WHUFC.com
The manager was once again full of praise for the battling qualities in
evidence at the Boleyn
12.01.2011
Avram Grant was full of praise for the spirit shown by his West Ham United
side as they sealed a precious win in the first leg of the Carling Cup
semi-final with Birmingham City. Mark Noble's early strike was cancelled out
by Liam Ridgewell's header soon after the interval, before the tie seemed to
swing firmly in the Blues' favour with Victor Obinna's red card. However,
the Hammers stood firm and substitute Carlton Cole swept in - with a bit of
help from the unfortunate Ben Foster - a crucial winner. It meant a 2-1
lead to take to St Andrew's in a fortnight. Grant said: "I am very happy
with the players and they do like to play in the cup. They have been great
in the league matches as well against Wolves, Everton and Fulham away but
today, it was very hard, because we were with ten players for a long time.
"The spirit was great. It is not easy to play so many games in short time."
As was the case against Barnsley on Saturday, the Hammers were imperious in
the opening 45 minutes. "The football in the first half was good. We were
winning 1-0 but we could easily have scored more. We played well by passing
the ball, playing on the counterattack. "The second half they started well
and scored a good goal but it was the first time a team had scored against
us from a corner for a long time. We did great with ten men. For Carlton's
goal, even if the finish was like it was it was still a great attacking
move. I am very pleased. "It was a great combination. Jonathan Spector, who
has played in so many positions without complaining, did a good run, a good
pass and the finish...if it is a goal, I'm happy!."
The manager, who said he would review the Obinna sending off for an apparent
kick, has been around long enough to know there is a long way to go in the
tie. "It's an advantage. Nothing's finished yet but it's an advantage. But
it is better to have a win than to go to Birmingham with a draw." Grant
would not comment on speculation about transfer targets and brushed aside
questions about pressure from being at the bottom of the Barclays Premier
League. "I think we have to respect what the players have done," he added.
"There were only 16/17 senior players in the squad. "A few of them like
Coley and Zavon Hines couldn't play for more than 20-30 minutes, Noble
played after a long time out, Matt Upson had to play at left-back, Winston
Reid did very well even though he is new to the team and Spector did a great
job. I need to deal with these things. I don't want to spend energy on other
things."
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Cole's Wembley goal
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was delighted to give West Ham United a slender Carling Cup
semi-final advantage
11.01.2011
Carlton Cole has hailed the spirit of his West Ham United team-mates in
scoring a 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Birmingham City
on Tuesday. The Hammers took the lead through Mark Noble's early goal, only
to be pegged back by Liam Ridgewell's 56th-minute equaliser and lose Victor
Obinna to a sending-off just moments later. Despite spending much of the
second half defending their own territory, West Ham mustered the energy to
break clear and score a late winner through Cole's 78th-minute strike. The
goal was a mixture of fine play and good fortune, with Scott Parker,
Jonathan Spector and Cole combining superbly. The No9's shot should have
been saved by Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster, only for the England stopper
to allow the effort to slide under his leg and into the net. Regardless of
the circumstances of his sixth goal of the season, Cole was delighted to
give West Ham a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at St Andrew's on
Wednesday 26 January. The striker also believes the club's fourth victory in
seven matches can serve as a catalyst to get them off the bottom of the
Barclays Premier League. "I'm chuffed to have scored the winning goal. I
hope we can go over to their place and capitalise on this win because it
would be good for the fans and good for us mentally to help us get out of
the trouble we're in in the league.
"Winning in the cup is a habit that we need to take to the Premier League
now to help us get up the table and out of the position that we're in. "We
showed great spirit tonight and worked hard with ten men and we got our
reward. We need to show that same spirit in all our matches between now and
the end of the season and we'll have a great chance to reach the final of
the Carling Cup and also get ourselves up the league table."
Cole's goal has given West Ham at least an even-money shot of reaching their
first Wembley final since the League Cup showpiece in 1981. The forward, who
is now in his sixth season with the club, has turned out for England at the
Home of Football previously, but would love nothing more than to walk out at
Wembley in a West Ham shirt. "I played at Wembley a couple of times for
England and I managed to get injured once and I haven't scored there yet.
Hopefully I can get back there with my club and represent us in an
honourable fashion in the final."
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Man United next in FA Youth Cup
WHUFC.com
Manchester United will be West Ham United's FA Youth Cup fourth-round
opponents
11.01.2011
Manchester United will be West Ham United's opponents in the FA Youth Cup
fourth round. The Red Devils came through their third-round meeting with
Portsmouth courtesy of a 3-2 victory at their Moss Lane training ground on
Monday. Paul Pogba, an own-goal from Pompey goalkeeper Tom Fry and William
Keane put United into a commanding 3-0 lead before two Ryan Williams efforts
set-up an exciting finish. However, in front of the watching Sir Alex
Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, United held on to set-up a fourth-round
visit to the Boleyn Ground. The tie will take place next Wednesday 19
January, with kick-off at 7pm. West Ham won through to the fourth round with
a comprehensive 5-0 win over Aldershot Town on 7 December. George Moncur,
Sebastian Lletget, Dylan Tombides and Daniel Purdy were all on target, while
Shots captain Doug Bergqvist put through his own net. The Hammers, who are
currently competing in the Baniyas Youth Football Championship in Abu Dhabi,
have lifted the FA Youth Cup on three previous occasions - 1963, 1981 and
1999. United have won the competition a record nine times, with their most
recent success coming in 2003.
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West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham
BBC.co.uk
By Jonathan Stevenson at Upton Park
West Ham striker Carlton Cole stepped off the bench to earn the 10-man
Hammers a potentially crucial first-leg advantage in their Carling Cup
semi-final against Birmingham at Upton Park. After the hosts had been pegged
back to 1-1 and seen Victor Obinna sent off for a crazy kick out at
Sebastian Larsson, Cole bagged the winner with only 10 minutes left - and it
was a personal nightmare for Blues keeper Ben Foster, who let the striker's
soft shot roll under his hand and trickle over the line. That the east
Londoners won and did so despite playing for over half an hour with fewer
men might just keep manager Avram Grant in a job, despite reports that the
Israeli is about to be sacked by the Premier League's bottom club. Grant
will be desperate to finish the job of getting West Ham to their first
Wembley cup final in 30 years when they meet Birmingham in the second leg at
St Andrews on 26 January; though arguably of more pressing concern is
whether he will still be at the helm for Saturday's Premier League encounter
with Arsenal.
