WHUFC.com
Fabio Capello has handed a recall to Scott Parker as a reward for his
terrific form
05.02.2011
Scott Parker has been rewarded for his magnificent form with a recall to the
England squad. The two-time and reigning Hammer of the Year is part of a
25-man selection that will travel to Denmark for Wednesday night's friendly
in Copenhagen. Parker - the new SBOBET player of the month for January - is
the only West Ham United player involved. However, he could come up against
club-mate Lars Jacobsen, who is in the Danish selection. Parker has been
capped three times but has not figured for his country since the 2-0 defeat
in Croatia on 11 October 2006, under Steve McClaren. Fabio Capello had
placed him in the provisional 30-man squad for last summer's FIFA World Cup
but he failed to make the final cut. Parker's debut actually came against
Denmark in a 3-2 friendly loss under Sven-Goran Eriksson back in November
2003.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, David Stockdale
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Glen
Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard,
James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young
Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe,
Wayne Rooney
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Blues memories fire Groves
WHUFC.com
Having come up short in the cup and been frustrated in the league meeting,
Paul Groves has targeted three points on Sunday
05.02.2011
Paul Groves believed West Ham United have learnt their lesson from previous
experiences against Birmingham City as the Hammers go for back to back wins
on Sunday. The club's senior coach said everyone was determined "to put the
record straight" after the Carling Cup semi-final disappointment, and also
the frustration of seeing a two-goal lead in the league meeting at St
Andrew's back on 6 November turned into a 2-2 draw after a Blues onslaught
in the closing stages. Speaking to West Ham TV, he said: "You go back to the
league game where a large portion of the game I felt that we were
comfortable and we got ourselves into a good position. You have to give them
credit with what they've got, they caused us one or two problems at the end
of the game and got themselves level. "All we need to do is to make sure
that doesn't happen again and we can come out winners."
After the 3-1 victory away at Blackpool, Groves confessed the mood in the
camp had been lifted even further than it had been by the arrival of Robbie
Keane and Co. "It has been a very good week, full of confidence after a good
performance at Blackpool. It was a difficult game for us, we scored goals,
created chances, and at the end when we had to defend we made it very
difficult for them to get anything against us."
He also paid tribute to the travelling fans and hoped for more of the same
in Sunday's crunch encounter at the Boleyn. "The fans that went to Blackpool
were tremendous in the way they got behind the players. We need them,
especially when things get a bit tough. It makes a big difference for the
players. They run that little bit more and get more blocks in. It encourages
them."
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Fanimo shoots down Gunners
WHUFC.com
Matthias Fanimo scored twice and Elliot Lee once as the U18s scored a 3-0
victory at Arsenal
05.02.2011
Arsenal U18s 0-3 West Ham United U18s
Matthias Fanimo scored twice and Eliott Lee bagged his first goal at
Under-18 level as West Ham United scored a superb 3-0 FA Premier Academy
League victory at Arsenal. The Hammers made it seven wins from eight league
matches with an outstanding display in difficult windy conditions at London
Colney and fully deserved a convincing success. West Ham, who had conceded a
two-goal advantage in losing 4-3 to league leaders Southampton the previous
Saturday, were strong at the back this time around and never looked like
relinquishing their lead at any stage once Fanimo had put his side in front
after half-an-hour. The win also saw January capture from Dulwich Hamlet,
17-year-old striker Paul McCallum, make his debut for the club. Academy
Director Tony Carr was naturally pleased with a fine day's work. "It is a
good result," Carr told whufc.com. "It was a very windy day and the weather
made it difficult to control the ball in the swirling wind. The conditions
meant it was a game of misplaced passes and mistakes. To be fair, though, I
thought we adapted very well and were full-value for our victory."
Fanimo's opener arrived following sensational play from left-back Callum
Driver, who made more than 40 yards before reaching the by-line and cutting
the ball back for the England U17 winger (pictured) to convert from
close-range. Into the second half and the Hammers continued to hold the
upper hand. It was therefore no surprise when schoolboy forward Lee doubled
the visitors' advantage. Jack Powell released Danny Purdy down the right and
the Irish youth international send over an early low cross that Lee was able
to slide in off the post. West Ham made sure of the three points five
minutes from time when Fanimo cut in from the left flank and unleashed a
low, hard shot that flew across the goalkeeper and nestled into the far
corner of the net. "It was a good performance all-round," said Carr. "Not
many people go to Arsenal and get a result like we did, so I have got to be
pleased."
The Academy Director also had words of encouragement for debutant McCallum,
who was playing non-league football just a few days ago. "It was a learning
experience for Paul. In the first half he could not really get in the game,
but he did better in the second half. "His fitness is a little bit short so
he will have to work on that day-to-day, but all-in-all it was a good
introduction for him as they don't get much tougher than playing away at
Arsenal."
The U18s will return to action next Saturday morning, when they play host to
Norwich City at Little Heath. Kick-off is at 11am, with admission and
parking both free of charge.
