Lucas Neill shares his thoughts before another big game at the Boleyn this
Sunday
02.11.2007
In his latest exclusive offering for whufc.com, Lucas Neill reflects on a
good week for West Ham United that saw notable contributions from Robert
Green and Carlton Cole in the 0-0 draw and 2-1 win at Portsmouth and
Coventry City respectively. He also turns his attention to the Carling Cup
quarter-finals and looks ahead to the visit of Bolton Wanderers this Sunday.
Fratton Park as we know is a tough place to go and on the whole we probably
could have walked away with three points. But, thanks to Greenie's
last-minute save, he turned what would have been a harsh defeat into a draw
and the reaction from both fans and players was a real morale-boosting one
which made us feel like we had won.
In particular our fans' reaction was one of pandemonium and it was great to
see them sticking with us till the end for both that game and at the Ricoh
Arena. The win gave us the boost and confidence to go into that next game
which we always knew was going to be tough away from home against a team who
had already taken a big scalp.
We have been thrown a lot of tests with team selection at the moment with
players trying to find form and players trying to find fitness. We came up
against a Coventry team who were obviously up for the game and who probably
played the best they have played all season going off the clips that we
watched. It ultimately doesn't matter how you play in the cup, if you come
away knowing you showed the mental toughness and resilience to keep going
till the end and get into the next round, you deserve to be there.
Our objective for the four games after Sunderland was to get at least seven
points and get through to the next round. So far we have ticked off a point
and a cup victory so now we are looking to get two wins to achieve our
target. This would leave us in a strong position in the top half of the
league and, with everything that has been going on of late with the run of
injuries and a couple of inconsistent performances, to be in the
quarter-final of a cup and in the top half of the table a third of the way
into the season is a great platform to build from.
Even though we are eleventh in the league and in the quarters I don't think
we are anywhere near where we want to be in terms of performances on the
pitch. But, if we are not playing well and still picking up points, the
signs are good that sooner or later we are going to hit a patch of form that
will see us both playing and winning well. It may not be pretty or
entertaining for the fans to watch but through the course of the season we
are always going to hit a purple patch like we did last season. If you go
into that patch already in a strong position then things are looking good
for our target of a top-eight finish.
At one stage on Wednesday night, it looked like there could have been a few
potential upsets in the last 16, but now we have an all Premier League last
eight. In the first few rounds, we were always the favourites to win but now
the bookies have us as the underdogs to go on and win the whole thing. I on
the other hand feel that last-minute goals against Plymouth and Coventry
show just how much hunger we have to progress in this competition and that
if we get a home draw we will be in a strong position to make the semis.
There is no team now left in the competition that would scare anyone and on
their day any team can win so why not let it be us that gets into that last
four?
Congrats to Coley on a great performance and goal the other night, he has
had his critics at the start of the season but always maintained his own
self-belief. He has really answered the call and led the line, and is
starting to score goals which will no doubt do his confidence good and
change the opinions of those that have doubted his ability.
We welcome the staff, fans and players of Bolton, this is a must-win game
for us against a side who find themselves at the wrong end of the table with
some very good players. We hope to emulate the home performance against them
last year when we were very dominant and raced into a comfortable lead which
we held on to for the second half to get a well deserved victory.
I have read the comments made by the sports minister about players' wages
and as we all know, sports and politics don't mix! It seems that all the
positive things that we try to do get minimal small print whereas if one
person decides to give their opinion about us being overpaid it makes the
headlines.
We are in a sporting industry that is commercially very strong where we are
basically paid the going rate, and we don't set that rate. It is dictated by
the money that is thrown into the industry and the popularity of the sport.
We are an easy target, but anyone in a position where they are offered good
money to live their dream would sign up immediately and we are no different.
Because we are in the public eye we have a huge responsibility which we take
very seriously. We are human beings that sometimes make mistakes but on the
whole we all very committed to doing our best every week to justify what we
are paid. I think it is about time people start analysing us for the work we
do off the field that no one ever sees - the effort we make to touch
people's hearts and give people a lift who need it, and try and give a lot
back which always goes unnoticed.
