Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Another big cup tie is the main concern for Avram Grant and his in-form
Hammers at the start of the week
10.01.2011
Avram Grant is up for the battle with Birmingham City on Tuesday night. The
manager, who had his players back in early on Sunday to prepare, stands on
the brink of guiding the club to a first League Cup final since 1981, with a
tricky two-legged tie against their Midlands rivals standing in the way. The
first leg is at home before the Hammers travel to the Blues for the return
on Wednesday 26 January. Morale was boosted with the Hammers making it three
wins and two draws from six games with Saturday's 2-0 home success against
Barnsley in the FA Cup. "This recent period has been the best of our
season," said Grant. "We slipped up at Newcastle [last Wednesday] but we
have had some good results over the past few weeks and played good
football."
The prize for the Barnsley win - secured through Jonathan Spector and
Frederic Piquionne goals - was a date with Nottingham Forest on fourth-round
weekend on 29/30 January but Grant is more immediately looking to the
Carling Cup tie on Tuesday - and only after that will he worry about
Saturday's visit of high-fliers Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League. A
good night under the lights could act as a spark for the London derby. "It
is important that we get an advantage against Birmingham. It will be a tough
game. They are not easy to play against but they will think the same about
us. It will be a game of a lot of emotion."
Grant could recall the likes of Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker,
Freddie Sears, Carlton Cole and Piquionne to his starting lineup but was
delighted to see man of the match Mark Noble get a welcome 90 minutes under
his belt. Lars Jacobsen is cup-tied so Julien Faubert may continue at
right-back, although Winston Reid did himself no harm with a solid turn at
centre-back on Saturday. "I am looking forward to it," added Grant. "A
semi-final in any competition is a big game. You are just two games from the
final. It is exciting and especially the way we have got to this point is
something special. We've had a tough route so we deserve to be here. "The
quarter-final win against Man United is a game that no one will forget. We
want to have this experience again. It was great when I saw the faces of the
fans after beating them. Getting to the semi-finals is good but the final
would be better. The players are ready."
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Noble needs to play
WHUFC.com
The only way to wipe out the Newcastle United defeat is to keep on playing -
and winning - says Mark Noble
10.01.2011
Mark Noble has spoken of the determination in the Hammers ranks to keep on
erasing the memory of Newcastle United - with the next opportunity being the
small matter of the Carling Cup semi-finals. The club's longest-serving
player featured in that 5-0 defeat last Wednesday and never wants to go
through a similar experience again. He lined up once more on Saturday and
voted man of the match in the 2-0 FA Cup triumph against Barnsley. Noble
will hope to keep his place against Birmingham City in Tuesday's tie, eager
to do is bit to remind that the Magpies mauling was a one-off. "What
happened [at Newcastle] was horrible," Noble said. "It was horrible to be
involved with but we needed to put that in the back of our minds. Saturday
could have been a massive banana skin but we came through it. We should have
scored more goals in the first half and their keeper was pulling off all
sorts of saves but in the end we managed to get into the next round. "I
thought we dominated the first half and played really well. When you are
one-nil up in the cup, the opposition have still got a chance. We needed to
freshen it up in the second half and we got our second goal and put it to
bed. "I needed to play again. I was out for nearly eight weeks and I thought
I could just come back and play at Newcastle. I was wrong. I felt terrible.
I said to the manager I needed to get 90 minutes under my belt."
So to Birmingham and the midfielder said the message from the manager was to
play with freedom. "He is a positive person and he tries to instill that in
us to go out and play. It has not been going the best for us but we turned
it around over Christmas. Two wins can take us up to eleventh and we have a
run of games in February against teams around us. "A club like this should
not be in this position, with the players we have got and the fan-base. But
we are and we have to dig ourselves out of it again. If we can do that then
hopefully we will have some firm building blocks for next season."
League concerns aside, Noble admitted that the thought of representing his
boyhood club at Wembley was firmly in the back of his mind. "A semi-final
gives you something to look forward to. We want to beat Birmingham over two
legs and be at Wembley. That is our aim. It would be fantastic. "
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Specs the cup king
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector was delighted to help the Hammers begin an important week
with a victory
08.01.2011
Jonathan Spector was delighted to help West Ham United bounce back from a
disappointing midweek by firing the Hammers through to the FA Cup fourth
round. The American netted his third knockout goal of the season to set
Avram Grant's side on the way to a 2-0 third-round victory over Championship
challengers Barnsley. Aside from the personal glory of netting West Ham's
opening goal at the Boleyn Ground, Spector said the win was vital following
Wednesday's horror-show at Newcastle United. "All the goals have come in the
cups! It was a great victory for us, especially after such a disappointing
game at Newcastle," he told WHUTV. "After something like that, the best
thing we could do was come back to Upton Park and get a win and that's
exactly what we did. It was a good result and we're happy to be in the next
round."