West Ham United U18: Larkins, Young, Sanchez, Craig, Driver, Purdy, Powell,
Wearen, Fanimo (Vose 75), McCallum, E.Lee (Turgott 75)
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Freddie fired up
WHUFC.com
Frederic Piquionne believes team spirt will be vital if West Ham United are
to beat Birmingham City
05.02.2011
Moments after the final whistle had been blown at Blackpool on Wednesday
evening, Frederic Piquionne went to the travelling West Ham United
supporters and threw his shirt into the crowd before pumping his fist a few
times. He might not have scored himself, but the No30 played a vital role in
the Hammers' second away Barclays Premier League win of the season, linking
intelligently with new partner Robbie Keane and helping out the defence on
numerous occasions. Piquionne's determination to help the club out of its
current predicament was there for all to see at Bloomfield Road, where he
headed numerous corners and free-kicks into the penalty area.
While one Charlie Adam corner caused embarrassment for the Frenchman when
his mis-kick allowed the Scot to score direct from the set piece, the
striker more than did his bit. Looking forward to Sunday's visit of
Birmingham City - a side he has already scored against this season -
Piquionne believes team spirit will be vital to securing victory over the
Blues. "I think we're playing very well at the moment and we need to carry
that on to Sunday," he told the new and improved West Ham TV "We need to
stay together - the fans and the club and everything - and everything will
go well at the weekend."
While Piquionne mis-judged one Blackpool corner to comical effect, the
France international forward generally plays an important role for the
Hammers at defensive set-plays, patrolling the near post area and heading
the ball powerfully clear whenever he gets the chance. "I need to come back
on the post for the corners and I stay on the front post to head the ball
away and help the keeper. I think I do my job well. "I think he took the
corner and I took one step and I tried to clear the ball but I missed it!"
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Grant hails Parker power
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant has praised the consistency and professionalism of West Ham
United's talismanic No8
05.02.2011
Avram Grant has heaped praise on talismanic midfielder Scott Parker, lauding
the two-time Hammer of the Year as the best professional he has ever worked
with. West Ham United's all-action No8 has been in typically outstanding
form in 2010/11, with his non-stop performances leading to renewed calls for
his inclusion in the full England squad. With Fabio Capello set to name his
selection for Tuesday's friendly in Denmark on Saturday evening, Grant said
he could think of no reason why the 30-year-old should not be called-up.
When asked if Parker should be included, the manager's answer was a
resounding 'Yes'. "No doubt, No doubt," said Grant. "Tell me one midfield
player that is in better shape than Scott Parker? I was a national coach and
I don't want to [tell Fabio who to pick]. I know Fabio very well and it is
good for him that he will have a player like this in is squad in his
condition. "I saw many players in my life and coached many top players and I
did not see, and I can say that, a better professional than him. "He is one
of the most professional players I have ever seen. I have watched English
football for more than 30 years and I like the English tradition of players
who give everything without agents and other things around. "Scott is one of
them. Scott comes to the game - you can say he is good, you can say that he
is bad, but he always gives more than 100 per cent. On difficult days he was
there for us."
Grant said it was not just Parker's ability that would have impressed
watchers - including Capello - but also his character and knack of producing
the goods whatever the circumstances surrounding him. "I am sure about this.
I was a national coach, and I know that in the league, things can change. In
the national team, things cannot change - you have a game, maybe a second
game, then a vacation or break. "You need players that come and give
everything on the certain day and characters are very important."
Parker may be ready to shine again at international level, but the manager
knows a call-up is only being talked about because of the player's
consistent displays at club level. While the likes of Robert Green, James
Tomkins and Mark Noble have also stepped up to the plate regularly this
term, Grant was also in no doubt when asked if Parker was the most
influential player in his squad. "I think yes - with his influence on and
off the pitch, he is an example for the others in dealing with a situation
that is not easy."
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West Ham v Birmingham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 6 February Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day;
listen on BBC Radio 5 live, talkSPORT and local radio; text commentary on
BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
West Ham manager Avram Grant could keep faith with the side that beat
Blackpool in midweek. Danny Gabbidon was substituted with an injury in that
game but the extent of the problem is not yet known.
Birmingham have injury concerns over three players: Cameron Jerome and Barry
Ferguson are nursing ankle problems and Roger Johnson has a calf injury. New
signing Curtis Davies is on standby to deputise for Johnson, but Obafemi
Martins is a doubt as he awaits a visa.
West Ham
Doubtful: Da Costa (ankle), Gabbidon (unspecified)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Dyer & Hitzlsperger (both thigh),
Stanislas (hernia)
Birmingham
Doubtful: Ferguson & Jerome (both ankle), Johnson (calf), Martins (visa)
Injured: Dann (hamstring), McFadden (knee), Valles (foot)
MATCH PREVIEW
Embroiled in a League Cup final eliminator 11 days previously, West Ham and
Birmingham meet again in the altogether less glamorous struggle against
relegation. West Ham were 11 minutes from Wembley when they last faced
Birmingham, which would have brought a second successive cup final for
manager Avram Grant following his FA Cup success with Portsmouth.
