WHUFC.com
Steve Lomas's side end the 2010/11 Barclays Premier Reserve League with
defeat in the Midlands
27.04.2011
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL 2011
KICK-OFF: 7PM
Final score - Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves 3-1 West Ham United reserves
92 mins - West Ham come forward one last time through Collison, but Driver
loses control and fouls Forde. The Hammers break through Moncur but his pass
for Hall is wayward and as Ihiekwe intercepts. A second or two later,
referee Fletcher blows for full-time. West Ham finish fourth in the Southern
Group behind Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa, but ahead of West Bromwich
Albion and Wolves. Highlights and exclusive reaction from this evening's
match will appear on whufc.com soon. Until next season...
90 mins - We're going to have at least two more minutes.
89 mins - It has not been West Ham's night in any way shape or form, but
let's not forget that they have enjoyed a fairly successful season.
86 mins - Gorman is replaced by Sam Whittall. The winger gets a decent
reception from the small crowd.
85 mins - Hall tries to pick out Collison's run. Ihiekwe intercepts but Hall
wants a free-kick for handball. The referee waves away his appeals.
84 mins - Moncur lobs the ball over the top for Edgar to chase. He looks as
if he is in on goal, but the ball just gets away from him far enough for
Ihiekwe to get a foot in and it rolls harmlessly through to Ikeme.
82 mins - Rooney shoots powerfully from 25 yards. His effort flicks off
Wearen and behind for a corner. Rooney takes it left-footed and Boffin comes
to claim. The Belgian has had a busy night tonight.
79 mins - It just isn't happening for West Ham in the final third. They are
still working hard, but the attacking moves and passing are just not coming
off.
75 mins - Fifteen minutes to go and if any team looks like scoring the next
goal, it's going to be Wolves. Rooney crosses but it turns into a shot and
Boffin pushes the ball aside for a corner. Gorman takes it and it flicks off
a player's head for another corner. McNaughton heads it clear.
73 mins - Collison gives the ball away from a quickly-taken free-kick and
Wolves break again down their right. Doherty crosses and Rooney picks the
ball up, but the Northern Ireland international screws his shot well wide.
72 mins - Moncur has some time to come forward before shooting low from 25
yards, but he drags his low effort wide of the near post.
70 mins - Potts is replaced by Sanchez for the final 20 minutes. The
Spaniard goes to right-back, with Driver coming across to the left.
69 mins - Gorman and Doherty combine again down the right - they've been a
constant menace - before the right-back pulls the ball into the path of
Rooney. He shoots powerfully, but Boffin beats the ball away.
67 mins - Gorman is a talented dribbler and he leaves Potts for dead inside
the penalty area before crossing low across the face of goal. The ball is no
more than three yards from the line, but there is no player in old gold to
apply the finish.
65 mins - McAlinden should make it 4-1, but his header from Forde's
left-wing cross is too high. Two changes for West Ham - Hall and Wearen on
for Tombides and Abdulla. For Wolves, Ebanks-Landell is replaced by Sam
Griffiths.
64 mins - There are some frustrated players out there in claret and blue,
but they need to pick themselves up as a goal could change this game
immediately. Tombides gets some space inside the box and lays the ball back
for Moncur. He chooses to take a touch instead of shooting first-time and
the chance is lost.
60 mins - West Ham's chance to have a go. Tombides holds the ball up and
Edgar runs at the Wolves defence. He shoots from 25 yards at least, but the
ball flies and dips just wide. The attendance is announced as 176.
58 mins - Wolves just keep coming forward. Forde this time, running past
Driver and shooting low and a yard wide of the far post.
57 mins - Another great chance for Wolves. Griffiths again has time and
space to pull the ball back for Rooney, but he leans back and his left-foot
effort flies over the top.
56 mins - This could get ugly if the Hammers don't up their game. The ball
drops to Rooney about 30 yards out and he shoots early. The ball flies a
couple of yards wide of the target with Boffin at full stretch.
54 mins - GOAL! West Ham have a mountain to climb. Gorman picks up the ball
near the corner flag before running at Potts, cutting on to his left foot
and curling a fantastic shot over Boffin's outstretched left hand and into
the far top corner.
