WHUFC.com
Callum Driver is hoping a fine goal at Sunderland will help him to earn a
new contract
10.03.2011
Whether it was for the reserves or youth team, Callum Driver has spent the
2010/11 season flying up and down the wing for West Ham United. The
second-year scholar has shown boundless energy and endeavour whenever he has
turned out at either right or left-back in a claret and blue shirt. This
week, Driver's ambition and willingness to join the attack were rewarded
when his first-half goal earned the Hammers a 1-1 Barclays Premier Reserve
League draw at Sunderland. The 18-year-old gambled correctly that Frank
Nouble would flick-on Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson's high clearance before
collecting the ball, beating two defenders and confidently slotting the ball
past Black Cats goalkeeper Ben Wilson from 12 yards. Although Sunderland
fought back to snatch a draw through John Egan's powerful downward header 20
minutes from time, Driver was content with both his own individual display
and West Ham's collective performance considering they had to make the long
journey north on the morning of the match. "It was a good result for us. We
didn't play that well, but we got a result so we can't complain," the
teenager told whufc.com "We had to get up at 4.30am for a 6am meet, which
was not the ideal preparation and isn't something I've done too often
before, but we got our sleep in on the coach so we felt fresh and started
the game well. "It's all about how you prepare. If you eat properly and get
your rest then you can perform and we did OK."
Concentrating on his goal in particular, Driver pointed out that helping out
the attack was a big part of his game. While he is naturally right-footed,
the defender has been willing and able to fill the left-back berth regularly
for both the reserve and youth teams this season. "Frank flicked the ball on
and I just drove into the box and put it away. I had to drop my shoulder or
else my shot would have hit the defender, so I was pleased with the goal. I
certainly didn't get nervous when I got into the penalty area. "I am an
attacking full-back, whether I play on the right or the left, and I like to
over-lap and support the midfield and the attack whenever I play. I am fit
enough to get up and down and I like to get involved going forward and it
paid off."
Driver picked up two knocks to his calf during Tuesday's game and was forced
off with just a few minutes remaining, but the defender is fully expecting
to be fit to return to reserve-team action when Newcastle United visit the
Boleyn Ground next Tuesday afternoon. "I got a whack on the calf in the
first ten minutes and then another one a bit lower down in the second half,
but it's just a dead leg so I won't be out for long."
The 18-year-old will be desperate to stay fit as he bids to earn his first
professional contract this summer. "I've been here since the age of 12 and I
really want to stay. The next few months are really important for me because
I want to earn a pro deal. "If I look at the player I was when I began my
scholarship two years ago and compare it to the player I am now, I have made
massive improvements to my game. That said, I know there are plenty of
improvements I can still make and I'd love to make them as a West Ham
player."
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Mark a midfield mainstay
WHUFC.com
The club's longest serving player has risen to the challenge set by
top-class team-mates
10.03.2011
Midfield men Scott Parker and Thomas Hitzlsperger have taken much of the
headlines in recent weeks but Mark Noble is proving very much their equal.
The homegrown Hammer has been the assist king - making all three goals in
the West Brom comeback, playing in Carlton Cole for both his goals in the
5-1 win against Burnley before laying on the crucial opener for Demba Ba
last Saturday against Stoke City. Always unassuming, Noble is happy to talk
up his team-mates rather than acknowledge his role. "To win 3-0 at home
against Stoke who are a tough team and a big team is excellent. I thought we
dealt with them brilliantly. The defence was fantastic. Manu who came in was
brilliant, Matty, Bridgey, they were all fantastic and we sort of carried on
from where we left off against Liverpool. "Obviously it also helped with the
boys up top coming back as well. Demba, Coley and Freddie [Piquionne] came
back all the way and we defended as a team and that is what you need to do
in this position really."
Giving away five and seven years respectively on Hitzlsperger and Parker
respectively, the 23-year-old is relishing being the young upstart alongside
the Germany and England internationals. "Obviously I am still young," he
said, with a smile "They are old! I'm learning things off them every day. I
still want to learn and improve. Playing in the midfield at the moment is an
absolute pleasure. "The idea is to keep it as tight as we can. Play the ball
when we can, pass it among ourselves and I think it is probably nice to
watch at times. Obviously I've got an assist against Stoke, Thomas has
scored a goal and got an assist and I think Scotty's run for Thomas was
superb. "It is nice to play with them. I'm enjoying every minute of it."
