Bowyer, Young(og), Ashton
Barclays Premier League 15th September 2007 Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Upton Park Attendance: 34,351 Referee:Steve Bennett
It was all over by the hour-mark as West Ham simply blew Boro away with
three goals inside 15 quick-fire, second-half minutes to secure their first
home win of the season. Following a goalless first-half, Lee Bowyer's second
strike in successive matches at Upton Park, together with a Luke Young
own-goal and Dean Ashton's first conversion since the 2006 FA Cup final gave
Hammers impressive back-to-back, 3-0 victories. Coming into this game, only
the difference of a single goal had separated these two sides, who had each
enjoyed successive Carling Cup and subsequent Barclays Premier League
successes. Following their 2-0 win over Birmingham City, 12th-placed Boro
were unchanged, while Hammers, sitting one spot above the visitors, made
just a single switch from the team that had won so emphatically at Reading,
as James Collins returned from international duty to replace Anton
Ferdinand, who missed out with a knee injury.
West Ham started brightest and, after Mark Noble saw his low 25-yarder
deflected inches wide, the red-booted Ashton netted on 13 minutes only to
see his effort wiped out by an offside flag. Five minutes later, though,
Boro looked all set to break the deadlock against the run of play, when
Mido's clever defence-splitting ball opened the door for Jeremie Aliadiere
but the striker - who was formerly on loan at Upton Park back in 2005 -
curled his 12-yard shot wide of the exposed Robert Green and onto the
'keeper's left-hand post. Shortly afterwards, Aliadiere scooped another shot
into the clutches of Green and then George Boateng forced another low save
out of the Hammers' goalkeeper. Both managers were then forced to make
unscheduled substitutions as the injured Craig Bellamy was replaced by
Carlton Cole, before Tuncay Sanli came on for the dejected Aliadiere, who
hobbled away clutching his hamstring. Boro's Turkish substitute almost made
an immediate impact with a telling burst down the left flank but,
fortunately, Green was alert to the danger and he plucked Tuncay's dangerous
cross off Stewart Downing's studs, a split-second before the supporting
Julio Arca's follow-up was deflected over to keep it goalless at the break.
Having seen his side forfeit their early superiority, Alan Curbishley's
half-time team talk certainly galvanised Hammers into action and, within a
quarter-of-an-hour of the restart, they found themselves in total command
with a three-goal lead.
Indeed, just 20 seconds were on the second-half clock when the workaholic
Hayden Mullins picked out Cole and his well-weighted pass invited Bowyer to
cut inside his former Leeds United team-mate, Jonathan Woodgate, and unleash
a low 18-yarder beyond the outstretched left palm of Mark Schwarzer to give
West Ham the lead with his second goal in successive home games. And having
just created that opener, Cole engineered West Ham's second goal, too with
an awkward low, 50th-minute cross into the danger area that the luckless
Luke Young could only slide past an astonished Schwarzer. Despite being
behind to those two lightning-quick strikes, Boro briefly rallied as Tuncay
twice found himself thwarted by Green's expertly-executed point-blank stops
and when Fabio Rochemback sent the Turk racing clear, his lob over the
advancing Hammers' 'keeper bounced onto the crossbar. A Boro' goal might
have set up an interesting finale but, on the hour-mark, Matthew
Etherington's telling, low left-wing cross into the six-yard box was met by
the sliding Ashton, who got the better of Andrew Taylor to send the ball
into the net. That was Deano's first goal since his strike in the epic 2006
FA Cup final and Upton Park celebrated as one to mark the striker's return
from the fractured ankle that has kept him out of action for so long. Luis
Boa Morte then came on for Etherington before Ljungberg later replaced
Ashton to another resounding round of applause. and although the booked
Tuncay, Cole and Bowyer could easily have added to the goal tally, it had
all added up to another good day at the office for West Ham United
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-0 Middlesbrough - BBC
By Saj Chowdhury
Dean Ashton scored his first goal since the 2006 FA Cup final to help West
Ham to victory at the expense of Middlesbrough at Upton Park. Bowyer opened
the scoring after the restart when he picked up Carlton Cole's ball and
fired in a low volley. West Ham made it 2-0 when Cole curled in a low cross
that Luke Young could only poke into his own net. Ashton rounded off the
scoring when he tapped in Matthew Etherington's teasing ball from the left.
Boro themselves had a hatful of chances during the match but seemed to leave
their shooting boots at home, with substitute Tuncay Sanli guilty of missing
three very good opportunties in the second half. Before the start of the
match, Alan Curbishley's men had looked a good bet for their first home
league win of the season with Craig Bellamy in the starting line-up
following a scintillating display for Wales in Slovakia. They began brightly
and twice came close to opening the scoring in first 13 minutes. England
Under-21 star Mark Noble gambled on pot luck with a strike from 20 yards
that deflected off Boro defender Jonathan Woodgate and trickled fractionally
wide of Mark Schwarzer's left-hand upright. Ashton then thought he had
broken this season's duck with a sidefooted effort, but the assistant
referee ruled offside to bring his celebrations to a shuddering halt. Both
Ashton and Bellamy were causing Boro's defence problems, but Curbishley was
dealt a major setback when the diminutive Welshman was forced to go off with
what appeared to be a groin problem. Boro, who had lost their previous five
meetings at Upton Park, also looked threatening in the opening moments of
the first-half, coming agonisingly close to scoring when Jeremie Aliadiere
saw his low shot from Mido's pass come off Robert Green's left-hand post.
Aliadiere looked to be his team's biggest threat, but like Bellamy he too
came off injured, with a hamstring problem. The match had lost its spark
following the loss of the two playmakers, but Bowyer made sure he reignited
it after the restart. The former Leeds and Newcastle player forced his way
into the area and connected beautifully with Cole's dinked ball to volley
past Schwarzer. Cole, who was the recipient of jeering from some of Hammers
supporters during the first 45, was involved again in the second goal when
his low pass from the right was deflected in by Young. Tuncay, who came on
for Aliadiere, should have given Boro hope but he struck the crossbar with a
dinked effort then had a six-yard shot saved by Robert Green. The Turkey
player was made to pay for being goal-shy when Ashton stole in in front of
his defender to convert Etherington's cross from the left. This time there
was no offside flag and this time Ashton and West Ham could celebrate.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley: "I'm pleased for Deano, he looked strong
today. "Two weeks ago against Reading he looked a bit leggy but he's played
for the reserves since and it's done him the world of good." He added: "We
won't get carried away. We're a bit like England at the moment in that
people are injured and other people have come in and done a job."