53 mins - That's a better moment for West Ham. Moncur frees Faubert and he
out-paces Doherty before pulling the ball back for Tombides. He takes a
touch and feeds Moncur 20 yards out, but the midfielder's shot is just too
high.
51 mins - Driver needs the physio on after an aerial collision. I think he
suffered a bang on the head there. After some treatment, he is fine to
continue.
50 mins - GOAL! Wolves come again and Rooney has time and space in the
centre of the field to find the rampaging Doherty. Faubert has not tracked
the full-back's run and he has time and space to take a touch before
hammering the ball past Boffin at the Belgian's near post.
49 mins - Chance for West Ham to threaten, but Faubert's pass for Collison
curls away from the midfielder and into the arms of Ikeme. Wolves break
immediately and Hemmings has space to shoot, but his effort flashes just
past the angle of post and crossbar.
48 mins - Eyjolfsson does really well to repel McAlinden inside the box.
Collison had passed the ball straight to Doherty, leaving Potts and
McNaughton out of position and allowing Griffiths to run free down the
right.
46 mins - West Ham get the second half underway... The floodlights have been
turned on here, but it's still far from dark here in Shropshire.
The two teams emerge from the tunnel ahead of the second half - the final
half of the Barclays Premier Reserve League season for both clubs. Can West
Ham find the winner that sees them finish third in the Southern Group table?
No sign of any changes from either manager.
Half-time score - Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves 1-1 West Ham United
reserves
47 mins - That's half-time. West Ham started brightly and took an early
lead, but Wolves have come back strongly and deserved their equaliser. Join
us again in 15 minutes for the second half.
45 mins - We'll have one added minute...
44 mins - Better. Potts and Abdulla combine to win the ball from Griffiths
on halfway. Tombides breaks clear down the left and crosses deep for
Faubert. He takes a touch before pulling the ball into the path of Moncur,
whose first-time shot flicks the side-netting. Close.
43 mins - Moncur makes a good run through the middle but Faubert doesn't
spot him until late. The midfielder loses the ball. It's been that sort of
half for West Ham,
41 mins - Driver looked to have been fouled by Forde there, but the referee
gave nothing. Seconds later, a frustrated Driver kicks out at the No11. Mr
Fletcher calls the two players together but doesn't show a card.
39 mins - McNaughton concedes a corner. Rooney crosses and Boffin punches
powerfully clear. Wolves pick up possession and Ihiekwe wins a header inside
the box, Griffiths keeps the ball alive and crosses, but McAlinden slices
his volley well wide. Wolves have been the better team this half, of that
there is no doubt.
37 mins - Abdulla loses the battle in midfield, allowing Rooney to hook the
ball forward to Griffiths, who takes a touch but drags a low shot across the
face of goal and out for a goal kick.
35 mins - Ebanks-Landell pushes Tombides over. Faubert delivers, Eyjolfsson
flicks on and Harris needlessly concedes a corner. McNaughton wins the
delivery, but his header bounces straight into the arms of Ikeme.
32 mins - Griffiths shoots but his effort hits Abdulla and spins wide right
to Harris. He crosses for the striker, but Eyjolfsson gets enough of a head
on the ball to concede a corner. Eyjolfsson clears the initial delivery, but
Wolves keep it and Gorman crosses for McAlinden, but his header flashes well
wide.
29 mins - West Ham come forward down the right and win a throw. Driver lobs
it back to Eyjolfsson, but his cross is high and hanging and an easy catch
for Ikeme.
28 mins - That lad Griffiths is at it again, running at McNaughton before
Eyjolfsson comes across and blocks his cross. More cheers from the man in
front of me and his friend.
26 mins - GOAL! Wolves are level and Griffiths is not involved. Harris picks
out the run of right-back Doherty, who takes a touch and finishes
confidently past Boffin.
25 mins - No9 Leigh Griffiths has caught the eye for Wolves. He is certainly
the favourite of the man two rows in front who keeps shouting 'Come on
Leigh'.
21 mins - Wolves' young team are full of energy and enthusiasm as you might
expect, but West Ham still look dangerous. Tombides tries to spin away from
Ebanks-Landell, but the defender is just too strong. Shame, as otherwise the
Australian would have been clean through.
17 mins - The No9 beats Abdulla before nutmegging Driver and forcing Boffin
into a plunging save. Potts heads half-clear and the ball is worked to
Griffiths again. He finds Rooney, who blazes high and wide from a great
position inside the box.
