WHUFC.com
Demba Ba's dream start to life in English football continued against Stoke
City on Saturday
06.03.2011
It takes some overseas players weeks, months or even years to adapt to the
pace, power and intensity of the Barclays Premier League. Not Demba Ba.
West Ham United's energetic No21 has hit the ground running since January
transfer window move from German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. On Saturday, Ba
netted his fourth goal in three league starts for the Hammers, paving the
way for a clinical 3-0 home victory over Stoke City. "It's been a very good
start for me," the 25-year-old told West Ham TV. "I'm very happy and I'm
just going to work hard to keep up my performances. "We are working hard.
None of us is cheating when we're on the pitch. We all have the same goal to
stay in the Premier League and when you know where you want to go, you do
everything to have it. "It's a good time for me at the moment and a good
time for the club. We're really enjoying it and we hope we're going to keep
on going in this way."
Ba showed the appetite for goals and hard work that has made him an instant
East End hero by scoring an opportunistic opening goal against the Potters.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic looked certain to clear Mark Noble's dinked
through-ball, only to completely miss his kick. The striker had not given up
the chase and used his characteristic speed and strength to out-muscle Marc
Wilson and stab the ball into the vacant net. "I knew that if I got to the
ball first it was a goal. It was one of the easiest goals I've scored but
I'm very happy with it and with the win. "It was a very strange situation. I
thought the keeper was going to kick the ball away but when I saw that he
just missed it, I gave everything I had to put the ball into the net. "I had
a 50/50 situation against the defender but I gave everything I had to put it
in the net and it worked!"
Ba is one of seven senior forwards in Avram Grant's squad, but the
French-born player insisted the competition for places acted as an incentive
rather than a hindrance to the club's strikers. "It doesn't really put
pressure on us. When you have other players who you know can do the job, you
just keep on working hard and focused on keeping your place in the starting
XI on the Saturday. "It is the trainer's problem, because if everyone is fit
and working hard, that's his job!"
The irony of Ba scoring against Stoke was lost on nobody, as the Potters had
turned down the chance to sign the player in January over concerns over his
fitness. With four goals in five appearances, Ba is fit, hungry and firing
on all cylinders. "That's life, but these things happen and I'm not mad at
all at Stoke City. I'm just working and doing my thing. "I could have been
playing for Stoke, but I'm very happy with what has happened. I want to
thank the club for the confidence and faith they have put in me and I'm
doing everything I can to give it back. "I'm enjoying the Premier League.
I'm enjoying the freedom to play my football. There is no pressure like they
used to put on me in Germany. I can just enjoy my football and that's the
best way to play very good."
Ba might have made an explosive impact since his arrival at the Boleyn
Ground, but with nine Barclays Premier League matches still to play, he is
aiming to net plenty more goals before the season is out - boosting West
Ham's survival chances in the process. "It's very important. This is just
the start and we have to keep on going and we're not far from getting out of
the bottom. We're still at the bottom, though, so we still have to work
hard. We have to forget about this game and look forward to the next game.
"We have to give everything we have every time we step on to the pitch and
we have to win."
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What game were you watching?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
This week we're off to The Oatcake fanzine for the opposition view on
yesterday's 3-0 win for West Ham...
"What price was Ba for first goal scorer? Was a certainty, wasn't it?"
- wattie
"Shocking stuff today. In terms of skill and ability West Ham are light
years ahead of us and it makes a mockery of the relative league positions.
We need to salvage some pride now and turn them over at home in the FA Cup.
"
- takeshikovacs
"I really do wish Pulis would walk. The football we play is nowhere near
what we have been playing. Constantly chasing games, no confidence; you cant
keep blaming the players. Any other team and they would be talking about the
manager's future but no, not Stoke."
- stokeykez
"'West Ham will need to sell' and 'Ba's knee will soon implode' would seem
to be early contenders for 'Quote of the Season' - just ahead of 'people
expect too much too soon'."
- baystokie
"Too easy, they could have had ten. This is West Ham, for f***'s sake."
- Los Alfareros
"If this is the dress rehersal for the FA Cup tie, then we've more chance of
platting sh*t than beating them. We have made them look like Brazil."