Both before and after Spector opened the scoring on 29 minutes, the home
side missed a host of opportunities to score, with Barnsley goalkeeper Luke
Steele performing heroics to keep his side in the game. After half-time, the
Tykes were more threatening, with Adam Hammill's delfected shot hitting the
crossbar before substitute Frederic Piquionne finally killed Barnsley off
with a 94th-minute blast from the edge of the penalty area. "Sometimes these
games can be more difficult because the other team is really up for it,
coming to a great stadium like this with our renowned support. I'm sure they
were excited to be here for this game. "We obviously wanted to put the game
to bed earlier and the second goal came later than we'd have liked."
With the Hammers safely through to round four and a home date with
Nottingham Forest, Spector and his team-mates' attentions will turn to
Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg meeting with Birmingham City at
the Boleyn Ground. "Hopefully I'll start but we'll see. We'll be looking to
get a good result here on Tuesday night and then to going there and getting
another good result. "Hopefully we can get off on the right foot in the
semi-final. A clean sheet is always a key in a home and away fixture. A win
and a clean sheet would be great."
Looking even further forward, the Hammers play host to Arsenal in the
Barclays Premier League next Saturday evening, with everybody at the club -
Spector naturally included - desperate to climb off the bottom of the table.
"I think we're up for every game. Results didn't really go our way in the
week and we're disappointed about that and obviously our last game. "At the
same time, we're only a couple of points off 14th or something like that, so
we know a couple more wins and we'll move up the table."
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Hammers drawn with Forest
WHUFC.com
Nottingham Forest will provide the opposition for West Ham United in the FA
Cup fourth round
09.01.2011
West Ham United have been drawn against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup
fourth round. The tie will be played on the weekend of 29/30 January 2011.
It will evoke memories of the 1990/91 semi-final when the Hammers were
beaten 4-0 by Brian Clough's Forest at Villa Park, with Tony Gale harshly
sent-off.
The clubs last met in this competition in the 2002/03 third round, with the
Hammers winning 3-2 at home. The Hammers reached this year's fourth round
after Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Barnsley at the Boleyn Ground, with goals
from Jonathan Spector and Frederic Piquionne.
Sunday afternoon's draw was conducted at FA headquarters at Wembley.
Fourth-round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe/Hereford
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Stevenage v Reading
Notts County v Leicester/Man City
Doncaster/Wolves v Stoke/Cardiff
Birmingham v Coventry
Burnley v Burton
Swansea v Leyton Orient
Southampton v Manchester United
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Tottenham
Arsenal/Leeds v Huddersfield
Bolton v Wigan
Watford v Brighton
Torquay United v Crawley Town/Derby
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West Ham boss Grant angered by Karren Brady's comments
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Avram Grant has hit out at director Karren Brady for
discussing midfielder Steve Sidwell's aborted move to Upton Park in her
newspaper column. Sidwell had passed a medical and agreed terms before his
move from Aston Villa stalled, and he joined Fulham instead. "We (Grant and
Brady) don't have a problem, but I speak with the owners. I'm dealing with
the owners and that is the most important," said Grant. "Maybe I will have a
column in a newspaper and say what I think."
West Ham lie bottom of the Premier League with their mini-revival having
been halted in its tracks last week by a 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle. A 2-0
win over Barnsley on Saturday in the FA Cup third round earned Grant a brief
respite, but he faces a potentially make-or-break week. The Hammers' next
match is on Tuesday, when they play the first leg of the Carling Cup
semi-final against Birmingham - the former club of Brady and joint Hammers
owners David Sullivan and David Gold. Grant's position has long been the
subject of speculation, which grew more intense after the Newcastle game,
and the usually mild-mannered Israeli made it clear he did not feel he was
getting the support he needed from within Upton Park. "When the rumours are
coming from inside the club it doesn't create much stability," he said "Of
course I know where the rumours come from and I know there's people trying
to hurt the club but if I put my energy on this it's no good. "Sometimes
there's situations you don't like you just have to deal with. I want to put
my energy on the team and the players. I can solve it but not now."
The high point of Grant's time in charge so far was the 4-0 thrashing of
Manchester United in the previous round of the Carling Cup, but he says
there is more work still to be done. "When I saw the faces of the fans after
beating Manchester United it was great," he added. "A semi-final is good but
a final is better."
