WHUFC.com
Avram Grant and Scott Parker have been talking about the buzz building for
next summer's Games
15.03.2011
West Ham United have marked 500 days to go until the official opening
ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Lord Coe and four Olympians - including
world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis - have launched the official
countdown clock in Trafalgar Square. It will count down every hour, minute
and second until the Olympic flame is lit inside the Olympic Stadium on the
evening of 27 July 2012. For Hammers fans everywhere, the Games - both
Olympic and Paralympic - will be extra special, given that the club has been
recommended as preferred bidder to take over the legacy of the Stadium in a
proud partnership with Newham Council. Manager Avram Grant revealed he
cannot wait for the action to start, having seen at first hand the
excitement of the 2008 Games. "The first Olympics I saw was in China because
until then I was always busy with teams in August. I was there in Beijing
and it was unbelievable to see it," he said. "I saw all the sports I could
see and it was amazing to athletes in their major competition. They were at
their best. I saw judo, cycling, everything and it was great."
His words were echoed by Scott Parker, who admitted he would relish the
chance to take his three young sons to some of the sports on view in summer
2012. "The Olympics excites me," he said. "I would love to watch the 100m
and the spectacle that it is. It only seems like yesterday that we got the
Games but it is just round the corner now. "You see the stadium going up and
all the infrastructure happening. Everywhere you turn you see it all on the
advertising boards. It will be brilliant for the club and for everyone
involved."
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Spurs in sight for Tomkins
WHUFC.com
Although hurt by FA Cup disappointment, James Tomkins knows the team need to
bounce back quickly
15.03.2011
James Tomkins has said all at West Ham United will need to show their
strength for Saturday lunchtime's trip to Tottenham Hotspur after the
undoubted disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup. The 21-year-old
was solid again at right-back for the second straight week against Stoke
City but was powerless to stop the Potters scoring from a throw-in and
free-kick that earned a 2-1 victory. Frederic Piquionne had levelled the tie
in the first half but the home side were able to nick a second-half winner.
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves," said Tomkins. "The FA Cup would have
been a bonus but the league is massively important, we have to bounce back.
There is a big game coming up next weekend. We have to put Stoke behind us
and remember we were on a good run."
Tomkins, who has been called up by England U21s for the two internationals
coming up next week away to Denmark and at home to Iceland, said travelling
support would be a factor for the rest of the season. He paid tribute to
those who have sold out the allocation for Spurs, albeit with a much shorter
distance to travel. "The fans went up in their thousands to Stoke and it was
great support. We need them behind us and they were brilliant. We are
disappointed we couldn't give them the victory they wanted. We showed good
heart and spirit but it wasn't to be. We'll be giving it everything at
Tottenham."
It remains to be seen whether Tomkins will revert to centre-back against
Tottenham, with the manager aware that Lars Jacobsen is eager to get back in
the starting eleven. Where ever Tomkins is asked to play, he just wants to
play his part in keeping the team in the division. "I played right-back
again on Sunday and I just try and do a job wherever I am asked to play.
We've all got to do our best for the team and put that first. Another day,
things could have gone our way but it wasn't to be. We will all go again on
Saturday."
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McNaughton working hard
WHUFC.com
Callum McNaughton is taking aim at a new contract after impressing for the
reserve team
14.03.2011
Ask anybody at West Ham United about Callum McNaughton and they will tell
you he is one of the hardest-working and focused players at the club.
The reserve-team centre-back has bounced back from a frustrating,
injury-ravaged 2009/10 season to enjoy a productive campaign in his first
year as a professional. A successful loan spell at Blue Square South club
Bishop's Stortford over the Christmas and New Year period, the 19-year-old
has forced his way into Steve Lomas' starting XI. Last week, McNaughton was
in impressive form at Sunderland, enjoying a physical battle with England
Under-21 striker Danny Welbeck and helping to shackle former Manchester
United and Tottenham Hotspur forward Fraizer Campbell.
"I've had a run of games - four starts - and that's been really good for
me," he told West Ham TV. "I felt I've done well in those games, as well,
and been consistent. I've kept my place as well, which has been good, and
I'm learning so there have been some positives there. "You definitely need
to be fit so that you can play and then it's just about getting your
confidence up and getting a string of games together. I went on loan to
Bishop's Stortford in January when we had no reserve games and it has
definitely done me the power of good. "I played eight games in a month and
it was first-team football, so I felt that really helped me. It gave me
match-fitness and more experience. "I got my start in the reserves against
West Brom and we won 4-1. From there, I feel like I've gained in confidence.