The atmosphere at Upton Park before kick-off reflected the palpable tension
surrounding the club right now, with nerves as big a factor as excitement
ahead of the Hammers' first League Cup semi-final for more than 20 years.
Grant's future has been the subject of rumour after rumour for much of the
season and last week's horrific 5-0 thumping at Newcastle was the catalyst
for another round of fevered speculation. Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce's
names have been strongly linked with the Hammers hot-seat, with the West Ham
board reportedly due to meet on Wednesday to discuss Grant's future once
more, perhaps annoyed almost as much by the Israeli's public rebuking of
managing director Karren Brady for discussing transfer policy in her
newspaper column as by results. Grant may have considered that only a
performance of the very highest quality could keep him in a job - and the
way his players started the game gave the 55-year-old shelter from the storm
that was brewing.
The hosts flew out of the traps and with Scott Parker and Mark Noble working
beautifully together in tandem in the centre of their midfield they began to
exert serious pressure on Foster's goal. Freddie Sears volleyed wide after a
corner was half-punched clear by Foster, before a Larsson clearance hit
Matthew Upson - playing at left-back - and forced Foster into a fine
reaction save at his near post. The noise from the crowd grew as the stature
of their team did and soon after, when the east Londoners took the lead,
they nearly took the roof off. A Noble ball in from the right was not
cleared, Jonathan Spector's volley flew across goal from the left and fell
beautifully for Noble to thump a volley in at Foster's near post from a
seemingly impossible angle.
Foster had been left unsighted by Scott Dann's positioning at his post, but
the goalkeeper was about to prove his worth to Birmingham by keeping them in
the game with a series of stunning saves as West Ham produced wave after
wave of attack in their bid to find a crucial second goal.
Foster did superbly to parry away Spector's stinging 25-yard drive before
showing wonderful reflexes to tip over a James Tomkins header. Just after
the half-hour mark the visiting keeper did even better to get down to his
left and keep out Obinna's fiercely-struck right-foot shot as Birmingham's
defence continued to look suspect in front of him. Despite enjoying more
than their fair share of possession the visitors did not look like creating
anything, with their lack of a killer ball painfully obvious as they
harmlessly knocked the ball around outside the home side's box without ever
looking like they would hurt them. But Birmingham were clearly stung by some
harsh words from manager Alex McLeish at the break and within 15 minutes of
the restart the game had an entirely different complexion. After Craig
Gardner dragged a free-kick wide and Cameron Jerome's header was cleared off
the line by Sears, the Blues got the goal their improvement warranted as
Ridgewell beat Winston Reid to a corner and thumped in a header to send the
travelling fans wild.
When Obinna was red carded shortly after for a ridiculous kick on Larsson it
seemed as though West Ham's hopes of reaching Wembley, and in turn Grant's
of keeping his job, lay in serious jeopardy. But they survived some real
pressure as David Murphy flashed a header inches wide of Rob Green's
right-hand post and then struck the killer blow on the night - and, they
hope, the tie - after introducing the fresh legs of Cole and Zavon Hines. It
was a lovely build-up that created the chance as Parker slid Spector in down
the right and he crossed to where Cole wanted the ball playing, about 15
yards out.
Cole would have been disappointed not to get a proper contact but it proved
enough as a wrong-footed Foster made a horrible mess of saving it. That was
harsh on the former Manchester United keeper after a performance which kept
his team in the tie at times. But Grant, so often starved of luck himself,
will feel both he and his side were worthy of the good fortune. Only time
will tell whether it will be enough.
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Speculation on West Ham future riles boss Grant
BBC.co.uk
Avram Grant said his West Ham future has been unfairly scrutinised after his
side's beat Birmingham 2-1 in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.
The Hammers are in pole position to reach the 27 February final and have won
four of their last seven games. Grant told BBC Sport: "We are one point from
Wigan, Fulham and other teams, but with them everything is quiet."
"Unfortunately, we have to fight these rumours. I don't want to think about
other things, I want to fight." Despite the Hammers' recent success in both
the FA and Carling Cups, they were recently thumped 5-0 in the Premier
League by Newcastle which left them a point adrift of safety. And the West
Ham board is reportedly set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the Israeli's
future.
Grant's job may be safe for now after substitute Carlton Cole came on to
score the goal which handed West Ham victory on the night and a precious
advantage going into the second leg at St Andrew's on 26 January. There was
a large element of fortune with the strike which was tame but somehow
squirmed through the clutches of Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster. "It was a
fantastic goal," Grant joked. "Any goal is a goal. But the attack leading up
to the strike was great and then... no complaints."
Grant's opposite number Alex McLeish described the goal as "a little bit of
a monstrosity". McLeish said of England goalkeeper Foster: "He's a big man,
he takes it on the chin, he doesn't hide and he apologised to the players.
"He's saved us many times and he'll save us many times in the future." Mark
Noble gave West Ham the lead in the first half before the visitors equalised
thanks to a Liam Ridgewell header. The Hammers were then reduced to 10 men
after Victor Obinna was shown a straight red for kicking Sebastian Larsson,
although Grant could not comment on the incident after stating he did not
see it.
However, the Hammers boss had high praise for his side. "I feel good. We won
with 10 players and the spirit was great," Grant continued. "We have
recently played every three days with a small squad and you saw spirit. They
didn't give up tonight and won the game because of the spirit. "We played
very well in the first half. We could have scored more but the last ball was
not so good. "In the second half, Birmingham scored from a corner which is
unusual for us. Then there was the red card, but we did very well despite
the setback and the substitution [Cole for Frederic Piquionne] changed the
game."
Meanwhile, Blues boss McLeish thought that his side had a valid claim for a
penalty when Matthew Upson appeared to push Barry Ferguson, with the score
level at 1-1. "It's a stone-waller - I've seen it about five times," McLeish
commented. "It wasn't just an impediment, it was a barge in the back. "If
that's a shoulder charge then I don't know what I'm talking about.
