Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
A massive week has begun with Avram Grant keen to make sure the supporters
were singled out for praise
23.01.2011
Avram Grant has one message and one message alone going into a massive week
- 'Thank you' to the fans. The manager was frustrated his team were denied a
superb away win at the death on Saturday especially because it denied the
travelling claret and blue army what they deserved. They travelled back to
London with a point from a 2-2 draw but it was so nearly much, much more -
with only a late harsh Frederic Piquionne dismissal leading to an unlikely
late Marouane Fellaini equaliser. It was all a far cry from the last trip to
Merseyside when the Hammers were humbled 3-0 by Liverpool two months ago.
"At Anfield in November, our performance was really, really poor," said
Grant. "We didn't do anything and the fans, who had travelled a long way
showed their emotions, which was not wrong. "But on Saturday they returned
to Liverpool and backed the team and I'm very pleased about that. Some clubs
have fans who only get behind their team when they're winning but the West
Ham supporters are there for us all the time. The spirit of our fans affects
the team and it shows out on the pitch. "Since our game against Fulham on
Boxing Day the percentage of points per game has increased and that is due
to our supporters. The fans' behaviour lifts the spirit of my players,
they're really great and they deserve many good things. "On Saturday, I
didn't hear the fans asking for a wave because I was concentrating so I will
wave back to them now."
As the manager looked back in detail to the way the weekend game had panned
out and the fact leads were twice lost - Jon Spector's early goal was
cancelled out by Dinyar Bilyaletdinov - he acknowledged that the
disappointment was still lingering. "It was frustrating because we played
well and deserved more than one point. When you concede a goal in stoppage
time you can never be happy but I have a team of which I can be proud - they
were focused and showed a lot of commitment. "We have played many games like
this but we were more efficient in attack and we defended better even though
they got two goals. The difference was that we took a point - and we could
even have taken three - whereas we haven't done that in the other games.
"There have been many games where we've been left unhappy because we've been
better than other teams and deserved points but have still lost. That's the
rule of football - if you lose you don't take points."
So, to the week ahead. Let alone an Olympic Stadium decision or a Carling
Cup semi-final decider at Birmingham City on Wednesday, it promises to be a
busy one with the club stepping up efforts to bring in a new recruit or two
and injured players like Thomas Hitzlsperger and Manu da Costa really
pushing on in their bid to play a part in the run-in. The manager is rightly
only focusing on what he can affect. "I treat every match as my first game
and my last game. My vision for West Ham is very clear and, at the end of
the day, I want to put the club in a good position. I'm trying to create as
much stability for the players as I can because everyone needs stability in
whatever job they do. "Football's never been a normal business. When I was a
supporter I was crazy about my team. I'd watch them in the pouring rain and
sometimes when I didn't have any money I'd still use what I had left to buy
a ticket. "After I started coaching I realised that the team will always be
more important than anything else and if you give all your effort to the
team, then the team will succeed and you will get it back. I'm here to serve
the team. "Wednesday represents a good chance to get to Wembley. It would be
a nice feeling to get there and we have a small advantage but it will be a
tough game because it would be a big achievement for Birmingham, too."
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Specs up for the fight
WHUFC.com
Goal machine Jon Spector wants to keep his run going but is more concerned
with the team getting wins
23.01.2011
Jonathan Spector just cannot stop scoring. The hard-working Hammer hit his
fourth goal in nine games as Avram Grant's men drew 2-2 at Everton but he
would gladly have swapped the strike for three points instead of one. He
started the scoring in a dramatic draw at Goodison, firing in from Luis Boa
Morte's superb assist. "It was a case of Boa doing all the hard work and
there I was in the right place at the right time," said Spector, who had
never registered a top-flight goal before Saturday. "I was kind of fortunate
with that. I was delighted to score but disappointed with the result. "I was
pleased to get on the scoresheet again. I don't know about getting used to
it, but I wouldn't mind it being a regular thing."
The fight for Barclays Premier League survival will go on the back-burner
for a few days with the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Birmingham City
on Wednesday. "We are all looking forward to it. It is a fantastic
opportunity and we would be delighted to book ourselves a place in the final
at Wembley. But we still have our league concerns and that remains our main
priority at this moment in time."
Spector, who spent some of his teenage years in the United States as a
forward-turned-midfielder, said the team would not be in defensive mode
despite having a 2-1 lead to protect. "We will approach it the way we
approach every game, giving ourselves a great chance of winning the game. We
are certainly looking to win. "I personally have not played at Wembley but
there are a few players that have. We all want to get there."
Spector will hope to link up again with Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Boa
Morte in midfield and knows he has to produce every time he plays.
Competition for places could also be hotting up in a few weeks with Thomas
Hitzlsperger back in training on the Chadwell Heath pitches. Spector, who
said he just fancied a change when it came to shaving his hair off this
week, said the team should take plenty of heart from the battling qualities
shown at Goodison for the challenges ahead. "We have important games coming
up, winnable ones and we will be looking to take points from all of them. We
can be proud of what we achieved on Saturday and there are a great number of
positives to take from the game and we will be looking to push on from that.
"There was great fight from the team and we are proud of the way we fought."
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U18s make it six straight
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's youth team made it six successive league wins with a thrilling
3-2 victory over Portsmouth
23.01.2011
Tony Carr has praised the spirit of his players after West Ham United U18s
struck twice in the final five minutes to overcome Portsmouth. The Hammers'
five-match FA Premier Academy League winning run looked in jeopardy as the
match entered its closing stages at Little Heath, only for goals from Robert
Hall and Blair Turgott (pictured) to score the hosts a thrilling 3-2
victory. The success came as a welcome boost to Carr and his squad following
last Wednesday's cruel FA Youth Cup fourth-round defeat by Manchester
United. On Saturday, Portsmouth went in 2-1 up at half-time, with Jack
Powell scoring West Ham's first equaliser from Turgott's pass. Despite
dominating the second half for long periods, it looked like the home side
would be forced to settle for a defeat before Hall and Turgott struck in
dramatic fashion. "We came from behind the first time after they had opened
the scoring from a free-kick," Carr told whufc.com "We got our equaliser
when their goalkeeper picked up a back pass and we capitalised when Blair
touched the ball to Jack, who curled it around the wall and into the net.
"It was 1-1 for five or ten minutes and we were attacking and creating
opportunities, only for them to score again just before half-time from a
cross into the box that we didn't deal with. "We started quite brightly in
the second half but could not score and the game went a bit flat. "Our
confidence grew a little bit and Blair put in a cross and Robert, who had
come on as a substitute, popped up and equalised in the 85th minute.
"Then, in the 88th minute Eliott Lee, who had come on as a substitute for
Danny Subuola, went past a defender and had a shot. The goalkeeper saved it
and Blair followed in to make it 3-2. "Eliott is a schoolboy who plays up
front and he did very well in the 15 or 20 minutes he was on the pitch."