I feel like I'm doing new things in games and everything is coming together,
which is good. I'm really enjoying it."
McNaughton's performance at The Academy of Light drew wholesome praise from
new reserve-team manager Lomas, who was pleased with the application and
discipline shown by his young defenders against two Barclays Premier League
forwards. The defender himself was happy with his display in a game which
finished in a 1-1 draw. "You want to be playing against the best players to
prove yourself. If you play against Premier League players and do well, it
shows you can deal with it. "I've thoroughly enjoyed playing against those
players. It raises your game and I'm just loving it really. I had a few
tussles with Welbeck and it was good. "The praise means a lot to me. I felt
like I played well and it's nice when people say you've done well as it
confirms it. I'm enjoying playing well and it's definitely a boost, but you
can never get ahead of yourself. I've got to keep going and never stop and
get better and better."
McNaughton and his colleagues welcome Newcastle United to the Boleyn Ground
for a Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture on Tuesday afternoon.
The teenager hopes to keep his place in the side, but he is keeping his
options open as he attempts to earn a new professional contract this summer.
A second loan spell is not out of the question, but McNaughton's long-term
aim remains achieving a place in the West Ham first team. "Ultimately I want
to play here - there's no question about it. I'm trying to what is best for
me so that I can prove myself to the coaches in training day-in, day-out and
in the games. "Everything that comes along, I'll take the decision that is
best for me to reach my goal of playing first-team football here."
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Cup joy for Ladies
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are through to the FA Women's Cup quarter-finals
14.03.2011
West Ham United Ladies are through to the FA Women's Cup sponsored by EON
quarter-finals after scoring a dramatic 1-0 fifth-round win at Enfield Town
on Sunday. Joanna Woodgates (pictured) was the heroine, netting a magical
winner with just two minutes remaining to set-up a last-eight trip to Barnet
FC Ladies. Before Woodgates' late intervention, the two sides had played out
a nervous 88 minutes at Brimsdown Sports Centre, with neither team seemingly
willing to take the risks that could see them knocked out of the
competition. It took 39 minutes for the first clear chance to be created,
but West Ham defender Jess Barling was in the right place to block a
goalbound shot from Enfield striker Sheree Oliver. While West Ham were
controlling possession for the most part, Enfield continued to look
dangerous on the counterattack without ever stretching Hammers goalkeeper
Toni-Anne Wayne. With the prospect of extra time looming large, Julia
Setford's side forced two corners. The second was taken by Woodgates and
found Nina Downham in space. When Downham's shot was cleared back to
Woodgates, the 19-year-old let fly with an unstoppable 25-yard strike that
flew into the net. After three agonising minutes of added time, during which
an Enfield player planted a header narrowly wide of Wayne's post, the final
whistle was blown and West Ham's passage to the last-eight was confirmed.
Barnet will prove to be testing opposition in the quarter-finals. The FA
Women's Premier League National Division side have won their last 12 matches
in all competitions and have reached the FA Women's Premier League Cup
final. The tie will take place on Sunday 27 March, meaning the FA Tesco
Women's Premier League Southern Division trip to Brighton and Hove Albion
originally set for that date will now be re-arranged.
Elsewhere in the draw, four teams from the newly-formed Women's Super League
have reached the quarter-finals - Arsenal, Bristol Academy, Doncaster Rovers
Belles and Liverpool - while the remaining two spots are filled by FA
Women's Premier League National Division pair Sunderland and Millwall
Lionesses.
Before their big cup clash, West Ham will continue their quest for the
Southern Division title when they host Portsmouth at Thurrock FC on Sunday
20 March, kick-off 2pm. With Keynsham Town regaining top spot after
defeating Gillingham on Sunday, the Hammers will be eager to maintain their
recent good form against fourth-placed Pompey.