Thank you for your continued support.
Lucas Neill
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Bolton Wanderers match preview - WHUFC
All the team news and background for Sunday afternoon's game
02.11.2007
West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
Barclays Premier League
Boleyn Ground
Sunday 4 November
Kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Sky Sports
WHUTV - Live audio coverage along with behind the scenes footage in the run
up to the game including Alan Curbishley's pre-match press conference and a
chance to hear from Matthew Upson and Nolberto Solano. WHUTV also has all
the highlights and reaction from our recent successes against Sunderland,
Portsmouth and Coventy City. Click here for a special membership three-month
offer.
Team news
Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins are both in contention despite having to come
off in the midweek Carling Cup match. Manager Alan Curbishley is set to
stick with much of the personnel that won at Coventry to make it three games
unbeaten in all competitions although he has been further boosted by the
return of Nolberto Solano and Henri Camara. Both were cup-tied for Tuesday's
2-1 victory.
Carlton Cole, with two goals in three games, is set to lead the attack
again, possibly alongside Camara, while Robert Green should return in goal
at the expense of Richard Wright, who got a valuable 90 minutes in the cup.
Of those who figured at Coventry, only Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) is likely
to be missing with Danny Gabbidon possibly coming in while Jonathan Spector
and John Pantsil will hope to have impressed after substitute appearances
last time out.
Bolton, who have not won away in the league this season and have only
stopped the opposition scoring once in 18 games, are set to be without
talismanic striker Nicolas Anelka (hamstring), who has scored six goals in
league action this season. Defender Ricardo Gardner, midfielder Ivan Campo
and forward Kevin Davies were all rested for the 1-0 midweek cup defeat by
Manchester City but could return, while full-back Jloyd Samuel came through
for his first appearance since mid-September.
Background
On Saturday, Blackburn Rovers in fifth are at home to sixth-placed Liverpool
and Portsmouth, in seventh, go to Newcastle United who are eighth - meaning
there is every chance for Curbishley's team to close the gap on some of
those outside the top four this weekend. West Ham United are eleventh with
14 points from ten games, and have a game in hand on all nine sides below in
the league standings.
The club have won all four league matches in which they have scored first
this season and only Chelsea of the 20 top-flight clubs have also not thrown
away a match-winning position. Bolton have not won in seven outings and are
level with last-placed Derby County. The visitors are next in action with
Thursday's trip to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.
This fixture starts a run of three games for Curbishley's men against teams
currently occupying the relegation zone, with the next outing at Derby on
Saturday before Tottenham Hotspur, under new manager Juande Ramos, arrive on
Sunday 25 November - again in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Last six meetings
5 May 2007 - West Ham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
9 December 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 4-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
15 March 2006 - West Ham United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup)
11 March 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 4-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
18 February 2006 - Bolton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)
26 October 2005 - Bolton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United (League Cup)
Club information
All tickets are now SOLD OUT. For more information on ticketing, click here.
For more information on the Boleyn Ground, including a detailed stadium
plan, click here
Weather: The forecast for Sunday is for a clear sunny day with temperatures
set to reach around 13C.
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West Ham v Bolton preview - SSN
Hammers host Trotters, live on Sky Sports 1
By Andrew Scurr Last updated: 2nd November 2007
Gary Megson continues his quest for his first win as Bolton manager at West
Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.
Megson's reign is now two games old and he has yet to win over the Trotters
faithful, although the former Leicester boss will argue he is unlucky not to
have made a perfect start. Key decisions have gone against them in games
against Aston Villa and Manchester City, and Megson will be hoping their
fortunes change at Upton Park. Bolton are without a win in their last seven
Premier League outings and have not won away from The Reebok Stadium since
April. Carlos Tevez inspired West Ham to a 3-1 victory in last season's
corresponding fixture, but with the Argentinian now at Manchester United,
The Hammers have struggled in front of goal recently. Alan Curbishley's side
have failed to score in three of their last four league games. They did beat
Sunderland in their last home fixture, and will be looking for similar
success against a struggling Bolton side who are only off the bottom on goal
difference.