However, a second consecutive relegation remains an unpalatable possibility
for the Israeli. The Hammers begin this game in the bottom three, behind
Birmingham on goal difference. There were reports that Blues manager Alex
McLeish would have lost his job had his side not won their League Cup
semi-final tie. Instead, he looks certain to lead Birmingham out at their
first major Wembley final for 55 years. What he needs now, though, is a
league win after presiding over a run of eight points from nine games.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This is their fourth meeting of the season. They drew 2-2 in the league at
Birmingham and each won one leg of the League Cup semi final.
• Birmingham have won one of their last eight Premier League meetings - 1-0
at St Andrew's in December 2009 when Lee Bowyer scored the only goal.
• West Ham's only home defeat in the last nine league games against
Birmingham was by 2-1 in October 2002 (W6, D2, L1).
West Ham
• They have yet to manage back-to-back league wins this season.
• Avram Grant's side have conceded 44 league goals, a tally only surpassed
by West Brom (45).
• The Hammers have lost just one of their 13 matches against opponents in
the bottom half of the table (W4, D8, L1).
• Matthew Upson played for Birmingham between 2003 and 2007.
Birmingham
• The Blues have only won one of their last nine league matches, and failed
to keep a clean sheet in that time.
• They have the equal-fewest wins in the Premier League this season: four,
the same as Wigan.
• Birmingham have only won three of the eight matches in which they scored
first - the worst record in the division.
• They are looking for their 200th away victory in top-flight football.
• Loanee Matt Derbyshire could make his 100th English league appearance,
while Cameron Jerome is poised for his 200th club career start.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Ham
Piquionne: 8 goals (6 league); Obinna: 8 goals (3 league)
Birmingham
Gardner: 7 goals (5 league); Zigic: 5 goals (3 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Andy Garratt
Fourth official: Mark Clattenburg
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Ham (W3-1 v Blackpool, a): Green; Jacobsen, Gabbidon (Reid 33),
Tomkins, Bridge, O'Neil, Noble, Parker, Obinna (Boa Morte 83), Piquionne,
Keane (Kovac 84). Subs not used: Boffin, Cole, Sears, Ba.
Birmingham (D2-2 v Man City, h): Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell,
Bentley, Ferguson, Bowyer (Beausejour 75), Gardner, Jerome (Phillips 70),
Zigic. Subs not used: Doyle, Larsson, Fahey, Hleb, Davies.
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Benni not given a chance, says agent
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Rob Moore, the agent of West Ham striker Benni McCarthy, has criticised
Avram Grant for not giving him more playing time. McCarthy - who last week
refused to accept a £1million pay-off from the club, despite having earned
around £2million already for just 14 appearances and no goals - was left out
of Avram Grant's 25-man squad for the second half of the Premier League
season having failed to prove his fitness.
But Moore insists that his client is ready and willing to play - citing a
lack of faith from Grant for his omission. "Benni wants to play and is not a
guy who wants to sit around and collect his cheque," Moore told the Daily
Mail. "Avram has a job to do and the team are in a difficult position, so
you can't blame him for making decisions he believes in, but Benni has had
hardly any game time and it's inevitable he would get a bit disheartened.
"He's at the level of fitness and weight the club prescribed and they are
happy with that. But he is 33 years old and we have to be realistic."
Diplomatic as ever, Grant responded by praising McCarthy's natural ability -
but added that his pace - or lack of it - had been detrimental to his
chances of making the 25-man squad. "He's a very good player and one of the
best finishers in training that I have ever seen," said Grant, "and I have
had some good players. "He reached the [fitness] targets [set for him] but I
think that affected his movement. We need players with movement and the
advantage of being quick - and we have others."
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Ben Haim brouhaha rumbles on
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
The bizarre contract situation involving West Ham and Tal Ben Haim remains
unresolved, a month after he officially left the club. Portsmouth defender
Ben Haim - who spent the first half of the season on loan at the Boleyn
Ground - is understood to believe that under the terms of that deal - terms
that naturally remain undisclosed - he should have been offered an extended
deal until the end of the season. As a result Portsmouth, the club holding
his registration, have refused to pay him until the row is resolved. It is
reported that Ben Haim only returned to training with the Championship club
48 hours ago. An unnnamed West Ham spokesperson, obviously unimpressed by
Ben Haim's stance told The Observer: "As far as the club is concerned Tal
Ben Haim is back with Portsmouth and a Portsmouth player."
The Israeli international made 12 appearances for United during his
six-month stay, only eight of which came in the Premier League.