Boro boss Gareth Southgate: "We sat down at half-time thinking we had done
well, we'd weathered a bit of a storm and I couldn't see anything between
the sides. "But they have effectively won the match in the first five
minutes of the second half. "It's a harsh lesson for us, we didn't get out
of the blocks in the second half, but we'll learn from it."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble,
Etherington (Boa Morte 78), Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton (Ljungberg 81).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Gabbidon.
Booked: McCartney, Ljungberg.
Goals: Bowyer 46, Young 51 og, Ashton 62.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor (Davies 83),
Boateng, Rochemback (O'Neil 68), Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Sanli 30), Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Lee.
Booked: Sanli.
Att: 34,351
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We looked a bit leggy..... - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 15th September 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
Alan Curbishley gives his view from the dugoout after today's 3-0 win over
Boro'......
A comfortable win? I don't know that it was comfortable. We came in at half
time and we looked a bit leggy – especially my international players. I
don't know how many of Boro's players had played but three of my back four
had played. We said we'd need a good start to the second half, to keep the
tempo up and we got a great goal. It's the type of goal that Lee has been
threatening to get. It was a great goal and it settled us down. Then when
we got ourselves 2-0 up we tried to commit suicide by trying to play offside
a few times. We got lucky a few times – I don't think Greenie's saves are
lucky because they were good saves. I said to Gareth earlier it's all about
chances. We took ours and they didn't take theirs.
What did I say to Carlton Cole at half time? Well I thought he was trying to
ease himself in during the first half. It's difficult to do that – you can't
do that.
I said to all the players – especially Carlton – that we needed a quick
start. I'm pleased he's made the goal – I wish he'd scored near the end
though! We're in a similar position to England during the week – we've had
injuries and people have had to step up to the plate and get on with it. It
looks like we've got another injury today.
Bellamy? He's been complaining about his groin and he needed a fitness test
before Reading. We all knew what he did midweek and he just felt he couldn't
run. Shattered. We'll have to assess that tomorrow. We'll just have to get
on with it. I'm pleased for Deano. He looked stronger today. Two weeks ago
he looked a bit leggy. He's played two reserve games since then so that's
done him the world of good. He can only get stronger now.
Ferdinand? He got injured last Tuesday in training. I went to the England
game on Wednesday and rushed home to catch the Wales game only to turn on
and see Collins on the floor writhing around clutching his shoulder. I
thought that just about sums it up – I've lost Ferdinand and now I've lost
another centre-half.
I had a decision to make between the two centre-halves and Danny Gabbidon
played with a bit of a head cold on Wednesday and he didn't train yesterday.
Both were a bit injured and a bit tired. We're pleased we got through it and
it was a great result for us and we'll take it.
Ashton – well after the Reading game he played for the reserves against
Reading then we arranged a friendly midweek against Colchester for Scott
parker and Ashton. Parker played 80 minutes against Colchester and we have
another on Tuesday and he'll play in that. He's not far off. Freddie has
only trained this week. As for Ashton - well he had the one major op and
another to clean up the scar tissue. When I first came here I was told Deano
was a month away. Obviously I soon realised that wasn't going to happen. We
sat down and agreed that it'd take as long as it takes. The main focus of
pre-season was for him to get through it. Not perhaps for him to pull up any
trees but just to get through the six weeks. In all fairness I think we
handled it quite well. Within two weeks he's looked a lot sharper. Like I
said midweek about Michael Owen – look at the difference in the two weeks
since we played Germany. Dean needs football – as much as he can get. It's
difficult to give people games in the Premiership where you've got to get a
win but I think he's been happy with the way we've done it. We thought he
was ready after his goal against Roma but as the training went on that week
we realised he wasn't quite there.
Most of our post-match conversations have been about sticking our hands up
looking for offsides. We won't get carried away. We had some tired legs out
there – we worked ever so hard. Hopefully one or two of the others will be
fit in the coming weeks and come in to give us the squad we need.
I brought Solano and Camara in. We didn't see Solano until this afternoon
and we didn't see Camara until yesterday morning so we'll integrate those
two in. We have a tough one next weekend so we'll enjoy this one as much as
we can.
Bowyer – I told him he had a thankless task out there today. Boro' played
very similar to the way we did at Reading the other week. It was a thankless
task chasing around after the break. I told him that he'd worked so hard
something would give and it was a great goal. He can go home now and it's
all been worthwhile.
I've known Lee since he was 13 and he thrives on getting into the box like
that so let's hope there's more to come.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We learned a harsh lesson - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 15th September 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate explains the long face following his
team's 3-0 defeat this afternoon at the Boleyn.......
We were sitting there at half time thinking that we'd weathered the pressure
very well and that we'd finished the half the stronger team. Then it was two
in eight minutes - or whatever it was - and that's finished the game off
effectively.
We had good chances before half time and after they'd scored to take hold of
the game or get back into the game but, as is often the case in this
division, the first goal is often crucial.
Credit to the players – we kept going and had chances even at the death but
we learned a harsh lesson. We didn't get out of the blocks at the start of
the second half and that's cost us.
These things happen – what we don't do is criticise outside the changing
room. We got lots of pats on the back last week and that was good and we've
had a poor spell for five or ten minutes today. We all lean the lessons from
today and we'll regroup for next week.
Aliadiaire? Well it's a hamstring injury. We don't know bad it is and we'll
have to wait until Monday until it's settled down before we can get a scan.
Obviously it isn't looking very good. He was looking sharp before that.
Having said that I thought Tuncay looked lively when he came on.
Tuncay's chances? He's come in and apologised afterwards but that's
football. When you get things like the one he lobbed on to the top of the
crossbar you think well perhaps it's not going to be our day today. He's
adapting well to the English game and he's looking bright.