Noble is not the only one, and the fan in him comes out when he reflects
further on his own team-mates and their impact of late. "I think the likes
of Wayne Bridge, Demba coming in, obviously Hitz coming back. They are good
players. I think the recruitment in January was brilliant. The likes of
Keano we've got to come back too, so things are definitely looking up."
Such quality and competition is raising everyone's game, Noble believed.
"This season is definitely my best. Creating goals and just my general play
is where it should be and where I want to keep it. It isn't about me at the
end of the day. As long as the team is winning and I'm playing well, I'm
happy.
"Let's hope we can keep it up, we've got a tough game with Stoke on Sunday
in the quarter-final and then we've got Tottenham away which isn't going to
be an easy game either, but we are looking forward to it."
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Stoke crowd vital for FA Cup tie, says Glenn Whelan
BBC.co.uk
Glenn Whelan believes the support of the home crowd will give Stoke City a
huge advantage in their FA Cup quarter-final tie against West Ham on Sunday.
The Potters have yet to lose at the Britannia Stadium in 2011. "We're on our
home patch, that's where we're solid and hopefully that's what we'll be on
Sunday," the 27-year-old midfielder told BBC Radio Stoke. "If we can get
right at them in the first five or ten minutes, I'm sure the crowd will be
right behind us."
The Republic of Ireland international continued: "Since I havebeen at the
club the crowd have been great, no matter who we play. "They came out in
their numbers in the last round against Brighton. It's up to us as players
to give the fans something to shout about."
Tony Pulis' side have won three and drawn one of their four Premier League
matches at home this calendar year, a stark contrast to their away form.
Last Saturday's 3-0 defeat against West Ham at the Boleyn Ground was the
Potters' sixth consecutive away defeat in the Premier League. Manager Pulis
has targeted at least two wins from the final nine matches to ensure
top-flight survival and Whelan is confident that the victories can be
achieved. "You don't want to be looking over your shoulder, we can only
worry about ourselves," he said. "The manager will be working us hard to get
out of this situation and the run that we're on. "We'll come good and get
the points we need, I'm sure of that."
Stoke have never reached the FA Cup final and a victory on Sunday would see
them reach the last four of the competition for the first time since 1972.
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Gold plans Hammers return
Recovering co-chairman hopes to be back for United clash
Last updated: 10th March 2011
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Gold hopes to be back at Upton Park for the clash
against Manchester United. The 74-year-old recently required hospital
treatment after suffering septicaemia and cholangitis - an infection of the
common bile duct. He has since returned home to continue his recovery and
plans to be back in the directors' box for the 2nd April clash with the Red
Devils. West Ham have won both their matches since it emerged Gold had been
taken ill, which has boosted the co-chairman, as have the good wishes from
supporters.
Genuinely thank
Gold told the club's official website: "I do genuinely thank everybody that
has shown concern. "It has been a difficult couple of weeks but I am over
the worst. "I have got a bit to go but I hope to be back for the Manchester
United match early next month. "I have been inundated with an incredible
amount of good wishes and it has made such a difference. "What with winning
two vitally important games and having people think of you like that, it
really does give you a boost. "It is, of course, great that people care and
it is very nice to receive such kind words."
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Noble learning off senior pair
Hammers midfielder has relished recent run
Last updated: 10th March 2011
SSN
Mark Noble is happy to be the junior partner in West Ham United's new-look
midfield. Captain Scott Parker, 30, has been in sparkling form all season in
the Hammers' engine room, earning a recall to the England squad. Noble has
been alongside Parker for most of the campaign, but Avram Grant's men have
been given a major boost by Thomas Hitzlsperger's return to full fitness.
