WHUFC.com
Demba Ba has hailed the spirit of his new team-mates after a dramatic full West Ham United debut
13.02.2011
Demba Ba has hailed the 'force and spirit' shown by West Ham United in recovering a three-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers looked dead and buried when goals from Graham Dorrans, Jerome Thomas and a Winston Reid own-goal had the Baggies almost out of sight within the opening 33 minutes. However Ba, who had earlier seen a low shot hit the post and team-mate Gary O'Neil rattle the crossbar, sparked a barely-believable second-half comeback with a clinical finish five minutes after half-time. Carlton Cole nodded in a second eight minutes later before Ba completed a memorable full debut by burying a fierce right-foot volley with seven minutes to play. The January signing from German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim told West Ham TV he was happy with his display at The Hawthorns.
"I'm very pleased," said the 25-year-old. "We started very badly but we finished with a lot of force and spirit and it was a great change. We were sleeping in the first half. "The manager said at half-time that if we wanted to get something out of the game then we had to start fighting, which is what we did in the second half. "I'm very happy with my two goals but very tired as it is a long time since I played from the beginning. I didn't think I could play 90 minutes but obviously I'm very happy that I managed to do so. "I try to score from every position, whether the ball comes to me from the left or the right. I just try to hit the ball into the net and obviously on Saturday it happened twice!"
Since his arrival last month, Ba has quickly struck up a close friendship with Cole, and the Senegal forward believes he can forge a productive partnership with the England international. "I definitely think we can work together. In training, I play not only with Carlton but with the other forward players and I always try to give my best and to understand how to play with the other players. "With Carlton it was very nice because we have a certain friendship and to play up front with him on Saturday was very good."
Ba also hailed the impact made by the introduction of Piquionne, who assisted Cole's goal with his first touch after being introduced as a substitute before hitting the West Brom crossbar with a towering header moments later. "He made the difference because we had one more up front thinking as a striker. It was good after he came on because he gave us a second energy."
The new No21 also praised the spirit shown by every player in claret and blue for their resilience and unwillingness to accept defeat, no matter how long the odds stacked against them at the break. "When you play a second half like we did, we have to be very happy. We wanted to forget the first half and did everything to put it aside. Now we have to play like that from the beginning. "I'm excited about every game we're playing, whether it's Liverpool [in our next league game] or West Bromwich. We try to win and do everything to win the games and, at the end of the day, we hope we'll have the three points. "This second half can be a good reference for us so we will try to not forget it and to continue in this vein."
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Ladies regain top spot
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies went back to the top of the table following a 2-0 victory over Gillingham
14.02.2011
Gillingham Ladies 0-2 West Ham United Ladies
West Ham United Ladies went back to the top of the FA Women's Premier League South after securing a 2-0 victory over Gillingham. An Emma Thomas free-kick was deflected past her own goalkeeper by Gillingham defender Sarah Jones to give the Hammers the lead midway through the first half before a Thomas corner was headed in by Stacey Little shortly before half-time to make the game safe. With pre-weekend leaders Keynsham Town seeing their match postponed, Julia Setford's side took full advantage at Thurrock FC to leap-frog their title rivals into top spot. "It was a great win," said the manager. "The girls played really well and it was a good all-round team performance. We kept possession of the ball and worked it, and when we couldn't go anywhere we kept it. We played across the park and when the openings came we took our chances."
West Ham are now two points above Keynsham, who have a game in-hand, while third-placed Portsmouth are seven points adrift having played two matches less than the Hammers. "Portsmouth are a big threat to us and obviously Keynsham are chasing behind us all the time, while Charlton are also a threat to us. They are all big threats to us because every single week, we think it's not going to be easy because everybody wants to beat the team at the top. "Hopefully, if we stay professional then we can go all the way."
Captain Nat Gratfon said the Ladies had rediscovered their confidence after a difficult spell in late January that saw them knocked out of the League Cup at Leicester City before being beaten 2-0 at home by Keynsham in the league. "The team spirit is really good," said Grafton." We went through a patch when we were a bit rocky on the pitch and we weren't getting results, but we've picked it up again. We all work as a team and we defended from the front and I think that's what has killed teams off this team and last week. "We're closing them down in their own box, attacking for the whole game and not let letting them out and now we've got that belief back and we're still sitting at the top. "We're defending up high and I think that helps because it's hard for them to get through to us at the back. When they do, we're nice and tight as well and it's making it hard for teams to break through us again like it was at the start of the season. We've re-grouped and got it back and it's going well for us."
