlton Cole all featured along with plenty of other famous
Irons faces. All the best action and reaction follows every single game
played.
Reid spoke to the West Ham TV cameras about the big Sunday showdown with
Liverpool, including being reunited with Martin Skrtel, the Slovakia
centre-back he beat to score a crucial FIFA World Cup goal for New Zealand
last summer, and also his sombre thoughts on the tragedy back home in New
Zealand. The 22-year-old is rightly planning to do his bit to help the
disaster relief cause but knows he will have to set aside what happened for
90 minutes should he be selected to start against the Reds. He is certainly
not expecting an easy ride, even without the departed Fernando Torres. "They
have just bought two other strikers for I don't know how much," he said. "I
don't think they are too bad. When you play in the Premier League there are
always good strikers. I haven't played against Luis Suarez but I have
watched him in the Dutch league , he is a good goalscorer."
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Barnes hails Parker
WHUFC.com
Liverpool legend John Barnes has heaped praise on former team-mate and
Hammers hero Scott Parker
25.02.2011
Liverpool and England legend John Barnes has hailed the impact made by West
Ham United talisman Scott Parker ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League
clash between the Hammers and the Reds. Barnes, who now works as a
television pundit, played alongside Parker at Charlton Athletic for a short
period in 1999, when West Ham's No8 was an aspiring teenager. More than a
decade later, Parker has followed Barnes into the senior England side and
the former Reds winger believes his former team-mate is more than worthy of
his place in Fabio Capello's squad. The 47-year-old has been impressed with
the way Parker has added characteristics to his game that were not so
readily apparent during the pair's time together at The Valley. "He deserves
his call-up I know Scotty very well, I was at Charlton with him. My last
year playing football I was at Charlton, Scotty was just getting in the
first team, he was known as an attacking midfield player and now he's an
all-action midfield player. He can defend, he can attack, he can do
everything. "I really thought he would just be an attacking midfielder when
I saw him at Charlton, that's what he did, but he's matured to realise
responsibility for the team, so now he plays as an holding midfielder
sometimes, but he's fantastic and he's well worth his place in the England
squad."
To read more from Barnes, supporters should grab a copy of Sunday's matchday
programme, which will be on sale in and around the Boleyn Ground priced
£3.50.
Alongside an interview with the 79-times capped wideman, there are also
exclusive and insightful features including Wayne Bridge, Gary O'Neil, Lars
Jacobsen and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
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West Ham v Liverpool
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 27 February Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day 2;
listen on BBC Radio 5 live, local radio and Absolute Radio; text commentary
on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Thomas Hitzlsperger will make his first league appearance for West Ham,
having scored on his debut in Monday's FA Cup win over Burnley. Matthew
Upson (Achilles) is unlikely to feature, and Victor Obinna might miss out
with a foot problem.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has played down suggestions that Andy
Carroll will be fit to make his debut. Steven Gerrard could return from a
groin injury, but Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are doubts.
West Ham
Doubtful: Obinna (foot)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Dyer (thigh), Keane (calf),
Stanislas (hernia), Upson (Achilles)
Liverpool
Doubtful: Agger (unknown), Carroll (thigh), Gerrard (groin), Johnson
(Achilles), Kelly (groin/thigh)
Injured: Aurelio (thigh), Shelvey (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Sweat and tears provided the catalyst for West Ham's unprecedented comeback
at West Brom, and the Hammers must sustain that Olympian effort in their
quest for survival. The pressure to remain in the top flight is intensified
by their proposed move to Stratford after the 2012 London Games. It looked
as if West Ham would fold under the strain when they trailed 3-0 at fellow
strugglers West Brom, but a heartfelt half-time rallying cry by captain
Scott Parker inspired the team to claw back the deficit and move off the
foot of the table.
While Parker could yet prove to be West Ham's miracle worker, Liverpool have
most certainly found their own. They are unbeaten in their last eight
matches under Kenny Dalglish, and European qualification is now an
achievable prospect. Nonetheless, Liverpool still have to play four of the
sides above them. It's a tough-looking run of games for West Ham too - five
of their next eight league fixtures are against teams currently in the top
six.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Liverpool have won their last four matches against West Ham, scoring three
goals on each occasion.
• Their only defeat in the last 17 meetings was 1-0 at Upton Park in January
2008. West Ham have lost five of the last six clashes in east London.
West Ham
• The Hammers have only won one of their last six league matches, picking up
five points out of a possible 18.
• The 3-3 draw at West Brom represented the first time in the Premier League
that they have come back from a 3-0 deficit to gain a point; they had lost
on the previous 56 occasions.
• They have the worst home record in the top flight, averaging a point a
game from their 13 matches.