Carr had made ten changes to the starting XI that began the FA Youth Cup
defeat by Manchester United last Wednesday evening, with only Turgott
keeping his place. While the fringe players stepped up to produce a spirited
performance, the only sour note from a sixth straight league success was a
facial injury suffered by defender Danny Potts. The left-back was taken to
hospital for a check-up after being caught in the eye area by a stray arm.
West Ham United: Larkins, Young, Potts (Chambers 25), Hunt, K.Lee, Hurley,
Turgott, Powell (Hall 65), Subuola (E.Lee 75), Lletget, Fanimo
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Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba set for West Ham loan
BBC.co.uk
Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba is set to join West Ham on loan until the end of
the season, according to the German club's general manager Ernst Tanner.
"Nothing has been signed, but everything points to the fact that he will go
on loan at West Ham," he said. The Senegal international fell out with
Hoffenheim earlier this month when he refused to attend a training camp. A
proposed £6m move to Stoke fell through when the 25-year-old failed a
medical after agreeing personal terms. But Ba passed a West Ham medical on
Saturday and the deal is due to be finalised soon. Hoffenheim are still
hoping to recruit Liverpool's Dutch forward Ryan Babel as a replacement for
Ba.
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Avram Grant's youth policy: a victory within the misery
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd January 2011
By: Nik Hobbs
We are constantly informed that football is a results based industry.
Managers must scramble for their commission in a continuous struggle against
the ultimate judge; the win/loss column.
It seems like a fair assessment on the surface, wins=good whereas
defeats=bad. Who could argue with that logic? It seems business like and
cold, which implies accuracy. To speak without emotion about football
managers gives the impression of professionalism and insight. Circumstances
are an irrelevance, an excuse for the inept.
Yet football matches cannot be judged explicitly through these means. Each
football match is part of a narrative far greater than the 90 minutes of
competition. The win/loss column is not a total reflection of a manager, or
a football club. It does however provide a handy sound bite to spurt when
wishing to claim authority. There is a popularly understood divide between
'good' and 'bad' managers and this is how they are to be judged. It is not a
thin line, but a vast chasm. It is objective and true. Yet it is misleading
and oversimplified to the point of brazen laziness.
The sub plots proceeding and during a game surpasses the simplicity of the
win/loss argument, as appealing as it may be to argue otherwise. In game
victories can be won without claiming any points and games can be lost
through boardroom decisions from seasons far removed. To criticise Avram
Grant, to deem him unfit, his fairly straightforward - losing games and
whatnot - but there have been undermining factors beyond his command and
internal subplots of victories that should not be overlooked.
Whatever the future has install for West Ham, no matter what league they
play in or who wears the claret and blue come match day, West Ham's history
is bound to a tradition of youth development not yet reduced to the
discourse of nostalgia.
A youth system based on an ideal form of football and the development of
local talent has been an enduring principle of West Ham. Without resorting
to the recruitment that has been adopted by other Premier League clubs, West
Ham have consistently utilised the localised talent pool and produced top
quality players. This has never been more evident than in recent years with
a quarter of England's 2010 World Cup final squad learning their craft in
Tony Carr's Youth Academy.
The relationship between the Youth Academy and the senior squad is reliant
on the belief in the virtues of experience being given to players that have
risen through the ranks at an age that others might deem to be premature.
Examples being Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and
Michael Carrick, who all made their debut appearances before turning 19
years of age.
Whether through choice or despair, Grant has adopted this approach that is
fundamental to West Ham's identity. This season West Ham have played more
players that are products solely of their Youth Academy than any other
Premier League club. James Tomkins, Mark Noble, Freddie Sears, Junior
Stanislas, Zavon Hines and Anthony Edgar have all played in competitive
games this season, with the first five being regulars. With an average age
of 21 they have been burdened with the responsibility of whatever
achievements or failings West Ham claim this season.
Whereas Everton, Newcastle, Blackburn, Manchester United and Aston Villa can
all claim to have fielded five such players, the two clubs that share the
relegations spots with West Ham have only two, these being Ashley Hennings
and Danny Batth who played in one League Cup game in August against Southend
and have since been loaned out. This is a testament to the quality of the
youth academy and Grant's stubborn faith in its graduates, which can afford
West Ham fans a certain element of pride.
In a season where successes are not readily available this should qualify as
such. Grant's faith in the youth academy is a display of his understanding
and commitment to what many fans see as key to the image and reputation of
West Ham, whilst others seem content to distort it beyond recognition.
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Levy - Substance over emotion
Spurs supremo backing club's case to take over Olympic Stadium
Last updated: 23rd January 2011
SSN
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hopes the decision over the future of the
Olympic Stadium is based upon stance and not emotion. One of the key
promises London 2012 made to the International Olympic Committee when it won
the right to stage the Games was that the arena would remain multi-sport.
While Spurs' supremo accepts the Premier League club's bid does not include
an athletics track at the site, he believes their plan to build a new
stadium at Crystal Palace exceeds the proposal made in Singapore. "This word
'promise' that has been used is such an emotive word," said Levy. "Surely
it's a far better legacy for London as a whole if you have a world-class
stadium for multi-use within the Olympic Park that is full throughout the
year and a dedicated athletics venue in south London. "Strip out the
emotion, take a step back and ask what's best for athletics - it's surely to
have a dedicated facility that's available all-year round rather than 20
days a year. "I'd don't buy the argument of having somewhere to take your
grandchild to reminisce on London 2012, what I buy is a dedicated facility
which will always be the home of athletics "If I was in charge of athletics,
I'd much rather have our own facility, which was ours and we can be proud of
it, rather than sharing with other sports. "The original proposal outlined a
25,000-seater stadium in the Olympic Park. But there were other commitments,
such as for it not be a white elephant, for it to a vibrant area. "Can you
honestly say having a 25,000-seater stadium that when it was put out to
market no one wanted would contribute to a vibrant area? The answer's no."
Legacy
Levy insisted Tottenham's bid will provide a sustainable legacy, preventing
accusations London 2012 had failed to keep its word by over-delivering on
the proposal made in Singapore. "A lot of the focus is on the promises made
about athletics, but it was also about building a vibrant park that would be
there for generations," he said. "If we're talking purely athletics and the
physical facility, the legacy proposal was to take down the stadium, leave
it with no roof and create 25,000 seats. "The OPLC and the government are
looking for something that is sustainable and viable over the long term. "As
a long-term viable solution, soccer and athletics just don't work together.
"What we're offering is far more of a legacy for London and for athletics
than the original promise.