After signing from Lazio last summer the Germany international had to wait
until February to make his West Ham debut due to a serious thigh injury. The
28-year-old has slotted in seamlessly and helped the Hammers to their best
run of the season, reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals while winning their
last two Premier League games to revive their survival hopes. Hitzlsperger's
presence also seems to have brought the best out of Noble and Parker, and
Noble is relishing playing alongside the experienced international duo.
Pleasure
"Obviously, I am still young - they are old!" he said. "I'm learning things
from them every day and I still want to learn and improve. Playing in the
midfield at the moment is an absolute pleasure. "The idea is to keep it as
tight as we can. Play the ball when we can, pass it among ourselves and I
think it is probably nice to watch at times." The Hammers visit Stoke on
Sunday hoping to book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
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Stech unhappy at Hammers
Czech keeper contemplating Upton Park exit
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 10th March 2011
SSN
Marek Stech's agent claims his client is growing increasingly frustrated at
his lack of game time. The Czech goalkeeper has been on the books at West
Ham since 2006, spending two years in their academy system before joining
the senior ranks. He has, however, been unable to dislodge Robert Green from
the No.1 spot at Upton Park, with first-team opportunities proving hard to
come by. The 21-year-old is now contemplating whether a move elsewhere may
be better for his career, allowing him to find the regular action he craves.
Serie A outfit Napoli are among those reported to have expressed an interest
in his services, and Stech's representative admits a move could be in the
offing.
Contact
"Marek is one of the most talented goalkeepers of his age in Europe," Martin
Riha told calciomercato.com. "He's not happy at West Ham because he isn't
playing, but there are other reasons as well. "It's true that we have been
contacted by an Italian club, but also by a number of other top European
clubs.
"At the moment there is nothing concrete, but negotiations are continuing."
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I'll be as good as Gold soon
The Sun
Published: 10 Mar 2011
DAVID GOLD hopes to be back at Upton Park for West Ham's game with
Manchester United. Co-chairman Gold has returned home to continue his
recovery from septicaemia and cholangitis — an infection of the common bile
duct — which required hospital treatment. The Hammers have been inundated
with e-mails and phone calls from supporters concerned about the
74-year-old, who plans to be back in the directors' box for the April 2
clash with United. Gold said: "I do genuinely thank everybody that has shown
concern. "It has been a difficult couple of weeks but I am over the worst.
"I have got a bit to go but I hope to be back for the Manchester United
match early next month."
West Ham have won both their matches since it emerged Gold had been taken
ill, maintaining their bid to remain in the Premier League. The former
Birmingham supremo added: "I have been inundated with an incredible amount
of good wishes and it has made such a difference. "What with winning two
vitally important games and having people think of you like that, it really
does give you a boost. "It is, of course, great that people care and it is
very nice to receive such kind words."
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The Huth hurts for Upson
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
MATT UPSON is braced for another bruising battle with Stoke hardman Robert
Huth. The pair go head to head in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with bad
blood between them. German defender Huth was banned for three games when he
smashed Hammers skipper Upson in the face in an off-the-ball incident at the
Britannia Stadium in October 2009. Upson said: "I accidentally bumped into
his forearm. It's all part of the game and you know you're going to get it
up there. It's all part of it, so I look forward to it. "We're buzzing in
the Cup and it's an opportunity for us to get on a roll."
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David Gold 'over the worst' and aiming to be fit for United clash
Published 11:55 10/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has revealed he hopes to be back at Upton
Park for the club's next home game against Manchester United. Gold has
returned home to continue his recovery from septicaemia and cholangitis - an
infection of the common bile duct - which required hospital treatment. The
Hammers say they have been inundated with e-mails and phone calls from
supporters concerned about the 74-year-old, who plans to be back in the
directors' box for the April 2 clash with United. He told his club's
official website, www.whufc.com: "I do genuinely thank everybody that has
shown concern. "It has been a difficult couple of weeks but I am over the
worst. "I have got a bit to go but I hope to be back for the Manchester
United match early next month."
West Ham have won both their matches since it emerged Gold had been taken
ill, maintaining their remarkable survival bid. "I have been inundated with
an incredible amount of good wishes and it has made such a difference," Gold
added. "What with winning two vitally important games and having people
think of you like that, it really does give you a boost. "It is, of course,
great that people care and it is very nice to receive such kind words."