• Avram Grant's side have also picked up fewer points (4) against top-half
opposition than any other Premier League team.
• Thomas Hitzlsperger is poised for his 100th Premier League appearance,
having made 99 for Aston Villa.
Liverpool
• They are unbeaten in their last eight league and cup matches (W5, D3).
They have only conceded three goals in that time.
• The Reds have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season - only
Sunderland (20) have fared worse.
• This is Kenny Dalglish's 450th league match as a manager (W248, D113,
L88).
• Raul Meireles has scored five goals in his last six league matches after
failing to find the net in his first 17.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Cole: 10 goals (4 league); Piquionne: 8 goals (6 league);
Obinna: 8 goals (3 league)
Liverpool
Gerrard: 8 goals (4 league); Ngog: 8 goals (2 league)
NB. Carroll has scored 11 goals (11 league) for Newcastle; Torres scored 9
goals (9 league) for Liverpool before joining Chelsea.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Halsey
Assistant referees: Simon Long & Martin Yerby
Fourth official: Phil Crossley
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (D3-3 v West Brom, a): 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.
Liverpool (D1-1 v Wigan, h): Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson, Maxi,
Lucas, Meireles (Ngog 54), Aurelio, Suarez, Kuyt (Jovanovic 73). Subs not
used: Gulacsi, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Poulsen.
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Upson back in training
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson has recommenced training once again following his recent inury
- although it remains unknown how much longer he will be out for.
The West Ham captain limped off during the recent 1-0 home defeat to
Birmingham which led the Daily Mail to claim that he would miss the rest of
the season. That particular suggestion was refuted the following day by
Upson himself, although he admitted that he could be out of action for some
weeks.
Despite returning to training this week that remains the case, according to
Avram Grant this lunchtime. "We don't know how long Matthew Upson will be
out for," he admitted. "He trained today but it was not training with
pressure so we will wait and see. "It's important when you get to the last
few games that you have all your players available. We need them back to
create competition within the squad. It's no secret that part of our problem
this season has been injuries at the wrong time."
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West Ham United v Liverpool - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th February 2011
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy's taken time out from giving the staff at his old folk's home
a hard time over the lack of Werther's Originals to pen a few words about
this weekend's fixture against Liverpool....
Next up we play host to Liverpool in a 1.30pm kick off which is live on Sky.
Bits of the District Line are closed so, if your journey includes bits of
the District Line you'll need to leave about five minutes ago.
I'll declare an interest at this point. I dislike this week's opponents.
Partly because pound for pound, historically they're probably one of the
most corrupt clubs in football – easily giving Arsenal a run for their money
– but mostly for the fact that the British Broadcasting Corporation seems to
consider itself to be their in-house tv and radio station. Right back to the
1970's when the chances of seeing your club on MOTD depended largely upon
whether you were playing Liverpool, right through to the current day, when
their half time coverage of our League Cup semi-final consisted of ten
minutes of talking about, er, Liverpool. I have written to the management
committee of my nursing home suggesting that they don't pay the home's tv
licence fee in protest but I'm not holding out much hope – the warden is a
scouser which means that a) probably approves of the BBC's fascination with
his rotten club, and b) he almost certainly hasn't paid it anyway.
The visitors come on the back of some improved form following the
appointment of Kenny Dalglish after Roy Hodgson was sacked. They've won four
and drawn two of their last six which leaves them in 6th place which would
see them back in the Europa League. They qualified for last 200 or so the
other night, with a 1-0 win over Sparta Prague that was as dull as it
sounds. At this rate if they make the final it's due to be held in 2014. The
whole Europa League thing is a bit bloated – it seems to have taken
Cricket's World Cup format as a template where every team plays each other
200 times just so that Kenya and Canada can be eliminated.
They had an interesting transfer window. The hand-wringing that accompanied
the departure of Fernando Torres was hilarious. John Aldridge's comments
that Torres had "spat in the face" of the club's supporters was a gift from
heaven to hypocrisy spotters worldwide. Let's face it Torres was going
nowhere fast at Anfield and, given the option to go to a better team he was
going to take it, especially since his spell at Anfield had seen him drop
down the pecking order at international level.
If anyone's supporters had had their faces spat in it might well have been
Newcastle's having seen Andy Carroll go for a ridiculous fee. Carroll moved
to Merseyside and immediately immersed himself in the local culture by going
straight "on the sick". Presumably he will be looking at some stage to take
advantage of the legal loophole that applies to Liverpool players when out
for a drink. Apparently you can go out mob handed up there and beat up a DJ
and claim self defence – a defence sadly not available to the other five
people in your party. Given Carroll's regular visits to the beak in the
past, the "get out of jail free" card may well come in useful. There were
rumblings that Carroll may be fit to make his debut for this one earlier
this week. Dalglish played those rumours down without actually denying that
the player would be available for selection which probably means that his
claim for Incapacity Benefit (or whatever it's called this week) is about to
run out. Either way it would not be the biggest of surprise if he played.