The Ladies travel to Colchester United in the Essex County Cup semi-final on Sunday before hosting the same opposition in the FA Women's Cup fourth round on Sunday 27 February.
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U18s clip Canaries
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scored an important 3-2 FA Premier Academy League victory over Norwich City
14.02.2011
West Ham United U18s 3-2 Norwich City U18s
West Ham United continue to climb the FA Premier Academy League Group A table following a 3-2 victory over Norwich City. The Hammers are up to fourth in the standings after recording their sixth win in seven matches courtesy of goals from Robert Hall and Matthias Fanimo and a maiden strike from January signing Paul McCallum. West Ham moved within two points of new leaders Arsenal and second-placed Southampton - who were beaten by south coast rivals Portsmouth - with another entertaining display at Little Heath. England Under-17 international forward Hall put the hosts ahead when the home side broke out from a Norwich corner. Blair Turgott ran from one penalty area to the other with the ball before slipping the ball to Hall, who lifted his shot over the goalkeeper and into the net. The second goal also arrived before half-time when Hall chased a long clearance out of defence before laying the ball into the path of Fanimo, who finished confidently from just inside the penalty area. Norwich halved the deficit before the break, but West Ham were not to be denied their seventh league win of the season. Fanimo was involved again, doing some good work before finding substitute Elliot Lee, whose shot was parried into the path of McCallum. The former Dulwich Hamlet striker made no mistake from close-range. Although Norwich again pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining, West Ham had plenty of chances to add to their lead, with Dominic Vose, Fanimo and Turgott all passing up decent opportunities.
Academy Director Tony Carr MBE was pleased with his side's performance and the result they achieved against a strong Norwich team.
"Overall, we deserved the win," Carr told whufc.com "We have now scored three goals in each of our last four matches. We have conceded six, but four of them were in one game against Southampton, so I'm pleased with the way we're attacking and with the way we're defending. "Since the Christmas break, the boys have got into a good stride and even in the two games we have lost, to Manchester United the FA Youth Cup and to Southampton, we have played very well and could easily have won them. "We have got ten league matches remaining and we are finishing the season strongly. Hopefully we will continue to improve. "As long as we keep improving and playing like we have been recently, we will keep climbing the league and you never know what might happen if the teams above us slip up."
West Ham face another important match this coming Saturday when they travel to third-place Crystal Palace. The Eagles are just a point above West Ham after losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal last weekend. Kick-off at Palace's Beckenham training ground is at 11am.
West Ham United U18: Wootton, Young, Potts, Sanchez, Hunt, Turgott, Vose, Moncur, Fanimo (Purdy 75), Hall (E.Lee 70), McCallum (Tombides 75)
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
A measured approach to his half-time thinking helped the Hammers to turn things around at the weekend
14.02.2011
Avram Grant has revealed why he held firm at half-time of Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion - despite the grim situation facing his team.
The manager was questioned on why he chose not to make any changes, having seen three goals put past Robert Green without reply on an intimidating afternoon at The Hawthorns. Instead, he focused efforts on altering the tactics and giving his players the belief to come back stronger in the second half. He was certainly not thinking about what a defeat might mean personally. "The last thing I was thinking at the half-time was about myself," he said, preferring instead for his players to display extra courage and character. "I said to the players you need to think how you can change the game. We spoke about that it is good to show belief, and that if we could do a little bit more, we could get something from the game. "We changed the formation from 4-4-2 tactically. I didn't change the personnel because I thought we could do it with the same players. Sometimes at half-time, changing players is not the answer. It can also suggest you are panicking. "I wanted to show the players we trust them to do the job. We started the second half very well and not just because of the goal. We pressed well and then I was able to make the change with Freddie Piquionne, and he was good for us. "I thought about changing but it shows the players that you trust them. Even if the first half was not so good, we had finished with a lot of possession."
That first half was an incredible 45 minutes, with the Baggies racing into a three-goal lead with some dominant play. Nevertheless, the Hammers had twice hit the woodwork and had a perfectly good goal disallowed. Grant knew there was still all to play for and so it proved as two fine finishes from Demba Ba, either side of a Carlton Cole header, restored parity. It could even have been better. "I think if you look at the chances, we could have won the game. We scored three goals, also had a goal that was onside ruled out - two were cleared from the line, we hit the bar two times and we hit the post. We created a lot of chances. We just paid the price for poor defending in the first half."