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Forest next...
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 9th January 2011
By: Staff Writer No.2
United have been drawn at home to Nottingham Forest in the next round of the
FA Cup. Forest came from behind to beat Preston 2-1 in the third round
courtesy of a last minute goal from Luke Chambers.They currently lie in 7th
place in the Championship, two points behind Watford over whom they have a
game in hand. The 4th round is due to be played over the weekend of
29th-30th January.
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Grant slams insider critics
Hammers boss disappointed with in-house issues
By Chris Burton Last updated: 9th January 2011
SSN
Avram Grant has blasted those West Ham officials he believes are trying to
destabilise the club. The Hammers boss has come in for mounting criticism
this season after enduring a tough start to his Upton Park reign. With
results having failed to live up to expectations, the Israeli has found his
position continuously called into question. Reports suggesting he faced the
axe resurfaced again in midweek following a 5-0 drubbing away at Newcastle.
It was claimed in some quarters that Grant was to be sacked immediately or
at least after a board meeting on Wednesday. Such a decision has not been
taken, though, and the former Portsmouth and Chelsea boss remains at the
helm.
Grant insists he never had any doubts over his future, but has questioned
the logic behind Karren Brady's decision to discuss the inside workings of
the club in a newspaper column - with the Hammers director having lifted the
lid on the reasons behind the decision to pull out of a deal for Steve
Sidwell.
He said: "I didn't read the column so I don't know what she said. Maybe I
will have a column in a newspaper and say what I think.
Energy
"All the things I have to say to the people at the club I say to them
directly. "We (Grant and Brady) don't have a problem but I speak with the
owners. I'm dealing with the owners and that is the most important." Grant
continued: "When the rumours are coming from inside the club it doesn't
create much stability. "Of course I know where the rumours come from and I
know there's people trying to hurt the club but if I put my energy on this
it's no good.
"Sometimes there's situations you don't like you just have to deal with. "I
want to put my energy on the team and the players. I can solve it but not
now."
The hammering at St James' Park saw West Ham tumble back to the foot of the
table but, having picked up eight points over the course of a productive
festive period, Grant is confident the cub can still steer a route to
Premier League safety. "Last period was the best of our season, we've had
some good results over the past few weeks and played good football. We
slipped up at Newcastle but we had a good game yesterday," he said in the
wake of a 2-0 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
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Grant to have Sidwell say
Boss admits friction between board after transfer collapse
By Jamie Casey Last updated: 9th January 2011
SSN
Avram Grant suggests his relationship with the West Ham board is strained
following the collapse of Steve Sidwell's transfer. The former Aston Villa
midfielder was due to sign for the Hammers having agreed terms and passed a
medical, only for the board to pull the plug on the deal. It is thought they
felt the transfer was unnecessary upon the return to fitness of Mark Noble,
with vice-chairman Karren Bradyinforming Grant of the intervention. Sidwell
subsequently joined relegation rivals Fulham, much to the frustration of
Grant, who claims he will vent his feelings on the matter later this week.
"I can say one thing - it is the last time I will ever speak about a player
signing for us before he has officially signed," Grant told The News of the
World. "Karren has told me the reasons why the deal has not happened but I
will have my say this week."
Good run
The Israeli saw his side defeat Barnsley 2-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday,
taking their good run to three wins and two draws two in their last six
outings.
However, they remain bottom of the Premier League and, with Birmingham
visiting Upton Park on Tuesday, Grant concedes the club are still in a lot
of trouble. "We have problems on and off the field," he admitted. "We knew
it would be a difficult season. "We had a difficult season but are two
points from 14th in the Premier League. We have only had two or three games
where we have not played well."
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Hammers give Sam six months
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM are ready to give Sam Allardyce a six-month trial to save them from
relegation. The Hammers want a replacement for Avram Grant as the season
reaches crisis point. The Upton Park board has lost faith in boss Grant with
the team nailed to the foot of the Premier League with only 16 games to go.
The dramatic SOS to Big Sam has emerged after first choice Martin O'Neill
told pals he is reluctant to take over. Allardyce was sacked by Blackburn
last month but was described by England boss Fabio Capello as one of the
successes of this season along with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. But West
Ham are also wary of Hammers fans' reaction to how his direct style of
football will go down at the so-called Academy. The plan for a six-month
'suck it and see' contract could suit all parties and give Allardyce a
chance to win over supporters by keeping West Ham in the Premier League. The
club's top brass are split over the managerial options but must make a
decision soon with less than half the season to go. An insider said: "The
club has been very supportive of the manager but there's a real worry things
will not improve sufficiently. "Grant has a 20 per cent chance of keeping
his job but sacking a manager now is a tough call."