16 mins - Collison gets forward down the right and lays the ball back for
Faubert. His curling cross is just too strong for Tombides but the ball is
headed behind by Ebanks-Lindell. The corner is cleared and Wolves break
through Griffiths.
14 mins - Lomas, his coaching staff and the substitutes are shielding their
eyes from the sun on the far side. Over here in the main stand, it's a bit
cool in the shade! West Ham have taken control again in recent moments and
look a threat down both flanks. Tombides shows just that by controlling,
beating a man and shooting wide from 20 yards.
10 mins - Eyjolfsson heads the ball straight to Rooney. When he plays the
ball wide right, Edgar pushes Doherty to the floor. Free-kick about 35 yards
from goal wide on the Wolves left. It's taken short to Gorman, but his cross
is hacked clear at the near post by McNaughton.
8 mins - The home side have come back into things and are looking a bit more
dangerous. A few loose clearances have given Wolves a chance to get on the
front foot - something Lomas will want his players to cut out.
7 mins - Eyjolfsson is penalised for holding down McAlinden. Rooney delivers
the free-kick and McNaughton heads it straight up in the air, but Boffin is
there to catch the high ball.
6 mins - Wolves No9 Leigh Griffiths has the ball in the net from
close-range, but one of his team-mates had long since been flagged for
offside.
5 mins - West Ham have started really well. Tombides wins a free-kick, then
does well to hold the ball up well again before Edgar crosses, but his
delivery flies behind for a goal kick.
3 mins - GOAL! Faubert! Boffin's long straight clearance is allowed to
bounce by the Wolves defence and the No11 uses his pace to get in behind. He
looks up and carefully lobs the ball over the advancing Ikeme. Great finish
to a very direct move!
2 mins - Tombides breaks the offside trap but he's got to hold the ball up
and wait for support. Moncur and Collison play a one-two but the former is
crowded out.
7pm - Wolves get us underway kicking from right to left as I look at it.
Forde delivers the first cross from wide on the left but it's an easy catch
for the towering Boffin.
6.57pm - Here come the West Ham players, led by captain Callum McNaughton.
Jeff Beck's 'Hi Ho Silver Lining' welcomes the home side out of the tunnel a
short time later. Our referee tonight is Russell Fletcher. I would think
West Ham will employ a 4-3-3 formation, with Driver, Eyjolfsson, McNaughton
and Potts across the back, Abdulla anchoring the midfield behind Moncur and
Collison and Tombides leading the line ahead of Faubert and Edgar.
6.55pm - It is sunny but chilly evening at Telford as we eagerly await
kick-off here at The New Bucks Head. I am afraid to say that my enthusiasm
for the game has not been shared by too many supporters. A quick look around
and I would say there are only about 100-odd people here this evening.
That's a shame, because West Ham have plenty of promising youngsters on
show, as I'm sure Wolves do too.
Good evening and welcome to the town of Telford for tonight's climax to the
2010/11 Barclays Premier Reserve League season.
West Ham United will be eager to finish the campaign on a high when they
take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Steve Lomas's side looking to end a
run of three matches without a victory at The New Bucks Head.
Blue Square Bet North side AFC Telford United's tidy stadium is bathed in
warm late-April sunshine for what promises to be a keenly-contested affair
between two young sides. For West Ham, however, Jack Collison, Julien
Faubert and Ruud Boffin provide some welcome first-team experience and
know-how.
At the other end of the age spectrum, first-year scholar Danny Potts makes
his reserve-team debut, becoming the 49th player to turn out for West Ham's
second-string this term. Midfielder Ahmed Abdulla makes his team-leading
18th reserve-team appearance of the season, while Callum McNaughton, George
Moncur and Dylan Tombides will be keen to end encouraging personal seasons
in style.