While Scott Parker's inspiration as stand-in skipper rightly got the post-match attention, Grant also paid tribute to the massed ranks of travelling supporters. It was a familiar story from the ever-grateful manager. "I understand the fans very well. They came all the way and we were three-nil down. Then it became 3-3 and they were so happy. "We show a lot of character in difficult situations. The fans are great for us. They are behind us. Except for one game at Liverpool, which I fully understand, they have always been behind us."
Those supporters were particularly noisy for their new hero, with Ba setting the bar high on his full debut in a Hammers shirt. Grant said it was an especially strong contribution because he had spent a month on the sidelines before his switch from German football. "Demba is a good player. He has good quality. We needed him to do 90 minutes which he hadn't done because he has only just started to train, but it wasn't a problem. "He doesn't remind me of anyone. He is not the next Drogba or the next Tevez, I think Demba Ba is just Demba Ba!"
Ba got his chance with Victor Obinna withdrawing with an ankle problem picked up back in Nigeria, while Robbie Keane is out for at least a month with a calf injury. In all, five players from the previous awayday triumph at Blackpool were ruled out including defensive trio Danny Gabbidon (hamstring), James Tomkins (calf) and captain Matthew Upson (achilles tendonitis). "This is the situation, we need to deal with it and handle it," added Grant, refusing to make excuses. One major positive, though, is Thomas Hitzlsperger's return from a thigh injury suffered while captaining Germany back in August. The midfielder could feature for the reserves again on Wednesday, before Monday week's FA Cup fifth-round visit of Burnley. "Thomas has been the biggest frustration of the season. He was great in pre-season when we didn't lose a game. He played for Germany three days before the start of the season and they kept him on for 70 minutes. We needed him on the bench against West Brom because of our injuries but we didn't really want to use him. If he continues like he has been doing, he will be back soon."
After Burnley, Liverpool travel to the Boleyn on Sunday 27 February and the manager is full of faith in his team to get the 15 points he thinks could be enough to secure survival from the last eleven matches. "We have built a good squad. If everyone is fit, or even if 90 per cent are fit, we have a good team. If you make a form table of the last ten games, we are in the middle of the league."
Certainly the Olympic Stadium decision could be a catalyst for further improvement. "We are thinking positively. We have a long-term plan here at West Ham. We knew the first year would be difficult but our vision is that every year we will do the right thing. "When we come to the stadium we will have a good team in the Premier League. We have a long term vision but long-term vision in football has to start with the next match."
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Keane back in three weeks
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Robbie Keane could be back in time to face Stoke on the first weekend of March. The Irish striker was initially thought likely to be sidelined for around six weeks after damaging a calf in the 1-0 home defeat against Birmingham. However it is now thought that Keane - who scored on his Hammers debut in the 3-1 win at Blackpool a fortnight ago - could be back in time to face Stoke at the Boleyn on Saturday, 5th March - a fortnight earlier than first thought. Elsewhere Victor Obinna has an outside chance of making his return against Burnley in the FA Cup this weekend. The Nigerian striker - who, contrary to rumours, has not broken a foot - complained of a sore foot during international duty last week and, if not fit fot this weekend, should return the following week when Liverpool come to town. Meanwhile Thomas Hitzlsperger - who made the first team squad for the first time when named as (an unused) sub against West Brom last weekend - is set to make his debut for West Ham in the FA Cup this weekend having finally recovered from injury. Jack Collison, the other long term injury is still some weeks away from being fully fit despite being back in training.
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Not Ba-d at all
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Demba Ba has expressed his delight at bagging a brace on his full debut. The Senegalese striker, who joined West Ham from Hoffenheim in a £1.5million switch last month has already gone some way to repaying that fee with the two-goal haul that went some considerably way to dragging West Ham back into Saturday's game, following an horrific start that saw United 3-0 down at the break. Talking to whufc.tv this morning, he said: "I'm very pleased. We started very badly but we finished with a lot of force and spirit and it was a great change. We were sleeping in the first half. "I'm very happy with my two goals but very tired as it is a long time since I played from the beginning. I didn't think I could play 90 minutes but obviously I'm very happy that I managed to do so."When you play a second half like we did, we have to be very happy. We wanted to forget the first half and did everything to put it aside. Now we have to play like that from the beginning. "This second half can be a good reference for us so we will try to not forget it - and to continue in this vein."