"What we're offering is a dedicated 25,000 facility for athletics at its
original home, with a roof and the ability to be expended up to 40,000 to
hold a world championships. "In terms of assets, we are absolutely
over-delivering on the original proposal. "The only thing we can't deliver
is the site physically being in the Olympic Park."
Levy also dismissed the argument that Tottenham, a north London club, should
not be relocating to east London, the home of West Ham. "West Ham's move is
two miles to the stadium, ours is five miles away," he said. "Our average
fan travels 40 miles to our games. Most of our fans come from around the
M25. "Less than 1% of our fans come from postcode in the area of the current
Tottenham Stadium. "I don't understand why Newham Council are effectively
using public money and guarantees to support a private sector bid. "You'd
have thought they'd want two big clubs in their borough."
Crying shame
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady believes it would be a 'crying shame'
for the stadium to be built for the games only to be demolished without
leaving a legacy from the Games. Following England's failed bid to host the
World Cup finals in 2018 Brady believes the nation's credibility in world
sport hinges on preserving the site for multi-sport use. She said: "It would
be a crying shame if the stadium were to be built on the back of a promise
made in the Queen's name only to be pulled down. "This is not about
football, it's about legacy. We stood up, we made a promise, we looked
people in the eye and we said we'd so something. "We need to keep that
promise. With the 2018 World Cup bid people looked us in the eye and made us
a promise and let us down. We know how that feels. "Our standing in world
sport if we say one thing and do another will take a crushing blow. "Spurs'
bid is the equivalent of building 100 new primary schools and then
bulldozing each and every one of them four weeks after they've been built.
"An athletics world championships will never happen in this country if the
stadium is pulled down. It's a complete myth the stadium will lack
atmosphere."
Brady denied West Ham, whose average attendance in the Premier League this
season is 33,302, will struggle to fill a 60,000 capacity stadium. "We are
currently limited by our size and that's why the gates are the size they
are," she said. "One of the criticisms levelled at Premier League football
is that it's unaffordable for people to watch." "Spurs have a 34,000 season
ticket waiting list but we have 17,000 people on the waiting list at West
Ham, so it's disrespectful to say we won't be able to fill it. We will fill
it, but by being true to the legacy."
Moral Obligation
Earlier, Coe felt Britain's international reputation will be in tatters if
the Olympic Stadiumis turned into a football-only venue after next year's
games. Coe is backing West Ham's bid to take over the stadium, stating there
was a "moral obligation" to preserve the venue as a multi-sports facility.
"This is about our ability to be taken seriously again in the corridors of
world sport," said Coe. "There is a bid that delivers against the vision
that we took to Singapore and we have a moral obligation to make it work.
"It's not beyond the wit of all of us to make this work and we have an
obligation to make it work. "The West Ham bid meets those commitments. I
would have to vote West Ham. "I find it inconceivable that grandparents will
take children back to a Premiership football ground, stand among the tiers
of sponsorship boxes and say actually somewhere among this lies dormant the
memories of Jessica Ennis or Usain Bolt reaching the heights of sport. "It
just does not smell right to me."
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Hammers to seal Ba coup
West Ham to beat rivals to striker's signature
By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey Last updated: 23rd
January 2011
SSN
Skysports.com understands that West Ham United will complete the signing of
Demba Ba on Monday. The Senegal international has emerged as one of the most
wanted players in this transfer window. The Hammers have been chasing Ba for
most of the window, but Stoke, Everton, West Brom and Sunderland were also
keen on his signature. The Hoffenheim striker had looked set for Stoke
earlier in the month, but he failed a medical - however, the Potters were
still keen on striking a loan agreement. But skysports.com understand that
West Ham have pulled of a significant transfer coup by persuading Ba to sign
for them. Hoffenheim's general manager Ernst Tanner has confirmed Ba is
poised to join West Ham despite revealing nothing has been signed as yet.
"Nothing has been signed, but everything points to the fact that he will go
on loan at West Ham," said Tanner. Everton, West Brom and Sunderland have
all made moves in recent days to try and hi-jack the deal. Everton are yet
to replace the departed Yakubu, West Brom missed out on John Carew, whilst
Sunderland need extra striking options following Darren Bent's departure.
West Ham are set to seal his signature on loan until the end of the season
with a view to a permanent deal.
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The laws an ass - it has to change
The Sun
STEVEN HOWARD - Chief sports writer
Published: Today
YOU would have thought West Ham had enough to cope with marooned at the
bottom of the table. Not to mention Tottenham Hotspur trying to take over
their manor and steal their birthright. Plus everything else that has gone
on at Upton Park this season. Now, thanks to one of the more mean-spirited
laws in the FIFA/FA rulebook, they probably feel the whole world is against
them. With six minutes to go at Goodison Park on Saturday, a magnificent
Freddie Piquionne header put the Hammers 2-1 up against Everton and Avram
Grant's side seemed on the way to only their second away win of the season.
Thirty seconds later, Piquionne was sent off for celebrating with visiting
fans and the 10-man Londoners eventually surrendered maximum points when
Marouane Fellaini equalised in the second minute of added time.
Should West Ham eventually be relegated by two points or less, they will
look back on referee Peter Walton's decision to show Piquionne a second
yellow card as the pivotal moment of their season. Grant described the law
that saw the Frenchman dismissed as a joke. He may not have got many things
right this season but he's not far wrong on this one. Just as the law that
says all players must be cautioned if they remove their shirts or cover
their heads with them is a joke.
On that basis, Middlesbrough's Fabrizio Ravanelli would have been booked
every time he scored. Along with all the other players who quickly followed
the Italian's example. And what about Ryan Giggs? Had he already been booked
before scoring his wonder goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final
replay at Villa Park in 1999, he too would have been sent off under this
absurd rule. As for the business of censoring players for celebrating with
fans, the FIFA/FA rulebook's final consensus is that referees 'are asked to
act in a preventative manner and to exercise common sense in dealing with
the celebration of a goal'.
Most fair-minded people would agree that common sense was NOT adhered to in
Piquionne's case. His vaulting of an advertising hoarding to share his
delight with West Ham supporters who have had little to cheer this season
was hardly a provocative or inflammatory gesture. It was hardly likely to
start a riot. It was a heat-of-the-moment reaction even Everton fans would
have understood. It's often claimed professional footballers have grown
increasingly estranged from their fan base. That foreign players, in
general, are just soldiers of fortune who don't give a toss for the people
paying their wages. And that those representing West Ham, in particular, had
long ago given up the ghost and were just waiting for the end of the season
and a move to fresh pastures.
You wouldn't have guessed it by their full-blooded commitment at Goodison.