- emery1985
"Tone will keep bailing even though we are sinking fast. The only way we can
stop this slide is for Pulis to go and to get a new manager in to get the
spirit back in the team. There are good players who are being played out of
position, not played at all, or played when they don't deserve to be played.
Mr Coates, do something please."
- stokeykez
"Great day for Ba. Fair play to the lad - he ran us ragged, first half."
- AndyHar
"I don't understand why we were happy to sign a fat, overweight, clearly
unfit Gudjohnsen on big money - but not willing to risk a similar fee to
West Ham for Demba Ba?"
- Roy Cropper
"On the evidence so far, I'd take Ba over [Kenwyn] Jones any day. He looks
sharper, has more pace, works harder and tends to be able to find the net.
KJ at even £6million would have been overpriced. Bruce must have been able
to sleep like a baby knowing he'd got rid for so much."
- Mr_Sausage
"Pulis has signed some really expensive crap....Coates is right in not
trusting his judgement on Ba. The guy's had his three years of glory, I
don't know if he'll have another three though."
- armitagestokie
"Whitehead's headed goal against Man Utd [on Boxing Day] was our last goal
from open play in the Prem. That was NINE games ago, which is absolutely
shocking. Must be some kind of record. You cannot say that we have missed
that many chances either. This long ball crap is just not working; we have
been well and truly found out."
- oslostokie1
"Just realised...we get this lot again next week and that Ba/Piquionne
partnership is immense ."
- ADFaye25
"And to think, 12 months ago at West Ham we were easily the better side and
deserved to win. Stoke at the moment look like the side clinging onto their
time in the Premiership - not West Ham."
- worcesterpotter
"Part of me thinks a good hiding from West Ham might no be such a bad thing.
Buck your ideas up Tone or this is gonna be a long long run in for us. Was
always going to be a hard game away to a resurgent WHU but we were so off
the pace it's untrue. As for Danny Pugh v Piquionne, it's a complete
mismatch. We have been like an open book and West Ham know the script
backwards. Grim."
- Ddraigcoch
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Cowards
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
Stoke fans have been condemned for atttacking groups of teenagers and
regular supporters following yesterday 3-0 thrashing at the hands of West
Ham.
A group of male Stoke fans left the Boleyn Ground before the end of
yesterday's game with the intention of causing trouble along Green Street.
But instead of seeking out groups of lads their own size, the cowardly bunch
targeted individuals, or 'scarfers' as they are known - regular football
fans who have no interest in violence.
One eye-witness told KUMB.com: "I was in the middle of it it right by Ken's
Cafe. One West Ham scarfer walking along, minding his own business got a
belt buckle across his face - and a three-inch gash to show for it. "They
were starting on groups with kids in; I know that as I had a friend's
grandson and another bloke's lad [with me and] we had to get into the cafe,
out of the way."
Another Hammers fan at the scene added added: "I witnessed quite a large and
loud mob of Stoke 'fans' laying into a few West Ham kids outside Ken's Cafe.
The Police were initially nowhere to be seen. "When they eventually turned
up, the same mob seemed intent on moving on to the main gates right into the
regular home fans leaving the ground."
The group, around 30-strong in number is said to have contained grown 'men'
in their thirties and forties, as well as a number of youngsters. The
incidents are likely to provoke further problems when West Ham travel to
Stoke next weekend for the FA Cup quarter final, for which United are hot
favourites having not lost to the Potters in any of the three previous
meetings thus far this season.
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Upson eyes Portugal boost
Hammers set for break abroad
Last updated: 6th March 2011
SSN
Matthew Upson believes a trip abroad this week can benefit West Ham in their
fight for Premier League survival. The Hammers squad will embark on a
three-day mid-season training camp in Portugal ahead of their FA Cup match
against Stoke next Sunday. Fulham went on a similar journey last month,
taking part in activities such as golf and fishing before returning
refreshed to draw at high-flying Manchester City and beat Blackburn. Upson
feels such bonding sessions can prove helpful as West Ham prepare for a
tough run of league fixtures against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester
United.
"It has a value, absolutely. There's a place for it," said Upson. "If you
get the time and the right scenario and the right group and get it together,
there's a definite advantage in doing that with the team."
He added: "I think we'll get some golf in, definitely. "Everyone's been
working hard and training hard for six, seven months now. "So it's nice to
get that mental relaxation as well as physical."