Look out for a no.9 shirt with the word "Roll" on the back (they won't want
to risk the Car being nicked).
It looked like defender Daniel Agger might be on his way to Italy during the
window when his agent was alleged to have been in negotiations with Milan.
However, nothing came of the move. Those aren't the only rumours about the
Danish defender that have been doing the rounds but I'm sure that those are
merely scurrilous and that all his injuries over the past few years have
been genuine.
Another possibly coming back from injury is old foe Steve Gerrard. The home
support claim that he is the one player that epitomises Liverpool and over
the years that's a fair comment given that he's a diving cheat with a nasty
line in two-footed tackles and elbows to the face. I've lost count of the
times that he's scored from dubiously-won free-kicks. Curiously MOTD always
elect to show the free-kick rather than the dive that preceded it. He's been
suffering from a groin strain, a perennial problem that he might alleviate
by staying on his feet a bit more. Perhaps our wonderful officials might
assist in that regard.
If the oh so witty visiting supporters start up the "let your country down"
chant at Rob Green you could do worse than point out the sight of Jamie
Carragher amongst the opposition ranks. Having ruled himself out of all
those tedious qualifying and friendly matches, he bravely and selflessly
made himself available for the World Cup in South Africa whereupon he went
on to prove why he should never have been selected in the first place.
The other big arrival during the window was Uruguayan World Cup star Luis
Suarez. Suarez gained notoriety in South Africa with his handball on the
line that denied Ghana a semi-final place. His history also includes a
seven-match suspension last year gained as a result of biting an opponent,
his defence that his actions were a tribute to his fellow countrymen as
featured in the book and film "Alive" was not accepted.
There are a number of ex-Hammers on the books. Paul Konchesky seems to have
played his last game for the club after his Mum apparently upset the
Liverpool support by pointing out a few home truths about their loyalty.
He's been shipped out to Notts County and is probably regretting moving from
Fulham. Still in the current squad are Glen Johnson and Joe Cole. Cole
featured in the win over Sparta Prague (who featured T Repka esq) and it's
good to see the player fit again after injury, though you can't help but
feel that his undoubted talents deserve a better stage than his current
club. Johnson has made the England right back berth his own though Dalglish
has used him on the left hand side. Johnson has been involved in a bit of
unseemly contretemps with tv pundit Paul Merson. Merson suggested that
Johnson had been responsible for costing former boss Hodgson his job.
Johnson's commented on twitter that he wasn't going to worry about comments
from "alcoholic drug abusers" Which begs the question: what on earth is
twitter?
Well what of us? Our last league outing saw the ultimate in games of two
halves when Scott Parker's half time team talk inspired Carlton Cole so much
that 45 minutes later he'd forgotten what it was. Cole of course picked up a
brace in the 5-1 win over Burnley on Monday, his first adding another to the
collection of comedy clips in which the player has been involved. The second
was a decent finish though. We're currently going through yet another injury
crisis – of course. Upson apparently risked training yesterday though
there's no sign of a return as yet. Tomkins is doubtful, which will probably
see some involvement for the unconvincing Reid. Gabbidon is another who may
come into contention having apparently recovered from his latest hamstring
problem.
Keane will be absent for a week or two more and I can only assume that Dyer
was sent to Libya for his last spot of treatment. Obinna may be available
which would give us a full attacking set to pick from. The best news is that
Hitzlsperger is likely to make his first league appearance of the season
having come through a large chunk of the cup win without further damage. Der
Hammer (which is German for "The Hammer") scored a fine opener. Just as
impressive was his command of the English language in the post-match
interview one heard on the wireless, something that put his English
colleagues to shame.
We need to show the sort of fight we did in the second half at the Hawthorns
to get something out of this one. That said there's always the danger of
giving the opponents too much respect. Despite all the hype from their pals
at Broadcasting House they are just another club and should be treated as
such. We were certainly guilty of giving them far too much leeway up at
Anfield in the reverse fixture in which we all but invited them to take the
points.
This match requires a no nonsense sleeves rolled up out and out battle. I'm
sure that Parker and "Der Hammer" will be keen to stop Gerrard taking
liberties and, assuming the gangster's apologist, plays, that'll be the key
area. A clean sheet is highly unlikely of course but I'm hopeful that Grant
will concentrate on scarf-wearing and leave the pre-match gee-up to Parker
and, assuming Cole can remember it, I'll go for a 1-1 (though a possibly
cheeky 2-1 win should not entirely be ruled out!)