Shamed by their performance the previous weekend against Arsenal, the West
Ham players knew they had a duty to every fan who had followed them to
Merseyside. They went ahead with a wonderful, old-style West Ham goal, only
to be pegged back at 1-1. Then, with time running out, they regained the
lead. At that moment of extraordinary relief and exhilaration, Piquionne and
his team-mates were not thinking of some pedantic law buried in the small
print of a gargantuan rule-book that, if it was thrown at you, would take
the head off your shoulders. They didn't even have time for thought. For
Piquionne, it was a moment to share with all those fans he and his
team-mates had let down so badly. A way of showing they were all in it
together.
Piquionne's reward? A suspension that will see him miss West Ham's Carling
Cup semi-final, second leg at Birmingham on Wednesday. It was the last thing
the Hammers needed with Victor Obinna already suspended and Carlton Cole
injured. Yes, Piquionne had already been booked. Yes, he went against the
letter of the law. But, surely, this was the time when a referee's common
sense and discretion were needed.
At the end, Grant was left to lament: "Football is all about emotion. We are
not computers. What do you expect players to do? Shake hands?" That's what
they used to do in the old days. Well done, old chap, a ruffle of the
Brylcreemed quiff and a trot back to the halfway line. Football, though, has
changed. Sadly so for many people. At the same time, the FA and FIFA must
remove their heads from the sand. There has to be give and take. The idiotic
Sepp Blatter, on the one hand, awards the 2022 World Cup to Qatar saying
that he wants to broaden football's horizons (and roast to death the world's
leading players). On the other, he is firmly against new technology because
football should remain a game of human error. So we continue with the
situation where referees can make as many blunders as they like, while
players are hammered for the merest infraction of the rules. And that's
progress?
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Coe : I'm backing the Hammers
The Sun
By VIKKI ORVICE
Published: Today
SEB COE insists Britain's sporting reputation will be trashed if Spurs are
allowed to bulldoze the Olympic Stadium. London 2012 chief Coe would vote in
favour of West Ham's bid if he were a member of the Olympic Park Legacy
Company who decide on Friday which of the two bids is successful.
Middle-distance legend Coe, who pledged an athletics legacy in the bid six
years ago, said: "The bid was very clear. "I don't recall talking about
bulldozing a publicly-funded facility and inspiring a generation of
Tottenham season ticket-holders." But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy hit back:
"Let's deal with fact rather than emotion. "Surely it's a far better legacy
for London as a whole if you have a world-class stadium for multi-use within
the Olympic Park that is full throughout the year and a dedicated athletics
venue in South London."
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Spurs have lost their credibility
The Sun
Published: Today
KARREN BRADY has branded Tottenham's bid to move into the Olympic Stadium
'Spur of the moment money making'. And she told Spurs boss Harry Redknapp:
You've blown your club's credibility. In another blistering Sun exclusive,
the West Ham vice-chairman spells out why her club must win their bitter
battle with Tottenham to move into the stadium after the 2012 London games.
On Friday, Redknapp claimed the Olympic Stadium would become a 'graveyard'
if West Ham win the bid. But Brady has hit back, saying: "Harry Redknapp was
told to do his best to scaremonger. "But, for my mind, his words ended up
being a form of Harry-kiri that sounded the death knell on any credibility
Tottenham had to getting support. "Theirs is a Spur of the moment
money-making bid."
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Spurs bid would be a huge waste
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
The Sun
Published: Today
THE 'West Ham way' is a saying we use a lot at Upton Park. What does that
mean? Well, it means the right way of playing the game. When it comes to the
Olympic Stadium decision, that philosophy should definitely apply. We have
embraced the legacy promises made to the world in The Queen's name. We are
the right choice. The moral choice. To demolish the Olympic Stadium would be
an outrageous waste of money and resources. The energy used to build it for
£500million, knock it down and then rebuild a football ground would be the
equivalent of running the Olympic Stadium for nigh on 90 years. Let me put
it another way. The Spurs bid is equivalent to building more than 100 new
primary schools - then bulldozing each and every one of them after just four
weeks.
Still, Tottenham have clearly decided North London is no longer good enough,
which is why former legacy champion Sir Keith Mills and Daniel Levy have
their eyes on moving closer to Canary Wharf. Is football only ever about
money? Theirs is a Spur of the moment money-making bid. Ours is a phenomenal
partnership proposal which came together with a true United approach. Newham
Council represent every single person in our borough - Live Nation and
Westfield are global leaders in events and construction. Then throw in UK
Athletics, Essex Cricket and much more besides. It is a persuasive case, no
wonder Harry Redknapp was told to do his best to scaremonger. For my mind,
his words ended up being a form of Harry-kiri that sounded the death knell
on any credibility Tottenham had to getting support outside N17.
Actually, scrub that. They don't even want the Tottenham plan inside N17.
You would have thought someone who grew up with claret and blue in his blood
would understand why we have to leave the beloved Boleyn behind. Ask Tony
Carr, the best youth coach in the country, what it would do for his work?
We can exchange our expertise with athletics, cricket and every one of the
15 Olympic sports that our community department already run. Harry grew up a
Hammer. He was proud of our past triumphs played at a Wembley Stadium that
was never short of atmosphere. This week we will be bidding to get back to
Wembley for the first time in 30 years. It would be some achievement. But I
want us playing on a grand stage every other week. Whether you're a fan of
Arsenal or Accrington, the Olympic Stadium would be a place to visit - a
destination for the nation. The first event would happen just 18 months
after the final Paralympics race has finished.
For Spurs, knocking it down and rebuilding, while keeping it on budget and
on time, has to be a concern. The best estimate of it being ready is 2016,
and we all know these things run over. We have the money guaranteed to
convert and improve, we will deliver everything and pay back the community -
without banks, debt and financial pressure. Can Tottenham be so confident?
In the year to June 2010, Spurs' accounts showed a loss of £6.6m -
interesting for a club in such a strong financial position. We're not
loaning from a bank, they are. So who really is in the best financial
position? And what happens when Harry leaves as he says he probably will
before they even get round to a new ground? They might even be back in the
relegation zone they occupied before he joined.
Spurs owners ENIC are run by Joe Lewis, a man reported to have paid £1.4m in
2001 to play a round of golf with Tiger Woods. He seemingly has no concept
of the value of money, which is why he'd pull down a stadium that cost
taxpayers half a billion pounds. I guess that's not his problem as he lives
in the Bahamas and as a tax exile doesn't pay tax! A lot has been made of
the Tottenham 'waiting list'. For the record, we have 17,000 signed up on
exactly the same basis who would all want to be part of the Olympic Stadium.
We also have 700,000 supporters on our database. We have the fans and
finance in place.