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Grant on... Birmingham
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
His final press conference as West Ham United manager, say the
rumourmongers. Avram Grant stands his ground whilst reflecting on Carling
Cup success...
Avram: if you just tell your players they're playing in a cup competition
every match your league position would improve remarkably?
Yes and no - because also in the last league games we've played, except
Newcastle, we've played well. Wolves here; Everton here; Fulham away. I
think in the last [few] weeks it's been good.
Today it was very hard because we were [left] with ten players for many
minutes. I'm very pleased for the players, I thought the spirit was great
and it's not easy to play so many games in such a short time. They did very
well, especially with ten players.
The football first half was good, we went in at 1-0 but could easily have
scored more. We played well passing the ball, the counter attacking was
good. The second half, they started by scoring the goal. For them it's a
good goal but it's the first time I've seen a team score against us from a
corner for a long time.
After we were reduced to ten players I think we did great. The goal, even if
the finish was like it was came from great passing between the players.
Before this, Zavon Hines was in the box and almost scored. So I'm very
pleased with the spirit of the players, it was very, very important.
Do you think a one goal lead will be enough for the second leg?
It's an advantage - but nothing is finished yet. It's an advantage,
especially with ten players. The result could be different but it's better
to go with than a draw.
Do you think you'll still be in charge here by the second leg?
I understand why you ask me but, you know... There are seven teams in our
position, more or less, in the league. One point, two points, it's not a big
difference. We are the only one in a semi final and you keep asking me these
questions.
If you don't ask anybody else from the other teams that are in our position
then I'll say nothing about this. You'll have to ask someone who gave you
this information, not me.
That's because there's been so much speculation about your position and your
future. How difficult was it to go into this game...
[interrupts] It's speculation, I'm asking myself why there is no speculation
about the others? There are seven teams in our position, more or less, but
you keep asking me. I'm not complaining against you, but I'm not the man you
need to be asking. I'm responsible for only one thing. If I don't want to be
here I'd go to the owners and say I don't want to be here. Any other
decision is not mine.
How difficult is it to prepare for a game like this when we're told, we
hear, there's a board meeting the next morning which could decide...
[interrupts again] It's not the first time since I've [been] in the club,
I've lived with this almost since day one that I was here. This for me
doesn't matter, I'm doing my job.
I think for us it would be much easier if the rumours around us were like
[those] at other clubs. There's Wolves around us, Wigan, Fulham, West
Bromwich, Birmingham - but the talk's only about West Ham. So I think if
everything was quieter it would help the players more.
But even with this, you saw the spirit of the players today; you saw the
spirit of the players Saturday; you saw the spirit of the players against
Wolves; against Everton; against Fulham and against Blackburn. Not easy
games - and I think that everybody needs to respect this.
Why do you think the rumours are only about West Ham?
I don't know, I don't spend much time [thinking] about this. I spend a lot
of time dealing with the problems in the team - a lot of time because if you
saw the team today there were only 16 senior players in the squad. A few of
them couldn't play for more than 20, 30 minutes.
Mark Noble - we didn't plan for him to play so long after his injury, but we
played him and he played well. Other players, like Matthew Upson had to play
at left back. Winston Reid played and I think he did very well in his second
start. Other players like [Jonathan] Spector did a great job. So I need to
deal with this, I don't want to expend energy on other things.
Do you think it would help everybody if the board would come out and make a
statement tomorrow, backing you after their meeting?
I understand all your questions but I'm asking you... We also need to give
respect to the players. They did a great job with ten players. Don't deal
with me, don't worry about me - I will be fine and I'll be ok. I really
appreciate that you're worried about me, you like me and you want me to be
near you. I like you also, by the way... [laughs]
No, I don't believe that someone from the club is behind this but why do you
need to ask me about things that are beyond my control? You can ask me why I
picked this player and not the other one because this is my responsibility.
You can ask me if I want to stay or not... But no no, don't ask me this!
[more laughs]
Things I can decide, but other things I don't even know how to answer you.
Can we ask about Wayne Bridge? Is he likely to come in tomorrow?
When the deal is done we'll announce it. The deal isn't done so I don't
know. I don't want to speak, I remember what happened with Sidwell.
Can I ask about you the winning goal? Did you actually see it go in because
most people turned away in despair, because it wasn't the best contact, was
it?
I must tell you - for me it was a great goal... [laughs]
Within two minutes we made two good attacks; Zavon Hines went to the side
and he saved it and the other was a great combination. Scotty [Parker] gave
a good ball to Spector who made a good run and [delivered] a good pass. And
the finish? If it's a goal, I'm happy!
Have you seen the Obinna red card yet?
No, I haven't seen it yet because I came to speak with you.
Has he said anything about it? Has he apologised to his team mates or
offered any explanation whatsoever?
I had ten, fifteen minutes with the players and then I came to talk to you.
Will you take any action against him?
First we need to see it. I know that you're used to everything at West Ham
being public but anything we do with the player will be like in the family.
If someone does something wrong I'll meet him and say to him we need to deal
with it inside.
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McLeish on... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 12th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish insists his side were denied a blatant
penalty...
Alex: a missed opportunity when West Ham went down to ten men?
Yeah. Yeah it was, definitely. Definitely a missed opportunity. The
difference is the clinical side of things and finishing. But I was very
pleased with the second half performance. The goal was a little bit of a
monstrosity when you think about it but we totally dominated the second
half. First third, they were in our faces and we had to do some work at half
time.
What did you say at half time?
Well it was a little bit of stage fright. To be fair to West Ham they got
right in our faces. They were aggressive and they got the crowd behind them.
We never really had composure, we never passed it well, we gave the ball
away and never held it up. So it was a lot of factors but we addressed
those, adjusted the shape, had Ferguson, Fahey and Gardner more on the front
foot. I think that helped us - and Alex Hleb became influential in the game
for us.
What's the news on Scott Dann?
I don't know, over the next 48 hours we'll be able to give you a bit of
clarity. But it looks like he's torn a hamstring, which is a blow.
What did [Ben] Foster say when he came into the dressing room?
