Thursday, April 21

Daily WHUFC News - 22nd April

West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston
Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker (Daily Telegraph)

Gary O'Neil is considering taking legal action against Aston Villa
midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker after a tackle that may have put his career
in jeopardy.

West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston
Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker

Injury crisis: Gary O'Neil's prospects of playing professional football
again are rated as no better than 50 per cent

The 27 year-old was carried off on a stretcher after being challenged by
Reo-Coker during West Ham United's home defeat last Saturday and
underwent a two-hour operation on Wednesday evening.

It is understood that the ligament was ripped from O'Neil's ankle in the
impact he suffered during the tackle and he will not be allowed to put
any weight on his foot for two months.

At the very least O'Neil is thought to be facing around eight months out
but there are understood to be very serious concerns that he might not
play again. At best he is being given a 50 per cent chance of playing again.

O'Neil arrived at Upton Park during the January transfer window, signed
for £1.5 million from Middlesbrough after agreeing a 2½-year deal, and
with Scott Parker also out, West Ham are facing a midfield injury crisis.

Even injury-plagued Kieron Dyer, recalled from loan at Ipswich Town, has
suffered another setback after limping out of a reserve match this week.
He is thought to have played his last game for West Ham.

There is thought to be anger and frustration at the club at the extent
of the damage caused to O'Neil. Chairman David Sullivan said on
Thursday: "This has seriously depressed me, terrible for the player and
a big loss for the club with Scott Parker out."

If the worst case scenario does happen and O'Neil's career is over then
it is believed he will consider whether to pursue Reo-Coker for damages
which could run into millions of pounds in lost earnings.

There have already been several such claims made in football while,
recently, former West Ham striker Dean Ashton considered the same course
of action after his career was ended by a training ground challenge by
Shaun Wright-Phillips.

West Ham are pursuing the Football Association for £6.8 million in
damages for the loss of Ashton as they claim the injury he sustained on
England duty ended his career. That case is being dealt with by the FA's
insurers but is moving slowly towards a conclusion.

For now O'Neil, a former England Under-21 international who began his
career at Portsmouth before moving to Middlesbrough for £5 million, is
fighting to save his own career. It had been hoped that the cartilage in
his right ankle could be screwed back into place but, during the
operation, it became apparent that the pieces were too small to do so.

Instead he underwent a micro-fracture procedure where the three areas of
damage were drilled and these will fill with scar tissue.

The injury is undoubtedly extremely serious and, it is believed, the
surgeon who operated on him is giving O'Neil no more than a 50 per cent
chance of ever playing professional football again.

There is a chance that the procedure will fail and then cartilage from
O'Neil's knee will need to be used to plug the damage to his ankle. If
this happens the player will be out for a further six months.

The injury happened just under an hour into West Ham's 2-1 loss at home
to Villa last Saturday as O'Neil shaped to shoot on the corner of the
penalty area. Reo-Coker slid in to challenge O'Neil and caught his right
foot.

However, Halsey, who was well placed to view the incident, clearly
deemed that the Villa midfielder had won the ball and waved play on.
O'Neil was unable to recover and was eventually taken from the pitch on
a stretcher in evident distress.

West Ham face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they desperately
fight against relegation from the Premier League.

The injury to O'Neil has caused consternation at the club, where he has
settled in well.

It is hoped that Parker will be fit to face Manchester City away on
Sunday, May 1, although West Ham will want to ensure he makes the final
three matches of the season against fellow relegation candidates.

Hammer injury blows

Gary O'Neil
His career may be over just two months after joining for £1.5m after
suffering ankle damage in a challenge against Aston Villa last Saturday.
Has been given only a 50 per cent chance of playing again.

Dean Ashton
Record signing at £7.25m forced to retire in Dec 2009, aged 26, after
failing to recover from an ankle injury suffered on England duty.

Kieron Dyer
Limped out of a reserve team game this week and, out-of-contract in the
summer, is expected to have played his last game for West Ham. After
breaking his leg soon after his £6m move from Newcastle, he has made a
handful of starts in three years.