Da Costa praise
West Ham clambered out of the drop zone courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Stoke
on Saturday, with Upson impressive in the heart of defence alongside Manuel
da Costa. Da Costa also performed well to help the Hammers keep their first
clean sheet in the league since New Year's Day, while he also scored the
second goal. Upson has been pleased with the development of the French-born
Portuguese player but feels he can get even better. "If you're going to
criticise him in any way, you'd say experience-wise and his decision-making,
he could be a bit calmer at times," said Upson, who revealed he mostly uses
'eye contact' and 'sign language' to communicate with a player who hardly
speaks a word of English. "But when you want somebody in a game to go and
attack a ball and get physical with someone, there's not many better.
"Physically, he's one of the best players I've seen."
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Hammers interested in snaring Richardson
Published 23:00 05/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham want to bring Kieran Richardson home to London next season – if
they are still in the Premier League. The Hammers hierarchy are working hard
to set up a deal for the 26-year-old midfielder, who has been outstanding in
Steve Bruce's team this season but may be tempted by a move back to the
capital. Richardson was born in Greenwich and had a spell as an Upton Park
trainee.
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Grant hails 'new signing' Hitzlsperger
Published 23:00 05/03/11 By Steve Stammers
The Mirror
Avram Grant hailed Thomas Hitzlsperger as his "fifth January signing" after
the German midfield star inspired West Ham to a stunning 3-0 victory over
Stoke at Upton Park. The win lifted West Ham out of the Premier League
relegation zone – and Hitzlsperger played a huge part as he attempts to
make up for lost time. The Germany international was in reality Grant's
first signing last summer when he arrived in East London on a Bosman free
transfer from Lazio. But a frustrating thigh injury sidelined him until
last month when he played against Burnley in a 5-1 FA Cup win. And with
every passing week Hitzlsperger becomes a bigger hit with the Hammers'
fans. "I am delighted for him," said manager Grant. "Obviously he was not
happy when he had the injury, but now he is back our midfield has more
balance. "We brought in four players during the last window – but with
Thomas coming back it is like having a fifth signing."
And Grant remains confident that West Ham can avoid the drop. "When we got
our injured players back, we were confident we could do it," he said.
"I was confident when we were five points behind the others so, yes, I am
now as well. We are on the way to achieving our target."
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West Ham 3-0 Stoke: Daily Mirror match report
Published 22:59 06/03/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
The Upton spark is burning bright – and it was a Potters reject who scorched
visitors Stoke. Demba Ba didn't make the grade for Tony Pulis in the
transfer window. But he kept Avram Grant's Hammers revival rolling with the
opening goal yesterday – though it was another West Ham 'new face' that is
driving the Irons upswing. It is just too emphatic a change in fortune for
it to be a coincidence. After six months of injury-induced frustration,
Thomas Hitzlsperger has made a quite stunning contribution to a West Ham
season that was threatening to dissolve into a disaster. Three games ago the
German midfield player was able to return. The results tell their own story.
Burnley were beaten 5-1 in the FA Cup while Liverpool were convincingly
defeated in the Premier League a week ago. And yesterday the scalp of Stoke
City was added after a performance in which Hitzlsperger was little short of
inspirational.
Now there is daylight between West Ham and the bottom three. There is also
the chance of unlikely glory with a cup quarter-final next Sunday at Stoke -
an outfit who are dangerous on their own turf but who will also have to
improve considerably if they are to exact revenge for yesterday's hammering
at Upton Park. It was a win that was deserved and also featured more than
occasional glimpses of the brand of football for which this East London
parish is renowned. At the hub of it all is a midfield trio that can match
up to many in the top flight. Allied to Hitzelberger's intelligence,touch
and range of passing is the energy of Scott Parker and the ever-maturing
presence of Mark Noble.
Stoke just could not handle them - just as they struggled to cope with Demba
Ba. Now there's a name which will send a few shivers down the spines at
Stoke. They had first option on the Senegalese striker but he failed to pass
the medical. West Ham gambled and how that has paid off handsomely. He has
scored four goals in his last four matches - and the irony of the latest
would not have been lost on Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
"I thought we were well in the game until they scored," said Pulis whose
team are on a quite dreadful run of away form, with six successive defeats
on their travels. But all the pre-match planning in the world cannot
legislate for the mix-up between goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Marc Wilson as
they attempted to snuff out the danger posed by a through ball from Noble in
the 21st minute. Unfortunately, neither succeeded and when the ball broke to
a West Ham player, it just had to be Ba.