West Ham woes
West Ham have a host of injuries to contend with, with no less than 12
players currently on the treatment table at Upton Park. Freddie Ljungberg,
Craig Bellamy, Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton are
among those nursing problems.
Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 2 Bolton 1
Player to watch: Luis Boa Morte
Sky Bet odds: West Ham 10/11 Draw 9/4 Bolton 5/2
The likes of Carlton Cole and Jonathan Spector will be hoping to take their
opportunities over the next few weeks.
Bolton are sweating on the fitness of leading goalscorer Nicolas Anelka, who
was withdrawn against Aston Villa with a hamstring injury. Anelka sat out
the Carling Cup tie with Manchester City and is a doubt to face West Ham on
Sunday.
Defensive duo Andy O'Brien (back) and Joey O'Brien (hamstring) suffered
injuries against City leaving Megson with more concerns.
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Trotters to Nic it - SSN
Last updated: 2nd November 2007
Maybe Carlton Cole is at last going to prove to us just why Claudio Ranieri
once said he was one of the best players he had worked with.
Matt Le Tissier
Quotes of the week
West Ham v Bolton
3pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1
This might just be the best time for Bolton to be playing West Ham. The
injuries the Hammers are suffering right now are terrible and to lose Mark
Noble, Anton Ferdinand and Hayden Mullins in a Carling Cup tie in midweek
was a hell of a blow. It is not just squad players they are missing, it is
first-choice, key men that are going down. With something like a dozen
players injured altogether, quite what side Alan Curbishley will send out,
we will have to wait and see, but their problems are a rare piece of good
news to have reached the Reebok this season. And they need it. A watched a
bit of Bolton on Wednesday night and from what I could see, Gary Megson
hasn't really changed much. We all thought he would revert more to the Sam
Allardyce mould, but against Man City, it didn't look as if much had
changed.
It is very early days of course, but maybe this will be the game we see what
way Megson is going to take them. If he is going to do what we all think, he
needs Kevin Davies back. He was left out of the Carling Cup, which probably
shows what that competition means to the Premiership's bottom club, but to
me, he is an integral part of that Bolton side, especially if they are going
to take that more direct route.
So far Megson has been quite smart with his key men. He has come out and
said some very good things about both Nicolas Anelka and El Hadji Diouf,
which was pretty shrewd. If they are going to get themselves out of trouble,
he needs his best players on side - and his main goalscorer.
Sulk
Having spoken to players who have played with Anelka, he does throw the odd
sulk now and then - hence the nickname - but so far this season he has
looked happy, even with all the changes that have gone on. There's no doubt
that when he is scoring he is a different prospect, it's just when the goals
dry up that he starts to complain and talk about leaving.
And if those goals dry up, Bolton are in big trouble, even more than they
are now. His free-kick last week proved he is top-drawer and probably the
only player in Megson's squad capable of doing that (although Diouf hit the
bar with a similar one on Wednesday), but the rest of the side simply aren't
contributing.
It's not like they are shipping goals left right and centre either. They got
beat by three against Newcastle on the opening day and again against
Portsmouth, but since then have pushed Chelsea and indeed Arsenal. But when
you are not scoring, it makes winning games very, very hard, no matter how
good your defence or goalkeeper are.
It's hard to know what that defence will be up against on Sunday, but isn't
it funny how all of a sudden, from not getting a look-in, Carlton Cole has
now become central to West Ham's hopes.
Funny time
He has had a funny time of it, but maybe just maybe, he has found the right
place. I have read this week that he himself thinks he has grown up a bit
and he has certainly taken his chance since Dean Ashton got injured again.