FA Women's Cup sponsored by EON sixth-round draw (ties to be played on
Sunday 27 March 2011)
Sunderland v Arsenal
Millwall Lionesses v Bristol Academy
Liverpool v Doncaster Rovers Belles
Barnet Ladies v West Ham United
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Are you Hackett in disguise?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
Referee Mike Jones has been slammed for his diabolical performance in
yesterday's FA Cup quarter final between Stoke and West Ham. The official,
who allowed both Stoke goals to stand despite blatant fouls in the build-up
to both, gave a penalty that never was for a Matthew Etherington dive and
then refused to award West Ham a penalty when James Tomkins was wrestled to
the ground inside the Stoke penalty box has been hailed 'the new Keith
Hackett' by furious Hammers fans. Hackett was the referee who quite
disgracefully sent Tony Gale off in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham
Forest some 21 years ago, ending that particular game as a contest. However
Jones' string of misdemeanours makes Hackett's err pale into insignificance.
Jones: Stoke games 2010/11 season
Chester's Mike Jones has officiated four of Stoke City's games this season -
three of which they have won with the fourth a draw. Newcastle 1-2 Stoke;
Wigan 2-2 Stoke; Blackburn 0-2 Stoke; Stoke 2-1 West Ham Utd
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Sour grapes, of course, and without a drink to numb the pain
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th March 2011
By: Paul Walker
You know what's coming, you are going to be mugged, but you know there's
nothing you can do to stop it.
That is the feeling I'm sure many Irons fans had as they left - eventually -
the Britannia stadium after Sunday's FA Cup failure.
Stoke tucked us up, mugged us and go to the semi-finals with their lovely
brand of brutalised football, which no referee seems to have the courage to
stop. Certainly not Mike Jones, who missed so much in our 2-1 quarter-final
defeat he may well been standing next to Tony Pulis in the technical area,
he certainly came on their team coach.
OK, Freddie Piquionne may have got away with a hand ball for our goal, but
even after countless TV replays I still can't be sure what part of his chest
shoulder, upper arm, first made contact with the ball.
But that was small fry compared to the organised skulduggery that passes for
a football match in Stoke. I have no problem with Rory Delap's long throw,
it's a perfectly legitimate ploy.
What stick in the throat is the constant fouling, holding, pulling, pushing,
blocking, obstructing, grabbing etc that goes on while the ball is in the
air.
This policy works in England. But as our old friend Martin Samuel (congrats
on the award) wrote last week, we have a different set of rules to everyone
else. Why has Pulis' theories not be taken up across Europe? Because
referees in Spain, France, Italy, Germany etc do not allow the battering of
goalkeepers in the six yard box or the fouls that go on unabated. It just
doesn't happen anywhere but here.
And let's be clear. Stoke practice cheating on the training ground. The
clever, subtle turn and run into Matthew Upson by Jon Walters to allow
Robert Huth a free run to score their first, takes split second timing.
Yes, Manuel da Costa stupidly made sure he did not give away a corner,
rather turning the ball out for a throw that set-up their first. What planet
is he on, has he not been listening and watching.
But that doesn't absolve referees for allow the organised thuggery that goes
on when Stoke attack a Delap throw.
Yes, we were pretty rubbish in that first-half, constantly hounded and
caught in possession and some decision making defied description.
But why has nobody, not TV, mentioned the blatant foul that gave Stoke their
second? Jones was clearly trying his best to give them a goal, first a
non-penalty than a hand ball decision against Carlton Cole - just how often
is that penalised?
But as Danny Higginbotham drove in the free-kick, Thomas Hitzlsperger was
dragged out of his place in the wall and almost thrown to the ground by a
Stoke player to create the gap. Of course Stoke practice such things.
Jones needs to look at his whole performance. You can only wonder what sort
of ear-bashing he got from Pulis in the tunnel after the Piquionne goal.
And I'd love to know the content of Jones' giggling, whispering chat with
Matty Etherington as the pair waited for the second-half to start. Fifteen
seconds later, with Matty in a heap after not being touched by Scott Parker,
we all had our own ideas.
And Jones was never going to give that blatant penalty when Walters rugby
tackled James Tompkins to the floor in the box. As John Hartson said on the
box, how that wasn't a penalty he'll never know.
Upson hit the bar, Thomas Sorensen saved brilliantly from Cole and Robbie
Keane, and yes, as clear as night follows day, we were out. It's not the
first time Stoke have done this, it's rather funny when they mug Arsenal,
Chelsea and Liverpool but not as funny when it happens to your team.
Their pitch is the narrowest in the league for obvious reasons and their
ball boys need sacking or a lesson in fair play. How often did the ball
bounced down the line past maybe two of the little mights skulking behind
the advertising boards before one of them managed to get up and return the
ball. It was so, so much quicker when it was a Stoke throw. Are the
Potteries club teaching kids to cheat as well?