No hard feelings from Pulis, though. "That's football," he said. "We did
what we did in good faith."
He was less philosophical about the second strike eight minutes later. With
the height and physique so apparent throughout their line-up, set-pieces
should be the least of their concerns. But it was from a Hitzlsperger
free-kick that Stoke were found wanting as an expert delivery found Manuel
da Costa unmarked at the far post and the header was accurate and powerful.
Stoke sharpened up in the second half but West Ham retained their composure
- and after Carlton Cole was a fraction wide with a fearsome shot, the
clincher came seven minutes from time. Parker opened up the Stoke defence
and his cross was driven goalwards by Frederic Piquionne. The shot was
blocked but only as far as Hitzelsperger on his favoured left foot.
Only one outcome there. Welcome back Thomas.
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We saw him first! Grant slates Stoke over approach for Hammers hot-shot Ba
By SAMI MOKBEL Last updated at 2:11 AM on 7th March 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant has taken a swipe at Stoke for their attempts to hijack his move
for Demba Ba. The West Ham manager claims he noticed the talents of the
club's latest hero over 12 months ago and accused rival clubs of jumping on
the bandwagon after hearing of his interest. Ba scored his fourth goal in
three Barclays Premier League starts since arriving from Hoffenheim as West
Ham eased their relegation fears with a 3-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday.
The 25-year-old's strike was all the more satisfying given the fact that
Stoke boss Tony Pulis rejected the chance to sign him in January after he
failed a medical due to a long-standing knee injury. In addition to Stoke,
Ba was also linked with Everton and Blackburn, but Grant claims Ba's arrival
at Upton Park is a sign of justice for him and the Hammers. Grant refused
to point the finger directly at Stoke but, given how close they were to
signing Ba, it was clear the West Ham boss was far from happy with Pulis'
intervention. Grant said: 'Nobody knew Ba before we wanted to sign him. The
minute his name was in the paper, everyone wanted him. 'It is justice that
he is with us. I don't try to steal players from other teams.' While the
grass is looking greener in West Ham's fight for survival, the same cannot
be said for the state of their training pitch. The Hammers flew to Portugal
yesterday for a mid-season training camp, and Grant admits the main reason
behind the trip is to get away from the club's Chadwell Heath training
complex. 'We have a problem with our training pitch,' he said. 'It is not
good and it was one of the reasons why Scott Parker was injured last week.
So, we are taking them to some good pitches to train. We want to use every
opportunity to be together. The players like that and they also want good
facilities.' Skipper Matt Upson said: 'It'll be nice to go and get a nice
bit of grass for three days. I think we'll get some golf in, definitely. The
team bonding is a big part of it. 'Everyone's been working and training hard
for six, seven months. So, it's nice to get mental as well as physical
relaxation.' Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross said: 'We're four points off
relegation, so if we say we're not in it, there's something wrong. We're
going to have to work to get away, like we worked at the start of the
season.'
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Grant's belief in new blood pumps fresh life into West Ham
West Ham 3 Stoke City 0
By Nick Szczepanik at Upton Park
Monday, 7 March 2011
Independent.co.uk
One team kept a clean sheet and scored with a towering header from a set
play, the other was struggling from the moment its defence conceded a comedy
goal. If the good news for West Ham United is that they have taken on some
of Stoke City's battling qualities, the bad news for the team from the
Potteries on Saturday was that, at times, they resembled the east Londoners
at their most unconvincing.
The league table suggests that Stoke are also in danger of sliding into the
relegation danger area that has been West Ham's habitat for most of the
season unless they rediscover their identity away, where they have now lost
six successive league games.
This was West Ham's first clean sheet since New Year's Day, and it appears
it will be the reinforcements in midfield and forward strength that keep
them up.
Avram Grant, their manager, finally has competition for forward places, with
Demba Ba, who arrived from Hoffenheim in January after failing a medical at
Stoke, scoring his fourth goal in four league games. And Thomas
Hitzlsperger, the summer signing whose debut was delayed until last month by
injury, has given them a valuable left-footed midfield presence.