There are a lot of strikers on the books at Upton Park, but maybe now, Cole
is at last going to prove to us just why Claudio Ranieri once said he was
one of the best players he had worked with.
Elsewhere it will be a patched up midfield, but at least West Ham should be
able to send out a decent backline. And in Robert Green and Jussi
Jaaskaleinen, we have two of the Premier League's best goalkeepers on
display.
Green has been a revelation this season and can consider himself unlucky not
to be in the England squad. I don't think he's quite as low as sixth choice,
but really he should be pushing Paul Robinson and David James, never mind
making Steve McClaren's 22.
And although they are always a threat at home, West Ham might need him to
show us all why come Sunday.
Le Tiss predicts
AWAY WIN - I am going to stick my neck on the line and go for a rare Bolton
win on the road. It's not necessarily because I have seen any signs of
recovery under Gary Megson, more to do with the fact that West Ham are
struggling to send a side out! I can see this being extremely tight, with
one goal settling it, but if Bolton can find a little bit of quality from
one of their big players, they can nick this.
Matt's main man
NICOLAS ANELKA - His injury will be as big a worry to Bolton as all 12 of
theirs are to West Ham. They have to get him fit because without him, you
wonder where the goals will come from. If Megson goes with that 4-3-3 and
has the Frenchman, Diouf and Davies up there, Bolton are a a much bigger
threat and if it's quality they need, Anelka has it in abundance.
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It looks like good news for Sunday's team - West Ham Online
North Bank - Fri Nov 2 2007
It looks like our talisman Craig Bellamy will be declared fit for Sunday's
game against Bolton and two of the three players who went off injured
against Coventry, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins, have reported an
improvement and could also be fit to play.
It appears that Anton may be out for a few weeks but with Gabbidon back
we've got cover.
Good news then as despite their lowly position I feel we're going to need a
strong side out if we're going to beat Bolton.
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West Ham v Bolton - BBC
Upton Park
Sunday, 4 November
Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match
of the Day 2.
West Ham are hopeful midfielders Hayden Mullins (knee) and Mark Noble
(groin) will recover in time.
But a lengthy injury list includes Anton Ferdinand, Dean Ashton, Craig
Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg and Bobby Zamora.
Bolton team news to follow later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
West Ham (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano,
Spector, Bowyer, Pantsil, Boa Morte, Etherington, Cole, Camara, Kyle,
Mullins, Noble, Collison, Tomkins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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West Ham boss Alan Curbishley on in-form striker Carlton Cole: When I came
here last Christmas he had hardly played a game and wasn't looking fit. He
had been drifting and had got used to that. So in the summer we sat down
and told him that if he was to have any chance he would have to get himself
fit and be ready to be called upon.
"And that's what he has done. Now he is in a position to show people what he
can do. He has had to win over a few people here, apply himself more and
think about the game and how he could force his way in."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
These clubs go into this game on the back of contrasting fortunes in the
Carling Cup midweek; West Ham narrowly defeated Coventry 1-2 away, Bolton
lost 0-1, home to Manchester City.
Hammers manager Alan Curbishley will be looking for an improved performance,
as well as three points, so he can truly enjoy his 50th birthday on
Thursday.
Bolton enter the weekend equal bottom of the Premier League table on points
with Derby, and without a win in seven outings.
CLUB FORM
WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Entered the weekend one point outside the top half.
2. Recorded one win in five league games; 3-1, home to Sunderland on 21
October.
3. Five short of conceding 5,000 league goals.
4. Their 10 Premier League matches have produced fewer goals than any other
club; 21 (12 for, nine against).
5. One of four clubs to have won every Premier League match in which they've
opened the scoring (four games).
6. One of two clubs not to have surrendered any points from winning
positions. Chelsea is the other club.
7. Must visit Derby before back-to-back Premier League London derbies, home
to Tottenham and away to Chelsea.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League
fixtures)
1. Gained three points from the last available 21, each from draws, since
beating Reading 3-0 at the Reebok on 25 August.