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One for sorrow?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker is the only Hammer named in Fabio Capello's latest England
squad. Parker, who has been in scintillating form of late earns his first
call up since being named in England's provisional 30-man squad for the 2010
World Cup Finals. However there was no place for the likes of Rob Green,
Matthew Upson, Wayne Bridge or Carlton Cole - all of whom have previous
international experience under their belt. England face Denmark in a
friendly on Wednesday night in Copenhagen. Capello's squad includes two
debutants - Fulham's 25-year-old back-up 'keeper David Stockdale and Aston
Villa's Kyle Walker. That Parker is the only Hammer travelling with the
squad should perhaps be counted as a blessing, given West Ham's luck with
players on international duty.
England senior squad
Ben Foster, Joe Hart, David Stockdale; Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley
Cole, Michael Dawson, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker;
Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner,
Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young; Gabriel Agbonlahor,
Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney
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Mixed day for Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are back down to 19th place in the Premier League this evening
following an afternoon of mixed results. With 41 goals scored in the
league's eight fixtures so far today there was no shortage of action across
the country. In terms of the relegation battle, Blackpool - who are
currently dropping like a stone having lost seven of their last eight games
- threw away a 3-2 lead against Everton at Goodison Park, eventually going
down 5-3. And there was further good news for those of a claret and blue
bent from the City of Manchester stadium, where a hat-trick from former
Hammer Carlos Tevez condemned West Brom to a 3-0 defeat. Sadly the news from
the DW Stadium wasn't so good, with Wigan hanging on for a frantic, final
few minutes to beat near neighbours Blackburn 4-3 - a result that lifts the
Latics above West Ham. Meanwhile Manchester United - unbeaten in the Premier
League for ten months - went down 2-1 at Wolves in today's evening kick-off,
a result that draws the Wanderers level on points with West Ham (although
they remain bottom by virtue of an inferior goals scored record).
As it stands: the bottom of the Premier League tonight
15 Blackpool 25-28 (-11)
16 West Bromwich Albion 25-26 (-17)
17 Wigan Athletic 26-26 (-18)
---------------------------------------------------
18 Birmingham City 23-24 (-10)
19 West Ham United 25-24 (-17)
20 Wolves 25-24 (-17)
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Brady blasts 'corporate vandalism'
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 5th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Hammers vice -chair Karren Brady has blasted Tottenham's Olympic Stadium
bid, claiming that removing the existing structure would be tantamount to
'corporate vandalism'. Brady, talking in her weekly column for the Sun
blasted the north Londoner's bid just 48 hours after Spurs CEO Daniel Levy
said that a vote in favour of West Ham's bid would leave the stadium a
'white elephant. "The support we're getting is terrific," said Brady. "The
world's great athletes are horrified at Spurs' scheme to blast the
£500million stadium into oblivion and replace it with a football-only
building. "Flattening the stadium would be an act of corporate vandalism.
More than this, the wasted £500m is the same as flushing away the tax paid
by 150,000 average earners for a year. "Or, put another way, knocking down
100 primary schools four weeks after they've been built. "
However Brady also insisted that the contentious running track - which
nearly three-quarters of West Ham supporters (according to a recent KUMB.com
poll) insisted was unacceptable - will remain regardless of the fans' views.
"The fact we are sharing the lease with athletics should put a stop to false
stories that say West Ham have, as Blackadder might say, a cunning plan to
rip up the track after three years," she confirmed.
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Noble's lofty ambitions
Noble eyes stability at West Ham so he can push on
Last updated: 5th February 2011
SSN
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is eyeing a firm base at Upton Park so the
Hammers can push on and realise his ambitions. The Hammers narrowly avoided
relegation under old boss Gianfranco Zola last term and have spent the
majority of this season propping up the Premier League table. There was
intense speculation current boss Avram Grant could be sacked by co-owners
David Sullivan and David Gold after the recent Arsenal defeat but the
Israeli managed to stay in his post. Noble says he has enjoyed playing under
Grant and now wants some stability at the club as he aims to achieve the
dual ambitions of UEFA Champions League football and to play for England.
But with the Hammers currently sitting third-from-bottom in the table after
the midweek victory at Blackpool, he concedes the immediate priority is to
stay in the top flight. The 23-year-old midfielder, , who has spent his
whole career with the Hammers, told the Daily Mail: "I want to play in the
Champions League. Every player does. "You want to play for your senior
national team. Every player does. "Obviously I will do everything I can to
achieve those goals.
Move out
"It would be lovely if they were for West Ham, but as a club we need to move
out of the stages we have been in over the last three or four years of
different chairmen, different managers. "We've got to get a firm base here,
get settled and get good players in who know the league. "We are slowly
starting to do that. We have to keep the club in the Premier League."
The Hammers missed out a Carling Cup final berth when going down to
Birmingham at the semi-final stage and Grant's side now face the Blues again
in the league on Sunday, in a clash being shown live on Sky Sports. Noble is
targeting victory in this game - which would see the Hammers leapfrog the
Blues - as well as a win against fellow strugglers West Brom next Saturday.