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Upson orders West Ham's tin hats for Stoke cup tie
Published 23:00 10/03/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Matthew Upson has warned West Ham they will have to show courage against
"pumped up" Stoke in the FA Cup on Sunday. The Hammers beat Tony Pulis' side
3-0 at Upton Park in the Premier League last weekend. And the England
defender said Stoke, who have not lost at home this year, will be on a
revenge mission at the Britannia Stadium. "It's going to be a very different
game," he said. "I think they're going to be really pumped up and come at
us.
"It's up to us to deal with that and, again, be brave on the ball and pass
the ball and move the ball, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Meanwhile, Hammers co-chairman David Gold has claimed his club's hat-trick
of victories has helped his recovery from illness. He is planning to be back
at Upton Park for the visit of Manchester United on April 2. Gold, 74, has
left hospital after being treatment for cholangitis and septicaemia. "I
have been inundated with an incredible amount of good wishes and it has made
such a difference," he said. "What with winning two vitally important games
and having people think of you like that, it really does give you a boost.
"I do genuinely thank everybody that has shown concern. It has been a
difficult couple of weeks, but I am over the worst. I have got a bit to go,
but I hope to be back for the Manchester United match early next month."
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Etherington "all guns blazing" against West Ham
Published 18:46 10/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is optimistic his recent injury troubles
are now behind him and that he can go out "all guns blazing" against his
former club West Ham in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at the Britannia
Stadium. Etherington has started only two of the Potters' past seven games
due to various issues that are understood to be linked to a defect in his
jawline. Chief among them is a back complaint, but Stoke boss Tony Pulis
revealed a few weeks ago that Etherington was to have a jaw brace made for
him by a specialist to deal with the problem and the 29-year-old has now
declared himself fully fit to take on the Hammers. "I have always suffered
with my back, especially after games," Etherington told www.stokecityfc.com.
"I suppose you put your body under so much stress during the 90 minutes that
inevitably you will begin to feel the effects of that. "It has always been
stiff and sore, but recently it was getting progressively worse and we
didn't really know what the reasons for that were. "It was extremely
worrying, to be honest, because it was something not too common. But we have
got to the bottom of it now. The medical team and the sports-science staff
have been brilliant, and I am absolutely delighted to have sorted it out.
"We have just got to manage it correctly now."
Etherington had to come off in the first half of Stoke's fifth-round victory
over Brighton, but having sat out the Barclays Premier League trip to
Arsenal which followed, he has appeared as a substitute in the past two
fixtures - league games against West Brom and West Ham - and is feeling in
good shape.
"I got half an hour against West Brom, which was good, but having been out
for a little while it is hard to get straight back into the swing of things,
especially when you haven't done much training," Etherington said. "Last
week at West Ham I felt a lot better after doing a few days of training. "My
sharpness is better and now, with a full week of training behind me,
hopefully I can be out there all guns blazing on Sunday afternoon and try to
help the club get to Wembley."
Meanwhile, Pulis has confirmed that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will once
again step in for Asmir Begovic, as in earlier rounds. "Thomas will
definitely be one change that we make on Sunday," Pulis said. "He has shown
what an outstanding professional he is since losing his place to Asmir and
he deserves the opportunity to come in for this big occasion. "We are
extremely fortunate to be as strong in the goalkeeping department as any
other Premier League club with Thomas, Asmir and, of course, Carlo (Nash) as
well."
Begovic, who took over Sorensen's position as first-choice stopper in
October, was involved in a mix-up with Marc Wilson which led to a goal for
West Ham in the Potters' 3-0 defeat at Upton Park last Saturday, although
Pulis stressed that had not played a part in his thinking for this weekend.
"The change would have been made anyway because it is what we have done in
the cup competitions so far this season. Nothing has changed," said Pulis.
"Asmir is going to be a fantastic goalkeeper, but even young players with
his talent are prone to making the odd mistake. That is all part of the
learning process."