Ba - who has also hit the post twice in his opening two appearances whilst having another effort cleared off the line - has enjoyed a decent goals-to-games ratio throughout his professional career. Having failed to make the breakthrough at Watford - where the teenager was deemed surplus to requirements by Aidy Boothroyd - Ba joined French club Rouen in 2005, for whom he scored an impressive 22 goals from 26 appearances. Then, having been snapped up by Mouscron the following summer at the end of his one-year-contract Ba opened his account with three goals in his first three games for the club - before disaster struck. A tibia fracture left him sidelined for the next eight months - although he showed no sign of ill-effect when returning to end the season with seven more goals from only nine appearances, taking his season tally to 10 from 12. That form was enough to persuade current Bundesliga members Hoffenheim to part with €3 million in the summer of 2007. Over the course of the next three seasons, Ba notched 40 goals in 104 games for 1899 - who reluctantly agreed to allow the player to leave last month. In addition to his club career, Ba has also scored two goals in eight outings for Senegal.
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Grant backs rebel-rouser Parker
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant has revealed that he was happy for Scott Parker to deliver the rousing half-time speech that inspired West Ham's comeback at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Parker's stern words, delivered with West Ham 3-0 down at the time spurred the team on to an unlikely comeback to earn a draw - that, with a little more luck, could have been a win. And Grant, talking to Talksport's new 'dream team' of Richard Keys and Andy Gray, insists that he has no qualms with one of his players performing a job traditionally tasked to the manager. "When we got to half time the players were frustrated. Some of them spoke between themselves," said Grant. "Scott Parker spoke very well then we changed the system. Of course we said to them what we needed to do to change the game and I'm very happy that the players did it. It was 3-3 but we had a big chance to win it 4-3. "I always say to the players, for three or four minutes to sit between themselves, to relax, to think about what's happened - then I come in with my ideas. But you cannot put too much information to the players at half time. "I'm [usually] concerned about three or four things that can change [the game]. Sometimes I make them relax or sometimes [I can be] be aggressive with them. But in this case I thought that if we relaxed it would not help because the players were almost in shock."
Grant, who spoke last week about his passionate nature also confirmed that he remains confident of his team's ability to avoid relegation - even if he refuses to get too worked up about it on the touchline. "I'm thinking about a lot of things between games and during the game," he added. "The game is the most important thing and the worst thing that can happen is that I follow my emotions. Everybody has emotions at this club, be it the owners or the players so one man has to be calm to take decisions that aren't emotional. I like emotions but the decisions cannot be emotional. "We want to survive, we want to stay in the league and we are very confident that we can do it. We have difficult games until the end of the season but we want to be hard to beat. We can do it; many players are coming back from injury in the next two weeks so there will be more opportunity for us. "We knew that it would be a tough season. Even if we don't want to be in this position we want to stay in the league and then take the team forward every season."
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West Ham for sale - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's board are once again looking to shift the remaining available shares in the club. 35 per cent of West Ham United is still owned by Straumur, the Icelandic bank who took control of Bjorgolffur Gusmundsson's concerns when his empire collapsed in the wake of the 2008 banking crisis. And a new pleae for potential investors has been issued today - just three days after the club were awarded the Olympic Stadium, a decision that is expected to see the value of David Sullivan and David Gold's shareholdings (currently 31 per cent each) soar.
An unnamed club spokesman, talking to Harry Harris today said: "The club's value has been enormously increased and there is a unique opportunity to buy the remaining 35% of the club for around £35-40 million. Once all the shares are placed it is anticipated that they'll increase enormously in value over the coming few years as the club moves to the Olympic Stadium for the start of the 2014-15 season.
"There is a chance the value of the club could go from £100 million to £500 million, to £700 million over five years when we move. There are only four big clubs in London: Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham, and West Ham is by far the cheapest. Yet it has great heritage and a huge fan base and, with the Olympic Stadium, it can become a top-five club in the future."
Critics of Sullivan and Gold's have long insisted that the pair's real reason for investing in West Ham was to make a killing by selling the Boleyn Ground, moving to Stratford and then selling their stakes for huge profit with the club secure in their new, iconic home.