Enjoy the game!
Last season: Lost 2-3 The cynical treatment of Zavon Hines went unpunished
as defensive lapses cost us the points.
Danger man: Steve Gerrard – con man extraordinaire is always worth a few
free kicks in dangerous positions.
Referee: Mark Halsey second visit to the Boleyn of the season for the
official who took charge of the 3-1 win against Wigan. He was also in the
middle for the 3-1 away trip to Fulham. One of the more honest refs in the
game, he'll need to be able to cop a deaf one at the constant whingeing he's
likely to face.
Daft fact of the week: Former Liverpool hard man Tommy Smith once ended up
before a DSS tribunal having taken a penalty in a charity shoot out at
Wembley. Smith, who, unusually for someone from that part of the world, was
on some sort of incapacity benefits, joked that he'd been shopped by an
Evertonian, something that has gone down into local folklore despite the
fact that the DSS employee concerned was actually a Rugby League fan with no
football allegiance whatsoever.
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Uncertainty surrounds Upson
Grant forced to 'wait and see' regarding star defender's fitness
Last updated: 25th February 2011
SSN
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
West Ham v Liverpool
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player
Relegation-threatened West Ham manager Avram Grant confesses that he does
not know how long it will be before Matthew Upson returns to the first team.
The centre-back has not played since he aggravated an Achilles injury during
the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham on 6th February. Reports have suggested that
Upson's season has been prematurely concluded as a result of the problem,
although assistant boss Wally Downes has dismissed the speculation. The
England international underwent a low intensity training session on Friday
ahead of Sunday lunchtime's Premier League match against Liverpool, but
Grant is not sure when his star defender will be match-fit. "We don't know
how long Matthew Upson will be out for," said the West Ham manager, who is
also without the injured Robbie Keane, Jack Collison and Kieron Dyer.
No secret
"He trained today but it was not training with pressure so we will wait and
see. "It's important when you get to the last few games that you have all
your players available. "We need them back to create competition within the
squad. "It's no secret that part of our problem this season has been
injuries at the wrong time. "All the players we have out were good before
they got injured so it hasn't been easy."
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West Ham v Liverpool preview
Upson and Keane missing for Hammers; Gerrard set to start
Last updated: 26th February 2011
SSN
Form guide:
West Ham: LDWLD
Liverpool: WWWWD
Injuries:
West Ham: Upson, Keane
Liverpool: Aurelio, Carroll, Kelly, Agger, Johnson
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 11/4 Draw 12/5 Liverpool Evens
Sky Bet Tip:Jamie Redknapp reckons both teams will score - 10/11
Opta stat: Rob Green has made nine errors leading to goals in the Premier
League since the start of last season and five this term alone; more than
any other player.
West Ham will continue their increasingly anxious fight against Premier
League relegation when they host a Liverpool side which could feature Steven
Gerrard. Avram Grant's side have spent almost the entire season in the drop
zone, but are still only eight points adrift of 10th-placed Stoke. The fact
that safety has remained tantalisingly within reach therefore provides
reason for West Ham to be optimistic, but also frustrated that they have
been unable to find any form of consistency. Liverpool's season has been
equally confusing as in the first half of the campaign they produced
dreadfully uninspiring form for Roy Hodgson,but they have now gone eight
games in all competitions without defeat under Kenny Dalglish. That form has
propelled the Anfield club into the top six and they are just eight points
adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth place and crucially occupy the last
UEFA Champions League position.
Liverpool, who defeated Sparta Prague on Thursday night to reach the last 16
of the Europa League, have refused to get carried away by talk of the top
four, but there cause could be boosted by the return of captain Gerrard from
his groin injury.
Injury news
The England international has missed the last three games and watched the
win over Sparta from the stands, but is expected to feature at Upton Park.
There is less positive injury news for West Ham as they will again be
without Matthew Upson due to an Achilles injury. On-loan striker Robbie
Keane, who spent an unhappy 18 months with Liverpool earlier in his career,
will not face his former club as he remains absent with a calf strain.
German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is expected to make his Premier League
debut for West Ham after overcoming injury to feature in Monday's FA Cup
demolition of Burnley. Liverpool will check on Martin Kelly and Daniel
Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).
Fabio Aurelio (adductor) is out and Andy Carroll (thigh) is still unlikely
to make his debut, but Luis Suarez returns after being ineligible for the
recent European games.
Possible starting XIs:
West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Jacobsen, Bridge, Sears, Parker, Noble,
Hitzlsperger, Cole, Ba.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel ,Carragher, Kelly, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi,
Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez.