And then there was the Staffs police, a fine body of men who had in their
number bobbies that couldn't even direct me back to the station properly.
And someone will have to explain to me what the point is of banning booze in
the away end while the other three sides of the stadium - not full I might
add - can drink all they want.
I couldn't get into the hotel at the station I've used often for a meal and
a drink before or after the game, and the one pub on the stadium complex -
that Harvester - meant a 30 minute wait in a queue to get in and then a 15
minute wait at the bar for a drink - me and my lad gave up.
Getting out of Stoke was equally challenging. We were kept in a holding pen
for 20 minutes or so, helicopter hovering, to allow the Stoke fans to
disperse - we were told - and then let out by the Bill into streets still
full of home supporters.
Buses were there to take us back to the station, but not allowed by police
to move until the away compound had been cleared of fans, coaches and
mini-buses. So our lot just milled around outside getting into rows with the
police.
Sounds like I'm brassed off doesn't it? To right I am. Football should be so
much better than all this rubbish and cheating, shame is we are not able to
rise above it all . Relegation fight now, anyone?
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Grant in the dock after ref rant
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT is facing an FA rap for his blast at ref Mike Jones. FA
disciplinary chiefs are investigating the West Ham manager's comments
following his club's FA Cup quarter-final exit at Stoke on Sunday. Grant
claimed the ref gave "everything for them" to make up for allowing Hammers
striker Freddie Piquionne's handball equaliser in the first half. The
Israeli rapped: "Maybe this is the reason he started the second half very,
very strangely. Until they scored the goal, he gave fouls and penalties,
everything for them. "But it was a penalty for us and he didn't give it."
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West Ham keep fingers crossed over Piquionne
Published 16:01 14/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham manager Avram Grant has urged his players to focus on their fight
for Premier League survival after being denied a trip to Wembley. The
Hammers occupy the final relegation place with 31 points and Grant is keen
for them not to be adversely affected by their FA Cup exit at Stoke - their
first defeat in five matches. "It was a tough game. We wanted to win and it
was a big fight like it always is there," said Grant. "Everyone knows the
first priority is the league but we went there to win the game. "I think a
draw would have been more fair. I wish them all the best in the semi-final.
Now we want to continue in the league like we have done in the past few
weeks."
Grant is awaiting an injury update on striker Frederic Piquionne, who was
injured in scoring West Ham's goal at the Britannia Stadium. "I hope it is
not serious," said Grant, who will at least be able to call on the in-form
Demba Ba for Saturday's short trip to Tottenham after resting him against
Stoke.
The Senegal international has scored four goals in five matches since his
January transfer from Hoffenheim but Grant felt the player needed a break.
"He played a lot of games in a very short time with minimum preparation, so
we wanted to keep him back," he said.
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Absolutely Diabolical!
West Ham Till I Die
It truly is diabolical that a team like Stoke City can survive the PL and
reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup. It is also diabolical that a PL
referee can officiate so poorly and so directly influence the outcome of a
match.
Stoke City are a team that invariably play on the edges of footballing
legality. And the pundits, and powers to be, consistently fail to criticise
the tactics and conduct that they adopt. Instead there is lots of talk
about robust approaches, playing to strengths and route one football. And,
indeed, Stoke City are a very one dimensional team, relying on throw ins and
set peices for goal scoring opportunities. Now I can accept a team of
limited talent playing to their few strengths, what I cannot accept is some
of the underhand tactics that they adopt in to the bargain. They use
physical intimidation on the pitch and some of their challenges are
dangerous. Look at the poor challenge on Parker and the elbow in Green's
face. They crowd out goal keepers and stamp on their feet to distract them;
as well as illegally blocking (obstructing players) at set peices. And, of
course, they go to ground at the drop of an hat, in the final third, to
secure the free kicks that are their life blood. It is, indeed,
anti-football!
Much has been spoken about Piquionne's use of the top of his arm in scoring
the equaliser. But what about the obstruction of Matt Upson to allow Huth a
free header for their first goal? It was clearly foul play and should have
been penalised. Why did the referee not spot the obstruction? The second
half was characterised by a string of poor decisions all given against West
Ham, starting with the pathetic penalty awarded for the' non-foul' on Matt
Etherington. Thankfully, justice was served in that instance, with Rob
Green pulling off a great save.