And whilst previous attempts to lure additional investors to West Ham have failed, with the club a much more attractive proposition since Friday's decision many are tipping the club to be sold once agin before the beginning of the 2014/15 season, when the Irons are set to play their first game in their new home.
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New Olympic Stadium forum
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 14th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
In the wake of Friday's decision confirming West Ham's move to Stratford, KUMB.com has created a new forum specifically for discussion relating to the move. Our new Olympic Stadium forum can be found at www.kumb.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=39, or from the Forum sub-menu in our main navigation menu above. West Ham were given the green light to move to Stratford on Friday when the OPLC's ruling committee unanimously agreed to award the tenancy to United. The club are hoping to move in for the beginning of the 2014/15 season.
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Revival delights Ba
Hammers' new signing pleased with second-half comeback
Last updated: 14th February 2011
SSN
West Ham's new striker Demba Ba was delighted with the side's comeback against West Brom, but admits they were 'asleep' in the first half. The Hammers endured a woeful opening 45 minutes at The Hawthorns on Saturday after trailing 3-0 at half-time following a poor defensive display. However, spurred on by a rousing half-time talk from captain Scott Parker, West Ham were transformed in the second half. Ba helped himself to a brace, his first goals for the club, while Carlton Cole also scored a brave header to help the Hammers claim a crucial point on the road.
Pleased
"I'm very pleased," Ba told the club's official website. "We started very badly but we finished with a lot of force and spirit and it was a great change. We were sleeping in the first half. "The manager said at half-time that if we wanted to get something out of the game then we had to start fighting, which is what we did in the second half. "I'm very happy with my two goals but very tired as it is a long time since I played from the beginning. I didn't think I could play 90 minutes but obviously I'm very happy that I managed to do so. "I try to score from every position, whether the ball comes to me from the left or the right. I just try to hit the ball into the net and obviously on Saturday it happened twice!"
Partnership
Since his arrival last month, Ba has quickly struck up a close friendship with Cole, and the Senegal forward believes he can forge a productive partnership with the England international. "I definitely think we can work together," he continued. "In training, I play not only with Carlton but with the other forward players and I always try to give my best and to understand how to play with the other players. "With Carlton it was very nice because we have a certain friendship and to play up front with him on Saturday was very good."
West Ham entertain Liverpool in their next Premier League outing and Ba is targeting the three points against Kenny Dalglish's resurgent outfit. "I'm excited about every game we're playing, whether it's Liverpool or West Bromwich. We try to win and do everything to win the games and, at the end of the day, we hope we'll have the three points."
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Hammers vision excites Grant
Manager looking to build for bright future
Last updated: 14th February 2011
SSN
Avram Grant believes the long-term outlook is bright for West Ham but is staying focused on the next match as he aims to keep the club in the Premier League. The Hammers were last week named as the preferred bidders to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 and the Government is expected to ratify the decision shortly. Owners David Gold and David Sullivan plan to make the ground West Ham's home for the start of the 2014/15 season and have spoken of their excitement about what the future holds for the club. Grant shares their enthusiasm but accepts that he must focus on more short-term targets, such as beating Burnley in the FA Cup next Monday. West Ham will then return to Premier League duty against Liverpool on 27th February and Grant is confident his men can pull clear of trouble and beat the drop. "We are thinking positively. We have a long-term plan here at West Ham," the manager told the club's official website.
Good team
"We knew this first year would be difficult but our vision is that every year we will do the right thing. "When we come to the (Olympic) stadium we will have a good team in the Premier League. "We have a long-term vision but in football that has to start with the next match." Grant has had to contend with injuries to key players all season but has been encouraged by recent results, despite West Ham remaining two points adrift of safety following Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Brom. We built a good squad and if everyone is fit, or even if 90% are fit, we have a good team," he said. "If you make a table from the last 10 games, we are in the middle of the league."