It was his free-kick that was headed in by Manuel da Costa to double the
lead and his thumping finish that sealed the victory in the second half.
"I don't remember a player that has such a big impact in their first games
in the Premier League as Demba Ba," Grant said. "Demba and Hitzlsperger I
have followed for a long time and I believe in them."
Stoke can take revenge on Sunday, when the teams meet in the FA Cup sixth
round, and Tony Pulis, their manager, is not panicking yet. "We haven't done
too bad away from home this season; that's the first time we've conceded
three goals. I think we were the only Premier League club not to do that. So
we're disappointed today, we dust ourselves down and get on with it."
Scorers: West Ham Ba 21, Da Costa 29, Hitzlsperger 83.
Subs: West Ham O'Neil (Ba, 81), Obinna (Cole, 86), Gabbidon (Parker, 90).
Stoke Etherington 5 (Pennant, 51), Fuller 5 (Carew, 65), Jones 4 (Delap,
68).
Booked: Stoke Shawcross, Wilson, Pugh.
Man of the match Noble. Match rating 7/10.
Possession West Ham 60% Stoke 40%.
Attempts on target West Ham 10 Stoke 5.
Ref A Marriner (West Midlands). Att 33,066.
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West Ham United like it hot as goals rain in against Stoke
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley 6:00AM GMT 07 Mar 2011
John's Twitter
Matthew Upson predicted that it would be raining in Portugal when West Ham's
players spend a week away from Chadwell Heath, their quagmire of a training
ground. Upson's pessimism did not reflect the mood of renewed hope at the
club following this emphatic win over Stoke. Now it's positively raining
goals at Upton Park where there was, until recently, a drought. The West Ham
captain flew yesterday with his team-mates in search of grass to train on
and some R & R ahead of an FA Cup quarter-final tie, away to Saturday's
visitors, and the continuing fight against relegation. They are staying at
the same Algarve resort where Fulham recently spent a short break – and have
not lost since. West Ham, after scoring 20 goals in seven games, will train
every day and hope the change of scene will enable them to continue their
good form. "I think it's raining there at the moment," said Upson. "It's
more of a break in terms of change of scenery. If it is raining, so be it.
"We've been struggling a bit with the training pitches at Chadwell Heath
because they get a bit overused. So it's nice to go and get a different
set-up, a nice bit of grass and good training facilities for three days."
The very reason for going to Portugal was highlighted on Saturday when
captain Scott Parker aggravated a shoulder problem by clattering into
advertising boards. The midfielder, who held his arm in discomfort,
sustained ligament damage when he slipped as he turned in training 10 days
ago. Grant added: "We have a problem with our training pitch. It is not good
and it was one of the reasons why Scott was injured last week. We are taking
them to some very good pitches to train on in Portugal."
One player who will feel at home is Manuel da Costa, the Portuguese Under-21
international who was outstanding against a woeful Stoke side. Da Costa
scored the second goal after Demba Ba had given West Ham the lead and was
then instrumental, alongside Upson, in securing their first Premier League
clean sheet since New Year's Day. "What Manu brings is a real physical edge
to the game," added Upson. "If you're going to criticise him in any way,
you'd say his decision-making could be a bit calmer at times. But physically
he's one of the best I've seen."
Thomas Hitzlsperger completed the scoring with his second strike in three
games. Hitzlsperger and Ba were signed by Avram Grant and both have
impressed hugely. The irony of Ba's latest goal was not lost on Stoke or
manager Tony Pulis. He failed a medical at the Britannia Stadium in January
before arriving at West Ham and Grant knows there were others ready to
pounce for the striker. "No one knew Ba before we wanted to sign him," said
the West Ham manager. "The minute that his name was in the paper, everyone
wanted him.''
As for Stoke, who were outplayed for much of the game, there is cause for
anxiety especially as they have lost their last six away games. They can
seek revenge on Sunday when the clubs meet again for the right to play in a
Wembley FA Cup semi-final, but Pulis accepts Premier League survival is
still a concern. "We need to get 40 points as quickly as possible," Pulis
admitted, "then look over our shoulder."
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