Forwards will miss chances – that's part of the game. We didn't lose the
game because of that – we should have been in contention when he had those
chances so there's no blame attached to any individuals.
Do we have a psychological problem playing away from home? No we won our
last away game. We were right in this one at half time and as I said I
thought that we finished the half the stronger. After we'd let in the first
goal we invited too much pressure on ourselves and didn't play in their
half. The response to going one behind wasn't what it should have been.
Is there a problem at this particular ground? Well we have six or seven new
players so what we've done in the past shouldn't really have any effect on
what happens now.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 3 Middlesbrough 0 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 15th September 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham recorded their first home win of the season against a distinctly
lacklustre 'Boro side at Upton Park this afternoon. Second half goals from
Lee Bowyer, Dean Ashton and an oggie from 'Boro's Luke Young earned United a
second successive 3-0 win. The win - which lifts the Hammers into fifth
place in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal - was never in doubt
from the moment Lee Bowyer gave Alan Curbishley's side the lead in the
opening minute of the second period. Carlton Cole - on as a 26th minute
substitute for the injured Craig Bellamy - found Bowyer lurking on the edge
of the box. The midfielder finished superbly into the bottom right corner
despite the close attention of two 'Boro defenders. Four minutes later and
United's lead was doubled. Once again Cole was instrumental, as his
attempted pass across the penalty box to Matthew Etherington was expertly
diverted into his own net by Luke Young.
Dean Ashton completed the scoring 13 minutes later when he finished a fine
flowing move which began with a Hayden Mullins pass to Matthew Etherington
wide on the left flank. Etherington delivered the perfect cross - behind the
defence and across the line of the six yard box - and Ashton stole in at the
far post to notch his first of the season. Carlton Cole could have added a
fourth late on when put clean through with only Schwarzer to beat, but his
weak effort dribbled wide of the mark when it seemed harder to miss - a
shame, as his efforts were fully deserving of a goal. Amongst the goals for
the home side were a bunch of humourous efforts by the hapless visitors who
had one of those afternoons they would wish to forget - and none more so
than new signing Tuncay (Sanli) who missed three absolute sitters, much to
the amusement of a happy home crowd. Next up for the Hammers is the visit to
Newcastle next Sunday ...
West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Collins, Upson, Mullins, Noble,
Bowyer, Etherington (Boa Morte 78), Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton (Ljungberg
81).
Subs not used: Wright, Gabbidon.
Goals: Bowyer (46), Young og (49), Ashton (62).
Booked: McCartney (50), Ljungberg (85).
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Taylor (Davis 83), Woodgate,
Boateng, Rochemback (O'Neil 68), Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Tuncay 30), Mido.
Subs not used: Jones, Lee.
Booked: Tuncay (68).
Referee: Steve Bennett.
Attendance: tbc.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clinical Hammers down Boro -SSN
West Ham grab first home win
Last updated: 15th September 2007
West Ham secured their first home win of the season with a 3-0 success over
Middlesbrough at Upton Park. After a goalless first half, The Hammers went
ahead within a minute of the re-start as Lee Bowyer fired home from the edge
of the box. Boro battled throughout and produced some excellent football and
should have been level before West Ham doubled their lead as Luke Young put
through his own net trying to intercept a Carlton Cole cross. The icing on
the cake for The Hammers came just after the hour when Dean Ashton fired
home from close range to grab his first goal since the 2006 FA Cup final.
Matthew Etherington, the two-goal hero at the Madjeski Stadium a fortnight
ago, was quickly into the action with an early cross which was cleared by
George Boateng, before Bowyer burst through the midfield only to be halted
by his ex-Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate on the edge of the area. James
Collins then headed harmlessly wide from Etherington's corner, and Mark
Noble linked well with Ashton before hitting a 20-yard shot which was
deflected the wrong side of the post. Ashton had the ball in the net after
12 minutes, only to be denied by a linesman's flag after he had latched on
to Craig Bellamy's through-ball.
Reshuffle
Boro almost broke the deadlock with their first attack in the 18th minute
when Mido skilfully turned and sent Jeremie Aliadiere racing clean through,
but the Frenchman's shot hit Robert Green's left-hand post. Bellamy's
afternoon came to a premature end in the 26th minute when the in-form Wales
striker pulled up sharply and was replaced by Cole. Boro also had to
reshuffle their strike-force when former Hammers loan player Aliadiere
limped off, with Tuncay coming on.
He almost had an instant impact when he sprung West Ham's offside trap and
crossed towards the unmarked Stewart Downing, but Green dived forward to
clear the danger. The Hammers had to wait just 25 seconds after the break to
find the net, when Bowyer started and finished a swift move. The midfielder
headed the ball infield to Hayden Mullins and sprinted forward to get on to
Cole's one-touch pass and dispatch the ball confidently past Schwarzer for
his second goal of the season. And five minutes later the hosts doubled
their advantage when Cole shrugged off the attentions of Downing and aimed a
precise angled pass towards Mullins, only for Young to steer the ball past
Schwarzer with his out-stretched right boot. Boro should have pulled one
back just before the hour when Julio Arca's long ball sent Tuncay clear.
Green came charging out to narrow the angle and Tuncay lobbed the ball over
the Hammers keeper only to see it bounce off the top of the crossbar. Tuncay
was then put through by Mido, but Green pulled off a fine save at his near
post.
Celebrations
And Ashton's big moment came two minutes later, again courtesy of another
superb flowing move. Mullins swept the ball out left to Etherington, who
skipped past Young and crossed for Ashton to tuck home at the far post to
prompt rapturous celebrations from fans and players. Tuncay was left
red-faced when put clean through again, this time opting to shoot low past
Green only to see his effort roll tamely wide of a gaping net. And his
afternoon was summed up when his shot from 16 yards was cleared off the line
by Lucas Neill. Cole should have capped his rare appearance with a goal at
the death after being played in by substitute Freddie Ljungberg, but got
stage fright in front of goal and shot horribly wide, before Schwarzer saved
well from Bowyer in stoppage time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs pleased with points -SSN
Hammers boss not so convinced with performance
Last updated: 15th September 2007
Alan Curbishley admits he was far happier with West Ham's result from their
3-0 win over Middlesbrough, than the performance. Boro had edged the
goalless first half at Upton Park, but The Hammers came out strong and were
ahead within a minute when Lee Bowyer struck. A Luke Young own goal extended
their lead, before Dean Ashton pounced for the third just after the hour. "I
will take the result, that is for sure and performance we will look at,"
Curbishley said.