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Grant claims the future is bright
The Sun
Published: 14 Feb 2011
AVRAM GRANT believes he is on course to realise his long-term vision for West Ham. Grant's position as Hammers boss is still under threat with the club currently two points adrift of safety. But the Israeli is confident the Londoners face a bright future after being named as the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium. And he intends to stick around for as long as possible despite the fact West Ham are facing the ever increasing possibility of dropping out of the Premier League. Grant said: "We are thinking positively. We have a long-term plan here at West Ham. "We knew this first year would be difficult but our vision is that every year we will do the right thing. "When we come to the Olympic Stadium we will have a good team in the Premier League. We have a long-term vision but in football that has to start with the next match. "We built a good squad and if everyone is fit, or even in 90 per cent are fit, we have a good team. "If you make a table from the last 10 games, we are in the middle of the league."
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Hammers want third owner
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM are looking for a new co-owner to help them cash in on their move to the Olympic Stadium. David Gold and David Sullivan paid just over £60million to buy a 62 per cent interest in January last year. Now they want an investor to buy the 35 per cent still held by Icelandic bank Straumur for around £40m.
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Hammers line up FIVE old boys for fast-track gaffer scheme
Published 23:00 14/02/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham want to become an old boys' club – by bringing through the next boss from within the ranks of ex-players. Hammers have been busy interviewing FIVE former stars, who are being lined up to join Avram Grant's coaching staff and be groomed for a top post at the club. Julian Dicks, Kenny Brown, Steve Lomas, Ian Pearce and Steve Potts have all been willingly grilled – and the decision is due within few days. 'Terminator' Dicks is manager at Grays Athletic, where Brown – whose dad was a Hammers coach – is his assistant. Lomas has earned his coaching badges, has experience in non-league football and is available. Pearce is in a similar category after leaving Lincoln City, where he was sacked along with Chris Sutton. Former skipper Potts, seen as managerial material in his prime, is also in the frame.He is working as a taxi driver, but could be tempted back into the game by the right offer from Upton Park.
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Grant confident of realising his 'long-term vision' for West Ham
Published 11:00 14/02/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Avram Grant is confident of realising his "long-term vision" for West Ham despite the prospect of relegation. The club were delighted to be named as the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium last week, a step which owners David Gold and David Sullivan believe could usher in a bright future. Grant is also working towards that, but accepts their perilous league position means they must for now focus on one game at a time. The Hammers are just one point above bottom club Wolves, who have played one game fewer, but Grant is refusing to be downbeat after coming back from three down to score a 3-3 draw at West Brom on Saturday. He told the club's official website: "We are thinking positively. We have a long-term plan here at West Ham. "We knew this first year would be difficult but our vision is that every year we will do the right thing. "When we come to the (Olympic) stadium we will have a good team in the Premier League. We have a long-term vision but in football that has to start with the next match. "We built a good squad and if everyone is fit, or even in 90% are fit, we have a good team. If you make a table from the last 10 games, we are in the middle of the league."
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Pearce on Premier League collision course after under-21 pull-outs
Published 10:06 14/02/11 By Mick McGrath
The Mirror
England U21 boss Stuart Pearce is on a collision course with Premier League managers after almost all his withdrawn players featured at the weekend.
Pearce dealt with 11 pull-outs ahead of this week's friendly against Italy. Of these, Martin Kelly, Micah Richards, Chris Smalling and Jordan Henderson played 90 minutes for their clubs on Saturday. Daniel Sturridge and Mark Davies started for Bolton, while Tom Cleverley came off the bench for Wigan.
Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and Aston Villa's Fabian Delph were fit enough to be named in their matchday squads. West Ham's James Tomkins was the only withdrawn player not to feature. Former England defender Phil Neville has blasted the pull-outs as "disgraceful" and said he felt "ashamed" over the poor showing.
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Tony Cottee Column: Why did Grant not rouse West Ham at half-time?
Tony Cottee, East London Advertiser Columnist
Monday, February 14, 2011
2:14 PM
A POINT at West Brom is disappointing, but the team must be commended for coming back from three goals down to claim a point. Last week I said the match at the Hawthorns was must-win for West Ham, considering the Hammers have eight tough fixtures ahead and it worries me that Scott Parker was the one to give the inspirational half-time chat. It begs the question what the manager was doing at that time and why it wasn't him geeing the team up?
Before the match and at half-time is when the manager really earns his money and it adds fuel to the fire that he struggles to motivate players. Obviously I'm pleased Parker did, because it clearly worked and Carlton Cole after the match told the press how effective his speech was, but I don't remember in my time as a player the captain ever talking at the break in that manner. Something obviously needed to be said because the first half performance was unacceptable. The defending was horrendous. Yes Graham Dorrans opener was a fine strike, but nobody closed the player down, while the same could be said for the second goal, when four players had the opportunity, but failed to prevent Jerome Thomas from shooting.