Fans have voted with their feet on Grant's position and reputation as a
successful cup coach. There are still 5,000 tickets left unsold for
tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final home leg against joint-chairmen David Gold
and David Sullivan's old club Birmingham.
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West Ham and Fulham battling for Robbie Keane
Published 11:42 09/01/11 By Dean Jones
The Mirror
Robbie Keane is being granted his chance to remain in London as West Ham and
Fulham battle to sign him. Talks with Birmingham about a £7million transfer
have gone cold and Blues have now agreed a fee for Rangers' front man Kenny
Miller. Republic of Ireland international Keane, 30, is now set for a switch
across the capital and that suits him because he does not want to move
house. Fulham are interested but the forward would have to take a 30 per
cent cut on his current £65,000-a-week wages. The Hammers are willing to pay
a salary close to his current one.
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West Ham close to finalising £7m permanent deal for Ba
Published 11:44 09/01/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham are making a £7m bid for bad-boy striker Demba Ba from German side
Hoffenheim this week. The Senegalese international striker has been to
London twice in recent weeks as he pushes for the move. The
relegation-haunted club are willing to pay the cash in three installments
and negotiations are 'close' according to both sides. Ba's arrival is sure
to spark interest in Carlton Cole – the pair are similar in style and size.
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Chelsea offer Avram Grant 'director of football' escape route
Published 11:03 09/01/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Roman Abramovich will offer Avram Grant a stunning return to Chelsea – as
director of football – if he is sacked by West Ham this week. Stamford
Bridge's Russian ruler is still a huge fan of Grant, the man who led his
club to the Champions League final in 2008. Israeli Grant fell out with
Abramovich when he was sacked just days after Chelsea's penalty shoot-out
heartbreak in Moscow but the pair quickly patched up their differences and
could work together again. The Hammers have run out of patience with Grant
after last week's 5-0 drubbing at Newcastle which left them bottom of the
Premier League. And his fate is likely to be sealed at a board meeting
scheduled for Wednesday. But Grant could be back in work in the Premier
League within days thanks to Abramovich, who is putting together a new team
behind the scenes to run the club the way he wants. Grant's return to
Stamford Bridge would be unlikely to concern manager Carlo Ancelotti, who
has soldiered on despite the sacking of his No.2 Ray Wilkins. The Italian is
likely to stay in charge for the rest of the season despite a disastrous
recent run which has put the club's Champions League future in jeopardy.
People Sport revealed that Abramovich ended Frank Arnesen's spell as
director of football because he wants to have a more hands-on approach and
use his list of contacts to land players.
Abramovich wants Chelsea to copy Barcelona's blueprint of discovering young
players and grooming them, using men he trusts to find the best emerging
talent around. Grant, a long-term ally of Abramovich, first cropped up in
Britain at Portsmouth, but soon moved to Chelsea where he became manager
following the departure of Jose Mourinho. Now the door has dramatically
swung open for a Grant return, although he will fight hard to keep his grip
on the West Ham job.
Grant is seen as ideal for the Chelsea post as he shares many of the same
agent friends and contacts as Abramovich. Under-pressure Grant has been a
dead man walking at West Ham for two months. People Sport first revealed
that Hammers had been sounding out alternative managers BEFORE the Wigan
'must win' fixture at the end of November (which Hammers won 3-1). And
Grant's position at West Ham is under bigger threat now that the New Year
has arrived. People Sport understands that Grant's contract states if the
Hammers are in the bottom three any time after January 1, compensation due
to the manager should he be sacked will be minimal. Ancelotti admitted
yesterday that he would not have been shocked if Abramovich had sacked him
during Chelsea's dire run of two wins in 11 games. The Italian, whose side
host Ipswich in the FA Cup today, said: "I wouldn't have been surprised
because this is football – for some people it's a surprise that I'm still
here. "It has been a long time since we had a good result and I don't know
how many coaches would be able to go through these results without being
dismissed. "The owner has supported my job and I feel this because I have
spoken with him. In two or three weeks we must be over these problems. We
can't stay like this until the end of the season. "We have to finish this
run before the Champions League starts again, otherwise I don't know what
will happen."
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho once claimed that nine of his players were
'untouchable', but that isn't the case under Ancelotti. The Italian added:
"There are no untouchable players. If I think they deserve to play, they
play."