"We got in at half time and the key thing we were saying was that 'you need
to roll your sleeves up here', and we got the perfect start in the second
half and it quickly went to 2-0. Then we tried to commit suicide a bit and
(Robert Green) Greenie pulled us out of the hat on a couple of occasions and
you can pick bones out of the performance but the result was the most
important thing." Craig Bellamy limped off in the first half with a groin
problem, which added to the loss of Anton Ferdinand on Friday. "You add that
to Faubert, Parker and Dyer, we are getting hit at the moment but we are not
sure what Craig has done, he has a bit of a groin problem," he said. "It is
a bit of a blow." Curbishley was delighted to see Ashton claim his first
goal since the 2006 FA Cup final. "Really pleased for him," Curbishley
continued. "He has had a disastrous year and when we got back from
pre-season we just had to make sure we got him through it and he has come on
bundles in last few weeks."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Southgate rues Hammers loss - SSN
Southgate in shock over defeat
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 15th September 2007
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admitted his side could and should have
taken something from their loss at West Ham. After a goalless first half,
Lee Bowyer struck within 60 seconds of the restart and not long after Luke
Young put through his own net, before Dean Ashton wrapped up victory just
after the hour. "You watch the first half see how it is going and you think
we are in the ascendancy and before you know where we are, we are 2-0 down -
but we have to learn the lessons from it," Southgate told Sky Sports. The
Boro boss thought on another day, his side would have taken something from
the game. "He [Robert Green] has made some good saves, we have hit the post,
we have hit the bar and some of the things that happen you think 'is this
going to be our day?' but credit to my players they kept going - but it was
not good enough on the day," he continued. "We have got beat 3-0 - so we
have to take the defeat, we have had enough chances in the game to take the
lead or pull it back, but we didn't. "We have got accept it and learn the
lessons from it. "There was nothing in the game at half time, we have had
some very good chances during the game but they have taken theirs. ""We had
five minutes at the start of the half where we didn't get out of our half
and we have to learn from that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer-time - SSN
Last updated: 15th September 2007
West Ham 3 Middlesbrough 0
Soccer Saturday Expert Reaction
A Lee Bowyer strike, a Luke Young own goal and a Dean Ashton finish gave
West Ham all three points at Upton Park against the ever-inconsistent
Middlesbrough. The victory was Alan Curbishley's side's first home win of
the season and it pushes the Hammers up to fourth place in the Premier
League.
Depite the 3-0 scoreline Charlie Nicholas said on Soccer Saturday that
Middlesbrough had enough chances to snatch a point. "Middlesbrough were
probably the better team in the first half," said Nicholas. "Jeremie
Alliadiere hit the post and missed a couple before going off with an
injury." But Nicholas was impressed with the way the home team came out
after the interval. "Second half I dont know what Alan Curbishley said but
it was a dramatic change. Carlton Cole got involved, Matthew Etherington was
great. His cross for the third goal was different class. He was bang on song
today. "It was an exciting and good win for West Ham. Lee Bowyer scored a
wonderful volley after some beautiful link-up play with Ashton. "I certainly
think with the players they've got it's a decent squad and there was a anice
shape to them today. They will be thinking they can finish in the top seven.
"But Craig Bellamy went off with a hamstring which would be a concern."
As for the visitors, Nicholas believes it will be a tough old season for
Gareth Southgate's team. "I think Middlesbrough will struggle. At times they
passed it nice but Mido was quiet and predictable when Alliadiere went off.
"The turning point was Luke Young's own goal. He struggled to get back and
he lunged at the ball. If you make mistakes like that you're going to be in
the bottom end of the table. "But they missed a few - Tuncay must have had
five good chances - and it could easily have been 3-3."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-0 Middlesbrough - Soccernet
Dean Ashton put his injury nightmare behind him with his first goal in 16
months as West Ham roared to their first home win of the season against
Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old striker added to second-half goals from Lee
Bowyer and Luke Young's own-goal as the Hammers secured back-to-back 3-0
successes. Ashton, who missed all of last season with a broken ankle, last
found the net in the 2006 FA Cup final, but he was on hand to finish a
flowing 62nd-minute move to put the gloss on a fine performance from the
hosts. For Boro, Jeremie Aliadiere hit a post and Tuncay Sanli rattled the
crossbar, but despite being on top for periods of the first half, the
visitors were simply blown away after the interval. West Ham, with James
Collins recalled to the defence in place of Anton Ferdinand in the only
change to the side which beat Reading 3-0, were on top from the start.