Well he's a big man, he takes it on the chin and doesn't hide. He apologised
to the players. He's saved us many times and he'll save us many times in the
future. Goalies are always vulnerable when they make a mistake as it
normally results in a goal.
Penalty in the second half, Upson on Ferguson?
Looks a stone-waller, I've seen it about five times. The referee's not
spotted it. That can happen, but it's a sore one. Ferguson's goal side of
Upson, when you challenge somebody when they're running in front of you in
the box there's a good chance you're going to impede them. It wasn't just an
impediment though, it was a barge in the back. If that's a shoulder charge
then I don't know what I'm talking about.
Is 2-1 recoverable? Have you got enough to overturn it?
I would say so. If you were talking about a 2-1 deficit before the game you
might not be too unhappy with that. But I'm unhappy about it now because of
the way the second half went. But it's recoverable and we have to do what
West Ham did to us, get into their faces in the first few minutes of the
game then show our intentions in front of a partisan St Andrews crowd.
Most of the questions here to Avram Grant were about his future situation.
Do you sympathise with a manager who is constantly unsettled?
Yeah, it's not easy that when you're reading about yourself in the papers
and you have no control of it. I don't want to interfere in somebody else's
business but we know how football works and we're all vulnerable to it when
we get bad results. But Avram's had a good one tonight so I've got to make
one this weekend!
Did you see the red card incident?
No, I never saw it; a couple of guys on the bench said he kicked Larsson off
the ball. The official's seen it and they've acted accordingly. I never saw
it.
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Silly boy
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Victor Obinna has been slammed by supporters for the sending off that left
the Hammers a man short in tonight's Carling Cup semi final clash with
Birmingham. Goals from Mark Noble and Carlton Cole ensured the Hammers go
into the second leg a fortnight from now with a slender lead. But fans are
refusing to ignore Obinna's idiocy that earned him an instant red card, an
ensuing ban and left his team a man short for the remaining 30 minutes of
normal time. Following a minor altercation, Obinna lashed out at Sebastian
Larrson as the two players took their positions whilst awaiting a throw in
to be taken.
The Nigerian striker, standing with his back to the Swedish international
flicked his leg backwards into Larsson's groin directly in front of the
linesman, who immediately signalled to referee Phil Dowd.
Supporters returning from the game tonight have wasted no time in condemning
Obinna, who caused waves at the weekend when he was seen storming out of the
ground having been hauled off during the 2-0 win over Barnsley. Opinions
ranging from the mild 'foolish' to the slightly more extreme 'should never
play for West Ham again' have been posted across the web tonight in response
to Obinna's 60th minute dismissal. The on-loan striker, currently midway
through a season-long loan from Inter has failed to ignite the Boleyn Ground
despite some steady performances of late and the occasional glimpse of
brilliance. But with only three goals to his name thus far this season - two
of which came in the Carling Cup - a permanent contract offer would appear
to be a long way off.
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Grant refuses to comment on future
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant refused to confirm whether he will be in charge of the second
leg of the Carling Cup following tonight's first leg 2-1 win. Talking to the
BBC, in reply to a question on his immediate future the under-pressure boss
replied: "I'm not busy with this. You need to ask the person who is in
charge." Grant also complained that the constant speculation over his future
was undermining his team's attempts to escape the relegation zone. "It
doesn't help," he added. "We have no stability like other clubs in our
position where you see everything is quiet. It's helped them. We need to
fight other things off the pitch.
"I don't want to think about the other things - just fight and take the
challenge on." West Ham beat Birmingham 2-1 in the first leg of the Carling
Cup semi final tonight through goals from Mark Noble and Carlton Cole.
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Grant waits on Bridge deal
City full-back expected to complete loan move to Upton Park
Last updated: 12th January 2011
SSN
West Ham United manager Avram Grant has confirmed he is waiting to finalise
the loan signing of Manchester City full-back Wayne Bridge. Skysports.com
revealed earlier this week that Bridge had the option of a move to West Ham
or Aston Villa for the second half of the season. The England international
has plumped for a switch to Upton Park and underwent a medical with the
Hammers on Tuesday. He also watched the club's 2-1 victory over Birmingham
City in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final and could sign in time
to face Arsenal at the weekend. However, after already missing out on Steve
Sidwell during the transfer window, Grant is reluctant to expand on his
interest in signing Bridge. "When the deal is done, we will announce it,"
said the West Ham boss. "The deal isn't done." Bridge will be a welcome
addition to the West Ham squad as Grant seeks to lift the club off the
bottom of the table. The move will also give Bridge the chance to play
regularly after starting only one Premier League game for City this season.
He has made a total of 57 appearances for the club since joining City in a
£12million deal from Chelsea two years ago.
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Foster howler helps Hammers
Blues keeper endures nightmare moment at Upton Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN
West Ham have the edge in their Carling Cup semi-final courtesy of a glaring
error from Ben Foster and a 2-1 win over Birmingham. Mark Noble fired the
Hammers into an early lead in the first leg of their last four encounter on
Tuesday, but saw Liam Ridgewell cancel out that effort after the break.
Birmingham looked to be the more likely victors from there on in, especially
once Victor Obinnawas shown a straight red card, but a horrific piece of
handling from Foster allowed Carlton Cole to claim the tamest of winners for
the hosts. It was difficult to tell during the opening 45 minutes which of
the two sides are currently languishing at the foot of the Premier League
table, with West Ham swarming all over their lacklustre visitors from the
off. It quickly became only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived
and Noble was the man to deliver on 13 minutes. His break caused all kinds
of confusion in the Birmingham defence and once the ball broke back in his
direction he crashed a stinging drive past Foster from a tight angle. The
visitors were much improved after the interval, though, and drew level on 56
minutes when Liam Ridgewell powered home a header from a corner. Alex
McLeish's men were then handed another boost three minutes later as a moment
of madness from Obinna saw him dismissed for kicking out at Sebastian
Larsson.
It was, however, to be West Ham who edged themselves back in front 12
minutes from time when substitute Cole scuffed an effort goalwards and
Foster somehow allowed the ball to squirm through his grasp and over the
line.