Not only that, but money would be ploughed back into the community that most
needs it, under Hammers-mad owners who live and work in the area and pay
their taxes every day. As David Sullivan and David Gold say, though, they
are just the custodians. It is the supporters who matter most. We have
thousands of fans priced out of Upton Park who would come back for cheaper
tickets. Our sightlines stack up, thanks to our amazing architects. The top
tiers will be closer to the action by several yards than Wembley and our
furthest seats will be nearer than theirs. Everyone will be able to see the
ball on the pitch at all times - not true of many grounds. Careful thought
and attention has driven us, with Westfield's global expertise, to deliver a
stadium fit for football, athletics and major events.
As well as football in a dedicated 60,000-seater home, our conversion would
enable the successful staging of athletics meets for 25,000 to massive pop
concerts for 100,000-plus, and a range of sports in between. As for running
tracks, UEFA and FIFA clearly don't think they are an issue. Champions
League and World Cup finals only go to the best venues - and they generally
have tracks, including next year's Euro 2012 final.
We've also heard from Pele apparently endorsing the Tottenham proposal. Good
job he didn't have to mention that in 2009 when he successfully asked the
IOC to give the 2016 Games to Brazil. But this comes from a man who also
endorses Viagra, at least that's one product that stands up!
We are the right choice and, as Lord Coe says, the ONLY choice if we are to
deliver against the promise made in 2005 and not in his words 'trash our
global reputation' - a slightly more credible and important endorsement than
Pele. We're proposing a perfect legacy that stands as a shining monument to
what this country can achieve. It delivers everything the IOC expected and
more. If the decision goes against us, the next time we play Spurs we might
as well call it the demolition derby.
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Q&A on Hammers Bid
The Sun
Published: Today
THE athletics track at the Olympic Stadium is clearly an issue. Spurs want
to rip it up, why wouldn't you? AFTER the multi-million pound conversion no
seat will have a worse view than at Wembley. In fact, the seat furthest away
at the converted stadium is 10 yards closer to the pitch than at Wembley.
The Olympic Stadium should be seen as a historic and iconic monument to a
magical festival of sport. We guarantee it will be an inspiring place to
play and fans will have great views. The UEFA Euro 2012 final is in a
stadium with a running track!
WHAT makes you think you can fill a 60,000-capacity stadium when West Ham's
record attendance is 42,322?
WE have been around capacity for several years and smashed season ticket
records in recent seasons. Our database is huge, over 700,000, and tens of
thousands of fans tell us they would come to the Olympic Stadium for cheaper
tickets we could offer. We have 17,000 on our season-ticket waiting list.
Our proposals also include free tickets for schools and community groups.
People say football is too expensive this is a chance to do something about
that.
WHY can't you stay at Upton Park, redevelop the existing stadium and stay in
your spiritual home?
OUR bid is not just about football - it is a substantial investment in the
community, creating much-needed businesses and jobs. A move back to the old
borough of West Ham would also start a chain-reaction of five desperately
needed redevelopment projects in four different boroughs - including
Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
YOU are bottom of the Premier League. How would relegation affect your plans
to move by 2014?
IT wouldn't. Our business plan is cost-effective, realistic and deliverable
in every scenario. We are in complete control along with Newham Council. We
have the funds, we are not borrowing from banks.
WOULDN'T it be better to first invest in the team before taking on a huge
project like this?
WE have signed 12 new players in 12 months, including the captain of the
German team, as well as hanging on to all our star names. We are ploughing
money into the Academy yet are driving down the debt we inherited at the
same time. We have reduced the debt by £25million in the first 12 months.
SPURS say a running track around the pitch would kill the atmosphere. How
will you combat this?
THEY have no idea about our sightlines and what an atmospheric feel there
will be to the place. I guarantee the atmosphere at West Ham will not be
lost in an intimate environment created by the state-of-the-art roof and the
new conversion programme.
IF West Ham are relegated, could you maintain the upkeep of the stadium with
smaller attendances?
THAT'S the beauty of our proposal. This is not about football. Newham
Council's involvement means everyone will play their part in its success and
feel a sense of ownership. The stadium will be used every day of the year -
not just on match days.
TOILET and refreshment facilities at the Olympic Stadium are not in the
grandstand area. Will fans have to go outside to eat or deal with calls of
nature?
CONSTRUCTION giants Westfield have solved this problem with an incredible
transformation. That doesn't just mean just for football but every event you
could possibly imagine. Spectator experience will be second to none. The
stadium is truly multi-event - from a 25,000 athletics meeting to a 107,000
pop concert.
WHAT alterations will you make to the ground before you move in? How much
will this cost and where is funding coming from?
THE funding is guaranteed before a single seat is touched. And one thing is
certain, not only will tens of millions be repaid to the public purse but
Newham's involvement means profit going to the community year on year, for
ever.
IF you fail to get permission, how devastating will that be to your
long-term business plan for the club?
THIS is about more than the club. It would be an insult and slap in the face
to tax-payers and sports fans generally to demolish a stadium after four
weeks of use. Our sporting integrity would be called into question. West Ham
is built on sound principles and would grow in steady and stable fashion -
but what a tragedy it would be for the nation.
IS there a danger the current owners will sell up if permission is denied?
DAVID SULLIVAN and David Gold waited their whole lives to 'come home' to
West Ham. It is not about bricks and mortar for them but a commitment to
helping their club to be the best it can be wherever they play.
WHAT is your view of the way Tottenham have conducted themselves and the
fact they are trying to invade a rival team's neighbourhood?
WE fully respect past promises and our bid is the only one which does. We
have kept our counsel but had to set the record straight. Ultimately, this
is not about West Ham v Tottenham. It is about Spurs v West Ham, UKA, the
Olympic promise made in the Queen's name, our sporting reputation on an
international stage, the people of the East End, and anyone in the UK that
has an Olympic and athletics dream. Ours is a community-driven proposal that
offers the best environmental solution - all on a sound and sustainable
financial basis.
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Vinny's Everton Report
Vinny - Sun Jan 23 2011
West Ham Online
Everton 2 West Ham United 2
Despite a good performance there was more frustration and disappointment for
West Ham as Everton snatched an injury time equaliser to deny the Hammers a
vital three points.
Just when you thought there could be no other way to feel frustrated and
generally pissed off about this season you can trust West Ham to conjure up
something new.
I thought we were excellent. We played the better football, were the better
team, had more chances and deserved to win. Having scored to make it 2-1 in
the 83rd minute I feel like someone has punched me in the stomach because
even no I find it difficult to comprehend that after such an exhausting game
we managed to come out of it with just a point.
There are a couple of things people will point to when trying to find reason
for our faliure to see the game out and those will be the crazy sending off
of Frederique Piquionne for celebrating the dramatic second goal and Avram
Grant's decision to remove Freddie Sears after the sending off leaving us
with no striker on the pitch which invited pressure from the home side.
Last season away at Everton the fight to stay up really started and once
again I saw a fight and determination in our side against Merseyside's
second team which gives me a glimmer of hope that we might avoid the drop
this season but instead of us scoring a late equaliser it was Everton who
snatched something with defeat looming.