The Hammers defeated Wolves 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Bishop's Stortford
on 22 February, with Cristian Montano and Anthony Edgar getting the goals. A
victory tonight would lift West Ham above Aston Villa and guarantee them a
third-place finish in the Southern Division behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves: Ikeme, Doherty, Ebanks-Landell
(S.Griffiths 65), Ihiekwe, Hemmings, Gorman (Whittall 86), Rooney, Harris,
Forde, L.Griffiths, McAlinden
Subs not used: McCarey, Kempton
West Ham United reserves: Boffin, Driver, Eyjolfsson, McNaughton, Potts
(Sanchez 70), Abdulla (Wearen 65), Moncur, Collison, Edgar, Faubert,
Tombides (Hall 65)
Subs not used: Larkins, Lletget
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spector takes centre stage
WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector is this season showing much of the early promise that
caught Sir Alex Ferguson's eye
27.04.2011
There may not be a surprise in store when the Hammer of the Year is crowned
next month but another hard-working midfielder will also deserve plenty of
plaudits come the end of the campaign. Jonathan Spector has been a loyal
servant since joining back in June 2006 - and is the club's longest serving
first-teamer after Mark Noble and Danny Gabbidon. Until this campaign he was
most known as a versatile defender but he has become central to the cause as
a central midfielder. Long respected by the Hammers faithful for his
hard-working and honest play, Spector has added attacking verve and fearless
forward running to his game. So much so that he was there in the box almost
heading past Petr Cech to open the scoring in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at
Chelsea and also the one who slipped a sublime pass through for Robbie Keane
to nearly level matters when just a goal down. It may be that his
opportunity has come with an injury to Footballer of the Year Scott Parker,
the overwhelming favourite for the club prize as well, but Spector is just
happy to be involved. He is determined to keep the team in the top-flight.
"I think every player wants to play. They are massive games [coming up] and
it is a big stage for us. "There is certainly the added pressure of that
Premier League status which we definitely want to hang on to."
Spector was there back in 2006/07 with the last 'Great Escape', coming on as
an early substitute for George McCartney at Old Trafford on the final day
and performing heroically against his old club Manchester United. He is
certainly ready, if asked, to channel that never-say-die attitude once
again. "It is a very different team from the one we had that stayed up [four
years ago]. It is a strong team that we have right now, probably stronger
than we had back then. But it hasn't happened for us this season but now we
have to come together as a group and get some points."
Spector is never one to shirk a challenge or be overawed by his opponent -
anyone who saw him play in wins for the United States against Egypt and
Spain on route to the FIFA Confederations Cup final back in 2009 will
testify to that. Now 25 and an experienced Premier League performer, he
would love to have a major impact in a game again this season, as he did
with two superb goals against Manchester United in this season's 4-0 Carling
Cup romp. Modest off the pitch but unerringly confident on it, Spector would
settle for anyone stepping up to the plate in the final four games - just as
long as the club survive. "There could be quite a few players who could have
an important role and have a massive impact on these games that we have
left. "There have been times when we have played really good football and a
lot of people have been looking at us and saying 'they are too good to go
down'. They were saying that about Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and we
don't want to repeat what they did. "I am not sure there is a secret. It is
about hard work and determination and the guts to want the ball, to want to
play and to stick to your gameplan even if it is not going well for you. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark KO is hard to stomach
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: Today
The Sun
MARK NOBLE looks certain to miss West Ham's vital game at Manchester City.
Tests confirmed that the midfielder, 23, does have a stomach problem - and
it could signal the end of his season. The injury is still being assessed
but if it is a hernia, as feared, it would require surgery. Losing him would
be another massive blow to the Hammers' survival hopes, with fellow midfield
stars Scott Parker and Gary O'Neil also sidelined. West Ham are bottom with
just four games to go to save their skins. Parker is unlikely to return
until after Sunday's game at Eastlands, having already missed the last two
matches with an Achilles problem, while O'Neil's season is over because of
an ankle injury. That would mean another start in midfield for American
defender Jonathan Spector. The 25-year-old was part of the West Ham side
which pulled off the 'Great Escape' four years ago by beating Manchester
United at Old Trafford. He said: "It is a strong team that we have right
now, probably stronger than we had back then. "But we have to come together
as a group now and get some points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spector: Current Hammers are better than 2007 escape artists
Published 23:00 27/04/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Jonathan Spector has claimed Avram Grant's side are better than the West Ham
team which staged the Great Escape in 2007. And the American has called on
the the Premier League's bottom side to show "guts" and prove it in their
final four games, starting at Manchester City on Sunday. The former
Manchester United defender was part of Alan Curbishley's side which won
seven of their last nine matches - including a last-day win at Old Trafford
- to beat the drop four years ago. That team included Argentina's Carlos
Tevez, Australian captain Lucas Neill, Bobby Zamora and Yossi Benayoun. But
Spector, one of the few Upton Park survivors of that team, reckons the
current side have more all-round strength. And he called on the Grant's men,
who are set to be without Scott Parker as well as Mark Noble and Gary O'Neil
at Eastlands, to finally prove their quality. "It is a very different team
from the one we had that stayed up four years ago," reckoned Spector, who
moved to Upton Park in 2006. "It is a strong team that we have right now,
probably stronger than we had back then. It hasn't happened for us this
season but now we have to come together as a group and get some points."