2. One of four clubs with just one Premier League victory. The others are
Derby, Fulham and Tottenham.
3. Gary Megson's third game in charge, and second in the Premier League; his
first resulted in a 1-1 draw, home to Aston Villa last Sunday.
4. One of eight clubs still looking for a first away win in the Premier
League this season.
5. Made their worst ever start to a Premier League season; never had less
eight points after the first 11 and 12 games.
6. Not managed a clean sheet in seven league outings, and only one in 18.
7. Picked up two points from a last possible 24 against London clubs, and
one point out of 18 in London, since the 0-1 victory over Watford on 3
February.
8. Fielded more players in Premier League matches this season that any other
club, with the exception of Fulham. They have both used 25.
9. This match precedes Thursday's Uefa Cup Group F tie in Germany, against
Bayern Munich. Thereafter follows a vital six pointer, home to
Middlesbrough, and a tough home fixture against champions Manchester United.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
WEST HAM UNITED
Craig BELLAMY is West Ham's top scorer with four goals.
The Hammers' joint top Premier League marksmen are Dean ASHTON, Lee BOWYER,
Matthew ETHERINGTON and BELLAMY, with two each.
Matthew UPSON and Robert GREEN are the only remaining players to have been
on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League
matches this season.
If selected:-
Richard WRIGHT will be keeping goal on his 30th birthday.
If on the field from the outset:-
James COLLINS will be making his 100th career club start (Cardiff and West
Ham).
BOLTON WANDERERS
Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with seven goals - six of which
were in the Premier League.
Jussi JAASKALAINEN is the only player to have been on the field for every
minute of every one of Bolton's Premier League matches this season.
Gary SPEED, the only player to have netted in every Premier League season,
is a double shy of 100 career league goals (Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and
Bolton).
If selected:-
SPEED will be extending his record breaking number of Premier League
appearances to 531.
HEAD TO HEAD
West Ham's 3-1 victory in last season's corresponding fixture ended Bolton's
four-game winning run over the Hammers in the Premier League.
The 1-2 triumph on 27 August 2005 is Bolton's only maximum at Upton Park in
the Premier League. Kevin Nolan and Ivan Campo were their scorers.
Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 18 wins, Bolton 23, Draws 7
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Bolton 5, Draws 2
at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 15 wins, Bolton 6, Draws 3
Prem: West Ham 4 wins, Bolton 1, Draws 1
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
West Ham United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers
5 May 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
West Ham scorers: Tevez 10, 21, Noble 29
Bolton scorer: Speed 67
REFEREE
Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Premier League referees' table
Peter Walton's 2007-08 Premier League card count
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Player Of The Month - October - West Ham Online
Vinny - Fri Nov 2 2007
Games in October
Aston Villa (a)
Sunderland (h)
Portsmouth (a)
Coventry City (a)
Robert Green is the player of the month for October after a string of top
class performances which have had everyone scratching their heads to how he
is not involved in the England set up. He took part in three of the four
games played during this month, sitting out the League Cup victory at
Coventry City Coming off the back of a brilliant performance at the end of
September against Arsenal, Green again was solid at Aston Villa where he
could do little about the goal we conceded. His performance against
Sunderland at home was simply outstanding, and his save from Ross Wallace
was right out of the top draw. He managed to tip a fierce drive onto the
post when it looked as though the ball was going to fly into the back of the
net. His save kept us level and helped us go on to win a game which we
could have easily lost but for Green. He was argubly our man of the match.
His most memorable moment of October came in the next game, away at
Portsmouth where his injury time penatly save rescued a point when it looked
as though all our hard work was to be undone. He had already made a couple
of excellent saves during the game and his penatly save was the icing on the
cake. It became his second penatly save of the season after saving one away
at Reading in early September. Green has established himself as a firm fan
favourite and he was the winner of this poll by a long way.