Pressure
Avram Grant's future remained a hot topic of conversation prior to kick-off,
with even the prospect of West Ham's first League Cup final for 30 years
failing to quell the speculation, with some reports suggesting even a win
would not be enough to spare him the axe. Despite Birmingham being only two
points clear of the Hammers, manager McLeish was under no such pressure as
he looked to lead them to their first final since 2001. But his team did not
start like that as West Ham bossed the first half virtually from start to
finish. Captain Matthew Upson set the tone from the unfamiliar position of
left-back, an inspired selection by Grant as he bombed forward at will. The
former Birmingham player even forced the first of a number of uncomfortable
saves from Foster, with a rising near-post drive after his own cross had
come back to him off Obinna.
At the other end, Craig Gardner side-footed straight at Robert Green from 20
yards and that was as good as it got for the Blues before Noble pounced in
the 13th minute. The midfielder's run and cross found Obinna, whose header
was cleared off the line before finding its way back to Noble, who lashed in
from the narrowest of angles with Foster's view blocked by team-mate Scott
Dann. West Ham, who thrashed Manchester United 4-0 in the previous round,
should have added to their tally before half-time. The marauding Jonathan
Spector's pile-driver was punched behind by Foster, who then produced
acrobatics to tip over James Tomkins' header from the resulting corner.
Foster brilliantly pushed Obinna's near-post drive behind following a swift
break, before Freddie Sears volleyed Julien Faubert's cross wide and curled
over from 25 yards.
Pressed
Dann nodded over a free-kick as Birmingham pressed for the final five
minutes of the half, but the defender pulled up moments before the break
with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and left the field on a
stretcher. He was replaced by David Murphy during the interval, which must
have included a McLeish rocket because Birmingham emerged a different side.
They could easily have levelled when the unmarked Cameron Jerome made a
complete hash of a corner from Larsson. Jerome almost made amends in the
55th minute when his bullet header from Larsson's corner was cleared off the
line by Sears, who moments earlier had miscontrolled Faubert's deflected
cross at the other end. West Ham failed to heed the warning and another
Larsson corner a minute later saw Ridgewell get in front of his marker to
power home. Obinna then pressed the self-destruct button and, after briefly
consulting his assistant, referee Phil Dowd brandished a red card.
Ridgewell might have scored a second but strayed narrowly offside heading
too close to Green, while Upson looked lucky not to concede a penalty after
shoving over Barry Ferguson. Grant threw on Cole and Zavon Hines for
Frederic Piquionne and Sears before Murphy flicked Larsson's latest cross
wide.
The 10 men finally managed a shot through Winston Reid's weak effort and,
amazingly, retook the lead 12 minutes from time when Cole's even tamer
effort from Spector's cross went through Roger Johnson's legs and under the
hapless Foster. Birmingham replaced the ineffective Alexander Hleb with Jean
Beausejour, and Larsson with Nikola Zigic, the latter nodding just wide in
the closing moments as the visitors poured forward.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant has no future fear
Hammers boss confident he still has board backing
Last updated: 12th January 2011
SSN
Avram Grant insists he has been given no indication by the West Ham board
that his position is under threat. The Hammers boss continues to see his
future called into question on a regular basis, with Premier League results
having done little to inspire confidence. Grant has, however, led West Ham
to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and saw his side claim a 2-1 win over
Birmingham on Tuesday in the first leg of their last four encounter. The
Israeli enjoyed similar success in cup competitions last season, leading
Portsmouthto the FA Cup final. He was, however, unable to steady a sinking
ship at Fratton Park and ultimately suffered relegation out of the Premier
League. West Ham are keen to avoid seeing him repeat that trick this term,
but Grant is confident he will be given time in which to steer the club to
safety. "I understand why you keep asking this question, because someone
gives you a rumour and then you have to ask," Grant told Sky Sports News
following the midweek victory over Birmingham. "But I have had to answer
this question since day one that I have been here. I can tell you what I
think. I think if the owners have something to say to me, they will say it
to me. If I think I can't do the job right, I will say to them that I don't
want to stay and I will go. "That is the right thing to do. I don't think I
need to deal with any issues through the media."
Spirit
Grant saw his troops display pride and passion against Birmingham, with
goals from Mark Noble and Carlton Cole either side of a Liam Ridgewell
leveller earning them the upper hand in a crucial contest. Cole's winner,
which came courtesy of an horrendous mistake from Blues keeper Ben Foster,
arrived after the Hammers had been reduced to 10 men following Victor
Obinna's petulant kick out at Sebastian Larsson, and Grant was delighted
with the effort put in by his side. "I think the spirit was very good,
especially when we only had 10 players," he said. "It was amazing to see the
players fighting, close the space well and pass the ball. After we went down
to 10 players it was hard but we kept passing the ball, like we did for the
second goal. I am very pleased for the players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Birmingham 1
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 11 Jan 2011
CARLTON COLE is just about the most unlikely player at West Ham to earn
Avram Grant a stay of execution. Two months ago, the striker publicly
slammed Grant's tactical knowledge and abilities as a manager in the wake of
a 3-0 thrashing at Liverpool. He was given a stern lecture by his boss and
they will never be best buddies. But Cole's lucky winner with 12 minutes
left dug Grant out of a huge hole - and may keep him in a job a little while
longer.
Upton Park's directors dropped a clanger appointing Grant in the first place
last summer and are slowly becoming aware of his failings. Equally, they
have been determined to back him as much as possible, despite his
weaknesses. In these troubled times for West Ham, the manager's career
prospects can turn on a split-second - or a goalkeeper's error from a
slightly deflected shot. That is how substitute Cole settled a pulsating
Carling Cup semi-final first leg just five minutes after coming off the
bench, with West Ham down to 10 men and having thrown away an early lead. He
met Jon Spector's cross with a low shot that took the faintest touch off
Brum's Roger Johnson, then squirmed through keeper Ben Foster's legs and
dribbled over the line at a snail's pace.