In 2007, the Hammers were still five points adrift with four games to go
while Grant's side are now two points from safety. Tevez was the star of the
side four years ago before his contribution cost the Hammers £25m in fines
and compensation. But the Irons went down in 2003 – with 42 points – despite
having a team full of big international names like Paolo Di Canio, Tomas
Repka and Freddie Kanoute and a host of England stars such as David James,
Glen Johnson, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Trevor Sinclair and Jermain Defoe.
And Spector, who is likely to start in the decimated Hammers midfield
against Champions League-chasing City, reckons it will take a brave team
effort this time. "They are massive games coming up and it is a big stage
for us," he told www.whufc.com. "There is certainly the added pressure of
that Premier League status, which we definitely want to hang on to. Every
player wants to play. There could be quite a few players who could have an
important role and have a massive impact on the games we have left. "There
have been times when we have played really good football and a lot of people
have been looking at us and saying: 'They are too good to go down'. They
were saying that about Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and we don't want
to repeat what they did. "I am not sure there is a secret. It is about hard
work and determination and the guts to want the ball, to want to play and to
stick to your gameplan even if it is not going well for you."
West Ham face a decision over the fitness of Player of the Year Parker, who
has missed the last two games with an Achilles injury, with the Hammers
facing Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland in their final three games. "I don't
know about next Sunday, but Parker will definitely be fit for the week
after," Grant said. "He's a good player but we can do it without him."
Skipper Matthew Upson has returned to training after missing the defeat at
Chelsea due to illness. But Mark Noble needs a hernia operation after
suffering a stomach injury in the same game and will struggle to play again
this season. He had already missed six weeks this term with appendicitis and
has had groin problems in the past.
O'Neil is already out for the campaign with a serious ankle injury. Danny
Gabbidon, who is set to move to left-back with Wayne Bridge unable to play
against his parent club, said: "The last three games will be big games. But
every game from now on is big. We are not writing off Man City and thinking
just the three after that as the more you lose the harder the next games
becomes. "And those games are hard as well as the teams are down the bottom
and fighting for their lives as well. So we look to Man City and have to
believe that we go there and get some points from that and if we do it will
be a great confidence boost for the team going in and getting something
there and that sets us up nicely for those three games"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fear Noble could be out for the season
Published 14:27 27/04/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Mark Noble today appeared certain to miss West Ham's Barclays Premier League
game at Manchester City on Sunday, although the full extent of his stomach
injury was still being assessed. Tests yesterday confirmed the midfielder
did have a problem, which was feared could be a hernia. Should further
assessment back that up, the 23-year-old would likely require surgery that
would end his season. Noble left the field on a stretcher an hour into
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea after going down with pains in his lower
stomach. He had already missed six weeks this term with appendicitis and has
had groin problems in the past. Losing him would be another massive blow to
West Ham's survival hopes, with fellow midfielders Scott Parker and Gary
O'Neil also currently sidelined. Parker is unlikely to return until after
Sunday's game, having already missed the last two matches with an Achilles
problem, while O'Neil's season is over because of a serious ankle injury.
That would mean another start in midfield for Jonathan Spector, who had been
known primarily as a defender until this term. The 25-year-old is just happy
to be playing as he looks to help the Hammers climb back off the foot of the
table during the final month of the campaign. He told his club's official
website, www.whufc.com: "I think every player wants to play. They are
massive games (coming up) and it is a big stage for us. "There is certainly
the added pressure of that Premier League status, which we definitely want
to hang on to."
Spector was part of the West Ham side which pulled off the 'Great Escape'
from relegation four years ago by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"It is a very different team from the one we had that stayed up," he said.