Matthew Etherington, the two-goal hero at the Madjeski Stadium, was quickly
into the action with an early cross which was cleared by George Boateng,
before Bowyer burst through the midfield, only to be halted by ex-Leeds
team-mate Jonathan Woodgate on the edge of the area. Collins then headed
harmlessly wide from Etherington's corner and Mark Noble linked well with
Ashton before hitting a 20-yard shot which was deflected the wrong side of
the post. Ashton this week admitted he was out to catch the eye of England
manager Steve McClaren, and with his bright red boots and bleached blond
hair, he was hard to miss. And the striker had the ball in the net after 12
minutes, only to be denied by a linesman's flag after he had latched on to
Craig Bellamy's through-ball. Boro almost broke the deadlock with their
first attack in the 18th minute when Mido skilfully turned and sent
Aliadiere racing clean through, but the Frenchman's shot hit Robert Green's
left-hand post. Bellamy's afternoon came to a premature end in the 26th
minute when the in-form Wales striker pulled up sharply and was replaced by
Carlton Cole. Boro also had to reshuffle their strikeforce when former
Hammers loan player Aliadiere limped off, with Tuncay coming on. He almost
had an instant impact when he sprung West Ham's offside trap and crossed
towards the unmarked Stewart Downing, but Green dived forward to clear the
danger. Noble fizzed a shot narrowly wide with Mark Schwarzer in no-man's
land in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The Hammers had to wait
just 25 seconds after the break to find the net, when Bowyer started and
finished a swift move. The midfielder headed the ball infield to Hayden
Mullins and sprinted forward to get on to Cole's one-touch pass and dispatch
the ball confidently past Schwarzer for his second goal of the season. And
five minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage when Cole shrugged off
the attentions of Downing and aimed a precise angled pass towards Mullins,
only for Luke Young to steer the ball past Schwarzer with his out-stretched
right boot. Boro should have pulled one back just before the hour when Julio
Arca's long ball sent Tuncay clear. Green came charging out to narrow the
angle and Tuncay lobbed the ball over the Hammers keeper, only to see it
bounce off the top of the crossbar. Tuncay was then put through by Mido,
with Collins and Matthew Upson suddenly playing like strangers, but Green
pulled off a fine save at his near post. Ashton's big moment came two
minutes later, again courtesy of another superb flowing move. Mullins swept
the ball out left to Etherington, who skipped past Young and crossed for
Ashton to tuck home at the far post to prompt rapturous celebrations from
fans and players. Tuncay was left red-faced when put clean through again,
this time opting to shoot low past Green, only to see his effort roll tamely
wide of a gaping net. His afternoon was summed up when his shot from 16
yards was cleared off the line by Lucas Neill. Ashton left the field to a
standing ovation 10 minutes from time to be replaced by Freddie Ljungberg,
who has been out since the opening-day loss to Manchester City, a result
which now seems light years away. Cole should have capped his rare
appearance with a goal at the death after being played in by Ljungberg, but
got stage fright in front of goal and shot horribly wide, before Schwarzer
saved well from Bowyer in stoppage time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 Middlesbrough 0 - The Sun
September 15, 2007
WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley hailed the return of Dean Ashton after the
striker scored his first goal since the 2006 FA Cup final. Asthton, who
missed the whole of last term with a broken ankle, put his injury nightmare
behind him by adding to strikes from Lee Bowyer and Luke Young's own-goal.
Tuncay hit the crossbar and Jeremie Aliadiere rattled an upright for
Middlesbrough, but the home side ran out deserved winners. Speaking after
the game, Hammers boss Curbishley said: "I'm pleased for Deano, he looked
strong today. "Two weeks ago against Reading he looked a bit leggy but he's
played for the reserves since and it's done him the world of good. "He can
only get stronger now."
Shell-shocked Boro boss Gareth Southgate, who lost Aliadiere to a hamstring
injury, admitted his side paid the price for a lethargic start to the second
half.
He said: "We sat down at half-time thinking we had done well, we'd weathered
a bit of a storm and I couldn't see anything between the sides. "But they
have effectively won the game in the first five minutes of the second half.
"It's a harsh lesson for us, we didn't get out of the blocks in the second
half, but we'll learn from it. "I'm not going to bring any criticism out of
the dressing room. We got plenty of pats on the back after our last game,
but this time, five or 10 minutes has cost us."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Mullins, Noble,
Etherington, Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton. Subs Not Used: Wright, Gabbidon,
Ljungberg, Boa Morte.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng,
Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Sanli 30), Mido. Subs Not Used: Jones,
O'Neil, Lee, Davies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole converts the West Ham faithful into believers - Daily Mail
West Ham 3 Middlesbrough 0
By PETER HIGGS - More by this author »
Carlton Cole epitomised why depleted West Ham have forced themselves into
the Premier League top six. Robbed of big-money signings Julien Flaubert and
Kieron Dyer with long-term injuries, and waiting for the likes of Scott
Parker and Bobby Zamora to be fully ready, the Hammers suffered another
setback when £7.5 million in-form striker Craig Bellamy limped off after
only 25 minutes. On came Cole who, after low-key start, set up two goals in
five dramatic minutes at the start of the second half to seal West Ham's
first home victory of the season. With Dean Ashton scoring his first league
goal for 18 months, manager Alan Curbishley has more than a few reasons to
be cheerful. He said: "Carlton tried to ease his way into the game when he
came on and you can't do that. The pace in the Premiership is too fierce. I
said at half-time that we needed a quick start, especially Carlton — and he
set up the first two goals. I'm pleased for him. We need people to step up
to the plate."
Lee Bowyer set West Ham on their way just 23 seconds into the second half
with the kind of clinical finish that used to be his trademark — arriving
late in the penalty area to volley in Cole's pass and complete a move that
the former Charlton, Leeds and Newcastle midfielder had started himself.
Within five minutes another of Curbishley's former Charlton players, Luke
Young, turned Cole's diagonal cross into his own net past a stranded Mark
Schwarzer. A third effort in 17 minutes had special significance for the
home side as Ashton hit his first competitive goal since the 2006 FA Cup
final, a simple strike at the far post from Matt Etherington's cross.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green; Neill, Collins, Upson, McCartney; Bowyer, Mullins,
Noble, Etherington (Boa Morte 78); Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton (Ljungberg 81).
Subs: Wright, Gabbidon. Booked: McCartney, Ljungberg.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor (Davies
83); Boateng, Rochemback (O'Neil 68), Arca, Downing; Mido, Aliadiere (Sanli
30). Subs: Jones, Dong Gook. Booked: Sanli.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18's Beaten By West Ham - coventrycitymad.co.uk
Feature by Kev Monks Updated 15 September 2007
City U18's lose
COVENTRY CITY U18's 0-2 WEST HAM UNITED U18's BY KEV MONKS
Team
Collett,Wynter,Hollist (Fitzharris 46),Robinson,Burgess,Grandison,Fraser
(Diori 60),Walker,Ashraf,Jeffers (Tawich 30),Marshall
Sub Ireland
West Ham
Street,Spence (O'Neill 57),Fry,Ashman,Ngala,Harvey,Stanislas (Miller
60),Kearns,Sears,Jeffrey (Lee 75),Fitzgerald
Subs,Blackwell
HT CCFC 0-2 WHUFC FT CCFC 0-2 WHUFC
Ref J.M.Law
Booked Kearns,Ashraf,Walker
GOALS Jack Jeffrey (18), Fred Sears (24)
Man Of The Match Adam Walker
_________________________
On a sunny morning at the Alan Higgs Centre,it was all action in the opening
exchanges. Adam Street was the busiest of the two keepers,first he pushed
over a Sean Fraser long ranger and then got down to a close range Reis
Ashraf shot to concede a corner. It was Tony Carr's side who struck first.