In second place was George McCartney , who has won over many fans who did
not think he was good enough by putting in many consistant performances.
Thank you to everyone who voted.
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Fitness regime is helping Carlton Cole to shine - Times Online and Agencies
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, says that an improved fitness
regime is helping Carlton Cole to fulfill his potential after a year spent
drifting on the fringes of the first team.
Once seen as a future England international, Cole is the fourth-choice
forward at West Ham but injuries to Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby
Zamora mean he will lead the attack against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday
The 23-year-old will be hoping to maintain a run of form that has seen him
score two goals in three matches, a return that Curbishley that attributes
to the conditioning work Cole put in over the summer.
Curbishley said: "When I came here last Christmas he had hardly played a
game and wasn't looking fit. The senior players didn't play in the reserves
but there was an FA Cup game against Brighton and I threw five players in to
assess them and he was one. He scored but looked shattered.
"So in the summer we told him that if he was to have any chance he would
have to get himself fit and be ready to be called upon. Before he hadn't
been in a position to take advantage. He knew he still had people in front
of him but the main thing was to be fit enough to take his chance when it
came and that's what he has done."
Cole graduated from the Chelsea youth academy to the Stamford Bridge
first-team as a teenager and showed enough potential for Claudio Ranieri,
then the club's manager, to call him the best young forward he had worked
with.
Peter Taylor, the former England Under-21 coach, admired Cole too, saying he
had the potential to break into the senior international team. However, he
failed to secure first-team football at Chelsea and joined West Ham in the
summer of last year.
Curbishley said: "He had been drifting and had got used to that. He scored
against Brighton and stayed in against Fulham but after 80 minutes he was
shattered when we had already made three subs and Bobby Zamora then got sent
off. He couldn't cope then but now he is in position to show people what he
can do.
"He has grown up here but he is not a young player any more. He has had to
win over a few people here - me, the staff and some fans. He had to apply
himself more and think about the game and how he could force his way in. The
way looked blocked for him but we kept telling him it could easily change."
Curbishley will be without a number of players on Sunday, with Scott Parker,
Freddie Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer all still out injured. Mark Noble and
Hayden Mullins, the midfielders are doubtful but Curbishley is positive
about the match.
He said: "It is something we have just got to get on with. The players
deserve great credit. They stood firm, a few were asked to play out of
position and get on with it and we have been picking up results."
Nolberto Solano and striker Henri Camara are available again after missing
the Carling Cup victory over Coventry in midweek because they were cup tied.
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West Ham v BOLTON: Anelka ruled out - Daily Mail
Last updated at 15:49pm on 2nd November 2007
Bolton's leading scorer Nicolas Anelka has failed to recover from a
hamstring strain in time to face West Ham on Sunday. Anelka missed
Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City but boss Gary Megson had
hoped the French forward would have recovered in time to face the Hammers.
Instead, Anelka has been ruled out of the Upton Park encounter. Joey O'Brien
(hamstring) is a doubt, while Kevin Davies (hip) and Andy O'Brien (back) are
also struggling.
Team (from): Jaaskelainen, Walker, Al Habsi, J O'Brien, Meite, Michalik,
Samuel, A O'Brien, Cid, Gardner, Campo, Teymourian, Nolan, Speed, McCann,
Alonso, Giannakopoulos, Braaten, Guthrie, Diouf, Davies.
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Fitness first for Curbs & Cole - SSN
West Ham boss backing striker to take chance
By Andrew Scurr Last updated: 2nd November 2007
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is hoping Carlton Cole can finally grab his
opportunity in the starting line-up.