"It is a strong team that we have right now, probably stronger than we had
back then. But it hasn't happened for us this season but now we have to come
together as a group and get some points." He added: "There could be quite a
few players who could have an important role and have a massive impact on
these games that we have left. "There have been times when we have played
really good football and a lot of people have been looking at us and saying,
'They are too good to go down'. "They were saying that about Newcastle a
couple of seasons ago and we don't want to repeat what they did. "I am not
sure there is a secret. It is about hard work and determination and the guts
to want the ball, to want to play and to stick to your gameplan even if it
is not going well for you."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers give veteran scout unceremonious send off
Published 23:00 27/04/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham have sacked long-serving Roger Cross as chief scout. Veteran Cross
has been the Hammers talent-spotter for years and spent two decades at the
club as a player and then on the backroom staff where he was also reserve
team boss. Cross grew up as a Hammers hopeful at the same time as the Boys
of 66 – Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurts and Martin Peters – and returned to the
club after a spell with Tottenham as a senior spy. But with Hammers looking
to shake up their staff the 62-year-old has been made redundant and will be
given a settlement for his services. Cross's job of finding new talent has
been overtaken by the owners consulting agents who have pushed the recent
stream of players towards Upton Park. But the long-serving scout was
responsible for week-to-week covering of games and future opposition - and
he was told the news by one of the club's human resources officers. However
many West Ham insiders fear this will be the start of a handful of cutbacks,
whether Avram Grant's strugglers survive or not, as the heirarchy look to
trim the payroll. The way Cross was told the news came as a shock, with the
decision broken by a member of staff rather than one of the leading figures
at the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble injury blow hits West Ham United's fight for Premier League
survival
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt 9:11PM BST 27 Apr 2011
West Ham's chances of avoiding relegation have suffered a severe blow with
Mark Noble set to miss the next three weeks after suffering a hernia injury.
It had been hoped that the 23-year-old midfielder, who joins Scott Parker on
the sidelines, had simply suffered a strain after leaving the pitch on a
stretcher after an hour of last Saturday's 3-0 defeat away to Chelsea. Noble
has already missed six weeks of the season with appendicitis and it's
believed that his latest setback is a recurrence of an existing problem. He
will miss West Ham's crucial game at Manchester City on Sunday along with
next weekend's home match against Blackburn Rovers and the away fixture at
Wigan Athletic. It remains to be seen whether he can recover in time to
feature in West Ham's final game of the season, at home to Sunderland, which
may determine their league status. Bottom of the table West Ham are
understood to be less confident than they were that Parker, who has an
Achilles problem, will make Sunday's match. A third midfielder, Gary O'Neil,
will not play again this season after suffering an ankle injury.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke, Birmingham and West Ham tracking goalkeeper Bozovic
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 10:45 PM on 27th April 2011
Daily Mail
Stoke, Birmingham and West Ham are monitoring 6ft 5in Montenegro goalkeeper
Mladen Bozovic. The 25-year-old, who plays for Hungarian champions Videoton,
has been watched by Hamburg and Schalke in the German Bundesliga but is seen
as ideal cover for Premier League sides as he is available for around
£2million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble's absence adds to West Ham concerns for relegation struggle
Midfielder set to miss game at Manchester City with stomach injury and may
be out for the rest of the season
The Independent
By Ben Rumsby
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Mark Noble appears certain to miss West Ham's Premier League game at
Manchester City on Sunday, although the full extent of his stomach injury
was still being assessed. Tests yesterday confirmed the midfielder did have
a problem, which was feared could be a hernia. Should further assessment
back that up, the 23-year-old would likely require surgery that would end
his season. Noble left the field on a stretcher an hour into Saturday's 3-0
defeat at Chelsea after going down with pains in his lower stomach. He had
already missed six weeks this term with appendicitis and has had groin
problems in the past.
Losing him would be another massive blow to West Ham's survival hopes, with
fellow midfielders Scott Parker and Gary O'Neil also currently sidelined.
Parker is unlikely to return until after Sunday's game, having already
missed the last two matches with an Achilles problem, while O'Neil's season
is over because of a serious ankle injury.