The third was from a set piece and it is becoming massive concern we keep conceding goals from free kicks. I accept we have three central defenders injured, but Manuel Da Costa is probably the strongest player at the club in the air and Winston Reid is also tall. It almost seems like nobody wants to attack and clear the ball and West Ham will keep conceding unless we improve. Thankfully we were far better in the second half and took advantage of West Brom's weakness at the back. With the attacking players we have we were always going to create chances and Frederic Piquionne's appearance off the bench cannot be underestimated.
He was superb, like he was against Blackpool, but the problem with Freddie like the rest of our strikers at the moment is consistency. He was poor against Birmingham and we need somebody to step up and find the net on a regular basis. Could Demba Ba be that man? We'll see. He looked sharp against Birmingham and did well again scoring twice on Saturday. He looks a real threat.
Tony Cottee was talking to Matt Diner
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Are you sure, Avram? Grant looks forward to future at West Ham despite looming drop threat
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 2:59 PM on 14th February 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant is confident of realising his 'long-term vision' for West Ham despite the prospect of relegation. The club were delighted to be named as the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium last week, a step which owners David Gold and David Sullivan believe could usher in a bright future. Grant is also working towards that, but accepts their perilous league position means they must for now focus on one game at a time. The Hammers are just one point above bottom club Wolves, who have played one game fewer, but Grant is refusing to be downbeat after coming back from three down to score a 3-3 draw at West Brom on Saturday. He told the club's official website: 'We are thinking positively. We have a long-term plan here at West Ham. 'We knew this first year would be difficult but our vision is that every year we will do the right thing. 'When we come to the (Olympic) stadium we will have a good team in the Premier League. We have a long-term vision but in football that has to start with the next match. 'We built a good squad and if everyone is fit, or even in 90 per cent are fit, we have a good team. If you make a table from the last 10 games, we are in the middle of the league.'
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West Ham looking for new investment after Olympic Stadium triumph
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 2:01 AM on 15th February 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are looking to sell a 35percent stake in the club for around £35million. The Premier League strugglers have seen their stock rise following the award of preferred bidding for the Olympic Stadium and are looking to capitalise by attracting new investment. Initial talks are already understood to have taken place with interested parties from the Middle East. The new investors would take over shares held by Straumur Bank.
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Keane and Collison turn to ice chamber in bid to beat injury
By talkSPORT
Monday, February 14
Robbie Keane and Jack Collison have turned to an ice chamber in their attempts to make a first-team return for West Ham. Irishman Keane was ruled out for a month after picking up a calf injury in just his second game for the club against Birmingham last week, while Collison has missed the entire season after undergoing knee surgery last summer. Both players are keen to speed up their recovery and were joined by former boxing heavyweight champion Frank Bruno as they visited an ice chamber on Monday. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Tottenham squad have also used the chamber, where the temperature is below -130C and the blood supply is faster, bringing more oxygen to the injured area. Players are asked to put grips over thighs and arms, tucking the bandages into socks and gloves for protection, while headbands are used to cover ears and white clogs are put on the players' feet.
Collison, speaking on his Twitter site, said: "Interesting morning in the ice chamber with Keano and the one and only Frank Bruno."
West Ham boss Avram Grant will be hoping to see both players back in action in the next few weeks as he looks to help the club move out of the bottom three. Grant is also set to be boosted by the return of striker Victor Obinna for the FA Cup fifth round tie against Burnley next Monday. Obinna missed the 3-3 draw against Birmingham with an ankle injury, but is set to resume training this week.
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Hitzlsperger set for West Ham debut at last
TalksPort
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, February 14
West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is set to make his long-awaited debut against Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round next week. Hitzlsperger has not played for the east London club following his move from Lazio last summer after the former Aston Villa star picked up a thigh injury playing for Germany against Denmark in a friendly just three days before the season got underway. The injury proved a lot worse than first feared and he was forced to undergo surgery to clear up a muscle tear.