Freddie Ljungberg
Suffered a series of injuries after signing from Arsenal on
£85,000-a-week. Eventually he agreed for his contract to be terminated
in return for a multi-million pound pay-off.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tony Cottee column: A point at Chelsea will be fantastic for West Ham
(East London Advertiser)

Any point from either this Saturday's match against Chelsea or at
Manchester City the week after will be a bonus, but in reality I fully
expect us to be bottom and more than three points from safety with three
games to go.

It's the worst place to be and it would mean maximum points from our
final three matches against Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland which will
undoubtedly be a tough task.

Saturday's opponents Chelsea won't win anything this season, but they
still have a sensational squad full of talent and I believe boss Avram
Grant will set out a defensive formation.

Of course Fernando Torres has struggled since joining in the January
transfer window from Liverpool, but they can still hurt you from
anywhere on the pitch.

I would play a 4-5-1 formation and leave Carlton Cole up front as the
lone striker. West Ham must try to stifle their attacking play and I
believe the midfield runs of Frank Lampard and Michael Essien must be
tracked.

However a point for West Ham is not out of the question, because they
are not the Chelsea of old and some positive play going forward with a
solid defensive performance could give us a chance.

Their strength lies in their defence and a lack of goals has been their
weakness and I believe that weakness will end up costing Carlo Ancelotti
his job at Stamford Bridge and lets hope a crucial point on Saturday
will contribute towards that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The in-play guide to Chelsea vs West Ham (Betfair)

Chelsea's attempt at a late title challenge continues with a home derby
against West Ham on Saturday teatime. We've looked at three trends that
will hopefully help you make money as the action unfolds...

West Ham can't afford to concede first
Avram Grant's side have shipped the opening goal in 18 of their Premier
League matches this season and on 12 of those occasions they have fallen
to defeat, only fighting back to win one, away to Fulham. They will
struggle to score as it is having netted on just one of their eight
trips to face top-half teams (compared to seven of their eight against
the bottom half), so if they fall behind, you can pile in on Chelsea -
who have won 15 of the 17 matches they have fired first in - with
confidence.

The first half hour is crucial
The three clashes between Chelsea and West Ham over the last four
seasons to have featured goals in the first half hour have all gone on
to contain over 2.5 goals, while the four that haven't have all provided
two or fewer. That suggests a clear trend for identifying in play how
lively the game is likely to be, but if you intend to bet heavily on
over 2.5 after an early opener, make sure that you are quick because in
each of the three examples above, strike number two has come within 15
minutes.

A half-time draw favours Chelsea
Don't be fooled into thinking that if West Ham hold out until half time,
it will be an opportune time to back them to cause an upset, because
they have been level at the interval on 13 occasions this term - the
latest being against Aston Villa last week - and have gone on to triumph
only once, losing five times. By contrast, Chelsea have the second best
points average in the division in fixtures that have been in the balance
at the break, winning six and drawing five of their 13 half-time stalemates.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guilty until proven innocent (KUMB)

The Sun newspaper has been slammed for printing the name of a young West
Ham United player accused of rape.

The tabloid today reported that 17-year-old youth team player Dominic
Vose, one of the club's most talented prospects was recently arrested on
suspicion of rape after a 16-year-old female claimed she had been
attacked at a party, at which Vose is said to have been present.

The attack - which, it was claimed, took place in Herne Hill, South
London - led to the arrest of Vose who was susequently released on bail
until June.

Despite the fact that Vose is yet to be charged or face a jury, the Sun
took the step of naming the player in today's edition - a decision that
has been slammed by Hammers fans on KUMB.com today.

"They really shouldn't be allowed to print his name when it is only
suspicion," said Hammers Dad. "If he is guilty and convicted, print
away, but forever more he will be a rapist even if he is found innocent."

Philosophical Dan added: "How is is even vaguely acceptable to print the
name of a 17-year old kid, on the basis of 'suspicion' of a sex attack?
Which paper printed it? Of course - the Sun. Keeping Britain's
intellectual elite informed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Free coach travel for Wigan (O/S)
Hammers fans heading to Wigan on 15 May can take advantage of a great
club offer

As a huge 'Thank You' to supporters, West Ham United are pleased to
offer free coach travel to Wigan Athletic for the penultimate match of
the season.

The Sunday 15 May fixture promises to be pivotal to the club's chances
of Barclays Premier League survival, and the Board are keen to reward
travelling fans for what has been tremendous away support over the campaign.

Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "It has been a difficult season but
our away fans have been magnificent at every single game we have played
up and down the country, whatever the result on the pitch.

"Free coach travel for our last away game at Wigan is a way of saying
'Thank you' and also ensuring that the team will get the best possible
support for what will be an extremely important match. It is vital that
everyone is pulling together in the same direction between now and the
end of the season."

The offer is open to all fans, but places on the club's official coaches
must be booked at the same time as supporters purchase their match
tickets. There will be no allocated seating, with the club operating a
'load and go' system to cope with the expected demand.

The club has been allocated the maximum 4,500 tickets available for the
big DW Stadium encounter, with echoes of the memorable trip to Wigan on
28 April 2007 still lingering in the minds of many supporters.

On that day, the club also offered free coach travel and was rewarded
with a 3-0 victory that played a major part in the club's 'Great Escape'
with seven wins from the last nine games.

The deadline for fans wanting to travel on the free coaches will be 5pm
on Thursday 12 May, although any match tickets left unsold at that point
will still be available.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive - West Ham are going down, says Sir Geoff Hurst (Talksport)

Sir Geoff Hurst has told talkSPORT he can't see West Ham winning their
fight for survival.

The World Cup winner believes the relegation fight is now between five
teams - Blackburn, Blackpool, Wigan, Wolves and the Hammers.

But Hurst is holding out little hope his old club, who are currently two
points adrift of safety with five games to play, will be one of the
teams who claw their way out of the drop zone.

He told Keys & Gray: "It's been nothing short of an awful season. We've
been in the relegation zone for most of the season.

"At the moment it looks like three from five. Mathematically any club,
even Wolves at the bottom who have got a game in hand, can get out of it
but, I hate to be negative, we look like we're on our way down at the
moment.

"We've got to win at least three games at home which is terrific if we
can do it but we've only won six all season. It's been a disastrous
year. We are all hopeful as fans of the club but you've got to be
realistic. It's three from five now and we're one of the three."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hitz determined for derby (O/S)

Thomas Hitzlsperger is banking on West Ham United coping with the
pressure when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

The Germany midfielder hoped that against Chelsea the team would be able
to rise to the occasion in a way that they could not sustain against
Aston Villa last weekend. Hitzlsperger believed the team need to stay
calm as the tension will only mount in the weeks to come.

"We are never really free, are we? We're in a relegation fight and we've
been in there all season and it's not easy going into a game like [last]
Saturday and knowing you have to win it and if you don't, you're in
really big trouble like we are now.

"We are not free of the pressure and we do feel it, but we're not the
only ones. Villa came and definitely didn't want to lose the game. There
are pressures on all of us and we've got to cope with it.

"We go to Chelsea wanting to win the game, knowing that we're going up
against a really good side but hopefully they'll struggle."

Looking back on last weekend's 2-1 setback, the former Villa midfielder
conceded that his old club had taken the opportunity to strike as the
Hammers lost the initiative following Robbie Keane's early goal.

"We really had to win the game. The way we approached it, we had to be
positive and we pressed them early on and it was a good start for us.
Scoring after one or two minutes was brilliant.

"But then we sat back a little bit and they put pressure on us, as they
would do with the strike-force that they've got. We had some good
possession but it wasn't enough and conceding a goal so late in the game
was hugely disappointing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 21st April

Dyer set for West Ham exit after picking up yet another injury on return
from Ipswich (SportsMail)

Kieron Dyer looks to have kicked his last ball for West Ham, ending one
of the least cost-effective transfers in the club's history.
Manager Avram Grant recalled the midfielder from a loan spell at Ipswich
this month, hoping he could play a part in the club's five-match
relegation battle.

But he limped off 20 minutes into a reserves clash with Bolton on
Tuesday with a leg injury and Sportsmail understands that the Hammers
have already written off his chances of playing again this season.

There was good news from team-mate Jack Collison, who played 90 minutes
in the reserves' 1-0 defeat as he returns from a knee injury.

'The knee has been good,' Collison said. 'To be fair the medical team
have been brilliant for me. I feel good and I'm ready and raring to go.
'Obviously it has been frustrating at times. With the team we've got we
have played some really nice stuff at times and the results just don't
seem to have come.'