That would mean another start in midfield for Jonathan Spector, who had been
known primarily as a defender until this season. The 25-year-old is just
happy to be playing as he looks to help the Hammers climb back off the foot
of the table during the final month of the campaign. He said: "I think every
player wants to play. They are massive games [coming up] and it is a big
stage for us. There is certainly the added pressure of that Premier League
status, which we definitely want to hang on to."
Spector was part of the West Ham side which pulled off the "Great Escape"
from relegation four years ago by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"It is a very different team from the one we had that stayed up," he said.
"It is a strong team that we have right now, probably stronger than we had
back then. But it hasn't happened for us this season but now we have to come
together as a group and get some points."
He added: "There could be quite a few players who could have an important
role and have a massive impact on these games that we have left. There have
been times when we have played really good football and a lot of people have
been looking at us and saying, 'They are too good to go down'. They were
saying that about Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and we don't want to
repeat what they did. "I am not sure there is a secret," Spector added. "It
is about hard work and determination and the guts to want the ball, to want
to play and to stick to your gameplan even if it is not going well for you."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
UP OR DOWN, WEST HAM WANT MARTIN O'NEILL
Daily Express
West Ham will make another bid for Martin O'Neill
Thursday April 28,2011
By Matt Law
WEST HAM will make another move to tempt Martin O'Neill back into management
at the end of the season even if Avram Grant keeps the club in the Premier
League. And if the Hammers fail to get O'Neill then they have identified his
clone, Norwich City boss Paul Lambert, as an alternative. Grant is expected
to be sacked at the end of the season whether West Ham stay up or are
relegated to the Championship, and the streamlining of staff has already
started after the club parted company with long-serving chief scout Roger
Cross. Sources at Upton Park claim O'Neill is still the No1 choice of
co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold to replace Grant, despite the fact
he turned down the job in January. Having been sounded out by the Hammers,
O'Neill was upset that his possible appointment was leaked out while Grant
remained in charge ahead of the home game against Arsenal. Despite being
offered a bonus of about £3million to keep West Ham up, O'Neill did not
accept the job and has now been out of work for eight months since quitting
Aston Villa days before the start of the season. If they are relegated, the
Hammers would be prepared to offer O'Neill a similar incentive to get them
promoted at the first attempt. West Ham hope O'Neill will have a change of
heart in the summer, when they can sort out Grant's pay-off terms before
formally approaching him. But if O'Neill holds out for a more attractive
offer from elsewhere, then West Ham will also enquire about Lambert, who is
closing in on a second successive promotion with Norwich. Lambert has won
many admirers for leading Norwich out of League One and to the brink of
promotion to the Premier League. His side currently occupy the second
automatic promotion place with only two Championship games of the season
remaining.
Having played under O'Neill at Celtic, Lambert's management style has been
compared with that of his former boss and the pair share similar training
and playing philosophies. Lambert turned down an approach from Burnley in
January and may be similarly reluctant to take up the challenge at Upton
Park. Whatever happens over the final four Premier League games of this
season, West Ham insiders are expecting big changes to the backroom and
playing staff. Former Hammers forward Cross is the first member of the
current staff to leave, bringing an end to an association with the club that
started as a 15-year-old on the groundstaff in 1964. He made eight
first-team appearances as a player for West Ham, returning to the club 10
years ago as a member of the backroom staff and most recently held the
position of chief scout.
It is unclear whether Cross will be replaced after his role was diminished
by the active part agent Barry Silkman has played in identifying and signing
new players since Sullivan and Gold took control of the club. The Hammers
will need to quickly identify new signings, with a number of their current
squad expected to leave.
Aston Villa are confident of signing goalkeeper Robert Green, while there
will be a battle involving Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal for the services
of Football Writers' Player of the Year Scott Parker. Strikers Carlton Cole
and Frederic Piquionne have also attracted the interest of Premier League
clubs.
West Ham's hopes of survival have been dealt a blow by the news they are set
to be without midfield duo Parker and Mark Noble for Sunday's trip to
Manchester City. Parker did not train yesterday because of the Achilles
tendon injury that kept him out of the Aston Villa and Chelsea games, and it
is looking increasingly likely that he will now be saved for the Hammers'
final three matches against Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland. Noble, 23, is
also expected to miss at least the City game after tests revealed he is
suffering a hernia problem that will require treatment. West Ham are now
assessing the extent of the issue to determine whether he will be able to
play again this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