Grant should have shaken Foster's hand just as vigorously as Cole's at the
final whistle as the comedy moment might spare him the axe for now. West Ham
joint-chairman David Gold is still claiming Grant's future will not even be
discussed at today's board meeting. Do not believe it. And if it is true,
isn't that even more worrying? The Hammers are nailed to the foot of the
Premier League and heading for relegation. Yet the directors tell you his
job is not even under threat. Grant had his 'lucky' scarf on again last
night. But when Liam Ridgewell equalised and Victor Obinna was sent off, no
doubt he could feel the knot tightening around his neck. It was all slipping
away from him after such a blistering start. Grant's team were full of
passion, energy and commitment in the first half and Mark Noble's
13th-minute goal capped an impressive opening. Skipper Matt Upson had
already gone close when the Cockney midfielder struck. West Ham fan and East
Ender Noble charged down the right wing and crossed. Scott Parker was unable
to tuck the ball away, despite two stabs at it, and Noble followed up to
unleash a shot which Foster snatched at but could only turn into the net.
Spector brought another good save from Foster and Freddie Piquionne had a
header tipped over. Birmingham's night took another downward turn when
defender Scott Dann was carried off at half-time with a hamstring injury.
But Alex McLeish's Blues responded well to adversity, piling on pressure as
West Ham's first-half enthusiasm drained out of their legs. And the match
turned on its head in three crazy minutes.
Ridgewell, on West Ham's books as a kid, grabbed a superb equaliser and a
precious away goal - diving in front of James Tomkins to head in a corner on
56 minutes. Then winger Obinna was shown a straight red for violent conduct
when he needlessly back-heeled his boot into Sebastian Larsson's groin.
But Cole, who missed two open goals in the recent home match against Wolves
and has contributed as much as anyone to the pressure on his boss, redeemed
himself. He popped up to grab the winner on a night that will be reflected
in the minutes of today's board meeting - along with rubber-stamping a loan
deal for Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge. What is most frustrating
for West Ham fans is Grant's ability to turn it on in cup games. But this
tie is not over by a long way. And even if Grant keeps his job today, he may
not be around to lead West Ham out at Wembley should they make it to the
final on February 27.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
SUN STAR MAN - JAMES TOMKINS (WEST HAM)
WEST HAM: Green 7, Faubert 6, Upson 7, Reid 7, Tomkins 8, Spector 6, Parker
7, Noble 7, Obinna 4, Sears 6, Piquionne 6. Subs: Hines (Sears 73) 5, Cole
(Piquionne 73) 7, Kovac (Noble 89) 5. Not used: Boffin, Boa Morte, Nouble,
Spence. Sent off: Obinna.
BIRMINGHAM: Foster 5, Ridgewell 8, Carr 6, Dann 6, R Johnson 7, Hleb 6,
Gardner 6, Ferguson 6, Fahey 6, Larsson 7, Jerome 6. Subs: Murphy (Dann 46)
6, Beausejour (Hleb 83) 5, Zigic (Larsson 87) 5. Not used: Taylor,
Derbyshire, Mutch, Jiranek.
REF: P Dowd 6
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It all goes nuts as Hammers win
The Sun
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: Today
VICTOR OBINNA went nuts as West Ham took control of their Carling Cup
semi-final. Now boss Avram Grant could be kicked in the nuts today at a
board meeting to discuss his future. Nigerian forward Obinna saw red on 59
minutes for a sly backheel into Seb Larsson's tenderest parts. Yet the
nut-meg which gifted West Ham victory — Carlton Cole's tame shot slipped
through Ben Foster's legs — could still save Grant from the chop. The
Israeli admits he remains in the dark as to whether he will be in charge for
the return leg at St Andrew's in a fortnight. He said: "Will I still be
here? I don't know. You have to ask the person who starts these rumours. It
doesn't help. You need stability."
Grant, who only took over last summer, is under pressure with his side
bottom of the Premier League but also on the verge of their first Wembley
appearance for 30 years. He added: "I have lived with rumours, I think,
since day one. For me, it doesn't matter. I'm doing my job." Mark Noble's
13th-minute strike gave West Ham the lead. But Liam Ridgewell equalised on
56 minutes, Obinna went for his moment of madness three minutes later and
suddenly City were in charge. Grant said of the sending-off: "I did not see
it. But I feel good because we won with 10 players. The spirit was great. We
went down to 10 men but made the substitution and he got the winner."
Foster's gaffe stunned the visitors. Brum boss Alex McLeish said: "We feel
as though this was a missed opportunity. "Ben's a big man and he does not
hide. He apologised afterwards. But he has saved us so many times this
season and he will save us again."
The Scot also felt his side should have been awarded a second-half spot-kick
when Barry Ferguson was felled by Matthew Upson. McLeish stormed: "I've seen
it five times and it was a stonewaller." West Ham have signed Wayne Bridge
on loan from Manchester City. He will have a medical today and the Hammers
will pick up the former England full-back's £80,000-a-week wages.
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Pulis bids 4M to nab Noble
The Sun
Published: Today
TONY PULIS has launched a £4million bid for West Ham midfielder Mark Noble.
Stoke boss Pulis is ready to test Hammers' resolve over keeping Noble 23,
who has been a regular under Avram Grant this term and possibly upped his
price by scoring against Birmingham in last night's Carling Cup semi-final
first leg. The Potters chief said: "I like to do a bit of business in
January, it livens things up. "I'll be in the market for one or two but they
must be the right deals and better than what we've got." Pulis is ready to
make room for new signings by trimming his squad this month. Newcastle and
Wolves have both enquired about Glenn Whelan and Adboulaye Faye, while
Swansea want midfielder Tom Soares. And former Barcelona star Eidur
Gudjohnsen is set to be axed just four months into a one-year deal.
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Stoke boss Pulis is a Noble man
Published 23:00 11/01/11 By John Percy
The Mirror
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has made a £4million bid for West Ham's Mark Noble.
Midfielder Noble, 23, has been a regular under Avram Grant, but Pulis
believes the Hammers could struggle to turn down a substantial bid. Potters
chairman Peter Coates will release funds this month for Pulis - who is also
keen on Noble's Upton Park team-mate Carlton Cole. "I like to do a bit of
business in January, because it freshens things up," said Pulis. "I'll be in
the market, looking for one or two – but they must be the right deals and
better than what we've got. "You're always looking for people who have got
something to prove and have a desire to keep their careers going."
A string of players are also on their way out of the Britannia Stadium.