Whilst there were positives to take from the game losing Scott Parker and
Frederique Piquionne for Wednesday nights League Cup Semi Final Second Leg
due to suspension is something that will really hinder our chances of
progressing to the final because any team that does not have their best
player and top scorer available will find it difficult.
With the decision to keep Avram Grant as manager and the debate regarding
whom will occupy the Olympic Stadium it has been a tough week for West Ham.
So much negative press has made it a week which makes us all concerned about
the direction the club is taking and whilst I hate the dramatic nature of
comments such as these I cannot deny that the term 'laughing stock' holds
some weight.
This was a game which I never hold out much hope for a result given that our
record at Goodison Park (and against Everton in general) is poor. They have
been a team for as long as I can remember that usually does a job on us and
to get anything out of the game would have been welcomed but the way the
game transpired really left me feeling fucked off.
Avram Grant made a three changes to the side who were crushed by Arsenal
last weekend. In midfield Radoslav Kovac was dropped from the squad and
replaced by the returning Scott Parker.
Freddie Sears dropped to the bench in favour of Luis Boa Morte as we lined
up as 4-4-2 which was a welcome sight with Zavon Hines partnering Frederique
Piquionne who had returned from injury (or a dentist appointment) to replace
Carlton Cole who was also missing from the squad.
We started the game well and with Scott Parker the driving forward we looked
to counter attack in numbers. Even from the first few minutes it was clear
what our game plan would but and we had the first decent effort of the game
when Piquionne slammed a shot just over.
The Everton fans were not happy with their team even in those first ten
minutes as we looked more dangerous going forward and they could not get
hold of the ball.
We should have taken the lead when Scott Parker played a quite brilliant
pass through to Mark Noble who took a great first touch having found himself
onside but his attempt went just over the bar when on another day Noble
would have been finding the back of the net.
Everton did have a chance of their own when Jermaine Beckford was put
through but a good recovery from Tomkins and alertness from Robert Green
snuffed the chance out.
With 26 minutes on the clock we did take the lead and this came off the back
of a moment of Everton pressure. I say pressure but it was really just
possession as they did not make Robert Green work but it did look as though
they were getting a foot hold on the game.
The goal was an excellent move as Noble played a great pass through for Boa
Morte who burst into the area, looked up and found Jonathan Spector who
controlled his finish well and made it 1-0.
This was Spector's fourth goal of the season and first in the league as he
continues to relish the centre midfield role he has been put in this season.
Everton were shell shocked and we needed to take advantage. Another good
move saw Parker play the ball through to Piquionne and despite having
players either side of him he tried a chip which if executed correctly would
have been a stunning goal but Everton keeper Tim Howard was alert and able
to catch the ball.
A burst from Wayne Bridge in to the area saw the left back bundled over and
cries of a penalty were heard from the West Ham fans but referee Peter
Walton waved theses away.
We were so close to scoring the second goal with seven minutes of the first
half remaining. Another quick counter attacking move saw the ball played out
to Jonathan Spector on the right hand side and he put in a cross for
Piquionne to get in front of his man and send his header towards goal,
beating Howard but not the inside of the post. It was so unfortunate and we
were so very unlucky.
The ball was in the back of the net moments later when Piquionne played a
cross in for Boa Morte to score but the linesman's flag went up for offside.
A fantastic first half and whilst I was not celebrating anything yet it was
hard not to be pleased with the way we had set about in that first period.
Over recent weeks a decent first half is usually followed by a dismal second
and although this did not work out like Everton certainly looked better and
willing to take the game to us.
The home side had a number of set pieces (they actually had a staggering 12
corners during this game compared to our 2) but our defenders were holding
firm and both Tomkins and Upson were performing superbly.
Although Everton at this point were on top we came close to increasing our
lead when the ball fell to Spector just outside the area and he hit a good
shot which went just over.
Just past the hour mark another counter attack saw Scott Parker burst
through and hit a left foot shot which was straight at Tim Howard.
Zavon Hines came close to opening his account for the season when a cross
from Spector was turned towards goal by the young striker but his shot was
wide of the goal as he took this first time.
At this point we were tiring as out players had really given their all.
Everton introduced Louis Saha and this made them much more of a threat going
forward.
Pressure was being applied with everyone back in defence helping out with
Piquionne winning multiple defensive headers as Everton lumped crosses into
the area in desperate search for the equaliser.
And sadly for us with just 13 minutes remaining the home side did find that
equalising goal.
It was another ball into the area which saw Piquionne meet the ball again
but this time the header was straight to Bilyaletdinov who had just come on
as sub and his half volley was perfect as it flew past Robert Green to make
it 1-1.
To have held out for so long it was gutting that we had conceded this late.
With Everton now on the ascendancy it was important that we did not end up
losing a game we had played so well in.
Everton piled forward and nearly scored when Seamus Coleman hit a
magnificent shot at goal which went just inches wide in what would have been
a fantastic goal.
Coleman really should have scored a few moments later when Saha was played
in and his shot was well save by Green but the ball fell to Coleman who just
had to control his shot but he ended up placing his shot over the bar.
We needed to just hold on and it was welcomed respite when we won a corner
kick. The corner played in was cleared out to Parker who played a first time
pass back out to Bridge who crossed into the area for Frederique Piquionne
to meet with a head which he planted past Tim Howard to make it 2-1 with
five minutes remaining.
Sheer pandemonium took place in the West Ham end as Piquionne jumped the
advertising boards and into the West Ham crowd to share his joy with the
supporters in such a dramatic way to score.
Piquionne had already been yellow carded for a previous foul and the referee
Peter Walton showed him a second yellow and subsequent Red Card for his
celebrations which were not aggressive just full of joy.
It was a disgusting Red Card and whether this is the rule or not it is not
right and I do not think there is a football supporter in the land who
thinks this was the right decision.
With 10 men we needed to see out the remaining five minutes plus stoppage
time.
We had just brought on Freddie Sears for Zavon Hines four minutes before the
goal was scored and Sears was sacrificed in favour of centre half Winston
Reid as we looked to play the rest of the game with no striker.
This invited Everton on and with a couple of minutes of stoppage time
remaining heartbreak came as Everton found an equaliser.
A ball into the area was not cleared and came only as far as Fellini who
stroked his shot past Green from close range to make it 2-2.
A devastating end to a really entertaining game which produced so many
different emotions but the feeling I am left with coming away from this game
is much like our entire season - a massive disappointment.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
A decent display from Green who will be wondering how he conceded two goals
given that he was tested so very little through the game. Did need to make a
couple of good saves and his decision making when coming for crosses was
usually correct.