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West Ham considering six-month 'keep us up' deal for Allardyce
Published 11:21 09/01/11 By Steve Bates
The Mirror
West Ham are considering following Liverpool's lead – by offering Sam
Allardyce a six-month stint to save them from relegation. The Mersey men
yesterday asked Kop idol Kenny Dalglish to put out Anfield fires and now
Hammers see Allardyce as perfect for a similar role at Upton Park. Fireman
Sam, sacked by Blackburn, is a free agent after agreeing a £2.5million
compensation package with Rovers' Indian owners. Allardyce rejected the
chance to take over at Burnley last week but a trouble-shooting role at
Hammers could tempt him back even if he is looking for a more permanent
post. Hammers would first have to part company with current boss Avram
Grant, whose future will be decided at a board meeting on Wednesday. Former
Bolton and Newcastle boss Allardyce has told friends he would consider an
approach from the Hammers. Qatar have shown interest in making him national
boss, just as People Sport exclusively revealed, and although he's ready to
a step back into management he wants the right role...as Burnley discovered.
Allardyce is back in England after a break in Dubai and will be at Old
Trafford today as a studio guest for ITV's coverage of the Manchester United
v Liverpool FA Cup tie.
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Vinny's Barnsley Report
Vinny - Sun Jan 9 2011
West Ham Online
FA Cup 3rd Round
West Ham United 2 Barnsley 0
A relatively comfortable victory saw West Ham overcome Championship side
Barnsley to progress to the next round of the FA Cup.
No matter what the score was to be in this game it was not going to banish
the memory of the previous Wednesday at Newcastle when the side put in such
a dismal performance I think it made many fans completely lose faith in
manager Avram Grant with rumours of him being dismissed rife throughout the
remainder of the week.
I am firmly in the camp that wishes to see Grant removed simply because it
is obviously not working. I have nothing again the man and I am sure he is
trying his best but he like Gianfranco Zola cannot get the best out of the
players he has. Can any manager do this I am not sure as we have players who
simply do not care. I am not suggesting that they go out there and do not
try but their desire to play for West Ham is simply not there and we need a
mass clear out urgently.
This was a typical cup game against lower league opposition as in you are
damned if you do and damned if you don't. We have always struggled against
small teams and all remember many of the embarrassments over the years. We
may not have played very well in the first half but just go back to the
League Cup game at home to Oxford United where we were poor throughout and
only a last minute goal won us the game. We are no in a League Cup Semi
Final and close to making it to Wembley.
These games are all about getting through and that we did in what I thought
was an easier task than expected. Barnsley didn't really give us a game and
although they had that chance in injury time which smacked off the bar they
didn't test Robert Green and at half time we should have been five or six
goals to the good.
Only three players who started against Newcastle were in the starting line
up for this match. Robert Green (who was given this Captains armband), Mark
Noble and James Tomkins were the only survivors from what was one of the
worst West Ham displays in modern time and there have been many.
In defence Julien Faubert started at right back with Winston Reid in the
centre with Tomkins. There was a surprise at left back as Luis Boa Morte
took up this position. This just went to show the total lack of another
viable option in a position that we must look to sort out during this
transfer window.
In midfield Pablo Barrera started on the right with striker Zavon Hines
starting on the left wing. Jonathan Spector played in the centre of midfield
alongside Noble.
Up front saw Victor Obinna take his place alongside Frank Nouble who was a
surprise starter.
The game took a few minutes for either side to get going but it was clear
even from the early stages that were going to be able to find space as
Barnsley were very open and Obinna was dropping deep to receive the ball
with plenty of room to run into.
On the seven minute mark we should have taken the lead after a glorious
opportunity was squandered. Obinna played the ball through to Nouble who did
well to cut it back for Hines who with only the keeper to beat saw his shot
saved by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal.
Another chance presented itself a moment later when Mark Noble threaded a
good ball through to Nouble who had made a good run but his shot also was
saved by Steele and away for a corner.
The chances kept on coming and it was once again Mark Noble pulling all the
strings as he played a wonderful pass over the top for Obinna to let the
ball drop over his shoulder and hit a first time left foot volley which went
agonisingly wide. From where I was sitting I was sure this was about to go
in and although you can argue that from there he should have scored it was
not an easy chance.
At this point we were all over Barnsley and it seemed to be looking like a
matter of time before we would break the deadlock as Nouble forced the
Barnsley keeper into yet another save.
The only effort Barnsley were able to muster was when O'Connor hit a shot
from long range which went wide and did not trouble Robert Green.
A goal really should have come when a fantastic cross from Boa Morte saw
Barrera steal in past the defender but his header went wide when it looked
easier to score.