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Collison eager to return soon
Welshman could be back in action next month
By Hayley Paterson - Follow me on Twitter @HayleyP_11 Last updated: 26th
February 2011
SSN
Jack Collison is desperate to get back on the pitch and play his part in
rescuing West Ham from relegation after almost a year out with a knee
injury.
The 22-year-old is close to making a return to action since he suffered
cartilage damage in Wales' 1-0 defeat to Sweden last March. The midfielder
has set his sights on a return some time next month and is keen to play a
vital role in making sure West Ham are not playing Championship football
next season.
"I'm getting much closer now," said the Welshman. "I should be back in with
the team over the next few weeks and picking up training. "It's just a
matter of trying to find my feet and getting a few games under my belt.
Tough
"Fingers crossed, I'll be back playing before too long and doing my bit to
help us out of the situation we're in. I want to do my bit this season if
and when I can." Having played a regular part in Gianfranco Zola's starting
11 last season, Collison admits it has been tough watching his club from the
sidelines under the new leadership of Avram Grant and not being able to
feature. "I just love being out there playing football and it has been tough
at times not to be able to do what I love - I haven't been able to kick a
ball out in my garden with my little brother and have a kick-about," he
added.
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Sullivan retains optimism
West Ham co-owner admits struggle to stay up but retains hope
Last updated: 26th February 2011
SSN
David Sullivan is remaining optimistic regarding West Ham's chances of
beating the drop despite admitting they face a 'huge struggle' to stay up.
Sullivan took over at Upton Park last term along with fellow co-owner David
Gold and saw Gianfranco Zola keep the Hammers up. But the team have again
struggled this term under new boss Avram Grant, currently sitting second
from bottom of the table, three points from safety with 11 games remaining.
The Hammers still have to play five of the top six in that sequence and
Sullivan believes it will be a tough ask to stay up but he remains hopeful.
The West Ham co-owner told The Guardian: "We've got a tough run-in. But
we've underperformed all season and we're now paying the price. "I think,
being realistic, (the chance of surviving) is less than 50-50. I actually
think a lot of the fans are almost accepting we're going to be relegated.
That's the case with the supporters I speak to, unfortunately. "I say to
people we're a long way from being relegated, but we have to do better. It's
going to be a huge, huge struggle. "But strange things happen in football.
West Brom were 25-1 on to be relegated one year and got out of it and Fulham
were almost gone one year (and survived)."
No excuse
While the Hammers have been hit by injuries this term, including to Thomas
Hitzlsperger, he accepts this can not be used as an excuse. He added: "I
think all the players would admit we didn't anticipate being where we are.
"Not having people like Hitzlsperger has been a terrible blow. He was our
marquee summer signing, and to get him injured three days before the start
of the season playing for Germany was real bad luck. But you can't just put
it down to that. "I think, basically, we haven't risen to the occasion when
we've needed to and defensively we've been fragile."
Sullivan and Gold have reduced the club's debt from £110m to the "low
eighties" and he admits it will be a real financial blow if the Hammers drop
to the Championship. He added: "We love the club and we'll keep it in
business but it's very frightening what we've inherited, and we could just
do without relegation. "There is probably a £12m-15m hole in the Premier
League and a £40m hole in the Championship - that's a real figure. "Either
way, we'll plug the holes, but the problem in the Championship is that
you've got to plug the hole and keep enough of a side together to get you
back up, which is very difficult to do."
Player exodus
Sullivan admits certain players will want to leave the club if they go down.
For example, fit again Hitzlsperger has an exit-clause in his contract. He
added: "I don't wish to discuss individuals but you must accept there will
be certain players that don't want to play in the Championship and you've
got to respect that. "You can't have players that don't want to play for you
and if you get a satisfactory offer, they'll have to be sold. If you don't,
they won't. We're not going to be skinned alive by teams."
But Sullivan retains hope they can stay up. "We have got a decent team at
the moment, probably the best team we've had all season," he said. "(Recent
signing Demba) Ba is a good striker, (Robbie) Keane is injured,
unfortunately, but Thomas will make a huge difference. "If he had scored
five or six long-distance goals up until now, which he would have done if he
had been playing, we would be in a completely different position."
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Hitzlsperger relishing return
Midfield ace enjoying life at Upton Park
Last updated: 26th February 2011
SSN
West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger admits he finds more enjoyment in
the English game than the German. The ex-Aston Villa man announced his debut
for the Hammers in style on Monday night when he fired home a trademark
left-footed wonder-strike in their 5-1 FA Cup thrashing of Burnley.