He said: "The manager isn't the loudest man in the world, he's not going to
scream and holler on the side of the pitch all the time, but he gets his
points across and I have enjoyed playing under him this year. "The Carling
Cup is not important any more. I would take winning the next two games over
a day out at Wembley playing Arsenal any day. The club seems to have settled
down a bit now."
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Ben-Haim back at Pompey
Pompey defender not looking to stay long
Last updated: 5th February 2011
SSN
Portsmouth defender Tal Ben-Haim is unlikely to appear for the club again
despite returning to training with the squad. The Israel defender had spent
the first half of the season on loan at West Ham as Pompey tried to clear
their expensive wage bill due to their financial problems, with his £30,000
a week salary not being paid by his parent club. However the former Chelsea
stopper has rejoined Steve Cotterill's side on the South Coast, although his
reunion with his team-mates is unlikely to be a long-term one. The player is
currently locked in a legal dispute with the Hammers after believing he had
done enough to earn a permanent deal with the club due to meeting agreements
in his contract. Whilst the issue is ongoing, Ben-Haim has had no choice but
to go back to Fratton Park,but his agent Pini Zahavi made it clear that his
client wanted things resolved with West Ham so that he could go back to
Upton Park."He is in Portsmouth at the moment and it is impossible to say
what will happen," Zahavi told the Portsmouth News. "He won't play for them
again, though, and we will know quite soon what is going to happen with West
Ham."
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Grant wants Hammers unity
Manager salutes players amid relegation scrap
Last updated: 5th February 2011
SSN
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
West Ham v Birmingham
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player
Avram Grant has called on West Ham to show a united front as they battle to
avoid relegation from the Premier League. The Hammers' season of struggle on
the field has been played out against a backdrop of speculation over Grant's
position as manager, which the club have done little to quell at times.
Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivanfinally gave the beleaguered Israeli
their support, but only after Martin O'Neill was widely reported to have
turned down the opportunity to replace him.
West Ham go into the weekend in the relegation zone with 13 games remaining,
but know that Newcastle, who are currently in 10th place, are just six
points ahead in the tightly packed standings. And Grant believes now is the
time for everyone associated with the Upton Park outfit to finally pull
together in a bid to stave off the drop into the Championship as they
prepare to tackle Birmingham.
Same target
He said: "I wish one day it will be more stable. I want all the people in
the club to be happy. We are going together to the same target. "I say to
the owners, the players, the kit men, everybody, we have the same target and
we need to be always together. "As a manager I am doing everything so that
this club will be in this direction. "In every club the difficulties have
come from different angles and I am very proud of what I did. I am very
proud of this season. "There are two kinds of people. When there is a fire
some people come with oil to make the fire bigger and some come with the
water. I come with water."
Grant has paid a glowing tribute to the efforts of his squad, who have
battled on against what he feels is adversity on every front to lift
themselves off the foot of the table.
Respect
"I say to the players it does not matter about people's opinions, it matters
what we are doing," he added. "You need to respect the players. They were in
a very difficult situation, six points behind, a lot of injuries, a lot of
problems, referee decisions against us in almost every game. "They did not
give up. I believe when you have a big moment you have to be stronger. "When
everything is going well you don't need the character, you need character in
a difficult situation. I never in my life gave up. "I try to transmit that
to the players and you saw from the players in the last match a very, very
good reaction to a very difficult situation."
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Bentley backs Keane to inspire Hammers
Published 23:00 05/02/11 By Ralph Ellis
The Mirror
David Bentley believes that Robbie Keane will inspire West Ham through their
relegation nightmare – and he should know. That's because Bentley says the
Spurs and Republic of Ireland striker was the man who provided him with the
example to guide him through his own battle against the drop . . at White
Hart Lane. The two Tottenham stars come face to face for different clubs
today – winger Bentley on loan at Birmingham, while Keane has gone to Upton
Park. And former England midfield ace Bentley knows exactly the effect that
the 30-year-old Keane will be having in the opposite dressing room. Bentley
said: "Robbie will have a big influence on West Ham. He is exactly the sort
of character you need in their situation. "He has got full commitment,
he's a good lad and knows how to have a laugh and joke, as well as to do the
right things when you need to be serious. I've great admiration for him.
"He was certainly a help to me. It is tough when you are training every week
and not playing. "But when you have somebody of his experience going
through the same thing it was a big help to see the right way to try to deal
with it. "You have to keep strong and keep focused, keep training hard,
perhaps even harder, and keep at it. "That's what he did – and so it was
what I tried to do too."
Bentley started only one Premier League game for Spurs this season, but he
has already begun to turn in Rolls-Royce performances for new club
Birmingham after signing until the end of the campaign. He was man of the
match in their midweek 2-2 draw with Manchester City and expects his new
club to clamber up the table. But first, they will have their work cut out
to keep Keane quiet today. Bentley said: "When I came out the dressing room
in midweek somebody told me that Robbie had scored at Blackpool and my
first reaction was: 'I'm not surprised by that at all'. "It was always
going to happen – he's a great scorer. "He would have wanted to play as
soon as he could, would have wanted to prove a point, and guess what? Here's
his first goal. "Robbie will always score goals. I think he got 16 in 19
games for Celtic when he went there on loan last year, so that just shows
you what he can do. "His movement is one of the best in the Premier League,
one of the best there's ever been in the Premier League come to that, and he
certainly knows where the goal is."