But Mr Jones continued in the same vein, with the award of an initial free
kick for nothing and then he penalised Carlton Cole for instinctively
shielding his face. Admittedly the ball did strike Cole's elbow, but it
clearly was not intentional. Nine times out of ten, that second free kick
would not have been awarded. So, the ball moves forward and Stoke City
score from the resultant free kick, principally because West Ham's defensive
discipline was lost and the wall broke. If the wall had remained solid,
then Higginbottom would never have scored because it was fired directly at
it's centre! In that respect Scott Parker is due some rare criticism for
getting drawn in to a slanging match with one of their players (probably
another of Stoke's little tricks), when the no.1 priority was defending the
free kick.
At 2-1 down West Ham pushed on and were fustrated by Sorenson's able goal
keeping. However, we should have been awarded two penalties. Huth clearly
used his arm to control the ball, under a challenge from Robbie Keane. But
no, Mr Jones misses it! Then James Tomkins is man handled and thrown to the
floor in the penalty box. A bona fide penaly? It was more akin to a common
assault to be honest. But no, not according to Mr Jones! Just how can the
match official justify not giving West Ham the penalty kick? Avram Grant
and Scott Parker were mildly critical of the official's performance, but
steered clear of outright condemnation. They were obviously wary of an FA
disrepute charge.
The truth is that the referee's inexplicable decisions cost West Ham the
match. Yes, West Ham, unlike the week before, played in to Stoke City's
hands. Yes, Stoke City restricted West Ham's play and we failed to get our
flowing passing game going. And yes, we did not cope so well with Stoke's
wide men. But on the balance of play we still should have got a draw. The
fact that we did not is directly down to the official's poor
decision-making. To be quite honest, I am getting mightily sick of
officials affecting the results of matches with poor decisions. How many
points have we lost this season in the PL due to decisions wrongly given
against us? You can argue that it is balance sheet and the disadvantageous
decisions are balanced by those that go in our favour, but the fact is that
the latter are very firmly in the minority so far this season. Years ago
referees were largely faceless functionaries, who just quietly got on with
their job and it was a mark of their competence that we did not particularly
notice them. Today's officials obviously want to be noticed and have egos
the size of houses. Hence their pompous displays on the pitch and arrogant
failure to acknowledge when they get it wrong (Did Mr Clattenburg ever
admit that he got it wrong with Piquionne's disallowed goal against Wolves
and that he consequently should not have booked him?).
I do not mind being beaten by a team that has performed better on the day.
But to be defeated by a 'rough house' team like that, virtue of a series of
dodgy refereeing decisions, is hard to take. Still, what is done is done.
No doubt Owen Coyle's, much improved, Bolton Wanderers will take care of
Stoke in the semi-final. We got the three points against Stoke City at
Upton Park and that was by far the most important thing. Now, the team must
bounce back next Saturday. Last week I said that it was important that the
team showed the resilience to come back from a reverse. We have the perfect
opportunity to do it with style on Saturday against Spurs. Loath Spurs if
you will, but at least they play open, expansive football and allow others
to do likewise. With them it is a football contest and we are at our best
in those matches.
We really do need at least one away victory against a top five side to give
us a leg up from the quagmire of the relegation zone and the PL fixture list
indicates that this is a good weekend to do it. Ideally we want to be safe
before the last day of the season, so a win at WHL would help us no end.
One thing is for sure, I would happily trade a Wembley FA Cup semi-final
appearance against Bolton for three PL points at Spurs. If we were safe
then that would not necessarily be the case, but the relegation threat is
still there and we need to secure safety as soon as possible. In doing so,
lets pull Brum and Stoke in to the mire. After all the latter outfit are
only now three points in front of us. Either of those clubs being relegated
would be a real service to the quality and integrity of the PL!
And lets be honest, a victory at WHL is the perfect antidote to the
bitterness of losing so controversally on Sunday. Stoke City, Stoke who?
COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
ps. A video on KUMB reveals the mystery of West Ham's collapsing wall!
Stoke City players physically pulled West Ham defenders out of the way to
open up the shot for Higginbottom. Absolutely unbelievable!