Germany international Hitzlsperger, who spent five years with Bundesliga
club Stuttgart, was making his much-anticipated first outing at Upton Park
after injury kept him sidelined for the first six months of his West Ham
career. And the 28-year-old, who could make his Premier League debut for the
Hammers at home to Liverpool on Sunday, says he is relishing his return to
English football.
Enjoyable
"Although it has been great most of the time in Germany I have felt that
football is more enjoyable for me in the Premiership," Hitzlsperger told The
Independent. "Of course, you cannot say it is the best league in the world.
You never really know. Just being in the Premier League I have had more joy
playing than in the Bundesliga. "They [Germany] have got a lot of good young
players coming through, the national team has played ever so well in the
World Cup and the years before that. "You can see the progression in German
football but [in England] it all comes together: the physical side, the pace
of the game, the passion from the fans. "The people show you a lot of
respect. Sometimes people in Germany are very critical. "It is easier to
make them [fans] happier over here. A good pass, a good tackle, people stand
up and cheer. Whereas in Germany I often felt that you have a good game and
ten bad minutes, they remember the ten bad minutes."
Hitzlsperger, who shares a nickname with his current club having been
labelled 'Der Hammer' by English fans during his time at Villa Park,says
scoring on his debut for the East Londoners was a good feeling.
Rewarding
He added: "The gaffer asked me before the game, 'Are you fit to start?' I
said I felt good and I could definitely play for an hour. "As the game went
on I didn't want to come off. I have been known for those kind of shots and
to score a goal like that in my first game ... it is nice. "People recognise
you quite easily, the nickname as well, it all fits together."
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Faubert wants Hammers exit
French full-back fuming
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 26th
February 2011
SSN
Julien Faubert has revealed his unhappiness at West Ham and has stated he
wants to leave the club in the summer. The versatile French full-back has
not featured for The Hammers since their Carling Cup semi-final defeat to
Birmingham at the end of January. The 27-year-old who was loaned to Real
Madrid two-years ago, is now adamant that his time at West Ham is coming to
an end. "My story with West Ham is at an end," he told the Daily Mirror. "I
worked flat out for them, even when my mother died, and I have never created
any problems. "If they told me I'm not playing because I am no good I would
understand, but that is not the case. I am in good shape and just want to
play, but I don't expect anything more here. "My future lies elsewhere and I
hope they will not try to prevent me leaving."
Confusion
Faubert, who has a year left on his contract, also explained the situation
which saw him fail to turn up for a game against Birmingham earlier this
month.
"At the time of the Birmingham game, my newly-born son was ill and in
hospital. I spent the Friday and Saturday with him and could not go to
training," he explained. "My bosses knew the situation. On the eve of the
match they told me I was in the reserve squad, but when I turned up on the
Sunday the assistant manager told me the first team needed me as a player
was injured. "So I jumped in my car, rushed home and then on to Upton Park -
but when I got there surprise, surprise - nobody was injured and I was not
in the squad. "I left the ground, as players do in these situations, and
went to see my son as he had suffered a relapse. The hospital was an hour's
drive away. "On my way I got a phone call saying that a lad (James Tomkins)
had got injured five minutes before the kick-off, and that I had to come
back to replace him - but that was impossible. "Afterwards the bosses said I
had not wanted to return, and that I lacked respect for them. They made me
out to be a mercenary. "West Ham were simply looking for excuses after their
defeat against Birmingham. This chapter is now closed - but so is mine at
the club."
Hammers manager Avram Grant insisted that there is no issue with the player,
saying: "If there was a problem with Faubert, he would not have been on the
bench in the next game. The other matter is internal."
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Grant gives Cole backing
Hammers boss admits deal would have been out of club's reach
Last updated: 25th February 2011
SSN
Avram Grant admits it would have cost West Ham United 'big money' to re-sign
Joe Cole and is confident the midfielder will be a hit at Liverpool. Cole
joined Liverpool on a free transfer last summer after leaving Chelsea, but
he has struggled to make an impact at Anfield. The England international has
started only eight Premier League games for the Reds and has been unable to
show the Merseyside faithful his best form. He will return to first club
West Ham on Sunday and Upton Park boss Grant expects Liverpool to eventually
see the best of Cole's ability.
Good spirit
"Joe is a very good player, a very, very nice player. He has a good spirit
and is good to any team on and off the pitch," said Grant. "I think he
started well, then he had an injury, and then it was not so good for him.
"Sometimes when you are injured it's not easy to come back and it was a
little bit difficult for them but I am sure he will be very good for
Liverpool. If not, then they can bring him to me."
The Hammers were interested in signing the 29-year-old before he joined
Liverpool and were also keen on the playmaker in the January transfer
window.