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carlton Cole hit by £20k fine for Twitter comments during England's
Ghana friendly (Mail Online)

By Laura Williamson

Carlton Cole has been fined £20,000 by the FA for his Twitter comments
during England's match against Ghana last month.

The West Ham striker admitted the charge of improper conduct but
requested a personal hearing with the FA's Regulatory Commission.
£20k fine: Cole

He was represented by the Professional Footballers' Association on
Wednesday.

Cole tweeted: 'Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew
it was a trap! Hahahaha. The only way to get out safely is to wear an
England jersey and paint your face w/ the St. George's flag!'

He later deleted the tweet and said it was a 'joke'.

Bobby Barnes, deputy chief executive of the PFA, said: 'The commission fully
accepted the mitigation put forward on Carlton's behalf and his apology
for any offence caused, however unintentionally.

'A fine was imposed with a warning as to future conduct but no ban was
enforced. This case, along with the recent Ryan Babel case, highlights
the need for players to be vigilant when using social media.

'We would advise players not to stop tweeting but to bear in mind that
this is not an intimate private conversation.'

In January, Ryan Babel received a £10,000 fine for posting a mocked-up
picture of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt on
Twitter after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boris Johnson pledges his support for Tottenham stadium move (Daily
Telegraph)

Boris Johnson will continue to help Tottenham move to a new ground
despite their potential legal challenge to his endorsement of West Ham
as preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium, the London mayor said on
Wednesday.

Johnson said he was confident the decision would withstand legal
challenge and that the choice of West Ham, made on the recommendation of
the Olympic Park Legacy Company, was "the right one for London", adding
that he was committed to helping Tottenham find an alternative.

Spurs are considering judicial review of Johnson's decision after losing
out to West Ham, and have commenced proceedings against Newham Council,
which is to borrow £40m to fund the Olympic Stadium conversion.

They are also examining how to reduce the cost of their original stadium
plan at Northumberland Park, and considering a new site at Tottenham
Hale. Neither of these schemes is likely to be financially viable for
the club without tax-breaks or other financial support however, and
chairman Daniel Levy is pressuring Johnson to help.

There are concerns that any significant delay to the stadium plan as a
result of legal challenges from Spurs or Leyton Orient, who have
launched their own actions, could jeopardise London's bid for the 2017
World Athletics Championship.

At a Champions League final event at the Guildhall yesterday, Johnson
highlighted the regeneration benefits that Wembley, the Emirates and the
Olympic Park have brought to the areas around those stadiums. He made no
mention of the potential Spurs redevelopment, but speaking afterwards
told the Daily Telegraph that he was committed to helping the club find
a solution in Haringey that would help regenerate the area.

"We will see what happens with their appeal but I am confident that
decision was taken fairly and it was the right oen for London, but
that's irrelevant. The most important thing is to make sure that we have
a fantastic future for Spurs in that part of London.

"We want to work with Spurs to get the best possible solution but the
option of Spurs going to the Olympic Park has significantly receded. We
will see what happens with their appeal but I am pretty confident that
the right decision was taken and that it was properly taken.

"I don't think there is any doubt about the way the whole thing was
conducted by the OPLC, but we will go forward with Spurs and Haringey
Council in that area. There are some fantastic opportunities to use
football to drive regeneration in that area."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the Deal with Reid and Barrera? (West Ham Til I Die)

Last summer West Ham committed significant transfer funds to secure the
signings of New Zealand World Cup star, Winston Reid, and Mexican
international, Pablo Barrera. On paper both players looked good
acquisitions. Yet, neither has really made an major impact this
season. Of the two, Reid has probably had more first team playing
time. While Barrera was in and out of the team prior to January, but
has latterly fallen off the radar.

The first question that occurs is, what is Winston Reid's best
position: is it right-back or at centre half? I assume that he is a
centre half, who can also play as an auxiliary right-back? Reid seemed
to struggle with the pace and physicality of the PL, while his defensive
positional play has been questionable on occasions. Yet, in his last
couple of games, he showed signs of getting to grips with English
football. Indeed, in the FA Cup tie against Burnley he probably had his
best game in a West Ham shirt. However, since then he has not had any
further opportunities due to the return to fitness of Upson and Da Costa.