Julien Faubert
A better display from Faubert whom I am not a big fan of. He was stronger in
the tackle and seemed to want it more. His passing was better and this was a
good display from the Frenchman.
James Tomkins
Another warrior like performance from Tomkins who really knows how to dig
in. He was tough and solid and threw himself at everything. Brilliant once
again.
Matthew Upson
A dominating performance from the Captain. He was so good in the first half
that Everton took off Jermaine Beckford who Upson seemed to have been
sticking to throughout the game. Like Tomkins he did everything he could to
keep Everton out.
Wayne Bridge
After his nightmare against Arsenal last week on his debut this was a very
good display from the left back who was strong, good going forward and
simply had a very good game.
Jonathan Spector
Spector does seem to enjoy this attacking midfielder role. He played well
and not just because of his goal but when we did break forward he was always
there getting into the are or pulling wide to give the player coming through
the middle an option.
Mark Noble
Some of his tackling was really superb as Noble really dug in. A few weeks
ago when we played Everton at Upton Park they bullied us but they were not
finding it so easy during this game as players such as Noble really got
stuck into them. He showed again then when he has a bit of time of the ball
he is the best passer of the ball at the club.
Scott Parker
What can you say that you haven't already said about Parker this season? He
drove the team forward in both halves and was our best player yet again.
Luis Boa Morte
As previously mentioned with Everton being a very physical team we needed a
player such as Boa Morte to give us that physical edge and that he did.
Other than that he played quite well when going forward and made the first
goal showing good vision.
Zavon Hines
Out muscled and caught offside far too many times but I could not deny that
he and Piquionne looked a much more balanced forward line.
Fredrique Piquionne
Involved in so much of the game and was very harshly sent off. Scored a goal
and had another few chances with the header crashing off the post in the
first half. A committed and excellent performance.
Subs Used
Freddie Sears (on for Hines 81 mins)
Only on for a few minutes as he was taken off by Grant due to the dismissal
of Piquionne.
Winston Reid (on for Sears 89 mins)
With everything that was going on I don't remember him even touching the
ball.
Subs Not Used: Boffin, Gabbidon, Barrera, Nouble, McCarthy
Bookings: Parker (Suspended next game), Piquionne
Red Card: Frederique Piquionne
Man Of The Match: James Tomkins
Everton: Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini,
Osman, Arteta, Anichebe, Beckford
Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Jagielka, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Gueye, Saha
Attendance: 34, 179
Overall
The old cliché that when you are down at the bottom things do not go for you
can of course be rolled out here but that doesn't make it any easier to take
that after a superb away performance in which we did just about everything
we could get the three points we still come away bottom of the league having
seen three points snatched away from us at the death.
How much more disappointment can we take? I feel like I leave every game in
this despressive state having just being stomped on by another West Ham
frustration.
Perhaps I need to stop being so depressive and realise once again that this
is just part and parcel of being a West Ham fan. Doesn't change the fact I
am massively f*cked off about this one and I shouldn't be that annoyed as I
would have taken a point before the game and I am proud of the way we played
because we really did play some good football in a style which we like to
see.
Things are still very tight down the bottom but it is hard seeing your team
bottom of the league every week.
Next Game - Birmingham (a) League Cup Semi Final Second Leg
But if I needed something to get me going again it is Cup SEMI FINAL! The
most important game for years as we lead 2-1 from the first leg. No Parker,
No Piquionne and maybe even No Cole. But whoever plays it doesn't matter
because we just need to avoid defeat to see us into the final at Wembley.
Forget the season so far, forget the rest of the premiership season to come
- this is cup football, and we are so close to being in the final and maybe
winning some silverware. This is massive and as supporters we should be so
up for this game we want to burst.
F*ck the Press, f*ck the Olympic Stadium, F*ck Karen fucking Brady, F*ck
Martin O'Neill, let's have this West Ham.
Avram's View
"For me, Frederic Piquione's red card was a joke, He scored a goal and
wanted to celebrate with the supporters. Who, more than the supporters,
deserves to celebrate a goal with the player who has just scored it? "Our
fans came all the way here to the game, they were behind us throughout the
match and they wanted to celebrate with us. He should run to them, not to
me. "What do we do, tell the players to shake hands calmly and say: 'Thank
you?' Football's an emotional game. When I score a goal in our Thursday
staff match, I celebrate and now I just hope they won't start giving me a
red card, too!" "You never know but if we'd stuck with eleven players then
I'm sure that we'd have won because we're the better team. We created some
great chances but when we were down to ten men they started to play more
direct. "It could have been a great day and I'm very proud of what I saw
from the players because it was not easy for them in this situation. From
the very start of the season, though, the players have shown a lot of
commitment. "Every week we've had problems with injuries and right up until
the Friday before each game, we have not known what team to pick or where
the players are expecting to play.
"Today, for example, Jonathan Spector had to come in on the right and he did
very well, while Zavon Hines is a young player who has had to play too many
games for us in a short space of time. "We showed lots of spirit and
tactical awareness and dominated the first half. We created a lot of chances
- we scored, hit the post and got the ball in the net again but it was
offside. "Also, our response when Everton came back to 1-1 was very good and
after they scored we then got a second goal. "Now like Victor Obinna,
Frederic Piquionne is suspended for the semi-final at Birmingham City, while
Carlton Cole is injured. I don't know if he'll be available because he's
only got four days to get fit. At the moment, I'm down to Freddie Sears,
Zavon Hines and Frank Nouble."
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Hammers hoping to tie up £6m Ba deal
Published 23:00 23/01/11 By Darren Lewis and Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham hope to tie up £6million Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba today. The
Hammers believe they have won the race for the 25-year-old marksman's
signature, beating off interest from Stoke. But Ba may not be fit to play
for Avram Grant's team for up to a month. The Senegalese striker went
through the second half of a medical with the Hammers yesterday and the
strugglers are aware of the knee problem he is carrying. Ba had been set for
Stoke, but the Potters pulled out after his medical showed a minor injury.
Stoke were still keen on striking a loan agreement. West Brom were also keen
after missing out on Aston Villa striker John Carew. But Grant looks to have
pulled off a coup in landing one of the most sought-after players of this
transfer window.
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Mouche awaits passport
January 23, 2011
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
West Ham United have had a loan bid for Boca Juniors striker Pablo Mouche
accepted but the deal is being held up as the club are waiting for him to
obtain a passport. Mouche, 23, has also attracted attention from Blackburn
and Birmingham but West Ham believe they are now in pole position to
complete the deal. However, although his grandparents have European
connections, Mouche is still to secure a passport. A West Ham insider told
ESPNsoccenet on Sunday: "He is supposed to arrive at Upton Park soon, but he
hasn't yet. The club is waiting on him getting a passport via grandparents.