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Stoke's Carew reveals Wembley mission
Published 23:00 10/03/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
John Carew is on a mission to book his third trip to Wembley in 12 months –
and end a 39-year wait for Stoke City. On-loan Aston Villa striker Carew
will be unleashed on West Ham this weekend as he bids to fire the Potters to
the FA Cup semi-finals, which will both be staged at the national stadium.
The big Norwegian suffered heartbreak twice last season with Villa as they
lost both the Carling Cup Final and an FA Cup semi-final. He is now
determined to make it third time lucky and help Stoke reach Wembley for the
first time since their League Cup win over Chelsea in 1972. "The club is one
game away from an appearance at Wembley, and to get there would be a
fantastic achievement," he said. "I got there twice with Villa last season,
so I would love to get there this year - that would be wonderful. "We've got
to play West Ham, who beat us last weekend, but we really believe that we
can beat anybody at home.
"It is about looking forward now and I just want to make sure that I keep
doing well for Stoke and keep doing what the manager and the supporters
expect from me."
Stoke chairman Peter Coates was at Wembley in '72, when the club picked up
its first - and only - major trophy by stunning Dave Sexton's Chelsea
superstars. And he is hoping Tony Pulis can mastermind a victory over Avram
Grant's men in what will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs this
season. "It's our opportunity and up to us to make the most of it," he said.
"We've got a chance to make the semi-finals and we want to take it. "We've
not been in a semi-final for 39 years and it would be a great milestone for
the club. I was at the game all that time ago and I will keep my fingers
crossed we can get back there. "It will be a tough game and West Ham will be
thinking they can get something out of it as well. I'm afraid I've been
around too long to make predictions. But if we can beat West Ham, who knows
what can happen?"
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This isn't Tevez II, insists QPR manager Warnock
By SAMI MOKBEL Last updated at 1:21 AM on 11th March 2011
Daily Mail
Neil Warnock has claimed the FA charges threatening to derail Queens Park
Rangers' promotion push bear no resemblance to the Carlos Tevez affair.
The QPR manager told Sportsmail: 'I've spoken to our legal advisers and they
have been very reassuring. From what they have told me, this is nothing like
the Tevez situation.' The Championship leaders could be docked points if
found guilty of breaking rules relating to third-party ownership and agents
over their £3.4million signing of Alejandro Faurlin in 2009. Rangers' legal
team were preparing their defence yesterday and were confident of proving
the club have not been involved in any deliberate wrongdoing. Sources in
Argentina were last night claiming Faurlin's former club, Instituto de
Cordoba, were paid nothing when QPR signed the player — despite Rangers
announcing he had arrived on a 'three-year deal worth £3.5m'. QPR say they
never suggested that sum was paid in a transfer fee. It is thought QPR will
argue Faurlin had reached the end of his contract at Instituto and was
available on a free transfer. The FA allege Faurlin's registration was in
fact owned by an Argentinian company.
Warnock called his squad in for a meeting ahead of training yesterday to
ensure the furore does not affect heir hopes of promotion to the Barclays
Premier League. Argentinian midf ielder Faurlin, 24, showed enough in
training to convince Warnock he is in the right frame of mind to start
against Crystal Palace tomorrow. Despite the FA charges, the irony of the
situation is surely not lost on the veteran manager. Warnock criticised
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore after West Ham dodged a
points penalty in 2007 for a similar offence. The Hammers were instead fined
£5.5m after being found guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital
documents relating to the ownership of Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Tevez's
goals at the back end of the 2006-07 season were central to West Ham's
survival and Warnock argued that his Sheffield United team were relegated as
a result. Faurlin has started 30 of Rangers' 36 Championship games this
season, playing a key role in opening a sevenpoint gap at the top. Warnock's
insistence that the charges facing Rangers are nothing like the Tevez case
show the Yorkshireman is anxious to avoid any accusation of hypocrisy.
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side are Rangers' closest
Championship rivals, said: 'It will be interesting to see what the
consequence will be here and what Neil's response is as well. You only have
to look at the Tevez scenario, where West Ham did not lose any points. 'I'd
be surprised if Rangers are docked points. I'm sure the authorities will act
before the end of the season.'
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