Bentley's own season is lifting off after signing at St Andrew's. He said:
"All you want as a footballer is being out on the football pitch and feeling
appreciated – and that is exactly what I am being given here."
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Avram reveals 'wish' for boardroom unity so that Hammers can move forward
Published 13:25 05/02/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant wants to see the day when West Ham can be united. The Hammers
boss has presided over a season of turbulence which has seen his side
fighting for Barclays Premier League survival while he has been fighting for
his job. The club's owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, backed him last
month but only after reports that Martin O'Neill had been offered the job at
Upton Park. Now Grant wants to consign all the in-fighting to history and
take West Ham to top-flight respectability, starting with tomorrow's home
encounter against Birmingham. Victory would take West Ham out of the
relegation zone and dump Birmingham, who last month denied the Hammers a
place in the Carling Cup final, into real trouble. Yet Grant believes West
Ham must unite, in the boardroom and the dressing room, if they are to
survive. He said: "I wish one day it will be more stable. I want all the
people in the club to be happy. We are going together to the same target. I
say to the owners, the players, the kit men, everybody, we have the same
target and we need to be always together. "As a manager I am doing
everything so that this club will be in this direction."
West Ham have won six, drawn three and lost only three of their last 12
matches as Grant's message has begun to hit home with the players. The
signings of Gary O'Neil, Demba Ba, Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane in the
January transfer window have raised expectations around Upton Park and
renewed faith in a manager who has had a tormented time so far in English
football. Grant's first season saw him try to stop the ship rocking
following Jose Mourinho's departure at Chelsea. His next job found him amid
the financial conflagration at Portsmouth. If anything the last six months
have been even more challenging. Grant is happy for his record to be
analysed. He said: "In every club the difficulties have come from different
angles and I am very proud of what I did. I am very proud of this season.
"There are two kinds of people. When there is a fire some people come with
oil to make the fire bigger and some come with the water. I come with
water."
Not that Grant seeks recognition for his side's improvement. He is much
happier praising players such as midfielder Scott Parker, who he believes
should be playing for England, and Victor Obinna who has scored five goals
in his last two matches. Grant, whose side beat Blackpool 3-1 at Bloomfield
Road on Wednesday, said: "I say to the players it does not matter about
people's opinions, it matters what we are doing. "You need to respect the
players. They were in a very difficult situation, six points behind, a lot
of injuries, a lot of problems, referee decisions against us in almost every
game. "They did not give up. I believe when you have a big moment you have
to be stronger. When everything is going well you don't need the character,
you need character in a difficult situation. I never in my life gave up. I
try to transmit that to the players and you saw from the players in the last
match a very, very good reaction to a very difficult situation." He is
looking for something similar tomorrow.
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McCarthy is linked with MLS
Football365.co.za
Former South Africa star Benni McCarthy has been frozen out at West Ham and
could next be on his way to America. The 33-year-old has failed to make the
Hammers' 25-man squad, meaning he will play no further part in the Premier
League this season. However, Major League Soccer outfit New England
Revolution have made enquiries about signing Bafana's record goalscorer,
according to talkSPORT. McCarthy, whose poor fitness saw him miss last
year's World Cup, has made just six substitute appearances this term without
finding the net. The January loan arrival of Tottenham striker Robbie Keane
- who scored on debut in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over Blackpool - has
forced McCarthy even further down the pecking order.
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West Ham on the rise as luck finally smiles on Victor Obinna
By Jonathan Liew 5:33PM GMT 05 Feb 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
Three games ago, Victor Obinna was disappearing down the Upton Park tunnel
after being sent off for kicking out at Birmingham's Sebastian Larsson
during the Carling Cup semi-final. Two games ago, he was scoring a brilliant
hat-trick to knock Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup single-handedly. In
his last game, he scored twice more, including what Ian Holloway called "one
of the goals of the season", as West Ham won 3-1 at Blackpool. Who knows
what the Nigerian might do this afternoon? Obinna's season, his first in
English football after signing on loan from Inter Milan, has rather mirrored
his club's. After a difficult, unsettled few months, during which the future
of manager Avram Grant was almost a daily topic of speculation, there is
finally a sense that a corner has been turned. Confidence is returning, and
the goals are beginning to flow. "With stuff about the manager, I thought it
really brought a lot of instability to us," he says. "Nobody knew what was
happening. The atmosphere here was different. But the spirit now is a little
bit more high. Finally, I'm getting the favours. "For everyone to be very
successful in life, you have to be a bit lucky. In these last two games,
I've been a bit more confident with myself in terms of composure and being
able to score goals."