Daniel Kearns slipped the ball inside for Jack Jeffrey to volley home from
sixteen yards. Six minutes later and Jeffrey turned provider slipping the
ball inside for Fred Sears to stroke past the helpless Collett. City were
over-run in midfield by an organised East London side and things were made
worse when Greg Rioch lost Shaun Jeffers with a head injury. He replaced
Hollist with Keiran Fitzharris at the break to stop the Hammers from
attacking down the right flank. Liam Robinson moved from midfield and filled
the role well. West Ham were not as prolific going forward as they were in
the first half. Callum Burgess again marshalled City's defence well allowing
the midfield to get the ball forward. Reis Ashraf had the best of City's
chances in the second half. Three times he fired wide and had a last minute
back heeler being cleared off the line after Walker had raced into the area
and being pulled down for what the referee deemed was a corner rather than a
penalty that those assembled felt should have been awarded. Three minutes
before this, Matthew Fry had hit the post but West Ham had already shown
their superiority and taken all three points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole comes in from the cold to heat up Hammers' game
Will Buckley
Sunday September 16, 2007
The Observer
The sun was shining and the Hammers were at home for the first time since a
3-0 victory at Reading. T'were very heaven to be a cultured West Ham fan.
The first half, however, was a purgatory that seemed to have no end. Seldom
can a more soporific 45 minutes have been played here. It was as flat and
lifeless as a 24-hour news channel at four in the morning. Everyone was
going through the motions and nothing was happening. As the players came off
for half time, the fans were not so much slumbering but nearly dead.
What transformed them and the game? Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager,
certainly got his charges coming out with the zeal of the recently converted
to wrap the game up within six second-half minutes. Curbishley's admission
that 'We came in at half time and we looked a bit leggy and I said we need a
quick start to the second half' suggests something inspiring was said.
Whatever the cause, the effect was miraculous and a game that had been
drifting towards stalemate became one that propelled West Ham to fifth in
the table.
It is not quite true to say nothing happened in the first half. Craig
Bellamy released Dean Ashton who scored, but was offside. In a copycat move,
Mido released Jeremie Aliadiere, who was onside but hit the post. Bellamy
and Aliadiere went off injured.
And that was that - and there was plenty of time to mull over the number of
solicitors offering their wares on the perimeter advertising.
The much needed goal came within a minute of Curbishley's team-talk. A
clever flick from substitute Carlton Cole allowed Lee Bowyer to sneak in and
prod the ball past Mark Schwarzer. It was a sharp strike and must have
impressed the watching solicitors.
Suddenly West Ham were buoyant, and minutes later they were dancing on air
when Cole was once again the provider chipping another clever ball into the
box that Luke Young diverted past his own goalkeeper.
The game seemed up, but Boro responded quickly with Tuncay Sanli drawing a
smart save from Robert Green. After Julio Arca had played him in again, he
was desperately unlucky to see his lob go over the keeper but land on top of
the bar.
There had been five times the action in the opening 10 minutes than in the
entire opening half. The game continued apace, with Tuncay again being
denied for what, on a luckier day, might have been a hat-trick.
As Curbishley consoled his opposite number, Gareth Southgate, afterwards,
'one team took their chances, the other didn't'. And it was West Ham who
scored a third. Matthew Etherington crossed from the left and storming in at
the back post was Ashton to ram the ball home.
Andrew Taylor's desperate intervention somehow managed to deprive Cole of a
deserved goal. Tuncay, too, might have finally got on the scoresheet when
one-on-one against Green.
Towards the end, Cole missed his easiest chance of the match. He was
destined to be goalmaker, not goalscorer. Bowyer might have had a double,
but was thwarted by a fine save from Schwarzer.
'We sat there thinking we finished the first half the stronger team,' said
Southgate. 'But then they scored two in five minutes. We've learned a harsh
lesson.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton gets back on target to punish Middlesbrough - The Times
West Ham 3 Middlesbrough 0
John Aizlewood at Upton Park
Forty-five minutes in and a frankly soporific first half had come and gone
with two enforced substitutions the main incidents of note. Another 45
minutes and an effervescent West Ham, helmed in midfield by the admirable
Mark Noble and led from the front by the rejuvenated Dean Ashton, had
crushed Middlesbrough, who were left to rue a plethora of missed chances and
continuing confirmation that, like cheap wine and fresh milk, they are poor
travellers.
With laudable triumphs at Reading, Birmingham City and Bristol Rovers behind
them, West Ham would have had the wind at their backs, were it not for their
inability to win at home this season. Anton Ferdinand was forced out by a
new knee injury, Scott Parker was still not fully recovered from an old one
and Kieron Dyer is their latest long-term casualty, so West Ham's first
choice XI remains the unknowable dream. Even so, manager Alan Curbishley
felt sufficiently secure to leave Freddie Ljungberg on the bench.
Orange-booted, yellow-coiffured Ashton started his first Premier League game
in over a season and, building on his inchoate partnership with Craig
Bellamy, the two combined for Ashton to fire past Mark Schwarzer in the 10th
minute. The offside verdict was correct, but the pair's almost palpable
potential had the East End exhaling bubbles by the bucketful. After the
Welshman limped off just before the half-hour West Ham weren't so capable of
the unexpected.
Middlesbrough arrived with a spring in their own step, buoyed by a doughty
performance in pegging Newcastle back to a draw and, then, a comprehensive
victory over Birmingham City. Their manager, Gareth Southgate, had a
big-money signing of his own, £5m Gary O'Neil, on the bench.