Grant would relish the chance to call on Cole, but acknowledged the player's
wages proved to be out of West Ham's reach. He added: "I will always want a
player who plays so good. "He belongs to Liverpool but I will always be
happy if a player like this was in my team. "But everyone knows the
situation in our club. We had the opportunity to take him but for West Ham
it was big money."
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I'm finished with Hammers
The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
Published: 26 Feb 2011
ANGRY Julien Faubert last night accused West Ham of trashing his reputation
and does not expect to play for them again. The French full-back claims boss
Avram Grant does not even talk to him and he is being frozen out of Upton
Park. SunSport revealed how Faubert REFUSED to be a sub against Birmingham.
He said: "I've two months of my deal left but they'll not ask me to play as
I've no future at West Ham. "Physically I'm well and all I want is to play.
But I'm not expecting it to happen. If only they told me 'you're no good,
you don't play', I'd understand. But even that's not the case. There's no
communication. "And yet I've given so much to this club. I've never created
waves or problems. Even when I lost my mother, I still gave everything. "My
future lies elsewhere. They've managed to turn out almost everyone from the
Zola era. I hope they don't wreck everything when I'm gone."
Faubert, 27, accuses the club of making him a scapegoat for that home loss
by Birmingham three weeks ago while his baby son was ill in hospital. He
said: "My new-born son was sick and I stayed with him in hospital on the
Friday and Saturday before the Birmingham game and could not go training.
"My bosses were informed but on the morning of the game I was told they
needed me as someone was injured. So I went home from the hospital, got my
car and sped to the stadium. And then, surprise, when I arrived I wasn't in
the squad. "So, as players usually do, I left and went to see my son as he'd
had a relapse. The hospital was an hour away and when I arrived I got a call
from the club saying they needed me for the bench as one of the players had
been injured. But it was impossible. "They said I didn't want to come back
and I disrespected the club. They wanted to tarnish my name, make me look a
mercenary. "But the club was looking for excuses after the defeat by
Birmingham." Faubert said: "I've been contacted by many European clubs but
my wife wants to stay in England."
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Matt's back on the Up
The Sun
Published: 25 Feb 2011
WEST HAM boss Avram Grant insists Matthew Upson will be available soon after
he came through a light training session. Upson aggravated an Achilles
injury during the Hammers' 1-0 defeat to Birmingham three weeks ago and it
had been feared he would be crocked for the rest of the season. The club
have received several different diagnoses on their captain's injury and it
is still unclear when he will be fit to play again. However, Grant has
received some encouraging news when Upson came through a light workout with
the squad at Upton Park ahead of Sunday's home match against Liverpool.
Upson is unlikely to be considered this weekend but Grant is hoping his star
defender, and his other sidelined players like Robbie Keane, Jack Collison
and Kieron Dyer, will be fit soon. Boss Grant said: "We don't know how long
Matthew Upson will be out for. "He trained today but it was not training
with pressure so we will wait and see. "It's important when you get to the
last few games that you have all your players available. "We need them back
to create competition within the squad. "It's no secret that part of our
problem this season has been injuries at the wrong time. "All the players we
have out were good before they got injured so it hasn't been easy."
The last time Liverpool and West Ham met the game was a disaster for the
Hammers as they lost 3-0 to an out-of-form team under Roy Hodgson.
West Ham were left rooted to the foot of the table following the November
defeat, five points from safety, but they could move out of the bottom three
with a win over Kenny Dalglish's side on Sunday. Grant believes the loss at
Anfield was an important moment in the club's season. The Hammers boss said:
"When we played there we had a lot of injuries but we still played poorly in
every aspect of the game and Liverpool played well. "There are good things
we learned from this. From this game we played different and better. "We
have not played like we did there since." Grant will give midfield ace
Thomas Hitzlsperger his first league start and is expected to continue with
Winston Reid at centre-half if Upson does not recover in time.
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West Ham chairman David Sullivan plans a Real cracker for opening game at
Olympic Stadium
Feb 20 2011 by Dean Jones, The People
WEST HAM fancy a sensational Olympic Stadium unveiling, with a clash against
Barcelona or Real Madrid. The Hammers expect to move in for the 2014-15
season, and intend to mark the switch across London with a prestigious
pre-season opener. They will look into exact details once the 2012 Olympic
Games are over – but provisional prospects include flying one of La Liga's
top sides over to kick off with a bang. Owner David Sullivan told
Confidential: "It will be special whoever we play, but we might try to bring
in Barcelona or Real Madrid."