Newcastle have enquired about Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan
and Senegal defender Adboulaye Faye. Icelandic forward Eidur Gudjohnsen can
leave after just four months, while Championship promotion chasers Swansea
want midfielder Tom Soares.
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Bridge 'A Hammer in time for Saturday'
Published 23:00 11/01/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
West Ham are confident Wayne Bridge will be registered in time to face
Arsenal on Saturday. And it could prove a baptism of fire for Bridge against
England winger Theo Walcott. Hours before last night's Carling Cup clash,
the Hammers were busy rushing the Manchester City defender through a medical
prior to a loan deal for the rest of the campaign being sealed. Bridge, 30,
has made just one Premier League start this season. West Ham boss Avram
Grant is desperate for options at left-back with Herita Ilunga injured,
while City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed: "Bridge is in London for a
medical."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avram Grant insists he will be 'fine' after being given stay of execution at
West Ham
Telegraph.co.uk
By Gerry Cox 11:11PM GMT 11 Jan 2011
Avram Grant was defiant on Tuesday night ahead of the board meeting on
Wednesday that could determine whether his term as West Ham's manager comes
to an end Grant will be able to go into the meeting on a high after Carlton
Cole's late winning goal gives his side a fighting chance for the second leg
of their Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham in a fortnight's time.
But whether Grant will still be in charge is another matter, after
persistent rumours that he will be sacked to make way for a new manager. Sam
Allardyce and Martin O'Neill have been linked strongly as successors, just
as Grant was heavily tipped to replace Gianfranco Zola last summer after the
genial Italian was sacked. His fate was finally sealed after months of
speculation about his position, as West Ham battled relegation, ultimately
with success. But with Grant doing even worse, dragging his team out of the
relegation zone for only a few days this season, his future looks bleak. He
played a straight bat to most questions about his future, explaining: "You
keep asking me, but I am not the man to ask. I am responsible for only one
thing; if I don't like it here, I can go to the owner and tell him.
"I have lived with rumours from day one. It doesn't matter. I am doing my
job. It would be much easier if there were no rumours, like at other clubs.
There are seven clubs in our position, more or less, but only me that you
ask." But the speculation persists. "It doesn't help," he admitted. "If
there was stability like there is Fulham, Wolves and Wigan it would help. If
it was more quiet it would help the players more. "We need to fight with
other things, off the pitch. I see it as a challenge. I don't want to think
about any other things than to fight and complete the challenge. "Don't
worry about me, I will be fine. I don't believe someone from the club is
giving rumours but if someone from the club does, ask them. Why ask me?"
He would not discuss the expected arrival on loan from Manchester City of
Wayne Bridge, who is set for a medical on Wednesday. "When the deal is done
we will announce it, but it is not done." Nor was there any news on the
likely signing of Demba Ba, the Senegal striker who is angling to leave
Hoffenheim for West Ham. But Grant was happy to talk about his side's
victory, especially as Cole scored the winner after Victor Obinna's
senseless red card reduced their chances. "I feel good because we won with
10 players. We never gave up, we gave everything and we won the game because
of our great spirit."
Alex McLeish called Ben Foster's mistake for Cole's goal "a little bit of a
monstrosity" but added: "He is a big man and has apologised to the players.
He saved us in the first-half and he'll save us many times in the future."
McLeish sympathised witih Grant? "It's not easy when you read about yourself
in the papers and you have no control over it. But we know how football
works and we are all vulnerable when we get bad results. "Avram's had a good
one tonight so I've got to make a recovery this weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wenger could turn to Upson to fill the void in his defence
By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Independent.co.uk
Arsene Wenger said yesterday that he is in the market for a new centre-back
with Premier League experience this month and it is understood a move for
the former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson is also under consideration.
It is understood that Wenger will look at a loan signing first but is
weighing up a move for Upson, who is out of contract at West Ham in the
summer and will not sign another deal. It is unlikely that Upson, 31, would
sign for anything less than a two-year deal. However, with so little on the
market at a fee Arsenal would be prepared to pay, Wenger's hand may be
forced.
The Arsenal manager admitted that he is under pressure to sign a replacement
who is "adapted to English football" and can hit the ground running, so
great is his current need. It came after Wenger announced yet another
set-back in the rehabilitation from injury of Thomas Vermaelen who has been
out of action since August.
He is also without Sébastien Squillaci for a minimum of two weeks, which
leaves him badly short of cover in a team that is challenging in all three
domestic competitions and faces Barcelona in the knockout round of the
Champions League. Arsenal face Ipswich Town tonight at Portman Road in the
first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final tie.
Blackburn Rovers' unsettled captain Chris Samba and Bolton Wanderers'
England international Gary Cahill are both thought to be beyond what Arsenal
would be willing to pay. Having joined Arsenal at the age of 18, Upson was
allowed to leave after 56 first-team appearances over six years in which he
never managed to pin down a regular starting place.
Upson is known to be unimpressed at the state of West Ham under current
manager Avram Grant and appears to have little intention of staying beyond
this season. West Ham have resigned themselves to losing him in the summer
and would resist attempts for him to leave now with them facing a relegation
battle.
Wenger said in 2009: "I didn't stop him [Upson leaving Arsenal in 2003]
because I knew he had qualities to play in the Premier League but he had
players in front of him that stopped him. I knew he would [make it]. He had
Premier League quality and had the potential to be international quality."
Yesterday Wenger said that Vermaelen's Achilles problem had left him
"concerned". Wenger said: "We are consulting top specialists in the world at
the moment. We will know more about him [today]. Unfortunately, I cannot
give you any precise date. We are – at the moment, I concede, with that
little setback with Thomas – in a situation where we will have to look
around.
"We have always people in mind and we check out. We look everywhere. It's
difficult to find at this period of the season but overall I feel we have so
many games that it's very important to focus on the next game.
"If a solution turns up we have still solutions internally with [Ignasi]
Miquel, with [Alex] Song who can play centre-back and with Squillaci who
should come back very quickly. If we find somebody at the right level we
will do it, if not we will continue like this."