Southgate's men began tentatively, pushed onto the back foot, primarily by
Noble's keenness to carry the ball forwards and Bellamy's willingness to
drop back to find it. In contrast, Middlesbrough's Ahmed Mido and the
heartily-jeered former West Ham loanee Jeremie Aliadiere were strangers to
their teammates, isolated by a back-pedalling midfield.
Yet, in the 18th minute, when Middlesbrough did string a move together, they
looked full of venom. Mido threaded a delightful ball through the defence,
Aliadiere sprung an unconvincing offside trap and slid the ball past Robert
Green, only to look back in anguish as the ball hit the post and bounced to
safety. Soon, Aliadiere would hobble off injured.
Without Bellamy, West Ham waned and if Middlesbrough hardly waxed, they were
less cowed and when, in the 38th minute, Green feebly parried Tuncay Sanli's
cross, only Noble's heroic block foiled Julio Arcas goalbound drive.
With Green otherwise a spectator, Schwarzer was called into meaningful
action just once in the first half, when he dropped Carlton Cole's cross. In
keeping with a first half of almost unmitigated drear, the Australian
dropped it. Unsurprisingly, Noble sidefooted wide.
That drear was banished in six second-half minutes. Twenty-five seconds
after the restart, Lee Bowyer linked smartly with Hayden Mullins to find
Cole, who in turn needed one deft touch to set up Bowyer to smash his second
goal in successive home games beyond Schwarzer.
Before the Teessiders could gather their thoughts, they gave West Ham a
second when Andrew Taylor allowed Cole to cross low from the left. The cross
did not look capable of causing a commotion, but – with no claret-and-blue
shirt in his vicinity – Luke Young slid the ball past Schwarzer.
Prodded out of their torpor, Middlesbrough responded. Green saved expertly
from Mido before Tuncay spurned a glorious opportunity. Stewart Downing's
cute reverse pass set him free but he blasted the ball into Green's midriff
and, even with more than 30 minutes remaining, the game was lost.
Ashton's moment arrived. Matthew Etherington sped down the left. His cross
eluded David Wheater and reached the back post, where, amid scenes of great
joy, Ashton nipped in ahead of Taylor to register his first competitive goal
since the 2006 FA Cup final. With West Ham cruising to victory, there was
still time for O'Neil to chest wide of an open goal and for Tuncay to
complete an unwanted hat-trick of glaring misses when another moment of
Downing wonder set him charging through to Green's goal alone. This time, he
dragged the ball wide as Downing held his head in frustration. He will have
better days.
Even though Cole – one of three unmarked home forwards in the penalty area –
scuffed his shot wide when a fourth goal seemed the easier option and
Schwarzer did wonderfully well to turn over Bowyer's added-time piledriver,
West Ham will have fewer better second halves.
Star man: Mark Noble (West Ham)
Player ratings: West Ham Utd: Green 6, Neill 6, Collins 5, Upson 5,
McCartney 6, Bowyer 7, Mullins 6, Noble 7, Etherington 6 (Boa Morte 78min),
Bellamy 7 (Cole 26min, 7), Ashton 7 (Ljungberg 81min)
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer 6, Young 6, Woodgate 6, Wheater 5, Taylor 5 (Davies
83min), Boateng 5, Rochemback 6 (O'Neill 68min), Arca 5, Downing 7,
Aliadiere 5 (Tuncay 30min, 5), Mido 6
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 3 Middlesbrough 0: Ashton brings house down as Hammers hit
top form - The Independent
By Jim Foulerton at Upton Park
Published: 16 September 2007
West Ham produced a first home win for their supporters that had at one
point seemed highly improbable but which by the end was emphatic. Three
goals inside 16 second-half minutes left a hitherto impressive Middlesbrough
battered and bewildered, but sent Hammers fans home with renewed optimism.
Despite losing their top scorer Craig Bellamy to an early groin injury – the
curse of West Ham's new signings continues – Alan Curbishley's side emerged
from the break with fire in their bellies. Lee Bowyer's excellent volley 23
seconds after the restart, followed by an own goal by Luke Young and a
hugely popular Dean Ashton strike, secured a second successive 3-0 win.
Ashton had been waiting since the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool to add
to his West Ham tally, having missed a year with a broken ankle. When it
arrived after 62 minutes, it brought the house down. Curbishley had played
his striker in two reserves games since the 3-0 win at Reading and
acknowledged the importance of those outings. "He looked a lot sharper
today," said the manager. "The goal will have given him confidence and he
can only get stronger from here."
Ashton thought he had ended that drought after 14 minutes with a good finish
from Bellamy's pass, but an offside flag was raised. Jérémie Aliadière
should have put Boro ahead five minutes later when Mido, leading the line
well , sent him clear with a subtle flick of his right boot. Alas the former
Arsenal striker directed his shot against the post.
Mido was furious with his young team-mate and it was not the end of
Aliadière's misfortune. Soon he miscued horribly again from close-range
after Mido and Fabio Rochemback had combined well and after half an hour he
pulled up with a hamstring injury, to be replaced with Turkish international
Tuncay.
There was little sign of what was to come as Robert Green was forced to save
low from George Boateng and also divert a cross from Tuncay that would have
presented Stewart Downing with an open goal.
Mark Noble blocked Julio Arca's follow-up shot. But how misleading that
proved to be, for West Ham were ahead before the half-time jellied eels had
been finished. Hayden Mullins found Carlton Cole, on for Bellamy, just
outside the area, and he played in Bowyer who hit an exquisite first-time
volley, despite the close attentions of Jonathan Woodgate.
Four minutes later West Ham doubled their advantage. This time Cole, now
brimming with confidence after an uneasy start, skipped past one challenge
before whipping in a devilish cross which Young diverted past Mark
Schwarzer. Boro were as startled.
Tuncay beat West Ham's offside trap three times when a flag may have spared
him embarrassment. First he lobbed the ball on to the bar, then Green saved
at his feet. Tuncay sent the third effort hopelessly wide. "He apologised
for those misses afterwards," said his manager Gareth Southgate. "But you
can't pin the blame on him. We should have been in contention by that stage
anyway. But he has adapted well to English football and always looked a
threat."