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Faubert rocks West Ham with exit demand
Published 23:59 25/02/11 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
Julien Faubert has rocked West Ham by announcing he wants to quit Upton Park
in the summer. The Hammers defender claims he was made a scapegoat for the
1-0 home defeat by Birmingham three weeks ago which left them deep in the
Premier League relegation quicksand. And although manager Avram Grant last
night insisted he had "no problem" with the French defender who was good
enough to go on loan to Real Madrid two years ago, Faubert says his
differences with the club are irreconcilable. For Grant, who has 11 games to
save the Hammers from the trapdoor, Faubert's strop is an unhelpful prelude
to tomorrow's big home game with resurgent Liverpool. The £5 million signing
from Bordeaux was accused of walking out in a huff when he failed to answer
a late call-up to the bench for the game with Brum on February 6. But
Faubert, 27, insisted he was attending to a family crisis after his baby son
had been admitted to hospital and raged: "My story with West Ham is at an
end. "I worked flat out for them, even when my mother died, and I have never
created any problems. If they told me I'm not playing because I am no good I
would understand, but that is not the case. I am in good shape and just want
to play, but I don't expect anything more here. "My future lies elsewhere
and I hope they will not try to prevent me leaving."
Faubert, who has a year left on his contract, added in France Football
magazine: "At the time of the Birmingham game, my newly-born son was ill and
in hospital. I spent the Friday and Saturday with him and could not go to
training. "My bosses knew the situation. On the eve of the match they told
me I was in the reserve squad, but when I turned up on the Sunday the
assistant manager told me the first team needed me as a player was injured.
"So I jumped in my car, rushed home and then on to Upton Park - but when I
got there surprise, surprise - nobody was injured and I was not in the
squad. "I left the ground, as players do in these situations, and went to
see my son as he had suffered a relapse. The hospital was an hour's drive
away. "On my way I got a phone call saying that a lad (James Tomkins) had
got injured five minutes before the kick-off, and that I had to come back to
replace him - but that was impossible. "Afterwards the bosses said I had not
wanted to return, and that I lacked respect for them. They made me out to be
a mercenary. "West Ham were simply looking for excuses after their defeat
against Birmingham. This chapter is now closed - but so is mine at the
club."
Manager Grant insisted last night: "If there was a problem with Faubert, he
would not have been on the bench in the next game. The other matter is
internal." Faubert's ill-timed outburst, when the Hammers are fighting to
stay afloat, will not go down well with the hierarchy - although Grant's
admission that he would like to repatriate Joe Cole in the east end will be
a vote-winner.
Grant last night admitted he tried to sign West Ham's former prodigy when
his Cole's contract expired at Chelsea last summer, but they could not match
Liverpool's £90,000-a-week offer. He said: "I would always want a player who
performs so well in my team - when I was at Chelsea, he had a very good
season, but since then he has had a bad injury and it is not always easy to
come back. "I'm sure he will still be very good for Liverpool - if, then you
can bring him to me. Of course he is not my player at the moment, but I will
always be happy if a player like this is in my team. "We had the opportunity
to sign him last summer, but he was too cheap! But seriously, you know the
situation - you need to play top players the top wages, and we cannot do
that at the moment. "But I think in the next few years players will follow
the project that we want to do here."
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WINSTON REID: DANES HAVE DESERTED KENNY
27th February 2011 By Adrian Stiles
Daily Star
WEST HAM star Winston Reid has told Liverpool: You're no longer a big team
where I come from. Defender Reid, 22, spent his teenage years in Denmark – a
Liverpool-mad nation when Kenny Dalglish was in his prime on the pitch. But
there aren't many Danes who will be getting worked up about the Scot taking
his team to Upton Park today. Reid said: "Liverpool have got two Danish
internationals, Daniel Agger and Christian Poulsen, so there is still a
Liverpool following over there. "But most people in Denmark support
Manchester United these days. Recently Chelsea have become more popular and
now Manchester City are getting up there. "United were the team I followed,
I thought they were a good team. "I always thought Agger was a good player
but I didn't exactly look up to him. "And I haven't seen much of Liverpool
lately so it's hard to say if they've improved much."
Reid may have learned the game in Denmark but he plays for New Zealand, the
country he left as a 10-year-old. And that nation is still reeling from the
earthquake that hit the city of Christchurch and killed more than 100
people. He said: "Most of my family still live there so it was unsettling.
"It was a case of getting on the phone and making sure everyone was all
right. "Luckily they were all okay but there are still a lot of people who
have died over there. It's very unfortunate."
Reid is keen to do all he can to help the relief efforts. He said: "New
Zealand will be playing games against Japan and China as fundraisers. "I'm
trying to sort some stuff out for the people back home. "I'll be auctioning
some jerseys, boots and some other signed items. There might be a few things
from the World Cup that I can spare too."
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