I was a little concerned at this point that it was going to be one of those
days but am also of the opinion that if you keep creating chances a goal
will come and that it did just before the half hour mark.
In a way it was a fortunate goal and not a well worked move like most of our
chances had been so far but the finish was all that mattered. It was Mark
Noble who made a burst forward and attempted to hit a side foot shot at goal
but the ball was deflected into the path of Jonathan Spector who his low
right footed shot past Steele to make it 1-0.
This was the third goal Spector had scored this season with all three goals
coming in Cup competitions.
Although we remained on top Barnsley should have been level with ten minutes
remaining of the first half when a lack of concentration from James Tomkins
let Goran Lovre get through and with only Green to beat the midfield hit a
lazy shot which was easily stopped by the West Ham keeper. This was one of
the two shots Barnsley had on target throughout the game.
Two minutes later we should have had a penalty, or at least I was convinced
we should have had a penalty. Having not seen the incident again I cannot
confirm but from where I was sitting it was surely a foul.
A ball into the area saw Victor Obinna get to the ball before the keeper and
with this the keeper could only take Obinna out but the ref only gave a
corner kick with the West Ham players incensed.
With four minutes remaining of the half you had to ask yourself how we had
not made it 2-0 as a double chance presented itself which left many fans
including myself scratching our heads to how this did not result in a goal.
It was Mark Noble yet again who lofted a sublime pass over the top for
Barrera who crossed for Zavon Hines to have the simple task of scoring from
a few yards out but Steele somehow stopped the ball from going over the line
but the chance was still there as it came back to Hines but somehow his shot
was again stopped on the line and cleared. Both these shots took place
within the six yard box and one of them should have been converted.
The only disappointment of the first half is that we had not scored more
goals because we had totally dominated the game and produced a display which
I was very happy with. We took the game to Barnsley and looked so far the
better team.
The second half was a different kettle of fish altogether because despite
Barnsley not having any great chances of note (that chance in injury time
aside) we were pretty dire. All the good work we had put in during the first
half seemed to had been forgotten as we struggled our way through the half.
This was down to a mixture of Barnsley upping their game (because they had
been poor in the first half) and us happy to sit back and soak up
possession. Whilst the final score suggests this did work it was not very
entertaining to watch and only caused frustration amongst the fans who are
already at odds with the players and management.
One of the main talking points of the second half was after 56 minutes when
Barnsley's Andy Hammill was fouled in the area by Tomkins who had slid in. I
thought straight away that it was a penalty and was surprised that the
referee waved away Barnsley protests.
Barnsley were on top at this moment in time but could create nothing to
trouble our goal. We had stopped playing and our passing game had gone out
the window with even Noble giving the ball away cheaply. The crowd were
starting to get anxious and 'Grant Out' chants could be heard from sections
of the ground.
Whilst Barnsley were playing much better it was us who still created the
better chances and Frank Nouble should have put the game to bed when he was
played though on goal but he scuffed in left foot shot wide in Carlton
Cole-like fashion.
With fifteen minutes remaining and the game drifting Victor Obinna was taken
off with Scott Parker coming on. Whilst I would have taken off Barrera
instead Obinna had done little throughout the game with his eagerness to
shoot from outside the area being his only style of play. Obinna is still
get to score with any of these shots that he attempts and is a selfish
frustrating player who is all bark and no bite in my opinion.
Frank Nouble was taken off with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Coming on in his place was Frederique Piquionne.
With the ninety minutes up it was the Barnsley keeper Steele who again
pulled off a double save to keep the score at one as he first saved from
Barrera and then from Hines in what another great chance to increase our
lead.
That was to be the last contribution from Hines who was taken off and
replaced by Anthony Edgar who just moments after coming on was played in by
Parker but his finish was very poor as he dragged his shot wide.
With the four minutes of added time just about up there was to be that heart
stopping moment when Barnsley came ever so close to equalising when the much
admired Andy Hammill hit a shot which was deflected, looped into the area
and crashed off the cross bar.
As the Barnsley players were getting over their disappointment we broke with
pace as three players raced forward but Frederique Piquionne didn't need any
of them as he beat his man and hit an unstoppable left foot shot past the
keeper to make it 2-0.
Whilst the way we scored was cruel on Barnsley when you look at how many
chances we created through the game (13 attempts on target to Barnsley's 2)
we dissevered the win.
It was a lacklustre second half display but I'm just concerned about us
being in the next round of a cup competition I want to win - and that we
are.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Hardly had to make a save all day long. His kicking and all round
distribution of the ball was better and claimed everything he had to in the
air.