Ashton scored just after the hour. The striker beat Andrew Taylor to the
ball to supply a close-range finish to Matthew Etherington's cross. There
could have been more, Cole missing a sitter, but then that would have been
greedy. "I said to Gareth it is all about taking chances," said Curbishley.
"We took ours, they didn't." Enough said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill's West Ham score first home win - ninemsn.com.au
10:48 AEST Sun Sep 16
Just four days after captaining Australia in their friendly against
Argentina, Lucas Neill led West Ham to their first home win of the Premier
League season.
The Hammers beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at Upton Park on the back of goals to
Dean Ashton - his first in 16 months - and Lee Bowyer, along with an own
goal from Luke Young.
Just 25 minutes into the second half, Bowyer headed the ball infield to
Hayden Mullins and then sprinted forward to latch onto Carlton Cole's pass
and dispatch the ball confidently past Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who
also played in Australia's 1-0 loss in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage when Cole aimed a
precise pass towards Mullins, only for Young to steer the ball past
Schwarzer with his out-stretched right foot.
Ashton, who missed last season with a broken ankle, had his moment in the
62nd minute when Mullins swept the ball out left to Matthew Etherington, who
moved past Young and crossed for Ashton to slot home at the far post.
The scoreline flattered West Ham, as Gareth Southgate's side hit the frame
of the goal twice. Jeremie Aliadiere struck the post with Robert Green
beaten in the first half, then his replacement Tuncay Sanli clipped the top
of the crossbar with a lob after the interval.
Tuncay had another superb chance to put Boro on the scoresheet when Neill
played him onside in the final half-hour, only for Hammers keeper Green to
deny the Turkish international.
Ashton was replaced by Freddie Ljungberg 10 minutes from time and Schwarzer
saved well from Bowyer in stoppage time.
Josip Skoko, who played 51 minutes of Australia's game, came on an hour into
Wigan's match against Fulham at the JJB Stadium and should have scored the
equaliser in a scrappy 1-1 draw.
But that was left to team-mate Jason Koumas, whose late penalty cancelled
out Clint Dempsey's opener for the visitors.
Referee Rob Styles awarded a questionable free-kick to the Cottagers deep in
their own half in the 11th minute.
The home fans' anger mounted moments later when Dempsey finished off a swift
attacking move by wriggling onto the end of a Diomansy Kamara cross in the
Wigan box and firing home.
Skoko moved into a good position in the box before shooting mildly at Antti
Niemi in the 71st minute, but when Hameur Bouazza was hauled down by Mario
Melchiot, Koumas salvaged Wigan's unbeaten home record.
Everton, still without injured midfielder Tim Cahill, lost 1-0 at home to
Manchester United.
Cahill, who is recovering from a pre-season foot injury, said he was aware
Everton manager David Moyes was not always keen for him to represent the
Socceroos and the Australian indicated his priorities lie with his club.
"I understand me playing for Australia frustrates him (Moyes), but you can
never take away what we achieved as a country," said Cahill, a key part of
the Socceroos side which reached the second round of last year's World Cup
finals.
"Now I understand that when I come back from this, maybe I will have to
think differently.
"My priority now is Everton and the Australian manager knows this. I'm not
in any rush to be thinking about Australia."
In other matches, Portsmouth drew 0-0 with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur lost
3-1 against Arsenal at White Hart Lane, Birmingham beat Bolton 1-0,
Sunderland beat Reading 2-1 and Chelsea drew 0-0 with Blackburn.
West Ham are fifth on the table behind Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United
and Chelsea, while Everton are sixth.
In Germany's Bundesliga, Socceroo Josh Kennedy came on as a second-half
substitute for Nuremberg, while Australian team-mate Michael Beauchamp
remained on the bench.
Kennedy had one late shot cleared and missed another as his team drew 2-2
with Hannover 96.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Middlesbrough boss Southgate admits slamming players
tribalfooball.com - September 15, 2007
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was shell-shocked after their 3-0 defeat
at West Ham. "We sat down at half-time thinking we had done well, we'd
weathered a bit of a storm and I couldn't see anything between the sides,"
he said. "But they have effectively won the game in the first five minutes
of the second half. "It's a harsh lesson for us, we didn't get out of the
blocks in the second half, but we'll learn from it. "I'm not going to bring
any criticism out of the dressing room. We got plenty of pats on the back
after our last game, but this time, five or 10 minutes has cost us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss delighted with Cole impact
tribalfooball.com - September 15, 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was full of praise for forgotten striker
Carlton Cole after he struck in yesterday's 3-0 defeat of Middlesbrough.
Cole was forced on after an early injury suffered by Craig Bellamy and had a
hand in all three goals. Curbs said: "Carlton tried to ease his way into the
game when he came on and you can't do that. The pace in the Premiership is
too fierce. I said at half-time that we needed a quick start, especially
Carlton - and he set up the first two goals. I'm pleased for him. We need
people to step up to the plate."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mullins delighted with new West Ham chance
tribalfooball.com - September 15, 2007
West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins is delighted with the way he has started
this season. Mullins appeared to be on his way out of Upton Park over the
summer, but is now firmly established in manager Alan Curbishley's plans. "I
accept what happens to me in football and just learn from it," he said. "A
new manager came in and brought in a few new players and I know I wasn't
playing my best and the team was on a bad run, so he had to make changes.
"Obviously Mark Noble came in and did well, so credit to him for that and I
think staying up was the main concern last season, which we did. "As a
player you want to play every game so it was frustrating not starting. But I
had to accept it and just work hard at getting back in the team." Mullins
also told whufc.com: "I came on against Man City and have kept my place so
the manager is obviously happy with the way I have been performing and I am
pleased too so hopefully I can get a good run in the team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gosling to resist West Ham, Everton offers for Plymouth deal
tribalfooball.com - September 15, 2007
Hot Plymouth Argyle prospect Dan Gosling is ready to sign a new contract.
Gosling, 17, is ready to sign a new deal at Championship club Plymouth and
snub the chance to join West Ham or Everton. The England Under-17 midfielder
is poised to commit to a long-term stay with Argyle despite the Hammers and
Everton having both made moves for the versatile teenager, who is already a
first-team regular at Home Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