Five months after swapping the San Siro for the East End, Obinna is finally
coming to terms with the culture shock. One of the first things he did on
signing for West Ham was to ask Karren Brady, the club's vice-chairman, to
make arrangements to bring his mother over from Nigeria. "She isn't here
yet, but she will be soon," he says. "At this moment my family are very
happy for me, because the goals are coming. I really like it in London. I
have so many friends in England, so it wasn't hard for me to adapt at all."
Obinna is a player who has always needed a sense of family and community
around him. After leaving Nigeria to join Italian side Chievo, the club
struggled in his first season in Serie A. "The first phase was absolutely
poor," he said. "I think we got six points in 17 games. We had to come
together as a team, stay together a couple of times, eat together, go out
together, do many things together as a unit."
Chievo were relegated on the final day of that season by a point, and it is
an experience Obinna is desperate not to repeat. It was really, really bad,"
he recalls. "Really, really sad for we the players, because we were like a
family. But at this point I think West Ham is better off. We deserve to be
in the middle of the table. But nobody is going to give you the chance to
win easily. You have to fight."
Having failed to excel during the autumn — his two goals against Blackpool
were only his second and third in the Premier League — Obinna's season may
be on the verge of exploding into life. The January signings of Demba Ba and
Robbie Keane have left West Ham with six front-line strikers, but Obinna's
searing recent form may well give him the edge. "It is not easy to come to
English football and have an impact immediately, but he is improving," Grant
says. "Your decisions need to be quicker than in other countries. This is
the reason that some players in their first year in England are not as good
as they can be. For him it has been quicker than I thought. He is improving
and his decisions are better."
It is not just the speed of the football that Obinna has had to manage. "The
mentality of a big team like Inter Milan is totally different to that of
West Ham," he says. "Over there, you've got top quality players. Their
mentality's just winning, winning, winning. Throughout their career they
have always won. You have someone like Javier Zanetti who is 37 years old,
and he has such a great winning mentality that keeps him going. The
difference here is that West Ham United is a club with challenges. They're
two totally different teams, two different types of play."
But Obinna's ambition was always to play in England. He remembers watching
players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu during the 1994 World Cup, both of whom
went on to light up the Premier League. "To follow in their footsteps is
emotional for me," Obinna says. "Kanu gave me loads of advice before I moved
here. He told me I could do well in England, that he had a great
relationship with the manager [Grant] when he was at Portsmouth and that
knowing the kind of person that I am, I would have the same. He told me to
give it a try, and you dare not refuse King Kanu." It might be a little
churlish to mention that Kanu has been relegated twice during his career,
with West Brom and Portsmouth. But with a third of the season remaining and
the squad beginning to gel, Obinna still has time to avoid a similar fate.
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West Ham deny contract wrangle with Portsmouth's Tal Ben Haim
Dispute leaves defender's £37,000-a-week wage unpaid
West Ham adamant Ben Haim is no longer their player
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 5 February 2011 23.52 GMT
West Ham have denied they are in a contract dispute with Tal Ben Haim, the
Portsmouth defender who was on loan at Upton Park for the first half of the
season before returning last month. It is understood that Portsmouth are not
paying his £37,000-a-week salary due to their claim that the Israeli is in
disagreement with West Ham and that he only trained for the first time on
Thursday. Ben Haim is said to believe that under the terms of his loan deal
with West Ham he should be offered an extension until the end of the season.
Asked about Ben Haim's situation, Steve Cotterill, the Portsmouth manager,
said: "I don't know the answer. That's more of a political question,
probably for someone else. He could come back I suppose, but I absolutely
don't know.
"The only small bit I do know is that he is in a disagreement with West Ham
over whether his contract was valid from 1 January. As a player we would
welcome him. Whether we would welcome his wage is a question for someone
else." A West Ham spokesperson said: "As far as the club is concerned Tal
Ben Haim is back with Portsmouth and a Portsmouth player."
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McCarthy is fined £200,000 by West Ham for being too fat... but is then
dropped because slimming regime made him too slow
By LEO SPALL and ALEX MONTGOMERY Last updated at 1:03 AM on 6th February
2011
Daily Mail
Benni McCarthy has been fined almost £200,000 by West Ham for failing to
meet fitness targets in his bizarre battle of the bulge. But having finally
slimmed down as Avram Grant finalised his 25-man Premier League squad for
the second half of the season, he was left out because his slimming regime
made him too slow. Hammers boss Grant believes the weight loss has slowed
the striker down saying: 'He reached the targets but I think that affected
his movement,' who last week left McCarthy out of his 25-man Premier League
squad. 'He's a very good player and one of the best finishers in training
that I have ever seen, and I have had some good players. 'But now we need
players with movement and the advantage of being quick, and we have others.'
McCarthy was challenged at the beginning of the season to lose 2.2lb in
weight for five or six weeks or face a fine of one week's wages each time he
failed. He reached his target of 13st 5lb by October after ballooning to
more than 15st at one stage and his body fat went down from 24.2 per cent at
the end of last season to 16 per cent by mid-August. A professional athlete
is expected to carry from five to 12 per cent. McCarthy earns £38,000 a week
and appears to have been fined five times in his long-term weight battle.