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Kieron Dyer sets out to show at Ipswich the value West Ham never saw
Injury prone midfielder is still smarting at the words of West Ham's
co-owner and determined to enjoy a loan spell at home
David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Monday 14 March 2011 23.10 GMT
Kieron Dyer does not mince his words. Then again, when the chairman of your
football club would prefer it if you retired, the gloves are off. "Yeah, I
was peed off, to be honest," the midfielder says of the West Ham United
co-owner David Sullivan's comments, which were made last year. "But the more
you hear of his statements and when you actually meet the man – he's capable
of that every day. I do like him. He had a barbecue in the summer and we got
on really well. He is just one of these people who, whatever comes to his
mind, he will speak it. He doesn't beat around the bush."
Dyer is back on home turf at Ipswich Town, where he started in 1996, having
secured a month's loan from West Ham. There is little doubt that his Upton
Park statistics make for grisly reading, particularly for Sullivan, who
criticised Dyer shortly after he and David Gold took charge, in February
2010. At the time, Dyer had started only five Premier League matches for the
club, because of injuries. His total, in all competitions over four seasons,
now stands at 17. He cost £6m when he joined from Newcastle United and his
basic weekly wage is £65,000. The 32-year-old might have lost count of the
number of times that he has been written off but Sullivan did succeed in
needling him.
"It's not to prove him wrong, I don't have to prove anything to him," Dyer
says, before changing tack. "I am a proud guy and to be reading I am a waste
of money and I'm injury prone is not nice. So it gives me the motivation.
When you are the chairman of a club, you can say what you want and do what
you want. But I would have liked it if he had come and spoken to me first or
given me the heads up. To read in the paper that I have to retire was quite
disappointing."
Dyer is synonymous with injury, and there has been none worse in his career
than the dreadful broken leg he suffered at Bristol Rovers in August 2007,
on only his third appearance for West Ham. Yet his frustration is also
directed at club doctors.
"I've been wrongly diagnosed with a lot of my injuries," he says. "I was out
for a whole season with a hamstring injury but then I go to see a certain
specialist and he says it's because I have a 10-centimetre piece of scar
tissue. Who's to blame for that? A thigh injury has kept me out for most of
this season but then they found out I needed an injection and I haven't felt
my thigh since."
Dyer refers to himself as a West Ham player. His Upton Park contract will
expire in the summer. He says that he would like to go back and score the
goal that keeps the Hammers in the Premier League, to repay the support of
the supporters, who have "always been great". But he does not have to spell
out how difficult he has found his time at West Ham and his delight at being
back at the club he supported as a boy is plain.
Dyer grew up "literally two minutes away" from Portman Road and he has been
back regularly to watch the team's matches since his £6m move to Newcastle
United in 1999. Together with another former Ipswich player, Titus Bramble,
who is now at Sunderland, he has sponsored the club's youth sides for some
years.
When Ipswich indicated that they wanted the loan, Dyer jumped at the chance.
He signed last Friday and started in a 0-0 draw at Leeds 24 hours later.
"His partner was due to have their baby on Saturday," says the Ipswich
manager, Paul Jewell, "but there was no call from Kieron to ask for the
afternoon off. That tells you how keen he is to play or how squeamish he is
– one or the other."
Dyer's fourth child is yet to arrive and he says that in an ideal world, he
or she would not do so until Sunday. Ipswich have home fixtures against
Watfordon Tuesday and Scunthorpe United on Saturday. He admits that he is
"nervous" about playing at Portman Road again.
Dyer will begin to take his coaching badges in the summer, together with a
West Ham team-mate, Scott Parker, although he jokes that managing any
players like himself or his close friend Craig Bellamy would give him "a
heart-attack". In the years immediately ahead, though, he wants to get his
enjoyment out of playing.
"I was at West Ham when Dean Ashton was forced to retire," he says, of the
former England striker. "As he was doing one last warm-up, all you could
hear was 'crunch, crunch' from his ankle. I turned round and he was just in
tears on the floor. He knew his career was over. I thought, 'I've got a few
muscle tears whereas he is struggling to walk.' In a way, it shows how
fortunate I am."
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Key duo named by Republic
Keane and Dunne selected for Trapattoni's side
Last updated: 14th March 2011
SSN
The Republic of Ireland have selected skipper Robbie Keane and defender
Richard Dunne for their upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia and
the friendly clash with Uruguay. Keane returned to action with West Ham
after a four-game lay off as a substitute in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to
Stoke on Sunday and will be hopeful of earning his 103rd cap against the
Macedonians at the end of March. Dunne is facing a race against time to be
fit for the match at the Aviva Stadium after damaging his shoulder while
playing for Aston Villaagainst Manchester City at the start of March. The
centre-back was initially ruled out for a month, but he appears to be
winning his fitness battle. His selection comes on the same day he and
defender James Collins had to issue a public apology after they allegedly
insulted members of their club's staff. Trapattoni, however, did not appear
interested in the incidents that mean Dunne's days at Villa may be numbered,
instead focusing on he matches ahead.