It might not be quick enough." Mouche is hoping to follow in the footsteps
of Carlos Tevez, who began his career with Boca Juniors and later joined
West Ham before moving on to Manchester United and then Manchester City.
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Avram Grant deserves better luck, David Moyes needs a sugar daddy
A point at Everton is least West Ham deserve
Moyes desperate to reverse a season in decline
Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
The Guardian, Monday 24 January 2011
The chairman looked anxious as he stepped back out into the directors' box,
mobile pressed firmly against ear, seconds after the other suits had
departed. A desperate performance and the urgent phone call were further
evidence that action is required to prevent a club following its season into
decline. The chairman was Everton's Bill Kenwright. Davids Gold and Sullivan
of West Ham left Goodison Park despairing yet consoled.
Retaining Avram Grant may have been forced on the West Ham hierarchy by
Martin O'Neill's rejection of someone else's job, but any doubts over the
team's reaction to an undermined manager and their prospects of survival
were eased here. A point at Everton was the least the Premier League's
bottom club deserved. It may well have been the win that lifted West Ham out
of the relegation zone had the referee, Peter Walton, been able to use
common sense and keep Frédéric Piquionne on the pitch when, having scored
the apparent winner with six minutes remaining, he collected a second yellow
card for embracing supporters.
Instead, they had to digest the crushing disappointment of Marouane
Fellaini's stoppage-time equaliser and a display that showed the benefits of
removing "dead man walking" headlines from a manager's every step, whether
by accident or design. "It is easier for the players when there is no
problem off the pitch and they are not reading every day so many things that
are not about football," said Grant, who will now be without Piquionne for
Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Birmingham City and has
Carlton Cole struggling with a calf problem.
Grant's last appearance on Merseyside, a woeful 3-0 loss at Liverpool in
November, prompted the visiting supporters to ridicule their manager with
chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" and an appeal for the
return of Paolo Di Canio. Here they asked him for a wave, and it seemed
genuine, although the request went unreciprocated. "I did not hear that
because I was concentrating on the game," admitted Grant. "The spirit of the
players is very high because of the support they have had. I will wave back
to them through you [the press] if I can."
Scott Parker was absent when West Ham showed no leadership, commitment or
invention at Anfield. Here, aided and abetted by Mark Noble, he helped
instil all three as West Ham's central midfield dominated Fellaini and the
struggling Mikel Arteta and Piquionne carried greater threat than the
ineffective Everton forward line of Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
Jonathan Spector's goal was minimal reward for a vibrant first-half display
in which Piquionne headed against the inside of a post. The visitors also
responded well to Everton's first equaliser through Diniyar Bilyaletdinov,
their French forward glancing in Wayne Bridge's inviting cross only for
understandable exuberance to cost West Ham dearly as the home side stirred
against 10 men and, for the third time this season, salvaged a draw at
Goodison in injury-time.
"Before the game you think that it is very tough here, not so easy," said
Grant, "but during the game you feel different." His throwaway line
encapsulated Everton's entire season. David Moyes's team have collected
three points from a possible 15 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan and now West Ham. It is relegation
form, protected only by their belligerence away from Goodison and, not for
the first time in Moyes's nine-year reign, a crossroads is approaching.
Asked if he would sell Jack Rodwell, in order to buy the quality striker
Everton so desperately need, the emerging talent having started only five
league games this season, Moyes replied: "No, Jack will figure and he will
play more. I would like the money but not at the cost of selling our best
players."
Steven Pienaar has been sold and, six months into a season that opened with
Champions League ambitions, the manager conceded that he is "trying to look
for a new formation". Fellaini was again Everton's only salvation, both in
midfield and as an emergency striker late on, but such performances and
continued lack of investment will not encourage the Belgium international to
sign the contract extension he is due to be offered this summer.
Moyes can only hope it was an agent or billionaire on the other end of
Kenwright's call.
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Brady denies West Ham board targeted O'Neill
By Tim Rich at Goodison Park
Monday, 24 January 2011
Independent.co.uk
Karren Brady was busy yesterday attempting to fix the future and bury the
past. While making West Ham's undeniably strong case to inherit London's
Olympic Stadium, the club's formidable vice-chairman attempted, with much
less conviction, to suggest that there was never any question of sacking
Avram Grant and replacing him with Martin O'Neill.
Asked about what appeared to be an abysmally bungled attempt to force out
Grant in favour of the rather more charismatic Ulsterman, Brady told the
BBC's Sportsweek programme that O'Neill's name "had not even been mentioned"
at a board meeting three days before the story broke on 15 January – a few
hours before their home game with Arsenal. "My view is that we have made a
decision about our manager," she said. "We have put not only our support
behind him but our chequebook and we are out in the market trying to bring
players in."
Following Frédéric Piquionne's dismissal for celebrating with the West Ham
supporters after scoring what he obviously thought was the winner against
Everton, Grant has fairly urgent need of a centre-forward for Wednesday's
Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Birmingham. With Piquionne
suspended and Carlton Cole still recovering from injury, he may have to rely
on Benni McCarthy, who has not been good enough or fit enough to start a
league game this season, to lead his attack.
Had Piquionne remained on the pitch, West Ham might have clung on for the
2-1 win they deserved rather than succumb to Marouane Fellaini's equaliser
in the final minutes.
Whatever the truth of Brady's statement, Grant did not appear overly
convinced by pledges of loyalty from his board. "I don't think you can be
comfortable in football," he said in the narrow corridors of Goodison Park
after a performance that was vastly superior to the supine 3-0 surrender to
Arsenal in what was expected to be his final game. "In football everything,
including the position of manager, is temporary. I have decided I will not
speak about things off the pitch as there are things I like and things I
don't like and football has never been a normal business.
"I will try to create some stability for the players. You need stability not
just in football but in your job as well. If you don't have stability in
your job, you will not write the same."
Among the pages that were written about Grant's future, was the charge that
the Israeli does not "show emotion" on the touchline, a quality O'Neill has
in abundance. It is a cosmetic charge – as if a manager running around his
technical area screaming abuse would on its own turn Lincoln City into
league champions – however, when those who had travelled up from east London
and Essex began chanting Grant's name and asking for a wave, the man in
black showed absolutely no response. He said he had not heard it.
"They deserve many good things, these fans," he said about a group of
supporters who had seen them win once away from Upton Park in 18 months and
that down the Thames at Fulham. "They have been behind us in very difficult
times but I was very concentrated so I did not see them."
When West Ham last came to Merseyside to deliver an abject display in losing
3-0 to Liverpool in November, the manager had been asked to wave to the
travelling supporters at Anfield but it was a request loaded with sarcasm.
Then, they had wanted him to wave goodbye. Now these same supporters were
chanting: "We love you Avram." It was a temporary love, of course, the kind
that football deals in, but it was a sight better than the cold silences he
had been given seven days before.
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