As Arsenal are by far the strongest club left in the competition, the
Carling Cup represents their best chance of a trophy this season and Wenger
conceded his team were favourites tonight. He said: "The pressure is on
Arsenal and they have nothing to lose. That is part of being at Arsenal, to
deal with that, and I accept that completely."
Wenger also hinted he had considered a move for Ipswich's highly rated
17-year-old striker Connor Wickham. "There has always been paper talk but I
don't think it would be right to come out on that before a game like that,"
he said. "We know him well, we have seen him many times. He is one of the
players who can make a difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A 'Footballing Epipthany' for Victor Obinna?
West Ham Till I Die
What a strange, topsy, turfy match! At the end of the day, it was a good
result to run out 2-1 winners after failing to capitalise on our total first
half domination, before then losing the initiative, in the second half, and
going down to ten men. It gives us a slim advantage for the 2nd leg of
what is a finely balanced semi-final. Now we need a sterling performance at
St Andrews to clinch a place in the final. Can we do it? Yes, there is no
reason why not. But who can ultimately predict, with any certainty, how
this West Ham team will play up there on the night?
The first half performance was one of the best of the season. But it
underlined, yet again, the imperative to turn domination in to goals. The
Birmingham City resurgence in the second first was all too predictable. I
felt certain we needed to grab a second goal in the first 45 minutes before
McLeish re-organised Brum at half time. And so it transpired, with West
Ham pushed firmly on the back foot after the break. Equally predictable was
West Ham bench's failure to respond tactically to try to win back the
initiative.
Brum equalised and then we had the Obinna red card! I have always
acknowledged Obinna's technical ability and his potential to become a very
good player. However, it is also undeniable that this ability comes with a
tendency to poor decision-making in the final third. We saw both sides of
Obinna in this match, he was a constant threat to Brum throughout the first
half and almost scored with a a superb turn inside and drive that Foster
just pushed around the post. This was followed by two or three wild,
speculative shots at goal when there were better options available to him.
However, we have not previously seen such, on-field, indiscipline from the
Nigerian international. There was no excuse for him retaliating, to an
off-the-ball push, by kicking out at Larsson. He was caught 'bang to
rights' and the referee had little option but to send him off. In one
moment of madness, he could have put the match, and the semi-final,
irretrievably beyond our grasp. Luckily, Brum failed to exploit their
numerical advantage and we managed to grab an unlikely winner, which was a
result of some great approach play by Parker and Spector and a rather
fortunate conversion by Carlton Cole. But, as the the saying goes, they all
count!
On Obinna's dismissal, KUMB informs us that, post-match, there have been
plenty of outraged comments on the West Ham fans websites, with some even
arguing that he should never pull on a claret and blue shirt again! Well,
young Mr Obinna certainly needs a stern talking to and a sizable club fine.
It must be impressed upon him that players have a responsibility to their
club, team mates and the supporters to maintain on-field discipline. The
possible consequences of his dismissal should be emphasised, along with the
need to work hard to make amends in the second half of the season. People
are fallible and make mistakes, the objective, however, is to learn from
them. Perhaps this sending off could just prove a 'footballing epipthany'
for Victor Obinna in his transit from promising prospect to, 'real deal,'
quality forward?
Basically, Obinna has to improve his reading of the game and know exactly
when to shoot and when to set up a team mate in a better position. If he
can improve that side of his game, he can go on to realise his potential.
The alternative is that his technical ability will be consistently
undermined by an inability to weigh the options available and make the
correct decisions in games. Perhaps, but Obinna has certainly shown enough
this season to warrant the rest of the season to prove himself worthy of a
permanent Hammers contract.
Now we await any developments arising from the West Ham board meeting later
today. Plus, there should be confirmation of Wayne Bridge's loan signing
and further speculation on any other deals in progress. This Saturday we
face the stern test of hosting Wenger's Arsenal, in what could be a dry run
of February's Carling Cup Final.
The key question is who will be in charge? Will Grant survive or is
managerial change afoot? The events of the next 24 hours should provide an
answer?
SJ. Chandos.
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Are Bids Pending for Kovac and Upson?
West Ham Till I Die
There was a report yesterday that Brescia may submit a bid for Radoslav
Kovac in the winter transfer window. Apparently they have already contacted
West Ham and are actively working on putting together a deal to take him to
Serie A.
Is this a reliable report? Lets hope so, because with Jonathan Spector
adapting so well to a new central midfield role, and the impending return to
fitness of Hitzlsperger and Collison in February, we can probably afford to
dispense with the services of the ex-Czech Republic international. No fee
is mentioned in the report, but any incoming funds would be a bonus, in
addition to the savings on Kovac's wage costs. It will also free up a place
in the club's 25 man squad for a new arrival.
Similarly, there was also a report that Arsenal are actively looking to sign
an experienced PL player to solve their current problems in central defence.
Inevitably, they have been linked with a bid for Matt Upson. It is alleged
the quoted fee for Bolton's Gary Cahill was too high for the gooners' taste.
As a consequence, they have turned their attentions to a cut price deal for
Upson, who is currently in the final year of his Hammers contract.
While the urgency of their defensive crisis could necessitate an Arsenal
bid, one must ask why they would not wait until the summer to potentially
pick Matt Upson up on a Bosman? Similarly, while the Hammers are reconciled
to a summer exit for Upson, are they likely to let such a key defender leave
for a relatively low fee now? Is it not far more likely they will retain
Upson to assist in their battle for PL survival?
Finally, Tal Ben Haim could possibly have returned to Pompey to facilitate
the loan signing of Wayne Bridge from Man City. There are limits on the
number of loan players allowed at PL clubs and West Ham had their quota.
However, Ben Haim was a useful addition to the Hammers squad, providing
solid cover at both full-back and central defence. If circumstances
allowed, could Ben Haim yet return to the club on a revised loan deal or
permanent basis, particularly if Grant remains as manager?
Which of our players are likely to go out on loan? Winston Reid perhaps,
who did not look up to PL speed in the 1st leg Carling Cup Semi-final
against Birmingham City? He might benefit from a stint in the Championship
to build his confidence. Could the proposed Benni McCarthy loan deal to QPR
yet happen? Or could one or more of the youngsters like Edgar, Montano or
Spence go out on loan to gain experience?
SJ. Chandos.
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