Cole has scored two goals in the last three games filling in up front with
Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora all out of the line-up through
injury. The 23-year-old worked hard over the summer to get in shape, with
the coaching staff unhappy with his fitness levels last season. Cole will
lead the line against Bolton on Sunday and Curbishley is willing the former
Chelsea youngster to take his chance at Upton Park. "When I came here last
Christmas he had hardly played a game and wasn't looking fit," Curbishley
said. "The senior players didn't play in the reserves but there was an FA
Cup game here against Brighton and I threw five players in to assess them
and he was one. He scored but looked shattered. So in the summer we sat down
and told him that if he was to have any chance he would have to get himself
fit and be ready to be called upon. Before he hadn't been in a position to
take advantage. "He knew he still had people in front of him but the main
thing was to be fit enough to take his chance when it came and that's what
he has done. "He had been drifting and had got used to that. He scored
against Brighton and stayed in against Fulham but after 80 minutes he was
shattered when we had already made three subs and Bobby Zamora then got sent
off. He couldn't cope then but now he is in a position to show people what
he can do. "He has grown up here but he is not a young player any more. He
has had to win over a few people here - me, the staff and some fans. "He had
to apply himself more and think about the game and how he could force his
way in. The way looked blocked for him but we kept telling him it could
easily change."
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CURBISHLEY BACKS RETURN OF COLE
By Jon West, PA Sport
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley believes striker Carlton Cole is at last
fully fit to do himself justice. The 23-year-old was in danger of becoming
one the enigmas of the Barclays Premier League. Hailed as a future England
star while a teenager at Chelsea, Cole's profile faded as quickly as it had
risen and he started the season at Upton Park as fourth choice behind Dean
Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora. All three are now out injured and
with two goals in his last three games, including a midweek winner at
Coventry in the Carling Cup, Cole was set to lead the line again when Bolton
are the visitors on Sunday. Curbishley was convinced a ruthless summer
fitness regime was the reason behind the re-emergence of a player he had
inherited from Alan Pardew. He said: "When I came here last Christmas he had
hardly played a game and wasn't looking fit. The senior players didn't play
in the reserves but there was an FA Cup game here against Brighton and I
threw five players in to assess them and he was one. He scored but looked
shattered. "So in the summer we sat down and told him that if he was to have
any chance he would have to get himself fit and be ready to be called upon.
Before he hadn't been in a position to take advantage. "He knew he still had
people in front of him but the main thing was to be fit enough to take his
chance when it came and that's what he has done. "He had been drifting and
had got used to that. He scored against Brighton and stayed in against
Fulham but after 80 minutes he was shattered when we had already made three
subs and Bobby Zamora then got sent off. He couldn't cope then but now he is
an position to show people what he can do. "He has grown up here but he is
not a young player any more. He has had to win over a few people here - me,
the staff and some fans. "He had to apply himself more and think about the
game and how he could force his way in. The way looked blocked for him but
we kept telling him it could easily change."
Curbishley will be without a number of players on Sunday, with Scott Parker,
Freddie Ljungberg and Kieron Dyer all still out. Midfielders Mark Noble and
Hayden Mullins are both doubts after being forced off early at Coventry,
which also saw defender Anton Ferdinand suffer a hamstring injury. But
Curbishley insisted: "It is something we have just got to get on with. The
players deserve great credit. They stood firm, a few were asked to play out
of position and get on with it and we have been picking up results."
Midfielder Nolberto Solano and striker Henri Camara are available again
after missing the Coventry game because they had played for their previous
clubs, Newcastle and Wigan respectively, in an earlier round.
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Brazilian ace a January transfer target for Hammers - Harlow Citizen
By Guardian-series
WEST Ham are rumoured to be back in the hunt for Brazilian ace Adriano
according to media sources. The Inter Milan striker was believed to have
rejected a move to Upton Park in August after the two clubs had agreed a
deal. But the Hammers are expected to try again for a loan agreement when
the transfer window opens in January.
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West Ham to try again for Inter Milan rebel Adriano
tribalfootball.com - November 02, 2007
West Ham United are expected to try again for Inter Milan striker Adriano in
January. The Hammers had a deal agreed with Inter for the controversial
Brazilian in August, only for the striker to reject a move to Upton Park,
says Corriere della Sera. With Adriano again in conflict with Inter coach
Roberto Mancini, West Ham are expected to try again for a loan agreement
when the market reopens in January.