Julien Faubert
Not a display that inspires me as Faubert showed how bad he is at passing
the ball for yet another game. I sometimes wonder what he is looking at when
he plays these passes out of defence which are almost like shots.
James Tomkins
After his nightmare at Newcastle Tomkins didn't have it easy throughout this
game and had to be alert. Overall he was decent but did make a mistake in
the first half which should have lead to a Barnsley goal and was very lucky
not to give away a penalty in the second half.
Winston Reid
Very strong in the air and won just about every header which he challenged
for. An encouraging display from a player whose West Ham career has not got
going.
Luis Boa Morte
Playing in a position I haven't seen him play before. He certainly isn't
afraid to make a tackle and apart from a few astray passes in the second
half he did well in this role. Whether we should keep him there for the
Birmingham game is another matter.
Pablo Barrera
This boy just doesn't do enough for me to think he is ready for Premiership
football. There are times when he shows a nice burst of skill and pace but
most of the time he is easy to read an experienced defenders will get the
better of him. Should have scored in the first half but was shocking in the
second.
Jonathan Spector
He and Noble were our best players and looked a cut above the rest. Spector
kept running as he always does and worked hard to get a tackle in. Scored
another cup goal and surely we can all see that despite Spector not being
that great he is a better option in centre midfield than Radoslav Kovac.
Mark Noble
Was the best player on the pitch in the first half and although his second
half display was not as good he still put in a good performance. He was
pulling all the strings and some of his passing in the first half was
fantastic.
Zavon Hines
Missed three great chances to score and really should have converted one of
them. Quite clearly not a left winger and struggled to make an impact.
Victor Obinna
Oh its Obinna on the ball, what he going to do? Hit another shot from
outside the area which is charged down? Whilst I don't think Piquionne and
Cole are great they look more likely to score than this fella. I like
everyone am eager to see one of these shots fly into the back of the net but
we are in January now and Obinna is just frustration and in my opinion
taking up one of the loan positions which we might use to bring in a striker
who scores goals.
Frank Nouble
His movement was something Carlton Cole should have looked at because he did
really well in the first half and dragged defenders wide as he looked like a
striker who was actually interested. He should have scored in the second
half but this was good display from the youngster.
Subs Used
Scott Parker (on for Obinna 76 mins)
Came on to give us another body in midfield to try and stop Barnsley from
having so much space and time on the ball. This clearly worked as Barnsley
were not as effective when Parker came on.
Fredrique Piquionne (on for Nouble 83 mins
I have hated Piquionne over the last few weeks and his attitude has
disgusted me. But as for this game he came on with just a few minutes
remaining and took his goal really well. Hopefully this is the end of his
strop.
Anthony Edgar (on for Hines 92 mins)
Could have made a big impact when he was played in by Parker but
unfortunately his finish was poor.
Subs Not Used: Boffin, Sears, Upson, Spence
Bookings: None
Man Of The Match: Mark Noble
Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Shackell, Foster, Hill, Trippier (O'Brien 69),
Arismendi (Colace 77), Hammill, Doyle, Lovre (Butterfield 56), O'Connor
Subs: Preece, Neumann, Gray, Bennett
Attendance: 24,881
Overall
Maybe I am just a sentimentalist but I love the FA Cup and every season I
dream of West Ham winning it. Just because we are struggling in the league
does not change this and I want (unrealistically) for us to win the FA Cup,
League Cup and stay in the Premiership. I don't want much then….
Yes we were not great in the second half but with only three players who are
likely to start the next game playing this was a much changed team with
plenty of youngsters who did a decent job. Another tie against lower league
opposition at Upton Park will do me fine.
Next Game - Birmingham City (H) League Cup Semi Final 1st Leg
Forget that Avram Grant may be a shit manager, forget that many of our
players do not care about the club and forget that we are bottom of the
league because this is the biggest match of our season and our biggest game
in years. I have the cup fever and might be a bit delirious but I am so up
for this game West Ham better not disappoint me.
The rumours are still going around that Avram Grant will be dismissed soon
with many different names being touted as the next West Ham manager. Whilst
I would love it all to work out for Grant I cannot see it happening and
believe it just a matter of time and yet another poor result until he is
removed from his position.
If Gold & Sullivan are thinking about doing it they need to do it now.
The View From Avram
"I am very pleased with the team, They were very good, especially in the
first half and if we had taken 20 per cent of our chances the score would
have been high. I am pleased overall to be in the next round and that we
could give a chance to some new players."