Pablo Barrera, similarly, has had a problematic time. Generally, he has
been played wide on the right or left flank. But we have not seen
anything of the powerful forwards runs and spectacular goals that are so
evident on the You-Tube clips of him in the colours of his former club
and the Mexican international side. However, do those self-same clips
provide something revealing about Barrera? There we see a player
picking up the ball in midfield and running at the centre of the
opposition's defence, with pace and skill. And most of his goals seem
to be struck from central positions, rather than wide on the right or
left. Perhaps sticking him out on the wing is not the best use of his
abilities? Perhaps we should try playing him through the middle, maybe
in a free role between the midfield and the lone or twin strikers?
Could one argue that West Ham's first choice midfield of Hitzlsperger,
Parker, Noble and ONeill consists of four players who are a mite too
similar? Might we be missing a player who provides an outlet, can run
with the ball with pace & skill and link up play with the strikers? If
so, could Barrera be that type of player?

One could reasonably argue that the Mexican football is not up to PL
standard and that forwards get less time and space on the ball here.
Perhaps that is why he has not stood out in his few first team
appearances? Yet, Barrera seems to perform well in international
football, against decent quality sides, and he looks a good talent at
that level. It is a bit of a puzzle and quite frustrating really.
There may be issues relating to language, adapting to a new country and
playing a different style of football? Some overseas stars take a
season to really get used to the different culture and the unique
demands of the PL.

Indeed, could it not be the case that both players need a period of
adaption before we are likely to see the best of them? Coming to
England and being involved in a struggling team certainly has not helped
either. Whilst supporters naturally become impatient with expensive
signings, who do not immediately meet expectations, that is perfectly
understandable. In a moderately successful team, it is not so bad, but
in a struggling one the fans are likely to be less patient and more
critical. So, can they go on to make a greater contribution or will
they move on in the summer? The jury is out on that one! But it is
possibly slightly ominous that neither player has even figured from
the substitutes bench in recent matches.

SJ. Chandos.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hitzlsperger hoping West Ham take advantage of Chelsea's poor form (East
London Advertiser)

Matt Diner, West Ham Correspondent Wednesday, April 20, 2011

"Of course we're going there wanting to win the game. They're not in the
greatest form at the moment and therefore we should go there and try to
win,"

Thomas Hitzlsperger is hoping West Ham can take advantage of Chelsea's
poor run of form and collect a valuable win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Premier League champions are third in the table and although they
beat West Brom 3-1 last weekend, two Champions League defeats against
Manchester United and a draw against Stoke will give the Hammers hope.

Unfortunately for the east Londoners, their own form is particularly
poor and have lost their last two matches; 3-0 to Bolton and 2-1 to
Aston Villa.

They sit one off the bottom of the table, with only goal difference them
and basement boys Wolves.

However Hitzlsperger believes a victory at Stamford Bridge is not out of
the question for the struggling Hammers.

"Of course we're going there wanting to win the game. They're not in the
greatest form at the moment and therefore we should go there and try to
win," he said. "It's going to be massive for us, we have to lift
ourselves up and try our best."

It has been a disastrous season for West Ham, who have been out of the
bottom three for only three weeks of the entire season.

The constant stress of being in the drop zone has undoubtedly had an
effect on their performances and Hitzlsperger has demanded they deal
with the pressure better then they have.

"We're never really free are we? We've been in relegation fight the
whole season," he said.

"It's going into games like last Saturday knowing you have to win it.
Otherwise you're in really big trouble, like we are now. Therefore we
aren't free of the pressure, we feel it.

"But we're not the only ones, Villa came here and didn't want to lose
and they put pressure on all of us. We have to cope with it. We go to
Chelsea knowing that they're a very good side but hopefully they'll
struggle."

The situation against Villa last weekend was not helped by the absence
of Hammer of the Year elect, Scott Parker, who was missing with an
Achilles injury.

He was sorely missed in the middle of the park when the Hammers put in
an abject display against Villa.

Parker is set to miss the Chelsea game and Hitzlsperger believes too
much is made of his absence and feels it is up to the players to prove
they can perform without him there.

"Everyone's asking about Scott. He's an exceptional player and we miss
him when he doesn't play," He said.

"But we should be able to win games and not give away goals like we did
Saturday."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------