Benni McCarthy's weight-watchers loss
13st 5lb: McCarthy's target weight
December 2009: Failed to meet Blackburn's weight targets and clashes with
manager Sam Allardyce over extra fitness training
May 2010: His body fat reaches 24.2 per cent — more than double that of a
healthy athlete
June 2010: Left out of South Africa's World Cup squad because of fitness
problems
August 2010: At West Ham, told to lose 2.2lb a week at start of season or
face a £38,000 fine each time he fails
September 2010: McCarthy has lost 18lb but has more to go
October 2010: Finally reaches West Ham's 13st 5lb target
February 2011: Fit, but told he's too slow for Premier League
Injuries have not helped, but his fitness success has damaged his prospects,
if not his bank balance. Grant claims McCarthy has remained upbeat despite
his problems. 'I don't know if you know Benni,' said the manager. 'He is
always happy.' But his agent, Rob Moore, insisted this should not be
misinterpreted,saying: 'He wants to play and is not a guy who wants to sit
around and collect his cheque. 'Avram has a job to do and the team are in a
difficult position, so you can't blame him for making decisions he believes
in, but Benni has had hardly any game time and it's inevitable he would get
a bit disheartened. 'He's at the level of fitness and weight the club
prescribed and they are happy with that. But he is 33 years old and we have
to be realistic.'
West Ham have just signed Robbie Keane on loan and have Victor Obinna,
Frederic Piquionne and Carlton Cole ahead of McCarthy. He is wanted by two
MLS clubs on loan but might have to take a temporary move to a Championship
club to get playing again. The former Blackburn striker, signed from Rovers
for £2.5million in January last year, had a trial for QPR last month but was
unable to clinch a deal. McCarthy's wages could be an obstacle to a loan
move if they are not subsidised, but limiting additional outlay will be a
priority. The total bill for McCarthy's services to West Ham has reached
around £4.3m yet he has made just 14 appearances without scoring. He has 17
months left on his contract, which could cost the club a further £2.8m in
wages, and he has declined a £1m offer to terminate his deal.
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WEST HAM v Birmingham: Avram Grant to monitor strikers before naming
starting XI
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 4:30 PM on 4th February 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant will wait to see strikers Frederic Piquionne and Carlton Cole in
a late training session before naming his West Ham side for Sunday's clash
against Birmingham. Jack Collison and Thomas Hitzlsperger, meanwhile,
continue their recovery from long-term injuries while Manu Da Costa played
an hour for the reserves earlier this week, his first competitive action
since injuring an ankle against Arsenal in October.
West Ham (From): Green, Jacobsen, Gabbidon, Reid, Tomkins, Bridge, O'Neil,
Noble, Parker, Obinna, Boa Morte, Piquionne, Keane, Kovac, Ilunga, Boffin,
Cole, Sears, Ba
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West Ham midfielder Mark Noble: The League Cup isn't important, escaping
relegation is
Noble believes club were right to stick with Avram Grant
Gaol.com
By Luke Reddy
6 Feb 2011 07:18:00
West Ham favourite Mark Noble has rubbished Birmingham City's League Cup
exploits ahead of Sunday's relegation six-pointer against Alex McLeish's
side.
The Hammers were dumped out by Birmingham in extra-time at the semi-final
stage, but Noble believes forthcoming Premier League fixtures are of far
greater importance. Noble told the Daily Mail: "The Carling Cup is not
important any more. "I would take winning the next two games over a day out
at Wembley playing Arsenal any day."
West Ham, Birmingham and Wolves are currently locked on 24 points at the
foot of the Premier League and Noble believes that under the management of
Avram Grant and the ownership of David Sullivan and David Gold, the Hammers
are establishing a base from which they can build. "We've got to get a firm
base here, get settled and get good players in who know the league. "We are
slowly starting to do that. We have to keep the club in the Premier League,"
he added. Noble scored against Birmingham in the first-leg of the Carling
Cup semi-final at a time when the position of manager Avram Grant was under
intense scrutiny. Since then, results have improved and Noble feels
sticking with the manager was the right thing to do. He added: "The manager
isn't the loudest man in the world, he's not going to scream and holler on
the side of the pitch all the time, but he gets his points across and I have
enjoyed playing under him this year."
Still only 23, Noble has made over 130 appearances for his boyhood club and
been capped 20 times by England at Under-21 level. He hopes he can achieve
Champions League football with the Hammers and eventually break into the
full England set-up. "I want to play in the Champions League. Every player
does," added Noble. "You want to play for your senior national team. Every
player does. "Obviously I will do everything I can to achieve those goals.
"It would be lovely if they were for West Ham, but as a club we need to move
out of the stages we have been in over the last three or four years of
different chairmen, different managers."
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