Hitzlsperger has made a successful return to training and played an hour for the reserves against West Brom last week. The German international is set to have another run-out for the reserves this week when they play Chelsea on Wednesday and should make his first-team debut in the fifth round tie at Upton Park on February 21. Hitzlsperger said: "I want to play in the first-team as soon as possible and I need to speak to the manager. "I'm pleased to say that I'm feeling good, I'm in good shape. We'll wait and see when I play for the first-team but hopefully it will be pretty soon. "The most difficult time was when I first found out the extent of the injury. I've been looked after very well. The surgery went well and the treatment from the medical department has been excellent. "They said it would take four months after the surgery and I'm right on time, so I'm really happy with the way it went."
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Obinna Has Damaged Foot
West Ham Till I Die
It never rains, eh? With Robbie Keane out until April the one player we wouldn't want to lose to injury would be Victor Obinna, right?
So you can imagine my reaction when I was told by my usually impeccable source this morning that he had broken his foot, can't you? Since then, I have been trying to find out for sure what the situation is, hoping beyond hope that it would prove to be duff information.
Well, it seems it's not quite as bad as I feared but Obinna has indeed damaged his foot. A club source reckons it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he will be back for the Liverpool game. If so, it certainly can't be broken, which will be a blessed relief to us all. Let's hope so. We can't afford Obinna to miss any of the run in.
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West Ham value rockets following stadium boost
Tuesday, 15th February 2011
CityAM
FRANK DALLERES
WEST HAM'S value has doubled following its successful bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games, according to analysts, and could earn owners David Gold and David Sullivan a joint profit of £120m. The Premier League club was worth just £100m a year ago but its success in securing the 60,000-seater arena for a fraction of the £530m construction cost is estimated to have doubled the side's value overnight. Once the Hammers have completed their move, which is due to take place in 2014, and is enjoying increased revenues from corporate tickets and the sale of naming rights, it is predicted the club will be worth around £300m. "Obviously the value has increased overnight, the minute they got the stadium," Stan Lock, an analyst at brokers Brewin Dolphin, told City A.M. "I'd say now [it's worth] £200m without anything happening. And then once it's all complete, the corporate areas are in, it must be £300m." Gold and Sullivan together own 61 per cent of the East End outfit, which they bought last year in deals that priced the club at around £100m. An increase in its value to £300m would see the combined worth of their stake rocket from £60m to £180m. The estimate relies on West Ham avoiding relegation, and on the government and Mayor of London rubber-stamping their move to the stadium.
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West Ham Fans demand to sit further from the pitch
NewsThump.com
West Ham supporters have reacted with dismay to the news of their club's successful bid for the Olympic Stadium, after it was revealed that the playing surface will actually be visible from parts of the ground. Supporters groups have threatened to boycott the venue altogether unless Hammers bosses shift the stands further away from the pitch. "It's a disgrace," fumed 38 year old Ken Pond from Clapton. "I was brought up on stories of how the Hammers won the World Cup for England, assisted the development of the polio vaccine, and played a large part in the Apollo Moon Landings." "When I actually want to see Frederic Piquionne take flying air-kicks from five yards out, I'll let them know."
The celebrations which began at the East London club after last week's announcement have so far failed to catch the mood of its hardcore supporters, steeped in tales of Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Marco Boogers. Marital aid magnate and Hammers co-chair David Sullivan had initially planned a triumphant open-topped bus parade all the way from Canning Town tube station to the Tubby Isaacs whelk stall on the A11. But today his ceremony was downgraded to a furtive, semi-naked examination of an artist's impression of a £496 million stadium paid for by somebody else. "Ungh, ungh," he explained. "Taxpayers' money!"
West Ham get Olympic Stadium
Last Friday the stadium construction team opened their doors to a handful of Hammers season-ticket holders, allowing them to see the stadium which will be their home from 2014. For safety reasons they were only allowed access to a small enclosure in the main stand, 45 metres from the goalmouth. "This is terrible," exclaimed 48 year old Terry Bayles, from Ilford. "That's no distance at all. I've seen Martin Peters, God rest his soul, score from twice as far out as that. At this range it'll be possible to make out Wayne Bridge giving away a needless penalty. And probably see his haircut, too."
But club executive Karren Brady has hit back at the fans' criticism, calling it 'ill-informed' and 'inaccurate'. "We have bent over backwards to ensure that supporters who don't want to watch West Ham will be included in our vision," she explained. "From certain parts of the upper tier, for example, you have a better view of Brisbane Road than our own pitch." "Leyton Orient fans ought to be delighted."
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