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WEST HAM v Bolton: Hammers hopeful on Mullins and Noble - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:09pm on 2nd November 2007
West Ham are hopeful midfielders Hayden Mullins (knee) and Mark Noble
(groin) will recover in time for Sunday's visit of Bolton. The Hammers also
welcome striker Henri Camara and midfielder Nolberto Solano back into the
squad after they were cup-tied for the midweek win at Coventry, which also
saw defender Anton Ferdinand limp off with a hamstring problem.
But manager Alan Curbishley still has a lengthy absentee list with Dean
Ashton (knee), Craig Bellamy (abdominal strain), Kieron Dyer (broken leg),
Scott Parker (knee), Freddie Ljungberg (calf), Bobby Zamora (knee), Julien
Faubert (ruptured Achilles), Calum Davenport (groin), James Collins (calf)
and Nigel Quashie (toe) all out.
Provisional squad: Green, Wright, Neill, Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney, Solano,
Spector, Bowyer, Pantsil, Boa Morte, Etherington, Cole, Camara, Kyle,
Mullins, Noble, Collison, Tomkins.
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Hammers boss furious over injury slur - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:59am on 2nd November 2007
Alan Curbishley today hit back at suggestions that West Ham's injury crisis
is largely self-inflicted. The manager has been criticised for buying
players with suspect injury records during the summer, such as Kieron Dyer
and Freddie Ljungberg. Dyer has been sidelined since the end of August,
while Ljungberg has played only six games this season.
Following Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Coventry, the club had 12 senior
players on their casualty list. "Most of the injuries have been impact and
there is nothing you can do about that," said the manager. "Kieron has had
his problems in recent seasons but he is out with a broken leg. The only
significant muscle injury at the moment is Freddie's and he is back running
again."
The good news for Curbishley is that Craig Bellamy, who missed the cup game
with an abdominal problem, could return to the side for Sunday's Premier
League visit of Bolton. And two of the three players who went off injured
against Coventry, Mark Noble (groin) and Hayden Mullins (knee), have
reported an improvement and could also be fit to play. However, the third
player, centrehalf Anton Ferdinand, who has suffered a succession of
injuries already this season, is definitely out due to a hamstring strain.
"Considering all the problems we've had, the players who have been fit
deserve a lot of credit because some of them, at times, have been forced to
play in unfamiliar positions," said Curbishley.
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Ex-Spurs striker predicts gloom for Ramos but better things for West Ham -
Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:43am on 2nd November 2007
Spurs head to Middlesbrough tomorrow firmly entrenched in the bottom three
after just one win in their first 11 games this season. And former Tottenham
forward Bobby Zamora has told Ramos he has to build confidence to avoid
further turmoil. Zamora played a vital role in helping west Ham pull out of
their nosedive to the Championship at the last moment and said: "Spurs are
on a slippery slope and having a bit of a tough time at the moment. "They
have one of the best squads in the Premier League but just haven't been able
to put it together for whatever reason. "Tottenham are in the situation we
found ourselves in last year and I can tell you that when you get into a bad
run like that it is very hard to get out of it. "We did it by showing
tremendous belief in ourselves. We showed what we had and fought tooth and
nail to the end to get out of the perilous position we were in. "I'm sure
Spurs will get out of it as well. I only played a few games for them but I
really enjoyed it and the Tottenham fans were really good to me."
Zamora believes West Ham, who are in tomorrow's draw for the Carling Cup
quarter-finals, can enjoy success this season. "Our main aim is to climb the
league and win some silverware," the ex-Brighton sharpshooter added. "Last
year was just a blip and we have a great squad and I'm sure we will crack on
and do well. Europe is definitely a target and we can achieve it by winning
a cup or finishing in the top six."
Bobby Zamora was playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 at the EA Be The One event,
part of The London Games Festival at Trafalgar Square.
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