The young players showed good movement and created strong chances. We played
in a quick way, the way I like with good passing. It was also important to
get Mark a full 90 minutes as he hadn't played a full game for a long time."
"We have a programme and a plan for this club. I am sure we will stick to
this even in good and bad times. West Ham will be a strong Premier League
club but you need to go step by step and give young players a chance. Of
course they need to have quality and this is also why the experienced
players are positive for us."
"I am looking for another run to Wembley. These games are tough and we have
done well to win. I remember when I was at Chelsea we played at Barnsley and
the pitch was not so good. My staff wanted to play because they thought it
was an easy game but we lost.
"We knew today would not be easy either but we did the job. I have been at
Wembley before and it would be nice to do well in the FA Cup again."
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GEORDIES TO ADD £5 MILLION HAMMER TO FIREPOWER
Date: 9th January 2011 at 12:11 pm
Transfer Tavern
Newcastle United have became shock suitors of West Hams wonderkid Freddie
Sears. After the Magpies shock FA Cup loss at Stevenage last night, Alan
Pardew has highlighted the need to add more firepower for occasions when
Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi aren't in the side. Sears, 21, has recently
been recalled from a loan at Scunthorpe to aid the Hammers relegation
battle. His instant impact with a goal against Wolverhampton on New Years
Day and all round positive play earned rave reviews. Avram Grant will surely
not want to lose another exciting prospect from 'the academy' but, will his
hands be tied by West Hams owners. It is believed a fee of around £5 million
would be enough to sit down and talk with the England under 21 international
and his representatives.
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Avram Grant's future on knife-edge as he turns on detractors at West Ham
Telegraph.co.uk
By Ben Findon and Jason Burt 5:16PM GMT 09 Jan 2011
Avram Grant, the West Ham manager who knows his Upton Park future is on a
knife-edge, has accused internal sources of propelling rumours that have
undermined the stability of his struggling side Grant is preparing his team
for Tuesday night's home Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham
and Saturday's league visit from Arsenal in the widespread expectation that
he will not see out the week as manager. He said: "When the rumours are
coming from inside the club it doesn't create much stability. This is the
main problem, we need to create stability. Of course I know where the
rumours come from and I know there's people trying to hurt the club.
"Rumours are part of the job but people need to understand more what we are
dealing with this season. All the things I have to say to the people at the
club, I say to them directly."
A 5-0 midweek humiliation at Newcastle pushed Grant to the brink, but a
heavily rotated West Ham side avoided any mishaps when goals from Jonathan
Spector and Frederic Piquionne saw off Barnsley 2-0 in Saturday's low-key FA
Cup match at Upton Park. "If you don't have stability, you can't do your job
the same. A club should be like a family," Grant said. "Sometimes there's
situations you don't like that you just have to deal with."
West Ham have had a formal bid to sign Robbie Keane rejected by Tottenham
Hotspur but have not given up hope of acquiring the 30-year-old striker.
The Premier League's bottom club offered £1 million in loan fees to take
Keane until the end of the season. In addition there was a promise to pay a
further £6 million to sign Keane on a permanent three-year deal should West
Ham avoid relegation. West Ham have also agreed to pay Keane the same
£65,000-a-week wages that he receives at Spurs. Although Keane is desperate
to leave White Hart Lane, Spurs are adamant that they want to do a permanent
deal this month rather than a loan with an option to buy. West Ham are also
waiting to hear whether Wayne Bridge will join them ahead of Aston Villa on
loan until the end of the season.
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Wayne Bridge Deal Is Nearly Done
West Ham Till I Die
I bring good news. I think. I am told the Wayne Bridge deal is as good as
done. If so, that means it's one down two to go. I do wonder, however, at
what cost this deal has been reached. Surely we can't be paying him the £90k
a week Citeh have been paying him? Didn't we go there once before with a
certain Icelandic chairman?
Avram Grant is also mouthing off to all and sundry about how he is being
treated. He's more or less accusing a certain person at the club (you don't
need to read too far between the lines to work out to whom he is referring)
of undermining him in the Telegraph. Big tactical error on his part. There's
only going to be one winner of this particular game and I can assure you it
isn't going to be him.
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West Ham in £2.5m battle to sign Odense striker Peter Utaka
Last updated at 7:42 AM on 10th January 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are hastily trying to put together a bid for £2.5million-rated
Odense striker Peter Utaka to ward off interest from other clubs. The
26-year-old striker, the brother of Portsmouth forward John, is also being
watched by Fulham. West Ham are in talks with Hoffenheim in a bid to sign
unsettled striker Demba Ba.
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