Big match
"Macedonia is a big match for us in our aim to qualify for Euro 2012," the
Italian said. "Playing at home in the Aviva Stadium is important and we will
be keen to build on our recent home performance against Wales. "Three days
later, we will take on Uruguay, who have announced a full-strength squad to
come to Dublin, including [Diego] Forlan and [Luis] Suarez. "This will be a
very good challenge for our players, particularly after Uruguay's strong
performance in South Africa last summer."
Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood is likely to win his sixth cap as
replacement between the sticks for the Republic, while Wigan midfielder
James McCarthy is also selected after pledging his allegiance to the nation
over his native Scotland. The vastly experienced Kevin Kilbane and Newcastle
striker Leon Best are back in the squad, while Trapattoni has selected
uncapped duo Darren Randolph and David Forde as backup to Westwood in goal.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Keiren Westwood (Coventry), Darren Randolph (Motherwell), David Forde
(Millwall); Kevin Foley (Wolves), John O'Shea (Man Utd), Ciaran Clark (Aston
Villa), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St
Ledger (Preston), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Kevin
Kilbane (Huddersfield); Marc Wilson (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Man Utd), Glenn
Whelan (Stoke), Paul Green (Derby), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), James
McCarthy (Wigan), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Keith Treacy (Preston),
Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Damien Duff (Fulham);
Robbie Keane (West Ham), Jonathan Walters (Stoke), Kevin Doyle (Wolves),
Shane Long (Reading), Leon Best (Newcastle), Andy Keogh (Bristol City).
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Tony Cottee Column: Survival always number one target for West Ham
Tony Cottee, East London Advertiser Columnist
Monday, March 14, 2011
3:07 PM
"It would have been great for the Hammers fans to go and have a day out at
the new Wembley for the first time, but it's just not to be this year." » Of
course going out of the FA Cup at this stage is disappointing, but we all
know Premier League survival is West Ham's number one target. It would have
been great for the Hammers fans to go and have a day out at the new Wembley
for the first time, but it's just not to be this year. We looked disjointed
throughout the match, the midfield struggled to get going and we didn't
involve Thomas Hitzlsperger enough, while Mark Noble, who has been excellent
over the past few matches, struggled to get going. Scott Parker was named
man of the match and was typically impressive, but until Frederic Piquionne
scored we were not in the game at all. Even after we equalised we struggled
to create chances. Matthew Upson was extremely unlucky his excellent header
cannoned off the bar instead of finding the net, while Victor Obinna forced
a good save from Thomas Sorensen. Obinna and Piquionne disappointed and
although we have seven or eight good forwards at the club, it would have
been good to see Demba Ba at least on the bench. He is our form striker at
the moment and with us down by a goal with 20 minutes left, it would have
been good to see him make an appearance. Stoke were better at the Britannia
than they were at the Boleyn last week, but they were always going to be. I
am sure boss Tony Pulis gave them all quite a hammering after last week.
History also tells you that when you get back-to-back matches the likelihood
is if you win the first, you won't win the second. A draw might have been a
fair result especially considering West Ham had a stonewall penalty appeal
turned down. James Tomkins was wrestled to the ground by Jonathan Walters
and the referee ended up giving the decision against West Ham! Robert Green
was really impressive again and as the season has gone on he has got better
and better. I would say he is one of the top three goalkeepers in the
country and is certainly good enough for the England squad. It's a shame he
didn't manage to get more of a hand on the free kick for the second goal,
but he denied Matthew Etherington in the first half with a tremendous save
then pulled off a great penalty save to deny the same player. After what
happened at the World Cup I have great admiration for him and how he reacted
to his mistake and although he started the season slowly, has been excellent
of late. Goalkeeper is a high profile position and when you make a mistake
like he did of course people are going to get on your back and in the first
half of the season he was the subject of plenty of abuse from opposition
fans, but his performances have certainly shut them up!
Tony Cottee was talking to Matt Diner
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